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CRUX Issue 49 Church for a different world February 2019

CHOOSE FAIRTRADE Church for a different world CRUX February 2019

A CHOSEN FAITH OLYMPIAS BOOKS I’m often deeply impressed at What they hold in common is an the faith of those who have first awareness that faith is not something In an area of high child poverty, St Chrysostom encountered the gospel in adult life. to be worn lightly. It isn’t some Some have come from no religious kind of fashion accessory or cultural Church in Victoria Park facilitates and encourages background at all, while others have conformity, but the very centre of reading through Olympias Books. converted to become Christians one’s being. Many of our and from some other faith. They may congregations now contain people who well have had to pay a high price for have undertaken such major journeys The church had been praying about their new beliefs in terms of hostility of faith. If we are prepared to set aside how it could find ways to alleviate from their families and friends. time to listen to their stories we can poverty in the area and, following learn a great deal from them about discussions with teachers and parents, Indeed, there are many whose decision how to live our beliefs more deeply. realised that encouraging children to to follow Jesus Christ means that it read would be a great place to start. is unsafe for them to return to their former homeland. With Manchester being one of the most diverse cities in As a result, it launched Olympias Books, Europe, it’s not surprising that we have named after a female saint who showed a good number of new Christians here love and care to her community and was from very different backgrounds. David Walker a companion of St John Chrysostom. Bishop of Manchester People donate high-quality, second hand children’s books, which are then sold at St John’s CE School in Longsight. The pupils organise and manage the sale and the money raised goes to a school INNOVATION in Gambia, achieving further good. Olympias Books has managed to connect AND INSPIRATION people from different walks of life. In a Rector Canon Ian Gomersall, says, partnership with Manchester Grammar “It has been lovely to see families School, the boys there have given able to afford to get their own copies Innovation and inspiration for Everything from computers to a large quantity of excellent books. of Harry Potter and many more the whole congregation – that’s communion wine, chair manufacturers Churches in more affluent areas have wonderful works. Not only does the thinking behind the Christian to children’s charities will be on display. also supported the project, and local the project provide children with Resources Exhibition North that is A series of seminars, given by both charity shops have looked out for quality reading material, it also encourages returning to Manchester next month. regional and national experts, will used books that can be passed on. connections in the community and cover issues of vital concern to local supports a needy school in Africa.” Often dubbed ‘the ideal church show’, church leaders and members of all all 130 stands were snapped up with kinds – from youth workers to worship more than two months to go, thanks leaders, treasurers to magazine Olympias Books was recognised in part to the backing of Bishop David. editors. Special themes include sports by Bishop David with a Church “Dozens of organisations will bring their outreach and social engagement. for a Different World Award. skills, services, ideas and resources back to the north west from which CRE North at Event City, Manchester members of all church traditions can opening hours: Wed 13 Mar, 10am-8pm draw inspiration,” he said. “We look and Thur 14 Mar, 10am-4pm. Book for as forward to welcoming CRE again.” little as £3 at www.creonline.co.uk.

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MAPPING THE FUTURE There has been an incredible response to Bishop David’s request for parishes to submit a Mission Action Plan by the end of last November. It is hugely encouraging that WHAT HAPPENS NOW? TAKING STOCK 88% of parishes submitted their MAP by the deadline. The next phase is the most difficult – to An independent agency has been engaged make the plan a reality! Many churches to evaluate Fit for Mission, which will We would like to thank churches for find it helpful to use the activity plan help the diocese be really clear about taking the time and effort to submit their as the basis of their PCC agenda and what is needed to ensure that parishes MAP. They make fascinating reading, keep updating it as progress is made and deaneries are fully supported with and reflect a huge range of settings, and the next steps are identified. mission action planning. It is a great church traditions and resources. opportunity to learn from, and build The diocese has invested in extra resource on, what has been achieved so far. The Fit for Mission Strategic to support parishes. The Revd Canon Programme Board, chaired by Bishop Simon Bessant joins us on 1 March as HELP AND ADVICE David, recognises that the process of the new MAP Officer, working alongside Andy Salmon will be contacting parishes developing and completing MAPs demands Canon Andy Salmon. Simon is currently that haven’t yet submitted their MAP and considerable effort, in terms of time and based in the Diocese of Sheffield and is also making sure that Archdeacons expertise, from everyone involved. brings with him a wealth of direct are aware of any gaps. The intention experience to enable us to continue is to give these parishes the support Canon Andy Salmon, MAP Officer, said, to support mission action planning. they need to produce their MAP. “It’s great to see the diocesan commitment to a worshipping growing and transforming Deaneries are asked to aggregate their If you haven’t quite made the deadline, Christian presence in the heart of each parish MAPs into deanery MAPs. This please continue to work on your community translated into so many helps to identify priorities across larger Mission Action Plan and ensure that different plans. It’s really encouraging to geographical areas and to see patterns you use the agreed MAP template read of churches that are prepared to try emerging. Deanery MAPs should be so that there is consistency in new things and are reaching out into their completed by the end of March. how the plans are presented. communities, sharing the love of God.” Full details are at Mission Action Planning is a vital www.manchester.anglican.org/map component of Fit for Mission and the means of providing parishes Contact the MAP officers at and deaneries with the opportunity [email protected] to shape and influence the future or call Andy Salmon on and the allocation of resources. 0161 828 1457 or 07436 532408.

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I’LL EAT MY HAT! CHANGING THE WORLD THROUGH FAIRTRADE Celebrate with us as we share talks, workshops, singing, art and Bishop Mark Ashcroft poetry, stalls and refreshments.

Manchester Cathedral, Victoria Street M3 1SX Sometimes I visit churches where A while back on a visit to friends in I need to reach for the smelling Kenya, we were taken round an estate Friday 22 February, 10am—4pm salts! Shock horror, they are serving that grew the flowers that we see in our Nescafe after church! Christians are supermarkets, especially roses. The warm You can join us for the whole day or part of the day but please register your called to make a difference and stand Kenyan sunshine makes ideal growing attendance on: fairtrade2019.eventbrite.co.uk with the poor. One of the easiest conditions for cut roses without the need ways is for all our churches to buy for heating hot houses as in Europe. only Fairtrade tea, coffee, sugar, chocolate and a host of other food We were taken at the end of the tour How can our shopping choices items. It is such an easy way to make to the packing area. To our surprise, a difference. Give it a go for the we found the packaging for many change the world? quality is great, or I’ll eat my hat! well-known brands (including special offers) neatly piled up ready for the The British drink 165 million cups of tea flowers. Each supermarket has a slightly every day which is an amazing amount of different requirement of the length tea. Of that amount just 8% is Fairtrade of the stem, so the packing area had certified. Some brands and some different lines for each retailer. One line supermarkets have their own approach had the Fairtrade mark on its packages to trying to source their tea ethically and – in fact it was the Co-op. What struck support the farmers and producers, but us was that exactly the same quality if it doesn’t say Fairtrade on the packet, flowers were being sent to each retailer it isn’t Fairtrade tea in the packet. but only one brand was Fairtrade.

What is the difference? One of the tea Inevitably, we asked the supervisor factories that produces Fairtrade tea is what difference the Fairtrade mark just a mile or so from where we used meant. The quick reply was that the to live in Kenya. We personally know extra money comes direct to the many of the small scale farmers who workers, who in their case spent it on set aside a portion of their farm to grow secondary school fees for their children. tea. It is the cash crop in the area. The Fairtrade premium, as it is called, goes direct to the farm workers who use it to purchase many of the things that we get for free, secondary school education, medicine for children, doctor’s fees, Photo © Fairtrade Foundation as well as improving their land and Choose Fairtrade property by putting in piped water.

PAGE 6 CRUX February 2019 MORE NIGHT SHELTERS IN RESPONSE TO LUCY’S HEARTWARMING STORY HOMELESS CRISIS Lucy Hepburn, a year 8 pupil at Canon Slade School and member of St John’s Church, Wingates in Westhoughton, The capacity of the church-backed Winter Night Shelter has long wanted to find a way to help homeless people has more than doubled with the opening of a new but was repeatedly told she is too young to volunteer. shelter. Churches now provide one fifth of shelters for Manchester’s rough sleepers - 27 beds every night. Then one day she was on the bus home “It was so amazing to be able to share from school when she realised she God’s love with him that night, and to Homelessness is a growing problem The Winter Night Shelter is run by could knit scarves and then give them feel like I could help him even just a little across the whole of , Greater Together Manchester (a joint out to the homeless people in Bolton. bit. This has made me even more excited with more and more people seen venture by the Church Urban Fund and sleeping rough in the towns and city the Diocese of Manchester). While there about my scarf project and how many centre over the last five or six years. has been an increase in volunteers She told CRUX, “I have so far knitted more people I could help! I feel like God coming forward to run the shelters this 16 scarves, and I have also saved has shown me that even though I am The second night shelter is funded winter, there is always a need for more. up my pocket money and used it only 12, I can still make a difference. through the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, to buy 13 more scarves plus some set up by the Greater Manchester Volunteers can apply online at hats, gloves and blankets. “I am asking people to donate any Mayor’s office. Nine out of the 10 greatertogethermanchester.org hats, scarves, gloves, blankets or venues used for the two shelters sleeping bags, so that together we can are buildings. Another new shelter has also been help even more homeless people. My set up in , providing a further church has been really supportive!” I recently went to a concert in Guests, who would otherwise be rough 15 beds there. The project involves Manchester with Mum, and we sleeping, sit down with volunteers to people from different faith groups and came across a poor homeless eat a hot meal every night and are denominations, and is coordinated man lying across the pavement. supported during the day to find new by Oldham Parish Church. He wasn’t begging, but had accommodation and access benefits. just collapsed and fallen asleep on the cold concrete. It was heartbreaking to see. He looked so unwell and so cold. I really wanted to help him, so we looked at what we had in our car, and we found a small furry pillow, a bottle of water, a cardigan to use as a blanket, and I gave him my bag of sweets. We also wrote a note to him, telling him how much God loves him, and that he really matters to God.

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APPOINTMENTS

The Revd David Cooper, The Revd Jonathan Moores, currently Priest-in-Charge of currently Team Vicar of Atherton Arnside with Storth and Carlisle and Hindsford with Howe Bridge, Diocesan Ecumenical Officer, has has been appointed as Team Vicar been appointed as Team Rector in the Seven Saints Team. He will be of Walkden and Little Hulton. known as Associate Team Rector.

The Revd Hilary Corcoran (Hils), The Revd Janet Pitman, currently curate at St Peter currently Curate at Oldham and Blackley, St Paul Blackley, St Werneth, has been appointed Andrew Blackley and St Mary Incumbent of St James Milnrow Moston has been appointed 0.5 and St Thomas Newhey. Incumbent at St Paul Withington. The Revd Paul Sanderson, The Revd Mike Corcoran, currently OLM in the Benefice currently part time chaplain of Walmersley Road, has been at Manchester University NHS appointed as 0.5 Priest-in- VEGGIE LUNCHES Foundation Trus,t has been Charge of St Stephen Elton. appointed in addition 0.5 Assistant Curate (to be known as Associate AT CHURCH HOUSE Priest) at St Paul Withington. RETIREMENT It’s one year since we began working towards becoming an The Revd Mark Glew, Eco Diocese and during that time great progress has been The Revd Philip Brierley, currently 0.5 Priest-in-Charge of St made, with 32 churches registering to become Eco Churches. Mary the Virgin Haughton Green, has Incumbent of St George Stalybridge, been appointed as 0.5 Incumbent of is to retire on 10 February 2019. St Mary the Virgin Haughton Green. The journey includes Church House Secondly, Church House has agreed a becoming a Carbon Literate Organisation policy to provide only vegetarian catering (CLO) and a commitment to creating a for meetings. Many people are unaware low carbon culture in the diocesan office that the livestock industry is responsible that encourages staff to think about the for more greenhouse gas emissions than choices they make and the impact this the entire global transport network! It can can have on reducing their own and also be difficult to guarantee that meat the organisation’s carbon footprint. bought for consumption in Church House has come from ethical farming practices. A task group is developing an action plan and Church House has already taken two The policy to serve only vegetarian food significant steps towards achieving Carbon sends a very clear message about our Literacy accreditation. Staff will have commitment to becoming a CLO and carbon literacy training which includes the fifth mark of mission, to strive to measuring their own carbon footprint and safeguard the integrity of creation. committing to an action to help reduce it. The task group will be looking at further steps to reduce our carbon footprint, including waste management and the use of reusable cutlery and crockery.

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LOTTERY SUPPORT FOR CHURCHES

Two churches have received Work at the Grade 1 listed church will generous support from the Heritage see a new roof for the Wilton Chapel – Lottery Fund to help pay for building originally medieval and in later periods repairs and projects that engage associated with the Wilton family from with the local communities. Heaton Hall. Work will also take place on the church’s Victorian porch, which is St George, Stalybridge received a the main access route into the building. grant of £233k towards the renewal of the main roof, repairs to the north Exciting new heritage interpretation aisle gutter and parapet, new lighting resources will complete the project, and improved kitchen facilities. including a new heritage website, improved visitor information and material There will also be a programme designed for children and schools. of heritage engagement activities with the community. Heritage tour Both churches are extremely grateful for leaflets and a guide book will be the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund. produced, including details about the historic RENN organ. Details about If you would like information on grants the war graves will be researched available and help with applications, and added to the church website. please contact the diocesan Heritage WORK BEGINS TO Resources Officer, Heather Ford: St Mary in is also celebrating heatherford@manchester. REBUILD THE ASCENSION the award of £100k towards a heritage anglican.org / 0161 828 1475 renewal and interpretation project. After the devastating fire that destroyed the church building in February 2017, work has begun to rebuild it, so that the church can once again be at the heart of the community it serves. YOUTH MENTAL At a short ceremony in December, Building work will be done by local Salford Canon David Wyatt offered a prayer to firm, Seddon Construction. The Director, mark the start of the external building John Shannon, said the firm was proud to HEALTH FIRST AID works. He thanked the community be asked to rebuild the church and had for their support and members of been impressed by the community spirit This two-day course is designed to For dates and venues please visit the the local schools and the Muslim and that was evident after the fire. Seddon train people who work or live with diocesan Events webpage or email Jewish communities who have helped will begin by making the building young people to support their mental [email protected] the church recover from the fire. structurally sound and watertight, and will health, provide help in an emergency add a new roof. The exterior of the church and guide them towards support. will be largely recreated in the style of the Medland Taylor original. A consultation It will help you recognise the signs with the community will determine how that a young person is struggling with issues such as depression, anxiety The building will rise again to the inside of the building will look. and eating disorders, and open up be the centre of the community Churchwarden, Geoff Kaye, said “It’s conversations that can help. to the glory of God. a relief that the building work has started. It’s taken a long time to get to The training is run by Diocesan Mental this point but everyone has been very Wellbeing Youth Worker, Amy Sixsmith. helpful. The insurers, EIG, have been fantastic and really looked after us.”

PAGE 12 PAGE 13 CRUX February 2019 We want to hear your thoughts What will we do with your comments? SMALL ADVERTS WHAT SMALL We will collate all the responses we receive and consider them as we develop LOCKFORCE LOCKSMITH CHANGES CAN our plans and priorities for the diocese. For all your locksmithing needs including lock upgrades, door reinforcement / realignment. YOU MAKE TO We will not be able to provide individual We also provide free security assessment of your responses, but we will provide updates WHAT’S ON home and locks. All staff carry ID and are DBS in CRUX on how your feedback is checked. Contact 0161 410 0651 SUPPORT THIS MONTH AT www.lockforce.co.uk/ shaping Church for a different world. locksmith/Manchester/ FAIRTRADE? MANCHESTER DOUBLE ROOM FOR RENT CATHEDRAL? (Monday to Friday basis) in Christian home in Sale (M33) with easy access to Metrolink. Lodger would have use of own bathroom. Monthly rent TERRIFIC £350. Contact Tim: [email protected]

TUESDAY AT ORGANIST WANTED for medium sized Anglican church in Sale, Chester MANCHESTER Diocese (average Sunday attendance 110 adults / 4 part robed choir of 23 members). This is CATHEDRAL a paid position. For an informal chat, contact The Revd Canon Alison Cox: 0161 973 4145 19 FEBRUARY, VILLA TO RENT ORLANDO (Disney area) 10.15AM TO 12.15PM Spacious 4 bed, 3 bath, sleeps 8. South facing pool and spa. Quiet gated community. 15 mins Disney. Good golfing base close to numerous courses. www.thepalmsvillaorlando.com

LAKE DISTRICT HOLIDAY LET A well-appointed and equipped 2 bedroom apartment in Bowness with parking and garage. Offering a balcony with views of Lake Windermere. www.swallowsrest.org For more information call 07719 966990; email [email protected] What would you like to see discussed in a future issue? Continue the conversation To advertise in CRUX contact: Website: Simon Ambrose, 0161 828 1410 manchester.anglican.org [email protected] Twitter: @DioManchester The copy deadline is the Facebook: Come along to the Creation first of the month prior to publication. Church of England Station at Manchester Payment is in advance. (Diocese of Manchester-official) Cathedral where there will be Small ads cost 50 pence per word Email: plenty of crafts and activities (maximum of 40 words) plus VAT. [email protected] for families to enjoy. Editorial: Thanks for your feedback so far All editorial items to Ann Mummery, 0161 828 1470 [email protected]

Send to: Church for a Different World, Follow us at @manc_diocese Follow us at @DioManchester Diocese of Manchester, Church House, 90 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2GH Like us, search for Church of England (Diocese of Manchester-official) PAGE 15 CRE-new CRE-imagine CRE-vitalise

13–14 Mar 2019 Event City, Manchester www.creonline.co.uk

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