News from the Church of England between the Humber and the Tees July 2015 Consecration of the Bishop of Hull The Revd Canon Alison White, Alison’s welcome service in the East Priest-in-Charge of Riding Mill in Riding on Monday 6th July at 7pm the Diocese of Newcastle and at Holy Trinity, Hull. No tickets are Diocesan Adviser for Spirituality and required – please just turn up. Spiritual Direction, is to be consecrated as the Bishop of Hull in As Bishop of Hull, Alison will also York Minster on Friday 3rd July at have diocesan-wide responsibilities 11am. both as Ambassador for Prayer, Spiritual & Numerical Growth and If you’re not able to come to the Ambassador for Urban Life & Faith. Consecration, do come to Bishop 1 Sheep and Shepherds Shepherds had bad reputations, at who were thought to be trespassers least in Jesus's time. They were and thieves. For us to hear the story thought to go where they didn't as the Pharisees would've heard it, belong and take what wasn't theirs. we've got to substitute some kind of It's hard for us to think of them that person who's widely thought of in way, since, at least to urban people our time to go where they don't like me, they seem more like friends belong and take what's not theirs. who always turn up for the annual The migrants on the boats trying to Christmas party and never outstay come to Europe, desperate to escape their welcome, since we put them the violence and poverty of their away at Epiphany. I say this, not home countries, come to mind. The because I want to write some sort of political rhetoric leading up to the Christmas-in-July letter, but because General Election certainly wasn't far I want us to hear the story of the lost off painting these migrants as sheep as a first-century Palestinian potential trespassers and thieves. might have heard it and to think That's why at least some wanted to about what that might mean for us bring out gun boats to keep them at today. bay. The same could be said for immigrants already on our shores Jesus asks the Pharisees, 'Which one and those on benefits, particularly of you, having a hundred sheep and when we hear phrases like 'the losing one of them, does not leave deserving and undeserving poor'. the ninety-nine in the wilderness Even the elderly, when they're called and go after the one that is lost until 'bed blockers' in hospitals are he finds it? When he has found it, he thought of like this. In general, lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. anyone poor and vulnerable fits this And when he comes home, he calls description in our political rhetoric. together his friends and neighbours, So, imagine the story to be about saying to them, "Rejoice with me, for someone like this. That's what a I have found my sheep that was first-century Palestinian would have lost." Just so, I tell you, there will be heard. more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine Now, to what it might mean. First, righteous people who need no let's clear up a common confusion. repentance' (Lk 15.4-7). The story might seem to be about sin and searching, in particular, that we This story wouldn't have gone down are sinners, who have become lost well. Immediately, the Pharisees through our sin, and God searches would've been offended because for us until he finds us, and when he they, of all people, or so they does, we repent, and then he, and assumed, weren't like shepherds, we, rejoice. 2 That's how the story's usually heard. person like a trespasser and a thief, But that's a mistake. Sheep can't sin, for there are no outcasts in the love and so they can't repent; similarly, of God. Now if that's right, it's got God can't lose us, and so he can't something to say about how we treat search for us. Now the first part is those migrants drowning in the seas, obvious, sheep aren't the kind of immigrants trying to find a job, thing that can sin because they're families on benefits, the elderly not moral agents. So the story can't trying not to be a burden, . and so really be about sin and repentance. on and so on, at least for the But what about God not being able foreseeable future. Jesus said, 'The to search for us? That mightn't be so poor will always be with you' (Mk obvious, because it sounds like a 14.7). That's not a prediction. That's good thing God might do for us, a lamentation. We've got to when we get lost, as well, at least remember this, because in our efforts metaphorically do, from time to to be Generous Churches Making time. But think about it: if God can and Nurturing Disciples, we've got number the hairs on your head, as to keep this obvious fact in mind: Jesus tells us earlier in Luke's Gospel you can't make a disciple of (Lk 12.7), how can he lose you? And someone who's drowning, and you if he can't lose you, how can he can't nurture a disciple who's search for you? As the Psalmist starving. writes, God searches you and knows you, but he can't search for you In the Christmas story, the because he's always with you (Ps shepherds were bearers of good news, 139). news that amazed all who heard it (Lk 2.18). May we do as the So, now, putting together what we shepherds did: God has called us to said about shepherds and what the be good news to the poor and the story's not about: what this story has vulnerable and amaze everyone who to be about is the infinite value of sees it. each and every person, for each and every person is worth absolutely The Rt Revd Glyn Webster, Bishop of everything God can give, even the Beverley life of his own Son, and God's call to us to never, ever treat any class of On the move The Ven Andy Broom (Archdeacon of the East Riding) and the Ven Samantha Rushton (Archdeacon of Cleveland) were Admitted and Installed as ex officio members of York Minster’s College of Canons by the Dean in the Minster on Wednesday 10 June 2015. The Revd Daniel Cameron Roe, (Assistant Curate of Clifton), has resigned. 3 Ordination of Priests and Deacons Pictured above are the nine people • Rob Suekarran, Strensall who Archbishop Sentamu ordained • Adam Wogan, Scarborough, St Priests on Sunday 31st May at York Martin and Scarborough, St Minster. They are Gareth Atha, Sr Saviour with All Saints Karan Brewin, Tina Minett Stevens, • Susan Binks, Kirkdale with Nicola Penn Allison, Pauline Percy, Harome, Nunnington and Pockley Sue Pulko, Catherine Reid, Julie • Maureen Desborough, Skirlaugh Smith, and Sarah Strand. with Catwick, Long Riston, Rise and Swine The Archbishop of York will also • Ali Doolan, Beverley, St Mary’s ordain twenty-one people to the • Mel King, Brompton with Deaconate in York Minster on Deighton and Rounton (West and Sunday 5th July at 10am. The people East) with Welbury being ordained deacon, and the • Dotty Lambeth, Ricall, Barlby and parishes in which they will serve are: Hemingbrough • Ellie Bangay, York Minster • Christine Strand, Bridlington, St • Simon Bray, Beverley, St Nicholas Mary (also known as Bridlington • Jane Brown, Bramham Priory) • Debbie Coyne, Rural East York • Catherine Toase, Easingwold with • Glyn Diggins, Malton and Old Raskelf Malton • Glenda Webb, Brayton • Dianne Gamble, Sowerby and • Neil Woodhall, Selby, St Mary Sessay (also known as Selby Abbey) • Mary Jobling, Eastfield BMO • James Trowsdale, Burton Fleming • David Johnson, Monk Fryston with Fordon, Grindale and Wold and South Milford Newton and Rudston with • Anthony Oram, Southcoates, St Boynton, Carnaby and Kilham. Aiden 4 Sharing Friendship The Rt Revd Dr John Thomson, Bishop of Selby, has written a new book: Sharing Friendship: Exploring Anglican Character, Vocation, Witness and Mission. Published by Ashgate, as part of their Explorations in Practical, Pastoral and Empirical Theology series, Sharing Friendship represents a post- liberal approach to ecclesiology and theology generated out of the history, practices and traditions of the Anglican Church. Drawing on the theological ethics of Stanley Hauerwas, this book explores the way friendship for the stranger emerges from contextually grounded reflection and conversations with contemporary Anglican theologians within the English tradition, including John Milbank, Oliver O’Donovan, Rowan Williams, Daniel Hardy and Anthony of sharing friendship within the self- Thiselton. emptying kenotic performance of Jesus’ mission, and looks at Bishop John said, “I wrote Sharing challenges to the character of Friendship because I think contemporary Anglican ecclesiology Anglicanism has a lot going for it as represented by secularization and a way of following Christ. My hope is globalization as well as by arguments that it will help clergy and laity alike over appropriate new initiatives such to be confident in our Anglican as Fresh Expressions. mission today.” Sharing Friendship costs £60.00 Avoiding abstract definitions of from www.ashgate.com. character, mission or friendship, Alternatively, you can contact the Bishop John explores how the history Bishop of Selby’s office on of the English Church reflects a [email protected] or theology of friendship and how 01757 429982.