How can weapons be turned into art? How can ‘swords’ be transformed into ‘ploughshares’? For some scholars and practitioners involved in building peace, the phrase ‘Swords into Ploughshares’ is an overused cliché that has lost its original force. In this illustrated public lecture, Professor Jolyon Mitchell investigates how this ancient text is being brought to life in many different parts of the world through artistic projects promoting peace. He analyses how various artists are transforming weapons that used to kill into tools for farming, useful objects or symbols of peace. He explores how different museums, educators and film-makers are now using these pieces to envision peace. Professor Mitchell considers the significance of these expressions of ‘Swords into Ploughshares’ in local, national and international peacebuilding.

I must confess that I found myself smiling at his choice of topic for I too have seen with my own eyes swords turned to ploughshears. I think he has struck a hammer that resonates with a great many people. If given the choice would not most of us beat our swords into ploughshears?

While Joylon focused on the role of artist engaging with the text from Isaiah ‘beating swords into ploughshears’ I began to reflect on those who make the swords, those in our modern day arms industry. What happens when they catch the vision of the prophet? Lives are changed and enemies and critics become friends. It is not a dream as some critics suggest.

It became a reality when a whole work force, (be it for a short time),turned from making warships to making a hospital ship.In 2004-2005 BAE Systems the maker of arms and war machines became involved with the the process,not of creating a works of art, but of literally recreating a sword and turning it into what can only be described as a “hard core ploughshear” The outcome being an ex Royal Navy Fleet Tender reshaped from transporting military equipment to becoming the carrier of hope and healing to some of the poorest and neediest people in Amazonia.

So what makes a dealer in weapons become a dealer in compassion? Perhaps it is simply because deep down within the human psyche the text of the prophet Isaiah resonates with a longing we all have to be peacemakers.Its a fascinating story how Willie McPherson managed to persuade the CEO of BAE Systems in Barrow to climb on board and begin the reversal; turning his war machinery into creators of healing and hope. Its an inspiring story how over 70 apprentices turned a small ship into a hospital. Its heart warming when specialised artisans gave of their time and their money to make a dream come true. However what’s even more amazing this little ship of hope was sailing the Atlantic when the planes crashed into the twin towers.Even when evil does its best the light will not be defeated.

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All of this may be true, but as Willie McPherson says when his life is judged he’d rather be judged,for doing something rather than doing nothing. One more little aside. When Amazon Hope 2 was leaving Barrow another surprise took place for the workers. Every time a submarine is built and leaves the port the local Quaker Church turn up and silent protest against war holding banner. When Amazon Hope 2 was leaving a little group of Quakers could be seen standing on the bridge but instead of protesting they were cheering.

We had a look at two possible ships, each have their merits and their short comings. A bit like the rest of us. Anyway we’ll be leaving it up to the people who know more about these technical matters to help us as a Board of the Vine Trust make the right decision. Anyway I had a good day with Willie and Alec, we were glad to have Robert Thomson with us as our naval architect, but we were conscious that this would have been the occasion when we would have been leaning heavy on Tom Dunn to tell us what to do. However we are grateful to Robert Thomson who worked with Tom for his help and advice.

It was a wonderful boost and uplift to get back to the church at 1.00am and see the lights on and to go into the sanctuary and find people working and praying. This my friends is the stuff from which revivals develop. Anyway there was someone finishing off the murals and another who had just completed the Holy Spirit Mobile. No I don’t mean a phone to talk to God, we don’t need that, God has given us an inbuilt phone, jesus is the line provider. Have a look below the art work is really quite spectacular. I think it will enhance worship tomorrow. If you can’t be there join us on line at standonline

So what can I say get yourself down to Bo’ness St Andrew’s and feel the presence of God in the sanctuary it is truly amazing to share in this 24 hour prayer vigil. it looks as though the afternoon session linking prayer and art is going to be worth attending . If your around pop down between 2.00pm-4.00pm. If you can’t get here in person join us on the internet for the prayer vigil

Tomorrow is going to be a really special time we’re going to be having a Pentecost Celebration including Communion followed in the Afternoon with a Barbecue in the Church Garden and a Communion Service at 6.00pm.

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Back to last night, the great thing is that Paul Dougal one of the members of We See Lights,( who also played a tune with his dad and uncle), hopes to head out to Tanzania this Summer as a member of the first Vine Trust work party in Africa. Paul he’s such an adventurer a true trailblazer. And yes of course we all like the Smiths my great granny was a Smith. Hence I always eat a Granny Smith when I get the chance!

These tribal people live in the North West part of Peru on the Ampiyacu River. Before Amazon Hope visited this part of Amazonia both tribes who live across the river from each other and speak completely different languages had very little contact. Now thanks to the medical ship coming into the area both tribes have become good friends. They meet and socialise when the ship arrives. Last week both tribes put on an amazing dance and we were welcomed as always by both of the chiefs. I had a bit of fun calling out “Ola Victor” to the chief of the Bora I remembered him from past visits. Unfortunately to him all we gringos look the same. So not only are we saving lives in the rain forest we are also doing our bit for international relations. I’m pictured here with well known art designer of furniture Alastair Munro from Inverness who was looking to develop a whole new Amazonia line in furniture for his winter collection of 2012. Mr Munro was also greatly interested in the ancient low tonal jungle drum of the Bora. This drum is used for communication between members of the tribe who might be isolated in the forest. The drum might be calling them to return to the main tribal camp for refreshments after a long hard day at work. Mr Munro who finds texting and mobiles somewhat challenging is exploring this drum as an environmental alternative to the intrusive mobile masts that are appearing all over the highlands of Scotland. Mr Munro commented that he believed he could reproduce the drum and it could be used as an alternative communication strategy for the Highlands during this time of austerity. Munro continued to suggest that this solution to communication should not be promoted as primitive but rather understood as appealing to the minimalist approach which so often is the source of good design and art.

Oh and of course we are helping the local economy as we purchase the ancient tribal art which ranges from painting to the poison arrow and blow pipe if required. I myself stuck to the art work while one of our party Hazel Taylor who works for a charitable foundation,bought a blow pipe. Now I’m not quite sure who she is planning to kill. All I can say is if you recognise her please what ever you do don’t turn your back on her. And above all watch your neck these arrows are deadly. The thing is looking at Hazel you wouldn’t believe that poison could melt in her mouth? But if you look closely you’ll notice that the tribal woman in the rear of the picture is eying her up rather suspiciously. The thing is the Bora woman are noted for their insight into human nature.

Finally it was the selection of Alice Stewart that caused the greatest of concern to Her husband Gordon. Alice caught the eye of Chief Victor and he insisted that Alice join his group of women dancers to explore the Bora mating system through the dance of the cobra. First of all Alice had to have her make up applied by one of the tribal artists. Immediately after the dance Mrs Stewart who is a giant of a man compared to Chief Victor made it plain that Alice would be returning to Scotland. However some people on the ship reported that they heard Alice sigh a little as the speed boat pulled out to head back to Iquitos some four hours down the river. Later in the day Chief Victor who is a fan of the 1970s band Dr Hook, was beating out the tune “Living Next Door To Alice” on the Jungle Drums. have a listen to the tune below.

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It was way back in 2001 that I first heard the name of Tom Dunn being mentioned by my colleague Willie MacPherson. Willie had first met Tom when he was the Chief Naval Architect for BAE Systems on the Clyde. Tom caught the vision of the Vine Trust and has helped to make the vision of taking a ship to the Amazon to change the lives of the poor a reality.

For the past ten years he has been our principal advisor in reconstructing the ships we have at present on the Amazon. I have always been amazed at Tom’s willingness to help with this work until I learned that all his life he had harboured a desire to serve God in some way in Amazonia. Here was a man who designed ships to be used in war zones now turning his skills to design and redesign Amazon Hope 1 and Amazon Hope 2 in order to take health care to over 100,000 people in the remote Amazon. I truly think Tom believed that God had given him this unique opportunity to use his naval skills in this way.

I remember having a conversation with Tom when we were sailing Amazon hope 2 around the UK in 2005/6. “Tom” I said, “What size of ships do you normally work on?” He stopped for a moment looked at me in the eye, then turning and pointing to a huge war ship berthed in Leith said quite unassumingly ” What about that one”

I want to go tomorrow to pay tribute to a man who connected with the work of the trust and through that connection has been able to change the lives of many people in Amazonia for the better, but more than that he has had a profound effect on many people who live in his home town of Greenock through the work of the Bernard Court Mission of which he was proud to be Superintendent, a job which his father and grandfather had before him.

Sadly as we’ll say farewell to a great friend of the Trust , we know he is starting out on another life changing voyage. As his ship sails over the celestial horizon, and we say “there she goes”, passing from time into eternity and our voices are silenced, others on the shoreline will be singing hymns of triumph and other voices will be heard saying ” See here she comes” death for the christian is not the end it is the gateway that leads to a new perspective on the meaning and purpose of living.

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The disappointing part to all of this was that the town being nearly deserted. The bad weather of the past few weeks has no doubt prevented people doing Christmas shopping. Today no one seemed to be shopping local. The vast majority of shoppers seemed to be heading for the larger cities and towns. All this makes me think how crucial it is that local people support their local shops. If the locals don’t before long there will be no local town centres to visit and communities will be a great deal poorer. Anyway here are some pictures of the team preparing everything for the party before the shop opened earlier this morning.

I’d like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to all those who helped make today a success. Thank you to those gave and helped delivered the marque. Thank you to the team who came to help erect the marque. To the folks at Kirkliston who let us borrow some of their equipment. To the fantastic staff at Branches for all their hard work over the years.

I’m convinced that we need to encourage more people to become adventurous in the cause of the poor. When we tell our story of how it all started in a shop in Bo’ness and how it has grown into an amazing partnership with Scripture Union people are intrigued. Our challenge as a trust is to continue to find ways to engage and educate more people to become adventurous to become risk- takers. I think that is what i like most about being the chairman of a Board that is willing to try out even risky ideas. the conversations we’re having at the moment about a third boat perhaps going to Lake Victoria may be risky but it has certainly got a lot of minds working. This was part of the conversation I was involved in while speaking with Princess Anne and Murray Easton.

Then a few days later its down on the barge at Leith to witness the growing transformation of a disused oil barge into what I believe might well be an award winning designed barge to promote the needs and the plight of the poorest people. I’m just amazed at how far on the workers are have a look at this video showing the steel being erected and the flooring being put down. When this is finished in April or May 2011 it will be one amazing miracle floaring on water.

So remember when you go and visit the barge and hopefully you will you’ll remember you saw it first here. Believe it or not there will be an amazing exhibition space, a board room, a number of offices, a galley, a small cinema, and an educational area to explore international development issues.

Earlier on in the afternoon A group of sixth year students from Kincorth Academy Aberdeen, who were the winners of the Vine Trust essay writing competition, on the theme ” What would you do if you were the President of Peru, will have the opportunity of meeting up with their local MP Ann Begg and later will attend the All party Reception. I;m delighted to see the work in the schools developing and connecting with the Gkobal Citizenship aspects of the curriculum.

The Barge which is being renovated at Leith will take this aspect of our work to a new level as schools will be able to visit the barge which will be as far as we know the first centre for Global Citizenship if not the uK certainly in Scotland

Having just returned from Africa we are even more convinced of the opportunities that opening up for the Trust to develop is work beyond South America. this in no way means that we are losing interest in the South American Continent it simply means that doors are opening to us in other parts of the world world and the trust feel it is important that we respond to these new challenges.

All of us in the Board of the Trust are so grateful to God for the continued financial support that comes through to feed and clothe over 250 Peruvian children who are at present being cared for by our partners Scripture Union Peru.

I’d like to say a huge thank you to Christine John who is our Regional Development Officer for the South of England. Christine has been doing all the organising and planning for tis event and i’m certain its all going to be a great success.

One more thing make sure you attend the 25th Anniversary service being held in St Andrew’s Bo’ness on Sunday 28 November at 4.00pm followed by a buffet. If you intend to be there please let the Vine Trust staff know.

Of course when in London it is also an opportunity to take in a show. We managed to get tickets to go and see “Phanton of the Opera” now I must confess that I’m not a great fan of Lloyd Weber’s music to me much of it all sounds the same and it has a touch of the production line about it. But hey who am I to critise, one of the staff was telling me the show has been running for over 23 years in the same theatre and is played to packed audiences most evenings. So I guess there is a huge audience for musicals.

As I looked around at the packed theatre it got me thinking how many of our churches would be packed like this on a daily basis seven days a week? I began to wonder is their a story of faith that would engage people to the same extent. Any ideas? What would you make a musical about to engage people with faith issues? I’ve just read in the paper recently that the Vatican are promoting a three hour musical centred around the life and times of the late Pope John Paul the second. the musical is entitled ‘ Don’t Be Afraid” it would appear this was a phrase John Paul used a lot to inspire those round him to live lives of faith.

So why the photo? Where is the Guard? Well having a look around the Palace I thought there was milage in the idea of a Phatom of the Palace. But don’t be afraid. If you look closely you’ll see the guard is still on his horse its the way the photo has been taken.

It was a great honour to have the company of our Patron The Princess Royal and also to have been given the use of the Palace by Her Majesty the Queen for this event. We had people from every walk of life with us including Oscar Schiappa Pietra who currently advises the Minister and the Secretary of National Planning in Papua New Guinea as a UNDP Officer. Oscar in the past has been a Senior Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Executive Director of the Peruvian Agency for International Aid, in Peru. He has also been a great friend and advisor to the Trust. It was also great to see some of the first members of the Trust attend the dinner and to remind ourselves of our early challenges and difficulties.
However it is because of people who were prepared to carry on in the face of difficuties that we have the Trust as it is today. We all had a wonderful time. I was especially pleased that Princess Anne highlighted the work that the Trust is now developing in partnership with schools in the UK and also paid tribute to the way we work trying to be innovative and inclusive networking accross the whole strata of society.

I can hardly believe that 25 years have past since we first opened the Branches shop here in Bo’ness. Today much of our success has been brought about by the grace of God working in the hearts and minds of people of faith and even no faith. I particularly want to say a huge thank you to Willie McPherson our Executive Director and his small but dynamic staff who have worked so hard to make the Trust an effective partner as we work alongside Scripture Union in Peru bringing Health care to over 100,000 people in the Amazon through our Medical Programme and supporting over 200 children in the five homes we have built and continue to fund. All this is a far cry away from our first falteriing steps as we opened a shop in the Market Square in Bo’ness. Its a great privelege to be Chairman of the Vine Board and to have such a creative group of people on our team.