Spotlight Sept/Oct 2018

As we move increasingly to a cashless society, No change, churches can offer contactless for weekly offerings or one-off no worry! donations at weddings, baptisms or funerals. Donations of up to £20 can be made via debit card or Apple and Android pay and included in Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme claims.

Diocesan Deputy Finance Director Jess Dace said: “Contactless is all around us, why not in our churches! It’s a great way The rural parish of Contactless giving has arrived across the Leighton (above), between for parishes to give people as new devices are trialled. The small Shrewsbury and Telford, another option when overlooks Hereford terminals can be set up at the back of church Diocese across the river donating and help ease buildings or passed around the pews. They are Severn: City-centre St administrative burdens. Matthews, Walsall (below) being tested in 18 parishes during a free trial period and the results so far are promising. “The devices have eight-hours of rechargeable battery life so can be left securely on a table. Donations are sent via mobile phone signal so there is no need to worry about Wi-Fi - if there is no signal the data is saved until a signal is found.”

Contactless had its first outing at St Mary’s Leighton, near Shrewsbury, at a baptism service. Treasurer Alison Sloan reported: “Most of the congregation had come armed with cash but one brave gentleman gave it a go and it

worked as expected with no continues on p2 ->

The Church of around , northern and the Black Country Card-carrying congregations Black History Month hitches. That’s a pretty good outcome for new he thought The Diocese is celebrating Black History Other elements will explore technology!” it was great, Month and the enrichment that pilgrimage and African, Asian commenting, ‘It’s Asian, African, Caribbean and and Caribbean History The Revd Jim Trood, at St Matthews’ so much easier minority ethnic (BAME) Walsall which is also trialling a device, said: than having to people bring to “I’m really looking “One of the older members at our church said find the right the churches and forward to it,” says Revd money to put communities of Preb Carl Ramsey, part on the collection our own Diocese at of the organising plate’.” Cathedral in team. “Not just the October. historic cultural Jess added: context “The potential Walking Together for those for larger marks the 70th of us who are services and anniversary of the arrival of black or another minority occasional visitors is tremendous. We hope the ship Empire Windrush and the ethnicity, but because it will be this will not only raise much needed funds but centenary of Nelson Mandela's birth. a chance for all of us to build up also encourage people to give more freely to our own diocese-wide networks furthering the Kingdom of God in our journey of The afternoon will be lively and for peace and justice, think about discipleship together. We would love to have a interactive and include activities how we all stand up to racism in device in every church over the next five years.” suitable for children with the our communities and pray and focus on aspects of BAME worship together.” experience in the Diocese through stories and testimony Time to pray from lay and ordained Lichfield members of local parishes as Cathedral Churches and individuals are being well as from well known encouraged to take advantage of the names such as the late Saturday 13 October new-look Lichfield Diocese Prayer Diary. People can also access the Prayer Diary via Photo: Wolverhampton Express & Star Albion 2-5pm smartphone or tablet using the free Prayer player, Cyrille The diary has been reshaped to encourage Mate app (select ‘Lichfield Diocese’ from ‘UK Regis. wider use as we seek to be a Diocese where Churches’ in ‘Church life’). we regularly pray for each other and our communities. It reflects the Diocesan focus “The Lichfield Diocese Prayer Diary on Prayer on discipleship, vocation and evangelism with Mate is accessible and easy to use,” Philip prayers for parishes, fresh expressions, chaplaincy added. “It also offers an easy-to-access feed and schools in the Diocese along with slots for from the Anglican Communion. There is a large the national and international church. and increasing number of other feeds available – such as the daily collects for the Church of Director of World Mission Philip Swan said: “We England, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Open hope that this new look Prayer Diary will attract Doors, Mother’s Union Wave of Prayer and new users and expand and deepen the base of USPG to name but a few. It is easy to adapt and prayer which undergirds our Diocesan life.” shape your own personal selection.”

You can download the Prayer Diary at https://www.lichfield.anglican.org/prayer_diary/ Feedback on and suggestions for the new Prayer Diary can be emailed to [email protected] To bring a group or book a place for yourself, sign up at www.lichfield.anglican.org/walking_together/

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The Church of England around Staffordshire, northern Shropshire and the Black Country Toast of the town Partnership beckons still A project that welcomes and supports alone in a prison and wondering: is anything Lichfield Diocese enjoys a fruitful missionary ‘ambassadors’, having the authority to speak in homeless people moved its monthly church really happening, is anything changing? partnership with the Diocese of Qu’Appelle God’s name. Most are involved in social action service into the backyard for a talk by a local in Canada. ’ Director of Ordinands and pastoral care. We have much to learn in . The Revd Alison Thomas was the guest “We have our doubts and our fears. And it’s Frances Wilson recently visited there before discerning this under-known vocation in our speaker at the Sunday afternoon House of Bread important to remember that the opposite hosting Catherine Harper, own churches and enjoying the benefits their Church event at CAFE43 in Browning Street. of faith isn’t doubt. The opposite of faith is Director of Ministry Development in ministry would bring. certainty. We can’t be rock-solid certain. We Qu’Appelle, in Lichfield. House of Bread was established in 2010 and have to summon up the courage in the dark Both recount their “Seeing through another provides a home-cooked meal twice a week, times to take that leap of faith, to trust in God highlights... person’s eyes is such a gift fresh clothing, food bags and toiletries to anyone and God’s purposes. to us; being part of a World in need in Stafford. Its volunteers run a food Frances: “Only a few weeks Church is such a gift to us – bank, drop-in sessions, a café, a weekly gathering “I think people can relate to that, at any stage in previously, three delegates may the links we have with where people come together to make bread to their journey of faith. And it is a real privilege to from Qu’Appelle attended our sister remain share with others, and a community garden. be sharing in that journey at House of Bread.” our Clergy Conference, strong!” learning from our HoB Church started two years ago and runs House of Bread Director Will Morris said: “HoB experience of ministry in Catherine: “The purpose once a month with a focus on people who Church is what church needs to be like when multi-parishes; now I was to of my visit to the UK was are new to, or outside of, the faith. Over the facing those at the very beginning of their fly over there and listen to two-fold. I attended the summer it met in the back garden of CAFE43. Christian journey. There is nothing quite like the experience of delegates Annual Conference for praising God in the sun whilst hearing the birds who have recognised, Theological Educators Alison, who is at Stafford’s town centre sing in his creation.” and ordained, Distinctive in Hoddesdon. I then churches, St Mary’s and St Chad’s, has been for some time now. travelled to Lichfield and volunteering with House of Bread for three years. The of Stafford is also a was graciously hosted by regular visitor to House of Bread’s weekly Bible “One of my strongest Frances whom I met at the She spoke about faith and certainty in the study Toast. “Toast has a bit more colourful impressions at the conference in Qu’Appelle. context of John the Baptist’s question “Are you the language than most Bible study groups!” said Distinctive Deacons one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Will. “But Bishop Geoff is amazing and really Conference was the warmth which had been “My role encompasses discernment and pre and does make a difference.” fostered between the different Churches who post ordination training, so both the conference She said: “In Jesus, John saw the culmination of took part, including Anglican, Roman Catholic and conversations with the Vocations Team in all God’s promises to Israel. Now, he’s sitting Find out more about at www.hobstafford.co.uk and the Orthodox-Catholic Ukrainian. Lichfield served to better equip me to refine our process in Qu’Appelle. I am deeply appreciative “The Distinctive Diaconate (Deacons who remain of the wisdom and resources shared by the team. deacons for the rest of their lives and don’t ‘transition’ to be ) is a ministry which “I have been struck by the deep impact which clearly all denominations within Canada and the connection between Qu’Appelle and the US appreciate. Deacons have a particular Lichfield has had on the lives of a number of heart for those who are on the margins, both people in both dioceses. It is moving to hear of society and of faith. They are ‘doorkeepers’, of how visits to one diocese or the other, inviting people in and sending the congregation friendships which developed and events out to engage in the world; they are also attended have an enduring and transforming ‘heralds’, sent out with a message from God and effect on the lives of those who participated.”

The dioceses of Qu-Appelle in Canada (left, red)) and Lichfield (right, yellow)

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The Church of England around Staffordshire, northern Shropshire and the Black Country Pilgrims from the East East met West Revd Joshua Ong and his wife Deaconess Ying different kinds of services to cater for different People across Lichfield Diocese welcomed a The Revd Peng recently came to Lichfield as part of a needs. Our link and partnership enables a team of over 20 visitors from West Malaysia James three month sabbatical from the Diocese of two way communication to see how we can and Kuching for the five-day ‘Intentional Gandon, West Malaysia where Joshua share our resources. You face Discipleship: East Meets West’ event. who is the vicar of a large church, an increasingly unbelieving hosted

St Paul’s Petalan Jaya in Kuala society whilst in Malaysia we The varied programme included a day in each one Moon Hing Ng addressing the Lumpur, with an Electoral Roll are surrounded by people who episcopal area, seeing projects run by parishes, of the congregation at the event in Shrewsbury of over 600 people. do believe but are of different schools, fresh expressions and chaplaincies, events faiths. and sharing worship and teaching with local in Stoke-on-Trent, added: “It was immensely Joshua said: “Our sabbatical congregations. encouraging to be involved and to meet various began with the Diocesan “In the UK Christianity is so guests - including Jacob Bau who came Clergy Conference at Swanwick much part of your society and The Primate of South East Asia and Bishop and spoke at St Andrew’s.” and led up to the ‘Intentional culture and has been here for of West Malaysia Archbishop Moon Hing Ng Discipleship: East meets so many centuries whereas in and the Bishop of Kuching Danald Jute led the Philip Swan, Diocesan Director of World West’. It was exciting to have Malaysia it is much more recent delegation from the East. Mission, thanked all of those who provided representatives from South East - 200 years or so. We will meals, refreshments, lifts and accommodation. Asia to share in dialogue and soon after the third or fourth At an opening learning together about this generation be facing similar breakfast event at important topic. challenges. In Malaysia we have Bishop Michael’s to make a conscious choice house in Lichfield, “This whole Sabbatical to follow Christ, or to marry in Bishop Danald said: experience is for me like a church “We are here as we pilgrimage. We looked forward or to journey together, walk to going to Lindisfarne for a have a together and learn week child baptised. The key and be a blessing, one before issues are the same: to the other.” Bishop Danald going how can we be true to Visitors and hosts returning from St Chad’s Well to the cathedral on to All our faith and walking Archbishop Moon Hing led a day seminar at in discipleship? We Shallowford House on Advanced Intentional “Over 600 people participated in the different Streetly. need to dialogue and Discipleship after which delegates went events during these five days. We were greatly I have journey together.” throughout the diocese to take part in Sunday blessed and inspired through the warmth of found the services in parishes with existing or new links friendship and fellowship with our visitors. They experience with South East Asia. shared with us key insights into discipleship here in a rural context in the Abbots The church and Ying Peng from their increasingly church centre Bromley Team very interesting. For of St Paul’s said: “Besides Bishop Michael said he was challenging contexts. We give instance it was amazing to see Revd Petalan Jaya. enjoying the keen that such parish links were thanks for the past 30 years Steve Deall going into the local opportunity supported and continue to grow. of formal partnership with the church schools and being able to share his faith. to understand “Our call to discipleship is about Dioceses of West Malaysia and This is impossible in a Malaysian context. more about learning to walk in the newness Kuching. We pray for wisdom the Church of of life that Jesus promises to us and grace as together we look “In fact many of the issues you face here are England, I am and about learning how to invite at new ways of sustaining and Among new links made, a group from similar to those we face – such as how we can interested in how the Church has gone through others to share that journey with St John’s, Ipoh, spent the week with the developing friendship, prayer, get children and young people to participate the whole issue around the ordination of us,” he explained. parish of Trentham - Revd Tom Cherian mission and parish links,” he said. more in church life. I have been impressed by women and have valued speaking particularly to here with Esther and Revd Adrian Stone Messy Church and ‘Prayer and Play’ and the female clergy and some male clergy.” More photos at www.flickr.com/photos/spotlight-dioceseoflichfield/albums/72157698671670434

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The Church of England around Staffordshire, northern Shropshire and the Black Country Host of talents Cafe Church There’s an art to church life, quite literally “The surprising discovery about art school is Café Church is church with a difference. It is all ages (including seniors, in the case of South Staffordshire vicar the emphasis on ideas and influences that a fresh expression of church that responds not just families) and is more Charmain Host who shares about her new contribute to art-making and that skill grows to our cafe culture of today where many of accessible to newcomers. It is student experience: with practice and, much like faith, it doesn’t all us enjoy good coffee and meeting up with experimental rest on talent. friends. and evolving. “It was a slow August day three years ago. I had We have been in my new post as 0.5 Vicar of Swindon and “As a student of art I am encouraged to think A Sunday in June marked a special day for two discovered Himley for six months, long enough to realise about what I want to communicate to the world. churches in the Diocese. For one, St Paul’s in many that working part-time would only be sustainable What moves me, inspires me, outrages me and Fazeley, Tamworth, the day marked the second things that if I did something with the other 0.5 of my life. what am I going to respond to? anniversary of café church which began as a don’t work pilot in 2016. Café Church has grown to become but it is an “I knew that it needed to be something that “One day I showed a student colleague around the best attended service in the month with exciting journey would stimulate and challenge me as well as my churches. I commented that it was so many new families to be on.” take me outside of the parishes. A Google familiar to me because it was my work place. and members of search for local Art courses led me to the He pulled me up short: ‘How can you not be the community Seated around tables, instead of rows, there Wolverhampton inspired by this? You attending. is coffee, croissants, cakes and an opportunity Adult Education don’t realise you have to get to know each other. It is still a service, Service – and a access to spaces that Vicar of St Paul’s , based around a theme with a few songs, a talk, part-time course most people don’t.’ the Revd Jonathan discussions and a chance to respond. It is for in Art and Design. Iddon, said “We all ages and everyone regardless of where they One tutor there My friend was seeing were finding our existing monthly all age are on their faith journey. Café Church is loved clearly had bigger things I had lost sight of. service was poorly attended and not effectively by new families who are just finding out about ambitions for meeting the needs of the church family nor Jesus as well as mature Christians. me than I did, “So, the question was, reaching out to the wider community. It was and thanks to could church be revealed time to try something different and innovative. On the same day St Mary’s Church in Market him, I have just to others with an artist’s Aware that people with little or no experience of Drayton held their very first café church. Vicar, completed the eye? My answer was an church and worship can find coming to church the Revd Catherine McBride says “Café Worship first year of a art project I called ‘The a daunting experience we wanted to do creative at St Mary’s evolved out of our Messy Church BA in Fine Art at Cure of Souls’. I’m still all age worship in a more culturally familiar gatherings. We wanted to have somewhere Wolverhampton Art School. a beginner, learning and seeing new things. where those who felt comfortable at Messy Inhabiting this new art world alongside the Church could perhaps go a bit deeper. We have “The experience of starting art school as a more familiar world of church I continue to be had two Café Worship services so far and, thanks mature student was daunting. The thing that surprised by grace whilst exploring how each to a great team, they have both gone really well. kept me going was the potential for shame at might give vision to the other.” We have had around 40 people at both services; being a university drop-out after only three some were church regulars, but at both services days! Thankfully, there are quite a few of us at Charmaine is available for talks at we had people we had never seen before. art school beyond the first flush of youth. [email protected] “The services are very interactive and the mix Welcome ‘walk’ so I’m delighted that we’ve just of discussions, activities, personal stories, music From the Editor to the new relaunched our diocesan Prayer Diary. Read and input seems to work well and helps people edition of more about it on page 2 and join us in praying engage at different levels. One highlight was Spotlight which is, as usual, packed for churches, schools, fresh expressions and when we invited each table to create a collage to with stories from our Diocese and chaplaincies across our rich and varied region illustrate one of the ‘I AM’ sayings of Jesus. I was further afield. Pete Bate, context of a café. Although it’s not everyone’s amazed and humbled as each table explained Prayer is a key part of our Christian Director of Communications ‘cup of tea’(!) we are finding it is engaging what Jesus meant to them. It was very moving.”

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The Church of England around Staffordshire, northern Shropshire and the Black Country Thank you My Cup Overrunneth

Mark and Mandy Rylands have said a big silence and Team spirit and episcopal ambition. clergy cricket as a recruiting mechanism for the ‘thankyou’ to people from across the one of those As summer draws to a close, so does another Shrewsbury Episcopal Area quite irresistible. Diocese who withering cricket season, and especially poignantly for the generously looks from members of the Diocesan Cricket team. For we Our dressing room has always been a crucible donated towards Mandy that have come to the end of an era, one filled with of diversity, with not only every tradition within their leaving gift. Lindsey Hall unprecedented success and golden memories. the Church of England represented, but also mentioned in ministers from other denominations enriching The couple bid her farewell On the day of my announcement as Bishop of the mix. None more so than our late, great, farewell in July at address. So, Wolverhampton, back in 2007, I was asked by our skipper, Jeff Reynolds, from whose peerless Bishop Michael blessed the a packed service in it looks like the money couple after farewells were then Director of Communications, Gavin Drake, banter there was no escape, and who managed Shrewsbury will be spent ‘sensibly’- on said and tributes paid by what I most wanted to achieve in my new role. I to combine the sober responsibilities of being a the ‘other’ Bishop Mark after Mark had served a lovely bench for our of Shrewsbury, Roman unaccountably went off message and failed to Methodist Superintendent with playing in a soft for nine years as Bishop of Shrewsbury and decided garden where we will sit Catholic Rt Revd Mark speak of doubling the size of every congregation rock band. His royalties from CD sales helped Davies: the Lord Lieutenant, to return to parish ministry in the south-west together and remember Sir Algenon Heber-Percy; by 2020. What I actually said was that I wanted to him buy his round. Unforgettable Anglicans where the couple previously many happy memories of ecumenical representatives; win the Church Times Cup with Lichfield! include Peter Hart, ex professional footballer, Archdeacon, Rural Deans served and have family. time in Lichfield Diocese. & Lay Chairs of the Salop whose batting style owes more to baseball Episcopal Area and Dr Four years later the dream became a reality than to the MCC coaching manual, but whose Lindsey Hall on behalf of the Diocesan Staff. as we held the trophy aloft, triumphing over mighty blows have scattered both sheep and Bath and Wells in our first ever appearance in spectators over the years, and Phil Searle, the

the 60 year history of The victorious team of 2011 narrowboat dweller with the competition. Joy a thunderous laugh. unbounded! And joy shared with the large Our dressing room has number of supporters been a place where we from different parts of have tried, not always Mark said: the Diocese who had successfully, to treat “May we thank got up ridiculously early triumph and disaster the Lichfield to make the journey to just the same. It has Diocesan . been a place of support, family for the encouragement and incredibly large That has been our only friendship, and on cheque you gave us. It was extremely kind “Having relinquished victory, though we have made the final on occasions, good disagreement. A place where and Mandy and I were overwhelmed by the my ‘bishop’s car’, the four subsequent occasions. We have often theological differences can be aired and generosity of so many people. remainder will probably go come tantalisingly close but in recent years the respected, without bats disappearing though towards a car. Thank you muscular and far more youthful London team windows. On a good day, in the aftermath of “Obviously, for your love, friendship have just prevailed. a good win, where everyone has been able to Mandy and I and company in the contribute, it has felt a special privilege to be have started Gospel - all that we have This year it was Bristol who ended our dream part of that Body, diverse but unified, joyful, if to discuss how received from Lichfield in the semi-final, a match which saw two of our rather sweaty. As one in our sense of purpose, to spend it. I Diocese. We look back key players depart to pastures new, one of whom but fully aware that for each of us, there is suggested a with huge thankfulness was of course Bishop . Responsible a greater goal, a higher purpose, even than new fishing and will not forget you in for many wonderful innings over the years, winning the Church Times Cup. How special it is rod and cricket our thoughts and prayers. Bishop Mark was both the most congenial to share that bond with one another, and with bat but then Please continue to pray for but also the most competitive player I have all those who have faithfully I received us.” played with! And he found the temptation to use supported us over the years. +

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The Church of England around Staffordshire, northern Shropshire and the Black Country in the footsteps of St Chad in the footsteps of Come follow Christ 079172 48973 revssundayservicestation / facebook.com/ More details: for coffee, bacon and chat. without their classic cars welcome to join with or food and life. People are car meet sharing cars, REVS is a regular Sunday Montford Bridge Cafe 0900-1200 Sunday 16 September Praise REVs + BBC Songs of Let us know about your events by email to [email protected] events in the Diocese,For visit lichfield.anglican.org/events a full listing of anglican.org to comms@lichfield. your events by email Let us know about events lichfield.anglican.org/ Diocese, visit events in the of For a full listing DIARY church and community, who will be the potential to be leaders in their local in the Diocese, is aimed at 14-18s with Innovate Mission, devised by a team Innovate Mission Let us know about your events by email to [email protected] events in the Diocese,For visit lichfield.anglican.org/events a full listing of www.lichfield.anglican.org/innovate Full details: September at St Matthews Walsall Three sessions beginning Saturday 22 accompanied by their youth leaders WalkingTogether at lichfield.anglican.org/ 07946 771495 or sign up a place for yourself, phone To bring a group or book Saturday 13 October 2-5pm our own diocese. churches and communities of Christians bring to the Asian, African and Caribbean Month of the enrichment that A celebration for Black History Walking Together

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