THE ORIGINAL CHURCH NEWSPAPER. ESTABLISHED IN 1828 Examining Fresh Expressions in the Muslim THE Whitby Manifesto, p9 CHURCHOF p7 ENGLAND Newspaper

NOW AVAILABLE ON  NEWSSTAND FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015 No: 6274 Evangelicals move to heal the rift over women’s ministry ANGLICAN evangelicals have affirmed their unity, The document says that all those who sign long for The document follows with a commitment by all despite disagreements over women’s ordination. people to be united in mission: “Our hearts break when those who sign to reform their theology of women and The document, ‘Affirmation of Evangelical Unity over we see the deep divisions,” it says. men ‘if persuaded by the Spirit speaking through scrip- the Theology of Women and Men’, uses the Evangelical The document makes a distinction between ‘individu- ture’, and a commitment to ‘train our consciences in Alliance Basis of Faith and the Evangelical Relation- als’ with differing opinions of the roles of women and light of Jesus’ desire.’ ships Commitment as a mutual point of reference for men in ministry, and ‘evangelicals’ who have a united Signatories of the new document also affirm that the two-page document. purpose. ‘men and women are not so [much] the same that they It has been signed by over 100 members of Anglican The document goes on to call those individuals as are interchangeable in Christian marriage’, a theology networks, including clergy, ordinands and theological being in ‘theological error’ arising from ‘sinful hearts’ which it states is an agreement with what it means to be education representatives. but states that evangelicals ‘in error’ — and those not evangelical. Signatories state they have not signed on behalf of — self-described terms of division by the authors, can The document states that within the evangelical fel- any organisation but hope the document is ‘an expres- unite without the fear of ‘hypocritical inconsistency’. lowship there are differences ‘non-essential to salva- sion of love’ and respect ‘in a clear statement that the In one section the prayer asks for repentance for tion’ that will remain unresolved and that differences of theology of men and women is not an issue that pre- those who only believe that men should be in certain male and female roles in ministry are neither of ‘prima- vents those in our tradition standing together for the positions in the Church as well as those who believe ry doctrinal importance’ nor essential to eternal salva- sake of Christ on the larger issues facing us today.’ that God calls both women and men. tion. Homes wanted for stained glass windows

OUTSTANDING but redundant stained glass windows are searching for new homes. The Worshipful Company of Glaziers has an over- flowing repository of stained glass church windows stored in the basement of Glaziers’ Hall, close to South- wark Cathedral. Heritage Insurer Ecclesiastical will be helping to relo- cate the collection of over 100 windows, which have been preserved from sold-off churches and those fac- ing demolition. Secretary of the London Stained Glass Repository, Michael Dalton, has said that he would like benefactors to come forward to help relieve the overflowing collec- tion housed inside the London vaults. “We would like to donate our windows to buildings that would make a suitable home for these wonderful works of art – and importantly, make them accessible to the public. These could be churches, but we would also consider buildings such as hospitals, museums, railway stations and accessible stately homes,” he said. Clare Pardy, Ecclesiastical’s Fine Art and Heritage Development Director, said: “We’re delighted to be able to help the Company in saving these windows. There are some amazing, undiscovered works of great beauty in the repository that deserve to be seen. “We’re keen to help ensure that as many suitable properties as possible are able to take up this wonder- ful opportunity.”

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 2 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday April 10, 2015 News

Diocese of Chichester THEDIARY THE Chichester Cathedral held a special service recently where hundreds of priests from across Sussex gathered to renew Send your events to their ordination vows and to witness the blessing of the oils [email protected] at the church. The event was led by the Bishop of Chich- or Tweet @churchnewspaper CHURCHIN ester, Dr Martin Warner. The oils, which are used for baptism, ministry to the 11 April sick, and for the anointing of the dying, are blessed by the Bishop and distributed to parishes in the Diocese for use 2.30pm Another chance to take part in local communities. in Leeds Retreat on the ENGLAND Dr Warner made the point that the holy oils were “the Streets. cosmetics of holiness, whereby in the sacred drama and duty of worship, bodies become a living sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.” 12 April

8pm Hustings, Leeds East, St Mary’s Church, Whitkirk. Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham 18 April Young people from across the diocese experienced a variation of multicultural activities from a range of faith traditions through a seminal Faiths Roadshow delivered 10.30am‘Challenges at home and by St Philip’s Centre in Leicester. The aim of the event overseas’ is the theme of the was to encourage positive community relations through Christians in Library and education. Information Services (CLIS) Riaz Rivat, Interim Director of the Centre, said: “I am Annual Conference, The The- delighted that Nottinghamshire schools have taken this atre, YMCA, 7 East Street, initiative with the support of the Diocese of Southwell and Leicester. Nottingham, and Southwell Minister.” Also in the diocese is the release Nick Harding’s Ready 24 April to share One Bread – preparing Children for Holy Communion, a book focused on preparing children for the Holy Communion. It was written for childrens and youth 10am Walk Through the Old Testa- workers, church leaders and anyone interested in young ment in a day. Fittleworth, people and the church. near Petworth. A PACT Event. April 24 and 25. Cost is £14. Diocese of Portsmouth other churches in the city and local 7pm: Hustings meeting at St area, and individual and local George’s Church of England St Mary’s Church in Fratton Road businesses. Foundation School, Broad- gave more than 260 disadvantaged Mel Goddard, the centre’s family stairs. Candidates from the children in Portsmouth an egg this services manager said: “We support main seven political parties Easter due to an enormous these families long-term through have been invited to attend, response to an appeal organised by really difficult times and it is just including Nigel Farage of the church. lovely to be able to share the special UKIP and comedian Al Mur- The church aimed to collect at joy of Easter with them too. This will ray of FUKP. least 270 eggs, enough for each of make such a difference to them. the children and young people “I’d like to say a massive ‘thank 25 April supported by The Roberts Centre in you’ to everyone who has given an Landport, and was extremely please egg. It might seem small to you but when more than 350 eggs were to these children it will be massive. 10am:“Change! Over My Dead donated. The donations came from No words can explain just how Body!” a Christian reflection all across the diocese including from grateful we are.” on change is being offered by the Bradford Spirituality Diocese of Hereford Group, at St Peter’s Church Diocese of London Hall, Addingham. Bookings The local offices of the Church of England have been collecting soft toys in an through the Rev John Smith, Lego played a major role in retelling the effort to make sure children in war-torn Syria will have a toy to cuddle. 01423 391514. Easter story for children in London. Good Anni Holden, spokesperson for the Diocese of Hereford, said: “We have been 11am:BBC Songs of Praise presen- Shepherd Church, Handen Road, Lee, amazed at the number of toys coming in and are sorting a top 10 of them as it is ter Pam Rhodes is the special southeast London, held family activities on not only bears arriving. Currently we have dogs in second place and rabbits at guest at the 30th Prayer Book Good Friday where children were able to number three. We are really pleased with the response so far from our churches Society Annual Festival recreate key scenes of the story of Easter and hope we can go a long way to help Ellie Targett, whose idea it is, to reach which takes place at Black- out of Lego. 10,000 toys by the middle of June.” burn Cathedral. Other activities included making Easter Donations can be made at local churches taking part in the initiative, at the Gardens, biscuit decorating, Easter cards Diocesan Offices in the Palace in Hereford and at the diocese’s office at Ludlow 1 May and crafts. Eco-park near the park and ride bus stop.

Diocese of Chester 7.30pm Howard Goodall conducts Two Chester churches, St Paul’s, 200 young musicians from Boughton, and St Luke’s, Huntington, schools in and around worked together to lay on an Easter Northamptonshire at Peter- detective investigation for all Junior borough Cathedral, perform- classes at Huntington, Cherry Grove and ing Every Purpose Under Boughton Heath Primary Schools. The Heaven, the oratorio he com- investigation was held to put a modern posed to commemorate the twist on the story of Easter and “Who 400th anniversary of the King moved the stone?” James Bible in 2011. The Rev Chris Blunt said: “I’m delighted to see so many young people 7.30pm Bible by the Beach, with enthusiastically looking into the evidence Richard Pratt, Congress The- for the Easter story, which, if they atre and Winter Gardens, conclude that it is quite literally ‘gospel Eastbourne, until 4 May. truth’, has profound implications for all of us.”

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper www.churchnewspaper.com Friday April 10, 2015 News 3 Archbishop: we are all School admissions policies called into question St Paul on the CHURCH OF England schools abuse among those that do. equal in God’s sight should adopt non-religious “Worryingly, among parents admission arrangements. of socio-economic group A the IN HIS Easter address the Archbishop That is the call from an influ- level of false Church attendance of Canterbury stated that everyone is big screen ential group including the for- rose to 10 per cent.” the same in the eyes of God. mer House of Commons The letter argues that the Archbishop Welby spoke out for per- ACTOR Hugh Jackman education select committee Church is helping the ‘already secuted Christians around the world, in will play St Paul in a chair, Barry Sheerman MP and advantaged’, as it boasts good countries savaged by war and conflict, new film about the former chair of governors at a standards and levels of atten- but also those closer to home, where story of the Apostle. Church of England state funded dance from children from afflu- Christians are vilified for their sexual Jackman, best known school, the Rev Stephen Terry. ent families. orientation. for his role as X-men’s They are among 20 signato- “Ultimately however the uni- “Cathedrals and churches make Wolverine, is thought to ries of an open letter to the versality of the Church is being great statements, but without words. be portraying Paul’s Guardian, calling for the non- turned to the advantage of those Witnesses are those people who know conversion on the road religious selective admission who are already advantaged. We Christ; lay or ordained, old or young, the Damascus. arrangements to replace the cur- believe this issue presents a gender, politics, sexuality or whatever Actors Matt Damon rent Church of England’s pupil slow-burning crisis.” irrelevant - all are equally witnesses,” and Ben Affleck will be admission guidance. Theologian and writer, Theo he said. producing the film The Anglican group is asking Hobson, who helped organise Archbishop Welby reminded Chris- while Matt Cook will that schools no longer select the letter, said: “Many Church tians to support each other and main- write the screenplay. pupils on the grounds of Church schools already do not select tain their witness through the This will be another attendance. pupils by faith, highlighting that challenges of opposition. of a number of Bible The group disagrees with the it is not necessary to have selec- “Every action we take, every inac- retellings that have hit practice and policy, which they tion to maintain a Christian tion, every agreement, every disagree- the small screens this argue does not serve the work ethos. In fact, it is by operating ment in which love is maintained, year, including BBC’s and message of the Church for policies that incentivise reli- everything we do and say, or refrain The Ark and the National Geographic’s Killing Jesus. the ‘generosity of its mission to gious inauthenticity and which from doing or saying, everything wit- the whole community.’ disadvantage the poor that nesses,” he said. The letter states that the Church schools undermine Meanwhile, Pope Francis urged the admissions system is flawed their ethos. international community not to ‘look Eva Burrows dies because it is ‘open to abuse’. The “The Church can and should the other way’ and act over the killings letter cites an example of a sur- demonstrate greater leadership of Christians around the globe, during THE FIRST woman General of the Salvation Army, Eva vey by the Sutton Trust in 2013, and revise its admissions guid- his Easter Monday address. Burrows AC, has died. British-born Burrows had served which showed that six per cent ance.” Speaking in St Peter’s Square, the as a member of the Salvation Army since 1951. She then of parents admitted attending Letter signatory, the Rev pontiff asked for ‘tangible help’ from went on to become a Salvation Army Officer. She took up a church in order to send their Stephen Terry, said: “Faith communities all over the world for number of teaching posts, including as Principal of a Lon- child to a local Church school. selection at Church of England Christians persecuted because of their don school in the 1970s. The letter reads: “Considering schools makes the Church faith - but stopped short of suggesting Burrows enjoyed a long string of Salvation Army posts, that a quarter of pupil places in appear defensive and inward- what actions should be taken. which included leader of the Salvation Army’s Social Serv- the state system are at faith looking, when the schools Prime Minister David Cameron’s ices for Women of Great Britain, and member of the Board schools and many faith schools should look outwards.” Easter message asked people to be of Reference of The Salvation Army War College. do not reward Church atten- The letter is signed by clergy, confident in their faith and ‘defend She died in Melbourne, where she was surrounded by dance (many show preference members of General Synod and their values’. loved ones. to baptised or local children), even members of the House of the survey points to widespread Lords. Church of England ‘still the Tory Party at prayer’

A NEW REPORT from independent think-tank Theos servatives, but, as with Catholics, those in manual work ing Boris Johnson, as “a bit like the reception for has shown that religious belief does make a difference preferred Labour in 2010 by a large margin. Magic FM in the Chilterns: it sort of comes and to national voting intention. According to Professor Linda Woodhead, 33 per goes”. The report says that there has always been a link cent of self-identifying Anglicans are classed as Meanwhile Labour Leader Ed Miliband described between religion and party politics, most considerably a ‘Non-churchgoing doubters’, the same group of himself as a ‘Jewish Atheist’ and Liberal Democrat noticeable affiliation between Anglicanism and the Con- Anglicans mirroring Prime Minister, David Leader, Nick Clegg, as ‘agnostic’. servative Party. Cameron’s faith, which he recently described, quot- The report found a link between regularity of Church attendance, higher among those who are likely to vote Conservative as well as a generational increase in sup- port for the Conservative Party among Catholics. The report says that religion is a telling indicator of party division, and once stood as its ‘principal source’, See communities way before Peter Pulzer’s comment, “class is the basis transformed. of British party politics; all else is embellishment and detail.” Connect The report says: “The persistence of religious cleav- Through our scheme, ages in contemporary political behaviour may be a relic support a life-changing local of past political controversies”, and so remains a telling church programme. factor of today’s political allegiances among religious groups. • Rural healthcare in Bangladesh The report looks at religious affiliation and voting • Action on HIV in Zimbabwe behaviour between Anglicans, Roman Catholics, Non- conformists, Presbyterians and those with no religious • Maternal healthcare in Lesotho affiliation, stretching from 1959-2010. • Overcoming poverty in the Among the findings the report also says that Angli- Philippines cans in non-manual occupations were more likely to support the Conservative Party, whilst their co-religion- Call 020 7921 2210 or visit ists in manual occupations gave about equal support to www.weareus.org.uk/connect the two largest parties. Roman Catholics in white-collar employment were Us. The new slightly more likely to vote Labour than Conservative, whereas the differential in party support was much name for USPG larger amongst Catholics in manual employment. Registered charity Among Nonconformists, the report says, those in number 234518 white-collar work were more likely to support the Con-

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 4 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday April 10, 2015 News Pastoral Letter gets a study guide Indiana A STUDY GUIDE has been backs released to accompany the Bishop Do you think immigration House of Bishops’ Pastoral Graham is also a faith issue? Letter for the forthcoming James “It can be turned into a divi- controversial General Election. sive issue but all humans are The guide put together by in the likeness of God, it’s a the Mission and Public faith issue in sense God has Affairs Division, provides no favourites and in God, law on questions under each main there are no distinctions of section, for consideration worth sometimes applied to during conversations. immigration policy. ‘religious The Church of England’s role in political discussion How do you think differ- came under scrutiny after the ent political parties can freedom’ publication of the Pastoral manage both to handle Letter, ‘Who is my Neigh- debt and take care of vul- bour’ which was seen by nerable people as well? By Ashley Prevo some as being left-leaning. “They’ve got to do both, they A recent meeting of faith can do it in the sense that we WIDESPREAD CRITICISM has followed leaders, attended by the Bish- the study guide, for The Jobs’ campaign led by the are not a poor nation in terms the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in op of Norwich, the Rt Rev Church of England Newspa- local Conservative represen- of world terms. One of the the American state of Indiana. Graham James, who sought per. tatives and people who were things one has to recognise is Signed into action by Governor Mike to defend the intended well not natural Conservative sup- that people need support and Pence, it has faced criticism due to the fact meaning of the Pastoral Let- Can faith help us work porters, participating in set- I think that it’s more impor- that it could allow discrimination to numer- ter, heard claims that the with disagreements? ting aside their political tant to support them, than to ous groups of people. Church of England was an “I think one of the things the differences in pursuit of the develop major projects in The law says that the state government institution entangled in Christian faith helps me to do common good. Some politi- relation to infrastructure like cannot “substantially burden” an individ- Labour ‘entryism’, with a is to see other people as aid- cians might sneer at this, but the HS2, when we’re seeking ual’s ability to follow their religious beliefs, ‘highly politicised, sectional ing God’s image. I don’t see actually, local employers got to save £12m from the wel- except in cases where the government can outlook’. opinions, I try to see people. together attempting to create fare budget. prove a reason for imposing that restriction. One panel representative The best churches handle one or two extra jobs in firms, “Meanwhile, mental health The uproar from opponents of the law, in told The Church of England disagreement well and gra- in order to benefit wider com- provisions have been the community and across the United Newspaper: “Nations devolve ciously. One of the ways we munity.” reduced and churches are States, comes from the fact that this law around a message, and the are able to resolve the debate not always equipped to deal practically legalises discrimination. Church of England has lent on women bishops was, as a Would you say you were with (in terms of provisions) Through the wording of the law, it implies themselves to a politically result of finding good dis- on the ‘left’ or ‘right’ polit- those affected by mental that people can deny service to others narrow discourse which agreement, we learnt how to ically? health, who don’t have many based on race, colour, religion, ancestry, lends itself to ends.” live with fundamental dis- “I wouldn’t use either term, I people speaking out for them. age, national origin, disability, sex, sexual This has since been dis- agreement.” come from Cornwall, so from I’m not a politician, but I can orientation, gender identity or service in missed by the Bishop as ‘full a non-conformist liberal tradi- ask the questions. the US military by using the front that it is of paranoia’. If members of different tion, and it’s this conscience “You can balance things, because of their own religious beliefs. In order to demonstrate the political parties were to that has informed my politics. which are being spoken Several high-profile citizens have taken to Church of England’s consid- find common ground how On whether that’s left wing... about entirely differently. You social media to discuss their disappoint- ered approach to a Pastoral do you think that might it’s just left behind, Labour don’t often see budgets for ment in this law. Letter roundtable, Bishop have a positive impact never penetrated the South the HS2 and welfare reform The CEO of Apple joined other tech lead- James has answered some of where you live? West. I would say I’m left mentioned in the same sen- ers in speaking out against the law. the questions, as written in “There was a ‘Norwich for behind, not left-wing.” tence. Tim Cook said that the Indiana law may have began a “very dangerous … wave of legislation.” He also voiced his hopes that the governor of Arkansas would veto a sim- Human rights warning over bakery case ilar bill. The National Collegiate Athletic Associa- A HUMAN rights lawyer has said that if declining an order to produce adverts cake celebrating Satanism without tion, which has its headquarters in Indi- the Ashers bakery, currently fighting a calling for abortion on demand to be being taken to court. anapolis, has voiced concerned over how case brought against them for refusing legalised. Similarly, 71 per cent of those sur- the legislation will affect student-athletes to make a cake for a gay couple, were to The court case currently under con- veyed believe a Muslim printer should and employees. lose their court battle then no defence sideration concerns the McArthur fami- be able to refuse to print cartoons of NCAA analyst and former NBA player could be taken against other businesses ly, owners of Ashers Baking Co, who are Mohammed without being taken to Charles Barkley said that the law was defending their personal beliefs. being sued by the Equality Commission court; 68 per cent said a printing com- “unacceptable.” Among those cases listed by human for Northern Ireland (ECNI). pany run by Roman Catholics should “As long as anti-gay legislation exists in rights QC Aidan O’Neill, were an atheist The case arose after a complaint that be able to decline an order to produce any state, I strongly believe big events such web designer refusing to design a web- the baking company refused to make a adverts calling for abortion to be as the Final Four and Super Bowl should site presenting as scientific fact the cake featuring the logo of a Belfast- legalised without being taken to not be held in those states’ cities,” said claim that God made the world in six based campaign group called Queer- court. Barkley. days. space and a picture of the Sesame Street Simon Calvert, a spokesman for the Along with the mass amount of voices He also said that a Muslim printer characters Bert and Ernie in an Christian Institute, who are funding the speaking against the law, there are also refusing a contract requiring the print- embrace with the slogan “Support Gay Ashers case, commented: “When we areas in the United States that are taking ing of cartoons of Mohammed would be Marriage”. asked top human rights lawyer Aidan action to boycott Indiana. illegal. The bakery is receiving an outpour- O’Neill QC about the implications of The San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee and Other examples include a Christian ing of public support. this case he warned of an avalanche of Seattle Mayor Ed Murray have banned city- film company refusing to produce a A ComRes poll asking 1,000 people in similar cases if the litigation was suc- funded travel to Indiana. pornographic film, a Christian baker Northern Ireland whether they believe cessful. Other people that have spoken in opposi- refusing to take an order to make a cake the ECNI is right to take the Ashers “As Mr O’Neill said in his own words, tion to the law include celebrities such as celebrating Satanism, a T-shirt compa- Bakery to court, revealed that 71 per ‘If the approach of the ECNI were cor- Ashton Kutcher, Larry King and James Van ny owned by lesbians declining to print cent of people disagree. rectly based in law - which I do not con- Der Beek. T-shirts with a message describing gay Meanwhile a ComRes poll of more sider it to be - then on the basis that the Hillary Clinton has also voiced disap- marriage as an “abomination”. than 2,000 people found that 71 per cent law does not protect the fundamental pointment in the law tweeting, “Sad this Another scenario might be a printing said a bakery run by Christians should right, within the commercial context of new Indiana law can happen in America company run by Roman Catholics be able to refuse an order to make a supplying services, to hold opinions nor today. We shouldn’t discriminate against guarantee any negative freedom people because of who they love.” of expression, there would be no Due to the backlash, Indiana governor defence to similar actions being Mike Pence has said that he is open to taken in any of these scenarios’.” clarifying the law, but has no plans to change it. Also available on Android

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper www.churchnewspaper.com Friday April 10, 2015 News 5 Church backs African Primates declare independence ‘Indaba project’ is dead THE ANGLICAN Commu- cultures to alter God’s pur- form the culture, not the nion’s Indaba project has pose in creating man and other way around. We do campaign reached its conclusion, the woman.” accept diversity but not diver- primates of the Council of the The archbishops said they sity on the expense of the THE ANGLICAN Church of However, Papuan nationalists Anglican Provinces of Africa were not persuaded by the truth. Therefore we call upon Melanesia has lent its support for rejected the decision and estab- (CAPA) have concluded. arguments put forward by the these Churches to refrain independence of West Papua from lished the Free Papua Movement In a statement released last Episcopal Church and Angli- from making unilateral deci- Indonesia. (OPM), waging a low-level guerril- month following their 9-10 can Church of Canada, and sions which will further the A consultation convened by the la war against the Indonesian occu- March meeting in South called upon the North Ameri- divisions between the Church of Melanesia and the Pacif- pation. Africa, the liberal and moder- can Churches to halt plans to provinces of the Anglican ic Council of Churches last month The church group called for the ate African provinces backed change Church teaching on Communion.” at St Barnabas’ Cathedral in Solomon Island’s government to their conservative brethren’s homosexual behaviour. Such However, the CAPA arch- Honiara in the Solomon Islands recognize the guerrillas as the view that homosexual rela- a move was not faithful to bishops did not follow the pledged to “actively support the legitimate rulers of the province tions are contrary to God’s Scripture, tradition or natural lead of the GAFCON primates political independence struggle of and to advocate for Papuan inde- word. law but was an accommoda- on the issue of the Archbish- the people of West Papua” and to pendence in international forums. The archbishops of South- tion to secular culture. op of Canterbury, writing that “…commit to advocating their The communiqué from the meet- ern Africa, Burundi, Central “Some churches in the they “extend our support for inherent right to gainful political ing affirmed that it was “morally Africa, Indian Ocean, Sudan, West”, they wrote, “allowed the Archbishop of Canterbury self-determination and true free- and ethically wrong to remain Tanzania and the Middle the worldly cultures to in his efforts to bring restora- dom”. silent when our brothers and sis- East, joined by the primate of reshape the message of tion to our Communion.” Following Indonesia’s independ- ters from West Papua are suffering South East Asia, stated they church to the society especial- However, they made it clear ence in 1949 from the Netherlands, from suppression and human “continue to uphold the tradi- ly in the area of marriage and they would not accept the the western half of New Guinea rights atrocities under an oppres- tional biblical teaching in human sexuality. These innovations made by Arch- remained under Dutch control. sive colonial ruler at our very own regard to human sexuality issues not only contradict the bishop Rowan Williams at his However in 1961 Indonesia invad- doorstep. and marriage and affirm Lam- traditional teaching of the ill-fated 2011 Dublin Primates’ ed the island, prompting the UN to “The Melanesian Region, the beth Resolution 1:10 in its scripture but also impede our Meeting, writing: “We affirm hold plebiscite. The Indonesian Pacific and the world at large need entirety. witness to the Gospel, which the necessity of the Primates’ military chose 1,000 tribal elders to to speak out against Indonesian “We believe that this is the is the reason of our presence meeting, however we empha- serve as electors for the referen- oppression of West Papua and call only way to safeguard the life in this world. sise the importance of follow- dum, and the group voted unani- upon their leaders and government of the Christian families and “We believe that the Church ing through the mously for incorporation into to ‘let God’s people and the nation we should resist the pres- is entrusted with the message recommendations of the pre- Indonesia. of West Papua go’.” sures of the secular western of Gospel in order to trans- vious Primates’ meetings.” Clergy forced to flee Aden as fighting rages

FIERCE FIGHTING has led to the tempo- “The Houthi rebels have been in control of launch operations and hundreds of Saudi’s rary closure of the church and hospital run Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, since September war planes launched air strikes against SAY NO TO WAR by Christ Church Aden, while its priest has 2014. Among 21 provinces, nine were cap- Houthis in Yemen. Today all airports and been forced to flee the violence-torn coun- tured by Houthis. seaports are closed in Yemen.” Jointhe Anglican Communion’s try. “In response Yemen’s President Hadi Fr John asked Christians to “kindly movement for peace. The chaplain of Christ Church, the Rev asked for support from regional powers. pray for peace and security for all in Join at Velvet John, said that he had been in tele- Saudi Arabia and the coalition of 10 other Yemen and its people, particularly the www.anglicanpeacemaker.org.uk, or [email protected] phone contact with the caretaker of the Arab countries have begun air raids and ministry of Christ Church and the Ras Anglican Pacifist Fellowshop, 11 Weavers church, who reported Aden was in a state shelling on Houthi positions of control. Morbat Clinic and members of the con- End, Hanslope, MiltonKeynes, MK19 7PA, of anarchy. “Some 150,000 troops are ready to gregation.” UK Tel: 01908510642. “War, robbery, looting and (a registered charity) plundering have been increasing in public and pri- vate properties in all parts of Aden. The Presidential A FIRST CLASS SERVICE palace in Aden was plun- It is refreshing to find a company that will listen to your detailed needs, dered and all the materials then take great care delivering exactly what you askedfor, just as they were looted away. promised to. This is the case with Priory Automotive, the respected “All education institutions suppliers of motor cars to the Christian community, they have afriendly and Government offices also team with many years of experience and all complemented with a 99% remain closed. Fierce fight- customer satisfaction score. ing is going on, not only in the neighbouring cities but Priory was founded by former managers from Autosave U.K. Many will also in Aden, nearly 2km recognise the names of Mike Stimely and Stephen Frost, as they may away from our church,” he well have assisted you in the past. Their aim is to offer the highest level said. of customer service, along with atop quality product, all whilst saving you Last Thursday (1 April) money. Take Mrs Atkinson who wrote after receiving her Renault, Modus, the Indian Ministry of Exter- “You took the worry and anxiety out of buying and selling a car.Iwould nal Affairs said that approxi- recommend to you to anyone”. mately 349 Indian nationals Carryingonly quality stock and using their nationwide location system, had been evacuated by their they can deliver the perfect car directly to your door, all with no hidden Navy to Djibouti. Two Indian costs. There is no pressure to buy, no hassle, just honest advice on how warships were expected to they will obtain you the best car, at the fairest price. Quality is paramount reach Aden by yesterday to and each car undergoes the most stringent of checks, leaving nothing to rescue 4,000 Indians strand- chance. Trust the experts; Priory will take your old car as part exchange ed by the fighting, the Indi- and delivery is totally free. You will also find a genuine willingness to an Express reported. assist you with all your needs, which these days is quite rare. Saudi Arabia and a coali- So why not try them? tion of Sunni Arab states have launched airstrikes For further information,please call 0114 2559696, against Shi’ite rebels, the or visit www.prioryautomotive.com Houthi. Fr John wrote:

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furthermore, there are other agree this is not a wise way to Credibility Climate questioning cannot go unchallenged indications of a warming deal with threats or fears. Sir, SP Jackson takes Sir, Readers can judge for themselves whether Peter climate such as melting ice Nevertheless, if you are not particular issue with my Mullen’s description of global warming as ‘a swindle caps, receding glaciers, more persuaded by the scientific defence of the scientific amounting to the most scandalous episode of lies and intense and more frequent consensus on climate change consensus on climate change corruption in the history of science’ is ‘strongly sceptical’ as extreme weather events and then, of course, remain but offers little of real suggested by SP Jackson or ‘arrogantly and scornfully’ the earlier arrival of spring in sceptical. There are many significance to warrant a dismissive of climate change as suggested by the Rev Steve the northern hemisphere. very good reasons other than change of view to a more Paynter. But SP Jackson’s (letters, 27 March) questioning of Given the changes being climate change for making sceptical one. the motives and integrity of climate scientists cannot go observed in the world’s the transition from a carbon- First he or she takes the unchallenged. physical environment it based economy to well-trodden path of a court He makes a sweeping claim that in their individual would be premature to renewables and that is all that lawyer, which is to ambition they succumb to collective peer pressure to assume that the climate is not truly matters in the end. A undermine the credibility of conform to some consensus. But surely thousands of actually warming over the low carbon economy would the key witnesses. SP climate scientists are not all motivated by self-promotion. long-term and will not warm arguably be more stable and Jackson believes climate Does he attribute such motives to scientists and Christians appreciably in the future, due equitable, as well as scientists pursue their work as eminent as Sir John Houghton? to rising levels of greenhouse contribute to a healthier mainly for their own personal Later in his letter he mentions some scientists sceptical of gases in the atmosphere planet and happier society, interest, comfortable salaries climate change. If these sceptics have good enough caused by human activity. than our current grossly and professional reputation. evidence and arguments surely they will win the day but the The evidence still points inefficient, centralised, Their ‘ambition’ for such fact is that the evidence for climate change continues to strongly to a warming polluting energy system, career rewards means that grow stronger as successive Intergovernmental Panel on climate. based on big corporate coal, they are susceptible to ‘peer Climate Change reports make clear. The third reason why SP oil and gas. pressure to think within a Mr Jackson gives two examples of objections but neither Jackson believes we should Harvesting energy from the consensus.’ Even if this is of these stand up to scrutiny. Can he seriously think that reject the scientific consensus environment, caring for true of some individuals it media outlets giving wrong reports is evidence of anything on climate change is because creation and living within the stretches credibility beyond except unreliable reporting? As regards the ‘hiatus’ in the insufficient weight has been limits of its ecological breaking point to believe that rise of global temperatures in the last few years can he not given to the complexities and systems would both honour the thousands of climate see that what is important is the long term trend over the uncertainties of the data. It is God and our neighbour. It scientists from dozens of last hundred years rather than detailed explanations of undeniably true that the would not lead to a meltdown different countries and short-term fluctuations and variations? whole area is fiendishly in the economy and it makes numerous professional Mr Jackson is right to say that the degree of confidence in complex and defies brief and sense from many angles. So bodies, as well as the 30 years the data is crucial. The fact is that in recent years scientific easy treatment, but that is not whatever we decide on the of work by the IPCC are all, confidence in the data has greatly increased. The increased to say that certain vexed question of climate, either unconsciously or concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is not conclusions cannot be drawn let’s agree together as a deliberately, self-selecting disputed. The latest IPCC report based on the published with a relatively high degree society to cut the carbon and favourable data and down work of thousands of climate scientists states that global of confidence. back the switch to clean, playing seriously conflicting temperatures have increased by 0.85 degrees Celsius since For example, that natural, local and renewable information simply to serve 1880. It also states that there is 95 per cent confidence that increasing amounts of carbon energy sources for our future their own ends, while at least half this increase is the result of human activity. As dioxide and other growth and development of misleading the world on an for popular explanations, the BBC4 programme Climate greenhouse gases in the the human family on earth. issue of huge importance. change by numbers, broadcast on 2 March, is just one atmosphere trap the sun’s The Rev Steve Paynter, (Has SP Jackson met any example of an explanation of why non-scientists can have heat and that an undeniable Ealing climate scientist I wonder?) confidence in these figures. degree of warming has been Besides representing an Meanwhile extreme events that are probably linked to observed from pre-industrial Atonement incredibly low view of our climate change occur with increasing frequency. In recent levels, which is reflected in Sir, I was interested in the fellow man it is the reason weeks it has been reported that the extent of winter Arctic the observable physical article by Peter Mullen on science moves forward by a sea ice last winter was the least ever recorded. Cyclone Pam environment and which the ‘Understanding the system of publishing has devastated parts of Vanuatu. While humankind scientific climate models Atonement’ (27 March). scientific papers so that data worldwide continues to burn fossil fuels and emit carbon confirms is due to increasing Having thought a lot about gathering and handling, dioxide at unprecedented rates the people of Vanuatu suffer levels of carbon dioxide in the Christ’s crucifixion, I believe along with its interpretation today and our grandchildren bear the consequences atmosphere put there by that it shows very clearly and conclusions can be tomorrow. man. what our human nature is openly examined and tested Far from dismissing the views of the Rev Steve Paynter, The consensus on this is like. At Pentecost we were by others. This process tends CEN readers need to take notice of those who like him have very high and the predictions given a spiritual nature based to iron out the imperfections the scientific as well as the theological expertise to guide of possible future warming on love. of human nature and and inform our thinking on these important issues. Only should be of the utmost We now have the choice. although not perfect, a strong then will we exercise responsible stewardship of our God- concern to everyone. It is Mr L Broadley, consensus is usually evidence given creation. impossible to exaggerate just Coventry of reliable and sound work, Canon Dr Peter Capon, how serious this could prove yielding conclusions that can Manchester to be to those who follow us Good Friday questions be trusted with a high degree and the fact is we do not have Sir, Good Friday was on 3 of confidence. the luxury of a few decades to April. At our recent diocesan It is simply not credible to argument SP Jackson However, each of the last see how this will work out in synod we had a brief ‘talk believe that the whole proposes for rejecting this three decades was warmer reality. Alarming threats are time’ in which we were posed Climate Science community huge worldwide consensus than any other decade since never pleasant or comfortable two questions: “what has worldwide lack the basic on Climate Change is that on widespread thermometer and denial is a common been best for your church integrity or self-awareness certain assumptions and measurements were human response. this Lent” and “what are you that would be needed to chosen time frames it can be introduced in the 1850s. In Indeed we all know that looking forward to most maintain such a massive argued that global average addition, it is not expected sometimes people will put off about Easter”. My immediate deception and distortion of temperatures have not risen that average global going to the doctor because response was “what the scientific conclusions. appreciably over the past temperatures should rise they prefer not to have their The second line of decade or more. evenly over time and fears confirmed. We can all Letters continue on page 12

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper www.churchnewspaper.com Friday April 10, 2015 Leader & Comment 7 The Jesus Way and the Election

The forthcoming General Election in May seems to the ordinary voter quite chaotic. The new factor is the rise of the smaller parties Examining the as credible and worth voting for because it very likely that another coalition will be the outcome. Neither of the two big parties is trust- ed enough and their poll ratings are stuck in the mid-30s. The pundits say that Mr Cameron ought to be racing ahead on the back of a reviving economy, but is not. Mr Miliband is strug- gling to present himself as a having prime ministerial gravitas but Muslim Manifesto nevertheless Labour has maintained its core vote and escaped pub- lic blame for the financial crash. Mr Clegg and his Lib Dems will almost certainly do better than the polls predict because of their cultural institutions. local activist strength, but will lose seats, notably in Scotland where May we know whether these cultural institu- the surging SNP will apparently dominate. That itself poses a con- PETERMULLEN tions are to include sharia courts? The Muslim stitutional crisis as SNP MPs will be voting in the Commons on Manifesto says we must… ‘English only’ policies. …provide assurance and evidence that foreign The new context of coalition politics means that voters may again What is the burning issue in this general election funding is not causing or promoting violent extrem- find their votes in effect reversed by a party in power, as cultural campaign? Is it the deficit? Is it the NHS? Is it ism in the UK. conservatives found with the Conservatives and their support for defence spending? All these matters are press- What is this about foreign funding? Would I not liberalising cultural changes. This may damage faith in the demo- ing, but our political parties have an unspoken rather be correct in thinking that it is religious cratic system itself, as will another low turnout. Another intriguing agreement not to mention the elephant in the fanaticism among some Muslims living in Britain factor is that of the polling industry: they got the Scottish Referen- room: the character of our nation. that promotes violent extremism? Or if not, then dum wrong quite badly: are they really drilling down to actual opin- Specifically, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, along how come more than 600 – at a conservative esti- ion and voting intentions? with other MPs, recently attended an event in mate – young Muslims have left this country to We might cynically shrug our shoulders and say that this is just Parliament to promote a Muslim Manifesto put go and fight for Islamic State? Again, I only ask. worldly politics. And yet the self-revelation of God and salvation together by the Institute for Muslim Community The government should… from sin and cynicism was enacted in the midst of political turmoil Development. This manifesto demands that the …introduce more robust legislation to curb – and in the Middle East where political mayhem continues and British government should act in accordance media hate campaigns against Muslims. Israel continues to attract visceral hatred. Jesus died, historically with the wishes of Muslims above all other con- Why is there no mention of hate campaigns speaking, from the hostility of religious leaders unable to cope with siderations. Of course, if I offer you my own sum- mounted by Muslim extremists against non-Mus- his radical message of direct faith in God as the loving holy Father, mary of this document, I shall be accused of lims? And is what is being demanded here legis- and at the hands of political leaders scared of his popular appeal misrepresentation and worse. So let me give you lation pertinent to Muslims alone? Why single and of communal violence breaking out. a few quotes. Let the Muslim Manifesto speak for out Muslims if there is a question of curbing free- He suffered judicial execution, ‘the suffering servant’ (Isaiah 53), itself. It says the government must… dom of speech? And what exactly is a media hate leaving a bunch of frightened disciples and trusting the Spirit alone …defend the right to a Muslim way of life, campaign? Is it hateful to print stories that are to take his great atoning work into the world and into including halal meat; religious clothing; circumci- true, even if Muslims find these stories offen- the future of humanity. His rising from death declared sion; and flexible working to accommodate sive? If a newspaper prints something that is not him Son of God in power (Romans 1:4) and this power Ramadan and festival observance. true, then those who are offended already have was of love, not violence. Jesus changed the way human That’s what it says. Now, may I at least be recourse to the usual procedures of the libel beings would consider politics and power – Christians allowed to ask some questions? Does it mean that laws. Why should Muslims be singled out for would be like Jesus, loving their neighbour and beyond all arguments against the halal meat industry, the preferential treatment? And then the government that loving their enemies. burka and the niqab should be must… This movement of divine love is in fact far deeper than banned? Does circumcision …guarantee the Muslim the current political wranglings, it is the very basis of refer only to boys or does it ‘The Muslim community the opportunity to our NHS for example, the ‘secular church’ ideal. This include girls as well – in which evolve independently of govern- Gospel underlies all our educational institutions, from case it is properly described as Manifesto must ment social engineering pro- primary to tertiary – although of course the secularists female genital mutilation? grammes. have banished all mention of Christianity from educa- Again the Muslim Manifesto expect to be What does this mean – mul- tional theory, public morality and the caring profes- pledges to… asked questions’ ticulturalism, separate devel- sions. We have a duty to vote, and to look beneath the …support efforts to accurate- opment, apartheid, ghettos? surface of noisy media theatre to truth, righteousness ly remember Muslim and non- We should be told precisely and judgement. Muslim histories including oppressive and what independent evolution means here. Comment genocidal actions against Muslim peoples by The very concept of a Muslim Manifesto is dis- British and European peoples. turbing. The difference between a Muslim Mani- This point blatantly expresses the victim narra- festo and that of a political party, such as the tive of the Islamists, which portrays Muslims as Tories, Labour or UKIP, is that those parties The Church of England Newspaper oppressed by the West. Am I allowed to notice at claim to represent the interests of British people with Celebrate magazine incorporating The Record and Christian Week this juncture that, while we are all urged to join in in general. By definition, the Muslim Manifesto Published by Political and Religious Intelligence Ltd. vehement condemnation of the indigenous is sectarian, divisive and thus it undermines Company Number: 3176742 British and Europeans, no mention whatever is social cohesion. Publisher: Keith Young MBE made of the wholesale terrorist atrocities being I wonder what the Muslim Manifesto means by perpetrated by Muslims on four continents? Yes, government social engineering? Does this yes, I know that not all Muslims support terror- phrase refer to the government’s reasonable Publishing Director & Editor: CM BLAKELY020 7222 8004 ism. Recent research showed that only 15 per injunctions to the effect that everyone living in Chief Correspondent: The Rev Canon GEORGE CONGER 00 1 0772 332 2604 cent of British Muslims are in favour of the bar- this country should speak English in public life Reporter: JORDANNA MAY020 7222 8700 baric Islamic State. There are two and a half mil- and generally integrate into society? What’s lion Muslims in Britain. What’s 15 per cent of wrong with that? Advertising: CHRIS TURNER 020 7222 2018 2,500,000? As the Americans say, Go figure. Let’s try a little thought experiment. Imagine Advertising & Editorial Assistant: PENNY NAIR PRICE 020 7222 2018 … Commit to ethical British foreign policies that for a moment the outrage if a group were to pro- Subscriptions & Finance: DELIA ROBINSON 020 7222 2018 uphold the human rights of all peoples. duce a Christian Manifesto. I don’t mean the sort What are these ethical foreign policies? Unless of soft left, secularised, woolly worthlessness Graphic Designer: PETER MAY020 7222 8700 these are clearly defined and explained, we that our bishops distributed in their 52-page let- The acceptance of advertising does not necessarily indicate might as well be talking about motherhood and ter. I mean rather a Christian Manifesto that endorsement. Photographs and other material sent for publication apple pie. Does the demand extend, for instance, demanded that Christians be allowed to wear the are submitted at the owner’s risk. The Church of England Newspaper does to preventing the deportation of known terrorists emblems of their faith in public and that set out not accept responsibility for any material lost or damaged. on the grounds that they have a right to a family opposition to homosexual marriage based on the life? I only ask because this has happened many teachings of the Bible. If Muslims are to be per- Christian Weekly Newspapers Trustees: Robert Leach (020 8224 5696), times in the recent past. The Muslim Manifesto mitted to wear the burka and the niqab, why are Lord Carey of Clifton, The Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, The Rt Rev Pete Broadbent, demands that we… Christians prevented from wearing the cross in Dr Elaine Storkey, The Rev Cindy Kent …affirm the importance of faith schools within their workplace? the overall provision. No doubt for raising these matters I shall be The Church of England Newspaper, Well, faith schools are a fine thing. But are they accused of Islamophobia – whatever meaning Political and Religious Intelligence Ltd to become training camps for radicalisation, as anyone can attach to that expression. I would just 14 Great College Street, London, SW1P 3RX happened in the notorious Trojan horse episodes say this: over the next few weeks, the manifestos Editorial e-mail: [email protected] in Birmingham and other places? What safe- of all the political parties will be subjected to the Advertising e-mail: [email protected] guards are there to be to prevent this disgrace most careful scrutiny and intense questioning; Subscriptions e-mail: [email protected] from happening again? I only ask. We need to be the authors of the Muslim Manifesto must expect told. We are urged to… to be asked questions along with everyone else. Website: www.churchnewspaper.com …celebrate and support Muslim heritage and

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 8 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday April 10, 2015 Feature ‘Changing attitudes’ – why not changing desires?

By Andrew Symes, years after graduation. Richard knew support groups in the USA for people any other reason, you would help me to Anglican Mainstream about her same-sex attraction, and it fact who had turned away from gay desires, change. Even gender reassignments are it diminished almost entirely in the first identity and lifestyle. Many of them on the NHS. Why is it different with Sally waved to her husband and two years of marriage and the onset of shared a common experience: they had sexual orientation?” children as they drove off for the normal motherhood. What Richard didn’t know not been able to leave on their own, but “Well, as a member of the Institute of convenient routine of school run on the was that it was now back. had been helped by counselling and Faith-Based Therapists, going further way to work. She had time to reflect as He hadn’t done anything wrong, but therapy. would violate my accreditation she cleared up and got ready for the Sally now had feelings for a female But there was also a with the Professional Standards shift at the office, which began at 10. colleague at work, something that she cost. Authority”. Life was going well: a lovely family, knew was adulterous, immoral and A furious backlash Prayer did “What? You can’t be serious?” enough money (if they were careful), potentially destructive. What was the from LGBT activists had “It might be harmful to try to and the new church plant they had matter with her? Prayer did not reduce led to harassment of ex- not reduce change from gay to straight. We started going to. the desire. Could someone else help gays and the demanding wouldn’t try to change you Sally and Richard both felt they were her? of legal prohibition of the desire from black to white”. growing in their faith, and the kids Sally knew about exclusively same-sex what was disparagingly Sally was fortunately enjoyed the well-organised activities. attracted Christians in Britain who called “conversion prepared from her research. But there was a problem. Maybe it was a insisted on celibacy, and she had therapy”. It can cause harm, they “But my sexual orientation isn’t fixed test? tremendous admiration for them. argued, and besides, homosexuality is from birth like the colour of my skin. Twenty years earlier Sally had come From her reading of the Bible and her normal and no one should want to Even the Royal College of Psychiatrists to faith amid the usual turbulent teenage own experience, she disagreed with diminish it. has changed its mind on this – they now issues: fighting with her parents, those who argued that gay relationships Not wanting to confide in anyone at admit that sexuality is fluid and has anxious about her appearance, stressed were OK for church, Sally approached a Christian many environmental causes. People about exams, and of Christians. On the counsellor operating through a change all the time!” course a chaotic love internet she had well-known The counsellor thought for a moment life, most of it in found out network in and said: “Maybe you’ve got internalised her head; brief about the city. homophobia? You think people – even relationships She had God – will love you more if you are with boys – and explained totally straight? It’s often better to girls. For a her embrace who you really are”. short time she situation: “I Fighting back the tears, Sally spoke in had identified am in a a low voice “as a Christian you should as gay – her good be helping me follow God who has parents had marriage. I already accepted me. And as a been love my counsellor you should help me get surprisingly husband. where I want to be, not deny that my tolerant about No one is desire for change is valid”. that. As long as it pressurising me to be here. I want As she got ready for work, Sally didn’t affect her studies, they had someone to help me explore what reflected that she would have to deal said. might have caused my same-sex with this another way. Richard would But this had changed as she attraction, to manage or even reduce it need to be in on it, and some wise folk made a commitment to Christ early so it doesn’t trouble me”. from church. But for others who don’t on at University, to put aside what The response of the counsellor have these advantages – where could she knew to be sin, and to live in shocked Sally. “Well it appears you are they get help? the freedom of the Gospel. She bisexual, and I can’t help you”. had met Richard at the CU and “But I don’t want to be bisexual. If I For further information see www.core- they had married a couple of came here and said I was unhappy for issues.org

to College, gaining salutes from troopers at Horse Guards who believed I was a Guards Officer in mufti. I took my BA, plus AKC, into records marketing, an area where the initials that mattered were LP and EP. Once had B Bumble and the Stingers swarm into my office. (Remember them?) Then into education - FE, of course - initials galore - Yours Initially RSA, C&G, YTS and WOW (a precursor of MOW). Away from work I served as a Reader in parishes with Alan Edwards senility’s my normal mind-set. churchmanship ranging from PTS to SSC. After school into the RAF (initials again) my first From College management to secondhand The Election is around the corner. A prospect driving posting was to a unit whose initials I still shouldn’t bookselling - selling VG or F books. Also inspecting many round the bend. repeat, which played a key NATO role during the Cold business training schemes in firms, colleges and Most interesting will be seeing which parties other War. ‘If you get a letter from the girlfriend putting HMPs. It was thought that business success would than the Big Three - if it’s not infringing the Trade [forbidden initials] on the envelope it’s court martial help post-release settlement. Unfortunately success in Descriptions Act calling the Lib Dems a big party - for you.’ That was the welcome from the abominable certain forms of business had led some inmates to an UKIP, the SNP and the CofEU, (formerly the Church SWO-man. HMP. of England) poll best. Interesting that these parties are Visiting a nearby pub, a local greeted me with ‘Ah, On the ecclesiastical games field my team, FinF, lost always initialised, but fellow hopefuls, the Greens and you be another new boy that’s joined [forbidden to WATCH, but football-wise I’ve rejoiced at the Plaid Cymru aren’t. initials].’ So much for top secret. success of AFCW (AFC Wimbledon) rebuilding the Obvious why the Plaid aren’t - a chance to mock Next move, to HQBC, and after demob, to KCL. former Wimbledon who’d been exiled to Babylon, aka ‘Saxons’ who can’t pronounce the name. As for the Organised King’s CND group, believing with a Milton Keynes. Hope CofE eventually enjoys a similar Greens, GP suggests NHS, initials reserved for Ed distinguished KCL academic that ‘The Bomb makes a revival. versus Dave punch-ups. gentleman’s war impossible.’ Naturally I made the Back to the election. As discount stores are now I’ve always been fascinated by initials. My full name group march in step during Aldermaston marches. I fashionable perhaps I should vote for that discounter of is Alan Graham Edwards - AGE, a reminder that often wore a bowler and carried an umbrella en route the EU, UKIP?

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper www.churchnewspaper.com Friday April 10, 2015 Feature 9 Hope Whitby Missional Community Leigh Coates reports on how a new Missional Community has developed in Whitby…

bout five years ago, a group of us wanted to start something new in AWhitby - where we all live - so we launched a small cell group and began to explore the idea of missional communities. Whitby is only 18 miles from Scarborough and 30 miles from Middlesbrough but it’s a very, very different sort of place; popular with Goths and alternative cultures because of its links with Dracula author Bram understood by everyone. Hope Rocks Scarborough is not looking to put a Stoker. events are one way in which we are denominational ‘sticker’ on the We organised a couple of Christian reaching out, and from that we have Missional Community here. They have worship events as outreaches; they were seen three baptisms in the sea in a year. been very gracious and open to seeing called Restore and we did have a couple Ebenezer Baptist Church has been what God has in store. of people come to faith as a result. That’s amazing because it commissioned me to Some people may have been great of course, but we felt that overall it go and do what we are doing and I can disappointed that the community is not wasn’t a great success. We wanted to do go there for accountability; the pastor intended to become a Baptist Church in more and that’s when we had a vision of and elders have been great. The Re-Fuel Whitby. Hopes were expressed in some being involved in a regular café-style band has also been a blessing, areas that it would happen but I said no, ‘thing’. performing at many of our events and it’s not about that. It’s also not about me My wife, Rebecca, and I approached supporting us to reach out, showing how going to college to become a minister. the owner of what we reckon is the best good and Christian music can be. What’s the point in a pioneer sitting café in Whitby, Sanders Yard, and they As you can imagine, doing something behind a desk? I also work as a tanker said yes to us doing a pilot Hope Hub hate Christian things that are cheesy or new and different, all of the Whitby team driver, and I want to continue in that, event involving music - both mainstream naff so we do our best to avoid that! - including me - have come up against because I don’t want to lose the ‘edge’ in and Christian - and short testimony or It’s our sixth year and we have learned some hard times and Ebenezer have what I’m doing. talk. The café seats around 50 people but lots of things along the way. The crowd been there to help me grow and guide Some churches may have felt the event was packed and about 70 we now have coming along are about threatened when we first came along but people came along. one third Christian, one third on the we have made it clear that we’re not a That was in May 2012 and we agreed fringes or who have been hurt by Sunday church; this is all about with the café owner to do the Hope church in the past but still call Kingdom building. Hope Whitby Hubs for a couple of months to see how themselves Christians, and one third Missional Community operates from things worked out; they didn’t charge us non-Christians. What started off as five Monday to Friday with Saturday as a day a penny to do that which was amazing. people meeting together has now grown of rest. Our Missional Community is We tried different things, it petered out a to four different cell groups, huddles, drawn from different churches so, on bit, we tried something else; it was all Hope Hub, Hope Rocks, a new youth Sundays, we return to them. trial and error but the numbers of project called Hyp and many other We do, however, have some who do people who wanted to be at this event things. not or won’t go to church for different started to build. I am the Deacon for Mission at me through some difficult situations. reasons; we just love them and try to We then had another conversation Ebenezer Baptist Church, Scarborough, They challenge me but, because our meet them where they are. At the with the owner and said that we’d like to but I don’t promote particular churches accountability is so high, they never get moment, it’s enough that they are being do this long term and she said, ‘As long to those who want to explore their faith involved in the day-to-day stuff. They are disciples with the cells and seeing as you make £100 behind the bar, you in a more traditional setting. I’m always happy to leave that to the Whitby core outreach in its natural form at the Hope carry on as you are.’ Since then, we have keen just to promote ‘church’ – team. Hub. never had to pay a penny for the use of wherever that may be or whatever it We have a leadership of five, including In the future, we are exploring the the venue. looks like. Rebecca and me, but there’s no possibility of doing many new things but Hope Hubs now take place there on Again that’s changed because when hierarchy. We work together on we are still in prayer about it. It would be Friday evenings twice a month and we we started, as a core team in Whitby, our everything, particularly to ensure that easy to get caught up in lots of plans; usually get around 40-60 people; with an aim was to put people into churches. we are not replicating something that is that’s not the way it should be. It’s being age range from 14 to much, much Now we’re very keen on discipleship, already being done by other churches sensitive to what’s developing around older...! It’s not a service; we describe it which is the one thing I think many here. We have no interest in reinventing you and listening to what God is saying. as ‘Raw, Real, Relevant’ because we are churches have really missed out on. the wheel! working through tough questions about Hope Whitby is a Missional Thanks to Ebenezer, I have just Fresh Expressions: Christianity in a way that’s accessible to Community that aims to show started to ‘officially’ work part-time for http://www.freshexpressions.org.uk/stories people of faith – or of no faith at all. I Christianity in a way that can be Hope Whitby but the church at /hopewhitby

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 10 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday April 10, 2015 Comment

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It is made with carefully selected combinations seeing the aftermath with an outbreak of zits on your You could even increase quantities and add coconut oil of natural aromatherapy essential oils and herbal skin (how unfair that after the age of 30 anyone gets for a full body wrap. extracts in a pure vegetable base. It has a mild spots?). It may be time to keep to the chocolate theme If DIY is not for you, try the gorgeous Organic Choco- chocolate fragrance. but instead of eating it you can pamper yourself. All the late face mask from Inlight, the creator, Dr Mariano The kids love it too, washing hair with chocolate indulgence without the guilt! Spiezia, says: “Chocolate contains the lipid anandamide, has been a big hit with my children with the bonus By using these lovely natural products you can look also known as the chocolate amphetamine, for its ability of leaving their hair shiny and soft. www.faithinna- and feel better, and not put on an ounce in weight! to lift mood and decrease depression (yet not addictive ture.co.uk Women make the case Spirituality of dancing Dancing is central to the spirituality of the C of E’s first woman bishop. Libby Lane reveals in this week’s Radio Times that she did A young English woman makes the cover of this month’s Christianity Today and inside there dance training - tap, ballet, modern - for 15 years and that when she is a story devoted to Amy Orr-Ewing, described as ‘the Oxford revivalist’. According to the reads Bible stories she wants to relive them not just in her head but influential evangelical magazine, women are now taking their place as apologists for with a body as well. “I’m pushing 50 now,” she tells Ruth Gledhill, Christianity, an activity once seen as a male preserve, and Amy is a leading example of the “but I still dance on the inside. I don’t do much dancing on the trend. She is programme director for the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, a centre outside any more but my soul still dances on the inside.” She never Alister McGrath helped to found that offers a one-year course leading to a certificate. Amy is misses Strictly Come Dancing . Perhaps it is just as well that Bishop well equipped for her task academically with a first-class degree in theology and in her spare Libby doesn’t spend much time dancing because she reveals her time is working on a doctorate on a woman apologist of a previous generation, the Anglo- present life is fully occupied. Hundreds upon hundreds of requests Catholic crime writer Dorothy L Sayers. But her skills as an evangelist do not rest on are pouring into her office from all over the world asking her to intellectual ability alone. “Amy has good relational skills, which is important,” says Alister address conferences, preach, speak at the UN or do interviews. She McGrath. “She’s not a lecturer delivering a talk in a disengaged way. Apologetics is reaching has a 20-year-old-daughter and a son who is 18. Both are committed out from the churches to our culture. We need a range of speakers and experiences to Christians. Her husband is a chaplain at Manchester Airport. There connect up with that culture.” Amy is married to the Rev Frog Orr-Ewing, described by CT as never has been any rivalry between them, Bishop Libby tells Gledhill. a ‘ministry powerhouse in his own right’. When he was vicar of a parish in Peckham he was “The nature of our lives has been that we have accommodated and the youngest incumbent in the C of E. Now he leads Latimer Minster, a church plant that worked around the priority of another’s vocations at different stages meets in an old farm in Buckinghamshire that already has a congregation of over 200. Amy of our lives.” Asked about the objections to women bishops, Bishop and Frog met at St Aldate’s Church in Oxford as undergraduates and at the age of 19 in 1996 Libby is clear: even opposition is a gift. “I genuinely think the Church undertook a joint mission to Afghanistan together, at a time when the Taliban controlled three of England is a better place for having dissenting voices that are quarters of the countr y. heard and honoured,” she says.

Sad Loss Cathedral to rise again?

Joe Cassidy’s death on 28 March is a sad loss. A former Jesuit and an expert on the thought There is Easter hope from New Zealand. The four-year deadlock over of fellow Canadian philosopher and theologian, Bernard Lonergan, Joe became an Anglican the rebuilding of Christ Church Cathedral may be about to be broken. in 1993 and was appointed Principal of St Chad’s College, Durham, in 1997. This small Up to now there has been a division between those determined to see institution, that is the second oldest college in Durham and had once been a the cathedral rebuilt and those who want a completely new structure centre for training ordinands, was going through a very ropey period. The less vulnerable to earthquakes. New Zealand architect Sir Miles former Principal, the Rev Duane Wade-Hampton Arnold, was forced to Warren has come up with a plan to rebuild George Gilbert Scott’s resign after it was revealed that he had forged entries on his CV, including original building in timber. Timber played a big part in Scott’s an M Div from an American university that did not exist and a diploma original design for the cathedral because he knew of the erroneously claimed to have been award by Cambridge University. earthquake risk. Timber is less at risk from earthquakes than Problems continued at St Chad’s after Joe Cassidy’s appointment. It was stone and had the interior structure been built in wood as discovered that the college bursar, Christine Starkey, had been stealing Scott first envisaged the Cathedral might still be standing money over a five-year period to fund a lavish lifestyle that included today, as is the case with the wooden St Michael and All buying a villa in Spain and a collection of fashion shoes. She Angels church in Christ Church. It was the first bishop managed to steal just under £500,000 but the college was able to who insisted the cathedral be built in stone. In the new recover some of the money from the sale of her house and other plans the whole of the interior would be rebuilt in assets. Joe Cassidy steered the college through the crisis and laminated timber, all lightweight and earthquake-proof, under his leadership its reputation grew. Michael Sadgrove, continuing a great New Zealand tradition of wooden Dean of Durham, was one of those who paid tribute to him after gothic. The exterior would look similar to the old this death, referring to his ‘human wisdom, his personal Whispering building but with wooden cladding on sections of walls warmth, his quick-witted love of repartee and his intellectual Gallery and a copper roof. Up to now the diocese has planned to

liveliness’. Joe Cassidy was known to wider circles in the C of The demolish the old cathedral and build a new one but has E through his membership of General Synod and support for encountered stiff legal opposition. At present worship Affirming Catholicism. takes place in a cardboard cathedral several blocks away.

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View from the Pew

‘With the retirement of Archbishop Rowan Williams Election campaign and Bishop Tom Wright there is no one in the House of Bishops with an heats up international academic reputation’ At last in the election campaign real subjects such as education and the role of Ofsted are being talked about. The Labour shadow education secretary, Tris- tram Hunt, has told teachers that he wants a light- touch supervisory role for Ofsted with teachers ‘inspecting’ and assessing each other on a more local basis. Ofsted is currently a body that is set up to intimidate and bully teachers, subject them to stress and extra workloads for the sake of an inconsistent box-ticking exercise. Ofsted should be abolished completely and a system of school improvement set up in which schools have a long-term, constructive relationship with asses- sors who are focussed on how children can be taught better. Cameron and faith David Cameron has shown time and time again that he really is best not talking about matters of faith. In the The Church of England should prompted 17 academics to protest schemes and part-time study have past it has usually come down to challenging church ditch its plans for management at the threat to the Church of Eng- a role to play alongside residential leaders to ‘get with the programme’ on gay marriage training of senior clergy in favour land’s ‘contemporary theological training, they argue that under the or suggesting that he is passionately supportive of of theological colleges whose fund- scholarship’. proposals the “public, intellectual Christians whilst at the same time sending govern- ing is now under threat. These 17 academics are cele- engagement of the Church of Eng- ment lawyers to Strasbourg to argue that Christians do The plans proposed by Lord brated names such as Jeremy land with pressing contemporary not have the right to wear a cross. Green for MBA-style courses for Morris, Nigel Biggar, Diarmaid issues will suffer accordingly.” His Easter Message to Christians is a masterpiece of high-flying Anglican managers, MacCulloch, John Milbank, Elaine It is notable that there are now political and theological cliché. He wrote: “Just as I’ve which carry a price tag up to £2 Graham and Sarah Foot. Their barely any diocesan bishops who done for the last five years, I’ll be making my belief in million should be set aside and the concern is that the Church of Eng- have earned doctorates. With the the importance of Christianity absolutely clear. As money instead put into rescuing land is about to abandon central retirement of Archbishop Rowan Prime Minister, I’m in no doubt about the matter; the residential training. funding for academic fees in Williams and Bishop Tom Wright values of the Christian faith are the values on which The Church of England has usu- favour of funding theological edu- there is no one in the House of our nation was built.” ally made a complete hash of any cation solely through diocesan Bishops with an international aca- I’m beginning to have some sympathy for Alistair strategic rethink of theological contributions. This will leave theo- demic reputation. It is vital for the Campbell’s instruction to Tony Blair, ‘We don’t do education. In the past it has closed logical colleges in a parlous state. Church of England to gets its theo- God’. Tony Blair and Gordon Brown were both inter- down much-loved theological col- The academics claim in their letter logical training in order to ensure esting when they talked about faith because it had leges and even threatened to axe of protest that this will threaten that it continues to have priest and influenced their politics. Surprisingly in office they colleges such as Oak Hill, which the strong links built over many bishop academics of the highest barely talked about the theological roots to their politi- were busting at the seams with years with university theology stature. Without residential theo- cal convictions at all. In contrast, David Cameron students. The document ‘Resourc- departments. logical training it is difficult to see admits to being ‘hazy on the finer points of our faith’ ing Ministerial Education’ has Though they accept that training how this can be achieved. but can’t seem to shut himself up.

LIZHOARE thespiritualdirector By the Rev Dr Liz Hoare ‘Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days very beginning of the day to worship and then went The Church has tried to keep the Sabbath sacred you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh about their regular work. Only after Constantine but has not always remembered Jesus’ words that the day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God,’ (Ex 20:8-10). ordered the law courts to be closed and markets to Sabbath was made for us, not us for the Sabbath. We cease trading did the Sabbath develop as the Chris- have often turned it into a legalistic nightmare, Having celebrated Easter Day, the first day of the tian day of rest. It is the Sabbath principle that mat- destroying the opportunities for celebration and joy, week, gives us a context for thinking about Sabbath ters. which as we saw last week are essential to life in God. as a spiritual discipline. It always seems sad to call the God himself rested from his labours on the seventh This was happening in Jesus’ own day and he Sunday that follows Easter Day ‘Low Sunday’ as if the day as the verse at the top states and the Jewish clashed with the religious authorities over the Sab- struggle to keep the joy of the resurrection at the understanding of Sabbath was a 24-hour cessation of bath to such a degree that it contributed to their deci- forefront of our corporate minds is too great and we all work that made this day different from all the rest. sion to do away with him. fall back to earth with a sigh. Modern society has ignored this principle and For clergy and church leaders the Sabbath principle Thankfully we have a whole season of Easter that made all days alike, especially where getting and needs some extra thought since Sunday is often their takes us on to Pentecost, but the designation seems to spending are concerned. It is ironic that we are so busiest workday. The Sabbath day has to be a differ- suggest a lack of awareness around the Sabbath and obsessed with health and well-being, yet we have ent day and it is not easy when everyone else is work- what it is for. deliberately overthrown the simple principle that we ing. We may need some wisdom from someone who Originally the first Christians celebrated the resur- need a rhythm of life that includes rest and recreation has worked at this before us. How can we make 24- rection on the first day of the week because that was as well as work. This is even before we begin to con- hours different so that we free up time to rest in God when Jesus rose from the dead. It was not a day of sider the consequences of ignoring the importance of and enjoy his world? Doing so will honour him, and rest for them, however, and they met together at the focusing on God for a day rather than ourselves. enable us to live well the rest of the week.

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happened to Good Friday?” It is all around us in the shops: Easter eggs are readily available throughout Lent and so- called hot-cross buns are available most of the year. No one seems to bother that they are not hot although they clearly described as such: perhaps they want to water down the cross. These days many work on Good Friday and many do not give the Cross a glance, yet alone a second one. Even the egg of Easter egg has become secondary: they are often placed alongside chocolate bars or replaced by rabbits. It is bad enough that the world squeezes out the Cross and sidelines the resurrection, but does the Church have to reciprocate? The negro spiritual “Do Lord remember me” reminds us that we have to bear a cross if we want to wear a crown. If we want to rise to new in Christ we must first die with him. Strangely this can be done partially but you still cannot have one without the other. The whole thing is like quoting half a verse as Bishop Benn reminded us a little earlier at our Diocesan Evangelical Fellowship. He twice took his superior to task in quoting from the woman taken in adultery. The other had quoted “No more do I condemn you”: Benn had had to point out that it was followed by “Go and Sin no more”. Colin Bricher, Northampton

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Rector,Rector Thorpe St Andrew holder of the Bishop of BIBLECHALLENGE Episcopi (Norwich) is to retire Southwark’s Permission to ANGLICAN CYCLE OF PRAYER fromfr 12 August but he will Officiate and Canon Emeritus remain as Chaplain to the Deaf of Southwark Cathedral died on and Honorary Canon, Norwich 13th March 2015. Day 101 – I Samuel 13-15, Friday 10 April. Friday in Easter Week. Psalm 138, Num. 10:1- Cathedral. The Rev John L R Crawley, Psalm 84, John 19 10. Namibia - (Southern Africa): The Rt Rev Nathaniel The Rev Brian Prentice Died on 27 February. Day 102 – I Samuel 16-18, Nakwatumbah; Suffragan Bishop of Namibia - (Southern Africa): has retired as Chaplain to the The Rev Canon Anthony Psalm 85, John 20 The Rt Rev Petrus Hilukiluah Royal School Wolverhampton Darby, Day 103 – Enjoy hearing the Saturday 11 April. Saturday in Easter Week. Psalm 118:6-14, (Lichfield) from 4 July 2014. Coventry, died on 4 March Scriptures read aloud in church Num. 10:11-13,29-36. Namirembe - (Uganda): The Rt Rev The Rev John Leslie Pretty, 2015. Day 104 – I Samuel 19-21, Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira OLM in Draycott-le-Moors with The Rev Frank Dyson Psalm 86, John 21 Sunday 12 April. Easter 2. Psalm 110:1-4, Heb. 7:1-10. Nandyal Forsbrook (Lichfield) has Born 29 February 1928; Oak Day 105 – I Samuel 22-24, - (South India): The Rt Rev Eggoni Pushpalalitha resigned with effect from 22 Hill Theological College, 1960; Psalm 87, Acts 1 Monday 13 April. Psalm 37:3-9, Heb. 7:11-17. Nasik - (North February 2015. Deacon 1962, Priest 1963; Day 106 – I Samuel 25-27, India): The Rt Rev Pradip Kamble The Rev Andrew Roland, Curate, Parr (Diocese of Psalm 88, Acts 2 Tuesday 14 April. Psalm 95:1-7, Heb. 7:18-22. Nassau & The Vicar of Hackbridge and Liverpool) 1962-1965; Vicar, Day 107 – I Samuel 28-30, Bahamas - (West Indies): The Rt Rev Laish Boyd Beddington Corner, All Saints Newchapel (Diocese of Psalm 89:1-18, Acts 3 Wednesday 15 April. Psalm 31:19-24, Heb. 7:23-28. Natal - (Southwark) retires with effect Lichfield), 1965-1977; Rector, (Southern Africa): The Rt Rev Rubin Phillip; Natal - North West 31 May 2015. Bunwell with Carleton Rode APPOINTMENTS Episcopal Area - (Southern Africa): The Rt Rev Tsietse Edward The Rev Evelyn Anne (Diocese of Norwich), 1977- Seleoane; Natal - South Episcopal Area - (Southern Africa): The Frances Sheppard 1979; Rector, Bunwell with Rt Rev Dr Hummingfield Ndwandwe to retire as NS Assistant Curate Carleton Rode and Tibenham, The Rev Peter Babington Thursday 16 April. Psalm 22:27-31, Heb. 8:1-7. National (Assistant Minister) of Anslow 1980-1981; Rector, Pakefield, Vicar, Bournville, St Francis, Indigenous Bishop - (Ontario, Canada): The Rt Rev Mark and of Rolleston and of 1981-1993; Retired, 1993; (Birmingham), to be honorary Lawrence MacDonald Hanbury, Newborough, Permission to Officiate canon, Birmingham Cathedral. Rangemore and Tutbury (Diocese of Norwich), from The Rev Fiona Virginia (Lichfield) from 28 May 2015. 1993. Died 17 March 2015. Grace Ballentyne, The Rev Judith Stote, The Rev Roy GV Foreman Assistant Curate (Interim Priest in Charge of Holy Trinity (Designate) in Kiddermister Associate Minister (OLM): (Southwark) died on 28th Minister) in Walton-on-Trent, Horfield, (Bristol), to be Ismere Team (Worcester). Benefice of the Arden Marches February 2015. Croxall, Rosliston, Coton-in-the- collated as Rector of the said The Rev Priscilla White comprising the parishes of The Rev Frederick Harte, Elms and Immanuel Stapenhill Benefice. Vicar, Harborne, St Faith & St Studley with Mappleborough Died on 22 March. (Derby); to be Chaplain to The Rev Ruth Hind, Laurence and Area Dean of Green; Spernall, Morton Bagot The Rev David Lawton, HMP and YOI Drake Hall Rector of the parishes of Edgbaston, (Birmingham), to & Oldberrow (Coventry), to Vicar, Church of the Good (Lichfield). Kirklington, Burneston, Wath be honorary canon, retire with effect from 1 June. Shepherd, Southcourt, The Rev Steven John Brad- and Pickhill and Assistant Area Birmingham Cathedral. The Rev Thomas Yap, Aylesbury (Oxford), died on 7 ford, Dean of the Wensleydale Chaplain to South London and February. Vicar of Gorleston St Andrew Deanery, to be Ripon RETIREMENTS & Maudsley NHS Foundation The Rev M Lindsay-Parkin- (Norwich), to be Priest in Cathedral’s Canon Evangelist. RESIGNATIONS Trust (Southwark) resigned son, Charge of Folkestone, Saint The Rev Canon Peter Leslie with effect 31st March 2015. Died on 27 January. John the Baptist (Canterbury). Holliday, The Rev Anthony Braddick- The Rev Mary Elizabeth Par- The Rev Adam Jonathan Canon Custos of the Cathedral Southgate, LAY AND OTHER sons, Barnett Clayton, Church of St Mary and St Chad Assistant Priest without stipend Retired priest in Birmingham Priest in Charge of Myddle and (Lichfield); to also be Honorary of Crofton Park, St Hilda APPOINTMENTS Diocese died on 26 March. of Broughton and of Chaplain to the Queen. (Southwark) resigned with The Rev Terry Patient, Loppington with Newtown; to The Ven William (Bill) effect 15 March. Born 11 September 1935. BA, also be Rural Dean of Wem and Jacob, The Rev John Timothy Brit- Ms Rosalind Sarah Clarke, Open University, 1983. Deacon - Whitchurch (Lichfield). Archdeacon of Charing Cross ton, has been appointed Diocesan 1996. Priest - 1997. OLM, Old The Rev Keith Alexander and also incumbent of St Giles- Priest-in-Charge of the Feldon Online Pastor (Lichfield). Catton - 1996-2005. Permission Duckett, in-the-Fields (London) is to be Group comprising the Dr Andrew Smith, to Officiate from 2005. Died 28 Chaplain of the King’s School, Interim Priest-in-Charge of East Benefices of: Long Itchington Bishop’s Director of Interfaith February 2015. Wolverhampton; to be Assistant Dulwich, St John the Evangelist and Marton, Hunningham, Relations, Diocese of The Rev W Bryan Pugh, Curate (Interim Minister) of (Southwark). Wappenbury with Weston Birmingham, to be lay canon, Died on 22 February. Oxley the Epiphany and of The Rev Andy Jolley, under Wetherley, and Birmingham Cathedral. The Rev Charles Edward Wednesfield St Gregory the Vicar, Aston and Nechells, Offchurch (Coventry) to retire Andrew Swithinbank, Ernest Steele, Great (Lichfield). (Birmingham), to be honorary from 1 April. To be Diocesan Secretary, Retired priest in Birmingham The Rev Amanda Duncan, canon, Birmingham Cathedral. The Rev Malcolm Garratt, Sodor and Man. diocese, died on 16 March. Assistant Curate, Harpenden, St The Rev Roberta Maxfield, Priest-in-Charge: Dunchurch The Rev Carol Stone, John (St Albans), to be Team Assistant Curate (Associate with Thurlaston (Coventry), to ORDINATIONS Vicar of St Philip Upper Vicar, Bishop’s Hatfield Team Minister) of Penn St retire with effect from 1 Stratton and Priest in Charge St Ministry [with special Bartholomew; to be Chaplain to August. Peter Penhill (Bristol), died in responsibility for St John] (St the Royal School, The Rev Neil Golding, Andrew Peter Wells: To be post on Saturday 27th Albans). Wolverhampton (Lichfield). Vicar of Woodside, St Luke Assistant Curate SSM, Quinton, December, 2014. The Rev Dr John Fitzmau- The Rev Ian Hargraves Mur- (Southwark) retires from 31 Christ Church, (Birmingham); The Rev Canon B K Woolas- rice, ray, May. Daniel James Hughes: To be ton, Team Vicar: Emscote in the to be Prebendary Emeritus The Rev John Ivan Graves, Assistant Curate, Elmdon, St Died on 26 February. New Warwick Team (Lichfield). resigns as Assistant Curate of Nicholas, (Birmingham); David (Coventry), is to be Director of The Rev Sarah Schofield, The Romney Marsh with effect John Parker: To be Assistant Ordinands and Vocation in the Team Vicar of All Saints, from 31 December 2014 and Curate SSM, Selly Oak, St #0// 1-$ ($++-)& $( Diocese of Worcester. Central Wolverhampton; to also will have Permission to Mary, (Birmingham); Jessica 0. (".%0.! &20( +*+") The Rev Philippa Elizabeth be Wolverhampton Episcopal Officiate in the Diocese of Beatrice Foster: To be Assistant &- +)0(-.'2*+/*0.(, Vincent Goldring, Area Representative for Women Canterbury for three years with Curate, Hall Green, St Peter, L?*"K''OK'7'<) *;:!'7;%6"!7 PtO; to be NS Assistant Curate in Ministry (Lichfield). effect from 1 April 2015. (Birmingham); Jonathan <'K7:?:'8 6; 28!7;< 5"?:M?!<7B (Associate Minister) of Holy The Rev Peter Anthony The Rev Maldwyn Harry Fredrick Flitcroft: To be K"; #8'?6MG ?::8'*!?6' "?3!<# Trinity Heath Town (Lichfield). Shaw, Hawksworth, Assistant Curate, Four Oaks, 74!6?>M' M!6'8?648' 6; "?<) ;46B The Rev Judith Griffin, NSM in Bexhill (Chichester) to to retire as Parish Development All Saints, (Birmingham); >'*?47' :8!7;<'87 "?3' 6; Assistant Curate of Onslow be Assistant Curate (Associate Adviser and Mission Michelle Elizabeth Parton: To 7:'<) 7; =4*" 6!=' !< 6"'!8 *'MM7@ -' "?3' ?MK?G7 >''< #M?) 6; Square, (Holy Trinity) St Paul Minister) in the Wrockwardine Companion – Wolverhampton be Assistant Curate, Wythall, St ); 6"!7B >46 6"' :;76?#' *;767 and South Kensington St Deanery Team Ministry Area (Lichfield), from 31 Mary, (Birmingham); Nicholas "?3' '7*?M?6') ;3'8 6"' G'?87B Augustine (London), is to be (Lichfield). March. Martin Ross: To be Assistant ?<) K' <'') "'M: 6; *;<6!' =;76 #8?6'%4M %;8 The Rev Catherine Grylls, Minister in Secular (Lichfield); to retire from 30 Christopher, (Birmingham) );46!;' 7'<6 Edgbaston) and Area Dean of Coventry Cathedral The Rev Benson Mbure DEATHS 6;N ."' L)!6;8B Moseley, (Birmingham), to be ."' 5"48*" ;% L<#M?<) The Rev Nigel Roy Taylor, Kimaru, E'K7:?:'8B honorary canon, Birmingham Curate of St Luke, Walsall and ceased to be Chaplain to HM The Rev George W J Betts, +& H8'?6 5;MM'#' /68''6B Cathedral. of St Paul, Walsall (Lichfield); Prison Dovegate (LIchfield) Died on 4 March. F;<);< /-+2 (0, The Rev Canon John to be Team Vicar and from 13 March 2015. The Rev Canon Graham Cor- D*"'94'7 :?G?>M' 6; )-1!(!%+1 , Spencer Fairfax Hadley, Workplace Chaplain The Rev Canon Barry Oake, neck¸
!"!-'* 0.(#11!"#.%# /($C@ 14 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday April 10, 2015 Books / Sunday

Understanding the place of other religions SUNDAY SERVICE A Trinitarian Theology of Religions rights, including freedom of conscience and freedom Gerald R McDermott and Harold Netland to covert, as a vital aspect of mission and draw atten- OUP, pb, £19.99 (or £19.09 from the CEN tion to an important joint document Christian Wit- Shop) ness in a Multi-Religious World produced in 2011 by 3rd Sunday of Easter — Sunday 19th April 2015 the WCC, the World Evangelical Alliance and the Vat- Vatican II: Catholic Doctrines on ican. Acts 3:12-19 Jews and Muslims Gavin D’Costa focuses on Vatican II’s teaching 1 John 3:1-7 Gavin D’Costa about Jews and Muslims and asks whether this con- Luke 24:36b-48 OUP, hb, £55.00 (or £49.50 tradicts past decrees. His book is a contribution to a from the CEN Shop) debate among Catholic theologians about whether Our readings this week contain curious mixture of bold- Vatican II is to be interpreted by a ‘hermeneutic of ness and doubt. In the Gospel reading, Jesus is confident Alan Race once suggested that continuity’ or a ‘hermeneutic of rupture’. If the Coun- in the fulfilment of scripture, but the disciples are fright- Christian approaches to other reli- cil contradicted past authoritative teaching by popes ened and disbelieving; in Acts, the disciples are now gions fall into three categories that or councils then there is a problem for those who courageous, but their hearers are gobsmacked and mis- he labelled as pluralism, exclusivism wish to emphasise obedience to the magisterium. taken; and in the Epistle, God’s children can be audacious- and inclusivism. Race’s typology was widely adopted D’Costa finds novel teaching in Vatican II but noth- ly pure but the world looks on with incomprehension. but has come under strain as theological debate has ing that contradicts what went before. He salutes a The Lord appeared to his disciples in the midst of a con- progressed. It is difficult to fit either of these books ‘welcome miracle’ that laid the grounds for ‘positive versation they were having about him to bring them peace. into Race’s categories. Both works, one evangelical, theological and spiritual appreciation of the world’s Still uncertain about the initial reports of his resurrection, the other Roman Catholic, are conservative but while religions, especially Judaism and Islam’ as well as for they are startled and terrified, believing at first that he not inclusivist they cannot be labelled exclusivist in positive cooperation to promote the common good. must be a ghostly apparition and not a solidly physical res- any straightforward way. One theologian who has argued for a decisive urrection body. He seeks to calm their fears and doubts McDermott and Netland advance what they term change at Vatican II is Gerald O’Collins who con- with evidence — “touch me… watch me eat!”, which caus- an ‘evangelical proposal’ but their informed and trasts its teaching with the judgement of the Council es exhilarating joy to rise in their hearts though not yet clearly argued book deserves to be read by a wide of Florence that Jews cannot be saved. with unfettered exuberance. Only as the fog cleared and audience. In response D’Costa makes use of the concept of their minds were opened to understand the scriptures, did One of their starting points is that evangelicals ‘invincible ignorance’, which he deploys frequently in they grasp the significance of what they were witnessing. have neglected the doctrine of the Trinity but, follow- this book. When Florence treated all Jews as guilty of In Acts, those same disciples set about the task that ing Veli-Matti Karkkainen (who together with Lamin the sin of infidelity it did not allow for invincible igno- Jesus had laid out before them that day. They were to be Sanneh, Vinoth Ramachandra and Christine rance, a notion that underwent considerable develop- his witnesses, and proclaim his name to all the nations, Shirrmacher comments on the book’s proposals), ment at Vatican II. Dogmatic teaching remained beginning in Jerusalem. they are sceptical of those theologians who have unchanged but at Vatican II reasons were given why That start in the capital was surprising and confusing to attempted to isolate the work of the persons of the it did not apply. the people there. But Peter sought to calm their astonish- Trinity and see the Spirit active in other religions. D’Costa may have shown how the Catholic Church ment and focus their minds. Rather than staring at him and “Other religions,” they write of the Trinity, “may has escaped contradiction but many Jews and Mus- John, as if they had healed the lame beggar by the Beauti- have some connection with God but it is always with lims will not be happy to think they are let off the sin ful Gate through they own power or piety, he directed their that tri-personal God and no other.” of infidelity by invincible ignorance. Sometimes, attention to the Author of Life. D’Costa is quoted arguing that the presence of the however, it is wise to accept reforms made in a Their bewilderment turned to faith and assurance as Spirit outside the church is always to be seen as church or a political party without inquiring too Peter unfolded the plan of God that Jesus had unveiled. Trinitarian and ecclesial, drawing people towards much about the mental gymnastics necessary to The God of the scriptures, the God of the promise, had Christ and towards incorporation in his body, the achieve the change. foretold the recent events of that gloomy Passover — how church. On D’Costa’s account the Catholic Church at Vati- the Messiah would suffer and be killed. They must Although McDermott and Netland are clear that can II did make important steps forward without respond in repentance and faith in the now living Christ, or the definitive revelation of God is given in Christiani- compromising core beliefs. There remains one true face his judgment as Moses had foreseen. ty, they are ready to say that Christians can both faith and one true church and other religions are Acts 4:4 tells us many of them did just that, with the num- work with other religions and learn from them. The chosen by God to eventually enter his church but ber of those whose sins were wiped out growing to 5,000 Spirit does not give new truths that contradict the goodness, truth and sanctity can be found in them in men. biblical revelation but the full meaning of the Chris- preparation for this event. Jews are dear to God and As Acts 4 also begins to show, many would not recognise tian faith is greater than our perception of it and out- the covenant and promises still stand although the what had happened, or believe the testimony of the Apos- siders can sometimes help us to see things we have Council is silent about whether the Jews have kept tles to the resurrection. The Father’s lavish love makes us overlooked. the Covenant. Muslims worship the true God and children of God. Yet the world does not know us as such. It Other religions can help us to find treasures in our their knowledge does not depend on natural theolo- did not know God when he stood right in front of them. own faith that have been obscured by cultural preju- gy because Islam depends on elements of the Old Even when he fulfilled the greatest prophecies of scripture dices. McDermott and Netland make use of the con- and New Testament. by dying for us before their very eyes, he was not acknowl- cept of General Revelation to explain similarities Critics may think Vatican II did not concede very edged. When our eyes are opened, the truth is revealed. between non-Christian religions and Christianity. much but it did mark and change of tone and And one day, every eye will see him, and see us as we truly When it comes to mission McDermott and Netland Catholic theologians have been able to build on the are to God. make an important point that we should first see council’s work, not always in a way D’Costa would The application of this glorious hope is plain and clear in other people not as Muslims or Hindus but as fellow approve. John’s letter. “All who have this hope in him, purify them- human beings. They see the promotion of human Paul Richardson selves just as he is pure.” He was revealed to take away sin, and in him there was no sin. So how can we go on clinging to the very weights that relentlessly pressed his shoulders towards the depths of the grave? John, who saw the lame beggar walk, warns us that some will try to deceive us on this score. But the one who does what is right is righteous, not the one who claims to be a child of God but has not yet glimpsed the beauty of holiness. They will walk in the light, not wallow in sin and call it good. Let us be warned, and not doubt.

Dr Lee Gatiss is author of The Forgotten Cross (Evangelical Press) and Director of Church Society (www.churchsociety.org).

HYMN SELECTION

How can it be, the One who died How deep the Father’s love for us Crown him with many crowns Father God, I wonder My Lord, what love is this

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[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper www.churchnewspaper.com Friday April 10, 2015 Reviews 15 The struggles of our independent cinemas It’s the cue to switch off the mobile in independent cin- nies, and have started their own. Warner Bros even emas across Europe – the jingly cymbals of the Europa labelled their own subsidiary “Warner Independent Pic- Cinemas network signature tune tures” - then closed it and relaunched as Picturehouse [http://goo.gl/w7WsII]. In one venue it will be heard (no relation to the British cinema chain, owned by no more. Cineworld). Manchester’s Cornerhouse has closed and moved to Occasionally a low-budget film like Monsters (2010) HOME, a new arts venue down the road shared with can break into mainstream, but there are those where the Library Theatre Company (whose original home, even evangelistic zeal – like mine for Morris: A Life the Grade II* Central Library, has had a £40m With Bells On (2009) – isn’t enough. The makers had to makeover). Taking over the former News Theatre rely on self-promotion and bookings in village halls, and (after a spell as an “adult” cinema) for its main screen even then Xan Brooks in the Guardian had to point out and squeezing two small screens into the basement of that this was relative success compared to a “slush pile” an old furniture store, Cornerhouse became the art of undistributed indie films [http://goo.gl/uiwmbU]. house cinema of choice in the city 30 years ago – Multiplexes were meant to allow for more independ- though the Aaben cinema in downtown Hulme strug- ent films, more subtitled films, and more challenging gled on a few films to get seen in more places. It hasn’t worked like more years. that, and in particular fewer foreign language films get The glorious art an audience. deco Tyneside urbs is the old Woolton Picture House, just The distributors may say the market has waned but, if Picture House round the corner from St Peter’s Church and a film isn’t shown anywhere, it’s hard to judge the mar- opened in 1937 the grave of Eleanor Rigby – maybe she’d ket. That’s compounded by fewer foreign films being (again as a News been a regular at the cinema, where even shown on TV, despite the popularity of Nordic noir mur- Theatre) and was though they’ve moved to digital projection der mysteries. rescued and they still stop the film for an ice cream inter- Intriguingly, many foreign films seem more willing to reopened in 2008. val. deal with “spiritual” matters, even if vaguely so, com- The Hyde Park Away from the cities, and often waiting a pared to the formulaic Hollywood norm, and Oscar® Picture House at while to get the films, there are independent winner Ida is a case in point, dealing with a novice nun’s Leeds was rescued cinemas in odd places. One of the smallest is search for her family history. It’s hard to imagine a by the City Council a former church in Lynton (seating 68), and British version of Into Great Silence, Philip Gröning’s in 1989 – when another in an old church on the Isle of 2005 documentary about life in a Carthusian councils had Wight is actually called “Sacred Cinema”, monastery. money – and cele- but more famous is the Kinema in the Woods at Wood- Even if the Biblical epic is back (and an animated ver- brated its centenary last November (and Leeds also has hall Spa in Lincolnshire, complete with back projection sion of Noah on the way) and even if the Hollywood for- the Rex in Elland and the Palace in Armley). The Duke and the mighty Compton organ. mula allows for redemption of at least one character as of York’s in Brighton claims to be Britain’s oldest cine- A lot of these are trying to get the mainstream movies a familiar theme, it’s hard to escape the feeling that the ma in continuous use, with the Phoenix in Finchley rather than art house films, and there are cinema clubs big studios play safe, and spiritual isn’t safe. Searching close behind. in all sorts of places – there’s even funding available for out the indie film-makers, and watching their work Theatr Colwyn in North Wales, opened in January trying new venues, but expect to fill in a questionnaire somewhere other than a look-alike Screen 7 of 15, 1909, lays claim to be the oldest operating British cine- for “feedback”. So independent cinemas may not be makes it more likely that one finds something deeper, ma, closely followed by the Electric in Birmingham, but showing independent films. and closer to questions about life in all its fullness. both had periods where they “went dark”. Although Liv- Even “independent” may mean little as the big distrib- erpool has its modern Picture House, out in the sub- utors have bought up some of the smaller indie compa- Steve Parish

Celebrating the abstract WINE OFTHE WEEK Considered a diverse and talented post-war painter in his native United Muriel States, Richard Diebenkorn’s art takes Rioja Reserva 2010 viewers on a journey from abstraction- Majestic £10.65 (2 bottle price £7.99) ism to figuration and then back again. www.majestic.co.uk His exhibition is currently on display at the Royal Academy of Arts until 7 No, not a woman winemaker, sweetheart or June. daughter. It’s mix of the surname of the The gallery is divided into three dis- family who make this splendid red, and tinct periods of Diebenkorn’s career: where they are based in north-east Spain, his early abstract work, his figuration in Rioja, which enjoys international fame as work, and then his popular Ocean Park producing much of that country’s best series. Diebenkorn’s work focuses on wines. 2010 was an areas in California and other parts of excellent year: growers, the States where he resided through- because of the then out his career. This current exhibition economic crisis, got low is a unique display that shows, for the prices, so this red Reserva first time, some of Diebenkorn’s paper (which means by works alongside his small and large- regulation that it has had scale paintings on canvas. two years in oak cask and Although Diebenkorn’s work is at least a year in bottle) is a impressive, with its range of sizes and his pencil marks on display; therefore Admission to the exhibition is £11.50 bargain. subjects, this exhibition is aimed at revealing to the viewer the long and (£10 excluding donation); concessions The grape is Tempranillo. those who enjoy abstractionism. His often trying process that it took to get are available; children under 16 and In the glass dark red, on colour palettes are fascinating and the finished products that they see Friends of the RA go free. There are a the nose, aromatic. On the draw the viewer into the piece, but before them. Even in his figuration series of events revolving around the palate, held in a firm and would not be fully appreciated by all. works, Diebenkorn avoids depicting exhibition including gallery talks that full yet smooth body, find a The paintings reveal the colours of his subjects with too much detail. are with an exhibition ticket. From 17 good balance of ripe berry what he is representing without delv- While his work is well known in the March to 29 May there will be 45- flavours and herbal hints, ing further into the details while still States, with his paintings being found minute introductory exhibition tours followed by an enjoyable capturing the essence of the setting. in most major US collections and even 2.30pm Tuesdays and 7pm Fridays. finish. Alcohol by Vol. 13.5 This gives attendees a more active role in President Obama’s personal quar- There will also be 10-minute spotlight %. in the viewing process, allowing them ters in the White House; he is not as talks on individual works 3pm on It’s the time of the year for to determine the more specific aspects widely exhibited in Europe. His only Thursdays. lamb, and this Rioja will be of the paintings for themselves. major solo show was in 1991 at the Ashley Prevo an excellent Diebenkorn has a tendency to leave Whitechapel Gallery. accompaniment. Graham Gendall Norton

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By Peter Brierley be expected in the coming months. many are keen to help. That requires good On average they have been in post for 12 years, communications and effective administration. Of the 15,800 Church of England churches, just over double the average for clergy generally, and 12 per As well as ordained staff they have other full-time one per cent, 177, were churches with an estimated cent have been in post for over 20 years, the longest staff in ministry positions, on average about one such Usual Sunday Attendance (USA) of at least 350 being the Rev Jonathan Couper, Vicar of Christ person for every 100 in their congregation, as well as people, across all services, adults and children. The Church, Bridlington, for 34 years. This longevity gives admin staff. USA figure is used rather than total weekly stability, as well as experience and the wisdom that Are these larger churches the ideal then? Not attendance because it can then be compared when comes with that. necessarily. They would be the first to admit the necessary with figures from other denominations, Most of these churches know what they are doing, constant tensions of a 24/7 ministry, the vital need to most of which only collect the equivalent of the USA why they are doing it, and what they plan to achieve in make every Sunday special, and the sheer burden of numbers. However, that one per cent of churches had the next few years. Such characteristics are very being responsible for so much. Among other a total attendance of 13 per cent of all Church of attractive and draw others in. pressures, maintaining their own personal spirituality England attenders. They are also hugely engaged in the community is a heightened priority for the leaders of larger, and Furthermore, the percentage of attenders the larger with an enormous variety of opportunities for service, indeed all, churches. churches are attracting is growing. It has doubled often in very creative and imaginative ways. Such Larger churches grow especially by transfer growth, since the 7 per cent counted in 1989, and increased activity requires a considerable number of volunteers, and less through conversions (though there are from the 10 per cent recorded in 2005, and is but the average congregations of these larger exceptions). One large evangelical Anglican church in projected to be 17 per cent in 10 years’ time. That’s churches have many people in their 30s and 40s the north hasn’t seen a conversion in the last five one-sixth of everyone going to an Anglican church! (drawn partly because of the quality of the children years. Another evangelical church of 800 only had five And the larger the church, the more likely it is to be and youth programmes these churches run), and people who had been Christians for less than three growing, as the chart shows. years. Only one senior minister in six has seen his Why are so many of these churches church grow significantly under his tenure. Of the growing? Though a third have remained static 177 ministers of larger churches only three are over the past 10 years, and a few (8 per cent) female, against 24 per cent in the church have declined at least 10 per cent, that still generally. leaves three-fifths, 62 per cent, which have Where are these larger churches? Oxford grown, a similar percentage to 64 per cent of Diocese (a large Diocese) has the most at 17, churches generally which have “a clear vision” followed by the Diocese of London with 14, the as reported in the Church Commissioners’ big Diocese of Winchester with 11 and the Dioceses research project last year, From Anecdote to of Chichester, Guildford and Southwark with 10 Evidence. Most of the larger churches have each. Five-sixths, 82 per cent, of these churches visionary leadership. are evangelical, twice the general proportion of Leadership is key, and many of the existing Anglican churches in England. larger church leaders have been in post for many years, so have much experience of Dr Peter Brierley may be contacted on leadership in this context. A third, 34 per cent, [email protected]. are 60 or over, so a number of retirements can

chester who died in 682; tent carrier of Christ's (6) PRIZE CROSSWORD No. 945 by Axe unwittingly a meteorolo- cross [Matt; Mark; 16 'The Gospel According gist! (variant spelling) Luke] (6) to ------' [KJV] (2,4) (7) 18 Decapolis city where 13 'He must also have a Down Jesus was approached good reputation...so that by two demon-pos- he will not fall into...the - 1Not really the word to sessed men [Matt] (6) ----'s trap' [1 Tim/NIV] start this set of clues! 20 Ruler and subject is as (5) (4) one in two OT books! 15 Most potent symbol of 2Christian religious (4) the Christian religion teacher (6) 22 Prophetess at the Tem- (5) 3Head of a chapter of ple who told about Jesus 17 'Out of the temple came canons in the Anglican being the Messiah the seven angels with Church (4) [Luke] (4) the seven ------' 4Son of Eusebius, Doctor [Rev/NIV] (7) of the Church and Bible Last week’s solutions: 19 'The rich and the poor translator (6) meet together: the Lord 5Pagan feast days around Across: 5 Convocation, 7 Ordain, is ------of them all' the Winter Solstice (8) 8 Ornate, 9 Ascetics, 11 Heed, 12 [Prov/ KJV] (3,5) 7'So I was ------, and hid Ziph, 14 Platonic, 16 Agabus, 17 21 Head of a chapter of your gold in the ground' Abiram, 18 Eternal life. canons (4) [Matt/NIV] (6) 23 Hittite who sold Abra- 12 Attends religious servic- Down: 1 Engage, 2 John, 3 ham his cave for Sarah's es (8) Parousia, 4 Timnah, 5 Christingle, burial [Gen] (6) 14 Name broadly used to 6 Not hesitate, 10 Imposing, 13 24 Simon of ------, inadver- cover every churchman Hebrew, 15 Osiris, 17 Able.

T h e f ir s t c o r r e c t e n tr y d r aw n w il l w in a b o o k o f t h e E d i to r ’s c h o i c e . S e n d y o u r e n tr y t o C r o s s wo r d N u m b e r PRICE £1.50 / €2.00 / $2.50 9 45 , T h e C h u r c h o f E n g l an d Ne ws p ap e r , 1 4 G re a t C o l le g e S tr e e t , W e s t m in s te r , L o n d o n , S W1 P 3 R X b y n e x t Fr id a y 15 Across darkness who has redeemed dwelt in the Jacob, and ------N am e 6One of the seven underworld (6) him from the churches of Asia 9Saint, mother of hand of him that A d d r e s s to receive a let- Mary, named was stronger 9770964 816108 ter from John only in NT apoc- than he' P o s t C o de [Revelation] (6) ryphal texts (4) [Jer/KJV] (8) 8Greek god of 10 'For the Lord 11 Bishop of Win- [email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper

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