THE FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 2011 No: 6077 www.churchnewspaper.com PRICE £1.25 1,50j US$1.80 THE ORIGINAL CHURCH NEWSPAPER ESTABLISHED IN 1828 NEWSPAPER Inside Britain’s leading evangelical newspaper this week... SINISTER SALADS Catherine Fox on the threats from dangerous fruit and veg READERS IN CRISIS p22 What future for the Church’s lay workers? p12, 13 Nominations Committee in the spotlight after ’s memo

A MEMORANDUM written by candidate purely on the grounds the late , Dean of South- of sexual orientation, are wark, has revived debate about meant to be a focus for unity in a the workings of the Crown Nomi- and therefore it is rele- nations Commission and the vant to consider their marital his- appointment of in the tory and even to require that Church of England. someone should not be in a civil Slee, who died of pancreatic partnership. cancer last November, wrote the According to the church memorandum for an inquiry set lawyers the following factors can up to investigate a leak of the be taken into account in assessing names of the Very suitability for an episcopal and the Rev Nicholas Holtam as appointment: nominations to succeed the Rt Rev as of •whether the candidate has Southwark. Slee made these nom- always complied with the inations himself as ‘mandatory Church’s teachings on same-sex nominations’ that had to be con- sexual activity; sidered by the CNC. •whether he was in a civil part- He alleges that during the CNC nership meeting, the Archbishop of Can- •whether he was in a continuing terbury shouted and was bad-tem- civil partnership with a person pered. The is with whom he had an earlier alleged to have denounced the The Archbishop of , the Very Rev Colin Slee and the Archbishop of York same-sex sexual relationship Diocese of Southwark (in which •whether he had expressed he once served as a ) repentance for any previous in a way that Slee felt showed process and favoured the more 2010. He argues that the Arch- Holtam’s nomination from anoth- same-sex sexual activity ‘breathtaking disloyalty’ and to open approach favoured by dioce- bishop was not authorised by the er source but it is not unknown •whether (and to what extent) have put pressure on the dele- ses in other parts of the Anglican CNC to seek this advice and spec- for journalists to make an inspired the appointment of a candidate gates. Communion. As he mentions in ulates that the news he had guess and then persuade a source would cause division and disunity At one stage, Slee claims, Senta- the memorandum, he was twice approached Church lawyers on to offer unwitting confirmation. within the diocese in question, the mu and three other delegates considered as a candidate for sees this question must have leaked Commenting on the memoran- Church of England and the wider simultaneously went to the lavato- in New Zealand. out to the press who drew their dum, a Church of England Anglican Communion.. ry. After this the voting pattern In writing the memorandum own conclusion about the names spokesman said: “Colin Slee’s changed. Slee was concerned to make clear of the candidates. tragic and premature death is a A meeting of bishops in York According to Slee two, possibly that he was not responsible for Another view is that it would loss to many who have known last week is reported to have bro- three, members of the CNC were leaking the two names to the have been irresponsible for the him over many years and our ken up without agreement on in tears during the voting. The press. He claims that as soon as Archbishop not to seek legal thoughts and prayers are with his whether gay clergy should ever he knew the press were on to the advice on such a crucial matter. family. The work of the Crown be appointed as bishops. ignored them and carried on with story he alerted Church media Slee offers no evidence in support Nominations Commission is con- the meeting. When asked at the officers but they failed to take of his surmise that information fidential and it would be inappro- end of the proceedings to say if action. He does not say what steps was somehow leaked to the media priate to comment on aspects of it the CNC meeting had been fairly press officers could have taken at from the Church legal office. or events surrounding it. Clearly conducted Slee responded: “The this stage. Slee quotes one journalist ring- there were a range of perceptions ISSN 0964-816X rules have been kept but, as I Slee himself lays the blame for ing him and saying: “The House about the Southwark CNS have said before, the entire sys- the leak at the feet of the Arch- of Bishops has blocked Nick process.” 22 tem stinks.” bishop of Canterbury who sought Holtam’s appointment. You know The legal advice on the implica- Before he died, Slee was plan- legal advice about whether it I didn’t get it from you. Any com- tions for the 2010 Equality Act for ning to write a book about the would be possible to bar the ment?” the choosing of bishops has now selection of bishops. He dis- appointment of either John or The journalist in question may been published. This argues that agreed with the secrecy of the Holtam under the Equality Act of indeed have found out about while it would be wrong to reject a 9 770964 816085

LETTERS 10 • COMMENT 11 • JAMES CATFORD 11 • PAUL RICHARDSON 15 • ANDREW CAREY 15 • CROSSWORD 18 • CATHERINE FOX 22 2 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday June 3, 2011 News Inside... Britain’ s leading evangelical newspaper ‘Let’s get blogging’ says bishop

By Michael Brown this: God spoke a this is such a handicap that I am going to language we could have to give serious attention to my linguistic A NEWLY-INSTALLED bishop who is widely understand by deficiencies.” acclaimed for his media expertise has coming among us He goes on: “One of the first tasks for any- declared that it is no good proclaiming the as one of us... and one moving to a new area or into a new place “Good News” only in “church speak”. invites us to speak is to learn the language that is spoken and Anglicans need to speak in a way that is and live that same understood. understood “or we are wasting our time and good news in ways “So one of my first tasks as Bishop of Brad- deceiving ourselves” contends former Bish- that are appropri- ford is to listen and learn. The city has op of Croydon , who was last ate to our genera- changed since I came here in the 1970s as a month enthroned as the 10th Bishop of Brad- tion in our cultures student of German and French at the univer- ford. and in our commu- sity. Bishop Baines is an experienced broad- nities.” “And although I have become more famil- News ...... 1-9 caster who is frequently heard on BBC Radio He declares: “It is pointless claiming we iar with the northern part of the diocese in Your Church ...... 2 2’s Chris Evans show. He has written six have good news -- of a new way of seeing and my subsequent adult life, I cannot pretend to books and blogs and is a regular tweeter. living, of thinking and of experiencing God ‘know’ it. So I commit myself to listening and UK News ...... 1-5 He says: “Blogging enables me to engage — if it is only good news to those who under- learning.” World News ...... 6-9 with the world outside the church and it stand ‘church speak’.” Bishop Baines adds: “This has a wider gives people access to a bishop who might In his diocesan notes’ think piece headed application in which we are caught up. It is Comment otherwise seem to belong to a remote and “What did you say?” Liverpudlian Bishop easy in the life of the church to speak a lan- Letters ...... 10 mysterious world.” His blog is said to attract Baines, who has spent the last 11 years south guage that is clear to us, but incomprehensi- Leader ...... 11 some 10,000 readers each week. of London, discloses that he has already ble to those who don’t understand what we James Catford ...... 11 In the June issue of his diocesan notes, the been told he will “have to learn a new lan- are saying. We need to speak languages that 54-year-old church leader says: “Communica- guage” now he is in Yorkshire. are understood -- or we are wasting our time The Record tion is what the church is about. It works like He light-heartedly suggests: “Apparently... and deceiving ourselves.” Readers’ s ministry ...... 12-13 Anglican Life ...... 14 Paul Richardson ...... 15 Andrew Carey ...... 15 Christian group joins SeeSaw online video site Anglican Life ...... 16 What the Blogs say ...... 16 By Matt Cresswell clicking on SeeSaw.com. Ethno- ferred content provider, SeeSaw especially among young people Sunday Service ...... 17 Graphic Films has a desire to enables us to attract a broader — to come together around Alan Edwards ...... 17 EVER WANTED to watch or inspire its viewers into action and audience to films exploring some important issues, engage in Spiritual Director ...... 17 show a documentary about Elisa- many of its films, such as the of the most critical issues of our meaningful dialog with others, Brian Cooper ...... 18 beth Elliot’s famous missionary newly released The Grandfa- time. Now with online streaming, and become positive forces in the Puzzles ...... 18 adventures in the Amazon? Or thers, tell the story of missionar- viewers can engage on their own world. They embrace transcen- Classifieds ...... 19, 20 show a movie about that Nativity ies and their efforts bring terms.” dent themes such as sacrifice, Clergy moves ...... 21 that is not embarrassingly old- Christianity to the untamed EGM state that its films aim to forgiveness, and equality — shar- fashioned? Thanks to US film tribes in places such as the Ama- do more than just entertain and ing moving stories that truly England on Sunday provider EthnoGraphic Films zon. educate, they were also designed move people.” (EGM) linking up with SeeSaw Ian Matthews, EGM’s UK- to inspire. Another EthnoGraphic Film, Catherine Fox ...... 22 in the UK, this is now not just based director of strategic inter- The movie provider’s president Miss HIV, deals with HIV/Aids of the Week ...... 22 possible but also free. national partnerships, this week Bill Oechsler said: “This is what and follows the plight of two HIV- Recipe of the Week ...... 22 Films such as Beyond the announced the film company’s excites us about being included positive women in Botswana. Books ...... 23 Gates of Splendor, End of the affiliation with SeeSaw (UK). He in SeeSaw’s more inspirational To view the films, visit see- Arts & Media ...... 24 Spear and Little Town of Bethle- said: “We know this is right programming. Our films were saw.com and type in the film’s hem can be viewed online by where we need to be. As a pre- created to address a desire — name.

News from Your Church your diocese

Ely: The , Dr Michael Chan- and the Cathedral is expecting a large women recover from drug abuse and dler, has announced that he will retire at turnout. Mr Grote said: “Not many Cathe- called for support. Talitha Koum is a Chris- the end of September. Since entering the dral organs can compete with Carlo’s digi- tian therapeutic community that will be role in 2003, he has been instrumental in tal organ, but I’m confident that Gloucester built on a farm just north of Ipswich, as a raising the profile of one of the Church of will give him a run for his money.” lasting legacy for those women whose lives England’s most iconic buildings. Dr Chan- were tragically cut short by the murders in dler said: “It will be a wrench to leave Ely the community which made national head- and this beautiful Cathedral and the won- Sheffield: The ’s new home lines. Bishop Stock said: “The care, love derful community here, but we shall hope in Sheffield, The Wilson Carlile Centre, and support that can be found in the Thera- to keep in touch with our many friends in was officially opened this week by HRH the peutic Community of Talitha Koum is the the City and neighbourhood.” The Bishop Earl of Wessex. The last six months have way of the Christian community respond- of Ely, the Rt Rev Stephen Conway, said: seen the charity relocate north from its ing to a particular type of pain and distress “He has exercised a very warmly appreciat- offices in London, and the Earl’s visit on 2 that can be found in our society.” ed ministry at the Cathedral and in the June marked a new chapter in its 129-year wider life of the Diocese for eight years, history. He toured the building, which has and in that time, we have had the opportu- benefitted from £2million of renovations, : On Monday the Bishop of Pon- nity to benefit from his scholarship, wis- and planted a tree in the centre’s new gar- tefract, the Rt Rev , led this dom and humour.” den. The charity’s vice president, the Arch- year’s National Pilgrimage to the Anglican bishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, led a Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, in service of thanksgiving in the centre’s whose name the Personal Ordinariate is Gloucester: American concert organist chapel. dedicated. He said: “It’s a great privilege to Carlo Curley will be challenging Glouces- be celebrating at the 950th anniversary ter Cathedral’s assistant director of Music, National. It is an important moment for the Ashley Grote to a “Battle of the Organs” at St Edmundsbury and Ipswich: The catholic wing of the Church of England to Gloucester Cathedral on 11 June at Bishop of the St Edmundsbury and come together. It has been a traumatic time The Earl of 7.30pm, to be shown on two giant screens Ipswich, the Rt Rev , has with lots of uncertainty and there are still Wessex in the Nave. The concert is free of charge become patron of a charity which helps questions about the future.” News Friday June 3, 2011 www.churchnewspaper.com 3 Bishop’s apology after Methodists appeal clergy ruling LEAVE TO APPEAL against an Employment judgement by the Employment Tribunal con- ing the understanding and rules of the Appeal Tribunal decision that Methodist min- cerned Haley Moore, who resigned as a Church about these matters agreed by Con- inquiry isters should be counted as employees has Methodist in 2009. ference. been granted to the Methodist Church. Although the case concerns one former “These are long-standing, and the Court of The Court of Appeal gave as grounds for Methodist minister, the Church of England Appeal held as long ago as 1984 that making the decision its view that the appeal and other Churches will be following it with Methodist ministers are not employees. A ‘has a real prospect of success on the basis of close interest because of the implications is minister’s role is one that is traditionally submissions in the skeleton argument dated has for all clergy. based on the ethos and laws of the Church 14 April 2011. The Rev Kenneth Howcroft, Assistant Sec- rather than on a secular ethos.” The court went on to say: “The state of retary of the Methodist Conference said: He went on to point out that ministers have authorities on the key question of whether or “The Methodist Church is treating this mat- a legal right of redress under Church proce- not a minister of religion is an employee is ter with great seriousness as something that dures. “The Methodist Church cares for all unclear and requires further consideration by would affect all our ministers. who serve it, whether lay or ordained, paid or the court following the case of Percy.” “We are pursuing this appeal having taken volunteer, and we want to ensure that we By Matt Cresswell The original case that gave rise to the good legal advice. In doing so, we are defend- treat everyone fairly and properly.”

‘I APOLOGISE’, said the , following the publica- tion of a report into child abuse in David Bentley Hart wins the Michael Ramsay Prize his Diocese in the 1970s and 1980s. The Rt Hon Baroness Elizabeth AN EASTERN ORTHODOX the- ionable criticisms of Christianity. Butler-Sloss (pictured) was invited ologian who is well known for his But what makes it more than just to investigate the issue after it cultural criticism as well as for another valuable contribution to emerged that some of the cases of his works of theology has won controversy is the way Hart abuse could have been avoided. the Michael Ramsey Prize. shows how the most treasured She made several key recommen- David Bentley Hart, who was principles and values of compas- dations to help protect the Dio- born in Maryland in 1965, stud- sionate humanism are rooted in cese’s reputation from being ied at and has been the detail of Christian doctrine.” tarnished again. influenced by such Anglicans as The Archbishop described Roy Cotton and Colin and John Mil- Hart’s work as ‘never bland’. Pritchard abused children in the bank, won the award for his 2009 Speaking of Atheist Delusions Dr 1970s and 1980s. Cotton had a con- book Atheist Delusions. Williams said: “No one could pre- viction in 1953 for indecent expo- In his book Hart describes the tend after reading this that Chris- sure yet despite this the Diocese way in which Christianity trans- tian theology was lacking in recommended him to the parish of formed the ancient world in ways intellectual and imaginative force Harting in 1971. that are now forgotten. It taught or relevance in the contemporary Bishop John Hind said he regret- the dignity of every human per- world.” ted the findings of Baroness But- son, no matter how lowly, opposed As well as the author of a diffi- lem of evil that was expanded The Michael Ramsey Prize is ler-Sloss’s report. “I feel deep and cruel aspects of pagan society, and cult but highly regarded work of into a short book that has recent- worth £10,000. It is intended ‘for profound sorrow for the pain emphasised the importance of the theology, ‘The Beauty of the Infi- ly been reissued. theological writing which, by caused to all victims and for the virtue of charity. nite,’ Hart is a regular contribu- Although his academic work freshness and originality, some- institutional failings of the Church For Hart the so-called ‘Age of tor to the conservative American can be difficult to read, his more how changes the theological in this Diocese.” Reason’ was the beginning of the monthly First Things. He has sev- popular works are written with landscape and also serves the He added: “The report has now eclipse of reason’s authority. He eral times described his own humour and gusto. needs of the Church; not by been completed, and her conclu- closes the book on a pessimistic political position as ‘anarchist Announcing the award, Arch- being safe or orthodox, or by sions and recommendations are in note. He outlines the conse- monarchist’ and is as critical of bishop Williams described Hart reinforcing the Church’s institu- line with what we are now doing quences of the decline of Christi- capitalism as he is of left wing as “a theologian of exceptional tional life -- but by giving people and will continue to build on, and it anity for a culture built on its views. After the SE Asian tsuna- quality but also a brilliant stylist.” something with which to nourish will provide a strong foundation for moral and spiritual values but he mi he wrote an article for The He went on: “This book takes no themselves and enrich their good safeguarding practice in the is not hopeful of revival. Wall Street Journal on the prob- prisoners in its response to fash- Christian experience’. Diocese. It also enables me to repeat the apology offered for mis- takes made in the past. “I am grateful to those who have Oldham report finds discrimination is still a barrier helped and are helping us to learn, and wish to thank everyone who RESEARCH by the University of ’s has given evidence.” Centre for Market and Public Organisation of In her report Baroness Butler- Oldham 10 years after the race riots claims Sloss said it was regrettable that that religious discrimination by faith schools the Police and the Crown Prosecu- remains a barrier to integration in the town. tion Service decided not to investi- It also argues that ethnic segregation has gate Cotton further because of his become entrenched in English schools. ill health (Cotton died in a nursing Simon Burgess and Rich Harris point out home in 2006). She argued: “It that more than one-third of primary schools must be clearly understood that and 40 per cent of secondary schools in Old- the decision of the police not to ham are either Church of England or Roman pursue an investigation or not to Catholic. These schools often demand reli- investigate at all or of the CPS not gious practice among their admissions crite- to prosecute does not relieve the ria, which has the result of preventing ethnic Diocese of its duty to assess, on the mixing. each school’s population reflected the school els of ethnic segregation over the last 10 civil standard of proof, any poten- Burgess and Harris concede that school of the local authority. Some schools have years.” tial risk to children in the Diocese attendance is also tied to neighbourhoods but attempted to meet the problem by and to act appropriately.” argue that the distances are not great and it running twinning programmes. She gave some practical advice: ought to have been possible to have encour- The Oldham Academy, which “It would be helpful to clergy and aged a greater degree of integration. opened in 2010, is hoping to pro- 43210//..-0..,0++.**.)0 lay workers in the if a two- Their findings show that 80 per cent of pri- mote integration and social cohe- ('&%1'0$$#0"".!'0 1'$ &1 sided laminated note of the main mary school pupils of Pakistani or sion. 10!#0'1 &$)0$ #0.) $)!10!#10,.'0,! !'1 points of the Diocesan procedures Bangladeshi origin are in schools where 20 Although the focus of their 1)1'& $.)#0.$)0 210('&%1'0/..-0.$1 % could be provided to them for easy per cent or less of pupils are white while over research is on Oldham, Burgess 3.0,$)0.! 0*.'10&.! 0 210.'-0.,0& reference. This should include what 70 per cent of white pupils are in schools that and Harris say this week that .$1 %0 2& 0&&)1#0&01) !'$1#. to do when an allegation is made, ref- are at least 80 per cent white. Numbers are their research showed that “over #'$ !&01* erence to standards of proof, and lower in secondary schools. England as a whole there has +.) & 0&)0..21&0..)0 0 0 how to ensure an audit trail.” Schools would be perfectly integrated if essentially been no change in lev- .'0 .$)0..)$)10#.'!- 3210(('&%1'0//..-0.$1 %01$# 1'10++2&'$ %0.00++.0$*$ 10%0!&'&) 110.  Get more news online, click on www.churchnewspaper.com for updated stories 4 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday June 3, 2011 News Government wavers over RE’s place in the Baccalaureate A REVIEW of the contents of the new Baccalaureate is under way Education Secretary THE BISHOP of Blackburn schools and academies.” amid signs the Government is Michael Gove has urged the Government to He asked education minis- beginning to waver in its plan to reconsider the exclusion of ter Lord Hill of Oareford: “Are exclude Religious Studies from the religious education from the you aware that it is not just core list. A decision has been prom- English Baccalaureate religious organisations that ised before the recess. His concerns were echoed feel dismayed at the exclusion Lord Anderson raised the matter by both Labour and Tory of RE from the English bac- in the last week peers who warned of the calaureate?” when he asked Lord Hill, the Par- “marginalisation” of RE teach- Lord Hill said his depart- liamentary Under-Secretary of ing. ment had had “a series of State for Education, what represen- Bishop Nicholas Reade meetings and representa- tations had been received by the pointed to “dismay” at the tions”. Government about the place of RE absence of RE from the bac- He added: “I am aware of in the proposed English baccalau- calaureate – a new measure of the wide range of views that reate. school performance that have been expressed on the In his speech Lord Anderson takes into account the number importance of religious stud- referred to a compromise that has of pupils achieving grades A*- ies - a view which I share - and been suggested of students being C in five subjects from a list that those views have been given the option of choosing two made up of maths, English, expressed not only by church- out three subjects for the humani- science, foreign languages, es and faith bodies but also ties section of the baccalaureate. able as it will add another subject to Meanwhile an early day motion in history and geography. more widely. “That means two of history, geog- an already packed list of subjects. the House of Commons now has Tory former teacher Lord “It is generally accepted raphy and a very popular and rigor- The only real solution is to have a 102 signatures. Elton and Labour’s Lord that religious studies plays an ous studies,” he said. subject option of one out of three, Supporters include Bishop John Anderson of Swansea both important role in educating Head Teachers have questioned which includes Religious Studies.” Pritchard, Professor Trevor Cool- agreed with Bishop Reade’s children and giving them an whether it would be practical to In the House of Lords debate ing, Professor Brian Gates, Profes- comments and urged the Gov- understanding of some of the offer two out of three subjects. It Lord Elton emphasised the impor- sor Bill Boyle, Ann Holt and ernment to think again. ethical and moral issues that would mean adding another subject tance of RE. “Can my noble friend Steve Clifford (General Director of Bishop Reade said at ques- we want all our children to to the existing compulsory eight think of any time in history when the Evangelical Alliance). tion time in the House of learn about.” subjects and leave little time for an understanding between differ- Among the MPs to support the Lords: “The Church of Eng- He added that in recent such subjects as music and IT. ent faiths was more crucial to world campaign and to have signed the land is concerned about high- years more pupils had been One Head Teacher told Premier peace?” he asked. early day motion are Peter Bottom- quality RE and religious taking RE GCSEs, so denied Christian Radio which is backing More than 110,000 people have ley, the Rt Hon Paul Murphy, David studies not only for the one the subject was being margin- the campaign to include RE in the signed a petition to ensure that RE Amess, Stephen Lloyd, Jim Dobbin million pupils in its own alised. baccalaureate: “It’s totally unwork- is included in the baccalaureate. and Karl McCartney. Charity warns Housing Benefit cuts will hit the young Young runaways By Toby Cohen to choose and to block out bad influ- Ms May said: “The pain of the budg- ences is removed, making you power- et cuts is being felt most acutely not by CUTTING HOUSING benefits for 25- less. those with the ability to tighten their concern Bishop 34-year-olds, as proposed by the Gov- The welfare services will also be belts but by those who barely had a ernment, will just shift costs to welfare dealing with drastically diminished safety net within the previous system. services, according to the Christian resources. The government is desperate for Peoples Alliance (CPA). Crisis, the homelessness charity, short-term gain, knowing that any More than 80,000 people will be said: “The Supporting People budget, backlash that will be felt cannot easily affected by changes to the Shared which provides housing-related sup- be traced back to these kinds of deci- Accommodation Rate according to the port to vulnerable people including sions and may occur when the politi- CPA, which has branded the cuts a those who are homeless, has been cut cians have moved on. These changes “false economy”. by up to 60 per cent for some local are a false economy. Previously Local Housing Allowance authorities and this will have an impact “The CPA wants to see measures for people aged 25-34 had allowed a on services for homeless people.” which establish a virtuous cycle of sav- one-bedroom, self-contained flat. The charity said the changes would ings, rather than vicious and increas- Those tens of thousands must now “be an absolute disaster”. ingly untenable cuts.” THE BISHOP of Blackburn has highlighted the remain in shared accommodation. number of children who run away from home or The housing spokeswoman for the from care every year. CPA, Susan May, said: “People who Bishop Nicholas Reade said at question time in the have been homeless or have lost their Bishop enters row over Aid budget House of Lords that 100,000 children under 16 ran jobs need security in their home to away, which he described as a “staggering figure”. focus all the energies they have on THE has hit out at He asked Home Office minister He added: “I am told by the Church of England finding a job, restoring their confi- calls from Defence Secretary Liam Baroness Browning: “Is it not unfortu- Children’s Society that, obviously, such children are dence, and building relationships – cru- Fox not to enshrine the UK’s overseas nate in this of all weeks that any minis- at very much greater risk.” cially – with the right people, those who aid commitment in law. ter should suggest a weakening of the And he asked education minister Lord Hill of Oare- will help and support them on the way. In a letter leaked to The Times, Dr commitment in the coalition agree- ford: “Do the Government plan to look into links “Shared accommodation means that Fox raised concerns about the Gov- ment to enshrine spending 0.7 per between children running away from home and care you are forced to rub shoulders with ernment’s plans to make the target of cent of national income on overseas and their subsequently being put at serious case strangers who may not be trustworthy, 0.7 per cent of national income a statu- development aid? Are you in a position review level?” who may steal your belongings or tory requirement. to affirm that that commitment Lord Hill said it was “clearly the case” the children food, who could influence vulnerable But Bishop remains intact?” Bishop Reade had referred to were often at greatest people to re-offend, or renew previous pointed to the activity being taken Lady Browning replied: “I am able risk. additions or patterns of destructive up and down the country during to give that guarantee on behalf of the “In working out the best system for learning the behaviour. Christian Aid week – which ran from coalition Government. That is the lessons and applying them across different disci- “It means that your final defence 15-21 May – to raise money to alleviate Government’s stated position, and plines, one would want to look very closely at the against the outside world, your ability poverty. that is the policy we shall pursue.” implications for children in care,” he said. News Friday June 3, 2011 www.churchnewspaper.com 5

Debt disappointment for campaigners Call for action on corruption

BRITAIN’S NEW BRIBERY LAW roughly nine times the value of He also draws attention to pro- will come into force on 4 July but international aid to the continent. vision in the Guidance that a Christians involved in overseas In Africa the cost of corruption bribe paid on behalf of a sub- development are not letting up in has been estimated at US$148 bil- sidiary by one of its employees or their call to the government to do lion a year, representing a quar- agents will not automatically more to tackle corruption. ter of Africa’s GDP. involve liability on the part of the Tearfund is calling on church A recent Tearfund report, ‘Cor- parent company if it cannot be members to support its cam- ruption and Its Discontents’, shown that the employee or paign ‘Unearth the Truth’, which showed that secrecy often leads agent intended to obtain or retain highlights the effect of corrup- to corruption. Tearfund is asking business for the parent company. SPENDING SPREES of past dic- tion and poor governance on churches to join the ‘Unearth the British companies will be liable tators will continue to disable developing countries. Justice Truth’ campaign by writing to for the operations of wholly- recovery in Egypt and Tunisia, The Bribery Act has been Secretary their MPs to bring pressure on owned local subsidiaries in the Jubilee Debt Campaign (JDC) called ‘the biggest overhaul of Ken Clarke George Osborne to push for EU another country but not neces- said this week, after the G8 the nation’s bribery laws in a gen- action. sarily for the actions of compa- refused to heed the Campaign’s eration’ but Abi Akimyemi, Sen- amount they actually received. Christian Aid has welcomed nies they only partly control. call to unconditionally drop the ior Policy Adviser at Tearfund, “By publishing how much a the implementation of the “A bribe is a bribe,” said debts. sees it as better at punishing government is paid by the global Bribery Act but claims that it Gutierrez. “At the very least, this President Barack Obama wrong-doing than preventing it. extractive industries, people will does not go far enough. Eric statement creates wiggle room launched a debt-swap initiative, “The government could act to be in a better position to hold Gutierrez, Senior Adviser on that enables parent companies to promising Egypt $1billion in prevent corruption by requiring their own governments to Governance at Christian Aid, avoid liability for the bribery loans and a cancellation of $1bil- companies to make public what account, so that they will benefit says that the Bribery Act takes a done by its subsidiaries.” lion, provided the money is spent they pay overseas governments from the way their country’s huge step forward in requiring Christian Aid and Tearfund are in ways the US approves. It is not for minerals and gas,” she told resources are used,” claimed companies to have in place poli- working with CAFOD, Trans- yet clear what the US demands CEN. “The US has already taken Paul Cook, Tearfund Advocacy cies to prevent bribery but parency International, Global will be, but it could commit the this step in the Dodd-Frank Act Director. expresses concern that the Witness and other development recovering country to purchasing of 2010, which will be implement- “This would ensure that the Guidelines issued to accompany organisations to persuade the US exports and other spending ed this year. Tearfund would like massive sums involved go the Act run the risk of emasculat- government to modify the guide- policies which the Jubilee Debt Britain and other EU countries to towards services such as educa- ing it. lines before they go into force in Campaign believes are not in the follow the American example.” tion or health care, lifting mil- According to Gutierrez, the July. country’s best interest. Greater transparency would lions of people from chronic Guidelines tell companies that ‘Tea Time for Change’ will be The Egyptian government’s enable people to see if there was poverty and protecting the envi- they can join and invest in joint an opportunity for Christians to total external debt is $30 billion. It a difference between what gov- ronment they depend upon.” ventures (the typical arrange- lobby their MPs in favour of over- currently spends $3 billion per ernments said they were being In 2008, exports of oil, gas and ment in the mining industry) that seas development on 9 June out- year on debt payments. Tunisia’s paid for mineral exports and the minerals from Africa were worth practice bribery. side the Houses of Parliament. external debt is $15 billion. JDC director Nick Dearden said: “Debts run up by Mubarak and Ben-Ali have too often fuelled City lawyer to be new adviser on Church’s ethical investment policy misrule, corruption and inequali- A FORMER City lawyer is to become the “The EIAG has been well served over the read theology and law. He is married and his ty across the region, being used Church of England’s chief adviser on ethical last six years by the chairmanship of John interests include the countryside and devel- to buy weapons and other prod- investments. Reynolds, and as Deputy Chair I was hon- opment activities in Africa. ucts from Western countries. The James Featherby, a recently retired partner oured to be asked to lead the difficult task of He said: “The financial crisis has raised a people of Egypt and Tunisia of the City law firm Slaughter and May, will finding a worthy successor,” said the Rev Prof number of crucial questions for investors should not be made to repay replace investment banker John Reynolds as Richard Burridge, Dean of King’s College, which as yet remain unanswered, particularly these debts. Unjust debts must the new chairman of the Ethical Investment London and EIAG Deputy Chairman. as to whether our current financial and eco- not merely be ‘swapped’ allowing Advisory Group (EIAG) as of January 2012. The EIAG advises the Church Commission- nomic system best serves the interests of those same Western countries to Featherby has had 30 years’ experience work- ers on how to invest the Church’s assets, investment beneficiaries. I am very much continue exerting control in ing in the Square Mile where he operated as a which are valued at around £5.6 billion. looking forward to working with the other North Africa, but cancelled out- finance lawyer and led Slaughter and May’s Featherby, 52, was educated at Haileybury members of the EIAG as we seek together to right. corporate real estate practice. and Selwyn College, Cambridge, where he address these challenges.” “We are deeply concerned that the ‘debt swaps’ and new loans promised by President Obama, will simply be used to recycle Egypt and Tunisia’s unjust debts, as well as imposing ‘free trade’         conditions on those countries. Inevitably this will be good for the -,+*)('&'%$#$"'!&"'!&)' '& (* )' ,( #'#$'$!&# '&) West but bad for the people of $""+*)('&&*"'%$#'$','$  * "' &!#+'&#'# '!, Egypt and Tunisia who, after )$#'& '#$$'%,!')$ ( #$% "' *" '"'$"(&) *)'#*'&" &'&)',#'&)#'& "$# '&# "'" ! **)('*'!&" decades of misrule, finally have &*"' &'&#'&'&*"'"*! '*#  the chance to control their own $,#'# '"*'$' *)('%* &       economies. New loans would tie &)'$ "!&"( '$'# "      *'&)'&) "'#$'(,&"&)#    the hands of future democratic &#*&!#*$)'"+'"*$"+      governments before they have ,#$%$#* '*)'  * '#   ' *)'$"'&) even been elected.”  !*&*#'!&"',* "'#$  "+' '" & "'!&)' ) *#  "(+'&)' ,"!'% % " "$%'# *"' "*! '# +'&" Egypt faces economic crisis, "*$"+'&'$,) ' +'$"% " ,#'&' ,*!'!&'&&+ with 70 per cent of the population %&)&( "'"$%',#$& officially poor and more than 30  '&)'# *"'&*%'*'*%  ,&*#+'*'&"&%$,)#'&) per cent of young people unem- #$'$ "'# '!,#$% "'# '*(  "+' *! ',) "($ '# #'  '$' "*! '*#'"$ %$#'#"*)( )#'$'! ! ployed. **)('&'#$' ,&*#+'"$,!#  &*)(')$#*)('#$'!&)!  Egypt owes the UK $100mil- &)'&#'&'(" &#'"*!  ",#'# '  "#'# " '*')$ lion, which the UK Government $ *(&#*$)' ,#' ' '#&# *'*'&#'# '"!   +$,'#$$'*'*)'# *"' "*! is refusing to divulge the reason '"'-&""+'$"(&) & ' $#'#*% '&)'%$) + for. JDC policy officer, Tim Jones, $,)' )' '%& '&'" ! )# $,"') #'!&"'*' * "  said: “We suspect some of it at ) ,*"+'#$'# %' )' *" !#+'#$'+$,"'"$)#'$$"'$ !& '"*$"+'!!$,)# +$,'$)#'  )'& '#$' & least is used for arms sales. We &)&( "'* ' #*% +'#$$ # '$, '# +'*'  ) want a full audit of debts, and #*% '#$',) "#&)'*')  "* '+$,"'$'!&"'&&+'&#'& those used to provide arms to dic- &)'# )'$" '*#*)'# " '&(" '"*!  tatorial regimes should be can- celled.” Such a policy would discourage !! !!  governments like the UK from !!     selling arms to such regimes in !      the future. 6 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday June 3, 2011 News Copts end their protests Scottish Council under COPTS have ended their 12-day protest at Egypt’s state TV station. The decision was taken after the release of Copts arrested in a dis- pute over a church in northern Cairo. Thousands of Copts took part in the protest despite appeals fire for Israel book ban last week by Pope Shenouda III for By Matt Cresswell the Israeli state’s policy and an immediate end to the sit-in. actions in the Occupied Territo- Violence erupted last week when WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE ries. a gang of several hundred attacked Council has come under fire for It said it had been a victim of the Copt camp, firing rifles and its ban on goods and books pro- false accusations. “Attempts to throwing rocks and Molotov cock- duced in Israel. The Council of depict this boycott as racist are tails. Fighting raged for several Christians and Jews said that also entirely inaccurate. The boy- hours before troops moved in and implementing boycott-based poli- cott was instigated in response to arrested both Muslims and Chris- cies was not an effective solution conduct by the Israeli state and tians. Two people were reported to achieving peace. applies to no specific ethnic or killed and 80 injured. The attention to West Dunbar- religious group. The Council has One eyewitness described an tonshire’s policy came about by a robust anti-racist and anti-sectari- emotional mass at which people decision from Dundee City Coun- an policies and procedures.” chanted ‘with our blood we will sac- cil which announced last month A spokesperson for the council rifice ourselves’ and offered fer- they would not follow West Dun- “It is distressing once again to tives and shared pain and then said that no books had been vent prayers. bartonshire’s Israeli products see authorities jumping on the supporting those projects at a banned from the library as it was As well as calling for the release boycott. (Dunbartonshire’s poli- BDS bandwagon,” he said. “The grassroots level which bring peo- possible to get nearly all Israeli of detained Christians the demon- cy was established two years ago, CCJ consistently argues that BDS ple together. books published in other coun- strators also demanded that dis- but Dundee’s decision has drawn is a negative response to issues in “Perhaps West Dunbartonshire tries. criminatory laws be amended and attention to it again, prompting the Israel/Palestine conflict. It Council may like to consider “If you take the boycott, which that the army prosecute those accusations that the council is offers no solution or way for- more creative options in was introduced by the council, to behind the wave of violence guilty of anti-Semitism and ward. It runs the danger of demo- response to the conflict and fear the letter of the law then yes, the against Copts. racism.) nizing Israel and its people. A of the region.” ban of all products made in Israel Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali and David Gifford, Chief Executive win/lose path doesn’t advance In a statement, West Dunbar- would include books published Baroness Cox are among those of the Council of Christians and peace and reconciliation: a tonshire Council said that its by Israel.” who have signed a letter deploring Jews (CCJ), said that councils win/win path does.” decision to boycott the purchase He added: “the boycott was attacks on Copts and the failure of and organisations should not He went on to say: “CCJ advo- of Israeli goods was a “unani- more about boycotting Israeli the international media to cover resort to a campaign of boycotts, cates keeping communication mous decision of West Dunbar- products and goods such as food. such events in a balanced and fair divestment and sanctions (BDS) open with both Palestinians and tonshire Council in January However, books are obviously way. against Israel. Israelis, listening to their narra- 2009.” It said it was in response to more emotive products.” “The collapse of the powerful state apparatus and the subsequent power vacuum this created quickly opened a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of social problems that the Mubarak regime Oxford considers changing theology Christians urged had either contained or failed to AFTER 800 years of being taught at address,” they claim. Oxford, theology is facing the prospect of “As anticipated, we are now wit- being rebranded. For a number of years to act for peace nessing political struggles for members of the faculty have debated power and influence in the new changing the name to ‘Religious Studies’ By Brian Cooper Egypt. While most of this is a nec- or ‘Theology and Religious Studies’ but essary part of the emergence of now it looks as if a change will take place. Christian and other faith communities “should true democracy in Egypt, the Pressure is coming from the growing take specific measures to help create a more increase in and intensity of attacks number of students from Jewish, Muslim peaceful world” according to Anglican churchman on Christians are indicators of and Hindu backgrounds. A 40-page report the Rev Dr Marcus Braybrooke, President of the imminent civil unrest and the that is still confidential but has been World Congress of Faiths. potential for widespread ethno-reli- leaked to the press ‘strongly recommends’ Addressing a recent Uniting for Peace inter-faith gious violence that demands an change. A response to the report by the peace event in Edinburgh on ‘World Faiths: Posi- immediate response.” faculty indicates that members are open to tive Action for World Peace’, he declared: “They The letter criticises local and the possibility of a name change although should give a lead by ridding themselves of the international media coverage of no final decision will be made until after suspicion, hostility and competitiveness they have the attacks on Copts and highlights the summer vacation. so often shown to each other. They must preach a in particular references to the vio- Members of the faculty opposed to a message of human unity, challenge false nationalisms lence as ‘communal clashes’ and change to ‘Religious Studies’ point out that and encourage support for international law. ‘inaccurate’ reports that they are theology may not mean ‘Christian theolo- “They need to champion the poor, oppose the incited by Copts. gy’. Islam and Judaism also talk about not Christianity. arms trade, seek a new world order based on a They quote calls to ‘punish’ and their theology. The difference between a Some faculty members argue that the shared ethic – and engage more strongly in practi- ostracise the 10 million-member Faculty of Theology and a Faculty of Reli- syllabus has already broadened a good cal peace-building. By such means, people of faith Coptic community by Islamic gious Studies is not that one confines itself deal and that the name of the faculty could have a major preventative role in helping media outlets. to Christianity and the other looks at all should be changed to reflect this. Others remove causes of conflicts.” The last several months have wit- faiths (although that is the popular mis- worry that this is the thin edge of the Religious NGOs at the United Nations often nessed several attacks on Coptic conception). Traditionally Religious Stud- wedge and that if the name change goes “take the lead” in speaking out against human churches. The Church of the Vir- ies looks from the outside at what through the faculty might find itself disap- rights abuses such as the widespread use of tor- gin in central Cairo was set alight different religions teach and practice; the- pearing into history or cultural studies. ture, and recently had been especially active in try- on 8 May in riots in which eight ology is more ready to examine the coher- In the end a name change may not prove ing to extend the ban on cluster bombs, he were killed and 242 were injured. ence and truth of religious beliefs. Many as significant as both supporters hope and stressed. Riots are often provoked by stories students actually prefer the second opponents fear. Theology and religious Religious differences were seldom the primary about young girls converting to approach. studies have grown closer together over cause of a conflict – but all too often they enflamed Christianity or being held in The ratio of applicants to study theology the years with an increasing emphasis on hostility, because religion was so bound up with churches against their wills. at Oxford is one of the lowest of any sub- the scientific study of religious traditions identity. “The most essential contributions of the Copts allege discrimination ject, despite the surge of interest in Reli- as well as on doctrines and beliefs. world faiths to world peace” were in helping ‘heal- against them at work. When a Copt gious Studies in schools. There are fewer Defenders say that as taught today the- ing processes’ after conflicts “by encouraging was appointed as a provincial gov- than three applicants for every place avail- ology and religious studies equip students repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation”, and ernor some months ago there were able. with a wide range of skills, including lan- stressing recognition of ‘our common humanity’ demonstrations by Muslims The review suggests less emphasis on guages, capacity for philosophical and his- by overcoming false patriotism and religious against him. Christians are trying the Old and New Testaments and the torical reasoning, the analysis of literary exclusiveness. to open over 50 churches that have study of the early church and Christian texts, and an understanding of how the “People of faith should be trustees of their been built but which the Interior doctrine to make the subject more attrac- social sciences should be applied to the sacred traditions of peace for the benefit of all Ministry has not allowed to be tive to students whose primary interest is study of religion. humanity.” used. News Friday June 3, 2011 www.churchnewspaper.com 7 to be ARCIC launches new bid to Bishop of bring Churches together

Brechin FINDING COMMON ground Anglican ness in Christ through the on ethics and an understand- Church of Cana- Paschal Mystery.” ing of the doctrine of the da to the team “This focus on Jesus Christ, church were among the key by the secretary human and divine, gives the goals laid down by the first general of the Commission a creative way to meeting of ARCIC III, the Anglican Con- view the relationship between third phase of the Anglican - sultative Coun- the local and universal in com- Roman Catholic International cil violated munion,” the said. Commission, held 17-27 May assurances “The Commission will seek in Bose, Italy. made by the to develop a theological under- Established in 1966 in Archbishop of standing of the human person, response to the Second Vati- Canterbury to human society, and the new can Council and as a result of the Commun- life of grace in Christ. This will the visit of the Archbishop of ion, leading to a provide a basis from which to Canterbury Michael Ramsey jaundiced recep- explore how right ethical to Pope Paul VI in Rome, the tion to whatever teaching is determined at uni- original ecumenical imperative arises from the versal and local levels,” the behind ARCIC has faded, with lishment by Benedict in 2009 talks. communiqué said. the two Churches increasingly of a new ecclesial structure for According to the commu- Drawing upon Scripture, tra- diverging on questions of Anglicans who wish to enter niqué, 18 Roman Catholic and dition and reason, ARCIC III ethics, order and morals. Catholic communion en Anglican theologians, under will also “elucidate how our THE ARCHDEACON of Newark, the Ven Tensions over the masse, have strained relations. the joint leadership of Arch- two Communions approach Nigel Peyton has been elected Bishop of the of women and homosexuals by The internal Anglican recep- bishop David Moxon of New moral decision-making, and Diocese of Brechin in the Scottish Episcopal some Anglican churches, and tion of ARCIC III has also been Zealand and Archbishop how areas of tension for Angli- Church (SEC). the inability of the Anglican gravely weakened. The Bernard Longley of Birming- cans and Roman Catholics On 18 May, the Brechin electoral synod team to honour the accords appointment of members of ham, set the parameters of might be resolved by learning chose Dr Peyton from a shortlist of five can- reached, along with the estab- the Episcopal Church and their dialogue in their “rooted- from the other.” didates that included Dr Alison Peden, rector of Holy Trinity Church, Stirling, who sought election as the first women bishop for the SEC. Chaplains concerned over Obama military law change Upon learning of his selection, Dr Peyton stated he was “honoured to have been elected TWENTY-ONE denominations that spon- in North America, the Southern Baptist policy would be illegal under the DOMA and look forward to returning to serve in the sor chaplains for the US military have Convention, and a number of major act. Diocese where my ministry began.” endorsed a joint letter asking the Services denominations, have objected to the lack Though the Navy regulation had been The Primus of the SEC, Bishop David Chill- to guarantee the religious liberty of their of protections for freedom of speech and “temporarily suspended pending further ingworth offered his congratulations, saying chaplains if laws ending the ban on gay liberty of conscience for chaplains under review, we are genuinely concerned that the SEC “will be delighted to welcome him to servicemen are enacted. the proposed laws. The Roman Catholic this might be a sign of things to come,” leadership in the Diocese of Brechin and to The Obama administration has asked Archbishop for the Military in the US the letter stated. share in the life of the College of Bishops.” the US armed forces to draw up a plan to issued his own statement in support of the “DOMA remains the law of the land,” The see became vacant in October 2010 fol- end the policy of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” letter last week as well. the letter said, adding there was “no clear lowing the early retirement of Bishop John replacing it with a policy that normalises The protections the Churches have reason why it does not apply to Federal Mantle, who died in November 2010. homosexual conduct. The Obama admin- “proposed simply preserve the constitu- military facilities, particularly base Educated at Edinburgh University, Dr Pey- istration also announced last month that tional status quo and allow service mem- chapels.” ton received an STM degree from Union The- the US Justice Department would not bers to speak openly about their religious They also voiced their disquiet over ological Seminary in New York, and a PhD enforce or defend the Defence of Mar- and moral beliefs,” said attorney Daniel President Barak Obama’s decision to “no from Lancaster University and trained for the riage Act (DOMA), the law which forbids Blomberg of the Alliance Defence Fund longer support and defend DOMA,” an ministry at Edinburgh Theological College. the federal government from recognising —- the organiser of the letter. “action has every appearance of selective Dr Peyton served in the SEC until 1985 when gay marriage. The letter notes that a directive issued disregard for the law and raises signifi- he accepted parochial cures in the Diocese of Conservatives in Congress, along with by the chief chaplain of the Navy earlier cant concerns.” Southwell, and was appointed Archdeacon of the major denominations supplying chap- this month may be a portent of future gov- It was not enough that chaplains would Newark in 1999. He was a member of General lains to the military, have voiced concerns ernment policy. Naval chaplains were “remain free to exercise their faith in Synod from 1995 to 2010 and a Director of the that under the rules set down by the ordered to allow same-sex “marriage” cer- chapel services,” the letter said. “Service Ecclesiastical Insurance Group from 2005. Obama administration, chaplains will be emonies at Navy chapels located in states members should know that chaplains’ The new Bishop’s will take compelled to place the new rights of gay where gay marriage is legal. The order ministry and their own rights of con- place in St Paul’s Cathedral in Dundee at a soldiers above their religious beliefs. was swiftly countermanded when Con- science remain protected everywhere mil- date to be announced. The 21, including the Anglican Church gress intervened, pointing out the new itary necessity has placed them.” New Bishop appointed in the THE HOUSE of Bishops of the land’s Northern Province of parish and also a very highly to know the clergy and people Church of Ireland has appoint- Armagh will have been regarded Clerical Honorary of the Diocese of Clogher.” ed a new Bishop for the Dio- appointed, and not elected by Secretary of the General Born in Belfast in 1956, Mr cese of Clogher. On 30 May their diocesan electoral col- Synod. John McDowell brings McDowell attended Annadale the bishops selected the Rev leges. A spokesman for the many gifts that will benefit the Grammar School, Queen’s John McDowell, Rector of St Church of Ireland said the sole Diocese of Clogher. Gifts that University, the London School Mark’s Dundela in the Dio- exception was the Bishop of are pastoral, administrative of Economics, and Trinity Col- cese of Down and Dromore in Kilmore, Elphin & Ardagh, the and intellectual. His new Dio- lege Dublin. Before studying succession to Dr Michael Rt Rev Ken Clarke, who was cese can be assured that their for the priesthood, he worked Jackson following his transla- “elected by Electoral College new Bishop will maintain the in the aerospace industry and tion to Dublin. rather than the House of Bish- best traditions of the Church as a lobbyist for the Confeder- The appointment fell to the ops in 2000.” of Ireland with an openness to ation of British Industry. House of Bishops after the Following the appointment that broad spectrum which is Ordained in 1996, he has Episcopal Electoral College for of Mr McDowell, the Arch- characteristic of this Province been in Antrim, rector Clogher was unable to appoint bishop of Armagh, Dr Alan of the Anglican Communion.” of Ballyrashane and Kildol- a candidate on 4 May. With the Harper said he was “delight- Mr McDowell said he was lagh, and in 2002 was appoint- appointment of Bishop-elect ed” with the choice. The new “very conscious of the privi- ed to his current post. A date McDowell, all but one of the Bishop has “been an outstand- lege of being elected a bishop” for his consecration has not bishops in the Church of Ire- ing Rector in his current and his “first task will be to get yet been announced. 8 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday June 3, 2011 News New Bishops for Bishop denies accusations Sudan A special meeting of the Synod of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan has elected bishops for the over sale of Church hospital of Lui and Bor. At the 14 May meeting at All Saints Cathedral in Juba, the Rev Ruben THE BISHOP in Nandyal has denied Akurdit Ngong was elected Bishop of Bor, and accusations levelled by the General Sec- the Rev Stephen Dokolo was elected as Bishop retary of the Church of South that of Lui. he had abused his authority by granting Under the canons of the ECS, each of the a 40-year lease on a church hospital. Church’s 32 dioceses sends a lay, clergy and In a spirited exchange of letters, Bish- episcopal delegate to the election, while the Dio- op PJ Lawrence said he was “shocked” cese under consideration is allotted 10 delegates by the rush to judgment made by the — three clergy, three lay and four diocesan offi- General Secretary, while the General cers. Secretary Mr MM Philip said he was Bishop-elect Ngong was born in May 1956 in “really shocked” the Bishop would have Palek Village, Bor County and is married to signed the deal without the approval of Rachael Nyaluak, and they have four children. the Synod. He was educated at Bishop Gwynne College, On 31 March, the CCC, a lay-led advo- Uganda Makarere University and Nairobi Pan cacy group that has led the charge Africa Christian College and is currently the against corruption in the Church of Provost of Bor Cathedral. , released a statement impli- Bishop-elect Dokolo is a graduate of Eden cating Bishop Lawrence in a sweetheart Theological Seminary in the United States, and deal that “virtually gifted” St Werburgh’s has served as Lui Diocesan Secretary for the Hospital to a foreign-controlled “private past two years. limited company.” Bishop Lawrence was accused of granting a 30-year lease on the hospital, New Bishop blocked built in 1931 by the SPG and valued at £8.5 million, in exchange for payments A civil magistrate in Northern Uganda has of “15 per cent of net surplus” from the issued an injunction blocking the election of a operations or a minimum of Rs 25,000 bishop for the Diocese of West Lango. (£350) per year. On 24 May Magistrate Everest Palodi of Lira The CCC claimed that “no payments Bishop P.J. Lawrence celebrating the St Werbergh's deal in Nandyal granted a petition brought by lay members of to the CSI are likely to materialise” from the Diocese seeking a halt to proceedings pend- the deal as “sole control over account- ing an explanation from the Church of Ugan- ing” was given to the firm acquiring the the CSI headquarters in Madras in Sep- 40 years ordained ministry and five da’s House of Bishops as to why two previous hospital, which also had the right to tember. Having had no reply, he “took it years of episcopal ministry,” he said. nominees had been rejected by the Church. deduct from its payments “any outstand- for granted there is no objection from In a letter dated 27 April in reply, Mr On 19 May, 2010 the Diocese of West Lango ing liabilities” at the time of the takeover. the CSI Synod.” Philip said he was “very sorry for the held its first meeting of synod. Carved out of On 8 April, Mr Philip wrote to Bishop The Bishop stated he was willing to re- inconvenience” caused by the dispute, the western half of the Diocese of Lango, the Lawrence stating he was surprised by negotiate the deal if the CSI Synod was but held fast in his demand that the synod nominated two priests: the Rev Canon the deal and ordered the Bishop to “can- unhappy with the terms Bishop Bishop cancel the agreement, or pro- Milton Oto Olima and the Rev Alfred Acur, for cel the agreement.” Lawrence was able to obtain, but “there duce new terms acceptable to the CSI’s election by the House of Bishops. The Bishop replied on 22 April. St was no question of cancelling the agree- property management committee. However, the House of Bishops declined to Wergurgh’s was a “dying mission hospi- ment.” In a statement released on 7 May, the select either candidate and requested the dioce- tal” that was a drain on the limited Bishop Lawrence also denounced the CCC urged the CSI synod not to be san synod to submit two new names for consid- resources available to his “poor rural tone and tenor of General Secretary’s swayed by the Bishop’s blandishments eration. Diocese,” he said, adding that he had letter. “Your one unilateral letter has as there was “a more sinister design The magistrate ruled the request by the peti- emailed a copy of the proposed lease to destroyed my unblemished reputation of involved than meets the eye.” tioners was reasonable, and issued an injunc- tion blocking the synod from meeting to select to new nominees. However, Mr Palodi said he was uncomfortable adjudicating the dispute as Bishop accuses Jamaican Government of the Church should not bring its disputes before a civil magistrate. “If you are bringing the Church to court, it is ‘collusion with criminal underworld’ reality disappointing. We go to church for spiri- tual redress, so for them to come here is politi- THE BISHOP of Jamaica has where an honest person must A January press release to congratulate themselves, cal sickness, social sickness and spiritual accused members of the compete with extortionists of from the JCF stated: “All Dr Reid said. Only one in five sickness,” the magistrate said, urging the two island’s government of collu- various types and where the major crimes (murders, murders was solved in 2010, sides to come to a quick accommodation. sion with the criminal under- underground economy is shooting, rape, carnal abuse, and although Jamaica was no world. Jamaica was close to probably bigger than the offi- robbery, break-ins, and larce- longer the murder capital of despair, Dr Alfred Reid said cial one.” ny) declined in 2010, when the world, the 1,428 murders last week, with little to distin- The unofficial economy compared to 2009, by an reported in 2010 should be New Bishop for guish government from was being “skilfully manipu- overall seven per cent. This is measured against the rate of organised crime. lated by a few” for their own the first time since 1999 (11 142 per year in 1971, when However, statistics benefit, “while another group years) that the national crime Jamaica’s crime rate was Ghana released by the Jamaica Con- called taxpayers are required statistics are showing a lower than that of the United The Bishops of the Church of the Province of stabulary Force (JCF) to pay not only for all the reduction in all major crimes. States. West Africa have appointed a showed that violent crime social benefits they enjoy but “Murder, which is consid- “Imagine congratulating for the Diocese of Kumasi in Ghana. On 22 May, declined over the last year, also for the high cost of cor- ered to be the key crime indi- ourselves on the dramatic the Rev Canon Cyril Ben-Smith, the Vice-Dean for the first time since 1999. ruption,” the Bishop said. cator, decreased by 15 per reduction in crime while the of St Nicholas Theological Seminary in Cape “What is the state of our The climax of Jamaica’s cent in 2010 compared with incidence of vicious and vio- Coast was consecrated at St Cyprian’s Cathe- Jamaican society at this crime wave appears to have 2009. There were 1,428 lent crime is still way beyond dral by Archbishop Justice Akrofi to serve as time?” Dr Reid asked dele- crested last year, after the reported murders in 2010 the level any civilised coun- area bishop responsible for the Mapong and gates attending the 141st JCF supported by the army against 1,682 in 2009, a try should tolerate,” Dr Reid Kumawu regions of the growing diocese. diocesan synod in Falmouth. launched a military-style raid decrease of 254 in 2010 com- said. Dr Ben-Smith earned a PhD from the Univer- The “lines” between the state against criminal gangs in the pared with 2009,” the police “The dark demonic nature sity of Manchester in 2009, and an MPhil from and the “criminal under- Tivoli section of Kingston. In reported, while murders in of these brutal and sub- the University of Cardiff, as well as a Licentiate world” had “blurred”, he a week’s fighting, 73 gunmen Tivoli fell by 42 per cent in human acts leave no one in in Theology from St Nicholas Seminary. At St said. and police were killed, but the months after the police the society free from deep Nicholas, Dr Ben-Smith taught courses in Com- Jamaicans did not know the power of the gangs was raid. anxiety and fear,” the Bishop parative Religion and the Philosophy of Reli- “who to trust and who to fear, broken in West Kingston. The police were too quick said. gion.

Get more news online, click on www.churchnewspaper.com for updated stories News Friday June 3, 2011 www.churchnewspaper.com 6 Church works through Yemen clashes

HEAVY FIGHTING in Yemen has May 30 in the southern city of because of the deteriorating secu- not closed the Anglican Church Taiz. rity situation in the country,” the in Aden, Bishop Michael Lewis Western embassies have evacu- Bishop said, adding that the reports. ated all non-essential personnel Church hospital’s staff “are com- Clashes between government from their embassies in the mitted to the work of Christ forces and separatist tribesmen in southern Arabian republic and Church” and are “largely Yemeni the north and gunmen affiliated last week Foreign Secretary and Muslim.” with al-Qaeda in the Arabian William Hague urged President The fighting has left the church Peninsula (AQAP) in the south, Saleh to stand down “as soon as without a resident chaplain, how- coupled with pro-democracy riots possible.” ever. The chaplain of Aden, the across the country have left over “It is in the interest of his own Rev Nigel Dawkins, “had previ- 320 dead since the start of anti- country and his own interest now ously accepted appointment as government demonstrations in for there to a be a transition of Senior Chaplain, Mission to Sea- February. power,” Mr Hague told Sky News. farers, in the United Arab Emi- On 25 May Reuters reported 40 In an email to The Church of rates from 1 July. Until then he is people had been killed in the cap- England Newspaper, the Bishop of managing the work from Dubai, ital city of Sanaa in fighting Cyprus and the Gulf, the Rt Rev while his wife, the Rev Catherine between troops loyal to President Michael Lewis said that despite Dawkins, will continue to oversee Ali Abdullah Saleh and followers the fighting, “the work continues the finances and fundraising of Sadiq al-Ahmar, the chief of at Christ Church Aden,” the for- activities of Christ Church,” the Yemen’s powerful Hashed tribe, mer British garrison church built Bishop said. while government troops were in 1863. Bishop Lewis said the situation also engaged in fierce fighting in “During recent troubled weeks will be reviewed by the Council of the southern town of Zinjibar the chaplaincy’s Ras Morbat clin- Reference for Christ Church with members of AQAP. The BBC ic, with its general medical and Aden, which is a mission project of has also reported that 50 pro- eye departments, has carried on the Anglican Diocese of Cyprus democracy demonstrators were offering its services, despite a and the Gulf, which is scheduled killed and over 100 arrested on reduction in numbers of patients to meet in London on 2 June. Chinese visit South Africa Church Jamaica crime worry By George Conger Chinese delegation follows upon Cape Town the delegation THE CRIME Branch-CID of the took kickbacks on building con- their meeting with the leader of attended the 22 May installation Tamil Nadu Police has filed a tracts and diverted diocesan THE ARCHBISHOP of Cape the Gafcon movement in Nairobi of the Very Rev Michael Weeder 500-page charge sheet with the funds for his personal use. They Town has played host to a dele- on 14 May, Archbishop Eliud as Rector of the Cathedral Chief Magistrate in Coimbatore, found the Bishop had authorised gation from China’s Ministry of Wabukala, and is the final leg of Parish of St George the Martyr, stating the Bishop in Coimbatore the sale of diocesan property to State Administration of Reli- their tour through Africa organ- met with Cabinet Minister of the , the real estate developers at approxi- gious Affairs (SARA) on a four- ized by the Global South coali- Trevor Manual, visited an Rt Rev Manickam Dorai, his two mately 20 per cent of their mar- day visit to South Africa. tion of Anglican provinces. It HIV/AIDS clinic and a number brothers, and four other accom- ket value, in return for what the The head of SARA, Mr Wang also coincides with the larger of local ministries, and conclud- plices with defrauding his dio- committee believes were kick- Zuo’an, accompanied by a 10- Chinese diplomatic offensive ed with a tour of the Bible Socie- cese of over £500,000. backs from the real estate devel- member delegation from China underway in Africa to foster rela- ty of South Africa, which now The 17 May indictment of Bish- opers. and Archbishop John Chew of tions with the continent’s politi- prints 90 per cent of its Bibles in op Dorai, follows upon an Octo- “These transactions are not a Singapore, met with Archbishop cal and religious leaders. China. ber 2010 report by an auditing mere case of mismanagement Thabo Makgoba and other At the close of the South Archbishop John Chew of Sin- team led by retired Karnataka but point to rank dishonesty church and state leaders in Cape African meeting, Mr Wang stat- gapore said “enormous changes High Court Justice Michael Sald- and criminality,” the committee Town and Johannesburg from ed that “China is going through have already taken place in hana, former Karnataka Director said. 20-24 May. massive change and we are keen China. General of Police AJ Anandan At its 30 November meeting of The purpose of the meeting to learn from our friends in “We have been building a rela- and bank auditor CE Sarasam the Executive Committee of the was “two fold” Archbishop Mak- South Africa where you have tionship with the Chinese state that found substantial evidence of CSI Synod declined to take disci- goba explained: “to reflect on experienced amazing changes for about 20 years and are see- criminal behaviour by the Bish- plinary action against the Bishop models of church and the role of yourselves. We are looking for ing the fruit thereof. A few years op. in Coimbatore. the Church within local commu- good role-models.” ago they permitted the establish- It said Bishop Dorai had The Bishop remained suspend- nities; as well as the Church’s The delegation met with gov- ment of a printing press in Nan- pledged Diocesan bank accounts, ed from office, but the synod relationship with the state and ernment leaders in Johannes- jing. The press has already trust funds and pension funds as voted to allow the criminal case how that is conducted.” burg to discuss church-state printed about 53 million Bibles collateral for personal loans, sold to guide the proceedings of any The South African visit by the relations and toured Soweto. In in Chinese languages.” admissions to diocesan schools, ecclesiastical trial. Archbishop calls on Sri Lanka to address human rights

THE ARCHBISHOP of Canter- tainable political settlement in bury, Dr Rowan Williams, has the aftermath of Sri Lanka’s pressed the government of Sri internal conflict” with Foreign Lanka to address “issues of Minister Neomal Perera and human rights” in the South Acting High Commissioner PM Asian nation at a meeting with Amza, a statement issued at the the country’s Deputy Foreign close of the meeting said. Minister and High Commis- The Archbishop also sioner at on 12 “stressed the importance of May. avoiding any culture of impunity Dr Williams discussed the Sri with respect to human rights Lankan government’s response violations, and of transparency” to the 11 April UN report that of the reconstruction and recon- accused the army and rebel ciliation programmes for the forces of committing war crimes devastated regions. Dr Williams in the closing days of the war. is metropolitan of the Church of The Archbishop spoke of the Ceylon and oversees the Dioce- “profound and urgent need for ses of Colombo and Kuruna- an equitable, inclusive and sus- gala. 10 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday June 3, 2011 Letters

THE OF CHURCH ENGLANDNEWSPAPER Write to The Church of England Newspaper, 14 Great College Street, Westminster, London, SW1P 3RX. Fax to 020 7878 1031 or you can send an E-mail to [email protected] If you are sending letters by e-mail, please include a street address NB: Letters may be edited

The Anglican voice No need for these changed beliefs Reducing the debt Sir, The last published census results Sir, When I served my title in Bethnal Green in the East End of London, my Vicar sent Sir, ‘Owe no man anything’, says St Paul showed that over 70 per cent of our popula- me one Sunday to an adjacent church to wait on the , who was con- [Romans 13:8]. This is what Mr Street (20 tion claimed to be Christian. Of the 28 per ducting a Confirmation Service. The positive thing that came out of that for me was May) is saying, and I can see his point. cent of the UK that did not claim to be the words of the Bishop to the candidates. He said: “I want you to remember that a However, many of us - I was on that huge Christian most claimed to be atheists. Christian is a disciple of Jesus Christ and a disciple is a learner. So a Christian is a March for the Alternative in London on 26 Other faiths accounted for less than five learner in the School of Christ. Also remember that there is one thing different from March - disagree profoundly with this Gov- per cent. This level of atheism in England, Jesus’ School to any other school, and that is that there is no leaving age.” ernment’s way of reducing the debt. Huge although surprising, is nothing compared Given that we all need to grow, even as Christian ministers, I have to ask myself the public service cuts are in train, but there to Europe, particularly Catholic France question, after 52 years of ministry, do we need to change as Colin Craston, given so seems to be no concentration on trying to where atheists are well in the majority. much prominence in your newspaper in recent years, seems to have changed? improve Government income. Maybe having an established church gives When I was ordained, it appears to me, with hindsight, that evangelicals know what There seems to be disquieting evidence the UK the edge. they believed and were prepared to defend their beliefs. Now, so many adjectives have that very big firms are being treated far Of the 71 per cent who claim Christiani- been added to the title ‘evangelical’ that one wonders what many of them do believe more gently than the rest of us when it ty, the largest group of nominal believers today. Some of us do not share the changed beliefs of Colin Craston. comes to tax. Deals are being reached at are Anglicans. However, so far as active The Rev Charles May, Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs churchgoing is concerned Anglicans were Peterborough, Cambs (HMRC) that are highly questionable, and well matched by the Free Churches and about which little can be found out. The Roman Catholics, which were roughly House of Commons Public Accounts Com- level pegging, at around 2,000,000 apiece. and belief in the sole sufficiency and per- 39 Articles, that it is not a sacrament of the mittee, in a recent report (Managing civil Come Easter, then, we might expect that spicuity of Scripture which is also set out in gospel, but only a state of life allowed in the tax investigations, 17/03/11) points out the BBC would accord a generous slot to their Covenant is amazing. Scriptures. This is where we would first that HMRC doesn’t even know how much the Christian faith. True, on Easter Day in As for isolating the covenant from canon disagree, because the money it costs to bring in more tax; my pride of place for the main evening news A5, I feel the canon itself must be looked teaches that Christ turned the creation union (the Public & Commercial Services was the Roman Catholic voice from Europe at. The canon reads: “The doctrine of the ordinance of marriage into a sacrament for Union) (PCS) believes that £120 billion is in the person of the Pope, in second place Church of England is grounded in the Holy all Christians. being lost to the state through evasion and was the Roman Catholic presence in Eng- Scriptures, and in such teachings of the Robert Ian Williams, avoidance, and that it is folly to be continu- land with the Archbishop of Westminster ancient Fathers and Councils of the Bangor ally cutting HMRC staff while they are and in third place was the Roman Catholic Church as are agreeable to the said Scrip- bringing in more than their own staffing Church in Scotland. What was surprising, tures.” This sounds good, but the qualify- costs. (PCS represents HMRC staff.) however, was that there was no Free ing clause at the end of the sentence and The Tax Justice Network (and Christian Church voice – however at the end of the the use of the word such, really undermine Palestinian bias Aid) are drawing attention to the vast sums broadcast Archbishop Rowan was given a everything. It places the teachings of the Sir, Is it any longer of use to continue kept away from tax in tax havens, The Pope slot for the established church. It seems Fathers and Councils against the subjec- protesting about some Christian organisa- too is concerned, maybe principally curious that the Roman Catholic Church, tive interpretation of what individuals think tions and many world leaders who repeat- because of the resultant impoverishment given its overall minority role in the UK, they find in Holy Scripture. It’s rather like edly show bias towards Palestinian people? of developing countries. Many global politi- achieved such prominence. the Mormon article of faith: “We believe Pressure is now being put on Israel yet cians are now wanting to curb what the It might be that other Churches need to the Bible is the word of God, insofar as it is again to cede land for a mythical Palestin- havens are doing - if only because they can take a leaf out of the Vatican’s textbook, so translated correctly...” Here again a qualify- ian state, when in fact there already is one, hide terrorist funds, and surely we should- the BBC notes their presence on the Chris- ing clause invalidates the opening state- called Jordan - created after WW1 by the n’t find it too difficult to stop such activities tian stage when it comes to the next Chris- ment, with a subjective judgement. British Mandate, authorised by the League in Crown Colonies such as the Cayman tian festival. As for Mr Bartley’s view of the Catholic of Nations. Islands and the British Virgin Islands. The Rev Canon JG Hunter, Church and marriage, I again reassert that Moreover, it was Palestinians from Jor- Unless we have enough of a product Carnforth the Catholic Church has not changed the dan who initially (and illegally) occupied base, we cannot sustain a large public sec- sacrament of Christian marriage, but the so-called ‘West Bank’, which properly tor, but the figures are distorted at the merely changed the legislation that sur- belongs to Israel: marked on the map by moment because part of the private sector rounds and guards it, so as to protect its Winston Churchill when he took Jordan (banking) has crashed through its Compelling faith integrity and assist the Catholic faithful in from the land previously offered to the own fault, bringing down others with it. I Sir, As Paul Richardson has suggested (20 their earthly pilgrimage. Annulment is not Jews. And what thanks did Israel get after respect the warning of a possible run by May), since David Cameron is a self-con- a clever Catholic version of divorce, it is a 1994 for handing back Gaza to Palestini- speculators; yet our debt is longer-term fessed “wishy-washy Anglican” with a faith declaration that a valid marriage never ans? A hail of rockets into their back gar- than many similar countries, we’ve often that comes and goes, he needs a Church of occurred. This is done through a thorough dens! been much more proportionally indebted England that will articulate that faith in a legal investigation of the circumstances. Christians must always remember that in recent history, and we could likewise clear and compelling way. That is why most requests for annulments we too are Jews by adoption (Romans 11), say that we’re going to cut the deficit, During a visit to the deaneries in the Dio- fall at the first post in the marriage tri- and that ‘no Judaism, no Christianity’, through increasing tax revenue. In the cese, the Rt Rev Michael Scott-Joynt, the bunals of the Catholic Church in England which grew out of it. True, the Israelis 1990s Italy’s Olive Tree Coalition satisfied retiring Bishop of , lamented and Wales. have done some terrible things in recent the conditions for entering the Euro by tax- what he called the “half-hearted faith” that The specific allegation about marriage years to protect themselves from the ing the middle classes. (Not quite my sug- he encountered in many parishes. Only vows are undermined by a couple who inroads of hostile Palestinians, as I have gestion - I want to go for the big firms at with a spiritually renewed Church serving enter into religious life, is no such thing, as seen for myself - reminiscent of things the top of the tree.) as a living model of a society motivated by the marriage remains valid and the couple done by Christians to other people in past I suspect that the Conservative Party’s service to others rather than the service of agree to live apart, and give up their matri- centuries (crusades, inquisitions, etc.) Yet motives are really ideological, wanting a self can we expect to see the realization of monial rights for a higher calling. This is given the history of harm done to the Jew- very small state. This would be all right, David Cameron’s vision of the Big Society. what Scripture calls mutual agreement and ish people over the same centuries - and provided that many services could be pro- The Rev John Brown, our Lord commends it, and promises a especially in the last - is this really to be vided charitably. However, we have chosen Middleton-on-Sea, West Sussex hundredfold reward. The fact that also wondered at? Do such damage to people, to give the largest part of this country’s many loving marriages in riper years or and sooner or later as opportunity arises, it wealth and income to artificial people, the through illness become non-sexual, does is bound to rebound out of them on to oth- corporations. Most corporations are legally not detract from the validity and holiness ers, horrendous as this may be. required to function solely for the benefit Covenant of the marriage covenant. It is no use seeking to be even-handed in of their shareholders, and therefore cannot Sir, Will Mr Bartley please inform me what Its very hard arguing with a member of all of this: either one is for Israel, or against voluntarily contribute to the services that is mischievous in pointing out the flaw in Reform over the Catholic view of marriage, it like all of its neighbouring nations. We many CEN readers are going to sorely the Reform Covenant? I showed clearly as for most members of Reform (whether cannot have it both ways: it is time now to miss. So they must ‘Render unto Caesar’ and painstakingly how Reform avoids an they are in agreement with the remarriage make up our minds. rather than our public services be devastat- area in which it cannot agree as to the of divorcees or not), marriage is not a JC Crosthwaite, ed. meaning of Holy Scripture. That this con- sacrament anyway. In that they are true to Holme, Carnforth, Jonathan Goll, tradicts their understanding of authority the re-definition of marriage made in the Birmingham Leader & Comment Friday June 3, 2011 www.churchnewspaper.com 11 Comment The ancient battle The costs of de-Christianisation over the Bible When a cultural revolution is happening, and yet has not properly been ful’. There were ordinary flavours like chocolate, declared, it is very confusing and perplexing. The ongoing removal of strawberry and peppermint. But the range includ- the Christian ethical tradition is rather like having the rug pulled ed vomit, earwax, paper and tripe. sharply from under us, causing some to fall over and get hurt and And this is what we’re still dealing with 400 years much crockery is getting broken. The whole issue of sex is now very on: a book that some people find hard to swallow. disorientating to the public. On the one hand our educators are keen to James God’s voice can make people angry as much as it teach very young children about sex, its techniques, contraception, can set them free. Hearing God speak is challeng- even homosexuality, all in a ‘value free’ fashion, abstracted from moral ing. It changes things. It questions the status quo. shaping. The right wing press colludes with this cheapening of sex Catford Many more find the Bible hard to start. It can, with its daily portraiture of young women scantily clad ‘behaving badly’ the Archbishop of Canterbury said recently, be – to use old fashioned moral language. Sex sells, sex is virtually com- seen as a big, thick book and it’s hard to know pulsory, and a whole people group has been defined by sexual drive where to get into it. and taste. The law now encourages ‘underage’ schoolchildren to get But it’s a bit like the joke about how do you eat an contraception from school nurses, and hide the fact from their parents, elephant? Answer, one bite at a time. Reading the thus abolishing the notion of ‘underage’ de facto. On the other hand Bible in bite-sized chunks can be a beginning. paedophilia is perhaps now the great totem of wrong, and celebrities A visit to Cambridge University Library’s exhibi- That’s why, this summer, we’re offering people the are put in the stocks for sexual adventures. The old Christian ethic of tion of the 400th anniversary of the King James chance to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the restraint has gone, and yet its shadow lingers in some contexts. Bible is a sobering experience. King James Bible by doing something bang up to In professional life Christianity is actually frowned upon and kept out We may be celebrating its anniversary this year – date: writing a digital Bible. of the public sphere. This has proved costly to Christians who find indeed some of the churches that I visit throughout All round the country we’ll be hosting road themselves at the sharp end of the inquisition while other faiths are the country are doing their readings in this version shows with digital writing pods where you can paradoxically encouraged to declare their conservative religious during 2011 – but we shouldn’t be suckered in by write a couple of verses from the Bible – a bite-sized beliefs visually by their striking dress preferences at work. But the cost the King James Bible’s familiarity. chunk – that will become part of a massive digital to society of active de-Christianisation is much wider and deeper. We Yes, we luxuriate in the familiar readings at Bible by the time the summer’s out. see it clearly in the ASBO culture in our cities, in the growing criminal- Christmas and Easter. Yes, the King James Bible In November part of it will be presented to the ity to society itself as copper is ripped up from public facilities and lead has a particular resonance in British society that Queen at Westminster Abbey, and the whole of the from church roofs, a clear signal of a loss of a common sense of mutu- extends throughout all society not just the Church. People’s Bible, as it’s known, will be available to al belonging. The NHS is now regularly, not just occasionally, in the But does that mean the King James Version is a everyone online day or night. news for the growing culture of almost cruel lack of basic nursing care sweet, sugary confection, the religion-lite of its Anyone can take part: old or young, or like me, to vulnerable patients. An excellent article in the Nursing Times recent- day? No it doesn’t. somewhere in between. You don’t have to be a reg- ly discussed the question of compassion as the core value of the nurs- It’s hard to imagine it now, but many viewed the ular churchgoer, just have to want to reach out and ing profession, and the ongoing scandals arising as the value vanishes. King James Version of the Bible as a poisonous, touch the effervescence, the eye-popping, life- That a doctor needs to prescribe regular drinks of water for a patient toxic book. Puritans disliked it. Scholars picked changing dynamo that lies within the Bible’s cov- shows the depth of the problem. The Health Service Ombudsman’s holes in it, thinking it a patchwork of everything ers. recent report ‘Care and Compassion’ spoke of 9,000 complaints on this that had gone before. And as for the good British Because, let’s face it, if you think that the Bible is issue. But our politicians refuse to look the truth in the face: the delib- public, well, they preferred the familiar Geneva ver- just a load of pages between dusty covers, you’re erate displacement of the basic Christian virtue of care by doctrines of sion of 50 years before. missing the point. This is God’s way of quietly, enig- ‘empowerment’ and ‘assertiveness’, has been a disaster. The old tradi- People might not have been matically, personally speaking tion of nurse training, based on the ward structure, initiated young throwing tomatoes, but it’s safe to you and me down the mil- nurses into a tradition of care and skill. The move to training behind to say that it wasn’t a big hit. lennia. He speaks in unexpect- desks in the Polytechnics rooted all that up. Compassion is not to be Slowly it took hold and became ed ways and says things that taught as a theory, but practised. MRSA was not a problem then, as the Bible of choice in churches ‘And this is what we’re we may not expect. now. The costs of de-Christianisation are deep and wide, and we all up and down the country. For still dealing with 400 But day after day people dis- know it. many to this day, that’s how God cover the amazing feeling of speaks to them, in beautiful, years on: a book that being moved by a passage in almost Shakespearean, 17th cen- the Bible. ‘That spoke to me,’ The Church of England Newspaper tury English. some people find hard they say, ‘and I wasn’t expect- with Celebrate magazine incorporating The Record and Christian Week You might be forgiven for to swallow. God’s voice ing that.’ Published by Religious Intelligence Ltd. thinking that it was just a hop, My experience – like that of Company Number: 3176742 skip and a jump to where we are can make people angry so many others – is that if you Publisher: Keith Young MBE today, with the KJV having as much as it can set make even a tiny, two-verse coloured our literature, our serv- space for God to speak into – ices, our state occasions and he will take you up on your Publishing Director & Editor: CM BLAKELY 020 7878 1001 them free’ even our laws. offer. Comfort, peace, hope Chief Correspondent: The Rev Canon GEORGE CONGER 020 8133 2867 But, as a wander round the can all follow: just the thing in Reporter: MATT CRESSWELL 020 7878 1005 Bible Society’s exhibition at our credit-crunched age. Cambridge University shows, Bible translation was So my hope is that, wherever you take part in the Advertising: CHRIS TURNER 020 7878 1006 a deadly occupation. Because Bible translation did- People’s Bible this summer, whether it’s in the Advertising & Editorial Assistant: PENNY NAIR PRICE 020 7878 1007 n’t stop with the KJV. It kept on going. Orkney Islands in Scotland or Polzeath in Cornwall, This was the book through which God spoke to you’ll find that God is speaking to you through Subscriptions & Finance: DELIA ROBINSON 020 7878 1008 people, so, scholars reasoned, it should be accessi- those verses, as he has done to others for hundreds Graphic Designer: PETER MAY 020 7878 1003 ble to all. Translations continued in English and of years. around the world, they began in myriad other lan- Because here’s the thing, the Bible is like Alka The acceptance of advertising does not necessarily indicate guages. Seltzer. It’s not much use with its cover on. You endorsement. Photographs and other material sent for publication You have to take your hats off to these guys. need to take it out and use it for it to do any good are submitted at the owner’s risk. The Church of England Newspaper They are the unsung heroes of our past, risking (and for you to feel any better). does not accept responsibility for any material lost or damaged. everything for the Bible. There are records of men So, by taking the Bible out of its covers this sum- Christian Weekly Newspapers Trustees: Robert Leach (020 8224 5695), Lord Carey being executed for working on translations that mer, I’m hoping that it will fizz and change the lives of Clifton, The Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, The Rt Rev , Dr Elaine were seen as controversial or out of step with the of every single one of the 35,000 people who’ll be Storkey, The Rev Peter Brown, Carole Stone politics of the day. And letters abound in the writing verses in the People’s Bible. And just imag- archives from people in the furthest corners of the ine how that could transform our country. The pos- The Church of England Newspaper, earth asking for advice, reporting illness and even sibilities are endless. Religious Intelligence Ltd death. 14 Great College Street, London SW1P 3RX So this year’s celebrations aren’t paying tribute to James Catford is Group Chief Executive of Bible Tel: 020 7878 1001 a vanilla-flavoured book. They are rather recogniz- Society. Fax: 020 7878 1031 ing the spiritual equivalent of Bertie Bott’s Every Email him at [email protected] or E-mail: [email protected] Flavour Beans in the Harry Potter series. They visit the People’s Bible at thepeoplesbible.org. To find Website: www.churchnewspaper.com came with the warning, ‘a risk with every mouth- out more about the exhibition visit: lib.cam.ac.uk 12 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday June 3, 2011 Feature Rethinking Reader ministry for a new generation

By Nigel Holmes Over 10 years as Chairman of the Editorial Committee of the A Readers’ Day in the Diocese of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich last year ow often do we hear the Central Readers’ Council (CRC) phrase from a bishop on which runs The Reader maga- Hthe point of retirement, “I zine, I sensed the marginalization leave the diocese in good heart”. I felt by many Readers. At a confer- tend to wonder what that means ence in 2005 I was told: “There is given that his view would not be a total lack of clarity about ordina- supported by most statistics. I tion and Reader ministry. These was shocked by those from the days the training is virtually iden- Ven Bob Jackson’s analysis of tical.” “Even in an interregnum adult worshippers published in rural deans use retired clergy March, which showed that north- rather than Readers and exclude ern dioceses have lost between 20 Readers from chapter meetings. and 40 per cent over the past 20 Often at those meetings a majori- years. The average loss across ty of the clergy is retired.” the Church of England between Also in 2005, my diocesan Con- 2001 and 2009 is seven per cent. tinuing Ministerial Education offi- Another powerful figure being cer maintained that many able, bandied about at the moment is dedicated Readers with long serv- that 40 per cent of stipendiary ice, who were not given to com- clergy are expected to retire with- plaining without a cause, were in the next 10 years, so at present increasingly speaking of low an unusually large proportion of morale. That was borne out by parishes have incumbents in their the subsequent survey, complet- final posts. ed by 1,060 Readers, which indi- The Church is waking up to the cated that 27 per cent felt huge changes in ministry, paid underused, others said ‘could do and unpaid, ordained and lay, more’. ‘As a director of Missions which are just around the corner. to Seafarers I preached in more An online survey of clergy was than 30 different churches each launched in May by the Ministry year. Now retired I am not proper- Division. The website says: “It ly used as a Reader. Nobody has make sense for us as a Church ever talked to me about my minis- and Reader ministry whereas such a move. About a third of nationally both to identify what terial gifts.’ These are people who now there are unpaid, NSMs, ‘40 per cent of Readers are underused. One said really makes an impact and what have never been more highly OLMs, ordained pioneer minis- stipendiary clergy he managed 4,000 people in his genuinely helps to sustain those trained as preachers, teachers ters, , lay pioneer minis- work. “In the industrial workplace of us in ministry for the long haul. and leaders and that at consider- ters, Readers and are expected to the misuse of such a resource by This is especially true as our able cost. It is little short of a sin locally-accredited lay ministers. undertrained and underperform- resources are ever more thinly that so many are sidelined. Understandably the tendency is retire within the ing management would not be stretched. We hope to measure The reasons given are largely for those starting out and pre- next 10 years, so at acceptable.” the impact of different strategies the lack of non-Eucharistic servic- pared to undertake a three-year Several said that they would no and interventions so that we can es and effective direction and dif- course to opt for ordination whilst present an longer recommend Readership to really know what it is worth ficulty of movement to ordained people with less time choose less- unusually large those considering ministry as investing in and what adds real ministry. One senior bishop told demanding diocesan schemes. they did not believe it had a value.” www.experiencesofmin- me that he could see no future for This leaves Reader ministry in a proportion of future. It should, of course, be istry.org Readers other than as catechists. quandary. said that many were happy with We do already have a good idea Looking back 30 years, the That quandary was not ade- parishes have their role as lay ministers and felt of what Readers and non-stipendi- report of John Tiller, then Chief quately addressed by the Reader incumbents in their that with the decline in the num- ary ministers (NSM) think. The Secretary of the Advisory Council Review Group which was estab- ber of paid clergy they would former survey followed my Pri- for the Church’s Ministry, A Strat- lished after the General Synod final posts’ have a continuing role in public vate Member’s Motion debated in egy for the Church’s Ministry debate in 2006. Two years later worship, particularly where com- the General Synod in February (CIO) recommended the aboli- Reader Upbeat http://www.chur- of England exaggerates the munion by extension or lay presi- 2006. The latter published last tion of Readers and the CRC then chofengland.org/media/1251959 importance of ordination’ most dency allowed. April was the initiative of Teresa agreed. Some would have been /gs1689.pdf (GS 1689) sadly believed this was unlikely to A Reader in a local ecumenical Gordon, an NSM who is Fellow of termed Elders and would perhaps failed to make any recommenda- change and that ‘It doesn’t take a project said that whilst Methodist Oriel College, have fulfilled the role of catechists tions that could be described as brilliant mind to see the solution local preachers could lead com- Oxford. www.1pf.co.uk/SSM.htm whilst the majority would have radical or visionary. when paid clergy numbers are munion by extension, Readers l been ordained. Indeed in more The problem was that the falling’. could not as his diocesan bishop My debate was the first occa- recent years The Mission and Review Group, of which I was a A key statistic was that more was set against its introduction. sion in 36 years that the General Ministry of the Whole Church member, was insufficiently dis- than 70 per cent thought that “The public cannot understand Synod had discussed Readers, (GS Misc. 854, 2007) from the tanced from the CRC. The chair- Readers, who often undertake the anomaly.” whereas in the previous 25 years Faith and Order Advisory Group man was the same bishop, baptismal preparation, should be But great anomalies there are. the diaconate had been debated said “A pro-active discernment of , in each case. able to baptize. Some admitted In one diocese communion by four times. Yet whilst there are the vocation of some Readers, by Whereas at the outset he said that they already did baptize and extension is generally permitted, about 7,500 active licensed Read- bishops and diocesan staff, could that the report would be shaped many another could not under- except at festivals, which are ers, there are 3,000 NSMs and lead to a significant harvest of largely by the results of the sur- stand why Readers officially regarded as being too important; fewer than 100 distinctive dea- ordinands, especially for the dis- vey, when those results suggest- could not. One did claim to have in another the only occasions on cons. I was prompted in 2005 to tinctive diaconate.” As the Derby ed that 78 per cent of Readers baptized with the bishop’s per- which it is allowed are at those investigate by the fact that the Diocesan Strategy document put thought their colleagues would mission when the incumbent was very festivals. number of Readers-in-training it 15 years ago ‘there has to be a favour a significant number of off sick for more than a year. During the Synod debates on had fallen by a third in the previ- better way of organizing the min- them being ordained as deacons There was a strong feeling that communion by extension some ous eight years. It is now half istry of the Church’. and more still as priests, back- the norm in future should be to felt the ordination of more people what it was less than 15 years Once the choice was between tracking began. Whilst some sur- deploy Readers to areas of need. would theologically be more ago. ordained stipendiary ministry vey respondents felt ‘the Church Some 95.5 per cent supported acceptable. The then Chairman of Feature Friday June 3, 2011 www.churchnewspaper.com 13

Readers in the well determine that out- don’t offer a solution but Armed Forces come. commend the situation to Our Church hates taking your prayers.” risks. We need to be bold. He also pointed out that The Church faces the the vast majority of those in demographic and financial training now are women. cliff face. My prayer is that the rela- The 150th anniversary of tively new Chairman of the the re-introduction of Read- CRC, the Rt Rev Robert ers on Ascension Day, 1866, Paterson, Bishop of Sodor is only five years away. The and Man, and the next prompt was the inability of Director of Ministry who the Church to cope as the will be appointed soon, population doubled will harness the willing between 1801 and 1861. Yet workforce so that all are we now have half the num- fully stretched and feel ber of stipendiary clergy for valued. For once vested a population more than two- interests must not prevail. and-a-half times greater. Bishop Paterson recog- I had written this before nizes that voluntary min- reading the Summer 2011 istry needs reshaping issue of The Reader maga- and, indeed, has floated zine, which carries these the crossover concept of observations of the CRC the ‘ordained Reader’. Secretary, Alan Wakely. “I For one who for five have recently seen the years and more has been annual statistical returns… seeking informed delibera- The really disturbing figure tion leading to radical is that the number of Read- action, it was encouraging the House of Laity, Dr ‘Can there be a demands would lead to od of unprecedented social ers under the age of 40 is that last year he told the Christina Baxter, a Reader fewer people coming for- and spiritual change. The just one per cent. The num- CRC AGM: “It is our view and theological college future for ward. Curiously, when vir- next 10 years, which will ber under 30 is best that the discussion cannot principal, said: “I believe tually every other budget see 40 per cent of stipendi- described as infinitesimal… be delayed any longer”. I that we need to change our Reader ministry heading has been cut other ary clergy retire, will be The average ages of con- hope his fellow bishops will criteria for ordination, so when it is no than stipends, the ministeri- crucial to determining gregations and clergy are back him. that we have assistant min- al education budget has whether we remain the rising too, which may mean isters and overseer minis- longer doubled in some dioceses. national Church able to that the people of Christ as Nigel Holmes, Member of the ters… If we have to reform What is wrong with training maintain the parochial sys- a whole may be failing to General Synod 1985-2010, ministry or Eucharist we distinctive in on the job ? Has the tem or diminish to little proclaim the Good News… Chairman of the Editorial ought to leave the any significant approach to ministry more than a sect. The way But the age profile of Read- Committee, Central Readers’ Eucharist as the Lord gave become altogether too aca- we use volunteers could ers is actually worse still… I Council, 1997-2007. it to us.” way?’ demic when at its The insecurity of Readers heart are evident derives both from the fact faith, warm human that they are subject to the ferences between dioceses. relationships and whim of the incumbent and Here I could be a locally- applied common that, with the advent of non- accredited lay minister but sense ? stipendiary ministry, oppor- not an ordained local minis- I regret that the tunities for public ministry ter; I could administer com- House of Bishops are fewer. The key question munion by extension but would not allow the raised over and over again not be appointed an hon- Review Group to look is whether there can be a orary lay canon. However at all voluntary min- future for Reader ministry were I to live 12 miles to the istry. As I mentioned when it is no longer distinc- east in the Diocese of New- earlier, a five-year tive in any significant way. castle the opposite would Ministry Division sur- ‘Readers are in a rut; be true in each case. That vey studying all boundaries have become cannot be right in the ordained ministry, but blurred’. ‘Sorting out the national Church. ignoring lay ministry, ministerial confusion will And on the issue of is underway. Can the require strong leadership. morale one person told me bishops not see the We get platitudes about of the appointment of 12 benefits of assessing uniqueness but nobody will honorary lay canons in his ministry in the round? articulate this.’ diocese. Not one was a Whilst they may hold Reader. In another diocese 90 per cent of the o the views could not where there are no hon- power in most areas of have been clearer yet orary lay canons, the only the Church, it is 100 Sthe recommendations lay canon is an ecumenical per cent when it in Reader Upbeat did not canon from a free evangeli- comes to ministry. flow from that clarion call. cal church. Affirmation and Given our covenant And that highlights a prob- appreciation are so impor- relationship with the lem deep within our tant. Methodists, should Church even though it dis- Three years of Reader we not learn from plays a degree of democra- training and much subse- them? Their 8,000 cy through the General quent experience seem to local preachers lead Food, fun & fellowship Synod. The power of the count for little in seeking two-thirds of bishops remains paramount ordination. Should not Methodist services and their desire for autono- movement from one to the and can, in certain cir- my appears to be on the other be based on experi- cumstances, preside increase. In this Diocese of ence, evident ability and at Holy Communion. Host a church lunch or dinner party at home Carlisle OLM was intro- calling and best be Time and money duced after vigorous debate assessed by those who are running out for and raise funds for some of the world’s in the diocesan synod in the know the person well? Two our Church. The aver- poorest communities 1990s but it was abolished broad categories, ordained age age of Readers as without any debate 10 years and lay, should suffice with of NSMs and, indeed, later. Commissioned lay ministry being perceived as our congregations is ministry was introduced dynamic rather than static. close to 65. By 2030 without debate or, it seems, And training needs to be there will be far fewer Get FREE resources now at any consideration for the trimmed. A wise lay dioce- ministers. We need to implications for Reader san warden of Readers told achieve numerical www.uspg.org.uk/comedine ministry. me 15 years ago that growth soon. We are This has led to great dif- increasing training living through a peri- Registered charity number 234518 14 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday June 3, 2011 Feature Fund keeps global mission in local hands

By Naomi Rose Steinberg, CMS staff writer Anglican Life Manila’s slums hances are, most people may never have heard of a place called Mizo- CMS Cram, and for that they could probably be forgiven. This small north-eastern state partners from Asia who are working in of India is geographically and economically Asia and several more in Africa who are isolated from much of the rest of the coun- working in Africa. CMS is seeking to try. Despite having the second highest lit- repeat this successful model in other eracy rate in India, most of the Mizo regions, too. From an economic stand- population live in poverty. But this has point, it costs about the same to send and never prevented them from excelling in support these 25 people in Asia as it would one particular export: cross-cultural mis- cost for two or three families from Britain sion. to go to Asia. Yet it is the dynamic work Of the 900,000 people who live in Mizo- they do—not the money they save—that ram, an estimated 95 per cent (around inspires proponents of the Timothy part- 855,000) are Christians. The Presbyterian ner programme. Church of Mizoram alone has at least 1,500 Examples of current Timothy partners people working in cross-cultural mission. include leaders like Lendehl, a young ordi- This means that at least one out of every nand who has recently completed his train- 600 people in Mizoram is a mission part- ing to be a priest in the Episcopal Church ner. If that ratio were true in the United of the Philippines. He is jointly sent by his Kingdom there would be more than diocese and CMS to work in a community- 100,000 British missionaries. based childcare and development ministry shifted away from the west to Asia, Africa conferences sponsored by CMS that bring Yet the Mizos want to do more. Each in the slums of Manila. Stephen, from and Latin America. This shift has been people together for sharing ideas, training year, the Presbyterian Church of Mizoram South India, is supported by CMS and a accompanied by the emergence and rapid and encouragement. receives six times as many applicants for national Indian mission organisation to growth of indigenous and cross-cultural “Of course God still calls people from the mission roles as they have the capacity to work among Afghan refugees in Delhi. LZ, movements throughout the majority UK to other places in the world and this recruit and resource. A recent partnership a young woman from north is world—the Mizos are just one case in will remain part of the core work of CMS,” with the (CMS) is now teaching in a remote part of north east point. said Adrian. “But we in the UK can be chal- helping more Mizos fulfil their calling. Asia. The CMS partnership with the Mizoram lenged by the vibrancy, commitment and For example, a young couple from Mizo- “One of the exciting things about this Presbyterian Church enabled them to send sacrificial lifestyle of Timothy partners as ram is now being jointly sent by their mission workforce is that western leader- their first people to serve in the Amritsar we seek the renewal of our own disciple- church and CMS to work in a rural ship, western structures and systems, and Diocese of the Church of . ship and commitment to God’s mission.” Nepalese valley. Diki is working with a western money do not weigh them down,” Three Timothy partner couples are now For instance, the Church of Mizoram is Christian organisation that runs a thriving said Adrian Watkins, CMS Transcultural serving there as nurses and teachers in currently celebrating a century of Buhfai rural hospital and in addition to being the Mission Manager for Asia. Whilst making pioneering and front-line situations in Pun- Tham—“handful of rice.” The Mizos most qualified nurse on the staff, she is a financial contribution (on average 50 per jab and Kashmir. believe that “as long as we have something also pioneering a community health pro- cent of the sending costs) CMS does not The link with CMS allows Timothy part- to eat, we have something to give to the gramme in the surrounding villages. Her impose its own models, systems and meth- ners to be part of a global family of mission, Lord.” So for 100 years, every time a Mizo husband Marama supports a training pro- ods. The initiative, leadership and respon- with access to networks that span hun- Christian makes a meal, they set aside a gramme for school teachers. sibility reside primarily with the in-region dreds of years and thousands of miles. “We handful of rice for the church to sell to CMS calls people like Diki and Marama movements, with CMS as the junior part- can help send people to places they not raise money for mission. Last year, Buhfai “Timothy partners” as they are supported ner. have been able to access before, but once Tham raised more than US$1 million for by the CMS Timothy Fund—which helps The CMS Timothy partner programme there, they may make inroads where West- mission. “The fire is already there—we are sustain global mission being done by local is a way to keep in step with the way the erners have struggled,” said Adrian. Timo- just helping fan the flame,” said CMS Exec- partners. CMS currently has 25 Timothy centre of gravity in global Christianity has thy partners benefit from regional utive Director Tim Dakin.

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stand up to the West is widespread on the observers question the quality of the growth internet. China has been able to achieve. America produces lawyers, Dambisa If China has hidden problems, America Paul Richardson Moyo tells us, but China is producing engi- still has many assets. No longer the lone neers. China is building 40 new airports in hyper-power in the world, it still has Church and World the next five years while America’s infra- favourable relations with Europe, Japan, structure crumbles. In Britain the situation India and many other nations. It can still is worse than America. Our education stan- make a huge difference in the world. During dards are going down, our inefficient trans- the crisis in Egypt, behind-the-scenes Ameri- port system is a bar to increased can pressure on the army was probably productivity, and both public and private important in easing Mubarak out of power. debt have soared. Debt and political deadlock in Washington For Niall Ferguson, the credit crisis and will cause America problems in the future. the ensuing recession has weakened the But Americans ought not to exaggerate the West and left China in a strong position. nation’s decline. As Joseph Nye has pointed But while it is true that China is witnessing out, this could encourage China to engage in The obsession impressive economic growth we must be adventurous policies and lead America to careful not to overlook either the enduring over-react in fear. The result could be the strengths of America and the West or the deterioration in US-China relations into the problems China still faces. When we talk of kind of rivalry that existed between Britain these problems, we should do so in no spirit and Germany at the start of the 20th century. with China of complacency. If China ever does descend In his latest book On China, Henry into chaos, the economic consequences for Kissinger remains hopeful that China will con- ot even revolution in the Arab may spend almost as much on the mili- Western economies would be severe. No tinue to be willing to cooperate with other world could make Americans for- tary as the rest of the world put together country can keep up China’s present rate of nations and advises the US to work with Bei- Nget their obsession with the rise of but Iraq and Afghanistan have raised economic rate forever and yet when the jing to build a new Pacific community. China. Television commentators pon- questions about the usefulness of Ameri- slowdown occurs it is likely to lead to discon- The victory of Mao Zedong and the sense dered whether events in Egypt and ca’s prowess. tent. The hope must be that this does not that America had ‘lost’ China was a spur to Tunisia would provoke an uprising on For a time America was relaxed about provoke revolution but that some in China McCarthyism. China is an old bogy. Not so the streets of China. Much was made of China’s rise because it was believed eco- will be able to manage peacefully a transition long ago Bob Dylan urged Americans to the fact that censors were busy prevent- nomic progress would inevitably lead to to a new form of government that allows ‘think of all the hatred there is in Red China’. ing destabilising pictures of Arab unrest democratization. This does not appear to more freedom and participation. Fear of China’s rise has played a part in getting through the great firewall onto be happening. Instead the Communist Until China does become a more open encouraging the emergence of the Tea-party Chinese computer screens. Party retains a firm grip on power. If society there are limits to how much it can movement, many of whose members, sur- Americans are obsessed with China there is any challenge to its position it is achieve. Lee Kwan Yew argues that China veys suggest, are white evangelical Chris- because they are nervous about its rise coming from the army, not on the will not surpass America as the leading tians. But for all its problems, the new China to superpower status. ‘American decline: streets. power of the 21st century because it lacks is very different from the old. Instead of fear- this time it’s real’, trumpeted the cover of China’s army is becoming more America’s ability to attract able immigrants ing its rise to super power status, the West the 40th anniversary edition of the maga- assertive in territorial disputes with from the rest of the world and make use of needs to welcome a new partner and hope zine Foreign Policy. Inside Gideon Rach- Japan and its other neighbours. Encour- their creative abilities. China faces a falling for a peaceful transition to democracy. How- man told readers that the Chinese aging the army in its more aggressive population because of its one-child policy. ever unlikely that seems at present, the les- challenge is for real. America has the big- stance is a growing mood of nationalism State control of large sections of the econo- son of the Arab Revolution is that the desire ger economy for now but this is set to that can be seen on numerous web sites. my leads to waste and corruption. Entrepre- for freedom and democracy is alive in every change in less than 20 years. The US Criticism of China’s leaders for failing to neurs live in fear of nationalisation. Many part of the world.

tion. The opinion, which was also published as gospel truth. last week, reveals a set of criteria that effective- Over the years there have been any number ly ruled out Jeffrey John from consideration. of leaks from the Church of England’s secretive Andrew Carey He writes: “The Archbishop of Canterbury process for selecting bishops. Sooner or later was bad tempered throughout. When it came this must prompt further reform. There are Lambeth Notes to voting, certainly two – possibly three – mem- often now interviews and a wider search for bers were in tears and he [Williams] made no nominations. This is the right trajectory but acknowledgement but carried on regardless. can we go further? At a critical point Archbishop Sentamu and Finally, both the original leak and the Colin three other members simultaneously went to Slee’s memorandum give an insight into how the lavatory, after which the voting patterns divided the Church of England has become on changed.” the issue of homosexuality. It is primarily the There are a number of points that this memo events that led to the withdrawal of Jeffrey raises. Firstly, this is all intrinsically unfair to John from the area bishopric of Reading which everyone else involved in this confidential have left damaging scars. process. While Lambeth Palace have stated Yet church politics of this kind are the preoc- there are ‘errors’ in the account, the require- cupation of a very small minority in the Church A memo that ment for confidentiality rules out any fuller of England. The vast majority of churchgoers public response. Every single member of the and clergy are pressed with much greater con- Crown Nominations Commission could have cerns about mission and apologetics in a very given their account of the meeting and all bruising environment. would have differed. Colin Slee’s account is The obsessions of activists and campaigning highly partial and colourful. It provides only a groups are ultimately a damaging distraction raises questions glimpse into the meeting but cannot be taken from the real challenges facing the Church.

he Archbishop of Canterbury Colin Slee at the time was a prime finds himself in familiar territory suspect for the leak and the purpose of T- a lose/lose situation - in which his memorandum was to suggest that he can’t on this occasion even defend there were any number of people What Sepp Blatter didn’t see himself against his critics. (including the two Archbishops) with The occasion is the release of a opportunities for a breach of confiden- memorandum from the late Colin tiality. The accusation undoubtedly In his notorious press conference on Monday Slee, former , who caused the former dean immense Sepp Blatter pointed to the European Champi- rails against his chairing of a meeting pain. His writing is even more colour- onship Final as a sign of FIFA’s health. In reality, of the Crown Nominations Commis- ful and dogmatic than usual, casting last weekend’s beautiful footballing display was sion that had met to consider names accusations around equally. He paints the very opposite. It was a very assertive display for the Diocese of Southwark. As is particularly uncomplimentary por- of what sport is all about - the purity of athletes well known by now, due to a leak, Jef- traits of the two Archbishops, describ- expressing themselves through their skills and frey John’s name was on the list. ing shouting, arm-twisting and bad their determination to win. We don’t often get Slee describes the understandable tempered exchanges. such a spectacle. Too often there are spoiling tac- anger of Dr Williams at the breach of He is particularly critical of the tics, or confrontations with the match officials. confidentiality that later prompted an Archbishop of Canterbury seeking a Saturday’s truly great match exposes much of inquiry, to which Slee’s memo was legal opinion as to whether gay candi- football’s greedy, power-hungry edifice for what responding. dates could be ruled out of considera- it is. 16 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday June 3, 2011 Comment For the sake of the children

A few years ago I was asked to speak in a debate for the motion that “the nuclear family is the social ideal”. It was a bit of a Anglican Life fiasco, not only was I almost the only per- son in favour of the motion but it turned Church Society out that the other speaker in favour was really against and had just agreed to put a case. What also struck me was that the the UK seem mostly blind to the problems speakers against really had little to say and particularly to the causes. The main about society or community; they were agents for social change for the better are almost entirely individualistic, focussed on those with moral ideals that are based on a the rights and liberty of the individual. clear foundation, and in general that The Centre for Social Justice recently means religions. In the UK the churches released some statistics that highlight the many seem to have given up on moral ide- collapse of the family in our society. Nearly alism and the vacuum will be, is being, half of all children (48 per cent) should filled by other religions, most likely Islam. expect that by the time they reach the age The churches have failed because we of 16 their parents will have split up. If you have largely followed the spirit of the age. believe that this has no impact on children We have failed because we have become or on society then this is unlikely to dis- muddle-headed and imagine that if we turb you. But anyone who works with chil- make demands of people they will not join dren will be aware of the impact of family us whereas if we open to all without mak- breakdown, not just the immediate conse- ing any demands they will flood in – and quences, but in the long-term. this despite all the ample evidence that it is The CSJ report highlights some of the utter nonsense. indicators that all is not well including the We have failed because we have not set fact that children from single-parent fami- before people the God-given pattern for lies are more likely to struggle at school human life, established from the begin- and become addicted to drugs or alcohol. ning that the lifelong commitment of a We have yet to reap the full effect of the man and woman in marriage is the only collapse of the family in our national life. proper place for sexual union and the bear- If these statistics were all we had avail- ing of children. Intermittently people will able surely common sense alone would say that we do uphold marriage (one man, mean we recognise a problem and deter- one woman, for life), but then undermine mine to do something about it. Surely we this claim by turning a blind eye to sexual should recognise the value of a stable com- sin, whatever the genders are involved. mitment made between parents that pro- Our churches have become largely inco- vides security for children if nothing else. herent in our message and in this our lead- Sadly, even this minimum amount of com- ers lead. mon sense seems to be lacking. We have had the means to help those in No doubt someone will quote some need, but have failed to do so, because we counter statistics but the root of the issue think we know better than God our Maker. is that we have become individualistic, The Biblical teaching is plain. People only focussed on the rights of the individual, or think it complicated when others try to to put it another way, self-centred and self- twist its meaning in order to justify ungod- ish. This is destructive for society and our liness. For the sake of our society, for the children are reaping what we have sown. sake of our children and grandchildren, Governments can attempt to engineer we must repent of this folly and seek to live social change but in general they appear by the revealed will of God in Scripture. far better at destroying than in building up. David Phillips However, at the moment our politicians in General Secretary, Church Society

Following the leak of a memo by the late gay people in their midst, affirms our rela- Dean of , the Very tionships in a legal ceremony and contin- Rev Colin Slee, describing the events ues to deal with prejudice in sport and around the leak of attempts by Archbish- What the Blogs Say schools. ops to block the nomination of the Dean of “The Church of England’s prejudice is St Albans, Dr Jeffrey John, to become reinforced by aggressively anti-gay rheto- Bishop of Southwark, the Rev Peter Ould prejudice held by a minority against les- eral. They just don’t talk about it. ric and behaviour elsewhere in the Angli- blogs: “The issue is whether if Dr John bian, gay, bisexual and transgender people “However, if the candidate is open about can Communion. Primates and bishops in became a Bishop he could act as a “focus in our Church and Communion. The preju- his sexuality, then the ‘rules’ which in Africa and other Provinces claim to speak of unity” for a diocese. dice is poisoning our Church and infecting themselves simply ask that they confirm on behalf of the majority in the Commun- “This appears to have been the concern it at every level. they are celibate, seem to fly out of the ion. They cannot claim to represent the of the Archbishops and the reason why Dr “It poisoned the Crown Nomination window. majority because none of them has ever John was vetoed for Southwark. Now of Committee’s process in Southwark, as “The absurd list of reasons why you can consulted their national church. Which of course the issue is not simply that he is Colin Slee’s memorandum reveals and it block the selection of a gay person to bish- them has ever openly debated homosexu- gay. There have been a number of gay has poisoned my life here in Devizes. op should be thrown out completely - it ality in a safe environment or researched bishops consecrated, the most prominent “The poison will not go away until con- really is outrageous that someone could homosexuality as has the Church of Eng- of whom was allegedly the former Bishop servatives deal with their unexamined seriously suggest asking a candidate for land and the Episcopal Church among of Southwark, . prejudice against homosexuals like me. the office of bishop whether they had other Provinces and published the “I could easily see a situation in the near Prejudice is the trap which prevents some repented of their past sexual sins.” results?” future where someone else who is gay, but bishops and many priests from being open Ould admits: “If it is true that the Ould agrees that the issue must be con- clearly celibate, is consecrated to the Epis- about their sexuality.” Church has knowingly consecrated Bish- fronted: “A cold war in the Church of Eng- copacy.” The Church Mouse blog reads: “The ops who have been involved in ‘interesting’ land is being prolonged by the pushing However the Rev Colin Coward believes current ‘rules’ surrounding issues of sex- (for want of a better word) domestic under the carpet of a real dilemma there is a more insidious malignance grip- uality are a total fudge and must be sort- arrangements, the refusal of preferment to amongst the House of Bishops, that to be ping the Church’s hierarchy, writing on ed out. Rowan Williams stated Dr John is untenable and hypocritical.” utterly truthful about the live situation his Changing Attitude blog: “The root of recently that there were absolutely no Coward writes: “The Church of England would see the whole Church exploding in the problem affecting the Church of Eng- issues with gay people becoming bish- has allowed itself to become an enclave of a powder-keg of moral conflict. One might land in its conflicted views about homosex- ops, as long as they complied with the prejudice against LGBT people in a society disagree with Colin but one cannot fail to uality is the entrenched homophobia and celibacy rule. Indeed, we already have sev- which now lives at ease with lesbian and understand and appreciate his dilemma.” Sunday Friday June 3, 2011 www.churchnewspaper.com 17

Last week I suggested we think about the trying to tell us something and justify to Garden of Eden and the unbroken fellow- God why we should take no notice? And ship that Adam and Eve enjoyed with God. THE SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR when God gives us a blessing do we see it It gives us a picture of prayer as free from for what it is and receive it joyfully? When all our hang-ups about who we are. There is By the Rev Dr Liz Hoare God said to Adam ‘It is not good for man to no need to dissemble for we have nothing be alone’, Adam did not argue or disagree. to hide, no need to justify ourselves His response, which are the first words he because we are not only accepted but made for God. The purpose of human this easy open access to this wonderful, spoke to God are words of joy and accept- delighted in. Walking with God in the cool beings has not changed: we are made to be generous God. When God said to Adam ‘Be ance (Gen 2:23) of the day is what we are made for. with God, to share in his delight in us and fruitful and increase in number; fill the There will always be elements of the old We do not even need to believe that God to enjoy him forever. earth and subdue it’ Adam does not argue person at work when we pray but in Christ is listening even though we can’t see him It is what Augustine so famously meant or question God about it. He remains silent we have confidence to approach the throne because he is there. He walks beside us, when he said hundreds of years after the as if to take it for granted that what God of God. sharing with us all that he has and we are at Fall: ‘You have made us for yourself and tells him to do is good. How often do we There will always be hope, knowing that ease in his company. our hearts are restless until they find their feel compelled to try to persuade God to the full restoration of this wonderful rela- That harmony was wrecked by sin and rest in you.’ Maybe that is why people who come round to our way of thinking? tionship with God will be restored in God’s the image of God our creator was marred profess to be atheists often confess that Do we make plans and then ask God to time. in us. Yet we humans are still made in they have prayed. Why there is an ache bless them. God’s image and meant to be in relation- when someone who does not know the cre- Do we notice someone with what we ship with him. ator looks at a thing of beauty and does not judge to be a fault and ask God to sort them The Rev Dr Liz Hoare (nee Culling) is tutor A deep longing for something lies in the have anyone to thank. out? in prayer, spirituality and mission at depths of the human heart because we are There are many things to notice about Do we get an intuition that the Spirit is Wycliffe Hall SUNDAYSUNDAY SERVICESERVICE Anniversaries and Sunday Readings for 12 June, 2011 Pentecost - Whit Sunday - Year A celebrations everywhere The 400th anniversary of the Authorized day. Perhaps as she has two birthdays a Acts 2:1-21 Version has been certainly much celebrat- year we can blame her for the overload. 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 ed. Though the extent to which celebra- Equally H.M. may have the answer to tion has been accompanied by renewed the sheet displays. After your 21st, why John 20: 19-23 utilisation, is, alas, much less certain. not one official birthday each year for folk Equally the 75th anniversary last year of born each decade — eight occasions a When the Day of Pentecost came, there were about 120 believers, according to the first the birth of Elvis Presley gained much year if we stop at the 100th, though per- chapter of Acts, including the apostles and the other men and women who had gathered coverage, but a return of pop music from haps we should add the 110th to make together in Jerusalem to await the gift of the Holy Spirit promised by Jesus, empowering the gruesome gurning of Lady Gaga to sure. After all, the Queen, we hope, will them to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth. The descent of the Spirit upon the the melodic magic of ‘the King’ in his pre- reach that age, and we can’t deny her a Church brings the ability to speak in different tongues, so that the human race, divided and Vegas prime hasn’t occurred. third official birthday, come 2036. scattered at the tower of Babel, might now all hear the gospel of Jesus Christ in their own Possibly the modern world has too Once we had Mothering Sunday (to be language, and be united as one family in the kingdom of God. Jerusalem was filled with many anniversaries and special days. Did called ‘Mums’ Day’ in Common Worship people from many nations who were present for the feast, of whom 3,000 became believers you miss that March was the 50th anniver- Mark 2) and then, from America, came on that day, returning to their homes with a living faith in the risen Lord, and so sharing in sary of Don Revie becoming manager of Fathers’ Day and now we’ve got Grandpar- the witness of the Church to the nations from which they came. The gifts of the Spirit are ? Or that May marked the 125th ents’ Day. Before long Second Cousin poured out upon the Church in each age to empower Christians in just the same way that anniversary of Coca-Cola first going on (Twice Removed) Day? those first believers were anointed to proclaim repentance and the good news of salvation. sale in Atlanta, Georgia? ‘Frankly you Fresh Expressions is worried that the St Paul lists some of the wonderful ways in which the Spirit is given to the Church for its couldn’t care a damn’? Then you won’t Church is out of step with the modern missionary calling, emphasising that these powerful and holy gifts are not bestowed for pri- care about missing the fact that this mood. Normally a good thing, but sitting vate possession or as badges of honour, but for the common good. Within the corporate life month sees the 75th anniversary of the out the Anniversaries Waltz is unfortunate of the Body of Christ, we are sustained, taught and equipped, and strengthened in faith in publication of Gone with in one respect. preparation for whatever way the Lord chooses to call us into his service. Always we are to the Wind. A generation ago, receive these gifts in a spirit of service, of our brothers and sisters in Christ, and in mission If you’re theologically ‘Recently, apart from only the most ‘Protty’ to those who have yet to share in this inheritance of faith. It is rightly said that the Church minded, you’ll know that those parishes still church didn’t keep at exists for the sake of those who are not yet its members. We begin this ministry when the it’s the 150th anniver- very least the major Spirit teaches us to confess that Jesus is Lord, and whatever we once were — whatever our sary of A&M and 25 maintaining a daily Saints and Feast Days origins or status — it is in the power of the one Spirit that we are united in Christ and years since Maradona’s Mass, the habit of ordered by the BCP, empowered for our calling. ‘Hand of God’ goal (22 and in the case of On the first evening of the Resurrection, the disciples must have been gathered in a June 1986). The musical keeping weekday some Anglo-Catholic maelstrom of emotions, from fear at what they had witnessed on Good Friday, to wild spec- will think that ‘Missing parishes, exotic ulation as they heard about the empty tomb, and the reports that Jesus was alive. His first Praise’ has done to wor- celebrations of Saints imports from the words to them are, Peace be with you — the peace which he had promised at the Last Sup- ship what Diego did to Days and Festivals is Roman calendar as per, peace of a kind which the world can not comprehend or give, but only the Lord, who England’s World Cup well. has overcome all our darkest fears and brought us instead to the safe shore of salvation bid. becoming less Recently, apart from through his blood in the new covenant which God has made with us. And then immediate- Not long ago your those parishes still ly the disciples are sent as apostles to continue his ministry to which he was called by his ‘21st’ was the only birth- frequent’ maintaining a daily Father, the ministry of reconciling the world to our loving God through the proclamation of day marked by a special Mass, the habit of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. There can be no doubt of their authority to do so, for celebration. Now we have added to the keeping weekday celebrations of Saints Jesus directly anoints them with the Holy Spirit for their ministry, the power of God to for- celebrations the ‘big Four O’, and every Days and Festivals is becoming less fre- give and to restore to wholeness our mortal nature, bringing salvation and holiness and other numerical notable the card manu- quent. Lazy parishioners, too tied to Kyle peace to all those for whom Christ died and for whom he was raised in glory. facturers can dream up. Stands there a to get to a morning celebration, or too The Rev Stephen Trott roundabout or trunk road bridge that is busy E-baying in the evening? not regularly draped with a sheet shriek- It’s bad enough that football transfers ing ‘Kev or Trace is 30/40/50’ and so on? have got out of hand. Also out of control is HYMN SELECTION A possible cause for the recent excess is the new-style Calendar which encourages growing longevity. A century ago many the transferring of Feast Days to the near- folk were lucky to reach their half-centu- est Sunday. It makes sense to transfer a Hymns for Pentecost ry, but now there are so many centenari- celebration falling on a Sunday or other O for a thousand tongues to sing ans that the Queen (herself a young 85 major Feast to a subsequent weekday (eg Come down, O Love divine year old) must be getting writer’s cramp St George fell this year on Holy Saturday) Sing to him in whom creation signing the cards. but where’s the sense in transferring Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire Of course, 10 June sees the Duke of Epiphany from Thursday 6 January to the Love divine, all loves excelling Edinburgh reaching his 90th. Can we Sunday before, 2 January, as happened in Spirit of the living God expect to see Chas and Andy clambering many RC and Anglican parishes this year. Send forth your Spirit, Lord up the Victoria Memorial and draping it What of Twelfth Night? Did the new In Christ there is no East or West with a sheet proclaiming ‘Fill your boots Calendar make it more a Comedy of God, whose love is all around us Phil. It’s the big Nine-0’? Errors this year? We have a gospel to proclaim Oddly enough, the Duke’s birthday is Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin the day before the Queen’s official birth- Alan Edwards 18 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday June 3, 2011 Comment An aesthetic revolution in the world of art Aesthetic Movement exhibi- Leighton, the Classical world poised to slay Cupid, and Harry tion supremely inspired his pursuit of Bates’ strange sculpture ‘Death, The Victoria & Albert Museum beauty: his late masterwork ‘The the Gateway to Life’, reference until 17 July 2011 Bath of Psyche’(1890), a nude spiritual realities amid Aestheti- framed by Ionic pillars, was based cism’s predominantly decorative, The mid to late 19th century saw on a statue of Venus in Naples. and sometimes shallow, expres- a revolution across the world of Albert Moore, well represented sions. art and design, transforming atti- in this exhibition, was likewise Leighton, Rossetti and others tudes towards art and paving the Classically-inspired, studying the made their homes ‘Palaces of Art’ way for the Modern movement. Elgin Marbles for his superb ren- with ornate interiors and furnish- Visions of young women in Clas- derings of Greek drapery. ‘Mid- ings, often in exotic Oriental sical robes of flaming orange and summer’, its three female figures style, likewise catering for rich shining white, neo-decadent ver- in glowing orange, simply aston- clients – digital projection recap- sions of antique sculpture, Renais- ishes. tures Whistler’s famous ‘Peacock sance-style decorated chests and For Dante Rossetti, Burne- Room’ for shipping magnate chairs evocative of ancient Egypt, Jones, Morris and other ‘second Frederick Leyland – and influenc- intricate floral wallpapers – all wave’ Pre-Raphaelites, they came ing wider middle class taste. were expressions of the Aesthetic from mediaeval Christendom and William Morris designed exqui- Movement, a cultural wave in Vic- Britain was implicitly a moral Frederic Leighton, President of Arthurian legend. Burne-Jones site floral wallpapers – and torian England led by such inno- endeavour. the Royal Academy in 1878 (a always strove to image the dreamed of beautiful artwork for vators as Edward Burne-Jones, Victoria and Albert Museum’s baronet in 1886) was an establish- ‘divinely beautiful’: from the neo- the masses through craftsman- Frederic Leighton, Albert Moore, grand-scale exhibition ‘The Cult ment figure – yet in ‘The Syracu- mediaeval ‘Laus Veneris’, the ship revival. It would take 20th- William Morris and James of Beauty: The Aesthetic Move- san Bride leading Wild Beasts in intense feeling of its female group century mass production to make Whistler. ment 1860-1900’ (until 17 July), Procession to the Temple of heightened by intense colours, to ‘the House Beautiful’ a popular Rejecting establishment ‘acade- showcases all this very compre- Diana’ (1886), his panoramic use the quasi-heavenly motif of ‘The reality, but such was already mic’ art with its premium on hensively with over 250 works of rich colours created a composi- Golden Stairs’ (1880), its draped glimpsed in Christopher Dress- grand historical and moral themed under Search for a New tional tour de force from such an women descending like angels, er’s futuristic nickel silver teapot themes, the Aesthetic artists pur- Beauty, Art for Art’s Sake, Beauti- academic subject, while his ‘Pavo- he created his ‘beautiful romantic (1879). sued beauty for its own sake ful People and Aesthetic Houses, nia’ (1859) became an Aesthetic dreams’. The V&A has sumptuously through theme and colour, elevat- and Late Flowering Beauty. ikon. An enchanting head-and- The Aesthetic image was not recalled a distinctive British art ing sensuous appeal and decora- Such demarcations seem arbi- shoulders of his Italian model always happily sun-drenched. movement whose dedication to tive effect above meaning or trary; most striking is the remark- Nanna Risi, this image heralded a Rossetti’s tragic vision of ‘Beats beauty and ‘art for art’s sake’ morality. Yet their exaltation of able diversity of the artists, new, more sensual type of female Beatrix’ (1870), FG Watts’ darkly challenged the gross materialism beauty over against the prevalent cultural influences and artwork beauty, symbolised by her large disturbing ‘Love and Death’, its of the Victorian age. ugliness of Industrial Revolution under the name of Aestheticism. peacock feather fan. For towering, menacing female Brian Cooper

6 Description of the enchanter in Isa- Solutions to last week’s crossword PRIZE CROSSWORD: Number 749 iah ch. 3 (6) 13 A wife must not do this from her Across husband, according to 1 Corinthians 1 Starting 6 Elms 8 Carmel 9 Artist 10 Why ch. 7 (8) 11 Economics 13 Tree 14 Top 16 Tall 18 15 ..the ______of my pomegranates Hypocrite 21 Ant 23 Tennis 24 Eluded 25 (Song 8:2) (6) Adder 26 Enchant 16 Desecrate (6) 17 Clergyman acting as assistant to a Down parish priest (6) 2 Teacher 3 Rome 4 Illicit 5 Grain 6 Esti- 18 Oldest festival of the Christian mate 7 Music 12 Denounce15 Pattern 17 Church (6) Lantern 19 Yield 20 Rose 22 Ruth 20 Precipitation falling on the earth in Genesis ch. 7 (4)

The first correct entry drawn will win a book of the Editor’s choice. Send your entry to Crossword Number 749, The Church of England Newspaper, 14 Great College Street, Westminster, London, SW1P 3RX by next Friday

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Across 19 Mark left by an old wound (4) & Wear Tyne & Museums Archives Images: LaingArtGallery, 21 Stronghold captured by David in 2 SU DOKU Samuel ch. 5 (8) 7 Distribute (6) 22 OT book and prophet (6) 8 One of several uttered by Balaam 23 He will ______his donkey to a Last week’s answers in Numbers ch. 23 (6) vine (Gen 49:11) (6) 9 ..the citadel of ______(Ezra 6.2) (8) 10 It must be sincere, according to Down Romans ch. 12 (4) 11 Allows entry (6) 1 Description of the wine in Song of 12 5 Down killed him with a tent peg Songs ch. 8 (6) in Judges ch. 4 (6) 2 Naomi, in Ruth ch. 2, had one 14 They fully ______to topple him named Boaz (8) (Ps 62:4) (6) 3 Principles at which to be aimed (6) 17 Description of the two very small 4 First of the epistles in the NT (6) coins from the poor 5 She killed 12 with a tent peg in widow in Luke ch. 21 (6) Judges ch. 4 (4) Classifieds Friday June 3, 2011 www.churchnewspaper.com 19

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    NOTICES Vicar of Romiley    St Chad’s Romiley (near Stockport) is a vibrant, busy, charismatic church in the open evangelical tradition. We have a number of significant      community activities based at the Romiley Lifecentre and elsewhere, Vacancies in the Sees of Woolwich and Croydon and an extensive programme of children and young people’s work.    in the Diocese of Southwark We have a network of small groups where people are discipled and       encouraged to grow spiritually.        We are seeking a godly, Bible-based leader, who is evangelical and Following the translation of the Rt Revd ,    charismatic, pastoral and missional, and who, together with a Curate       the See of Woolwich is currently vacant. The See of Croydon is also and a staff team of six, will love, lead and inspire our multi-generational church to the next stage of its development. !  "# $%& vacant following the translation of the Rt Revd Nicholas Baines. To request a copy of our Parish Profile and application form contact the    , by email to [email protected] or on Any person wishing to comment on the needs of either of these roles, 01244 350864. For more information about St Chad’s visit     www.stchadsromiley.co.uk or who wishes to propose candidates, should write by the 20th June to: th   !              Bec Gardens, Closing date for applications: Monday 13 June, 2011 Interview dates: Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th July, 2011    London SW16 1QZ " '(   ) *  + (

CLERICAL SIMEON’S TRUSTEES Diocese of Birmingham VICAR Associate Vicar St Philip Dorridge with St James Bentley Heath St Andrew’s Church, Westlands in the Deanery of Shirley The Bishop of and the Patron wish to appoint a Newcastle under Lyme in Staffordshire St Philip Dorridge with St James Bentley Heath, are seeking to appoint an Associate Vicar with responsibility for St James Bentley Heath, in partnership Vicar to the Parish of The Parish is located in a residential area to the west of the with Bentley Heath C of E Primary School. market town, about one mile from Junction 15 of the M6 This job offers all the joys of being a ‘vicar’ without having to carry all the St John, Clayton, Bradford responsibility alone. St John’s is a lively open evangelical church in Clayton, a village We are seeking an inspirational and prayerful leader to build on We are one parish with two worship centres, our predominant style is Anglican, on the western edge of the . In recent years the the work of the retiring incumbent with support from a large team charismatic, evangelical, but we offer a variety of worship styles across five congregation has grown from 100 to 150 through friendships in Services on a Sunday. of volunteers. the village and offering Alpha and Start courses. The church has We are looking for a person, open to the leading of the Spirit and called by God, to work and pray with us: a brand new community hall which opens in the autumn which will Some of the essential qualities being sought for the role are: be a springboard for more service and outreach. St John’s is ● To lead our mission and vision at St James Bentley Heath ● poised for the next exciting chapter in mission and ministry. A committed evangelical teacher ● To build on the unique mission opportunities we have through our relationship with Bentley Heath School, and St Philip Dorridge St John’s parish population is about 9,000 with one worship ● Energy and enthusiasm for the growth of the Church in the ● To grow St James in faith, in number, and in outreach to our community centre and one church school. The next vicar is invited to lead community ● We offer the love, support and generosity of a gathering of very committed St John’s forward and also contribute to the wider Diocese Ability to provide various types of worship opportunities to all people, who have great potential for growth as a church, in an environment according to their gifts. The is a ‘permission in the Parish where our new Associate vicar can also grow. giving’ diocese and here is a great opportunity to ‘make a ● Strong interpersonal skills with ability to relate to all ages, and Further details from: The difference’ for Jesus Christ. Could God be calling you to minister to our ecumenical partners in St Peter’s Methodist Church. 175-185 Harborne Park Road, Birmingham B17 0BH here? Email: [email protected] ● For more details please contact: Organised and methodical approach to Parish ministry Closing date for applications: Monday 27 June 2011 Mrs Sylvia Johnson, PA to the Interview dates: 19/20 July 2011 [email protected] or 01535 650523 The successful applicant is likely to already have parish The closing date is 20th June 2011 and the interviews are on leadership experience and would seize this opportunity to 6th July 2011. An enhanced CRB is required. develop their work in the service of Christ. For the Parish profile see: www.churchinthewestlands.org.uk Vicar Further details from: Mrs Ann Brown, Simeon’s Trustees, St Martin’s-in-the-Fields Finham 6 Angerford Avenue, Sheffield S8 9BG Benefice of Ellingham, Harbridge and Hyde with Ibsley We are a Bible believing, Bible teaching, friendly renewed Evangelical [email protected] family church on the edge of South Coventry. In recent years, we have Wishes to appoint a Closing date: 22 June Visit & Interviews: 14-15 July seen significant growth and we are looking to a new vicar to take us forward to our next stage of growth and development. PRIEST IN CHARGE Enhanced CRB check required We are actively praying that the right person will feel called, Do you have a vision for rural ministry? and will be anointed to work with us and will:

We are a rural benefice of three parishes, two in the Avon • Be centered on and strengthened by personal prayer and worship. Valley and one in the New Forest National Park; we are a • From their own life in Christ, will preach and teach the Gospel. warm and caring community with strong lay involvement in • Have strong communication skills and a commitment to all our churches. We seek an incumbent who will: collaborative ministry. • Respond imaginatively to the needs of our community. ● Equip and encourage us to know God in prayer, worship • Have the vision and energy to take our Church to the next phase and through gifted Bible teaching. The of growth. ● • Be skilled in identifying and developing the gifts of individuals – Respect our diverse styles of worship and develop ways House for Duty Priest, Upper Hardres with Stelling to empower all of our members to identify and use their gifts of encouraging and engaging children and young adults. effectively in ministry. Two churches, situated in unspoilt countryside near ● Sees pastoral ministry to the whole community as • Be able to nurture and mentor members of the Church including Canterbury, seek a new House for Duty Priest with a living the Lay Leadership Team. important. faith to help our churches grow and prosper. There is the • Take a lead in training of laity for increased involvement. ● Has a collaborative leadership style, able to recognise support of the people and clergy of our neighbouring parish If you feel excited by, and called to, this opportunity we would love to and encourage the gifts of our church members. with whom we are developing a formal link. We offer a chance hear from you. ● Help us to develop the mission of the church in our for you to enjoy village life, become actively involved with the For further details please contact: communities and across the deanery. school and promote the mission of the churches. Yvette McDonald, PA to the Archdeacons, How to apply: Cathedral & Diocesan Offices, 1 Hill Top, Coventry CV1 5AB. This post is subject to an enhanced CRB disclosure Email: [email protected] Phone 024 7652 1337 Miss Nicky Chapman, The ’s PA, Closing date June 17th. Interviews July 5/6th http://www.coventry.anglican.org/home/vacancies/ Bishop's House, St Mary's Church Close, Wessex Lane, Southampton SO18 2ST Applicant closing date: 9 am Monday 20 June 2011 Applications and enquiries to: Informal gathering & Formal Interviews: Tel: 023 8055 3627 Ms Andrea Fuggles, Tuesday 28 & Wednesday 29 June 2011 Email: [email protected] PA to the (This post is subject to enhanced disclosure from CRB) An enhanced CRB check required Email: [email protected] Closing Date: 10.00 am on 1 July 2011 Tel: 01227 865238 DEADLINE FOR NEXT WEEK: 2pm Monday Interviews: 20 and 21 July 2011 Full details and profile: www.canterburydiocese.org/vacancies 20 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday June 3, 2011 Classifieds

CLERICAL MUSICIANS The CEN Web Directory Tonbridge Parish Church The simple way to click & find! Associate Vicar Located in the north of Tonbridge, we are a large evangelical Animal Welfare Church Supplies Parish (ER450) with four church buildings. We are committed The Anglican Society for the Greenbarnes to creative worship, relevant Bible teaching, and generous Welfare of Animals A complete range of noticeboards, in service and witness to others. JESMOND PARISH CHURCH To promote concern and awareness on wood or aluminion, sign panels and Why might God be calling you to be our Associate Vicar? all aspects of God’s animal creation posts, hymnboards, lecterns and display www.aswa.org.uk cabinets. • You will work with a church fellowship that is diverse, Music Co-ordinator www.greenbarnes.co.uk warm-hearted and seeking to know God more deeply. Animal Aid We are looking to appoint to our senior pastoral team an able Campaigning on wide range of issues Lockie Limited • You will want to be part of an energetic lay and ordained musician with organ and piano skills to lead and develop our from factory farming, vivisection and Extensive range of offertory collection staff team. bad science, to pheasant shooting and Gift Aid envelopes for churches, ministry of music, both traditional and contemporary. The and abuse of animals in horse-racing schools and charities. • You will have the necessary gifts to lead and enable successful candidate will be a committed evangelical and an industry. We have an Active Education www.lockiechurch.com others to develop their own ministries. experienced leader. Dept and promote vegetarianism and a The Associate Vicar will be a senior member of the staff team cruelty-free lifestyle. www.animalaid.org.uk Clerical Wear and have special oversight and responsibility for St Philip’s JPC is an evangelical Anglican church in the centre of Newcastle Church, within the Parish. upon Tyne, with Sunday attendances of around 1000, and a Hammond & Harper of London Automotive Manufacturers and suppliers of fine staff of over 30. We have a music group of 40 singers and clerical shirts and accessories. Tonbridge Parish Church The Mitchell Group - Chester instrumentalists that meets weekly. We also have seasonal musical www.hammondandharperoflondon.co.uk Seeking to live by God’s triumphant Grace Škoda, Mazda and Lexus Dealerships groups including a choir that sings at, among other occasions, our Parish profile and job description are available from our 300 "previously-enjoyed" cars/37 different Carols by Candlelight services attended by 5000; an orchestra; makes always in stock from £1,000 to Counselling & Support Parish website: www.tonbridgeparishchurch.org.uk and a brass group. £20,000. Biblically driven - nationwide or contact Jane Higgs: [email protected] personalised delivery service. Contact True Freedom Trust 01732 770962 extn 25 FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT Mark Mitchell on 0151 347 5660. A Christian support & teaching ministry www.mitchellgroup.co.uk for men and women seeking help for Closing date for applications is 25th June 2011. Rev Jonathan Pryke, Executive Minister, Jesmond Parish Church homosexual, lesbian or similar issues, Interviews for short-listed applicants on 15th July 2011. Priory Automotive and for their families and friends 0191 2125127 • [email protected] Christian car suppliers. New & Used. www.truefreedomtrust.co.uk Free nationwide delivery, visit GODLY LIVING • CHURCH GROWTH • CHANGING BRITAIN www.prioryautomotive.com or call Holiday, Conference CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILY MINISTRY (0114) 2559696. www.church.org.uk • www.clayton.tv & Retreat Centres Bible & Theological St Stephen’s Ealing Ashburnham Place Colleges Prayer and Conference Centre p/t Children and Families Worker Facilities for individuals; residential Moorlands College groups up to 290; Festivals up to 2000. (Initially fixed term for 2 years) Applied Theology is a fascinating subject Volunteer programme. St Stephen’s is a growing Anglican Church based in Ealing West to study and at Moorlands they certainly www.ashburnham.org.uk London. We are looking for a committed Christian with the ability bring it alive! Theology Degrees, DipHE to develop our ministry to children aged 0-11 and their families. and CertHE have bveen carefully and Mission & Evangelism creatively designed to give a biblical The person God is calling will have the passion, vision and skills to and theological foundation on which grow our existing children’s work and develop our mission to the to build your life and ministry. They Church Mission Society wider community. You will be an excellent communicator, will thoroughly equip you to serve God CMS is a community of over 2,500 particularly with children, and able to lead, inspire and support our Do you have a strong calling to lead worship? in p[ractical and relevant ways within members committed to evangelistic committed team of volunteers as well as manage the regular tasks today's fast changing world. mission, working to see our world required for this kind of work. Are you passionate about sharing God’s love through www.moorlands.ac.uk transformed by the love of Jesus. CMS music and song? supports people in mission making Hours are equivalent to 3 days a week, with a salary £15,000. St John's College Nottingham disciples, resourcing leaders and The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced CRB LEADER OF MUSIC MINISTRIES Offers full time and part time, residential transforming communities in over 35 check and will ideally take up the position in September 2011. and distance learning courses for countries. Emmanuel Church Loughborough ordinands, theology students and clergy. www.cms-uk.org For more information about the job contact: We are an evangelical church (asa 350 – 400 people), delighted to be Also courses in counselling, pastoral Revd Steve Morris on 020 8997 1259 seeking an enthusiastic and committed Christian to join us at this exciting care, listening skills, vocation, youth Application forms and job details are available from the time in our church life. ministry and children's & families. Set in Music Services In this key role, integral to our vision of growth and outreach, you will lead beautiful grounds, we're an ideal location Church Administrator (tel 020 8991 0164 or email our music worship, direct our music team, nurture their skills and provide for away days. What Is Your All-time Favourite [email protected]). pastoral support. Able to demonstrate a high standard of musical and www.stjohns-nottm.ac.uk Hymn? Closing date for receipt of completed applications is singing ability, you will feel comfortable with a range of musical styles from Submit a list of your favourite hymns 27th June 2011 with interviews in early July. predominantly contemporary to more traditional. Wycliffe Hall We are keen to encourage our Leader of Music Ministries to work closely online. Listen and sing along to hymns, Equipping Christians for Ministry. THE with service leaders and creatively develop this role, inspiring members of upload songs/videos, comment, chat in the congregation to become involved and nurture musical talent in our evangelical college for men and women our forum, and more! in the heart of Oxford University. Further SITUATIONS VACANT HOLIDAYS & TRAVEL wider church family. http://www.favehymns.com Being open to the Spirit during worship, there is an opportunity for you to details from contribute significantly to the spiritual engagement and development of www.wycliffe.ox.ac.uk our congregation. Professional If you would like to see more details of the role – or want to talk to THORNLEIGH for holidays in the Bible Study Resources someone about it – please contact Cathy Threlfall-Rogers on 01509 261773 Associations Lake District (www.thornleigh- or [email protected] hotel.co.uk), and Abroad in We look forward to hearing from you! The Open Bible Trust Librarians’ Christian Fellowship Bavaria, Copenhagen, Holy Land, 30 hours per week - Salary £16,000-18,000 depending upon experience Magazine, booklets, books, audio CDs, Association of Christians in library, DVDs, conferences, holidays. - New York and Prague. Brochure: Closing date 24th June 2011. information and archive work. Publisher 015395 32733. Interviews will take place during week commencing 4th July 2011 www.obt.org.uk of "Christian Librarian" and organiser of ST GEORGE’S LEEDS This post is subject to an enhanced CRB check regular events. Charities www.librarianscf.org.uk We are looking for an Emmanuel Church Centre, Forest Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3NW HIPPO Food Aid Publishing HOLIDAYS UK Feeding the hungry with good things Operations Manager www.easm.co.uk and sending the rich away with BRF (Bible Reading Fellowship) or Executive Pastor an encouragement to live simply, Resourcing your spiritual journey to join our Staff Team BEAUTIFUL PEMBROKESHIRE sympathetically, and sustainably. www.brf.org.uk COAST Holiday House, five Tel: 01989 762192. minutes’ walk to safe, sandy beach. [email protected] Resources Online www.ivu.org/hippo Salary range £25-£27k Sleeps 4–6, fully equipped, ideal family holiday, also walking coastal Under Tree Schools Bible Cartoons + benefits, path, water sports, bird watching. A charity based in Kidderminster A site dedicated to the cartoons and Closing date: 10 June 2011 From £300 pw. 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      holiday accommodation. Lourdes All classifieds also appear on our website. Lobbying Travel 1        !"# 1 /2 hours away. Owners attend St. Contact us at: ICS $%$ &  && Andrews, Pau. Available all year. The Third Province Movement Going abroad? ICS’s website lists Ideal sabbatical retreat. [email protected] To establish a Third Province within the English-language churches and services '       (  www.holidayretreatgersfrance.co. Church of England, if all else fails for tourists )  *  +  , uk Tel: 0033-562090828 020 7878 1001 www.thirdprovince.org.uk www.churchesabroad.org The Register Friday June 3, 2011 www.churchnewspaper.com 21 The Rev John Morris remembered

When John Morris died in March for the ministry from his Youth found a faith for the first time dur- of the city, the argument ran. Invited by a Team Vicar to help this year, his daughter told me Group. ing their years in Paris. However, under his successor the out at Melbury Abbas, he soon that last Christmas he had In 1956 the ‘Col & Con’ - as peo- John was a great mixer; ambas- project foundered - perhaps it had found himself involved in a round received more than 400 Christ- ple used to call the Colonial and sadors, the elderly and au pairs, always been too ambitious - and of baptisms, weddings and funer- mas cards. At the ripe old age of Continental Church society, he had a pastoral heart for them the congregations remained sepa- als; by chance a friend of mine 102 this is surely remarkable, and which appointed Chaplains all all. Though not a naturally gifted rate. lived there at the time and he told serves as eloquent testimony to a over Europe, and still does; it is preacher, his warmth and integri- It was my privilege to go to me that the congregation greatly much-loved Vicar. now the Intercontinental Church ty shone out. He loved people, work with John in 1967, after a appreciated John’s ministry, and After reading History at Society — invited him to become and he loved the Gospel; this was spell as a School Chaplain. I was he could see the numbers Emmanuel College, Cambridge, Chaplain at the British Embassy a powerful combination. He was invited to combine this Student increasing. He kept this up until John worked for a spell in insur- Church in Paris. Here he and no mean athlete, and played ten- Chaplaincy with looking after the he was almost 90! ance, finding digs with Harding Beryl - a wonderful and immense- nis to a high standard up into his small, scattered English-speaking After Beryl died in 1984, John Wood, a well known evangelical, ly hard-working clergy wife — seventies. communities at Lyon, Aix-les- shared a house with another who shrewdly spotted some presided over the heterogeneous During his time it was decided Bains and Grenoble. This really retired Vicar, by chance another latent talent and gave him finan- collection of ancient residents, to re-name the British Embassy was a fun, and at the same time John, until he decided it was time cial help to go to St John’s, High- business people, diplomats, stu- Church; the label had outgrown richly rewarding, job. He was a for a retirement home. He lived bury - later to become St John’s, dents and au pairs that made up its relevance. There was also a marvellous man to work with, and on contentedly in Gillingham Nottingham. the congregation. Their hospitali- project to join up with the other Beryl mothered me sympatheti- until 15 March this year. The Ordained at St Paul’s in 1934, ty was legendary, and at the Sun- Anglican Church in the centre of cally. John and Beryl returned to cliché ‘He will be much missed’ is he served a Curacy at St day afternoon tea-party you might Paris, St George’s, that upheld England in 1969, when he became often used in obituaries; in the Stephen’s, East Twickenham, find 30 or 40 - or even more some- the Anglo-Catholic tradition, Vicar of Holy Trinity, Brompton, case of John Morris it seems to be before a spell as Succentor at times - young British and other together with the Methodists. for a final spell of ministry. That a natural, and there must be many . nationalities, crowded into their John favoured the name ‘St year Sue and I were married, and people all over England, and even During the war years he was flat for tea and cake. People were Michael’, as the combined we knew that it had to be John to overseas, who are profoundly Vicar of Emmanuel, Plymouth, invited, but never pressed, to Church centre would be St tie the knot. grateful to God for having and in 1945 John was invited back come on to Evensong; many did, Michael and St George. Why He retired in 1975, when they encountered him. as Vicar of St Stephen’s, where no and many found their faith maintain three separate and went to live in Shaftesbury. How- fewer than 11 men came forward strengthened - and some actually expensive churches in the middle ever he was far from idle there. Peter Hancock A new church in Slough: St George’s, Britwell

land; £20 from a widow; the generosity of a deanery that believes in the project; £70,000 in a will; £420,000 from a neigh- bouring church that sees the vision. And just under £500,000 from a diocesan loan that we need to pay off. I need your help too. Please visit our Website www.stge- orgesbritwell.com and click onto ‘contact us’ or contact me directly, The Rev John Chorlton, St George’s Vicarage, Long Fur- long Drive, Britwell, Slough, SL2 2LX

Get your books from the CEN Bookshop Word and Spirit Will Donaldson Just £8.99 (plus p&p)

This new book from Will Donald- son, director of Christian leader- ship at Wycliffe Hall, aims to build The Oxford hairdresser said, as they wanted to close the church, disperse the The all-glass welcome area speaks to the bridges between always do “Are you working today?” When remaining 14 attendees and sell the land; community, not least to say - “Come in, evangelicals who I told him I was to be the vicar of Britwell, then the Area Dean and the Deanery Pas- there is nothing threatening here!”, you take different Slough he said with some admiration: toral Committee made a surprising chal- can walk past and soon you will be tempted views by concen- “That’s really tough over there!” One can lenge: “It seems good to us and to the Holy to find out why we have glass doors. The trating on the almost imagine the second person of the Spirit that the Church of England should new church is of course more than a build- Word of God and Trinity telling an angel that he was off to not desert Britwell”. ing, it is people. Many have stepped over those who con- Judea as a baby and the angel giving a sim- In one of those strange connections, the the threshold and some have stayed to centrate on the influence of ilar response. Quite a surprise when you Area Dean knew me and came to visit me drink coffee, enjoy the toddler group, the Holy Spirit. The book covers actually get here. in Oxford; I was not very receptive to his rekindle a marriage with vows, bury their preaching, teaching, prayer and pas- A couple of years before my wife and I suggestions - I said to myself “I am afraid to dead, enjoy a party and enter into worship. toral care and is described by the Bish- arrived in July 2004, the treasurer left with live in such a crime ridden community, I And the faithful remnant prays on and gels; op of Birmingham as ‘an essential text’. the building fund and other monies. The am no good at raising money, and I know the praying grandparents are seeing fruit; parish was facing rising crime and many that the Holy Spirit works in Oxford, but new leaders are being formed. Buy it today from the CEN Shop by breakdowns in relationships; the church can He work here? Does He even want to?” And where did the £2 million come from calling 020 7878 1008 had followed suit. The Oxford Diocese Six years later we have a new church. - miracles of grace - the selling of a piece of 22 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday June 3, 2011 Catherine Fox Bank Holiday traditions

And from barbecuing, a neat segue into Bank Holidays. Did you know, by the way, Catherine Fox that ‘segue’ does not rhyme with ‘league’? Unless you’re in the habit of pronouncing league ‘leg way’, of course. I mention this in case you have only ever seen it written down. This is a recurring fear of mine, that I have been mispronouncing things all my A novel view of the week adult life, and nobody has liked to mention it. One of my sisters thought for years that ‘whodunit’ was pronounced ‘wad unit’. This, needless to say, is how my entire family now pronounce it. I wonder if people are trying to think how to mention that we are wrong? But to Bank Holidays. It is a given that it rains on Bank Holidays. What could be more quintessentially English than the sight of a bloke in shorts and an apron, under a golf umbrella, tending a Bank Holiday barbecue, while his women folk shriek through the French windows some nonsense about cross-contamination and salmo- nella? (The answer of course is: ‘a bloke in shorts, socks and sandals, and an apron.’) Dangerous vegetables In Lichfield we have our own local take on this most English of idylls. It’s called ‘The Bower’. Here’s what the official website has to say: ‘On Spring Bank Holiday Monday Fruit and veg are arming. A couple of learn, are not exploding. They are infecting in May, after the Court of Arraye, Lichfield Mercury Bower Queen is crowned at 12 weeks ago it was exploding watermelons. people with E.coli. Now I look more closely noon, outside the Guildhall by the Mayor of Lichfield. This is then followed by a tradi- Today I spotted the following headline on at the reports I see that this is no laughing tional street carnival which originates from the 12th century, and consists of floats the BBC website: ‘Cucumber victims “to matter. Serious outbreaks have been and lots more, led by Green Mans Morris and Sword Club with Guests.’ increase”’. Cucumber victims? Perhaps reported in Germany, and have been The only thing missing from this description are the words ‘after an implausibly cucumbers are not as innocuous as I had linked with organic salad produce from long delay’, which should be inserted before ‘This is then followed by…’ Every year always assumed. It’s often said that they Spain. According to the BBC, ‘Several crowds assemble in cathedral Close to watch the floats go by. And every year we have are 98 per cent water. Still, it’s also said that countries have taken steps to curtail the the same conversation: ‘They’re late. They’re supposed to set off at noon.’ But by half we share 98 per cent of our DNA with outbreak, such as banning cucumber past one our patience is rewarded and the parade appears. This year the rain was so chimps (or ‘chumps’ as I just typed — for imports and removing the vegetables from persistent that the musicians in the Morris troupe were wearing plastic ponchos to some of us that goes up to 100 per cent). sale.’ So if you remember nothing else protect their squeeze boxes. The Air Cadets were in anoraks. We heard the Zip! Zip! It’s that crucial two per cent that makes the from this morning’s sermon, boys and Of nylon-clad arms swishing, but any anxiety that this might prove to be a combustion difference, as anyone who has ever girls, next time you see a cucumber I want hazard was soon laid to rest, when we saw they were followed by the fire brigade. attempted to drink a cucumber will tell you. you to think: WASH YOUR SALAD! (Apolo- This was perhaps the event’s highlight, as there was a red elephant riding in the fire I have no real opinion about cucumbers. gies to those of you who attended a Non- engine. Look! Look! I neither love them nor hate them. I am conformist Sunday school. I know you However, a sharp-eyed four year old was able to inform us that it was only someone lukewarm. (I won’t pursue the Laodicean were expecting that sentence to read, ‘Next dressed up as a red elephant, so we all calmed down a bit. thing any further; but if you attempt to time you see a cucumber, I want you to drink a cucumber, this is what will hap- think of the Lord Jesus.’) pen.) Cucumbers appear on the list of Most of us know to be wary of raw chick- things the Children of Israel craved in the en these days. Even the barbecuing blokes wilderness, when all they had to eat was of our great nation have probably grasped ‘this manna.’ There are many things I that this isn’t just female fussiness; and that Close Encounters — The Bower might end up craving under those circum- however black the outside of the drum- stances — croissants still warm from the stick may be, it still isn’t cooked if the boulangerie, Belgian chocolates, Italian inside is oozing blood. Now we have to be and Liturgy ice-cream, a nice cup of tea, even — but scared of salad as well. Unfortunately, this Another thing we say ever year, as we stand shivering in front of Bishop’s House to cucumbers are not going to make it into is vindication of the bloke view that green watch the Bower, is that we should have a cathedral float. Perhaps next year? The the top 100. We were slaves, yes. But at things are the barbecue equivalent of cush- bishop was quite impressed by the baton-twirling leader of the marching band. Would least we had cucumbers! No wonder God ions — something women unaccountably it be possible to achieve something similar with a crook? It was felt that given the lost patience. insist on, but which serve no known useful weight of some of our processional silver crosiers, this would require a risk assess- Cucumbers, you will be disappointed to purpose. ment exercise before any liturgical attempts were made.

Wine of the Week Recipe: Chicken and roast vegetable Melini Chianti Borghi d’Elsa 2009 Wa itro se £5.99 (off er, until 21 June) pasta Suddenly, a break in our long hot spring, and a cool Bank Holiday weekend. A good inexpensive red was called for. I saw that Wa itro se were offering this standard Chianti at INGREDIENTS a reduction of 33%, so ru shed to taste it. This a non-reser- va, not from Tuscany’s renowned Classico 4 chicken fillets, skinless and Salt and black pepper subregion either, but nonetheless very cut into chunks 1tbsp oil enjoyable and excellent value (winner of a 1 red, yellow or green Bronze at the International Wine Chal- 175g (6oz) dry pasta pepper, seeded and cubed lenge). As with all Chiantis now, it must be 1 courgette, cut into chunks made with at least 80 per cent of that great 1 red onion, quartered Italian red grape, Sangiovese. It comes 2 firm tomatoes, halved from a long-established and well-regard - ed producer. Medium red in the glass, on the nose there’s an immedi- ate gust of red cherry fruit and spring flowers. On the palate, medi- um bodied, there’s a refreshing com- METHOD bination of raspberr ies hints, and dryer notes with moderate tannins. It has a pronounced fruity finish, with a Put the vegetables on a roasting pan and drizzle with most of lingering dry glow. the oil. Season with salt and pepper and place under a hot grill Rather unusually, I enjoyed it more for 5-10 mins, turning occasionally, until softened and slightly when freshly poured than when I charred. went back to the glass a hour or so Wipe a large frying pan with the remaining oil, heat the pan after. So, an ideal aperitif. Alcohol a and add the chicken pieces. reasonable 12.5 % by Vo l. Cook over a high heat for about 4-5 mins, turning the chicken Good with pasta, well-flavoured frequently until it is golden brown all over. chicken and with most tomato- Meanwhile, cook the pasta as per pack instruction in a large sauced dishes. pan of boiling water. Drain and return to the pan. Add the charred vegetables and chicken to the pasta and toss. Graham Gendall Norton Serve with a herb garnish. Books Friday June 3, 2011 www.churchnewspaper.com 23

Tom Wright’s controversial book For all the Reimagining Ministry Unfortunately I know many people who Saints in which he argues that the saints, like all David Heywood value the contribution the church makes to the departed, are awaiting the resurrection at the SCM, pb, £19.99 their community but simply do not believe end of time and are unable to join their petitions the creed it teaches. On the odd occasion with ours, has been reissued by SPCK. Bishop Talking About God, they do attend a service they are not Tom disagrees with some current liturgical prac- Helen Cameron, Deborah Bhatti, Catherine impressed by the explanation offered for the tices surrounding All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day Duce, James Sweeney and Clare Watkins Christian faith. Members of an established, and sets out to clarify thinking about what happens SCM, pb, £19.99 national Church have difficulty accepting that to people after they die. they hold the creed of a minority. Not everyone may agree with his views, but Tom In the 19th century the ministry of the ‘Back to church Sunday’ and other initia- Wright’s well-informed and clearly written books Church of England came to be seen as a tives directed towards people on the fringes have made him one of the most popular Christian ‘learned profession’. Residential theological of the church or people who retain some kind writers in English. In Tom Wright for Everyone colleges were established to train future cler- of vestigial Christian faith are certainly (SPCK) Stephen Kuhrt shows how it is possible to gy in the professional code they would be important but serious involvement in mission put Wright’s theology into practice in the life of the expected to follow and to equip them with the demands an honest acceptance of the fact parish. Kuhrt looks at such issues as Wright’s specialist knowledge they would require. that millions of people in Britain do not teaching on the nature of Christian hope; the signif- This model of the ministry survived until believe the Christian faith. This means giving icance of the resurrection of Jesus; a theological the end of the 20th century when a new more attention to theology and philosophy basis for holistic mission; sin, evil and the atone- model began to emerge. David Heywood’s and to the serious study of the culture. One of ment; use of the Bible and the role of biblical schol- new book helps us to understand this the dangers of the new model of ministry arship; creation; and church and sacraments. Kuhrt process. The problem with the professional advocated by Heywood is that it underesti- is Vicar of Christ Church, New Malden, in the Dio- model was that it encouraged laity to be pas- mates the importance of theology. cese of Southwark. sive recipients and to leave ministry to omni- The authors of ‘Talking About God’ (TAG) To complete a trilogy of books by or about Tom Wright, SPCK have pub- competent ordained clergy. Few clergy look at why churchgoers have so much diffi- lished a book of essays Jesus, Paul and the People of God, edited by actually felt they had all the skills required of culty in talking about God. They have set up Nicholas Perrin and Richard B Hays in which a number of theologians them and many felt trapped in a special reli- and run a programme known as ‘Theological assess the impact and theological significance of NT Wright’s work on the gious world that engaged ordinary people Action Research’ (TAR) that has worked ecu- New Testament and Christian origins. Wright responds to the authors and only in their leisure time. menically with Anglican and Catholic parish- the book also includes two major new essays by him. The new model of ministry is closely es, dioceses and faith-based agencies to look Now Bishop of Oxford, John Pritchard, once worked with Tom Wright aligned to a new model of mission. On the at the theological issues raised by their work when he was Bishop of Jarrow in the . In God Lost and new understanding the whole church is and ministry. Found (SPCK) Pritchard looks at why we lose our faith in God and go involved in God’s mission (the ‘missio Dei’) Although their focus is on ‘practical theolo- through dark periods and at how we can find God to the world. Mission is focussed on pro- gy’ the authors of TAG emphasise that they again. claiming and preparing the way for God’s see theology as having four main elements: looks at what older people have to kingdom. The church is a sign and an agent ‘normative theology’ derived from the scrip- contribute in his new book The Contented Life of that coming kingdom. Ministry is our part tures and the creeds; ‘formal theology’ to be (Canterbury). This work began as a lecture he in God’s mission. In Heywood’s words ‘it is found in the writings of theologians; gave to older people in the . It the administration’, ‘stewardship’ or ‘media- ‘espoused theology’ embedded in the group was then printed as a series of short articles on tion’ of the ‘missio Dei’. Since all ministry articulation of beliefs; and ‘operant theology’ the diocesan website. These proved to be very needs to be exercised in a particular context, which is actually embedded in the practises popular so Bishop Atwell has gathered them into local ministry needs to be treated as the of the group. In their conclusion they indicate this short book. norm. that this model of theology may need further The Bible Book by Book by Cris Rogers This is a stimulating book that sets out very refinement. (Monarch) offers a clear guide to each book of clearly the understanding of mission and min- The examples given of the findings of TAR the Bible written with young people in mind. istry that is widespread in today’s church. It are fascinating and raise issues for theology Should be of great help to all involved in youth also provides a useful function of revealing in general as well as for the groups con- work. some of the assumptions that lie behind this cerned. One Anglican parish conducting an The Big Story by Martyn Payne (Bible Read- understanding. One assumption is that the Alpha campaign was challenged to say where ing Fellowship) has 36 reflective Bible studies based in six groups that church has ‘fuzzy edges’, that there is an Jesus was in the process and a Catholic dio- each explore a different aspect of God’s love. In each study there is back- increasing spiritual awareness in the popula- cese was challenged to say how the centrality ground to the story, suggestions about telling the story, points that can be tion at large, and that if people see the church of the Eucharist related to the centrality of made about the story, plays and activities that can be based on the story, engaged in worth-while activities (like clean- Christ. and concluding reflections. Based on the Barnabas Bible, this is an excel- ing up a pond at the heart of an estate) and Taken together these two books shed a lent resource for anyone working with children. offering meaningful worship they will want to great deal of light on the kind of ministry and get involved. Belonging, we are told, pre- mission we need in the church. cedes believing. Paul Richardson

Unbroken target of a Japan- account of Louie’s conversion is very important. An extraordinary true story of courage and sur- ese they called Based on Louie’ memory and on transcripts of Billy’s vival The Bird, who sermons, the reader is brought to a vivid understanding of Laura Hillenbrand delighted in hit- the Holy Spirit’s power to reach a soul. Fourth Estate, hb, £20 ting him with a Louie tried to evade Billy’s message. At first it made heavy webbed him angry: “I’m a good man.” But one night, when he was This is the amazing story of Louie belt and its pushing his way past the row of listeners, intending to Zamperini. The younger son in a large brass leave the tent, some words of Billy made him stop, over- family of Italian immigrants in Cali- buckle. As an whelmed by the memory of a day when on the doldrums fornia, he was the terror of Tor- officer Louie of the Pacific they were likely to die of hunger, thirst and rance as a child, until his elder could not be exposure. And Louie had prayed: “Lord, if you will get me brother, Peter, noticed the speed made to out of this I will serve you forever.” He soon forgot the with which he evaded those who labour but he prayer, but the vow now confronted him. would catch him after his petty survived In an agony of repentance he turned towards Billy. crimes. Peter therefore trained hunger and When he got home that night he took all his bottles of him as a sprinter, with such effect pain and sur- liquor and emptied them down the drain. He threw his that in due time he ran in the vived every cigarettes and girly magazines into the rubbish chute. Berlin Olympics of 1936. attempt to Louie was a new man from that day, despite set-backs When America entered the humiliate and doubts. He told his story and glorified Christ wherev- Second World War he was commissioned as a him. By er he could. He went to Japan, hoping to give The Bird his bombardier (bomb aimer) in a giant B-24 and 1945, and forgiveness in person. Zamperini was a major force in flew many successful missions in the Pacific until the Japan- Japan’s recovery from the evils of war and hatred. Unbro- the unfortunate day when he and his crew were ordered ese surren- ken becomes a very moving story which deserves to be to take a somewhat defective plane to search for a lost one der, he was the shadow of his former widely read, more than 60 years after the events it and were ditched. They escaped on the rafts which had self. Back in California he drank and smoked heavily and describes. survived the crash. The story of their 47 days of drifting, every night he had a nightmare dominated by The Bird. Laura Hillenbrand richly deserves our gratitude and so nearly dying of hunger, thirst and sharks, is brilliantly He married, but his young wife found him almost does Louie Zamperini, not only for his supreme courage described. impossible and was preparing to divorce him. Then in but for his willingness, in his old age, to display Christ’s They arrived at last at a Japanese-held island and were 1949 Billy Graham began his Los Angeles crusade. glorious grace. captured, and suffered terrible treatment. Louie was the Although this is the shortest section of the book, the John Pollock

To order any of these titles please call 020 7878 1008 or contact our shop at www.churchnewspaper.com ENGLANDON SUNDAY FILMS OF THE WEEK: STEVE PARISH REVIEWS Le quattro volte & jig Inspiration from the silence Michelangelo Frammartino is once involved shooting goats an artist from Milan with roots tied to the tree) but it remains Jig (dir. Sue Bourne, cert. PG) This system seems to magni- in Calabria in southern Italy. His essentially a springtime fertility tries to capture the obsession fy differences in performance experience in “video installa- rite. and the dedication of contest- yet leaves the final two contest- tions” – rarely my favourite art Finally, the tree, having been ants in the World Irish Dancing ants in each category very close form – has led to Le Quattro raised in the village square then Championships. Apart from var- on points – and it maybe sug- Volte (cert. U), a delightful fea- felled again, is sold to the local ious spoofs, the most obvious gests that they’ve spent too ture-length film that defies cate- carbonaio to be turned in tradi- precedent is Spellbound much time dancing and not gorisation. tional manner to charcoal, (2003), which picked likely enough doing maths. Perhaps the nearest recent which Frammartino thinks is a winners for America’s Nation- There are oddities too – we equivalent for the amount of dia- mineral. To make clear this is a al Spelling Bee and followed see the young women dancers logue is Philip Gröning’s Into work of art, and not merely them to the finals. from Moscow (it’s a worldwide Great Silence (2005), which observation of a disappearing Somehow that managed to tap phenomenon) but don’t get to observed the lifestyle of Carthu- way of life, the charcoal makers into the tension of it all, whereas see them in competition, and sian . That still had peo- are dressed to match the colour Jig just follows a few of the con- the stage backdrop is so gaudy ple at its centre, but in this story of charcoal. testants and gets nowhere near that diamante costumes seem to the human characters become The animal trainers (for the the sense of competition until blend in and disappear. part of a larger landscape, goats and a very talented dog) the finals themselves in Glas- No one not entranced by where, says Frammartino, “veg- had their work cut out. There’s gow. Even here, accompanied Riverdance is likely to be con- etable, animal and mineral have real wit in some of those, admit- the same dignity as the human”. lel, between the human and the tedly artificial, depictions of ani- Virtually wordless, except for divine, in the announcement of mal behaviour. some passing shouts, it’s crafted the birth of Christ to shepherds. Human behaviour is often around a town perched on an Noting that Pythagoras lived observed at a distance, or from escarpment in Calabria. The for some time in Calabria, Fram- above, including scenes of a town is Caulonia, but the story martino also makes links with Passion play, with a lorry bring- is a careful mix of fiction and the idea of metempsychosis, the ing Roman soldiers ready documentary. transmigration of souls. In the dressed for the part. These The human at the start of the film, this is made obvious as the reminders of a religious back- story is an old goatherd first episode with the old ground are reinforced by the (Giuseppe Fuda), daily moving goatherd slips abruptly to a goat goatherd’s desperate hammer- his goats from town to pasture giving birth to a kid – one with ing at the church door when he and back again, to a cacophony rather distinctive markings that loses his medicine. of the bells round their necks. enable us to trace its growth and One simple shot is of He’s clearly unwell, using as his development. rooftops, with a chimney cowl in medicine dust from the local This second (animal) episode the foreground turning in the church, in a mix of pagan and gives way to a third (vegetable), wind, and the cycle of the “four Christian ideas that also lie looking at a tall fir tree, blown times” is completed as smoke behind a festival depicted later by wind, covered in a layer of from charcoal blows from the (which comes from a different snow, and finally cut down as chimney. It’s an economy of by ghastly “TV quiz show ten- verted by this. Apart from the Calabrian village). part of a festival. Based on the style that betrays a lot of sion” music, the impact of sheer unlikeliness of a Sri The goatherd, living on the Festival of the Pita (Fir) at thought behind each shot and watching the results is diluted Lankan boy adopted by a Dutch edge of the town, is seen as a Alessandria del Carretto, it each cut in what Frammartino by cutting that makes it impossi- couple taking to Irish dance, the link between settlement and seems one of those pagan cere- calls his “cinematic adventure”. ble to take in the scoring sys- highlight for me was the two countryside, an intermediary. monies that has been Chris- tem. girls who collided on stage. Frammartino even sees a paral- tianised (Frammartino claims it Steve Parish An international feel for musical inspiration

Jason Carter Themes on instrumen- istan, where struggles recording of a Finnish Falling tal albums have to be inspire the future. “crying woman,” a profes- (Independent) somewhat subjective on Beautiful pieces include sional mourner, whose the musician’s part, but Just for a Day, the melodi- style includes the odd Maturing nicely into his the feel of tracks like Dif- ous You Shine and Püha- burp. new harp guitars, Carter ferent Worlds, the title järve (‘Holy Lake’ in More conventionally, has compiled a fine set track and Lament convey Estonian), which begins Abide With Me ends the with his trademark vari- Carter’s concern that the with Carter striking the disc, as a testament to his ety. developed world suffers treble notes on his harp faith. The globally itinerant unnecessarily high sui- guitar with a pencil to pro- This is Carter close to guitarist starts the collec- cide rates as it suffers duce a shiny hammered his best, with a well-bal- tion using samples from from consumerism and dulcimer effect, before anced, accessible release the North Korean Mili- misses the hope and sim- moving into a meditative that is shot through with tary Orchestra and Choir, plicity he has witnessed in classical mood. character. Martin Luther King and places like Afghanistan, Strangely memorable is (wwwe.jasoncarter.net) Dwight Eisenhower. Mozambique and Uzbek- Lament, which features a Derek Walker

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