INSIDE: February 2019 Page 3 New Archdeacon appointed Pages 7 & 8 From homelessness to a pillar of the community Page 8 A Divine Order Page 9 Vision update

By Jacqueline Atkinson, Children & Families Missioner, Holy Spirit Church, Denton A packed church and an have been in the role of Children & Families Missioner for just eleven weeks! In some ways it feels like only last week that I started, and in other ways I feel like I’ve been here in Holy SpiritI Church, Denton much longer - I believe this appeal for unwanted Lego! is a good thing. It assures me that I’m in the right place at the right time and it is where God wants me to be. our next community project. One of the chil- It is great being out and about in the community, dren was getting a bit frustrated and anxious, meeting people and getting to know the residents so I had a chat with him. I asked what helped If you have any unwanted and the area, and it has been wonderful getting to him to relax and he said playing with Lego. He Lego, we’d love to hear know the children and staff of the local school, then showed me a Lego figure he keeps in his from you. Contact West Denton Primary. They have made me so wel- pocket, and he said that knowing it is there Jacqueline on j.atkinson@ come that recently I suggested we could do a Chris- helps him keep calm. So, I asked would he like newcastle.anglican.org or tingle Service together as a way of strengthening to see my special Bible (It’s the Brick Bible, all call Church House on links between the school, their community and the stories depicted in Lego) and we spent a 0191 270 4100 their church. good 40 minutes looking at the stories. The This was very well received by the Head and his change in the young boy was amazing: he was staff and so plans began. We decided to be part of really interested in the stories and who was the Church of England’s ‘Follow the Star’ cam- this man Jesus! paign, and so on the last day of term before Christ- This touched me deeply so I thought what mas, 350 excited children and staff wearing or car- can we do to engage the children their families, rying stars walked through Denton, from the school the community and Church. I know… let’s we will build Bible stories for a weekend to church. What a sight to behold! (This did mean build Bible stories out of Lego! Lego festival to be held in Holy Spirit we needed 350 Christingle Oranges! A big thank The next day I saw a car parked near church Church Denton. However, we don’t yet you to the mums who helped and the ladies from beside the building site with the registration num- have the amount of Lego we will need, so Holy Spirit Church.) ber LE6O. It belongs to the site manager who, guess calls of ‘we want your unwanted Lego’ When we arrived at church there were another what, is a Lego fanatic. I explained about the pro- have gone out around the community 170 families and friends who had come along to ject and the firm, Keepmoat Housing, have sent an and beyond (I’ve just received some support the children. So, on a cold Friday afternoon email out to all their staff asking for unwanted Lego Lego from Dorset!) and I’ve just in Holy Spirit, Denton there were over 500 children and are looking at others ways to support our com- done a live broadcast on BBC Radio and adults taking part in a Christingle Service. It munity project. And the site manager has said he Newcastle. was wonderful. A blessing and a privilege. will come along to the club to help build! Praise Watch this space… Holy Spirit, I have also been working with an after-school God! Denton, Bible Story Lego Festival is youth club and this is where I found inspiration for So we are starting a community Lego Club where on its way! 2 generous engaged open

Bishops’ Diaries February Parish Organist celebrates 50 years - and counting! This is not a full list of the Bishop’s engagements, but includes the items we think might be of particular interest to you. By Dorothy Tully BISHOP OF NEWCASTLE THE parish organist of Morpeth, Colin Davidson, reached his golden 5th 9.30am Study Day – Confirmation Matters, anniversary of service in October last year. The Rector of Morpeth, Reverend Simon White, presented Colin Chapel House with a ‘Loyal Service’ medal from the RSCM, and a cheque from a 6th 10.30am Church Commissioners Mission and hugely grateful and appreciative parish family. Pastoral Committee Colin’s musical career began in 1948 when he became a choir boy 7th Church of England National in St James’ where his father sang tenor. His mother was organist Education Conference at Longhirst, and Colin took piano lessons from his Auntie Ada, 10th St. John’s Church, Edinburgh organist at the Congregational Church In 1953, a Curate introduced Merbecke’s music for the 14th 8.30am Meeting with Diocesan Secretary Communion Service at St Mary’s. He got the confirmation class to 2pm St. Michael’s First School, Alnwick learn the music first, then ‘planted’ them among the congregation 13th 9.30am Senior Staff Meeting, Bishop’s House to help the singing. 14th 10.30am Church Commissioners Board When Colin’s voice broke, he sat in the back row at St James’ of Governors until his voice decided what it was going to be. Coincidentally the 17th 4pm Anna Chaplains Service, Newcastle Cathedral assistant organist resigned then, so the PCC paid the organist, Mr Campbell, to give a year’s organ lessons. Colin became assistant 20th – 23rd General Synod organist and played for choir practice and covered holidays. 25th Pastoral Advisory Group In 1957 Colin was asked to play at St Mary’s for the 9am service. 26th 10am Church Schools Partnership Day Later in 1957, St Aidan’s opened, and Colin got the temporary job of 27th 11am Consecration, York Minster playing there for Evensong. 7.30pm St. James and St. Basil, Fenham, Colin left school in 1958 and his job with Inland Revenue meant Institution Service working away from Morpeth for the next 10 years. Colin Davidson 28th 8.30am Bishops & Archdeacons meeting, When he came to take up a new job in Newcastle on 1 October 1968, a churchwarden asked if Colin would be interested in taking Bishop’s House on the job of organist and choirmaster at St Mary’s, and so began 50 7.30pm Upper Coquetdale, Institution Service years ‘on the organ stool’. As Colin had no training in running a choir, he enrolled the choir in the Royal School of Church Music and BISHOP OF BERWICK gained valuable help, particularly from Russell Missin, the cathedral organist. In 1980, Mr Campbell, the parish organist, retired after 50 years, and Canon Bateson asked Colin if he would 1st – 3rd Speaking at ‘Men of the Dales’ Conference take on that role. 5th – 7th Episcopal Cell Group, Launde Abbey In 1995, Canon Craig asked Colin if he would lead Morpeth Deanery Choir. During its existence, this choir made a live appearance on ITV’s Morning Worship. 8th – 11th Northern Church Leaders Retreat, Rome Now retired from full time employment, Colin enjoys visiting “local” cathedral services: Newcastle, Durham, 12th 9.30am Archbishop of York’s Young Leaders York, Carlisle and St Mary’s, Edinburgh, ever expanding his knowledge and love of music. Award Conference 5pm Preach at College Communion, St John’s College, Durham 13th 9.30am Senior Staff Gospel Readings 16th 11am Mothers’ Union Commissioning Service, Cathedral Friday Mark 4.26-34 Friday Mark 7.31-end 17th 3pm God’s Tent, Haydon Bridge Saturday Mark 4.35-end Saturday Mark 8.1-10 18th Larger Churches Vocations Consultation, 5th Sunday before Lent Luke 2.22-40 3rd Sunday before Lent Luke 6.17-26 London Monday Mark 5.1-20 Monday Mark 8.11-13 19th Preach at the London School of Theology Tuesday Mark 5.21-43 Tuesday Mark 8.14-21 21st 12noon Interviews Wednesday Mark 6.1-6a Wednesday Mark 8.22-26 26th 8.30am Ministry Division Governance Group, York Thursday Mark 6.7-13 Thursday Mark 8.27-33 11am National Ministry Council, York Friday Mark 6.14-29 Friday Mark 8.34-9.1 26th – 27th Future Clergy Review Group Meeting Saturday Mark 6.30-34 Polycarp, Bishop, Martyr,c.155 Mark 9.2-13 27th 11am Consecration, York Minster 4th Sunday before Lent Luke 5.1-11 2nd Sunday before Lent Luke 8.22-25 28th 8.30am Bishops and Archdeacons meeting Monday Mark 6.53-end Monday Mark 9.14-29 Tuesday Mark 7.1-13 Tuesday Mark 9.30-37 Correction Wednesday Mark 7.14-23 Wednesday Mark 9.38-40 Thursday Mark 7.24-30 Thursday Mark 9.41-end IN the November 2018 edition of Link (page five, headline ‘The Stained glass windows of Newcastle Cathedral’) the picture caption referring to one of the scenes in the Great East Window was incorrect. The caption stated the scene was a depiction of the Last Supper. It was in fact a depiction of the First Sup- per. We apologise for the error. Comings & Goings APPOINTMENTS Helen, Longhorsley will retire with effect from 19 February The Revd Louise Taylor Kenyon, currently Vicar of St Mary 2019. CONTACT US the Virgin Embsay with Eastby and Clergy Training Officer VACANT PARISHES in the Diocese of Leeds, is going to be Priest in Charge of The Bishop and Archdeacons are currently actively Bamburgh, Belford and Lucker and Area Dean of the looking to make appointments to the following vacant The Link, Church House, St John’s Terrace, Bamburgh and Glendale Deanery. parishes in the Diocese and would welcome expressions North Shields. NE29 6HS. Tel: (0191) 270 4100. of interest for any of the following vacancies. The Revd Timothy Mayfield, currently Vicar of Christ Email: [email protected] Facebook: m.me/ncldiocese Church, Cheltenham in the Diocese of Gloucester, is going Scotswood (HFD) Twitter: @ncldiocese to be Vicar of Earsdon and Backworth and Area Dean of Cramlington TV Instagram: @NclDiocese the Tynemouth Deanery. Warkworth with Acklington and Shilbottle Tynemouth St John Percy/Balkwell St. Peter Link is produced ten times a year by the Diocese of Newcastle, with joint The Revd Mark Wroe, currently Vicar of Holy Trinity Denton issues for August/September and December/January. Views expressed Jesmond and Area Dean of Newcastle Central Adviser in Pastoral Care and Counselling (0.5) are not necessarily those of the Diocese or the editor. Deanery, is going to be Archdeacon of Northumberland. Tynemouth St Paul The editor is pleased to consider articles or letters of not more than 350 Gosforth, St Nicholas words for publication. Where possible, articles should be accompanied by The Revd Alice Ward, currently Assistant Curate, Jesmond a good-quality digital photograph of 250dpi or higher. Please contact the Holy Trinity, is going to be Assistant Curate of Newcastle St ■■ This does not represent all the parishes currently vacant editor before submitting obituaries. Luke. in the Diocese, other parishes will be added at an appropri- ate stage in the vacancy process. For advertising rates and deadlines see www.newcastle.anglican.org/link. ■■ Expressions of interest for any of the above vacancies Copy date for March 2019 issue: Monday, 18 February RETIREMENTS The Revd Peter McConnell, currently Priest in Charge of St would be welcomed by the Bishop and Archdeacons growing church bringing hope 3 New Archdeacon of

AS you probably know, Bishops hold many roles Northumberland is in the Church, and one of mine is the privilege of being Patron to the Ordinands’ Association. This ‘OA’ (as they call themselves) is there to support and speak up for all who are training for ministry in the Church. They seem to go through a tricky time every appointed few years as key figures move on. I recently wrote a pastoral letter to their representatives who were meeting, and found myself writing: “I write on the day that the Church remembers Ælred of Hexham, a great Abbot of Rievaulx, and Benedict Biscop, bibliophile and founder of the Priory at Jarrow which nurtured the Venerable Bede, often cited as the father of British Scholarship. “Allow your relating, reflecting, and conversation today to be shaped by the twin inspiration of these great Northern Saints in their work of the formation of holy servants of the living God and their nurturing of Godly scholarship; formation is never merely something done to you by others, but rather Formation is never merely something done to you by others, but rather a holy task in which we are all called to participate both as willing Revd Mark Wroe has servants and cheerful been appointed as the new Archdeacon encouragers of Northumberland

a holy task in which we are all called to HE Bishop of Newcastle, the Right 2018, as Acting Archdeacon of Northumber- con of Northumberland. In the midst of so participate both as willing servants and cheerful Reverend Christine Hardman is land. much change and possibility, I relish the oppor- encouragers.” pleased to announce that the Rever- “Alongside the usual duties of an Archdea- tunity to work with parishes and deaneries to In truth, this is an encouragement we all need end Mark Wroe is to be the new Arch- con, Mark will be taking the lead role for the City proclaim the hope we share in Jesus Christ. In to hear regularly, as followers or disciples of the deaconT of Northumberland. Centre strand of our Diocesan strategy for grow- all our richness and diversity as the people of Lord Christ… at least, I know I do. Mark, 49, has been Acting Archdeacon since ing church bringing hope, and he will be facili- God in the North East, we have so much we Our Northumbrian forebears in the faith the beginning of this year following the appoint- tating and overseeing the reshaping of the Dioc- offer to our city, all our communities, and those inspire the whole church to allow God’s hands ment of the Very Reverend Geoff Miller, his pre- esan approach to social responsibility. He will in need.” of grace to shape and reshape us in love, to decessor, as Dean of Newcastle. Mark is cur- also be installed as a Canon Residentiary of The Dean of Newcastle, the Very Reverend invite us into deeper understanding of the Good rently vicar at Holy Trinity Jesmond, Newcastle. Newcastle Cathedral.” Geoff Miller added: “At the Cathedral we are News, and to draw us together as communities His appointment comes at an exciting time The Bishop of Berwick, the Right Reverend thrilled to welcome Mark as he comes to work of hope. for the Diocese of Newcastle as it continues Mark Tanner said: “Mark brings a wealth of amongst us. We already know that he will be a As we celebrate Candlemas at the start of with its five year vision: growing church bring- experience and a lovely mix of godliness, wis- dynamic, prayerful and generous colleague. He this month, and then enjoy a brief period of ing hope, inspiring growth in worshipping dom, compassion, and lively hope; he will be joins us at a wonderful moment in the life of the ‘ordinary time’ preparing for the Holy Season of communities across Newcastle, North Tyneside much missed at Holy Trinity, but will continue Cathedral and he will be a great addition to our Lent, my prayer is that we can inhabit again the and Northumberland. to be a blessing to the Diocese in this new role. I team. He is also great fun….. what could be bet- Bishop Christine said: “Mark is a man of am delighted at his appointment, and look for- ter!” simplicity of our calling to the glorious liberty warmth and deep faith. He has been an inspira- ward to working with him.” Mark’s official collation and installation as of our inheritance in Christ… for whether we tional incumbent at Holy Trinity Jesmond, and Commenting on his appointment, Mark said: Archdeacon will be held at 4pm on 24 March at are Ordinands or any other member of Christ’s has served the wider Church with wisdom and “I am truly delighted and privileged to be called Newcastle Cathedral when he will become the church, it all comes back to the simple invitation dedication as Area Dean and since January to serve the Diocese of Newcastle as Archdea- Venerable Mark Wroe. to love God and one another, and to accept being loved by both. Authorised Ministries – equipping the whole people of God By Ian Flintoft, Director of Discipleship and equip them for specific roles in their parishes, and recommendation and backing of their incumbent specialist skills, knowledge, and experience (nine potentially more widely. and PCC; they will adhere to the diocesan sessions) – designed to equip the participants Ministry for Mission It will encourage local churches to respond safeguarding policies; they will attend diocesan with the necessary skills and confidence to begin to their particular needs in terms of mission and training and will be committed to ongoing ministering. FOLLOWING consultation undertaken in the ministry and it will promote diocesan collegiality training and supervision following authorisation; We have already run well-received pilots for deaneries, the Diocese is about to embark on an (as each training module will have a family likeness and they will exercise ministry within a training worship leaders in Norham and Bamburgh exciting new venture, in offering the opportunity even when delivered in different contexts). collaborative team (although the size and shape of and Glendale deaneries, and we are excited about for people to train for a range of Authorised During the consultation period, enthusiasm the team may vary at a local level). the opportunities this new scheme will give for Ministries. was expressed for a range of ministries. To ensure The Authorised Ministry course will consist of more people to use their God-given potential in Authorised Ministries are designed to release that our plans are deliverable and realistic, we will two building blocks of training: God’s mission in and to the world. and utilise the gifts that God has already given to focus in the first instance on the following areas: 1) a preliminary block which will include the The Authorised Ministry Scheme will be formally his people. worship leading, pastoral care, and community relevant safeguarding training, together with launched at the Open Synod Forum on Saturday They further the mission of God and enable engagement. a session on diocesan values and opening up 23 March (9.30am – 1pm at the Duke’s Secondary and affirm the development of the ministry of the These will be followed by training modules in ministry in an Anglican framework School (part of NCEA - Academy Road, Ashington, whole people of God. lay leadership, evangelism, children and youth 2) the substantive module, which consists NE63 9FZ)). Do come along then and find out more. Many people want to offer their time and talents ministry, pioneering, and more specialist pastoral of a number of sessions – usually 12 evening ■■ For more information before 23 March, please in particular ways, and this scheme offers them ministry. sessions - covering both core material common email [email protected] or call me on a short but focused Diocesan training course, to Participants will need to have the to all Authorised Ministries (three sessions) and 0191 270 4143. 4 generous engaged open White Ribbon Day Equality and diversity award

WHITE Ribbon Day was marked by Evensong in Newcastle Cathedral followed by a candle lit vigil in Cathedral Square. Thousands of events were held across the world as part of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, last November. White Ribbon Day and the 16 Days of Action that follow are part of the organisation White Ribbon UK’s campaign to fight male violence against women. In Cathedral Square, a collaborative art installation of shoes was displayed to remember the 100-plus women who have lost their lives in the UK in 2018 as a result of domestic violence. Each pair of shoes represented a UK victim. CURATE who also works at Newcastle College Neal was named as a finalist for his individual contribu- Dame Vera Baird, Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, spoke at the has been awarded for his commitment to tion to equality and diversity and the college was awarded vigil. equality and diversity. in the category of Education and Training Organisations A service was also held at St John the Evangelist, Killingworth, which featured Neal Terry, Curate at St Mary Magdalene, with more than 50 staff. talks by Dame Vera; Dawn Bentley, Church leader and Christians Against Poverty Longbenton,A has worked at the college for almost 13 years He said: “It is affirming for both the college and me to be worker; and Sarah Shaftoe, from Safe Families for Children. and is the Safeguarding Officer and Adviser for Equality, recognised at these regional awards. It is a very diverse It was attended by the Elected Mayor of North Tyneside, Norma Redfearn Diversity and Inclusion. community in itself and a privilege for me to work along- CBE; councillors and local women who were given packs from Safe Families for Both Neal and the college were recognised for their work side staff and students who every year make commitments Children. at the annual North East Equality and Diversity Awards, in curriculum and voluntary projects to advance equality, hosted by Equality North East. in celebration of diversity.” growing church bringing hope 5 Welcome to Ben, Claire and Jennifer SPECIAL service was held at New- castle Cathedral to welcome three newA people to ministries within our Diocese. Bishop Christine licensed and commis- sioned Revd Ben Doolan as leader of the Diocesan Resource Church (Associ- The Revd Canon Steven Harvey, writes from the ate Priest to Newcastle mother church of the Diocese of Newcastle Cathedral), Revd Claire Robson as Diocesan Director of Ordinands, and Revd Dr Jennifer Cooper as Director of Ini- Lent at the Cathedral tial Ministerial Education for Newcastle Diocese. School of Prayer The Choral Evensong On Thursday 28 March, Fr George Guiver CR will lead a and inauguration of min- School of Prayer at the Cathedral. Fr George is a monk, istries service took place and was until recently the Superior, of the Community on Sunday 13 January. of the Resurrection, the Anglican monastic community Please pray for Ben, Claire at Mirfield. and Jennifer, and the Time: 10.30am (Coffee from 10am) to 4pm important work they are Cost (including refreshments and buffet lunch): £20 Left to right: Revd Claire Robson, Revd Ben Doolan, Bishop Mark, Bishop Christine, and Revd Dr Jennifer Cooper Booking: https://school-of-prayer2019.eventbrite.co.uk doing in our Diocese. The aim of the day is to help us review how we pray, and to explore how we might refresh and enrich our prayer life. We hope that this will be one of the opportunities HERE are some fantastic photos of nativity and Christmas plays from a few of our church ‘for deeper engagement with God in prayer’, which is schools. Thank you to Grange View C E First School, Embleton Primary School and one of the aims of our Diocesan Strategy. Your Nativity pictures Chollerton First School for the wonderful pictures! Christ our Call: A Year for Vocation During the year July 2018-July 2019, the brothers of the Community of the Resurrection are looking to be a catalyst for days of conversation on vocation. The main focus is not on vocations to particular ministries; rather it is on stimulating conversation among lay Christians about the call which we all have through our baptism to be part of the Church’s share in the mission of God. In addition to events at Mirfield, the brothers are holding events around the country. We will be welcoming them to the Cathedral on Saturday 23 March. All are welcome to come and share in this opportunity to explore Christ’s call. Time: 10.30am (Coffee from 10am) to 4pm Cost: £10 (including refreshments, buffet lunch, and some resources to take away) Above and below, Chollerton First School’s Christingle at Booking: https://mirfield.eventbrite.co.uk Chollerton St Giles Embleton Primary School’s ‘A Magical Christmas Journey’ play Lent course Canon Clare MacLaren and the Revd Thomas Sharp will be leading a film-based Lent Course this year. It is based on the hugely popular film The Greatest Showman, the 2018 Golden Globe-nominated movie about the founder and stars of the Barnum & Bailey Circus. This is a Lent course written by the priest and poet Rachel Mann, exploring Christian themes of hope, redemption and new life. The five-week course will include lots of opportunity for discussion, questions, biblical reflection and prayer based on short excerpts from the film. Every session will take place in the Education Centre at the Cathedral, where hot drinks and cake will be available. We will start each session at 5.30pm and be finished by 7.30pm at the very latest. Dates: Sundays 3 March (film screening), and then Children from Grange View C E First School Sundays 10, 17, 24 and 31 March and 7 April. All are welcome.

Faith development: Canons in conversation For the last five years, we have offered a series of Lent Mini Police Force launch talks under the overall heading of ‘Inspiring...’ (Anglicans, Places, Texts, Images and Words). This year, we would TEN pupils from The Northumberland Church of England James Knott Campus like to offer something a little different. On Thursdays have volunteered to become mini police officers and will be working with 21 March (the Dean), 4 April (Canon Jean Skinner) Ashington’s Neighbourhood Policing Team during the current academic year. and 11 April (Canon Steven Harvey), each of us will be The aim of the Northumbria Police Scheme is to improve citizenship within interviewed by a colleague about our faith development communities and give children an opportunity to learn about their safety, their – how our journey started, what has encouraged us, role within their community and how the police work within the community to what has challenged us, and what has changed in our keep us all safe. understanding and practice as we have travelled as The James Knott Campus has worked with Ashington’s Neighbourhood Christians and as priests. Policing Team in developing the Scheme. The format will be the same on each occasion. There Inspector Kevin Waring, from Northumbria Police, said: “It has been a pleasure will be a Eucharist in St George’s Chapel at 11.30am; to work with the Campus in developing the project. The scheme is aimed at the conversation will begin at 12.15pm; and this will children in year five (aged nine to ten) and will focus on the contribution they be followed by discussion over coffee and biscuits can make in their community to make it a better place. The scheme will improve (although people are very welcome to bring a packed lunch). All are welcome. relationships with the police and will give the young people a voice as well as influencing people around them in a positive way.” Homelessness: Exhibition and Prayer Stations Amanda Hall, from the James Knott Campus, added: “The scheme runs From 22 February until Easter the Cathedral will be alongside the academic year and the children had to apply for the posts and one of five locations in the city exhibiting A history of agree to volunteer on weekends. The project is not based on academic ability homelessness in Newcastle. Prayer stations will help but rather on children who will enthusiastically join in with the activities.” visitors to engage with the exhibition and to think The project has also been supported by Ashington Town Council and the Meet the Mini Police Force! prayerfully about the issue of homelessness in our city Civic Head of Ashington, Cllr. Marjorie Chambers, went along to the launch. and region today. 6 generous engaged open growing church bringing hope 7

Discipleship in Daily Life “For someone from my By Ian Flintoft, Director of Discipleship to discuss and share with others your own and Ministry for Mission experiences of some of the joys and struggles of living as faithful followers or disciples in everyday life. Each session addresses an important question OVER the past few months, we have been working that is at the heart of being an active and engaged hard to develop some new diocesan resources to disciple in everyday life. The sessions can be background - being help us explore what it means to be a follower or followed in any order and over any timescale to suit disciple of Jesus Christ. These materials are now your needs. ready to be launched. The current sessions are: Discernment and They are in some ways the successor of the prayer (How can I keep open to God each day?); well-received Faith and Life course which ran over a Wholly Living (Where is God in every part of my number of years. life?); Being the Church in the world (God loves the brought up in a care The resources have been devised and road- world – does the Church?); Partners with a purpose tested by The Revd Peter Sinclair, formerly Vicar (What am I here for?); Kingdom Living (What does of Newbiggin, and they bear witness to his broad happiness and a good life look like?); Standing in experience and passion in helping others see God Solidarity (How can you believe in God when there at work in the whole of life. is so much suffering in the world?); Reflecting and home, spending time in They also meet a need, expressed by the national responding to God (What difference can I make?); Setting God’s People Free project, to give people Building Bridges (How do I talk about faith with confidence in living out their faith Monday to others?). Saturday, as well as Sunday – and they are a key We are inviting those who would be interested part of our diocesan response to Setting God’s in leading groups using the materials to attend People Free. a session which will introduce the materials and a psychiatric hospital The resources are made up of the following offer some training for facilitators. The sessions will elements: be held on Saturday 23 February and Saturday 2 1) An introductory session: ‘The Christ We March, both 9.30am – 1.30pm, with venues to be Follow’. This is a helpful place to start to reflect confirmed. and share together our sense of what we mean by The Discipleship in Daily Life materials will also discipleship and what it is to be a follower of Jesus. be formally launched at the Open Synod Forum and being homeless, This ‘one off’ session explores the following topics: on Saturday 23 March (9.30am – 1pm at the Duke’s -What is discipleship Secondary School, part of NCEA - Academy Road, -How do we relate in different ways to the person Ashington, NE63 9FZ). Do come along then and of Jesus Christ? find out more. -What is the significance of our baptism? ■■ For more information before 23 March, please to then standing on the 2) Eight sessions in the ‘Follow me on Monday’ email [email protected] or call series. Each session is an opportunity for you steps of Buckingham me on 0191 270 4143. Palace. It was unreal.”

The dawn of a New Year sparks “I had no control as a child, I was pushed from For a while he slept in a night shelter, and then God for the bad lot I had been dealt.” “There was a patient in car- pillar to post,” says Mark recounting his child- a Gospel Hall minister took Mark under his wing, That all changed when a Methodist minister diac arrest and I was the first a desire in many people to make hood experience of life in local authority care. allowing him to sleep in the church hall before visited him while he was sectioned in the psychi- medic on the scene. It was One of five siblings, Mark was taken into care at finding him a bedsit. atric hospital and they prayed together. pandemonium – children and positive changes in a bid to the age of three along with his one-year-old Mark’s life turned a corner when he met his Eighteen months later Mark had a profession relatives were screaming in improve their lives. brother. His mum suffered from mental health future wife, Lesley at a soup kitchen. of faith and told his story in a Gospel Hall. the garden and I administered issues and his father, who was in the army, felt “She was working there and she served me “Afterwards a woman came up to me and said CPR until the paramedics Whether that’s a commitment unable to bring-up his young family after his some soup. I was helping out in the kitchen and I her Methodist minister was the one who had vis- arrived but sadly the patient marriage broke down. didn’t want her to know I was homeless, so I just ited me in hospital and he had asked his congre- died. It was very upsetting as to deepen faith and spirituality, Mark was looked after by several foster families said I was volunteering.” gation to pray for me. This was a year-and-a-half your sole purpose is to try or simply a pledge to go to the and then spent seven years in a children’s home Mark soon explained his predicament to Les- later and I just thought it was incredible. God has and save a life, but some- until the age of 16, when he left care to live with ley and despite his initial fears, she was very sup- always had a hand on my life, I just wasn’t always times you end up offering gym more, these resolutions will his sister. portive. aware of it.” comfort to families.” During his time in care, Mark was sexually and “She went out with me even when I was home- After studying at Bible college to ‘test’ his faith, Mark clocks on for a shift shape their future selves. physically abused. His mental health suffered as less. She really is the hero of my life.” Mark became a lay worker in a Baptist church as often as he can and has Mark volunteers as a Community First Responder for For some, their journey may a result of the abuse and his unstable upbringing, Two years later the couple wed and they have and then was called to the Church of England. been called out to hundreds North East Ambulance Service which led Mark to attempt suicide twice as a gone on to have four children and two grandchil- He was accepted for ordination training and of emergency calls over the take unexpected twists and teenager. dren. This year marks their 35th wedding anni- despite his mental health issues affecting his time years. He was sectioned under the mental health act versary. at university, he successfully completed his stud- “Every job is different. Some- turns along the way as they and spent five months in a psychiatric hospi- “Our faith has defined us as people”, said ies and was ordained in 1995. times it’s just about holding some- attempt to leave their past in the tal. Mark. “It’s the foundation on which we’ve “I was ordained against all the odds – it was not one’s hand and reassuring them which brings There have been a few occasions when Mark’s Mark wrote detailed diaries during his built everything.” the easiest route to take. The things I have done some comfort and calms the situation down. TLC dual-role in the community have overlapped, past and focus on their future. time in hospital and has documented his Mark believes he owes his life to his faith: are by the grace of God and I have grown in my is important in the role of first responder. and he has taken the funeral of those he has treat- mental health issues in a book he published “Without it I wouldn’t have got out of faith over the years.” “En route to a call out is always nerve-racking. ed. Each journey is different and we in 2017 called ‘Life After Care’. psychiatric hospital.” Before moving to our Diocese, Mark was a In your mind, you are going through what you are “It is of course very sad, but I think it gives the Now a firm advocate for mental His first experience of religion priest in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria and volun- going to do, but once you get there, you don’t families comfort in a way. I have been with their find strength and resolve in health support and awareness, Mark was as a young child in care in teered for Duddon Inshore Rescue in his spare have time to think and you go into training mode. loved one at the end of their life and I have an hearing other people’s inspiring is keen to share his story in order to Spalding, Lincolnshire. time. I have never gotten to that place where I don’t understanding of what the family is going help others. “Attending church was com- It was there that Mark was awarded for his ser- have an adrenaline rush.” through.” stories. “I was embarrassed to talk about pulsory. We would march down vice to the voluntary sector and received an MBE In October, Mark was highly commended for In his parish, Mark is often spotted by mem- mental health issues and my to the United Reformed from the Queen. his role in NEAS’s Beyond the Call of Duty bers of his congregation in his community In this edition of Link we speak depression until celebrities and Church and then the group “ For someone from my background - being Awards. responder gear and his presence is often to the Revd Mark Edwards, royalty started to talk about it so was split into two and myself brought up in a care home, spending time in a He added: “The support from NEAS is incredi- remarked upon. that gave me confidence to share and my brother went to a psychiatric hospital and being homeless, to then ble and they always check-up on responders to “It does make a lot of people laugh. I often joke Vicar of St Matthew Dinnington, my story.” small Baptist church.” standing on the steps of Buckingham Palace. It see how you are after a call, particularly if it is a with people that they phone 999 and end up with Mark’s story is one of hope He joined the boy’s brigade was unreal.” difficult one.” the vicar!” St Cuthberts Brunswick with and positivity. Despite his diffi- and kept on worshipping at When Mark and his family moved to Dinning- Mark, who receives no reimbursement for his Mark’s inspirational life-story and his coming Christ the King Team Ministry, cult start in life, Mark’s inner church even after the care ton, he continued his community work, training role as a Community First Responder, believes it to faith are closely intertwined. “I still get very strength and the kindness he home relaxed its rules on as a Community First Responder for North East is vital to complement his work as a vicar with emotional when I talk about it, but it is important about his journey through a was afforded by others ena- enforcing youngsters to Ambulance Service (NEAS) which he has done this additional voluntary community work. to share. I will always live with mental health troubling childhood fraught with bled him to transform his life. Mark is the Vicar of St attend. for the past eight years. “Our vision for this Diocese is to be generous, issues, but because of my faith and my rule of life, At the age of 19, Mark was Matthew Dinnington, But as his struggles with Mark is trained in basic life support and is often engaged and open: working in our communities they are kept in check.” mental health issues to finding discharged from psychiatric St Cuthberts his mental health worsened the first medic on scene, where he must deal with goes hand-in-hand with this. ■■ ‘Life After Care: From Lost Cause to MBE’ is hospital and without wanting Brunswick with Christ and once he left care, a multitude of scenarios – from patients in cardi- “It is important to care for people holistically. available to buy from www.triggerpublishing. faith and becoming a pillar of to burden his sister who had a the King Team Ministry Mark’s faith lapsed. ac arrest to casualties with significant trauma. We should be engaging with people all the time com and proceeds will go towards supporting young child, he found him- “I had walked away from He describes his first call out as a ‘baptism of and being with them at the worst possible the Shaw Mind Foundation. the community. self homeless. religion then. I blamed fi r’. e moment of their lives.” 8 generous engaged open Following a Divine Order The Rt Revd Andrew Watson, Bishop of Guildford, celebrates the centenary of a calling to missionary service

Andrew and Beverly Watson on Longsands beach in Tynemouth

T 9.30 am on Saturday, 10 November sionary service in China at the age of eight, when age. Sixteen years ensued as Superin- new hospital had been built on the 2019, my wife and I took a walk on her father, a vicar, had invited a CMS missionary tendent of the Mildmay Mission Hos- site of the old, and the churches – Tynemouth’s Longsands beach, fol- to preach at his church in Norfolk. She had pital in Bethnal Green, which he both official and underground – were lowed by a short time of prayer at Holy trained as a doctor at the Newcastle Infirmary steered through the Blitz, the creation thriving. Saviour’sA at 11am. It was our first visit to Tyne- (which, along with the Royal Free in London, of the NHS, and beyond; and then a We were back in Beijing on the last mouth, but a significant one, because, at 9.30am was one of only two medical courses open to quiet retirement in Oxfordshire, where day of the visit, walking through a his- on 10 November 1918 — exactly 100 years ear- women at that time); and a positive first encoun- he ministered as a lay reader, having toric part of the city, when I asked Tony lier — my grandfather, Alec Watson, took a walk ter with Alec blossomed into love on her side as successfully evaded various episco- whether he knew anyone nearby. Yes, he on Longsands that was to change his life. well. Mary’s application to CMS was straight for- pal attempts to ordain him! responded, he knew a lady who ran a Alec’s story provides an unusual perspective ward, but Alec’s much less so, with the mission My personal memory of house church in her home. on the Armistice Centenary celebrations that agency proving just as sceptical as the Army Dr Alec is of a sweet old Calling on the lady, I got talk- took place that weekend. Brought up in Front about his fitness to serve. With no apparent man with Parkinsons, ing to her elderly mother, a Street, Tynemouth as the son of a retired sea question in either of their minds that Mary’s who used to sit me on Dr Esther Li, who knew a lit- captain, he was physically frail as a child and missionary calling must override all thoughts of his lap, and who died tle English; and little by little young man, and was declared medically unfit to marriage, she duly set off for China without him, when I was seven. But it emerged that Dr Li had serve in the 1914-18 War, a humiliating blow that and any hope of a life together was, at best, put his story – and that of been born in Yunnan prov- led to feelings of isolation, guilt and inadequacy. on hold. Dr Mary, who out- ince, had been educated in Having trained as a pharmacist, Alec continued In the event, a senior orthopaedic surgeon lived him by decades Kunming, and had worked his work for a firm of chemists in Newcastle (and was talking to Alec one day and remarked, ‘Wat- – has always been a as my grandfather’s depu- his Boys’ Bible Class at St. Saviour’s) before tak- son, why don’t you have your knee straight- huge inspiration to ty in Hui Tien Hospital ing that walk on the beach on the day before the ened?’, offering to perform the complex opera- me in my own jour- between 1935 and 1938, Armistice was signed. It was there that he tion himself. (In retrospect, my very existence, ney as a disciple of where, she told me, Alec received what he later described as ‘a Divine and those of dozens of my wider family, depend- Jesus Christ. had become fondly Order’ to train as a doctor and offer himself for ed on the success of those hours in the operating In 2002 that known as ‘Dr Jesus’ by service with the Church Missionary Society. theatre!). All went well, and Alec duly set off for sense of indebted- staff and patients alike! Obeying that Order proved to be fraught with China, before meeting with Mary in Hong Kong, ness led me to travel An almost unbelievable difficulty. For one thing, it depended on the abil- where they were married in the Bishop’s private in their footsteps coincidence, given that ity of Alec to leave a secure job and income, on chapel. and in the company we were meeting two which both he and his widowed mother were There followed 15 years of remarkable minis- of Tony Lambert, an thousand miles from reliant. For another it was contingent on CMS try in Kunming, the capital of the South-Western experienced Kunming and 64 years accepting Alec as medically fit, effectively revers- province of Yunnan, heading up the Hui Tien researcher and China after my grandparents ing the decision of the Army medical board four Hospital, with a particular emphasis on work specialist employed by returned to England, in a years earlier. The first problem was solved when among leprosy patients - a passion of Alec’s, per- one of the mission country with a population of one of Alec’s brothers offered to support their haps stoked by his own feelings of shame and agencies. We visited 1.4 billion! Or else just the mother out of the blue; the second was compli- isolation during the Great War. Then in 1938, the Beijing, Shanghai and normal activity of the Living cated further when Alec started his medical couple and their two younger children were Hangzhou, but spent God, who’s divine order on a training at the Royal Victoria Infirmary and fell called back to England, where they were reunit- most of our time in Yun- Tynemouth beach we have in love with a certain Mary Griffiths. ed with the two older boys, who had been sent to nan province, in and Dr Alec Watson looked forward to celebrating Mary had herself received a clear call to mis- be educated in England at an alarmingly early around Kunming, where a 100 years on. growing church bringing hope 9

IN this edition of Link, we update you on three of the five strands of our ‘growing church bringing hope’ vision which we launched in 2017. The Revd Canon Ian Flintoft, Director of Discipleship and Ministry for Mission, writes about the work taking place in relation to the Prayer, Leading your Church into Growth and Impact strands.

N my last update on the Impact Strand, I was able to report that the Diocese was to benefit from £212,000 of Church of Eng- land Restructure Funding to progress workI on this Strand of our Diocesan Strategy. We planned to use the money to employ specialist lay Missioners in a number of pilot parishes. Since then, we have appointed two Impact Strand update Children and Families Missioners – one for Holy Spirit Denton (see the front page to find out more about Jacqueline Atkinson and her exciting first few weeks in post) and one for Newbiggin Hall and Cowgate (Henry Brandon, who began work in January). Months of In February, we aim to appoint a Commu- nity Missioner, who will work alongside a new priest in the parishes of Percy Main and Balk- Guided Prayer well. ONE of the main ways we have been seeking to The Missioners will work with the churches implement the first strand of growing church and local communities to plan new pro- bringing hope is by offering people the chance to grammes of work and forms of Christian com- take part in a Month of Guided Prayer, a form of munity appropriate for the area. retreat in daily life. They will initiate and expand links and net- This gives people the opportunity to meet one- works with parts of the parishes currently not to-one with a prayer guide for 30 minutes once a in regular contact with the church. week for four weeks to talk about their journey They will support and train volunteers, with God and to explore new avenues of prayer. encouraging ministry throughout the congre- A Month of Guided Prayer is a great opportunity gations and specifically recruiting, training, to take time out, deepen your relationship with and releasing people into mission-focused God, and discover new ways of praying. It is for activities. anyone who would like to deepen their prayer We are about to begin working with the next life—whatever stage of the journey you are at. wave of pilot parishes for this strand. Five par- Since my last update, we have run Months ishes, in a range of contexts, have been identi- of Guided Prayer in Monkseaton, Alnmouth, fied. and Bedlington, and feedback has again been These parishes will work with a facilitator to encouraging: engage the PCC, congregation, and the wider “I really appreciated the dedicated one-to-one community, in a review and reflection process, time with the 'guide'. It was invaluable to be able gathering information and using a question- to be honest and ask questions in a 'safe' place. It naire to discern one or two key impact priori- was also a great encouragement, and incentive, ties to work on. to explore new ways of praying, knowing that They will then work together on the areas another appointment with the guide lay ahead. identified, either using what they already have Also I very much appreciate diocesan time and or in partnership with wider resources in the energy in this initiative.” Diocese. “The listening ear, the patient guidance, the Areas for work might include: improving the skilled question here and there, along with church’s worship; increasing community wonderful resources to take away and ponder on, engagement; building up those on the fringe all completely rejuvenated my prayer life.” of the church community; improving our wel- Another Month of Guided Prayer is about to come; encouraging active involvement and start in Riding Mill, and this will be followed in shared leadership. the spring by sessions in Tynemouth Deanery The goal for this strand is that in five years’ (Thursday evenings), Alnmouth (a weekday time, impact and attendance will have afternoon), Gosforth (Wednesday evenings), increased in 20 identified parishes (some will Jesmond, and Morpeth. We would be very happy be parishes currently having the lowest per to hear from people who would be interested in capita attendance, whilst others will be those taking part. with significant potential for further growth). The Revd To request further details or express an interest Do look out for further information on the Canon Ian in taking part, please email vision@newcastle. achievements of this strand and for an invita- Flintoft anglican.org or call 0191 270 4143. tion to participate. Leading your Church into Growth

IT has been exciting and encouraging to hear been a great experience: a number of the where lay members found it hard to get time off about developments in parishes that have people will be confirmed next month. Thank for a three-day residential, we have changed the already taken part in the Leading your Church you for inviting us to take part in LyCiG.” format for 2019. into Growth (LyCiG) course in 2017 and 2018. “Some of the congregation now come more There will be a full day on input and group Here is what some of our parishes have said regularly and appear more interested beyond work on Saturday 14 September. The rest of the about their LyCiG experience. just attending on Sunday. Lent and Advent course will be delivered from 4pm on Friday 4 “The LyCiG course tapped into the aspirations courses are well attended. There is also a greater October through to around 6pm on Saturday 5 of the leadership, provided us with a common, willingness to attend one off things we put on October 2019. jargon-free language and many examples we e.g. the invitation training course written by the We aim to have 70 people, lay and clergy, could relate to, and stimulated a change in Evangelism Task Group.” taking part. We would like to invite parishes to attitude among the PCC and within parts of the We are now planning for the next course, make expressions of interest now for the course congregation to be more outward looking and which will take place in 2019, and will again be in 2019. open to change.” run by the diocesan and national team working ■■ Please email [email protected] to “We have just run our first enquirers course together. express an interest. following our attendance at LyciG and it has Having received feedback from some parishes 10 generous engaged open

ACROSS 1. Storyteller, Northern, arriving HAVE YOUR SAY with a short Conservative (8) Link Crossword 149 Compiled by Mary Sutton 5. Pain expert going round Anything catch your eye in hospital (4) this month’s LINK? 8. Essential – woman gets hold of it (5) Something on your mind? 9. Syrup making cat reel badly (7) Or in your prayers? 11. Former partner – one given allowance – revealing freedom Send an e-mail, message or from blame (11) letter to LINK and we’ll 13. Feline initially terrifying the French cows (6) publish the best of them: 14. Horrified at hags changing (6) 17. Somehow I’d sell spare canvas Have your say. LINK, shoes (11) 20. People suffering for their Church House, St John’s beliefs for years after rejecting Terrace, North Shields vehicle (7) 21. Small room used by leader of NE29 6HS. Email us: orchestra for stringed instrument link@newcastle. (5) 22. Performance by two expected anglican.org to be ahead of time (4) 23. Knowledgeable healthy socialist, say (4-4)

DOWN 1. Part of church in New Street (4) 2. Period of seclusion involving religious education – a pleasant occasion (7) 3. Salads you’ll put out for 2 November (3,5,3) 4. Start with old-fashioned group (6) 6. Plants, 100, needed before performance on island (5) 7. Tiny tree out of place for a very long time (8) 10. Unexpectedly calling Eve, a Low Church member (11) 12. Second best journalist shrieked (8) 15. Pardon a bachelor found with crack (7) 16. Disposable handkerchief – eccentric uses it (6) Poems make money 18. Super new money pouch (5) Noticeboard 19. Conservative elderly and unfriendly (4) CANCELLED: Saturday 2 February. Big his book Perceptions of Christianity From Christingle Celebration. Newcastle People of Different Faiths. This is a personal, Cathedral. Apologies for any searching and positive book, rooted in five ANSWERS TO inconvenience caused perceptions of Christianity from people of CROSSWORD 147 different faiths and responses from five Saturday 2 February, 9am-5pm. Christians. Richard Tetlow sees mutual, ACROSS: 1. Narrator 5. Ache Hymnathon. St Gabriel’s Church, loving relationships as priority for human 8. Vital 9. Treacle 11. Heaton, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE6 well-being in our British multi-faith society. Exoneration 13. Cattle 14. 5QN. Sponsor your favourite hymns and He shows how Christians can listen to and Aghast worship songs. £1 per hymn – pick as many learn from others about themselves for 17. Espadrilles 20. Martyrs 21. Cello 22. Duet 23. Well- as you like! Morning Prayer at 9am, followed common benefit. He analyses perceptions read by hymn playing from 9.30am-5pm themselves, including perceptions of God, DOWN: 1. Nave 2. Retreat (programme to be published in advance), their whys and wherefores. He challenges 3. All Souls’ Day 4. Outset 6. and Evening Prayer at 5pm. Proceeds will traditional Christian theology, structures Cacti 7. Eternity 10. Evangelical support the Lindisfarne College of Theology and worship. Throughout, he asks questions 12. Screamed 15. Absolve (LCOT) formational visit to Israel in April in search of meaning, sincere faith and 16. Tissue 18. Purse 19. Cold 2019. Contact [email protected] or honest personal experience, both religious anyone from LCOT to nominate your and non-religious and seeks recognition of Our Crossword is sponsored by St favourite hymns. Teas and coffees will be the unity and diversity of all life. Finally, he Thomas the Martyr Church, available in the church. suggests ways forward. Tickets £5 are One World Shop (at The Haymarket, Newcastle upon available on the door. All welcome. For Tyne). Saturday 2 February, 12.30pm. Organ more information about the PCN, visit A voucher to spend in the Shop Recital: Tamsin Brown. St John the www.pcnbritian.org.uk will be sent to the Crossword Baptist, Grainger Street, Newcastle- winner. upon-Tyne, NE1 5JG. A recital for the Wednesday 13 March, 10am-1pm. THE Revd David Johnson has raised over Many thanks to the staff at the feast of Candlemas, including works by Workshop: How to make a Hunger £400 for improvements to the churchyard at One World Shop. Buxtehude, Vierne and Bach. Free entry with Cloth. Church House, Percy Main, St. Cuthbert’s Church, Bedlington. A Talent retiring collection. North Shields, NE29 6HS. A practical Scheme proposed last February had him Winner of Competition 147 was and interactive workshop led by Karenza thinking “I cannot dig, to beg I am ashamed Mrs E Storar of Berwick-upon- Passmore, Director of the Religious - but poems I can write”. The result was an Tweed. eclectic collection, spanning theology, travel Tuesday 12 March, 7-9pm. Progressive Resources Centre (RRC). Places are limited and farce which was published last Heritage Completed entries to Competition Christianity Network (PCN) Talk. St and must be booked in advance. For more Open day in September. “It is one way of 149 should be sent to: Thomas the Martyr Church, information or to book, contact the RRC on enjoying retirement”, he commented. Competition 149, Church House, Haymarket, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 0191 3750586 or enquiries@ ‘Poetry is Fun’ is available in St. Cuthbert’s, St John’s Terrace, North Shields, NE1 7PF. Richard Tetlow will speak about resourcecentreonline.co.uk Bedlington or can be sent direct to you for NE29 6HS. Closing date: Monday £5 (including post and packing) from David - 18 February 2019. tel. 01670 828693. Keep up-to-date and see more details at www.newcastle.anglican.org/events growing church bringing hope 11 Inspired LIKE A METAPHOR Tim Hardy works in the Religious North East Resources Centre in Church House and writes at www.timbo-baggins.co.uk WWW.INSPIREDNORTHEAST.ORG.UK With Ian Bapty RURAL CHURCHES FOR However, what is also evident is that one of the biggest Top Ten Bits of the Bible To me, it only makes sense if Jesus challenges rural churches face is their capacity in terms of (whilst being fully divine) was very EVERYONE? personnel and skills, and increased support in this sense - Part 2 much a product of his upbringing is crucial, with collective planning and co-working and and then changed his mind when IN part following on from our current Heritage Lottery development between churches a core development In the December/January Link, I confronted with truth of which funded Inspired Futures project (which finishes this emphasis. posted the first five of my ‘Top Ten he’d hitherto not been cognisant summer), the Diocese/Inspired North East is currently Via this group working, the project aims to develop Bible Bits’ and invited readers to think (namely that the despised foreigners seeking funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund for a more robust collective management models which about what would go into their own were people too). I love how project to specifically explore and develop new ways to can fully and sustainably unlock the potential of rural lists. Here are the final five. uncomfortable this passage makes support rural churches in the Diocese. churches to address the needs of modern communities me - largely in having to reassess Rural Churches for Everyone: Supporting collective in rural Northumberland (and potentially other rural 6. John 1:1-18 what ‘without sin’ might mean in its futures for church buildings, heritage and communities in areas nationally), and thereby better secure the future of A third entry from the Gospel of light. Northumberland is planned to begin in June 2019 for two individual church buildings. John. I remember this being the I nominate: anybody who thinks years (subject to a successful funding application), and Rural Churches for Everyone will therefore aim to passage I was asked to read at our their background disqualifies them would be delivered with involvement from partners. support and strategically develop four groups in rural school carol service when I was from doing what God is asking them. The future of rural churches is a national issue. Headline Northumberland as integrated community assets (40 at my first primary school - at a national figures include the fact that 2000 of the 9000 historic churches in total, composition of the groups big, local church (possibly Carlisle 9. John 19:11 rural churches nationally have congregations of fewer currently under discussion). It is planned that each Cathedral). It was my first public A stark, simple reminder of where than 10 people and that 40 per cent of rural worshippers church group will have a five-person nominated project reading of anything, and, although all power and authority ultimately are over the age of 70. team consisting of clergy and church and community not as tongue-twisty as Acts 2, was lies - even in life and death cases, the At the same time, the communities those churches sit volunteers drawn from churches across the group. a bit of a mouthful for a young boy. lords (and ladies) of this world are within face many wider challenges including changing Each project team will be supported via an intensive In the years since then, I’ve come to merely acting within the bounds of patterns of residency and visitor engagement, loss consultancy programme (including input from the love this foundational bit of narrative what God is allowing. Comforting, of shops and local resources, limited employment partners) to develop a strategy and business plan for the theology - there’s so much going even if in a cold and distant fashion - opportunities and high levels of rural poverty. Yet there is care and development of the churches in their group, and on and I reckon that, even more shortly after this interview, Jesus was also a clear opportunity here for rural churches, if they can two members of each team will receive additional training than verses 16 and 17 from chapter crucified. be sustained and developed in new ways, to offer the very enabling them to provide direct church buildings support three, I’d recommend this as an I nominate: anybody struggling spaces, facilities and activities which are badly needed to churches within their group. In addition, one church introduction to what the heart of our with the powers that be - ten against this wider context of change. in each group will deliver a practical change/building faith really was. passages that help provide a bigger Of course, many rural churches in Newcastle Diocese improvement project. I nominate: anybody who picture view might offer a shred of are already making extremely positive responses to these So it is fingers crossed on the funding front (we expect thinks there’s a better prologue to comfort or a chink of light. challenges and opportunities. to hear back from the HLF in March), although the work this whole ‘Christianity’ thing (I’d Models have included partial asset transfer of church that has been done to develop the project has already genuinely like to hear). 10. Ecclesiastes buildings to community groups at Hebron and Edlingham been useful in itself. The objective here is to come up with A book of wisdom that tells us that (both to operate as venues and community spaces ways of supporting all the rural churches in the Diocese 7. Mark 16:1-8 everything is meaningless but that alongside continuing worship), and the Inspired Futures (and other rural areas across the country via the learning “...they said nothing to anyone, for our spiritual destiny is to return to project has been working with St Cuthbert’s, Elsdon from the project), not just the groups Rural Churches they were afraid.” God. Life is there to be enjoyed (but to connect that church into a village-wide partnership for Everyone will initially work with. Watch this space for From the start of the last gospel nothing lasts), the good in our life delivering community services and facilities. updates! to be written to the end of the first. comes from God and contentment One verse of second hand testimony with the simple pleasures is a thing to to the resurrection followed by the work towards (but nothing lasts). In (initial) failure of Salome and the my youth, this book was a refreshing INSPIRED NORTH EAST CONTACT DETAILS: Marys. Subsequent endings to the antidote to the people who promised IAN BAPTY, INSPIRED NORTH EAST PROJECT OFFICER Gospel of Mark do exist - the ‘Longer that if I only had enough faith then TEL: 0191 2704123 E-MAIL: [email protected] Ending’ contains a potted Great God would sort everything out Commission, Emmaus Road, and and make my life a thing of bright INSPIRED NORTH EAST WEBSITE: WWW.INSPIREDNORTHEAST.ORG.UK Ascension in a brief twelve verses joy - if these twelve chapters (not to but, emotionally, the idea of the mention the entire book of Job) were first witnesses being to overcome part of scripture and telling me to try with terror and amazement that to rejoice in the daily grind instead they failed to take any further action of wishing it away (and feeling guilty Pilgrimage seems like the kind of ending that when nothing changed) then this would have been written if it had was powerful medicine indeed. been me and my friends there at the I nominate: anybody who feels tomb. lied to by those who should know to The I nominate: anybody who feels better, and anybody who needs to guilty about their failure to bear see things in a different (if slightly witness to the truth they’ve received. skew-whiff) light.

Ecumenical 8. Mark 7:24-29 So, there you are - my top ten bits A controversial passage - with of the Bible (at time of writing) - what Jesus seemingly acting in a racist would you include in yours? Patriarch fashion and then changing his mind. By Ray Simpson, Founding office instead of in the usual throne room. the Blue Mosque. We prayed near the site Guardian, The international He gave us: coffee, biscuits, chocolate, of the 451 Fourth Ecumenical Council at Community of Aidan and Hilda crosses, books and pictures! Chalcedon that the world’s religions would He is a monk with huge responsibilities, discover their eternal home in the Three SEVEN Community of Aidan and Hilda as his desk indicated! He has a focus on Loves in God’s heart. This Council clarified members who are regular pilgrims to saving the planet, peace and poverty. He the Nicene Creed: although Christ had Lindisfarne - Anglican, Lutheran, Orthodox told us about his world-wide meetings two natures, he was eternally One Person and an inter-faith minister - came from to further ecumenical, ecological and in the Trinity. Chalcedon is significant. In Norway, UK and USA to spend a week in economic partnership based on love, order for the Muslim world to understand pilgrimage in Istanbul during Advent, including a recent meeting with the it the Christians must repent that a rhythm culminating in an hour’s audience with his Archbishop of Canterbury to combat of daily prayer became divorced from All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch trafficking and slavery, and over eight the people through clericalisation. God Bartholomew, leader of the world’s meetings with the Pope Francis, and how brought the Prophet to Arabs to present 300million Orthodox Christians. Francis sends him the coffee he likes! a rhythm of prayer for all people in the The Ecumenical Patriarch affirmed The patriarch presented us with two of streets. We were moved to see so many our commitment to heal the schisms in his books and accepted two of our books, men sitting in prayer in the centre of Christianity and to heal creation. Of our New Celtic Monasticism for Everyday busy streets. In our hearts we welcome Three Values (Simplicity, Purity of motive, People, and High Street Monasteries. Muslims to Chalcedon to be a part of an and Obedience to God in each person) he In addition to visits to the churches, understanding under one God. responded: ‘This is authentic Christianity!’ including the Anglican Church which Before we departed we asked the He gave us an hour’s monastic houses refugees and the French question ‘How does this divine dance hospitality and asked us to meet in his Dominican Church where we joined in continue?’ We seek to listen to God in Taize Prayer, we visited Hagia Sophia and order to know the answer. 12 generous engaged open growing church bringing hope

News from Christian Aid North East with Revd Roger Mills THE Safeguarding Team is often asked when it should be contacted in relation to safeguarding concerns. Reproduced below is a flow chart taken from the new TOWARDS A Run for us in GNR 2019! Parish Safeguarding Handbook, which should help answer this question. SAFER VERY autumn we see 45,000 (so there, Sir Mo!). A hard copy of the Parish Safeguarding Handbook folk on the motorway next Twenty years ago, when chaplain will be circulated to all parishes as soon as they are to the Town Moor looking to Newcastle University, I was chal- available. In the meantime, if you require any assistance CHURCH grimly determined as they lenged to take part for the first time, in relation to any safeguarding matters, please contact With Diocesan Safeguarding makeE their way from Newcastle to and as a non-runner found it sur- the Diocesan Safeguarding Team at Church House on Adviser Andrew Grant South Shields. prisingly straightforward to train up 0191 270 4100 or email [email protected]. www.newcastle.anglican.org/safeguarding Slogging along at the well-named in six months. org or [email protected] Great North Run (‘running’ is a gen- I chose to seek sponsorship for erous description of how I now pro- Christian Aid – because of its ecu- pel myself) is an astonishing experi- menical nature, its working with ence at the largest mass-participation trusted local partners via transpar- sporting event in the UK. ent processes, putting money to Many speak of its pervasive work where the need is greatest and atmosphere of goodwill, not least staying when the TV cameras have because of its superb level of organi- gone, extending relief where there is sation and the huge sums raised for disaster but also investing in the charities. long-term. Over the run’s 13 miles I have Cynics, unbelievably, still ques- been offered jelly babies, oranges, tion such efforts: yet since 1990 wine, beer and cakes; I have heard worldwide child mortality has someone’s ‘confession’ (being reduced by an astonishing 60 per unwisely cassocked and dog-col- cent, progress unprecedented in lared at the time), conversed with human history. Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, been Your efforts and mine, though overtaken by Scooby-Doo in the apparently negligible, cumulatively final mile (to my fury), received can and do make an enormous dif- countless cries of encouragement ference. For this year’s run on 8 Sep- and been doused by a hosepipe. tember, Christian Aid can offer A unique experience, certainly – much sought-after places; if you’re and whilst not commending addic- up for it, I’ll join you on the start-line. tion is one that I have felt unable to ■■ To sign up for the 2019 Great miss since the first outing. And it’s a North Run visit: www.caid.org.uk/ run, not a race – you’re a winner gnr whether it takes you one hour or four Blended Festival

By Revd Beth Rookwood, Mainstage Conversations, Campfire Pioneer Curate in Conversations, Pioneer Labs, Live Morpeth Parish Experiences plus a Woodland Prayer Area and Marketplace. We were given taster sessions of FIVE hundred people gathered at Ely New Monasticism, Forest Church, Cathedral in November for the Campfire Communion, Sweaty fourth National Anglican Fresh Church and Messy Vintage. Expressions Conference, gathering Bishop Vlogs allowed for around campfires inside and outside experience from others in the of the cathedral, for the Blended country to be shared via the big Festival. screens and the cathedral Presbytery Based in Ely Cathedral and was transformed into a prayer area. surrounding buildings, This included a teepee as Blended had an immersive well as the use of silent- and experiential feel, as disco headphones allowing opportunities were given for music-led meditation. to listen, experience and Support Available from Church House It reminded us that there share the ways in which is such an amazing variety Inherited Church and New Please find contact details below for our support services Finance of ways that God is building Christian Communities can which are available across a wide range of areas, and Philip Ambrose, Finance Manager the Church of Jesus Christ partner together to grow based in the Diocese's main office in North Shields. 0191 270 4130 [email protected] across our nation. the Kingdom of God. Gillian Green, Finance Officer The closing thoughts Bishop Stephen Property 0191 270 4131 [email protected] from Bishop Jill Duff were Ian Beswick, Property Manager welcomed us, the Ely pop-up Gospel for us to “Go forth and combine 0191 270 4125 [email protected] Human Resources choir sang over us, and then we Inherited Church and New Christian Alison Campbell, Property Administrator Marilyn Wright, Human Resources Adviser headed off, with an array of speakers Communities to grow the Kingdom 0191 270 4121 [email protected] 0191 270 4153 [email protected] and activities to choose from, trying of God” and candles were lit as out fresh ideas through pioneer labs symbols of people as beacons; Jesus Communications Children & Young People Support Team and live workshops and by sharing the light of the world, calling His Rod Stuart, Head of Communications Judith Sadler, Team Leader stories though conversations, meet- people to shine as His lights in this 0191 270 4139 [email protected] 0191 270 4152 [email protected] ups and consultations. world; all to the glory of God. Beth Hemming, Communications Officer Seminar and conversation ■■ For more information on 0191 270 4116 [email protected] Interfaith and Ethnic Relations Adviser themes were based on the Fresh Lesley Hillary, Interfaith and Ethnic Relations Adviser Fresh Expressions, visit www. Expression Journey (Listen, Love and Safeguarding 0191 270 4100 [email protected] freshexpressions.org.uk and for Serve, Build Community, Explore Ruth Rogan, Safeguarding Adviser details on Pioneer Ministry, visit Discipleship, Church Takes Shape, 07825 167016 [email protected] Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) www.churchofengland.org/ Do it Again) as well as key pioneer Andrew Grant, Assistant Safeguarding Adviser Lucy Burfield, DAC Secretary growing-pioneer-ministry or email issues. 0191 270 4126 [email protected] 0191 270 4127 [email protected] [email protected] Sessions took the form of