Spotlight Jul/Aug 2019 Deacons 2019 A hydrogeologist, a physiotherapist and a This year’s intake of curates follows the barrister are among 18 new deacons to be ordination of 18 new curates in 2018, all of ordained at this weekend. whom went on to be ‘priested’ at services across the diocese the weekend before. Nine men and nine women a range of places and backgrounds will now be curates after Hydrogeologist William Small completing either two or three years of training. was born in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) and has lived in Following their ordination as deacons by Bishop South Africa, Sweden, Israel, Michael at services on the last Saturday and France and Burundi since. The father-of-four Sunday in June, they will start parish ministry has worked to bring clean water and the gospel in a variety of churches across the diocese of Jesus Christ wherever he has gone. He will including several in non-stipendiary (self- serve as a self-supporting minister in Harlescott, supporting) roles. Shrewsbury. “I felt a calling to start looking into ministry. I grew up a Roman Catholic, I’ve continues on p3 ->

he around Staffordshire, northern Shropshire and the Black Country A tall (ship) story #NewRevs 2019 People from St Michael’s Church in Colwich, “We sailed from <- continued from p1 Chris Lane (bottom left) grew up in Walsall near Rugeley, found their sea legs and Chatham in Kent, to been through where he still lives. After being a barrister for made memories on their maiden sea voyage Ramsgate, then across Pentecostal 15 years, he is swapping the court room for together. Church member Wesley Till tells us the channel to Bologna Church and church planting, working in ‘pioneer ministry’ more: (dodging tankers on the now I’m in at St Peter’s in inner Walsall. “I practised in way!) before returning the Church of asylum and immigration law for the latter “At the end of our new Alternative Worship overnight to Brighton. England! The part of my career. I felt God was calling me to service last November, Steve (Deall – curate) scary part is work among people who were on the fringes showed a slide of a sailing ship and asked if “Steve summed it up: being willing to of society. I would represent people and then anyone fancied an adventure… ‘The whole experience say ‘yes’.” say ‘goodbye’ to them, so you were there for was fantastic, living very short periods of their lives. As a minister, “Eight would-be sailors (mainly from St together as community was a real embodiment Treena Larkin I will be in people’s lives long-term and have Michael’s) signed up for a trip onboard the tall of what it means to be a Christian family, no (pictured top the opportunity to walk with them through the ship Morning Star of Revelation (MST trust). matter what age. We learned from each other; left) from issues they face.” MST is a Christian organisation specialising the young crew teaching us oldies how to sail Wolverhampton in working with young people from all and us oldies giving them a little bit of our life worked for Other new deacons have backgrounds in social backgrounds whether they have a faith or experience. When I reflected on our setting off 25 years as a care, teaching, children’s and youth work, not. Their website states that they are about: on the night sail across the Channel leaving physiotherapist. driving instruction, voluntary works, biomedical ‘Changing young people’s lives through youth the safe harbour, it struck me that it was really She started science and as a fettler at a pottery factory. work at sea. We want to see all people live life poignant that as a her Christian to the full no matter where they have come group we were setting journey ten from or where they are going. Jesus came so off into the darkness, years ago that he may give us life and give it to the full’. perhaps a good via the Alpha metaphor for how we course and “MST’s main work is with young people but live our Christian lives; will serve as a they welcome other Christian groups on their setting off with the curate in Penn voyages. Although the majority of us couldn’t light of Christ into the Fields. “Almost be described in any way young in fact (our ages darkness of the world six years ago ranged from 17 to 73), we all found a place and trusting each other and I lost my mum a position as the ship’s crew for the voyage. ultimately trusting in suddenly. It was God to keep us safe.’ a time when the church Diocesan Director of Vocations Lindsey Hall “Our voyage certainly left us with very fond really showed said: “It is great to have such a range of gifts memories about what had been an exciting me their love. and personalities in this year’s new curates. We and inspirational experience. The title on MST Through that need people who can share the Good News of website is: ‘Be Inspired. Live Life to the Full.’ and time I had a Jesus in their communities, workplaces and local the MST states: ‘We believe that every person sense of where churches in fresh ways. If you’d like to explore who sails with us has the right to live life to God was calling how God may be calling you please get in touch the full. We do this through our: Love, Care me. I want with [email protected]“ and hospitality. Our group all agreed that this people to know was certainly true of our experience on ‘The the love of More - including videos of William, Treena and Morning Star of Revelation’. Christ and I’m Chris and information on new deacons (and last passionate about year’s deacons who have just become priests) For further details of The Morning Star Trust walking alongside ordinands and photos from both services can visit https://www.mst.org.uk people.” be found at lichfield.anglican.org/NewRevs2019

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The Church of England around Staffordshire, northern Shropshire and the Black Country BioBlitz in churchyard From Russia with love

All creatures mostly small were found during “One of the things that’s exciting me is that Fifteen pilgrims from across the Diocese, led by the evening an intensive 24-hour study of a churchyard in now everybody’s getting excited about wildlife, Bishop Michael journeyed to Moscow to explore we went to the central Lichfield last month. asking ‘Could we have a little patch of long the faith and practice of Russian Christianity. Bolshoi Theatre. grass and see what wildflowers are in it’, ‘Isn’t it •• The holy men exciting that we’ve got a veteran yew’. Deborah Walton and John Binns recall: “The and women – a purpose of the ten-day pilgrimage was to visit to Sergiev “Sometimes a churchyard can feel like a bit gain new experiences and faith and form Posad with of a burden to the people that manage it as new relationships: a faith journey as well as a the shrine of volunteers, but perhaps the tables are turning physical journey. Each day had a theme with St Sergius of a little and the general public’s getting more a visit to a place as a focus for faith-reflection Radonezh. interested and I think it’s a moment when, if including: •• Beauty and people reach out to the public, they’ll find a lot icons – with a visit to the Tretiakov Gallery, of interest there and possibly a bit of help as well.” •• Familiarisation with the city and culture of and also the Marfo Marinsky monastery. Moscow including a visit to the Lutheran •• Reflection – with a tour of the Kremlin and Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul where its further Moscow sights. Dean Lena Bondarenko welcomed us and told •• Liturgy and worship – sharing the eucharist The BioBlitz at St Michael’s was one of six us about its ministry. with a Russian congregation at Saints Cosmas events around the diocese as part of Love Your •• The Anglican community – sharing in the and Damian Church. We shared lunch with Burial Ground week organised by the charity eucharist and a delicious shared lunch at St members of the Metropolitan Anthony of Caring For God’s Acre. Bats, woodlice, wood Andrew’s Church in Moscow. The chaplain, Sourozh Foundation before a river cruise and mice, slugs, birds, insects, trees and flowers Revd Canon Malcolm Rogers, was very enjoying the sun-soaked sights of Moscow.” were all identified in a joint operation by welcoming and invited Bishop Michael to children, adults and experts. celebrate and preach. Other pilgrims said: •• A Christian society - the vision of early “Experiencing how the Orthodox church Ray Allen organised the event for St Michael’s: Russian Orthodoxy for church and connects with all generations in a Sunday “I think it’s so important nowadays when we’re service has left me challenged and wondering losing so many species in this country. We’ve The other Lichfield Diocese churches taking how the church here might do things differently sown a new wildflower meadow for example part were St Martin’s Preston Gubbals near to encourage intergenerational worship.” to try and increase the flowers and insects that Shrewsbury; Clifton Campville; St Editha’s we get. This is what churches should be doing, Church Eaton and St Peter’s Stonnall. “Lilac was everywhere with its wonderful smell and for after all it is God’s creation and we want to also the beautiful tulips. The ballet was also very make sure God’s creation continues for many, We have a short video with more about the BioBlitz much a highlight for me. We were also fortunate to millions, of years. at lichfield.anglican.org/news/2019/06/19/bioblitz/ see the `changing of the guard` at the Kremlin.”

“There’s room for quiet “We received such a warm welcome. I was deeply contemplation. And there’s government to work together in building moved by the trip to Butovo and the icons of room for the children running society on Christian principles with visits to the modern martyrs in the Cathedral there. The about, excited about finding the Vladimir and Suzdal. traditional home-cooked lunch was delicious.” wildlife.” •• The suffering church – a visit to the new martyrs’ memorial at Butovo Polygon. Bishop Michael invites people to join him and “We think that if you added them •• Renewal in the church – an afternoon visit to others on 21 October at Bishop’s House at 7pm for all together, [burial grounds] St Tikhon’s Orthodox Humanities University, supper, to explore what may be next in our ongoing would cover an area about the where we met students. Some of us visited relationship with the Russian churches. RSVP size as Exmoor National Park,” the mausoleum of Lenin and then the most to [email protected] with dietary said CfGA director Harriet Carty. interesting Metro stations as it rained! In requirements by 4 October.

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The Church of England around Staffordshire, northern Shropshire and the Black Country Learning space for pupils Discover Shropshire

Almost 1,800 students made the journey Dozens of Shropshire churches in our diocese stunning buildings, to Lichfield Cathedral for an inspirational are promoting their amazing buildings some of them educational experience. packed with architecture, music, history, 1,000-years-old, heritage, monuments, carvings and stories of and our countryside Reflecting the cathedral’s theme of ‘Journeys – real people. would be very Space, Light and Time’ on the 50th anniversary different if it wasn’t of the first moon landing, Inspire 2019 saw They are among 100 of the county’s churches dotted with towers students engage with ‘The Ultimate Journey’ at featured in the Shropshire Churches Tourism and spires,” said the 1,300-year-old worship site. Group (SCTG) latest free 24-page brochure, Anne Pilsbury, Chair which boasts the impressive stained glass of St of SCTG, and an Inspire is a three-week educational programme run Alkmunds, Whitchurch, on its cover. active member of St by the Diocesan Board of Education and Cathedral Oswald’s in Oswestry. Education Team which, this year, welcomed pupils The workshops included a journey around an Nearly a third are in our and staff from 42 schools across the region. inflatable planetarium reflecting space (below), diocese; all promising a The churches featured can be found all over an exploration of the science of music focusing warm welcome to visitors the county, from Llanyblodwel in the north- on sound (above), a to their historic and west corner on the Welsh border to Highley in pilgrimage through beautiful buildings. the south east, Adderley in the north east to time around the Bucknell in the south west, and lots of places cathedral, plus journey Bishop Michael, speaking in between. Mainly Anglican, the 100 includes across the continents at the recent SCTG annual also include Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, through activities based general meeting, said Unitarian and United Reformed churches. on faith and climate the brochure played an change challenges. important role in helping “Inclusion in the brochure guarantees a warm churches tell our stories. welcome for visitors, not just from far away, The cathedral’s Schools and Learning but for Salopians and others who have not yet Manager Alex Nicholson-Ward said: “2019 has He added: “As a parish priest for 40 years it was stepped through their local church door. Pick certainly been our best year for Inspire. The good for the spiritual health of the parish to up the brochure or go to our website and see if Diocesan Director of Education Claire Shaw said: feedback from students and staff has been welcome visitors to our churches.” you can find one you fancy “Inspire is an amazing opportunity for mission and universally positive, and it shows how fantastic having a look at.” education to engage with pupils and staff from the Inspire team have been in planning and Thirty-thousand leaflets are being distributed across the diocese. Each day pupils were engaged delivering learning activities which are fun, across the county to visitor information Download the brochure in four workshops, each run by professionals, engaging and profound.” centres, member churches and other tourism and find out more at www. supported by a bank of wonderful volunteers.” attractions. The booklet has a map, directions discovershropshirechurches. A series of services, concerts and special events and information about each church for visitors co.uk or on Facebook @ mark the moon-landing anniversary at the to Shropshire. discovershropshirechurches cathedral this summer. From July to September, ‘One Small Step’ created by the cathedral’s SCTG is working Artist-in-Residence Peter Walker will transform to increase its floor into a lunar landscape giving people visitor numbers Amazing churches the opportunity to walk on the moon and watch to the county’s highlighted in Shropshire include St galaxies emerge. Meanwhile, 2019’s Great most significant Oswald’s Oswestry Exhibition in August will focus on ‘Space: God, historic buildings. (left), Astley (right), Clive (above) and the Universe and Everything’ featuring stunning “Shropshire’s Welsh Frankton (top), sound, light and art installations. Find out more landscape is at www.lichfield-cathedral.org littered with

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The Church of England around Staffordshire, northern Shropshire and the Black Country 50 years of women Readers Putting the house in order

This year marks the 50th anniversary since of Reader Training, the Revd Dr Jeanette Shallowford House is the diocese’s retreat and women were first licensed as Readers and the Hartwell: "The advantage of being a Reader is conference centre set in rolling countryside 40th anniversary of the licensing of one of the that you are not encumbered with the running in the heart of Staffordshire. Set in nine longest-serving Readers in the Diocese. of a church. A Reader is free to be able to have acres of gardens, woodlands and meadows, a focus to look outwards, to read the pulse of a green-fingered volunteers play a key role in Readers are lay people who have been selected, community in a way perhaps that those whose maintaining its grounds. trained and licensed by the Bishop to preach, focus may be inside the church and church teach and lead worship in their local parish or as building are not able to do. That's one of the Annie Sowerbutts, who works at Shallowford chaplains. The role of Reader has had a mixed great advantages of being a lay theologian." and is part of Castle Church in Stafford, explains understanding over the years - some mistakenly how monasticism and llamas all play a part: seeing it as a second-best to clergy, but Bishop Bishop Michael agrees: "People sometimes say Michael is forceful in insisting that it is a distinct the word Reader is a bit old-fashioned, but “Each year and special role: I think it's actually a great word because it's Shallowford kept and looked after at Shallowford, two about reading the House hosts alpacas named Bruce and Evan were recently "Readers are a very scriptures but it's a total of adopted and the Garden Working Party helped important part of also about reading three garden to create a new and comfortable environment the ministry [of the the world we're in." working parties for them to be welcomed into. These additions, Church] in their own in the spring, along with our labyrinth and wander path, right - they're not The full video also summer and enable guests to enjoy and embrace the just a stop-gap for hear's from Emma autumn, outdoor space as well as the house, as they when we can't get Cardinal (below- recruiting keen enjoy being surrounded by, and reminded of, enough clergy," he right), currently the gardeners God’s creation. says. "And I would youngest Reader to work see Readers in every in the Diocese, and together to “Anybody way enjoying a parity Jean Ainsworth help improve who wishes of esteem with clergy. They both serve with the who has just finished her training and will be the grounds to volunteer Bishop's Licence and they both represent the licensed in Lichfield Cathedral in September. and gardens any of their ministry of the whole church." around the time for any Although the rules changed in 1969, the first house. In forthcoming That may not be the experience of older Readers, woman to take on the role in Lichfield Diocese April, 14 volunteers joined together to take on Garden especially those who are women. Margaret was Maureen Kettle who was licensed on 20 six different projects covering over 400 hours Working Party Crowther (right) was licensed forty years ago and May 1973 to the parish of Meole Brace. The of work between them. The work included events, please recalls trepidation from some clergy at the time: Lichfield Diocese Magazine of the time noted weeding flower beds, hanging and painting contact us at that she (unlike any of the men licensed at the field gates and creating a wheelchair accessible Shallowford "I found in the local Methodist churches that it same time) had a degree in theology. footpath. House. You was quite acceptable because they already had are more than women as lay preachers but in the Anglican Degrees have never been a requirement: while “The workers are encouraged to work as a team welcome to churches they were still a little wary of a woman training does involve an amount of study and with a monastic approach to a daily routine. join us, with taking a leadership role and certainly of preaching. writing, a passion to reach people and explain Along with working together, the group don’t the chance to And one or two of the clergy wanted to know scripture in church and to the wider world are only focus on the tasks at hand; they eat, meet new people and contribute to such an exactly what I was going to be saying and whether more important according to Jeanette. worship and pray together giving a sense of important and rewarding event.” it fitted with their doctrine as they believed!" fellowship and being united in faith to gain a feeling of achievement at the finished projects. Find more about Shallowford House and the Find out more about Reader ministry and training Yet the ministry of a Reader is actually the 'best at www.lichfield.anglican.org/readers Diocese’s other retreat centre, Dovedale House, at of both worlds' according to Diocesan Director “Along with the resident chickens and peacocks www.lichfield.anglican.org/StChadsRetreatCentres/

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The Church of England around Staffordshire, northern Shropshire and the Black Country Sue and Clare in new roles Brave and ambitious

Archdeacon of Walsall is taking on a Archdeacon of Walsall in January 2015. The new Bishop of Shrewsbury, , new missions role which will also provide a key looks forward to discovering Lichfield Diocese. link between the diocese and Lichfield Cathedral. Sue said: “Working more closely with the cathedral and mission team to explore how When I read the Bible I hear the voices of God’s we can grow in mission, will be an exciting people and their stories of faith. These are not opportunity to mutually learn from, share and always straightforward or easy, but God is faithful grow in the diocesan vision.” and his heart is for all people to come to know him. In the New Testament we encounter God Reflecting on her time in Walsall, she added: in his son, Jesus, and the Good News he brings “I have had the pleasure of sharing in ministry is a message of love and justice for all people. across all the parishes, in a range of different ways. Seeing God at work when we unite to make His As Christians we are called to live out kingdom our priority is truly a blessing. I give my this message of love and justice in our sincere thanks to all I have worked with.” relationships as we share as ‘pilgrims on the road’, Sue will become Archdeacon Missioner in in God’s transformational discovering this message September – a Lichfield-based post combining The , the Very Revd Adrian work among his people and of hope for ourselves, the responsibilities of Dorber, said: “It’s good to have Archdeacon Sue build communities of hope. our families, friends and with a Missioner role across the diocese and an more closely involved in the life of the cathedral Together we need to be open communities, through attachment at the cathedral. and we’re looking forward to building new to the transforming message conversation, relationship, relationships with the Diocesan Mission Team.” of God’s love for us. worship, prayer and Sue’s new role will provide a link between the encounter. I believe that God missional work of the cathedral and the diocese. Sue succeeds Simon Baker as Archdeacon of As Bishop of Shrewsbury I will has gifted me with a loving As well as teaching, preaching and leading Lichfield after he gave up the role to devote be taking every opportunity heart and a passion to walk worship at the cathedral she will be part of the his time to parish ministry. The Archdeacon of to connect with people as we journey together with others as together we discover our place in diocese’s new Mission Team. Walsall vacancy has been advertised. God’s story and our home in God’s heart.

Bishop Michael said: “This new, exciting role will Meanwhile, Claire The gospel message is also a call to dynamic living be crucial in aligning further the joint mission of Shaw has been - stimulating progress, hopeful in attitude and the diocese and the cathedral, recognising the appointed as the new encouraging of others as we live the Good News. enrichment that they bring to each other. It will Diocesan Director of We need to be brave and ambitious, creative and also bring additional strategic thinking to the Education. Sir Geoff entrepreneurial if we are to be truly outward- Mission Team in our Discipleship, Vocation and Hampton will take facing believers, engaged with the world. Evangelism Department. Sue is absolutely the on the role of the right person to take on this new role, with her Bishop’s Strategic I am really looking forward to our journey proven experience and commitment to mission Advisor for Education together! and teaching ministry.” from September. +Sarah Bullock, Bishop of Shrewsbury After being ordained in 1996, Sue began her Bishop Michael said: ministry as a curate in Caverswall, Weston “These new appointments will strengthen From the Editor sporting a dog collar or a blue or white collar Coyney and Dilhorne in North Staffordshire, our Diocesan Board of Education. Claire has in everyday workplaces, schools, colleges and and then served in Wilnecote before serving the opportunity to shape the direction of the Welcome to the summer edition communities, is a key way of modelling Jesus’s alongside her husband David who was Chaplain Education team and its staffing structure. of Spotlight. And welcome to loving service. Don’t forget to encourage the at Christ Church, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, from Sir Geoff has extensive experience as an the 18 new curates who we leaders you know – it’s not an easy job! Have 2005-11. She returned to serve in Wednesfield, educationalist and an expert understanding of feature on the front page. a great summer. Darlaston and Moxley before becoming current issues including academisation.” Good leadership, whether

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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 trinitychurces.org for details and to book. Brace, Shrewsbury. Contact phil.cansdale@ Wed 17 July 12.30-1.45pm, Trinity Centre, Meole CPAS and parish volunteers together. two-night residential adventures supported by School Ventures for Yrs 4-5. Learn about these An information evening about CPAS Church-School Partnership

DIARY November. More info at Yarnfield Conference Centre, Stone, 8-10 heritage to explore lay or ordained ministry. Weekend conference for anyone with BAME Walk with Me churchofengland.org/ministry-events [email protected] Let us know about your events by email to visit lichfield.anglican.org/events events in the Diocese,For a full listing of LED More at lichfield.anglican.org/ resources. Led by members of Includes training and free managing pastoral offices. this new, free online tool for clergy to discover more about A day for administrators and Life Events Diary 3pm. Beacon Centre, Stafford. the national CofE team

Thursday 3 October, 10am-

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