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Clergy Mailing - March 2016 Contents 1. Nifty Notes 2. Clergy Citation 2016 3. HM The Queen’s 90th Birthday Niftynotes news & information from the Diocese www.southwell.anglican.org MARCH 2016 Compiled by Nicola Mellors email: [email protected] Trusting Thomas nless I see the nail marks was enough to deliver Thomas ‘ in his hands and put my from his unbelief. The dismal Ufinger where the nails doubter became the Confessor. were, and put my hand into his Thomas was the first to call Jesus side, I will not believe it. God: the doubter came to an ’ absolute assurance of faith. We Optimists tend to be glass half tend to magnify his doubt, but full people – Thomas was what of his faith? His confession definitely glass half empty. He is expressed in the language of was a typical melancholic, whose passionate love. Thomas bowed nature was to see the dark side of before His Lord in awe and until they were answered. He everything. By nature he was worship. would always have been a argumentative, demanding a thinking Christian, but not on the reason for everything. He was Once certain of the truth of the sidelines. He wholeheartedly not at all interested in second Resurrection, his life and witness served the cause of the Gospel. hand evidence, he could never be were transformed. Continued on page 12 rushed into a decision. ‘The greatest day in history. Did Thomas touch those sacred Death is beaten, you have rescued In this month’s issue: scars? Did he, in the presence of me. Sing it out. Jesus is alive’. Jesus, demand further evidence? Tim Hughes 2 News in brief Then the true Thomas asserted himself. Flinging his doubts to If you speak to Christians from 4 Events & information the wind, he cast himself at the India, they will tell you that there nail-pierced feet in abject is a strong tradition that Thomas 5 Prayer Diary surrender. His unbelief vanished took the Gospel to Persia, China like the morning mist. He took and India. ` 9 Training Courses the leap of doubt into faith in the rapturous confession. It is healthy to question, 11 What’s On challenge, examine, think. What ‘My Lord and my God!’ happened to Thomas was not a 12 Comings & Goings brain by-pass operation, but he One sight of the risen Saviour brought his questions to Jesus 2 March 16 News in brief. News in brief. News in brief. News in brief. Time to pray for solutions to Transforming pain homelessness into hope: an exhibition of hurch communities across visual prayer for Nottinghamshire continue Cto play a leading role in Lent advocacy and support for homeless and vulnerable people: we are Praying for the healing of our therefore delighted that Bishop world is the theme of a touring Paul has chosen to maintain the contemplative collection for tradition that the Diocesan Bishop Lent currently being exhibited in is Framework’s Patron ex officio. the Chapter House at Southwell Minster. Framework celebrates its strong relationship with churches and ‘Words of Forgiveness and other faith communities, not least Hope’ is a series of paintings by at its annual service in Southwell Iain McKillop, an Anglican Minster. We invite people to join Priest, painter and art historian. us there again on Saturday 9th April in this our 15th anniversary The images are a form of visual year. prayer, contemplating the themes of hope and salvation. There could be no better moment to meet. Central and local He says: “We feel for those in government policy continues to pose existential threats to much of our pain or struggling in life, work and that of similar organisations. For instance at the end of particularly the plight of so March our Nottinghamshire Homelessness Prevention Service will many innocents who suffer as a cease – leaving more than 2,500 people across the county without the result of war and terrorism.” help they need to stay in their homes. Continued on page 11 In 2013 churches and their congregations were in the vanguard of our successful campaign to keep these services open; now, while their effectiveness is not questioned, further budget cuts have forced their closure. The results, we fear, are all too predictable – a rise in homelessness and especially in the number of people who are sleeping rough. Andrew Redfern, Chief Executive, Framework Speakers at the service in Southwell Minster on Saturday 9th April at 11am will include Andrew Redfern and Framework service users. Refreshments will be served after the service. Niftynotes 3 News in brief. News in brief. News in brief. News in brief. Bishop appoints Advisor to Bishop Paul focus on strategy for growing Williams: Praying disciples the Lord’s Prayer during Lent ishop Paul Williams has Bishop Paul Williams has appointed a Strategic recorded a video message in Development Advisor as B which he encourages people to part of his commitment to focus on pray the Lord’s Prayer daily as ‘growing disciples’ across the part of their devotions during diocese. Lent. Canon Richard Kellett will take on In the video, the Bishop says: the role three days a week for 18 “For many Christians Lent is a months, starting on 1 April. time to give something up as a Working closely with the Bishop mark of devotion to Christ and and Senior Staff he will support the to say no to yourself in some development and implementation area of life… but it can also be a of key elements of the emerging time to take something on, to strategy, liaising closely with Area create a new habit that might Deans, clergy and lay leaders. make a difference way beyond the end of Lent. Richard will remain Vicar of Skegby and Teversal, with the Revd Kate Byrom, curate in her third year, accepting an invitation from the “If you’re not sure what that Bishop to continue her ministry in the parish for an extended period of might be, why not pray the two years as Associate Vicar. Richard will also remain as Area Dean Lord’s Prayer as an every day of Newstead, though an Assistant Dean will be appointed. prayer through Lent.” At Diocesan Synod in October, Bishop Paul spoke of his commitment See the video at to prioritize ‘Growing Disciples – wider, younger and deeper’. He http://southwell.anglican.org/b said: “I am delighted that Richard has accepted my invitation to fill ishop-paul-williams-praying- this strategic role at an exciting time in the life of the diocese. lords-prayer-lent/ “Over the past few months it has been immensely encouraging to hear the stories of people who have come to faith in Christ from every background and walk of life across the county – God is wonderfully at work transforming lives and shaping communities. But we are praying for more and planning for growth, so that together we can make a bigger difference in our city, towns and villages, blessing all the people we are called to love and serve in Jesus’ name. “Richard brings considerable experience, energy and expertise to helping us implement the emerging strands of priority around growing disciples. Having served in the diocese for 20 years, Richard understands the breadth of opportunities before us as well as knowing the diverse contexts in which we are seeking to grow the church.” 4 March 16 Events & information. Events & information. Events & informatio Niftynotes 5 Prayerdiary www.southwell.anglican.org Compiled for Nifty Notes In April we pray for. Fri 01 Apr Attenborough, St Mary the Virgin (Jonathan Smithurst) Bukavu - (Congo) The Rt Revd Sylvestre Bahati Sat 02 Apr Beeston, St John the Baptist (Wayne Plimmer, Rob Wiggins) Bukedi - (Uganda) The Rt Revd Samuel Egesa Sun 03 Apr St John’s College, Bramcote (David Hilborn) PRAY for The Church of the Province of the Indian Ocean The Most Revd Ian Ernest Archbishop, Province of Indian Ocean & Bishop of Mauritius Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark: Diocese of Funen, Bishop Tine Lindhardt Mon 04 Apr Bramcote, St Michael and All Angels; Bramcote Primary School (Paul Reynolds) Bukuru - (Jos, Nigeria) The Rt Revd Jwan Zhumbes Tue 05 Apr Carrington, St John the Evangelist (John Tomlinson) Bunbury - (Western Australia, Australia) The Rt Revd Alan Ewing Wed 06 Apr Chilwell, Christ Church; Inham Nook, St Barnabas (Alan Howe, Liam O’Boyle) Bungoma - (Kenya) The Revd George Mechumo Thu 07 Apr Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue (Robin Turner) Bunyoro-Kitara - (Uganda) The Rt Revd Nathan Kyamanywa Fri 08 Apr Hyson Green & Forest Fields, St Stephen with St Paul (Clive Burrows, Denise Watkinson) Busan - (Korea) The Rt Revd Onesimus Park 6 March 16 In March we pray for. Sat 09 Apr Lenton Abbey, St Barnabas (Alan Howe) Busoga - (Uganda) Thr Rt Revd Naimanhye Paul Sun 10 Apr The Nottingham Arimathea Trust (Carolyn Gilmore & Trustees) PRAY for The Church of Ireland The Most Revd Dr Richard Clarke Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland and Metropolitan Church of Sweden: Diocese of Uppsala, Archbishop Antje Jackelén, Bishop Ragnar Persenius Mon 11 Apr Lenton, Priory Church of St Anthony; Holy Trinity (Megan Smith) Butare - (Rwanda) The Rt Revd Nathan Gasatura Tue 12 Apr Nottingham All Saints, St Mary & St Peter (Christopher Harrison, Richard Davey) Butere - (Kenya) The Rt Revd Timothy Wambunya Wed 13 Apr Nottingham St Andrew (Claire Goode) Buye - (Burundi) The Rt Revd Sixbert Macumi Thu 14 Apr Director of Communications for the diocese, Richard Ellis and his colleagues Byumba - (Rwanda) The Rt Revd Emmanuel Ngendahayo Fri 15 Apr Nottingham St Ann with Emmanuel (Karen Rooms, Nicky Fenton, Naomi Hill) Calabar - (Niger Delta, Nigeria) The Rt Revd Tunde Adeleye Sat 16 Apr Nottingham St George with St John the Baptist (Colin Rushforth) Calcutta - (North