up, up, and away - Centre of Islamic Studies - University of Cambridge

No. 7977 LONDON 5 FEBRUARY 2016 www.churchtimes.co.uk £2.05

modelling a diverse societyeducation special issue

PLUS: the prayers on the bus

up, up, and awayoutreach with imagination

news

2 CHURCH TIMES 5 February 2016

newsBishop Bell affair, Calais churchdemolished, diocesan roadshows,Sunday trading, Syria negotiations,Idowu-Fearon in US 2-11

commentSunday-trading laws,Anglican

teaching, transport prayerinitiative, global capitalism,the glamour of evil 12-13

letters 14diary, wine, questions 15faith 16

featuregreater churches get their

skates on 17-18

reviewsbooks 25-26reading groups 27arts 28media 29gazette 30-31Maggie Durran 31

crossword 47interview, Ronald Blythe 48

next weeknew series on theology, week one

our coverThe skateboard festival inMalmesbury Abbey. Photo RichardWintle/Calyx Pictures

education 19-24

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Mixed Blessings

Groupspectacle: someof the 250young peoplewho attendedthe “BreatheDeep” eventlast Saturday,hosted bySheffielddiocese. TheBishop ofSheffield, the RtRevd StevenCroft, spoke atthe event,which seeks to“encourageyoung peopleto look at theirrelationshipwith God”

BREATHE DEEP

Archbishops to launch weekof prayer for evangelismALL serving clergy in the Church ofEngland will soon receive a letterfrom the Archbishops of Canterburyand York asking them to take part ina week of prayer for evangelism atPentecost.

The event — “Thy KingdomCome”—will run from 8 to 15 May.Cathedrals and churches acrossEngland are expected to hold eventsto encourage churchgoers to “sharetheir faith with their friends”.

The centrepiece will be “beacon”services in Durham, Canterbury,York, Coventry, St Paul’s, andWin-chester cathedrals, led by bishops,well-known worship leaders, andmusicians, including the Revd TimHughes, and Martin Smith.

“Thy Kingdom Come” is the fruitof two years’ discussion by the Arch-bishops’ Task Group on Evangelism.Details of the week were given in areport from the group which will bediscussed at the General Synod thismonth.

The Task Group, set up in 2014and chaired by the Archbishop ofCanterbury, includes specialists inevangelism from across the Church.In the introduction to their report,the vice-chair of the group, theBishop of Liverpool, the Rt Revd PaulBayes, writes that their hope is tobring the “beauty” of evangelism toevery part of the Church.“Sharing thenews of the beautiful shepherd is itselfbeautiful, a delicate, gentle, and richprivilege.”

But, the Task Group’s report em-

phasises that it cannot evangeliseEngland on behalf of the widerChurch. Instead, it offers a series ofshort articles that reflect some of thediscussions and work that they haveundertaken in the past two years.

The group is producing a set ofquestions and guidance for parishesthat wish to create an evangelismstrategy, besides commissioning newresearch into attitudes towardsChristianity among the public.

They also seek to publish, later thisyear, a series of videos that can beused as a resource for training churchleaders in how to share their faith.

Speaking at a press briefing lastFriday, Bishop Bayes said that it wasclear that the clergy needed more helpin evangelism. “All Christians needthe confidence to share their faith,

by Tim Wyatt

CHURCH TIMES 5 February 2016 3

news

Smile if you want visitors, says survey

A FRIENDLY welcome — and alavatory — are the best ways to getpeople to visit a church, a surveypublished this week has suggested.

The research for the NationalChurches Trust, a church-buildingrepair and support charity, alsofound that, among the peoplesurveyed, a majority believed thatthe Government should providefinancial support for churches,chapels, andmeeting houses.

The findings of the ComRes poll,in which 2038 British adults wereinterviewed online during Decem-ber, showed that almost three in fiveof those questioned had visited areligious building during the previ-ous year for a variety of reasons,from worship to tourism. Region-ally, people in Wales were the leastlikely (45 per cent) to make a visit,

and those in the north-east the mostlikely (64 per cent).

Women were more likely thanmen to attend a religious service: 40per cent, compared with 34 per cent;and they were more likely to agreethat the Government should givefinancial support: 68 per cent com-pared with 52 per cent.

The majority (84 per cent)thought that church buildings werean important part of the heritageand history of the UK; and a similarnumber (83 per cent) said that theyplayed an important part in society— a nine-per-cent increase on 2014.

There are about 42,000 churches,chapels, and meeting places in theUK. Over the past two years, theGovernment has given more than£130million to help maintain them.

Apart from a warm welcome, andthe facilities, the biggest incentivesto make a visit were a café or re-

freshment area, comfortable seat-ing, and useful visitor information.Some 27 per cent of younger adultsthought that Wi-Fi might encouragethem to come in, compared with fiveper cent of the over-65s.

The trust’s chief executive, ClaireWalker, said: “This poll shows thatthere is overwhelming public sup-port for church buildings, despitethe decline in the numbers of peoplein Britain identifying themselves asChristian in recent years.

“It’s a fact of life that keepingchurch buildings open costs money.. . . The huge support for churchesdemonstrated by this poll will, Ihope, encourage local communitiesand church authorities to keep theirbuildings open. In good repair, andwith the right facilities . . . churches,chapels, and meeting houses cancontinue to play a vital role in thelife and well-being of the nation.”

Us. The new name for USPGRegistered charity number 234518

Our Lent appeal for 2016 focuses on the church’s responseto human trafficking around the world.

Prayer and study resources at:www.weareUs.org.uk/lent020 7921 2200

“I had to work up to 14 hours a dayin a basement. I wasn’t allowed toleave. I was given only a cup of riceand a fried egg to eat each day.”Garry Martinez,Migrante International in the Philippines

by Paul Wilkinson

Serenity in the rush hour: one ofthe 3500 prayer posters that will beon public transport in London andNewcastle this month. Thecampaign Prayer on the Move,co-ordinated by SPCK, and costing£100,000, is supported by severalbodies, including the Archbishop ofCanterbury’s charitable fund andthe diocese of London. The Bishopof London, the Rt Revd RichardChartres, hopes that “reading asimple prayer in the anonymity ofthe Tube or the bus will give peoplean opportunity to listen to theSpirit’s inner voice”. Participantscan download an app, send a textto receive a booklet, and follow aTwitter feed (#Prayersonthemove).Events are also planned, including aprayer walk from WestminsterAbbey to Trafalgar Square, led byBishop Chartres on 19 February.The advertisements will appear onbuses in Newcastle from 8February, for one month; and onthe London Underground from 15to 28 February. A recent YouGovpoll, commissioned by SPCK, foundthat 42 per cent of the 2000respondents said that they prayed.Bus adverts in Birmingham willfollow later in the year.

www.prayersonthemove.comComment page 13

An extra £73m is allocated for missionTWO key committees have agreed tomine the Church Commissioners’reserves to find £72.7 million to helpfund growth in the Church ofEngland.

The news is contained in a GeneralSynod paper, Resourcing the Future:Implementation plans. The moneywill be used over ten years to cushionthe blow to dioceses that are due tolose funding as the C of E switches tonew criteria for allocating centralfunds.

The plan to spend some of theChurch Commissioners’ capital onmission, and thus risk their ability tofund future generations, was firstproposed a year ago, as part of theRenewal and Reform programme(News, 23 January 2015). The argument put forward was that moneyspent now on trying to reverse theChurch’s numerical decline wouldpay dividends in the future.

After receiving a favourable response in the General Synod lastyear, the Church Commissioners’

assets committee and their board ofgovernors have agreed the sum, to beratified at the Commissioners’ AGMin June.

The result of a triennial actuarialreview, which assesses the Commissioners’ ability to meet their liabilities, is expected shortly, at whichpoint the Commissioners will have abetter idea of how much of this newfunding can be met from investments, and how much needs to bedrawn from capital. The review willalso inform the sums that theCommissioners can make available inthe first three years, 201719.

The money is in addition to the

£560 million that the Commissionersare projected to distribute to thedioceses over the next ten years.

Under the Resourcing the Future(RTF) plans, the present method ofdistributing central finance to thedioceses, the Darlow system, will bereplaced by a scheme that gives halfthe money available to the 25 poorestdioceses. The other half will beallocated to dioceses for strategicmission projects.

At present, about £5 million isallocated this way. From 2017, it isexpected that this figure will rise to£24 million. There are likely to betwo deadlines each year, and grants

will be in the order of £500,000 to £1million. Dioceses will be expected toprovide some funding themselves.

The author of the paper, JohnSpence, said on Tuesday that theCommissioners’ move was significant, in that it allowed the Church tomove swiftly to the new system offunding. Using the £72.7 million astransitional funding would ensurethat those dioceses that lost out in theswitch from the Darlow systemwould have a tenyear period inwhich to adjust.

A peerreview team will be set upto monitor the success of the missionschemes that receive funding, andspread good practice through theChurch. As for what success lookedlike, Mr Spence said, he wanted to seea reversal of the decline in churchattendance, and ways of engagingyounger people, “some of whom willcome to church; many will not.” But,as well as this, he wanted churches tobe bright spots throughout thecountry: “our presence maintainednurturing communities in challenging areas”.

by a staff reporter Beacon: aprojection ofthe interior ofSt Luke’s, GasStreet, inBirmingham,currently beingdeveloped withthe aid of centralchurch funds

and that applies to all people, including vicars.”

Doctoral research by a member ofthe Task Group, Beth Keith, suggeststhat most priests see their vocation interms of prayer, pastoral ministry,and officiating at services, not“mission and evangelism”. “We mustfocus our attention on placing the callto witness at the heart of ordainedministry,” the report concludes.

Since 2005, anyone seeking tobegin training for ordination mustdemonstrate willingness to evangelise,but the report recommends strengthening this requirement.

Some members of the group havefocused their efforts on evangelism toyoung people, or the poor. As a result,the report says, Church House willsoon appoint a new member of staffdedicated to evangelism withchildren; and a conference on missionto urban housing estates will be heldnext month at Bishopthorpe Palace.

Bishop Bayes said that, while evangelism had always been a concern ofthe Church, the current generationhad no excuse for neglecting it, giventhe steady decline of the C of E inrecent decades.

Members of the Synod will discussthe report in small groups for most ofthe morning on Tuesday 16 February,before a formal debate.

THE survivor who raised allegationsof sexual abuse by a former Bishopof Chichester, George Bell, hasgiven her account in public for thefirst time.

In an interview with The Argus, anewspaper in Brighton and Hove,the survivor, who has chosen toremain anonymous, describes beingrepeatedly molested by Bishop Bellover a four-year period, from theage of five.

She said that a relative whoworked at the Bishop’s Palace inChichester would often take herthere, “usually for two or three daysat a time, sometimes a week”, as afavour to her mother, who waslooking after a large family.

Bell would take her to a privateroom under the guise of reading hera bedtime story, she said, and sit heron his lap, before moving his handsover her thighs and interfering withher. “He said it was our little secret,because God loved me,” she told thepaper, on Wednesday.

The survivor, who is now in herseventies, first reported the abuse ina letter to the Bishop of Chichester,Dr Eric Kemp, in August 1995. Shesaid that she had done so afterstruggling with “feelings of guilt” fordecades.

The late Dr Kemp responded byoffering pastoral support, but didnot refer the matter to the police or,so far as is known, investigate thecomplaint further. Dr Kemp died in2009; Bishop Bell in 1958, havingserved as diocesan since 1929.

In 2013, the survivor contactedthe Church once again. A formalclaim for compensation was sub-mitted in April 2014, and was settledin September last year. Church

House in Westminster issued a state-ment saying that none of the expertindependent reports commissionedduring the investigations “foundany reason to doubt the veracity ofthe claim”. A formal apology wasissued by the current Bishop ofChichester, Dr Martin Warner, 20years after the complaint was firstmade (News, 22 October).

The Church House statementsaid that the information obtainedby Sussex Police after meeting thesurvivor “would have justified, hadhe still been alive, Bishop Bell’sarrest and interview, on suspicion ofserious sexual offences”.

The survivor told The Argus that

the abuse by Bell would happen“whenever he got a chance to takeme off on my own”.

“My strongest memory is seeingthis figure all in black, standing on astair, waiting. He used to wear ablack tunic thing that came down tohis knees and long black leggings,”she said. “There were books allaround the room. And then he’dshut the door.”

She said that the abuse “startedoff with a bit of touching”. Therewas no “undressing”, she said, buthe would pull her knickers aside.

She had, she said, told a relativeabout what was happening at theBishop’s Palace, but that her testi-mony “carried little weight” at thetime. “Back then, you were told,‘Shhh, you don’t say that, that’s notnice, don’t tell fibs’ . . . everything wasswept under the carpet,” she said.

When she was nine, her familymoved away from the area, and shenever saw Bishop Bell again, shesaid; she married in her teens, andraised a family in the region, butaway from the city of Chichester.

Her ordeal, she said, had causedher periods of depression, isolation,and guilt: “It’s something that liveswith you for the rest of your life. Itnever goes away.”

Bishop Bell has been widely ad-mired in the Church for his out-spoken commitment to ecumenism,peace and reconciliation, and thearts. The survivor said that attemptsto preserve his legacy were “hurt-ful”, because “men who have donegood things have also done very evilthings. . .

“He still did good things else-where. But I was his weakness.”

On Wednesday, Dr Warnerpraised the “courage and integrity”of the survivor. “My hope is that thetelling of her story will contribute toher sense of being heard by thosewithin and beyond the Church whoare willing to listen with an openmind, and respond with compas-sion and clarity.”

He criticised those who hadqueried the diocese’s actions: “Thepresence of strident voices in thepublic arena which have sought toundermine the survivor’s claims hasadded in this case to the suffering ofthe survivor and her family. . .

“We have witnessed shockingignorance of the suffering felt atmany different levels by victims ofabuse.”

news


Visits to Bell’s palace were mygirlhood ordeal, paper toldby Hattie Williams

Accused of abuse: George Bell, Bishop of Chichester from 1929 to 1958

HOWARD COSTER

NewWine leader underdisciplinary process

THE leader of the Evangelical net-work NewWine, the RevdMarkBailey, has resigned, and has“stepped back” from his parochialministry in Cheltenham, as a resultof an investigation under the ClergyDiscipline Measure.

Mr Bailey, Team Rector of HolyTrinity and St Paul, Cheltenham,requested a meeting last week withthe Bishop of Gloucester, the RtRevd Rachel Treweek.

Bishop Treweek said in a state-ment after the meeting: “While Ican’t go into any detail, I can tellyou that this relates to a matter nowbeing considered under the ClergyDiscipline Measure. This is not amatter involving the police or otherstatutory agencies. Further informa-tion will be made available at theappropriate time.”

Mr Bailey had been head of theNewWine network since 2014.In a statement on the NewWinewebsite, the trustees said that it waswith the “greatest sadness andregret” that they had accepted hisresignation.

“Please pray for Mark and Karen,their family and friends and foreveryone at Trinity, Cheltenham, asthey cope with the shock and pain ofthis. The Trustees recognise andshare the deep distress that thisnews will cause.

“They are profoundly consciousof their need for God’s guidance andwisdom in the weeks ahead andencourage all friends of NewWineto pray for them, for NewWineitself and for all those personallyinvolved.”

A former leader of NewWine, theRevd John Coles, has been ap-pointed interim chairman of thenetwork’s board.

Mr Bailey has also removed him-self from his social-media accounts,telling followers on Twitter that hewas “taking a break”, and it was

“time to put on my own oxygenmask”.

The Archbishop of Canterbury isto speak at the NewWine leadershipconference in Harrogate nextmonth.Lords debate Measure. In a debate inthe House of Lords last week on theSafeguarding and Clergy DisciplineMeasure, which gives bishops newpowers to suspend clergy before anarrest is made, on the basis of policeinformation, peers expressedconcerns about the damage thatcould be done to clergy as a result of“unfounded allegations”.

Lord Cormack referred to thecase of the former Bishop ofGloucester, the Rt RevdMichaelPerham, who stepped down while apolice investigation was under way.“He was a greatly respected bishop,but suddenly, in the glare ofpublicity, had to stand down asbishop for a period.

“He was not able to make hisfarewell because his retirementhad already been announced.Although he was completelyexonerated by police and church, itwas a long, cumbersome, anddistressing process. I hope lessonswere learnt within the Church fromthat.”

The Bishop of Durham, the RtRevd Paul Butler, said that lessonshad been learned from that processwhich had not yet been shared withBishop Perham, and so could not yetbe shared more publicly. He alsosaid that lessons had been learnedfrom the Bishop George Bell case,and spoke of a failure in the“communications process”.

“I am quite happy to go on therecord as saying that one of thelessons learnt in this particular caseis that our failing to acknowledgethe immensity of the work thatBishop George Bell had done was afailure in our communicationsprocess. We should have done it in adifferent manner,” he said.

by a staff reporter

Barred: the Vicar of St David’s and St Michael and All Angels, Exeter, theRevd Thomas Honey, has installed locked iron gates at the entrance of thechurch to stop couples having sex on the steps. “Installing the gates . . . willprotect the property, its staff, volunteers, and visitors from the anti-socialbehaviour which the opening was being used for,” he said

APEX


news

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Government Billrevives extensionof Sunday tradingby Madeleine Davies

Success story: theBishop of Edmon-ton, the Rt Revd

Robert Wickham,celebrates withpupils of Holy

Trinity PrimarySchool, which

under its formername, The Green,

was facingpossible specialmeasures a fewyears ago. It is

now top primaryschool in Harin-gey, and seventh

in London

DfE to push reforms atdiocesan roadshows

A DRAFT of the new Memorandum ofUnderstanding between the Governmentand the Church of England Education Officeis to be presented to diocesan directors ofeducation (DDEs) this month, at a series of“roadshows” planned by the Department forEducation (DfE).

Senior DfE officials, with Education Officerepresentatives, will hold meetings withDDEs around the country to discuss theMemorandum, which is intended to securethe religious status of Church of Englandschools after the Education and AdoptionBill becomes law.

The Third Reading of the Bill was due totake place yesterday; the Royal Assent isexpected before Easter. Discussions on the

PLANS to extend Sunday tradinghave been revived by the Govern-ment through an amendment to theEnterprise Bill, despite the opposi-tion of trade unions and Churches.

The Secretary of State for Bus-iness, Sajid Javid, told MPs on Tues-day that the amendment wouldallow local authorities to decidewhether to extend shopping hoursin their areas. This would “end the‘Whitehall knows best’ approach tothe regulation of Sunday trading”.

MPs were critical of the move tointroduce the changes via theamendment.

“Why on earth did he not putthem in the Bill?” the ShadowBusiness Secretary, Angela Eagle,asked. “Why is he introducing themat this late stage?”

She said that Mr Javid was askingMPs to vote on a Bill that did notyet contain anything on Sundaytrading. MPs had not seen the res-ponse to last year’s consultation onSunday trading. “He is expecting usto comment on something that wehave not even seen, and that showscontempt for this House,” she said.

Mr Javid argued that there wouldbe “plenty of time for input” in theHouse of Commons. The Bill hasalready been passed in the Lords.

The Church of England’s Missionand Public Affairs Council opposedthe proposal to extend trading hoursin response to a government consul-tation last year (News, 23 October).

On Tuesday, the Bishop of StAlbans, Dr Alan Smith, said: “Wehave not seen any evidence thatfurther liberalisation of Sundaytrading will bring any tangibleeconomic benefit.”

He warned that the change “willonly lead to more people beingpressured into spending Sundayapart from their children andfamilies. This can only be damagingto community and family life anderode opportunities for shared timeand activity, which is central tohuman flourishing and the commongood.”

It was “disappointing” that par-liamentary scrutiny of the proposalswould be “severely restricted”, hesaid.

The general secretary of theshopworkers’ union USDAW, JohnHannett, said that the amendmentwas a “betrayal of shopworkers andall those who regard Sunday as aspecial day”.

Leader comment, page 12Should churchpeople resist theproposed liberalisation ofSunday trading laws? Vote onwww.churchtimes.co.uk

by Margaret HolnessEducation Correspondent

LDBS ACADEMIES TRUST

IT IS vitally important for Christians inBritain to stand up for their faith, the ChiefInspector of Schools and head of OFSTED,Sir MichaelWilshaw, has told teachers.

Sir Michael said that Christians in the UKwere confronted with rising intolerance fromsecularists at home, while Islamic extremistswere persecuting others overseas.

In the light of such problems, churchschools across the UK had a crucial part toplay in transmitting good morals to children,as well as such Christian values as toleranceand compassion, he told the annual confer-ence of the Catholic Association of Teachers,Schools and Colleges, which was held in Lon-don last week.

“We are living,” Sir Michael said, “throughan era marked by seemingly ever greaterintolerance of other people’s beliefs, views,and ways of living,” he continued. “It hasnever been more important for Christians tostand up for their faith and for the gospelvalues of love, compassion, and tolerance.”

Sir Michael served as the head teacher ofSt Bonaventure’s Catholic ComprehensiveSchool, in Forest Gate, east London, beforehe become Executive Principal of Moss-bourne Community Academy, in Hackney.

At present, he is overseeing the impositionby OFSTED of an obligation to teach pupilssuch core “British values” as tolerance, andthe respect for the rule of law.

OFSTED has faced complaints from anumber of Christian schools, who are con-cerned that it is being exploited to promote asecularist agenda. Sir Michael addressed suchcriticisms in his speech. “It is perfectlylegitimate for individuals and faith groups tohold firm to a particular set of values andbeliefs, which may run counter to existingsocial norms,” theDaily Mail reported.

“What is not legitimate is to use thesebeliefs to condone or even encourageintolerance and discrimination.”

Memorandum, however, are expected tocontinue after the parliamentary progress ofthe Bill is completed, taking account of com-ments that emerge during the diocesanroadshows.

The provisions of the Bill promote earlyintervention in the case of failing, or “coast-ing”, schools and academies, with the likeli-hood of forced academisation of a school, ora change of sponsor in the case of anacademy. DDEs had expressed concernabout how the designation and ethos of aC of E school would be ensured in the rarecase of a proposal that a C of E school shouldbecome part of a mainly non-faith-led multi-academy trust.

DDEs had also asked for clear guidelinesto be given to Regional School Commis-sioners (RSCs) working with church schools,an issue that was highlighted in a report lastmonth from the Parliamentary Select Com-mittee on Education. The report referred toEducation Office evidence that DDEs whosedioceses covered a number of RSCs terri-tories, had complained of inconsistencies.

At the Report Stage of the Bill inDecember, however, the Bishop of Ely, the RtRevd Stephen Conway, who chairs theNational Society, withdrew an amendmentthat addressed concerns over church schoolsaffected by the Bill because of progress innegotiations with the Government.

“I am content, following conversationwith the Minister [Lord Nash], that he agreesthat ethos and character can be maintainedand should be safeguarded effectively,”Bishop Conway said.

In the same debate, Lord Nash outlinedadditional safeguards to be included in theMemorandum: “When a Church of Englandschool joins a non-faith-led trust, we intendto insert the following within the trust’sarticles of association: a faith object whichrequires the Trust to ensure that the Churchof England character of the church school ismaintained; an entrenchment clause thatrequires written consent of the diocese forchanges to articles relating to the main-tenance of the school’s religious character . . .(and) a requirement that members andtrustees are appointed to provide propor-tionate diocesan representation on the MAT[multi-academy trust].”

He also promised that the Governmentwould ensure that RSCs would work closelywith dioceses and comply with the terms ofthe Memorandum.

This week, the C of E’s chief educationofficer, the Revd Nigel Genders, said thatnegotiations on the Memorandum so far hadbeen very effective: “We are pleased with theprogress made in guaranteeing clarity andconsistency of approach to church schools.”

The roadshows helped to creat an under-standing of how RSCs would work withdioceses, he said.

?

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Religion can make you happier, statistics suggestRELIGION can make you happier and more satisfied with life, figures fromthe Office for National Statistics’ “well-being” research programme suggest.A sample of the UK population was asked to rate their lives on a scale ofnought to ten for the programme, which is now in its fifth year. In the latestsurvey, published on Tuesday, respondents with no religious affiliationrecorded lower levels of happiness, life-satisfaction, and self-worth thanthose who had a faith. British people who are non-religious also reportedlower levels of anxiety than those who practised religion.

Cloisters of Westminster to become Gucci catwalk

THE cloisters of Westminster Abbey are to be transformed into a catwalkthis summer for the Italian fashion label Gucci, reports from The DailyTelegraph suggest. The next Gucci Cruise show, by the creative directorAlessandroMichele, will take place at the Abbey on 2 June. The director haspreviously favoured industrial settings in Milan over historic buildings.

Group warning over human-embryo decision

A SECULAR watchdog, Human Genetics Alert (HGA), has responded tothe decision by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority onMonday to grant a licence to modify human embryos genetically. Thedirector of HGA, Dr David King, said: “This will allow scientists to refinethe techniques for creating GM babies. . . the first step in a well mapped-outprocess leading to GM babies, and a future of consumer eugenics.”

Vicar criticises Muslim politician for ‘insulting Christians’THE Vicar of All Saints’, Small Heath, in Birmingham, the Revd OliverCoss, has criticised a local Labour politician, Muhammad Afzal, in hisSunday sermon, for slander against the Christian community. Mr Afzal,the chairman of Birmingham Central Mosque, reportedly told theorganisationMuslimWomen’s Network UK that “domestic violence washappening mainly in the Christian community because they get drunk.”Fr Coss spoke to his congregation this week of “bad will” from a“particular religious leader . . . who thought it permissible last week toinsult Christians, and many others, with his words”.

Vicar warns over alms boxes after thieves jailedA FORMER Vicar of St Mary’s, Martlesham, the Revd Patricia Shuler, haswarned parishes to guard against thieves after CCTV caught an Essex pairusing wires to steal from the church’s alms box in 2014. The couple, WallyLoveridge and Sheila Parker, were jailed for 22 and 18 months respectivelyat Ipswich Crown Court on Tuesday. Ms Shuler suggests putting a markedbanknote in collection boxes, to find out if they are victims of theft.

Clarification. Responding to last week’s report “Manx priest resigns afterdispute”, concerning Canon Jules Gomes, a spokesman for the diocese saidthat, under the Code of Practice for the Clergy Discipline Measure, theBishop could not make any comment until the process was ended. At thattime, he would make a full statement.

Historic find: theChancellor at

Hereford Cathed-ral, Canon ChrisPullin, examinesthe lost tomb ofGilbert Swinfield,who was CanonChancellor in thelate 13th century,

after it was un-covered duringrepairs to the

cathedral’s Tudorwalkway this

week

Baptismal gift: a new hand-carved font takes its place inExeter Cathedral. The 26-inch Gothic-inspired font inPurbeck blue stone was made by the Salisbury Cathed-

ral works team, and handed over by the Clerk of theWorks, Gary Price, and the Treasurer of SalisburyCathedral, Canon Robert Titley, on Monday

CLARE WICHBOLD

ASH MILLS

C of E bar on gays contestedSAME-SEX marriage in churches,and full access to all three HolyOrders for those in such marriages,are among the goals of a newmission calling for “the full accept-ance and affirmation of LGBTIpeople” in the Church of England.

The LGBTI Mission, which wasto be launched yesterday, has puttogether a programme of goals thatit would like to achieve “over thenext five years and beyond”.

These include demands for actionfrom the hierarchy, together withplans to press ahead independently,including the publication of liturgythat would celebrate same-sexmarriages.

A booklet outlining the pro-gramme, published yesterday, listsexamples of “discrimination” and“injustice” faced by LGBTI people,and warns of a culture of “collusionand silence” in the Church. Someyoung LGBTI people do not feel“safe and welcomed”, it says.

One of its goals is legislation inthe General Synod to reverse thecurrent block on same-sex marriagein church.

The LGBTI Mission programmehas three strands: “Living”,“Loving”, and “Serving.” The thirdfocuses on bars to ordination, ap-pointment, and preferment. Thegroup plans to campaign to end “alldiocesan policies that discriminateagainst LGBTI ordinands”, in-cluding the bar to consideration forordination for gay or lesbian peoplein same-sex marriages.

It has anecdotal evidence thatsome diocesan bishops refuse toallow any LGBTI person to appearbefore a Bishops’ Advisory Panel;and is planning to collect informa-tion about this to discuss with thedioceses concerned. It is calling onthe House of Bishops to removeassent to Issues in Human Sexuality— which states that homosexualpriests must be celibate — as a pre-condition to selection for training.

Also sought is a statement fromthe House of Bishops that “maritalstatus is not a bar to appointments”;and approval, by the General Synod,of a policy that “all appointmentsshould be made without discrimina-tion as to marital status, sexual orien-tation, or gender identity, except toaccommodate the local theological

convictions of parishes and clergy”.It will also “raise concerns in

Westminster” about current exemp-tions to equality legislation.

Tracey Byrne, the chief executiveof the Lesbian and Gay ChristianMovement, which is part of themission, said this week that peoplewere reporting to her that “thingshave got worse, not better” in recentyears.

“The fog of ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’is definitely clearing, and things areworse in many ways,” she said onMonday. “Perhaps that makes iteasier, because we are clearer nowabout where we stand. We are clearabout what the Church can legallydo. . . Outside the Church, [people]are horrified when I say that theChurch can do this.”

The latest poll on attitudes tosame-sex marriage was commis-sioned by Jayne Ozanne, a GeneralSynod member. Of the 6276 Britishadults who responded, 1523 live inEngland and have a C of E, Angli-can, or Episcopalian affiliation. Ofthese, 45 per cent approved of same-sex marriage, compared with 38 percent when the same question wasposed in 2013.

by Madeleine Davies

LGCM looks back over 40 years“THOSE involved in organisinglocal Groups will often stop towonder what the Group is achieving,and whether the world would bepoorer if it ceased to exist.” So readsthe introduction to the NottinghamGay Christian Movement Groupnewsletter, published in 1982, writesMadeleine Davies.

Decades later, the document, withits promise of a warm welcome “forthose who bring a heavy set ofproblems”, forms part of a retro-spective to celebrate 40 years of theLesbian and Gay ChristianMovement (LGCM), and high-lighting its achievements andcontributions to the world.

Scanned documents from theearly years, including copies of themonthly bulletin — hand-typed,duplicated, and posted by volun-teers — are on display alongsidebanners telling the stories of keyfigures in the movement.

These stories can be heard atlength on a new website, www.christianvoicescomingout.org.uk/,which will serve as an aural history,preserving accounts for futuregenerations.

“We have a very short collectivememory,” the chief executive ofLGCM, Tracey Byrne, said on

Monday. “It’s human nature. Thereare people who made banners andwent to parades where they wereshouted and spat at, and they arestill around. . . It [the project] wasabout wanting to help people knowthat these people have a fantasticstory to tell.”

The Gay Christian Movement wasfounded in 1976. Its first generalsecretary was the Revd Jim Cotter(Obituary, 25 April, 2014). In hisaccount, he explains: “I thinkhuman beings, including myself,hurt and were hurt more than theywould like to admit, but at the sametime, stumbling towards something,we weren’t quite sure what we werestumbling towards. I don’t thinkanybody would have even dreamt ofthinking of a phrase like “gaymarriage” at that time.”

By 1979, the group’s bulletinincluded five pages of the names,addresses, and occupations ofpeople who were gay and Christian,or supportive of its statement ofconviction, and 39 local groups,“tremendously important inreducing isolation”. LGCMwas alsoable to put couples in touch withministers willing to conduct servicesof blessing, and provided certificatesto mark the occasion.

The exhibition includes contribu-tions from the Revd ProfessorDiarmaidMacCulloch, who explainsbeing “enraged” by the decision notto ordain him priest; and LindaHurcombe, who describes the“fantastic days” of founding theMovement for the Ordination ofWomen. It also includes a sectionon the impact of HIV/AIDS,including the “impressive” responseof the Salvation Army, and that ofJeanWhite, pastor of the Metro-politan Community Church inLondon, who stepped in whenundertakers refused to carry thebodies of those who had died.

Ms Byrne said that she had beendeeply moved by listening topeople’s stories. “It stirs you up tosay ‘For the sake of these and thosewho have gone before, we have tocontinue to work for transformationand change.’” While some storieshad been “immensely joyful”, it hadbeen a “tough journey. It has motiv-ated me to want to continue.”“Christian Voices Coming Out: 40Years of Prophecy, Protest andpride” is on display in the AtriumGallery, Old Building, LSE,Houghton Street, LondonWC2, until4 March. www.christianvoicescomingout.org.uk


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“The black-and-white two-tonepolo-neck casual jumper is apopular interim choice”

Synod askedfor views onvesture law

THE CLERGY could be permitted to“depart on a general basis” fromwearing wear robes or vestments forSunday services if a possible amendment to Canon B8 contained in aconsultation paper from the Houseof Bishops, circulated to GeneralSynod members, is adopted.

The draft amendment wouldallow this departure at morning andevening prayer and holy communion if the clergy had “ascertained, after consultation with theParochial Church Council, thatdoing so would benefit the missionof the Church in the parish”.

The clergy would also be allowedto depart from the normal vesturerequirements at the occasional offices — marriage services, funerals,and baptisms — if the “personsconcerned” (such as the bride andbridegroom, or parents bringing aninfant to baptism) agreed, although“the prescribed forms of vesturewould remain the norm.”

If agreement was secured, a priestwould be free to wear whatever he orshe chose, provided that this was“seemly” and did not indicate any“departure from the doctrine of theChurch of England”.

If this Amending Canon wasintroduced to the Synod, it wouldneed a twothirds majority in eachHouse for final approval — because

REUTERS

by Tim Wyatt

Clerical finery: a Sister attends to the vestments worn by Pope Francis atthe mass he celebrated in Kangemi, a slum in Nairobi, last year

it affects a matter relating to arubric in the Prayer Book — as wasnecessary with the womenbishopslegislation. The consultation runsuntil 15 April.

The current rules have moreflexibility than is often assumed, abackground note attached to theconsultation explains. Priests are towear the prescribed vesture “normally”, which means that the requirement can be ignored when the circumstances justify doing so.

It does not mean, however, thatcertain churches are routinely permitted to dispense with wearingrobes. Furthermore, although therelevant canon says that the Churchattaches no theological significant to

the “diversities of vesture”, this doesnot mean that wearing robes orvestments is deemed to be irrelevant doctrinally.

Indeed, the tradition of theclergy’s wearing particular clotheswhile presiding at public worshipdates back to the Early Church,another background note explains.

The background notes alsosuggests that, since the Restorationin 1660, there has been no“significant dissent” within theChurch about whether the clergyshould wear “some form ofdistinctive vesture” while officiatingat liturgical services.

Synod members’ responses arerequired by 15 April.

Third Wayto closeONWEDNESDAY, Hymns Ancient& Modern, the charity that ownsthe Church Times, announced theclosure of Third Way, one of itsperiodicals, writes a staff reporter.

The CEO of Hymns A&M, Dominic Vaughan, said in the statement:“Although a considerable amounthas been done to keep the magazinegoing, it has proved not to befinancially viable.”

The decision had been made withregret, he said, and, on behalf of theHymns A&M trustees, he wanted tothank all who had contributed toThird Way. “The company has beenproud to be associated with themagazine, which has provided aforum for significant debate andChristian comment since its launchin 1977. Thanks are also due to staff,suppliers, subscribers, and advertisers for their support.”

Those with an existing subscription will be offered a refund, or atransfer to other publications, suchas the Church Times orMagnet.

The editor, Simon Jones, willremain with the company.

Columba Declaration:authors clarify aimsTHE contentious agreement between theChurch of England and the Church of Scotland is not intended to draw Anglicans inScotland away from the Scottish EpiscopalChurch, its authors have insisted, writes TimWyatt.

Although the Columba Declaration between the two Churches, first publicised latelast year (News, 8 January), mentioned thehope that C of E members who venturednorth of the border would worship at Kirkparishes, the full report insists that this is notthe aim.

“We have absolutely no desire to discourage Anglicans who move across our sharedborder from joining Episcopalian congregations,” the report — Growth in Communion,Partnership in Mission— states.

The Primus of the Scottish EpiscopalChurch (SEC), the Most Revd David Chillingworth, had previously expressed dismayand shock when the Columba Declarationwas announced, and suggested that it wasimproper of the C of E to seek ecumenicalagreement with the Kirk while it had an Anglican Communion partner Church workingin the same country.

The full report, published in advance of aGeneral Synod debate on the issue in a fortnight’s time, strikes a markedly less ambitious tone than the earlier Declaration.

The Declaration said that the Churches ofEngland and Scotland would work towardsfull interchangeability of ministry, and appeared to suggest members should worship ateach other’s Churches when visiting acrossthe border.

But Growth in communion, partnershipin mission is more cautious and nuanced,merely exploring the ties between the two“national” Churches alongside their differences as Presbyterian and Anglican Churches.

It insists that its recommendations are

“modest and light touch”, amounting to anannual meeting of a “contact group” betweenthe C of E and the Kirk.

At a Synod press briefing, the GeneralSecretary, William Nye, said that conversations had taken place between the C of E andthe SEC since the New Year, which hadbegun to smooth over hurt feelings. He alsoemphasised that the SEC had been involvedin the talks with the Church of Scotland, andhad sent an observer to all the meetings.

The report also places the ColumbaDeclaration as the most recent in a long lineof ecumenical talks between the twoChurches, going back to the 1920s. Itrepeatedly notes that its details have beenmodelled on earlier agreements such as theReuilly Agreement (between the English andIrish Anglican Churches, and the FrenchReformed and Lutheran Churches).

Mr Nye said that mention of Kirk and C ofE parishes’ working together had been misinterpreted. There were never going to be anyC of E congregations in Scotland, but therewas a handful of Church of Scotland parishesin England, and close to some of the diocesein Europe’s chaplaincies across theContinent. “It would quite good for thoseparishes to cooperate,” he said. Furthermore,although Kirk ministers would now beallowed to take part in worship or preachingat C of E churches, they could “obviously”not administer holy communion.

A statement from the SEC responding toGrowth in Communion, Partnership in Mission said that its Faith and Order Boardwould draw up a full response to the reportafter the Synod had discussed the issue.

The convener of the Church of Scotland’sEcumenical Relations Committee, the RevdAlison McDonald, said: “The Joint reportprovides a sound basis for . . . exploringfuture partnership.”

news


Landmarkart laid outfor Lent

THE Passion of Christ will be retoldthis Lent in religious art at landmarksacross central London.

An exhibition, “Stations of theCross”, includes 14 ancient andmodern artworks, which will be freeto view from AshWednesday.

The project is the initiative of atheologian at King’s College, London,Dr Aaron Rosen, who is also theco-curator. “I wanted to accentuatehow artists today are doing reallyinteresting things with religiousimagery,” he said.

Dr Rosen teamed up with the artistTerry Duffy to create a “NewJerusalem” in London, mapping thesteps of Christ on the Via Dolorosa:“We wanted to find the politicalcontext and social relevance of theStations of the Cross for today.” Theidea, he said, was that people of allfaiths and cultural backgroundswould view the suffering of Jesus inthe context of suffering today.

The first Station is the work of theco-curator, Mr Duffy. It is a cruci-form painting, Victim, No Resurrection, which he created in 1981 inresponse to rioting in the UK. Today,it is hanging above the altar in thechapel at King’s College, London, onthe Strand.

The ninth Station, Stations, 2016(model of work in progress), by G.Roland Biermann, represents thethird time that Jesus falls on the roadto Golgotha. It is being installedbetween the Barbican Centre and StGiles-without-Cripplegate this week,and will feature a simple crosssupported by oil drums, which havebeen painted red to “signify the bloodof Christ”.

The final Station is located in theTemple Church. The artist behindthe installation Preparatory Sketch forCrude Ashes: Three faces for death,burial, and resurrection, 2016, is LeniDiner Dothan. This work, she says,questions her “descent” from the holycity and the “ascent” of Jesus after hisresurrection from the tomb.

Other locations are the NationalGallery, the Methodist Central Hall,Westminster Cathedral, the WallaceCollection, Cavendish Square, andthe City church St StephenWalbrook.

The Bishop of London, the RtRevd Richard Chartres, and otherchurch leaders have welcomed theproject. “The crucifixion of our LordJesus Christ was a very public event,”the Bishop said. “It is entirely appro-priate these events be commemoratedin a public way.”

The Archbishop of Westminster,Cardinal Vincent Nichols, said thatthe “impressive works of art” offereda “powerful encouragement” whenthinking about both the suffering ofJesus through Lent, and that of“innocent people”.

The exhibition will run until EasterMonday. It is supported by King’sCollege, London, the CambridgeInter-faith Programme, CoexistHouse, and Art and Sacred Places.Visitors can take the tour bydownloading maps, podcasts, and theapp from the Coexist website: www.coexisthouse.org.uk/stations2016.

In Manchester, a similar project,the PassionArt Trail, is returning fora third run, with works of art on thethemes of “stillness, temptation,prayer, mindfulness, compassion,solitude, and grief” on display in artgalleries throughout the city fromShrove Tuesday (News, 7 March2014).

by Hattie Williams

Muslim converts find they are suspectBRITISH men who convert to Islamare often targeted by the securityservices, a report from the Centre ofIslamic Studies at the University ofCambridge says. It also suggests thatmany converts are treated withsuspicion by members of “the herit-age Muslim community”.

“In the West, conversion to Islamhas been tarnished by claims ofextremism . . . and, sadly, terrorism,”the centre’s director, Professor YasirSuleiman, said this week. “It has alsofallen victim to the general apathytowards faith in largely secularsocieties, causing those who convertto be described by some as not onlyeccentrics, misfits, outcasts, andrebels, but also as renegades, traitors,or enemies of a fifth column.”

During the symposiums, partici-pants reported that contacts from thesecurity services began with flattery,but, when the approaches wererebuffed, they moved on tointimidation.

“Nevertheless,” the report says,“the general feeling among thegathering was that security wasimportant, government agencieswere doing a necessary job, and thatthey remained largely undisturbed intheir daily lives,” the report says.

After reporting the acceptance ofthe part played by the securityservices, the report said that thesession’s presenter told the partici-pants: “There were some converts . . .

by Gavin Drake

Lone prayer:UthmanIbrahim-Morrison, oneof theconverts whotook part inthe study,prays in amosque inNorwich

Station stops: works by(top) Terry Duffy, and(left to right) Guler Ates,Jean Cocteau, and G.Roland Biermann

who were only pretending to beMuslims, and were, in fact, em-ployed by the Government toinfiltrate various groups. . .

“He therefore understood thesuspicion of converts that some inthe heritage community had. Andwhile he realised that security mustbe taken care of, he did not like theway the job was being done in thiscountry.”

The discussions also included thepart played by polygamy. In one dis-cussion, a participant said that “Spir-

itual development and questioninghad to continue even after marriage,[but] women were too secure in asingle marriage to keep this up.” Heargued that “stimulation and compe-tition would be better maintainedwithin a polygynous marriage — formen, too, though they received more‘stimulus’ from the outside world.”

His views were not shared byother participants. The report saidthat none of them agreed that poly-gamy “had spiritual value”, althoughsome suggested that it did . . . have

social utility. It was an acknowledgedpart of Islamic culture (sanctionedby the Prophet’s own marriages andreinforced by the example of otherfigures in the Islamic tradition) andeven constituted an incentive forcertain men to convert.

Refraining from polygyny pre-sented one instance of the variouscultural adaptations that most par-ticipants believed Muslims shouldmake to the social norms ofthe country they live in,” the reportsaid.

LOUISE WALSH

COEXIST HOUSE


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Political in-fighting may delay Syrian resolutionby Gerald ButtMiddle East Correspondent

Investigation held intoAustralian Boys Society

A RANGE of opposing politicalaims and regional strategic agendaswill complicate and possibly derailthe latest UN attempt in Geneva toreach an agreement to end theconflict in Syria. Sharp divisionsexist between the Syrian govern-ment and opposition groups, aswell as within the ranks of op-ponents of the Bashar al-Assadregime. Russia’s military interven-tion in support of the regime hasadded a new level of complexity.

The United States and Russiahave tried to persuade most of theparties to the Syria conflict to takepart in proximity talks in Geneva,which began this week. But there isa fundamental difference in outlookbetween the two global powers.

Up to the end of last year, it ap-peared that Washington andMoscowagreed broadly on a joint strategy: thegovernment and opposition groupswould accept a transition arrange-ment, during which a new constitu-tion and elections would be held.Both powers seemed to embrace theconcept of President Assad’s re-maining only for the transition.

Since the beginning of January,however, the picture has changed.intelligence sources say that Rus-sian aircraft now direct nine out often raids on opposition groupssupported by the West and its Araballies, and only one hitting IslamicState (IS) targets.

The conclusion reached by thesesources is that Moscow seeks to

inflict defeat on the opposition.After that, Russia’s thinking goes,once the Damascus government isback in control again, the campaignagainst IS can begin.

The Russian Foreign MinisterSergey Lavrov, in a survey last weekof his country’s foreign policy,alluded to this aspect of its Syriastrategy. Russian air strikes thus far,he said, had “helped to turn aroundthe situation in that country byreducing the territory controlled byterrorists. In doing so, we were ableto get a much clearer picture of whatwas happening there.”

In other words, Russia is clearingthe territory controlled by forcesopposed to the Damascus govern-ment (“terrorists”) in preparation

for a campaign against IS. Russia’sbacking for the Geneva process,therefore, is at direct odds with itsmilitary aims in Syria.

Although Russia supports the callfor a negotiated settlement, its action

on the ground appears to eliminate asignificant diplomatic position forAssad opponents, including thosereceiving help from the US and otherinternational partners involved in theGeneva talks.

As a spokesman for the op-position’s High Negotiations Com-mittee, Salem al-Meslet, said onTuesday: “It is clear from the cur-rent situation that the regime and itsallies — in particular, Russia — aredetermined to reject the UN’s ef-forts to implement internationallaw.”

Furthermore, Russia’s unbridledmilitary action of recent weeks hasundermined the trust that someArab states appeared to have had inMoscow’s declared aim of elim-inating the IS threat. Jordan, forexample, indicated initially that itwas content to see Russia takingdecisive action to defeat IS. Now,because Russian aircraft last weekpulverised the southern Syrian townof Sheikh Miskeen, close to theJordanian border, allowing pro-Assad forces to drive out oppositionfighters, the Jordanian authoritieshave been forced to reassessMoscow’s strategy.

Complex issues related to thepolitical shape of a future Syria maynever even reach the agenda.

Salute to thedead: a spokes-man for theSyrian HighNegotiationsCommittee,Salem al-Meslet,kisses picturesof victims of theconflict in Syriain front of theUN head-quarters inGeneva, onTuesday

PAEDOPHILE activity in theChurch of England Boys Society(CEBS) in the 1970s and ’80s is thefocus of hearings currently beingheld in Hobart, Tasmania, by theRoyal Commission into Institu-tional Responses to Child SexualAbuse.

The hearing is investigatingsuggestions that a paedophile ringoperated within CEBS acrossTasmania, Adelaide, Sydney, andBrisbane. A number of formerbishops and archbishops of thosedioceses are listed to give evidence.

To date, the hearings have heardboth from victims and formerAnglican clergy convicted of childsexual abuse related to the CEBS.

A former Tasmanian archdeacon,Louis Daniels, who was jailed formolesting ten boys between 1973and 1993, told the Commission thata poorly managed boys’ society wasa “sitting duck” for paedophileactivity. He also agreed with thesuggestion that the culture of theAnglican Church “encouraged” it.

The Commission heard that theRt Revd Philip Newell, Bishop ofTasmania from 1982 until hisretirement in 2000, had appointedMr Daniels as archdeacon in 1989,despite having heard of allegationsof sexual abuse against him in 1987.

One victim has told the Commis-sion that the Archbishop ofBrisbane, Dr Phillip Aspinall, whena lay CEBS leader in Tasmania inthe early 1980s, had encouraged himto sleep in the bed of a priest whothen abused him. The alleged

incident occurred when a group wasstaying in the rectory of the priest,who was later convicted of abusingteenage boys.

Dr Aspinall, through his lawyer,has denied the allegation. He isexpected to give evidence at thehearing, which closes on Friday.Public apology made to victim.Aformer Governor-General ofAustralia, Dr Peter Hollingworth,has publicly apologised to a survivorof sexual abuse for his mishandlingof the man’s allegations when he wasArchbishop of Brisbane.

Speaking while giving evidence tothe Commission, Dr Hollingworthtold the survivor, identified only asBYB, that he acknowledged un-reservedly that his actions inallowing the priest concerned tocontinue in office were “a seriouserror of judgement, and I genuinelyregret it. . . I failed to make yourneeds my absolute first priority.”

He said that he had not under-stood the long-term repercussions ofabuse, and that he was “overly con-cerned” for the needs of the priest,John Elliot, and his family, andthose of the parish of Dalby, on theQueensland Darling Downs, whereElliot was rector.

Elliot retired fromDalby in 1998,five years after BYB hadmade hisallegations of abuse to Dr Holling-worth. He later served a prison termfor abusing seven boys.

Dr Hollingworth, who resigned asArchbishop of Brisbane to becomeGovernor-General in 2001, resignedthe vice-regal post in 2003 overallegations that his diocese hadmishandled abuse complaintsduring his time as archbishop.

AP

by Muriel PorterAustralia Correspondent

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‘All the World’s a Stage’

The CHURCH TIMESBloxham Festival ofFaith&LiteratureA literary festival with a theological slant

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Buy your tickets todayVisit:www.bloxhamfaithandliterature.co.uk

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JUST TWOWEEKS TO GO!

Church in‘Jungle’demolishedby Madeleine Davies

A CHURCH (right) and a mosquein the “Jungle” camp in Calais werebulldozed by the French authoritieson Monday morning.

The demolition follows clear-ances to provide a 100-metre bufferzone between the camp and amotorway. At the end of January,the Prefect of Pas-de-Calais told LeMonde that he planned to evacuatethe Jungle completely during thewinter, and to offer a solution toeach migrant.

The Archbishop of Canterburywrote on Facebook: “My heart andprayers go out to these peoplewhose places of worship weredestroyed yesterday — in the veryplace they have come to seek refugefrom ISIS and other persecutors.”

The church was constructed inOctober by a local pastor, FabienBoinet, the news website La Viesaid. “Faith is something essentialfor them [the camp’s residents],” hesaid on Monday. “Already they don’thave much; now the possibility ofgathering for prayer is taken fromthem. We aren’t against theauthorities: we simply want thedignity of these people to berespected, and I believe that the rightto exercise their faith is somethingfundamental.”

His suggestion that theauthorities had promised that the

church would be untouched wasechoed by Caroline Gregory, a long-term volunteer who runs Christiansfor Calais.

Residents were unwilling to moveinto the collection of shippingcontainers provided by theauthorities, which “looks like aconcentration camp”, she said onTuesday. “People [were] packed likesardines into containers, with nocommunal areas.” They were alsoafraid that doing so might forcethem to seek asylum in France.

“The UK needs to let in all thosewith legitimate strong links to theUK,” she said. It was a “myth” thatthey were economic migrants: shehad seen scars, bullet wounds, andpictures of dead family members.

Last week, after a gun fight atGrand Synthe, near Dunkirk, DavidMichaux, an anti-riot officer fromthe UNSA police union, told LeFigaro of religious tensions.

“There is a real problem ofMuslims and non-Muslims,” hesaid. “Most of the camp’s 3000-oddoccupants are Muslim Kurds fromIraq, Iran, and Syria, but a minorityare Christians from Iran. TheMuslims are trying to expel theChristians from the camp.”

Other reports have attributed theviolence to rival bands of smugglers.Phil Kerton, of Seeking Sanctuary,said on Monday that “tensions dorun high. There have been reports ofa violent incident a few days earlier,when a Christian pastor had called a

group of young Iranian Muslimstogether to call them to comeforward for baptism— a call whichwas answered by several, much tothe concern of other residents.”

He had heard reports of Kurds’threatening others who had been inthe camp for longer periods: “This isalso a source of tension, that caneasily boil over into violence.”

Last week, David Cameronresisted calls to take unaccom-panied refugee children who havefled to Europe, arguing that doingso would encourage thousandsmore to risk their lives crossing theMediterranean in boats.

“Yes, we should take part inEuropean schemes when it is in ourinterests to do so, and help to secure

the external European border,” hesaid, “but we are out of Schengen,we keep our own borders, andunder this Government that is theway it will stay.”

The Home Office confirmed onThursday of last week that it wouldwork with the UN High Commis-sioner for Refugees to identify“exceptional cases” of children inSyria and neighbouring countrieswho are in immediate need ofshelter. The Government has notidentified how many will beaccepted.

At least 10,000 unaccompaniedchild-refugees have disappearedafter registering with stateauthorities in Europe, Europolreported on Saturday.

AP


news

A newclergypost?

Starting well in a new post can have a hugeimpact on the ministry of your new church.CPAS offers a number of events to supportleaders at this critical time.

The Buck STopS here (for first-time incumbents)23-25 February, Elim Centre, Malvern4-6 october, Wilson Carlile Centre, Sheffield

New chapTerS (for clergy starting a new post)11-14 april, Hothorpe Hall, Leics

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Book online at:www.cpas.org.uk/movingroles

Idowu-Fearon explains ‘risk’THE Secretary-General of theAnglican Communion, Dr JosiahIdowu-Fearon, has told Episcop-alians in the United States that he is“inspired” by the way in which theydefend the rights of gay people, butthat their decision on same-sexmarriage has put other Churches inthe Communion at risk.

“Being in communion with youthreatens their witness to the sameLord Jesus, especially, but not only,in Muslim contexts, where the cul-tural sensibilities about humansexuality are so very different,” hesaid on Sunday. “In short, yourdecision puts many of us at risk.”

He was addressing clergy at astudy day before the installation of

the Rt Revd Peter Eaton as theBishop of Southeast Florida.

“As an African and Anglican, Iam most challenged by the realitythat, in many of our countries,including my own, homosexuality isa criminal offence,” he said. “I havemade many people in my Church,and in the government of Nigeria,very angry with me by my repeatedobjections to the criminalising ofgay and lesbian brothers and sisters.

“The Episcopal Church has stoodup for the rights of gay and lesbianpeople here and around the world,and I am inspired. But changing thedoctrine of marriage to includethose same people has not inspiredmost of the Anglican family. . .

“As much as Episcopalians arescandalised by the criminalisation of

homosexuality in some parts of theworld, know that other Anglicansare scandalised by your change ofthe doctrine of marriage.”

“I know that for your Church toaccept these consequences is toaccept a costly and painful unity,”he said. “But please know that, formany of the Primates, who neededan even safer distance from theEpiscopal Church, the consequen-ces, as they stand, put them, too, onthe path of costly unity.”

On Monday, a letter from 50priests in the Church of Ireland tothe Presiding Bishop of the US Epis-copal Church, the Most RevdMichael Curry, thanked him for“exemplary witness”, and “dissoci-ated” its authors from the Primates’decision on the Episcopal Church.

by Madeleine Davies

by Tim Wyatt

Rwanda hitspoverty withfamily focus

A DEVELOPMENT scheme that haspulled thousands of families inRwanda out of poverty withoutspending any foreign money hasbeen praised in a UK tour by twoAfrican archbishops.

The scheme, Raising Families,run by the Church of the Provinceof Rwanda in partnership with theaid agency Samaritan’s Purse, hashad remarkable results across thecountry, and is now being expandedinto neighbouring Uganda.

The Primate of Rwanda, DrOnesphore Rwaje, was joined by theArchbishop of Uganda, the MostRevd Stanley Ntagali, on a tour ofBritain last week to raise the profileof the scheme.

The project works by askingAnglican churches to pick 20 poorfamilies in their parishes to focuson. The target families are thentaught better farming practices, howto read and write, how to investtheir limited cash better, and self-reliance, by members of the con-gregation.

Dr Rwaje said last week that thescheme used illustrations fromthe Bible to encourage the targetfamilies not to look to outsiders forassistance, but to help themselves.

“When the Lord wanted toliberate the Israelites from Egypt, hecalled Moses to be his agent,” DrRwaje said. “He asked him: ‘What isthat in your hands?’”

By asking the same question, andencouraging communities to worktogether, Raising Families had seenimpressive outcomes.

In many areas, poor farmerscome together in groups of ten to12, and each brings 100 francs(about nine pence) a month. Bypooling their resources, one of thegroup is given 1200 francs (about£1.11) to spend improving his landor investing in his farm.

The next month, another in thegroup is given the cash to spend.Children are encouraged to buy andraise rabbits as a cheap source ofmeat, and to use their pooled fundsto buy corrugated-iron sheets toroof their homes.

“We are mobilising the com-munity, using our local churches asaction groups to fight against pov-erty, illness, and their ignorance,”Dr Rwaje said. “It has been suc-

cessful because they help each other:they know each other’s needs, andhow they can do it together. TheChurch is there [only] to facilitate.”

The 10,000 families targeted inRwanda by Raising Families hadseen huge improvements, Samari-tan’s Purse said. At the start of thescheme, three years ago, 63 per centof the children from those familieshad been deemed to be safe fromabuse, neglect, or exploitation. Now,the figure was 95 per cent.

Similarly, only 43 per cent of thetarget families’ children had hadaccess to health care; now, it was 85per cent. Originally, just 13 per centof the families had been managingto put aside any money each monthas savings; now, 41 per cent wereable to do so.

“The Church has become theagent for spiritual, social, and eco-nomic development,” Dr Rwaje said.No money from abroad had beenused to pull any of the families outof poverty: they had managed itthemselves. “We are all bene-ficiaries, and there are no donors.”

This year, the Church of theProvince of Uganda will begin itsown Raising Families scheme, in-spired by the success in Rwanda.

Archbishop Ntagali said that thescheme would focus on 9600especially needy families in north-western Uganda, who had beenaffected by the insurgency of theLord’s Resistance Army, andclimate change, as the rains hadrepeatedly failed.

“We are improving farming tech-niques so people can have enoughfood to feed their children,” he said.“And, if they have enough to eat,they can have more to sell, and sendtheir children to school and improvetheir health.”

Alan Cutting, of Samaritan’sPurse, said that the Archbishops had

been invited to talk in the UK aboutRaising Families because of theirsupport for it. “This programmedepends on the key people and theleaders’ being behind it. They arereally engaged with it, and we arehugely grateful for that. When thevision comes from the Archbishops,it has got much more chance.”

Tour: the Archbishop of Uganda, the Most Revd Stanley Ntagali (left), andthe Primate of Rwanda, Dr Onesphore Rwaje, speak about Raising Families

SAMARITAN’S PURSE

Chinese church leader arrested in cross crackdownA PROMINENT church leader in China, Pastor Gu Yuese, has been ar-rested and detained at an undisclosed location, Christian Solidarity World-wide and Release International report. Mr Gu, who leads the ChongyiChurch in the city of Hangzhou, has been an outspoken critic of the forcedremoval of crosses from churches in his region. The charities say that MrGu, who was involved in the Chinese state-sanctioned Christian movement,is the highest-profile Christian to be arrested in China since the CulturalRevolution ended in the 1970s. Chinese authorities have been taking downcrosses from churches for years, and recently imprisoned a lawyer who haddefended churches from such actions (News, 20 October).

Men and women to pray sideby side at Wailing Wall

MIXED groups of men and women willsoon be able to pray at theWailingWall inJerusalem, considered the holiest site inJudaism. On Sunday, after a long debate inIsrael, the Israeli government decided toset aside a section of the wall, formerlypart of Solomon’s temple, for prayers inmixed-sex groups. Previously, only single-sex groups could pray at the wall.

Anglican bishops speak out as South Sudan conflict worsens

BISHOPS in South Sudan have spoken of harrowing conditions in the midstof the country’s seemingly intractable civil war. Speaking to the AnglicanAlliance, the Bishop of Lui, the Rt Revd Stephen Dokolo, said that manycivilians in his diocese had no water, food, or medical supplies. Some hadfled the violence for the forests and were relying on foraging for wild plantsto avoid starvation. The Bishop of Olo, the Rt Revd Tandema Andrew, said:“Children are dying of malaria; women are dying in childbirth: it is verydifficult.” The conflict has left 6.4 million in need of humanitarian aid.

SAT-7 television equipment returned by police after raid

ACHRISTIAN television network in Egypt has had equipment, includingcameras, computers, and hard drives, returned after it was confiscatedduring a police raid in October. SAT-7, which broadcasts across the MiddleEast (News, 29 January), said that the equipment was in good condition, andun-edited programmes on the hard drives had been left untouched. The net-work has been unable to broadcast any new or live shows since the raid, whichtook place under the instruction of the country’s censorship department.

Coptic teenagers to stand trial in Egypt for ‘insulting Islam’

THREE Coptic Christian schoolchildren are to be put on trial in Egypt,accused of insulting Islam, after they appeared in a video that mockedIslamic prayers, the news agency AP has reported. The teenagers werefilmed by their teacher last year pretending to pray, reciting Qur’anic verses,and imitating beheading. The teacher has already been convicted on thesame charges in a separate trial and sentenced to three years in prison.

PA

Cheers: an Irish D-Day veteran who laterbecame a priest in the Church of Ireland,

Canon Robert William Marsden, wasawarded the Legion d’Honneur by the

French ambassador, in Dublin

comment


THE legendary Bill Shankly oncesaid: “First is first, second isnowhere.” Although it pains me todisagree with the great man, I have tosay that I think he was wrong. To riphis words out of context, manglethem, and apply them theologically, itis not true to say: “Matters of firstimportance are primary, whilematters of secondary importance arenowhere.”

As Director of Anglican Trainingat Oak Hill, I have a goal, which is tohelp to train ordinands who areunswervingly committed to mattersof “primary importance”, while alsobeing Anglicans from conviction whowholeheartedly embrace Anglicanism’s distinctive teaching onsecondary matters.

In 1 Corinthians 15, the apostlePaul reminds his audience: “Idelivered to you as of first importancewhat I also received: that Christ diedfor our sins in accordance with thescriptures.”

The matters of primary importance, Paul says, are the apostolicgospel, the substitutionary death andresurrection of Christ, and the authority of scripture. Classic Evangelicalism unites around the truths of thegospel, and a commitment to theauthority of scripture.

ONE of the great strengths ofEvangelicalism has been its ability tocut across denominational boundariesbecause of its unity in these primarymatters. In particular, this has led togreat effectiveness in evangelism. Forexample, the work of UCCF and thevitality of many university ChristianUnions has been used by God tobring people to Christ, and to nurturethem in the faith.

Part of the genius of these organisations and others like them isprecisely that they focus on issues ofprimary importance, and do not divide over issues of secondary importance.

Such an emphasis on matters ofprimary importance, however, caneither unwittingly, or even perhapsat times intentionally, convey theidea that issues of secondaryimportance are insignificant.

For me, the decision to leaveparish ministry to come to Oak Hillwas prompted by an increasingconviction that, as Anglican Evangelicals committed to parish ministry and the flourishing of the

First is first, but secondis not nowhereThere is no gulf between matters of primary and secondaryimportance in Anglican teaching, argues Mark Pickles

IT WAS the original intention ofthe Shakespeare TercentenaryCommittee to begin its commemoration functions on the 23rdof April. That happens this year tobe Easter Day, but at first thereappeared to the committee nothingincongruous in making the Shakespeare proceedings coincide withthe Paschal Feast. If the Committee had consisted exclusively ofmere pagans, we should not havebeen surprised at their conduct,but it so happens that someeminent ecclesiastics figure on itslist, and it is simply amazing thatthey did not take care to preventthe plan which was originallyarranged. As it is, they are not freefrom blame, for the plan as nowrearranged is scarcely an improvement on the former one. For it isnow proposed to call Sunday, April30, Shakespeare Sunday, and to ask

the clergy throughout the countryto observe the day with specialintention. The 30th, we needhardly say, is Low Sunday, theoctave of Easter, and has for itscentral thought the Lord’s Resurrection. This fact appears to haveescaped the notice of the Dean andChapter of Westminster, and if itis true, as announced, that theShakespeare Day observance is totake the place of the Easter observance, or, at any rate, to be incongruously combined with it, theCommittee must be asked to findsome other more suitable date, andwe suggest that it should not be aSunday at all. Against the presentproposal, though a revised one, weprotest most strongly on theground of its indecency and itsflagrant disregard of Christiansentiment; and we ask the Deanand Chapter of Westminster todissociate themselves at once fromthe scheme.The Church Times digital archiveis available free to postal subscribers.

Shakespeare Sunday

Don’t rest yetWHAT does the Government think it is doing? When theChancellor announced in his Budget speech that local councilsmight be given the power to relax Sundaytrading laws, theargument put forward was so weak as to be insulting — as ifany conclusions about economic benefits could be drawn fromthe extraordinary period during the Olympics. The onlycomfort was that, during the consultation period, or, ifnecessary, in debates in the Commons and the Lords, sensewould be bound to prevail, and the proposal would be quietlydropped. So the announcement by the Business Secretary, SajidJavid, on Tuesday that the unchanged proposal would beappended to the Enterprise Bill near the completion of itspassage through Parliament seems only to compound theinsult.The defence of the Lord’s Day no longer brings Christians to

the barricades as it once did. After the strictures of earlierdecades, a degree of reasonableness has muted the arguments,making the Churches less prepared to respond to unreasonableness when it comes along, perhaps because it feelslike special pleading for Christians. But the broad coalition offorces in favour of keeping Sunday special ought to give peoplecourage: trade unions, smallshopkeepers, towncentre residents, many local councils, and rightthinking businesses —everyone, it seems, apart from the powerful business interestswho have the Government’s ear.The reasons for resisting Sunday trading go much deeper

than its interference with normal times of worship. It will havea profound effect on those who work in the retail trade — 2.8million, one in every ten people employed in the UK. TheChurches have been slow to develop a contemporary theologyof rest, something that is of fundamental importance to anindividual’s wellbeing. But if this line of argument is toocomplicated, the deleterious effect on families is selfevident,especially when, at the lower end of the job market, it iscommon for both parents to have to work. In 2014, the PrimeMinister announced that all new legislation would be subjectedto the “Family Test” to assess its impact on families in variouscircumstances. It seems that this is yet another parliamentarystage the Government plans to do away with in order to furtherthe interests of big business.This is not the occasion for reticence. Since the Bishops, like

the rest of the peers, will have no parliamentary opportunity tofight this, it is up to ordinary people to teach the Government alesson in democracy, and persuade their MPs to fight it instead.The Government must know that the numbers are tight: it willtake only a few Conservative MPs to vote with the otherparties, and with their conscience, to tip the balance. But thetime to act is short.

February 4th, 1916.

gospel within our denomination, weneed both an unswerving commitment to the things of primaryimportance, and an understanding of,and commitment to, the historicAnglicanism of the Creeds, theThirtyNine Articles, the PrayerBook, and the Ordinal.

What might be deemed issues ofsecondary importance (in that one’ssalvation does not depend on thesethings) are important, even thoughthey are secondary. It is vital thatEvangelical ordinands have an understanding of historic Anglican distinctiveness in areas such as ecclesiology, polity, and the sacraments.

OF COURSE, “primary” is alwaysprimary. Paul wrote 1 Corinthians 15not because the Corinthians did notknow what the gospel was, butbecause we always need to bereminded of that which is mostimportant, lest it is simply assumed,then ignored, and finally forgotten.The great need of the hour in theChurch of England is a commitmentto and a proclamation of the biblicalgospel.

It is easy to misunderstand anuanced approach to secondaryissues. We can put secondary issuestogether with, or even above, issuesof primary importance, so thatwe become narrow and isolationist.We grow wary and suspicious ofanyone who does not hold to ourlengthy list of the necessary components of orthodoxy; or we can misinterpret “secondary” to mean “unimportant”.

Like many other theologicalcomplexities, this choice is subject topendulum swings of reaction andoverreaction. In our present daycontext within Evangelicalism, however, I fear that we may be moreprone to the latter error.

When considering fulltime gospelministry, issues of secondaryimportance inevitably come into play,

and need to be thought throughcarefully and prayerfully.

AT OAK HILL, we have Independentand Anglican students working sideby side, thinking about and discussingsuch issues; so we hope that it provides a natural context to fosterhumility in holding their convictionsand gracious doctrinal clarity.

If you are an Anglican ordinand,for example, you cannot get awaywith thinking that infant baptism isunimportant, and therefore that itreally does not matter what you thinkabout it. At the same time, you willnot be able to leave Oak Hill withunformed and unclear opinions aboutinfant baptism which you have notthought through. Your Independentneighbour will be quick to challengeyou and force you to scrutinise yourtheological position in the light ofscripture.

Such an environment demandsthat you think through your understanding thoroughly and biblically.Furthermore, you cannot get awaywith concluding that infant baptismmight be wrong, but that you willcontinue to pursue Anglican ordination because you deem it to be “thebest boat to fish from”. Issues ofintegrity and doctrinal consistencycome to the fore.

The Declaration of Assent, madeby deacons, presbyters, and bishopswhen they are ordained, affirms boththat the Church of England “professes the faith uniquely revealed inthe Holy Scriptures and set forth inthe catholic creeds”, and that “it hasborne witness to Christian truth in itshistoric formularies.”

Although it is helpful to make adistinction between primary andsecondary matters, the whole point ofdoctrinal integrity and consistencymeans that there is a seamless connection between them. The Declaration of Assent superbly encapsulatesthis. There is no tension between a

wholehearted commitment tothe biblical gospel and theauthority of scripture, and anenthusiastic, convinced embracing of historic Anglican distinctiveness.

The Revd Mark Pickles isDirector of Anglican MinistryTraining at Oak Hill, where healso teaches courses in Homileticsand Gospel-Driven Leadership.

‘The Declarationof Assentencapsulatesa seamlessconnection’


comment

“I WISH I’d been born inthe 18th century,” theman buying an ice creamsaid, in the interval of LesLiaisons Dangereuses. Hewas thinking, no doubt,about the high levels ofwanton sexual activity inthe first half of Christopher Hampton’sadaptation of the novelpublished by a French

army officer in 1782. The envious icecreameaterhad clearly forgotten about 18thcentury dentistry. That was not all that he was overlooking.

The novelist Pierre Ambroise FrançoisChoderlos de Laclos set out to produce a workthat would still create a stir long after his death.Two centuries on, he seems to have succeeded. Itsstory, of two aristocratic libertines who set out todebauch a series of naïve innocents, was a succèsde scandale as soon as it was published

Considered deliciously shocking, it sold arecordbreaking 1000 copies in its first month,and so angered Laclos’s military superiors — whoconsidered it an attack on the aristocratic moralsof the ancien régime— that they ordered him toleave Paris for remote Brittany.

It still had the thrill of the forbidden when

Hampton adapted the work for the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1985, when the formidableAlan Rickman came to the attention of the widerworld playing the dissolute Vicomte de Valmont.

Valmont is engaged in a rivalry with a noblewoman, the Marquise de Merteuil, who was oncehis lover, but with whom he then engages in acruel game of manipulation, in which theycompete to deceive and seduce the guilelessinnocents around them.

Even before the interval, the man with the icecream ought to have been able to work out thatthere was something disturbing about sexualpower games that amuse by so clearly invertingthe accepted moral order. It was more than theamoral perception of sex as a mere recreationalactivity which is commonplace nowadays. It wasimmoral even before the game began to unravel,in the second half of the play, to its pitilessconclusion.

The devil having all the best tunes, and the

wicked all the wittiest lines, evil continued toexercise its glamour. Of course, whether Laclosforesaw it or not, the decadence of that world wasto have an inglorious comeuppance only sevenyears later, when the French Revolution broughtthe guillotine down on those haughty necks.

In the Donmar Theatre production, which wasbroadcast to cinemas around the world last week,the director Josie Rourke installed a clever visualanachronism to remind us of the impendingdoom: a small painting of a flag of the Revolutionary tricolour, emerging from the smoke ofbattle, was set behind the final duel in whichValmont receives his apt retribution.

And yet the play departs from the novel in thefate of its callous heroine. In the book, herduplicity is exposed, and she is booed at the operaby the socialites who were once in awe of her.Disgraced, she flees Paris for the country, whereshe contracts smallpox and is robbed of thebeauty on which her power relied. The playwright, perhaps wanting something more sinister,gives her the final line: “We continue the game.”The man with the ice cream, I suspect, could havedone with something less ambiguous.

Paul Vallely is Visiting Professor in Public Ethicsand Media at the University of Chester.www.paulvallely.com

The enduring lure of decadenceLes Liaisons Dangereusesshows the disturbing glamourof evil, says Paul Vallely

The troublewith globalcapitalism

SOMETHING has gone wrong withglobal capitalism. That is the conclusion not only of those whobelieve that capitalism is inherentlyimmoral, but increasingly of thosewho believe in its virtues. There areplenty of reasons for disillusionment.

There is Google, with its derisorycontribution to British taxes; Tesco,which is accused of blackmailing itssuppliers and cheating them ofpayment; the corporate selling on ofdebt for vast profits from subprimemortgages that led to the crash in2008, recently described as a giantPonzi scheme (one that paysinvestors out of new capital with noreal wealth behind it).

New technology and automationis taking away jobs and fuellingmassive inequality of income between the very rich, who hold thecapital, and the poor (let alone therest of us in the middle). All thissuggests that the welldocumentedability of capitalism to generategreater prosperity and wellbeingfor all may be grinding to a halt.

Capitalism has drifted a long wayfrom its roots in the economictheories that came from Enlightenment thinking. Originally, capitalism was linked to the Enlightenment charter of personal liberty: thefreedom to advance one’s owninterests by providing goods orservices to others. Competition andfree markets were intended to workfor the common good by allowingchoice and driving down prices.

Global capitalism does not worklike this now. It encourages monopolistic practices (who doesn’t wantto use Google?), limiting freedomand choice, and disenfranchisingthe majority, while creating apowerful global elite, beyond thescrutiny of national governments.The contradictions are all too clear,and are provoking an unexpectedrebellion from conservative politicians, rightwing journalists, andworkers in the financial sector.

While the advocates of capitalismwring their hands, the old Communists have rushed to adopt it.Neither Russia nor China has anyinterest in the link between enterprise and personal and politicalfreedom. China is cheerfully dumping its cheap steel on the world, andtaking away British jobs. Chinawants happy consumers, but doesnot want them to be free to say whatthey like. Russia still attempts tohold Europe to ransom over gas;but Russian capitalism seems to bein the grip of a cartel of thieves withsuspicious links to the President.

Freedom cuts both ways, andWestern nations need to generatereforms of the system which restorecredibility and fairness. This willnever come from the ideologicalLeft, who remain suspicious ofpersonal freedom. But the Rightmust keep up the pressure: all ourfutures depend on it.

Angela Tilby

Listen to the Spirit — on the busA new initiative offers an appealing means of encouraging prayer, says Richard Chartres

RESEARCH commissioned by SPCKfrom YouGov suggests that manypeople, whether churchgoers or not,pray regularly. From a representative sample of more than 2000British adults, 42 per cent of thosequestioned said that they prayed.

Of course, prayer, reaching outbeyond ourselves, is something thatmany people do without evenrealising it: praying for our team towin, begging for the health of aloved one. The comforts and benefits of prayer appeal to people whomight never have thought of entering a church.

That is why, in the coming weeks,thousands of prayer posters will beplaced on public transport inLondon and Newcastle, with thesupport of the two dioceses, as partof a wider initiative, Prayers on theMove. The hope is that reading asimple prayer in the anonymity ofthe Tube or the bus will give peoplean opportunity to listen to theSpirit’s inner voice.

The posters will also provide theinformation to take things furtherif people wish: they can downloadan app, send a text to receive abooklet, or follow a Twitter feed. Itmay prompt them to speak with aChristian whom they already know.

AS WE enter Lent, we will, as usual,encourage each other to do more ofthis or less of that, to read the Biblemore, or join a study or prayergroup. These are good disciplines tohelp us grow as we go on ourjourney to the new life of Easter. Yetthis is also a time to ponder what wemight do to assist others in theirspiritual growth.

Jesus met ordinary people wherethey were, and provoked them tothink about things eternal. Sometimes, in the past, the Church hasexpected people to come to us; butnow we must go to them.

Reaching out to people wherethey are is vital, and an importantpart of the approach we are taking inLondon through our Capital Vision2020. In particular, we have alreadycommissioned 11,000 Ambassadorsfor Christ to be available to give a

reason for the faith that is in us,for the sake of the majority ofLondoners, who would not describethemselves as Christians.

Every diocese has similar aspirations, and I am grateful for thePrayers on the Move initiative,which increases the rumour of Godin a nonoppressive way.

I am also grateful that it has notfallen victim to the ban imposedbefore Christmas by cinema chains,as they strove to preserve theirclientele from exposure to the Lord’sPrayer (News, 11 December). Thankgoodness that Transport for Londonis more enlightened.

We can all support the Prayers onthe Move campaign on social media,and this will give it an even greaterimpact, well beyond public transportin Newcastle and London. I washumbled to find that one of thecurates in the diocese of London hasmore than 159,000 followers onTwitter.

Let your friends know that youare following #prayersonthemove onTwitter, or “like” the Prayers OnThe Move Facebook page.

There are plenty of other ideas,information, and ways to givesupport, financially or otherwise, atwww.prayersonthemove.com.

AS WE remember our Lord’s 40days of prayer and fasting at thestart of his ministry, and as weencourage others to start out alongthe journey of prayer, I hope thatthis Lent may also be for us a time ofrenewal in prayer.

Whatever our church tradition,we know that authentic prayer —listening deeply and respondingobediently — takes time. Our busylives will eat up all the availablehours, and it is a good discipline toremind each other of the importanceof prayer by having deliberateseasons of waiting on God, andperhaps by learning by heart some

of the great prayers that have beenused by the saints.

Thanks be to thee, my Lord JesusChrist, for all the benefits thouhast given me, for all the painsand insults thou hast borne forme. O most merciful redeemer,friend and brother, may I knowthee more clearly, love thee moredearly, and follow thee morenearly, day by day. Amen.

St Richard of Chichester

The Rt Revd Richard Chartres is theBishop of London.

Prayers on the Move consists of 3000adverts posted on the London Underground, and nearly 500 on buses inTyne and Wear, during February.Bus adverts in Birmingham willfollow later in the year.

Booklets and other merchandiseare available at:www.prayersonthemove.com.

On the buses: an image of how the prayers will be displayed in Prayers on the Move

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Foundation of European Union on ‘noble ideals’

From Dr Max GammonSir, — The European Union was notsold to UK voters by “appeals tonoble ideals” (Leader comment, 29January), but on the basis of oureconomic advantage and with theguarantee of the preservation of oursovereignty.

In a television broadcast inJanuary 1973, the Prime Minister ofthe day, Edward Heath, told theBritish people: “There are some inthis country who fear that in goinginto Europe we shall in some waysacrifice independence and sovereignty. These fears, I need hardlysay, are completely unjustified.”

In fact, the British Foreign Officehad produced a secret briefing notefor Heath, warning that theCommon Market would lead to “theultimate creation of a Europeanfederal state, with a single currency.All the basic instruments of nationaleconomic management (fiscal,monetary, incomes and regionalpolicies) would ultimately behanded over to the central federalauthorities” (PRO/FCO 30/789).

Thirty years later, when confronted with this evidence, Heath

admitted that he had lied to theBritish public.

Seventy years after delivery fromNazi tyranny, European countriesare now subject to the subtler butequally unyielding dictatorship ofthe EU. Those who have difficultyin recognising the EU as a dictatorship should consider the words ofJeanClaude Juncker, currently thePresident of the European Commission: “There can be no democratic choice against EuropeanTreaties” (Le Figaro, 28 January2015).

Also, his words on British callsfor a referendum over the LisbonTreaty: “Of course there will betransfers of sovereignty. But would Ibe intelligent to draw the attentionof public opinion to this fact?” (LeSoir, 2 July 2007).MAX GAMMONChurch Cottage92 Southwark Park RoadLondon SE16 3RS

From Canon Ivor Smith-CameronSir, — In the General Synod in the1980s, I campaigned for a StandingCommission on Black AnglicanConcerns, as recommended in theFaith in the City report. The resultwas not a commission, but a committee (CBAC, now CMEAC). Eversince that period, appointment ofblack and Asian clergy to seniorposts has been a growing concern.

Vasantha Gnanadoss (Comment,29 January) makes clear that theissue has not been effectively addressed. She argues persuasivelythat the House of Bishops couldtake remedial action without delayif it had the will.

Can we dare to hope that this callwill now be heeded?IVOR SMITHCAMERON24 Holmewood GardensLondon SW2 3RS

From Mr Kenneth ObiSir, — Vasantha Gnanadoss refersto the House of Lords debate on theLords Spiritual (Women) Bill.

I notice that in the debate theArchbishop of Canterbury said thata photograph of the Bishops of

Burnley and Stockport hugging eachother after the Bishop of Burnley’sconsecration was worth a thousandwords. But later Baroness Berridgepointed out that another photograph, showing the bishops presentat the consecration of the Bishop ofStockport, raised the issue of thelack of racial diversity. We mightsay that this second photographspeaks a thousand words aboutracism in the Church of England.KENNETH OBI18 Holcraft House, Ingrave StreetLondon SW11 2SG

From Dr K. J. BriggsSir, — “The senior clergy are failingto include the diversity and gifts ofethnicminority priests.”

It could also be argued that thesenior clergy are failing to includethe diversity and gifts of excellentEnglish parish priests, who havebeen commended by theirparishioners, but continually passedover for preferment. Is this becausethey are too pale?JANE BRIGGSChestnut House, MalmesburyWiltshire SN16 9JA

From Mr Adrian BeneySir, — You reported (News, 15January) the apparently heartlesspursuit of a potential legacy by theRSPCA in the case of a womanwhose father had died, leaving aprovision that, if his wife had predeceased him, then the RSPCAshould receive a legacy. On the faceof it, this looks like an example ofcharities’ behaving in an aggressiveand uncaring way.

Yet the situation is more complexthan this. If charities never changedtheir name or address, and if executors could always be relied upon toimplement exactly the terms of thewill that they are administering,then there would be less need forbeneficiary charities to contact theadministrators of estates. But, sadly,executorship in the UK is not thatgood. Sometimes, those named asexecutors are bewildered by thecomplexity of the task, while there isa material conflict of interest for anexecutor who is less than honest andwho is also a beneficiary.

A polite and sensitive letter fromthe charity named in someone’s willcan be a helpful part of the administrative process for an honestexecutor, especially if the charityname or address has changed sincethe will was written. In the case of awill whose executor is succumbingto the temptation to ignore theintended charitable legacy, then,since charity trustees have a fiduciary duty to guard the assets of thecharity, it is a vital part of the process of recovering that which is, inlaw, the property of the charity.

Some years ago, the then managing director of Smee & Ford, thecharitylegacy notification servicenamed in your article, reported thatone of the UK’s larger charities hadseen legacy income rise by morethan a quarter when it started following legacies up in this way.

Far from heartless and cruel, thisis an important part of securing theincome that charities need to carryout their work for the public good.ADRIAN BENEYMore PartnershipThe Vicarage, BlockleyGloucestershire GL56 9ES

From the Revd Mark SmithSir, — Although I must confess thatreading the Church Times can occasionally affect my blood pressure,or trigger mild indigestion, it hasnever caused me entirely to breakoff from my morning tea and toast.Until, that is, last Friday.

The sight of a wobbly bottomstaring back at me from the frontcover was altogether startling. Iknow it’s good to grab the reader’sattention, but surely this was a littletoo much below the belt?MARK SMITHChaplainChrist’s CollegeCambridge CB2 3BU

From the Revd Geoffrey SquireSir, — A lady selling vegetables inBarnstaple market was reading herChurch Times in the quiet period.She commented: “Well, well, well! Ihave got used to opening my

Sunday paper and being confrontedby pictures of boobs, but never did Ithink I would open my ChurchTimes and be confronted with apicture of a bare bum.”

Referring to a longdeparted vicarwith rather puritanical views, shesaid: “If Father Godfrey saw that, hewould have muttered ‘Smut,absolute smut,’ and thrown hisChurch Times in the fire.”GEOFFREY SQUIRELittle Cross, GoodleighBarnstapleDevon EX32 7NR

From Mr Philip JohansonSir, —While I would not disagreewith the thrust of the letter fromCanon Peter Huxham (8 January),one point he makes requires correcting. The Nightclub Chaplaincy isnot based at St Peter’s Church. Thework is an ecumenical townwideinitiative, supported financially inpart by St Peter’s and the diocese,accountable to a trust that I chair,and on which the Town CentreRector serves as a trustee.

Canon Huxham refers to a stateof crisis over the past four years.That has primarily been at StStephen’s.

The Bishop of Southamptonchaired a wellattended meetingthere three years ago. He told thosepresent that he intended to be in theparish regularly to help move thingsforward. I don’t think the congregation has seen him since that time.

Likewise, the Bishop asked mealmost three years ago if he couldcome and talk with me to get myviews on church life in Bournemouth and then to go out with theNightclub Chaplain, to which I saidyes. All I can say is that the Bishop’sdiary must be overloaded yearsahead.

There are people in the TownCentre who believe the agenda ofthe diocese is to close one of thechurches, if not all of them, andtherefore diocesan officials keep

away. If there is any truth in thatthought, then the diocese should behonest about it. If present trendscontinue, all three churches couldwell be empty in ten years’ time.

That is no reflection on the TeamRector: he can do only what he cando. The ball rests with the diocese,which has allowed the parish to beunderstaffed. It certainly doesn’thappen with diocesan staff. Theappointment of a new Archdeaconof Winchester was announcedbefore the previous one had retired,while parishes often have to wait ayear to fill a vacancy. Likewise, thenews of the appointment of a newBishop of Basingstoke was announced less than three weeks afterthe previous Bishop had beeninstalled in Bath &Wells.

One hopes that all the bishopsand archdeacons in the diocese ofWinchester are taking part in therecently launched national seniorleadership training, which, we aretold, is excellent and very beneficialto participants. Perhaps the clergyand people will see some of thefruits of that training in the monthsahead in the diocese.PHILIP JOHANSONFormer Chief Secretary, Church

Army10 Ditton Lodge8 Stourwood AvenueBournemouthDorset BH6 3PN

From Dr Christopher RiggSir, — According to your report(News, 22 January), the Archbishopof Canterbury reported that “thefirst attempt [to agree on the calendar date of Easter] was in the tenthcentury.”

To my knowledge, the firstattempt to do so was in 664 at theSynod of Whitby, which was originally intended to establish one usagein the Kingdom of Northumbria,but was accepted by all the otherAngloSaxon kingdoms.

The Gaelic kingdoms of Scotlandand Ireland which practised theCeltic usage based on the calculations of St Antolius of Laodicea(third century) were less inclined toaccept the ruling. Some Gaelicabbeys accepted it in the century orso after Whitby — for instance,Iona.

In southwestern England, thechange was not accepted until theareas had been conquered by theAngloSaxons. The Celtic usage inWales and in parts of Ireland fellinto disuse only through the militaryforce of the Normans.

Various passages in Bede’sHistory reflect his personal prejudiceagainst those using the Celtic rite.The History also shows the venombetween the proponents of the twosystems, similar to the venom thatseemed to be present between theparties in the recent worldwidemeeting of Anglican Primates.

Is agreement between Christianson matters of practice really necessary at such a price?CHRISTOPHER RIGGLanghoven 576721 SL BennekomThe Netherlands

Nous andvinous

THE question that I am asked morefrequently than any other is: “Howcan I learn more about wine?” Thesimple, flip answer is: “By drinkingmore of it.”

One good way of doing this is bygetting together regularly with agroup of friends, each bringing adifferent bottle. I reckon on gettingup to 18 tasting samples out of abottle; so that makes the ideal maximum number for a group. If half thegroup were each time to bring abottle, that could make for a convivial and instructive evening.

One game that I used to play withfriends in the wine trade was to tasteeach wine blind. The first personwould have to make a statementabout it, for example: “It is red.” Thenext had to narrow the field downwith, perhaps, “It is Old World.”The next might say “French”; and soon. It is surprising how often wewent astray.

Much of my knowledge has comefrom reading about wine, and nowthe field is much wider, and there isa range of blogs. On the other hand,publishers seem less willing to produce books on wine. For daytoday reference, I would recommendHugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book,published annually since 1977, and,apparently, the world’s bestsellingwine book, at more than 400,000copies a year in 13 languages. It is arichly seamed mine of information.

More visually stimulating (andexpensive) is his World Atlas ofWine, which, since 2001, he haswritten with Jancis Robinson. If youhave any Christmas book tokensstill unspent, either of these wouldbe a useful investment on your wayto wine knowledge.

There is also a glossy monthlywine magazine, Decanter, which hasa broad international readership.

In Britain, we are particularlyfortunate in living in the countrythat is the world leader in wineeducation, both for the trade andthe amateur winelover. In 1969, theWine and Spirit Education Trust(WSET) was established to educatepeople in the trade. At about thesame time, the Institute of Mastersof Wine was created to give aqualification at degree level.

These two bodies are independent, but complementary, offering a range of courses and qualifications in almost every country wherewine is drunk. Although they wereboth aimed at wine professionals,now, many amateurs take advantageof what they offer. The WSET(www.wsetglobal.com) holds regularcourses at different levels — not justabout wine, but also about spirits —at its headquarters in Bermondsey.

A further useful source of information is the Association ofWine Educators (AWE). All theirmembers hold the highest qualification of the WSET, and many runWSET courses. They can also giveindividual wine talks, and, if you arethinking of setting up a wine group,it might be useful to contact amember near you. A full list of themembers is available on their website www.wineeducators.com.

A great thing about wine is thatyou can never know all about it. Butyou can choose your level, if youwant to. After a lifetime in drink, Iam still trying to get deeper into it.

wine

Life at a fast paceHAVE you noticed how Easteralways seems early or late? Odd,isn’t it? I have never yet thought tomyself “Ah, yes, it’s about timewe came to Easter.” It is never ontime: it is always too early, orterribly late.

This year, of course, it is terriblyearly, and barely has the Epiphanyhouse been dismantled and consigned to the middle shed in theback yard of the church than we’reburning palm crosses and smearingthe results on the faithful’s foreheads. Next week, the 40 days ofLent will begin, and Easter will beon its way.

Carols, but no wineI AM barely reconciled to the end ofChristmas and Epiphany, to behonest. One reason is that I stillenjoy this season very much, and, inthe misery of cold, dark January, thejollity inside the church makes upfor the grey grimness outside. It isalso because the season providesceaseless entertainment. This yearwas no exception, and carol servicesprovided a rich seam of humour.Everyone, of course, loves a carolservice — even (I discovered thisyear) Mormons.

One year, after we got thrown outof the local hotel for making toomuch noise, I decided that, insteadof carolsinging round the parish (ofwhich there isn’t much to speak incentral Cambridge), we would havea traditional carol service in church,not least for all those unable to getinto the rather more famous versionup the road on Christmas Eve.

Clergy readers will attest that allmanner of people who never normally darken your church’s doorstepwill turn up for a carol service. I wassurprised however, when, as I processed in during “Once in royal”,I saw one pew filled with fouryoung men in identical smart suits,each with carefully coiffured darkhair.

At the end, standing at the doorready to be missionshaped at everyone who passed, and pressing onthem glasses of mulled wine, Iconfess that I was taken aback whensuddenly, in front of me, were thesefour chaps, each with a little blackbadge revealing his name and his

Your answersI’ve always wondered about what itmeans that the disciples could laytheir hands on two swords on theevening of Jesus’s arrest (Luke22.38). Surely, Rome would strictlycontrol such weapons?

A plausible answer runs as follows.The story of the ear cut off with a

sword when the Lord was arrested isdifferent in all four Gospels, andeach Evangelist has his motives.

St Luke knew Mark 14.4749, andsupposing the swordbearer to beone of Jesus’s followers, was distressed or worried. ThroughoutLuke’s Gospel and Acts, an important concern is the innocence ofJesus and his disciples in Romanlaw, and the carrying of deadlyweapons was clearly illegal.

Luke’s device is to turn theswordbearing into a necessityimposed by scripture. One of thecentral predictions of the Passion isIsaiah 53, where it is predicted(53.12) that the suffering Messiah“was reckoned among criminals”.So, in Luke 22.3537, Jesus says thathe that had no sword should sell hiscloak and buy one, “For I say to youthat this which is written must befulfilled in me, ‘And he wasreckoned among criminals.”’

When the disciples produce twoswords, Jesus declares that isenough. Plainly, he does not meanenough for armed defence. But itwould be enough to fulfil the plural“criminals” in the prophecy. Thepoint is reinforced when, after theinjury done to the High Priest’sservant, Jesus says “Enough of that,”and heals the wounded ear — a

story not told in any of the otherGospels. He does not behavecriminally, but has lawbreakers inhis company.

This idea was published by S. G.Hall in “Swords of offence”: Studiaevangelica, ed. K. Aland et al., Berlin1959, 499502 (TU 73).(Professor the Revd) Stuart G. HallLeven, Fife

We should not overestimate thedegree of control that the Romanscould exert over their empire. Theysimply did not have the manpowerto enforce the disarming of thecivilian population, even had theyhad the will to do so. In fact, whilein Italy carrying arms (except forhunting) was by the imperial periodarguably illegal and certainly notnormal, it was not general policy todisarm the provinces.

The only case that is even allegedto have happened, Cassius Dio’sstatement that the Emperor

Claudius disarmed the Britons, iswidely doubted by historians, notleast because the earlier and moredetailed account by Tacitus says thatOstorius Scapula, the second governor of the province, introduced apolicy of disarming the less trustworthy Britons (with scant success).

So the possession of a few swordswould be in no way remarkable.Justin PinkessEdgbaston, Birmingham

Your questionsHow does good poetry becomeprayers? Any print resources?

D. G. H.

Address for answers and morequestions: Out of the Question,Church Times, 3rd floor, InvictaHouse, 108114 Golden Lane,London EC1Y [email protected]

‘Two swords’ in Gethsemaneout of the question

And the worst of it was, it didn’t cost any less


RobertMackley

diary

diary etc

Christopher Fielden

Write, if you have any answers tothe questions listed at the end ofthis section, or would like to add

to the answers below.

membership of the Church of JesusChrist of Latterday Saints.

I was unsurprised to learn thatthey did not want any wine, butmore curious to hear them say, asthey departed, that it had all seemedvery familiar to them. Who knewthat Joseph Smith was into NineLessons and Carols?

Ready for take-offTHIS international theme continued on Christmas Eve, when wehad our usual crib service. Like mostcrib services, this involved the reading of the Christmas story by littlepeople, the carrying of the figures ofMary, Joseph, animals, and shepherds to the crib, the vigorous use ofcandles, and the Vicar compèringlike a downmarket musichall act.

Part of the business is, of course,to ask the children questions, and,early on in the exercise, I askedwhere Mary and Joseph weretravelling to. Foolishly, I askedthe child whose hand had shot upfirst and most aggressively. Thisis always an error, as there isfrequently an inverse relationshipbetween zeal and competence.

I pointed encouragingly at him,and invited him to answer. “Theairport,” he said.

“Goodness me, no, there were noairports in those days,” I respondedamid parental titters. I then feltguilty that I had not offered amore appreciative comment on hisefforts.

Two or three questions down theline, and lulled into a false sense ofsecurity by intelligent answers fromchoristers, I asked whether anyoneknew where the shepherds werewhen they heard the angels.

Up shot the young boy’s handagain. “The airport,” he shouted.

Whether his parents were asanxious to get away as I increasinglyfelt, I cannot say, but if Heathrow orGatwick needs a cheerleader for itscampaign for extra runways, I haveone person I can recommend.

Somewhat reverendMY GIFTS as an animateur of congregations may not be up to much,but I am about to have to learnsome new skills; for I have beenmade Rural Dean.

Members of my PCC, bless them,thought this a great honour, and received the news with acclaim, notrealising that half the deanery was invacancy, and the other half were toooverworked to do the job, and so thepoor Bishop had no one else to pickbut me.

“How much do you get paid?”one naïve PCC member asked, notrealising that the rewards this side ofheaven amount to headaches and aquickly acquired competence indealing with open churchyards. Youdon’t even get a lovely title. Onefeels that if bishops are RightReverend, and deans Very Reverend, and archbishops Most Reverend, then deans rural might beVaguely Reverend, or Rather Reverend, or a Bit Reverend.

Given the lack of filthy lucre,perhaps it is for the best that one’sheaded paper does not need tochange.

Mistaken identityI THOUGHT that I might havebeen wrong about the earthly rewards for rural deans when I wokeup the other morning, opened thecurtains, and found a van in thedriveway and two men painting mygarage doors.

Unlike many dioceses, we arelucky in Ely to have a parsonagesboard that is firstrate, but even itsenthusiasm for maintaining highquality clergy accommodation isusually tempered by the desire, first,to inform you of what it proposes to

do. Eventually, I popped out andoffered a cheery “Good morning”before gently enquiring why theywere painting my garage doors.“You asked us to,” came the response.

I turn 40 in three years’ time; so Iam increasingly conscious of memory lapses; but I was pretty confident that, on this occasion, I hadnot absentmindedly asked theproperty department to give mygarage a lick of paint.

I demurred politely, and wentback inside to phone the saiddepartment. My announcement ofdelight and surprise at the unmerited mercy of painted doorswas greeted with somewhat lessdelight but equal surprise at theother end of the phone. The decorators were supposed to be fixing themuch older garage doors of thearchdeacon’s house next door, andhad got the wrong building.

I went outside to pass on thegood news, and was thrilled to findthat they had just finished. Why,I wondered, does one need to be aBit Reverend, when your garagedoors can be a bit painted?

The Revd Robert Mackley is theVicar of Little St Mary’s, Cambridge.

faith


“LOOK at my son,” the father of theepileptic boy begs Jesus, the dayafter the extraordinary events onthe mountain, witnessed by Peter,James, and John (Luke 9.38). Although Luke’s telling of the storyfollows Mark’s quite closely (Mark9.227, Matthew 17.118), in thisdetail, it is original.

He is adding to the discussion offaith (Luke 9.41) a striking connection between the transfiguration ofJesus and the healing of the boy.Surely the essence of what God hassaid to the disciples, as Moses andElijah vanish and the voice speaksfrom the cloud, is also “Look at myson.” If they are to listen to him,they must first grasp the gloriousevidence that he is indeed the Son ofGod.

The privilege of seeing the face ofGod has only one precedent, in therelationship of Moses to Yahweh,who had led the people of Israel outof Egypt. His law and covenant withthe chosen nation was mediated byMoses, with whom he used to speak“face to face, as one speaks to afriend” (Exodus 33.11, NRSV).

Even at one remove, in the radiance of Moses’s face, the power ofthis encounter was too much for apeople who were not yet ready toenter into the same kind of friend

ship. Their disobedience and idolatry, culminating in the orgy roundthe golden calf, placed them in adifferent sort of relationship (Exodus 32). So Moses veiled his facewhenever he left the tent of meeting(Exodus 34.29, 3435).

Paul takes up the motif of the veilin describing to the Christians atCorinth a very different and immediate way of relating to God,through Christ (2 Corinthians 3.1218). In his reworking, matters become personal. A whole communitywas kept at a certain distance in theExodus narrative. Now it is possiblefor anyone who “turns to the Lord”to approach the face of God inChrist, unhampered by barriers (2Corinthians 3.16).

Victor Hamilton interprets thisas a conversion experience, comparing it to the way that theThessalonians “turned from idols tobe servants of the true and livingGod” (1 Thessalonians 1.9). Believers, Hamilton argues, are likeMoses in one way, if he is taken to

be a type of the disciple of Christ.Yet, in another way, they arecompletely unlike Moses; for theyneed no veil to hide the glory ofGod. Instead, “they proclaim God’sglory openly and boldly” (2 Corinthians 3.1213, Victor P. Hamilton,Exodus: An exegetical commentary,Baker Academic, 2011). This is thevisible evidence of the “transformative grace” of conversion (2 Corinthians 3.18).

Peter, James, and John see,without fully grasping what they areseeing. They had not been present atthe baptism of Jesus (Luke 3.2122),and, although they had observedhealings and miracles at his hand,it was perhaps still as “a greatprophet” that they perceived him(Luke 7.16), an impression reinforced by the appearance of Mosesand Elijah alongside him (Luke9.30).

The means to make sense of theirvision is offered in a way that wouldhave been obvious to those whoknew what they were looking for,

but was still opaque to the disciples.Juxtaposed with Jesus’s transfiguredface, they see the tormented anddisfigured appearance of a child inthe grip of a power intent ondestroying him.

“Look at my son,” his fatherpleads. Jesus sees what his disciplesdid not see, even in their earnestattempts to cast out the evil cause ofthe boy’s seizures: a beloved humanbeing — his father’s “only child”(Luke 9.38) —made in God’s image.

As he restores the boy to healthand gives him back to his father,Jesus signals that this transformation of imperfect humanity is God’swill. The disfiguring death he hashinted at before his own transfiguration (Luke 9.2327) closes thegap, as God hides his glory to suffermortality in the fullest sense of thatword.

It is on the cross that God says:“Look at my Son, my only Son,”summoning us to see through theveil of blood and grime to the glorythat cannot be extinguished bycruelty and indifference. Sunday’scollect invites us to pray, as we prepare for Lent, that God will “give usgrace to perceive [Christ’s] glory,that we may be strengthened tosuffer with him and be changed intohis likeness, from glory to glory.”

Sunday next before Lent

Exodus 34.29-35; Psalm 99; 2 Corin-thians 3.12-4.2; Luke 9.28-36 [37-43a]

Perceiving Christ’s glorySunday’s readings

Bridget Nichols

Almighty Father, whose Son wasrevealed in majesty before hesuffered death upon the cross:give us grace to perceive hisglory, that we may be strength-ened to suffer with him and bechanged into his likeness, fromglory to glory; who is alive andreigns with you, in the unity ofthe Holy Spirit, one God, nowand for ever. Amen.

Be careful what you bottle upDon’t let Lent fizzle out in a denial of life and love, says David Bryant

LENT has connotations of chocolates, wistfully eyed but not eaten,firmly corked wine bottles, andhours spent in prayer and spiritualreading. You give up your favouritesfor the good of your soul.

The French novelist André Gide(18691951) wrote a poignantnovella illustrating the dangers of aspirituality revolving arounddeprivation, Strait is the Gate (LaPorte Étroite), a reference toMatthew 7.14. In the book, whatstarts off as a passionate love storybetween God and two cousins,Jerome and Alissa, spirals into atorrent of disillusionment, bringingabout a brooding selfhatred.

The cousins fall in love, but theirecstatic days are ripped apart whenAlissa finds her mother in flagrantedelicto with a passing soldier. Soappalled is she that she becomesever more austere. Pressure ratchetsup. Alissa hears her pastor preachon “Strait is the gate”, and thecouple’s irreconcilable interpretations of the text draw themapart. Jerome believes that thenarrow gate will allow them entrybecause of the profundity of theirlove; Alissa believes that they canpass through only one at a time.

“Aren’t you strong enough towalk alone?” she asks. “We musteach of us find God by ourselves.”

For Alissa, love of Christ precludes human love; so she decides todestroy their love, becoming crueland devious. She dies in a remoteconvent, leaving a record for thedesolate Jerome in which she tellshim her whole life has been a pieceof makebelieve.

LENT is on its way, a traditionaloccasion for selfdenial, but it can beperilous, as Gide shows. We shouldnot be looking for ways to “give up”,but for opportunities to “give out”.

Most of us have predilectionsconcerning doctrinal issues thattend to drive us apart. The interpretation of scripture, sexual preferences, theological differences, andliturgical practices loom large in theChurch, removing any possibility ofcohesion. Lent is an unmissableoccasion to give out a few sparks of

understanding to those who differfrom us, and to reflect on our ownstance, possibly modifying it.

The question “Is this the truth, oris it no more than my personalopinion?” needs asking. In thenovel, Alissa tries to rubberstampher views on Christ’s Church, andshe comes to a sorry end.

Then there is the giving out thatis rooted in prayer; each day, thisbecomes more meaningful for me.Prayer is transformative, and filledwith the fire of God’s love; its poweris immeasurable. Prayer for theworld goes unseen, and requires animmense giving out of time, a

generosity of spirit, and a degree ofdetermination.

It is a wonderful opportunity forthe frail and ill to do their part inencircling creation with the spirit ofChrist. Take this on board, and wewould turn the world into theKingdom of God overnight.

“Giving out” means resetting ourparameters, and reshuffling the waywe perceive the world. It is possibleto view it cynically as a resource,from which we extract whatever wewant: power, money, possessions. Ifwe allow evil to outride good, and ifwe let rancour burn, and irritabilityand anger rule the day, and selfish

ness be our bedfellow, we givenothing to the world.

There is an acid test that we canuse. If our conduct is hurtful toothers and damaging to the world, itis wrong. Fiddling the tax returns,or whispering unhelpfully aboutother members of the congregationis not of Christ; nor is allowingdislike to fester or withholding ourforgiveness. Failure to welcome thestranger or a penchant for passingjudgement on churchgoers is atodds with the Lord’s Prayer.

Toss the coin, and anotherperspective comes into view, onethat the poet Dante describes

beautifully. For him, life was apilgrimage, during which we keepcompany, and seek to bring aboutthe joy of others, and thereby inchtowards the Lord’s Kingdom. “Andthere, the more souls who resonatetogether, the greater the intensity oftheir love, and, mirrorlike, eachsoul reflects the other.”

IN PHILIPPIANS 2.7, St Paulexpounds the concept of kenosis, orselfemptying, whereby Christemptied himself of the divine, inorder to share the human train ofsuffering. What a supreme examplefor us to follow.

In his poem “Ode”, with itsopening line “We are the musicmakers”, Arthur O’Shaughnessyillustrates the depth of “giving out”in words that leave me reeling:

A breath of our inspirationIs the life of each generation;

A wondrous thing of ourdreaming

Unearthly, impossible seeming.

Together with Christ, we areshaping the world’s destiny. Everyact, thought, kindness, or crueltybecomes an indelible piece of theuniverse. This is both sobering andchallenging. We can sour the worldor sweeten it.

Throw out a few sparks ofkindness, compassion, happiness,and love, and Christ will surelysmile. As Hildegard of Bingen said,900 years ago: “And so, humankind,full of creative possibilities, is God’swork. . . Humankind is called tococreate.”

“What can I give him, Poor as Iam?” Christina Rossetti asked. Theanswer is surprisingly rich. It issmall acts that transform the world— such as a reassuring hand, asharing of tears, a warm smile, anoffer of help to change a lightbulb,or the promise of prayer for a sickacquaintance. I once knew acouple who had taken a disabledneighbour a cooked meal at midday for 12 years. I alone knew, andthey never missed a single meal.

So don’t let Lent fizzle out in aconflict over whether we shouldkeep the wine bottle firmly corked,or the chocolates wrapped in theirgolden box. Let it be an outpouring,a gushing forth of love on to theworld.

The Revd David Bryant is a retiredpriest living in Yorkshire (Features,11 September 2015).

The narrowway: a routethat can bemisunderstood

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Rolling (not drunk) in the aislesFrom skateboardingto real ale, churchesare being used toengage with theirlocalities in ever moreimaginative ways. PatAshworth reports

HUNDREDS of young peoplewill be pouring through thedoors of 12th-century

Malmesbury Abbey for three days ofthe forthcoming half-term. Theywill be eager to tackle the ramps,quarter pipes, grinding rails, andtrick boxes that will fill the nave forthe skateboarding festival AbbeySkate, now in its eighth year. Acollaboration between the abbeycongregation and Christian SkatersUK, it was initiated in 2009 by theVicar, the Revd Neill Archer (News,2 January 2009).

The event requires the layingdown of a double-thickness woodenfloor to protect the abbey’s stoneand parquet flooring; the baggingand taping to the stone pillars of 120straw bales, loaned by a localfarmer; and the building of stagingfor the supporters. All the work isdone by volunteers, and the work ofdismantling has become an event initself, as they race to beat theprevious record and get to the curryhouse before it closes at midnight.

The atmosphere is electric, theRevd John Monaghan, AssistantCurate at the abbey and organiser ofthis year’s event, says. “There’s apermanent skatepark in a com-munity centre in Malmesbury, butthey come here because it’s aniconic place to skate. The demo-graphic of the event is wonderful:from the toddlers who will come into use the new soft-play area, to the80-year-olds on the volunteer teams.

“It’s encouraged a servingattitude in the congregation. We seeChristian witness in three ways here:through the love and care of thevolunteers; through brief interviews,between the skate sessions, withmembers of the abbey congregation;and through testimonies from otherteenagers about the difference Jesusmakes in their lives.”

And it feels like a natural use ofthe building, he says, quoting thecongregation’s vision of “12th-century beauty, 21st-centurychurch”. “It’s only a tiny part of themission of the Church, but it feelslike a faithful use of the resources.We have an amazingly rich heritageof buildings around the country,and it’s sacrilege not to use them forthe next generation. This is not todismiss the beauty of the space, but,as Jesus said, stones are not to beworshipped. We are living temples.”

The event creates an enormousbuzz in the town. Last year was thebusiest yet, but, although theattendance and the press coverageare encouraging, the congregationdoes not measure its success in thatway, Mr Monaghan says. “Successfor us is about the small con-versations with teenagers that makea big difference in their lives.

“It’s about making a connection,”he says, “so that when we meet themin town, we can smile, and say ‘Hi’.It’s about breaking down thebarriers that young people have inrelation to church buildings; and,ultimately, it’s about letting themknow they are special, and God

loves them. We could have fewerpeople next year, but feel chuffedthat we’ve impacted one person in apositive way.”

MALMESURY ABBEY is partof the Greater ChurchesNetwork of 55 churches in

England and Wales, some of whichhave the characteristics of acathedral, but all of which operatewithin the organisational structures,and with the financial resources, ofa parish church. In all, there are 200historic parish churches, with afloor space of 1000 square metres.

These churches are the focus of acurrent research project, Assessingthe Challenges for ManagingHistoric Major Parish Churches,undertaken by Historic England, theHeritage Lottery Fund, the ChurchBuildings Council, the Greater

Churches Network, and DoncasterMinster.

The study is exploring thechallenges that they face, thephysical condition of the buildings,and the resources available tomaintain, repair, manage, andsustain “highly significant buildingsused by the community and nationthat are expected to providefunctions and services beyond thoseof a typical parish church — civic,cultural, ecclesiastical, tourism, etc.,but [which] only have the resourcesof a parish church”.

The findings are due to bepublished in the autumn. But,meanwhile, there seems to be noend to the inventiveness of what isbeing done to maximise use anddraw in the wider community in thename of mission.

Where Malmesbury has its

skaters, Hexham Abbey has its freerunners — athletes who practise anacrobatic discipline in which theytumble, leap, and ricochet offwhatever is in their path. And theathletes of 3RUN are a popularfeature of the annual HexhamAbbey Festival, an event otherwisedevoted to classical music.

In seeking to broaden the scopeof the programme and the outreachof the festival, and to introduce newart forms, the abbey’s Director ofMusic and Festival Director, MarcusWibberley, wanted especially to seeinterplay between the arts, and whathe describes as “this marvellousbuilding at our disposal”.

It was amazing, he says, “to seethe athletes use the arches, stone-work, and triforia of the building asa soundboard for their art form”.The show was runner-up in the BestEvent Northumberland cultureawards last year.

THEN there is DoncasterMinster. It is small beginningsfor the Streetdance sessions

that began here last month, initiatedby a member of the congregation,Kaspar Vilkaste, who came fromLatvia ten years ago. Mr Vilkaste is adancer, choreographer, and streetartist who wanted to offer freeclasses to young people and adultsto say thank you to the town, andgive encouragement to youngpeople. It is a way of “leaving goodthings behind me rather than justmaking money”, he says.

It was a wonderful offer, the

Continued overleaf

Overturning preconceptions:a young participant inMalmesbury Abbey’s Skate

‘Athletes leapand ricochet offwhatever isin their path’

features


fund-raising and development man-ager at Doncaster Minster, LouiseO’Brien, says. The dramatic build-ing, seating 1200, has the distinctionof being George Gilbert Scott’sbiggest whole church. Fixed seatinglimits what can be done in the nave,but the stone floor-space beneaththe tower has proved ideal forStreetdance.

“It’s essentially dancing on thepavement inside a building — doingjust what Kaspar does outside onthe street: bringing the outside in,opening the doors both physicallyand metaphorically, which is whatwe’re all trying to do,” Ms O’Briensays.

The first session accommodatedages ranging from ten to 40-plus —including “some proper geekypoppers who take it super-seriously,” she says. “Kaspar did itall with amazing appropriateness.He is well known in his field, andthe session drew hundreds of ap-preciative comments on socialmedia, many of them pleasantlysurprised that the minster had said,‘We have the space: come and do ithere.’”

IN HULL, “a huge aircraft hangarof a church” is how the Revd MattWoodcock describes Holy Trinity,

the largest parish church inEngland. His remit when he joinedthe clergy team as a pioneer min-ister in 2011 was to get the buildingused missionally for more than thecustomary services. So, with a blanksheet of paper, he set about gettingto know the landlords andshopkeepers of the Old Town.

A lament that the beer had beentoo warm at the Campaign for RealAle (CAMRA) festival in Hull CityHall had led members to considerfinding another venue.

“Someone suggested they try thatcrazy new vicar at Holy Trinity, whowas up for anything,” Mr Wood-cock says, cheerfully. “They all spattheir beer out, and said, ‘You mustbe joking,’ but they arranged thismeeting with me, and jaws just

dropped at the thought that wewould be up for this.”

He pays warm tribute to theVicar of Holy Trinity, Canon NealBarnes, as the man who said yes toCAMRA. “I never thought he’dagree to it; but, to his eternal credit,he did. The more he said yes, themore we have flourished. I thinkGod has used him in a remarkableway.”

Holy Trinity stands at the heart ofthe Old Town. “It was a blank spotin the middle of it; a sleeping giant,”Mr Woodcock says.

From the outset, the Real Ale andReal Cider Festival caught theimagination. Queues snaked aroundthe building to get in, and an atmo-sphere of friendliness was as muchremarked on as the magnificentsetting.

A record 4000 people attendedlast year’s festival, which ran from aThursday to the following Saturday.It raised £5000 for church funds andtowards the £4.5-million regenera-tion project for which the beerfestival has been a catalyst.

The beer pumps are located in thenorth and south choir aisles ofthe building; there is “chilled-out”music in the chancel, and thechurch organist plays songs fromthe musicals as well as people’sfavourite hymns, “giving it a bitof a beer-and-hymns feel”, MrWoodcock says.

“Everyone’s really good friends.It’s become a massive event for Hull,and has really put us on the map.

“It’s got bigger and crazier everyyear. It’s a secular event, but it’s ourstaff team: we’re pulling pints inour dog collars, and the festival getsblessed by the Archdeacon or theBishop at the start.

“It’s given us licence to do somany things on the back of it, and it’shad an impact, too, on attendance onSundays: — people who have been tothe festival want to check us out andsee what we do.”here were someobjections to the idea of a beerfestival, but the dissenters are nowfew, greatly helped by the fact thatthere has never been trouble ordrunkenness at the event.

“I’d say to the greater churches:just see the fruits of what you cando. If these buildings are not for thepeople, I don’t know what they arefor,” Mr Woodcock says. “I thinkwe need to be less stuffy about whatwe think they are for.”

Hull is the designated City ofCulture for 2017. Regeneration ishappening here on a large scale inreadiness for that year, and HolyTrinity, in partnership with the city,has visionary plans for its sharedfuture at the heart of the com-munity.

“The beer festival was the line inthe sand that said our church isopen to the whole community. It’samazing,” Mr Woodcock concludes.

AT ST WULFRAM’s, Gran-tham, 10,000 people camethrough the doors in five

days when an ice rink was installed

in the nave at Christmas, as part of aChristmas-tree festival. The churchtreasurer, Ray Davie, says that manyof them had never been in thebuilding before, “and thought it wasonly for a certain kind of people,which is not the case at all. We wereable to break some of that down.”

The church made a small entrycharge for the festival, and for theskating, but the Christmas treeswere provided free, and St Wul-fram’s made a profit.

“Churches have to do thesethings now,” Mrs Davie says. “Withannual fuel bills of up to £16,000 ontop of the Parish Share, you can’tkeep these buildings going withoutdoing something a bit different. Youcan’t expect a weekly congregationof 130 people to cover those sorts ofcosts.”

As the biggest communal space inGrantham town centre, St Wulfram’salso hosts the biannual GravityFields arts and science festival in thetown.

Then there is the Great Bath BakeSale, held at Bath Abbey; the fashionshow, medieval fayre, and galadinner held at St Laurence’s, Ludlow— where the congregation is nowplanning a medieval banquet inconjunction with the town’s foodfestival; and the Mayor’s CharityBall and other events held atAll Saints’, Kingston-upon-Thames.And there are many more.

Mrs Davie sums up a view thatmany have expressed: “I am verypassionate about the beautifulchurch I serve, and determined thata building which has served thepeople of Grantham for so manyyears gets all the help it needs tokeep doing that.

“If the fringe benefit is that a newgeneration of people who wouldnever come to a service now feelcomfortable in the building, theseevents are of even more value.”

Free to run: above, left andright: Hexham Abbey; left: icerink and Christmas-tree festivalin St Wulfram’s, Grantham

Continued from previous page

ROGER GRAVES

Dance studio? right andbelow, right: Hexham Abbey;below: Doncaster Minster

WIKI

WIKI


education

Faiths learn to live well togetherNigel Gendersconsiders strategiesfor dealing withradicalisation inschools

EXTREMISM faces us with a generational and ideological struggle.We have seen the impact of itsviolence at its very worst. In such aworld, is it hopelessly naïve to thinkthat we can live well together? Whatpart does education play in makingthis possible?

This year, there have already beenattempts to begin to answer some ofthese questions, with solutions thatrange from possible greater inspection powers for OFSTED to intervention in unregistered schools, anda new government website that givesparents, teachers, and school leaderspractical advice on protecting children from extremism and radicalisation.

I strongly endorse the Government’s drive to protect childrenfrom harm, and the risk of radicalisation, and acknowledge the needfor the Government to act againstany institutions that promote violent extremism. In this context, however, it is tempting to embrace therenewed interest in religion, and seereligious education as being essential because it is primarily aboutanswering those concerns.

But, although it is true that goodreligious education will contributein these areas, looking solely for REto provide answers is to accept asimplistic narrative that says thatreligion is the cause of most of theproblems in the world. It is not. Seeing religion as the driver of extremist behaviour, or as being thepresenting issue on which communities are divided is a mistake.

Dr Anne Aly, the author ofTerrorism and Global Security:Historical and contemporary perspectives (Palgrave Macmillan, 2011),states that there is “no empiricalevidence to support the claim thatreligion (any religion) and ideologyare the primary motivators ofviolent extremism. . . The world’smost renowned scholars of terrorism agree that other factors play amuch larger part.

“Factors such as anger at injustice, moral superiority, a sense ofidentity and purpose, the promise ofadventure, and becoming a herohave all been implicated in casestudies of radicalisation. Religionand ideology serve as vehicles for an‘Us versus them’ mentality, and asthe justification for violence againstthose who represent ‘the enemy’,but they are not the drivers ofradicalisation.”

RELIGION is not the problem, butRE is part of the solution, because itis about giving people the criticalskills they need to question andengage with their own and othertraditions, and to do so in a way thatgrows in depth and maturity ofunderstanding and expression. Thisis just one of the ways in which ourschools and colleges can helpcommunities to live well together.

At one of our recent conferences,it became clear to me that emerging

Kaleidoscope: students atBishop Bridgeman C of EPrimary School

IN NOVEMBER, the Governmentlaunched a consultation paper onhigher education, Fulfilling OurPotential: Teaching excellence, socialmobility and student choice. Thisshould provide an opportunity toraise fundamental questions aboutthe nature and purpose of universities.

Is it their job— usually taken asaxiomatic by government, and oftenby the universities themselves— toserve the economy by producing theworkforce needed? Or is it to pro

duce responsible and educatedcitizens who will serve the commongood?

Or is it, now that students areviewed as paying customers, to givethe customers a privileged place onthe economic ladder? The answer isalmost certainly all three— andothers as well. But there are questions over the weighting to be givento each.

The nature of higher education ischanging, not least under the impactof a desire to measure outcomes. In2014, the universities were assessedon their research output and impact. This led to the inevitableleague tables, and the subsequentallocation of future researchfunding largely done on the basis of“To himwho hath shall be given.”

As relative newcomers to the university table, the church universitieshad not built up a research profile tomatchmany of the existing players.

RESEARCH, however, is not theonly function of a university:teaching is, and has always been,central. So the Government’s newfocus on teaching is welcome.

Quality teaching needs to begiven the same status as qualityresearch, and two of the paper’scentral proposals, the creation of aTeaching Excellence Frameworkand an Office for Students, aredesigned to achieve this.

The consultation paper sets outthe functions of the Office: promoting the student interest, ensuringvalue for money, and reducing theregulatory burden on the sector.How these functions will work inpractice has yet to be seen.

But the proposed Frameworkraises a fundamental question abouthow teaching quality can bemeasured in any accurate andmeaningful way. For instance, thereare doubts whether staff salary

levels and some other metrics bearany relationship to the quality ofteaching at all.

The overall intention— to giveteaching and research equal status— is pleasing. Themove shouldbenefit the church universities,which, as former teachertrainingcolleges, have always placed apremium on the quality of theirteaching.

They will surely welcome theGovernment’s plans to double thenumber of disadvantaged studentswho are entering higher education.This is a real opportunity for themto play to their strengths inshowcasing a wider, valuesbasedversion of higher education.

The Revd Dr John Gay is HonoraryResearch Fellow in Education at theUniversity of Oxford and a VisitingProfessor at the University ofWinchester.

John Gay takes stockof the recent GreenPaper on highereducation

Taking note of teaching at last

from the experiences of youngpeople are the answers to how oursociety can live well together. Theadvice given that day by sixthformers to teachers, school and faithleaders, academics, and Departmentfor Education ministers and officialscentred on the importance of knowing in depth the different faiths; thatthis is taught across the curriculum;and that schools have a responsi

bility to educate whole families, aswell as the pupils in their care.

Theological literacy is a keybuildingblock to developing pupils’own voices, delegates agreed. Theyincluded representatives from theBoard of Deputies of British Jews,the Muslim Youth Foundation,Church of England schools, theCatholic Education Service, the Madani Schools Federation (a Muslimsecondary school in Leicester), andthe Methodist Church.

LIVING well together is born out ofthe moral, cultural, and spiritualformation of the individual, andmany of our church schools, whichhave developed their own models tosuit their distinct communities, arebecoming beacons to others.

St Mary Redcliffe and TempleSchool, a C of E secondary schoolserving a diverse urban populationin Bristol, has developed three corequalities, which are integrated intothe whole life of the school, fromweekly worship themes to theschooldevelopment plan, and everyday conversations in lessons.

At Bishop Bridgeman C of EPrimary School, in Bolton, 80 percent of the pupils are from nonChristian faiths, including Islam,Hinduism, Sikhism, and Buddhism.

For five years, the school has hadan ethos group, consisting of morethan 60 pupils, which develops anddelivers collective worship, conducts learning walks, and runs“super learning” days for the wholeschool. The children have also written a booklet for pupils about thevalues of the school.

The impact on learning attainment has been significant: parentshave expressed their great appreciation, and the open and inclusiveapproach to faith which is presentbetween the teachers is reflected inrelationships across the school.

We can and we must learn fromthese examples. We will counter theextremists’ propaganda only whenliving well together is not an agendaitem to be taught from a piece ofdirective legislation, but becomessimply a way of life that imbues theclassroom and homes of ourvillages, towns, and cities.

The Revd Nigel Genders is the C ofE’s Chief Education Officer.

‘Church schoolsare beaconsto others’

education


Why the arts are so important

Somewhere teacherscan’t get at you

SCHOOL assembly can be the one time inthe day when children have the opportunityto stop and think, the Revd Ronni Lamonthas been reminding teachers, clergy, andpractitioners in country-wide workshops oneffective leadership of assemblies.

Being legal — “broadly Christian” —truthful, creative, and innovative canpresent something of a challenge, especiallyto teachers with no faith background; butthere is plenty of help to be had, and thefruits are abundant, Mrs Lamont says. Aformer teacher and now Faith and Nurtureadviser for the diocese of Canterbury, shewas editor of SPCK’s popular school-assemblies web resource for seven years.

The opportunity to provide “sacredspace” was much prized by participants atthe workshop at St John’s, Nottingham.“Children have said that it’s the one space inwhich teachers couldn’t get at them,” onesaid. Others deemed an assembly to be “aplace where you can sing without beingtalented”; “a place to ask the big questions”;“a place to deal with stuff”.

One participant had never forgotten theimpact of a simple visual demonstration,

showing the impossibility of gettingtoothpaste back in a tube, to emphasise thatwords, once they had left the mouth, couldnot be taken back.

“There is now so much that schools areexpected to teach children that is not in thecurriculum—much of it driven by thepolitics of the day,” Mrs Lamont said, citingthe current emphasis on teaching “values”.“In an assembly, you do non-directedlearning. Everyone comes together toremember that we are a community, andthat we need to care for one another, and tocelebrate — it’s a place like no other tocelebrate.”

Gathering, engaging, responding, andsending out — participants reflected onassemblies as places where children candevelop a memory of Bible stories; where,through times of reflection, music, images,silence, and space, they can develop theirspirituality, their sense of “the other”; andwhere tragedies or world events can bemarked as something of concern to all.

“It’s like a family meal, when everyonesits down together,” Mrs Lamont suggests.“If you don’t do it, you get out of touch.”

The workshops were organised through theSPCK school-assemblies website, and fundedby the Goldsmiths’ Company, St Peter’sSaltley Trust, and St Christopher’sEducational Trust.

Useful resources:www.assemblies.org.ukwww.spckpublishing.co.uk/?s=assemblywww.imaginor.co.uk

School assemblies can beprized ‘sacred spaces’,Pat Ashworth discovered

THE arts have fuelled the success of StMarylebone C of E School for more than 20years. They have created a culture of confid-ence and achievement across all our subjects,forming the warp and weft of the schoolcommunity.

It is a school where more than half thepupils come from economically disadvant-aged backgrounds, and it is one of the mostsuccessful comprehensives in London, des-cribed by OFSTED as exceptional. Students’examination success is above average.Unusually, the school is designated as special-ising in mathematics and computing, and inthe performing arts.

Concern that arts education is becomingmarginalised in schools around the country,St Marylebone decided to make a film, AWindow to the World, to erase the pervasivemisconception that the arts are a soft option.At a time when arts education is widelyregarded as a dispensable luxury, we hope thatour film demonstrates that the arts are rigor-ous, challenging, and essential to a roundededucation.

The film, made by our head of art,Stephanie Cubbin, and our music technologyteacher, Peter Thomas, includes contributionsfrom our own staff and students, and leadingfigures from the arts world. Among them arethe playwright Lee Hall; the RSA’s director of

education, Joe Hallgarten; the film directorBaroness Kidron; the Vice-Chancellor of theUniversity of the Arts, Nigel Carrington; andthe television presenter Margaret Mountford,who chairs our board of governors.

TO ITS detriment, much advocacy for artseducation is based on special pleading: claimssuch as “art saved me”, for example, or“drama kept me out of crime”. Such messages

diminish and marginalise the value of the arts,and discourage heads from giving time andresources to the arts. They also reinforce theeconomic model of education, and the mes-sage that only STEM (science, technology,engineering, and maths) subjects matter.

At St Marylebone, we are convinced thatthis is not the case, and have chosen not tocompromise our arts offering, because ourpupils thrive because of these subjects. But, asstaffing and provision continues to be cutacross education, from primary to tertiary, thebattle for arts education is ongoing.

It is a fight that St Marylebone does not

want to carry on alone. Contrib-utors to our film emphasise theeconomic and social benefits of thearts, and expose the claim that theydo not prepare young people forworking life for themyth that it is.

“Studying the arts is aca-demically, emotionally, and veryoften physically demanding,” thecreator of the film Billy Elliott, MrHall, says. Mr Hallgarten assertsthat “we are becoming culturallyhandcuffed to the idea that nothingis worthwhile unless it can bemeasured. Studying the arts openspeople’s minds, and thus theiroptions.”

Mr Carrington argues that thecreative industries are the fastest-growing area of the economy. Butcreativity’s contribution to edu-cation cannot be put into a spread-sheet.

THE salvation of arts educationneeds strong support, backed up by

money. Collaboration between arts organisa-tions and universities may be necessary toprovide schools with arts education on aregular basis; but only good-quality, profess-ional teaching will guarantee all pupils, in allschools, the arts opportunities that we havehere.

We hope that those political leaders whograduated in arts subjects will join us in thefight for funding, which, as in our school, putsSTEM subjects and the arts on an equalfooting.To see the film visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=CftiEuG6Frk.

Kathryn Pugh explains thereasons her school hasproduced a film tochampion arts education

Performing arts: students fromSt Marylebone C of E Schoolput on a show

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education

Time schools ditched their bushelsHuw Thomas looks athow church schoolscan preserve theiruniqueness

HOW can we ensure that churchschools are distinctive? Answeringthis question was one of the tasks Iwas given when I became thediocesan director of education forSheffield.

Over the past two years, distinct-iveness has been a priority for theschools in our diocese. Our researchfound a wide variety of practice inour schools: in some, the Christianidentity thrived; in others, it wasmoribund.

The schools in the latter camptended to be stuck in a rut. Thesame prayers, the same activities,and a diet of scripture, starringNoah and the Good Samaritan, hadbeen served up year after year. Bythe end of Year 6, some of ourchildren could be so sick of thelatter that they identified with themuggers.

There was also an over-relianceon values. For several years, we havepromoted Christian values; but, ifwe are not careful, we riskemphasising the values without theChrist, like a loveless hug. More-over, we are now meant to presentthese as British values. But, in fact,

they codify universal goodness,becoming British only when pro-moted in this country. Likewise,so-called Christian values deservethat designation only when theyspring from Christ’s inspiration.

MAKING our schools distinctive,we decided, meant turning to the

heart of Christianity. Representat-ives from our 40 schools met overtwo years, looked at a range ofprayers, explored the fullness of theBible, and engaged with the waythat the Church expresses faith

They came up with five keyexpectations: enquire into belief,encounter Christianity, engage with

scripture, experience prayer, andexplore Church.

Those verbs are carefully chosen.As a former junior atheist, I am wellaware that you cannot require chil-dren to pray. They can, however,experience prayer. We provideexperiences that encourage childrento engage in reflection. So our

schools are committed to a weeklyencounter with the Lord’s Prayer.We want them to hear scripture; sowe promote the reading of the Biblein our schools.

The diocese has helped byproviding every school with a set of44 stories that are read anddiscussed during curriculum time.These are drawn from across theGospels, and include story, parable,and teaching. They avoid Christmasand Easter, but still allow the GoodSamaritan his place on the road.

Each reading comes with adiscussion point, and the emphasisis on engagement. Faced with thewedding at Cana, the children areasked to reflect on a time whensomething went horribly wrong at aparty. The parable of the sower isused to consider what happenswhen we learn.

We also give our children ex-periences of liturgy, and ensure that,at least once during their schoolcareer, they visit their cathedral.

Through such experiences,children are shown some of thepathways of belief. But the journeywill be their own.

Christian education: childrenat Treeton C of E Primaryat a Christingle service

MAs by distance learningMA Church HistoryUnderstanding the past to make sense of the present.

Course team: Dr Frances Knight, Professor Thomas O’Loughlinand Professor Alan Ford.

MA Systematic and Philosophical TheologyConfronting the central questions of Christian faith and reason.

Course team: Professor John Milbank, Professor Philip Goodchild,Dr Alison Milbank, Dr Conor Cunningham and Dr Simeon Zahl.

Apply by 1 August 2016 for entry in October 2016.Applications also open for February 2017 start.

Find out more:t: +44 (0)115 951 5897e: [email protected]: www.nottingham.ac.uk/go/dl

l Academically ambitious andsensitive to specific needs

l Broad and balanced education

l Christian ethos and respectful ofall faiths

l Developing all-round skills

l Encouraging all-round excellence

Since the founding of Kingswood School by John Wesleyin 1748, Methodist Independent Schools have providedhigh quality, balanced and thoughtful education.Our schools teach more than 10,000 children inNursery, Primary and Secondary education, includingover 1,000 boarders from more than 45 countries.

Visit: www.methodisteducation.co.uk for further details, including bursariesand links to each school. Contact: [email protected]

education


Ludgrove

Ludgrove, Wokingham, Berks RG40 3AB · 0118 978 [email protected] · www.ludgrove.net

• 100% full boarding boys’ prep schoolll• Fortnightly exeat weekends

• Gloriooous rural setting • Excellent academiccc record• Bursaries available

Theology Summer School31 July–6 August & 7–13 August at Christ Church, Oxford

A residential summer school for members of the clergy,theologians, teachers of religious education and lay people withan interest in study at university level

n Exploring the theme Healing the Wounded World

n Offering one-week seminars taught by members of Oxford’sFaculty of Theology and Religion, distinguished theologiansand prominent church leaders

n Providing the opportunity to study, live and dine in ChristChurch, one of the most beautiful colleges in Oxford

www.conted.ox.ac.uk/theology3

But who will sit on the MAT?Dennis Richards looksat the problem ofinadequate schoolgovernance

IN SOME respects, educationalpolicies are like Christmas gifts thatdon’t fit the bill. The shop takesthem back, and not a few returnwith a new label. So the reformedGCSEs resemble O levels, and the

EBacc looks more like pre-1950sSchool Certificate by the day.

Now, the OFSTED supremo SirMichael Wilshaw has raised ques-tions about the quality of academygovernance.

In the past academic year alone,OFSTED inspectors judged the gov-erning boards at almost 500 schoolsto be so inadequate that urgentexternal reviews were ordered.

“The role is now so important,that amateurish governance will nolonger do,” Sir Michael says.“Inspectors frequently come acrossgovernors without the professionalbackground or educational back-ground to challenge head teachers”.

The academy governance system

is creaking. Sir Michael has all butsaid it. Schools have always had alocal governing body, and, formerly,the “comfort blanket” of a localeducation authority. But, as moreand more schools become academ-ies, so local education authoritiescontinue to decline.

Academies are often “invited” tojoin a multi-academy trust (MAT).The MAT is a kind of super-governing body, made up of thechairmen and women of the localgoverning bodies of the memberacademies, and other unpaid vol-unteers dredged up — quite liter-ally, in the case of church schools —from God knows where.

THE process of appointment can bearcane. In the case of church schoolsand MATs, appointments are madethrough the diocesan board.

But this is what can happen: atthe board meeting, the head teacherof Blathering C of E School has sug-gested the name of Mrs Patmore forthe vacancy on her school govern-

ing body. She is a cook at the localstately home, and attends church.She has not appeared in a tabloidnewspaper. She will be a huge assetat the governors’ annual Christmasdo. All those in favour?

Heads’ proposing names for theirown governing bodies is, in anycase, a bit dubious, especially as SirMichael has queried MATs’ andgoverning bodies’ “nodding throughwildly excessive remuneration pack-ages for head teachers, and lackingproper oversight of school finances”.

Having struggled for years torecruit enough church worthies forgoverning bodies, the diocesanboard, therefore, now finds itselfhaving to find another lot for theMAT board as well. The evidencesuggests that, in affluent areas, withclusters of successful academies,there is no problem For toughschools in deprived communities,however, it is another story.

Potential governors with thebackground, confidence, and fin-ancial know-how to challenge a

complacent or inadequate head, orquestionable budget issues, arescarce.

SIR MICHAEL concluded that that iswhy the “Trojan horse” scandalerupted in tough areas of Birming-ham: “Governing bodies infiltrated bygovernors abusing their position toimpose a particular world-view.”Nobody else was interested in theposition. And, when the safety of chil-dren is at stake, it is suddenly serious.

Sir Michael’s solution is simple:pay governors, and have a properappointments system.

There is, of course, a more radicalalternative: abolish MATs, andcreate an overall structure withpaid professionals who are respon-sible for schools in a local area. Theyare called in, anyway, when aschool fails its OFSTED on safe-guarding grounds. Just don’t call it alocal education authority.Dennis Richards is a former headof St Aidan’s C of E High School,Harrogate.

The Government justchanged the rulesAfter an amendmentto the Education andAdoption Bill, HowardDellar considers thefuture of academies

IS IT sustainable for academies to beset up as charitable companieswhen, increasingly, the trusteesrunning the schools cannot actindependently owing to fear ofcontrol from government agenciessuch as the Education FundingAgency, or OFSTED, and of inter-vention from the Secretary of State?

Although the Government canestablish charities, these organisa-tions are supposed to be indepen-dent, or they should not be set up ascharities. They should exist to carryout charitable purposes, notimplement government policies. Abody set up to carry out the policiesor directions of any governmentalauthority might engage inmuch thesame sort of activities as a charitymight undertake, but it would becarrying out those activities in orderto further the purposes of theGovernment, not the purposes ofthe charity.

THE latest challenge to the sustain-ability of academies as properlyindependent charities came justbefore Christmas, when the Govern-ment put down successful amend-ments during the report stage in theLords on the Education andAdoption Bill, relating to existingacademies.

The significant development is anamendment, the effect of which is to

require that funding agreementsnow include intervention andtermination powers, including“coasting” provisions equivalent tomaintained schools. The amend-ment seeks to do this by amendingthe Academies Act 2010. A newsection that will have particulareffect is the proposed Section 2D,which states that “An old Academyagreement is to be treated as if itincluded the new terminationpowers.”

The funding agreement is thecontract between the academycompany and the Secretary of State.In the past, all clauses in old fundingagreements were respected. Thetrustees and the Secretary of Statehad to enter into a deed of variationto change them tomove to a newagreement.

It remains to be seen how thismight operate in practice, but it isunsatisfactory for charity trustees tohave a contract they entered intowith the Secretary of State unilater-ally varied, without any room fornegotiation.

Unilaterally varying contracts is anew departure for the Government,and could be open to legal challenge.Indeed, while on the one hand thefunding agreement is all about theuse of public money, significantprivate charitable money has often

been used to assist academycompanies in their growth anddevelopment. This is especially thecase with regard to churchacademies.

Furthermore, it will beinteresting to see if those enteringinto contracts with the Governmentin other areas feel it necessary tobuttress agreements with additionalprovisos and penalty clauses in theface of such unilateral action.

SO, THEGovernment’s educationpolicy is at something of acrossroads. Either it wants to letacademies be free independentcharities (the original vision), or itshould come clean and say that theyare schools controlled by centralgovernment. If the latter is now thepreferred vision, they would dobetter to turn back the clock and runschools not through charitablecompanies, but through a legislativeframework.

If the former remains the vision,for it to work properly the reg-ulatory framework for academiesneeds reviewing so that the EFA is aproper independent regulator, not acombination of regulator andcontroller. This seems to be thefundamental choice that theGovernment faces.

Whatever the arrangements forgovernance of academies, themajority of the sites of churchschools are, of course, owned by aseparate charity, which has its ownduties in respect of the land and thereligious character of the school.

The Education and Adoption Billis expected to receive the RoyalAssent before Easter.

The views and opinions expressedin this article are those of theauthor, and do not reflect theofficial opinion of LBMWor itsclients.Howard Dellar is head of theEcclesiastical, Education andCharities department of Lee BoltonMonierWilliam, Solicitors.

‘The educationpolicy is at acrossroads’


education

Where God is becoming popular

THE astonishing rise in the popularity ofreligious studies at GCSE and A level over thepast decade has not, as might have beenexpected, been matched by an equivalentincrease in demand for places in universitytheology departments. On the contrary, manyuniversities have closed or shrunk theirtheology and religious-studies faculties. Only55 — fewer than half — of the UK universitiesnow offer these subjects.

Those that do, unsurprisingly, include allbut one of the 15 members of the ecumenicalCathedrals Group of church universities. Overrecent years, the oldest of these, Chester, hasseen a remarkable growth in its theology andreligious-studies faculty.

It is now one of the largest departments inthe country; it has 168 full-time under-graduates, and 136 working for postgraduatedegrees. Of the 20 academic staff members,just over half specialise in traditional areas,such as systematic theology and textualstudies, and it is one of a handful of depart-ments, other than Oxford and Cambridge, toteach Hebrew and Greek. Dr Ben Fulford, forexample, teaches systematic theology: hisresearch interest is the church Fathers.

SO FAR, so traditional. Within the depart-ment, however, is a significant presence of thedistinctively contemporary approach broughtby practical and contextual theology. Dr

Wayne Morris, who leads the department,edits the journal Practical Theology, whichemphasises the importance of bringing issuesof justice and human rights into conversationwith theological and religious perspectives.

He is particularly engaged with the Deafcommunity, and says: “All our scholars,whether using systematic, textual, contextual,or empirical approaches to research, areinterested in the intersections between reli-gion, theology, and spirituality, and contem-porary society. I would say this is distinctiveof our staff research interests and the pro-grammes of study we offer.”

So students can study modules on, forexample, medical ethics, religion and gender,

theology and the body, feminist perspectives,theology and animals, to name just a few. Oneof the best known practitioners in the field,Professor Elaine Graham, boosted thisapproach when she moved to Chester fromManchester University in 2009. She developeda professional doctorate programme throughwhich candidates engage in theological reflec-tion on their own professional practice.

Dr Wendy Dossett, who teaches Buddhismand contemporary spirituality, is alsointerested in the part played by spirituality inrecovery from addiction. She heads theCSARS initiative (Chester Studies of Addic-tion, Recovery and Spirituality Group) basedin the department.

Dr Hannah Bacon, who initially studied atanother Cathedrals Group university, Liver-pool Hope, is particularly interested in theapplication of theology to feminist issues,including the predominantly female preoc-cupation with diet.

STUDENTS’ interests differ as much as thoseof the staff. Dan Walker, Helen Thomas, andLiam Metcalfe all took first-class degrees atChester. Mr Walker, aged 21, from Beverley,in east Yorkshire, and a son of the vicarage,hopes to be ordained, and is now studying foran MA in systematic theology.

Ms Thomas, 52, read forestry as Oxford.Now living in the Wirral, and a Reader in herparish, she first came to Chester to do aChurch Colleges Certificate, moved on to apart-time undergraduate degree in theology,and is now working for a doctorate in biblicalstudies.

Mr Metcalfe, also from the Wirral, stayedon after doing well in his first degree. Withno church background, he became interestedin religious studies at school, and says thatthe breadth of study drew him to the subject.His religious-studies programme has includedanthropology and sociology, as well astraditional theology.

HOLLYBANK, a converted black-and-white19th-century school, provides a discrete homefor the department, and students and staffspeak of feeling part of a single community.

“It doesn’t matter what you’re working on,or what stage you’re at, there’s alwayssomeone around to discuss things with,” MrMetcalfe says.

This feeling of being part of an academicfamily probably explains why the departmentis regularly among the top ten in the student-

At Chester University,theology is booming.Margaret Holness findsout why

Two of the 168 theology student at Chester University: Dan Walker and Liam Metcalfe

Continued overleaf

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education


A solution to teacher shortages

IN SOME respects, the education sector is likea super-tanker. Once a decision is made, ittakes a long time to change course. So the fulleffects of some of the sweeping changesintroduced by Michael Gove during his timein charge of the nation’s schools are only nowbeing seen. Mr Gove was not responsible foreither further or higher education, both in theremit of the Business Secretary, but the resultsof his influence on the schools system isunavoidable.

A crucial area for all schools, but one wherethe Churches can, and should, take action, isteacher supply. I have warned before in these

pages about the indications of a comingteacher shortage. Now, although theGovernment is firmly of the opinion — inpublic at least — that there isn’t a problem,many schools are already reporting a differentstate of affairs.

Because the school population is expectedto increase by half a million over the next fiveyears — a prediction the Government doesnot dispute — the teaching force will have toincrease significantly. This aim will not behelped by a seven-per-cent drop this year inthe numbers applying for teacher training.

Undoubtedly, schools that are not part ofthe Schools Direct or Teach First programmeswill struggle to recruit teachers in somesubjects, including Religious Education.Vocational subjects such as design andtechnology, and business studies, which maybe important for wealth-generation areas ofthe economy, are also likely to be affected, andthese are areas particularly important to themajority of pupils: those not destined to pro-ceed directly from school to university.

RECRUITMENT difficulties may affect schoolperformance. Dioceses, now responsible forthe success and failure of their church schools,will have to pay special attention to thoseschools where recruitment is a challenge. Alook at the recent GCSE results of churchschools in London, including the numbersachieving five A* to C grades, includingEnglish and maths, showed that more schoolswere performing less well in 2015 than in theprevious year. For most of them, this was adrop of only one or two per cent, but, in a fewcases, the decline appeared to be greater.

Government policy means that schoolsmust take more responsibility for staffingtheir schools. But the Church of England —and the Roman Catholic Church, for thatmatter — have the means to influence greatlythe number of teachers available to theirschools. They could, in effect, develop theirown pool of newly qualified teachers. Thiswould mean a return to their position asteacher-providers, the position that existedbefore the 1970s, when a nationwide network

of church colleges was disrupted by a newpolicy of placing teacher preparationalongside the rest of higher education.

The Church of England’s Education Officecould harness within one network the initialteacher education that still exists in the churchuniversities, the many Church of Englandteaching schools, and the growing number ofdiocesan schemes. This would probably needa central unit able to identify and plan fordiffering subject needs and for regionalvariations.

It would mean a high degree of coopera-tion, and minimum competition between thechurch university education departments andthe school-based programmes. To achieve thiswould be hard, but the alternative is to riskleaving church schools at the mercy of afragmented training system that does not takeaccount of their needs. Visibly taking controlmight keep church staff-rooms full.

John Howson is a visiting professor at OxfordBrookes University.

Words of wisdomDennis Richardsreviews the latesteducation titles

John Howson proposes asolution to the problemof dwindling numbers

PERHAPS it is worth finding a briefmoment to sympathise with thosewho publish. Lord Weidenfeld, whodied on 20 January, was described inhis obituary in The Times as “theoutstanding London publisher ofthe second half of the twentiethcentury”. Weidenfeld’s story is anRE lesson in itself. As a CentralEuropean Jew, he fled the Nazis inthe 1930s, and escaped to London. Afamily of Plymouth Brethren tookhim into their home in Highgate.

It was a gesture that Weidenfeldnever forgot. Last year, at theastonishing age of 95, he funded arescue mission for Christians in

This volume, however, is differ-ent, and probably their most im-portant publication to date. Fifteendoctoral students give a synopsis oftheir theses, and some of the sub-jects up for discussion could not bemore timely, for example, “AreBritish values Christian values?”

While some of the discussion isneedlessly polemical and point-scoring, Andrea Haith’s essay is atthe heart of the current debate aboutthe place and nature of state-fundedRE. The upholding of fundamentalBritish values was made part of thenew Teachers’ Standards in 2012.

As Haith says, there is confusion,and a lack of clear understanding,about what they are. As they willform part of the redrafted GCSEspecifications, to which we referredearlier, no wonder the publishers arehesitant about going into print.

This important volume remindsus of Jeff Astley’s dictum that thereis a straight choice: education inChristianity, education about Chris-tianity (and presumably other faithsas well), or education in a Christianmanner.

It seems to me that it has beenobvious for many years that only thesecond is now appropriate in a state-funded school in multiculturalBritain. It will mean compromise onthe part of all faiths.

And, if we change the word“Christian” in the third choice to“British”, perhaps the publishershave a workable blueprint.

Discuss.

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Syria and Iraq. “I had a debt torepay,” he said.

Publishers of educational mat-erials have an easier life; but eventhey do not find it easy under thepresent Government. Michael Govemay have moved on, but he left alegacy of rapid change. The newGCSE Religious Education courseswill be taught from the start ofSeptember, and examined for thefirst time in September 2018. Neitherof the two largest exam boards, hasendorsed publications ready forschools, who will be increasinglydesperate as September approaches.

Thankfully, some things never

familiar names remain as active andas enthusiastic as ever. Being Christ-ian in Education: Reflecting onChristian professional practice in asecular world by Hazel Bryan andHoward Worsley (Canterbury Press,£19.99; CT Bookshop £18), is acollection of essays. The editors arewell known, and prolific, producersof material related to RE andChristianity in schools.

change. Children love stories, and,until the grim reality of adolescencetakes hold, they also love actingthem out. The Whoosh Bible, byGill Robins (BRF, £12.99; CTBookshop £11.70) is a joyous pro-duction, with an impeccable ped-igree. The title is a catchy way ofdescribing a strategy first developedby the Royal Shakespeare Com-pany’s education unit.

Gill Robins has a background inEnglish teaching, and it shows. Shehas applied the “whoosh” techniqueto the most familiar of Bible stories.Children will stand in a circle andtake turns in acting out the story.

The intention is that each par-ticipant becomes the story.“Whoosh” is the code word formoving on. It’s buzzy, it’s simple,and the stories are easily accessible.I suspect that Year 3 and Year 4 willlove whooshing. There is a deligh-tful set of images at the end of thevolume for colouring in. Childrenlove colouring in, and it gives theteacher a welcome breather. ButOFSTED will probably hate it.What is the learning objective, itwill parrot? Spoilsports.

ANOTHER certainty, particularlywelcome at this juncture, is that

satisfaction section of the NationalStudent Survey.

It also scores highly in thesurvey’s employability ratings. Morethan 90 per cent of Chester’s newtheology and religious-studies grad-uates find graduate-level employ-ment within six months of leaving.“Our students acquire importantskills in critical thinking andproblem-solving, and have usefulinsights into issues of diversity andequality,” Dr Morris says. “It isparticularly pleasing when they takeup posts in other universities.”

Chester graduates have recentlybecome lecturers at Royal HollowayCollege, University of London;Maynooth, in the Irish Republic;and Winchester.

Beyond Hollybank, the depart-ment’s influence extends beyond the

city. Chester validates the academicqualifications — and, in some cases,provides courses for — more than1000 part-time students registeredthrough partnerships with otherinstitutions. Partners include StJohn’s School of Mission, Notting-ham, and eight study centresfor Evangelical and Pentecostalchurches that increasingly seekbroader study and formal qualifica-tions for their leaders.

It is, however, the growth in thenumber of undergraduates which ismost surprising. The departmentnow has more first-degree theologyand religious-studies students thanmany older universities. Applica-tions increased noticeably after aredesign of courses over the pastdecade.

It seems likely that the new pro-grammes reflect GCSE and A-levelsyllabuses by offering young peoplethe opportunity to study at univer-sity level just those theological andreligious themes that captured theirimagination at school.

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Wind blows southerlyPeter Selby considersthe Churches’ ideason economic justice Things snowballed for

a questioning visitor,says Caroline Bowder

Christ and Capital: A familydebateMichael TaylorWCC Publications £14(978-2-8254-1655-6)Church Times Bookshop £12.60

FINDING the right people to carryout the important task of putting onrecord the Churches’ ecumenicaljourney is often a challenge. Thereare, however, few people to whomthe Churches owe as much for yearsof effective ecumenical ministry asMichael Taylor, and very few indeedwho would have the expertise tochronicle for the World Council ofChurches (WCC) its relationshipwith the world economy over thepast seven decades.

His wisdom, as amply demon-strated in these pages, comes bothfrom his careful researches into thereports and writings that reveal thejourney the Churches have been on,as well as from his effective andcostly work as Director of ChristianAid, a 12-year ministry that enabledChristians in Britain to learn moreand give more to the task of worlddevelopment

The journey that this book revealsis positive in terms of the energyand commitment of some of thelargest characters in the life of theChurches worldwide, and, as theauthor often indicates, less positivein terms of progress in theological,economic, and political thought. Itis, therefore, not his fault that muchthat is said in reports is then re-peated in later ones.

Each of the first four chaptersafter the introduction covers aperiod demarcated by the mostsignificant ecumenical conferencesand assemblies. Together, they makeup an account that takes us fromAmsterdam 1948 to Busan in 2013.Together, they are as good anintroduction as any to the challengesof relating faith to the world eco-nomy.

In all, what appears is a funda-mental conviction that a mixedeconomy of private enterprise andpublic provision is the bestarrangement to be hoped for; thosewho come to that conclusion do so,however, on the basis of a generallynegative evaluation of capitalism.

That rather negative tendency isaccentuated by the increasingcontribution of the Churches of theSouth. Behind Taylor’s generallycalm account of the debates it is nothard to hear the rumble of protestsfrom the South demanding ahearing for the lived experience ofthose Christians who are, and liveamong, the poorest of the earth.Overall, Taylor finds the debate,while often one-sided, in the mainreasonable and based on evidence.

In the last three chapters, hebecomes more thematic and lesschronological, as he charts his ownevaluation, beginning with the partplayed by theology in the debate. Itis clear that, in view of the differentperspectives of “North” and“South”, there is little hope of anagreed theological consensus thatwould inform reflection on eco-nomics. Language about a “respons-ible society”, which had been the“balanced” contribution of the maincontributors from the North, had

lost its force in the face of theincreasingly vocal and articulate cryfrom the South, and a new languagearound which all could gather hadnot emerged.

Running alongside this is theconflict between the orientationtowards “Faith and Order”, with itsconcern for the unity of theChurches and the resolution of doc-trinal differences, and the orienta-tion towards “Life and Work”, con-cerned with outreach to the world.

Taylor ends with a “personalreflection”, one that, given the toneof the book as a whole, is notsurprising: we need to be steadfastin our search for justice, whilerealistic about what can be achieved;and we need, he concludes, to besupported by the “spirituality of

endurance” which that politicalrealism requires.

The book is important for all thatit records. Some will find, as thisreviewer did, the repeated use of“family” to describe the corporateactivities of Churches both puzzlingand somewhat irksome; and thereader will need to insert abookmark in the daunting list of theabbreviations that characterise thisecumenical story.

And now, we may ask, is this longdebate going to be revitalised by themuch more strident critique ofcapitalism which we are nowwitnessing? Has the “South” come“North”?

The Rt Revd Dr Peter Selby is aformer Bishop of Worcester.

Focus on Haitians: detail of a photo of a “covered” market in the CitéSoleil, Port-au-Prince, by Yann Arthus-Bertrand, from a section on povertyin his book Human: A portrait of our world (Thames & Hudson, £19.95(£17.95); 978-0-500-29214-3), which includes essays by journalists andhuman-rights activists. He took hundreds of aerial photos and portraits,and, with the Good Planet Foundation, did more than 2000 interviews. Hisother themes are happiness, women’s rights, war, justice, and tolerance

Going about doinggood in Prishtina

The Rubbish-Picker’s Wife: Anunlikely friendship in KosovoElizabeth GowingElbow Publishing £9.99(978-0-957409-03-3)Church Times Bookshop £9

NOT only is this book an interestingand inspiring read: it is a taste of thehugely complex and challengingsituation in the capital of Kosovo,Prishtina. Still disputed territory,Kosovo broke from Serbia in 2008.Mainly Albanian, with a Serbminority, its Ashkali (Albanian),Roma, and Egyptian sub-groups aresqueezed-out minorities — if notpersecuted, then ignored.

The blurb for The Rubbish-Picker’s Wife does it no favours: it isnot just a feel-good tale of sister-hood and integration in Kosovo,but the story of The Ideas Partner-ship: Elizabeth Gowing visits animpoverished family in the desolateNeighbourhood 29 — shacks roundan enormous rubbish tip — andends up heading new projects forschooling and job-creation.

As a primary-school teacher(former deputy head in Hackney),she is shocked by the excludedAshkali children: Why are they notin school? — “No shoes.” So shebuys shoes. “But they are too old, atnine.” “They have to pass a test,” etc.

So Gowing fights obstructiveofficialdom with determination,contacts, friends, NGOs, organisingskills, and teaching ability. Herproject to get minority-race(Ashkali) children into school in sixmonths for the September admis-sion snowballs in its complexity.The illiterate parents are desperatelypoor, and what starts as an educa-tional project for the children be-comes job-creation: cleaning, soap-making, recycling, teaching. . .

Gowing taught for four years inKosovo before meeting the rubbish-pickers. She admits to no religionherself, and is childless. Perhaps this

frees her to be impartial: she railsagainst Islam’s refusal to shake herfemale hand, and yet supports thegirls’ headscarves.

In a lively and conversationalstyle, Elizabeth’s honesty — ad-mitting mistakes but blowing herown trumpet — makes herthoroughly human. When all herprojects are running themselveswithout her interventions, shealmost feels excluded herself. Thecrowning reward comes whenGowing visits the rubbish-picker’swife Hatemja, who, finally re-housed from her shack, can nowdisplay the lace mats from herdowry.

See www.theideaspartnership.org:volunteer, fund-raise, or at least buythe soap.

new titles justpublished

Paul: The apostle’s life,letters, and thought by E. P.Sanders (SCM Press, £40 (ChurchTimes SPECIAL OFFER PRICE £35);978-0-334-05455-9).

Making Good Sense of theBibleTogether, with a forewordby Paula Gooder (Bible Society,£3.99 (£3.60); 978-0-564-04427-6).

Congregational Hermen-eutics: How do we read? byAndrew P. Rogers (Ashgate,£19.99 (£18); 978-1-4094-4989-8).

An Ignatian Journey of theCross: Exercises in discern-ment by Bert Daelmans(Liturgical Press, £9.99 (£9); 978-0-8146-4718-9).

Make Room:A child’s guide toLent and Easter by Laura Alary,and illustrated by Ann Boyajian(Paraclete Press, £10.99 (£9.90);978-1-61261-659-9).

Selected by Frank Nugent, of the ChurchHouse Bookshop, which operates theChurch Times Bookshop.

YANN ARTHUS-BERTRAND

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Something morethan busybodiesFraser Dyer evaluatestwo contemporaryspiritual prescriptions

Spiritual Defiance: Building abeloved community of resistanceRobin MeyersYale £16.99(978-0-300-20352-3)Church Times Bookshop £15.30

Spiritual Activism: Leadership asserviceAlastair McIntosh and MattCarmichaelGreen Books £19.99(978-0-85784-300-5)Church Times Bookshop £18

AS THE collective handwringingabout the decline of the Church inBritain continues, and clergydesperately rebrand their coffeemornings as a Fresh Expression ofchurch, much of the analysis aboutour diminishing profile pins theblame on changes within society.Too few are the voices crying out inthe ecclesiastical wilderness that ourcurrent woes might largely be ourown fault.

One such voice, however, isRobin Meyers, whose refreshingbook Spiritual Defiance: Building abeloved community of resistance hasbeen praised by Desmond Tutu andWalter Brueggemann. Basing it onhis Lyman Beecher Lectures at YaleUniversity, Meyers sets out todemonstrate that the Church in theWest has lost the plot about theradical mission of the Kingdom thatJesus ushers in. Indeed, we have become so assimilated into the valuesof our culture that we are more likechameleons than leaven. “Christianscan survive anything save the loss ofdistinctiveness,” he writes.

He is particularly disheartened bythe way some churches have soldout to consumer culture in anattempt to build growth, becoming“a harmless handmaiden of thecorporate machine . . . confusingperformance with ministry, beliefswith faith, and charity with justice”.

Lest this all sound rather harsh,be assured that Meyers’s message isdelivered with warmth and wit.Indeed, his writing style puts one inmind of Robert Farrar Capon’stwinkleintheeye spiritedness, and

is endlessly quotable. His reflectionscentre on several wonderful poemsby the Polish poet Anna Kamieńska(because “I am a great believer thatministers don’t read enough poetry. . . [and that] theologians couldlearn a lot from poets, especiallyabout silence.” Indeed.)

But the book has real backbone,too, and some sobering truths for usto take on board. “What is killingthe Church is the behaviour ofchurch people.” Ouch! — and notbecause it hurts, but because it isreal. Yet this is not a book of carpingabout the state of the Church, butone that seeks to retune it to themovement that Jesus propelled bymeans of resistance to imperialRome.

In particular, we have forgottenthat we are called to “embodyresistance to all that is false”. Meyerslocates three areas in which theChurch should be practisingresistance as the body of Christ: thepersonal (ego), the theological(orthodoxy), and the cultural(empire), and the bulk of the bookexplores these in turn. This is aprofound book that could transformthe Church if its leaders wouldpause long enough to hang up theiregos.

The impediment that the egocauses to working for the commongood is also a theme picked up inanother new book, SpiritualActivism: Leadership as service, byAlastair McIntosh and MattCarmichael. They have set out theirmessage, not for church leaders, butfor all who are engaged in activismin their community. They seek topersuade campaigners that theactivism is most effective whenrooted in spirituality.

They draw on a range of faithtraditions, including Christianity, asthey make their case, seeking notsimply to validate spirituality, but toset out how it enables activists toretain an “openness to life and howit might change us”. That is animportant point for anyone whoseenergy is expended in seeking tobring about change in others.

McIntosh and Carmichael fairlywhizz through an overview ofspirituality, psychology, nonviolence, and the psychodynamicsof campaigning. Anyone who hasspent time around campaigners oractivists will know how dysfunctional things can quickly become.The authors bring a wealth ofexperience and wisdom to theirsubject, which is illustrated throughout with rich case studies. At times,I could have wished for a little moredepth — as on the place of anger inactivism, which gets only a page.

None the less, this book is animpressive achievement, because ofthe ground it covers. There is cleardepth to the authors’ knowledge,and plenty of useful signposting ofother writers and thinkers. Inparticular, this book could provideany interfaith groups that areworking together for change in theircommunity with a commonlanguage and methodology in whichto frame their work. That alonewould be a brilliant outcome for thisbook.

The Revd Fraser Dyer is Priest-in-Charge of St Anne and All Saints,South Lambeth, and is the author ofWho Are We to Judge? Empathyand discernment in a critical age(SPCK, 2015).

Empowering black ChristiansChristopher Landauconsiders a call to‘exorcise’ the Church

Documentary as Exorcism:Resisting the bewitchment ofcolonial ChristianityRobert BeckfordBloomsbury Academic £16.99(978-1-8470-6392-2)Church Times Bookshop £15.30

ROBERT BECKFORD is one of veryfew academic theologians who havesuccessfully translated theirscholarly research into populartelevision programmes. Perhapsbestknown for his work onChannel 4, including the memorablytitled God is Black, in this book

Beckford reflects with insight on theprocesses of documentary production. Of particular interest is hisclaim that he “encoded” within hisprogrammes messages specificallydesigned “to challenge and empowerblack Pentecostals”.

He considers the potential ofdocumentary film as a catalyst forblack emancipation, and hisconclusions about the complicity ofthe mainstream Church in Britain intheologically justified racism areforthright. He could sometimesstand accused of exaggerating togain attention. Consider thissweeping claim about the state ofthe blackmajority Church inBritain: “black Pentecostalism isbewitched by colonial Christianityand . . . my films are exorcisms.”

For this reader, there aremoments when Beckford’s apparentanger and sense of injustice risk hisoverlooking the encouraging reality

that exists in some Christian contexts. For me, writing as the assistant curate of a church where thecongregation is roughly half blackand half white, and where all aspectsof church life (including manyfriendships within the congregation)exist across our myriad racialbackgrounds, many of Beckford’scriticisms seem to speak of adifferent church in a different time.

That said, our parish is in adiocese where black people arewoefully underrepresented amongthe clergy, and where meaningfullinks with blackmajority churchesare patchy at best; Beckford’scritique calls all those who ministerin ethnically diverse areas toconsider what blindspots they mayhave when it comes to spottingprejudice or, in his terms, exorcisingthose theological ideas “infectedwith the British empire’s occultlogic”.

His closing message is worthquoting in full: “I am calling onprogressive white theologians to endthe selective historical andtheological amnesia, and exorcizetheir colonial past and produceexorcized white theologies that havethe categories of thought and actionto embrace their black and brownbrothers and sisters and strivetoward a new inclusive BritishChristian theology and church life.”

It is quite a rallying cry, thoughone that, I still fear, risks ignoringthe variety and complexity ofBritain’s diverse church landscape.And I wonder whether I shouldinvite Beckford to visit our innerLondon parish church one Sundaymorning.

The Revd Christopher Landau isAssistant Curate of St Luke’s, WestKilburn, and Emmanuel, HarrowRoad, in the diocese of London, andis a former reporter for BBC Radio4’sWorld at One and PM.

Stored in the cloud Adam Ford reflects onfaith and the brain

All in the Mind? Doesneuroscience challenge faith?Peter ClarkeLion £10.99(978-0-7459-5675-6)Church Times Bookshop £9.90

DISCUSSING Artificial Intelligence(A.I.) at the dinner table recently, Iasked a professor of psychology howwe would know whether or not acomputer with A.I. was conscious.“But, Adam,” he answered, “how doI know that you are conscious?” Weflounder when trying to answersuch a question.

Why are some functions of thebrain conscious while others arenot — and what is consciousnessanyway? Peter Clarke lists eightunanswered questions on thesubject — and leaves them unanswered, because his subjectmatter is more immediate. Having

spent much of his career in experimental neuroscience, he is keen toexplore the consequences of recentbrain discoveries for Christian belief.

Is it still reasonable to believe thatwe have free will and can take moralresponsibility for our actions, if allour decisions are dictated by brainneurons? And what becomes of thesoul, or religious beliefs, if ourbrains can be analysed as merelycomplex lumps of matter — and ourminds merely epiphenomenal sideeffects?

The reader will have to work hardthrough the sections that describethe chemical and electricalfunctioning of the brain — but theeffort is worth it. Contemplatingthe flow of calcium or the partplayed by potassium and sodium inall of the brain’s neural activity thatis involved in every thought oraction, the reader may well react

with an astonished “My God — Ihad no idea that I was so extraordinary!”

Clarke is critically cautious in hisapproach, advocating an “embodiedsoul” (twoaspect monism) view ofthe human being rather than thetraditional (though now mostlyrejected) Cartesian, dualist, belief ina separate soul working through aphysical body. As for the possibilityof resurrection after death, heproposes a lighthearted analogy (toreplace St Paul’s seed and plantargument): destroy a computer andyou destroy the program on it —but the program can be resurrectedand “live again” on a differentcomputer (in a different body) solong as a copy has been stored in thecloud.

The Revd Adam Ford is a formerChaplain of St Paul’s School forGirls.

Brighton prophetess: an “unusual”image of Anna as an older womanin stained glass, in the Brightonchurch that has produced Faith, Flintand Footstep: St Luke’s Church,Queen’s Park: community arts andheritage, edited by Julie Newson andEvlynn Sharp: a paperback of prose,verse, and photos, with CD, andmoving out from the local to widerthemes (St Luke’s Queen’s ParkPress, £10; 978-0-9934041-0-8)

EVLYNN SHARP


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ChurchTimestop ten religious books

(previous month’s position in brackets)

1 Meeting God in Paul byRowanWilliams (SPCK,£8.99) (1)

2 Sensing God by LaurenceFreeman (SPCK, £7.99) (-)

3 I AmWithYou by KathrynGreene-McCreight(Bloomsbury, £9.99) (-)

4 Reflections for Lent(Church House Publishing,£4.99) (-)

5 Abraham by MegWarner(SPCK, £7.99) (-)

6 The Mystery of Every-thing by Hilary Brand (DLT,£5.99) (-)

7 Dust and Glory by DavidRuncorn (BRF, £7.99) (7)

8 The Joy of the Gospelby Paula Gooder (ChurchHouse Publishing, £7.99) (-)

9 Life in the Psalms byPatrickWoodhouse(Bloomsbury, £12.99) (-)

10 Igniting the Heart byKate Bruce (SCM Press,£16.99) (-)

Participating bookshops: ChurchHouse Bookshop, London; and StDenys Bookshop, Manchester.

A frank probe of mortal bodiesAWHILE ago, I witnessed the trans-formation of a private nursing homefor the elderly by a new owner. It wasin a house in a rural hamlet, sur-rounded by fields and farms. Untilthe arrival of the new owner, theelderly residents dozed in armchairs,placed in line around the walls of alarge sitting-room. Even when weheld services there, few of theresidents managed to keep awake. Ialways found visits depressing.

The new owner changed this witha single bright idea. She persuadedone of the local farmers to lend thehome some orphan lambs, whichneeded to be bottle-fed several timesa day; and she asked the residentswhether they would like to do thefeeding. They were soon hooked.

If you have ever bottle-fed alamb, you will know how satisfyingit is. The lamb’s enthusiasm soonspreads to the feeder; even thoseresidents with severe dementiajoined in. Instead of dozing in theirchairs, they eagerly took part, andeven delayed bedtime to do so. Theyhad regained a purpose in life.

Atul Gawande’s thoughtful bookis full of similar tips. He writes in aneasy style, and his stories attempt toconvey up-to-date informationabout medical and communal careof old people. By profession, he is asurgeon in Boston, Massachusetts,and is the author of two popularbooks on surgery. Now he hasbranched out by listening togeriatric and hospice specialists, andvisiting a number of homes. Theresult is a fascinating but sometimeschallenging book, which is ideal fordiscussion groups.

If you are retired, as I am now,you will probably be mostchallenged by some of the earlychapters. The first one gives a bluntaccount of how our bodies age frommid-life onwards. There is a movingand difficult account of a geriatric

specialist, now in his nineties, whois experiencing medical complica-tions that he has witnessed for manyyears in his patients. My father andgrandfather were both doctors, andthey were also somewhat bleakabout their own old age. Perhaps itgoes with the profession.

Another chapter on badly runhomes for the elderly is alsochallenging — especially thoseplaces that make all the decisions fortheir residents, offer them little orno freedom to do as they wish(typically because they want to keepthem safe), over-medicalise them,and leave them little purpose in life.

Again and again, Dr Gawandeasks whether it is right to treat oldage as a medical problem. He notesthat some of his surgical colleaguesare too ready to operate on elderlypatients who are likely to get little orno benefit from surgery. He alsoagonises about “rationing”: allocat-ing medical resources fairly betweenthe young and the old.

There are interesting questions toask about how well his pre-dominantly American experiencefits the NHS in Britain. There areplaces where this is clearly a veryAmerican, middle-class book.

Yet there are commonalities aswell. In both of our countries, theadvice to the elderly is the same: eatsensibly, keep fit, and get your bloodpressure under control. And wehave both experienced similartrends: our forebears typically diedat home (think of all those Victoriandeathbed-scenes), whereas now weare more likely to die in hospital,with tubes sticking out of us.

We are also both changing, how-ever. Hospice care is flourishing inboth countries, and, increasingly,palliative care is also delivered toour homes. We both face thechallenge that, with increasing

longevity, perhaps one in five of usis likely to experience dementia. Thescience fiction of medical immort-ality is at odds with the more likelyprospect of the ineluctable deter-ioration of our bodies and minds.

There is little about faith in thisbook, although it does concludewith the author’s scattering hisfather’s ashes on the Ganges, inaccordance with Hindu custom.And, just occasionally, the churchconnections of some of his patientsare also noted. But his ownconcerns are more worldly: how canwe improve the lot of the elderly,and restore freedom and purpose tothem in this life? How can we makehomes for the elderly more bear-able?

People of faith will surely wish togo further than this. What dif-ference does a sustained faith inGod’s love make to old age? Thatquestion seems to be off his radar.

BEING MORTAL — SOME QUESTIONS

Do you agree that “there is no better timein history to be old” than the present day?

Does this book change our understandingof the commandment to honour yourfather and your mother?

Dr Gawande writes that “the verymarrow of being human” is “to be theauthors of our lives”. Do you agree?

Did reading Being Mortal change the waythat you think about suffering?

The book suggests many ways in whichdoctors, patients, and families might better communicate withone another. Would any of these be useful in a church context?

In what way do you think that “understanding the finitude of one’stime could be a gift”?

Dr Gawande states that we are often “unready to confront thereality” of disease and death. Having read this book, how might webetter ready ourselves?

Being Mortal makes a distinction between “a good death” and “a goodlife to the very end”. What do you think the difference is?

How important is the idea of home in this book?

IN OUR next reading-groups page, on 4 March, wewill print extra information about the next book.This is Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons. It ispublished by Penguin Classics at £7.99 (CT Bookshop£7.20); 978-0-14-144159-7).

Book notesCold Comfort Farm is a classic of English comicfiction: its influence is still felt in the way we writeand think about the countryside. An instant criticaland commercial success when it was published in1932, Stella Gibbons’s novel was written as aresponse to the effusive “loam and lovechild”novels of authors such as Mary Webb. The actionfollows the efforts of an orphaned urbanite, FloraPoste, to modernise her country cousins theStarkadders — lusty Reuben, ethereal Elfine, themysterious Aunt Ada Doom — amid the rollingmists and thickly growing sukebind of deepest ruralSussex.

Author notesStella Gibbons was born inLondon in 1902. She wrotefor the Evening Standard andThe Lady before the successof Cold Comfort Farm led herto pursue a full-time careeras a novelist and poet. Overa long literary career, Gib-bons published 24 novels,including Conference at ColdComfort Farm, in 1949, andfour collections of poetry.None of her writing, how-ever, attained the same level of acclaim as ColdComfort Farm, which she came to refer to as “ThatBook” and “You-Know-What”. She died in 1989.

Books for the next two months:April: Lila by Marilynne RobinsonMay: Blessing by Andrew Davison

Will you enjoy reading this book?“Enjoy” is probably the wrong word.I think that you are likely to feelmore mortal as a result of yourreading. Dr Gawande is, indeed,frank about our mortal bodies. Buthe might also encourage a discus-sion about care arrangements (in-cluding organ donation) with ourloved ones.

Instead of endlessly planning ourfunerals, it might be wise to givemore thought to the prospect ofdependency in old age. We all beginlife as dependent mortals — and,like it or not, as the doctor notes,many of us will also end life asdependent mortals.

He is not the first person to pointthis out, but he does it well.

Canon Gill is Editor of Theology andProfessor Emeritus of Applied Theo-logy at the University of Kent.

Being Mortal: Illness, medicine,and what matters in the end by AtulGawande is published by ProfileBooks/Wellcome Collection at £8.99(CT Bookshop £8.10); 978-1-8466-8582-8).

Honest aboutageing and death:Dr Atul Gawande

Robin Gill on Being Mortal by Atul Gawande, a prompt to reflection on dependency

arts


Treasures of a persecuted people

Nicholas Cranfieldvisits the Armenianexhibition in Oxford

ALLAN RAMSAY’s celebratedportrait of the Genevan philosopherJean Jacques Rousseau is perhapsone of the most famous portraits ofany exile. The Scottish philosopherDavid Hume had assisted Rousseauto flee from France in 1766. Hecommissioned his compatriotRamsay (1712-78) for a portrait inwhich the sitter wears Armeniandress, a heavy cloak and a fur hat,that was much commented on bybemused Londoners.

I was put in mind of this greattreasure of the National Gallery ofScotland in Edinburgh by the recentexhibition at the RA of anotherGenevan contemporary: Jean-Étienne Liotard. His 1770 portrait ofthe Roman Catholic travellerWilliam Constable FRS was paintedin Lyons. It is weaker, as so many ofLiotard’s works are, lacking thepsychological brilliance shown inhis Scottish counterpart’s work; butConstable, too, wears Armeniandress.

Was this simply an affectation ofthe time, or does it say somethingabout Armenia? That Rousseauchose to dress in this way suggeststhat Armenia was very much at thecentre of enlightened Europeanconsciousness, despite the country’sgeographical distance. Thisexhibition marks the centenary ofthe much disputed genocide there.

Archbishop William Laud (d.1645) was Chancellor when, in 1635,he presented the first Armenianmanuscripts to the library. Theexpansion of the library’s collectionsfrom the Near East is largely aphenomenon of the later 19thcentury, thanks to the diligence ofEdward Nicholson, who wasBodley’s Librarian for 30 years untilthe eve of the First World War. Heacquired the oldest book on display,a hymnal and a collection ofantiphons from the psalms, which isdated to 1295.

This exhibition is the inauguralshow in what was the “New Bod”,which has now been reconfigured toprovide a café, shop, exhibitionspace, and — oh yes, I almost forgot,as it is given so little prominence onthe building’s street glass façade — alibrary, housing all the specialcollections.

But Theo Martin van Lint andRobin Meyer have gone well beyondthe treasures held by the libraryitself. The college across the road,Wadham, has loaned an Armeniantranslation of Cardinal GiovanniBona’s 1671 Direction to Heaven. Itwas translated in Rome in 1674, andwas intended as a proselytising toolto bring Armenians over fromOrthodoxy. Rome was obviouslyless worried at the time byAnglicanism, with a king who wasbroadly sympathetic to papal claims,and the English version followedonly in 1680. The Cistercian Bonahad died in 1674.

Wadham has also loaned an18th-century translation of thewriting of the third-century Neo-Platonist Porphyry, published inMadras in 1793; Armenians hadlong lived in India in the safety

of the Mughal empire of Akbar.The University of Manchester has

loaned a late copy of Alexander theGreat’s Romances, copied in SuluManastir, in the city on the Bos-phorus formerly known as Constant-inople, in 1544, by Bishop ZachariaGnunec’i. The work had first beentranslated into Armenian in the fifthcentury, from a lost Greek original,and had remained popular.

On closer inspection, theilluminated illustration of the famedhorse Bucephalus appears as aterrifying fiery animal with claws,composed of animals and humanfigures; even the claws turn out tobe little birds with open beaks.

It is not all about books. TheV&A has loaned a pastoral staff, avardapet; and from privatecollections come photographs,

demitasse coffee cups exported fromStaffordshire, lace and crochet work,and 20 coins, the earliest of whichare tetradrachms that are dated tothe reign of Tigranes the Great, 140-55 BC.

The exhibition concludes on achilling note with a map detailingcentres of the Armenian genocide,routes of death marches, and escaperoutes, from R. E. Hewsen’sHistorical Atlas (University ofChicago, 2001).

If Downing Street is lining up thePresident of Turkey next for thered-carpet treatment in the wake ofkowtowing to travelling despots

from China and Egypt, this exhib-ition in Mr Cameron’s olduniversity would make a goodstarting-point.

It is, as the title implies, about acelebration for a culture that hasendured, often without muchsupport from Christians elsewhere.President Putin would also learnfrom it.

“Armenia: Masterpieces from anEnduring Culture” is at the WestonLibrary, Bodleian Libraries, BroadStreet, Oxford, until 28 February.Phone 01865 287400.www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Sacred artefacts and family heirlooms: left: the throne vision of Ezekiel inan Armenian illuminated Bible of 1648; above: a woman’s lace collar, datingfrom c.1890. Traditional Armenian lace is made with just a needle andthread. This belonged to the donor’s grandmother

BODLEIAN LIBRARIES, UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD BODLEIAN LIBRARIES, UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD/PRIVATE COLLECTION

Place of sacrifice: an altar curtainof red silk with an embroideredinscription in silver thread, givento the Monastery of St John the

Baptist (the Church of SurbKarapet) in 1788. The monastery

was destroyed during theArmenian genocide

COURTESY OF SAM FOGG, LONDON


media

THERE are some stories that are timeless: boymeets girl, triumph over tragedy, or simplytragedy over triumph. There are some storiesthat are immortal and simply cannot die, suchas the revelation, fresh every year, that thePope is Catholic. And there are some storiesthat are zombies, and simply will not die,however often they are killed — “Robes forvicars may be surplice to requirements”, asThe Times had it.

This is a story that could only be news toanyone who has stayed away from Evangelicalservices for the past 30 years. Oh, all right,that’s 98 per cent of the population then.Objection withdrawn.

The Times lead was: “The sight of a vicarcelebrating communion in a hoodie or leadingevening prayers in jeans would come as ashock to many churchgoers, but the Churchof England is set to scrap its dress code tomake traditional robes optional.” This wasmore precise than the Telegraph’s: “Vicarscould be free to conduct services in track suitsand hoodies under new proposals by theChurch of England to be seen as ‘relevant’ inthe modern world.”

The trouble with the greater technicalaccuracy of the Times lead is that it invites theretort that the sight of a vicar leading eveningprayers would come as a shock almost everywhere, whatever he or she was wearing.

THEN there was the Jayne Ozanne poll onAnglican attitudes to samesex marriage. TheGuardian highlighted the informative part of

the poll, which was the change in attitudessince the question was last asked on the samebasis: “A poll conducted in the aftermath ofthe Canterbury meeting found 45% of peoplewho define themselves as Church of Englandapprove of samesex marriage, compared with37% who believe it is wrong. A similar surveythree years ago found almost the reverse: 38%of Anglicans in favour and 47% opposed.”

PA went for the obvious headline: “Anglican churchgoers who support gay marriageoutnumber those opposed to it for the firsttime, according to a new poll.

“The YouGov survey suggested 45% ofChurch of England followers felt samesexmarriage was right, against 37% who believedit wrong. Jayne Ozanne, a leading gay Evangelical Anglican and member of the GeneralSynod, the Church of England’s ruling body,said the results showed the Church of Englandwas ‘out of step’ with its members.”

The pushback to this, from Evangelicalswho are opposed to samesex marriage, concentrated on the idea that Ozanne had polledpeople who are not really Anglicans. Therewas no breakdown by attendance in herfigures: a poll that did that would have beensignificantly more expensive. You need to polla very large number of people to get astatistically reliable sample of weekly churchgoers.

None the less, one really does want to knowhow attitudes differ between selfidentifying“Anglicans”, and selfreporting churchgoers.My guess is that they continue to track eachother, with the regular churchgoers registering as more conservative, as they havedone before. What matters is the direction oftravel.

The Evangelicals presently in control of theChurch do not, I think, suppose that theopinions of selfidentifying Anglicans who donot go to church are of any interest whatever.Nor do they seem to believe that anyone everleaves an Evangelical church: that is supposedto be something that happens only to liberals.

Even looking at the Church from a purelyeconomic viewpoint, as if it were abusiness, both these propositionsare shortsighted. The people whomight come into church and become regular customers are almostcertainly those now on the periphery. Even if you do not regardthem now as real Anglicans, theyare the only place from which afresh supply of real Christiansmight be raised.

SOME years ago, Nick Spencer, ofTheos, wrapped up a discussion onthe decline of the New Atheistswith the line “. . . and RichardDawkins discovered Twitter”. Seldom has a joke had more point.Dawkins’s dislike of uppity womenand of Muslims has led him intosome extraordinarily coarse andstupid associations.

Last week, there was a minorflurry of outrage, and he wasdisinvited from a conference whenhe retweeted a link to a YouTube“satirical” cartoon, in which anamed Canadian feminist was supposed to say “It’s not rape when aMuslim does it.” This was withdrawn when he discovered that she

was a real person. Presumably he believes inimaginary feminists who say this.

Then he tried again, tweeting a link to apicture showing, on the one side, a scientistwearing a Hawaiian shirt with naked womenon it, and, on the other, a woman beingmurdered by Islamic State. The caption was:“One of these pictures upsets feminists. Theother shows the execution of a woman.”

Are the people who are repelled byDawkins real atheists, or not?

weekaheadHIGHLIGHT: How to Die: Simon’sChoice A documentary thatfollows the last days of SimonBinner, diagnosed with motorneurone disease, who decides toend his life at a Swiss clinic.

9pm BBC2, Wednesday

TELEVISION: Sunday 4.15pm(BBC1) Songs of Praise Josie d’Arbytells the story of a missionary fromBarnsley.8pm (BBC1) Call the Midwife SisterJulienne’s beliefs are tested (4/8).Tuesday 9pm (BBC3) ProfessorGreen: Hidden and homeless Themusician explores the modern faceof homelessness.Thursday 9pm (C4) Keeping Upwith the Khans A look at the 1500Slovakian Roma who have come tolive in Page Hall, Sheffield (2/4).10pm (BBC4) The Brain with DavidEagleman The neuroscientist looks atwhat happens when we have to makea decision (4/6).

RADIO: Sunday 8.10am (R4)Sunday Worship A service from DownCathedral (Church of Ireland),Downpatrick.3pm (R3) Choral Evensong A repeatof last Wednesday’s service fromTruro Cathedral.Monday to Friday 10.45pm (R3)The Essay: Another giant leap Fivepresenters look at the case for spaceexploration (1-5/5)Tuesday 9am (R4) The Life ScientificPeter Piot talks about a life spenttrying to stop the spread of the Ebolavirus and HIV.Wednesday 3.30pm (R3) ChoralEvensong live from the TempleChurch, London, on Ash Wednesday.Thursday 9am (R4) In Our TimeMelvyn Bragg and guests discuss thepoetry of Rumi, the 13th-century Sufimystic.

The ‘Wow!’ factor

IN ANY typical discourse on thephysics of the universe — on the BigBang, for instance, or multipledimensions — there comes amoment when one gives upfollowing the argument and resolvesone’s lower jaw into the shape of ahalfarticulated “Wow!” In the firstof The Reith Lectures (Radio 4,Tuesday of last week), this momentcame about four minutes in, whenStephen Hawking started talkingabout singularity as “the infinitecurvature of space/time . . . the endof time itself”.

Peppered though it was withjokes, and couched in approachablelanguage, we can comprehend thiskind of material only throughtranslation into cartoonish metaphors that involve doughnuts andevent horizons.

One of Hawking’s more risquéjokes discussed the French scientificcommunity’s objection to the term“Black Hole” when it was firstcoined; and, whatever image isindeed conjured up by the term, itbears no relation to whatever realityProfessor Hawking was attemptingto describe.

It is, therefore, appropriate that,on the BBC website, you can listento the lectures while watching acommentary in the form of acartoon illustration. These brilliantdrawings come from the hand ofAndrew Park, and bring to mindone of those selfreflexive gags fromThe Simpsons, where Homer asks acartoon director whether his showgoes out live. “No,” comes the reply,“it would place an intolerable strainon the illustrators’ wrists.”

In this instance, Park responds toevery reference with a visualanalogy. I particularly enjoyed thedepiction of a man falling down a

black hole and coming out asspaghetti. Don’t ask me what itmeant, but it looked dangerous.

Sunday Worship (Radio 4) lastweek came from HM Prison LongLartin, a Category A highsecurityprison in Worcestershire whichhouses some of the country’s mostserious offenders. What the BBCproducer Philip Bilson and his teamdo so well is to capture the acousticambience of the spaces from whichthey broadcast; here, the dry, boxysound of a functional hall, institutional, characterless, and yet filledwith words and music that mighthave melted the most adamantine ofhearts.

Embedded within it weretestimonies from prisoners aboutfinding faith, and living with faith inthe prison environment. The sermon addressed the loneliness ofguilt, and the music on this occasionprovided the perfect counterpoint:James MacMillan’s “O RadiantDawn” never sounded so inspired,nor the first verse of “Amazinggrace”, delivered solo by one of theprisoners, so meaningful. In summary, an excellent enterprise, presented in just the right register.

In the dullest part of the dullestseason, Radio 3 keeps us on our toeswith a succession of miniseasons:last weekend, Folk Connectionscelebrated everything from theinnocent warblings of folk singers, asrecorded on wax cylinders, to thesophisticated folk imaginings of theclassical greats.

One highlight, springing from theLate Junction stable, is a medley ofrenditions of the song “BarbaraAllen”, with contributions from thelikes of Bob Dylan and Nancy Kerr.All powerfully delivered, of course;but it cannot hide the fact that this isessentially a very silly song.

Trump of doom

LAST week’s most frightening TVprogramme was The Mad World ofDonald Trump (Channel 4, Tuesdayof last week). Matt Frei’s account ofthe Republican hopeful was moreappalling even than the horrors oftoday’s religious extremism. It wasa record of the egregious folly of afree people — people who choose tobelieve his populist rantings, lap uphis bullying of women and contemptuous dismissal of immigrants andforeigners, and cheer his scenariothat their ills, such as poverty,unemployment, and a sense ofpowerlessness, are the result of aconspiracy against them which hewill destroy.

It is the thesis of Mein Kampf,and causes as much despair in theRepublican establishment as amongDemocrats. Frei skewered many ofTrump’s claims: the evidence wasclear that his wealth, althoughobscene, is nothing like as great ashe claims; that his business recordshows far less unbridled successthan he pretends; that his bankruptcies have destroyed the livelihoods of many of the bluecollarworkers who consider that he willbe their saviour.

His bandwagon is a juggernaut,crushing all opposition and criticism, refusing to engage with anyreason or argument. The prospectthat this presidential candidate, whoappears not to have bothered toproduce anything like a programmeor strategy for government, couldcontrol the levers of nuclear poweris terrifying; the vast number ofpeople who freely to choose tosupport him is a source of existential despair.

It was a relief to turn to realfossils: Attenborough and the GiantDinosaur (BBC1, Sunday of last

week) was a delightful account ofthe discovery in Patagonia of thebones of a new species of planteating sauropods — one of which isthe largest land animal ever discovered. Its skeleton is virtuallycomplete, and we saw the cast of itsbones being gradually reassembled,and then, thanks to the marvels ofCGI, clothed with organs andepidermis. But perhaps the bestthing was Attenborough himself,boyish in his delight and enthusiasm.

Richard Fortey is, perhaps, myfavourite palaeontologist, and he ispresenting a new series that exploreshow evolution works by examininghow the isolation of islands makesthem perfect to demonstrate theprocess of differentiation andspecialisation. Nature’s Wonderlands: Islands of evolution (BBC4,Mondays) last week featured a veryold island, Madagascar.

Fortey is particularly good atsetting the creatures within theirecological habitat, and has atrademark coda to each programme: he sits down and tucksinto a local meal, explaining howthe food relates to the naturalworld.

I have far too little space to givejustice to The Story of China (BBC2,Tuesdays): the splendid panoramaof history and geography justifiesthe enthusiasm that I usually finda challenge in Michael Wood’spresentations. He is wholeheartedin his immersion in the continuinglife of this extraordinary land, encouraging us to see it as the world’soldest continuous civilisation, itsturmoil less important than thelegacy of dynasties and politicalideologies. And religion andphilosophy are given, for once, theircentral position.

Not much vesting in the vestrypress

Edward Wickham Gillean Craig

Andrew Brown

Or not: the vesture story in Saturday’s Daily Telegraph

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The Sign churchmagazine supplement

appointments

deaths

personal

resignations and retirements

AUDIBERT. The Revd JaniceAudibert, Team Vicar in the NorthPoole Ecumenical Team Ministry(Salisbury), now Priest-in-Charge.BARNFATHER. The Revd ThomasBarnfather, formerly Priest-in-Charge in Lanzarote (Europe), to behouse-for-duty Assistant Curate(Associate Priest) of Holy Trinity,Ilkeston, and of St Laurence’s, LongEaton (Derby).BAYMAN. The Revd BrynnBayman, OLM of Finchampsteadand California, and Assistant Chap-lain of Wellington College (Oxford),to be Chaplain of FramlinghamCollege (St Edmundsbury & Ips-wich).BLAIR. The Revd Catherine Blair,Assistant Curate (Associate Min-ister) of St Paul’s, Woking, andRural Dean of Woking, to be NSMof Walton-on-Thames (Guildford).BLAIR. The Revd Jonathan Blair,Vicar of St Paul’s, Woking, to beVicar of Walton-on-Thames (Guild-ford).BOWKETT. The Revd GrahamBowkett, Assistant Area Dean ofAlresford, now Area Dean, re-

maining Rector of Upper Itchen(Winchester).BRAITHWAITE. The Revd Cath-erine Braithwaite, NSM of Colne(Blackburn), to be NS AssociatePriest.BULL. The Revd David Bull, TeamRector in the Great Marlow withMarlow Bottom, Little Marlow andBisham Team Ministry, now alsoArea Dean of Wycombe (Oxford).BURSELL. The Revd MichaelBursell, Assistant Curate (AssociatePriest) in the Halstead Team Min-istry, to be Assistant Curate (Asso-ciate Priest) of the Upper ColneParishes of Great Yeldham, LittleYeldham, Stambourne, Tilbury-juxta-Clare and Toppesfield(Chelmsford).CHATTELL. The Revd DavidChattell, Rector of Farleigh, Can-dover and Wield, now also AssistantArea Dean of Alresford (Winchester).CHICHESTER. The Revd CarolineChichester, NSM of WinterbourneValley and Milton Abbas, nowAssistant Curate (Associate Priest)of Red Post (Salisbury).CLINCH. The Revd ChristopherClinch, formerly Chaplain of theKing’s School, Tynemouth, nowChaplain of Northumbria Health-care NHS Foundation Trust (New-castle).COLVER. The Revd Sarah Colver,Assistant Curate of Aston cumAughton with Swallownest andUlley, to be Assistant Curate(Associate Vicar) of St Mark’s,Broomhill, Sheffield (Sheffield).CRAWFORD. The Revd JamesCrawford, Assistant Curate inPendle deanery, to be AssistantCurate (Associate Priest) of AllHallows’, Bispham (Blackburn).DEAKIN. The Revd Paul Deakin,Assistant Curate of Hale andAshley, to be Vicar of St Cross,Cross Town, Knutsford (Chester).de QUIDT. The Revd Marion deQuidt, Priest-in-Charge of White-water, now also Assistant Area Deanof Odiham (Winchester).DRAPER. The Revd Penelope

Draper, Team Vicar in the DunstableTeam Ministry (St Albans), to beAssistant Curate (Associate Priest) inthe North Poole Ecumenical TeamMinistry (Salisbury).EDGERTON. The Revd HilaryEdgerton, Vicar of Hayfield andChinley with Buxworth (Derby), tobe house-for-duty Missioner Priestin the Saddleworth Team Ministry,and Chaplain of HM Prison BuckleyHall (Manchester).FORD. The Revd Deborah Ford,NSM (Associate Priest) of St James’s,Cambridge, and Chaplain of Cam-bridge University Hospitals NHSTrust, to be also Bishop’s Adviser onHealthcare Chaplaincy (Ely).GOODALL. The Revd Alice Good-all, Assistant Curate of the St Bar-tholomew Benefice (Salisbury), nowRector of Shelswell (Oxford).HUME. The Revd Barbara Hume,Priest-in-Charge of the Upper ColneParishes of Great Yeldham, LittleYeldham, Stambourne, Tilbury-juxta-Clare and Toppesfield, nowalso Priest-in-Charge of SibleHedingham with Castle Hedingham(Chelmsford).JAMES. The Revd Thomas James,Royal Navy Chaplain, to be Chap-lain to Commander PortsmouthFlotilla Sea (Royal Naval ChaplaincyService).LODGE. The Revd Sally Lodge,

Team Rector in the Witham andVillages Team Ministry, to be alsoArea Dean of Witham (Chelmsford)(correction).LUCAS. The Revd Dr Susan Lucas,Priest-in-Charge of St Faith’s, GreatCrosby (Liverpool), to be TeamRector in the Holy Trinity TeamMinistry, East Ham (Chelmsford).McCLELLAND. The Revd ClaireMcClelland, Hon. Assistant Curateof Charminster and Stinsford, to beTeam Vicar in the Dorchester andthe Winterbournes Team Ministry(Salisbury).PARKER. The Revd Janet Parker,Vicar of High Lane, to be also Hon.Canon of Chester Cathedral (Ches-ter).PAXTON. The Revd ElizabethPaxton, Assistant Curate of SibleHedingham with Castle Hedingham,to be Assistant Curate (AssociatePriest) of the Upper Colne Parishesof Great Yeldham, Little Yeldham,Stambourne, Tilbury-juxta-Clareand Toppesfield (Chelmsford).PRESTON. The Revd Paula Pres-ton, Assistant Curate of St Martinwith St Thomas, Cambridge (Ely),to be Team Vicar in the Chigwelland Chigwell Row Team Ministry(Chelmsford).PRYCE-WILLIAMS. The RevdJean Pryce-Williams, NSM ofCumnor (Oxford), now AssociateMinister.READ. The Revd Benjamin Read,Assistant Curate of St Peter with StJohn the Evangelist, Carmarthen,and Abergwili and Capel y Groes (StDavids), to be Vicar of Kingsclereand Ashford Hill with Headley(Winchester).SAMUELS. The Revd Ann Samuels,Canon Emeritus of Chester Cathed-ral, to be also Chaplain of FoxhillRetreat and Conference Centre(Chester).SAMUELS. The Revd RaymondSamuels, Vicar of Alvanley, to bealso Hon. Canon of Chester Cathed-ral (Chester).SMITH. The Revd Andrew Smith,Team Rector in the March Team

Ministry, to be also Rural Dean ofMarch (Ely).TANNER. The Revd Mark Tanner,Assistant Area Dean of Odiham,now Area Dean, remaining Vicarof Hartley Wintney with Elvethamand Winchfield and Dogmersfield(Winchester), and Canon Emeritusof Southwell Minster (Southwell &Nottingham).WALKER. The Revd David Walker,Assistant Curate (Associate Vicar)of Holy Trinity, Brompton, with StPaul’s, Onslow Square, and StAugustine’s, South Kensington(London), now Vicar of St James’s,Greyfriars, Reading (Oxford).WALKER. The Revd StephenWalker, Vicar of Theydon Bois andTheydon Garnon (Chelmsford),to be Rector of West Buckrose(York).WATKINSON. The Revd AdamWatkinson, Chaplain of ReptonSchool (Derby), to be Chaplain ofCharterhouse School (Guildford).WESTMORELAND. The Revd DrDiane Westmoreland, Priest-in-Charge of Amble (Newcastle), to beVicar of Aldborough with Borough-bridge and Roecliffe (West Yorkshire& the Dales).WILLIAMS. The Revd DeniseWilliams, formerly Team Rector inthe Warrington East Team Ministry(Liverpool), to be Priest Vicar ofChester Cathedral (Chester).WILLIAMS. The Revd MatthewWilliams, Assistant Curate ofSilverhill (Chichester), to be Priest-in-Charge in the North Poole Ecu-menical TeamMinistry (Salisbury).

ECUMENICALCOONAN. The Revd StephenCoonan, Priest of Our Lady and StJohn RC Church, Heswall, and HolyFamily Church, Pensby, and CanonTheologian of Shrewsbury RCCathedral Chapter, to be also Ecu-menical Canon of Chester Cathed-ral (Chester).

LAY APPOINTMENTSHARPHAM. Christopher Harphamnow Chapel Keeper of the GuardsChapel, London (London).

ATLING. The Revd Brian Atling,Rector of Hartford and Houghtonwith Wyton: 1 March, remainingRural Dean of Huntingdon, andHon. Canon of Ely Cathedral (Ely).BALDOCK. The Revd ReginaldBaldock, Priest-in-Charge of St Johnwith St Michael and All Angels,Bournemouth (Winchester): 1 July.

BALFOUR. The Revd Dr MarkBalfour, Vicar of Furze Platt (Ox-ford).BIRBECK. The Revd John Birbeck,Rector of Rawmarsh with Parkgate,and Assistant Curate of Greas-brough, and of Kimberworth andKimberworth Park (Sheffield): 3July.

BOLTON. The Revd Jane Bolton,Priest-in-Charge of Ravenfield,Hooton Roberts and Braithwell,Diocesan Officer for Self-Supporting Ministry, and Hon.Canon of Sheffield Cathedral(Sheffield): 8 May.CAWLEY. The Revd David Cawley,Assistant Curate of All Saints’,Margate (Canterbury): 1 November.GAINSBOROUGH. The Revd DrMartin Gainsborough, Hon. Priest-in-Charge of Barton Hill andMoorfields (Bristol): 27 March.GOMES. The Revd Dr Jules Gomes,Vicar of Arbory and Castletown,and Canon of St German’s Cathed-ral, Peel (Sodor & Man).HEBDEN. The Revd CynthiaHebden, Vicar of Shepshed and Oaksin Charnwood (Leicester): 30 June.KOEPPING. The Revd Dr Elizabeth

BEVINGTON. — On 31 January,the Revd Colin Reginald Bevington:Rector of Benwell with Sternfield(1968-74); Vicar of Selly Hill (1974-81); Priest-in-Charge of St Wul-stan’s, Selly Oak (1980-81); Vicar ofSt Stephen and St Wulstan, SellyPark (1981-88); St EdmundsburyDiocesan Adviser on Mission (1988-95); Diocesan and County Ecu-menical Officer (1988-99); Hon.Canon of St Edmundsbury Cathed-ral (1993-2000); Bishop’s DomesticChaplain and Personal Assistant(1995-99); Rector of Holbrook,Woolverstone and Wherstead(1999-2000); Rural Dean of Samford(1999-2000); Canon Emeritus of StEdmundsbury Cathedral since 2000;aged 80.BROUGHALL. — On 26 January,the Revd Rodney John Broughall:OLM of Watton with Carbrookeand Ovington (1996-2002); aged 83.COCKSEDGE. — On 13 January,the Revd Hugh Francis Cocksedge:NSM of Alton (1988-89); Chaplainin Ankara (1991-96); aged 89.

GARLICK. — On 30 January, theRevd David Garlick: Warden ofCrossed Swords Youth Centre,Lorrimore Square, and Hon. Assist-ant Curate of St Paul’s, Newington(1966-68); Curate-in-Charge of StPeter’s, Vauxhall (1968-79); Vicar ofSt Mary’s Lewisham (1979-2007);Rural Dean of East Lewisham (1992-99); Hon. Canon of SouthwarkCathedral (1993-2007); aged 78.JONES. — On 24 January, the RevdJohn Hellyer Jones: Rector ofLolworth (1970-79); Curate-in-Charge of Conington (1975-79);Rector of Houghton with Wyton(1979); Priest-in-Charge of Lol-worth (1981-85); aged 95.YOUNG. — On 28 January, theRevd Brian Thomas Young: Priest-in-Charge of Great Broughton(1977-80); Vicar of Great Brough-ton and Broughton Moor (1980-83);Vicar of Chorley (1983-90);Alderley Edge (1990-2007); RuralDean of Knutsford (1996-2006);Hon. Canon of Chester Cathedral(1997-2007); aged 74.

Correction

THE Very Revd ChristopherArmstrong, Dean of Blackburnsince 2001, is not retiring, as westated last week. When heleaves in May this year, he willtake up the post of Vicar ofWelland Fosse, a group of fiveparishes in the Peterboroughdiocese (Barrowden andWakerley with South Luffen-ham and Morcott with Dud-dington and Tixover). Ourapologies for the error.

Julia Wilson, on behalf of St Mary’s,Barton on Humber, fund-raisingfor Operation Christmas Child,seeks volunteers to help knit andcrochet 15,534 teddy bear glove-puppets, according to set patterns,to reach her by 18 September, whenthey will be displayed in the churchready for a teddy bears’ service andpicnic. The patterns can be obtainedby emailing her on [email protected]. Further informationcan be obtained by phone on 07717761392, or by visiting the church’sFacebook group: Occ Barton OnHumber.

Continued opposite


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In matters of finance, accounts mustbe maintained and presented in amanner subject to the rules of theCharity Commission; and we arebeing told that elected members ofthe PCC and churchwardens are“trustees”.

If these things are true, how canthe responsibility of a trustee bereconciled with that of the duty ofchurchwardens and PCC membersto the diocesan bishop under ecclesiastical law?

BECAUSE so many churches are

Registered and accountableMaggieDurran

PROFESSOR ANTHONY MELLOWS

obituaryPeter Parker writes:PROFESSOR Anthony Mellows,who died on 10 January, aged 79, inhospital after a heart operation, gavegenerously of his skills and time insupport of church and other charitable activities.

He was educated at King’sCollege, London, where he tookdegrees in law, philosophy anddivinity, and was a Fellow from1980. Admitted a solicitor in 1960,he was from 1962 sole partner inAlexander Pollak & Co., which afew years later became Alexanders,with him as senior partner until1996. From 2001 to 2004, he was aconsultant to Hunters.

In the University of London, hewas Professor of the Law of Property from 1974 to 1990, and theauthor of standard works on property and trusts.

He served in the IntelligenceCorps (Territorial Army) from 1959to 1971, reaching Captain’s rank,and was a holder of the TerritorialEfficiency Decoration. He was adirector of companies connectedwith East Anglian farming interests,and was chairman of the LondonLaw Trust from 1968 until hisdeath.

He was a trustee of the LambethFund from 1995 to 2011, and of theLambeth Trust from then till 2014,and had been a member of theArchbishops’ Millennium AdvisoryGroup from 1995 to 2000.

In the Order of St John, he was amember of Council (198188) andRegistrar (198891). He served as

now required (by their annualturnover) to register as charities,this is a timely question.

The governing body of a churchis the PCC, under the leadership ofthe parish priest. The rules on howthe church operates are governed bya raft of laws and requirements,starting with many that are individual Acts of Parliament. But thediocesan bishop and others haveparts to play under ecclesiastical lawwhich apply also.

Registering a church as a charityin a formal way moves us from theearlier position, when churcheswere categorised as “excepted”charities: that is, charities notrequired to be individually registered. Now they will be registered.

When a group seeks to register asa charity, its constitution ormemorandum and articles — whatit seeks to do, and how it governsitself to achieve its purpose — isscrutinised and approved by the

Charity Commission. In the case ofa Church of England parish, thewhole of that ecclesiastical system istaken as the constitution andgoverning documents.

In the church system, somethings are different from othertrusts. PCC members cannot beheld individually responsible for theactions of the PCC. For example, aPCC member cannot be suedindividually for church debts. If anindividual commits an offence —for example taking money, or committing fraud — he or she is stillliable.

One change, however, is that theannual report and accounts have tobe presented in a manner thatcomplies with the requirements ofthe Charity Commission, and thishas resulted in a much clearer, andmore systematic, presentation ofaccounts in the required format.They are now much easier to read,although at times they may seem

harder to prepare — and, for theuninitiated, harder to interpret. Buteveryone is working in the samesystem; so it is easier for diocesanofficers, who receive the accountsannually, and for the CharityCommissioners to spot any problems quickly.

The language of the charity sectorhelps us to see that the responsibility of the PCC is to check thatthe church is working within itsobjectives or mission, and that itsmoney is spent appropriately andwell, in achieving that mission.

You could call PCC memberstrustees, in these circumstances, butthe rules that govern how we operate, apart from the way in whichaccounts are presented, are still setup and reformed within the ecclesiastical system: the bishop is still theboss.

Send your issues and questions [email protected].

Prior of St John: Professor Mellows with the Queen in 2013

Lord Prior from 2008 to 2014, themost senior nonroyal member ofthe order. In this capacity, hetravelled widely overseas, visitingpriories and branches of the order.He presided over the modernisationof much of the structure and fin

ancial organisation of the order,which encompasses the EyeHospital in Jerusalem and the StJohn Ambulance Brigade.

In all this work he was greatlysupported by his wife, Elizabeth,whom he married in 1973, and who

survives him; she was the daughterof the Ven. B. G. B. Fox.

In 1999, Mellows chaired acommittee to review the needs andresources of bishops. This was intwo phases; the first related todiocesan and suffragan bishops, thesecond to the archbishops. Thecommittee held many sessions andinterviews. Their first report(Resourcing Bishops) was publishedin 2001, and the second in 2002;nearly 250 recommendations weremade. Over the next decade, thesewere widely discussed and manyadopted; the reports remain avaluable source of reference. For hiswork, Mellows was appointed OBEin 2003.

In the past year, he had masterminded a scheme of amalgamationof four charities at the Tower ofLondon, where he and Elizabethwere regular worshippers at theChapels Royal. Only two daysbefore going into hospital, he had,with his customary efficiency,circulated documents that wouldbring the amalgamation to a successful conclusion.

David Baldwin adds: A longstanding supporter of the ministryoffered by the ancient ChapelsRoyal, Tony Mellows found hismind, with its legal bent, drifting

towards curiosity about the history,ecclesiology, and application ofcanon law, and certain medievalpractices and instruments of governance, which continue to characterise its workings today, both aspersons and buildings withinpalaces.

This culminated in a researchinterest inspired by a conversationin 2008, during which he recalledthat he had been cheerfully told thatthe last time anyone had looked atthe overall position was in 1483 —and things had changed since then.But even that was an understatement. Such documents asexisted stemmed mainly from the15th century, if not earlier.

Thus began an abiding interestand affection for that ancientestablishment, and a wide respectamong the legal fraternity for thesurprisingly broad range of Tony’sresearch, earned by the accumulation of knowledge, sought fromLatin medievalists and modernstatute lawyers alike. He revelled indocuments of King Henry II relatingto the serjeanty of the Chapel Royalin 1154, as much as in the continuingapplication of early modern treatylaw to the workings of Church andstate in other quarters.

In suggesting how to modernise,Tony was a good friend of history;but at the same time, in discoveringsome of its inconsistencies, was notshackled by it. He was, perhaps, thatunusual combination of a learned,benign pragmatist with a goodheart.

Koepping, PriestinCharge in Heidelberg, Germany (Europe): 3 April.PIRET. The Revd Dr Michael Piret,Chaplain of Magdalen College,Oxford (Oxford).RICH. The Revd Peter Rich, PriestinCharge of Stone with Dinton andHartwell (Oxford).RIMMER. The Revd MargaretRimmer, Vicar of Lostock Halland Farington Moss (Blackburn): 4March.STEVENS. The Revd GillianStevens, Team Vicar in theWhittlesey, Pondersbridge andCoates Team Ministry (Ely): 30April.TOPALIAN. The Revd Dr BerjTopalian, Chaplain of St Monica’sCare Home, Bristol (Bristol); 30April.WILLIAMS. The Revd SarahWilliams, Rector of Brookland, Fairfield, Brenzett with Snargate andLydd, and Assistant Area Dean ofRomney and Tenterden (Canterbury): 7 August.

resignations andretirements continued

PA


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Deaths

BIRD— Rosemary Bird (nee MacLellan)wife of Dr Richard (Dickie) Bird: diedpeacefully on 23 January 2016 after ashort illness in Kirriemuir, Angus. Muchloved Mother, Grandmother, GreatGrandmother, friend and “Granny B”to many. Of Helensburgh, The LondonHospital, Jordan, the Medical MissionaryAssociation in London, Inkpen, Oxfordand latterly of Littleton of Airlie. Formany years Rosemary and Dickieaccompanied John Stott to his WelshCottage, The Hookses, where, in hiswords, “they unselfishly created theconditions in which I could write in peaceand without distraction”. Now rejoicingon another shore and in a greater light,a thanksgiving service will be held inInkpen later in the year following herfuneral in Scotland on 8 February. Anydonations by cheque made to: “LanghamPartnership Hookses Account” marked“In memory of Rosemary Bird” and sentto: David Cranston, 23 Sandy Lane,Yarnton, Oxon, OX5 1PA from whomfurther details.JONES — Revd John Hellyer Jones.Dental Surgeon, formerly Rector ofLolworth and Conington, peacefullyon 24 January 2016 in Addenbrooke’shospital, Cambridge aged 95. Muchbeloved husband of his late devoted wifeIrene & loving father of Sara, Jonathanand Tim. Funeral at HaddenhamMethodist Church, Cambs CB6 3XA:on Tuesday 9 February 2016 at 12 noon,followed by burial at Tanworth-in-Arden, Warwickshire B94 5AJ at 2 pmon Friday 12 February. Family flowersonly. Any donations to Age UK, c/o FWCook Funeral Directors, 49 Church St,Willingham, Cambridge CB24 5HSSister ElizabethClare CHN (Doherty) inDerby on 22 January 2016. Professed 48years. RIP.

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SCOTT — Evensong in memory of DrJohn Gavin Scott LVO, Organ Student1974-78, will be sung in St John’s CollegeChapel, Cambridge on Saturday 6February at 6.30 p.m. The service willbe preceded by an Organ Recital by DrDavid Hill at 5.45 p.m. Those attendingthe service are asked to confirm theirattendance to [email protected] or bytelephone 01223 338718.

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For an informal conversation please contact the Archdeacon of Sudbury, the Venerable DrDavid Jenkins, via [email protected] or 01473 298504.

Closing date: 19 February | Interviews: 8/9 March. To apply visit www.cofesuffolk.org.

Are you:· passionate about mission and service in urban contexts?· experienced in growing the church and developing discipleship?· committed to working collaboratively?If so, this post may be for you.We are looking for a priest to minister in this vibrant parish andMission Partnership, and to leadthe church in its vision to be and proclaim good news to an area of many needs.

For more information, visit www.sheffield.anglican.org/clergy-vacancies and download anapplication pack. Informal enquiries should be directed to the Archdeacon of Sheffield &Rotherham, VenMalcolm Chamberlain on 01709 309110.Closing date: 5pm on 29th February 2016. | Interview date:Monday, 7thMarch 2016.Appointment will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.

VicarThe Diocese of Sheffield in partnership with the Patrons, the Sheffield Church Burgesses Trust,wish to appoint a Vicar of St Cuthbert’s Fir Vale.

[email protected]

Church TimesTel: 020 7776 1010

www.churcht imes .co.uk

CONTACT USFOR A QUOTE

020 7776 [email protected]

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www.chelmsford.anglican.orgThe Diocese of Chelmsford is currentlylooking to fill the following post

Barking EpiscopalArea

Associate Priest (House for Duty)Stanford Rivers and GreenstedWe wish to appoint a Associate Priest (House for Duty), to look after two parishes in the newOngar Unit. The parishes are St Margaret’s Stanford Rivers and St Andrew’s Greensted-juxta-Ongar.These two churches are in beautiful countryside near the thriving town of Ongar withexcellent local schools and other facilities.

You will be working with the Revd. Noelle Taylor, Vicar of Chipping Ongar and convener ofthe Ongar Unit along with other clergy and lay colleagues to deliver mission and pastoral careacross the Unit.You will be specifically looking after the two parishes of Stanford Rivers andGreensted. Pastoral reorganisation is being planned which involves the two parishes detachingfrom their present arrangement and coming into the Ongar Unit in some way. You will belicensed in the interim to the Revd.NoelleTaylor and to the parish of St Martin Chipping Ongarand St Peter Shelley.

The churches have been working closely together in the vacancy and are looking now for aspiritual leader who can bring skills in community outreach and worship development. Eachchurch has it’s challenges but also there are great opportunities, especially at Stanford Riverswhere new young families coming to the church have created a great opportunity for furthergrowth. At Greensted, with the oldest wooden church in the world, there are opportunities toengage with national and international pilgrims and others from the locality.These parishes havea history of being very supportive of their parish priest.

Closing date: 24th February 2016 Interview: 5th March 2016Profile and letter awvailable from : www.chelmsford.anglican.org/vacanciesFor applications and details contact: Jenny Day, Secretary to the Archdeacon of [email protected] or telephone: 01279 734524

Our aspiration is to be a transforming presence in every community,open and welcoming to everyone, and serving all people.

Follow us onYouTube www.youtube.com/user/chelmsforddioceseandTwitter twitter.com/chelmsdio & twitter.com/CottrellStephen

www.chelmsford.anglican.org

The Diocese of Chelmsford is currentlylooking to fill the following post


Barking EpiscopalArea

Priest in ChargeHatfield Heath and Sheering,Deanery of HarlowWe are looking for a full time stipendiary priest to lead our parishes into further growth.

We are two rural commuter villages on the outskirts of Harlow and Bishop’s Stortford. There are twowell cared for churches which serve at the heart of the villages, aVC Church of England school as well as acommunity school.

We are part of a Covenanted group of six villages who work closely together sharing, where necessary,facilities and expertise.

We are looking for a leader who will:

• Help us to open our hearts to the Holy Spirit so that He will direct us• Have a listening and pastoral heart, recognise and develop our individual gifts, be committed to

collaboration and delegation, engage with our local communities• Help us to do better at nurturing the faith of our young people into and through their teens• Find a way to encourage more young families and the middle-aged to join us• Facilitate confirmation, marriage and baptism classes• Foster increased contact between baptism families, wedding couples and the congregations• Inspire exploration of our faith, e.g. use of Alpha/Beta/Pilgrim/similar nurture courses• Encourage group visits to Spring Harvest or similar, and days- or weekends-away together for

fellowship, study and fun• Collaborate with ordained and lay colleagues in the SixVillages and across the Deanery to strengthen,

deepen and develop the SixVillages Covenant.• Work with us to review progress annually

Closing date: 26th February 2016 Interview: 14th March 2016Profile Available from :www.chelmsford.anglican.org/vacancies

For applications and details contact: Jenny Day, Secretary to theArchdeacon of [email protected] or telephone: 01279 734524

Here’s the Church and here’s the steepleOur doors are open, lead our people!

The Bosworth Benefice in the Diocese of LeicesterWe are looking for a Priest in Charge who is prepared to lead us as we develop the Ministryin our Churches, extend our Mission to all parts of our rural community, help us to managea large legacy and lead us forward.

Proposals for a re-organisation of the present united Benefice are at an advanced stageand will ensure a manageable Benefice of four PCCs – one based around St Peters ChurchMarket Bosworth, one with the four village Churches of Cadeby, Congerstone, SuttonCheney, and Shackerstone, one with Carlton and one with Nailstone.

Based in Market Bosworth, these West Leicestershire Parishes are in the heart of thecountryside and have the scope to influence the whole community in numerous ways.

The Rectory is a substantial four bedroomed 1980s home in Market Bosworth, the largestof our villages, and is close to schools, shops, and local amenities. An award winning “Britainin Bloom” village, Market Bosworth was at the heart of the events which marked the reinterment of King Richard III in Leicester Cathedral in March 2015.

Our Parish Profile is available at www.marketbosworthbenefice.com

Come and join us, lead our people, Pray with us and for us.

Application forms and parish profile are available from:MrsWendy Dunnington, St Martins House, 7 Peacock Lane, Leicester LE1 5PZ

T: 0116 261 5309 • E: [email protected] • www.leicester.anglican.orgClosing date for applications: Fri, 11 March 2016 • Interviews: Wed, 6April 2016

This post is subject to DBS enhanced disclosure

Are you...· passionate about mission· experienced in pioneering fresh

expressions of church

· committed to developing vision amongstexisting congregations

· excited by new possibilities...?If so, this exciting new post may be for you.We are looking for a priest to pioneer newmission opportunities across this partnership area, and to discipleand grow the existing congregation at Thurcroft, working closely with church members and the newlyappointed Rector of Maltby.

For more information visit www.sheffield.anglican.org/clergy-vacancies and download anapplication pack.Informal enquiries should be directed to the Rector of Maltby, RevdMike Rajkovic (01709 814914) orto the Archdeacon of Sheffield & Rotherham.Closing date: 5pm on 19th February 2016. | Interviews will be held onWednesday, 9thMarch 2016.Appointment will be subject to an enhanced DBS check

for the Thurcroft &MaltbyMission Partnership

MissionDevelopment Vicar

The Diocese of Sheffield is called to grow a diverse network of Christlike,lively and sustainable Christian communities in every place, which areeffective in making disciples and in seeking to transform our society andGod’s world.

Rector of St Michael’s Rossington and Priest in Chargeof St Luke’s RossingtonThis is a new initiative and we are seeking a priest who will minister in these neighbouring parishes ofdifferent ecclesial traditions and theological persuasions.You will:· Have considerable skills and versatility, be able to identify gladly with different traditions and

diversity across the Church of England and be willing to model mutual flourishing (St Luke’s haspassed the resolution under the House of Bishops’ Declaration on the Ministry of Bishops and Priests)

· Be a wise and visionary leader, who can lead both parishes in fulfilling their vision and aspirations togrow closer in mission andministry

· Be able to preach the gospel in a lively and engaging way· Be able to develop the ministry of the laity so that all are using their gifts for the common good.

For details, role description and person specification, visit: www.sheffield.anglican.org/clergy-vacanciesFor an informal conversation about the post, contact the Bishop of Doncaster on 01302 846610.Completed applications should be sent to [email protected] date: 10 February 2016 | Shortlisting: 15 February 2016 | Interview date: 8 March 2016The post is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure.

The PCCs and the Bishop of Doncaster invite applications for the posts of:

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Bradwell EpiscopalAreaPriest in Charge,House for DutyWoodham Mortimer w Hazeleigh andWoodhamWalterThese picturesque villages are situated in the countryside betweenDanbury and Maldon with easy access to the coast, the City of Chelmsfordand to London, offering various local sporting, cultural and historicalactivities.

The two welcoming parishes would provide the opportunity to:• Support and lead the inclusive ministry of both congregations towards

all parts of our lively communities, including young families.• Preach and teach engagingly. Maintain lively and attractive worship,

including the occasional offices.• Build and support the ministry of individuals in outreach, and church and

worship leadership.• Be a welcome link between the church primary school (“Outstanding”

by Ofsted) and St Michael’s inWoodhamWalter• Live in a comfortable four-bedroomRectory with a well-maintained garden.

Woodham Mortimer church dates from 1080 while Woodham Walterchurch is believed to be the first purpose-built Church of England church inthe country. Both church buildings are in good repair, finances are sound andthe congregations promise an extremely warm welcome!

Closing date: 18 February 2016 Interview: 17 March 2016Details on: www.chelmsford.anglican.org/vacancies or from theArchdeaconof Chelmsford [email protected] 01245 258257


The Diocese of Sheffield is called to grow a diverse network of Christlike,lively and sustainable Christian communities in every place, which areeffective in making disciples and in seeking to transform our society andGod’s world.

Mission Priest TheMission Partnership of RotherhamMinster& St Paul’s Masbrough

We are seeking a priest who:· Has a proven track record and/or a keen interest

in pioneer ministry· Is passionate about their faith and sharing it in

the community· Is an effective communicator who is able to

develop and inspire others

· Has a clear vision for building the church indiscipleship,worship and prayer

· Would be comfortable with worship required forCivic services in a Minster setting

· Has an understanding of fresh expressions andmixed economy thinking in the Church of England

For a detailed job description and person specification, visit: www.sheffield.anglican.org/clergy-vacanciesFor an informal conversation about the post, contact The Revd Canon David Bliss on 01709 364341.Completed applications should be sent to [email protected] date: 10 February 2016 | Shortlisting: 17 February 2016 | Interview date: 2 March 2016The post is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure.

The PCCs and the Bishop of Doncaster Invite applications for the post of:

Black Combe BeneficeSt. Michael and All Angels Bootle; St. JohnThe Baptist Corney;

St. Mary’sWhitbeck; St Mary’sWhicham

The Bishop of Carlisle seeks to appoint aHouse for Duty Priest in Charge

to this stunningly beautiful Benefice between themountains and the sea in south west Cumbria.

The Benefice is part of the developing South Calder MissionCommunity, and the person appointed will join three (two full-timeand one house-for-duty) ordained colleagues in it. We are looking fora colleague with vision and energy, who will work collaboratively withus to develop mission opportunities.

Could you:• greet everyone, enjoy visiting, and talk to children and adults?• learn about the issues facing rural communities? (if you don’t

already know!)• motivate, enthuse, encourage and support the laity?• be secure enough to change yourself, and so lead change?• lead attractive worship – and help us to develop some new

styles of worship?

We are good at• offering a warm welcome to everyone;• active caring for everyone in the wider community;• our Family Service and Messy Church;• links between School and Church;• parties and church socials.

Full details (Application form, Benefice Profile, etc) are available fromthe Diocesan website:www.carlislediocese.org.uk/our-diocese/jobs.html or fromChurch House, Carlisle 01228 522573

Completed applications by email or post to the Archdeacon ofWest Cumberland.

Closing date: 13 Feb 2016Shortlisting: 14 Feb 2016Interviews: 7 & 8 March 2016

For an informal chat, contactthe Archdeacon: Richard Pratt • 01900 [email protected] orthe Rural Dean: Allen Banks • 01946 [email protected] or one ofthe Mission Community Clergy: Gill Hart01946 724724 • [email protected]


Bradwell Episcopal Area

Priest in Charge (House-for-duty), Purleigh

Purleigh is a lively village, ten miles east of Chelmsford.The 14th church and new parish room are in good repairwith new heating and sound systems. The congregationhas flourished under previous house-for-duty clergy.

The new priest will:• Be a leader, willing to engage in village life.• Develop pastoral care, lay-led worship and vocations.• Help take the Gospel to people in the village, finding

ways to engage better with young families.

Closing date: 18 February Interview: 15 March 2016

Details on: www.chelmsford.anglican.org/vacanciesor from the Archdeacon of Chelmsford:[email protected] 01245 258257

An exciting and creative opportunity to lead and workcollaboratively with our parishes as we embark on a

new stage of our journey.

We are seeking a priest who will provide inspirationaland motivational leadership and be excited and willingto develop ways to work in a new model of ministry

across the whole deanery.

For an informal conversation contact theVenerable Dr David Jenkins, Archdeacon of Sudbury

Tel: 01284 386942 email: [email protected]

PRIEST IN CHARGEStoke by Nayland, Polstead, Leavenheath,

Nayland & Wissington

Closing date: 22 February | Interviews: 16/17 MarchTo apply visit: www.cofesuffolk.org

YOU CANADVERTISE

HEREBY POST

3rd Floor, Invicta House,108-114 Golden Lane,London EC1Y 0TG

BY [email protected]

BY TELEPHONE020 7776 1010

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FOLLOWING ISSUE.


The Diocesan Bishop and the Patrons wish to appoint a

Team Rector designate of theproposed United Parish of Keighley,Incumbent of St Mark,Utley and

Priest-in-Charge of StAndrew, KeighleyThe Bishop and the Patrons seek an experienced priest to work withfour churches as they discover new ways to witness to Jesus Christ andserve the community in theWestYorkshire town of Keighley.

Some 70,000 people live in Keighley – a town full of opportunities andchallenges, including some areas of high deprivation. Keighley is workingto identify its future and members of the churches are passionately committedto play a full part in civic discussions. There is a healthy and livelyChristian presence in Keighley who are working together to expressGod’s love for all who live here. The recent appointment of a muchrespectedTown Chaplain has been widely welcomed.

Four parishes are committed to a proposed United Parish of Keighleywhich will facilitate further mission initiatives, sharing of resources andwill create a ‘Keighley menu’ embracing a variety of worship styles andtraditions including the contribution of a longstandingAnglican/Methodistcongregation.

The person appointed will be an evangelical with a track record ofleading evangelism and church growth. They will be appreciative ofdifferent Christian traditions in mission-led ecumenism and they will beopen to the riches of friendship and collaboration with Keighley’s largeMuslim communities.

The appointed person will become Team Rector and will join the TownChaplain, a curate and Methodist colleagues to form a new ministerialteam to pioneer a fresh missional engagement with the town.They willbe closely involved in appointing a secondTeamVicar who will focus onministry particularly in Keighley’s social housing estates.There is greatscope to shape this new pattern of ministry and mission.This is a kairosmoment for both Keighley and the local church – there is an opennessto the future allied to a prayerful passion amongst many in the congregations.

This is a substantial role. If you think you may have what it takes,please ask for an application pack and further details from:Mrs Carmel Dylak, P/A to the Bishop of [email protected]

01274 407471

Closing date:Noon Monday, 22nd February 2016Interviews on: 8th and 9th March 2016

An enhanced DBS check is required.

cornwall

Vicarst austellparish,

of

we are looking for a vicar who will be excited by theway that God has led us so far and feel called tohelp us achieve our vision for the future.

can you offer• leadership, biblical teaching and encouragement

to a large and diverse congregation?• a desire to identify and train new leaders?• the ability to foster team work within the staff and

congregation?

We can offer• a challenging, demanding but rewarding job in an

open evangelical church who are open to the giftsof the spirit

• the support of congregations who are passionateabout sharing the gospel in the community

• a church with a clear vision for growth• a home in the beautiful county of cornwall, close

to the stunning south coast

Please contact the archdeacon of cornwall,the Ven Bill stuart-white, for further details(01872 242374, [email protected]) orcontact Mrs lesley Fusher for an application pack(01872 360023, [email protected])

Parish Profile and statement of Needs maybe downloaded from trurodiocese.org.uk orholytrinitystaustell.org

closing date for applications: 11 Marchinterviews: 12th and 13th april.

This is a crown appointment and subject toEnhanced DBs disclosure.

loVinG GoD • loVinG onE anoThEr • loVinG ThE worlD

Committed

toGrowth

The Team Patronage Board for the St Faith’s Team Ministry islooking for a Team Rector in this large and busy Parish in thesuburbs of King’s Lynn, West Norfolk, offering a challengingrole heading a clergy team and working closely with theMethodist Minister in this long-established LEP.

We look forward to hearing from you if you have:• a deep-rooted prayerful spirituality• an ability to nurture the development of people’s gifts• good communication and administrative skills• the flexibility to accommodate varied styles of worship• energy, resilience and a sense of humour.

The post of Team Vicar is shortly to become vacant and thenew Team Rector will need to appoint a replacement.

There is a modern Rectory (4 bedrooms) near the church.

Closing date: 4 March Interviews: 29 March

Team Rector (full-time)of St Faith’s, Gaywood, King’s Lynn

www.dioceseofnorwich.org/jobs has full detailsor email [email protected] or telephone the Archdeacon of Lynn on 01362 688032

The Diocese of Norwich invites applicationsto join its work of mission in the following places:

with the task of developing a newTeamMinistry across a widerarea with a neighbouring priest. The person appointed will:

• develop collaborative relationships within the group• inspire regular and newworshippers• communicate well with children and adults• be pastoral, flexible and adaptable• build a good relationship with the church school.

There is a modern Rectory (4 bedrooms) in Mundford.

Closing date: 4 March Interviews: 30 & 31 March

Priest-in-Charge (full-time)the Benefice of Mundford, Cranwich & Ickburgh

As Team Vicar of this proposed Team Ministry, you will haveprimary pastoral responsibility for the parishes of WestonLongville, Great Witchingham, Alderford with Attlebridge,and Swannington. This group of rural parishes seek a priest to:

• provide a focal point of pastoral ministry• lead and develop ministry in the face of new challenges• continue flexible patterns of worship.

There is a modern Rectory (5 bedrooms) inWeston Longville.

Closing date: 25 April Interviews: 12 & 13 May

TeamVicar Designate (part-time)in the Reepham &WensumValley TeamMinistry

Are you the one to join a newly formed Team, working in twocoastal communities with enthusiastic laity and two lovelychurch buildings?

Our priorities in the next stage of our journey are:• prayer• mission & outreach

We seek a TeamVicar who:• loves God and people, enjoying life and ministry• has a life rooted in prayer and Scripture• will relish opportunities and challenges• will help us develop a vision for growth• is a team player with good pastoral skills• has a sense of humour and likes to be beside the sea.

There is a modern Rectory (4 bedrooms) in Snettisham.

Closing date: 4 March Interviews: 22 March

TeamVicar Designate (part-time)in the Heacham & SnettishamTeamMinistry

• communication• discipling

Benefices of St Mary, Salehurst andHolyTrinity,Hurst Green, East Sussex

(prospective pastoral re-organisation)

Rector DesignateYour opportunity and challenge in rural ministry

The Bishop of Chichester, as Patron of both parishes, seeks to appointa Rector to lead a new benefice which will bring together the twoparishes of Salehurst (village of Robertsbridge) and Hurst Green,situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and located midwaybetween Hastings andTunbridgeWells.Although rural and predominantlyagricultural in character, they are served by main line stations. Bothcongregations have increased in size, engaged in outreach into thecommunities, celebrated the confirmation of 20 candidates lastNovember and enjoy links with local primary, secondary andpreparatory schools. The two churches are working together withpopular joint services ahead of becoming one benefice.

The successful candidate, responding to God’s call, will have:

• Respect for traditional services and an openness to new formsof worship

• Good pastoral, communication & listening skills• A heart for the Gospel and practical experience of rural mission

& outreach• Proven leadership skills & an ability to inspire & encourage others• A conviction that the church should meet the needs of all ages

including young families and continue to develop links with localschools

• An ability to rekindle pastoral care on a regular & consistent basis• The will, as a visible presence, to place the Church at the heart of

both communities and build relationships with the people in bothparishes.

Full details available from:Dr Edward Bryant,ActingArchdeacon of Hastings

01424 853687 or [email protected] applications to be sent to the Bishop of Chichester at

The Palace, Canon Lane, Chichester PO19 1PY

Closing date: 26 February 2016Interview date:TBA

Enhanced DBS disclosure required

Ripon Episcopal AreaAssociate Rector of the Parishes of

Burnsall, Rylstone and LintonPart-time 0.5

As the churches of the Parishes of Burnsall, Rylstone and Lintondevelop and grow, we look to appoint an Associate Rector to workcollaboratively with the Rector across the parishes, and who will haveparticular responsibility for Burnsall parish.

We are praying for a person who is:• a prayerful and gifted minister, who works well in a team and is

willing to try new things;• committed to helping people grow in faith and reach out beyond

the church community;• skilled in relating to people of all ages including families and young

people;• able to work creatively with Church schools;• mindful of the importance of presence and pastoral care, and is

willing to commit themselves to the local communities.

We offer:• welcoming congregations of different worshipping styles;• churches well-rooted in and wanting to serve wonderful local

communities;• committed and skilled lay members;• the opportunity to help shape the vision for the coming years;• prayerful support, encouragement, and fellowship;• a delightful refurbished Rectory above the RiverWharfe; a

beautiful location in theYorkshire Dales National Park; excellentlocal schools; proximity to Skipton with good transport links tothe rest of the country.

Please contact: Judy Mason • 01535 [email protected]

for an application form and a copy of the Parish Profiles.

For an informal conversation, phone either theRector David Macha on 01756 752575 or

Ven Beverley Mason,Archdeacon of Richmond and Craven,on 01535 650532

Closing date for applications: 22 February 2016Interviews: 9 March 2016

ADVERTISE ON THEWEBContact Stephen Dutton for details

Tel: 020 7776 1011Email: [email protected]

WHERE TO WORSHIP£149 PER YEAR

To list your church in the Church Times.Please email [email protected]


VICARat St Mary theVirgin andAll Souls, Bulwell

Are you called to lead us in the next stage of our journey?Our mission is simply to share the love of God with everyone.We recognise that we have much more to do, to get to knowGod better, to be who God wants us to be and to do what God wantsus to do.

Our Church is a beautiful and historic Grade II listed church whichstands in a commanding position overlooking Bulwell. Our communityrecognizes St Mary’s as their church. Our congregation spans the fullage range with a mix of different socio-economic groups and ethnicbackgrounds. Our parish is one of England’s most deprived yet withpeople who can be incredibly generous.

We are looking for aVicar who is:• Comfortable with and supportive of all types of worship• A preacher who is able to make Christ’s gospel accessible and relevant• Able to engage and enjoy working with children, young

people, parents, teachers and our strong uniformedorganisations, growing our Church younger

• A strong, enthusiastic and resilient leader• Prayerful, and able to take care of their own spiritual needs• A good communicator with a sense of humour, friendly and welcoming• Able to inspire and encourage others to grow deeper in discipleship• Pastorally aware with a compassionate heart• Outward looking and able to encourage active outreach

Application pack from: Jo Padmore, PA to theArchdeaconsJubilee House,Westgate, Southwell, Notts NG25 0JH

[email protected] • 01636 817206

Closing date: 12 February 2016Informal meeting with Bishop PaulWilliams: 9 March 2016

Interviews: 16 March 2016

For informal discussion and further information, please ringSarah Clark,Archdeacon of Nottingham, on 07917 693285

or Email: [email protected]

Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham

We welcome applications from suitably qualifiedclergy from all sections of the community andwe strive to be an equal opportunity employer.Enhanced DBS clearance is required for this post.

PARISH OF SUMNER-REDCLIFFSDIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH – NEW ZEALAND

VICARAn exciting opportunity for evangelical ministry exists within this

sea-side parish.

For details of vacancy see http://anglicanlife.org.nz/Diocesan-Life/Vacancies/Parish-of-Sumner-Redcliffs-Vicar

Our parish profile is available atwww.sumred.org.nz

Applications close 29 February 2016

Please express any intention to apply to Bishop Victoria Matthewsif you are unable to complete your application before the deadline.

Location: Limehouse, East LondonResidential accommodation provided + Stipend

The RFSK is expanding and now needs anexperienced priest to assist in the deveellooppmmeenntt offits liturgical, spiritual and pastoral lliiffe. AAs a sseenniiormember, they will contribute to straategic pllanningfor the future of the Foundatioon.

The Chaplain will also spendd a third of their timeworking in partnership withh thee LLoonnddoonn CCeenntree ffoorrSpirituality, as part of the DDioceese of Londonn.

With substantial experiencee in CChristian Minnistrryand Christian spirituality, thee ideeal candidatee wwillbe a self-starter and strategicc thiinnker with eexceellentinterpersonal skills. There is an occcupationaalrequirement that the postholder bbe aan ordaaineddpriest within the Church of Englandd.

For further information please [email protected] oron 020 7932 1200.

Deadline for applications: 15 February 2016Interviews: 26 February 2016

CHAPLAIN OF THE ROYAL FOUNDATION

OF ST. KATHARINE (RFSK) AND LONDON

DIOCESAN SPIRITUALITY ADVISER

london.anglican.org

DIOCESE OF SOUTHWARK

VICARfor East Dulwich

St John the Evangelist

St John’s East Dulwich is a culturally diverse, liberal catholic church insouth east London with a parish population of c12,000, a welcomingcongregation and a commitment to outreach especially among themost vulnerable.

A newVicar for St John’s will find:

• A high level of lay participation in church life• A commitment to social justice• A strong worshipping tradition centred on the Eucharist• A beautiful church in fine order and substantial vicarage with

parking and good transport links• A good (OFSTED) church school shared with the neighbouring

parish

The adjoining Goose Green Centre provides facilities for church andcommunity.

St John’s incumbent will be a prayerful and pastoral leader, with adeep and loving relationship with God – open, compassionate, liberaland committed to the catholic witness of the Church. S/he will wishto work with lay and ordained colleagues to develop and realise theParish Mission Statement with enthusiasm and drive.

For the parish profile and an application pack, or to arrange aninformal conversation with the Archdeacon of Southwark, contact:

The Archdeacons’ PA,Woolwich Episcopal AreaTrinity House,4 Chapel Court,

Borough High Street,London.SE1 1HWTel: 020 7939 9413

Email: [email protected]

Closing Date: 12 noon Monday 15th February 2016Interviews: 15th March 2016

A satisfactory Enhanced Criminal Record plus Barred ListCheck disclosure is required for this post

Ripon CollegeCuddesdon

DIOCESE OF GLASGOWAND GALLOWAYRector for HolyTrinity Church Kilmarnock

We are looking for a full time Rector who will assist us in our vision forthe future of Holy Trinity Kilmarnock.

Our congregation is looking to continue current growth in our Christianwitness and commitment.

We are looking for someone who is:

A good teacher and communicator who can inspire different ages withinthe congregation; Is Spirit led with strong belief in the power of prayer;

Able to lead a variety of different forms of worship.

Profile and application form from:Ms DoreenTannockVestry Secretary

81 MunroAvenue Kilmarnock KA1 2NAEmail [email protected]

Closing date:Friday February 19th 2016Provisional date for interview: Monday 7th March 2016

Priest in Charge of St Bartholomew’s, Armley andUrban Officer (Leeds EpiscopalArea) 2 days/weekSt Bartholomew’s Church (ASA 44 adults) is a conspicuous landmark inthe city of Leeds with a long history of catholic worship and communityservice.The Bishop of Leeds wishes to appoint an inspirational leaderwho will work well with the PCC and relish the challenge of leadingthe congregation into a new phase of spiritual and numerical growth. Adeep commitment to community engagement is also implicit in this role.

Working flexibly, the person appointed will also devote the equivalentof two days a week as Urban Officer across Leeds.Alongside the UrbanParish Forum, the new post holder will support other urban parishes,engage with third sector organisations and advise the Bishop and hisstaff on matters relating to urban mission and ministry in Leeds

We are praying for:

• A person who will flourish and lead in both elements of this role• A prayerful priest who will model a vibrant, engaged catholic

spiritualty• A spiritual guide who will bring confidence and growth to St

Bartholomew’s• A strategic thinker who will help equip and resource the urban

parishes and people of Leeds for their mission and ministry

We offer:

• A welcoming and faithful congregation• A supportive Urban Parish Forum (chaired by the Archdeacon)• A magnificent Grade 2* Building with world famous Schulze organ• A range of mission challenges and opportunities across a major city• A very attractive modern 4 bedVicarage

Full details of the post together with an applicationform can be downloaded from the diocesan website

www.westyorkshiredales.anglican.orgFor an informal discussion please contact:TheVen Paul Hooper,

Archdeacon of Leeds on 0113 269 0594or email [email protected]

Deadline for applications: noon Friday 4th MarchInterviews:Thursday 14thApril

Priest-in-Charge(Part-time: 4 days per week: 2/3 Stipend)

of StThomas, Southborough,West KentSouthborough lies between the commuter towns of Tunbridge Wellsand Tonbridge. St Thomas’ church (Victorian with modern re-order-ing and facilities) offers liturgical, Eucharist-centred CWWorship (wellordered, welcoming to all, lively, at times contemplative) and a monthlynon-Eucharistic family service; house groups; good facilities; ER: 104,USA: 65 adults & 7 children; good organ, robed choir and strongmusical tradition; active lay participation including Reader, PastoralAssistant and pastoral visitors; p/t administrator; links into the localcommunity; a good sense of fun; possibilities for growing mission andministry in the area, including working more closely with the nearbySouthborough Team; superb new eco-vicarage; good schools and roadand rail communications nearby.

We are seeking a prayerful and pastoral Priest-in-Charge (part-time: 2/3Stipend, 4 days per week) who:

• has enthusiasm for life and Christian ministry and mission• enjoys good, ordered, but relaxed, liturgical worship• offers thoughtful and challenging preaching with an open approach• has imagination to help us develop church growth• desires to work closely with neighbouring churches• will help us engage with the local community

For further information, the Parish Profile and an application form,please contact:Venerable Clive Mansell,

Archdeacon ofTonbridgeEmail: [email protected]

Tel: 01892 520660

Closing date for applications: 3rd March 2016 at 12 noonInterview date: 15thApril 2016 (Visits on 14thApril)

Enhanced DBS Disclosure required.

The Bishop ofTruro seeks an outstanding Priest to pioneera new style of ‘oversight ministry’. An instinctively and intenselycollaborative Priest is needed for this cluster of parishes around thetown of Saltash (the gateway to Cornwall). The four parishes and fivechurches are set in town and rural situations. If you seek a challenge;serving alongside and leading lay and ordained colleagues, enablingchurches to worship God and serve their communities in a variety of

ways, this could be for you.

For further details:www.trurodiocese.org.uk/about-us/vacancies/clergy-vacancies/

Closing date: noon 16 March 2016Interviews: 19 & 20April 2016


The parishes of Saltash,St Stephen-by-Saltash, Landrakewith St Erney, and Botus Fleming


Priest in Charge/Team Rector DesignateWhite HorseTeam,Wiltshire

Westbury is a growing town of 15,000 inWestWiltshire. If you want towork with a team that believes in its future & place in modern society,please read on...

Who are we? We want to learn & develop our relationship withChrist, retaining the best of the old whilst exploring how we will attractnew people.

We have a positive open attitude towards change. Our traditionalcongregations are growing. Our café church has built a following of over60 new worshippers and we plan to extend this. We have a youth club,Sunday School and three Church primary schools.

We are actively engaged in the local community with Crosspoint our adviceservice and foodbank, & we play an integral part in local leadership.

Who do we need? A strong collaborative & strategic leader who canenable & develop lay ministry.

You are invited to lead, love & encourage our well-supported ministryteam of clergy & lay people, working together with our elderly, families& young people

Would you like to be part of a vibrant & growing church communitythat reaches out & is concerned about social justice?We would like tohear from you...

More details of life in this Team can be found athttp://www.achurchnearyou.com/westbury-all-saints/

or from the Rural Dean Revd. Pauline Reid on 01985 841290

For the information pack and the application form contact theArchdeacon of Sarum,

Tel:01722 438662 • Email:[email protected]

Closing date for applications: 29th FebruaryShortlisting: 3rd March • Interviews: 14/15th March

Calne and Blackland (in the MardenValeTeam)

Associate Priest - House for Duty(Sundays + 2 week days or equivalent)

What links the last canonised Archbishop of Canterbury, the discoveryof photosynthesis,Wiltshire bacon and Europe’s largest free motorcyclemeet?

If you are interested to find out then you may be the person we arelooking for! Calne is a town of over 19,000 people nestling near theNorthWiltshire Downs.

It has a fascinating history but an equally exciting future and lots tooffer. We are a parish with 3 churches looking for a new link in our chainof ministry.We also offer a modern 4 bedroom detached house and awarm welcome!

We seek:• a teacher who brings a clear interest and a capacity to nurture

people in faith and discipleship• an experienced priest willing to work alongside the present Team

Rector and clergy/lay teams across the parish and benefice inministry and mission

• someone happy to celebrate our important heritage whilst helpingus meet the changing needs of a growing town and district

• a prayerful pastor who is flexible in approach and has a goodsense of humour

For an informal conversation you are welcome and encouraged to tele-phone theTeam Rector:Rev’d Bob Kenway • 01249 812340

More details of life in this Team can be found atwww.parishofcalne&blackland.org.uk

TheTeam profile, information pack and the application form contactTheArchdeacon of Sarum • 01722 [email protected]

Closing date for applications: 9th March 2016Shortlisting: 17th March 2016Interviews: 7+8thApril 2016

Come and serve in our beautiful Cornish coastal and countryparishes, alongside lay and ordained colleagues.

We would be delighted to welcome a flexible, outward-looking,team-member who would like to join the life and mission of our

parishes.

Further details available electronically at:www.trurodiocese.org.uk/about-us/vacancies/clergy-vacancies/

Closing date for applications: noon 19th February 2016Interviews to be held: 9th & 10th March 2016


ASSOCIATE PRIEST(HOUSE FOR DUTY)

The Parishes of Lanteglos by Fowey,Lansallos,Talland, Pelynt and Lanreath

Archdeaconry of Hertford – Deanery of Bishop’s Stortford

Associate Minister (House for Duty - half time)Great St Mary’s Parish Church, Sawbridgeworth

Population – c10,000 • Electoral Roll - 134

• Beautiful historic church at heart of town and community• Worship (choral) in central, moderate catholic tradition• Purpose-built, three-bedroomed detached house with study and

garage, near church• Good road and rail links to London and Cambridge

This is an attractive post for an experienced priest who wishes to devotethemselves part-time (Sunday plus two weekdays) to pastoral and liturgicalwork, free from the tasks and responsibilities of running a parish.

The appointment is offered for a term of three years, reviewable andsubsequently renewable on an annual basis. There is no stipend, butexpenses will be reimbursed.

Potential candidates are invited to obtain further detailsfrom theVicar:The Revd FrancesArnold,

01279 722073 • [email protected]

Closing date: 12 noon, Friday 12 February 2016Interviews to be arranged

Enhanced DBS Disclosure is required

The Parishes of Brewood and BishopsWood

VICARThe parishes of Brewood and BishopsWood form a united benefice –each with a separate church serving two mainly commuter villages onthe South Staffordshire/ Shropshire border.

Both villages are attractive places to live, reasonably affluent andsurrounded by several working farms.

We are praying for someone who:• Would enjoy the challenge of leading enthusiastic people, to

develop new opportunities for the sake of the Gospel• Has good communication skills and is happy to be visible in the

community• Has energy and spiritual resources for the task.

To help answer our prayers we can offer you:• A strong ministry team with active lay involvement• Financial stability and all expenses met in full• Regular time off, supported and honoured.• A location which is rural yet has easy access to the M6 and M54

motorways.Is this you?

For the Parish Profile and application form please go towww.lichfield.anglican.org/ourdiocese/job-vacancies/

Enquiries toTheVenerable Simon Baker:[email protected]

Closing Date:Monday 22nd February 2016Familiarisation Day:Monday 7th March 2016

Interviews: Monday 14th March 2016

Closing date: 9th March 2016Interviews: 14thApril 2016

DBS Enhanced Disclosure is required

RECTORThe RayValley Benefice

We are a beautiful rural benefice in Oxfordshire, surrounded by theunspoilt countryside of Otmoor, close to the Cotswolds and thehistoric city of Oxford.You will be assured of a warm welcome fromour eight congregations, each offering their own unique character andrich spiritual life.

We offer you:• Eight historic churches all in good repair,most of them recently

adapted with new facilities to meet the challenge of the 21st century• A spacious modern rectory with a large enclosed garden• Good transport links to Oxford and London• High-quality local and state schools• The support of an administrator, a committed Ministry team and

engaged Parochial Church Councils

We are looking for a collaborative leader who understands both theopportunities and challenges of country life. If you can inspire,motivateand empower others to use their God-given gifts and talents,we wouldwelcome your application.

Application Form and Parish Profile available at:www.oxford.anglican.org.

Applications to be returned to:TheArchdeacon of Dorchester,Arran House, Sandy Lane,Yarnton OX5 1PB

Telephone: 01865 208218Email: [email protected]

Find your missingpuzzle pieces in ourClassifiified SectionRECRUITMENT ADVERTISING£14.95 s.c.c.including: Teaching Vacancies, Clerical,

Appointments, Situations Vacant,Organists & Layworkers, Youth Work

All other categories £13.95


PLEASE MENTIONCHURCH TIMES WHEN

REPLYINGTO ADVERTISERS


TeamVicar, Parish of PoplarStepney Episcopal Area,Tower Hamlets Deanery

This is an exciting opportunity for someone looking to work in a teamsetting in a diverse and changing part of East London.

The successful candidate will be based mainly at St Nicholas Church onthe Aberfeldy estate but will also have parish wide responsibilities andsometimes minister at All Saints, the other church in the parish.

The newTeamVicar will have a deep love of God and of people and bepassionate about reaching out into the local community. The churchtradition is open, inclusive and eucharistic.The parish is pioneering somedynamic work with children and young people. The congregations atSt Nicholas are welcoming and optimistic.

The role of Team Vicar requires a collaborative approach, a vision forgrowth, a love of community, a passion for justice, a well-formed prayerlife and a sense of humour.

For further details please contact:The Bishop of Stepney’s Office63 Coborn Road, London E3 2DB

Tel: 0207 932 1140Email:[email protected]

Closing date for applications: 12 noon 19 February 2016Interviews will be held on 9 March 2016

The Diocese of London welcomes applications from all. However, we areaware that those from ethnic minority groups are currently under-representedamong our clergy and so we particularly encourage applications from these

groups. Appointment will of course be based on merit alone.

This post is subject to enhanced DBS disclosure

Lincoln Cathedral is the seat of the Bishop of Lincoln,a sacred space, an iconic building and the CathedralChurch of an historic diocese.

The panel seeks a Dean who will lead the Cathedral indiscerning the next stages of its long ministry and inleading the change that will emerge from this; a Deanwho will encourage those who serve and worship toexplore their part in living and proclaiming the gospelafresh in this generation for the people of Lincoln andGreater Lincolnshire.

Further information about the post is available fromhttp://asa.churchofengland.org

The closing date for applications is 9am on 1 March 2016

Dean of Lincoln

TeamVicarin the IngleboroughTeamMinistrywith special responsibility for the

Parish of Ingleton and Chapel-le-Dale

The Ingleborough Team is at an exciting time in their development andgrowth, and are looking for a team vicar who, whilst having particularcare for Ingleton and Chapel-le-Dale, will help us listen to God’s visionfor all our five communities:

We are praying for a person who ...• is prayerfully committed to mission and experienced in growing church• is skilled in relating to families and young people and enjoys the

diversity of parish ministry in both town and farming communities;• has a deep love of scripture and can relate it to modern life• can lead worship of traditional and innovative styles• is a collaborative leader, able to contribute positively to a recently

established team of both ordained and lay colleagues.

We offer:• prayerful and committed congregations and colleagues;• an opportunity to be at the heart of the communities of Ingleton

and Chapel-le-Dale, both rich in their industrial and farming story• openings to develop and share your gifting across a team of churches.• a vicarage in Ingleton, at the foot of Ingleborough and in the

midst of a lovely rugged limestone landscape

For an informal conversation phone theTeam Rector,Rev’dAnne Russell • 015242 61609 or the Ven. Bev Mason,

Archdeacon of Richmond & Craven • 01535 650555For an application pack please contact Judy [email protected]

Closing date is: 26th February 2016Interviews on: 14th March 2016

Half-timeAssociate PriestBaildon ParishTeam (3 days plus Sunday)

If you do then please ask Mrs Judy Mason for an Information pack andapplication form: [email protected]

For an informal chat about the post please call theTeam Rector:Reverend Sandra Benham • 01274 589005

Application forms must be received by midday 7 March 2016Interviews will be held on 18 March 2016.

An enhanced DBS is required.

Are you the person to join this vibrant parish here inbeautiful Yorkshire?

Do you want to make new disciples in this area?

Do you have the gifts we’re looking for to grow the ministrywith the increasing number of young families in the area?

Do you have the ability to provide inspirational, creativenew styles of worship?

Do you want to work in a team covering three worshipcentres each with great lay support?

Do you want to live in a beautiful town with good localfacilities in the Aire Valley close to Rombalds Moor?

A stimulating and attractive appointment exists on thebeautiful Sussex coast at St.Michael andAll Angels

in the Bexhill-on –SeaTeam Ministry.

We are praying for our newTeamVicar to be someone:

• Who sparks and reignites a passion for Christ and communicat-ing the Gospel

• Who has a good sense of humour• Who will enjoy working with us and sharing our journey of faith

in the future• Who will be instrumental in drawing us together in new ways• Who will assist us in developing strategies to engage children,

youth and families.

We can offer:

• Our talents, resources, skills, prayers and support• Our love and enthusiasm• Our optimism and ability• Our comfortable refurbished vicarage with sea views

If this interests you, take the next step and have a look at our detailedParish Profile. You can also see our website www.stmichaelsbexhill.org

For the Parish Profile and an application form, please contact theTeam Rector – Fr David Reynish, c/o St. Peter’s Parish Office,Church Street,OldTown,Bexhill-on-Sea,East SussexTN40 2HE


Applications by: 14th February 2016Interviews: TBA

RECTORStaffordshire Border Group of Churches

5 beautiful parishes in rural Staffordshire are looking for a rector tofurther develop Christian ministry in our recently formed beneficewith support from our House for Duty Minister, Lay Reader and astrong lay team.

Our vision:• To provide a way for everyone in our benefice to know the love

of God through Jesus Christ;• To be faithful Christians, confident and joyful.

To help us undertake this challenge,we are looking for someonewho:• Is a prayerful priest who can encourage us on our faith journey;• Is a motivating leader who will inspire us to explore new

opportunities;• Is a good organiser who will delegate;• Has a love and understanding of rural life and ministry;• Will enjoy working with our two local C. of E. primary schools.

Is this you?For further information and a profile, please see:

www.lichfield.anglican.org/ourdiocese/job-vacancies

Closing date:Sun 14th February 2016Familiarisation & Interview date:Fri 4th March 2016

INCUMBENTSt James with Emmanuel New Brighton,Wirral

The seaside town of New Brighton has recently undergone an excitingregeneration and the Parish wishes to reflect this positive development.We are seeking to appoint a new Incumbent who will continue to helpus foster opportunities for growth and cohesiveness.

The priorities for our Parish:• Encourage growth in numbers among all ages.• Encourage development of talents among the congregation.• Foster good communication• Implement change whilst appreciating local tradition.

Full details and application form are available on the Diocese ofChester web site:www.chester.anglican.org

For all enquiries please contact the Bishop of Birkenhead’s office:[email protected] • 0151 652 2741

Closing date:Friday 26th February 2016Interview date:19th March 2016

RECTORHolyTrinity Stirlingwww.holytrinitystirling.org

We are located in the beautiful city of Stirling, at the heart of Scotland,within easy reach of Glasgow,Edinburgh and Perth.Read our CongregationalProfile to see all that this vibrant place has to offer to support a goodquality of life.We are seeking someone who will be able to inspire andchallenge us for the next stage in our journey of mission.

Closing date for applications: 11 March 2016Provisional dates for interviews: 19/20April 2016

Further information, including the Congregational Profileand application form, can be obtained from:Mrs Rachel Campbell,Vestry Secretary

12 Northend,Cambusbarron, Stirling, FK7 9LJ01786 451103 • [email protected]

The appointment will be subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure Scotland.

Registered Scottish Charity SCO 016471

THE SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCHThe Diocese of StAndrews,Dunkeld and Dunblane

The Bishop of Gloucester,The Rt Revd Rachel Treweek seeks a priestwith a pastoral heart and a passion for ministry and mission to lead andgrow these two churches serving a population of some 8000 people.

St Peter’s has a strong liberal catholic tradition of worship and asupportive congregation. The Church in Warden Hill has a warm andopen heart of service to its community delighting in its ecumenicalpartnership. Together they are looking for an enthusiastic priest to helpthem engage more fully with the wider community. St Peters is keen toform stronger links with its church primary school.

The Team benefits from good working relationships among the clergyand growing friendship between the congregations and is looking, underits newTeam Rector, to grow a shared vision for mission and ministry tobe more effective in its evangelism and outreach.

There is an excellent and newly purpose built modern Rectory adjacentto St Peter’s.

The parish profile, application associated documents can bedownloaded at http://www.gloucester.anglican.org/about/jobs/

Closing date for applications: 24 February 2016, 9amInterviews Tuesday, 15 March 2016

For an informal conversation about this post please contactTheTeam Rector,The Revd Nick Davies on (01242) 321268

orTheArchdeacon of Cheltenham,TheVen Robert Springett,Tel (01452) 835581, Email: [email protected]

to whom applications should be returned.

DIOCESE OF GLOUCESTER

SOUTH CHELTENHAM CHURCHESTeamVicar with responsibility for

St Peter Leckhampton andThe Church inWarden Hill (Anglican URC LEP)


The Mission Community, with a population of 3,100, comprises thenine rural parishes of Calverleigh, Cruwys Morchard, Loxbeare,Oakford, Rackenford, Stoodleigh, Templeton,Washfield and Withleigh,covering some 40 square miles of hilly wood and farmland nearTiverton, within easy reach of the cities of Exeter andTaunton, the M5and Tiverton Parkway station.Together we seek to grow our witness,worship and service to others whilst nurturing the individuality of ourparishes.

We offer:• Our welcome, support and prayers• Support of a PtO priest and Reader, and lay leaders• A part-time administrator.

We are seeking a Rector who:• Is prayerful and a gifted preacher of God’sWord• Has a love and understanding of rural life and ministry• Is a caring pastor, able to communicate and relate well to all ages• Is a team leader keen to work collaboratively and to train

others in ministry and service• Will enjoy working with our local CE primary school

For an application pack contact:TheArchdeacon of Exeter,Emmanuel House, Station Road, Ide, Exeter EX2 9RS

Tel: 01392 425577Email: [email protected]

Closing date: 17th February 2016Interviews: 10th and 11th March 2016

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure.

TEAM RECTORforThe ExeValley

Mission CommunityMid Devon

THECOSTA BLANCAANGLICANCHAPLAINCY(BetweenAlicante andValencia, Spain)Where the sun tries to shine every day

This wonderful Chaplaincy is seekingTWOPartTime,House For Duty Priests

We are looking for two recently retired, enthusiastic priests to help uscontinue to build on the great work that is happening in our Chaplaincy.

Applicants should be ready for some hard work, building all of ourcongregations and ministering among English Speaking people acrossthis huge parish.We currently use 7 churches, each of which has theEucharist every Sunday, and there is plenty of scope for growth.

Appointing two clergy to replace the part time HFD priest who isretiring, is a sign of our commitment to growth and outreach.

The package includes attractive accommodation, or housing expenses,including domestic bills, a car and proper working expenses, plus anhonorarium of 6520 Euros.

For more information, an informal chat or an Application form contactFr Marcus Ronchetti •Tel: 0034 965 874 166

Email:[email protected]

Check out our lovely website www.costablanca-anglicanchaplaincy

Closing date: 16th February 2016Short Listing the following week

Tour of the Chaplaincy and interviews between10th - 18th March 2016 (We can be a little flexible)

There is a commitment to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerableadults. Safeguarding Policies (vetting and screening) will apply to this post.

The Raddesley GroupHalf-Time Priest-in-Charge

The Parishes of Brinkley, Burrough Green, Carlton, Dullingham,Stetchworth andWestleyWaterless seek an enthusiastic priest to servein their beautiful rural setting. An attractive, modern, four-bedroomvicarage is provided in the village of Dullingham.

The new priest should be:• a prayerful and sensitive pastor, keen to be visible and to relate to

people of all ages and backgrounds;• a team player able to enthuse, motivate and support others;• welcoming of children and young families;• familiar with the character of rural ministry;• comfortable with both traditional and newer terms of churchmanship.

Please write or email for an application form, parish profile and detailsof the interview date to:TheArchdeacon of Cambridge,

The Diocesan Office, Barton Road, Ely CB7 [email protected]

http://www.ely.anglican.org/news_events/vacancies.html

Closing date for applications:Friday 1April 2016Interview date: Friday 29April 2016

An enhanced DBS disclosure is required for this position.

We pray to be generous and visible people of Jesus Christ.

We seek a prayerful priest with a deep love of Christ and a calling torural ministry, a pastor who will:

• encourage and nurture us all to grow in faith, prayer and discipleship• lead a team of six Readers and other lay leaders, discerning and

developing gifts• be involved in all four parish communities, at ease with both

young and old• help us to build on our links with the community primary schools,

serve our neighbours, and make new disciples

The benefice (population c. 3,300) comprises the coastal parishes ofStoke Fleming and Strete, and the country parishes of Blackawton andEastAllington, in the beautiful South Hams of Devon. The communitieshave a vibrant and busy life.

There is an excellent, enlarged and refurbished modern Rectory in anattractive position in Stoke Fleming.

For details, including the profile and an application form, see:www.exeter.anglican.org/vacancies

For a conversation about the post, contact theVen.Douglas Dettmer


Closing date: 14th March 2016Interviews: 13th & 14thApril 2016

The appointment is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure.

PRIEST-IN-CHARGE(RECTOR-DESIGNATE)COAST & COUNTRY BENEFICE

South Hams of Devon

RECTOR (Designate)forAlbury, Little Hadham and Much Hadhamin the proposed Ash & QuinValleys Group MinistryA diverse group of parishes with 6 churches and one priest

colleague west of Bishop’s Stortford in the beautifuleast Hertfordshire countryside.

A Rector is sought who will

• encourage and develop the potential of people in church andcommunity

• be an imaginative and positive leader• carefully nurture the ministry of word and sacrament• work collaboratively with ordained and lay colleagues• lead the churches in spiritual and numerical growth• help the churches to engage with the diocesan vision,‘Living

God’s Love’ (www.livinggodslove.org)

Potential candidates are invited to contactTheVenerableTrevor Jones,Archdeacon of Hertford,Glebe House,St Mary’s Lane,Hertingfordbury,Hertfordshire SG14 2LE

from whom further details can be obtained.Tel: 01727 818159 • Email: [email protected]

Closing date: 12 noon 26 February 2016Interview dates: 12/13April 2016

Appointment to this position is subject to satisfactory enhanceddisclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

For full details of this vacancy including the parish profile please visitthe diocesan website:www.stalbans.anglican.org/diocese/vacancies

Com

mitt

edto

Gro

wth

This substantial and strategically significant parish lieseast of the city centre of Norwich. There is an attractiveand well-maintained parish church set in a delightfulriverside location, and a daughter church with a fine andwell-used modern hall.

The liturgical tradition is modern catholic; pastoralpractice is open and inclusive; community engagement,especially with schools, is strong. Occasional officesremain a major means of pastoral connection. We intendto appoint a priest able to be a training incumbent andwho will be a confident leader with a desire to developfurther the outreach of a supportive congregation. Fourbedroomed, attractive (and extended) modern rectory.

RectorThorpe St Andrew, Norwich

Closing date: 22 February Interviews: 7 March

www.dioceseofnorwich.org/jobs has full details [email protected] ~ 01603 620007

CHAPLAINHuron University College atWestern Universityinvites applications for the position of Chaplain

The Collegiate Chapel of St. John the Evangelist at Huron UniversityCollege is open to all Huron andWestern students, faculty, and staff toparticipate in the worship, education, and social opportunities it offers.As a Sunday parish of the Anglican Diocese of Huron, it also attractspeople from across London and area.

Reporting to the Principal, Huron University College, the Chaplainfunctions as priest and pastor for students and staff of Huron UniversityCollege.The Chaplain is expected to exercise pastoral duties on bothcampuses within a multi-faith environment, respecting and supportingthe practices and traditions of all the major faiths. The Chaplain hasoverall responsibility for the Huron University College Chapel, exceptfor those services and liturgies that fall traditionally to the Dean ofTheology, such as weekday offices and the Wednesday Eucharist. Onthese occasions, the Chaplain will provide support and assistance to theDean of Theology or designate.

The Chaplain will be licensed as Incumbent of the Collegiate Chapel bythe Bishop of Huron and will be responsible canonically to the Bishopin this role. S/he will also serve as the Anglican Chaplain for WesternUniversity.

To view the full job posting, including, qualification and applicationinstructions, please visit our website at:www.huronuc.on.ca/AboutHuron/FacultyandStaffworkingHuronConsideration of applications will begin March 7, 2016.

Applications from all qualified individuals are invited; however, Canadiancitizens and permanent residents will be given hiring priority. We thankall applicants for their interest, only those selected to proceed in thecompetition will be contacted.

Huron University College values its placein an interconnected world and desiresto reflect this value, acknowledging ourresponsibility to strive towards a diverseand equitable employment and educationalenvironment that recognizes the inherentworth and dignity of every person. Shouldyou require accommodation in making anapplication please contact our office.

Scottish Episcopal Church

DIOCESE OFABERDEENAND ORKNEY

RECTORSt John’s Church, CrownTerraceAberdeen

A position exists for a Rector to serve the congregation of St John’sEpiscopal Church, Aberdeen.

The Diocese views this position as a key appointment and the successfulapplicant must have zest and a passion for Christ and his church andbe ready to develop the growth of the congregation both numericallyand in depth of faith and contribute actively to the life of the diocese.

Standard stipend and provincially agreed expenses of office are payable.Ability to drive with a full and valid driving licence is essential.

Interviews are set for 18th & 19th Marchwith applications due for return by Monday 7th March

Further details and diocesan application form [email protected]

VICARfor the Parish of East Grinstead, St Swithun

with St Luke’s and St Barnabas’Liberal CatholicTradition

The Bishop of Chichester seeks to appoint aVicar to this parish.

We offer:• Supportive and welcoming congregation, 470 members on the

electoral role.• Enthusiastic, hardworking leadership team.• St Swithun’s has a large town centre church, hall and parish office.• Close ties with the wider community in East Grinstead.• A large 4 bedroom detached vicarage with own walled garden.• Excellent transport links and schools.

We are praying for a Priest who is:• A confident, energetic leader. Willing to work collaboratively.• Experienced at growing churches and enthusing others.• Has an inclusive approach to the pastoral needs of all ages.

Application Form and Parish Profile available from:TheVen FionaWindsor,TheArchdeacon of Horsham,

20 Langley Lane, Ifield, Crawley RH11 0NAEmail: [email protected]

Closing date: 12.00 noon, Friday 26 February


Vicar for StAndrew’s Church,Burgess HillOpen EvangelicalTradition

The Bishop of Chichester seeks to appoint aVicar to this parish.

Burgess Hill is a town of approx.29,000 people,10 miles north of Brighton.

We offer:• Supportive and welcoming congregation of 250 members on the

electoral roll. 160+ adults attend the two Sunday services.• Enthusiastic, hardworking leadership team.• Newly built and refurbished Church building complex.• Close links with community schools.

We are praying for a Priest who:• Is an excellent preacher and teacher.• Has the ability to encourage people in their spiritual lives and

develop and enable lay leadership.• Has an inclusive approach to the pastoral needs of all age groups

within the church family.• Has a heart for outreach and mission in our growing community.• Can oversee worship that is traditional, informal and innovative.

Application Form and Parish Profile available from:TheVen FionaWindsor,TheArchdeacon of Horsham,

20 Langley Lane, Ifield, Crawley RH11 0NAEmail: [email protected]

Closing date: 12.00 noon, Friday 26 February 2016

We seek a priest and leader who will guide us into the future andwho will:l Work with us to develop and realise our mission priorities;l Inspire and nurture us in our worship and spiritual life;l Be a visible presence and work with us to reach out to the

wider community.

The rectory is an attractive, modern detached four-bedroom house.

To discuss the role, contact the Archdeacon of the Meon, the Ven GavinCollins on 01329-608895 or [email protected]

Details: www.portsmouth.anglican.org/clergy_vacancies

Closing date: 12noon, 3 March 2016Interviews: 16 & 17 March 2016

Vicar, St John’s, Shedfield, &Rector, St Nicholas, Wickham

MAGDALEN COLLEGEOXFORD

DEAN OF DIVINITYThe College proposes to elect a Dean of Divinity who will be a fixed-term Official Fellow at Magdalen College and a member of the GoverningBody. The Dean of Divinity must be either an Anglican priest or a priestof a church in full communion with the Church of England, and must havecompleted at least one curacy. This is a Career Development post with afixed term of seven years and is not renewable. It is intended to preparethe postholder for later responsibilities in Church of England parishes ordioceses, or similar.

The Dean of Divinity acts as a pastoral adviser to the whole Collegecommunity of staff, students and academics and is responsible for allservices in the College Chapel. Applicants should have an Honoursdegree, wide pastoral experience and excellent interpersonal skills.

The stipend will be on the Grade 06S scale of the University of Oxford,currently £27,328-£32,600. In addition the Dean of Divinity will receivean entertainment allowance of £2,365 per annum, appropriate Collegeaccommodation free of rent (or a discretionary housing allowance,at present £14,000 per annum), and will be entitled to take CommonCollege Lunch and Dinner free of charge.

Further Particulars and details can be found atwww.magd.ox.ac.uk/job-vacancies

Applications and references must be submitted by email [email protected] by the closing date of UK time

9.00 am, Monday 22 February 2016.Incomplete and late applications will not be accepted.

Magdalen College is an Equal Opportunity Employer

SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCHThe Diocese of Glasgow and Galloway

RECTORSt Paul and St John the Evangelist Monklands

Our congregation covers the North Lanarkshire towns of Coatbridgeand Airdrie, with the surrounding villages. Our post industrial communityis centrally situated near to the M8 route between Glasgow andEdinburgh with excellent rail links to both cities.

We are seeking to appoint a full time Rector initially for a 5 year periodwho is excited by the challenge of building the church community bytheir spiritual and missional leadership.

We offer a new (2010) four bedroom Rectory ideally situated in thecongregational boundary.

The Episcopalian community has existed in the Monklands area sincethe 1840s.The area has faced many major challenges in this time.Thecongregations have successfully adapted and developed. We are nowlooking for the right person to lead us forward over the coming yearsof change. If God is leading you towards such a challenge, we would bedelighted to hear from you.

This appointment is subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure Scotland.

Closing date for applications: 11th March 2016Interview date to be advised

For an application form and congregational profile, and/or an informaldiscussion please contact theVestry Secretary:Mr Geoff Sage,2 Greystones, Easter Moffat, Plains,Airdrie ML6 8NPTel: 01236843219 • Email: [email protected]

Registered Scottish Charity SCO 06732

Team Rector of the West Bolton Team

The West Bolton Team comprises five churches in a single parish(population 31,000) covering a multicultural urban area to the west ofBolton town centre. The Team Rector will have responsibility for thecongregation at St Luke, Halliwell, as well as leading the Team in thenext stages of its development.The role has some distinctive and exciting features: A strong commitment to serving the local community through StLuke’s Charity shop, work with Iranian asylum seekers and otherlinks across the team.

Strong ministry team, ordained and lay. Two Church schools in the Team and good links with twocommunity schools.

The tradition varies across the Team, and so sympathy with therange is required, but a committed evangelical and gifted Bibleteacher is sought in line with the style and tradition of St Luke’s.

Experience of ministry at incumbent level is essential, together withclear leadership skills, sensitivity to diversity in the congregations anda compassionate servant heart. This is a very exciting and potentiallyrewarding post in an area with significant deprivation but realopportunityFor further information contact the Archdeacon ofBolton:Email: [email protected]: 0161 761 6117Closing date: 15 February 2016Manchester DBF is a company limited by guarantee registered in England (No. 149999) and a registered charity (No. 249424)

RectorUnited Churches of Graffoe

For further information and a profile, please seewww.lincoln.anglican.org/vacancies

Closing date: Thursday, 7th April 2016 at 12 noonInterview date: Wednesday, 27th April 2016

Lincolnshire – the undiscovered county

You may have heard that we are flat and boring...NOT TRUE!

We are well-rounded and lively. We have:• heath, cliff, beautiful countryside, breathtaking

skies, a fantastic city, towns and easy access tomainline stations

• plenty of challenges – but with good support.

Come and join us and our families.A warm welcome is assured.



Bradwell EpiscopalArea

Priest in ChargeBradwell-on-Sea,Dengie wAsheldham,St Lawrence andTillinghamUnique location, unique opportunity in this new multi-parish Beneficewithin the Maldon and Dengie Deanery

Vision Statement:‘Building on the cornerstone of Christ’.

• Are you the Priest to help us realise our vision for outreachinto our communities and encourage the growth of ourcongregations, particularly among younger generations andnewcomers?

• Can you enable enrichment of scripture, prayer, art and musicin our worship?

We are interesting parishes comprising a variety of communities witha Vicarage in Tillingham and two C of E primary schools within ourbenefice.

Our parishes are situated on the east coast in delightful countrysideon the mouth of the Blackwater, about 20 miles east of Chelmsfordand 45 miles north east of London. The benefice has five places ofworship and the use of the Chapel of St Peter ad Murum AD654,home of an annual Diocesan festival. Tillingham has had a close linkwith St Paul’s Cathedral since AD604.

Closing date: 9 March Interview: 8 April

Details on www.chelmsford.anglican.org/vacanciesor from the Archdeacon of ChelmsfordEmail: [email protected]: 01245 258257

RECTORofWoughton Ecumenical Parish

This is a challenging post in an interesting parish, with economicallydisadvantaged areas and beautiful green spaces.We’ve been throughsome difficult times, but we’re looking to the future.Are you the

person that God is calling to come and journey with us?

We are looking for someone who will focus on:Prayer and Spirituality

RelationshipsCommunity Engagement

Are you the next Rector ofWoughton?

Woughton.orgAnApplication Form and the Parish Profile can be obtained from

The Bishop of Buckingham’s Office, Sheridan,Grimms Hill,Great Missenden, Bucks,HP16 9BG • 01494 862173

or from [email protected] www.oxford.anglican.org/vacancies

Closing date for applications:12 February 2016

Interviews: 9 March 2016

DBS enhanced disclosure is required

Chaplain and Programme Developer(Part-Time),Woking, Surrey

We are seeking a Chaplain and Programme Developer to work22.5 hours flexibly per week to join our small friendly teamof staff. St Columba’s House is a modern, small retreat andconference centre in pleasant wooded grounds.

The Chaplain will offer pastoral support to guests and staff.She/he will plan and co-ordinate and sometimes lead arange of retreats and events. The Chaplain will also help toattract new religious bookings to St Columba’s and hold ourrelationship with existing religious clients. The successfulapplicant will be in Anglican orders and will bring creativity andstrong team working skills together with pastoral sensitivityand a wide ranging interest in spirituality.

Closingdate:Tuesday23rdFebruary2016Interviews:Tuesday15thMarch2016

For further informationor foran informal chatwith theChiefExecutivepleasee-mail:

[email protected] 01483750739

StColumba’sHouse,MayburyHill,Woking,Surrey,GU228AB

www.stcolumbashouse.org.uk

StColumba’sHouse ispartof StPeter’sHomeandSisterhood(registeredcharity inEnglandandWales240675)


A part time vacancy exists for a

Secondary School Chaplainat Samworth ChurchAcademy,Mansfield (0.5)

We are looking for a visionary and pioneering individual (lay or ordained)who relates well to both young people and adults and who can creativelysupport and develop the Christian ethos of this secondary academy.

You will:

• have a breadth of experience of working with young people• be able to engage and inspire students and support their spiritual

development• have a deep and sustainable faith• have vision and energy• be flexible and resilient• be a strong team player

Remuneration package £15,685-£16,890 depending on relevantexperience plus 10% as employer’s contribution into stakeholderpension arrangement.

Closing date for applications 12 noon on 22nd February 2016Interviews to take place on 1st March 2016

For an informal discussion please contact:Claire Meese,Diocesan Director of Education, on01636 817235 • [email protected]

For an application pack please contact: Jo Padmore on01636 817206 or email [email protected] download from the diocesan website http://southwell.anglican.

org/mission-ministry/job-vacancies/schools-vacancies/

Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham

This post is subject to a satisfactoryDBS criminal record check and there is a gen-uine occupational requirement for the holder

of this post to be a Christian.

Closing date: 7 February 2016Interviews: 22 February 2016


HOUSE FOR DUTY - PRIEST IN CHARGEWALTHAM ST. LAWRENCE,BERKSHIRE

(Sundays plus equivalent of 2 days per weekwith possibility of generous honorarium for extra days)

We wish to appoint a spiritual leader with a heart for pastoralcare and families who will be part of the parish community.

This small parish has a good church congregation and growing activitieswith families. Our worship covers the whole spectrum from BCPCommunion, Choral Evensong, CW Parish Communion with ‘SundayClub’ for children, All Age Service, Home Groups, 3G (babies andtoddlers) and Messy Church.We have a strong musical tradition withchoirs for all ages.

The church is financially sound. Finance, fabric maintenance, rotas andadministration are run by the laity. The parsonage is a detached fourbedroom property.

Consultation is underway for the small adjacent parish of Shottesbrooketo join withWaltham St Lawrence.

Application form, Parish Profile and Mission Action Planavailable at:www.oxford.anglican.org

Applications to be returned to: TheArchdeacon of Berkshire,Foxglove House, Love Lane,Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JG


The Benefice ofWest Monkton withKingston St Mary,Broomfield andCheddon FitzpaineFrom the edge ofTauntonto the Quantock Hills

We seek a Rector with a pioneer mission focus on building the Kingdomof God in new housing estates. A church primary school that willbecome a centre of worship and community is being built on one of theestates. The Rector will also oversee the ministry and mission in thevillages where there are two other church schools.

We seek a person of prayer and vision who will receive enthusiasticsupport from a team of clergy and lay leaders.

Recently built five-bedroom Rectory inWest Monkton parish.

Applications to be received by: 11th March 2016.Interviews: 14th & 15thApril 2016.

For more details and an application pack, please contact:TheVenerable John Reed,Archdeacon ofTaunton

2 Monkton HeightsWest Monkton,TauntonTA2 8LU

Tel: 01823 413315 • Email: [email protected]

ASSOCIATE PRIEST(HOUSE FOR DUTY)

NORTHWEST HAMPSHIREBENEFICE

Ashmansworth + Crux Easton + EastWoodhay + Highclere +Woolton Hill...making Christ known in our communities

Come and serve in our beautiful parishes…We are in a designated area of outstanding natural beautywith the busy market town of Newbury nearby. Here, in

the centre of the south of England, excellent road and rail linksoffer easy access to other parts of the country, including London,

Bristol, the Midlands and the south coast.

We look forward to welcoming a flexible, outward-looking priestto join our spirited ministry team and our vibrant communities.

Please download our profile and application pack atwww.winchester.anglican.org or email

[email protected]

Closing date: 10 March 2016 at 12 noonInterviews: 12 & 13April 2016

An enhanced DBS check is required

St John the Evangelist, ChurtUnited Benefice of Churt and Hindhead

RESIDENT MINISTERTo take responsibility for St John’s and to work

alongside theVicar of the Benefice.This is an exciting half time post.

We are praying for a leader who is…• Passionate about God and His Church• Open to the Holy Spirit• A team player• Enthusiastic about lay involvement• Keen to explore creative ways of doing church• Able to continue our work with children and families• Prepared to be involved with our church school• Good at ministering to all ages• Willing to get involved in local life• Sensitive to the needs of a village church

exciting role - growing church - beautiful villagewebsite: stjohnchurt.org.uk

Further details from the Archdeacon of Surrey’s PA,Mrs Frances-Anne Cross, on

01483 790352 • [email protected] at Diocesan House,Quarry Street, Guildford GU1 3XG

Applications to be submitted by 10th February 2016Interviews to be held on 1st March 2016

The post is subject to enhanced DBS disclosure

requires a

CHAPLAINfor August 2016

The person appointed will be ordained in the Church of Englandand will lead the spiritual and pastoral life of the School. The

successful candidate will have a teaching responsibility, ideally inthe Religious Studies Department, and will also be willing to take afull part in the life of this busy and vibrant boarding community.

Further details may be obtained from:The Acting Head’s Secretary,

Repton School, Repton, Derbyshire DE65 6FHTelephone: 01283 559220

email: [email protected] download an application pack, which includes full information

and a job description, please visitwww.repton.org.uk/employment-opportunities

The closing date for applications is Thursday 11th February.Repton School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must bewilling to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers

and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

REPTON SCHOOL(HMC 13-18 Co-EducationalBoarding and Day)

All Saints’, Faringdon withSt Mary’s, Little Coxwell

‘Town & country’We are a growing market town (population 8,000 and forecast to growby 40%) and a nearby rural village in south-west Oxfordshire whose twochurches share an ancient and friendly union.

We are of open evangelical tradition with a variety of service andworship styles looking for a vicar who will bring energy and enthusiasmto church and community:

• helping us grow in our faith and love for others• providing clear leadership, enabling and encouraging everyone to

use the gifts God has given• teaching and inspiring us in our walk with God• leading us in developing and implementing a strategic vision for

further growth in the benefice and in outreach to our local communities

Many lay members are actively involved in all areas in the life of ourchurches, including two LLMs, several active retired clergy and a paidpart-time administrator. There is well established ecumenical cooperation.

With excellent schools, good employment opportunities and residentialoptions for the elderly this is a popular area for families.

We offer a warm welcome, a breadth of church traditions, prayerful andpractical support and the opportunity to work with church families keento develop and grow.

Benefice Profile available at:http://www.allsaintsfaringdon.org.uk/?page_id=5235

Application form and further details fromMrsAnn Brown • [email protected]

Closing date: 24 February 2016Visit & Interviews: 17-18 March 2016

Appointment subject to enhanced DBS Disclosure

Simeon’sTrustees Diocese of Oxford

TeamVicarKidderminsterWestTeam MinistryThis is an exciting opportunity to join the team at the beginning ofa new chapter in the history of this diverse parish. There are fourworship centres and varying worship styles. We are committed tooutreach, working to fulfil our mission of ‘Sharing God’s love withour community’.

We are looking for a newTeamVicar:• with vision and a passion for mission;• who is a team player able to work in a creative partnership with

the Rector and lay people;• who can inspire us in worship and faith;• who will encourage and enable both lay and ordained people

within the team;• who is a prayerful person able to help us to grow on our

spiritual journey;• who can relate well to people of all ages.

Parish Profile on www.cofe-worcester.org.uk/vacanciesApplication forms and details from:

The Bishop’s Office,The Old Palace,Deansway,WorcesterWR1 2JE


Closing date: 26th February 2016Interviews will be held on 5thApril 2016

Subject to enhanced DBS disclosure

CHURCH TIMES

CLASS I F I ED ADVERT I S INGDEADL INES

Space booking deadline: 10.00amMonday for the following FridayCopy to be received no later than:

12noon on the following TuesdayContact the advertising team

for further details on:Tel: 020 7776 1010



Diocese of Glasgow and Galloway

FULL-TIME RECTORFor the Scottish Episcopal Churches of Greyfriars,Kirkcudbrightand St Mary’s Gatehouse of Fleet in Dumfries and Galloway

These two picturesque towns are seven miles apart in an area ofoutstanding natural beauty in SouthWest Scotland.

We are looking for a Rector who will lead us in our mission to thewhole community. We are committed to the traditions of worship andmusic of the Scottish Episcopal Church. Personal transport is essential.

We offer an excellent four-bedroom modern detached house inKirkcudbright and a full stipend and travel expenses. We are livelyand vibrant congregations fully involved in our local communities.

For profile and application pack, please visithttp://www.greyfriarsstmarys.org.uk

should you wish to discuss the vacancy contact:MikeAshmore of St Mary’s Episcopal Church

Email:[email protected] •Telephone:01557 814 884or Grant Oliver of Greyfriars Episcopal Church

Email: [email protected] or •Telephone:01557 428 174

The town websites are http://www.kirkcudbright.town.co.ukand http://www.gatehouse-of-fleet.co.uk

Closing date for applications: 22ndApril 2016

http://glasgow.anglican.org/

Vicarof St Peter and St Paul, RishtonRishton is a close-knit and friendly community on the edge of Blackburnwithin easy reach of good schools, great countryside and the motorwaynetwork. A faithful, Eucharistic congregation seeks a hardworking andprayerful priest who can lead us as we develop our common life in linewith the Diocesan Strategy as outlined inVision 2026.

We seek a priest who:

• Emphasises growth in holiness, service and numbers and seeks todraw out the gifts of all

• Enjoys working in schools, understands the ethos of a Churchschool and relishes ministry to the young

• Will delight in being a pastor to the whole of this diverse community

The appointment will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.

For an informal conversation about the post please telephoneRevd Colin Penfold,Area Dean ofWhalley on 01254 884039

For more information and an application pack please contactLouise Hunter, Secretary to the Bishop of Burnley on01254 503087 or via email [email protected]

If you wish to find out more about ministry in the NW of Englandplease take a look at the website http://www.cofenw.org.uk

Closing date:Monday 15th February middayInterviews:Friday 11th March

We don’t think so!But it is a challenge, helping us to be the Church in a beautifulpart of rural Devon.You will need to be enthusiastic, outgoingand supportive. Know when to lead, when to step back orwhen to simply encourage us. Our priority is to bring God’slove to all our villages.Are you the priest we are praying for?

Vacancy for a Rectorin the Netherexe ParishesAn established Mission Community near Exeter.

For more information about our Mission Communityvisit www.netherexe.org

For an application pack contact:TheArchdeacon of Exeter,

Emmanuel House, Station Road, Ide, Exeter EX2 9RSTel: 01392 425577


Closing date: 24th February 2016Interviews: 15th and 16th March 2016

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure

MissionImpossible?Assistant Chaplain and Teacher of RS

(Part-time or Full-Time) • from September 2016A co-educational HMC boarding and day school for 11-18 years

We are seeking to appoint a caring and inspirational AnglicanPriest to act as Assistant to our Chaplain in leading the spiritual lifeof this outstanding boarding school. The post holder will also berequired to respondto thepastoral andspiritual needsof those in thecommunity from other faiths, and none. The successful candidatewill also be a member of the RS and Philosophy Department andteach approximately a 0.5 timetable. It is hoped theymight also playa part in the College’s co-curricular programme.

The vast majority of our teaching staff live on site in Collegeprovided accommodation.

Closing date: 10 February 2016

Application form and further details available fromMaster’s PA Denise MatthewsT 01992 706482 • F 01992 467603

[email protected] Hertford SG13 7NU

haileybury.com

Haileybury is committed to safeguarding and promoting thewelfare of children and young people and expects all staff to sharethis commitment. Applicants for the above post must be willing toundergo child protection screening, including reference checkswith previous employers and a criminal record check via the

Disclosure & Barring Service. B7775 HB

ASSOCIATE PRIEST(House for Duty)

We seek an enthusiastic, caring priest for a small group of ruralparishes in Newport Pagnell Deanery who will have pastoral responsibilityfor the villages of Stoke Goldington and Gayhurst

We can offer:• Prayerful, active and supporting congregations• Opportunities in mission, and flexibility in using your gifts• Beautiful churches, villages and countryside• Modern four-bedroom house, ministerial expenses plus a £2,000

contribution to utility bills and garden maintenance• Six weeks holiday plus two weekends per year

We will welcome a priest who will:• Feel that God is calling him/her to this post• Continue with biblical preaching and teaching• Nurture Lay participation in the life of the church• Take two to three Sunday services within the Group’s parishes• Be available for a further two days a week or equivalent• Enjoy village life and join in village activities

To arrange an informal visit, please contact:The Revd Canon Christa Pumfrey on 01234 240013

Application form and Parish Profile fromTheArchdeacon of Buckingham’s Office:

[email protected] or www.oxford.anglican.org

Closing date: 19th February 2016Interviews: 10th March 2016


The Bishop of St Albans with the PeacheTrustees seeks to appoint a

VICARfor Hoddesdon In the New River Group MinistryThe Church is intent on leading people to Christ, to be a visible Christianpresence building a loving Christian community to serve a world in need.The town is a vibrant community in east Hertfordshire with good accessto London and the countryside.

AVicar is sought who will• teach and inspire the development of Christian lives• lead imaginative and inclusive worship• be a sensitive and understanding reconciler• work collaboratively and enthusiastically with colleagues• lead the church in spiritual and numerical growth• help the church to engage with the diocesan vision,‘Living God’s

Love’ (www.livinggodslove.org)

Potential candidates are invited to contactTheVenerableTrevor Jones,Archdeacon of Hertford,

Glebe House, St Mary’s Lane,Hertingfordbury,Hertfordshire SG14 2LE

from whom further details can be obtained.01727 818159 • [email protected]

Closing date: 12 noon 15 February 2016Interview dates 2/3 March 2016

Appointment to this position is subject to satisfactory enhanced disclosurevia the Disclosure and Barring Service.

For full details of this vacancy including the parish profile please visit thediocesan website:www.stalbans.anglican.org/diocese/vacancies

Committed

toGrowth

‘Let all guests who arrive be received like Christ’(Rule of St Benedict)

Six rural churches, 10 miles north-east of Norwich inthe Broads National Park, actively and ably supportedby two Readers, retired priests and a willing laity. TheRector is also the Prior of St Benet’s Abbey (ruined), withthe Bishop of Norwich as Abbot.

We seek an enthusiastic, spiritual and prayerful Rectorwho will:

• Bring out the best in our parishes’ traditions anddevelop their ministry to all

• Encourage the young in the development of their faith• Be pastorally involved in the lives of the varied andvibrant communities

• Work collaboratively with the active lay support

There is a modern Rectory with 3 reception rooms and4 bedrooms in Horning.

Rectorof the Benefice of St Benedict

Closing date: 25 February Interviews: 15 March

www.dioceseofnorwich.org/jobs has full details [email protected] ~ 01508 491014

We invite applications for the post of

Vicar Knaphill with Brookwood –Woking, SurreyWe are discovering what it looks like to be a worshipping communitylooking outwards, as we seek change and spiritual growth in our churchand everyday lives.

We are seeking a vicar who:• Is visionary and who will lead us forward together under God’s

guidance• Who is open to the Holy Spirit and regards the gifts of the Spirit

as relevant and important• Has a heart for leading change in a church resulting in spiritual

growth and a greater engagement with the local community• Has a passion for the church in the community and who will

equip members to serve outwardly and inwardly.

We offer:• A loving family church with a heart for change and mission• A gifted PCC that is responsive to good, collaborative leadership• Acts 2: 42-47 a vision for our church.

For further details contact Kathy Burch, CPAS [email protected] • 0300 123 0780 ext 4388

Closing date: 9 March • Interviews: 11AprilFamiliarisation: 8 or 9April

This post is subject to an enhanced disclosure from the DBS

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Vicar of Nassington,Apethorpe,Thornhaugh&Wansford,Woodnewton andYarwell

(TheWatersmete Benefice)An able and energetic priest, who would be supported by an active, andkeen to develop, ministry team and a strong group of churchwardens,is sought to lead mission and ministry in these delightful North EastNorthamptonshire parishes, set within the collaborative Deanery ofOundle and in easy reach of facilities in Peterborough and Stamford andof the A1 and East Coast Main Line. We are looking for:

• An inspiring leader of outreach to help our churches grow innumbers and in depth of faith

• A gifted communicator and teacher with a passion to see liveschanged through encounter with the living God

• A person of vision and prayer who can relate well to people ofall ages and backgrounds, both within the church and in the widercommunity

• Someone able to give a strong lead to our capable ministry teamand to nurture, encourage and equip others in ministry

• A good administrator and effective delegator, suited to thejuggling act of multi-parish ministry

• A loving priest keen to engage fully in village life

Enhanced DBS Disclosure required.View the Benefice Profile via www.peterborough-diocese.org.uk/jobs

Applications by Friday 26 FebruaryInterviews:Thursday 14April

Application form from:TheArchdeacon of Oakham • 01733 887017

[email protected]

Priest-in-Chargeof Lamberhurst and Matfield (West Kent)

These two villages (pop 2,700), set in the delightful countryside (butwith good nearby road and rail communications), are served by 2Church Primary Schools and 2 churches (Sunday attendance c.85adults & 9 children, ER 157). Mainly Eucharistic CW Worship, robedchoirs, Junior Church, “Tinies” Church, Summer Holiday Clubs, an SSMAssociate Priest, Lay Ministers and a ParishAdministrator. Stronger linksbeing developed with neighbouring parishes. (NB:The old Vicarage is inthe process of being replaced.) Church people are involved in the livelyvillage community life.Their vision is “to give glory to God, to proclaimthe Gospel and to serve all with compassion and understanding.”

We seek a Christ-centred and prayerful Priest-in-Charge, who will:

• encourage and deepen faith, offering Bible-centred teaching• have a heart for practical mission & promote pastoral care• engage well with schools, young people and families• wisely lead and guide the parish through appropriate changes• support the churches’ musical talents• be visibly part of community life

For further information, the Parish Profile and an application form,please contact:Venerable Clive Mansell,

Archdeacon ofTonbridgeEmail: [email protected]

Tel: 01892 520660

Closing date for applications: 18 February 2016 at 12 noonInterview date: 10 March 2016 (Visits on 9 March)

Enhanced DBS Disclosure required.

TEAMVICARSavernakeTeam MinistryWiltshire

The parishes of All Saints, Burbage, and St. Nicolas, Chute, within theSavernakeTeam:

• lively, welcoming churches• in lively welcoming villages,• want to welcome a lively TeamVicar

to lead us in spreading the Good News of Jesus.

We are looking for an evangelical priest with a passion for rural lifewho, while having responsibility for these parishes, will value the mutualsupport of clergy and laity alike in order to further God’s purposes forthe SavernakeTeam.

More details of life in this Team, can be found at:www.savernaketeam.org.uk

You are encouraged to telephone the Rural Dean:Canon Gerald Osborne •Tel: 01672 563459

or theTeam Rector:Rev’d Michael McHugh •Tel: 01672 870779

for an informal conversation.

For the information pack and the application form contact theArchdeacon of Sarum •Tel: 01722 438662


Closing date for applications: 29th February 2016Short listing: 7th March 2016

Interviews: 15/16th March 2016

PART TIME PRIESTLocation: Ipswich, Suffolk

• Are you prayerful and enthusiastic?• Do you share our commitments to evangelism and the devel-

oping of lay leadership?• Will you be able to work across a breadth of ages and evan-

gelical styles of worship?

St Andrew’s & St John’s seeks to appoint a PART TIME PRIEST,(House for Duty or SSM, 18 hrs/week inc. Sunday service) to workalongside the Priest-in-Charge and ministry team, who will:

• Preach&PresideatmixofSundayServices (1 Sundayoffpermonth)

• Be involved in pastoral work, including the nurture of newChristians

DBS Enhanced Disclosure requiredApplication forms: [email protected]

Informal discussion with Priest-in-Charge encouraged,contact: 01473 270 978

Proclaiming Christ

Growing disciples

Two vacancies near Ross-on-Wye:

Rector of the Ariconium GroupRector of the Llangrove Group

These are two established, fully-functioning, rural multi-parish benefices in a lovely and accessible part of thecountry. Their churches are central to community life,and the congregations have a gospel to proclaim.But the benefices are not clones; each has its distinctivehistory and character. Check out theirdetails on the website, and ring / emailfor more information..

www.hereford.anglican.org; click throughchurchwork—vacancies

Closing date: Weds 16 March 2016

Appointments

Programme & Change Manager12 month Contract / Interim

The Diocese of Guildford is going through an exciting period of changewith a developing strategy, Common Purpose, supported by an increasingfocus on longer term planning and prioritisation. We are looking foran experienced Project Manager to join the team, working strategical-ly alongside our Diocesan Secretary and other senior staff, helping todeliver a number of key project work-streams at this time of transition.These include: a review of Parish Share ensuring the outcomes alignwith the developing Common Purpose strategy; a move to a portfolioapproach for management of our Diocesan property assets; and thesearch and move to new co-located office premises for our Diocesanteams.

The person

You will• have significant experience, credibility and track record in successfully

programme and project managing complex property and financialproject/change initiatives (or similar).

• have upto date appropriate project management accreditation(ie Prince 2 or equivalent)

• have strong leadership skills with significant experience workingboth as a team leader and team player.

• be able to demonstrate strong stakeholder management andcommunication skills and experience

• be fully supportive of the aims and ethos of the Diocese ofGuildford and of the wider Church of England

The package

• Full time – 35 hours per week• 12 month contract (extendable)• Salary circa £35,000• Generous non-contributory pension scheme

Application process

Application should be by application form with supporting CV.For further details contact [email protected] call Gerardine Brown,HR Manager, on 01483 790302

Closing date:Wednesday 17th February 2016 at midday.Interviews:Tuesday 1st March 2016.Short listed applicants will be given further details.

Serving Young PeopleBuilding for the Future

Diocesan Director of EducationWith 127 schools and academies serving 20,000 childrenacross our rural heartland, our coast and our large post-industrial cities, the Diocese of York has provided anexcellent education for generations of children. Its secret isadapting to changes in education without changing itsvalues. This is an exciting time to join the Diocese anddevelop the strategic leadership of our newly expandedEducation Team. We are looking for a dynamic individualwith a personal commitment to and understanding of theChurch of England’s mission to:

• Be a passionate and well informed advocate for thechurch’s engagement in education at the core of thewider mission of the Diocese

• Embrace the challenges of the changing educationallandscape to lead the strategic and creative developmentof our family of church schools and academy trusts

• Provide appropriate advice, challenge and support toensure that all of our schools and academies maintainthe highest standards of achievement for all pupils

If you would like to discuss this post informally pleasecontact The Bishop of Whitby on 01642 593 273 [email protected]

Application packs are available from:www.dioceseofyork.org.uk/dde

The closing date for applications is 9 March 2016Interviews for successful candidates will be held on8 April 2016.

Applications from job-share partnerships will be considered

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

The Diocese is striving to be an equal opportunities employer.

Stained GlassWindow at RistonCE VC Primary School

w w w. c h u r c h t i m e s . c o . u k

j o b s . c h u r c h t i m e s . c o . u k


Generous Giving and FundingAdviserDo you have an understanding of and passion for mission in today’schurch and a desire to walk alongside local churches with all theirbreadth and diversity? Could you enable a cultural shift in giving andfunding which has a theology of generosity at its heart?

The Diocese of Oxford seeks to appoint a Generous Giving and FundingAdviser who will:

• work withArchdeaconryArea teams to enable and integrate generousChristian giving intoArchdeaconry and Deanery Mission Plans

• gather and develop accessible resources which enable andenthuse a culture of generous giving and effectively support localparish funding initiatives

• offer professional advice to Bishops and other senior leadersto enable the development of an effective vision and strategy topromote generous Christian giving across the diocese

As a member of the Department of Mission, you would work within the‘Living Faith’ Vision of the Diocese of Oxford, which is committed toenabling the mission and ministry of the whole people of God within its623 parishes across Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.

The appointed person will have some experience of working imaginativelyand effectively with churches or in the voluntary sector on enthusingpeople about giving and raising levels of support in a range of contexts.

The person appointed will be a baptised Christian, lay or ordained, whois a communicant member in good standing with the Anglican Churchor a church that is a member of the Churches Together in Britain andIreland.

Salary scale: £34,079.00- £39,873.00 per annum, no housing offered.

To learn more about the role and how to apply, please visit ourdiocesan website:www.oxford.anglican.org/vacancies

Closing date for receipt of applications isFriday 19 February 2016Interviews will take place onTuesday 8 March 2016

We are committed to the promotionof equal opportunities for all.

Contact:AdvertisingTeam •T: 020 7776 1010 • E: [email protected] •W: jobs.churchtimes.co.uk

PLEASE MENTION CHURCH TIMESWHEN REPLYING TO ADVERTISERS

@churchtimes


Scottish Episcopal ChurchDIOCESE OF EDINBURGH

BISHOP’S ENABLER OF MISSIONA new full time post, helping the Bishop and Mission & MinistryCommittee to further develop, implement and communicate themission strategy of the diocese. The post is open to clergy or lay,with excellent communication skills and an experience ofworkingin church leadership. This significant new role in the diocese is foran initial 3-year term, and you would be welcomed as a valuablemember of our diocesan team. Stipend-level salary paid.Deadline: 29 February Interviews w/c 14 MarchDetails from - Simon Filsell, Diocesan [email protected] 0131 538 7033www.edinburgh.anglican.org

Children & Families MinisterDo you have a deep and infectious faith? Are you a warm and inspiringteacher, able to develop relevant, new ideas? Have you a heart fortransforming communities? Then this job could be for you.

A unique opportunity has arisen to grow the ministry among childrenand families in the vibrant town of Stratford-upon-Avon, and the nearbyrural settings of Clifford Chambers and Luddington.

This ministry will build upon, and grow the existing work among childrenand their families.

We want to see lives changed through God’s love – come and join uson our adventure.

Full job description available at www.stratford-upon-avon.org

To apply, send a CV and a covering letter by email to thePCC Secretary • [email protected] by post to The Revd PatrickTaylor,TheVicarage,

7 OldTown, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6BG, who may becontacted for an informal conversation on 01789 508155

Closing date: 4th March 2016, 12noonInterviews: 15th March 2016

There is an occupational requirement that the personappointed is a practising Christian.

DBS enhanced disclosure is required.

Organists & Layworkers

The Parish of Bostona place of hospitality

Applications are invited for the FULL-TIME post of

DIRECTOR OF MUSICDo you have a passion for the possible to generate

musical excellence and effect communityintegration? If so, please apply

Details and job description are available fromWilliam on [email protected] or

telephone 01205 316130

CV and covering letter should be sent to theReverend Alyson Buxton on

[email protected]

Salary £24,000 to £28,000 depending on experienceOccasional Offices will be paid at RSCM rates

Closing date February 18thInterviews 15th/16th of March (please confirm

availability on application)Start date August 2016

An enhanced DBS check will be required


BASS SONGMANThere is a vacancy in the choir of YorkMinster for a Bass Songman.This is an opportunity for a fine singer to join the choir, andincludes remuneration of £12,556 per annum, plus fees.

The starting date will be agreed with the successful candidate.

Please email [email protected] an information and application pack.

The closing date is Friday 19th February at 5pm andauditions/interviews will take place on Friday 18th March 2016.

MUSIC DIRECTOR/WORSHIP LEADER

All Saints’ Church, Ealing Common, LondonW5We seek an enthusiastic and versatile music leader who will maintainand enhance our traditional Eucharistic worship; train and developour small robed choir; introduce the choir and congregation to newstyles of music; introduce a children’s singing group; encourage otherinstrumentalists; train a worship band.

Duties will include:playing on Sundays and major festivals and at occasionalweddings and funerals (with a goodAllen digital organ and a keyboard).

As a key member of the church leadership team, the Music Leader willneed to be a committed Christian,keen to work under the overall directionof theVicar and working in cooperation with other lay leaders.

Good remuneration offered, in line with RSCM recommendations.Enhanced DBS disclosure will be required.

Further details from the vicar, the Revd. Rachel Marszalek:[email protected].

Appropriate candidates will be invited for audition and interview.

StAndrew’s,Watford,Hertsseek a MUSICAL DIRECTOR to play the organ and rehearse our

small but enthusiastic choir.

We are a ‘middle of the road’ Anglican parish church with a finerecently refurbished 1883 Brindley & Foster organ with 3 manualsand pedals.We enjoy fairly traditional hymns, sung Communion and

anthems, but are open to exploring additional possibilities.

Salary in line with RSCM rates.Contact RichardAndersen (warden) for more information on

01923 225894 or email [email protected].

Applications by 28 February 2016 please.

ST PETER’S CHURCH,STREATHAM,LONDON

ORGANISTANDDIRECTOR OF MUSIC

required to continue and expand strong musical tradition inAnglo Catholic parish fromApril 2016.

Excellent mixed choir,with opportunity to develop an existing children’sgroup. Weekly sung mass & choral evensong (BCP), and Friday rehearsal.

Additional services according to season. Fine 4 manual Hill organ.Stipend c.£6,000 (reviewed annually) + generous fees.

Details from:Mrs Sheila Launchbury,3 Dodbrooke Road, London SE27 0PFE-mail: [email protected]

www.stpeters-streatham.org

ORGANISTSt Margaret’s Parish Church,Warnham,

near Horsham,West SussexOur young talented organist is off to Cambridge to be organ scholar at

Emmanuel.We need someone to take over, with the option oftaking the entire role of Director of Music.

Warnham is an active, friendly village parish which values its broadrange of musical activities, and supports the choir enthusiastically.

Robed choir with boys and girls and adults, RSCM affiliated, usingVoiceFor Life; 3-manualWyvern organ, recently upgraded and rebalanced.

Sundays: 3 mornings and evenings per month plus feasts but deps available.

Email: [email protected] or Tel: 01403 242100 for information.

St Mark’s is seeking to appoint an accomplished organist fromApril2016, or earlier, to support our Choirmaster and choir of adults and

children in leading the musical worship of the church.

The post would involve playing at the weekly Sunday Eucharist,twice monthly at Evensong, and at festivals, plus rehearsals –

a commitment of around 15-20 hrs a month.

St Mark’s has a strong tradition of high quality choral singing, but weare open to new musical ideas and styles.We have a finely restored,

well maintained Hunter 3 manual organ

Remuneration at RSCM rates plus fees for Occasional Offices

Job Description, Person Specification: [email protected] Choirmaster,AndrewWilson, will be happy to have informal

discussions about the post

The Parish Church ofSt Mark, Bromley

ORGANIST

The Dean & Chapter wish to appoint an

Assistant Director of Music(full-time, permanent position)

and an

Organ Scholar(for the academic year 2016-17)

to start on 1 September

For an application pack, telephone 01392 285977or email [email protected]

Applications must be received by:12noon on Friday 26 February 2016

There are also vacancies in the Cathedral Choir for

Choral Scholars(counter-tenor, contralto, tenor or bass)

to start on 1 SeptemberFor full details & an application form, [email protected]

Choral Scholarships are supported generously by the Pilling Trustand the OuseleyTrust.All scholarships include free accommodationand some meals in the Cathedral Café.There are opportunities to

supplement the scholarship with administrative work in theCathedral Offices or musical work in local schools.

Visit www.blackburncathedral.comfor further details, or contact:

Mrs. Linda Bruce (MusicAdministrator)Telephone: 01254 503090 (ext 252)


The closing date for all applications is Thursday 3rd March 2016

Blackburn CathedralHaroldThornber Organ Scholar

required from September 2016 for one year

The Organ Scholarship is open to a pre orpost-graduate musician.

The scholarship’s remuneration is £5,000.

Cathedral Choral ScholarshipsAlto, tenor and bass choral scholarships are available

from September 2016 for one year.Each scholarship’s remuneration is £3000.

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First United Methodist Church of Lubbock,Texas,USAseeks a part-time

ASSISTANT ORGANISTfor music ministry with a comprehensive choral program focusing onthe traditional Anglican repertoire, as well as a world-class concert

series. Organs include a 79-rank, 4-manual 1954 Moeller (comprehensiverestoration and expansion projected for 2017-18) and a 6-rank, 1-man-

ual continuo organ by Henk Klop (to be completed in 2017).

The position provides an excellent opportunity to combine graduatestudy in the choral program atTexasTech University;salary expected to be $25,000-27,000. A complete job

description is available at www.fumc.com/organistsearch

UK auditions will be held on:4 March 2016 (in Oxford) and 5 March 2016 (in London)

please email Mark Chaney • [email protected] details and to make arrangements.

Applications are invited for the post of

ORGANIST/DIRECTOR of MUSICWeekly CommonWorship Sung Communion,monthly BCP Choral Evensong and Festivals

3-manual Norwich electronic organEnthusiastic loyal robed mixed choir (Friday evening practices)

RSCM higher level salary plus wedding and funeral fees

For further details please contact:All Saints’ Parish OfficeEmail: [email protected]

Tel: 01737 379289

ALL SAINTS’ CHURCHBANSTEAD, SURREY

Diocese of Guildford

DIOCESE OF GUILDFORD:ST.MARY theVIRGIN, SHALFORD

ORGANIST/ DIRECTOR OF MUSICFollowing retirement of our long-standing Director of Music,

we are looking for an Organist/DOM from early 2016.We have a newly installed Allen Digital Organ (two manual + pedals,

with English, French & Baroque sound suites) to replace our pipe organwhich is in need of restoration, in a recently reordered, bright and

welcoming church.There is currently a small choir whichrehearses weekly which we hope to enlarge.

The postholder would normally be required only for morningservices (Sung Eucharist or FamilyWorship) on Sundays,plus occasional evenings for festivals & special occasions.

Weddings and funerals by arrangement.Remuneration in line with current RSCM guidelines.

Further details from [email protected] by post from TheVicarage, East Shalford LaneShalford,Guildford GU4 8AE • Tel: 01483 562396

Would you like to be part of the leadership team in a forwardlooking Church of Scotland city centre congregation? This is an excitingopportunity for a creative and committed individual with a strong andlively Christian faith (*) to work alongside us in “bringing Christianworship, fellowship and service to the heart of everyday life”.

DIRECTOR OF MUSICWe would like someone able to work as part of a team with the minister,elders and congregation to further the aims of Palmerston Place Churchwithin the local community. Specific responsibilities include:• Presiding at the organ during public worship• Overseeing the Choir and Music Group• Developing the use of music within worship

This is intended to be a part time position based in the Church.

More information, including job description, can be obtainedfrom our Session Clerk, Norma Rolls

Email: [email protected] or tel: 0131 337 7005or Minister, the Rev Colin Sinclair

Email: [email protected] or tel: 0131 447 9598

Closing date for applicationsby 12 noon on Monday 22nd February 2016.

(*) This is a genuine occupational requirement in terms of the EmploymentEquality (Religion or Belief) regulations 2003

Church Office: Annan House 10/GF Palmerston PlaceEdinburgh EH12 5AA

[email protected]

Scottish Charity No SC004291

SituationsVacant

STEPNEYAREA

Intern Scheme 2016

london islington mission stepney schools povertyyouth & children hackney urban hope homelessness

vibrant city gospel ministry prayer joy tower hamletsAre you aged 18-30 and wondering how God is calling you?

Are you interested in exploring your call and living out yourdiscipleship in an urban context?

The Stepney Area is looking to appoint up to eight Interns fromSeptember 2016, to serve God for a year in parishes in Islington,Hackney orTower Hamlets, and to live together in community.

We are looking for energetic, enthusiastic individuals who are flexible,able to take initiative and wanting to grow in faith and in the ability tocommunicate it, and at home with people from diverse backgrounds.

Closing date for applications: 6 March 2016Interviews: 18 & 19 March 2016 (TBC)

For further information contact Fiona Green at:Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 020 7033 3446

Little St Mary’s Church, Cambridgeis seeking to appoint a

PASTORAL ASSISTANTfor one year from September 2016.

An excellent opportunity for a young person to explore his/hervocation in a fun and varied parish in the catholic tradition.

£500 per month stipend plus free accommodation.

For more information contact Fr Robert Mackley01223 356641 • [email protected]

HOLYWELL COMMUNITY LAY MEMBERSWe are looking for young people to join us as we enter our third year.Are you:• wondering what to do after leaving University or College?• wanting to test your vocation to the Ordained or Monastic life?• Wishing to offer up a year to God?If so, then the Holywell Community may be what you’re looking for.

Based in Abergavenny,Wales, the Holywell Community is aNew Monastic Community inspired by the Rule of St. Benedict.

You can find out more about the community atholywellcommunity.wordpress.com/about/

If you are interested, please call ourPrior, Canon Mark Soady on 01873 853168

or email [email protected]

Do you know someone who wantsto serve & change lives?

A Church School in Hong Kong seeks

A GAPYEAR STUDENTwho would like a cross-cultural “Year out”

throughTime For God

We are looking for someone who is at university or university graduate,to help in a Kindergarten school in Hong Kong for 11 months, beginning

on 1st September 2016.This is to help children improve their English.Teaching experience is not essential.The gap year student will be part

of a group of volunteers working across Hong Kong.

More details can be found at:www.timeforgod.orgEmail: [email protected] number: 01423 536248

Diocesan Boys’ School, Hong Konglooks for

POST-GRADUATESwho want a ‘year out’ as a Boarding School Assistant

Boarding School Assistant positions are available for work in asecondary boarding school, which houses around 100 boys.

A personal experience of a boarding school education and aninterest in sports (particularly Rugby) would be an advantage.

Terms: living expenses and accommodation.

Details from:The Revd. P. Nicholas

35, Norwich Drive, Cheltenham GL51 3HDTel: 01242 510007 • Email: [email protected]

Contact:Revd Elizabeth Baxter, Executive Director

www.holyroodhouse.org.uk • Charity no: 1099836

Holy Rood House, Centre for Health & Pastoral Care,Thirsk,NorthYorkshire with

The Centre for the Study ofTheology and Health

Seeks residential or non-residential, paid or voluntary staff, skilled in oneor more of the following:

Bookkeeping • Property & Maintenance • Gardening

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Crossword No. 1353 byPaul Henderson

Last week’ssolution

SCRIBBLE PAD sponsored by

Across1 Opera forming part of contralto’s career (5)4 Saint’s follower to seize it in nude? (9)9 Church not used with hesitation around Sunday(7)

10 Quantity of hair in farm animal story on theradio? (7)

11 Former lover, say, English girl giving criticalview (8)

13 Year engaging in wild behaviour passing quickly(6)

15 Servant concealing criminal activity in vicar’shouse (9)

16 Item of footwear some profess a bother (5)18 Church gets behind part of speech (not the

beginning) just a little (5)19 One foolish song penned by a French church

member (9)20 Witch’s success curtailed in OT book (6)22 Schedule that’s clear and properly organised (8)25 Test involving one volume of little importance (7)26 I’m a shame, encompassing ultimate in crude

lack of religious sentiment (7)28 Minister honest about right place to exercise (9)29 Russian saint is recalled in half of Baltic (5)

Down1 Endless moodiness in inspiring place (5)2 Jewish council has dinner arranged (9)3 One of the apostles, maybe, in a court? (3)4 Recipient of miraculous cure is mute Arab?That’s wrong (10)

5 Fully-developed nonsense ignored at the outset (4)6 Amount of whisky lost — something enjoyed bythe heavenly host? (6,5)

7 I run a question supported by one MiddleEasterner (5)

8 Provide information for running in the glen (9)12 Clearing old single sailor (11)14 Intervention retains little time for spiritual

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director (5)23 Wager gold is brought up for the monarch (5)24 Best type of fruit? (4)27 United in lead? Here’s where some watch the

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A SpecialCHURCHTIMESseries onTHEOLOGYThis will be a weekly series running during Lent, from 12 February (the Fridayafter Ash Wednesday) – to 24 March (MaundyThursday).The supplements will survey Christian theology under these themes:• God• Creation• Jesus Christ• Salvation• The Holy Spirit and the Church• Last Things and the Renewal of All Things• Resurrection and Mission

Each section will begin with a major piece on the week’s theme by a leadingtheologian, followed by explorations of the theme in art and popular culture,and Biblical exegesis.There will be resource-based content (including notes onusing theology in preaching, and its place in prayer and the liturgy), and anannotated bibliography for further reading. The series will look both at whatChristians have believed, and what that means for the way they live.

Contributors include David Bentley Hart, David Clough, Andrew Davison,Steve Fowl, Paula Gooder, Trevor Hart, Mike Higton, David Hoyle, LarryHurtado, John Inge, Simone Kotva, Jane Leach, Jack Levison, Justin Lewis-Anthony, Ian McFarland, Ben Myers, Simon Oliver, Elizabeth Phillips,Catherine Pickstock, Ben Quash, Christopher Rowland, Jacob Sherman,Gillian Straine, Jean Vanier, SamWells, Christopher Woods, NTWright.

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back page interview


I created a contemporary performance of the Passion for ElyCathedral in 2014, in dance, poetry,and music. It went on to tour othercathedrals in 2015. We performed atChester Cathedral in March lastyear, and this led to a conversationabout my engaging with their lifeover a longer period of time.

This residency is the first time inmy career that I have such a sustained level of support. Up to thispoint, all my work has been project-based, which means that I’ve beencaught up relentlessly in short-termfunding cycles as well as trying tokeep my work going. Knowing thatI’ve got three years gives me roomto breathe and expand.

I hope to make a significant contribution to the liturgical life of thecathedral, as well as to create a moresustainable framework for my ownpractice.

My training is in contemporarydance and theatre. We chose thetitle “performance artist” ratherthan “dancer” to describe the res-idency, because much of what I doisn’t what most people imaginedance to be, though it comes out ofa recognised tradition in contem-porary dance. “Performance artist”offers broader scope, and doesn’t setup the same expectations.

I was seriously involved in theatrefrom the time I was a small child.As part of this interest, I took danceclasses; but my focus shifted todance when I was doing my Ph.D.in theology in Edinburgh. I hadterrible writer’s block, and had theintuition that dancing would helpme.

I began taking class — includingcontemporary technique, impro-visation, and choreography — atDance Base, which has significantlinks to international companies;and had the chance to do master-classes with some of the mostexciting companies and choreo-graphers in the world, includingSaburo Teshigawara, Philippe De-couflé, and William Forsythe.

It worked: dance allowed me tocarry on working on my doctorate,and to come to some intellectualunderstanding about where I hadcome from.

When I moved to London, Icontinued training at the eveningschool at The Place, and startedtaking classes with Gaby Agis, whoteaches Skinner Releasing Tech-nique, which became a hugeinfluence. I also did some trainingin contact improvisation.

My own approach emerged from allthese different strands. I’m part-icularly interested in creating workthat draws people’s attention toordinary, everyday ways of being inthe body, calling into question andtransforming habitual patterns.

My own concern with any art usedin the liturgy is that it shouldconnect with people rather thancreate an alienated distance. Thisdoesn’t mean that it is easy ordumbed down: it means that itcreates a relationship. Many, if notmost, people are unfamiliar with thelanguage of dance, and the danger isthat they’d say: “That’s lovely, but Icould never do that.” I’d describemy approach as parabolic — begin-ning, as Jesus does in the parables,with a familiar setting, and thenmaking the familiar strange. So thework is about taking people on atransforming journey.

I spend a lot of my time tellingpeople that I’m not doing liturgicaldance. This is probably terriblyignorant and prejudiced of me, butmy own limited experience ofliturgical dance is of people in long,flowing robes waving their armsaround, and I have a great desire todistance myself from this aesthetic.

The choreographer who has influenced me the most is Pina Bausch,and this is the dance tradition Imost identify with: an edgy, emo-tionally articulate, emotionally riskyexploration of human relationshipthrough movement.

I’ve always had a powerful sense ofGod, which I would describe as asense of connection to a realitygreater than myself. .

The language I use about God haschanged and grown over the courseof my life, and it’s obviously deeplyshaped by the religious tradition inwhich I’ve been formed; but thislanguage feels secondary to anabiding sense of living in relation-ship to a mystery that languagecannot contain.

The Church needs to move from aa parentchild model to a moreadult model in its liturgical life.This is significant for the choreo-graphy of movement in the liturgy.At the moment, the clergy stand atthe front, facing the congregation,in a parental position, while thecongregation moves corporately:standing, sitting, and kneeling to-gether. As adults, however, we needto have space in which we can eachexplore our individual bodies andways of moving.

I’m not talking about losing thecommunal aspects of the liturgy,but about creating space for in-dividual, adult exploration, and for texploring adult relationships as thecontext for our relationship withGod — meeting the divine in eachother. This requires a new form ofspiritual discipline and practice, andthat is what I’m working on in mydance. I also bring to this approachan extensive, and essential, back-ground in psychology. I did a ten-year Jungian analysis, and am nowtraining as a Gestalt psycho-therapist.

I was raised inside the RomanCatholic tradition, but outside theauthority structure of the Church,and this left me with an urgent needto work out for myself my rela-tionship to Christianity. My father,Charles Davis, was a Roman Ca-tholic priest and theological adviserat the Second Vatican Council, andthen left the Church to marry mymother, who was a member of theGrail, a movement of lay RomanCatholic women.

This search took the form of aPh.D. in Theology at the Universityof Edinburgh, but I was never goingto be an academic. At the same timethat I submitted my thesis, I choreo-graphed a piece called Eucharist,and this was as much the fruit of mysearch as the thesis itself. I would

describe myself as a “practice-basedliturgical theologian”.

Cathedrals are an ideal environment for movement, because theyare large and full of open spaces.Much movement already takesplace, such as liturgical processions,and the progress of visitors aroundthe building.

Whatever dance takes place, in myview, needs to build on the move-ment patterns that are alreadyfamiliar to people in the cathedralcontext. Dance can open up newpossibilities for relationships in thecongregation and in the wider com-munity. In my first dance interven-tion in the liturgy at Chester, Iincluded a man who does main-tenance work on cathedral prop-erties. Including someone in a hardhat and high-vis jacket expresses thepresent life of the cathedral in a waythat wouldn’t normally come into amore traditional liturgy.

We’re starting the Chester Cathedral Public Workshop, drawing on

the Greek root of “liturgy”, meaning“public work”, as a new frameworkfor explorations that go beyond thetraditional liturgical structure.

All cathedrals would benefit fromthis kind of residency, but some-thing particularly exciting is goingon at Chester at the moment, whichmade me want to come here.There’s a spirit of exploring newpossibilities, and reaching beyondthe familiar, which created a syn-ergy and sense of excitement when Icame to perform here last March.

I grew up in Montreal, Canada, at atime of considerable political unrest.I was born in Edmonton, but movedwith my parents and brother toMontreal when I was six weeks old.At the time, Quebec was undermartial law because of the kidnapping of two government officialsby the French separatist group, theFLQ. My parents sent me to aFrench-Canadian school, not real-ising how hard it would be to be anEnglish-speaking kid in that en-vironment at that time.

That made language problematic inmy life, and it’s part of the reasonthat the language of the body is soprimary for me. I can easily feel lostif I try to communicate with wordsalone.

I love the sound of rain on the roof.Before coming to Chester, I lived ina mobile home in Waterbeach,outside Cambridge, and the soundof rain was incredibly loud andvivid. Cosiness that comes fromhearing rain on the outside, en-joying the rhythms it makes, butbeing warm and dry inside.

I was trying to sort out car insurance on the phone yesterday,and was faced with an intractablebureaucracy trying to fit me intocategories that don’t apply to mylife. That made me angry. Theautobiography of the choreographerYvonne Rainer is called Feelings areFacts, and I rejoice in that titlebecause it conveys a truth that isoften lost. I’m happiest when in thecompany of the people I love.

I’d say I have been most influencedby my parents, the songs of LeonardCohen, the choreography of PinaBausch, and the theology andmentoring of Rowan Williams.

I pray for the ability to be present inthe moment, to still my mind andlisten.

I’d like to be locked in a churchwith Nigella Lawson as long as wecould use the church kitchen. Shestrikes me as warm and nourishing— a fellow creature of the flesh. I’dlike to cook a delicious meal withher, and talk into the small hours.

Claire Henderson Davis was talkingto Terence Handley MacMath.

www.clairehendersondavis.com;www.passiontour.org;chestercathedral.com.

O, TO be in England now thatJanuary is there. Soft winter windsbrush the flowering bulbs, and achattering army of walkers breastthe hill. To find snow and ice one hasto travel to New York, on the nineo’clock news. The air is gentle, andblows in from the east coast — notthat one would know it. Nor thatChristmas is just a month past.

I have no complaint. Spring inwinter suits me fine. The white cat isnot so sure, and clings to the splitlogs that wait by the stove. I think ofthe monks taking turns to bake bythe fire in their warmingroom,holding up their habits to scorchtheir bare legs.

But, at this January moment, thesun is invading the ancient roomsand challenging the central heating.As for the birds, they are singingtheir heads off. And I think tomyself, it is all to come: the summeritself, the empire of leaves, the roses,the Stour reflecting it, the corndeclaring it.

But what to say on Sunday? Thisis the imperative question. A friendand I were once driving home fromWales on a wet Sundaymorning,when we decided to go to church enroute. We ran from the car to a smallVictorian building, which clung to asteep bank, in which a dozen or sopeople were singing IsaacWatts’sbrief “This is the day the Lord hasmade”. Still singing, an elderlywoman left her place to brush therain off our coats.

A youthful priest gave a fineaddress from the chancel step. Noone looked round to see who ownedour added voices. Candles waveredin the draught. Such care was taken.Hurrying back to the car through, bynow, a torrential rain, we drove on.“To think wemight have missed it!”we said.

Exactly what we could havemissed, it is hard to say— althoughit was of great importance, or Iwould not still have it in my headwith such clarity all these years on.

Queen Victoria once saw scores ofHighlanders walking to a glen, theirBibles tied up in white handkerchiefs— their lunches, too. Might she jointhem? It wasn’t raining. They sangpsalms, and broke bread. A compulsive writer, she was persuaded topublish that enchanting book Leavesfrom the Journal of Our Life in theHighlands from 1848 to 1861. Herenergy is exhausting, even at thisdistance. Terrible weather was nodeterrent to her endless excursionswith Albert.

“We then came to a place which isalways wet, but which was particularly bad after the late rain,”

although this did not deter her. Onand on they went, the Queen and herhusband, their drenched court, theirnevertoberepeated happiness, thelittle Queen and her beautiful husband, riding and tramping acrossScotland, their earthly paradise.

Although I had once walked inJames Bothwell’s footsteps in myyouth, it was my friend Christopherwho drove me across vast Perthshire,and introducedme properly toScotland—who provided a kind ofresidency during the surprisinglyhot summers, and an almostabsence of rain. There is hardly a dayof it I can forget. And it was the poetGeorgeMackay Brown who broughtme to Orkney.

Now and then, I take down fatphotograph albums, and there we allare, youngish and grinning away. Ican nearly smell heather. QueenVictoria very much liked the Kirk.Approved of it. She said: “Religionmakes one think of what one wouldnot otherwise think of.” My spirituallandscape was Glenlyon, that vastvalley all in shadow, yet bright andsomehow celestial.

Winter sunshine leadsRonald Blythe to think ofthe summer ahead

word fromWormingford

‘I spend a lot of mytime telling peoplethat I’m not doingliturgical dance’

Claire HendersonDavies, performanceartist, theologian

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up, up, and away - Centre of Islamic Studies - University of Cambridge

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