Churchgoers Urged to Get Involved in Politics
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THE ORIGINAL CHURCH NEWSPAPER. ESTABLISHED IN 1828 Synod THE Our tips for raises Oscars questions success: over Lord CHURCHOF Green, P15 P4 ENGLAND Newspaper NOW AVAILABLE ON NEWSSTAND FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 No: 6267 Churchgoers urged to get involved in politics ENGAGE in the political process and “It takes a leap of imagination to argue and politicians who have “neglected to assumption that to question immigration enter the political arena: this is the big that there should be stronger institutions nurture, by word, example or policy, at all must always be racist ... Suspicion message of the letter from the House of for those who disagree with as well as for those aspects of life which governments of people with other national and ethnic Bishops ahead of the General Election. those ‘on our side’.” can influence but not control.” origin needs to be understood.” ‘Who is my neighbour’, the title of the The letter speaks of how “breaking Speaking on the economy, the letter On education, the letter warns that House of Bishops’ Pastoral Letter, warns free of self-interest and welcoming our speaks of the lack of a convincing narra- ‘education is not simply to prepare peo- of the disengagement between politi- opponents” is a ‘messy’ business but the tive offered “about a healthy bal- ple to be economic units’, and speaks of a cians and the people and speaks of the only way to enrich “our almost-mori- ance between national government nurturing education respecting individu- ‘obligation’ to engage with the political bund political culture.” and global economic power.” ality and others’ religious faith. process. The Bishops warn against The letter speaks of a ‘financial On Europe, the letter speaks of the “It is not possible to separate the way a despair and urge people to vote catastrophe’, which has been treat- need for ‘structures of trust’ with Europe person perceives his or her place in the in the General Election as ed as a ‘political football’ and specif- and says ‘if there is a threat to the values created order from their beliefs, reli- ‘the duty of every Chris- ically urges better talks on housing, of our nation, it does not come today gious or otherwise, about how the tian’ adding, “even though a situation that finds itself in ‘crisis’. from our closest neighbours in Europe’. world’s affairs ought to be arranged. it may have to be a vote for The letter backs the concept of the “Ignoring or denying the extent to “The claim that religion and political something less than a Living Wage, and supports interven- which European people share culture life must be kept separate is, in any case, vision that inspires us.” tion with policy in an economic situa- and heritage suggests that questions of frequently disingenuous - most politi- The letter asks the tion where people “cannot adapt identity and belonging have no currency cians and pundits are happy enough for Church to encourage stronger accounta- infinitely in response to market pres- except as political bargaining chips.” the churches to speak on political issues bility from political candidates by seek- sures.” The letter speaks of ‘the power and so long as the church agrees with their ing their “commitment to building a The letter speaks of conversations of meaning of religion’ without which glob- particular line.” society of common bonds over individual immigration as ‘stirring up resentment al politics are impossible to understand The letter speaks frankly of how “dif- consumerism.” against some identifiable ‘other’. and warns of the volatile areas of the ferent parties have failed to offer attrac- Christians should be “wary of accumu- “Immigration has, too often, been world as ‘a constant threat to the stability tive visions of the kind of society and lations of power” in the hands of the framed in crude terms of ‘us’ and ‘them’. of all nations another reminder of our culture they wish to see. There is no ide- wealthy and few, and be “reluctant to ‘live “The way we talk about migration, with interdependence’ with Europe. alism in this prospectus.” under an overwhelming corporate sec- ethnically identifiable communities The letter warns of the irresponsibility The Bishops note that “with a few tor’” that divides society and sees “God’s being treated as ‘the problem’ has, delib- of any party abandoning the target of 0.7 exceptions, politicians are not driven sovereignty mocked.” erately or inadvertently, created an ugly per cent of GDP in overseas aid, as this merely by cynicism or self interest” but The letter asks for a new way of talking undercurrent of racism in every debate would indicate that “the moral impera- speak of a culture of decisions driven by about tax and speaks of politicians “plac- about immigration.” tives of mutuality and reconciliation self-interest. ing excessive faith” in the free market It goes on: “But we also challenge the counted for nothing.” GET YOUR FREE LENT COURSE HERE WWW.CUF.ORG.UK FIND GENUINE HOPE IN JESUS CHRIST THIS LENT [email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 2 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday February 20, 2015 News THEDIARY THE Diocese of Gloucester Three choirs are joining forces to take part in a special Send your events to concert to mark the anniversary of a Cotswold church. [email protected] St Paul’s, Whiteshill is marking its 175th anniversary or Tweet @churchnewspaper CHURCHIN this year and festivities are planned throughout 2015. However, they will kick off with a gala concert on 12 June featuring the Whiteshill and Ruscombe Community 21 February Choir. Churchwarden Michael Bailey said: “The other choirs 9am Resourcing Healing Ministry ENGLAND will be the Cotswold Youth Singers, and a group of Day, Victoria Baptist Church, Stroud’s Cotswold Playhouse players, who will perform Eldon Road, Eastbourne, some of the numbers from their summer production of BN21 1UE. For further Aspects of Love.” details phone 01825 763460 8pm Passion performance at Lich- field Cathedral. Tickets are Diocese of Derby free. Workshop from 2pm. Diocese of West Diocese of Durham 23 February Yorkshire and the A new book telling the history Dales A Durham organist is celebrating 40 years of service in the same of Derby Cathedral has been church. published. 12.00 Start of Fairtrade Fortnight Michael Grave, 68, director of music at St Mary the Virgin, The book, written by Dr Paul (until 8 March). Faith leaders joined Whickham, said: “I enjoy playing the organ. I enjoy what I do for Bridges, brings the history of together to take part the people of the church and playing the organ is the icing on the the Cathedral to life with many 24 February in a demonstration of cake. colourful and amusing support for minority “I see it as part of ministry and the music affects people when anecdotes. groups in the area on they worship. I feel I have achieved something if they leave the The book was launched last 1pm Seminar on Credit Unions, Wednesday. church with a buzz about the music.” Sunday. Dr John Davies, Dean Derby Cathedral. The procession was Michael has been a Past President of the Newcastle and District of Derby said: “The Cathedral organised by West Society of Organists and he jointly led the organisation of the Great is in Paul Bridges’ debt. This is Yorkshire North Organ Day in 2014. a very accessible and readable 25 February Ecumenical Council, He and his Whickham choir have made a number of appearances book which gives the reader an and included on radio and TV, the highlight being the broadcast of the Morning enjoyable and lively account of 7.30pm The Bad Christian’s Mani- representatives from Service on BBC Radio 4 during the Gateshead Garden Festival. this great church, its history festo Tour. Dave Tomlinson the Church of and life.” will talk about his latest book England, Baptists, ‘The Bad Christian’s Mani- Catholics, Diocese of Blackburn festo’ and other topics at the Methodists, United Diocese of Lichfield County Arms, Highertown, Reformed, The foundation stone for the new Cathedral Court, Truro. Lutherans, adjoining the Cathedral, was laid by the Bishop last week. A new take on the Passion is to get its Moravians, New The Rt Rev Julian Henderson placed cement on a plinth first performance at Lichfield Cathedral Testament Church of before the foundation stone – supplied by Lambert Walker tomorrow. 1 March God, Quakers, stonemasons of Bamber Bridge, Lancashire and taken ‘Passion – a contemporary journey to Salvation Army, from a quarry in Longridge – was lowered and then the Cross’ will then go on a tour of UK 10.30amAnniversary of the baptism Wesleyan Holiness. hammered into place. churches and cathedrals. of Charles Dickens, St There were The Dean, the Very Rev Christopher Armstrong, said The unique performance created and Albans, Copnor, Portsmouth. representatives from the plans for the Cathedral Court had been 14 years in the directed by accomplished dance artist Pentecostal churches making. He added: “We are delighted to have reached this and theologian Claire Henderson Davis from many nations. milestone.” combines dance, poetry and music to 3 March create moving and compelling work. Using poet Malcolm Guite’s sonnets 7pm Fairtrade evening with Mark Diocese of Newcastle on the Stations of the Cross as the basis Goldring, director of Oxfam, for a contemporary telling of Jesus’ last the Hub, University of Talented local musicians are putting on hours, the work will bring a multi- Portsmouth. Tickets £5. free lunchtime concerts in the disciplinary performance to the Cathedral on Fridays. Cathedral. 7 March The Lunchtime Recital Series was The Rev Canon Dr Anthony Moore, launched by Assistant Director of Vice-Dean of Lichfield Cathedral, said: Music James Norrey in 2013.