2 THE BRIDGE... February 2014 A view from THE BRIDGE Bishop Peter Hall . RIP Bishop Peter Hall, Ordained in 1956 Bishop Peter “I have only ever heard him family about a memorial was married with two sons. He spoken of with deep affection service in the Woolwich Area who was Bishop served in Birmingham and and appreciation especially in Bishop Michael said; “Peter of Woolwich from Zimbabwe before becoming the parishes of the Woolwich Hall brought a passionate Fresh and 1984 to 1996, Bishop of Woolwich in 1984. Episcopal Area, but also in concern for the people of the died on 28 When he retired in 1996 he Zimbabwe, where his years as Woolwich Area. Rector of Avondale in Harare traditional December 2013. returned to Birmingham “After his retirement he Diocese to serve as an are fondly remembered. continued to work for those expressions Honorary Assistant Bishop. “Indeed he played an who are excluded and Bishop Peter was a founder instrumental part in marginalised by society. His is of church of Unlock Urban Mission, establishing our companion a sad loss and he will be much former Chair of the Unlock links with the Anglican As a precocious student missed but his was a life well National Council and lynch- Church in Zimbabwe keeping lived, to the glory of God. in my early twenties pin of the annual Unlock the focus on solidarity in I wrote a piece in my “Our faith is that he is now London Walk, which he and prayer and action along with experiencing the resurrection then parish magazine his wife Jill organised for many mutual support, decrying the traditional life in which he so passionately years. encouragement and believed and which he so language, liturgy and friendship.” outlook of the Church of The Bishop of Southwark vibrantly shared. England. It provoked a the Rt Revd Christopher The Bishop of Woolwich, the “Our thoughts and prayers Rt Revd Dr Michael Ipgrave swift and stinging response from a member of the Chessun said; “He was a are with his wife, Jill, and their congregation suggesting that all was very well with passionate advocate for our represented the Diocese at family. urban parishes, a doughty Bishop Peter's funeral, which the church and that the young would grow up to see “May he rest in peace the error of their ways. champion for justice and took place in Birmingham in much loved as a pastor and January. He is also in and rise in glory”. Well as the years have gone by I have come to friend to many. discussion with Bishop Peter's value the traditional ways of being and doing church in its appropriate context – recognising that in some places this is the good and right way for the church to express itself. I am not sure nearly forty years on “I’m surprised and how the respondent to my letter would see the delighted,” said Rosemary. “It church today. I hope that he (because it was ‘he’) is wonderful to see the way would recognise that whilst there is much that has that the work of Mothers’ remained good, there is much also that is changing Union is being recognised, and and must change as the church seeks to engage with that is reflected in this award. the world we now inhabit. I’ve been so warmed by the ‘Relevance’ for its own sake is not the point and is messages of support from all rightly seen as shallow. The Kingdom of God has not over the world today.” come by sandals, pizzas and tambourines. However Rosemary (shown left authentic communities which have remained faithful presenting the MU ‘Why Buy to the core values and truths of being church have Childhood’ petition at 10 Could you sprung up by the grace of God and the inspiration of Downing Street in 2011) the Holy Spirit in the last forty years and continue to worships at All Saints, be the new do so. This edition of ‘The Bridge’ is glad to feature Sanderstead. She has been a Readers’ some good examples of this and some possibilities for member of MU for over 35 the future. years having joined as a young Registrar? Fresh and traditional expressions of church are not mum of two small children. in competition with one another or in a tasteless Now a grandmother of twins, Following the retirement of race for Diocesan domination. They both provide Mrs Rosemary she continues to be an active Ray Wheeler as Registrar, the Readers’ Board needs to wonderful opportunities for the love and generosity Kempsell, Worldwide member of Southwark of God to be celebrated and shared. We have been CBE Mothers’ Union. appoint a successor. here before in the Church of England! Who would President of Mothers’ As Worldwide President The Registrar’s role is have thought in 1852 that the controversial idea of Union from 2007- Rosemary spearheaded a important in keeping all the holding 6.30pm Holy Communion services would change in the leadership of records up to date and for 2012, has been made making sure each Reader catch on – or in 1925 that the new-fangled Parish Mothers’ Union’s central board Communion movement would be anything more than CBE in the New Year’s ensuring that the global has a valid licence. The a passing whim? Honours 2014 for membership was reflected by Registrar is also a member Some expressions of church may be here for a MU services to families in the inclusion of members from of the Board’s standing short season and others for longer. Let us foster across the world, bringing to committee and helps plan what is good and rejoice in God’s church in its the UK and across the the organisation diversity and and organise the major richness and diversity across our Diocese. world. wide experience. events of the Readers’ year. leader The post is unpaid but Last year the Mothers’ The Venerable Chris Skilton expenses will be met. Union’s Chief Executive Officer, Reg Bailey, was For further information The March edition Metalsmith awarded CBE in the 2013 New contact: Christine is due to be printed on Year’s Honours list. Flowerdew on 020 7939 9476 or email: 27 February and in and woodworker The two awards reflect the THE BRIDGE christine.flowerdew Conscientious and reliable, significant contribution that your parish from the @southwark.anglican.org following Sunday. Ian Marshall provides new the 4 million members of is produced & published by Kent Christian Press Material for that work and maintenance for a Mothers’ Union are making, for Communications and Resources on behalf of number of churches. To join across the world, to alleviate The Diocese of Southwark, Trinity House, edition must be with Wendy S. Robins at his list of satisfied customers. help those suffering with 4 Chapel Court, Borough High Street, London SE1 1HW Call: 020 8850 7851 adversity, and to promote Tel: 020 7939 9400 Fax: 020 7939 9468 Trinity House by or 077 6666 2747 stable family life. e-mail: [email protected] Monday 17 February. 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