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CRUX Issue 49 Church for a different world September 2019

NORTHERN GRIT AND SHARED HOPE Church for a different world CRUX September 2019 LOOKING INSPIRATIONAL COURSE BEYOND ON GROWTH When Revd Chris Fallone was ‘inspirational speakers’, who spoke not appointed Deanery Missioner last as experts, but as practitioners who Only once in my childhood did we Our work around climate change, justice December, his priority was to knew both success and failure. The have a holiday overseas. Even for prisoners of conscience, relief for those help the 14 churches in the North worship increased our fellowship and then we strayed no further than persecuted for their faith, challenging Manchester deanery grow in numbers. the resource materials were excellent.” a modest drive from the ferry the proliferation of weapons, and support terminal in northern France. for asylum seekers and refugees, all “We needed something that would “Since our return we continue to meet as represent ways in which the world boost the energy, increase the a church growth group to teach, learn, My parents can’t have thought it a great dimension of our calling comes into play. temperature and help to give us a encourage and trial resources; we have success, as from the next year on we were shared way forward,” he said. a LyCiG booster day planned, there is back to English coastal resorts, usually As we settle back into the rhythm of a strong desire for monthly deanery Blackpool. By contrast, many of us this autumn, and holidays seem long ago Chris thought it would be great to take worship, and we have adopted the month will be recently returned from as well as far away, my ask is that a deanery group from North Manchester LyCiG growth prayer across the deanery foreign trips. We will have holidayed in each of us, and each of our churches, on the ‘Leading your Church into Growth’ (from which we are already beginning places where the cultural and language spends time reflecting on what force (LyCiG) course, in the hope they would be to see fruit). We have taken our first differences may have been as important for good we can be far beyond the encouraged, inspired and equipped. He had steps into planning mission events, and a factor in attracting us as the greater boundaries of Manchester Diocese. done the course before and what it taught ‘Evangelism’ is no longer a taboo word!” reliability of their summer weather. him had remained part of his ministry. For details of courses, please visit When we adopted Church for a Different Chris and the Area , Eddie Roberts, www.leadingyourchurchintogrowth. World to define our diocesan purpose, prayed for three reps from seven org.uk the final word was as important as churches and their clergy to attend. “We any of the others. We are not called were blessed with an answer to prayer: simply to make Manchester different, David Walker 25 people – lay and ordained - from but to strive to impact for good on seven churches went on the LyCiG 2019 the whole of God’s earthly creation. Estates Conference. We even managed to secure a grant to help with the cost.”

Chris unreservedly recommends the Leading Your Church into Growth course. He said, “Everyone returned excited and raring to go. Feedback rated the ARCHDEACONRY BRIEFINGS

This month’s briefings provide BOLTON GIFT AID THE REVD COLIN information on the proposals to 4 September (Bolton Parish Church) move from 20 to seven deaneries LITE DROP-INS POWELL, RIP with full-time Area Dean posts. SALFORD 5 September (Kersal Moor, St Paul) Drop-in sessions take place Colin was ordained at Blackburn Cathedral Each parish has been invited (by email) to throughout the Autumn for anyone in 1956, and served in several parishes nominate representatives to attend these MANCHESTER 10 September currently using the Gift Aid Lite in the north of England before becoming events. Please sign up via the Eventbrite (Eastlands, Church of the Resurrection) Scheme or wishing to join it. of St Thomas in Cheetham. link which was included in the invitation. ROCHDALE These sessions are suitable for treasurers He retired in 1997, but continued an active The briefings all take place 12 September and Gift Aid secretaries who have questions ministry at St Chad’s Ladybarn and Holy Trinity from 7pm until 9pm. (Droylsden, Church of the Epiphany) about making a Gift Aid claim, reconciling Platt. His diploma in education from Hatfield accounts, handling direct debits and and his degree from Durham University, with considering trialling a contactless device. his love of theology and history, served him Please book in advance by contacting well as a caring and conscientious teacher- [email protected] priest. He is missed by the many who benefited from his distinctive and helpful ministry. NB: the Manchester date was previously advertised as 26th - this has now changed.

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The festival logo reflects the importance of faith and science to the region. Depicting cotton under a microscope, with Knott Hill and three crosses overlooking Delph, it indicates the importance of the textile industry to Saddleworth during the Industrial Revolution, when the church was so important to both mill workers and owners.

The Festival is grateful to Scientists in Congregations, based at Durham University, for providing a small grant to get the project started.

SCIENCE AND THE LANGUAGE OF PRAYER

Science and the language of Prayer is a series of five WHERE SCIENCE AND FAITH MEET seminars taking place in Bramhall, near Stockport, this autumn. The first ever Saddleworth Science Faith Festival will see Science and the Exploring how a modern understanding 15 31 both science and faith being celebrated and experienced 88 226 of science might influence the way we Language of 39 89 68 167 in schools and churches from 15 to 22 September. Phosphorus think about God and the language we use Radium Yttrium to express our prayers, the sessions are Erbium Science faith communicators will be Among the communicators is Dr Matt open to anyone who is interested in the visiting eight different Saddleworth Pritchard, a member of the magic circle interface between science and Christianity. schools, bringing exciting, educational with a doctorate in atomic physics! A Five seminars exploring activities to children, and inspiring regular churchgoer, Matt is part of the The seminars are led by a criminologist, a how a consideration of them with hands-on learning. team that delivers ‘God and the Big Bang’ clinician, a psychologist, an environmental outreach events around the country. scientist, and geneticist Ruth Bancewicz. modern science might affect Children will have the opportunity to Ruth, who is Church Engagement Director the way we pray. Sept 28 discuss and debate the compatibility Saddleworth churches are joining at the Faraday Institute for Science and Dr Ruth Armstrong, Criminology, Religion in Cambridge, has been involved University of Cambridge of science and faith, and will be in the fun, with Sunday schools and Oct 5 Dr Ruth Bancewicz, Genetics,. encouraged to form their own opinions messy churches putting on special in leading God and the Big Bang sessions Faraday Institute for Science & Religion, Cambridge Oct19 about the place of science in God’s science and faith activities. Services with schools across the country. Revd Dr Joanna Collicutt, Neuropsychology Ripon College, Oxford world. Each school event will conclude will also include special prayers, liturgy Nov 2 Prof Peter Howdle, Medicine with a Q&A session when children and sermons on the theme, and The seminars are on Saturdays from University of Leeds. Nov 16 set the agenda and are encouraged some evening events are planned. 2-5pm including a keynote talk, interactive Revd Prof David Chester, Geology University of Liverpool to ask the trickiest of questions. workshops and worship. Tickets (£5 Saturdays from 2 per seminar) and/or more information and worship. Tickets-5pm (£5 including per seminar) keynote and/or talk, more interactive information workshops from Bramhall Methodist Church, Stockport. SK7 1AL. from https://bramhallmethodists. www.bramhallmethodists.org.uk/scienceandprayer org.uk/scienceandprayer/ 0161 439 1204

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Although his working life is busy and “We have run the course three times challenging, Stephen is passionate about for about 40 people. It’s made a big using his leadership skills for the benefit difference, with people growing in of the wider Church in the region. He faith and using their gifts in lots of particularly wants to use his learning different ways both inside the Church from his professional background to and without. It has been great to help develop lay leaders in the Church. see people grow in their faith and confidence, taking on new roles such as “Growing leaders is a real passion of worship leader, ministry team member, mine. How we train, encourage and and going forward for or equip lay people in the Church and Authorised Lay Ministry training.” connect them to the world outside is really important to me. I would love to Stephen is also passionate about be a resource for the Church and help helping churches look at their vision people to discover and use their gifts.” together to achieve clarity of purpose. He is keen to assist any who would like One of the ways Stephen has done this help with the envisioning process. is through the CPAS ‘Growing Leaders’ course held at St Peter’s. The course has You can contact Stephen via had a big impact on people that took part. [email protected]

OUR NEW READERS Congratulations to our six new Readers who were licensed in July and are serving in our BRIEF ENCOUNTER: parishes. Please continue to pray for them and for those with whom they will minister. Angela Lilian Bilbruck Jeanette Howe Stephen Mawhinney Benefice of Oldham (Moorside), Benefice of Walshaw, Christ Church St Thomas Stephen Mawhinney “I am passionate about using my leadership skills to benefit Jane Cawsey Benefice of Halliwell, St Peter the Church” Parish of Christ with All Saints, Heaton Norris in the Benefice of Heatons Leila Nikroo Church of St Aphrahat the Persian Stephen Mawhinney is a senior manager “Faith and church life have always been David Cieszynski Sage in the Benefice of Heatons at the BBC in Salford and has just important to me”, says Stephen. “I am Benefice of Halliwell, St Peter taken on the additional role of being very involved at St Peter’s and enjoy a Reader in the in preaching and leading groups. After the benefice of Halliwell, St Peter. praying and thinking about the next phase of my ministry and what I can contribute As Head of Sports Journalism for the to the life of the Church, I decided to BBC, Stephen oversees a team of investigate training to be a Reader to around 150 people who provide us with develop my preaching and teaching skills.” our news on all sorts of sports from the UK and around the world, on TV, Stephen has enjoyed the training Radio and online, 24 hours a day. programme and a placement at a neighbouring church in Bolton. “I loved It has been a busy summer with learning alongside fellow Readers. We’ve the Women’s Football World Cup, grappled with the Bible together in Wimbledon and Men’s Cricket World new ways and it’s given me a broader Cup, amongst other sporting events! platform to teach from.” He also recently Work is hectic and demanding, requiring joined with a nearby parish in Walshaw Stephen to balance the demands of to help run a Lent course in a pub. shaping the news agenda and managing a large team. So how does he find time to take on the ministry of a Reader?

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OUR POST-INDUSTRIAL TOWNS

Post-industrial northern towns: you might think of high streets closing, growing disillusionment, a lack of vision and resources within local councils, and low aspiration among people who live there, especially the young.

The challenges can sometimes feel “We were joined for the workshop overwhelming, and it was in this by representatives from Liverpool, context that northern dioceses got Blackburn, Sheffield and Leeds, who together in Manchester in July to each brought their own wisdom and discern opportunities to effectively experience. It was also a wonderful share the Good News of the gospel in opportunity to support and encourage some of the most deprived, struggling one another through prayer and and broken contexts in the country. conversation”, said the , . “There was much to be encouraged by, including stories of hope and engagement. One key theme was the importance of creating ‘in-between spaces’ where people can explore the Christian faith on neutral ground. Blackburn, for example, is investing in sports ministry to make connections and build relationships, particularly The Church is called to discern with men. Others spoke of creating what God is already doing in these programmes for families and children communities and commit to putting run by children and youth workers.” in the necessary resources so that we can work effectively with Him. The Manchester group shared stories Crucial to this will be finding ways of identifying and encouraging of planting small churches, and the home-grown leaders, both lay and extraordinary work that God is doing ordained, with gifts and potential through the church on the Oldhams ministries borne out of their Estate in Bolton and elsewhere. experience. This is probably the “All agreed that relationships are biggest challenge facing the key, and that it takes time to build local and national Church. trust, grow hope and nurture faith, particularly in contexts where people feel ignored, abandoned and forgotten by the rest of society.

PAGE 8 Photos and cover photo: Phil Taylor PAGE 9 CRUX September 2019 COULD I VOLUNTEER A year of discipleship A year of discipleship AT THE NIGHT SHELTER? The Greater Together Manchester Night Shelter Our Year of Discipleship continues, with the theme of Creation is a rolling night shelter, hosted mainly in Anglican this month. You can sign up at www.manchester.anglican.org/ churches, that operates during the winter months. more-than-Sunday/ to receive monthly emails direct to your inbox. Each email contains a Bible verse, reflection, podcast and It is staffed by volunteers from across suggested actions. the whole diocese, who do all sorts of tasks from cooking meals, setting Feedback from last month’s theme up beds, cleaning, washing and, most of worship included this comment I’ve really enjoyed volunteering importantly, offering a friendly face from someone who attended their over the last couple of years. I and some conversation to guests. first New Wine summer conference: I’ve definitely feel, as a Christian, that it’s so A year of discipleship A year of discipleship stepped out of my important we remember why we comfort zone this “We would love to have you as a volunteer go to church, that we remember week, but I highly at our shelters,” says Coordinator, Craig those that are less fortunate than highly recommend it! Savage, “but we know that joining a ourselves; that we do feed them, new venture can be unnerving when you that we do clothe them – that we aren’t sure what it’s all about. So, we’re I really enjoyed the podcast, and give them a bed for the night. inviting you to an open, no pressure so relevant as I’m currently sat I feel that I am called by God session when our current volunteers in my tent at my first New Wine to serve and to serve others. United and listened to Chris lead will be available to talk to you about the worship last night in the what we do, how it works and what arena - something very different volunteering at a shelter is really like!” to my usual style. Worshipping in The GTM Night Shelter Open Information a different style makes me really Hear from people like Alan, who said, Session is on Saturday 14 September focus on the whole session and the “If anyone is nervous about volunteering from 10am to 1pm at Church House, words really stand out. However, – just come along and try it. Yes, it’s 90 Deansgate. I do agree with the podcast that routine can also be a fantastic thing. hard work, but we have a fantastic time. We see people come in who are Register for the event at tinyurl.com/ at their wits end. They relax and when y2y56ojw or email nightshelter@ you see them in a few weeks or months’ greatertogethermanchester. time they’re a different person.” org for more information.

Or Martin, who had experience of sofa surfing himself and wanted MARGARET’S STORY to give something back. Home is Where is a memoir and Margaret’s story is centred on the profound reflection on the childhood of effects of being sent away from her Indian Margaret Beetham, whose parents home to the cold and grey of an old- were Helen and Lesslie Newbigin, fashioned girls’ boarding school in England, missionaries in South India from the and her relationship with her younger mid 1940s until the early 1970s. sister, entrusted to her care in childhood and Margaret, who worships at Holy Innocents, much later in life. Fallowfield, is a retired professor of English Literature at Manchester Metropolitan Home is Where is University and a mother of two daughters. published by DLT She is something of an activist, being books priced £12.99. part of the diocesan Just Change group that campaigns for social justice.

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INCLUSION CONFERENCE COMES TO MANCHESTER

St James and Emmanuel in Didsbury is hosting a RESIGNATIONS conference designed to challenge and inform churches who are on a journey towards becoming more inclusive. The Revd Susan Banks, currently The Revd Karen Marshall, Incumbent of St Margaret Heywood currently Incumbent of Christ Church The parish is part of Withington deanery which became and St George Heap Bridge, has been Davyhulme and St Clement Urmston, the first inclusive deanery in the Church of England appointed Ecumenical Minister at St has been appointed Interim Priest- last year. Philip Kelsall and Kelsall Methodist in-Charge of Hebden Bridge and Church in the Diocese of Chester. Heptonstall in the Diocese of Leeds. As the national Church wrestles with Bishop David, who is supportive of issues of inclusion, the ‘Church for the conference, said I hope that this Everyone’ conference will bring together day will help Christians widen and prominent voices seeking to lead the deepen our welcome to those who Church of England into greater inclusivity, God is calling to journey with us. particularly in relation to sexuality. Tickets are on sale at DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION Revd Nick Bundock, Team Rector, said www.stjamesandemmanuel.org/ “At St James and Emmanuel we have church-for-everyone/ Deborah Smith joins us in November as the been exploring the many facets of inclusion since one of our own young new Diocesan Director of Education. people, Lizzie Lowe, tragically took her own life in 2014 – in part because of a Currently Deputy Director of Education perceived gap between her faith and her for the Diocese of Carlisle, Deborah has emerging identity as a gay woman. more than 30 years of experience in the SATURDAY education sector, where she has provided At the ‘Church for Everyone’ conference strategic leadership and operational we will hear more about Lizzie’s story 26 OCTOBER management in a number of different roles. and the legacy of transformation she released. We will also hear how a Deborah has been involved in education whole group of 12 churches took up 9am to 5pm throughout her adult life, working in both the baton of inclusion together.” urban and rural settings as a teacher, senior lecturer, and Chief Officer of a Emmanuel Church, Christian charity supporting churches in working with schools. She has experience Didsbury, of working in a nursery, primary schools, Manchester and a Higher Educational establishment. M20 6TR She said, “I am excited by the Diocese of Manchester’s vision to be a Church for a Different World, with the focus on building communities through church and schools working closely together. I am very much looking forward to taking up the post of Director of Education, supporting schools as they serve children, families and communities.”

PAGE 12 PAGE 13 CRUX September 2019 We want to hear your thoughts What will we do with your comments? SMALL ADVERTS DOES OUR We will collate all the responses we receive and consider them as we develop TWO CHORAL SCHOLARSHIPS (Bolton DIFFERENT our plans and priorities for the diocese. Parish Church), each worth £500 p.a. are available from Autumn 2019 for school- WORLD LOOK We will not be able to provide individual WHAT’S ON age singers from Years 9 to 12. Enquiries responses, but we will provide updates to [email protected] in CRUX on how your feedback is THIS MONTH AT BEYOND shaping Church for a different world. WANTED: VINYL RECORD COLLECTIONS MANCHESTER We pay the best prices for Rock & Pop record MANCHESTER? collections (sorry, no Classical) in excellent CATHEDRAL? condition from smoke free homes. Please call Mark (practising Christian) on 0161 798 4992 or 07717 648 349 MANCHESTER SPIC ‘N’ SPAN SPECIALIST CLEANERS leather suite cleaners, oven and hob cleaning, CHILDREN’S carpet and upholstery cleaning, UPVC conservatory, gutter fascia and soffit clean, CHOIR driveway patio decking power-washed, house clearance, rubbish removal. Call Jonathon: Manchester Children’s Choir 07423 325192 for free quote meets every Saturday (during SPIC ‘N’ SPAN HOME MAINTENANCE term time – commencing 7 gutters, UPVC door hanging, laminate September) from 10am to 11am. flooring, flat pack assembly, window fitting, roof repairs, fascia soffits, pointing, brickwork, painting and decorating. Call Jonathon: 07423 325192 for free quote.

LAKE DISTRICT HOLIDAY LET A well-appointed and equipped 2 bedroom apartment in Bowness with parking and garage. Offering a balcony with views of Lake Windermere. www.swallowsrest. org For more information call 07719 966990; email [email protected] What would you like to see discussed in a future issue? Continue the conversation

Website: To advertise in CRUX contact: manchester.anglican.org Simon Ambrose, 0161 828 1410 Twitter: [email protected] @DioManchester The copy deadline is the Facebook: In the Choir, children learn and first of the month prior to publication. The Diocese of Manchester have fun through singing and Email: musicianship games. Editorial: All editorial items to Ann Mummery, [email protected] 0161 828 1470 For more information visit [email protected] www.manchestercathedral. Thanks for your feedback so far To order CRUX or amend your order: org/events John Golding 07768 767220

Send to: Church for a Different World, Follow us at @manc_diocese Like us, search for Diocese of Manchester, Church House, Follow us at @DioManchester The Diocese of Manchester 90 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2GH

PAGE 15 A Vision for a Sight-Loss Friendly Church A workshop to help sighted people better understand what it is like to live with sight loss.

Run in conjunction with Torch Trust, the event will use resources and activities to enable churches to become more welcoming and inclusive.

Thursday 21 November: 10am—3pm Church of the Epiphany, Droylsden M43 6BH

For further information and to book your place visit: https://sightlossfriendlychurch.eventbrite.co.uk