Rev. Akasha's new book "Do I Kneel or Do I Bow?: What you need to know when attending Religious occasions" is now available both in the UK and the US. This is a multi-faith book that introduces you to each of the world's major faiths - the historical background, their beliefs and Holy texts, festival and Holy days together with how they are celebrated or commemorated. It also outlines what you can expect to see and experience at a regular worship service, as well as containing detailed explanations on the ceremonies of birth, coming of age, weddings and funerals, together with what you need to know if you are an invited guest.  A practical, comprehensive and down-to-earth guide to meet the needs of our multicultural society.  You can purchase a copy online from my colleagues at The Wisdom Pages, or you can buy it from your local bookstore.

On Sunday 10th January 2010 between 9 - 10am, I will be guesting on BBC WILTSHIRE with presenter Mark Jones who has invited me to tell a bit of my story and choose a selection of music with personal meaning in my life.  If you're around, click the BBC link to listen....

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK.....BBC WILTSHIRE - NOVEMBER 24 - 28 2008

Every day for the week commencing the 24th November 2008, I will be offering a daily thought on BBC Wiltshire at around 6.50am.   If you're a UK early bird, you can listen live on the following link or tune in to FM 104.3.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/mainframe.shtml?http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/wiltshire.shtml

On Monday 20 October 2008, Gayle Williams, an aid worker in Afghanistan was targeted and shot by two men.  The reason given was that she was promoting Christianity.  You can hear Akasha's response to BBC Radio 2's Jeremy Vine, as to whether it is wise for Christian aid workers to be in a Muslim country, by going to www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/vine/, then click on Tuesday's "Listen Again" function and stream to 15 minutes into the show. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/mainframe.shtml?http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/wiltshire.shtml

But if you are not an early bird (I'm not usually), you can "listen again" later in the day, wherever you are in the world.  Just click on the same link, then click on the Sue Davies show on the right hand side of the screen that comes up.

Every day for the week commencing the 19th May 2008, I will be offering my thought for the day on BBC Wiltshire at around 6.50am.   If you're a UK early bird, you can listen live on this link

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/mainframe.shtml?http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/wiltshire.shtml

but if not, you can "listen again" later in your day, wherever you are in the world.  Just click on the same link, then click on the Graham Seaman show (right hand side of the screen that comes up).  Once this has opened and starts playing, click forward 15 minutes, 3 times (ie total of 45 minutes) - and then listen for around 4 minutes until Thought for the Day starts.    

From Reverend Akasha Lonsdale

I don't know about you, but I feel that the passing of a life needs to be honoured in some way.  Usually, this happens with the presence of friends or family of the deceased coming to a service and offering their thoughts and memories of that person.  

So when I was asked to conduct the funeral service of Olive Archer and heard that it was thought she had  no friends or family, I felt I wanted to find out if this was true.  My first port of call was the care home, who gave me two photographs and told me that no-one had come to visit in the five years she had lived with them.   My next visit was to the local newspaper The Swindon Advertiser, who ran the following article on the 2nd January.  This has produced a number of phone calls with information about Olive and several people who knew her have said they will be coming to the service.  Also several people who didn't know her but have been moved by the thought of no-one attending, have also said they will come.

Later today, the information will be shown on local BBC Television and also covered on local BBC Radio. 

So suddenly, I am hopeful that Olive's 83 years will be marked with memories and respect. It never ceases to amaze me what love can achieve.

BBC POINTS WEST - TOM BURRIDGE TALKS TO REVEREND LONSDALE 

BBC WORLD SERVICE - FRED DOVE TALKS TO REVEREND LONSDALE ABOUT THE WIDER SOCIAL ISSUES

"A WOMAN, who was a beauty in her youth, is tragically unlikely to have mourners at her funeral.

Olive Archer, from Swindon, is due to be buried on January 14 after dying at the age of 83.

The minister who will conduct the funeral ceremony says it will be a lonely end to Olive's life, as only a funeral director and herself are expected to attend the funeral.

The Rev Akasha Lonsdale has found an old photograph, which shows Olive as a beautiful young woman wearing a fur-lined hood with snowflakes on her shoulders.

She hopes someone from Swindon may recognise Olive and come to say goodbye at the funeral at Semington Crematorium.

"It is very sad that the passing of a life is only marked by a funeral director and a minister," said the Rev Lonsdale.

"When I look at the photo of young Olive, I wonder what were her hopes and dreams. Everyone has dreams. I was captured by the image of her."

The interfaith minister has collated some details about Olive's life including that she cared for her mother until she died and never married.

Olive left Swindon about five years ago and moved into Kington St Michael care home, near Chippenham.

The Rev Lonsdale says she believes Olive may have had a sister who she lost touch with.

Olive is also said to have travelled Europe and loved visiting different countries.

"I want to do what I can so someone will come to say goodbye to her," said the Rev Lonsdale.

"She is Swindon born and bred and lived here most of her life so someone must know her."

Olive died on December 20 after collapsing the day before at the care home.

She was rushed to the Great Western Hospital and it is thought she suffered a stroke.

Her death is considered sudden as she was in good health before.

If anyone recognises Olive or wishes to pay tribute to her life they can call the Rev Lonsdale."