THE STEAMIE

Another Scotland manager bites the dust! I found it interesting to note that one of the social commentators was expressing the view that the former success of the Scotland team (5 world cup qualifications in a row) was partly linked to social deprivation. The hardship of living in an area like the Gorbals created a hunger and a passion to succeed among many young men. Life has improved for people in Scotland generally, but in the process we have become poorer footballers. Apparently, young people are also nolonger "physically literate!"

I went to watch "The Steamie" at Eden Court last time. It was one of the funniest performances I have ever seen. Much of the play was centred around the deep sense of community that the women experienced at The Steamie while they attended to the family laundry. They shared their joys and sorrows, and dreamed of a better tomorrow when they would live in Drumchapel and have an inside bath and a TV. If you have time to see it this week, GO!

It struck me that there may be some parallels between The Steamie and the Scotland team. While the era of the Steamie has long gone, and we all have our TV's and inside Baths, community is often more of a word than a reality. We wouldn't want to turn the clock back to the days of The Steamie, but it's worth reflecting on what has been lost, and on what we can perhaps be and do as a Christian community to counteract some of these losses.