• Predictions 2023 – How did I do?

    1  Generative artificial intelligence will become significantly disruptive of many sectors this year. Education practices will change quickly as a result of this but education will be but one of many areas of life to be affected.

    Happening all around us (even to people who can’t see it happening around them) – prediction fulfilled.

    2 No progress for those seeking marriage equality in the Church of England. There will be a lot of talk about moving towards some form of official blessings for same-sex couples which would have the effect of thwarting those seeking actual equality, making it more difficult to achieve. Further division amongst pro-gay activists in the Church of England.

    Happening exactly as predicted. The recent developments following the LLF project make equality more even further away – prediction fulfilled.

    3  Indyref 2 will not happen on 19 October 2023 as Nicola Sturgeon had hoped, which is a shame for those seeking to separate Scotland from the rest of the UK as the autumn will be the high water mark for the Indepedence movement. It will be downhill into the next General Election after that.

    Happenning but not quite as I expected. Indryref didn’t happen but Indy polls are indeed riding high. However I didn’t see the mess the SNP would get itself into along the way. Prediction Fulfilled.

    4  Trump and Biden will both declare that they intend to run for the US presidency in 2024 and American politics will continue to be all about Donald Trump.

    Exactly as I said – prediction fulfilled.

    5  Covid recovery remains bumpy, particularly through supply-chain problems due to mismanagement of Covid in China.

    Pretty much as I said – we’ve largely forgotten the supply chain issues that continued from the end of last year into the new year and the spring. Prediction mostly fulfilled.

    6 No conclusive end to the war in Ukraine this year.

    Alas. Prediction fulfilled

    7 Governments in Westminster and Holyrood will announce some kind of “new deal” for the National Heath Service.

    Holyrood here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/programme-government-2023-24/pages/5/

    Westminster: Pay – here https://healthmedia.blog.gov.uk/2023/07/14/government-accepts-recommendations-from-nhs-pay-review-bodies/
    Westminster: Medicines here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/landmark-deal-to-boost-nations-health-and-save-nhs-14-billion

    Prediction fulfilled.

    8 – UK Government will not succeed in blocking Scottish Gender Recognition Reform.

    I remain surprised that the Scottish Governnent gave up on this. Prediction not fulfilled.

    9  Liam McArthur’s bill in the Scottish Parliamant to allow doctors to participate in the killing of terminally ill patients will fail to receive parliamentary approval but will receive more support than similar proposals have before.

    Bill hasn’t received approval but hasn’t gone to a vote either. Large levels of support in the media. Prediction partially fulfilled.

    10  Changes announced to the UK honours system, perhaps at the time of the Coronation, to remove references to empire. OBE becomes Order of British Excellence.

    Not happened yet. Prediction not fulfilled.

     

    Result – about 7 1/2 out of 10 this year I think. Not bad.

6 responses to “A Christmas Message for the LGBT+ Communities”

  1. Father Ron Smith Avatar

    Thank you, Father Kelvin, for your openness and honesty – helping us in the wider Church to embrace our sisters and brothers who are ‘DIFFERENT’

    Jesus, mercy; Mary, pray!

    1. Kelvin Avatar

      I rather thought I’ve always been getting people to embrace because they are in fact the same.

  2. A Supporter Avatar
    A Supporter

    Why Lord do we not show love? Your Love?
    Blessings upon ALL

  3. Rev. Tosh Lynch Avatar
    Rev. Tosh Lynch

    Thank you Kelvin for your thoughts over the 20 years. Interestingly we use the abbreviation LGBTI for even within our community there is still a lot of learning and affirmation, challenging our own internalised homophobia.
    Like you, I have experienced a lot of positive change. I continue to pray that our Church will affirm the dignity of the LGBTI person. Maybe in some way resemble the unconditional lover, God.

  4. Fr John E Harris-White Avatar
    Fr John E Harris-White

    Thank you Kelvin.God’s love seeps into out very being, and will open us all to His all encompassing love. I well remember telling my infant teacher that I was sitting on my friends lap com I loved him. I never it was against the law. 80 plus years on I rejoice in our civil partnership, and with all my LGBTI come to the Christ child to worship, and feel His encompassing love. God bless us all this Holy season.

    Fr John Harris-White

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