The Rev. John Mann, an American now serving a parish in Glasgow, Scotland, is assisting in the campaign of his parishioner, Rose Gentle, whose son was killed in Iraq last summer. She is now standing for a seat in Parliament, and Mann is gaining new insights into politics – and the differences between his ministry in the US and now in Scotland. There, he says, "I never have to convince anyone about the reality of God’s realm as it is expressed through the gospel. My job is just showing up and announcing the good news."    [4-19-05]

More from John Mann >>

It’s election season here in Scotland and the rest of the U.K. Unlike American politics, the official campaign season is mercifully short, lasting only about five weeks. The candidates are also under strict spending limits which results in a grass-roots style of political action. The issues that the major parties try to play up relate mostly to the economy. The war in Iraq is also a major issue, in spite of how the Labour party tries to divert people’s attention from it.

Rose Gentle, the woman in my parish whose son Gordon was killed in Iraq last summer, is standing for a seat in Parliament against one of Mr. Blair’s cabinet members, Adam Ingram. She is running on an independent, anti-war ticket. Many of the other parties who normally field candidates have withdrawn from that race and thrown their support behind her. If the people who are opposed to the war turn out to vote on May 5^th, and if they vote their convictions, Rose will win. One of her associates in the Military Families Against the War movement, Reg Keys, is standing against Tony Blair in the Sedgefield constituency and the same principle applies there.

I am extremely honoured to be included as part of Rose’s support team, along with some of the community activists from Pollok and a number of her son’s friends from the neighbourhood. If you are interested, I include the address of the Military Families Against the War website -- http://www.mfaw.org.uk/

It is also a featured link this week on Michael Moore’s website. When Lindsay and I moved to Glasgow I never imagined that I would become an anti-war activist, let alone to the degree this has developed. However this and all the other aspects of the urban parish ministry are fulfilling in all respects. What I most appreciate about it, in contrast to much of what I did in America, is that I never have to convince anyone about the reality of God’s realm as it is expressed through the gospel. My job is just showing up and announcing the good news.

Take care – John Mann

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