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THE CHURCHOF Five ENGLAND Revealed: prayers Who Billy that Newspaper Graham changed wants to the minister at world, his funeral, p10 NOW AVAILABLE ON  NEWSSTAND p8 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2014 No: 6244 New statistics shows slowing rate of decline in church attendance CHURCH STATISTICS continued to dance in the Church of England fell from in electoral rolls and in weekly and usual od the Episcopal Church of Scotland saw show decline between 2008 and 2013 1,094,500 in 2008 to 1,046,600 in 2012, a Sunday attendance between 2008 and a fall from 38,330 to 32,013 and the according to the latest UK Church Statis- decline of four per cent. In the same peri- 2012. In the same period Bristol and Church of Ireland in N Ireland saw a fall tics edited by Peter Brierley but the rate od total attendance at cathedrals Durham show an increase in average from 149,500 to 144,316. of decline had slowed and some church- increased from 32,300 to 35,900. weekly and in usual Sunday attendance; In the Roman Catholic Church mass es are reporting growth. Since 2000 attendance at cathedrals Coventry, Exeter, and Sheffield show an attendance in England has fallen from Overall membership in England is has increased by 11 per cent. When C of increase in average weekly attendance 886,743 in 2008 to 801,478 in 2013. Given holding its own with increases offsetting E figures are analysed more closely it and Hereford had an increase in usual that the Catholic Church should have decrease but there is a steeper rate of can be seen that a fall of average Sunday Sunday attendance. benefitted from immigration from decline in Scotland, Wales and N Ireland. attendance of 19 per cent since 2000 is The number of people attending Fresh Poland and elsewhere in this period, this For the UK as a whole the rate of matched by an increase of 18 per cent in Expressions (including Messy Church) represents a steep decline. There has decline was five per cent, which is less weekday attendance over the same peri- stood at 19,300 in 2008 but had grown to been heavy decline in the number of peo- than the previous rate, partly because of od. Average Sunday attendance stood at 71,900 in 2013.It is predicted to rise to ple registered as Catholic in such tradi- the impact of immigration and Fresh 859,100 in 2012 and average weekday 108,200 by 2020. The number of Angli- tional centres of Catholic strength in the Expressions. attendance at 187,500. can Messy Church congregations grew North of England as Liverpool, Hallam Huge growth in London, especially In 2012 Easter attendance stood at from 256 in 2010 to 475 in 2012. This is and Hexham and Newcastle although among Pentecostals and Catholics, is 1,395,300, down by 14 per cent on 2000 predicted to stand at 902 by next year. the steepest decline appears to have reflected in the statistics for England. and Christmas attendance stood at Research by George Lings of the been in Portsmouth. Westminster, East The Methodists are the fastest declining 2,530,800, a decline of 12 per cent on Church Army has indicated that fewer Anglia, Nottingham, and Brentwood all denomination in England showing a 2000. Figures for baptisms (down 14 per un-churched joined Fresh Expressions register growth. decline of 15 per cent but this was small- cent), confirmations (down 38 per cent), than was predicted (about 41 per cent Although the number of permanent er than the 29 per cent decline experi- marriages (down eight per cent), funer- un-churched as opposed to the 52 per deacons has grown, the decline in the enced by the Church of Scotland, 20 per als (down 18 per cent in church and cent expected). number of Catholic priests has declined, cent decline in the Catholic Church in down 41 per cent in crematoria) have all Outside England there has been a despite new recruits from the Ordinari- Northern Ireland and 18 per cent decline declined since 2000. steeper decline in Anglican numbers. In ate. Between 2000 and 2010 the number in the Catholic Church in Scotland. As far as the dioceses are concerned, Wales membership fell from 65,644 in of secular priests in England and Wales Average Sunday and weekly atten- London and Leicester show an increase 2008 to 54,236 in 2013. In the same peri- declined by 12 per cent to 3,073 in 2010. Britain sends help to Iraq THE RAF helped deliver much-needed military equipment to Iraq to assist those in the north of the country combating ISIL extremists, as British faith leaders held a vigil of unity outside Westminster Abbey. Earlier this week the RAF delivered 11 tonnes of equipment, including ammunition provided by other nations and body armour, helmets and sleeping bags provided by the UK. RAF C-17 aircraft have also transported a range of non-lethal support, to be gifted by the UK to Iraq, to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, which will be transported on to the Kurdish forces. Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: “The RAF continues to deliver badly need- ed equipment and supplies to the region. This equipment will assist the Peshmerga forces battling the insurgents in Northern Iraq and we will continue to support the Iraqis in their fight against the barbaric ISIL terrorists.” On Wednesday, UK religious leaders held a vigil of unity outside Westminster Abbey. Joining Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby were Imam Ibrahim Mogra of the Muslim Council of Britain, Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner of the Movement for Reform Judaism and Ayatollah Dr Sayyid Fadhil H Al-Milani. Meanwhile, the Vicar of Baghdad, the Rev Andrew White, revealed that he was can- celling immediate appointments after he had been diagnosed with active Hepatitis. © UK Crown copyright 2014 He has already been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. In a statement he wrote: “I am sorry if I have let anyone down.”

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper THE 2 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday September 5, 2014 News Diocese of London Diocese of Derby CHURCHIN Frances Whitehead may not be well-known, but she was the A young graduate’s rock upon whom John Stott depended. Serving at his side photography is to throughout his long ministry, her story is now being told in feature in a new a new book. And although she is now 89, All Souls Church in exhibition in Derby Langham Place is hoping that she will be able to attend the Cathedral. Jean ENGLAND launch on 21 September at the morning service. Chapman, who Her own story is remarkable in its own right. The chapter on Frances’s graduated in 2013 as a history opens with her ancestor foiling an attempt to assassinate George lll. mature student from It’s full of colour, with entrances from London litterati. Whiteheads Grove, Derby University, says Chelsea, is named after the family. Stott hoped that Frances’s story would her evocative images are one day be told, and now it has. The book is being published by Piquant not intended so much to Editions. record a scene as to stimulate meditation. Influenced by painters Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham such as James McNeil Whistler and Atkinson Hilary Wheat is hoping her remarkable restoration Grimshaw she seeks to work on a Nottinghamshire church will be recognized achieve painterly at Andrew Lloyd Webber’s heritage awards. qualities within the She is one of a group of volunteers at St Martin of photographs. Her Tours in Bilborough who are playing a vital role in exhibition opened on preserving the almost 700-year-old building. As a child Monday and runs until in the 1970s, she used to attend every Sunday with 30 September (9am- her family to worship but when she returned after a 5pm, Mondays to long absence in 2008 for her mother’s funeral, she was Saturdays). horrified by the condition of the church. She said: “The nave was curtained off because it was too expensive to heat. The plaster was peeling and the drains were blocked. There was a tree Diocese of Gloucester growing in the parapet wall of the tower and the roof leaked. Over 100 sculptures “St Martin’s had once been in a village, but was have been placed surrounded by post-war housing estates that had throughout the endured a lot of vandalism and crime in the late 1990s cathedral and its and early 2000s. So the church had grilles up, grounds, as part of the covering the windows. It was like a fortress.” Photo: Hilary Crucible 2 exhibition. Hilary had other plans apart from restoring the (above left) with Hundreds of church to a lively place of worship and centre of the the Rev Amanda thousands of people community. “What I really wanted to happen was for it Cartwright and visited the first Crucible to become, once more, a vehicle where the community Pauline Lucas, in 2010 and this event is could work together to tackle its own problems, such as the author of set to be even bigger poor education and health, and high levels of Evelyn Gibb’s and better. That event is unemployment.” biography; thought to have So far £800,000 has been raised in a remarkable Hilary inspects benefitted the local community effort to restore the fabric of St Martin’s part of the lost economy by £4 million. (including lost wall paintings by the highly rated mid- mural. (Picture: Margaret Austen of 20th century artist Evelyn Gibbs that were discovered Brian Pickering) Willans solicitors, who by electricians) and to put in place a programme of are sponsoring the activities, called Hidden Treasures, that will see it event, said: “One of the directly addressing the needs of the area. highlights of this year’s Now the work has been shortlisted for the English exhibition is the Lynn Heritage Angels Awards, which will be unveiled at a Chadwick sculpture of glittering ceremony in November, where the judges two cloaked figures include the TV historian Bettany Hughes, the ceramics standing outside the manufacturer Emma Bridgewater, Channel 4’s Cathedral to welcome “Restoration Man” George Clarke, and the Bishop of visitors. It is the London, Dr Richard Chartres. headline piece, which The three other nominations for the Best Rescue or Willans is sponsoring in Repair of a Historic Place of Worship are: All Saints’ particular.” Church, Rugby; The Poulett Chapel, Somerset; and St Mary the Virgin’s Church, Shropshire. Ms Willans, who is also a trustee of the Friends of Gloucester Cathedral, added: “This is an important year as it Diocese of Manchester Dioceses of Hereford and Worcester two weeks and three weekends, include a Big marks the centenary of Sing, a Big Bible Read, parish parties and several the birth of Chadwick, A headless lady will be a star attraction at this events linked to the anniversary of the start of who was an A priest re-named children offered month’s Festival of Churches, which is taking the First World War. internationally- for baptism with ridiculous names, place across the three counties of Herefordshire, This year’s event has been extended following renowned sculptor from married people in mass ceremonies – Worcestershire and Shropshire. the success of last year’s Festival. “We listened to Gloucestershire.” sometimes to the wrong person – The headless lady will be a feature of events in what people were saying last year and so have Crucible2 runs until and popped out for bags of sweets Worcestershire, where visitors will be given 10 extended it this year so churches can support 31 October is jointly during funeral services. keys to unlock St Faith’s Church at Berrow. each other’s events as well as staff their own,” organised by Gloucester That was the record of the Rev Church tours on the half hour will give 10 said Jenny Beard, one of the organisers. Cathedral and Gallery Joshua Brookes who lived during the different aspects of this medieval church - with a Pangolin and is free of Industrial Revolution and now his headless lady. Full details of all the events can be found at charge. colourful life has been marked with Other events at the Festival, taking place over www.festivalofchurches.org. an afternoon of monologues in Manchester Cathedral. In 19th century Manchester he is SPECIAL SUBSCRIPTION OFFER! credited with baptising, marrying and burying more people than any other clergyman in the country. And Take out a 6 month print subscription to THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND NEWSPAPER FOR 6 last Saturday’s drama brought to life MONTHS FOR JUST £35 (UK only) - one of the city’s great eccentrics. includes free online access to www.churchnewspaper.com

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper www.churchnewspaper.com Friday September 5, 2014 News 3 New charity encourages Archbishop joins Christians to adopt

IF ONE FAMILY in every evangelical church adopt- ed a child, the country’s adoption crisis could be averted. Ride+Stride visitors That is the call from the Evangelical Alliance, which this week launched its own adoption network. On Monday they established their Home for Good cam- THE ARCHBISHOP of Canterbury discovering beautiful churches, will over £1m, it is only a step towards paign as a full charity, hoping to bring stability to ‘tens is preparing to greet cyclists and also raise money for their repair the estimated repair backlog of £60 of thousands of vulnerable children’. walkers next Saturday as the and preservation. million for English churches. The Alliance estimates that one child is taken into Ride+Stride open day takes place. “Wherever you go, your The Archbishop of York, John care every 20 minutes, with another 6,000 waiting for The nationwide event invites peo- Ride+Stride adventure will help Sentamu, is backing Ride+Stride in adoption. They believe that Christians have a role to ple into churches, with many stag- ensure that historic churches Yorkshire, which following the suc- play in bringing a resolution to the situation. ing special events, and the remain at the heart of our national cess of the Yorkshire leg of the General director of the Alliance, Steve Clifford, fundraising initiative aims to raise heritage and local communities for Tour de France has been re-named said: “In the same way that Tearfund was incubated £1.5m to help safeguard historic generations to come.” the ‘Tour d’Eglises’ (Tour of and birthed out of the Evangelical Alliance nearly 50 churches, chapels and meeting Archbishop Justin Welby will be Churches). years ago, so it is a delight and privilege to now be houses up and down England. in Somerset where he will greet Fitness expert Rosemary Conley releasing Home for Good as an independent charity.” The event has been hailed by cyclists and walkers departing from said: “Ride+Stride is a brilliant con- The Home for Good campaign has been running Bear Grylls, who said: “Many his- St Mary’s Church in Lydiard Coun- cept. I love the idea of thousands of over the last two years, and aims to change the cul- toric churches and chapels are bat- try Park in Swindon. people of all ages walking or cycling ture in local churches throughout the UK, to make tling to survive. Roofs leak, ancient There are special events taking and raising funds to maintain our adopting and fostering a significant part of their life timbers rot and medieval place in hundreds of churches, world-class heritage of church and and ministry. stonework crumbles. apart from London, which will stage chapel buildings. As an active A spokesman said: “A government survey has “By joining the Ride+Stride the event the following week, to Christian with a strong belief also in shown that religious people were reluctant to step for- adventure on Saturday 13 Septem- coincide with Open House London. the value of exercise and fitness, I ward in the belief that the authorities would not allow ber, a sponsored bike ride or walk Although the event hopes to raise really do hope people will join in.” them to foster or adopt but that myth has now been dispelled.” When the first-ever Adoption Sunday was observed, 200 churches took part, and in Southamp- King’s College cutbacks attacked ton alone 70 churchgoers applied to be foster carers. PROPOSALS TO CLOSE postgraduate and ministry The strategic review had recommended that the programmes in theology at King’s College, London, department refocus activities ‘to develop a more cohe- have attracted criticism. sive and specialised identity’. New identity unveiled for the Nine taught doctorate or MA courses involving 120 Theology courses will now be taught solely by the Children’s Society post-graduate students are due to be axed to save Department of Theology at Religious Studies (TRS), money. They include MAs in Christian Education, con- which the spokesman claimed had ‘a vibrant research The Children’s Society including crucially with temporary ministry, youth ministry and doctorates in culture and has made over 20 new academic appoint- has unveiled a new brand over 100 children it theology and ministry. ments since 2008.’ identity, as research works with directly. The move follows the departure of two scholars from Among those who studied theology at King’s are revealed that general The new identity will King’s, Dr Anna Rowlands who has moved to Durham, Desmond Tutu and Lord Carey. Photographs of both awareness of the chari- be rolled out over the and Professor Alister McGrath, who has returned to men appear outside the college in the Strand in London ty’s work has fallen over next year to keep costs Oxford as the Andreos Idreos Professor of Science and in a display of distinguished alumni. the last few years. down, and one of the first Religion. King’s was founded by the Duke of Wellington The Children’s Soci- campaigns to benefit will Professor McGrath described the closure of the pro- among others as an Anglican response to the founding ety’s Chief Executive be their annual Christin- grammes as ‘deeply regrettable’. “I believe it was of the of University College, London, by Jeremy Bentham and Matthew Reed said: “A gle event. best in the land,” he said. He added that it had ‘con- others, which was known as ‘the godless institute on brand is tributed very significantly to the intellectual and pas- Gower Street’. about more toral well-being of the churches’. Professor Paul Joyce, head of the Department of TRS than a visual Dr Rowlands said the courses had attracted ‘a very told the press he was positive about the change and identity and a significant constituency of younger Christians who that it would help his Department to broaden its hori- logo. It were actively involved in politics and social justice zons to take over supervision of the students formerly informs work’. taught in DEPS. everything A spokesman for King’s told The Times Higher Edu- “While seeing forward the students will involve some we do as an cation Supplement that the changes followed a strategic additional supervision, we are positive about the oppor- organisation: review carried out last autumn and that the aim was to tunities this will offer, both to broaden the horizon of our vision, make the Department of Education and Professional the TRS Department in terms of practical and pastoral our mission Studies (DEPS), where the programmes had been theology and also to learn from the good practice in and our val- taught, ‘more viable’. teaching.” ues and behaviours. It reflects the history of our charity and will deter- mine our future.” The new brand identity, the charity’s first in 16 years, places a strong emphasis on storytelling and the revealing of ‘hard truths’. The black and white emphasises the serious nature of the charity’s work, while allowing great flexibility to work with photogra- phy, bolder colours and designs for different audiences. The Society consulted extensively ahead of coming up with a new vision, mission, values and new look and feel -

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 4 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday September 5, 2014 News Council loses employment case over gay marriage Dean brings ‘CHRISTIANS SHOULD no longer fear beliefs,” she told the court in a written marriage since she worked part time expressing their beliefs,’ claimed Paul statement. and weddings need to be arranged at reconciliation Diamond, barrister to the Christian She also said that anybody offering to least 16 days in advance. Legal Centre, after an appeal hearing stand in for her and conduct a same-sex Although she won the appeal, Ms ministry home before an employment tribunal ruled marriage in her place had been threat- Jones will not be returning to work that a council had failed to take a ‘bal- ened with ‘aiding and abetting discrimi- because the process has left her too dis- COVENTRY CATHEDRAL’S ministry of anced view’ of the religious beliefs of one nation’. illusioned… reconciliation has scored a major suc- of its employees. Ms Jones was prepared to handle the In its ruling the employment tribunal cess close to home, as clergy played a Margaret Jones was dismissed as sen- paperwork on the day of the marriage drew attention to EHRC guidance that key role in bringing Coventry City back ior deputy registrar at Bedford Registry ceremony but didn’t think she “could ‘encourages employees and employers to the Ricoh stadium. Office because she was not prepared to stand up and say it ‘gives me great pleas- to find reasonable solutions to religion A long-running row between the club, marry same-sex couples. Ms Jones, who ure’ to declare a gay couple married”. or belief issues at work’. council and the operators of the stadium is a member of an evangelical church, She explained that she wanted people In a statement Central Bedfordshire was battled out in court, but the Dean of said she was ‘stunned’ to be told that she who get married to have a good experi- Council told the [i] Sunday Times that Coventry has revealed how Cathedral had to conduct same-sex weddings or ence and that there had never been any ‘these are complex issues and we are staff secretly brought the sides together. resign. suggestion that she was homophobic or responding to relatively new legislation, Their work paid off, and the football In her witness statement to the court, sought to make gay people feel uncom- which means the council’s duty not to team returned to the stadium after play- Ms Jones argued that none of her shifts fortable. discriminate has to be balanced against ing their home matches in Northampton had actually coincided with a same-sex She pointed out that the council could the employee’s individual rights. Our last season. wedding. “As I have not yet done any- easily have organised the rotas so that decision has been based on guidance The Very Rev John Witcombe said he thing wrong, I am being sacked for my she did not have to conduct a same-sex available to us at the time’. was perplexed by the row, and thought it could show how the Cathedral’s min- istry of reconciliation applied to the local situation and not just on national or inter- New mission to bring faith alive in the workplace national issues. The breakdown in relations began A GRADUATE of the London Home Office and for the Dio- when the council hiked the rent it School of Economics has been cese of Southwark. charged to the football team. The club’s appointed as the new chair of He said: “Workplace Matters owners, Sisu accused the council of act- the trustees of Workplace Mat- is experiencing growing inter- ing contrary to European law when it ters, an ecumenical charity est in, and demand for, its made a £14.4million loan to Ricoh Arena that takes Christian values chaplaincy services – notably operators ACL in January 2013. into the workplace. on the waterways as well as in But the judge comprehensively Delbert Sandiford was its traditional heartland of cleared the council and said Sisu had appointed to the new post by London Luton Airport, Vaux- withheld rent in a deliberate attempt to Bishop of St Albans Dr Alan hall Motors and the emer- distress ACL and pick up a share in the Smith. Previously he was chair gency services. company at a reduced price. of the Hertfordshire Probation “The charity is also explor- The Dean had a secret meeting with Trust and is currently vice- ing and developing other the Sisu boss, Joy Seppala, and from chair of Nacro, the crime avenues of service to Britain’s there, another secret meeting was held reduction charity. A member workplaces to help workers involving the leading players in the row. of the Chartered Institute of ‘bring their whole selves to A professional mediator was brought in Personnel and Development work’ and, thus, become more who had an international reputation for (CIPD), he has worked in the engaged, motivated and pro- resolving conflicts. ductive in the work- Less than a month later the deal was place.” done. He succeeds the late The Dean said: “From my perspective, Alan Harpham, who had in the time I have been here, this has been chairman of the been our most sensational achieve- CHURCH TEXTILES charity for some years ment.” but who died in January He added: “It was nothing short of a '(0' (+'1%%'"' this year. miracle. It really was.” ,+/"
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[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper www.churchnewspaper.com Friday September 5, 2014 News 5 Aid agencies struggle to cope with 3 million refugees AID AGENCIES are struggling to cope launched to help the more than one mil- Describing the immediate humanitari- clean water for 128,640 and food for with the three million people who have lion people who have been forced to flee an need as ‘massive’ the Ven Bill 4,650. been forced to flee Syria since the crisis their homes in Northern Iraq. Schwartz OBE, Archdeacon of the Gulf, The 50-day conflict in Gaza has left began. Demands for assistance have dra- In the Kurdish region of Iraq Tearfund said that Iraqi churches were not advis- 100,000 people without a home. Many matically escalated as a result of the con- is helping people who have fled from ing their members not to leave the coun- children are traumatised and require flict in Iraq. executions, sex slave markets and forced try. special help. Almost half of Gaza’s popu- Tearfund launched a special crisis conversion. He claimed that many Muslim leaders lation of 1.8 million is aged under 14. appeal for the Middle East in August. It Tearfund has issued a report ‘Over- are hoping that Christians will continue CMS is appealing for help for Al-Ahli reports that many refugees are trauma- crowded and Overlooked’ about the to be part of Iraq’s history and culture hospital in Gaza. Situated in Doha, the tised and in need of specialist help. Their plight of Syrian refugees outside the offi- ‘and most importantly, Iraq’s future’. hospital has remained open throughout children need education. All this is on cial camps. At the end of August Christian Aid the crisis. Staff worked round the clock top of their need for food and shelter. World Vision is also working to aid announced that its appeal for Gaza had to deal with emergencies while airstrikes Local partners of Tearfund in Jordan refugees from conflict in Syria and Iraq. topped £1 million in just five weeks. Dur- caused structural damage to the hospi- and Lebanon are providing education for It reports that families are in need of ing the violence in Gaza Christian Aid tal. It is one of more than 35 institutions hundreds of Syrian children aged food, water, blankets, medicine and shel- says its partners in Gaza provided urgent run by the Episcopal Diocese of 4–11.New aid projects have been ter. healthcare to more than 18,000 people, Jerusalem. Patriarch calls for Churches set to pray for Scotland as three-day fast for independence referendum looms besieged SCOTTISH Church leaders have issued a call for two sep- and 10pm for people to come in to pray. At each hou r, on arate days of prayer ahead of this month’s historic referen- the hour, Christians are urged to pray the Lord’s P rayer Christians dum on Scottish independence. and for “an outcome that benefits Christ’s kingdom in And the two men leading the debate, Alex Salmond and Scotland”. Alistair Darling, have been urged to join in A THREE-DAY fast was held this week for prayers being held in churches across the coun- Christians in Iraq and Syria. try. The head of the Holy Apostolic Assyrian Denominations including the Church of Scot- Church of the East called for the fast in support land, the Scottish Episcopal Church and the of the 200,000 Assyrians who have become Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, have refugees in their own lands. asked their churches to pray for the issue on Sun- Patriarch Khaninia Dinkha IV said in a state- day 14 September, and to hold a national day of ment to his people: “As you always hear us say, prayer and fasting on Wednesday 17 September, ‘We do not have the power and we have no the day before the vote. helper only God the Father, who every time we The issue has sparked a deep national debate, call on him and ask him in our prayers, he and the latest polling has been inconclusive. responds to us with his mercy and intercession Although the No camp are ahead in the polls, as and saves us from all difficulties and tragedies’. they always have been, the Scottish Daily Mail “We ask you all … to pray to God the Father, reported on Sunday that the voters were split with and to bless and send his paternal mercy, and 53 per cent against independence and 47 per cent ZdZd^hdhDEϮϬϭϰ bestow peace and security in the whole region, in support. However, most polls suggest that as WƌĞĂĐŚŝŶŐtŽƌŬƐŚŽƉ͗ůĞĚďLJ^ŝŵŽŶDŽŽƌĞ so all the people can live together in love and many as 12 per cent of voters have yet to make up ;ϭϲƚŚʹϭϳƚŚ^ĞƉƚĞŵďĞƌͿ peace.” their mind. /ĨǁĞƐƉĞĂŬĨŽƌϮϬŵŝŶƵƚĞƐƚŽϭϮϬƉĞŽƉůĞ͕ǁĞĂƌĞĐŽŶƐƵŵŝŶŐĂǁŽƌŬŝŶŐǁĞĞŬ He said that following the actions of ISIS, Fred Drummond, national director of Evangeli- ŽĨƚŚĞŝƌƟŵĞ͗ĂƌĞůŝǀĞƐĐŚĂŶŐĞĚĂŶĚƚƌĂŶƐĨŽƌŵĞĚŝŶƌĞƐƉŽŶƐĞ͍ƌĞǁĞŚŽŶĞƐƚ 200,000 Assyrians have fled their homes and are cal Alliance Scotland, said that the Alliance takes ĞŶŽƵŐŚƚŽƌĞĐŽŐŶŝƐĞǁŚĞŶŽƵƌƉƌĞĂĐŚŝŶŐƚŽŽůďŽdžŝƐĂůŝƩůĞďĂƌĞ͍^ŝŵŽŶDŽŽƌĞ now living in church courtyards, refugee no side but strongly believes that the role of the ĐĂŶŚĞůƉ͘,ĞŝƐƉĂƐƐŝŽŶĂƚĞĂďŽƵƚƉƌĞĂĐŚŝŶŐƚŚĂƚŝƐĞŶŐĂŐŝŶŐĂŶĚƐƟůůŵĂŬĞƐĂ camps, abandoned and unfinished buildings, Church is to provide spiritual leadership. ĚŝīĞƌĞŶĐĞŽŶtĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ͊ open fields and sidewalks — in Ankawa, Arbel “The Alliance and 15 other partner organisa- >ŝǀŝŶŐŝŶƚŽ'ŽĚ͛Ɛ&ƵƚƵƌĞ͗WƌĞĂŶĚWŽƐƚͲZĞƟƌĞŵĞŶƚZĞƚƌĞĂƚ and Dohuk and its surrounding areas.” tions and churches want church leaders in Scot- On Wednesday, 20 August five Patriarchs land, and in fact right across the UK, to join us in ĨŽƌ^ŝŶŐůĞĂŶĚDĂƌƌŝĞĚůĞƌŐLJ͕ƚŚĞŝƌ^ƉŽƵƐĞƐĂŶĚWĂƌƚŶĞƌƐ from the Middle East visited Arbel in north Iraq prayer about what kind of nation we wish Scotland >ĞĚďLJůŝƐŽŶŚƌŝƐƟĂŶ͕ƚŚĞtĂƌĚĞŶŽĨ>ĂƵŶĚĞďďĞLJ to show support for the beleaguered Assyrian to be. History has shown that prayer changes the ;ϭϬƚŚʹϭϯƚŚEŽǀĞŵďĞƌͿ Christian community and to call attention to the course of history because God responds to the dŚŝƐƌĞƚƌĞĂƚŽīĞƌƐƚŚĞŽƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚLJƚŽĞdžƉůŽƌĞƚŚĞƐƉŝƌŝƚƵĂůŝƚLJŽĨƌĞƟƌĞŵĞŶƚĨŽƌ cultural genocide that is being committed prayers of his people,” Drummond added. ĐůĞƌŐLJĂŶĚƚŚĞŝƌƉĂƌƚŶĞƌƐĂŶĚůŽŽŬƐĂƚŚŽǁƚŽĐŽƉĞĐƌĞĂƟǀĞůLJǁŝƚŚƚŚŝƐŵĂũŽƌ against it by ISIS. Free Church of Scotland Moderator the Rev ĐŚĂŶŐĞŝŶŽƵƌůŝǀĞƐ͘ Patriarch Dinkha was not able to join this del- David Miller said: “Thursday, 18 September, will egation because of very poor health. be one of the biggest days for many years in the ZƵŶŶŝŶŐKǀĞƌZŽĐŬƐ͗ůĞĚďLJ/ĂŶĚĂŵƐ Last Saturday the Iraqi passport office in history of Scotland, and it is important that Chris- ;ϭϳƚŚʹϭϵƚŚEŽǀĞŵďĞƌͿ Arbel announced it would start accepting appli- tians will be praying for the good of our nation. dŚĞƉŽƉƵůĂƌĂƵƚŚŽƌŽĨƚǁŽďĞƐƚƐĞůůĞƌƐ͕ĂǀĞ͕ZĞĨĞĐƚŽƌLJZŽĂĚĂŶĚZƵŶŶŝŶŐŽǀĞƌ cations to issue new passports for refugees “The referendum appears to be an opportunity ZŽĐŬƐ͕/ĂŶďƌŝŶŐƐŚŝƐƐƉĞĐŝĂůŵŝdžŽĨƉŽĞŵƐĂŶĚƉŚŽƚŽŐƌĂƉŚƐ͕ĐŽŶǀĞƌƐĂƟŽŶƐĂŶĚ from the Nineveh Plain and other areas who to have a different country and a different future, Ăƌƚ͕ƌĞŇĞĐƟŽŶƐĂŶĚƉƌĂĐƟĐĞƐƚŽƚŚŝƐƌĞƚƌĞĂƚ͕ǁŚŝĐŚĞdžƉůŽƌĞƐƚŚĞƉŽƐƐŝďŝůŝƟĞƐŽĨ fled from ISIS. Within an hour thousands of but the wisdom and power to bring that about will ŶƵƌƚƵƌŝŶŐůŝǀĞƐƌŽŽƚĞĚŝŶƐƉŝƌŝƚƵĂůƉƌĂĐƟĐĞƐĨƌŽŵƚŚĞĂŶĐŝĞŶƚĂŶĚƵŶĨŽůĚŝŶŐ:ĞƐƵƐ people came to the office, which was over- not come from Holyrood or Westminster – which ƚƌĂĚŝƟŽŶ͘ whelmed and could not process most of the is why we do not wish to see a Scotland which is )RUPRUHLQIRUPDWLRQDQGWRERRN requests. independent from God. This week it was revealed that US President “The last thing we want is a secular state, ϬϭϱϳϮϳϭϳϮϱϰ Barack Obama will convene a heads of state whether called Scotland or Great Britain, in which ŽƌǀŝƐŝƚǁǁǁ͘ůĂƵŶĚĞ͘ŽƌŐ͘ƵŬ meeting at the UN Security Council in Septem- God’s laws are not worth obeying, in which his ber to address the threat of foreign fighters in day is not worth valuing and in which his blessing >ĂƵŶĚĞďďĞLJ͕ĂƐƚEŽƌƚŽŶ͕>ĞŝĐĞƐƚĞƌƐŚŝƌĞ͕>ϳϵy Syria. A recent US Intelligence report says is not worth considering.” ŚĂƌŝƚLJEŽ͗ϭϭϰϬϵϭϴ 12,000 militants from 81 nationalities, including On the national day of prayer and fasting, co- Americans and Europeans, have joined terrorist ordinated by Pray for Scotland, Scottish churches groups fighting against the Syrian government. are being asked to open their doors between 7am

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Palestinian years, has been actively to Criticising Israel ‘closeness’ of history engenders insecurity promote the protection of sympathy and in some cases understandable paranoia. children. This takes place in a Sir, As someone who thinks God wants the Israelis have this insecurity. It’s obviously not variety of areas, for example Sir, Jeremy Moodey claims Jewish people to have their own homeland, I altogether to do with history. There are coun- safer recruitment; DBS that “sympathy for the Pales- would be considered to be a Zionist, but I also tries and political groups today who are deter- checks; safeguarding training tinian cause is not a fringe feel strongly about the needs and suffering of mined to destroy Israel. If we don’t across the UK; working with pursuit at all but is becoming a the Palestinians. In a nutshell, God loves both understand this sensitivity we shall not under- government to address child mainstream issue for many people groups and he is also a God of justice. stand Israelis and we won’t communicate abuse linked to witchcraft and Christians in the UK,” which So if either Israel or the Palestinians perpe- effectively with them. spirit possession; internet implies criticising Israel. trate injustice, they are operating outside of Thirdly, Jeremy says: “Western govern- safety and so on. Our chief Given that Paul instructs us the will of God. ments not only created the Israel/Palestine concern is with preventing not to judge those outside the Responding to Jeremy Moodey’s article, I problem in the first place (our colonial carve- children and vulnerable faith - that’s God’s job (1 Cor believe that fair criticism of Israel is no more ups after the First World War and the imperi- adults being harmed by the 5) - he would appear to be anti-Semitic than criticism of the UK govern- alistic hubris of the 1917 Balfour Declaration unlawful actions of perpetra- arguing that Israel is still with- ment is anti-British. In fact, I believe those come to mind).” tors. We work closely with in God’s purposes. Therefore who are really positive towards Israel will be I understand what he means but perhaps he both faith groups and the the terms of the covenant giv- critical of her at times. Christian Zionists who doesn’t realise that such a comment will be statutory agencies through- ing the Land to the descen- don’t make fair criticism of Israel are failing taken to imply that the much-persecuted Jew- out the UK to achieve that. dants of Jacob is still active. her. ish people, many of whom couldn’t find coun- Last week, a major new Therefore his criticism of However, Jeremy omits reference to some tries to take them after the horrors of the report revealed that there are Israel’s ‘annexing of parts of important aspects: Holocaust, should not have been afforded a 1,400 victims of child sexual Judea and Samaria’ is incoher- Firstly, anti-Semitism (“the world’s longest safe homeland. This will be taken as anti- exploitation, including the ent; it’s theirs! hatred) is a particularly pernicious and wide- Semitic, although I don’t think Jeremy intend- rape of children, in Rother- Or he can admit that he’s spread form of racism. I have thought long ed it as such. ham alone. In that context, wrong to criticise Israel... and hard about it and my conclusion is that it I am well aware of the trauma for the Pales- Mr Chelashaw’s suggestion Bruce Patterson, only makes sense if it is demonically inspired. tinians which the UN decision to re-establish that, in advocating the manda- Manchester I believe God hasn’t given up on the Jewish Israel caused. One of my best Israeli friends is tory reporting of child sex people and he still has an important purpose an Arab whose family lost their home and vil- abuse, both CCPAS and the for them in Christ and this incurs Satanic lage in 1948 and he is seeking compensation Church of England are hypo- Evangelical hatred (obviously all Christians will face this from the Israeli government. But some politi- critical in concentrating on too). Because it is so pernicious and perva- cal decisions have to be the lesser of two evils the small things (Matthew 23: divisions sive we have to be careful not to fall into it and and the Jewish people needed to be safe. Had 24) will undoubtedly cause Sir, May I respond to those not, unintentionally, to encourage it. By the the UN decision been accepted by the Arabs great offence to the many sur- who have raised objections to way, we should think about why all Israelis the painful effects could have been min- vivors of abuse with whom we my article on Evangelical Divi- and even all Jewish people are blamed for imised. work and who seek this sions. what the Israeli government does. That is ille- So I would urge Christians to be critical change. First, Alan Bartley is really gitimate and, to some degree, racist. friends of both Israel and the Palestinians, In wanting to change the unjust and insulting towards Secondly, whereas history is a long time calling for an end to injustice, but also to be law on abortion I would sug- evangelical bishops who sup- ago for us British Gentiles, the Jewish people aware of the prevalence of anti-Semitism, the gest Mr Chelashaw would be port women clergy. He are one of those groups who feel history is ‘historical’ sensitivities of Jewish people and best advised to contact lead- regards them as “unsound” much ‘closer.’ To put it simply, the Holocaust their need of a safe homeland. ing Christian charities work- and “uncalled and unqualified happened yesterday. Not only that, some The Rev Tony Higton, ing in this field, such as liberals” and as “dismissing 2,000 years of persecution preceded it. This King’s Lynn, Norfolk SPUC, LIFE and CARE. the clear and settled teaching Simon Bass, of Scripture”. Among those Chief Executive who have supported my arti- years, the latter part as chair- I have always greatly valued and PT Forsyth, and in the CCPAS, Swanley, Kent cle is an evangelical bishop man. As for the view of the works of PT Forsyth, who emergence of IVF, and BCMS who maintains we are already inerrancy promoted by changed from a liberal to an from CMS I myself heard Dr served by a number of evan- Warfield-Hodge I quote two evangelical position, and said: Bartlett, founder of BCMS, Food cruelty gelical bishops, diocesan and evangelical theologians “The apostles’ exposition of say that if CMS could only Sir, It’s certainly wise to elimi- suffragan, faithful to biblical opposing it. James Orr writes: the act of God in Christ par- have agreed on “the truth of nate pesticides from our food teaching. In 1986 I had pub- “It is urged that unless one takes of the finality of God’s all Christ’s utterances” BCMS and skin products by buying lished a Grove booklet, “Bibli- can demonstrate what is redemptive revelation. In mat- would not have begun. organic (We’re going natural, cal Headship and the called ‘inerrancy’ of the bibli- ters more periphery they Colin Craston, 29/8) but we should also seek Ordination of Women”. I chal- cal record down to even its reflect the culture and under- Bolton to eliminate cruelty. lenge Alan Bartley to deny it minutest details the whole edi- standing of their time”. Meat, milk and eggs can be does not summarise biblical fice of belief in revealed reli- Among such peripheral mat- organic - but that doesn’t teaching. gion falls to the ground - a ters are their anthropology CCPAS and mean they’re free from cruel- And, furthermore, let him most suicidal position for any and the attribution of our ty. read the book by Kenton defender of religion to take physical death to the sin of child protection The animals we kill for their Sparks, an evangelical Angli- up”. Adam. Beyond doubt we die Sir, I am glad Rev Chelashaw flesh, milk and eggs don’t can professor of the Bible, James Denny is on record physically because everything recognises CCPAS’s call for want to die any more than we entitled “Sacred Word, Bro- as follows: “The infallibility of in the Universe dies. the mandatory reporting of do -and nor do they deserve ken Word”. the Scriptures is not a verbal Third, to Charles May, child sex abuse but I fear he to. As a vegan of 35 years I can Second, to David Stuart- inerrancy or historical “cracks” in evangelical unity misses the point of what we vouch for the fact that we can Smith. As John Wenham’s inerrancy, but an infallibility of did not begin to appear at do. In addition to viewing our live healthily and happily with- Curate I do know what he said power to save. For a mere ver- NEAC I (Keele 1967). They website, he might also take a out inflicting suffering on any in his lecture. And, to under- bal inerrancy I care not one began over 50 years earlier in look at our mission, as agreed animals. stand the view of a Scripture straw. It is worth nothing to the response in this country with the Charity Commission. Jenny Moxham, in evangelical societies I was me; it would be worth nothing to Warfield-Hodge of theolo- The work of CCPAS, clearly Monbulk, on the council of BCMS for 28 if it were there, but it is not”. gians such as Orr, Denney established over the last 30 Victoria, Australia

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The dangers of division and the need for unity in diversity

Andrew Marr recently wrote about social divisions and hatreds in his Spectator column. While on holiday in France he had visited Christians Oradour-sur-Glane, a tiny village where the Nazi SS had massacred 642 men, women and children as a reprisal against a French Resist- ance operation. Victims were packed in a small church and killed with hand grenades, burning and shooting. The village was kept as it was to be a memorial to the dead and warning to the visitors of human depravity. Andrew Marr’s thoughts then went to Syria and the horrors of brutal, systematic murder by Jihadists of their opponents, and reign of terror against civilians. Marr writes of the great similarity under fire of strutting young men then and now, behaving in the same way, with the common cause of imposing their form of purity, whether Aryan or Sunni. He cites the Jewish philosopher Isaiah Berlin who called for plu- stumbled out of their home. And they began to ralism in societies to avoid ‘the vivisection of actual human soci- walk. eties into some fixed pattern dictated by our fallible understanding Ten hours later, in the early dawn, they of a largely imaginary past or a wholly imaginary future’. He would arrived exhausted and traumatised in a Kur- be appalled at the rising anti-Semitism here. James dish part of Northern Iraq, relatively safe from His warning is timely for the UK now. SNP politics of division, immediate danger. How their lives have summoning up Bannockburn as the date for the independence ref- changed in the space of just a few hours. erendum, and the monstering of the Westminster Parliament as the Children who had gone to bed in a historic fount of bad government victimizing Scots, despite Scots having Catford Christian community woke up huddled in a run it from 1997, this stirs up unhealthy resentment. And the primitive refugee camp, with just a shared authority for secession is said to be ‘the will of the Scottish people’ standpipe for water. – in reality a Yes vote would be a wafer-thin majority. The No cam- Christian agencies like Bible Society minister paign has not succeeded in communicating the achievement of two to the needs of Christians across the Middle nations, once in frequent warfare, for 300 years in peace and friend- East and maintain some kind of relationship ship, and forging one of the most successful national unions in his- with the majority population. Those who need tory. Bibles are given them, but those who are The UK is a ‘good guy’ on the world stage, no wonder Obama The Christians being attacked in Northern Iraq crushed by the horrors of war have a much does not want it weakened, with Russia on the march in the are ‘too Christian’ to excite the Left and ‘too for- harder time. Ukraine and the Middle East in nightmarish turmoil. eign’ to interest the Right. So said Régis Debray. Many of my friends in Palestine have young Scots need to think of their vocation to the wider welfare Church leaders have challenged the Coalition children and it is only seven years since the of the world, not just their own inward hopes of Nirvana. to act urgently on behalf of believers threatened manager of our bookshop in Gaza City, Rami Scotland in the UK has responsibilities in NATO, the by the self-styled Islamic State. On this our bish- Ayadd, was butchered to death after closing his EU and the UN, and the chance to contribute to their ops have done a good job of raising a massive store one Friday night. These close colleagues vital work. In a generation, after a Yes vote, Scottish chil- moral and humanitarian issue, while letting the dren will look at war memorials and ask ‘why are we government work out a suitable response. remembering British soldiers, we are not part of Yet the reality is that the plight of Christian Britain?’ communities is still failing to attract the atten- Vivisection of society is clearly at work also in the UK tion it deserves. Whether it’s because Labour is precisely through the encouragement of overly hard queasy about all things Christian is debatable, line ‘multi-culturalism’, commended by the Parekh and the Conservatives certainly have enough Report, of which Mr Marr was a participant. This is now believers in their ranks to want to act decisively. being blamed for cruel abuse of children in Rotherham The fact that Parliament is in recess doesn’t and many other cities. But this diversity has become help press the case for a substantial rescue division, and the politicians have failed to push for the operation. But the truth is that our political lead- unity of all citizens. Too much diversity has led to ‘vivi- ers need the cover of public opinion to do what

Comment section’. A healthy society needs unity and diversity: is necessary, and what most of them would like reflecting the Christian insight of the divine Trinity of to do. love in mutuality. Our part, as readers of this newspaper, and as compassionate Christians with a democratic voice, is to make it politically impossible for The Church of England Newspaper Britain to sit on its hands over persecuted Chris- carry to this day the emotional scars of discov- with Celebrate magazine incorporating The Record and Christian Week tians in the Middle East. Let’s not give up on the ering his bleeding body on the street. Published by Political and Religious Intelligence Ltd. faithful just because they are foreign. Across the Near East (Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Company Number: 3176742 As it happens, I should have been writing this Palestine, Israel, Jordan and Iraq) Bible Society Publisher: Keith Young MBE column before taking three British Members of staff are selling Bibles and books to believers Parliament to Israel, Palestine and Jordan. The and non-believers alike. In the fashionable cen- last time I did this was in 2007 with the current tre of Beirut the bookshop remains open late Publishing Director & Editor: CM BLAKELY 020 7222 8004 Pensions minister, Steve Webb, and two other into the evening as passers-by drop in to find out Chief Correspondent: The Rev Canon GEORGE CONGER 00 1 0772 332 2604 senior parliamentarians. more about the Christian faith. In Baghdad the Advertising: CHRIS TURNER 020 7222 2018 Such is the continuing conflict in the region stocks of Scripture are dwindling and volun- that our visit, designed as a significant morale- teers are being assassinated. Advertising & Editorial Assistant: PENNY NAIR PRICE 020 7222 2018 booster for our hard-pressed colleagues, has These groups of Christians have seen con- Subscriptions & Finance: DELIA ROBINSON 020 7222 2018 been postponed indefinitely. These visible signs querors march across their homeland for cen- Graphic Designer: PETER MAY 020 7222 8700 of solidarity are important to brethren who can turies, largely leaving them to live out their faith easily feel abandoned by the outside world. in peace. They have learnt to keep their heads The acceptance of advertising does not necessarily indicate Who could blame them for their sense of iso- down, and to survive. But they are ill equipped endorsement. Photographs and other material sent for publication lation? As we commemorate 100 years since the to face the current threat of annihilation. are submitted at the owner’s risk. The Church of England Newspaper does start of World War One, the Christian popula- Looking to the future the strong plea from not accept responsibility for any material lost or damaged. tion of the Near East has fallen from over 20 per indigenous followers of Christ is to stay faithful cent in 1914 to less than seven per cent today. to those who have already sacrificed so much Christian Weekly Newspapers Trustees: Robert Leach (020 8224 5696), Lord Carey of Clifton, The Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, The Rt Rev Pete Broadbent, The loss of Christian witness in the region is for their faith. Writing in the July edition of the Dr Elaine Storkey, The Rev Peter Brown, The Rev Cindy Kent dramatic. International Bulletin of Missionary Research, A trusted Christian brother in Northern Iraq George Sabra states that ‘mission to the Middle The Church of England Newspaper, reports how he came home from work one East must support and cooperate with the Political and Religious Intelligence Ltd evening, with fresh fruit and vegetables for his Christians of the region, not bypass them’. 14 Great College Street, London, SW1P 3RX young family. His wife greeted him and his chil- Now is the time to stand with our brothers Editorial e-mail: [email protected] dren were already safely tucked up in bed. Or so and sisters - and act before it’s too late. Advertising e-mail: [email protected] they thought. Subscriptions e-mail: [email protected] Then the shooting started on the street out- side their apartment. The children woke up and James Catford is Group Chief Executive of Bible Website: www.churchnewspaper.com began screaming with fright. Hurriedly gather- Society. Email him at ing what they could find around them, they [email protected]

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He is the author of the seminal The Post-Evangeli- cal, I Shall Not Want, Re-enchanting Christianity, How to be a Bad Christian (and a better human being) and he is a regular guest on Radio 2. Hearing Dave speak on his new book The Bad Christian’s Manifesto - reinventing God and other modest proposals was one of the highlights of Janey Lee Grace Greenbelt for me, not least because Dave’s approach sums up the festival – now by that I don’t mean everyone is aiming to be a Bad Christian! What I do mean is that for the many people on the Live Healthy! Live Happy! fringes of the church for whom the dogma and tra- ditions of religion just seem too much, the festiva l offers inclusivity and a place for everyone to explore their spiritual journey. Dave suggests we ‘reinvent God’ or at least ditch the unhelpful image of the ‘big fat controller in the sky’. He is clear that the God he believes in is no t Restoring the soul one who condemns homosexuality, imperfection or misdemeanours, he is the God of Love, kindness and compassion. The overriding message is that I was lucky enough to be able to make a fleeting visit to became my ‘charging station’. At least once a year I could wherever you are on your journey you can experi- Greenbelt 2014. It’s a fantastic faith, arts and justice festi- recharge my ‘faith batteries’ and get some encourage- ence God’s love. val, where around 15,000 people gather to listen to great ment, support, wisdom and inspiration to take me into The Jesus Arms pub at Greenbelt was stocked music, learn and debate at talks and seminars, spend the next year. Eventually I found my spiritual home again again with ‘Bad Christian Ale’ and as the revellers time catching up with friends and chill out in the famous and it was St Luke’s, a thriving parish church in North sang rousing hymns at the Sunday service, I reck- Tiny Tea Tent. London. It has long had associations with the festival who on there’s no better place to restore your soul than It’s a truly family vibe too and young people with bright had their offices in St Luke’s. Greenbelt – I’ll drink to that! blue hair jostle alongside toddlers and elderly people Dave Tomlinson is the vicar there: he was a house equipped with shooting sticks to ensure their comfort to church leader for many years and, unable to accept the The Bad Christian’s Manifesto – Reinventing God listen to live music, be enlightened by speakers and reaf- narrow restrictions of his tradition, he founded the leg- and other modest proposals by Dave Tomlinson is firm or challenge their views and beliefs. endary Holy Joe’s, a church in a pub in Clapham for dis- published by Hodder and Stoughton on 11 September For many years while I was ‘church-less’ Greenbelt affected church dropouts. Shocking Revelations Stories too good to die

America’s Pastor, historian Grant Wacker’s assessment of the long career of Some stories are just too good to be forgotten. Rose Hudson Wilkins was back in The Billy Graham, is to be published at the end of November by Harvard Times diary this week. Apparently there are fears that if she becomes a bishop the University Press. It is a highly readable study of how ‘a lanky farm kid from Speaker might appoint a non-Anglican in her place. You never know with Bercow. It North Carolina’ was to have such a major impact on American culture. More could even be a non-Christian. Meanwhile Linda Woodhead continues to have C of E an academic interpretation of Graham’s life than a straightforward biography bishops in her sights. She managed to get 24 scholars including David Martin, John it does contain revelations that will shock some readers. No. There are no Wolffe and Grace Davie to sign a letter asking the Bishops to retract their claim that scandals concerning sex or money. Graham’s life is refreshingly free of the the equal marriage law represented the first time canon law and the law of the land kind of the dark clouds that have hung over some evangelists. His non- diverged on marriage and accept that on such matters as remarriage of divorcees evangelical critics have mainly concentrated on his close links with a number there had already been divergence. The correspondence was published without of US Presidents, especially Richard Nixon. They will find material to support approval and Woodhead and her allies were described as ‘liberals’. So far, Woodhead their case here although Wacker reveals the President Graham was probably reports, only three bishops have replied to the letter of 24 academics, two closest to was Lyndon Johnson. But the really shocking revelation, that will acknowledging receipt and one disputing what the academics say. Among the bishops, confirm the worst fears of critics among the fundamentalists at Bob Jones only Bishop Alan Wilson, who is not a member of the House of Bishops, agrees with University and elsewhere, is that Graham told one reporter that if he was the letter. Woodhead worries about a house of bishops ‘hostile to scholarly findings’ starting over again he would be ‘an evangelical Anglican’. He once told and so narrowly focussed that a scholarly consensus can be dismissed as the ‘mere veteran journalist Kenneth Woodward he saw ‘spiritual beauty in Anglican opinion’ of a bunch of ‘liberals’. Even many of those who do not support the equal order’. Leighton Ford has revealed in an email to Wacker that Graham has marriage legislation will agree that the Woodhead saga reflects badly on the current asked Richard Bewes, former Rector of All Souls, Langham Place, to help House of Bishops. Woodhead is not alone in being worried about a growing gap officiate at his funeral service. between the leadership of the C of E and the universities.

What they are reading across the pond Outspoken bishop

O ne o f t h e c o nsequenc es o f A m a zo n i s t h a t i t i s no w ea sy t o buy bo o ks p ubl i sh ed i n t h e U S t h a t B i sh o p Mi c h a el N a zir - Al i t urned 65 rec ent l y but h e sh o w s no signs a re no t a v a i la ble h ere. T h i s m a y di sc o ur a ge p ubl i sh er s p ro duc i ng U K edi t io ns, w h i c h i s a p i t y o f m ell o wi ng w it h a ge. To get h er w i t h P ro f esso r N i gel B i gga r, t h e bec a use bo o ks p ro duc ed in t h e U S a re l i kel y t o be kno w n o nly t o ent h usi a st s o n t h is side o f t h e o ut sp o ken bi sh o p i s a f a v o ur i t e c ler i c o f t h e r i gh t - w i ng i nt el l ec t ua l p o nd. O ne bo o k t h a t h a s m a de qui t e a n i m p a c t i n t h e U S is C h r ist i a n m o nt h l y S t a n d po in t. I n t h e Sep t em ber issue h e h a s so m e st ro ng Wi m a n’s a c c o unt o f h is c o nv er sa t io n, My B rig h t Ab y ss. Wi m a n i s o ne w o rds a bo ut r a di c a l I sl a m a nd t h e f a il ure o f West ern go v ernm ent s. o f Am er i c a ’s l ea ding p o et s a nd a p a st edi t o r o f P o e t ry, Am er i c a ’s R ef err i ng t o t h e suff er i ngs o f C h r i st i a ns i n Syr i a , N a zi r - Al i w r i t es: o l dest p o et ry m a ga zine. So m e yea r s a go h e w a s dia gno sed w it h a “ I f a ny o f t h i s h a d h a p p ened t o a ny o t h er et h no - reli gi o us p ro ba bl y ul t i m a t el y f a t a l but no t im m edi a t el y l i f e- t h rea t ening r a re c o m m uni t y t h ere w o uld h a v e been a n i nt erna t i o na l o ut c ry.” H e f o rm o f c a nc er. T h i s l ed h i m t o ev a l ua t e h i s l i f e a nd do so m e deep a t t a c ks t h e regi m e i n I r a n f o r i t s t rea t m ent o f a ll no n- C h r i st i a n t h i nki ng. H e w a s bro ugh t up i n a n ev a ngel i c a l f a m i l y in West m i no r i t i es a nd a c c uses t h e Mul la h s o f singl ing o ut t h e Fa r si - Tex a s a nd nev er m et a n a t h ei st unt i l h e w ent t o c o ll ege. At sp ea ki ng Angl ic a ns a nd ev a ngel ic a l c h urc h es f o r sp ec i a l c o l l ege h e l o st h i s f a i t h . N o w h e h a s ret urned t o t h e a t t ent i o n. A go v ernm ent t h a t rep resses t h e f reedo m o f i t s o w n C h r i st i a n f a i t h a l t h o ugh t o a m o re m a i nst rea m ki nd o f c i t i zens c a nno t be t rust ed t o del iv er o n t h e nuc l ea r quest i o n, bel i ef . My B rig h t Ab y ss h a s been w i del y p r a i sed by t h e bi sh o p a rgues. West ern p o w er s a re c r it i c i sed f o r no t Ma r i l ynne R o bi nso n a nd K a t h l een N o rr i s a m o ng o t h er s. I s under st a ndi ng t h a t t h e rev o l ut i o n i n Syr i a w o ul d m ea n a n end t h ere no B r i t i sh p ubl i sh er i nt erest ed? Perh a p s o f l ess o f rel igi o us t o l er a nc e but N a zi r - Al i ends w i t h a c h a ll enge t o gener a l i nt erest i s a m em o i r by t h e di st i ngui sh ed C a t h o li c I sl a m . “ D o es t h e l o gi c o f I sl a m l ea d inel uc t a bly t o I sl a m i sm , p h i l o so p h er a nd t h eo l o gi a n a nd sc h o l a r o f I sl a m , D a v i d w i t h c l o sed, regressi v e a nd m o no l it h i c so c i et i es, a s t h e B urrel l . B ut B urrel l ’s bo o k, Q u e st in g F o r U n d e rst a n d in g , Whispering r a di c a l s desi re, o r c a n it l ea d t o o p en, f ree a nd p l ur a l do es h a v e so m e go o d a nec do t es. Wh en B urrel l h ea rd The Gallery so c i et ies? ” h e a sks bef o re c o nc l udi ng: “ T h e w o r ld i s w a i t i ng t o h i s f i r st c o nf essi o n a s a yo ung p r i est i n I t a l y, t h e h ea r t h e a nsw er.” Po w erf ul st uff f ro m a m a n w h o se i nt ell ec t ua l p eni t ent w a s f a i r l y br i ef . “ J ust a l i t t l e bi t o f ev eryt h i ng,” a bi l i t y i s so rel y m i ssed o n t h e c urrent benc h o f bi sh o p s. h e t o l d B urrel l .

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper www.churchnewspaper.com Friday September 5, 2014 Comment 9 Ashya: a story that can have no good outcome Andrew Carey View from the Pew I have a new resolution at the beginning of this The need for open debate school year: that I will no longer cravenly seek permission for my children’s absences from school for their music exams by filling in holi- It is truly frightening to see the lengths that some people will go to silence their opponents. The Respect MP, George Gal- day request forms. Instead, I’ll drop the school loway, received a severe beating from an opponent who ironically compared him to Hitler. Of course, we know that the a line informing them of the duration of the advocates of National Socialism did far worse to their enemies. absence and the reason. In his unpleasant diatribes declaring Bradford ‘Israel-free’, Mr Galloway neatly illustrates the force of Voltaire’s truncat- I’ve been prompted into this small act of ed maxim: ‘I hate what you say but I defend to the death your right to say it.’ Yet, he has been elected by the people and has rebellion by the extreme measures taken over the perfect right to express his view freely. the past week by Southampton medics and In Scotland, a nasty strain of nationalism is beginning to infect the referendum debate in its final weeks. Last week’s live police against the family of Ashya King. TV debate degenerated into a shouting match in which neither man’s opinion could be properly heard. Now we learn of This is the family that took their dying child intimidation and organised nationalist ‘flash mobs’ arriving to disrupt Labour’s Jim Murphy’s tour. away from hospital to their second home in Never let this be dismissed as normal exchanges of political views as Alex Salmond has contended. Any attempt to Spain to seek better medical treatment. In spite silence an opponent should be rejected. of the fact there was no reason to suspect any ill-treatment of a loved child, and in fact every reason to support this loving family, the author- ities have pursued this poor family across a Three cheers for today’s children continent. Now with the parents arrested and separated from their child there can be no good As my ‘millennial’ children go back to school I feel a warm glow of admiration for this generation. They are a hardworking, outcome to this situation from anyone. focused, yet fun-loving bunch. They have been prodded, poked and tested in an educational experiment, begun by Blair, This is why it is now vital for families to be throughout their lifetimes yet in the main they are turning out rather well. constantly alert to the creeping interference of They are caring and charitable-minded as the successive Internet crazes such as the ice bucket challenge illustrates, and arrogant, officious bureaucracies which always they are highly ‘savvy’ in the use of social media. Where they face continuing disadvantage is the break-up of their families think they know better but very rarely have a and further changes in family life. I hope that they will have greater resilience than previous generations and bounce back clue. with a commitment to traditional, long-lasting relationships. Weighing up intervention in the Middle East Paul Richardson Church and World

Western leaders can be forgiven if they despair of the But even when this analysis is accepted, it is not easy nothing about Islam and buy books like Islam for Dum- Middle East. To say the Arab Spring has turned to win- to see how a small county of 6 million can be further mies on Amazon. ter does not do justice to the situation. What is happen- divided into nations that reflect tribal groups. Some Berger concludes that while Islam itself is not the ing in Libya, Syria and Iraq is now a nightmare. The areas would be resource-rich; others poor. There is no enemy, radical Islam is. Radical Islam may be a distor- removal of secular dictatorships in Libya and Iraq and division between Sunnis and Shiites in Libya but Islam- tion of orthodox beliefs but it is a form of Islam and one the weakening of Assad’s grip on Syria has opened a ic extremists are still battling to take over the country. that needs to be challenged both from within the Mus- space into which Islamic extremists have poured. The truth is that tribal and ethnic divisions run lim community and from outside. According to one school of thought, the root of the through many modern states in Africa and Asia as well Existing nation states in the Middle East are unlikely problem goes back to the fall of the Ottoman Empire. as the Middle East. Many countries are colonialist cre- to disappear. Even the Kurds appear to be ready to set- Like the Habsburgs, the Ottomans presided over an ations and a large number have had to endure bloody tle for autonomy. A democratic Iraq could have been empire containing many nationalities and faiths. When ethnic conflict and tribal fighting. In some cases such as made to work if Maliki had taken a genuinely pluralist they disappeared the British and the French divided up South Sudan the colonial settlement has unravelled approach. It is not too late, although the job is now the Middle East into artificial client states containing although that has not necessarily led to peace. much more difficult. different tribes and communities. Problems in the Middle East are made worse by the The Islamic State appears to be a united Sunni nation Syria was divided between Christians, Alawiteas and emergence of a virulent strain of Islamic extremism. but behind the facade of the Caliphate tribal tensions Sunni Muslims; Iraq was a largely Shiite state but This is now exercising an appeal elsewhere in Nigeria simmer and the old Baathists are suspicious of the placed under the control of a Sunni monarchy. Every- or among disaffected young Muslims in Western Islamists. where the Kurds lost out and became one of the biggest Europe. Some commentators are making political instability ethnic groups in the world without a nation state of Arguments rage as to how far this represents a distor- an excuse for not intervening in the Middle East. Liber- their own. tion of an ancient faith and how far it represents a tradi- al democracy developed naturally in Britain and else- There is some truth in this analysis but it simplifies tion that is intrinsic to Islam. Muslim commentator where, we are told, it cannot be imposed where the situation. Creating a predominantly Shiite state in Medhi Hasan has argued that the young men who go in conditions are not suitable. Islamic extremists repre- Iraq and a Sunni state incorporating N. Iraq and part of for terrorism know very little about the faith and that sents a reaction against the West. Better keep out. Syria would have been difficult because there are many religious fervour isn’t what motivates them. He quotes Unfortunately we can’t keep out. As Tony Blair has areas, such as Baghdad, where Shiites and Sunnis live a 2008 MI5 briefing paper that argued ‘a well-estab- always warned, globalisation means that problems close together. Tribal divisions, which are important in lished religious identity actually protects against violent quickly spread from one area to another. the Arab world, do not form a basis for modern nation radicalisation’. The Arab Spring showed that many Arabs do want states. Peter Berger is not so sure. He has pointed out that respect for human rights and political freedom. Opinion Robert Gates is right to say that modern Libya is a when Islamists actually control states, as they do in polls show the Islamists do not represent the majority recent phenomenon, created largely by foreigners. The Saudi Arabia, they commit horrors ‘in a more orderly opinion. The situation is not hopeless and the West three historical regions on the east and west and in the fashion’ that currently happens in the Caliphate, includ- should continue with present policies and even expand centre were only unified in 1934 and their autonomy ing stoning for adultery and amputation for theft. Iran them, bombing IS in Syria as well as Iraq, arming the was reduced by Gaddafi’s repressive rule. The country brutally persecutes Baha’i and hangs homosexuals. secular Syrian rebels as well as the Kurds, and keeping is a mixture of Berber tribes and different ethnic The Taliban have killed young girls for going to school. up the pressure for more inclusivist policies in Bagh- groups. Such atrocities are committed by people who know dad.

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By James Dwyer 2. William Tyndale’s Prayer New Wine for the King of England William Tyndale passionately hroughout history, faithful followers of Jesus have continually lifted the cries of their heart to the believed everyone in England — Father, screaming out at injustice, acting as a voice for the voiceless and selflessly interceding for from the King to the servant — Tthose in need. should have access to the Bible. These little prayers may well have felt like drops in the ocean to those who prayed them, but there are A scholar who could speak some prayers that made an impact that echoes throughout the generations, inspired others in their walk Hebrew and Greek, he was one with God and led to revolutions of the move of the Spirit across the world. As Oswald Chambers wrote: of the first people to actively “Prayer does not equip us for greater works — prayer is the greater work.” fight for freedom for the masses Remembering and praying these prayers not only builds our own faith, but reminds us we are part of to read the Bible for themselves, the story of God throughout the years. Here are just a few of history’s most powerful prayers. to let God’s Word speak to them personally rather than through the voice of the local priest. Tyndale passionately challenged the Church’s 1. St Patrick’s ‘Christ Before Me’ Prayer reluctance to provide English-language copies of the Many saints throughout history have prayed Bible, and the establishment eventually grew weary eloquent prayers and written long volumes and sentenced him to death. Just before the on prayer that have long since been authorities killed him, Tyndale exclaimed to the forgotten. Occasionally, however, a prayer is gathered crowds: “Lord, open the King of England’s written that is not only succinct and eyes!” Tyndale’s prayer was eventually granted, graspable, but also challenging, emotive and ushering in the presence of the Word of God in nearly above all calling us into a deeper relationship every home in the country. with God. Remembering and praying these prayers not only builds our own faith, but reminds us we are part of the story of God throughout 4. Mother Teresa’s ‘Do it Anyway’ Prayer the years. It is widely thought that the words of Mother St Patrick’s famous prayer of “Christ Teresa’s “Do it Anyway” prayer were scrawled within me” sums up the desire of a follower on the wall of her small room in Calcutta. Her of Jesus — to know Jesus, be known by prayer drips with love for God and love for his Jesus and be completely and utterly people. Rarely has society seen someone so fully surrounded by his love. To know that love abandoned to the cause and wellbeing of others and to feel that peace is something St Patrick than Mother Teresa. longed for, and his prayer has reverberated This prayer encapsulates in a few lines the heart of Mother Teresa. throughout generations who all desperately Do to others as you would want them do to you. Treat them well. want to know the same thing. Love them regardless of how they treat you. If they frustrate you and make you irate, love them more. And remember, at the end of the day, it’s not worth worrying about how the world sees you, but it is worth worrying about how God sees you. Live for him. 3. Martin Luther King Jr’s Prayer for the Church Prayer was a central component of Martin Luther King’s life. A firm believer in the justice of God, his pursuit of equality is almost without equal in modern history. Spurred on by his faith in Jesus, 5. Jesus’ Prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane King knew that whatever evil this world threw at him, he had hope in a God who was bigger. Jesus’ prayer shows his obedience unto death that brought us His prayer for the Church is a cry for equality, a cry for unity and a call for discipleship. He back into a relationship with God. recognized the role the church had to play not just in the civil rights campaign, but in the desperate Jesus’ prayer just before he was crucified is one of the most need for the world to unite around the hope of Jesus. His desire that we “rejoice in one common gut-wrenching yet encouraging, painful yet praise-worthy band of humanity in the reign of our Lord” is a timeless one, and one that not only calls society to prayers ever. The Son of God knows what has to happen to him love one another but the Church to do so as well. to bring all of us into a relationship with the Father. Kneeling in the dirt, he pleads with his Father to take the cup of suffering away if there is any chance. But he knows what has to CHANGE YOUR CAR AND happen. “Yet not as I will, but as you will.” That prayer shows ENJOY THE SUMMER! Jesus’ obedience unto death that brought us back into a Holiday time is upon us again, maybe with the children or relationship with God, and it is even the grandkids, a lot of us will be off to the hills or the a prayer that countless coast. Many of us will travel around this country and quite a Christians have prayed ever few will drive to various European countries. But is your car up since. It is a prayer of complete to the journey, or would you like more space and better abandonment, a prayer of full surrender. It is a dangerous economy? prayer, but one that opens the way to eternal life with the It could well be an opportune time to change your car, and Father. Through tears and there is no one better to use than Priory Automotive, the sole pain, Jesus prayed that prayer, suppliers to the church community. Over the years they have and through tears and pain, we supplied thousands of cars to all parts of the U.K. as they pray it today as well. deliver free of charge, so it makes no difference where you live, north, south, east, west. (Article first published by www.relevantmagazine.com). Have a quick look at the testimonials on their website, many from Church of England Newspaper readers like you, who just James Dwyer is Head of want a great value car with a first class level of service, from a Marketing and highly rated honest and ethical company. Communications at New Wine. He passionately believes in New Wine’s vision of local churches Please call 0114 2559696, changing nations, and in or visit www.prioryautomotive.com helping church leaders tell the story of what God is doing in their community

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to fruition through a major vision, then we found a larger Photos: Norman Ivison/Fresh Expressions focus on co-partnership and resource church (outside the collaboration between major area) that could provide a players. significantly sized team. Human He tells the story of Apple for resources were then added instance; explaining that whilst from the central Church other mobile phone companies Growth Team, finances were simply trying to design negotiated creatively with the better phones, Apple were Diocesan finance department, collaborating with the makers and a pioneer minister added to and retailers of music to design the mix. a truly innovative iPhone that The missional partnership could do far ‘smarter’ things. continued as the plant created Similarly, Amazon cornered formal partnerships with the the E-Reader market by co- local school, the college, the partnering with authors, town centre management - and publishers and retailers to finally a shopping arcade where create a revolutionary product the church community was to in the Kindle. Many other be housed. companies meanwhile are still Whatever else Fresh Joining the strands embracing mediocrity or Expressions is; it is first and failure, simply because their foremost a partnership of focus is very narrow and pioneer networks, of ‘A three-stranded rope isn’t be one of the most exciting centred solely on what they denominations, streams and easily snapped’ (Ecclesiastes Phil Potter, ecumenical initiatives around themselves can produce. agencies that together are 4:12, The Message) Archbishops’ today, I am determined that we On a personal level, my own committed to planting and should do everything we can to journey into pioneering and multiplying new forms of recently made a rope swing Missioner and team justify such an accolade, and to innovating in mission has church in a mixed economy of for my young grandsons in leader of Fresh make sure that we don’t end up illustrated both the biblical and church. Iour garden. Having heard Expressions, snapping or falling from the the latest business insights Our challenge is to keep that that one of them had fallen rope. (though I lay far more trust in focus clear, to keep innovating from a very thin and dodgy one explores the It is interesting that, as well the former!) In planning major how partnership works across a not too long previously, I was relevance of a verse as the biblical imperative for pioneer projects, I learned the growing movement, and to careful to find a strong ‘three- partnership, the secular world importance of partnering as keep our hearts open to stranded’ rope that was from Ecclesiastes to is also increasingly widely and freely as possibly. So genuine partnership and guaranteed for grandfather use the work of emphasizing the importance of when planning to plant a fresh collaboration on a very wide as well! partnership in our globalized expression of church into a scale. May God continue to The principle of ‘better pioneering mission 21st century society. In his town centre, there was help us to become increasingly together’ is of course a simple today book The Wide Lens - A New collaboration and partnership effective partners in the Gospel one, so it’s rather sad that the Strategy for Innovation’, Ron in many directions. in the days ahead. Christian Church has often had ecumenical. That is why when Adner shows how some of the We began by asking what the a history of making heavy Archbishop Justin says that he most innovative developments surrounding local churches To find out more, visit weather of all things believes Fresh Expressions to of this century have only come could themselves bring to the www.freshexpressions.org.uk

Harvest is making a come-back as a great community crops have a big street festival feel, with dancing, event and opportunity to bless local people. singing and the whole community together. Wouldn’t it Last year Westminster Abbey held its first harvest festi- Harvest HOPE be wonderful if we could bring a bit of that energy to val in almost 50 years. This year HOPE Coventry is harvest festivals and for communities to celebrate holding an all-age Thanksgiving Service in Coventry together – people unified regardless of age, culture or Cathedral on Saturday 11 October at 3pm, and Birming- 2014 tradition? ham Cathedral will host the National Harvest Festival “There is real potential for Black Majority churches on Monday 20 October. to engage again with their roots but also work out, HOPE encourages churches to use the church calen- along with the rest of the Church, how they can tie in dar in a rhythm of mission and Harvest is a great oppor- regular thanksgiving with doing practical, evangelistic tunity to build on the friendships made through and culturally-relevant mission.’ summer events, inviting local people to celebrate with a meal together. Writing an introduction to HOPE’s Harvest resource Here are some harvest ideas from HOPE book, Prince Charles said: “I am so pleased that HOPE is encouraging churches and communities across the * Be thankful where you are. Take photos of good United Kingdom to embrace the true meaning of har- things you see in your community and make a collage vest once more. The season of harvest is a wonderful to display on your church noticeboard. time for us to reconnect with our countryside and to * Make a contemporary harvest display with a range of consider from where our food comes. It also gives us a objects that represent how people are engaged in work chance to reflect and give thanks for the abundance such as a hard hat, a baby’s bottle, a set of keys, a that we have.” spade, a computer or a syringe. * Invite members of the congregation to bring an object Urban Harvest thanksgiving that represents their work, then to lay it on the altar as a Harvest is traditionally a time to celebrate the firstfruits symbolic dedication of their work, their co-workers and of crops that have been grown. But how can contempo- their workplaces to God. rary urban churches celebrate the season? Writing in * Interview members of the congregation about their HOPE’s Harvest resource book, Mark Greene of the Roy Crowne and Yemi daily occupation – specifically answering the question – London Institute for Contemporary Christianity said: Adedeji from HOPE what will you be doing this time tomorrow? What are “Since most people don’t make their living by farming, the challenges you face? How can we pray for you? traditional displays of bringing food into the church as * Hold a harvest meal with neighbours. It will help to offerings may remind us of God’s provision of our daily Day. The harvest bazaar was a joyful, social occasion of cement friendships and community spirit – especially if bread, but they don’t visually connect to the way that feasting and fellowship. you held a Big Lunch at the start of June. Invite every- God has chosen to meet our people’s material needs. A “All the societies, the youth church, the Mothers’ one to bring something to share – ideally something suburban child doesn’t look at a display of potatoes and Union - they all got involved. It was like a carnival and it home-grown or home-made, but don’t let that become a make a connection to their father’s job in IT.” was all about fellowship, a shared experience and barrier to people getting involved. HOPE’s Harvest ideas include a range of suggestions always joyful. But it was quite inward-looking. In those * Team up with your local Foodbank and invite their for urban churches as well as rural communities. days, we were not intentionally missional. last year’s clients to a banquet. Or how about using the Celebrating harvest is also catching the imagination “It is good to be provoked and challenged by HOPE Foodbank staple food box as the basis for a meal to of Black Majority churches. to look beyond ourselves. These days we have a new raise people’s awareness. The Rev Yemi Adedeji, Associate Director of HOPE, context for harvest. It is like a different kind of harvest * Instead of a lavish Harvest Supper, serve a typical remembers celebrating harvest festivals ‘back home’ in - a harvest bringing people and gifts together to be able meal from a developing country but charge the price of Nigeria: “It was one of the most exciting moments. Our to share with those who do not have. a typical Western meal and donate the proceeds to char- parents dressed us up more elaborately than Christmas “Traditional African celebrations of the abundance of ity.

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THE 2014 BIBLE CHALLENGE ANGLICAN CYCLE OF PRAYER Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust (Southwark). The Rev Chris Orme, Vicar, Meanwood (West Yorkshire and the Dales), to Day 248: Jeremiah 19-21, Psalm 53, Hebrews 9 Friday 5 September. Psalm 73:1-14, Gen 28:1-9. be Rector, Thorley (St Albans). Day 249: Jeremiah 22-24, Psalm 54, Hebrews 10 Guinea - (West Africa): The Rt Rev Jacques Boston The Rev Janet Owens, Day 250: Enjoy hearing the Scriptures read aloud in Saturday 6 September. Psalm 73:15-28, Gen Currently SSM Curate at Stockport St Saviour, in the church 28:10-22. Gujarat - (North India): The Rt Rev deanery of Stockport, to instead be SSM Curate in the Day 251: Jeremiah 25-27, Psalm 55, Hebrews 11 Vinodkumar Malaviya parish of Offerton St Alban and Stockport St Thomas, Day 252: Jeremiah 28-30, Psalm 56, Hebrews 12 Sunday 7 September. Pentecost 13. Psalm 119:97- also in the deanery of Stockport with effect from 28 Day 253: Jeremiah 31-33, Psalm 57, Hebrews 13 112, Acts 14:1-7. PRAY for The Episcopal Church of September 2014. Day 254: Jeremiah 34-35, Psalm 58, James 1 the Sudan: The Most Rev Dr Daniel Deng Bul Yak, The Rev Paul Ronald Ratcliff, Archbishop of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan & Incumbent of The Benefice of King’s Wood, has been Bishop of Juba appointed Area Dean of West Bridge Deanery APPOINTMENTS Monday 8 September. Psalm 72, Acts 14:8-20. (Canterbury) for three years from 18 August 2014. Gusau - (Kaduna, Nigeria): The Rt Rev John Garba; The Rev Caroline Rhodes, Gwagwalada - (Abuja, Nigeria): The Rt Rev Tanimu Assistant Curate of Allestree St Edmund and Darley Aduda Abbey, (Derby), has been appointed Assistant Curate Suffragan Bishop of Bradford Tuesday 9 September. Psalm 74:1-12, Acts 14:21- (to be known as Associate Priest) in the Wirksworth The Rev Canon Toby Matthew Howarth, 28. Guyana - (West Indies): The Rt Rev Cornell Team Ministry in the same diocese to cover sick leave. National Adviser for Inter Religious Affairs and Moss The Rev Christopher Rushton, Archbishop of Canterbury’s Secretary for Inter Wednesday 10 September. Psalm 74:13-23, Gen Ordained Local Curate in Hartshill, Penkhull and Religious Affairs, has been appointed to the Suffragan 29:1-14. Haiti - (II, The Episcopal Church): The Rt Trent Vale; to be OLM (Lichfield). See of Bradford in the newly created diocese of West Rev Jean Duracin; Suffragan Bishop of Haiti - (II, The Rev Anne Elizabeth Samuels, Yorkshire and the Dales. The Episcopal Church): The Rt Rev Oge Beauvoir Upon retirement as Incumbent of Higher Bebington Thursday 11 September. Psalm 75:1-7, 9-10, Acts Christ Church, in the deanery of Wirral North on 05 Suffragan Bishop of Huddersfield 15:1-5. Hanuato’o - (Melanesia): The Rt Rev Alfred September 2014, is to become Canon Emeritus of the The Rev Jonathan Robert Gibbs, Karibongi Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Rector of Heswall, in the Diocese of Chester, has been Mary (Chester). appointed to the Suffragan See of Huddersfield in the The Rev Raymond John Samuels, newly created diocese of West Yorkshire and the Formerly Diocesan Director of Ordinands for Chester, Dales. PtO, Assistant Anglican Chaplain to New Cross to be Incumbent (House for Duty Priest) of Alvanley St Hospital, Wolverhampton; to be Assistant Curate John and Manley St John, (Chester). The Rev Dr Andrew Barton, (Interim Minister) of West Bromwich All Saints The Rev Jonathan Sedgwick, Rector, St Kessog’s Auchterader and St James’, Muthill (Lichfield). Presently Assistant Priest of Walworth, St Christopher (St Andrews), to be Priest in Charge, Headley, The Rev Allison J Fenton (Pembroke CM) is to be licensed as Priest-in-Charge Hampshire (Guildford). House for Duty Priest in Charge of Scotswood St of Southwark, St George the Martyr with St Alphege The Rev Gordon Banks, Margaret (Newcastle) to be House for Duty Associate and St Jude (Southwark). Diocesan Evangelist (Chichester); to be Stafford Area Priest St Giles Durham and Sherburn and Shadforth The Rev Sarah Sewell, Mission and Growth Partner (Lichfield). (Durham). Presently holder of Permission to Officiate is to be The Rev David Roger Black, The Rev Preb Richard Grigson, licensed as Assistant Priest in the Sutton Team Currently SSM Curate at Tattenhall St Alban with Vicar of Smallthorne and Priest in Charge of Brown Ministry (Southwark). Burwardsley and Handley, in the deanery of Malpas, to Edge; to be Rector of Stafford Saint Mary and Marston The Rev Susan Anne Starkings, instead be SSM Curate in the United benefice of (Lichfield). Assistant Curate of G7, to be Associate Priest of The Tilston and Shocklach (Chester). The Rev Stephen John Arundell Hardy, Benefice of King’s Wood (Canterbury). The Rev Ruth Bushyager, in addition to his current role as Priest in Charge of The Rev Timothy James Watson, Missioner, Kensington Episcopal Area and Chaplain to Barham Downs Benefice, has been appointed Area Formerly curate at Nantwich St Mary in the deanery of the Bishop of Kensington (London), to be Vicar, St Dean of East Bridge (Canterbury) for a further year Nantwich, now Pioneer Minister of Restore, Crewe Paul’s, Dorking (Guildford). with effect from 1 August 2014. He has stepped down with effect from 1 July 2014 and also to be licensed to The Rev Michael Callaghan, as Area Dean of West Bridge Deanery. the Deanery of Nantwich (Chester)with effect from 3 Clergy with Permission to Officiate (Guildford), to be The Rev Vivienne Hathaway, September 2014. Non stipendiary Assistant Curate, Egham (Guildford). Priest-in-Charge, Stevenage, St Mary, Shephall w The Rev Kathryn Campion-Spall, Aston (St Albans), to be Incumbent (Vicar), Stevenage, ORDINATION Assistant Curate, St Mary the Virgin, Merton Park, St Mary, Shephall w Aston (St Albans). (Southwark) will become Associate Vicar of the The Rev Roderick (Rod) Charles Halstead Key, Benefice & Parish of St Mary Redcliffe with Temple, Team Rector, The Trunch Group of Parishes, Andrew O’Brien Bristol, & St John the Baptist, Bedminster, (Bristol), (Norwich), will become Vicar of the Benefice of St Will be ordained deacon by the Bishop of Kingston on for a four-year fixed term ending 22 September 2018. Andrew, Chippenham with Tytherton Lucas (Bristol). 21 September at Wimbledon Park, St Luke to serve in The Rev Louise Codrington-Marshall, The Rev Claire Holt, that parish (Southwark). presently Priest-in-Charge of Deptford, S Nicholas and Priest in Charge, Tongham (Guildford), to be Vicar, S Luke is to be instituted and inducted as Vicar of the Tongham (Guildford). RETIREMENTS & RESIGNATIONS benefice (Southwark). The Rev Andrew Ronald Knight, The Rev Derek D’Souza, Team Rector of Wolstanton and Chaplain to Bradwell Priest-in-Charge of Christ the King, Prince’s Park has Hospital; to be Rector of Shrewsbury St Giles with been appointed as Vicar of Christ the King, Prince’s Sutton, and Atcham (Lichfield). The Rev Mary Ashton, Park, (Rochester). The Rev Veronica Weldon Hydon, Vicar, All Saints’, Onslow Village, Guildford The Rev Christopher Harold Deakin, Currently Incumbent of Bollington St Oswald, in the (Guildford), to resign from 3 November. Currently Priest in Charge of the parishes of Leaton deanery of Macclesfield, also to be Rural Dean of the The Rev Christopher Benson, and Albrighton with Battlefield, and of Bicton, deanery of Macclesfield (Chester) with effect from 01 Vicar of Longstone, Curbar and Stoney Middleton, Montford with Shrawardine and Fitz, in the diocese of September, for a term expiring on 31 August 2019. (Derby), will retire with effect from 1 November 2014. Lichfield, to be Priest in Charge of Hargrave, in the The Rev Donald Maciver, The Rev Peter John Craig-Wild, deanery of Malpas, (Chester). OLM Curate, Heatons Team, (Manchester), has been Team Rector of Maltby and Priest in charge of The Rev Paul David Deakin, appointed as Assistant Priest, House for Duty, of the Thurcroft St Simon and St Jude (Sheffield), to retire Currently Assistant Curate at Bramhall St Michael and Benefices of Cloughton and Burniston, Saint Mark, from 31 August 2014. all Angels, in the deanery of Cheadle, to be Assistant Newby, Hackness with Harwood Dale, Ravenscar and The Rev Graham Paddick, Curate of the united benefice of Hale St Peter and Staintondale, Saint Luke, Scarborough, and Scalby Presently Vicar of Dormansland, St John the Ashley St Elizabeth, (Chester). (York). Evangelist retires with effect 31 October 2014 The Rev Simon Dunn, The Rev Robert Ian McLaren, (Southwark). Priest-in-Charge of the Benefice of St Paul with Currently Incumbent of Poynton St George, in the The Rev Elizabeth Rathbone, Hardenhuish and Langley Burrell and the Benefice of deanery of Cheadle, and also Rural Dean in the Team Vicar in Tettenhall Regis; to retire from 30 Kingston St Michael held in plurality and known as the deanery of Cheadle (Chester), to continue as Rural September (Lichfield). North Chippenham Group, (Bristol), will become Dean for a further 2 year extended term expiring on 30 The Rev Jonathan David Sharples, Priest-in-Charge of the Benefice and Parish of St Paul, November 2016. Incumbent of Astbury St Mary with Somerford All Chippenham with St Nicholas, Hardenhuish and St The Rev Jonathan Macy, Saints, and Smallwood St John, in the deanery of Peter, Langley Burrell, (Bristol). presently Assistant Curate of Plumstead, St John with Congleton, with effect from 30 November 2014. The Rev Sandra Rosemary Dutton, St James and St Paul is to be licensed as Team Vicar in The Rev Deborah Jane Sheridan, Team Rector of Hartshill, Penkhull and Trent Vale the Thamesmead Team Ministry (Southwark). NS Assistant Curate (Associate Minister) of the (Lichfield); to be Priest in Charge of Rackheath and The Rev Elizabeth Newman, Ridwares and Kings Bromley (continuing) and Salhouse (Norwich). presently Assistant Curate in the Charlton United Vocations Education Officer (continuing) has ceased to The Rev Nigel Patrick Ely, Benefice is to be licensed as also Chaplain to the be Chaplain to St Giles Hospice (Lichfield).

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SUNDAY SERVICE

13th Sunday after Trinity - Royal Flush Sunday 14 September 2014 Genesis 50:15-21 Romans 14:1-12 By Alan Edwards probably but a blip. However, nearly half of marriages Matthew 18:21-35 end in divorce. Of course, the bishops haven’t sufficient House of The theme of our readings this week is living as those Whichever way the vote goes in this month’s Scottish Lords numbers to resist changes in the law. However, who have been forgiven by God and serve him alone. Referendum the result will be of crucial importance for subsequent to these changes, there’s been little episco- In any community, especially a Christian community the British Constitution. pal comment on the laws’ effects. Perhaps rather than which is by definition full of sinful people who know A ‘Yes’ vote says farewell to three centuries of a Unit- the bishops being thrown out of the House of Lords, they are not perfect, we need to work out a way of ed Kingdom. If a ‘No’ vote, all the major parties have they should go of their own accord. Such voluntary dis- cohabiting with those who have different convictions pledged further devolution of power to the Scottish Par- establishment might re-establish respect for the Chris- and who sometimes hurt and offend us. Peter asks the liament. Without formally dissolving the United King- tian faith and allow bishops to be more wide-ranging in Lord, in our Gospel reading, how this is meant to dom, this will mean consolidating the position whereby their attacks on political ills. Government austerity work. Perhaps he thought himself rather admirable Scotland - and the other areas enjoying devolution – will measures and global warming aren’t the only problems and gracious for suggesting he might forgive his have more control over their affairs than England. demanding episcopal disapproval. brother or sister up to seven times for such a sin. But Regardless of population size or economic strength, When one considers the role of the monarch as Jesus soon pricks that bubble, and raises the stakes England will become the constitutional poor relation of Supreme Governor, whose duty, according to the Coro- much higher: forgive not seven times, but seventy- the United Kingdom, a further weakening of union. nation Oath is upholding the doctrine and worship of seven times. By which he means that we should actu- Time therefore to review the constitutional settle- the Church, one must recall the recent royal assent ally stop counting and just get on with forgiving, ment? Including the established status of the Church of given to the same-sex marriage bill - a frontal attack on habitually. England? the Church’s doctrine of the meaning of marriage. The story Jesus tells illustrates this proposition. The If we were devising a constitutional framework today Granted that a modern monarch must normally kingdom of heaven is ruled by a king who is gracious there would be no such ecclesiastical establishment. assent to bills passed by parliament, he or she still and forgiving. We owe him, big time, and a day of reck- Diminishing cultural resonance apart, Christianity, let retains, in Walter Bagehot’s often quoted words, the oning is coming where we will have to settle accounts. alone the Church of England, isn’t a significant element right to warn. Hopefully Mr Cameron was warned that Yet those who cannot repay what they owe can be par- in modern Britain. Jesus is more often invoked as a the same-sex marriage bill wasn’t included in his doned by his sheer mercy, and released. Yet the eman- swear word in TV dramas than he is in expressions of party’s manifesto. Therefore the electorate couldn’t cipated slave in Jesus’ parable does not react to grace belief. Despite the advent of Christians from Eastern have endorsed it. Nevertheless the bill proceeded. One as he should. He seizes by the throat those who owe Europe and Africa, church attendance is well below that would have hoped that Her Majesty’s role as Supreme him and extracts by force what he is due. These small of half a century ago. Governor went beyond delivering the annual Christmas debts should pale into insignificance alongside the Yet an established church we still have, and a Message platitudes and still included ‘upholding the incalculable debt that he himself has been forgiven. monarch who is Supreme Governor of that Church. doctrine of the Church.’ But he imitates neither his master’s patience nor his Anglican bishops still sit in the House of Lords, Upholding that doctrine, which her Governorship is pity, and continues to live for himself alone. Yet we are although their presence is increasingly challenged. The supposed to safeguard, even if it meant eventually, and to pray, “forgive us our debts AS we forgive our chief challenge comes from secularists, although criti- unusually, withholding assent. With Scotland the start- debtors.” cism might have been expected from the Christian ing point, there’d be a precedent. The last time royal Joseph in Genesis 50 is an example of how to for- community. Apologists for a continuing episcopal role assent was denied was the 1708 Scotch Militia Bill, even give. His brothers are worried about what he might do in the House of Lords claim that bishops’ presence has though it had received the Parliament’s approval, and to them now Jacob is dead and no longer around to helped maintain Christian faith at the heart of the wasn’t a bill concerning fundamental Christian doc- restrain his son from vengeance. They dare not even nation’s government. Yet evidence doesn’t support this trine. identify themselves as Joseph’s brothers, referring to conclusion. If Queen Elizabeth had imitated Queen Anne, it themselves, rather, as “servants of the God of your Consider the 1967 Abortion Act and 1969 Divorce would have been ‘Call Me Ma’am’ versus ‘Call Me father” and as Joseph’s slaves. Yet he is so far from Reform Act, whose consequences have been loss of life Dave.’ Given the respective opinion poll popularity rat- paying them back in full for the wrong they did to him as a result of the former - thousands of unborn children ings of the Queen and Mr Cameron, we can guess (which they know they deserve), that he promises to killed every year - and the continuing death of Holy who’d have won. provide for them and their families. His eyes are not Matrimony as a result of divorce reform. The recent And the biggest winner? For once, the Church of Eng- on retribution (which belongs to God alone) but on Kate and Wills-inspired upsurge in church weddings is land? the guiding hand of divine providence that trans- formed their evil intentions into a blessed result, and on fulfilling (as they never did) his brotherly responsi- bilities. Familial responsibilities is the theme of our Romans Bristol church gets a new altar 14 reading. Paul reminds us not to pass judgment on one another, since we are ultimately accountable to ing a holy relic within a new altar God alone. We stand or fall, particularly in our opin- Robert Coles puts the will be replaced by a more modern ions on secondary issues, before the Lord. We cannot finishing touches to the approach. It will contain a time-cap- pass judgment on someone else’s servant. altar he has designed and sule comprising memorabilia relat- Paul warns us elsewhere that living in persistent sin made for the Chapel. ing to the events that took place on excludes us from God’s kingdom altogether (1 August 4, when the parish joined Corinthians 6). But God welcomes all who walk with with The Royal British Legion and the Lord whatever their “opinions” on more debatable churches across the country to par- matters, so we too are not to despise or pass judgment ticipate in A Million Candles, a on those who are our brothers and sisters in the king- national commemoration of those dom. If people find it hard to follow this teaching, let who fell in the First World War. us forgive them (of course) but also demonstrate in The new altar replaces a wooden our response what we understand these passages to table which was used for many be commanding us. years in the chapel of St John, where a new layout makes it more Dr Lee Gatiss is editor of the NIV Proclamation Bible accessible for private prayer and and Director of Church Society meditation. (www.churchsociety.org) Master craftsman Robert Coles said: “Now our ship-like form, built for perpetual movement, has come to rest, as a symbol of stillness and quiet in the calm of St John’s HYMN SUGGESTIONS Chapel, beneath the spire that stands like a beacon of permanence THIS IS THE new altar in St Mary Redcliffe Way church, including the above the ever-changing skyline of God forgave my sin in Jesus’ name Redcliffe church in Bristol. Matthew in which John Cabot our city.” Forgive our sins The style of the altar is evocative sailed from Bristol to America in Visitors to the church on 13 Sep- Amazing grace of the mediaeval ships that once 1497. tember, Bristol Doors Open Day, There is a hope filled the waterfront close to the The mediaeval practice of enclos- will be able to view the new altar. Majesty (Here I am)

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Apocalyptic thinking arose in Judaism in the last centuries BC. It is hard to understand A tricky moral the New Testament without a knowledge of Apocalyptic. The Oxford Handbook to Apoc- alyptic edited by John J Collins (OUP) is a valu- able resource that explores all important aspects of apocalyptic thinking. There are contributions by most of the major scholars in the field, includ- conundrum ing Dale Allison, Stephen L Cook, Christopher Rowland, Philip Esler and Adela Yarbro Collins.

Two Days, One Night (cert. 15, Stephen I Wright is an Anglican priest who French with English subtitles) is a teaches at Spurgeon’s College. In Jesus the worker’s tale by relatively famous Story Teller (SPCK) he gives us an excellent sur- Belgians the Dardenne brothers, vey both of literature on the parables of the New Jean-Pierre and Luc. Marion Cotil- Testament and of the parables themselves, com- lard plays Sandra, an employee at a menting on them and looking at the place they small firm making solar panels, who occupy in the gospels. This is readable book on an has been off work with depression. important topic that is informed by solid scholar- Having managed without her dur- ship. Highly recommended. ing her illness, her boss Monsieur Dumont (Baptiste Sornin) decides Ellen Harmon White, Seventh Day Adventist to make her redundant. In a classic seer, is a significant figure in American religious tactic of picking off individuals, her history who has not received the attention she colleagues are offered a bonus if deserves. Less has been written about her than they agree to the redundancy. about Brigham Young or Joseph Smith, the Mor- Believing that foreman Jean-Marc mon leaders. Ellen Harmon White: American (Olivier Gourmet) has prejudiced Prophet, edited by Terrie Dopp Aamodt, Gary the vote, Sandra’s friend Juliette Land, and Ronald L Numbers (OUP) should go (Catherine Salée) persuades some way to filling a gap. Contributors include Dumont to re-run the ballot after a both those who are members and those who are weekend, giving Sandra a chance to not members of the SDA Church. The book get colleagues to vote to keep her attempts to set White in the context of her age and on. Her husband Manu (Fabrizio culture. Rongione) drives her round town to visit them, while she pops anti-anxi- In Making Nothing Happen (Ashgate) five ety pills and tries to conceal how poets who are also theologians explore the link often she’s on the edge of tears. between poetry and faith. The contributors are Asking people to put solidarity Gavin D’Costa, Eleanor Nesbitt, Mark Pryce, before a €1,000 bonus is a tricky Ruth Shelton and Nicola Slee. It is commended by task – one woman has to choose love your neighbour. Sandra says people and turning them into well- another theologian who is also a poet: Rowan between a new patio or her friend’s she feels like a beggar and a thief, told and engaging tales. In this film, Williams. job but ends up making a more radi- but a little twist to the story throws they also have Cotillard with a per- cal choice, two colleagues come to the choice back to Sandra. formance that would be a clear Chief Rabbi Hertz by Derek Taylor (Vallentine blows, and one allows his choice to The Dardennes have a knack of Oscar® candidate if it was in Eng- Mitchell) is a study of the man be guided by the divine command to taking simple stories about ordinary lish. Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks calls ‘Britain’s greatest Chief Rabbi’. He lived from 1872 to Night Moves (cert. 15), written 1946 and was the first Chief and directed by Kelly Rabbi to broadcast on radio. Reichardt, takes a simple story He founded the Council of but drags it out for nearly two Christians and Jews and led hours, and even then finds no his community through two resolution. Eco-warrior Josh world wars. He helped rescue (Jesse Eisenberg) has plans to Jewish refugees from Nazi protest against energy use by Germany and was the first Jew blowing up a dam in Oregon, to be made a Companion of Honour. To maintain the enterprise to be funded by the authority of the Chief Rabbinate he had to rich girl Dena (Dakota Fan- wage many battles with the Honorary Officers of ning), while ex-soldier Harmon the United Synagogue. This is an important con- (Peter Sarsgaard) provides the tribution to the religious history of Britain. expertise. Despite a warning that buy- Canon David Adam, formerly Vicar of Lindis- ing more than a few pounds of farne, is one of SPCK’s most popular authors. In ammonium nitrate fertiliser Traces of Glory (SPCK) he offers intercessions, might attract attention, they go blessings, and forms of peace covering each Sun- shopping for the stuff in bulk. day and major festival of Year B of the Church’s One scene takes several min- Year. The prayers make use of the Celtic style that utes as Dena tries to persuade has been a feature of Canon Adam’s writing. The the clerk not to insist on her showing ID. book accompanies Clouds and Glory (Year A) The various threats to the planet are rehearsed, though when Josh claims that Banff has 29 golf courses and and [b] Glimpses of Glory (Year C). it’s in the high plains desert “So where does the water come from?” I wondered whether this was true, or a sign that Josh was misguided. Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford, needs The problem with dams seemed to be not the deforestation associated with some projects, but the whole busi- no introduction. He is the author of many popular ness of being connected to a national grid, and Josh’s cover is working for a farm commune that doesn’t take the books. In Walking Backwards to Christmas government’s electricity. (SPCK) he tells the Christmas story backwards The suspense leading to the dam-busting racks up nicely, but then unintended consequences get to the par- and in doing so helps us to encounter it again for ticipants, guilt and paranoia set in, and Josh’s mistrust gets the better of him. It peters out with Josh applying for the first time. We start with Anna in the temple a job in a store, hardly the most riveting ending in film history. and work backwards to Elizabeth. This book The film rights owners of Edward Abbey’s 1975 novel The Monkey Wrench Gang tried a lawsuit to stop the film offers fresh insights into characters and episodes being made on the grounds that it pinched much of the plot; they obviously failed, but maybe money changed in the Christmas story. hands. The big question is why environmentalists were happy to dump their bomb-making equipment in a land- fill site. Steve Parish

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper COLLEGE STREET Could gardening be a good way to do mission in schools? That is one suggestion in a new book from a vicar in the Diocese of Bangor who is passionate about mission in schools. SW1 With everyone getting back to school this week, College Street was interested in finding out CITY OF WESTMINSTER more… Remember you can tweet us at @churchnewspaper with your suggestions and comments.

George was a churchwarden who lived near a local and learning, and the role of churches is to support lytising, “they often welcome people with a commit- community school. His passion was gardening and the school in that mission. With that in mind, there ment to faith coming to talk about the big issues of one of the highlights of his year was the annual are a great number of ways to get involved. life.” church plant sale. When he discovered that the One of the most obvious ways is to pray, and he He also writes in the booklet about the Q clubs he school had a greenhouse they did not use, he suggests that parishes should runs himself, which often fea- approached the head teacher to get permission to offer to pray for schools in their ture a film clip (with movies like use it. corporate prayers. He observes Finding Nemo, Lord of the Rings The head agreed, but on one condition: George that he has never had a head and Invictus proving very use- would have to run a one-off gardening club. It was teacher say no to this offer! But ful), discussions, links to the not an onerous demand… And it proved so suc- another idea he has found to Christian faith and a silly game cessful that what started as a one-off event turned work is to put a box in the school to round it off. He has a sample into a club that has been running for several years. and invite pupils to write down Kevin, programme that could be used And it has developed even from there, with the items for prayer, and these are Jennifer & in the book as well. school regularly visiting the church, including then offered to God in the Sunday Shaun Ellis He adds: “The opportunities some Sundays. service, but the prayers are to be involved in supporting This was a new development for the parish, unread and are burned afterwards by the priest. teaching staff in their chosen vocation, sharing because although the vicar often went into the But could doing nothing be another solution? God’s story with pupils and their families and school to take periodic acts of worship, there was This idea came from two women in Cumbria. Their enabling people to blossom as they grow render no other contact between the school and the mission was ‘doing nothing’, or, actually, baking the difficulties minimal.” church. The gardening club changed all that. cakes for the school. This proved popular and even- In his new booklet, Mission in Schools, the Rev tually led to a weekly discussion group for Year Six Kevin Ellis looks at the opportunities – and the pit- pupils. So ‘doing nothing’ actually worked. Mission in Schools by Kevin Ellis is published by falls – in carrying out mission in schools. However, And of course clubs are a great idea. He points Grove Books in their Education series, price £3.95, he stresses that the mission of schools is education out that while schools are concerned about prose- ISBN: 978-1-85174-898-3

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thine hand shall release' of Christ (8)23 8 Of or relating to the peri- PRIZE CROSSWORD No. 915 by Axe [Deut/KJV] (5) Prophetess in the Temple od before the biblical 11 OT book, 'Qoholet' in at the time Jesus was pre- flood (12) Hebrew after whom it is sented, and spoke of him 12 Major city and port of attributed (12) as the Messiah [Luke] Roman Palestine [Acts] 13 Name the Canaanites (4) (8) had for God; 'the God' of 14 RC organization with a the Hebrew Bible (6) Down chequered reputation 15 Hebrew prophet, succes- 1 'I will keep you...to ------which maintains various sor to Elijah [1&2 Kgs] that are blind...' universities (4,3) (6) [Isa/NIV] (4,4) 16 '...a time to scatter ------17 Monks or friars of the 2 'Nor did they repent of and a time to gather order to which Martin their murders, their ----- them' [Eccles/NIV] (6) Luther originally arts...' [Rev/NIV] (5) 18 David's eldest son [2 belonged (12) 4 Country which became Sam] (5) 20 Name given to a 19 per- Christian about 988 with 19 One of the two main haps who has completed the baptism of Prince branches of Islam (4) the pilgrimage to Mecca Vladimir (6) (5) 5 City whose inhabitants Last week’s solutions: 21 One of the 'seven men received two letters from Across: 7 Divorces, 8 Amen, 9 full of the Spirit and wis- Paul (12) Action, 10 Animal, 11 Geshem, 13 dom' named as a Deacon 6 Lay people who may give Hoshea, 14 Asa, 15 Esther, 18 of the Church [Acts] (7) the lessons in a church Riblah, 21 Rabbis, 22 Sister, 23 22 4th Century heretical service (7) Nebo, 24 Abinadab. doctrine that asserted 7 'Because of this ----, Jesus the radical primacy of the has become the guaran- Down: 1 Circle, 2 Josiah, 3 Icon, 4 Father over the Son, thus tor of a better covenant' Issachar, 5 Darius, 6 Behave, 12 denying the full Divinity [Heb/NIV] (4) Mareshah, 16 Shaker, 17 Hebron, 19 Bashan, 20 Aretas, 22 Skin.

T he f ir s t c o r r e c t e n tr y d r aw n w il l w in a b o o k o f t he E d i to r ’s c ho i c e . S e n d y o ur e n tr y t o C r o s s wo r d N u m b e r 9 15 , T he C hur c h o f E ng l and Ne ws p ap e r , PRICE £1.35 / 1,70€ / $2.20 1 4 G re a t C o l le g e S tr e e t , W e s t m in s te r , Lo n d o n, S W1 P Across 3 Story, usually on the towers...' 3 R X b y n e x t Fr id a y Biblical, set to [2 Chr/KJV] (7) 1 'You have music (8) 10 'Of a foreigner N am e not...lavished -- -- 9 'And he made in thou mayest ----- the fat of your Jerusalem ------, it again: but that A d d r e s s sacrifices' invented by cun- which is thine [Isa/NIV] (2,2) ning men, to be with thy brother Po s t C o de

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