WINTER 2020 SIGNS OF THE TIMES FEATURES, COMMENTARY AND REVIEWS FROM MODERN CHURCH Chr stic istia uti n Ra A m an blings of Erin Burnett discovers the value of non-realism for the neurodivergent In Memoriam: Talking Book Reviews David Simon About God James Francis, Michael Sadgrove Jane Finn and Alan Race John Saxbee and Linda Birch MODERNCHURCH.ORG.UK CONTRIBUTORS EDITORIAL Linda Birch Artist and Teacher General Secretary Very Revd Dr Jonathan Draper [email protected] Erin Burnett Theology Graduate and Postgraduate Student Administrator Diane Kutar [email protected] 0845 345 1909 Jane Finn Curate at Halifax Minster Modern Church is an international society promoting liberal theology. James Francis Founded in 1898 to defend Former Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department Anthony Woollard liberalism in the Church of of Religious Studies at the University of Sunderland Editor England, we now work ecumenically to encourage open, enquiring, non-dogmatic Alan Race approaches to Christianity. Chair of Modern Church @RevAlanRace SIGNS OF THE TIMES Michael Sadgrove PASSING ON THE BATON Former Dean of Durham Editor @MichaelSadgrove Anthony Woollard signsofthetimes his edition mourns a his magisterial analysis of @modernchurch.org.uk John Saxbee T great member of Modern “non-realist” theology in the 01789 204923 Former Bishop of Lincoln Church – David Simon, our spring edition of 2019. Thus and President of the Modern Churchpeople’s Union Treasurer, whose death was the baton is handed on from Book Reviews Editor Trevor Pitt briefly announced in our last generation to generation. Many [email protected] edition. I leave it to our Chair of our members are products of below, with David’s former col- the theological ferment of the league at Halifax Minster who 1960s, and some of our diverse gave the eulogy, to celebrate all thinking (even our continued that he contributed to Modern existence) may seem dated and Church, and to the Church irrelevant to newer generations. Signs of the Times is published in February, May, August and November. It provides news and information about Modern Church more generally. It is easy to become depressed and offers members an opportunity to communicate with each other in print. We welcome articles, notices, poems, suggestions, His death coincided, almost to and despairing – which David comments and suitable accompanying images. Articles published do not necessarily reflect a Modern Church perspective – in the day, with the submission of never was. Erin’s article below keeping with our commitment to liberal theology we believe that other views should be heard. Send material to the editor by an article by a new voice, Erin gives a massive boost to the case 28th December, 28th March, 28th June or 28th September. Articles should not exceed 1,000 words. We prefer email but will process typed or handwritten text (phone for a postal address). Burnett, a young theology grad- that our witness is still needed: uate from Northern Ireland, a witness to a Gospel and a which picked up directly on Church which are continued > Printed on FSC and EU Eco Label certified environmentally-friendly paper. Please recycle after use. COVER IMAGE: BENEDICTION OF GOD THE FATHER BY LUCA CAMBIASO (C.1565) 02 | SIGNS OF THE TIMES MODERNCHURCH.ORG.UK | 03 Erin’s article below gives a massive IN MEMORIAM boost to the case that our witness is still needed: a witness to a Gospel and a Church which are generous enough to include many different understandings of the Christian Mystery and the Christian story. generous enough to include many dif- principal Modern Church baton – the David Simon (1949-2020) ferent understandings of the Christian role of Treasurer – his predecessor Mystery and the Christian story. Rosalind Lund stepped back into the MC Treasurer (2018-2020) There are far more such new voices, breach on an interim basis. But she particularly but not only amongst the does much else for us, as Secretary to young, who have little or no contact the Trustees and joint Membership By The Revd Jane Finn, Curate Halifax Minster, with Revd Dr Alan Race, Chair MC Trustees with Modern Church. They, too, are Secretary to name but two roles. At the needed. Consideration of the pandem- time of writing, therefore, we are still ic’s implications for the Church has seeking a longer-term successor. I can Jane Finn writes: but before long his old pro- so far focused largely on its financial testify, as a Trustee and cheque signa- avid Simon was greatly fessor had him returning to problems and on the pros and cons of tory, that the accounts are very much Drespected and cherished Aberystwyth as a lecturer, greater digital presence; but both of simpler and far less busy than those of by many people, and rightly before later moving to the these have implications for its theology. a major parish church, such as I mas- so. He was born and died University of Hull, again When we combine all that with the terminded for many years, or indeed in Yorkshire, grew up in following his professor. wider social and political questions those of many other small to medium Bradford with his parents Subsequently, he took a job at which have painfully come to the fore charities. They have their peculiari- and his brother James and Rydal Hall retreat house in over the past year – not to speak of the ties and points of interest, but there is attended Bradford Grammar the Lakes, combining two of ever more urgent climate crisis – we much expertise amongst the rest of us to School. He studied Economics, his great loves – his finance could be seeing an intensification of the advise any newcomer on those. Business and Finance at the skills and his faith. He was “new Dark Age” of which I have written University of Aberystwyth. It ordained Deacon in 1987, and before; or an opportunity for a new start was there that he cemented Priest in 1988, ministering for humanity; or both. In any event, If we have not filled this vacancy by the time of his love of learning and of for many years at Cartmel Modern Church’s witness is crucial. publication, any reader who would consider it should academia. He began his career Priory. Some five years ago, As regards the passing on of David’s please e-mail: [email protected] with Post Office Telecoms, he and his wife continued > 04 | SIGNS OF THE TIMES MODERNCHURCH.ORG.UK | 05 Many of us struggle to work out who we are, and what is its straightforward, beautiful yet We knew him as a trustee important to us, and even then, living that out, is even more concise words, it seems a perfect and treasurer but his choice. At the Community of difficult still. But David did know who he was, what was the Resurrection (a place which contribution to the important to him, and he did live it out; it is called integrity. held a special place in David’s organization was far-reaching. heart), it is customary to leave in silence after the service, and the Greater Silence, as it was known, was entered into until far-reaching. That said, we Marjorie finally came home to life, and death, and any con- the dawning of the next day… the valued his management of our Yorkshire and David to work at cerns he needed to lay down and very message of resurrection hope. finances through two chal- Halifax Minster. He once said: leave behind. The words of Compline lenging years, during which we “You never know why you’re Eleanor Roosevelt once spoke and the words of David’s life, have seen significant legacies doing things at the time, and about learning who we really spoken and unspoken, call us coincide with falling revenues now it’s all clear to me.” are, and then living with that to quietness, to reflection, to from other sources, with con- Among his many interests, decision. Many of us struggle to better living, to being our better sequent major restructuring he was a Companion member work out who we are, and what is selves, and they continue to of our “business plan” and the of the monastic Community of important to us, and even then, do so. Our lives are enriched financially intelligent and safe the Resurrection at Mirfield, living that out, is even more dif- and all the better for having development of new initiatives. a member of the Philosophy ficult still. But David did know known him, for having worked Not only did David add much Group, the Novel Appreciation who he was, what was important alongside him, for having insight and wisdom to all group, the Manchester to him, and he did live it out; it learnt alongside him, for having the Trustees’ discussions on Philosophy Group (joined just is called integrity. He did not walked with him in death. Our matters financial and non-fi- during lockdown!), a Trustee waste time or words doing or lives are changed because of his nancial, his understanding and Treasurer of Modern saying unnecessary things – he counsel, and will continue to of charity law and accounting Church. He loved academia, he was a noticer, a great thinker, be so because, in him, we saw, proved invaluable on many loved the water and the sea, he an academic, an observer, a heard and experienced the very occasions. His mantra was loved walking, reading, learning, consoler, an accepter of others… love of God. always ‘you can spend money so talking, and he loved his family. he had an incredibly sharp David, go forth from this long as it reflects the objects of The sudden diagnosis, only brain (with a wit as sharp), a world, rest in peace, and rise in MC’s purpose’.