A NIGHT OF CELEBRATION

CSM's 50th Birthday Bash was a night to remember. Comments have poured in since the event of how it signified CSM taking a step up "to the next level", and that people "had never experienced a sense of energy and purpose like that before".

Christ Church and Upton Chapel was packed out by those invited to celebrate the history and also support the future of CSM. Attendees were royally entertained by the incredible "Ruby Dolls" (www.therubydolls.com) bringing a flavour of yesteryear. However their set had a present-day resonance, when they dedicated Noel Coward's "There are bad times just around the corner" to the coalition government.

This was a reception carried out with Christian Socialist principles as well as Christian Socialist rhetoric. An amazing team of volunteers decked out the venue and graciously served food and drink. Thanks must go especially to the organising committee of Pat Finlow, Shona Elliott, Angela Kitching, Dave Canning and Rob Carr. The whole evening was put on at a fraction of the cost of similar central London events.

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There was a palpable excitement in the room as Ed Miliband's arrival approached. When he spoke he did not disappoint. He said that “The Christian Socialist Movement has played a vital role throughout Labour’s history”. He predicted that this role would increase rather than decrease as Labour realised the need for policy to be underpinned by ethics. He added that, “CSM was also at the forefront of new methods of political engagement, with its ‘Labour Neighbours’ programme.” He made a point of paying tribute to the creativity and impact of CSM's present leaders Alun Michael and Andy Flannagan.

Ed spent some time mingling with guests and seemed to be genuinely touched (and shocked) when presented with wedding presents for his impending nuptials that week. He received a framed print of RH Tawney from the National Gallery and a Poverty and Justice Bible from the Bible Society, who also kindly sponsored the event. Their was a display of their excellent resource SUSA - www.susa.info which seeks to encourage Christians into political engagement.

There was also a huge response to an empassioned speech by Ann Pettifor. Her macroeconomic acumen and prophetic desire to speak the inconvenient truth resonated strongly with this audience. Many left resolved to campaign further for crucial changes to way the global economic system is wired. Lack of control over credit creation, international currency transactions and flawed coalition thinking were all targets in her sights, and they were picked off expertly. There was enthusiasm for the growing link between Ann's team and CSM including a training day for CSM members in the Autumn. Watch this space.

Andy Flannagan grabbed the hearts and minds of the audience with a reflection on the past, present andyflan-300x400

and future of CSM. The overarching narrative for his talk was our call to partner with God in the restoration, redemption and reconciliation of all things, exemplified by his humbled joy in poorly washing his dad's car, realising that he didn't need his help, but that he wanted his help. He laid out the challenges of being both prophetic and humble, and therefore the need for regular communion with our creator. Areas where in the past CSM members had spoken uncomfortable truth, only for it to become mainstream opinion many years later were listed, and the long list of CSM initiatives which will carry the movement forward were profiled. These included CSM mentoring, training days, prayer gatherings, Labour Neighbours, policy research work, and campaigns alongside other organisations.

The need for resource to make these things a reality was laid out, and thanks were expressed for the previous funding from the Cook Foundation, which has now had to draw to a close. A call went out for the UK to now step up to support this crucial work. This led to many people making the CSM 50th anniversary pledge - to give £50 every year to secure the future of the movement.

The night ended with a wonderful auction of signed acts of parliament and other memorabilia, which raised around £500 in itself. Many thanks to Rob Carr and Ian Geary.

So all in all a wonderful night, which left everyone in no doubt that CSM was heading for an even better 50 years to come.....

Stephen Beer, 14/06/2011