THE Making CHURCHOF ENGLAND the most Newspaper ofthe 23.10.15 Bible, £1.50 No: 6302 p8-10 AVAILABLEONNEWSSTAND

Conservatives and gay Christians

BybJo oMay ost numbreleaseeprrecisesnumbierfnor membersSelectedynbecauseonotdbe recognisedeleand hecshouldtibeoswiftlynremoveds “they don’t want to gettoo caught up on numbers”. from churchleadership.” INCLUSIVE Church and evangelical group Reform However,the Bishop of Beverley,the Rt Rev Glyn Of her nomination she said: “I am delighted that a have both boosted their numbers in the General Synod. Webster,who has been re-elected for Synod, toldus: large number of Bible-believing Christians have been Their relative successes suggest abattle ahead as the “Wejustwanttomake sure we’renot being overtaken elected to Synod.” issue of human sexuality is certain to be the main talk- by liberalism”. Bertrand Olivier of All Hallows by the Tower,inLon- ing point in the new five-year Synod. Director of Accepting Evangelicals, Jayne Ozanne has don alsojoinsSynod, defying a‘polarising’ battle for the Eighty-four Inclusive Church members have been been elected, while vicar of St Marywith All Souls, Kil- seat, tweeting on his nomination, ‘Veryexcited to have elected out of 145 standing, while ReformDirector, burnand St James, West Hampstead, Andrew Fore- been elected to #generalsynod today, and looking for- Susie Leafe, said she was ‘encouraged’ as moremem- shew Cain has also been elected, saying: “People would wardtoworking for an @inclusivechurch in the next 5 bers have been elected than in the previous Synod. not have voted for me if they didn’t want to see the years.’ ForwardinFaith (FiF) released astatement saying change we represent.” Nominees fromthe group ‘Living Out’ have been therecent General Synod elections have strengthened The openly married gay vicar said he intends to elected into the next quinquennium. This group is the Catholic presence in the General Synod. “advocate for achurch that faces up to issues of sexual- made up of evangelicals of agay orientation who “It will also be re-invigorated. Half of themembers of ity in ahonest and compassionate way”, tweeting “Feel- choose to live celibate lives. the new,larger,Catholic Group have never been mem- ing daunted, elated &ready.NOSURRENDER”, on his The Rev Sam Allbery, associate minister of St Mary’s bers of the GeneralSynod before.Weare particularly election. Church, Maidenhead and aStMellitus College lecturer, pleased to haveincreased ourrepresentation in each of This caused an intolerant rebuke from Andrea Dr Sean Dohertyand Ed Shaw,the associate pastor at the three Houses,” the statement read. Williams of Christian Concern, also elected for asec- Emmanuel, Bristol, areamong the Living Out members Likethe evangelical groupings, they wereunable to ond term,who said in astatement: “This result should elected. Buy one getone free: slavesonoffer on Oxford Street SHOPPERS on London’s in getting his Anti-SlaveryDay human trafficking –isstill tak- OxfordStreet weretaken by bill onto the statute books. Now, ing place today and that they surprise today as one market everyyear on 18 October the can have arole in stamping it stall was offering slaves for sale. UK marks the day. out.” The deals even included aBuy- His Bill was intended to do Their Director of Anti Traf- One-Get-One-Free offer. more than just mark the day, ficking and ModernSlavery, However,the promotion was however,itincluded provisions Major Anne Read said that staged to highlight the modern to help lawenforcement agen- manypeople don’t realise that day problem of slaveryand the cies to fight themenace while human trafficking is areality in slaves on offer weregranted providing supportfor victims. modernsociety, even in the their freedom after the stunt. The definition of modern day West. Although slaveryisassociat- slaveryincludes child traffick- She said that it could be hap- ed with the past, its modern ing, forced labour,domestic pening in their own neighbour- equivalent, human trafficking, is servitude and trafficking for hoods, but there werethings regarded by politicians as one of sexual exploitation. they could do to help bring it to the most pressing issues of the Today’s stunt, which will be an end modernday.In2010 the Devon repeated on Wednesday 14 “Wewant to help people MP Anthony Steen succeeded October, was staged by theSal- understand what to look for and vation Army,which was what supportisavailable.” appointedbythe Home Office The Salvation Army and its 25 Oct and the MinistryofJustice in partnershavesupported nearly 2011 to provide supportservic- 3,000 victims of modernslavery. 2015 - es to adult victims of human counselling, medical care, trans- Anti-SlaveryDay to help raise Thereisadedicated referral Daylight trafficking in England and lation services and legal coun- awareness amongst the large line: 0300 303 8151 available 24 Wales. selling. numbers ofpeople who still hours aday,seven days aweek. Saving Their services to victims Aspokesman said: “Wewant don’t realise that modernslav- Time include safe accommodation, to usethe week running up to ery-the appalling crime of Ends

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23 October 5.30pm The CanterburyFestival Talks with Gyles Brandreth, CanterburyCathedral Lodge. 7.30pm ‘Baked Alaska’ inpartnershipwith Chris- tian Aid, Operation Noah and the Diocese of Lichfieldaims to raiseacompassionate voice inthe run up tothe United Nations Conference onClimate Change inParis this December. LichfieldCathedral, £12, conc: £9. 7.30pm The Alan Norris BigBand - Crowland St Mary&StBart &St Guthlac - Concert/recital/play, £7.50 24 October *The Minster Nave will once again host the Bramley Apple DioceseofSouthwell &Nottingham Festival, on Saturday 24 October. 2.30pm GreatWar Fashion, atalkbyLucy Adling- This year the town’s link with apple growers in Japan has ton of HistoryWardrobe inPeterborough Bishop Tony Porter officiated at the 800th birthday been strengthened since grafts weretaken to the country Cathedral, £10. service of St Giles Church, Cropwell Bishop, on for them to establish orchards and the fruit has become Sunday 11 October,which also celebrated the verypopular there. target of £80,000 for church repairs beingall but AJapanese apple researcher,Professor Matsumoto, will 25 October met. be assisting in the opening ceremony along with Festival 6.30pm UNA service for WorldPeace, Canterbury Vicar of the Wiverton Group of Parishes, the Rev Chairman, Roger Merryweather and Acting Dean, Nigel Cathedral. Bronwen Gamble said: “Local TV,radio and Coates. newspapers responded to our press releases with Minster Marketing Officer,Kathryn Anderson said: generous publicity and, being 21st centurypeople “Thereismorevariety of stalls thanever this year and 26 October with a13th centurychurch to repair, we set up a plenty of children’s activities in the palace and education website (www.savestgiles.co.uk) toshow our own garden, weather permitting. Thereissomething for 2.30pm Rachel Treweek, Bishop of Gloucester, BirthdayAppeal videos.” everyone!” introduced tothe House of Lords, first womanbishop to sit inUpper House. 5.30pm The CanterburyFestival - Talks - Janina Diocese of Blackburn Diocese of Lichfield Ramirez: The Private lives ofthe Saints. CanterburyCathedral Lodge. The centenarycommemoration of World WarIcontinues, Anew course for young singers following the 8.00pm The CanterburyFestival - Science - Mered- with the Renaissance Singers in concertatBlackburn success of the Lichfield Choral Course, will startin ith Shaffto: The Secrets of aSuccessful Age- Cathedral. StokeMinster. ing Brain. CanterburyCathedral Lodge. ‘WeWill Remember Them’ will featurenew work written Teachers from Lichfield Cathedral and the by pupils and formerpupils of Simonstone CE St Peter’s Staffordshire&Stoke-on-Trent Music Education PrimarySchool. The pupils’ work has been written in Hubwill be heading up thecourse, which will take 27 October response to their learning about the events of 1914–1918. placeonWednesday 28 and Thursday 29 October, The full programme includes Howells’ ‘Requiem’ and the open to 12-18-year-olds. 5.30pm The CanterburyFestival - Science - Alex ‘Songs of Farewell’ by Parry as well as poetryreadings. The Diocese is also preparing to celebrate Bellos:: AlexThrough the Looking Glass; Samuel Hudson, Director of MusicatBlackburn Christmas with the Cathedral’s new community How Life Reflects Numbers and Numbers Cathedral, said he hopes the audience will be moved by the service, ‘Christmas Time in The City’, and The Refflect Life. CanterburyCathedral Lodge. way young people of today will help remember and honour Festival of Nine Lessons &Carols, telling the story 6.15pm Book launchof‘Igniting the heart: preach- thosewho lost their lives in the Great War. of Christmas through readings and song and ing and imagination’ by the RevDr Kate traditionally held on two nights. The Christmas Bruce, St John’s College, Durham. Diocese of York Diocese of Winchester market will also, once again featureaspartoftheir 6.30pm Housing Shortage: what shouldwe be cam- festive programme. paigning for?, St James’s, Piccadilly. Speak- The BishopofHull, the The Rt Rev TimDakin, Bishop ers on the panel include Alison Gelder, Rt Rev Alison White, will of Winchester,has launched an *StChad Gospels arenow on display at the British Chief Executive of Housing Justice, Tom license anew minister appeal to raise money to Museum, after leaving their homeatLichfield Copley AM, LondonLabour Assembly for the Kingswood supportrefugees from Syria and Cathedral. They formpartofthe ‘Celts: artand Member, chaired by the RevLucy Winkett, EstateinHull –inapub. in Myanmar,tosupportthe identity’, exhibition. The gospel is thought to date Rector ofSt James’s Church The Rev Ben Norton fundraising efforts of Refugee back to the 8th Centuryand mark the shrine of St 7.30pm The CanterburyFestival - CanterburyOn will be licensed as the Action, one of theUK’s leading Chad, who died in Lichfield in 672. Film: AFilm screening of TS Eliot’s Murder estate’s new Pioneer refugee resettlement charities. As partofthe partnership between the Cathedral inthe Cathedral. CanterburyCathedral Minister at the Oyster The Diocese is partnering and the Museum, Lichfield has been loaned items Nave. (AAlsoon28October). Catcher Pub. with the Anglican Relief and illustrating how the decoration of booksinAnglo- Bishop Alison said: Development Fund (ARDF) in Saxon times and the way they wereused reflected “Wethink this might be its work to supportvictims of the great value placed on books and literacy. 28 October the first time aminister flooding in Myanmar. The Very Rev Adrian Dorber,Dean of Lichfield, has ever been licensed At the appeal launch, Bishop said: “Our partnership with the BritishMuseum is 1pm Lunchtime organ recitals at Bradford in apub! But it’s really Timsaid: “Jesus’ parable of the veryimportant to us, and was established during Cathedral. Sean Montgomery(Hebden appropriate inBen’s Good Samaritan teaches us to our ‘Holy Writ: modernJewish, Christian and Bridge). case. There’s no church look beyond our immediate Islamic calligraphy’ exhibition last year.It’s agreat 5.30pm The CanterburyFestival - Talks- Andrew building on Kingswood, horizons to find and help our honour to display items from the BritishMuseum, Lownie. Stalin’s Englishman: The Lives of so the new church will neighbours in need. This isan and we hope many people will come to see these Guy Burgess, Canterbury Cathedral Lodge. be meeting in pubs or opportunity to help those who artefacts whilst they’reondisplay here at the cafés.” arefleeing persecution and Cathedral.” natural disaster.” Both exhibitions will rununtil 31 January2016.

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NEWSIN Bishops await reply from BRIEF CTHE COLLEGEamerOF Bishops is awaitingonareplyovfrom Downingerour humanityrefuge,” he said. es Compassion UK leader to step Street ahead of its meetingnext week.Theywantthe Prime “Fromwhat we see in congregations across the United down Ministertorespond to their call forthe UK toacceptamini- Kingdom we areconfident that the countrystands ready and Ian Hamilton, CEO of Christian Child mum of 50,000 refugees over the next five years. willing to supportthe government to be even moreambitious Development charity,Compassion UK, The call came in aletter to Downing Street that was as it responds to this historic crisis,” the letter reads. is to step down from his role in June revealed at the weekend. Theyoffer theservices of asenior bishop to serve on a 2016. However,hewill be focusing on So far the Government has suggested it could accept 20,000 National Welcome and Resettlement Board, drawing on civic, his second role: working as Vice between now and 2020. corporate and government leadership. President for Compassion The letter says that the UK couldfeasibly resettle at least The letter asks for aresponse beforethe College of Bishops International EMEA. 10,000 people ayear for the next two years, inline with ‘com- meets in Oxfordnext week to spend time considering apracti- parable commitments’ made by other countries. cal response. Former Vicar appears at the Old According to the UNHCR, 600,000 migrants have entered The Rev Andy Wheeler,ofStSaviour’s Church, Guildford, Bailey the EU since the startof2016. writes that asecond discussion is needed to develop a‘bal- The trialofaformer Diocese of This week Dr RobertInnes, Bishop inEurope, wrote on his anced’ response to the refugee movement, which includes the Chichester clergyman for sexually blog of how ahomeless shelter housed in aChurchcrypt in recognition that refugees settling in Europe will have an assaulting young men and boys began Istanbul emptied overnight, with rumours circulating that a impact on its social and religious character. last week at the Old Bailey. better life could be had in Greece or NorthernEurope. “They andtheir children in time may well develop more crit- The Rev VickeryHouse(69), the Bishop Innes also described ascene of asmall church in ical attitudes to European society.Security services across former vicar of St Bartholomew’s, Zagreb, whereareader described local people offering Europe aremindful of the moreradical elements that could be Brighton, pleaded not guilty to eight clothes and shoes to relatively well-offrefugees as they head- partofthe migration,” he said. charges of indecent assault on 12 ed north from Croatia. With the development of the situation he warns that church- October. Speaking on behalf of the bishops, the Rt Rev Paul Butler, es will need to understand Islam, and ‘recognise that they In Januarylast year Sussex Police Bishop of Durham, said: “It is dishearteningthat we have not exist in apost-Christendomsituation that will requireacross- released astatement saying he had received any substantive reply” from the Prime Minister over cultural missionaryand evangelistic outlook’. been charged “following an the scale of the refugee movement. Wheeler writes that the Church is facing the temptation ‘to investigation by detectives from “The opportunity beforeusistorise above narrowself- naïveté’ if it refuses to face the economic and social challenges Sussex Police over the past 18 interest, however defined, and to embrace thehighest parts of of thedeveloping situation. months”. House of Handcross, West Sussex wasarrested in November 2012 and has been on bail pending the outcome of theinvestigation. Church focuses on challenges of rural church buildings He faces two charges of molesting a AMAJOR new reportiscall- The reportcalls on agement service. And it 15-year-old boy inDevon between ing for fresh thinking about the Government to supports therearrange- 1970 and 1971, and six charges how theChurchdeals with a recognise that the ment of parish and relating to young men in East Sussex hugenumber of ancient ChurchofEngland is benefice structures; between 1978 and 1985. buildings in the light of ‘shouldering the bur- such as the suggestion On the first day of trial, House declining attendance. den’ for 45 per cent of that asingle parish, or a admittedtohavinghad sexualcontact The Church Buildings its (and the country’s) multi-church benefice with aboy in Devonbut claimed it as Review reportexamines the Grade 1listed build- with asingle PCC, might consensual. The victim testified he situation and provides recom- ings without aconsis- offer amorecoherent had filedacomplaint against House in mendations as partofthe tent funding scheme, structurethan amulti- 2001, but no action appeared to have ‘Reformand Renew’ simplifi- and calls on aChurch parish benefice operat- been taken. cation proposals. and Government part- ing with several separate House was arrested in 2012 along The document revealsthat nership to explorelong PCCs. with former bishop Peter Ball as part in rural areas, three quarters termbuilding funding. The reportalso recom- of Operation Dunhillafter the Church of churches have aweekly The reportrecom- mends one single body of Englandpassed itssafeguarding attendance of fewer than 37 mends an amendment to take responsibility for files to the East Sussex police for people, half fewer than19, to the Parochial oversight of the Church review. and aquarter fewer than10. Church Councils (Pow- of England’s buildings. The trialcontinuesand is expected to Over 57 per cent of church- ers) Measure1956, takeuptothree weeks. es areinrural areas, where enabling the PCC, only 17 per cent of the popula- with diocesan con- Jurydismissed tion lives. sent, formallyto The judgepresidingover the trial at Nationally,the report says, transfer its careand the Bournemouth Crown Courtofa aquarter of the16,000 maintenance liability Us Lentstudy course 2016 retired Diocese of Salisburyvicar for churches have weekly atten- to another body,with allegedly groping afemale parishioner dance below 16, and further that body’s agree- Migration and movement has dismissed the juryafter it failed to analysis indicates that around ment. reach averdict. 2,000 have aweekly atten- The reportrecom- On 14 October the jurywas dance below 10. mends alternative dismissed after it could not reach a In consequencean‘Associ- arrangements for Afive-week course exploring migration and the global verdict in the trialofthe Rev Roy ation of Festival Churches’ building care, or com- movementofpeople, with stories from the Anglican Catchpole (69) who hadbeen charged has been recommended, munity trusts or with counts of sexual assault and one wheresome churches are parish councils to Churches in Brazil, Malawi, Myanmar and Zimbabwe. count of exposing himself to a only opened for special occa- have responsibility for Topics coveredinclude: economic migration, the plight parishioner. sions such as Christmas or local buildings. of refugees, human trafficking, and the displacement The prosecution alleges that for weddings. Awholesale ratio- between August 2013 and June 2014 The reportalsomentions nalisation of how of communities due to climatechange. Mr Catchpole visited the home of an proposals in the Simplifica- church buildings are Pre-order FREE copies of our study booklet or download: elderly female parishioner whilst tion Reportrecommending cared for,onthe www.weareUs.org.uk/lent serving as vicar of St Paul’s Church in ‘streamlining’ the process of parish, diocesan and Sherborne, Dorset. The victim claims church closure, and the national level, is also 020 7921 2200 that during these visits the vicar ChurchCommissioners’pro- proposed. [email protected] pulled down her pajama bottoms, posals to havefewer public It suggests abody touched her body andmade rude hearings, noting that the such as the Churches Us. The new name forUSPG comments. majority of closures do not Conservation Trust Registered charity number 234518 Mr Catchpole, who has since attract objections. could provide aman- retired, vigorously denied the charges.

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He suggested gave thosewho insulted him Primatesays ment arebetter responses to requirethem to emigrate. that their goal is to reconquer andreassessits apostasylaw; tolerance, Bishop Michael The new panel, chaired by lands lost to Islam: the Iberian the President of the USA adoption ‘not Nazir-Ali has said. theHome Secretary, met last peninsula, EasternEurope, needs to reassess the free The former Bishop of week for the first time. the Holy Land and India. pass he gives to SaudiArabia Rochester was speaking after Contradicting secularists He contested theview that on theissue of human rights, healthyfor being appointed to a20-mem- who argue that religion is a democracy alone would bring in waiving any report to the ber panel on community source of conflict, the bishop the required changes to the US Center for Religious Free- children’ engagement. claimed that religionhas been Middle East by recalling that dom. COMMENTS by the Primate of Nige- He said that ‘tolerance’ had asource for cohesion, bring- democracies had also needed Saudi allows no churches, ria that adoption isnot ‘healthy’ for led to the failed policy of mul- ing ways of living andorder to Magna Carta and Bills of no crosses and no Bibles. adoptedchildren have beendisputed ticulturalism and the emer- society,aswell as allowing Rights to prevent atyranny by He added that acounter-nar- by agencies working in the area. gence of ghettoes. ordinarypeople to challenge the majority and to ensure rative to Islamism was needed Comingdays ahead of National He suggested that abetter the‘powers that be’ through common citizen and basic from within Islam that can Adoption Week, the Primate, the policy would be requiring peo- its prophetic role. human rights for all. adapt its teachings to local sit- Most Rev Nicholas Okoh, told his dio- ple to learnEnglish, rather In ameeting chaired by The‘dhimmi’ status of non- uations. Thin so-called ‘British cese’s annual women’s conference: than spending public money Muslim MP Rehman Chishti, Muslims and sharia do not values arenot enough’. “The westernworld may want to printing leaflets in 17 lan- Bishop Nazir-Aliset the issue deliver those. And he warned that Emer- adopt people’s children but certainly guages. of extremism in ahistorical The Bishop arguedthat the gency Detention Orders must the child is not their own and infact It was, he said, for Muslims andglobal context. reopened British Embassy in only be given for reasons their influence on such children is not to decide the terms on which He said that it was an ideo- Tehran should focus on recognised in international going to be veryhealthy.” they would live herewith free- logical formofIslam that human rights issues and not law,such as incitement to vio- However,the Christian charity dom of belief. The question seeks to build an economic just the end of sanctions and lence or discrimination Barnardo’s said that adoption ‘pro- will then have to be faced and social programme irre- the nuclear deal; Pakistan against an individual or group, vides apermanent loving home for whether sharia should spective of time and place. needed to appreciate that the or subverting the basis of the child.’ become partofpublic law.If Thusthereare no purely local Prophet of Islam himself for- national life. Government research has long indi- cated that adoption is in many cases the best option for children in need. Aspokesman for Barnardo’s told us:“Barnardo’s has been anadoption Christian TV producer arrested in Egypt agency for nearly 70 years and over THE MIDDLE EAST Chris- threw out the charges, centred around current affairs, unlike al- that time we have been clear that, tian broadcaster Sat-7 is saying they werebased Jazeera. when in the best interests of the child, appealing for prayers after on alack of and/or incor- She toldusthat their local director, adoption provides apermanent loving their Egypt production office rect information. Farid Samir,isafamily man with three home for achild who would otherwise was raided last Saturday and TheCensorship children and this has “obviously been a be in care. their local director,Farid Department was given difficult time for him”. “Wework in partnershipwith local Samir,appeared in court. two weeks to review the She added that he had been doing the authorities in the UK to make this Hefaced four charges relat- case, during which time it same job for13yearsand never had any happen, as we help find families for ing to operating asatellite TV might either be with- concerns raised. Sat-7 is regarded as a children when the courts make adeci- channel without the neces- drawn or re-presented. trusted broadcaster in the Middle East, sion that adoption is the best plan for sarylicences. Rachel Fadipe, who rep- even although it is unashamedly Chris- the child.” The arrest and charges bore resents Sat-7 in the UK, tian in an overwhelmingly Muslim envi- To kick offNational Adoption Week, asimilarity to those laid said thatthe broadcaster ronment. Radio 4’s Sunday Morning Worship against the al-Jazeerajournal- “didn’t know why this has Egypt ishome to morethan half the will focus on the issue this week. ists. However,the SAT-7 Egypt office is a happened. We have enjoyed good rela- entireChristian population in the Middle The 8.10am broadcast will be pre- programme productionfacilityand not a tions with the Egyptian government. We East and there they havefreedom of wor- sented by Krish Kandiah, President of satellite broadcast centrefor any of the have been making programmes therefor ship. the London School ofTheology and SAT-7 channels. 13 years and never had anytrouble. Mrs Fadipe added: “Wewould ask for himself afoster and adoptive father. On Saturday officers from Egypt’s Cen- “This has been abig surprise for us.” your continued prayers.AsFarid Samir In the service he hears stories from sorship Department executed asearch She said that Sat-7 is aChristian broad- wrote on Sunday, we invite you to please all corners of the adoption triangle; warrant and confiscated computer equip- caster,basedinCyprus. The Egyptian ‘Unite with us in prayer so that we can Angela Frazer Wicks speaks of the ment and cameras. office simply makes programmes thatare complete our ministry-one based on circumstances that led to her losing When Mr Samir appeared in courton then transmitted from Cyprus, but even love and which aims to serveour beloved her two sons to adoption. Sunday the Public Prosecutor’s Office those it makes arenot political or even country[Egypt]’.” Rachel Gardiner and Alison Southall tell of their experience asadoptive mothers, and adopteesSam and Ashleyreflect on theeffect of their early life experiences on their later devel- WANT TO KNOW ASECRET? opment. What would you say if we told you that there wasasuccessful And the Rev Tamsin Merchant, business thatchooses not to advertise to thegeneral public? whose twosons came home last They refuse to advertise inthe biggest area where clients are year,reflects on the Biblical lookingtobuy their product.Soundscrazy, Iknow,but itworks. metaphorasGod asanAdoptive Father. This business will only supply their product to the Clergy,Church “Tooold at 4?” is the question membersand to registered Charities, sorry general raised by thisyear’s National public, go visitthe cowboys! They do however supplythe very AdoptionWeek (19-25 October). best product, and workreallyhard to keepyour costs as low as It aims to find homes for children possibleevery single time. They offer apersonalbespoke who areinsibling groups or who service, and readers suchasyourself have given them a99% havecomplex needs. customersatisfaction rating. One of the contributors to the Radio4service says in the broad- This business is called Priory Automotive,and they supply the cast:“Drink and drugs and par- highest quality of hand-picked usedmotors cars that you will find ents being unable to carefor anywhere. They are notjustanothercar dealer; theywantto theirchildren still formahuge assist abandofpeople that they can relate to, and who part of the reasonswhy children appreciate theirgreatlevel of service. Priory is virtuallyunknown comeinto careand why some of outside Church circles and,you know what, thatsuits them them need to be adopted.” just fine. Jeanne Kaniuk, director of the country’s oldest children’s chari- As aCEN reader,theycan offer you totally independentand ty,Coram, adds: “Wedoneed friendly advice and they also have avery clear ‘No Hidden more adopters but they do need Costs’ policy,even including freedelivery directly to your to bepeople who understand that doorstep. these children have hadapoor Please call 0114 2559696 startinlife and will need addi- or visitwww.prioryautomotive.com tionalqualities of love and care.”

Online at www.churchnewspaper.com: Get all the breakingnews stories as they happen NEWS Friday October 23, 2015 www.churchnewspaper.com 5 Conference cancelled

GaTHE ARCHBISHOPfconleaof Canderterburyhstas persuadedoatttheenlead-dLTheamChurchbeof Nigeriath suhad earmmlier declinedit to send its pri- over fearsofISIS attack ers of the Global South and Gafcon movementtoaccept his mate,Archbishop Nicholas Okoh to theTunisian meeting, FEARS of an attack mamat wherewe invitation to agathering of the primates of the Anglican after its government warned of potential terrorattacks by ISIS terrorists has planned to hold the Communion next January. against the archbishops’ gathering. prompted the conference.” In astatement released on 18 October following athree- In its CairoCommuniqué, the Global South leaders said Tunisian government On 8October acar day meeting inCairo, the conservative coalition of arch- they wanted the primatestoaddress the problemscaused to cancel the Sixth driven by Ridha bishops said: “Westudiedthe letter of invitation from the by theAmerican and Canadian Churches. South to South Angli- Charfeddine, a ArchbishopofCanterburytothe upcoming Primates meet- “Wegrieved one moretime at the unilateraldecisions can Conference Tunisian member of ing. We haveagreed to attend the meeting,and welcome taken by the last General Convention of the Episcopal scheduled for 12-15 parliament and the invitation for the Primates to suggest the itemsofthe Church (TEC) in the USA to redefine marriage and to October in Carthage. prominent business- agenda. accept same-sex marriages (Resolutions A036 and A054). Approximately 125 man, was attacked by “We appreciate this veryhelpful approach, one that gives We see these latest resolutions asaclear departurefrom Anglican leaders gunmen in Sousse. us asenseofownership andresponsibilitytoour meeting. not only theaccepted traditional teaching of the Anglican from Africa, Asia, and While his car was hit, We agreed on the agenda items whichwewill request.” Communion, but also from that of the one Holy,Universal, theAmericas and the Mr Charfeddine, a Sources familiar with the deliberations tell The Church of and Apostolic Church, which upholds the scriptural view of Archbishop of Can- member of President England Newspaper the first agenda item proposed by con- marriage between one man and one woman.” terburyweresched- Beji Caid Essebsi’s servatives will be aCommunion-wide response to the Joining Archbishop Welby and Dr Anis at the meeting uled to meet at a secular Nidaa Tounes recent actions of the Episcopal Churchand Anglican heldatAll Saints CathedralinCairowere: Foley Beach, resortnear Tunis Party,was able to Church of Canada in changing the received doctrine and Archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America; when organisers escape unharmed. discipline of the churchonissues surrounding homosexual- Henri Isingoma, Archbishop of the Congo; Stephen Kazim- wrote to participants In July, 38 people, ity. ba, Bishop of Mityana, representing Uganda; Ezekiel on 10 October saying mostly British Archbishop Justin Welby attended the finalday of the Kondo, Archbishop of Khartoum representing Sudan and the meeting had been tourists, werekilled meeting, which had originally been scheduled for the side- South Sudan; Bolly Lapok, Archbishop of Southeast Asia; cancelled. by agunman while lines of the Sixth Global South to South meeting in BernardNtahoturi, Archbishop of Burundi; Onesphore The Archbishop of two men attacked the Carthage. Rwaje, Archbishop ofRwanda; Stephen Than Myint Oo, the Episcopal Church Bardo Museum in Last week the chairman of the Global South Steering Archbishop of Myanmar; Eliud Wabukala, Archbishop of in Jerusalem and the Tunis earlier this Committee, ArchbishopMouneer Anis of Egyptcancelled Kenya; John Chew,retired Archbishop of Southeast Asia Middle East, the year,killing 22 peo- the Carthage gathering after the Tunisian government said and member of the Global South Steering Committee; Azad Most Rev Mouneer ple, most of them it could not guarantee the safety of participants in light of Marshall, Bishop in Iran; and Bill Atwood, Bishop of the Anis told participants tourists. the presence of ISIS terrorists in the region. International Diocese of theACNA. the “Tunisian govern- TheTunisian affili- mentinformed me ate of the Islamic only this morning State claimed respon- thatthe securitysitu- sibility for the two ation in Tunisia at the attacks. Bishop tells Synod: ‘Don’t be afraid of change’ moment does not Dr Anis wrote: “I journey,” he said. allow holding the feel verysad howev- He told the Synod: “Change is akey conference at this er Ithinkitiswise to partofthe Christian faith. It’s at the time. listen to the security.” heartofwho we areand what we “This morning an The conference has believe. Just look around thisHall and attempt of assassina- been rescheduled for see all the change that’s taking place tionhappened by a October 2016 at a all thetime. Every day we’recalled to terrorist group in the location as yet undis- be convertedtoChrist, turn away from same district of Ham- closed. sin and turnto God. Everyday we open our- selves to the pos- sibility of transformation. That’s why all Christians arefull of joy and hope everyday.” The“biggest problem that By George Conger fraternal delegates from non-Catholic faces” the THE BISHOP of Trurourged the Churches to offer an “intervention” or Church of Eng- Fourteenth OrdinaryGeneral Assem- address. land “isthat we, blyofthe Synod of Bishops of the He presented the greetings of the as Christians, Roman Catholic Church not to fear Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin appear irrelevant change. Welby,who “wanted me to tellyou that to manypeople. However,henoted the Anglican the Anglican Communion sees the We appear dull, Communion had notchanged its fun- family as foundational to and in our boring and lack- damental teaching on the natureof society and hasn’t changed its under- ing in any sense Christian marriage and family. standing of traditional marriage. of joy or hope.” The Rt Rev TimThornton offered an “Within the Anglican Communion Thechurch Anglican perspective on the confer- we sharethe same issues as you do should be pre- ence theme of “the vocation and mis- and many of the conversations and pared to change sion of the family in the Churchand in interventions Ihave heardhereare and grow as it the contemporaryworld,” to the bish- identical or similar to conversations walks alongside ops gathered from 4-25 Octobermeet- with my fellow bishops within the “families as they ing in the Synod Hall in the Paul VI Communion.” change, grow and Audience Hall in the Vatican. The “first partofthe Instrumentum mature.” The “Synod on the Family” has wit- Laboris”, the synod working document He concluded nessed clashes between liberal and was “too focussed onthe negative his remarks by conservative factions over the aspects of family life. Thereismuch noting: “Ifweare Church’s teaching on divorce and joy in families and family life and much joyful, mature remarriage.Progressives areseeking to celebrate,” he said. Christian disci- to change theChurch’s discipline on “A keypartoffamilies is thatthey ples we will not allowing divorced and remarried change. Whenever you’reprivileged to be afraid or over Catholics to receive the Eucharist. be apartofafamilyinits journey as a anxious about the Conservatives have argued that this pastor you’reseeing asnapshot, a changes that are would constitute achange in doctrine moment in time which has both ahis- happening to and is unacceptable to the Catholic toryand afuture. We see aglimpse each one of us as faith. and don’t alwaysfully understand, nor well as to families On the morning of 16 October Bish- should we be given the privilege of all around the op Thornton was one of anumber of being with the family throughout its world.”

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wherelife-spans wereshortand Responsible stewardship needed girls married offat14. Sir,Once again Andrew Carey (A wrong approach on climate Christianity is an incarnational LETTERS change, 16 October) parades his climate change scepticism and religion, so we need to ask TO contemptuously dismisses the scientific consensus as urgently whether sex outside scaremongering. He downplays the consequences of global marriage is always wrong, warming. He sees climate change as apotential rather than seeing that pre-nuptial co- THE actual threat to humanity and certainlynot as urgent or life habitation is commonplace EDITOR threatening as poverty or war. today,even among couples He misrepresents and derides the Bishop of Salisbury’s intending aChristian marriage. comment about therefugee crisis. The point surely is that the Unlikethose ‘grandmothers Syrian conflict has created intolerable living conditions andso of impeccable orthodoxy’, and caused arefugee crisis and mass migration. In the futurewe unlike Jesus who declared that risk much greater refugee crises when the effects of climate the Sabbath was made for man, change such as coastal flooding through rising sea levels and he seems strangely indifferent the spread of desertareas costs the poorest their livelihoods. to human flourishing. That will trigger another tragic rise in the number of migrants Defending the integrity and seeking to flee from the growing poverty caused by worth of agay grandchild does Repentance environmental degradation. not amounttopromoting Sir, In regard to Peter Mullen’s “Handle with Andrew disputes that the scientific evidence is clear and homosexuality as the norm, let Care…” (9 October), I’ll do mybest. overwhelming, claiming that thereismuch less certainty in the alone the gold standard. It Hebelieves that ‘we arepunishedfor oursins’ computer models predicting runaway warming than activists comes from agraceful but makesituncertain whether Godentersinas would have us believe. Butthese predictions arebased on three acceptance of the ‘is’-ness of judge (no ‘thundering Iain Paisley-typeGod’) or majorindependent models by leading teams of scientists and God’s creation, wheresome

3RX. whether punishmentcomesassome kind of thereisahigh degreeofconfidence in the modelling. drop ‘Far From the Tree’ naturalconsequence? Apartfrom the usual It is simply not true to say that the conclusions are (Andrew Solomon 2013). propositional Christianbeliefs,heholds the unprovable and worthless. Thefact is that scientific confidence As George Eliot said, we do reservation that, ‘I hope [God]will have mercy in the data and themodelling has greatly increased. Thereare not adequately recognise the

SW1P onme,asinner.’ amplewarnings in the increasing concentration of carbon heroism of people who do their It seemstomethat these questions boil down dioxideinthe atmosphereand the temperaturerise of 0.85°C best with the cards life has to how wearticulate the gospel? Let’s think since 1880. dealt them. morality and justice.Whatisfundamentalisthat Facing thechallenge of climate change requires bold global ‘Ubi caritas, deus est’ (1 Jn. God loves you andsohe becomesangry with me initiatives, not least at the Paris summit. Difficult choices must 4:7). The Biblefailstodojustice

ondon, forthe harm that Icausedyou;and God loves bemade. Transition to lower carbon energy is partofthe to the loving, same-sex me, so he is angrywithyou forthe badthings solution. But pursuing economic growth as the top priorityand relationships that areevident in

,L you saidabout me. ForGod is thejudge between as the solution to these problems is arecipe for disaster.Itwill themodernworld, much as it one personand another. result in doing toolittle too late and our grandchildren will pay fails to spell out the injusticeof In Jesus’measure-for-measure Iought to suffer the price. slavery. One needs to read it in thesame kind of lossesthat Icausedothers.That CEN readers deserve better that this. When will we get a its entirety,ifone is to make out is what Ideserve,andthe pain of paybackis balanced view of these issues rather that the biased and ill- the wood for the trees. meant to bring us to therealisation of the harm informed views of columnists such as Andrew Carey? Only then The grandmother of Howard stminster edited wedid for a meaningfulapologytothose whose will we face up to theissues and exercise responsible Thomas, Martin Luther King’s worthwediscounted. That isthe paybackunder stewardship of our Godgiven creation. spiritual adviser,refused even be We God, whichwecallretribution (Jesusused the Canon Dr Peter Capon, to read the passage where scrapheap of Gehenna as hispowerful metaphor Manchester slaves aretold to obey their

may fortheunrepentant). masters, as it simply did not Butretribution, though deserved, canbevery tallywith her understanding of destructive(think of therich man onthe rubbish my life, as books published by (16 October). This biblically God’s love. Washer Street, heap forhis unfeelingand unrepented neglect of me will confirm. In one authentic -thereforeGod- understandable rebellion @churchnewspaper Letters thecripple Lazarusinthe parable;aparable published in 2006, entitled inspired -article was atonic to diabolical?

at aboutsocial distributive justice,bythe way).That Evangelical and Evolving Ihave read and clearly illustrates how Whereas the Pope oncesaid

NB: is whyJesus paid for us instead in his suffering six pages on my convictions as far those, who arecontinually “WhoamItojudge?” the priest

eet andGod-abandonment. His paymentsubstituted aChristian heterosexual who pushing the “gay agenda”, have isquick to advocate the College for our duepayback. aims to interpret and apply wandered from the revealed expulsion of any unrepentant Tw So on thejust basis that ourmutualmoral Scripturetoanissue we face guidance of God and, in the Christians in asame-sex debts have now been paid for, God offers us today,which Ibelieve is not “redefinition” of marriage, have partnerships or civil marriages, reat address. mercywith the urge to repent. As PeterMullen exactly as it was in the times of reflected complete disdain for and to blame their supporters .com. says, ourrepentance is part of our commitment the biblical writers. God’s plan in making us male for unconsciously leading 4G in faith. Thedisciples (especially Peter, the Idowant to follow Paul in and female. people astray.Their advocacy is treet denier) were commissioned to preachrepentance Romans 12 and 13 and TheBible unambiguously so heinous, in his eyes, that ,1 as and tell aboutforgiveness in the nameofChrist. Ephesians 4ashewrites to proscribes same-sex activity they deserve to have millstones We areofferedmercy and so wemay ‘boldly Christians who differ in their and human biology illustrates tied round their necks. He approachthe throne of grace to receive mercy understanding of God’s will. its un-naturalness, thereforeit would be unlikely,therefore, to and grace to helpintimeofneed’, Heb 4: 16. The Rev Canon Colin is difficult to understand those be able to see God at work in a

include What action ofjustice remainsforusto do is to Craston, who claim discipleship and partnered household, with make good where we can (think ofZacchaeus Bolton yet wilfully ignorethese two three, badly-damaged, adopted and his repayment of histaxswindles) and to incontestable facts. Perhaps the siblings, and two rescue dogs. Newspaper sincerelyapologise to thosewhohavemoral Splendid article “Shared Conversations” will It is some comforttorecall that please claimsagainstus. We may saywith KarlBarth, Sir,Can you pass on my eventually shed light here? Jesus was himself accused of following Paul,(Barth’s Epistle to the Romans) congratulations and thanks to ‘a In the meantime it would be being in league with Beelzebub ‘Godaccepts the unacceptable’. priest in the Northernprovince’ nice to see less drum-beating when he went about healing. letters@churchnewspaper Dr A Latham who wrote the article about for homosexual activity and UnlikePaul Tillich, who e-mail, England to Middlewich,Cheshire ‘Grafting in Homosexuals’ (16 moresupportfor those preached “Accept that you are

by October). What asplendid and Christians who have same-sex accepted” as astarting point, of thorough deconstruction of all attraction and yet -inorder to the priest’s approach is more

ers Changingtimes liberal arguments that remainfaithful to God’s likely to keep many at arms E-mail Sir, Iamnotunwilling homosexual practice teaching -have forsworn length from their Saviour.

lett toindicate my is compatible with abnormal sexual relations. However,wherewedisagree, an

Church authorship of Scripture. Alan Minchin, let us do so gracefully,lest we convictions on the Martin Down Stratfordupon Avon further empty many churches. homosexualityissue Viaemail Our rallying principle should be send The

sending inresponse to the –inessentials unity,indoubtful anonymous article matters freedom, in all things

to Judging can

are “AreGayPeople Authentic Sir,The anguished priest ‘from love’. ‘Grafted In’?” (16 Sir,Congratulations the northernprovince’ gave no Serena Lancaster, ite you October). and thanks for indication of his maritalstatus Moreton-in-Marsh, Glos. you I have been in the publishing“Aregay or life experience. He appears If Wr or evangelical traditionall people ‘graftedin’?” to inhabit apre-pillworld,

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Christianity disappearing through violence and indifference Celebratingone whoAllhas died. TheySoufear an awkwarlsdscene: Lapido Media reported recently that Christianity is set to he might burst into tears. But this is just the disappear from Iraq within five years. David Alton in the House of PETER time when your bereaved friend needs you –to Lords launched areport Persecuted and Forgotten?,bythe charity MULLEN remember the deceased with joy. Aid to the Church in Need. Thisreportsays that unless Soon it will be All Souls, the day on which for a By speaking openly and plainly of the dead, emergency helponamassivescale is given from the outside thousand years Christians have remembered the grief is transformed into thanksgiving for the life world, native Iraqi Christianitywill be extinguished, suchisthe names of those whom we love but see no longer. you shared with your loved one. level of violent hatred and ethnic cleansing being unleashed on the Whereare they precisely? And what formdo The bereaved person will be alone for long veryancient Christian community in Iraq. And the world looks on, theyhave now that they have shuffled offthis stretches. It’s not always for the best to search for some reason tacitly approving of this genocide, or feeling it mortalcoil? for diversions: the merry widow is, after all, a would be somehow offensivetothe persecutors to object. When we die we leave the earthbound realm famously comic character.But in the solitariness Patrick Sookhdeo’s heroic BarnabasTrust has been declaring of time and space. So when we ask whereour of your own room, take out the old holiday this truth for some years now,largely ignored by theChurches in mother is who has died, or our wife or husband photographs and look back over the life you the UK, especially the establishment. This collusionwith or child,weare speaking analogically.AsSt shared. Give thanks for that life. Pray for the persecution, or the strange determination to be bystanders to the Augustine taught us, when God made theworld repose of the soul of the one who has died. Talk violence visited on the Body of Christ, to use the words of Neville he made time and space with it. When we die we outloud to that person if you like. Chamberlain about the Czechs of the Sudetenland, because of a leave this temporal plane and pass into the This is perfectly normal andanatural, loving quarrelinafar away countrybetween people of whom we know eternal –into what the church calls thenearer thing to do –for remember both living and dead nothing. That could describe the European Church attitude to the presence of God. arestill in the presence of the one God. Iraqi faithful. Find comfortinthe knowledge that our When will Iget over it?Ifyou listen to the In fact British troops in Basra oversaw the takeover by very apparent separation from them is only apparent. predatorygrief counsellors, thereisatechnique hard-line Islamists of its cultureand action againstthe large Thereisthe church on earth and the church in for getting over it –the so-called four stages of Christian minority.Wedohavemuch to do with the horrornow heaven. OurLordsaid to the penitent thief: ‘This unfolding on the Christians of Iraqand werethereatthe inception day thou shalt be with me in Paradise’. The of genocide. Letter to theHebrews says lovingly,consolingly, At the same timewehear thatmany rural parishes in England ‘Seeing we arecompassed about by so great a areclose toextinctioninterms of church attendance and support. cloud of witnesses’. The living and the dead are This is now so low in many country areas that asuggestionisto bothalike in the presence of God. hold services only on some key festivals like Harvest, Christmas Youcan really believe thatyour loved ones and Easter.One ofour left wing clerical commentators has have being and that they aresafe. Youcan know concluded that churches and land be sold and developed for this because Jesus Christpromised it in some of housing. While hand-wringing is no doubtunder way,whatare the the most tender words in theGospel: plans for evangelising such parisheswith the message of the ‘Let notyour heartbetroubled: ye believe in Gospel in adetermined efforttorenew parish life? God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house Inour post-Christendomsociety,asLesslie Newbigin so tellingly aremany mansions: if it werenot so, Iwould wrote, indifference is perhaps even moretoxic to the faith than have told you. Igoto prepareaplace for you. violent persecution. This is essentially the message of theLordto And if Igoand prepareaplace for you, Iwill the Church in Laodicea, Revelation 3:15, to achurch that is come again and receive you unto myself; that indifferent, being neither hot nor cold, and so making the Lord of whereIam, thereyemay be also’. theChurches wish to vomit. What is the remedy to cynical, cold That coming which Our Lordpromises indifference to Christ crucified and risen, and to the savage happens to each one of us when it is our turnto persecution –another theme of Revelation -daily crushing Iraqi die, to step outside time and space and to put and other Middle EasternChristians? our hands into the hands of Jesus who once In our spiritual weakness we know little, but we can and should strode out to Calvaryfor us. pray and give. Amonthly standing order to the Barnabas Trust At death we enter into the fullness of beauty. and its work would be astart, and using its prayer diaryanother. This is no business of mouldy earth and the Prayer forapparently dying parishes may sound apoor excuse for rotting shroud. Hear thepromise of St John the action, but is far from that: ordinary basic Christians know that Divine: praying is putting one’s will into the will of the Father and ‘And he showed me apureriver of the water of somehow cooperating with his desires and intentions. life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of theLamb. In themidst of the street of it and on either side of theriver was therethe tree of life…’ TheChurch of England Newspaper Also we enter into agreater goodness, into withCelebratemagazine incorporating TheRecordand Christian Week perfect love: Published by Political and Religious Intelligence Ltd. ‘And Godshall wipe away all tears from their Company Number: 3176742 eyes; and thereshall be no moredeath, neither Publisher:Keith Young MBE sorrow, nor crying, neither shall therebeany morepain:for the former things have passed grief. It’s rubbish. Hurtful. Inhuman. The true away’. answer is: Youwill never get over it. PublishingDirector &Editor:CMBLAKELY 020 7222 8700 It is not the dead who have passed away.Itis What would it say aboutthe life you had ChiefCorrespondent: TheRev Canon GEORGE CONGER 00 10772 332 2604 the temporal bonds and restrictions, time and shared for years if you could somehow exorcise Reporter:JOMAY 020 7222 8700 space, pain and crying and death itself that have it and set it aside? Youcannot get over it, but by passed away.Sowhen you grieve for your your prayers, your tender recollections and your Advertising: CHRISTURNER020 7222 2018 departed, don’t feel sorry for them. They are thanksgiving for the life you had together,you Advertising &Editorial Assistant: PENNY NAIR PRICE 020 7222 2018 safe. And you have God’s promise that you will can turnyour sorrowinto something wholesome see them again. and strong. Subscriptions &Finance:DELIA ROBINSON 020 7222 2018 When someone near to usdies, we have to Bereaved people feel guilty.Wewring our GraphicDesigner: PETER MAY020 7222 8700 organise thefuneral. Many bereaved people tell hands: Icould have done morefor her. And then me that they hope they won’t break down at the thereare the bitter recollections of, as Eliot says: Theacceptance of advertising does not necessarily indicate funeral. But that is what the funeral is for.You ‘Things ill done and done to others’ harmwhich endorsement. Photographs and other materialsent forpublication should not stifle your feelings. If you tryto once we tookfor exercise of virtue’. aresubmitted at theowner’srisk. TheChurchofEnglandNewspaper does strangle your grief, it will come back and haunt Of course you will feel guilty because you had notacceptresponsibility forany material lost or damaged. you for along time to come and in all sorts of that rowand now you can’t say sorry.But you Christian Weekly NewspapersTrustees: Robert Leach(020 8224 5696), unhelpful and neurotic ways. can say sorry!Doit then! And makethe LordCarey of Clifton, TheRtRev Michael Nazir-Ali, TheRtRev Pete Broadbent, The bereaved find thatother people, friends recollection of the unhappy times partofyour Dr Elaine Storkey, TheRev CindyKent and family,are agreat comfortatthe funeral. daily confession of sins to your Heavenly Father. They rally round. In the days after the St Paul puts it plainly: ‘I am persuaded that TheChurch of England Newspaper, bereavement, they make surethat the bereft is neither death nor life, nor angels, nor Political and Religious Intelligence Ltd not left alone. But the pain and shock starts after principalities, nor powers, nor things present, 14 GreatCollegeStreet,London,SW1P3RX the funeral. nor things to come; nor height nor depth, nor Editorial e-mail: [email protected] Friends, having done their bit, areanxious to any other creatureshall be able to separate us Advertising e-mail: [email protected] draw aline and, in that tacky media phrase, to from the love of God,which is in Christ Jesus Subscriptions e-mail: [email protected] move on. They areembarrassed. They thinkthe Our Lord’. bereaved person will not like to talk about the Website:www.churchnewspaper.com

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By Jo May which he says has often been interpreted in the lightof of the Bible in acontemporarysocio-economic, New pecontemporarrsyconceprnsoroebsessions.ctivepoliticalsand religiousosetting, withna The Bishop of Worcester,the Rt Rev Dr John Inge, told Described as ‘Cutting Edge Theology’, is particular focus on its impact on the gay us that he started reading the Bible as aboy,having Walter Brueggemann’s Texts under community. been inspired and greatly impressed by St Paul’s Negotiation: The Bible and Postmodern The main thesis of the book is that writings, which he’d heardduring services at school. Imagination.The book hasbeen described reading the Bible from aLBGT On Bible reading, John said: “Bishop TomWright as ‘a passionate call for abold restructuring perspective changes the readers reminds us that we have two great ecumenical of the imagination of faith in our interpretation. instruments -Baptism and the Bible, and Christians postmoderncontext’. Contributors from evangelical studying the scriptures together is agoodcontribution The book sets out sixexamples where denominations come together to offer to that unity for which Christ prayed. new interpretations of the texts havebeen perspectives in the NIV Zondervan “It’sareal challenge to makethe Bible appeal to applied, as he believes the Bible should be Study Bible,edited by Trinity people today.Weliveinaculturethat is less and less understood in the context of amodern Evangelical Divinity School research oriented to the written word-people expect sound interpretation, describing liturgical reading professor,DrDACarson. bites or images,” he said. and worship as “a place wherepeople come TimKeller,Kevin DeYoung and BishopJohnisn’t the only one who believes this. The to receive new materials, or old materials Bruce Waltke contribute to this single- problem with modernBible translations is out-of- freshly voiced, which will fund, feed, column formatted Bible guide, context literal paraphrasing, so theologian Rodney nurture, nourish, legitimate, and authorize a complete with photos, articles and Hume advocates. He addresses this with adetailed counterimagination of the world.” 20,000 verse-by-verse study notes. look into fourseparate texts (with four separate The Gender Theorist and Senior Lecturer Difficult Gospel: The Theology of editions). He looks at Paul’s letter to theGalatians in in Biblical Hermeneutics at Birmingham’s Rowan Williams is abook aiming to unpick the contextofthe first century, Colossians and Department of Theologyand Religion has followed the the ‘complex anddifficult’ writings of the former Ephesians, and ‘Reading throughRomans’, avoiding theme of ‘lesbian identified hermeneutics’, with the Archbishop of Canterbury. Thebook looks at the ‘entering intotheologicalcontroversy’, plainly reading morecontroversial Queer Bible Commentary. themes of his theology and how they link back to his the text and rebuffing any attempttopick and choose Co-authors RobertGoss and Mona West have reading of the Bible. Anglican theologian and author your way through the Lettertosupportamodern, brought together scholars and pastors to examine new Mike Higton, says none of Williams’s views can be sociological perspective. angles of approach to thetexts, covering themes such summarised easily. Humesays this is particularly necessaryfor Romans, as gay ancestrywithin the Bibleand looking at the use In Evangelical Faith and the Challenge of Historical What are you reading today? CWR’sdaily Biblereading noteshelpmakeGod’sWord relevant to life each daywithpassion,humourand insight.The Bibleislifechanging, so whynot challenge yourself to read it everyday. Startyourjourney today visit www.cwr.org.uk/subscriptions or call 01252784 700 To take advantage of this specialoffer enterorquote thecode SUBS12

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Criticism,authors Christopher makeaccessible reading,with aretelling of Jesus’ storyacross 25 BibHaylsaend ChristopherrAnsberery conatributionsdacross ing tseparateoredadings. Theabook ofyfers an engaging and say that through their book, three themes, relevant way in to understanding Christian faith for examining historical-critical covering children and teenagers. Author Lucy Mooreisthe scholarship,they want to show Mythological and Bible ReadingFellowship’s Messy Church Team thatnot all historical view Contemporary issues Leader,responsible for developing the work of Messy pointslead to heresy: “You can in African theology Church nationally and internationally.She founded be orthodox and ahistorical and ‘The Church in Messy Church in her own church. critic,” and secondly to show the World’. Voices for today is Alison EConway’s guide to thatevangelicals should be at Authors contribute ‘thought provoking’ ideas for SecondaryREand the forefront of adiscussion to writings on the Citizenship. The book is set out into 12 units, helpshape challenges exploring religious and social issues, complete with critical of lesson ideas, teacher’s notes and student activity scholarship. ecumenism sheets. “Instead of defending one historical in African Be suretoalso take alookatthe criticalperspective or repudiating Christianity Biblos another,inthis book we wanted to today,the Secondary trace out what would be the significance Teachers theological consequences of various of Handbook for historical critical perspectives. What translated Scriptures in Africa, further teaching happens to the faith if, say,NT theological reflections from and the guidance, which Wright is right about Jesus? Are problem of evil and suffering: includes thingsdifferent if Dale ‘theological reflections from an African chapters on Allison is right, or if GerdThiessen is perspective’. Theologians Kwame syllabus right?” ask the authors. Bediako, Benezet Bujo, Philomena requirements In Diane BStinton’s African Mwara and Isabel Phiri feature. and notes on the Theology on theWay: Current Messy Readings: The Jesus Story, is Bible narratives. Conversations,Africantheologians aimed at helping children enjoy Bible

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CWReisvin theemidstrof ydincludingaHOPE,y24-7 liffamilye,but alsoaoffernawided relationships celebrating its 50th year of Prayer,Neighbourhood range of valuable and ministrytothe Church. The Prayer Network, inspiring seminars and vision of one man, Selwyn Evangelical Alliance and shortcourses, covering Hughes, has grown into a Gather.Awide range of free areas such as Christian diverse and international online supportresources Counselling, Bible ministry. The organisation weremade available, Discovery, Life & is partiallyfunded by including aspecially written Discipleship and Pastoral charitable giving, which has booklet called Why Pray? Care. This has led to CWR enabled thousands of people written by the Rev Canon establishing Waverley to understand and apply J.John, which is now in the Abbey College, enabling God’s Word to everyday life hands of tensofthousands students to achieve a and relationships. of people. Bachelor or Master degree Recently,tomark this Across the world, CWR is in Christian Counselling. 50th anniversary, CWR renowned for its popular Whether through a looked to their rich heritage devotional Bible reading published resource, Church of prayer and developed the notes EveryDay withJesus, programme, training course National Prayer Weekend which werefirst written by or hiring out the beautiful initiative. During this event, Selwyn in 1965. Since then, grounds that CWR are over 1,300 churches, groups prayer and Biblereading blessed to work in, the and individuals participated, continue to be at the heart ministrystrives to serve the inviting their communities of CWR’s ministry. Church, the nation and the to join together in prayer. Nevertheless, today,CWR wider world. In preparation for the not only publish daily For moreinformation, event, CWR worked with devotionals, books, media please visit the website churches and organisations resources and Church www.cwr.org.uk or call all over the country, Programmes for the whole 01252 784 700.

/NIVBibles UPDATED ANGLICISEN D EDITION hodderbibles.co.o.ukuk HARDBACK 9781444792935 | LEATATHEERR 978114444447792942

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The income of the working poor,especially families with children, has been subsidised for decades. In spite of aminimum wage, and now a‘living wage’, thereisstill aneed for those with the lowest income to receive support. Andrew Carey It may well be that in acapitalist economy the most perverse inequities will always have to be countered by some mechanism of redistribution. Beforethe welfarestate cameinto being the View from the Pew working poor received charitable handouts andlived in workhouses. It seems possible that the House of Lords may provide a humiliating brake in George Osborne’s strategy but this may in fact help the government to find abetter solution to the working tax credit crisis. The other episcopal intervention is the letter to the Prime Minister by 84 bishops, excluding the two Archbishops, calling for thegovernment to accept 50,000 refugees rather than the Bishops versus the government’s number of 20,000. This is apuzzling letter in that one might have thought that at least some of the bishops might have resisted conjuring up an arbitrarynumber out of the air. They write: “Webelieve that such is this country’s great tradition of sanctuaryand generosity of spirit that we could feasibly resettle at least 10,000 people ayear for the next two Government years, rising to aminimum of50,000 in total over the five year period.” They continue: “Such anumber would bring us into line with comparable commitments made by other countries. It wouldbea meaningful and substantial response to the scale of human suffering we see daily.” Firstly,they arerightthat the government should seriously consider resettling tens of thousands of asylumseekers from Syria. But itisdifficult to justifywhy the bishops have abetter number thanthe government. Why didthey think 50,000 is in line with other countries, when it looks like Germany is likely toaccept anything up to one million? By comparison even their slightly inflated number looks derisory and completely random. The point is that it is nonsensical to comeupwith such specific numbers whenyou arenot in charge ofdealing with the overall task of resettling refugees. And of course, the bishops conveniently forget that last year net migration into the UK reached nearly 300,000. When the bishops assume they have the public on their side they might first ask some of their parishionerswhether they arecontent with the fact that the UK will need to build the equivalent of three cities the size of Birmingham over the next five years. And this is based purely on last year’s migration statistics. On the other hand, the Bishops areright in certain respects. They areright to want the government, the international Interestingly,the Bishops of theChurch of families could be better off, when they areable community and in fact everyone to do more. But the resolution of England aremaking two interventions at to get moreworking hours or when the so-called thiscrisis is not likely to end with the resettlement of millionsof present. The first is in joining with abroad living wage reaches acertain level. Syrians from the conflict zone: it is acessation of violence through campaign aimed at forcing the government to In the meantime, those families may have military means. rethink tax credit cuts that will leave many missed mortgage payments or rent deadlines And the only way forward now is the defeat of terrorgroups like working families struggling in the years ahead. and perhaps lost theirhomes. Islamic State, which currently control territoryincountries like Thereare verymany political conservatives The government is right to insist that the bill Syria, Iraq and Libya. Therewill also have to be military who also believe the changes to working tax for working tax credits is unsustainable and that established credible alternatives to Assad’s regime in order to credits at this time will leave some of the employers arebeing subsidised to pay low pave the way for areturnofstable democracy to Syria. poorest families out of pocket. Government wages in an entirely unfeasible way.But the The bishops may not have felt comfortable calling for further noises that the changes should be seen in the government must also realise that supportofthe militaryintervention but thereisnoother way of dealing with the round arecavalier because they only assume low paid is one of the principles of the welfare savageryofISIL. that at some point inthe near futurethese state.

LIZ HOARE thespiritualdiByrtheeRevDcrLtizoHoarer

Jesus said to [Bartimaeus]:‘What do you want me to do The next sequence in the storyisilluminating. First, articulate our deepest desirefor ourselves. for you? (Mark 10:51) Jesusstood still and waited, the crowd told Bartimaeus Had Bartimaeus really thought about the thathewas waiting for him andBartimaeus himself consequences of receiving his sight back? Things Sometimes it seems that Jesus asks rather obvious threw offhis cloak and rushed up to Jesus. would never be the same again for him. He would not questions, such when he took acoinwith the Imagine the Lordofthe universe stopping what he is be able to sit at the gate andbeg but instead would emperor’s head inscribed on it and asked ‘Whose doing to wait for you and giving you an invitation to have to find away of earning his living as an able- inscription is this?’ At other times he asks what sound come. Hereisdivine hospitality extended so bodied person. To get what he wanted most would be to be obscurequestions such as the one he put to the graciously,Jesus making space for ablind beggar. wonderful, but therewould be demands. rich man: ‘Why do you call me good?’ What does that discarded cloak represent but When we want something verymuch we can Thereare even the impossible-to-answer kind like everything that hinders people from making it to become obsessed to the point of not seeing any of the ‘who touched me?’ when the crowd waspressing in on Jesus. It wasprobably the only thing Bartimaeus consequences of getting what we want. And what do everyside, but as withall his questions, Jesus knew owned but at that moment it was holding him back.By we reallywant deep down? exactly what he was doing by asking it. leaving itbehind and coming to Jesus Bartimaeus was Seeing has become ametaphor for spiritual rebirth. HereinMark 10 it appears to be aquestion of the makinghimself even morevulnerable than before. ‘I once was lost but now am found, was blind, but now I obvious kind. What else would ablind man want from a So when he finally stood beforeChrist, still not see.’ Bartimaeus followed Jesus ‘on the way’ as aresult healer but his sight? Bartimaeus had already tried to seeing him, Jesus’ question put him right on the spot. of receiving his sight. Jesus’ question is one for all of attract Jesus’ attention by shouting loudly,‘Jesus, Son Sometimes when it seems obvious to us what aperson us to ponder and pray over.What do we really want of David, have mercy on me’(v47). When the crowd needs, we should still ask. It is good practice for from God just now and what difference will it make attempted to silence him he simply cried out more healingprayer.Being given the opportunity to say should he grant us our deepest desire? loudly (v48). whatwewant means being given the opportunity to

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just afood fad, pointingout that it is highinsaturated fat andrecommends instead cooking with olive oil or flaxseed Janey Lee Grace oil.No, No, No!! I’m neither a Live Healthy! Live Happy! dietician nor a nutritionist but I have studied this topic extensively: olive oil and flaxseed oil should absolutely GoodIt made for an interestingoldread, andNigella,agreat excuse to my opinionrightshe is spotagain.on, coconut oil is extremely not be used for show another image of Nigella Lawson looking good for you, high in lauric acid (the main component cooking. gorgeous, but Imust confess Iwas surprised to see of breast milk), so good for immunity.Itisalso Nigella is also right in stating in the book that the article in the Mail last week with the headline: ‘Is thought to begood for joint function and even weight coconut oil must be cold-pressed, which is superior Nigella’s trendy cooking fad arecipe for heart loss, as it can helpspeed up metabolism. because it hasn’t been refined. I’d go one step further trouble? Coconut oil could be worse for you than Nigella recently said thatshe likes coconut oil as it and say the quality of the coconut oil you use is critical. butter’. has ahigh smoking point, so is good for frying and Opt for raw extra virgin cold pressed coconut oil. The claim is that Nigella’s new book Simply Nigella has arichness that she likes. Of course Iwould The one Iuse is from Tiana fair trade organics and is Feel Good Food is filled with pages of dishes featuring entirely agree with her: coconut oil doesn’t degrade at the highest quality Icould find. They also make a ‘healthy’ fad foods, the main culprit apparently being high temperatures, it’s used to being both cold and coconut butter specially for cooking (no coconutty coconut oil, which the article says ‘has become a hot, that’s why when the weather is cold it solidifies taste for frying eggs, etc) and even aspreadable butter. fashionable alternative to butter or olive oil’. and looks like lard(which is also good for cooking). Youcan get it in Holland &Barrett and healthshops. Iwas delighted to see she includes it in recipes Incredibly the Mail article quotes aspecialist such as curries, shepherd’s pie and chocolate cake. In dietician who warned it was worse than other oils and www.tiana-coconut.com

g gallery the Whisperin

Ecumenical Progress Debating Humanism “Most religious PM since Faith in the City Gladstone” At long last Durham University has Adebate on whether Several humanism pages of Moore’ appointed aMichael Ramsey needs Christianity held devoted snew book are in the Volume TwoofCharles Moore’s to Faith in the City Professor in Anglican Studies. Funded chapel at King’s Colle that . Moorereports ge in the biography of Margaret Thatcher RobertRuncie’s chapla by the Dean and Chapter the planned Strand last week was Wi in, John well continues to shed light on her theridge, saw him as appointment was first announced in attended. Making the who a‘bit of aTorywet’ Christian religious beliefs. Italso contains had a‘quiet respec November 2013 and applications were case wereAngus Ritchie Runcie tfor Mrs Thatcher’. (co- marvellous character sketches of didn’t intend ap tobereceived by 2January2014. author with Nick Spencer the olitical onslaught on of a ministers and other figures in her government, Moore Given the spread of interest in Theos reportonthe political believes, but his subject) and life. Michael Alison, later to become confusion left ag Anglican studies the delay in the Alison Milbank. Professor re ap others were Richard Second Estates Commissioner,is ady to fill. Faith in the appointment is amystery. Jane Shaw, Norman from the Univer T City caused sity of described by Mooreas‘almost hatcher private irritation former Dean of Grace Cathedral in Kent and Julian Baggini ‘unbelievable at its argued useless’ in terms ofparty woolly’ passages San Francisco, is believed to have that humanism cans didn’t ‘and she tand alone management whenhebecame her like itsimplication pulled out. The new Professor is a without religious supp car that she didn’t ort. There PPS but he did give thePrime e’. Her adviser Brian Roman Catholic although most local wereareas of agreem academic Griffiths, an ent. Norman Minister plenty ofspiritualsupport economist and press attention has focussed on his and Baggini agreed suggested aChristian, with Ritchie and she benefitted fromhis she welcome name, not on his faith. Professor that humanism should serious the report‘as a be an calmness, kindness and readiness to investigation of Michael Snape will be the second inclusive termthat can expr areal problem’but include keep secrets. Alisonwould seek ess surprise at itso Professor at Durham to bear aname Christians and Baggini pr missions and argued divine guidance about which esuppositions. Another madefamous by theHarry Potter that the aggressive, ‘kill adviser told her to hostile passages of scripturewouldbemost it with kindness’ and stories. The other is Ed Snape. Harry approach of theNew Chur warned that a Atheists to useful to the PM and then read to ch-State rowwould Potter is taught as amodule at Christianity should the keep the reporton be left behind. her from the Bible in their car front pages. Moorec Durham University and parts of the At the end of the debate did laims that Thatcher the journeys together.Healso lent her not want afight with movies werefilmed in Durham audience was left with nhibited the church and felt two religious books suchasThe about disagreeing wit Cathedral but Michael Snape questions: Did it matter that both be hRuncie, Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis. cause of his office and confesses he has never read the humanist beliefs appear to be had had because he Alison regarded Thatcher as ‘the a‘good war’ (winn books, although he is awarethat without foundation and do Cross). ingthe Military es belief most religious PM since Gladstone’ Mooreeven goes so Professor Severus Snape is one of the in God actually supply a hat ‘the far as to argue and, in the view of his daughter, Church wasmoreu teachers at Hogwarts.Atpresent foundation if one is thought to Mrs Thatcher ncharitable to be served her almost as apriest. than she was tothe Chur Snape is Reader in Religion, Warand required? In many ways it was a Not everyone ch’. model Thatcher sought his advice on moral will agree with Moore’s Society at Birmingham University.He debate. No side can claim criticisms of wha to and spiritual issues and on church tthe reporthad to sa has done research on the religious have won but anyone who about social and y followed appointments. After Matthew Parris economic policy atthe beliefs of soldiers during the First the debate closely went had revealed tothe PM he was gay ime, but there will probably World Warand theLancashireParish away with the issues agr be general clarified. and received the response ‘There, eement with an opinio of Whalley during the 18th Century. Notable for such events Char nRichard in central there,that must have been hardto tres expressed toM As the Michael Ramsey Professor London, neither side appear nter ooreinan ed to say’, Alison asked him for alist of view that the report’s Snape will be made alay canon of have tried to pack the audience recommendati gay MPs. Parris thought it was to ons and data Durham Cathedral, an ecumenical with supporters. The people of the about the life who use the information against them urban churchwerev step forward. Up to nowthe Dean and attended appeared to be heology aluable but its ofmixed but it was really so that Alison could was ‘pathetic’. Chapter have not allowed aRoman beliefs and none and ge quote Mooredoes not nuinely prayfor them.Alison’s son, James aview Roy Jenkins Catholic mass to be said in the interested in the subject. mem expressed in his Alison, is awell-known Catholic oirs that the CofE Cathedral, which contains the tomb Congratulations to the Lor ,the House of chaplaincy theologian who is openly gay and an ds and the ancient universities and shrine of St Cuthbert. Will that at King’s and to Theos for moreeff werea advocate of gay rights. His ective opposition to Thatcher policy change now thereisaRoman organising the event, to Clare han the godfather was John Stott. Labour Party. Catholic canon? Carlisle for chairing it, and to all who tookpart.

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ANGLICAN CYCLE OF PRAYER

NOTICES CLERICAL CONTINUED Friday23October. Psalm 128,1Kgs 5:1-12. Tirunelveli - (South India):The RtRev Jayaraj Christdoss Saturday24October. Psalm119:1-6, Mt 10:24- VaVacacancyncy in the SSeeeeooffDDorking 31.Toamasina-(IndianOcean): The Rt RevJean Priest-in-charge, Paul Solo StSimon’s Southsea Sunday 25 October. Pentecost 22.Psalm 130, G: L GL - 5Q E "+ = ! $= ! 7= 5= + G M "+ = P Q "E + P = =/ =! 5= B J 50 SaintSimon’sisa church with astrongBible centredevangelical Mt10:32-42. Tohoku-(Japan): The Rt Rev John D 0! O) =L F A "+ = N == G M & G O! 5Q E M L= /L )0 50 + G 5 4 # ) G+ * != traditionwhich is open to the working of the Holy Spirit. The church HiromichiKato;Tokyo -(Japan):TheRtRev 3 6 4 . < is in asociallymixed area of Southsea,and has alongtradition of AndrewYoshimichiOhata social outreach andinclusion. Monday 26 October. Psalm 131, Mt11:1-19. % 5 F ( != GI 5 - Q "I 5Q E G+ G) 7 7 5= + G 5 "+ = 5 == B I G M "+ = Toliara-(Indian Ocean): New Diocese Awaiting G! =L G ! - " G - Q "I I= G+ ( G! ( G =I ) 50 B BQ +0 I= " "I G K BL - Q! =+ We areseeking to appointaPriestinCharge Details ! with acommitmenttolocal evangelismand church growth, * F !: BQ F0 4 2 C G / 7= * != G+ ? Tuesday 27 October. Psalm 132, Mt11:20-24. ! with aheart for socialoutreach to theparish, Torit - (Sudan): The Rt RevBernard Oringa ! with good communication andleadership skills. ,"=", = P P++ P P== /BB/ % %5B!5 B ! =--= >0> +IG5A+0 GI 5 DA DQI"G(Q "I G ( GGMM 99KQLBMK LQ B GM G!B! BAA Balmoi >>QLLGLQ GL - -99 ! !050 5EE =E =A >A >GG O OQ5E5Q E P PGG 0BAB0 9A 9KQLBMK Q BL GM G!B! BAA NK!!KN ! =! =FF A A99 ' '11 To discuss therolepleasecontact theArchdeaconofPortsdown,the Wednesday 28 October. Psalm 133, 1 Kgs6:1- HH8N8 N VenerableDrJoanneGrenfellvia ClergyRecruitment@portsmouth. 14.Toronto - (Ontario, Canada): The Most Rev anglican.org and seewww.portsmouth.anglican.org/clergy_vacancies for Colin Robert Johnson; Toronto-(Ontario, # ! 7= Q0 "L IQ ; % ? an information pack. Canada): The Rt RevMaurice Philip Poole; Closingdate: 11 November 2015 Interviews:22/23 November 2015 7 0 F=@=%A Officiate, to be Non Stipendiary The Rev Malcolm Lambert, 3F6--GIGK1 Associate Minister to the Parish of the Priest in Charge of Annesley with )88,** !DB @,$,$, 61+K.,G-KEKD, Transfiguration in the Harborough Newstead, to become Vicar of the .6,K-M Team (Leicester). new benefice of Annesley with ,77 "60 4*/21%'))!/(63 .$)53#+) 6( &- The Rev Canon Jane Curtis, Newstead and Kirkby Woodhouse /**9'7 5@)@)@ 0CBDDD%>B& #% #D !7AD Vicar of the Whatborough Parishes to (Southwell and Nottingham). F!;'?#'M &$9 9'7 J:7( be also Diocesan Adviser for Women’s The Rev Robert Lawrance, -D7"9=%D+ 8*7' 1#%"7& CA 0?4!%?99L!)?=L'B Ministry(Leicester). Team Rector ofDurhamNorthTM 1'?(L!;'M *>?< E:;(?H The Rev Jennifer Ann d’Esterre, (Durham),tobeVicarofNewcastle St Self-Supporting Interim Priest in Francis (Newcastle). 7"@3$?

The Secular State take advantages of public resources they have to Under Siege make concessions and respect human rights. SUNDAYSERVICE Christian Joppke Davie referstoclashes over such issues as Polity,pb, £17.99 whether employees of an airline company can wear crosses but she does not devote as much attention AllSaints’ Day — Sunday 1November 2015 Religion in Britain to these issues as Joppke. He makes the case for Grace Davie evenhandedness in the treatment of religion and Isaiah25:6-9 Wiley,pb, £21.99 stresses this does not mean the promotion of Revelation 21:1-6a secularity but it is hardtosee how the policies he John 11:32-44 advocates would not mean the removal of Christian symbols from public life in Europe, to which many The readings for All Saints’ Dayglory in the long-awaited It wasn’t meanttobethisway.Religion was meant, if non-believers areattached for cultural reasons. defeat ofdeath by ourrisen and reigning Lord Jesus not to completely disappear,atleast to lose Joppke dislikes the defence of crucifixes in Italian Christ. influence as avictim of the unstoppable march of schools which sees them as cultural, not religious, Isaiah’s mini-apocalypse zerosinon aglorious vision of secularisation. Instead we have had the ‘revenge of symbols but he fails to address apoint made by eschatological joy.Hepictures abanquet of rich foodand God’, the revival of religion in many partsofthe Davie that Christianity is just so deeply embedded well-matured wines tobeenjoyed by a whole multitude of world and the increased prominence of religious in our culture(determining our holidays and the people. They assemble for this sumptuouspicnicona issues in domestic politics and international shape of the working week, for example) that it is mountain tocelebrate thedestruction of ashroudorsheet conflicts. never going to be possible to completely eradicate that has been cast over the wholeearth—death itself, Even in WesternEurope wherechurchgoing it. whichturnseverything toshadow in this valeoftears. But continues its steady decline the arrival of RichardDawkins referstohimself as a‘cultural God himself comestowipe awayour tears, and the immigrants from other parts of the world has led to Anglican’ and, so far as Iamaware, never called for disgrace of sin which caused thepain of deathinthefirst growth in ethnic minority churches and the his college chapel at Oxfordtobeclosed. In fact, he place. emergence of Islam as an important player on the admits he is prepared to read lessons in church as That day will be the culmination to generationsofhope: religious scene. long as the King James version is in use. “Thisisour God;wehavewaitedforhim thathemight Inthe first edition of her book on religion in When determined secularists go too far and tryto save us!”Rejoicing andgladnesswithout death and decay Britain Grace Davie spoke of ‘believing without ban nativity displays or references to Christmas to spoil the scene can be botheverlasting in durationand belonging’. It was aphrase that was widely quoted. they provoke abacklash. deeply satisfyinginintensity. Now she subtitles the new edition (about 90 per Despite Joppke’s disavowals of any desireto In the Gospelreading, we catchaglimpse, aforetaste,of cent of which is fresh material) ‘A Persistent encourage secularism, thereismuch sense in the that day to comeagainst the darkbackdropofgrief. Paradox’ and she is able to show how decline has distinction made by RowanWilliams, quoted by Lazarus is dead andburied, and Mary kneels before Jesus notmeant the disappearance of religion from public Davie, between procedural secularism and a perhaps justalittle bitdisappointed:“Ifyouhad beenhere consciousness. programme that aims to promote secularism. (why weren’t you here? whatkept you?),mybrotherwould She quotesone study that shows increased In apluralist society of people who practise many nothave died.” Shewaitedforhim to comeandsave him, coverage of religious issues inthe media. religions or none thestate must trytobe butJesusdidnot comewhen shehad hoped. Yet he is The persistence, even insome cases revival, of evenhanded. But the danger of going down the profoundly disturbed and desperatelymoved in the face of religion is aproblem for the liberal state. Christian French, or even the less militant American, road death andthesorrow it causes. He weeps withthose who Joppke, aProfessor of Sociology at theUniversity of and attempting atotal separation of church and state weep. Bern, examines the role religion plays in politics in is that it does promote asecularising agenda and Comingtothetomb where theyhad laid thedead man, the US and Europe. leaves even many non-believers feeling cut offfrom Jesus prays to hisFather —for our sake, not his own,that He refers not to the persistence of religion but to the cultural heritage. we mightrealisethere wasnointerruption in the intimacy what he terms ‘the long Christian exit’ and insists Davie is eloquent in defending what she calls a of the divine Trinityandtheir settledsavingpurpose.Then that the importance of religion needs to be ‘soft establishment’ and draws attention to the theonewho called creationinto being, whosustains all acknowledged even in societies that claim to be supportgive to this by non-Christians such as Tariq things by his powerful word, criesout with aloud voice, secular.Infact both Davie and Joppke areclear that Modood. In fact, she is able to find no spokesperson “Lazarus,come out!” And out he comes.And asJesussays Christianity played akey role in the emergence of for anon-Christian faith opposed to establishment. “Unbind him,lethimgo,” so we hereseeintemporary secularism. Both these books deserve to beread carefully by miniature what will happenontheday ofIsaiah’s mountain Joppke draws acontrast with Islam and Davie anyone interested in the current state of religion in feast: God’s people set freeandunbound. refers to work by Sam Brewitt-Taylor on radical Westernsociety. Revelation 21 completes the same picture,when likethe theology in the 1960s. Joppke says little directly about the UK but he Lord himself we will be finally released, never to die again. Acrucial point made by Joppke is that Islam is raises issues that areimportant here. Davie gives a Theold creation passesaway to makeway for anew always going to be moreopposed to secularisation good survey of the present state of religion in heavenandnew earth. Anew city, heavenlyJerusalem, and moreresistant to being compartmentalised Britain. Her book is honest and recognises the descends fromheaven so at last God canmake hishome than Christianity.Despite this he sees parallels realityofdecline but suggests the pictureismore withhuman beings (theNRSV’s politically-correct between the activities of the Christian Right in complex than many people recognise. translation“mortals”isso clearly wrong in this context of America and the campaigns waged by Muslims in Church leaders will find grounds for hope even if death-defying immortality!). Just as Isaiah prophesied,God Europe. thereisnoinvitation to facile optimism. wipes all tearsfrom our eyes, for mourning andcrying His final conclusion about these campaigns is that havehad their day, and pain is nowobsolete. when religions enter the public squareand seek to Paul Richardson “The first thingshave passedaway,” it says, becausenow it is timefor a newstory. John is told to write downthese trustworthywords, so that we canhear and trust them too. In the mindofGod thereisno doubt or uncertaintyabout Take out an annual subscription the fulfilment of this vision:“It is done!” Theonly question to The Church of England Newspaper is, will we takethewateroflife on offer, and trust what Jesus says,orwill welose patienceinwaiting, and submit Our great AUTUMN offer! to deathasifit was the ultimate, impersonalreality? 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partner and, to attract anose-bleed with ashort-sighted woman (Rachel sufferer (Jessica Barden), one guest Weisz) they have to resorttoabizarre FILM OF THE WEEK (Ben Whishaw) is willingtoinjure and ultimately hilarious code of gestures himself to give himself something in and movements to communicate their common. David then adopts asimilar affection. policy –his target is acold-hearted On atrip to theCity to see the leader’s woman (Angeliki Papoulia). parents (both classical guitarists) they That means he has to pretend arerequired to pretend to be acouple. indifference to suffering, callousness Obviously,they take to that quite even, including when one of the guests enthusiastically,even during aguitar The (Ashley Jensen) attempts suicide and duet, but the leader’s retribution is merely causes herself serious injury. drastic, and reinforces the “black” in Theclincher is when aheartless woman what’s described as ablack comedy. feigns choking and he seems willing to Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos (co- mystery of let her die -a“perfect match”. writer withEfthymis Filippou) obviously Thereisgruesomeness enjoys “the contradictions and about the story, no less juxtapositions” of the surreal fable he’s when David escapes to created. Hesays it’s” funnier than we join the Loners, a thought it would be” -sometimes it’s the lobster resistance group to funny even when it’snasty -but as a the prevailing satireit’s hardtoknow what the targets wisdom. Their are. leader (Léa FilmedinCountyKerry,using the revealed Seydoux) Parknasilla hotel, it’ssurely not, as some reinforces have thought, against marriage Weirdand occasionally wonderful sexual the group’s (Lanthimos is married to Ariane Labed satire TheLobster (cert. 15) posits a chore- commitment who plays the maid) and the whole thing society that decries singleness. The arousing the to not pairing seems too diffuse to be surewhether it’s reasons why arenot explained – male guests, up by acommentonparticular social mores or other thanhaving someone and then imposing a political policies. handy when you’rechoking to leaving them. As brand of rough At its heart, theremay be asimple apply the Heimlich manoeuvre the lispingman (JC and painful plea for aphilosophy of live and let live –but the final solution is a45- Reilly) finds out, justice, so when among the absurdity. day stay in ahotelduring masturbationisapunishable David links up Steve Parish which you havetofind a offence, and getting his fingers partner,orbeturned into an toasted suggests the film could animal of your own choice. takeamuch darker tone. It wasn’t initially clear whether this Compatibility is afirst test in finding a was voluntaryorenforced, even when for theguest’s first night one hand is handcuffed to hisbelt, makingthe simplest task awkward. David (Colin Farrell),after abreak-up with his girlfriend, arrives at the hotel with his dog –his brother who “didn’t make it” when he was a“guest”. At his interview with hotel manager (Olivia Colman) he chooses, should he notmake it, to be alobster (long life, stays fertile) –“excellent choice” says Colman. She and her “partner” (Garry Mountaine) entertain guests with an out-of-tune “Something’s gotten holdof my heart” as they dance around the matter in hand. The maid (Ariane Labed) has one odd

CD CHOICE WINE OF THE WEEK Gurrumul his tribal Gumatj dialect, Barbaresco Araldica Corsini The Gospel Album which is spoken by no Nebbiolo 2012 (Skinnyfish Music) morethan 3,000 people. Waitrose £11.99 His thirdrelease, The Any Australian readers will be Gospel Album is inspired by Some of Italy’s greatest —and most expensive veryfamiliar with the name Gurrumul’s mother and —reds, even vaulting over the higher priced Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, aunts, who raised him on Chianti Classicos, come from much further as theNorthernTerritory the missionaryspirituals of north than Chianti’s Tuscany.They originate native’s 2008 eponymous debut the local Methodist church, from Piedmont andfromthe villages of Barolo release went double platinum, wherehegrewupand he or as here, less expensively,Barbaresco, both earning critical praise and four re-imagines them in his using the Nebbiolo grape. ARIA Award nominations own style. Araldica Corsini refers to the makers. The (including Male Artist of the Despite the language grapes arehand-picked. After Year and Album of the Year). barriers, listeners will fermentation, the wine is racked to oak Nearer to here, he has easily recognize the heart casks, therematured for two years and appeared on Later with Jools of these songs. The simple, then has afurther six months in bottle. Holland,claimed the top of the melodic “Jesu” needs no In the glass, medium red. On the nose, world music charts, had three translation and “Amazing therewas asuccession of flowerynotes. singles added to the BBC Radio 2playlist, andwas Grace” is familiar from its tune, if not its words. The palate found, in asmooth and elegant named one of the top 10 world-music releases of Anyone raised in the ’60s will recognise thestyle body,good redfruitiness, and tannins of 2009 by the BBC. of the tunes, played mainly with an acoustic guitar restrained lurking boldness, balanced by Gurrumul, as he likes to be known, has and backing vocals, discreetly embellished here sweeter notes. The finish carried on this performedalive acoustic duet of the Police’s and there. complexity.Alcohol by Vol. 14%. “EveryBreath YouTake” with Sting on French While its simplicity and provenance give it a This is awine made to go with roast television and had Quincy Jones praise “one of the slightly dated feel, this should appeal to listeners beef or lamb, withmushroomed pasta, most unusual and emotional and musical voices seeking apurer,unadorned and from-the-heart and savourycheeses such as Parmesan. I’ve ever heard. expression of praise. Graham Gendall Norton All of this is exceptional for aself-effacing man, Derek Walker blind from birth, who sings almost exclusively in

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper parent or when both partners arein equivalent of the African proverb that it bodied person caring for adeclining employment the nuclear family is being takes avillage to raise achild. friend or partner,single-parent families asked to do ajob forwhich it was not According to John and Olive Drane with the parent being both mother and Family originallydesigned. (2004:22) thereare at least seven father to their children, grandparents, A‘household’ (oikos) was the basic distinctive types of family structureand friends and relatives all involved in the unit of society in the New Testament. It domestic arrangements in western nurtureofthe child. today included the extended family (wife, culturetoday.According to Hayman The breakdown of one set of By Bob Mayo children, friends, relatives and slaves). (2005:21) thereare around 72 different relationships is not leading to the death The fierce debate over same-sex Corneliusand his household were forms of family within the UK. The of thefamily but to its reorganisation marriageshas clouded moresignificant gathered, “tohear all that[Peter]had traditional family based around a (Drane &FlemingDrane (2004:32). family issues forthe Churchtoconsider. been commanded by the Lord.” (Acts married couple is now the preserve of a The real battle zone for the Church is 10:33). Upon hearing the Gospel minority with the number of single-adult Families arethe newfriends not the difference between civil preached by Peter,everyone in households overtaking the number of Collins-Mayo (et al) identify that the partnership and marriage but the fact Cornelius’s household believed and was couple households with dependent family is as, or in some instances more, that our children areunhappy and that baptised (Acts 11:15-18). children. important than friends to Generation Y. Britain has the highest divorce rate in According to the 2011 census married When parents divorce intimacy replaces the European Union, almost twice the Aparish church is amodern day and civilly partnered couples, for the security and childrenlook on their EC average. UNICEF (2007) ranked household first time, now make up under half (47 parents in friendship terms. This child wellbeing in Britain as the lowest Nuclear families survive through the per cent) of all households –downfrom closeness is reflected in patterns of of 21 industrialised countries. Family life commercialisation of domestication. 50.9 per cent in 2001. One in three church attendance. Voas andCrockett is avital concernfor society and a Nurseries,cleaners, nannies or au pairs children in the UK willnot be living with (2005) tell us that if both parents attend missionaryimperative for the Church. aredrawn to supportthe family lifestyle. both parents at home (65 per cent -still at least monthly, thereisa46per cent The parish church is the ideal place Childrenwho areput in to both a livingwith both natural parents). chance that the child will do so. Where for this to be exercised. The network of Breakfast and an After School Club can While all theevidence points to the just one parent attends, the likelihood is relationships within alocal church isthe haveaslong aworkingday as their need for children wherever possible to halved to 23 per cent. If neither parent equivalent of abiblical household and a parents. Grandparents and friends are be brought up by their biological attends [church] at least once amonth, reflection of modernday blended family alsodrawn into the parenting process. parents thereneed be no contradiction the chances of the child doing so are living (Thatcher 2007:133). Parenting is replacing partnership as in advocating marriage and honouring negligible: less than three per cent. The wordfor family does not appear in the backbone of modernfamilyliving thebest intentions of post-married The Rev Dr Bob Mayo is the vicar of St Scripture. The termhousehold is used (Beck and Beck-Gernsheim 1995). peoplewho create different types of Stephen and St Thomas Shepherds Bush instead. Amodernday nuclear family is Anuclear family becomes ahousehold family structures together. with St Michael and St George White in origin an economic unit emerging out through being immersed in the life of a Thereisarich diversity of shapes to City.Queries to of the Industrial Revolution. Women local church. Avariety of adults are modern-day extended families. Blended [email protected] dealt with the domestic and men the drawn into the parenting role and the families might include awhole new Follow Bob on twitter at @RevBobMayo public sphere. When thereisasingle parish church becomes theUK configuration of relationships, an able- website: http://www.ststephensw12.org

13 'You carefor the land Down [Num](7) PRIZE CROSSWORD No. 973 by Axe and water it; you ------it 16 'He ------to pay them a abundantly' [Ps/NIV] 1Memorial of asaint held denarius for the day...' (6) in reverence, especially [Matt/NIV](6) 14 Greekgoddess of wis- by the RC and Eastern 18 'For the love of -----isa dom (6) Churches (5) root of allkinds of evil' 17 One of the recipients of 2'As for Titus he is my ----- [1 Tim/NIV] (5) aletter from Paul (5) -- and co-worker among 20 Earliest Matriarch 19 Partsofthe NT,the you' [2 Cor/NIV] (7) [Gen] (5) name for which is 3'Stop drinkingonly 22 'In the course of time, derived from the Old water,and --- alittle therewas anotherbattle English for 'good news' wine...' [1 Tim/NIV](3) with the Philistines,at---' (7) 4Oldest Christian feast [2Sam/NIV] (3) 21 Hebrewwordmeaning (6) 'nation' –havinganot- 5Biblical people of land so-embracing connota- east of the Jordan, capi- Solutions to Crossword tioninthe Bible (7) tal Rabbah [Deut; Josh; Number 22 Former Egyptian 2Sam] (9) Canaanite town, on the 6Place wherethe Across:7Beth Shan,8Amen, 9 road from Joppato Israelites defeated Og's Whales,10Eshcol,11Napthali, Jerusalem [Josh; 1Kgs] army [Num; Deut](5) 14 Moab,15Laws,16StNinian, (5) 7Body of water south of 18 Kohath, 20 Anthem, 22 Kirk, 23 'Then[Elisha] got on the rift valley of Arabah 23 Shadrach. the bed and --- -- the [Deut] (4,3) [dead] boy... [who] 11 Rising of the body of Down:1Seth, 2Philetus, 3The sneezed seven times and Jesusinto heaven on the sea, 4Engedi, 5Gath, 6Jehoiada, opened hiseyes' [2 40th day after his Resur- 12 Anatolia, 13 Lot, 14 Minsters, Kgs/NIV] (3,2) rection(9) 16 Schism, 17 Naaman,19Akko, 24 Judge and prophet who 13 Spring in the Kidron Val- 21 Each. fought the Canaanites ley[1Kgs] (2-5) [Judg] (7) 15 Thirdson ofAaron

T h e f i r s t c o r r e c t e n t r y d r aw n wi l l w i n a b o o k o f th e E d it o r ’s c h o i c e . S e n d y o u r e n tr y t o C r o s s w o r d N u m b e r 9 7 3, T h e C h u r c h o f E ng l an d N e w s p ap e r , Across -----' [John/KJV] (7) 14 G r e a t C o ll e g e S t r e e t, W e s tm in s te r , L o n do n , (5) 10 QueenofEthiopia S W1 P 3R X b y n e xt W e d n e s d a y PRICE £1.50 /€2.00/$2.50 1The ------: event 8'He will show you whoseeunuch when Christian a----- room Philip baptized N am e believers are upstairs, all fur- [Acts] (7) transported from nished' 12 'The wordsofthe A d d r e s s 43 the Earth before [Luke/NIV] (5) wise arelike Christ's second 9Capitalofthe goads, their col- coming(7) NorthernKing- lected sayings like 9770964816108 5'Then inquired he dom of Israel firmly embedded - P o s t C o d e of them the hour [1&2 Kgs; Isa; ----'[Eccles/NIV] when he began to Luke; John; Acts] (5)

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