A quick look at an online Baptist discussion group of which I am part revealed a question asking, "Is there a right 'Christian' vote in the election?"  The answer is of course 'no' if you mean "is there one and only one party that is the correct choice".  Some people pointed out that there might be answers to a question "Is there a wrong 'Christian' vote in the election?" but that it is impossible to say "vote thus and so" as the one, true, Christian vote.

In the constituency where the Gathering Place is located, we have eight candidates standing.  I am fairly certain that there are people who will vote for each of the five 'main' parties and there is evidence of sympathy for the one single issue candidate.  For all I know there will be people who vote for the other two as well.

As the election nears, I become more anxious, not so much about how I will vote (I am now down to three options!) but because I'm just a wuss and hate conflict or confrontation.  My sensible head tells me that unlike last September's binary vote, this one is inherently more varied, so hopefully emotions will be slightly less raw.  But I'm still anxious... partly because of my own increasing sense of rootlessness, partly because of the potential to increase tensions across Hadrian's Wall.

PAYG this morning was centred on John 14: 27 - 31, 'my peace I give to you'.  One of the many texts we used on Sunday. The reflection suggested that this 'peace' is in fact that which prevents us becoming paralysed by fear, anxiety or uncertainty.

I think I have to keep reminding myself of that promise in the next few days.