Dear Circle of Hope,

One of my friends who I met about twenty years ago has progressed in his career to a point where he is now regularly invited to speak around the globe at conferences, events and even on morning television (yes apparently some people still watch that!). The reason he is asked into all these spaces is because he is regarded as a futurist and has actually been identified as one of the leading futurists in the world as he provides insights that help businesses, companies and people stay ahead of the curve.

Last night following one of our gatherings I was engaged in a conversation with a quiet man in his seventies. He also had a passion for and wanted to speak about the future. However, rather than seeking to get ahead of the curve, or examining societal trends and fads, this humble volunteer was asking all the right questions. He wanted to know why people remained so focused on their own patch, often unaware of the bigger picture. He wondered about the growing sense of the divide between us and them even within the local region. He lamented the lack of unity that was evident within communities that should be known by unity, love and grace. I found the conversation stimulating and at times heartbreaking, but with an underlying grounded and earthy hope for the future.

Maybe we don’t have the resources of our world’s leading futurists or the wisdom and insight to stay ahead of the curve. But maybe we all hold the right questions that can lead us through wondering, into reflection and then onwards into a grounded and earthy hope for the future. This can then frame our action, as we seek to change the world by shaping communities that are known for their unity, their welcome, their far-reaching generosity, their passionate justice and their unconditional love.

So…what does the future look like?

Thank you for being part of our Circle of Hope.

Grace and peace,

 Phil