Monday 23, the third Monday of January, was what is officially recognised as the most depressing day of the year: Monday is always the worst day, psychologically, as we return to the daily routine and, as if Monday morning blues were not enough, this is the time of the month when the post-Christmas credit card statements are arriving on our doorsteps.

It is also the month when winter has well and truly settled. We are far enough from January's early promise of sales and New Year's resolutions to realise that the new routine (insert your resolution of choice - diet, exercise, reading, praying) isn't working and at this stage there is nothing left in the sales to provide any kind of satisfactory retail therapy.

If crashing out in front of the TV is your ideal way to escape the blight, the viewing schedules are proving as banal and as jaded as last year's celebrity antics. And the nominations for the Golden Globes, Baftas and forthcoming Oscars only serve to highlight just how uninspiring the movies have been this past year.

For those of us able to lift our heads above the personal preoccupations of modern life, global events do little to calm the furrowed brow. As the month in which social and political commentators serve up their annual offerings of reflection and prediction, accompanied by the supporting chorus of astrologers, January confirms its credentials, at least in the northern hemisphere, as a most unsuitable time for taking stock. Too much to think about and not enough sunshine!

However, in a recent article, Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee reminded the merchants of doom and despair that we live in a society where the 'never had it so good' of McMillan's 1950's pales in to insignificance. We enjoy higher personal wealth through home ownership, longer life expectancy through advanced medical provision and lifestyle choices, and technology that increases our safety, improves our communications and provides unparalleled ease for modern, western living.

Yet the age-old uncertainties of war, and economic and environmental decline undermine our confidence and erode the certainties which modern life appears to offer. Political stalemate and moral ambiguity ensure that the mood surrounding the peace process in Ireland not only feeds on this general malaise in western lifestyle and culture but contributes to an increasing despondency about our prospects.

How can anyone, politicians or church leaders, be expected to lead any community to the promised land of peace, equality and justice?

In a world of angst, ours is not the selfish faith of 'Come Lord Jesus - I'm a Christian get me out of here!' Faith is the promise of things not seen; hope based on the truth that God is with us. And this world and life, whether we like it or not, is all we have in which to show God's loving commitment to the human project with all its anxieties and hopes.

David Porter

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Kingdom Come…more than words is a joint initiative of Evangelical Alliance and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. It runs from 30th January - 2nd February 2006. For further details visit: http://www.kingdomcomeireland.com/home.html

Interdenominational Divine Healing Ministries invites you to a Day of Prayer for our Land at St. Anne's Cathedral, Belfast on Saturday, 28 January from 10am to 4pm. The theme will be: What does our country need at this time?

Jim Wallis, leader of the Sojourners Community in Washington, DC, is visiting Belfast to launch a new edition of his book, 'God's Politics'. During his visit, Zero28, CCCI, and the Corrymeela Community are co-hosting two events:
THURSDAY 16TH FEBRUARY
1-2pm: God's Politics: A Dialogue with Students and others led by Jim Wallis
6.30-8.30pm: Belfast launch of 'God's Politics: Why the Religious Right Gets It Wrong, and Why the Left Doesn't Get It', with Jim Wallis. Jim will speak and there will be an opportunity for substantial dialogue on how the issues raised in the book are relevant both in the US and northern Ireland.
Everyone is welcome to these events. For more information, please email info@zero28.org.

We are pleased to support 3 separate one day training courses being organised for charities and churches throughout Ireland by the training agency, 'Training People' during March / April 06. These are to be held at the Trinity Conference Centre at Lisburn, NI. The subjects are: Researching and Securing Grant Aid; A Step by Step Guide to Fundraising Planning and How to be a Confident Presenter. For further information on how to book see http://www.trainingpeopleni.com/forth20060308.htm