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price of Staying power: the trust, Black experience in Britain, p12 p7 NOW AVAILABLE ON  NEWSSTAND FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2015 No: 6279

Leadership rocks Archbishop joined HTB leaders in the Royal Albert Hall for the 2015 Leadership Conference.

fare cuts of a Conservative Government. “There is a deep contradic- Muted response to tion in the attitudes of a soci- ety which celebrates equality in principle yet treats some people, especially the poor and vulnerable, as unwanted, General Election result unvalued and unnoticed. “It is particularly counter- productive to denigrate NEITHER the nor the Archbishops which will seek to end our existing relationship with the those who are in need, have issued a welcome to the new Conservative Gov- Strasbourg Courts and the European Convention of because this undermines the ernment. Human Rights. wider social instinct to sup- Having called for ‘structures of trust and co-operation The Conservative Party also stated their plan to port one another in the com- in Europe’ in the pre-election Pastoral Letter, the renew Trident, while the Pastoral Letter calls for a ‘re- munity. Church is considering how to respond to the Govern- examining’ of nuclear deterrence. “For instance, when those who rely on social security ment, which seeks a referendum that could see an end The Letter also states that people are tired of a ‘mori- payments are all described in terms that imply they are to Britain’s relationship with Europe. bund’ political culture, where ‘parties have failed to undeserving, dependent, and ought to be self-sufficient, The Pastoral Letter argued strongly for a ‘community offer attractive visions of the kind of society and culture it deters others from offering the informal, neighbourly of nations’, asking England to consider what it shares they wish to see’. The Bishops now look to be standing support which could ease some of the burden of welfare with its neighbours. on their own interests, as the UK electorate showed on the state,” the Pastoral Letter states. “Questions of identity and belonging have no curren- themselves, in majority, to be distinctly pro-Conserva- A joint report, ‘Emergency Use Only’, from the cy except as political bargaining chips,” it said, in words tive, in a result that defied the poll predictions. Trussell Trust, the Church of England, Oxfam and the that have been taken as a cloaked attack on the Conser- The Bishops’ key message to voters ahead of the gen- Child Poverty Action Group found that people using vative promise of a European referendum and the intro- eral election was to ‘engage in politics’, a view which the food banks were more likely to have been subject to duction of a British Bill of Rights and Responsibilities, Church will be asked to defend against speculated wel- sanctions that froze their benefit allowance.

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Diocese of Derby THEDIARY THE The interior of Derby Cathedral is nearly completed. Trenches are being dug for the new heating system, and the first steps in the redecoration project have been taken. Send your events to Dr John Davies, Dean of Derby, said: “These are really [email protected] CHURCHIN exciting days for Derby Cathedral. And it is oddly uplifting to or Tweet @churchnewspaper see the whole nave packed with people on a Sunday surrounded by scaffolding at every turn. People are being 15 May brilliant, waiting for the end of August and a new chapter in Cathedral life and ministry”. ENGLAND 7.30pmFriday Night Kitchen, launch event for the Gathering, Gul- Diocese of Durham benkian, Canterbury, hosted by the Rev Richard Coles Durham Cathedral rang its bells for VE day on Saturday. with the Archbishop of Can- The same eight bells, which rang on 8 May, 1945, were terbury, £15, book at rung to mark the occasion. www.the-gathering.co.uk 7.30pmGodspell in Concert, Ipswich, Diocese of Ely Regent Theatre Diocese of Manchester The Rev Manchester celebrated Edward 16 May the 70th anniversary of Olsworth-Peter Victory in Europe on has been 10am The Gathering, one-day festi- Friday. Manchester appointed Fresh val of faith, Canterbury Cathedral lit their Expressions of Cathedral, with Light Bites, beacons along with 200 Church and Talks, Crafts and activities others throughout the Young Adults and worship and reflection, United Kingdom. People Adviser for the £5, children go free. gathered for prayer and Diocese of Ely. www.the-gathering.co.uk. a vigil. Ed is currently 7.30pmGodspell in Concert, Ipswich, The Very Rev Rogers Vicar of Holy Regent Theatre Govender, Dean of Trinity, Manchester said: Sydenham, with “Manchester Cathedral St Augustine’s 18 May suffered damage from Honor Oak German bombs during Park in 10.30am:Finding Common Ground the Second World War Southwark Study Day, Sheffield Jewish when the north east Diocese. Centre, 3 Brincliffe Crescent, section of the Cathedral This post is a Sheffield, S11 9AW, £25, with was destroyed. new full-time emeritus Bishop of South- Photographs of the role within the wark, the Most Rev Kevin bombing are on display diocese, McDonald, and Rabbi in the Regiment Chapel reflecting the Jonathan Golomb. and it was this bombing that is desire to depicted in the Fire Window in this develop and 19 May chapel. nurture new “The window is a powerful missional reminder of the bombing and also a initiatives with 10am Christian Resources Exhibi- testament to members of the young adults, tion, ExCeL Centre London, regiment who lost their lives and to further until 22 May. defending the nation. It is therefore enhance and 7.30pmGodspell in Concert, Man- very poignant that the beacon support fresh chester Palace marking the 70th anniversary of expressions of VE Day was lit as we give thanks to church. 20 May God for the victory in Europe. May Director of we continue to work for a world Mission, the where justice and peace is Rev Peter 12.15pmBook launch for ‘Wrestling a preserved and celebrated.” Wood, said: “I’m Godly Order’ with James excited about Steven at Sarum College Ed joining the Bookshop, Salisbury. Free mission team entry and refreshments. Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham this autumn. [email protected]. The diocese wishes to 21 May York Minster joined in the VE celebrations on The Minster’s musical feast kicked off on Sunday develop new Sunday, when a team of 10 bellringers rang a quarter when Espérance, a group of local musicians, opportunities peal. provided a programme of English songs from the for engaging 7.30pmGodspell in Concert, Civic Peter Sanderson, York Minster Ringing Master, eras of James I to Charles II and played solos for with young Theatre, Darlington said: “We’re proud to be joining cathedrals and recorder, lute and solo lute. The Southwell adults and fresh churches across the country to mark this momentous Minster Choir Association was marking its 25th expressions of day. We hope people visiting York Minster and the anniversary year. church 22 May wider city will enjoy listening to the bells and take a initiatives. moment to remember those who gave their lives Diocese of Worcester “Ed brings during the conflict.” Worcester Cathedral has appointed three with him 7.30pmGodspell in Concert, Civic Also in York, the , the Rt Rev Dr honorary Canons in recognition of outstanding significant Theatre, Darlington John Thomson, took part in the Great Selby Bike service in the diocese. experience in Ride on Sunday. The Ride started at Barlby High The Rev Garth Nathaniel, Rector of Ipsley and these areas, a 23 May School, and Bishop John tackled the 45-mile course. Rural Dean of Bromsgrove; the Rev Susan passion for Bishop John has so far raised over £1,200, which Renshaw, Vicar of Eckington and Defford cum drawing the will be split equally between the Selby District Besford, Associate Priest of Overbury with arts into Citizens Advice Bureau and the Selby Lions’ chosen Teddington, Alstone and Little Washbourne with mainstream 10am Big Church Day Out - a charities: the British Heart Foundation, Martin Beckford and Ashton-under-Hill and Rural Dean of worship, and his Christian music festival for House Hospice, St Leonard’s Hospice and Friends of Pershore; and the Rev David Sherwin, Rector in creative talents the whole family, Wiston Selby Hospital. the Worcestershire West Team Ministry and Rural will be an House, West Sussex. Also 24 Bishop John said, “I’ve been a keen cyclist for Dean of Martley & Worcester West were installed enormous asset May. years, but a 45-mile course was a challenge for me!” in a service to mark the occasion. to the diocese.”

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper www.churchnewspaper.com Friday May 15, 2015 News 3 Female Government to fight evangelicals welcome Human Rights Act THE NEW Conservative Govern- ment will call Britain’s adoption of The Human Rights Act into ques- new bishops tion. The newly elected Government will seek to revoke Britain’s incorpo- THE SUPPORT group all three orders within ration of the European Convention Anglican Women Evan- our Network,” they said. of Human Rights in UK law, making gelicals: Supporting our AWESOME also wel- Parliament sovereign over Stras- Ordained Ministry comed the appointment bourg in human rights matters in (AWESOME) have wel- of Preb as the UK. comed the appointment . A British Bill of Rights and of three women to the “In line with the Five Responsibilities, which some have episcopate, namely, Bish- Guiding Principles, we referred to as the ‘Conservative’ Bill op Libby Lane, the Rev express our gratitude of Rights, will seek to redress ‘mis- Canon and that the promise was sion creep’, the expansion of ECHR the Ven Rachel Treweek kept to jurisdiction into Parliament. as Bishops of Hull and conservative/headship Under the proposed Bill, the Gloucester respectively. evangelicals to ensure European Court of Human Rights “Many of our number that they have episcopal will act as an advisory body, but will have longed and prayed representation within the not be able to order change to UK law compatible with the Convention. Article 9 was deployed to protect for years for the time College of Bishops. Hav- law or exercise binding decisions But critics say the move could be both the cases of Nadia Eweida and when ‘all orders of min- ing been part of bi-partite over the UK Supreme Court. viewed as vying with the public Shirley Chaplin, who claimed the istry [are] open equally conversations with Parliament will be the ultimate interest in a political knock-out right to wear a cross in the work- to all, without reference Reform looking at the source of legal authority in the UK, match. place, which was considered a ‘man- to gender’. They believe biblical texts on women’s and the Supreme Court, the The Human Rights Act also con- ifestation of religious belief’ and firmly that it is the right leadership as fellow evan- supreme interpretation of the law. tains Article 9: the right of thought, therefore protected under the Act. and clearly biblical way to gelicals, we have built The ‘Conservative’ Bill of Rights conscience and religion, the free- The United Kingdom fought the proceed. Ever since the some good relationships has been viewed by some as a Tory dom to exercise religion or belief case of Lilian Ladele before the founding of AWESOME and look forward to attempt to put their mark on history publicly or privately, alone or with European Court of Human Rights we have looked eagerly working with the Bishop as they state their objective to others; the freedom to exercise reli- after it upheld her refusal to carry to the time when we of Maidstone in the repeal Labour’s Human Rights Act, gion or belief in worship, teaching, out civil partnerships due to reli- would be able represent future,” they said. the Act of Parliament that made UK practice and observance. giously held beliefs.

Chaplain Christians urged to unite after election result wanted for CHRISTIANS HAVE BEEN huge amount in their local communities, but I hope that Christians urged to set aside party dif- across the UK will look to how they can take the next step into leader- ferences after last week’s ship in public life,” he said. General General Election result. Clifford said he wanted to remind evangelicals that engaging in poli- The call came from Steve tics is a year-round commitment and a ‘vital part of mission.’ Clifford, Director of the “By committing to building authentic relationships with politicians, Synod Evangelical Alliance, who supporting them in their work and developing a culture of public lead- said that protecting reli- ership, it is my hope that we will see a more confident, effective and THE ARCHBISHOPS of Canter- gious freedom and helping trust-filled political system in the years to come,” he said. bury and York are looking for a the poorest in society were new Chaplain to the General the biggest issues for evan- Synod, after announcing the post gelical voters. this week. He vowed that the The role will focus on prayer, Alliance will continue to put worship and pastoral care and pressure on the newly elect- The Transforming Gospel include duties such as co-ordinat- ed Conservative Govern- ing Continuous Praying Presence ment to hold politicians to Us conference 2015 at Synod and providing pastoral account in those areas. care to Synod members during “Let’s put aside cynicism and any distrust, and pray for our Monday 20 to Wednesday 22 July, the debates. newly elected politicians that they might be honest, hard- The Archbishops have said that working, fair and accountable MPs. High Leigh Conference Centre, due to the demands of the role, “Our new government has the opportunity to demonstrate Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire the position requires a Chaplain to the trust that has been placed in them. I hope we can see support Synod’s work, rather than faith restored in politicians and in the wider political system. a lay Synod member taking on “The failure of pollsters to predict the outcome shows how sole responsibility for organising the political landscape is changing in the UK, and I would The gospel continues to change lives globally. pastoral care as well as debates. like to see this change draw politicians to work more closely The new Chaplain will not be a with and engage the people and communities they repre- Come and hear speakers from Brazil, India, Pakistan member of Synod, so that they can sent,” he said. and South Africa. Be challenged and inspired! keep their time free to co-ordinate Clifford highlighted the role that churches played in the duties. election run-up, holding hustings and helping communities Call 020 7921 2202 or visit The new chaplain will report to get to know their candidates. www.weareUs.org.uk/conference the , Following on from that, Clifford said that he would like to Robert Paterson (who is also Vice see churches continue to develop relationships with local Chair of the Liturgical Commis- MPs. Us. The new name for USPG sion) and will be supported by a “This is not the end of our democratic duty: voting is just Registered charity number 234518 small Synod Worship sub-group the start of our political engagement. Churches already do a led by Bishop Robert and the Archbishops’ Chaplains.

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THE FORMER Bishop of they were ending their investi- Gloucester has been cleared of gation. However, the Church of Election historic sexual abuse charges. England’s internal review into On 11 May Lambeth Palace the allegations was not complet- released a statement saying: ed until last week. A CALL FOR proportional representation follow- “Following a police investiga- In a statement posted on the ing last week’s General Election has been made tion concerning Bishop diocesan website, Bishop Per- by a commentator for a Christian think tank. Michael Perham last year, ham said it was necessary that a Writing for the Kirby Laing Institute for Chris- which resulted in no further full review be conducted by the tian Ethics (KLICE) Dr Jonathan Chaplin action, the matter was reviewed Church. “I am glad that the responded to the Conservative election win with by the Church of England in Church process has concluded a case for the ‘lost system’ of proportional repre- accordance with its national and that the outcome is clear sentation. safeguarding policy. and decisive. The Church has Dr Chaplin at KLICE called the system ‘a con- “With the full co-operation of to be rigorous in its approach to duit for political truth-telling’ and the current first the Bishop an independent risk safeguarding and, as I made past the post (FPTP) ‘a system which makes a assessment has been satisfacto- absolutely clear from the start, very poor fist of reflecting the people’s convic- rily completed and as a result its investigations had to be thor- tions.’ Bishop Michael will be able to ough to leave no doubt about its KLICE analysis shows that nearly two-thirds of take up ministry in retirement, conclusions. electors voted against the party that ‘won’ an and the postponed farewells for “I am, of course, immensely absolute majority. Labour’s result was described him in Gloucester can now take heartened that I can now return as ‘devastating’ but their yield of seats was actual- place,” the statement said. to ministry in my retirement. I ly better than it should have been. Last August Bishop Perham have a deep sense of gratitude The Liberal Democrats won nearly twice as withdrew from the ministry to all in the Diocese of Glouces- many votes as the SNP but got only a seventh of shortly after he was questioned ter,” he said. their seats; on a fair system they should have won by the Metropolitan Police con- The diocese said it too was 50, the think tank said. cerning allegations of having “gladdened” by the Archbishop The analysis continues by saying that on a fair committed an indecent assault of Canterbury’s statement system, Ukip should have won 82 seats: they against a child aged under 18 exonerating their bishop. “Bish- needed 100 times more votes for their one seat tion of the principle of political equality,” he said. years of age, and a second op Michael has been cleared to than the Tories did for each of theirs and on a fair “The campaign for electoral reform needs to assault against an adult woman take up ministry in his retire- system the Greens should have won 24 seats. take to the streets, for the sake of justice and the between 1980 and 1981 when ment,” it noted adding a service The paper says that due to the FPTP, Ukip, Lib common good – for the sake of ‘political truth- he served as assistant curate of of thanksgiving for his ministry Dem and Greens have been disadvantaged, com- telling’. Addington, in the Diocese of was planned on 13 June 2015 at pared to Labour and the Conservatives. “While KLICE doesn’t hold an official view on Canterbury. Gloucester Cathedral and Commenting on the current First-Past-The- the matter, I personally hope that many Chris- In October the Metropolitan looked “forward to marking Post system, Chaplin said that citizens are not tians – who might be thought to care a bit about Police announced there was no Bishop Michael’s committed respected as political equals. the equal freedom of citizens to articulate their evidence of any crime having and dedicated ministry to this “Their votes were counted, but their views political convictions – will join such a campaign,” been committed, and stated diocese.” don’t count. This is a blatantly unacceptable viola- he added. Archbishop inspired by See of Islington is revived A NEW Bishop is Church’ objective, light of clarification set to be announced which asserted that of the intended role for the See of Isling- ‘the existing of the new bishop, prophet to tackle conflict ton, a post that has parochial system gave it a green light. been revived. alone is no longer As with our recent The See, which able fully to deliver scheme radically FAITH GROUPS can respond to has been left its underlying mis- reshaping dioceses conflict by following the exam- unfilled since 1923, sion purpose…’ and in West Yorkshire, ple of the prophet Jeremiah, the was reinstated after sought ‘a mixed we are keen to play has the Bishop of Lon- economy of parish our part in adapting said. don, the Rt Rev churches and net- the Church’s struc- The Most Rev Justin Welby Richard Chartres, work churches’, and tures to meet cur- was addressing the Board of submitted the pro- ‘new communities rent mission Deputies of British Jews Presi- posal for this to the of Christian faith as needs.” dent’s Dinner in London last Diocesan Synod part of the mission.’ Bishop Richard week when he made his com- and Bishop’s Coun- The position was Chartres said: “Vic- ments. cil following discussed at the torian London grew Speaking as the guest of hon- approval from the London Synod, fol- from a population of our, the Archbishop spoke about Archbishop of Can- lowing the Commis- just over a million in the role of religious communi- terbury, who called sion’s formal review 1800 to seven mil- ties in reconciliation. Archbish- the post “essential of the proposal for lion by 1900. Then, op Welby has visited 37 to the future devel- revival last Septem- the old structures of provinces of the Anglican Com- opment of the evan- ber. church life were not munion in the past two years and gelistic work of the The new post will adequate to the mis- said that 24 of these are in con- Church of Eng- be accountable to sionary challenge of flict or post-conflict areas. that picks up Jeremiah’s power- your work tonight as the Board land.” the Bishop of Lon- such a rapid popula- “So how do we respond to ful, age-enduring, extraordinary of Deputies. You have an The Bishop will don and be part of tion explosion. this?” he asked. “The answer is testimony and vision; that picks extraordinary challenge. We will have responsibility the London dio- “Over 90 years in threefold approach of looking that up and turns it into a reality do our best to stand with you for ‘church planting’ cese’s senior team. after it was put to for a global response, genera- in our own generation,” he said. and alongside you. We will fall primarily within the Prof Michael sleep, the return of tional and ‘primarily ideological.’ He spoke about the need to from time to time. I hope we will Diocese of London Clarke, Chair of the the See of Islington “ ... Ideology that undermines come together and have conver- have the guts – when we do, as but broadly across Dioceses Commis- will now give us the — that subverts — the argu- sations, modelling ‘transparency we have done – to apologise, to the whole of the sion, said: “The opportunity to ments of the radicals, that mod- and respect’, beyond inter-reli- acknowledge our failure and to UK. The move is Commission looked ensure that growth els an alternative that is about gious interactions of ‘anaemic stand back from it and learn and part of the wider ini- very carefully at the remains at the heart human flourishing and about the intent.’ do better in the future,” he said. tiative of the ‘Mis- ’s of our strategic flourishing of human societies; “I celebrate – we celebrate – sion-Shaped proposal, and, in the planning.”

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Cathedral commemorates Armenian genocide THE PRESIDENT of Armenia and US Vice President Joe Biden were guests of honour at Washington’s National Cathedral at a service last week commemorat- ing the “Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide.” The prayer service comes amidst political wrangling in the United States after Irish clergy President Barack Obama backed away from a campaign promise to recognize the mass killings and deportation of 1.5 million Armenian Christians by the Ottoman Turks in 1915 as “genocide”. In his sermon Aram said: “I believe that, according to teaching of all religions, justice is a gift of God. And rejection of justice is a sin against God. Justice is also the core of human rights.” battle over Ordinariate Vicar arrested A FORMER Church of England vicar who entered the Angli- gay marriage can Ordinariate has been arrested for fraud allegedly com- mitted in 2010 whilst he was serving as vicar of St Michael and All Angels in Croydon. A WAR of letters has broken out an agenda contrary to church Fr Donald Minchew was released on bail after attending a between cler- teaching. hearing at the Croydon Custody Centre on 4 May and gy over the introduction of gay “In recent days, two Irish ordered to appear at a July hearing. marriage in the Republic of Ire- bishops have publicly In 2011 Fr Minchew entered the Ordinariate of Our Lady of land. declared and taught contrary Walsingham, but was suspended from the ministry in March On 22 May Ireland will go to to the plain teaching of Scrip- 2014 after he admitted to having entered into a same-sex partnership in 2008 the polls to vote on a constitution- ture and to the teaching of the with Mustajab Hussain to give him the right to a legal residence in the UK. In al amendment put forward by the Church of Ireland. This is March 2015, Mgr Keith Newton reinstated Fr Minchew “after much prayer and Fine Gael-Labour government despite the vows and promis- discussion” following the Home Office’s decision not to pursue criminal charges. that would mandate the legal es made at their ordination Allegations of fraud were brought to the police by the parish council in March recognition of same-sex marriage. The and consecration to uphold the Church’s 2015 and are understood to relate to the inappropriate use of church funds in Roman Catholic Bishops of Ireland have teaching and to refute error. We believe 2010. urged the defeat of the bill, but two that they are now themselves teaching A spokesman for the Ordinariate, Fr Len Black, told The Church of England Church of Ireland bishops have said they error and we call on them to repent of this Newspaper on 9 May the priest “denies these allegations. Fr Minchew has not will vote “yes”. and to teach what the Church has taught currently been charged with any offence. Unless any further action is taken by The Bishop of Cork, the Rt Rev Paul about marriage according to Scripture,” the police, Fr Minchew will continue to serve in his present role as pastor of the Colton told the BBC last year he support- they said. Croydon Ordinariate Mission.” ed the introduction of gay marriage, while Speaking to the media last week at the the Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory, the close of the Irish General Synod the arch- Rt Rev last month told a bishops of Armagh and Dublin acknowl- Candidates named conference at Trinity College, Dublin, that edged the House of Bishops was not of gay rights was the “great justice issue of one mind on the issue — however, the THE JOINT Nominating Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop of our time just as the abolition of slavery Church would not take a formal stance on the Episcopal Church of the USA has submitted four names for consideration to and the emancipation of women were in the referendum. the House of Bishops for election at this summer’s meeting of General Conven- the past.” The Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop tion in Salt Lake City. He asserted the “call for same sex mar- of Armagh Richard Clarke said: “I can’t The Rt Rev Thomas Breidenthal, 64, Bishop of Southern Ohio; The Rt Rev riage is a logical and timely development think of an occasion when the House of Michael Curry, 62, Bishop of North Carolina; The Rt Rev Ian Douglas, 56, Bish- in the march of law reform and equality” Bishops has ever said vote in such and op of Connecticut; and the Rt Rev Dabney Smith, 61, Bishop of Southwest Flori- and was “convinced that it will be a contri- such a way or not in such and such a way.” da were selected to stand for election on 27 June 2015 as 27th presiding bishop of bution to a fairer and more truly equal Ire- The Archbishop of Dublin Michael Jack- the American Church. land, and I cannot see any way in which it son said: “It is not our way of working. It’s Three of the four have authorized their clergy to perform same-sex blessings, could be considered repugnant to the not like the Church to be prescriptive… while Smith of Southwest Florida has declined. None of the four have been active common good, or indeed to the vital role But I wouldn’t in any way go as far as to or vocal supporters of the current presiding bishop’s legal campaign against of the family.” say that the absence of a public statement breakaway congregations, with Douglas (a member of the Anglican Consultative On 1 May, 43 Church of Ireland clergy betokens internal division.” Council’s standing committee), having allowed conservative Connecticut con- endorsed a letter printed in the Irish Nor would General Synod be making a gregations to invite traditionalist bishops to exercise episcopal office in his place. Times stating: “We believe that for too statement on gay marriage and the issues Bishops will gather at the Convention Eucharist on 26 June to elect the new long LGBT people have suffered discrimi- surrounding human sexuality. The Gener- presiding bishop in private session. nation and injustice in Ireland and that a al Synod voted last week to extend by two Yes vote will be a contribution to a fairer years the work of select committee study- and more truly equal Ireland.” ing the issue, charging it to report back to Zimbabwe church fight goes on The Church of Ireland Gazette last week the 2017 meeting of synod. An interim published a letter endorsed by 38 clergy “Guide to the Conversation on Human THE LAND grab by members of the youth wing of President Robert Mugabe’s urging rejection of gay marriage, and Sexuality in the Context of Christian ZANU-PF party of a farm belonging to St Mary’s Anglican Church in Chitung- chastised the two bishops for promoting Belief” is to be published later this year. wiza has evolved into a political fight between the ruling government party and the opposition MDC-T party. On 26 April 2015 a mob of over 1000 ZANU-PF members blocked the church during Sunday wor- ship and demanded the vicar turn over to them a nearby plot of church land. The Diocese of Harare responded by filing a pleading with the High Court asking it to evict the squatters. The court grant- ed the request, but the police have declined to honour the court’s order. Last week the opposition MDC-T said it would lend its aid in driving the squat- ters from the land.

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relates to Cyclone Pam, which the man to be alone.’ Indeed. Climate change struck the island of Vanuatu But Jesus went on, in the pas- Sir, I was taken aback some- in the Pacific area. The speed The question of suffering sage above, to say that not what when I saw two letters of the cyclone was initially Sir, I agree with Peter Mullen everyone is called to mar- replying to my letter in said to be about 200 miles per that, ultimately, it is a mistake riage, but some to celibacy response to the Rev Payne’s hour and the cyclone was the to attempt to justify the ways (Matt 19.12). There are differ- first letter about climate result of climate change. Such of God to man. But the Bible ent reasons for the call not to change. But I stand by what I a cyclone was said to be does have quite a lot to say marry and we can fit same- wrote. I have not denied that unprecedented. about the causes of human sex attraction into this verse there are changes taking However, a US agency put suffering. somewhere. But in any case place to different extents in the speed at about 165 miles The Old Testament has two Jesus does not propose a different locations. It is a mat- per hour, which was less than goes at tackling the problem homosexual relationship in ter of causes, extent and cer- that of Cyclone Zoe, which hit of suffering which we all face. place of marriage. tainty. Vanuatu at about 180 mph in Adam and Eve are disobedi- The argument that ‘love’ Job is one Old Testament 2002. What is more, Japan ent, Job is righteous. What trumps all other considera- character who does not was hit by two cyclones with their stories have in common tions is to misunderstand the appear to be sufficiently winds of up to 215 mph about is Satan. For Adam and Eve, Biblical meanings of ‘love’. appreciated. He was, fore- 50 years ago. their suffering is the conse- Most people are familiar with most, a man of honesty and In addition, there has been quence of rebelling against God. For Job, it is the conse- the distinction in Greek integrity which resulted in no upward trend in the inci- quence of his love of God. between three words: Eros, questioning the received wis- dence of tropical cyclones in The answer to Hume’s conundrum (that a good and meaning sexual love or lust; dom, the consensus of his day the last 60 years. As regards omniscient God would not allow suffering) is that there is a philia, meaning friendship; that related all suffering to earlier springs, it is of interest bigger context to the question. Humans and God are not the and agape, meaning God’s wrongdoing and blessings to that there has been no only actors in the drama. love for us, ours for him, and righteousness. upward trend in average win- The Bible does not describe the Garden of Eden as para- our Christian love for one What he said about God ter temperatures over the last dise for it contained the snake. Before there can be paradise another. during his suffering was 100 years here, whatever has Satan must first be defeated. That requires the suffering of The remedy for our alone- mostly wrong, but whether he been said about the coming of the righteous, especially, of course, Jesus. Without the ness in the celibate life is not was right or wrong is not the spring. cross Satan cannot be beaten. This is the heart of the mys- eros-love with anyone, but point I want to make. A point As for the notion held by tery. But to my mind it does go some way to explaining why philia-friendship and agape, of relevance is that this man of some that climate scientists God allows suffering in his world. within the fellowship of the integrity was scornfully dis- and other scientists are all dis- The Rev Tim Ward, church. Jesus, our supreme missed. Too many of those interested noble knights on Arundel, West Sussex example of a person living a who support the present fiery white steeds fighting life without married love, said orthodoxy on climate change valiantly against the dragon of to his disciples, ‘I have called are contemptuous and dismis- ignorance, they should con- matter how its plain teaching two different accounts of cre- you friends.’ We do nobody sive of those who challenge sider the words of one profes- is twisted in order to do so. ation’. I plead guilty of this any favours by encouraging their paradigm, however sor, described as being at the Mrs S Wilson, ‘doubtful practice’. But then I them to find fulfilment in an much the challenge is a mat- centre of the climate science Tandragee am in good company, Jesus erotic relationship other than ter of disinterested, intellectu- mainstream, when he said did it too (Matt 19.4-6). I was in marriage between a man al honesty. What a great that there were scientists who Creation and sexuality only quoting him. and a woman. educational lesson to give harassed others until they Sir, Derrick Gierth accuses Derrick then reminds us of Martin Down, young minds. “fell into line”. Those who me of ‘conjoining verses from Gen 2:18, ‘It is not good for Witney, Oxon I would like to take up just a question only aspects of the few of the questionable state- orthodoxy are liable to be ments asserted by the two denigrated as global warming Peterborough Diocese @Peterborodio correspondents. Only those deniers. YOUR RT @StreetPastors: It’s great to hear of new articles submitted to scientific SP Jackson, TWEETS @streetpastor recruits commissioned this journals that are acceptable to Wilford, Nottingham month - pls let us know if it’s happening in the journals are submitted for Steven Croft @Steven_Croft your area peer-review. There is evi- Glad to be back at work today after 7 days dence that submissions have New revelation? off following a leg injury. Thanks to all at Alan Saunders @alansaunders been rejected by journals Sir, Has Mr Derrick Gierth Northern General A&E for excellent care Party in the Park 2015 will be bigger and because they challenge the had a new revelation from better than ever! @HOPEtogether current orthodoxy without God in order to state so cate- PinkNews @pinknews @DioManchester youtu.be/b_WOPdntHsU being subject to peer-review. gorically that creating woman .@tinastowell who led same-sex marriage One egregious example is for man was not God’s initial through the Lords, promoted in #reshuffle Mark Russell @markrusselluk that of a Swedish professor purpose? p.ink.cx/1PByXC0 So many of my @ChurchArmy team are whose paper was rejected by a Surely if companionship suffering from cancer at the moment. If you leading science journal on the was the primary purpose of Christian Aid @christian_aid pray please please say one for them ground that is was harmful God’s creation of a partner, he MT @tesResources: It’s #ChristianAidWeek and would have a negative could have created another - Our Pinterest board is packed with Archbishop Cranmer @His_Grace impact. Neither correspon- man first, and a woman after? fantastic assemblies & activities Church “mad as hell” over Tory election dent addressed the issue of Yet he chose to create woman, ow.ly/MMzdn victory archbishopcranmer.com/church- historical data being adjusted who complemented man per- mad-as-… by means of computers in fectly, physically and emotion- Diocese of Liverpool @LivDiocese order to fit in, it appears with ally? It is strange that Serena We pray for all those with exams over the St George’s Berlin @StGeorgesBerlin the consensus view. Lancaster has come up with next few weeks. Know that you are loved by The church is open for prayer and Both writers mention the same inventive interpreta- God who has fearfully and wonderfully meditation every Wednesday from 6-7 pm. increases in the frequency tion on the same week. It made you. #exams Come and join us! and intensity of extreme appears there is no end at pic.twitter.com/TDpevQy929 events. This is open to serious attempts to make the Bible fit questioning. One example in with the LGBT view, no

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The election reveals opinion being silenced That exit poll on election night at 10pm was one of those unforget- table moments in political and media history: it stated that those The Dishonest asked, after voting, had produced a very large win for the Conser- vative Party. This was immediately disbelieved in the TV studios by the ranks of those being called ‘experts’, with inverted commas inserted. Paddy Ashdown said he would eat his hat if they were true, Alas- tair Campbell named his kilt for the same treatment. Poor Peter Election Kellner, Lord of the Pollsters at YouGov, suffered a night of ridicule on behalf of his whole industry, now discredited as any sort of ‘sci- ence’ since all polling companies had insisted that the election was neck and neck in England up to the wire, even just before the vote. Mr Kellner stated the blindingly obvious, that voters had told ALANSTORKEY pollsters one thing, and voted another. Janet Daley, who alone had predicted a good win for the Conservatives a couple of days before the vote, said she had trusted the common sense of the English and The Election we have just seen has been a traves- had disbelieved the pollsters. She was totally vindicated. In her ty of democracy, marked especially by the sin of Telegraph article after the vote she pointed to the control of the left bearing false witness. False witness is not diffi- over public discourse and its effective bullying of ordinary decent cult to understand, and as one of the Ten Com- people into being shy of stating their common sense view. mandments, it is telling us something The large percentage of ‘undecideds’ before the vote were in fact fundamental about how we should live, namely Conservatives covering up their intentions for fear of being that we should not present other people as they smeared as nasty by a left wing commentariat, including pollsters are not. and the media. Most people in England are not left wing: that fact The first area where this happened was the was totally lost in the minds of the pollsters and politicians, who claim that the Labour Government “messed up projected onto the voters their own presuppositions. Whether the the economy”, repeated like a brainwashing media will ‘listen’ to this result and begin to recalibrate their politi- mantra time and time again – the “chaos of cal stance is another matter: the left says Janet Daley makes all the Labour’s Great Recession”. As a string of Nobel noise but is a small group with a much larger penumbra of the Prize-winning economists and the ex-Governor silent common sense tradition. of the Bank of England have said, that was not The huge growth in the UKIP share of the vote also shows that the case. the New Labour politically correct rule book is rejected by millions There was a banking crisis for which all the of voters. parties who were for deregulating banks were Nick Cohen in the Guardian supports this analysis: “The univer- culpable, and George Brown and Alastair Darling sities, left press, and the arts characterise the English middle-class handled that crisis well, for which we all should as Mail-reading misers, who are sexist, racist and homo- be grateful. Labour was accused of excessive phobic to boot. Meanwhile, they characterise the white government debt, but actually during the time working class as lardy Sun-reading slobs, who are, since before the 2008 crisis government debt as a pro- you asked, also sexist, racist and homophobic. The portion of GDP was lower under Labour than it national history is reduced to one long imperial crime.” had been under the Conservatives earlier, even This sense of being bullied and brow-beaten into keep- though the Conservatives had sold off vast public ing one’s views very quiet resonates with millions of resources. Christians in the UK. The historically incontestable When the crisis came, the Government bought Christian roots of welfare, education, medicine, social up a lot of banking capital to calm it, pushing up cohesion – including of course that between Scotland and aggregate debt, and that debt is being sold off, England – is pushed into the closet as if something improving the public debt situation. Since then shameful, not the very driver of tolerance, respect, care the recession induced by the Chancellor has cost for ‘the other’ as the Good Samaritan, equality for the economy tens of billions and reduced tax women, hope for the oppressed, enforcing the law with- income considerably. We have had no real recov- out fear or favour. Will our institutions begin to listen to ery of manufacturing, but mainly one in credit the majority voice in England and cease bullying it? and shopping, and job creation has largely been unemployed people pushed into low productivity Comment self-employment and part-time jobs. Elections are often wrong. Nixon was elected, The rubbishing of Labour by George Osborne even as he was cheating over Watergate. Reagan and Danny Alexander has therefore been a trav- was elected as he did a deal with Iran not to The Church of England Newspaper esty of the real situation. release the hostages before the election to pre- with Celebrate magazine incorporating The Record and Christian Week Further, the Conservatives used the “threat” of vent Carter being re-elected as President. In 1924 Published by Political and Religious Intelligence Ltd. a Labour/Scottish Nationalist Party Coalition to the Conservatives and the Daily Mail published a Company Number: 3176742 push Labour into disavowing coalitions. The SNP forged letter purporting to be from Grigori Publisher: Keith Young MBE was quite clear that the issue of independence at Zinoviev telling Communists to rise up against a referendum was different from the task of con- the State and used it to travesty Ramsey Mac- tributing to the UK Parliament. 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Those who worship Christian Weekly Newspapers Trustees: Robert Leach (020 8224 5696), reflective SNP supporters and voters to stay and Mammon are cut off from God. The next five Lord Carey of Clifton, The Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, The Rt Rev Pete Broadbent, the pariah status vested in them by Cameron and years will play out its judgments on what we have Dr Elaine Storkey, The Rev Cindy others could not be further from the truth. done. The conduct of elections is actually as impor- As Nixon who won an election with Watergate The Church of England Newspaper, tant as their outcome. 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words? I think not. Each has served his party to the best of their ability, although arguably each was By Jayne Ozanne guilty of being “out of touch” with Affirming Evangelicals the views of the electorate. Sadly each has decided to “fall on his sword”, believing that in failing to Question: Why do leaders deliver a “winning result” they resign? have now lost people’s trust and Answer: Because nine times confidence. Their tribes must out of 10 they’ve lost the trust and now anoint another “messianic confidence of those they serve. hopeful” who will seek to inspire If you “can’t buy me love”, then greater confidence amongst the you definitely “can’t buy me nation and so do better next time. trust” - and you most certainly Am I the only one to be a bit “can’t buy me confidence”! Well, perturbed by this? Is the goal not unless you are prepared to now really all about winning and pay sacrificially for it. Trust and having an iconic leader who can confidence take significant time deliver this? For the sake of our to build, and can be lost in a democracy I hope not. moment. Whilst it is true that Their actions have caused me some people instil greater to reflect on the trust and confidence in us than others, at confidence that we, as a church, the end of the day it usually boils often place in our own senior down to one simple thing – are leadership. Should we also expect their actions a living testament to them to be “in touch” with the the words that they speak? Do people they serve? Or do we have they live by what they profess? overly high expectations of them? So why have we seen the I’m sure we would all declare resignation of three of our most the need for grace and dedicated and talented political forgiveness, but where do we leaders recently? Did they draw the line? Is it about policing actually do anything wrong? what we think they should What was their crime? Were their believe? Or perhaps it’s about actions undermined by their expecting a certain level of

morality, where they act as exemplary role many of us know that not all is at it seems. We models? What would we do if we knew the know that there are other agendas at stake. truth? If we found them to be human – and Some concern individual self-interest and broken – and fallible just like the rest of us? others focus on maintaining something that has Not all leaders will live up to the standards become almost an idol - that of “unity” and our expected by their followers – indeed the desire to preserve it at all cost. majority will most certainly need to be forgiven It is because of unity that a deal was done to at some point or other. However, there will give Reform its own “headship” bishop. It is always be a line beyond which no honourable because of unity an Archbishop from one of the leader can go – where the bond of trust and the most homophobic nations in the world has seal of confidence are irreparably broken. been made Secretary General of the Anglican What is that for you? For me, it is a question of Consultative Council. It is because of unity that integrity – whether the life they lead is in line we LGBT Christians are being asked to bare with the values that they preach. Whether the our souls and “trust the process”. But can’t the rules that they demand others live by are the hierarchy see how hollow this all seems? rules by which they themselves live. Don’t they know that their savings account of So I move to the hot topic of the Shared trust is all but bankrupt, and that to build up a Conversations, and the request that deposit requires acts of courage to do what is participants be as open as they can be about right? Where is the fearless faith that will step one of the most personal of issues – sexuality. out and speak truth, no matter what the cost? For the process to work we are told there Sadly it seems that many in secular society needs to be both honesty and transparency. But have a dwindling respect for today’s Church at what cost to the individuals concerned? hierarchy. Indeed, many are aware of the Many of us have fought hard to ensure that no dysfunction that exists within the House of member of the clergy be penalised for Bishops, and the hypocrisy and fear that entrap disclosing information that might lead to a some of its members. They long for a day clergy disciplinary measure. I have received where Church leaders will find the courage to assurances that they will be safe under the St say what they truly believe, and where they can Michael’s House protocols. But that requires see modelled the fear of God more than the that we trust the process, which in turn fear of man. demands that we trust our leaders to honour At what price might this happen I wonder? I such an agreement. close my eyes and see two planks of wood and And sadly that trust and confidence is at an three long hard nails…. and then I see the one all time low. I love cooking us both a breakfast of fish on a In truth, this is where the rub lies - because beach, and I smile.

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By Heather Bamber, others must sadly be left out. 2007 was circulated within the printed magazine and Royal School of Church Music An occasional survey of the magazine’s readership was available on the RSCM website, attracting about and the wider Church community serves to inform 270 responses in total, whereas the current survey has One only needs to look at the classified adverts in publi- these decisions, making sure the listings are as repre- already received 1,500 responses online within a week! cations such as this one to see how many churches have sentative as possible. It also provides an interesting This is an extremely encouraging response rate, and is a stack of used hymn books looking for a new home. Is reflection of current trends in musical style and the good news for the value and usefulness of the listings in this because the church has invested in a newer edition usage of different formats. the future. of a favourite hymn book, or because the worship style The latest survey has just been circulated, and has The RSCM would love to hear from as many churches has changed? Or maybe they’ve introduced overhead already highlighted one significant trend – the as possible, from any denomination and whether you projection? And maybe we will all be following the texts increased use of digital technology. The last survey in are a member of the organisation or not. Just go to via an app in the future! www.rscm.com/hymnbooksurvey, and it shouldn’t take There have been many changes in the land- more than 10 minutes to complete - only one response scape of music in worship since the Royal per church, please. School of Church Music began publishing its In addition to questions about the music in your serv- Sunday by Sunday liturgy planner in 1997. The ices week by week, it asks how you plan your music for quarterly magazine lists suggested hymns, worship, and how you supply the texts to the congrega- songs, anthems and organ music for every Sun- tion. All of which will be indispensable in informing the day of the Church year and for major festivals development of the listings for the future, and for the and holy days, and has become an invaluable wider work of the RSCM in training and supporting resource for clergy, worship leaders, organists church musicians. and choir directors around the world. Selected extracts of Sunday by Sunday listings for fes- It aims to make the listings as useful as possi- tivals and special occasions can be downloaded free at ble for many denominations and styles of wor- www.rscm.com/sbys, and the survey is available online ship, with numbers supplied for as many hymn for a limited time at www.rscm.com/hymnbooksurvey – and song books as can be fitted across a page don’t miss the chance to have your say! (currently 14). This, of course, means that deci- sions have to be made on which of the dozens of Heather Bamber is the RSCM’s Marketing Administrator the books in print should be included and which RAF Chaplains rise to new challenges worldwide The last 10 or so years have seen the RAF face significant challenges both at home and overseas, in peacetime and during times of conflict. Since the end of the Cold War, UK forces have been involved in Bosnia, Kosovo, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, Could You Be Their Chaplain? Libya, Mali, Sierra Leone and Northern Ireland, together with smaller engage- ments in other areas of the world.

RAF chaplains work to bring in the Kingdom of God by prayer, presence and proclamation. They minister to Service person- nel and their families, provid- ing pastoral, spir- itual and moral support during times of great joy Since the Royal Air Force was formed in 1918, and times of chaplains have been an integral part of the great sorrow. RAF and today, as then, they represent the Chaplains are Church where it is needed most. alongside people As an RAF chaplain you will be involved at their places of in the lives of our personnel, regardless of work, in their their rank or religious beliefs. You will serve social lives and alongside them, providing vital religious, pastoral and ethical support wherever they on overseas go, including deployed Operations. Operations. Home-based duties will be equally Service person- important, supporting personnel and their nel, like civilians, families, Reservists, civil servants and the wider RAF community. While exploring face difficult innovative ways of engaging with them, issues which you will also fulfil the more traditional role arise from their of leading regular worship, including work as well as officiating at baptisms, weddings and funerals. Partners and families are well cared those difficulties for and the RAF provides excellent in-service which occur in training and education opportunities. their personal lives. If you are ready for an exciting, highly-rewarding position, contact us now.

For those wearing uniform, particular moral issues might arise and it is here that a We have vacancies for full-time and chaplain who works alongside them, and has trained with them and thus under- spare-time chaplains. stands their working environment and culture, can be of particular help. It is in such www.raf.mod.uk/chaplains circumstances that the service person can discuss and reflect upon the ethical aspects of warfare. The chaplain (or Padre as chaplains in the Services are affec- tionately known) is able to talk to Service personnel in a confidential environment, which is not available anywhere else in Service life. The airman/woman can talk Produced by Air Media Centre, HQ Air Command. 1416_14CR honestly without the pressures of having to try to impress or gain the respect of © UK MOD Crown Copyright, 2014 peers.

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Janey Lee Grace Live Healthy! Live Happy!

that ‘forces’ you to sit in the correct position by pro- The war against sitting viding a motion that enables you to remain active while seated. (It feels not dissimilar to riding a horse slowly!) ‘Sitting is the new cancer’ according to Tim Cook, the Hands up here! Guilty your honour! What’s really changed for me is the installation of chief executive of Apple: it’s a timely warning to coincide I sit hunched at a computer, or using a smartphone, I an adjustable height desk: seems so simple but it with the marketing of the new Apple Watch, which costs sit in the car and on the train, at work and again at night, means I can make phone calls, use the computer and from around £300. I do take regular breaks, go for walks and do some exer- do everything standing. For my office companions The watch monitors the user’s movements and sends a cise but when I added up the work time which has to be (the rest of the family) who don’t want to stand they small pulse reminding them to get up and move 10 min- at a desk where my computer is, I realised something can simply press the button on the side of the wood- utes before each hour is up. had to change. en desk and it slowly lowers back down. Simple! His choice of expression was met with some disdain Fortunately I met Mike Dilke from Relaxback UK. He When I’m feeling sorry for myself and wanting a bit but it’s not just marketing spin. The Department of is a civil engineer who became fascinated by the body as of pampering at the end of the day I will legitimately Health call sitting ‘a silent killer’ and say it’s as danger- structure and so he researched into the huge rise in back be able to say ‘I’m exhausted: I’ve been on my feet all ous as smoking. It is thought that if you sit for more than problems. He believes this is at least in part down to poor day’. No doubt I will hear the chorus – You chose it! eight hours a day it can increase your risk of heart dis- posture and sitting for too long in the wrong position. ease, diabetes and early death by 15 per cent. He now sells The Back App chair, an ergonomic chair www.relaxbackuk.com Churches and the election Crime writers and faith It is rarely noticed but general elections offer evidence of the role the churches continue to play in community life in Britain. Hustings held up and down the country often took place Ruth Rendell, creator of Inspector Wexford, who died recently, and PD in churches. Nigel Farage refused five invitations to take part in such events but most James were good friends although they sat on opposite sides of the politicians readily agreed. The front page of the Oxford diocesan newspaper showed David House of Lords. In the public mind PD James was more closely identified Cameron joining in the hustings in the parish church in Witney. At St Mary’s, Barnes, 400 with the Christian Church although she made it clear that she was not attended, 100 having to stand, but everyone receiving a glass of wine and other hospitality entirely orthodox in her beliefs and not regular in her church attendance. from the parish. According to the National Churches Trust, 6,000 out of over 30,000 polling Ruth Rendell was more open about her journey to agnosticism and the stations were located in church buildings. In Greater London the figure was 25 per cent of church figured less prominently in her work. According to AN Wilson, polling stations while in Scotland in was only 12 per cent. Trust chief executive, Claire writing in the Daily Mai l, when he first met Rendell she was the Walker, commented that the findings show that “church buildings play an important role in churchgoer and he was the agnostic. “Over a 30-year period our positions the administration of the democratic process. Church buildings are well located and widely reversed,” Wilson reported. “I started going to church again, she recognised local landmarks”. As a result of the election, David Cameron may no longer be stopped. ‘I went into a church and simply said “goodbye”,’ she told me. “It the only practising Christian outside Northern Ireland to lead a major party. Tim Far ron, is the terrible unfairness of life. How could God allow cancer, poverty and an evangelical, is the hot tip to take over the Lib Dems (if they still qualify as a major the sheer unfairness of so many lives? That is the question that finishes it party). This column has a suggestion for him. Can he please stop describing the Tories as for me”.’ According to Wilson, there were several times when Rendell ‘wicked’? It’s one of his favourite terms for them. We can disagree in politics without was the Labour Party’s biggest donor. Her political views were originally demonising our opponents. linked to her Christian faith. In her early years she described herself as a ‘Christian socialist’, later as a ‘lapsed Anglican agnostic’. Like PD James she was a member of the Prayer Book Society. “I can’t listen to the Alternative Service Book,” she told one journalist. “Dreadful sentences. It doesn’t aid understanding.” Agnosticism and liturgical conservatism didn’t prevent Rendell being a campaigner for women priests. Originally she opposed change but soon became a supporter of women bishops as well as priests. She was a patron of GRAS (Group for the Rescinding of the Act of Synod), joining their campaign to end safeguards for Autistic Archbishop? traditionalists. In his new study of Michael Ramsey Peter Webster tantalisingly suggests the former Archbishop was autistic and says he offers evidence for this elsewhere. The matter is discussed on Webster’s blog where he argues that such a diagnosis accounts for Ramsey’s well-known awkwardness and eccentricity. This was a man who allowed a group of Election port-mortem American soldiers inside Durham Cathedral during the war and then forgot to return to let them out again. One member of Ramsey’s staff accused him of doing nothing to Except in Scotland, not much attention has been paid to the role played cultivate any small talk and making no effort to get on the wavelength of by religion in the election. Britain is unlike America where the other people. Webster argues that a diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder influence of religion on voting is closely analysed. But Eliza Filby, (ADS) explains Ramsey’s behaviour. This condition often leads to a vigorous author of God and Mrs Thatcher, looks at the topic in the current and apparently purposeless waving of hands for which Ramsey was known issue of Standpoint. She quotes the analysis by Theos that shows (staff once refused to serve him tea in a Lincoln cafe). Repetitive use of most Anglican laity voting Tory and most Catholics Labour but certain words (‘yes, yes, yes’), and an inability to respond to the social also notes a ComRes poll that indicated gay marriage had approaches of others, even an inability to imagine the existence of alienated many Anglican voters. In contrast a Pink News other minds, are all symptoms of ADS (Ramsey once sat in silence poll showed Conservatives equal with Labour for the for 15 minutes in a 45-minute job interview). But if Ramsey was LGBT vote. Where the political pundits are interested in interested in a topic he could be spell binding. His performance the link between faith and voting is when it comes to the as President of the Cambridge Union made Asquith think of him role of Muslims. While turnout among Anglicans is as future leader of the Liberal Party. Given a clue by his wife higher than for the population in general it is lower Ramsey could speak at length until he ran out of information to among Muslims. In 2010 only 47 per cent of Muslims impart. He could be eloquent but didn’t really ‘do’ conversation. voted compared with a general turnout of 65 per cent. It Watson suggests Ramsey succeeded despite ADS because of Whispering is estimated that 26 constituencies are now more than 20 his great ability and reputation as a man of prayer. He had a Gallery per cent Muslim and YouElect estimates that the Muslim

strong sense of the reality of communion with God through The vote is influential in 32 seats. The defeats of George prayer and people thought that his ‘other worldly’ behaviour Galloway and David Ward in Bradford are a welcome sign was to be expected in a mystic. that Muslim voters are becoming more discriminating.

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The losers in the ANDREW election campaign CAREY

There were a number of losers as a result of the election campaign. I View from the Pew am not now thinking about parties, campaigns and individual politi- cians but more about assumptions and ideas that have now been chal- lenged. David Cameron brandishes In particular, newspapers and broadcasters have as many questions Liam Byrne’s letter during to answer about the way in which they allowed their agenda to be led the 2015 election campaign by unreliable public opinion polls. The pollsters were proved wrong and the media, which slavishly followed the polls, were also exposed. In the short campaign journalists expected a hung Parliament and their questioning turned to possible alliances, red lines and coalition negotiations. This was a distraction and a deceit. Politicians were accused of being evasive for refusing to answer this line of question- ing, yet they were clearly right to do so. Thankfully, the influence of celebrities has been laid to rest. The idea that celebrity endorsement has any effect on voters has been exposed as a vanity and conceit. The fact is that elections are far too important for such triviality. I hope that the public will forgive the likes of Martin Freeman, Steve Coogan and Russell Brand for their political naivety and that they can move on from their embarrass- ment. Speaking of embarrassment, the Church’s own contribution to the election campaign can now be buried beneath Ed Miliband’s ‘tomb- stone’. There should be no public inquiry into their 56-page pastoral letter, ‘Who is my neighbour?’ and why it was so spectacularly irrele- vant. Thankfully the bishops did not spend any money inscribing it on stone tablets but they should have employed a decent editor to cut out most of its pompous and unnecessary verbiage. And now I must confess that since Friday I have had a spring in my steps. This is only tangentially related to the election result. It has The disaster of debt been a guilty pleasure to enjoy the angry tweets, Facebook messages and articles written by anti-Tory clerics who seem to think that the end of the world is upon us. Particularly enjoyable was the one-sided rant in The Guardian by UK National debt now exceeds the almost unimaginable figure of one and a half trillion pounds. lefty-leaning cleric, Giles Fraser: “Right now I feel ashamed to be Eng- Unless this budget deficit is closed debt will soon rise to nearly the equivalent of our total of GDP. lish” (‘Democracy is a religion that has failed the poor’, Loose Canon, The national debt is increasing by over 100 billion per year and the new government is still propos- Friday 8 May, 2015). ing to run a deficit for at least two further years – thus increasing our debt further. The assumption that Fraser, and many other clerics, make is that So it should be no surprise that the electorate has signalled through the election that it has the only way to solve the problems of the poor is through things that greater confidence in the Party that aims to cut the deficit hardest and fastest. The amount of debt have failed before: large-scale public spending on welfare and tax we bequeath to future generations must be kept to a sustainable level. credits to create a client state and massive state intervention. The collective hysteria of the Scottish people in apparently demanding an end to austerity They refuse to accept that other sorts of intervention such as a through voting for the SNP – a party that cannot possibly influence the course of events in Parlia- wider offer of work, apprenticeships, rebalancing of welfare and bet- ment - can be dismissed. Scots have for long been the recipients of an unsustainable arrangement ter education provision might provide a sounder and more sustain- of political and economic bribery and will only embrace sensible economic policies when they have able answer to contemporary problems. full fiscal responsibility and seriously face the risk that the money supply could run out. Furthermore, they fail to recognise that the balance of our democ- It is important to recognise that the reason borrowing can currently be so high is that it is so racy is around the centre. We tend to have centre-right or centre-left cheap. This could change very suddenly, especially if our creditors see us as a risk. I’m amazed governments. And we reject extremes of both the right and the left. therefore that the Churches, which made so much of debt forgiveness and the unsustainability of Three of our most successful Prime Ministers who have managed to debt in the run-up to the millennium, could be so cavalier in failing to acknowledge the problem. be re-elected to government – Margaret Thatcher – a pragmatist, I have not seen anything recently from the Churches that seriously acknowledges the scale of Tony Blair – who deliberately drove the Labour Party to the centre the international debt problem. The Church sees private and personal debt as destructive and dan- and now, David Cameron – testify to the doctrine that government is gerous but fails to acknowledge that corporate and national indebtedness is also a practical and better in the centre. moral disaster.

LIZHOARE thespiritualdirector By the Rev Dr Liz Hoare

When Jesus spoke to his disciples about the kingdom of cations for our lives on earth and our relationship with We have an advocate with the Father, a friend in heav- God after his resurrection (Acts 1:3) he told them to him. According to Heb 7:25 Jesus is seated at the right en as well as his Spirit on earth. This is something to wait for the Spirit to come (Acts 1:4,5). He linked the hand of God where he is pleading for us before the rejoice in and something we must not keep to our- two, - kingdom and the coming of the Spirit, together. Father. His completed sacrifice explained so powerfully selves. In Acts 1:11 the two men in white tell the disciples by the writer of Hebrews is forever present to God and And this is where our part comes into play. Think of that the same Jesus who has been taken away from does not in any way depend on us bringing it to his what we have to tell. We have a story to tell of the cruci- them into heaven will come back in the same way. We attention. He intercedes for us. fied, risen and ascended Lord Jesus Christ. are living in between those two events. So what hap- We talk about how others have prayed us into the He has conquered death and he assures us of his vic- pens between the going away of Jesus and his coming kingdom, perhaps our parents before we were born, or tory and rule. He told his disciples that he had to go again? a faithful godparent, grandparent or friend who has away in order for the Spirit to come. That same Spirit There are two important things that will have an kept us on their prayer list for years. came in power at Pentecost and his presence is every- impact on our spirituality if we take them seriously. One Jesus, our great high priest, has also prayed for us, where. We are not alone. We have been given power to of them is to do with the activity of Jesus and one to do each one of us, interceding for us to God the Father. It’s be witnesses to the ends of the earth. That’s what this with ours. great to be able to ask a friend or a pastor to pray for us, gap between his going and his coming again is all First of all, what is Jesus doing now? This is a much but we are fallible, forgetful and feeble where prayer is about. more important question than the details of how he concerned. Jesus, however, is utterly faithful, always We’re not to stand around gazing into heaven (Acts could have ascended into heaven as a physical being. mindful of us and powerful beyond our wildest imagin- 1:11), bereft, mystified or speculating, we have a job to The question of what Jesus is doing has profound impli- ings. do until he comes again and every eye shall see him.

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 12 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday May 15, 2015 Classifieds / Feature Staying power: the Black experience in Britain

By Graham Norton

An eclectic gathering of photographs, most black and white but some in colour, is on show in a gallery at the Victoria and Albert Museum, on the theme of the lives of black people, mostly immigrants, in London, from around 1950 to the 1990s. They are the work of a number of black photographers, mostly Caribbean but also West African, and the prints are now all in the V&A Collection, a project working with Black Cultural Archives and its heritage centre, which is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Lambeth Council in London’s Brixton (perhaps ironically, a locality, to the dismay of its black locals, now being aggressively gentrified by bankers from Canary Wharf). The Archives promote education about the cultural identity and that, though, Africans — mostly born in London of Jamaican history of people of African and from Ghana and Nigeria — also heritage, was quite a media African-Caribbean descent in came in. personality in the 1980s. His colour Britain. photos catch younger men asserting radical self-awareness in their dress. Dennis Morris, born 1960, took his first photo at the age of eight. There was a photographic club at his parish church, which grounded him. His was a precocious talent (working with Bob Marley as a young teenager). His pictures here are from the 1970s black music scene. He published a book of many more, “Growing up Black” in 2012. Finally, something very different, occupying much of the gallery’s walls. Five huge colour photographs, landscape size, they are a droll mimicking of Hogarth’s A Rake’s Progress. The photographer, Yinka Shonibare (elected an RA in 2012), born The first of the West The Caribbean-descended London 1962, of Nigerian parents, Indians here depicted were from photographers have English though he was schooled in Africa the days of the ship, the Empire names. until he was 17. Windrush, which dramatically There’s a black thing about Much of his work is very cross- brought several hundred to presenting yourself well. Does this cultural (it was he who put a Tilbury in 1948 to seek, as citizens come from ancestral roots? It massive model of Nelson’s HMS of the British Empire, a better life would seem so if you know West “Victory” in a glass bottle, but with here. Africa. Here are Nigerian women African- patterned sails on the Mostly Jamaicans: but they in high head-scarves, and close- spare plinth in Trafalgar Square). included three Trinidadian ups of the intricacy of their hair This is conceptual art, in which calypsonians who started styles. Shonibare places himself in four something of a craze for that music Of the photographers: Raphael situations throughout the day, amongst students and others in Albert now dead, from Grenada, visually depicting “The Life of a the 1950s. shows the Miss Black and Victorian Dandy”. He is, of course, They were usually proud to be Beautiful pageants from 1960-79. black, all others are white, British. Many on the Windrush An intimate picture has a small whether servants or his social landed in smart suits. A moving black Beauty Salon, an important equals. photo “Dignity in Poverty” (by element in black life. Charlie Shonibare in real life is Dennis Morris) shows a neatly Phillips, born in Jamaica in 1944, paralysed down one side and his dressed man standing in his tiny came to London’s Notting Hill in groupings cleverly place him so shabby room, his shirts hung up, 1956 to live with his parents. He this is not noticeable. drying on strings. Other photos had been given a Kodak Brownie show people in the street, at home and took pictures locally. He was The exhibition runs at the V&A — one, the mother of the only 15 when he took the first of until 24 May. Around 25 of the photographer, proudly lifting up his pictures we print the racist photographs are running her British passport. little notice, “Flat to Let 1959”. concurrently at the Black Cultural Racism raised its ugly head. The He took our other photo, Archives (www.bcaheritage.org.uk), Commonwealth Immigration Act “Notting Hill Couple, 1967”. 1 Windrush Square Brixton, SW2 of 1962 restricted the flow. Before Norman “Normski” Anderson, 1EF. [email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper www.churchnewspaper.com Friday May 15, 2015 The Register 13

(Durham). The Rev Christopher Antho- BIBLECHALLENGE The Rev Dr Sharon ny Youngman, ANGLICAN CYCLE OF PRAYER Moughtin-Mumby, Assistant Curate at St Mary’s, previously Assistant Curate Radcliffe-on-Trent and Saint without stipend of Southwark, Peter & Paul, Shelford with Friday 15 May. Psalm 107:10-22. North Dakota - (VI, The Episco- St George The Martyr With St Newton (Southwell and Notting- Day 136 – II Kings 22-24, pal Church): The Rt Rev Michael Smith Alphege & St Jude is to be ham) to become Vicar of the Psalm 113, Acts 28 Saturday 16 May. Psalm 2, Num. 21:9-20. North East India - licensed as Assistant Priest Parish of Whitefriars Rushden Day 137 – II Kings 25, Psalm (North India): The Rt Rev Dr Purely Lyngdoh without stipend of Walworth, St (Peterborough). 114, Romans 1 Sunday 17 May. Ascension Sunday. Psalm 107:23-32, Num. 22:1- Peter (Southwark). Day 138 – Enjoy hearing the 15. North Eastern Caribbean & Aruba - (West Indies): The Rt Rev The Rev Martijn Mugge, RETIREMENTS & Scriptures read aloud in church Leroy Brooks Assistant Curate of Wombwell RESIGNATIONS Day 139 – I Chronicles 1-3, Monday 18 May. Psalm 107:33-43, Rev. 12:13-17. North Karamoja St Mary (Sheffield), to be Priest Psalm 115, Romans 2 - (Uganda): The Rt Rev James Nasak in charge of Conisbrough St Day 140 – I Chronicles 4-6, Tuesday 19 May. Psalm 144:1-10, Rev. 13:1-4. North Mbale - Peter (Sheffield). Psalm 116, Romans 3 (Uganda): The Rt Rev Daniel Gimadu The Rev Edward Olsworth- The Rev Canon Peter Noel Day 141 – I Chronicles 7-9, Wednesday 20 May. Psalm 99, Rev. 13:5-10. North Queensland - Peter Calvert, Psalm 117, Romans 4 (Queensland, Australia): The Rt Rev William Ray; Assistant Bish- Vicar of Holy Trinity Sydenham Team Vicar in the Benefice of Day 142 – I Chronicles 10-12, op of North Queensland (Torres Islander) - (Queensland, Aus- with St Augustine’s Honor Oak the Cartmel Peninsula Team Psalm 118, Romans 5 tralia): The Rt Rev Saibo Mabo Park (Southwark), to be Fresh Ministry (Carlisle), retired on Thursday 21 May. Psalm 98, Rev. 13:11-18. North West Australia - Expressions of Church and the 1st May 2015. (Western Australia, Australia): The Rt Rev Gary Nelson Young Adults Adviser (Ely). The Rev John Hudghton NEW BISHOPS The Rev Alexander Randle- has resigned as Rural Dean of Bissell, Buxton (Derby) and continues (London), to be Priest in (Southwark). Curate: Eastern Green (Coven- as Team Rector of the Buxton The Rev Preb Roderick Charge of Haswell, Shotton and The Rev Peter Garvie, try), to be Vicar: Pastrow (Win- with Burbage and King Stern- Charles Howell Thomas, Thornley (Durham). Curate of Springwell St Mary chester). dale Team Ministry Vicar of Elburton, has been The Rev Godfrey John But- and St Peter, to be Chaplain to The Rev Shaun Graham The Rev Canon Tony Kaun- appointed to the Suffragan See land, Royal Navy. Sandham, hoven, of Maidstone (Canterbury). In Team Rector of the Benefice of The Rev Julie Anne Vicar in the Benefice of Sutton has resigned as Rural Dean of December 2014, the Dioceses Mossley Hill Team Ministry Gawthrope, Park St Andrew and Priest-in- Bakewell and Eyam, and Rural Commission agreed to a propos- (Liverpool), has been appointed Associate Vicar, Cambridge, St Charge of Wawne St Peter Dean of Glossop (Derby). and al from the Archbishops to fill Team Rector (designate) of the John’s, Hills Road (Ely), to be (York), has been appointed contines as Vicar of Bakewell, the See in order to provide a Cockermouth Area Team, Team Vicar, Ash and Quin Val- Priest-in-Charge of the Benefice Ashford-in-the-Water with Shel- bishop who takes the conserva- (Carlisle). leys Team Ministry (St Albans). of Kells, Whitehaven, (Carlisle). don and Rowsley, and Assistant tive evangelical view on male The Rev Jonathan Cruick- The Rev Alison Hampton, The Rev Tim Weatherstone, Archdeacon of Chesterfield. headship. shank, Volunteer in Escula Bombita Team Vicar, Barnham Broom The Rev Hasna Khatun, Vicar of St Peter-in-Thanet (Dominican Republic) to be and Upper Yare Team Ministry Curate: The MidFosse Parishes The Rev Canon Alison A (Canterbury) has been appoint- Vicar of St Mark Millfield and St is to be Team Rector, Barnham (comprising: Chesterton; White, ed to the Rectory of Mamble Luke Pallion (Durham). Broom and Upper Yare Team Lighthorne; Newbold Pacey; Priest in charge of Riding Mill with Bayton, Rock with Height- The Rev Craig Huxley, Ministry (Norwich). Moreton Morrell) to resign St James & Spirituality and Spir- ington with Far Forest (Worces- Assistant Curate of Hackington, The Rev Lisa Jayn Wigmore, from 1 August. itual Direction Adviser (New- ter). St Stephen (Canterbury), to be currently Assistant Curate in The Rev John McManners, castle), to be The Rev Ben Eadon, Assistant Curate of Goudhurst the Benefice of Horfield Holy Priest in Charge of Bishopwear- (York). Curate of Sunderland St Chad with Kilndown (Canterbury). Trinity, (Bristol) to be licensed mouth St Gabriel (Durham), to (Durham) to be Associate Vicar The Rev Stephen McCaulay as Minor Canon (SSM, part retire from 30 June. APPOINTMENTS of Durrington and Symphorian has been given Permission to time) to the Cathedral Church The Rev Andrew John (Chichester). Officiate in the Diocese of Can- of the Holy and Undivided Trini- Nicolls, The Rev Dr Arthur John terbury for three years with ty, (Bristol). Vicar at St Mary’s, Bulwell, Fitzmaurice, effect from 24 March 2015. The Rev Michelle Lisa (Southwell and Nottingham), The Rev Amanda Barra- Team Vicar: Emscote in the The Rev Andrew Brian Woodcock, will be resigning as from 31 clough, New Warwick Team (Coven- McMullon Assistant Priest in the Benefice August 2015. Vicar of West Ardsley St Mary try), to be Director of Ordi- has been appointed Priest-in- of Crosthwaite; Cartmel Fell; The Rev David Dietrich (West Yorkshire and the Dales), nands and Vocation Charge of the Benefice of Fir- Witherslack; Winster (in plurali- Schuld De Verny to be Rector of Sprotbrough St [Worcester]. bank, Howgill and Killington in ty), has been appointed part- resigns as Rector of Cheriton Mary the Virgin and Area Dean The Rev Richard Ford, addition to his present appoint- time Team Vicar in the Benefice with Newington (Canterbury) of Adwick-le-Street (Sheffield). Assistant Priest (without ment as Vicar of the Benefice of of the Cartmel Peninsula Team with effect from 30 May 2015. The Rev Elizabeth Bland, stipend) in the Sanderstead Sedbergh, Cautley and Gars- Ministry, (Carlisle). The Rev Dr David White- Vicar of Ashington (Newcastle) Team Ministry is to be licensed dale (Carlisle). The Rev Patricia Wright head, to be Team Vicar of Great as Assistant Priest (without The Rev Dr Andrew Miller, has been given Permission to Priest-in-Charge of St James and Aycliffe (Durham). stipend) of West Wickham, St Curate of Barnard Castle with Officiate in the Diocese of Can- St Nicholas Whitehaven The Rev Anna Brooker, Francis and St Mary of Whorlton to be Vicar of Tanfield terbury for three years with (Carlisle), retired on the 30th Vicar of All Saints, Isleworth Nazareth United Benefice with Burnopfield and Dipton effect from 29 April 2015. April 2015.

COLLEGE STREET Subscribe to the CEN Understanding in the SW1 Apple Newsstand CITY OF WESTMINSTER Amos today PRICES FROM JUST an SMS?,” Moller odd kind of famine. Destruction of the sin- 79p asks, and then contin- ful kingdom and a vision of restoration ues to point out the and abundance. way to read Amos, with an overview of the The aim of this clear segmentation, Karl Moller, theologian and senior lectur- four themes. Moller says, is to read Amos as a ‘coher- er, specialising in the Old Testament, has 1. An Opening Trap - two kings and a ent’ book, a book that preserves the set out to convey the ‘message of Amos’ in roaring lion and lots of nations - and lots of essence of the prophet’s debate with the the latest Grove Books release. crimes Israelites and presents it to a subsequent “All too often the message of Amos is 2. Passionate Dialogue with a Late Judean audience. broken up and read in pieces - either devo- Audience - Lots of questions, and some As such, Moller continues: “The book tionally, so that we know only the ‘purple devastating conclusions, cows, sacrifices carries an implicit warning for its later passages’, or academically, separating and some stocktaking, invitations, a rela- readers or hearers lest they too, suffer Amos’s original message from its later tionship crisis and a lot of mourning. from the consequences of a complacent, editing,” the book explains. 3. Woes and Throes - a dark day and callous lifestyle.” SUBSCRIBE Moller puts forward a proposal about repulsive worship, false security, shame- Moller’s book argues for a fresh look at how the message of Amos is best read. less indulgence and cruel indifference. Amos, which he says is as relevant today, TODAY! “How do you read a novel, say, or a non- 4. Visions and an inter ruption, sharp as it was in Old Testament times. fiction, a newspape r, an e-mail, a blog post, business practice, an earthquake and an

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 14 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday May 15, 2015 Books / Sunday The pick of the new SUNDAY SERVICE Whit Sunday — Sunday 24 May 2015

Acts 2:1-21 Romans 8:22-27 paperbacks John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 I have always found it strange that Acts 2 is referred to A new housing development in teen theologians are considered. JI Packer rubs shoul- by some as “the birthday of the church”. It may be Lambeth is taking the place of the ders with Aquinas and Karl Barth. true that some were born again at Pentecost, but it is Lilian Bayliss School (but retain- not referred to in Scripture itself as the church’s birth- ing the name of the theatre entre- Former CEN editor, John Martin, has combined with day. Indeed, a few chapters later, in Acts 7:38, Stephen preneur who died in 1937). Few Christopher Jones (former CMS missionary, farmer refers to Moses and “the church in the wilderness”, people in Lambeth today will and national coordinator of the Farm Crisis Network which rather assumes there was a church 1,500 years know of the Christian faith of Lil- 1994 to 2997) to produce Honey and Thistles: Bibli- or so before Pentecost! Jesus referred to “the church” ian Bayliss but John Neville cal Wisdom for the Renewal of Farming, published prior to Pentecost too (eg Matthew 18:17), and the Greaves tells her story together by the Agriculture and Theology Project and carrying a word ekklesia is not even mentioned in Acts 2 (though with the stories of the architect foreword by Professor Timothy Gorringe of Exeter Uni- it is in the Greek of Psalm 22:22, which again rather William Butterfield, the banker versity. The authors believe the Bible shows us how to implies there was a church before Pentecost). Thomas Heywood and farm in a just and sustainable way. So I think we need a different way to describe the the merchant William special events of Acts 2, one that is less misleading Gibbs in his new book David Foster is a Benedictine monk from and doesn’t make it sound as if gathering a church Eminent Tractarians England who teaches in Rome. In Con- was a new idea for God. (Book Guild, £17.99), an templative Prayer (Bloomsbury, £12.99) Perhaps we might refer to it as the Church’s Spirit- account of how the he turns to continental philosophy to shed baptism, rather than its birth? The church was once Oxford Movement influ- light on such issues as silence, mysticism baptised into Moses in the cloud and in the sea (1 enced the faith of laypeo- and religious experience as awareness of Corinthians 10:1-2), but now it enjoys the promised ple and was expressed in God and argues that the sense of God’s baptism with the Holy Spirit. Not that the Spirit him- their lives. Highly recom- absence can be the threshold of prayer. self was not active in the church before then, of mended. Two previous books by Foster, Reading course. But something new had now arrived — with God and Deep Calls to Deep have been “power from on high” (Luke 24:49), which “brings a The birth of a royal best-sellers. new knowledge of the ascended Lord Jesus, and an princess and the excite- experience of salvation among the fellowship of believ- ment it generated In A Faithful Farewell (Eerdmans, £9.92) ers” (David G Peterson). reminded us of the impact of the monarchy on Mary Chandler McEntyre offers 52 short, The fact that this happened on Israel’s “harvest fes- the lives of ordinary people. It is an aspect to the poignant meditations on the issues faced tival” (which is what Pentecost was, Leviticus 23), monarchy often overlooked by historians. In by people who are dying. McEntyre, who is points to the purpose of it all — which was to equip the Charles I and the People of England (OUP, professor of medical humanities at the Uni- disciples for the harvest of world evangelisation (Acts £30 or £20.40 from the CEN Shop) David versity of California and is a former profes- 1:8). Cressy, Professor of British History at the State sor of English, writes in the first person. As the Heidelberg Catechism has it in Q&A 54: University of Ohio, looks at speeches, diaries, She has longtime experience as a hospice “What do you believe concerning the ‘Holy Catholic petitions, the proceedings of secular and eccle- volunteer. Church’?” siastical courts and proclamations to look at I believe that the Son of God, through his Spirit and how the religious and political history of the Mission Matters (IVP, £8.99) by Tim Word, out of the entire human race, from the begin- reign of Charles I interacted with the thoughts Chester is just the book to enthuse Chris- ning of the world to its end, gathers, protects, and pre- and aspirations of the people. tians with a commitment to mission and enable them to serves for himself a community chosen for eternal life see how mission has its roots in the life of the Trinity. and united in true faith. And of this community I am Michael Reeves, who now teaches at the Wales Evangel- This is a short and well-written introduction to the bibli- and always will be a living member. ical School of Theology but who formerly served at All cal, theological and practical aspects of mission. The Pentecost is about equipping the church afresh, not Souls, Langham Place, has produced a very handy intro- author is a church leader from Sheffield and the author creating it from scratch (which would be a rather Mar- duction to some of the great theologians of the church of a number of books. He is Associate Director of cionite idea). Hence our collects for today speak of the in Introducing Major Theologians (IVP, £14.99). Thir- Porterbrook Seminary. Holy Spirit being sent to “God’s faithful people,” to strengthen, revive, and renew them. His Love Endures Forever by drawing or painting that she ton (no, not that one) and her book This is just as Jesus promised in our Gospel reading Garry Williams (IVP, has created. Each meditation Refuel (DLT, £9.99). Middleton from John 15. When the Advocate comes, he said, he £11.99 or £11.07 from begins with the words God is... points out that St Paul can some- will testify on my behalf; and then in turn the apostles the CEN Shop) is a and then follows on illuminat- times seem like an object les- must testify too. This is precisely what happened at good piece of popular ing a variety of son in overworking - which is Pentecost and in the years that followed, as the mes- theology. It helps subjects. So we true. She claims that he under- sage of the gospel rang out across the world. answer that key ques- get thoughts on stands balance, but I am not Our reading from Romans 8 also speaks of those tion, how does God God is Spirit and really sure about this. Her who have the firstfruits of the Spirit groaning inward- love? For my money, the God is Compas- book is genuinely helpful on ly, for our future hope to become a present reality. why is quite straightfor- sionate and God dealing with stress - its roots This is such an incomprehensible and joyful prospect ward, but how does God is Supportive. and causes and the experi- that we cannot even get the words out properly to love is all the more perti- There is so little ence of it. This book, interest- express our longing and desire for it. The Spirit nent. It is the kind of out there for new ingly, joins an ever-growing encourages us to testify to others, but that hope (in a question that many strug- Christians but list of books on the subject sense) leaves us deeply dumbstruck! Yet the Spirit gle with and this is a good this would be perfect. from evangelicals. To me this helps us even in that weakness, interceding with sighs primer to help with those searching Modern people struggle, points to a problem in some too profound for words, that our lips may be opened questions. True, you’ll need a lot of not just with believ- evangelical churches and and (as today’s Post Communion Prayer puts it) staying power to wade through the ing in God, but organisations. There is a focus on “every tongue may tell of your glory.” whole thing, but I recommend dip- understanding who doing and not being. This book ping in. What makes it stand out are he is and how he will help us to redress that bal- Dr Lee Gatiss is author of The Forgotten Cross the personal meditations that help operates. This will ance. If your pastor is knackered, (Evangelical Press) and Director of Church Society to make the abstract a lot more con- plug that gap and it perhaps you should buy him or (www.churchsociety.org). crete. Talking of concrete I’d mark does so gently. This her a copy. this solid rather than spectacular. would work well with home groups and as a Miracles from Heaven by HYMN SELECTION Discovering God by Catharine personal aid to prayer Christy Wilson Beam (Piatkus, Heron (Shepheard-Walwyn, £10.00) and reflection. £13.99) is the story of a girl’s is a curious but rather bewitching journey through an after-death Breathe on me, Breath of God little book. Too many Christian Sometimes the Chris- experience and back to some- Christians, lift up your hearts books take the high ground but this tian journey gets hard. thing miraculous. it’s not for me, Come down, O Love divine is a simple little thing. Heron picks I have written in this newspaper on but many will love it. It is about to be For I’m building a people of power themes, writes a short meditation many occasions about the perils of made into a film. Holy Spirit, living breath of God and then adds a rather charming burn-out. Step forward Kate Middle- Reviews: Paul Richardson/Steve Morris

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[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper www.churchnewspaper.com Friday May 15, 2015 Reviews 15 Heroic commitment to journalism

American broadcaster Jon Stewart has announced he’s leaving The Daily Show. He already has an alternative career - he took time off in 2013 to direct Rosewater (cert. 15), his own excellent adaptation of Iran- ian-Canadian journalist Maziar Bahiri’s account of his four months in prison in Iran, after covering protests at the “result” of the 2009 presi- dential elections which gave Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a majority. Bahiri (Gael Garcia Bernal) wrote his story as “Then They Came for Me” (from Pastor Martin Niemöller’s poem about Germans turning a blind eye to Nazi oppression). Perhaps that was a bit obscure, so the Rosewater title comes from the rosewater sprinkled on the faithful visit- ing a Tehran shrine (to mask the smell of sweat), but also from the scent used by the “specialist” trying to get a confession of spying from him. He’s Javadi (Kim Bodnia), and much of the film is set in Bahiri’s soli- tary confinement cell in Evin prison, or in Javadi’s interrogation room. As Javadi points out, it’s low-level torture, confirmed by Bahiri’s visions of his father (Haluk Bilginer) who suffered worse under the Shah. London-based Bahiri had gone to Iran to cover the elections for Newsweek. Born in 1967 in Tehran he’d moved to Canada in 1988 to study film. Though he was accused of being a Zionist, the film does not feature his having made a film about the St Louis, a German ocean liner that took over 900 Jewish refugees to North America in May 1939 but was refused entry by Cuba, the USA and Canada. Its passengers returned to Europe where many ended in countries later occupied by the Nazis. Instead Javadi begins with a litany of “porno” seized from Bahiri’s room in his family home in Tehran. It’s innocent stuff, from copies of Empire magazine to Leonard Cohen’s LP “I’m Your Man” (to which Bahiri later dances in his cell, to Javadi’s bafflement). The background of opposition to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s govern- ment is traced through interviews with dissidents, introduced by Davood (Dimitri Leonidas), his taxi driver from the airport who turns out not to have a taxi. The rebels maintain a roof full of illicit satellite dishes in order to receive foreign broadcasts. In prison, often blindfolded, Bahiri had no idea of diplomatic moves for his release. He’d left his wife Paola (Claire Foy) pregnant with their first child, and Javadi’s threat that he’ll never see her again or his child is part of the pressure into a “confession” that still doesn’t lead to his release. The vocation to “bear witness” is the motif that justifies his getting involved, and inspires others. Even when the satellite dishes are discov- ered, someone is recording on a mobile phone. Maybe Jon Stewart felt some responsibility – a Daily Show satirical sketch featuring Bahari was part of the “evidence” against him – but essentially it’s one journalist’s admiration for another’s commitment. In a smaller way too, as Bahiri says, it’s a celebration of family life, even in the face of huge difficulty. Steve Parish

Owyoung seems to be following themes like love CD OFTHE WEEK and relationships, with hints of new directions, risk, WINE OFTHE WEEK healing and freedom. It is many years since his divorce, but it could almost be a collection of songs Future of Forestry written in its wake. Calvet Terre de Brune Pages Eschewing the obvious, he tweaks textures, Sancerre 2014 (Sound Swan Records) chords and harmonies to get them just right. With a Waitrose £16.99 (offer: £10.99 until 2nd June) steel guitar here and a cello there, running into tin- www.waitrosecellar.com I have yet to hear a bad Future of Forestry album. kling piano lines, he creates a spacious, warm sound Eric Owyoung (who is Forestry) is an artist who with a subtly resonant bottom end. It serves to sup- Sancerre is a largish village in the very generally works with an indie palette, but he contin- port an almost unerring sense of melody (best centre of France. It gives its name to the ually finds ways to keep its colours vibrant. shown in songs like “Fireflies”). appellation which mostly produces excel- On this release, he changes his hues again, With such excellent tracks at lent whites, as our Sauvignon Blanc here. stripping the music right the start, it tails off a little The vineyards around Sancerre and its back, making it more towards the end, maybe because participating neighbours flourish along the acoustic than it has ever it could do with a little more banks of that nation’s longest river, the been. With more space to instrumental colour or some Loire. Serve chilled, swirl, then, light gold feature the vocals, he has other variety by this stage; so a in the glass, on the nose, white flowers, taken on a Nashville new- slowed-down duet of Cyndi Lau- and, deftly awakening the complexity to comer, Alina Kamilchu, per’s much-covered “Time after follow a hint of citrus. On the palate, in for her harmonies. Time” just after the halfway nigh perfect balance are sweet notes, There is a definite mark piques the interest at a (reminding me of a tasting once of white chemistry here, both in good time. He has already raspberries), green gooseberries, and their vocal timbres and offered his own track with good crisp and stony mineral notes. The the way the harmonies are strong pop sensibilities in “Port- finish glowed. arranged. After the first land.” Pleasing complexity, held together in a three songs, the mood is Always looking for fresh smooth and agreeable body, was my so intimate that I am left twists on the Forestry sound, thumbs-up verdict. Alcohol by Vol.12.5%. feeling like I’m playing this is another strong release Pretend that it is 1 May: and go a-Maying gooseberry. with a beautifully tender mood. with this (note at one-third off, above)! A Although his lyrics are great aperitif; match with seafood or goat’s somewhat vague, Derek Walker cheese. Graham Gendall Norton

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper Bob Mayo drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spir- it (Romans 14:17). There is nothing on earth so transforming, oy is the language of heaven and it is everywhere in the said the Rt Rev Rowan Williams, as a Church in love. parish. I find myself quietly delighting in the stillness Joy is a fruit rather than a gift of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22). Jthat comes in the few moments’ silence immediately This means that it is something that we need to cultivate and after I have prayed with another. I enjoy the exuberance of a to work at. Joy is an attitude of the heart and it is not neces- school class acting out the story of Daniel and the Lion. I sarily based on something positive happening. Joy is an act of interact joyfully with both ends of the age spectrum. A subversion against a consumer culture because it wants noth- mother texted me from her hospital bed three days after the ing more than itself. Joy is an alternative to the strivings of an birth of her child to talk about dates for baptism. We have aspirational society because joy is as it is and is looking for The one lady, of 100 years, in our congregation. She said to me nothing more than the opportunity to express itself. Joyful that she hoped that nothing happened to me because she people worry less. Worriers end up like Eeyore wondering would need me when she was gone. whether the sky was going to fall on his head. “It’s snowing Barth (1968) described the theologian who has no joy in still,” said Eeyore gloomily. “So it is.” “And freezing.” “Is it?” his work as no theologian at all. Sulky faces, morose “Yes,” said Eeyore. “However,” he said, brightening up a little, language thoughts and boring ways of speaking are intolerable in this “we haven’t had an earthquake lately.” science. Everything that happens, everything that is said The role of the church leader is to help people not to worry and done and thought and felt is reducible to one question because worry by its nature is acquisitive and this is the oppo- and that is what can be taught or learnt about God? This site of faith. The church leader and his congregation learn to must involve passion, excitement and feeling. play together in Christ. Playing in Christ comes from being a of joy Joy, humour and laughter run together. Parish humour is part of the skittish, flexible, playful, experimental nature of a mixture of the poignant and the slapstick. the Holy Spirit. Genuine free-spirited playfulness takes ener- Sunday saw me start the day dressed as a donkey crawl- gy, concentration and whole-heartedness and there has to be ing round the church with children trailing after me as a someone either to play with or against. This is the Holy Spirit, part of our All Age Service. I ended the day with a lady the connector, the transformer and the maker of relation- recently widowed talking to me about 50 years of mar- ships. riage sleeping next to a man who snored loudly. When I left Joy offers more than the immediate and circumstantial. the house after planning her husband’s funeral service she Glimpses of eternity are core business for a church leader. I said: “Thank you for making me laugh”. On Monday morning had the family of a lady in hospital contact me. Seventeen I was at our Mother and Toddlers Group and singing ‘If I years previously she had made me promise that I would be were a butterfly’ (for the umpteenth time). I ended the day there when she ‘goes’. Now she was in hospital getting ready listening to a man telling me of the excitement of landing to die and she wanted me to come. I pray with her and she on the beaches on D-day. Half a century later he is a mem- tells me that she can see a vision of angels. It is the unpre- ber of our homeless cinema club. dictable, untidy, unencumbered nature of grace from a power- A joyful parish church is fabulous. A church congre- ful, playful and intriguing God. I dance the unfettered gation combines the fragility of new relationships rhythms of grace. with the loyalty of the long standing members and the poignancy of people coming together and The Rev Dr Bob Mayo is Vicar of St Stephen and St Thomas greeting each other in the name of Christ. Shepherds Bush with St Michael and St George White City The kingdom of God is not a mat- ([email protected] / www.stephensw12.org / ter of eating and @RevBobMayo)

PRIZE CROSSWORD from where the call to --, the mariners...they place can anyone get No. 950 by Axe prayer is given (7) shall stand upon the enough bread to feed 14 One of the Anglican land' [Ezek/KJV] (3) them? ' [Mark/NIV] (6) daily services (7,6) 4'Sinful' woman Jesus 17 'For...those who get 16 Apocryphal book; part healed of evil spirits drunk, get drunk at -----' of Daniel, according to [Mark] (4,9) [1Thess/NIV] (5) the Vulgate (7) 5'The Lord has ---- and 19 Port of Mysia visited by 18 'Elam, attack! -----, lay has appeared to Simon' Paul [Acts] (5) siege! [Isa/NIV] (5) [Luke/NIV] (5) 22 Priest who died hearing 20 Female who has taken 6'Before your very eyes of the loss of his sons her final vows (3) Jesus Christ was clearly and the Ark of the 21 'Great is the Lord and ------as crucified' Covenant [1 Sam] (3) most worthy of praise; [Gal/NIV] (9) his ------no one can 7'Before the ------crows, Last week’s solutions: fathom' [Ps/NIV] (9) you will disown me 23 'And she had strong three times' [Matt/NIV] Across: 1 Cowl, 3 Ecce homo, 9 rods for the ------of (7) Adrian I, 10 Expel, 11 God the them that rule...' 8Hindu celebration held Father, 13 Nicene, 15 Xmases, 17 [Ezek/KJV] (8) in November (6) Ash Wednesday, 20 Trial, 21 The 24 'He himself bore our ----' 12 'Surely you know how it Magi, 22 Handsome, 23 Nain. [1 Pet/NIV] (4) has been from old, ------mankind was placed on Down: 1 Changing, 2 World, 4 Down the earth...' [Job/NIV] Cliffs, 5 Even-tempered, 6 (4,5) Oppress, 7 Oils, 8 Bath and Wells, 1'The Spirit clearly says 14 Members of an ancient 12 Assyrian, 14 Cushion, 16 that in later ----- some ascetic Jewish sect Adytum, 18 Diana, 19 Itch. will abandon the faith...' flourishing at the time [1 Tim/NIV] (5) of Jesus (7) 2'And all that handle the - 15 'But where in this ------

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