Warm Welcome for New Archdeacon
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CROSSKEYS A NEWSLETTER FOR CHURCHES IN THE DIOCESE OF PETERBOROUGH ✠ SPRING 2014 Warm welcome for New Archdeacon he new Archdeacon of Northampton, Ven Richard What is an TOrmston, was given a Archdeacon? warm welcome by almost 500 people at his collation Archdeacons work in close service recently. collaboration with the bishop, playing a significant role in the Held at All Saints church in appointment, oversight and Northampton, the service had pastoral care of the clergy. been moved at short notice from the original venue of the The Archdeacons are there to nearby St Giles church because ensure that the Bishop is aware of the numbers expected. A of the needs and concerns of reception afterwards was held the clergy and people. They at St Giles. induct and install ministers, conduct parish visitations and Richard punctuated his sermon oversee the care for Church with humour, including looking Wardens. The Archdeacons act at his Blackberry smartphone as a bridge between parishes during it to check the score of and the diocese in matters the Northampton Saints rugby concerning church fabric and match (The Saints won). to share that message with and rural dean of Wootton faculties, pastoral re-organisa- the world and that, “will only before moving to become vicar tion, parsonages and church In the sermon he focused on happen if we do it. We have of Oundle. He takes up his new buildings. And don’t get them sentences from the three Bible good news to share in many post immediately and he and started on downpipes, readings in the service. “The ways,” he added. his family will be moving to gutters and bats! Lord longs to be gracious to Northampton shortly. you”; “Forgive as the Lord has A number of people including forgiven you”; and “News about both bishops, the dean and Jesus spread throughout the diocesan secretary took part in countryside”. He reminded the service which included the the congregation that God formalities of various declara- is gracious and welcoming, tions and oaths of allegiance. although not a God for whom Among others taking part were anything goes. personal friends of Richard, Sur- geon Commander Peter Taylor He said that we are saturated and Dr Emily Taylor who read with God’s presence in the one of the Bible passages and world and yet may never know Maureen Brathwaite who sang it. “Sometimes we need to be two solos. reminded of a God who knows us, loves us, gave himself for Richard Ormston is no stranger us, forgives us and walks with to Northampton. He was rector us,” he said. The Church is called of Collingtree and Milton Malsor 3 God’s great adventure 12 Solar ovens to Kenya Bishop Donald takes Lords seat News from the wider Church ishop Donald was introduced into the House Bishops’ statement on marriage Bof Lords in early February. No change to the Church of England’s teaching on marriage is proposed or envisaged, a statement from the House of Bishops has Bishop Donald became one of declared. The House discussed the Pilling Report on sexuality and the 26 bishops in the House, has asked the Archbishops to commission a small group to design who are seen as representing a process and resources for facilitated conversations on the issues all faith communities and their raised by it at every level of the church. Bishop Donald has com- wider geographical community. mented on this in a letter to the clergy www.peterborough-diocese. He will share, with other bishops, org.uk/downloads/bishops/adclerum12.pdf. The national statement a particular responsibility for is at www.churchofengland.org/media-centre/news/2014/01/state- being a Church of England principles of Christianity to ment-from-the-college-of-bishops.aspx spokesperson on prisons and every area of life.” criminal justice, and farming Churchyard poppy appeal and rural affairs. Because of his diocesan respon- The Royal British Legion is hoping every churchyard will sprout sibilities, Bishop Donald nor- poppies this year as part of the national commemoration of the “I’m glad to say that they were mally expects to be in London outbreak of World War I. DIY chain B and Q is selling packets of seeds my first two choices,” he says. one day a week (normally at £2 of which £1 goes to the Legion to support the £1.6m it spends “I’m not an expert on either, but Tuesdays) during the Lords’ term each week on care and support for the armed forces community. I know a fair amount and care time. However for two weeks deeply about both.” each year he will be on duty in Archbishop “hopeful” the House all week and ready to The Archbishop of Canterbury says, “there is every reason to be “God’s interested in the whole speak on any matters that come hopeful about the future of the Church of England”. He was com- of life. The Kingdom is not just up. Bishop Donald spoke to Jill menting on new research that identified areas of growth and the what happens in church, it’s Moody about his first day in the reasons for it. Among the factors facilitating growth are a sense of much bigger than that. Bishops House of Lords. Listen to that on purpose, willingness to change, a good welcome and follow-up for speak from a politically neutral the news pages of the dioce- visitors, and lay as well as clergy leadership – all of which Bishop position to try and bring the san website. Donald is currently encouraging in this diocese as he seeks to pro- mote growth and increase clergy numbers. Last November’s General Synod agreed to set up a new national task group on evangelism. A fabulous day the World War One commemo- rations, set up a Prayer Space in Bethlehem joins the Real Easter Egg campaign tarburst 2014 is set to school and Godly Play. explode on Saturday 10 A cooperative in Bethlehem is making tens of thousands of olive SMay at All Saints’ School, wood crosses for a special edition of the Real Easter Egg this year. It Northampton. is the first time a cross has featured as part of a mainstream Easter gift. The special edition egg is one of three new designs available. “This fun and popular annual event is the main opportunity Out of the 80 million Easter Eggs sold in the UK every year, the Real for children’s leaders to gather Easter Egg is the only one which tells the Easter story, gives money to share their stories and to charity and is Fairtrade. Since 2010, the Meaningful Chocolate to encourage each other in Company have sold more than 450,000 eggs with 210,000 sent their essential role,” says Rona through the post directly to churches and schools. Orme, the diocesan Children’s Missioner. “Each year it’s a struggle to get the Real Easter Egg stocked in large enough quantities by supermarkets,” says David Marshall, from the Sharon Prior, this year’s keynote Meaningful Chocolate Company. “Last year one national retailer speaker, will be leading a work- ordered 900 eggs for the whole of the UK.” As the egg sells out every shop on how to turn volunteers year the advice is to please order early. You can check which shops into a dream team of children’s There will also be a resource are stocking the egg or buy it at www.realeasteregg.co.uk. leaders. It’s just one of ten and ideas marketplace. And no workshops Starburst is offering one goes away empty handed, this year. as there is a goody-bag for all. Miles Baker will be leading “A fabulous day, with so much sessions on how to help boys to think about,” was how one mature into men as they grow delegate described last year’s into the full stature of Christ and Starburst. We hope the 2014 Pete White will consider how version will be even better. to nurture junior leaders. Karen Quinney, from Scripture Union, For details and online booking returns to lead sessions on go to www.peterborough-dio- Bible crafts and school assem- cese.org.uk blies. Elsewhere there will be ideas on how to make links with 2 CROSSKEYS SPRING 2014 Ready for an adventure? Our new Lay Vocations Adviser, Rosie Rushton invites us on an adventure with God. LET’S EMBARK ON THIS here was a time when I thought nothing could ADVENTURE TOGETHER Tever be more fulfilling than my “day job”, writing novels for FOR GOD young adults. Then, ten years “ ago, I was licensed as a Reader for that to happen, I need to and the joy, the privilege – and be invited! yes, the hurdles – of sharing my faith and walking alongside When potential candidates are others on their spiritual journeys encouraged by their incum- far outweighed anything I had bents to look more closely at known before. Licensed Lay Ministry, I look forward to meeting with them, And now, in 2014, I am excited listening to their stories and and challenged to have been exploring the options. When it offered the role of Lay Voca- is clear which ministry they are tions Officer, a comparatively suited for, I will pass them on new position in the Diocese. to the person responsible for Excited to be the “first port of that ministry in order that the call” for anyone whom God has discernment and application when we feel his nudging and call to attend the Are You Being been nudging to explore Lay process can be started.