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THE CHURCHOF ENGLAND Newspaper Reconciliation Bringing faith on the back to railways, Bethlehem, p11 NOW AVAILABLE ON  NEWSSTAND p15 FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 2014 No: 6211 Welcome to Concern over England’s Cardinal clergy attacks

A SHADOW MINISTER voiced fully aware of the excellent work who later attempted to burn down her concern for the safety of cler- the clergy do working with some his Victorian church. gy in the Commons last week, fol- of the most vulnerable in our soci- The call for stricter punish- lowing a number of violent ety, but it appears that in doing so ments comes after the murder of attacks. they are coming under regular the Rev John Suddards, who was Diana Johnson MP questioned attack. found surrounded by pornogra- the Second Church Commission- “We need to have more informa- phy, party poppers, a condom er on whether a Government tion on what is going on, and it’s a wrapper, underwear and a canvas review on the violence was sched- concern that the Government has- of Christ to sully his reputation, uled, and whether it is time to des- n’t even been collecting informa- after he was fatally stabbed by ignate them as religious hate tion on this problem. I specifically Stephen Farrow. crimes, an offence that carries a asked whether it was time for the The vicar was known for his harsher sentence. Government to review these cases open door policy and had previ- The Shadow Home Office Min- and look at whether there’s any ously acknowledged that it could ister for Crime and Security asked evidence that some of these put him in danger. Sir Tony Baldry MP, the Second attacks could be motivated by reli- Mrs Johnson said: “If any Church Commissioner, what dis- gious hatred.” offences are proven to be hate cussions the Commissioners have A recent think thank report into crimes then they carry a heavier had with the Government over the the threat to Christian ministers of punishment than more general ‘recent trend’. attack has raised the profile of this offences involving violence. The Commissioner was keen to issue. “I would want to see tougher downplay the number of attacks, Released last week, new figures sentences in such cases, as I and suggested a discussion with collated from Freedom of Informa- believe that it would help act as a the Archbishops of Canterbury tion requests by Parliament deterrent and protect people of and York as to the necessity of Street, show clergy faced 200 faith who do such valuable and such a review. assaults in the last five years. important work in many local This week, the Labour MP for Parliament Street echoed Mrs communities.” Kingston Upon Hull said: “I was Johnson in a call for these inci- The Archbishop of Canterbury concerned to see recent reports dents to be classed as religious has promised to look into the about violent attacks on clergy hate crimes; so far, only two of the problem. serving local communities. I’m recorded assaults have been A Church of England classed as such. spokesman said: “The men and The attacks range from beatings women who serve as clergy are PRICE £1.35 / 1,70€ / $2.20 to stalking by obsessive parish- often the subject of vilification for ioners to grievous bodily harm. serving in the name of Christ, and Police did not record incidents largely bear such comments with THE ARCHBISHOP of Can- am absolutely delighted by against clergymen and women good humour. terbury has welcomed the this well deserved appoint- separately, so records can only “However as these figures show announcement by Pope ment. Archbishop Nichols give a sense of the overall prob- they also bear the brunt of more Francis that the Roman has demonstrated clear lem, rather than the finer details. vicious and brutal attacks. The Catholic Archbishop of leadership, personal holi- Only half of forces responded, so changing nature of the debate Westminster, the Most Rev ness and immense generos- the figure could also be higher. around faith, with its increasing Vincent Nichols, will be ity. Cases include the racial abuse intolerance and stridency serves made a Cardinal. “This strengthens the by Asian youths who pelted the as an unhelpful backdrop to a rise Archbishop Justin said: “I church in this country.” Rev Tony Tooby with stones and in such attacks.”

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DERBY Spring run quickly into winter? Professor Jørgen Nielsen will Professor Jørgen Nielsen is CHURCHIN lead a seminar on Monday 20 Professor of Islamic Studies at January 2014 at 7.30pm in the both Birmingham and Cathedral. With civil war raging Copenhagen Universities. The in Syria, governmental change Dean of Derby, John Davies, in Egypt and the re-starting of said: “All are welcome to this ENGLAND the peace talks between Israel very timely seminar; the New and Palestinians, the Middle Year may have started well for East is in flux. Christians us, but for many in the Middle throughout the region are under East times are very difficult severe pressure. Has the Arab indeed.”

LONDON Ven Nick Barker A West London church is marking the start of its 170th anniversary celebrations with a £10,000 deposit into a local credit union to help local residents access affordable financial services. David Ackerman, vicar of St John the Evangelist in Kensal Green, handed over a cheque to West London-based YourCU, which covers Kensal Green and Queen’s Park, last week. “It is vital churches work with credit unions to enable more people to access local, ethical and reasonably- priced financial services,” said Mr Ackerman. “Having a credit union in our community gives people in need of affordable loans somewhere to turn rather than use pay day lenders. We’re proud to be putting our money where our mouth is.”

DURHAM ST ALBANS BUCKINGHAMSHIRE An historic Darlington church has The Rev Canon Liz Hughes has been granted an award of £250,000 been officially commissioned as GOfest, the UK’s largest mission- from the Heritage Lottery Fund to Luton Airport’s senior chaplain. focused festival, will be held from 27- pay for repairs and improvements. The commissioning was 30 June 2014 at Bulstrode, Gerrards The building work at Holy Trinity, conducted by the Bishop of Cross, Buckinghamshire. The festival Darlington, in Woodlands Road, is Bedford, the Rt Rev Richard aims to inspire global vision by giving necessary to tackle problems Atkinson. The service - which people the opportunity to explore and including dry rot in the woodwork included a tribute from Glyn celebrate what God is doing supporting the roof and renewing Jones, Managing Director of worldwide. George Verwer, J John, parapet gutters. The church is a London Luton Airport, to the way Celia Apeagyei-Collins and others will Grade II historic building classed the airport’s chaplaincy team speak on the theme Powerful Gospel, as in ‘very bad’ condition on the meet the pastoral needs of both Passionate People, joined by worship English Heritage Places of staff and passengers - also leader Pete James. Chair of the Worship At Risk register, which provided an occasion for the planning committee, Jo Jowett from says it is in urgent need of repair. rededication of the entire Global Connections, said: “Last year The Ven Nick Barker, Priest in chaplaincy team at the airport. over 2,000 people attended over the Charge, said: “This project will Those taking part in the service May Bank Holiday weekend and we stabilise the building, protect its also included the Rev Dr John believe that moving the date to the end heritage and allow us to develop Scott, CEO of Workplace Matters of June will create the opportunity for facilities to enable it to be more (WM) - an ecumenical charity many more young people and students open and available to a wider cross that takes Christian values into to experience this unique event.” section of the community.” the workplace.

SOUTHAMPTON CHESTER The St Andrew’s Centre in Dibden Purlieu Geoffrey Wheeler, the runs a number of toddler groups under the presenter of TV’s Songs banner of “Dibden Minis”, and in 2013 they of Praise and quiz show saw just under 2,500 attendances for the Top of the Form, is to groups. A new toddler group called Monday have his funeral at the Multiples, for families with multiples (twins church where he served or more), is now running in partnership for more than two with the Southampton Twins and decades as a Reader – St Supertwins Club. The group meets Peter’s, Hale. The fortnightly on a Monday, providing specific broadcaster died aged 83 support and is the only group in the New on 30 December in Forest that provides this. The official launch Prestbury, following a party of Dibden Minis: Monday Multiples long illness. His will be on Monday 20 January, 10.00- illustrious career in 11.30am. For more information contact television included work [email protected] or on 02380 on Winner Takes All. He 843204. was much admired locally as a Reader, often leading services at St Peter’s and at St Elizabeth’s church in nearby Ashley. The Rev Canon David Ashworth, who was Vicar at Hale from 1978 to 1996, knew Geoffrey very well, and will be reading a tribute to him at the funeral Geoffrey Wheeler, who presented Top service on behalf of the Of The Form and Songs of Praise parish and the family. (pictured), has died aged 83

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INBRIEF Flooding hits Archbishop Welby visits Patriarch of Constantinople ARCHBISHOP ing would develop WELBY spent the greater fellowship beginning of the week between the Anglican visiting the Ecumeni- and Orthodox church- the churches cal Patriarch of Con- es and contribute to stantinople. Before he the goal of Christian CHURCHES HAVE worked last week that the total of left London he issued unity. hard to help people affected claims was already more a press release The official dialogue by flooding and church than £500,000. expressing his delight between Anglicans buildings themselves have In the Diocese of Glouces- on the appointment of and the Orthodox been hit. ter Tewkesbury was again the Archbishop of began in 1973. One of With the Thames Valley severely affected by flood- Westminster, the Rt the most significant one of the worst centres for ing and St Michael and All Rev Vincent Nichols, documents it pro- flooding the Diocese of Angels was flooded as it was as a Cardinal. arch Bartholomew duced was The Oxford reports churches in a major flood several Archbishop Welby occupies the ‘First Church and the Tri- called to assist vulnerable years ago. travelled to Istanbul Throne’ of the Ortho- une God, which was people. Two main roads into Boston’s famous church of on Monday. He had a dox Church. He has welcomed by the 2008 the city of Oxford had to be St Botolph’s, known as the private meeting with gained a reputation for Lambeth Conference. closed because of flooding ‘Boston stump’ was flooded the Patriarch, attend- his great interest in Currently the dialogue and St Luke’s Church on the before Christmas with over ed an official recep- environmental issues. is concentrating on Abingdon Road was opened a foot of water but Christ- tion, and held Before this visit the Christian anthropolo- as a refuge to people driven mas services went ahead discussions with the Archbishop expressed gy, looking at what it out of their homes. church of St Mary the Vir- and the church is planning a Synodical Committee his appreciation to the means to be a human The Vicar, the Rev Jane gin was flooded with 10 inch- service of ‘hope and renew- for Inter-Christian Patriarch for his invita- person created in the Sherwood, said the present es of standing water. al’. Affairs. tion and expressed the image and likeness of church had been built 18 The church is over 1,000 In the Diocese of Truro Ecumenical Patri- hope that their meet- God. inches higher than the previ- years old but was flooded the communications officer, ous building to prevent after the River Cerne over- David Watson, reported that Atheist wins refuge on religious grounds flooding. “We’ve offered the flowed following heavy rain. churches were ‘doing what church as a shelter for the The curate, the Rev Peter you’d expect them to’. By Amaris Cole versity of Kent, prepared the case past few days,” she report- Stone, said a lot of people “They are providing shel- under the supervision of Clinic ed. St Luke’s has also been were shocked at what had ter and food for people who ASYLUM for an atheist Afghan citi- Solicitor, Sheona York. working with vulnerable happened to the church but have been flooded and have zen for religious reasons has been Claire Splawn said: “We argued people in the area to clean that the flooding had damage to their properties secured in the UK, for what is that an atheist should be entitled to up homes that have been brought out the community and they’ve been supporting believed to be the first time. protection from persecution on the flooded. spirit. the rescue services,” he The Kent Law Clinic represented grounds of their belief in the same St Frideswide’s on the Bot- Local people blamed a said. “Churches themselves a client who fled to the UK from a way as a religious person is protect- ley Road was one of the Grade-II listed bridge for the have largely escaped dam- conflict involving his family in ed.” church buildings that was flooding and called for it to age, but they are acting as Afghanistan, and he was granted Sheona York said: “We are itself flooded. Water entered be replaced but Dorset centres of support for local asylum until 2013. absolutely delighted for our client. the church, causing damage County Council said this communities in the hardest The boy was brought up a Mus- We also want to welcome the and preventing the electrici- would be difficult because of hit areas.” lim, but since arriving in the UK in prompt and positive response of the ty from functioning. its heritage status. Flooding began in early 2007 he has turned to atheism. Home Office. We believe that this is Church services in Over 130 churches have December and according to Under the 1951 Refugee Conven- the first time that a person has been Charminster in Dorset had submitted claims for flood the Department of the Envi- tion, the case was submitted to the granted asylum in this country on to be held in the village hall damage and Ecclesiastical ronment remains a problem Home Office on the basis that if the the basis of their atheism.” after the Grade-1 parish Insurance said at the end of in some parts of the country. client returned to Afghanistan he would face religious persecution for his lack of belief. The clinic provided free +3 23#2'+'2:3 ': 411' '51 '1+4 support, as a pro bono serv- ice provided by students of :!UH!D'M,H6H$0<> ,"< J(<)U1NUJ, )1! JM((NU .UNN *< 1=<4?U4C ,"< B"!UJ$14T ,"< :!UH!D ,<16 .HMN? NH0< The case involved the DHM,H)H6< H0JH,"UJ UJ 1 sion with the Home Office, C!<1, H((H!,M4U,D ,H !<4<.14HN? 1)%M1U4,14)<; drawing on recent Supreme Court decisions, and includ- :!UH!D"1J 1 *1,)"HO9TVV -LBIV-P ,H CU0<1.1D OH! ,"< BTV ing detailed evidence that a return to Afghanistan by V1J,>14? DHM?H47, <0<4 "10< ,H *< 1)MJ,H6 SMJ, CU0<,"<61%MU)R )1NN> H! N<10< DHM! ?<,1UNJ0U1 death sentence under ,"< T )H6< beliefs. 14? "10< 1 )"1, .U," ," Evidence also showed DHM.UNN *< 161+ that because every aspect of daily life and culture in UO DHM "10< 1 !<%MU!<6<4, * CU0< ,"<6 1 )1NN> Afghanistan is permeated OH!,"< 0%8;.(.69,0/.(

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CHILDREN subject to new anti-social He said: “My amendments do not pre- “It can also make it extremely difficult behaviour orders should not be named vent the court from naming a child if it for professionals to obtain services by default, the Bishop of Ripon and thinks it appropriate to do so. They sim- instrumental in a child’s rehabilitation. Leeds has said. ply mean that a child will not be named There is little evidence that identifying a Bishop John Packer said there should by default. child is effective as a deterrent.” not be a presumption that their names “The issue of publicly naming children Bishop Packer said that in the age of would be made public. is an important one. It raises a number of the internet once a child’s identity was He said that since the Children and concerns regarding rehabilitation and revealed it was “indelible” and children Young Persons Act 1933 there had been safeguarding and is contrary to the usual should not have that stamp put on them a presumption against revealing a child’s presumption of anonymity that is grant- from such a young age. identity. ed to children in criminal proceedings. He added: “Naming and shaming But under the Anti-social Behaviour, “The presumption to name children through ASBOs has criminalised, stig- Crime and Policing Bill, which is going has significant implications for the safe- matised and negatively labelled young through the House of Lords, children in guarding of children. “Children with special educational people and has in some cases perpetuat- court proceedings involving the new “Naming a child publicly could mean needs are also more likely to be involved ed problems rather than helping to orders would be named by default. that they are subsequently targeted by in anti-social behaviour, making them resolve them.” The legislation replaces ASBOs with individuals or gangs wishing to exploit particularly vulnerable to exploitation. Home Office minister Lord Taylor Injunctions to Prevent Nuisance or their vulnerability. “Naming, thereby shaming, children assured Bishop Packer that there was no Annoyance, which are known as IPNAs “Identifying a child as having been can hinder the successful rehabilitation intention from the Government to either and can be applied to children as young involved in anti-social behaviour could of those who wish to make a fresh start. increase or decrease the number of chil- as 10. indicate that the child may be tempted to “It can be counterproductive by pro- dren named in proceedings. During report stage debate on the Bill, engage in risk-taking behaviour or that longing the problems that children have Bishop Packer was “at least partially Bishop Packer put forward an amend- they will be more susceptible to being in re-engaging positively with their com- reassured” and withdrew his amend- ment to restore the previous situation. groomed. munity. ment without a vote. African No to women priests US gay bishop dies THE GENERAL SYNOD of the Church of THE EPISCOPAL Call for affordable child care the Province of Central Africa has voted Church’s first “out” THE BISHOP of Ripon and Leeds has with which we can get involved and down a proposal by the Diocese of Harare gay bishop has died. called for an all-party commission to consider whether there is a more at their 27 November to 1 December 2013 The Rt Rev E. Otis come up with a coherent, long-term coherent long-term strategy for look- meeting in Lusaka to permit the ordina- Charles, retired solution to tackle the problem of a ing at childcare.” tion of women to the priesthood. Bishop of Utah and shortage of affordable childcare. He said childcare needed to be “not Bishop Fanuel Magangani of Northern former Dean of the Bishop Packer said childcare provi- only affordable but of high quality”. Malawi told The Church of England News- Episcopal Divinity sion had “grown like Topsy” but the “There are some welcome signs,” paper the motion had been put forward School in Cam- need for it had become “more and he said. “The increase in the propor- by Bishop Chad Gandiya of the Diocese bridge, Mass., died more crucial to both parents and chil- tion of paid daycare staff who hold at of Harare in response to motions adopted on 26 December dren”. least a level 3 early years qualification and put forward by a number of diocesan 2013 at a hospice in During a House of Lords debate on from 54 per cent in 2003 to 84 per cent synods. San Francisco. He the subject, he said: “There is such a now is a very encouraging marker. Bishop Magangani said he voted was 87. complex system, which is part univer- “Nevertheless, childcare remains a against the motion because it was con- Ordained in 1951, sal and part not, with childcare vouch- low-wage profession, and the point trary to tradition. “Some of us are happy Bishop Charles was ers in their varied forms as an that we have here a system that is at to maintain our roots without the idea of elected Bishop of additional complication. the same time expensive and low- thinking that we know better than those Utah in 1971 and retirement he “There is indeed a very strong case wage, needs looking at carefully.” who have gone before us over the years held the post until informed the House for extending access to affordable He also pointed to the high of the Christian faith. I believe that the his retirement in of Bishops of his childcare, but there is also a case for turnover of childcare staff and said he Church fathers down to the Apostles 1986. He served as sexual orientation starting again to provide a coherent knew how difficult it could be for his taught and reserved the faith I would like Bishop of Nava- and announced he system. grandchildren and their friends when to uphold. I feel satisfied with the way I joland for two years and his wife Elvira “I wonder whether there ought to there were changes. received the teaching of the Church and before accepting the were divorcing. be something along the lines of an all- Bishop Packer added: “Childcare is that there is everything I need for my sal- post of Dean and He remained an party commission which could stand taking an increasing proportion of the vation without diluting it with my ideas.” President of EDS, active member of back a bit from the immense detail income of our poorest families.” The motion fell short of the necessary retiring a second the House of Bish- two-thirds vote in the House of Laity with time in 1993. ops in retirement Bishop not personally liable over schism, court rules 14 yes and 10 no votes, but was defeated A father of five, and was an hon- in the House of Clergy, seven yes to 21 Bishop Charles told orary assistant bish- A SOUTH CAROLINA 2013, Judge Diane found there was no rea- no, and in the House of Bishops six yes his wife he was gay op in the Diocese of court has dismissed a Goodstein dismissed son to single out specif- and nine no. in 1976. Upon his California. motion brought by the the Episcopal Church in ic members of the national Episcopal South Carolina’s argu- clergy for a vote taken Church to add in his ment that Bishop by the whole diocese. Warning over threat of loan sharks personal capacity, Bish- Lawrence and the other The court also dis- op Mark Lawrence, and church leaders should missed a request by the REMOVING FUNDING for grants - were abolished and benefit those in most need. three diocesan officials be made personally national Church for an local welfare provision replaced by funding to local “In discussion of the Wel- to the lawsuit over the responsible for the order barring loyalists could drive people into the authorities, with the inten- fare Reform Bill, it was a Diocese of South Caroli- secession of the diocese in the diocese from say- arms of loan sharks, the tion that they establish deliberate act on the part of na’s properties. from the national ing they were the true Bishop of Ripon and Leeds their own local welfare the Government to provide On 30 December Church. The court Episcopal Diocese. has said. assistance schemes. that £178 million to help Bishop John Packer said “The £178 million allocat- those in most need and to the latest local government ed for 2013-14 was a cut of help local authorities to Bid to restore cultural landmark finance settlement, pro- 46 per cent, but local wel- make provision for them.” THE DIOCESE of Trinidad and Toba- ments of the Greater Caribbean by the duced from Whitehall fare assistance has in the Local government minis- go has launched a fundraising drive to Organization of American States, before Christmas, indicated past year been of crucial ter Baroness Stowell said restore one of the architectural land- Hayes Court stands along the western the removal of funding for benefit to those who have councils would continue to marks of the Caribbean – Hayes Court, edge of Queen’s Park Savannah in Port local welfare provision from fallen into financial crisis provide support to people the historic episcopal residence of the of Spain. Built in 1910 the great house April 2015. through the additional who faced financial difficulty. island’s Anglican bishop. stands in disrepair, riddled by termites, In a House of Lords pressures of this period of She added: “The Local On 3 January 2014 the Rt Rev Claude a leaking roof, crumbling stucco walls debate, he said: “Under the austerity. Government Association Berkley convened the Hayes Court and pealing and cracked paint. Welfare Reform Act 2012, “It is true that the money has raised those issues Restoration Committee to lead a TT “It is our vision to restore Hayes key elements of the discre- has not been ring-fenced with DWP Ministers, and I $24.1 million (£2.1 million) fundraising Court to its former splendour as a cen- tionary Social Fund - crisis but, in my experience, it understand that it is in dis- campaign to restore the colonial man- tre of Anglican excellence while pre- loans and community care has mostly been used to cussion at this moment.” sion. Listed on the Register of Monu- serving an important heritage site.”

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Nativity records devil is in the detail. I submit accept we are demeaned if we Sir, Paul Richardson’s com- Reforming baptismal liturgy that in the incarnation, God is do not first love our neigh- ment in ‘Making the Case for Sir, With regards to the proposed experimental baptismal definitely in all the details! bour. God’ (10 January) that “details liturgy (January 10) we must distinguish the pedagogic addi- Next year let us not be content Colin Bricher, about the shepherds or the tions with which our Reformed church wisely surrounded with a “Christmassy feeling” Northampton wise men were never meant to the sacrament from the sacrament itself. but pay more attention to facts be taken literally” caused me Our touchstone of orthodoxy, the Book of Common and research that authenticate Homework issues some surprise, for I always Prayer, accepts as valid baptism any application of water in the biblical text. Sir, I have noticed of late that appreciate his writing. I won- the name of the Trinity, so the new liturgy cannot be faulted Sheila Brown many of our diligent young der whether God observes from this aspect. However for balance contrast this with cer- Via e-mail people are missing out on “midrash” style when acting in tain evangelical Anglican re-application of water in the name church because of an overload history? of the Trinity in remembrance of an infant baptism, which of schoolwork in the Sixth Over many years I taught despite casuistic explanations appears to be rebaptism. Sad resignation Form. Some of them bring so children and Pathfinders and If non-churchgoers are aware of any liturgy it is the old one Sir, How sad to read of the res- much work home at week- valued research on the back- that mentions sin and the devil, and either this will put them ignation of Sir Paul Coleridge, ends that it seems that they ground of Bible stories as well off before they hear of the new liturgy or they will come High Court judge, (3 January) are working at it for the whole as using Scripture Union knowing this or they will come in ignorance of both the old after having been rebuked by of Friday evening, then are material. In teaching the birth and new liturgy. Given this, the defence mentioned in the Justice Secretary Chris doing school work (albeit per- narratives, I found help over above article is spurious, as the interviewing minister can Grayling because of the haps including other school- the Star of Bethlehem in The pre-empt any confusion by ensuring he explains these con- judge’s views on marriage. related activities) all day on Bible as History by Werner cepts of sin and the devil as he introduces them. The Lord will richly bless Saturday, only to have to do Keller, a German scientific Again let us distinguish the duty of the Parish minister to Judge Coleridge for the stand school work practically all day journalist who found out convert the unbaptised to discipleship and get them to sub- he has taken on marriage, but on Sunday. They may just about about archaeological discover- mit to baptism and his duty to disciple those who are already no doubt his resignation will make it to a youth meeting just ies that confirm many biblical baptised. It is only in the latter context that we have a duty to be a great loss to society as a before the Evening Service but accounts and gathered them baptise infants, and this latest dumbing-down is yet another whole. are in many cases unable to in this book. In the introduc- indication of the Church’s lack of will to disciple its parish- Eunice Owens, stay for the service itself. tion he wrote that: “Many ioners. Liverpool Part of the problem is events which previously Rightly discipled Christians marry before procreating, and almost certainly the fact that passed for ‘pious tales’ must the Prayer Book ideal is that such people should be commu- today’s students do four (or now be judged to be histori- nicants before marrying and thus that they know, believe Reconciling views even five) “A”-levels instead of cal” (p.ix, 1960). The book and practice the religion of the Prayer Book Catechism. A Sir, Ralph Ireland (3 Jan) gets three as in the past. Admitted- was translated into English standard that William Beveridge, a renowned Bishop of for- at the crux of the difficulty of ly spare time was always at a and French and widely read. mer times noted “is so short that the youngest Children that reconciling the views of Mes- premium in the Sixth Form In his chapter on the Star of can learn anything at all, may learn and say it by heart: And dames Roe and Lancaster with but something has gone Bethlehem Keller recounts yet so full, that the oldest Christians that are, need know no the traditional viewpoint. As wrong if church is being that Kepler, observing a con- more than what they are there taught to believe and do that Voltaire said: “If God created crowded out. And in any case junction of Saturn and Jupiter they may be saved. For it contains all things necessary to Sal- man in his own image, we there ought surely to be at in 1603 in the constellation vation, and nothing else.” have more than reciprocated”, least an hour or two per week Pisces, remembered that Our aim ought to be to bring all parents up to this stan- many Christians follow a God for some sort of leisure activi- Abarbanel, a Rabbinic writer, dard, for how can they teach their children what we hold to of their own creation. This is ty. had referred to Jewish be the rudiments of Christian discipleship where this is not why they concentrate on lov- As I see it, the answer would astrologers who believed so? ing their neighbour rather be for part of each year’s Messiah would appear when a Alan Bartley, than God. To love God with all school syllabus to be back- similar conjunction occurred. Greenford, Middlesex your heart, soul mind and loaded down on to the year Careful calculations revealed strength is a tall order: the below. This should operate all to him (and now to us by com- Bulls in striving to do this are the way back down the system puters!) that such an event did that convinced me. ered for the census, whose scolded for not loving their into the primary school years. happen: a triple conjunction in Bethlehem was not on a date was accurately noted by neighbour. Does Mary Roe As someone who went 7 BC (p.328 ff). I accepted this trade route, so would not have Luke. Some women among not regard Peter and Hazel- through primary school in the as confirming the historicity supported a commercial inn, these guests would no doubt mary as her neighbours? 1950s, I have long been of the incarnation, together also middle eastern traditions have helped Mary as she gave This is what I call anthro- bemused by things done in with other parts of the narra- of hospitality, then as now, birth in the guest room. pocentric theology as it works church in the name of the pri- tive. make it incredible that a preg- I am happy to take this ver- from mankind as its centre. mary children that suggest In 1986 we moved to Bristol nant woman, accompanied by sion of real events as fact, and Surely the very nature of the that standards in primary so that my husband, an experi- a man and about to give birth, to accept that the Wise Men word suggests theology school are well below the stan- enced Reader in the Diocese would be turned away; the probably walked from Sippar, should be theocentric. As Mr dards of the 1950s (I blame of Europe, could study for word used for “inn” in Luke in Babylon, where many of the Ireland indicates, it is from the Plowden report!) so this ordination at Trinity College, 2:7 (kataluma) is not the same Jewish diaspora studied at the our loving of God that we can does suggest that there is where I enrolled as a part-time as that used in the parable of school of astrology. They truly love our neighbour. spare capacity to allow some student. The lectures on Mis- the Good Samaritan in Luke would have set out after see- Serena Lancaster appeals to of the secondary school cur- sion and Religion by Colin 10:34 (pandocheion); tradi- ing the first bright conjunction enlightened thinking. We see riculum to be back-loaded into Chapman were of great inter- tional houses would then have of Jupiter and Saturn. the folly of this in Genesis 3, primary school and so reintro- est and he often quoted his had a “guest room” Fiction and fantasy abound where the enlightened talk of duce the standards that friend Kenneth E Bailey (kataluma) next to the main today in media and education the serpent caused Adam and applied in those years. (author of Jesus through Mid- room, in which there would and I agree with Paul Richard- Eve to be expelled from Para- I expect that some people dle Eastern Eyes). Dr Bailey have been a manger in the son that the Christmas story dise. Serena (6 December) will disagree but they should has lived and taught for many wall accessible to animals does have a message for us. provides a quote from Dr perhaps come up with alterna- years in Palestine and his from the other side. The main Some cultural accretions and Makgoba which broadly tive suggestions for dealing research into the way things room would have been full to carols do indeed tend to claims we demean ourselves if with the problems. were at the time of Jesus’ overflowing with others from obscure this. People working we do not take on board this John Humphrey, birth led to three conclusions David’s line, cousins etc, gath- on projects often say that the enlightened thinking. I cannot Sevenoaks

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper www.churchnewspaper.com Friday January 17, 2014 Leader & Comment 7 Anti-Semitism on the rise in Europe ‘Fans flock to French comic Dieudonné on social media’ we are told by the BBC’s Georg Lentze of the BBC Social The truth about 1914 and Media Monitoring Unit. Dieudonné has several convic- tions for anti-Semitic hate speech in France, and his very popular shows have recently been banned for this reason. now: Weapons cause Wars All forms of social media are showing real spikes of inter- est and favour, YouTube, Facebook ‘likes’, tweets, a TV channel, all register enormous popularity. He unites the poor immigrant Muslim youth and the anti-immigrant als throughout Europe and beyond in millions of National Front bloc. He taps into the growing anti-politics names and unspeakable deaths. feeling rising in Europe. But those words carry on into and through the Dieudonné operates with a subtle ambiguity, as the New Second World War concocted before Hitler by Yorker’s Alexander Stille reported: of a distinguished Alan the arms manufacturers’ refusal to allow disar- French Jewish journalist Dieudonné said: “When I hear mament, into the Cold War and down to Saddam, him speak, Patrick Cohen, I say to myself, you see, the gas Gaddafi and Assad, blighting his people through chambers … too bad.” The meaning is clear, the grammar Storkey his belief in arms supplied by the Russians. We broken up to gain deniability. He has developed a cynical have Bush and Blair’s belief in taking the sword inversion of the Nazi salute that has gained such traction followed by the body-bags, and the evil Bin as to have been used at a Premiership football match to Laden is a has-been. Two hundred million have bait Jewish fans. The French authorities are concerned perished. and trying to suppress the activities of this ‘comedian’ and Tolstoy wrote War and Peace, supposedly the activist, but that suppression stokes a victim image and world’s greatest book, but then he was convert- social media popularity. Hatred of Jews is now popular in If we had been sauntering along with Jesus lis- ed to Christ (and excommunicated by the Russ- France again, and barely 60 years after 1945. Dieudonné tening to him, what would we have heard? The ian Orthodox Church) and saw that Christ’s plans to use his Human Rights to free expression to over- disciples heard him, hung on his words, verba- teaching was right. He saw the stupidity of hav- turn government bans on his very lucrative shows. The tim, for he is the world’s greatest teacher. But ing tens of millions of soldiers marching up and bitter irony is that the mass murder of the Holocaust was understand him: No. For 50 years I was deaf. I down, of spending on weapons, of mass destruc- the driver for the UN Declaration of Human Rights. had heard, “Those who take the sword will per- tion and mass killing when individual murder is a Dieudonné himself is a ‘holocaust denier’. ish by the sword” but I had not even heard them. heinous crime. He saw that Christ’s commanded In the UK there is a growing movement to boycott the Then I heard them and after 20 years study I the way of peace, not just for Christians but as state of Israel by academics who think that Israel is guilty partly understand them. Those who believe in the Prince of Peace and the Lamb on the Throne. of repressing Palestinians. The University and College weapons come to grief over them, as did Caesar, Of course, most of the world today cannot hear Union of lecturers had invited Bongani Masuka, someone and Napoleon and Hitler in his bunker. But these or understand Christ’s words. The boys have found guilty by the South African Human Rights Commis- sion of anti-Semitic hate crimes, to speak at their confer- ence, and the UCU Annual Congress voted against dissociating itself from his views. UCU refused to accept the definition of anti-Semitism drawn up by the EU Moni- toring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia. A Jewish aca- demic, Ronnie Fraser, felt harassed by the UCU’s action and complained of anti-Semitism to a Tribunal, which denied his complaint. The Tribunal likened Fraser to a rugby player who was asking to be bashed and bruised in such a game, and so was entitled to a low degree of legal protection – an astonishing argument. The Church of England is also perilously close to adding respectability to his movement, as the Sunday Programme debate between Lucy Winkett and Alan Johnson showed: fashionable St James’ Piccadilly protested at the protective wall around Bethlehem, Johnson argued this protest ignored the realities of the context. Christians should beware of singling out Israel for protest, the Israel – Pales- tine spat, like Northern Ireland, is just one of many con- tested areas in the world, and the rising tide of hatred of the Jews is a toxic movement to make fashionable – again. Comment

The Church of England Newspaper words go deeper than that. They are the truest been taught as toddlers to shoot. They believe, with Celebrate magazine incorporating The Record and Christian Week reflection on 1914 as we review it now from a unlike Churchill, that the Battle of Britain is the Published by Political and Religious Intelligence Ltd. hundred years. only perspective on world events. Like Reagan, Company Number: 3176742 Twenty or so years ago I bought an old book they watch and believe Star Wars, and they have Publisher: Keith Young MBE by Noel-Baker. It detailed how a Mr Mulliner, been bullied into accepting that we need a unilat- wanting arms contracts from the Navy, lied eral nuclear deterrent against a non-existent about the Germans rearming, eventually created USSR. It is time for the Christian community to Publishing Director & Editor: CM BLAKELY020 7222 8004 a public scare around the slogan, “We want eight speak and underline Christ’s words to the world, Chief Correspondent: The Rev Canon GEORGE CONGER 00 1 0772 332 2604 and we won’t wait,” and helped, with the Daily to show that Christ’s peace is practical and to Reporter: AMARIS COLE 020 7222 8700 Mail, to create a gung-ho British public. It was expose the stupidity of the worldwide belief in not difficult to see how Krupp, himself involved weapons whispered, as by Iago, into our ears. Advertising: CHRIS TURNER 020 7222 2018 in a homosexuality scandal and suicide, worked Wars do not work. We are running out of ene- Advertising & Editorial Assistant: PENNY NAIR PRICE 020 7222 2018 on the Kaiser, Von Tirpitz and the German High mies. Nation can speak peace unto nation. Subscriptions & Finance: DELIA ROBINSON 020 7222 8663 Command to believe in weapons. Christ’s way of peace is given to us to pass on. Or to see how Japan given a first class navy by We are to be as lambs among wolves. Peace and Graphic Designer: PETER MAY020 7222 8700 the British firms, Armstrong and Vickers, disarmament is good news to all people and we The acceptance of advertising does not necessarily indicate backed by bribery, defeated Russia and set out are called to share it. endorsement. Photographs and other material sent for publication on its course of militarism which was to end in So the question is whether the world can come are submitted at the owner’s risk. The Church of England Newspaper does Hiroshima and Nagasaki. to understand one sentence from the Christ and not accept responsibility for any material lost or damaged. Or to see how Russia, smarting from defeat by see through his warning to the blessing of peace Japan, called in the arms manufacturers and and disarmament. We can understand swords Christian Weekly Newspapers Trustees: Robert Leach (020 8224 5696), armed to the teeth. into ploughshares, Skoda making good cars, as Lord Carey of Clifton, The Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, The Rt Rev Pete Broadbent, Or to see how Austro-Hungary, smarting realistic and good. Or we can continue to believe Dr Elaine Storkey, The Rev Peter Brown, The Rev Cindy Kent because Serbia would not give an arms deal to George Bush’s faith in “Mission Accomplished”. Skoda, tried to force Serbia to grovel, or to see World multinational disarmament is practical The Church of England Newspaper, how the shooting of Franz-Ferdinand would and necessary in this crowded interdependent Political and Religious Intelligence Ltd rebound on Serbia. Or to see how Basil Zaharoff, planet, and Christians by faith can bring it about. 14 Great College Street, London, SW1P 3RX the high priest of selling arms, leaving wads of We can disarm the world, and already one month Editorial e-mail: [email protected] notes on the desks of politicians, spread the of 2014 has nearly passed. It is urgent. As the Advertising e-mail: [email protected] hypocrisy of arms and was given an honorary great Tolstoy came to see, it is not War and Subscriptions e-mail: [email protected] Oxford doctorate for greasing them too. The Peace, but War or Peace? We can choose Christ’s warning of Christ that those who take weapons way now. Website: www.churchnewspaper.com will perish by them was written on war memori-

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A great Middle Eastern dish featuring lamb mince and authentic Cook Moroccan spices and served with a lemony couscous and takes only 15 Minced Lamb Tagine minutes to prepare This Method Serves: 4Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes Heat a large non-stick pan and dry fry the lamb with the onion for 3-4 minutes, breaking up any Ingredients lumps with the back of a spoon. Add the flour and cook for 1-2 450g/1lb lean lamb mince minutes. Add the spices and 1 onion, peeled and chopped saffron (if used) and cook for 2-3 20ml/4tsp plain flour minutes. Add the stock and 10ml/2tsp ground cinnamon honey, season, bring to the boil, 5ml/1tsp ground coriander reduce the heat and cook for 15- 5ml/1tsp ground cumin 20 minutes. 10ml/2tsp ground turmeric 10ml/2tsp ground ginger For the lemony couscous; put 1.25ml/¼tsp saffron threads, soaked in a the couscous in a heatproof little hot water, optional bowl and add the lemon juice 200ml/7floz good, hot lamb stock and stock. Cover with cling film 15ml/1tbsp runny honey and set aside for 5 minutes, or Salt and freshly milled black pepper until all the liquid is absorbed. 75g/3oz ready to eat apricots or prunes, Uncover and fluff up with a fork halved if needed. Season and stir 1 x 400g can chick peas, drained through the herbs. 5 minutes For the Lemony Couscous: before the end of the tagine 250g/9oz couscous cooking time, add the dried fruit Juice of 1 lemon and chick peas. Adjust 450ml/¾pint good, hot vegetable stock seasoning if required. Remove 30ml/2tbsp freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley from the heat, garnish with the 30ml/2tbsp freshly chopped mint coriander and serve with the Lemon wedges, to garnish couscous, lemon wedges and side salad. Tipping Point Pioneer theologian In his book The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell looked at how and why ideas, News has come from the US of the death of Ian Barbour, 90, a leading thinker in products and patterns of behaviour suddenly take off and spread. Among his the dialogue between religion and science. His first book, Issues in Science and examples he looked at the sale of Hush Puppy shoes and the drop in crime in New Religion, was first published in 1966 and went through many editions. One York. Writing his latest book David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits and the Art of theologian described him as ‘the pioneer scholar who got us out of the Battling Giants has led him rediscover the evangelical Mennonite faith in which quicksand of either seeing science and religion as totally in conflict or totally was reared. While researching the book he went to visit a woman in Winnipeg, irrelevant to each other’. Francisco Ayala, an evolutionary biologist who won the Wilma Dirksen, whose daughter had once been abducted and killed. She told the Templeton prize in 2010, said Barbour ‘probably did more than anyone else’ for press that she would like to know the person or persons responsible so that she stimulating the dialogue between science and religion. Barbour received the could, hopefully, share a love that seemed to be missing in their lives. Gladwell Templeton Prize in 1999. The son of missionary parents he was a British citizen wanted to know where Wilma and her husband found the strength to say that. until the 1950s. He visited this country two years ago to take part in a special Another story he researched for the book that set him thinking was the resistance panel for those who had given the Gifford Lectures and won the Templeton of the Huguenot people of Le Chambon in France to the German occupation and Prize. Barbour earned his first doctorate in science from the University of the steps they took to protect Jews. Gladwell concluded that both the Dirksens and Chicago before going on to study Theology at Yale. In its obituary, The New York the people of Le Chambon were armed with the power their faith gave them that Times printed a quotation in which he described the church as ‘a community of enabled them to stand up to Goliath. Gladwell thinks we often fail to see weapons of acceptance, commitment and concern for social justice, centring in the person of the Spirit because we are distracted by material things but says now he has seen Christ and the work of the Spirit but remaining open to theological them he will never be the same again. interpretation’. Get over it Popularity stakes Hard on the heels of the Gallup poll reported in this column Stonewall has launched a new campaign on London transport that is last week comes one from YouGov looking at people admired likely to annoy some Christian groups. No doubt the provocation is all around the world. The Queen tops the poll in Britain (no intentional. One advert shows a black male priest and a white surprise there). Obama comes second and Pope Francis third. woman priest both wearing clerical collars and carries the slogan The real surprise is that the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu ‘One is gay. If that bothers people, our work continues’. In other come fifth and sixth, beating Prince William and Kate. religious news you may have missed, General Synod member, David Cameron, Ed Miliband, Nick Clegg and Justin Tim Hind, has tweeted his excitement on the opening night of Welby do not appear but Richard Dawkins comes in the panto in which he stars (he is the Vizier in the Westbury at 25 (just ahead of Boris Johnson). Bill Gates, the Floodlight production of Aladdin) and a Pope Francis Pope and Barack Obama do well all around the Onesie has been announced, allowing people to keep world but Lambeth Palace clearly needs to get to warm while looking like the Pope. But for the Church of work to polish the Archbishop’s image. Help may England media office the big news is a successful Whispering be on the way. Darton, Longman and Todd have Christmas on Twitter. According to figures released by announced a new edition of Andrew Atherstone’s

the office, 7,500 tweets were sent in the campaign, The Gallery biography is coming out in May. The new, reaching 4.1 million twitter users. According to hardback edition will be twice the length of the Communications Director, Arun Arora, Archbishops, previous book and carry the subtitle: ‘Risk Taker bishops, clergy and laity all joined in the campaign. and Reconciler’. Atherstone’s original biography Arun still has a long way to go to rival Justin Bieber was largely favourable. Lambeth Palace is with over 48 million followers. The Pope hit 10 understood to have indicated it will not cooperate million followers in October and the figure is still with another biography, commissioned by going up. Biteback, that was to have been written by journalist James Macintyre.

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper www.churchnewspaper.com Friday January 17, 2014 Comment 9 Debate becomes demonisation Andrew Carey View from the Pew There is a troubling mutual demonization of each We are an astonishingly divided society if we other in debate these days – worsened by the believe such lies about each other. On the one ubiquitous coarseness of social networking sites. hand, there is widespread condemnation of wel- It shows up in the debate on welfare. On the one fare claimants as scroungers and scoundrels, and hand there is huge antipathy and loathing towards on the other, the evil villainous Tories who want to those who reputedly live their lives on benefits – enrich their friends and attack the poor. The limits of a portrayed as a lifestyle choice. And then there is The attribution of malicious motives to each equal contempt for anyone who favours cutting other and further stereotypes is all around us. In the welfare budget in order to increase employ- the Mark Duggan case we have the false image of ment. a trigger-happy police force gunning after the broad church There is something deeply unattractive about black community, contrasting with a widespread the language of deserving and undeserving poor. and equally erroneous view that the streets of Tot- But the attribution of sinful and malicious motives tenham are dominated by gangsters and guns. It would be wrong to point to the history of the Church of England to those who would like to get families working Closer to home in the Church of England we are as presenting a narrative of how to get along in a broad church and contributing rather than simply being passive equally prone to both mischievous and damaging because the reality over the centuries is a picture of persecution, recipients of the state’s largesse is just as bad. mutual stereotyping. Liberals are often simplisti- the enforcement of uniformity and the expulsion of those who The Channel 4 documentary series Benefits cally viewed as heretical or virtual agnostics, refuse. Street depicts a street in Birmingham where the while evangelicals are viewed as bigoted or funda- In more recent times our model of living with disagreement has vast majority of residents subsist on benefits. mentalist. generally been to hold each other at arm’s length. We tend to live Philip Collins in the Times (Notebook, 13 January The danger is that such damaging perceptions apart yet under the same C of E roof. 2014) criticises the sensationalising of these of the ‘other’ leads to division and fragmentation Yet somehow we have managed to survive the centuries intact. unfortunate lives. “Life on welfare is, in fact, a and, in some cases, even violence. Christians have My greatest fear for the Church of England is that we will follow deeply boring struggle. Benefits Street takes out a particular responsibility to avoid misleading the so-called Anglican Communion on the road to fragmentation all the dull bits and compresses months of inter- characterisation of other viewpoints. We should and division. mittent drama into 45 minutes, showing that it is engage with the best arguments presented by Division on fundamental questions such as Christ’s uniqueness possible to accumulate true details into a false pic- those we disagree with, rather than erecting straw and the nature of marriage will affect the interchangeability of our ture.” men or issuing personal attacks. ministry and our ability to share a common understanding of the He concludes: “It’s not the camera telling lies; This is not an easy discipline but it is one to sacraments. it’s the editor and his sins of omission seeking a which we are called in all the damaging and simple truth.” church-breaking disputes that lie ahead. The positive impact Paul Richardson of faith today Church and World Ever since 9/11 monotheism has been out of fashion. an eye on their followers and demand allegiance to a set burg’s Protestant, Catholic, Jew, or Robert Bellah’s Civil People who believe there is just one God are thought of rules. Since they are all-seeing and all-knowing it is Religion) while at the same time sustaining the cultural intolerant fanatics out to impose their faith on everyone impossible to fake loyalty. identity of German Lutheran immigrants or Irish Amer- else. Polytheism is supposed to make for a much qui- Norenzayan admits his thesis is not completely origi- icans. eter life and polytheists are even seen as anticipating nal. Max Weber quoted an atheist travelling salesman One claim Norenzayan makes that will be controver- post-modernism by opening up space for religious and who said he wouldn’t trust a businessman or farmer sial is that religious belief does make people more gen- philosophical pluralism. who didn’t believe in God but Norenzayan makes a erous to strangers. A famous experiment with Intellectual fashions change just as surely as fashions more comprehensive case for the importance of reli- Princeton Seminary students showed religious belief in clothes or art and there are signs that monotheism gion in the emergence of large-scale societies than I had little bearing on their readiness to act as good may be making a comeback. One of the books pub- have read before. Samaritans but Norenzayan claims too many experi- lished in 2013 that slipped under the radar screen of lit- He also offers an interesting suggestion for the rise of ments of this nature are done with students, those who erary editors in the religious press as well as in the secularism. People stop believing in ‘Big Gods’ when belong to a category he describes as WEIRD, ie West- secular media was Ara Norenzayan’s Big Gods (Prince- they live in stable societies with a dependable legal ern, Educated, Industrialised, Rich and Democratic. ton). I found a copy browsing in a second-hand book- framework and are able to trust in governments to pro- Broaden the range of people you examine, and religion shop on the Charing Cross Road, yet more proof that tect them. It is not an accident that we see low levels of does start to count as a motive for generosity, forgive- Amazon is no substitute for high street shopping. religious practice in North European societies that fit ness or honesty. Norenzayan, who teaches psychology at the Universi- this bill. Most religious believers will welcome the credit ty of British Columbia, grew up in Lebanon so he is well Norenzayan does not deal very well with the apparent Norenzayan gives to religion for shaping the modern aware of the harm caused by religious conflict. exceptions to his thesis. China is a notable example of a world. They will also welcome his readiness to probe His thesis is very simple. The rise of large, coopera- large-scale society without a Big God. Norenzayan deeper to find evidence of the beneficial influence of tive societies among human beings is a puzzle that is admits there is some room for debate about the role of religion, showing, for example, that participation in the best explained by religion. Big Gods make big societies supernatural monitoring in the emergence of Chinese hajj leads to greater tolerance and that Muslims who possible. Originally human beings lived in societies society but he fails to consider the role played by the actually pray as well as attending the mosque are less based on kinship. This is still the situation in such parts cult of the emperor. This was also important in the likely to turn into suicide bombers. of the world as the highlands of Papua New Guinea Roman Empire. Maybe religion works less by divine As Gordon Allport saw many years ago, religion can where I worked for many years. People live in clans in supervision and the threat of hell, as Norenzayan pro- increase prejudice against outsiders but it can also which everyone is related or behave as if they are relat- poses, and more by providing a common focus of loyal- reduce prejudice and conflict. Norenzayan doesn’t get ed to each other. But at some stage human beings start- ty and a common set of values. everything right but his book can help us to see where ed to live in large anonymous societies where people Norenzayan admits America is an example of a stable religious belief makes a positive impact and where who were not genetically related practised altruistic society with a strong system of law enforcement that is there is a danger of it doing harm. Pastoral theology can behaviour towards each other and cooperated together. not secular on the Scandinavian model. Here we proba- learn from this kind of analysis. As we move from big In small groups transgressions can be hard to hide. bly need to take cultural and ethnic pluralism into societies to a global society in which many people still The gods of early societies based on kinship were not account. Religious belief can supply an overarching have what Pico Iyer termed ‘tribal souls’ we need faith concerned with moral behaviour. But ‘Big Gods’ keep framework of values to American life (as in Will Her- to reconcile, not divide.

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 10 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday January 17, 2014 Feature Don’t worry if you are starving?

By Henry Whyte These comments are not a cop-out but a recognition about the great inequalities in our world. One is that of the actual life situation into which Jesus was while billions have more than enough to eat and drink There has hardly been any rain at all for months and speaking. It was not a famine situation. Nor was it one there are countless others who do not and who, in the harvest has failed. Tens of thousands do not have in which there were no misunderstandings about the various situations, are dying because of it. The Bible’s enough to eat and the death toll from starvation, which Commandments of the Old Testament. It is clear that, teaching is clear that those who have are called to includes many Christian believers, is rising steadily. in his most famous sermon, Jesus is addressing share with those who do not. The collection that Paul Much-needed money from sympathetic governments current issues in the lives of his hearers with great organised for the hungry people of Judea is just one and food from the relief agencies are on their way but, relevance and authority. So his teaching needs to be illustration of how this can work out in practice. for an increasing number, it will be too little too late. It interpreted accordingly. No doubt he would have Those who have enjoyed an abundance of special is a not uncommon and tragic situation in the spoken very different words to those who were food at Christmas-time can be thankful for God’s struggling and suffering world. starving in a famine situation. provision. But at the same time it can be easy to forget In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus tells his disciples Indeed God gave a very different message to that in that more than 20,000 people around the world die not to worry about what they will eat or drink or wear the Sermon on the Mount when he revealed to Joseph every day from malnutrition. Now that is something to because God knows that they need these necessities that seven years of famine were on their way. Such be worried about when a recent survey shows that the for life here on earth. The priority for his disciples is to years would be preceded by seven years of plenty and average British family throws away food that is the seek God’s kingdom and righteousness and “all these the people were to prepare by storing up sufficient equivalent of six meals every week. Something to things will be given to you as well”. food for the time that it would be needed. So consider afresh in 2014? A difficult question that arises is how these words of forethought and active preparation were necessary in Jesus apply to Christian believers who are starving to the same kind of way that the farmer has to sow death. To put it bluntly - would Jesus say the same months in advance if he is to reap the cereals for the things in a famine-struck country where hundreds daily bread that will keep people alive. The farmer’s were dying every day from desperate hunger, work in this way is used by Jesus as illustrations of associated weakness and disease? Would he describe what the Kingdom of Heaven is all about. those who are emaciated from lack of food as those “of Does this mean that Jesus’ words about worry little faith”? Would he say to those who have already can now be ignored as irrelevant? Not at all but it lost loved ones because of the famine that they should does help those with questions about famines to not be worrying about food and drink but should trust realise that he was speaking, not to those who God to provide for them and for the still surviving were starving, but to those who had access to members of their families? the basic necessities of life. Surely not, and the context in which the Sermon on His messageQuercus for all who are in this situation is the Mount was preached is sometimes neglected. “don’t get so caught up, stressed and It was first spoken to disciples who were living in a concerned about the material things of life that land in which the necessities of life were available to they become your Number 1 priority and all. The farmers of the time were told to leave part of occupy your time and attention before their crops un-harvested so that those in need could everything else.” There is no need for you to come and help themselves. As one commentator says: fret continually about these things. Seek first “There was always going to be food lying around for God’s Kingdom and his righteousness and people to eat. It may not have been what they wanted then everything else will fall into its proper but there was something to eat... there would always place. be something to drink and fresh water was always An important part of God’s Kingdom and there, and there were always people to give away their righteousness is love for others which clothing when they had done with it...” includes ongoing concern, prayer and action

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper www.churchnewspaper.com Friday January 17, 2014 Feature 11 Hazel Southam View from Fleet Street Hope stirs in

a jail. Also, the Muslim population is growing. They are buying more property. The community feels helpless. So we feel that the emphasis on Bethlehem... your faith in Christ at a young age is very important.” Fr Ibrahim agrees that this is more than an hour-long play. It’s part of a plan to stop the exodus of Christians from Father Ibrahim Shomah is carrying the third change all that. Bethlehem. “This [performance and message] of the three kings outside. Its spokesman, Simon is the best thing that children will get this The almost life-size nativity scene outside Azazian, says that while Christmas,” he says. “The light comes from the church in the Beit Jala suburb of many of Bethlehem’s Bethlehem. Bethlehem has been set up for some time. children refer to Jesus as “We tell children that they are not alone and There are 4ft statues of the shepherds and ‘an historic figure or a that Jesus is walking with them.” kings, Mary and Joseph and a ridiculously baby born in the Nativity The play, he says, is “helping this Christian small donkey and sheep. But Fr Ibrahim Church,’ the future will community not to be alone. We are on our own stumbled across king number three in a store be different. Calvary. We know the situation will never cupboard, so he’s being added to the scene, “After this project I see change. The Christian community is leaving, which is surrounded by recently fallen snow. a generation that is quite so this work is very important.” It’s unseasonably cold for Bethlehem. Snow mature in their faith, The play is also being staged in schools, covers many of the surrounding fields and understanding that this is including the Catholic School of Beit Sahour olive groves. The hilly streets are dangerously not something from in Bethlehem. Some 80 per cent of the icy. history, it’s a real God children are from Christian homes. So they In the five-day cold snap, are receptive to the story, and definitely enjoy one person has died and 53 receiving chocolates and a colouring book of more have been injured in We will never Bible stories at the end. the West Bank because of the Helen, Dona, Joyce and Jinal are all 13 years weather. Sixty per cent have leave Bethlehem. old. They chat about their dreams. They have been left without electricity. big plans: two want to be doctors, two Some 10,000 in Gaza have We were born engineers. been displaced by the here and Jesus Crucially, they want to stay in Bethlehem. storms. “We feel particularly close to God here Much of the town has Christ was born because this is where Jesus was born,” says simply shut down because of here Helen. “So, I might study abroad, but I will the cold. But, despite the definitely come back here.” chill, thousands of children Jinal agrees. “We will never leave across Bethlehem are Bethlehem. We were born here and Jesus hearing the nativity story in Christ was born here. We’ve lived here all our the week running up to lives. It’s a special place.” Christmas. In Manger Square busloads of Nigerian and Every year, Fr Ibrahim’s Russian pilgrims are visiting what is said to be church is one of around 30 the birthplace of Christ. At night lights that stage a nativity show for twinkle on the square’s trees, and street children, funded by Bible vendors sell coffee and freshly cooked corn Society. He expects around on the cob and pastries. 400 children to see the show But Fr Ibrahim worries that this is all that over a three-day period at the will be left of Christianity in Bethlehem. church. Thousands will see it “Living here is war for these children. across the West Bank. There’s no future here for them,” he says. “By The story features Santa doing this play we are trying to make them and those well-known forget this and concentrate on other things. Christmas characters, a We want to put joy in the hearts of the Smurf, Zorro and Barbie. Its message is who loves and cares for children. simple: Jesus is the real gift of Christmas. them.” “It is one of our goals to You may think that it isn’t necessary to And he explains just keep Bethlehem teach who Jesus is in his birthplace. But you’d how vital this project is. Christian. I don’t know if be wrong. The town was once predominantly “Christians are a we will find Christians Christian. When the state of Israel was shrinking minority in here in the Holy Land in formed in 1947 the population was 80 per cent Bethlehem,” he says. “It’s 20 years’ time. I think it Christian. Today, because of the blockade, down to a number of will be a museum. But we worsening circumstances and ironically, an factors, partly because of have to try to keep them increasingly Muslim population, that figure the complete blockade. here.” has dropped to 30 per cent. “Imagine being stuck in this city every day. With that, he puts the It is now entirely possible to grow up in If you want to travel you have to go to third king in his place and Bethlehem and not really know who Jesus checkpoints and be searched and harassed. heads back indoors. was. The Palestinian Bible Society is trying to “People feel insecure, that they are living in

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 12 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday January 17, 2014 Register

THE 2014 Thomas with St Maurice Lloyd, (York). Vicar Ipswich St Andrew (St BIBLE CHALLENGE ANGLICAN CYCLE OF PRAYER The Rev Trevor Thurston- Edmundsbury and Ipswich), to Smith, retire with effect from 9 April Priest in Charge in the 2014. Day 17: Genesis 43-45, Psalm Friday 17 January. Psalm 119: 41-48, Isa. 45: 1-8. Akot - Benefice of Broughton Astley, The Rev John Owens, 15, Matthew 15 (Sudan): The Rt Rev Isaac Dhieu Ater with Croft, and Stoney Stanton Assistant Curate in the Day 18: Genesis 46-48, Psalm Saturday 18 January. Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. to be Incumbent (designate) of Parishes of Billesdon cum 16, Matthew 16 Psalm 139: 1-10, Eph. 4: 25-32. Akure - (Ondo, Nigeria): The Rt the new Benefice of Wigston Goadby and Rolleston, Day 19 Enjoy hearing the Rev Michael Ipinmoye (Leicester). Skeffington, Hungarton and Scriptures read aloud in church Sunday 19 January. Epiphany 2. Psalm 1 Eph. 5: 1-5. PRAY The Rev Dr Mark Vasey- Keyham, has resigned with Day 20: Genesis 49-50, Psalm for The Church of Bangladesh: The Most Rev Paul Sarker Saunders, immediate effect for personal 17, Matthew 17 Moderator, Church of Bangladesh & Bishop of Dhaka to become Team Vicar with reasons (Leicester). Day 21: Exodus 1-3, Psalm 18:1- Monday 20 January. Psalm 33: 1-6,12, Eph. 5: 6-14. Alabama - responsibility for St Michael’s The Rev Penelope Ann Ross 20, Matthew 18 (IV, The Episcopal Church): The Rt Rev John Sloan; Suffragan West Retford, continuing as Wilkes, Day 22: Exodus 4-6, Psalm 18: Bishop elect of Alabama - (IV, The Episcopal Church): Vacant Team Vicar with responsibility SSM Benefice of Debenham 21-50, Matthew 19 Tuesday 21 January. Psalm 8, Eph. 5: 15-20. Alaska - (VIII, for the parishes of Babworth and Helmingham (St Day 23: Exodus 7-9, Psalm 19, The Episcopal Church): The Rt Rev Mark Lattime; Albany - (II, and Scofton and Pioneer Edmundsbury and Ipswich), to Matthew 20 The Episcopal Church): The Rt Rev William Love Minister with responsibility for To retire with effect from 21 Wednesday 22 January. Psalm 100, Eph. 5: 21-33. Algoma - Fresh Expressions of Church April 2014, on retirement to APPOINTMENTS (Ontario, Canada): The Rt Rev Stephen Andrews (Southwell and Nottingham). have Bishop’s Permission to Thursday 23 January. Psalm 85: 7-end, Eph. 6: 1-9. The Most The Rev Dr Stephen Officiate. Rev Dr Eliud Wabukala, Primate and Archbishop of All Kenya; Spencer, The Rev Canon Alan John All Saints Cathedral Diocese - Garissa Missionary Area - currently Vicar of St Martin’s LAY & OTHER Amos, (Kenya): The Rt Rev David Mutisya; All Saints Cathedral Dio- Brighouse and St John’s APPOINTMENTS has been given Permission to cese - Marsabit Missionary Area - (Kenya): The Rt Rev Robert Clifton, to be Tutor, The Officiate in the Diocese of Martin; Bishop - Episcopate of the Armed Forces - (Kenya): Yorkshire Ministry Course, Canterbury for three years with The Rt Rev Colonel Peter Simiyu Mirfield, (Wakefield) effect from 1 January 2014. remaining Tanzania Link His Honour Judge Philip The Rev Camilla Campling- Officer for the Diocese of Waller CBE, Denton, Wakefield and Hon. Canon of to be installed as Chancellor of House for Duty Priest in the The Rev Andrew Robert Associate Vicar St John Musoma Cathedral, Tanzania. the Diocese on 19th January Benefice of Washburn and Mid- McKean Cromarty, Rowlands Castle appointed The Rev Canon Dr Jeremy 2014 at St Thomas’s Cathedral, Wharfe in the Diocese of Curate of the United Benefice Priest in Charge St John Frederick Worthen, Portsmouth. Bradford, to be Rector of the of Upper Weardale in the Rowlands Castle (Portsmouth). has been given Permission to Benefice of Walkingham Hill in Diocese of Durham, to be Vicar The Rev Janet Hallam, Officiate in the Diocese of DEATHS the Diocese of Ripon and of the Benefice of Hipswell in ordained priest at the Minster Canterbury for three years with Leeds. the Diocese of Ripon and Church of St Thomas, effect from 6 January 2014. The Rev Dr Paul Chamber- Leeds. Newport, Isle of Wight on 8th The Rev Lyn Sharon Wort- The Rev Ron Axtell, lain, The Rev Christopher Ether- December 2013 (Portsmouth). ley, Wycliffe Hall Ox 56, d58, p59. Assistant Curate Thame Valley ton, The Rev Dr Canon Charles Priest in Charge, Greasbrough C Walton Breck Liverpool 58- Team Ministry (Diocese of Priest in charge Binstead with Hill, St Mary (Sheffield), to be also 61, Iran 63-78, Chap Tehran 63- Oxford) to be Priest in Charge Havenstreet to be House for has been given Permission to Area Dean of Rotherham 67, Chap Kerman 67-68, Chap St Faith, Lee on the Solent Duty Priest, Bourton Benefice Officiate in the Diocese of (Sheffield). Shiraz 9-78, Chr Witness to (Portsmouth). (Diocese of Gloucester) from Canterbury for three years with Israel Miss in Man 78-82, Perm The Rev Canon Robert 14th May 2014 (Portsmouth). effect from 1 January 2014. RETIREMENTS & to Off Man 79-82, TV Man (Bob) Reginald Coles, The Rev Fiona Jane Robert- The Rev Chandrika Resurr 82, TV Man Good has been given Permission to son Gregson, (Chandy) Perera, RESIGNATIONS Shepherd 82-88, R Levenshume Officiate in the Diocese of Vicar, St Philip’s, Girlington, Team Vicar (and Deanery Lay St Peter 88-98, rtd 98, PtO Man Canterbury for three years with Diocese of Bradford, to have Ministerial Development The Rev Canon Melvyn from 1998, died on Friday 3 effect from 1 January 2014. Bishop’s Permission to Officer), Hemel Hempstead Barnsley, January. The Rev Celia Jane Cook, Officiate, Diocese of Team Ministry (St Albans), to Rector, Stevenage, St Andrew The Rev Canon Robert Fran- Assistant Curate Aldeburgh St Birmingham be Vicar, Stevenage, St Hugh and St George (St Albans), to cis Jenkins (Bob) Peter and St Paul (St The Rev Barry Downer, and St John, Chells (St Albans). retire from 1 July 2014. Retired. (Formerly Permission Edmundsbury and Ipswich), to Assistant Curate John the The Rev Jasmine Cynthia The Rev Ray Hemingray, to Officiate in the Diocese of be Team Vicar in the Baptist, Ryde to be Assistant Roberts, Diocesan Registrar and Birmingham), died on 30 Thurstable and Winstree Team Priest Brading and Yaverland has been given Permission to Assistant Priest of Castor w December 2013. Ministry (Chelmsford). (Portsmouth). Officiate in the Diocese of Sutton & Upton w Marholm is The Rev John Pretyman- The Rev Nicholas Cook, The Rev Alison Audrey Canterbury for three years with to retire as Diocesan Registrar Waller, Chief Instructor the Armed Duguid, effect from 1 January 2014. on 30 September 2014. He will Rector of Waldringfield with Forces Chaplaincy Centre, has been appointed Area Dean The Rev Alistair Rycroft, continue in his role as Assistant Hemley and Newbourne in the Amport, has been appointed of the Weald Deanery with (Assistant Curate at York St Priest of Castor w Sutton & Diocese of St Edmundsbury Chaplain to the Duke of York’s effect from 1 January 2014 Michael le Belfrey), has been Upton w Marholm and Ipswich died, following a Royal Military School, Dover (Canterbury). appointed as Assistant Curate (Peterborough). long illness, on 22 December (Canterbury). The Rev Trevor Filtness, of the Benefice of York St The Rev Stephen Russell 2013 aged 72.

America’s wine, exporting Pinot Noir is Burgundy’s Subscribe to the CEN in much worldwide. We think of great red grape: there were Wine California as bathed in sun- some similarities, but it needs the Apple Newsstand shine, but there are great to be judged apart. This, OF THE WEEK variations in the climate as it medium red in the glass, has stretches from north to south plenty of fruit on the nose, Fog Head along the Pacific Coast. ripe strawberries and rasp- Pinot Noir 2011 Remember that song “Hates berries. On the palate, held in Waitrose £11.24 (offer, California, it’s cold and its a light-ish body, the fruits until 21st January) damp; that’s why the lady is a come out again, strongly www.waitrose.com/wine tramp?”. Well, indeed, the fog sweet, but accompanied by rolls in from the cold sea cur- the balancing tannins coming With record low tempera- rent coming down from Alas- from nine months in oak bar- tures sweeping across the ka in quite a few places, rels. The finish reflects this United States, I’d guess that hence the name of this wine, complexity. many Americans must be the grapes grown in Mon- Alcohol by Vol. 13.5%. Try reaching out for a comforting terey, roughly half-way with a vegetable risotto or glass of red. California is the between San Francisco and sushi. state that produces most of Los Angeles. Graham Gendall Norton

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper www.churchnewspaper.com Friday January 17, 2014 Classifieds & Feature 13 Never alone in South Sudan

“We wait with bated breath,” begins we learned that over 99 per cent of the Canon Trisha Wick’s account of the day people had voted for the separation of Sudan’s Comprehensive Peace South Sudan from the North. 9 July Agreement was signed in 2005. Since 2011 was the day this became a reality then, a new nation has been born but and at last we were free from the world is again waiting with baited oppression from the North and had the breath as the people of South Sudan task of starting to build our new nation. work to overcome the latest crisis. Trisha, a CMS mission partner who Dedication has served in what is now South Sudan I have a special place in my heart for for the last 16 years, recently collected our village pastors. These are people together some of her memories of who had no training prior to ordination working there alongside her fellow but who stayed and faithfully served Christians in Maridi Diocese. God in their churches throughout the war years even though there was no Peace! salary. Many had never been to school We wait with bated breath – will it and some could not read and write. The happen or not? It is 9 January 2005, and coming of peace in 2005 brought new I was in Lainya Diocese for the annual opportunities for all and so they conference for the diocesan received long-awaited training as a Theological Education by Extension pastor. Many were given new posts in coordinators. Today is the the diocese and day when the final signing several of them are of the Comprehensive now very effective Peace Agreement is due Archdeacons. to take place in Nairobi. At 6am I am listening to the War life radio for the latest news. During the war when They tell us it is due to you went to bed at be signed in the evening – night you needed to my heart starts to beat have three things faster. Everyone seems to ready by the side of be up early today. It is a your bed – a torch, Sunday morning so we go jacket and pair of flip to the main service in the flops. This was cathedral. The service because sometimes ends just before 1pm. The the Antonov would coordinator from Lui bomb at night and you Diocese decides to put his CMS mission partner Canon Trisha needed quickly to radio on to get the latest Wick with some of the series of enter the hole outside news. To our amazement discipleship booklets she has written in the dark. I and joy, we hear that the for use in South Sudan. remember when I first peace agreement has went on home leave in already been signed. UK, that when I went to bed at night I Sudan was now at peace after 21 felt something was missing; my torch, years of civil war! Initially we were gob- jacket and flip flops were not by my smacked, and then suddenly we started bed. Also, I listened carefully to every to dance and cheer. The celebrations plane that went overhead in case it was had begun... an Antonov! I was visiting a group of TEE students The drive of my life in Yambio Diocese. I was teaching a One of the highlights of my life in group of about 40 of them. As we were South Sudan was the first time we were drinking tea during a break, we started able to drive to Juba, the capital of to talk about the war which had South Sudan. During the war years recently finished. I started to tell them Juba was under the control of the of some of my adventures during the Khartoum government from the North, war. They were flabbergasted and so we could not travel there. Juba was asked, “So you were here when the the place everyone seemed to want to Antonov was dropping bombs?” I said reach. yes. I then discovered that out of the whole group, only two had ever When the Comprehensive Peace experienced a bombing. The rest had Agreement was signed in 2005, Juba all been in exile in neighbouring was free and the road opened. We lost Congo. They failed to understand why I no time in starting our journey there. had stayed and not also run to Congo. During the war the frontline of The CMS policy was that we stayed fighting was 30 miles outside Juba and I put if at all possible, and the decision as had never been allowed to go anywhere to whether to evacuate or not was the near that. The last 80 miles of our responsibility of the diocesan Bishop. I journey to Juba was an amazing praise God for the CMS policy, as on a experience. No one was allowed to go number of occasions when others have off the road as the roads were lined gone to Uganda for safety, I have stayed with land mines. There were already and never regretted it. teams who had started to clear them but it was a slow job. All along the route Lessons Learned there were painted stones along the I am very slow to say ‘yes’ to God. Even side of the road. Red meant there were when Bishop Justin asked me if I was land mines, blue for ‘still working’, willing to become principal at Chaima white for ‘cleared’. Christian Institute [Maridi’s diocesan college], I refused to give him a quick Liberation answer. It took seven months before I It was now 2011 and we were due to eventually said ‘yes’ but when I have a referendum as to whether North eventually did so, a huge wave of peace and South Sudan should stay as one enveloped my body as that was to be country or whether the South would the next step of God’s plan for my life. I separate from the North and become need to be at the centre of God’s will for an independent nation. We had hope my life or I will not truly experience his that the results would be announced peace. quickly but it took a few weeks before 14 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday January 17, 2014 Sunday

Eternal Lord, our beginning and our end; invisible God (v15). Through him Colos- r r bring us with the whole creation to your glory, sians tells us, God was pleased to reconcile hidden through past ages and made known in to himself all things whether on earth or in

o Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. heaven by making peace through the blood SUNDAY SERVICE of the cross (v20). t The wonder of the visit of the wise men to It is a prayer that looks back and forward. Sunday 26 January 2014 - 3rd Sunday of Epiphany the infant Jesus has little to do with how Back, first of all, to remind us that for many c many there were and what happened to generations human beings caught only Isaiah 9:1-4 their gifts and everything to do with the glimpses of God’s glory as the Old Testa- 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 e kindness and generosity of God who ment reveals. Then on to the historical Matthew 4:12-23

r includes the whole human race in his grace birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus at

i and mercy. the pivotal point of history. This week, our readings unfold the power of the gospel to The gifts that the magi brought are simply The prayer also looks forward to the fulfil- bring light and healing to those who believe.

d tokens that point us to the immeasurable ment of God’s purposes when his glory will There was gloom, anguish, and deep darkness for the people

l generosity of God who pours out his love to fill the whole earth. Sometimes our prayers of Zebulun and Naphtali in the northern regions of Israel’s

By the Rev Dr Liz Hoare us in Christ. Thus he is revealed to the need stretching and here is one to help lift promised land. Conquest and exile had brought the land into nations as the God who would be wor- our horizons and encourage us in our Chris- contempt in Isaiah’s day. And even as the glory the prophet a shipped by all freely and joyfully. He was tian hope. foresaw was beginning to dawn in that area, many centuries never just the local god of a single tribe. It is also a prayer to propel us out in pro- later, people would still be saying of one of its towns, “Can u This is what we are recalling specially in claiming that God is king. Psalm 96 says: anything good come from Nazareth?” (John 1:46).

t Epiphany and this prayer is offered as one ‘Declare his glory among the nations, his Yet it was precisely in that lowly mixed up place, Galilee

i to pray throughout the period. marvellous works among all peoples’ (v3). overrun by the Gentiles, that God’s light would shine. God’s

r It asks that we, along with the whole of There are many references in Scripture to a plan to bring together a people for himself would begin to

i creation will be made glorious through the time that will come when the whole earth bear fruit here, in the very place where hope seemed lost as Incarnate Word, Jesus Christ our Lord. It is will acknowledge God and sing glory. the Assyrians ravaged the land. This region was favoured by a sweeping prayer that encompasses the Check out the psalms that follow Psalm 96 the first preaching of our Saviour, which brought life and joy p whole of human history and beyond. It is a to see how such a time will come. to those who heard it after so many years of tumult and ten- daring prayer, but completely in keeping The astonishing thing is that such power sion. Their rejoicing was like that of labourers who finally s with the plan and purpose of God. and majesty is greeted not with the cower- enjoy the harvest they have longed for and arduously reaped, That plan centred on Jesus, the Word ing fear that we would expect from a human or like that of a victorious army after long and wearisome bat- e made flesh who reveals God’s glory. He is who wields far-reaching might but with an tles. Their chains fell off, their hearts were free. the eternal Lord of all things, the Alpha and outburst of sheer joy. Ponder what it means Matthew 4 narrates how Christ made his home amongst

h the Omega, our beginning and our end. to say that God will bring the whole creation the people of Galilee and proclaimed to them the good news

t Colossians chapter 1 is all about the to glory and voice your own praise in that the kingdom of heaven had come near. His call to repen- supremacy of Christ who is the image of the response. tance was addressed first to the ordinary working people of a neglected northern backwater. The Lord began looking for his people not in the palace of Herod or the temple offices of Caiaphas but in the smelly, sweaty harbours of Simon and Bishop Peter Hall remembered Andrew, James and John. He chooses the weak things of the world, to shame the strong. It may seem foolish to some, but there is unfathomable wisdom in the divine plan. The Rt Rev Albert Peter Hall His flexible application of his core gospel Matthew Henry comments that: “Diligence in an honest convictions meant also that St Martin’s calling is pleasing to Christ, and it is no hindrance to a holy Peter Hall, Bishop of Woolwich 1984- continued to provide marriage in church life. Idle people are more open to the temptations of Satan 1996, died from a sudden brain haem- for couples where one partner was than to the calls of God.” These fishermen certainly proved orrhage on 28 December at the age divorced, a practice denounced by the open to Christ’s call, as they left their nets and followed him. of 83. He was of a generation that did Convocations but defended by statute. And though God’s call is always solely by grace, quite apart National Service and he thus went up And another member his staff was John from any supposed merit foreseen in us, their actions on that to Cambridge in his early 20s. There Pritchard, nowadays Bishop of Oxford. day perhaps suggested their future usefulness. he heard the gospel preached by In 1984 Ronnie Bowlby, Bishop of South- Peter and Andrew cast a net into the lake, so the Lord called Bryan Green, the famous evangelist- wark, invited Peter to become Bishop of them to be fishers of men. James and John were “mending rector of St Martin’s-in-the-Bullring, Woolwich (following John Robinson, their nets”, and though the text here is not explicit about it, Birmingham, and was duly convert- David Sheppard and Michael Marshall). one wonders if Matthew is alerting us to the healing, uniting ed. He went on to test a vocation to ordination, and The Croydon enclave was being ceded to South- vocation of the apostles, whose words would be the founda- thus on to Ridley Hall to train for his future ministry. wark, and stimulating the prospect of an Area tion of the church and its unity in him (Ephesians 2:20; 4:11- In 1955 he was ordained deacon by Leonard Wil- Scheme. The Woolwich Area duly gave Peter the 12). Jesus’ ministry, in any case, was one of literal healing, son, the Bishop of Birmingham, as curate to the boroughs of Southwark, Lewisham and Greenwich, we’re told, as he travelled the area curing every disease and same Bryan Green. Rumour has it one had to be where 60-70 per cent of the parishes were ‘Urban sickness. there by 6pm on Sunday evenings to be sure of a Priority Areas’ (UPAs), and the social impact of Mar- Paul’s appeal to the divided gentile church in Corinth cer- seat. He married Jill, whom he had met in Cam- garet Thatcher’s policies was everywhere visible. tainly is an example of applying the gospel to heal the divi- bridge, soon after ordination. Then he became The towering Canary Wharf temple to capitalism sions within God’s people. In the face of man-centred deeply involved in youth work, and his experience from its base just North of the Thames projected factionalism — “I follow Apollos”, “I follow Cephas”, “I just fol- built in him a strong gospel-based social conscience. across the Woolwich Area an eloquent contrast low Christ” (how very sanctimonious!) — Paul urges them to This led him in 1960, through a contact of Bryan between haves and have-nots. Peter’s biblically be of one mind and purpose. That unity should focus on “the Green’s, to Salisbury in Southern Rhodesia, to based left-wing sympathies were further strength- message of the cross” and its power to save all those who become Rector of Avondale, the only evangelical ened in this context, and he was wholly appropriate- believe, and their purpose should be to bring light to their city parish in a broadly catholic diocese. Here he led a ly asked to chair the Archbishop’s Commission on by proclaiming that glorious truth. So Paul calls on the wholly white congregation into multi-racial action, UPAs (ACUPA) from 1990 onwards. Corinthians to be united, to mend their tearing nets (using even as Ian Smith’s infamous UDI was bolstering Peter was a bishop with absolutely no ‘side’ to him, the same Greek verb in verse 10 as in Matthew 4:21, above). white racism. enjoying life and leg-pulling and laughter in any com- Those who agree on the apostolic preaching of the cross Peter brought in a visiting preacher from the East pany. He was the first bishop I ever saw in a purple can put aside their other differences by a unity of affection African Revival and began a Shona-language service. shirt and a woolly-pully. He never wore a mitre with and purpose; though without such foundational consensus, of One beneficiary was Chad Gandiya, the son of a cat- dignity, and probably never wanted to. He was some- course, both unity of purpose and affection remain perilously echist, whom Peter later sponsored to train for ordi- times in tears as he identified with others’ suffering; weakened and resist being knit together. Let us pray for light nation at Nottingham; Chad is now Bishop of and he was correspondingly soft and tolerant of and healing to come to the church, as well as to the world. Harare, boldly defying the Mugabe regime, and questionable behaviour. reclaiming the property and legal standing of the He and Jill also lived through years in which a son, Lee Gatiss is Director of Church Society and Editor of the NIV diocese from the usurping Mugabe puppet, Kunon- Stephen, was terminally ill with cancer, and died Proclamation Bible. ga. after they retired; and they did so with courage, real- In 1970 Peter returned to England for family rea- ism, faith and love. sons – and succeeded Bryan Green in the Bullring. In 1996 Peter and Jill retired back to Birmingham. St Martin’s days as the great preaching-house of the Peter continued as chair of EUTP till 2003, and was HYMN SUGGESTIONS Midlands were declining, and Peter, though always always joining their annual walks (in 2001 back on preaching biblically and with freshness, was also the South Bank). He may never figure greatly in the strongly orientated towards a holistic ministry history books; but he has both figured greatly in And can it be? towards the deprived. This led to his strong support many Christian lives, and is owed a particular debt O to see the dawn (the power of the cross) for St Basil’s Centre, formed in 1971 from St Mar- by those who have ministered in UPAs on the one Light has dawned that ever shall blaze tin’s for homeless youth; and nationally he threw his hand and those deflating an unbiblical episcopal The church’s one foundation weight from 1973 onwards into the Evangelical pomposity on the other. Bind us together, Lord Urban Training Project (EUTP – nowadays Unlock). The Rt Rev Colin Buchanan

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper www.churchnewspaper.com Friday January 17, 2014 Reviews 15 A remarkable true story of the power of reconciliation

The Railway Man (dir. Jonathan railway are tight-lipped, and The dramatic confrontation Teplitzky, cert. 15) is an adapta- there is implicit criticism of the between the two men after near- tion of Eric Lomax’s own “code of silence” about their ly 40 years has Nagase (now account (a bestseller in 1995) of experiences, explained simply played by Hiroyuki Sanada) in his time as a prisoner of war because “no-one would believe fear of his life but it’s to lead to a after the fall of Singapore, and a us”. process of reconciliation, and remarkable reconciliation with Finlay (Stellan Skarsgård) is forgiveness. Screenwriter Frank his torturer. Colin Firth stars as leader of the group and known Cottrell Boyce invented much of Lomax in one of his more chal- as “Uncle” - I’d assumed he was this storyline, but the reconcilia- lenging roles, while Nicole Kid- meant to be Norwegian, but tion was real. man plays his wife Patti, coming apparently not (so Sam Reid “Sometimes, the hating has to to terms with having married a having to replicate a Scandina- stop” might sound trite. Once man suffering post-traumatic vian accent as young Finlay is the depth of inhumanity depict- stress disorder, 37 years after quite odd). Finlay gives Patti ed here is understood, it the end of the war. hints about the past but then becomes almost as impossible That relationship begins with tells her he will send Eric a mes- to believe as the atrocities for- a brief encounter on a train leav- sage he can’t ignore. given. ing Crewe for Scotland – Eric This is to persuade Eric to act Remarkably, for all the hype, the railway enthusiast happy to on information that one of their 12 Years A Slave – publicised as share with Patti his knowledge guards is still alive, an untried “one of the best films ever of stations en route, starting and unconvicted war criminal made” and now with a Golden with Warrington’s claims to responsible for much of their fame (Vladivar vodka and torment, and, it seems, making armourers to the Black Prince) money as a tour guide at the for- – “and if you think Warrington’s mer prison camp. Eric prepares interesting wait till we get to to revisit the site and source of Preston”. The scenery out of his ordeal. the window is clearly not What follows explores the Cheshire – you’d probably not atrocities perpetrated including need to know the line to know beatings and waterboarding by that – but it’s a charming intro- the Kempeitai, the Japanese duction to a harrowing story secret police, partly because (though ignoring that he was Eric (played by Jeremy Irvine in married to someone else at the his younger years) had built a time and had two grown-up chil- radio. He also made a map of Globe best picture award - had a dren). the railway and trying to explain limited release and missed all Connubial bliss is interrupted what “railway enthusiast” my local multiplexes, so my by Eric’s flashbacks, leaving means to “translator”/torturer review will have to wait till next Patti desperate to help him. His Nagase (Tanroh Ishida) was not week. fellow veterans of the Burma easy. Steve Parish

Paul and the Faithfulness of God But his book will also cause debate among Jews and translate Paul into the thought forms of the Hellenistic NT Wright Christians committed to interfaith understanding. Para- world. Central to Wright’s project is the recovery of the SPCK, pb £65.00 doxically by recovering a Jewish Paul, a Paul who want- Jewish Paul. Paul really did think Christ was the Messi- ed to take a ‘Jewish message to the non-Jewish world’, ah and contrary to the views of many scholars Wright Size (1,519 pages of text) and price Wright may arouse fears of ‘supersessionism’ although argues that he called Christ ‘God’. He also argues that are going to put off many people who he is clear we cannot force Paul into an interpretative for Paul the spirit, too, was a ‘further and ongoing man- are not New Testament scholars buy- framework shaped by the evils of the 20th century. ifestation of God’. In Christ, Wright claims, Paul ing and reading this book, This book is the fruit of over 40 years’ reflection on believed God was active and present to reconcile the which is a pity. It is written in a Paul and anyone who has read any of Wright’s previous whole of creation to himself. vigorous, lively style and the books will be familiar with the outline of his interpreta- On Wright’s understanding those who are declared to Paul it describes is a figure of tion. Here his views are filled out with much scholarly be in the right are those who are incorporated into the huge significance not only for discussion of the background to Paul and with detailed Messiah. Justification is dependent on the cross but the theology but for the mission of exegesis of the important texts. This is the fourth vol- Messiah is not merely a past figure whose achievement the church. Speaking across ume in the ‘Christian Origins and the Question of God’ has opened up a new possibility. The verdict God 2,000 years, he still has much series and really needs to be read as part of that series. announces when he raises Jesus (‘he really is my son’) to teach us. Central to Wright’s interpretation of Judaism at the is the verdict God announces for all who are incorporat- There will be great debate time of Jesus and Paul is the claim that the Jewish peo- ed into the Messiah. about whether Bishop Tom ple were looking for God not only to act to save them At the same time Wright is clear that justification Wright has given us the but to return to earth and reign. Paul became con- does not refer to inner transformation by the indwelling authentic Paul. He is certainly vinced that this had happened when Jesus was raised spirit of the Messiah. Justification does not take place at great pains to write critical from the dead and vindicated as Messiah and when he on the basis of a character change; it denotes the divine history and to recreate Paul’s realised that Christ was present with his followers in a declaration. worldview and mindset but the new mode. For Paul mission was not just a question of saving arguments that run through In an effort to enable us to understand Jewish think- souls. Christ’s body in the world was a new temple, a these pages with such scholars as John Barclay, DC ing at this time, Wright points out that the attitude of place where all nations would come to worship God and Allison and James Dunn will doubtless continue. the Pharisees to the law was not based on narrow legal- where heaven and earth would be reconciled and a sign As well as the narrower debates about issues such as ism as it is commonly understood. They kept the law of what God intends to do for the whole creation. Paul’s attitude to the Roman authorities, Wright is hoping to persuade others to do likewise so that God Wright hopes that a final book in this series will cover going to find his book stirs up a number of wider con- would act to reveal his faithfulness to the covenant, the question of early Christian missiology. Readers of troversies. Those Christians who remain committed to judging the pagans, liberating the Jews and establish- the present work will look forward to the next while tak- a view of Paul that puts a particular understanding of ing his kingdom. ing note of all Wright says in this volume about Paul’s Justification by Faith at the centre of his thinking will Wright is not afraid to accuse past theologians such understanding of his missionary vocation. dislike some of what Wright has to say. as Bultmann of deJudaizing Paul and of seeking to Paul Richardson

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper Hello College Street-ers! This week we have been speaking to you about where you see the Church. While 2013 saw the Pilling report, the progression of the COLLEGE STREET women bishops legislation and acceptance of openly gay clergy being eligible for ordination to the episcopate, more recently we have heard about the SW1 baptismal service changing to become more socially acceptable. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, is an evangelical, but under his CITY OF WESTMINSTER leadership is the Church of England becoming more liberal? We would love to hear your thoughts on this, tweet me @AmarisColeCEN or drop me an email at [email protected].

“I don’t know about the C of E “‘Becoming more liberal’ is becoming more liberal, but I’m perhaps the wrong way to look seeing a lot more maturity in at it. The CofE is only moving discussion between Anglicans forward as the times change. of differing opinions, especially Conservative thinkers still Ed Rennie @riverflows77 online and find that have their place, it’s just the @AmarisColeCEN @ABCJustin is still encouraging. I do worry that, CofE is opening itself to be ignoring the only time the phrase ‘faith alone’ in putting such a high value on more inclusive. Surely the is used in Scripture, when it is preceded with accessibility and relevance, intention of the church is to ‘not by’ there is a real danger of share the Gospel with all watering down core theology, people, and I don’t see how as I believe happened with the any of the recent changes Paul Lynch @Paullynch46Paul recent experimental Baptism affect the CofE in such a way liturgy. We need to approach that we are unable to carry on our disagreements with fulfilling that. The beauty of @AmarisColeCEN humility, without one side the CofE is that Christians of @ABCJustin CofE implying the other is not truly various worshipping traditions is ‘going through a Christian and does not take the all have their place, and these period of exciting Word of God seriously where changes only welcome in more change! ,= Denying they disagree with our own tradition. I love being an Anglican partly people.” the Devil. Sums it because of our diversity and would feel all the poorer for up really. considering myself a brother in Christ only with those I agree with.” Cat Darkins is a Theology Nick Morgan is an ordinand on the Yorkshire Ministry Course, Graduate and potential studying for a Theology degree at Sheffield University. He tweets and ordinand candidate. She Jo Walker @josephinewalker321 blogs as @Unshaunsheep and is developing Ripon Cathedral’s online currently works as a Pastoral The church isn’t becoming more ‘liberal’ cos ministry as a research project as part of his studies. Assistant in North London and of the ABC, that’s just the natural arc of time is an Anglo-Catholic. and history as new generations replace old.

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Passover' [Exod/NIV] (2,5) 3Relating to the second of the twelve PRIZE CROSSWORD No. 882 by Axe 13 Paul's companion on his first visit to Canaanite nations [Gen] (7) Greece [Acts] (5) 4Father of Methuselah who lived for 365 15 'Two or three prophets should speak, years [Gen] (5) and the others should ----- carefully what 5One who attempts the expulsion of an is said' [1 Cor/NIV] (5) evil spirit from a person or place (8) 17 'He shall enter peaceably even upon the 6Sister of Mary and Lazarus from ------places of the province' [Dan/KJV] Bethany [Luke; John] (6) (7) 12 Christian in communion with the see of 20 '...your God will come...with ------retribu- Canterbury (8) tion he will come to save you' [Isa/NIV] 14 Clerical garment (7) (6) 16 Great prophet during the reign of Ahab 21 Underground pool; once a major water [1 & 2 Kgs] (6) source for Jerusalem [2 Kgs; Luke; 18 'To everything there is a------, and a time John] (6) to every purpose under the heaven' 23 Philistine stronghold where Samson [Eccles/KJV] (6) died [Judg] (4) 19 'The twelve gates...each gate made of a 24 'The ------', parable warning against the single -----' [Rev/NIV] (5) folly of materialism [Luke/NIV] (4,4) 22 'Whoever finds their ---- shall lose it...' (Matt/NIV] (4) Down Solution to last week’s crossword 1'He maketh the ------woman to keep Across: 7 Daniel, 8 Awhile, 9 Star, 10 Attained, 11 Baldwin, house; and to be a joyful mother of chil- 12 Mercy, 15 Motet, 17 Vatican, 20 Opposite, 22 Adds, 23 dren' [Ps/KJV] (6) Ursula, 24 Naaman. 2'The accomplices of thieves are their Down: 1 Santiago, 2 Nimrod, 3 Eliakim, 4 Laity, 5 Shrine, 6 own enemies; they are put under oath Blue, 13 Chaldean, 14 Caverns, 16 Exodus, 18 Isaiah, 19 and ---- not testify...' [Prov/NIV] (4) Dinah, 21 Pure.

Th e fi rs t c or rec t en try d ra wn wil l wi n a b oo k o f th e Ed ito r’ s ch oi ce . Sen d yo ur e n try to C ro sswo rd N um b er 88 2, T h e Ch u rc h of En gl an d N ewsp ap er, 14 G rea t C ol le ge S tre et, W es tmi ns ter , L on do n, SW1 P 3R X by n ext F ri da y

Na m e

Across tian calendar (4) Addr ess 7Recipient of a letter from Paul 9Christian religious teacher; (8) 'elder' in NT Greek (6) Po st C ode 8Crude abbreviation for an 10 A vicar's assistant (6) important period in the Chris- 11 'Eat it ------; it is the Lord's

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