Spotlight Sept/Oct 2019 Climate Action People across the diocese are urged to get Our four bishops are encouraging churches, involved in a climate action day on Friday 20 clergy and diocesan staff to show solidarity with September. young people to demand an end to the age of fossil fuels and climate justice for everyone. Parliament has declared a climate change emergency and a series of climate strikes have Bishop Clive, diocesan lead on the Environment, taken place across the UK and elsewhere, led by said: “As we seek to partner with others in young people. From 20-27 September there will seeking the common good, we are called be a global week of action to coincide with the to work for justice as people of hope. Our UN Climate Summit on 23 September. love for our neighbour applies to the whole of creation and by making small changes The diocese is committed to taking climate to our lifestyles and campaigning change seriously through a new Diocesan for the Government to make big Environmental Policy and Action Plan. Parishes changes we can be part of halting across the diocese are registering for Eco the progress of climate change.” Church – a national award that recognises and supports churches who are working to become Diocesan offices in Lichfield will close on more environmentally friendly. 20 September to enable diocesan staff to participate in action. There will also be a gathering at and the bishops have asked clergy to set aside their usual duties to participate in worship, events and advocacy on the theme of climate action on that day.

Churches are encouraged to share their efforts on social media with the hashtags #climatechange and #chadclimateaction. Special resources will also be available for Church schools.

For ideas and resources go to www.lichfield.anglican.org/climateactionday | Let us know your plans at [email protected] | Bishop Michael talks more about ecological mobilisation on p 11.

The around , northern Shropshire and the Black Country A ton of welcoming places across the diocese An initiative that offers a warm welcome Transforming Communities Together Chair, the in local communities is now open in 100 Rev Dr David Primrose, said: “We’re delighted places across our diocese. The 100th Place of to have Places of Welcome now at a growing Welcome opened its doors at one of the most number of places and want to continue this unique venues yet – Hammerwich Hall Care growth. It’s fantastic to have a variety of Home, near Burntwood. different organisations involved, as we work towards our vision of every community having a Places of Welcome is a network of small Place of Welcome.” community organisations who provide an unconditional welcome to local people for at Places of Welcome is a grassroots movement least a few hours each week. The initiative is that began in Birmingham. It has five values spreading across the country with over 350 ensure that each venue is open at the same venues taking part. Places of Welcome are run time and place for at least a few hours every by local groups who want to make sure that The 100th Place of Welcome in the diocese at Hammerwich Hall everyone in their area has a place to go for a Care Home near Burntwood (above). The Place of Welcome at There are no charges for joining Places of friendly face, a cup of tea and a conversation. St Oswald’s Oswestry (below). Welcome, and anyone can start one in their organisations community. Places of Welcome can be in any The 100 Places of Welcome across the diocese can know location including churches, mosques, temples, – in Staffordshire, the Black Country and and love their community centres or housing associations. Shropshire – are in venues including many communities.” churches and other community buildings, Find out more at: www.placesofwelcome.org.uk including all three libraries in Tamworth! They Hammerwich are all open to the public at a set time on a Hall, owned weekly basis. and run by Advinia Health Care, became the 51st Place of Welcome to Place of Welcome team at St John’s Community Church, Chase open in Staffordshire and hosts its weekly Place Terrace (above); volunteers in Lichfield District (above right) and at Tamworth Library (right). of Welcome every Thursday between 2pm and 4pm in the Home’s Vintage Tea Room. week and is welcoming to anyone wanting to attend: Emily Hocking, Customer Relations Manager, commented: “Advinia Health Care are delighted •• Place: An accessible and hospitable to join the Places of Welcome network and building, open at the same time every we look forward to welcoming people to week. our wonderful home and gardens. We pride •• People: Open to everyone regardless ourselves on the warm welcome we offer and of their circumstances or situation, and look forward to making new friends by offering staffed by volunteers. Bishop Michael at St Matthew’s Tipton (photo: Express & Star). this opportunity for people to pop in for a •• Presence: A place where people actively Bishop Michael said: “It is a fantastic cup of tea or coffee and a chat on Thursday listen to one another. achievement that there are now 100 Places afternoons.” •• Provision: Offering free refreshments and of Welcome across our diocese – each one basic local information. offering people a haven of companionship Places of Welcome are sponsored and •• Participation: Recognises that every and friendship. Places of Welcome really do supported by Transforming Communities person coming to a Place of Welcome will combat isolation and loneliness and are a Together, a joint venture between the Church bring talents, experiences and skills that practical outworking of how churches and other Urban Fund and the diocese. they might be willing to share locally.

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The Church of England around Staffordshire, northern Shropshire and the Black Country Reaching rural youth Bishop Geoff to bid farewell

The four Mission Projects launched by The Geoff Annas has then and, as I shall be 66 at the end of Bishop Michael in 2017 each cover one areas announced that he is to retire at the end of November it seems a really good time to move of Christian community: Parishes, Schools, November. and allow a new bishop to work with Bishops Chaplaincies and Fresh Expressions. Michael, Clive and Sarah in guiding the diocese Bishop Geoff and his wife Ann came to in its exciting journey. The Fresh Expressions project focusses on the Diocese of Lichfield in 2010 to join the young people in Shropshire, and in particular episcopal team led by the . “I do not regard myself as ‘retiring’ but how to gather, encourage, teach and disciple As Area Bishop of Stafford, he has overseen a simply joining that magnificent band of those aged 11-18 in widely dispersed rural region that includes Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford, clergy and lay ministers who work their socks homes, hamlets and villages. Newcastle-under-Lyme, Burton-on-Trent off but for no financial payment and without and many rural communities across North whom the Church of England as we know it Titled ‘4 Rural Youth’ it has one strand trying Tudor Humphreys has been a youth worker for Staffordshire. He will leave shortly before his would collapse!” to support young people from villages where 30 years and had been concerned about the 66th birthday and he and Ann will return to live they gather during the day - through school lack of Christian work with young people in the in Southampton, where he previously served, Bishop Michael said: “Bishop Geoff has served chaplaincy - and three strands testing different villages. “While out walking the dog one day close to their family. the communities and churches of North ways of supporting young people’s faith in I had a picture of a spired church, like that at Staffordshire faithfully for almost a decade – rural communities through local projects in the Rhyd-y-Croesau and it made me think about Bishop Geoff making him one deaneries themselves. Oswestry Rural Youth what was happening in those villages for young said: “We will be of the longest Church is the last to get going, but progress is people with their faith. Somebody handed me a leaving many serving Bishops certainly being made. Unlike the other deanery- letter at church talking about a meeting pulling friends but taking of Stafford. I based projects in Wrockwardine and Hodnet, together some of the youth work leaders with us happy will be very sad ORYC’s leaders wanted to employ a full-time around Oswestry. I was really keen to be part of memories of to see Ann and youth worker to be able to network more that. Two of the local vicars had been trying to this special part Geoff leave but quickly and build relationships with both youth get something off the ground.” Tudor quickly of Britain that I am pleased and the 18 churches of the deanery. became part of the ORYC steering group. was previously that they will unknown to us. now be closer “There has been good work with Messy They began to make progress, and using The creativity and to family and Churches within the deanery but nothing fundraising skills in the group managed to match a warmth of the have more time connecting with those of secondary school grant from the diocese enabling them to appoint a people of North to spend with age [outside of Oswestry town centre] - some pioneer youth minister in September 2018. Staffordshire them.” of those young people that had gone for and the glorious confirmation in the last two or three years who “There are lots of things churches can be doing and beautiful By way of we’ve lost contact with” says 4 Rural Youth to support Matt in this role,” says Diane. “There’s countryside farewell to coordinator, Diane Woolridge. a need to be patient and realise that when you’re make it a most Bishop Geoff pioneering something, often there are lots of attractive place and Ann, Bishop things that you can’t see happening that are still to live and we Michael will vital foundations to be put in place.” are only sorry lead a service of that bishops celebration of One of the obvious things happening was the are expected to the good things ‘Unseen’ wide game organised by Matt with move away from happening Cat Davies (children & youth worker at Hope the area and diocese they have served! in Church of England churches and the Church in Oswestry) at nearby Quinta one sunny communities they serve across North Sunday afternoon earlier this summer. “When we came to the diocese, it was making Staffordshire in Stoke Minster on Sunday 24 plans until 2020. Now, we are starting a new November at 4pm. All are welcome. We have a short video about ORYC at lichfield.anglican.org/oryc and ORYC’s own website is at oryc.org.uk Direction of Travel which looks way beyond

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The Church of England around Staffordshire, northern Shropshire and the Black Country Computers to Kenya Loving Hurting Dreaming

Children at a Church school in Lichfield have As a Church school, this is something we believe art - there are art materials, lesson outlines been keying into the benefits of blessing others is so important to teach to our children.” and presentations to be used by hosts and after recycling their used computers overseas. participants and a fourth panel so that people’s UPS Operations Manager Ron Walsh added: responses can go up and make display to add St Chad’s Primary has been developing close “We have a long-established working to the exhibition.” links with Shekinah School in Kenya for the past relationship with St Chad’s. This opportunity 12 months. gave us the Jake is best known for his ‘Soul Boats’ Earlier this ability to installation in Birmingham Cathedral in 2016 in year the support in which 2,000 visitors of all and no faith added school their wider their personal thoughts and prayers which welcomed school were then hung in the cathedral. Aspects of a Shekina strategy A new roving art exhibition has premiered in the that have made their way into at least one of parent to St and their diocese at the start of a year-long tour of north Jake’s paintings and the activities that can help Chad’s where partnership Shropshire, Staffordshire and the Black Country. children and adults to engage. he taught with a school pupils Kenyan in Kenya. ‘Loving Hurting Dreaming’ is a new three-part songs, artwork by Birmingham-based artist Jake prayers and “By Lever developed in collaboration with Shifnal- traditions. shipping the based author and vicar, Preb Chris Thorpe computers and Lichfield Diocese’s Spirituality Adviser, When St to Kenya, we Revd Charles Ruxton. It has been designed to Chad’s IT have made move easily and set up in churches, schools was due for the recycling and community venues and includes many replacement, of them resources to enable children and adults to they looked stress-free engage with the art and the themes behind it. The large cavasses - each 6ft square and into whether and costless completed with silver leaf and gouache - drew they could send their computers, monitors and with the added impact of having a positive “This project is aimed to be something that can awe and reflection from visitors to St Andrew’s hard-drives to Kenya. impact on the learning of the children in Kenya get spiritual conversation going. Sometimes it’s Church Shifnal where the tour began at the start and supporting the wider global community.” hard to raise the subject and a piece of art like of July. A video including Jake working with Deputy Head Natalie Johnson explained: “Our this just evokes responses naturally. People - pupils of nearby St Andrew’s Primary School children have been writing letters, sending There are over 200 Church schools and both in and out of churches - are able it seems and reactions from the headteacher and vicar gifts and learning all about our friends at academies in our diocese. The diocese’s with something like this to talk about their can be found at the link below. Shekinah School. As a school, we have made the Board of Education works in partnership with hopes and fears and dreams. It can be used for decision to replace our old computers with new humanitarian organisation Feed the Hungry things like quiet days or just as an art exhibition. The resource has a triptych of creators: along technology so we thought it would be a kind to to support young people to develop their There’s the opportunity to respond to the with Jake’s artwork is a set of carved wooden send the computers to them. understanding of global issues. communion vessels by John Morse-Brown, suitable for a Eucharist service or Agape meal “As the cost of shipping was high, we “Our partnership has enabled students to and creatively written liturgies by Chris Thorpe, approached UPS who we have worked with acquire the skills and understanding to become to be published later this year. previously to improve the road safety of our courageous advocates for change. This is a key The entire exhibition and resource packs for pupils, who agreed to fund the shipping of piece of work within the Church of England’s transport in a medium-sized hatchback. There is our computers to Kenya. We are so pleased Vision for Education,” said Director of Education more information about hosting the exhibition, the that as a school we are working with our local Claire Shaw. current schedule of venues and video from Shifnal at community, local business as well as supporting lichfield.anglican.org/lhd. Or contact Charles Ruxton ([email protected] / 01743 891507)

Photo: Lichfield Mercury those worldwide who are less fortunate than us. Find out more at http://www.ldbe.co.uk/

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The Church of England around Staffordshire, northern Shropshire and the Black Country Walsall’s new Archdeacon New DVE department

The Revd Julian Francis will returning to Training Co-ordinator for Minority Ethnic Diocesan teams have been restructured and The teams familiar territory when he becomes the fifth Anglicans from 2008-2011. Julian has spent aligned more closely to ensure churches get are based Archdeacon of Walsall. the last eight years as vicar in Edgbaston, an even more focused support. under one area with great ethnic, socio-economic and roof at Three Julian moved to the West Midlands when he religious diversity where his focus has been on A new department shaped round the three Spires House was Associate Minister at St Andrew’s, West using the church as a “community catalyst”. He diocesan priorities: developing discipleship, in Lichfield, Bromwich, and Minority Ethnic Anglican also served recently as Interim Archdeacon of encouraging vocation and inspiring evangelism working Concerns Officer for Lichfield Diocese, from Birmingham. goes live this month. It is a visionary way for a closely with 1999-2002, and has served in the region ever diocese to organise its central staff based on the Board of since. Julian takes over providing greater strategic coherence under the Education from the Ven diocesan priorities. Team, and Bishop Michael blessing the new Three Spires Currently Vicar who the diocese’s House offices last September of St George’s was recently The Discipleship, Vocation and Evangelism Central Administration Support Teams who are a Edgbaston in named the new (DVE) Department will work with our ‘frontlines’ short distance away at St Mary’s House. Birmingham Archdeacon – parishes, fresh expressions, chaplaincies and Diocese, he Missioner in schools – to enable them to embody our shared As part of strengthening the service parishes is eagerly the Diocese vision statement in their contexts: already receive from the diocese, each deanery anticipating of Lichfield. will also have a named his new role Both will work “As we follow Christ in the footsteps of St Chad, we pray member of central staff as in which he within the that the two million people in our diocese encounter a a link point for diocesan will have Wolverhampton church that is confident in the gospel, knows and loves support and assistance. responsibility Area Senior its communities, and is excited to find God already at for churches Staff team, led work in the world. We pray for a church that reflects the Lindsey Hall, who will head across a large by the Bishop of richness and variety of those communities. We pray up the new DVE Department, part of South Wolverhampton, said: “This is a really exciting Staffordshire and the Black Country including the Right Revd , who said: for a church that partners with others in seeking the development which will Walsall, Wolverhampton and West Bromwich. “I am delighted to be welcoming a common good, working for justice as a people of hope.” focus the way we support colleague with Julian’s huge breadth of gifts a changing church in a Julian said: “I am delighted to be returning to and experience. I am sure he will quickly The department is made up of three newly- changing world. The new DVE Department will Lichfield Diocese, renewing old acquaintances endear himself to the diverse churches and shaped core teams: seek to be creative, collaborative, resilient and and meeting colleagues and partners in the communities of the Archdeaconry, not least Black Country. Our churches are wonderfully because he already has an understanding of placed to be a warm, generous and open and heart for the people of the Black Country.” presence throughout the area. I look forward •• Mission - will serve parishes, fresh expressions supportive - in response to what people and greatly to working with parishes, chaplains, The Diocesan Bishop of Lichfield, the Right and chaplaincies with strengthened links to groups across the diocese have told us they need.” schools and fresh expressions to share the good Revd Dr , added: “I am sure school outreach and Lichfield Cathedral. news of the love of God we know through Christ that churches across South Staffordshire and •• Transforming Church & Community - Diocesan CEO Julie Jones added: “These changes, and to be part of the joyful transformation of the Black Country will benefit from Julian’s incorporating Transforming Communities which are cost neutral, are about shaping the way our varied and vibrant communities.” enthusiasm and experience.” Together, the Diocese’s joint venture with we do things better to provide the best possible Church Urban Fund. support to the 420 parishes, over 200 schools, Julian was ordained in 1991 in Southwark Julian’s installation and licensing service will •• Vocations & Training - bringing the vocations, multiple fresh expressions, chaplaincies and the Diocese and served as in Wimbledon be at Lichfield Cathedral on 8 November. A training and ministry development teams cathedral in our large and diverse diocese. This is an before becoming vicar in Cottingley, Bradford. welcome service for the new Wolverhampton together to offer a clear pathway to those innovative way of doing things which will develop After his time in Lichfield Diocese, he became Episcopal Area team will take place at St Peter’s exploring their vocation and ongoing support over the coming months as we identify further Team Rector in Coventry before he was National Church, Wolverhampton, on 17 November. to clergy and other leaders. opportunities for collaboration and support.”

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The Church of England around Staffordshire, northern Shropshire and the Black Country Propagating Church Eco-residents

Ahead of the Greenhouse project piloting in Three words to put our house in order event of economy means that we have to look Stoke/Newcastle and Walsall from September Fertilising for right dealings, fairness and justice among us, (see back page to be Teams who have started or established a fresh Where were you at 21.17 (British Summer and a sustainable use of our resources. part of it), our Fresh expression sometimes need encouragement to Time) on 20 July 1969? Like almost everybody Expressions Enabler, be sustainable for the long-term. Examples: my age or even older, I was glued to a Then there is the word ecu-menical. In its Revd David Cundill, television set, watching very blurry images of deepest sense, this is not just about relations summarises four •• afternoon tea event needing a spiritual aspect Apollo 11’s lunar module touch down on the between different denominations of the church; ways that Christian •• Messy Church needing to develop new leaders moon – followed a few hours later by the first it refers to all who dwell within our own home communities form •• help to move beyond forming community to human moon walk. – that is, all the citizens of earth. The future of and grow. sharing Jesus or developing disciples our planet belongs to us all, and it can only be •• an informal worship event wanting to draw the And where was I at 21.17 on 20 July this year? saved by all of us together: as members of a gifts and context of non-churched attendees. I was in Lichfield Cathedral, for a celebration of worldwide communion, we Christians should Planting seeds the Eucharist beginning exactly 50 years to the of all people know that being part of a wider Plant a known seed from an day, hour and minute after that momentous belonging is the only way to bring change in established variety for new people to enjoy: Grafting event. We used Eucharistic Prayer C from the our divided world. We have a deep-rooted faith but not everyone American Book of Common Prayer: At your •• a Messy Church, Breakfast Church or themed is attracted to the same flowers. So sometimes command all things came to be: the vast And third, of course, there is eco-logy. We congregation, new churches can grow through gathering expanse of interstellar space, galaxies, have come to see, as never before, •• an engaging presence on an established people of similar outlook or interest rather than suns, the planets in their courses, how fragile our world is, how estate or new housing development or similar, place or church tradition: and this fragile earth, our island precarious its survival, how •• an existing group with a deliberate intent to home. Those words, written great the responsibility laid add a spiritual dimension through a change •• at the pub or the the gym, around sports, arts ten years after the moon on us to care for this, the or additional gathering. and crafts, social groups, music, or for dog landing, express powerfully home God has given owners, DIY enthusiasts both the vastly enlarged into our stewardship. On Or you may not even have a team yet - just an •• through sharing an allotment, community horizons which space 20 September, led by inkling of a need to reach those who might be initiatives, things to meet people’s needs exploration has opened to young people around square pegs in a round congregation: young people, •• exploring Christian spirituality and tradition in us, and at the same time the world, there will be a the elderly, workplace, black & minority ethnic, new and creative ways like forest church, new the focus it shines on our great day of mobilisation shoppers, commuters, students, specific needs, etc. monastic communities or meditation. own small planet, ‘our of Christians, people island home’. Viewed from of other faiths, and Read more at lichfield.anglican.org/greenhouse beyond, our earth looks all of good will to Taking Cuttings both very beautiful and raise awareness of the Teams who have an established Fresh Expression, very vulnerable. challenges facing us, and Messy Church or similar may want to start another: the urgency of collective The recognition that together we need to action to change our collective behaviour. •• the same - in a different location, care for this home of ours is an ancient one, Bishop Clive speaks on page 1 of this Spotlight •• quite similar - for a different community, as we can see from three related ‘eco’ words, about why we should join together on 20 •• potting-on - for the same congregation as all of them from the Greek oikos, ‘a house’. September, and as we do that we need to hold they grow in age or discipleship. First is eco-nomics, literally the way in which to the big picture. Ecological mobilisation, a household is to be ordered. In Christian ecumenical partnership and economic justice From the Editor survey. This will be used to help shape the way tradition, the ‘Divine Economy’ means in the go together as we commit to the future of ‘this we create and distribute the magazine in the first place the Incarnation, the coming among fragile earth, our island home’, which God loved I hope you had a great summer. Many coming months. Meanwhile, let us know what us of God as the man Jesus of Nazareth so much that he gave his only Son for its life. thanks to those of you who gave us you’re planning for the Climate Action Day on to recast and renew our relations with one +Michael feedback on Spotlight in our recent 20 September! another. In everyday terms, that momentous Bishop of Lichfield

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The Church of England around Staffordshire, northern Shropshire and the Black Country in the footsteps of St Chad in the footsteps of Come follow Christ Everyday Faith trinitychurches.org/everyday/ Trinity Meole Brace. Tickets (£8) from www. Saturday 16 November, 10.00-15.15 - Holy Ludlow and Shrewsbury returns hosted once again by the Bishops of The biennial Shropshire Churches Conference DIARY

org/greenhouse 622592 or lichfield.anglican. 10.00-16.00. Book via 01543 16 Nov, Aldridge Parish Centre: 28 Sept, St Paul’s Longton Hall Expressions team) and David Cundill Heather Cracknell (from the national Fresh With Bishop Michael, Michael Moynagh/ Learn how it works and to be involved. Greenhouse Launch [email protected] lichfield.anglican.org/events events in the Diocese, visit events by email to Let us know about your For a full listing of For a full listing of

November. More info at Yarnfield Conference Centre, Stone, 8-10 heritage to explore lay or ordained ministry. Weekend conference for anyone with BAME Walk with Me

churchofengland.org/ministry-events Sunday 22 Sept, 15.00 evensong in the cathedral. anniversary with a service of choral 1989 and will be celebrating thus run from the Cathedral Close since the blind and partially sighted has The monthly audio magazine for Diocesan Digest at 30! LED More at lichfield.anglican.org/ resources. Led by members of Includes training and free managing pastoral offices. this new, free online tool for clergy to discover more about A day for administrators and Life Events Diary 3pm. Beacon Centre, Stafford. the national CofE team

Thursday 3 October, 10am-

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