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Home , Bishop of Monmouth, Diocese of Blackburn, Diocese of Chichester, Diocese of London, Diocese of Newcastle, Donald Allister

E I D Why the S The Titian IN Olympics give work you us something really must see to celebrate p10 p12

THE SUNDAY, AUGUST 12, 2012 No: 6138 www.churchnewspaper.com PRICE £1.35 1,70j US$2.20 CHURCH OF THE ORIGINAL CHURCH NEWSPAPER ESTABLISHED IN 1828 NEWSPAPER Olympic welcome for Christian work

CHRISTIAN GROUPS reported an enthusi- astic response to the different forms of ministry offered during the Olympic Games. An Olympic double-decker ‘praise bus’ that travelled 8,500 miles throughout Britain ahead of the Olympic torch was seen by over 1 million people during its 65- day journey. It contained over 100 musi- cians playing Christian music and was the brainchild of a Methodist Church near Lands End. ‘More than Gold’, a charitable trust established in 2008 with Lord Brian Mawhinney as chair, has urged churches to offer hospitality as well as outreach. It encouraged churches to run hospitality centres near where visitors to the games would pass or gather. Some churches set up giant screens where people could see the Games. Victoria Park Baptist Church reported large numbers coming to see the screen. St John’s, Hampton Wick, handing out bottled water and hot dogs to spectators at the Women’s Cycle race was just one of a number of churches offering refreshment during the games. ‘More than Gold’ set a target of distributing over 1 million cups of water. Around 300 volunteers are serving as Games Pastors at major Olympic transport hubs offering visitors support and help. “Sometimes it is as simple as helping someone make sense of UK money so they have the right change for the loo,” said Mike Freeman MBE, Operations Manager of the Games Pastors Team. At Bridge Pastors comforted a man struggling with the death of his wife and child following a car crash. Quite often they have found themselves helping people who were lost, such as a young Korean stu- dent who caught the wrong train. The Street Pastors scheme has proved so popular it is likely to be repeated at the next Olympics in Brazil and at the next Com- expected. A booklet On Your Marks, based more than 3,000. Tooting Bec Festival in help churches build on what has been monwealth Games. on St Mark’s Gospel, sold 20,000 copies South London also attracted 3,000 people achieved. Over 20 different Christian agencies that and then had to reprint a further 10,000 while nearby in Balham a street party was “This is what it is all about – stepping out- formed a consortium to produce material copies. organised on the opening night followed by side the church. It’s not about preaching for the Games under the sponsorship of Altogether the consortium produced 50 a weekend of fun leading to a week’s Kids but about just being out there. The More than Gold reported that sales separate items and total sales were over Club. Olympics has given us the opportunity but exceeded expectations. As the press car- 500,000. More than Gold estimates that more than what we want is for all the hard work to ried stories of empty shops in the West Encouraged and supported by More 500,000 people have attended Olympic Fes- continue. We’re hoping churches will keep End, Christian resources for the Olympics than Gold a number of churches organised tivals. Marty Woods, who leads the Festi- using festivals to mark anniversaries, pub- were selling briskly. Community Festivals during the Games. In vals Team of More than Gold and who lic events and significant church moments A mini-mag with stories about the Games Purley over 800 came to the Olympic Open- comes from Australia, has been so encour- like Easter and Pentecost, with this kind of and of how athletes live out their Christian ing Night Festival. A Big Weekend Festival aged by the response that he intends to outreach becoming a natural part of our faith sold 200,000 copies, twice the number in the Isle of Dogs at Millwall Part attracted stay in the UK for the next two years to lives.”

COMMENT 7 • 7 • LETTERS 8 • CLERGY MOVES 14 • SUNDAY 15 • PETER BRIERLEY 15 • 16 2 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday August 12, 2012 News Inside... Ceremony celebrates new school Britain’ s leading evangelical newspaper By Brown Barnsley, for a joint service to mark the clo- brates the work of the three faith schools sure of the three schools. over more than half a century, marking at A CEREMONY took place last week to The three closing schools will be replaced the same time the next phase in providing- mark the closure of three schools and the by one new school, Holy , which will rate education in a Christian ethos.” “historic” launch of the country’s first launch on a new site in the South Yorkshire Holy Trinity opens on September 6. The and Roman Catholic town next month. new campus will be blessed on September through-age school. Headteacher designate of Holy Trinity 17 by the of Wakefield and of Wakefield and Simon Barber said: “The amalgamation of Hallam. Roman Catholic Bishop of Hallam John St Michael’s with St Dominic’s and Holy will also visit the school next month to mark Rawsthorne joined pupils and staff of St Cross will be the only three-to-16 Catholic the launch of a Holy Trinity branch of the Michael’s Catholic and Church of England and Church of England school in the United Archbishop of York Youth Trust which has High School Deanery Primary School and Kingdom. been set up to motivate young people to be St Dominic’s Catholic Primary School, “It is historic in many respects as it cele- leaders of change in their local communities. Church leaders pay tribute as Bishop nears retirement

WITH THE Olympics enveloping us, we are bombarded with a galaxy of heroes and superheroes. But an event last week paid trib- ute to a leading evangelical figure who responded: “Anything of any News ...... 1-4 value has been God’s grace in me. Things left undone, as they have Your Church ...... 2 been, have been my own fault”. The 2012 Bible Challenge . . . . .2 A national celebration of the ministry of Bishop Wallace Benn of UK News ...... 1-4 and his wife Lindsay to mark his 65th birthday on 6 August World News ...... 5-6 and his forthcoming retirement took place at St Peter’s, Harold Wood, where he was incumbent from 1987-1997, on Friday 3 Comment August. It was laid on by his successor, Canon David Banting. Peter Mullen ...... 7 The evening began with a service of thanksgiving for “their min- Leader ...... 7 istry and partnership in the gospel” in the church building. A music Letters ...... 8, 13 group conducted by Noel Tredinnick of All Souls, Langham Place, led in worship of who calls us to serve. Bishop Wallace’s The Record favourite preacher, his former teacher at Trinity College, Bristol, Andrew Carey ...... 9 the Rev Alec Motyer expounded 2 Timothy 3:1-17. In perilous times Whispering Gallery ...... 9 of moral and character collapse, when unspiritual people have a Olympic praise ...... 10 form of godliness but deny its power and even that moral standards ...... 10 exist, God gives a person the complete equipment to address the sit- Film ...... 11 uation, the Bible, the word of God. The rot stops when a stand is Books ...... 11 made. message was sent by Bishop of , a former Arts ...... 12 Bishop Donald Allister of and Bishop Michael archdeacon in Diocese. Crossword ...... 12 Nazir-Ali were present and many bishops sent greetings and good Bishop John Ellison, the chairman of the panel of Bishops of the Classifieds ...... 13 wishes. The Ven Michael Lawson, the chairman of the Church of Anglican Mission in England, noted the role Bishop Wallace had Clergy Moves ...... 14 England Evangelical Council, paid special tribute to Mrs Lindsay played in galvanizing a mixed bag of evangelical groups to work Sunday Service ...... 15 Benn for her daily encouragement of prayer and love for Bishop together to form the Anglican Mission in England. Peter Brierley ...... 15 Wallace. Canon Chris Sugden for Anglican Mainstream noted that Bishop Paul Richardson ...... 16 Preb , the chairman of Reform, noted that Bishop Wallace’s leadership had made a major contribution to the orthodox People ...... 16 Wallace, one of its founders in 1993, had shown how it was possible cause in the past 10 years. He quoted a poem by AF Aylward: “In Milestones ...... 16 for evangelicals to have a close alliance with Anglo-Catholics and dark days yet in store… A voice like his made answer clear, Banish- Next week’s news ...... 16 remain distinctively evangelical. As if to underline the point a warm ing panic and calming fear: ‘Adsum, I’m here’.” News from Your Church your diocese

Derby: The ’s Harvest Appeal 2012 has Tomlinson, said: “It also allows Church to be what Church London: London’s five Nordic Lutheran churches came been launched in aid of the Mothers Union Parenting Proj- is called to be, a light in the community which allows peo- together at on Sunday 29 July for a ect in Rwanda, which supports vulnerable children and ple to see something of who they are in Christ because of Choral Evensong to celebrate the Olympics. Around 200 traumatised families. The Derby Cathedral service to discovering their innate gifts and abilities.” UK-based members of the Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Nor- launch the Appeal featured music from Melbourne Parish wegian and Swedish churches were joined by the Presi- Choir, and saw the launch of the Harvest Appeal Calendar dent of Iceland, HE Mr Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, senior (£5), made up of the 12 winning photographs from this embassy officials and Southwark and Bermondsey MP, year’s photography competition and the Bishop of Derby’s Simon Hughes. The service was hosted by the Bishop of new book “Out of Depths”. Both are on sale in aid of the Southwark, the Rt Rev Christopher Chessun and the Dean, appeal. The Bishop of Derby, Dr Alastair Redfern, said: the Very Rev Andrew Nunn. It was conducted in English “Harvest is a time to stop and give thanks for the gifts we and the different Nordic languages, with choral support receive and share with others. This Diocese has a good from a 30-strong Nordic Choir and the Cathedral Men’s tradition of not only sharing with each other but also Choir. with people living in poverty overseas.”

Durham: An area of land near the railway museum in Shildon, South Durham, has been developed as ‘Shildon THE 2012 BIBLE CHALLENGE Community Garden’ to include raised beds, other planting areas, a compost toilet and an educational building for local children. Support has come from a range of local Day 225 Isaiah 25-27, Psalm 34, 1 Timothy 3 organisations, including schools, and some of the funding Day 226 Isaiah 28-30, Psalm 35, 1 Timothy 4 has been provided by Awards for All and the Area Action Day 227 Isaiah 31-33, Psalm 36, 1 Timothy 5 Partnership. The garden is part of the ‘Faith In The Com- Day 228 Isaiah 34-36, Psalm 37: 1-18, 1 Timothy 6 munity’ programme, which is backed by the Diocese of Day 229 Isaiah 37-39, Psalm 37: 19-42, 2 Timothy 1 Durham and aims to increase Church involvement in com- Day 230 Isaiah 40-42, Psalm 38, 2 Timothy 2 munity life. at St John’s Church in Shildon, David Day 231 Enjoy hearing the Scriptures read aloud in church

Get more news online, click on www.churchnewspaper.com for updated stories News Sunday August 12, 2012 www.churchnewspaper.com 3 Sale of monastery ‘led to steal money for his future’

THERE ARE CONCERNS about a trust fund linked to the Stuart was given a conditional discharge for two years and Peter Huckle became a member of SSJE in 1997 and oldest religious community for men in the Anglican Com- ordered to pay £500 costs. became Superior in 2002. One former member of the Fel- munion following a court case in London. Fr Peter Huckle, Superior of SSJE, was also arrested as a lowship of St John who knew SSJE well said that by the Br Morley Stuart, 62, pleaded guilty to false accounting counter-signatory to the Trust but no charges were time Huckle entered SSJE the Society had reached a stage and stealing £3,750 from the Fellowship of St John the brought against him and he was eliminated from police where it should not have been allowed to admit new mem- Evangelist (UK) Trust Association. He had forged letters inquiries. Huckle and another trustee, the Rev Charles bers. from fictitious people requesting donations from the chari- Card Reynolds, were in court to support Stuart. “It is a very sad end to a great Community,” he said. ty and then signed cheques supposedly to them but in fact St Edward’s House has been sold to Westminster School SSJE once had houses in India, South Africa and Japan. made out to himself. He paid these cheques into his own for £5 million and the money paid into the FSJ Trust. The The Society features in Alan Paton’s famous novel about personal bank account. Rt Rev , Deputy , has apartheid Cry the Beloved Country. SSJE continues to flour- Defence said that Stuart had panicked into stealing the asked the Charity Commissioners to investigate the Trust ish in the US where the monastery in Cambridge, Massa- money because he was concerned about his future. He and to appoint new trustees. chusetts, has reopened after an $11 million dollar was worried about his future following the sale of the SSJE He said he was concerned that the Trustees were not refurbishment. There is a separate body of trustees in the monastery, St Edward’s House in Westminster, and wor- exercising sufficient control over the Trust and that there US. ried how he would pay for living expenses until he was eli- was evidence of too much money being spent on expenses. The sale of St Edward’s House was first reported in CEN gible for his State pension at the age of 65. As well as giving support to projects, the Trust is before SSJE made a public announcement. No celebration Because he had resigned from the Trust after being responsible for the care of several elderly members of was held to mark the closure of a monastery that existed arrested and was not in a position to commit the same SSJE living in nursing homes and for Fr Huckle and Br in central London for almost a century. crime again and because of his previous good character Morley who have established a house in Norfolk. The total The Visitor of SSJE is the Bishop of Monmouth, the Rt and in view of the fact that he had repaid the stolen money, value of the Trust is estimated at £6 million. Rev OGS. 2,000 volunteers help to Defibrillator to help rural Welsh give Olympics a faith boost communities blessed by Bishop By Jean-Marie Magro

OVER 2,000 volunteers have paid their own way to help churches serve their communities and international visitors during the 2012 Games. They repre- sent over 40 countries including Ghana, South Korea, Russia and India. Jon Burns, the UK Director of More Than Gold, the inter-church agency that is coordinating all this activity, this week assured people that the volun- teers will not try to push their beliefs down people’s throats. He said: “We’re determined not to force feed people our beliefs – despite how passionately we hold them. We’ve seen bad examples where litter bins are full of religious lit- erature that has been given to people who didn’t really want it. “Instead,’ Mr Burns said, “We want our international volunteers to serve people and to engage with them – just as Jesus did.” The fact that this is more than just talk can be seen by all those serving on mission teams with More Than Gold being expected to sign an agreement on how they will behave. A commitment always to ‘Treat all members of the pub- lic with dignity and courtesy – never preaching at them but always seeking to serve, welcome, engage and converse.’ Some of these volunteers bring specialist skills, like the four from South Carolina who use basketballs to build bridges. Sherri Oldevak is one of them and said: “We pull people from the audience to interact with us as we spin six basketballs on our fingers and toes at the same time. When you spin a bas- ketball, people are intrigued by what you’re doing and ask questions. This is our link to share the Gospel.” From Toronto, Canada, came a 38-member team that will be helping a church organise a holiday club and a café. They’re also meeting and greeting THE , Dr Barry Morgan, blesses the first Public Access Defibrillator at the families of athletes being given free bed and breakfast so they can afford St James’ Church. The project, funded by the British Heart Foundation, will make PADs to see their loved ones take part. available to remote communities in Wales and hopefully save the lives of those who suffer The first wave of international volunteers arrived as the 2012 Olympics sudden traumatic collapses. The Church says this is taking the idea of being in the ‘heart’ of the began. They helped churches in community one step further. outreaching their sport and community programmes. A major contributor to the vol- unteer programme is the inter- national agency Youth With a Mission (YWAM). Yan Nicholls, from their Forever team, said: “Some of our volunteers are from countries where the Chris- tian gospel was first heard thanks to people from the UK. And many have said they feel, by volunteering, this is a way of giving something back. And they really have, serving local communities and local people, working tirelessly alongside local churches.” Get more news online, click on www.churchnewspaper.com for updated stories 4 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday August 12, 2012 News Young people bid to make a faith Machete man terrorises vicar film in a week By Jean-Marie Magro and pensioners in church A SMALL GROUP of young Christians from churches around Doncaster are By Amaris Cole mony group said the frightening taking up a challenge to create a short attack only came to an end when film, from scratch to finish, within a A MASKED man with a a ‘hero came in and tackled the week. machete broke into a church bloke’. The course will start from Saturday hall and attacked a pensioners’ Mrs Warner added: “After- 11 and will end on Friday 17 August to choir after smashing the vicar’s wards a policewoman said to me create a short film about their faith and car, injuring five people in Kent the man had a machete and my life. last week. blood ran cold. The youngsters will have their red- The group were rehearsing at “It was just horrendous,” she carpet premiere event on the Friday St Barnabas Church, St Paul’s added. evening (17 August, 7pm), at Cray, for their barbershop choir “When he burst through that Holmescarr Community Centre, Ross- when they were alerted of the door, it was like something out ington. man vandalising the Rev Alyson of a horror film.” Mike North, who is director of the Davie’s car and vicarage. A 56-year-old man has been Youth Ministries for the Diocese of The group of women locked arrested for assault and criminal Sheffield and one of the organisers themselves into the building damage. seems to be very euphoric. He told us and turned off the lights so it He is believed to have been that while it was hard, it was also a appeared empty, while Ginny treated in hospital for a hand great way of building relationships and Warner phoned the police and injury. learning new skills. attempted to describe the man Mrs Warner said: “It was like hitting her with her walking Five people were injured as a He hopes that this pilot project can through the curtains. a stampede and one of the more stick and kicking her in the base result of the attack, including be repeated with other groups in dif- However, the attacker burst elderly women fell or she was of the spine.” two people in their 80s. ferent contexts, to provide young peo- through the doors. pushed by the nutter and he was The women in the Velvet Har- ple with the occasion to communicate their thoughts and ideas to their com- munities and the wider world. He describes the difficulty of the Chancel law changes ‘could trap thousands,’ reports warn project as a challenge to every person By Amaris Cole had received these letters. parish churches. who is involved. But the filmmaking Resident Stuart Edwards said he had been The Government tried to clear this up by could develop friendships and give sent a letter from the Land Registry earlier giving dioceses a 10-year deadline to regis- young people a real focus and sense of REPORTS ON CHANGES to chancel law this month and felt the request to get the lia- ter who is liable with the Land Registry, so achievement. warn thousands of families will be ‘caught bility on to the deeds of his property was prospective home owners were aware of the Eric Simpson, fellow organiser and out’ in a revival of ‘archaic laws’. ‘unfair’. obligation before they completed the pur- Pastor of Rossington Community The Telegraph claimed large numbers of He said: “It’s an age-old law. These laws chase. Church, which is joining in the project, people were set to receive warnings that have never been enacted for 300 years and The deadline ends next year, meaning said that giving young people the they could face large bills to repair their all of sudden the Church has said ‘we want’. those that have not completed this legal opportunity to express themselves and local church, even if they had never attend- “It’s not just the question that they want process will be liable themselves. communicate to their friends and fami- ed it. money from us to repair the church, it’s a Many in the Church have branded the ly through film is a great idea. The paper said this would be the result of blight on the property,” the BBC reported. legal revival of this law ‘unchristian’. The film will be shown only shortly the enforcement of a 500-year-old land law. As previously reported in this newspaper, However, with the increasing squeeze on after the week ends and will also be A local report by BBC News told of the 30 those living on land previously belonging to PCCs, the Telegraph reported many view available for the young people to own residents in Broadway, Worcestershire, who monasteries are liable for repair costs of this as a ‘Godsend’. on DVD. Bishop praises church in role in Coventry fragments go on display the delivery of superfast broadband THOUSANDS OF FRAGMENTS of medieval artist, John A REPORT warning that the rolling-out glass that survived the World War II bombing Thornton. of superfast broadband is missing a of Coventry Cathedral have gone on display to Other glass vital target praises a Church of England the public this week for the first time in 70 dates from diocese for a scheme designed to pro- years. the 15th to vide access to remote rural areas. St Michael’s Cathedral was bombed almost to 19th cen- The Government has put superfast destruction on 14 November and now stands as turies. broadband at the top of its digital agen- a ruin next to the modern cathedral. But the The glass da but a House of Lords Communica- building’s magnificent stained glass survived will be on tions Committee Report says that it is the bombing, having been placed in storage in display from missing out on its target to have the 1939. It has not been seen by the public since 6 August-31 most advanced network in Europe in then. October the next three years. The report criticis- Specialists from the University of Lincoln’s 2012 at es the Government for putting more conservation consultancy division, Crick Smith, Coventry’s emphasis on speed than on coverage are working with the World Monu- Herbert Art and neglecting rural areas. ments Fund Britain and Coven- Gallery and But the Committee praised WiSpire, a joint venture between the Diocese try Cathedral to put the Museum. of Norwich and Freeclix, a local ISP, and cited it as an example of ‘the emer- glass, which repre- Ian Crick- gence of a new industry of infrastructure providers in the final mile who will sents Britain’s Smith, Sen- be able to respond to local demand and compete effectively with their largest collection ior Research national cousins to build local networks’. of loose medieval Fellow at the The , the Rt Rev Graham James, who is a member of stained glass, back University of the Committee said: “It is often those in the remotest areas who need good on display. Lincoln and co-founder of Crick Smith broadband access for business, education and leisure. Broadband is fast The project involves UL said: “The centre of Coventry has becoming an essential utility and a truly national infrastructure is still not in cleaning and repairing some very important historic build- place. No community should be left behind.” an estimated 5,000 frag- ings, yet it is often overlooked as a Rural business people blame the Government’s decision to use local coun- ments of stained glass, historic centre. The conservation of the cils to deliver the superfast network for the delay, arguing that very few many of which have stained glass and its prominence as a col- councils have started procuring. Some business leaders have said there is a degraded in storage. Some lection of ancient artefacts will act as a focus need for a more top-down not bottom-up approach but the Norwich example of the glass is by the 15th cen- for the rediscovery of historic Coventry and the shows that the voluntary sector can make a contribution. tury Coventry stained glass regeneration of its historic quarter.”

Get more news online, click on www.churchnewspaper.com for updated stories News Sunday August 12, 2012 www.churchnewspaper.com 5 South Carolina mulls secession

By George Conger At last month’s General Convention in Indianapolis, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church it is likely Episcopal Church voted to endorse provisional local rites that a large majority will follow him. However a small num- THE DIOCESE of South Carolina is on the brink of seces- for the blessing of same-sex unions. Some dioceses have ber of congregations and clergy are self-identified support- sion from the Episcopal Church, following the 77th Gener- interpreted the vote as permission to authorise their clergy ers of the national Church and will likely instigate civil and al Convention’s vote to permit a local option on same-sex to perform gay marriages in states that recognise such canonical legal proceedings against the bishop and depart- blessings. unions. Bishop Lawrence and six of the eight members of ing clergy should they secede. At a 25 July meeting of the South Carolina clergy, Bishop the South Carolina deputation to the Convention withdrew Should Bishop Lawrence recommend staying, it is likely Mark Lawrence said he no longer sees a place for the dio- from its proceedings after the gay blessings vote, per- that a number of the Diocese’s parishes will unilaterally cese in the General Convention and announced he would turbed by what they saw as abandonment by the Episcopal withdraw. spend the next 25 days praying as to what his, and the dio- Church of the universal witness of the Church on the pur- In the neighbouring Diocese of Georgia, one parish has cese’s, next steps might be. pose and meaning of Christian marriage. already announced its decision to quit the Episcopal In a letter prepared on 30 July by the canon to the ordi- Church. Last week the and vestry of St John’s Epis- nary of South Carolina, the Rev Jim Lewis, a summary of copal Church in Moultrie announced they were resigning the clergy meeting was shared with those unable to be their offices and would form St Mark’s Anglican Church present. under the oversight of the Anglican Church of North Bishop Lawrence summarised the remarks he gave to America. the House of Bishops in private session when he The Rev William McQueen, the former rector of St announced his withdrawal. By voting for the “adoption of John’s, told The Church of England Newspaper that the authorised provisional rites to bless same gender relation- vestry had turned over the keys of the church to the bish- ships, the doctrine, discipline and worship of this Church op and would meet for the time being in a chapel provided have been profoundly changed,” the Bishop said. by a local Baptist church. He expected all of the congrega- “He told the Bishops that the magnitude of these tion would leave St John’s. changes was such that he could no longer in good con- “We have disagreed with The Episcopal Church for a science continue in the business of the Convention. In fact, long time, most notably over the issues of women’s ordina- he was left with the grave question of whether he could tion, the national Church’s stance on abortion, certainly continue as a bishop of an institution that had adopted the events of 2003 and beyond, but most importantly the such changes,” the letter said. erosion of the historic catholic faith surrounding who Canon Lewis wrote that “since that time, and in the gath- Jesus Christ is, and the authority and interpretation of ering of the Diocesan Clergy, the Bishop stated that he Holy Scripture,” Fr McQueen said. believes the Episcopal Church has crossed a line he can- not personally cross. He also expressed to the clergy that though he might act one way if he were a priest in a diocese, as a Bishop he feels deeply his vow before God to faith- fully lead and shepherd the Diocese of South Carolina. Both dimensions of this dilemma weigh upon him at this time.” Bishop Lawrence urged the clergy not to take any precipitous actions in the coming weeks and asked “for a period of grace as he prayerfully seeks the face of the Lord, and asks for God’s direction,” the letter said. THE SONS AND FRIENDS “Upon his return at the end of August he will meet with the Standing Committee and OF THE CLERGY the clergy of the Diocese to share that dis- cernment and his sense of the path forward.” making grant applications simpler Bishop Mark Lawrence Should Bishop Lawrence recommend the Diocese withdraw or distance itself from the THE TWO LEADING CLERGY CHARITIES now work together with a unified grant-making system. Applications are considered by a common body of trustees who are responsible China anger over new schools plan for the affairs of both organisations, making the process simpler for anyone wishing to apply. TENS OF THOUSANDS of protesters marched in The 32-page booklet extols the virtues of the Hong Kong last week in protest to a government mainland government and one-party state. The Chi- IN 2011 SOME £1.85M WAS AWARDED IN GRANTS plan to introduce a “Chinese Model National Condi- nese Communist Party (CCP) is described as “pro- for a wide range of purposes including: tions Teaching Manual” for the territory’s schools gressive, selfless and united” in contrast to the that critics charge whitewashes the crimes of the two-party American and multi-party European polit- Communist regime. ical systems. While short references are made to Assistance for special needs education Organisers of the march from Victoria Park to the recent mainland political and economic scandals School clothing and school trips government education department offices stated there is no mention of the 10-year Cultural Revolu- Clerical clothing, holidays and resettlement 90,000 parents, children, teachers and concerned tion, the 1989 Tiananmen massacre or state-induced Heating and home maintenance for the retired residents of Hong Kong took part in the demonstra- famines of the Maoist era. Bereavement expenses and some of the expenses arising from tion chanting slogans denouncing “brainwashing” The Hong Kong Professional Teachers Union, separation and divorce, as well as and “thought control”. which represents the majority of teachers in the ter- Cases of emergency, illness and misfortune Hong Kong’s Anglican, Evangelical Lutheran and ritory with a membership of 80,000, called upon the Roman Catholic parochial schools have vowed not government to drop the patriotic education pro- DONATIONS AND LEGACIES are always welcome to to use the “patriotic education” programme, which gramme. Teachers’ Union chairman Fung Wai-wah help us maintain this level of support. they say was adopted by the government of the out- said the government “should not wait until students going pro-Beijing Chief executive Donald Tsang refuse to show up in class before it reviews the FOR MORE INFORMATION please contact us at: without public consultation or review by the legisla- course,” the Hong Kong press reported. 1 Dean Trench Street, London SW1P 3HB tive council. Private Schools are not required to use the cur- Tel: 020 7799 3696 The manual was prepared by the Hong Kong riculum. The state-aided Anglican, Lutheran and Email: [email protected] Patriotic Education Services Centre organized by Catholic parochial schools – which comprise a third the 26,000-member Hong Kong Federation of Edu- of the territory’s schools — have declined to use the www.clergycharities.org.uk cation Workers – a teacher’s alliance run by the materials, while Taoist and Muslims schools will Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and join secular state schools in using the materials. Corporation of the Sons of the Clergy Charity No. 207736 Progress of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong political Schools were offered $530,000 grants for implemen- Friends of the Clergy Corporation Charity No. 264724 party with the closest ties to the mainland’s commu- tation of the curriculum, which will become manda- Both registered in England and Wales nist government. The Tsang administration gave tory for primary schools in 2015 and for secondary HK$13 million to the Centre to produce the booklet. schools four years later.

Get more news online, click on www.churchnewspaper.com for updated stories 6 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday August 12, 2012 News American Ordinariate accused of being ‘insufficiently Catholic’ THE AMERICAN branch of the Anglican with more on the way; new communities Ordinariate is insufficiently Catholic, crit- being received into the Ordinariate regu- ics charge, following the announcement larly, with the next one in Boston this the Ordinariate of the Chair of St Peter will August; and policies, procedures and a not use the traditional Latin mass – the structure being put in place to ensure the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. Ordinariate has a firm foundation for a Clergy who had been permitted to use healthy future.” the Latin mass by their Anglican bishops However, she noted that “bloggers tell The Church of England Newspaper they always will speculate, but the focus of the are nonplussed in being forbidden to use Ordinariate continues to be on building up the traditional rite now that they are this new community of faith, with a healthy Catholic . presbyterate and healthy local communi- On 30 July, Mgr Jeffrey Steenson, the ties.” ordinary of the Chair of St Peter and the The American branch of the Anglican former bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Ordinariate is one of three so far created in the Rio Grande, released a statement clari- response to the provisions of the Apostolic fying the Ordinariate’s liturgical formula- Constitution Anglicanorun coetibus. In ries after some new converts claimed he addition to the Chair of St Peter in America was bullying them by forbidding the use of and Our Lady of Walsingham for England the Latin mass. and Wales, the Personal Ordinariate of Our On 29 July 2012 the Anglo-Catholic web- Lady of the Southern Cross was estab- site posted a story stating Mgr Steenson lished in June for Australia. had discouraged his clergy from using the A former Church of England clergyman Latin mass, directing them to use only who became a bishop of the Traditional approved Anglican and Catholic English- Anglican Communion, the Rev Harry language liturgies. Entwistle was appointed as the first ordi- Christian Campbell stated that he had it nary. on “unimpeachable authority that there is Fr Entwistle was born on 31 May 1940, at an ongoing crackdown on those AU/Ordi- , . After studies at St. nariate priests who would dare to learn or Chad’s Theological College in the Universi- celebrate the Extraordinary Form of the ty of Durham, he was ordained a priest in Roman Rite on the part of [Mgr] Steenson” “The Mass celebrated by [Blessed] John also how to celebrate” according to the tra- 1964 for the . and other Ordinariate leaders. Henry Newman is not apt for the Anglican ditional Latin mass were “certainly encour- After serving parishes in Fleetwood, The “affected priests are naturally fright- converts of the Ordinariate,” was how one aged to do so” under the “supervision of Hardwick, Weedon, Aston Abbotts and ened, and unwilling to go on record, but commentator characterised Mgr Steen- the local bishop,” Mgr Steenson said, so as Cublington, he was a chaplain in the prison make no mistake, the leadership of the US son’s actions. to “assist in those stable communities that service from 1974 to 1988, serving as Sen- Ordinariate at present has set itself against But in a statement posted on the Ordi- use the Extraordinary Form.” ior Chaplain at HM Prison Wandsworth both Summorum Pontificum and Angli- nariate’s website, Mgr Steenson responded However the traditional Latin Mass, (the before emigrating to Australia, where he canorum coetibus,” he stated, adding: “I to his detractors saying those elements of Extraordinary Form) “is not integral to the took up the post of Senior Anglican Chap- also have it on good authority that this the Anglican liturgical patrimony incorpo- Anglican patrimony, it is not properly used lain for the Department of Corrective Serv- intimidation, an abuse of power, is being rated into the liturgical life of the Ordinari- in our communities,” Mgr Steenson wrote. ices in Western Australia. In 2006 he joined reported directly to the Roman Authorities. ate sought to balance “two historic A spokesman for the Ordinariate told the Traditional Anglican Communion and And the contention that the traditional principles — that Christian prayer and CEN that over the past seven months, Mgr was appointed Western Regional Bishop Latin Mass has no bearing on the Anglican proclamation should be offered in the ver- Steenson “has undertaken the incredible and Parish Priest of Maylands in Perth. Patrimony — this simply has me flabber- nacular and that the language of worship task of building what is essentially a nation- The head of the English Ordinariate, gasted.” should be sacral.” al diocese from the ground up, and with Mgr Keith Newton said he was pleased to Other traditionalist Catholic websites The Ordinariate’s “Book of Divine Wor- few resources.” learn of the appointment. “Fr Entwistle has picked up the story, with many commenta- ship Rite I” was its principal liturgical “Looking back, we can see all that has a wealth of experience from his Anglican tors berating Mgr Steenson. By not allow- resource, while “those congregations that been accomplished, including a high quali- ministry in England and in Australia, and I ing the traditional Latin mass the ordinary prefer a contemporary idiom, the Roman ty application and formation programme look forward to working with him closely was forbidding the use of the liturgy that Missal 3rd edition could be used.” for clergy; ordinations of more than 20 as we seek to articulate the vision of Angli- “shaped the Anglo-Catholic movement.” Ordinariate clergy who “want to learn priests in two countries in just six months - canorum coetibus,” he said.

Nurses ‘poisoned’ for breaking Ramadan fast claim Christchurch Cathedral plans rejected CHRISTIAN LEADERS in Pak- Need that he had asked that the believe this was a religiously THE BISHOP of Christchurch, the Rt Rev Victoria Matthews, has istan have called for a govern- incident be investigated by the motivated crime as the poisoned rejected as unsafe and expensive a proposal to rebuild the city’s earth- ment probe after nine nurses Pakistan Catholic advocacy tea was consumed after dusk, quake-damaged cathedral. were allegedly poisoned for organisation the National Com- when the Ramadan fast was over, Last week, Bishop Matthews said she was not persuaded by the argu- breaking the Ramadan fast by mission for Justice and Peace while the hospital’s medical ments put forth by the Great Christchurch Building Trust that there drinking tea. (NCJP). superintendent, Prof Saeed were feasible alternatives to demolishing the cathedral and that it could On 30 July, nine Christian nurs- “It is still unclear what the Quraishy said he did not believe be restored. ing students at the Karachi Civil motive was behind this incident this was a criminal act as the The difference in cost would “probably be about $15 million, and it’s Hospital were taken ill after of poisoning,” the Archbishop Christian nurses had made the very interesting in post-earthquake Christchurch we talk about millions drinking tea during a work break. said. “Was it a religious motive, tea themselves. like we once talked about hundreds. But when you think about $15 mil- At least three of the nurses were was it a criminal motive or was it However, Christian leaders lion it could do a great deal of good in other places,” the Bishop said. in intensive care following the purely accidental?” remain convinced this was a reli- No decision had yet been made on the final design of the new cathe- poisoning but all are expected to According to a report printed gious attack. Speaking at the dral, Bishop Matthews said, but it would not be a replica or a radical recover. in the Express Tribune, one of the Karachi Press Club, William departure in style from the Gothic cathedral but a reconstruction. Police have launched an inves- nurses brewed the tea in the Sadiq – a Christian NGO worker On 22 February 2011 the city of Christchurch on New Zealand’s tigation into the incident, which nurses’ hostel before the start of – said it was likely the tea had South Island was badly damaged by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake. The Christian leaders believe was the evening shift at 10:00 pm. been poisoned earlier in the day. cathedral’s tower collapsed and the walls and masonry were badly dam- staged by Muslim extremists After drinking the tea they all Tensions over Christians not aged, while the rose window above the altar was destroyed in a June who were angry the nurses were became ill and had to be taken to observing the Ramadan fast aftershock. not observing the dusk-to-dawn the hospital’s emergency depart- arose during the day. At a 28 October press conference the Bishop and Dean announced Ramadan fast. Catholic Archbish- ment. “Whatever the truth, it is defi- the cathedral would be deconsecrated in preparation for rebuilding. op Joseph Coutts of Karachi told Mr Saleem Khokhar, a member nitely a cause for concern,” the Bishop Matthews said the new cathedral would never look “exactly as it the charity Aid to the Church in of parliament, said he did not Archbishop said. used to”, but would be a “mix of old and new”. Leader & Comment Sunday August 12, 2012 www.churchnewspaper.com 7 Comment Using language in a Making sense Christian way The Christian faith has deep roots in the Word and in words. John’s Gospel echoes the magnificent creation anthem of Genesis 1 in announcing ‘In the beginning was the Word’, then later ‘And the Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us, full of grace and truth’. This very of the Bible Word of God emerges from the Hebraic revelation of God through the prophets and writings: precious and vital for our understanding of God, trying to discover the exact date of the Israelites’ ourselves, history, creation and Jesus. Language, as the philosophers exodus from Egypt. It was like attempting the Rubik now tell us, is inherently part of the human condition, surely a Hebraic Peter Mullen cube with your hands tied behind your back. Face- insight over against the emphasis on ‘mind’ of the Greek thinkers. ‘Can tiously, I think I answered in the exam: “It was about you think without words?’, asks Wittgenstein. half past three on a Thursday afternoon in late Sep- Our culture is communicated through language, through writing As an intellectual, I am fastidious in my choice of tember 1220 BC”. and reading, through great works of history and interpretation, reading material. Usually this is Men’s Health maga- It’s a wonder I ever got myself ordained, isn’t it? through the whole canon of literature, through song and poetry, as zine, Nuts and Zoo. And, just to demonstrate that I’m Some would even say, a pity. well as visual arts. Christian worship praises the Lord in singing to a right-on liberal Christian and not fazed by “gender My advice is this: don’t waste your time on these God the Father, in the Spirit, redeemed by the suffering of the incar- issues”, I steel myself to the alien crotch and occa- tedious, self-obsessed pedants and professional cir- nate Word. Preaching the Gospel obviously is not ‘just words’ but sionally peer into Gay Times. Cor, if I continue in cumlocutionists. Read those inspired creatures of words inseparable from honest truth and goodness, a kind of incarna- this broadmindedness, they might even make me God – St Augustine for instance – who could actual- tion. ! ly write: The age of the social media, as is now often said, has huge potential But I confess I do occasionally depart from all this “O Lord, thou hast made us for thyself; and our for good and ill. Communication and access to vast tracts of informa- intellectual rigour, award myself the afternoon off, hearts are restless till they rest in thee.” And, “Then tion has opened up to everyone. Facebook and Twitter are about link- and turn to some lighter reading. It was in this frivo- came I to Carthage, burning, burning; and a caul- ing us up quickly and sharing our lives with our friends and lous mood, therefore, that I picked up Myles dron of unholy lusts sang all about mine ears.” neighbours, a kind of communal way of life, and that surely has impor- Burnyeat’s commentary on The Theaetetus of Plato. By comparison, the dullard critics of post-Enlight- tant Christian echoes against individualism and the autonomous self. As everyone knows, this is Plato’s account of his enment biblical scholarship wouldn’t burn if you And yet the quality of ‘information’ on the web can be suspect: there is theory of knowledge. Now what I found interesting poured a can of petrol over their numbskulls and no basic library to check the material being read on screen. Access to about this book is that Burnyeat’s commentary threw in a match. material that would have been illegal is now mainstream, available and stretches to 255 pages while the actual text of the Tyndale and Luther put the Bible into the hands becoming normal. Children, we hear are ‘sexting’, caught up in the Theaetetus is only about 80 pages. Moreover, of everyman. I urge you to thank God for this grace ever more edgy experiential mood of the day. The private world is pub- Burnyeat places his commentary first and the text and then actually to pick up your Bible and read it. lic and instant, as the ongoing flow of Twitters shows, revealing praise- of Theaetetus after it. So, if like me you usually start In the words of Ezra Pound: “You will find that from worthy features of people but also a very dark side. a book at page one and continue time to time you are refreshed ‘Trolls’, from behind the screen of anonymity, hurl nasty insults at to the end, you might come away ‘There is a way to with shards of ecstasy.” the beautiful people, and that in turn cranks up demands for the polic- with the idea that Burnyeat is the Open it at almost any page: ing of the social networks, turning a supposed agency for freedom into main event and Plato only there make sense of the “And Adam heard the voice of a justification for state snooping. The Christian voice here might well to make up the numbers. God walking in the garden in the urge the need for openness and not anonymity in the world of Twitter. Well, let me try to lay aside Bible but it’s not what cool of the day....” Christian language is to be honest and open, as God’s very Word is such prejudice for a moment and these Enlightenment “Take off thy shoes from off inseparable from the divine being of love, God’s Word and God’s being look at what Burnyeat says. This thy feet, for the ground whereon coincide with total transparency and good faith. is how he writes: critics, blind guides, thou standest is holy ground...” So the Christian might well support open commenting and ‘Tweet- “The issues of substance men- “And Ruth said, Intreat me not ing’ and reject hidden remarks, often hurtful, from behind a mask. tioned here are those that con- do’ to leave thee, or to return from That accords far better with the role of the ‘Accuser’ in Scripture, a nect the definition with following after thee; for whither dark power desiring the good of none and the downfall of all. How we Protagorean relativism. It is Protagoras himself thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will conduct our lives in terms of our use of the precious created gift of lan- who, in response to this parade of verbal objections, lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy God guage is vitally important personally and socially. brings the discussion back to the epistemological my God. Where thou diest, will I die, and there will and metaphysical implications of the definition...” I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if The Church of England Newspaper Are you with me so far? By contrast, this is how ought but death part thee and me.” with Celebrate magazine incorporating The Record and Christian Week Plato, putting words into the mouth of Socrates, “And he turned to the woman, and said unto writes: Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine Published by Religious Intelligence Ltd. “God compels me to attend to the travails of oth- house. Thou gavest me no water for my feet; but Company Number: 3176742 ers but forbids me to procreate. So that I am not in she hath washed my feet with her tears and wiped Publisher: Keith Young MBE any sense a wise man; I cannot claim as the child of them with the hair of her head. Thou gavest me no my own soul any discovery worth the name of wis- kiss; but this woman, since the time I came in, hath Publishing Director & Editor: CM BLAKELY 020 7222 8004 dom.” not ceased to kiss my feet.” Chief Correspondent: The Rev Canon GEORGE CONGER 00 1 0772 332 2604 And so the book reveals itself throughout: the There is a way to make sense of the Bible but it’s Reporter: AMARIS COLE 020 7222 8700 infelicities and desecrations of Burnyeat’s forensic not what these Enlightenment critics, blind guides, syntax lie next to the calm, lucid and, above all, do. And the posh word for this is “typology.” It just Advertising: CHRIS TURNER 020 7222 2018 modest prose of Plato himself. But why am I telling means making connections. As EM Forster said, Advertising & Editorial Assistant: PENNY NAIR PRICE 020 7222 2018 you this? Because to do so is a good way into “Only connect,” And if you try this, you will find, to describing what’s been wrong with most theological take just one example, that the Trinity is prefigured Subscriptions & Finance: DELIA ROBINSON 020 7222 8663 writing – and especially biblical criticism – these in the three who turn up outside Abraham’s tent Graphic Designer: PETER MAY 020 7222 8700 last 200 years. It is generally tedious and unin- 1,500 years before St John’s Gospel; and the Trinity spired. Reading, for instance, David Strauss is like is imagined again in the three on the Mount of The acceptance of advertising does not necessarily indicate trying to find your way through Hampton Court Transfiguration and the three crosses on Calvary. endorsement. Photographs and other material sent for publication maze while wearing a blindfold. And Strauss was You are meant to understand with your feelings are submitted at the owner’s risk. The Church of England Newspaper not by any means the worst. There are even more and intellect combined for, like Our Lord Jesus does not accept responsibility for any material lost or damaged. indescribably boring and circumlocutionary writers Christ, we are incarnated, bodies, parts and pas- Christian Weekly Newspapers Trustees: Robert Leach (020 8224 5696), Lord Carey such as Pannenberg and Kung. While Bornkamm sions. of Clifton, The Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, The Rt Rev Pete Broadbent, Dr Elaine makes Heidegger seem positively racy by compari- Take your courage in both hands and open Storkey, The Rev Peter Brown son. Luther’s Bible. It’s not difficult: the rhythms are It is all because this so-called scholarly and aca- almost the same as the King James: The Church of England Newspaper, demic tradition is so forensic, unimaginative and “Und Gott sprach: Es werde Licht! Und es ward Religious Intelligence Ltd sterile. These men will ponder 50 years over “a Licht!” 14 Great College Street, London, SW1P 3RX missing word in Deutero-Isaiah” – while paying no And then Haydn’s Creation and his glorious C- Editorial e-mail: [email protected] imaginative attention at all to the many thousands of major chord will break all about your ears. And your Advertising e-mail: [email protected] words in Deutero-Isaiah that are not missing. I personal chaos will be set in a wonderful order. Subscriptions e-mail: [email protected] recall, with a hiccup of misery, spending years at Goodnight Mr Burnyeat and all ye forensics. I theological college, at the command of my teachers, prefer inspired utterance. Website: www.churchnewspaper.com Get more news online, click on www.churchnewspaper.com for updated stories 8 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday August 12, 2012 Letters

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Misguided gramophone which matters, if the sound Engaging with creationism impressed on the spinning record is to be Sir, Mr Carey (29 July) is deeply misguided heard, is the pointed tip of the needle. about creationism (calling it nonsense) and Sir, Andrew Carey is right to protest about the British Humanist Association cam- In like manner today, the Church of Eng- about science. paign and the “general attempt to shrink the space for religious participation in pub- land seems to be typified by what I can but The fact is that both creationists and evo- lic life,” (View from the Pew, 29 July). The new secularism tries to portray people of call an ‘anthropomorphic Christianity’, in lutionists have exactly the same evidence, faith as extremists, but Andrew is spot on when he describes their stance as a “brand which human relationships have pride of which exists in the present, and both sides of extremist secularism [that] is aided and abetted by ignorance about faith”. place above all other considerations, perform science using the scientific My concern is that he has listened too much to their polemical attacks on creation- including relationships with and between a method (established by the creationist Sir ism and could do with a closer engagement with what they actually say. A good start myriad aspects of creation, from atoms and Francis Bacon). would be to read the book Should Christians Embrace Evolution? edited by geneticist molecules to stars and galaxies - not forget- But the scientific method cannot tell us Professor Norman Nevin (IVP 2009). The 11 chapters are written by people who ting the planet Mars! Are we really that what happened in the unobserved past. All refute the claim that there are “no significant Christian leaders who support cre- important? views about the origins are necessarily ationism”. Furthermore, creationists are not trying to tear up the textbooks, but are JC Crosthwaite, held by faith. Each side uses their assump- seeking to teach evidences in a way that develops critical thinking skills and does not Carnforth, tions to interpret the evidence. Those who force-fit them into an evolutionary narrative. Creationists are arguing for better claim that creationists are not scientific are teaching and are not trying to ban anything. either ignorant of the nature of science, or If we thought more about the historicity of Adam and Eve and attempts by evolu- Olympic hymn deliberately trying to mislead. For example tionists to portray our first parents as mythical figures, then the relevance of these Sir, It was wonderful that those who by pretending that evolution is assumption- issues would be more evident to the general community of Christian believers. designed the Olympic opening ceremony free and faith-free. Dr David Tyler, included a number of hymns for a variety of Many of the greatest scientists of all Reader at Manchester Metropolitan University reasons, showing the extent of Christian were creationists (Newton, Kepler, Kelvin, influence on our country’s heritage. It is a Maxwell, Joule, Pasteur, Babbage, to name shame that the Prime Minister and a few but a few). others are determined to ruin that by intro- The vast majority of science (decoding to try the experiment can do no better than biblical theology. ducing same-sex marriage in an undemoc- DNA, building space rockets, etc) has visit the outstanding creation.com This seem to be an unnecessary asser- ratic way. The next election will confirm nothing whatever to do with origins, one Duncan Reeve, tion. Would it be that many who are expert how far adrift they are from the electorate way or the other. High Wycombe in biblical theology should be equally con- when many in “safe” seats are unseated by It is interesting to note that it is only evo- versant with the scientific method. Those the majority of people who do not want this lutionists (and their sheep) that want to sti- who are so equally conversant such as the country run by MPs who are set on fle debate. Creationists are more than Paul and leadership estimable Rev Dr John Polkinghorne are destroying our heritage and do not listen to happy for opposing views on origins to be Sir, Colin Craston (Letters, 29 July) draws eventually reduced to a world of paradox. the electorate. taught, and for people to be encouraged to my attention to articles on the use of the Even he would admit irreversibility -- for J Longstaff, use critical thinking. One wonders what Greek word kephale in the New Testament example, vector algebra would assist the Woodford Green evolutionists are scared of. as applied to the relationship between men understanding of field theory but not vice Since I accept God’s word as authorita- and women and their roles in the leader- versa. tive, I do not accept assumptions about mil- ship of the Church. I write as a man who We could rather argue that Anglican the- Awkward? Me? lions of years of evolution. The Bible is was eager to find good cause to support the ology, sic biblical theology, has led us to Sir, Since I never was at Manchester Uni- unequivocal that God created the universe ordination and consecration of women. So where we are today with controversial versity, as John Hughes claims (July 15), it recently in six days. Jesus taught that far I have not been persuaded. issues like women ministers and bishops cannot be held to account for my ‘Awkward Adam and Eve were created ‘in the begin- The subject is very difficult for people and the acceptance of homosexuality. Angle’. He worries that the Church is in ning’ (Mt 19:4). God wrote with his own fin- like me who have not the training or For the first, such problems never exist- danger from a monstrous regiment of ger (Ex 31:18) that he created in six days resources to come to a decision whether to ed with nascent Christianity and our prob- women who, however gifted, necessarily and rested for one day, to set the pattern join the pro female consecration band or lems lie with the impossible hierarchical lack proper ‘spiritual authority’. Despite for our week. the antis. How can we stand up against the system we have inherited. For the second never having studied Jewish Studies, as I prefer to trust the finger of God over scholarship of FF Bruce and CK Barrett as we fail to get back to first principles where such, I am aware that Debra was an effec- the claims of the British Humanist Associa- they support the pro camp, or Don Carson the concern for the homosexual ignores tive Judge in her day. tion, or Mr Carey. and Wayne Grudem who support the antis? the associated unsavoury practices. Dr Christopher Knight worries about I too used to think like Mr Carey. I The difficulty I have in accepting Colin For the religious there is a need to wait lack of discipline, and it is probably less encourage him to try putting aside evolu- Craston’s conclusion is that it seems to me for God’s lead on the issues… the true risky to ‘tell it like it is’, if one is a lay per- tionary assumptions, and instead start with to challenge St Paul’s description of the believer cannot accept a duality in God … son. That Syro-Phonecian woman was the premise that the Bible is true. gifts he had been endowed with as an and for the scientist a parallel need to undoubtedly also ‘awkward’ when she • God created in six days, a few thousand Apostle. He describes himself as the Apos- accept that round the corner might lie a pestered Jesus to reconsider his response years ago; tle to the Gentiles with a brief to be all new progressive finding which can change to her request. Is it too much to ask today’s • The original perfect creation was cursed, things to all men and assuring the Corinthi- contemporary understanding. Church to offer crumbs from the marriage bringing death (and carnivory, thorns, dis- ans that he could speak more languages Prof R David Langman, feast to same-sex couples? I have been ease, etc) into the world; than the other teachers. Would such a man, Stratford-upon-Avon truly astonished that so many of my letters • God judged the world with a Global flood filled with and guided by the Holy Spirit, be have been printed but remembering the (which is why the whole world is covered unaware that when he used the word parable of the Persistent Widow has dis- in sedimentary rock, laid down by water, kephale, although he intended it to mean People come first? solved any embarrassment. containing billons of dead creatures); ‘source of’ the average Greek reader would Sir, Reading Paul Richardson’s review of Serena Lancaster, • Mankind was again judged at Babel (giv- think it meant ‘authority over’ and thus Stephen Bullivant’s book The Salvation of Moreton-in-Marsh, Glos. ing rise to the people groups, from which throw such confusion into the Church’s Atheists and Catholic Dogmatic Theology (5 today’s nations are descended); position on its leadership for over 2000 August) I sensed yet again that uncomfort- • The original created kinds have given years. able feeling which I sometimes get from rise to abundant variation through natural I find this to be improbable. evangelical and liberal Christians alike, selection, genetic drift, etc. It is to be noted Charles Walker, that ‘people always come first’: their eter- Subscribe to the CEN that all ‘proofs’ of evolution (peppered Beverley, E Yorks nal salvation and/or their earthly well- moths, Finches beaks, bacterial resistance, being. It is as though the billions of human for just £65 per year etc) are in reality examples of variation beings who have covered the earth over (PRINT & ONLINE) within created kinds. Science and faith the past ten-to-twenty millennia (not a long When one takes off evolutionary glasses, Sir, In reviewing Atheism’s New Clothes by time) are all that creation is about. Yet SEE PAGE 15 and replaces them with Biblical glasses, David H Glass (29 July) Paul Richardson quite obviously human life is plentiful and one can see that the evolutionary tale is sci- suggests that those who advocate atheism cheap. To draw an old (and not very accu- entifically bankrupt. Those that would like must be well read in theology, particularly rate) parallel, it is as if the only part of a Letters continue on page 13

Get more news online, click on www.churchnewspaper.com for updated stories Comment Sunday August 12, 2012 www.churchnewspaper.com 9

number of politicians and office-holders axe to grind and are there merely to in Westminster. At a time of financial assist the process of producing the very need this would have been no small best legislation. That they have not suc- example of the possibility of public sec- ceeded in recent years is not wholly Andrew Carey: tor savings at a time when our publicly their fault. The Palace of Westminster accountable authorities seem intent on has suffered from legislative inconti- cutting front line services rather than nence for the past two decades. Over back office functions. 4,000 new laws were created during the View from the Pew It is still possible at this stage to cut Blair years, and yet strangely little or no the number of peers substantially, even previous legislation was repealed. reducing the Peers Spiritual to a more As it stands Parliament is attempting manageable 16, rather than the dracon- to do too much, very poorly. It is about ian cut to 12. One of the glories of the time the electorate said, enough is A bad idea in the first place House of Lords is the existence of the enough, and voted at the next election cross-benches, to which people are for the party with the thinnest - in paper appointed who have no party-political terms - manifesto. So the House of Lords reforms are to be primarily a chamber for revising and refining entirely abandoned after the failure by the legislation then the question of elections by Deputy Prime Minister to persuade Conser- proportional representation might never vative MPs of the merits of his particular pro- have come up. At the very least, the possibil- Never forget the creator as we progress posals. ity of a majority-elected second chamber Interestingly, it is Nick Clegg who has would have posed a challenge to the primacy I have written recently about the hoped-for feelgood factor, which might be the by- advocated the greater political maturity that of the House of Commons. product of the Olympic Games in Britain at least. We have become a depressed and coalition politics represents. Yet he appears Additionally, it would have swept away the anxious society unwilling to invest in, and strive for, a better future. to be shelving all possible reform simply cross-benches, emptied the Lords of much of The news of the successful landing of the Curiosity Rover on Mars by the fantastic because his blueprint did not pass muster. If its expertise, and given even greater influ- scientists at NASA is an even greater reason to celebrate the ‘can do’ spirit of human- it looks like a fit of pique, it probably is. ence to party political machinery. ity. These plans were badly flawed in the first From a church point of view it would have I have never been a believer in the onward sweep of progress - one of the great lib- place. Firstly, there was a simple question made full-time politicians of some 12 of our eral conceits - yet it is undoubtedly true that technological, rather than moral, that should have been posed at the begin- bishops and left them sticking out like sore progress has been the hallmark of most human societies and communities. ning of any consultation or inquiry: ‘What do thumbs among the party apparatchiks. In terms of our human ingenuity we follow in the footsteps of our Creator. The we want the House of Lords to be?’ We could The sad thing is that vital reforms that great JRR Tolkien described his own ‘mythological’ Middle Earth as a ‘sub-creation’. then have considered other models for sec- could have been accomplished will not be. In many ways it was his vocation to be a ‘sub-creator’. In a broader sense, human ond chambers from other countries. If we House of Lords reform, together with the beings are sub-creators - especially the technicians and scientists of NASA and the had decided we wanted it to continue to be boundary changes, could have reduced the athletes of London 2012.

Walking in the The joys of walking

Naked walking is not likely to be too common in the Diocese of London A regular CEN contributor recently went on a walk from Berwick in to East- and the same CEN contributor encountered none when he did one of the bourne. A middle-aged couple seemed very keen to get ahead of him but when they ‘faith walks’ that feature in a special leaflet prepared by the Diocese to entered into a large meadow the man came back to warn our contributor that he help visitors appreciate the capital’s Christian heritage. Over 40 churches and his female companion were naked walkers and intended to take their clothes feature in the booklet, the majority Anglican but including some Catholic off. He hoped our man would not be upset. Assurances were readily given. Appar- churches. Churches in the book are meant to be open daily from 27 July- ently there is no law in Britain making public nudity illegal. Victorian laws on ‘inde- 9 September. CEN’s man did the Tower Hamlets walk from Christ cent exposure’ were repealed a few years ago and replaced by a law that makes it an Church on the Isle of Dogs to St Peter, London Docks in Wapping. He offence only if it is intended to cause harm or distress. According to the Saturday didn’t finish the walk, which goes via Christ Church, Spitalfields, to St Walkers’ Club website, a Government minister has confirmed that this law does not John’s, Bethnal Green. Some of the walks are quite long and can be con- affect genuine naked walkers who have no such intention. “Provided walkers avoid siderable distances between churches. But all the churches were open built-up areas and crowded places when walking without clothes, there is little risk and most had visitors’ books to sign and parishioners to welcome walk- of committing an offence,” the website advises. Maybe it’s not illegal, but CEN’s ers. In a number of churches our contributor was offered cake and tea contributor, who is a regular walker, told us he can think of other problems. On the and St Paul’s, Shadwell, had a giant screen showing the Olympics as well walk from Berwick he encountered plenty of nettles and barbed wire fences. as refreshments. In most cases the number of visitors seemed to be run- Berwick in Sussex might enjoy days of sunny weather but Berwick-on-Tweed is ning at five or six a day (as recorded in the Visitors’ Books). Only St unlikely to offer such favourable conditions for naked walkers who are probably Mary’s, Cable Street, restricted access by having locked iron gates just more common in the than in the . How inside the church, allowing the visitor no more than a view of the church do people react? “A lot are amused, some are envious, some are indifferent, and and not even a pew in which to kneel and offer a prayer. some mildly disapproving but very few are shocked,” according to the Saturday Walkers’ Club. The Whispering Gallery... Gordon Does God Is Billy anti-Gay? Much has been written about Tony Blair and God; less has been said about Gordon Brown’s spiritual journey. Doug Gay, Principal of Trinity College in the University of Glasgow, discusses the subject in the latest A man who worked for Billy Graham for four years is claiming that the famous issue of Crucible. According to Gay, Brown didn’t do God while he was in evangelist did not write two statements recently issued under his name. Writing on power not because anyone else stopped him but because of an ongoing the Huffington Post Religion blog, Steve Knight says that a recent fundraising letter internal self-censorship. Since leaving No 10 Brown has reflected on reli- that quotes Billy’s wife saying “If God doesn’t punish America, he’ll have to apolo- gion in the public square in a lecture he gave at . This lec- gise to Sodom and Gomorrah,” and a statement in which Billy came out behind the ture shows Brown ready to disagree with liberal secularists like John campaign to support Chick-fil-A and said he planned to visit a restaurant on Chick- Rawls while steering clear of what he terms ‘theocracy’; ‘faith politics’ are fil-A appreciation day (later amended to say he would eat chicken at home) do not now OK. As a self-confessed ‘seasoned Brown watcher’, Gay gives sound like the authentic voice of Billy Graham. “Mr Graham never made political between one and two cheers for a speech he regards as one more example statements like this in the 62-year history of the ministry,” Knight writes. He says of a politician discovering new capacities for candour (or courage, to use that Graham, 93, is suffering from advanced stage of Parkinson’s disease (as well as one of Brown’s favourite words) once he or she has left office. Fear of other ailments) and has been having fluid drained from his brain on a regular basis mockery in the liberal media is still a powerful deterrent for people of faith over the past decade. Chick-fil-A has become controversial in the US after the in politics. Perhaps a dialogue between Brown and Gay could feature in owner came out in support of traditional marriage and there were calls to ban the the Westminster Faith Debates when they resume in the spring. Over to firm from Chicago, Boston and New York. Chick-fil-A appreciation day was called Charles Clarke and Linda Woodhead, although, given past relations by Mike Huckabee and led to record sales. Knight suggests that Billy Graham’s between Brown and Clarke, it had better be Woodhead that makes the son, Franklin, is now setting the agenda for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Associa- first move. tion. 10 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday August 12, 2012 Olympics/Anglican Life Something to celebrate

By Henry Whyte their bodies in a more healthy way. The stories of athletes now competing in the Olympic sport may sometimes be a Games who have been inspired by previ- false god for those who are ous Olympiads illustrates how positive and obsessed by it. A national desire for life changing participation in sport can be. medals may be, for some, more important than anything else. Oth- 7. For the first time, every country repre- ers may be seeing the Games as sented at the Olympic Games has women nothing more than a money-mak- in its team as well as men. Christians can ing opportunity. However, there is a be thankful that more than half the world’s huge amount for which Christians population is no longer excluded by partic- can give thanks at this special time. ipating nations on the grounds of gender. For example: 8. The Olympic Games a powerful 1. The world has come together reminder of the words in 2 Timothy that for the Games. It does not mean “an athlete does not receive the victor’s than the many divisions between crown unless he competes according to nations are no longer present. But the rules.” It is not surprising that a num- when athletes from all over the ber of badminton players were disqualified world live together in the same vil- for deliberately losing their matches and, lage, eat in the same vast dining with all the stringent testing for illegal hall and have many opportunities drugs, the number of offences will no to talk with each other this can only doubt continue to increase. Disqualifica- be a good thing. Human contact is a tions illustrate Christian truth - preachers powerful antidote to the demoniza- take note! tion of others and is a wonderful Gold winners: Hindes, Kenny and Hoy way of breaking down barriers. 9. Other Bible truths are illustrated by the Olympic Games. There are half a 2. Local communities have also come together. The 4. Many thousands who have become Olympic volun- dozen references to participating in a race in the New Tes- Torch Relay was watched by an estimated 12 million plus teers have been finding that serving others in new ways is tament and the majority speak of the need to persevere and tens of thousands of memorable parties were wonderfully rewarding. Their work is demanding but the and to continue right to the finish in the “race” that is the arranged, not least by churches. Countless people shared smiles on the faces of so many volunteer stewards, drivers Christian life. Someone has written that if there were a together, in rain and sunshine, in a common excitement and other helpers convey a lovely message. Gold Medal for moaning about the Olympics then it would and joy. Innumerable conversations have taken place that be won by Great Britain! However, Paul did not hesitate to otherwise might never have happened. The many happy 5. The Games have prompted many united mission ini- use the positive aspects of the Olympic and other Games encounters and conversations between the police and pub- tiatives that are having widespread appeal. In this writer’s of his time to illustrate his God-given teaching. There were lic can only strengthen this most important relationship. local area of Greenwich a significant number of churches doubtless many things that he could have criticised about and para-church groups have been working together and the Games of his era but he chose to speak of their athletes 3. The Opening Ceremony expressed Christian values have welcomed their partnerships with mission teams who as good examples of what is needed in the Christian life. and aspirations. The dramatic lighting of the cauldron in have come from other countries. The aim and purpose is which 204 nations were symbolically joined together to use the Olympics opportunity to make known the love Nothing in this world will ever be perfect but there is spoke powerfully of God’s purpose to unite all things in of Christ both in deed and in word. Friendships are being much cause for thanksgiving in the present Olympic Christ. The lovely moments of humour were surely pleas- made and fellowship strengthened that can forward the Games here in London and not least because this nation ing to God and expressive of one of his good gifts to the work of God’s Kingdom in numerous ways in the days has been given the great privilege of being host to the world. In addition, the surprising inclusion of “Abide with ahead. world for the third time. It is by no means all over because, me”, whose last verse links the cross with the hope of eter- although Part 1 of the Games ends on Sunday evening, nal life, was wonderful. The absence of triumphalism was 6. Just as the Wimbledon tennis fortnight encourages Part 2, which is the Paralympics, begins at the end of the also great. many to play tennis so the Olympic Games energises month. They will surely bring further reasons for praising many to get fit, to push themselves physically and to use God. Of the writing of books, there is no end... It was the wise sometimes cynical writer of green and pleasant land seem to prefer the (I’ll still have plenty.) But there are a cou- ing out when we move is another I have Ecclesiastes, who first saw through pub- sight of well-stocked bookshelves to the ple of little books that won’t fall foul of the just read. It’s by David Owen, the former lisher’s hype and the over-quick rush into rolling green hills of England. Or at least five-year rule. As I have only recently read Foreign Secretary and medical doctor. It’s print of many a creative writer, philosopher the presence of many, many books pro- both, I think I might keep hold of them as called “The Hubris Syndrome”, and subti- or dare it be said – theologian. “Of making duces a kind of security in us, and dare I they’re really quite short, modest publica- tled, “Bush, Blair and the intoxication of many books there is no end, and much say it, the implication of ‘here you have a tions, but to my mind absolute spiritual and power.” It was published in 2007 and is not study wearies the body.” man (or woman) who knows a thing or intellectual dynamite. too easy to come by, but for reasons quite I have a book problem. Not quite of the two’. The first is a this-year book, just pub- different to Tim Keller is so worth getting Ecclesiastes kind. We’ve moved house sev- Funnily enough when I was an Archdea- lished last April, called “The Freedom of hold of. It’s a remarkable book in its politi- eral times, and some years ago moved into con, I found that on average women clergy Self Forgetfulness” by Timothy Keller. cal and psychological understanding of the a house with the unusual facility of a didn’t hold on to such great collections as Being a very short book indeed, it only vanities of leadership. library. (It had been the home of a bishop). their male colleagues. Maybe their self- costs £2.99. And I guarantee it will be the Hubris is the Greek idea of overblown But since then we have been downsizing image didn’t require such shelf-fulls. Visi- best near three pounds you will ever have pride and destructive arrogance that can majorly. So it’s been the books that have tors to my study would often ask me, with spent. Should you obtain it that is, and I grip and destroy leaders and their follow- had to go. Not all of them of course, but a just a hint of incredulity, “Gosh, have you really hope you will, because this is one of ers. Reading this surprised me, for it has rule of thumb is if I haven’t opened it in five read all those?” To which I would reply, the few books in my experience which given me a handle on something I have years, then sorry, you’re a gonner. I’ve “Well some of them.” For which I really should be read and re-read many times puzzled about for many years, and that is always thought Mr Ecclesiastes would be meant “a few of them”! over. Why? It’s about self-image, and how the behaviour of PCCs (or rather some proud of me. After all, apart from the most So what am I not going to chuck out this knowledge of God’s verdict on us, and his PCC members) yes and even some Bish- discerning collectors, most of us have such time? The five-year rule is as good as a extraordinary love can change us deep ops and Archdeacons. Those ones who an array on our shelves, ranging from true statute, so the untouched since 2007 are down, lastingly and effectively. I have never seem bigger than their boots. Want to find wisdom to outright rubbish, a little pruning definitely destined for the chop. Most of read anything quite as pastorally adept as out why? The intoxification of power is not from time to time is appropriate, as is hav- my commentaries continue to be useful, so this. I’ve worked in Christian counselling something unique to world leaders. Not at ing a major service on the car to a check-up they get special treatment, although I will for 35 years, I just wish this had been pub- all. It explains a lot that’s closer to home. at the docs. weed out a few for the benefit of my newly lished then not now. Read “The Hubris Syndrome,” it’s a gem. Well for our family, it’s moving time ordained son-in-law. Anyway, I have been making up time and One of those ones you’ll definitely want to again. And what’s to be downsized this Then there are all my music books, and giving this book away in bucket loads since keep! time? No change: it’s books of course. I literature and philosophy - I’d love to keep I read it. Go get it. You will not be disap- take comfort that I am not alone, as so all of those. But I had better not. So I prom- pointed. Michael Lawson is Chairman of the Church many clergy in this Danny Boyle-style ise to be radical. I’ll get rid of at least half The other little book I will not be throw- of England Evangelical Council Films & Books Sunday August 12, 2012 www.churchnewspaper.com 11 Its getting hot in the kitchen l Bulli, in the Costa Brava bay Cala Montjoi, whether the Spanish financial crisis has hit when is possibly the best restaurant in the world. they try to order five grapes. Simple Life (cert. PG; Cantonese with English subtitles) has EAt least, it was. “Don’t bring me anything that isn’t good,” is become a box office hit in China. Hong Kong film producer Roger Closed last year, it’s due to reopen in 2014 as El Adrià’s first rule, as his head chefs Oriol Castro A(Andy Lau), brought up by maid Ah Tao (Deannie Yip) who has Bulli Foundation and – judg- worked for the family for 60 years, finds roles somewhat reversed after ing from its website – will Ah Tao suffers a stroke. concentrate on the craft of The nursing home she goes to is a bit short on mod cons – Roger goes cuisine. It’s as if master chef through a long list of questions with the receptionist but forgets to check Ferran Adrià thought, “We that the “single room” has a ceiling. Still, most residents are friendly, could run a good restaurant including “Uncle Kin” (Paul Chun) who refuses to let age be a barrier to if it weren’t for the cus- having fun. tomers”. It’s based on real events How can you have a in the life of film producer restaurant that sells out next Roger Lee, and when he year’s season in one day, at floated the idea to director £200 a meal, and loses Ann Hui he was surprised money? Answer – employ 40 she was so keen to make chefs, one per customer. it. As Lee says, “It doesn’t Perhaps rivalling Search- have any story, it’s just ing for Sugar continuous scenes Man between two people”. (reviewed He said that while his last week) for maid was in the home, “it’s best docu- and Eduard Xatruch wait for his like the two of us were try- mentary of imprimatur on the champignon ing to make the best out of the year, vinaigrette but frankly, the lab the last page of her life”. Gereon Wet- scenes drag a bit. Things perk up Finding humour in what zel’s El Bulli when they had back to the Costa might be a depressing sit- – Cooking in Brava to re-open El Bulli for the sea- uation is quite a delicate Progress son, where Adrià tells the new staff art – not least when Ah (cert. 12A; that he’s done the research, they’re Tao needs surgery and Catalan and in construction. the chaplain quotes Eccle- Spanish with We don’t see any of the waiting on siastes and they end up English sub- – just second-hand snippets from the with “and a time for bile titles), filmed in 2010, gives a glimpse wealthy but critical clientele, like the duct dissection”. of that vision, as the first part of the film follows cocktail was too cold, but then maybe there was a There are in-jokes —- a Adrià and his team to their “lab” in Barcelona bit too much liquid nitrogen. We didn’t get the martial arts film star plays a stroppy director -— and some of the cultural where they experiment for several months with reaction to the rabbits’ brain stew. barriers that get broken may pass a foreign audience by, but it’s likely to dishes that almost defy description. You don’t real- The French sommelier knows his stuff – it will garner international awards and acting prizes for the excellent perform- ly expect the world’s best restaurant to be serving definitely be a Muscat next time I’m eating yuzu, ances by Andy Lau and Deannie Yip. Anyone can get the joke about calf’s throat and shoulder. fennel, or bergamot. The film closes with pictures Roger in the film being mistaken for a mechanic, but it helps to know that They head for local markets to source ingredi- from their “catalogue” - so much for the advice not Roger Lee is not the snappiest dresser on the red carpet. ents. Live lobsters and crabs look as if they’d be to eat at a place that puts pictures of the food on Steve Parish privileged to be chosen, while one trader wonders the menu. www.elbulli.com/catalogo Exploring the meaning of baptism Take the Plunge interest in demons during the New Testament period was tumbling down just because some people have gone a lit- Timothy Radcliffe OP a symptom of a world where people felt insecure. Demons tle astray in their pursuit of the truth.” Continuum, pb, £9.99 were invoked to explain the chaos in the world and the One of the joys of reading Radcliffe is to be introduced sense people had of being powerless. Jesus refuses to let to other members of the Dominican family. Here we learn imothy Radcliffe is as well known to Anglicans as he fear constrain him. He opens up to community to lepers how the brilliant philosopher, Gareth Moore, who died is to Catholics. He is a popular speaker, preacher and foreigners and all kinds of frightening peo- tragically young, had to handle his vertigo walking on Tand lecturer. He gave the Sarum Lec- ple. Exorcism is a sign of his determination to Sky. We discover that another brilliant Dominican, Her- tures a couple of years’ ago and attended the bring a new kind of community into being but to bert McCabe, gave up smoking cigarettes because he was last Lambeth Conference as an adviser to people frightened of chaos Christ’s power and always cadging them from others and realised he had , with whom he has a close authority suggest he may have the demons on begun to see people as a source of cigarettes. Then there relationship. his side. is the brother who was so difficult to live with, as insensi- After years spent travelling the world as A major theme of this book is the desire we tive as a rhinoceros, until two young brothers melted him Master of the Dominican Order, Radcliffe has have to be in control and to run our lives as we with kindness and God revealed his love in a moment of a fund of stories to illustrate the points he think fit. One challenge to this is the idea of revelation. wishes to make. He is also able to call upon vocation, the belief that God has committed a One of this book’s better jokes has a preacher in Mexi- wide reading in literature and poetry as well as work to us he has not committed to another (to co telling a young boy to wake up his grandfather during a theology to provide numerous quotations. quote Cardinal Newman). As well as challeng- service in church. “You wake him up,” the boy replies. Sometimes the jokes and quotations seemed ing our desire to set the course of our lives for “You put him to sleep.” No one will go to sleep reading strained. In this book there is the old joke ourselves, the concept of vocation contradicts this book. about a man who fell off a cliff and was caught the modern experience where life is often a Paul Richardson by a tree. Told by God to show some faith and series of disconnected jobs. let go, he asked if there was anyone else to help him. But “In baptism,” Radcliffe reminds us, “we have to entrust most of the stories and quotations fit in with what Rad- ourselves to God’s unknown providence.” When John cliffe wants to say. XXIII went to bed he used to joke, ‘God, the Pope must go Subscribe to the This new book is concerned with the meaning of bap- to sleep now. I leave you to run the Church’. Although tism and takes the reader through the service, explaining Radcliffe doesn’t get involved in church politics, he thinks Church of what it means. Although it is based on the Roman Catholic his own Church would be in a lot better shape if bishops rite, Anglicans should find most of the issues discussed and inquisitors could relax and trust the Holy Spirit more. England familiar. “When people are trying to find their own voice and In a book like this covering well-known ground the share some new insights,” he writes, “it is very likely that Newspaper for reader is going to look out for fresh insights. Radcliffe’s they will not find the best words at first... But rather than See p15 just £25 per year! treatment of demons and exorcism is a good example of reaching for the panic button we need to discover the true for details his ability to put scholarship to work to yield new under- insight that is trying to get out. The Holy Spirit is pouring standing. He draws on Peter Brown’s work to argue that upon the Church at Pentecost and so it will not be brought 12 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday August 12, 2012 Feature The youthful genius of Titian

Titian’s First Masterpiece: the Flight probably drawn from Giogione’s Sunset into Egypt (1502) —- yet overall this painting is strik- The National Gallery ingly different from all the others on show. until 19 September, free admission The sheer ambition of Titian’s project, his innovative inter-play of figures and land- The Gospel narrative of the scape, and integration of all the elements, fleeing from Bethlehem to Egypt to escape make it wholly distinctive. Painted remark- Herod’s killers (Matthew 2:13-18) strikes a ably when he was barely 20, it was prophet- ready chord in today’s world haunted by ic of a genius fully revealed over seven harrowing images of child refugees from decades. Third World conflicts. Old Masters imag- A small woodcut in the display case ing ‘Rest on the Flight into Egypt’ however offers a clue to possible non-Italian inspira- often gave the impression of a family holi- tion. Albrecht Durer was visiting Venice at day picnic rather than brief respite on a the same time as Titian was painting this gruelling, desperate journey. work. Durer’s own Flight into Egypt, made Yet one early 16th-century work does only two years before, may have been avail- convey that sense of urgency —- but until able as a print for the young Titian to study; now has not been shown outside Russia they may even have met. It is fascinating to since 1768 when Catherine the Great speculate. Certainly both images set the acquired it in Venice. Holy Family close to a thick forest. The Flight into Egypt —- painted by Titian The full meaning of the work remains (c.1485-1576), greatest artist of the Vene- elusive: the animals’ role is surely more tian school, around 1507 — is currently (206 x 336 cm) was significantly innovative, key. Positioned on the left of the composi- than merely decorative. If Titian is drawing centre-piece of a small but significant exhi- being among the first major biblical narra- tion, as if just arrived left stage in a theatre, upon the mediaeval Christian tradition of bition at the National Gallery, on special tives set in landscape, its sacred figures the group is in movement across the scene, the spiritual symbolism of nature - the hart loan from the Hermitage Museum of St against a towering backcloth of thick- seemingly oblivious of the shepherds and expressing yearning for the Divine and Petersburg. Ten works by Titian, set amid foliage trees and distant hills, with fore- their flock under a background tree. This warding off evil signalled by the fox, the almost twice that number by such illustri- ground plants and animals, the whole in a is no gentle pastoral idyll: the urgent visual raven promising God’s provision in the ous contemporaries as his tutor Giovanni fresh style blending naive, naturalism and thrust is a “Let’s keep moving, Herod’s wilderness — then the painting is more Bellini, inspirational co-worker Giorgione symbolism. men may be pursuing us!” One expects the than dramatic visualisation of the Gospel and influential portraitist Sebastiano del The painting almost overwhelms by its group to disappear off to the right at any narrative. It is also invitation to join the Piombo, locate this his first masterwork in scale, freshness and dynamism. Mary on a moment. Holy Family in the journey of faith. Titian’s the context of the Venetian Golden Age. donkey cradles the infant Jesus lovingly The exhibition reveals clear contempo- landmark Flight into Egypt is a work of Commissioned by the Venetian patrician but also anxiously; Joseph strides behind, rary influences —- the Venetian school powerful spiritual challenge. Andrea Loredan for his Grand Canal protecting; a youthful guide, added by richness of colour of Mary’s robe and the palace, Titian’s panoramic Flight into Egypt Titian to Matthew’s story, leads the don- strong naturalism of landscape depiction Brian Cooper.

Across 2 ‘Like a maniac, shooting flaming -- PRIZE CROSSWORD No. 810 by Axe ---- of death’ [Prov/NIV] (6) 6 David's capital before he took 3 Obed's father [Ruth] (4) Jerusalem [2 Sam] (6) 4 ‘...send it to...Ephesus, ------, 8 Mary, Mother ------' [Acts] (2,4) Pergamum...’ [Rev/NIV] (6) 9 ‘Then Moses climbed Mount ---- 5 Architectural feature symbolic in from the plains of Moab...’ a cruciform church building (8) [Deut/NIV] (4) 7 ‘The children of Ater of Hezekiah, 10 Member of a group of Jews who ------and eight’ (Neh/KJV] (6) accepted Jesus as the Messiah (8) 12 ‘He himself went into the 11 ‘...but I ------tarry a while with synagogue and ------with the you, if the Lord permit’ [1 Jews’ [Acts/NIV] (8) Cor/KJV] (5,2) 14 Disciple, called by Jesus along the 13 Arguably, Melchizedek's city shores of the Sea of Galilee [Gen]; and probably formerly- [Matt] (6) named Jebus [Josh], the 16 Hebrew prophet featured in both forerunner of the 'holy city' (5) books of Kings (6) 15 Tower built by Noah's 18 ‘So I tell you this, and ------on it in descendants who intended it to the Lord...’ [Eph/NIV] (6) reach up to Heaven [Gen] (5) 20 Abode of Satan and the forces of 17 Consecrates with oil (7) evil (4) 19 Joseph's first master in Egypt [ 22 Biblical prophet and OT book (4) Gen] (8) 21 ‘We saw his ---- when it rose...’ Solutions to last week’s crossword [Matt/NIV] (4) Across: 1 Protestant, 8 Outdoor, 9 Blood, 11 23 Place where Jacob dreamed of a Moses, 12 Patrons, 13 Nahash, 15 Parson, 18 staircase to Heaven [Gen] (6) On shore, 20 Grace, 22 Didst, 23 Allegri, 24 24 Job, Psalms, Proverbs, etc: the ----- Chronicles. Books (6) Down: 2 Rites, 3 Taoists, 4 Seraph, 5 Abbot, 6 Down Two sons, 7 Common good, 10 Disinherit, 14 1 English monk and scholar (672- Hasidic, 16 Angelic, 17 Remain, 19 Outer, 21 735) (4) Argue.

The first correct entry drawn will win a book of the Editor’s choice. Send your entry to Crossword Number 810 The Church of England Newspaper, STAIRLIFTS FROM £995 SCRIBBLE PAD 14 Great College Street, Westminster, London, SW1P 3RX by next Friday NEW OR REFURBISHED Name FOR AN INFORMATION PACK CALL Telephone FREE on Address 0800 007 6959 Post Code www.castlecomfortstairlifts.com See our notice on page 13 for Clergy disount Classifieds & Letters Sunday August 12, 2012 www.churchnewspaper.com 13

the standard lexicons and dictionar- Letters to the Editor ies for New Testament Greek, there are now those, in more recent years, who want to change it to ‘source’ in A debate about exclusion order to win their arguments and to As the number of male clergy ordained by women bishops increased, there comply with the agenda set by the would grow a tension in the Church of England which can only result in world. open civil war. The “two integrities” may be a quick fix solution, but in the I had hoped that our evangelical long term its consequences are appalling. The pleas of Reform and Forward bishops would have given some lead- in Faith to be included in the Church by being given special provision, dis- ership in this was but was surprised guise this appalling scenario and also hide the fact that none of these groups to read in Rod Thomas’s recent letter would support a similar in house special provision for gay lesbian and trans- to Reform members: “Of the existing gendered persons. As apparently some persons are more equal than others. bishops who believe in male head- ship none are conservative evangeli- At its core this debate is not about inclusion of those with differing theo- cal except Wallace Benn”! logical views, it’s about exclusion. Its about those who want to keep the In that case it would appear that endowments and status of the established Church, and unlike the Recu- women bishops are a foregone con- sants, Puritans and Methodists of old do not have the integrity and courage clusion, but will our evangelical bish- to disassociate themselves from what they must perceive is an heretical ops at least make absolutely sure that Church. those who cannot agree are ade- Robert Ian Williams quately provided for? This would via email appear to be the battleground for the meeting of bishops in mid-Septem- ber. The Gaza issue There were at least as many refugees The Rev Charles May, Sir, Mr Moodey refers to the suffer- who came to Israel after being Peterborough ing of Palestinians in Gaza, the West thrown out of countries such as Iraq Bank, Israel and the refugee camps. as there were Palestinian refugees. With regard to this, They were successfully integrated Rethink needed? 1. The restrictions on what materi- into Israeli society; the Arab states Sir, Quite probably Wayne Grudem’s als are allowed into Gaza by no could and should have helped the analysis of kephale in first century means amount to anything like a Palestinians to do the same. (Inciden- Greek literature (letter from Charles siege. They would end tomorrow if tally, Israel offered early on to take Walker, 22 July 2012) will be chal- Hamas stopped firing rockets into back one third of them unconditional- lenged. But kephale clearly has an Israel and gave up its declared aim of ly, but the offer was rejected). authority component in Ephesians destroying Israel. Harry Lesser, 5:21-33; and therefore also in 1 2. The main obstacle to setting up a Bowdon, Cheshire Corinthians 11; and therefore also Palestinian state in Gaza and the West (via 11:7-9) in pre-fall Eden in Genesis Bank (which does have many 2 (whether that passage is to be autonomous areas and growing pros- Headship understood literally or figuratively). perity) is the refusal of the Palestin- Sir, There has been an endless corre- Add in 1 Timothy 2:8-15 and we get ian leadership to guarantee that such spondence in your columns regard- Paul’s coherent view which provides a state would not become a spring- ing St Paul’s use of the word a framework for the vital ministry of board for attacks on Israel. ‘kephale’, one translating ‘head’ and women in the Church. 3. Israel’s Arab citizens have full cit- another ‘source’. Without entering I hope that evangelicals on General izenship legally. Apart from Arab too much into the controversy, the Synod who have hitherto supported members of the Knesset, at least one thing that amazes me is that after the ordination and consecration of senior judge and one ambassador are almost two millennia of the plain women will, even at this late stage, Arabs. meaning of this word in scripture as pause for thought. 4. There was never any necessity ‘head’, with reference to ‘authority Phil Almond, for the refugees to remain in camps. over’, supported by, I understand, all Preston The root of the banking crisis facing us all

Sir, Much concern has been rightly expressed about the latest banking crisis involving the libor rate and you rightly drew out the crisis in your leader (22 July). The integrity, not just of Barclays, but of banks in general, has had an undermining effect in the as a whole and how it executes its business. Confidence plays a crucial role A futile approach to the in the way the City functions so any undermining of it could have serious consequences for our wider society. It must be of concern to all of us that the one goose that lays golden eggs in this country, has been caught and engaged in Middle East impasse shady practice. Sir, How strange (or is it just paradoxical?) that the letter So where is the root of the problem? The root lies, as you point out, in the deep undermining of our Judeo/Christ- from Adrian Glasspole of CMJ (15 July) should be followed ian culture with its ability to rein in the greed, the lust, the pride inherent in all our hearts. Isaiah mourned the situ- the next week by the article ‘Taking a Stand on Israel/Pales- ation in Judah as the nation careered downhill and headed for an inevitable Babylonian captivity. This is a point we tine’ by Jeremy Moodey of BibleLands, seemingly express- should note carefully as our culture is being deeply undermined by godless politicians, judges, board rooms and ing diametrically opposed views of the ‘balance of alien religions that have mushroomed in our midst since WW2. Isaiah wrote about such a situation in Judah- ‘For our righteousness’ between the two conflicting parties in what offences are many in your sight, and our sins testify against us…rebellion and treachery against the Lord, turning used to be called The Holy Land. Moodey enlists Christian our backs on our God, fomenting oppression and revolt, uttering lies our hearts have conceived. So justice is driven Aid and Quakers-in-Britain in support of his bias towards the back and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter. Truth is Palestinians as the most injured people in the current con- nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey’. Isaiah 59.12-15 flict, according them ‘victim’ status and asserting that land Isaiah could easily have been writing about the City or about our country in general with its lost moral and spiri- which was theirs - now called ‘the West Bank’ - has been ‘ille- tual compass. But why has this happened? John reminds us that Jesus brought us grace and truth. We, as a nation, gally occupied’ by the Israelis. By contrast Glasspole rightly have been squandering them throughout my lifetime- ‘The law was given through Moses; grace and truth came points out that the same region was ‘occupied illegally’ by through Jesus Christ’ John 1.17. the Jordanians (aka Palestinians) in 1948. Before that, it had If you push Jesus to the margins, whether as an individual or society in general, then truth will suffer as a conse- been part of the area between the Mediterranean and the quence. For truth can only be found in Jesus. In a society where there is no Judeo/Christian influence there is no Jordan river proposed under the British Mandate of 1920 as truth. In such contexts people will only tell the truth if it is in their interests to do so. What marked out Western civil- a permanent homeland for Jewish people from all over the isation was its concern for truth and its willingness to pursue it based on Christian values and principles. Drive Jesus world. (In fact, until Winston Churchill lopped it off in 1921, to the margins and you drive out truth. What is destroying Western Civilisation is untruth and the consequences the area previously known as Transjordan - and three times that derive from that. For truth is intimately linked to Jesus. Indeed his name is synonymous with it as John points as big as Palestine - was also included.) out. Drive Jesus to the margins and truth will ‘stumble in the streets’ as indeed we are only too aware in many recent Seeking to compile competing lists of atrocities committed scandals as well as in the daily life of our nation. For Christians, a time of mourning and grief for our nation would by both sides in this long-running dispute is utterly futile, not be out of place leading to repentance and reformation. and should cease forthwith. More to the point are two cogent Canon Walker, questions. Firstly, ‘Who are now the occupiers of the so- Whitehill, Hampshire called West Bank?‘ Answer: both Palestinians and Israelis. Secondly, ‘Who has the greater title to the land?’ The answer is so multi-factorial and historically-determined that it can Headship in the Bible ‘the basic meaning of head as the source of life and ener- only be decided either by conquest or (and very preferably) Sir, Colin Craston notes that the IVP New Bible Dictionary gy is predominant’, and adds, looking to the example of by international law in a UN court of appeal. May God grant 1962 says that ‘head’ (as in 1 Corinthians 11:3) ‘is not Christ, that ‘the head directs the growth of the body’. it be so. regarded as the seat of the intellect controlling the body, The Rev JJ Frais, JC Crosthwaite, but as source of life’ (Letters, 8 July). It is noteworthy that Bexhill, Holme, Carnforth, Cumbria the 1980 edition deletes the negative, trims the positive to 14 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday August 12, 2012 The Register

The Rev Canon Roger Martyn Francis APPOINTMENTS ANGLICAN CYCLE OF PRAYER Crompton, Vicar, Golcar; and Priest-in-Charge, Long- The Rev Canon James Allison, wood (Wakefield): to retire with effect Vicar, Erringden; and Rural Dean, Calder Sunday 12 August, Pentecost 11. Psalm 119:81-96, Mk 14:32-42. Pray for The from 24 September 2012. Valley Deanery (Wakefield): to be Priest-in- Church of South India (United) The Most Rev Suputhrappa Vasantha Kumar Modera- The Rev Francis Cumberlege, Charge, Coley (same diocese). tor of the Church of South India and Bishop of Karnataka Central NSM (Priest-in-Charge), Ashburnham The Rev Ann Ballard, with Penhurst (Chichester): has retired NSM (Assistant Curate), Norton in the Monday 13 August. Psalm 64, Mk 14:43-51. Etche - (Niger Delta, Nigeria) The Rt with effect from 31 July 2012. Moors (Lichfield): to be NSM (Associate Rev Precious Nwala The Rev Margaret Devine, Minister). NSM (Associate Priest), East Bolden The Rev Canon Sheila Bamber, Tuesday 14 August. Psalm 65, 1 Sam 24. Etsako - (Bendel, Nigeria) The Rt Rev (Durham): has retired with effect from 31 Residentiary Canon, Jacob Bada July 2012. (Newcastle): to be Canon Provost, Sunder- The Rev James di Castiglione, land Minister (Durham). Wednesday 15 August. The Assumption of Mary. Psalm 66. 1 Sam 25:1-22 Suffragan Assistant Curate, Mid-Sussex Network The Rev Nicholas Barr-Hamilton, Bishop of Convocation of American Churches in Europe - (II, The Episcopal Church) Church (Chichester): has resigned with Assistant Curate, Linthorpe (York): to be The Rt Rev Pierre Whalon effect from 30 June 2012. Vicar, (Durham). The Rev Sarah Fitzgerald, The Rev Richard Bellamy, Thursday 16 August. Psalm 67, 1 Sam 25:23-33,35-42. Evo - (Niger Delta, Nigeria) Assistant Curate, The Folkestone Trinity NSM (Assistant Curate), Cheriton with The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu Benefice (Canterbury): to resign with Newington (Canterbury): to be NSM effect from 27 September 2012. (Assistant Curate), The Folkestone Trinity Friday 17 August, Psalm 68:1-18, 1 Sam 28:3-25. Exeter - (Canterbury, England) The The Rev David Daniel Harrison, Benefice (same diocese). Rt Rev Michael Laurence Langrish; Crediton: The Rt Rev Robert John Scott Evens; Priest-in-Charge, Woodnesborough with The Rev Patrick Beresford, Plymouth: The Rt Rev John Frank Ford Worth and Staple (Canterbury): has NSM, Weston super Mare St John (Bath resigned with effect from 1 August 2012. and Wells) is now Team Vicar, Saturday 18 August. Psalm 68:1-10, 1 Sam 31. Ezo - (Sudan) The Rt Rev John Kere- The Rev David Houghton, (Chichester). boro Zawo Vicar, Surbiton St Andrew and St Mark The Rev Canon Michael Camp, (Southwark): to retire with effect from 15 Chaplain to the Archbishop of Canterbury September 2012. (Canterbury): to be also NSM (Assistant The Rev Canon George Howard, Curate), Stockwell St Andrew and St be Assistant Curate (Associate Minister), (Lichfield): to be NSM (Associate Minis- Rector, Furzedown (Southwark): has Michael (Southwark). Burpham (same diocese). ter). retired with effect from 30 June 2012. Upon The Rev Alison Christian, The Rev William MacDougall, The Rev Susannah Thorp, retirement he has become Canon Emeri- Rector, Great Stanmore (London): to be Director of Pastoral and Evangelism Stud- Assistant Curate, Preston-on-Tees and tus, Southwark Cathedral (same diocese). Warden, Launde Abbey; and Priest-in- ies, Trinity College Bristol (Bristol): to be Long Newton; and Assistant Curate, Stock- The Ven Michael Lawson, Charge, Loddington (Leicester). Priest-in-Charge (Transition Minister), ton (Durham): is now Assistant Curate Rector, Guildford St Saviour (Guildford): to The Rev Lorraine Dawson, Bradley Stoke North Conventional District (Interim Minister), Billingham St Aidan; retire with effect from 17 September 2012. Assistant Curate, Stanton, Hopton, Market (same diocese). and Assistant Curate (Interim Minister), The Rev Frances Long, Weston, Barningham and Coney Weston The Rev Canon Dr Roger Matthews, Billingham St ; and Assistant Priest-in-Charge, Purley St Mark; and (St Edmundsbury and Ipswich): to be NSM (Hon Curate), Great Baddow; and Curate (Interim Minister), Billingham St Priest-in-Charge, Purley St Swithun Assistant Chaplain, West Hospitals Bishop’s Adviser for Mission and Ministry Luke; and Assistant Curate (Interim Minis- (Southwark): has resigned with effect from NHS Trust (same diocese). (Chelmsford): is now Dean of Mission and ter), Billingham St Mary; and Assistant 12 July 2012. The Rev Lee Duckett, Ministry. Remaining NSM (Hon Curate) Curate (Interim Minister), Grindon, Still- The Rev Martin Lowles, Assistant Curate, Purley Christ Church (Chelmsford). ington and Wolviston (same diocese). Vicar, Bikenshaw with Hunsworth (Wake- (Southwark): is now, Vicar Ore Christ The Rev Benjamin McNair Scott, The Rev Clement Upton field): to retire with effect from 31 January Church (Chichester). NSM (Assistant Curate), Guildford Christ (Retired): to be Priest-in-Charge, Costa 2013. The Rev Mark East, Church with St-Martha-on-the-Hill (Guild- Azahar (Spain, Europe). The Rev Nicola McGinty, Priest-in-Charge, Church Coniston; and ford): to be also Chaplain, St Catherine’s The Rev Ann Waizeneker, NSM (Assistant Curate), Barrow-upon- Priest-in-Charge, Torver (Carlisle): to be School Bramley (same diocese). Assistant Curate, Chichester St Paul and Soar with Walton-le-Wolds; and NSM Priest-in-Charge, Haughton le Skerne The Rev Lindsey Moss, Westhampnett (Chichester): is now Priest- (Assistant Curate), Wymeswold and Prest- (Durham). Assistant Curate, Standon and The in-Charge, New Shoreham; and Priest-in- wold with Hoton (Leicester): to resign with The Rev Carol Fisher-Bailey, Mundens with Sacombe (St Albans): is Charge, Old Shoreham (same diocese). effect from 9 September 2012. Vicar, Wawne (York): to be Vicar, Keying- now NSM (Assistant Minister, Pioneer), The Rev Lionel Whatley, The Rev Canon Nigel Nicholson, ham with Ottringham, Halsham and Sunk Ware Christ Church (same diocese). Priest-in-Charge, Highbrook and West Chaplain to the Forces (ACF); and Vicar, Island (same diocese). The Rev Miriam Mugan, Hoathly (Chichester): is now Vicar. Cranleigh (Guildford): to retire with effect The Rev Penelope Graysmith, Priest-in-Charge, Croxley Green All Saints The Rev Sally Wheeler, from 30 September 2012. Head of Chaplaincy, Mid Staffordshire (St Albans): to be Vicar. Team Vicar, Greater Corsham and Lacock The Rev Linda Potter, NHS Foundation Trust; and Chaplain, The Rev Robert Mulford (Bristol): to be Priest-in-Charge, Marsh- Rector, Great Aycliffe (Durham): to retire Katharine House Hospice (Lichfield): to be (Peterborough): is now Vicar, Westfield; field with Cold Ashton and Tormarton with with effect from 17 September 2012. Family Support Team Leader, Katharine and Priest-in-Charge, Fairlight, Guestling West Littleton (same diocese). The Rev Canon Andrew Robinson, House Hospice (same diocese). and Pett (Chichester). The Rev David Williams, Priest-in-Charge, Stanmer with Falmer; The Rev Helen Guest, The Rev Timothy Mullins, Vicar, Winchester Christ Church (Win- and Chaplain, Sussex University (Chich- Priest-in-Charge, Killamarsh; and Assistant Chaplain, Radley College chester): to be also, Hon Canon, Winches- ester): has retired with effect from 31 July Curate, Barlborough and Renishaw; and (Oxford): to be Assistant Curate (Associate ter Cathedral (same diocese). 2012. Rural Dean, Bolsover and Staveley Dean- Vicar), Chester Square St Michael with St The Rev Bryony Wood, The Rev Robin Sewell, ery (Derby): to be also Hon Canon, Derby Philip (London). Assistant Curate, Ashbourne with Mapple- Vicar, Braintree St Paul (Chelmsford): to Cathedral (same diocese). The Rev Dr Normal Shave, ton (Derby): to be Assistant Curate, Had- retire with effect from 1 September 2012. The Rev Canon Dr Graham Hamborg, Vicar, Norton St Mary; and Priest-in- field (same diocese). The Rev Stephen Sherida, CME Adviser; and Assistant Curate, Great Charge, Stockton St Chad (Durham): is Assistant Curate, Stone Cross St Luke with Baddow; and Assistant Curate, Little Bad- now Priest-in-Charge, Stranton (same dio- RETIREMENTS & North Langney (Chichester): has resigned dow (Chelmsford): is now also Ordained cese). RESIGNATIONS with effect from 30 June 2012. Ministry Development Adviser (same dio- The Rev Hywel Snook, The Rev Janice Skelley, cese). Priest-in-Charge, Little Drayton (Lichfield): The Rev Carole Aconley, Assistant Curate, Hedworth (Durham): The Rev Alan Harper, to be also Parish Development Adviser; NSM (Assistant Curate), Langtoft with has retired with effect from 1 July 2012. Priest-in-Charge, Mackworth All Saints; and Mission Companion, Shrewsbury Area Foxholes, Butterwick, Cottam and Thwing The Very Rev Victor Stock, and Priest-in-Charge, Kirk Langley; and (same diocese). (York): to resign with effect from 31 Dean of Guildford (Guildford): has retired Priest-in-Charge, Mugginton and Kedle- The Rev Canon Dr Dennis Stamps, December 2012. with effect from 31 July 2012. Upon retire- ston (Derby): to be also Hon Canon, Derby Canon Residentiary, St Albans; and Minis- The Rev Richard Bailey, ment he has become Canon Emeritus, Cathedral (same diocese). terial Development Officer; and Director of Chaplain, HM Prison Dovegate (Lichfield): Guildford Cathedral (same diocese). The Rev Michael Hayes, Ministry (St Albans): to be Rector, Harpen- has resigned with effect from 26 July 2012. The Rev James Waddell, Chaplain, Heart of Kent Hospice den St Nicholas (same diocese). The Rev Christopher Beard, Assistant Curate, Slaugham and Staplefield (Rochester): to be Priest-in-Charge, The Rev Andrew Stead, Priest-in-Charge, Donnington; and Chap- Common (Chichester): has resigned with Burham and Wouldham (same diocese). NSM (Associate Minister), St Albans lain, St ’s Hospice effect from 29 July 2012. The Rev Christopher Howson, Abbey; and Teacher, Aldenham School (Chichester): has retired with effect from The Rev William Paul Waters, Mission Priest, Bradford Archdeaconry (St Albans): to be Chaplain, 31 July 2012. Assistant Curate, Ilkeston Holy Trinity (Bradford): to be Chaplain, Aldenham School Hertfordshire (same dio- The Rev Suzy Brech, (Derby): to resign with effect from 1 Sep- University; and Assistant Curate (Associate cese). NSM (Assistant Curate), Battersea St tember 2012. Minister), Sunderland (Durham). The Rev Alexander Summers, Michael (Southwark): has resigned with The Rev Geoffrey Woods, The Rev James Levasier, Assistant Curate, Chingford St Peter and St effect from 30 March 2012. NSM (Associate Minister), Colerne with Assistant Curate, Ashtead (Guildford): to Paul (Chelmsford): to be Priest-in-Charge, The Rev Richard Bromfield, North Wraxall; and NSM (Associate Minis- be Vicar, Burpham (same diocese). Walthamstow St Michael (same diocese). Vicar, Woodingdean; and Chaplain, ter), Box with Hazlebury and Ditteridge The Rev Joanna Levasier, The Rev Christine Sykes, Nuffield Hospital (Chichester): (Bristol): has resigned with effect from 20 Assistant Curate, Ashtead (Guildford): to NSM (Assistant Curate), Castle Church has retired with effect from 1 July 2012. June 2012. Sunday Sunday August 12, 2012 www.churchnewspaper.com 15 SUNDAYSUNDAY SERVICESERVICE Population Grows Larger Sunday Readings for 19 August 2012 By Peter Brierley The first tranche of the results of the 2011 Population Census has now been Trinity 11 - Proper 15 - Year B released. These initial results did not include figures broken down by religion, but they did give figures for the number of households, the total number of people, bro- ken down by age and gender, for each Unitary or Local Authority in England, Proverbs 9:1-6 Ephesians 5:15-20 John 6:51-58 Wales and N Ireland. Initial Scottish figures have now just been released as well, but are not included here. The average household size was 2.4 people, and the overall population for Eng- The house that Wisdom builds is substantial, built on solid principles according to a grand land was 53 million, up 4 million over 2001, largely due to immigration on the one design and incorporating seven pillars, reminiscent of a temple, and recalling the seven days in hand and people living longer on the other. A baby boom over the last decade which God created heaven and earth. Hospitality is an important feature of this house, for it is a (more babies being born than might be expected) has also contributed. A sixth of place to which Wisdom invites her guests to share in a far greater banquet than human folly the population is now over 65 years of age. could ever provide. Those who are invited include those who are simple in their ways, and those The figures will be of interest to church leaders since they emphasise the grow- who as yet lack rational sense, so that they may receive not only food and drink but share in the ing “culture of old age,” although this is something they have known about for riches of Wisdom. Her guests come expecting to dine sumptuously on rich fare, and leave with many years, since a third, 32 per cent, of churchgoers are 65 years of age or over, greater riches than they had ever imagined, having gained spiritual insight into the work of God twice the population average of 16 per cent. The chart shows where the national from the beginning of creation down to the present day, as he sustains all things in being and age-groups have grown or declined compared with 10 years ago and how this com- bestows so many gifts of love upon his people and upon all that he has made. pares with the numbers of people attending church. The population of those in Those who have faith in God understand that life itself is God’s creation and that the time we their 30s has actually shrunk in the last decade, but has very significantly grown have been given must be used for good, according to the wisdom that is revealed for our edifi- for those in their 60s or over 90. cation in the scriptures. Many lives are squandered in pursuit of pleasure, or evil, or simply wasted in frivolity. But time spent in study of the word of God is an investment in wisdom that Change in population and churchgoing proportions in different age- will enable us to judge wisely between good and evil, and so to grow in knowledge and love of groups, 2001-2011 the Lord. Alcohol is only one of many meaningless distractions that fritter away time and cloud our minds, when our gaze should be firmly directed towards the contemplation of God and his service. Those who are wise will set aside the things that occupy our attention and our energies but that have no eternal significance. Instead we should seek to be directed in all things by the Holy Spirit, so that our lives may be filled with private and public prayer and praise of God, singing with joy in the knowledge that we belong to the Lord Jesus Christ. The crowd that had been fed by Jesus at the miracle of the loaves and fishes had failed to dis- cern the sign which Jesus had given, although they knew the scripture which says (Deut. 8:3) “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God,” a text quoted by Jesus (Matthew 4:4) when the devil sought to tempt him to turn stones into bread. We are hungry for bread every day, and as human beings rather more inclined to think about finding the next meal than to raise our hearts to God in search of spiritual nourishment. But if we live for bread alone, then we are lost, for not even the manna that God provided in the wilder- ness was able to do more than satisfy hunger for a day. When the Lord spoke about the living bread that the Father had sent, his words fell on deaf ears, and provoked uncomprehending arguments about the literal meaning of his words. But Jesus was speaking about a new covenant soon to be established on the Cross and in a new Passover, which brings eternal life to those The chart shows that the general population under 30 has grown in the last 10 who receive it, who have eyes to see and ears to hear the word of God who provides the Lamb years (on average by +5 per cent) against which numbers of young people of the for the sacrifice. same age in church has shrunk overall by -35 per cent. The Rev Stephen Trott Numbers of people in their 30s have declined both in the population at large and in the church (although more so in the church than the population, -22 per cent to -2 per cent). Numbers in the population between 40 and 59 have grown while again HYMN SELECTION the church numbers have dropped (collectively +9 per cent to -7 per cent). It is the figures of those aged 60 and over which are specially interesting. In the population those in their 60s have jumped hugely as many of the “Boomer” genera- tion have reached retirement age and some of this growth is reflected in church Hymns for Trinity 11 increases also (+28 per cent and +3 per cent respectively). The population has also Majesty, worship his majesty grown in the numbers who are 70 and over, and so have the numbers in the church The kingdom of God is justice and joy of these ages. In fact, the growth in numbers 80 and over in the church exceeds the rate of growth in the general population (+7 per cent for churchgoers and + 4.5 per Let all the world in every corner sing cent for population)! Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart The chart shows the key issues facing the church – drastic lack of younger peo- All creatures of our God and King ple, smaller numbers of middle-aged, increasing numbers of the elderly. These are not new problems. The Population Census simply allows us to see them in per- Ye watchers and ye holy ones spective. Close to you The other key factor emerging from these initial Census results is the growth of Thee we adore, O hidden Saviour, the three largest English cities. London has grown by 12 per cent to a total of 8.2 million people; Greater Manchester (County) has grown by five per cent to 2.7 mil- Eat this bread, drink this cup lion, and Birmingham (West Midlands) has also grown by five per cent also to 2.7 Give thanks with a grateful heart million. , however, has hardly changed (down 0.2 per cent) to 1.4 mil- lion people. This has implications for evangelism and the work of City Missions.

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Andy Murray became the first British man to win an Olympic gold medal in tennis since 1908, after he beat Swiss World Number 1 Roger Feder- er in straight sets on Wimbledon’s Centre court, a month after he lost to him in the Grand Slam final... While Usain Bolt repeated his victory in the 100m with an Olympic Record Time of 9.63 seconds, British eyes were focussed on the achievements of Mo Farah, Jessica Ennis, and Greg Rutherford, who won golds in the 10,000m, women’s heptathlon, and long jump

respectively… Farm Africa has launched its biggest appeal to help get Africa out of poverty. ‘Give Hunger the Boot!’ asks congregations to “get their wellies on” and take part in a mass UK- wide welly-walk to one of its projects in east Africa -- and back. The idea is for congregations to take part on a sponsored walk and they can add their

anything at all except engage in religious ‘welly miles’ walked to those of other congrega- study and they cost the state a fortune in tions… PAUL welfare. But Netanyahu depends on their votes. RICHARDSON Settlers on the West Bank are also a powerful force. The Oslo accords were meant to mark the beginning of a gradual Church and World end to the Israeli presence on the West ‘ Bank but the figure has increased from 110,000 settlers in 1993 to 340,000 today. If you add the number of Israelis living in East Jerusalem, the figure rises to 600,000. Dialogue is the key Some Israeli settlements are near to the border with Israel and Palestinians are open to the possibility of them being annexed to the Jewish state in return for We’re hoping churches to the Middle East compensatory land made available else- will keep using festivals to where. But other settlements pose a mark anniversaries, public General Synod’s vote to support the The new land Israel seized was not problem for any future peace agreement events and significant Ecumenical Accompaniment Pro- unoccupied and many Palestinians and there are no signs of compromise church moments like gramme in Palestine and Israel opted to stay. Slowly the realisation over East Jerusalem. Easter and Pentecost, with (EAPPI) has caused some dismay in has begun to dawn on Israelis that Demographers estimate that by 2030 this kind of outreach the Jewish community in Britain. A let- geographical expansion poses a demo- the number of Jews in the total popula- becoming a natural part of ter to this newspaper deplored the graphic threat. The time is approach- tion will decline to 46 per cent. Ariel our lives. tone of the debate with such phrases ing when the Arab population of Israel Sharon was aware of the problem, which Marty Woods, as ‘powerful lobbies’ and ‘Jewish- will outnumber the Jewish population. is why he was ready to withdraw settlers More than Gold sounding names’. Opinion polls show that as many as 86 and troops from Gaza. Netanyahu has Jews are right to be worried about per cent of the population believe it is voiced his commitment to a two-state the growth of anti-Semitism in Europe important to retain a Jewish majority solution but has shown no enthusiasm but not every criticism of Israel flows in the country. for steps to make this a reality. People from anti-Semitism. Many friends of Israel faces a stark choice: geo- Instead Israel has embraced policies in Israel, including Guardian columnist graphical expansion and an Arab the occupied territories that have justifi- After almost 38 years at the Evangelical Book- Jonathan Freedland, are alarmed by majority or the two-state solution. If ably been denounced, not only in Arab‘shop, Belfast, John Grier has handed over lead- the policies of the government of Ben- Israelis opt for what is sometimes nations and the West, but within Israel ership of its ministry to Colin Campbell. Colin is jamin Netanyahu, which they see as a called ‘the Biblical state’, they will itself. In the words of Akiva Elder, chief the fifth manager since the shop was started by threat to the continued existence of a have to decide whether to share power political columnist for Haaretz: “Israel John’s father WJ Grier in 1926... The Royal School democratic Jewish state. with an Arab majority or to cease to be has embraced various policies of ‘separa- of Church Music has made two deputy director So far Israel has managed to stay a democracy. Israeli politicians under- tion’. It has separate legal systems for tra- appointments. Rosemary Field will be deputy democratic because the Jewish majori- stand the problem. The leader of Kadi- ditional Israeli territory and territory it director, heading Education and Voluntary, and ty has retained the demographic edge. ma, Shaul Mofaz, recently declared occupies; it divides those who reside in Stephen Mansfield will be Deputy Director, Will Israel remain a democracy if the that the demographic threat was the occupied land based on ethnic identity; it overseeing Operations and Finance... The Rev Jewish people find themselves a most dangerous threat to the contin- has retained power over occupied land Roger Pitman who creates websites, writes minority in the country? Before the ued existence of Israel. but evaded responsibility for the people blogs and tweets in his spare time, has been Six Day War of 1967 Israel was a Unfortunately few politicians are living there; and it has created a concep- licensed as priest-in-charge of the parish of nation in which the overwhelming prepared to take decisive action, least tual distinction between its democratic Llangeinor and the Garw Valley. He says social majority were Jews. Many Palestinians of all Netanyahu. Mass immigration principles and the actual practises in the media is a key way to compensate for closing had fled the country after the UN vote from Russia has weakened the Labour occupied territories.” churches… to partition the country in 1947 and Party and the ultra Orthodox have This is the way Israel has managed its the armistice of 1949. grown in strength. The ultra Ortho- occupation for 45 years. “No other state But in 1967 Israel took command of dox are committed to ‘Biblical Israel’ in the 21st century has been able to get Next Week’s News the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and although the haredim refuse to serve away with this,” writes Elder, “but it increased its territory by 30 per cent. in the military. In fact they refuse to do works for Israel which has little incentive On August 12 the world will celebrate Interna- to change it.” tional Youth Day... More than 36,000 people Little incentive at the moment, but are experiencing the north’s most spectacular demographic pressure is building up and piece of theatre this summer -- the return of change is rapidly coming to the Arab York Mystery Plays to York Museum Gardens, world. More democratic regimes in the until August 27. Performed against the magnifi- region are less likely to accept the status cent backdrop of St Mary’s Abbey, a cast of more quo while still deploying anti-Israeli rhet- than 500 will be led by Ferdinand Kingsley, play- oric, the approach of many of the old dic- ing God and Jesus, and former Coronation Street tatorships. villain Graeme Hawley (who played John Stape) Christians in Britain could work for as the Devil... Derby Cathedral is featuring an change not by supporting boycotts but exhibition until August 31, entitled Busman’s by dialogue with one of Israel’s Holiday by Adrian Burrows. It is a personal dis- staunchest group of supporters: Ameri- play, featuring depictions of his favourite places, can evangelicals. Mitt Romney’s recent which began life as an online photo journal… visit to Israel and his slurs on Palestini- The Conservative-Liberal Democrat Coali- ans were designed to please the Republi- tion could come to an end, as Nick Clegg react- can evangelical base as well as such ed angrily to the Conservatives thwarting major funders as Sheldon Adelson. reform of the House of Lords…

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