Following the Star
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25p CRUX Issue 48 Church for a different world December 2018 FOLLOWING THE STAR Church for a different world CRUX December 2018 MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD OLDHAM PARISH CHURCH Much of what is most precious at It strikes me when I visit such projects the heart of our society has been that there is something very precious gifted to the whole community by about the way that church workers and LIVE ON BBC ONE the Christian Church. We founded volunteers value and affirm the whole school, hospitals, and social services. person, with their physical, mental Over time the state has taken an and spiritual needs. As in our school, Christmas preparations have begun in earnest increasing share of the responsibility hospital and wider chaplaincy work, across the diocese; nativity scenes are being set, for them, not least because it has we instinctively treat people with the the resources to turn good practice dignity that comes from recognising sermons are being written and re-written and 100 in particular places into a universal that they are made in the image of Carols for Choirs gets unearthed once more. service. Though crucially, through our God. The God who took that to the church schools and our chaplaincies, ultimate level when he took flesh, born we have retained a vital involvement of Mary, two thousand Christmases ago. But for Oldham Parish Church, Christmas A lot of work is going in to making the in how such services flourish. The God who reminds us that when has been coming since August, when Christmas morning service extra special, we care for the least of our brothers they received the phone call confirming with choir master Richard Mundy putting For several generations, care for those and sisters, we are caring for Him. that their Christmas morning service the church choir through its paces in extra without a roof over their heads had had been chosen to be broadcast rehearsals leading up to the big day. been heading in the same direction. live to the nation on BBC One. Church-run almshouses and Church It’s going to be a busy few weeks Army hostels gradually gave way to Bishop David will act as celebrant for for Oldham Parish Church, who will secular provision. Yet now it is falling the special occasion and the service will also be taking part in the Church of to our own generation to take up the be Oldham through and through – with England’s #FollowtheStar Christmas challenge to tackle homelessness, as a homily that includes testimony from campaign, as well as holding a Christmas the holes in the statutory safety net get the Oldham Street Angels volunteers. Tree Festival in early December! larger. Through the Greater Manchester David Walker When Revd Derek Palmer first heard that Share in the joy of Christmas Day Winter Night Shelter, the Church is at Bishop of Manchester the heart of providing support to some the BBC were interested in Oldham Parish in Oldham by tuning in to BBC One of the least fortunate in our society. Church he thought it must be a joke! But at 8am on Christmas morning. when he discovered that the church had been noticed through its social media posts about its work with rough sleepers, DIOCESAN SYNOD UPDATE he realised it was a serious proposition. “The BBC picked up on what we were doing, out and about in the community, Diocesan Synod regrouped in October Canon Maurice Smith presented and they said we were the kind of for its first meeting of the new the Annual Report from the Board place they wanted to use for the triennium. Proceedings began with of Education and after a break for Christmas broadcast – and to see how a Eucharist led by Bishop David. lunch there were substantive items we could include some of that into the on the diocesan vocations strategy theme of the service. This is going to After a separate meeting of the Board and the clergy wellbeing survey. of Finance where the Diocesan Budget put Oldham on the map!” he said. for 2019 was approved, the membership Diocesan Synod provides an excellent broke into separate meetings of the opportunity to connect with other people Curate, Revd Charlie Annis, agreed Houses of Clergy and Laity where the from around the diocese. For information saying: “This is our chance to vice-presidents of Diocesan Synod about remaining vacancies, please demonstrate what a vibrant place Oldham were elected for the new triennium. contact Alex Peet at Church House: is, what a vibrant parish we have and [email protected] all of those different aspects of life that The Revd Jo Farnworth was elected exist here. In this service we can bring all as Chair of the House of Clergy and of those lives together in our worship.” Canon Richard Lewis was returned as Chair of the House of Laity. PAGE 2 PAGE 3 Church for a different world CRUX December 2018 HOW DO WE GET INVOLVED? Could your church make or buy a To make the most of this opportunity, big star to put outside your building please make sure your page on A (ideally lit up with fairy lights or an Church Near You is up to date with outside light) to show people that correct information and all your you are celebrating Christmas and Christmas services. Don’t forget to tag that they are welcome to join you? each service with everything that is relevant - the more tags the merrier! Using the hashtags #FollowtheStar and #NightoftheStars you will be able Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be to join in with a nationwide Church of seen, to be sought out and to welcome England presence online - the more people into your Christmas celebrations people that tweet, post and share and into a deeper understanding of pictures, videos and stories of their the true meaning of Christmas. stars, the more visible we will all be to people who would not normally search for Christian content online. NIGHT OF THE STARS NIGHT OF THE STARS: TO DO LIST • Make or buy a big star, attach • Take photos, videos, write a poem, On Friday 21 December It’s part of the Church of it to the outside of your church sing a song about your star - and building and light it up! post on your church’s Facebook, churches are encouraged England’s #FollowtheStar Twitter and Instagram on Friday campaign which aims to 21 December using the hashtags to take part in ‘Night of • Put all of your Christmas services on bring a deeper meaning to #FollowtheStar and #NightoftheStars the Stars’: a visual call your page on www.achurchnearyou. the Christmas season by com and tag them with Christmas to church that’s encouraging people to use and Follow the Star tags. For help • Engage with other churches locally happening both with updating your page on ANCY, and nationally - share your favourite their reflections, prayers and check out our new tutorial Vlog at stars and encourage your congregation locally and online. actions all through Advent youtube.com/manchesterdiocese and community to share yours! and on to Epiphany. PAGE 4 PAGE 5 Church for a different world CRUX December 2018 NEW CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER AND DIOCESAN SECRETARY Helen Platts has been appointed as the Chief Operating Officer and Diocesan Secretary for the Diocese of Manchester. An experienced leader and manager of change, Helen has worked on boards and senior management teams throughout her career, including at the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Local Government Association, Girlguiding and the Audit Commission. She has had a long involvement as a trustee with Fitzroy, a national charity supporting people with learning disabilities, and spent much of her early career working on issues of social inclusion and diversity. Helen is a Chartered Accountant and also a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. SUPPORTING Helen Platts said: “It’s a wonderful privilege for me to be able to bring MENTAL WELLBEING my professional skills to bear in the Diocese of Manchester. I was born in The Diocese of Manchester is committed to helping Manchester and it’s a place I and my clergy and teachers to be better informed and skilled family have a deep connection with. As a key member of the Bishop’s I am inspired by what I have read to support young people’s mental wellbeing. leadership team, Helen will provide about ‘Church for a Different World’, professional oversight of the services and and believe I have the right balance We are the first diocese to appoint Delegates also learnt more about how support offered to parishes and leadership of skills, belief and commitment to a Mental Wellbeing Youth Worker. the diocese can support their efforts to of the Diocesan Board of Finance. She help make it a reality. I look forward Amy Sixsmith is providing support to promote mental wellbeing among will take up her new role in February. to supporting the exciting work that’s teachers, youth workers and clergy in teenagers. They received a goody going on to bring about positive changes this area and has been busy preparing a bag from the Diocesan Youth Officer Helen is a highly experienced senior in the diocese, and to serving the training programme for the New Year. containing games and ideas for manager who has worked in a wide people of Manchester in this way”. stimulating debate and helping range of executive and non-executive We also organised a mini conference young people to open up about their roles in the public, faith and charity Bishop David said, “I’m very much for church secondary school heads and feelings, worries and concerns.