Rt Revd John Holbrook, Bishop of Brixworth Writes

Rt Revd John Holbrook, Bishop of Brixworth writes

Greenbelt Festival 26-29th August “Silent Stars” Boughton House

ince 1980, I have been a regular at the Greenbelt Christian Arts and Music Festival held over the August Bank Holiday Sweekend. In those far off days long ago, the festival was based in the grounds of Castle Ashby and Deene Park. After some time away, it has recently returned to Northamptonshire and this year we look forward to welcoming the festival again to the beautiful setting of Boughton House, near Kettering.

This year’s speakers include the Archbishop of Canterbury, Kate Bottley (the “Gogglebox Vicar”), John Bell of the Iona Community, Sally Magnusson, Terry Waite and Mark Yaconelli. There’s lots of worship, music, drama, comedy, discussions, exhibitions and “fringe” events. Greenbelt describes itself as “a festival where arts, faith and justice collide.” It tries to be “engaged with culture, inspired by the arts, sustained by faith”.

It would be fair to describe my own engagement with Greenbelt as a love-hate relationship. I love the excitement and sense of fun with thousands of Christians gathering to celebrate our faith in Christ. I appreciate the way the festival has often challenged me quite sharply to live out my faith more authentically, but even such really good challenges are hard to love!

I believe it’s super for us to have such a wealth of Christian experience, insight, creativity and (yes) challenge on our doorstep. If you’ve never been before or perhaps never been to any festival, can I encourage you to come and discover the amazing variety on offer.

Ticket information, including details of discounts for those who live locally, is available on the festival website www.greenbelt.org.uk We also have a number of free tickets for Youth leaders. Please contact the Archdeaconry Youth Missioners at Bouverie Court.

I’m planning to be on site all four days, helping to staff our diocesan stall. Please come and say “Hello”. In particular, I invite you to join me for the Festival Communion Service on Sunday morning when the Archbishop will be speaking. (Entry is free on Sunday until lunchtime.) Some local churches are even cancelling their mid-morning services so that everyone can come and hear Archbishop Justin. It promises to be a great occasion.

With my prayers and best wishes,

+John Bishop of Brixworth

Diocese of Peterborough - Magazine Resource - August 2016 Produced by the Diocesan Office, The Palace, Peterborough PE1 1YB 01733 887000 www.peterborough-diocese.org.uk

From Orc to Ordination

hen Andrew Smith was seven he was asked by a priest as part of a service “what do you want to Wbe when you grow up?” His favourite book was Burglar Bill, so without hesitation Andrew said, “A burglar!” He never became a robber, it turned out that wasn’t his vocation.

Andrew began seeking his calling in his late teens. He said that he had a real sense of longing to understand. “I was crying out to God, where is your purpose for my life?”

In answer he heard – “almost a physical voice” saying to him “Don’t worry, live in the world.” That all would become clearer later on.

So, having that certainty, he travelled. He ended up in various parts of the world working as a chef.

“It’s a brilliant way to connect wherever you are.” Andrew explained: “You can be creative, working with a team to serve people. Everybody eats – whatever the theological differences.”

After travelling in West Africa he ended up in Ohakune, an off-season ski resort in New Zealand. It was there in Ohakune that he saw an A-Board with a notice that they were casting for a movie.

He applied and got a part as an Orc in Lord of the Rings.

Andrew doesn’t have a photo of his transformation into the Orc – photos were strictly forbidden. The secrecy on the set was so strict that when he went in for makeup he had to wear a green cape to cover his armour so that no one could possibly take a picture of it. After makeup the orcs got on a bus to the filming location still covered by the capes. It was only when they arrived safely at location that they uncovered.

When asked whether he could identify himself in the movies, he said: “I recognise the scene that I was in, but with digitisation – making our band of 30 orcs look like a hundred- I couldn’t tell which was me.”

It was in living in Eye Green that he began again to seek his vocation. It was at St Matthew’s Church in Eye that he and his family had the call to ministry.

“We realised our enthusiasm as a family to serve God and the wider Church. My wife Louisa and two children, Ruben and Amelie all enjoy contributing to church life and community outreach projects.”

He trained at Trinity College Bristol and after his ordination on 26 June is off to join the community in the Benefice of Long Buckby, West Haddon, Watford and Winwick.

Welcome to our#Newrevs. Photo: Andrew Smith

Update on 140 holes of golf in support of Mothers Union

ill Canning used her swing to help Mothers Union in a way that would be interesting, fun, and probably make it difficult Jto use her arms for a while. She played 140 holes of golf to support Mothers Union.

She did it at Greetham Valley Golf Club, one of the best golfing venues in the East Midlands.

Dee Hinch, secretary of the Greetham Valley Golf Club supported Jill’s golfing marathon. Jill is a long standing and respected member of the club, so Dee waived the tee time booking policy.

“I was personally so impressed by her commitment to playing 140 holes in 6 days – a physically exhausting task – that I opted to promote her feat amongst our members in the Newsletter.”

She didn’t do it alone. From Monday 6 June to Saturday 11 June some members played the rounds with Jill to keep her company and to encourage her.

On Monday, Jill began her golf marathon. In the morning it was with Ellie Haughton, with Wendy Halford supporting – which sometimes means wheeling the clubs around. In the afternoon it was with Susie and with Ian Cripps. For the first day the Jill accomplished 27 holes.

On Tuesday she played nine holes in the morning with James and with Peter Cannings. In the afternoon she had a club match – that was 18 more holes bringing the total to 54.

Jill’s shoulder and arm began to twinge. She said: “I began to feel it a bit in the second day.”

On Wednesday, she had an away break at Rutland Water Course with a further 18 holes.

On Thursday in the morning she had a further 18 holes, with another nine in the afternoon playing with Angela and Jim Wheeler with Sheila Doughty. Jill’s husband Peter joined in, “hacking around as well.”

Bishop John was there to support her golf marathon.

He said, “I will be caddying… I may be better at pulling the golf buggy than giving advice.”

“It’s just lovely to support somebody doing something fun in recognition of the anniversary of a fabulous organisation.”

Friday was a further 27 holes, 18 in the morning and a further 9 in the afternoon with the president of the Mothers Union, Barbara Haynes.

It all finished with Jill playing 18 holes in a club competition, making her final total 144.

An outstanding effort that raised £1,515.53 + £180.00 Gift Aid for Mothers Union. Photo: Jill Canning in action

Northamptonshire Historic Churches Ride and Stride this September

By John White

ach year on the second Saturday in September, the Northamptonshire Historic Churches Trust organises a sponsored ride and stride to raise funds to help preserve Echurches in Northamptonshire.

Cyclists and walkers seek sponsorship for visiting churches. Half the money raised goes to the church nominated by the cyclist or walker and half to the Northamptonshire Historic Churches Trust. The Trust in turn makes grants to churches to help with their care and preservation. In this way the Trust is playing a part in preserving the wonderful heritage of marvellous churches we enjoy in our County.

Churches are normally open from 10.00am to 6.00pm. A list of those churches will be available on the Trust’s website at www.nhct.org.uk as will contacts in neighbouring counties if you are feeling more energetic or ambitious.

In 2015, the Ride and Stride raised £35,851.

Further details are available from: Richard and Val Hartley on 01327 831162 or by email at [email protected] or Liz Doherty on 01832 273525 or by email at [email protected] who can put you in touch with your local organiser.

Photo: Trans Pennine trail by Paul Glazzard CC BY-SA 2.0

For more events please see www.peterborough-diocese.org.uk/events