Home-Grown Study for Lent

Spotlight Jan/Feb 2018 Home-grown study for Lent A new home-grown resource for Lent is now call to follow Him in our own time, there is so available free of charge for people across the much that we can learn from our first bishop’s Diocese. ‘Steps In Discipleship’ is a 44-page lifelong response, made at a time when Anglo- colour booklet suitable for use by individuals Saxon Mercia was as diverse, conflicted and yet or groups in parishes, schools, chaplaincies, full of opportunity as modern Mercia is today. and fresh expressions. “My hope The aim of each of the five sessions is to and prayer connect with an aspect of St Chad’s life and is that the explore what relevance it has for Christian resources people in today’s world. in these pages will The first session looks at Chad’s cross and the be opened challenges he faced when he became Bishop of up the Mercians. The next three sessions focus on Chad’s vocation, discipleship and evangelistic fervour while the final session looks at Chad in community. Each section includes biblical reflection, quotes from well-known authors, questions for discussion and suggested actions for the week ahead.

The material has been written by Archdeacon by individuals and by Paul Thomas and the Dean of Lichfield Adrian groups as a way of Dorber, with a preface by Bishop Michael. renewing discipleship, multiplying vocations, and Bishop Michael said: “It is a joy to commend strengthening evangelism.” this booklet for study, reflection and prayer in Lent and beyond. Chad of Lichfield was a man The booklet is available to view and download whose humility, energy and holiness inspire us on the diocesan website now at today, and his story is threaded through the lichfield.anglican.org/2018_lent_booklet/. Hard geography and history of this precious part of copies can be ordered until the end of January England. As we seek today to answer Christ’s by email from [email protected]

The Church of England around Staffordshire, northern Shropshire and the Black Country Footprints in the Diocese Chad living More than 100 churches and other groups the Diocesan website to support parishes, To kick off 2018, the Diocese has released across the Diocese have had their say as fresh expressions, schools and chaplaincies to a set of short videos in a new series called part of an ongoing develop their focus in CHAD Living: Choices, Habits, Actions and conversation about these areas. Decisions. The videos explore what it means our Next Steps to follow Christ in the footsteps of St Chad in together. Bishop Michael said: our modern world. “To have so many Bishop Michael people participate in and Diocesan Chief Our Direction Of Travel the joint conversation Executive Julie Jones about our Next Steps The Invitation: praised the “very together is very encouraging” response Come follow Christ encouraging. I hope You can get involved in the to the survey which in the footsteps of St Chad that speaking about Chad Living conversation - came in the wake of discipleship, vocation and suggest your ideas - on the Diocese’s new We are responding to this invitation by: and evangelism will our Diocesan Twitter direction of travel to •• developing discipleship help release energy and Facebook ‘Come follow Christ in •• nurturing vocations and ideas across the pages. the footsteps of St Chad.’ •• inspiring evangelism Diocese, with the They include richest initiatives James Some of the 108 coming from the grass Henderson To become parishes, school, chaplaincies and responses came at roots.” talking about fresh expressions that are: a parish or deanery single-use level – representing •• discovering the heart of God Julie Jones said: “It plastics, several churches – •• growing disciples is great that the Lindsey while others came •• Reaching new generations survey results have Hall on ‘fast from Messy Churches, •• transforming communities come from such a fashion’, Tamar Willoughby on becoming vegan, prison chaplaincy and •• practising generosity wide cross-section of Richard Clarkson on conscious consumerism, one of the Diocese’s churches and groups Tilly and Dan Stubbs explaining the benefits of overseas partnerships. across the Diocese. growing food at home and David Primrose on Searching for ‘Chad Living’ on Youtube or at Responses were rich making the most of all our moments. www.lichfield.anglican.org/chad-living/ and varied – see “These stories will www.lichfield.anglican.org/next_steps/Come followinform Christthe focus of our central Diocesan directives from above, but in the diversity of “We are also committed to careful reflection officer team so that we can develop thematic the Christian life found in our parishes, schools, that enables us to find ways in which the inThe the survey footsteps asked work of using St their Chad expertise that will unfold chaplaincies and fresh expressions. We will Direction of Travel can be shaped in the light of people to share during 2018. ensure that our focus is ‘outward-facing’ as we experience and changing circumstances.” their stories, hopes follow Chad’s example in crossing boundaries and and plans about “Our vision as a Diocese will be rooted in reaching people beyond the institutional Church. The day after St Chad’s Day, on Saturday 3 the key areas the vision of the God we worship, the God March 2018 at 11am, Bishop Michael invites of discipleship, who invites us to follow Christ and calls us to “We are drawing Diocesan officers into a new everyone to a Next Steps celebration service vocation and abundant life. relationship with each other based around at Lichfield Cathedral. It will feature the evangelism. Over discipleship, vocation and evangelism as they Community of St Chad and include an update the coming months, “We will ensure that the Direction of Travel work to support and resource parishes, schools, on our journey of discipleship, vocation and resources will be enriches the grass roots and that is impact fresh expressions and chaplaincies effectively. evangelism including the four mission projects made available on is felt not primarily in ‘flagship projects’ or that were commissioned last May.

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The Church of England around Staffordshire, northern Shropshire and the Black Country Bishop’s Lent Appeal 2018 No doubt of the benefit This year’s Bishop’s Lent Appeal will focus Let The Children Live! (www.letthechildrenlive. The THOMAS Project in Aldridge was one on supporting families in need – both at org/) works with street children in Columbia’s of several initiatives to benefit from 2017’s home and abroad. second-largest city, Medellin. It is a charity Bishop’s Lent Appeal, which focused on of last resort for children living and working supporting asylum seekers and refugees. Times are hard for many. In our Diocese in the street and shanty towns, children with there are families who are struggling because special needs and young mothers. The charity It has worked with asylum seeking women and of financial pressures, especially with the runs Casa Walsingham where children receive children housed at a nearby hostel for over 12 stagnation in wages and the introduction food, advice, support and, if they want it, months, providing food, clothing and toys and of Universal Credit. Other families need to Christian spiritual formation. A grant from advice on housing and IT, and more recently escape violence or abuse. Still others need Duncan Bannatyne enabled the opening of a holding weekly worship sessions there. support in building strong relationships and residential centre where children participate improving parenting skills, often in adverse in activities and stay in safety. Projects include This is just one part Opportunities for life, Ministry and Mission, circumstances. We will be looking to support school facilities for adolescent mothers and of the community Achieving Changes and Supporting those in need. families in difficulty in the Diocese and, through their babies and a choir which helps children charity’s work which Let The Children Live!, in South America. therapeutically. These have enabled many provides practical It features in a special video in the new children to escape the street and provided support – including Church of England website (watch it at www. Bishop Michael says: “Families come in all others with food, accommodation and support food, training, churchofengland.org/helping-people-find- shapes and sizes, from the simple unit of for their families. counselling and work) that follows the story of Patricia Stares mother and child to complex networks of prayer – from its shopfront on the Leighswood who had been out of work until she came kinship and relation. They are the places where We also intend to give small grants to a estate. It works closely with organisations across the project. She realised it was a place we find support and nurture but can also be variety of local projects supporting families including Places of Welcome, Black Country that wanted to build a community and look places of struggle, pain, and brokenness. All in need. These include the Pathway Project in Foodbank and Workstations In Walsall. The after one another. It was there she got help to relationships of love help bring us closer to Lichfield which offers help to those escaping project offers its broad range of activities find a job, joined a prayer group and became a the love that is God in Trinity. I believe that we domestic abuse. This story illustrates the around the acronym THOMAS – Training regular. Patricia said: “I’ve never seen a shop like need to support families as a way of helping difference they make: and education, Healthcare information, it before… It makes me feel a lot happier, and others into that love that we as Christians closer to God. I feel closer to Him than I have have found for ourselves. Please do open your “A young man contacted us 16 years mother and siblings. He wanted to for a long time since I’ve been coming to the hearts and wallets this Lent to support families after being in our refuge as a child with thank us for looking after them all project. St Thomas is my church.” in need in this his and said that thanks to our care and Diocese support he was a stronger more Project manager and confident person, and Nicky Thomas said: “In beyond.” that he now had a the film, Pat comes to young son and wanted The THOMAS Project to make sure that he looking for a job and was a better father than finds her church. his had been and was In the last 12 months, God has taken us on a going to make sure that wonderful journey. Alongside our continuing the mistakes of the past community work we have introduced worship to would never repeat our weekly prayer sessions, hosted two 'Good Above: Some of the teenage mothers studying themselves.” News for You' courses, taken part in ecumenical in the little school. Left: outreaches in Walsall and Aldridge, introduced Some of the children at Casa Walsingham More details on this Holy Communion into our Love Leighswood year’s Lent Appeal are at events, and changed our shop to sell Christian www.lichfield.anglican.org /lent_appeal_2018/. and Traidcraft resources. We are very excited to see what God has us involved in next!”

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The Church of England around Staffordshire, northern Shropshire and the Black Country A New Hope in Walsall Ray of hope between faiths A pioneering initiative focusing on growing “We had lots of positive comments about the It’s been a busy first year as Inter Faith Enabler But the highlight of the year for Ray has been Christian community is bringing ‘A New fun days. Several people said: ‘We’ve never had in the Wolverhampton Episcopal Area for the his work with primary schools. “I was asked Hope’ to urban Walsall. anything like this before on this estate,’ and one Revd Ray Gaston, a half-time post that he by Interfaith Wolverhampton to take over the lady told us her kids had not stopped talking combines with being a Vicar of St Chad with St organising of their annual ‘Prayers for Peace’ The Walsall Heathlands Mission is a partnership about it over a week later. Mark in the Parish of Central Wolverhampton. service. We moved the event to Inter Faith between the Diocese, Latimer Minster (a large, Week, changed the venue and worked with mission-focussed church in Buckinghamshire) “It was also lovely to see local church members “My focus has been on three faith schools: Christian, Muslim and and local churches in the parish of Blakenall engaging in the mission, over meals, praying in developing Christian Sikh. The children were involved in dialogue Heath. It is one of four mission initiatives the prayer room and joining in the celebrations. discipleship in a workshops in the autumn term and together launched as part of the outworking of the The week generated a lot of goodwill in the multi faith world and presented their work at the renamed ‘Peace Diocese’s new direction of travel to ‘Come community and our prayer is that encouraging new forms for All’ event at Molineux Stadium where they follow Christ in the footsteps of St Chad.’ it will continue to open doors of inter faith engagement outlined their visions for the city in 2020.” to share the gospel.” particularly amongst In November, children and young Ray has also been involved in developing ‘The the project Frog Orr-Ewing, from Latimer people,” Ray reflects. “We Bishop and the Imam’ assemblies with Bishop welcomed a Minster, said the partnership are all called to be involved in the multi faith Clive and Imam Rashid Raja for local schools team of over was about “reimagining” mission reality of our contemporary world. My role is that featured in the Wolverhampton Express 20 from the in an urban area, rooted not to be ‘the specialist’ but rather as my title and Star. This has caught the imagination of Oxford Centre in monastic rhythms of suggests encouraging all Christians to engage primary schools in the area with assemblies for Christian prayer, hospitality and positively and with theological integrity.” booked until the end of the next summer term. Apologetics renewal. for a week of To this end the last year has seen Ray involved In addition, Ray has found time to complete his focussed mission called ‘A New Hope’, with a “We’re in working with others on several projects. latest book published by SCM Press in October: Star Wars theme. The week opened and closed in the Firstly, the Christian Muslim Partnership ‘Faith, Hope & Love – Inter Faith Engagement as with celebrations in Christ Church Blakenall very early initiative which has seen churches and mosques Practical Theology’. It’s a work recommended by Heath. The team worked in five local schools, stages enter into twinning arrangements. Christians Bishop Michael as “a great encouragement” for taking assemblies and lessons and running an of this from Evangelical, Anglo-Catholic and Liberal Christian inter faith work. after-school Messy Church. They also hosted mission traditions have all become involved. Secondly, two lively fun days which ended with light project,” piloting a three-day training course on inter Ray can be called on 077511 55124, tweet @RevdRay parades and a he said. faith engagement for Christians. or email [email protected] spaceship! A New Hope: worship at “It’s about using the Christ Church (top left); Revd Frog Orr-Ewing, people and resources Ian, one of the Latimer Minster (top right); in a way that can serve Wheeling the space rocket leaders, said: to school (above); posters the community while “The week was in keeping with the theme meeting the needs of the (left); for some OCCA a wonderful students from abroad, existing congregation success. It was snow was a new experience and building relationships lovely to see (below) to grow new Christian the excitement communities on children’s faces as R2D2 was wheeled into here.” classrooms to receive their questions about faith. All of the schools were very positive, and Find out it’s opened the door for us to return to run more at www. assemblies and establish an ongoing after- facebook.com/ school church. HeathlandsMission

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The Church of England around Staffordshire, northern Shropshire and the Black Country Caring for God’s family Building on Nordkirche link

The Bishop of Lichfield has appointed the church’s life. As a fellow priest I look forward A group of 11 people from across the Diocese my appreciation of church tradition and Revd Preb Sarah Schofield as his new Adviser to supporting women, as together we explore strengthened links with fellow Christians in to delve deeper into my Anglican identity. For Women In Ministry. the fullness of our calling. I see my role as one northern Germany during a recent visit. The partnership has become so much more specialist element within Bishop Michael’s wider important in post-Brexit Britain.” The adviser plays an important role as an vision for our diocese as family of God in which They participated in the annual Anticipating advocate for women’s ordained ministry in the all God’s people are represented in leadership.” Advent experience which has become a regular Anne Lange, responsible for Global Partnerships Diocese and advises Bishop Michael and the calendar fixture with our partner diocese, the and Ecumenical Relationships in Rostock, area bishops on issues facing female clergy. Bishop Michael said: “Sarah brings a depth of Nordkirche Lutheran Church. explained: “These links matter because they experience at both local parish and national open up our views of our churches and our Sarah has been the Vicar of All Saints in level and I know she will work effectively to The trip included a visit to a church-linked countries. We have so much in common and Wolverhampton since 2006 where she has promote the flourishing of female clergy across soup kitchen project near Rostock and time face so many of the same challenges. We are developed the Warm Welcome project – a the Diocese. Sarah takes over from the Revd looking at the differences in the Reformation enriched by this sharing of experiences and multi-agency initiative which offers a safe space Preb Jane Tillier who I would like to thank for her in Germany and England as part of its 500th being able to ask questions together.” to local sex workers. She is a member of General commitment to seeing women develop in ministry anniversary celebrations. Synod and the Archbishop’s Council of the Church as Bishop’s Adviser over the past six years.” The trip followed a visit by Bishop Michael and of England and the Faith and Order Commission. his wife Dr Julia Ipgrave in February 2017 where The Bishop’s Adviser is also available as a link they witnessed first-hand church projects at Sarah is also a doctoral student at the University between the female clergy of the Diocese and work with refugees and the jobless. of Birmingham exploring how young female the Bishops of Ebbsfleet and Maidstone. The ordinands grow into confident, creative, mature Bishop of Maidstone offers extended pastoral The Revd Sally Smith, founder of Sanctus St clergy in a way that can sustain them for and sacramental care to those who stand in Mark’s in Shelton which supports refugees decades. In May 2018 she will be leaving her the conservative evangelical tradition while the Members of the and asylum seekers, was part of the current parish role to create space to focus on Bishop of Ebbsfleet offers extended care to group from Lichfield latest delegation. “A visit to the soup with their hosts her research. traditional catholics in the Church of England. (left). The Soup kitchen near Rostock was particularly Email: [email protected] kitchen van outside interesting. No-one is turned away St Mary’s Church Sarah said: “I am grateful in Bad Doberan from this project which provided to Bishop Michael for One of the visitors, Chrissi Thompson, (below). good quality food to any who allowing me to bring Young People’s Worker at St Peters want it,” she said. together disparate Forsbrook, said: “It’s important that we link passions into one role. I am with people who are similar but also a bit “It’s been good to re-connect unashamedly a Christian different from us. It’s been really good to with the work being done with and equally unashamedly a experience worship in different styles, to renew asylum seekers and refugees. feminist. My faith calls me friendships and to share food together.” St Peters Church in Schwerin is to care for God’s people actually providing sanctuary for through practical acts of The Revd Patrick Griffin, Curate at St Marks 15 asylum seekers who would service and academically Basford, added: “It’s helped to broaden otherwise be deported.” rigorous research, both can change the world and the church for the better. From the Editor resource (see p1) and explore innovative ways Welcome to the first Spotlight of to follow Jesus through our new CHAD Living “As a researcher I look 2018 in which we look at ways channel (p3). Your feedback – as always – is forward to identifying the to help us grow in faith as we in welcome! barriers in this diocese to our everyday lives. Please take Pete Bate, female clergy ministering advantage of our free Lent Director of Communications in every area of the

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The Church of England around Staffordshire, northern Shropshire and the Black Country More Encourage-ment Variety enables enrichment July 2018 will see the second Encourage Festival, I have over the last months been watching the reality is that they are women, men and children the one-day music and arts event that is designed quite sudden physical decline of somebody I like ourselves, differing from us only in that to celebrate God’s call to all people. have known well for many years. From being they are encountering constraint and limitation a very active and agile 83.6 year old, she has in a more comprehensive or permanent way. Last year’s debut festival included talks from Rev become an 83.9 year old who finds mobility Because they have lived for years in this way, Kate Bottley, our own Neil Baldwin and a whole Festival 2018 difficult, who experiences almost constant pain, there may well be truths which we can learn range of music, poetry, food, arts and crafts. CELEBRATING GOD’S CALL TO US ALL and who needs daily help to perform quite from them about the living of our lives; in any a mini music and arts festival at Shallowford House, Stone ordinary daily actions. It has been an awkward case, whatever our differing abilities, we can be Saturday 7th July 2018 This year’s festival will be at Shallowford House on encouragefestival.co.uk and testing period for her and for those who mutually enriched through our companionship, Saturday 7 July and feature actress and comedian know and love her, and uncertainty about the mutual service and prayer within the church. Sally Phillips (from Miranda, Bridget Jones and FEATURING future has compounded the difficulty. Probably Nor we should we forget that the church itself Smack The Pony), music from Goat Roper Rodeo you may know somebody going through a is the Body of Christ, the fellowship of One who Band with many more acts and activities still to be similar experience, or possibly this is where you won our healing through his physical wounds. announced. yourself are in your own life now. In the autumn, I Tickets will be on sale from My friend has been remarkable for the cheerfulness licensed The Revd 1 March, with discounts for sally phillips goat roper rodeo band and resilience with which she has mostly greeted Zoe Heming as those who book before Easter, this, and she has been well supported. Enabling Church at www.encouragefestival.co.uk March madness:TICKETS adult £15 / family ticket £30 Sometimes, though, the realisation of what she Adviser for our April onwards: adult £20 / family ticket £40 (family tickets: 2 adults and 3 children under 14 w/£5 per extra child) has lost and is losing must make her want to diocese. Herself tickets available online from 1st March at encouragefestival.co.uk cry, and I think that things have been made all needing to use a the harder for her as for most of her life she wheelchair for much of her daily life and work has regarded it as an ethically good thing to be because of chronic pain, Zoe not only knows active and busy, a clear duty to walk and exercise the reality of disability in practice, but has also hard, and even a conscientious obligation to go reflected and prayed about its meaning for Director of Vocations Lindsey Hall swimming before breakfast each day. Christian discipleship. She has written: ‘God said: “We are really looking forward walks with us and can help us be less afraid to the next Encourage Festival Certainly this is no bad set of values, and it has of not being who were aged 20 - faith and and to hearing people express kept her well for decades. But now that her gifts can still grow even as our bodies decline. Feedback from last their different callings through body will no longer allow her to do the things There are so many simple, inexpensive ways to year’s festival included music, art, talks, poetry and a she once did so easily, there is the danger that worship together and embrace one another’s “a great day out” and whole range of other things. she will think of herself as a moral failure, a gifts to make sure that no one is isolated from “a real celebration We are all passionate about burden on others, and generally useless. In fact, church life or left feeling like a “bad Christian”’. of vocation of all something and it is inspiring to her strong Christian faith has helped her to get kinds, not just church see others living out their call in to the point where she can see through the All of us want our churches to be places of ministry” all sorts of ways.” temptation of worthlessness to realise that she welcome for people of differing abilities, but plus much still has worth and value in her new condition, there are many practical issues which we need appreciation Highlights from the but it has not been easy for her to get there. to look at to make that welcome a reality. Zoe 2017 Encourage of the Festival included will be available to work with all of us through range TV vicar Kate The kind of physical disabling is something any the coming years, and she would be glad to Bottley joining the of acts, TGI Monday panel: of us could experience at any point in our lives, hear from you. She can be contacted by email - food and food and drink whether for a while or indefinitely. And for some [email protected] - and by galore, crafts, talks, activities poetry and film people it is, in one way or another, a condition phone - 01952 810942. available. as well as many which marks the whole of their lives. We label +Michael musicians these people as ‘the disabled’, but the deeper January 2018

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The Church of England around Staffordshire, northern Shropshire and the Black Country in the footsteps of St Chad in the footsteps of Come follow Christ rescheduled-date-tickets-41273477081 co.uk/e/how-to-spot-a-loan-shark-workshop-walsall- Church, Walsall. Book a place via www.eventbrite. Monday 29 January from 10.00 to 12.30. St Martin’s and the impact victims communities. Transforming Communities Together will show you how Could you spot a Loan Shark? Diocesan Book Group please bring your own lunch. ST16 1EQ. Coffee is provided – 14.00. St Thomas’, Doxey, Stafford, Wednesday 31 January 12.30- Morgan. Bringing Truth to Life’ by Alison Discuss ’The Wild Gospel –

www.lichfield.anglican.org/labs-training-and-events/ Details of this and other RNG Labs booking via Saturday 24 March 4 December 0915-16.00 more the spiritual world of children and young people and Godly Play practitioner, will help you to understand researcher with Breakfast The Spirituality of Children and Young People: An RNG Lab This day, led by Dr. Rebecca Nye, spirituality

No booking required Saturday 3 March 1100- inside the Cathedral. images and sounds outside nativity story in mesmerising Illuminate will present the The award-winning Cathedral Next Steps [email protected] Let us know about your events by email to visit lichfield.anglican.org/events events in the Diocese,For a full listing of DIARY

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