THE David Suchet CHURCHO on h is quest to record Newspaper the whole 18/25.12.15 £1.50 Bible No: 6310 p9 AVAILABLEONNEWSSTAND AHappy Christmastoall ourreaders, advertisersand contributors Church welcomes historic deal on climate change

play ifweare to achieve what us all —and it’s astrong mes- has been agreed in Paris. sage to businesses and govern- “The (Lambeth) Declaration ments that asustainable world recognisedthe COP21 negotia- is the only way to go now.” tions as apivotalmoment in the Professor Montgomerysaid urgent globalchallenge to tack- the Agreement isn’t strong le climatechange,” said Arch- enoughonthe policies that will bishop Welby. put the ambition of the agree- Professor HughMont- ment into action, and said the gomery, Co-Chair of the Lancet goal for getting to zero emis- Commission on Health and Cli- sions is too far into the future. mate Change, said the climate “Importantly,therewill be change agreement will ease the reviews everyfive years to keep health burden of the threat to raising the bar.This means food production and water there’s amechanism to address scarcity caused by climate the gap between the current change, and ‘ultimately save cuts in emissions pledged by lives’. countries and effective protec- “Is it perfect? Of course not. tion for people andour planet,” But it’s ahuge step forwardfor he said.

LAST SATURDAY’S historic the 2009 Copenhagen Climate this month, which he called a deal onclimate change has Change Conference, though he dailyreality for some parts of been welcomed by the Church said ‘we arestill at anearly the world. of England. stage on the journey’. He welcomed the commit- Pray formigrants as you After two weeks of negotia- “What matters now is that ment of those involved in the tions, atotal of 196 countries governments actually deliver a climate change conference signed ‘The Paris Agreement’, low carbon future-the trans- andthe ‘welcomeprogress’of light your Advent candles. which binds them tocut their parency of accountability and the global agreement. carbon emissions, starting from process of review will be what “Wecannot now step back Fourth Sunday of Advent: Mary 2020. ensures that happens,” he said. from the agreementsand Countries have agreed to BishopHoltam represented promises that have been keep global temperature 1.8 million people from faith made. Actions havetochange increases below 2C,review communities who had signed a if words aretohave effect. LordJesus, your mother Mary carried youwith tender progress everyfive years and petition calling on climate jus- “One of the AnglicanCom- determination on the dangerous road to Bethlehem, and find $100 billion in ‘climate tice, when he met and present- munion’s marks of mission beyond. Maythe same flame of love that droveher on, finance’ for developing coun- ed the petition to President says thatweare ‘to strive to nowbring courage, comfort and hope to all protecting the tries by 2020. Hollande, the culmination of the safeguardthe integrity of cre- TheChurch’s leadBishop on ’s Pilgrim- ation, and sustain and renew displaced children of the world. theEnvironment, the Rt Rev age2Paris. thelife of theearth.’ The glob- Nicholas Holtam, said: “It is “Supporting our politicians al church,extraordinarily led See our support forrefugees in Europe: good to have an ambitious and diplomats to make difficult on the issue of climate change www.weareUs.org.uk/advent agreement about the aspira- decisions has been an important by Pope Francisand the Ecu- tion.” partofthe COP21 process, and menical Patriarch, mustbea He said that the agreement we will continue to pray for key partner in tackling climate looks like ‘real progress’ and them,” he vowed. change. Us. The new name forUSPG said therewas amore‘positive ArchbishopJustin Welby said “As the BodyofChrist, his Registered charity number 234518 spirit’ about acting against cli- the UK had seen the impact of church is called to be incarna- mate change, compared with extreme weather in Cumbria tional. Each of us has arole to

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Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham

Southwell launched the Christmas season with a TheDiocese of Durham has become a traditional family advent favourite, its Christingle service. This foundingpartner of the Tyne &Wear service featured songs and carols and stories and the giving of Citizens. aChristingle orange to everysinglechild, and most of the This organisation is partofCitizens grown-ups too. Theservice raised money for the Children’s UK,which organises communities to Society,which works with some of the most vulnerable children acttogether for power,social justice and in this countrywho have been bullied, abused, neglected and thecommon good. Their work is based sexually exploited. on the principle that when people work Other Advent services include a‘Carols for Everyone’ concert together they have the power to change on Saturday 19 December,acommunity carol concertput on by their neighbourhood, their cities and Southwell and District Lions’ ClubinsupportofUganda ultimately the countryfor the better. Christian Institute for Professional Development Agricultural The Rt Rev Paul Butler,Bishop of School, La Nativité du Seigneur and on Christmas Eve, Crib Durham, speaking about the Services whereyoung children arewelcome to dress in Nativity importance of civil society in an address costumes. to the assembly said: “My [previous] This year’s Nativity crib for thecathedral has been made by experience of Nottingham Citizens has students from the Junior Department and Special Educational convinced me of the importance, value Needs Department of the Minster School, Southwell, and and significance of civil society,through Huthwaite &Selston Church of England Infants School. Father educational establishments, trade Matthew Askey,Minster Chaplain, brought together over 100 unions, faith communities and others, childrentomake acolourful origami version of thefamous cooperating together for the wellbeing stable gathering, which is in the crossing of theMinster. of our whole society. Also in theDiocese, atouching meeting took place at “Tyne and Wear Citizens will bring Hucknalltram station in Nottinghamshire-old timer tram 205, people from all walks of life together. named LordByron, drew up and parked alongside his Help them learntoorganise as ‘daughter,’ Ada Lovelace, new tram 233. communities. Enable them to speak up “It was amomentous encounter”, said David Heathcote of to those who hold decision making HucknallTourism and Regeneration Group. “NET honoured the powers to account for makinglives famous poet, LordByron, some time back by naming atram better for all.” after him, but only recently has his daughter,who many believe The Rev Sheila Bamber, wasthe first computer programmer,been similarly recognised. Provost of Minster and the “Weasked NET if they could schedule the two trams to diocesan coordinator for the project, Hucknall at the same time. We had agreat response from Jamie said: “It will empower and equip the Swift and his colleagues at Tramline Nottingham. Gettingtwo local church to engage with its trams side by side is no easy task, especially in the busy lead-up community and bring about real to Christmas, but they did it! change, reflecting the Church’s Diocese of Lichfield “It comes at aparticularly significant time,” added David. responsibility ‘to do justly,love mercy, “Thursday 10th December marks the 200th birthday of Ada and walkhumbly with our God’.” On Monday 21st December,the city of Lichfield will be Lovelace. I’m giving atalk in St MaryMagdalene Church, The Diocese of Durham as founding treated to ‘A Cathedral Illuminated’, adisplay of festive Hucknall, just metres from wherethe remains of Ada Lovelace partner has pledged £20,000 to the projections on the west front of Lichfield Cathedral. and her father,LordByron, areinterred. I’ve spent months project over atwo-year period to Sculptor and Artist in Residence at the Cathedral, researching Ada’s life and Ihope to explain Ada’s role in the contribute towards the £60,000 per year Peter Walker,will create the projections alongside development of computers. She’s one of Hucknall’s heroes. needed to staffand runthe project and composer David Harper who has also created original “My talkwill be partofabirthday party,celebrating the 200th build the Citizens UK network in Tyne music forthe show.They collaborate under the name anniversaryofAda Lovelace’s birth on 10th December,” said &Wear. Luxmaralis. David. Rome conference focusesonChristianpersecution

AMAJOR conference has just concluded in Rome of the20th century, when whole populations were aimed at bringing supporttopersecuted Christians moved to suit national boundaries, and the current around the world. ethnic cleansing of the Middle East whereDaesh is The ‘Under Caesar’s Sword’ conference heardthat removing minorities. 76 per cent of the world’s population live in countries He said that the Christian population therehas wherereligious freedom is curtailed. MoreChristians declined from 25 per cent to 2per cent, if the have been killed in the past century than all previous Christians of Egypt arenot counted. The only mixed centuries combined. society in Syria is now behindthe lines of the Syrian Delegates werealso toldthat while Christians form state and the federal model of Lebanon needs to be 30 per cent of the world’s population, they experience carefully preserved. 80 per cent of current persecutions, Chris Sugden The Ukrainian BishopinEurope, Borys Gudziak, writes. spoke of the survival of his Churchunder the pogroms Prof Daniel Philpott of NotreDame University of Stalinand its current role in addressing the pointed out that the Chinese government has removed incursions of Russia. the cross from 400 churches and in Nigeria Boko Helen Berhane spoke of her imprisonment in a Haram has been responsible for alarger death toll than shipping container for 30 months in Eritrea for Daesh around the world. evangelising through Christian music, and Paul Bhatti not only terrorgroups. They all makeitdifficult to While modernstates have been the source of much toldhow the assassination of his brother Shabaz when some extent to preserve thepublic role, history, or persecution now non-statist groupsare also involved minister for minority affairs, led to his own returnto memoryofChristians in society. and areoften encouraged by states. Pakistan now to handle the same portfolio. 2. Democracy is no guarantee of security for The conference, held at the Pontifical University in Organised by the Center for Civil and Human Rights Christians. It can facilitate the tyranny of majorities – Rome, was told that Islamist groups arenot the only at theUniversity of NotreDame and the Religious as in Iraq, Sri Lanka, India and Nepal. sources of repression that also number communist, Freedom Project at the Berkley Center for Religion, 3. Thereare awide range of Christian responses to Hindu and Buddhist governments, as well as the Peace,and World Affairs at Georgetown University,the state and non-state actors that areboth reactive and Orthodox Church in Russia. researchers held firsthand interviews with persecuted proactive: Survival, Construction, and Confrontation. Delegates wereintroduced to the results of the Christians around the world. Delegates weretoldthat churches need to do more world’s most systematic investigation into the response Aspecial prayer service for those suffering for persecuted communities, including praying for of Christian communities to the violation of their persecution was held during the conference at the them, visiting them and supporting policies backing religious freedom. ChurchofBasilica of San Bartolomeo on Tiber Island. religious freedom. Joshua Landis, Director of Middle East Studies at the The conference concluded that “Religious freedom is the most fundamental of all University of Oklahoma, drew adirect parallel between 1. Pressures on Christian space in societies ranges freedoms as it is definitive of the notion of humanity,” the ethnic cleansing of whole populations in the middle widely.These come from state and non-state actors, the conference was told.

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper NEWS Friday December 18/25, 2015 www.churchnewspaper.com 3 Concerns over planstoextend Ofsted remit NEWSIN CAMPAIGNERS have expressed con- thedocument as teaching that under- tended consequences. cernabout Government plans to inspect minesorisincompatible with funda- “I hope that as aresult of the consulta- out-of-school education provisions, to mentalBritish values, or which tion the Government is able to remove protect children from extremism. promotes extremist views, areamong some of the fear that people who have BRIEF Last week the Department for Educa- theprohibited activities in out-of-school been operating young people’s groups tioninvited responses to their new con- settings. for decades in this countryhave about sultation. Extremism as defined by the Govern- the unintended consequences and that It comes after the Government ment’s Counter Extremism Strategy is this willnot lead to amassive extension launched their Counter Extremism defined as ‘the vocal or active opposition of Ofsted’s inspection work.” Another Year in God’sTime strategyearlier this year. Thenew sys- to our fundamental values, including Aspokesman for the Scout Associa- Applications opened this week forthe temwould allow ‘intervention’ where democracy,the rule of law,individual tion said they are‘worried about undue second year of the ‘A Year in God’s children wereexposed to emotional liberty and the mutual respect andtoler- bureaucracy’ and deterring people from Time’ programme, which offers people harm, including the risk of radicalisa- ance of different faiths and beliefs.’ volunteering. The Charity Commission aged20-35 the opportunity tospend a tion. The Rev Nigel Genders, the Church already requires vetting for volunteers. yearliving together as acommunity at Currently,out of school education set- of England’s chief education officer, Aspokesman for theDepartment for Lambeth Palaceinspired by the tings do not requiremandatory staff said the plans could heap an extra bur- Education said they recognise that monastic traditions. background checks. den on ‘thousands of volunteer groups many out-of-school education settings The firstyear of the programme has New Government measures would across the country’. do a‘great job’ in supporting children’s seen 36 young men and women forming requiresettings providing ‘intensive “Using limited resources in this more education and development, though acommunity based at Lambeth Palace. education’, classed as those providing focused way would ensurethat extrem- added: “Without proper oversight, there For moredetails visit the Community of morethan 6-8 hours per week, to regis- ism is tackled moreeffectively without is arisk that some children attending St Anselm website: ter,grant power for abody to inspect having to register avast range of activi- them may be exposed to harm, includ- www.stanselm.org.uk settings and power to impose sanctions, ties which areofreal benefit to children ing from extremism.” which could result in the closureof and young people, such as holiday The Christian Institute is urging its Calltowelcome refugees premises. clubs, scout camps, Sunday schools, supporters to respond to the consulta- Britonsshould demonstrate ‘our shared The consultation paper says that music groups or sportingactivities,” he tion. Its director,Colin Hart, said that humanity’ by welcoming refugees. The when children spend time in out-of- said. Bible clubs, church weekends, summer callcame from the Archbishop of school settings, thereshould be confi- TheBishop of Maidstone, the Rt Rev camps and in some circumstances Canterbury in an article he wrote for dence thatthey arebeing taught in a Rod Thomas, said: “I completely sympa- youth clubs would be covered in ‘out-of- the Big Issue magazine. The Most Rev way that ‘prepares them for life in mod- thise with the Government’s desireto school settings’. said that the UK had a ernBritain and to actively contribute to avoid theradicalisation of the young “Weare law-abiding citizens who sup- ‘long and wonderful’ historyofoffering society’. andindeed their desiretostop extrem- portdemocracy and aretaught to love shelter.“The families comingtousfrom ‘Undesirable teaching’, exemplified in ist teaching, but this could have unin- our neighbour,” he said. Syria will be among the most vulnerable and traumatised people affected by this crisis,”hewrote. Child Benefit plans under fire from Bishops Cinemaadban to be investigated GOVERNMENT plans to restrict The controversial decision to decline an Child Benefit to the first two chil- advertofthe Lord’s Prayer in cinemas is dren have come under fireinthe to be investigated by the Equality and House of Lords. Human Rights Commission. The case TheBishop of Portsmouth said GenesisCars will be considered as partofits review that the policy would have an .org.uk on thelaw protecting freedom of impact on faith groups wherelarger Creating the ultimatmatecar buying experience religion or belief. families wereregarded as partof their faith. Row as married gay is barred TheRtRev Christopher Foster r Campaigners have complained after the cited the case of anOrthodox Jew- Diocese of Winchester refused a ish mother: “For her community, request from apriest for Permission to larger families arethe norm andthe e Officiate. The Rev Canon Jeremy Davies central pivot around which every- had served as Canon Precentor at thing else revolves. Thereisaposi- Salisburyfor 25 years, but Winchester tive, faith-based imperative to have ii i. declined his application as he had children. married his partner in 2014. A “This policy is making ajudg- spokesman said: “Due to the Church of ment that touches on deeply per- Yoou telluswhatcar you want, give apprice rangerange England’s position on same sex sonal and strongly held religious then sit back, relax and letusdo therest! marriage, as set out in the House of and cultural beliefs about the fami- Bishops Pastoral Guidance, Canon ly,and that threatens the viability of Jeremy Davies has been informed that whole faith communities,” he said. Limited Stock!! his application has been unsuccessful.” He called for aGovernment con- Save over sultation to reportonthe impact to £7000 Importance of ‘silver ladies’ faith communities, arguing that on cost when new! Scoop overlooked Government’s own impact assess- Purchase! Anew survey by an expertat ment is ‘inadequate’. ZEB Y OLY Goldsmiths, University of London, has TheBishop also tabled an amend- . revealed how muchthe Church ment to exempt kinship carers from depends on its army of women bornin the proposed two-child limit for new £99 the 1920s and 1930s. Dr Abby Day’s claimants. research said that this generation of He told peers that the Bill did not women not only filled the pews on offer adequate supportfor kinship Sundays, but organised and facilitated carers, who areraising an estimat- the running of mostchurches. She ed 200,000 children in Britain. g predicted that their absence will be a Meanwhile, the Bishop of major blow to the running of parishes. Durham wanted to amend work- 20Executive 1.6Acenta related requirements and Universal Y LY Medical ethics move Credit. He said that in the drive to The Church’s health policy adviser has encourage people to returnto e indicated that therecould be an work, child-parent relationswill be agreement over the genetic modification ‘overstretched’. OrOur teamisready to helphe py you...ou... of human embryos. The Rev Brendan The Rt Rev Paul Butler backed McCarthy said that the Church might proposals to change the “Social accept new developments in the area if Mobility Commission” to a“Life Call 0800 230 0238 questions about their safety, ChancesCommission” and further effectiveness and fairness were amendments calling for statutory e-maie-maills [email protected]@genesiscars.org.uk addressed. reporting onthe issues of child or visi isittuso us onnlin ineeatg at genesiscars.enesiscars.org.uk poverty and children’s life chances.

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Experts predict the future Call forrethink on food distribution BRITAIN NEEDS to have amajor forthe Church in England rethink on the way thatfood is distrib- uted. THECHURCH has to rethinkitself if it areas, with aconservative family That was the conclusion of areport is to survive and grow,according to lifestyle doctrine. Thisisthe ‘likely sce- funded by the Archbishop of Canter- Prof Linda Woodhead. nario’ if the Church continues in its cur- bury’s Charitable Trust and headed by In an event organised by think tank rent direction. the All Party ParliamentaryGroup of ‘Theos’,DrWoodhead, Professor in For the rest of the nation, this will Hunger and Food Poverty. Sociologyand Religion at Lancaster mean there’s not longer abroad middle The Inquiryhas recommended the cre- University,said that in ‘a preferable ground of religiosity, just lots of differ- ation of anew network called ‘Feeding future’ for the Church of England, it has entcongregationally based Christian Britain’, comprised of voluntaryfood ahuge amount to offer. and non-Christian faiths, with most peo- providers, the food industryand repre- Churches by law established aresoci- ple left thereforewithout areligious sentatives from each of the eight govern- etal, outward-looking, exist for every- home, because thereisno natural insti- ment departments whose policy affects body with apowerful theology about tutional home for them. the number of people at risk of hunger. loving your neighbour and not about According to Prof Woodhead, the The new group would coordinate bringing people into church. churches are‘so obsessed’ with congre- regional networks to encourage the However,she continued, the church gational growth and in doing so, ‘they redistribution of surplus food in each model needs to change to get rid of war- aremaking bad judgements’. area and co-ordinate food waste preven- ranted kinds of privilege and anarrow “A major reason for decline was when tion and help local authorities set up elitism. rather than being thechurch for every- ‘social supermarkets.’ “Of course they need to rethink them- one that came and lived in the parish, it The reportnotes thatrespondents to selves to be generally pluralist, internal- started saying no to people.” the Inquirystressed that the current CentrePlus after reports that birth cer- ly,and rethink how they relate to other In his futurevision for theChurch of Food Banks should not form‘anew ver- tificates and medicalrecords, sent as part Churches and faiths.” England, David Goodhew,author of sion of aresidual poor or Poor Law kind of an application for benefit, had gone This would lead to akind of church Church Growth in Britain,and Director of welfarestate’ and it argues for along- missing within the Department for Work that could show religions how they of the Centrefor ChurchGrowth termproject of resourceful redistribution and Pensions. could live together,bothpluralistically, Research at Cranmer Hall, Durham, of Britain’s food surplus. The Bishop of Truroand founding internally and externally.The Church argued that pace of ethnic diversifica- Thereportalso recommends that trustee of ‘Feeding Britain’, the Rt Rev had to be ‘true to what we arehistorical- tion points towards growing numbers in supermarketsinclude the recycling of TimThornton, who co-chaired the ly andberelevant to majority of people Christianity. fresh food in their food bank subsidy and inquirywith Labour MP Frank Field, in the country’. “Pluralistic contexts arepositive for that food manufacturers and retailers said: “Thereare issues relating, in partic- What’s morelikely to happen,she churches, just because other faiths on double theamount of surplus food they ular,tothe values we shareordon’t share continued, is that Churches will go the rise, doesn’t meanchurch must redistribute. as asociety –whether we recognise our- down the increasingly congregational shrink,” he said. TheFeeding Britain Network would be selves as partofalarger whole or not.” rather societal route, retaining like- Britain is getting far moreethnically responsible for reducing the amount of The Bishop said it is time for areview minded people with amentality of oppo- diverse, he continued. He saidthe size food disposed of in landfill. The report of the fundamental values underpinning sition to the rest of society,considering of the black minority ethnic Christian also asks that Local Authorities encour- the welfarestate. themselves to be the remnant maintain- community is rapidly expanding. age locally sourced food. “Weheardstories and gained first-hand ing the gospel against secularism. In London 45 per cent of the popula- Amongthe Inquiry’s recommendation experience that led us to the conclusion “This is the direction the churchhas tion arewhite British; London is a in its ‘strategy for zerohunger’ is the rec- that the rise in the use of food banks does been going in and it is aself-fulfilling majority,minority city. ommendation thatthe Government indicate adeeper problem in our society; prophecy,” she warned. He highlighted thewords of Oxford grants itself new legislative powers to the ‘glue’ that used to be thereisno The path of disestablishment will con- demographer David Colman, who pre- instruct Ofgem to establish anational longer thereinmany instances.” tinue, she predicted, becausethe dicted thewhole of Britain will be a minimum standardfor fair energy prices. He attributed this to the ‘the commodi- Church will no longer be for England, majority,minority country. Thisisacru- The reportrecommendsthe establish- fication process’, wherepeople treatoth- but for asmall group, but it won’t be a cial factor said David, since the number ment of asingle Office for Living Stan- ers as if they wereexchanging fully congregational church because it of BMEChristians has grown dramati- dards within the Treasurytomonitor commodities. will cling to its huge bureaucracy. cally,associety has got morediverse. pressures on low-income households’ At the reportlaunch in Westminster, This hierarchical and clerical system, Between 2001 and 2011 the number of budgets and reporttoFeeding Britain. Archbishop Justin Welby said that it was which is veryexpensive, will be ham- Black and Minority Ethnic Christians in Thereportalso recommends that ‘shocking’ to find Food Banks happening pered by a‘stuffy and boring’ congrega- England rose to 4million, which is up everybody has access to acredit union, in Britain, but said that the reportwas not tional church, she said. 44 per cent in 10 years. that public telephone numbers arestan- asking the Governmenttomove into the “The real congregationalist churches “There’s awidespread notion that the dard or free rate andthat that the teach- Food Bank sector. arenot hamperedbybureaucracy and moreracially diverse the UK gets, the ing of budgeting and parenting skills “There’s no point pretendingthat peo- allow muchmorelay participation, she less Christian it gets. The exact oppo- should be ‘embedded on astatutory ple being hungryisaneasy issue to observed. This meant they were site is true. basis’ in the National Curriculum, as well address within our politicalsystem. Our responsive to change and wherepeople “It’samistake to assume that since as available food skills training and democratic system is essential and has are. membership of non-Christian faiths is Healthy Startvouchers. huge strengths, but it is sometimes In this scenario, she continued, the on the rise, that means the church must The reportcalls on the Government to tricky working across parties. ChurchofEngland will end up the shrink, it’s not akind of zerosum game, reformthe benefit system as theInquiry “Party-political approaches will not churchfor affluent, suburban people. there’s considerable evidence thatmore found that benefit delays wereakey rea- work for an issue like this. It comes down Theirchurches andcongregations will pluralistic contexts areactually very son for Food Bankuse. The Inquiryalso to our willingness to pull together to beclustered in affluent, middle class positive contexts for churches.” calls for better IT systems used at Job make adifference,” he said. Home Office meeting over refugee plan forLambeth Palace

RED TAPE holding up plans to resettle refugees in the tive choice’. man MP held adebate in Westminster Hall, arguing grounds of Lambeth Palace led to ameeting with the “The question remains for me: who will carefor these thatmarriage certificates should include the names of Home Office last week to resolve the issue. vulnerable people when theycan no longer look after both parents. Theissue was raised in the House of Lords, with the themselves?” theBishop said. Ms Spelman pointed to an internal consultation in the Bishop of Bristol questioning the Government on what Meanwhile the Bishop of Chester objected to apro- ChurchofEngland which supported aPrivate Mem- he called the ‘unnecessarybureaucracy’ hinderingthe posed amendment in the Scotland Bill. Put forwardby ber’s Bill seeking an overhaul of the marriage registra- resettlement of refugees in the UK. LordForsyth, it suggested inserting thewords ‘are tion system, amending the Marriage Act 1949. Responding to the Rt Rev Mike Hill, LordBatessaid recognised’ into aclause acknowledging that ‘The Scot- She proposed an alternative system called ‘the sched- that high-priority considerations, such as the vulnerable tish Parliament and the Scottish Government areaper- ule system’ wheremarriages areregistered electroni- in need of medicalcare, may not be the ideal people for manentpartofthe ’s constitutional cally. the community-based sponsorship scheme. arrangements’. The Conservative MP pointed out that the current In another debate on the role of the residential care But the Rt Rev Peter Forster said the amendment formofthe register does not adequately accommodate sector,the Bishop asked about this in relation to the would send the wrong signals. circumstances wherechildren have amother and asec- Government’sdecision to delay the implementation of “If thepeople of Scotland aretold,‘We toyed with the ond female parent rather than alegally recognized the carecost cap. thought of saying that it was apermanent Parliament mother and father. BishopHill highlighted words by the chairman of the but we decided that it wasn’t,’ it will simply give the Amendments to the Bill would requireclergy to Commission on Residential Care, Paul Burstow,who wrong message,” he said. ensurea‘marriage document’ is signed beforethe cere- said that ‘formost people residential careisnot aposi- Second ChurchEstates Commissioner,Caroline Spel- mony. Online at www.churchnewspaper.com: Get all the breakingnews stories as they happen NEWS Friday December 18/25, 2015 www.churchnewspaper.com 5 Secondtrial forrector AngeroverMonasterymove THE REV Canon Ian Finnwillface asec- RUSSIAN Orthodox leaders in the Ukraine Nationalized during the Soviet era, control ond trial on charges of fraud, the Crown have denounced a“Stalinist” petition drive over the monasteryisnow shared between a Prosecution Service announced last week. calling forthe government to transfer con- state museum and the Ukrainian Orthodox Last month ajurysitting at Ipswich Crown trol of the Kiev Monasteryofthe Caves from Church(Moscow Patriarchate), which Courtwas discharged after it failed to the Moscow Patriarchate to the Kiev Patriar- counts 10 million adherents nationally. reach averdict on charges that Canon chate of the Orthodox Church. However,members of the 15 million-mem- Finn, who is also Rural Dean of Clare and “Whenthe new power came, the Soviet ber Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Kiev Patri- an honorarycanon of St Edmundsbury power,itwas the start of the so-called terror. archate) have lobbied for the government to Cathedral,had kept £12,707 in funeral and It all started withthe closing down of turnover the grounds to them. wedding fees paid to him between June churches and provocations. That’s what we The secretaryofthe Kiev Patriarchate 2007 and March 2014 whilst serving as see today in the formofthis petition,” Bishop Archbishop Evstratiy Zorya said the petition rector of St Marythe Virgin in Haverhill. Clement of the UkrainianOrthodox Church drive wasnot an official act of his church. The trial has been tentatively set for 27 (Moscow Patriarchate) told Ukraine Today. “As aChurch we arenot interested in June2016 and is expected to take six days. TheMonasteryofthe Caves, the Kiev fomenting interdenominational conflicts. We Canon Finn remains free on bail. Pechersk Lavra, was founded in 1051 when areseeing that ever since the Euromaidan Anthony,amonk from Esphigmenon revolution, Russia and pro-Russian forces monastery on Mount Athos, begantoevan- have been attempting to sow religious Retired vicar in courtonchild abuse charges gelize the Rus. hatred.” He settled in acave at the Berestov Mount Approximately 50 churches belonging to ARETIRED ChurchofEngland and travelled to Delhiand Madras overlooking the Dnieper River and acommu- the Moscow Patriarchate have seceded in vicar hasappeared beforeanIndian with him wherehemolested the nity of disciples soon grew,becoming one of the past few years to join the Kiev Patriar- courttoanswer charges of child child. the principal sites of EasternOrthodox chate since the startofthe war in the East- abuse. Appearing with counsel before Christianity. ernUkraine. The Rev JonathanRobinson (73) the court, the accused denied the told the judicial magistrates’ court charge and said thecomplainant in Vallioor,inthe southernstateof hadbeen pressured intolaying a Reassuranceafter plans to make GambiaIslamic TamilNaduon26 November there false charge against him. ANGLICANS have nothing power in a1994 coup, added problem for the Anglican was no truth in the accusation that Mr Robinson, whoretired in 2001 to fear from the President of that the countrywould Church in Gambia and like- he had sexually abused a15-year- as Priest-in-charge of St James, Gambia’s decisiontoturn “respect the rightsofciti- wise for West Africa,” said oldboy. Wigmore,and St Mary Magdalene, the West African state into zens, “including Christians”, the Rev Canon Anthony In 2011 the Bangalore-based Leinthall Starkes (Hereford), an Islamic Republic, the gen- who comprise 10 per cent of Eiwuley. NGO Justice and Carefiled acom- resigned from the board of the eral secretaryofthe Church the population. Opposition leader Hamat plaintthat Mr Robinson had taken GrailTrust in 2011 after the of the Province of West The Anglican Diocese of Bah of the National Reconcil- theboy from theorphanage near charges weremade. Africa tells The Church of Gambia and the Rio Pongas iation Party told AFP he did Vallioor,set up by the Grail Trust — He has been granted bail and a England Newspaper. hasbeen without abishop not believe the president’s acharity founded by Robinson — trialisexpected to be held in 2016. On 11 December Gambian since the death of Archbish- actions werelawful. President Yahya Jammeh op Tilewa Johnson in 2014. “Thereisaconstitutional Presiding Bishopreleased from hospital announced: “In line with the The General Secretaryofthe clause that says that Gambia country’s religious identity CPWAsaid they were is asecular state,” he said. THE PRESIDING Carolina to recuperate the new Presiding and values, Iproclaim Gam- “aware” of the president’s “You cannot make such a Bishopofthe Episco- from surgery. Bishop is expected to bia as an Islamic state.” proclamation. declaration without going palChurch has been Bishop Curry was make afull recovery. Gambia’s ruler,who seized “I do not think itposes any through areferendum.” released from aRich- taken to the hospital “GodisGod and I mond, Virginia hospi- on 6December after a have lived my life tal following surgery visitation to achurch trusting in him,” the Tributes paid to Bishop DeSouza to treatasubdural in Williamsburg, Vir- PresidingBishop said. haematoma. ginia, afterhis speech “And Ibelieve the THE PRIME MINISTER of The bishop “served the peo- On 11 December the became slurredand he Churchand the world Jamaica, Portia Simpson Miller, ple” of Jamaica “with humility Most Rev Michael exhibited signs of a areinGod’s hands has released astatement of condo- and diligence,” the Prime Min- Curry was discharged stroke. even when it may not lence upon the death of the coun- ister said, noting “that during to hishome in North His office reports seem like it.” try’s former AnglicanBishop,the his tenureasthe head of the Rt Rev &Hon Neville DeSouza, AnglicanChurch in Jamaica, who died on 12 December.Hewas Rev DeSouza presided over the Episcopal Church officialssuspended 87. historicordination of women to Educated at St Peter’s College in the Ministryfor the first time in PRESIDING BISHOP Michael noted that no further information Jamaica, Bishop DeSouza was aparish priest the historyofthe Anglican Church in Curry has suspended the Episcopal on the charges would be provided. in the diocese beforebeing elected Suffragan Jamaica.” Church’s top three administrators. However,thereisnoevidence of Bishop of Montego Bay in 1973. In 1979 he Mrs Simpson Miller said the late bishop In aletter issued on 11 December police involvement, nor have eccle- was elected Bishop of Jamaica and the Cay- “was known,respected and loved for his from his hospital bed in Richmond siastical disciplinaryproceedings man Islands, serving until retirement in 2000 service, not only to the Anglican Church, but the Presiding Bishop toldthe been instituted against Bishop and was chairman of the Caribbean Confer- to several otherdenominations and non-reli- Church Center staffthat he had Sauls. ence of Churches from 1972-81. gious causes.” placed the Rt Rev Stacy Sauls, theEpiscopal Church’s Chief Operating Officer,MrSamuel PART McDonald, the Deputy Chief RELAX!RELAX! WWEAY EXCHANGE Operating Officer,and Mr Alex COMEOCWEL ME Baumgarten, the Director of YOOUU YRCR! Engagement, on “administra- FULL tive leave”. HISTORY Bishop Curry stated he had REDUCED! CHECHECKCK taken this unprecedented action in response to “possible misconduct in carrying out FLEXIBLE their duties as members of FINANCE 62 REG 60 REG 60 REG 11 REG 11 REG BRAND NEW VA AILABLE senior management” of the CITROEN C1 1.0i VW GOLF 1.6TDi 105 5DR EST CITROENC4GRAND PICASSO AV UXHALL INSIGNIA AUDI A3 2.0 TDi SPORT FORD FIESTADIESEL VTR 3DR RED 38K BLUEMOTIONTECH SE BLACK 5K 1.6H1.6HDDiiV VTRTR++E EGS 5DR SILVER 59K 2.0 CDTi SE 5DR GREY 77K 5DR (S ART TSTOP)BLACK 1.5 TDCiSTYLE 3DR Episcopal Church. NOWNOW NOW NNOWOW NOWNOW NOWNOW NOW .048 M0PONTHSER (9+47) He went on to say that the OLYONLY £4516 ONLNLY £6751 OOLYNLY £7375 ONOLYLY £6995 ONOLYLY £8717 ONOLYLY £113737MMOONTHNTH* NATIONWIDE suspension was not adeclara- DELIVERY tion of guilt of the accused, but AUTOSAVE... SERVING THE CHRISSTIAN COMMUNITTY FOR OVER 35 YEARS TOOYT YOOURUR DOORDOOR was necessarytoenable an *Based on ntrCpersonal (PCH)eHiracto ymentpa(PCH) ofilepr investigation into the “issues”. 9+47. Financ staotsubjecte eT.tus onditionscanderms BRABRANNDDN NEEWW apply. Applic bemustants or18 ee/antGuar.ervo The Presiding Bishop’s let- Call0845 1226910 autosave.co.uk indemnity anceWed.equirrbeyma intr ucintr aotouyeod CARAC RSS AAVVAIAILLABLABLEE umberedlimit selectlyfulearcfon financed eW.vidersoprefinanc ter declined to offer details of caeeivecryma ommission ororfthemomfr intrthe oduction. ALL MAKES the alleged misconduct, and

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 6 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday December 18/25, 2015 LETTERS

Public Life.” Yetthe Christian value of modesty was once an integral partofour culture. We have No moratorium needed on become numbed by the proliferation of pornon LETTERSTO sexuality debate the internet that we have quite forgotten some Sir,ColinDurham asks for amoratorium on Christians even objected to the introduction of publication other than of facts on issues of single-sex communal changing rooms and human sexuality.Iask, please will he and showers in schools as promoting ablasé attitude THEEDITOR others refrain from foolish assertions in to public nudity. your columns? Bizarre as such views would seem today,on He just could not refrain from sketching reflection, perhaps it would have been wiser had out “that letter [which] will not be written” we heeded such warnings. and letting us know what he might have AB MacFarlane, written in moredetail. We must be glad he Stoke-on-Trent did not, but he would have done better not to have written even that much. Christian values So “being left-handed is condemned 25 Sir,Wecan hardly deny the fact that Christian times in the plain teachingofScripture,” is it? belief is numerically in decline. But the support For shame, to so wildly accuse the Word of for Christian value remains strong, and Iwould God! Left hands arementioned amere16 like to see moremade of this distinction. Most of Fury overTyson times in the whole Bible, and never in the people Iknow still want this to be aChristian Sir, The furyoverthe remarksof condemnation for left-handedness. In some country, meaning “based on Christian values”. Tyson Fury,the new heavyweight cases those who areleft-handed are Thereisalso alot of residual goodwill. Ilike boxing champion, isveryrevealing. commended. the storyofthe man whodeclared: “Yes, Iaman Thisson of afamily ofIrish He ought also to know that the death atheist. But IamanAnglican atheist.” Travellerswithalong history of penalty for sin has already been paid, by Tony Cullingford pugilism,aCatholic with, Christ on the cross, so that no Christian may Tewkesbury apparently, astrong personal faithinJesus and call for the death of anyone for their sin. Only theBible,Fury has said insome very politically- God may apply that, and will, when he judges Hymn concern incorrect language thathethinksthat oursociety all people through Christ. Sir,Why do we insist on singing ‘Lo, He comes is evil and degenerate, specifying the legalisation In Christ all things areceremonially clean, with clouds descending’ in Advent? Surely this of abortionand homosexuality,and the but the NT tells us that the natureand hymn is about the second coming, or am I prevalenceofpaedophilia. categories of sexual sin have not changed missing something? Imyselfandmany others mightsay thesame under thenew covenant. If anything, they Harry Hicks, thing,evenifwemightphrase it in more have beendrawn moretightly,and that by our Mundesley,Norfolk

ondon, SW1P 3RX. highfalutinways. Thesentiments arehardly Lordhimself. extraordinaryinthe light of theScriptures or of Mr Durham condemns texts by implication

,L thetraditional teaching oftheChurch. Whatis which, it seems probable, he has not Just Wartheory revealing is the fury with whichtheyhavebeen examined carefully,ifhethinks the Bible Sir,The Most RevBarry Morgan, Archbishop of receivedbythe liberal establishment. ThePolice itself mandates genocide, racism or slavery Wales offers averyrefined secularised version of areinvestigatingFury as if he were acriminal. for its readers. For certain, it hasbeen abused the Just Wartheory(letters, 12 December). The BBC, eggedonby its mastersand by those who tried to arguefor evil as if it While academics in ivorytowers may mistressesinthe LGBT lobby, wouldlove to be wereaScripturally mandated good, but Isaiah procrastinate and arguefor delay in the hope of stminster able to banhim from beingconsidered as the 5:20 applies to any who trythat. peace, God has given the decision to rulers, who Sports Personality oftheYear, andcelebrities So Mr Durham would do well to study the as practical men, need solutions. Christian men We queueupto dissociate themselvesfrom his texts he so flippantly dismisses with greater rightly see that an appeal to the God of battles is views. attention to what they do say than to looking their only recourse once offers of peace have We seem to havereached astage where, far for what he thinks they say,and to consider been rejected. Such decisions makeupGod’s from enjoyingfreedom of speech andrespect for them in the overall context of each book and providential rule and whatever the outcome, “we differentviews, there are some things thatyou of thewhole of Scripture, lest he find Isaiah know that all things work together for good to cannot say or even thinkwithout the thought- 5:21 applying to him. them that love God,tothem who arethe called police attacking you -even though the response Please will Mr Durham observe his own according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). in the case of Tyson Fury mightbea moratorium and spareushis unworthy jibes? Ultimately it was an appeal to the living God to heavyweight punchonthe nose!Thatofcourse Jeremy Leffler, interveneand give victory, not to the strong, but

eet at @churchnewspaper would beacrime. Birkdale to the just. As such, it was only open to the Martin Down, believing Christian who wouldput his trust in Tw Witney God. With the Biblical examples to mind, the Christianity at its peril. question “Is thereareasonable chance of reat College Street, JLongstaff, success?” is either inappropriate or mustbe Christian truth Buxted, Sussex taken in the context that “with God all things are 4G Sir,The commission thathas suggested ridding possible” (Mark 10:27). treet address. NB: Letters may bepublic edited life of Christianitymight justaswell have Christian naturism In Gideon’s battle with the Midianites God ,1

as said“Letusget rid of truth”, andweall know Sir,Karen Gorham isnot theonly Christian wanted it clear that it was his intervention that where such a suggestioncan lead. Whatonearth apologist for naturism, but her nomination as gave victoryand so twice reduced Gideon’s do these people mean bya“new settlement”?If has prompted adebate. I numbers (Judges 7:2). First those fearful and Christianityistrue it is truefor publiclife and am unsure whether sheiswilling to defend her afraid (v.3)and then those not watchful as they privatelife. Grove pamphlet of 15 years ago, so Icomment on guzzled water wereremoved (v.5). Itwas by the The past 2,000 yearshaveseensocieties naturism in general. 300 that remained that God promised victory (v. benefit inmany ways once they have embraced Following theFall, God sacrificed animals to 7). Christian faith and changedtheir lawsand provide clothes ofskins (Gen. 3:21).The Fall In Joshua’s fight against ungodly Amalek, behaviourinline with itsteaching. Throughout seems to have made clothes aprudent safeguard victory depended, not on numbers, but upon the worldmillions of individuals can testify to a against sin, and thereafter,the recreational Moses’s intercession (Exodus 17:11). Saul positive impactontheir personalliveswhenthey uncovering of nakedness outside marriage was warned David that humanly he had no chance havefound faith in Christ, andIknow countless associated with sexual sin. Even the godly King against Goliath (1 Samuel 17:33), nevertheless personal testimonies from those who have David, aman after God’s own heart, was not David single-handedly triumphed: “in the name experiencedsuchabeneficial change. immune in this area. It was Bathsheba’s of the Lordofhosts, the God of the armies of Onwhat grounds dothemembers of the exposureduring bathing that ensnared him, Israel, whom [Goliath had] defied” (v.45). commission make their claim?Can they disprove leading first to adulteryand then to conspireto In Medieval battles of differing numbers and the evidencethatsupports theessence of the cover it up. technologies, victorywas farfromcertain, the Christian faith,thatJesuswas raised from the Providing parapets for roofsfor safety (Deut. kind of calculation the Archbishop mentioned dead? Just as oneexample, do they not know that 22:8) is reasonable and has been extended to was out of the question. Our Christian kings demand from parents forplaces in Christian many similar situations; so why do we so readily engaged in battle because they saw their cause schoolshas been strong,because for manyyears let go of Christian value of modesty as such a as just, and this alone made the war just. these schools have provided superior education; safeguardagainst sexual temptation and sin? Waterloo, Trafalgar and other moremodern suchschools are hardly divisive. Why have we given into the superficial battles wereequally uncertain. In the difficult Pluralism,which is effectively what they arguments of clothing designers, commentators, early years of the First World Warreason would suggest, cannever be a sensible routefor a pornographers and naturists? have sought truce or compromise, but it was

ite to The Church of England Newspaper society; not allideasand beliefs canbetrue. Much has been said of our Christian heritage fought because it was the right thing to do. Indeed, Christsaid he was theonly way,thetruth and values in the wake of the Woolf Institute Alan Bartley, or you can send an E-mail to [email protected]. If you are sending letters by e-mail, please include Wr and thelife.This and anysocietyrejects funded reporton“Religion and Belief in British Greenford, Middlesex

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper LEADER &COMMENT FridayDecember 18/25, 2015 www.churchnewspaper.com 7

The image and likeness of God – The inadequacy of the Church an ecumenical Christmas gift of England’s public voice From Advent to Christmas the Churchworldwide focuses on the coming intocreationand historyofGod, bringinghis love and and can offer little that cuts it in public debate. holiness to us in ‘great humility’. The Church is defined as being Alan STORKEY Looking to this hierarchy,good though they disciples of Jesus, the incarnation of divine love. In believing in often are, is sub-professional and limited. Jesus as God’s self-revelation to us, we also areled to believein Thesecond is the Anglican need to inhabit the the Trinity,that ‘God has sent the Spirit of his Soninto our hearts, Repeatedly public events requireand should established position. This has made the Church so we cryAbba Father!’ (Gal. 4:6). haveapublic response from the Church of of England moreorless unable to do other than Experiencing this self-giving of God in Jesus, mediated by the England, which embodies one or two million plod in the middle of debates. It cannot Spirit in the present, is to experience the Trinitarian love of God peopleinthe UK and is one of the bigger public represent Jesus’ social teaching andemphasis. reaching out to us and catching us up in worship of theFather in bodies, far bigger and moreactive than the Pope Francis has recently exposed how the the Spirit. Jesus’ costly redemptive love has brought us to this political parties. Yetwhat the public gets is often Anglican Church skirts round Jesus’ stronger amazing privilege of knowing God, not just knowing about God. quite inadequate. teaching. We say,“We must bomb in Syria, but This is the verycoreofwhat the Church is, and to be tempted The pronouncements tend to be tentative, do we must not do too much damage” while the into any definition or way of life that anchors itselfinrealities and not convey Christian content, must not offend Pope attacks the US military-industrial concepts moreamenable to our secular cultureistoleave the anyone, areusually ignored and do not cut as a complex’s role infermenting wars. Church in favour of some other allegiance. The Christian doctrine consistent commentary. They arepoor in Third, the Church of England cannot provoke and experience of God is wholly Trinitarian at the verydepths, it is content andweak as media events. disagreement because it must be all things to all not abroad monotheism with some interesting extra afterthought So, gradually,the Christian faith and the people. It is timid. It might upset people, if it tacked on: ‘God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself’as ChurchofEngland aregoing to the margins of stood for or against anything firmly. The fact that St Paul declares (2 Cor 5:19). It does no favours to the integrity of UnitedKingdom public life. The level of failure Christinsisted that we would be persecuted and interfaith dialogue to trytodiminish this basic gospel fact. is conveyed by two examples. lambasted for our faith was aslight breach of And this fact links us to thefundamental Christian First, women bishops (the Church of tasteinasociety that was less well-mannered. understanding of humanity: that we aremade in the image and England’s biggest recent triumph and merely an Thereisone thought game which nails this. If likeness of God. This anthropological fact of our faithiscrucial internal event) arrivedageneration after a something profoundly wrong or evil were background to our understanding of Jesus as theimage of the woman Prime Minister,and the nation happening in our society,could the Church of invisible God –inliving humanly he iscompleting human creation condescendingly waited for the Churchof England stop it? Would it have the cohesion and and healing its wounded, diseased state. The fact that we arein England to catch up. strength to stand against it?The answer is clear. the divine image is the clear pathway for the coming of the Second, aregular monitoring of the secular It would be swept aside in muddle and creative Word into our broken, sinful condition to redeem and mediareveals almost no contentful references to ineptitude in taking apublic stand. restoreus, to bring us back from our alienation and disobedience. the teachingofChrist, his life or what the We have had atrial runfor this possibility.In It is veryheartening, on this key point, to note the publication of Christian faith is. Christianity in Britainis 2003 Bush and Blair illegally invaded Iraq. the most recent agreed statement by the Anglican Orthodox largely being treated as acultic activity to be Rowan Williams, David Hope and TomWright International Theological Commission entitled In the Image and doneinprivate. made strong statements against the war,but Likeness of God, ‘The Buffalo Agreed Statement’. Thisissub-titled Of course, thereare some good reasons why their voiceswereswept aside because therewas ‘A Hope-Filled Anthropology’, and offers athoroughly biblical the ChurchofEngland is like this. The churches no Christian public voice.Asaresult Iraq has reading of the human condition, which is simultaneously couldproduce ababble, and thereare many become afailed state spawning terrorist expressive ofthe theology of the East. unthinking, unchristian and odd views within the movements and living with devastation. EasternOrthodoxy distinguishes ‘image’ from ‘likeness’ in Anglican Church among many of us. Morethan Amarch of ahundred thousand Christians holding the latter termtoindicate the dynamic process of this, the level of biblical and Christian education within the main protest, or separately,might well becoming morelike God through our life, with the help of the among some church members is fairly low.We have swung the decision, which Blair was very Spirit and Church.This can be auseful reminder of our inherent couldproduce some bad stuff. nervous about, but the Church of England was calling and destiny in Christ. The agreed statement also does Further, alot of Anglicans and styles of church not mobilised. It was hierarchy dependent, justice to the cross of Christ as keytoour redemption, citing aresub-cultural, caught in their own local passive, disengaged, flaccid and didnot do the Romans 1and its declaration that we arebaptised intothe death of concernsand perspectives, and clearly out of job. the Lord, so as to rise to new life in him. touch with publicissues. What we say is often This time the hierarchy has not even May the advent of this agreement help keep our Church more disengaged and lost. Yetreally these are expressed opposition. Sadly,General Synod and moreinthe image of our Lord. symptoms of the same problem, the failureof mainly fits this general culture. theChurch of England to be Christianly and It is time the lay membership of the Church of publiclyarticulate. England, full of Professors in conviction and It is an educated faith. Disciples arestudents. expertise, woke up to be incorporated into a TheChurch of England Newspaper Jesus is the world’s greatest teacher.Christianity different kind of Christian witness in our society, withCelebratemagazine incorporating TheRecordand Christian Week has been the greatest educator on the planet, one not based on status and heritage, but one Published by Political and Religious Intelligence Ltd. but we fail to be Professors of the Faith. It is thatmajors on content, people power and the Company Number: 3176742 time to change. explicit teaching and life of Christ, andone Publisher:Keith Young MBE The inhibitors areclear.One is bishops, who which has the courage of its convictions. In the arebusy pastorally,are often amateurs in areas era of the web this is both possible and like politics, economics, society,culture, history necessary. Let’s do it. PublishingDirector &Editor:CMBLAKELY 020 7222 8700 andlaw,donot have time to study specific topics ChiefCorrespondent: TheRev Canon GEORGE CONGER 00 10772 332 2604 Reporter:JOMAY 020 7222 8700 Advertising: CHRISTURNER020 7222 2018 Advertising &Editorial Assistant: PENNY NAIR PRICE 020 7222 2018 Subscriptions &Finance:DELIA ROBINSON 020 7222 2018 GraphicDesigner: PETER MAY020 7222 8700 Theacceptance of advertising does not necessarily indicate endorsement. Photographs and other materialsent forpublication aresubmitted at theowner’srisk. 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Website: www.churchnewspaper.com [email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 8 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday December 18/25, 2015 FEATURE From being helped to helping The Amber Project: Harry’s story

Anglican Life chance to talk and get to know the others. Funnily Three years ago, Church Army enough, The Amber Project made me realise how Harry used to self- much Ilove theatre. Iamnow partofthe Amber harm. He is now a Creative Team (ACT) and help out at the theatre member of the creative hree years ago, an unhappy teenager named Harry workshops. team of Church Army’s came seeking help from The Amber Project, one of These aregreat for building confidence and learning Amber Project, helping TChurch Army’s key projects based in Cardiff, which skills that help you cope with everyday life. Thanks to other young people in supports young people aged14-25 whohave experience of Amber,I’m amuch happier,moreconfident person. I their healing process self-harm. He talks to us about hisemotional journey of feel better prepared to deal with the problems that life through theatre healing and self-discovery. throws at you. workshops. I’m doingother theatre-based work aswell. I When Iwas 16, Isuffered from anxiety and self-harm. I volunteer at the Sherman CymrutheatreinCardiff, was doing my GCSEs and trying to find my own reaching out to people with learning disabilities identity; it was areally stressful time for me. Ihated through drama. We’reaiming to put on aperformance myself and Iwanted to punish myself: Iused to cut to prove that just because you have disabilities thereis myself, Iwould no reason why you sometimes go for an can’t achieve your entireweek without dreams. Ihave an eating, Iwouldn’t take audition with a careofmypersonal physical theatre hygiene… company andifI I’d been to counsellors am successful, I’ll but it hadn’t really helped, get to performtwo so our family doctor shows in London. recommended The Physical theatre Amber Project. Ifelt is aformoftheatre really nervous the first that emphasises time Iwent there, as I’d the use of physical been spending most of movement, such as the time locked in my dance and mime, Project’s counselling sessions arethe best I’veever bedroom and Ijust didn’t for expression. had, they’ve been really useful. have the skills to Eventually,I’d like I’vemade alot of friends at Amber.Somehow I’ve communicate with others. Harry in action to study drama at found it alot easier to make friends herethan in other The Amber Project’s the Royal Welsh places. Everyone is so welcoming; Ifelt like Ibelonged Coordinator,Caryl Stock, College of Music straight away.It’s nice to know that you arenot alone chatted tomeabout what was available “I just didn’t have and Drama and become a and that you can be yourself without worrying about at the project, such as the workshops. professionalactor. people judging you. When Ifirst came hereIcouldn’t Istarted attending the theatre the skills to After attending the say boo to agoose, but now Ican’t shut up! workshopsbut initially they didn’t quite communicate with workshops for about a Iwish Icouldgoback in time and talk to my 15-year- work for me. Ipreferredthe arts and year,Istarted going to old self. Ican’t do that, but what Ican do is help other craftsworkshops, asthey gave me a others” counselling. The Amber young people who aregoing through the same emotions that Idid. They listen to me because they know that I’ve been through the same things myself. Now,Ican honestly say to other young people who aresuffering: “It really does get better”. According to YoungMinds, one of the UK’sleading charities committed to improving the emotional well- being and mental health of children andyoung people, over the last 10 years the number of young people being Take outagift subscription for afriend and they admitted to hospital because of can access all year round to The Churchof self-harmhas increased by 68 Yesplease! EnglandNewspaper ,inprint, on their tablet or on per cent. Since many people Iwould like to buy an annual subscription for: the website .From just £35,you cangive thatthey who self-harmchoose not to go will enjoy all year long! to hospital or seek medical attention, the real figures are Name:...... Iwould like to buy an annual subscription for probably much higher.The print -£70 ...... Welsh Government has also online £35 highlighted that suicide is one of the highest causes of death Address: ...... Ienclose payment for £______/Cheque payable to Politicaland ReligiousIntelligence Ltd and I among childrenand young ...... understand that you will contact the recipient to people in Wales. informthem of my gift) The Amber Project’s theatre ...... workshops exploreissues Signed...... Postcode...... related to self-harmthrough drama, asafe and powerful way Daytime telephone:...... for young people who find it difficult to verbalisetheir Email...... Simply e or n Subscriptions Depar en li I i ce thoughts and feelings to Signature: ...... Ltd, 14 Great College Street, o SW1P 3RXXX exploredifficult issues such as Or email: [email protected] peer pressureand bullying. Phone: 020 7222 2018 For moreinformation, visit www.amberproject.org.uk

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper FEATURE Friday December 18/25, 2015 www.churchnewspaper.com 9 David Suchet: faith, theBible and doubt

By Jo May “Once IunderstanditIfeelasthough I’m ready to go “Its veryinteresting that the people whoused the intothe studio.” Old Testament,Jesus and those inthe New Testament, In 2010, David Suchet, the Englishactorperhaps best According to David,the Bible is very difficult to pick never complained aboutGod, theythank him for his known for his role as detective Poirot, received aletter up as anovel though ‘it has everything’. overall plan fortheir nation, and say ‘his ways are our in the post from alady inNorthernIreland who had “TheBible took along timetoget together, over ways’.” MS and whose sight hadgone asaresult. 2,000 years for theOld Testament. David says that we have rationalistic, post-modern Afriendgave her an old audio cassetteofJohn’s “You’ve gothistory,prophecy,poetry, song,you’ve minds now,a‘calculator world’ and‘supermarket Gospel whichDavid had read forHodder’s earlier NIV got love stories, the song of Solomon taken out of mentality’. Audio Bible published sometimearound1990, and on context is about as racy as youcan get,” but said David, “You go into Tesco with alist that says ‘Nescafe’— listening to it shewas so struck by the words ofthe “One mustalways rememberthat it was to a specific youthink that you’rebuying Nescafe —but you’re not, gospel that as shewent to bed that nightshe cried out peopleataspecific time. you’rebuying coffee. You’rebuying alabel. We live ina tobeable to see again soastobeable toread moreof “Youhave to be respectful of that: the Biblewas fora label world,wefeel verysafe with alabel because the gospels, moreofthe Bible. particular point in time, or a particular reader, as that’s our rationalistic world, we’renot good with faith, According to Ian Metcalfe, publishing directorat indeedeach book was.” we want answers all the time. Hodder Faith,responsible for commissioning theNIV David says that havingreadthe whole Bible he can “Wedon’t like to be held in amystery, wewant to Audio Bible, the next morning whenshewoke she now ‘live in mystery in an easier way’. know,but we can’t, andGod revealshimself as saying found shewas able to see. She wrote to David to tell “Thereare challenges in theBible,the challenges of so.Wehavetolive with doubt. That’s why faith has her of this experience andthis storyinspired Davidto genocide and the Old Testament, because God is so such ahardtime. pursue his long-held dream of reading the Bible cruel,it’s difficult to read thatand believe Godisa “Onceyou say that God is omnipresent,omniscient through in its entirety. loving God. andomnipotent, that’sapretty mysteriousstatement.” Sinceit’s launchlastApril, the NIV Audio Bible has But when you read the Bibleagain you realise that sold 15,500 copies, and the NIV App has sold 500 the psalms arefull of people railing atGod asking ‘why, TheNIV Audio Bibleispublished by Hodder Faith and is copies in three months, which makes it HachetteUK’s why’, so we’regiven permission to rail, ask the available asa6-setofMP3 DVDs, downloads and via the bestsellingaudio book for2014 and 2015(trumping question and get angry,toask‘how could youbelike app Enid Blyton’s Famous Five, John Grisham, Jodi Picoult this?’. and Michel Thomas language learning). Suchet says he is aChristian who happens to be an actor,not anactor who happens to be a PRIORY AUTOMOTIVE WISH ALL READERS Christian.Ittook 200 hours of time in a purpose-built recording studio near Tower “A MERRYCHRISTMAS AND A Bridge just to enable the recording to happen in the HAPPY NEW YEAR” mornings before David went off to the theatre to rehearse The team at Priory Automotive would like to take his latest play in the this opportunity to pass on the compliments of the afternoons. season to all readers. They would also like to thank Davidalso gave 400 hoursof the customers who took delivery of their new car research in what he told me from Priory,and helped tomake this year so was ‘a continual learning process’. successful. They know from their feedback just how “I wouldspend many hours happy they all are, and Priory promise to keep up in preparation for each book, thegoodwork in the coming year.Withnoshort from atheologicalpoint of cuts on quality, no compromise on customer view,adissecting point ofview, satisfaction, justgreat cars, at great pricesfrom a a commentarypoint of view, putting each bookinto itsown knowledgeable and friendly team. context, asking who wrote it, what was the purpose, who was Shouldyou be looking to change your car next hewritingitfor and year,rememberthe name Priory,and give them a researching aboutthe passage call. I was abouttoread, analyzing texts, using comparative texts, Tel:0114 2559696 different versionsand the www.prioryautomotive.com Hebrew and Greek.

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morecould be done to facilitate farmers and those producing whole foods to bring their goods to market at a fairprice. But in addition, of course, personal responsibility has to Janey Lee Grace play apart. It is unlikely junk food will be removed from theshelves but we don’t have to buy it —wecan actually take the ‘balanced approach’and keep ‘treats’ –(some might arguethey aren’t really treatsatall because they Live Healthy! Live Happy! aresobad for our bodies) for special occasions. Across the festive seasonit’s most likelywewill all over-indulge but thereare some simple tweaks we can makeonce thatperiod is over.Ithink aiming to ‘deprive’ The growing problemofobesity yourself will result in failureand indeed despite most people making resolutions and feeling motivated (at least initially) Januaryisn’t the best time to diet and trytolose What afuroreacross the press as Dame Sally Davies We’ve all become awareinrecent years of the weight, our body is still in ‘winter mode’ and we need claimed that obesity in women canpose as big arisk growing problem of obesity,not justwomen: it affects nourishing root vegetables, soups and warming foods. to the nation as terrorism. It’s an inflammatory men and afar greater number of children than ever Come springtime adetox may be needed as we remarkand, if youare one of the relatives of people before.Iwonder what adding it to arisk register will transition to the summer months wherewecan eat less. affected by terrorism, you may be left reeling by her achieve. Whichever way you look at it, real food is the answer lack of sensitivity. Jamie Oliver was atalkinghead across the press –and some exercise. It’s bizarre but true that it’s possible Dame Sally warns that being overweightaffects and laid the blame wholly on the government and to be overweight –even obese —and yet everystage of awoman’s life, causing them to have food manufacturers. He believes if his sugar tax was undernourished if we areputting ‘alien’ fuel into our high-risk pregnancies and, potentially,heartdisease rolled out the problems wouldn’t be as bad. bodies in the formofhighly processed potentially toxic and breast cancer.Itisthought that over half of Iamwith Jamie thatthe government could do foods. British women under the age of 44 and almost two moreto‘follow the money chain’ and not allow Beforeyou eat anything just ask –Do Iknow its source? thirdsofthe over-45s areoverweight or obese, manufacturers to put 13 teaspoons of sugar in pasta Is it still close to its original state? Did it ever roam or among the highest figures in Europe. sauce and nine in abottle of fizzy drink. Ialso think grow? If the answerisyes –goahead! Enjoy!

gallery the Whispering

Storyofthe Year Books of the Year Under-reportedstory Hopefor th efuture?

Many stories compete to be Not many religious books make it Normally the press is quick to ATheos meeting on what the futur eholds for the ‘Religious Storyofthe Year’, on the lists when secular seize on stories about the UK church was booked to capacity .Linda some showing religion in abad newspapers compile theirbooks of marginalisation of Christianity Woodhead and David Goodhew addressed a light, but this column has the year but one book dealing with in our national life. When the gathering which, in th eevent, was something of a selected the storyofMother the role of religion in the world Commission on Religion and disappointment. Far from looking at the ‘UK Emanuel Church in Charleston, today deserves awider readership. Belief in Public Life produced a church’ it mainly looked at England and the South Carolina, whereawhite In The Paradox of Liberation (Yale), report, Living with Differences, Church of Engl and. Linda Woodhead wanted the man gunned down nine people, the eminent political theorist, thatsaid Christianity should Church to go on se rving the community and not including the gifted pastor,Rev Michael Walzer,looks at how the havealess central role in worry about church attendance. She drew a Clementa Pickney,and people who established secular Britishpublic life and called for comparison with Denmark wher eonly 2per cent wounded others in June in an regimes in India, Israel and Algeria apluralistic coronation it was attend Sunday worship but 64 per cent of live attempt to startarace riot. The failed to make connections with the big news in all the media. births ar ebaptised. Sh eignored the differences re between the killer,Dylan StormRoof,failed ligious traditions of the people. Likewise considerable attention religious histories of Denmar kand in his objective because Marginalised, the traditionalists was given to claims that three Britain. David Goodhew pinned much hopeon surviving family members at turned to extremism. Walzer sees cinema chains hadbanned an immigration but although he could point to Mother Emanuel werequick to the American Revolution as an advertthat featured the Lord’s churches like Stockton that have ‘minority say that they forgave him. Not exception but he admits that Prayer.But only The Old Un, a majority’ congregations he did not offer evidence America’s Protestants wer that immigratio all agreed and thereare people efairly columnist in TheOldie, nislifting the CofEasawhole. As at Mother Emanuel who look radical and that the ‘woman commented on one truly Linda Woodhead commented, it schief strength question’ was not then an issue. lies in white suburban areas. But ther forjustice but the response of extraordinaryway in which eweretwo the church, described in a25- This column’s second book of the Christianity is being signs last week of hope for th echurch and that the page article in Time magazine in year is Anthony Thiselton’s SPCK marginalised. In August the Old church benefits from professionalism, not just in November,amazed America and DictionaryofTheology and Un pointsout thatsome words management techniques but in theology, gave the world adifferent Hermeneutics. This 860-page work not considered relevant arenot communications skill, pastoral sensitivity and knowledge of world affairs. Justin understanding of the power of sanincredible achievement for one included in the latest edition of Welby received faith from that on offer person and deserves aplace on the the OxfordJunior Dictionary apositive reportinThe Sp ectator from Michael elsewhere. President Obama shelves of anyone with aserious publishedbyOUP.The Gove who praised the well-informed speech the went to Mother Emanuel to nterest in theology .Many of the principaltargets of the purge Archbishop had made on Syria and got him to articles admit he would attend the gay wed make what the historian of runfor several pages and appear to be termsused by dingofone of American religion, Garry Wills, offer treatises on important Christianity.They include his children, and the doyen of religious claimed was his greatest doctrines of the Christian faith such bishop, archbishop, pope, journalists, John Wilkins,received an honorary speech, aprofound meditation as the Holy Spirit or the Trinity. communion, crucifixion, DD f romHeythrop. Wilkins already has an on grace. Obama said that what Most major Christian thinkers are confessor and coronation. Far honoraryMAfromLambeth,awarded by Rowan Wi he had felt in the past week was covered although pride of place from debating about whether lliams. Under his editorship, The Tablet almost ‘an open heart’ and he quoted goes to along entr yonWolfhart the coronation service should trebled its circulation and gained many new Pannenber readers from outside the Catholic Church. It his friend, the novelist gwho scores 14 pages, become moreinclusive and did Marilynne Robinson, who spoke onger that the entr yfor Karl pluralistic, children of the future so because of its honesty ,independence and of ‘that reservoir of goodness, Barth. Hans Kung also receives aregoing to be left wondering intelligence in covering both world and church generous treatment. The book and beyond, and of another kind, what on earth acoronation in devoting serious attention to theology and than that we areable to do to shows broad ecumenical actuallyis. Wordslike blog, the arts .Asthe programme for the graduation each other in the ordinary sympathy.Thiselton pays attention attachment, broadband, byte ceremony put it ,‘John showed integrity and commitment to Christian values’ when he had to course of things’. At the end of a not only to Protestants and Ro man and bullet point of course make speech Wills compared to Catholics but also to Pentecostals, the dictionary. There is no deal with difficult ethical issues and important Lincoln’s Second Inaugural, the ncluding those of th eyounger mention of Lentbut Ramadan religious debates. Could it be that the qualities President led the congregation generation. does appear. that enabled amagazine to thrive could also help singing ‘Amazing Grace’. the Church to thrive?

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One of the most nonsensicalaspects of the Paris Treaty is the parading of precise numbers such as serious treatment of targets such as 2per cent or 1.5 per cent. The idea that we can talk with Andrew Carey any confidence about these goals is sheer hubris. Thereare huge areas of uncertainty in the science. We don’t know how we get to 2 per cent over decades andwecannot thereforeset targets. Additionally,there arefurther uncertainties over feedback and View from the Pew the role of the sun. Theatmosphereisnot aperfect test tube. Though we can be surethatgreenhouse gases cause warming, we cannot be certain at what rate, nor can we predict long-termtrends with any confidence. Thescience is as good as the computer models, which areimproving all the time. And they need to. The pause on global temperatures stands at nearly two decades. This is aserious challenge to the ‘settled’ science. The heartening thing about the Paris agreement is that it sets a trajectoryofchange towards afutureofenergy that is less reliant on fossil fuels. The best thing we can do to tackle pollution is to The problem leave coal in the ground. This will mean relying mostly on gas until renewables can step up and take the weight. The priority is energy policies thatdonot bankrupt the poorer nations or hinder their development. Neither should they penalise those who arealready in fuel poverty in the west. The Church professes to show concernfor the poor but by cheerleading for some of the green policies that have inflated energy bills it has helped to drive households into fuel poverty. with Paris Acatastrophist approach prioritises environmental concernsover human ones. We musthave abalance. Areligion of peace?

It is always amatter of surprise the extent to which non-Muslims feel compelled to pronounce on matters of internal Islamic theology with utter certainty. ‘Youain’t no Muslim,bruv’ becameasocial network meme. It was aphrase uttered by abystander at the sceneofthe Leytonstone attack. The trouble is that the attacker,MuhaydinMire, was to all intents and purposes aMuslim. Itend to think that it should be left to Muslims tofind itself. But an even greater puzzle is the attempt by politicians -David Cameron in particular -todefine Islam as areligion ofpeace. He is woefully ignorant of history, of course. The fact is that the militaryexpansion of the Islamic state led by Muhammad himself was ahallmark of the faith itself. This is not to single out Islam for particular criticism. Christianity has also been used to justify violence but areligion only deserves to be called ‘peaceful’ if its adherents by andlarge espouse that goal. The problem Muslims face is that thereare competing interpretations of jihad -afoundational tenet between ‘spiritual struggle’ and warfareorterrorism.Until that is settled the juryis out on whether Islam is areligion of peace.

LIZ HOARE thespiritualdirector By the RevDrLiz Hoare

Ancestors seem to have been something Christ was the culmination of an lived and mattered in theirtime, justas doomed to remain trapped by it. Thinking of atheme of late. My husband has been unfolding storythat stretched back to anyone in our own families who is now of Jesus as our ancestor could be away of researching his grandfather’s letters the beginningsofhuman history. an ‘ancestor’ once had alife and astory transforming the way we think about our written during the First World Wartoa Some Christians also set up atree to tell. background or family of origin. ‘Miss Walker’ who eventually became branch in their homes and hang In Africa the ancestors areextremely Advent reminds us that we belong to his wife and discovering new insights symbols on them of the various important and indeedthe worship of the God whose overarching love and into his family historyinthe process. ancestors of Jesus to help them recall them was ahuge challenge to the mercy enfolds the whole world in his Many of us enjoy looking into the the unfolding storyofGod’s purposes in acceptance of the Christian faith. How embrace. He is the ‘Ancient of Days’ and origins of ourfamilies in ordertofeel historyduring Advent. Advent stands on could they deny these men and women so all our days areknown by him and he moreconnected withour roots. the borderlands looking forwardbut who werefamily and who werestill promises to be with us in each of them. The Jesse Tree is an ancient symbol also back to encompass the great sweep present in time? The ancestors alsohad He knows us intimately and he holds that connects Jesus withthe characters of God’s action in the world. huge power over their descendants in our past as well as our futureinthat who arepartofthe Biblical family tree To engage in looking back through African thinking. It was realisation that, same loving embrace. leading up to his coming. There are timevia atradition like the Jesse Tree as Christians, Jesus is our great As the hymn by Sidney Carter puts it: some beautiful depictions in stained can help to bring to life some of those ancestor and that we areinvited to be ‘You areolder than the world can be, you glass and wood in parish churches and genealogies we encounter in booksof partofhis new family that enabled areyounger than the life in me; ever old cathedrals that wereused to remind the Biblesuch as the beginning of African Christians to see their flesh and and ever new…’ This is something to believers of the people, prophecies and Matthew and Luke as well as lists in the blood ancestors in anew light too. think about as we open our Christmas stories that filled the Bible. They help us Old Testament. All those names were The past can be agreat burden and we cards depicting nativity scenes. realise that the birth of real people who may feel that we are

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ANGLICAN CYCLE OF PRAYER BIBLE CHALLENGE Friday18December. Psalm 89: 1-7, Judith 13: 1-14.The Most Rev Stephen Than Myint Oo, Archbishop ofMyanmar and Bishop of Yangon; Assistant Bishop of Yangon -(Myanmar):The Rt Rev Samuel Htang Oak Day 353 –Zechariah Saturday 19 December. Psalm 71:3-8, Judith 15:12-16:16. Yei-(Sudan): TheRt 7-8, Psalm 137, Mark 15 Rev HilaryLuate Adeba Day 354 –Zechariah Sunday 20 December. Advent 4. Psalm 19: 7-end, I Thess. 4: 13-18. Yewa 9, Psalm 138, Mark 16 (formerly Egbado)-(Lagos,Nigeria): TheRtRev Michael Adebayo Day 355 –Enjoy Oluwarohunbi hearing theScriptures Monday21December. Psalm 85: 7-end,IIThess. 2:13-17. Yirol-(Sudan): The read aloud in church Rt Rev Daniel DengAbil Day 356 –Zechariah Tuesday 22 December. Psalm 96: 1,10-end, Zech. 9:9-12. Yokohama -(Japan): 10, Psalm 139, Luke 1 The RtRev Laurence Yutaka Minabe Day 357–Zechariah Wednesday 23 December. Psalm 23, Philemon. Yola -(Jos,Nigeria): The Rt 11, Psalm 140, Luke 2 Rev Markus Ibrahm Day 358 –Zechariah Thursday 24 December. Christmas Eve. Psalm 145: 1,8-13, Zech. 13. York - 12, Psalm 141, Luke 3 (York, England): The Most Rev&RtHon Dr John Sentamu; York -Beverley - Day 359 –Zechariah (York, England): The Rt Rev Glyn Webster; York -Hull -(York, England): Vacant; 13, Psalm 142, Luke 4 York - Selby -(York,England):The Rev CanonJohn Bromilow Thomson; York- Day 360 –Zechariah Whitby -(York, England): The VenPaul John Ferguson 14, Psalm 143, Luke 5 Friday 25 December. Christmas Day -Nativity of our Lord. Psalm 89: 19-end, Day 361 –Malachi 1, Isa. 40: 1- 11. Ysabel-(Melanesia): The Rt Rev RichardNaramana Psalm 144, Luke 6 Saturday 26 December. Psalm 98, Isa. 40: 12-24. Yukon -(BritishColumbia & Day 362 –Enjoy the Yukon, Canada): The Rt RevLarry David Robertson hearingthe Scriptures Sunday27December. Christmas2.Psalm 85, Isa. 40: 25-31. Zaki-Biam -(Abuja, read aloud in church Nigeria): The Rt RevBenjamin Vager Day 363 –Malachi2, Monday28December. Holy Innocents. Psalm 2, Phil. 3:17 -4:1.Zanzibar - Psalm 145-146, Luke 7 (Tanzania): The RevMichael Hafidh Day 364–Malachi3, Tuesday29December. Psalm116: 12-end, Isa. 41: 1-13. Zaria -(Kaduna, Psalm 147-148, Luke 8 Nigeria):The Rt RevCornelius Salifu Bello Day 365 –Malachi4, Wednesday 30 December. Psalm 96: 1-4,Isa. 41: 14-20. Zonkwa -(Abuja, Psalm 149-150, Luke 9 Nigeria): The Rt RevJacob Kwashi Thursday 31 December. Psalm 96: 7-10, Phil. 4: 2-9. Zululand -(Southern Africa): The Rt Rev Dino Gabriel

Curate of Washington Holy Trinity to be Vicar of Greenside (Durham). APPOINTMENTS The Rev Canon Gerald Breen, Dean of the Metropolitan Cathedral and Basilica of The Rev Anne Christina Ballard, St Chad, Birmingham; to be Ecumenical Canon of Vicar of Alstonfield, Butterton,Ilam, Warslow with Lichfield Cathedral (Lichfield). Elkstone and Wetton (Lichfield), to be Incumbent of The Rev David Crosby Bruce, the Middle marches Benefice (Hereford). of Meole Brace (Lichfield), to be Team The Rev Jane Bell, Rector in the MalvernChaseTeam Ministry Priest in Charge of Stockton on Tees St John the (Worcester). Baptist and Stockton on Tees St James (Hardwick) The Rev Christopher Casey, to be Priest in Charge of Stockton Christchurch Priest-in-Charge of Mirehouse (Carlisle), has been (Durham). appointed Priest-in-ChargeofStPaul Constable Lee The Rev Preb Terence BernardBloor, and St MaryRawtenstall. He has also been appointed Priest in Charge of Basfordand Rural Dean of Borough Dean of Rossendale (Manchester). Newcastle; to also be Priest in Charge of Saint The RevGeoffrey KiprotitchChelashaw, Margaret Wolstanton (Lichfield). Assistant Curate (Interim Minister) of Audley,of The Rev Lorna Brabin-Smith, Talke and of Alsagers Bank (Lichfield), to be Team Vicar in theFosse Team with responsibility for Assistant Curate (Assistant Minister) of East Dean Queniborough, Rearsby and Thrussington with with Friston and Jevington (Chichester). Ratcliffe-on-the-Wreake (Leicester) has been The RevLinda Jayne Cox, appointed as Rector of the Benefice of Branston with Curate of Woodfield Team (Leicester),tobeRector Nocton and Potterhanworth(Lincoln). of Baschurch and of Weston Lullingfield with The Rev TomBrazier, Hordley (Lichfield).

The Rev Grant Crowe, TheRev Douglas Heming, Roughtown (Manchester). Team Vicar of CentralTelford(Lichfield),tobe CurateofAshley and Mucklestone and Broughton and The RevGaryNorman, Chaplain in Holy Trinity Anglican church,Utrecht Croxton; to be Priest in Charge of Chebsey,Creswell, Priest in Charge of Croxdale, Tudhoe and Merrington (Europe). Ellenhall, Rantonand Seighford(Lichfield). to be Vicar of Cornforth and Ferryhill(Durham). The VenPhilip Roy Down, TheRev Adrian Holdstock, The Rev Dr Jason Paul Phillips, hasbeen appointed Joint Acting of Priest in Charge of St Mark&StBarnabas Assistant Curate (Interim Minister) of Blakenall Heath Canterburywitheffect from6December 2015. Peterborough has been appointed Vicar ofStMark’s Christ Church; to beVicar of Whittingtonwith The Rev Anthony William Everett Peterborough (Peterborough). Weefordand Hints(Lichfield). hasbeen appointed as joint Area Dean of Reculver TheRev Victoria Elizabeth Delphine Howarth, The Rev Greg Roberts, Deanerywith effectfrom1December 2015, in addition OLMinthe Penkridge Team Ministry; to be Assistant Priest in ChargeofAll Saints Peterborough has been to hisrole as incumbent Herne Bay, ChristChurch Curate(Assistant Minister) (Lichfield). appointed Vicar of the same Parish (Peterborough). (Canterbury). TheRev Sally Hughes, The Rev Gareth Rowlands, The Rev GrahamCharles Fowell, Priest in Charge of Stoke Albany wWilbarston & Chaplain ofPapworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Assistant Curate(Interim Minister) of Fenton; to be Ashley wWeston-by-Welland wSutton Bassett has (Ely) to be Lead Chaplain of Queen ElizabethHospital, Assistant Curate (Interim Minister) of Saint Margaret been appointed Rector of thesame benefice Gateshead (Durham). Wolstanton and of Basford(Lichfield). (Peterborough). The Rev Karen Slayen, The Rev Harry Greenhalgh, TheRev Dr Sharon Jones, OLM Curateinthe Atherton and Hindsfordwith Howe NSM Assistant Curateinthe Benefice of WinwickSt St Luke’s Chaplain, University ofExeter,(Exeter), to Bridge Team,has been appointed SSM Assistant Oswald (Liverpool), has been appointed NSM be Chaplain, University of Birmingham, Curate at St Peter Westleigh and at St PaulWestleigh. Assistant Curate of St Marythe Virgin, Leigh (Birmingham). She will be known as Associate Priest (Manchester). (Manchester). TheRev Nigel JamesKelly, The Rev Elizabeth Snowden, The Rev Fiona Jane Robertson Gregson, Chaplaintothe Royal Navy; to be Chaplain to HMP Vicar of BestwoodEmmanuel withStMark and Area Bishop’s Permission to Officiate, (Birmingham), to be Dovegate (Lichfield). Dean of Nottingham North (Southwell and AssociatePriest, Aston and Nechells, (Birmingham) TheRev Linda MaryMcKeon, Nottingham) has been appointed as the next (this isatime limited post to cover maternity leave). OLMinFarewell and Gentleshaw; to be Priest in Archdeacon of Chelmsford(Chelmsford). The Rev Jeanette MayHartwell, Charge(Lichfield). The Rev Canon Simon Stokes, Team Vicar ofinthe Smestow Vale Team (Lichfield), TheRev Cathy Nightingale, Vicar,Sprowston (Benefice);HonoraryCanon to alsobeinterim Lichfield Link Tutor,The Queens Priest-in-Charge of St John the Baptist, Roughtown has (Norwich Cathedral), to be also Rural Dean, Norwich Foundation, Birmingham. been appointed Assistant CurateofStJohnthe Baptist, North (Norwich). THEREGISTER Friday December 18/25, 2015 www.churchnewspaper.com 13

OLM in Streetly (Lichfield), has resigned with effect APPOINTMENTS from 28 September 2015. LAYAND OTHERAPPOINTMENTS Mr Ged Cliffe, County Ecumenical SecretaryofChurches Together in TheT Rev Carol Sunley, Shropshire(Lichfield) has retired with effect from Assistant Curate in the Benefice of North Ormesby 14th October 2015. (York),has been appointed as Assistant Curate of the The Rev Gareth Rhys Davies, The Rev Steven Faber, Benefice of Ormesby. Vicar of Sneyd Green (Lichfield) to retirefrom29th Moderator of the URC, Synod, The VenStephen Ronald Taylor, February2016. Birmingham; to be Ecumenical Canon of Lichfield has been appointed Joint Acting Archdeacon of The Rev Roy CliffordEvans, Cathedral. Canterburywith effectfrom6December 2015. Clergy Widows Visitor (Lichfield) has retired with The Rev Ian Hayter, The Rev Stephen Charles Torr, effect from 30thNovember 2015. Minister of Wade Street Church, Lichfield; to be Curate ofAbbots Bromley,Blithfield, Colton, Colwich The Rev Dagogo Hart, Ecumenical Canon of Lichfield Cathedral. and Great Haywood and Part-timeLecturer at St Vicar of West Bromwich St James with St Paul The Rev John Howard, Mellitus College(Lichfield), to be Priest in Charge of (Lichfield) has retired with effect from 31st October Chair of the and Shrewsbury Norton andManager and Tutor in Theology at St 2015. Methodist District; to be Ecumenical Canon of Mellitus College(Chester). The Rev Robert(Bob) Hopper, Lichfield Cathedral. The Rev Karsten Wedgewood, Vicar of Hillside (Durham), to retirefrom31January. The Rev Ian Howarth, previously StipendiaryCurate of FarnworthKearsley The Rev Kevin Lindsay-Smith, Chair of Birmingham Methodist District; to be and Stoneclough (Manchester), has been appointed OLM in Glascote and Stoneydelph (Lichfield) has Ecumenical Canon of Lichfield Cathedral. Priest-in-Charge ofthe Penwith Group of parishes resigned with effect from 18th October 2015. The Rt Rev David McGough, (Truro). The Rev David Newsome, Bishop of the NothernPastoral Area of the The Rev RichardAndrew Westwood, Diocesan Director of Ordinands (Lichfield) resigns Archdiocese of Birmingham; to be Ecumenical Canon Assistant Curate (Resident Minister) in Great Wyrley; from 31st December 2015. of Lichfield Cathedral. to be Team Vicar in Burntwood, Chase Terrace, The Rev Monica Jane Newsome, Mrs Jane Abigail Morris, Chasetown and Hammerwich (Lichfield). Co-ordinating Chaplain to HM Prison and Young has been appointed Lay Worker of Stone St Michael The Rev Terence James Williams, Offender Institution Swinfen Hall (Lichfield) has and St Wulfad with Aston St Saviour (Lichfield). PtO; to be Assistant Curate(Associate Minister) of retired with effect from 27th September 2015. Mr Ian Peake, BurtonAll Saints with Christ Church (Lichfield). The Rev Christine Polhill, has been appointed County Ecumenical Secretaryof Assistant Curate (Associate Minister) of Whittington Churches Together in Shropshire(Lichfield). and Spiritual Companions Co-ordinator (Lichfield) to Mrs Sarah Watson, RETIREMENTS AND retirefrom31st January2016. has been appointed Good Society Facilitator in Stoke- RESIGNATIONS The Rev Tracy Reynolds, on-Trent (Lichfield). Team Vicar of North Wearside TM (Durham), to retire Mrs Laura Whitmarsh, from 30 November. Pioneer Youth Minister in Bayston Hill (Lichfield) to The Rev Dr MichaelBeck, The Very Rev Michael Sadgrove, alsobeLay Chaplain to the ShrewsburyUniversity Priest in Charge of East and West Rainton(Durham), Dean of Durham, to retirefrom31December. Centre. to retirefrom31December. The Rev Garry John Thompson, The Rev Canon Jon Bell, Rector of the Mease Valley Benefice (Lichfield) has Priest in Charge of Coxhoe, Kelloe and Chilton retired with effect from 22nd November 2015. DEATHS (Durham), to retirefrom31January. The Rev Peter Twisleton, The Rev Denise Burgess, Vicar of Seaham Harbour with Dawdon (Durham), to Assistant Curate (Assistant Minister) of the Mease retirefrom15December. The RevCanon CliffordFrancisPollard Valley Benefice (Lichfield) to retirefrom31st The Rev Terence Warner, (formerly Assistant Director of Education1968 –1969 December 2015. Assistant Minister (Associate Minister) of Brown Edge and Director of Education 1969 –1987) died on 4 The Rev Jeremy WilliamBlunt, (Lichfield) to retirefrom27th December 2015. December 2015 (Canterbury).

in mind,while dealing with the messinthe moment. And by mess Imean… well, you know what Imean. ARadical Christmas It’s incredibly,unspeakably,frustrating to have to keep saying ‘no’ to being nipped, to regularly go out in the cold and wettoavoid mishaps -onlyfor them to By Gareth Robinson happen the moment you come back inside! It’s easy to New Wine put the puppy into ‘time out’ because of how it’s affecting me: my frustration, my irritation. But just as Afew weeks ago Iwas sitting in the dentist’s chair for a with toddler training, the discipline has to come from checkup, when he asked if Iwas slowing down for wanting the best for them, not out of frustration on my Christmas. “Hardly! I’m achurch leader,soI’m gearing part. This means holding on to the long view in the up!” Ireplied. midst of the moment. We do this to help him become a “So how do you help people avoid the consumerism happy dog in the long run. by which the season has become defined?” he asked. To have aradical Christmas, then, means doing the What agreat question! verysame: seeing our actions in the moment in the My wife Lizzy and Ilead ‘Glo Church’: Glo stands for context of the long view.Not getting lost in the ‘God Loves Offerton’, atown east of Stockportin busyness, but seeing the busyness as little steps - Greater Manchester,where we work under aBMO sometimes frustrating, sometimes irritating -towards initiated by the Bishop of Stockportin2011 supported the fulfilment of the long view, when Jesus sets by our mother church, All Saints Marple. everything right. It’s this workthat gathers in new For five years we have grappled with how to bring believers into God’s kingdom and to churches old and the good news of Jesus to apriority estate in the centre new. of Offerton, inspired by Jesus’ mission statement in So in our workplaces, our families, our churches, Luke 4, quoting Isaiah 61:1 good news to the poor, wherever we find ourselves, we live differently; captives set free, the oppressed released. And ‘they’ radically.Isn’t this the message of Advent, to remind us shall become the oaks of righteousness, displaying his thatweare little parts of the muchbigger storyof splendour (v3). God? This is how the Lordturns people’s lives around: the Our churchhas been studying Marythrough good news of Jesus. Our charity recently received the -seeking to be, and to bring,good news to others by Advent, and in the first week reflected on her response Christian Funder’s Forum ‘Gold Award’ for the best helping people engage with God in worship, share to the time between the promise and the fulfilment: “I project sharing the Christian faith -ahumbling God’s truth through biblical teaching, and intentionally am the Lord’s servant,” said Mary, “mayithappen to moment and challenging title to live up to! Butthe making room for the Holy Spirit to work. me as you have said,” (Luke 1:38 GNT).Welearnto good news of Jesus has an answer for my dentist, as At Christmasit’s easy to get lost in the busyness of trust the Lordfor thefulfilment of his word, while well as the poor and broken we minister to each day: all the additional seasonal extras, and Iambyno serving him in the here-and-now. that this Christmas, we don’t have to be defined by the means advocating that we lose the gift-giving and Serving the Lordinthe little things as we keep in gifts we give or receive -instead, we can be defined by celebrating; rather suggesting we offer aradical mind the long view is the radical good news of the true meaningofthe festival, celebrating our alternative to what our culturedemands from us. But Christmas -this is freedom, this is joy,this is peace. freedom in Christ. what does that mean? May you serve faithfully,and celebrate joyfully,a The word ‘radical’ means ‘back to the root’. This, to It’s alesson Iheardatthe Urban Forum, andhave radical Christmas. me, is the beauty of connecting with others through been learning myself these last few weeks through our the New Wine Leadership Network -itreminds me puppy.After about three years of debating, we bought a Gareth Robinson is an Anglican Minister working in why we do whatwedo. At the recent New Wine Urban puppy for our kids this Christmas. We surprised them Offerton, Greater Manchester.Heishead of Church Forum it was refreshing to be with and hear from mid-November and arenow inthe midst of puppy Planting for New Wine others working in similar situations around the country training. Which demands two things: keeping the end @garethrobinson 14 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday December 18/25, 2015 BOOKS /SUNDAY SUNDAY SERVICE Cultural battlesover 2nd Sunday of Christmas Sunday 3January2016 Jeremiah 31:7-14 Ephesians 1:3-14 homosexuality John 1:1-18 The focus ofourreadingsthis weekisthe joythat comes from God’s cosmicplan tosave his undeserving people and The Scandal of Everett Koop,America’s Surgeon Generalunder makethem his children by his gracealone. Evangelicals and RonaldReagan. Koop’s approach aroused the Jeremiah’s prophecy(which comes just before hisoft- Homosexuality oppositionofmany of his fellow evangelicals but quoted prophecy ofthenew covenant, laterinthis chapter), Mark Vesey-Saunders Petro argues it was rooted in his strong sense of beginswith acommand to“sing aloud withgladness!” God Ashgate, hb, £60.00 Christian compassion. has cometosave his people, andnotjust out of Babylon. Probably no organisation did more worldwide to Thosewho are scattered overall theearth will hear his call. After the Wrath of helpthe victims of Aids than the Catholic Church Whether they are blindorlame or in labour, he will gather God but in the shape ofCardinalJohn JO’Connor of them all.Hewill keep them as a shepherd keeps his flock, Anthony MPetro NewYork it hadaleader able and willing to do butalso, it says,hewill beafather to them andthey shall OUP,hb, £19.99 battle for traditional teaching on condoms and be hisfirstborn. sexuality.O’Connor was afearless campaigner in The glory andcreditforthis salvationgoes entirelyto Mark Vesey-Saunders is the culturewars andhis forthrightstand provoked God — Jacobisredeemed“from handstoostrongforhim”, an evangelical who militant opposition in the gaycommunity. andthe people are “radiantover the goodness of the Lord.” largely shares the view Petrochronicles the activitiesofACT UP and Hedoes not share his glory with another, or merely about homosexuality set other organisations leading thousands to augment Israel’sownefforts to free herself. And so young out in Issues in Human demonstrate outside St Patrick’s Cathedral and andold, men andwomen, rejoiceanddanceand flourish, Sexuality but who is invade the building when O’Connor was preaching. satisfied with thegood gifts that Godhas freely given them. troubled by the conflict ‘Keep the church out of my crotch’ and ‘Keep your Paullikewise callsforrejoicing as he blessesGod for it has caused among rosaries offmyovaries’ wereamong the slogans blessing us inChrist. God’sstrategy,which he outlines in evangelicals and by the chanted and one young man caused widespread thismagnificent andjoyfully breathless single sentence in attitudes it has led some offence by crumbling up ahost. Even the New York Ephesians1:3-14, centres on verse 10: God’s plan to unite evangelicals to adopt. He Times condemned his action. all things in heaven andonearth under onehead,Jesus takes the Jeffrey John Petrochronicles divisions within the Catholic Christ.Theplan stretches backwardstoourunconditional affair as his starting community with Cardinal Bernadin and some electionineternity past; bringsusredemption in the point and argues that the bishops taking amoremoderate line than O’Connor presentthrough irresistible grace; and reachesoutinto clue to understanding eternity futurewith an unwavering, promised hope. what went on lies in the We weredestined for adoption as sons, accordingto work of ReneGirard’s God’s eternalpleasure;wehave forgivenessofoursins Mimetic Theory. according to the riches of his grace; and we aredestined to Girardnow plays the obtain an inheritance, having set out hope onChrist when role in the work of a we heard the gospelofour salvation. number of theologians Nowonder Paul peppers thisencomiumwith the that was once played by Freud inthe work of language of praisedirected to Godalone:itis all “to the intellectuals in the early 20th Century. Like Freud, praise of his gloriousgrace,that hefreely bestowedonus.” Girardisfull of insights but like Freud his John alsolays out God’s plan from eternitypast, conclusions arenot subject to any kind of empirical beginning his GospelwhereMoses began his Genesis. In verification. Vesey-Saunders is attracted to Girard the beginning wastheWord: not just anyoldWord butone because he doesn’t want to adopt the liberal thatwaswith Godinthebeginning, and which — position and explain evangelical views in terms of wonderfully — was God.Whentheworldwas created,he homophobia or fundamentalism. madeit. Where therewas light, it waslight becauseofhim. Itispossible to read Vesey-Saunders and ignore Darkness, eventhe darkness ofour sin, could not holdout most of what he has to say about Girardbut his against thislight,which came as a beaconfor all. book can be hardgoing. It bears all the hallmarks Yet because of our rebelliousnature, wedid not accept of adoctoral thesis but references to numerous this,butlike Adamand Eve we think to hide from the writers whose work is not always veryilluminating. searching lightoftheworld.John saysonly somewere Thereare some surprising mistakes. JI Packer did giventhe power tobecome children ofGod, andthis not not write Fundamentalism and the Word of God in from anyexerciseofthe will, but byGod’s power and grace reply to James Barr. He was responding to acritic alone. Christhas made him known, and inhis exegesis, he of aprevious generation, Fr Gabriel HebertSSM. has focusedondivinegrace.Through this glorious Son, we Inhis book Vesey-Saunders has little to say about too can becomechildren of God, who likeJohn the Baptiser the culturerevolution of the 1960s. He makes no pointtothe light before us and ahead of us asour only hope attempt to ask whether the opposition to the and salvation. of women based on headship and strong Peoplegive giftsatChristmasforallkinds of reasons: out views about the different roles of men and women oflove, out of custom,outofhabit,outoffear, out ofhope, had any bearing on the debate about sexuality. out ofadesire to win friendsandinfluencepeople. God Surprisingly Aids is not mentioned. Anthony Petro’s gave his ownSon out of puregraceandmercy, to makeus book is about the response of American churches to his children. His priceless gift elicits nomerethank you Aids and the changes that resulted. Petroiswriting card,butthedeepest songs of everlasting,heartfeltpraise. about an important chapter in America’s culture wars but his book is ajoy toread and it can help to Dr Lee Gatissiseditor ofThe EffectiveAnglican:Seizing the understand developments in the UK. OpportunitiesofMinistry intheChurch of England,and TimLaHaye thought Britain’s decline as aworld DirectorofChurchSociety power resulted inevitably from the legalisation of (www.churchsociety.org). homosexuality in 1957. When Aids appeared on the but Rome weighed in on the side of the NewYork scene many conservative evangelicals saw it as a Cardinal. judgement of God. In asermon in 1986 Billy Petroconfines his narrative to arguments about Graham advanced aview (from which he later Aids and sexuality.Heconcludes by suggesting that pulled back) that if Aids was not the judgement of supportfor monogamy and gay marriage in the gay HYMN SELECTION God it could at least be awarning. Today community isrelated to adesiretostem the spread evangelicals do not talk about judgement but they of HIV. Ironically,abstinence and fidelity have been do stress abstinence and fidelity and God’s planfor adopted by gays and liberal Christians but not in Come, yefaithful, raisetheanthem sexuality. the wayconservative Catholics and evangelicals Crown himwith many crowns Mainline Protestants weremoreready than would wish. Come people of the risenking evangelicalstosee the importance of condoms in ThankstoGodwhoseword wasspoken combating Aids, aview that was also adopted by C Paul Richardson OftheFather’s lovebegotten

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[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper REVIEWS Friday December 18/25, 2015 www.churchnewspaper.com 15 Relationshipscometothe fore (and, after Angelina’s double mastectomy on medicalgrounds, her new breasts, do feature, if FILM OF THE WEEK not exactly prominently). Certainly amid the frostiness between the couple, ther eisstill real By The Sea (cert. 15) is avehicle for Brad Pitt and tenderness, making it even mor eimportant to Angelina Jolie (now billed as Angelina Jolie Pitt)to discover what’s gone wrong. poreover amaritalrelationship in crisis. Set in the On adrive, Vanessa announces she’d like to 1970s, written and directed by “ Miss Jolie Pitt”, it’s visit achurch. We don’t see her inside, only hear been panned as avanity pr oject, and long anddull. her explaining to Roland her need to say sor ry It’s long at two hours, but generates afascination for the horrible things she said (of God into what has made the mai ncharacters as th ey ar e– presumably) “when she knew”. Mr Pitt as Roland Bertrand, asuccessful American Aconversation between Roland and Michel writer,and Miss Jolie Pit tashis wife Vanessa (with her alsoturns to faith, with Michel declaring he has former dancin gcareer revealed as an afterthought). to be abeliever as the only way to be with his They’ve cometoanisolated French seaside resort wife again. As Roland accuses Vanessa of (played by Mgar rix-XinionGozo) to rekindle Roland’s resisting happiness, there’s apoignant creativity. counterpoint between the newlyweds, the couple It’s not initially obvious wh ythey ar ebickering so dealing with problems, and the loneliness of much, but it’s driven him to drink and he rto losing alife partner. prescription drugs. Roland spends hisdays in the local To no great surprise, the problems are bar runbyMichel (Niel sArestrup), himself grieving eventually revealed, but not resolved. Angelina’s for his wife who died ayear before, while Vanessa goes line, “You can absolutely love the same person for occasional walks in inappr opriate fo otwear, you want to kill” (from apromotional clip, not sometimeslooking as if the blue sea is beckoning her the film), may even be abit autobiographical. to one meansofending whatever is causing her mental If this is avanity project, even apastiche of anguish. European artfilms of the period, it has acertain Sometimes theybuy groceries, but never cook for braveryifnot bravura. For any film that begins themselves. Their sexua lrelationship seems dead, or and ends in a1967 Citroen DS cabriolet, one at least in abeyance, but they star ttofind some musthave acertain regard. gratification in spying on the recentlymarried couple in the next room –like th egroceries, they don’t do it For amoremodern relationship movie this for themselves. Christmas, When Har ry Met Sally (1989, cert. Lea (Mélanie Laurent) and François (Melvil 15) is re-issued, but most cinemas have cleared Poupaud) are, shall we sa y, enjoying their honeymoon. the decks for StarWars: The Force Awakens Maybe ever yroom has aconvenient hole to look (cert. 12A), which will occupy maybe 70 per cent through to the next, but as Roland and Vanessa take of screens. The highlight movie for kids (of all turns to watc hthe lovemaking, their voyeurism –even ages) will be The Peanuts Movie (cert. U), jealousy –reawakens their own desire, presumably opening on Monday ,while It’s aWonderful Life successfully though it’s handled so discreetly you can’t (1946, cert. U) will be on somewhere. be sure. So good grief, may the Force be with you, I’ll Oddly,watching areal married couple acting have wha tshe’s having, and “M erry Christmas, foreplay on screen transfers the sens eofvoyeurism movie ho use!” (an intrinsic par tofthe cinema experience) to the Steve Parish audience –probably mor ethan if it was just acting CD CHOICE WINE OF THE WEEK

Stornoway Definition Bonxie Rioja Reserva 2009 (Cooking Vinyl) Majestic, £12.99 (mix six bottles, £9.74)

Gloriously unique, Stornoway’s talent pool islake-sized. They skip There’s anew purchase pricing policy at between genres with dextrous ease, play moreinstruments than is Majestic. Now,you can visit to buy one bottle, healthy for musicians with only one pair of hands each, and on this but if you load up any six, including spirits, or release have created an infectiously upbeat set of immediately orderthem online (with free delivery), the accessible songs. per bottle price drops by one-third. For Even on atrackcalled “Lost Youth,” which delicately pastes together the first time they have their own-label impressions of growing up (“Wedon’t know wherewestand, but we range, “Definition” featuring 12 classic think we know what we stand for ... We arelost, but now we know we’re grapes (will they be apostles for moreto on our way /Weare lost on our way to find peace between our bodies and our brains”) they manage come?). to celebrate wherethey arewith an almost tangible sense of hope. Iwent for the Rioja, its label lettering Their sound is simple and consistent, but difficult to pin down. They come across as definitive standing out as VIÑA MAJESTICA. Well, anthem bearers for the thirty-something generation, and live out that eclecticism, having the like Louis XIV,this king took time to get contagious singability of pop, the uncluttered energy of indie-rock, but the earthy rootedness of folk out of bed. The nose was attractive, (particularly on the 3/4-time “Josephine”).All of this isdressed with harmonies that bring to mind savourynotes faintly of roast beef. In the songs from the early ’60s, but given acontemporarysymphonic boost. glass, deep darkest red. On the palate, The band arefamously keen ornithologists. Birdsong and birdreferences liberally grace the disc, the need for decanting was obvious. It but these arejust some symptoms of awider appreciation of natureand the outdoors that seems to was not until over an hour had passed runinthe band’s bloodstream, coming out inthe imageryofcrossing ice fields in “Heartofthe Great that it then opened up revealing amix of Alone” and in such graphically vivid lyrics as “Did we see the curve of the earth from wherewestood ripe blackcurrant fruit and hintsof side by side /With theclouds around our ankles?” vanilla ,marching along with spicy oak. The players areable musicians. Watching them live, the four of them (and their twobacking The finish glowed. singers/ instrumentalists) manage something like 17 different instruments (including an axe-head on Alcohol by Vol. 14% Perfect with beef. wood as percussion). Yetthey use these options with great discretion, never putting aclever-dick approach ahead of letting astrong tune pour out naturally. Graham Gendall Norton These 11 songs fly by quickly and several will be ringing in your head for agood while. Like a Lightning Seeds for the new century,this is aband thatexudes natural appeal and does so with humility, poetic spirit and greatverve. DerekWalker

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper Thereisalso no indication as tohow many wise men came to Bethlehem (Matt 2:11 &16). The real meaning of Christmas It is inevitable that we interpret the baby Jesus through the lenses of childhood with which we are By Bob Mayo celebrations. The greatest most familiar.The modernnotion of childhood is It is thought that 66 per centofthe single knock-out blow encapsulated in the pictures of the baby Jesus ehad hada population will be asleep at 4pm on delivered to Christianity by a cossetted and protected in pristine clean stable stalls. carol service Christmas day. consumerist cultureistosee Childhood is to be nurtured and protected: it is an age Wfor children Christmas replace Easter as graded and gradual progress towards adulthood. The with special needs. It the main festival of the idea that Jesus had to grow gradually into an was awonderful Christian year. awareness of his divine status appeals to contemporary occasion. The Some 3.7 million people notions of authenticity and self-realisation but it has a children doing the werereckoned to have logged pre-Trinitarian logic of Jesus as subordinate rather Bible readings worked on for the online Christmas than co-equal with God as Father and Holy Spirit. their way slowly sales (2013) that began at It is not anotion of childhood that can be mapped on through each of the 12.01am on Christmas day to Jesus who was God in the womb (Lk 1:31 &35). words in the passage while only 2.5 million (by God chose the time (Gal 4:4) andthe place (Mic 5:1) but no one in the comparison) went to church for his birth. Jesus appeared in easy innocence. The congregation seemed later oninthe day.Itis baby Jesus would have been akin to the disabled child to mind. thought that 66 per cent of the sucking my nose. He would have had aclear sense of One ofthe children population will be asleep at who he was as the world changed around him. had Downs Syndrome 4pm on Christmasday.This all Once, when Iwas cycling home two young people and shared the means that the Church is sped past me on their bicycles. One of them turned reading of the passage operating in acrowdedmarket round and shouted ‘get an upgrade!’ It is maybe this with her brothers. Itwas lovely to have children at the in trying to make December 25th its one showcase day that the church needs to do with its Christmas centreofthe service and nottohavetheir parents to get its message across. message. Iwill finish my Christmas day sermon with needing to keep them quiet so that they could join in. The storyistold as if it all happens within a24-hour the notices for Easter.Wepreach Christcrucified (1 After the service Italked withamother and knelt to period: Maryand Joseph arrive; astableisfound; the Cor 1:23) not Jesus lying in amanger,even if in our make eye contact with her child. He tookmyhead in baby is born; the shepherds and wise men visit. Christmas-Christianity it has become the latter. his hands and sucked my nose. It was atender The tragedy for the Church is that we give the story It is correct toJesus’ storytorun together hisbirth moment withhim taking the lead and pleased at what away by scripting eternity out of the Bethlehem and death. When Jesus is presented in the Temple he was doing. Iwas tentative and unsure of myselfbut narrative and offering to society atheology thatis Simeon tells Maryaswordwill pierce her soul (Lk did not want tostop him.Itwent on for one or two more‘AwayinaManger’ with the little LordJesus’ 2:35). It will be like this for manyofthe parents at our minutes as Iwaited for him to disengage. Hewas going sweet head than ‘Hark the Herald Angels sing’ along carol serviceasthey watch their childrengrow. to spend his lifeonthe edge of other peoples’ with the second person of the Trinity. conversations and so for that moment Ifelt that he In ScriptureJesus is no longer anewbornchild when The Rev Dr Bob Mayo is thevicar of St Stephen and St could do as he wished. Ifelt verylucky. the Wise men arrive. Theydon’t come to Bethlehem Thomas, Shepherds BushwithStMichael and St Thechild will be my lodestar through the Christmas until some time after Jesus’ birth. Theyarrivedata George, White City.Queriesto season. We in the Church find it easy to bemoan the house (rather than astable) and saw Jesus as ayoung [email protected]/Follow Bob on twitter effects ofaconsumerist cultureonour Christmas child. Herod wanted all children under two to be killed. at @RevBobMayo/website www.ststephensw12.org

11 5th-6th centuryBritish taught you ------and from Christianfaith via the PRIZE CROSSWORD No. 981 by Axe missionarywho, accord- house to house' Apostles and others (7) ing to Bede, converted [Acts/NIV] (8) 15 Language believed spo- the south Picts (6) 2'My eyes have -----dim ken by Christ (7) 13 One of the residences of with grief' [Job/NIV] (5) 17 Second son of Jacob and the Archbishop of Can- 3'------the month of Aviv Zilpah (5) terburysince 1197 (7,6) and celebrate the 19 Pope, 913-14: the last to 16 Nation formed, original- Passover...' [Deut/NIV] use aunique papal name ly,after the death of (7) until Francis in 2013 (5) Solomon (6) 4Host to Jesus in Bethany 20 Roman province which 18 Location on the RRhone whereawoman anoint- included Ephesus and for several early 9s (5) ed Jesus with perfume Colossaeatthe time of 21 'Behold, Ihave created [Matt/Mark] (5,3,5) Paul's 14s [Acts] (4) the -----that bloweth the 5Paul'shost among the coals in the fire...' Thessalonians [Acts] (5) SolutionstoCrossword Number [Isa/KJV] (5) 6Shortcomposition for Across: 1Joseph, 5Eyes, 8Chapter,9 22 'Long ago Iordained it. voices and orchestra Elder,10Still, 11 Spindle, 12 Sheba, In days of old I------it...' based on areligious text 14 Egypt, 18 Trouble,20Dream, 21 [2 Kgs/NIV] (7) (7) Kneel, 22 Readers, 23 Rain, 24 23 Commander of Saul's 7'Your eye is the lamp of Wealth. army [1 &2Sam](5) your ----' [Luke/NIV] (4) 24 Parish residence(7) 12 Celebration, especially Down: 2Obadiah, 3Extol, 4Heresy,5 an annual Christian one, Evening, 6Ended, 7Tree, 8Cast, 13 Down as marked on the calen- Babylon, 15 Present, 16 Hebrew,17 dar (5,3) Amos,18Take, 19 Omega, 20 Diana. 1'Youknow that I...have 14 Propagation of the

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N am e Across 5Brothertothe [Jam/NIV](7) 52 progenitor of the 9Clerical gathering A d d r e s s 1'Then on the Edomites (5) (5) eighth day they 8'For the 10 '...he putthem in 9770964 816108 must bring two sun...withers the the -----cell and doves or two plant; its ------falls fastened their feet P o s t C o d e young ------...' and its beautyis in thestocks' [Num/NIV] (7) destroyed' [Acts/NIV] (5)

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