THE ORIGINAL CHURCH NEWSPAPER. ESTABLISHED IN 1828 Maurice Sinclair: THE Je suis CHURCH Chrétien, OF P7 Newspaper A Peruvian miracle, NOW AVAILABLE ON  NEWSSTAND FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015 No: 6264 P9

Libby Lane trends on Twitter History is made in Elizabeth Dias @elizabethjdias Pope Francis: “Why is it mainly women, who pass on the faith? Simply because the one who brought us Jesus is a woman.” York Sally Hitchiner @SallyHitchiner Now all the man gather HISTORY was made in a service on to lay hands on and confer their Monday at York Minste r, when the authority that she should be Rev was consecrated as made a the , the first female Bishop in the Church of Eng- Peter Ould @PeterOuld land. Do we know who it was who More than 100 Bishops from the protested? Even for those of us attended the serv- unsure about today that was ice, presided over by the petty and pointless. of York, Dr . The service went smoothly, apart John Bingham from the inter ruption of a lone, male @John_Bingham vicar who cried out “No, not in the Congregation asked: is it your Bible”, in response to Archbishop Sen- will that she be ordained? One tamu’s call of assent. man walks to front and says it is In a statement shortly after being not his will consecrated, Bishop Libby said: “Many of those who have been in Samantha Winney touch have little or no contact with the @sam471 Church of England; not all have been Didn’t think i was going to be people of faith, but every one of them that emotional. But I’m has felt this moment marks something shedding a tear or three at that important. second affirmation of “That all this personal - and media - #BishopLibby attention has centred on me has been a little overwhelming: I cannot possi- Janet Royall @LabourRoyall bly live up to everyone’s expectation. BBC News - Libby Lane: First And so today, at my consecration, I female bishop to be hold on to words of promise from the consecrated bbc.in/1C4izry Bible, a reassurance that all this does great day @c_of_e. women of not depend on me … ‘the God who all faiths + none celebrate calls you is faithful: he will do it’ (1 Thessalonians 5:24). She added: “My consecration serv- ice is not really about me. With echoes of practice which has been in place for hundreds of years in the church, it is a reminder that what I am about to embark on is shared by the bishops around me, by those who have gone before me and those who will come after. It places the ministry of a bishop in the context of the ministry of all God’s people. “And most importantly it retells the good news of Jesus, the faithful one, who calls each of us to follow him.”

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THEDIARY THE of Birmingham Birmingham Cathedral will celebrate its 300th anniversary this Send your events to year with over 1,000 events to be held at St Philip’s Cathedral. [email protected] Events are set to include works performed by the Cathedral or Tweet @churchnewspaper CHURCHIN choir, a specially commissioned film and ‘The Promenade Passion Play’. The Very Rev Catherine Ogle, , said: 31 January “2015 is a year of both great challenge and celebration for the city of Birmingham. Our 300th celebrations form a significant ENGLAND and unique part of the rich and diverse cultural life of the city 9.15am Combating Loneli- and we are thrilled with the positive response to our ness conference, programme. “ Hereford Shirehall, £35. 7.30pm Cockermouth Har- monic Society at Christ Church, Cock- Diocese of Diocese of ermouth Lichfield Diocese Holocaust Memorial Day was released a new guidebook celebrated at on 1 February last week, telling the story Tuesday, featuring readings from of the Cathedral and The several faith traditions and prayers for Close. world peace. 3pm Festival Evensong for The book co-written by The , Dr , Candlemas, Mrs Patricia Scaife, a said: “After the violence in Paris, the Cathedral. volunteer Guide and demonstrations in Germany, and the 3.15pm Grammy-award win- conflict in so many quarters of the ning musician David historian, and the Rev world, these services represent a Hill gives organ Diocese of Dr Anthony chance for people of all faiths and none recital, St Michael’s, Moore, Vice-Dean of in this city to show solidarity and a Stanwix. Tickets from revealed the design of Litchfield Cathedral, sense of common purpose. We have a £12.50, call 01228 the new seat of the explores the Cathedral’s chance here to make a beacon city, a 522036 Bishop last week, as part history and architecture. shining example of cohesion in a of the Cathedral’s £2.5 bitterly divided world”. 3 February million re-ordering process, ahead of the reburial of King Richard Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales 6.30pm Open Lecture: III. Bradford primary schools have been selected to pilot the Church of Chaucer and other The Rt Rev Tim England LifeSaver schools savings club project. medieval authors. By Stevens, the Bishop of Richard Noake, Director of Education for the Diocese of West Peter Brown, Univer- Leicester said: “The Yorkshire and the Dales said: “The LifeSavers project is a sity of . At Can- symbolises the fantastically conceived programme. I am genuinely excited by the terbury Cathedral. Bishop’s role as chief approach as it firmly roots children’s learning in practical Free. teacher of the Christian experience; for children to have the opportunity to learn about how faith and as the one who to effectively manage money so as to benefit self and others could 12noon Souper Lunch gathers the community be transformational.” Launch, Burrswood for worship and Orangery, Tunbridge celebration. Wells, Kent. To book “This new Cathedra Diocese of call: 01892 865985 speaks powerfully of the The , the Rt The The office of the Bishop with Rev , has written a Rt Rev and the 7pm Christian Political a long tradition behind it prayer as part of The Week of Prayer Footprints Theatre Engagement – A con- but also as having a for Christian Unity. Company, will stage a versation with The Rt contemporary task in The Prayer of Christian Unity series of mini ‘soap dramas’ Hon Frank Field MP. presenting the Gospel of reads: at Minster to Truro Cathedral, tick- Jesus Christ in today’s explore themes such as ets are £5 on the door. world.” Money, Food and Image. Chaired by The Very Gracious God, The Events, named ‘The Rev Roger Bush, you created this world and filled Gap’, will also feature Dean of Truro. it with such beauty and diversity, guests from and you call your Church to be a Area Churches Youth 7 January place of reconciliation and unity. Ministry among others. We pray for your Church in its Bishop Paul said: “The many local expressions; Gap is great fun. A live 7pm Rock Mass, Wake- we pray for Street Pastors and ‘soap’ with laughs; music field Cathedral, all for Food Banks, Credit Unions and a chance for anyone to welcome. and the many other put their own question to 7.30pm Life on the West The Diocese of demonstrations of church unity; me and my guests. Bank, talk by Lindsey The Canterbury Knitting circle and 10- strengthen us to work together to Exploring some big Sharpe, Bristol’s St year-old Francesca Towers from share the good news of Jesus questions in a topical and Mary Redcliffe Boughton have knitted over 100 hats to Christ contemporary way allows Church. raise money for Age UK and The Big Knit in word and in deed, people to understand and campaign. for we ask this in the name of immerse themselves in the 8 February Dr Neil Brown, Chief Officer, Age UK our one Lord and Saviour good news in a way that Canterbury said: “The dedication shown Jesus Christ. brings it to life. I’m really by Francesca was truly inspirational. It Amen looking forward to it.” 4pm Keswick Choral Soci- was a great pleasure to thank Francesca ety at St Patrick’s, personally and members of the Patterdale, Choral Cathedral’s Knitting Circle for their Evensong commitment in producing so many Diocese of Southwell and wonderful knitted hats for the Big Knit Churches in Eastwood, Gresley and Brinsley held a ‘pulpit 9 February campaign. exchange’ last week, whereby visit and hold services in “The Big Knit is a joint campaign their neighbouring churches. between Age UK and Innocent drinks to , the Rev Anna Alls says: “The week of Christian unity 7.30pm The Filling Station help vulnerable older people. Every bottle sold generates a 25p is a good time to put into practice our attempts to work with Martin Caven- donation from Innocent to support Age UK’s Spread the Warmth together. der, Aspire, Trinity campaign, helping older people during the cold winter months”. Buildings, Ryde

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NEWS INBRIEF Women clergy unconvinced over

Questions raised over BBC changes Archbishop’s statement The Bishop of Leeds has raised questions over a restructuring of the BBC ARCHBISHOP Sentamu’s efforts to dis- cese explained how the Archbishop’s the now Bishop of Stockport, Canon commissioning process. One of the posts to tance himself from suggestions that his decision has revealed that the Church’s Harper told us: “The service went well, go is currently filled by Aaqil Ahmed, who decision to not lay hands on the Rev vision of equality is still very far away, it was amazing. combines being head of Religion & Ethics at his consecration as despite appearances. “There was a resounding ‘yes’ when with being Commissioning Editor are not for reasons of Canon Harper told The Church of Eng- Archbishop John asked the question a Television. taint have failed to convince female cler- land Newspaper: “Libby Lane’s conse- second time after the ungracious inter- It was announced this week that the post gy. cration is wonderful. The faith and ruption. It was a timely reminder that would be replaced by a new Head of Dr Sentamu’s decision has been commitment of so many people that has the overwhelming will of the Church science, business, history and religion explained in light of the five guiding taken us to this point deserves to be cel- and of the country is that this is good (specialist factual). Other commissioning principles on orders of ministry, agreed ebrated. However, only the Church of and right.” roles will change with six commissioning by the General Synod. England could manage to snatch defeat She added: “It seems to me that heads in place of eight-and-a-half currently. Last week he issued a statement that out of the jaws of success. despite most people working hard to The Rt Rev Nick Baines said: “Who will read: “Any suggestion that the arrange- “The consecration of Phillip North a prevent it happening, we now have a de take overall responsibility in the BBC for ments proposed for the consecration of couple of days later exposes the vile facto third province. the range, quantity and quality of the the Bishop of Burnley are influenced by compromise that was put together.” “The relationship between York and religious coverage? Or will this be left as a a theology of ‘taint’ would be mistaken. She added: “To accept that there can Philip North is going to be fundamental- sort of ‘fill in’ content?” “The Church of England itself is, as continue to be consecrations that are ly different from the other bishops in He added: “At a time when it is impossible the first of the five principles says, ‘fully only considered ‘valid’ if those laying on that Province. to understand the modern world – its and unequivocally committed to all hands have not been tainted by women “Let’s see how Archbishop Justin han- politics, economics, military and orders of ministry being open equally to is profoundly demeaning to both men dles it in the South when is humanitarian events – without all, without reference to gender’.” and women and exposes the fact that we announced. The issues for evangelicals understanding religion, why is religion not But in a frank message, commenting are still a very long way from achieving are of course very different and I sus- being prioritised as needing expert on the consecration of Libby Lane, the genuine equality.” pect they don’t care half as much who interpretation in the public and broadcast Rev Canon Rosie Harper of Oxford Dio- Commenting after the consecration of lays hands.” sphere?”

Female vicar stages 10-minute protest The Revd Ann Morris of Blackburn Report aims to set aside doubts Women ‘more likely to Diocese made a 10-minute silent protest over the consecration of the Rev Philip over senior leadership plans believe in the afterlife’ North, because of his opposition to female bishops. THE FAITH and Order Com- The report attempts to A NEW survey by the According to the churchwarden, Ms Morris mission has published a sup- explore ‘the rise of leadership UCL Institute of Educa- remained silent instead of delivering a porting document to language in the life of the tion has revealed that sermon, but had been supported in her Archbishop Welby’s ‘renewal church and some of the criti- men are less likely to protest by her parishioners at St Oswald’s and reform’ programme which cisms that have been made of it. believe in the afterlife. Church. hopes to set aside doubts that Leadership language from the In a survey of 9,000 She said women in the Church of England the ambitions of ministerial central Church has recently people, 60 per cent of felt like “second class citizens in a Church training are focused on manage- been criticised by the Very Rev women said they were that should be united”. ment, not theology. Prof Martyn Percy, dean of more likely to believe The report tackles three fun- Christ Church Oxford, who in God and life after Bishop refuses to release inquiry damental questions, which are commented that the Green death. report these: Report, which reveals the lead- Professor David Voas The , Tim Dakin, has * Is it right to make ‘leader- ership-focused plans for senior of the Institute for declined calls from the Jersey Synod to ship’ a central idea in the life of clergy, was ‘steeped in its own Social and Economic publish the results on an inquiry into the the church; uncritical use of executive man- Research, University of mishandling of an abuse allegation, which * If so, what are the underly- agement-speak.’ Essex, who analysed saw the temporary suspension of the Dean ing theological principles that The report goes on: “Rather the survey responses, of Jersey. inform the exercise of leader- than arguing about whether we commented: “Among Two inquiries were commissioned by the ship within the church? and should stop using leadership believers, women are Bishop of Winchester, Tim Dakin, following * How can these principles language, therefore, we discuss also much more likely to be definite than men, and the incident, one of which was led by Dame best inform the exercise of sen- how this language might be among non-believers, men are much more likely to Heather Steel. The inquiry has concluded ior leadership in the Church of used well, and how the dangers be definite than women.” but has not been published, despite England today? involved can be recognised and For example, not only are men twice as likely as pressure from the Jersey Synod. The report attempts to avoided. women to say that God does not exist, but male athe- acknowledge the criticisms of “Our initial, provisional ists are far more likely than female atheists to say Lobbying laws criticised those who have voiced concern answer to the first question (‘Is that they definitely do not believe in life after death Lord Harries of Pentregarth has criticised that the Church’s reform plan it right to make “leadership” a (63 per cent versus 36 per cent). new lobbying laws designed to curtail for leadership development has central idea in the life of the The survey also found that members aligned with lobbying and charity campaign spending turned the focus from theologi- church?’) is therefore: ‘It is mainline Christianity were the lowest percentage of during election periods. cal counsel to MBA-style execu- unavoidable – but we should believers without doubts in God’s existence. Crossbench peer Lord Harries of tive management and treat it with caution’.” Professor David Voas, said: “A high proportion (71 Pentregarth told BBC Radio 4’s World at performance. The report looks at the lan- per cent) of those who described themselves as One: “We’ve had clear evidence that a The report states: “We have guage of leadership, which it ‘evangelical’ — Baptists and certain other Christians number of campaigning groups have been speaking as if there were a asserts was admitted to the were included in this category – also had no doubts already decided not to campaign or not to straightforward opposition Church having been borrowed about God’s existence,” he said. join with other bodies to campaign on an between the desire for stronger from the military and business “However, only 33 per cent of those who identified issue because they are frightened of leadership and criticisms of the writings of John Adair. themselves as Roman Catholics had no doubts. And running foul of the act.” increased focus on leadership in The report goes on: “We the figure for those affiliated with ‘mainline’ Chris- The Church of England has written to the Church. That does not, how- speak of targets, key perform- tian denominations — Anglican, Methodist, Presby- congregations and sought legal advice in ever, do justice to the situation ance indicators, behavioural terian and United Reformed Church – was even light of the new law. in which we find ourselves.” competencies, competition, smaller. Only 16 per cent of them said they had no Friends of the Earth’s Liz Hutchins said: The report aims to ‘promote’ a entrepreneurship, risk manage- doubts that God exists.” “We are bitterly disappointed that ministers dialogue between ‘theological ment, effectiveness, growth and Among the most interesting finding for Professor did not listen to the united voice of charities and organisational ways of success. Voas was the lack of correspondence between belief and campaigning groups on this poorly thinking’, particularly in light of “We can sound all but indistin- in God and belief in life after death. thought out legislation. a ‘cluster of concerns’ including, guishable from our secular He added: “Belief – or disbelief – in God and in life “Instead the government has forced the report states, ‘questions counterparts, at least from a dis- after death do not always go together. through a bad bill in record time that will about the relationship between tance, even to the point, at “A quarter of those who said they were agnostic limit groups like Friends of the Earth from the leadership of the Church by times, of echoing the high- also said they believe in life after death. However, speaking out on behalf of their supporters its bishops and the institutional octane glitz that accompanies nearly a third of the people who said that they ahead of elections.” management of the Church by some secular visions of the pow- believe in God — despite occasional doubts – do not its central administration’. erful leader.” believe in an after-life.”

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 4 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday January 30, 2015 News Local authority funding cuts concern bishop Rules on PCC EARLY INTERVENTION and pre- ings that have already been visited same level of funding as was first ventative work is urgently needed in upon local services. awarded four years ago. “This means property to be helping the vulnerable, the Bishop of He cited the example of Welcare, absorbing all increases in costs, Southwark said in his maiden speech where he serves as president. “Since which amounts to providing a subsidy in the last week. 2011, it has seen income from local for the local authority. This is a com- Speaking during a debate on the authorities fall from £1.5 million to mon story in the voluntary sector, deregulated Local Government Finance Settle- £500,000 and, as a consequence, which continues to address very real ment, he highlighted a number of much excellent work and the expert- need. The remarkable resources of NEW MEASURES affecting PCC property rights charities in his diocese that were hav- ise of trained workers has disap- voluntary endeavour are finite and it have been approved by the House of Lords. ing to operate with reduced income. peared, putting great pressure on a is morally wrong to push them to Originally proposed in a Private Member’s He said that there were 16 local falling number of willing volunteers. breaking point.” Motion in General Synod, they were originally authorities and boroughs in “This has meant that over the same He told peers that in strategic resisted by the , but the Bishop the diocese, which will see cuts of up period the number of families that the terms, it would be better to continue of Derby told peers that modest changes were to 15.5 per cent in their funding as a charity has been able to support has to encourage early intervention and now being proposed. result of the settlement that was fallen from 5,400 to 1,050. By any preventative work rather than storing Currently the legal title of all PCC land is held under debate. “This is in common reckoning this is a matter of grave up problems further down the road. by the diocesan authority, but for PCCs who are with much of the rest of the country, concern, particularly as there is no “That makes fiscal sense to me. How- registered with the Charity Commission the and I note this with much regret.” evidence to suggest that the need is ever, far more importantly, it attends ’ Council has agreed that ‘a degree of He said that it was increasingly dif- decreasing.” to another imperative that at times it deregulation’ would be helpful. ficult to see how these cuts can be He pointed out that Welcare is now is easy to lose sight of in financial dis- The changes mean that: made effectively, given the huge sav- expected to deliver the service at the cussions.” The Measure removes entirely the requirement for a PCC to obtain the consent of the diocesan authority before bringing legal proceedings; * The Measure extends the length of lease that Bishop welcomes aid target Call for higher threshold can be granted without reference to the diocesan authority; and THE AIM TO make it a He said that the move in Recall debate The Measure provides that the consent of the legal duty to enshrine the would create more stable diocesan authority is required only for transac- 0.7 per cent target for and peaceful societies, and tions with a value in excess of a figure to be speci- international aid was wel- gives us better communi- PLANS TO RECALL MPs should be subject to a higher fied in an order made by the Archbishops’ comed by the Bishop of ties with which to trade. threshold, the Bishop of argued in the House of Council, which will be laid before the General Derby. “This is a very important Lords. Synod and . Speaking in the House of sign to the world of a nar- Peers were debating the Government Bill, which would The House approved the Measure and it now Lords, the Rt Rev Alistair rative of a generous coun- allow constituents to force the recall of their MP if they passes to the House of Commons. Redfern congratulated the try that has high values. achieved a petition totaling 10 per cent of constituents. Government, and all the We need that narrative in Lord Hamilton of Epsom had suggested that the figure Church pension plans approved major parties, for the com- an age when our young should be raised to 20 per cent, a move backed by the Rt mitment to the target ‘at a people are being radi- Rev Peter Forster. THE HOUSE of Lords has backed a request from time of amazing austerity’. calised by other, more vio- He said: “The theory that an MP would be subject to the Church of England to extend by a further The Private Member’s lent and narrow-minded this petition, which would have reached the 10 per cent or seven years the period during which the Church Bill, which was introduced narratives.” 20 per cent, and that he or she would stand in the subse- Commissioners have power to use the capital of to the Commons by Lib A trustee of Christian quent by-election backed by his or her party is pure make- their general fund in order to fund their historic Dem MP Michael Moore, Aid, he pointed out that believe. That is simply not going to happen but that is the pension obligations. is now going through the recent OECD figures esti- theory and it is why a by-election would not be a counter- The said: “The power to spend House of Lords. mate that for every pound petition. capital on pensions gives the Commissioners the Declaring it a ‘bold’ com- spent on development “It simply seems unreal that that is going to happen and, freedom to continue making payments to fund the mitment, he said: “Many enterprises, developing for that reason, there is therefore an argument for increas- work of the church. Without it they would have activists, and church mem- countries gain an addition- ing the threshold from 10 per cent to a higher figure. It been forced to devote all, or almost all, the bers in particular, are con- al £350 in increased rev- corresponds to the reality of what we are talking about, income of their general fund to the payment of cerned for us to make that enue, “which shows how rather than the theory.” pensions. witness to global citizen- effective targeted and However, the amendment was withdrawn at the end of “Alternatively, they would have had to have ship, and see this as an planned investment can the debate. invested their funds specifically for high-income important issue.” be”. returns, potentially eroding the real value of their capital for future genera- tions. The pension payments will continue to increase WHY DO IT THE HARD WAY? over the next 20 years or so, especially as clergy and their When looking to purchase a used car, there are two ways spouses tend to be long- to do it; one is difPicult and one is easy. lived. 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[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper www.churchnewspaper.com Friday January 30, 2015 News 5 Retired bishop Gafcon calls on Primate is answers charges of Burundi Archbishop saddened child abuse over ‘Allah’ ‘to repent or resign’ ruling THE GAFCON has called upon Archbishop RETIRED Bernard Ntahoturi of Burundi to repent THE PRIMATE of the Church of the Bishop of or resign as chairman of the Council of Province of South East Asia has voiced Gloucester, Anglican Provinces in Africa [CAPA] his disappointment over a Malaysian the Rt Rev after he backed an October commu- appellate court’s refusal to review the niqué supporting the Episcopal Church ruling that banned a Catholic newspa- appeared of the USA. per from using the world “Allah” to before the On 22 January, Archbishop Eliud refer to God. Central Wabukala, the Primate of Kenya The Most Rev Bolly Lapok, archbish- Criminal released a copy of a letter prepared at op of the province and Bishop of Court – the the December Gafcon primates’ meet- Sarawak said the ruling would impact Old Bailey – ing in Nairobi rebuking Archbishop the native Christians of Borneo who last week in Ntahoturi for claiming to speak on have used the word “Allah” when a prelimi- behalf of Africa’s Anglicans, when the speaking of God for over two centuries. nary hearing position he represents is that of a minor- “The word ‘Allah’ has become to answer charges of child sex abuse. ity. embedded in the languages and cul- On 14 January 2015 Bishop Ball and for- By allowing his office and name to be tures of the non-Muslim natives of mer Vickery House appeared attached to the October 2014 “Transfor- West Malaysia, Sarawak and Sabah,” before Mr Justice Sweeney via video link mation Through Friendship” commu- he told reporters after the ruling was and a trial date of 5 October 2015 was set niqué prepared with the Episcopal handed down on 22 January. by the court. Church, the Archbishop had become The aboriginal peoples of Borneo Ball was appointed in party to a fraud and a slander against and the Malay Peninsula, “who should 1977 and translated to Gloucester in 1992. African Anglicans by asserting their receive more help and protection, are He is accused of indecently assaulting a support for the “unbiblical and false the ones who are affected the most by 12- or 13-year-old boy in 1984 and 1985, teaching of The Episcopal Church.” this decision,” he said. indecently assaulting a 19- or 20-year-old The Gafcon leaders stated they The letter stated Archbishop Ntaho- The ruling was not an example of man in 1990 and 1992, and misconduct in believed Archbishop Ntahoturi had turi’s actions likely spelled the end of “political expediency” prevailing over public office. been misled. the CAPA. “Given the fact that you are “common sense, over what is univer- House faces eight charges of indecent “We know that this agenda does not the Chairman of CAPA, and are sup- sally right.” assault for allegedly abusing a boy of 15 represent the faith of your Province, posed to represent the agreed positions While the Catholic Herald newspa- and five other men ranging in age from 17 Diocese, or even your own heart. We of African Primates, your actions have per may have been the defendant in to 34 over a 16-year period. call you to repentance and restoration to created a tremendous obstacle to our this case, it was “Malaysia that has Bishop Ball and Mr House have denied join with us in fellowship that is founded participation in any CAPA gatherings been on trial before a watching the allegations. on Christ’s truth and is faithful to his until this can be properly sorted out.” world,” he said. Word.” Zimbabwe row over Indaba meeting DR SEBASTIAN BAKARE, the former Bishop of party would have nothing to do with the NCP if it Harare, has repudiated claims that a national Ind- were being run by Mr Tsvangirai’s party. Dr aba for Zimbabwe scheduled for March 2015 is a Bakare said the MDC-T leader said his com- political stalking horse for the opposition MDC-T ments had been taken out of context, and what party led by Morgan Tsvangirai. he had meant was that the MDC-T would partici- Last week Dr Bakare told reporters in the Cen- pate in the meetings. tral African nation that he was perturbed by pub- The NCP was formed by Dr Bakare and other lished reports stating that Mr Tsvangirai’s non-partisan civil society leaders after the July MDC-T party was organising the National Con- 2014 elections. vergence Platform, the NCP. Scheduled for March 2015, the NCP seeks to “On reading this statement, I spoke to the bring together key leaders from churches, stu- MDC-T President on the phone expressing my dent groups, labour unions, non-governmental consternation at his statement,” Dr Bakare told organisations, political parties, and other civil conference organisers. society and intellectual leaders to undertake an A spokesman for President Robert Mugabe indaba, a round table discussion, of the future of told the Harare Herald the ruling ZANU-PF the republic. Bishop launches legal action against his primate

THE BISHOP of Kitgum in the In August the 22nd session of England Newspaper the bish- Church of Uganda has brought the Church of Uganda General ops reaffirmed their call for a legal action against his pri- Synod passed a resolution ask- Bishop Ojwang to resign and mate, the Most Rev Stanley ing Bishop Ojwang to step proposed appointing the for- Ntagali, Archbishop of Kam- down by 14 December 2014, mer Bishop of Northern Ugan- pala, accusing him of using three years before his manda- da, the Rt Rev Benoni unlawful means to remove him tory retirement in 2017. Ogwal-Abwang as interim bish- from office. In December Bishop Ojwang op. Last week three clergy and a threatened to file suit against The dispute does not centre lay member of the diocese the church, if it did not rescind over matters of doctrine or dis- asked the Kampala high court the call for his resignation. cipline, the source, who cannot leave to file a complaint against After his December letter, a be named as they were not the Trustees of the Church of church spokesman said the authorized by the church to Uganda, the House of Bishops matter would be discussed at speak on its behalf, said, but and Archbishop Ntagali on the January meeting of the concerned the bishop’s man- behalf of the Rt Rev Benjamin House of Bishops. agement style and personal Ojwang. Sources tell The Church of interactions with his clergy.

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London? Even if there were Freedom of speech under question some direct connection YOUR TWEETS Sir, That a magistrate can be told by some of the country’s between global capitalism and senior lawyers that Christian belief about family life is poverty reduction, it would incompatible with JP duties confirms there is intolerance, or only be because the capitalists incompetence, in our legal system. If Christian faith is still have got all the money in the an acceptable belief alongside others in our country then first place. Not redistributing Sam Iles @Sam_Iles individuals must be allowed to express their belief privately wealth makes no economic @RichardDawkins or openly in whatever work they carry out or civil role they sense: the poor spend all their 16% of Anglicans have “no doubt” God exists. For hold. Same-sex marriage may be on the statute books but it money, the rich hoard it – Muslims, that rises to 88%. bbc.co.uk/news/uk- has not replaced traditional marriage. Neither is there any which is better for the econo- 309103… evidence that children benefit more from same-sex parents my? than from a mother and father. Until there is, these lawyers Even the American dream is Michael Crick @MichaelLCrick are talking nonsense, and the government must tell them fading, which is why Pope Why are flags flying at half mast around Whitehall for they are failing to interpret the law correctly. Francis’s criticism of trickle- the head of the Saudi regime that sentences a blogger J Longstaff, down theories hit a chord: to 1000 lashes? Woodford Green “The promise was that when the glass was full, it would @lambethpalace overflow, benefiting the poor. Whenever there is spiritual renewal, extremes of Creationism school science is to curtail free What happens instead is that wealth are challenged by prophetic words and actions Sir, In his letter (16 January) speech. Genesis asserts when the glass is full, it magi- @JustinWelby #TI2015 #commongood Dr Mathews says that he important ideas about creation cally gets bigger, but nothing is “baffled that at school chil- and about mankind, but they ever comes out for the poor.” Archbishop Cranmer @His_Grace dren are only allowed to hear are not open to objective test- In any case, would you defend Unemployment down 58k; Employment up 512k on about Darwinian evolution, ing and are therefore not part the rich, or tell them that they year; Real wages increase 1.7%; inflation low; job never a word about the prob- of science. They are relevant will find it hard to enter the vacancies high. What bishop praises Govt? lems with it scientifically …”. to broader discussions about Kingdom of Heaven? Children study scientific religious belief today. The Rev Canon Steve Mark Woods @RevMarkWoods ideas such as atomic theory, Frank Grenfell, Parish, @SallyHitchiner Yes! ‘Moderate’ Muslims supposed to Newtonian mechanics, the big Farmoor, Oxford Warrington be ‘good’, but I hope I am not a ‘moderate’ Christian. bang and Darwinian evolution. As a science teacher I know Income equality Tom Freeman how long it takes to get one’s Sir, Andrew Carey (23 Janu- Justice please @SnoozeInBrief head round these theories, ary) is “pretty sure that Sir, According to last week’s I’ve got one of those new and it is unhelpful to point out income equality has never edition, a Christian magistrate 3D printers. Seems to problems before core ideas are been much of an obsession of was disciplined for expressing work. mastered. But it is not true to the Church of England in gen- (in a private meeting) the view say that they are ignored. At A eral”. Well, quite. Had it been, theat children should be raised level, for instance, students the Church would not have by both a mother and a father learn that Newton’s laws are found itself so profoundly out (incidentally a view held by Evangelical Alliance @EAUKnews incompatible with relativity. of touch with the working many people!). Mr Chris Dear @rupertmurdoch, please be a leader of integrity Scientific theories are always class in the early 19th century Grayling, the Justice Secre- & get rid of “old-fashioned”(your own words) #page3 provisional, adapting to the and playing catch-up ever tary, then ruled that the magis- interplay of prediction, experi- since. trate was guilty of serious Mothers’ Union @MothersUnion ment and observation, but the Robert Peel’s first Ecclesias- misconduct. Disappointing - The Sun brings back Page 3 - but was it four I mention are giants in tical Commission concentrat- Had none of them heard the all a stunt? | via @Telegraph fw.to/ACZRnzg Don’t give their field and hugely success- ed on the Church’s internal Prime Minister enthusing up @NoMorePage3 ful in terms of explanatory and equalities – Trinity College, about free speech, even if it predictive results. Nothing Cambridge, was collecting offends someone? Where is @SalisburyCath else comes remotely close, £2,000 a year from one parish the justice (or consistency) in A real #milestone - this is the first time the public view particularly in terms of predic- and paying its vicar a stipend this? of the Cathedral has been free of scaffolding since tive power. of £24 a year, and many of the Arthur Robinson, 1986! Dr Matthews says that chil- bishops had excessive Liverpool dren hear never a word “that stipends reduced to a still the Bible has a very different more than adequate £4,000 a Letters continue on page 12 take on our origins.” Of course year. But opposing electoral they do not hear this in science reform – which would address lessons, but it is routine in social inequality – was Religious Education and my what did for the reputa- wife has been telling children tion of the Church that for decades. Chapter one among the poor, or of her textbook (Religious “hardworking fami- Studies for Common Entrance, lies” as we now call published by Hodder) is enti- them. tled ‘The Creation’ and Even ignoring the explores in some detail the dif- evidence that more ference between the theologi- equal societies are cal and scientific views of our happier societies, is origins. there nothing to be The implication of Dr said for instance Steve Jenkins @SteveLJenkins Matthews’ letter is that deny- about the effect of the Prayers for #BishopLibby. To quote Ab Sentamu and ing creationism a place in rich on house prices in Ab Desmond Tutu #yippee.

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Chaos in enforcing ‘British values’ Home Secretary Theresa May has recently lamented the sense of Je Suis Chrétien fear now being felt and voiced by the Jewish community in the UK. She expressed shock and surprise at this horrific development, and rightly so. The UK, with its Protestant historic cultural norm of toleration and against inquisition, has long been Of course it is not just the under-privileged who perhaps the model nation state in this regard, as successive Chief opt for extremist religion. It contains an ingredi- Rabbis have said. The fact of the Church of England as a benign MAURICESINCLAIR ent with a transcendent appeal: something to live background moral influence was very much appreciated by both for and something to die for. Mr Jihadist won’t Lord Jacobovits and Lord Sacks, as against a raw secularist state The atrocities committed in mainland Europe in you just settle down, practise your religion as a constitution. recent days have heightened concern for the quiet life-style option, and be a good secularist How things have changed as the Church of England has been need to defend European values. On the one citizen. No, he will not! For him the stakes are brushed aside as no more than a ceremonial butler, and her hand there is the direct assault from Islamist higher. parishes put under the secularist new model Charity Commission. extremists. Then there is the dangerous reaction So religion is the problem? No, the religious Now less than 20 years since 1997 when the cultural changes were of racist groups ready to hit back, and in their vacuum in Europe is the underlying problem. A imposed, we have a real fear by Jews of threat. This is Holocaust turn threaten the cherished way of life. certain kind of false religion is currently the Memorial Week, we should recall. It might be worth saying that We may expect the debate to intensify: how can acute problem. But true religion remains the this rising tide of anti-Semitism is not just rooted in hardline we defend the values commonly shared in solution. Islamic tradition, nor in neo-Nazism, but is gaining a respectable Europe today? But I want to ask a question that According to our Lord’s brother, James, such face in middle class circles, even in our Church. might at first appear shocking or even disgrace- religion involves care for the orphan and the Tim Harford on BBC Radio 4 devoted a programme to denying ful. Are these values defensible? In its present widow, and freedom from corruption. Europe of that there is rising anti-Semitism, and on the ITV Loose Women condition is the European bulwark against vio- course has all the world religions represented. programme two panellists told a Jewish mum from Manchester lent disorder impregnable. Are the foundations Am I suggesting some great multi-faith crusade that she was to blame for any anti-Semitism because of Israeli upon which it is built such as can receive multiple for compassion, goodness and truth? Not exactly, policies – ‘you had it coming’ in effect. Andrew Gilligan, surely the shocks? What are these foundations? but religions do influence one another. best-sourced and evidenced journalist writing today, pointed out Modern Europe is built upon a combination of Each in its history has been aggressive and has the facts in his Telegraph article, revealing the scale of genuine capitalism, and secularism together with the rap- sought to impose its agenda, and we have to hostility to Jews here. Gilligan documents the amount of idly advancing science and technology that admit this lapse in Christianity too. There is government and lottery funding going to agencies fuelling anti- underpins its remarkable success. The media though an element in each which promotes Semitism. provides a powerful adhesive making people con- social cohesion and harmony. We should work Ms May is even now piloting new anti-terror legislation through form. Yet there is also the urge for freedom, so for inter-religious cooperation and that expres- Parliament, making Ofsted and the Universities, among others, people are predisposed to post-modern philoso- sion of compassion and non-compulsion which is the duty to prevent activities and speech that might be conducive phy with its offer of radical choice: believe what a mark of authentic faith. The scope for compas- to spreading violent hate. This has naturally attracted criticism you choose to believe, be what you choose to be, sion is immense. about freedom of speech: a lecturer giving a paper do (within limits) what you choose to do. Thank- There is a whole underclass whose needs secu- about the Qur’an and its origins, or Muhammad’s fully human loyalties work at a personal level. lar agencies cannot meet unaided. guerrilla war tactics, might ‘cause offence’ and so be Politics still has a place for social caring, and, The call to Christians is cooperation but also conducive to stirring up jihadist sentiment. though under pressure, the legal system remains declaration. In the power of the Spirit we are to When the Equality Act is factored in, this is how things intact. Enhanced by beautiful, and less than beau- bring a loving and hope-filled witness into secu- now tend to work out, in favour of hard liners and tiful art, this is our Europe. larist Europe. We must not be relegated to the freezing out properly intellectual analysis of religions. The question is does the ‘our’ include every- private sphere. Remaining complacency must be At the level of schools Ofsted is now charged with the one. Do all the people of Europe buy happily into challenged. role of Grand Inquisitor of school values, that is their this “Je suis Charlie” package? For some the sec- Neglect of its Christian inheritance has left view of British values, and have recently quizzed an ular education system always sets the bar too Europe with values hollow at heart. Instead we innocent 11-year-old girl about lesbianism and her own high. Competitive capitalism leaves them clean- must commend values that are defensible body, to the horror of her parents. ing toilets, or unemployed. The media advertises because they depend upon God, the Creator and Basically the political class is in chaos in its attitude to delights they will never afford. Traditional family Redeemer. With religious harmony and a resur- ‘British values’, by which it means state-imposed values ties weaken and disintegrate. Then comes the gent Christian faith Europe has a good future. and shutting down any genuine ‘diversity’ that it claims desperate search for compensations: drugs, Wishful thinking? No! This is serious: something to support. Would modesty and avoiding crude sexual gangs, protest politics, and a very particular kind that really is worth living and dying for. Je suis interrogation of a young schoolgirl be a British value? of religion. Chrétien! Comment It probably is still for the public, not for the state inquisitors. The Church of England Newspaper with Celebrate magazine incorporating The Record and Christian Week Published by Political and Religious Intelligence Ltd. Company Number: 3176742 Publisher: Keith Young MBE

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issue at the heart of the debate than the book by Alan avoided by God’s people. Wilson. The reason that Sam Allberry’s book is preferable to First of all, then, what does it mean to ‘read the Bible Alan Wilson’s is that, on the basis of reading the Bible with care and wisdom?’ Reading the Bible with care with care and wisdom, Allberry re-affirms this biblical means seeking to understand as accurately as possible teaching and calls upon the Church to apply it in its the original meaning of the words used in the Bible in teaching and its pastoral care. Wilson, on the other their canonical context since nothing in the Bible was hand, interprets the Bible in a way that distorts the bib- included by accident, but all was inspired by God him- lical teaching and effectively calls upon the Church to self (2 Timothy 3:16). Reading the Bible with wisdom abandon people in their sinfulness by arguing that the means reading it reverently as a single, unified, authori- Church should accept people’s same-sex activity and tative communication from God so that, as Colossians even bless it through marriage. This is not loving, 1:9 puts it, we may be ‘filled with the knowledge of his because if acted upon, this would cut people off from will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.’ experiencing God’s re-creative love and participating in So if we apply care and wisdom in this way to Martyn his kingdom. Percy’s key term ‘kingdom of God’, we discover two things: first that although the term appears relatively Dr Martin Davie is Academic Consultant to the Church rarely, it can be seen to permeate the whole of Scrip- of England Evangelical Council and the Oxford Centre ture; and second, that the heart of the message of the for Religion and Public Life. A full review of Alan kingdom is the doing of God’s will. Wilson’s More Perfect Union? by Dr Davie can be found That is why we get the parallelism in the Lord’s on the Church of England Evangelical Council’s website Prayer ‘thy kingdom come, thy will be done’ (Matthew 6:10). Thus the coming of the kingdom is about God’s people, living in God’s place, in obedience to God’s rule. That is what we see in Eden, that is what is lost at the Fall, that is what is partially realised in the history of the peo- ple of Israel and finally it is what is made fully possible by the work of Jesus Christ and will be experi- enced by God’s people for ever in the life of the world to come. God’s love for the human race is his desire that his human crea- tures should inhabit his kingdom, but the fact that being an inhabi- tant of the kingdom involves sub- mission to God’s rule means that we cannot see God’s love in terms Take out a gift subscription for a friend and they can have access all year By Martin Davie of God merely accepting and round to The Church of England Newspaper, in print, on their iPad or on the affirming people as they are. website. From just £35, you can give a gift that they will enjoy all year long! Why is the Church debating homosexuality? In his Rather, it means God acting review of Alan Wilson’s More Perfect Union? and Sam through Christ and the Spirit to Allberry’s Is God Anti-Gay?, which was published in re-create people so that they turn Yes please! I would like to buy an annual subscription for: the December edition of the Oxford Diocesan newspa- away from their old sinful selves per The Door, Martyn Percy declares that the Church’s and become instead the holy peo- Name……….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….… debate about homosexuality is increasingly: “… not ple God has always willed them to about sexuality. It is about how to read the Bible with be, and it means people being Address…….…….…….…….…….…….…….……..…….…….…….… care and wisdom. And it is a debate about the kingdom willing to submit to this process of God that Jesus both preached and practised; and of re-creation (this is what is .….…….…….….…….…….…….……Post Code …………………...… whether the church can ever come close to embodying meant by the repentance to which the unequivocal love of God for all humanity which Jesus summons people in Mark Jesus so richly and fully expressed.” 1:15). ❑ I am happy for you to contact the recipient + inform them of my gift In my view, Martyn Percy is wrong. The heart of the The Church embodies God’s debate remains sex. Clarity about this central issue love in two ways: first, when it gives proper focus to the debate. proclaims the coming of God’s My details: The debate is not about (or at least should not be kingdom and the call to repen- about) whether it is right for there to be love and friend- tance this this involves and sec- Name:……….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….… ship between two people of the same sex. The answer ond, equally importantly, when it to this is unequivocally ‘yes.’ Nor is the debate about encourages and supports people Address………….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….….. whether people who experience same-sex attraction as they go through the painful can be ordained. Again the answer is ‘yes.’ and difficult process of dying to …….…….……...... Post Code…...... …… People with same-sex attraction are neither more nor their old selves and adopting a less qualified to be considered for than any- new way of life in obedience to I would like to buy an annual subscription for one else. The debate is about whether it is ever right for God. two people of the same sex to have sex and, following So, returning to the debate ❑ print edition - £70 ❑ online edition - £35 on from this, whether it is right for two people of the about sexuality, we see that the same sex to be married, or for the Church to ordain Church’s privilege and responsi- I enclose payment for £…...... someone who engages in sexual activity with someone bility is to proclaim the message (Cheques payable to Political and Religious Intelligence Ltd, of the same sex. of the Bible that God has created 14 Great College St, Westminster, London, SW1P 3RX) I do agree with Martyn Percy, however, when he says human beings in his image and or call 0207 222 2018 + pay by card that the debate is also about how we should read the likeness as men and women Bible, about the nature of the kingdom of God and (Genesis 1:27) and that he wills about whether (and how) the Church can embody that sex should only take place Signed ………….…….…….…….…….…….…….…… God’s love for the human race. The debate about the between men and women in the central issue of sexual behaviour involves considering context of marriage (Genesis these other issues, since they provide the context for 2:24). All other forms of sexual thinking rightly about this central issue. activity, whether heterosexual or What I want to suggest in the rest of this article is that homosexual, are explicitly or considering these issues highlights why Sam Allberry’s implicitly viewed as contrary to www.churchnewspaper.com book provides a more helpful approach to the God’s will and therefore to be

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It is a remarkable story, and one that has about the project. They said they could not help, but Dr John says that 250,000 people have been described as nothing short of The work continued. “In 2004 my wife wished him all the best. been seen at the hospital, and there is miraculous. wrote over 1,000 hand-written letters Later, looking for a projector he went nothing like it: a luxury hospital for the The story begins in 1995 when a Ger- about the idea. We were getting dona- to a shop and ran the presentation about poor. People come from every one of the man doctor and his wife had the vision of tions, over 83,000, some $5 some $10, the hospital from his computer to check 25 states in Peru, some travelling a week creating a Harley Street-type hospital for but you cannot build a hospital costing the projector was working. While he was to get there. some of the poorest people in the world. $10m on that. doing that a man walked up to him in the But they never forget their real mis- Martina and Klaus-Dieter John were “I visited over 200 companies, almost shop. sion. “We all lose the battle with life even- considering their future as he had just all supported us with equipment, some He asked if it was true that Telefonica tually, only the man of the Cross can give finished training as a surgeon and his worth $30,000. Another company – did not want to help with the satellite us eternal life.” wife Tina was about to finish her residen- Siemens - gave $300,000, and their boss dish (which was included in the presen- He tells of another encounter when he cy as a paediatrician. They both longed was a committed atheist.” tation). was trying to secure emergency genera- to work in a Third World country and Although Siemens told them that they “He said: ‘Perhaps I can help’. He was a tors. They are essential for a hospital, but were now weighing up their options. could not give charitable donations director of Inmarsat, a competing compa- every appeal had been turned down. As a young Christian he had been (“because everyone would ask”), they ny of Telefonica.” One day, stuck in a traffic jam, he inspired by the books of Paul White, who eventually donated a CT scanner. Dr John was invited to give a presenta- found a phone number in his wallet of a had been a missionary doctor in Africa, “In 2005 we started the construction of tion to their board and Inmarsat became senior businessman and hastily and his wife shared his outlook. They had worked as doctors in Ger- many and in the UK, where they worked at St James’ in Leeds. But it was on a trip to see Machu Pichu that their vision crystallized. They heard about the Quechua people, the descendants of the Inca. They suffer from deprivation, and the most well-off make about $3 a day. They heard about one woman who had an illness, which started as a small spot, but she waited three years before getting medical advice. That was because there were no medical facilities. So they decided they would come back. Dr John remembers that the story of Jim Elliott, which was told in the book Through Gates of Splendour, happened near here. Elliot had wanted to build a hospital, and it was built after his death. But that was just a small wooden structure. Their vision was bigger. In 2002 they put together a proposal arranged a meeting. for a new modern mission hospital, quite “I was then worried: I thought the man different from what anyone had seen was expecting a big business deal. It was there, the sort that the middle classes a setup for failure. would use. Back in Germany eight “I then started shouting out at God: friends joined them to start a Christian A Peruvian ‘I’ve been trying a whole year, what more charity. can I do? I cant stand it any longer’. After buying a plot of land from the “But I gave the presentation anyway to Catholic Church they came up with a this harsh businessman. I started by say- plan to build a European-style hospital, ing that for many years I wondered if with a pharmacy and a chapel for 300 God was real at all. This presentation is people. They wanted a CT scanner – the answer.” knowing that there was not a single hos- From all his experiences he is pital in the state that had one. miracle absolutely firm that this luxury hospital Their plans were large: the hospital in a remote area in Peru for the poorest would include operating theatres, a den- people could only have come about tal suite, gastroscopy and much more. because of God. That was why he titled And they also wanted an outdoor theatre! his book I have seen God. Dr John says that although he and The businessman called a few days Tina were inspired they had a problem: the hospital. We hoped to open it by 2007 the first company in Peru to help them. later and gave him the generator. “We had no money at all.” but after 17 months of construction we “How can we explain this? Telefonica The hospital is now in full service. “We When they moved to Peru they were had raised only $600,000. had turned us down and then I met the have 55 long-term missionaries, includ- the only white family among 30,000 “We prayed to God to ask us to help president of a competing company in a ing 10 from North America, but we don’t Quecha people. pay the next bill.” shop that sells projectors. The owner of have any English ones yet. Although that “There was a big festival then, when But it was not just raising the money the shop was his brother, it was a family might change as CMS are in talks about the children dressed up as doctors and that was a problem. This was a big con- visit. sending missionaries from the UK. We nurses, and we thought that it would be struction project and its geographical “Even an atheist understands, perhaps want doctors, nurses, administrators. great if they could work at the hospital as location meant that it was difficult to find even Richard Dawkins, that it is difficult “I have seen many people die, but professionals. But first we had to build professionals to oversee the work. How- to explain this story on the basis of math- everyone wants to know if there is hope the hospital. ever, they were told about a Lutheran ematical probability.” after death. All I want is to know Christ. I “This would cost $10 million. We came man who was a civil engineer. So Dr John After these stories were published in am not talking philosophy, day-dreaming back to Europe to present our vision, and called him. the Peruvian press more people started or wishful thinking. It is a relationship they thought it was nice, but Europe was He explained what they were doing to help. with the risen Saviour. struggling with a financial crisis. ‘Please and that they needed a civil engineer to One day they got a donation of 600 “I have seen God. How else could hun- calm down a bit,’ our friends and sup- work on it, but they couldn’t pay him. bags of cement. They had been sent by a dreds of thousands of Peru’s poorest porters told us.” The man was silent for a moment, and Peruvian gold miner, a multimillionaire. people have the same medical treatment Undeterred, they went to hundreds of then invited him over to talk about it. So Dr John called him, and then went to that you would receive in London? churches, universities, town meetings Later the man’s wife said that morning present his PowerPoint. “I’m not asking for money, I am shar- and interfaith events. Sunday schools, they had been praying to God for a new “I told him we were about to build the ing a vision and I hope we will find mis- boy scouts and others, many who were mission in life, and then Dr Klaus called. roof of the hospital but needed 55 tons of sionaries as well. For those atheists who not church people at all, started fundrais- Another miracle was to follow. He had steel. Three trucks later turned up. But don’t believe, we say this is what hap- ing. “One couple who were getting mar- a meeting with Telefonica, the biggest this man is not religious at all. pened: you can think what you will. ried asked for no presents, just donations telecommunications company in the “Three months earlier his son had “Atheists are more moved by this story for the hospital.” country. At the time there were no phone stepped out of an aeroplane but the para- than Christians. People realize it is real But their idea caught the imagination lines, and no internet in this remote area chute did not open.” And now he wanted and can’t explain it.” of their fellow Germans and following of Peru. They said it was an interesting to do something in his memory. widespread publicity he said that a quar- idea, but they had never even heard of “Only God can do something with very Website: www.diospi-suyana.de ter of the German population had heard the area, and had to look it up on a map. little.”

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to care for our hair well on a daily basis. Could the synthetic chemicals we liberally apply to our scalp be exacerbating the problem in some cases? Could we Janey Lee Grace do something as simple as wash our hair less often? Live Healthy! Live Happy! I asked Tabitha James Kraan, an award-winning organic hairdresser based in Stow on the Wold. She said: “I believe that we literally wash the life out of Are we washing our hair too much? our hair using shampoos which are too strong, over- stimulate the sebaceous glands, creating an over- ‘The bald truth’ was the headline recently of a health arti- the top and front of the head, also known as ‘androgenet- oily scalp which keeps up this repetitive cycle of cle in The Daily Mail. They pictured Nigella Lawson, the ic alopecia’ and can happen when your body becomes daily washing leading to greasy roots and dry ends, first an especially poor image where it looked as though overly sensitive to male hormones called androgens, frizzy hair, dehydrated fluffy hair, lifeless hair that she had noticeably thinning hair and then a second pic which can decrease hair growth. lacks lustre and hair that HAS to be washed daily.” from a photo session where they suggest she looked Medication can be a trigger, as can stress, thyroid As for Nigella it didn’t look to me as though her transformed, pointing to the probable use of a hair piece problems can be to blame too and of course pregnancy hair was thinning, more like she was having a bad or hair extensions. (I’m guessing she wouldn’t be the often causes hair to fall out, though usually it recovers. I hair day, like the rest of us – Praise the Lord for first celeb to have enjoyed said ‘hair help’.) remember pulling out literally handfuls of hair after giv- Photo-shop! They pointed out that women can lose their hair just ing birth to my first child: nerve-racking indeed! Try the new organic shampoo and conditioner, like men can but of course female hair loss is very much Dr Sarah Brewer offered some suggestions as to how and for the ‘in-between’ days try the new organic a taboo subject, despite affecting they say, around eight to cope. Diet is important, supplements such as Vitamin dry shampoo www.tabithajameskraan.com million women in the UK. D, silica and Iodine were mentioned but there was little Look to some of the natural solutions for hair It’s not often complete hair loss, more of a thinning on really to encourage the majority of us, men and women growth from www.not-the-norm.com War over the Pope War Among Evangelicals War has broken out between the two leading biographers of Pope Franklin Graham has scored a triumph in stopping the chapel at Duke University (a Francis, both of them English journalists. In his account of the Pope’s Methodist foundation) from broadcasting the Muslim Call to Prayer from the tower every life, Paul Vallely claimed the future pontiff underwent a conversion Friday but he faces a major struggle to ensure evangelicals hold the line on sexuality. Time from being a conservative Jesuit in the 1980s to becoming a has devoted five pages to a well-funded campaign to persuade American evangelicals to progressive bishop in the 1990s and he thinks there are ‘unanswered accept gay marriage. EastLake Community Church, which operates on six different locations questions’ about Bergoglio’s conduct during the dirty war. Austen in the Seattle area, is one of the first mega-churches to come out in support. Polls show Ivereigh disagrees, arguing there was a change in leadership style but support for gay marriage among younger evangelicals jumping from 20 per cent in 2003 to 42 not in belief. In his new biography The Great Reformer he argues that per cent in 2014. ‘Reformation Project’ is a lobby group that is working to raise up LGBT- Bergoglio placed importance on the option for the poor and on a affirming voices in every evangelical church in the US. It is run by 24-year-old Matthew Vine radical missionary spirituality while he was still a Jesuit. His who is busy training reformers in batches of 40 to 50 at regional workshops across America. opposition was to intellectual Jesuits who took an ideological left-wing His organisation will have an income of $1.2m this year thanks to help from a furniture mogul position. Vallely is a progressive while Ivereigh is heavily involved in called Mitchell Gould, a secular Jew who is working for evangelical change. ‘Evangelicals for the conservative group ‘Catholic voices’ so the row between them has Marriage Equality’ is taking its message to university campuses and the Gay Christian divided Catholics along political lines with most liberals supporting Network attracted twice the numbers to its annual conference held this month that it Vallely. Meanwhile an Argentinian journalist, Elisabetta Pique, who attracted last year. Alan Chambers, formally of Exodus Ministries (which claimed to cure knows the Pope and has spoken with him on a number of occasions homosexuality), is now working with GCN. Gene Robinson tells Time he thinks evangelicals (including a telephone call he made to her on the day of his election), are where Episcopalians were 30 years ago. At present the evangelical establishment in has produced her own biography, newly published in English by America is standing firm but there are signs of change. According to Time much is happening Darton, Longman and Todd. In Pope Francis: Life and Revolution she behind closed doors with both the President of Focus on the Family and Willow Creek’s Billy paints a warm and admiring but very readable picture that largely Hybels in talks with LGBT reps. supports the interpretation of Ivereigh. If Bergoglio did undergo a conversion it was to a more positive view of the charismatic movement and Pentecostalism. Vallely is planning a new, expanded edition of his own biography. The war is not over yet. Marcus Borg RIP

As a member of the Jesus Seminar Marcus Borg might be thought to be anathema to conservative Christians but his death on 21 January drew warm comments from evangelical scholars. A number commented on his openness to the miraculous and the Church in controversy spiritual even though he denied a physical resurrection. Nicholas Perrin of Wheaton College told Christianity Today that ‘to have someone who was a credible liberal theologian and both stepped into controversy over open the door to the miraculous was a way of softening the boundaries between the the death of King Abdullah. ‘Westminster Abbey flying half mast flag for conservative historical Jesus scholars and hard-line historical Jesus scholars’. Borg dead King of Saudi Arabia where Christianity is banned and possessing helped fuel interest in the historical Jesus and although their views diverged a Bible is illegal’ tweeted Andrew Neil, while Louise Mensch criticised he co-authored one book with Tom Wright. Both Wright and Borg were the Archbishop for claiming the king supported interfaith dialogue. taught by the Oxford Congregational scholar, George Caird. Borg wrote The row over Abdullah happened in real time but a new comedy his doctorate at Oxford under Caird’s supervision. For Borg Jesus was series on Sky will involve the church in an imagined controversy. a prophet who preached an ethic of compassion but who also had a Rob Lowe, heart throb from the West Wing, is to play a Catholic social justice agenda. An active Episcopalian, Borg was honorary priest in Apocalypse Slough, in which earth is on collision course canon theologian of Trinity Cathedral in Portland, Oregon, where with a comet. Lowe, who is dubbed ‘the Vatican’s most a memorial service for him will take place on 22 March, at which rebellious priest’, seeks shelter in a bunker under Slough the Presiding Bishop will officiate. Borg taught at Oregon State where he is joined by an unlikely band of people who may University from 1979 to 2007 and wrote more than 21 books, of be the future of humankind. They include an unhinged which perhaps the most famous was the best-seller Meeting racist, a cyber terrorist, a five-star American general and a Jesus Again for the First Time. As a popular teacher and speaker mild-mannered bank manager. Lowe says the script and he sometimes travelled as much as 100,000 miles a year. His the character ‘blew him away’. We are told Apocalypse Gallery wife, the Rev Marianne Borg, is an Episcopalian priest. The Slough will be ‘an exuberant, heart-warming story on an Whispering Dean of Houston Cathedral in his blog described Marcus Borg epic scale’. What no one has said is whether the series as ‘a follower of Jesus in word and deed. He understood Jesus was in any way inspired by John Betjeman’s The (and especially the Resurrection) differently than I do. but the controversial World War II poem that began ‘Come, veracity of his faith was clear. And calm. And passionate’. friendly bombs, and fall on Slough’.

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper www.churchnewspaper.com Friday January 30, 2015 Comment 11

A tale of two ANDREW consecrations CAREY

There should be unalloyed joy at of consecration and that bishops View from the Pew the consecration of Libby Lane as who have laid hands on Libby Bishop of Stockport, yet I can’t Lane desist from laying hands on help feeling very disturbed by the Philip North. These arrange- A quango without a clue fact that the Rev Philip North, ments convey a sincere desire to who is to be consecrated Bishop honour traditionalist concerns of Burnley next week, has been about tactile apostolic succession. In putting the Sunderland Free School, Grindon hung out to dry. This is a theological concern that Hall Christian School, into special measures The Church of England is very I do not myself share, but I Ofsted has surely confirmed to everyone that it fortunate to have two such excel- respect it at distance. is not fit for service. The school, which has lent new suffragan bishops. I But the concern is also to apparently excellent results, has been placed in have not met Libby Lane but ensure that Libby Lane is not special measures because it failed on new citi- already admire her understated alone in being unable to partici- zenship and tolerance questions. These were contributions to debate and her pate in the laying-on of hands at originally put in place to tackle schools that were clear ability as a communicator Philip North’s consecration but allegedly being systematically ‘Islamised’ in and a pastor. Both Philip North many other bishops will share in Birmingham. and myself studied history at the the problem of impaired com- In the case of Grindon Hall, primary-aged chil- University of York and were munion which we have for long dren were asked whether they knew what les- housemates and close friends. He had in the Church of England. bians did in bed and young pupils had scant was a much more able historian Sadly, these arrangements have knowledge of religious festivals of other faiths. than I and was clearly always exposed Philip North to a great Damian Thompson, in Spectator Blogs, points going to be a brilliant priest. In deal of uninformed opprobrium. to this as evidence of the resurgence of an edu- fact, I saw him in action in some Let us not forget that he has cation bureaucracy that Michael Gove firmly sat of the most deprived parishes in already been forced to withdraw upon but is now re-emerging under his succes- the country in Sunderland and as a candidate for the Bishopric of sor, Nicky Morgan’s period in office . He is one of the most Whitby because of illiberal and (www.blogs.spectator.co.uk, ‘Osted’s campaign gifted and self-sacrificing priests intolerant protests in that area. against Christian schools: now Gove is gone, the of his generation and deserves Now, he is being placed in a simi- Blob is back’, 25 January 2015). much better from the Church of larly poisoned position by people Hopefully, this will point to the inescapable England. who simply will not honour the fact that Ofsted is in bad need of reform. It is I can’t pretend to understand spirit of the Synodical agreement already a body that harasses teachers and volun- the processes that Archbishop that brought about the decision to teers, demonstrating no interest in having a con- Sentamu has put in place for next ordain women as bishops. structive relationship with schools based on a week’s consecration but it seems I fear for the future of the mutual desire to improve education. that he is attempting to do justice Church of England when so many But then having first failed to spot the Islami- to both of the new bishops. people collude in victimising a sation of Birmingham schools and evidence of The arrangements, not specifi- very fine priest and when hon- segregation of girls and boys, and extremist cally requested by Philip North, eyed words of peace towards tra- preaching at children, Ofsted is now looking for are that Archbishop Sentamu ditionalists turn so rapidly to extremism in entirely the wrong places. refrains from saying the prayers vituperation and abuse. In short this is a quango without a clue. A godless procession of babies?

John Hartley Not just as pew-fillers but people who aren’t interested in all that: but both back door out of the church. Many Baptismal Integrity come to a personal faith in Jesus Christ. camps perceive a “no” or a delay as a committed Christian believers in our They will have an especial respect for rejection. They still need a “real” church nation have tried being Anglicans … and I recently offered the local clergy the church because it was prepared to service that expresses genuine feelings they’ve left us. Why did they leave? Chapter a presentation about have the courage of its convictions,” to God and conveys a proper sense of Asking them reveals a host of different services of Thanksgiving and Blessing (Reaching the Families, Falcon, 1969, the baby being “done”, and they need it reasons – but indiscriminate infant for the Gift of a Child’ – how to present p81). sooner rather than later. baptism figures among these reasons. them to parents enquiring about In those days there could be active Of course, Thanksgivings can be the The endless procession of godless christenings, and how to deliver them in hostility if we refused or delayed answer, provided we are prepared to families bringing their babies, which the an attractive and satisfying way once the baptisms – nowadays we face apathy take the trouble to learn how to make vicar then pronounces as being parents had been persuaded. instead. Nevertheless, Michael wrote them meaningful, sincere, and personal. “members with us of the body of Christ”, In brief, I role-played their initial (he says) from personal experience: Second, Thanksgivings can be and who are then never seen again: this telephone enquiry, my visit to them after some people get converted when we genuinely evangelistic in themselves. continued inconsistency eventually they’d come to a church service, and challenge them about their beliefs in the After all, they’re based on Jesus’ wears down the committed in our pews, then the sermon and blessing at the run-up to the baptisms of their children – invitation! The core scripture at their and they decamp and find other Thanksgiving for their child. It opened and I’ve found by personal experience heart says that God’s grace is freely fellowships which are more honest. some eyes and provoked pertinent that he’s right. given to any who will simply receive it – We need Thanksgivings to stop discussion. We need to have the courage to make as a little child would. With young ourselves committing regular perjury in But perhaps the saddest comment people grapple with the person and children in the congregation we have the our liturgy and alienating our flocks! came from a cleric who didn’t turn up. claims of Jesus, and to do that we need perfect example before us of those who Thanksgivings aren’t an optional part “Why should I learn how to do the leverage to get them to come to the know how to accept a present – how to of our churches lives, incidental to the Thanksgivings?” he asked. “What do “preparation” we offer. If we rush take the paper off and get stuck into task of mission. They are a necessary they have to do with evangelism?” What straight into an infant baptism we deny playing with the toy or eating the sweet part of our functioning. And it is up to us indeed? the parents their window of opportunity or whatever – and when Jesus blessed to learn how to make the best use of Many years ago Michael Botting (one to come to Jesus. the children he used them as an example them, as we seek to minister to a needy of the pioneers of the Family Services in But if we delay infant baptisms, and of the way we adults should receive world. the Church of England) observed: insist on “preparation”, how can we avoid God’s blessings too. “There are very real gains from a strict the parents’ disappointment? Some are We could hardly have a better The Rev John Hartley is vicar of Eccleshill baptismal policy. It will bring some willing to go through preparation and scripture to preach to the unconverted! in the Diocese of West Yorkshire and the people right into the Christian church. wrestle with spiritual things, others And third, we need to think about the Dales

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 12 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday January 30, 2015 Classfieds / Letters %-())!$!&" Creation issues Sir, The letter from Andrew Bloxham (23 January) summaris- ("#&*'!)&,&+') es the basics of creationist science and theology fairly con- 020 7222 2018 • [email protected] cisely as held by many of us who support organisations like Creation Ministries International. Few of us though, would accept the exact dates he mentioned, which are based on Ussh- )""#$'%!('%& er’s studies because of minor variations in older manuscripts. Stud- ies by CMI authors restrict the age of the earth based on biblical information to significantly less than 10,000 years. Interestingly, Bloxham raises a point puzzling many people about the Continued pitch used by Noah. How could it have formed in such a short time of around 1,500 years since creation? My work took me into the oil industry for 30 years. At that time I was not a creationist, but I was increasingly com- ing across things that did not fit the blinkered old-earth approach to geology. In particular there was the question of the origin of oil/pitch. The common answer was that it was due to decay of dead organisms, as Bloxham mentions. However, this requires a huge amount of guess-work on very technical issues of reaction kinetics, thermodynamics and GUARDIAN rock mechanics, none of which can be proved. So around 30 per cent of the scientists and engineers involved in oil recovery follow professor Thomas Gold’s alternative ideas of an ‘abiogenetic origin’ where the mole- The Trustees wish to appoint a Guardian (ordained or cules of oil are built up from smaller primitive molecules. lay) to succeed the present Guardian who is retiring The opposing sides have had long discussions, and failed to reconcile their differences. But they left out in October 2015. God from their studies. I therefore wrote a substantial technical paper on the subject, which was published by Answers in Genesis in their research journal, December 2008, showing why the two ideas could not be rec- Pilsdon at Malling is an ecumenical Christian onciled, and, using known scientific arguments showed that oil had been in the ground before Noah and the community of people who chooseto live together Flood. and offer hospitality to people in need. To those on Within a day of that publication appearing, the British Centre for Science Education were telling the world how crazy these creationists were and would demonstrate their belief by taking up my offer of debate. I’m still the margins of society Pilsdon offers refuge and alife waiting for them to offer a candidate debater on this or any less specialised aspects of creationism. So who of prayer and simple manual work. It is based in a has the problem? former monastery, adjacent to the Anglican Dr J Matthews, Benedictine Abbey of St Mary, and set in six acres at Retired chartered geologist, West Malling in Kent. The leadership of the Wareham Community comes from the Guardian and the other Community Members. Born again the Holy Spirit. There is no evidence in the The nature of being born again is not a For further informationand an application form Sir, I have no New Testament of an ex opere operato doc- matter of mere academic discussion, but is a please writetothe Chair of Trustees c/o The Vicarage, wish to enter trine of regeneration. This is born out in the life-changing experience in which the true into what could myriads of both Romans and Protestants believer is brought into conscious commun- 4 Hastings Road, Pembury, Kent TN2 4PD. turn out to be a who have been baptised but show no signs of ion with the Holy Trinity through Christ, and personal and having a true faith... to whom the Holy Scriptures become a joyful The closing date for applications is 13th March 2015. fruitless dispute The prince of all such people is Pope life giving source inspiration in daily living. with your corre- Alexander VI, who tried to make the Papacy Mr Williams is right in saying that nothing spondent RI hereditary in favour of his sinister family, the can stop the Catholic Church. I am always Williams. He is in line with Chrysostom in Borgias, made his horse into a cardinal, and amazed that the Bible and being born again believing that John 3:5 “except a man be reviewing the enormous wealth of the Papa- constantly recur despite the hazards of histo- born of water and The Spirit” refers to bap- cy proclaimed: “This Jesus myth has proved ry, including church history, triumphing in tism. However many distinguished Bible to be very profitable to me.” Yet he has never the lives of so many. But the Bible is the writ- expositors do not agree with this interpreta- been excommunicated, while sadly Arch- ten Word of God. tion. bishop Cranmer was deposed for heresy [as Peter Cook The overwhelming teaching of John 3 is Westminster Cathedral describes his being Via email about the necessity of having a saving faith burned at the stake] for upholding Biblical that is the hallmark of being born again by teaching...

Discipleship Sir, In “Developing Discipleship” (GS1977), among other General Synod papers, the Church of England rightly turns its attention to the need to reverse FREE its falling numbers. Giving traditional meaning to what it says, little can be fault- APP ed. The problem is what it fails to examine and say. Discipline is part of biblical discipleship, yet we endure what the Prayer Book calls notorious evil-livers and turn a blind eye to ministers who are off-message. Businesses and political parties do not tolerate delinquents, why do we? Why is this not tackled? "%&#!$ It takes less effort to keep a customer than to win a new one, so why no emphasis on learning why people give up on the Church of England or leave for , by #'&"$(%'! /(1 6>99I 4>9(I another church? According to the useful Closing the Back Door of the Church H(9!5>%( )!() !;C:9L *,75 G>;@ Ron Kallmier (CWR, 2009), few churches seek answers to this. When after the First World War the Church neither had the men nor the 3>9I *=,&A >%() "M? -9>!;() finances it needed, Bishop republished Bishop Croft’s Naked >5 4K!'5:; -#(:K:%!+>K 4:KK(%( Truth (1675/1919) challenging various sacred cows. In contrast to the prevail- ,M&M@,M$,? E!;!75(9() !; 5#( ing wisdom that we need suitably trained young clergy with little experience of )!:+(7(7 :' F!+#B(K)A 2(9;) C:9L ,M$* @ *===? D:95# who had a life-long experience of understanding and living out the Christian life. J>75 -9>1(KK!;% .(+9(5>9I ':9 Such men could take services, preach useful sermons and counsel those in 408. ,M"$ @ ,MNM? need. Of course, both were thinking of orthodox laity holding to the Creed and the Prayer Book Catechism, not the dubious questioning NSMs/SSMs our bishops so often ordain. In the heady days of the New Testament God was daily adding to the Church those who were being saved (Acts 2:47). So why not now? Our Lord tells us that his sheep hear his voice and follow him and that another his sheep will neither hear nor follow (John 10:4-5, 11-14). Last year the “Faith Debates” survey showed significant Subscribe to the questioning of historic Christianity by sections of the British Anglican clergy. Since some of our clergy have nei- ther the teaching nor tone of Christ, where is the recognition that both these might be problems? CEN in the “The stark divide between the sexes on matters of faith” reports the Telegraph (21 Janua ry) form “the latest tranche of findings from the 1970 British Cohort study.” It quotes Professor David Voas who crunched the data Apple Newsstand saying: “Quite generally we find, across different times and places that women are more religious but exactly why that is the case remains the subject of debate.” This really is no surprise to the observant. However if we want to redress the cur rent imbalance of the sexes in PRICES FROM JUST 79p our congregations, where is the understanding that men are naturally more sceptical and unbelieving? Where is the analysis and strategy to win them? Yearly: £26.99 If as many of us believe, men and women approach life in radically different ways, will our clergywomen be able to understand, and win the men we so desperately need? Alan Bartley, Greenford, Middlesex www.churchnewspaper.com Friday January 30, 2015 The Register 13

Winchester College. The Rev Rupert Toovey, BIBLECHALLENGE ANGLICAN CYCLE OF PRAYER Curate: Storrington to be Hon Associate Priest (Ass Curate) (NSM) Steyning & Ashurst (Chichester). The Rev Steven Underdown, Day 30: Exodus 25-27, Psalm 25, Friday 30 January. Psalm 37: 3-8, Col. 3: 12-25. Lui - (Sudan): The Rt Rev PinC: Hove, St Patrick & Chaplain to Matthew 26 Stephen Dokolo Ismail Royal Sussex County Hospital Day 31: Exodus 28-30, Psalm 26, Saturday 31 January. Psalm 145: 17-end, Col. 4. Lusaka - (Central Africa): The (Chichester), to be Resident Chaplain to Matthew 27 Rt Rev David Njovu Burrswood Hospital (Chichester). Day 32: Enjoy hearing the Scriptures Sunday 01 February. Epiphany 4. Psalm 93, Wis. 1: 1-5. Luwero - (Uganda): The Ven , read aloud in church The Rt Rev Evans Kisekka is resigning from his appointment Day 33: Exodus 31-33, Psalm 27, Monday 02 February. The Presentation of our Lord: Candlemas. Psalm 1, as of Dorset to be Dean of Matthew 28 Wis. 1: 6-11. Lweru - (Tanzania): The Rt Rev Jackton Yeremiah Lugumira Chichester. Day 34: Exodus 34-36, Psalm 28, Tuesday 03 February. Psalm 103: 13-18, Wis. 1: 12-2:1. Machakos - (Kenya): The Rev Debbie Wilson, Mark 1 The Rt Rev Joseph Mutungi SSM Associate Minister of Hartlepool St Day 35: Exodus 37-39, Psalm 29, Wednesday 04 February. Psalm 32: 1-8, Wis. 2: 2-11. Madhya Kerala - (South Luke (Durham), to be Chaplain/Head of Mark 2 India): The Rt Rev Thomas Kanjirappally Oommen Religious Education, St Peter’s School, Day 36: Exodus 40, Psalm 30, Mark 3 Thursday 05 February. Psalm 50: 1-6, Wis. 2: 12-24. Madi & West Nile - Cambridge, New Zealand. (Uganda): The Rt Rev Dr Joel Obetia The Rev Rosemary Helen Woodall, Stipendiary Priest-in-Charge of the Benefice of Bisley, Chalford, France APPOINTMENTS Lynch and Oakridge; and Priest-in- licensed as Priest in Charge of the St fixed term, now to be licensed without Charge of the Benefice of Bussage, to be Paul’s district and collated as Vicar of term as Team Vicar with special Stipendiary Vicar of the Benefice of The Rev Elizabeth Baker, the benefice of St Augustine, responsibility for the Parish of St Bisley, Chalford, France Lynch, and SSM – Stantonbury and Willen (Oxford) Whitchurch, (Bristol). Bartholomew’s in the Benefice and Oakridge and Bussage with Eastcombe to be Rector – Highland Perthshire The Rev Jonathan Herbert, Parish of Bishopston and St Andrews. (Gloucester). Group. currently exercising extra-parochial The Rev Daniel Merceron, The Rev Dr Margaret Yates, The Rev Anthony Barnshaw, Ministry in Dorchester, is to be Chaplain PinC (NSM) Alfriston with Lullington, SSM Curate in training – Walbury Team Vicar in the Ramsbottom & to Gypsies and Travellers (Salisbury). Litlington and West Dean (Chichester) Beacon Benefice to be SSM Associate Edenfield Team, is leaving to take up the The Rev Canon Ian Hutchinson-Cer- to be PinC: Alfriston with Lullington, Minister – Newbury St Nicolas and St post of Associate Vicar at Emmanuel vantes, Litlington and West Dean (Chichester). Mary (Oxford). Cheadle Hulme (Manchester). PinC: Nuthurst & Mannings Heath, to The Rev Heather Molloy The Rev Andrew Bryant, be Inc: Nuthurst and Mannings Heath to serve for two years as Area Dean of Team Rector of Portishead, Bristol (Chichester). Walmsley (Manchester) from 1 January RETIREMENTS & RESIGNATIONS (Bath and Wells), to be Canon for The Rev Stephen John Jarvis, 2015. Mission and Pastoral Care, Norwich Self-Supporting Associate Priest in the The Rev Omid Moludy, Cathedral. Benefice of Bisley, Chalford, France is to become 0.5 Mission Support Priest The Rev Elizabeth Campbell, Lynch and Oakridge to be Self- for Cultural Diversity. This is in addition Associate Priest of Stonehaven with Supporting Associate Priest in the to his current post as SSM Curate at St The Rev Richard James Rutherford Catterine and Muchalls (Brechin), to be Benefice of Bisley, Chalford, France John Heaton Mersey in the Heaton Amys, Priest in Charge of South Shields St Lynch, and Oakridge and Bussage with Team (Manchester). Stipendiary Rector of the Benefice of Simon and Associate Minister of Eastcombe (Gloucester). The Rev Steve Morgan, Eastington, Frocester, Haresfield, (Durham). The Rev Charles Jefferson, Rector of St Bartholomew and Rural Moreton Valence, Standish and The Rev Alan Stuart Cornes, Rector of Thrapston, Islip and Denford Dean of Chalke, Surrogate of Chalke, Ex Whitminster, (Gloucester) to retire from Team Rector of the West Bolton team, is has been appointed Rector of Middleton Officio Foundation Governor of Semley 31 May 2015. to become Mission Support Cheney w Chacombe & Breatworth & CE VA Primary School, Diocesan Synod The Rev Mary Barnes, Priest (Manchester). Marston St Lawrence w Warkworth & Clergy Elected Member Chalke, BC Vicar – Old Windsor (Oxford), to retire The Rev Tina Draycott, Thenford (The Chenderit Benefice) Nominee of Sarum Archdeaconry from 31 January. former Associate Curate of the Avon (Peterborough). Mission and Pastoral Committee, Ex The Rev Diane Barrett River Team, is now Associate Priest The Rev Helen Louise Johnson, officio of Sarum Archdeaconry Mission has retired as Assistant Curate in the (Salisbury). Assistant Curate, Bedminster and and Pastoral Committee, Chalke Clergy West Bolton Team (Manchester). The Rev Dot Fair, Whitchurch, Bristol, to be licensed as of Diocesan Synod & Board of Finance, The Rev Sandra Brown Assistant Curate (OLM) of Holy Rood, Assistant Curate in the Benefice of Patron of Chalke Valley and of Nadder retired from her post as Associate Priest Swinton, is to become House for Duty Bedminster and the Benefice of St Valley (Salisbury), to be a Royal Navy at St George’s Church, Swallowbeck Priest in Charge without stipend of Holy Augustine, Whitchurch (Bristol). Chaplain. (Lincoln) with effect from 31 December Rood, Swinton (Manchester). The Rev Dr Vicky Johnson, The Rev Susan Ann Paterson, 2014. The Rev Luke Foster Priest in Charge of St Michael Flixton To be Vicar of the Benefice of Deeping The Rev Jan Collins, Curate in Training Stipendiary - (Manchester), leaves with effect from St James (Lincoln). Priest in Charge of St Peter and St Banbury St Paul (Oxford) to move to the 25th April 2015 to take up the post of The Rev Karen Reeves, Andrew Corby and Great and Little Anglican Church in Chile. Canon Residentiary of Ely Cathedral. Pioneer Ministry, St Catherine’s Stoke Oakley (Peterborough) is to retire on 31 Dr Christine Helen Gore, The Rev Paul Kennedy, Aldermoor with New Century Park, January 2015. Principal, Yorkshire Ministry Course Priest in Charge of South Westoe to be , is to become 0.5 Priest in The Rev Renée Coulson (West Yorkshire and the Dales), to be Vicar of South Westoe (Durham). Charge of St Chad New Moston and 0.5 is retiring from her appointment as Director of Formation for Ministry and The Rev Canon Jonathan Kimber, Priest in Charge of St John Moston Priest in Charge of Seend, Bulkington Principal-designate, St Peter’s College Vicar of St Benedict Northampton has (Manchester). and Poulshot, and as Officio Foundation (Sheffield). been appointed Director of Ministry and The Rev Andrew Rycraft, Governor of Seend CE VA Primary The Rev James Grant, Discipleship for Worcester Diocese. House for Duty Priest - The Ray Valley School. Her appointment ceases 5 April from Manchester to be Associate Vicar: The Rev Gillian Maude, Benefice to be House For Duty Diocese (Salisbury). Worth, Pound Hill and Maidenbower Vicar of Goodrington and Collaton of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich. The Rev Jayne Barbara Crooks (Chichester). (Exeter) to be Priest in Charge of The Rev Dr Kerry Jay Samuel, Team Vicar, Kings Norton Team, The Rev John Martin Hancock, Jarrow (Durham). Assistant Curate in the Benefice of (Birmingham), to retire from 5 April. Priest in Charge of the Benefice of The Rev Paul McVeagh, Twickenham, St Mary (London) to be The Rev Paul Darbyshire Christ Church, Hengrove, Bristol and from Rochester Diocese to be PinC Chaplain of All Saints’ Academy, resigned from his post as non- also Priest in Charge of the St Nicholas (House for Duty) Ashburnham with ; and Chaplain of stipendiary assistant curate of St District, Bristol to be licensed as Priest Penhurst (Chichester). Cheltenham College (Gloucester). Botolph’s Church in Quarrington in Charge of the Benefice of Christ The Rev Richard James Edward The Rev Capt Peter Simmons, (Lincoln) with effect from 30 September Church, Hengrove, Bristol and collated Major, Assistant Curate of Christ the King 2014. as Vicar of the benefice of St Nicholas, To be Rector of the Benefice of Kettering to be Vicar; Amersham; Penn The Rev Dr Rowena Edlin-White Whitchurch. Woodhall Spa Group (Lincoln). Street with Holmer Green Parish has resigned from her post as SSM The Rev Rachel Hawkins, The Rev Adrian Manning, (Oxford). Assistant Curate of Lowdham with Assistant Curate of St Johns Chaplain, St Georges, Harpenden to be The Rev Keith Thomasson, Caythorpe and Gunthorpe in the (Derby), has been appointed Rector of Vicar; Mursley; Ivinghoe with Pitstone, is now Senior Chaplain of Alabaré Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham. Rushden St Peter (Peterborough). and Slapton and Marsworth Benefice (Salisbury). She will hold PTO from 1st January The Rev Canon Nicholas John Hay, (Oxford). The Rev Dr Simon Thorn, 2015. Priest in Charge of the St Paul’s district The Rev Wayne Philip Massey, Chaplain Downe House School, Cold The Rev John Faraday and Priest in Charge of the St Team Vicar with special responsibility Ash, Newbury & SSM Associate will resign as Team Rector of Gorton Augustine’s district in the benefice of for the Parish of St Bartholomew’s, Minister, Hermitage Team, Newbury and Abbey Hey (Manchester) and retire Whitchurch (Bristol), to be Bishopston and St Andrews for a 3 year Deanery to be Dean of Chapel, with effect from 31 May 2015.

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 14 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday January 30, 2015 Books / Sunday History is attracting the attention of modern readers History is a fertile area at present for Christian pub- is an often-forgotten subject and one that needed air- SUNDAY SERVICE lishing. Where other areas have gone a bit cold or ing. Perhaps I am not alone in struggling with Paci- predictable, it is History that is really waking people fism and dealing with Jesus words on this subject. I 2nd Sunday before Lent — up. am struggling still, but this book is a good read and Sunday 8th February 2015 For my money, Andrew Atherton is the best Chris- will push the debate onwards. It is written from a tian popular historian writing today. He manages to Pacifist viewpoint –the author is a past Chair of the Proverbs 8:1, 22-31 be entertaining and deal with serious issues without Anglican Peace Fellowship. One thing is clear, being Colossians 1:15-20 being dull. Hi co-authored Engaging with Martyn a pacifist in 1914-1918 was no easy option. Perhaps John 1:1-14 Lloyd-Jones with David Ceri Jones and it a cracker. we need more pacifists today. The book traces the controversial life of “The Doc- The Chronology of World Christianity by John Bow- The theme of our readings this week is Christ as the pre- tor” and doesn’t pull its punches. We get chapters on den is an amazing work. It is just as it says on the existent, eternal creator and head of both the old and the Lloyd-Jones and revival and the demise of preaching. cover… lists very event that has happened along the new creation. But the one on the Charismatic Controversy crack- long and tortuous story of the Christian faith. It is John 1 begins the story of Jesus in the way that Genesis les with the same energy that the issue raised back both a labour of love and a valuable resource for all began the story of the world. In the beginning, even when Pentecostalism and Charismania began rearing those who like to get things in the right order. before God created the heavens and the earth, there was its head. The bitter theological wrangling between Finally a book that is really a traveller’s guide, but the Word. That Word was with God and was himself God. Stott and Lloyd-Jones is given full treatment and it is with a dollop of History thrown in. Footsteps of Jesus is So we begin to see a complexity in monotheism, which simply impossible to put down. The clash between the best guide I have ever read on the Holy Land. It is stands behind the narrative of creation. Stott and Lloyd-Jones was difficult and we get a packed with wonderful nuggets and crazy detail. It That ‘divine Word-with-God’ is the agent of creation and flavour of that. There are controversies today. Histo- even names individual people to talk to if you ever the source of all life and light. He spoke and they came ry seems to tell us that this is normal although it visit certain places. It is brilliant on the conflict in the into existence. Yet as the opening to John’s Gospel pro- looks damaging at the time. Holy Land. gresses, we find the world estranged from its creator, Subversive Peacemakers by Clive Barrett gives an If you or your church are planning a trip this is an needing a witness to testify to the light when he became Anglican historical perspective to War Resistance essential buy. This is a gem. flesh and dwelt amongst us, because our darkened eyes 1914-1918. It can be a bit hard-going at times but this Steve Morris could not recognise him and our corrupted hearts could not accept him. But — thanks be to God! — in his grace he gives to some the power to become children of God. They The Ethics of people who receive organ firm in the idea that ‘the turning are not just his offspring by creation, but by the regenera- Everyday Life transplants often try to develop to God which happens in tive will of God. To the praise of his glory and grace. Michael Banner bonds with the donor’s kin. conversion is an awakening that In Colossians 1, Paul sings the same song as the apostle OUP, hb, £20 As well as social anthropology can only happen once’ but John. Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God, mak- (£18.43 from Banner draws on church history emphasises it is an initial act ing him known. He is the firstborn of creation, not the CEN Shop) and the work of St Augustine in which must be worked out an because he is creaturely but because he is preeminent. He particular. He structures his book elaborated over the years. bears responsibility for the first creation, and not just for around the key moments of Vocation, O’Donovan those parts of it that we can see, but for things visible and Christ’s earthly life listed in the recognises, can refer both to an invisible, angelic as well as earthly. Not only did he create Finding and Seeking: Ethics creed and looks at how the event of calling and to the them but they were created for him, and he sustains them. as Theology II Christian imagination pictured concrete act of service to which But he is also the head of the new creation too, beginning Oliver O’Donovan them and so influenced views of we are called. It is the second with the church itself. Eerdmans, pb, £19.99 human life in general. with which he is concerned. He is As firstborn from the dead, the pioneer of our salvation, (£18.99 from the CEN Shop) Looking at baptism, for careful to make the point that he he leads the way into the resurrection state. And where example, he shows how the does not understand vocation in the head has gone, the body soon will follow. As the great Michael Banner sets out to point emphasis traditionally given to the common Protestant way of a Reformer, Peter Martyr Vermigli once put it: “We are com- moral theology in fresh directions godparents (which has been ‘useful job’ that contributes to the pelled to affirm that our resurrection has begun in his.” in his new book that gives the text reduced in modern Anglican and common good. A vocation refers By faith we are united with him, in whom the fullness of of the Bampton Lectures he Catholic rites) made the point to a number of worldly relations God was pleased to dwell, so that we can participate in the delivered at Oxford in 2013. that human family ties and and functions through which we reconciliation he has accomplished through his peace- Instead of Christian ethicists kinship are less important than serve God and realise our true making death on the cross. Again we see both old and new dealing with ‘hard cases’ he membership of the family of the selves. Vocation is not just for the creations, with Christ’s incarnation, atonement, and resur- would prefer them to learn from church. The establishment of few but for everyone! rection in the pivotal centre between them, made neces- social anthropologists and look at dedicated virginity was another As with Banner, it is impossible sary by our rejection and alienation. the dilemmas thrown up in way in which the church to summarise all that O’Donovan Proverbs 8 is a more poetic vision of the same truths. ordinary life by conception, birth, refashioned kinship - a theme to has to say in this important book. Much has been written about the verb in verse 22: did the suffering, death and burial. which anthropologists are more It is a work that requires careful LORD create the wisdom personified in this poem, or did Banner, who is Dean of Trinity alert than theologians. reading. The sentences are not he possess it, or give birth to it, or something else? The College, Cambridge, has much It is impossible to summarise all hard to understand but the author Arians of the early church, who denied that Jesus was practical experience himself after that Banner has to say but there covers a good deal of ground in a God, were happy to affirm a particular understanding of serving on numerous can be little doubt that he has short space and he rarely the Septuagint’s translation of the Hebrew, and read that government committees and he is opened up new areas for provides summaries of his wisdom/Christ was an ancient creature, brought into exis- one of the more insightful theological reflection. Up to now argument or pointers to tell his tence by God at a particular point in time. There was a contributors to ‘Thought for the it has been missiologists who readers in which direction he is time “when Christ was not”, they claimed, though he was Day’. have been in dialogue with heading. very important still in the scheme of things. Events at Alder Hey Children’s anthropologists (a fact Banner Theologians will be interested The orthodox did not agree with the NRSV here, but Hospital in Liverpool were a key does not acknowledge); this in O’Donovan’s comments on preferred to understand Proverbs as in harmony with factor in helping Banner to come interesting book makes it clear such topics as Consequentialism John and Paul. Like good Anglicans they realised that one to a new approach to moral that other areas of theological or the moral theology of Karl part of scripture cannot be interpreted as repugnant to theology. What struck him was study can learn from their work. Barth, but it would be a pity if this another (Article 20)! that even after it was exposed that Not that Banner always accepts book is read only by academic In the beginning, Christ the wisdom of God, was with various body parts and tissue of what the anthropologists have to theologians. All Christians can God, and was God. He was the beginning of creation, that children had been retained after say. Referring to criticisms that find much of value in these pages is, appointed as its head, and the head of the new creation post-mortems without the parents humanitarianism ‘always to help them as they try to live too. Certainly the rest of the passage focuses on wisdom being informed the hospital was presupposes a relationship of out their faith. Augustine figures as ever-present with God in that mighty work, rejoicing still trying to retain some parts inequality’ he refers to the prominently in this book as well with him and delighting in his people. And, wonderfully, without consent while returning communities of L’Arche where but O’Donovan also links all he verse 30 reminds us that God delights in Christ himself. other parts to the parents. those who are known as the ‘core has to say to scripture. Let that be our application too. Doctors (and some ethicists) members’ are meant to teach and I particularly liked his advocacy The Rev Dr Lee Gatiss is the editor of the NIV simply did not realise the serve their carers. of the Epistle of James, telling us Proclamation Bible and Director of Church Society significance to the parents of what Oliver O’Donovan is more that ‘of all the New Testament (www.churchsociety.org). they were doing, a significance to traditional in his approach to texts none follows so closely the which anthropologists could have moral theology but he is also teaching of Jesus of Nazareth, alerted them. concerned with practical especially the Sermon on the Banner began to realise the decisions in everyday life. He Mount’. Above all, O’Donovan HYMN SELECTION contribution anthropologists were emphasises that practical moral stresses, James would have us able to make when he read a thinking does not begin with realise that while scripture can review of a book on organ reasoning but with finding. “We help us in perplexity, it does so in Creation sings the Father’s song transplants by Lesley Sharp, an awake,” he writes, “to our answer to prayer. Practical Jesus is Lord! Creation’s voice proclaims it American social anthropologist. responsible agency.” wisdom is given in response to All creatures of our God and king She reveals that despite Conversion and vocation are prayer. Lord of creation, to you be all praise! discouragement from doctors central themes in the book. He is Paul Richardson Thou, whose almighty word

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper www.churchnewspaper.com Friday January 30, 2015 Reviews 15 Will the machines really take over?

FILMS OFTHE WEEK

Ex Machina (cert. 15) is the first of two films this year about artificial intelligence. Chappie, due in March, is more of a robot comedy, but Ex Machina takes serious- ly the old question about whether machines could take over. Writer Alex Garland (The Beach, 28 Days Later) takes on directing his own screenplay, which brings program- mer Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson) on a prize of a week’s internship to the remote estate – let’s call it a lair – of reclusive hi-tech billionaire Nathan (Oscar Isaac). Caleb’s job is to interrogate Ava (Alicia Vikander), Nathan’s latest version of a series of AI robots, in the Turing Test of whether a machine can replicate human intelligence. Caleb is not playing chess with Ava, though. He’s watching her peel stockings from her mechanical legs, and asking Nathan if she’s been programmed to flirt with him. Later he wonders whether his own search patterns, via the neo-Google search engine “Blue Book”, have informed Ava’s behaviour and even her looks. Ava has machine is to obscure the line between men and gods”. and Thomas Sadoski plays her ex-husband Paul. For a other concerns, even warning Caleb not to trust Given precedents such as Stepford Wives, Blade Runner, lone hiker, her experiences depend a lot on others – Nathan, and, rather like HAL in 2001 not wanting to be and even back to False Maria in Metropolis, it seems other hikers, a rural farmer, and the policy (great prod- switched off, Ava starts to wonder what happens if she more about whether the male gaze can cope with a hot uct placement) of REI boots to send out a bigger pair if fails the test. robot. it turns out yours are too small. Geoff Barrow and Ben Salisbury contrive some Experienced hikers help her reduce the weight of her creepy music to add to the oppressive atmosphere of Wild (dir. Jean-Marc Vallée, cert. 15) tells Cheryl “monster” backpack – if you’re reading a book, tear out the setting. This is a building with lots of glass, lots of Strayed’s story of a cathartic personal voyage of discov- the pages as you go. Moments of danger (from other restricted access, and apparently built, like Frank Lloyd ery after the break-up of her marriage and death of her people or from the risk of running out of water) add a Wright’s Falling Water, over a river. mother. Strayed, a novelist and columnist, set off alone frisson or two to the trail scenes, but it’s the piecing Caleb and Nathan get increasingly dishonest with on the Pacific Coast Trail to walk from the Mojave together of her former life, including a drift into heroin each other, and Ava gets more aware. After a few twists, Desert north to the border of Washington State, then addiction, in cleverly interspersed scenes, that means the film moves to a chilling denouement, a vision of a wrote about it her book “Wild: From Lost to Found on scriptwriter Nick Hornby may be unlucky not to get a machine-led future. the Pacific Crest Trail”. nomination. Skirting questions of whether AI is morally neutral – Reese Witherspoon bought the rights before publica- The ending, as Cheryl looks out from the Bridge of Ava asks Caleb, “Are you a good person?” – the film tion for her production company Pacific Standard, and the Gods over the Columbia River, could be trite, but it touches on how this impacts on the human race. At the stars as Cheryl (and is Oscar-nominated) in a film that encapsulates the essence of the film as she ponders her start Nathan uses a cinematic reference of human mixes the trials (and bleeding feet) of the Trail with life: “What if heroin taught me something? What if I was goodness – the house has enough fibre-optic cable to flashbacks to the life she’d lived. It’s a fascinating story never redeemed? What if I already was?” She has found “lasso the moon” (It’s a Wonderful Life) – but in the end and a remarkable performance. a way out “of the wilderness of my grief” to something, they’re talking about how to “download the mind”. Laura Dern is also nominated for best supporting somewhere, “mysterious, irrevocable and sacred”. The tag line is “To erase the line between man and actress as Cheryl’s mother Bobbi, who died of cancer, Steve Parish

This selection reminds us that those back home suf- when facing guns in both. fered too, as shown in the bullying tone of Jessie Pope’s Similarly, “The Padre” brings out the priest’s compas- CD OFTHE WEEK “The Call” and “Who’s for the Game?” sionate heart as he works for all kinds of men, and Disc Two is the flipside of the first, putting twelve prays that “all who witnessed such destruction may As the CD reviews return to a weekly format, we’ll songs up front, and only occasion- never witness the like again.” catch up with some from last year, and there are few as ally spoken over. Here the band is Some straight World War One songs, time-related as this one, where Devon’s folk royalty in its element. such as “Goodbyee” and “If You Were marked the World War One centenary with a master- One of many highlights is a jaun- The Only Girl in the World” get a more class in mixing words and music. ty musical version of AE House- contemporary portrayal. Elsewhere, an à Show of Hands are experts at getting a story out in man’s “The Lads in their capella “Silent Night” reminds us of the three minutes, and they tell plenty in the sensitively Hundreds,” which notes that some famous Christmas truce, and “The Blue curated Centenary. boys will be back to the town fair Cockade,” from the live Shrewsbury Disc One is the work that they were commissioned to in future years, while others will DVD, features some fine dobro from make, setting 22 famous war poems (read by Jim Carter have died, selected randomly by Philip Henry. and Imelda Staunton) to a discreet musical backing. the roll of war’s cruel dice. Both discs, spattered with blood and It includes graphic works, like Wilfred Owen’s “Dulce It could have been on any Show words, explode with vivid imagery and et Decorum Est,” which describes a gas attack, and his of Hands album, as could the powerful emotions. This is a dignified “Anthem for Doomed Youth,” which also clearly shows poignant “Coming Home;” or “The work, finely honed with compassion. that he was there, experiencing it all, his fury glowing Gamekeeper,” which inventively Derek Walker through the lines. parallels a day job and war work,

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper COLLEGE STREET SW1 The challenge of CITY OF WESTMINSTER Christian advocacy

Archbishop Sentamu’s for supporting the Assist- and the non-reader friend- new book highlights one ed Dying Bill. ly Hansard papers, of the main challenges of So it is in light of this although at least they’re Christ advocacy. We’ve all question ‘WWYD’ that we free. seen WWJD wristbands, look at the book On Rock Speaking at the Synod ‘what would Jesus do’ and or Sand. Archbishop John back in 2012 on the motion beyond the mire of the cur- Sentamu writes in the for women bishops, for- rent political climate, this opening of the book: “In mer Archbishop of Canter- will be your guiding ques- times of shock and confu- bury, , tion as an advocate. sion, we need people who said: “Whatever the theo- To take this out of what have depth of understand- logical principle on which could be interpreted as a ing, practical experience people acted and spoke, slightly abstract frame- and a broad and hopeful the fact remains that a work, the question can be imagination to help us see great deal of this discus- modified as such ‘what beyond our present tur- sion is not intelligible to would you do’ (WWYD). moil.” our wider society - worse Assisted dying, homo- Is this the same depth of than that, it seems that we sexuality, gay marriage, understanding that guided are wilfully blind to some women bishops, whether Bishop Sentamu’s vehe- of the trends and priorities or not to grant suicide vic- ment opposition to gay in that wider society.” tims full funeral rights, are marriage? Some even Providing an ‘intelligible just some of the discus- might ask what the role of discussion in wider socie- sions which the Church a book is, in extending the ty’ which is based on has had to grapple with in importance of moral guid- ‘imagination’, ‘understand- the last year. It’s easy to ance within wider society, ing’ and ‘practical experi- get caught in the thick of within an understanding of ence’ is the challenging the verbatim. There are the practical, non-removed job facing the future advo- also the challenges of peer stance of church palpably, cate. Where do you stand pressure. Lord Carey, for- effecting change in local as an individual, as a fol- mer Archbishop of Canter- community. Perhaps lower of Christ, as a repre- bury, was heavily unlike the removed discus- sentative of Christ in the denounced by his peers sions within Westminster, council?

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saved from the furnace 25 'He carved cheru- 13 '...for they ------at the [Dan] (8) bim....and overlaid them teaching of Jonah...' PRIZE CROSSWORD No. 935 by Axe 11 Early Christian church with gold hammered ----- [Matt/NIV] (8) with adherents today in - over the carvings' [1 17 Jewish prayer of praise Egypt and other coun- Kgs/NIV] (6) or thanksgiving from a tries (6) Down block of six late-num- 14 'You ---- the practices of bered Psalms (6) the Nicolaitians, which I 1Nephew of David and 19 See 23 also ----' [Rev/NIV] (4) his army commander [2 21 Eldest son of Ham 15 'I tell you, --- worldly Sam; 1 Kgs] (4) [Gen] (4) wealth to gain friends 2'...the ------of the poor is 23/19 '----...------that on the the for yourselves...' seized for a debt' tenth day of this month [Luke/NIV] (3) [Job/NIV] (6) each man is to take a 16 Wife of Esau, 6 of Elon 3Syrian capital, home to lamb...' [Exod/NIV] the Hittite [Gen] (4) Arameans who fought (4,6) 18 Religious house subject and lost to David [2 to an abbey (6) Sam] (8) 20 Adherent of the 4Main part or body of a Last week’s solutions: reformed Church of church (4) Across: 1 Teaches, 5 Gaius, 8 Blossom, England (8) 5'Samson went down to -- 9 Linen, 10 Titus, 11 Nearest, 13 22 Great-grandmother of ---- and saw there a Crown of Thorns, 15 Ran away, 16 David and name of an young Philistine Osyth, 18 Necho, 20 Explain, 21 OT book (4) woman' [Judg/NIV] (6) Haydn, 22 Ephesus. 24 'Then the devil left him, 6Relationship of Milcah and ------came and to Haran [Gen] (8) Down: 1 Tobit, 2 A Lost Coin, 3 Hosts, attended him' 12 Trainee minister or 4 Simon of Cyrene, 5 Goliath, 6 Inn, 7 [Matt/NIV] (6) priest (8) Sanctus, 12 Early days, 13 Corinth, 14 Newborn, 16 Orpah, 17 Hands, 19 Cry.

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