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Is Boris right? Is greed good? page 8 NOW AVAILABLE ON  NEWSSTAND FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2013 NO: 6206 Pilling review reveals splits over doctrine

IN ITS FIRST PAGES the House of arship, as well as conflicting beliefs, we institutions,” the Report states. Bishops’ Working Group on human believe that the Church should be cau- Examining arguments about the caus- sexuality recognises that the issue is tious about attempting to pronounce es of sexual orientation the Report con- far from being a marginal matter but definitively on the implications of scrip- cludes that “it seems likely that there are also one that is a difficult issue to ture for homosexual people”. people who for biological reasons have a resolve. Admitting that experience suggests greater propensity to same-sex attraction “We do not doubt that the missionary positions are becoming more but whether they will become involved in task of the Church would be eased if entrenched, the Report calls for ‘facilitat- same-sex relationships or identify as gay questions of sexuality could be settled ed conversations or a similar process to or lesbian will be shaped by familial, but, as they touch directly on the nature which the needs to social or personal factors. To adopt the of the Church’s relationship to culture commit itself at national and diocesan old feminist slogan, ‘biology is not des- whichever way they were resolved would level’. It says this consultation should be tiny’.” affect the whole nature and direction of undertaken without haste, perhaps over Looking at the views of society and at the Church’s mission in the world,” it a two-year period. the views of young people in particular states. Acknowledging the importance of the the Report admits that “the emerging The Report argues that the teaching of issue for the wider Anglican Communion Sir Joseph picture is one of the Church, at least in the Church is not ‘malleable’ or ‘open to and for ecumenical relationships, the Pilling its official teaching, being increasingly change without the most rigorous test- Report recommends dialogue with other out of step with the wider society”. ing against Scripture, experience or the Churches in parallel to its own facilitated It concludes that: “The Church needs mind of the Church’ but admits that conversation. Human Sexuality is ‘now 22 years old and to think afresh how its traditional teach- members of the group have been unable Examining the present position of the none of those who framed it are still ing on sexuality can commend itself to a to come to a common mind on the use of Church of England on human sexuality, members of the House of Bishops’. culture which is increasingly relaxed scripture. the Report points out that there has been Admitting that ‘homophobia is a reality about same-sex relationships or whether Some in the group believe that the no resolution of General Synod since the and a matter for serious concern’ the the teaching does not sufficiently repre- Church’s understanding of the meaning ‘Higton motion’ of 1987, which called for Report defends the Church’s right to sent the gospel imperative and must be of scriptural texts can change while oth- homosexual genital acts ‘to be met with a make a ‘firm distinction’ between debate refreshed by new insights.” ers believe that ‘God’s purposes revealed call to repentance and the exercise of on personal and public ethics and hatred Turning to specific issues, the Report in scripture are eternal, consistent and compassion’. directed at gay and lesbian people. recommends that the facilitated conver- unchanging’. “It is difficult to see how a resolution “We stoutly defend an open and rea- sations for which it is calling should look “Because of the centrality of Scripture that is now 26 years old, on a subject that soned discussion of human sexuality and at whether bishops, clergy and laity in the life of the Church,” it argues, continues to be controversial, can still be the place of sexuality in public ethics. We should be bound to follow different rules “changes which imply that Scripture has said with certainty to represent the mind also unreservedly and robustly condemn on sexual conduct. been interpreted wrongly or too narrow- of the Synod,” the Report concludes. hatred, bullying, disadvantage and vio- continued on page 3 ly in the past, or that the meanings of Likewise it argues that the 1991 state- lence perpetrated against gay and les- Scripture once considered certain are in ment of the House of Bishops Issues in bian people, whether by individuals or fact uncertain, will only be contemplated PRICE £1.35 / 1,70€ / $2.20 with great caution. “Yet such conclusions remain a possi- Pilling recommendations bility; precisely because of the inadequa- cies of fallen humanity and the fact that it Welcome for all gay and lesbian people into is God’s nature to go on revealing him- •the life of the Church self afresh in every generation.” Clergy should be allowed to mark same-sex Although there is a dissenting state- •relationships, in agreement with the PCC ment by the Rt Rev Keith Sinclair, Bishop End to ‘intrusive’ questioning of ordination of Birkenhead, the Report comes to a •candidates’ private lives view that “in the face of conflicting schol-

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York CHURCH Tree festival annual Christmas Tree IN Festival. The Rev Jeremy Over 60 decorated Christmas Fletcher, vicar of Beverley trees will be filling Beverley Minster, said: “The Christmas Minster on 6, 7 and 8 Tree Festival is a great ENGLAND December, sponsored and opportunity for everyone in decorated by local community Beverley to come together as groups, charities and we prepare to celebrate businesses for the third Christmas.”

Blackburn Salisbury Norwich Southwell & Nottingham York Real Advent Piping up Walsingham on TV Flog It! in the Awards explained As Advent approaches, the Rt Rev Salisbury Cathedral and pipe The Anglican Shrine of Our Lady Minster The Archbishop of York invited Julian Henderson called on up!, an organization that seeks to of Walsingham will feature in a Headteachers from the North of people across the county to encourage young musicians new BBC TV series about Flog It, the popular BBC One England to Bishopthorpe Palace support The Real Advent throughout the Diocese to learn pilgrimage. The new BBC Two antiques programme is visiting to this week to hear more about his Calendar campaign for 2013. The the organ, are running a free series, Pilgrimage With Simon Southwell Minster on Thursday Youth Trust’s Young Leaders Bishop of Blackburn visited one open day on Saturday 8 Reeve, will trace the journeys of 30 January 2014. Members of the Awards. The Young Leaders of the county’s largest Tesco February for young organists our Christian ancestors to holy public are invited to bring up to Award, which runs at Key Stages stores to promote the calendar, and keyboard players aged sites, an integral element to the three antiques and collectables 2, 3, 4 and Post-16 equips young which is being sold to benefit between 11 and 20. It will be an faith of many Medieval Britons they might be interested in people with leadership skills. The The Children’s Society and tells opportunity for students to visit among other peoples throughout selling. Once valued, the owner Awards enable young people to the real story of Christmas. It is the Cathedral and see and hear history. In the series, he meets and a team of experts decide become more active in their local the latest in a line of products its famous Father Willis organ modern travellers and learns whether an item should go communities and be the change from the company. demonstrated by David Halls. about the aspects of pilgrimage. forward for auction. they want to see.

Bradford Season Ends with a York First Minster ‘recycles’ to The Cathedral’s autumn season bring light to winter of Wednesday lunchtime organ services recitals ended this week with a first – a challenge recital featuring all three organists: Alex The congregation at York Minster’s two Woodrow (Director of Music), candle-lit services during Advent will be Paul Bowen (organist) and amongst the first to benefit from an up- Jonathan Eyre (Assistant cycling project which has seen disused Director of Music). Each altar railings from the 19th century organist selected various transformed into a dozen new candle romantic masterpieces for the stands. other to play that has pushed The stands, each over two metres high, them to their very limits were designed by York-based Chris Topp technically and musically. It is & Co Architectural Metalworks, and the first time all three organists replace old wooden stands that had been will have performed such a used to hold candles for night services. recital and a capacity audience is Metal was collected from the Skidmore expected. The spring series altar railing, which had been in storage at resumes on Wednesday 5th York Minster for many years after being February 2014 when the guest removed from use. Made by Francis recitalist will be Robert Sharpe, Skidmore and installed at some point in Director of Music at York the second half of the 19th century, the Minster. railing featured many attractive elements that Chris Topp has been able to Tune in to incorporate into the designs. The Church of The project was funded by the Friends of England Newspaper York Minster. Radio Show “Different parts of York Minster have been used for myriad purposes over its podcast every long history, and although the Thursday. workmanship in the altar railing was quite beautiful, it had been removed several Look for us on decades ago and sat out of view in storage,” commented Rebecca Thompson, Superintendent of Works at York Minster. “Rather than leave it to decay slowly, this project has brought much of it back into prominent use in the cathedral, employing as much as possible of the original metalwork to create 13 stunning new candle holders, each holding 24 candles.” Where possible, the original Skidmore pattern has been incorporated into the stands, and duplicated on sections where new metalwork was required. The candle stands enjoyed their first outing during the York Minster Nights event last month, but their first use during a service was on Sunday 1 December, during the Advent Procession

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Continued from page 1

The Report admits that members of the group were not of one mind about how to celebrate committed same-sex relationships in a Church context but Mixed response to says all members of the group recog- nise that a formal Church liturgy would have doctrinal implications and producing such a liturgy before the Church changes its teaching would not be right. Pilling proposals However some members of the Working Group “believe there is scope to consider less formal approaches to THERE WAS A MIXED RESPONSE Chairman of Reform, Prebendary Rod recognizing and praying for same-sex in the Church of England to the Bishop Thomas, described the report’s propos- couples after they have registered a Report of the House of Bishops Keith als as ‘very divisive and distressing’. He civil partnership or entered into a Working Group on Sexuality pub- Sinclair said he was ‘deeply ashamed’ that the same-sex marriage” and that “this lished last Thursday. Only one mem- report was opening up divisive discus- would be consistent with the 2005 Pas- ber of the group, the Bishop of sions about the Church’s stance on sexu- toral Statement that, ‘Where clergy are Birkenhead, the Rt Rev Keith Sin- ality. approached by people asking for clair, declined to sign the document. The Council of Reform, which met the prayer in relation to entering into a He submitted an appendix outlining day the report was published, concluded civil partnership they should respond his understanding of Scripture’s that the inevitable result of the report’s pastorally and sensitively in the light of teaching on same-sex relationships. recommendations would be pressure to the circumstances of each case’.” The report’s most controversial recom- change Church teaching on marriage. Members of the Working Group mendation is for services to celebrate Accepting Evangelicals welcomed the who adopt this approach recommend permanent same-sex relationships Report and its ‘clear recognition of diver- that clergy should not act unilaterally although it says there could be no formal sity in biblical understanding’ but the Rev without support from their PCC and liturgy for this until the Church changes Benny Hazlehurst said that many LGBT that PCCs should not attempt to com- it teaching. faithful to scripture. people ‘will feel disappointed that no pel a priest to conduct a service. Serv- The report says decisions about The Council rejects proposals for pub- liturgy of thanksgiving or blessing is pro- ices should not be authorised at whether to hold such celebrations lic services to mark same-sex partner- posed’. diocesan or national level but deci- should not be taken at national or dioce- ships and says such proposals are a sign Changing Attitude said it was not the sions taken by parishes. The House of san level but by incumbents and the of deeper flaws in the Report. radical report they had hoped for and Bishops could issue guidelines. PCC. Anglican Mainstream expressed con- that ‘it is clear we will be in for at least a As one of its 18 proposals the Report At a press conference to launch the cern that a number of conclusions have couple more year’s work before we see a states: “The whole Church is called to report, Sir Joseph Pilling, who chaired already been drawn and that the aim of real paradigm shift’. real repentance for the lack of wel- the Working Group, said that celebra- the proposed ‘facilitated conversations’ is The Very Rev , come and acceptance extended to tions of same-sex partnerships were to enable people with different views to of Guildford, in a statement on behalf of homosexual people in the past, and to already taking place in churches. The remain in the Church. Inclusive Church welcomed the Report demonstrate the unconditional accept- report was simply asking for the situa- “The impression is given that a matter and said ‘we hope this will enable all ance and love of God in Christ for all tion to be regularised. on which Scripture and tradition give Christians to find ways of celebrating the people.” The report calls for two years of ‘facili- clear theological and ethical direction is covenantal love between people which The Report recommends that there tated conversations’ on human sexuality open to compromise.” In a statement on reflect the love of God for all people’. should be consistency between dioce- and says that the “whole Church is called Monday, the Rev Andrew Symes, Execu- In welcoming the Report, the Bishop of ses on the treatment of candidates for to real repentance for the lack of wel- tive Secretary of Anglican Mainstream, Chichester, the Rt Martin Warner, ordination and that intrusive question- come and acceptance extended to homo- said: “We are faced with officially sanc- pledged his diocese to seeking to find ing should be avoided. “Whether sexual people in the past”. tioned apostasy in our own Church. It resources to begin the process of facili- someone is married, single or in a civil Responding to the report the Church has finally happened.” tated discussion for which the Report partnership should have no bearing on of England Evangelical Council said: “It He called for prayer and ‘polite’ but calls next year. the assurances sought from them that is clear that the Church of England is ‘intensive’ lobbying of members of the Archbishop has said that they intend to live their lives consis- going to face difficult discussions and House of Bishops and for Diocesan Evan- bishops will now consider the Report and tently with the teaching of the Church decisions about human sexuality in the gelical Fellowships and other orthodox decide how the facilitated discussion on sexual conduct.” coming year” and calls on bishops to be groupings to act. might be best shaped.

Tribunal ruling challenges status quo 3/567;40 A WORCESTERSHIRE RECTOR who suffered four years of Following the latest ruling the way is open for Mr Sharpe to take harassment has won an employment tribunal appeal in a case his grievances against the diocese to another tribunal that will exam- 27<

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Welby forces Government action

THE played a major role in forcing the Gov- ernment to toughen up its new bank- Call for action on ing regulation. Justin Welby, a member of the Par- liamentary Commission on Banking Standards, led the way with peers including former chancellor Lord Lawson of Blaby in persuading minis- ters to accept changes to their legisla- human rights abuses tion. Several major concessions came in THE has which I have experienced directly and the face of the prospect of Mr Welby called on the Government to do more recently, ought to be solved by a proper and his supporters forcing votes in to help stamp out alleged human community relations effort in the region, the House or Lords, which could have rights abuses at a gold mine in Tanza- and would be best resolved by a conciliar resulted in Government defeats. nia. process, taking into account community Chancellor George Osborne called Local residents have brought a lawsuit leaders, Barrick Gold and the local police on the Bank of England to carry out a against African Barrick Gold, the compa- force? review of bank leverage ratios – an ny that owns North Mara Mine, alleging it “What further steps might the Foreign issue raised by Mr Welby – and the is responsible for injuries to villagers. and Commonwealth Office take, please, Government agreed to tell the Finan- Bishop Stephen Platten, the joint leader to move that forward?” cial Conduct Authority to cap interest of the Wakefield-Tanzania Diocesan link, Lord Ahmad said the high commission- rates on payday loans just days before asked at question time in the House of er had found up to $12 million-worth had peers were due to debate an amend- Lords what representations ministers had been spent by the company on “corporate ment on the issue that Mr Welby was made to the Tanzanian government. closely with the Tanzanian Government social responsibility, including healthcare widely expected to support. Foreign Office spokesman Lord Ahmad on improving respect for human rights centres, schools and water boreholes”. Mr Welby also spoke and voted in of Wimbledon said the UK’s high com- and also encouraging them to sign up to He added: “There is more to be done. favour of a Labour amendment to the missioner to Tanzania had visited the the voluntary principles on security and For example, she pointed out that Financial Services (Banking Reform) mine in March “to raise concerns directly human rights in the extractive sector.” although there is a healthcare centre, it is Bill aimed at driving up professional about the alleged human rights violations But Bishop Platten asked him: “Would not properly manned with healthcare pro- standards by instituting a full licens- with African Barrick Gold”. you not agree, however, that the human fessionals. We have taken this up with the ing regime for bankers. He added: “We are, of course, working rights abuse at the North Mara mine, local authorities.” The amendment led to the only defeat for the Government during report stage consideration of the Bill, ‘We need a plan by five votes. He told peers: “The expectations on Bishop suggests new for Syria talks’ senior managers must be high. How- ever, it is also right that those who are not part of the senior management of THE BISHOP of Wakefield the bank also have high standards.” plan for police ethics has called for assurances from He said rules of conduct and the the Government that there is a definition of misconduct should apply A NEW code of ethics for police forces together.” clear diplomatic plan ahead of to employees whose actions could should emphasise more what officers Bishop Packer praised the police for their Syrian peace talks next “seriously harm” their employer or its should do than what they should not do, “major role in establishing a courteous and sen- month. customers. the and has said. sitive society”. Bishop Stephen Platten raised But the Archbishop and his sup- Bishop John Packer drew on his experience “Like many of my colleagues, I have, for the issue at question time in the porters failed in an attempt to per- as vicar in a mining community during the min- example, accompanied police when they have House of Lords as peers dis- suade the Government to take on the ers’ strike and in Sheffield when the Hillsbor- been sharing news of a tragedy with relatives,” cussed the Geneva II talks, which power to introduce full separation ough disaster occurred to call for high he said. are scheduled for January. between retail and investment bank- standards of policing. “I have been consistently impressed by the He asked Government Foreign ing across the whole sector. In a House of Lords debate on trust in polic- careful way that they have gone about their Office spokesman Lord Ahmad of Under the legislation, each bank ing, he welcomed a new code of ethics pub- task. It is professionalism of the highest order. Wimbledon: “Much as I am will have to introduce a ring-fence lished for consultation by the College of “That reputation does indeed depend on the encouraged by the recent UN marking off their retail arm from the Policing. confidence of the public. I was a vicar in announcement that the Geneva riskier activities. He said he welcomed “the robustness of the Sheffield at the time of the Hillsborough disas- talks are to take place on 22 Janu- The Government agreed to legislate sections on honesty and integrity, authority, ter in 1989, and I spent much of the following ary, I would welcome your reas- for the power to force an individual respect and courtesy, and equality and diversi- week taking relatives of the fans who surance that this was born not out bank to introduce a complete split if ty”. had died onto the Hillsborough pitch, working of an understandable desperation they did not abide by the ring-fence. “Those are at the root of the proper use of with police officers who were invariably courte- and frustration, but that there is a But Mr Welby and other members authority by a citizen police force that is a part ous, sensitive and supportive. real and clear diplomatic plan for of the Commission argued there of our society and not set apart from it in order “It is tragic that so much good work has been progress. should also be a threat to the entire to police it,” he said. lost to our collective memory by the subse- “Am I right in assuming that the system to force banks to police each “Police forces are given authority by the pub- quent lack of confidence in senior police behav- Free Syrian Army, which is one of other for fear that they may be affect- lic and trusted to use it honestly, and to be iour at that time. the largest rebel groups taking ed by the bad behaviour of others. aware of the dangers that are inherent in all “Similarly, I was the vicar of the south York- part in the war in the moment, Mr Welby said it would give the Gov- authority and that come to the surface so easi- shire mining community of Wath-upon-Dearne will be represented at those ernment a “second shot to the gun”. ly.” at the time of the 1984 miners’ strike, when rela- talks?” “If the first reserve power fails, and But he said there was a “note of persistent tionships between police and the community Lord Ahmad said it had been a bank or two has been forced into full negativity” in the code. were at their most fraught. the Government’s view that it was separation but the whole industry is “The code seems more concerned with pre- “Reputation then was upheld – significantly - important to set a date. still gaming the system, then you have venting bad policing than promoting the good,” only by the story that the police officers guilty “The Government’s view is that still got the second reserve power,” he he said. of taunting the community were not the local the national coalition and the cur- said. “Not for one moment do I deny that we need officers whom we knew, but officers imported rent Syrian national coalition, led “It appears that the Government’s to stop bad policing, and that where it happens from Sussex and other places south of the by President Ahmad Assi Jarba, policy on this is to have only one shot we need to make due inquiries about it; but Trent. will be central to the delegation and then to say, following that, ‘We’ll ‘thou shalt not’ goes only so far in creating an “I still do not know whether that was true. But representing the opposition at the do something. As yet, we know not effective culture for the way in which we work confidence becomes fragile so quickly.” talks,” he said. what. But we will do something, and it will be something very, very serious’. “This, however, is a structure that has to last for the next 30, 40 or 50 years. We do not want to be repeating this.” But he abstained on a Labour amendment on the issue in a vote the Government won.

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THE BISHOP OF GLASGOW and Gal- deepest sympathy to all the families of those “We can now confirm that the number of come to the help of the people caught up in loway has offered his condolences to who have lost their lives and to those who fatalities involved in this incident has risen this tragedy, and praise the exemplary the families of the victims of the Clutha have been injured in this terrible disaster.” to eight,” the chief constable said, “14 peo- work being done by all the emergency helicopter crash of 29 November, Approximately 120 patrons were inside ple remain seriously injured in Glasgow services and medical staff. when a police helicopter crashed into the Glasgow pub last Friday evening when hospitals and are being cared for by health “Our churches across Glasgow, and a pub killing at least nine and injuring a police helicopter crashed into the roof of colleagues there.” beyond, will be praying for all those affect- 32 people. the building. Chief Constable Stephen Dr Duncan offered thanks for the help ed by this tragedy and for the whole city of The Rt Rev Gregor Duncan stated: “On House said the two officers and the civilian provided to the emergency services by vol- Glasgow,” the bishop said. behalf of the Episcopal Church in Glasgow pilot aboard the chopper were killed, along unteers, offering the Church’s “gratitude The cause of the crash remains under and across Scotland I wish to extend our with six people on the ground. to the many citizens of Glasgow who have investigation. Kirk reaffirms opposition to same-sex marriages

THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND has spread of public opinion is reflected among tish Episcopal Church said that “its Gener- instituted of God’.” reaffirmed its opposition to same-sex members of our congregations across the al Synod expresses the mind of the Church The Rt Rev Mark Strange, Bishop of marriage. country. One thing is very clear and that is through its Canons. The Canon on Mar- Moray, Ross & Caithness, said: “The In a statement released last week follow- there is not unanimous support for this leg- riage currently states that marriage is a Church’s current position is that marriage ing the vote in the Scottish Parliament’s islation in Scotland. ‘physical, spiritual and mystical union of is a union between a man and a woman and Equal Opportunities Committee to begin “As the bill progresses through Holy- one man and one woman created by their this clarity allows us the space to listen to the process towards legalizing same-sex rood, The Church of Scotland will continue mutual consent of heart, mind and will the many differing views held by the mem- marriage, the Church’s press office stated to be a constructive voice in the national thereto, and as a holy and lifelong estate bers of our Church.” it “stands within the mainstream Christian debate about it. We would also seek belief that marriage is between one man robust and detailed legal assurances and one woman.” and protection for those who do not The Rev Dr Alan Hamilton, Convener of wish to conduct same-sex marriages as the Church of Scotland’s Legal Questions a matter of conscience. Committee, affirmed the Church’s commit- “The Church is conducting a wide- ment to “care for all people, gay and ranging review of marriage but there straight”, but said “until any future General are no plans on the table for the Church Assembly of the Church of Scotland decides to stop conducting marriages,” he said. otherwise, that remains our position.” When the Scottish government There was a “wide spread of public opin- announced its intention in 2012 to begin This Christmas, will you bring ion” about the wisdom of legalizing gay a process that would lead to the cre- marriage, Dr Hamilton said, “and that ation of same-sex marriages the Scot- a gift to a stable in a holy land? Cathedral ‘can be knocked down,’ says court NEW ZEALAND’S ished as rebuilding would Supreme Court has cost NZ$50 million more declined to hear the than would be received appeal of the Great from the proceeds of the Christchurch Buildings insurance settlement. Trust (GCBT), which The GCBT, led by for- had asked the court to mer MP Jim Anderton, The devastating conflict block the demolition of protested the decision and between Israel and the earthquake-ravaged asked the High Court to Christ Church Cathe- cancel the demolition and Palestinians has left many dral. order the church to families in the Gaza Strip On 2 December 2013 rebuild the damaged vulnerable and struggling the court held the GCBT of Appeal has upheld a cathedral. However High had not shown the lower lower court decision Court Justice Lester to make a living and Court of Appeal decision allowing the Church Prop- Chisholm ruled the provide for their children. permitting the cathedral’s erty Trustees (CPT) of church was entitled to demolition had been in the Diocese of deconstruct the cathedral, Please help transform error. Christchurch to demolish but only if it built a new The underlying issues the earthquake-damaged cathedral on the same their lives with a gift were of “great general cathedral. site. importance to the citizens On 22 February 2011 a The GCBT challenged today. of Christchurch” arising 6.3 magnitude earthquake this decision in the Court from the “history, func- toppled the 132-year-old of Appeal, and on 15 tion and iconic nature of cathedral’s Gothic spire November 2012 the High £36 could buy six chickens and a cockerel for a family the Cathedral. However, and collapsed part of the Court issued an interim who have lost everything in the conflict. in this case nothing that roof. Earthquakes in June judgment halting demoli- has been raised on behalf and December caused fur- tion until Court of Appeal of the applicant reaches ther significant damage reviewed its findings. In the threshold of showing leaving the building in July the Court of Appeal Please donate now, by visiting that the decisions of the ruins. On 2 March 2012 denied GCBT’s petition, christianaid.org.uk/angel courts below may be in the Rt Rev Victoria prompting it to take its or by calling 0845 700 0300 (quote A018887). error,” the court held. Matthews announced the case to the Supreme

The New Zealand Court cathedral would be demol- Court. UK registered charity no. 1105851 Company no. 5171525 Scot charity no. SC039150. The Christian Aid name and logo are trademarks of Christian Aid. © Christian Aid November 2013. Photo: Christian Aid 14-068-J2154

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Liberal issues Throughout my life, ponder- The Archbishop is right! ing such questions has served Sir, The three letters which to reinforce my faith in God call into question my faith in Sir, I seldom, if ever, write to your letters page, but I’ve been spurred on by the Archbishop the Father, Son and Holy Spir- the Christ of Scripture, cause of York’s words on evangelism at Synod and Lord Carey’s prophetic words about the Church it (although not in everyone me to feel that I have not of England. They are spot on. who claims to know his expressed myself as clearly as For the past 15 years I have been covering interregna. Not all, but the majority of the mind.). I had hoped. churches leave me depressed as I leave the car park and make my way home for lunch. In Mrs Mary P Roe, First, I think I declared at most of these churches I’ve met some wonderful people, but they are like sheep who have Bicester, Oxon the start of my letter that I never had a shepherd. The houses in the parish have seldom if ever been visited by the cler- hold Scripture in very high gy in a systematic way. Few people have any story to tell about why they go to church and regard, although I do not what the purpose of the church is. They come, take the sacrament and want to get home as Scapegoating think of it as supernaturally soon as possible. Some treat it as a pharmacy. inspired words dictated to a I am reminded by the warden in some churches, that the sermon must not be more than 10- Sir, Regardless of one’s human being whose under- 15 minutes. They see the church merely in Institutional terms, (which it never was in the denomination, and of whether standing was on hold at the beginning) to be maintained and to be there for rites of passage and when a crisis arises. If a one is ‘liberal’ or otherwise, as time. Even if that could have crisis does arise, often the response is an answer-phone with the usual unfulfilled promises. a Christian one must accept been so, the act of translating Too often the clergy sit at their computers instead of walking round the parish and visiting the what the Bible teaches – that the texts from the original hot spots. all people are made in the Hebrew of the Old Testament I often wonder if situations like ‘baby P’ could perhaps have been averted had the clergy image of God and all fall short and Greek of the New, would known the parishioners and was known by the police and Social Services in the area. We hear of his glory. An unfortunate indicate that God is willing to about the Police failing, Social Services failing and the hospitals failing to spot the children at human tendency is to pick on use the intelligence which he risk, but where was the church? Nowhere to be seen or heard. a particular group of people gave to human beings at our It goes without saying, to balance things up, that I can take you to churches with thriving and to treat them as a collec- creation - and even risk a congregations where the fellowship is lively and worship uplifting. Such congregations are tive scapegoat. degree of human error. outgoing and doing a fantastic job, where people don’t want to go home and can’t wait to go The Nazis were notorious in This is why, of the two scrip- each week! They have discovered how absolutely essential it is to be together, evangelise and this respect, sending not only tural accounts of creation to add to the church those who are being saved. Incidentally, these churches are seldom Jews but also Roma, homosex- which are completely contra- struggling with finance. uals and handicapped people dictory as to detail (a) Human I have no idea what goes on in Theological Colleges today, forgive my ignorance. But it to the gas chambers, on the beings were made last in an seems that the training doesn’t address these crucial areas. In my day Oakhill College stu- grounds that they were unde- environment prepared to meet dents were constantly reminded by Maurice Wood that evangelism is at the heart of their sirable, deviant or defective, their needs (Gen. 1), (b) One charge. At St John’s Nottingham under the Principalship of Michael Green, students were regardless of their merits as (male) human was made first reminded that they forget evangelism at their peril. At Bristol, certainly before the amalgama- individuals. in a hostile desert environ- tion of the two colleges, people like Stafford Wright and Jim Packer kept the Great Commis- A relative of Gerhard ment which was gradually sion before the student body. Where are their successors in leadership and training who Richter’s Tante Marrianne adapted to his need for food, unapologetically ‘go about the Father’s business’? sent her to her death, because shelter and companionship I deeply regret the times in the 13 parishes over 50 years where I have served, for being so she was mentally sub-normal. (Gen. 2) but which both con- caught-up in bureaucracy and the system of PCCs, Synods and paper-work when I should Justification for this obscenity vey the same truth - that have spent time more profitably on my knees and knowing what’s going on in people’s lives in might conceivably be sought humans have been given a my patch. I allowed too many things to get in the way of my calling, to make Christ known in in Leviticus, which lists cate- place of priority in the created response to Jesus first and last words to the disciples to be ‘fishers of men’ and to ‘Go into all gories of persons to be disre- order - a liberal Christian will the world’. We should not wait till people come. garded, including eunuchs. prefer the former because all I understand only too clearly, despite all the criticisms, where the Archbishops are coming They were later, however, three bases of our faith, Scrip- from. We need to humbly listen to them. They have got it right. The 1662 Ordinal – used when declared to be ‘better than ture, Tradition and Reason I was ordained Priest - emphasises the mission aspect of the charge in a way that recent serv- sons and daughters in my (Experience) combine to ices fail to do. Temple.’ make it a coherent revelation When it comes to senior appointments in the Church be it Bishops or Archdeacons, candi- Some supporters of the for all generations, including dates should have a proven record of successfully running a vibrant parish and of building up Apartheid regime distressing- our post-Darwinian, post- a congregation both numerically and in maturity, where members, through scripture, know ly justified their racial preju- space travel era. what they believe and are able to witness and lead others to faith. dice from selected biblical There has also been some Leaders and teachers should speak from experience not failure. We exist for the benefit of texts. mis-match in our understand- non-members. Why do we get it so wrong? When are we going to start listening? When are we Archbishop , ing of the actual words, going to smell the coffee? no less, likens the continuing, “faith”, “doubt” and “certain- The Rev Alan Mathers, albeit lessening, prejudice ty”. The “blessed assurance” West Sussex against the gay community to enjoyed by some correspon- the prejudice experienced by dents, is what I would call, the black majority during that “faith” in the sense that St band. most recent scriptural texts Moloch? Our faith (or certain- regrettable period of South Paul used that word. This If we believe, as I am sure were written. ty) in God’s loving interven- Africa’s history. He argues leads me to regard the Rev Ian we should, that Jesus was not For the liberal Christian, tion would lead us to believe that such prejudice is unjust, Stuart-Smith’s faith in his just a man of his time, but the any passage of scripture in that the latter is more likely, since no one can choose the wife’s love as arising out of Man for all time, then we have which the letter appears to be rather than that God is a capri- pigmentation of their skin and experience/reason; he is hap- to be open to on-going revela- at odds with the spirit of self- cious parent with an uncertain few can choose their sexual pily not in a position where he tion of God’s nature and pur- giving love demonstrated by temper! orientation. Having been vic- is required to believe that his poses as they affect us in the Jesus, is bound to prompt The same occasion for ques- tims of unreasonable preju- wife loves him against all 21st Century. We may not questions. For example: did tioning arises when a tradition dice on the grounds of colour, appearances to the contrary, respond to what he is calling God indeed command Abra- that made sense of life and it is strange that black Chris- just because it is written down us to be or to do today if we ham to murder his son, or was morals in time past, is used to tians do not always feel a cer- in some sacred text that this is limit our understanding to the Abraham confused by his idol- force our lives into an unsus- tain solidarity with their gay so, or because it is the tradi- concepts and world-view worshipping neighbours who tainable mould which goes tion that a wife loves her hus- which obtained when even the sacrificed their children to against our conscience today. Letters continue on page 13

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper www.churchnewspaper.com Friday December 6, 2013 Leader & Comment 7 Pilling on the agony: a woolly liberal report on sexuality Adoption: Lives In July 2011 the House of Bishops set up a working group on human sexuality, which, after 15 meetings, issued its report at the end of November 2013. The group, chaired by civil ser- vant Sir Joseph Pilling, comprised Bishops Perham, Baker, Stroyan and Sinclair. Bishop Sinclair could not sign the report changed and and his impressive dissenting critique contains perhaps the only crumbs of comfort for the conservative Christians in the Church of England. The report clearly denies primary authority to Scripture, even relativizing Scripture as unclear. It recommends ‘a process of facilitated discussion’, and by implication under- challenged mines the current position of the Church of England as up for grabs. Indeed itself is defined as a mediating tra- dition whose content changes in the light of new questions posed to it, as led by the Spirit, a sort of doctrine of develop- ment, but without reference to decisive Scriptural or Patristic norms. This description of change is implied when the report makes much of opinions of young people favouring homosex- uality as unproblematic, in contrast to older people: the Spirit may be at work in this new synthesis – a point Bishop Sinclair rightly contests. The latest National Survey of Sexual Atti- tudes and Lifestyles revealed among other things that there has been a 400 per cent increase in (mainly younger) women, some fully lesbian, declaring same-sex sexual experimenta- tion – around 16 per cent. This backs up the growing evi- dence for sexual potential as fluid and as socially constructed, and possibly the next phase of ‘the sexual revolution’. NSSAL reveals the postmodern context of the UK, the move from the fixed categorization of sexual identities towards sexual fluidi- ties and experimentation. The Church of England needs to be very careful indeed in becoming an agency assisting this process of social construc- tion, offering new scripts to young people as to sexual identi- ty. Here the working party could profit from the teaching of John Steley some other trauma but whatever it is it will have the 1998 Lambeth Conference Report on Christian anthropol- had a profound impact on the child’s life. ogy: “There is no such thing as ‘a’ homosexual or ‘a’ hetero- In the past when I have written for CEN I wrote as a Please do not believe the seductive myth that just sexual; there are human beings, male and female, called to psychologist. That is what I do for a living. This because children have no conscious memory of the redeemed humanity in Christ, endowed with a complex vari- time I would like to share some thoughts that abuse or changes they have experienced that there ety of emotional potentialities and threatened by a complex come, not from my work, but from my home life will be no lasting effects (I was not conscious when variety of alienation” (p94). and the lives of others. the surgeon removed my appendix. I have no mem- A listening process, promised by Lambeth ’98, was taken My wife and I are adoptive parents and I am ory of the knife going in or my appendix being sev- up by the working party, and they have listened to many per- going to say some things about this. So, I am get- ered, but I still have a scar on my abdomen and my sons and organisations in England. Readers may ask whether ting out of my psychologist’s chair and taking off appendix is still missing. The fact that I do not the working party managed to connect with representatives my shoes to share some thoughts. I write not as a remember it happening makes no difference.) of the blue collar, non-middle class, section of society, or psychologist but as a parent who listens and talks Children who are different may at times have dif- indeed with ‘multicultural’ England, or with the growing with other parents. Here is what I would like to ferent behaviours. They may appear to be, or may ‘flexi-sexual’ constituency revealed in the NSSAL survey say… genuinely be, afraid of things that most of us con- above. Major churches in formal dialogue with the Church of As I recall, Moses was an adopted child. sider normal. A child who has already lost several England were not part of the listening process, sadly, given Pharaoh’s daughter found him hidden in the River mother figures may find it very hard to separate that the Church of England defines itself as part of the Nile. He was taken back to his birth parents, then from the mother he or she has now, even if that sep- greater worldwide body of churches. handed over to the royal family. A case of multiple aration will only be temporary and if other support- Comment placements, as we might say today. He went on to ive people are around. An adopted child may appear become one of the great men of God. It is a won- very confident, sometimes to the point that they are The Church of England Newspaper derful and inspiring story with which most of us considered precocious or even obnoxious. Howev- with Celebrate magazine incorporating The Record and Christian Week are familiar. er, this may be a mask for the pain and insecurity Published by Political and Religious Intelligence Ltd. People in Britain are currently being encouraged that they cannot yet express. Company Number: 3176742 to adopt children from the ‘care’ system. It is with- Please do not assume that because the child Publisher: Keith Young MBE out doubt a laudable aim. Every child needs a home behaves well in school or in church, but badly at but those who take on children from the system home, that this must be due to poor parenting. take on a lot. The faces on the posters may be Many adopted children are ‘better behaved’ when Publishing Director & Editor: CM BLAKELY020 7222 8004 happy but children who have been neglected or they are more apprehensive. Their ‘good’ behav- Chief Correspondent: The Rev Canon GEORGE CONGER 00 1 0772 332 2604 abused do not suddenly become a joy to live with iour may be the result of fear. Neither should we simply because they have a new family. For some assume that because an adopted child appears to Reporter: AMARIS COLE 020 7222 8700 children any change or frustration, however small, love one of their new parents and reject the other Advertising: CHRIS TURNER 020 7222 2018 can be enough to provoke an outburst of unwanted that the rejected parent has or is doing something behaviour. wrong. Some children from severely disrupted Advertising & Editorial Assistant: PENNY NAIR PRICE 020 7222 2018 When I say ‘unwanted behaviour’ I do not just backgrounds can only relate to one parent, (Feel- Subscriptions & Finance: DELIA ROBINSON 020 7222 8663 mean a child who feels a bit down and needs some ing left out, Adoption Today, October 2013). cheering up. Sit and listen to a group of adoptive Practical support such as help with transport can Graphic Designer: PETER MAY020 7222 8700 parents and you may well hear stories of physical be invaluable. So too can be the emotional support The acceptance of advertising does not necessarily indicate violence against parents or siblings, stealing, of simply spending time and listening. (Being an endorsement. Photographs and other material sent for publication school refusal, inappropriate sexual behaviour, uri- evangelical myself I do not agree with Paul Tillich are submitted at the owner’s risk. The Church of England Newspaper does nary and faecal incontinence. Those can be just on many issues, but when he said that ‘The first not accept responsibility for any material lost or damaged. some of the child’s problems. duty of love is to listen’ I think he may have been For the adoptive parents there can also be dis- right.) Christian Weekly Newspapers Trustees: Robert Leach (020 8224 5696), agreements with schools and local authorities, pro- Above all, fellow Christians can pray. This may Lord Carey of Clifton, The Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, The Rt Rev Pete Broadbent, Dr Elaine Storkey, The Rev Peter Brown, The Rev Cindy Kent fessionals who do not understand the needs of an seem to be the simplest thing of all but in the end I adopted child (or worse still, think they understand am convinced it is the most important. God heard The Church of England Newspaper, but don’t), pressures on the marriage and implica- the cries of the Hebrew people and raised up Political and Religious Intelligence Ltd tions for their own health and career prospects. Moses. He certainly was not perfect. (He commit- 14 Great College Street, London, SW1P 3RX So how can a church help an adoptive family? ted an unpremeditated murder.) He was however Editorial e-mail: [email protected] Probably the first thing is to realise that adopted an example of what God can do. Advertising e-mail: [email protected] children are different. Children are taken into the Subscriptions e-mail: [email protected] ‘care’ system for a reason - and that reason has to John Steley is an adoptive father. be significant. It may involve abuse, neglect or [email protected]

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believe that economic equality is possible; indeed some measure of inequality is essential for the spirit of envy and keeping up with the Joneses that is, like greed, a valuable spur to economic activity.” The world’s media kicked off at this of course Janey Lee Grace and no doubt those present felt pressured as he asked those with a low IQ to identify themselves but it was the greed comment that caused the most discussion. Live Healthy! Live Happy! Personally I think Boris used the word to grab attention but I wonder if a more relevant word might have been ‘aspiration’ or ‘purpose’. As the festive season approaches tales of Scrooge are everywhere and that’s surely our Do we really want greed? definition of the word. Being ‘greedy’ implies that we are selfish and will try to manipulate others. Boris Johnson managed to Of course some level of ‘selfishness’ is neces- cause a huge furore recently as sary to spur us to get out of bed in the morning, he delivered the annual Mar- but perhaps a better word there might be ‘self garet Thatcher lecture calling esteem’ ‘drive’ or ‘purpose’. Boris suggests that for the return of grammar greed may be a valid motivator for economic schools and declaring that progress but interestingly another recent news inequality is essential to foster article claims that ‘rising riches make a country ‘the spirit of envy’. LESS happy’. ‘Greed is good’ is a very Researchers found that once a nation’s ‘gross provocative statement and Boris domestic product’ surpasses over 22k per per- hailed greed as a “valuable spur son, individual happiness begins to nosedive as to economic activity”. the worry of ‘keeping up with the Jones’s’ kicks As he delivered the annual in. Margaret Thatcher lecture, he So perhaps we shouldn’t be accepting that it is also called for the return of a OK to be ‘greedy’ to motivate us – but rather look form of grammar schools and to finding our purpose. Masses of money in the told the Centre for Policy Stud- bank still doesn’t mean very much to someone ies think tank that: “The harder who feels unfulfilled in what they are ‘born to do’ you shake the pack the easier it or someone who doesn’t have happy relation- will be for some cornflakes to ships. Study after study shows that when people get to the top.” are doing what they love, their happiness levels Boris said: “I stress – I don’t rise.

Southbank religion today A coup for Theos After a rather dull look at Wells, the BBC Four series on Cathedrals came to a lively conclusion with The think tank Theos scored a coup in luring the distinguished Ameri- Southwark. Although the diocese was not created until 1905 and had no cathedral before this date, can novelist Marilynne Robinson to give the annual Theos lecture. Robin- the Dean can rightly claim that his building is the oldest survival cathedral building in London – a son is the author of three novels and has won both a Pulitzer Prize in the claim he was not slow to make. What is less defensible was his comment that there were ‘two US and the Orange Prize here. is a fan and so is President cathedrals’ and an abbey in London. Even in the borough of Southwark there are two other cathe- Barack Obama. Robinson revealed that he had asked her when her next drals, one Greek Orthodox and another Roman Catholic. Full credit to Southwark, however, for novel was coming out when they met and she had told him it would be next attempting to combine worship and community outreach. We saw daily services faithfully taking October. Appropriately for Thanksgiving, Robinson devoted her lecture to place even if only three people attended but the Dean was very clear that ‘we can’t worship God American religion. She is no fan of American evangelicalism and describes without reaching out to the forgotten people of Bermondsey’. In the chapel of St Andrew there herself as ‘liberal Christian’ but she is not afraid to criticise the mainstream. is a memorial of those who suffered from HIV/AIDS, an important area of ministry that goes Raised a Presbyterian and now a member of the United Church of Christ back to the work of the late Colin Slee. After matins, the Dean tweets a prayer to people unable (which has strong Congregational roots) she describes her theological stand- to get to the cathedral so early in the morning. has a lively Sunday con- point as ‘Calvinist’ and regrets there is not much trace of Calvinism left in Amer- gregation but the Southbank once had a reputation for radical theology. Watching the pro- ican culture. She is critical of those Christians who spent their time denouncing gramme, it was easy to see that radicalism is still in evidence but where is the theology? activities Jesus never mentioned but say nothing about the poor or the pursuit of justice. All in all it was a bleak picture she painted with evangelicals obsessed with personal morality and mainline churches forgetting their theological heritage. “The word liberal has been stigmatised,” she lamented, “as if generosi- ty were culpable.” Her lecture was packed with memorable one-lin- Money ers: “You can’t think of Calvin’s God as an ‘imaginary friend,” “the media do not fine reasonable interesting,” and “the cable woes channels use religion for purposes that are not religious”. The National Cathedral in Washington is the scene for many great occa- sions. Ronald Reagan, Dwight D Eisenhower and Gerald Ford were all buried there. But a $26 billion earthquake bill and years of financial prob- lems have taken their toll and the Cathedral has reluctantly decided to Magna Carta in Durham charge visitors, following a lead set on this side of the Atlantic. By British standards the charge is moderate ($10 a head, $6 for chil- Fortunately Durham Cathedral doesn’t have finan- dren, seniors, students, veterans and serving military). Regular cial woes because it owns no less than three issues services and Sundays (all day) are free. Last year the Cathedral of Magna Carta from 1216, 1225 and 1300. The attracted 400,000 visitors in addition to those going to worship. 1216 was the only one issued that year and it was Other American cathedrals such as Grace Cathedral in San Fran- Whispering the first issued under the king’s great seal rather cisco ask for a donation. Unfortunately the National Cathedral than just the seal of an adviser. It also marks the

does have a rare book to sell. The Old South Church in Boston The Gallery final development of the text of Magna Carta. has made $12.5 million from the sale of a book of Psalms that No significant changes were made after this. was the first book (and the first book of scripture) printed in the Magna Carta was first issued in 1215 so 2015 US. With fees the total sale value was $14.2 million, the largest marks the 800 anniversary of a very significant amount ever paid for a book in North America. Old South event in English history. Three clauses of Magna wants the money to support its ongoing ministry. The sale Carta are still in force today. Durham is planning was somewhat controversial in the congregation and the an exhibition centre to be in place by 2015 and to church’s historian resigned but Old South Church has feature its copies of Magna Carta. The estimated another copy of the same book. cost of the exhibition centre is £10 million and now the Heritage Lottery Fund is to make a grant of £3.9 million.

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper www.churchnewspaper.com Friday December 6, 2013 Comment 9 Why we should ignore Pilling Andrew Carey

The Canadian author Robertson Davies once tions – falls prey to this kind of moral panic in View from the Pew jokingly wrote that the love that dared not the Church of England. speak its name now will not shut up. Yet if public opinion can change so quickly sionally need prayers of deliverance after The truth is that sex and sexuality, in all its once, it can change back again. The fact that A local option? careful discernment and as part of a prop- forms, is louder than ever in advertising, there is so much elasticity around opinion er process to protect the vulnerable. But music and every single form of media. The reveals more about our current lack of uni- I have some sympathy with the idea of there are also beliefs that claim that demand for instant gratification is dominant. versal values these days. This is something ‘local option’ that allows these difficult dif- demons pass between generations and Sex has become a form of consumerism. Var- to be regretted because it leaves our society ferences on matters like sexuality to be physically into passing points during ious sexual lifestyles now compete for notori- vulnerable to very dangerous and damaging dealt with quietly and pastorally on a local intercourse and other activity. ety. changes in stability. level. When you’ve been brought up in the Such beliefs accidentally occur in a Young people are the primary victims of The Church of England should ignore the Church of England in all its comprehensive- denomination like the Church of England this cultural trend. Poor old 19-year-old Tom Pilling Report’s timetable. Yes, we should ness you know that there are churches and they are not officially approved. Yet if Daley, the Olympic diver, felt obliged this continue talking about sexuality but we doing and believing things you could never it was publicly declared that such beliefs week to film a video announcement about his should never be seduced into believing that possibly partake or believe in. were permitted to be held on a local basis relationship with a man. He’d never have destabilising trends in family life have a long- Usually, you are able to quietly accept then many of us would want to distance taken such a step for a girlfriend. Why is term future. Young people tend to rebel that those ‘nutters’ at St Agatha’s are part ourselves from such teaching. This would there such an unhealthy interest in the sex against previous generations. They are find- of the rich diversity of the Church of Eng- be a shift in the teaching of the Church life of a young man whose life must be sub- ing that divorce, single-parenthood and other land and get on with life. However, the because it would bring a fringe belief into ject to enormous pressure and confusion? changes have been damaging to their moment you announce publicly that their the mainstream. Many people in the Church of England prospects and a more serious-minded gener- nutty practices are part of the permitted So ‘local option’ only works when it is seem to be under the impression that the ation is likely to look again at the sexual ‘rev- diversity of the Church of England you the unspoken result of a generous Angli- massive amount of inchoate cultural noise olution’ of recent decades. are likely to be into trouble. canism that is incapable of disciplining about sex merits some kind of enormous cul- The Church should continue to hold on to To take an example, there are groups of itself and imposing uniformity. tural pressure on the church to accommo- traditional sexual ethics because they are charismatic evangelicals who have The kind of local option recommended date itself to changing fashions. The Church, founded on a relationship of complementari- believed some very strange things about by the Pilling Report is utterly unaccept- they say, must get on board with the new ty between Christ and his Church. A truly demons and deliverance ministry in able because it requires doublethink - for agenda or become irrelevant. pastoral approach insists on teaching a tradi- recent years, which can be quite damag- the Church to advocate completely con- The Church of England’s Pilling Report tional ethic whilst receiving all sinners – all ing to mentally ill people. I am not talking tradictory beliefs about one thing. It with its insistence on urgency – a two-year of us – with compassion and a call to repen- about the kind of belief that says that peo- requires Anglicans to distance ourselves timetable for so-called ‘facilitated’ conversa- tance. ple can be possessed by evil and occa- from each other and leads to schism. Francis the Paul Richardson Phenomenon Church and World When a columnist in The Guardian announces that riage is not on the cards and Anglican orders are still approach. Changing the style of a papacy that has func- Pope Francis has become a ‘phenomenon’ and ‘absolutely null and void’. tioned as an absolute monarchy is a change of sub- that even atheists should pray for him, all Chris- Francis will have his work cut out to deal with road- stance but it is also a change that means even a Pope tians should sit up and take notice. blocks to reform in the Curia. Hans Kung is among cannot make reforms by personal decree. The forth- Jonathan Freedland is rightly impressed that Francis those who have welcomed Francis but in his new book coming synod on the family will be an interesting sign is the most talked about name on the internet, even Can We Save the Catholic Church? he refers to several of whether the Pope can make changes with the con- beating Obamacare and NSA, and that his Twitter han- figures who could cause trouble. Cardinal Muller, the sent of the vast majority of the faithful. dle @Pontifex ranks fourth in the list of top words being head of the Congregation of the Faith, has already tried Theologian Richard Gaillardetz puts his finger on a used. to pre-empt any decision the forthcoming synod on the key element in Francis’s approach when he says that Thousands of people are being drawn to weekly audi- family might make about admitting divorced Catholics while Benedict XVI sometimes gave the impression of ences in Rome and there are even signs of increased to the sacraments and has denounced public discussion wanting a smaller, doctrinally purer church, Francis mass attendance by Catholics. It is not hard to see the of clerical sex abuse as ‘stage-managed public criti- wants a church that welcomes all and promotes dia- reasons for Francis’s popularity. He is a man who likes cism’. logue and a ‘culture of encounter’. His vision is of a mis- the simple life and has a sincere dedication to the wel- Kurt Koch, who heads the Pontifical Council for sionary church that ‘heals wounds and warms the fare of the poor. These are not poses. He has not been Christian Unity, was a conservative Bishop of Basel, a hearts of the faithful’. caught out in the way David Cameron was caught out former liberal who reversed his views on a number of As a result of this, Francis insists that ‘the dogmatic cycling to work in full view of the press but sending his subjects. According to Kung, he did not enjoy good rela- and moral teachings of the church are not all equiva- papers by car to Westminster. tions with the clergy and people of his diocese. Francis lent’ but they find their true pastoral significance within Although the Pope has won widespread admiration, has confirmed both Muller and Koch in office. Far from ‘proclamation in a missionary style that focuses on the two questions are being asked about him. One group of seeking to alienate conservatives, Francis has signalled essential things’. critics worries that he may alienate conservative that he wants to work with them, appointing George It is significant that he has called for bishops who are Catholics and provoke new divisions in the Church. Pell of Sydney, for example, to the advisory council of pastors rather than ideologues. He wants the bishops to They see him as too ready to identify with the political Cardinals. set aside ‘small minded rules that keep you locked up left, a ‘kind of political liberal’ in the words of Sarah But the time will probably come when Francis will and shielded from the world’ and to go out and meet Palin, and prone to discussing important moral and the- have to confront the conservatives if he is not to fall foul people where they are. Out of this kind of pastoral ological issues in an off-the-cuff style in newspaper of the second group of critics who say he is doing little encounter will come change and renewal. interviews. more than changing the style of the papacy. It will Key to Francis’s success will be the appointment of Another group of critics claim that all the Pope is require political skill as well as toughness to do this the right bishops. It will not be easy. In many parts of doing is changing the style of the Church, presenting a without splitting the church but Francis seems to have the Western world there are not many able candidates softer, gentler Catholicism to the world while under- both qualities. to choose from. As far as the curia is concerned he has neath little has changed. Priests are still in trouble if Key to his approach and the answer to the second made a good start with the appointment of an outstand- they advocate the ordination of women, same-sex mar- group of critics is the fact that Francis is collegial in his ing Secretary of State.

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By Derek Walker

The newly formed Sunday Assembly – often dubbed, ‘The Atheist Church’ – has enjoyed nine months of dramatic growth. Beginning in a decon- secrated church and adopting many elements of the Christian service format, it has provoked a range of reactions from churchgoers. Some treat it like an enemy gang that is moving in on the Church's turf, but the new one in Brighton is being set up by a Christian. Christian influence runs surprisingly deep inside the Assembly, as I discovered when I met the founders, comedians Sanderson Jones and Pippa Evans. The two are highly complementary: Jones is loud and as strikingly unmissable as his huge beard, while Evans is quieter and more subtle in her presentation. Jones has been strongly atheist since his mother died, when he was only 10 years old, but Evans comes from a Chris- tian family and used to attend events like Soul Survivor and New Wine. Early in our conversation, when Jones begins to talk about his interest in atheism and philosophy, Evans interrupts him: “Sanderson can talk quite happily for

event and they are familiar with Rick Warren’s purpose- driven concept. While Jones does not have Christian beliefs, he recognises their benefits and is impressed by what goes into a church service. “If you look at all the component The atheists parts, they’re amazing!” he enthuses. “They’re singing fantastic songs, listening to interesting talks, trying to improve yourself and help other people, and developing wonderful relationships. As a package, it’s killer! It’s all there on the shelf, we’ve just got to pick what we like!” He even tells American supporters: “Apparently peo- ple who go to church are healthier, live longer and are building a church happier.” For all these elements, the Church is still divided and has spent 2,000 years honing the practice of getting hours about atheism and I really don’t have much inter- not the thing that makes me think, ‘Yes, this is great!’; faith wrong. Atheism has experienced smaller splits, est in that at all. I feel like a lot of people feel, that I don’t it’s the fact that we are born and then we die.” with many on the atheistic spectrum embarrassed by like to have a label of that kind. Despite such different backgrounds, the two found more strident activists. The Sunday Assembly seems to “When I introduce myself, I say, ‘I'm Pippa and I’m a themselves on common ground one day, when sharing strike a chord with the more centrist non-believers, but comedian’ or ‘I don’t believe in God, but sometimes I a car journey to a gig. (As she relates the story, Evans is how will it hold together the inevitable factions that will wonder,’ or whatever. It’s not how I define myself; my quick to point out that she was headlining, while Jones arise if the movement grows? point is the community and bringing things together.” only had the middle billing.) The pair see this as a constructive dilemma, with Jones backs her up. “On my computer there’s this “I don’t know how it came up, but we were talking Evans taking a pragmatic approach, “Would that be a document, which is called about religion and then one of us said, ‘I’ve always bad thing? Look at the people who come. Some people ‘Godless Church: Beliefs (first wondered whether it would be love singing John Bon Jovi. Other people don't know draft)’,” a title that draws a guf- possible to do church without those songs and want somewhere a bit quieter.” faw from the pair. “It says God’ and the other said, ‘I've also Jones takes a more philosophical line. “One reason we’re a rationalist, secular, thought whether you could do why the differences between certain religious groups humanist, atheist church. that!’.” are so serious is because of the revealed nature and the “Then Pippa comes along Having the idea was much sim- cataclysmic importance of, ‘If someone’s going to die and says, ‘I don't like any of pler than putting it into action. and burn in hell, it's really important to do some of the those words,’ which was real- Jones was already fairly full-time things that happened in the name of religion.’ ly good, because then we set in trying to develop a career in “Whereas for us, you could see it more like science, it up as a celebration of life: stand up. He did not have the where there will be different groups who believe differ- ‘Live better, help often, won- time for another major project. ent things, but are able to get on. So, instead of seeing der more.’ We are here to “Then I started doing a show, those branching out as schisms, they should be wel- help people fulfil their full where I sold all the tickets by comed as product innovation.” potential.” hand. That tried to have a commu- Halfway through my question about where the pair “Most of my Christian nity aspect. Through that show I think the Assembly will be in five years’ time, Jones friends think it’s great and could see how to do it,” he asserts, “It’s going to be a thousand. It's conceivable. can really see what it is,” explains, adding, “The plan was to Each one will help other ones to grow; there's the inter- says Evans, as she tour Australia doing this house- net. There’s never been a better time for a good idea to describes how the mixed hold show and then go round the spread. reaction of churchgoers in UK and then the US and after- “Gangnam Style is dumb, and yet everyone in the general to the Sunday Assembly is echoed among her wards, having done all these little world knows it. Imagine how quickly a fantastic idea own family and friends. She struggles a little to household things, go, 'Surprise guys, you're all church- can catch the attention of the world. describe the faith of her family, but settles on, “My par- es!'” He gives a belly laugh. “Imagine if you were designing the Church from ents are Church of England; let’s put it that way! On his return from Australia, Jones’ entrepreneurial scratch: no received notions, the entire science at your “My brother’s very religious. We talk about it a bit. spirit gave Evans confidence and the Sunday Assembly beck and call, all concentrated on the idea of making My sister-in-law finds it sad that people would come to a was born. people as happy as possible and trying to live their lives church and not develop a relationship with God.” Growth in the movement has been swift. The first as fully as possible. She also speaks warmly of the community that she event took place in January. With the help of national “Five years down the line with that notion, it’s the grew up in. “I love going back to St Matthew’s Church press coverage, they were turning people away in Feb- best thing that could have possibly ever happened to in Ealing. I know everybody there and it feels like a ruary; they went to two services in March and by June me.” family. I love it, absolutely love it.” they had 600 adherents and were setting up the first When I ask what will have made the project worth- By contrast, railing against God was almost a forma- event in a different location. while or not in their eyes by that time, Jones immedi- tive experience for Jones: “The question of whether This month, they are looking to plant many assem- ately rubs his thumbs against his forefingers, as if to there was or wasn’t a God wasn’t merely an academic blies as they take their “40 Dates and 40 Nights” tour say, “Money!” This sits a little uneasily with reported one of proof; it was totally linked in to my mother’s around the UK and beyond. comments he has made about not taking any money death, and that’s the major psychological event of my Like many aspects of the Sunday Assembly, it is from the Assembly. life. another phrase hand-picked to parody faith. They “We're going to raise some money from October to “In many ways, the love which I lost there found a learned from Hillsong where to best place songs in December this year, then hopefully, we’ll be able to pay new home in loving life. I accidentally found the more I their service; they have started to use small groups (or ourselves salaries,” Jones explains. pour into it, the more I get back. Not believing in God is ‘smoups’ as Evans calls them), they have held a harvest http://sundayassembly.com/40dates/

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ooking at the pedigree for The Fam- the hall but can’t without making a ily (cert. 15) you’d have to say that a scene, leaving Giovanni in his element, LMafia film from writer-director Luc Keeping it in the Family drawing on inside knowledge of the film Besson (Léon), with Martin Scorsese that may come from Scorsese, or may be (Goodfellas) as executive producer, and attempt to blend comedy and violence Robert Stansfield (Jones) enjoins them made up. Of course, we don’t quite get to starring Robert De Niro and Michelle crucially means that the sense of threat to blend in with the locals, but none of the bit in Goodfellas where De Niro tells Pfeiffer, plus Tommy Lee Jones, should is thus diminished. the family seems inclined to accept any Ray Liotta, “Never rat on your friends be a winner. Its It’s almost a surprise when the gang antagonism, and if this is their idea of and always keep your mouth shut”. from America get off the train in a Nor- blending in you can see why they have to Actors not knowing quite how to play mandy town, looking for Giovanni Man- move so often. Like father, like wife and the scenes is a recurrent fault, and De zoni (De Niro) who has informed on kids, seems to be the norm. Niro has done more comedy of late, so the mob and is in witness pro- In their new house, Giovanni discovers there’s no chance of anything feeling too tection, under the an old typewriter and begins tapping out serious until the final reel when the assumed name of Fred his memoirs. It’s cathartic for him – and whole family is about to get rubbed out. Blake. His wife Maggie enables the audience to see how violence It almost feels incongruous that when (Pfeiffer) and teenage shaped him – but another trial for Stans- Maggie goes to confession, the priest is children Belle (Dianna field. When Giovanni tries to pass him- the only character who expresses any Agron) and Warren (John self off as a professional writer as his moral outrage at their background and D’Leo) are fed up with cover, it prompts an invitation to the local current behaviour. frequent moves, and film club; he’s accompanied by Stans- Set in the 90s, and based on the novel rural Normandy is not field, who is dismayed to find that the Malavita by Tonino Benacquista, it’s their destination of scheduled film has been replaced by an entertaining enough, but can’t get over choice. equally interesting film – Goodfellas. the hump of not knowing what it wants to Their FBI minder Stansfield wants to get Giovanni out of be. Steve Parish

street scenes and beach views broadening landscape’s range. Charles Meere’s 1940 quasi-heroic Australian Celebrating the art of Australia Beach Pattern typifies a genre extolling physical vigour amid sun, sea and sand paradise. Other artists re-worked landscape for moral purpose: Arthur Boyd’s AUSTRALIA panorama of Sydney settlers’ houses to Edmund chaotic mining town vision, sub-titled ‘Casting the Royal Academy to December 8 Henderson’s quasi-idyllic 1862 watercolour vision of Money Lenders from the Temple’, condemns frenetic Perth, early colonial artists steadily moved from materialism. Among few other religious-motif works, f you ever equated ‘Australia’ and ‘art’ only with imaging their new environment as strange, even Margaret Preston’s The Expulsion (1952) is Aboriginal earth compositions and Sidney Nolan bewildering, to celebrating its beauty and vastness: controversial, for its Adam and Eve are dark-skinned, Ilandscapes, think again. For Royal Academy’s big- Augustus Earle’s grim New South Wales 1820s images locked out of a kangaroo and koala paradise by a white- scale show, spanning 1800 to today with 200 oils, give way to John Glover’s luxuriant garden (1835). robed angel. watercolours, drawings, photos and multimedia, truly When Victoria’s 1850s gold rush made Melbourne Sidney Nolan, Australia’s most globally renowned is a revelation. The most significant showcase of an international art hub, artists from France, Germany painter, brilliantly blended Modernism, primitivism, Australian art ever mounted in UK, it ranges from and Switzerland interpreted awesome landscapes of symbolism and landscape in his iconic Ned Kelly intricate Aboriginal abstracts and early colonial huge ferns, deep jungles and red mountains in German series (1946), celebrating the black-armoured landscapes to later Victorian vistas of the continent’s Romantic style. Eugene von Guerard’s Stony Rises, bushranger whose resistance to authority became awesome interior and Nolan’s Ned Kelly images, Lake Corangmite and Ferntree Gully are notably in integral to the national legend. These are fascinating climaxing in a surprisingly vibrant Modern and this idiom, while the towering cliffs of Nicholas works in different styles. contemporary scene. Chevalier’s Mount Arapiles proclaim the continent’s The final rooms, documenting Australia’s artistic The visual impact of Australia’s unique landscape - distinctive grandeur. achievement since 1950, reveal exuberant rainbow dramatic, starkly parched or exotically colourful, Late 1800s Australian Impressionists painted creativity influenced by, and reacting to, the landscape mysterious, menacing, venue for nature-loving outdoors, depicting man harmoniously relating with heritage. Don’t miss Danie Mellor’s 2010 dreamworld relaxation - is constant thread throughout the works, nature: works like Arthur Streeton’s Golden Summer, Elysian City - and give yourself plenty of time to savour even of those not depicting it. Aboriginal rock Eaglemount, an idyllic vision of children, sheep and all the other rich surprises of this treasure house. engravings and ceremonial ground designs founded farmstead amid sweeping outback vista, helped forge Brian Cooper this landscape tradition, with many Aboriginal works the new national identity focused by Australia the most fascinating on show - yet also the most becoming a Federation in 1901. Australia is at the Royal Academy until 8 December. difficult to penetrate. Art reflected 20th-century urbanisation, with city Admission £14; Concessions. Emanating from an utterly non-European aesthetic and spiritual universe, they express in symbolic forms millennia- >634 )">4 )7'33122 old veneration of land and ancestors, belief in sacred *!JE @,1 35 G!1 L1(. JE D1.L 7BEL53. ,3EG 35 BE= 7BG +3G 1D1.L3+1 forces and deep awareness !(E(5B'' 8J(.L: *!1 .B+ B2 G3 G!1 51E@D1 21.J38 JE ('A(LE ( 'JC'1 of nature’s rhythms. /BJ1G1. 53.2132'1 J+ G!1 ,3G3. J+8BEG.L= E3 J5 L3B G!3BK!G G!(G L3B Whether traditional in 8J8+4G !(D1 G!1 @,1 G3 6!(+K1 L3B. 6(.= A1'' L3B6(+= J+ G!1 1(EJ1EG natural earth pigments on (+8 /BJ6)1EG A(L J,(KJ+(7'1: eucalyptus bark, or modern F.J3.L 0BG3,3@D1 6(+ !1'2 L3B J+ -BEG G!.11 EJ,2'1 EG12E; in synthetic polymer on canvas, whether textile-like &> I1G F.J3.L '36(G1 G!1 D1.L 71EG 6(. 53. L3B. +118E (+8 7B8K1G: from the 1970s onwards) "> %(JG 53. G!1, G3 81'JD1. L3B. 6(. G3 L3B. 5.3+G 833.: *!JE 6(+ always feel strangely both BEB(''L 71 83+1 AJG!J+ ( A11): primordial and ultra- contemporary. *!JE JE A!(G '-;5&;@< E(J8(73BGF.J3.L ($1. .161JDJ+K !1. 6(.= 4 $+ Among exquisite works, 6+*+ 8+*= ,%+&9+0 :"&: =-7 )&(&<+0 :- <+: 79 97/" & %-6 );%+&<+ Yirawala’s charming Red /&*;(-7* ,*;/+*&(<+2 =-7 %--'+0 .-*:"+ /&*:"&: 6+ 6&(:+02 *&:"+* Plains - Kangaroo, Uta Uta :"&( :*=;(< :- 9+%% 79 6"&: =-7 6&(:+0 :- 9+%%1 #+*8;/+6&9 .*;+(0%= Tjangala’s splendidly &(0 ,*-.+99;-(&% &(0 /-))7(;/&5-( +!/+%%+(:31 complex Old Man’s F.J3.L 3+'LEB22'L G3 9'1.KL (+8 9!B.6! ,1,71.E= E3 L3B6(+ 71 Dreaming, Dorothy KB(.(+G118 35 .161JDJ+K 5.J1+8'L= !3+1EG (+8 J,2(.@(' (8DJ61= +3G Napangardi’s multi-point G3 ,1+@3+ K1?+K (5(7B'3BE 6(.(G(K.1(G 2.J61: Sandhills of Mina Mina and Robert Campbell’s challenging Abo History (Facts), merit special =$-&<- 0&$$ %##C !AA(+(+ attention. 9992.,@/,B&:?/*/8;-20/* From a 1799 oil

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THE 2013 Northolt (London). Co-director at the Anglican ANGLICAN CYCLE OF PRAYER The Rev Andrew Taylor Cook, Alliance. BIBLE CHALLENGE Asst Priest in the Uplands Group The Rev Patricia Jean Cox, of Parishes and Chap Amongst Self-Supporting Assoc Priest in Friday 06 December. Psalm 67, Isa 14:24-27. Western Michigan Deaf People in the Peterborough the Benefice of Lydney Day 333 Micah 4, Psalm 120, - (V, The Episcopal Church): The Rt Rev Robert Gepert diocese has been appointed (Gloucester), to retire on 31 Matthew 26 Saturday 07 December. Psalm 72: 1,6-8,18,19, Isa. 16: 1-5. Assoc Priest of the Uplands December 2013 Day 334 Micah 5, Psalm 121, Western Newfoundland - (Canada, Canada): The Rt Rev Percy Group of Parishes alongside his The Rev Canon Henry Matthew 27 David Coffin role as Chap Amongst Deaf (Harry) Victor Edwards, Day 335 Enjoy hearing the Sunday 08 December. Advent 2. Psalm 126, I Kgs 17: 1-7. People. R of Campsea Ashe with Scriptures read aloud in church Western North Carolina - (IV, The Episcopal Church): The Rt Rev The Rev Paul Thompson, Marlesford, Parham and Day 336 Micah 6, Psalm 122, Porter Taylor Prison Chaplain of Weymouth Hacheston and P-i-c Brandeston Matthew 28 Monday 09 December. Psalm 25, I Kgs 17: 8-16. South West and Portland, is to be redeployed with Kettleburgh and Easton and Day 337 Micah 7, Psalm 123, Tanganyika - (Tanzania): The Rt Rev John Simalenga; Western as Managing Chaplain of HMP Bishop’s Adviser in Pastoral Care Mark 1 Tanganyika - (Tanzania): The Rt Rev Sadock Makaya Erlestoke, Wilts (Salisbury). and Counselling and Bishop’s Day 338 Nahum 1, Psalm 124, Tuesday 10 December. Psalm 34: 1-6,21,22, I Kgs 17: 17-24. The Rev Simon Thorn, Officer for Canon C4 and Hon Mark 2 Wiawso (Ghana) - (West Africa): The Rt Rev Abraham Ackah C in training, Hermitage Team Canon of St Edmundsbury Day 339 Nahum 2, Psalm 125, Wednesday 11 December. Psalm 85: 7-13, I Kgs 18: 1-16. and Chap, Down House, to be Cathedral and Member of the Mark 3 Willochra - (South Australia, Australia): Vacant Asst C (known as SSM Assoc P), Diocesan Advisory Committee, Thursday 12 December. Psalm 30: 1-5,11,12, I Kgs 18: 17-29. (Oxford). to retire on 31 January. Winchester - (Canterbury, England): The Rt Rev Tim Dakin; The Rev Kate Tiltman, Continuing as Bishop’s Adviser APPOINTMENTS Winchester – Basingstoke: The Rt Rev Peter Hancock; currently Asst C in the Rial in Pastoral Care and Counselling, Winchester – Southampton: The Rt Rev Jonathan Frost Benefice of Wrexham, to be Bishop’s Officer for Canon C4, a Assoc Priest in the Parishes of member of the Diocesan The Rev Richard Atkins, Ruabon & Rhosymedre (St Advisory Committee and to be Broadcaster and Producer at Church of St Peter and St Paul The Rev Carol Langford, Asaph). Hon Canon Emeritus of St BBC Radio Gloucestershire to be (Sheffield). currently P-iC, Lilliput, is to be The Rev Julie Timings, Edmundsbury Cathedral Ecumenical Canon of Gloucester The Rev Zoe Ferguson, Vicar (Salisbury). to be P-i-c of the Elloe Stone The Rev Canon Anne Horton, Cathedral. Asst C, Trunch Team Ministry, The Rev Brian John Parfitt, Parishes (Lincoln). R of the Benefice of Woodhouse, The Rev Veronica Batchelor, to be Asst C at St Faith’s Local Ministry Officer, to be The Rev Matt Trendall, Woodhouse Eaves and Swithland Assoc C, Forest and Avon, is to Gaywood LEP (Norwich). Half-Time Interim Priest in the C, Redland, to be R, Walton, (Leicester), to retire on 8 be Assoc P (Salisbury). The Rev Alison Finch Benefice of Highnam, Milton Keynes (Oxford). February 2014. The Rev John Adrian Beckett, Town Centre workplace chaplain Lassington, Rudford, Tibberton The Rev Canon David Truby, The Rev Karen Margaret Stipendiary P-i-c of the Benefice and Assoc P, to be TV and Town and Taynton (Gloucester). Continues as RD for a further Kemp, of Sevenhampton with Charlton Centre Missioner, High The Rev Robert Parker- five years until 10th November Asst C of Gloucester Cathedral, Abbots, Hawling and Wycombe Team Ministry McGee, 2018 (Derby). and of the Benefice of Gloucester Whittington, Dowdeswell and (Oxford). Asst C of Gornal and Sedgley The Rev Neil Tyrer, City and Hempsted, to resign on Andoversford with The Shiptons The Rev Canon Kathryn Anne Team Ministry and St Mary’s has stepped down as Pastoral 31 December 2013. and Cold Salperton and Fitzsimons, Hurst Hill (Worcester) has been Care and Counselling Adviser in The Rev Andrew Keith, Withington (Gloucester), to be Urban Ministry Officer (Ripon appointed P-i-c of Geddington the Peterborough diocese. Neil Assoc clergy (house for duty), Stipendiary P-i-c of the Benefice and Leeds), to be P-i-C of Leeds, with Weekley. retains all other responsibilities Chipping Norton (Oxford), to of Torquay, St Matthias in the The Epiphany, Gipton (same The Rev Katherine Picot, and his contact details remain retire. Diocese of Exeter. diocese). Assoc R of St Martin’s Episcopal unchanged. The Rev Canon David Jen- The Rev Michael Vincent The Rev Elizabeth Griffiths, Church, Houston in the Diocese The Rev Canon Peter Varge- nings, Berrett, previously V of Cardiff City of Texas, to be Dir of The son, R of Burbage, cum Aston C in training, Ss Peter and Paul, Parish in the Diocese of Llandaff Harnhill Centre (Gloucester). V of Bursledon, has been Flamville (Leicester), will be Wantage, to be Asst C (known as and Diocesan Dir of Ordinands, The Rev Geoffrey William appointed AD of Eastleigh in retiring with effect from 31 SSM Assoc P), Ss Peter & Paul, has been appointed Team V at St Pugh, addition to his other duties March 2014. Wantage (Oxford). Peter’s, South Ham in the C in training, Ruscombe and (Winchester). The Rev Heinz Toller, The Rev Lyn Elizabeth Bliss, Basingstoke Team Ministry. Twyford with Hurst, to be Asst C The Rev David Vestergaard, V of Wandsworth, S Paul Curate in training, Bradfield and The Rev Stephen Robert Grif- (known as SSM Assoc P), Incumbent of the parish of (Wimbledon Park) and also AD Stanford Dingley and fiths, (Oxford). Wednesfield Heath in the of Wandsworth resigns as AD Bucklebury, to be Asst C (known R, Moresby, to be TR, Bicester The Rev Bruce Rickards, Diocese of Lichfield, to be with effect 8th December 2013, as SSM Assoc P), (Oxford). and Islip (Oxford). part-time Assoc V in the Incumbent of the parish of St continuing as V (Southwark). The Rev Rosemary Bruce, The Rev Susanna Gunner, Wimbledon Team Ministry is to Andrew, Bebington (Chester). The Rev Mark Umpleby, Curate in training, Drayton St Diocesan Maps Project Officer, be licensed as also part-time The Rev Richard John Walk- Chap to David Young Community Peter’s, to be Asst C (known as to be Asst C (NSM) in the North Minister at S John the Baptist in er, Academy in the SSM Assoc P), (Oxford). Walsham benefice (Norwich). the Wimbledon Team Ministry P-i-c of the Benefice of Beverley, and Leeds, has resigned. The Rev Paul Howarth The Rev Christobel Mary on 6th December 2013 (the latter St Nicholas, has been appointed Cawthorne, Kathleen Hargraves, post parish paid from 1st V of the Benefice of Beverley, St LAY & OTHER TV, Wrockwardine Deanery R, Shelswell, to be AD, Bicester November 2013) (Southwark). Nicholas (York). Team, to be TV, Aston and and Islip (Oxford). The Rev Greg Roberts, The Rev Brett Ward, APPOINTMENTS Cuddesdon (Oxford). The Rev David Nicholas Asst C at Ss Peter and Paul V of Eltham, Holy Trinity is to be The Rev Canon Malcolm Head, Kettering has been appointed P-i- commissioned as also AD of Chamberlain, R of Flebbs Benefice c of All Saints Peterborough. Eltham and Mottingham R of St Mary’s Wavertree (Bawdeswell, Bylaugh, Elsing, The Rev Louise Seear, (Southwark). Lay Ministers (Readers) (Liverpool) and AD of Toxteth Foxley, Lyng and Sparham) and presently Asst C in the North The Rev Canon Thomas Admitted and Licensed (London and Wavertree Deanery, to be RD of Sparham, to be R of the Lambeth Team Ministry is to be Woodhouse, Diocese) the next Archdeacon of Sheffield Quintet Benefice (Aylmerton, also Asst part-time Chap to V, Royal Wootton Bassett, is to be Anita Compton, St Anne and Rotherham. Beeston Regis, Gresham and King’s College Hospital NHS Rector of Dorchester. Highgate; Christine Denny, The Rev Helen Julie Charlton, Runton w East Runton) Foundation Trust (Southwark). The Rev David William Christ Church North Finchley; NSM Curate in training, (Norwich). The Rev Nicola Vera Stanley, Wright, Colin Izzard, St Michael and All Wokingham All Saints, to be Asst The Rev Chris Hill, V of All Hallows Twickenham, Team R of Central Angels Mill Hill; Clare Heard, St C (known as SSM Assoc P), Asst C (known as Asst P), (London), to be Canon Precentor Wolverhampton; to also be RD of George the Martyr Campden Hill (Oxford). Warfield (Oxford), to be P-i-C, at Bristol Cathedral. Wolverhampton. with St John the Baptist Holland The Rev Debbie Davison, Ely. The Rev Dr Simon Stocks, Road Asst C in training, All Saints The Rev Tricia Hillas, Hon Asst C of Coulsdon, S John Boyn Hill, to be Asst C in V of St Barnabas in Northolt and the Evangelist is to be Hon Asst RETIREMENTS & RESIGNATIONS training, Wokingham St Paul formerly the Sub-Dean for C of Purley, Christ Church, DEATHS (Oxford). Northolt, Perivale and (Southwark). The Rev Alexander Fauldy, Greenford, to be Canon Pastor of The Rev Jody Stowell, Asst C in the Willington Team St Paul’s Cathedral. C at All Saints, Harrow Weald The Rev Andrew Bowerman, Parish (Newcastle), to be P-i-c at The Rev Paul Hinckley, (London), to be Incumbent of St is resigning from his David Coster, St John’s Wallsend (Newcastle). TV, to be Incumbent, Bradley Michael and All Angels, Harrow appointments as TR, Wareham; Reader at St Olave Woodberry The Rev Keith Farrow, Stoke (Bristol). Weald (London). Ex-Officio Foundation Governor Down (London) has died. V of Hillsborough & Wadsley The Rev Patrick Stewart King, The Rev Mike Talbot, of Stoborough CE VA First Sister Jenny Tee CSF, Bridge Christ Church and Dir of Asst C in training, Dorchester, to Incumbent of Emmanuel, School; Diocesan Synod Clergy died on 21 November 2013 after IME 4-7 (Sheffield), to be Canon be Assoc P, Wokingham St Paul Northwood (London), also now Elected Member for Purbeck living with cancer for the last Missioner of the Cathedral (Oxford). P-i-c of St Joseph the Worker, Deanery (Salisbury). He is to be three years (Leicester).

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%-())!$!&" ("#&*'!)&,&+') Continued from p6 Tel: 020 7222 2018 brothers and sis- ters, and often E-mail: [email protected] appear unwilling to exercise any dis- APPOINTMENTS & SITUATIONS crimination. CLERICAL Homosexuality is VACANT regarded as un- African, because a high mortality rate, until recent times, has meant that pro- creation has been seen as a major good. Tutu, howev- er, is a leader who /11$D5%=2)A%-0 D)@DB074-2+B"2A0>"2 %-0 D)B0-0AB07 D) $0%7D)E&D12) understands that 8%B"07-%$ 2) B"0 )0!B AB%E0A 24 DBA ,2?-)0F D) +DAAD2)9 ("0 )0> ;0%) >D$$ 60 5%$$07 B2 60 the Gospel cuts B"0A1D-DB?%$ %)72-E%)DA%=2)%$$0%70-24%6?AF 5%B"07-%$ >"D5" DA "0$7 D) E-0%B %.05=2) across culture and 6F B"0$25%$52++?)DBF%)7 6F B"052?)BF24<2-B" *2-'A"D-09 has declared that he ("DA %112D)B+0)B 52+0A %A B"0)0> ;D250A0 24 C007A: A0-@D)E#0AB *2-'A"D-0%)7 B"0 cannot worship a ;%$0A: DA 5-0%B079("0 ;0%) >D$$ 0)%6$0 B"0 8%B"07-%$ 8"%1B0- %)7 52++?)DBF B2 70@0$21 homophobic God. B"0D- +D)DAB-F B2 B"0 ;D250A0: B"0 01DA521%$ %-0% 24 &D12) %)7 B"0 8%B"07-%$3A 1%-DA"9 The Most Rev Dr Thabo Makgoba, Anglican Archbish- Further details about this post and the application process are available at www.churchofengland.org/clergy-office-holders/asa/senappt/vacancies op of Cape Town Closing date: 9amon16thDecember 2013. Interviews will be held on 27th -28thJanuary 2014. and Metropolitan of South Africa, is another enlight- COMMUNION ened African 89?56#6 ?7 #?&+;%/*B WINES prelate. He says to ,"> I\R"P' PW XPU+"-0!Z -\+" +"> I\R"P' PW ?PPV-\)" all Christians “Don’t 06E +"> X'>)\0V IP0!E PW <0+!P60J> fear. You have been -\R" +P 0''P\6+ 0 given this task of helping the rest of +0)- *02@1. humanity to realise WP! that we are called to +!0 *)=0,>31<.,0 +0)- respect and we are called to honour ?> 0!>06>+"6\)0VVK 06E RP)\0VVK E\/>!R> P'>6 >/06J>V\)0V each other”. He '0!\R" \6 \66>! XPU+" ]0R+ OP6EP6C '0!+ PW 0 +>08 8\6\R+!KC says: “When you -"\)" \6)VUE>R 0 +>08 /\)0!C0+!0\6\6J )U!0+>C 06E 6P6N violate someone on R$'>6E\0!K'!\>R+RC 0R ->VV 0R V0K8\6\R+>!R= the basis of differ- ence, you’re not ?> 0!>VPPZ\6J WP!@ HOLIDAYS N 0 '>!RP6 PW '!0K>!C J!PU6E>E \6 +"> H"!\R$06 W0\+" only violating them N 0 )"0VV>6J\6JC \6R'\!0$P60V '!>0)">! 06E +>0)">! but you are #+.)$-",%$.'( &!-',*'. N RP8>P6> -\VV\6J +P -P!Z -\+" )P6J!>J0$P6R PW -\E>VK demeaning your- J!&6((= >!=46(7 &9<> 069A6&<9* <= self.” He declares: E\S>!>6+ -P!R"\' +!0E\$P6R 82<=C 0(,<=* F<<9 7;A,!<47 7(L&D N 06 >L'>!\>6)>E +>08 V>0E>!C \6 +"> )"U!)" 06E 8P!> -\E>VK “God has not called ,<=6A!=(* A;A96>(=6C 0L((;7 +B)C us to judge but to N '!P/>6 0E8\6\R+!0$/> 06E 8060J>8>6+ RZ\VVR /7( <& 5!=(>A 1<<> A=* LA9%( radiate his love.” ;9!2A6( %A9*(=C G*(AL &<9 6<49!=% &P>R +"\R RPU6E V\Z> KPU# ?\+" :PE9R ">V'C 0VV +"\6JR 0!> 5<67K( 6(9C 8L7< 7#<96 ?9(AM7C 3!7,<4=6 &<9 Moreton-in-Marsh. XP \W KPU -PUVE V\Z> +"> )"0VV>6J> PW \6R'\!\6JC 8P$/0$6J 06E 5L(9%I A=* 5#49,# K<9M(97C @-"ON Glos. R$!!\6JUR+PV\/>U'+PPU! >L'>)+0$P6RC 'V>0R> R>6E WP!PU! "$'$'@ <9 >97(*A2(I:%>A!LC,<> '0!\R" '!PDV> 06E 0''V\)0$P6 WP!8= A hard ruling Interestingly, the NHS is calling peo- APPEAL Sir, It is indeed hard that Peter and Hazel- ple to be “Christian” and help elderly G!R .>66\ Y>-\AC <% +P +"> %!)"E>0)P6 PW O>-\R"08 F mary Bull, who refused a room in their neighbours. It seems society calls peo- :!>>6-\)"C ,!\6\+K YPUR>C 1 H"0'>V HPU!+C IP!PUJ" Y\J" #0//1-$ ($++-)& $( guest house to a gay couple, have just lost ple to obey God’s teaching only when it X+!>>+C OP6EP6= X]5 5Y? 0. (".%0.! &20( +*+") their appeal to the Supreme Court and meets their secular agenda. This cannot 747 QM2M M152 3 [>66\=">-\ABRPU+"-0!Z=06JV\)06=P!J &- +)0(-.'2*+/*0.(, now have to sell the property to meet be right or the intention of the Equality .4 L?*"K''OK'7'<) *;:!'7;%6"!7 HVPR\6J &0+>@ 7.A4)C " :),<).C $('D <'K7:?:'8 6; 28!7;< 5"?:M?!<7B their legal costs. What is going to be even legislation. I wonder what the Queen, as T6+>!/\>-R@ ;!\E0K 25R+ .06U0!K 4751 K"; #8'?6MG ?::8'*!?6'"?3!<# harder is the prospect that many Chris- the Defender of The Faith, has to say on 74!6?>M' M!6'8?648' 6; "?<) ;46B tian hotels, hostels, conference facilities, this matter. - 02/"0&2+/51$ #6%26+') (1"8"629 ,'+51) 49.0 *211') 7"0/ >'*?47' :8!7;<'87 "?3' 6; retreat centres and monastic guest hous- J Longstaff, (%'+! )"0+950.1' "0 1'3."1') &51 /%"0 450/ 7:'<) 7; =4*" 6!=' !< 6"'!8 *'MM7@ -' "?3' ?MK?G7 >''< #M?) 6; es may now decide they have to close Woodford Green ); 6"!7B >46 6"' :;76?#' *;767 their doors to the public rather than suffer "?3' '7*?M?6') ;3'8 6"' G'?87B the same ostracism and fate as the Bulls. ?<) K' <'') "'M: 6; *;<6!' =;76 #8?6'%4M %;8 Christmas cards and Advent Calendars );46!;' 7'<6 Sir, Today’s ruling by the Supreme Court Nativity scene on. Manufacturers only (< 790. 5" 6;N ."' L)!6;8B ."' 5"48*" ;% L<#M?<) against Mr and Mrs Bull is a sad day for produce what people will buy - so if we 9)3':7 4'<7D 6OID ,& M:'B7 6=PP'$' E'K7:?:'8B our society and is evidence of blatant dis- don’t buy Christian products they won’t /7:''7D K=>)=> /.,2 (0- +& H8'?6 5;MM'#' /68''6B crimination against Christian people who be manufactured any more. F;<);< /-+2 (0, D*"'94'7 :?G?>M' 6; )-1!(!%+1 , actually live by the teachings of the Bible. It would also be a witness if Christians !"!-'* 0.(#11!"#.%# /($C@ The humanly drafted Equality legislation put a Nativity stable scene in our front (< 4)*-+ 5" seemingly has greater authority than the window. This would be a quiet but visi- B)8;+#5:+#>'N8$P' JI#' :*05 #%(8I"H DH '8D%E8D%K" 8E BC;F8' AKJKIK%$K 2D6I8I&- gions and often absent from secular several Christian groups could share a +=P5?> +'>7!?'7:' HE3B7 !% B<4/ thinking, so it is interesting that politi- stand at similar exhibitions in future to )7) ,.05 5,.. cians and judges use this concept to show people the reason for Christmas. 35 'D%CEKH (8;= JI#' G8IH#%H deny Christian people the right to live A Wills, 4'B)P!>'Q *)BL ?IKK%

Maranatha, Come Lord done in love.’ (1 Cor Jesus. These are almost the SPIRITUAL 16:13) He could say this last words in the Bible and because his readers knew Paul ended his first letter that God had come in SUNDAY SERVICE to the Corinthian church Jesus, they had met him with them (Rev 22:20; 1 in their hearts and looked 3rd Sunday of Advent (Sunday 15 December)

THE DIRECTOR Cor 16: 22) forward to seeing him Isaiah 35:1-10 face to face. James 5:7-10 Advent focuses on the By the Rev Dr Liz Hoare Rev 22:20 follows a Matthew 11:2-11 coming of God to the promise by Jesus himself world. But how do we taken any notice of what sions, our lifestyle choic- saying ‘Surely I am com- Our readings this week teach us that when the Lord make sense of this in the Jesus himself had to say es, our planning for the ing soon.’ In fact the comes, there will be joy for those who have waited light of other core beliefs about it. Setting detailed future, the way we regard whole context of the end patiently. of the Christian faith? The timetables and outlines of the world and everything of the book of Revelation To those who cannot see a way out of their current whole world is God’s and what will happen is pre- and everyone in it. The helps us to dig more impasse, Isaiah declares that a time of gladness, rejoic- there is nowhere that he sumptuous in the light of early Christians lived with deeply into this heart-cry ing, and singing is approaching. But these things are is not. How can he come verses such as Mk 13:32. acute expectation of for the coming of God to not to be found in the worldly security we often crave. to the world he himself The opposite extreme, God’s coming and it his world. Jesus refers to Indeed, the next few chapters of the prophecy describe has made and knows inti- however, which is to shaped their identity in himself as the bright how all such props will be removed, and when every- mately every square cen- ignore all references to the world. They longed morning star, something thing is taken away only the Lord and his word can be timetre of it? And surely the Second Coming isn’t a for it in a way that perse- that sentinels on night relied upon. His grace is experienced in the midst of he has already come? wise move either as Scrip- cuted Christians today watch look out for as it judgment and loss, not instead of it. Isn’t that what we are cel- ture is full of expectation might be best placed to heralds the dawn and the But the fearful shall see the glory of the Lord, says ebrating at Christmas? that this is going to hap- understand. Close to the coming of the light. Isaiah, who comes to judge his enemies and save his The Incarnation is all pen. One of the things end of his Corinthian let- Everything in creation people. The consequences are that the blind shall see, about the Word made Advent challenges us to ter Paul gave some final that loves the Lord stands the deaf shall hear, and lame shall walk and the mute flesh who came to dwell do is to think about what instructions for people on tiptoe with yearning: shall sing. Even the creation shall be restored to what it among us. He has come we believe about Jesus’ who are waiting with everyone who hears, once was, and ought to be: well-watered, without car- and yet he will come promise to come again. longing and expectation everyone who is thirsty, nivorous animals to threaten our peace. And God’s peo- again. Christians have got Indeed do we regard it as for the coming of the everyone in need of the ple will dwell in God’s place and live under God’s holy into many muddles over a promise or a threat? Lord Jesus: ‘Keep alert, water of life. (Rev 22:17). rule. This is a marvellous picture of a renewed creation, the Second Coming, And how do we live in the stand firm in your faith, Together in longing and a snapshot of which was given to the people of first cen- sometimes for the simple light of what we believe? be courageous, be strong. expectation the Spirit and tury Israel when the Lord walked amongst them. reason that they have not It will affect our deci- Let all that you do be the bride say ‘Come.’ John the Baptist was not certain, it seemed, of whether Jesus was truly the Messiah. So he sent his friends to ask Jesus directly. And Jesus answered in terms of Isaiah’s prophecy: the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk and the mute sing. If that was so, then logically Jesus must be the Lord of Isaiah 35, “Here is Can You Believe It? your God” (Isaiah 35:4) who has come to judge and to save. But Jesus goes one step further. He exalts John, and By Alan Edwards expertise gets the CofE a bumper subsidy payment identifies him as the Messenger of Malachi 3:1, the from the government. The PM discontinues the wind greatest prophet of the Old Testament era. But if that is It was quite a struggle for me to persuade Old farm programme. Its electrical output is replaced by so, who comes next? To whom was John pointing? Moore to compile his Anglimac for 2014, as any hot air generated by The General Synod - sufficient to Whose way was he preparing? By identifying John as folly he forecasts in the year ahead is bound to heat every home in Britain for the next century. that Messenger, Jesus was implying that he himself was be overtaken by an even larger ecclesiastical August Galvanised by the Bishop of Gloucester’s the divine messiah. lunacy. apology on its behalf to the LGBT community, the In the context, this was a warning, not to take offence However, a couple of pints of Kentish ale in one of Church of England decides that the 100th anniversary at Jesus and the difficult things he was teaching and our local pubs made Old Moore change his mind. of the outbreak of World War I should be the occasion doing. Just as we must take care not just to rejoice in January Pope Francis announces that on his 2014 for a further Anglican apology. his coming, but to walk in what Isaiah called the Way of tour of Britain he is anxious to appear on ‘Celebrity Accordingly it apologises to Germany for Britain Holiness, the way also of the cross. Big Brother’, provided it’s re-named ‘Nonentity Big having invaded Belgium, thereby provoking Kaiser James therefore tells us to be patient until the Lord Brother’, reflecting his well publicised desire for Wilhelm, a well-known pacifist, to go to war. comes again. His coming is near, and what a fruitful, humility. Hope you’ve pencilled in September Lady Gaga replaces joyful time it will be. Yet in the time we have before us, the tour date. It was given in April Missed Katherine Jefferts Schori as leader prior to his arrival in glory to bring the new creation to 1st’s issue of ‘CEN.’ opportunity: of ECUSA. Bishop Nick Baines its full consummation, we must act in a certain way. February Having missed out on Pippa tweets his many followers explain- James says, “Do not grumble against one another” becoming Duchess of , Middleton ing that ‘Ga-ga’ is not the name of a because that would only lead to the Last Day being one Pippa Middleton is now the bookies’ ECUSA diocese. WATCH acts as of sorrow for us, of judgment rather than joy. James favourite to be next Archbishop of cheerleader when Katherine enters tells us to set before us, as a model of patience, the Canterbury. ‘I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of prophets of old who spoke God’s word. March The Liturgical Commis- Here.’ Men like Isaiah, who were warned beforehand that sion takes over the HS2 project, October The Bishops of the people may not listen to them, that their hearts would arguing that a line that’s going Church in Wales announce the be hard and their ears clogged up, but who preached nowhere has been its speciality for Code of Practice that will be grant- and proclaimed the word they were given, trusting in years. ed to traditionalists unable to God to do his work through it. He knew he was April Justin Welby is delighted accept the ministry of women bish- announcing judgment, but also hoped for salvation. when Alan Edwards gives him a ops. What courage and patience he must have needed! So as clapped-out Corsa. Driving such a vehicle will enable The Code has the reference number P45, one of our collect this week says, “give us courage to speak the Archbishop to have a vehicle to equal Francis’s which will be handed to every member of Credo the truth, to hunger for justice, and to suffer for the rusty Renault and would be a mark of being a ‘people’s Cymru and other traditionalists. cause of right, with Jesus Christ our Lord”. pontiff.’ November The Church of England heeds the Arch- May On May Day Giles ‘Gaffer’ Fraser announces bishop’s advice that it should keep up with the world Lee Gatiss is Director of Church Society and Editor of the that he’s going to add leadership of the Labour Party as it now is. With China set to overtake the USA as the NIV Proclamation Bible to his portfolio of part-time jobs. That’s until John world super-power, the Church decides to replace the Humphrys retires as Chief Presenter of the ‘Today’ liturgical year with Chinese Years. The change starts programme. next year, which will be known as the Year of The June As she dances around the barbecue in the vic- Jackass in tribute to the work of the compilers of the HYMN SUGGESTIONS arage garden, Revd Holly Berry, chair of The General ASB and Common Worship. Synod’s ‘Go Green Group’, explains why she cele- December Pressure for sex equality on company brates Christmas on Mid-Summer Day. ‘It saves wast- executives forces the Bishops to demand that church ing energy on electric Christmas Tree lights. It’s also congregations must also have equal numbers of male Be bold, be strong a link with pagans, as a recent CofE initiative urged. and female worshippers, or close down. This quota Jesus, the name high over all Furthermore it’s...’ system is endorsed by Harriet Harperson and O for a thousand tongues to sing She and her parishioners flee to the Church Hall as WATCH. Wait for the Lord the summer snowstorm grew heavier. The Church of England ceases trading on Decem- We have a gospel to proclaim July The Archbishop of Canterbury’s business ber 31st.

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper www.churchnewspaper.com Friday December 6, 2013 Books 15 Exploring the theological implications of the Sacraments

Why Sacraments? book afforded. criticised by Paul VI. Andrew Davison Davison begins with the question that forms the title Davison wears a deep knowledge of modern Catholic SPCK, pb, £12.99 of his book. Much of what he has to say in answer to it theology lightly. There is an excellent summary of the will come as no surprise. Sacraments fit with the work of Henri de Lubac and his important book ‘Cor- So far as I am aware incarnation and the sacramentality of the life of Christ pus Mysticum’ in which he pointed to the dangers of this is the first general but in the course of his discussion Davison makes thinking of the host as the body of Christ rather than Anglican survey of some important points. He challenges a sharp distinc- the church. For de Lubac recognising the Church as sacramental theology tion between the spiritual and the material, citing the body of Christ has political consequences. A drift since John Macquarrie Friedrich Schelling and Connor Cunningham in his towards a spirituality of ‘inner piety’ meant the published ‘A Guide to support. Zizek’s judgement that ‘Evil is more spiritual Catholic Church was ill-equipped to resist the Vichy the Sacraments’ in than Good’ is quoted and the idea of pan-sacramental- regime. The idea that the Eucharist makes the 1997. Andrew Davi- ity is challenged. The sacraments not only enable us Church became extremely important in 20th century son’s book had its ori- to see God in all things; they link this vision to judge- theology. gins in lectures given ment, redemption and transformation. Davison devotes a chapter to every sacrament. Partic- to students at St Important topics in sacramental theology are dis- ularly welcome is what he has to say in defence of Stephen’s House and cussed with exceptional clarity. The idea of sacramen- confirmation that came to be known in late 20th cen- Westcott House so it tal character is explained by use of both the Greek tury Anglicanism as ‘a sacrament in search of a role’. has a little of the feel of ‘karaktes’, meaning a stamp or tool and the mark it The objection that if we receive the Holy Spirit in bap- a text book but this leaves embossed in wax on a document, and the Eng- tism we cannot receive it again in confirmation is should not put readers lish word ‘character’. Sacraments change us; they rightly dismissed. The fact that we receive the Spirit off. This is an attrac- conform us to Christ at the deepest level of our being in baptism does not prevent the Spirit coming to us tively written work and this should be shown in our behaviour and the later with new work to do within us and new gifts to that will be of interest way we lead our lives. bestow. “Baptism opens the way for many visitations to clergy and laity who ‘Transubstantiation’ is a favoured topic in sacramental of the Holy Spirit as Pentecostal Christians are quick want to know more about the central rites of the theology. Most Anglicans tend to dismiss it as a relic to stress,” Davison comments. The Holy Spirit is at Christian church. of Aristotelian philosophy that is best avoided but work in every sacrament, not just baptism. Like Macquarrie, Davison writes from a Catholic per- Davison sees value in the concept which points to the There is much to praise in this book. As well as clari- spective although unlike Macquarrie he does not hes- difference between what something is (its substance) ty, it is very balanced in its conclusions. I particularly itate to refer to female priests. Evangelical readers and how it appears (its accidents). God communicates liked the discussion of ‘instrumental causation’ in should note that there is a foreword by Stephen Fos- his presence to us according to the means in which relation to orders. Priests do not have power to act ter of Ridley Hall and that Davison read the book we can take it. In the Eucharist he communicates the separately from God; it is God who acts through their through chapter by chapter with a group of Ridley body and blood of Christ veiled under the accidents of ministry but it is important to remember he chooses ordinands. There were some subjects, such as the bread and wine. It is interesting that Davison makes to act through human beings. In sacraments we do actual number of sacraments, on which Davison and no attempt to discuss the theory of ‘transignification’, more than just provide and occasion on which God the students could not agree but both sides testify to popular among Catholic theologians just after Vatican acts. the value of the discussions and the stimulation the II, which appealed to a number of Anglicans but was Paul Richardson

PRIZE CROSSWORD No. 877 by Axe like firmly embedded -----' [Eccles/NIV] 5Biblical people of land east of the Jor- (5) dan, capital Rabbah [Deut; Josh; 2 Sam] 13 'You care for the land and water it; you - (9) ----- it abundantly' [Ps/NIV] (6) 6Place where the Israelites defeated 14 Greek goddess of wisdom (6) Og's army [Num; Deut] (5) 17 One of the recipients of a letter from 7Body of water south of the rift valley of Paul (5) Arabah [Deut] (4,3) 19 Parts of the NT, the name for which is 11 Rising of the body of Jesus into heaven derived from the Old English for 'good on the 40th day after his Resurrection news' (7) (9) 21 Hebrew word meaning 'nation', having 13 Spring in the Kidron Valley [1 Kgs] (2- a not-so-embracing connotation in the 5) Bible (7) 15 Third son of Aaron [Num] (7) 22 Former Egyptian Canaanite town, on 16 'He ------to pay them a denarius for the the road from Joppa to Jerusalem [Josh; day...' [Matt/NIV] (6) 1 Kgs] (5) 18 'For the love of ----- is a root of all kinds 23 'Then [Elisha] got on the bed and --- -- of evil' [1 Tim/NIV] (5) the [dead] boy... [who] sneezed seven 20 Earliest Matriarch [Gen] (5) times and opened his eyes' [2 22 'In the course of time, there was anoth- Kgs/NIV] (3,2) er battle with the Philistines, at ---' [2 24 Judge and prophetess who fought the Sam/NIV] (3) Canaanites [Judg] (7) Down Solution to last week’s crossword

1Memorial of a saint held in reverence Across: 7 Beth Shan, 8 Amen, 9 Whales, 10 Eshcol, by the RC Church (5) 11 Napthali, 14 Moab, 15 Laws, 16 St Ninian, 18 2'As for Titus he is my ------and co-work- Kohath, 20 Anthem, 22 Kirk, 23 Shadrach. er among you' [2 Cor/NIV] (7) 3'Stop drinking only water, and --- a little Down: 1 Seth, 2 Philetus, 3 The sea, 4 Engedi, 5 wine...' [1 Tim/NIV] (3) Gath, 6 Jehoiada, 12 Anatolia, 13 Lot, 14 Minsters, 4Oldest Christian feast (6) 16 Schism, 17 Naaman, 19 Akko, 21 Each.

Across upstairs, all furnished' The first correct entry drawn will win a book of the Editor’s choice. Send your entry to [Luke/NIV] (5) Crossword Number 877, The Church of England Newspaper, 1The ------: event when Christian 9Capital of the Northern King- 14 Great College Street, Westminster, London, SW1P 3RX by next Friday believers are transported from dom of Israel [1&2 Kgs; Isa; the Earth before Christ's sec- Luke; John; Acts] (7) Name ond coming (7) 10 Queen of Ethiopia whose 5'Then inquired he of them the eunuch Philip baptized [Acts] Address hour when he began to -----' (7) [John/KJV] (5) 12 'The words of the wise are like Post Code 8'He will show you a ----- room goads, their collected sayings

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper Welcome back! College Street has been pretty quiet recently. Missed us? Well fear not, because we are back and we aren’t going anywhere. From now on, you will find us here every week, talking about new releases, the hottest trends and issues that matter to you. While Christmas is a time of peace, joy and love, the build-up can be anything but those things. But follow our Advent agenda and make the most of December. Have fun! As ever, I would love to hear from you. Drop me an email on [email protected] or tweet me @AmarisColeCEN.

1 – Light a candle. Market. From a new release like Frozen or Go to church to see the first candle If there is anything more festive an old favourite like The Muppets of the Advent wreath lit, and do the than a Christmas Market, we have Christmas Carol, have a chilled same at home to enjoy while you eat never heard of it. Large towns night in front of the TV. Ingredients: lunch. across the country have dedicated film, friends, food and fun. 2 – Stay away from the web. streets to stalls of roasted chestnuts, 14 – Get your skates on. Today is set to be the busiest day for handmade gits and sugary treats. Whether you’re the next Torville online shopping. Avoid the e-crush Get involved. and Dean or more like Bambi, head and keep it old fashioned by 8 – Candle countdown. to an ice rink today and try your heading to the High Street. Time to light the second candle on best to stay upright. Guaranteed to 3 – Back to basics. the Advent wreath. get you in the festive mood. Read Matthew 1:18-25 to remember 9 – Embrace the knitwear. 15 – Light the lights how it all began. A Christmas jumper never hurt Third candle of the wreath lit. Not 4 – Write your list to Santa. anyone. Well, not that we know of... long to go now! And anyone else who fancies This year boasts an impressive 16 – Jesus’ birth foretold. making your dreams come true on array of jovial jumpers, so get yours The amazing story of how Mary the 25th. Christmas lists aren’t only today. learnt she was to give birth to Jesus for children, unless you fancy 10 – Be wise. can be found at Luke 1:26-38. another year of socks... Read Matthew 2:1-12 for the story 17 –18 – Be nice. 5 – Get thrifty. on the Wise men’s journey to find There’s nothing nicer than being Make gifts for your nearest and Jesus. nicer, and no nicer time to be nice dearest this year and save a fortune: 11 – Look at the lights. than Christmas. Send a Christmas 21 – Avoid the shops at all bake Christmas cookies for London’s Oxford Street, Blackpool’s card to someone lonely or donate to costs. classmates, rip your pal’s favourite illuminations or your local High a food bank struggling through Busiest shopping day of the year. songs onto a CD and decorate the Street’s attempt at making the place winter. Enough said. Expect chaos and case or go all Blue Peter and make look ‘jolly’. 19 – Drink panic-buying of weird gifts and more something amazing. With Google Wrap up warm Christmas. food than will ever be eaten. and some glue, the possibilities and check out Okay, so you can’t 22 – Back a winning horse. are endless. the lights in ACTUALLY drink If you live near London, head to 6 – See a your area. Christmas, but visit a Greenwich for the annual Panto Pantomime. 12 – Do a coffee shop and have Horse Race. Yes, really. Running in Think you’re too little a swig of the next aid of Demelza Hospice Care for old for the decorating. best thing. From Children, the ‘horses’ gallop off at silliness of An Australian Gingerbread Lattes 11am. Giddy up! a panto? Oh family sets the to Peppermint Hot 23 – A baby is (nearly) born. no you Guinness World chocolates, indulge The big day is nearly here. aren’t! Record for in a tasty treat. Remember what it is really about: (Sorry). having the most 20 – Don’t miss Luke 2:1-20. 7 – Mosey Christmas the boat. 24 – Christmas carols. around a lights on their Or rather, the last From the angelic choir at cathedrals Christmas home, a staggering 502,165. Can post. Make sure all your cards go in to the family carol service at your you beat them? Give it a go, (and the post today to make sure they Church, if you’ve managed to get to send us a picture). reached your friends and family Christmas Eve without getting in 13 – Watch a festive film. before the big day. the mood, this should do the trick.

FREE CEN ONLINE FOR ALL STUDENTS! Email your course details to [email protected] Changing times for church music: setting new courses by Rosemary Field, use skills to make the right choices, is crucial. for youngsters and adults during the summer holidays, Deputy Director, Royal School of Church Music Since its inception in 1927 in response to a report on and these continue to be central to its Voice for Life the poor state of church music across Britain, the training scheme. The Cathedral Courses for young It’s an obvious (but oft forgotten fact) that no two RSCM has been fully aware that a state of change is singers will now, however, offer more diverse churches and their communities are the same. And nothing new! And it has endeavoured to respond to a opportunities including some outreach events and the that goes for church music too: an ancient parish changing environment while continuing to maintain chance to try the organ and other instruments. At the church might well rock regularly to worship songs, the best of our rich musical heritage and encourage heart of these courses and the popular Singing Course while the modern-looking edifice nearby actually the highest standards achievable to adorn worship. for Young People in Bath is mainstream choral boasts a robed choir and congregation singing well- In response to increasing requests, the RSCM repertoire, chosen from an eclectic range of period and known hymns accompanied by a pipe organ. programme for 2014 includes a brand new course for nationality. Elsewhere, some places have little or even no music instrumental group leaders. This will equip them with A short, intensive course for church organists at at all, an issue the Royal School of Church Music the necessary skills and resources to choose and about Grade 5-7 will run twice in 2014 majoring on the (RSCM) is seeking to address in its programme of arrange music, and to lead their players – there will skills for accompanying worship, while a new pilot 2014 Courses; more on this anon. even be a small ensemble present to act as “guinea scheme locally will offer regular tuition to those of Elsewhere, social changes may mean that on Sunday pigs”. more elementary level – particularly good for pianists mornings the musical personnel available may range But what is the RSCM doing for the many churches learning the organ for the first time. from a full choir one week, to three singers, keyboard, without any musical leadership at all? These churches All these courses run alongside the RSCM’s on- violin and trombone the next – all with very different needn’t be a silent zone! A new one-day course for going study programmes and year-round activities levels of musical proficiency! worship leaders, lay or ordained, will explore simple, organised by its volunteers across Britain. The So how does a church that wishes to provide achievable music that can be sung by a congregation RSCM’s choirs, including a new Residentiary Choir meaningful, relevant and achievable music to without accompaniment. There will also be advice on which will sing at a cathedral for a week each summer, complement its worship respond to these changing choosing appropriate material for the church’s continue to uphold the highest possible standards and demands? seasons, and some resources and recordings to take give opportunities for singers at parish level to The watchword here is “flexibility”. The ability to away. broaden their experience and improve their skills make the best of the resources that are available, and For many years the RSCM has run singing courses under expert direction.

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