The choice Into the INSIDE of Christmas arms of books & Disney? gifts p13 p10-12

THE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013 No: 6205 www.churchnewspaper.com PRICE £1.35 1,70j US$2.20 THE ORIGINAL CHURCH NEWSPAPER ESTABLISHED IN 1828 NEWSPAPER Welcome for Wonga action CHRISTIAN FINANCIAL the Most Rev , has In a statement for ACFA Arwyn law will need to be tightly worded spread of payday lending shops. advisers have welcomed the been a powerful critic of payday Bailey said that the organisation to prevent payday lenders piling ACFA wants action to encourage announcement by the Chan- loan companies although he has was ‘delighted the government on arrangement fees. Credit Unions. cellor of a cap on payday been reticent in calling for regula- has finally heeded calls to protect It said the law should also man- In the past, there has been loans. The Association of tion, telling the magazine Total the poor and end this culture of date lenders to be certain the bor- some reluctance to cap rates set Christian Financial Advisers Politics it was his ambition to see exploitation’. rower can afford to repay the by payday lending companies in (ACFA) has long campaigned the Church of England compete He added that ‘a fair cap must loan. case people in real need turn to to prevent loan sharks preying Wonga out of business. He later be set on interest rates and credit ACFA also supports the cam- backstreet lenders who use on those hit by the recession. admitted that this would take charges across the board’. paign by the Labour Party to give threats and intimidation to secure The , many years. ACFA has warned that the new councils the power to halt the repayment. attacks Tesco for stocking lads’ mags THE has hit out at super- markets such as Tesco for selling lads’ mags that degrade women. In debate on human rights around the world, Bishop Alastair Redfern urged the UK to look at the “motes in our own eye”. Bishop Redfern said companies such as Tesco “sell these magazines along with cheese and corn- flakes”. “They objectify women and normalise the offen- sive attitude of making women commodities. “We give large companies such as Tesco the freedom to degrade the women in our midst. That is the context in which we come to this debate: the motes in our own eyes.” Bishop Redfern also hit out at the fact that women were not yet allowed to become . “I am embarrassed that my church has legisla- tion in place to discriminate against women, as much religion still does,” he said. “We are moving towards tackling these things, and the prime movers have been women them- selves. “We as a church have been criticised, rightly, for the long and tortuous path of giving women full access to leadership in our institution.”

JAMES CATFORD 7 • COMMENT 7 • LETTERS 8 • ANDREW CAREY 10 • HOPE 13 • CLERGY MOVES 14 • PAUL RICHARDSON 16 2 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday November 29, 2013 News Inside... The original Church newspaper

UK News ...... 1-4 Deal to tackle climate World News ...... 5 By Joe Ware The meeting coincided with super typhoons like Haiyan urge leaders to ensure urgent the devastating Typhoon Haiyan, become a fact of life. We refuse action on pollution would be Comment THE UN CLIMATE summit which laid waste to parts of the to accept that running away from taken. Nigel Nelson ...... 6 held in the Polish national Philippines killing thousands. In storms, evacuating our families, Despite the positive steps to Leader ...... 7 football stadium in Warsaw an act of solidarity with his peo- suffering the devastation and address climate change-induced James Catford ...... 7 ended in extra time on Satur- ple, the head of the Philippines misery, having to count our ‘loss and damage’ many people Letters ...... 8 day night with agreement on delegation, Yeb Sano, announced dead, become a way of life.” felt the summit was a missed Andrew Carey ...... 9 the need to help the most vul- he was going to fast for the dura- In support of his stance a num- opportunity with some environ- Whispering Gallery ...... 9 nerable countries suffering tion of the talks or until meaning- ber of faith-based groups joined mental NGOs including WWF Christmas books and gifts . . . .10 the irreversible effects of cli- ful action was taken on curbing him in his fast. Rowan Williams, and Action Aid walking out in Christmas books and gifts . . . .11 mate change. carbon emissions at the summit. Chair of Christian Aid, called on protest. Christmas books and gifts . . . .12 The two-week meeting saw In an emotional speech he supporters and fellow Britons to Mohamed Adow, Senior Cli- Films ...... 13 environment ministers and gov- said: “I speak for my delegation. fast for a day in solidarity and to mate Change Adviser at Chris- HOPE ...... 13 ernment negotiators from 190 But more than that, I speak for urge action at the summit. tian Aid, said progress needed to Janey Lee Grace ...... 15 countries working on the global the countless people who will no Dr Williams said: “People made next year if a promised response to climate change. longer be able to speak for them- everywhere need the UN talks global climate treaty in 2015 was Despite running past its Friday selves after perishing from the on climate change to produce a to be agreed. “The science is The Record deadline into Saturday evening storm. I also speak for those who result that will in time make the clear and Typhoon Haiyan has Classifieds ...... 13 parties agreed to establish the have been orphaned by this world a safer and more just shown a glimpse of the human Clergy Moves ...... 14 Warsaw International Mecha- tragedy. place.” and economic cost of extreme Spiritual Director ...... 15 nism designed to help the “We can take drastic action Other faith groups and cam- climate events. Next year needs Sunday Service ...... 15 world’s poorest countries now to ensure that we prevent a paigners followed suit, announc- to be the year of ambition if we Anglican Life ...... 15 receive support in dealing with future where super typhoons are ing that members would fast for are to stay on track for a global Paul Richardson ...... 16 ‘loss and damage’ already caused a way of life. We refuse, as a a day a month until next year’s deal in 2015 that assures a safe Crossword ...... 16 by climate change. nation, to accept a future where climate summit in Lima, Peru, to future for millions.” Church Bishops wear Your News from your diocese

Lincoln: The Bishop of reign. Presented to the white ribbons Lincoln made his annual Queen were the Rt Rev trip to the Lincolnshire , the MORE THAN 60 BISHOPS wore a white ribbon on Monday to sup- Highways depot to bless Bishop of Southwark, as port the campaign to eliminate gender-based violence. Many visit- the work of the teams well as his Chaplain and ed local projects and used Twitter to raise awareness. who grit Lincolnshire’s Leifur Breidfjord, the cre- Between a quarter and a half of all women in the UK are thought roads, as they prepare for ator of the window, and his to experience domestic violence. winter. The Rt Rev wife, Sigridur Johannsdot- The , the Rt Rev , who is chair of Christopher Lowson tir. The Icelandic Ambas- the Panel for World Mission, said he was delighted so many bish- offered a blessing for the sador and the present and ops supported the campaign. He disclosed that the initiative had work and safety of the past Masters of the come from Anglicans overseas who had approached him because workers. Said The Bishop Glaziers Company were they were concerned about violence against women. of Lincoln of this annual also presented, as the win- To mark the day for raising awareness, Bishop Watson visited project: “People all over dow was a gift from the the and Solihull Women’s Aid and spoke with victims Lincolnshire are enor- Worshipful Company of of abuse and those who support them. He also spoke at an event mously grateful for the Glaziers. Having viewed organised by Asha, a charity that has been working with women hard work of those who the window, Her Majesty living in the poorer areas of Delhi, seeking to empower them to salt the roads in all hours and in all weathers...The The Queen and His Royal Highness saw the Jubilee make a difference to their lives and their communities. annual blessing of the work of the gritting teams is an Copes which are being made for the four Bishops of The Mothers’ Union has thrown its weight behind the White Rib- opportunity to thank them for their work, to pray for Southwark and are a gift from the Worshipful Compa- bon Campaign and produced an action pack, which can be down- their safety, and to remind us all of our responsibility ny of Needlemakers to whom the Bishop of South- loaded from its website. to drive carefully for the sake of our own safety and wark is Chaplain. The Cathedral broderers who are Canon Janet Price, World Mission Adviser for the Archbishops’ that of others.” making them were presented to the Royal guests. Council, said this was an issue on which it was vital to stand in sol- idarity with the rest of the Anglican Communion because it was a Portsmouth: Kev Pybus and his wife Nicky will Southwell and Nottingham: Jubilee House, the problem affecting women in every culture. launch their new alternative worship concept entitled new eco-friendly offices for the Diocese of Southwell A spokesman for the White Ribbon Campaign, originally started ‘Or?’ at St Cuthbert’s Church, Copnor, to encourage a & Nottingham, opened on Saturday 16 November. by a group of men, said that it was ‘a wonderful start to ending new type of participation in Advent. The couple will Bishop Paul Butler and Diocesan Chief Executive abuse’ to have senior church leaders speaking out. add thought-provoking images to the church gazebo Nigel Spraggins welcomed dignitaries including the every day of Advent starting December 1, and will High Sheriff, Nicola Weston; members of Bishops continue the monthly series in the New Year with Council; representatives of the Civic Society; Town multimedia exhibits to encourage reflection. They Councillors; Lay Chairs and Area Deans, and neigh- hope that the new series, of which the visual displays bours from the surrounding area. The Notting- are open to the public, will allow a place where people hamshire artists who created the sculptures and can encounter God in a new way, aiming to be a stained glass work in the chapel were also invited. ‘church for the unchurched’. Commercial property specialist Tom Redgate said of For more information, see the renovations, “To see modern architecture, histo- www.facebook.com/or.alternativeworship ry and heritage combined in such a way, is testament or www.twitter.com/orAltWorship. to the creativity and investment that is evident in the county.” Jubilee House, which covers 1,290 square Southwark: Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied metres, is constructed from natural materials and by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, visit- provides a mission centre, conference facilities for ed last week to see the Dia- the diocese and accommodation for approximately 50 mond Jubilee window that marks the 60th year of her staff.

[email protected]/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper News Friday November 29, 2013 www.churchnewspaper.com 3 SYNOD QUESTIONS Jersey Dean is cleared By Amaris Cole Council, did quote the results of a recent Church Urban Fund sur- AFTER RECEIVING a report by Judge Dame One Jersey Senator called for the Archbishop of The Church is consulting vey, showing 81 per cent of parish- Helen Steel on the handling of a safeguarding Canterbury to intervene and said that members of Stonewall on how to combat es support a food bank in some issue in Jersey the , the all churches on the island were concerned at the homophobic bullying in way. Rt Rev Timothy Dakin, has announced that treatment the Dean had received. The com- schools. More than a quarter of the 466 no disciplinary action will be taken against plainant eventually asked the Bishop to halt his During Question Time at Gener- churches who responded to the any member of the clergy. action against the Dean but he declined. al Synod last week, the Bishop of questioner said they manage a The result has been widely welcomed in Jersey In a press release Bishop Dakin said that he is Oxford revealed the gay rights food bank themselves. and seen as a vindication of the Dean, the Very ‘all too conscious that questions remain about charity were among the groups “We do not know a great deal Rev Robert Key. Last Saturday’s headline in Jer- safeguarding best practice as well as the effect that were involved in a project to about the profile of people who use sey’s evening newspaper simply said: ‘Dean this issue has had on Jersey’s relationship with the produce material on the issue. the food banks,” Mr Lunn said in a Cleared’. rest of the Diocese’. Anglican Mainstream said they supplementary. “But we are scepti- Because of legal representation he has received He declared his confidence that a Visitation by were ‘astonished’ to hear cal that using food banks is a from an interested party, the Bishop has decided Bishop John Gladwin will help in the long-term Stonewall has been chosen to ‘lifestyle choice’.” not to publish the report. Jersey’s Foreign Minis- but announced that he has asked the support of deliver the service. The Chair believed many seek- ter, Sir Philip Bailhache, has said he is ‘appalled’ the Archbishop of Canterbury so that a pastoral Chris Sugden, secretary of the ing the help of these centres were by this decision. He has called on the Bishop to visit can be made to the Channel Islands and fresh group, said the choice was dis- employed but not earning enough honour his promise to pass on copies of the report perspectives can be taken on safeguarding. criminatory, unscientific, unsafe to afford food for their families. to the Bailiff and the Dean. A visit is to be undertaken next month by the and anti-Jesus. There are now six employees of In a statement to The Church of England News- , the Rt Rev , and Dr Sugden also believed the the Church Commissioners who paper the Dean said he was delighted that, togeth- the , the Rt Rev Trevor Wilmot. move was bigoted, saying: earn over £100,000. er with other clergy, he has been exonerated. Bishop Wilmot previously served in the Diocese “Stonewall has a history of inhibit- One of these appointments was He said he was grateful to all the clergy and peo- of Winchester as . The ing freedom of speech, by perse- made in the last three years, but ple of Jersey for all the support he has received Dean has welcomed the involvement of the Arch- cuting those who disagree with its there are currently no roles vacant and looks forward to receiving a copy of the bishop of Canterbury and the visit of the two bish- views. The organization hosts a in this pay grade. report. The original complaint was made against ops. gala Annual Awards Event in Lon- “The Church Commissioners the Dean by a woman who felt he had failed to During the visit the two bishops will meet with don each year which features benchmark their salaries against take appropriate action in response to her com- local church leaders and island authorities to see nominees for and presentation of all sectors using AON Hewitt plaint about the behaviour of a churchwarden in how progress can be made in the current situa- Bigot of the Year Award. which has the largest salary data- 2008. tion. “Their visit will enable further conversations “The former Bishop of Winches- base in the UK,” Mr Andreas Whit- A report into the Dean’s handling of the issue by to be held, which I am sure will benefit the islands ter, Michael Scott-Joynt, was tam Smith replied. the Diocesan Safeguarding Panel found that he and the wider diocese,” said Bishop Dakin. “They among the nominees in 2009. Why The First Church Estates Com- did not comply with key safeguarding procedures will report back to me by the end of the year.” would the Church of England wish missioner added that the Commis- in dealing with the complaint. The Dean said he is looking forward to putting to be publicly associated with such sioners pay ‘no more – but also no For a time the Dean was suspended but he the issue behind him and ‘to proclaiming Christ at an organization?” less – than is needed to secure and received strong support from people in Jersey. Christmas’. Christian Concern also raised retain professional staff of the nec- fears about the organisation’s essary quality’. involvement, asking supporters to Following three years of below- contact the Archbishop of Canter- inflation increases of two per cent Cautious hope for women bishops bury about it. per annum being made across the Over the next term, Church 2011 – 2013 triennium, the Arch- By Amaris Cole the appointment of Justin Welby overwhelming vote in favour schools will pilot the material cur- bishops’ budget will remain flat for as Archbishop of Canterbury has led to an open door and a rently being written by the project the next two years. THE ARCHBISHOP of Can- and his experience as an advo- clear path.” consultant. The Office and Working costs terbury is ‘cautiously hope- cate of reconciliation. The Chair of the Steering The Pilling Report is to be pub- budget for the Archbishops at ful’ that women in the “I suppose we might not have Committed reminded Synod lished ‘soon’, the Archbishop of Lambeth and Bishopthorpe will episcopate will soon be a got to where we are today with- that while the motion consid- Canterbury promised during a remain the same at the 2013 budg- reality, following General out the Archbishop’s influence,” ered GS 1924 as a whole, it was one-word answer to Synod during et for the 2014 – 2016 triennium. Synod’s approval of new leg- the Bishop added. really the five points, dubbed as last week. Shell has assured the Church of islation. However, he warned that ordi- the Guiding Principles, that Archbishop Welby was asked to England that they will adopt a ‘cau- Following a strikingly unified nation of women to the episco- were in question. clarify exactly how soon in a sup- tious’ approach to drilling in the debate last Wednesday, com- pate wasn’t yet imminent, saying “People may have quibbles plementary question, but could Arctic. pared to last year’s ‘train crash’, the vote was just part of a con- about various words and phras- not give a date, despite the docu- Following the Church Commis- a division of the whole Synod tinuing process. es within this statement of guid- ment being completed. sioners’ justification of holding revealed 378 members voted in The Committee were careful ing principles, but I would ask you The Archbishop did digress that shares in Royal Dutch Shell, being favour of the proposals. to design a process as well as to remember that these are guid- it would be ‘quite soon’ when that they would use this as an Just eight votes against were documents, he added, and ing principles, not Holy Writ nor a pushed, but not ‘very soon’. opportunity to question the Board recorded, with 25 abstentions. today’s victory was not a cause creedal statement.” The Pilling Commission on on the ethics of their work, the It was also agreed that the for complacency. Synod was being asked to human sexuality was established Ven Jonathan Lloyd asked how. whole Synod will be involved in “There’s a lot of work that is send the essence of the propos- in 2011 by the House of Bishops to Mr Andreas Whittam Smith said the revision process, possibly still to be done; it’s not over.” als forward. review the Church’s official posi- they were advised by the EIAG next February, skipping the Many Bishops have spoken The tion on sexuality. that Shell executives are ‘aware of revision committee stage. since the vote to voice their warned that members should A question by Mr Philip Fletch- its responsibilities in the Arctic’. The Rt Rev James Langstaff, approval at its success, with the not open champagne bottles, er revealed the launch of the Shell promises to incorporate Chair of the Steering Commit- saying: “We’re because there is a need to con- Churches’ Mutual Credit Union multiple barriers into all wells in tee, credited much of the pro- under way! A very positive tinue to walk together, in a ‘pil- next summer, possibly at July’s order to prevent spills. gression of women bishops to debate at General Synod and an grimage of love and trust’. Synod. The Mission and Public Affairs Council are not involved in the creation of the credit union, but say they are being kept abreast of the developments. The CMCU Business Plan has now been finalised in con- sultation with the Association of British Credit Unions. The Mission and Public Affairs Council also answered questions about food banks, but had no data about the total number that the Church of England is involved in. Mr Robin Lunn, Chair of the

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 4 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday November 29, 2013 News Long-term The Church ‘is not aid ‘vital’ SUPPORTING the Philippines in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan requires a long-term commitment and not just short-term aid, the has said. Bishop said the dis- verging on extinction’ aster has shown the “remarkable gen- erosity” of the British people in THE has hit back “It is a church which baptises, marries vital and proper role in creating the com- contributing to the relief effort. at claims from the former Archbishop and buries a significant proportion of the mon good that we all wish to see.” But he said it was important to con- of Canterbury Lord Carey that the population, educates some 1 million chil- But he said he did not “advocate the co- centrate on not just the “emergency Church of England is on the verge of dren in church schools and serves the poor, option of the Church into the wholesale phase”, which involved providing extinction. the homeless, the lonely, the hungry and delivery of welfare programmes on behalf things such as food, water and shelter, Opening a debate in the House of Lords the distressed in often unnoticed but cru- of the state”. but the “recovery phase”, which on a report by the think tank ResPublica, cial ways.” “Experience suggests that there is a dan- involved housing and infrastructure. Bishop Tim Stevens said it showed the He added: “The report rightly reminds us ger here of the faith and voluntary sector In the House of Lords Bishop Church was present in every community. that we stand at a moment of exceptional being systematically undercut by the big Urquhart asked Leader of the House His comments came after Lord Carey opportunity. corporations, which can drive down costs and Lord Hill of Oareford: “In looking fur- warned that the Church could be on the “Far from extinction, the church is ready perhaps quality of service to below that which ther ahead than just the natural verge of extinction within a generation to play its part. Its great strength is in the the churches could countenance,” he said. response to the ghastly situation, will unless more was done to attract new wor- creation of local networks of neighbourli- The , the Rt Rev James you take into account two matters? shippers. ness and civility which allow informal Newcome, making his maiden speech in “One was raised by the Philippines He told peers: “The Church of England is bonds to develop and reduce the demands the debate, highlighted the plan to turn climate change commissioner, Yeb on the verge of extinction, or so you would for many aspects of state welfare. Rose Castle, the former residence of his Sano, at the UN Climate Change Con- believe if you accept this week’s tabloid “This is a vital part of the ecology of wel- predecessors into an international Chris- ference in Warsaw. He said, ‘Typhoons headlines. fare provision because it embodies Bev- tian centre for reconciliation. such as Haiyan and its impacts repre- “The report of the think tank ResPublica, eridge’s conviction that strong state “We hope that very soon it will become a sent a sobering reminder to the inter- entitled Holistic Missions: Social Action provision works only if there is a well- global hub for scriptural reasoning between national community that we cannot and the Church of England, presents us resourced informal network of voluntary Christians, Muslims and Jews, for training afford to procrastinate on climate with a different picture. action to support community resilience. journalists, politicians and others in reli- action’ and that the emergency “It presents a picture of a church which is “The time has come to value that network gious literacy, for conflict resolution at vari- response should look into the much present in every community, town, village more, to understand it better, to resource it ous levels and for environmental more serious long-term effects of and city and embedded in its localities. more effectively and to enable it to play its sustainability,” he said. these kinds of climate changes.” Bishop challenges Ukip Welcome for action on energy firms THE has She said ministers would try sumers to switch suppliers,” welcomed a Government to reach a voluntary agreement Bishop Forster said. views on Islamic faith move to force energy firms to first, but if that was not possible “That is a good thing and it is give consumers a breakdown they would use a new power to very helpful that this informa- The Bishop of Birmingham has than the ideal that we want to pro- of their costs. force them to take action. tion will be made available one called for dialogue and under- mote. That is true of all religions Energy minister Baroness Bishop Peter Forster, who has way or another on bills. standing in the face of Ukip and, indeed, of all humanity. Verma announced in the House been pressing for the ministers “However, it needs to be made claims that Islam is a violent “Rather than seek division or of Lords that bills would have to adopt the policy, welcomed available consistently, in the religion. selective use of scriptures and the- to set out the cost of govern- the Government amendment to same form, by different suppli- Bishop David Urquhart spoke ology, I emphasise today that the ment green programmes, the Energy Bill that will provide ers, so that if you are comparing out in favour of tolerance in a healing of divisions and the com- wholesale energy costs, net- the power to force through the a bill from one supplier with a House of Lords debate led by the munication between those of differ- work and distribution costs change. bill from another, the informa- Ukip peer Lord Pearson of Ran- ent religions and societies is the and the company’s operating “The Government rightly tion is supplied in the same form noch. primary responsibility, such as we costs and profits. want to make it easy for con- on each bill.” Lord Pearson said there were find in the very diverse community “thousands of home-grown poten- of Birmingham, with 187 nationali- tial terrorists” within Muslim com- ties and all the great religions of Bishop calls for a religious freedom munities in the UK. the world represented in great “What baffles me completely is numbers.” that when we do speak against He pointed to a range of efforts ambassador to be appointed these things, when we dare to say to prevent terrorism and promote THE GOVERNMENT should do more to “Despite this trend, Governments the world that they come from within Islam, integration and understanding. combat a decade of marked declines in reli- over - ours included, I fear - still assign it too low a we are told that we are the guilty “Of course, those national and gious freedoms across the world, the Bishop priority than the scale of the crisis at present ones, that it us who are stirring up international efforts - the practical of Wakefield has said. requires. hate,” he said. resistance of evil wherever it is Bishop Stephen Platten called for the Govern- “Part of this reluctance, I imagine, is that Gov- “But the hate lies in the heart of found - are necessary,” he said. ment to appoint an ambassador for religious free- ernments and opinion-makers are hesitant, per- the Islamist. We can only stir it up “But it is at the local level in local dom to help tackle the problem. haps even reluctant, to acknowledge the because it is already there, red hot dialogue and local communication In a House of Lords debate on human rights, he connection between levels of religious freedom and seething against us.” that I believe these terrible things said: “The all-party parliamentary group’s recent and the basic health and well-being of societies. But Bishop Urquhart hit back at that we experience can begin to be report on international religious freedom, Article “This is not about protecting the rights of one the claims that there was anything resolved. 18: An Orphaned Right, accurately shows that religious community over another but about pro- intrinsically violent about Islam. “We should sit with one another over the past decade every region in the world viding for the human flourishing of all, ir respec- “Of course, if I read my own and listen to the understanding of has seen marked declines with regard to religious tive of whether they have a religious belief.” scriptures, as I do every day, and our theologies but also debate vig- freedom. Bishop Platten called for a move from “essen- select various pieces of them, I orously the differences that we find “Christians in Egypt and Syria, Baha’is in Iran, tially negative strategies that have been rooted in could easily form myself into some when we do not understand why Shi’ite Muslims in Indonesia, and Sunni Muslims combating discrimination, intolerance, hate kind of sect which would be disap- someone might feel differently or in Thailand and Burma face serious threats to speech and incitement” to a positive approach to proved of, I hope, by most of civil behave in a different way. their viability and even survival. religious freedom emphasising the “wider social society,” he said in a debate in a “I hope that today we will under- “If and belief is a primary benefits” it brings. grand committee of the Lords. stand that there are difficulties but barometer of the social health of a nation, the pal- He said the appointment of a “special represen- “Nonetheless, our activities that we are building a new commu- pable decline in recent years in respect of this tative for religious freedom” would “help enhance which are theological, seeking nity in a completely unrecognised most fundamental right suggests a wor rying state the voice of the UK as the champion of an inclu- peace, are often turned into histori- way in places such as Birming- of affairs regarding the health of the global com- sive approach to freedom of religion or belief”. cal disappointments and much less ham.” mon good.

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper News Friday November 29, 2013 www.churchnewspaper.com 5 ‘The Cross can’t save,’ says new Australian bishop By George Conger people for whom it’s unexpected that a does not save” but it is “Jesus’ presence been made diocesan bishops but this is a woman has been elected. For some people among us” that saves. The bishop-elect national first for . THE DIOCESE of Grafton has appoint- for whom it will be unwelcome, I think also has gone on record endorsing the Dr Macneil’s election comes at a difficult ed Australia’s first diocesan woman there’ll be some scrutiny but there’ll also ordination to the priesthood of candidates time for the diocese. Her predecessor, the bishop. be, for a lot of people, a lot of excitement who are in same-sex relationships — a stance Rt Rev Keith Slater, resigned in May 2013 On 17 November 2013 a 12-member and joy.” at odds with the Church’s teachings. in the wake of an abuse scandal involving Nomination Board appointed by the dioce- While women have been appointed assis- A onetime member of the Australian the Church of England North Coast Chil- san synod selected the Rev Dr Sara Mac- tant bishops in , Canberra, diplomatic corps, Dr Macneil declined to dren’s Home in Lismore. neil to be the 11th bishop of the New South Perth and Brisbane, none have been elect- elaborate on the reason she was resigning On 18 November 2013 a Royal Commis- Wales diocese. ed to the episcopate. While serving as less than two years after her appointment sion into Institutional Responses to Child In a statement released on the Diocese of Archdeacon of Canberra in 2008 she stood as South Australia’s first female Dean – and Sexual Abuse began hearings on the dio- Canberra and Goulburn website, Dr Mac- for election as bishop in that diocese, but the first woman to be appointed to the post cese’s conduct in the North Coast Chil- neil, the Senior Associate at Holy was not elected. in an Australian capital city. dren’s Home affair. Covenant in Jamison, ACT, said she was In 2011 Dr Macneil abruptly quit as Dean Unlike other Australian dioceses, where However, Bishop-elect Macneil stated: “surprised, overwhelmed, humbled” to be of Adelaide, telling the congregation of St the choice of bishop is made by the synod, “In recent times the Diocese of Grafton has appointed Australia’s first female diocesan Peter’s Cathedral she was resigning as she in the diocese of Grafton a 12-member faced financial difficulties and is now bishop. could “no longer work with integrity at committee composed of six clergy and six appearing before the Royal Commission... “I am awed by the confidence placed in diocesan level.” A member of the liberal lay members is elected by the synod to There is a determination among the people me by the [Grafton Diocese] appointment wing of the Australian church, Dr Macneil select and then appoint the bishop. of the diocese to understand what has gone board and by their willingness to be trail- rejects the doctrine of penal substitution- Other women have been consecrated as wrong in the past, to ensure that it does not blazers,” she said. ary atonement, journalist the Rev David assistant bishops within Australian Angli- happen again and to embrace the future She told the ABC: “There’ll be lots of Ould reports, and has argued the “cross can dioceses and, overseas, women have with hope, trusting in God.” Governor-General Australians wary of Islam ISLAM IS NOT a religion of peace in the minds of the majority of Aus- tralians, a survey conducted on behalf of the backs republic reports. The survey, undertaken by Roy Mor- GOVERNOR-GENERAL head of state.” al had spoken out. “To have gan Research Ltd, indicates a majority of Quentin Bryce has The governor-general’s the governor-general step Australians believe the assimilation of endorsed gay marriage comments prompted some forward and say this is Muslim immigrants is not working as 70 and a republican form of political leaders to call for something Australians care per cent believe the country is not a bet- government for Aus- her dismissal, while others about, and as the governor- ter place because of Islam. tralia. endorsed her views. general, she believes that The survey, completed in late October, Appointed Australia’s first NSW state MP David marriage equality is a found a majority (53 per cent) of Aus- female governor-general in Elliott, who in 1999 led the human right ... it’s hugely tralians want full face coverings banned wood said the poll results validate in their 2008 by then Labor Party “no republic” that influential across all voter from public spaces and 50.2 per cent want opinion the need for “new strategies and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, fought attempts to make groups.” Islamic law banned altogether. policies. While followers of most religions Mrs Bryce, the former gov- Australia a republic and However, Liberal Party Older Australians and those who voted seem to get along well, Australian politi- ernor of Queensland, stated remove the Queen as head Prime Minister Tony Abbott for the governing Liberal/National par- cians must acknowledge Islam is not just on 22 November 2013 in a of state, said: “If Quentin – a staunch opponent of gay ties coalition were holding harsher views another religion and the growing concern lecture delivered in Bryce wants to debate poli- marriage and a supporter of of Islam than did Green party supporters is not a fringe issue,” he said. that she hoped Australia cy and legislation she the monarchy — said he or younger voters. However, only 15 per The Q Society of Australia is a civil would become a nation should run for parliament, was not perturbed. “It’s cent of Australians think Islam and terror- rights advocacy group founded in 2010 were “people are free to not use her vice-regal posi- more than appropriate for ism are not related, while proposals by whose members are “concerned about love and marry whom they tion to pursue her own polit- the governor-general secularist and multicultural advocates to the socio-political problems associated choose”. ical agenda.” approaching the end of her cancel state Christmas, Easter or ANZAC with the rise of Islam and Sharia law in “And where perhaps, my Greens senator Sarah term to express a personal Day celebrations in order not to offend Australia; as well as religiously-motivated friends, one day, one young Hanson-Young told the view.” non-Christians is endorsed by only 3.5 per human rights abuses against religious girl or boy may even grow Associated Press she was Mrs Bryce is expected to cent of those surveyed. minorities in many OIC-member coun- up to be our nation’s first pleased the governor gener- step down in March, 2014. Q Society spokesman Andrew Hor- tries,” its website states. Oxford clergyman is sent to jail

A NSM priest in the “Your victim was aged from 10 to 12 and soon as he was arrested last year. and former magistrate has been sen- you were in your 50s. The impact on her of “Any case like this is a matter of sorrow and tenced to prison for child abuse. these offences has been devastating. She has regret for the Church of England. We recog- On 22 November the Rev Christopher Tad- suffered untold stress and has self-harmed. nise that the suffering of survivors of sexual man-Robins (66) was sentenced to two-and-a- “Your actions took away her innocence, abuse is profound and long-lasting. The half years imprisonment by the Luton Crown which is something from which she will never Church of England will not tolerate abusive Court after having been convicted of five recover,” the judge said as he handed down behaviour in its clergy or anyone else for counts of sexually abusing a 10-year-old girl. sentence. whom we have responsibility. We take allega- Ordained in 1989 Dr Tadman-Robins had Following his conviction last month, the tions of offences such as these extremely sat as a magistrate in Witney, and had taught noted Dr Tadman- seriously and always work closely with the music. He was also the former musical direc- Robins had served as a non-stipendiary statutory authorities to ensure abusers are tor of the Northern Ballet. in the Burford Benefice from 1989- brought to justice. While his barrister pleaded with the court 1992. “Since then he has held no ecclesiasti- “We would expect Dr Tadman-Robins to be for his client to be spared a term of imprison- cal office in the Diocese of Oxford, but used referred for barring and prohibited from ever ment as no other complaints of abuse had to take occasional services at the invitation of holding office in the Church of England again been made, Judge Philip Bartle QC said his the parish clergy in West Oxfordshire. His as a result of his conviction,” Bishop Colin past good deeds would not spare him. permission to officiate was withdrawn as Fletcher said.

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before flying home, to properly take in the Christian sites I had previously Wine of the Week only whizzed through. If you have made the pilgrimage yourself you will know it takes only a few steps to go Petit Chablis Nigel Nelson from the place of the crucifixion, to Union des Viticulteurs de Chablis 2011 the Stone of Unction where Jesus’ Majestic £11.99 (2 bottle price £9.99) body was reputedly anointed and bound, to his tomb in the Church of Burgundy’s great white grape is Chardonnay. View from Fleet Street the Holy Sepulchre. You will also The region runs from north, starting at the lit- know what an awesome spiritual jour- tle town of Chablis, ending around Lyon to the ney that is. south. It has had a great reputation for over I can’t say the same about Bethle- 1,000 years, enhanced by the efforts of Cister- hem on the West Bank and the cian monks in the 13th century, who are first Church of the Nativity where a spiritu- thought to have planted Chardonnay. Petit al experience is hard to be had. Pales- Chablis is from vineyards on the fringes of the tinian guides jostle each other to get original Chablis appellation. Our bottle is 100 per cent Hopes for the Chardonnay, with the expected pure freshness, so different from some over-fruited and over- oaked New World ver- sions in the past. In the glass, an inviting light Middle East gold, on the nose, the scent of fresh limes and The restaurant’s hoardings made British newspapers have been particu- white flowers. The Petit much play with loaves and fishes, larly sceptical, encouraged in no small Chablis can be lighter though that’s not why I was dining measure by a sceptical Foreign Office. on the palate than the there on the Sea of Galilee the other Our government does not believe peace main Chablis, and this week. I was returning from northern to be possible while Jewish settlements here was much the Israel to Tel Aviv after touring secret are still being built on Palestinian land case. army installations on the Golan and Anglo-Israeli relations have deterio- There was a well- Heights and stopped off for a bite. rated further now we are playing footsie Church of the Holy Sepulchre balanced invigorat- But had I been staying over in Galilee with Iran in the hope of halting it’s ing dryness with a I’m not sure another billboard in front of nuclear weapons programme. trace of sweeter the restaurant would have enticed me Travelling around Israel feels like their parties through the Palestinian notes, hints of ripe back. “Jesus said to them come and have being in a house where all the neigh- Authority police trying – and failing – apple and lime, breakfast,” it read. And claimed to be bours want to throw stones through the to keep order. They like a two-minute and a touch of from John 24:9. Jesus may well have said windows. Standing on the Golan Heights turnaround, just time to kneel briefly minerality. There something like that at some point but cer- overlooking Lebanon I was told Iranian- at the birthplace of Jesus and take a is no oak. Serve tainly not in John 24:9 – because John backed Hezbollah fighters have 200,000 quick picture. I rather felt they mon- lightly chilled, as stops at 21:25! But I’m sure the restaurant long-range missiles capable of hitting strously missed the point. an aperitif or with owners thought it a jolly clever wheeze anywhere in Israel. The British confirm So back in Jerusalem I took myself fish, especially anyway. that figure. Looking out over Syria I had a off to the Israel Museum, a 20-acre with shellfish, and I was spending a week in Israel and on birds-eye view of the civil war raging site which makes the British Museum finish the bottle Palestine’s West Bank to gauge the below. And Israel loses no matter who feel like a village exhibition, and once opened. Alco- progress of current peace negotiations at wins. Syria’s President Bashar Assad has where you can study the relics of the hol by Vol. 12.5%. ground level. No one I met was hopeful of 100,000 Scuds. And if the jihadists tri- Holy Land at your leisure and without success despite all of US Secretary of umph and they fall into their hands they the crowds. The ossuary that con- Graham Gendall State John Kerry’s efforts. But they do would like nothing better than to use tained the high priest Caiaphas is Norton expect progress. So a two-state solution them on Israel, too. there, and archaeologists are pretty may be a step nearer at the end of these But after a week of politics, it was time sure it is THE Caiaphas because it is talks than they are now. to take a few days R&R in Jerusalem the most elegant of the 12 found at the family burial place in south- east Jerusalem. And the inscription at each end lends C2- 42D0. -/-8EECIFD4 .GF/AAA further proof. But most moving of all J#>:%#) @A7@9#=I9& )7F' GII9?%D &#>DI@ )AI% &#> was to come across the 4%" 7 9?@@9I DI'5 ;#'I@A?%D 9?:I @A7@ H>7?%@ 2*2/ ossuary of Yehohanan, son @A7@ A7C $#C& F##'C 7%" "#IC 7 DFI7@ 6FI7:G7C@/ of Hagkol. His ankle bone – 6>@ "#IC%1@ 6FI7: @AI 67%:< #F )AI% 7 GF?I%" FIGIFC with a nail through it – is on 7 @F7"IC!IFC#% @# &#>/ )A# @>F% #>@ @# 6I I($I99I%@/ display, the only archeologi- 6>@ 79C# FI9?769I/ G7?F 7%" @#@799& A#%IC@, 8@ GII9C D##"/ cal evidence that exists of "#IC%1@ ?@5 crucifixion. If Yehohanan was a typical victim of the 8G &#> )#>9" 9?:I @A7@ C7'I GII9?%D )AI% 9##:?%D G#F &#>F barbaric practice then the %I(@ '#@#F $7F/ @F& BF?#F& 3>@#'#@?=I/ @AI& #%9& C>!!9& @# feet are not nailed to the front of the cross but on 09IFD& 7%" 0A>F$A 'I'6IFC C# &#> $7% 6I D>7F7%@II" each side, and hands are @AI =IF& 6IC@ 7@@I%@?#%, EG $#>FCI/ I=IF& $7F ?C $7FIG>99& tied or nailed over the back CI9I$@I" 7%" G>99& !FI!7FI" @# @AI A?DAIC@ C@7%"7F"/ 6>@ of the crossbar and not to &#> )?99 79C# GII9 @A7@ &#> 7FI @79:?%D @# GF?I%"C, BF?#F& the front of it as most depic- $7%1@ C7& ?@ 7%& 6I@@IF @A7% 07%#% .7=?" 07!F#% )A# tions of Christ’s crucifixion FI$I%@9& )F#@I+- suggest. )7:4#:& ,35#'#542< :<'#2<8 /00 56< 6/880< (6<% And I reflected that all this .3&4%9 / $/:* 16<& 042< 3! 5# 56<4: !:#'48<8 /%" "<042<: preservation of the past could come to naught unless : $/: 5# : ;:#%5 "##: /5 56< /9:<<" 54'< /%" 4% Jews and Arabs can agree 54!+5#! $#%"454#%-* on a future together. When you are surrounded by ene- F& H<5 J<5K) K!M( 6< 7(( J"@6 6"(H +@= )< mies as Israel is the threat of &<9 H<5B O576 $!3( 6"(> @ :5!+M +@KKA catastrophe is never very far away. 1K(@7( +@KKL ?,,' *%%N#N# <9 3!7!6 JJJA;9!<9H@56<><6!3(A+<> Nigel Nelson is political editor of the Sunday People

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The cause of women’s equality has been given a boost by General Synod’s final decision to approve the consecration of women, and it is of course vital that this historic decision is implemented by the senior for today’s Christians appointments commission with women bishops who are confident , open, preachers of Jesus Christ. This is important to buffer any accu- people the kind of teaching that was previously lim- sations that the Church of England is merely reflecting secular cultur- ited to a small circle who were ‘in the know’ about al values. The first women bishops must surely be ministers of the life. The oldest publishers have Christian roots, as Gospel rooted in actual parish ministry, not academics nor denizens of they sought to make Christian knowledge available the cathedral closes, but women who have ministered in the normal to the widest possible audience. parishes. This decision must be rooted more deeply than western fem- James Even now, books are still the best way for Chris- inism: our women bishops cannot be ‘champions for women’ or ‘break- tians to bring into their lives and homes people like ing the glass ceiling’ into the best jobs. Lewis, John Stott and Dallas Willard. How else Western feminism is not only an insufficient basis, but is itself now Catford could they sit at our breakfast tables, travel with us stuttering and stalling, indeed is falling silent when faced with non- on the train to work, and be our companion on holi- western cultural norms. There is little outrage from the western femi- day? nist movement against the horrifying and growing practice of genital To use a technical term, I really care little about mutilation in the UK, and the lack of any police prosecution or medical the ‘platform’ that people choose to read books on, discliplinary procedures. The equally appalling phenomenon of sex just as long as they are reading. At home and gangs grooming young girls as sexual objects for selling and using has abroad books continue to sell very strongly against not attracted much western feminist criticism – as if these girls, being their more glamorous competitors like TV and digi- working class, are not worth the attention of middle class, multi-cultur- Physical book or Kindle? Which will it be this tal. The book is not over yet. al feminism. The same applies to semi-forced ‘arranged’ marriages. Christmas? In the Christian publishing world times have Astonishingly we hear that the Vice Chancellors of UK Universities The contest is hotting up over which will win in been hard in recent years. Big name authors have have agreed that lecture audiences can be segregated, men and the gift market this year. Surprisingly, it looks like been thin on the ground, Christian bookshops have women, if a normally mingled audience might cause offence to extrem- the traditional hardback might be holding out closed and Christian publishers have contracted. ist speakers! So far no outrage has been voiced by the sisterhood – are against the variety of e-readers flooding the market. But this has much more to do with a stagnant econ- they now placing the universal rights of women to total equality below They may be more portable, but they are not quite omy, a contracting church, and the rise of Amazon those of narrow sectarian religious speakers? A cultural relativism the ‘must have’ device that many had predicted. than it does to the intrinsic decline of books. To use seems now to have entered the soul of western middle class feminism. Much of my career I spent in commercial book the ‘platform’ word again, people are changing Feminism took off from a rejection of ‘patriarchy’, an assumption of publishing and books are in my blood. They are their buying habits and switching away from Chris- male authority over families and women. But other cultures have still the best form of ‘knowledge transfer’ that I tian blockbusters. But they are still buying books. norms that support patriarchy, as Stephen Hopgood’s new book End know. If books continue to be an essential way to teach Times of Human Rights makes plain: the power of the West is declin- Last week marked the 50th anniversary of the and grow the church, then Christian leaders need ing and non-western nations of the Islamic world, China and India, are death of CS Lewis, on the same day that John F to rediscover their power. It is not good enough to increasingly pushing back against global legal Human Rights. This, Kennedy was assassinated. It is hard to say which have a handful of poor quality paperbacks buried in says Hopgood, will hurt women globally. But in the UK women are also of these men has left the greatest legacy. For Lewis some corner, or to abandon the idea of having them now being treated as if they were in non western territories and their his impact has been entirely through his writing. at all. Books can supplement the teaching from the different cultural norms, as we see in the examples above. I have heard a rare recording of a part of his front of church by being well promoted at the back A current textbook on law and nursing ethics by Graham Avery ‘broadcast talks’ which formed the basis of his best- of church. Small groups, good preaching and well- gives an example of a non-English speaking Asian woman at a GP sur- selling classic Mere Christianity. With chosen books are the three legs of a well-function- gery, whose husband’s cultural norm is to speak ‘for her’ exclusively, his affected English accent he ing Christian community. They each feed off each in their patriarchal cultural way. It would be a mistake to feel that east- would never make it as a broad- other. ern women feel the same way as western women in rejecting patri- caster today. Had he been a TV Nothing can substitute for a respected church archy: what right does the GP have to reject their cultural practices? presenter rather than a writer leader standing up and enthusiastically Should Asian women be forced to sacrifice their cultures? Our state of children’s books, it is hard commending life-changing books. It seems content to drift away from normative women’s rights as multi- to imagine him having an is true that some are suitable for culturalism bites ever deeper. All women deserve their rights, not just enduring place in our reading once and throwing away and the western middle classes. Christian vernacular. others are better used only for lighting The power of fires. But some books are worthy of books cannot be perpetual promotion and they need to The Church of England Newspaper exaggerated. become the core text of the core mem- with Celebrate magazine incorporating The Record and Christian Week They put into bers. Published by Political and Religious Intelligence Ltd. the hands I hesitate to recommend a gift list this Company Number: 3176742 of Christmas because each context and com- Publisher: Keith Young MBE munity is different. In any case, the best books to recommend personally are the ones that you are most passionate about your- Publishing Director & Editor: CM BLAKELY020 7222 8004 self. Chief Correspondent: The Rev Canon GEORGE CONGER 00 1 0772 332 2604 Christian books by reputable Reporter: AMARIS COLE 020 7222 8700 names can be commended alongside those from secu- Advertising: CHRIS TURNER 020 7222 2018 lar publishers. Christians Advertising & Editorial Assistant: PENNY NAIR PRICE 020 7222 2018 need to be well versed in the world if they are going Subscriptions & Finance: DELIA ROBINSON 020 7222 8663 to be confident in their Graphic Designer: PETER MAY020 7222 8700 faith. Novels carry and com- The acceptance of advertising does not necessarily indicate municate truth in different ways to endorsement. Photographs and other material sent for publication non-fiction. But they can both are submitted at the owner’s risk. The Church of England Newspaper reveal God to us and help us to does not accept responsibility for any material lost or damaged. become more like Jesus. Start- Christian Weekly Newspapers Trustees: Robert Leach (020 8224 5696), ing a book club at church could Lord Carey of Clifton, The Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, The Rt Rev Pete Broadbent, be the first step in growing Dr Elaine Storkey, The Rev Peter Brown, The Rev Cindy Kent stronger Christians and reaching out to the local community. The Church of England Newspaper, This Christmas, whether it’s an e- Political and Religious Intelligence Ltd reader or ink on paper, everyone still 14 Great College Street, , SW1P 3RX loves a good book. Editorial e-mail: [email protected] Advertising e-mail: [email protected] James Catford is Group Chief Executive Subscriptions e-mail: [email protected] of Bible Society. Email him at [email protected] Website: www.churchnewspaper.com

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Doctrine and past? It is therefore imperative to whelming primacy of environ- Questions on life after death have legislation enshrined in law. ment, culture and circumstances. marriage Sir, Peter Mullen’s article on “Life after death” (22 November) If the proponents will not adhere If you too have noticed this trend Sir, I feel that I have expressed seems to me to raise more questions than it answers. to this, it can only be because of non-engagement among those clearly and demonstrated in past I understand the need to move away from some of the Victorian they know they will want to who believe the ‘born gay’ myth, correspondence, Alan Bartley’s sentimentality that has surrounded the subject of Heaven but he change the legislation in future, why not cite all eight in the (albeit sincere) misunderstand- makes statements that impinge on vital areas of theology. He to the distinct disadvantage of tra- future? ing of Catholic doctrine and quotes Gilbert Ryle as saying “… nothing can inhabit a house of ditionalists. EO Laumann’s The Social teaching in the areas of marriage matter except something else made of matter” and on this state- Mrs Margaret Brown, Organisation of Sexuality (1994) is and contraception. ment dismisses the concept of man as a Spiritual being dwelling in Chairman, The Third Province a survey of 8,744 adults in the However Ms Roe seeks to write a material Body. Movement USA. It found, first, that self-iden- off my position as “ecclesiolatry”. How then does he reconcile this with the Incarnation of the Son Mayfield tification as homosexual The Catholic faith is beauty, bal- of God, the Eternal Word, as a human being with a real material increased among men 708 per ance and proportion, as its cre- body? John 1:14 is a key text here, “The Word became Flesh”. If cent rural to urban; second, that it ator is God. It in no way seeks to Ryle’s statement is true, this is impossible. increased among women 900 per disallow appeal to scripture, rea- Secondly, how does he reconcile this statement with the Offended cent non-college-educated to col- son or tradition. However that indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers. In 1 Corinthians 6:18-19 Sir, As a black Christian, I am get- lege-educated; third, that being appeal must never be above and Paul calls the bodies of individual believers as a Temple of the ting increasingly tired and offend- molested as a child led to a three against the Church, when the Holy Spirit. Again this is impossible if we follow Ryle’s statement ed at the persistent comparison times greater likelihood of identi- Divinely commissioned teacher “Nothing can inhabit a House of matter except something else between race and gender to pro- fying as homosexual later (WC has already definitively set out made of matter”. mote homosexuality. The Rev Holmes 1998: seven times doctrinal teachings. Thirdly, the Apostle Paul speaks about the body as being a Benny Hazlehurst’s recent piece greater; Jones and Yarhouse Such was the sad lot of Arius in “tent” that we will take off, 2 Corinthians 5:1-10. In Philippians 1:23 (15 November) added to this ire 2000: three-nine times greater). the fourth century, Martin Luther he contrasts “Departing and being with Christ” with “remaining in by saying that having black skin Bluntly, no one can deny that ado- in the 16th and Marcel Lefebvre the flesh”. What goes to be with Christ if the whole person dies was comparable to the sexual feel- lescents will want to experiment in the 20th. with the death of the body? How does Fr Mullen reconcile these ings experienced by homosexu- sexually; nor that many will find Whilst popes may make pas- scriptures, and many more, with a concept of man as a totally als, lesbians and trans people. no opportunities for this other toral mistakes and unwise person- material being, who dies completely and ceases to exist until the Why do church ministers (of all than with their own gender; nor al decisions, on defined doctrines Resurrection? people!) perpetuate this compari- that the resulting initial experi- the Holy Spirit protects the suc- While we need to re-emphasise the final Resurrection of the son to justify the sin of homosexu- ences can easily be determina- cessor of St Peter. dead, to do this by denying the continuing survival of the Soul in ality? Can anyone show me where tive, even for brain development. As for Hooker’s three-legged an “intermediate” state is not helpful and is pastorally insensitive in Scripture one’s sin colour is Fourth, rates of self-identifica- stool, that is an invention of the towards the bereaved. described as wicked or evil? Yet I tion as ‘gay’ vary massively from 19th century. A careful study of To follow Ryle’s statement undermines the very heart of our can think of numerous texts that culture to culture: obviously, his writings reveals a reformed faith - the Incarnation and many other aspects of the Faith. explicitly condemn homosexuali- where it’s presented to the young writer thoroughly grounded in Paul Aston, ty and sex outside of marriage. as one available option, they will the principle of sola scriptura. Kingsbridge, Devon More and more I’m becoming treat it as such. Fifth (Savin- Robert Ian Williams, convinced that those who trot out Williams and Ream 2007), adoles- Bangor this comparison have not actually cent ‘gay’ identity is at least absolutely and entirely by faith! sanctify us. read the Scriptures carefully but three-four times less stable than The Rev David Stuart-Smith, Hence we believe, God came to are attempting to deploy an emo- heterosexual. Sixth, Stacey and Bible views London SE1 us in Christ, taught us, founded a tive argument to defend a wicked Biblarz (2001), in a meta-study of Sir, Without going over the famil- Church and knowing our inclina- and sinful act. 21 papers, found that girls raised iar ground of the place of Scrip- tion to corrupting things, caused Can I urge them to start by con- by lesbian parents are over 400 ture, Tradition and Reason in our Irrational its key doctrines and practices to sidering Jesus’ words in the Ser- per cent more likely to self-identi- faith, (dealt definitively in Dr JI attack? be inscripturated. mon on the Mount (especially fy as lesbian. Seventh, the head of Packer’s book Fundamentalism Our task is to investigate what chapter 5:27-32) and then his the Human Genome Project, and the Word of God), I believe Sir, Are not liberal Christians like religion Christ actually founded, comments on divorce, all of Francis Collins (2006) denies that Mary P Roe is muddling cate- Mary Roe being irrational in their and submit to it. which make clear that sex/mar- any ‘gay gene’ exists: rather, any gories (letter, 15 November). attack on evangelicalism? If there Once we think, as liberals riage only exists between a man trait of character or (less so) To believe in the absolute relia- is a God, either all we know is apparently do, that we have out- and woman in the context of mar- behaviour - whether beneficial or bility of the Bible is not certainly mere philosophising and specula- grown the primitive Christianity riage. harmful - will have a percentage versus faith, it is a trust in the tion or God has revealed himself of Christ found in Scripture, once Added to this are St Paul’s clear likelihood of heritability. utter faithfulness of God and his to us. As Christians we believe we believe we can improve on it, denunciations (eg Romans 1:18- This brings us to our eighth promises. the latter, and particularly, that he then the religion becomes our 27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11), which topic: identical twins, the best It is not simply a logical or revealed himself by becoming religion not Christ’s Christianity. leaves no wiggle room for the bib- means of assessing the genet- mathematical certain knowledge incarnate in Jesus Christ, an Alan Bartley lical view that homosexuality ics/environment question. The like 2+2=4, which would require event that happened in history Greenford, Middlesex (among other sexual sins) are studies of Bailey (1991, and the no faith, but a personal relation- 2,000 years ago. things to be repented of and more randomly-sampled 2000), ship certain knowledge. Now if this is true, then the which only Christ can redeem. A Kirk (2000) and Whitehead (1999, I am certain by faith of God’s Church has a sacred deposit of Concern on failure to do so (as with all other 2006) converge: if an identical love and reliability in relation to truth to protect and hand down women bishops sin) will lead in the end – Scrip- twin identifies as ‘gay’, the me. Just as I am certain of my through the generations - and it is ture warns us – to eternal judge- chances of their twin doing so are wife’s love. So I think doubt in a most reasonable belief that God Sir, The Third Province Move- ment. Kyrie Eleison. around 11 per cent. They con- this context is the enemy of faith. has caused this to be inscripturat- ment is very concerned about the The Rev G Kip’ Chelashaw, clude that the genetic element I would be less than true to my ed. Seen from this perspective, a proposals for traditionalists Alsagers Bank, Staffs cannot be put above 30 per cent. wife if I had any doubt in our rela- high view of Scripture and its regarding women bishops. More work is needed on this, with tionship or doubted her promise Authority is the fruit of faith, not To enable us to function and larger samples. when she says she will never destructive of the idea of faith as flourish within the Church of Gay identity But since identical twins are leave me or forsake me. Mary Roe concluded. England, we must continue to Sir, Why does Benny Hazlehurst often prone to copy one another I can believe God’s Word is Since it is revealed that have three Catholic PEVs, togeth- (comment, 15 November) still anyway, it’s remarkable that 89 absolutely true. His very charac- mankind is fallen, our intellect er with an evangelical one and compare being gay to being black per cent resist doing so in this ter is my guarantee of certainty. corrupt, our ideas of justice and two parishes in each deanery that despite endless refutations? To instance. I have absolute certainty in my morality perverted and our will are free from women . fail to address counter-arguments Dr Christopher Shell, wife’s love and rather than there inclined to sin, we need a super- How can we rely on trust when is to concede the debate. Here are Hounslow being no room for faith, this is natural religion to save, guide and promises have been broken in the eight arguments for the over-

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place’ in our lives and cul- England. wake churches up to the ture years ago and it has All is not lost. I hope that fact that there are too few taken far too long for this to ‘intentional evangelism’ will families who are part of our permeate the general con- prioritise youth and chil- congregations and we have AndrewCarey: sciousness of the Church of dren’s evangelism and to start winning them back. Dr Who is a revelation The 50th anniversary episode of Doctor Who this weekend was a revelation. What a ViewfromthePew shame that a newly discovered Doctor, John Hurt, is never likely to play this role again. And how brilliant and sinister was Billie Piper returning to the show without reprising her familiar role as Rose. The 50th anniversary programme reversed some of the introspection and self-refer- It’s not a committee... ential nonsense that has infected the series since it was revived by Russell T Davies. The character of the Doctor has in recent years taken on an almost Messianic quality, which was very unlike the classic Doctor Who where various incarnations were not ‘godlike’, merely rather brilliant, mad and sometimes unpleasant scientists. The show has also made use of labyrinthine themes and plot devices running through There is currently much amusement about it. The truly dispiriting thing about each series, which has taken away from the simplicity of the show. At its heart Doctor among the press about the fact that the our current situation is that we have to start Who should be dedicated to scaring children so that they want to hide behind the sofa. Church of England’s answer to every- calling it ‘intentional evangelism’ because For the sake of my children I hope that the Doctor in his various incarnations contin- thing is to set up a committee. The we’re not doing it in the first place. ues to defeat monsters, villains and Daleks for many years to come. mockery is not wholly justified because leader commented the ‘committee’ in question is intended about the General Synod debate on ‘inten- Depressing story to be a ‘task force’ to further the goal of tional evangelism’ that the nation still had It is deeply depressing to think that someone like Paul Flowers can hide his failings in ‘intentional evangelism’. an ‘appetite’ for the Church’s eternal teach- plain sight for so long in the Methodist Church, the Labour Party and the Cooperative Now I don’t like the phrase ‘intentional ings (‘Religion at risk, Telegraph View, 19 Group. All sorts of reasons have been advanced to attempt to explain why someone evangelism’ because it begs the question of November 2013). “There is a real risk that should be so clearly promoted beyond their competence in spite of a conviction for inde- what is ‘unintentional evangelism’, but I can Christianity will lose – or has already lost its cent assault, a resignation prompted by the discovery of ‘inappropriate material’ on a understand the sentiment behind it. Adding central place in our lives and in our culture,” computer, and allegations of promiscuity and drug-taking. an adjective to ‘evangelism’ assumes that the Telegraph stated. It’s my view that the church bear a very heavy responsibility for enabling Mr Flowers we need to do something new. The reality is Unfortunately, if anything The Telegraph to flourish for so long in public life in spite of these colossal problems and ‘issues’. How that the Church has been doing evangelism understates the alarming nature of the situ- could a clergyman have become so isolated from networks of ministerial support and for 2,000 years and there’s nothing new ation we are in. Christianity lost its ‘central discipleship that this sort of behaviour could go on unchallenged?

Lewis celebrated Lewis memorialised

St Margaret’s, Westminster, was packed for a conference on CS Lewis. Amer- Many who attended the conference in St Margaret’s returned to the Abbey the ican evangelical colleges were well represented. In a ‘tour de force’ Alister next day for a service in which the Dean dedicated a memorial to Lewis in Poets’ McGrath lauded Lewis for linking theology and imagination. Many speakers Corner on the 50th anniversary of his death. The quotation from Lewis on the commented on the rise in Lewis’ reputation among academic theologians in memorial, ‘I believe in Christianity as I believe the Sun has risen not only recent years, helped by praise from such heavyweights as Rowan Williams. because I see it but because by it I see everything else’, is said to be the most William Lane Craig pointed out that Lewis had reached far more people after popular saying of Lewis on the web. Rowan Williams, now Master of Lewis’ old his death than he had in his lifetime. He credited enthusiasm for Lewis with college at Cambridge, preached on Lewis’ care for language and of his aware- encouraging some Mormons to move closer to classical theism. A number ness of the way the abuse of language can prevent us thinking properly and present appeared to regard Lewis as practically a saint but Craig admitted make it easy for us to deceive ourselves. Bishop Williams claimed that Lewis’s that he had been surprised by what he had read of Lewis’ personal life in concern for language made him suitable for Poet’s Corner. There were moving McGrath’s new biography, no doubt alluding to McGrath’s claim that Lewis moments when Lewis’s own voice reverberated around the Abbey in the sole did have a sexual relationship with Mrs Moore. The theme was not devel- surviving recording of one of his broadcasts for BBC Radio and when his secre- oped but the pipe-smoking, beer-drinking Lewis is an odd hero for American tary, Walter Hooper, who edited Lewis’ posthumous works and his letters, laid evangelicals. Wheaton College holds his papers and even his old pipes, but flowers on his memorial. Lewis’s younger stepson, Douglas Gresham, gave a would probably not have allowed him to teach there in his lifetime. One reading from ‘The Last Battle’ and the Abbey choir sang a poem by Lewis spe- Catholic, Dr Judith Wolfe, spoke during the panel discussion, pointing out cially set to music by Paul Mealor. The service and the conference showed that that Lewis is more popular among in Germany and among Catholics than while Lewis was most definitely a practising Anglican he continues to have a uni- Lutherans because of his attitude to natural theology. versal Christian appeal for his imaginative advocacy of ‘mere Christianity’. The Whispering Gallery Crystal Methodist Back in the spotlight As more than one person pointed out, Paul Flowers was a gift who contin- ues to give as far as the press is concerned. Sex, politics, and religion – it The only clergyman who challenged Paul Flowers for the media spotlight last doesn’t get any better. The Methodist Church is probably less than thrilled week was Lord Carey, whose claim that the Church of England was in crisis to get so much publicity. Many wonder how Flowers survived so long as made the front page of the Daily Mail. Lord Carey’s views drew wide media minister. Mr Doug Swanney, Connexional Secretary of the Methodist comment but perhaps the most interesting (and encouraging) came in a letter Church, told an incredulous Ed Stourton on the Sunday programme that to The Guardian from Elizabeth Oldfield, the Director of Theos. She pointed ministers are office-holders involved in a process of reflection, self-disclo- out that according to an analysis by Ipsos Mori members of Generation Y sure and work review. Swanney didn’t seem to think there was any need for (those born between 1980 and 2000) are just as likely to attend church once a change. The Manchester Escort Agency that sacked the male escort month as those born pre-1939. They have overtaken both Generation X and involved with Flowers for breaching client confidentiality appears to exer- the baby boomers as far as attending services is concerned. What they are not cise more control over those who operate in its name than the Methodist keen on is affiliation or joining an institution. Another retired Archbishop kept Church. Various explanations have been offered for the rise of Paul Flow- out of the debate stirred up by Lord Carey, but as well as preaching in the ers. Charles Moore puts it down to the current readiness to emphasise Abbey Rowan Williams also spoke at St Paul’s in the last of the series on how ethics over competence (Flowers as a minister was thought to be strong on to change the world. Asked what binds us all together, he appeared to say: ethics) but Melanie Phillips probably got it right when she attributed Flow- ‘food, sex and death’. Certainly this led the witty chair, Canon Mark Oakley, to ers’ rise to his ability to tick all the boxes beloved of charities, the Co-op or say ‘we leave for food and sex but hopefully not for death’. Not even the death the Labour Party. The right has its own boxes and wider involvement in of the C of E. episcopal appointments in the C of E means that box-ticking is undoubtedly important in choosing bishops. The career of Paul Flowers suggests it is important to look at competence and character.

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ESSENTIAL JESUS “Being a follower of Jesus can be rather inconvenient… a For him: By Whitney Kuniholm pain in the neck,” says author Steve Timmis. In this Scripture Union, pb, £6.99 concise and relevant book Timmis confronts our natural HOLY BIBLE Essential Jesus guides you to 100 carefully selected Bible inclinations with the limitation of living a Christian life. Hodder Bibles, £21.99 excerpts from both Old and New Testaments along with The paradox presented, however, is that in the limitations Bibles don’t come much smarter than this. Sleek, short, engagingly-written notes to help you reflect on who of living Christ’s Word we find the truest and most practical and pretty lightweight, this NIV translation of Jesus is and why that’s important for you today. Whitney fulfilling happiness. the Bible should be the top of every man’s Wish List. The Kuniholm has held the post of President of SU USA since extra wide margins make it the perfect study companion 1997. He has written six books on the subject of personal POPCULTURED and the thicker pages and hard cover means it will be and group Bible study including John: The Living Word. By: Steve Turner enjoyed for years. In a world of immersion in pop culture Christians often BAMBOO MIZ MEN’S BLUE WIDESTRIPE SOCKS erroneously associate TV, Music, Traidcraft – www.traidcraftshop.co.uk £4.00 and movies with the temptation of RECYCLED TYRE WALLET Socks. The classic Christmas gift! These ethically a secular world. Steve Turner Traidcraft, £8.00 sourced, eco pair are the ideal gift, based in London. One rather challenges that ethos by This black wallet has been handmade from recycled tyres size fits all and they are machine washable. A perfect developing a biblical in India and has a contrasting orange stitching, with stocking filler. understanding of pop culture. compartments to keep cards and money organised, made Through a critical understanding by Bhopal Rehabilitation Centre. It was established in Christians can learn to engage and 1985 following the Bhopal gas KILLING JESUS contribute to a pop culture disaster, with the aim of By: Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard dominated world. assisting in the Macmillan, hb, £20 rehabilitation of American pundit and author of Killing Lincoln and Killing MAKING TROUBLE: FIGHTING FOR FAIR TRADE victims. Many Kennedy, Bill O’Reilly writes a non-fiction thriller about JEWELLERY local people the shocking events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus By: Greg Valerio are still of Nazareth. In this riveting and fact-based account of Lion, pb, £8.99 suffering from the Jesus’ life and times Killing Jesus not only takes readers Self-proclaimed troublemaker Greg Valerio confronts the long-term after- inside the events that made Jesus’s death inevitable, but international jewellery industry, which is notorious for effects. will change the way you read biblical history. blood diamonds and worker exploitation. By exposing the fashion industry’s dirty secrets and chronicling his I WISH JESUS HADN’T SAID THAT… BUT I’M personal journey Valerio helps educate the reader on how REALLY GLAD HE DID! to be the most ethical and conscious consumer they can By: Steve Timmis be. IVP, pb, £8.99 For her:

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MIDNIGHT MUSINGS OF STAIRWAYS TO HEAVEN unrewarded, and has more alpha issues than a A SLEEPLESS GENIUS - Lorna Byrne bowl of alphabet soup. A BY-THE-BED BOOK Coronet The Bright Side, £7.50 In Stairways to THE MINISTER’S WIFE: PRIVILEGES, If you’re lying in bed at night Heaven Lorna tells true-life PRESSURES AND PITFALLS and your mind is racing with stories about the ways that By Ann Benton and friends a million and one ideas, don’t angels help us. She Inter-Varsity Press, £9.99 waste that precious time on describes how they helped The Minister’s Wife will show you how to make counting sheep! This funky her pull her own life perfect cupcakes, turn out well-groomed book invites you to let your together after her husband children every Sunday morning and rise to the creativity take over whenever died and how she has seen lofty heights where criticism cannot reach. In you can’t sleep, or won’t them help other people - short, you will quickly become the model sleep, or either! With pages particularly those who are minister’s wife. Unfortunately not. However, dedicates to scribble the worries that are keeping you unhappy, ill or in danger. what this book will do for you is help you to look awake, the brilliant thoughts that come to you in the early Written from direct, personal honestly at the privileges and problems of the hours and top tips to help you nod off. experience, never has a manse and the rectory. It will free you up to book contained such an become the best you can be, unencumbered by extraordinary, vivid and nagging convincing account of how concerns about angels work in the world. issues that DEAR GOD, don’t really IT’S ME A VIEW OF THE LIFE OF matter. You are MARGARET, THE BIBLE THROUGH first and AND ITS MASCARAED LASHES foremost a URGENT AJ Whiting PHd minister’s wife By Marion WestBow Press, £11.99 before God. Stroud A perhaps different What a Lion Hudson, rendering of the stories privilege! This pb, £6.99 you should have been told. book looks Here are soul- Written with the hope that also at the building moments when you have been, or minister’s for every woman, at have yet to be, faced with wife’s every age. These the decision to where your responsibility prayers are ideal for personal journey will lead, to her husband private devotion and you will choose the path and children, meditation, or for that will lovingly dance as well as to sharing with other women. Inspiring and enriching, they you into HIS warm her wider are rooted in everyday life. Topics range widely, from a embrace. In a seemingly family. It looks Bride’s Prayer on the eve of her wedding to Shopping male-dominated hierarchy at the often- with a Daughter and Blue Monday. With imagination and of faith, the Big Guy overlooked care Marion offers prayers for every season. Each prayer upstairs has always perks of the is enriched with Scripture and thought-provoking included the female job, as well as at thorny issues such as quotations. gender in His modus boundaries, forgiveness and forbearance. This operandi, never to be book contains wisdom from eight women, shunned by the gender distilled for a wider audience. It will be an honest that seems to be more at a friend to the minister’s wife, whether loss for words, less likely experienced or starting out. to attempt deeds that go

ffering over 50,000 discounted of micro-shops hosted in local churches, titles on their website with free Bucking the Trend: As Traditional Christian they have since opened four bookshops in Odelivery nationwide for orders the Bath and Bristol area and have a thriv- of just £5 or more, Aslan Christian ing nation-wide online business at Books is rising fast in the world of Bookshops Decline, Aslan Christian Books www.aslanchristianbooks.com that pro- bookselling. vides a friendly, value-for-money alternative Does a Roaring Trade to the big online corporations. Bookshops Decline Reversed this has left a void for those who still prefer After SPCK closed their doors in Bristol David Wavre of A Great Read, who heads Over the last few years, hundreds of Chris- to browse books in a real bookshop or in 2007, followed by Wesley Owen closing the online part of the business, says: ‘Our tian bookshops have had to close their those who want to support Christian busi- in Bristol and Bath in 2012, a large area of objective is to serve Christians throughout doors, with the trend shifting and the vast nesses rather than the big Internet corpo- south-west England was left unserved by a the UK with quality new books, Bibles, majority of customers taking their custom rations. Christian bookshop. Three months on, music and gifts at competitive prices.’ to the big Internet giants. In many areas, Wesley Owen Bath’s former manager Richard Greatrex returned, along with David Wavre of mail-order company A Make Your Voice Heard Bookshops manager Richard Great Read, to resurrect the Christian Greatrex with Aslan the Lion bookshop presence in the south-west Wanting to offer more than just shops, through the launch of Aslan Christian Aslan Christian Books also provides an Books. online space for the Christian community to source, discuss and review the latest books and resources on their blog, ‘One of the lessons of Lewis’s Chronicles www.aslanchristianbooks.co.uk. Author of Narnia is that out of defeat, despair and interviews, reviews and news of the book death, vibrant new growth can arise,’ said trade can also be found here. In addition, Greatrex. ‘On a cosmic scale this is the they provide a free bi-monthly magazine story of the Resurrection, but it can also be for members, filled with a hand-picked a sign of more everyday resurrections. Fol- selection of the most popular latest releas- lowing on from the closure of SPCK and es and packed with features including Wesley Owen stores in Bath and Bristol, a exclusive author interviews, reviews and huge area of the south west was left with new book extracts. very little provision for purchasing Chris- tian resources locally.’ In what often seems to be a dismal land- scape for the Christian book trade, Aslan Refusing to believe this was the end of Christian Books is proving to be a beacon the story, Greatrex and Wavre decided to of hope - showing that it is still possible for come together to found the Aslan Christian Christian booksellers to thrive in the cur- Books community. Pioneering a new model rent economic climate.

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THE AMAZING KINDNESS OF OBADIAH By Stewart Jones For the kids: Morse Brown Publishing, £7.99 Book Reviews RED FIRE ENGINE Excited Obadiah passes his overseer exams and is now able Traidcraft, £35.00 to do everything an angel is gifted to do. But he Power Trip This shiny hand-painted wooden fire engine will keep misunderstands these gifts and has a hard lesson to learn in Damian McBride youngsters entertained for hours. It has five hand carved how to use them. Amazingly, he does this, and God Biteback, hb, £20 wooden firemen figures, removable roof and a storage area Almighty is so impressed that Obadiah is chosen to take behind a sliding back panel. It is made by Gospel House in one of the most important messages ever to earth. But he One of the most talked Madampe, Southern Sri Lanka, which seeks to provide doesn’t do the task in the expected way, and so discovers about books of the year, employment opportunities for disadvantaged young people, something about himself and God’s plan. this is an inside account often with no educational qualifications. This story is the prequel to ‘Albert the forgetful Angel’ and of the ‘dark arts’ of politi- tells the story of how Obadiah became the kind overseer of cal spinning, from the that book. man who was central to AUTHENTIC YOUTH BIBLE most of the big scoops Authentic Media, £14.99 THE BIBLE FOR LITTLE ONES during the Gordon A brand new Youth Bible in a new Candle Books Brown years. anglicized translation (ERV), Highlighting fourteen stories from the Old and New McBride was not a complete with all-new Testaments, including the first Easter and the first press officer or journalist, supplementary notes, including Christmas, this beautifully presented storybook Bible offers but mastered the art of Bible study material, colour topical a first look at the wonders of God’s Word for very young both and had a keen idea subject pages and many other children. Carefully written text and heart-warming on how to get a story pub- features. Having overseen three illustrations gently instil a basic understanding of God’s lished because he knew revisions of that Youth Bible, love and amazing Bible stories for little ones to treasure how newspapers worked. Authentic are now producing a throughout their lives, which is why this Bible is sure to be He struck up a remark- brand new anglicized Youth Bible an instant family favourite. able relationship with before he packed full of features that will help young people connect was in Number 10 and would go to great lengths to with the Word of God and enable them to understand the ME TOO! FAVOURITE BIBLE STORIES serve his political master. ‘big picture’ of the Bible. The vision for the new Youth Bible By Marilyn Lash brook The book reveals the background to many front- is to give teens something meatier to chew on, to get them Lion Hudson, £12.99 page stories (he preferred the Sundays) but it also to ask and answer questions about what a story is saying, A compilation of the best loved award winning Me Too! provides interesting perspectives on the relation- for them to engage with the text and get some sense of series Bible stories. Each story is read by Tina Cooke, and ship between the two Eds – Miliband and Balls. understanding of where we are at in the Bible narrative, the followed by the story song, with the lyrics printed in the One of the questions the reader is likely to ask is point of the passage and what this might mean for their book so children can sing along too. Me Too! stories why this man with a deep Christian faith not only relationship with God, others and the world. present Bible stories and truths in simple words a young worked in the way he did, but why he is so confes- child can understand and invite young readers to point, sional in this book. repeat, make sounds, and answer questions. (The answer is on page 389).

In It Together Matthew D’Ancona Get a FREE copy of the Penguin/Viking, hb, £25

* One of the most revealing insights in this book, although per- Christmas Bible Comic haps it is blindingly obvious, is that the current government is not a coalition of two political parties. It is, rather, a coali- tion of the elites of the two parties in question. If the Christmas story has D’Ancona, one of the most penetrating political commenta- tors, provides a remarkable account of the key figures at the inspired you and impacted heart of our Government. He tells of the realisation in Con- your Christian journey, then servative circles ahead of the last election that they couldn’t win it and how they would deal with that. And how Nick get a free comic to allow a Clegg felt he had an obligation to talk to the party with the most number of seats (although no such obligation exists). child to begin theirs. But the book is revealing not only for the problems the Coalition has faced (from the tuition fees row, to NHS reorganisation and stalled education reforms) but also for how the key figures interact with each other. Fascinating, dramatic and – not least – colourful, it is a riveting read. Go to Chronicle of the World, 1493 www.scriptureunion.org.uk/ The Complete Nuremberg Chronicle freecomic Hartmann Schedel The Book of Chronicles and pick up Stephen Fussel your free Taschen, £34.99 Here’s a fascinating book that will provide hours of fascina- copy today tion. Described by the publishers as the ‘Google of 1493’, the Chronicle is a history of the world – arranged within the framework of history as we read it in the Bible. So it is depict- ed in six ages: First Age (from Creation to the Flood); Sec- ond Age (from the Flood to the birth of Abraham); Third (from Abraham to David); Fourth (from David to the Babylonian captivity); Fifth (from Babylon to the time of Christ); and Sixth (from the birth of Christ to the present day). Although the text is in ancient German (it’s a bit like reading Chaucer to a modern English speaker), the illustrations are fascinating and, like the Domesday Book, we can see how they saw the world in the 15th century. Of course the Americas and Aus- tralia were yet to be discovered… The associated book, by Fussel, explains – in English – the meaning of the book and the illustrations. *While stocks last An educational treat that can be enjoyed by all ages, and not only those who under- stand the ancient German in which it is written.

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CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS Tel: 020 7222 2018 HOPE 2014 in the Diocese of Chelmsford: Email: [email protected] Excitement, Anticipation and Hope APPOINTMENTS & SITUATIONS VACANT here’s excitement in the air Among other things, he’s inviting is a bit of help and a good few ideas, across the Church of England each parish to hold a festival week- and they need to know that they are TDiocese of Chelmsford as 2014 end of celebration and outreach not alone. approaches. Next year the diocese which will include at least “one “I think the HOPE initiative is part will be 100 years old! something” which they’ve never of giving Christians the confidence THE DIOCESE OF DURHAM Centenary celebrations are done before to try to share their that the gospel is worth sharing, and www.durham.anglican.orgwww.durham.anglican.org planned across the diocese, which Christian faith with others. here’s how we can do it together,” covers not just Essex but also five Although it’s early days, some Bishop Stephen says. A place of East London boroughs, and HOPE’s dates of planned events are already Across the UK, Bishop Stephen diversityy and challenge emphasis on mission in words and appearing on the Chelmsford Dio- believes, people are catching the ... whwhereherree anything is possible action is being incorporated into cese Centenary website and Bishop vision of what HOPE 2014 can look many of the plans and initiatives to Stephen has great hopes for the year like in their communities and he mark this significant year. ahead. prays that it will lead to greater unity, “We had already decided to make “I think at the moment a lot of and a nation transformed by the DIOCESAN SECRETSECRETARYTAARY 2014 a year of outreach, evangelism Christians are thinking, praying, gospel of Jesus Christ. and mission to all our communities, puzzling and working out what to do “The great thing about HOPE is WWee want to see God at work throughthrough so the HOPE 2014 initiative dovetails but I’m confident that there will be a that… it gives people hope. It gives the grgrowthowth of His churchurch,ch, and to serve perfectly with that,” says the Bishop great missional activity that will people encouragement that mission our communities and in particular of Chelmsford, the Rt Rev Stephen sweep right across Essex and East and outreach and evangelism can be Cottrell. London, and of course through the done. It’s also good to do something their most most vulnerable vulnerable members. members. Bishop Stephen is leading a series HOPE initiative, across the nation,” bigger than yourself, so the fact that of training evenings in all the deaner- he says. HOPE is an national initiative gives WeW e arra e lole ookokinkiing ffoorr anan inspirinspirraatioa it onnaa l lead l ae ered r ababllee ies across the Diocese of Chelms- Bishop Stephen believes that people the opportunity to do some- toot prrp ov i ided e stratets ar et giig c dc diid rer e ctitc onoi anddn suus ppopp rtro t ffoforor ford to prepare people for 2014, and HOPE has a vital role to play in his thing in solidarity with other Chris- thht issi mississ ioonn.. every parish is receiving a copy of own diocese during their significant tians,” Bishop Stephen says. YoYou willl l woow rkr k inni colloc ll abal orob r raatioa it nno withht ourruo newen w HOPE - the heartbeat of Mission – centenary year, and across the coun- BishiB hs oppo , thh,t e Seni S ne oroi rTTe eamam anand Ke Key Ad A viivd sorsos r rss 224 pages of tried-and-tested mission try as people seek to find ways of not For more information about the tot ofo fo rmr m ullu atta e a strate s rt ta gige ig c vi v sionoi nfo for gro g or wttw h and a dn ideas. just reaching out into their commu- Diocese of Chelmsford go to fofor ser s vivre ngni gou our com c mo muum niin tiit es,se , anand hhaveva ethe t eh “We’re saying to everyone ‘Here nities with mission and fun activities, www.chelmsford.anglican.org; for knnk owwo leel dge,ddgge,sk skkiilli ll s an and attr a att r riibi utub eset sto tode de liil veev r it.t.ri are some ideas, some encourage- but also explore ways of using these details on the Centenary Year go to ment for you to be able to not just opportunities to share their faith. www.chelmsfordcentenary.org; and reach out to your community, but “My experience is that most Chris- for more information about HOPE Does This Role Haveave YYoourur Name On It? help transform it’ …” says Bishop tian people want to share their faith and to order HOPE – the Heartbeat Stephen, as he encourages everyone with others, but they’re just unsure of Mission, visit www.hoprtogeth- to plan for and organise celebrations how to do it in ways which are appro- er.org.uk for the year. priate and relevant. What they need VaVacancacanciescancies in Durham WWoorthrth mormoree than just scanning over! The woman who tried to take on Walt Disney Saving Mr Banks (dir. John He is the Mr Banks of the Mary Poppins books, and YoYourur Faith And ImaginationImaagination RequirRequiredede Lee Hancock, cert. PG) (again, well trailed) the reveal is that Mary Poppins might put Tom Hanks as comes to save him, not his children. Full Details Can Be Found On Our WWeebsitebsite Walt Disney in line for a sec- Overtly about redemption (the word redeemed is in Or Call 01388 602576 ond Oscar® nomination (as the script), the two stories mesh nicely together. Couple well as for Captain Phillips), it with exuberant froth, and it’s probably one of the best but Emma Thompson is the family films for a while. CLERICAL more likely award winner. She plays PL Travers, the The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (dir. Francis author of Mary Poppins, as Lawrence, cert. 12A) takes up the story as the victors she negotiates a deal with from the first film are both feted and feared. Katniss 89?56#6 ?7 #?&+;%/*B Disney for the rights and deals with her own family his- Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh ,"> I\R"P' PW XPU+"-0!Z -\+" +"> I\R"P' PW ?PPV-\)" tory. Hutcherson) are still pretending to be an item though 06E +"> X'>)\0V IP0!E PW <0+!P60J> Her agent has to persuade her even to consider relin- Katniss really has a thing for Gale (Liam Hemsworth). -\R" +P 0''P\6+ 0 quishing control, but declining sales of the book series Their victory tour through the proletarian Districts leave her needing income. Twenty years after Disney proves difficult, with signs of rebellion. President Snow +0)- *02@1. first tried to acquire the film rights, she agrees to go to (Donald Sutherland) recognises that Katniss is a danger WP! America and meet Walt himself. to the tyrannical Capitol’s control because she gives the +!0 *)=0,>31<.,0 +0)- She knows what she wants – or rather doesn’t want. people hope. She wants not to use Christian names, so “Call me Walt” Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman) is the ?> 0!>06>+"6\)0VVK 06E RP)\0VVK E\/>!R> P'>6 >/06J>V\)0V cuts no ice, and she wants none of his “silly cartoons” (as games developer who offers Snow the “wrinkle” that will '0!\R" \6 \66>! XPU+" ]0R+ OP6EP6C '0!+ PW 0 +>08 8\6\R+!KC behind Walt sits his collection of Oscars). pit Katniss once more into the kill-or-be-killed scenario -"\)" \6)VUE>R 0 +>08 /\)0!C0+!0\6\6J )U!0+>C 06E 6P6N The screenwriter Don DaGradi (Bradley Whitford) of the games, in the once-every-25-years “quarter quell” R$'>6E\0!K'!\>R+RC 0R ->VV 0R V0K8\6\R+>!R= and songwriters Richard and Robert Sherman (Jason where any surviving victors from previous games may ?> 0!>VPPZ\6J WP!@ Schwartzman and BJ Novak) have to cajole Travers into be chosen (“reaped”). The intention is that she will not N 0 '>!RP6 PW '!0K>!C J!PU6E>E \6 +"> H"!\R$06 W0\+" letting them loose on her creation. It’s on the trailer but survive, and his hazards include poison gas, vicious N 0 )"0VV>6J\6JC \6R'\!0$P60V '!>0)">! 06E +>0)">! still raises a laugh when they make up a word for one baboons, and a plague of blood. N RP8>P6> -\VV\6J +P -P!Z -\+" )P6J!>J0$P6R PW -\E>VK song, she tells them to unmake it, and they sheepishly Her stylist Cinna (Lenny Kravitz) creates another E\S>!>6+ -P!R"\' +!0E\$P6R hide the title of a song that begins “Supercal…” (and superb fiery costume, though it does him no good, as he N 06 >L'>!\>6)>E +>08 V>0E>!C \6 +"> )"U!)" 06E 8P!> -\E>VK exchanges like this can be heard on contemporary is beaten for his pains. Her mentor Haymitch (Woody N '!P/>6 0E8\6\R+!0$/> 06E 8060J>8>6+ RZ\VVR recordings played over the end credits). Harrelson) stays sober enough to help prepare Katniss Eventually, charmed by Mr Disney, she mellows, but – and Peeta for combat, and to remind us that in the &P>R +"\R RPU6E V\Z> KPU# ?\+" :PE9R ">V'C 0VV +"\6JR 0!> as in any romcom – the path of true film adaptation never games, and in a well-worn phrase, “There are no win- 'PRR\*V>( runs smooth, and she flees back to England where he ners, only survivors”. XP \W KPU -PUVE V\Z> +"> )"0VV>6J> PW \6R'\!\6JC 8P$/0$6J 06E has to woo her again. A catalyst in this is her Disney It’s a similar mix of revolt, oppression, and death-for- R$!!\6JUR+PV\/>U'+PPU! >L'>)+0$P6RC 'V>0R> R>6E WP!PU! chauffeur Ralph (Paul Giamatti) whose patience and real reality show, where host Ceasar Flickerman (Stan- '0!\R" '!PDV> 06E 0''V\)0$P6 WP!8= occasional wisdom and personal story become part of ley Tucci) and escort Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks) keeping her on board. try to ignore the malice and manipulation. The “lethal G!R .>66\ Y>-\AC <% +P +"> %!)"E>0)P6 PW O>-\R"08 F There are forced but often clever links to the songs lovers”, as Caesar calls Katniss and Peeta, do survive, :!>>6-\)"C ,!\6\+K YPUR>C 1 H"0'>V HPU!+C IP!PUJ" Y\J" from the film, as when the line “Don’t sugarcoat the only for this film to end suddenly, very suddenly, with all X+!>>+C OP6EP6= X]5 5Y? truth” becomes “A spoonful of sugar”. Dick van Dyke’s resolution deferred. 747 QM2M M152 3 [>66\=">-\ABRPU+"-0!Z=06JV\)06=P!J Cockney accent is politely ignored. Like the last Harry Potter story, the last book in the HVPR\6J &0+>@ 7.A4)C ".4 :),<).C $('D Playing as counterpoint is an Australian family’s prob- trilogy (Mockingjay) will become a two-part film. As a les- T6+>!/\>-R@ ;!\E0K 25R+ .06U0!K 4751 lems, linked to drink problems of the father (Colin Far- son for teenagers in tyranny, oppression of the masses, rell) – although unconnected at first to what’s going on and rebellion, the series is not a bad primer. - 02/"0&2+/51$ #6%26+') (1"8"629 ,'+51) 49.0 *211') 7"0/ in Hollywood, the relevance of this is gradually revealed. Steve Parish (%'+! )"0+950.1' "0 1'3."1') &51 /%"0 450/ 14 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday November 29, 2013 Register

THE 2013 Curate of South Lambeth, St effect from 21 September 2013 ANGLICAN CYCLE OF PRAYER Anne and All Saints is to be (Chester). BIBLE CHALLENGE licensed as Honorary Assistant The Rev Beth Gardner, Curate of Stockwell, S Andrew Incumbent of the parish of St Friday 29 November. Psalm 55, Isa 62:1-5. West Malaysia - and S Michael (Southwark). John, Runcorn Weston, to retire Day 326 Matthew 20, Psalm 118, (South East Asia): The Rt Rev Ng Moon Hing; Assistant Bishop of The Rev Anthony Patterson with effect from 15 September Jonah 2 West Malaysia: The Rt Rev Andrew Phang; Assistant Bishop of has been appointed Priest in 2013 (Chester). Day 327 Jonah 3, Psalm 119:1- West Malaysia: The Rt Rev Jason Selvaraj Charge of the benefice of Bemp- The Rev Malcolm Harries, 32, Matthew 21 Saturday 30 November. St Andrew’s Day. Psalm 119:65-80, Isa ton with Flamborough, Reighton Priest-in-Charge of the parish of Day 328 Enjoy hearing the 63:7-14. West Tennessee - (IV, The Episcopal Church): The Rt Rev with Speeton on a house for duty St John Godley cum Newton Scriptures read aloud in church Don Johnson basis (York). Green, to retire with effect from Day 329 Jonah 4, Psalm 119: 33- Sunday 1 December. Advent 1. Psalm 126, Rev. 2: 1-7. West Vir- The Rev Lindsey Pearson, 30 of April 2014 (Chester). 72, Matthew 22 ginia - (III, The Episcopal Church): The Rt Rev Willam Michie presently Priest in Charge in the The Rev Canon John Pedlar, Day 330 Micah 1, Psalm 119: 73- Klusmeyer Beeston Team Ministry in this Vicar, Bedford, St Paul (St 112, Matthew 23 Monday 2 December. Psalm 25, Rev. 3: 1-6. Western Izon - (Ben- Diocese, to be also Acting Assis- Albans) retired on 1st November Day 331 Micah 2, Psalm del, Nigeria): The Rt Rev Edafe Emamezi tant Area Dean of Armley, (Ripon 2013 119:113-144, Matthew 24 Tuesday 3 December. Psalm 34: 1-6,21,22, Rev. 4. Western and Leeds), up to Easter 2014. The Rev Susan Rolfe, Day 332 Micah 3, Psalm 119: Kansas - (VII, The Episcopal Church): The Rt Rev Michael Mil- The Rev Kathryn Percival, Assistant Curate at St Paul’s 145-176, Matthew 25 liken presently Assistant Curate of Pur- Peterborough, has announced Wednesday 4 December. Psalm 85: 7-13, Isa. 13: 1-12. Western ley, St Mark (Woodcote) and also her retirement with immediate Louisiana - (VII, The Episcopal Church): The Rt Rev Jacob W Purley, St Swithun is to be effect (Peterborough) APPOINTMENTS Owensby licensed as Priest-in-Charge of The Rev Paul Sandford, Thursday 5 December. Psalm 30: 1-5,11,12, Isa 14:12-17. West- Lingfield, S Peter and S Paul and Vicar of Sinfin St Stephen ern Massachusetts - (I, The Episcopal Church): The Rt Rev Gor- Crowhurst, St George United (Derby), to retire on 1 March don Scruton Benefice and also Assistant Priest 2014. The Rev Nigel Asbridge, of Dormansland, St John the The Rev John Scott, Priest in Charge of St Mary with Evangelist, (Southwark). presently Priest-in-Charge of St John, Edmonton (London), to bent of the parish of St George Assistant Curate (Assistant Min- The Rev Charles Pickstone, Reigate, St Philip retires with be Incumbent of St Mary with St and St Gabriel, Stockport ister) of Caverswall and Weston presently Vicar of Catford, S Lau- effect 31st January 2014. John, Edmonton (London). (Chester) Coyney with Dilhorne; to also be rence is to be collated, inducted The Rev Xavier Soo- The Rev Canon Julian Bowers, The Rev Letitia Chester, Sessional Chaplain to Harplands and installed as Honorary Canon sainayagam, has been appointed as Pastoral (SSM Curate at Clifton Parish Hospital (Lichfield). of Southwark Cathedral. presently Vicar of Croydon, Holy Care and Counselling Adviser Church), has been appointed as The Rev Jason Kennedy, The Rev Canon Evadney Iona Saviour retires with effect 30th with immediate effect. Julian has SSM Assistant Curate of the Vicar of Ripley (Derby), has been Pitts (Eve), November 2013. also been appointed as Assistant Benefice of St Edward the Con- appointed Church Growth Offi- Priest-in-charge (Birchfield, Holy The Rev Nick Stott, Priest of Brigstock w Stanion & fessor, Dringhouses (York). cer for the Derby Archdeaconry Trinity), Diocese of Birmingham holder of the Bishop of South- Lowick & Sudborough (Peterbor- The Rev Lindsay Dew, in the same diocese. to be Vicar (Birchfield, Holy Trin- wark’s Permission to Officiate ough). Priest-in-Charge, Dunton with The Rev Catherine Macpher- ity), Diocese of Birmingham resigned and has moved to Zim- The Rev Fr Robert Boyle, Wrestlingworth and Eyeworth son, The Rt Rev Stephen Platten, babwe. Assoc Priest, Paignton (Exeter), (St Albans), to be Incumbent Assistant Curate, Mirfield Team currently the Bishop of Wake- The Rev Vicky Stott, to be Priest-in-Charge of the (Rector), Dunton with Wrestling- Parish (Mirfield), Priest in field, to be Rector of St Michael’s Honorary Assistant Curate at Bat- Parish of St. Matthew, Douglas worth and Eyeworth (St Albans). Charge St Mary Fawdon (New- Cornhill church in the City of tersea Rise, St Mark resigned (Sodor and Man). The Rev Richard James castle). London and an honorary assis- with effect 10th October 2013 and The Rev Antony Braddick- Dimery, The Rev Dr Marlene Rose- tant Bishop in the Diocese of Lon- has moved to Zimbabwe. Southgate, Priest in Charge, Woodside, in marie Mallett, don. The Rev Catharine Windle, holder of the Bishop of South- the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds, presently Vicar of Angell Town, S The Rev Canon Peter Robin- Assistant Curate (SSM part-time) wark’s Permission to Officiate, to be also Acting Area Dean of John the Evangelist and also son in the Benefice and Parish of licensed as Honorary Assistant Headingley (Ripon and Leeds). Kingston Area Director of Ordi- Bishop’s Chaplain and Canon of Malmesbury with Westport and Curate of Crofton Park, S Hilda The Rev Gary Dundas, nands is to be collated, inducted the Cathedral Church of St. Ger- Brokenborough, (Bristol), and S Cyprian (Southwark). Associate Priest of Stanton-by- and installed as also Honorary man (Sodor and Man) to be Vicar, resigned on 19 October. The Rev Alec Brown, Dale with Dale Abbey and Risley, Canon of Southwark Cathedral Malton (York). Continuing as Incumbent of the (Derby), to be Assistant Curate (Southwark). The Rev Rosie Ratcliffe, parish of St Mary and All Saints, (to be known as Associate Priest) The Rev Chris Moorsom, Assistant Chaplain at Bethlem LAY & OTHER in the deanery of Great Bud- of Wilne and Draycott with Breas- Rector of Upper Stour, Diocese of Royal Hospital, Diocese of South- APPOINTMENTS worth, has also been appointed ton (Derby). Salisbury, has been appointed wark, to be: Anglican Chaplain, Priest-in-Charge of the parish of The Rev Jenny Gillies, Precentor and Canon Residen- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Alison Angus, St Mark, Antrobus in the same Assistant Curate in the parish of tiary of Trust (London). will be commissioned as Develop- deanery from 24 September 2013 St Oswald, Bidston, to be Incum- ( Derby). The Rev Gary Schofield, ment Worker ‘Together in South- (Chester). bent, St Barnabas with St The Rev James Geoffrey has been appointed Vicar of wark’ by the Bishop of Southwark The Rev Martin Burrell, Matthew, Bromborough (Geoff) Morgan, Wales St John the Baptist, Priest on 23rd November 2013. Priest-in-Charge, Bushmead (St (Chester). Anglican Chaplain, Imperial Col- in Charge of Harthill and Thorpe Mr Frank Franklin, Albans), to be Incumbent (Vicar), The Rev Beth Glover, lege Healthcare NHS Trust (Lon- Salvin and Area Dean of Licensed Lay Minister, St Kather- Bushmead (St Albans) Continuing to be Incumbent of St don), to be Anglican Chaplain and Laughton (Sheffield). ine, Westway (London), also to be The Rev Margaret Burrow, Mary the Blessed Virgin East- Team Lead, Spiritual and Pastoral Chaplain, Imperial College currently Assistant Priest in the ham and the Chapel of St Peter Care Services, Imperial College RETIREMENTS & Healthcare NHS Trust (London). Parish of the West Coast, Diocese and the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, Healthcare NHS Trust (London). RESIGNATIONS Anna Khan, of Sodor and Man, is to become in the Deanery of Wirral South, The Rev Nia Morris, will be commissioned as Chief Chaplain to the Bishop of Sodor has been appointed Rural Dean of currently Vicar of Bala, to be the The Rev Christine Bull, Executive of Welcare by the Bish- and Man with effect from 1 Janu- Wirral South, (Chester). next Rector of Llanllwchaiarn and Priest Pastor of Chester Cathe- op of Southwark on 29th January ary 2014. The Rev Graham Green, Newtown with Aberhafesp. Nia dral, to retire with effect from 30 2014. The Rev Ian George Campbell, Formerly minister in the parish of will also take up the post of Area November 2013. Assistant Curate of The Benefice West Malling with Offham in the Dean/Mission Team Leader of The Rev Martyn Cripps, of King’s Wood and Assistant Diocese of Rochester has been Cedewain (St Asaph). Incumbent of the parish of St Wil- DEATHS Area Dean of the East Bridge and appointed Incumbent of the The Rev Linda Christine frid, Davenham, to retire with West Bridge Deaneries, to be benefice of St Paul, Helsby and St Munt, effect from 31 January 2014 Associate Priest of Smeeth with Luke, Dunham-on-the-Hill in the Vicar of Attercliffe and Darnall (Chester). Monks Horton and Stowting and Deanery of Frodsham and also (Full-Time) (Sheffield), to be The Rev John Davies, The Rev William (Bill) Goode, Brabourne and Mersham with Diocesan Officer for Prayer and Vicar of Attercliffe and Darnall Incumbent of the parish of St Reader, Emeritus, in the Diocese Hinxhill and Sellindge (Canter- Christian Spirituality from 20 Sep- (Part-Time, 0.75 FTE) Mary, Whitegate, and St Peter, of St Albans, has died. bury). tember 2013 (Chester). (Sheffield). Little Budworth, to retire with The Rev William Leslie Mau- The Rev Dr GR ‘Sam’ Capple- The Rev Wendy Harvey, The Rev Caroline Nancarrow, effect from 30 September 2013 rice Storey, man, having served her title curacy is has been appointed Chaplain at (Chester). formerly holder of the Bishop of to be new Executive Chair of Lee to be licensed as Honorary Assis- Malcolm Arnold Academy (Peter- The Rev Raymond Dent, Southwark’s Permission to Offici- Abbey, succeeding the Rev James tant Curate of Hurst Green, borough). Incumbent of the parish of Christ ate died on 17th November 2013. Denniston. St John the Evangelist. The Rev Graham Noyce, Church, Willaston, to retire with The Rev James Tabern The Rev Elaine Chegwin Hall, The Rev Michael Jones, Incumbent of St Martin, Kensal effect from 1 December 2013 Retired priest, died September Incumbent of the parish of St has been appointed Chaplain at Rise (London) to be also Area (Chester). 2013 (Chester). Matthew, Stretton and St Cross, Peterborough City Hospital. Dean of Brent (London). The Rev David Fisher The Rev Leslie Williams, Appleton Thorn in the Deanery of The Rev Linda Pauline Luck- The Rev Funke Ogbede, Incumbent of the parish of St Retired priest, died September Great Budworth, to be Incum- ing, presently Honorary Assistant John, Great Sutton, to retire with 2013 (Chester)

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper Sunday Friday November 29, 2013 www.churchnewspaper.com 15 SUNDAY SERVICE Janey Lee Grace 2nd Sunday of Advent (Sunday 8th December) Live Healthy! Live Happy! Isaiah 11:1-10 Romans 15:4-13 Matthew 3:1-12

The Sunday readings this week give us hope for the future in the united kingdom of the Spirit-filled Messiah, and call us to repentance in preparation for his coming. Why we all want ethics Isaiah 11 addresses an Israel devastated by the judg- ment of God. It is into a situation of hopelessness and came across an interesting article despair that God speaks through the prophet to reassure in The Times last week: Why his people. Yet even though all that remains is a stump, out IEthics are good for business. of this shall come glorious hope and renewal. Out of the According to the reporter, Abbijeet roots and stock of Jesse (the father of King David) shall Ahlinwalia, interest in the ethical come another king, great David’s greater son. He is stance of companies — and what they endowed with the sevenfold Spirit, the Spirit of the LORD, are giving back to their local commu- of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge and nities — is growing. A recent study fear of the Lord. He has all the characteristics of a godly by the Reputation Institute, a New and righteous king. York-based consultancy, found that 73 This messianic figure comes to judge and to save. His per cent of consumers in the 15 judgment is right and true. He is not open to corruption or largest markets in the world are will- manipulation by shadowy elites, but delivers a just and fair ing to recommend companies they society for all. His word rules — the rod of his mouth and believe have a positive stance on the breath of his lips execute judgment on the wicked. Yet social responsibility. all he does is clothed in righteousness and faithfulness. He The article pointed out that compa- not only comes to judge, but also to save. The picture in nies including banks are including verses 6-10 is of a renewed earth, with humanity (both their charitable giving as part of their Jews and Gentiles, the nations) and the natural world in PR strategy. One of the world’s most perfect harmony with each other and with God. reputable companies is Microsoft Romans 15 tells us more about God’s plan to bless the who give millions of dollars to non- Jason Vale nations. Christ became a servant of the Jews, to confirm profit enterprises and have launched the covenant promises given to the Patriarchs (particular- education programmes, and our very ly Abraham, Genesis 12:1-3). In turn, that means through own Marks and Spencer has joined company was founded in 1999 to and they nominate and vote for their them all the families of the earth are blessed, “in order up with Oxfam for a campaign that develop a range of supplements with favourite charities. Viridian check the that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.” The promotes the recycling of old clothes. the highest possible ethical standards authenticity and that there’s no quotes from various parts of the Old Testament (including But how well is the message being and to generate significant funds for involvement in animal research. Isaiah 11, our previous reading) confirm that Jews and communicated to consumers and children’s and environmental chari- Juicemaster.com, and the hub of Gentiles together praise God for all he has done, in Christ. what about social responsibility for ties. the enigmatic Juicemaster himself, This fulfilment of God’s plan brings hope to those who smaller companies and especially So far, the Viridian Nutrition Chari- Jason Vale is another shining exam- believe. The outlining of God’s plan in the Old Testament those companies who pride them- ty Donation programme has donated ple of a small company making a big (“all that was written in former days for our instruction”) selves on being sustainable? £145,000 to charities including difference with The Juicy Founda- urges us on to stand firm and look to the consummation of Consumers wanting to boost their Friends of the Earth, NSPCC, Wood- tion, which amongst other projects all things. The application is to the believing community health and wellbeing with vitamins land Trust, UNICEF, The Princes supports an orphanage in Cambodia. that they might live in harmony with each other, just as and minerals should look no further Trust, Save the Children and more. Here’s hoping some of the UK’s God has always planned for us to be united in Christ. The than Viridian Nutrition, a big-hearted Consumers play their part too, finest natural and eco companies scriptures give us such hope that we may abound in hope company committed to creating a Viridian leaves the choice of charities might one day feature in the Reputa- by the power of the same Spirit who both empowers Christ nutritional supplement range with to their stockists. Voting forms are tion Institute’s ranking. and fills us. Verse 13 is a great Advent prayer, just as the integrity, quality and innovation. The sent to all the health store stockists exhortation to harmony is a crucial (and challenging) one for the whole Christmas period. Unity with others is never easy, and so the note of repen- I wonder if the anticipation on repentance as its central tance in the Gospel reading is both necessary and urgent. we feel during Advent isn’t THE SPIRITUAL theme, perhaps there is The kingdom of the son of David is entered by turning a way of compensating for scope for making some- around. Just as John the Baptizer prepared the way for the difficulties many of us thing really concrete in our Christ, as he baptised those who confessed their sins, so face around Christmas. We local churches during the we prepare for the coming of the glorious kingdom by look forward and allow our- DIRECTOR season of Advent. bearing fruit in keeping with repentant hearts. Those who selves to be caught up in a Could we make this a resemble the hypocritical pew-fillers of verse 7 are meant renewed sense of hope that By the Rev Dr Liz Hoare central theme for our con- to be shocked by the jarring notes this creates amidst our this year it will be better. gregations to pray over and seasonal joys. Whether we have Abraham for our patriarch That family division will be reflect on together in the or the Church of England as our mother is no guarantee healed, that bereavement let-down for this is God, the enough for all of us to weeks running up to that we are indispensible to God’s vision of the future. will hurt less, that lack of one in whom all our hopes pause before we hang up Christmas? Good fruit is required of those who have been so blessed money to buy gifts won’t are realised. But are we the tinsel and begin carol Repentance during as to hear the good news. Without it, all is lost. Either a matter. Or perhaps we ready for him? singing. Advent does Advent gives churches the baptism of spiritual fire or an unquenchable fire of destruc- think that this year we will Advent is something of a indeed look forward to the opportunity to look out- tion awaits us when the king walks onto the stage. take a firm stand against roller-coaster of emotions: birth of Christ as a tiny, wards as well as inwards. the commercialisation of joy, hope, fear, longing, helpless baby, but it also What aspects of society Lee Gatiss is Director of Church Society and Editor of the Christmas and focus on its anticipation. All have their looks forward to his sec- that do not acknowledge NIV Proclamation Bible true meaning. place in this majestic sea- ond coming in judgement the lordship of Christ do So often Christmas when son, the beginning of the to reign forever. There is we collude with? A focus on it finally arrives is a let- Church’s year. That in therefore a mixture of penitence sets the future down for all the old difficul- itself is an indication of why expectation and dread lead- horizon that Advent points HYMN SUGGESTIONS ties are still there and this there is such a range of ing to penitence. towards in a new light too. is not the time to deal with expectations. As the Chris- We evangelicals tend to Clearing away the debris to them. How different the tian year is just beginning see repentance in an indi- make way for the age to coming of Christ the king we find ourselves looking vidual way as each sinner come opens up new possi- will be if the Advent call to towards the end of all standing before a holy bilities. Thanks to God whose word was spoken wake up and get ready real- things. God. Nothing wrong with We may also reflect May the mind of Christ my saviour ly took effect in our person- The End was traditional- that: there is rejoicing in together on the Advent al lives and in the life of the ly reflected on in Advent as heaven over one sinner watchword of ‘Maranatha.’ Rejoice the Lord is king Church. the Four Last things: who repents. But what As we pray ‘Our Lord In heavenly love abiding When Christ himself death, judgement, heaven about the corporate dimen- come’ (1 Cor 16:22) we are Jesus shall reign returns there will be no dis- and hell. Here in these sion of repentance? In the called to stay awake and appointment, no sense of apocalyptic themes is year that Gafcon focused renew our vigilance. something good. But that does not mean that dence that ultimately right will prevail. This it is easy to live the moral life apart from God. is at the centre of the Advent message. As It is one thing for something to be good; it preachers are fond of pointing out, hope and is quite another matter for us to see it that optimism are not the same. To have hope in way. As Iris Murdoch pointed out, goodness God is not to expect that the future will be requires a ‘refined and honest perception of always bright and rosy and that there are no what is really the case, a patient and just dis- problems ahead of us. cernment of what confronts one’. There are The existence of a God of love teaches us many things we just do not want to see that the value and virtues to which we feel because they challenge our selfishness or drawn can exist as actualities not just as pos- comfort. Faith in God can help to open our sibilities. We see them present in God’s own eyes and ears to moral claims and give us the life and revealed in the life of Jesus. strength to respond. An important aspect of The Advent hope tells us that ultimately faith is that it teaches us to see the world history is on the side of love and justice, P A U L from a different point of view, one in which peace and reconciliation, no matter how we are not at the centre. unlikely that seems at times. As Kant saw R I C H A R D S O N Dworkin could argue that his belief in tran- clearly, the moral law ‘defines for us a moral scendent value and beauty permeating the end and makes it obligatory to strive towards universe can have the same impact. In some its attainment’ but it does not provide assur- Church and World cases this may be true but the fact remains ance that this is feasible. Christians may have that religious faith has changed the way peo- to wrestle against principalities and powers ple understand moral values. The historian but we know that ultimately history is under Peter Brown has credited Christian bishops the control of a God of love. in the early church with ‘inventing the poor’ Jean Danielou described hope as the ‘most by which he means that it was the church difficult theological virtue’. People who have The Advent that taught people to see the poor as a needy no conviction that they ‘will one day enter class that made claims upon them. It was the into possession of the beatific vision and the church that opened the first hospitals and overflowing love of God’ can easily fall into a campaigned against leaving unwanted chil- mood of just trying to get the most out of life dren outside to die. As Christianity spread rather than showing generosity and a dispo- messsage of hope around the ancient world it effected a trans- sition to help others. Hope encourages formation of values, spreading an attitude endurance and teaches us to see faith as a Before he died the American legal claims, to believe in ‘life’s intrinsic Bishop David Jenkins once summed up as a journey into God’s future. It encourages us philosopher Ronald Dworkin wrote a meaning and nature’s intrinsic beau- ‘respect for persons’. not to base our faith only on experience but book explaining how it is possible to ty’ without believing in a personal The process has continued throughout his- also to take account of God’s promises. be religious without believing in God. God. Unlike the new atheists tory. Medieval canon lawyers have been Not surprisingly this message can have Dworkin, who succeeded HL Hart as Dworkin does not accuse Christianity credited with laying the foundation of respect revolutionary consequences. In the Pacific professor at Oxford, was one of the of promoting bigotry and intolerance for human rights. Christian theologians the gospel of hope provoked the birth of finest thinkers of his generation and but he does argue that we do not need developed the ‘Just War’ theory and strug- Cargo Cults, and John Gray sees Christian much more sympathetic to religion God to teach us right and wrong. We gled to persuade colonists in Latin America eschatology behind not just communism but than the new atheists. Even so, Chris- come to a knowledge of morality by that the indigenous people were human many other political movements. But secular tians will want to take issue with some ourselves. beings and had rights. A similar battle was apocalyptic creeds can be dangerous. of his views. Most Christians will agree with the waged by Quakers and evangelicals to get Because they lack faith that God will bring Dworkin quotes Einstein, another argument that God does not make white Christians to see that slaves also had history to a conclusion they look for alterna- ‘religious atheist’, to argue that ‘some something right by his own will. God rights. tives and these can include revolutionary vio- transcendent and objective value per- commands something because it is But faith does more than open our eyes to lence and warfare. They seek to make meates the universe’. It is possible, he good; his command does not make see what is right, it also gives us the confi- history and hope rhyme on their own terms.

-- and Mamre' [Gen/NIV] (6) 6Joash's chief priest [2 Kgs; 2 Chr] (8) 11 One of Jacob's 12 sons (8) 12 Turkish plateau, roughly Asia Minor of PRIZE CROSSWORD No. 876 by Axe 14 Ancient kingdom east of the Dead Sea, old, and the Asia of the NT (8) home of Ruth (4) 13 Nephew of Abraham (3) 15 They are the essence of the Pentateuch, 14 Cathedrals or large churches originally for instance (4) connected to monasteries (8) 16 Scottish bishop and missionary who 16 Formal separation of a church into two evangelized the southern Picts (2,6) churches (6) 18 Son of Levi [1 Chr] (6) 17 Syrian army officer healed of leprosy by 20 Song of praise to God, a saint or a nation Elisha [2 Kgs] (6) (6) 19 Acre as known to Hebrews [Judg] (4) 22 The ----: the Church of Scotland (4) 21 '---- man is to take his censer and put 23 One of Daniel's three companions in incense in it...' [Num/NIV] (4) Babylon (8)

Down Solution to last week’s crosswordAcross: 7

1Third son of Adam and Eve (4) Across: 1 Disease, 5 Panic, 8 Delilah, 9 Odour, 10 2False teacher denounced in 2 Tim (8) Micah, 11 Othniel, 12 Sisera, 14 Sticks, 18 Cleopas, 3'The second angel sounded his trumpet, 20 Tamar, 21 Perga, 22 Idumaea, 23 Still, 24 and...a huge mountain...was thrown into Hebrews. ------' [Rev/NIV] (3,3) 4Desert place where David sought Down: 1 Didymus, 2 Selects, 3 Allah, 4 Ephron, 5 refuge from Saul [1 Sam] (6) Prophet, 6 Naomi, 7 Carol, 13 Raphael, 15 5One of the five traditional Philistine Compare, 16 Syrians, 17 Isaiah, 18 Capes, 19 strongholds [Josh; 1&2 Sam; 2 Kgs; 2 Edrei, 20 Thumb. Chr] (4)

The first correct entry drawn will win a book of the Editor’s choice. Send your entry to Crossword Number 876, The Church of England Newspaper, 14 Great College Street, Westminster, London, SW1P 3RX by next Friday

Name

Across be' (4) Address 9'And God created great ------, 7City where the bodies of Saul and every living thing that and Jonathan were put on its moveth...' [Gen/KJV] (6) walls [1 Chr] (4,4) 10 '...I will accept nothing but...the Post Code 8Hebrew word meaning 'so let it share that belongs...to Aner, ----

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