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THE Bishops take the knee BISHOPS across the country led Angli- The Rt Rev Guli Francis-Dehqani, said: cans in ‘taking the knee’ to mark the “We must stand up and share our abhorrence death of American George Floyd and to of that racist brutality but also act in our own CHURCHOF highlight injustice in British society. areas to address the culture of discrimination The Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Rev Martyn we live in this society too.” Snow, led others in kneeling for eight min- Meanwhile the Bishop of Coventry, the Rt utes and 46 seconds, the length of time that a Rev Dr Christopher Cocksworth, and the ENGLAND US police officer knelt on Mr Floyd’s neck. Bishop of Warwick, the Rt Rev John Stroyan Bishop Snow said: “I am deeply shocked by ‘took the knee’ in front of the Charred Cross the appalling brutality we have seen against in the Cathedral Ruins. Newspaper black people in America and I stand along- In Manchester hundreds of people joined side those who are suffering and peacefully in a ‘Protest through Prayer’ event as a form calling for urgent change, as well as commit- of action in solidarity with #BlackLivesMatter ting to make changes in our own lives and organised by the Archdeacon of Manchester. the institutions we are part of. This week the Archbishop of Canterbury 12 June, 2020 “Structural and systemic racial prejudice said: “The racism that people in this country £1.50 exists across societies and institutions and experience is horrifying. The Church has No: 6539 we must act to change that, as well as failed here, and still does, and it’s clear what Established in 1828 addressing our own unconscious biases that Jesus commands us to do: repent and take lead us to discriminate against others.” Earli- action.” er this year he led the General Synod in a Download our App on vote to apologise for racism in the Church. The Bishop of Loughborough, page 7 PRICE £1.50 / €2.00 / $2.50 24 9770964816108 2 Friday 12 June, 2020 THE CHURCH IN ENGLAND Diocese of Portsmouth THE Inspired by the extraordinary fundraising accom- plishments of Captain Tom Moore, 94-year-old for- mer Church Mission Society missionary Canon John Harwood is embarking on a fundraising chal- lenge of his own. Harwood is planning to do 94 CHURCH IN walks – one for every year of his life – from his home in Nile St, Emsworth in Hampshire, to his local church, St James, Emsworth, a total distance of 47 miles, nearly double the length of a marathon. Mr Harwood, who has never previously complet- ENGLAND ed a marathon or long distance event, is managing to complete two walks every day and so far has raised more than £2,000 for CMS people in mission based in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle Diocese of St churchmanship, so it is a great East, Europe and the UK. After completing walk Edmundsbury and representation of the churches number 32, Canon Harwood said he was relishing Ipswich in Ipswich. The feedback has the challenge. He said: “I’ve not had any blisters but been unanimously positive and I do have to sit down to take a rest mid-walk.” He Dozens of people from church- encouraging. It has created a expects it will take another month to reach his total es across Ipswich have come real sense of support, even from of 94 walks. To officially mark each of his walks, he together to sing a song about the churches who could not deposits a numbered slip in the rectory letterbox at unity and hope. Members of 43 take part as they did not have a St James’ Church. Christian church denomina- singer. Everyone is excited Canon Harwood, who served as CMS missionary tions from the town have about being part of something in Nigeria and Sierra Leone for 10 years, explained recorded themselves singing bigger than any one individual that although he retired many years ago the work of along to the song The Blessing or organisation.” CMS continues to inspire him. He said: “I am by Elevation Worship. Bishop Mike Harrison said: thrilled by CMS’s ground-breaking mission pio- Performers who were “It’s entirely right, good and neers like Rachel Karanja, who is utilising renewable energy technology to benefit local communi- involved in the project include proper that as churches we ties in Kenya through the Greenspan Biotechnologies project. I hope the money raised by this walk members of Hope Church come together to bless Ipswich, will help raise up many more entrepreneurs.” Ipswich, Rushmere Baptist truly seeking the good of The challenge has captured the imagination of John’s local community who have donated gener- Church, Trinity Praise Centre, Ipswich and its people in God’s ously to support his effort and offered their encouragement with comments such as “Inspirational”, Waterfront Churches and Holly strength.” “CMS is lucky to have you” and “the Racing Rev”. Lodge Baptist Church, among Alastair Bateman, CEO of Church Mission Society, said: “John’s effort is a great example of the many more. Diocese of Gloucester energy, commitment, and faithful dedication characterised by CMS missionaries throughout our The project was organised by history. All of the CMS community is with you - praying for you, walking with you [in spirit] and the Rev Amy Key and her hus- willing you on, as you take on this epic challenge.” band Matt, of St Augustine’s Church in Ipswich, and aims to bring hope and comfort to the A list of playful suggestions peutic in times of crisis and we the Great, Audlem, described community during the Coron- from the Play Rangers – who hope that our ‘Bags of Play’ what steps her parish has taken avirus lockdown. Matt said: “We are normally out and about in bring some joy and happiness to to achieve the silver Eco- were hugely inspired by The parks and open spaces across families in Gloucestershire”. Church award. Although much UK Blessing, which quickly the county – is also included, Pictured: Cathy Pascoe, Chil- planning had gone before, went viral. It has had more than further helping the children to dren and Families support man- Audlem have demonstrated three million views. There was be creative and active. ager at Kingsholm Primary how quickly a parish church can lots of talk about churches The Diocese has purchased School in Gloucester. register and achieve Eco- working together and being 250 of these bags and distribut- Church accreditation. there for their community, so ed them to the most vulnerable Diocese of Chester we thought it would be wonder- children through their school ful to replicate it in Ipswich as a network. The Diocese of Chester hosted Diocese of Liverpool message of hope to our town’s The Diocese of Gloucester has Bishop Rachel Treweek said: a webinar to mark World Envi- residents.” teamed up with Play Gloucester- “I am so pleased we have been ronment Day and to help parish- Volunteers from churches The pair contacted more than shire to support their Bags of able to support and get involved es explore Eco-Church, an across Knowsley are enabling 60 church leaders, representing Play project. The local chil- with this project as play is so award scheme run by environ- local grassroots charity SHARe 75 churches of all denomina- dren’s charity has distributed important for children’s mental ment charity Arocha, which Knowsley to continue to provide tions across Ipswich, to put for- 1,500 Bags of Play to children in health and wellbeing. We hope encourages parishes to be practical, emotional and social ward a representative to sing a need across the county, as part that the children who receive mindful of the environment. support for asylum seekers and part of the song, which was then of their emergency response to these play bags will have some Invited guests include repre- refugees during the COVID-19 edited into one single video. the Coronavirus crisis. Play great fun, getting creative with sentatives of Arocha, Ruth pandemic. The Rev Amy Key added: “The Rangers and volunteers have all the art and crafts materials to Richards and John Smith, who SHARe Knowsley is a local response has been absolutely filled the bags with soft foam choose from.” provided a potted history of the ecumenical group that provides amazing. We have 58 singers, balls, skipping ropes, balloons, Play Gloucestershire’s Direc- charity and explained why the a welcome and befriending ser- ranging from teenagers to the chalks, paints, scrap and more tor of Play Pip Levett said: “Chil- Eco-Church award scheme was vice to asylum seekers and older generation and a mixture to offer some playful respite to dren always need to play, but established. refugees who are housed there. of ethnicities, genders and the children most in need. especially now. Play is so thera- Anne Draper from St James Margaret Roche, who has supported the charity since it was founded over four years Diocese of Derby ago, said: “The impact of Covid- 19 has meant a significant The Diocese is calling for prayers after a massive clean-up operation is continu- change in operations”. ing as millions of people across northern India try to rebuild their lives following The group had to stop their the devastation left by Cyclone Amphan. weekly drop-in service at Two weeks ago, many of the diocese’s partner dioceses in North India, includ- Prescot Methodist Church and ing the Diocese of Kolkata, were badly hit, with streets flooded and blocked by face-to-face English lessons at trees, church buildings and community projects devastated, and many people the Old School House in Huy- left homeless and without food and water.