The real treasure - Rowan's 2009 Call

I was impressed by the thoughtful tone of Rowan's 2009 New Year message and the call to look after our 'real' treasure - the young members of the world's society, especially after a year where we have seen the government pour money into underpinning the bankers and their folly. Of course many will tell me that if the financial system fails the country falls and whilst this is true at one level surely it is also true that when one sector flourishes and is rewarded for greed and the damage it has inflicted upon society in the form of lost jobs, repossessed houses and a diminishing of public services as a result of the money earmarked for that having been given to the bank - I struggle!
    
When I see RAF Cottesmore close to save money and look behind it to see the damage done to the companies and people who supported it and realise the impact on the local communities I struggle further. When I read of naval base closures and the further uncertainty to communities who only exist by supporting these place or read of regiments closing and reductions in the Army, both in terms of recruiting, training and provision of equipment - I struggle further!
    
We have accepted the 'greed is good' culture for too long. A home is no longer a home but an investment and the average UK family bears something like £24,000 of exposure for the national debt (and rising) and to this we can add the credit card debt and the loans and the  . . . . . (insert your particular payment concern). We need to realise that, as Rowan says, the children are our treasure and celebrate that and work for them.
    
Today we will be taking around one hundred and fifty people to the local pantomime (Oh yes we will) thanks to a gift of free tickets from a local group who wish to stand with us and the children and families work we do. Next week we will re-open our doors to the Kid's Club and see the addition of a 'homework Club' where they can do homework whilst waiting for their turn on the playstations, Xboxes, Wii and snooker (which is amazingly still as popular as the consoles). The kids flourish under the slightest bit of interest and encouragement - but this is true for all kids (so what are we doing about it?).
   
As Rowan rightly said, they are our greatest treasure - here at home and far across the other side of the world. We need to act to protect them and help them to develop fully and in full health. So why not 'Toilet Twin' your church (and/or home) toilet, help to 'Send a Cow' to make a difference, send your Tools to Tools with a Mission (or send them here and we'll pass them on) and engage in so many effective means of making and most of all 'being that difference'.
  
Let's get 2010 started the way we meant to carry on with 2009 (and there's still Rowan's next installment above), eh?
     
Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”