E I D S IN Spend the evening with Joan Collins E6

THE SUNDAY, APRIL 21, 2013 No: 6173 www.churchnewspaper.com PRICE £1.35 1,70j US$2.20 THE ORIGINAL CHURCH NEWSPAPER ESTABLISHED IN 1828 NEWSPAPER Marriage report ‘universally condemned’ By Amaris Cole One lay blogger, Anne Brooke, called the this was the case. “I greatly welcome this clear and positive latest outcry a ‘real humdinger’. The Rt Rev Christopher Cocksworth statement about the unique place that mar- THE CHURCH of England’s new report on She wrote: “So, this new Church of Eng- said: “I would like them to know that they riage holds within society as a whole. It marr iage has been ‘universally con- land Report tells us that the only sexual are obviously welcome in the life of the makes clear that there is no such thing as demned’, commentators are claiming. norm is for men and women to be marr ied Church and will find many people in the “civil” or “religious” marr iage as though The ‘Men and Wo men in Marriage’ docu- to the opposite gender which is apparently same position as them and that their parish the two were diff erent: they are not and ment could see gay couples receiving What God Wants, and everything else is a will want to offer them the love, care never have been.” prayers similar to those said in a marr iage sinful second-rate lifestyle, otherwise and attention of the Church.” But Christians for Equal Marr iage UK, service thanks to the document released known as The Work Of The Devil. This did not extend to offering ‘public, set up earlier this year to support same-sex last week, despite official opposition to “Or, at least, that’s what I think it’s say- formal blessing services’ though, the Bish- marriage, are said to be becoming ‘increas- same-sex marr iage. ing, but the language used is so conde- op added, despite the document seeming to ingly concerned at the divisive stand the While officials were keen to deny that it scending, obscure and infantile that, quite suggest so. Anglican Communion is taking’. gave the go-ahead for blessings of civil honestly, it’s hard to understand anything Instead, ‘pastoral care and prayer’ is the The founder of Christians for Equal Mar- partnerships, the need for ‘pastoral accom- about it at all.” form this welcome will take. riage UK, Nathan Hartley slated the report, modations’ was stressed. Changing Attitude, the group working The report does condemn a ‘censorious saying: “To signal to a couple who love The Faith and Order Commission pub- for the full affirm ation of lesbian and judgement’. each other that their relationship can’t be lished the report, commended for study by gaypersons within the Churches in Eng- It says: “In pastoral responses a degree blessed by God is particularly hurt ful and the Archbishops of Canterbury and Yo rk, land, launched a cutting responce to the of flexibility may be called for in finding stigmatising. with the view of producing something posi- paper, calling it a ‘toxic report’. ways to express the Church’s teaching “In many cases, those who seek a Bless- tive amidst the battle over gay marr iage. The statement said: “This report drives practically.” ing, or ultimately the opportunity to marry Yet a member of the Commission, Char- another nail into the coff in for LGB&T “In affirm ing its belief of marriage as the in church, have been worshipping at their lotte Methuen, has released a scathing cri- Christians. form the creator has given us for intimate church for a long time – decades in some tique on the report. Those responsible for the report (and and perm anent relationship of a man and a instances. Why should a gay couple be sin- She concludes her blog on the issue please God, not every member of House of woman, the Church does not treat ques- gled out when hetero sexual Christians are with: “Marriage, as the Church of England endorses the report) blame us tions of what is possible in hard circum- offered the full deal?” (among other religious bodies) has been when it is the Church that should be shoul- stances or exceptional conditions as simply While some clergy we spoke to viewed pointing out, has been between men and dering blame and responsibility for having closed,” it adds. this document as fairly conservative in its women, and in the Christian tradition failed in responding to the call of God to “They require pastoral wisdom.” interpretation of marr iage, the addition of between one man and one woman. provide appropriate pastoral care and affir- Anthony Priddis, Bishop of Here- the call for ‘accommodation’ language was “But it seems to me that extending the mation for LGB&T people. ford, welcomed the report though, saying: called ‘hostage to fortune’. definition of marr iage to include same-sex “It is the Church of England which is in a couples might in fact be a redemptive step. difficult position, and it is making life more “For it might allow the institution of mar- and more difficult for LGB&T people, our riage to transcend the profound inequali- friends and families, our faith, spirituality Flash mob for freedom at Notre Dame ties between men and women which have and prayer lives.” too often shaped it.” Report s suggest many readers, even These views were not mentioned in the clergy, are interpreting the report as a pos- document, which was presented as a report itive development for the liberal cause, with published with the agreement of all the Rev Dr Giles Fraser describing it as a ‘wink’ Commission. to the liberals to allow them to bless gay Jonathon Clatworthy, General Secretary relationships, as long as they do not call the of Modern Church, also criticised the process a blessing. report. Dr Fraser said this was ‘classic Anglican “Off icial church documents, time and fudge’, allowing him and other liberals to time again, defend – as the Church’s teach- ‘do it as long as you don’t say that is what ing – positions which are no longer accept- you are doing’. able to the majority in the Church of The paper says: “Well-designed accom- England, let alone society in general” he modations proclaim the form of life given said. by God’s creative goodness and bring Mr Clatworthy added that if the Church those in difficult positions into closer is correct in its views, then it should try to approximation to it.” convince followers of that, ‘not just pontifi- This has, by some been interpreted as a cate from on high by decreeing ‘what the green light for the liberal already Church teaches’.’ holding ‘dedication services’ for gay cou- He went on: “For church leaders to ples to carry on doing so, as the Commis- resist, so persistently and aggressively, the sion’s paper urges a more ‘flexible’ views of ordinary Christians, is new. There approach. is a growing consensus that it should not However, when presenting the document Flash mob outside the Notre Dame, Paris, organised by AED (Aid to the Church in be allowed to continue.” its author, the , denied Distress) last Friday, to campaign for religious freedom.

LETTERS 8 • ALAN STORKEY 9 • COMMENT 9 • CLERGY MOVES 12 • ANGLICAN LIFE 13 • SUNDAY 15 • PAUL RICHARDSON 16 2 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday April 21, 2013 News Inside... Britain’ s leading evangelical newspaper St Paul’s hosts debate on goodness SPEAKING to an audience of over 500 people in St Paul’s Cathe- dral, the Most Rev Vincent Nichols, said that financial institutions and other bodies needed to be staffed by ‘good people bound together by a good purpose’. Giving the keynote address for the first of three panel discussions News ...... 1-7 organised by the Cathedral on the subject ‘The City and the Com- Your Church ...... 2 mon Good: What kind of City do we want?’ the Archbishop called UK News ...... 1-5 for a recovery of the cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, temper- World News ...... 6-7 ance and courage. Faced with the pressures of a consumerist socie- ty, he said, people need to learn to desire well. Comment Calling for ‘enterprises of good purpose’ he instanced Stafford Letters ...... 8 NHS Trust as an example of an institution where leaders had lost Leader ...... 9 their vision of a moral purpose. ‘Unless you get that right, you will Alan Storkey ...... 9 never get anything else right’, said the Archbishop. He went on to argue that instead of just thinking in financial terms, businesses England on Sunday should aim ‘to deliver a profit that adds to human wellbeing’. Faith Stories ...... E1 Archbishop Nichols clashed with Tracy McDermott, Director of Andrew Carey ...... E2 Enforcement and Financial Crime at the FCA over the role of legal Whispering Gallery ...... E2 sanctions. He agreed that ‘law and regulation matter’ but warned Cindy Kent ...... E3 ‘new rules usually deal with the last problem not the next one’ and Judy West ...... E3 pointed to the dangers of a ‘compliance mentality’ that creates ‘per- Caring for the Elderly . . .E4, E5 verse incentives’ and increases bureaucracy. Arts & Media ...... E6 Ms McDermott disagreed with the Archbishop saying that rules Books ...... E7 were a ‘necessary but not sufficient’ instrument to insure that ethi- Janey Lee Grace ...... E8 cal standards were met. Most people in the City were dedicated and Crossword ...... E8 hard working she said, but one of the features of financial crime was that its consequences were not always obvious. It was easy for peo- The Record ple to see the harm done by burglary but the consequences of finan- Classifieds ...... 10, 11,12 cial fraud were not immediately apparent and victims were less Clergy Moves ...... 12 obvious. More and more financial transactions are done by comput- spondent, Stephanie Flanders, said that other economic systems Anglican Life ...... 13 er with the result that people do not know and see the people they also ruined the lives or ordinary people. A change of system might College Street ...... 14 are doing business with. not bring benefits. There were a number of questions from the Spiritual Director ...... 15 The two other speakers on the panel, Baroness Helena Kennedy floor. In response to one person who asked whether adopting high Sunday Service ...... 15 and Bishop , favoured a more radical overhaul of the ethical standards in Britain would harm international competive- Bob Mayo ...... 15 capitalist system. Bishop Selby said he ‘appreciated the aspirations ness Archbishop Nichols argued that firms ultimately benefitted Paul Richardson ...... 16 of Archbishop Nichols’ but worried that he had underplayed the from having a good purpose. People ...... 16 impact people of power in the City have on other, less wealthy peo- Two future events are planned in the same series. On May 7th the Milestones ...... 16 ple. Instead of ‘schools of virtue’ he wanted ‘schools of resistance’. keynote speaker is Robert Skidelsky and on June 12th it is Arch- Next week’s news ...... 16 Commenting on the debate, the chair, BBC Economics Corre- bishop Justin Welby. Admission is by ticket, free from St Paul’s. News from Your Church your diocese

SHEFFIELD: St James’ Norton will be day 8 April after recuperating from an oper- which make the Middle East the intriguing ners included Freddie North, eight, from hosting their sixth annual “Farmers’ Mar- ation for a burst appendix earlier this year. place that it is but we will be praying for the Greatham and Dexter Hammersley, nine, ket” on Saturday 27 April from 10am to Bishop Stephen expressed his gratitude peace and people of Jerusalem every step from Bordon, Henry Bender, 10, from 2pm. St James’ aims to raise funds to and thanks for all the good wishes, cards of the way.” The pilgrimage is open to all. Havant, Tom Bonnar, 10, from Lee-on-the- update facilities in the church to be used as and prayers he has received, as well as his Solent, Ava Spencer, 11, from West Leigh, a community resource. Around 40 excitement to being back at work. PORTSMOUTH: David Isaac, the Jessica Comley, 11, from Hambledon, Lily exhibitors are expected for visitors to head of mission and discipleship in Gray, 11, from Emsworth and Abigail Tut- enjoy, including a variety craft stalls selling MANCHESTER: The , Portsmouth, presented eight children with tle, 11, from Hayling Island. handcrafted items of jewellery, glass, and The Bishop of Mid- Real Easter Eggs at Portsmouth Cathedral ceramics, paintings. As visitors are provid- dleton, Mark Davies, will lead an eight-day after winning the Diocese’s creative Easter ed with handmade cakes and refresh- pilgrimage from Manchester to the Holy competition. Children and young people Don’t miss an issue! ments, entertainment will include an Land On October 30 next year. Parishes from parishes and schools were asked to exhibition from Norton History group and from across the Diocese have been invited draw a picture or write 100 words to You can order this newspaper from your music performed by Woodhouse Prize again to the region after a huge success of describe the meaning of Easter in the local newsagent. Simply fill in the form Brass Band, The New Orleans Strollers a similar Christian Journey two years ago. hopes of earning the only Easter egg that below and your newsagent will ensure a and Dylvaine dance school. Organiser Les- Pilgrims will begin around the Sea of explains the Christian story on the box. copy is reserved for you every week: ley Hibbert said: “Raising the profile of our Galilee before journeying South through The entries were divided between those Please reserve a copy of The Church of local Church can prove difficult in these Nazareth and Bethlehem to the Holy City under 11 years old and 11 to 18 year olds. England Newspaper for me every week hard times, but we want to let our church- of Jerusalem. This itinerary aims to intro- Upon winning, Henry Bender, 10, from until further notice goers know, as well as all in the community ducing pilgrims to the complexities of the Havant said: “I wanted to tell people that I and beyond, that we are there for them by Holy Land by meeting Jews, Muslims and do like even though I don’t go to Name...... holding this exciting initiative.” Christians as they attend services, read- church that much. Easter isn’t just about ings, prayers and historical sites along chocolate. It is about what our Saviour did. Address...... ELY: The , the Rt Revd their way. Bishop Edmondson said: “We He died for us because he loves us and returned to work on Mon- will not avoid talking about the issues then came back to life again.” Other win-

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper Acwa 3s y, 1o Nep0S .nm . i nh wwwr2us p2uycwae1ecpr2l d h NEWS IN BRIEF Thatcher funeral Back to Church Sunday is back Registration opened for posters and an A3 poster from Traidcraft in mid- Back to Church Sunday and 50 invites. There’s also May. held despite protest last Monday 15th April, via a “Best Bits of BTCS” DVD Churches are strongly the website www.back- included, with footage from encourage churches to reg- tochurch.co.uk. . ABC Justin Welby. ister as soon as possible to This year, organisers have Packs cost £25 including ensure we have enough By Amaris Cole promised improved packs, postage and packaging and resources, by visiting the complete with two A4 will be available to order website. THE FUNERAL of Baroness Thatcher, Britain’s first female Prime Minister, took Tearfund welcomed the G8 For- of Syria can rebuild their lives.” place on Wednesday at St Paul’s Cathe- eign Ministers’ call for the interna- Oenone concludes. dral, with the coffin led by a procession tional community to increase Every local choir is being invited to involving 700 members of the armed humanitarian support to Syria and take part in a massed sing outside forces. those most affected by the tragic con- Hereford Cathedral on 8th June 2013 The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh flict last week. at 10 o’clock, as part of the IF cam- made a personal decision to attend the “The situation in Syria has escalated paign, a huge coalition of UK-based service, elevating the event to a state so that we’re now facing one of the organisations including the Church of funeral in but name, to many commenta- biggest humanitarian crises in recent England, who share the vision of a tors. decades,” says Oenone Chadburn, world where everyone has enough to All other former Prime Ministers were Head of Tearfund’s Humanitarian eat. “We want to have as big a choir of also invited, as well as faith leaders from Support Team. people as possible, all coming togeth- across the world and Royal representa- Every day thousands of refugees are er to perform a song composed spe- tives. fleeing from Syria into neighbouring cially for the day. The Chapter, the Bishop of , the countries, and many more people still It is local and open to all, we don’t Rt Rev and the Arch- inside Syria are suffering. The total see any county borders!” said Anni bishop of Canterbury, the Rt Rev Justin number of people affected by the con- Holden, on behalf of the Diocese of Welby, led the procession through St The readings were given by Baroness flict is now more than five million. Hereford, the Church of England Paul’s. Thatcher’s granddaughter Amanda and “The efforts of the UN to provide locally. “The IF campaign, which The Very Rev David Ison, Dean of St the Prime Minister David Cameron. food and shelter for those affected Bishop Anthony Priddis, the Bishop Paul’s, addressed the congregation with A full report of the funeral will be in urgently need to be increased. While of Hereford has been leading national- the Bidding. next week’s paper. the UN, Tearfund and other humani- ly for the Church of England, is an tarian agencies continue to give as ambitious campaign focused on peti- much help as we can, ultimately we tioning David Cameron to use his Forward in Faith commission Synod Clerk need to see a peaceful end to the con- presidency of the G8 to take a lead on flict. That is the only way the people hunger.” ‘FORWARD IN FAITH will representatives on nation- Church still affirms in her continue to speak the al Church of England insti- title deeds and carries in truth in love about those tutions. He promised to her DNA should be per- A new book by Ken Gardiner, Canon Emeritus of Rochester Cathedral, explores issues which exercise us work for the ‘unity of the ceived as disloyal, a fifth the essence of the Christian faith in I’m a Christian – so what do I believe? because of their impact, as one, holy, catholic and column perhaps.’ The author draws on half a century’s experience of ministry and personal faith: “I we see it, on the unity and apostolic Church of Christ On Thursday of this believe we’re on a journey towards God. Over the years, my understanding of Him has apostolicity of the Church’ and for its mission in the week a new Anglo- developed. My experience has been so rich that I want to share what I can in the hope pledged the Chairman of world’. Catholic organisation is that it will help and encourage others on their own journeys.” Forward in Faith, the Rt In his sermon Bishop due to be launched at a Some of the themes explored are the nature of sin and atonement, the effect of baptism Rev , at a Baker conceded that many service at the Church of and communion, the role of Scripture and God’s continuing revelation, the significance service to commission Dr see Forward in Faith as a the Annunciation, Marble of Jesus’ resurrection and His appearances. His life-long commitment to walking ‘faith- Colin Podmore as the new pressure group ‘with a Arch, at which the cele- fully’ truly enriches this generous and lived-through answer to the question ‘So what do Director held in St negative and backward brant will be the Bishop of I believe?’ The book is published by Instant Apostle ().www.instantapostle.com. Alban’s, Holborn on Mon- looking agenda’. He Ely, Stephen Conway. To day. described it as being like be known as ‘Anglican As delegates from the UN, Irish explains: “In 2009 world leaders Twelve bishops and Marmite among ecclesias- Catholic Future’ it will parliament, the UK’s Department for pledged an extra $100 billion a year over 40 priests joined in tical organisations ‘loved seek to appeal to those International Development and from new sources to help poor com- concelebrating the mass and loathed in equal meas- who believe the Catholic beyond meet, Tearfund and the IF munities adapt, cope and thrive in the for a packed congregation ure’ but he urged those movement has concentrat- campaign urge leaders to meet their face of climate change. Bill Gates and of 300. The service, drawn who disagreed with For- ed too much on ‘divisive promise to fund life-changing climate others have suggested excellent ways from Common Worship, ward in Faith to hear its issues’ and promises dia- change adaptation work. Laura Tay- of raising this money but we’ve yet to was sung to a setting by message with ‘equal love’. logue with those ‘with lor, Tearfund’s Head of Public Policy, see any signs of progress.” Herbert Howells. He lamented the whom we share a common Dr Podmore is well tragedy ‘that the Church heritage of understanding The Bishop of Engypt has released a state- to the application of the law”. known in the Church of of England should have with the Western church’. ment following the increase in attacks on The Bishop spoke of the number of educat- England as a former clerk come to this: that faithful Among the speakers at Christians by the Muslim Brotherhood ed Egyptians being forced to leave the of General Synod and the Anglicans who are future events are the Rev since the revolution, which has seen many country for their own safety, and the effect congregation included inspired by convictions Lucy Winkett and the Rev killed. this has on witnessing to the people. members of Synod and which the whole of the Chris Chivers. The Most Rev. Dr. Mouneer Hanna Anis said: “No one who committed violence or killing has been brought to justice because the govern- ment is content to solve the sectarian clashes by reconcil- iatory meetings. In a state- ment I made, I urged the government to apply the rule of law as the only way to stop these sectarian clashes. I emphasized the importance of the reconciliatory meet- ings which we as an Anglican Church are facilitating at sev- eral levels. I also emphasized that they are not a substitute

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 4 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday April 21, 2013 News Europe corruption fight welcomed by Christian Aid By Taylor Dana Reaves their countries’ natural resources. Thus, Christian Aid believes that the construction, yet this call was rejected by These new rules, however, will not help UK’s failure to push for stronger EU rules member states as well. CHRISTIAN AID welcomes Europe’s plan reveal whether companies are paying the from the start leaves question as to In a speech this year, the Prime Minister to fight corruption, as it forces some in the right amount of taxes, even while this whether they will use their power as G8 David Cameron said: “If there are difficult mining, gas, oil and logging businesses to multinational tax dodging is draining bil- chair this year to push for a new interna- questions about whether existing stan- admit their illegal payoffs of government lions from countries worldwide. tional convention on tax transparency that dards are tough enough to tackle avoid- officials around the world. Joseph Stead, Christian Aid’s Senior Eco- is currently aiding tax dodgers, bribe-tak- ance, we need to ask them.” As their attempts to find loopholes nomic Justice Advisor said: ‘These Direc- ers, and money launders around the world. His Cabinet colleagues, including the around the benefits of the anti-corruption tives also presented the opportunity to The European Parliament had called for Chancellor, have backed calls for strong reforms began to increase, Europe found it push the envelope on corporate trans- the new rules to require companies to international action to tackle tax dodging, time to take necessary action. The Euro- parency with stronger provisions to tackle reveal considerably more information, while the Business Secretary, Vince Cable, pean Parliament and council have come to tax evasion and avoidance, which currently including data on production, turnover, has voiced his support for full country-by a recent agreement that campaigners, jour- drains billions of dollars out of developing profits and their number of employees. country reporting. nalists and other citizens will be provided countries.” However, this was rejected by Member Mr Stead finished: “People at the very with the information they need to hold Stead added: “Unfortunately the UK did States. There was also a call for the new top of Government have stated their inten- their governments accountable for the not back these measures in the negotia- rules to be extended to other sectors, espe- tion to do this but the time for talking is money they get from companies exploiting tions. This was a missed opportunity.” cially banking, telecommunications and over. It’s time for doing.” Pope establishes historic advisory panel

REFORM of the Roman ’s sive wing of the church. Cardinal Maradiaga of organisation came a step closer with the Honduras is a charismatic figure who is closely announcement by Pope Francis that he is to involved with Cafod and has, in the past, been establish a group of eight Cardinals from around spoken of as a future Pope. He will serve as co- the world ‘to advise him on the government of ordinator of the Commission. the universal church’. The group will not meet Other members are Cardinals Bertello, the until October but a Vatican spokesman said the Governor of the Vatican City State and the only Pope had begun consulting with the Cardinals. Italian, Cardinal Gracias from Bombay, Cardinal Observers say this is an unprecedented move Marx from Germany, Cardinal Ossa from Chile, although one called for by the General Congre- and Cardinal Pasinya from the Congo. gation of Cardinal’s before the Pope’s election. It Informed observers call the move ‘ground- marks a move away from the absolute monarchy breaking’. It gives more influence over the gov- model of the papacy towards one that is more ernance of the Catholic Church to archbishops collegial and consultative. Curial diehards are who are involved in pastoral work and is likely to unlikely to welcome the development. clip the powers of the central bureaucracy. The eight cardinals chose come from the dif- ferent continents of the world. The two English- speaking Cardinals are Cardinal Pell from Correction Sydney and Cardinal O’Malley, Boston. Pell has In last week’s edition a story on page 4 was a reputation as a doctrinal conservative but he headlined ‘Bishop piles the pressure on has been outspoken on the need for reform of DiCanio’. In fact, as the story made clear, the the curia and O’Malley has taken a tough line on pressure came from the Dean of Durham, sex abuse. the Very Rev Sadgrove. Most of the Cardinals belong to the progres- We apologise for the error.

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[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper News Sunday April 21, 2013 www.churchnewspaper.com 5 Bishop speaks on ‘iconic’ politician BARONESS THATCHER was an “iconic “That was to be expected when issues of conviction politician”, the principle were at stake. It did not dent her has said. respect for the church, or our regard for Bishop John Pritchard said the UK’s first her steely qualities. female prime minister was a “remarkable “It was entirely fitting that the place woman”, but also pointed to the often where she particularly enjoyed the chance uneasy relationship between her and to walk securely and privately in her latter church when she was in office and wishes years was the grounds of Lambeth Palace, she had been more often been “for turn- which successive archbishops placed at ing”. her disposal.” He also pointed to the impor- “The change that she made to the face of tance of her Methodist upbringing and the Britain was complete,” he said in the role of her Christian faith in her policies. House of Lords after peers had been “Methodism was born in the pursuit of recalled to pay tribute to Lady Thatcher, justice and hope among working people,” who died last week aged 87. he said. “It opened up new avenues of possibility “It had, and still has, a radical edge, and in all directions: share ownership, home it is from that edge that Margaret Thatcher ownership, liberalisation of the markets, drew much of her strength. You do not entrepreneurial innovation, and so on. have to agree with every decision that she “She strengthened Britain’s role in the took to acknowledge the strength of her world immeasurably with clear policies on character and her determination and pas- defence, the Falklands, Northern Ireland, sion in all she did. communism, Europe, South Africa and “History will continue to debate the lega- more. No one was in any doubt that there cy of Baroness Thatcher for years to come, was a force in the land.” in terms of her own beliefs. She was an for turning. In the end, it was the Budget but she clearly defined politics not just for But he said he spent the end of the 1980s iconic conviction politician.” that was rescheduled,” he said her generation but for many generations. in County Durham so knew some of “deep Bishop Pritchard said one of the earliest “The church traditionally has a role of “Some of us perhaps wish that, on a few divisions” her policies caused. run-ins between Church and Prime Minis- critical solidarity with Governments of all more occasions, the lady had been for turn- “‘Billy Elliot’ country was not an all- ter came in 1980 when she wanted to move persuasions, so the production of the influ- ing - for turning has a good pedigree in singing, all-dancing landscape. It is almost the date of the enthronement of Robert ential report Faith in the City and the Arch- Christian theology - but we can still impossible to find moderate opinion for or Runcie as the new Archbishop of Canter- bishop of Canterbury’s Falklands sermon, applaud her many achievements while against on her of leadership, but the bury so that it did not clash with the Budg- in which he remembered the bereaved on regretting some of the excesses. We will one thing that we can all acknowledge is et. both sides of the conflict, both caused most certainly not forget her. May she rest that she was a leader of absolute integrity “Happily, on that occasion, the lady was momentary mayhem in the press. in peace.” Christians pave way for Methodists continue campaign for equality METHODISTS agreed to continue on their work of challenging the At their weekend meeting Coun- to promote their campaign for stigma of poverty. cil members considered a number equality, inclusivity and an end to Presenting the report, Public of reports on issues of diversity exerting human rights poverty when their Council met Issues Adviser Paul Morrison and inclusion.’ The ‘Belonging last weekend. said: ‘One of the things the Church Together Project’ of the Church By: Priscella Vega includes vegans, ecologists, and Together with the Baptists, Unit- should do is stand up when people has attempted to enable all the any other with beliefs that are ed Reformed Church and the are misrepresented and when peo- diverse communities represented The Equality and Human Rights “more than an opinion or a view- Church of Scotland, Methodists ple in poverty are treated as less in the Church to make a contribu- Commission published a docu- point.” found themselves at the centre of than they are. tion to its common life. ment stating that Christians, Not only are Christians being media attention when their report Everybody is valued and every- The Council decided to recom- vegans, ecologists and others allowed the right to wear a cross ‘The Lies We Tell About Our- body should be treated with digni- mend the Methodist Conference with deeply held beliefs should while wearing their work uni- selves’ was published and the four ty and respect. We have to to set up a working group to con- be allowed to exert their rights form, but vegans should also be churches launched an attack on challenge the narrative that people sider the implications of the Gov- within the workplace after a excused for cleaning refrigera- the Government’s welfare policy. in poverty are somehow less ernment’s plans to legalise same recent case with a Christian tors that contain any meat or The Council received an update deserving than the rest of society’ sex marriage. woman appealed to the commis- dairy. Ecologists should be able sion. to abstain from flying for busi- Earlier in the year, a U.K. ness meetings that would result Children’s Society Director Encourages Aid for Youth British Airways check-in work- in the release of CO2 emissions. er, Nadia Eweida, appealed to While this is a success for By: Priscella Vega new report backs up our own research and shows we the European Court of Human Christians, they should also be still have a very long way to go. At any point in time, Rights (ECHR) after being sent proud for instigating respect After the Children’s Society’s Good Childhood Report there are hundreds of thousand of children in the home from work for wearing a and recognition for other in 2013 discovered that more than half a million chil- U.K. who are unhappy with their lives.” cross that was deemed inappro- human rights that were previ- dren with the U.K. are unhappy with their lives and Caprani expressed the importance of not only priate for dress uniform. Three ously ignored. UNICEF reported the U.K. now ranks as the 16th in focusing on children, but also adolescents who are months later, the ECHR deemed recently wrote how Christianity child well-being, the Society called for a greater often overlooked due to the stigma of being trouble- her rights violated and support- would not be upheld higher understanding of children and adolescents’ welfare. some. ed her case. Despite Eweida’s than other human rights and The mission of the Children’s Society is to create a “We are particularly concerned about low well- success, there had been three how it was a stepping stone world where the youth are able to live a “valued, being among teenagers identified in the report,” other cases that were similar to toward equality. respected and happy” life. As of late, the Society has Caprani said. “It is far too easy to assume that Eweida’s that lost their chal- The , Revd over 36 children centres in England with over 34 pro- teenagers aren’t as vulnerable as younger children or lenges. Dr. also com- grammes throughout the country, assisting troubled don’t need as much support. By just dismissing As of now, the ECHR’s latest mented on the subject, pleased children and teenagers. They aid those who are disad- teenagers with low well-being as ‘difficult,’ we don’t document states “employees with the recent ECHR’s docu- vantaged, refugees, runaways and any who are in a recognize the huge pressures they are under or that may assert the right to discuss ment. “Christians and those of vulnerable state with the intention of helping them on we can do something about it.” their personal beliefs in the other faiths should be free to a better path. Caprani ended with a motivation tangent, motivat- workplace and employers wear the symbols of their own The Director of Communications and Policy at The ing those involved within the Society to continue pro- should not prevent such conver- religion without discrimina- Children’s Society, Lily Caprani spoke on the subject gressing forward in hopes of decreasing the number sations.” The ECHR highly tion,” he said. “Christians are and exemplified the importance of providing aid of unhappy youth. encourages bosses to allow not obliged to wear a cross but despite the success they already reached in previous “Only by putting the well-being of children at the those to exert their practices. should be free to show their years. centre of decision-making will the U.K. be able to This, however, is not the case love for and trust in Jesus Christ “The first decade of this century saw things get bet- make the dramatic-and critical-improvements in child for only Christians but also in this way if they so wish.” ter for children in the U.K.,” Caprani said. “But this well-being that we need and children deserve.”

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 6 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday April 21, 2013 News Sussex clergyman found Synod brawl leads to guilty of child abuse

A SUSSEX clergyman has been found guilty of sexually abusing two boys. On 5 April 2013 the Rev. Keith Wilkie Denford (78) and his codefendant, church organist bishop's suspension Michael Mytton (69), were found guilty following a three- week trial at Hove Crown Court of molesting boys under the age of 16. While serving as vicar of St John the Evangelist Church By George Conger Jebachandran and Gener- in Burgess Hill, West Sussex, Mr. Denford committed and al Secretary M.M. Philip indecent assaults on two boys between June 1987 and Jan- THE BISHOP in began when the bishop uary 1990. He was found not guilty of a third charge of Thoothukudi-Nazareth of objected to the minutes indecent assault against the first boy. Mr. Mytton was con- the Church of South of the Council's January victed of three counts of indecently assaulting a boy under India has been suspend- meeting that discussed 16 in the Newick area between 1990 and 1994. He was ed for assaulting the the affairs of his diocese. found not guilty of one count of aiding and abetting Mr. CSI’s General Secretary After the general secre- Denford. during the 25 Feb 2013 tary declined to strike After the verdict was handed down the Bishop of Chich- meeting in Chennai of that portion of the min- ester, Dr Martin Warner, stated: "I note the verdict the Synod Executive utes, Bishop Jebachan- re ached by the Court today and we will now move swiftly Council. dran allegedly rose from to implement our own disciplinary procedures following Spokesmen for the his chair, grabbed Mr. this verdict in the case of Mr Denford. Bishop and the executive Philip by his collar, took "The Diocese fully acknowledges the suffering caused Council did not respond away his microphone, both to survivors of abuse and their families. We deeply to requests for clarifica- and shoved him away re gret the betrayal of trust in the context of public pas- tion but the anti-corrup- from the podium. toral ministry and we extend our prayers and support to tion lay group Youth4CSI Uproar ensued, and a those caught up in the events highlighted by this case. reports the spat between vote was taken by the "The Diocese has learned many lessons from past cases the bishop and the Council to suspend the and continues to do so. Our safeguarding procedures Synod's Executive Coun- bishop. A formal notice of have been re vised and updated and I am committed to cil is politically and finan- suspension was subse- ensuring that every person is safe in our churc h commu- cially motivated. quently served upon nities." The altercation Bishop Jebachandran on The case has been adjourned for sentencing to 2 May between Bishop J.A.D. 3 April 2013. 2013 and the defendants re main on bail meanwhile. Welsh re-think on gay marriage

THE COALITION government’s push to introduce same-sex marriage in Eng- land and Wales necessitates a review of the Church in Wales’ thinking on mar- Rebuilding options riage, the Dr. Barry Morgan said last week. In his presidential address to the 10 – 11 April 2013 meeting of the Govern- ing Body of the Church in Wales in Lampeter, Dr. Morgan said the church needed to consider the issue of same-sex relationships. “There has been a growth in understanding of same sex relationships in wider society in recent years and a more comprehensive understanding of human sexuality in gener- for Christchurch al,” he said. “Within the Church in Wales, as the bishops have pointed out, there are a variety of views about the ethics of same sex relationships. There is a new appreciation of the value of any faithful committed life-long relationship. The new observed recently that, ‘It would be complete- ly absurd to suggest that the love expressed in gay relationships was less than Cathedral unveiled the love that there is between straight couples’. The bishops have, therefore, asked the Doctrinal Commission to examine the whole issue of same sex rela- tionships, and once it has produced its report, we will need to have a general A STRAW poll of delegates to the 13 April 2013 discussion, perhaps in groups in the first instance, in this Governing Body to meeting of Christchurch diocesan Synod has map out the way ahead for us as a Church.” voted to support a proposal to rebuild the city’s The doctrinal commission will also examine the Church in Wales’ relation- earthquake ravaged Cathedral using a contem- ship to the state. The coalition government had not consulted the Church in porary design. Wales when it said it would be banned in law from offering same sex mar- Last week the Diocese of Christchurch and riages. The church in Wales should make up its own mind on this issue he its Church Property Trustees unveiled three declared, and it must decide whether it would keep its quasi-established posi- designs: a full restoration of the original Nine- tion under Welsh law clergy had a duty to solemnise marriages. teenth century Gothic cathedral, rebuilding "If marriage were ever to become a devolved issue, I cannot see a devolved the Cathedral according to its original specifi- Welsh government allowing a disestablished church to hang on to this vestige cations but using modern construction materi- of establishment,” he added, but “in any case, we ourselves might want to als, or a contemporary new design. change the present arrangements." A show of hands from the approximately 200 Dr. Morgan also discussed revisiting the issue of women bishops which was members of the synod presence showed over- turned back by the governing body in 2008 by 3 votes after the bishops whelming support for the contemporary refused to give assurances or protections to those opposed to the innovation. design due to its cheaper cost, modern look, In 2012 the Bishop’s bench released a discussion paper stating their unani- and the symbolism of a re-born diocese. mous support for the of women bishops. The diocese reports the “praying hands” The Archbishop also spoke to the challenges of the paper presented by Lord style Cathedral would feature a restored rose Harries last year on reorganizing structures of the church. “Churches with window on the western glass wall, and a glass new Cathedral will take. It has launched a web- ordained clergy have been tempted to assume that all ministry is vested in an and steel bell tower. Estimated to cost between site www.cathedralconversations.org.nz to omnicompetent, all-singing, all-dancing professional minister and that the task NZ $56 million to NZ $74 million the rebuilding solicit feedback from the community on its of ministry belongs to him or her and then when he/she is a bit hard pressed, project is expected to take from 5 to 10 years. wishes as well. A series of public forums led by he or she may delegate some of the tasks to other people but really essentially Earthquake insurance payments will con- Bishop Victoria Matthews is scheduled for the it is her/her ministry. That is to start in the wrong place,” he argued. tribute NZ $30 million towards the cost of coming weeks to present options to the wider The church must use “all the resources that we have been given, and the rebuilding. community. Comments posted at the website gifts that all of us have, more creatively and imaginatively. It means laity and Christchurch’s Church Property Trustees indicated majority of the public like the con- clergy together, having a shared vision of the work of the Church,” Dr. Mor- will make a final decision as to the form the temporary design also. gan said.

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper News Sunday April 21, 2013 www.churchnewspaper.com 7 for Australia Barbados clergyman elected

THE ASSISTANT Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn Ian Lambert has been appointed as of Toronto the next Bishop to the Australian Defence Force effective 1 July 2013. “I am thrilled to receive the invitation to serve both the Church and the Military in the capacity of the A BARBADOS native has been elected suf- parish in the diocese of Montréal in 1992. In Anglican Bishop to the Defence Force. I am fragan Bishop of the diocese of Toronto. On 1997 he became the incumbent of St. Joseph confident in Christ, that this is God’s call, and 6 April 2013, the Ven. Peter Fenty, Archdea- of Nazareth in Brampton in the Diocese of I pray that the grace of God will enable us all con of York and the executive officer to the Toronto and was appointed archdeacon in to work and minister together for His glory,” Bishop of Toronto, was elected on the sev- 2004. he said. enth ballot. Bishop-elect Fenty, (61) who Archbishop Colin Johnson said he is look- Educated at the Royal Military College was born and raised in Barbados and came ing forward to working with Bishop-elect Duntroon, Bishop Lambert was commis- to Canada in 1992, will be the first person of Fenty. “Peter has a vast range of knowledge sioned as a Lieutenant in the Royal Australian African descent to be a bishop in the Angli- of the diocese. He brings good organization- Corps of Transport – and in 1984 while can Church of Canada. al skills and he is a compelling preacher and attending a character leadership course led “This is a historic moment in the life of interpreter of scripture. He has a deep faith by an army chaplain accepted Christ. Leav- the Anglican Church in Canada, but I want and is theologically articulate. He has sensi- ing the army with the rank of major, Bishop to make it very clear that I will be a bishop tivity not just to the Caribbean community Lambert was ordained in 1995 and served as for all of God’s people,” he said in an inter- but to a wide range of communities, includ- a parish priest until his consecration last year view with the diocesan newspaper after the ing some minority communities in the life of as assistant for the region of the South Coast, election at St. James Cathedral in Toronto. the church who are not otherwise well rep- Monaro and Snowy Regions in the diocese of Ordained a priest in Barbados in 1975, he resented. I think he has wonderful gifts that Canberra and Goulburn. served three parishes there before taking a he is bringing.” £25 million raised for Huegenots commemorated at Christ Church Spitalfields church youth centre A fund-raising dinner in Nigeria last month has raised over £25 million (Nairas 6 billion) for the St. Stephen’s Anglican Dean- ery and Youth Development Centre in Otuoke, in Bayelsa State in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region. Leading the list of donors was philanthropist and oilman Arthur Eze, who donat- ed £7.8 million (1.8 billion Nairas) to fund the construction of the Anglican training institute, Forbes magazine reported. Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, whose hometown is Otuoke, told those attending the dinner that he was grateful for the gifts given by wealthy Nigerians to support the devel- opment of impoverished communities in their own country. Private philanthropy strengthened the nation and empower individuals. This will create an "opportunity for the younger ones to grow. Even if we die in the next 100 years, people will The was joined last week by over 350 worshippers at Christ Church Spitalfields for a thanksgiv- remember that those before them have something for them,” ing service marking the 415th anniversary of the Edict of Nantes granting French Protestants freedom of worship. the president said. When the Edict was revoked in 1685 over 20,000 Huguenots settled in Spitalfields, where their skills in weaving and     working with silk left an indeli-   ble mark on the area.  -") % !"' ! ,#%' '! )-!  )& % !   At the 23 April 2013 service '%) (( 1"+" !"+'&""%/&'! the Dean of Rochester con- tributed a reading while Giles !!!'/ &'%#%/! '%)&''& %/& De La Mare read the poem 'All % $)&("!&''-")+") #%" -&-")%& 1 -") that's past' by his grandfather, !!"'  &)% " ' !&+%&0 '! '  '" &"  #"#  poet and novelist, Walter De La +"!1%"%-)'" "(*0'%&#'%&)## %&"! - Mare. The service is part of the '" %-!)%  %&0%")''%'" #-")1 wider festival being held to cel- %"%-+&")!-"% % !%&%" )'"&*  ebrate the contribution of the !'% && # "!1 %')&'" %'&' Huguenots to Spitalfields and to * "&%*0+ &'#%"*!'"#$) '-%0! ' raise funds for a permanent '*%-&'#%1 memorial commemorating %' &"*%43-%&",#%!!'&%! their life and work. '-#%" &'" "''#%'%"%-")1%&!" The Rev. Andy Rider & &#%&&)%!!"&& 0)&'"!&'*"!"+'- at Christ Church Spitalfields + "'!'&'%''-")% "!-!)--")1*%- commented: “It was a privilege *  &)##  )!%"& ' "&' &'%!!' & ! to host this special service of #%#%("!0"%% *%-&%*'"-")%""%! thanksgiving to commemorate the Huguenots of Spitalfields. '-+ *!%*-")%" %+-'#%2%% We celebrate not just their #%1 impact on this area but to Lon-         don and the many places that     &&"+'*! the Huguenot community set- &%%%!',#%!+'' 1 "!'%"+! tled following their times of trial !"&(& %%&0' ""''%+&'0"% and persecution. We celebrate )&'*' )..!*'1 not just their business endeav- ours, their art and culture but  " )&"$"  "% *!#,--/.002121* principally we remember them "'#$(((+!" ")&$  %'+  as a people of deep biblical Christian faith." [email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 8 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday April 21, 2013 Letters

THE OF CHURCH ENGLANDNEWSPAPER Write to The Church of England Newspaper, 14 Great College Street, Westminster, London, SW1P 3RX. or you can send an E-mail to [email protected]. Tweet at @churchnewspaper If you are sending letters by e-mail, please include a street address NB: Letters may be edited

Conservatives Oh yes Giles, Margaret Thatcher had Distinction between libertarianism & her faults, and acknowledged many of aren’t always anti them herself, but – at least – let her be ‘put secularism to rest with dignity’ before you start using your own ‘muck rake’ upon her! Sir, I write as a cheerful and positive con- The Rev. James Thompson servative evangelical who loves nothing Sir, It is clear from the writings of the likes of Peter Tatchell that the proposed gay mar- Flintshire more than to get on with the work of the riage drive is a trojan horse. Like the computer version it is a virus. The idea that it has gospel of grace of God in Christ and the anything to do with equality is quite false teaching of the faith uniquely revealed in It is sad that so many fail to distinguish between libertarianism and fundamentalist the Scriptures within the life, mission and secularism. ministry of the local church. The gay community is free to choose its lifestyle. That is libertarianism. That others, There are big debates surging on in God included, are free to disagree with that lifestyle is also libertarianism. Pouring Vit- Church and society, not least in the C of E riolic on those who express differing views is not libertarianism but is fundamentalist about the ministry of men and women and secularism. Your Tweets about marriage. But I am tired of conserva- Gay activist Peter Tatchell has written reams (www.petertatchell.net). These indi- tives being portrayed in debates, the press cate that he regards marriage as an oppressive regime with gay marriage the first step and media, Thoughts for the Day, or con- in its destruction. He also wants destruction of the nuclear family and wants a sexual Esther Gregory @HerefordYPO versations as being against women’s min- free-for-all. Since when did the church’s woice istry or threatened by it. And as for Mr Tatchell is no champion for the Gay community and actually does them a dis- describe people as ‘mistakes’? General Synod being lopsidedly conserva- service. A great many live quietly in civil partnerships without challenging us. They Whoever they are. Not impressed. tive through ‘smart electioneering’, that is know where we stand and we have no need to challenge them. We may not like it but In fact, pretty livid... at best ridiculous and at worst sour grapes. they have total freedom to disagree. I believe that the Scriptures hold out an It is disappointing to see so many within the Church champion the cause of gay rela- Peter Ould @PeterOuld extraordinary and brilliant partnership tionships, oblivious to the fact that the likes of Mr. Tatchell are using it as a trojan Distraught that @churchnewspaper between men and women in both marriage horse to try to destroy marriage. Whispering Gallery doesn’t mention and in ministry, in which each both need Colin Bricher my presence at Lambeth Media and complement the other. Differences Northampton soiree. Utterly distraught. that are intrinsic to being a man or a woman are recognised, honoured and cele- brated for making their union a partner- Arun Arora @RevArun ship rather than a merger. Value and received partnership of man and woman deceased Prime Minister, ‘not as yet buried “CofE rejects blessings for same-sex dignity are grounded in what each is with a loud Vive l’union and Vive la differ- at the time!’ – both offensive and disgust- couples” says Guardian. “CofE gives before God and in Christ, rather than by ence! It could do well to have the confi- ing. blessing to recognise civil what they do or necessarily doing the same dence, clarity and consistency to produce One cannot help but wonder how such a partnerships” says DTel. Who spins? things. something similar for Men and Women in fellow priest ever got through both a past Marriage flourishes for the couple and Ministry. selection conference or a theological col- Nick Baines @nickbaines for any children when the man is a man The Revd Canon David Banting lege in order to enter the Christian min- doing sterling and the woman is a woman – for Christians Vicar, St Peter’s, Harold Wood, and member istry! Indeed, if anyone lacks the very job asserting rightness of justice of that means the man is a Christ-like man of General Synod basics of Christian virtue as further Richard III being re-buried in and the woman is a Church-like woman, as expressed through the ‘gifts of the Spirit’ Leicester. Robust stuff. the Marriage service puts it echoing the then, surely, all appendages - before or New Testament. Ministry flourishes for all Freedom of after one’s name – become no more than a Richard Coles in the Church when each church has a mockery to that person’s vocation? @RevRichardColes15h ministry and leadership team that is a true expression However, Giles Fraser is not alone here. Sir Colin Davis has died. Great complementary partnership of men and I sense there are many prominent clergy musician, great guy. Put himself out women. Conservatives believe the Scrip- Sir, Freedom of expression must surely be with past prestigious positions who, on for the students at Royal Academy tures point to this rich and beautiful pat- a good thing, provided it is not downright reaching the pearly gates, will hear the when I was Chaplain #RIP tern of ministry, rather than the unisex insulting or despicably aimed against those words: “I know you not!” Yes, while many a uniformity of modern design. who cannot defend themselves? Conse- lowly cleric - with little more than a heart of The Church has just published the docu- quently, I find a past Canon of St Paul’s empathy to commend him - will hear the Rosemary Lain-P @Rose44Lain ment Men and Women in Marriage for Cathedral - who appears to have used his words “Enter thou, in to the joy of your Launching blog 1st May. Bit scared study. It appears to celebrate this long- previous status to publicly belittle a newly Lord!” will have nothing to say. Brother reassures: Sis, you've never had a problem filling a space with words.

Sean Doherty @swdoherty of the Week St now has a new web address - stmellitus.ac.uk (it Ridgeview identifieds us as an academic Bloomsbury 2010 institution - exciting in a nerdy way) Waitrose £22.99 Mark Russell Sunday, 21st April is H.M. The Queen’s birthday: the real one, not the official one, which this year will be 16th June. @markrusselluk15h Tuesday 23rd is St George’s Day, and also the date on which Shakespeare was born. A call for English wine! Pro- God offers an amnesty, not amnesia. ducers have excelled in producing sparkling wine, some of which in international blind tastings have more than Hope not pretence. held their own with champagne. This bottle is very appropriate: firstly, it carries around its neck a tribute to Christopher Merret, FRS, who first recorded experiments for the making of sparkling wine in Charles II’s reign, Ekklesia @Ekklesia_co_uk and, second, another Ridgeview (a Rosé fizz), was served at a State Dinner at Buckingham Palace, for President Poll shows 8 million people 'one Obama. Here, our grapes, from vineyards on Sussex’s South Downs, are a blend from all three classic varieties used paycheque' away from losing their for champagnes, mostly Chardonnay, with Pinot Noir (27%) and Pinot Meunier (12%). Light gold in the glass, with home citrus on the nose, there’s a fine mousse (those bubbles) and classic biscuit notes, leading to the expected stimu- lating finish. Waitrose also has a good range of English still white wines. Sainsbury’s has one English, a sparkling, in its own “Taste the Difference” range made at Denbies’ Surrey vineyard, the largest in the UK. Tesco’s still follow us Finest English White is also made by Denbies. @churchnewspaper on Twitter Graham Gendall Norton

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper Caring for the elderly E4,E5

SUNDAY, APRIL 21, 2013

It all sounded wonderful, but I realised that no one would take any notice of a fifty-four-year-old grieving widow, so for a long time I only shared my dream with a couple of friends. I asked them to pray about it and I did too, but God helps those who help themselves, and I knew Listening to God that if this was to happen then I’d have to take some kind of action. Before I could ask anyone else to help I’d have to By Mary Butterwick OBE put my money where my mouth was, and the only money I had was in my home. If I wanted people to believe in Sentamu: I grew up in a large family, one of thirteen change I had to be able to say I’ve done this, now will you children. We used to have a saying in our house: ‘You help me to do that? Even after I sold my house I couldn’t have two eyes to see, two ears to hear, and one mouth to have moved forward if it hadn’t been for other people help- speak – stop talking and start listening!’ ing me. At Bishopthorpe Palace, we ring a large gong every day I soon discovered God’s path is never smooth. I found at midday. It sounds three times. During the period the the ideal property for a day care centre, but it was under gong sounds, we stop what we are doing and use the peace offer and three contracts had to fall through on it before and quiet to reflect and pray. my offer was finally accepted. When I did get in the reno- It’s important that during our busy lives we take vations needed were so extensive that I had to sleep on any moments like this to stop and re-focus on what is impor- spare sofa I could find until the work was complete. Yet, it tant. We need to learn to seek God’s guidance and trust in all started to come together. him. When we opened Butterwick House in 1984 it was the first day care centre in the north east for people with ter- Mary: I often tell people that their life changes in a minal illness and their families. We ran like that for five moment, and it does. One minute you’re merrily saunter- years, but more and more people started to ask me about ing down one road, then all of a sudden the path changes beds, somewhere for people to go at the end of their life to and you find yourself hurtling in another direction. Up die pain-free and with dignity. Although people didn’t use until 1979 my life was tootling along happily. My husband the word, they were asking for a hospice. When I totted up John and I had just celebrated thirty-three years of mar- the costs involved it seemed impossible, but I’d felt that riage, our four children had left home and married them- before about the day care centre. I knew to succeed it selves, and I had taken a part-time job at a tea factory. would need the backing of the community, so I decided to hold a meeting to see how strong the feeling for a hospice Then, with no warning, John took ill and two weeks later was. he was dead. At first we were told that John had something If there was any doubt before, there was none after it. wrong with a muscle or a nerve. I had no idea how serious The church hall was packed. A district nurse stood up first it was until he fell into a coma. It was only then that doctors and my heart flipped, because in the early days I’d faced so told me John had a brain tumour. By that time he couldn’t much opposition from medical staff. ‘I don’t know how it respond and it was too late to say goodbye. can be done, but I agree we do need this palliative care,’ My life changed completely when I lost my husband. she said. To my amazement everyone clapped. It was clear There were so many unanswered questions. Why did no that the people of Teesside wanted a hospice. Exactly how one tell me that John was dying? Why did I not see it any of it would happen was a question for another day, but myself? Had John known and not told me? Why were we I trusted in God that it would. robbed of our last farewell? Why did we not have time to Today Butterwick Hospice Care helps up to 200 patients say, I love you? Why was John allowed to fall three times in caused by the neglect I’d seen. There had to be a better and their families each day, with two dedicated adult hos- the hospital? Why was there no compassion from the staff? way to help families facing a similar situation, I just didn’t pice units and a children’s unit. Why did a ward sister tell me to go home and forget him know how or what it was. I never imagined any of this when I set out. There are because I could do nothing for him anymore? Each lunch time I would sit at the table with my cup of people who climb mountains, trek through jungles and In those days people didn’t talk about cancer. It was coffee, read a passage from the Bible, and ask God to open bungee jump off the Transporter Bridge to raise money for referred to as the dirty big C and some people even my heart and allow me to take whatever I needed from the the hospice. It is amazing to think how far we’ve come, but, thought it was catching. I wanted to know how people were reading. like many things in life it was achieved through stepping coping with this because I wasn’t. One day I felt an urge to write. I found myself writing stones. In my frustration and grief I questioned God. There was about a house where cancer patients and their families For a long time I’ve known that the hospice would run so much I wanted to know – about death, dying and the could come and talk through their anxieties and fears. I along just fine without me, but at 87-years-old I still volun- afterlife. Of course I didn’t always find the answers I was saw it all, from the glowing fireplace to the pictures on the teer when I can, because I find that whatever I give in this seeking. In my searching I opened up a conversation with walls. I could even smell the fresh flowers on the table and way I get back ten-fold. God. Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are tired and feel the thick-piled carpet underfoot. It was an uplifting The self-pity I felt in grief can happen to a lot of people. have heavy loads, and I will give you rest.’ Well, I felt place. They would eat home-made food. If they wanted to We all need to feel a sense of belonging and value. If you heavy-laden, and here I was crying out for his help. read they could read; if they wanted to chat they could can find a job where your heart is then you’re very fortu- Bereavement can be a very self-pitying time. I thought chat; if they wanted to play dominoes let them play domi- nate, but if it’s just to pay the groceries at the end of the no-one could feel the grief I felt or that my life would ever noes. Care and companionship were the only rules. That week, volunteering can give you that sense of contribution. be the same again. But you do learn in time to live a new said, if this home was going to offer care and support for Whatever some people might say, it’s not about giving life, and that life can be good again. It was through looking the terminally ill, then I supposed it would need a doctor, something for nothing. The patients at the hospice give me outside of my own pain and volunteering with a community or at least a nurse. Someone who knew what they were something much more valuable than money can buy. group for people with disabilities that first helped me. In doing. Yet, for every medic, it would need at least twenty We’re helping and supporting each other and that’s how taking my mind off my problems I was helping myself and other people – caring people who could help with other life should be. others, as well as the organisation I was volunteering for, things, important things that so easily get overlooked in so it was a three-way win. times of ill health, like help with finances, cleaning and Extracted with permission from John Sentamu’s Faith In time, as I began to mix with other people again, I did shopping, and arranging days out. The house would do its Stories, published by DLT, price £8.99 begin to forgive but I couldn’t forget the unnecessary pain best to heal the heart and soul.

ANDREW CAREY E2 • WHISPERING GALLERY E2 • JUDY WEST E3 • ARTS AND MEDIA E3 •CROSSWORD• E8 • JANEY LEE GRACE E8 E2 www.englandonsunday.com Sunday April 21, 2013

British politics. And they cannot bring them- I find it hard to believe that a Christian selves to praise any one single policy. leader can seriously use such loose language The theme that I find most worrying is the crediting her with the creation of such vices. very idea that Margaret Thatcher’s policies Yet, it should be no surprise that many somehow created greed, consumerism and all church leaders have ambivalent reactions to Andrew Carey: that is bad in human nature extremely dis- Margaret Thatcher but I find it troubling that turbing especially when that allegation comes they can find it so difficult to list at least some from Christian sources. In a blog entitled positives from her premiership. By and large ‘Milk snatching’, the the silence from the bench of Bishops has somehow manages to blame Margaret been depressing. Yet at least, the Archbishop View from the Pew Thatcher for the very ungenerous and puerile of Canterbury was sure-footed in praising her reactions which her death has led to devotion to public service and the Christian (www.nickbaines.wordpress.com/). He writes faith that inspired her. This is a sign that he of the “evidence that she created a nasty, vitri- will at least be much more in touch with a olic, dehumanising and utterly divided culture charitable understanding of public duties, Where’s the respect? and society... to be seen in the response her responsibilities and service than some of his death has provoked.” colleagues.

The news of Margaret Thatcher’s death before breezing up to his bedroom to was marked by my 14-year-old daugh- practise guitar riffs. Funeral fray trouble.” er: Her funeral is not a politi- ter with sadness and respect. She took I suspect that Lady Thatcher will He added, “It plays into the cal act, but a moment to wish on board the totemic value of being the have felt proud about the fact that her These ungenerous attitudes hands of those more extreme for peace’, Telegraph, 12 first woman prime minister and the death has re-established a national towards Lady Thatcher are to people who will use the funer- April 2013). forging of a path that girls like her can debate both about the past and her be found in the campaign al as an opportunity to pro- He writes: “There will be no follow. legacy but also about the future direc- questioning whether the state mote certain political views.” political eulogy. It is a pity In contrast, a couple of years ago my tion of British politics. It is best to should pay her funeral costs. Apart from the fact that it that the funeral operation was son came home from primary school ignore the death parties and the horri- The Bishop of , is presumptuous for Bishop codenamed True Blue: the and asked me why Margaret Thatcher bly misognistic ‘Ding Dong, the witch , entered the fray on Ellis to think that his own service concentrates solely had been such a bad Prime Minister. is dead’ download as a reminder that this point at the weekend. preferences should override on the true God, and His ser- This was a wake-up call to me that edu- the extreme left which she took on in He told the BBC, “I think those of family and friends, vant now leaving this life.” cation is not neutral and some teachers the 1980s, is now reduced to sneering that in a context where there this is again to make Lady This is the right balance to are happy to peddle their politics in the pathetically and powerlessly from the is manifestly great ill-feeling Thatcher solely responsible strike in the midst of a frantic classroom. It was also a good opportu- sidelines. about her tenure and about for reactions to her death. political debate. This is not to nity to suggest to him that he needn’t Yet even in the mainstream public her legacy, to then actually Margaret Thatcher’s offi- agree with all her policies but trust everything those in authority tell debate there has been a stark divide have a situation where we cial biographer, Charles to attend instead to the last him but he should seek out evidence over her record as Prime Minister seem to be expecting the Moore, reminded us this pastoral rite of a woman of for himself and constantly question which is inexplicable. Her opponents nation to glorify that with a week that public aspects of all faith who, in the economy of everyone (including me). He mischie- deny her even her womanhood. They £10 million funeral ... I think Prime Minister’s funerals God, is neither the greatest vously suggested that he could there- suggest that she alone was responsible any sensible person would have always been paid for by nor the first, but like all of us fore disregard what I had just told him for the divisiveness which then infected say that that is asking for the State (‘Margaret Thatch- a disciple and a pilgrim. Thatcher and Runcie Thatcher and Carey

According to Roy Jenkins the Church of England was a more effective oppo- nent of Margaret Thatcher than the Labour Party. There is great irony here As well as Runcie’s appointment, Thatcher is also supposed to have used her for Thatcher was a regular church-goer who had known influence to secure Graham Leonard’s translation to London and Carey’s when they were both members of the Oxford University Conservative Asso- appointment to Canterbury. Just as she preferred Runcie to Montefiore, it is said ciation. alleged that she even intervened in the appointment she preferred Carey to John Habgood. Carey has recorded his surprise that she process to make sure Runcie, not Hugh Montefiore, went to Lambeth. Run- insisted on seeing him soon after his appointment and that he was instructed to cie later confided they had not been close at Oxford; Thatcher thought he wear a collar and tie and enter Downing Street by a warren of corridors to con- was too frivolous. At times they had a stormy relationship when he was fuse the press. Before seeing the PM, the new Archbishop was careful to don a Archbishop. The ‘blessed Margaret’ was reported to be ‘spitting blood’ after clerical collar but even with this symbol of his office he had difficulty stemming the Falklands service and she was not pleased by ‘Faith in the City’. Talking her flow of conversation that went on without a pause for eight minutes. Only to Humphrey Carpenter, Runcie’s biographer, she refused to criticise Run- when he barged into the conversation and labelled John Wesley a socialist did cie saying he was a ‘good and honourable man’ and that she always enjoyed the daughter of a Methodist local preacher draw breath. Carey confessed that he meeting him. In her own memoirs, however, she said she wished Sir felt drawn to Thatcher. ‘I could not agree with many of her social polices but her Richard O’Brien, who chaired the Manpower Training Commission and approach attracted me’, he wrote. He judged that her period in office restored a also the CNC that appointed Runcie, could have done something to train the sense of pride to Britain and he continued to have contact with her after she bishops. retired. It is not hard to guess that he was her favourite Archbishop. The Whispering Gallery Yet More on Richard III Lambeth Mystery

It looks as though the campaign of a small village in Suffolk with a large and Here is a story worthy for James Runcie’s clerical sleuth, Canon Sidney Cham- historic medieval church to secure the remains of Richard III has received bers. Buried in last week’s issue of the ‘Spectator, largely given over to com- episcopal support. On a visit to St Mary’s Church Wortham, near Eye, memorating Margaret Thatcher, was a story about a thief who stole some where he blessed a new stained glass window, Bishop Nigel Stock declared precious volumes from Lambeth Palace library. In 1975 the librarian noticed his support for the Richard III being buried next to his sister, the Countess that 60 of the library’s most valuable printed books from the 16th and 17th cen- de la Pole, in Wingfield parish church. ‘I can understand why Leicester turies had gone missing. These were topographical volumes with fine illustra- Cathedral would have the tomb (anything to enhance this city and its tions so there was always the danger they might have been cut up to make unique selling point) but let me put in a bid for Wingfield’, he announced. prints. The library cards for the volumes had also been removed. Despite ‘Here Richard III would be laid to rest next to his sister’. No doubt both efforts to trace them, none of the books ever turned up and the matter was Leicester and York will fire shots in reply, not keen to have an intruder gradually forgotten. Finally the mystery was solved last year when a solicitor move in to their increasingly bitter re-run of the Wars of the Roses. Wing- dealing with the estate of someone once connected with the library handed field, meanwhile is investigating, how they could suitably house Richard’s over a sealed confession and details of how the books could be found. It turned remains close to the magnificent tomb that contains the bones of his sister out not 60 but 1,400 items had been removed, many of them from the collec- and her husband. tions of Archbishops Whitgift and Bancroft. The books had suffered some damage in an attempt to remove identifying marks and restoration is under- way. One of two volumes are still missing. Over to Canon Chambers. Lambeth Palace Library has tactfully not revealed the name of the person who stole the books. Eona2, pce0y 1. m 1i.l wwwdrnsy2naungona2, dAu3 Sl

al redemption, not social reform’. She Bazaar, and found her to be very friend- also said that ‘choice’ played a signifi- ly, but the best time was at No 10 itself cant part in her reforms and that choice when she and Denis hosted a small was also Christian. Christ chose to lay reception. She was an excellent host- Cindy Kent down his life and that all individuals ess and she was always very friendly to have the God-given right to choose me. Yes, she was divisive, but you View from Fleet Street between good and evil. She justified knew where you were with her. Her her belief in individual salvation by yes was yes and her no was no. My quoting from the hymn I Vow to Thee Mum used to say that if you couldn’t My Country – ‘and soul by soul and think of anything good to say about silently her shining bounds increase’ – someone, then it was best to say noth- not group by group, or party by party, ing – especially once they were dead. or even church by church – but soul by Several of my Facebook friends who soul – and each one counts. disagreed totally with her policies post- Although famous for her ‘there’s no ed this quote mistakenly attributed to Thoughts on Thatcher such thing as society’ quote in 1987– Martin Luther King Jr – who actually let’s remind ourselves of what she actu- said something very similar - ‘I will ally said. “I think we’ve been through a mourn the loss of thousands of pre- was on a post-Easter born when she was in office. and there wasn’t a camera- period where too many people have cious lives but I will not rejoice in the break in Tunisia when I met Mrs Thatcher, as she man in sight. been given to understand that if they death of one, not even an enemy. IThe Big Story of the was then, when she was my I also met her at a Party have a problem, it’s the government’s Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, death of Baroness Thatcher MP – in fact, her children Conference in Bournemouth job to cope with it. ‘I have a problem, adding deeper darkness to a night broke and it was interesting went to my church school. via her PR man Harvey I’ll get a grant.’ ‘I’m homeless, the gov- already devoid of stars. Darkness can- to see how it was presented The church I attended at that Thomas. He, of course, was ernment must house me.’ They’re cast- not drive out darkness: only light can there. Front page news and time put on a pageant in 1982 the man whose image so ing their problem on society. And, you do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: headlines – as you would celebrating the church’s many of us woke up to on the know, there is no such thing as society. only love can do that”. expect. I watched SKY hundredth birthday and the morning of October 12th There are individual men and women, I wasn’t invited to the funeral at St News too and there it was history of Christianity in the 1984 being rescued from the and there are families. And no govern- Paul’s but I was invited to the Service of wall to wall coverage. Lots of British Isles – a dramatic rubble of the Brighton ment can do anything except through Thanksgiving for the life of Jean Wilson pre-prepared pieces played affair which began in the bombing of the Grand Hotel. people, and people must look to them- at All Souls Church, Langham Place. over and over again with live Synagogue next to the He was plunged through selves first. It’s our duty to look after Jean was an amazing lady! She worked comments from the great church and then progressed several floors and miracu- ourselves and then, also to look after with Billy Graham from his first visit to and the good – those who through the church school lously survived. His wife our neighbour. People have got the London in the 1950’s and led the Lon- adored her and those who and finally into the church Marlies was 9 months preg- entitlements too much in mind, without don headquarters for the Billy Graham were her critics. There were itself. My job was to guide nant at the time, (his daugh- the obligations. There’s no such thing Evangelistic Association. For many very moving tributes from Mrs T around explaining to ter Leah was born 6 days as entitlement, unless someone has years, Jean was also the international people who had worked with her what was going on in later). Mrs Thatcher wrote first met an obligation.” As Charles Treasurer and UK Director of African her or for her or known her each setting. We entered to them saying “it would Moore pointed out in the Daily Tele- Enterprise – the ‘African Mission’. many years ago. It was only one room where Hilda of have been very difficult to graph – ‘Certain New Testament para- Many African Christian Leaders knew when I got home that I saw Whitby was being drama- get through last week with- bles illustrated, for her, how this her as the ‘Queen Jean’. AE Founder the bilious outpouring of tized. When I told her what out a strong faith”. She worked. The Good Samaritan would Michael Cassidy said ‘She was a ‘vin- unadulterated hatred. I was happening she replied made headlines when in have been no use without money. And tage woman of God, loved and admired couldn’t believe my eyes that that this must have been 1988 she gave what became in the Parable of the Talents, I wonder by so many all over the world’. I met people could be so callous. around the 600’s at the time known as The Sermon on whether the successful servant who her via her work for Samaritan’s Purse Did no-one consider the feel- of the Synod of Whitby. I the Mound – (the Mound turned his five talents into 10 would and mourn her passing. Gigi Graham – ings of her children and was impressed! I was being the artificial hill in have bothered to do so if he had been daughter of Billy – flew over from the grandchildren? Pictures of impressed too when she Edinburgh) - an address to taxed at 83 per cent [the top rate in the States specially to be at the service. celebrations and champagne encountered a group of the General Assembly of the late 1970s] on his gain. She did not She quoted from Proverbs 31 which and posters – the latter cour- small schoolchildren acting Church of Scotland. In it she mean society could go hang. Quite the describes an excellent woman and tesy of The Socialist Worker – out in the cold playground. offered a theological justifi- opposite: she wanted to return respon- Revd Preb Richard Bewes likened her and endless choruses of She gathered them together cation for her ideas on capi- sibility for the health of society to every to Deborah – a lady of ‘an iron will’. Not Ding Dong The Witch is and encouraged them to try talism and the market single citizen.’ ‘the iron lady’ but another woman Dead. A lot of the people and keep warm. Just like economy. She claimed that I met her on a few other occasions; a admired by the many all over the world ‘celebrating’ weren’t even any grandmother would – ‘Christianity is about spiritu- charity ball, a lunch and a Christmas for her dedication and passion.

Judy West’s It makes you think A vicar once made an investment in a country cot- tage, which he hoped to enjoy during his years of retirement. While he was still in the ministry, he would take one day off each week to go out to his cottage and work. But what a job! What he had Notes, Quotes & Anecdotes bought, he soon realized, was several acres of weeds, molehills, and rundown buildings. It was any- thing but attractive, but the vicar knew it had poten- The quest for perfection tial and he stuck with it. Urban Myths A young woman was preparing a ham dinner. Every week he’d go to his cottage and plough Bernard L Brown, a health care professional in America After she cut off the end of the ham, she placed it through the weeds with a vengeance. Then he’d once worked in a hospital where a patient knocked over a in a pan for baking. spend time doing repairs on the buildings. He’d mix cup of water, which spilled on the floor beside the Her friend asked her: “Why did you cut off the cement, cut timber, replace broken windows, and patient’s bed. The patient was afraid he might slip on the end of the ham?” work on the plumbing. It was hard work, but after water if he got out of the bed, so he asked an auxiliary She replied: “I really don’t know, but my moth- several months the place began to take shape. And nurse to mop it up. The patient didn’t know it, but the hos- er always did it, so I thought you were supposed every time the vicar put his hand to some task, he pital policy said that small spills were the responsibility of to.” would swell with pride. He knew his hard work was the auxiliaries while large spills were to be mopped up by Later, when she was talking to her mother, she finally paying off. the cleaning staff. asked why she cut off the end of the ham before When the project was completed, the vicar The auxiliary decided the spill was a large one and she baking it. Her mother replied: “I really don’t received a neighbourly visit from a farmer who lived called the cleaning department. A cleaner arrived and know, but that’s the way my mum always did it.” a few miles down the road. Farmer Brown took a declared the spill a small one. An argument followed. A few weeks later while visiting her grand- long look at the preacher and cast a longer eye over “It’s not my responsibility,” said the auxiliary, “because mother, the young woman asked: “Grandma, the revitalized property. Then he nodded his it’s a large puddle.” The cleaner did not agree. “Well, it’s why is it that you cut off the end of the a ham approval and said, “Well, preacher, it looks like you not mine,” she said, “the puddle is too small.” before you bake it?” and God really did some work here.” The exasperated patient listened for a time, then took a Her grandmother replied: “Well, dear, it would The vicar, wiping the sweat from his face, pitcher of water from his night table and poured the never fit into my baking pan.” answered, “It’s interesting you should say that, Mr whole thing on the floor. “Is that a big enough puddle now Brown. But I’ve got to tell you — you should have for you two to decide?” he asked. It was, and that was the Do you have a funny story, quotable quote or sermon seen this place when God had it all to himself!” end of the argument. illustration? Send them to The Church of England Newspaper, 14 Great College Street, London, SW1P 3RX or email [email protected] E4 www.englandonsunday.com Sunday April 21, 2013

Caring for th elderly in our churche

hurches play a vital role to elderly people across the country, providing them with care, expand St Ewolds care home and convert Maison de Ville care home into retirement f companionship and sometimes practical help. For some older people, these schemes and will come from the parish reserves and any sale of the new flats. Residents and staff w Cweekly meetings are their only chance to get out of the house and meet people. While moved into the expanded St Ewolds. Constable Crowcroft said the retirement flats wo these are great socially, many churches are arranging activities to teach things like computer above the nursery and parishioners would be asked to decide whether to sell off some skills. Could you be doing more to reach out to some of society’s most vulnerable? to recoup the costs.

St. John’s Parish, Eastbourne COFFEE POT COMPUTING (CPC) St Helier Parish, Jersey Based in Eastbourne, East Sussex, Coffee Pot Computing specialises in helping those People in St Helier have agreed to spend up to £15m on care for older parishioners. There are ‘mature years’ to get to grips with technology and enjoy using computers in their ever plans for retirement flats on the Maison de Ville site. St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft said lives. Meeting in the church hall, the group is split into small groups to learn necessar the funding was “almost unanimously” approved at the meeting. The money will be used to skills to use the computer and internet. www.coffeepotcomputing.co.uk

! !   "!  " " All Saints’ Church, Faring "   "  "   All Saints’ congregation is a m    " ! "  different ages from young fam  "       many elderly folk, and the ran activities we offer reflects thi Elderly members of the chur others, benefit from a range o including regular weekday se   prayer and Holy Communion Bible study groups and large & "!"#  books, service books, weekly " "'&2.      and church magazine for tho eyesight isn’t as good as it wa quality sound system and a lo      for those who are hard of hearing has also been fitted. The church also offers organised system for transporting disabled and elderly people to Sunday mor .-"1 Home Communion is also available, and the church participates with OTOP !&/2" #/-.0 (Outreach to Older People), organised by Churches Together in Faringdon.

St. John’s and Bridgette’s Church, Wavetree     Two churches in Wavetree are leading a campaign keep elderly people warm each winter, through the ,0-  !     Emergency Heating Scheme. St John’s and Bridget  !"!*!! "!# gathered £5,000 to support the scheme and from th ! #    generosity the programme has snowballed. Thirty were written to different companies pleading for he # "(      Liverpool. The scheme is now running in the city w      considerable affect. Merseyside Fire and Rescue ar     currently at the forefront of the bid to save more elderly pensioners from cold  # !"( 11+))# % !$! " "#     related deaths.

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper Sunday April 21, 2013 www.englandonsunday.com E5

(CASE STUDY): Storrington and Sullington Parish Council: any dioceses run or support the area, including Care in the organizations offering car to the Community, Dementia, and End of Life Melderly. Find out what is out are all key factors. Heavy snowfall in Storrington during the winter of 2009/2010 there to help you: For more information contact the prompted Storrington & Sullington Parish Council to consider how . best to help older and vulnerable residents, particularly those living in Good Neighbours Support Service more remote rural locations, who might find it difficult to access Location: Hampshire Network (100 Manormead Care Home essential services. voluntary groups) Location: Surrey The challenge for the Council was to find a flexible and cost effective Supported by: Church of England Run by: The Church of England response to the problem that would reach those most in need. Dioceses of Portsmouth, Winchester and Help offered: at Manormead Care The Parish Council was concerned that the snow, which lay for some Guildford Home, Nursing staff strive to maintain days, was causing considerable difficulties to local residents. Initially Help offered: dignity, individuality, independence and they compiled a list of able bodied volunteers who could group Taking people to GP, hospital and other privacy. Care is provided for individuals together in times of adverse weather to clear snow from selected health appointments who are unable to meet their own health areas, thus enabling people to move about more freely. Requests Help with shopping care needs through disability or infirmity seeking volunteers appeared in the Parish Newsletter. Befriending or visiting services and who require continuous intervention. Recognizing the particular difficulties faced by the elderly, Coffee mornings, lunch and social clubs The daily use of ‘care plans’ addresses the particularly those living in more remote locations, the Parish Council Minibus outings specific needs of the patients with then decided to try to see if they could get local people to help each For more information contact: interventions designed in the light of other. A letter was sent to each household in the parish asking http://www.goodneighbours.org.uk/website current knowledge. whether they would welcome an offer of assistance in poor weather or /. For more information contact the could offer to help someone else. It was delivered by hand along with Church of England Pensions Board. the parish magazine so costs were minimal. Transforming Communities Location: Lichield Run by: Diocese of Lichfield Help offered: the project is centred on mission and ministry, and one area of concern for them is the elderly. he Ensuring older people are able to participate in the life of the church, building multi- generational networks and es working with various agencies in

The Parish Council received a really good response to this letter and flats. It heard back from approximately 49 volunteers and 64 people who will be considered themselves vulnerable. ould be The staff at the parish office then carefully matched volunteers to e of them vulnerable people living relatively close by and after receiving the necessary agreement from each party, then shared their contact information. In cases of severe weather, infrastructure emergency or other disaster, the volunteers will contact their matched people to e in their make sure they are alright and to arrange any help that is required. ryday The Parish Council has received excellent feedback about this ry, key initiative, but as there has been no severe weather recently they have no examples of it being put to use. However, the reassurance of knowing that there is someone who will make contact should the need At the Christian Resources Exhibition, arise is itself of considerable value to the elderly and vulnerable. This simple and practical scheme was achieved at minimal cost. The Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey, Parish Council estimate the cost of sending the initial letters at under don £200 and the follow up administration at £100. The expected cost of from 14th to 17th May. mix of updating the list is less than £100 per annum. milies to This is a scheme that appears capable of being replicated almost nge of anywhere. Its benefits would seem particularly great in rural areas s diversity. where the difficulties faced by individual elderly or vulnerable rch, as well as residents may easily go unnoticed. Usefulness in Old Age with Hitchings of facilities Storrington & Sullington Parish Council’s Chairman, Anna ervices for Worthington-Leese commented. “The scheme is a very simple concept Many people feel useless in our society and even in the church. n, day-time based on matching those in need with those prepared to help. Quite They have many skills and so much to give but they are denied the print hymn apart from the obvious practical function, we feel that it gives those opportunity. This seminar will look at what the Bible says about the y news sheets who are elderly, vulnerable and /or isolated the feeling that they have role of older people in society and the church and how they can make se whose someone they can call on if they need help who will not consider it a a transforming difference by their contribution. as. A good nuisance. We feel that it helps to promote a “community” feeling and oop system consider it an important part of the Parish Council’s role to try and Circles of Support for dementia s an promote that feeling of involvement. rning service. caregivers with Janet Jacob Based on our new publication, ‘Helping to Put the Pieces Together’, which gives information for dementia caregivers, this seminar identifi es Trinity Church, Cambridge the circles of support that benefi t dementia caregivers, covering each aspect Every August, the Oasis Seniors’ of the condition, including a focus on the wellbeing of the caregiver. Holiday Club is an opportunity for to any “seniors” to enjoy a short break It also looks at the vital element of Christian, spiritual support. e new close to home. The programme, held tte’s over four days, aims to be as Boost your brain, strengthen your spirit heir relaxing and refreshing as and enjoy a great old age with Louise Morse letters possible. It is different each day but elp in includes worship, entertainment and The quality of life for older people can vary widely, from miserable and with a wide variety of optional activities. full of regret to fulfi lled and contented. This seminar looks at how re Christians can prepare cognitively, emotionally and spiritually for old age. d-

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper E6 www.englandonsunday.com Sunday April 21, 2013 A fascinating triptych with the man of the moment

The Place Beyond the Pines (cert. 15) confirms Ryan Gosling’s place as moody man of the moment. Put him on a motorbike and it’s James Dean redivivus. It is in effect three stories - writer-director Derek Cianfrance calls it a triptych. Luke Glanton (Gosling) is a stunt bike rider turning to crime, Avery Cross (Bradley Cooper) is the policeman who ends his career then gets involved in police corruption, and the final chapter shows us how sins of the fathers can be visited on sons. Luke rides the Ball of Death fairground show, and the annual schedule takes him back to the city of Schenectady, NY, and to Romina (Eva Mendes), now with his 3-month- old child Jason but living with Kofi (Mahershala Ali), who’s trying to be a dad to Jason. Luke quits the show to be near Romina and his son, but needs a job to support them as he promises. Robin (Ben Mendelsohn) runs a car repair shop out of town and offers Luke work and a trailer to stay in, but also has experience of supplementing income by the occasional poses a way out of his dilemma, which works quite well, er’s cop turned politician manages not to evoke much sym- bank robbery. Luke, with what Robin calls his “skill set”, and gets him off the force and into judicial office. It still pathy. The bank robberies come across as authentic – takes to this new line easily, but, against Robin’s advice, seems a fraught course for Avery then to try and build a Cianfrance had talked to perpetrators and victims, and in takes a gun. political career on his status as hero and whistleblower. one scene ordinary customers and tellers play themselves It’s not the bank robberies that land him in jail, but an Fifteen years later, he’s running for state attorney-gener- – but the real menace comes from Ray Liotta as one of assault on Kofi as he intervenes too much in Romina’s al, but now he’s separated from Jennifer and their son AJ Avery’s older colleagues. domestic arrangements. Robin bails him out, but another (Emory Cohen). AJ’s teenage rebellion brings him back The title derives from the Mohawk origin of Schenec- robbery goes wrong, leading to a shoot-out with a cop who into his father’s life – more than his father wants at this tady, where the film is set and was largely shot. Mike Pat- surely should have waited for backup. stage of the campaign. ton’s original music is often haunting, adding to the sense The film then turns on whether that cop, Avery, injured Luke’s son Jason (Dane DeHaan) is the same age, and of impending doom of a story that may seem contrived, in the incident, can get back to work. His superiors want to still wondering about what happened to his father. When and long (2 hours 20 minutes), but is a fascinating con- know what happened, his wife Jennifer (Rose Byrne) he finds out, it makes for a dramatic ending, but one that struction, complete with elements of Greek tragedy - and a struggles with his attitude, and his colleagues involve him leaves plenty of loose ends. couple of good road chases. in a scam that compounds his unease. Gosling – well tattooed, including a Bible on the back of His father (Harris Yulin), a retired judge, eventually pro- one hand – gives a simmering performance, while Coop- Steve Parish

DVD REVIEW Life Lessons from a life well lived

By Peter May Monroe’s wise words to her about the sharks in Rev, Series 2 tinsel town and of course there are plenty of “Life is a predator; you’ve got to eat it before it anecdotes about Dynasty including very funny Rev is being adapted for the States and has already eats you.” This is the motto the legendary and outtakes of her in her infamous Alexis role. been given the green light for a third series, but age defying Joan Collins lives by. This was a very Clips from The Bitch and Fantasy Island got such are the career trajectories of its leading play- enjoyable and intimate evening in which Joan big laughs especially the scenes from her ers (Olivia Colman seems everywhere at the reminisces about her vast career in tel- cheesier B-movie’s such as Empire of the Ants moment) that it will have to wait until 2014 to evision and Hollywood’s golden plus there is a show reel dedicated to catfights reach the screen. Meanwhile, the Series 2 DVD era. It is a very slick produc- for which there are plenty to choose a should keep viewers happy. tion tied together with old favourite from. Rev Adam Smallbone (Tom Hollander) may now photos from her early act- Once Joan has finished her trip down be used to life in inner city London, but it has done ing days and clips from memory lane, the lights go down and its nothing for his insecurities. He sees the promise her movies combined time for another quick costume of a new as welcome cover for his Sundays with the interruption of change. She returns and settles down off, but when she proves to be brilliant and popu- a phone ringing to answer questions from the audience lar, he grows jealous and changes his mind. onstage in which she with the help of her husband Percy Typically, this is only one strand of the episode, which also includes an answers pretending to Gibson. On the night I went one attempted trip to Greenbelt and genial down-and-out Colin giving Adam some re-enact her past con- questioner asked whether she Ecstasy. versations relating to actually owns a pair of tracksuit In a similar line, Matthew, the new science teacher at the church school is the story being told bottoms – surprisingly she does, good news, except that he is an atheist - and it doesn’t help Adam that before putting it but she made sure to mention Matthew is dating the headteacher, whom Adam is secretly in love with. down and carrying they are cashmere! It is the turn of Adam’s wife to be jealous when she goes away for the week- on with her narra- At the age of 16, Joan was end and returns to find Adoha cooking for him. This is the episode when the tion. told by her teachers that she archdeacon, played with delicious energy by Simon McBurney, comes out as Joan always comes didn’t have the acting chops gay. across as a very and that her dreams of being an Rev’s gravitas comes from being based on the experiences of real vicars, so confident woman and actress would remain the wealth of content is no surprise. We have a haunted room, a fake exor- this is evident with her unfulfilled. It looks as though cism, a school trip to let the inner-city kids see cows, and a visit by the god- sashaying around the Joan is having the last laugh. daughter from hell. stage while sharing her For me, the series is more drama than laugh-out-loud comedy, but that is humorous tales about the One Night with Joan is touring what gives power to its credibility and poignant moments. The Christmas time Joan Crawford the UK but returns to London’s episode builds brilliantly and its emotional clout is a fitting climax to this run. snubbed her, the Leicester Square Theatre on 26th It is not flawless. The first episode lacks oomph and the extras are again awkward scenes with April. very basic, but this welcome series is rich with characters and the humour of Bette Davis in The real life. Virgin Queen, Marilyn Joan Collins Tickets cost from £30. Derek Walker [email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper Sunday April 21, 2013 www.englandonsunday.com E7 The confusion of silence

Silence in Christian History words at crucial moments in his ministry but this feature the confessional, historical amnesia about the role of Diarmaid MacCulloch of Jesus’ life was not taken up by his immediate followers. women in the early church, censorship by the Catholic Allen Lane, hb, £20.00 MacCulloch argues that built into the Christian under- Church, clandestine belief accompanying outward con- standing of the New Testament is that it exists to put an formity, and silence about the role played by gays in the This is a fascinating but end to a great silence. ministry. also at times confusing Influence of Greek thought on Christianity led to a view In places this is a very personal book as MacCulloch book. The fascination arises of God who was beyond words or description or any alludes to his own background as a gay man. Rather touch- from the MacCulloch’s abil- human concept, even beyond being. According to MacCul- ingly in the acknowledgements he refers to the role Robert ity to explore aspects of the loch, the Church struggled to relate this understanding to Runcie played in his life when his own feelings towards past that have received little the more passionate picture of a God involved in human institutional Christianity were not very positive and writes attention and to make con- affairs it had inherited from Judaism. Gradually the ascetic of the former Archbishop that ‘his friendship was one of nections that have escaped tradition found a home in the Church, beginning in Syria the most important, enjoyable and enlightening that I have other historians; the confu- and slowly spreading elsewhere. “Its sources were more known’. sion arises from the way dif- likely to come from outside the biblical faith than from Because of his position on the margins of the Church, ferent types of silence are within,” MacCulloch claims in a judgement some will no MacCulloch is always alert to the way outside influences all discussed under the doubt challenge. have shaped Christian faith and practice and to the fact same general heading. As Evagrius of Pontus was the first to really stress progres- that doctrine has not always been as fixed and stable as the book progresses, the sion from public prayer to meditation and then contempla- orthodox theologians like to claim. His hostility to the confusion decreases but the tion. His influence was later eclipsed by the anonymous institutional Church of Rome does not stop him recognis- reader is left wondering writer who called himself Dionysius the Aeropagite. Neo- ing the value of individual Catholic thinkers. He refers to whether a thematic rather platonism and Eastern religions were big influences. this book as a ‘necessary penitential stripping of altars’ that than a narrative approach Although MacCulloch admits that he is no fan of the seeks to expose cover-ups, denials and forgetfulness but might have worked better. Church of Rome, he is no great admirer of Protestantism he also aims to show the positive role silence has played in In support of his approach, MacCulloch argues that either. He describes the Reformation as the inauguration the history of the Church. One of his best quotes comes silence is always contextual. It gradually seeped into the of ‘one of the noisiest periods in Christian history’ and from WH Vanstone. He once described the Church as ‘like consciousness of the Israelites through the Temple liturgy, argues that far from promoting an individualist style of a swimming pool in which all the noise comes from the a sense of the silence of the cosmos, and the ministry of Christianity, Protestantism was too communal with an shallow end’. Second Isaiah. Jews also began to pick up Plato’s fascina- emphasis on corporate worship that left people with little This book is based on the Gifford Lectures delivered in tion with the silence of the divine but even so an interest in time to be alone with God. Change came from the radicals, Edinburgh in 2006. It deserves a wide audience for its revi- silence is not a strong feature of their writings. especially the Quakers. sionist but sympathetic account of the role played by dif- Jesus followed the ‘minority report’ of the Tanakh as can But as well as silence in prayer and mediation, MacCul- ferent forms of silence in the history of the Church. be seen in his retreat into the wilderness and his lack of loch discuses many other forms of silence: the silence of Paul Richardson The pick of the new releases Published in 2010 but still available is psychological and spiritual wholeness he the infancy narratives and is published by hagiography. She travelled on preaching Nicholas Perrin’s ‘Jesus and the Tem- had not known before. Bloomsbury and can be highly recom- tours and rebuked clergy and laity alike. In ple’ (SPCK), it should be read by anyone Has ‘see you on Facebook’ replaced ‘see mended. Without ignoring the findings of a ‘Taste of Hildegard’ (New City) Eliza- with a serious interest in the New Testa- you at the pub?’ How is technology chang- New Testament scholarship, the author is beth Ruth Obard has edited selections ment. The author, who teaches at ing our lives? Is it stealing something more interested in the spiritual meaning of from Hildegard’s first book ‘Scivias’ which Wheaton, was formerly research assistant essential in return for all its marvellous the infancy narratives. This is the fruit of a aimed to set out the way of salvation. There to NT Wright and the book is dedicated to gifts? John Lynch, a priest and seminary lifetime’s scholarship, prayer and reflec- is an excellent introduction that outlines Bishop Tom and his wife, Molly. Perrin rector in Rome, explores some of these tion. Hildegard’s life and lots of illustrations. A writes in an accessible style and offers new questions in ‘The Scent of Lemons’ Hildegard of Bingen (1098 – 1179) com- good, short sampler of someone recently insights to help us under- (DLT). posed music, produced plays and wrote on named by Roman Catholics as a ‘doctor of stand the historical Jesus. Jeremy Worthen, Princi- natural science, medicine, theology and the Church’. One critic found this book pal of the South East Insti- hard to put down. Highly rec- tute for Theological ommended. Education, explores the What light can poetry shed issue of vocation in on religious belief and nation- ‘Responding to God’s al identity? ‘Redcrosse’, edit- Call’ (Canterbury). There Subscribe to ed by Ewan Fernie are already a number of (Bloomsbury) is a collection books on this subject but the print of essays in which the editor, this new study comes rec- a Shakespearean scholar, the- ommended by John edition for ologian Andrew Shanks, and Pritchard, Graham Tom- contemporary poets Jo Shap- lin, Martin Percy, Paul £17.50 cott, Michael Symonds Avis, and the President of Roberts and Andrew Motion the Methodist Conference, reflect on this question. The Mark Wakelin. That’s right, you can book includes ‘Redcrosse’, a Bill Medley, who has subscribe to the print liturgy for St George’s Day, and reflections worked as a stand-up comedian and profes- edition and have it sent to you by of the creation of the liturgy by John Mil- sional entertainer, gives the five major reli- post every week for three months bank, Salley Vickers, and Sarah Apertrei gions, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, for just £17.50. (as well as the contributors to this book Judaism and Islam, a layman’s examination who helped created the liturgy). This is an in ‘Religion is for Fools’ (Authentic). important resource for St George’s Day Medley has produced satires on religion; Email and carries an endorsement by Bishop now he gives it a more serious examina- [email protected] Rowan Williams. tion. or telephone 020 7222 8663 In ‘The Exquisite Risk of Love’ (DLT) David Ford’s ‘Shape of Living’ (Canter- Robert Waldron chronicles the love bury) first appeared in 1997 under the old Thomas Merton felt for a young nurse who Fount imprint. Now it has been re-issued. In addition to the print edition you cared for him during spinal illness. The It asks how we can cope creatively with all will also get full access to our website at book reproduces 18 love poems by Merton the influences that shape our daily lives. www.churchnewspaper.com with references from his journal and the Widely reviewed but not yet noted in editor argues that this forbidden relation- these pages is the final volume of Pope ship made it possible for Merton to attain a Benedict’s life of Jesus, which deals with

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper E8 www.englandonsunday.com Sunday April 21, 2013 Janey Lee Grace Live Healthy! Live Happy!

and had horrible symptoms. Women were so determined to have a tiny waist they squeezed themselves into corsets with metal eyelets to pull the strings even tighter. We laugh now at the images New Age of swooning Victorian women with heaving bosoms pushed high by metal corsets and remember how they seemed to need smelling salts at all times, yet this prac- tice continued even through pregnancy and caused seri- ous damage to their internal organs. It was the age when women eschewed the benefits of Killers breast milk and offered their tots formula milk in glass bottles with rubber teats that were cleaned only every If you are a fan of the ‘ever-increasing in popularity’ chan- three weeks or so, by which time massive amounts of nel BBC 4 you may have seen the excellent programme bacteria had developed. ‘Hidden Killers of the Victorian Age’. We interviewed the ‘Silly Victorians!’ you may cry and yet their follies presenter, historian and author Dr Suzannah Lispcomb enabled us to safeguard ourselves. How much we owe about her work discovering the lethal killers that lurked them! But I can’t help but wonder what a documentary in quencies on the human race! in every room of the Victorian home. several hundred years might say about our age. ‘Obvious The ‘look back to the 2000s’ report might say ‘Some women It was a time of great innovation as they lapped up the killers of the 2000s’ could be the headline and no doubt of the age wore ‘shape-wear’ and tried strict calorie-controlled latest products, gadgets and conveniences but in an age the historians of the future will talk with wry amusement diets. To look younger they underwent the knife in strange, with no health and safety standards they were unwitting- about the ‘Warned generation’ that whilst continuing expensive surgical procedures and opted for injections into ly turning their homes into hazardous death traps. While with known carcinogens such as mercury fillings in their their face known as ‘Botox’ - a treatment popular with the rich they confronted the challenges of ruling an empire, per- teeth, bottle-fed babies (albeit sterilising the teats), high- and famous. Despite lessons learnt from their Victorian peers haps the most dangerous environment they faced was ly process foods with high levels of sugar and artificial they still bombarded their homes and personal care products their own homes. sweeteners, misuse of medication and intervention and with potentially toxic chemicals. Suzannah revealed some horror tales of wallpaper added in a dangerous dose of synthetic hormone disrupt- Lets hope it’s not the case: wouldn’t it be great if the docu- laced with arsenic and lead in the paint as people revelled ing chemicals into household and personal care prod- mentary of the future said we were aligned with faith, hope, in the idea of brightly coloured walls in their homes, chil- ucts. And the biggest one of all in my view, the mass sustainability and were open to the holistic approach for the dren picked off the wallpaper (as they are want to do) ‘experiment’ of the infiltration Electro Magnetic Fre- greater good.

Across 2 Liturgical choral piece (5) PRIZE CROSSWORD No. 845 by Axe 4 The Magi (5,4,3) 1 '-- -- kings reign and rulers issue 5 Vessel, as used in the Bible, possibly decrees that are just' [Prov/NIV] (2,2) to store holy oil, water, wine or blood 3 'You blind guides! You ----- out a gnat (7) but swallow a camel' [Matt/NIV] (6) 6 Those in enclosed orders living under 9 'When the Lord ------to Zion, they will vows of poverty, chastity and obedi- see it with their own eyes' [Isa/NIV] ence (4) (7) 7 Consecrated elements used in the cel- 10 Northern diocese whose cathedral ebration of the Eucharist (5,3,4) was a collegiate church, built in 1604 8 'Throwing his cloak -----, he jumped to after the dissolution of a 7th century his feet and came to Jesus' monastery there... (5) [Mark/NIV] (5) 11 ...and a southern diocese developed 12 'They blindfolded him and ------, on two towns, officially merged in "Prophesy! Who hit you?"' 1245 (4,3,5) [Luke/NIV] (8) 13 'Then the Lord said to 14 Edom as it was called in (Greek) New Moses..."Say...Move away from the Testament times [Mark] (7) tents of Korah, Dathan and ------"' 16 'The fasts...will become joyful and glad [Num/NIV] (6) occasions and ----- festivals for Judah' 15 Acts of ------: an apocryphal account of [Zech/NIV] (5) the trial, death and resurrection of 18 'Turn away from godless chatter and Christ (6) the opposing ----- of what is falsely 17 First Sunday in Lent, named for the called knowledge' [1 Tim/NIV] (5) forty days fast (12) 19 Roman province of W Turkey, which 20 Hindu religious teacher (5) included Ephesus [Acts; Rev] (4) 21 Stipend assigned by a cathedral to a canon (7) Solutions to last week’s crossword 22 'Saul went to the city of ------and set an ambush in the ravine' [1 Sam/NIV] Across: 7 Davidian, 8 Obed, 9 Harp, 10 Chapters, (6) 11 Midrash, 12 Egypt, 15 Tithe, 17 23 'They took pride in their...jewellery Pauline, 20 Baptists, 22 Owns, 23 Fair, 24 and ---- it to make their ...idols' Ecce homo. [Ezek?NIV] (4) Down: 1 Hanani, 2 Zipporah, 3 Diocese, 4 Annas, 5 Down Font, 6 Rear up, 13 Golgotha, 14 Cassock, The first correct entry drawn will win a book of the Editor’s choice. Send your 16 Isaiah, 18 No name, 19 Asher, 21 Tyre. entry to Crossword Number 845, The Church of England Newspaper, 1 Robber released by 15 (8) 14 Great College Street, Westminster, London, SW1P 3RX by next Friday

Name SCRIBBLE PAD STAIRLIFTS FROM £995 Address NEW OR REFURBISHED FOR AN INFORMATION PACK CALL Telephone FREE on Post Code 0800 007 6959 www.castlecomfortstairlifts.com See our notice on page 11 for Clergy disount Leader & Comment Sunday April 21, 2013 www.churchnewspaper.com 9 Comment Church backs ‘Men and Women in Marriage’ Mission

Mr Cameron’s sudden conversion to being a passionate believer in ‘gay marriage’, dramatically announced at last year’s Conservative Party Conference to a stunned audience, may have been caused by his opinion pollster, Andrew Cooper. An ‘ultra-moderniser’, he convinced Mr Cameron that ‘gay marriage’ was the sure fire way to win votes, Accomplished despite a few grumbles. Mr Cooper is now leaving Number 10 to rejoin Populus, the polling company, since his advice proved to be cata- strophically bad, alienating a huge segement of former Conservative voters. The point to be gleaned for the Church is that a core social eth- own strength and on your many warriors, the roar ical institution has been radicalised by an opinion pollster, and purely of battle will rise against your people, so that all for party political reasons. Can this be justified? your fortresses will be devastated.” Then there is Mr Cameron is forcing through this change to the UK’s historic the pregnant sentence, “If they do these things (the social institution, the state is coercing society: in contradiction to his Alan crucifixion) when the tree is green, what will hap- ‘big society’ manifesto message. Any such change should have been pen when it is dry?” The meaning is clear. The placed in his next election manifesto for the people to decide, not an Roman horror will come, and it is the children of opinion pollster of a politically correct persuasion. Likewise Mr Storkey the mourning women who will be crushed and Cameron has said several times that he wants to support the Estab- burned to death. lished Church: in fact he has coerced it and worsened its problems of And so it was. Josephus reports that a million handling division over homosexuality considerably. It is probably true people died in Jerusalem in AD70 and the tight that ‘establishment’ is now threatened, since no Christian Church can streets ran so thick with blood that the blood put accept having its theological ethics decided by the state, Hitler was the out fires. It was the abomination of war, the awful last European leader to try that policy. The lawyers are clearly worried war, that Jesus had pressed so dramatically on his that the Church needs to keep in step with government legislation on hearers. His purpose, as we know from John 17, civil partnerships and marriage. On 1 May it will be 10 years since George Bush was that not one of the disciples would be lost. The Faith and Order Advisory Commission of General Synod, a landed on USS Abraham Lincoln and announced “ When Jesus sees war with such clarity, why should body composed of bishops and academics, has produced ‘Men and In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies we not? Women in Marriage’ as a positive statement of Christian marriage, (Tony Blair and us) have prevailed.” Above him on The time has come for Christians to stand in and reinforcing the previous statement by the bishops that ‘marriage is a the great aircraft carrier was the banner saying, proclaim the peace they have received from Christ. creation ordinance, a gift of God in creation’, is ‘a faithful, committed, “Mission Accomplished” in case people did not get It is far fuller than we often allow. Jesus did not say, permanent and legally sanctioned relationship between a man and a the message. In further confirmation Bush put his woman’ and ‘is central to the stability and health of human society’. But thumb up. But he was wrong. homosexuality is presenting problems, compared to that of divorce He was wrong because the trust in the great and polygamy, in the FOAC paper. These are dealt with ‘pastorally’ and American war machine, the most powerful the in person. Marriage cannot be redefined to solve this issue. Rather ‘a world has known, was false. If we trust and worship degree of flexibility’ may be called for in upholding marriage and help- these things our hands have made, rather than the ing those caught up in problematic patterns of life – as for missionaries true God, we worship a lie. The idol did not work. dealing with polygamous wives as kindly as possible. FOAC says the The war did not finish then, because there are two Church can ‘devise accommodations’ on an individual basis. This looks sides in a war and it is still going on. like Roman Catholic and Orthodox confessional practice for individu- He also had not heeded Christ’s words, “Those als. But the goal of that is that the penitent accommodates herself to who take the sword, die by the sword”, words Peter, God’s revealed ways, not the other way round – although priests say who first heard them, must have seen more deeply that very many homosexual partnerships are in fact accepted in this as he too faced a violent death. Sadly, they have secret system. And the state created ‘civil partnerships’, these must be again proved true, as if Vietnam was not warning recognised by the Church or state prosecution could occur: are these enough. Since Bush proclaimed victory, some 4,600 to compel ‘accommodations’ - gradually overturning the excellent doc- body bags have come back, and 32,000 more Allied trine of the FOAC paper, in practice? At least the paper upholds Chris- troops have major injuries – amputations and the tian marriage. like - almost certainly a big underestimate. It was also wrong because this war of “liberation” has resulted in something between 150,000 and a The Church of England Newspaper million violent Iraqi deaths, and a nation, a precious with Celebrate magazine incorporating The Record and Christian Week and honourable nation, being convulsed in civil war, Published by Religious Intelligence Ltd. for wars cause civil wars among the defeated. That Company Number: 3176742 is the way the Nazis were born. We, the Allies, have Publisher: Keith Young MBE devastated a nation, attacking a disarmed nation, illegally on the basis of a lie. How can a war, destroying people and property, doing evil, produce Publishing Director & Editor: CM BLAKELY 020 7222 8004 what is good? It cannot. Chief Correspondent: The Rev Canon GEORGE CONGER 00 1 0772 332 2604 And so, 10 years later, this horrendous error Reporter: AMARIS COLE 020 7222 8700 appears before us. We can learn from history and wars are wrong. They fail. They have no point. They Advertising: CHRIS TURNER 020 7222 2018 are not fit for purpose. Advertising & Editorial Assistant: PENNY NAIR PRICE 020 7222 2018 We, Christians, should know this from Christ, especially at Easter. Three times he warned Subscriptions & Finance: DELIA ROBINSON 020 7222 8663 Jerusalem and the disciples about war, thoughtless Graphic Designer: PETER MAY 020 7222 8700 for himself. First he wept over the city when the people were looking for triumph. “If you, even you, Blessed are those who wage just wars, for they will The acceptance of advertising does not necessarily indicate had only known on this day what would bring you be children of God. Just War Theory was born of endorsement. Photographs and other material sent for publication peace” and warned them of the slaughter to come. compromise with emperors, holy and unholy. are submitted at the owner’s risk. The Church of England Newspaper Then as Jesus left the Temple he warned the dis- Peacemaking deconstructs militarism. It disallows does not accept responsibility for any material lost or damaged. ciples that not one stone will be left on another and both Iraq wars and the selling of the arms that pre- Christian Weekly Newspapers Trustees: Robert Leach (020 8224 5696), that the time would come when those in Judea cipitated them, for the West sold the weapons that it Lord Carey of Clifton, The Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, The Rt Rev , should flee to the mountains. Quite deliberately he then attacked. It disallows faith in arms and mili- Dr Elaine Storkey, The Rev Peter Brown, The Rev Cindy Kent said: “See I have warned you ahead of time.” tarism, and it follows the depths of the Prince of Then, finally, carrying his cross with Simon of Peace in unfolding the Gospel Good News to all The Church of England Newspaper, Cyrene, in an awesome act of selflessness he nations. Religious Intelligence Ltd turned to the mourning women and suggested they Christians worldwide, including Anglicans, can 14 Great College Street, London, SW1P 3RX think about mourning for themselves and their chil- follow Christ in peace-making, in working for full Editorial e-mail: [email protected] dren. He insisted they would even mourn that their multilateral world disarmament, where all swords Advertising e-mail: [email protected] children had been born. are beaten into ploughshares, and the good news of Subscriptions e-mail: [email protected] He then quoted the calamities described in the gentle kingdom of peace will reign over the Hosea 10, which further says, “You have eaten earth, and the lamb is recognised as rightly on the Website: www.churchnewspaper.com deception. Because you have depended on your throne. Now, that will be Mission Accomplished.

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12 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday April 21, 2013 Classifieds/The Register

Assistant Curate (Associate Vicar), Chandler’s Ford (Win- ANGLICAN CYCLE chester): to be Priest-in-Charge, Hedge End St Luke (same diocese). OF PRAYER The Rev Trevor Goddard, NSM (Assistant Curate), Kensal Rise St Mark (London): Sunday 21 April. Easter 4. Psalm 78:65-72, Deut. to be NSM (Priest-in-Charge), South Kenton (same dio- 7:6-11. National Indigenous Bishop - (Ontario, Cana- cese). da): The Rt Rev Mark Lawrence MacDonald The Rev Trevor Golding: to be Vicar, Ipswich St Augustine (St Edmundsbury and Monday 22 April. Psalm 45:1-4,6-7, Rev. 1:1-8. Nava- Ipswich). joland Area Mission - (VIII, The Episcopal Church): The Rev Peter Hall, The Rt Rev David Bailey Vicar, Fareham St John (Portsmouth): to be Priest-in- Charge, Crookhorn; and Assistant Curate, Purbrook Tuesday 23 April. St George’s Day. Psalm 101, Rev. (same diocese). 3:14-22. Ndokwa - (Bendel, Nigeria): The Rt Rev The Rev Stephen Kaye, David Obiosa Assistant Curate (Assistant Priest), Washburn Valley and Mid-Wharfe (Bradford): to be Assistant Curate (Associate Wednesday 24 April. Psalm 18:1-6, Rev. 14:6-13. Priest), Abbeylands (Ripon and Leeds). Nebbi - (Uganda): The Rt Rev Alphonse Watho-kudi The Rev Ellen Loudon, Priest-in-Charge, Walton St Luke (Liverpool): to be also Thursday 25 April. Psalm 18:7-12, Rev. 14:14-20. Area Dean, Walton Deanery; and Hon Canon, Liverpool Nebraska - (VI, The Episcopal Church): The Rev Cathedral (same diocese). Scott Barker The Rev Patrick MacBain, Assistant Curate, Worksop St Anne (Southwell and Not- Friday 26 April. Psalm 16, Deut. 8:1-10. Nelson - tingham): to be Vicar, Danehill (Chichester). (Aotearoa NZ & Polynesia): The Rt Rev Victor The Rev Timothy Meathrel, Richard Ellena Assistant Curate, Harborne Heath (Birmingham): to be Assistant Curate (Associate Vicar), Clifton Christ Church Saturday 27 April. Psalm 81:1-7, Deut. 8:11-20. with Emmanuel (). Nevada - (VIII, The Episcopal Church): The Rt Rev The Rev Adrian Pearce, Dan Edwards NSM (Assistant Curate), Jersey St Luke with St James; and NSM (Assistant Curate), Jersey St Mary (Winches- ter): to be NSM (House for Duty Priest-in-Charge), Bournemouth St Ambrose; and NSM (House for Duty), APPOINTMENTS Bournemouth St Francis (same diocese). The Rev Alicia Petty, Rector, Sawley; and Dean of Women’s Ministry (Derby): New to be Vicar, Littleover (same diocese). Remaining Dean of The Rev Canon Simon Baker, Women’s Ministry. Director of Ministry and Pastoral Planning (Winchester): The Rev Paul Rattigan, to be Archdeacon of Lichfield; and Rector, Lichfield St Vicar, Boldmere (Birmingham): to be Canon for Disciple- Michael with St Mary and Wall St John (Lichfield). ship, Liverpool Cathedral (Liverpool). The Rev Simon Richardson, The Rev Peter Anthony, Chaplain, Loughborough University (Leicester): to be Junior Dean, St Stephen’s House Oxford; and Junior NSM (House for Duty Priest), Barrow Upon Soar with Chaplain, Merton College Oxford (Oxford): to be Priest- Walton Le Wolds; and NSM (House for Duty Priest), in-Charge, Kentish Town (London). Wymeswold and Prestwold with Hoton (same diocese). The Rev Nigel Asbridge Priest-in-Charge, Edmonton St Mary with St John (Lon- don): to be also Priest-in-Charge, Great Cambridge Road THE 2013 St John and St James (same diocese) BIBLE CHALLENGE The Rev Marina Brain, Chaplain, HM Prison Coldingley (Guildford): is now Sen- ior Chaplain, HM Prison Winchester (Winchester). Day 111 Enjoy hearing the Scriptures read aloud in The Rev Clive Doran, church Vicar, Huyton St George; and Bishop’s Adviser on Chil- Day 112 1 Kings 1-3, Psalm 98, Acts 13 dren and Communion (Liverpool): to be to be Team Vicar, Day 113 1 Samuel 25-27, Psalm 88, Acts 2 Parr (same diocese). Day 114 1 Samuel 28-30, Psalm 89:1-8, Acts 3 The Rev Fiona Gibbs, Day 115 1 Samuel 31, Psalm 89:19-52, Acts 4 Anglican Life Sunday April 21, 2013 www.churchnewspaper.com 13 Should we really arm the Syrian rebels?

By Jeremy Moodey machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades are British! Of course it is not a war against the Assad regime that is When I joined the Foreign Office as a callow trainee diplo- being fought here, but a proxy war by the West and its mat almost 30 years ago, Britain still clung proudly to the regional allies against the influence of President Assad’s notion that it was a global superpower with real diplomatic backers, Russia and Iran. Britain is still fighting the battles influence. For there was at the heart of British foreign pol- of the 19th century, when it struggled with Russia for mas- icy a post-colonial conceit. We really believed that a nation tery in Central Asia in the so-called ‘Great Game’. that had built the largest empire the world had ever Hague’s front man in the campaign to arm the rebels is known, covering a quarter of the globe’s land mass, had a former Foreign Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind. Speaking unique right to punch above its weight on the international on BBC Radio 4 last month he argued that there was a stage. Back in the early 1980s, before our foreign policy humanitarian imperative to arm the rebels, to “tip the bal- became enfeebled by European bureaucracy, we British ance” in their fight against Assad. He seemed oblivious to diplomats were the true masters of the universe. In fact the the fact that any escalation in arms supplies to the rebels hubris stayed with me into the 1990s, when I became one would lead to increased Russian, Iranian and Hezbollah of the new masters, an investment banker. support for the Syrian government, leading to even more But how did this grandeur fit with our moral stance as a bloodshed. There is now a serious risk that Assad’s arsenal nation? After Labour’s election victory in 1997 Robin Cook of chemical weapons will be used against the rebels. It is became Foreign Secretary and began talking about the really quite simple: you cannot end the violence in Syria by need for an “ethical” foreign policy. You could almost hear escalating the violence. the FCO mandarins sniggering into their gin and tonics at If we cannot rely on the British government to find its their elite watering-hole of choice, the Travellers’ Club on moral compass, how should we Christians respond to the Pall Mall. They would have found comfort in the Henry terrible events unfolding in Syria? Well there are no easy Kissinger quote: “A country that demands moral perfec- answers. But we were called by Jesus himself to be peace- tion in its foreign policy will achieve neither perfection nor makers, which is not the same as pacifists (the Greek word security”. Robin Cook was gone within a few years, and used in Matthew 5:9 implies active peace-making, of the since then Britain seems to have developed a unique knack ambassadorial kind). We are enjoined (Hebrews 12:14) to of ending up on the wrong – and often the unethical – side “make every effort to live in peace with everyone”, which of the diplomatic debate. again hardly implies inactivity on the part of the peace- The British historian Mark Curtis charted this moral member states were recognising the Palestinian bid for maker. And of course, empowered by the Holy Spirit and decline in his 2003 book “Web of Deceit: Britain’s Real Role non-member observer status at the UN, Britain spinelessly following the supreme example of Jesus, we are to seek in the World”. He noted that since 1945 Britain has in many decided to abstain, while lecturing the Palestinians on how peace even against all the odds (Philippians 4:13). respects become a rogue state, promoting immoral poli- they should endeavour to end the 45-year Israeli occupa- The international community has shamefully failed the cies in Kenya, Malaya, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Iraq and tion of their land. Britain’s largest arms customer, Saudi Syrian people with its toothless diplomacy, and now it Indonesia, while supporting repressive states such as Arabia, is condemned by organisations such as Amnesty wants to compound that failure by supplying yet more Israel, Russia, Turkey and the Gulf states. Britain was even International and Human Rights Watch for its appalling instruments of death. As Christians we must urge our gov- complicit with France in the Rwandan genocide of 1994 by human rights record. ernment to work for peace, not yet more bloodshed. failing to act to stop the bloodshed when it had the power And now we learn that Foreign Secretary William Hague to do so. is pressing his European partners to relax the EU embar- Jeremy Moodey is a former FCO diplomat (1983-93) and So there can be little surprise that even today Britain go on providing arms to the Syrian rebels. As if a civil war is now Chief Executive of Embrace the Middle East, the continues to get the wrong end of the ethical foreign policy which has already yielded over 70,000 deaths, one million interdenominational development charity that tackles pover- stick, especially when it comes to the Middle East. It has refugees and 3.6 million internally displaced persons ty and injustice in the lands of the Bible. Embrace has given been ever thus, even going back to the 1917 Balfour Decla- (IDPs), as well as (to use the words of one development £250,000 in humanitarian support to local Christian agen- ration, which had the temerity to give the Jewish people a agency) a “collapse in childhood” for two million Syrian cies working with Syrian refugees and IDPs, and has just “national home” in Palestine, which actually belonged to children, really needed yet more weapons being passed launched its Syria appeal at somebody else. Last November, when a majority of EU around. But just think of the jobs back here in the UK if the www.embraceme.org/syria2013. Church Society director welcomed at Commissioning service

By David Meager After the commissioning, Lee then spoke about his vision for Church Society. This included a brief outline of On Saturday 2 March, Christ Church, Cambridge, was the history of the Society whose forebears were estab- filled for the Commissioning Service of the Rev Lee Gatiss lished from 1835. It was these forebears who had main- as Director of Church Society. tained protestant over many years and The service was led by Bishop Wallace Benn, former Bish- through which the Anglican Church League in Australia op of Lewes, and Vice President of Church Society. After a and the Church Society both derive. Both share a common hymn, psalm and reading, the Rev Paul Darlington, Vicar ancestor in the National Church League! of Holy Trinity, Oswestry, preached on Jude 17-25. Paul Lee then outlined the main areas of work that the Socie- encouraged those of us involved in the work of Church ty is involved in today including campaigning, patronage, Society to continue to contend for biblical truth in the and politics, and the vital role that the Society has to play Church of England, and to do so in a way that was winsome today in both church and state. Lee’s refrain was that all and gracious; in the hope that we would not only see the should be done for the glory of God and the good of Eng- truth preserved, but also that those opposed to the truth land. might be mercifully won to it. Following Lee’s talk, prayers were led by the Rev Dr Following Paul’s sermon, Bishop Wallace led the com- Simon Vibert, Vice Principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, fol- missioning part of the service which included representa- lowed by a final hymn by AM Toplady, then blessing by tives from several conservative evangelical organisations, Bishop Wallace. The service was closed with Lee and including Dr Kirsten Birkett from , and Kerry Gatiss being invited (unexpectedly) onto the plat- the Rev David Jackman, former President of the Proclama- form for a round of applause! The music was well led by an tion Trust. The representatives put a number of questions accomplished music group. After the service a good time to Lee, including whether he would ‘promote and maintain of fellowship was enjoyed over tea in the hall. the true profession of the gospel, the Protestant Reformed Overall the day was a great encouragement as we com- religion’, and also whether he would ‘work to promote mitted to God Lee’s future ministry with Church Society. Bishop unity amongst all those who sincerely believe this gospel, Please do continue to pray for Lee, Kerry and the family as Wallace Benn whatever their denomination.’ they embark on this strategic work. 14 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday April 21, 2013 College Street

Hello! Welcome back to College Street. I don’t know about you, but I am busy. I sit for hours on trains each week yet still don’t find the time to read a good book between checking my emails and catching up on the papers – am I the only one who has a literature-shaped hole in their life? Well help is on hand. The interns at College Street have been hunting through a selection of new releases this month to find their two favourite books that we should all read. I’ve promised to put down the phone and pick up a book, I hope you will too. We also hear from Hannah, a London student who hosted the Youth Alpha in her flat. Would you and your friends benefit from attending the course? Find out more below. As ever, I would love to hear from you. Drop me an email on [email protected] or tweet me @AmarisColeCEN.

Do you want to share your faith with your friends, but don’t know how!?

“Organising a carnival-themed launch party which will attract and enter- laugh at my pitiful attempts at bowling! tain a couple of hundred students is always going to be a chal- Each week is a mixture of fear and excitement, wonder- lenge. However, it was a challenge that I and the amazing ing whether anyone will actually show up... However, God team at HTB Students and Student Alpha were willing to is so faithful, we have had at least 3 non-Christians turn up accept. Fortunately for us, the appeal of free food and drink each week and there were some great conversations and was incentive enough to persuade 250 students to descend moments where things like the cross and faith have start- upon Holy Trinity Brompton, Onslow Square. ed to make sense to people. God did some amazing Hours of hanging bunting and balloons, popping corn and things through the course and we would definitely do it spinning candyfloss culminated in an amazing evening. There again.” was a real buzz as guests enjoyed the carnival stalls while Hannah is a student who attends Holy Trinity “friendly” competition was encouraged on the gladiator duel. Brompton. (Which is a lot harder than it looks, as the bruise on my arm a Alpha is a practical introduction to the Christian faith, week later proved!!) aimed particularly at non-churchgoers and new Chris- I chatted to so many new people, many of whom had never tians. The course can be customised for any context and is stepped foot into a church before, let alone a church full of running in over 163 countries worldwide, in homes, pris- young people, with Justin Timberlake blaring out of the speak- ons, universities, schools, and churches of every Chris- ers and plenty of free alcohol! tian denomination. But the launch party was just the beginning! Five SA courses Alpha can be customised to fit whatever culture, com- then took place throughout London, run by students, for stu- munity or demographic you belong too. Recently the Students at dents. Holy Trinity Brompton Church in South Kensington launched and then ran some At my SA, we ate dinner at my flat, watched the talk on the TV and then took Alpha’s all over London. For more info about running an Alpha for Students go to the conversation over to the local bowling alley, where we get to chat and have a . We’d love to hear from you!

A Comedian Walks into a Books of the Month Babe’s Bible: Gorgeous Grace Church by Paul Kerensa Babe’s Bible Sequel by Karen Jones more concerns. For example, she acci- A woman will always have hardships. dentally brings her best friend Chloe, Ever have a weird feeling about religion and This has become a consistent face to face with her past. feel too ashamed to remark on it? It is almost theme since the dawn of time. This seems like a pattern like you felt like a kid, but you are trying to Sex trafficking, drugs, and theme throughout the story. deny it. temptation are only a few sec- With personal advice from Well that is what Paul Kerensa has easily writ- tions of the madness that her faith based intuition, ten about so we can laugh at it and at ourselves. media and the world have Grace adheres to her gut Kerensa shares his triumph and disappoint- recently seen. It’s time Chris- which allows her to make the ment in So a Comedian Walks into a Church… tians stop hiding from it and best decisions God could in addressing the weirdest thoughts on how understand the problems com- hope for. people actually feel about religion. ing from it. The book touches on real The story not only remarks on visiting Karen Jones backs up Babe’s issues for women like making churches, but also everyday problems we later Bible: Gorgeous Grace with a love, teenager rants, and jug- laugh at. “gracious” sequel that finally gling the family lifestyle. It He reveals his tragic run in with closing a doorless handle, commit- addresses the concerns of real crisis as does not go with the typical flow of a ting to one woman forever, and heckling an audience member who well as rapping up problems from its female’s happy ending, but also allows was making a kind remark. predecessor. for some to not come out on top. Although he has touched on this randomly throughout the book, Jones writes about Grace, a mother The sequel is worth the read; however, his best attribute is avoiding the normal vulgar pieces. Many Chris- and wife who is faced with personal it is focused on the mature women audi- tians comment on how he avoids the inappropriate jokes and how he temptations as well as aiding those in ence. Most of the stories relate to a is able to still create “the abs quenching.” need. While many of the problems are more intense ready audience of Chris- He spends his journeys “church-hopping” which lead him on hilari- even outside of her realm, she helps tian women. ous routes. He enjoys crazy stories and funny questions. He has no each person as honestly as she can. This book refuses to hide behind filter which allows for some real funny instances. Grace is a kind-hearted woman facing melodramatic things and focuses on the While the laughs could come from just about any age, males will very difficult problems. Not only are more realistic aspect. find this especially hilarious. His outrageous stories are easily relat- these difficulties affecting her personal I definitely would recommend this side able, whether one admits it or not. life, but also her peers. of the story; however, reading the origi- Kerensa is an accomplished comedian who currently aids the infa- Although she has the best intentions nal helps enormously when making an mous Miranda Hart. in mind, her help sometimes brings on overall assumption.

FREE CEN ONLINE FOR ALL STUDENTS! Email your course details to [email protected] Sunday Sunday April 21, 2013 www.churchnewspaper.com 15

‘The wind blows where it chooses and you Nicodemus to hear for he was someone hear the sound of it, but you do not know used to being in control. It is no easier for where it goes. So it is with everyone who is THE SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR us to hear either. Following Jesus means born of the Spirit.’ John 3:8 giving up control, handing over to the Spir- it and being willing to be guided by him. It ‘May the wind of the Spirit drive you for- By the Rev Dr Liz Hoare involves taking risks and not always know- ward. Have no fear. God is love, Father Son ing what is going to happen next. and Holy Spirit, One in love, in love for you, Even worse, following Jesus involves fol- this day and all eternity. Amen.’ (Part of a with the Spirit of God. It is often associated We can hear it, but we don’t know where it lowing with others who are similarly learn- Celtic blessing.) with power. Images of tornadoes sweeping comes from or where it is going. Not even ing to let go and trust! We are all Our understanding of Christian spiritual- across the landscape leaving utter destruc- all our sophisticated weather charts pro- vulnerable and learning to trust. One of the ity would be much poorer without the pow- tion behind reinforces this understanding duced with the most advanced technology most thrilling verses in John’s Gospel is in erful symbol of the Holy Spirit as wind. The of wind and of the Holy Spirit. Like a can bring it under our control. It is simply chapter 19:39 when we learn that Nicode- Spirit as wind is there at the beginning mighty wind was the title of a book about not in our power to dictate and so it is with mus (‘who had at first come to Jesus by when a wind from God ‘swept over the face the Indonesian revival in the 1970s describ- birth of the Spirit. night,’ John pointedly tells us) came with of the waters’ (Gen 1:2). It is there again at ing the powerful move of God there. Such wind may be as gentle as a breeze Joseph of Arimathea to tend to the body of the birth of the Christian Church when the Power is also at work in John 3 because on a summer’s day or it may be more like a his crucified Lord. He was taking a huge building the frightened disciples were hid- birth involves a powerful force as new life violent storm at sea. The point is, we can risk, but no doubt driven forwards by the ing in was filled with a sound ‘like the rush emerges, but it is not the primary feature only witness its effects. As with birth and wind of the Spirit. of a violent wind’ (Acts 2:2). of the wind that is being described here. new birth, we have to trust. We are vulner- The symbol of the wind has continued to ‘The wind blows where it chooses,’ Jesus able and dependent in the face of the wind The Rev Dr Liz Hoare (nee Culling) is tutor resonate with people moved by or filled says. In other words it is in control, not us. of the Spirit. This would have been hard for at Wycliffe Hall

SUNDAYSUNDAY SERVICESERVICE

Sunday Readings for 28 April 2013 The end of the Easter 5 - Year C traditional parish Baruch 3.9-15, 32-36; 4.1-4 Acts 11.1-18 John 13.31-35 Change is in the air, as I face the challenges neighboring parish that already does youth being dealt with by any parish wanting to work in the area, as a Mission Unit with see ‘fresh expressions’ and traditional people able to outreach to the group with Throughout the recorded history of our relationship with our Creator, our human churches learn to complement each other. whom they have the most natural connec- nature leads us astray again and again, as we disobey him, defy him, reject him, or sub- I am currently developing a framework for tion. It is easier for people to come to a faith stitute our wisdom for the wisdom which he has revealed to us. It need not be so, for St Stephens to form a reviewable and without stepping outside their cultural from the very beginning God has taught us the difference between right and wrong, renewable covenant relationship with the boundaries and a multi faced church helps beginning with the commandments which he gave to Adam and Eve concerning the Shepherds Bush Missional Community. to make this so. fruit of the trees in the Garden of Eden. We have been ignoring even the simplest of There are three lessons that I will absorb to Other than absorbing myself in the work instructions ever since. And what is the result of our pride and our rebelliousness? learn for this to happen. of the Parish I have spent my time running. Israel is exiled, exposed to idolatry and defiled, become like the dead, because of the It marks an end to the days of parishes as Since retiring from competitive sport I foolishness of those who have preferred their own way to that of God. How often we individual fiefdoms where everything is have run a marathon each year to ensure lament our situation, the disasters which we have brought upon ourselves! It need not dependant on or decided be so, for God has made his wisdom known to us in many ways, in his Word revealed in by the vicar. The fiefdom scripture, in the commandments which he gave to Israel, and in the natural law which syndrome is the uncon- can be seen in the created order in which he has given us life itself. Blessings abound scious or deliberate for those who turn to the Lord for enlightenment and for wisdom, and remain faithful to process whereby the envi- him in all things. ronment is shaped to give In the early days of the Church there was a sharp division between those who the central figure as much believed it necessary to retain the ritual and dietary rules which they had been taught control as possible over within the Jewish tradition, and those who considered that these things should not be what goes on. Others as imposed upon those who were coming to believe in Jesus Christ from outside the his- well as myself will now toric family of Abraham. At the very beginning it had seemed to the apostles and to the decide the central mission Church that the word of God which they had received through Jesus Christ was imperative as well as the addressed only to the people of Israel, but very quickly it became apparent that God was shape of the Church and it calling not only Jewish believers but Gentiles, people from every nation, to share in the will be better that this is faith which had been revealed in Christ. The traditional rules, especially circumcision, so. which had long defined and distinguished the people of Israel from other nations, were It marks an end to hero now seen to be a barrier to the conversion of those whom God was calling to belong to theology and individually Christ by faith rather than by birth. It is Peter who resolves the dispute, describing how focused testimonies the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the Gentile household in Joppa, who had where the mission of the come to faith in God through repentance, in just the same way that the Holy Spirit had Church is seen as primarily being acted out that my levels of fitness remain constant. been received by the first believers. For the gift of faith is just that: it is not our own through the witness of the vicar. I have This year, instead of lining up alongside doing, but God’s initiative and God’s free gift of grace. given testimonies to this effect talking 30,000 runners for the London marathon, I It is through Israel that God brings himself great glory, for its people are uniquely and about how difficult things had been at the will be one of only 450 runners for the wonderfully privileged as the recipients of his word in the holy scriptures, and as the beginning but that God had blessed my Right To Movement: Palestine Marathon in nation to which God will send his Messiah. God has always greatly blessed those who faithfulness and things had changed for the Bethlehem. Running a marathon in Bethle- seek his wisdom and who listen to his word, but there is to be a glory far greater than better. There will less valor to a more co- hem does not make me a political expert Israel imagined or expected, in the new covenant revealed on the Cross. For the love of operative testimony where I talk about how and so I am grateful to those whose letters God is so great that Jesus is about to lay down his life as a paschal Lamb, making an well the Church and the Missional Commu- have helped to provide a balance of Israeli eternal offering of his blood so that those whom he calls in every nation might find eter- nity have worked together but that it was and Palestinian perspectives. A just peace nal life through faith in God. His commandment is that we should love one another they rather than we who had grown in size. for Palestine provides the best long-term according to the same measure, so that all the world might know his holy name, and Some of the congregation will want the for- hope for peace and security for Israelis and believe in the good news which he brings. mality of meeting on a Sunday morning my running the marathon will be a prayer Stephen Trott others will prefer the Missional Communi- for this to happen. Running is the ultimate ty’s less structured style of midweek gath- act of egalitarianism; it is a non-elitist inclu- HYMN SELECTION ering. We all have different roles and sive activity. Anyone can participate and responsibilities in God’s garden; neither everyone wins – the fact of completion is its the one who plants nor the one who waters own reward. It will be a strange experience. Hymns for Easter 5 is anything, but God who causes the My flight lands at 5am and the marathon Praise the Lord, ye heavens adore him growth (1 Cor 3:5-9) starts three hours later in temperatures of God be in my head It marks an end to traditional parish 21 degrees Celsius. I fly home three days I, the Lord of sea and sky boundaries. The Missional Community has later after a long weekend away and only The king of love my shepherd is a Bishop’s Missional Ordinance, which one Sunday in the parish missed. Come, O thou traveller unknown gives them as much right as myself to oper- We have a gospel to proclaim ate in the Parish. City inhabitants do not Rev Dr Bob Mayo is Vicar of St Stephen and A new commandment anyhow operate in discreet geographical St Thomas Shepherds Bush with St Michael My Lord, what love is this units and so this formalizes what is already and St George White City Follow Bob Mayo This is my body the case. We will operate, in concert with a on Twitter (@RevBobMayo) And can it be that I should gain Milestones

The funeral of Baroness Thatcher, Britain’s first female Prime Minister, took place on Wednesday at St Paul’s Cathedral, with

full military honours... Broken Rites, the inter-denominational charity to help those who have been divorced by the clergy, is cele- brating its 30th ‘ anniversary... The Bishop of , the Rt Revd Edward Condry and the , the Rt Revd Lee Ray- field geared up to set off on a mammoth ranks most people will simply shrug their fundraising challenge around Wiltshire set shoulders and say ‘They would say that off last week... wouldn’t they? Vicars only work on Sun- PAUL "Some of us may perhaps days’. wish that, on a few more In the long run the best way to help the occasions, the lady had RICHARDSON poor in the present climate of financial been for turning, for stringency is to reform the welfare system. turning has a good Church and World Despite all his rhetoric this is what Iain pedigree in Christian Duncan Smith is not doing. Here Frank theology, but we can still Field is often right. In the long run the only applaud her many way to make benefits acceptable and worth achievements while more is to tie them to contributions. Bev- regretting the excesses," eridge was quite clear that what he was the Bishop of Oxford, Finding a way recommending was ‘social insurance – giv- Rev. John Pritchard, ing a return for contribution benefits up to said on Thatcher. subsistence level as of right and without means test so that individuals may build freely upon it’. forward on benefits Getting to such a system will not be easy. People Successive governments have made Both sides in the debate about wel- cent think that way. Seven people in numerous mistakes that cannot quickly be Colin Podmore, former Clerk of the General fare are running true to form. The 10 want to see less spent on welfare. corrected but Beveridge’s vision should be Synod, was commissioned as Director of Forward ‘Daily Mail’ and Conservative politi- There are many reasons for this the aim. ‘in Faith on Monday, pledging to “work for the cians use the case of Mick Philpott to state of affairs. Abuses in the system In the meantime other steps can be unity of the one holy, catholic and apostolic give the impression that abuse is ram- highlighted by the right wing press taken. More emphasis needs to go on edu- Church of Christ and for its mission in the pant while privately admitting that the are only one reason. The economic cation and training. The government’s world.”... Bath Abbey has appointed Dr Oliver example of a man with a wife, a mis- crisis is important but some years ago vocation scheme is to be commended. Taylor as Project Manager for ‘Creating Voices’, tress and 13 children is probably David Willetts warned that as More money would be better spent on an 18-month oral history project to collate the sto- unique. Britain’s population became more eth- child care than on benefits. ries of the many individuals who helped care for The churches, for their part, have nically diverse there would be less Penalising people for living in social or restore the Abbey between 1942 and 2000, a concentrated their fire on the suffer- support for welfare. The welfare state housing with a room extra to their require- project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and ing the cuts in benefits will cause and was popular in homogeneous soci- ments when there are not enough smaller the Friends of Bath Abbey... The Archbishop of the widespread myths about eties like Sweden; it was never held in flats and houses is a short–sighted policy York has appointed The Reverend Canon Dr scroungers and shirkers. This is the equal esteem in such a racially that will produce a host of hard luck stories Christopher Collingwood as Canon Chancellor easy bit. It is more difficult to say diverse country as the US. Research in the media. Urgent steps need to be and The Reverend Michael Smith as Canon what should be done about a welfare by Robert Putnam has shown that plu- taken to increase the number of houses Pastor, and The Chapter of York has appointed bill we can no longer afford. Housing ralism leads to less trust and less being built. Last year three times more Kathryn Blacker as Chapter Steward... Revd families were created than houses were Pete Hobson, currently Director of St Martins built. House, is to be seconded to Leicester Cathedral In the debate between the Government as Acting Canon Missioner, in order to oversee and its critics certain truths are being over- the preparations for the reinterment of Richard looked. There are limits to the amount of III... The Reverend Neil Traynor, currently money Governments can spend, however Assistant Curate, St Mary, Barnsley is to be Bish- reluctant the churches are to recognise op of Wakefield, the Rt Rev ’s Domestic Chap- that fact. Economising on the welfare bill is lain... Gerry Lynch, currently working as a not the same as reform, no matter how political, polling and media consultant in North- much Iain Duncan Smith may pretend it is. ern Ireland, is to become Diocesan Communica- Not all spending is good and not all reform tions Director for Salisbury The Bishop of is bad, but cuts do not always equal reform. Middleton has appointed The Revd Ken Flood Pensions represent a growing propor- to become Area Dean of Hulme... tion of the welfare bill and attempts are being made to stir up intergenerational hostility. War between the generations Next Week’s News Mick Philpott could replace class warfare. An attempt has been made at reforming pensions and retirement age is being raised over Trade “Beyond Librarianship”, the annual confer- benefits, for example, now account for readiness to share. This is not just a Union opposition. Opponents are right to ence of the Librarians’ Christian Fellowship to be £28.3 billion a year, one-tenth of the racist attitude. point out that there is a difference in lifes- held on Saturday 20 April 2013 at the Methodist total welfare budget. When I lived in Australia I was pan between different classes and between Central Hall, Warwick Lane, Coventry, from Is it reasonable to expect taxpayers struck by the resentment felt to New different parts of the country and that 10.30.a.m... the International Day of Happi- making a daily journey on a crowded Zealanders who enjoyed access to the needs to be borne in mind. As for universal ness in also being held on 20 April... World transport system from or Hert- benefit system. In 2001 a rule was benefits such as bus passes, TV licences Water Day is being celebrated on 22 April, as the fordshire to work in central London to introduced that New Zealanders must and heating allowances, they should not be United Nations have designated 2012 the Interna- subsidise people living in Westmin- be resident in Australia for two years abolished but taxed in the same way old tional Year of Water Cooperation, recognizing that ster or Kensington? Private rents before claiming benefits. aged pensions are taxed. cooperation is essential to strike a balance have gone up by 37 per cent in the Conservative politicians are not In the current economic climate voters between the different needs and priorities and past five years. slow to play on hostility to benefits. across Europe are turning not to the left share this precious resource equitably, using Opinion polls show that while in George Osborne is a politician to his but to populist parties that play on hostility water as an instrument of peace, promoting water 1987, 55 per cent of the population fingertips and he knows how to make to immigrants and welfare recipients. One cooperation implies an interdisciplinary approach was prepared to see an increase in austerity popular. Churches may get way to change this is to reform, not abol- bringing in cultural, educational and scientific fac- welfare benefits even if it meant an support from ‘The Guardian’ and ish, the system so that its advantages can tors, as well as religious, ethical, social, political, increase in taxation, now only 27 per Labour Party but outside their own be seen by all. legal, institutional and economic dimensions...

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