Autumn 2018 Thedoor

Autumn 2018 thedoor

Remembrance page 11 Disinvestment page three Creationtide centrespread Dunc’s story page 16

Ordinations 2018. Meet our new deacons in our special souvenir pull-out supplement. Photo: Tom Pilston 2 News 60 new people join Diocesan Synod

MORE than 60 new people have been elected to Diocesan Synod – the governing body of the Diocese of Oxford. The new members are lay people and clergy who have been elected to the synod, which meets three times a year – usually on a Saturday – to discuss issues facing the Church and to share their experience. The Rt Revd Steven Croft, the Bishop of Oxford, said: “This is a great moment for anyone wanting to see the Church respond to the challenges that face us all. The start of a new triennium (new members are elected every three years) aligns with the next stages of the Common Vision process as we journey towards a more Christ-like Church… the best Church we can be for this generation.” Contact details for synod members will be available on the diocesan website in September. Keep up with the work of Diocesan Synod here: oxford.anglican. org/diocesan-synod

Burghfield School Craft days in Little Chalfont. Photo: Chess Valley Churches Together Pastors celebrate fifth anniversary Thousands enjoy church based summer BURGHFIELD and Area School Pastors celebrated their fifth anniversary this month with over 60 guests including holiday clubs church leaders, police officers, local dignitaries, parents, students and staff of THIS summer around 7,500 children from St George’s Anglican Church, Little Similarly, in Warfield, Berkshire, a two- The Willink School. attended holiday clubs and activities Chalfont Methodist church and possibly day Holiday at Home club starts with tea, School Pastors is a national initiative run by more than 3,000 volunteers from from St. Aidan’s RC Church and Chenies coffee and biscuits, before mosaic making from the Ascension Trust – the churches across Oxfordshire, Berkshire Baptist church. and other crafts, nail painting, and other organisation that oversees Street Pastors, and Buckinghamshire. Churches Together in Bicester, activities in stations around the church. Rail Pastors and Response Pastors. The And, while youngsters were having a Oxfordshire, run their holiday clubs “People can go from one to the other, anniversary celebration was held at great time at clubs aimed at them, older across four venues, all following Scripture or sit and watch,” says Serena Parsons, the Mortimer West End Chapel, which was people were also enjoying ‘holiday at home Union Groundbreakers activities. organiser. A home-made lunch is provided decorated with bunting made by the clubs’ in churches, with crafts, games and Volunteers from most of the town’s before afternoon activities which include Willink Christian Union. Home-made other activities. churches help at the holiday clubs bingo, singing around the piano and a quiz. cakes and refreshments were prepared by In Little Chalfont in Buckinghamshire, that take place in Emmanuel Church, The initiative was spearheaded by friends and supporters. family craft days attracted 25 to 30 children Kingsmere, Longfields School and the the Revd Janet Taft, who used to be an James Puxley, Lord Lieutenant of on Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout Methodist Church. Longfields School and associate minister at Warfield and started Berkshire, cut the cake alongside Cllr August. “They come with their carers, Emmanuel Church host children who are the Autumn Club, a group for older Carol Jackson-Doerge, Chairman of West dog-walkers, grannies, child-minders dropped off by their parents or carers, members of the church. Berkshire Council, and Libby Hawkness- and drop in for crafts and refreshments, to be picked up later. Kingsmere hosts a Smith, the Burghfield and Area School including home-made cakes,” says Ann holiday club for children to attend with Pastors Coordinator. Chapman, one of the organisers. their parents. This event hosts children Read more at oxford.anglican. Libby says: “We continue to make “We have funding from Skipton from 0 to 12. When they turn 12 they are org/holiday-clubs-for-the- connections with students and staff at Building society and Chiltern District invited to become young leaders. elderly and oxford.anglican. The Willink, and are slowly becoming Council that enables us to offer Bicester also runs a Holiday at Home Club org/holidayclubs better recognised across the whole school everything free of charge.” Voluntary for older people which is now in its fourth community. Most lunchtimes, we’ll talk donations give the organisers the chance year. LLM Elizabeth Taylor started the Listen to a BBC Radio Oxford to between 40 and 70 students. to donate funds to the parish council, scheme when she returned from overseas interview on church holiday Read a fuller story and see photos which allows them to use the Westwood and wondered how she could get involved clubs here: tinyurl.com/ here: oxford.anglican.org/burghfield- Park during the holidays. The scheme is in church. “Everything I heard on the radio ybh6353u school-pastors organised by the Chess Valley Churches was about the loneliness of the elderly. We Together – usually including volunteers started a weekly tea and coffee club.” Thank Your Vicar Week

SHOW your appreciation for the clergy Get set for the Ride and Stride who work hard in communities across Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire THOUSANDS of people are expected to join the 2018 Ride and Stride to by getting involved in Thank Your Vicar raise money to protect our historic churches. Week. The event sees people walking or riding cycles, horses and even Schools are invited to hold assemblies tractors as they visit as many historic churches as they can on Saturday and parishes to organise services during the 8 September. The Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd Steven Croft, is set to week, which takes place between 14 and 21 join the Ride and Stride as part of his pilgrimage prayer walk through October. Oxfordshire. St Luke’s Healthcare, a charity that cares for clergy health and wellbeing, has put More here: together a host of resources including a Oxon: ohct.org.uk/ride-stride short film, posters, and content ideas for the Berks: berkschurchestrust.org.uk/ride-and-stride-2 week. Bucks: bucks-historic-churches.org/ride-stride See stlukeshealthcare.org.uk/events for more. News 3

Oxford Diocese helps Church move forward on disinvestment from fossil fuel companies

A MOTION from the Diocese of Oxford Goddard and voted in when the General companies what their plans are for the moral leadership depends on aligning our was instrumental in moving forward Synod met in July, as: “…a considerable reduction of carbon emissions by 2050. investment practice and our lifestyle with national discussions on the Church and step forward.” “We have a very serious issue before us the global vision for a net zero carbon disinvestment. In his address to Synod, Bishop Steven as a Church. Achieving the aims of of the world by 2050.” The General Synod, the Church’s said: “The world is on a trajectory to Paris Agreement requires 30 per cent of oil Read Bishop Steven’s full address to national governing body, has called for catastrophic climate change if nothing and 50 per cent of known gas reserves to General Synod here: blogs.oxford.anglican. disinvestment to be completed by 2023 more is done. We need a much greater remain unburned. If we continue to invest org/general-synod-and-the-oxford- at the latest, if those companies are not urgency in this debate, grounded in a hope in these companies we will be making amendment/ The piece includes links to prepared to align their plans with the that things can change.” money from practices which will harm the detailed further reading about fossil fuels, Paris Agreement and a carbon zero future. He told Synod members: “Any company poorest people on earth and the planet disinvestment and the Church. The Paris Agreement was made after an making 40-year investments that does not itself.” international summit held in December have a plan for net zero by 2050 is either He added: “The Church of England has 2015 in the French capital. counting on Paris goals not being met or a responsibility to lead on this issue within For more on the importance of The Rt Revd Dr Steven Croft described neglecting its duties to its shareholders.” the United Kingdom and internationally protecting the environment, turn to the measure, put forward by Canon Giles He said that the Church must ask through the Anglican Communion. That the centrespread.

Light floods through “transformational” new doors at All Saints’ NEW glass doors have transformed the entrance to All Saints’ Church in Emberton, Buckinghamshire. Light can now flood into the church, making the building more welcoming. Tracey Sheppard, Fellow of the Guild of Glass Engravers, was commissioned to engrave the glass doors with a design that was inspired by the rural setting of All Saints’ church. The PCC felt her design was both beautiful and spiritual while respecting the history of the church. The Diocese of Oxford supported the project along with a private donor. Tracey says: “The guidebook states that All Saints’ church ‘…has stood with its commanding view of the village and surrounding countryside through six-and-a-half centuries of change’. In Christian art, a church standing on a hilltop can be seen as a symbol of heaven. The view of All Saints’ is the starting point and from its door flows all the other elements of the engraved design. “There is a particularly lovely lychgate at the entrance to the churchyard. The gate has a number of symbolic meanings in Christian art—in this design, it represents the entrance into the heavenly Paradise.” Read more and see more photos here: oxford.anglican.org/ Stylised waters of the Great Ouse suggest the cleansing waters of baptism and the Waters of Life. Photo: Nick Carter transformational-new-doors the Door, Autumn 2018, page 4 Advertisement Feature

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Resources 5 Raising awareness of persecuted Christians

IMAGINE you live in a land where, because you’re a Christian, you’re failed in your studies, your neighbours beat you up, your home is destroyed, your family is put in prison, your father is killed. How would you respond? Would you lose heart, give up, change your faith? Or would you pray harder, stay faithful, grow bolder? A new resource from the Witney-based charity Open Doors gives you the chance to find out how God is strengthening his followers around the world in the face of hostility, violence and injustice - and share Adrian Brooks inspects one of his illuminating installations. Photo: Nick Forman it with your church. Open Doors works in over 60 countries, supplying Bibles, training church leaders, providing practical support Coming soon: Light a Spiritual Journey and emergency relief, and supporting EXPERIENCE a mini-pilgrimage with Light A Brooks has produced light installations, while how the idea developed in this short video: Christians who suffer for their faith. In Spiritual Journey at Dorchester Abbey. composer Tim Cook has produced music that oxford.anglican.org/lightjourney/ the UK and Ireland, Open Doors works This multi-media exhibition includes will be played as visitors walk through the to raise awareness of global persecution, footage from the Hubble Space Telescope Abbey’s Cloister Gallery. Light A Spiritual Journey runs from October 20, mobilising prayer, support and action and original artwork and music. Artist, Adrian Hear the creators of the project describe 2018 to January 6, 2019. among Christians. The new Can You Believe It? pack features the amazing true-life stories of Faith, Hope and Love from five persecuted Living Differently to Make a Difference Christians – and includes a service outline, poster, sample Prayer Polaroids and out as well as selecting chapters of pastoral experience of the writer. and gift envelope, also a DVD with films, particular interest entirely possible. His intuitive understanding and PowerPoint and audio tracks. The format makes this a quick and deep conviction that the presence of easy read, with plenty of illustrations inner faith must be accompanied by a To order your pack now, visit opendoorsuk.org, from history, politics, culture, sport transformational impact upon the world contact the Open Doors Inspire team on 01993 and literature. The individual devotions around us (however big or small that 460015 or email [email protected] and group discussion questions provide world may be) shapes the way that he ample invitation and space for pausing guides the reader through the chapters. and thinking, even when read outside of If you are looking for an approach to Exodus – an art a more intentional devotional or group the beatitudes which is easy to read, yet study setting. The group questions are challenges you to pause and think and exhibition about particularly accessible and appropriate to examine the lifestyle choices we make a group which had never done a similar day to day, then this is for you. refugees study before, with a range of suggested options catering to timings from 15 The Revd Kate Seagrave is the Mission Priest AN exhibition of art by Karima Brooke minutes to an hour. at the Community of St Frideswide in Oxford. and Michele Tallack takes place from 15- The strength of this book is in the 30 September in St Giles Church, Oxford. Karima’s work, pictured below, shows the poet Ovid, in exile in Tomatis (now Win a copy of Living Differently… Constanta in Romania). 2017 was the 2000th anniversary of his death, still Living Differently to Make a Difference by the Revd Will Donaldson is described as a book exiled from Rome. for those who want to make a difference, to change the world one step at a time. Michele and Karima have both worked Living Differently to Make a Difference The Rt Revd Dr Steven Croft, the Bishop of Oxford, endorsed the book. He said: “I think on refugee issues in many ways and find Will Donaldson Will is inviting us in this book to contemplate the face of Christ… and in so contemplating that a hostile environment is making life Bible Reading Fellowship £9.99 that, be renewed in our compassion and our courage that we may be the people of Christ increasingly difficult for those seeking By Kate Seagrave in the world today.” refuge in the UK. Having been in parish ministry for 25 years, Will Donaldson is chaplain and senior Sanctuary Hosting, Asylum Welcome t would appear to be a brave welfare officer at St Edmund Hall at Oxford University, Area Dean of Oxford and Director and Refugee Resource will benefit from undertaking to write a book on such of Pastoral Care at St Aldate’s Church, Oxford. sale of paintings from the exhibition. a famous passage as the beatitudes For the chance of winning one of three copies of the book we are giving away in The artists will be at the exhibition and on such topics that so many have this month’s prize draw, simply answer the following question: which famous passage every afternoon from noon-5pm. On Itackled before, but Will does so with from the Gospel is Living Differently to Make a Difference based on? Send your answers Sunday 23 September at 2pm there’s an originality and confidence. This easy to to [email protected] or Living Differently Competition, The Door, Church artists’ talk with tea and cakes. read book follows the standard mixed House Oxford, OX5 1GF. The closing date for entries is Friday 19 October. format of so many of BRF’s publications, being a combination of an individual And don’t forget… devotional read, a small group Bible study, Living Differently to Make a Difference complements Bishop and an introductory guide to this famous Steven’s Exploring the Beatitudes booklet. This three-session passage of scripture. course is in a 32-page booklet written by Bishop Steven, and His extensive experience in pastoral is suitable for small groups. A weblink in the booklet provides care and discipleship shines through his accompanying audio and video resources. approach and his challenge to the reader to a more distinctive and holistic Christian Find out more: oxford.anglican.org/commonvision life. Topics covered challenge both our inner lives and ‘secret’ attitudes as well as our more outward and visible actions and service. The structure of each chapter stands alone, which makes dipping in the Door, Autumn 2018, page 6 Advertisement Feature

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CSTM can be the starting point leading to on Saturday, 22nd September. To book a For more information see the choir website or contact further study, or can be used as a way of place or to find out more, please visit the [email protected] / 01865 279108 exploring one’s own vocation, and as website at www.rcc.ac.uk/cstm or call preparation for ordination training and Vanda on 01865 874404. www.newcollegechoir.com Ripon College Cuddesdon, Cuddesdon, Nr Oxford OX44 9EX 7 Huge adventure base project gathers pace A multi-million-pound centre that aims to give young people the opportunity to try a huge variety of adventure sports, and hear a Christian message, is well on the way to completion.

Back in 2013, the Door reported how Adventure Plus had ambitious plans to buy the Windmill Farm Conference Centre in Clanfield, near Witney. Now, five years later, JO DUCKLES meets Jon Cox to find out how the plans are progressing.

A conference centre has been launched for use by adults on the site. There is also a newly renovated house, bought for the complex by some kind farmers. These are run as a separate business with any profits plunged into the charity for its work with children and teenagers. Some of these youngsters are from challenging backgrounds and may not otherwise get the chance to try a range of activities and hear the message of the Gospel. There are already mountain bike trails, a climbing wall, adventure hall, and a barn containing a host of canoes, kayaks and mountain bikes. The next initiative is a village of yurts that are to be built of hempcrete – a high intensity Making a splash - youngsters enjoy kayaking. Photo: Adventure Plus material that allows them to be used all year round. “They will be up and in use by next spring,” says Jon Cox, the founder of Adventure Plus. “They will be for youth groups to stay on the site. We hope to build a communal hub with showers and kitchens, but to start with we’ll have portable buildings.” After that it is hoped that a huge adventure barn will include high ropes, an even bigger climbing wall, and a parkour facility. A caving trail and a lake are also part of the ambitious plans. Bush craft activities will take place in an area where 1,500 trees have been planted next to a small, existing copse. Previously the charity, founded in 1990, ran from a depot on a farm near Witney, with just an office and a barn for storing equipment, bikes, boats and bows and arrows. “The main reason for leasing this space is that when we build the adventure base we will double the number of children and young people we can reach,” says Jon. Adventure Plus also offers gap years and internships, giving people the chance to learn about outdoor education, conservation or catering. “We have social services knocking on our door, asking us to do more. When young people visit, they want to come back and do more. I think this sort of service should be strategic across Above - testing a bike skills course. Above right, some of the A+ the country. The national Church is team and right, the mountain bike store. Photos: Jo Duckles. scratching its head trying to work out how to engage hard-to-reach young people. involved in what we are doing. We will be We initially moved from a two-bedroomed the team how much my child enjoyed It’s increasingly difficult to get them into having a free open day for fun raisers with flat in London as volunteer youth workers. the week. He’s quite a quiet, thoughtful, church but they are living the Christian a barbecue and offer awards to people,” I am happy to share our story at any sensitive boy and we were a little ethos by being a part of what we do here. says Jon. Another big fundraiser is the parish breakfasts, or other groups. concerned that he might struggle to settle “There was a guy referred to us at 15. annual Witney to Westminster canoe “My prayer is that this would become a in....but all the leaders did such a good job He’s now 25 and he said he was an angry, marathon. Check out adventureplus.org. special place in the lives of thousands of of making everyone feel very welcome and frightened boy and that coming to us uk/events/witney-to-westminster- young children and young people for years included that he didn’t feel nervous at all.” helped him become the man he is today. canoe-marathon for more. to come and that many will learn for the That was brilliant. That makes the last 28 So how can readers of the Door support first time that they are greatly loved by years worthwhile.” Adventure Plus? Jon says the growing our awesome, eternal, Heavenly Father.” Adventure Plus has launched a Fun team is praying for an experienced fund What do people who use the centre say? For more photographs see Raising, rather than fundraising, scheme, raiser, construction co-ordinator, human One said: “We had an absolutely brilliant oxford.anglican.org/ encouraging young people to get involved resources officer and a chief activity time! Thank you for your warm welcome, adventureplus with helping. “They can do anything. instructor as the work expands. exciting activities and challenging the Arrange a gig, a bike ride or a walk. It “There have been so many examples children to overcome their fears. We will For more on the charity see doesn’t matter if they raise £60 or £600, of God’s faithfulness in provision and definitely be back next year.” adventureplus.org.uk it’s about getting the young people guidance that have got us to where we are. A parent added: “Please pass on to all Advertising Advertising WE CAN 8 Creationtide: caring for our world 9 As we move into DESIGN Creationtide the Door looks at the PRINT importance of caring

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That’s why the Oxford Martin find out more about these, or participate in local community groups and charities to form Institute has issued principles for investors to a workshop on how to build constructive The Hospital of St Cross the Fair Play network, which is encouraging ask companies what their net zero planning climate relationships with your MP, get in & Almshouse of Noble Poverty We can manage the print of your people to incorporate Climate Justice into looks like – and the Climate Coalition is touch via [email protected]. leafl ets, business cards, stationery, their daily life. promoting a cross-party letter, already signed ‘England’s Oldest Almshouse’ and almost anything else. But meeting the challenges we face by 127 MPs, asking Government to set a requires businesses and Government also to net zero target before 2050. If you’d like to climatejusticenorthoxford.org.uk Signing the Big Shift are, from left, Canon Carol Starkey (Kimberley), Rob Finch (Youth worker Marcham), The Ven. Olivia Graham, Archdeacon of Berkshire, the Rt Revd Vacancies for Brothers We offer short runs as well as Ossie Swartz, Bishop of Kimberley and Kuruman and the Revd Heather Steenkamp, and Revd Tefo Motaung. large quantities at great rates The Hospital, founded in 1132, is home to 25 retired including FREE UK mainland laymen (‘Brothers’) and delivery on most orders. Tending Creation Churches convert to renewable energy applications are welcomed. A registered Charity with a By the Rt Revd Dr Steven Croft Africa, there is severe drought in the east of ORE THAN 5,500 UK churches Buying Scheme Energy basket. That way, we good way to encourage people in the pews Christian foundation, the the country and extreme weather in the west. have made the switch to clean get competitively priced energy 100 per cent and the parish to think about the source of Hospital is situated a mile HE WORLD HAS WOKEN UP to In 2015, the nations of the world energy, which means that, based on sourced from UK-based renewable sources the energy they use at home and at work, south of Winchester. Each • Distribution the dangers of single-use plastic,” made an historic agreement in Paris to Mthe average annual church electricity bill of and going some way towards meeting our and to consider how they might change Brother lives independently said Sir David Attenborough work together to limit the rise in global £1,000, British churches have diverted more goal.” that.” and occupies a flat which “Tinterviewed by the Daily Mirror. He was temperatures to well below two degrees than £5m from fossil fuels to clean energy The Revd Graeme Fancourt, Area Dean The Ven. Olivia Graham, the Archdeacon he furnishes himself. We are able to insert your leafl ets speaking about the public response to Blue from pre-industrial levels. The churches and providers. of Reading and Vicar of St Luke’s with of Berkshire said: “Through the Parish into this and similar publications Planet 2. Viewers were shocked by footage of other faith communities have been at the These include more than 100 Anglican Bartholomew’s, said: “Switching to energy Buying scheme, churches can switch easily Further information and an enabling you to reach a church albatross parents unwittingly feeding their centre of raising awareness of these issues. churches in Oxfordshire, Berkshire and sourced from renewables is one of the to an energy provider that uses 100 per cent application form are obtainable from: Clerk to the Trustees audience in this and other CofE chicks plastic and a sea turtle caught up in a Our influence across the world is hugely Buckinghamshire — and it is hoped that easiest ways the church can live out our renewable electricity. We strongly endorse Hospital of St Cross dioceses. plastic sack, among other gripping images. significant, much greater than we think it is. more will follow suit. belief that we do not live in an accidental this. Switching to renewable energy is an Winchester, SO23 9SD In Genesis, God places the man and the One way of doing so is through the nature, but in an ongoing creation in which important way in which churches can show Tel: 01962 878218 woman in the garden to till it and keep it, for “ An essential mark of God’s Parish Buying service. The national we are called to care for all that God calls leadership in protecting our environment.” E-mail: [email protected] the blessing of the earth, not its exploitation. mission is to strive to safeguard Church of England has created the Parish into being. Doing this collectively is also a www.hospitalofstcross.co.uk Paul makes clear in Romans 8 that the Buying website to allow churches access to Registered Charity No.202751 mission of Christ is to the whole of creation. the integrity of creation…” negotiated discounts and contracts. The The best-known verse in Scripture, John most popular product is the Energy Basket, Could you become an Eco Church? 3.16 reminds us that God so loved the world, Social service provision is part of the which uses the bulk buying power of the Great the cosmos, whole of creation that he sent life of every parish church. There are Church to obtain competitive prices for gas CHURCHES that want to become “good the survey and find out what you’re already customer service his Son to save it. The fifth mark of mission people who care passionately about the and electricity. news for God’s earth” can find helpful doing. Lots of churches will already be doing of the Anglican Communion goes beyond environment who are already part of 100 per cent of the electricity in the resources in the Eco Church programme. different aspects and it’s just a matter of FREE conservation to restoration and undoing the our parishes and deaneries and who give Energy Basket is green, all from UK-based Eco Church offers a free online survey and working out where they fit together and estimates damage we have inflicted on God’s world. their expertise freely. Martin and Margot renewable sources. The Parish Buying team tools to help your church express care for drawing people in to help you as you go.” Yet still, there is a lack of energy across Hodson, who work in this area, argue that have been working with the Basket provider, God’s world in worship and teaching; care Resources at ecochurch.arocha.org. Andrew brought a CALL Living God, you call us to be good the Church and society around this agenda. the parish church itself is an inherently Total Gas and Power, to do this at no extra for buildings and land; engagement with uk. Read more about Marlow’s Eco Church stewards of this earthly home, In 2016 Pope Francis published his great green concept. The more people engage and cost to parishes. your local community and wider campaigns, experience at 4u-team.org/ecochurch/ boy to Jesus... strengthen us encyclical, Laudato Si’, a letter to every do things in their own communities, the less St Ebbe’s Church in Oxford is one of those and personal lifestyle actions. Taking simple 01752 225623 to care for your creation; forgive us person on the earth pleading for a greater energy they use, the more they encourage that have switched. Andy Menary, church steps can even lead to an award. New resources for Creationtide The Boys’ Brigade are [email protected] when, through our greed and urgency in tending creation. local skills and businesses. manager, said: “At St Ebbe’s we spend over The Marlow Team decided to participate Creationtide or the ‘Season of Creation’ (1 www.cornerstonevision.com indifference We are exploring as a Church our An essential mark of God’s mission is to £10,000 per year on electricity and are in the programme, and two of its churches September to 4 October) is the period in the doing likewise. we abuse its beauty and damage call to be a more Christ-like Church: strive to safeguard the integrity of creation delighted to be part of the Energy Basket” recently received awards: bronze for All annual church calendar dedicated to God as Saints, Marlow and silver for St John the creator and s ustainer of all life. its potential. Empower us, through contemplative, compassionate, courageous. and sustain and renew the life of the Steve Jenkins, churchwarden from the Are you reaching out to the Our gaze needs to pass beyond what can earth. May Almighty God give us grace and Caversham Thameside and Mapledurham Baptist, Little Marlow. Under the leadership To inspire you and help you explore and your Spirit be filmed and shown on our screens to the strength to give this mark of mission the Parish in Berkshire, says: “We have a of an Eco Church Team, the churches have celebrate Creationtide the people behind homes around your church to so nurture and love the world, that invisible gases which are causing the rise priority it deserves and needs and a sense of long-term goal to be carbon neutral but undertaken a variety of activities, including the national Church’s environmental and surrounding area? all creation sings to your glory. in global temperature. Carbon dioxide and urgency in our task as we live as disciples of it’s taking time. We’ve looked at renewable installing LED lights and special sensors/ programme have created new liturgies and We reach the ‘young’ other greenhouse gases cannot be seen but Jesus Christ in this earth, our beautiful and energy for some years and solar panels, on timers to reduce energy usage, improving pulled together examples of services and Amen we can measure and see their effect. Climate fragile common home. the south-facing nave roof of St Peter’s, are their recycling process, and reflecting on prayers from across the Church of England. from age 5. change caused by human intervention is a the best bet, though we haven’t been able to care for creation as part of Christian mission. Find out more here: creationtide.com/ Collect for Environment Sunday, present reality. For our sisters and brothers A full transcript of Bishop Steven’s address to make the investment, yet. Paul Taylor, of All Saints, who initiated the resources/ and download the 2018 action 01442 231681 Diocese of Leeds in other parts of the world, the effects of the March Diocesan Synod can be read here: “Meanwhile, all three churches in CTM process, says “It’s very easy to start, doing sheet here: tinyurl.com/y9jrggf5 www.boys-brigade.org.uk climate change are a daily reality. In South blogs.oxford.anglican.org/tending-creation/ parish buy their electricity from the Parish the Door, Autumn 2018, page 10 Advertisement Feature

CHRISTMAS 2018

Services of Nine Lessons and Carols 23 and 24 December 2018

The ever-popular services of Nine Lessons and Carols in Christ Church Cathedral will take place at 7.30pm on Sunday 23 December and 3pm on Monday 24 December.

As in previous years, tickets will be available from Oxford Playhouse. There is no charge for tickets (but you will be charged £1 for postage).

Tickets will be available from 10am on Monday 19 November 2018. Online: www.ticketsoxford.co.uk In person: Oxford Playhouse, Beaumont Street, Oxford, OXl 2LW By phone: Box Office: 01865 305305

Please note: • The maximum number of tickets is four per application. We ask you please apply only for the number required so that as many people as possible have a chance to attend these services. • Tickets are for entry to the service and not for a particular area or seat. • Seats will be allocated to all on a first come, first served basis. • Seats are held until 20 minutes before each service begins when unoccupied seats are released. • Those without tickets may therefore wish to come on the day and queue for a short period, although we cannot guarantee admission. 11 Reconciliation: the struggle at the end of conflict?

As we prepare to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day in November, JOAN VAN EMDEN reflects on reconciliation and war. t’s easy to assume that reconciliation happens only at the end of conflict, but of course there are moments, even in the midst of war, when by Ithe mercy of God there is a space for compassion and peace. We have all heard of the Christmas Truce in 1914; there was a more limited truce again in 1915 and, at times during the worst of the conflict, soldiers who respected one another would pause for a short while. An unidentified soldier reported: “We shouted to the Germans to come and fetch their wounded...we promised not to shoot, and a man who wore the iron cross advanced to assist a wounded man. Another followed Poppy Field, a Luxmuralis production is coming to Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, soon. See below left for details. Photo Luxmuralis and, amidst our cheers, they carried him off. Before going, the first man saluted and said, ‘Thank you, gentlemen, I thank you very much. Good day.’ The incident quite upset me for a time, and I wished we might all be friends again.” More commonly, perhaps, reconciliation came with approaching death: a young soldier passed a large shell hole and saw two decomposing bodies lying side by side, one a British soldier, the other a German. “They lay hand in hand, as though reconciled in mutual agony and in the peace of death.” At the end of the war, the victorious soldiers marched into Germany and the two nations came face to face. A private in the Scots Guards wrote: “I had serious misgivings before entering Mrs Simpson visits her son’s grave in France Harry Patch meets Charles Kuentz. Photo: Joan van Emden. Germany. My comrades vowed such vengeance on the people that I anticipated something worse than war...no treatment “Acting on the command of our Lord Some felt that they had gained by their they sat side by side for the nightly was going to be bad enough and cruel Jesus, ‘Love your enemies,’ I provided experiences, however terrible, and were ceremony of commemoration at the Menin enough. What was my surprise to find, him with bread and wine and had a lot able to move on in their lives, but others Gate; Harry commented: after two or three days in Germany, all our of conversation with him.” He was able found it difficult to be reconciled with their “I felt sorry for what Charles had to go roaring lions converted into sucking doves. to report Jack’s convalescence. In 1918, past. One veteran described only towards through; no one deserved to go through The army, without any prompting, took up Jack’s parents helped Egbert’s brother, the end of his long life the vision that had that war.” an unexpected attitude of friendliness...” then a POW in British hands. A bond of haunted him since the day of the Armistice: Reconciliation came sometimes between friendship was firmly established between “I could not put my head up because I A true reconciliation. the families of opposing troops. A German, the families. was under fire but above me, at eye level, I have prepared two services for the Egbert Wagner, met a wounded British The Armistice brought great rejoicing, walking past, were hundreds and hundreds commemoration of the Armistice, using soldier, Jack Brewster, pulled him into a but there remained a most difficult area of of boots and puttees...They went on and on many words of Great War veterans, like shell hole, bandaged him and, as he wrote reconciliation: between the living and the for hours, and I realised that it was the dead those in this article, quoted from books to the distraught British man’s parents: dead. A boy whose father had been killed all walking away and leaving me behind. I by my son, the military historian Richard remembered: felt worried and frightened that they were van Emden. These services, Aftermath “The buttons of my father’s regiment leaving me by myself, that I had been left and Reconciliation, are available here: Book now for sound and were black with a bugle, and Mum used to behind. They were marching away into the oxford.anglican.org/first-world-war- light display write to the regimental headquarters and distance where I would never follow.” centenary get stacks of these buttons because all her The last veteran of the war, Harry Patch, A SOUND and light display by artist Peter dresses were covered in the black buttons, who died in 2009 aged 111, spent much Joan van Emden is a Licensed Lay Preacher at Walker, a Fellow of the Royal Society on the cuffs, down the front. She never time towards the end of his life talking Christ Church, Reading. of Arts will be part of a series of special forgot my father.” about the need for reconciliation. In 2004, events at Christ Church Cathedral, The scars of war could indeed last he visited the battlefields and met the last You can also find centenary resources Oxford, to mark the 100th anniversary of a lifetime. Lily Baron, born in 1912, surviving German veteran, Charles Kuentz: from the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship on the end of the First World War. remembered her father and his last leave “Charles was conscripted just like myself our website. APF material for worship The poignant display takes place on at home, and when she visited his grave in and fought for the Kaiser as I had fought and remembrance, together with a piece the evenings of 11, 12 and 13 October. France in 2010, aged almost 98, she left a for the King, relations, of course, cousins, on Remembering War by Bishop David Tickets are free but must be booked in card on which she had written: so it was a family affair. It shows you how Walker and poems by Malcolm Guite can advance: chch.ox.ac.uk/cathedral. “Thank you for five years of real stupid war is.” The two men, through an be downloaded at oxford.anglican.org/ happiness. I’ve missed you all my life.” interpreter, spoke and exchanged presents first-world-war-centenary And what of the soldiers themselves? and shook hands. In Ypres that evening, the Door, Autumn 2018, page 12 Advertisement Feature Advertisement Feature the Door, Autumn 2018, page 13 the Door, Autumn 2018, page 14 Advertisement Feature Comment15 news 15 Farewell to the Door By the Rt Revd Colin Fletcher communities from Hook Norton to Slough and Hungerford to Milton Keynes see that t’s with mixed emotions that I write it had relevance to their lives as members this article to say ‘farewell’ to the of a single diocese? Door. On the one hand I do so with a No doubt you can add your own great sense of loss – on the other I am questions to these, as they are ones Iexcited by what lies ahead and I trust our that will still be there as we move to an Communications Team to have plenty of exciting new publication, but I would not good things in store. want the moment to pass without saying As a former chair of the Editorial a huge ‘thank you’ to the people who have Support Group, I am well aware of the been the life of the Door in the years I have debates and discussions – and sometimes known it. To the Editor, the contributors, the disagreements – that have lain those who draw together the Prayer Diary, behind its publication month by month. the proof readers, the Audio Door team, Which advertisements were acceptable those who have faithfully distributed or more often, which were not? How thousands of copies each month, our should it handle issues on which the advertisers, our printers, and most of all, Church is sharply divided? How did you to you, its readers. preserve editorial freedom, not allowing Now we move to a new format. More Summer school builds it to simply become a mouthpiece of of a magazine style, more reflective but diocesan policy, but at the same time, still for the whole diocese. So, in (almost) being a vehicle to proclaim Christ and his the words of that doyenne of the dancing interfaith understanding Kingdom throughout the Thames Valley? world – Keep Reading. How did you try to balance news with CHRISTIANS and Muslims live together for a week at a summer school that aims to help opinion pieces? And what sort of news The Rt Revd Colin Fletcher is the Bishop of faith leaders from different backgrounds understand and connect with each other. was of interest? How would people in Dorchester. ow in its fourth year, the school “It’s a real privilege to look at your own brings together Christians and holy text through a different lens,” says CONGRATULATIONS to Bedgrove’s Lydia Lee who won the 2018 Church Times Sermon of Muslims who are training to be Shahanaz, who occasionally lectures at the Year competition. ministers. “The idea is to give Oxford’s Wycliffe Hall Theological College Nthem the opportunity to live together for on gender in Islam. “Every cohort has a Lydia, 27, is a former teacher who now runs felt God was calling her to teach in other the week,” says Dr Richard McCallum, a different vibe and dynamic. It’s helped my a café at the Church of the Holy Spirit in settings, not just education. “I stepped out senior fellow at the Oxford-based Centre learning and it’s been even more profound Bedgrove, Aylesbury, where she preaches in obedience, had a break and when I was for Muslim-Christian Studies, which watching people make those connections regularly. She has won a year of study at the offered the job running the café I thought runs the school. Students study parallel and see them travel through the texts.” London School of Theology. Her winning ‘why not?’” texts from the Bible and the Qur’an. Idina Dunmore is studying on the sermon was a meditation on Jesus in the Lydia is hoping to study part-time while They also look at contemporary issues, Church Mission Society pioneer ministry boat on the Sea of Galilee, relating the fear continuing to work at the church. She says bringing in someone from the Christian course. “Just to be in a community for a of the disciples to her own experience of she enjoys understanding the Bible in a environmental charity A Rocha and week with people from another faith and anxiety and fear. modern-day context and applying it to our Islamic Relief. being able to ask all the questions you She describes winning as lives. “I find with the Bible there is a lot that There is a social side too, with a visit want to ask is a great opportunity,” says “overwhelming.” “The final was just such in our culture, we don’t understand; we to the Bodleian Library, punting and time Idina. She also said the highlight of the a great evening. It was a real privilege and miss the richness. Jesus told stories about to hang out and play games. Members of week for her was studying the scriptures. honour to be picked as the winner. Being in shepherds to shepherds. There are lots of each year’s cohort are encouraged to keep “I have tried to read the Qur’an before, an all-woman final was really special. Some instances like that and I enjoy researching in touch via Facebook and WhatsApp. but it was difficult because it is a different women still find it difficult to step out into the Hebrew, looking at the context and Shahanaz Begum was part of the first genre to the Bible. teaching roles in the Church. We had four applying it to the 21st century.” cohort and has returned twice to help “We’ve also had quite a few social women, from all different walks of life. It facilitate the summer school. She says she times, punting and just sitting down to wasn’t a statement from the charity. The Read more on the competition signed up because she wanted to learn dinner and playing group games.” judging was all done blind, but that was here: tinyurl.com/yc7lyfwj about Christianity from Christians, rather The summer school is partly financially what stood out for me about it.” than from a book or lecture. supported by three trusts; St Michael Lydia grew up in Aylesbury, Read Lydia’s sermon here: Shahanaz is currently studying for a & All Saints, Gladiator Trust and Dame Buckinghamshire, and returned to teach oxford.anglican.org/ Masters in Islamic Studies in London. Violet Wills Trust. after training in Gloucestershire. She left her lydiasermon/ For her, the scriptural reasoning was Photo: CMCS Oxford job as a primary school teacher because she the most important part of the week. cmcsoxford.org.uk God in the life of...

...continued from page 16 Recently Dunc rescued a family of six programme in a centre they can visit and on finishing they were greeted by the “When Toybox moved on to do other who were at risk of living on the streets and every day.” British Ambassador to Guatemala and the things in 2001 I founded Street Kids Street Kids works hard to prevent others In terms of support, Dunc says people British Ambassador to Honduras. Direct.” He says 100 per cent of money from going down the same route. He also back in the Diocese of Oxford can help “Two large buses of children also met donated to Street Kids Direct is used met one boy Danny, who had been selling Street Kids financially. They can get us on the approach to the city and walked to help poverty-stricken Guatemalan drugs for five years. “He had committed involved in charity events, or sponsor Dunc with us under police motorcycle escort all children. Many of them live in grave armed robbery and was getting into more and his colleagues as they set out on theirs. the way to the finish. It was an emotional danger, fearing for their lives. When the and more trouble. Three attempts have One was the Camino por Amor 2018 which journey but one that saw us cope with Everyman documentary was made, there been made on his life and he is just nine- saw Dunc and his friend Steve Poulson go many challenges along the way.” The walk were 5,000 children on the streets. Now years-old,” says Dunc. “He’s now in a secure head to head in a 364-mile walk. They had raised £5,800 for a new Protection Home that figure has been reduced to zero, children’s home and has started school to avoid gang areas and climbed mountains that recently opened in Guatemala. according to a recent survey, but many and he’s doing well. We help them get off with an altitude of 14,300m. children are still extremely vulnerable. the streets and offer them a mentoring Dunc described the walk as ‘amazing’ streetkidsdirect.org.uk

Editor: Jo Duckles Tel: 01865 208227 Email: [email protected] This is the last edition of the Door newspaper. Look out for our Audio version Editorial Assistant and distribution: Ruth Hamilton-Jones Tel: new magazine, scheduled for late autumn. Sight impaired people can get a free audio 01865 208225 Email: [email protected] Advertising: Glenda Charitos Tel: 01752 225623 The Door is published by Oxford Diocesan Board of Finance version of the Door. Call 01865 208227. (Diocesan Secretary Mrs Rosemary Pearce). The registered office is Email: [email protected] Church House Oxford, Langford Locks, Kidlington, OX5 1GF. Editorial Support Group Chair: The Revd Graham Sykes Tel: 01865 208200. While every care is taken to ensure the reliability Email: [email protected] of our advertisements, their inclusion in the Door does not guarantee it or mean that they are endorsed by the Diocese of Oxford. 16 God in the life of… Dunc Dyason MBE tells JO DUCKLES suit and began earning a living selling the about his miraculous escape from a life silverware he had been tempted to steal. of booze and crime, his conversion to The man from the store gave Dunc the Christianity and how he devoted his life to deposit money for the bedsit, and it turned rescuing Guatemalan street children. out the landlady was a Christian. That Sunday, Dunc felt bemused as he walked unc was born in Kent and into Christ Church, on the High Street of moved around the South East Tunbridge Wells. He wasn’t quite sure what during what he describes as a to do with the books he had been handed, or dysfunctional childhood. “My why the leaders were wearing strange robes. Ddad was a gardener and my mum did part- “The last four rows of the church were time cleaning jobs. At some points the full but there was no one at the front apart family lived in extreme poverty,” he says. from me. I had no idea what to do, when At 15 Dunc was thrown out of school. to stand up or sit down. I was a big guy “I was under social services care and they with a leather jacket on, and most of the sent me to work on a farm. I had a record congregation were aged 60 plus. I think for burglary. My life spiralled out of control they were frightened of me,” he says. until I was 21 and became a Christian. “It was a difficult time. I was drinking I got up the next morning heavily and seeing what was going on with my sisters. We were spiralling into and“ with my new clothes on oblivion,” says Dunc, who had moved to and felt like there was a joy Blackpool. Alone in his bedsit one night, he decided he didn’t want to carry on inside of me.” living. “I just thought I would end my life that night,” says Dunc. However, with no But the hospitable vicar’s wife began a knowledge of God and having never been conversation with Dunc, inviting him back to church, Dunc found himself reflecting to the vicarage for lunch and to a mid-week on eternity. “I realised that when you Bible study. die it is forever. My mind was going over “I just kept turning up and hearing all and over the word ‘forever’ and I started this stuff about God and Jesus. They just thinking about God,” he says. kept feeding me and loving me,” he says. Saving up enough money to buy a We were spiralling into second-hand telly, Dunc switched it on to Dunc Dyason. Photo: Jo Duckles discover Ben-Hur was on the box. “It got oblivion.”“ to the point where Jesus is on the cross lunchtime to tell people about Jesus. One “I just got home one Sunday, turned on and says: ‘Father, forgive them for they day he got an icy response from some the television and this programme was on,” Shouting out to God for help, Dunc says don’t know what they are doing’ and I teenagers he invited into the church. This says Dunc. The documentary highlighted he heard an audible voice tell him to go to just started crumbling because I had been prompted him to start a youth group and the plight of children, many thrown Tunbridge Wells. With £28 to his name, forgiven. I just burst into tears, dropped a month later he was appointed youth out or abandoned by their parents, who Dunc got on a train the next day. Opposite down on to the floor and cried and cried. leader for Christ Church. Feeling a strong were forced to live on the streets. Those the Tunbridge Wells train station was a Why would God forgive me for all the calling to learn more about his new-found youngsters, forced into a life of crime, were newsagent’s, where Dunc spotted an advert houses I had burgled and the bad things I faith, Dunc was reliant on the generosity often shot at or beaten up by the police for a bedsit. He phoned the landlady, but had done? of people from Christ Church to fund who should have been working to protect without a deposit, he was at first declined “I got up the next morning, put my his three years at Moorlands Christian them I just knew this was something the tenancy. The situation seemed gloomy new clothes on and felt like there was a Theology and Training College in Dorset. God wanted me to do so I went to work as a local assured him he would: “never find joy inside of me. It felt like someone had From there he moved to Chesham Bois in for Toybox, helping those children on the a job in this town.” cleaned me inside. I went outside that Buckinghamshire to be the youth worker at streets of Guatemala. “I walked into a department store, Monday morning and everything was St Leonard’s Church. thinking I could nick some silverware when brighter. When I went to the Bible study It was a BBC Everyman documentary a man in a suit approached me and asked and described what had happened, they entitled They Shoot Children, Don’t They? Continued on page 15... if I was looking for a job,” says Dunc. By told me I had become a Christian.” in 1991 that inspired Dunc to move to the next day, he had been fitted out in a Feeling zealous, Dunc went out every Guatemala.

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For the first time the ordination services were live- Earley, said: “After moving to a new house, to have streamed via Facebook. This meant that people all three days to be quiet and think about what was over the world, who couldn’t be at Oxford’s Christ about to happen was just amazing. The ordination Church Cathedral, could watch. The stream had was emotional. It is hard to describe how it felt but thousands of views and hundreds of people posted it was of those moments you will remember for the positive comments. rest of your life.” “If the Church of God in our generation can take The Revd Andy Gosler, who will serve in Marston up the towel and do what Jesus did, then perhaps and Elsfield, said: “There is so much going on. I am there will still be a Church in 100 years’ time,” non-stipendiary [an ordained minister who isn’t said the Rt Revd Alan Wilson, preaching at the paid a stipend] so won’t be giving up my day job as morning service, when the deacons who will serve an academic. The most important thing for me is to in Buckinghamshire and Berkshire were ordained. work out how to be a minister in my workplace and Bishop Alan encouraged the ordinands using the in the Church. I’d ask for prayer for 27 hours in the story of Jesus serving his disciples by washing their day.” feet. The Revd Sarah Nesbitt, who will serve in The Rt Revd Colin Fletcher, the Bishop of Shiplake, said leaving the retreat and entering the Dorchester, talked of the challenges the impact cathedral took her breath away. “I thought to myself of austerity presents to the Church. “With the ‘I’m here and I’m as ready as I’m ever going to be’. challenges come fresh opportunities and I think it’s My hopes are that I will get to meet as many people an important and exciting time to be ordained,” as possible, that I’d get to know people and serve said Bishop Colin, preaching at the afternoon them in the name of Christ.” service, when deacons who will serve in Oxford and The Revd Gemma Beesley, who will serve in Dorchester were ordained. Cowley, Oxford, said: “I felt God was calling me to The sun was shining all day, and after each Cowley. It’s diverse. I grew up in Milton Keynes and service, the ordinands processed out of the it’s a bit like that so I feel like I’m going back to my cathedral, behind the bishops and other senior roots, even though it’s a different place. I’m really clergy, into the historic and beautiful Tom Quad looking forward to being with people. There are for photographs. There they could be re-united 29,000 people where I am moving to, compared to with family and friends after three days on a pre- 1,500 where I have come from.” ordination retreat. The Revd Phil Price, who will serve at St Peter’s, Photos by Tom Pilston Oxford and Dorchester’s new deacons.

will be able to serve the community of Micklefield and Marsh with the love and hope that Christ brings.” BERKSHIRE

Kevin Colyer – Furze Platt Kevin Colyer is married to Nicki and the couple have four children. He worked with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in the UK and Belgium, before the call to Pioneer Anglican Ministry. He started missional communities and has planted one or two fresh expressions. He loves Belgian beer, computers, running, and weird electronic music.

Kvetoslav Krejci – Reading St Giles After two decades as a city firm solicitor, Dr Kvetoslav Tomas Krejci read theology Signing oaths of allegiance to the Sovereign and canonical obedience to the Bishop. at Oxford and trained for ministry at St Stephen’s House. Born in Prague and at BUCKINGHAM ordination. I was surprised and delighted home within the catholic tradition of the Candidates in a semi-circle at the crossing of the to find that I wasn’t, and after 40 years in Church of England, he will serve his post cathedral. Hanna Akibo-Betts – Bletchley the legal profession I now look forward to as a self-supporting curate. “Experiencing God in the centre of his call new joys and challenges in serving Christ and the MND Association. on my life and allowing him to direct, lead and the Church.” Leonard Onugh - Thatcham and educate has been and will continue “I look forward to new adventures with Gemma Wilkinson – Finchampstead and to be an amazing journey. In pursuing his Michael Wilcockson – Eton College Jesus. Born into a wonderful family California answers to my prayers for my own will, I Michael Wilcockson has been a teacher but raised under tyrants in a ‘fairy-tale’ Originally from the Midlands, Gemma learnt and am learning to do his will.” since 1982 and a licensed lay minister since neighbourhood, I have gone on to be trained for ministry at Ripon College 1992. He was appointed Head of Divinity at arrested for holding a prayer meeting Cuddesdon. Previously, Gemma was a Paul Pavlou – Bletchley Eton College in 1996 and in 2012 became in one country, before spending years youth and children’s worker in Newbury. “My family and I were originally living in the college’s first Head of Philosophy. He is preaching the Gospel undercover while She remains interested in the benefits North London. Since then we have moved a senior A Level religious studies examiner moonlighting as a business executive in of all-age worship and developing to Cambridge for theological college and and has written over 25 text books. another. Whatever next Lord?” intergenerational relationships. In her have now ventured into Milton Keynes. spare time, Gemma likes to make things. We are incredibly excited to see what God Natalie Worsfold – High Wycombe Philip Price – St Peter’s, Earley has in store for us during my curacy.” “Having been drawn to faith in my teens, Phil is married to Esther and they have two Susan Templeton – St James’, Southlake the journey to ordination has built slowly. children, Amelia, seven, and Magdalena, Susie is joining Oxford Diocese from Nigel Spoor – Prestwood I spent many years in leadership roles four. Before training for ordination, he Portsmouth as a pioneer minister and “‘But I’m too old,’ was my response when within large retail IT departments before was a professional fundraiser for various previously worked with Royal Navy my vicar asked me if I’d ever considered starting training. My prayer is that I charities, including Age UK, the MS Society Chaplaincy. She has professional New clergy for Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire

Oxford and Dorchester’s new deacons. Berkshire and Buckinghamshire’s new deacons.

experience in video production, cake teaching, and leading non-eucharistic decoration and SCUBA diving. Having services. There will be some pastoral travelled widely, she loves Indonesia, ministry when required.” particularly the food, but is now looking forward to a new adventure in Reading. Andrew Gosler – Marston with Elsfield Andy Gosler is Associate Professor in OXFORD Applied Ethnobiology and Conservation. He is Research Director of EWA, the Benjamin Baker - St Mary’s, Headington Ethno-Ornithology World Archive, and Before training, Ben worked as a children’s Co-convenor of OxPeace. and youth worker in Birmingham, having He teaches ornithology, ecology, come to faith in his teenage years. This evolution, ethnobiology and biological passion for working with young people conservation through a joint appointment will continue into his future ministry. between the School of Anthropology and He is married to Johanna, a doctor, and Department of Zoology at the University the couple enjoy travelling, the outdoors, of Oxford. and film. DORCHESTER Gemma Beesley – St James’, Cowley “God called me to ordination from my Christopher Ashton – Burford with baptism in the river Cherwell in 2009. I Fulbrook, Taynton, Asthall, Swinbrook am looking forward to getting my feet wet and Widford again as I step out of the boat, and pray Chris is married to Jessie and the couple that God will use me to bring light, hope have two children, Frazer, seven, Bethany, Following ordination, it’s time for the Peace. and joy to the people of Cowley.” three and are expecting a third. Chris has been on a unique route through training, Sarah Nesbitt – Shiplake with Dunsden Paul Walker – Great Faringdon with James Dwyer – St Andrew’s, Oxford combining the rigours of boarding school and Harpsden Little Coxwell “I’m delighted and humbled to be serving and chaplaincy life with mixed mode “Andrew and I have been married for 31 Paul was brought up in West London and my curacy at St Andrew’s, North Oxford. training at Wycliffe Hall. They will continue years and have two grown-up sons. As a became a Christian as he was preparing Before training for ministry, I worked their role in school and chaplaincy, alongside Street Pastor and churchwarden, I finally to get married. He previously taught in a in journalism and communications, and taking up a part-time curacy role at Burford. engaged fully with my calling and am secondary school and his interests include have a heart to see people grow as lifelong delighted to be moving into the next stage history, music, current and foreign affairs. disciples of Jesus. I’m married to Cheryl Toby Artis – Chipping Norton Benefice of this amazing journey with Robert and Paul also enjoys cycling, walking, reading and we have two boys, Toby and Joel.” “I have just finished training at his team.” and playing the piano. the College of the Resurrection, Susan Gillingham – St Barnabas with St Mirfield. I’m very much looking forward Oliver Strange – Burford with Fulbrook, Paul and St Thomas the Martyr, Oxford to getting involved in the community, in Taynton, Swinbrook and Widford Hear our new deacons talk about their “I am at present a licensed LLM and I shall and around Chipping Norton, to serve as “I am very much a philologist – a lover of big day here: bit.ly/ordination_interviews be ordained to the Permanent Diaconate assistant curate with my wife Emma. I words. I love languages and word origins, to serve at Worcester College Chapel, love drumming, skiing and windsurfing, and I speak Welsh, Russian and a smattering See a full gallery of ordination pictures Oxford University, and at St Barnabas and before I began training I appeared on of a few others, like Greek and Hebrew, here: bit.ly/oxford_deacons Church, Jericho, Oxford. Initially an episode of Bargain Hunt and won.” which have seriously helped me as a lover my ministry will focus on preaching, not just of words, but also of The Word.” Advertising Could you be called to ordination? SHERBORNE Short breaks in Dorset Are you wondering whether God Alternatively, you would be very Church Cathedral in Oxford on Elegant, spacious, 2 bed, may be calling you to ordination? welcome at one of our vocations 15 November 6pm – 8pm. Or you apartment in listed building If so, please talk to a clergy person events, details of which can be could join one of the Exploring close to Abbey Church. Open all year. you know or get in touch with found on the Vocations in the Vocations events starting this Please ring for brochure: one of our Diocesan Vocations Oxford Diocese Facebook page. month. 01404 841367 Advisers: oxford.anglican.org/ Why not attend the Hearing God’s vocations-breakfast- vocations-advisors Call Vocations Eucharist at Christ beaconsfield.eventbrite.co.uk Casa Oleander Luxury 3 Bedroom Villa

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