Today isAdvent Sunday when the Church begins to look forward to Christmas. I know mostof the rest of the world has been doing so for a while but we try not to be toopremature about it!
Advent istraditionally a time for taking stock as we prepare for the coming of theChrist child. We have a general election forcing the nation to do that. Thismorning Id like to concentrate on something closer to home or, rather, closerto no home.
What I meanis the homeless; not rough sleepers, though it is right that we should considerour responsibilities towards them this winter. mean the large number of children in care.
- 40,000 children come into care eachyear: that's 1 every 22 minutes,
- There are 2,580 children waiting foradoption in England.
- There are 820 looked after childrenin Worcestershire alone thats children in care without adoptive and fosterparents.
Shockingstatistics and the harm is long lasting. Nearly half of all young men(21 and under) in custody have experience of the care system. One-third ofcare leavers become homeless within the first two years of leaving care.
Its a grimpicture. As the father of two adopted children, I feel passionately about itand know that we can all play our part in changing things, either bystepping up to foster or adopt or, more likely, supporting those who do and allchildren in need.
In the Diocese of Worcester we are forming a partnership with Home for Good, a wonderful charity whichseeks to find foster and adoptive parents for looked after children and offerall kinds of other support.
Jesus washomeless and a refugee. As we take stock in Advent, perhaps we could spare athought for those in todays world who are the same. I recommend checking out Home for Goods website to see how youmight help.
Watch our video about the work of Home for Good:
