THE ORIGINAL CHURCH NEWSPAPER. ESTABLISHED IN 1828 Celebrating all THE Analysis things organic in of a September, p8 CHU RCHOF parish mission, ENGLAND p10 Newspaper

NOW AVAILABLE ON  NEWSSTAND FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014 No: 6246 Calls for reconciliation as Scots vote ‘No’ CHURCH LEADERS issued statements this morning calling Alex Salmond for reconciliation after the No and below campaigners won the Scottish 5am News David Cameron independence referendum by a disappointing to many, will be this morning margin of 55 per cent to 45 per welcomed by all those who cent. believe that this country can In upbeat remarks SNP leader continue to be an example of Alex Salmond said he accepted how different nations can work the verdict and called on all together for the common good Scottish people to ‘follow suit in within one state.” accepting the democratic ver - Archbishop Justin Welby dict of the people of Scotland’. added: “This is a moment for Prime Minister David reconciliation and healing not Cameron said he was ‘delighted’ rejoicing or recrimination. with the result. “As I said during Some of the wounds opened up the campaign, it would have in recent months are likely to broken my heart to see our take time to heal on both sides United Kingdom come to an of the border.” end.” He said the close links He said it was now time for between the Church of Scot - the United Kingdom to come land, the Scottish Episcopal together and move forward, but Church and the Church of Eng - added that a vital part of that land meant they all have a con - would be a balanced settlement: tribution to make “not only to “Fair to people in Scotland and reflect on the lessons of the ref - importantly to everyone in Eng - erendum campaign but to land, Wales and Northern Ire - engage in delivering the radical land as well.” restructuring of the relationship He said that the matter had between Scotland and the rest now been settled for a genera - of the United Kingdom for tion, or perhaps for a lifetime. which commitments have been “So there can be no disputes, no made.” re-runs – we have heard the set - The Free Church of Scotland tled will of the Scottish people.” The voting figures were 2,001,926 for No and 1,617,989 urged the nation to move from Assembly of the Church of Scot - called West Lothian question for Yes. Turnout was 84.5 per “self-interest” to “focusing on land, the Rt Rev John Chalmers, –requires a decisive answer. cent. the needs of others”, but it will preach on the need to pro - “So, just as Scotland will vote Referring to the ‘Vow’ that warned that lasting change to mote healing where there has separately in the Scottish Parlia - was published in newspapers in “societal ills” such as sexual been hurt and unity where ment on their issues of tax, the days running up to the refer - abuse, relationship breakdown there has been division. spending and welfare so too endum David Cameron said: and poverty could only be The focus for politicians will England, as well as Wales and “The three pro-union parties achieved with Christianity flour - now be to draft legislation to ful - Northern Ireland, should be have made commitments, clear ishing in the public square. fil the Vow made to Scottish vot - able to vote on these issues and commitments, on further pow - The Church of Scotland ers. Lord Smith of Kelvin was all this must take place in tan - ers for the Scottish Parliament. revealed plans for a national appointed by David Cameron to dem with, and at the same pace “We will ensure that they are service of reconciliation at St oversee this process, which is to as, the settlement for Scotland. honoured in full.” Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh be agreed by November and “I hope that is going to take The Archbishop of Canter - on Sunday. draft legislation published in place on a cross-party basis. bury said the debate had gener - More than 1,000 people are January. “Now we must look forward, ated profound questioning and expected to attend, including David Cameron said: “We and turn this into the moment unsettlement far beyond Scot - leaders from the Better Togeth - have heard the voice of Scotland when everyone – whichever land. er and Yes Campaigns who will - and now the millions of voices way they voted – comes togeth - “The decision by the Scottish contribute readings during the of England must also be heard. er to build that better, brighter people to remain within the service. “The question of English future for our entire United United Kingdom, while deeply The Moderator of the General votes for English laws – the so- Kingdom.”

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Diocese of Durham

CHU RCHIN A passion for Coronation Street and social media has resulted in the Bishop of Jarrow being invited as the first clergy guest VIP blogger for the show. The Rt Rev Mark Bryant, who is a long-time ENGLAND fan of the soap, often uses plot-lines from the programme to make points about life in his own blogs. Now, his tweeting following a visit to the set of the Salford-based programme has resulted in the show asking him to expand his thoughts in blog form in return for a donation to a charity of his choice. The Bishop said: “I cannot remember when I first started following Corrie but I think I have been following it for well over 20 years. Corrie is definitely my ‘cup of tea’. “I like it because many of the themes in the show reflect what is happening in real life and drawing on them in my teaching of Christian faith allows me to reach people who might not Picture: Keith Blundy/Aegies Associates normally listen to a priest.” Bishop Mark is on Twitter at @BishopMark1 and his Coronation Street blog can be read at: http://coronationstreetupdates.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/exclusive-coronation-street-vip- blogger.html

Diocese of Canterbury

A Kent church is inviting villagers to pop into their local pub to say their prayers. Martin Jones, vicar at St Martin’s in Aldington, near Ashford, is conducting a weekly service at historic Shepherd Neame pub the Walnut Tree. It takes place in the bar from 9am every Wednesday, and the congregation is growing every week. He said: “The village of Aldington has moved since St Martin’s was built in the 12th century, and the church is now about a mile outside. The aim of holding these services at the pub is to meet people where they are, instead of expecting them to come to us. “The sessions are also different to a traditional church service, in that they are much more informal.” Licensee Karen Barrett said: “Getting together at the pub on a weekday morning is not only more convenient for lots of people, but also a comfortable, familiar environment. I provide everyone with tea, coffee and biscuits and it is a really relaxed atmosphere.”

Diocese of London Diocese of Ely

Diocese of Bristol A vicar who arrived from Australia was A new organisation set up to resource and licensed last week as the new Priest support pioneer ministers has been A new film about the life and history of one of Bristol’s oldest Missioner of a new worshipping community in launched in Cambridge. churches has just gone live on its website. North London. The Centre for Pioneer Learning emerged The 17-minute film about the 800-year-old parish church of St The Rev Andrew Williams, who was from a partnership between the Diocese of Mary Redcliffe, made by John Thomson of Bristol-based Greatful previously Rector of a church in Perth, is to Ely, Westcott House and Ridley Hall Productions, is believed to be the first of its type to be produced lead St Francis @ The Engine Room. This Theological Colleges, Cambridge. The by a Bristol church to encourage worshippers, visitors and new initative in Tottenham Hale aims to build vision of the Centre is to send out, resource tourists. community links on Hale Village estate, and support a generation of pioneers who The film features choral works as it explains the medieval working with Andrew and Martina Kwapong, will transform lives, shape their wider origins of the church and the ways in which it is encouraging experienced community workers from communities and help to renew the Church. people to – as the vicar, the Rev Dan Tyndall puts it – ‘dip their London City Mission, who have been working The founder and Director of the Centre, toes in the waters of spiritual life.’ in Hale Village and Ferry Lane estates for two the Rev Canon David Male started one of Commenting on production of the new film, Dan said: “As a years. the first such churches in the UK, the Net parish we have agreed that the purpose of our church is to be a The Engine Room uses innovative ideas to Church in Huddersfield in 1998. He said: “It beacon of the Kingdom of God and, with our website video now engage locals, including organising family- has taken us nearly four years to get to this live, the reach of that beam is spreading to shine out from friendly activities including canoeing, point. We want to support and equip leaders computer screens across the city, country and, hopefully, the blackberry harvesting and jam-making, and who will change their communities and the wider world.” ‘meet the neighbours’ events for new church.” residents. To view the new film visit http://stmaryredcliffe.co.uk and Regular activities at the centre include click on the link. language classes, employment coaching and teaching nutrition and cooking skills via the SPECIAL Filling the Gap Café initiative. All this takes place alongside the services and spiritual life SUBSCRIPTION OFFER! Diocese of York of the worshipping community itself. The Bishop of Edmonton, the Rt Rev Peter Take out a 6 month print Wheatley, welcomed Mr Williams back to subscription to THE CHURCH Archbishop John Sentamu is to help launch a new campaign by Feed England (having originally been ordained OF ENGLAND NEWSPAPER the Minds, 50 years after one of his predecessors launched the here): “We enthusiastically welcomed Fr FOR 6 MONTHS FOR JUST £35 movement. Andrew back to London yesterday. As a parish (UK only) - On Monday he will host a reception when the international priest experienced in community engagement development charity asks ‘has adult literacy been forgotten?’ and leading a parish team, he will bring includes free online access to They say that 774 million adults still lack basic reading and writing together the many people who have already www.churchnewspaper.com skills (according to UNESCO figures). been working hard together to create a vibrant centre serving this new urban village.”

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Mary Berry joins Oxford

MARY BERRY is one of the speakers at A group of pilgrims are attempting the the Grand Day Out in Oxford tomorrow, entire 104 miles in 10, one-day stages, Bishop in celeoneb of threre eveants martking tihe oretire - nand a number of people will join the ment of the diocese’s Bishop next group for parts of the journey. The month. stages include a short pause for reflec - The TV cook will be joined by the tion at the beginning, middle and end of CEO of World Vision Justin Byworth, the day. Each day ends with hospitality and ceramicist Emma Bridgewater – all provided by a local parish along the of whom have been asked to reflect on route. the theme of “imagination”. The feast of “I’m really looking forward to these activities, events, a massive picnic and eleven days,” says Bishop John. “The open-air worship will take place on Pilgrimage offers me the opportunity to Christ Church Meadow. journey through our great diocese, to Meanwhile the Bishop, the Rt Rev celebrate our Christian heritage and John Pritchard, is leading the Thames spend time with people from right Pilgrimage, where he will lead pilgrims across the patch.” on a route through the very heart of the He said he was looking forward to Thames Valley where he has served for interviewing Mary Berry at the Grand the last seven years. Day Out. Archbishop condemns killing of aid worker ARCHBISHOP JUSTIN have seen in this dreadful video enable it to be used to gain estimated 100,000 Christian tion calling for a ‘clear and WELBY has made a forceful is an act of absolute evil, unqual - power and influence for their refugees in Iraq. courageous stance on the part condemnation of the killing of ified without any light in it all. own unspeakably evil ends. They write that many Chris - of religious leaders, especially British aid worker David Haines There is a sense that within this “So today there is that sick tians have no confidence that Muslims’, on the violence car - and Bishops have written a let - area, and in many places in the sense of horror at the wicked - they will be able to stay perma - ried out by the Jihadists of the ter to The Times asking that world where this kind of thing is ness we see, a deep sense of nently in Iraq and are looking ‘self-proclaimed Caliphate’. Britain does more to help Chris - being done, that the darkness is compassion for the family, and for asylum in other countries. The Pontifical Council points tian refugees as the turmoil in deepening. prayer that they may be com - “Australia, Canada, Sweden, out that Christians and Muslims the Middle East continued to “It’s being done in the name of forted by the light of Christ in a Germany, France and many oth - have lived together ‘with ups demand the attention of church faith but we’ve heard already very, very dark time indeed.” ers have proved remarkably and downs’ for centuries in the leaders. today faith leaders from Islam In a letter to The Times pub - generous,” the bishops argue, Middle East. Archbishop Welby called for across the world condemning lished last Saturday 14 Church “but not, so far, the UK, despite Although the action in killing ‘every church’ to pray for the this. of England bishops, including being a signatory to the 1951 Western hostages appears to be family of David Haines who, he “What’s going on is a power- the diocesan bishops of Oxford, Refugee Convention and a driven by pure evil, as the Arch - said, had been ‘evilly killed in a seeking activity. Faith is often Peterborough, Worcester, member of the UN Council of bishop of Canterbury has said, place he was serving in for the used as hook on which to hang Gibraltar, Sodor and Man, Lich - Human Rights.” some observers think there is a love of suffering people’. other desires, and this is a field, and Rochester, called on In Rome the Pontifical Coun - political calculation behind what Speaking to BBC News the desire for power and influence, the Government to promote a cil for Interreligious Dialogue is happening. ISIS is holding 40 Archbishop said: “What we and faith is being twisted to co-ordinated response to the ahs issue a forthright declara - Turkish hostages and Turkey is Anti-Semitic attacks in France reach new peak By Julia Milde not grow up with the people living there. We would rather live in a bunker in Israel, as in a boulevard in Anti-Semitic violent incidents nearly doubled in France Paris”, an immigrant said. in the first seven months of 2014, the country’s main The attacks included violence against individuals, Jewish group has said. arson and vandalism. CRIF are worrying about the France for the first time has become the country with appearance of new forms of violence against Jews the highest numbers of ‘aliyah’ (immigrants to Israel), including attacks by organised gangs and the targeting according to the French office of the Jewish Agency for of synagogues. Israel on Friday. The current way of life in France and the outbreak of The Council of Jewish Institutions in France (CRIF) the Gaza war this summer, which caused a series of ter - announced a total of 529 anti-Semitic attacks or threats rorist attacks, were for many Jews the crucial reason for registered up to the end of July, against 276 for the emigration. same period last year, according to the figures from the A whole generation has grown up with the sense of French Interior Ministry. insecurity in their country. For many Jews the question This significant increase of anti-Semitic attacks in arises whether they should show their identity or not. France led to an unprecedented number of emigrations Every year, these feelings prompt thousands to take a to Israel this year. Over the last years the number of significant decision, namely, to leave their home and immigrants from France has been rising continuously. move to Israel – they hope to never live again in fear of According to the official data, by the end of the year it verbal or physical abuse. can be anticipated that the total number of French Jews ened, complain of being harassed in public as an The Israeli government is delighted to receive the moving to Israel will have reached about 5,000. increasingly excluded minority and feel the country is immigrants, who are generally well-off and highly edu - France is home to both Europe’s largest Jewish com - no longer a safe place to live. cated. A spokesman said there is room for everyone: munity and Muslim population. Many Jews are threat - “France is a beautiful country, but my children should left, right, religious or non-religious.

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Prisoner wins the

CAMPAIGNERS have criticized a Belgian court ruling delayed its ruling, saying it wanted to consider every should never agree with a suicidal prisoner, or any this week that allows a man sentenced to life for rape possible treatment option. other suicidal person, that his life is not worth living. arnd muirdegr to have hdoctors etnd his l ife. to The druling hasi atteracted ou tragei becnause of th e statBus Thosee who arle rigghtly beinig puunished fomr their crimes Frank Van Den Bleeken, 52, argued that as he would of the applicant, and also because relatives of his vic - should receive proper health care, and their doctors never be released, he was suffering ‘unbearable psy - tims argue that he is escaping justice. should not be co-opted for procedures that are the very chological anguish.’ The court agreed, and allowed his The 52-year-old was jailed after killing a 19-year-old reverse of healthcare. request for euthanasia. and sexually attacking a girl aged 11, an adolescent “This is not capital punishment, but is billed as a However, the ruling has angered campaigners across aged 17 and finally a shop worker aged 29. ‘medical procedure’ based on the prisoner’s low sense Europe. Annie and Lilian Remacle, relatives of one of the vic - of self-worth. It is a clear sign of the slippery slope in Dan Boucher, who heads up parliamentary affairs for tims, Christine Remacle, told a French newspaper: “We euthanasia.” the Christian charity Care, said: “Once a country are languishing again. We are suffering again from this Belgian senator Els van Hoof has said that recent embraces the culture of death with its laws, then it’s not ruling.” cases were deeply troubling. surprising that legality should start to widen the cate - Didier Sicard, the honorary president of the French She opposed a bill earlier this year that sought to lift gories of people who can access it. If we allow a sex National Ethical Consultative Committee, said he was all age restrictions on euthanasia, although her lobby offender to end his life, then who comes next?” ‘flabbergasted’ by the ruling. succeeded in altering the law to apply only to children Belgium first allowed euthanasia in 2002, and the “This person is not facing the death sentence, he is who were terminally ill. numbers applying for it have risen every year since imprisoned, and not free. How, then can we be certain Van Den Bleeken will soon be transferred to a hospi - then. The practice is overseen by the country’s Federal he is suffering psychologically? tal where the medical procedure will take place, but no Euthanasia Commission, and most cases it receives “If we start to authorise euthanasia on such a fragile details will be divulged. involve elderly or terminally ill people. basis, it will be a grave mistake.” Since he won his case at least 15 other prisoners in Van Den Bleeken first applied in 2011, but the FEC The British medical ethicist Dr Helen Watt said: “We Belgium have lodged right-to-die cases. Labour Conference Agencies unite to pushed to take stand on fight scourge of minorities in Middle East By Julia Milde hTHREuE minternationanl E xetcurtivae Offficerf saiidc. kTihen PgVoTs were agencies, Hope for Jus - Manchester has been reported to be from DELEGATES to next week’s Labour tice, Abolition Interna - selected as the interna - 112 countries of origin, Party conference in Manchester will be tional and Transitions tional headquarters for this represents an 18 asked to support aid and protection for Global are joining forces Hope for Justice. The per cent increase on the Iraqi Christian refugees who wish to to become a worldwide organization is growing 2012 country of origin escape persecution. organization to fight to over 70 staff in five tota ls. The lack of concern for Christians and a human trafficking and offices around the The 1,746 referrals lack of freedom of expression for reli - slavery. world. comprised of 1,122 gious minorities in the Middle East has The global partner - Natalie Grant, Hope females (64 per cent) led to a catastrophe. Members of minority ship across three conti - for Justice Co-Founder, and 624 males (36 per communities, including Christians, Mus - nents exists to identify, said: “I am so delighted cent) with 1,295 (74 per lims and Yazidis, are suffering and dying assist and protect vic - that we’re joining togeth - cent) referred as adults, in Iraq and Syria. The Islamist extremist tims, rescue their lives er and radically expand - 450 (26 per cent) being group ISIL are killing them, displacing through education, ing our ability to fight referred as minors and them from long established homes and empowerment and quali - trafficking and to one of unidentified age seizing their properties. ty restorative care and change lives.” at time of exploitation. Christians on the Left (the new name support the prosecution Sex trafficking, A survivor of sex traf - for the Christian Socialist Movement) of traffickers. exploitation and modern ficking, living in Hope also echoes calls from the Archbishop of With expanded slavery shatters the lives for Justice’s home in Canterbury for asylum to be granted for resources, pioneering of millions of men, Cambodia, said: “I have those most in need, in common with other programmes and a women and children. experienced for the first European countries. In recent years multi-disciplinary team Hope for Justice CEO time what love really minority groups have been uprooted and with a broader range of Ben Cooley said: looks like and I have forced to leave their homes, as well. expert staff they hope “Human trafficking is learned what it means to Christians on the Left believe the UK to reach more people not someone else’s prob - love others.” should contribute to a major humanitari - and restore more lives. lem, it’s happening in Natalie Grant urged an effort and other measures to protect “Our highly experi - our communities, in our Christians to ‘join Hope people. They are calling upon the govern - tions for freedom and democracy across enced staff is bringing neighbourhoods as well for Justice and be the dif - ment to offer more assistance for those the globe – “we should not ignore it”. expert care and innova - as across the world.” ference between free - displaced by the current violence. Christians on the Left will be running tive strategies to their In 2013 the UK Nation - dom and slavery’. “The atrocities need to be confronted”, the Labour Party’s church service at work with victims, part - al Referral Mechanism “There is astonishing Stephen Beer, a Christians on the Left del - Labour Conference this year. Conference ner organisations, law (NRM) received 1,746 beauty in a life restored egate at the Labour Conference, said. delegates will join with local people to enforcement and gov - referrals of potential vic - and, with your help, we The assassinations committed by ISIL worship together and hear how faith, poli - ernment. tims of trafficking want to give that gift to are the latest horrific news against toler - cy, and lifestyles can be integrated. Chris - “I’m incredibly proud (PVoT), this represents many, many victims ance and peace. He warned that the tians on the Left will also be holding a of the work they do each a 47 per cent increase on around the world”, she attacks could also have profound implica - series of fringe events at the Conference. day,” Ben Cooley, Chief 2012 referral totals. said.

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Bishops begin shared

BISHOPS OF THE Church of England its ranks with some bishops ready to development. the Church of England. They will seek to beganctheoprocessnof vSharedeConversa-rsacceptasame-sextmarioriage. ns “Soome binshops givestheir bleessingxand uensureathat lallitviewpointsycan be tions on Sexuality, Scripture and Mission “These two small steps would do much approval to civil partnered lesbian and expressed and to keep the conversations at the annual meeting of the College of to enhance the credibility of the bishops gay couple without asking whether the focussed on seeking understanding. Bishops this week. The College includes and to encourage LGBTI clergy and laity relationship is sexually intimate,” the let- ‘Accepting Evangelicals’ has warned all Suffragan and full-time assistant bish- to participate in the subsequent stages of ter claimed. that the process will only work if the con- ops as well as those who are members of the conversation process,” the Coalition The Rev Colin Coward, Director of versations are truly open and honest. the House of Bishops. stated. Changing Attitudes, said that people The Rev Benny Hazlehurst claims some In a statement the LGBTI Anglican The Coalition also announced its sup- were angry at the ‘hypocrisy’ and ‘inco- bishops are afraid to speak out. He Coalition said it welcomed this first step port for a letter sent to every bishop and herence’ of the bishops. reports that: “One diocesan Bishop said and said it would be holding the bishops elected senior woman in advance of the In a statement Anglican Mainstream to me at General Synod, ‘Benny, you in prayer. It said there were two ways in bishops’ meeting by the trustees of said the bishops had no authority to know what I think, but I’m chicken – I’m which the College could signal that the Changing Attitudes. make the changes Changing Attitudes too afraid to say it’.” meeting had been successful. The letter called on the bishops to had requested. According to Hazlehurst writing on the First of all the College should affirm recognise that a change in attitude and Following the meeting of the College ‘Accepting Evangelicals’ website, Shared that some of its members are gay or practice has already taken place without of Bishops, Canon David Porter and a Conversations will only work if there is ‘a bisexual. Secondly the College should the approval of the bishops although team of around 20 trained facilitators will greater honesty, a greater courage and admit there is a diversity of views within some bishops have gone along with the support a process of conversation across greater grace at work than ever before’.

Pemberton files employment claim Living Wage breakthrough SOLICITORS acting for the Rev Jeremy Pember- in Church schools ton have issued a statement to say that he has Aid vote welcomed SUPPORT STAFF in Church schools will filed an Equality Act claim in the Employment LAST FRIDAY’S vote on the aid tive Philip Davies, described the receive the living wage after the National Tribunal against the Archbishop of York and the budget has been welcomed by a Bill as ‘gesture politics of the Society and Unison reached an agreement acting Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham. leading Bishop. worst possible kind’. that will mean all C of E schools receiving the The statement says this is because Canon Pem- The vote enshrines in law He said: “If you criticise living wage accreditation. berton’s Permission to Officiate (PtO) was Britain’s aid spending target of Britain’s huge, often misman- The C of E is already committed to paying revoked and he was refused a licence to act as a 0.7 per cent of GDP, despite aged, aid budget you are accused the living wage in its schools but under this hospital chaplain after he married his long-term opposition from Conservative of not wanting to help the needi- new agreement the union will provide a step- partner, Laurence Cunnington. This led to the MPs. est in the world. [The Bill] says by-step implementation plan covering both withdrawal of the offer of a post by Sherwood The Bishop of Derby, Alastair we are going to spend the same directly employed and contracted out staff. Forest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Redfern, a trustee of Christian amount of money every single The agreement follows a motion passed by In a statement Canon Pemberton said that he Aid, said: “This is excellent news year in perpetuity. General Synod, which recognised that ‘the was ‘deeply saddened’ to take this step but went and an important milestone in “That is basically an accept- widening gap between rich and poor harms on to claim that he had been left with no other the UK’s continuing efforts to ance that our assistance will fail, all of society and that paying a living wage choice ‘having found myself being punished and meet the needs of those most that it will not turn around a lifts people out of poverty’. It strongly urged discriminated against simply for exercising my marginalised in our broken country’s fortunes or deal with all C of E institutions to pay a living wage as right to marry’. world. Today’s vote shows that the causes of poverty, and that it recommended by Church Action on Poverty. He added that he would make no further com- the depth of cross party support will just be a hand-out to make a The Archbishop of York, who is chair of the ment until the matter had been resolved in court. for enshrining the 0.7 per cent few middle-class, Guardian-read- Living Wage Commission, hailed the agree- In their statement, Canon Pemberton’s solici- development target into law. ing, sandal-wearing, lentil-eating ment as ‘an excellent initiative’. He pointed tors said that the lawyers assisting Canon Pem- “I very much hope that this Bill do-gooders with a misguided out that C of E schools were set up more than berton include the Rev Justin Gau, an will now pass quickly through guilt complex feel better about 200 years ago to ‘serve the poor and the mar- ecclesiastical lawyer, and Helen Trotter, a barris- Committee and I look forward to themselves. ginalised’ and that they have always been ter specialising in employment and discrimina- supporting the Bill when it is “It will do nothing to alleviate committed to ‘treating staff and pupils fairly’. tion. debated by the House of Lords.” the real causes of poverty in David Prentis, General Secretary of Uni- Both the Archbishop of York and the Diocese The International Develop- those countries.” son, said the union wanted to make it easier of Southwell and Nottingham have said they ment (Official Development Other Conservatives, who for schools to achieve living wage accredita- have no comment to make. Assistance Target) Bill proposed were ordered to vote in favour of tion by producing a step-by-step guide. Although legislation for equal marriage made by MP Michael Moore, passed to the Bill, said it compromised the “Having that accreditation sends out a exceptions for the Church of England, a great the committee stage by a con- Government’s commitment to strong message that this school is one that deal of debate is likely to centre on whether the vincing 164 votes to six. the defence budget. takes its responsibilities to its staff and the safeguards given to the Church apply to an NHS Christian Aid’s Campaigns wider community seriously,” he said. trust. Manager, Al Roxburgh, wel- comed the news. He said: “Today’s vote in support of British aid is an important step towards enshrining this country’s commitment to 0.7 per cent into law. “While there are more steps before it becomes law, today’s vote shows the con- tinued cross-party support for aid and the important role it plays in saving lives. “It is now vital that the Bill passes through the commit- tee stage to ensure the Coalition’s promise to deliv- er this legislation isn’t bro- ken.” However, the Conserva-

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 4 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday September 19, 2014 News Parishes prepare for Back to Archbishop Church Sunday CHURCHES across England are gearing up for Back to Church Sunday, which usually takes place pays tribute to on the final Sunday in September. It is seen as a time to invite people who were once in church for Sun- day school or who had their mar- riages blessed in church or their children baptised to come back ARCHBISHOP JUSTIN WELBY paid tribute to the Rev Ian Pais- The son of a Free Baptist Minister who was ordained by his and join the regular worshipping ley (Lord Bannside) when he died last week but the stormy Ulster father, Paisley went on to found the Free Presbyterian Church of congregation. churchman had strong differences of opinion with two of the Northern Ireland. He was a fierce opponent of the Roman Training events have been ArLchbishop’sopredecessors,rdMichael RamseyBand Roberat Runcie.nCatholicnChurch.sHe onceihelddup whatehe claimed was a conse- organised to help volunteers take In 1962 Paisley gave out pamphlets in Rome when Archbishop crated communion wafer in a debate at the Oxford Union. part in the programme and a web- Ramsey met Pope John XXIII and accused the Archbishop of He was expelled from the European Parliament when he held site enables people to find a ‘slobbering in his slippers’. He had already accused the Queen up a banner saying ‘Pope John Paul II ANTICHRIST’ when the church near where they live. Mother and Princess Margaret of ‘committing spiritual fornica- Pope addressed the Parliament. Overseas observers found him a The Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt tion with the anti-Christ’ when they met the Pope in 1958. puzzling figure but he topped the poll in every European Parlia- Rev Paul Bayes, is to appear on Together with another Free Presbyterian Minister, he demon- mentary election in Northern Ireland from 1979 to 1999. Songs of Praise on 21 September strated in protest in Rome when Archbishop Runcie visited Pope As an MEP and as an MP at Westminster he took pride in rep- to talk about the Back to Church John Paul II in 1989. Archbishop Runcie had suggested that the resenting the interests of all his constituents, whatever their reli- Sunday. Pope should become a spiritual leader and ‘universal primate’ and gious beliefs. The campaign started in 2004 Paisley and his colleague sported T-shirts saying ‘Christ alone is In 1969 he opened the Martyrs’ Memorial Church in Belfast, and it is claimed that since then the sole head of the Church’. one of the largest modern Protestant churches in Europe, but the more than 260,000 people have According to Paisley, Archbishop Runcie was an ‘ecclesiastical total membership of his denomination never grew to be much returned to a church service after Judas Iscariot’ who had betrayed the Reformation and was a ‘cryp- more than 15,000. being invited to do so. to-papist’. Undeterred by Paisley’s protests, Runcie attended a In the 1960s Paisley developed a close relationship with Bob Research indicates that people papal mass in St Peter’s Square, only the second time an Arch- Jones University in South Carolina, which granted him an hon- are more likely to respond if they bishop of Canterbury had done this. orary doctorate in 1966. He started an American branch of his are invited several times. As well In a statement issued after the death of Lord Bannside had been church in 1977. as Back to Church Sunday, people announced, the Archbishop of Canterbury described him as a Paisley was a firm opponent of abortion and homosexuality. He are being urged to invite friends ‘passionate advocate for his community, a parliamentarian who launched ‘Save Ulster from Sodomy’ in opposition to the cam- to Harvest Festival, Remem- made his presence felt in our national life and a man of deep faith’. paign for homosexual law reform but he failed to prevent the brance Sunday and Christmas Archbishop Welby added: “History will remember him for decriminalisation in 1982 of homosexual acts between males over services. many things but above all for having the courage, when he judged 21. Nicky Gumbel will also appear the moment right, of taking difficult but vital steps towards recon- The Rt Rev Harold Miller, Bishop of Down and Dromore, on Songs of Praise to talk about ciliation.” described Lord Bannside as a ‘man steeped in the Bible with a Alpha and there will be features The Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Rev Richard Clark, said uniquely Ulster mix of blunt strictness and warm humour’. He on New Song Church (Methodist) that ‘whereas Lord Bannside’s political career was certainly con- drew attention to Paisley’ s love of St Patrick and desire to see St in Warrington and St Peter’s, troversial he will nevertheless be remembered as a fair-minded Patrick’s Day as a national holiday. “That came from his realisa- Brighton, which has seen a constituency MP who worked hard for his constituents’. tion that the transforming gospel proclaimed by Patrick was the remarkable turn around from a Dr Clark also praised the way Dr Paisley worked in partnership same faith in the same Christ which was at the heart of his belief,” dying to a thriving church in four with Sinn Fein in the Executive of the Northern Ireland Assembly. said Bishop Miller. years.

SOCIALBishop’smedia sites such as Facebook or Twitterblastthreaten the existence of realfofriendships,ra seniorFacebook church leader has warned, writes Julia Milde. The Rt Rev Robert Atwell, Bishop of Exeter, said he was concerned that the increased presence of technology was eroding the use of traditional and more personal forms of communication, such as let- ters. “I still write letters in my own handwriting to thank people and I have friends who write to me. I pick up the envelope and I know who it’s from because I recog- nize the handwriting – there is no substitute for the person- al contact,” he said. The Bishop was asking whether social media was sabo- 4,69:@5/ 1:AA! taging real communication. We have more tools for commu- nication than ever. However, with the advent of email, it is *6#6<9?6A< becoming less and less common to write letters. The development and improvement of technology is a great servant, he said, provided it’s not a substitute for per- sonal interactions and real relationships. He acknowledged that this has led to a far easier and very comfortable life but as a society “we have to have flexibility in the way we communicate”. 0> 87-.;' 0> 8)(>-3+28 Church leaders have already embraced technology. The Archbishop of Canterbury has nearly 65,000 followers, %%%&@<$6#<&"?= while the official Twitter page of Pope Francis has 4.5 mil- lion followers.

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INBRIEF ‘Suffering of Iraqi Christians is beyond description’ THE SUFFERING of Iraqi Chris- ers. It will soon be bitter cold. tian refugees fleeing the depre- Relief is not getting to them.” dations of the Islamic State They are also in “total shock. (ISIS) are beyond description, They have lost everything. the vicar-general of the Diocese They want to go home and of Zanzibar reports following a can’t. Some were betrayed by visit to Kurdistan last week. their Muslim neighbours with The Rev Jerry Kramer writes: whom they lived for genera- “Right now we’re processing all tions. that we saw and experienced “Their neighbours called in firsthand. Honestly, we don’t ISIS, giving their location away, have the words at the moment. to come and exterminate them. The suffering is so immense. The hurt runs very deep. If you The magnitude of the disaster is hug a refugee for more than beyond comprehension.” three seconds, they break down Fr Kramer, who served as the and cry,” he said. rector of an Episcopal congrega- Fr Kramer observed that the tion in New Orleans during Hur- crisis in Iraq is “so massive that ricane Katrina and was one of one organisation is not going to the leaders in the grassroots get it done. No chance. It’s campaign to rebuild the city, but going to take a network of small currently is a missionary in Tan- frontline relief operations. zania with Love for the Least ministries stated: “Christians “We’ve learned from our Katrina experience that small, The Secretary General of the Anglican Consulta- were given 48 hours to leave their homes. grassroots is always better. Also, it’s ideal to support the tive Council has been elected Bishop of Limerick “Some paid to stay or converted to Islam. They were all local Church in its ministry. Help them help themselves and Killaloe in the Church of Ireland. The Rev crucified, beheaded or shot. and their communities. In this way we are pouring into Canon Kenneth Kearon succeeds the Rt. Rev. “Those who left were stripped of all their possessions, the local Church for the long term.” Trevor Williams. allowed to leave with only the clothes on their backs. Now Fr Kramer stated that he will be returning to Kurdistan they have absolutely nothing and cannot return home. and is planning on setting up a base of operations approx- THE HOUSE of Bishops of the Church of Nige- Isis has destroyed their villages and placed landmines all imately six miles from the Mosul Dam to assist local ria is expected to release a statement this week around.” Christian leaders in feeding and housing the refugees. commenting on this summer’s vote by General In Kurdistan “Christians are not in camps. They have He urged Christians round the world to support the Synod to permit the consecration of women scattered to villages and family all across the region. The relief efforts underway asking people to “pray for the bro- priests to the episcopacy. average village is overflowing with refugees. They need ken Body of Christ, our brothers and sisters in their time food. They have no clothes. They need heaters and cook- of need.” The yearly meeting of the Anglican-Old Catholic International Co-ordinating Council met in Ire- land last month to take advantage of the opportu- nities for consultation afforded the Churches under the EU treaties. Primate calls for prayer and fasting for Ghana THE PRIMATE of the Province of Diocese of Kumasi meeting in Nkawie talization of the country, the archbish- West Africa, the Most Rev Daniel last week, Archbishop Sarfo said the op noted, urging Anglicans to eschew Sarfo, has called upon the govern- president of Ghana should take as his corruption – great and small. ment of President John Dramani example the King of Nineveh and He added that government must Australian PM urged Mahama to declare a three-day through prayer and fasting lead his also put the welfare of the people national fast and time of repentance people in seeking God’s forgiveness. above party politics. “We have signed to welcome Middle for the Republic of Ghana. Ghanaians also had their part to a social contract with them by giving East refugees Speaking at the 17th synod of the play in the economic and moral revi- them our mandate,” he said. THE ARCHBISHOP of Sydney has written to Prime Minister Tony Abbott, asking Australia to open its doors to refugees CHANGE YOUR CAR AND fleeing persecution in Iraq and Syria. ENJOY THE SUMMER! On Monday the Most Rev Glenn Davies thanked Holiday time is upon us again, maybe with the children or the government for agree- even the grandkids, a lot of us will be off to the hills or the ing to settle 4,400 refugees coast. Many of us will travel around this country and quitea fleeing the Islamic State few will drive to various European countries. But is your car up (ISIS), but urged him to to the journey, or would you like more space and better “increase this quota even economy? further, as the Howard gov- ernment did when boat It could well be an opportunetime to change your car, and arrivals became negligible. “Given that boat arrivals, there is no one better to use than Priory Automotive, the sole under your government, suppliers to the church community. Over the years they have have slowed considerably, supplied thousands of cars to all parts of the U.K. as they a level of 20,000 would not deliver free of charge, so it makes no difference where you be unsustainable and live, north, south, east, west. would reflect a country whose values include com- Have a quick look at the testimonials on their website, many passion for the vulnerable from Church of England Newspaper readers like you, who just and dispossessed… want agreat value car with a first class level of service, from a “As a Christian leader, I appeal to you to show hos- highly rated honest and ethical company. pitality and generosity to those who have suffered Please call 0114 2559696, more than we can imag- or visit www.prioryautomotive.com ine.”

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Fighting the general word to cook. This is in that instantly recognisable What would Jesus do? therefore seen as a contradic- voice that was his and his jihadists Sir, Having read the Qur’an, I cannot disagree with Peter tion without even considering alone. I explained that I had Sir, In recent weeks we have Mullen’s view of Islam. Having read the New Testament, I that the 40 or so years been asked to give a 10- all been appalled by the atroci- cannot agree with his recommendations. Fighting fire with between the two books the minute resume of my 10 years ties in northern Iraq and fire is not only precisely what Jesus and Paul tell us strongly lamb had been roasted every working in Israel as a North- Syria, especially those perpe- not to do, it has been US and UK policy since September year so the people would ern Irish person (non-Jewish) trated supposedly by British 2001 and has led to the present proliferation of conflicts. know exactly how it was for the Hilton Tel-Aviv during Muslims. We are also full of Military action, as advocated also by Paul Richardson, is cooked. some very difficult times. admiration for the Christians not the only way to challenge Islamism. Legal action now This is not to deny that Dr Paisley related his sup- in these places, and especially needs to be used. Arrest warrants from the International there are some much more port for Israel and admiration Canon Andrew White, the Court for the Islamist leaders and all who support them sub- difficult issues to harmonise for Jewish entrepreneurship ‘Vicar of Baghdad’. stantially. Strengthening of Interpol, not least in its ability to in Scripture but to illustrate and pointed out how many Our politicians have also search international financial institutions to find funders of the mind set which finds con- times he had visited the coun- expressed horror and sympa- terrorists. Tough, enforced, internationally agreed regula- tradiction before thorough try where the well-known thized with those who have tions on the sale and supply of weapons. study. Bible stories took place long been bereaved as well as seek- Talk about and treat militant Islamists as criminals, not as The Rev David Stuart- before Britain even existed. ing ways to prevent further enemy soldiers. Arrest leaders rather than assassinating Smith, One man approached the atrocities. Obviously, there them. Legal action is much slower than military but more London SE1 Doctor and tried to crack a are no easy answers as to why coherent and, in the long term, more effective in containing, joke with him. “Dr Paisley,” he some of our British Muslims, and not glamourising, extreme jihadists. (Limited contain- proceeded, “I heard you’d most of whom are peaceful ment is the best we can work for.) Such a legal strategy may Inerrancy become an alcoholic. Every and law-abiding, have been so need the development of new practices and even institutions Sir, I would respectfully like to time you enter Stormont you radicalized with hatred for the of international law. It would be good to be creative in this ask Colin Craston how on say, ‘Where’s Maginnis?!’.” Western nations. way. It would certainly be closer to the teaching of Jesus. earth he could have been on The man, seeming pleased Perhaps some of the As for anti-Semitism and Israel I commend the statement the BCMS Council for 28 with himself, walked off and answer, forgotten by the lead- by the British organisation Jews for Justice for the Palestini- years, the latter part as Chair- Dr Paisley said in a lower ers of our political parties, lies ans: http://jfjfp.com/?p=64466 man, not believing in the voice, “I’ve heard it before.” in the decadence and immoral Roger Harper, “inerrancy “ of Scripture? A man in a suit was standing state of the western nations, Nottingham I ask this question, because not afar off who was obviously and not least of all the UK. the BCMS Basis of faith a plain-clothed security guard, Some of the legislation passed asserted unequivocally that and Dr Paisley then piped up, by Parliament, including of Scripture when correctly Warfield/Hodge doctrine of the Bible was the unerring “I know him. I know them all.” same-sex marriage, champi- defined, as stated clearly in Dr inerrancy or the Packer/Wen- revelation of God. There were also an Israeli oned by our Prime Minister, Packer’s definitive book Fun- ham emphasis is splitting The Rev John Cheeseman, security team looking out for and the behaviour of politi- damentalism and the Word of hairs. They were all Bible Via email the interests of the Ambassa- cians, including the expenses God, which he endorsed 100 believing evangelicals. dor. Another man then came scandal, are abhorrent to per cent. Professor James Orr con- up to the Doctor and chat- Muslims. The term ‘liberal’, ‘funda- tributes several articles Remembering Ian tered for some time on vari- But we have to be careful in mentalist’ and ‘evangelical’ including ‘The Holy Scrip- Paisley ous subjects then excused the pointing of fingers, for we have shades of meaning often tures and Modern Negations’, Sir, Like most people in himself. I asked if Dr Paisley as a nation are all caught up in having quite a different ‘The Early Narratives of Gene- Northern Ireland I absorbed knew the man well, judging this decadence, for all citizens emphasis depending on the sis’ (in which he attributes the death of Rev Dr Ian Pais- from the length of conversa- of the UK, as far as Muslims context in which they are death to Adam’s sin) and ‘The ley, or Lord Bannside, with tion the two had together. “I are concerned, are regarded used. I believe a liberal Virgin Birth of Christ’, which shock and disbelief. haven’t a clue who he is!” Dr as ‘Christian’, living a lifestyle approach to Scripture is basi- incidentally follows an article The tributes on television Paisley replied. I certainly was that these radicalized Mus- cally seeing it as a natural pro- ‘The Deity of Christ’ by none were poignant and the words getting some insight into the lims hate. duction of man like any other other than Professor Ben- from Deputy First Minister daily life of a famous politi- Our church needs revival, literature to be faulted and jamin B Warfield. Martin McGuinness were cian. such as happened in the says criticised by a rational I believe these men were very moving. It showed just Lastly, I asked the Doctor of the Welseys and Whitefield, process. Whereas the evan- much closer in their view of how far the people of North- for some tips on public speak- that would spread over the gelical sees Scripture as a Scripture than Kenton Sparks ern Ireland had moved on ing as I was rather nervous nation, and from the nation supernatural phenomenon who I understand denies the since the troubled days and about getting up in front of so into the world, including these directed and inspired by the Virgin Birth and much of the Dr Paisley’s positive relation- many people and in front of radicalized Muslims, that God Holy Spirit and requiring the historicity of Genesis. ship with Martin McGuinness dignitaries. True to form, he still loves. Holy Spirit’s aid in interpreta- Colin Cranston describes served as an example of this instructed me almost in a gul- The Rev Charles May, tion and exposition. The for- Sparks as an evangelical but for all to see, even earning der: “Just get up there and Peterborough mer attitude sits above to my mind his approach to them the nick-name of ‘the don’t let them get a word in Scripture and exercises judge- Scripture is that of a liberal. Chuckle Brothers.’ edgeways!” ment on it. The latter seeks to This is illustrated by the I had one opportunity to I think a more mellow Dr Interpreting the humbly sit under Scripture in example dealt with in a former meet Lord Bannside at a talk I Paisley in his later years Bible order to discern God speak- correspondence. Sparks finds was giving at an address by helped to formulate and clinch Sir, May I answer Colin ing through it. The former will an irreconcilable problem the former Israeli Ambassa- the success of the peace Cranston’s letter of 5 Septem- always look for contradictions; with cooking of the Passover dor to the UK, His Excellency process that only he could ber. I didn’t doubt for one the latter seeks as far as possi- Lamb. In Exodus the lamb is Mr Ron Proser, (now serving have brought about. His last- minute that Colin knew what ble to find harmony and unity. to be roasted but in Deuteron- in the UN) in a Belfast hotel. I ing legacy will be that peace, John Wenham said in the lec- I believe the original ‘Funda- omy it is to be boiled. was sitting on the front row in which in Hebrew is the beauti- ture. I simply make the point mentalists’ those who pro- Apparently Kenton Sparks a large function suite when Dr ful word ‘shalom.’ “Shalom Dr that unless Wenham changed duced the ‘Fundamentals’ didn’t consult the Hebrew Paisley walked up and sat Paisley, it was really nice to his view considerably he were evangelicals with the where different words were down beside me! “I’ve been have met you.” would not have contradicted approach of the latter. used. In Exodus the verb is to asked to sit beside you, young Colin Nevin, the doctrine of the inerrancy Whether they believed in the roast; in Deuteronomy a more man,” he stated informatively Bangor

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Political failure to back Britain’s achievement

At the time of writing the result of the Scottish referendum remains unclear, but all commentators say the result will be very narrow. The only ‘polling’ organizations that consistently predict a result are the bookmakers, who think the No side will win. One of the Ending the London world’s historic great powers, Great Britain, could well be broken up by a wafer-thin vote. How can we have come to such a danger- ous moment in our national life? It seems that Great Britain is not sufficiently loved or attractive to maintain a good level of loyalty and support from Scots. This is despite the achievements of many Scots in the UK down the Establishmmoreeinternnationalttax evasion domiciles in Lon- decades and centuries, and the prosperity of that nation in relation don. to others of its size of population. In particular the contribution of The second is privatisation. In health, pris- Scots in resisting tyranny in 1914 and 1939, when the rest of ons, rail, care, health, defence and many other Europe was being overrun by barbarism, can hardly be over stated, areas fat contracts are awarded to companies it was historic and would not have been possible without the Union. who can put together the bids to win them. One of the saddest elements of this referendum campaign has been Alan Often they cannot actually do the work, but the lamentable lack of appreciation of this big picture, lost in a kind they get the contracts and they cluster round of self-centred ‘little Scotlander’ vision. But also in science, litera- London with headquarters in the South East. ture, sport, music, culture, industry and finance, Scots, Welsh, Eng- Under Thatcher, Blair and Cameron public sec- lish and Irish have flourished in a diversity bonded in a unity. Storkey tor capitalism has been raking in tens of billions Why then has Great Britain been so rejected as a virtuous brand? more. This insider economy channels the taxes Part of the reason must be that our leaders and educationalists of all into the pockets of an elite far away from have failed to nurture the common moral vision of this nation and Scotland. its contribution to global development over the centuries, and Third, the banks receive windfall profits of indeed at home. Beveridge’s NHS, a contested topic of this debate, £20-30 billion a year simply because they create is a British invention, using British resources from taxpayers to You now know the outcome of this momentous electronic money and grab the seigniorage ensure healthcare for all. This followed the Welsh Prime Minister Scottish Referendum. Whatever it is, something effect. Banking is not clever. Indeed, the irony is Lloyd George’s achievement of the old age pension in 1908. Why like 45 per cent or more of the Scottish people that bankers do not even understand the has this immense social achievement of Britain been lost in frac- will have rejected the English Establishment. process whereby they have become rich. tious acrimony? The Scottish people are capable of governing Bonuses and skyscrapers are not earned, but Part of the answer must lie in the embedding of a hostility to themselves, and will do so more, either through come from a subsidy to the City from the rest of Great Britain’s moral achievements by the post-1945 cultural left, independence or maximum devolution. Yet the which began a ‘long march through the institutions’ vote against the United Kingdom, for such it is, engraving the message that Britain was in fact not virtu- is not directed at Manchester, Leeds or Wolver- ous yet with faults but rather fundamentally bad: bad to hampton, and is certainly not racial, but is women, to other races, to homosexuals, to other faiths. focussed against the power of London, West- ‘Post colonial guilt’ became the ‘wall paper’ educational minster and the South-East Establishment. message to children from the 1960s, as if Britain were That central power is formidable and self-pro- on a par with the Third Reich rather than a moral giant moting. Over 30 years the independent power of in resisting Fascism and Nazism. local authorities in education, housing, social British development of democracy, of a non-corrupt services and planning, represented in City and civil service and fair system of justice, these facts of his- Town Council buildings up and down Britain, tory were buried beneath neo-Marxist permeating has been ruthlessly cut, ever since Thatcher themes. Coupled with this was the paramount protec- appropriated the income from Council House tion of the human rights of individuals over against the sales. Westminster controls, as if Michael Gove state after 1945 – the state was presumed to be stable grasped the meaning of education up and down and not needing protecting or nurturing. the land. Likening the UK to a house, its political trustees have The rich Westminster establishment looks allowed its roof and foundations to fall into deep disre- after its own: big contracts, privatisation profits

Comment pair, colluding with the irrational dislike of Britain and from rail, some corrupt MPs, highly paid public her history, rooted in Christian cultural norms. and private sector jobs all centre in the South East. Of course, it is not malevolent, though Thatcher set out to destroy the industrial areas of the North and Glasgow using the power The Church of England Newspaper given by oil revenue. Rather, it is the patronizing with Celebrate magazine incorporating The Record and Christian Week power of a two-tier economy, where one group Published by Political and Religious Intelligence Ltd. propertied, well-heeled, advantaged, receives Company Number: 3176742 ten or a hundred times what the other group Publisher: Keith Young MBE does. It runs affairs, decides when to go to war, likes the trappings of international power poli- the economy, and even then they had to be tics and aims to look after us in a patronizing bailed out with billions more in 2008. Publishing Director & Editor: CM BLAKELY020 7222 8004 kind of way. So the City, London and the South East have Chief Correspondent: The Rev Canon GEORGE CONGER 00 1 0772 332 2604 Its power is primarily economic, income and been a three decade-long self-serving establish- Advertising: CHRIS TURNER 020 7222 2018 wealth. As we have noted repeatedly, the highly ment. It is patronizing, Etonian, slightly pained rewarded pay proportionately less income tax that anyone should object to it. It receives Advertising & Editorial Assistant: PENNY NAIR PRICE 020 7222 2018 than the poor, even ignoring evasion. They have oceans of subsidies while tending the ponds of Subscriptions & Finance: DELIA ROBINSON 020 7222 2018 also made sure that there are effectively no false benefit claims. Often the young cannot taxes on wealth. The figures are appalling: the even see the problem, because they have Graphic Designer: PETER MAY020 7222 8700 wealthiest 10 per cent have £4.5 trillion while known nothing else. The acceptance of advertising does not necessarily indicate the poorest 50 per cent have £1.0 trillion. We Yet, in Scotland there is enough independ- endorsement. Photographs and other material sent for publication have had 30 years of a trickle-up effect. The UK ence of mind to identify something of what is are submitted at the owner’s risk. The Church of England Newspaper does is grossly unequal. The fact that Scotland has wrong with Westminster, the City and financial not accept responsibility for any material lost or damaged. the lowest proportion of wealthiest households capitalism. However the vote goes, the Scottish merely underlines the London effect. people have perhaps said, No, to this establish- Christian Weekly Newspapers Trustees: Robert Leach (020 8224 5696), Cameron and Osborne preside over a great ment. It is exposed and must fall. There must be Lord Carey of Clifton, The Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, The Rt Rev Pete Broadbent, Dr Elaine Storkey, The Rev Cindy Kent plutocracy and think all is well. This week, when a far more radical change than any major par- offered the chance by the EU to cap city bonus- ties envisage. Once more justice and fairness The Church of England Newspaper, es a bit, Osborne turned it down. The poor must our guide and not self-promoting wealth. Political and Religious Intelligence Ltd struggle and the rich pretend they have earned Jesus brings down the mighty from their 14 Great College Street, London, SW1P 3RX it. Substantially they have not. thrones. Often the process is slow, especially Editorial e-mail: [email protected] For there are three other London-based when most of the people have the wool pulled Advertising e-mail: [email protected] processes that sluice funds to the rich. The first down over their eyes, but the self-serving, self- Subscriptions e-mail: [email protected] is legal tax evasion offshore. Say £60 billion a advertising establishment, which has threat- year, enough to end all George Osborne’s eco- ened the Scots with no currency-sharing of the Website: www.churchnewspaper.com nomic woes, is saved by offshore tax havens pound to get its own way, is on the way down. It serving companies and individuals. Billions is weighed in the balances and found wanting.

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clear message about the importance of certification and verification of safety and efficacy of ingredients when it comes to organic and natural products? I relayed the story of a well-meaning friend who presented me with a bottle of Organic Aloe Vera Shampoo – it hadn’t broken any advertising guide- Janey Lee Grace lines as it did indeed contain less than 1 per cent of said Organic Aloe Vera but it also contained a whole host of synthetic chemicals that I wouldn’t Live Healthy! Live Happy! put near my hair. Clearly that product wasn’t (and couldn’t have been) certified organic but of course the word can be used liberally. Organic Beauty Week as part of their already popular It’s important not to fall for the marketing hype or Organic September. The aim is to increase awareness of ‘green washing’ (many big brands have cottoned on certified organic beauty products and to demonstrate to the fact that consumers do want natural and Celebrating all their benefits. organic products, not tested on animals, not choc I recently attended a meeting by leaders and represen- full of synthetic chemicals and fragrances) but they tatives in the Organic industry chaired by Julia Zaltzman, haven’t always invested in sustainable farming and editor of the Natural Beauty Yearbook. (I’m proud to say development of plant-based alternatives. things organic I’ve been voted number one in who’s who in the industry My take on it all has always been to opt for the for the last two years) - and Jim Manson, editor of Natu- most natural product you can find (whizz up your ral Products magazine. own in the blender – that costs next to nothing). The main topics we covered were Organic certification In a recent TV comedy sketch they featured a in September and Nature versus Science. Also attending was a repre- bunch of middle class ‘yummy mummies’ and It’s Organic September, a month dedicated to showcas- sentative from the Soil Association, a Beauty PR compa- asked why they buy everything Organic. The ing the best that Organic produce has to offer, and it’s ny, several organic brands from the UK and from one answer was… ‘It’s our bling’. I hope that’s not the increasingly important to look not just at organic food organic beauty brand from Australia hoping to crack the case, I hope we all want to support real food, proper but also organic skincare and beauty. UK market. sustainable farming and zero cruelty. Surely some- It’s great to have a healthy diet but what you put on The interesting question (that I’m not sure we found thing that’s come from nature is going to be better your skin ‘goes within’! The Soil Association created the definitive answer to!) was – ‘How do we send out a for your skin than something concocted in a lab?

People you meet in Scribble, scribble Dr Williams If Rowan Williams had a launch for each book he published he would had more book launches this year than Barbara Cartland managed in her prime. First to hit Nursing Homes the bookshops in 2014 was Being Christian, but this has been followed by The Edge of Words (Gifford Lectures), Meeting God in Mark and The Other Mountain (a Congratulations to The Columba Press who have just published an excellent collection of poems). A review of the Gifford Lectures will appear soon in CEN but biography of Donald Caird, retired Archbishop of Dublin, by Aonghus Dwane. Whispering Gallery specially recommends a gem on Mark. After his blockbuster Caird belongs to a noble tradition of Irish Protestants that includes the Republic’s on Paul, Tom Wright is slackening a bit with just two offerings, Surprised by first President, Douglas Hyde, who are scholars of the Irish language. He Scripture and The Meal Jesus Gave Us, but his younger brother, Stephen I Wright, provided a nice Celtic balance to the Northern Irish Robin Eames when the latter has entered the field with an excellent, rather radical, book on the parables, Jesus was Archbishop of Armagh and Caird was in Dublin. In the biography Dwane the Storyteller. Bishop Peter Selby launched his book on money, An Idol quotes the story of a memorable visit Caird paid to a nursing home when he was Unmasked, at a well-attended launch in the recently refurbished Church House a young priest. It was Holy Innocents Day and a resident had asked if she could Bookshop that provided an excellent setting. Selby modestly announced he was receive Holy Communion on that feast. The woman was Irish but she spoke both not used to such events but he had a good line to sell his book. “Buy it,” he told us, fluent Russian and French and she had set out icons and a magnificent Orthodox “if you want to know what the Archbishop of Canterbury doesn’t think.” Having cross on the cupboards by her bed. She knew the Prayer Book service by heart. said that, he thanked the Archbishop for writing some words for the cover of the Caird discovered she had been the governess of the children of the Tsar and book. Instead of the usual straightforward puff, the Archbishop is honest in what Tsarina who had been murdered by the Bolsheviks and always remembered he says. “Disagree – I did – be provoked, but hear the voice.” them on Holy Innocents Day. As Caird commented: “One meets interesting people in nursing homes.” Do politicians tell Battle over relics the truth? If you thought people stopped fighting over relics when the Middle Ages The Christian think tank Theos hosted a lively discussion when Daily came to an end, think again. A conflict is taking place in the US over Telegraph columnist Peter Oborne spoke about morality in politics. the remains of Bishop Fulton Sheen, the television star of the 1950s Oborne, a practising Anglican whose wife is a priest, has a low view of and the closest America’s Catholics came to their own Billy Graham. politicians, especially those on the left. Labour politicians are more Since his death the bishop has worked several miracles and he was likely to lie than Tories, he told a sceptical audience, because they on track to being declared a saint by Rome but now the process believe their cause is right and this justifies their behaviour. “What has ground to a halt as a result of an argument between the about the Atlee cabinet?” asked Nick Spencer. Oborne replied Archdiocese of New York, which has his remains sealed in a that in those days Methodist influence was still strong in the marble tomb in St Patrick’s Cathedral, and the diocese of Labour Party. From the audience Peter Lilley objected that he Peoria, which says it was promised the remains. The most thought politicians were more honest than most because they Cardinal Timothy Dolan is prepared to offer Bishop Daniel knew everybody was watching them and ready to pounce if Jenky of Peoria is a fragment of bone and certainly not a they told lies. Oborne stuck to his guns. The Theos office in complete limb. Sheen attracted up to 30 million viewers for Great Peter Street has a basement that provides an ideal his ‘Life Is Worth Living’ series and Dolan clearly believes location for the kind of meetings Theos hosts and a generous his remains could be an even bigger crowd-puller than supply of wine before and after the meeting helps to fuel those of Richard III. Peoria, Sheen’s home diocese, has Whispering debate. It’s an imaginative ministry offered by the Bible been pushing his cause to be made a saint and appeared The Gallery Society in the shadow of Westminster even if, as with the on the brink of success but the row over the relics has Oborne meeting, what is said may not always please the led to the cause being suspended. inhabitants of the Westminster village.

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper www.churchnewspaper.com Friday September 19, 2014 Comment 9 David Cameron and the faith Andrew Carey View from the Pew For a man who once said that he doesn’t wear his faith on points out that the beheading takes place within a certain The need for good disagreements his sleeve, David Cameron has made a habit of speaking historical context in which violence and decapitations are a I had intended to comment on how, after a very about faith in uncompromising terms. He has exhorted the part (http://www.psephizo.com, ‘Can we make sense of divided campaign people can come together Church of England to ‘get with the programme’ on women beheading’). He writes: “It is to do with Islam, but not all again, in the wake of the Scottish referendum. bishops and gay marriage. Islam is like this. There is division, debate and a power But then I realised that from Anglican experi- And he now talks on behalf of Muslims as well. After the struggle within Islamic history, and some argue that it is ence we have very little experience of the kind David Haines murder at the weekend, David Cameron said time to recover some key lost ideas from the past, such as of ‘good disagreement’ that the Archbishop of that his executioners were not ‘Muslims’ but ‘monsters’. those expounded by Sufism.” Canterbury is advocating. In full he argued: “They are killing and slaughtering This is a much more helpful way of viewing the place of It is undoubtedly true that in the past 18 thousands of people – Christians, Muslims, minorities so-called ‘ISIS’ because it empowers mainstream Muslim months the Church of England has resolved across Iraq and Syria. They boast of their brutality. They opinion to reject and engage forcefully with the nihilism some of its differences on women bishops - claim to do this in the name of Islam. That is nonsense. that has proven so attractive to a minority of young Mus- enough to pass the legislation. Islam is a religion of peace. They are not Muslims, they are lims. But these differences will remain and isolated monsters.” Two recent initiatives have included a fatwa issued by communities that are unreconciled will continue Apart from the presumption of a non-Muslim expressing British scholars against the Islamic State. This is a declara- to exist. The college of Bishops meets this week an opinion about who is or isn’t a Muslim, Cameron’s mes- tion of confidence by British Imams proving that they have to begin these rather strange conversations on sage is counterproductive. a strong and resurgent voice in the international Muslim human sexuality. Melanie McDonagh comments: “They may not be our community. They take place just after it emerged that preferred kind of Muslims - my own preference is for the C Another initiative is the recent complaint by the Muslim Canon Jeremy Pemberton, the first married gay of E sort you used to get in the former Yugoslavia – but Council of Britain that the ‘Islamic State’ is a false name and priest, announced his intention to take the they are, unquestionably Muslims of a particularly unat- that the group should be renamed ‘Un-Islamic state’. Church of England authorities to an industrial tractive stamp. Calling them monsters is an impolite way of I hope that we are beginning to see an awakening of Mus- tribunal. While I defend his right and freedom to abnegating any effort to understand them.” lims against the Islamist philosophy of violence and intoler- test the law, this action announces a clear inten- (www.blogs.spectator.co.uk, 15 September, 2014). ance. Sadly it has taken terrible forms of terrorism to bring tion by activists and campaigners to impose The Anglican theologian and commentator, Ian Paul, also this hopeful resurgence of a diverse and tolerant Islam their views on the Church without theological takes issue with Cameron’s attempt to evade the issue. He about. agreement.

Getting a real understanding of multiculturalism Paul Richardson Church and World

Both the abused young girls in Rotherham and the ‘Tro- for wearing make-up, not covering their arms or show- Ukip challenge in Rotherham. jan horse’ affair in Birmingham reveal defects in popu- ing too much neck. Homophobic comments were com- Opponents of church schools have used Birmingham lar ideas of multiculturalism. mon and Christians were criticised in school to support their case. In fact it is hard to see either Properly understood, multiculturalism means respect assemblies. Anglicans or Catholics allowing extremist governors to for different cultures and a recognition that we cannot Little direct evidence was found of the promotion of seize control of their schools. Both Anglican and treat people as isolated individuals but must see them terrorism but some governors stopped teaching of the Catholic schools are popular with Muslim parents, a as part of a wider community that gives meaning and government’s counter terrorism strategy. Teachers fact that suggests what the parents are seeking is a reli- purpose to their lives. It does not mean encouraging who attempted to stand up to the Islamification of the gious ethos, not an attempt to impose an extremist people to live entirely separate lives or giving complete schools were not supported by the local authority and agenda. autonomy to subgroups in society to order their affairs one Sikh head teacher resigned. There is no reason why Muslims should not be as they wish. Both Clarke and Kershaw deny that parents sought a allowed to increase the number of state-funded Muslim Above all multiculturalism does not rule out commit- conservative religious influence in the schools. Accord- faith schools from the current total of 12 but all schools ment to an overarching set of values that can unite a ing to Clarke, the Muslim Brotherhood was active in should be properly inspected. The Muslim Council of wider community of diverse cultures and creeds. It some of the schools pushing an Islamising political Britain argues it is not for the state to define ‘the theo- aims at integration, avoiding both assimilation or alien- agenda. In both the case of Rotherham and in Birming- logical boundaries of the Muslim faith’. That is true. But ation. Perhaps the phrase ‘interactive pluralism’ sug- ham anyone who tried to raise concerns about what was the state should have a say in how the Muslim faith is gested by Rowan Williams would be better than happening had their allegations dismissed. One Home taught and step in if it is being taught in a narrow, intol- multiculturalism. Office researcher in Rotherham was ordered to gloss erant and bigoted way. America with its slogan on the Great Seal ‘ex pluribus over the involvement of Asian men and booked into a In many parts of the country school worship has now unum’ [‘Out of many, one’] is a good model of multicul- diversity awareness training course after she wrote a become multi-faith in character. This is not what the law turalism. America is sometimes described as a ‘melting report identifying the perpetrators of abuse as of Pak- says but it is acceptable so long as it does not mean that pot’ but this is only partially accurate. Somehow ethnic istani origin. Christianity (and such Christian festivals as Christmas) groups in America have usually retained their ethnic Michael Gove’s decision to ask Peter Clarke to inves- are completely overlooked. In church schools the case allegiance while also becoming 100 per cent American. tigate Birmingham’s schools met with a chorus of dis- for Christian worship is stronger and the same argu- Actually many ethnic groups are more obviously approval. It was condemned by Liam Byrne and ment applies to Muslim schools. patriotic than the old WASP establishment. Catholic Shabana Mahmood, both local MPs, by the police chief, Actually the teaching of religion in schools and the Colleges with Irish or Hispanic students kept Officer and Guardian columnist Seamus Milne who said the growth of faith schools offer an opportunity for improv- Training when it was banished from Harvard and Government wanted to humiliate the Muslim communi- ing understanding between the religions. But for this to Catholic schools have been as successful at inculcating ty. happen we need to put more resources into RE and into patriotism as the public school system. One of the lessons of both Rotherham and Birming- recruiting and training teachers. Muslim students Muslim governors involved in the take-over of state ham is that police, press and council officials need train- deserve to hear in school a deeper, more informed pres- schools in Birmingham had no intention of upholding ing to understand what multiculturalism should and entation of their faith than they can hear on YouTube or ‘British values’. should not involve. Another lesson is that even moder- in cassettes emanating from fanatics overseas. The reports by Peter Clarke of behalf of the Depart- ate politicians like Liam Byrne will back down from a In the same way, a collaborative approach by Muslims ment for Education and Ian Kershaw on behalf of Birm- possible confrontation with a politically powerful Mus- and non-Muslims to tackle the problem of abuse by ingham City Council reveal that 16 schools were lim community. In the long-term this attitude plays into Asian men and examine its roots could also deepen targeted by extremists. Female teachers were attacked the hands of extremists and there are now fears of a interfaith understanding and community cohesion.

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By Nigel Knights Johnson

From 6 – 13 July 2014, our Anglican Parish held a mission using Through Faith Missions (TFM). TFM is headed by Dan Cozens, who organised the ‘Walk of 1,000 Men’ that some of you will have heard of in the 90s. I thought it might be useful to consider how the mission went both for the benefit of others and because we seek the wisdom of others for the future. Bringing hope The style of the Mission This involved eight TFM members door- stopping around the Parish with a short survey on behalf of the Church which finalises with the question, ‘If you wanted to know God personally would you be interested?’ – a formula I themselves to it, by hosting, funding, as small rural congregations to follow-up remember using myself at SPREE 73 to oujoiningrin thepvisiting, oraganisingrand isthese contactshand it is unlikely that we soon after my coming to faith. praying. Certainly those involved found will manage this before the Follow-up Meetings were also arranged through that one of the most exciting things Courses start. the week in the separate villages, as during the week, was being alongside Virtually none of the congregations coffee/tea/supper parties in peoples’ the TFM members as people. They were actually invited their ‘outsider’ friends to homes; as evening events such as a lovely, funny, very human people who meetings during the Week. Only one of Youth or ‘Grill a Christian’ event; or as simply had a deep love of Jesus and the Home Groups had non-Church Home Group meetings. clearly loved sharing their faith. people at the event they organised at Banners at key places around the All of the TFM members were retired, which Mission members spoke. Does Parish anticipated the mission. Every but ‘re-tyred’ their bodies to make them this endorse the sense that congregation home in the Parish was given a leaflet useful in retirement in God’s service – members are scared of raising the beforehand inviting them to events. inspirational! It was difficult not to liken Gospel with their own families and Similarly in the weeks before the them to Jesus’ disciples whom he sent friends, and also actually have few non- Mission, every Church attender was out ‘two by two ahead of him to every Christian friends? Does this problem given these, along with pens with the town and place where he was about to exist elsewhere? What does it say about mission logo and dates. Some wore go’. offering such meetings? Mission T-shirts. Preparation could not TFM members felt the effects of Similarly and strangely, despite what have been more thorough for a small concerted prayer for our Parish so much were thought of as some excellent country Parish of 1,800 people and that when they strayed accidentally conversations on the doorsteps, TFM about 130 on the Electoral Roll. outside on one visiting session, they said visits produced no outsiders that they could feel the spiritual independently at all to the special Mission Preparation coldness. That was wonderfully meetings arranged during the week; and The Mission was agreed in principle by endorsing to the small but faithful group there was only one new complete the PCC some two years beforehand. In expected to follow these up, as well as (and, hopefully, many others whom we outsider who attended the Final Service. October 2013 the Mission provided the the 150 who were given leaflets of some do not know about) who prayed in all So it is hard not to describe the special focus for the Parish Vision Day. Serious sort. We are in the process of doing this sorts of different ways towards the meetings, whoever they were directed preparation started from then on, as best we can. mission and for the Parish. at, as expensive flops. For instance, organised through monthly planning Mention was made by the Mission Significant was the number in the because of the few outsiders at ‘Grill A meetings, usually attended by the TFM Team of a certain disappointment that congregations who stepped completely Christian’, one of the few guests team leader. A preparation day for most of the Life groups did not take the back from any form of involvement - described it as ‘Grill a Heathen’! members of the churches was organised meetings held for them as evangelistic indeed occasionally resisting publicly Interestingly this latter backs up my a month in advance and as a result opportunities. However lack of coming the whole idea of the mission. This own experience through the years. I several from the congregations joined to what was offered seemed to be a sad included several committed and have had some excellent chats about the with TFM in door-to-door visiting. theme of the Mission. previously vocal ‘fringe’ leaders – Gospel on the doorstep during my own Monthly Church Prayer Meetings had hopefully to be seen again! visiting as minister. Yet few of these the mission as a focus, and in the Lessons Learnt Marvellously it did not involve many ‘contacts’ make the step towards meeting before the mission, it consisted It was excellent that the National ‘HOPE of the PCC or Leadership of the ‘darkening the church’s doorstep’ - of a ‘Prayer Drive’ around the Parish. TOGETHER’ churches. Those organising and though these have been my main ‘entry Notices about preparations each week (www.hopetogether.org.uk) organisation involved had to be careful not to resent point’ for Alpha Courses. were given at services to keep members were happy for us to use their logos for this; and felt that we needed to take in We were warned beforehand that the in touch with what was going on. our Mission without cost. With limited their individual, and sometimes valid, success of the mission depended graphic and design expertise, it helped points without taking on their mindset. entirely on the follow-up. We are The Mission Week us get over hurdles that otherwise We kept having to remind ourselves of seeking to do this fairly thoroughly, and TFM visited 701 homes. Nearly 50 per would have been very difficult; and it the phrase ‘aim for 80 per cent, not 100 we have yet to see exactly how many cent had people in at the time, and 34 linked us in with an effort which will per cent: if we get that, we are doing turn up at the Alpha and Christianity per cent were prepared to take the have good effects nationally. well’. Explored Courses set up. But initial survey. Some 150 wanted to ‘know God Preparation was crucial – and ably findings are that virtually all of the personally if they could’. These were helped by the TFM leader. He was very What caught us out contacts given us by the Missioners are given literature of some sort. experienced, competent, positive and We were told in the preparation to plan not wanting further follow-up - by means Only 18 per cent of those questioned thorough. Preparation Team members for up to 150 wanting to go to follow-up of Courses anyway. said that they did not believe in God. were from all three churches in the meetings. So we planned towards that, This raises several questions. How do Some 25 per cent were not sure what Parish and very keen themselves. though rather hoping it was not that we appropriately follow them up as we happened to them after death, and 26 During the mission there was no many (!). We aimed to visit as many as would like to? Where do realism and per cent believed that they died and ‘that doubt that the TFM members had possible in the immediate weeks after idealism set in, in terms of expectations? was it’. Only three per cent believed that excellent conversations focussed on the the mission, inviting those interested to Should we follow-up in the style I Jesus did not exist at all; 31 per cent that Gospel and this has really helped in a follow-up meeting. Up to eight understand is taken up by JWs: at the he was the only Son of God, 25 per cent subsequent visiting. It was also separate courses at different times of homes of those interested, not centrally that he was a prophet or messenger tremendously challenging to those from the day were planned through the or in the homes of congregation from God. our congregations who went with them: autumn. That there were only 13 such members as we have planned? Or would The biggest question people wanted to it could be done! contacts caught us out, but was probably this also be unsuccessful? ask God (50 per cent) was: why is there It is marvellous to think that some 150 much to the relief of the few who had All thoughts gratefully received! so much suffering in the world? Almost ‘wanted to know God personally’. It kept aside much of the following week half, 48 per cent, said that they would be suggests a great openness to the Gospel to visit these. interested in finding out more about which, if not followed up by ourselves, We cancelled the follow-up meeting The Rev Nigel Knights Johnson is Priest how to know God personally. Thirteen could be followed up by others like JWs and rethought, looking towards the 150 In Charge, Ockley, Okewood and Forest of these automatically were interested in if one is not careful. who took literature; and we arranged Green a Course like Alpha or Christianity A by-product of the mission, we hope, less Courses as follow-up. Realistically, Explored that could help them in this will be the encouragement it gave to with holiday season approaching at time and the churches were those in the congregations who gave of writing, it will take a long time for us

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By Andrew Symes, Anglican Mainstream

Several years ago I attended a conference where one of the main Lambeth Prayer Community: the speakers, a pastor from Latin America, had witnessed remarkable exponential growth in his church through people coming to faith in Christ, and persecution,neethedArchbishopfoannouncedr a Gimporotantsofpthe wholeelenterprise.PriBasicor d) is passionate about mission, community transformation as a result in a new prayer initiative - the formation of qualifications required are mentioned primarily in the sense of individuals the city. His main message to us (I can a community of prayer. on the website, but many people will be coming to repentance and faith in Christ still remember it) was the importance of Based at Lambeth Palace, the 16 full- watching with interest and hoping for a as a result of hearing the Good News, prayer, and in particular for Christian timers and 40 part-timers, mostly under clear statement of missional intent by and also in the wider sense of leaders to “raise an army of the age of 35, beginning next year will appointing someone with a sound communities and nations becoming intercessors”. spend a year in prayer, study and Gospel heart. So, humbly and more just and peaceful places to live as a It seems that this is also in the mind of community service tentatively, here are some suggestions result of the mustard seed influence of Archbishop Justin. He has spoken often (www.stanselm.org.uk). What a great of qualifications that the ideal candidate the church. of his priorities for peace (the work of idea! – based on the recognition that the for Prior should possess. e) is a battle-scarred veteran of reconciliation in church and society), ministry of the Archbishop and his staff Ephesians 6 spiritual warfare, and poverty - concern for, and practical need prayer support, but also that a new He or she: discerning and facing the unseen action on behalf of and with, the generation needs training in the urgent a) should be theologically orthodox, powers behind disunity, unbelief, disadvantaged - undergirded by prayer. task of serious intercession. believing that God is there and that injustice, persecution, poverty; knowing But a new initiative shows he believes The Archbishop rightly notes that prayer is a response to his sovereign that vulnerability, wisdom and humility that prayer is too important to be left to such a venture “makes no sense if God initiative, as opposed to doubting are qualities that only come when we’ve Bishops, clergy or even busy lay people does not exist”, but also that to spend whether God is anything other than a faced the fact that we can’t do it, and whose prayer life is often too shallow, long periods of prayer carries with it projection of our imagination. then have seen God do it. constantly squeezed as we live as great risks. It is a test of faith to be sure b) should be practised in prayer then f) is 100 per cent focused as Prior on practical atheists, cramming more and - what if “nothing happens”? not as mindfulness of self, achieved training an elite squad of serious more action into our day, neglecting It is also a test of one’s own inner through breathing and posture intercessors for the church and the time in God’s presence. resources. Long periods of time alone in exercises and other forms and methods, world, rather than having half an eye on The problems that we face are too big silence, reading, reflecting, talking and but adoration of and bringing petitions the opportunities for preferment that for us, the spiritual resources in Christ listening to an invisible God, then living to the loving Father through the such a post might bring. too abundant merely to skate over as a with the same people performing the mediation of the Son by the Spirit. This project, with a good leader and church - we need people whose main same simple tasks day after day, are a c) will hold to the primary authority of the right ethos outlined above, has the work is prayer. sure way to bring to the surface any Scripture guiding how we understand potential to be powerfully used by God So, significantly on the day after he unresolved issues of character and the triune God, and how we should live in renewal, and a model for other similar met in London with a group of Coptic psychology. our lives, particularly in the areas of communities elsewhere. and Orthodox Bishops and clergy with This new “order” is apparently looking how we deal with strong inner drives The Rev Andrew Symes is Executive strong links to the churches in Syria and for a Prior to guide the community, and such as anger, sexual desire, pride and Secretary, Anglican Mainstream Iraq currently experiencing appalling this appointment will surely be the most it’s other side, low self-esteem. http://anglicanmainstream.org

Vanderburg Shiraz/Pinotage 2013 Co-op stores, WineOF THE WEEK £6.75 ByAcMark Smithcessible Baptism?ate “a special day for all your friends Church Society and family”, it’s “a commitment to start Here’s an intriguing red blend hailing as you mean to go on”. All this sug- from South Africa, of Shiraz, (the New The Church of England has created a gests a lamentable failure of nerve: World’s name for Syrah) and South new website (http://churchofengland- rather than confront the on-the-ground Africa’s very own signature grape, Pino- christenings.org) which promises to reality of a pervasive ‘folk-religion’ tage. tell you “all you need to know about view of baptism (‘getting the baby On opening, in the glass, an attractive choosing, planning and going to a done’, having a party, etc.), the website very dark red: on the nose something of Church of England christening”. How colludes with it. blackcurrant and a pleasant muskiness. far does it succeed in this endeavour? Just as the character of baptism is On the Let’s start with a positive. The fact obscured, so the demands of baptism palate, dry, that the Church is seeking to provide are played down – we read nothing of then, there clear and accessible resources for the requirement for godparents to be was a huge those considering having their child themselves confirmed, and the con- almost dra- baptised is much to be welcomed. crete duties of the godparents given in matic open- Enquiries about baptism continue to the BCP (for instance, teaching the ing up in the represent a vital point of pastoral con- there is evidently a real reticence in child the Creed, Lord’s Prayer, and mouth — tact in the parish, especially with those mentioning Jesus. That in baptism a Ten Commandments) have been trans- unique, I who might otherwise not be regular child might ‘put on’ Christ, or be made formed into a kind of New Labour have not attenders at church – and anything a member of Christ’s church, or under- manifesto: “talk about the bigger ques- experienced which helps prospective parents and take to confess the faith of Christ cru- tions”, “show them practically how to this ever godparents to understand a bit more cified and manfully to fight under his make good choices in life”, and so it before. Still about the whole process is surely good banner, seems to have passed the web- goes on. dry, with news. site authors by. I do encourage you to visit the web- damson and It’s clear that a lot of work has gone Even in the guide to the liturgy of site and to see what you make of it – plum fruit into the website to make it both visual- baptism, the most Christ-centred parts and if you’re in a more frivolous mood, too. The fin- ly inviting and informative. of the service have been mysteriously you can always try playing the game of ish had a slight earthy quality. Unfortunately, problems start to omitted – parents do not read, for ‘spot the male clergy’! It does, I think, The opened bottle was put into the crop up when we begin to read what instance, of the promises to turn to raise some serious questions: when fridge. Two days later: brought out, left to the website actually says. As ever, the Christ as Saviour, submit to Christ as does ‘meeting people where they are’ reach room temperature, and astonishing- devil (if he survives into the new litur- Lord, or to come to Christ, the way, the mean that the Christian faith is emp- ly, it was more balanced, the dry tannins gy!) is in the detail. Two particular truth, and the life. tied of its content? When does a con- reduced, more fruit came through. Should issues are, I think, a cause for concern: Secondly, baptism is made all about cern for ‘accessibility’ end up it have been decanted? Very probably. Firstly, Jesus is absent. The website us. Jesus has been removed from the cheapening a holy sacrament? When Alcohol by Vol. 14.5%. It still had some of does speak of God occasionally, mostly centre of the baptism service, and we does a desire to be welcoming to out- the previous assertiveness, so should in the context of bland generalities: have been put in his place. Baptism is siders begin to obscure the offence of stand up well to lamb cooked with garlic “Your child is precious to you and pre- consistently construed anthropocentri- the gospel? or other strong herbs. cious to God; you want the very best cally – it’s all about your ‘first steps on Mark Smith is curate of All Saints, for them [sic], and so does God”. But an amazing journey’, it’s there to cre- Little Shelford Graham Gendall Norton

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ANGLICAN CYCLE OF PRAYER

Friday 19 September. Psalm 84, Gen 30:1-24. Hpa- an - (Myanmar): The Rt Rev Saw Stylo Saturday 20 September. Psalm 85, Gen 30:25-36. Huron - (Ontario, Canada): The Rt Rev Robert Franklin Bennett; Suffragan Bishop of Huron - (Ontario, Canada): The Rt Rev Terrance Arthur Dance Sunday 21 September. Pentecost 15. Psalm 86, Gen 30:37-43. PRAY for The Church of the Province of Uganda: The Most Rev Stanley Ntagali, Archbishop of Uganda & and Bishop of Kampala Monday 22 September. Psalm 87, Acts 17:1-15. Hyderabad - (Pakistan): The Rt Rev Kaleem John Tuesday 23 September. Psalm 88, Acts 17:16-34. Ibadan - (Ibadan, Nigeria): The Most Rev Joseph Akinfenwa; Ibadan North - (Ibadan, Nigeria): The Rt Rev Dr Segun Okubadejo Wednesday 24 September. Psalm 89:1-18, Acts 18:1-17. Ibadan South - (Ibadan, Nigeria): The Rt Rev Jacob Ajetunmobi Thursday 25 September. Psalm 89:19-37, Gen 31:1- 21. Ibba - (Sudan): The Rt Rev Wilson Elisa Kamani

THE 2014 BIBLE CHALLENGE

Day 262: Jeremiah 50-51, Psalm 65, 1 Peter 3 Day 263: Jeremiah 52, Psalm 66, 1 Peter 4 Day 264: Enjoy hearing the Scriptures read aloud in church Day 265: Lamentations 1-2, Psalm 67, 1 Peter 5 Day 266: Lamentations 3-4, Psalm 68, 2 Peter 1 Day 267: Lamentations 5, Psalm 69, 2 Peter 2 Day 268: Ezekiel 1-2, Psalm 70, 2 Peter 3

APPOINTMENTS The Rev Jonathan Barker, Chaplain to St Pancras & Kings Cross Station to be NSM Priest in Charge of Eggleston with Middleton in Teesdale with Forest and Frith in plurality (Durham). The Rev Canon Alan Bashforth, currently Vicar of St Agnes with Mount Hawke and Mithian, Priest in Charge of Truro St Clements and Non-Residentiary Canon of Truro Cathedral, is to be the next Canon Chancellor of Truro Cathedral. The Rev Lee Barnes, formerly Interim Minister, North Wilts Deanery (Bristol) to become Priest-in-Charge of the Benefice of St Stephen with St James and St John the Baptist with St Michael, Bristol and St George, Bristol (0.5) and Priest-in-Charge of the Benefice of Holy Trinity with St Andrew the Less & St Peter, Clifton (0.5) (Bristol). The Rev Mary Barnes, Priest-in-Charge at Old Windsor, has been appointed to the Vicarage of Old Windsor, in the county of Berkshire and in the diocese of Oxford. The Rev Diane Cooksey will become a Pioneer Minister at St Nicholas, Warndon Villages, Worcester on 21 October 2014 (formerly Assistant Curate: Churchill w Blakedown & Broome) (Worcester). The Rev Robert Cooper, Associate Deanery Minister in Stockton Deanery to be Chaplain to North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust and HfD Associate Deanery Minister in Stockton Deanery (Durham). 14 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday September 19, 2014 Sunday

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a mer- pearl. Just how much would we be willing to r chant in search of fine pearls; in finding one give up in order to gain it? Everything? As SUNDAY SERVICE pearl of great value, he went and sold all that someone from a Christian home, who was o

Hoare he had and bought it. Matt 13:45,46 taught the Christian faith from childhood, 15th Sunday after Trinity - Sunday 28 September t who never questioned the freedom to go to 2014 This is a beautiful picture of the kingdom of church or own up to being a Christian, what c Liz heaven. I don’t imagine there are many pearl has it cost me? Listening to the plight of Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32

e merchants reading this, but we can all imag- Christians in the wider world over the past Philippians 2:1-13 Dr ine someone obsessed with finding the one weeks has been a challenge, for it is not like Matthew 21:23-32 r v

i thing of supreme value, committing them- that for everybody. Theirs is a pearl costing

Re selves to a lifetime of searching and sifting, not less than everything. Our readings this week proclaim the liberating and chal-

d prepared to face many disappointments, but If we focus on the pearl it leads us to con- lenging truth that it is not where you start but where you fin- l

the never giving up. sider the nature of the kingdom. What is the ish that matters to God. The closest I can come to getting a sense of pearl of great value and how would we Ezekiel’s message is that everyone belongs to God. The a

By how focused this pearl merchant might be is describe it to someone who does not know life of the parent and the life of the child are both mine, says to think about a beachcomber, intent on the anything about God’s kingdom? The poet RS the LORD. People who belong to God have to give an

u sand beneath and examining each find with Thomas wrote a poem about the kingdom in account for their lives to their maker and owner. But some

t the utmost care. Never in a hurry, he walks which he describes the extraordinary nature people were saying that God was not fair in his judgments i with his eyes fixed on what is there. of its values. ‘The poor feast like kings, the and that children would be punished for the sins of their par-

r It is said that today’s generation knows the sick are healed and the blind see not only ents, ie as we languish in our Babylonian exile it is not for i cost of everything and the value of nothing. It themselves but Love looking back at them. our sins but for some previous generation’s. is not only celebrities who seem pre-occu- Industry is for mending broken bones and Ezekiel puts them straight on these things, by re-iterating p pied with looking for the cheap imitation. fractured minds. What does it cost to belong? the doctrine of individual responsibility. If a righteous per- Our ‘pearls’ are of little value because we It’s free,’ says Th son turns away from righteousness, they will be judged. If a s omas, if we are prepared to look in the wrong places for things that have give up our misplaced desires and come wicked person turns away from wickedness, they will be

e a limited lifespan, are expendable and quick- empty handed ‘with your need only and the saved. The privileges of youth and upbringing and opportu- ly become obsolete. The genius of the image simple offering/ Of your faith, green as a nity mean nothing if we do not pursue the path of justice and

h of the pearl is that it is both precious and of leaf.’ (RS Thomas, ‘The kingdom.’) peace.

t lasting value, so much so that we can appre- In fact to come like that, acknowledging There is a hint here, however, that even the best of us can- ciate the determination and commitment of our need is costly in a way that only those not escape a just sentence. The only way to save our lives is the merchant. who do so can explain: those Christians I see to repent and turn around: but merely exhorting us to get a The parable speaks to us on many levels. If on my TV screen perhaps. To come empty- life, get a new heart and spirit, cannot accomplish the deed. we think about the merchant we are led to handed is to receive from the one who paid As our Article 10 tells us, “The condition of Man after the reflect on what it might cost us to gain such a the price. fall of Adam is such, that he cannot turn and prepare him- self, by his own natural strength and good works, to faith, and calling upon God.” We have no power in ourselves to do good works “pleasant and acceptable to God.” God must act to regenerate us, and help us at every step. In Jesus’ parable of the eventually obedient and disobedi- ent sons, we again see that to make a good beginning is A golden opportunity for never enough. Those who had risen to high positions within the religious leadership of God’s people at the time, stum- bled over the authority of Jesus. They did not hear his word and obey it, but stopped to question and examine it with a theBob Mayo Church’s missionbuilding intothe communitydaythat view to disobedience. draws together every different Their shared conversations in verses 25-26 were predicat- There is a new spirit of the age, grouping in the area are the ed on an unwillingness to embrace the politically difficult which provides an opportunity supermarkets, which encourage Christ. So Jesus points out that not only is starting off well for the Church to come into its segregation and division. Wait- not sufficient, but starting off badly is no impediment to own. In a coalition government rose shoppers complained at the entering the kingdom of God. One can refuse at first but austerity Britain there is a mood store for offering free coffee and later repent and do the will of the Father — sexual sinners for integration rather than, as has tea on the basis that it would be and economic sinners are ready to do just that when they been the case, a socially tolerated attracting the wrong type of cus- truly meet Jesus. But the once keen hearts of the high reli- separation. tomers. gious leaders had grown cold with advancing status, so they The travesty in Rotherham A consumer-based society were no longer sensitive to the authoritative voice of their where social service officers encourages social groupings master. It’s not where you start, but where you finish. were unwilling to speak out around peers and interests. The Lord Jesus himself both started and finished in glory, against rampant paedophilia The Church stands alone in cre- Paul tells the Philippians. His path from glory to glory, how- through fear of being thought of ating a climate for social change. ever, was through obedience and suffering, through the as racist shows that the code of God’s mission [says Pope Fran- emptiness of death itself. What is the “therefore” in verse 9 tolerance and multi-culturalism cis] is for a revolution of tender- there for? It tells us that it was precisely because of his obe- has had its day. Trevor Phillips, ness through the Church. People dience that God exalted Jesus. That was the agreement chairman of the Commission for and it is like an episode from the will learn the joy of relating to between Father and Son in eternity, a covenant for our Racial Equality (CRE) (2005) television show Rev. Last year the Christ as the guiding light redemption: Christ took it on himself to die for those given warned that “Multiculturalism Muslims brought sleeping bags through whom all things make to him by the Father, who promised in return to raise and suggests separateness… Britain for the homeless to help them to sense. It will be a church that is exalt him. is ‘sleepwalking’ into racial segre- cope with the cold winter nights vulnerable, bruised and hurting In the same way, we are to love those whom the Father gation, with white, Muslim and ahead. We had done it ourselves because it has been out on the has given to us as brothers and sisters in spiritual fellow- black ‘ghettos’ dividing cities.” the year before and there was no streets and not stuck in a confine. ship. We pursue unity with them and Christ-like love for Tolerance is not a statement of doubt that the homeless got a bet- It will be a church that feeds the them, not out of selfish ambition (though there is great open mindedness but a refusal to ter quality of sleeping bag from homeless, befriends those who reward in obeying the Father), but with fear and trembling. engage. Tolerance suggests leav- the Muslims than they did from have been divorced and wel- In this we tread the sacred way that Jesus watered with his ing one another alone and that is the Christians. comes those who are marginal- blood, walking to the end the path of salvation he has set precisely what Christians cannot On one occasion the proprietor ized in society – the gay, the before us, in his strength and for his good pleasure. do. of the Arabian restaurant across disabled and the lonely. It is an In a post-communism, post- the road from the Church came act of overwhelming significance Dr Lee Gatiss is editor of the NIV Proclamation Bible and apartheid world people have had in at the end of our Sunday Serv- that Jesus left a community and Director of Church Society to learn to live with and alongside ice to offer a 20 per cent reduc- not a book of ideas to continue his (www.churchsociety.org) others. There are now 50 places tion to the Christians. mission and [in 2014] that com- round the globe where violence The reason why this could be a munity is we. has taken root between people time of opportunity for the parish who share the same terrain but is that the mission statement of The Rev Dr Bob Mayo is Vicar of HYMN SUGGESTIONS differ in ethnicity race, language the Church is to unite people St Stephen and St Thomas, or religion (Volf 1996:13). across divisions. A parish church Shepherds Bush, with St Michael Sharing the terrain while differ- is a site of resistance against the and St George, White City From heaven you came ing in ethnicity is a specialism in increasingly atomized and segre- www.ststephensshepherdsbush.org May the mind of Christ my saviour Shepherds Bush. Each year, gated society in which we live Help us to help each other, Lord along with MuslimAid, we hold a because it draws people together. Follow Bob on Twitter Heaven shall not wait Christmas meal for the homeless Other than the Church the only @RevBobMayo I will offer up my life

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Hoffman’s last major

A Most Wanted Man (dir. Anton Corbijn, visiting a Welsh valley miners’ club to That’s an exuberant if improbable cert. 15) is based on John Le Carré’s hand over the cash. Stephen Beresford’s scene, matched for emotion when Bron- 200r8 onovel, stalrreing Philip iSeysmour a fittinstory gis based on trtue evernts,istabrting weun Lewtis, a conetestant on BBC talent Hoffman, who died in February. Apart with the premise of fighting the common show The Voice, begins a solo version of from his cameos in the remaining enemy - Thatcher and the police - and women’s labour movement song Bread Hunger Games films (some scenes digi- ending with a vote that paved the way for and Roses and is then joined by other tally created), it’s Hoffman’s last major changes in society’s attitudes to same- voices. She might not have got the role. sex relationships, if not the churches’. judges on The Voice to run round but He plays Günther Bachmann, a Ger- In 1984, the National Union of Pride’s director Matthew Warchus man secret agent in Hamburg, keeping Mineworkers is more concerned with immediately cast her for the film. tabs on Islamic terrorists – one of the potential embarrassment, a view rein- Pride begins with Pete Seeger singing 9/11 hijackers had studied in the city. forced when the Sun comes up later with Solidarity for Ever and ends with Billy Issa Karpov (Grigoriy Dobrygin) is a the headline “Pits and Perverts”. By then Bragg singing Joe Hill’s 1913 ballad young man from Chechnya trying to LGSM (Lesbians and Gays Support the There is Power in a Union. These days, claim a fortune left by his father in a pri- Miners) has bypassed the union and both seem a bit anachronistic, and more vate British bank in Hamburg run by made direct contact with a pit village subtle pro-unions propaganda is needed Tommy Brue (Willem Dafoe), and the (played here by Onllwyn and Banwen – I want the T-shirt that says “Trade suspicion is that money is being used to near Neath). Unions – the people who gave you the fund terrorism. It’s often played for laughs, and there weekend”. Issa’s lawyer Annabel Richter (Rachel are a few vulgarities, but the underlying Visually, aerial shots include the McAdams) is interrogated, and eventual- story is of overcoming preconceptions. LGSM’s gaudy borrowed van crossing ly an elaborate sting is set up to entrap Philip Seymour Hoffman Joe (George MacKay) lives with his par- the Severn Bridge and attractive coun- Faisal Abdullah (Homayoun Ershadi), a ents in Bromley, and – by chance or tryside – but no mines, not even a distant Muslim businessman whom Bachmann design – on his 20th birthday ends up in pithead wheel. Grim reality creeps in as suspects of diverting charitable funds to though, giving a stark example of what’s the middle of a gay pride march in Lon- the strike begins to crumble – “There’s terror groups. The CIA’s woman in Ger- meant by the deliberately bland expres- don, and in at the founding of LGSM, led nothing worse than a lost cause” – and many Martha Sullivan (Robin Wright) sion “extraordinary rendition”. by Mark Ashton (Ben Schnetzer). AIDS starts to take its toll. wants to share intelligence but Bach- Losing Hoffman at the age of 46 was a Paddy Considine, Imelda Staunton, There’s even a mix of education and mann is reluctant to cooperate with a US great loss to cinema with over 60 films to and Bill Nighy head the cast of Welsh poetry as Bill Nighy waxes lyrical about government still operating Guantanamo his credit. While not quite his final per- hosts, with Lisa Palfrey as the club com- the Great Atlantic Fault coal seam, but Bay. formance, this is a fine climax to his mittee member unwilling to offer a wel- perhaps the lasting legacy is in the end It’s less complicated than many Le career, and the last shot a poignant come in the hillside, a stance shared by titles. In 1985 miners attended the Pride Carré stories, and with Hoffman hardly farewell. her sons. Others, albeit reluctantly, are march in London, and the NUM block in the Bond/Bourne mould there’s not won round, not least by thespian vote at the Labour Party conference car- much action – the nearest to a chase Pride (cert. 15) chronicles the culture Jonathan (Dominic West) whose disco ried through a resolution on gender ends with Hoffman out of breath and los- shock of gay men and lesbians raising skills impress more than one miner to equality. ing his quarry. It’s a stunning finale, money for striking miners in 1984, and want to learn to dance. Steve Parish

Trinity and Revelation, claims to have a neutral point of view above all reli- Tradition and scripture must be held together and Veli-Matti Karkkainen gions and to be able to tell them that their view is both ‘biblical positivism’ and ‘ecclesiastical posi- Eerdmans, pb, £26.99 wrong and should be replaced with another. tivism’ rejected even though the biblical text is the Although Jacques Dupuis is mentioned, more use ultimate authority. This is the second work of a multi- could have been made of his work. Karkkainen Karkkainen follows many modern theologians in volume systematic theology by a quotes D’Costa about the need for an acknowledge- his embrace of ‘panentheism’ although he does so in Pentecostal Finnish theologian ment of ‘the gifts of God in other religions by virtue of a careful and cautious way, quoting Kallistos Ware on who teaches at Fuller. There is some the presence of the Spirit - as well as the critical dis- the presence of such a view in the Christian tradition confusion about how many more vol- cernment of these gifts by the power of the same and emphasising it does not mean describing the uni- umes are in prospect. The publish- Spirit’ but he fails to develop the idea that the Word is verse as ‘God’s body’. er’s note indicates a five-volume present in other faiths as well so that, as Dupuis Karkainen is also probably in the theological main- project but an epilogue to this book argued, in dialogue with them we learn more about stream when he seeks a biblical understanding of the indicates only two more are to be Christ. divine attributes rather than a more abstract, philo- expected. Whatever the size of the Although a Pentecostal, Karkkainen has an Angli- sophical account. Looking at salvation history, he completed work, this is an important can instinct for the middle way. Pannenberg is the argues, we will not say God is impassible although we study that will be read with great most frequently quoted theologian but Keith Ward is will say he is faithfully present through time. interest beyond the evangelical com- not far behind and John Polkinghorne makes a num- In his account of the Trinity Karkkainen follows the munity and even beyond the Chris- ber of appearances in these pages. Criticisms of natu- fashion in seeing the Trinity as a sign of what true tian Church. ral theology by Barth and Reformed theologians are community involves and a rebuke to Western individ- Karkkainen understands systematic or construc- rejected. “The Father creates through the Son in the ualism but he fails to consider criticisms that have tive theology as a search for a balanced understand- power of the Spirit,” Karkkainen writes. “As a result, been made of Jurgen Moltmann and others. In taking ing of Christian truth ‘in the context of contemporary all of reality having been created in the divine wis- this approach, Karkkainen is following the thinking and historical thought, cultures and living faiths’. In dom, gives access through the life-giving Spirit to the of the so-called Trinitarian revival of the 20th and 21st contrast with Radical Orthodoxy, the ‘Yale school’ or knowledge of the God of the Bible in Jesus Christ.” Centuries. His book would have benefitted if he had the approach of Stanley Hauerwas, Karkkainen seeks On the sticky question of the use of feminine lan- taken note of the points made by Stephen Holmes in dialogue with other faiths and non-theological disci- guage about God, Karkkainen seeks a mediating his excellent recent book on the Trinity. plines. He does not draw up the drawbridge or position. Traditional names - Father, Son and Holy Most critics of Karkkainen are likely to focus on his denounce academic, political or other spaces as ‘tem- Spirit - should not be abandoned but complementary dialogical approach. To many evangelicals he will ples of other gods’. His approach is far from dogmat- names should be utilised as well. It is hard to see this have conceded too much; to some liberals he will not ic. going down well with a large section of American have gone far enough. For this reviewer, he has But although Karkkainen seeks dialogue with evangelicalism although most Anglicans will approve. marked out the right basis for a constructive theolo- other faiths he rejects the kind of pluralism associat- Anglicans and Catholics will both agree with gy and produced a work that stimulates and leads to ed with John Hick and follows Gavin D’Costa in see- Karkkainen when he cautions that we do not read the insight even if it does not always convince. ing this as a form of Western elitism. Hick, he argues, Bible as individuals but as members of a community. Paul Richardson

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper n advertising campaign stressing the sion to be sought, just download them and real meaning of Christmas is proving a COLLEGE STREET use them,” Goodwin said. Asuccess with young people. The resources are available through the Christmas Starts with Christ is a cam- website “www.ChristmasStartsWith- paign, launched by the ChurchAds network SW1 Christ.com” for anyone who needs materi- of Christians in the business, aimed at help- al to promote the true meaning of ing churches to make Christ and the amaz- CITY OF WESTMINSTER Christmas. ing story of his birth the focus of the nation’s favourite time of year. The ComRes survey, done in January 2014 with a sample size of 2,000 people across the UK, has revealed that the ChurchAds coincides with the highest ever number of churches backing the cam- Ad campaign paign. The campaign is making inroads particularly among 18-24-year-olds into raising awareness about the true meaning of Christmas. According to is a hit with the survey, four out of 10 polled say the Christmas story has been around for a long time, but now they understand more about the true meaning of young people Christmas. achieve even greater awareness of the Christmas “When we started this campaign we were wor- message and, especially reaching a target of 10,000 ried because 51 per cent of adults thought that the users. birth of Christ had no relevance to Christmas but Last year the campaign increased significantly in research has shown that we are reversing this,” its digital and social media presence to the tradi- Frank Goodwin of the ChurchAds says. Respon- tional poster and radio advertising. As a result, dents were generally positive about the UK’s there were 22,000 downloads of posters, 9,000 biggest church advertising campaign and think downloads of the radio advertisements and that the adverts are a good way of engaging non- 140,000 page views of the website. Christians with the Christmas message. The campaign with a different design each year ComRes says: “49 per cent of people felt that the is so successful that it is now in its sixth year. advertising made them think more about the true There are 16 posters, three radio ads, 10 web meaning of Christmas.” Some 4,500 churches banners and social media images, the campaign joined the campaign last year and this year, Good- logo and a resource pack for churches available for win says, the ChurchAds network would like to use. “All of the material is free, there is no permis-

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wilderness...' tary...went out to him' between 1600 and PRIZE CROSSWORD No. 917 by Axe [Deut/NIV] (5) [Isa/NIV] (6) 1200BC (6) 15 'Do your best to come 2'He will come and ---- 18 Joseph's eldest brother to me quickly, for ---- those tenants and give (6) ...has gone to Thessa- the vineyard to others' 19 'The head of the statue lonica' [2 Tim/NIV] (5) [Luke/NIV] (4) was made of pure gold, 17 Position, office or resi- 3Person who does not its ----- and arms of sil- dence of a particular acknowledge your god ver...' [Dan/NIV] (5) rank of clergy (7) (7) 21 'Hazael overpowered 20 Joseph's first master in 4Saul's daughter prom- the Israelites through- Egypt [Gen] (8) ised to David, but given out their territory ---- of 21 '...he gave them a deliv- to another [1 Sam] (5) the Jordan...' [2 erer – ----, a left-handed 5Clergyman ministering Kgs/NIV] (4) man...' [Judg/NIV] (4) to some institution, eg 22 Second book of the OT armed forces (8) Last week’s solutions: following the Penta- 6'My fellow prisoner teuch (6) Aristarchus sends you Across: 7 Hamath, 8 Asahel, 9 Lies, 10 23 'Many times he deliv- greetings, as does Passover, 11 Eloi, 12 Jeroboam, 14 ered them, but they Mark, the ------of Barn- Bethesda, 16 Rome, 18 Disciple, 21 were bent on rebellion abas' [Col/NIV] (6) Acre, 22 Tantra, 23 Ararat. and they ------away in 12 Passages of scripture their sin' [Ps/NIV] (6) recited in church (8) Down: 1 Daniel, 2 Tarshish, 3 Chop, 4 14 NT book aimed at Caesarea, 5 Halo, 6 Helena, 12 Down Christian Jews in dan- Josaphat, 13 Barnabas, 15 Elijah, 17 ger of falling away from Miriam, 19 City, 20 Esau. 1'When the commander the faith (7) stopped at the aque- 16 OT book, perhaps cov- duct... ------the secre- ering the period

T h e f ir s t c o r r e c t e n tr y d r aw n w il l w in a b o o k o f t h e E d i to r ’s c h o i c e . S e n d y o u r e n tr y t o C r o s s wo r d N u m b e r 9 17 , T h e C h u r c h o f E n g l an d Ne ws p ap e r , PRICE £1.35 / 1,70€ / $2.20 1 4 G re a t C o l le g e S tr e e t , W e s t m in s te r , L o n d o n , S W1 P Across cave for Sarah's noted for auster- 3 R X b y n e x t Fr id a y burial [Gen] (6) ity (8) 7Tomb of a saint 9Early biblical 11 Archangel, the N am e and other spiri- shepherd [Gen] messenger of tual notables (6) (4) God (7) A d d r e s s 8Hittite who sold 10 Member of an 13 'He gave you ----- Abraham his order of monks to eat in the P o s t C o de

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