THE FEBRUARY 2018 See MAGAZINE JOURNAL OF BLACKBURN DIOCESE : THE IN LANCASHIRE £1.54m grant for exciting urban estates ministry witnesses and grow leaders for Jesus Christ.” Bishop of Burnley, Rt Rev. , who writes more about the plans in the column Bishop Philip (eighth from right) with clergy and laity from Blackburn Diocese estates parishes who on the right, said: “I believe passionately gathered for a conference in 2017 signalling the importance of estates evangelism to the Diocese at that if we are serious about the renewal of St James' in Lower Darwen, and led by the Bishop. St James' is where the leadership hub part of the the Church we must commit ourselves programme will be based. afresh to proclaiming the Good News to the poor. An ambitious programme aimed at deprived The Church of England’s Strategic urban estates in our Diocese has been Investment Board has agreed to make the “This project will share the Good News with singled out for funding as part of a huge awards for Lancashire and elsewhere in the people living on our urban estates by drive to renew The Church of England. Church of England as part of the Church’s planting a number of new congregations. Renewal and Reform programme. Towards the end of 2017 it was announced However, it will also ensure that church life is sustainable over the long term in these that the programme will be one of eight A lead evangelist and a pioneer evangelist, areas by forming quality lay and ordained across England to receive a share of £24.4 based at Grange Park Church Army Centre leaders both from and for our estates.” million in funding to support major work on of Mission in Blackpool, will work with the growth and change. churches of St Mark’s, Layton and St Luke’s, The original bid for the new funding was Staining. The funding will enable the work drawn together by the Diocese of A total of £1.54 million has been allocated of clergy and congregation on the estate to Blackburn’s Vision Coordinator, Dave for the programme in our Diocese to fund continue. A network will also be set up Champness. work in outer urban estates and parishes for across Blackpool to help parishes support a period of six years. each other in mission and evangelism. Dave said: "I'm delighted the Church Commissioners have supported this The focus of the work will be on training The award will also fund 20 young adults to application. We have three very different, new leaders, both lay and ordained, with a take part in the ‘Blackpool Ministry yet linked projects, to be resourced view to providing a model for other Experience’ over the next six years. They by enthusiastic individuals whose activities dioceses. It will also strengthen mission in will live on the Mereside Estate in Blackpool should have a lasting impact on the faith of the areas where the work is located. and work with Freedom Church on the those living in our more financially estate alongside local residents, as well as in deprived communities, not only in Blackpool nearby deprived urban parishes in and Blackburn, but across the diocese and Blackpool. beyond. The start of these two projects was featured “We ask people now to please pray that the extensively in the last edition of The See. right applicants will come forward for the project roles and the practicalities of setting Meanwhile the third project - a ‘leadership up the projects such as appropriate hub’ in outer estates ministry for both lay accommodation will be implemented and ordained training - will be created in smoothly." the parishes of Lower/Over Darwen near Blackburn, led by St James’ Church. Rev. Tim Horobin from the parishes, said: “I am thrilled at this news! This is great for the local communities here and will enable us to access resources to help in presenting the Gospel in culturally relevant ways. “We will do this while working within the Diocese’s Vision 2026 mission to create healthy churches transforming communities. “We will now move to set up a new training Rev. Linda Tomkinson of Freedom Church, unit to help deliver fresh and innovative Mereside, preparing one of the many gift training to ordinands, produce urban Rev. Peter Lillicrap is joined by Rev. Hannah boxes left around the estate before leaders and develop alternative ways of Boyd as they lead a recent litter picking Christmas – just one of the latest mission working in and engaging with our initiative on the Grange Park Estate in activities by the Mereside church communities to make disciples, be Blackpool 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. NEWS I continue to be encouraged by fantastic initiatives local community comes from St Michael’s Ashton at churches across the Diocese to support with St Mark’s Preston, as well as St Michael’s The many ways implementation of our Vision 2026 - Healthy Church in Croston, where Christmas Tree festivals Churches Transforming Communities, writes Dave were held. Champness, Vision Coordinator. At St Michael’s and St Mark’s it was the first time our parishes are Here’s a selection that have crossed my desk they had held such a festival. Local community recently . . . groups joined with church organisations and for supporting . . . three days people poured in to see the decorated Soup and Prayer trees, wander around, talk to old friends and make At St John's in Leyland they are piloting a monthly new ones. ‘lunch and pray’ after the morning service. There was opportunity for prayer and quiet The first week nearly half of the congregation reflection in the chapel and refreshments in the stayed on after coffee for a simple soup and roll Hall. Valuable pastoral contacts were made and lunch followed by an hour of prayer. children went home with a Christmas book from the Scripture Union. The time of prayer was split into short sessions  Bishop Phillip flying in from time to time and introduced by different members of the Adults received a Hope for Christmas magazine bringing his energy and enthusiasm for congregation, covering topics such as our children and a leaflet with Christmas services. The event mission to our events and young people’s groups, world events and ended on Sunday with a short Songs of Praise and the congregations continue to pray that those who First impressions are that it is essential to do these Vision 2026. The diners prayed silently or aloud as things at no charge, including the hospitality, and they felt comfortable. One session used the image visited sensed something of the joy and wonder of the Incarnation, and will visit again in 2018. we need to keep going with our mission to share of a hand to guide the prayers. the love of God, not just with big events but in  The thumb – for something that is good and Meanwhile, at St Michael’s in Croston, they have everything we do every day. we can thank God for been holding a Christmas tree festival annually for a number of years; it has become a community  The forefinger– for something that we want event as well as a fundraiser because all the trees to point God's attention towards are provided by local groups and businesses.  The middle finger– for sharing with God the This year visitors were also able to see the changes biggest issue facing us in the church carried out as part of recent restoration work, including ramp access and a  The ring finger– for bringing to God those toilet for the disabled. whom we love  The little finger– for praying for children/ young people and those who work with them.

Youth focus

A moment during the Friendship Festival at Christ Church Fulwood

East meets West At Lancaster Priory the ‘East Meets West’ group has been bringing women together from different The scene inside St Michael’s in Croston during faiths and cultures for nearly 11 years now writes their Christmas tree festival Hilary Hopwood, who is chair of the group. A dodge ball session in full swing at St Thomas’ Friends together Activities have included cooking, embroidery, Garstang parties, outings and swimming. Since the arrival of To celebrate our recent Patronal festival, we ran women asylum seekers in Lancaster we have also As Vision Champion for St Thomas' Garstang I an amazing weekend of mission and witness at been supplying welcome boxes of groceries and started a Youth Group for 10-15 year olds about a Christ Church Fulwood, writes Christine Hedley, toiletries and organising clothing events to help year ago writes Kathryn Sperring. Vision Champion. them access donated clothing. This has been a very successful venture which has The mission event was based on the theme of Around 20-30 attend ‘East Meets West’ each reached many families we were not in contact ‘friendship’. The idea was to encourage our church week. The women volunteer to cook the lunch and with and increased our profile amongst young to reach out into the community and invite a in December we had a halal Christmas lunch and people and their parents in the area. friend to a range of ‘something for everyone’ explained how Christmas is celebrated here in the events, starting with a production of ‘Brothers in UK. We have now started swimming together as As a result, we have new families in church, many of the women are keen to learn how to increased attendance by 'peripheral families' and Arms’ on the Friday evening. swim. new attendance at church events and groups. This was followed on the Saturday morning by, a Friday Youth has gone from fortnightly to weekly, ‘Skills Café’ where we shared our skills and talents East Meets West was started by Liz Bagley, a lay by popular demand and is easily self-funding. – everything from present wrapping to portrait member of Lancaster Priory, together with photography. Ruksana, a Muslim mother of five. It is now We have a varied programme of events including chaired by myself, Hilary Hopwood, also a lay film nights, dodge ball, traditional youth club and In the afternoon we launched our Stained Glass member of the Priory, with Shaheda Susiwala. special events such as Nerf gun battles, mini Heritage Project supported by Archdeacon Michael Olympics and bingo! and the evening saw a ‘Bring a Friend’ fireworks It would be particularly helpful to meet others in party, organised for and by our young people. On the diocese who may be doing similar work to The only Christian input during Youth club Sunday worship included all age, Messy Church explore this. meetings is our 'respect and accept' agreement and a prayer and praise service in the evening. that all attendees have to sign (adults and teenagers). What were the best bits?  Dave Champness adds: “I trust you are I believe this 'low key' approach has been key to  Working together as a church community and encouraged by the examples of outreach on the success of the venture. seeing people we have never seen in church these pages. Perhaps you could try to use or adapt them if you are looking for ideas? And Friday Youth looks forward to continued growth before coming along and joining in don’t forget to let me know about your own and outreach in 2018.  Having the Diocesan Evangelism Team, led by local initiatives to encourage mission in your Festival outreach Rev. David Banbury, in full support, talking own parish by emailing me on with everyone sharing their faith journeys and [email protected] A great example of being witnesses in and with the leading our worship

PEOPLE AND PLACES

News and events The Yurch Julian on “With my Sins in a Suitcase”. Each evening will include updates from a local All parishes are receiving a new year ‘goodie bag’ (Young Church) Christian action group. This is the 7th year of from the Diocesan Parish Mission Support Team these ecumenical Lent evenings. Further details with a variety of mission-focussed materials, Group at Holy Trinity available via the Minster office on 01772 including a newly-produced ‘Being Witnesses’ Church, 901313. Please note that Monday 5 March event DVD package. This is a five-session course, ideal Freckleton, is at Central Methodist Church PR1 2NL. for Lent, that has been created to help make participated in faith sharing not just doable but also the Advent St Thomas’ Church Centre, Marton Street, enjoyable. It includes a newly-produced DVD sleepout Lancaster LA1 1XX plays host to former leader of with short films for each session and a CD-ROM challenge just the Liberal Democrats, Tim Farron. ‘An Evening with leaders’ guides and members’ materials for before Christmas. with Rt Hon Tim Farron MP - The Christian Faith downloading and printing. The goodie bag also in the Public Space’ takes place on Thursday 8 contains a booklet with updated research from The youngsters all spent some time lying on February at 7.30pm. Talking Jesus, including some encouraging cardboard in the churchyard and then had a insights into faith sharing; the HOPE 2018 book - discussion indoors about what it must be like to be homeless. full of great ideas and resources for witness; the Situations vacant or wanted Whalley Abbey Spirituality Programme for 2018 They also played various team games, played a and also some prayer cards featuring a newly- photo recognition quiz and watched films before Christ Church, Chatburn in the Ribble Valley, commissioned image of the altar canopy in the sleeping inside the church for the night. They requires an organist to play on Sunday mornings chapel at Whalley Abbey. raised more than £300 in sponsorship. at 11am as well as weddings and funerals as soon as possible. We use Hymns Old and New Further to the above information and in and have a five year old Allen Protégé two response to requests received from parishes, the St Wilfrid’s manual organ. Further details and remuneration Church in Discipleship and Ministry Team is offering (just in can be discussed with Rev Andy Froud on 01200 Ribchester time for Lent) training designed to help lay 423317 or with churchwardens, Daphne Porter people to lead a Bible Study or discussion group. had a very special visitor on 01200 441690 or Valerie Mewis on 01200 The morning session takes place on February 10, 440335. from 9 am to 1pm, at the Diocesan Offices, at their Walker Business Park, Blackburn, BB1 2QE. For worship more information contact Mandy Stanton at recently. [email protected] Oloni was Clergy updates staying as a The Rev Dr Gary Bowness, who holds the Without prayer, ministry and mission will come guest with Lord and Lady Alton. to nothing. A Diocesan Festival of Prayer is being Bishop’s Permission to Officiate in the Diocese, held at on Saturday 3 Oloni is a traditional King from Nigeria who works has been appointed Interim Vicar (part-time), of tirelessly for peaceful solutions in a country February 2018. From 10.30am to 2.30pm. Many St Luke Skerton and was licensed by the Bishop facing persistent terror at the hands of Boko of Burnley on 19 December 2017 at St Luke people struggle to pray and many are aware of Haram against its Christian citizens. the vast range of ways of praying. This all-age Skerton. event will help and includes a choice of 10 He has been developing economic initiatives for The Rev Hugh Scriven, Vicar of Edgbaston St fantastic workshops. All parishes across the his people based on ethical production of cocoa Germain in the Diocese of Birmingham, has been Diocese are invited to attend and you can come for chocolate. Oloni is a Christian from the appointed Priest-in-Charge of Accrington St John Anglican tradition and wanted to worship at the and go during the event as you wish. The with Huncoat St Augustine. Eucharist celebrant is Bishop Philip and well- local Anglican Church as part of his visit. known broadcaster Canon Angela Tilby will give Rev Brian McConkey is pictured with Oloni and The Rev Shaun Baldwin, Vicar of St John the the keynote address. Messy Church will take said: “We were honoured to have him with us for Baptist Broughton and Area Dean of Preston, has place in the Cathedral Crypt. For further the morning and it was a joy to share lunch been appointed Priest-in-Charge (half-time) of information and to book, contact Jean Duerden together and hear more of his story.” Ingol St Margaret and was licensed by the Bishop email: [email protected] of Burnley on 8 January 2018 at Blackburn informative evening to clarify the purpose and Cathedral. Shaun will remain Vicar of St John the Arton Medd, key organiser of the annual place of PCC members and explore some Baptist Broughton and Area Dean of Preston. Bishop’s Harvest Appeal thanks all who have common PCC dysfunctions. £12 for first booking, The Rev Cherie (Rie) Pauline Walker, Assistant contributed to the 2017 Bishop’s Harvest Appeal. £3 for each additional PCC member. Discount to The interim total is £21,177 including about Curate at St John the Baptist Broughton has been group bookings. For more information: appointed Assistant Curate (half-time) of Ingol St £1,000 in Gift Aid. The account is still open and www.cpas.org.uk/pcc Arton encourages church treasurers and Margaret and was licensed by the Bishop of individuals who have further monies to send to Friday Lunchtime Recital: Harp duo, Kathryn Burnley on 29 January 2018 at Ingol St Margaret. do so as soon as possible. Mason and Alice Roberts at St George the This appointment is in addition to Rie’s present post of Assistant Curate at St John the Baptist th Martyr, Lune Street, Preston PR1 2NP on 2 The 11 Service Battalion (Accrington), The East February 2018. Both are from the Royal Broughton. Lancashire Regiment, The Accrington Pals Annual Northern College of Music. Doors open 11am The Rev Andrew Brown, Vicar of Weaverham in Memorial Service is being held at St John’s with and recital starts at 12.30pm, lasts 50 minutes. the Diocese of Chester, has been appointed Vicar St Augustine’s parish church, Accrington on Tickets on door £7, including refreshments (half-time) of Shevington St Anne. Sunday 18 February 2018; 2.30pm for a 2.45pm beforehand. service. The service is to commemorate the The Rev Jenny Brown, Curate at Weaverham in At St Silas Parish Church, Preston New Road, events which took place 103 years ago when the the Diocese of Chester, has been appointed Blackburn BB2 6JP a coffee morning with organ Pals Battalion held their Valedictory Service. For Associate Vicar (half-time) of Shevington St music takes place on Saturday 10 February 2018 further information contact Shelley Whitehead, Anne. from 10.30am. Hear Karen Au, former Organ email [email protected] or telephone Scholar at Blackburn Cathedral, play a half hour The Rev Christine Marjorie Morton, SSM Curate 01254 884583. programme of music from 11am. Entrance £5, at Marton St Paul, has been appointed Vicar Archdeacon Mark leads the next Reading Day at towards the cost of the recently restored Designate of Treales Christ Church. Whalley Abbey on Wednesday 21 February. Harrison organ. For further information contact The Ven Michael John Everitt, Archdeacon of There is no charge for the day, but you need to Jean Brindle on 01772 312678 or 07935 498060. Lancaster, has been appointed Interim Vicar of book in before you come. To book please email Preston St John and St George the Martyr and For 2018 Lent in the Preston Minster, Church Whalley Abbey at [email protected] and was Instituted by the Bishop of Burnley on 14 Street, Preston PR1 3BU ‘Travelling to God with a also please email the Archdeacon’s secretary, January 2018. He remains Archdeacon of Suitcase’ is our theme. There are five Monday Kelly Quinn on [email protected]. Lancaster and Chair of the Board of Education. evening talks from Monday 19 February to org to advise of your attendance. Monday 19 March, 7.20pm to 9pm. Speakers The Rev David Seymour, who was retired in the ‘PCC Tonight’ Training Evening at St John’s Great and topics are: Rev Ed Saville on “A Suitcase … Diocese, died on 11 December 2017. Horton, Bradford BD7 4AB on Tuesday 20 March, Full of Dreams”; Rev John Howard-Norman on The Rev John Graham Slee and the Rev Dennis 7.30-9.30pm (doors open at 7pm). Suitable for all “Pilgrimage”; Fiona Castle (Roy Castle’s widow) Eric Crook have been granted the Bishop’s PCC members across the North West, this is an on “Uncluttering”; Anthony Finnerty on “With a Permission to Officiate in the Diocese. Suitcase … But Going Nowhere” and Bishop

NEWS / COMMENT: BISHOP PHILIP News? Feedback? [email protected] This month’s page 3 column by Bishop Philip has ways. First it will allow for new congregations to been written in response to the announcement of be planted in a number of these estates; the £1.54m grant to our Diocese, as reported on churches which will be diverse and contextually Finding a new pages 1 and 2 of this edition. appropriate in terms of evangelistic approach and styles of leadership. ***** generation of But that isn’t enough. The secret of long-term , the Principal of St Mellitus Northwest, sustainability in estates ministry is calling and talks about Hildas and Caedmons. St Hilda was a forming lay and ordained leaders and this is an Caedmons royal princess and an abbess, a highly educated and area in which many estates churches struggle. well-connected woman who founded a monastery We want to find an army of Caedmons so that in Hartlepool (which had a less important sister we can renew the Church from the margins. house in Whitby). In Lower Darwen we will be setting up an estates- However, she also discovered Caedmon, a local based Leadership College. This will be a place shepherd boy with no education but a great gift for where ordinands can serve placements, but it will music. She oversaw his education and set him free be so much more. Our aim is to provide a to sing the Gospel to the local people in a language resource for urban churches across the Diocese to they could understand. help with the tasks of identifying, calling and Our programme in this Diocese is aimed at forming new lay and ordained leaders. identifying and training up Caedmons, local leaders Similarly in Blackpool at Grange Park (where we who can sing the Gospel in a language that will be setting up a Church Army Centre of connects with people’s lives. Mission) and in Mereside (where we are working The is a good example of the in partnership with the Church of England’s slow withdrawal that the Church of England has Ministry Experience Scheme) we will be equipping been making from our urban estates. In recent the Diocese and the wider church with clergy and Rev. Tim Horobin, right, of St James' Church which is years we have closed churches in areas such as lay leaders who are energised and excited by the where the leadership hub part of the £1.54m Mereside, Grange Park, Moor Nook and challenges of evangelism on our estates. programme will be based; with Bishop Philip. Shadsworth, while on other estates we have Our aim is to find a new generation of Caedmons reduced clergy numbers or overseen mergers. whose provision of Strategic Development Funding who can share good news in language that people has enabled a pipedream to become a reality. Our new programme will address this issue in two can understand. We are so grateful to the Church Commissioners and the Archbishops’ Council Bishop Philip

Bishop Julian and Bishop Philip have both Diocese). In his message including the civil war in recorded new year messages for the Diocese. Bishop Julian urges people Yemen. Meanwhile Bishop The messages can be read in the news section of across Lancashire to count Philip uses recent successes for the Diocesan website (www. their blessings, citing the Burnley FC to illustrate how blackburn.anglican.org) and can be viewed in misery being suffered by much can be gained if we make video format on the Diocesan YouTube channel many people in troubled a greater effort to achieve our (search online for YouTube and Blackburn parts of the world, full potential.

Just before the recent Diocesan The group quickly gelled and we were pilgrimage to the Holy Land an ecumenical especially blessed with the most Reflections on pilgrimage also took place involving wonderful fellowship and friendships that Churches Together in Thornton, writes developed during the Pilgrimage. an ecumenical Ann Hearnshaw, from Christ Church Special places and moments for us Thornton who was also this Pilgrimage’s included the hustle and bustle of the Via journey to Israel Administrator. Dolorosa and Shrine of The Holy And what a joy it was to view Bishop Sepulchre; experiencing the calm and Philip’s vlog of his Pilgrimage which took tranquillity of The Garden Tomb, another place a week or so after ours and to read possible site of Christ’s crucifixion, burial the account in the last edition of The See! and resurrection; Eucharist in the quiet of The Church of The Shepherds Fields The experience for us was also truly overlooking Bethlehem; being in amazing, and we were often overwhelmed Capernaum and sailing on The Sea of by the fact we were in the places Our Lord Galilee singing modern hymns under a Jesus had been; experiencing the same glorious red sunset. weather, viewing the same mountains and sailing on the same Sea of Galilee. Other special moments were times of prayer, scripture and reflection with our The ecumenical group together at The There were 25 of us, Anglicans and leaders Rev. Damian Platt from Christ Mount of Olives including people from Methodists across seven churches. These Church Thornton, and Rev. Stephen Dunn Anglican churches in Thornton. included Christ Church Thornton from Thornton Methodist Church. and All Saints Anchorsholme; Methodist churches in Thornton, Bispham, Poulton We all agreed that scripture now has an happened, and we felt privileged to join and Blackpool and even two group extra dimension for us as we witnessed with and see other Christian pilgrims from members from churches in Scotland! and visited the places where events all over the world.

Helpful information about 'The See' Deadline Want to submit an article or event for inclusion in The See? Check the deadline on the left and email for [email protected] the We'll always do our best to feature what we receive. For the online archive; more information about deadlines and how to submit articles, visit the website March www.blackburn.anglican.org (search 'The See') or just scan the QR code on the right. edition Sight loss problems? Access the online version of the latest issue on the website and adjust the page size as required using the + and is - buttons on the right of the screen, or hold down the keyboard 'Ctrl' button and press the + or - key to adjust as required. February 3, The See is edited by Diocesan Communications Manager Ronnie Semley. For new orders of ‘The See; or to change delivery address or quantities received contact Karen Ashcroft on 2017 [email protected] or 01254 503070.