The Lost in INSIDE challenges space? of ministry Gravity today, reviewed p9 p11

THE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2013 No: 6203 www.churchnewspaper.com PRICE £1.35 1,70j US$2.20 THE ORIGINAL CHURCH NEWSPAPER ESTABLISHED IN 1828 NEWSPAPER Shock after Typhoon Haiyan CHRISTIAN RELIEF organisations are mounting ments in dangerous, flood-prone parts of large cities. A massive operations to assist the victims of Typhoon thrust of Christian Aid’s work is to help poor people Haiyan in the Philippines and the Archbishop of in their struggle for their right to homes, land, services Canterbury has said he is ‘deeply shocked and sad- and resources. dened to hear of the loss of thousands of lives and of Poverty and inequality are major problems in the coun- the suffering caused to millions by the storm’. try and the impact of a disaster is always greatest on the The Archbishop said the Church is praying for the ‘most poorest and most vulnerable sections of the population. vulnerable in this crisis’ and will ‘stand beside the people of The Philippines is an overwhelmingly Christian country. the Philippines’. There is a small Episcopal Church started by American World Vision says it has staff spread all around the coun- missionaries and a much larger Philippine Independent try who are cooperating with government response teams Church, which broke away from the Roman Catholic to assess both immediate and long-term needs. The devel- Church and is in full communion with Canterbury. The opment agency estimates that at least 37 members of its Roman Catholic Church is the largest church in the coun- own staff have suffered damage to their homes. try. One member of staff spoke of his house being totally In Britain CAFOD has appealed for support to help its destroyed and another said he had to work by candlelight disaster work. All relief agencies said that damage to while a third spoke of her anxiety about the fate of her two mobile towers and phone lines as well as power cuts all children she had left in the care of a nanny. mal fairly quickly but warns that for others the process is made it difficult to communicate with staff on the ground Christian Aid has launched an appeal for victims of likely to take years. At present the priority is to alleviate but CAFOD gave as one example of the work one of their Typhoon Haiyan. The charity has worked with local part- immediate need. More than half the people in the Philip- partners the provision of shelter under tarpaulin to 8,000 ners to encourage emergency preparedness and to provide pines live in disaster prone areas and the country is now families in Cebu City. disaster response training for vulnerable communities. considered the third most vulnerable to disasters and cli- In some areas Typhoon Haiyan came as another blow to Although casualties have been high, they would have been mate change, according to the World Disaster Report for communities that were already struggling to recover from much higher if preparations had not been made for the 2012. a previous disaster. On the island of Bohol the typhoon Typhoon. The Philippines experiences about 20 typhoons a year added to the destruction caused by an earthquake last Christian Aid predicts that some areas will return to nor- and large numbers of poor people live in informal settle- month and made it difficult to deliver resources. Archbishop attacks consumerism at Christmas ARCHBISHOP affection’ rather than to try to ‘buy’ it. pressure on relationships because ‘when “You can’t buy it, you can show it, and attacked the ‘absurd and ridiculous’ Acknowledging that it was a ‘cliché’ to you’re short of money you argue. You get when you show it, it comes back to you pressures people are under to spend say Christmas was becoming very materi- cross with your kids more easily, it spoils life’. with interest. Save up for the Christmas money in celebrating Christmas in a alistic ‘as though it wasn’t 300 years’ ago’, Saying that the Christmas message is budget, be sensible, don’t put pressure on television programme this week. he commented that the ‘secular over-the- that ‘God gives us his son Jesus to give us your finances, don’t make your life miser- Speaking on ITV’s ‘The Martin Lewis topness, everything you have to have, new life’ the Archbishop said that giving at able with Christmas. Money Show’ he said he would like to tell clothes you have to have, new this, new Christmas should reflect that generosity. “Share love and affection with reasonable people to stop giving gifts altogether but that, new the other, is ridiculous, it’s “Be generous in a way that shows love and gifts that demonstrate you really care for realised no one would listen to what he absurd, it shouldn’t happen’. affection rather than trying to buy love and someone. That makes the best Christmas said. He urged families to ‘show love and He went on to say that consumerism puts affection,” he urged viewers. present you could ever have.”

ALAN STORKEY 7 • COMMENT 7 • LETTERS 8 • ANDREW CAREY 10 • CLERGY MOVES 14 • BOB MAYO 15 • PAUL RICHARDSON 16 2 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday November 15, 2013 News Inside... Prison affects more children The original Church newspaper

UK News ...... 1-4 World News ...... 5 than divorce, charity says Comment By Amaris Cole port for prisoners’ families and contributing Baptismal Integrity ...... 6 to public policy. Leader ...... 7 MORE CHILDREN are affected by This year’s Prisons Week runs from Sun- Alan Storkey ...... 7 prison than divorce and these families day 17 November to Saturday 23 November Letters ...... 8 need support, organisers of this year’s 2013. Steve Cook ...... 9 Prisons Week claim. The of , the Rt Rev Nick Andrew Carey ...... 10 With over 85,000 people in custody in Holtam, said: “Prisons Week gets us think- Whispering Gallery ...... 10 England and Wales and re-offending rates ing about three groups of people: prisoners, Films/Books ...... 11 remaining high, Prison chaplains are invit- who are locked away and not visible to most Janey Lee Grace ...... 12 ing people to ‘get to know’ their local prison. of us; ex-prisoners who live in the communi- The Rev Alison Tyler, chair of the organis- ty alongside us but who are also often invisi- ing committee, said: “When someone is sent ble - the impact of imprisonment will stay The Record to prison, their whole family serves the sen- with them for life. Classifieds ...... 13 tence with them. It’s especially hard for the “There are also their families, who often Acccepting Evangelicals . . . . .13 children, who are often separated from their pay a veryhigh price for their relative’s Clergy Moves ...... 14 parents by long distances, and seldom get to offending. What are prisons for and what do Crossword ...... 14 see them. we want them to do? How are we neighbours? Spiritual Director ...... 15 “We want to encourage people to consider Prisons Week. “This is a week to support the great work Sunday Service ...... 15 how they might support the many organisa- This year is directly responding to the by chaplaincies, churches, volunteers and Bob Mayo ...... 15 tions working with prisoners and ex-offend- changes by Justice Secretary, Chris Christian groups in prisons across the UK.” Paul Richardson ...... 16 ers, as well as their families.” Grayling, as part of an agenda to reduce re- For information about the ‘I’m in’ cam- People ...... 16 The Church of England, along with the offending, by focussing on the impact of the paign, further resources and more details Milestones ...... 16 Methodist Church, the Salvation Army, the voluntary sector in working to reduce re- about the launch event, including tickets, Next week’s news ...... 16 Free Church group and others, support offending rates, through mentoring, sup- please visit www.prisonsweek.org. Archbishop Sentamu pays Your Church visit to the Diocese of Egypt News from your diocese

Chelmsford: Bookings for the 2014 St Peter’s Car and the basic human need of reaching out to one Show has opened. The annual show will be held on another, the , the Rt Rev Paul Saturday 14 June, 2014 at Redden Court School, Bayes, said: “Sometimes traditional is good, so why Cotswold Road, Harrod Wood, Essex. This upcoming not write cards and deliver some of them yourself? year, much like the years before, St Peter’s is aiming Because it’s not just the card, but it’s that one-to-one to display vintage, classic, sports, costume, kit or connection - pastorally, there’s nothing better than American cars in hopes of raising money for the Lon- hand delivering a card, it’s such a gift to the giver as don Air Ambulance. People can register their car or well as to the receiver.” Royal Mail recently conduct- car club with a £3.00 suggested donation per vehicle ed a survey that found that 80 per cent of people and receive a goodie bag, programme, and a wrist- would rather receive a card than a festive message via band which will entitle them to free coffee or tea social media, which a quarter of those surveyed throughout the day. In 2012 the car show raised described as feeling a bit empty or impersonal. An £6,000 for London Air Ambulance, and St Peter’s will estimated £50m is raised for good causes through the continue to donate all of the profits along with a sales of charity Christmas cards each year. Traidcraft matched donation from the food concessions by Bar- charity cards have raised hundreds of thousands of clays, Whitechapel. St Peter’s is looking to continue pounds to fund CAFOD, SCIAF and Christian Aid as this trend and raise even more money in 2014. Book- well as Traidcraft’s work in fighting poverty through ing online is available at http://www.stpeter- trade. Mags Vaughan, CEO of Traidcraft said: “A scarshow.co.uk/booking. charity Christmas card says so much more and you can trust Traidcraft and our partner charities to turn ARCHBISHOP spent five days last week visit- Derby: Birmingham and Copenhagen University your good wishes in this country into good work in ing the Diocese of Egypt, North Africa and the Horn of Africa last Professor Jorgen Nielson was the speaker this week another.” week. He was invited by Bishop Mouneer Anis to preach at the at Derby Cathedral in a talk titled, “What’s Happening services for the 75th anniversary of All Saints Cathedral, Cairo. in the Middle East Today?” Professor Nielson tackled Peterborough: The Staff at HM Prison Peterbor- Archbishop William Temple participated in the consecration of the complex and rapidly developing problems facing ough have put together an exhibit that promises to the Cathedral in 1938. the Middle East including the civil unrest in Syria, the display a flavour of what life is like for the inmates of Dr Sentamu took as the theme of his sermon ‘What are the governmental changes in Egypt, and the re-starting the prison. The exhibit will include a made up cell, saints?’ At the service, the Rev Dr Toby Howarth, the Archbishop peace talks between Israel and Palestine. Prof Niel- arts and crafts station, as well as examples made by of Canterbury’s Secretary for Inter-religious Affairs, was installed son has studied in Beirut and lived in Damascus, as the inmates themselves, including lanterns made by as an honorary of the Cathedral. well as served as a consultant to governments, the female inmates that were featured in the lantern While in Egypt the Archbishop also met with the Coptic leader, EU Presidency and the Council of Europe on the parade in Liverpool last September. Peterborough Pope Tawadros II. In 2011 the Archbishop launched an Advent region. His talk addressed what it’s really like to live Cathedral will feature the Rev Jackie Wiegman, one appeal for a community centre for deaf children in Egypt and to in these affected areas, what the Christian communi- of the Chaplains at HMP Peterborough, as their raise money for a school for the deaf. This followed a joint visit by ty is experiencing, and how the politics in the region preacher for the 10:30 Cathedral Eucharist Service Dr Sentamu and Bishop Mouneer to a deaf school in 2010. will affect the West. on Sunday 17 November. Following the service will This year the Archbishop made a Lent Appeal for the school. be the formal opening of the exhibit, which will run Speaking about his recent visit, he said: “All Saints Cathedral is Hereford: The Bishop of Hertford has backed a for all of Prison Week (17-23 November). Prison an amazing place, and the prayer for the 75th anniversary gave campaign requesting people to send real Christmas Week is an ecumenical movement that encourages such a great sense of the Holy Spirit moving in the diocese. I am cards this year. Begun by leading ethical retailer reflection and prayer for prisoners, their families, the continuing to pray for the people of Egypt. Please help them build Traidcraft, the campaign challenges the swiftly grow- victims of the offenders, for prison staff, and those a bigger and better school for the deaf community in Egypt.” ing e-card culture which makes use solely of social who care for them. The exhibit is open 9am-5pm He described the school as a real sign that the Anglican Church media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Con- every day, and admission is free. ‘cares for people no one else cares about’. Among its schemes to cerned by the potentially cold and impersonal nature More information can be found at www.peterbor- help the deaf, the Diocese of Egypt is planning to translate the of social media compared to the human connection ough-cathedral.org.uk Bible into Egyptian sign language.

[email protected]/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper News Friday November 15, 2013 www.churchnewspaper.com 3 NEWS IN BRIEF Forward in Faith gives Cathedral Choirs unite in Liverpool Over 130 members from Liverpool’s two cathedrals will join a 16-piece Chamber Orchestra to perform Handel’s Messiah at Liverpool Cathe- dral on Saturday, 7 December at 7:30 pm. cautious welcome to Bill Containing over 50 movements within three acts, Messiah is one of the most complex choral pieces that is regularly performed, and the 7 FORWARD IN FAITH flict with PCC resolu- ops’ Declaration recog- damaging its credibility. December performance will be directed by David Poulter, Director of has said it believes that tions to parishes are not nises that Forward in as well as causing Music at Liverpool Cathedral. David Poulter said: “We enjoy making the new draft legislation appointed so that lay Faith’s position is one heartache to many music with our very good friends from the Metropolitan Cathedral for women and representatives would of ‘theological convic- women members of the Choir, and the joint performance of Messiah will be the highlight of the associated propos- not be exposed to legal tions that continues to Church. many collaborations this year.” als of the Steering Com- challenge. be within the spectrum The statement does Tickets are £10 at the door or in advance from Liverpool Cathedral mittee ‘may have the Warm backing is of Anglican teaching draw attention to mat- Shop in person, www.cathedralshop.com or 0151 702 7255 potential to provide given for the idea of an and tradition’ and that ters that need to be workable arrange- Independent Reviewer provision should be addressed. It would like Southwell Minster is welcom- The PrayerMate app, currently ments for the future’ or ombudsman and the made for those who to see an agreed way of ❏ing the work of celebrated available for on the iStore was but it has warned that statement draws atten- hold this position ‘with- procedure for the con- artist David Carson Shaw until 12 named runner-up in the ‘Chris- ‘any weakening of the tion to the fact that such out limit of time’. secration of Traditional December. tian Mobile/Tablet App of the proposals would a person is to have paid The statement Catholic bishops The artist said: “I believe that my Year’ category last week at the require them to be administrative support. encourages ‘Synod to (including what will work has in the broadest and often Christian New Media Awards. opposed vigorously’. There is support for send the legislation for happen when there is a in a particular sense invariably The App claims to help you A statement signed the new proposals that revision in full Synod so woman Archbishop of contained some spiritual and reli- pray for people by adding them on behalf of the execu- the terms of a Code of that the process may Canterbury), provi- gious imagery, always expressed to your personal prayer points, tive of Forward in Faith Practice must be decid- continue as expeditious- sions to ensure a seam- in a positive and celebratory form. which the app notifies you reg- by the chairman, the Rt ed before legislation is ly as possible’. less transition in a I hope that the images you will see ularly about. Online prayer Rev Jonathan Baker, given Final Approval Forward in Faith’s situation where hun- in this exhibition bear witness to diaries from major Christian identified key improve- and that any amend- statement is likely to be dreds of parishes will this assertion.” charities are available through ments in the new pro- ments will need a two- welcomed with consid- have to pass new reso- the app. posals. thirds majority in each erable relief by those in lutions, and a Canon YMCA hopes to Inspire a new generation It welcomes the fact House of Synod. the Church of England requiring two-thirds YMCA - Inspired for Life, is a new project from YMCA in Coventry and that bishops would take The statement notes who worry that its fail- majorities in each Warwickshire. responsibility for ensur- as positive the fact that ure to pass legislation house for provisions to The project was created to actively engage the young people of Coven- ing candidates that con- the draft House of Bish- for women bishops is amend the Declaration. try in positive community activities through a wide range of sports and activities including Wheelchair Basketball, Ultimate Frisbee, Kiting, Snowboarding, Urban Sports, and Gardening. Secularists accused of politicising Remembrance Day The creators of the project seek to engage the young people of the com- REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONIES and the Church of England’s request for a cross and Chris- munity in order to help them reach their full potential, improve their lives Coronation Service are the latest targets of secu- tian inscriptions on the monument. and prepare them for training, volunteering, and employment, and ulti- larist campaigners. The Ven Peter Eagles, Archdeacon for the Army, mately prepare them for making a difference by enriching their commu- Norman Binney, an emeritus professor of sociol- rejected Dr Binney’s proposal. “The Remem- nities. ogy and a director of the National Secular Society brance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph has always To keep up with the project, follow @YMCA_Inspired on twitter, and (NSS), has called for the Church of England to pull contained prayers and readings from scripture and like their YMCA- Inspired for Life Facebook page. out of the annual Remembrance ceremony at the the fact that it continues to be so central a part of https://www.facebook.com/pages/YMCA-Inspired-for- Cenotaph, claiming that the monument was con- our public life would suggest it is meeting people’s Life/173184226215235 ceived to be non-religious and should be treated as pastoral needs,” he said. such. The Rev Arun Arora, Church of England Direc- Euthanasia stance questioned Edward Lutyens designed the Cenotaph without tor of Communications, was more forthright, “Christians today are confused about euthanasia and fall prey to emotive religious significance because he knew that many telling the press that the National Secular Society, hard cases and false dichotomies,” says Dr Peter Saunders, CEO of soldiers of the British Empire killed in World War I an organisation with barely 10,000 members, was Christian Medical Fellowship. “It is often argued that we have only two were non-Christian, claims Dr Binney. He also trying to politicise a solemn event for their own equally undesirable alternatives to choose from – either ‘living hell’ or the argues that the Lloyd George Cabinet refused the ends. euthanasia needle – both of which are imperfect and unloving solutions.”

European opposition to new IVF plans Wales begins consultation over women bishops law Earlier this year, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority BISHOPS are launching a ops will be seeking guidance on open meetings in each of the six (HFEA) advised the Government to permit the use of a controversial IVF major consultation across the Code that they are required dioceses where people can technique that would result in the creation of children with three parents. Wales following the decision to draw up. Their aim is to speak about the issue. The proposals are strongly opposed by 34 members of the Council of to ordain women as bishops. ensure that all members of the The open meetings will take Europe Parliamentary Assembly Group, who described the technique According to legislation Church, including those who place in the New Year but writ- as “incompatible with international law and human dignity”. passed by the Governing Body it have conscientious objections to ten submissions should be All Party Pro-Life Group Co-Chair, Fiona Bruce MP has now tabled a will be possible to ordain women women bishops, continue to feel lodged with the Provincial Secre- Written Parliamentary Question asking the Health Secretary whether his bishops from September 2014. accepted and valued in the tary online at Department and the HFEA have received legal advice regarding a poten- The 12-month delay in the canon Church. [email protected] tial liability for damage claims if the technique were to be approved for taking effect is to give time for a The bishops are asking people k or at 39, Cathedral Road, clinical use in the UK on the basis of insufficient preclinical data regard- Code of Practice to be drawn up. to write to them with their views Cardiff CF11 9XF before 31 ing safety. In their consultation the bish- and they are also organising December 2013.

The Irish Government has announced plans for a ref- erendum to take place in 2015, asking the public to vote on the issue of same- sex marriage. A Government spokesman said it would be “actively sup- porting” the introduction of civil marriage for same-sex couples in the referendum. Catholic Bishop of Kildare & Leighlin, Denis Nulty said that the Catholic Church in Ireland is campaigning against the introduction of same-sex marriage in the ref- erendum.

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 4 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday November 15, 2013 News Call to help Bishop: ‘Raise age of Chinese Christians

THE BISHOPof Guildford has called on church- es in this country to react to the “exponential growth” of Christianity in China. Bishop Christopher Hill said there were tens of mil- responsibility to 12’ lions of Christians in China, although the exact figures were hard to determine. In a debate, he said: “Today, the THE has backed calls to raise the seeming to give positive signals to bad behaviour and social Church of England, largely through the Archbishop of age of Criminal Responsibility from 10 to 12. deviancy.” Canterbury, is building, as best it can, good relations Bishop Alastair Redfern supported legislation put for- Bishop Redfern said that no one was an individual, but with the China Christian Council. ward in the House of Lords by Liberal Democrat Lord Dho- were defined by their relationships with others. “Elder Fu Xianwei attended the Most Reverend Pri- lakia. “Crime is when relationships go wrong or are handled mate’s inauguration earlier this year and, in a long per- He said: “If we are going to resist scapegoating and objec- destructively. Human beings are formed through relation- sonal conversation afterwards, invited him to China. I tifying and take the social context of the formation of chil- ships,” he said. have no doubt that, at some stage, the Most Reverend dren seriously, and know that that, love and forgiveness and “I suggest that the key in assessing children and in find- Primate will accept that invitation and implement it.” another chance are what grow people into full human ing an age on which to hook criminal responsibility is not to He added: “The exponential growth of Christianity in beings, I am minded to support the suggestion to move treat them as individuals, whether they have measureable China, especially in the growing eastern cities, is not from 10 to 12 years, and I can see lots of advantages in per- psychology and development or whether they know right or well known here. haps raising the bar even higher one day.” wrong. “They operate largely - to use western language - in Bishop Redfern said it was a “very complex issue” in “It is to look at what I call the science of social formation, non-denominational church structures: roughly speak- which public opinion wanted justice to be “seen to be done”. which is about where they are made a person, where they ing, independent congregations in loose federations. He said: “A strong scapegoating mentality exists, which negotiate that, or where they work out their frustrations at “The Chinese Government has a close interest in indicates that there is also a high level of anxiety in society. not being the person they think they would like to be.” how religion helps in building a harmonious society, The key people to be scapegoated tend to be criminals and He added: “For instance, in the church the age for confir- now that communism is not the only player in China’s immigrants. mation is generally 11. Being the Church of England, we major global role. Here, I particularly single out the “We have to take that part of the context seriously in hav- allow all kinds of exceptions one way or the other; some work of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Bei- ing this debate. A second context is the UN recommenda- people might be in a strong Christian family at a younger jing. tion on the rights of the child, that the age of criminal age of nine or 10. “The churches, as they noted at the most recent responsibility should be at least 12. Many countries go even “However, confirmation generally takes place at age 11 National Chinese Christian Congress, in September, higher than that. and above because people are then in a secondary school are also making a major priority of international rela- “A third context is that there are suggestions, as there is environment, which is a much richer social formation envi- tions. in Ireland, of raising the age to 12, but of allowing some flex- ronment than primary school—a much richer, more com- “Here is an opportunity for British churches to ibility in dealing with serious crimes. So this is a very com- plex, more challenging one. That is where young people respond to this as we all give China the attention it cer- plex issue in an anxious society which is nervous about need to be helped to grow and to be accountable.” tainly deserves.” Lobbying Bill delay welcomed Call for rescheduling to THE FORMER has welcomed the Government’s delay in controversial new allow Archbishop’s views laws on charity campaigning. Ministers have agreed to hold up part of their new PEERS HAVE hit out at Gov- legislation on lobbying by five weeks to allow further ernment scheduling of busi- consultation in the face of widespread hostility from ness in the House of Lords the voluntary sector. that means the Archbishop of Lord Harries of Pentregarth, who chairs the Com- Canterbury will not be able to mission on Civil Society and Democratic Engagement take part in a major legislation that heavily criticised the plans, warned the pause was on the future of banking. a “very short period” but promised to work with the Dr Justin Welby was a member Government. of the Parliamentary Commission He made his comments as the House of Lords on Banking Standards, which fed backed down from a threat to delay parts of the legis- into the Government’s planned lation by three months following the Government’s overhaul of regulation. compromise. Members of the commission in The Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Cam- the House of Lords, including for- paigning and Trade Union Administration Bill intro- mer chancellor Lord Lawson of duces a register of professional lobbyists and puts Blaby, are pushing for changes to limits on the amount organisations other than political the Financial Services (Banking parties or candidates can spend on campaigning dur- Reform) Bill. ing parliamentary elections. But the next stage of the Bill, It follows allegations of links between MPs and when votes on key issues are peers and lobbyists and their influence on government expected, will clash with this policy. month’s General Synod. But charities and pressure groups have warned the Peers including Lord Lawson plans could have snuffed out campaigns such as those urged the Government to think to ban landmines, remove lead from petrol and give again about the timing. women the right to equal pay. The Bishop of , the Rt Lord Harries said he knew Lord Wallace of Saltaire, Rev Graham James, said Synod the Cabinet Office spokesman in the Lords responsi- would spend “a great deal of time some of us hope to live to see the ble for guiding the legislation through, was “genuinely on the new proposals for the con- day when there will be women anxious to get a real consensus on this issue”. secration of women as bishops, with us on these Benches. He added: “The Minister has basically offered a five- and we are hopeful of progress”. “I realise that there are diary week period of consultation. He added: “I know that the clashes for us all, but it would be a “The Commons Political and Constitutional Reform would great pity if the Archbishop could Committee recommended a pause of six months. The be glad not to miss consideration not play a very full part in our commission believes that six months is unnecessary, on Report of the Banking Reform debate here. but five weeks is a very short period indeed. Lord Harries of Bill but will, on this occasion, have “He would be too modest to say “I can say that the commission will do all it can to Pentregarth to give the General Synod priority. it himself, but I can say it for him: help the Government during the consultation period.” “I am sure that your Lordships we would be the poorer without would not wish him to abscond, as his contribution.”

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper News Friday November 15, 2013 www.churchnewspaper.com 5 Dr Agnes Aboum elected as Moderator of the WCC A LAYWOMAN from the Anglican Church of Kenya, Dr Agnes Aboum, has been vital for “ecumenism in the 21st century and the church in our world today.” elected moderator of the World Council of Churches. As the first woman moderator of the worldwide body, Aboum says the model of con- The 150-member Central Committee of the Christian ecumenical organization elected sensus discernment “resonates very well with feminine decision-making processes,” con- Dr Abuom last week at its 10th Assembly in Busan, South Korea, held from 30 October-8 sultative and careful listening and seeking to understand the other person’s perspective. November. She will be the first woman and first African to hold the post. Dr Abuom has served on the WCC Executive Committee, representing the Anglican As moderator Dr Abuom will lead the WCC’s highest government body. The adminis- Church of Kenya. She is also a development consultant serving both Kenyan and interna- trative head of the WCC is its general secretary, the Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit of Norway. tional organizations coordinating social action programmes for religious and civil society “My open prayer is that we shall move forward together, in the next years, despite our across Africa. diversities that have the potential to divide us,” Dr Abuom said shortly after her election, Dr Abuom was the Africa regional president for the WCC from 1999 to 2006. She has “…and that the WCC will continue to remain an instrument for providing a safe space for been associated with the All Africa Conference of Churches and WCC member churches all who can come and share their hopes, aspirations and visions, and prophetic voice.” in Africa. She is a co-president of the Religions for Peace and the National Council of According to a press hand out from the WCC, Dr Aboum said the prophetic voice is Churches of Kenya. Politicians banned from canvassing at Nigerian church services A STAMPEDE that killed 28 people at tragedy. However, the chairman of CAN in are different kinds of people in the church the close of a vigil at a Catholic festival in South East Nigeria, the Anglican Bishop of that belong to different political parties. South Eastern Nigeria has led to calls Enugu, the Rt Rev Emmanuel Chukwuma, “So it is wrong to come into the church and from church leaders to ban politicians said the federal government should investi- begin to talk about manifestos. It is not going from canvassing voters at church servic- gate the disaster. to be acceptable any more because it causes es. Leaders of the governor’s political party commotion and disrespect for one another. Details as to the cause of the sudden rush have called for the arrest of opposition candi- “We appeal to bishops, , pastors and of the crowd at the Holy Ghost Adoration date in the forthcoming gubernatorial elec- clergymen to please avoid politicians coming Camp Ground in Anambra State remain tion, Senator Chris Ngigie saying his to use churches as campaign arena. This unclear. But at approximately 6:00 am on Sat- comments to the crowd had caused the stam- does not augur well for our spiritual growth. urday 2 November the crowd of 100,000 pede – a charge the senator has denied. “We therefore urge the Federal Govern- began to rush towards the exits, trampling Speaking to reporters after the disaster, ment to set up a probe panel to find out what scores of worshippers and killing 28. Bishop Chukwuma said: “It is my own duty actually happened because we feel very The National President of the Christian as CAN chairman, South East to ban all politi- much worried. Since the state government is Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo cians from attending our churches with their involved, I think there should be a neutral Oritsejafor, urged the Anambra governor teams for campaigns. The church should also body for the investigation,” Bishop Chukwu- Peter Obi to launch an inquiry into the steer clear of partisan politics because there ma said on behalf of CAN. Archbishop Tutu calls for boycott of Commonwealth summit Get a FREE copy of the * ARCHBISHOP DESMOND Tutu has Manmohan Singh would honour the boy- lent his support to the call by Tamil cott and skip the meeting, while Canadi- Christmas Bible Comic leaders for a boycott of next week’s an Prime Minister Stephen Harper last Commonwealth Heads of Govern- week said he would stay away in protest If the Christmas story has ment Meeting (CHOGM) in Colom- to Colombo’s treatment of the Tamils. bo, Sri Lanka. Both governments will send lower level inspired you and impacted On 7 November the South African delegations to the 51-nation summit. Nobel Laureate urged Commonwealth Prime Minister David Cameron stated your Christian journey, then heads of government to skip the meeting he would attend, but will ask “serious in protest over “war crimes” committed questions” of Mr Rajapakse after having get a free comic to allow a by the government of President Mahinda viewed a “chilling documentary” detail- Rajapakse. ing the closing months of the war. child to begin theirs. Approximately 40,000 civilians were “I will raise my concerns when I see killed in the final months of Sri Lanka’s president Rajapakse next week in Colom- civil war, a 2009 UN report claimed, as bo,” Mr Cameron said, “and I will tell him government troops shelled rebel-held that if Sri Lanka doesn’t deliver an inde- territories in the north of the island. pendent investigation, the world will Go to The UN report also accused the rebel need to ensure an international investiga- www.scriptureunion.org.uk/ Tamil Tigers of shooting civilians who tion is carried out instead. attempted to flee the war zone. In the “If there are enough reasons to sug- freecomic war’s aftermath the government has gest that the Sri Lanka government have been accused of using violence to sup- not been doing things with integrity, I press political dissent and has jailed jour- think the world has to apply all the and pick up nalists for voicing critical views. screws that it can,” Archbishop Tutu On 11 November the Indian govern- said. “And a boycott of the CHOGM your free ment announced that Prime Minister could be one of them.” copy today

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With infant baptisms now to? One cannot! ‘Hearing’ God’s catching only one birth in 10, personal call through his gracious as opposed to one in three in gospel invitation cannot be 1980, having a baby chris- orchestrated. tened is fast becoming a Should the last words It was the Roman Catholic minority pursuit. So with the charismatics who first used the inevitable media coverage of phrase ‘sacramentalised but not the recent baptism of Prince evangelised’. Wherever the bap- George, I also expected some tism of those not yet able to make discussion about ‘christen- their own profession of faith is ings’. I was not disappointed, have been first? continued to be practised, there but found the way that the will always be the issue of trying media tackled it slightly to bring them to personal faith bizarre. ‘Baptism is not just Reflections on the recent Royal Baptism video further on down the track. for Royals, it’s for everybody’ Hence the need for ongoing headlined the BBC news, Mr Owen, what exactly is bap- Standard which had been thrust the words at the end of the video, pastoral care, teaching and, dare I quoting the Archbishop of tism? Could I comment upon into my hand outside the station. taken from the Church of Scot- risk the word, discipline (or disci- Canterbury. The Daily Mail what the Archbishop said? I It contained good coverage of the land, and used for infant baptisms pling!) had: ‘he could be a Buddhist declined the latter question on Royal Baptism, but seemed pre- in that church, which for me car- Sacramentalisation and evange- if he wants to be’ further quot- the grounds that I hadn’t had occupied with the social pedi- ried most weight. lisation should not be allowed to ing the Archbishop, who had chance to see the Lambeth video. grees of the godparents and ‘For you Jesus Christ came into cut adrift from each other; even in also told the royal party to ‘tell But graciously the interviewer indulged in speculative gossip on the world. For you he lived and a royal baptism! So well done to him about Jesus’. It was reas- gave me clear space for two min- those who had not been so cho- showed God’s love. For you he Archbishop Welby, but could he suring to hear that encourage- utes in which I explained very sen! suffered the darkness of Calvary not have begun with the words ment as Prince William had simply that it is the gospel, the But the Lambeth royal baptism and cried at the last ‘it is accom- from the Church of Scotland, and already made a commitment Christian message, which is for video is the primary source not plished’. For you he triumphed then proceeded to derive baptism to Prince George to ‘tell him everybody. That’s the invitation just for current comment but it over death and rose to new life. as a response to the gospel? about Aston Villa’! Usefully and baptism is really the response also acts as an indicator of bap- For you he reigns at God’s right If we still want to evangelise the BBC hinted at the video to the invitation. Where there are tism policy for the Church of Eng- hand. All this he did for you, England, rather than rest content made in Lambeth Palace by babies and children, then adults land at large. ‘God’s love is though you do not know it yet.’ to sprinkle a minority of its chil- Archbishop Justin to accom- make promises to bring up the offered without qualification, These words demand a sermon dren, we need to sharpen our pas- pany the Royal baptism. child within the flock etc. etc. I without cost, to all people, in all if ever words did and ‘though you toral practices surrounding was then asked if I had any spe- circumstances, always,’ says the do not know it yet’ refers not only baptism. Before I had chance to watch it I cial memories of baptisms I had archbishop. Few of us would dis- to the baby infants themselves, I doubt whether we shall stop was called by BBC Radio West done. I pointed out that I hadn’t agree with that and the expected but to a host of adults and godpar- loving the many enquirers but we Midlands to give an interview on done any royals yet but I had bap- link of God’s love and prevenient ents. But good marks to the arch- can surely take up some slack in baptism (our website still works!) tised a Muslim man last year, who grace as demonstrated in infant bishop for including the words. the matter of spelling out the seri- The interviewer’s quiz was sur- insisted on baptism to witness to baptism was spelt out. The sym- In a real sense they draw out ousness of personally responding prisingly primal. I presumably and seal his new found faith…and bolism of the sign of the cross as the pastoral problem that is ger- to God’s love. had done baptisms myself? How on that happy note the interview joining God’s family, the church, mane to most baptisms of those many? (Oh! I have never really ended. I have had no feedback of two billion people around the not yet able to answer for them- The Rev Dr Clifford Owen is counted, but say 5-10 per year for from it! world was added; and the splash- selves. temporarily serving a locum in St 40 years). Had I baptised chil- Having given the interview ing of water on the baby’s head How do you make sure that Luke’s Fontainebleau, Diocese in dren? Was it true that we actually whilst standing on the 21.10 symbolised the gift of God, both those who profess the faith as Europe. heat the water? I gather that departure from Kings Cross I physical and spiritual, which is scripted in the liturgy know some- He is Chair of Baptismal Integrity adults can be baptised? Tell me , then opened the London Evening offered to mankind. But it was thing of the reality that is referred (www.baptism.org.uk) Saints reinterpreted for today Michael Landy: Saints Alive As well as such religious echoes in his life, the marked at National Gallery emphasis on anti-materialism and rejection of consumer culture in his previous artworks found resonance in the I am always fascinated by how contemporary secular saints’ self-sacrifice. For Landy first came to public notice artists react to the Biblical themes and Christian in 2001 with his epic performance art event Break Down, imagery central to the Old Master tradition, espe- in an empty former department store in Oxford Street, cially Renaissance and Baroque art. Most, with such London. All his personal possessions, from his car to his notable exceptions as Peter Howson, do not depict birth certificate, were systematically catalogued and then specifically faith-related subjects, yet many recog- destroyed. Likewise, his sculptural ensemble Scrapheap nise their debt to that artistic heritage while rejecting Services grimly symbolises dehumanisation in today’s its worldview and aesthetic norms . Can there be society. creative engagement, affirming the art of the ages of Deliberately interactive, worked by handles or jerked faith and re-expressing it in a post-Christian cultural into action by foot pedals, the sculptures overwhelm and context? intrigue. The hermit saint Jerome is a headless torso atop National Gallery’s Michael Landy: a mass of wheels and draped gown: the legend that he beat Saints Alive exhibition is a highly origi- himself with a rock to ward off impure thoughts is vividly nal attempt by a richly inventive artist to re-enacted by a mechanical hand thumping his chest with answer positively. Seven large-scale a rock. Thomas is similarly a hand, this time pointing to viewer-operated kinetic sculptures the nail imprints on a Christ half-figure. A huge hand-oper- express the artist’s two-year engage- concurrent Acts of Kindness project. ated wheel with metal barbs tells of Catherine’s famous ment, as Associate Artist in residence, Landy’s serious engagement with the martyrdom. Little-known Apollonia, tortured by having all with the gallery’s extensive collection of ‘meta-mechanical’ artworks of Swiss her teeth pulled out, is a tall, red-robed figure holding pli- Renaissance paintings of Christian saints kinetic sculptor Jean Tinguely made ers which move towards her mouth at the press of a pedal. and martyrs. him opt for this unusual and curious Except for St Francis, these saints are in danger of being Captivated by the compelling visual medium, with the finished devices made forgotten in our secular society, and are doubtless too little imagery of Botticelli, Cranach, Crivelli from industrial salvage, old prams and known by the average person in the pew. These fascinating and others depicting saints’ lives and recycled wheels and figures in painted kinetic creations, bizarrely echoing their Old Master deaths, Landy became enthralled by stories about them, fibreglass, also oddly evocative of Heath Robinson con- sources, remind us their sacrificial devotion to Christ especially the legends of miracles and martyrdoms in the traptions. remains a powerful challenge in every age. popular mediaeval work, The Golden Legend. Brought up an Irish-background Catholic, Landy sums Brian Cooper Its notions of the miraculous seemed echoed, in a far up his faith standpoint as neither “a non-believer or a less epic but nonetheless significant way, by the stories of believer. I’m a don’t know,” (Exhibition catalogue p.39). Michael Landy : Saints Alive is at the National Gallery, unexpected kind deeds on the London Underground he His grandmother worked with nuns and her home in Ire- London, until 24 November 2013 was imaging in poster art at Central Line stations, in the land was adorned with Catholic devotional imagery. Admission Free

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper Leader & Comment Friday November 15, 2013 www.churchnewspaper.com 7 Comment The Gospel protection of freedom A Prophetic Church? and formation facilities, prisons, and health provision – have been We inhabit an increasingly confused society, particularly for young put in the hands of capitalists who then exploit us. people: what are the moral norms, the role models, for them to follow Almost every business – banks, insurance, arms for health, peace and security? Alan manufacture, supermarkets, clothing, property, Miley Cyrus has succeeded in launching her new raunchy image in media, care provision, pharmaceuticals, oil, mining order to sell pop music and videos, breaking away from her earlier and many others - has some scandal of exploitation innocent, fun schoolgirl image. No wonder young girls were confused Storkey and greed. The rich, companies and people, avoid at this switch: it was a rebirth as an amoral, kinky, highly sexualized taxes on a scale sufficient to solve all of George young woman. She is being criticized by media commentators for this, Osborne’s problems. It is clear the Government and is said to have bowed to pressure by the music industry for appear- and the Establishment will not address this. ing very scantily clad performing sexual gyrations as part of her act. Routinely, we hear of government contracts Miley Cyrus is just 21, and yet is normalizing porn, making it mainline. where public resources have been ripped off; this And it is popular: it sells, she enjoys it, so she says, she is not being week it is £200 million Universal Benefit IT budget manipulated by ruthless bosses, so why not? If viewers enjoy porn, that does not work or the fact that the NHS spends why should boring old fools object, or even boring young fools? £700 per birth, one-fifth of its maternity budget, on The media, as so often playing a dual game of publicizing pictures of The Russell Brand/Jeremy Paxman debate about criminal neglect insurance. Now who gets that £500 Ms Cyrus in action while deploring it in its comment columns, are now the “echo-chamber” of the British political system million? drawing attention to ‘sexting’ by teenage girls sending photos of them- will not go away. Millions are fed up with politics as It is quite clear that money, or more accurately, selves naked to friends, and with lewd suggestions shocking their eld- presently practised, and there are good reasons the moneyed are running the system and have ers. The ‘sexual revolution’ of the 1960s really has taken off to a higher why. Let us look at some of them. tamed all the parties and the Civil Service to their level, the internet providing a vast catalogue of offerings for casual sex, The main parties are self-promoting and will purposes. Meanwhile the poor face loan sharks, a for hire or for free. instantly back things that make them popular. They Scrooge-like attitude to benefits and the absence of Campaigners for secularism, most recently criticizing the Christian rubbish other parties, and the leaders abuse one work in their deprived areas. Of course, like the basis for the Cenotaph service of remembrance, will be entirely happy another. Facts, events and evidence are routinely ’s egg, the whole system is not like this, but with the Miley Cyrus phenomenon: why should any moral tradition biased to support the party. All other parties are the pong is there. hold sway in an ‘inclusive’ nation state today, however historic, howev- deliberately marginalised to maintain a monopoly This pattern is no accident, but reflects the fact er strongly upheld in polls? in the media and of power. There is often no careful that the culture of most of us has become money- The chaos of cultural norms is seen in full horror when we look at long-term preparation and presentation of policies. and consumption-centred. It teaches us to seek what has to be the reverse extreme as shown in the ‘The Cruel Cut’, Promises, whether to tackle tax evasion or on rewards, and those rewards are superficial and screened on Channel 4, Leyla Hussein’s exposure of female mutilation, university tuition fees are quickly made and then money-centred. We are deluged in the ideology of now widely practiced in the UK. She was appalled at the depth of cul- broken. Politicians do things that are seriously the rich, even though it is an illusion. They insist on tural relativizing of moral norms when she sought signature for a spoof wrong without being held to account; the Iraq dominating British life and we have all compro- petition defending female mutilation: ‘save female circumcision’ as a Inquiry has been sat on until it is flat. A substantial mised enough in the public square to allow it to cultural right. Many western people signed in support. Cultural rela- number of MPs were claiming expenses selfishly. happen. To oppose it requires another level of prin- tivism really is now causing chaos and real damage to individuals. Party funding has often been dubious. The estab- cipled opposition. Really only the Christian faith Secularists again have no grounds to object to his mutilation, they lishment has got rid of policies that might reform and the Church can do it, but to do so requires a detest the Christian social ethic, they want ‘inclusivity’, and they are the system like PR, Lords Reform and reform of new level of British Christian awareness. getting it, at the expense of young girls being cut and damaged for life. party funding. It often amazes me how selective Christians are The NHS is finding increasing numbers of women seeking reparative The media are no better. They are mainly driven to the life and teachings of Christ. We are rightly surgery as they grow up. by money-making and run by the rich. They exploit aware of “suffer the little ones to come to me” and These two current cultural drivers are diametrically opposed: total consumers’ weaknesses, are often dominated by of Christ’s death for us on the cross, but pass over sexual freedom for young people as a ‘hip’ and to be embraced over advertising revenue, invite hate, are sensational his attack on hypocrisy against the leaders of his against an excision designed to prevent moral impurity. Christianity and create personality-focussed news. The lack of time. It was not gratuitous, but necessary, because inculcates freedom and joy, yet shaped within the limits of the intention depth is reflected in the facts that interviewees are this is a universal sin that needs addressing, espe- of the creator: here is the way of life and health and peace for our soci- often not allowed to finish sente... and major issues cially in political establishments. ety and its members, young and old. The gospel is perhaps the great- are given a hundred words. Some of them have Much has edited out the prophets, est protection of freedom and healthy limit for any society. acted illegally over phone hacking and been pre- Christ’s trenchant criticism in Matthew 23 and the pared to mis-use the police. principled opposition that Christianity involves. It is The media routinely allow top politicians to domi- seen as not nice, rocking the boat and noncon- The Church of England Newspaper nate the news, live by sound-bites, invite little deep formist, perhaps the greatest sin of all when fitting with Celebrate magazine incorporating The Record and Christian Week knowledge of the rest of the world, care mainly in is the greatest ambition. Timidly, occasionally, Published by Political and Religious Intelligence Ltd. about ratings and are reluctant to be held to a stan- we have suggested that something might be faintly Company Number: 3176742 dard of truthfulness. wrong. 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Attitudes will change udices; let’s try and avoid them. A mistaken view Bruce Patterson, Sir, Is the Rev Lindsay Southern aware that her present Manchester perceptions about the relationships between men and Sir, The Vice-Chair of WATCH has said, “We look for- women are the “commonly held beliefs of the time”? This ward to a day of great national rejoicing when women means that they will be swept away in the future by a wave are finally made bishops.” (1 November). How mistak- The Crown & the Church of fresh insights. en she is! Many people are simply not interested. Sir, Geoffrey Streets is quite wrong to believe the statute of So, if our Lord delays his return she may well be found There are others who do not understand the teaching Praemunire asserted the management of the crown on the on That Day “clinging to past paradigms”, and perchance from the time of the Apostles and the Councils of the Catholic Church in England. As with the Statute of provi- he will enquire why she was disobedient to his words and Church, that women should not act sacramentally sors it was an attempt by a greedy King to purloin money. actions as recorded in Holy Scripture and transmitted to around the altar. For these and other reasons, there It was the same story that the Church faces in every age, his Apostles. References to these things are conspicuously are a great number who cannot accept women as Caesar trying to render unto himself the things that are absent from her article. priests and bishops, because they believe it to be God’s. Elaine Bishop, wrong. As for King Henry’s “divorce”, it was actually a request Chichester It is stated that the proposed new legislation regard- that his marriage be examined for an annulment. When ing women in the episcopate is “shorter and crisper”, Rome would not grant this, Cranmer precipitated the first but that it does largely depend on the trust of those English schism. The place of Scripture within the Church to respect the views of those who The belief of the pre-Reformation Church is best Sir, I am a Christian who values Scripture very highly, cannot receive the ministry of women. This says it all. summed up by a letter of Edward II written in 1314 and although I have never been a member of an evangelical Promises made to traditionalists have been broken. addressed to the College of Cardinals: community. I am, rather, a member of Modern Church for Our confidence in promises has been shaken. It is “ When Jesus Christ, the only begotten son of God, con- whom the most convincing theological position is liberal therefore essential that the legislation is enshrined in summated the work of our salvation, and was about to theology and I believe that the enemy of faith is not doubt - law. Why are the proponents so afraid? It can only be return to his Father, in order that he might not leave the it is certainty. Where there is absolute certainty, there is because they want to change the legislation in future, flock which he had bought with his blood bereft of guid- indeed no room for faith. to the distinct disadvantage of traditionalists. ance of a shepherd, he deliverd over and entrusted the Mr Robert Ian Williams paints a picture of evangelical Margaret Brown, care of it, by an incommutable ordinance, to Blessed Peter Christianity that has the appearance of Biblioatry - the ele- Chairman, The Third Province Movement, and in his person, to his successors the Roman pontiffs... vation of the book to divine status - but in doing so, he Mayfield instructing the said flock in the way of salvation and teach- seems to come close to Ecclesiolatry - the raising of the ing them how to behave in the household of God.” human manifestation of the church to the place that must Clearly our medieval forefathers needed little instruc- rightly be occupied by Jesus Christ alone. pline of his Churches and will ensure they come to maturi- tion in “Romanism.” Liberal theology avoids both these imbalances by being ty and fulfil all his providence needs of them without any Robert Ian Williams, based on Hooker’s three principles: Scripture, Tradition supradiocesan ordinary or dictator in Rome. Bangor is y Coed and Reason (which was also given us by God at our cre- Mr Williams uses circular reasoning regarding mar- ation in his image). I am not recommending some “middle riage. If we accept Rome’s definition of what constitutes a way” as I was brought up to believe that those who walk in valid marriage - then, Rome does not remarry divorcees. the middle of the road are those who, sooner or later, get But Rome’s definition was unknown before the 16th centu- run over, but sometimes the via media would appear to be ry Council of Trent. By the analysis of Scripture and testi- the most direct route to God’s kingship for all of us fellow mony of the undivided Church - Rome is dissolving true pilgrims in the church with Scripture as our map to guide marriages and allowing previously married people to us... and it is very Anglican! remarry. Mary P Roe, Regarding contraception, if one peruses the older Your Tweets Bicester, Oxon Roman authorities on the Confessional, then the most inti- Liverpool Cathedral @LivCathedral mate questions had to be asked to ensure married sexual You can now buy Charity Christmas cards from practice maximised the possibility of conception and any Cards for Good Causes from outside Diverse opinions practice likely to lessen the chance of conception was @LivCathShop Sir, Again advocating the Church of Rome’s spurious cer- deemed sinful. Yet, now Rome allows the so-called “Natur- tainty, Robert Williams (letters, 1 November) side-steps al Family Planning” which seeks to minimise conception. Archbishop Cranmer @His_Grace my points. He fails to understand the parallel of his Church In “Why is Sex fun,” Jared Diamond reveals that man is Theresa May seeks to outlaw Christian street allowing diverse opinions on Creation versus Evolution unique in not being driven by animal instincts to limit sex preachers and ours allowing differing opinions on marriage, divorce, to when the female is “on heat.” So is “Natural Law” that contraception, etc. we should use our knowledge to follow the pattern of the CMS @cmsmission Our name of “Protestants” come from the Latin Protes- animal kingdom to maximise procreation, or has God, as “Grief in children is expressed through tantes - applied in Scripture to prophets and the Holy Spir- Protestants would claim, left us free to use sexual intimacy behaviour... Then we end up with children it who are for (pro) witnessing (testifying). Reforming our for purposes that exclude procreation? branded as naughty...then they believe they Church to the essentials known to the early Church, we While Paul’s “one flesh” of marriage includes a union of are”... allow liberty, providing the Creed and other essentials appetites etc., Rome, ultimately is misreading it as making such as the Ten Commandments are held. The early babies. Christian Aid @christian_aid Church so exalted Scripture that the scrolls were Alan Bartley, It takes seconds to donate to the Philippines enthroned at Nicea as a symbol of their supreme authority. Greenford, Middlesex Typhoon appeal. Text HELP to 70007 to donate Once heretics started misquoting Scripture the early £5 #Haiyan #YolandaPH Church evolved the Vincentian Canon to exclude interpre- tations unknown throughout the early Church, a rule that Not all additives are bad Mark Russell @markrusselluk Anglicans of all schools have esteemed. Sir, “I am very much behind the recent Action on Additives The consecration of the first With respect to the alleged primacy of Peter, even if this call to ban E-numbers from children’s medicines.” woman bishop is in 2 weeks! Glad the Irish lead was so, it would not follow that the Bishops of Rome inher- So said Janey Lee Grace (9 November). The problem, of the way! ited his mantle and can claim the same role. However, this course, is the E numbers cover a wide range of additives, claim is at odds with Christ’s own unveiling in the Book of including such things as Carbon Dioxide (E290), Silver Vicky Beeching @vickybeeching Revelation. Here we have seven independent diocesan (E174), Gold (E197) and Calcium Carbonate (E170), oth- Next week Church of England Synod meets. Churches symbolised by unconnected candlesticks in con- erwise known as chalk and Riboflavin (E101, Vitamin B2) Women bishops debate is on agenda as 1 of trast to the Menorah of the Old Testament. and Ascorbic Acid (E300, vitamin C). There may well be a many topics, but no final vote happening on it What is more, Christ holds the chief preachers or mes- valid case for restricting what additives are present in chil- until 2015 sengers of these Churches responsible for the state of dren’s medicines, but Christian newspapers indulging in these Churches and blesses or chastises them himself, this sort of ignorance is why the world disdains Christians promising to prosper or remove them as they are faithful as ignorant bigots. follow us @churchnewspaper on Twitter or not. Thus Christ is immediately involved in the disci- It takes only one piece of stupidity to reinforce such prej-

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper Feature Friday November 15, 2013 www.churchnewspaper.com 9 Financing and Ministry in the Church of England

By Steve Cook logical, but may be problematic pastorally. their church congregations. remuneration package. For the majority of lay people the focus for Diocesan bishops will need to consider Fifthly a number of theological shifts President Harry S Truman said: “It’s belonging is with a local church congrega- carefully how best to respond to the pas- will be required. If there are fewer priests a recession when your neighbour tion. Teams have a rather mixed record in toral care of the clergy and congregations on the ground there will need to be a move loses his job. It’s a depression when I terms of success. Deaneries rarely gener- in this situation. away from Eucharistic worship towards lose mine”. ate much enthusiasm except among those Thirdly, there will be a need for larger other forms that can be led by those who The current recession has depressed who enjoy attending church meetings. numbers of voluntary ministers of all are not ordained. For many in the Church the finances of the Church of England. It will be regrettable if the clergy kinds to support the mission of the church of England, perhaps a majority, this will be Family incomes have been reduced and become remote to the life of the parishes, locally. There will be room for diversity in a very difficult adjustment. therefore giving has fallen. Investment and more than regrettable, it may become every way, including diversity of role. In Similarly there will be changes in rela- returns on deposits are down due to his- unsustainable. It is the lay people of the particular there is a need for those who tion to occasional offices, especially funer- torically low interest rates. Many parishes Church of England who pay for the min- have the gift of evangelism. All will need to als. In future the Church of England may face reduced income from the use of their istry by giving. be adequately trained, but without provid- be unable to provide ministers for parish halls, because reduced incomes mean cut- Some evidence suggests that the cre- ing a form of training that is so onerous it funerals, when many parishes are staffed ting back on social activities. But other fac- ation of Teams has a negative impact on has the effect of de-motivating those who with one shared stipendiary minister and tors are also pressing diocesan finances church growth. The are interested. part-time and voluntary ministers. hard. have been taking apart their teams to It may be argued that with fewer stipen- Alternatively the fewer stipendiary min- Perhaps the most significant are pen- focus on parishes. But even larger parish- diary ministers around there is a need for isters will have to take large numbers of sion costs, which now require a staggering es may turn out to be counter-productive. more training and wider competencies, funerals, as well as managing compliance 39 per cent contribution for each stipendi- Loyalty in the Church of England is but the reality is that part-time and volun- issues and voluntary staff. Once again, ary minister to cover the costs of retired chiefly to a local church, so amalgamating tary ministers are finding space to do bishops will need to think carefully about clergy pensions (based on National Mini- churches into super-parishes may result in these things after they have taken care of how sustainable this pattern really is. mum Stipend). fewer parishes with congregations about other essential tasks in life, eg children, Finally, the present downturn is unlike Many dioceses are making significant the same size as at present, because there family and work. A sensible and generous any recent recession being more pro- reductions in stipendiary staff to save may be insufficient contact between the balance will have to be struck which longed without a strong recovery. It may money. In Southwark the goal under ‘Strat- clergy and congregations as the staffing recognises that ministry is a long-term not be so much a phase of an economic egy for Ministry’ is to reduce to 270 posts ratio is reduced. Certainly that will result commitment. cycle as a new reality. Certainly Great over five years, a reduction of 30 posts. in a cost saving, but it may be that many of Sixty years after the creation of the Britain is moving down the rankings of Chelmsford plan 10 per cent reductions in those worshipping in smaller Anglican Southwark Course the Church countries measured by Gross Domestic 10 years. Both dioceses are situated in the churches will drift away, resulting in a of England may have to give a valued place Product. In effect, we may become poorer relatively affluent south-east with access reduction in giving also. to SSMs. It would be wise to extend such a in the coming decades. If the country to the London job-market, but are suffer- It remains to be seen whether a Church generous attitude to Readers, pastoral becomes poorer so will the Church. ing financial problems. Other dioceses in based on larger entities is sustainable. workers and evangelists in the church of How these factors will balance out is less buoyant areas may be suffering Secondly there will be implications for the future. hard to tell. We may become a Church greater hardships. the selection, training and support of Fourthly, there will be a role for a variety more marked by diverse patterns of min- Reductions in staffing are not new and stipendiary clergy. For many stipendiary of part-time, semi-stipendiary and house istry and no longer staffed by a large have been going on since the Second ministers what will be asked of them is not for duty arrangements. Many dioceses cadre of professional clergy, but by a mix- World War in successive rounds driven by what they joined the church to do. There have hitherto resisted one or all of the ture of ‘full-time’, ‘part-time’ and ‘self-sup- finances and demographic changes. A dis- will be real dangers of burnout as a life above patterns. porting’ clergy working together with trict with fewer people requires less min- spent mostly on managerial tasks will A lesson from the Episcopal Church of Readers, Pastoral Workers, and Evangel- istry and so amalgamation is sometimes result in frustration and de-motivation for the United States may be instructive in ists. Evangelism must be given a higher sensible (both in rural and inner city dis- those who are energised chiefly by contact this regard. These days those who are place. The worship offered to God perhaps tricts). But today active and lively, but with people and by a life of prayer. considering entering the ordained min- less often Eucharistic. medium-sized, churches with sustainable The reality is that in many parishes the istry of that church are informed that they Undoubtedly many of these changes will congregations are being amalgamated to bulk of work on health and safety, safe- should not consider this their sole source be hard to make. Whether the Church of reduce costs. guarding and maintenance falls on to the of future income, but plan to continue in England becomes more vibrant remains to The bishops are putting on a brave face vicar’s desk in the end already. To extend their previous professions on a part-time be seen, but there is no reason to believe with talk of “creative” patterns of ministry this process by increasing the number of basis. Living in parsonages, which had fall- that any of these changes need be nega- when sector ministries are combined with buildings to be maintained and volunteers en out of fashion in America, is now tive. parochial, and “the role of local episcope” to be supervised may not result in the returning to the norm as it becomes an The Rev Steve Cook JP is Vicar, St Barn- to reflect what amounts to a more co-ordi- improved health of either the ministers or increasingly important element of the abas Eltham nating and managerial role for the reduced number of stipendiary clergy. The truth is that there is little option if '$ K$( C<$9 ,JN =$,$L ,L&'N ,LF>CI# the diocesan accounts are to be balanced. :N," 02A )H!*"0E9 ADH .02, ,D =90I .N," ED39D29 N2 ."D3 The money simply is not ADH*02 ,!HE,; 02= ,"NE NE 9E)9*N0IIA N3)D!,02,."92 +HAN2@ 0 there to continue to pay for HE9= *0!8 6D! 9B03)I9; =D ADHL2D. ."0, 5?0, =4 3902E N2 0 the existing establishment of *0!0=/9!, 0ID2@EN=9,"9 INL9EDJ7(K 02=?1C$ :9II ?0,=3902E stipendiary clergy when pen- sions and other diocesan ,"0, ,"9 *0! "0E +992 02 N2EH!02*9 .!N,9 DF 02= ADHE"DHI= 2D, costs are taken into consid- ,DH*" N, .N," 0+0!@9 )DI9; ,"9 D,"9! ,.D0!9 <29; MHE, )D.9! eration. One member of the E,99!N2@02= *92,!0I ID*LN2@8 GJ ADH=N= 2D, L2D.,"0,EH*",!N*LE Southwark Diocesan Board 9BNE,; +9 *0!9JHI8 -"92 ,!A7!ND!A(H,D3D%/9; ,"9!92D.29= of Finance said recently “the ?"!NE%02 *0! EH))IN9!E; ,"9A 0!9 0 ,D,0IIA ,!HE,.D!,"A ,903 02= Church of England is over- .NII D2IA EDH!*9 ,"9 /9!A +9E, 3D,D! *0!E8 extended at present”. It is possible to identify 7!ND!A"0E !0NE9= ,"9E,02=0!= DJ HE9= *0! )!9)0!0%D2 ,D 0 29. some of the future changes I9/9I8 O/9!A *0! EH))IN9= .NII "0/9 N,E )!9/NDHE "NE,D!A *D3)I9,9IA in the patterns of ministry in the Church of England. *"9*L9= DH,;+9JD!9+9N2@ JHIIA )!9)0!9= 02= HEN2@ ,"9N! 56!99 Firstly, if a more manageri- >0%D2.N=94=9IN/9!AE9!/N*9ADH *02+9EH!9 ,"0, ,"9!90!9 2D al role will be required of "N==92 *DE,E8 70!, 9B*"02@9 DJ ADH! DI= *0! NE EN3)I9; 0E ,"9A stipendiary clergy then the *02&HN*LIA 0@!990J0N! )!N*9 02= ,0L9 N, 0.0A8(II ,"NENE=D29 +A creation of larger entities 02 9B)9!N92*9= 02= J!N92=IA ,903 'E99 ,"9 ,9E%3D2N0IE D2 ,"9N! seems logical, whether .9+EN,9# .D!LN2@ ,D @9,ADH ,"9/9!A+9E,*0! JD!ADH!+H=@9,8 teams, groups, joint benefices or single parishes FH @BG 0!8 *B4DM;8!M4? *"04?M4? @BG! *0!: with multiple sites. There is -"@ 4B+ ?M/8 +"86 0 +!@# talk of deaneries becoming increasingly important as the focus for deployment of 6D!JH!,"9!N2JD!30%D2; *0II 5331 2..AEAE stipendiary staff. Such developments seem D! /NEN, ---7)!MB!@0G+B6B%/87*B6

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by only a few other bish- Church’s teaching with- marriage the Bishops will ops. Yet there are some out having the courage to have a choice. Either they other bishops who always do so publicly. accept the fait accompli wait to see which way the Yet a fudge or compro- and therefore accept gay wind blows, and yet oth- mise will no longer work. marriage, or they disci- AndrewCarey: ers who will argue strong- If clergy in civil partner- pline clergy who ‘marry’ ly in private for a ships start converting their civil partners and liberalisation of the these relationships to take a stand. ViewfromthePew Gap between rich and poor Sir John Major has it absolutely right that we are badly failing young Britons from poor backgrounds. The Church’s dilemma His remarks on private and public schools gained the most attention, but it is wrong to view his statement as an attack on the private sector or on those rich enough to What is the House of Bishops going to do (and we then expect our clergy to hold to afford to pay the fees (“‘Truly shocking’ that the private-school educated and affluent about same-sex marriage, asks post-gay such a teaching in their sexual lives) or we middle class still run Britain, says Sir John Major,” 10 November 2013, Daily Tele- writer and clergyman, Peter Ould (‘The believe that sex is holy outside of such a graph). CofE and SSM, 11 November, www.peter- relationship (and we get on with blessing The fact is that though measures of poverty are relative there is a lot of evidence ould.net)? such relationships), though watch the fire- suggesting that the gap between rich and poor is widening, but even more worrying The dilemma, he correctly notes, is that works when that is put on the table”. that the income squeeze is making it more difficult for the lower-middle class, let priests already in civil partnerships only The trouble is that Ould appears to alone the working class, to compete in the modern world. have to pop down to the local Registry believe that the House of Bishops can come This is likely to favour those families where there is enough wealth to be able to buy office, fill in a form and pay a fee to convert to a common mind on the issue. The House an advantage through private education. it into a marriage. Since marriage is an of Bishops no longer has a single policy on My great fear is that as we attempt to address these glaring inequalities we will do intrinsically sexual relationship previous human sexuality and marriage. To take only so in a way that creates unintended consequences. There are some examples of this. reassurances of celibacy are no longer rele- the most public example, the Bishop of Sal- Firstly, the constant refrain that we need earlier and earlier pre-school education vant. isbury lobbied actively for gay marriage on misses the point that it is only children who suffer from various degrees of neglect Ould writes that “The Church of England the eve of second reading of the Bill. Sadly, who actually need earlier interventions. The last thing that the vast majority of chil- needs to decide what its doctrine of mar- rather than condemning his intervention, dren need is an early introduction to school. Toddlers thrive at home in an informal riage and sex is and then it needs to stick to the Archbishop of Canterbury described it atmosphere of play with their parents and siblings. it. Either we believe that sex is reserved for as a “strong and welcome contribution”. My suspicion in any case is that these kinds of targeted intervention are best pro- within the marriage of a man and a woman Bishop Nick Holtam is openly supported vided by the voluntary sector.

Happy birthday Billy! Christians on the Left Billy Graham celebrated his 95th birthday last Thursday and hundreds Despite a demonstration in which protesters tried to close Westminster Bridge, turned up to join him. The guest list included the Rev Rick Warren, Sarah Committee Room 11 in the House of Commons was packed last week for the Palin, Rupert Murdoch and Donald Trump. Dr Graham, in a wheelchair, launch of ‘Christians on the Left’, the rebranded name of the Christian Socialist entered the room to a standing ovation. He can no longer speak from a Movement. Stephen Timms presided over the meeting, which heard a rousing lectern but a special 30-minute DVD made its debut at the birthday party in speech from Jon Cruddas, appointed by Ed Miliband to oversee formulation of which ‘America’s pastor’ called for a spiritual awakening. “There have been Labour policy for the next election. Cruddas made much of his Christian and times that I have wept as I have gone from city to city and seen how far peo- Catholic faith, showing that the man who could be our first atheist Prime Minis- ple have wandered from God,” he said. Later he spoke informally from his ter is not afraid to surround himself with active Christians (Tim Livesey, a for- table, thanking guests for joining him in what could perhaps be his last pub- mer adviser at Lambeth Palace, is Miliband’s chief of staff). Vicky Beeching lic appearance. In the video he said that as a young man he never thought he urged members to make full use of the social media although many found it iron- would ever speak to large audiences. “As I look back on my life it is full of sur- ical that a special video presentation broke down and had to be resumed later. prises,” he remarked. “I never thought I would become friends with people in Theologian and founder of Radical Orthodoxy, John Milbank, was in an audi- different countries all over the world.” Among the speakers was the Rev Don ence that included a number of clergy but was overwhelmingly youthful in its Wilton, pastor of Dr Graham’s Baptist Church in South Carolina who said he make-up. Stephen Timms told the members they had three main tasks: to sup- visited the famous preacher every week and they prayed together. Cliff Bur- port MPs; to influence the Labour Party and its programme; and to influence rows, 90, for many years music and programme director for the Billy Graham their fellow Christians to work for social justice. A few days after Christians on Evangelistic Association, paid an emotional tribute. Addressing his old boss the Left was launched Jeremy Paxman made his cynical remarks about politics, he said: “I praise God for the journey we have had together. Thank you with reflecting a widely held opinion. The idealism and commitment of bodies like all my heart for the happy privilege. Happy birthday.” Christians on the Left could help restore trust in the political process. The Whispering Gallery Battle for the Prayer Book Bringing prices down David Martin’s recently published memoir ‘The Education of David Martin’ (review forthcoming) sheds fascinating light on the campaign he fought to As the debate rages about energy prices and the Prime Minister urges us all to retain the Book of Common Prayer and the King James Bible in public wor- consider switching companies, readers of CEN might need to be reminded of ship. He had no difficulty in persuading a range of lay people and even peo- the one not-for-profit energy supplier. Ebico exists, not to make a profit, but to ple who were not members of the church to support his campaign but the help domestic consumers, especially those on low incomes and those who are bishops were another matter. Frank Field and Glenda Jackson were on his not well placed to take advantage of the best deal offered by the big compa- side, but Bill Westwood, later , told him that “In a nies. It charges customers the same rate, regardless of payment method so clerically-led Church, we decide” - offering an interesting and to many of us there is no discount for Direct Debit accounts and people pay only for the ener- not unsuspected insight into the mindset of the clerical establishment. Glen- gy used with no standing charge. One, flat rate is charged to everyone. The da Jackson’s signature on the petition aroused Westwood’s particular ire. aim is to reduce the number of people in fuel poverty, not to make a profit for Imagine people like her telling bishops how to run the Church! When Mar- shareholders. Ebico is a certified social enterprise and entitled to use the tin wrote an op-ed for the Daily Telegraph the gleeful editor, William Social Enterprise Mark. It has been trading now for over 10 years and has Deedes, told him it had generated the largest postbag since the issue of 50,000 customers. Unlike the Big Six who economise on their call centres, dogs fouling the pavement was raised. Mervyn Stockwood was indignant Ebico is usually easy to reach by phone and ready to offer advice. It works in when Martin quoted his remark in General Synod that people using the partnership with a bigger energy company SEE as its license energy supplier. BCP ‘didn’t know whether they were praying for Elizabeth I or Elizabeth II’. According to an analysis published by Which?; Ebico derives its fuel from the This comment did not go down well in Buckingham Palace, a place Stock- following sources: coal 35 per cent; natural gas 49 per cent; nuclear one per wood liked to visit. cent; renewable (wind, hydro and solar) 14 per cent; other sources 1 per cent.

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper Arts/Books Friday November 15, 2013 www.churchnewspaper.com 11 New paperback Clooney is not lost in space Gravity (cert. 12A) manages to make the vastness want to know whether someone who drifts away of space claustrophobic, even in 3D and possibly from a satellite travelling at five miles a second even on IMAX. That’s partly because if you fall really keeps going at the same speed. It’s largely a away from the equipment while on a space walk, two-hander between Clooney and Bullock, and so there’s nowhere to go. we learn a bit of Ryan’s backstory: a daughter releases That’s what happens to Ryan Stone (Sandra Bul- killed, a lack of anyone to teach her to pray, and a lock), a scientist on the international space station, thought that no one will mourn for her. on a mission to maintain the Hubble telescope. Ini- Once contact is lost with the Houston controller tially her fellow astronaut Matt Kowalski (George (Ed Harris), and their colleagues are all dead, JW Rogerson, Emeritus Professor of Biblical Clooney) is able to use boosters to rescue her after they’re on their own apart from a stray ham radio Studies in the University of Sheffield, has a they are hit by a storm of debris from a disintegrat- message from an Inuit fisherman in Greenland – reputation as a biblical scholar of the very ing satellite, but it’s a brief respite from being lost the DVD will apparently feature a short film of the first rank. He has published widely on schol- in space. earthbound side of that exchange. “Houston in the arly subjects but has just produced two very That debris starts a chain reaction of orbiting blind” is the refrain for their one-way communica- good books based on his sermons that will wreckage that kills the satellites that enable com- tion, hoping that Houston can hear, and do some- be widely enjoyed. The Holy Spirit and munication with the earth, and destroys the shuttle thing about their little problem. Unexpected Discovery are both published itself, leaving them with diminishing options for Some of the asides (verbal and visual) are worth by Beauchief Abbey Press. survival. That’s the basic story, and within its tight noting, like different ways of pronouncing data, 91 minutes – about the time it takes the debris field and a Chinese space station with a table tennis bat Andrew Harvey’s collection of prayers from to orbit the earth and hit them again – director floating among abandoned tools. Kowalski is the different faith from around the world, Light Alfonso Cuarón takes us on a journey into space experienced hand, taking the major decisions, one of the Flame, has just been published by that depicts its beauty and its perils. way or another, and the film comes complete with a Hayhouse. Filmed in studios at Pinewood and Shepperton, Captain Oates moment, and famous last words – the technical side looks superb, and I don’t really “Look at the sun on the Ganges”. Keith Elford, Anglican and management consultant, is known in a number of dioceses where he has led courses. Creating the Church of the Future (SPCK) looks at how the church can succeed in the future as an organisation. There is a foreword by Bishop Christopher Cocksworth.

Roy McCloughry who is Disability Advisor for the Church of England and Tutor in Personal and Social Ethics at St John’s College, Notting- ham, has written a new book The Enabled Life (SPCK) which includes a conversation with Jean Vanier.

Walter J. Houston contributes the latest addition to the SCM Core text series with an excellent introduction to The Pentateuch. He seeks to understand the text as it stands, to look at work that has been done on the text and on its historicity and development, and to look at recep- tion and interpretation of the Pentateuch. Highly recommended.

‘Why shouldn’t growing older be reward- ing?’ asks Johan Christoph Arnold in Rich in Years (Plough). The author is in his sev- enties and knows the trials that come with aging but he has plenty of stories to tell of older people finding joy in life. Pete Seeger, Marva Dawn, and Cardinal Dolan are among those who commend this book.

Nick Page offers readable and amusing jour- ney through church history in A Nearly Infallible History of Christianity (Hodder, Philomena (dir. Stephen Frears, hardback). For the right person, this would cert. 12A) follows up 2002’s The make a good Christmas present. Magdalene Sisters with the true story of Philomena Lee (Judi Anglican women write on the church and Dench) who got pregnant at 18, mission in Anglican Women on Church had a child in an Irish convent, and Mission edited by Kwok Pui-lan, worked in their laundry, and lost Judith A. Berling and Jenny Plane Te Paa her son Andrew when at the age (SPCK). As well as the editors, contributors of three he was sold to an Ameri- include Jane Shaw, Jenny Shaw Cordelia can family. On his 50th birthday, Moyse, Gulnar E Francis-Dehqani, Esther she tells her daughter from her Mombo, Denise Ackerman, and Clara Luz later marriage about the trau- Ajo Lazaro. Highly recommended. matic event she’d kept secret. A chance meeting with Martin Robert Attwell, Bishop of Stockport, has Sixsmith (Steve Coogan), still compiled a number of anthologies of read- smarting from “being resigned” ings. In The Good Worship Guide (Can- from his government communi- terbury) he gives us hints and suggestions cations job, leaves him intrigued. for leading worship well. Although reluctant to take on a “human interest” story, he needs Philomena faces a breech birth, Sixsmith’s more critical view of Dorothy Stewart has written Still Caring (SPCK) for carers who are work, and agrees to take up the and the convent making money the wickedness of the church, considering residential care for someone they love who needs more case and try and find her son; his from selling her child is part of and of “a god who gives us sexu- care than can be provided at home. Practical and spiritual issues are all book, The Lost Child of Philome- her atonement for her sin. al desires that he wants us to considered by the author whose husband suffers from dementia and na Lee, was published in 2009. One scene, as Martin and resist”. deals with them in a sympathetic way. This would be good for a church What Sixsmith calls “a Philomena take breakfast in a There’s a running joke about bookstall. Hardyesque tale of coincidences hotel in Washington DC, acts as Philomena’s early innocence and missed connection” is now a fulcrum – a moment of truth and and, after many years as a nurse, Padraig O’Tuama is a poet based in Belfast who has worked with the film that touches on religious desperation. The facts are easily her awareness of the modern Corrymeela Community and the Meditation Northern Ireland, using themes of sin and atonement, Googled (try Roscrea Philome- world. It doesn’t assuage the story and dialogue to deepen reconciliation. He is a popular speaker at but pulls no punches on noxious na) but through the film Philom- emotional blows of her story. Greenbelt. Sorry for your troubles (Canterbury) is a collection of Catholic teaching. “Her pain is ena’s much-tested faith and his poems just published. her penance”, says one nun, as forgiveness are contrasted with Steve Parish

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 12 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday November 15, 2013 Lifestyle Wine of the Week

Charte D’Assemblage Janey Lee Grace Grenache/Syrah/Mourvèdre 2011 Waitrose £6.29 (offer until 3 December) Live Healthy! Live Happy! www.waitrose.com/wine “Assemblage” is the French for a gathering together, in wine a blend, while “Charte” means a charter. This red comes from Langue- doc (think around the mouth of the river Rhône, in southern France, now, in the new classification, Pays d’Oc IPG. So what is in effect a brand name is an attempt to give a bit of Tackling childhood obesity class to its blend. The label boasts too of its being proud of its French heritage. The main grape is Grenache, which does Children as young as 10 months old have ing’ will only result in children being put the sweets, chocolate and snacks, it’s well in a warm climate. Here, its been treated for obesity, according to a on all kinds of restrictive yoyo diets and hidden in so many food and drink prod- soft red fruit is married to the report by Nick McDermott in the Daily set them up for a lifetime of misery ucts. richness of Syrah, plus the aro- Mail recently. unless the root cause of the problem is In his excellent book The Sweet Poi- matic contribution of Mourvè- Over the past three years over 900 chil- addressed. son Quit Plan – how to kick the sugar dre. dren under 15 have been admitted to Let’s face it when your babies were habit and lose weight, David Gillespie In the glass, there’s also a hospitals needing urgent medical atten- young were there any overweight kids argues that even the ‘5-a-day’ message is blend: the red joined by a touch tion as a consequence of Britain’s obesity around? Probably very few, in fact you putting our health at risk. Many people of purple, then, on the nose, epidemic. It’s thought though the scale probably remember them because they are opting for smoothies, (promoted as there’s spice. At first sip, of the problem is much greater and Tam were so unusual. This isn’t because we healthy yet some contain as much sugar much more sweetness than Fry the chairman of the charity The were all holier-than-thou, perfect parents as a large cola) juices and food sweet- you’d expect generally with Child Growth Foundation said that: who fed our offspring only brown rice ened with fruit concentrate which is a red, gently followed on “This is a total failure of the NHS to do its and green veggies, it’s because back making us not only fat, but sick. the palate by some job properly… better monitoring and then most of us ate mostly real food with Having been overweight for years restrained dark grape skin early intervention would help prevent only occasional snacks and no-where David lost 401bs without counting calo- tannins. (I’m told that this issue.” near the level of processed sugars found ries or any special exercise plan. His there’s no time spent in Interestingly, a separate study looked in foods aimed at children today. approach is simple … he says: ‘Eat what oak). The finish was unex- at foods aimed at babies and toddlers This is not just an important message you like… but don’t eat sugar’ pectedly robust. Alcohol and found that even those appearing for childhood obesity, it applies to us all: If only we didn’t have such a sweet by Vol. 13.5%. Try with healthy such as organic fruit snack bars, the sooner we realise that it’s the sugar tooth! The best natural alternative to lamb chops or a hamburg- yoghurt cereal and baby biscuits contain habit that we need to kick we will always sugar is Tiana Raw organic Crystallised er. an alarming amount of sugar. have an obesity epidemic. Coconut Nectar. It looks and tastes There’s the reason laid out right there. The stark truth is that we have become exactly like brown sugar but it’s actually Graham Gendall Norton In my humble opinion regular ‘monitor- a nation of sugar addicts, and it’s not just good for you! www.tiana-coconut.com

PRIZE CROSSWORD No. 874 by Axe [Isa/NIV] (7) 11 'Suppose one of you has a hundred 24 'There is a time...and a season for - sheep and ----- one of them' ---- activity under the heavens' [Luke/NIV] (5) [Eccles/NIV] (5) 14 Gift of the Magi [Matt] (5) 25 'He had begun his journey from 15 'My beloved has gone down to his Babylon on ------day of ------garden...to gather ------' [SoS/NIV] month...' [Ezra/NIV] (3,5) (6) 26 'What is Jacob's transgression? -- -- 16 Evensong in the RC and Eastern not Samaria? [Mic/NIV] (2,2) Churches (7) 18 'And the kinsman said, I cannot Down redeem it for myself, lest I --- mine 1Distinctive attire worn by a mem- own inheritance' [Ruth/KJV] (3) ber of a religious order (5) 19 Great-grandmother of David 2'Judgment has come to the ------– [Ruth] (5) to Holon, Jahzah and Mephaath...' 21 Location for the first part of Exo- [Jer/NIV] (7) dus (5) 4One of the instruments of the Pas- 23 ''...he planteth an --- and the rain sion worn by Jesus before his cru- doth nourish it' [Isa/KJV] (3) cifixion [Matt; Mark; John] (5,2,6) 5'Stand firm and you will see the Solution to last week’s crosswordAcross: 7 deliverance the Lord will bring Salome, 8 Unseen, 9 Prince of Peace, 10 you -----' [Exod/NIV] (5) Preacher, 13 Pain, 14 Step, 16 Readings, 19 6Third king of Judah [I Kgs; II Chr] Flying Bishops, 21 Ashore, 22 Allies. (3) 7Turn away from sin or do peni- Down: 1 Fair, 2 Joanna, 3 Kedesh, 4 Suffer, 5 tence (6) Asleep, 6 Teaching, 11 Ruthless, 12 Eve, 15 10 '--- did Asher drive out those living Prison, 16 Ragged, 17 Abiram, 18 In hell, 20 in Akko or Sidon...' [Judg/NIV] Prey. (3)

The first correct entry drawn will win a book of the Editor’s choice. Send your entry to Crossword Number 874, The Church of England Newspaper, 14 Great College Street, Westminster, London, SW1P 3RX by next Friday Across are...' [Rev/KJV] (7) 1One of the three theological 13 'The other disciples followed in the Name virtues [1 Cor] (4) boat...for they were not far from 3'Here there is no Gentile or the shore, about a hundred -----' Address Jew...barbarian, ------, slave or [John/NIV] (5) free...' [Col/NIV] (8) 14 Hill overlooking Jerusalem at the 8'Slash to the right....then to the left, foot of which stood the garden of wherever your ----- is turned' Gethsemane [Luke] (5,2,6) [Ezek/NIV] (5) 17 Recipient of a letter from Paul (5) 9Form of service book (7) 20 Euphemism for the Papacy (4,3) Post Code 12 'And swear by him...who created 22 'Till your land as they do along the heaven, and the things that ------Nile...for you no longer have a ------'

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper Classifieds/Anglican Life Friday November 15, 2013 www.churchnewspaper.com 13 %-())!$!&" ("#&*'!)&,&+') Tel: 020 7222 2018 A case of E-mail: [email protected] mistaken identity? NOTICES APPEAL Benny Hazlehurst In other areas of life, this is quite normal. No #0//1-$ ($++-)& $( “Don’t say you’re gay – one would ever dream of 0. (".%0.! &20( +*+") say you experience saying to a black Chris- &- +)0(-. '2*+/*0.(, same-sex attraction.” tian, “Don’t say you’re L?*"K''OK'7'<) *;:!'7;%6"!7 That was the advice I black – say you experi- <'K7:?:'8 6; 28!7;< 5"?:M?!<7B K"; #8'?6MG ?::8'*!?6' "?3!<# heard being given by a ence dark skin.” It would 74!6?>M' M!6'8?648' 6; "?<) ;46B lecturer at an evangelical be unthinkable, insulting VACANCY IN THESEE OF EUROPE >'*?47' :8!7;<'87 "?3' 6; theological college in the and offensive. It would 7:'<) 7; =4*" 6!=' !< 6"'!8 *'MM7@ UK. He was advising stu- rightly be seen as some Following theannouncement of the retirement of The Right Reverend Geoffrey -' "?3'?MK?G7 >''< #M?) 6; Rowell, BishopofEurope, the See fellvacant on 8 November 2013. The Crown ); 6"!7B >46 6"' :;76?#' *;767 dents on how to respond kind of perverse racism. Nominations Commission will meet on 6February and 10/11 March 2014. "?3' '7*?M?6') ;3'8 6"' G'?87B pastorally to a homosex- Yet if we follow the ?<) K' <'') "'M: 6; *;<6!' =;76 #8?6'%4M %;8 The phrase is not new from our creation as Archbishops’ Secretary forAppointments );46!;' 7'<6 into new creation in Christ, Lambeth Palace 6;N ."' L)!6;8B ‘same-sex attraction’ London ."' 5"48*" ;% L<#M?<) any internet search and nothing else; if to SE1 7JU E'K7:?:'8B engine, you will find a own any other identity is +& H8'?6 5;MM'#' /68''6B host of websites promis- to be tricked by modern or F;<);< /-+2 (0, D*"'94'7 :?G?>M' 6; )-1!(!%+1 , ing change for people values and will detract [email protected] !"!-'* 0.(#11!"#.%# /($C@ who experience or ‘suf- from our God-given iden- fer from’ same-sex tity; then surely, it would attraction. be entirely right to say to Behind it is a theology black people, “Don’t say of identity which is you’re black – say you opposed to people identi- experience dark skin”. fying themselves as gay Of course this is rub- St Nicholas Anglican Church or lesbian, and which bish. If you are black, Basel, Switzerland argues that adopting then being black is a such an identity is at part of your God-given Chaplain best a mistake, and at identity. Owning that ICS is seeking an experienced evangelical worst idolatry. identity rather than priest to lead this international church serving The theological ration- denying it, enriches cul- ale behind this is as fol- tural diversity as part of English-speakers in and around Basel lows. Sexuality should human identity. It is not Our membership comprises over 35 nationalities, ranging not be the defining factor in competition with our from long-established to temporary residents; from an in determining our iden- identity as someone cre- Anglican to free-church background. ACB has a wide socio- tity. Our true identity ated by God, but rather a economic spread with many employed in large multi-national companies. We enjoy being a diverse community living in comes from recognising part of it and adds anoth- three different countries but all sharing in a common goal of that we are created male er dimension to our making Jesus Christ known in our community. and female in the image understanding of the He/she needs well-developed pastoral and teaching skills and of God - not from our fullness of what it means is at ease with both traditional and contemporary styles of sexual feelings – and to be created in the worship. from our identity in image of God. Our Ministry Team comprises of three part-time non- Christ as new creations The same is true of stipendiary Assistant Chaplains, a Reader, a Children’s and in his kingdom. There- gay, lesbian, bisexual, Families’ Worker (part-time, paid) and Youth Pastor (part- fore to say that you are and trans people. The time, voluntary). gay (or lesbian or bisex- vast majority see their Proficiency in German, or a willingness to learn, would be an ual or transgender) is to sexuality or gender iden- advantage. be tricked by modern tity as part of their God- Join with us and enjoy serving in the vibrant city of Basel societal values into iden- given identity. It is not in in the heart of Europe. tifying yourself in some competition to their Visit our church website: www.anglicanbasel.ch other way – by allowing identity as created by The package includes a full stipend, medical insurance, your sexuality to be the God, but rather an pension contributions, usual expenses, church flat or housing defining factor in your enriching part of it. allowance and a car. humanity. This not only What is more, I have CLERICAL For an information pack contact:Jeannette Skuse on 024 – leads to an inner confu- seen at first hand the 7646 3940 or email [email protected] sion in understanding dangers of telling some- Closing date for applications: 11 December by 12 noon who you are, but it also one to divorce their sex- Interview: 30 January in Oxford leads you away from uality from their faith Enhanced Disclosure required. Informal enquiries welcome. your God-given identity. and identity. A close So don’t say you are friend of mine at the gay – don’t own that same theological college Vicar, Wantsum Group Benefice identity – rather say you was told by his bishop to experience (or suffer set aside his sexuality if The Benefice of the Wantsum Group, consisting of four welcoming from) same-sex attrac- he wanted to be rural parishes situated south of Canterbury,is seeking anew priest tion. ordained. For him, try- to lead our team of ordained and lay ministers so together we can But this understand- ing to be obedient to this enhance and develop our life of service and ministry.An effective &#"! /. ,+ communicator of lively faith, our new priest will be experienced at ing of Christian identity instruction led to deep taking opportunities to engage with non-church goers, gifted at ,*! ! , ! ! is deeply flawed. Chris- inner turmoil and, within tians who identify them- a few years, to his pre- nurturing spiritual growth and skilled at supporting those who wish /+'%#! > /=<<+<   '#' to develop their contribution to ministry. selves as gay or lesbian mature and painful #<#''! +< #+= ! +! /#!#!+!"# or bisexual or transgen- death. Closing date: 13 December Interviews: 14 and 15 January $# ## %&'#'#<!#" <" %+<'#!#" der are not setting up Christian wholeness This post is subject to a DBS check !+'#"+''&+!# #%(<" "###< this identity in opposi- comes only when we Applications and questions to: ity embrace our God-given Ms Jo Manser,PA to Archdeacon of Canterbury +=!!#''+> > #"#<#! <" "+### tion to their core ident as created by God and identity in all its fullness Email: [email protected] Tel: 01227 865238 )))'$"!"0/!-',+ ,+'/! ' !+= =!>+! Full details and profile: www.canterburydiocese.org/vacancies born again as a child of – anything less than this God. Their sexuality makes us less than the does not supersede or people God created us to /33 $318860<" 1"4<:7686%9 usurp their identity as be. +$* 3,-*20"1*7*60 ,*3,8"6* '42 created by God – instead The Rev Benny 6*%0 &**!)1 "11/*"1(.37 546,3# )22,** !<: 8,$,$, it enhances their sense Hazlehurst -<1"36%< ;#: %<(7 6885<+ 2*1' .#%"1& of God-given identity. Accepting Evangelicals 14 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday November 15, 2013 Register

THE 2013 currently in the Rectorial collated and inducted as Vicar of BIBLE CHALLENGE ANGLICAN CYCLE OF Benefice of Rhos Cystennin, to be the benefice (Southwark). the next Archdeacon of Wrexham PRAYER (St Asaph). RETIREMENTS & The Rev Valerie EMB Haynes, RESIGNATIONS Day 312 Hosea 5-6, Psalm 100, Priest-in-Charge of the benefice of Matthew 2 Friday 15 November. Psalm 41, Isa 54:11-17. Vermont - (I, The Skelton w Upleatham (held in plu- Day 313 Hosea 7-8, Psalm 101, Episcopal Church): The Rt Rev Thomas Ely rality with Boosbeck and Ling- The Rev Richenda Leigh, Matthew 3 Saturday 16 November. Psalm 42, Isa 55:1-9. Victoria Nyanza - dale), has been appointed Vicar of University of Derby Anglican Day 314 Enjoy hearing the (Tanzania): The Rt Rev Boniface Kwangu the benefice of Skelton w Chaplain and Pastoral Services Scriptures read aloud in church Sunday 17 November. Pentecost 26. Psalm 119:49-64, Jn 11:1-16. Upleatham (held in plurality with Coordinator, and Chaplain at Day 315 Hosea 9-10, Psalm 102, Virgin Islands - (II, The Episcopal Church): The Rt Rev Ambrose Boosbeck and Lingdale) (York). Derby Cathedral, Diocese of Matthew 4 Gumbs The Rev Julia Hedley, Derby, will resign with effect Day 316 Hosea 11-12, Psalm Monday 18 November. Psalm 43, Jn 11:17-27. Virginia - (III, The Formerly: Domestic Chaplain to from 2nd January, 2014. Miss 103, Matthew 5 Episcopal Church): The Rt Rev Shannon Johnston; Virginia - (III, the and Leigh will be moving to London Day 317 Hosea 13-14, Psalm The Episcopal Church): The Rt Rev Susan Ellyn Goff Taunton to be: House for Duty on the occasion of her approach- 104, Matthew 6 Tuesday 19 November. Psalm 44:1-8, Jn 11:28-37. Waiapu - Priest at St Mary Abbots (Lon- ing marriage. Day 318 Joel 1-2, Psalm 105, (Aotearoa NZ & Polynesia): The Rt Rev David Rice don). The Rev Marion Simmons Matthew 7 Wednesday 20 November. Psalm 45, Jn 11:38-54. The Most Rev The Rev Derek Honour, will retire on 28th July 2014 (Liv- David John Moxon, Bishop of Waikato and Primate and Archbish- Priest-in-Charge of Derby St erpool). op of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand & Polynesia; Barnabas, Diocese of Derby, has The Rev Philip Warner, APPOINTMENTS Bishop of Taranaki Region - (Aotearoa NZ & Polynesia): The Rt been appointed Vicar of the same Incumbent of St Magnus the Mar- Rev Philip Richardson benefice following the lifting of tyr, Lower Thames Street and Thursday 21 November. Psalm 46, Isa 55:10-13. Wakefield - Suspension of Presentation. Priest in Charge of St Mary (York, England): The Rt Rev Stephen Platten; Wakefield - Ponte- The Rev Angela Hopkins, Abchurch (London), to resign as The Rev Vicki Burrows, fract - (York, England): The Rt Rev Anthony Robinson Was: SSM Curate at Holy Inno- Priest in Charge of St Mary, At present: Rector of St Mary, cents, Kingsbury (London), now Abchurch (London). Long Ditton, (Guildford) to be: has Permission to Officiate, (Lon- LAY & OTHER Rector of St John the Evangelist, side is to be licensed as also NSM David’s Cathedral and Team don). Great Stanmore (London) Priest-in-Charge (Interim Team Vicar in the Benefice of Dewis- The Rev Jane Kustner, APPOINTMENTS The Rev Alison Buxton, Rector) of the Merstham and Gat- land with particular responsibility presently Priest-in-Charge of To be Team Rector at Boston ton Team Ministry (Southwark). for Whitchurch Solva and Brawdy Lewisham, S Swithun (Hither Mr Jeremy Barrett, (Lincoln). The Rev Deepak Debchandan (Church of Wales). Green) and also Assistant Area to be Member of the Chapter of The Rev Andrew Cooper, Sircar, The Rev Fiona Gibbs, Dean of East Lewisham was com- the Cathedral Church of Thomas, At present: Curate at St Paul, NSM Associate priest, Widcombe Priest in Charge of Hedge End St missioned as Area Dean of East Portsmouth from 1st November South Harrow (London) to be: St Matthew and St Thomas a Luke, has been appointed Assis- Lewisham (Southwark). 2013. Christian Community Chaplain at Becket (Bath and Wells), to be tant Area Dean in addition to her The Rev Dr Catriona Laing Feltham Community Chaplaincy House for Duty Priest-in-Charge, other duties (Winchester). is to be ordained Priest by the DEATHS Trust (London). Barnby Dun St Peter and St Paul The Rev Alan Glasby, on 1st The Rev Carol Coslett, (Sheffield) who retired as Team Rector of December 2013 to serve in the The Rev Prof Raymond Chap- presently Rector of Betchworth The Rev Dr Adrian Furse, East Richmond (Ripon and parish of Dulwich, S Barnabas man, and Buckland United Benefice Assistant Curate in The Wistow Leeds) in 2011, has been given (Southwark). holder of the Bishop of South- and also Assistant Area Dean of Benefice in the Gartree Second Permission to Officiate. The Rev Russell Lawson, wark’s Permission to Officiate Reigate Deanery and also Link Deanery (Leicester), has been The Rev Prebendary Robert presently Priest-in-Charge of died at home following a short ill- Officer for Faith in the Country- appointed as Minor Canon of St Griffiths, South Norwood, S Alban is to be ness on 5th November 2013.

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Most high and holy God lift what God is like. This is the SUNDAY SERVICE our eyes to your Son THE SPIRITUAL Lord Psalm 2 exhorts us to enthroned on Calvary; and worship with fear and trem- as we behold his meekness, bling (v11). Lest we imag- Sunday next before Advent shatter our earthly pride, for DIRECTOR ine that meekness equals (Sunday 24 November) he is Lord for ever and ever, weakness, the rest of the amen. (Prayer accompany- Psalm reminds us that God Jeremiah 23:1-6 ing Psalm 2) By the Rev Dr Liz Hoare will laugh the proud to Colossians 1:11-20 scorn (v4) and their power Luke 23:33-43 For as long as I can remem- is to him like a clay pot to ber I have been struck by selves from the wicked before we have become be shattered in pieces (v9). the contrast between Psalm ‘over there’ this Psalm proud of our achievements So we pray that it is our The readings this Sunday are reflective of the fact that 1 the starting opening prayer includes us in its and expect God to notice pride that will be shattered it is the festival of Christ the King. They show us that words of Psalm 2. The petition, reminding us that and be pleased with us. In instead as we acknowledge Jesus is the righteous shepherd king of both creation wicked in Psalm 1 will be the sin of pride is one that effect we have denied that who is really Lord for ever and new creation who through the cross unites heaven judged, but from Psalm 2 it affects us all. God is our saviour because and ever. and earth in his peaceful kingdom. seems that they will not go Pride has been seen as we have grown self-suffi- As we read this Psalm, Jeremiah’s prophecy begins with an indictment of quietly. The King James the root of all other sin. It cient. then we are taken to Cal- earthly kings and leaders who have scattered the flock Version makes the tumult was pride that made Adam This is precisely what vary where we see Jesus they were given to shepherd, and destroyed that for of the nations even more and Eve think they knew makes human beings forget Christ impaled yet which they should have cared. To counter their evil graphic: ‘Why doth the hea- better than God as to what God and in the words of enthroned. The paradox of ways, God himself promises to gather and to bless. He then rage?’ was good for them, pride, Psalm 2 ‘rise up and take the cross as John in his will bring his people together and they will “be fruitful We don’t have to look far indeed, that made Satan counsel together against Gospel is so keen to point and multiply” again, a clear allusion to the creation to see the tumult of the rise up and defy God in the the Lord and his anointed’ out is that in such abject mandate of Genesis 1, which has been overturned by nations around the globe first place. As Christians we (verse 2). suffering and humiliation the de-creation of sin. today. One war leads to are constantly tempted to What a contrast we see in lies the glory of God. There In the days that are coming, says the Lord through another, whole peoples are think that we are doing OK the Lord Jesus Christ ‘who is simply no place for pride Jeremiah, a righteous Davidic king will reign. In con- displaced and battles for in the Christian life: attend- though he was God, did not here. Our only response is trast to the kings in David’s line who made a mess of domination and power are ing church regularly, giving regard equality with God a to worship and to live lives Judah and led her astray, this one will deal wisely and everywhere. The prayer generously, witnessing thing to be exploited...’ that mirror Christ’s meek- execute justice fairly. Judah and Israel will be united in above sums it all up as faithfully and keeping well (Phil 2:6ff). Meekness and ness in the way we regard his days, and he will have a name — the Lord our right- ‘earthly pride.’ Lest we are away from sinful places and majesty combine to pro- ourselves and the true eousness — which may in fact imply that he is the tempted to distance our- people. It isn’t very long duce a beautiful image of order of things. righteous God himself, who in verse 3 promised he would himself gather and protect his people. Luke 23 presents to us that very king, at his corona- tion. With his crown of thorns and attending soldiers, he is hailed as king of the Jews. Yet his throne is not of gold but the wood of a cruel cross. The earthly leaders gathered around him condemn themselves by their Mission work today derision and scorn of the one who was born to rule as king. Even in this moment of apparent weakness and Bob Mayo shaped by the movement life and helplessness, amidst the injustice and barbarity, he indwelling of the other. Each person continues the work of gathering his people, to be with I am a parish priest facing the of the Trinity makes itself inhabitable him forever in Paradise. The one who recognises him prospect of becoming a project man- for the others and is moulded by their as king will reign with him in glory. ager with my church site due to be reciprocal indwelling. Paul’s prayer and praise of Christ in Colossians 1 redeveloped. I will need the theologi- Moltmann’s ideas of the Trinity as extols the perfection of the crucified king. The head cal academy to help me to keep my rooms validates the role of the parish that once was crowned with thorns, is crowned with nerve as I begin to talk about bricks priest because it gives a mandate to glory now, as he is lauded as king over creation and and mortar as well as people’s hearts draw people into a relationship with new creation. He is the firstborn of all creation, the and minds. I need a story but it seems Christ through an invitation to a locat- heir, and the firstborn from the dead, the supremely to me that theology is better at offer- ed presence and for this one needs a exalted king. We who have been transferred into the ing me action. Theology seems to be building to nurture a gathered, wor- kingdom of this beloved son have redemption and more comfortable talking about shipful community. The Eucharist is a peace through the blood of his cross, so that he is king choice (what does God want me to physical participative experience over both heaven and earth, both unfallen angels and do?) than of asking what are the sto- right from witnessing the act to redeemed humanity. ries of which we are a part? (Locality receiving bread and wine. The Paul’s paean of rapturous praise for Christ relates and place). Eucharist cannot be replicated as a back to his prayer for the Colossian believers, with There is confusion in how theology virtual sacrament received online and which our reading begins. Paul prays that they would talks about bricks and mortar and separate from a week-by-week partici- be strong with all the strength that comes from the glo- clumsiness in how it talks about mis- pation in a Christ-centred outward- rious power of Christ — the Christ who is before all sion. Mission work is described as looking, worshipful community. things and who holds all things together. All this power ‘getting out of the building’. Mission With the idea of Trinity as rooms as and energy Paul prays will be available to believers; but language is set in opposition to main- well as people the gathering of people not for feats of dazzling show or miraculous demonstra- tenance (‘mission not maintenance’) for worship, prayer, confession and tions of healing, signs and wonders. as if missional work can happen in a teaching becomes an exercise in The immense power of the majestic universal king is de-contextualized manner separate divine presence. A life of belief is a given to help us “endure everything with patience, from paying one’s bills and keeping Estate. The White City has seen what material life that has to do with places, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father.” The perse- the church building open. Archbishop Justin recently described people, sights, sounds and habits of verance of the saints is no light thing, but requires Grace Davie (2008) talks of church- as ‘the doughnut theory of economic behaviour. Spirituality is not where a colossal spiritual resources. A thankful, joyful, trusting es of ‘choice’ and ‘place’ as two reli- regeneration’ – you inject jam in the person’s heart or mind is but where heart in the midst of affliction or temptation is testimo- gious economies running side-by-side middle and wait for it to permeate and with whom they are sat on a Sun- ny to the fact that such power is holding us together, in modern Europe. Our culture of con- through to the edges (but it never day morning. just as it enabled Christ the Lord to hold himself to the sumption has put an emphasis on does). Place-making is a distinctively Trini- cross. churches of choice shaped around The Westfield Centre was opened in tarian work because whereas in time common interests, demography or 2008 as the (then) largest inner-city we experience events sequentially in Lee Gatiss is Director of Church Society and Editor of kinship groups. Niche religion col- shopping centre in Europe at a cost of place we exist beside each other the NIV Proclamation Bible. ludes with individualism and con- £1.6bn however there is no impact on simultaneously. One cannot experi- sumerism and encourages people the White City, which is less than five ence different places at the same time disaffected with the institutional minutes’ walk away. The White City is but one can experience different church wanting to cultivate their inner a distinct community and needs its times at the same place and in this spiritual lives. Niche religion is able to own designated church leadership synchronicity lies a glimpse of the HYMN SUGGESTIONS echo back to culture something of and structure in order to make proper integrating harmonious work of the what it understands of itself. missionary sense of its particular Holy Spirit when (as TS Eliot writes) The historical parochial system is social and historical circumstances. ‘all shall be well, and all manner of churches of place. These are organ- Plans are being drawn up for the thing shall be well’. Come and see, come and see ized territorially. They are still the church site and I still need the Acade- The head that once was crowned with bedrock of the Church’s mission. The my to provide me with a theology of Bob Mayo is the Vicar of St Stephen ‘place’ of St Michael’s is not just its place. Moltmann (2008) obliges. He and St Thomas, Shepherd’s Bush with thorns physical location on the White City says that we should think of Father, St Michael and St George, White City Be bold, be strong but also its place in the whole social, Son and Holy Spirit as not only per- (www.ststephensw12.org). Follow Bob All hail the power of Jesus name cultural and political reality of the sons but also as spaces, wide rooms on twitter @RevBobMayo The Lord’s my shepherd Milestones

trust there is, not just between groups but within them. In itself this need not be an The London Borough of Wandsworth has decid- P A U L argument against immigration if ways can be ed to drop charges against street preacher

found of addressing the problem and this is Dominic Muir for preaching in Battersea Park R I C H A R D S O N an area in which the churches have a big con- in August (pictured)... Stonewall’s Annual tribution to make. Awards Event took place on Sunday evening at Collier finds that the impact on migration the Victoria and Albert Museum in London... Church and World on wages is quite trivial compared to all the The BBC Trust is carrying out an in-depth fuss that has been made but he claims com- review of all BBC News & Current Affairs petition for social housing has been more output, and is inviting members of the public to

substantial in neighbourhoods where immi- make their views known via grants concentrate. By raising house prices [email protected]... Gideon Bibles in the growing South East of England, immi- have been banned from student rooms at Hud- gration may have made labour movement dersfield University in a move that has been Immigration within the UK more difficult. Some employ- described as “anti-Christian”... In an interview ers are open about their preference for better with the Telegraph this week, Ukip leader Nigel educated, more highly motivated workers Farage has spoken about his desire for a more from overseas and this may deter young peo- robust defence of Britain’s “Judaeo-Christian ‘ ple trying to move from the North of Eng- heritage”... The NHS is set to trial a new blood and the UK land in search of work. test to diagnose Down’s syndrome in unborn Collier’s plea is for controlled migration. babies... According to a YouGov survey anced discussion of an issue that He warns of the dangers of diasporas form- opposition to immigration has mainstream politicians have too ing. These encourage more immigration and ‘Deeply shocked and grown in the past eight years. Very often left to extremists. Collier deter integration by the immigrant communi- saddened to hear of the loss few people are positive about the questions some of the assumptions ty which continues to live in its own cultural right of people from Romania to made by church leaders and it is not world. of thousands of lives and of move here when restrictions are lift- surprising that his book received a Critics of multiculturalism will seize on the suffering caused to ed in the New Year and there is a mixed review from Bishop Rowan Collier’s work. He is right to point to the millions by the storm.’ sizeable majority opposed to the Williams in Prospect. importance on integration. Immigrants do right of people in EU countries to Collier places the impact of need to learn the language of their host coun- The Most Rev Justin Welby live and work where they want. migration on the sending countries try, for example. But America, which is often on the effects of Typhoon The poll will not make comfort- where it belongs, at the centre of pointed out as a nation that has successfully Haiyan able reading for number of church the debate. The issues are compli- integrated immigrants, is also a nation in leaders who have spoken out in cated. Remittances from workers which Chinese, Jewish or Italian neighbour- favour of immigration. Catholic overseas can be an important hoods easily be found in many large cities ‘ Bishop Pat Lynch, for example, source of income in a poor country and in which many immigrant groups have recently wrote of the contribution but Collier argues that it is difficult continued to preserve their culture and cus- People immigrants make to the health and for a such a country to recover from toms, not least through their churches. social services. But he can take a large exodus of talented people. Tariq Madood has pointed out that immi- comfort from the fact that YouGov This is a major problem for smaller grants integrate more readily when their cul- Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali has warned against shows 50 per cent saying the NHS countries. An early exodus of ture is respected. They feel more at home in the Government’s proposals to introduce an would collapse if it couldn’t recruit skilled workers has an impact on a country which signals it has a place for Islamic bond that complies with Sharia law in nurses abroad, although this is the capacity of the economy to inno- them. Fostering a sense of national belong- Britain, saying that the move will have “unfore- down from 73 per cent 8 years ago. vate and adapt new technologies. ing is important but it can best be done by seen consequences”... The , A positive finding of the survey is He gives as an extreme example interactive pluralism rather than be simple the Rt Rev Mark Bryant, has launched a project that there has been no rise in the of the problem Haiti with a popula- integration. to recruit 1,000 people to credit unions across the number of people (one third of all tion of around 10 million which has diocese and engage congregations much more in adults) who dislike the thought of lost around 85 per cent of its educat- supporting the organisations, signing up to an immigrant family moving in next ed people. Given the misgovern- become a member of the Prince Bishop’s Com- door and that most people think ment Haiti has experienced this is munity Bank... Bristol’s St Mary Redcliffe Church immigration is either not a big prob- not surprising and critics of Collier has recruited a new member of staff to support lem or not a problem in their area. will accuse him of ignoring the suf- ambitious plans for a decade of improvements to The biggest fears are that immi- fering that often leads to migration. the historic church and the wider area, with Rhys grants have too ready an access to The fact remains that those who Williams (35) appointed as research assistant to welfare and public housing and that migrate are those who have enough the vicar, the Rev Dan Tyndall, to fill ‘a rather they get jobs by undercutting money to enable them to do so, the unusual vacancy’... British workers. people who are often the best hope It is a surprising feature of the for change, not the poor at the bot- debate on immigration that few peo- tom of the system. ple ever address the impact it has Collier quotes a ‘sophisticated Next Week’s News on the sending country. Are we new study’ that identifies 22 coun- right to recruit nurses and doctors tries ‘in which the self-interested On Friday 29 November, Tehran in Iran remem- from Kerala, Ireland, the Philip- decisions of emigrants are inflicting bers the second Anniversary of an attack on pines or West Africa? Bishop Lynch overall loses on the society’. the British Embassy by dozens of Iranian stu- seems to assume that we are and he As well as harmful effects on dents and protesters angry over Britain’s Unilat- ignores the considerable invest- sending countries, Collier identifies eral Sanctions... To mark World Aids Day this ment sending countries have made problems for receiving countries year Derby Cathedral’s Justice, Peace and Integri- in training such people. while acknowledging the contribu- ty of Creation Committee (JPICC) is arranging a One person who does discuss this tion immigrants make. Robert Put- seminar to be held in the Cathedral, commencing issue is Paul Collier whose new nam has shown that the more on Monday 25 November 2013 at 2.00pm until book ‘Exodus’ is a sane and bal- diverse a society becomes the less around 4.00pm...

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