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Radical church helps in terror emergency

-08/07/05

Shortly after one of the terrorist bombs struck in London yesterday, a historic and radical Anglican church with a history of supporting outsiders and victims opened its doors to the emergency operation.

St Botolphís Aldgate was only yards away from the site of the 08.51 blast that killed seven people and wounded 100, at least 10 seriously. It took place on a Circle line underground train travelling from Aldgate station to Liverpool Street.

Within minutes fire fighters and other emergency operatives were using the office of the Rector of St Botolphís, the Rev Brian Lee, to coordinate their activities. This became necessary because of the blocking of mobile phone services by the authorities, aimed partly at preventing the detonation of another bomb.

ìWe stand on the edge. We aim to welcome and listen to anyone who comes through our doors,î proclaims the churchís website. True to its aspirations, members of the congregation invited those caught up in the incident inside for tea, food, rest and support. Some wanted to pray and reflect.

The church will continue to assist today, the Rev Lee told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme this morning.

St Botolphís sits at the meeting point between the wealth of the City of London and the deprivation of the multicultural East End. It has established work among homeless people and with the lesbian and gay community.

ìIn sharing Christ’s ministry, we are inspired by the ministry of St Botolph, one of sacramental worship and prayer, combined with care and social action, and rigorous theological reflectionî, says the churchís vision statement.

St Botolph’s is also associated with the ministry of the Rev Kenneth Leech, a radical community theologian, who retired recently.


Find books now:

Radical church helps in terror emergency

-08/07/05

Shortly after one of the terrorist bombs struck in London yesterday, a historic and radical Anglican church with a history of supporting outsiders and victims opened its doors to the emergency operation.

St Botolph’s Aldgate was only yards away from the site of the 08.51 blast that killed seven people and wounded 100, at least 10 seriously. It took place on a Circle line underground train travelling from Aldgate station to Liverpool Street.

Within minutes fire fighters and other emergency operatives were using the office of the Rector of St Botolph’s, the Rev Brian Lee, to coordinate their activities. This became necessary because of the blocking of mobile phone services by the authorities, aimed partly at preventing the detonation of another bomb.

‘We stand on the edge. We aim to welcome and listen to anyone who comes through our doors,’ proclaims the church’s website. True to its aspirations, members of the congregation invited those caught up in the incident inside for tea, food, rest and support. Some wanted to pray and reflect.

The church will continue to assist today, the Rev Lee told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme this morning.

St Botolph’s sits at the meeting point between the wealth of the City of London and the deprivation of the multicultural East End. It has established work among homeless people and with the lesbian and gay community.

‘In sharing Christ’s ministry, we are inspired by the ministry of St Botolph, one of sacramental worship and prayer, combined with care and social action, and rigorous theological reflection’, says the church’s vision statement.

St Botolph’s is also associated with the ministry of the Rev Kenneth Leech, a radical community theologian, who retired recently.