A Foretaste (revisited) - a vision of Thurrock
This article first appeared on the Transformation Thurrock website on 28 November 2010.
Originally inspired by Revelation 21:1-5, it was adapted from the contents of an email sent to me by my colleague Matthew Porter at Transform Newham. It's reproduced here as a response to The Big Response (Faithworks) day yesterday (Thursday 30 June) where Steve Chalke showed his own version of this, written for the area where his church of central London, Oasis, is based.
I suspect this idea is doing the rounds, but it's a very powerful tool for concentrating minds, dreaming dreams, realising potential, and seeing things that are not become reality.
It may be an interesting exercise for believers across the borough to pray through, discuss and write down their own version of this and see what the Big Vision of Jesus is for towns and villages across Thurrock.
Tim
Revelation 21:1-5 (NIV) The New Jerusalem
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.
I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
He who was seated on the throne said, I am making everything new! Then he said, Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.
A Foretaste
 It was 8 o’clock on Monday morning.
I was standing by the Tilbury Ferry landing stage, and I saw a New Thurrock coming down from the heavens.
I saw a teenager leap out of bed for sheer joy, laughing with the freshness of the morning.
I saw elderly women skipping up Derwent Parade and kids going to play in Hardie Park.
I saw a football match starting on Kilverts Field and the teams were mixed races from every people group - asylum seekers and taxi drivers, policemen and prisoners, pensioners and politicians - people from every race and class were playing and laughing in the sun.
I saw a street party and a local festival where people were eating and dancing because there was hope again.
I looked across the whole of Thurrock and saw a community of hope, a community of grace, a community of warmth.
In the clearness of the morning I could see for miles and there was no more asthma, no more unwanted pregnancies, no more debt, no more violence, no more overcrowding and nobody was too busy.
 The River Thames was flowing with crystal-clear water.
There were no more needles and condoms in the alleyways,
no more family breakdown,
no more hopelessness,
no more discrimination,
no more drunken clubbing,
no more threats or fears, no more need.
No more sadness and tears - only joy and laughter.
No more poverty - but real and useful employment.
The dividing walls were gone.
Families and neighbours were restored.
There was no more rubbish, no dealers, no guns, no knives, no dangerous dogs:
there were no racial tensions, just one harmonious mix in technicolour.
 And I looked and I saw kids playing football in the street and the neighbours cheered them on.
I saw homes without locks on the doors where a welcome was guaranteed.
I saw a playground with climbing frames that weren’t rusty where children threw themselves in the air without fear of harm and where the teenagers helped the little ones up to the highest climbs.
I saw a Horndon, a Stanford, a Corringham, and a Fobbing where neighbours shared favours and returned them without pressure or obligations.
I saw a Grays, an Orsett, a Chadwell and a Tilbury where hearts were unbroken, partnerships were lasting peaceful and happy.
I saw a Purfleet, an Aveley, an Ockendon and a Bulphan where families eat and play together.
I saw a Thurrock where tears were wiped away.
Adapted from ‘The New Glasgow’ in Baker and Gay, Alternative Worship (SPCK 2003).
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