THEORIGINAL CHURCH NEWSPAPER. ESTABLISHED IN 1828 Church Armysaved me THE fromalifeofcrime p8 CHURCHOF ENGLAND Newspaper Whyweare afraid to invite peopletochurch NOW AVAILABLE ON NEWSSTAND p7 FRIDAY, JULY31, 2015 No:6290

Diocese of London gets

LONDON COULD have 100 new worshipping commu- London’s Adviser for Church Planting and is also Tutor With the new money,itisplanned to accelerate the nities£within1five years,mthanks totagrantoof £1 million.stin Churach Plantingrtat St MellitusnCollege.ewHe will over-cratehof growth.urches The money is coming from the Church Commission- see the new project. The Bishop of London,RichardChartres, comment- ers and the Archbishops’ Council and willprovide The diocese already has achurchgrowth plan in ed: “Thereare so manyopen doors, thereare so many grants to new and developing church communities. place, called Capital Vision 2020, and since its inception willing Christian partners.This grant will enable us to Growth has been afeatureofthe Diocese of London, 20 new worshipping communities have been estab- translate the desireofthe Church in London to serve in contrast to its neighbour south of the River,the Dio- lished. our growing population with positive action to achieve cese of Southwark, with Usual Sundayattendance for Some of these have been in planting new congrega- our Capital Vision pledge to establish 100 new worship- Adults up 4.8 per cent in the 10 years to 2013. tionsinchurchbuildingsthathave beenclosed, while ping communities by 2020.” Last week the Rev Rick Thorpe was appointed the others have been on housing estates that arenot cur- The moneyiscoming from the Spending Task Group new Bishop of Islington; he is currentlythe Bishop of rently served by achurch. of the Commissionersand the Archbishops’ Council.

Parish’s paintingAMprYSTERYpovainting thatedhas hungatin aLan- reasure cashirechurch for hundreds ofyears has been revealed as aRenaissance treasureworth at least £100,000. The identity of the painter was revealedafter an exhaustive investigation by the team from thehit BBC programme ‘Fake or Fortune’, which investi- gates the provenance of paintings in an attempt to prove whether they arereal or just fake. The identity of the artist was confirmed by experts as Francesco Montemezzano –a‘second- level’ Italian artist and contemporary of some of the greats such as Tinteretto and Titian. The current vicar of St John’s Church in Tunstall the Rev Mark Cannon, and the churchwarden Jane Greenhalgh wereinvolved in the programme and werefilmed showing presenters Fiona Bruce and renowned artexpertPhilip Mould, the uncleaned and unknown painting at the startofthe show and werethen seen with the fully cleaned and revived painting at theend of the programme, complete with attribu- tion. Philip Mould said: “The really wonderful thing is this painting was designed to hang in achurch, to tell astoryand communicate itself to a congregation and now,400 years later,cleaned and hanging in St John’s in Tunstall, with any luck it will do it again.”

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THE Diocese of Durham THEDIARY DurhamCathedral is hosting aseries of 20 family fun days in order to introduce children Send your events to to the Cathedral. [email protected] During Fabulous Fridays, one of the many or Tweet@churchnewspaper CHURCHIN themedactivities, children can use the Cathedral’s CuthbertExplorer Backpacks, replete with ‘discoverygadgets’ to learnabout 2August the life of St Cuthbert. Head of Education at Durham Cathedral, 2.30pm Teawith aTwist, with Ceilidh band, Govan- ENGLAND Charlotte Rowbotham said: “Thereis nen, Launde Abbey,£12 something to keep everyone entertained, while making sureatrip to the Cathedral is an engaging and informative experience.” 5August

1pm Jill Crossland, piano, in free concertatPeter- Diocese of Manchester borough Cathedral Diocese of Canterbury

St John the Evangelist, Hurst, hosted ‘Magna Carta -AWork in 10 -15August Progress,’ toshowcase work done by pupils at St Peter’s School, St George’s CEP School in Wrotham won Ashton-under-Lyne, West Hill School, Stalybridge, and sample the ‘Kent is Delicious’ food competition 10am Annual jigsaw puzzle festival, East Cowes, St medieval food, ale, stocks and Churchbell music. with their ‘St GHealthy Lunchbox’. James Church, Church Path. Free, 01983 The event, designed for people to experience the context and The cross-partnership event between 294075 meaning of the Magna Carta, was afun-packed day wherepeople the Diocese of Canterbury’s had achance to design their own seals and charters and medieval Communities and Partnerships craft, which will go into St John’s first exhibition in its newly Framework and the Kent County 12 August designed church ‘heritage area’. Agricultural Society,Kent Farmers’ Market Association and Produced in 1pm Nicola Hands, oboe, and Jonathan Pease, *Former maîtrechef des cuisines at the Savoy Hotel, Anton Kent,was designed to raise children’s piano in free concertatPeterborough Cathe- Edelmann, and former World Champion Sommelier,GerardBasset awareness of local produce. dral OBE, teamed up with Durham Cathedral, to offerguests aGeorgian Canon CarolinePinchbeck, Director of gourmet feast, inspired by John Thacker’s ArtofCookery(1758). theDiocese of Canterbury’s Communities and Partnerships 14 August *Manchester Cathedrals People’sChoice exhibition has Framework said: “They showed real announced Kathryn Skeldon as the winner,with her photo on the knowledge of their ingredients and had 7.30pm AconcertbyThe King’s Men, Bethersden Cathedral nave, titled ‘Architecture’. clearly enjoyed thewhole experience. St Margaret. Tickets £12 ‘Capturethe Cathedral’,aphotographic exhibition drew in 1,200 “Congratulations too to the other votes. Kathrynsaid: “I felt happy that my photo had captured a finalists who all worked so hardand gave moment that Ihad enjoyed whilst insidethe Cathedral, and that us some fantastically tasty,local lunches 19 August others wereable to sharethat moment with me through my to try.” photo.” 1pm Chloe Sayywell, soprano, and Stephenie Leung, piano, in free concertatPeterbor- ough Cathedral Diocese of Salisbury Diocese of York

Summer organ recitals will take place 26August The Rev Chris Colledge hasbeen awarded aBritish Citizen Awardfor at York Minster.Last weekend was his contribution to theBournemouth local community. first in aseries of Saturday evening 1pm In Nomine Domini, vocalensemble in free Chris worked withdog-assist charity,Caring Canines, visited a recitals running in the Cathedral concertatPeterborough Cathedral nursing homeand supported residents. Chris also formed the West Cliff Quire,until 29 August. NeighbourhoodWatch Scheme, the West Cliff Green Residents As of nextweek, the organists are Association and has organised communitylitter picks, as well as as follows: 1August -Francesca 31 August assisting the Dorset Police and CrimeCommissioner with Community Massey,Sub-Organist of Durham Forums and engagements. Cathedral, 8August -John Scott 11amFun Day at Launde Abbey.Includes Classic Chris is associatepriest at St Ambrose Church, Westbourne and St Whiteley,Organist Emeritus of York Cars and Model Railways to arts andcrafts, Francis Church, Charminster. Minster,15August -Daniel Cook, acar boot saleand an array of colourful Speaking about his nomination, he said: “I was extremely shocked to Sub-Organist of Westminster Abbey, stalls and games. £2 entry find out. With that said Idohave ahuge sense of pride for this honour – 22 August -Peter Wright, Organist Inever thought anythinglike this could happen to someone like me. I and Director of Music at Southwark simply do whatIdo, to give back to thecommunity to buildabetter and Cathedral, 29 August -RobertSharpe, 1September closer environment foreveryone to live in.” Director of Music at York Minster.

1.30pm ‘Feed My Sheep’, the annualJunior Anglican Diocese of Liverpool Evangelical Conference, Kings Park Confer- ence Centre, Northants (until 3September), £130, £30 for day visitors St Bride’s, on Percy Street, Toxteth, offered acommunity 2September HIV testing drop-in on Monday,the first 1pm Chris Lloyd, piano, and Katy Ovens, flute, in in aseries. free concertatPeterborough Cathedral Cate Jacobs, who is achurchwarden at St Bride’s said: “The 12 September acceptance and inclusivity of St Bride’s arereally 1pm PietroRoffi, accordion in free concertat important when Peterborough Cathedral people living with HIV canstill experience judgment 13 October -23February or feel silenced within faith 1pm Science, Faith and God:The Big Questions. communities.” Prof Alister McGrath lectures on ‘From Wonder to Understanding’ at Barnard’sInn Hall, EC1N 2HH. Free [email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper www.churchnewspaper.com Friday July 31, 2015 News 3 Synod ‘put environment Newforms of unity proposed,but issue on the ofwomen’s ordination is keychallenge agenda’THE YORK SYNOD succeed- APLEA FOR UNITY between “ThisInternational Congress ed in putting environmental Catholic and evangelical Angli- prays also that in God’s good concerns at the top of the cans has come from aconfer- Bishop Keith providence there willbeatruly Church’s agenda. ence sponsoredbyForwardin Ackerman Ecumenical Council of the That was the conclusion of Faith North America. whole Church to address con- the Environmental Adviser to But the statement said that for tentious issues facing Christians the Archbishops’ Council. unity with evangelicals, the and churches andtostrengthen David Shreeve, whoearlier issue of women’s ordination the faith of the Church.” in the year commented that would have to be re-examined. Britain’s Bishop Michael the Church of England had The first International Nazir-Ali, former Bishop of not been ‘successful in drag- Catholic Conference for Angli- Rochester,and Congress Co- ging environmental concerns cans, meeting in FortWorth, Patron with Bishop Keith Acker- into its mainstream’, said that Texas, welcomed the develop- man, expressed hope that the ‘it is changing’, after the July ment of Gafcon and the Global Congress would give Catholic Synod ‘encouraged alot of South, and said that morecould Anglicans agreater voice in people to say environmental be achieved if they worked orthodox Anglican gatherings, concerns arecoming into the together. and send out apositive message mainstream.’ The statement issued at the about the Church. He said that Christian ecolo- end of the conference highlight- “ThisCongress is asplendid gy has been a‘limited interest’ ed anumber of concerns: secu- opportunity not only for their and never representative of larism, Islamic persecution, (Catholic Anglicans) voice to be the main body of the Church. sexual confusion and the redefi- heardbut for amessage to be “At synod, awhole day was nitionofmarriage,but saidthat ciliar ecclesiology will therebe “deemed by some to be afirst sent out about the natureand set aside for the environment, because of ecclesial difficulties, movement towardone another order issue”. calling of Christ’s Church and of and Idon’t knowthat has ever the Church had failed to in true unity,” the document Much of the document focus- the Anglican place in it.” happened before. The Arch- respond adequately. says. es on theissue of ecclesiology “What we’ve seenatthisCon- bishop took partinthe envi- The statement lamented the “Tofulfill the GreatCommis- and calls for amajor re-examina- gress arebishops, priests and ronmental debate and at the fact that ‘thereisaninability sion —and to realize further tion of the doctrine of the people from multiple jurisdic- end of it he was on abit of a even to gather the historic Lam- ecumenical relationships within Church. tions beginning to work togeth- high. beth Conference due to this bro- the one, holy,catholic, and apos- Significantly,they say that a er towards acommon, catholic “Thereisalarge faith ele- kenness.’ tolicChurch —trueunity must ‘holy Synod and conciliar vision of the church,” said Bish- ment involved in the Paris However,with the recent surpass merefederations and Church’ areimportant, and op Keith Ackerman. Summit. People arelooking realignment within Anglican- coalitions.” point to the importance of the “My prayer is that Forwardin towards the Archbishop to ism, including Gafcon and the They issued achallenge to First Ecumenical Council in Faith North America will be part bring his personal views into Global South, they see an oppor- other traditionalist Anglicans for AD325. They suggest that the of an emerging orthodox coali- arena.” tunity for united action. areconsideration of the issue of time hascome for asimilar exer- tion that reclaims our catholicity He welcomed the fact that “Yet only with ahealthy con- the ordination ofwomen, cise. as partof[the]Church.” Archbishop Welby was enthu- siastic on the subject, and that he would be in Paris for the December summit. “Peoplereally do seem to be Peace summit forSouth Sudan held in Waterloo seeing that the faith communi- AMAJOR summit on achievingpeace in the South Sudan, which include mediating be forgiving. If thisisdone,the war will ty has something to offer.The South Sudan has been held in asouth Lon- the Jonglei Peace Process. stop,” he said. Church of England was just a don church. At the event, Paride called for ‘a change LordWilliams signalled his supportfor bit late coming to the party.” The former ArchbishopofCanterbury, for the sake of thechildren.’ the South Sudanese community last year, With environmental con- LordWilliams, joined with Bishop Paride “The ravaging effects of war could mean after atrip to South Sudan with Christian cernnow high on the Chris- Taban of Torit, South Sudan, with the UK’s the next generationgrows up hating. They Aid, wherehesaidthat ‘the challenges fac- tian agenda, therewill be little South Sudanese communityonhow sustain- areinnocent, they arepeaceful so let us not ing South Sudan have fallen offthe radar of room for climate skepticism. able peace might be achieved in South poison their ears. The war could stop tomor- the world.’ Asked whether thereisa Sudan. rowifall sides showed love. They mustfor- “Food insecurity,disease and massive dis- place for climate deniers in The group discussed justice, reconcilia- get the past, accept their wrongdoing and placement go on day after day. the Church of England or at tion and the roots of conflict theological college, the Rev at the event hosted by St Dr Darrell DHannah told The John’s, Waterloo. Church of England Newspaper: BishopParidewas award- “Thereis. There is aplace for ed the UN Sergio Vieira de everyone in the CofE,but Mello Prize in 2013 for Harvest 2015: that does not alter the science. establishing the multi-tribal Thereisroom for FlatEarth- community settlement, the Sowing seedsofhope ers in the CofE,but their Kuron Peace Village,one of This Harvest, our focus is on women position is no less incredible.” his many peace efforts in in Delhi who face violence and discrimination. Your donations will Apology over sexual orientation oversight provide shelter, counselling and legal support. THE CHURCH of England’s head of research has apologised Download or order our FREE after the omission of sexual orientation questions on the recent Harvest worship resources, including ‘Everybody Counts’ survey. details of our Big Curry Harvest meal. The diversity survey of 600 Church of England parishes paid particularattention to ethnicity,disability and locality,but rep- 020 7921 2200 resentative figures didn’t take intoaccount sexualorientation. [email protected] Findings of the reportwerepresented at this July’s General www.weareUs.org.uk/harvest Synod. HeadofResearch and Statistics at the ArchbishopsCouncil, Dr Bev Botting, said: “I am sorry for the hurtand disappoint- The new ment raised by members of our congregations who feel that Us. the lack of aquestion on sexual orientationmeant that theyare name forUSPG not avalued partofour church. Registered charity “Ipromisethis was never the intention. Iamentirely open to number 234518 including additional questions in any further work.”

Onlineatwww.churchnewspaper.com:Right-to-buy policy attacked 4 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday July 31 2015 News Politicians lackinginfaith Fugitive vicar literacy,saysArchbishop ‘A HIGHER level of faith literacy’ type of diversity?” and self-justification’. is needed than is being repre- Speakingabout theChurchof “This is, dangerously in my surrenders sented in national and interna- England’s ‘Shared Conversa- view,combined with Golden Age tional politics, said Archbishop tions’ initiative, he said ‘the point’ Syndrome. That is the desireto Welby. is to get people with different returntoamythological age Speaking on the subject of reli- views to listen to each other. wherepowerand strength were giously motivated violence at the With the ‘abolition of the glob- demonstrated on agrand scale, John Moores University Roscoe al’ inasociety wherethe world is and wherewemight seek to Lecture, the Archbishop of Can- in ‘one smartphone’, people are please whatever deity or belief terbury saidFrenchPrime Min- not seen as human beings, but structureweembrace. ister,Manuel Valls’ recent an inundation of ‘images and “Wemust find acommon lan- phrase ‘war of civilisations’ is a faces’; theincapacity to engage guage thatcan be understood ‘dangerous myth’ to describe with the ‘Other’ leads to a‘sense and used by political and reli- theological diversity between of being under siege’, Welby gious leaders to talk about reli- faiths. explained. gious belief in their own The Archbishop said that 180 Faith groups don’t feel partof contexts.” years of European religious wars the global community wherethe He went on: “Effective faith lit- and the treatise of Westphalia ‘vast majority of the world are eracy requires not only knowl- have offeredvaluable lessonsin feeling marginalised by the edge but an emotional using force to settle theological hegemony of Westernliberal intelligence that enables us to or ideological difference. market capitalism’, he said. understand the place of faith in Speaking at length on the chal- Although some mayview other people’s lives.” lengesofface-to-face encounters Archbishop Welby’s comments He outlined ‘practical actions’ through the rise of diversity,that on a‘capitalist emphasis’, he con- for religions separated by differ- was ever moreapparent via elec- tinued: “ThereisaWestern-led ences in doctrine to find ‘com- tronic media, Archbishop Welby capitalist emphasis on the envi- mon ground’: look at issues of said: “Is it agood thing that we ronment” undermining the self- mutual concernsuch as poverty arebrought so close to the glob- identity of faith groups being and climate change. He also al community? coerced into market capitalism. called for arenewed UN that “Or is theresomething crucial Marginalisation develops ‘a wouldbe‘pulled out of an about face-to-face encounters bunker mentality’ he said, that increasingly entrenched and that we aremissing in this new leads to ‘extreme defensiveness Cold War-rooted mind-set.’ Bishops challenge Chancellor on Budget statement THE REV Simon Reynolds has surrenderedtopolice follow- BRITAIN needs an He went on to argue pants who can meet vide help withthe tran- ing aplea by the Diocese of Guildford, together with the Dio- ‘inclusive economy’, thatBritain needed to economic opportuni- sitional stage between cese of West Yorkshireand the Dales, that he turnhimself in the Bishop of Birming- develop ‘highly skilled ties. the minimum and high- after absconding following his conviction last week on theft ham has said. adventurers’, with an “The test of the suc- er wage economy to charges. The Rt Rev David aspiration for independ- cess of thisand future supportemployers. On 23 July Reynolds wasfound guilty following trial by jury Urquhartwas speaking ent living and enter- Budgetsfor acountry “People should be at the Sheffield Crown Courtofstealing £24,000 in fees paid to in aHouseofLords prise,rather than living within itsmeans paid aliving wage but him for weddings, funerals and other pastoral services that Budget debate. importing them from will be thegrowing they arenot always well should have been passed on to the parochial council or to the He asked the Com- overseas. number of households represented or organ- Wakefield Diocesan BoardofFinance. mercial Secretaryto The Bishop asked that areequipped and ised, so Ihope this Areview of parish accounts begun inOctober 2013 found the Treasury, Lord how theGovernment completely free to earn good change will be thatMrReynolds could not account for some of the fees he O’Neill of Gatley, will ‘fuel the Midlands the means to live.” monitored and had collected for conducting an estimated 700 funerals. whether tax credits and engine’, home to 24 per The Bishop of Peter- enforced. After finding aprimafacie casefor theft, the diocese turned the working age benefit centofthe UK’s manu- borough, the Rt Rev “I hope, too, that over the results of its investigation to the South Yorkshire freeze will make people facturing. Donald Allister,also those of us who can police, who in March 2014 brought charges against the 50- better or worse off. “I urge the Govern- spoke in the debate on afforditwill be willing year-old priest. “The sortofsupport mentnot to wait for a the Budget Statement to pay abit morefor our In March 2013 Reynolds left the diocese and was licensed as envisaged by the perfect political Mid- in the Lords. vegetables, coffee or rector of Farnham in the Diocese of Guildford. He was sus- founders of the welfare lands settlement or He welcomed the online purchases,” he pended from his post the following month after police brought state —and away from restructuring but to new National Living said. charges against him. thedrudgeryoffalse support current initia- Wage and also spoke of Bishop Allister wel- Reynolds left courtwhilst the jurybegan its deliberations dependency —will be tives towards increased the difficulty of achiev- comed the changesbut and did not return for the verdict. achieved only if there productivity.” ing the transition from urged supportfor Afugitive warrant had been issued for his arrest. The areaffordablejobs pro- The Bishop stressed the minimum wage employees, particularly Archdeacon of Pontefract, the VenPeter Townley,said after viding the foundation the importance of‘per- within the Church of in families with one full- the verdict was handed down: “Our thoughts and prayers are for households that are son-to-person’ relation- England’s own Cathe- time working parent withall of those affectedbythiscrime. We deeply regret any not only self-sustaining ships and generous drals and contractors. and single parents, who furtherpain caused to those families who paidfees to Simon butwealth-building”, mentoring that will Bishop Allister asked arefacing reductions in for funerals and our hope is that this conviction now affords said Bishop Urquhart. bring in the partici- the Government to pro- benefits. some peace.” The Archdeacon ofSurrey, the VenStuart Beake, said: “I would like to pay tribute to the churchwardens at St Andrew’s Churchwho haveled theparish through the vacancy before Simon’s arrival and then since his suspension just months LORDNeNASHwprevealedlansplans forfoOfstedrOinspec-fstesectordiafternspectionplans announced in June tosrequireall later,” adding that “now that averdict has been reached in the tions on pupil ‘welfareand engagement’ in cultural state secondaryschool pupils to study five English case, the parish can begin to plan for the futurebut we will studies and the arts from September. Baccalaureate coresubject areas, which exclude have to await details ofsentencing beforedetermining the The Schools Minister was responding to aques- any music, arts or cultureelement. appropriate disciplinaryoutcome from the process Simon will tionfromthe Bishop of Peterborough, the Rt Rev “Does the Minister agree that education is about face as aresult of the conviction. Donald Allister,who asked how the Government not just national productivity but the whole of “Simon remainssuspended, pending sentencing.” planned to retain the UK’s position in the creative human flourishing?” asked Bishop Allister.

Onlineatwww.churchnewspaper.com: FormerRomanCatholic electedbishop in Anglican ChurchofSouthAfrica www.churchnewspaper.com Friday July 31, 2015 News 5 Investigation launched into Brazil will be next assault allegations AN INTERNAL investigation has been launched by the to make marriage Diocese of Chester into allegations the vicar of St Michael and All Angels Church, Bramhall, the Rev Simon Marsh, had assaulted ayoung woman. Last week the Crown Prosecution Service released a statement saying that after reviewing acomplaint investigated by the Greater Manchester Police “We gTHE eANGLICANndEpiscopaler-neutral have reached adecision thatthereisinsufficient evi- Church of Brazil (IEAB) will be the dence to provide arealistic prospect of convictionand next member of theAnglican Com- thereforeconsider that no further action should be muniontoamend its liturgy to taken in this case.” makemarriage gender neutral. For the past 15 months police had investigated alle- On 22 July the Most Rev Francis- gations that Mr Marsh (55) had sexually assaulted a co de Assis da Silva released a young woman between 2011 and 2013. Mr Marshhad statement on behalf of theIEAB been suspended from office whilst the police reviewed applauding the recent move by the the complaint. Episcopal Church of the USA in In thewake of CPS statement adiocesan spokesman makingits marriage canons gen- said: “The Rev Simon Marsh has agreed not to conduct der neutral. services or be actively engaged in parish ministryin Same-sex marriage was legalised Bramhall for the time being. Now that we’ve been by the Brazilian courts in 2011,he informedthatthe criminal investigation has finished, noted, adding the IEAB had with no charges being brought, an internal investiga- engaged in a“broad process of tion by the Diocese of Chester is under way. reflection on the search for consen- “Inthe meantime, alternative pastoralcarewill con- sus on this issue.” tinue to be provided for the people of Bramhall.” He stated: “Our Province is dis- cussing this matter –under the in discussion ofthe theme in the My hope isthat in our next Pri- methodology of Indaba –inall churches of England, Wales, mates’ Meeting we can have sin- instances of the Church. Our new Aotearoa, New Zealand and Poly- cereand honest conversation. We Prayer Book already contemplates nesia. should not have asingle issue achange of language, establishing “Wemust respect thisprocess agenda, but we need be open to the gender neutrality that is asig- which also occursindioceses and conversation.” Bishop’s plea nificant step ofinclusivity.This parts of other Anglican Provinces.” He noted the Archbishop of Can- change does not requireustocele- Brazil would not be cowed by terbury’s concerns over the steps brate matrimony between people those calling for ahalt to these taken by the Episcopal Church, but of same sex, but we’reopen to the innovations, he said. “As [a] said the right ofprovincial autono- THEtoFORMERCoBishnop ofgNewreHampshirssehas called futureand new pastoral require- Province within our Communion, my must also be taken into consid- on the US Congress to block passage of abill to bal- ments from ourtime.” we arecommitted to the unity and eration. ance theFreeExercise of Religion guaranteed by the Bishop da Silva said his Church do not agreewith any initiative that “I greatly welcome and share First Amendment of the Constitution with the recent saw “with joy changing processes seeks to isolate the provinces that [Archbishop Welby’s] concernand Supreme Courtdecision finding aconstitutional right in the churches of Canada and areadopting new pastoral and the- trust that we can walk on together,” to same-sex marriage. Scotland. We see with joy advances ological perspectives. Bishop da Silva said. Joinedbyliberal religious advocacy groups the Rt Rev Gene Robinson last week launched apetition campaign to block passage of the First Amendment Defense Act (H.R. 2802). JOIN THEFAMILY TheRepublican-sponsored bill would protectorganiza- As with most things in life you have achoice:- it maybewhere tions andindividuals object- youchoose to live, your place of worship or evenyourfavourite ing to same-sex marriage on restaurant. It is the same when you are choosing yournext religious or moralgrounds motor car,private sale adverts, main dealer showrooms, garage from government penalties. forecourts, even car supermarkets,the problem is, who can you Bishop Robinson’s petition cantrust? There is however anotheroptionopen to you. argues that the bill would privilege conservative inter- Priory Automotiveonlysupplycarstothe Christiancommunity. pretations of religious faith They feel thatthey are lookingafter family when they are and violates hisbelief in the dealingwithaclient, indeed theyprepare every car to the “fundamental values of treat- standard that they would expect it to be, as if it wasbeing ing all people with fairness delivered to aclose family member.Not beingalarge company and equality.” meansthat theycan take thetime to get every littledetail just He argued that the bill, by right,and that iswhy they have a99% Customer satisfaction protecting the rights of con- rating. science of traditional reli- gious believers, opened the When you are looking for anothercar,why not givethem aquick “door to unprecedented tax- call? Their friendly andexperiencedteam can help and advise payer-funded discrimination onhow you can get afabulous car at agreatprice, no dark against LGBT people, single secrets, no hiddencosts and always delivered to your doorfree mothers and unmarried cou- of charge. With prices starting from around£3000,there really ples.” is somethingfor everyone at Priory,asall makes andmodels The bill is expected to pass aresupplied. the Republican-controlled Congress but may be vetoed For any further information call 0114 2559696 by President Barack Obama. or visit www.prioryautomotive.com

Onlineatwww.churchnewspaper.com: Christian leader welcomes Iran nucleardeal 6 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday July 31, 2015 Letters

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Modest grateful that these religious views. Sir,For well-facilitated Cost of the Shared Conversations conversations arehappening. Inhis speech on 20July conversationstaking place in Sir,Peter Mullen is right to raise concerns about the cost Ihavespent almost20years regarding fighting terrorism, safespaces which can of thegay dialogue. However his plea that St Paul would depressed,struggling with thePrime Minister set out his accommodate andcater for not know of this development could equally be applied to my identity,asking God to alternative visionforBritain 70 people, Iwouldsay that women’s ordination. Ihave beforemeabooklet in the change myorientation, to thatofferedby £360,000isverymodest. Grove series, and the author therereinterprets and askingfor deliverance, a fundamentalism.He Penelope Doe, explains away the traditional understanding of the Pauline miracle, and pursuing suggested that British values Via e-mail passages concerning the ministryofwomen. An exegesis therapy.Hehasn’t changed includes “Equalrights also notknown for 1,950 years. Yetthe same author sees anything. Ihavebeen told by regardless of... religion” and no grounds for revising the Pauline theology of marriage numerous churchesthatmy “freedom ofspeech”.Atthe Discussions needed and homosexuality,even though some other evangelicals wife and I would notbe same time, he said that “We Sir, Ithinkthefactthatthe like David Runcornare already re-evaluating. welcome unlesswehold the believeinrespecting different church has not had an open However we already see the moremilitant feminists same theology as them. faiths but also expecting discussion about this until demanding atheology of Mother God. Look at the Watch Thankfullywehave now those faithstosupport the now has led social website, the master plan behind the wholefemale found an amazingChurchof British way of life.” conservativestoassumethat ordination strategy.Surely when that occurs, and the Scotland inGreenock that These commentsare everyonehasalways agreed feminized nomenclatureentersthe official liturgy of the has been more welcoming typicaloftheconfusing and withthemonthe topic.This ChurchofEngland, the time for departurehas come.The and inclusive than I could vague rhetoric towhich we is why weneed the prophetic words of the late DoctorMartyn Lloyd Jones will ever have hopedorimagined. areregularly exposedin discussion because lots of havebeen truly vindicated. Especially if it comes with gay Weareboth beginning a today’spolitical discourse. people are even ignorant that blessings thrown in. journey of recovery and The freedomofreligionand there areother viewpoints Dr Alec Wordsworth, healingandare enjoying speech on offer is, in practice, (there are many different Norwich being part of ‘the family’ farfromfree. Unfortunately, socially conservative again. it is becoming ever more viewpoints, never mind Wherethe Spirit ofthe constrained by conformityto affirmingviews). intended at the Lord is, thereisfreedom.Not thenotion of aBritishwayof “The Bible says whatit time toban people from straight) see the Churchof freedom to sin or be casual life. Similarly,therespect for says” is exactly this attitude: loving relationshipsor England as (in Linda with sex but to be who God different faiths isoften thatthereare no other marriage.Therewas also Woodhead’s words)a‘toxic createdusto be, in his image. withdrawn at apoint that is interpretations, but we know very littleChristiancomment brand’. In response,theyare Without shame,judgement, crucialtothose faiths. For there aremany ways of on ituntil the 1980s, so I keeping a wideberth and rejection orexclusion. This instance, whether aperson interpreting the law. As don’t thinkPeter Mullen’s certainly not supportingit has been truefreedom forme believesthattheir religionis Christians we should be assessment ofhistory isquite with their time and money. and mywife. theonly truereligion or on following Christ whose accurate.Nevertheless we So the Church ofEngland’s KatrinaHadland, questions that touch on the interpretation of the lawwas wanttodowhat is ‘Shared Conversations’ are Via email very nature of what itmeans –love God, love your right/good/moral/holynot amongst other things, a to be human. neighbour.Itis notloving to whatistraditional.Wedon’t message to society that we Is conformity with the ban people from marrying. It continue enabling child abuse take issuesofmission, Freedom of religion British way of lifecompatible is not loving to ignore hurt or just because itwas turned a welcome and inclusion very Sir,Iamwritingtoask if with Article 18 ofthe perceivedhurt. blind eye to in the 80s and seriously and that we readers would be willing to Universal Declarationof When Iwasgrowing up the 90s, for example. recognise that our current visit your MPtodiscuss the Human Rights? At the prevalentsocial conservative Theconversations aren’t position onsame-sex freedomofreligion? momentthe answer to this view was that gay people do reallyabout discussing relationships urgently needs The case for freedom of questionappearstobe‘no’as not exist,and somepeople theology (although St Paul review. While the Churchof religionisnot simplyanissue agrowing number of legal still hold to this, but therehas tells us to always have an England’s membership is forthethree monotheistic cases show. beenasubtle shiftnow,due answer and certainly I don’t ageingandits ageing faiths of Christianity, Ibelieve that this issue to scientific and sociological think there is anything wrong membership is dying, its Judaism, and Islam, but for needs toberaisedwith our evidence,sothatthe with discussingtheologyon long-term future is everyone who isconcerned Members ofParliament. The prevalentview is now that any topic)but about how questionable. In thelightof about acivil society. challenge to this freedom is gay people do exist, but Christiansinthe churchtreat this, an investment in our The basicunderstanding of notjustathreat to one should remaincelibate.If each other. Church’s futureofjust freedomofreligion is set out religion,norto all religions, social conservatives canbe Pete Jeremy, £360,000 mightbeaprice in Article 18ofthe Universal butalso to those of no wrong about gay people Via email worth paying. Declaration of Human Rights. religion who wishtoexpress existing surelythere are JayneNewsham, Here, faith is notsomething andexplore their questionsoverthe Via email that is simply to be respected, philosophical views about life. truth/certainty of their but is an inalienable right. In effect, it isachallenge to current prevalent position? Reality check Each personhasthe “right to anyone who seeksafter what We’ve only had gay Sir,The ChurchofEngland is Expensive freedomofthought, is true and does not wish marriage for ayearorso. engaging with reality.UKlaw Sir,Idon’tunderstand why conscience and religion”. their search to belimited We’veonly understood that has been amended to allow these conversationsneedto This freedomisnot limited to only to ideasdeemed somepeople aregay for same-sex couples tomarry be so expensive?? Wehave theprivate sphere,but may acceptable bytheState. maybe 50years (and less in and sonowsame-sex married church buildings they could also bemanifested inpublic Welive in arepresentative conservative circles). Soprior couples willbecoming into take place in forfree, in “teaching, practice, democracy. Why not show to thisanystatements against our churches (we’llbe particularly if they only invite worship, andobservance”. your MPwhoyouare?Ifyou gay sex were madeinthe inviting them).However, 70 people at a time.How Limitations areplaced on are concerned about the context ofassumed while the ChurchofEngland many meetingswilltake this rightbyArticle 9ofthe issue ofreligious freedom, heterosexuality.That’s not to still contains plenty of place?Howmuch does that European Conventionon thenitis youthatyourMP say that they can’t be individuals whovocally mean eachmeeting will cost? HumanRights, but thisdoes needs tohear from. universalised to include promote Mr Mullen’s point of That said, Iamadisciple of not justify therestriction of TheRevDavid Dean- homosexuals as well, but view,younger people in Jesus Christ who God created opinions andhonest Revill, they certainly weren’t society (both gay and to be alesbian and Iam statements about basic Shiregreen, Sheffield

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Sexual morality and its Thedeveloper of BacktoChurch Sundayexplains why more thaneight outof10churchmembershaveno powertodivide intentionofbringing achum to church President Obama’s recent visit to Kenya gave averypublic vindica- tion to Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch’s view that sexual morality is animportant dividing factor between westerncultureand the rest of the world. Obama declared that homosexual people had the same rights as others, President Kenyatta of Kenya said that his cultureand people did not recognise this as an issue at all. For Kenyatta no doubt all people arepeople, marriage is obvious- ly defined physically as between men and women, and homosexu- ality is not an issue for discussion nor for any kind of public institutionalisation. Heretwo cultures werenot even clashing so much as not recognising theassumptions of each other.The Can invite… famous church historian Professor MacCulloch had said asmuch quite recently,that the rest of the world is baffled by Westernviews andinstitutions regarding sex. Therest of the world didnot trust the West on this veryimportant ground. He also pointed to the Russian and East European view of sex and their adherence to the traditionalChristian ideal of monogamous know the words of Jesustohis disciples before marriage as the only context for sex morally and culturally.The he ascended into heaven: ‘All authority in heaven whole EasternOrthodox world remains, as was the UK until quite MICHAELHARVEY and on earth has been given to me. Thereforego recently,amazed that anyone could consider that homosexuality Won’t and maiknedisciplesvof allnations,itbaptisingethem was acceptable as anorm. The Christian world is divided deeply on in the name of the Father and of the Son and of this issue, East and South simply do not agree with Western Your church members may be welcoming, the Holy Spirit...’ Matthew 28: 18-20 NIV. changes, especially to thedefinitionofmarriageascarriedout by friendly and fully committed to reaching the local However,wecan easily forget the context of the UK, Eireand the USA. Interestingly only Eiregave the public a community -but morethan eight out of 10 do not this commission. This is the preceding verse: direct referendum vote on the subject, the UK made thechange at intend to invite anyone to aservice. ‘When they saw him, theyworshipped him; but Prime Ministerial diktat, the USA made the change by the narrow Idiscovered these statistics doing exhaustive some doubted,’ Matthew 28:17 NIV. marginal majority of liberal judges outvoting conservatives, that is research at hundreds of seminars throughout the by judges making law and overturning the historic view. UK and abroad, for my new book Creating aCul- Islam is even moreardent against gay sex being made morally, tureofInvitation (Monarch, £8.99, published 17 letalone legally,acceptable. Indeed under strict Sharia Law,asin July). Saudi Arabia, homosexuals would be stoned to death and It is asimilar pictureeven in growing church- many apparently liberal scholars arecontent with that,on es, wherethe percentage of intentional inviters Islamic soil if not in the West. In Africa Christians are might be 20 per cent compared to five per cent in faced with the Muslim backlash over Westernbacking non-growing churches.

nt for homosexuality.Inthe UK thisissue is made into fuel Most people express surprise at the findings to fireupthe rejection of Westerncultureand values; but thereisapoint when the light goes on. They Boko Haram, for example believe that Westerncultureis suddenlybecome awareoffears and doubts lurk- corrupt. If theArchbishop of Canterburydoes change ing in acorner of theirminds; or conscious of the the ChurchofEngland’s stance on this issue, through the battle between faith and fear. less than convincing findings of the civil service like The first step towards change is awareness. We ‘Pilling Report’, this will be amajor blow to trust between can’treally change something untilweare aware the mosque and church, and to the claim that Muslim val- there is aproblem. This is another major issue I ues areBritish values. It would also drive ahefty chunk havefound: we areachurch in fear,but have mme of traditional Anglicans into asplit, making establishment verylittle perception of that fear. look even shakier than it is now. Of the 12 main reasonsI’ve highlighted (see Professor MacCulloch is right, this is an extremely panel), key emotions lurk in two of them. Jesus sent abunch of doubting disciples on divisive issue, worldwide but also at home. mission. That is interesting and comforting: Co What if it damages my friendship? interesting because partofthe great commission One of themost powerful fears, as we contem- seems to dealwith thedoubts of the disciples; plateaninvitation, is that ofdiminishing arela- and comfortingbecause my findings show we TheChurch of England Newspaper tionship. Imight lose the friend Iamgoing to ask have some of thesame doubts, as expressed in withCelebratemagazine incorporating TheRecordand Christian Week or itmight alter therelationshipfor theworst. the common reasons. Published by Political and Religious Intelligence Ltd. Recently someone told me they don’t invite It did not matter that the 11 disciples had Company Number: 3176742 becausethey don’t want to rock the boat. Many doubts or fears. Even wherethey did not believe Publisher:Keith Young MBE of uswant aquiet life. We tiptoe around issues in Jesus, Jesusbelieved in them! That is what and challenges. Of course,itispossible that we counts. If you areafollower of Jesus, Jesus mightdamage or even lose afriendship through believes inyou. PublishingDirector &Editor:CMBLAKELY 020 7222 8700 invitingsomeone to take acloser look at the ChiefCorrespondent: TheRev Canon GEORGE CONGER 00 10772 332 2604 claims of Christ. It ismorethan likely therewill Reporter:JOMAY 020 7222 8700 be some change to the relationship. Twelve reasons why people don’t invite Nicodemus visited Jesus at night for fear of his friends and family to church Advertising: CHRISTURNER020 7222 2018 peers. He was not alone. In John 12:42 we learn Advertising &Editorial Assistant: PENNY NAIR PRICE 020 7222 2018 thatmany in leadership believed but because of Isuffer,and Idon’t want my friend to suffer thethreat of the Pharisees, decided not to go My friend won’t want to go as they turned me Subscriptions &Finance:DELIA ROBINSON 020 7222 2018 publicatthat time. down last year GraphicDesigner: PETER MAY020 7222 8700 We have no non-churchgoingfriends Ourservices and people areunpredictable It’s the church leader’s job Theacceptance of advertising does not necessarily indicate This can be true, although many churches are Iwas never invited. Iwas borninto the church endorsement. Photographs and other materialsent forpublication over-compensating by making services pre- What if it damages my friendship? aresubmitted at theowner’srisk. TheChurchofEnglandNewspaper does dictable through rigorous planning. We have to Our services and people areunpredictable notacceptresponsibility forany material lost or damaged. be careful, lest we forget we arenot in the enter- Ifear the congregation will think my friend is Christian Weekly NewspapersTrustees: Robert Leach(020 8224 5696), tainment business. not ‘our’ type of person LordCarey of Clifton, TheRtRev Michael Nazir-Ali, TheRtRev Pete Broadbent, Recently,someone toldmethey werenot going Iamreticent Dr Elaine Storkey, TheRev CindyKent to do any inviting until the church service was Religion is aprivate matter right! Iregularly hear: ‘When we have more Idon’t want to be seen as strange TheChurch of England Newspaper, young people, then Iwill invite’ or,‘When we They might ask something about my faith, and I Political and Religious Intelligence Ltd have moreactivities, then Iwill invite’ –and so wouldn’t know what to say 14 GreatCollegeStreet,London,SW1P3RX on. The church is never going to be perfect or Editorial e-mail: [email protected] even perfectly predictable. *This article forms partofathree-partseries Advertising e-mail: [email protected] extracted from Michael Harvey’s book CREATING A Subscriptions e-mail: [email protected] Doubts and fears managed CULTURE OF INVITATION (Monarch, £8.99, One of the most comforting verses Ihave found published 17 Jul 2015). Website:www.churchnewspaper.com is the one beforethe Great Commission. We all

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From crime to Christianity: Jordan’s story “I’mnot proud of what my life has been, but it’smademe abetterpersontoday and ithas made mestronger. There is light at theend of the tunnel.” Bringing peopletoaliving faith inJesus Christ isatthe heartofChurch Army’sONE series, as we celebratehow God is impacting peoplethroughout thisnation andshare their stories. Here, Jordan talks abouthisturbulentpast, and howJesus lifted himout of a life of drugs, crime and prison to alife of hope, prayerand love

MY NAAME is Jordan and I’m22years prayed for my early release fromprison old. I have a little boyand apartner and and it happened. I came out in2008, I live inNorthGreenwich. Iwork in whenIwas 16. I never want to go back, I demolition and construction and I enjoy wouldnever go back.” it. I’ve been in and out ofwork since My life growing up was quite a then, but Iwouldn’t turn to crime again. struggle. I have five brothers and four I like going towork, you’ve gone out all sisters. Whenwe were young, itwas just week, sweatedfor it, and earnedyour my mother bringing up 10 kids onher money. I am only22, but Ifeel about 40 own, none of our dads were ever there. because of all that I’ve gone through. The estate we lived onwas full of crime, You learnfromthese sorts of things, I drugs and gang culture, there was no suppose. I’mnotproud ofwhatmylife way ofgetting away from it. has been, but it’s made me a better I was mixedupwith older guys and I persontoday and ithas made me startedgetting into drugs and stealing stronger. There is light at the end of the things, such as cars and motorbikes. I tunnel. enjoyed the adrenaline ofbeing chased I’ve known [ChurchAArmy Evangelist] by the police. NickRussell since I was seven and I had I endedupinprisonwhen I was 14. I my eighth birthdayparty at his house. Jordan

We’ve had a good relationship since Ipray all the time now. When I came then,rreally,hhegivesmegoodadvice.IIf out of jail,IIstartedparticipatinginmore he canhelp you out in any way,shape or programmes with Nick. Ihelp out with form, he will.Nick would never turnhis theSuperKidz and little gatherings on backonyou. He’s been like adad to me. Sunday,wherewehave tea and Bible Idon’t think Iwould be readings. When whereIamtoday if it Harley is older,it wasn’t for Nick. would be nice for him When Ilook back, I to participate in the realise how reckless I “I enjoyed the same services Itake was.Inever used to adrenaline of partin. think beforeIacted; When Ipray,it’s now Ithink about being chased by hardtoexplain, but consequences. I’m not the police” you feel something doing great in life but inside, and also in I’m hanging on, I’m your mind. Ifyou’rea paving my way.It’s a believer yourself, great feeling inside to know that Iam you’ll understand what Imean. Alot of making progress. Some of my mates are people say ‘seeing is believing’ but it’s still out there, doing the same stuff. Iam not really about that, it’s about having trying to encourage the people at the faith andbelieving in him andhe’ll estate to take some courses, get work... believe in you.” With myfamily,we’renot that tight, but Ihave my own little family now.My To watch avideo of Jordan telling his three-year-old son Harley,he’s afunny story, visit little kid, verylively,Ilove him to bits. www.churcharmy.org.uk/appeal Being afather has taught me alot. Knowing Jesus has reallytransformed If you want to read moreinspiringstories me. Ithink differently about other like Jordan’s, sign up to Church Army’s Church Army people, Ican’tbehorrible to them and I Shareit! magazine by visiting Evangelist, Nick feel happy inside. Just with random www.churcharmy.org.uk/shareit or Russell people on the street, Isay:‘G’day mate!’ telephone 0300 123 2113

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Why I am still an evangelical

ek to applydifferent definitions to the same word? But if this was true –why then do Isee so muchfruit ho then decides? inmylife? As Jesus said, “Do people pick grapes from am astaunch evangelical. Ihave been all my life. thorn-bushes or figs from thistles? Likewise, every emoreaccurate, Iamafully signed up good tree bears good fruit, but abad tree bears bad smatic evangelical, who is passionate about fruit” (Matthew 7). Why does God continue to answer ising the gifts of the Spirit.Even now,when in the my prayers? Why do Isee his power constantly at work of many Ihave committed the “unforgiveable sin” in my life; his voice whispering in my innerear; his ving been in agay relationship, Istill see myself as healing power touching the lives of people who have dent evangelical. It is the tribe to whichIbelong, been deeply hurtand broken by aChurch that has he tent inwhich Christ has placed me. shunned them. TheOxfordEnglish Dictionaryhas just announced its This will make many readers shiftuncomfortably in Iknow that some of you will be tempted to stop latest list of words that will be added to its next June their seats, and others wonder why on earth Iwould reading at this point. Please don’t. My plea is that you 2015 edition. Evidently thereare over 500 new words want to be associated with agroup thatisregarded as engage with those who hold views similar to my own and phrases that have been identified –and defined - being “out to disown me”. and ask them why they hold such ahigh regardof thisquarter. Yousee, Iamanevangelical for the same reasonthat scripture. What I’m always intrigued by is “who gets to decide others see themselves as evangelicals –Ihave an Challenge them that if they,like I,believe “that these definitions?” Who decides wherethe boundaries extremely high regardfor scripture, Ibelieve Scripturecannot be set aside” (John 10:35) then how fall? What meaning is “right” and whatis“wrong”? passionately in theimportance of apersonal do they reconcile what God is saying through his The samecould be said formany of the labels and relationship with Jesus Christ and am ultimately word? How do they interpret those verses? And then words that we use within theChristian tradition. One committed to giving my life to spreading the gospel. please ask yourself, why do you believe what you do? thing Irealise is that thereisagrowing number of So what is all the fuss about? How long have you spent studying it all? How do you “dictionaries” currently in use throughout the Church. The answer is that many do not believe that my life reconcile the fact that the gospel that you believe These competing editions can depend on geography, bears witness to this fact. They believe that Ican’t should be preached is clearly causing so much pain and increasingly reflect the language used by each possibly have a“high regardofscripture” if I’m and misery, and is hampering the spread of the gospel? “tribe”- to the point that their use is now astaunch prepared to enter into arelationship with another Please be warned though that to do this requires an litmus testoftribal membership. woman. open heartand mind –and perhaps mostimportantly a Take the word“evangelical”. Thishas quite different They probably also believe, but wouldn’t say to my humble spirit. We need to let go of our fears and trust perceptions depending, for instance, on which side of face, that Ican’t possibly be having adeep personal that God himself will defend his Gospel. We need to the Atlantic you arebased. It can also have either a relationship with Jesus Christ as otherwise Iwould release ourselves from the burden of feeling that we positive or apejorative meaning depending on which “know” thisiswrong. Ishouldbeheavily convicted by arearemnant charged with taking “a last stand”. I church tradition or tribe you arefrom. the Holy Spirit, as they themselves feel convicted –that passionately believe that God is shaping and moulding Some see evangelicalism as theonly formoftrue it is sinful. us all through this, so that ultimately are-envisioned Christianity;others see it as atribe to be avoided at all As to sharing the gospel,well they aredeeply Church will arise that is fit for purpose in the 21st costs,given what is perceived as having “narrow, concerned thatIamleading others astray by sharing a century. judgemental and exclusivetendencies”. false gospel, and as such they perceive me as afalse After all, isn’t that whatthis is all about? That God’s These differences do not cause aproblem as long as prophet. They believe this is what St Paul mentioned Kingdom comes and that his will is done? On earth – the members of each tribe areingeneralagreement. would happen in the End Times,and which Jesus today,right now-asitisinHeaven? Wherebythe way But what happens when members of the sametribe himself warned us to guardagainst. sexuality will no longer be an issue!

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ment of solarpanels on buildings and cutting back on downloading images on mobile devices –apparently much carbon dioxide is produced everyyear through data storage clouds in the US. It’s an interesting breakthrough with symbolic value for the Church of England and its worshippers. My two-penneth though, for what it’s worth, is to JaneyLee Grace suggest we make small changes to ourpersonal lives too. Sounds like acliché, but it’s the little changes that makeabigger difference -take acloser look at your Live Healthy! Live Happy! health and personal regimen and Ibet you can find a few climate risk factors sitting in your bathroom cabi- net andunder the sink. It can seem exhausting thinking about climate change, despite knowing the importance of reducing your carbon footprint for futuregenerations. But to Going ‘Green’ is aholy duty,say reallybenefit in thehereand now,you need not look further than your cosmetics and toiletries in order to makeadifference. Ever considered the impact of the deodorant you Church of England Bishops use? Thereare agreat host of natural and climate- Recent UK press explored the sudden efforts and Inaddition to the suggestion of churchgoers skipping friendly products, just by opting for natural and syn- encouragement of the Church of England in going lunch on thefirst day of every month as afast against thetic chemical-free products you could save money, ‘green’. Backed by the theology that all creation is holy climate change, the new generation of vicars arenow to reduce your impact and tick that eco box without try- and must thereforebeprotected for the future, the be trained in ‘eco-theology’ and ‘eco-justice’ alongside ing too hard(and without the investment of solar pan- Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, Christian ethics. els, oreven cutting back on your holiday snaps) to declared that churchgoers must fight climate change Speakers at the debate have suggested that theplanet startincorporating greener ideas into your life. and set an example to others as aholy duty. could be saved through the use ofless paper,the instal- It’s the Think Global —act local approach.

Ecce SacerdosMagnus Understanding prayer The Latin responsoryfor the feast of abishop came to mind on hearing of the death of Owen Polly Toynbee might find her understanding of prayer deepened if she Chadwick. Although he probably turned down the invitation to become abishop anumber of reflected on Owen Chadwick’s experience. The idea that TimFarron times, he was certainly agreat priest and agreat pastor as well as ahistorian of distinction prayed beforeentering the Lib Dem leadership contest alarmed her.She and an able administrator.After his full-page obituarywas published in TheTimes tributes told theSunday programme prayer is dangerousbecause it can make appeared to his pastoral care. One old member of Selwyn College, whereChadwick was people imagine God is on their side. Anyone whose spirituality has been Master,told how hewas confined to the sick bay foratermafter atraffic accident. Chadwick influenced by Reinhold Niebuhr knows this is exactly what prayer is came to visit him everynight after dinner with portorwine hehad salvaged from high table. meant not to do. Barack Obama impressed Washington Post journalist EJ Acluetothe source of Chadwick’s commitment as apastor is to be found in hisGifford Dionne by givinghim aconcise and accurate summaryofNiebuhr’s Lectures, The Secularisation of theEuropean Mind in the 19th Century. Therehetells the teaching of the danger of allowing religion to feed our sense of self- story of what he calls ‘the mostmiserable and most exhausting day of my life’. On 31 righteousness. People who indulge in what has been termed‘virtue October,1941, morethan 50 people werekilled in afactoryfireinYorkshireinthe town signalling’ on social networks, sending each other what they think are whereChadwick was acurate. He spentthe day looking at burnt skin and trying to comfort the correct opinions on everything from sexuality to environmental relatives. When he got home after 11.00pm ‘dog-tired, empty and wretched’ he turned, ethics, could learnfromNiebuhr.The idea that prayer involves reluctantly,tosaying hisoffice.Opening the Bible at the readingfor the day the words leapt thanksgiving and repentance, as well as intercession and meditation, out from the pages: ‘The souls of the righteous areinthe hands of God and no torment shall may benews to Polly Toynbee but not to CNN’s Anderson Cooper.He touch them’. Chadwick says he got aglimmering of understanding of how Augustine felt was surprised andshocked when Donald Trump told him that while in when God spoke to him in the garden through the words of scripture. theoryhethinksrepentance is ‘terrific’ it isnot an activity he indulges in verymuch himself because he doesn’t make mistakes. Toynbee’s antagonism to religion probably owes as muchtoupbringing as to ignorance. Her father,PhilipToynbee, found faith with the help of Anglican nuns before he died but he had divorced his wife and left Polly Anglicansindisrepute? with her mother when she was only four. Twoprominent Anglican laymen havebeen named in connection with theinquiry into establishment sex abuse. Sir William VanStraubenzee MP was aTorywet who was sacked from the shadow cabinet by Margaret Thatcher andamember of General Synod. He wasSecond Estates Commissioner from 1979 to 1987. At atime Cricket saints when relations between the Government and the bishops could be stormy,heusually took the side of the bishops and was not afraid to clash with fellowSynod member, It didn’t help theEngland team to victory butonthe first day ofthe test at John Selwyn Gummer [ashewas then known). Although opposed at thetime, Lord’s the BishopofLondon announcedthatthe threeStudd brothers, whose not least by the bishops, the recommendations of an inquiryhechaired family name isinscribedonthe Ashesurn,are to becommemoratedinthe that thePrime Minister should no longer advise the Queen onsenior DioceseofLondon on16July. All three brothers were committed appointments and that episcopal vacancies should be advertised evangelicals. Charles ThomasandGeorge Brown Studd were not only have now come into force. Sir Maurice Oldfield, former headofMI6, renowned cricketers butalsomissionaries.CTwentasamissionary to was organist at St Matthew’s, Westminster.Therehave been Chinabetween1885and1895 andthen to the Belgian Congo.GB allegations against him in connection withachildren’s homeinN worked asamissionaryinIndia before moving to Los Angeles to Ireland. In 1979, after he retired from MI6, Margaret Thatcher serve in apoor part ofthe city. Theirbrother, John Edward asked him to coordinate security and intelligence in NIreland Kynaston Studd,became President of theMCC, Lord Mayor of but he left the post in 1980 after reports that he used rent London and was actively involved inRegent StreetPolytechnic boys although he was also suffering from stomach cancer (now the University of Westminster), seeking togivethe from which he died ayear later.Itwas while Oldfield was institution aChristian ethos. CT playedfor the England team organist that St Matthew’s Church wasalmost totally that lost at the Oval in 1881 giving rise to a mockobituaryinthe destroyed by firein1977. There was suspicion that this Sporting Times which said the body will becrematedandthe was thework of the IRA. Oldfield, aportly bachelor with Ashes taken toAustralia. CTandGBwerebothinthe touring akeen intellect and drywit, is said tohave served as a team that recoveredthe Ashes in 1882/3 when the English model for bothIan Fleming’s ‘M’ and John le Carré’s Whispering captain was presented with the famousurn.Whatever thefinal Smiley.Both Oldfield and VanStraubenzee deserve to result in the test series, the CofEcricket team ishoping to

The Gallery be considered innocent until provedguilty. repeatlastyear’s victory whenthey travel to Rome for a return match with the VaticansideinOctober.

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Asting that shows why ANDREW we needthe tabloids CAREY View from the Pew Socialism breaksthe

ItCommanhasalways struck me that socidmentsalism –atleast as far as it is generally expressed in European politics –inevitably transgresses the 10th Commandment. The Corbyn doctrine of Labour politics is largely about putting the world right by redistributing wealth from those who areperceived as wealthy to those who areper- ceived as poor. The emphasis on tax collection to create alarge state in which resources areredis- tributed depends on aconsensus that aproportion of everyone’s income can be spent The LordSewell scandal should have beenshort-lived and freefrom theprurience more wisely and justly by the state. andmischief, whichdominated media commentary in the first few days oftheweek. Thetrouble is thatthe wealth is redistributedvia the apparatus ofthe state, which It was afair and old-fashioned mediasting by the SunonSunday -aworthy suc- mayormay notfind ways of redistributing wealth equitably or efficiently. cessortothe News of the World, which spent a century ormoreexposing thesexual In some parts of theworld itiscorruption that gets in the way of just andefficient shenanigansofthe great and good. This isprecisely thejobofatabloid newspaper spending, but in Europe it is usually just bureaucracy that tends to eat up thelion’s – itiswhyweneed them. shareofthe taxes.Eventocollect taxefficiently and equitably takesaconsiderable Butwealsoneed thegreat andgood to play their part. Assoon as theyarefound size of state and agreat deal of good will. out,the traditionisthat they apologise abjectly and resign from public life tospend Alot of left-wing policyduring the recession has beenabout eyeingpots of money more timewith family or keepingbees.And the public would havehad every sym- owned by someone else and coveting it. Youmay think that this covetousness is amat- pathy for aman caughtinhis moment of weakness. ter of justice, but when it comes to some sorts ofwealth taxes orproperty taxes it The trouble isthat itwas perfectlyobvious fromthe startthat this wasacareer- looks like the sortofcovetousness identified in the 10th Commandment. endingscandal. It isimpossible that the deputyspeaker of theLords—andthe peer As for the punitive rateoftaxes that Jeremy Corbyn and others on the left want to responsible for standards — could survive being caughtwith drugs and sexwork- rakeinfromthose who have earned it the considerationisnot justabout covetous- ers. ness. In my view taking anything morethan 50 per cent of someone’s earnings is But we are in the post-guilt,post-shameage where people’s first thought is ‘Can I unjustifiable daylight robbery. getaway withit?’ ratherthan ‘WhodoIaddress myresignation to?’ Taxisindeed about morality.But few church leaders ever question taxation as any- The hackingoftheadultery website, Ashley Madison, has brought so manycom- thing other than an unalloyedgood. Yetfew dispute the fact that the poll tax, to take mentatorsoutofthe woodworksupporting rights of privacy of individuals whohave one example,was unjust and unpopular.Similarlythereisasizeableconsensus that chosenfreelytoassociatethemselves with this sordid commercialventure. Yet the so-called bedroom tax, which isn’t even atax, iswrong. when it comes tothebreakingofpublic promises privacycan only be asecondary The pointisthat some specific taxes and certain attitudes towards taxation can fall consideration. foul of both the eighth and tenth commandments.

By Brian Cooper conversion to Christianity 70 years earlier -and ancient beliefs’ lingering presence. SomeTartworkshhaveuencanny capacityato appearrat thte of AusThetculturalrencounterabetweenliaAboriginal peoples same time both veryancient, even primordial, and and British settlers is amajor theme: “Everything after ultra-modern, even futuristic. Henry’s Moore’s massive Cook was shared between all of us”. Vincent sculptures areone striking example -and the multi- Namatjira’sfolksy 2014 portrait James Cook -with the coloured geometric patterns by indigenous Australian Declaration, the historic document of British artists areanother. possession flowing from his naval uniform, is Remarkably intricate and stunningly beautiful, somewhat under-stated recall of imperialism’s impact, superb examples of the latter areonshow in British while aNorthernTerritorypainted pole sets Cook and Museum’s culturally sensitive exhibition ‘Indigenous ancient deity Barama side by side as law-givers to the Australia: Enduring Civilisation’. southerncontinent. In Kungkarangkalpa [Seven Sisters], acollective Detritus of Westerntechnology was adapted for acrylic work from WesternAustralia [2013], red, white practical usage: bottle glass pieces and ceramic and green circles whirl inaDreamtime Op-Art pattern-painted shields, bark fish-traps and even insulators from telegraph poles became spear-points extravaganza; in contemporaryPijantjatjara blankets -all testify highly imaginative working with for hunting. Tjuntjuntjara, black snakes writhe amid shell-like naturefor practical purposes and aesthetic expression. This most absorbing exhibition concludes with forms in apurple Expressionist cosmos; in Wandjina, Artworks on wood and bark proclaim seamless unity popular visuals and photos highlighting the Indigenous ethereal black-eyed figures eerily reminiscent of with the natural world, vividly celebrating fish, birds Australians’ 20th-centurystruggles forrecognition of Munch conjurespirit ancestors [1970]. and animal life. civil rights and land tenure, and current movement for Such enthralling works evocatively image nature, The most remarkable such object is thestrikingly full and non-discriminatoryparticipation in Australian death and time in the 60-millennia Aboriginal cultural fearsome crocodile mask acquired in 1885 by society,under their black [people], red[earth] and experience. Protestant missionarythe Rev Samuel MacFarlane. yellow [sun] banner. Aboriginal peoples’ and Torres Strait Islanders’ In multi-hued brown, and incredibly made from at works revealthe world’s ‘oldest continuing culture’ least nine elements -turtle shell, wood, metal, fibre, through both such modern-era paintings and crafted goa nut, wool, cotton, cassowaryfeathers and human Indigenous Australia :Enduring Civilisation is at objects collected by early British colonists, echoing bone -thisastonishing artefact, once probably wornin British Museum until August 22015. ancient heritage. Fearsome religious ritual masks ancestor-worshiprituals, may have been presented to Admission £10 ;Concessions. Visit: fashioned in tortoiseshell, pearl shell pendants, MacFarlane to recall Torres Strait Islanders’ britishmuseum.org/indigenousaustralia

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 12 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday July 31 2015 Classifieds /Feature Which future forthe church: pessimismorpioneering?

It’s become popular sporttomake bleak P h o t o r e d i t J o n a t h a n S e l f / C M S predictions about the futureofthe Church. Only last month The Spectator published its spectacular projection of data claiming that if the current rate of decline continued, Christians would be “extinct” in the UK by2067. But an alternative glimpse of the futurewas on display only last week at the Church Mission Society (CMS) in Oxfordwhereaneclectic mix of modern-day missionaries were graduating from the CMS Pioneer Mission Leadership Training programme. Amanicurist, acampaigner against female genital mutilation (FGM) and a residential, students work up an idea for a singer- mission enterprise that can also make money songwriter from and so become sustainable in the long-term. North Wales Since entering the training programme, Erika wereamongthe –one of five new Ordained Pioneer Ministers – group of has started an initiative called Cherish, which is pioneers, who aimed at girls suffering from low self-esteem included some and either have experience of, or arepractising, being ordained self-harm. into theChurch Through the Cherish course Erika, who of England as trained as amanicurist, has been abletohelp deacons or these young people construct their own others admitted manicurekit. In between learning how to look to the order of after their hands, the young people talk about lay workers. life issues and in the process each has found Jonny Baker, renewed confidence andtheir own voice. director of “I find people feel safe and able to relax while mission Idotheir manicures,” Erika explains. “Spending education at timeone-to-one breaks down barriers and CMS, who makes it easier for people to open up and talk oversees the about life and faith and even askfor prayer.” course, Erika now hopes to buy aVWcamper van and enthuses: “Erika, Ann-Marie, Gavin and the other takeher manicureskills around the country, an idea mission pioneers have been inspired and equipped to thatshe developed on the Missional Entrepreneurship lead new projects and innovations that communicate weekwith CMS. Jesus to many of those living on the margins in 21st The Spectator’s article highlighted the major root centuryBritain.” cause of declining churchattendanceasasociety Baker continues: “Mission pioneers give the church dominated by choice. There’s too much else to do, and aglimpse of the future, wheremission will not be as people move around muchmore, they don’t have delivered solely by large para-church organisations, the close social structures to nurturebelief –they no but increasingly through agile, innovative and creative longer believe justbecause their families do. pioneers, witnessing love in action.” What’s certain in this landscape is that there’s no Agreat example of such innovation is anti-FGM one-size-fits-all response. It’s why the former campaigner Ann-Marie Wilson, who set up the charity Archbishop of CanterburyRowan Williams argued for 28 TooMany –the number of African countries where a‘mixed-economy’ church and launched the Fresh FGM is still practised –tohighlight and ultimately Expressions network, with which CMS has been eradicate the practice globally. involved from the start. Experimentation and 28 TooMany started in 2010, the same year as the improvisation –the theme of the CMS graduation CMS Pioneer course, and in those early days the service –seems to be the name of the game. course was something of alifeline for Ann-Marie. The sheer variety of initiatives CMS students are She recalls her experience: “Initially,Ifelt Iwas involved in bears this out –fromanarts-based literally ‘sinking’ as it’s alonely life pioneering on your community hub in North Wales to abicycle repair own. Ijoined the aptly named Sink or Swim module – workshop on an estate in Somerset; from asinging and Iamnow in an action learning set with two others. cafe for people with dementia to Erika’s mobilenail Without thiscourseI’m not sureI’d have made it this bar. far!” Listening to the testimonies at the graduation It’s an example of how such pioneers need the ceremony,itseems these ground-breakers have found supportoftheirpeers as well as training, says Baker. their vocation and aplace at theChurch Mission “The course gives pioneers, who often display ‘the gift Society wherethat calling can be nurtured. of not fitting in’, asupportivelearning community –a Gavin Mart, the singer songwriter from North place to belong, as well as equipping and empowering Wales, graduated this year but has been aCMS them to initiate and follow through with mission Pioneer lay worker already for some 12 months. projects that have awider impact on the Church and Reflecting on the experience he says: “As apioneer I society.” can feel like I’m lost or out alone in the dark feeling Ann-Marie’s campaign has caught the zeitgeist, with my wayaround. It’s really great to be able to come the issue of FGM soaring up the political and media back to acommunity like this, which is full of agenda in the last few years. Her work is focused on hundreds of years of experience in missional researching the situation in Africa but has also led to pioneering. For me that has been areal anchor.” her advising NHS trusts in the UK about the issue. When it comes to the futureofthe Church in the The gutsy rise of 28 TooMany highlights another UK, Church Mission Society is far from pessimistic. aspect of the CMS course –the enterprising spirit of Instead, inspired by the mission pioneers on its today’s pioneer students, which is spotted in those course, the CMS team is full of hope. “God is always applying and then nurtured through modules such as raising up innovators ‘to make away wherethereisno Missional Entrepreneurship. In thisweek-long way’,” says Baker. www.churchnewspaper.com Friday July 31 2015 The Register 13

NewburyDeanery(Oxford), to BIBLECHALLENGE resign from 25 July. DIOCESE OF BRISTOL ANGLICAN CYCLEOFPRAYER The Rev Dominic Barring- ton, Assistant Curate (SSM) to be Day 213 –Song of Songs 4-6, is to resign as Rector of the known as Assistant Local Psalm 24, IThessalonians 1 Friday 31 July. Psalm 52, 1Sam 18:1-16. Rejaf -(Sudan): The Parish of Ss Peter &Paul, Minster (OLM*): Day 214 –Song of Songs 7-8, Rt Rev Enock Tombe Kettering (Peterborough) on 31 TheRev Jennifer Mary Psalm 25, IThessalonians 2 Saturday 01 August. Psalm 53, 1Sam 19. Remo -(Lagos, July.Hehas been appointed Wilstshire, Assistant Curate Day 215 –Enjoy hearing the Nigeria): The Rt Rev Michael Fape Dean of Chicago in The (SSM) to be known as Scriptures read aloud inchurch Sunday02August. Pentecost 10. Psalm 54, Mk 14:1-11. Renk Episcopal Church. Associate Local Minister Day 216 –Isaiah 1-3, Psalm -(Sudan): The Rt Rev Jospeh Garang Atem The Rev Marian Curtis, (OLM) in the Benefice and 26, IThessalonians 3 Monday03August. Psalm 55:1-8,16-22, Mk 14:12-21. Rhode Priest-in-Charge: Slindon, Parish of Soundwell(2year Day 217–Isaiah 4-6, Psalm 27, Island -(I, TheEpiscopal Church): The Rt Rev Nicholas Knisely Eartham &Madehurst, fixed termlicence); The Rev IThessalonians 4 Tuesday 04 August. Psalm 56, Mk 14:22-26. Rift Valley - (Chichester) retires from 12 JudithMargaretWells, Day 218 –Isaiah 7-9, Psalm (Tanzania): The Rt Rev John Daudi Lupaa July. Assistant Curate(SSM) to be 28, IThessalonians 5 Wednesday 05 August. Psalm 57, Mk 14:27-31. RiodeJaneiro The Rev Alastair Ferguson, known as Associate Local Day 219 –Isaiah 10-12, Psalm -(Brazil): The Rt RevFiladelfo Oliviera Neto Priest-in-Charge (HfD) Minister (OLM) in the Benefice 29, II Thessalonians 1 Thursday 06 August. Psalm 61, 1Sam 20:1-17. Rio Grande - (Chichester), resigned on 16 and Parish of Purton; The Rev (VII, The Episcopal Church): The Rt Rev Michael Vono July. Julia ClareChard, Assistant The Rev Charles Anthony Curate(SSM )tobeknown as APPOINTMENTS Edwin Lawrence, Associate LocalMinister TheRev DanielHeyward, Priest-in-Charge (NSM) Rector (Northfield), (OLM) in theBenefice and The Rev Duncan Charles Assistant Curate, Oxford, to be Durrington, to be also Priest-in- (Birmingham), to retire from 31 Parish of Soundwell; The Rev John Ballard, Associate Vicar,StPhilip’s and Charge: West Tarring October. StuartFrederick Fisher, Vicar (Hampton-in-Arden with St Jacob’s; Church Planter, (Chichester). The Rev Sally Jane Morris, Assistant Curate (SSM) to be Bickenhill, Ss Mary, (Bristol). The Rev Philip Ritchie, Self-Supporting Associate Priest known as AssociateLocal Bartholomew &Peter); The Rev April Elizabeth Vicar,All Saints, Hove in the Vale andCotswold Edge Minister (OLM) in the Benefice Chaplain (Birmingham Jones, (Chichester),tobeVicar,St Benefice (Gloucester), retired and parish ofDorcan, Swindon Airport); Area Dean(Solihull), Self-Supporting Assistant John’s, Cowley (Oxford). from 18 July. (2 year fixed termlicence); The (Birmingham),tobealso Priest Curate, Badgeworth, The Rev Jemma Sander- The Rev Andrew Sawyer, Rev Barbara May Abrey, in Charge (Barston, St Swtihin), Shurdington and Witcombe Heys, Vicar,Benefice of Hungerford Assistant Curate (SSM) to be (Birmingham). withBentham,tobeSelf- Assistant Curate, St with Denford, Newbury known as Associate Local The Rev Lisa Barnett, Supporting Associate Priest, Bartholomew &All Saints Deanery(Oxford), to retire Minister (OLM) in the Benefice Priest-in-Charge: Scaynes Hill, Badgeworth,Shurdingtonand Church, Royal Wootton Bassett from 8August. and parish of Wroughton; The to be Incumbent: Scaynes Hill Witcombe with Bentham (Salisbury), to be Team Vicar, The Rev Robert(Robin) Har- Rev HowardVincent Smith, (Chichester). (Gloucester). Great YarmouthTeam Ministry vey Williamson, Assistant Curate (OLM - The Rev David Bell, The Rev Susan Lucas, (Norwich). retires as Assistant Curate of Training) to be known as Team Vicar,Watling Valley, Anglican and Managing The Rev Emma Stonham, Maidstone, St Luke the Associate Local Minister Milton Keynes (Benefice), to be Chaplain at HM Prison, Curate: East Grinstead, to be Evangelist (Canterbury) with (OLM) in the Benefice of Vicar,Benefice of Silsoe, Highdown, to be Chaplain, HM Asst. Curate: Fishbourne effect from 30 August 2015. Winterbourne and of the Pulloxhill and Flitton, Young Offender Institution, (Chichester). The Rev Roger Williamson, Parishes of Frampton Cotterell Bedfordshire, (St Albans). Aylesbury (Oxford). The Rev Lisa Temperley- Priest-in-Charge: Stedham with and Iron Acton within the The Rev William Briggs, The Rev Mark Lyon, Barnes, Iping (Chichester), retired from Benefice of Frampton Cotterell Senior Associate Priest, St Curate: Brighton St Michael & To be Convenor of the East 27 July. and Iron Acton, and of the David’s Cathedral, Hobart, St Paul, to be Associate Rector: Akeley South Mission The Rev Marion Wright, Parish of Winterbourne Down Tasmania, to be Associate West Tarring (Chichester). Partnership (Leicester) for a Assistant Curate, SSM, of within the Benefice of Frenchay Minister,StNicolas, Newbury The Rev ClareMaClaren, period of three years. Scalby (York), has resigned. and Winterbourne Down (Oxford). Priest in charge of Heaton St The Rev Peter David Wat- known collectively as the The Rev David Broad, Barnabasand Heaton St Martin son, Fromeside Partnership (1 year Winchester Diocese, to be (West Yorkshireand the Dales) Vicar of the Benefice of DEATHS fixed termlicence); The Rev House for DutyPriest: Lewes, to be ResidentiaryCanon for Brayton, has been appointed Frances MaryHoughton, St Michael within the Benefice Music and Liturgy,StNicholas additionally Adviser for IME The Rev Charles Patterson, Assistant Curate (SSM) to be of Lewes, St Anne’s with St Cathedral (Newcastle). Phase 2inthe York Permission to Officiate inthe known as Associate Local Michael &StThomas The Rev Ann McGivern, Archdeaconry(York). Dorchester Archdeaconry Minister (OLM) in the Benefice (Chichester). NSM Curate of Longbenton St The Rev Gary Weston (Oxford), died on 10 July. of St Stephen with St James and The Rev Michael David Bartholomew (Newcastle) to be will become Area Dean of The Rev Colin Roberts, St John the Baptist with St Clark, NSM Assistant Curate Sparkenhoe West (Leicester) Vicar of Earlsfield, St John the Michael Bristol andStGeorge Formerly Team Rector of (Associate Minister)atStPeter with effect from 1September Divine (Southwark) passed Bristol and the Benefice of Holy Edgware(London),tobe Balkwell (Newcastle). 2015, when the Rev Dr Tom away on 20 July following a Trinity with St Andrew the Less House for DutyAssociate Priest The Rev Jonathan Nicholas, Meyrick’s time as Area Dean shortillness. and St Peter Clifton Bristol; the of Bisley,Chalford, France Associate Vicar, United ends. The Rev HenryEdward Rev Paul Andrew Hunter, Lynch and Oakridge and Benefice of Oldbury, Langley The RevCanon Patricia (Ted) Roberts Assistant Curate (SSM) to be Bussage with Eastcombe and Londonderry, Wick, (Southwark) died on 28 June known as Associate Local (Gloucester). (Birmingham), to be Vicar, who has theArchbishop’s 2015. Minister (OLM) inthe Benefice The Rev James Cooper, Sutton Coldfield, St Chad, Permission to Officiate (York), and Parish of St Christopher, NSW,Australia, to be Priest-in- (Birmingham). has been appointed as Pioneer Brislington; the Rev Nicola Charge: Donnington, St George TheRev Benjamin James Minister to the Longhill Estate DIOCESE OF DURHAM Geraldine Callen, Assistant and Lead Chaplain, St Wilfrid’s Norton, in East Hull (York). Curate (SSM) to be known as Hospice, Chichester. Assistant Curate, Marton in The Rev Andrew Wilkes, Authorised Pastoral Associate Local Minister The Rev Nicholas Evans, Cleveland, has been appointed Curate: Chichester,StWilfrid, Assistants: (OLM) inthe Benefice and Vicar,StDavid’s, Shenley as Leaderofthe Kingswood to be Rector:Selsey,StPeter Hazel Campbell, Crook; Carole parish of St Aidan with St Green, Birmingham, to be Bishop’s Mission Order (York). (Chichester). Dixon, Whickham;Anne GeorgeBristol;the Benefice Rector,NewportPagnell with The Rev Ruth Pyke, The Rev Lauretta Wilson, Johnson, Hart;Andrew and ParishofStJohn Lathburyand Moulsoe Diocesan Children’s Work Team Vicar of St Benedict’s, Maxwell, Heighington; Wendy Fishponds, Bristol and in the (Oxford). Adviser and Assistant Priest Langelei (St Albans), and Mills, Cockerton; Amanda Benefice and Parish of St The Rev RachelGibson, within the Bishop’s Hatfield Vocations Adviser for St Albans Petch, Cockerton; Tina Michael TwoMile Hill, Bristol; Assistant Curate, St Andrew’s, Team Ministry (St Albans),to Archdeaconry, to be Team Sanderson, Hartlepool, Holy the Rev Susan Esther Harvey, Chorleywood, to be Rector,St be Rector, Barkway,Reed and Rector of the Kegworth & Trinity; Dorothy Short, Assistant Curate (SSM) to be Clements, Oxford. Buckland with Barley (St HathernTeam Ministry Medomsley; Jenn Warden, known as Associate Local The Rev PhilipJulian Frank Albans). (Leicester). Heworth, St Mary; Kay Minister (OLM) in the Benefice Goodey, The Rev Norma Ruoman Westgarth, Dunston, St of Sherston Magna with Team Rector of Drypool in the Rao, Nicholas with Christ Church; Sherston Parva, Easton Grey, Diocese of York, has been Rector, St Michael’s, Joyce Barber,Darlington, St Luckington, Alderton, Foxley appointed Vicar of Boughton Rossington(York) has been RETIREMENTS & Matthew with St Luke; Priscilla with Bremilham, Benefice of Monchelsea (Canterbury). appointed as Rector of the RESIGNATIONS Davis,Fatfield,StGeorge; Joan Hullavington, Norton and The Rev JeremyGoulston, Benefice of West Acklam Smith,Whickham; Karen Stanton St Quintin, collectively Team Vicar,Wallingford (York). The Rev John Aldis, Snowden, Preston-on-Tees known as the Gauzebrook Benefice, tobeVicar,Uffington The Rev Canon Keith Assistant Curate, NewburySt Group Benefice (Oxford). Richards, Nicolas and Speen St Mary,

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 14 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday July 31, 2015 Sunday/Books

What Makes Churches Grow? Bob Jackson SUNDAYSERVICE ChurchHouse Publishing,pb, £19.99 Bob Jackson deserves agreat deal of credit for 10thSunday after Trinity — Sunday 9 and lack of provisions. Itistruly God who workinghardtoconvince the Church of England that August 2015 teaches us inChrist, the source of all being and numerical growth is important (although, of course, it life. Even death could notdefeat him. So we can is not the only formofgrowth we need to achieve). In 1Kings19:4-8 rely on his word and ought not totrust those past works he has made gloomy warnings and drawn Ephesians 4:25-5:2 who can only offer us cucumbersand melons attention to worrying statistics but in this new book John 6:25, 41-51 (with slavery) back in worldly Egypt. he announces achange of mind. To his own surprise, he has moved At first sight thereisnoconnection of these from ‘prophet of doom to respectable growth guru’. Ourreadings this week teach us to turnto culinary themes with thisweek’ssection of our It is important not to get too excited, but recent statistics suggest Christinourhumanfrailty and be sustainedby summer series in Ephesians. Nothing goes into the church is no longer losing people on alarge scale and that there our unity with him. our mouths inEphesians 4:25-5:2, thoughmuch areindications church attendance could even be increasing. To a Elijah, thegreat prophetic challenger who comes out(lies, evil talk, bitterness, wrangling, large extent this is due to achange of cultureinthe CofE,one defeated andslaughteredthe prophets of Baal slander,malice, etc). But the link is Christ and Jackson himself is partly responsible for although he points to a on Mount Carmel, turnstojelly when our unity with him. God’s planisto bring all number of factors. threatened byanangryJezebel. Afraid for his thingstogether under onehead, Christ. Christ He argues, for example, that although the much-derided ‘Decade of life, he flees into thedesert. Tired of life, he having died for thechurch,the Spiritisnow Evangelism’ did not see ahalt to decline it may have had the long- prays for death. This is no supermanof building usinto a holytemple in him. termimpact of changingattitudes. unflinching faith — he is no better than his Sothe imperatives of Ephesiansare all One development that Jackson does nottake on boardisevidence ancestors. founded onthe fact thatweare one with him: of declineinnominal membership. The press has made much of this. Hewas impelled bythe Spirit of God himself Put away lying, because weare members of one Statistics do not show abig decline in active church members but to slay the false prophets, but had received no another in Christ;donot letthe devil stir up accordingtothe British Social Attitudes Survey therehas been abig wordtowithdraw and hide; he reliedsolely on anger between us,because we areunited in increase in those who prefer to say ‘no religion’ rather than the old his tremblingreason, which said “Run!” He Christ; give up stealing andhelp each other stand-by ‘C of E’. curlsinto a ball under atree and hopes it will all instead, because we areone family in Christ; Amajorityofyoung people arenow in the ‘no religion’ (‘nones’) go away.YetGod sends an angel to raise him don’ttear each other down, but build each category. This has implicationsfor the continuation of the from his sleepy attempt to leave the stage, and other up because we are sealed bythe Spirit establishment of the CofEbut it should also make us think about provides him withfood for the journey he must into him. how we carry out the mission of the church. now make. Twice heisrefreshed and given And the sum of all is this: Since those who Jackson is interested in the practical measuresthat should be taken whatheneeds to make it to Horeb, and cometo believe in him are childrenofGod,live a life of to ensurechurch growth. Trained as an economist, he is good at “the mount of God.” love in imitation ofthe Sonwho gave up his analysing figures. It is amazing that bishops have not taken more Jesus, whoknows our weaknessesand has flesh for thelife ofthe world. As Calvin puts it, note of apoint he has been making for along time aboutthe dangers carried our sorrows,teachesusthatheisthe “If we desiretobepartakers of this benefit, we of long parish vacancies. Keeping parishes vacant saves money but it breadoflife.Refreshed in him,wewill be must cultivate similar affections towardour loses people. raisedupon the last day and enjoy everlasting neighbours.” But Jackson is less interested in apologetics. He tells us the first life with the Father. He is manna for the journey question people ask about the Christian faith is not whether it is true we must make, but unlike our ancestorswho Dr Lee Gatiss isauthor of The ForgottenCross but whether it is life-enhancing and authentic.Sorry,that was notmy ate the original manna in the wilderness of (Evangelical Press) and experience. Raised by parents who weredefinitely ‘nones’ Iwas Sinai, if we feed onChrist wewill notdie. For Director of Church Society exposed to lively evangelical services at boarding school. None of he is living bread andifweare drawntohim by (www.churchsociety.org). them made any impact because Icouldn’t see any reason to believe in the Father weare connected to asource of life God. that sustains the stars and planets, and pulsates Studying TS Eliot in the sixth formled me to take acourse of into eternity. leaflets from the Catholic InquiryCentrewhereImade my first Jesus is notmerelyhuman,“the son of HYMN SELECTION acquaintance with natural theology. Joseph, whose fatherand mother we know.” We With this (to my mind)major reservation, Jackson has written a need notentertain doubts that he is incapable good book and one that deserves to be widely read by clergy and of supportingand preservingustothe end. The You’rethe wordofGod theFather laity.Some of the points he makes will be unwelcome to asection of Jews in John 6are said to grumble ormutteror Iamthe bread of life the hierarchy.Amalgamations areusually not good news. Jackson murmur against him.The same wordisusedin Guide meOmygreat redeemer admits the need for further research but suggests thereisevidence the Septuagint to describe theIsraelites Let all mortal flesh keep silence linking amalgamations with decline. Given the decline in clergy complaining about their apparent misfortunes My Lord,whatlove is this? numbers, this poses achallenge and oneJackson would meet by greater use of trained lay leaders. He describes the use made in St Davids Diocese by ‘focal ministers’. Given the evidence of big churches growing in London, it came as asurprise to me that smaller churches aregrowing Take out an Our great morethan bigger churches. Jackson suggests asize of 120 annual may be the optimum and that an important way to promote growth is by church planting and planting ‘fresh expressions’. subscription Work with children and teenagers is vital for growth and summer Jacksonispositive about ‘Messy Church’. He estimates that to The Church in 2014 Messy Church could have had at least 250,000 of England membersand perhaps morelike half amillion. Many of these offer! peopleare new to church. Critics ask if ‘Messy Church’ really Newspaper is church and Isympathise with the arguments of Andrew Davidsonand Alison Milbank onthis issue and on ‘fresh ❏ ❏ Take out anew annual Iwishtopay by cheque credit expressions’. Jacksondoes not refer to theviews advanced in card ❏ debit card ❏ other Name:...... subscription and with this formyou Please make cheques payable to Political will receivethree extra copiesfor no theirbook For The Parish. &Religious Intelligence Ltd ...... extra cost! Awhole chapter is devoted to the growth of cathedrals and Jackson refutes the idea that this is due to the popularity of Ienclose £____ ) or Iauthoriseyou to Address: ...... Annual Subscription rates: UK £70, thePrayer Bookand traditional services. It is notable that debit my account with the amount of Retired:£65 (UK only), Europe: £90, this is the only chapter wheregood preaching is mentioned ...... Rest of World:£110, Online only: £……….. £35. as afactor encouraging church attendance. From anecdotal ...... evidence from friends who arenot regularattendersIwould Cardnumber:____/_ ___/____/_ With an annual subscription you can saythat poorpreaching is afactorkeeping quite afew away ...... download free back copies of the fromchurch. ___ Expiry Date:…..../….... newspaper from our website. Jackson is right tostress the importance of welcoming but Postcode...... itisnogood getting the packaging right if the content is poor. Issue No:...... Valid from: ...... /...... Simply fillinthe formand send it to: Security Code:...... Daytime telephone: ...... Subscriptions Department, Political & One of the success stories in the CofEhas been the Religious Intelligence Ltd, Diocese of London. Sceptics put this down toimmigration or OR: you may transfer funds direct to our Email...... 14 Great College Street, London, populationgrowth but the contrast with Southwark is Bank Account: Barclays Bank Plc SW1P 3RX striking. London shows that the intention to grow and the SortCode: 20-57-06. Account No: ...... adoption of such strategies recommended by Jackson as 10298034. Account Name: Political & Or email: Mission Action Plans is vital. Jackson rightly praises David ReligiousIntelligence Ltd Signature:...... [email protected] Phone: 020 7222 2018 Hope for setting the Diocese of London on the path to growth. Paul Richardson

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CD OFTHE WEEK

YeznigZegchanian Forty Martyrs: Understanding the Armenian Chants from Aleppo (Lost Origin Sounds Series) brain’s control centre Armenians have chanted in Aleppo’s Forty Martyrs Armenian Apostolic Church since 1429, but Syria’s current civil war has endangered its Christian communities and made large parts of the city uninhabitable and unsafe for all Aleppans, regardless of creed. The language of the chants, West Armenian, once spoken in what is now Turkey,seems destined to die out in a generation. Bizarrely,itisanAmerican punk drummer who has recorded the sounds of Armenian chanting there, while the language is still spoken. When Jason Hamacher,son of aBaptist minister, faced abandbreak up and acancelled tour,he asked himself whether he wanted to continue playing punk for the rest of his life. His answer was, “No.” Instead he decided to seek out and record the world’s oldest Christian music. On avisit to Aleppo, he recorded The Very Reverend Yeznig Zegchanian, who chanted the Lord’s Prayer for him. On asubsequent visit, the two metup, but the priest would only recordsome moremusic if they did it thereand then. After rushing back to the hotel to gather equipment and getting atranslator,Hamer Inside Out (cert.U)makes its pitch for family animated best friend gives Anger room, as back in Minnesota her recorded him. The result is this 18-minute selection movie of theyear,dogged in theUKbycomparisons friend talks enthusiastically about the new girl on the of unaccompanied chants. The earliest (“Great and with the Numskulls strip that originated in British team. Isthis areaction to something external, or is Wondrous Mystery”) dates back to the fifth comic the Beezer.Pixar seem oblivious to that idea, and there something linked rather to abiblical idea of evil century. indeed to Woody Allen’s 1972 comedy, EverythingYou thoughts“fromwithin”? Other titles include “Lordhave Mercy” and AlwaysWanted to Know About Sex (But Were Afraid To There’s no Remorse in thescript. When things are “Today he Rose From the Dead.” Ask), which had adinner date scene managed from the looking fraught, Riley’s childhood imaginarydolphin- The priest has arich and resonant voice, which man’s “control centre”. elephant friend Bing Bong (RichardKind)can be called reflects by turns the dignity of his subject and the Thisisinstead kids’ stuff, about “what’s going on in aid, even to make asacrificial act. tragedy of his situation. inside your head”,except the concept actuallyseems Thereislittle limit to the scale of the problem in This is admittedly aniche release, but it could be rather complex, and maybe even abit scaryfor Riley’s head, as “canyons of the mind” take shape, and of interest to churchesinthe context of prayer for younger children. Riley (voiced by Kaitlyn Dias) is an even atrain of thought becomes literal (though the beleaguered believers and considering the unity of 11-year-old on the move with her parents (Kyle crew knock offwhen Riley falls asleep). Imagination Christians in verydifferent circumstances. MacLachlan and Diane Lane) from Minnesota to comes up against abstract thought–asequence where Derek Walker California, and it’s straining her emotions. the animated charactersillustrate stages of abstraction PeteDocter and Ronaldo Del Carmen have written in art–while the emotions trytoget through to the and directed astorygoing back to Riley’s childhood, increasingly morose Riley with amemoryofan from reacting to broccoli to learning limits of earwormjingle for Triple Dent Gum (no link –you’d behaviour.Joy (Amy Poehler) is optimistically the never get it out of your head). WINE OFTHE WEEK leading emotion, trying to control particularly Sadness Freud may not be mentioned, but the subconscious - (Phyllis Smith), while Fear (Bill Hader), “It’s wherethey take all the troublemakers” –has to be Coolwater Bay Anger (Lewis Black) and Disgust explored, and aphobia overcome –that’s fear of a Sauvignon Blanc 2014 (Mindy Kaling) occasionally chip in. clown, the giant Jangles (Josh Cooley). It’s abattle Sainsburys £8 (offer,£7until 11 August) Joypositively glows –her own pink- against time, as Riley is looking depressed and ready white light source –asdoes Sadness, to do something daft, New Zealand’s Marlborough vineyards arefamed in ablue-green way; Disgust and Fear even if onlytotry and go for their Sauvignon Blanc, which put also glow abit, but Anger just bursts back to Minnesota. that countryverymuch in the top with firewhen he’s mad. From her Maybe neuroscience league from the 1980s. Both soil and earliest days Riley is laying can find resonances –the temperatures in the north of its South down “corememories”, brain continues to Island proved ideal for this grape. conceived as balls that can develop in teenage years Here’s aquite modestly priced bottle, bestored, shifted to racks and holdingtwo from 2014, considered agood year, of “long-term” memories. emotions featured in Sainsbury’s Taste the Thusisher personality together Difference range. Inthe glass, it’s a built. Influences become becomes verypale yellow.Onthe nose, I fixed “islands”,special easier,or found, very places for family, harder appropriately,somethingofthe friendship, and depending on delicate scent coming up when specialist interests like how that’s akiwi fruit, brown-skinned ripe, ice hockey,while perceived. As is cut in two. On the palate, fruit, occasionally some formof ahint of gooseberries and white memories can be stability to Riley’s currant, citrus too, joined to discarded, such as new situation is something moretropical, the learned list of achieved, the balancing sharper notes, much American sequel is already set continuing to the finish. An presidents. up, as awarning sign invigorating choice for ahot Her lightsupinher summer day.Serve moderately personality “control centre” – chilled. Alcohol by Vol. 12.5%. islands seem puberty. Suggested food partners: sea food stable, but even and goats’ cheese. aSkype exchange Steve Parish Graham Gendall Norton with her

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper ByRob Bewley grippedand fuelledbythe forgiveness Itisthrough theSpirit that the Lord New Wine thathasbeenwon forusonthecross resources us,equipping us for every and by theoutrageouslove whichthe good work, giving ushis strength inour ATre you an ‘ith’s all abouteprayer, GrowtFatherhlavishes on Spiral hischildren. weakness. I am a member of the New contemplation and quiet encounterwith Totry tolive the Christianlife from a Wine movement, andover thenext God’ kind of person,ora‘we have to get different starting point isasdoomedto coupleofweeksthousandswill be outand do thestuff’kind of person? disappointment as tryingtojump high gatheringatthesummerconferences Mostofus fallmore naturally either into onatrampoline without going deep. and receivingfreshspiritual resources thecampof‘refflector’ or intothe camp Weare thencalled to respond in (while also responding to God’s loveand of ‘activist’,bbutofcoursebothare surrender. One of the first things that getting repaired),bbutitisimportantto needed. weteachour children is tosay thank remember that we can be resourced by Years agoIwasaskedbyamentor you. To be achildofGod is to live a theHolySpirit each and every day,not how Iwould sum upmyattitudeto ‘thankyou’lifeinboth wordsand deeds. just inthosemountaintop experiences. ministryinonesimple phrase. My first Lord, pleasing to him, as you bear fruit Worship is primarily ourthank- We need to be resourcedsothatwe responsewas ‘Aim higher’, to be in every good work and asyougrowin offering to God, in which we express cantake risks.Wehave a calling to someonewho is never satisfied with the the knowledge of God,’(Col 1:9-10, ourgratitude withheadand heart.At change the world, oratleast ourlittle bit statusquo andisalwayswantingto NRSV). times this maybethroughgritted teeth, of it. In NewWineweare all about‘local make improvements. Overthe years Ihave realised that, raising one hand in praise while wiping churcheschanging nations’. Idon’t want Although that is a noble ambition, I while thespringboard is a helpful away tears with the other. to leadachurch thatmaintains the soon realised thatfor me the phrase picture, it is also too simplistic. Rather Iremember singing Matt Redman’s statusquo -Iwanttosee God’s kingdom should be ‘Aim deeper’, for, if I wanted thanastraight up-and-down, Ipreferto song Blessed be Your Name theday growing in my parishand town and to go higher, Ineeded to begin by going usetheimage of afive-partspiral. Itisa after my first wifedied,butreflecting on beyond, butIknow thatrequiresmeand deeper. spiral ratherthan acircle, because, thefact that,ifIcouldn’t sing it then‘on otherstostep outofourcomfortzones Perhaps the best two images for this although wewill passthroughthesame theroad marked with suffering’, I had andtake risks. arethespringboard andthe trampoline: points more than once, in aspiralwe no right to singitatanyothertime. That will only happen if Icontinueto in each the objectiveisto go high, but passthroughhaving made progress, ButtheLord also offers repair.Atone receive God’s love, respond to him,and theroutetogaining more heightisvia rather than justgoinground in circles. level thisisfound in regular confession, getregularly repaired and resourced. greater depth.Thedeeperwecan go The starting point hastobe always to as the relationship which we have with Have Igot the blend right?The honest into the presence of God, the more we receive God’s love.Whetheritisthe first theFather is restored through answer isprobably ‘no’ –Ithink it’stime willbefuelled to go higherand further timethat thescales fall from our eyes forgiveness,but it is also found as the to go round thespiral again… with him.This is summed up beautifully and wegraspthe enormity of what he Holy Spirit bringstous thefreedom that in Colossians 1: ‘…that youmay be filled has done forusorwhetherwehave hasbeen won for us on thecrossand The RevDrRob Bewley isVicar& with the knowledge of God’s will in all becomelukewarmand afresh focuson canbringemotional,spiritualand Mission LeaderoftheChurch of Christ spiritual wisdom andunderstanding, so whoweare in him rekindles our first physical healing, sometimes quickly and theKing in Kettering, Northamptonshire, that you maylead lives worthy of the love, thereisnoalternative to being sometimes as aslow process. andaNew Wine AreaNetwork Leader

you to wake...because 1Church receiving a Abrahamic religions PRIZE CROSSWORD No.961 by Axe our salvation is------letter from John (6) now...' [Rom/NIV] (6) which includes the 14 'These waters ----- out 10 Norse god of war (4) sentence:'Iknow towardthe east coun- 11 'Itgrewuntilit your afflictions and try...'[Ezek/KJV] (5) reachedthe ----ofthe your poverty –yet you 15 Place of worshipfor heavens...' [Dan/NIV] arerich!'[Rev/NIV] Nonconformist con- (4) (6) gregations (6) 13 '...the name of Nahor's 2'TheIsraelites and 16 'I John...was in the---- wife [was]------, the Absalom ------in the thatiscalled Pat- daughterofHaran...' landofGilead'[2 mos...' [Rev/KJV] (4) [Gen/KJV] (6) Sam/NIV] (6) 17 Rulerofthe Caper- 3Recipients of twolet- Last week’s solutions: naumsynagogue ters from Paul (11) whose daughter Jesus 4'Youhypocrites! Does- Across: 7Mahanaim, 8Onan, 9 brought backtolife n't eachofyou ----- Tables, 10 Zither,11Achor,12 [Mark] (6) your ox or donkey...to Maachah, 15 Assails, 17 Flags, 19 18 Israel'scoastal plain give it water?' Prisca, 21 Vanish, 22 Lois, 23 from Joppa to Cae- [Luke/NIV] (5) Ignatius. sarea[Josh; 1Chr; S 5Goddess mother of of S; Isa; Acts] (6) Horus in Egyptian Down: 1Damascus, 2Gallio, 3Laws, 19 Church of England religion (4) 4Amaziah, 5Coptic, 6Nave, 13 titlecreated for Henry 6Relic, now dubious, Augustus, 14 Eliakim, 16 Assisi, 18 VIII (7,4) preservedonasheet Length, 20 Rood, 21 Vine. since 1578 (5,6) Down 12 Type of celestial being acknowledged by the

T h e fi r s t c o r r e c t e n t r y d r aw n wi l l wi n a b oo k o f PRICE£1.50/€2.00 /$2.50 th e E d i to r ’s c h o i c e . S e n d y o u r e n tr y t o C r o s s wo r d N u m b e r 9 6 1, T h e C h u r c h o f E n g l an d N e w s p ap e r , 14 G r e a t C o ll e g e S tr e e t, W e s t m in s te r , L o n do n , S W1 P 3R X b y n e xt F ri d ay 31

N am e Across 7Significant OT 8'Arod andarepri- peakinmodern- mand ------wisdom' A d d r e s s 3Personwho regu- dayTurkey(Gen; [Prov/NIV] (6) 9770964 816108 larly receivesHoly Jer –Bible); Iran 9'The hourhas P o s t C o d e Communion (11) (Quran) (6) alreadycome for [email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper

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