Bishop Ian Writes s1

All Are Called

his month sees the ordination of a new group of deacons and priests in our Cathedral. There is a Tnational shortage of clergy, and some of our recent parochial vacancies have taken longer to fill than is ideal, so we rejoice that men and women of all ages, and not least some younger men and women with a whole lifetime of ministry ahead of them, are coming forward to be ordained. Alongside those offering for stipendiary ministry, we are now seeing an upturn in those offering for self-supporting ministry too. We express our gratitude to those in training and to those to be ordained, and our congratulations to our vocations team and those responsible for our intern schemes, as their hard work bears fruit.

Within the diocesan team, I carry a responsibility for the spiritual oversight of financial matters, and some of you will recognise that I was one of the signatories to a letter sent on behalf of the Diocesan Board of Finance to the parishes at the beginning of Lent, encouraging renewed efforts to bring in the level of parish share that our frontline clergy costs and our diocesan growth strategy require. I apologise to any who found the tone of that letter offensive, yet the overwhelming response has been positive and it has been both a relief and a joy to see an upturn in parish share payments, and again I want to use this opportunity to express gratitude for all the hard work and sacrificial giving that this represents.

Clergy and laity alike, we are all called to play our part in the mission and ministry of the church, in proclaiming, by word and by deed, the good news of God’s love for his world. Part of that responsibility includes finding the resources to fund that mission and ministry. Yet we are all called not simply to provide the resources to fund that mission and ministry, but to actively participate in it too. Eastern Orthodox Christians speak of “the liturgy after the liturgy”, the week-long work of God in which we are all called to participate.

May the example of those kneeling before the Bishop to be ordained later this month, whether or not we are there in person to witness it happening, serve as an encouragement to us all to recognise our own vocations, our own calling to be active in the service of Our Lord, spreading his love and peace and joy amongst the communities to which we belong.

May God bless you in his service

Diocese of Peterborough - Magazine Resource – June 2017 Produced by the Diocesan Office, The Palace, Peterborough PE1 1YB Tel: 01733 887000 Email: [email protected] www.peterborough-diocese.org.uk General Election 2017: Archbishops highlight the place of faith in British life

aith has a central role to play in politics and this general election, say the Archbishops of FCanterbury and York. In a pastoral letter to the parishes and chaplaincies of the Church of England, Archbishops Justin Welby and John Sentamu urge people to set aside “apathy and cynicism” and draw new inspiration from the ancient Christian virtues of “love, trust and hope”.

The three-page letter, shared in churches from 7 May onward, encourages voters to remember Britain’s Christian history and heritage as well as a concern for future generations and God’s creation.

Following divisions of recent years, it calls for reconciliation drawing on shared British values based on cohesion, courage and stability.

At a time when political differences may be felt more intensely than ever, the Archbishops insist that Christians’ “first obligation” during the election and beyond is to pray for those standing for office and recognise the personal costs and burdens carried by those in political life and by their families.

But Christians also have a duty to play an active part in the process, they add.

The letter also calls for space for faith in political debate and says politicians must be free to speak openly about their own beliefs and convictions and treated fairly for doing so.

“This election is being contested against the backdrop of deep and profound questions of identity,” they say.

“Opportunities to renew and reimagine our shared values as a country and a United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland only come around every few generations.

“We are in such a time”.

“Our Christian heritage, our current choices and our obligations to future generations and to God’s world will all play a shaping role.

“If our shared British values are to carry the weight of where we now stand and the challenges ahead of us, they must have at their core cohesion, courage and stability.”

The Archbishops highlight major concerns over poverty, housing and the dangers of “crushing” debt among other issues.

They call for a generous and hospitable welcome to refugees and migrants but also warn against being “deaf to the legitimate concerns” about the scale of migration into some communities.

They also single out the importance of standing up for those suffering persecution on grounds of faith around the world.

Faith, they argue, has a unique role to play in preventing extremism and religiously motivated violence. Photo above: Ballot boxes used in Philippine elections 2007 – photo by Keith Bacongco

That church rings a bell

his summer the people of Cotterstock, a little village near Oundle, are Tcelebrating the completion of an exciting project to refurbish the bells and bell frames in their church.

This has been possible due to fundraising by and generous donations from villagers, a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers.

Two of the bells were cast by Henry Penn of Peterborough in 1708, the other three by John Taylor Bell Foundry of Loughborough in 1878 who are refurbishing them and casting a new WW1 Memorial Bell as well. This new bell, to be known as the “Rita Bond” bell, is in memory of a villager and has been generously funded by her family and friends.

The bells were taken down in June 2016 and many people enjoyed seeing them before they were trundled through the churchyard in a manner reminiscent of when they arrived over three centuries ago. They are returning in June of this year and can be viewed in the base of the tower on the weekend of the 3rd/4th June from 12.00 – 4.00 p.m. alongside a display by the artist Angela

Wright who works with wool. A recent exhibition of Angela’s was in January in Southwark Cathedral, London when their newly recast bells were dedicated, baptised and blessed by the Bishop of Southwark.

To mark the completion of Cotterstock’s project there will be a celebratory weekend on the 17th/18th June this year from 12.00- 4.00 p.m. The church, dating from 1330, will be decorated with floral displays, organ recitals will take place, flowerpot people will be in evidence throughout the village, gardens will be open, and homemade teas will be served in the village hall.

Also on Sunday the 18th June at 6.00 p.m. the bells will be rung for the first time and the Bishop of Peterborough will rededicate them in a special service to which everyone is welcome.

Bishop Donald in our link diocese of Seoul, Korea

ishop Donald was in Korea to join the consecration of the new Bishop of Seoul Diocese, Peter Lee, which took place on 25 April 2017. B While there, Bishop Donald met with the Youth Club from St Bede’s Church in Daehakro. They took him to visit the ancient city wall, Hanyangdoseong, at the top of Mount Naksan. This designated historic site, translated literally as the Seoul City Wall, was built to protect the city of Soeul against invaders in 1396 during the Joseon Dynasty.

Bishop Donald gave a sermon at the Youth Club’s church on Sunday 23 April.

His sermon is available at http://crosskeysmag.org.uk/?p=1879

June 2017 events

Mon 5 June, Quiet Day at Launde Abbey LE7 9XB 10am-4.30pm. Three Good Things I’ve forgotten about me – but God hasn’t Led by Hilary Surridge, £26 to include coffee, lunch & tea. More info: 01572 717254 or www.laundeabbey.org.uk/

Tues 6 & 13 June, Lunchtime Recitals 1pm-1.45pm at Peterborough, St John the Baptist PE1 1XB. 45 mins of talks or concerts. Café opens from 12noon. Free, suggested donation £4. More info: stjohnscic.wordpress.com

Sat 17 - Sun 18 June, Quilt and Flower Festival at Broughton NN14 1LU. 10am-4pm. More Info from Fran Osborne 01536 790299 or [email protected]

Rededication of Cotterstock, St Andrew’s Bells. PE8 5HD. Sat 3-Sun 4 June, visit the bells as well as art by Angela Wright, 12noon-4pm. Rededication Service Sun 18 June 6pm. Bishop Donald will hold a special service and ring the bells for the first time

Sat 24 June, The Guildenburgh Choir at Christ the Carpenter PE1 4PE. 7.30pm £5 Including refreshments during interval

More details at: www.peterborough-diocese.org.uk/events