'Bridget Jones' Church in the Ride and Stride

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www.oxford.anglican.org October 2016 no 284 thedoor

Win a copy of Lighted God in the Life of Bishop The BFG’s hidden home - Playgrounds for Palestine UK - page seven Windows- page five Steven - page 16 page 11 ‘Bridget Jones’ church in the Ride and Stride DESPITE wind and searing rain hundreds of people turned out for the annual Ride and Stride to raise funds for historic churches in the Diocese. And one of the churches highlighted in national publicity was St Lawrence’s, West Wycombe, where the wedding scene in the new Bridget Jones’s Baby movie was filmed. St Lawrence’s is already on the tourist map as it is on West Wycombe Hill, a National Trust park, which features the stately home of the Dashwood Family. Brian Prosser, the treasurer at St Lawrence’s, had previously worked with film production companies before he retired from his work as an insurance broker. He first heard that the film company were interested in the church when he took a call from West Wycombe Park. “They told me they were interested in using the church for the wedding scene. About 20 people turned up, the full production team for Bridget Jones.” Part of the deal meant someone from the church was present every day during the filming, so Brian, his wife and his daughter-in-law watched the whole process. “They completely stripped the church, they took everything out, even the font, but they took photographs of everything and put it all back. The day after they left you would never have known they had been there,” he said. Joshua Harris, of Cohanim Architecture, poses at St Lawrence’s, West Wycombe. Photo: John McAllister “It was jolly interesting. I had to sign a confidentiality statement saying I The film crew also left the flowers, which services. to publicise the event at St Lawrence’s. wouldn’t discuss what was going on. They Brian says must have cost thousands Brian was speaking just a few days after The trusts across the country aim to filmed a couple of different endings for the of pounds, for the church. Brian said the Ride and Stride, which despite the raise funds for repairs to churches and has scene. there were enough to decorate both St bad weather, saw people riding cycles and helped St Lawrence’s with a donation of “They came back two weeks later to Lawrence’s and St Paul’s Church, also in horses and walking around churches across £5,000 towards a £7,000 repair scheme for borrow a pew for a day because one of the West Wycombe. The production company the UK, to raise money for the Historic dry rot. also delayed the filming so that they scenes hadn’t come out very well. They took Churches Trusts. The National Historic Continued on page two... the pew to the studio to re-film it there.” did not disrupt Remembrance Sunday Churches Trust used the Bridget Jones line 2 News ‘Bridget Jones’ church in the Ride and Stride A safari with a difference Continued from page one While not an urgent project, St Lawrence’s is working with Joshua Harrison of Cohanim Architecture to re-build a room that was demolished in the 1960s because it was unsafe. The £50,000 scheme will provide a room for children’s work, as well as providing more space during special events. Across the Diocese, churches were open, many with refreshments, for people taking part in the Ride and Stride. Basil Eastwood, Chair of the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust, took part in a peloton of A team of Striders from the Swan team of churches in Buckinghamshire six people, including Bishop Colin, after a damp day’s walking. The full story is online. to cycle around churches for the annual event. “The weather the Buckinghamshire Ride and It was hard but with proper wet Photo: Shutterstock wasn’t what it could have been Stride, said: “Lots of churches weather gear it was okay and most but we all had a good time and were open with refreshments and of the churches had made the there were lots of heritage open effort to provide tea and coffee.” BATS swooping around the nave and chancel in response to ended up rather pleased,” said Evensong vibrations in the summer inspired the churchwarden days. I did cut my ride slightly The Bridget Jones’s Baby Basil. Sponsorship is still coming Wendy Osborn to organise a safari with a difference. in and being counted, but the short in the end as visibility was movie was due to be released in She invited Julie Hopton and Margaret Grimsey of the North event usually raises around getting so poor.” cinemas from 16 September. Bucks Bat Group to lead a Bat Safari. Around 30 people of all ages £130,000 for the Oxfordshire Nina said that in her Deanery Historic Churches Trust. alone there were two long walks, looked at displays and leaflets, children created bat masks while others used the opportunity to explore the ancient church. Julie Nina Newton, from the one of 17 miles and one of 18 Filming in churches can Buckinghamshire Historic miles. “There was one walk that be a great opportunity for talked about bats and their life histories. The audience responded Churches Trust, cycled 58 miles left from Waddesdon at 10am and raising funds and for positive with questions and Julie and Margaret dispelled some of the fears on an Eliptigo – a stand-up bicycle got to its destination at 6.45pm.” publicity, but a Faculty is and superstitions that surround these nocturnal creatures. that works both the legs and the Clive Betteridge, of the needed. Contact the Registry Wendy said: “One highlight of the evening was meeting upper body. Nina said she spent Berkshire Historic Churches on 01865 297211 or your Rose, a rescued noctule bat who sat on Julie’s arm munching 18 hours travelling between Trust, cycled 14 miles and visited Archdeacon. delicately on mealworms. When it was time for us to take a break, churches in the wet weather. several churches. He said: “The refreshments more palatable to the human congregation were Nina, who has been publicising weather put a lot of people off. served - hot chocolate, chewy brownies and fresh coffee.” When it was completely dark, the group went outside and using Vicar sets off on fundraising sabbatical pilgrimage detectors tuned into the chattering world of bats. Julie said: THE Revd Jonathan Meyer, the centre in East Oxford. Jonathan is to chat to the members about “We walked together along a footpath to the lakeside nature Vicar of Ewelme, is walking a said: “It is run by an enthusiastic nothing in particular. Just being reserve nearby, a rich source of food and habitats. Then, as a full sabbatical pilgrimage to Santiago young team with a huge range with people and listening when moon slowly rose above the water, it created a golden pathway de Compostela. of talents and backgrounds. I that is required is paramount.” to where we were standing. The murmur of pipistrelles and The walk, which is just less than pop in from time to time and daubenton bats reached a crescendo of song and we fell silent, enjoy a good lunch. Volunteering 500 miles, is along the medieval To donate go to www. awestruck by the experience. It was breathtaking; an evening of sometimes involves washing up pilgrim route. Jonathan is raising justgiving.com/Jonathan- our lives few of us will forget.” but the most important thing money for the Porch, a drop-in Meyer Super-modern £3.7m community building opens in Burford TWO weeks of celebrations scarier as they realised that they exercise classes, local society marked the opening of Burford’s needed a hall that was going meetings, AGMs and private super-modern £3.7m new to cost £3.7m if it was going to parties. Warwick Hall to the public. serve the church and community David Findlay from Acanthus Currently the biggest for the next 100 years. Clews is the architect responsible church hall building project The church office has moved for the design. The building is in Oxfordshire, the facility to the new hall, which is inkeeping with the Cotswold has taken seven years to come transforming what the church stone of the historic town and to fruition. The two-storey can offer, from a marriage course individual rooms will be named renovation has seen the original to lots of space for children in the after the major benefactors. medieval building near to St John lively Sunday club, to quiet rooms The Greening Room will honour the Baptist Church more than for counselling to a community the late Olive Greening, whose triple in size. It will be used for Christmas lunch. legacy funded a huge amount church and community activities of the scheme. Olive and her and is much-needed as Burford “We want to husband Herbert lived in Burford does not have a town hall or all of their lives and worshipped community centre. tell the story of at St John the Baptist’s. The The planning started back in Gauntlett Room remembers Liz 2009 when, at a church weekend God’s love and Gauntlett, a churchwarden who away, the Rt Revd Paul Williams, died in her mid 40s who left her The opening celebrations at Warwick Hall. Photo: Chris Knight. then Bishop of Kensington, had estate to the project, and Audrey generosity.” love and generosity. challenged the congregation to Tremaine’s legacy is marked with have ‘a big, bold, scary vision that The Warwick Café is open daily The Tremaine Room. “Our vision is that the new as a meeting place for the local Warwick Hall will be ‘the heart without God’s help was bound to The Revd Richard Coombs, the See www.oxford.anglican. community and visitors, not of our church’s ministry and the fail.’ Vicar, said: “We want visitors org/warwickhall for an just hirers of the hall. The new heart of our community’s life.’” As they planned and prayed to experience warm hospitality, online picture gallery. building will also be heavily used about the Warwick Hall the food and drink at every event. by the community and there are vision got bigger and bolder and We want to tell the story of God’s already bookings for ballet and News 3 Watch Bishop Steven’s inauguration online Abseiling for Adventure Plus THE service to mark the the Diocese of Oxford will take service combines the traditional inauguration of Bishop Steven’s part in the service. The Rt Revd with the modern, and includes ministry as the Bishop of Pushpalalitha Eggoni, the Bishop music led by the Cathedral choir Oxford will be webcast from the of Nandyal in India, the Rt Revd and also the Worship Band from Cathedral so that as many people Fredrik Modéus, the Bishop of St Andrew’s, Linton Road. It is as possible across the Diocese can Växjö in Sweden and the Very expected to last around an hour. watch. Revd Reginald Leeuw, the Dean The service, which takes The Cathedral – uniquely in the of Kimberley in the Diocese of place at 2.15pm on Friday 30 Church of England also a college Kimberley and Kuruman in South September, will be followed by chapel of Oxford University – is Africa, will all give their blessing services of welcome in each of the relatively small, given the size to Bishop Steven. While they are four archdeaconries to which all of the Diocese, which means here, they are each taking part in are welcome (see p16 for details). that invitations are limited to a programme of visits around the a set number of ticket holders. Diocese. Among the congregation will be During the service Bishop representatives of the civic life Steven will take a formal oath to of the three counties, as well as the Archbishop of Canterbury, Bishop Steven’s friends, family represented on the day by the The webcast will be online and colleagues from the Sheffield Acting Archdeacon of Canterbury. at www.oxford.anglican. Diocese. He will also pronounce a org/bishopofoxford. Senior clergy from each of the blessing over the city of Oxford three overseas dioceses linked to and the Diocese as a whole. The A stitch in time for a church and a community CONGREGATION members at St Nicholas Church, Kingsey in Buckinghamshire, have had a creative summer with an Artist in Residence project to renew their beautiful Victorian Easter Altar Frontal. The work has been Morey starts his descent. Photo: Andrew Mann/Adventure Plus carried out by Elizabeth Bond, a Kingsey resident and graduate of TO mark his last weekend as vicar of St Leonard’s Eynsham after the Royal School of Needlework. over ten years, the Revd Morey Andrews jumped off the church The frontal was made for the tower on 10 September. opening of the church in 1893 Morey is moving to a newly created post as Deanery Strategic and was by tradition embroidered Mission Enabler for Sedgemoor Deanery in Bath and Wells by Georgiana Wykeham of Tythrop House, Kingsey. Diocese. He and young people from the church abseiled off the tower for Adventure Plus, with which the church has had a long It has become worn and torn association. over the years, and it seemed a fitting way to proclaim the Adventure Plus, founded to “encourage young people to presence of the risen Christ in embrace the adventure of faith”, works with 7,000 children and the church by taking the time youth each year. Their programmes enable any young person, to renew it, while opening the who might first have come to Adventure Plus through a school church to the community over visit or social services, to keep in touch throughout their teens and the summer months. into adulthood. More than 250 people visited Founder and director Jonathan Cox says: “As the Church the church, where over 100 took opportunity to put a stitch a benefice church member. struggles to engage ‘hard to reach’ young people, I do not know of up the challenge to “put in a in really captured people’s Completion is for Christmas a more effective, challenging and fun way to reach young people stitch” as the motifs from the imaginations, with several people 2016 when the frontal will next from right across the social spectrum, and then to keep in touch.” original frontal were carefully returning to stitch for extended be in use. Elizabeth and Mark Adventure Plus is developing an AdventureBase which will transferred to a new traditional periods during the summer. are compiling a record of the enable them to reach twice as many young people each year. backing of silk and linen. Many visitors shared some materials and techniques used The deadline to secure the freehold of the site is this month. The Elizabeth has been supported by amazing stories about their on the frontal, along with the Diocese of Oxford has supported the project from the start, with her husband Mark, who provided history of the church and village. connections with Kingsey and the money from the collection at the former Bishop of Oxford, the Rt tea and cake, and gave visitors church. It will list the names of those a historical tour of the church, who have stitched and serve as a Revd John Pritchard’s official leaving-do, the Grand Day Out, being The project was funded by a with its Victorian architecture snapshot of our time for future dontaed to the charity. mission grant from Aylesbury and internal furnishings. The generations. See www.adventureplus.org.uk for more information. Deanery and a legacy from New for 2017: Acts of School inspection marks major improvements at St Mary’s, Banbury Love Lent Course THE appointment of Victoria committed staff who have really LOOKING for a course for your Woods, “a dedicated and embraced the changes we have home group or next Lent? visionary head” has been cited in introduced,” she says. Partners in World Mission is a recent inspection report that Bishop Colin is pictured, right, releasing a new five-session praises St Mary’s CE Primary after presenting a children’s course called Acts of Love. The School in Banbury. Bible to the school’s RE and course offers a chance to reflect Victoria, who has just collective worship co-ordinator on Scripture and the world celebrated her first anniversary Sarah Di Giorno and Victoria around us, with stories drawn as Head of St Mary’s, was Woods. Also pictured are Philip from nearby and far away. The delighted that the five yearly Cochrane, the Vicar of St Mary’s course will be available at the National Society Statutory Church, Banbury and Anne end of September. To be sent a Inspection of Anglican and Davey, Director of Education for Methodist Schools (SIAMS) the Diocese of Oxford. copy in pdf when it’s available, produced such a positive report. email [email protected], Turn to pages eight and nine or ring 01235 851763. “I am thrilled the Inspector for more on the church schools noted the excellent behaviour that have been praised by and attitudes of pupils as SIAMS. well as our hardworking and the Door, October 2016, page 4 Advertisement Feature

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XTC51_Christingle 2016 Adverts_The Door_October_V1.indd 1 15/09/2016 16:39 Resources 5 ethnic minority population reflects How to Survive as a Governor in and continues Watson’s vision of truly a Church School: a guide for all Win an Advent book inclusive education.” It is chapter-based, governors of Church of England and A LIGHTED and can be read sequentially, but the inset Church in Wales schools window texts, reflections, and questions, as well as always offers Alexandra Green helpful hints and tips, also allow it to be gimpses Redemptorist Publications £9.95 deployed as a workbook. into another Topics covered include the role of world, governors as guardians of the vision, different by Elizabeth Knowles systems of self-evaluation for the people and hatever your level of individual governor and for the governing situations experience as a church body as a whole, and of course the that we are school governor (or if you prospect of a school inspection—with not a part are simply thinking about particular emphasis on the Statutory of. And yet it the role), Alexandra Green’s practical and Inspection of Anglican and Methodist often offers W Schools (SIAMS), and the equivalent stimulating book will have something for welcome requirement, Gwella, for the Church in you. Written from a Christian perspective, to decide whether your evidence fits in and promise it is intended for anyone who is a governor Wales. There is an important chapter on and draws the governing body’s mission to ensure to (for example) category 1c or 3a. By all in a church school—on the sensible means make use of it, but I would strongly us to the grounds that even if a governor has no that the vision of the school is realised, light from the darkness outside. although there could perhaps have been suggest focusing on the shorter option religious affiliation it will be appropriate and the four key questions. As we enter Advent, we too are waiting for them to think about and engage a bit more clarity here on what is and for the welcome and promise that Bishop Alan’s foreword is particularly with the Christian faith which forms is not the direct responsibility of the Christmas brings. In Lighted Windows by helpful in illuminating the challenges the cornerstone on which the school is governors to tackle, and what belongs in Margaret Silf, we are offered glimpses for governors today—in a constantly founded and run. the operation remit of the headteacher. of God and his promises that draw us to A sensitive section on prayer gives changing landscape, they must be The coverage is chronologically wide- him through the approaching Christmas Jewish and Muslim prayers which could guardians of the foundational Christian season. ranging, with an adroit use of the appropriately be used, and there is a ethos of each school, while being historical background to highlight the The Door has three copies to give bibliography for websites and further “intentionally competent”, and adding away to the winners of this month’s values which are still relevant to the resources. value to the life of the school. Both he and challenges of today. Past and present competition. For the chance to win, My only cavil—and it may be a personal the author make it clear why this calling is simply send your name and address are helpfully linked, for instance, with so very worthwhile. a comment on today that looks back one—is the provision in chapter 6 of the to Lighted Window contest, The Door, to Joshua Watson, who founded the very long self-evaluation tool devised by Diocesan Church House, Oxford, OX5 National Society in 1811: “The place the Oxford Diocese, which should perhaps Elizabeth Knowles is a Foundation 1GF or to the email address reception@ of Church of England and Church in come with a health warning. While it does Governor of The Blake Church of oxford.anglican.org to reach us no later Wales schools in areas with a high of course offer some excellent material, far England Primary School, Witney. than Friday 7 October. too much time can be expended in trying matter, Nick Instruments of Christ’s Love ultimately The Dark Night of the Shed has its eye on Page writes The Revd Dr. Phillip Tovey, Sally Buck, Nick Page the future. engagingly, and Graham Dodds Sally Buck Hodder and with SCM Press draws on £9.99 great £12.99 her research humour and into Reader by Jules Herklots conviction. ministry He shares s a forty-something man, and today, his own by Kevin Lovell a proud shed owner, I felt I had exploring first experiences, an interest in this book, if not ere we have a rare thing - a the breadth and it is this an obligation to read it. I’ve book about Reader ministry of Reader willingness also had to take stock of the important or, as we say in the Oxford ministry of A to make things in my life, following a skirmish with Diocese, Licensed Lay word, and himself death. It was therefore with this sense of HMinistry. With over 10,000 Readers in then Reader vulnerable expectation that I turned the first page. the UK (about one per incumbent) and ministry in that makes around one million lay ministers in church the world. This is not a D.I.Y. manual. Nor is his writing every Sunday, it’s a pity it takes a major In both cases Sally particularly explores it a New Age, self-help book, “full of credible, uplifting and challenging. In anniversary to prompt the writing of those places where the presence of a useful insights from neuroscience and the same way that a good rapport with such a volume. Nevertheless, written to Reader would be more surprising. psychology”, although Jung is referred to. your GP is essential, so you want to have coincide with the 150th anniversary of Yes, the writer does like sheds, a lot (and confidence in the author when doing some Phillip Tovey, our own Deputy Warden Reader ministry in the Church of England, that’s certainly no bad thing), but this serious soul searching. And you do. of Readers, provides two well researched I am glad they have! book is first and foremost a look at the and interesting chapters. He helpfully time in men’s lives when we ask “Who am critiques the debates on lay ministry held “Nick Page writes I?” and “Is that it?” This is a time when “What this book does in western churches over the last 40-odd things fall apart. years. Together with his second chapter engagingly...” Interestingly though, it is not the failure really well is to explore which deals with the origins of Reader of our bodies, but the failure of what Nick Page is a Ray Mears when it comes ministry (which, by the way, go back we’ve put our faith in, that lets us down. to surviving the midlife crisis; navigating a the ‘edginess’ of Reader much more than 150 years), Phillip sets It is when we feel most abandoned, that course for us towards high ground, where out a useful historical context from which we have our darkest night. Granted, it we can gain a new perspective, and where ministry...” we can think about the future of Reader probably doesn’t involve wrestling a we can embark on a deeper relationship ministry. What this book does really well is to stranger in a river, but it’s devastating with God. explore the ‘edginess’ of Reader ministry: Finally, Graham Dodds looks at when it happens, all the same. Jules is a former chef who is married as such it has relevance to all of us who examples of Readers who have a to Anya, and an aspiring writer who minister in a lay or ordained capacity. pioneering ministry, and asks how “This is not a DIY worships at St Aldate’s Oxford. Without diminishing the importance this might help us re-imagine Reader of the classic Reader roles of preaching, ministry in the future. All in all, a useful manual. Nor is it a New teaching and leading worship, the and thought-provoking book: a valuable Competition winner authors take us on a tour of the edges: addition to the bookshelves of those who Age self-help book.” the possibilities of what Reader ministry are Readers, those with responsibility for THE winner of our River and Rowing might be (and increasingly is) beyond the Readers and anyone considering a calling It is a biblical view of the moment when Museum competition from the familiar model. to become a Reader. a lot of men either take up triathlons September edition of the Door is (and Lycra), or run away from middle Christine Walker of Wargrave, Reading. Drawing on contributions from three Kevin Lovell is a Licensed Lay Minister age altogether, and have another try at She has won a family ticket to the River contributors with distinct perspectives, and until recently was an Advisor on adolescence. and Rowing Museum in Henley. the book explores Reader ministry past, Licensed Lay Ministry for Berkshire. Despite this potentially bleak subject present and future, although the book the Door, October 2016, page 6 Advertisement Feature

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Grand Total Feature 7 Providing Playgrounds for Palestine PLAYGROUNDS are a simple to help. “We were both moved by what we part of childhood most of us saw,” says Lesley, a former teacher who runs an educational business and has in the West take for granted. used her professional skills to help set up But for children in Palestine, Playgrounds for Palestine UK. “I struggled there is often nowhere to go to with knowing what to do and a few days after I came home there was a full-page enjoy playing outside, spinning article in the Guardian on Playgrounds for around on a roundabout, Palestine in the United States. Lesley said: sliding down a slide or “Families in Palestine have nowhere to swinging on a swing. play. They live in squalid conditions.” They got in touch with the American o a group of friends in the Oxford Playgrounds for Palestine offering to Diocese have set up Playgrounds help in any way. However, when they for Palestine UK, an organisation discovered that donations to the United that literally aims to provide States couldn’t be Gift Aided, they agreed Splaygrounds for children in Palestine. The to set up a UK branch. charity has been set up by the Revd Tony “Tony, Pamela Betts (a retired teacher) Lynn and Lesley Ravenscroft along with and I met with two other people to pray Pamela Betts, Frank Paul and Ros Arthur. and we simply said we didn’t know what to When Tony retired from his parish in do, we’d never done anything like this. We Hermitage he wanted to do something had a time of praying and we felt that God special with the generous cash leaving gift was nudging us to do it. So many things from his congregation. So joining the Rt have come together. I have a business Revd John Pritchard’s Pilgrimage for Peace background so I am reasonably okay with Above and below left are children who have benefitted from the American Playgrounds for to the Holy Land seemed perfect. When paperwork but setting up a charity was a Palestine projects. Below are Lesley and Tony enjoying a playground in Kidlington. he came home, he had a sense he wanted steep learning curve.” to do something to help the plight of those Meanwhile, Tony had attended a reunion Author, William Sutcliffe, who wrote The affected by the situation in Palestine. with the pilgrims he travelled to the Wall, a novel about an Israeli boy who Tony said: “The recently retired Holy Land with. “I told them we were ventures through a hole into Palestinian Bishop John introduced the pilgrims to thinking of doing this and they were all territory, is also a patron. “William wanted Palestinian people and he spent a lot of very supportive. That really boosted our the royalties from the book to go to time visiting churches. It wasn’t a holiday enthusiasm. I contacted Bishop John Playgrounds for Palestine,” says Tony. tour and I came back wondering what I and told him it was all his fault as this could do.” wouldn’t have happened had I not been on “A number of the His friend, Lesley, had been on a separate his pilgrimage. He expressed how grateful pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and came he was that something practical was children there have been back with the same desire to do something happening and agreed to become a patron.” abandoned by their families.” Playgrounds for Palestine UK became a registered UK charity in December 2015 and has already raised £9,500 for a playground in Kobar, a village with 1,000 children. Once that is in place fund raising will begin for a sensory playground at a school for blind children in Bethlehem. “A number of the children there have been abandoned by their families. We will be providing work for Palestinians as they will be helping to build some of the material,” says Lesley. are going to make a vast difference but if we can make a small difference to the lives As well as continuing fundraising, of children by providing playgrounds we the Playgrounds for Palestine team are will be happy. There is nothing political working on finding volunteers who can about a playground.” help with their newsletter, marketing, awareness raising and are hoping to build Lesley runs Acumina, a company links with schools in the UK. Lesley says: offering curriculum assessment and “We hope to link schools in Palestine with development for schools, as well schools here to give children the benefit of as training and consultancy work learning about other cultures.” for families. Tony has permission to officiate in the Dorchester Palestine: the facts They are also building links with Archdeaconry. They run Playgrounds Palestinian friendship groups and others for Palestine UK with Pamela Betts, In July Lord Warner presented a report who are working to promote peace in Ros Arthur, (a former teacher who now on the plight of people in Palestine in • 95 per cent of the water is unfit for the Holy Land. This included the Walsall works in education welfare) and Frank the House of Lords. Below are some of human consumption Kobar Association, where they joined a Paul, a retired dairy farm manager the facts he revealed: • 90 million litres of untreated water is group of Christians, Muslims, and Sikhs dumped into the sea each day and a grandfather to children who love for a Palestinian day. “We were all working playgrounds. • During the 2014 Gaza Conflict, Save together. I commented to a Muslim that the Children found that 551 chidlren • Only 1,000 homes out of 10,000 we were white, middle aged Christians and were killed, compared with one destroyed have been rebuilt Israeli child. he said that was good as it showed them • A third of schools have been that everyone cares and that was very moving,” says Lesley. • 3,436 children were injured, destroyed www.playgroundsforpalestine.org.uk of whom 10 per cent suffered The situation in Palestine, with houses www.oxford.anglican.org/pfp to hear Tony permanent disability as a result. • Unicef estimates that 373,000, being destroyed and communities living and Lesley talk about the charity. nearly half of Gaza’s children need unstable lives, often in dire poverty, was Contact: info@playgroundsforpalestineUK. • Anaemia affects nearly 60 per cent psychosocial support highlighted in a recent debate in the House org of children of Lords. “We are not suggesting that we Advertising 8 Our ‘Outstanding’ church schools AS well as facing mainstream Ofsted inspections, the Diocese’s 284 church schools have their Take Christian distinctiveness assessed by the Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools. Here, some of those classed as Outstanding by SIAMS tell their stories.

a A café and a procession pave the way for success in Shrivenham by Frank Venables. whatever happens. I wish you the best with Break AN inspector from SIAMS raised your performance. Shrivenham’s rating from Satisfactory to Always try to keep the Outstanding following an inspection last reason you’re doing it in December. focus.” The result was a tribute to five years’ inspiration from head teacher Vicky Sammon, and hard work from her staff, Café Inspire governors and helpers. The inspector Dartmouth SHERBORNE Café Inspire is a joint Short breaks in Dorset rated the school as ‘Outstanding’ in all Devon outreach project of Delighul ground ﬂoor ﬂat Elegant, spacious, 2 bed, four areas of assessment: distinctiveness St Andrew’s and the with glorious views across apartment in listed building and effectiveness as a Church of England river Dart. Methodist Church in close to Abbey Church. school, meeting the needs of all learners Sleeps 4: double ensuite, Open all year. Shrivenham. It meets twin with bathroom, through its distinctive Christian character, all mod cons. Please ring for brochure: in Shrivenham CE impact of collective worship on the school Tel: 020 7223 5473 School hall on the into Sunday congregations, a fundraising 01404 841367 community, and effectiveness of its second Saturday of each month except evening with Fiona Castle was a great leadership and management as a church August. The hall is set up with tables, success, and our sixth birthday this year school. seating, craft and play areas, catering and was celebrated with a Tea Party Sunday Two initiatives that impressed the newspapers. Drinks, cakes and bacon Service in the school hall in April, and a inspector were a Holy Week procession TravelArranged forInsurance The Door readers butties are all offered. There is a ‘Thought coach trip to the seaside in a 100-seater Real and friendly people... not machines! and Café Inspire. The Holy Week procession for the Day’/’God Slot’ and the organising double-decker bus in June. Our insurance has a customer 24-hour helpline, full medical began at St Andrew’s Church, and cover with most pre-existing medical conditions accepted and, team comprises Anglican, Methodists Following the SIAMs inspection, Bishop most importantly, an air ambulance get you home service. processed through the village with children and Baptists. Café Inspire started in 2010 Colin also visited us in June. LONG STAY, SINGLE TRIP, AND CRUISE COVER enacting the Easter story. available for holidays departing up to 31/12/2017 and has grown until now the hall is full to Annual multi-trip cover (max. age 85) In a Tweet, the actor Michael Sheen sent Single trip cover (NO max. age) bursting every time. The initiative raises Frank Venables is the Diocesan Foundation the school a good luck message: “Great to for UK, Europe and worldwide holidays funds for a young boy’s education in Governor at Shrivenham CE Primary Single trip cover for all departures up to 31/12/17 hear you were inspired by the Passion Play Uganda. School. Conditions apply FT TRAVEL we did in Port Talbot. Hope the weather UK Please call for details ~ Some young families have been drawn BASED INSURANCE is on your side but be ready to go with 0116 272 0500 Authorised & regulated by the FCA Delight as Great Horwood moves from ‘Satisfactory’ to ‘Outstanding’ by Paula Shaw and inclusive Christian environment in a welcoming STAFF, students and Governors at Great and worshipping community, Horwood CE School were delighted to meeting the needs of all our be judged as Outstanding in their recent children and families.” SIAMS inspection in May. It was the perfect opportunity for everyone to demonstrate Great Horwood School has the commitment and the high value we place a strong Christian vision. on being a Church of England school. This vision is shared by the community and everyone at At the end of a long and exhausting day we St James’s church, alongside were able to celebrate our huge achievement the Oxford Diocese which of moving from being Satisfactory to has played a major role in Outstanding. All the children and staff were supporting the school in its amazing and keen to show the inspector that spiritual journey during the our school values of love, perseverance and last five years. respect, rooted in the biblical teachings of Jesus, are lived out in our daily lives. Blessed is the man who walks The inspection was a rewarding and Paula Shaw is the headteachter at Great not in the counsel of the wicked, positive experience and we appreciated Bishop Alan at a recent blessing of Great Horwood CE School the recognition that “We are a nurturing Horwood CE School, near banners. nor stands in the way of sinners, Milton Keynes. nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the ‘Hard work and determination’ A beacon of faith Lord, and on his law he meditates by Susan Calvert HELEN Ball, Headteacher fantastic support of Revd day and night. He is like a tree of Polehampton CE School Simon Howard and our planted by streams of water that LAST year was quite a challenge as I was executive Headteacher of both in Twyford was delighted church team. One of our Braywood CE First School and The Royal School, Windsor, which were both when the school received favourite quotes from the yields its fruit in its season, and expecting SIAMS inspections. I am delighted to have achieved ‘outstanding’ its leaf does not wither. In all that its third Outstanding inspection report reads… for both schools. SIAMs result in March. ‘The strong partnership he does, he prospers. The wicked Braywood has been working hard to maintain its Outstanding SIAMS from She said: “Polehampton of the school and church five years ago. Our main initiative was to challenge our worship leaders to are not so, but are like chaff that holds its church school is a beacon of faith, hope lead our collective worship. It has been fascinating to watch how these the wind drives away. Therefore status in high regard; we and love in the local young children have strengthened their skills and risen to the task. are always keen to ensure community.’ the wicked will not stand in the At the Royal School, although we had been judged as ‘requires that the spiritual life of the “The report inspires judgment, nor sinners in the improvement’ by Ofsted in December 2014, when I started working with the school is given top priority us to continue with this congregation of the righteous; school in September 2015 it became very clear that the spiritual guidance in time and space so our important work, to make and pastoral growth of the children was extremely strong. The children for the Lord knows the way of community can flourish. our school Outstanding are a real credit to the school and our success was down to them and the the righteous, but the way of the every day, for our whole impression they delivered to our SIAMs inspector. “Our children love community.” wicked will perish. I am very proud of the hard work and determination of the staff, governors, learning about our Psalm 1 (ESV) children and parents at both schools. Christian values and www.polehampton-jun. make real links between wokingham.sch.uk/ www.theroyalschool.org.uk/ the values and their daily Photo: www.sxc.hu lives. We benefit from the Advertising Our ‘Outstanding’ church schools 9 St Mary, Beaminster, Dorset

enhancing church interiors Ronald Emett fine furniture PICTURED above are staff and students Comments from the parents included: recognised the outstanding learning, www.ronaldemettfurniture.com at Frieth CofE School, which was rated “The school is an excellent example of progress, behaviour and spiritual 01308 868025 Outstanding by a SIAMS inspector in April. an educational establishment nurturing development of our pupils, as well as As part of the inspection, parents, pupils children both academically and morally.” the dedication, fantastic teaching and and staff were all anonymously canvassed Another parent said: “Our experience as spiritual guidance given by every member for their opinion. parents is that Frieth is a very spiritual, of the staff team. The support provided Pupils said: “I like learning about things nurturing and inclusive school, and we by the Governing body and the Church is I don’t know yet” (Yr 1 pupil). “It’s good consider ourselves exceptionally lucky that instrumental in enabling us to provide an to learn. Everyone is helpful” (Yr 2 pupil) our children have been to and continue to excellent school community for our parents COMMUNION LINEN “I like this school because it is all very attend the school.” and families. This is an incredibly proud day friendly and we all have collective worship The Headteacher, Jo Reid said: “We are for Frieth CofE. School.” The finest purificators, palls, lavabo (assembly) together” (Yr 4 pupil) absolutely delighted that the inspection www.friethschool.co.uk Towels, corporals – at affordable prices Made by Zimbabwe Mothers’ Union ‘Together we Succeed’ in Knowl Hill Praise for the Piggott In support of its outreach work in by Nichole Bourner We are very lucky to be located next door the Anglican church there. to St Peter’s Church and regularly worship by Derren Gray WE WERE inspected by SIAMS in February there, inviting parents and the community MATABELELAND CHURCH LINENS 2016 and were delighted to have received I AM very pleased that the inspectors to join us. Christian values are at the heart 11 Margetts Close,Kenilworth,CV8 1EN an outstanding grade in all areas. We concluded that “The distinctiveness and Email: [email protected] of Knowl Hill CE Academy and these are became an Academy within a newly formed effectiveness of The Piggott School as a most clearly seen through the behaviour Multi Academy Trust in September 2014 Church of England school are Outstanding.” and attitudes of our bright, confident, under new leadership with Isabel Cooke as The report is available on our school website thoughtful and caring pupils. The SIAMS Executive Principal and Nichole Bourner as www.piggott.wokingham.sch.uk/ some process was very positive and our inspector the Head of School. highlights include: Jacquie Coles really captured the flavour Since then, the school has been on a of our Church school and Christian • Achievement is significantly above E Sargeant & Son spiritual journey developing our Christian understanding of our motto ‘Together we floor standards. Floor standards are the Funeral Directors distinctiveness and building our links with succeed.’ minimum achievement standards set by the the Church and local community. Government. (77% 5A*-C including English and Maths) and progress is outstanding. A life well A funeral is a time remembered to say goodbye and to Buckland’s “inspirational learning environment” • Christian love (agape) is the cornerstone of lives on. remember the life of the school which leads to a meaningful and a person you love. It’s our privilege to be at by Louise Warren effective education for all pupils, particularly Maidenhead for those who are vulnerable. The values are your side. OUR SIAMS took place 01628 783 738 lived out by all, and the Christian ethos now You can talk to us any in January and we lies at the heart of strategic planning.” Slough time, day or night or were delighted that the 01753 520 081 • The effectiveness of the leadership and for further information Christian ethos we have visit us at management of the school as a church school Windsor nurtured was recognised 01753 865 982 www.esargeant.co.uk as having a significant is outstanding. impact on both the • The school, through its distinctive

achievement and Christian character, is outstanding at funeralpartners.co.uk personal development of meeting the needs of all learners. our learners. My sincere thanks to all who contributed The report stated: to this outstanding grade. It truly reflects “Buckland CE Primary our Christian Values of Respect, Honesty, FSP Sargeant Door Advert - 13466 v2.indd 1 10/12/2014 18:20 School creates an Dedication, Equality, Courage and Love. house within our school house garden. This inspirational learning environment which special place was blessed by the Ven. Judy Derren Gray is the Headteacher at successfully embodies ‘small, school, big The Hospital of St Cross French, the Archdeacon of Dorchester, in The Piggott CE Academy in Wargrave, hearts, encouraging outstanding learning’, & Almshouse of Noble Poverty February 2016. Berkshire. firmly built upon upholding Christian ‘England’s Oldest Almshouse’ values daily.” Louise Warren is the Headteacher at Buckland CE Primary School. As we don’t have space inside our small Vacancies for Brothers school, our prayer space is in our summer The Hospital, founded in 1132, is home to 25 retired Thirsty to learn at Queen Anne’s in Windsor. laymen (‘Brothers’) and applications are welcomed. WE are a small school on the edge of the We undertake a whole-school diversity fosters understanding and harmony and A registered Charity with a Long Walk in Windsor, writes Headteacher, focus each year which has included reduces conflict. Christian foundation, the Judith Street. Because our Christian topics such as India, Windsor and Beyond, We were delighted when our SIAMS Hospital is situated a mile values are embedded in our behaviour Families, Elderly People and ethnicity inspection recognised that as a result of south of Winchester. Each expectations across the school, pupil through International Day. As a result, our the combination of annual events, and Brother lives independently attitudes and behaviour are excellent, with children are able to debate and discuss, enrichment opportunities, our children and occupies a flat which pupils self-assured, confident, happy and challenge stereotypes and celebrate gain a good understanding of the he furnishes himself. thirsty to learn. similarities and differences similarities and differences of their own Further information and an Recognising that the majority of our Our annual International Day reinforces and others’ faith, culture, values and beliefs. application form are obtainable from: children are White British and Christian, we the diverse nature of our own school’s Clerk to the Trustees actively plan opportunities to deepen their population. It raises the profile of other Queen Anne CE First School in Windsor Hospital of St Cross understanding of Christianity, to widen the cultures and faiths throughout the school. was classed as Outstanding by SIAMS in Winchester, SO23 9SD children’s understanding of other cultures, The children not only learn about diverse March 2016. Tel: 01962 878218 E-mail: [email protected] to promote British Values and prevent cultures, but understand more about the www.hospitalofstcross.co.uk radicalisation and extremism. customs of their classmates, which in turn Registered Charity No.202751 the Door, October 2016, page 10 Advertisement Feature DO YOU OR A LOVED ONE REQUIRE Volunteer with us! LIVE-IN OR RESPITE CARE?

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Work or volunteer andin the save church? 25%*. Take outinsurance Contents together and Buildings online News 11 Seeing God at work in Kimberley and Kuruman The hidden home of Roald Dahl’s BFG A BBC documentary about Roald Dahl, which aired for the first time as the Door went to press, sheds light on the true home of his character, the BFG. The house is the former royal residence of Windsor Great Park, Cumberland Lodge. At the end of The BFG, fresh from helping the Queen of England by rounding up the world’s man-eating giants, the BFG and his friend Sophie are rewarded with gifts from around the world, including a “special house” from the Queen. The book reads: “The Queen herself gave orders that a special house with tremendous high ceilings and enormous doors should immediately be built in Windsor Great Park, next to her own castle, for the BFG to live in. And a pretty little cottage was put up next door for Sophie.” The “special house” almost certainly alludes to the largest property in the by Catharine Morris Great Park, Cumberland Lodge. The Canon Dr Edmund Newell, said: “As a I love unexpected opportunities – well, mostly – as long as they are good opportunities. Grade II listed building has been part of the Crown Estate since the second half fan of Roald Dahl myself, I was intrigued For me, one of these has been getting involved with the link between the Diocese of of the 17th century and since 1947 has to discover that Cumberland Lodge is Oxford and the Diocese of Kimberley and Kuruman in South Africa. housed an educational foundation with actually the BFG’s fictional home. It was humbling to see some of the challenges they face: one of the moments I will a mission to facilitate open discussion “In real life we’re an educational never forget is the spontaneous singing that erupted in the church kitchen when it and the exchange of views on some of charity and while we don’t round up started to rain extremely heavily one afternoon. One of the ladies said: “When I get home the ethical and social issues of the day. disruptive giants and store bottled my house will have leaked, but I am so happy that we have had rain.” The current principal is the Canon Dr dreams in our cellar like the BFG did, And yet there I was worrying about how wet we would get going back to the car. It was Edmund Newell, who was previously the we do seek to inspire creative thinking delightful to see the joy of many children when I shared with them something as simple Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral and and stimulate debate around important as a bottle of bubbles. It was moving to sit by the bed of an elderly lady, severely crippled founding Director of St Paul’s Institute, issues like how to respond to the and in pain with arthritis, and to anoint her and pray with her. and Sub-Dean of Christ Church, Oxford. challenges of extremism and divisions At the invitation of Bishop Ossie, I shall return in October to share some of my King George VI granted the building in society and build more cohesive communities.” experience as a Parish Development Adviser. I’ll be working with parish representatives to the foundation back in 1947, an on Mission Action Planning, with clergy in times of transition, and helping the Diocese to arrangement continued by The Queen, The BFG is also the subject of a film co- produced by Steven Spielberg, released think about how they might incorporate some of this kind of work going forward. who is the foundation’s Patron. The reference to Cumberland Lodge in in July 2016 to coincide with Roald I’m looking forward to seeing God at work in Kimberley and Kuruman, just as he is here, Windsor Great Park appears to have Dahl’s centenary year. and to the learning and encouragement which I trust will come from this next visit, both been a private joke on the part of Dahl, Great Welsh Writers: Roald Dahl, for me and for those that I go to minister alongside. who spent much of his childhood living the new BBC television documentary Catharine Morris is the PDA for Berkshire. in a relatively modest house in Cardiff, is available on BBC iPlayer. also called Cumberland Lodge. Faith groups working towards a more sensitive and tolerant society Christ Church Cathedral in Hindus and Sikhs over recent decades Shaykh Mogra spoke as a Muslim who agreement that both students and older Oxford recently hosted a and the decline in Christian observance feels deeply English and sees the religious people need to be aware of the teachings, reflected in the increasing numbers of diversity in the UK as enriching. He has practices and sensitivities of other conference on Religion and those who claim to have no religious a vision of a society at ease with itself, in religions. Belief in British Public Life affiliation at all. In his opening address, which all groups want to contribute to the arising out of the the report Martyn Percy outlined a number of social general flourishing. To achieve this we “...be aware of the trends in British society which affected all need to enter into dialogue and develop of the same name from the communities. He mentioned consumerism, “religious literacy.” He and his wife speak teachings, practices and Commission on Religion and an emphasis on the right to choose, and a Gujarati to their children but they always Belief in British Public Life, questioning attitude. He felt that we were reply in English. He quoted the Qura’n sensitivities of other convened by the Woolf Institute also a more caring and tolerant society, where it says: “None can be a believer if especially in relation to diversity. This your neighbour is not free from harm of religions.” and chaired by Baroness Butler- raised challenges for religious communities hand or tongue.” There is no place in Islam Sloss. Hugh Boulter reports. where people felt that they could choose for so-called ‘honour killings’ or ‘forced But religious literacy is more than just where they worshipped and did not have marriages.’ Such practices are cultural and this. We need to create situations where he conference was organised by to agree with everything they were told by not religious and are abhorrent. people can explain their understanding the South East England Faiths the religious leaders. He is a member of a group called Imams of their own faith or none, and where Forum and supported by the Against Domestic Violence. He pointed out they can be listened to with respect. This Oxford Diocesan Committee the power of the tongue to hurt the heart is particularly important in schools and for Inter-faith Relations. The two lead “...throwing light in the T and whilst accepting the ideal of free speech, colleges. Fakhera Rehman gave examples speakers were the Dean of Christ Church, said that the discourse of derision has of her work in Kirklees and explained The Very Revd Professor Martyn Percy, dark places of society in been encouraged by the recent referendum how she gained acceptance by a male- and Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, Assistant debates and the social media leading, to dominated mosque. For Jeremy Rodell as a Secretary of the Muslim Council of relation to justice, peace an increase in hate crime. In relation to humanist the ability for people to explain Great Britain and himself an imam from Britishness he mentioned that the Muslim their lack of faith is also important, whilst Leicester. Respondents included Rabbi and reconciliation.” Council of Great Britain supports the Church respecting those who do have beliefs. Norman Solomon who was a member of In encouragement he suggested that in of England as being the established church This programme of engagement will the Butler-Sloss commission, Fakhera all different religious traditions we should with Bishops in the House of Lords and the also need resources and the support of Rehman who spoke of her inter-faith be ‘the salt of the earth’ throwing light Queen as Head of the Church. politicians and the media who I hope can work in Kirklees and Jeremy Rodell of the on the dark places of society in relation In the discussions three related themes also become part of the process. British Humanist Association. to justice, peace and reconciliation. A emerged: religious literacy, the need for Dr Hugh Boulter is Secretary to Oxford All speakers referred to the changing small number of activists can make an dialogue and the responsibility of the Diocesan Committee for Interfaith religious scene within Britain with the important difference. media and politicians. There was general Concerns (ODCIC). arrival of significant numbers of Muslims, the Door, October 2016, page 12 Advertisement Feature

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[email protected] Comment Letters 15 ‘An immense privilege...’ Letters to the editor are very welcome and should be sent either by email to [email protected] or by post to Letters at the Door, Church House Oxford, OX5 1GF. The Editor reserves the right to edit all submissions. Letters sent electronically will be By the Rt Revd Dr Steven Croft. more likely to be published. Letters should be no more than 300 words. e moved house once didn’t appreciate fully the writings of St Thomas a week ago and I ‘I have a confession...’ Aquinas,” or “Yesterday I put sugar on my cornflakes.” write this in the A common tic among vicars is to begin a sermon by You get the picture. midst of builders saying “I have a confession to make” (I should note that Wand packing cases. It’s been a none of the vicars in my parish of Cowley St John do I’m not sure where vicars learn to do this: presumably good move and we are glad to this). during sacred eloquence classes at college, or by listening be here. I’m looking forward to The idea presumably is to get everyone’s attention, and to other vicars. Wherever they acquire this rhetorical the inauguration of my ministry for the naive it usually works. When I first heard it, I was bad habit, through your columns might I be permitted on September 30 and to the on the edge of my seat imagining some St. Augustine- to discourage it heartily? It only serves to create distance four Welcome Eucharists in each like revelation of youthful Bacchanalian orgies. Perhaps between vicar and congregation. That is of course unless Area of the Diocese. the vicar was once a lap dancer? Perhaps they embezzled they have something really juicy to confess, in which case go ahead! I’ve been learning all I can about the Diocese and the some money? communities we serve but there is no substitute for What follows is usually along the lines of “I wasn’t Dr Daniel Emlyn-Jones, Divinity Road, Oxford. getting out and about. That will begin in October and as devoted to Our Lady as I should have been,” or “I November with visits to clergy in the Oxford Area, regular services in parish churches and a programme of visits to deaneries across the whole Diocese. Sign up now for ‘Thy Kingdom Come 2017’ A great deal of thought and prayer is invested in the THE ARCHBISHOPS of Canterbury and York are inviting every parish, fresh expression of church, church school, appointment of a new Bishop. Those appointing take retreat house and praying community to join in ten days of prayer for evangelism and witness in the run up to care to listen to the needs of the Diocese at this moment in its long story. When the appointment is made, the Pentecost 2017. Archbishop sets out the priorities for the new Bishop’s The aim is simple and threefold: ministry in the words of a charge, drawing on this long • To join in prayer with the whole family of God the Father and deep process of listening. • To pray for the empowering of God the Holy Spirit This is part of Archbishop Justin’s charge to me, read at • That we may be effective witnesses to God the Son, Jesus Christ. my confirmation of election: In a letter inviting every clergyperson in England to take part they wrote: “Jesus prayed at the Last Supper • You are to bring vision and life, creativity and energy that we, those who follow him, might ‘be one that the world might believe.’ There is an invitation then, to make to the Diocese’s mission and ministry enabling all, a lasting difference in our nation and in our world, by responding to his call to find a deep unity of purpose in lay and ordained to realise the joy of the Gospel and prayer.” the workings of the Holy Spirit through the Church, Earlier this year more than 100,000 Christians joined in over 3,000 events and services in churches and Christian and you are to lead the Diocese and its people in communities across England to pray for our witness to Jesus Christ and those we seek to reach in Thy Kingdom navigating their response to their call to Christian Come 2016. Flagship ‘Beacon Events’ packed out a number of Cathedrals (with over 300,000 people watching witness. online) and there is no knowing how many individuals played their part with prayer at home. For some that might • You are to release the God given possibilities in be hosting special prayer events, prayer rooms or holiday clubs. For others it might be using the wide range of people, teams, finances and organisation unlocking resources that will be available to encourage individual prayer. For others it might mean working with others in the potential for re-imagining ministry and mission. hosting your own ‘beacon event’. • You are to be an intelligent and articulate voice for the To watch a three-minute video from Archbishop Justin and some of those involved in 2016 sharing how God Gospel and Church reaching out locally, nationally and worked vimeo.com/181913904 internationally. • You are to seize the opportunity to act as interpreter, prophet, advocate and convenor across the Diocese nationally and in the public square. • You are to enable the Diocese to live its diversity well and as a sign of a flourishing Church. God in the life of… Our nation and the communities we serve face many ...continued from page 16. One of the things I enjoy is being in different churches challenges and questions. We are called as the Church in Bishop Steven and I met the day after he had left Sunday by Sunday and not always for special occasions.” this Diocese to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ the House of Lords as the Bishop of Sheffield and Bishop Steven’s hobbies are cooking and he has recently with love and hope and joy. We are called to be a blessing been officially re-welcomed as the Bishop of Oxford. taken up running. As I interviewed him he was wearing and a channel of God’s grace in every place where we live He describes the Lords as remarkable. “It feels a great a fit-bit style watch, in a purple that matched his clergy and work and serve. It is an immense privilege to be called privilege to be there. The debates are engaging and shirt. He is also a prolific writer. His latest book which to serve the Diocese of Oxford at this time. Please pray for interesting and I’m looking forward to taking a bigger was due to come out this autumn is The Gift of Leadership me as this new chapter and new ministry begins. role than I did when I had to clear a whole day to travel which contains 10 biblical reflections on leadership for The Rt Revd Dr Steven Croft is the new Bishop of there from Sheffield.” people from all kinds of organisations. Oxford. “One of my passions is forming disciples and I “It feels like an immense privilege encourage all churches to teach the faith to beginners.” Welcoming Bishop Steven It was that passion that inspired Bishop Steven to join Bishop Steven’s official inauguration takes place at to be here.” Paula Gooder, the Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell and the Christ Church Cathedral on Friday 30 September. Rt Revd Robert Attwell to co-author Pilgrim, a widely And he says he is hugely looking forward to settling back respected resource to help churches to do just that. Welcome services will take place in each Archdeaconry: into Oxford. “It feels like an immense privilege to be here. Bishop Steven and Ann have four grown-up children, It’s a very different place to Sheffield. During this first • Wednesday 5 October, 7.45pm at Reading Minster three based in London and one in Bristol. They have one year I’ll be growing some big ears, listening to the Diocese • Sunday 9 October, 3.30pm at Dorchester Abbey grandchild and getting a sense of what God is doing in this place at • Wednesday 12 October, 7.30pm at the Church of and another this time, and what God might want to do in this next the Holy Family on Blackbird Leys in Oxford one on the chapter.” Bishop Steven is planning visits to each deanery • Thursday 13 October, at 6pm at All Saints, High way. Wycombe. to meet clergy and the leaders of the major institutions Bishop Steven’s blog can be read at outside of the Church. Everyone is welcome to attend these services. For the blogs.oxford.anglican.org Reading event please email bishopreading@oxford. “I am really glad to be here and I am looking forward to Twitter: @Steven_Croft anglican.org to allow the organisers to plan the doing the work of listening. I would like to communicate Facebook: BishopStevenCroft catering. directly with as many people as possible. People can email me directly and I’ll be communicating via my blog. Editor: Jo Duckles Tel: 01865 208227 Email: [email protected] Audio version Editorial Assistant: Ruth Hamilton-Jones Tel: 01865 208225 Deadline for November 2016 issue: Friday 30 October 2016. Email: [email protected] Published: Monday 17 October 2016 Sight impaired people can get a free audio Advertising: Glenda Charitos Tel: 01752 225623 The Door is published by Oxford Diocesan Board of Finance (Diocesan Secretary Mrs Rosemary Pearce). The registered office is verison of the Door by contacting the Email: [email protected] Church House Oxford, Tel: 01865 208200. While every care is taken to Editorial Support Group Chair: The Revd Graham Sykes ensure the reliability of our advertisements, their inclusion in the Door does Oxford Diocese on 01865 208227. Email: [email protected] not guarantee it or mean that they are endorsed by the Diocese of Oxford. 16 God in the life of… BORN and brought up in how fresh expressions were reaching Halifax, the new Bishop of those who had little or no experience of Christianity. “I largely set everything up Oxford, the Rt Revd Dr Steven from scratch, setting up a team and telling Croft has moved more than 140 the Fresh Expressions story. It’s hugely miles from Sheffield to the city encouraging 12 years later. We had some research done in Sheffield where 2,500 of dreaming spires to take up people attend Fresh Expression style his new post. It was during his churches and there is a similar project move that he sat down to tell Jo taking place in Oxford. One of the things I had to do was learn to see the Church from Duckles his story. the perspective of someone outside.” e meet in Bishop Steven’s When he became the Bishop of Sheffield, new office in Church House Bishop Steven admits that having never Oxford. Over a cup of tea, been on the senior staff of a diocese, or Bishop Steven, the son of worked in a diocesan setting, he faced a Wa warp twister who worked in the carpet strange but enjoyable learning curve. factories in Halifax, remembered his Sheffield is the fourth largest city in childhood church experiences. “I was part the UK with two universities and 60,000 of the generation whose parents weren’t students. The Sheffield Diocese takes in churchgoers but who were sent to Sunday the whole of South Yorkshire and parts school as children. I was welcomed and of East Yorkshire which were carried over nurtured within the ordinary parish when it was formed from the York Diocese church,” he says. He was one of three 100 years ago. youngsters who were the first members of a youth group set up a by a young mum in “It is one of the poorest dioceses in the his church when he was just 13. Church of England and the most generous That group, and a diocesan youth in terms of its levels of giving. In my seven weekend when he was 16, helped Bishop years there it celebrated its centenary,” Steven to grow in his faith and inspired says Bishop Steven. “I think the focus of his life-long commitment to youth work in my time there was helping both lay people local churches. It was also where he began and clergy to engage with God’s mission. I to sense a call to priesthood. “I became hope I laid the foundations for the Church aware God was calling me to ordained in the Diocese of Sheffield to grow again. I ministry when I was 17. I grew into that loved my time there and loved the Diocese vocation over the following nine years and deeply.” was ordained at 26,” he says. he was awarded his doctorate on the post within the Church of England. While he was there he took part in the Psalms in 1984. “The call came out of the blue and I was first Northern Bishops’ Mission, which He was an undergraduate in Oxford asked to talk to Rowan Williams. I was saw 23 bishops gather in Sheffield to “I became aware God when he met his wife-to-be Ann, who was to set up and lead this project on Fresh run mission events that involved 20,000 training as a nurse at the then Radcliffe Expressions in the Anglican and Methodist people over four days. Another high was calling me to Infirmary. “We lived the first two years of churches.” point of Bishop Steven’s time in South ordained ministry when our married life here,” says Bishop Steven, So in 2004, when both of their sons Yorkshire was securing £1m from the whose parish ministry began as a curate at were at university, Bishop Steven and Ann Church Commissioners for development I was 17.” St Andrew’s, Enfield, before he became the returned to Oxford, where they were based workers in deprived parishes. “In a Vicar of Ovenden, back in Halifax, where during the Fresh Expressions project. middle-class parish, churches employ Despite claiming never to have had a his dad grew up and grandmother still Their two daughters attended the Cherwell staff to do things like sweeping up broken ‘proper job’ the gap between school and lived. School and the family worshipped at St glass and maintenance, or they have ordination was filled with various roles, From there he went on to spend eight Andrew’s, Linton Road. Bishop Steven also retired volunteers. In some of the more working in shops and gardening at a local years as the Warden back at Cranmer Hall, assisted at St Michael’s. deprived parishes this doesn’t happen so the development workers were there to park. He also studied hard, reading Classics training people for Anglican ministry. It His innovative Fresh Expressions role support the clergy,” he says. and Theology at Oxford’s Worcester was there that he took the call from the saw Bishop Steven travelling the length College and training for ordination at Archbishop of Canterbury’s Chief of Staff, and breadth of the country, discovering Continued on page 15... Cranmer Hall, St John’s, Durham, where inviting him to take up a completely new

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www.oxford.anglican.org Pull this section out. Keep it handy for your own prayers and involvement in the Diocese. A farmer’s weeds are a photographer’s subject by the Revd Liz Simpson As for the poppies which have seeded themselves, he’s not allowed to touch ne of the things I love about the them. Perhaps I have a weird sense of summer is seeing poppies in what is beautiful but maybe I’m not so unexpected places. Apparently, odd. I love looking at the detail of a plant, they grow where the soil has nothing makes me happier than focusing been disturbed, so often you’ll see them O in on a petal or the centre of a flower and growing in a field one year, and they seeing the way it’s formed, noticing the won’t be there the next – annoying when tiny details. I only found out recently that you’ve gone specifically to look at them, or the spots on a foxglove are different on photograph them! each flower, they’re totally unique, like These were taken in Shalstone, in one of fingerprints. That inspired me to go out my parishioners’ fields, which made me and hunt some foxgloves, and its true – feel it was okay to slip through the gate why had I never noticed that before? to get a bit closer…. A lot closer, in fact, because I had to lie down flat to get this shot. I took quite a variety of angles and “There’s a bit of a cult was very pleased with them, so I printed a couple off and gave them to the farmer. He of making ourselves wasn’t as pleased as I expected because, for him, they were weeds getting in the way of beautiful...” his rapeseed crop. Makes you think about people, doesn’t it? There’s a bit of a cult of making “...the spots on a ourselves beautiful, buying clothes and cosmetics, feeling we have to fit the norm foxglove are different on of size and shape. But we’re all different, created by the same hand that created the each flower.” flowers. And we are all beautiful. I suppose the difference is that none of I usually take my camera when I’m going us are weeds, whichever definition you for a walk – you never know what you’ll use. None of us are ‘wrong’, none of us see – and thinking about it, I photograph is in the wrong place, none of us is more an awful lot of weeds. Poppies, ragwort, ‘useful’ than any other. Perhaps we need willowherb, pimpernel, ivy, buttercups. to practise looking through different eyes. Looked at through a lens, they’re every Not the eyes of our culture, or our fashion bit as beautiful as roses, lilies or dahlias. industry, but the eyes of our creator. Then I have to admit, I think they’re more we might see the beauty in everyone, beautiful – more delicate although regardless of size, shape, gender or skin tougher, blooming without any help from colour. We might see that we all have a gardener, found in unexpected places and unique gifts. We might see that we all have providing nourishment for a whole host of a purpose we alone can fulfil. insects. So who’s to say which are weeds and which are suitable to have in your garden? “Weed, or garden show Is a weed just a plant that you happen to think is growing where you don’t want it? stopper?” The thought that each of us is “...we’re all different, unique, and that each of us has a unique relationship with God, is something which created by the same encourages me when I’m feeling that there are loads of people who could do my job hand that created the and live my life in a much more worthwhile way than me. flowers.” I find it hard to get my head round, but I need to hang on to the idea that no-one A friend uses my (too large) garden to else prays like me. No-one else speaks the grow his vegetables, and he’s very kindly exact way I do. No-one else has the same dug a couple of flower beds for me too. I conversations, and no-one else sees God had some ox-eye daisies and cornflowers quite like I do. growing in the paddock where he wanted to dig, so he replanted them into a flower Weed, or garden show stopper? Each is bed for me. He obviously thinks I’m nuts beautiful in a unique way, each fulfils a to want weeds growing in my garden. different role in the natural order, each is fascinating to a photographer and each is But they’re great, they don’t require any precious to God. So are you! attention from me, they get on and grow and flower all by themselves, they don’t The Revd Liz Simpson is the Rector of mind if they don’t get watered, and the the West Buckingham Benefice. insects love them. Advertising NATIONAL FRUIT October prayer diary TREE SPECIALISTS One of the UK's largest suppliers of fruit trees and soft fruit plants including Cranberries and Goji Berries The following is for guidance only, please feel free to adapt these prayers for your own needs. 10% DISCOUNT USING CODE OCT10 OFFER ENDS 31/10/16 Our purpose is to create a caring, sustainable and growing Christian NATIONWIDE DELIVERY presence in every part of the Diocese DEACONS NURSERY of Oxford. Godshill, Isle of Wight PO38 3HW 01983 840750 (24hrs) Tel: 01983 522243 Fax: 01983 523575 Email: [email protected] or visit our website www.deaconsnurseryfruits.co.uk ‘Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.’ James 1:17 Coxwell: Stephen Bellamy, Helen Wilson Mary’s, Childrey following the recent lead and Graham Scott-Brown. For us to build theft from the south transept roof. The Pray to the Father through the Son in on the good relationships that exist Ridgeway Primary School. the power of the Spirit for: within our churches and communities. For discernment of God’s vision for SATURDAY 15 Vale: John Durant, Alec YOUR FAMILY, YOUR TRUTH, OUR CALLING connecting new people with Jesus. Gill, George Moody, Meg Joyce and Sue My aim is to help others research their families SATURDAY 1 Newport Pagnell with Powditch. For our new Associate Vicar, & learn the truth about their roots. Whoever our Lathbury and Moulsoe: Nick Evans, SATURDAY 8 Great Coxwell with Revd Alec Gill, who began his ministry ancestors were, or whatever they did, they are Karen Browne, Karen Goff, Mervyn Evans Buscot, Coleshill and Eaton Hastings: with us in September; for his integration still part of our past. Family History research and Colin Taylor. For developing the use David Williams. For our farms and within the team and parishes. Three of undertaken in Oxfordshire, The Midlands and of the back of the church for more public farmers, for the harvest, and for our our churches are having or planning Southern England. engagement and hospitality. For growing harvest festival services. For the children to have building work done, including Please phone 01869 350651 the healing ministry following a good in our parishes as they begin their new the new facility of toilets in church; for or email [email protected] response from the public. school year; for the schools they attend, wisdom and cooperation despite the and especially for the Bowood School at disruption. For our Welcome Visiting to Coleshill. newcomers into the Wantage and Grove MONDAY 3 Olney: Claire Wood, Coralie area – that we will continue to extend Mansfield, Andrew Geary and David MONDAY 10 Shrivenham and a warm welcome to people moving into Richbell. For the ongoing development, Ashbury: Richard Hancock, Norma new homes. For our ministry to the local support and provision for the many Fergusson, Richard Fergusson and schools including three church schools joint Soul Time mission projects of the Rodney Elton. For our new Alpha Course, as we begin another educational year Open Ears church and local community. Pray that Hard o Hearing Christian Fellowship launched this month. For the Longcot with all its demands and challenges. St the church may share Christ’s love with 800 project to make the church more of Nicholas Primary School; Grove Academy; our neighbours, friends and family a community space. For Shrivenham’s St James Primary School. Open Ears, a small national and continue to be part of the thriving ‘Prayer Space’ for the Church schools charity, urgently requires an community in Olney and our deanery. in the benefice. Shrivenham Academy; MONDAY 17 Wantage: John Salter, Honorary Treasurer to manage Ashbury with Compton Beauchamp Michael Berrett, Orazio Camaioni and TUESDAY 4 Sherington with all inancial aspects. Primary School; Longcot and Fernham Paul Faint. For the response of the church Chicheley, North Crawley, Astwood Academy. community to widespread housing These include preparation o and Hardmead: Pam Fielding, Tim development in our parish and around Dawson and John Fielding. For God’s budget, banking donations, TUESDAY 11 Stanford in the Vale us. For our continuing support for the choice of a new incumbent for the issuing cheques, keeping records with Goosey and Hatford: Paul Eddy, life of St Phillip’s Church in Thokoza, parish. For plans for a church-based John Hardcastle, Peter Stallabrass and South Africa and its school at Greenfields. or Gi Aid Scheme, claiming toddler group, based round baptism Jill Smith. Stanford in the Vale Primary Wantage Primary School. tax re unds, and preparing families – for a suitable place to meet, an School. annual accounts or independent appropriate format and people to share TUESDAY 18 Wantage Downs: inspection. the leadership. North Crawley School, WEDNESDAY 12 Uffington, Elizabeth Birch. Pray that we would Sherington School. Shellingford, Woolstone and be welcoming to those joining the Our riendly committee meets Baulking: Jeremy Goulston, Beryl Packer community from the new housing our Saturdays a year in Reading. WEDNESDAY 5 Vale of White Horse and Sue Saunders. For our forthcoming developments. The Hendreds Primary Deanery: David Williams, Jeremy Parish Development Day and its theme School. Contact: The Administrator: Twynam, John Seedell and Penny of Mission Outreach. Praise God for the [email protected] Hockley. For the Faringdon Academy beauty of our rural area and pray for our WEDNESDAY 19 Wycombe Deanery: of Schools and the other schools ministry to develop in this rural context. Dave Bull, Graeme Slocombe, Nigel Peach, in our deanery at the beginning of Uffington Primary School; Shellingford Joanna Howard, Jane Chaffey, Mary the new school year. For the future Primary School. Bishop’s Council Meeting Gurr and Ben Whitaker. For the parishes provision of adult and children’s work today. affected by our six vacancies this year, in our area, in the light of reductions for God’s guidance and blessing on those in local government funding, and for THURSDAY 13 Wantage Deanery: appointed. For the Spirit’s leading as we the churches’ engagement in this area Jason St John Nicolle, Hugh Rees, Sarah plan for the future of the deanery. Bishop (especially the Faringdon Family Centre). Shackleton and Roger Williams. Pray for Colin confirming at Vale of White Horse Revd Alec Gill, newly licensed Associate benefice. THURSDAY 6 Cherbury with Vicar in the Vale Benefice, and his family. Gainfield: Talisker Tracey-Macleod Prayer for all the schools within the THURSDAY 20 Flackwell Heath: and Richard Waterhouse. For the Deanery, and especially for all teachers Christopher Bull, Jill Roth, Martin benefice as we seek a vision to fulfil and teaching assistants at a time of great Courtney, Sue Simpson and Ellie Wartew. God’s calling for our churches. For the change within the education system. For the settling and establishing of forthcoming appointment of a House for the Leadership Team; Margot is our Duty Associate Priest for the benefice. new Curate, Jill (Associate Minister) Commit your Buckland Academy. FRIDAY 14 Ridgeway: Leonora Hill. For is moving to a new parish. For the preparations for The Pilgrim Course that autumn invitation opportunities: work to the FRIDAY 7 Great Faringdon with Little we will be beginning in November. For St Alpha, CAP Money, Parenting Course, Lord, and your plans Services at Christ Church Cathedral

will be SUNDAYS: 8am Holy Communion; 9.45am Matins (coffee in Priory Room); 11.00am Sung Eucharist; 6pm Evensong. established. WEEKDAYS: 7.15am Morning Prayer; 7.35am Holy Communion; 1pm (Wednesday only) Holy Communion; Proverbs 16 vs 3 (NRSV) 6pm Evensong (Thursday Sung Eucharist 6pm).

Tel: 01865 276155 www.chch.ox.ac.uk Advertising

The following is for guidance only, please feel free to adapt these prayers for your own needs.

Harvest, Remembrance, Bereavement and Memorial Service; that invitations will be made and accepted.

FRIDAY 21 Great Marlow with Marlow Bottom, Little Marlow and Bisham: Dave Bull, Sarah Fitzgerald, Graham Watts, Sami Watts, Gabrielle Smith and John Bustin. Pray that God would help us in the formation of committed disciples of all ages. For the growth and shaping of lay leadership in the parish. Bisham Primary School; Little Marlow School; Holy Trinity School, Marlow; Marlow Infant School.

SATURDAY 22 Hambleden Valley: Stephen Southgate, Sue Morton, Susan Brice, John Kimberley and Jenny Roughan. For the churches and people of Pray for the various Alpha and Pilgrim courses to help people explore the the Hambleden Valley as Christian faith, starting at our churches this term. Photo: Shutterstock. we work together with WEDNESDAY 26 High Wycombe: Course. This term’s Alpha launched on 21 our new Rector, Stephen Southgate, to Hugh Ellis, Alison Finch, Wendy Bull, September. Pray that the relationships discern where God is leading us in our Simon Dust, Elaine Carr, Marie Jackson, build within each group and that the ministry and mission to the villages Jackie Lock, Ruth Wooster, Levy Santana, group members book for the weekend Saint Columba’s House across the valley and as we explore a new Heather Graham, Alan Gibson, Ruth away at the House of the Open Door pattern of services. For the development Retreat and Parry-Jennings, Debbie Orriss, Derek in November. For our Sunday evening and growth of our ministry with children Lancaster, Laurence Smy, Maureen programme entitled ‘The Gathering’ Conference Centre and families. Frieth Primary School. Lampard, Viv Inch, Allison Smale, Janice for 18-30s: [email protected] mix of social life, worship, www.stcolumbashouse.org.uk MONDAY 24 Hazlemere: Clive Collier, Allerston and Barbara Prior. For church teaching, prayer and outreach. 01483 766498 plant plans and the partnership between Mark Meardon, Dominic Meering, Sam Registered Charity in England and Wales No.240675 SATURDAY 29 South Chilterns: Judy Maybury HIll, Woking GU22 8AB Granger and Derek Hopwood. We are St Andrew’s and St Mary and St George. Taylor. For Judy Taylor, Alan Evans, [email protected] blessed with a large number of young For Christian-Muslim relations and Bob Nix, Neil May, David Crichton and people at Holy Trinity, Hazlemere. Pray especially for the many Muslims living in High Wycombe – in particular for the the PCCs of Holy Trinity, Lane End and www.stcolumbashouse.org.uk for those involved in the recruitment Registered charity in England and Wales No 240675 St Mary-le-Moor, Cadmore End as we of a new Youth Minister and for the Mosque Committee and the senior imams continue through the vacancy. Pray that development and outworking of our here. High Wycombe School. our hearts and minds will be open to new youth strategy, that it will be in line with The Emmaus Centre THURSDAY 27 Hughenden: Keith and forward-looking ways of bringing the God’s purposes and be a blessing to our Layhams Road, West Wickham, Johnson, Helen Peters and David Tester. love of God into our lives and to those young people. We are also in the early Kent BR4 9HH For all those involved in our autumn within our communities. Pray for our stages of establishing a new ‘Prayer Shed’ Tel: 020 8777 2000 Alpha Course, that God would bless them, work and commitment to ‘Community Fax: 020 8776 2022 which will be available 24/7; praise God and draw them into a deeper relationship Matters’, supporting needy families in [email protected] for his provision so far in the planning with Jesus Christ; for our Parish Weekend our community. Cadmore End School. Registered Charity and resourcing of this new venture and at High Leigh, that God would deepen pray that it would be a blessing to many. Are you looking for a quiet peaceful place to relationships amongst the church family, MONDAY 31 Stokenchurch with Hazlemere School. enable you to ﬁ nd space in your life for God? and bring people rest and spiritual Ibstone: Alistair France. For even closer integration between church and We invite you to the Emmaus Centre, here you can TUESDAY 25 Hedsor with Bourne refreshment. Great Kingshill School. experience the peace and tranquillity of a caring community. For the future shape of the End: Janet Binns and Lyn Gooch. ‘Taste’ and prayerful atmosphere. To assist you in your FRIDAY 28 Loudwater: Timothy Butlin, benefice in relation to its neighbouring is a new early evening family service inner journey, individual spiritual direction and the Derek Butler, Lewis Dean, David Clarke parishes. Ibstone School. aimed at those involved in sports and services of a resident chaplain are all available. and Patrick Finlay. For the autumn Alpha other activities on a Sunday morning; In addition to our programme, which can be viewed pray for this to be a space where on our website, we offer times for quiet prayer, families can have fun and grow together opportunities for daily worship and an atmosphere spiritually. For our autumn Alpha Course of silence to support those who seek to spend time which started on 28 September; for Coming and Goings deepening their relationship with God. many to have the chance to explore the The Revd Christopher Huxtable will and Moulsoe; The Revd Jill Roth will Christian faith, ask questions and share take up post as Associate Minister in the take up post as Associate Minister in the their point of view. Benefice of Newport Pagnell with Lathbury Benefice of Gerrards Cross and Fulmer.

Our Bishops on Sundays SUNDAY 16 Bishop Alan confirming at Claydon; Bishop Humphrey confirming at All Saints High Wycombe; Bishop Andrew confirming at Maidenhead and Windsor Deanery. SUNDAY 2 Bishop Colin confirming at Charlbury; Bishop John Went confirming at Amersham. SUNDAY 23 Bishop Alan confirming at St John’s, Ashley Green, Chesham. There is none like you, O Lord, SUNDAY 9 Bishop David Jennings confirming at St Marga- and there is no God besides you, ret’s Oxford; Bishop Andrew confirming at Reading Minster; SUNDAY 30 Bishop Steven confirming at Dorchester Ab- according to all that we have Bishop Alan confirming at Burnham and Slough. bey. heard with our ears. 1Ch 17:20 (ESV) Advertising thedoorpost Events, courses, training, conferences and workshops in October FROM PROPAGATION The Doorpost is a free service for churches to advertise their events and is designed to be hung on church noticeboards. Please send your events to [email protected] or by post to Church House Oxford. The deadline for the next issue is Friday 30 September 2016. TO PARTNERSHIP SATURDAY 1 OCTOBER organised by the Spiritual Direction Oxford: Hope for the Future advice Network seeks to resource the centre, for anyone wanting advice spiritual journey of older people. or support in working with their Led by Debbie Thrower, team leader As Us returns to the well-loved USPG, the P in local MP on climate change, St of BRF’s programme supporting Aldate’s Parish Centre, from 2pm. To older people. Ascot Priory, 10am for our name has changed! It might seem a small register your interest please contact 10.30am - 4pm change but it’s an important one. It’s the way [email protected] SATURDAY 8 OCTOBER we do mission now - inclusive, empowering, Radley: Book launch and exhibition Caversham: Organ Recital by forward-looking. St James the Great, Radley; The renowned international organist Story of a Village Church, 10.30am- Joseph Nolan currently organist Climate change - advice on working 5pm. Entry free. Refreshments. Perth Cathedral Australia. St Peter’s with your MP - on 1 October - see below. www.radleyhistoryclub.org.uk Church. 6pm. Tickets £10 (£12 on SUNDAY 16 OCTOBER the door) from Parish Office 0118 Great Missenden: Talent and 9471703. Refreshments included. Adderbury: Christian Forshaw UNITED SOCIETY Hobbies Exhibition. St Peter and St and The Sanctuary Ensemble give PARTNERS IN THE GOSPEL Paul Parish Church, 10am-4pm, 30 a performance combining pure and THURSDAY 13 OCTOBER stalls, amusements, demonstrations simple music exploiting the full range of chocolate making, flower Oxford: Hearing God’s Call - of a unique line-up of saxophone, solo arranging, bell ringing, music and Vocations Eucharist followed by voice, organ and percussion. Doors song with sales of cakes, preserves supper, courtesy of the Dean at Christ open 6.30pm. Bar selling wine and and handiwork. Entrance adults £3, Church, Oxford. 6-8pm. For further soft drinks. Tickets £12 from Trish children £1. Come and join in the details go to: www.eventbrite.com Fennell 01295 811059 trish.fennell@ fun and help support the fundraising btconnect.com www.wegottickets. for the Church Organ Restoration Shipton-under-Wychwood: com/events/369403 Appeal. Oxfordshire Farmers Harvest, hosted EXCELLENT by Burford Farming Club. Service led THURSDAY 20 OCTOBER SUNDAY 2 OCTOBER by members of the Diocese of Oxford CUSTOMER SERVICE Rural Team and interviews with local Freeland: Drop-in Quiet Day at the Oxford: Kennington and District farmers about this year’s harvest. St Old Parsonage from 10am - 4pm. No John Kenway United Church Choirs will perform Mary’s Church, 7.30pm. Please park booking needed just drop in for all or Handel’s Messiah at 2.30pm, Holywell at Beaconsfield Hall OX7 6BQ. All part of the day. Bring your own food. Music Room, Holywell Street OX1 welcome. 13 REG 3SA. Free entrance with collection FRIDAY 28 OCTOBER for Meningitis Research Foundation. CITROEN C1 1.0i North Buckingham : Mothers’ VTR 5DR GREY 69K www.kenningtonchoir.org.uk Oxford: Science and Religion in Union celebration service, St Mary’s Education Conference 2016. New OUR PRICE Radley: Book launch and exhibition Leckhampstead MK18 5NT, 2pm. ways to discover and advance St James the Great, Radley; The Story Speaker Catherine Kyte, Faith students’ and the wider public’s of a Village Church, 1.30-4.30pm. Support Officer, Mary Summer reasoning about science and religion. £3696 House, followed by afternoon tea in University of Oxford Department of THURSDAY 6 OCTOBER the village hall. Email: buckleyrm@ Education, 9.30am-5.30pm. For more £NIL btopenworld.com. All welcome. information email: lasar@reading. ROAD TAX Ascot: Age, Transition and Growth: the Gift of Years. This workshop ac.uk Courses 13 REG 10 REG 13 REG FORD FIESTA 1.0 ECOBOOST NISSAN QASHQAI 1.5 VAUXHALL ZAFIRA 1.7 CDTI The Role of the Governing Body in an Ofsted 125 TITANIUM 5DR SILVER 29K DCi ACENTA DARK RED 77K EXCLUSIV (110) 5DR GREY 27K Inspection: 13 October, 7-9.15pm, Christ the Servant ONLY £8399 ONLY £6834 ONLY £7697 King, High Wycombe, Bucks HP12 4NP. For more information, email: [email protected] PART FULL FLEXIBLE NATIONWIDE BRAND NEW EXCHANGE HISTORY FINANCE DELIVERY TO CARS AVAILABLE WELCOME CHECK AVAILABLE YOUR DOOR ALL MAKES Becoming an Effective Governor: 20 October, 7-9.15pm, Church House Oxford, Langford Locks, UP TO 4,000 USED CARS PRICE CHECKED DAILY, COMPREHENSIVELY CHECKED & FULLY GUARANTEED Kidlington OX5 1GF. For more information, email: [email protected] AUTOSAVE... SERVING THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY FOR OVER 35 YEARS

CALL 0333 130 0284 Handling Conflict in the Church: Training days for incumbents and those in licensed ministry to increase AUTOSAVE.CO.UK your confidence and capability to work positively and Finance subject to status. Terms and conditions apply. Applicants must be 18 or over. Guarantee/indemnity may be required. We can introduce you to a limited number of carefully selected finance providers. We may receive a commission from them for the introduction. more effectively with conflict. Day 3 - Dealing with difficult behaviour. 20 October: St Peter’s Earley. 9.45- Baptism Matters on 15 October - see below. 4pm. Cost £15 for each day which includes lunch. Email [email protected] or phone 01865 Safeguarding Training: All parochial clergy are 208277 for details and booking form. required to attend safeguarding training every three years. Next courses: 6 October, Shaw House, Church Baptism Matters: A one day presentation for clergy, Who is like you, O Lord, Road, Newbury RG14 2DR and 19 October, St John’s readers and others involved in baptism and family Church, 6 Burford Road, Carterton OX18 3AA. To ministry. New research and resources around baptism book a place go to www.oxford.anglican.org/clergy- are making an impact on church growth and on this key among the gods? Who safeguarding-training. ministry. This is a unique opportunity for us as a diocese is like you, majestic in to hear from the Revd Canon Dr Sandra Millar who is Supporting You, Serving Schools: Training days for Head of Projects and Developments for the Archbishops’ holiness, awesome in incumbents and a member of their parish to consider Council about this important national initiative. 15 how they might best engage with their local school. October from 10am to 4pm at Christ Church Flackwell glorious deeds, doing In order to develop effective relationships between Heath. There is no charge, but please bring your own church and school, topics covered will include: in lunch. the current context of education the challenges and wonders? opportunities, building a productive relationship with the Head Teacher, collective worship and assemblies, Study Skills: This half-day is designed to help adult finding and developing church appointed governors. 5 learners ease back into the world of study with a October: Christ Church Flackwell Heath, 10am-4pm, special focus on essential skills such as: writing essays, Ex 15:11 £10 (including lunch). constructing portfolios, referencing properly and avoiding Email [email protected] or phone plagiarism. 15th October, 10am-1pm, £15. Bookings can 01865 208277 for details and booking form. be made through http://ldm.eventbrite.co.uk