Common Fund 2021

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Common Fund 2021 COMMON FUND 2021 Doing everything we can to support the mission and growth of the church in London THANK YOU REFLECTIONS ON THE COMMON FUND The Common Fund is money given by every parish in London to enable, support and further the work across “The generosity of all “We give above our the Diocese. For Common Fund purposes, in 2021 in churches enables own costs as a view of the ongoing level of uncertainty, we are again us to support the way of sharing our using the 2020 Parish Standard Cost figures. ministry and growth financial strength of the church in with less wealthy Your support • Fund the costs of the areas we might not neighbours. allows us to: clergy in your parish. otherwise be able ” • Invest in mission to reach. opportunities, both in “We are very grateful existing parishes and new ” to others who worshipping communities. “This model of support us and • Sustain and grow Christian common fellowship share in our ministry work and worship in every allows us to do more in this area. Without community. together than we realising it, they are could do alone. touching lives 2020 has been an exceptionally difficult year for us ” right here. all as we have together responded to the Covid-19 pandemic. PCCs have faced challenges on many fronts ” including organising worship, serving our communities, and managing parish finances. The Diocese of London “Common Fund is “ Common Fund is an is extremely grateful to all parishes for their ongoing the embodiment of a expression of love. generosity in supporting the work of our ministry generous spirit. in London through your continued Common Fund ” contributions, and we hope, that by working together, ” we will continue to share the love of God throughout London in 2021. 2 3 PARISH STANDARD COST 2021 PARISH STANDARD COST 2021 NO CHANGE SUMMARY 2020 2021 Stipend related costs for each Clergy stipendiary Common Fund post: costs: No Change Stipend: £ 27,600 National Insurance: £ 2,300 Pension: £ 10,000 Moving & resettlement grants: £ 900 £ 40,800 £ 40,800 £ 40,800 For each Diocesan house used Clergy housing costs: by clergy: No Change Council tax: £ 2,200 Quinquennials: £ 3,800 £ 14,900 £ 14,900 £ 14,900 Ingoing works: £ 2,400 Planned & reactive maintenance: £ 3,600 Training and support Other property costs: £ 2,900 costs: No Change Training and Support for each parish: £ 29,500 £ 29,500 £ 29,500 Ordinand and clergy training: £ 12,500 Central diocesan support: £ 5,900 National church support: £ 4,600 Parish & area support: £ 6,500 No Change. £ 85,200 £ 85,200 £ 85,200 4 5 CLERGY STIPENDIARY COSTS - 2021 CLERGY HOUSING COSTS - 2021 Council Tax The projected cost for council tax on clergy housing. £ 2,200 Stipends Quinquennials An increase of 1.5% was deferred from By law all parsonages must be inspected April 2020 to 2021. every five years and works are carried £ 27,600 out accordingly. £ 3,800 National Insurance An increase of 1.5% was deferred from Ingoing works April 2020 to 2021. This reflects the expected average cost £ 2,300 of work carried out in relation to a new appointment. £ 2,400 Pension Set by National Church at 39.9% of National Minimum Stipend of the Planned and reactive previous year. Held at 2020 level for PSC. maintenance £ 10,000 Small repairs and reactive maintenance to parsonages e.g. for plumbing and heating. £ 3,600 Grants for moving and resettlement Other property costs Grants are related to moving house or taking This includes the cost for the operational up a first incumbency. property team and insurance costs. £ 900 £ 2,900 No No £ 40,800 Change. Change. £ 14,900 6 7 TRAINING AND SUPPORT COSTS - 2021 Parish & Area Training: support: Ordinand training Area and deanery support Our contribution to the National Provision of area and deanery support Church for training ordinands. and guidance by Archdeacons and £ 3,400 Area Offices. £ 3,300 Ordinand grant support Parish property support Provision of grants to London “Our generosity today will be a A team of dedicated parish property sponsored ordinands and colleges. support officers for assistance with £ 2,600 blessing for our ministry tomorrow” the management, maintenance and development of parish buildings. Title posts £ 1,700 Training of curates for the three years following ordination. Chaplaincies and mission £ 5,000 This funds higher education and other chaplaincies, as well as grants to the London Diocesan Board for Schools Continued Training and mission projects. Development support for clergy throughout their ministry. £ 2,500 Vacancy savings: £ 1,500 Parish and area grants Savings on vacant clergy posts Parish and area grants to support added back. £ 12,500 parish led project work. £ -2,300 £ 1,300 Central diocesan support: £ 6,500 National church Provision for diocesan wide support support and functions and advice for parishes including: safeguarding, public relations activities: & communications, human resources, National Church costs, grants, and financial advice and guidance on No clergy retirement housing. governance matters. No increase. £ 4,600 £ 5,900 Change. £ 29,500 8 9 WIDER SUPPORT Buildings & Property Safeguarding The buildings and property team provide information and support for church buildings, maintenance and inspections, faculties, changes, The Diocese of London is committed to safeguarding children, young people repairs and parish property, as well as for clergy housing. For more and vulnerable adults to enable them to worship and grow in Christ safely. information please visit: www.london.anglican.org/buildings For more information please visit: www.london.anglican.org/safeguarding The Property Team is here to help: Telephone: 020 7932 1250 The Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser can be reached on: Email: [email protected] Telephone: 020 7932 1224 Email: [email protected] Training, Development & Support Out of hours safeguarding advice can be sought from Thirtyone:Eight (formerly CCPAS) on: Each Episcopal Area has a Director of Training and Development who Telephone: 0303 003 1111 (option 2) works with the Bishop to offer and coordinate a range of opportunities for vocational development, for clergy and lay ministers training and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) applications development and for ministry support. Full details can be found at: www.london.anglican.org/training-and-development All those working with children, young people or vulnerable adults in regulated activity will require a DBS disclosure as part of the safer recruitment procedures. This applies to both voluntary and paid roles. Parish Finance Area Finance Advisers are available as the parishes’ first point of contact Guidance and support with the safer recruitment process is available on: for all finance matters: stewardship, grants and loans and financial best Telephone: 020 7932 1224 practice. For more information please visit: Email: [email protected] www.london.anglican.org/parishfinance Please see also: www.parishresources.org.uk Human Resources Kensington: Stepney and Two Cities: The Human Resources team will provide support on matters which cover Mary Spredbury Martin Hornbuckle most stages of the employee or volunteer life cycle. For more information Telephone: 020 7932 1245 Telephone: 020 3837 5018 please visit: www.london.anglican.org/humanresources Willesden: Edmonton: Bruce Rickards Julie Churchyard For personalised guidance, contact the HR team: Telephone: 020 3837 5014 Telephone: 020 3837 5015 HR helpline: 020 7932 1200 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] 10 11 WIDER SUPPORT The Parish Giving Scheme Fundraising This is a free-to-parishes Gift Aid administration scheme, improving cash The fundraising team can help you with both revenue and capital flow to parishes and helping them to offset one of the greatest threats to fundraising requirements. Support will be tailored to your needs and it parish giving, i.e. static giving. includes fundraising strategy advice, templates and lists of trust funders to contact. Follow the Fundraising team on twitter @fundmychurch or look at For support contact: the online fundraising toolkit at: www.london.anglican.org/fundmychurch Mary Spredbury For support contact: Telephone: 020 7932 1245 Sarah Reilly (maternity cover) Email: [email protected] Telephone: 020 3837 5027 Email: [email protected] Parish Buying Carol Ward This helps to save time and money on key areas of spend e.g. energy, office Telephone: 020 7932 1264 supplies, equipment contracts. A short video introducing the service is Email: [email protected] available at: www.parishresources.org.uk/buying-smarter Capital Vision Environment and Sustainability Following the successful delivery of Capital Vision 2020 the Diocese is now developing the Vision and Strategy for the next decade. For more Provides advice on energy, water and waste, sustainable buildings, reducing information visit: our carbon footprint and environmental impact. For more information www.london.anglican.org/about/discerning-our-2030-vision/ please visit: www.london.anglican.org/environment For support contact: Or contact: Angus Stephenson Brian Cuthbertson Telephone: 020 3837 5113 Telephone: 020 7932 1229 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Leanne Baguley Telephone: 020 3837 5103 Email: [email protected] 12 13 WIDER SUPPORT Communications Our support includes the parish communications toolkit, our Twitter and Facebook profiles, Ministry Matters publications, and our website. The core communications team is made up of staff at London Diocesan House, Children’s and Youth Ministry supported by a media team. For more information please visit: www.london.anglican.org/communications As a Diocese we are committed to becoming a place where youth and children’s ministry thrives. Communications team: 020 7932 1125 Press, media and public affairs enquiries: 020 7618 9106 Capital Youth Capital Youth is the response to calls to be more radical, for people across For support contact: the Diocese to spend an increasing amount of time focussed on young Esther Stewart Matthew Hall people as part of our ministry.
Recommended publications
  • Working Group on Human Sexuality
    IssuesTEXTwithoutPreface.qxp:Resourcbishops.qxp 20/11/2013 11:35 Page i The House of Bishops Working Group on human sexuality Published in book & ebook formats by Church House Publishing Available now from www.chpublishing.co.uk IssuesTEXTwithoutPreface.qxp:Resourcbishops.qxp 20/11/2013 11:35 Page ii Published in book & ebook formats by Church House Publishing Available now from www.chpublishing.co.uk IssuesTEXTwithoutPreface.qxp:Resourcbishops.qxp 20/11/2013 11:35 Page iii Report of the House of Bishops Working Group on human sexuality November 2013 Published in book & ebook formats by Church House Publishing Available now from www.chpublishing.co.uk IssuesTEXTwithoutPreface.qxp:Resourcbishops.qxp 20/11/2013 11:35 Page iv Church House Publishing All rights reserved. No part of this Church House publication may be reproduced or Great Smith Street stored or transmitted by any means London or in any form, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, SW1P 3AZ recording, or any information storage and retrieval system without written permission, which should be sought ISBN 978 0 7151 4437 4 (Paperback) from [email protected] 978 0 7151 4438 1 (CoreSource EBook) 978 0 7151 4439 8 (Kindle EBook) Unless otherwise indicated, the Scripture quotations contained GS 1929 herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright Published 2013 for the House © 1989, by the Division of Christian of Bishops of the General Synod Education of the National Council of the Church of England by Church of the Churches of Christ in the
    [Show full text]
  • Two Cities Area Director of Mission Development
    EMPLOYER: The London Diocesan Fund JOB TITLE: Two Cities Area Director of Mission Development RESPONSIBLE TO: The Archdeacon of London Note: This job description does not form part of the employee’s contract of employment but is provided for guidance. The precise duties and responsibilities of any job may be expected to change over time. Job holders should be consulted over any proposed changes to this job description before implementation. The purpose of this new role is to support the development of Churches in the City of London and the City of Westminster (the Two Cities) in the development of Mission opportunities, including the planning of of specific projects, advice and support for the management of stakeholder relations, and the provision of advice to parishes in mission development. Working closely with the Bishop of London (who is also Bishop of the Two Cities) and the Archdeacon of London, the role holder will act as a catalyst to encourage and enhance the Mission and ministry of the church in Two Cities Area, in line with the objectives of Capital vision 20120. The Area Director of Mission will work as part of the Archdeaconry team to help churches develop their mission plans by working closely with local churches, PCC’s, clergy and congregations. The post holder will support the Archdeacon in aspects of wider strategic planning and will also engage with some of the strategic relationships and partnerships maintained by the Archdeacon. The role will be ideal for someone who looks to develop towards more senior leadership in the church and support for this will be given.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report 2017 St John the Baptist, Holland Road
    Annual Report 2017 St John the Baptist, Holland Road St John the Baptist Holland Road Annual Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2017 Administrative Information St John’s Church is situated on Holland Road in Kensington and is part of the Church of England in the Diocese of London. It forms part of the United Benefice of Holland Park. The correspondence address is St George’s Church, Aubrey Walk, London W8 7JG. The Parochial Church Council constitutes a charity and this year was registered as a UK charity (no. 1169173). The PCC members who have served from April 2017 until the date this report was approved are: The Rev’d Dr James Heard Chair The Rev’d Neil Traynor Associate Priest (from 1 July 2017) The Rev’d Peter Wolton Associate Priest (Curate until 3 July 2017) Mrs Jenny Davenport Churchwarden and Vice-Chair Mr Jamie Priestley Churchwarden and Hon. Secretary Mr George Pasteur Hon. Treasurer Ms Kristin Corbet-Milward Ms Jessica Leslie Mr John Sen Mr Robin Price Structure, governance and management The appointment of the churchwardens conforms to the Churchwardens Measure 2001. They are ex officio members of the PCC. The PCC members are elected as set out in the Church Representation Rules. All church attendees are encouraged to register on the electoral roll and stand for election to the PCC. Objectives and Activities The PCC has the responsibility for promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The PCC also has maintenance responsibilities for St John’s Church, and the surrounding land.
    [Show full text]
  • 1570 1 1570 at WINDSOR CASTLE, Berks. Jan 1,Sun
    1570 1570 At WINDSOR CASTLE, Berks. Jan 1,Sun New Year gifts. January 3-29: William Drury, Marshal of Berwick, and Sir Henry Gates, were special Ambassadors to Scotland, sent to request Regent Moray to surrender the captured Earl of Northumberland, a leader of the Rising. After long negotiations, and payment of a large sum of money, the Earl was brought to England in 1572 and was executed at York. Anne (Somerset), Countess of Northumberland, lived abroad in Catholic countries from August 1570 to her death in 1591. Jan 6,Fri play, by the Children of the Chapel Royal.T Jan 7,Sat new appointments, of Treasurer of the Household, Controller of the Household, and Serjeant-Porter of Whitehall Palace. Jan 8, Windsor, Sir Henry Radcliffe to the Earl of Sussex, his brother: ‘Yesterday Mr Vice-Chamberlain [Sir Francis Knollys] was made Treasurer; and Sir James Croft Controller, and Sir Robert Stafford Serjeant-Porter’. ‘It is thought Sir Nicholas Throgmorton shall be Vice-Chamberlain, and Mr Thomas Heneage Treasurer of the Chamber’. [Wright, i.355]. Croft became a Privy Councillor by virtue of his office; Heneage became Treasurer of the Chamber on Feb 15; a Vice-Chamberlain was appointed in 1577. Jan 8,Sun sermon, Windsor: Thomas Drant, Vicar of St Giles, Cripplegate. Text: Genesis 2.25: ‘They were both naked, Adam and Eve, and blushed not’. Drant: ‘To be naked...is to be without armour, it is to be without apparel’... ‘Dust is Adam...Dust are all men...Rich men are rich dust, wise men wise dust, worshipful men worshipful dust, honourable men honourable dust, majesties dust, excellent majesties excellent dust’..
    [Show full text]
  • February 2006 50P St Martin's Magazine
    February 2006 50p St Martin's Magazine A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. John chapter 13 verse 34 St Martin’s Church Hale Gardens, Acton St Martin’s Church, Hale Gardens, Acton, W3 9SQ http://www.stmartinswestacton.org email: [email protected] Vicar The Revd Nicholas Henderson 25 Birch Grove, London W3 9SP. Tel: 020-8992-2333. Associate Vicar The Revd David Brammer, All Saints Vicarage, Elm Grove Road, Ealing, London W5 3JH. Tel: 020-8567-8166. Non-stipendary priest Alec Griffiths St Martin’s Cottage Hale Gardens, LondonW3 9SQ. Tel: 020-8896-9009. Parishes Secretary (9am - 2pm Monday - Friday) Parishes Office, 25 Birch Grove, W3 9SP. Tel: 020 8992 2333 Fax: 020-8932-1951 Readers Dr Margaret Jones. Tel: 020-8997-1418 Lynne Armstrong. Tel: 020-8992-8341 Churchwardens Clive Davies 1 Park Way, Ruislip Manor, Middx HA4 8PJ. Tel: 01895 -635698 John Trussler 19 Gunnersbury Crescent, Acton W3. Tel: 020-8992-4549 Treasurer - please write c/o Parishes Secretary. Director of Music – Kennerth Bartram Tel: 020-8723-1441 Sunday School – Melanie Heap Tel: 020-8993-3864 Youth Group – Michael Robinson Tel: 020-8992-7666 Womens Group - Doreen Macrae Tel: 020-8992-3907 Magazine Editor – Duncan Wigney Tel: 020-8993-3751 e-mail: [email protected] SUNDAY SERVICES 8.00 am Holy Communion 10.00 am Parish Communion& (Sunday School 6.30 pm Evensong 1st, 2nd and 3rd Sundays Taize Evening Service 4th Sunday Any Reaction? January, 2006. New Year is the time for resolutions.
    [Show full text]
  • TV Presenter Launches Lily Appeal
    E I D S Morality in the IN financial world explored E6 THE SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 2013 No: 6167 www.churchnewspaper.com PRICE £1.35 1,70j US$2.20 CHURCH OF ENGLAND THE ORIGINAL CHURCH NEWSPAPER ESTABLISHED IN 1828 NEWSPAPER Wakefield rebuffs plan for merger of dioceses FOLLOWING the failure of the Diocese of changed by the proposal. Blackburn will burn has voted. He can allow the plan to go Speaking after votes, Professor Michael Wakefield to approve the plan to replace receive six parishes and Sheffield will to General Synod if he is satisfied that the Clark, chair of the commission that pro- three Yorkshire dioceses with one it falls to receive two parishes if the plan goes ahead. interest of the diocese withholding consent duced the plan said: “It is good to know that the Archbishop of York to decide whether Sheffield Diocese has already signified is so small that it should not prevent the the dioceses of Bradford and Ripon and the proposal should go to General Synod, its agreement and Blackburn Diocese is scheme being referred to General Synod or Leeds support the Commission’s propos- possibly in July. due to vote on 13 April. if he feels there are wider factors affecting als. Looking at the voting in Wakefield, In voting last Saturday both the Diocese The Archbishop of York will not be able the Province or the Church of England as a there is significant support there although of Ripon and Leeds and the Diocese of to announce his decision until after Black- whole that need to be considered.
    [Show full text]
  • JUNE 2017 Church Leaders Fast to Protest Projected
    Episcopal JOURNALMONTHLY EDITION | $3.75 PER COPY VOL 7 NO 6 | JUNE 2017 Church leaders fast to protest projected Indianapolis6 budget cuts marks historic episcopal By Episcopal Journal NEWS consecration residing Bishop Michael Curry joined with Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in a three-day fast May 21-23 and issued a churchwide call for prayer, fasting and advocacy for the next seven months. PThe two leaders said they would challenge any federal government proposals to eliminate or defund proven anti-poverty programs that give vital assistance to people both at home and abroad. In a signed statement, “For Such a Time as This: A Call to Prayer, Fasting, and Advocacy,” they called upon all New York 9bishop Episcopalians and Lutherans to join finds heart them in a fast on the 21st of each month in a Harley until the 115th Congress concludes in December. “We are coming together as leaders FEATURE Photo/ENS Presiding Bishop Michael Curry to oppose deep cuts to programs that are vital to hungry people struggling Photo/Wikiart.com announces the fast in a video posted Holy light on www.episcopalchurch.org. with poverty,” they stated. The 21st of each month was chosen, they said, In Titian’s painting “Pentecost” (c. 1545), the Holy Spirit because it is the time when many American families experience a food crisis. descends upon the apostles as a dove and tongues of fire appear “By that time each month, 90 percent of SNAP benefits (formerly the above their heads. “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them”.
    [Show full text]
  • Saint Mary the Virgin, Kenton Report of the Parochial Church Council for the Year Ended 31St December 2020
    Parish of Saint Mary the Virgin, Kenton Report of the Parochial Church Council for the year ended 31st December 2020 Administrative information The Church of Saint Mary the Virgin is situated in Saint Leonard’s Avenue, Kenton. It is part of the Harrow Deanery in the Diocese of London within the Church of England. The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Mary the Virgin, Kenton is registered with the Charity Commission. Parochial Church Council (PCC) members who have served from 1st January 2020 until the date this report was approved are: Incumbent / Chairman The Revd Edward Lewis Vice Chairman Mr Kenrick Elliott Assistant Curates The Revd Matthew Cashmore (to 21st June 2020) The Revd Mike Still Hon. Assistant Priest The Revd Canon John Metivier SSC Churchwardens Mr Kenrick Elliott Mr Winslow Maloney Representatives on Deanery Synod Mrs Leila Bullard Miss Johnette Clarke (from 6th September 2020) Mr David Griffiths (to 6th September 2020) Elected members Mrs Sakunthala Ahluwalia (from 6th September 2020) Prof Luke Anand Mrs Janet Cameron Miss Johnette Clarke (to 6th September 2020) Mrs Gloria Cowans Mrs Patricia Edwards Mrs Erma Fernandes Mr David Griffiths (from 6th September 2020) Ms Angela Haines Ms Bernadette Labastide Mrs Cynthia Yorke Ms Jean Williams Co-opted members Mrs Denise Augustus (to 6th September 2020) Structure, governance and management The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All Church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC. BANKERS Barclays Bank plc, Harrow Group, 355 Station Road, Harrow, Middlesex HA1 2AN CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS The Reverend Edward Lewis The Vicarage, 3, St.
    [Show full text]
  • The Canterbury Association
    The Canterbury Association (1848-1852): A Study of Its Members’ Connections By the Reverend Michael Blain Note: This is a revised edition prepared during 2019, of material included in the book published in 2000 by the archives committee of the Anglican diocese of Christchurch to mark the 150th anniversary of the Canterbury settlement. In 1850 the first Canterbury Association ships sailed into the new settlement of Lyttelton, New Zealand. From that fulcrum year I have examined the lives of the eighty-four members of the Canterbury Association. Backwards into their origins, and forwards in their subsequent careers. I looked for connections. The story of the Association’s plans and the settlement of colonial Canterbury has been told often enough. (For instance, see A History of Canterbury volume 1, pp135-233, edited James Hight and CR Straubel.) Names and titles of many of these men still feature in the Canterbury landscape as mountains, lakes, and rivers. But who were the people? What brought these eighty-four together between the initial meeting on 27 March 1848 and the close of their operations in September 1852? What were the connections between them? In November 1847 Edward Gibbon Wakefield had convinced an idealistic young Irishman John Robert Godley that in partnership they could put together the best of all emigration plans. Wakefield’s experience, and Godley’s contacts brought together an association to promote a special colony in New Zealand, an English society free of industrial slums and revolutionary spirit, an ideal English society sustained by an ideal church of England. Each member of these eighty-four members has his biographical entry.
    [Show full text]
  • All Saints Parish Paper 7, MARGARET STREET, LONDON W1W 8JG DECEMBER 2019 £1.00
    All Saints Parish Paper 7, MARGARET STREET, LONDON W1W 8JG www.allsaintsmargaretstreet.org.uk DECEMBER 2019 £1.00 Chapter meeting with the new acting Area THE ASSISTANT PRIEST Dean, Clare Dowding, and the Westminster WRITES Clergy Breakfast, a lively ecumenical clergy gathering which meets monthly across November, always a busy month at ASMS, Deanery boundaries. This was addressed has been packed with incident this year. by the new co-ordinator of Westminster First, Fr Alan’s 70th birthday and Citizens, Daniel Mackintosh, whom I hope retirement coalesced seamlessly with our to invite to All Saints soon to help us think Festival services. There is a letter from Fr about some outward-looking community Alan below and much of this issue of the Parish Paper, unsurprisingly, is made up of speeches and sermons from those events. The following Saturday (9 November) we welcomed the Bishops of London and Fulham to a parish meeting in church to hear about their plans for the Vacancy and appointment process and beyond. There was an opportunity for questions and comment from parishioners and the afternoon concluded with Benediction. Bishop Sarah had been with us already to preach on All Saints Day and Bishop Jonathan will celebrate High Mass, and preach here for the first time, on Sunday 8 December (Advent 2). The PCC also enjoyed a long and productive meeting on Monday 11 November, during which Fr Adam Atkinson (Two Cities Area Director of Mission Development) outlined his suggested plans for the process of consultation with parishioners leading into the appointment of Fr Alan exiting into the vestry after his final the next Vicar.
    [Show full text]
  • All Saints Parish Paper 7, MARGARET STREET, LONDON W1W 8JG FEBRUARY 2016 £1.00
    All Saints Parish Paper 7, MARGARET STREET, LONDON W1W 8JG www.allsaintsmargaretstreet.co.uk FEBRUARY 2016 £1.00 VICAR’S LETTER As I write this I am preparing to take part in 48 hours of ‘Shared Conversations on Scripture, Mission and Human Sexuality’. I will be one of twenty people from the Diocese of London, who will be sharing with twenty from the Diocese of Chelmsford. The purpose of these conversations, which arose out of the Pilling Report on this subject, is not to produce votes and resolutions on a vexed issue, but to encourage people with differing views to The organ pipes in the south choir aisle listen to each other. (Photo: Andrew Prior, January 2016) ‘Human sexuality’ is Church-speak for from a conservative-led government even homosexuality. During my adult life, and a few years earlier. especially in recent years, British society, and that of Europe, Australasia and North This does not mean that homophobia America, has seen a change in attitudes and discrimination has completely melted which is little short of revolutionary. There away, but there has been a sea-change in has been a growing understanding that attitudes. homosexuality is not a deliberately and perversely chosen lifestyle which can be Within the Church in our society, changed, but a part of someone’s nature. disquiet about this development has come The de-criminalization of homosexual largely from conservative-evangelicals acts, supported by Archbishop Michael who see the scriptures as they understand Ramsey in the House of Lords, began a them, as unambiguous on this issue.
    [Show full text]
  • This 2008 Letter
    The Most Reverend and Right Hon the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury & The Most Reverend and Right Hon the Lord Archbishop of York July, 2008 Most Reverend Fathers in God, We write as bishops, priests and deacons of the Provinces of Canterbury and York, who have sought, by God’s grace, in our various ministries, to celebrate the Sacraments and preach the Word faithfully; to form, nurture and catechise new Christians; to pastor the people of God entrusted to our care; and, through the work of our dioceses, parishes and institutions, to build up the Kingdom and to further God’s mission to the world in this land. Our theological convictions, grounded in obedience to Scripture and Tradition, and attentive to the need to discern the mind of the whole Church Catholic in matters touching on Faith and Order, lead us to doubt the sacramental ministry of those women ordained to the priesthood by the Church of England since 1994. Having said that, we have engaged with the life of the Church of England in a myriad of ways, nationally and locally, and have made sincere efforts to work courteously and carefully with those with whom we disagree. In the midst of this disagreement over Holy Order, we have, we believe, borne particular witness to the cause of Christian unity, and to the imperative of Our Lord’s command that ‘all may be one.’ We include those who have given many years service to the Church in the ordained ministry, and others who are very newly ordained. We believe that we demonstrate the vitality of the tradition which we represent and which has formed us in our discipleship and ministry – a tradition which, we believe, constitutes an essential and invaluable part of the life and character of the Church of England, without which it would be deeply impoverished.
    [Show full text]