THE See MAGAZINE Primary Schools' National Award
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THE SEPTEMBER 2018 See MAGAZINE JOURNAL OF BLACKBURN DIOCESE : THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND IN LANCASHIRE The new Chair of the Diocesan Board of Finance and sensitive manner; going to great lengths to (DBF) Ltd has been officially welcomed to his role. explain when Parish Share request has had to Board of Finance David Barlow takes over from Canon John Dell who increase, why it is necessary and working hard to retired recently after 14 years’ service to the reach a maximum collection rate. Diocese. “As chair of Diocesan Board of Finance, John also has new chair as The handover took place at the most recent has other roles to play in the life of the diocese; on Diocesan Synod after John presented his final set of bishop’s council, the finance committee and the John steps down accounts and before Synod members voted to budget committee. appoint David as his successor. “So, I want to thank John for his years of dedication There were warm words of thanks for John from and service.” Bishop Julian and from Bob Collins, Chair of the Responding, John said: "It has been a privilege and House of Laity. a blessing to serve in this role and I hope I have Bishop Julian said: "Throughout his time as Chair, done some good for the Diocese. I would also like John has always had faith that God is in charge and to pay tribute to all my colleagues in the Board of caution in his approach, which has given us Finance who work hard to ensure to ensure we are confidence at all times. I have never felt the need all heading in the same direction." to worry with John at the helm." The new Chair of the Board of Finance, David Bob Collins said: “Throughout his time as Chair, Barlow, is a Reader and worships at St John's Parish John has always handled his work in a clear, calm Church in Whittle-le-Woods. After the handover, pictured -l r, are Bishop Julian, A qualified accountant, David's career highlights David Barlow, Canon John Dell and Graeme Pollard, Focus on discipleship include eight years as Financial Controller for the Diocesan Secretary "A Year of Discipleship’ is being planned for the Archdiocese of Liverpool and 12 years in a variety of financial roles for the Cooperative Bank Ltd. thank John for all his hard work over many years. diocese in 2019," says Archdeacon Mark on page 2 He will be missed by everyone in the Board of of this issue. Speaking after Synod met David said: "It's a Finance. "Forming individuals as disciples for Jesus Christ is tremendous challenge and I'm looking forward to "At the same time, I warmly welcome David Barlow surely the primary calling of every local church, and the new role. I am also grateful for all the support I as John's replacement at what is an exciting time so discipleship ought to be at the top of our agenda have received already from John and others. I hope for the Diocese as we move further forward with not just for a year but every year." to build on his achievements going forward." our diocesan Vision 2026 Healthy Churches Turn to page 2 for more. And Diocesan Secretary, Canon Graeme Pollard, Transforming Communities." added: "I would like to take this opportunity to Two of our Lancashire primary schools have scored verified by the Church of England Education an impressive one-two as the first UK winners of a Office and has three levels - bronze, silver and Primary Schools’ national award. gold. Wilson’s Endowed Church of England Primary To achieve accreditation, schools have to School in the village of Over Kellet is the joint first demonstrate how they are fulfilling criteria national award school in the UK to receive the Christian Aid Global relating to learning, spirituality and worship, Neighbours Accreditation Award. pupil participation in active global citizenship, And following hard on their heels is Whittle-le- community engagement and school leadership. Woods Church of England Primary School. As well as the recognition attached to gaining The two schools were presented with their awards accreditation status, the scheme also helps by the Bishop of Burnley, the Rt Rev Philip North. schools fulfil the Church of England’s vision of education that is deeply Christian and serving the Also present to congratulate the schools were common good. Christian Aid’s area representative Ruth Platt, Diocesan Board of Education Director, Stephen In addition, by helping children claim their voice Whittaker and Diocesan Primary Schools and as global citizens, participation in the scheme Academies Adviser, Lisa Horobin. helps church schools develop and showcase their work in encouraging their pupils to become Children from Over Kellet were accompanied by courageous advocates. Headteacher, Jo Williams, and the delegation of pupils from Whittle-le-Woods was accompanied by Bishop Philip commented: “For one of our schools Headteacher, Deborah Metcalfe, and Deputy Head, to receive the very first Christian Aid Global Pictures are staff and pupils of the two successful Jackie Haughin. Neighbours' Accreditation Award from Christian schools with Bishop Philip, centre, back left, and Aid would be amazing – but for two of our schools Stephen Whittaker, Director of Blackburn Diocesan Global Neighbours is a Christian Aid initiative that to be the joint first winners is truly incredible. board of Education, centre, back right. supports, recognises and celebrates all that primary schools in England are doing to provide “My congratulations go to both schools; their good global education. teachers and their pupils, for the hard work they award – as well as schools in other Dioceses across have put in to achieve this milestone. I hope this the Country.” The Global Neighbours accreditation scheme is encourages more of our schools to go for the same Bishop Julian’s Harvest appeal for 2018 is under “In Sierra Leone, your gift will enable Kids in way. Here is his message to parishes which can also Kailahun project to give orphaned children the Two beneficiaries be found on the Diocesan website. skills and resources to make a good living from Bishop Julian says: “As farmers in Lancashire work the land. hard to prepare for the harvest of 2018, we give “In the Amazon part of Brazil, marginalised of Harvest Appeal thanks to God for their sterling efforts. Quilombola (ex-slave) communities will be “So reliable are the harvests at home and our many helped to make the most of the Brazil nut harvest and protect a vital part of the world environment world: a world in which no-one goes hungry and resources that it is easy to forget how precarious it there is peace and dignity for all.” can be for farmers in developing countries. as they do so. “I am very pleased that this year’s Bishop’s Harvest “When we read Jesus’ words: ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness’ (Matt For more information and resources to support Appeal will support agricultural programmes in two the appeal, visit www.blackburn.anglican.org very different countries. 5:6), we are reminded that as Christians there is a joy and blessing when we act and pray for a fairer and search ‘Harvest Appeal’ The See can also be found on the Diocesan Website: www.blackburn.anglican.org under News, or scan the ‘QR code’ on the back page with your smartphone to be taken to the Diocese website page which contains the current and archive editions of The See. COMMENT: ARCHDEACON MARK / NEWS When Rowan Williams was asked about Monday to Saturday in their place of work, having a Decade of Evangelism in the recreation or in relation to their family A year to focus 1990s, he described the idea as ‘a responsibilities. necessary idiocy’, like announcing ‘a decade And when churches are short of money it is on discipleship of breathing’. often not a financial problem but rather a In other words, evangelism isn’t something sign of a deeper problem of discipleship. you can just do for a decade and then As we prepare for a ‘Year of Discipleship’, forget about; rather, it should be as much a look out for a number of resources part of the life of a Christian as breathing, designed to help members of your church yet the Decade of Evangelism was to grow as disciples of Christ and discover necessary and important in helping the their particular calling from God. These will Church regain its essential missionary include: focus. Bishop Julian’s Bible Challenge – a Much the same could be said about the creative new approach to encouraging idea of ‘A Year of Discipleship’ which is children and adults to read the Bible being planned for our diocese in 2019. regularly Forming individuals as disciples for Jesus Christ is surely the primary calling of every A new DVD course which will be local church, and so discipleship ought to released this autumn designed to help be at the top of our agenda here in small groups think about money and Lancashire not just for a year but every giving, in the context of the generosity, year. gift and grace of God However, forming disciples is not A new programme of retreats and something we are very good at. Traditional quiet days at Whalley Abbey in 2019, prayer in parishes and deaneries. designed to help individuals and groups habits of personal Bible study and prayer I invite you to join with me in praying that get squeezed out in our busy lives. take time with God in this ‘blessed place’ at the heart of the diocese over the coming year each of us will grow Fewer people belong to small groups and deeper in our relationship with Christ and when we think about lay training too often Pathways to Prayer – a series of taster discover afresh how we can make a we are equipping people to take on roles in days across the diocese led by a new difference for God in our daily lives.