A real honour for some of the Dock team this week – as we were invited to the City Hall to meet Canon Andrew White – better known as the Vicar of Baghdad:

What a fascinating man!  One of life’s great eccentrics, but with boundless compassion and bravery, Andrew ministered in the midst of almost unimaginable daily danger, conflict and suffering until Dock volunteer Archbishop Justin Welby brought him back to the UK in 2014 as the risk to his life had grown too great.

During an inspiring discussion with faith leaders from around Belfast, there was one moment that really made me smile.  We were talking about the way that differences, prejudices and preconceptions can sometimes just melt away when we sit down for a cuppa with those who are seen as ‘other’.  Andrew sat up in his chair and with great excitement announced, at the top of his voice, his new two-word principle for conflict resolution:

“More Chai!  More Chai!”

So in honour of our meeting I’m sitting in Dock Cafe today obeying his instructions with a yummy cup of Suki Chai tea.

Nice and warming on a cold day too, as the snow falls on the Belfast hills outside!