ONE NIGHT for Religious Freedom: How Jim in Blackpool is getting involved

Only 11 days to go now! There is now an online form to register your interest in ONE NIGHT on our webpage; click here to let us know if you are planning to attend. Remember, you may attend all or part of the vigil and we will happily welcome those who decide just to show up on the night; registering your interest simply helps us to get a rough idea of numbers. If you aren't able to attend, you can still support ONE NIGHT and ACN's work with Iraqi Christians by donating through Just Giving; Donate to ONE NIGHT. We'll light a votive candle at the vigil for every £10 donated.

Jim in his ACN Repository in Blackpool

Today's Guest Blogger is Jim from Blackpool; Jim already volunteers for ACN and we are very grateful for his help!

1. Please give us a bit of info about yourself (first name, occupation, background, etc)

James Jennings but only when I am in trouble!  I prefer Jim and this is how people know me. Now retired but have been a jack of all trades. Left school @ 15. One week I was in school; the next week at HMS Ganges the boys training school in Suffolk. 4 weeks ago finished what ended up to be 53 constant years of work. For those trying to work it out, I will be 69 this summer. Served in Aden, Malaysia and Mauritius prior to their independence, the locals were revolting!  Joking joking but you get the drift.

2. Why are you interested in the issues surrounding Religious Freedom in our world today?

 We have the ability in this country to worship as and when we like. Whether we take advantage of it is up to us, there is just so much we take for granted.

3.  Have you supported Aid to the Church in Need before? How might you be interested in helping in the future?

There are many charities in this country all worthy to a greater or lesser extent. We cannot ignore what is happening in the Middle East, people do not realise ISIS are FIVE miles from Europe. Europe is not just here.  We cannot afford to wake up one morning and find the "Nazarene" symbol on our front door, put there by insurgents.

I run an ACN shop within Holy Family Church Blackpool.  Why not come and see us next time you are in town? We open 18:30 Saturday and 10:30 Sunday.  During the week entry is by the side entrance opposite the church hall, if I'm not there my mobile number is on the door and I can be there within four minutes.

In the future I would like to be more hands on, although I am totally aware sales and donations are our life blood.

4.   What is your message to those Iraqis who are currently suffering persecution both as displaced people within Iraq and as refugees elsewhere?

My message to the Iraqis although not much succour, is, "stay strong, people across the world are thinking and praying for you, this cannot go on forever.”

Thanks very much, Jim, for sharing your thoughts and letting us all know about how you support ACN in your parish in Blackpool; the work that you and other ACN Parish Representatives do is very helpful indeed! We'll pass on your message to the persecuted in Iraq at ONE NIGHT.

If you are interested in helping ACN by serving as an ACN Parish Representative, speak to your Parish Priest and ask him to get in touch with us. Thank you.