Encouraging, Informing, Inspiring STALBANS.ANGLICAN.ORG ALBAN ISSUE 3 | PENTECOST 2019 Life

+ Artificial intelligence: a moral problem? + Special Feature: 2018 in focus - review of the year + What’s your call? Everybody has one Kingsbury Manor, St Albans. Conservation Award winning hot lime brickwork repairs. ALBANLife 3 PENTECOST 2019 Main house, extensive repairs to timber frame lath and lime plaster, wattle and daub. WELCOME TO Contents

4-7 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: IN THIS ISSUE BISHOP RICHARD WRITES: Should we be worried about artificial intelligence or embrace the Staying human in the age of artificial benefits it brings? This important debate comes to the pages of intelligence Alban Life. We need to take notice of it now. Parliament is. There is I MET A ROBOT AT UNIVERSITY a Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence, on which the Bishop VIEWS ON THE FUTURE OF AI of Chelmsford sits. It has already produced a report, ‘Ready, Willing and Able,’ which includes some work on ethics. 8-9 CHURCH Life Glimpses around your neighbourhood Looking back at 2018, it is clear that there is much to celebrate in and beyond churches across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Luton and Barnet. Starting on p10, we devote eight pages of 10 2018 IN FOCUS: this issue to showcasing some of the best of Watford Town Centre Chaplaincy’s 2018. new lease of life What’s your call? Everyone has one. Perhaps 11 2018 IN FOCUS: our vocation features will help you find one or Enabling parishes recognise a call in someone else. 12-13 2018 IN FOCUS: Welcome to our Pentecost issue. Highlights Arun Kataria, Editor CENTRE PULL-OUT PRAYER DIARY 14-15 2018 IN FOCUS: Bishop Richard Facts and figures about people, finance and buildings. Education in 2018.

Inwood RIP 17 2018 IN FOCUS: We learnt with great sadness of the death of Hitchin Deanery on what ‘fantastic’ Bishop Richard Inwood, former would look like for the church on 14th April, Palm Sunday. 18 REACHING NEW PEOPLE Bishop Richard was Bishop of Bedford from 2003 ...through football to 2011. An obituary can be read at: www.stalbans.anglican.org/bishop-richard- 18 WHAT’S YOUR CALL? inwood-rip-obituary/ 19 2018 IN FOCUS: Priestly vocations 1 year on COVER: The joy of ordination 21 ALBAN LIVES DESIGN: Alban Life is designed by CPO cpo.org.uk ...are lives lived with generosity, joy, TO ADVERTISE IN ALBAN LIFE, PLEASE CONTACT PETER HAMBLIN ON: imagination and courage: 01908 508608 | [email protected] THIS MONTH: Quentin Chandler. Joy Views expressed in Alban Life are not necessarily those of the and acceptance of advertising does not indicate editorial endorsement. Specialist contractor for conservation of churches, historic buildings and heritage sites. Teams of craftsmen work with hand-made bricks, and lime mortars, lime plasters, fine timbers, stone, lead and decorative Get in touch: Alban Life is the magazine of The Diocese of St Albans, the Church of materials and managers work closely with conservation England in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Luton and part of Barnet. professionals to deliver successful bespoke projects. keep in touch The diocese’s vision is to Live God’s Love with generosity, joy, imagination 01727 818110 and courage, to see God’s Kingdom grow in our world. (Editor, Arun Kataria) We long to see flourishing Christian communities inspiring people of all ages [email protected] and backgrounds to discover God, grow in their relationship with him and ESTABLISHED 1984 FB facebook.com/StAlbansdio respond to his transforming love through serving others. Twitter @diostalbans Every quarter, Alban Life brings you encouraging, informative and Regular e-news: inspirational stories growing out of that vision. Advent, Lent, Pentecost and Conserving Traditional Buildings www.stalbans.anglican.org/ Harvest editions are available through our 338 parishes. Amber View, Marsh Lane, Stanstead Abbotts, near Ware, Hertfordshire SG12 8HH news/signup-see-round-online/ Tel: 01920 877822 www.betweentime.uk.com [email protected] 4 ALBANLife 5 BISHOP RICHARD WRITES PENTECOST 2019

unaccountability of autonomous Artificial intelligence (AI) is an entities and the opportunity for the umbrella term. Canon Tim Bull, Staying human in the age of focusing of power in the hands of the Director of Ministry, who holds two few (not a new concern) raise serious PhDs, one in Computer Science, explains: “Artificial intelligence concerns. As Pope Francis said to the is not specifically about robots World Economic Forum in Davos last but is about the data systems artificial intelligence year: “Artificial intelligence, robotics that underlie many areas we and other technological innovations encounter daily, for example the voice assistant in our phone or Digital technology must be so employed that they the smart speaker on our shelf – contribute to the service of humanity both of which use AI to respond to brings many and to the protection of our common enquiries. AI is best divided into strong and benefits, but also home, rather than to the contrary.” weak AI. Strong AI refers to the Secondly, it requires the best of belief that, one day in the future, it raises questions will be possible to create machines our ethical thinking. Is it ethical about potential with sentience, and consciousness. for autonomous unmanned aerial THE BISHOP OF BEDFORD, We are familiar with these kind of harms. The harm vehicles (drones) to analyse video RICHARD ATKINSON, OBE machines, largely through science [email protected] - fiction. The reality is some way to young people’s footage and make their own off. Indeed, many scientists and decisions about attack priorities, philosophers doubt whether it can mental well-being including the loss of life, without unique to us. A machine that can ever be achieved. read our mood, however well, is not Weak AI is a more modest in the selfie- human intervention? How does one objective, already being achieved, balance the interests of passengers the same as human empathy and for example in the Alexa assistant. generation was It aims to replicate behaviours What is undeniable is that artificial essays could pass for being written over pedestrians when a driverless compassion. I am not convinced car is forced to that AI intelligence, unless carefully which seem intelligent, without among the issues intelligence (AI) in all its forms will by a human by 2026; truck drivers there being any underlying controlled and examined at a have an increasing impact on human would be redundant by 2027; AI make a choice? How does one balance the consciousness. Examples are society and the way we live. This would surpass human capacities in Somewhere developed, will chess-playing machines and recent diocesan amongst all interests of passengers over have the vital the robots at the University of was reinforced on a visit made by retail by 2031; and doing a surgeon’s “ Hertfordshire, overleaf. against pedestrians when synod. Artificial the Bishop’s staff team to Cranfield work by 2053. They also estimated the repeated capacity for Chess playing programs illustrate University in our Diocese, earlier this that within 45 years there was a accumulation of a driverless car is forced to altruism, sacrifice well how AI has advanced in intelligence (AI) recent years. Originally, chess year. Hosted by my wife, who heads relatively high chance that AI would images that build make a choice? and forgiveness. And whilst my experts were required to tell the was also touched the School of Aerospace, Transport, beat humans at all tasks. up the capacity computer what “good” chess on: it similarly and Manufacturing, insights into of AI, or even the more developed mother with developed dementia moves were. The latest approach The impact of AI will be considerable, ” is to give the computer nothing digital control towers, autonomous self-learning algorithms, there are might enjoy the company of an offers the potential even if some of the more ‘Terminator’ more than the rules of the game, flying vehicles and driver-less initial ethical assumptions that guide interactive robot, I can’t but feel that type images of AI going rogue and and then to allow it to “discover” for benefit but cars introduced us to some of the the process. Get them wrong or lose even she will recognise that it is not itself what makes a good strategy. destroying the human race remain developments ever increasing data control of them within the artificial the same as the her son (who she Intriguingly, these self-taught raises profound fanciful. As such, like all major machines not only outperform and its use by AI will make available mind then the impact could be doesn’t always recognise) sitting questions and developments in technology and humans, but they are also able to to us. disastrous. there, holding her hand and praying play more creatively than humans. already reaches human creativity for her. Machines won’t have souls. We are being forced to confront More generally AI will change things, both we require the best Finally, we are being faced with the question: is creativity really a deep into our lives. we already know more than we can imagine of our theological significant questions about what it AI will change things, both more uniquely human quality? “ than we can imagine and less than If machines can show creativity, how algorithms and less than some engagement to is to be human. It is no surprise that We look at these Ian McEwan has begun to explore some speculate. Like all human perhaps we need to deepen our identify our speculate. respond. understanding of what makes us in greater detail, preferences in this in his latest novel ‘Machines developments that use the God- human. Yet, if a machine wins a ” Three issues in like me’. If AI begins to generate given gift of learning, insight and game, it has no consciousness books, music and starting with the particular seem important at this stage. of its achievement or desire to box-sets; are increasingly enabling autonomous expression and identity, imagination we have the opportunity to bring our theology and ethics to celebrate. Bishop of Bedford’s repetitive jobs to be replaced by Firstly, as with all technological with the ability to respond to context This self-taught creativity has first-hand robots; are beating all-comers at development, there is both the and mood, then aren’t they at least its development so as with all things another, darker side. It means that humans do not – and often literally games like Chess and Go; and are potential for great good and also in part taking on some of what it it helps build the common good. We experience – also have the challenge to reflect cannot – know how an AI system keeping us company through the for great evil. The opportunity for is to be essentially human? Well has reached its decision. For and some of the dulcet tones of Alexa, Siri, Cortana or increased accessibility for those leaving aside the fact that most further on what it does mean to be example, in finance, loan decisions the Google Assistant. who cannot drive through the use of commentators believe we have human and to value all the more can be made by software that ethical questions has studied endless past loan driverless vehicles, or more accurate a long way to go to this scenario those gifts of identity, freedom and The Oxford University Future of decisions. Often neither the posed by all of this interpretation of medical scans, where machines can cope with love that our creator has given us. machine, nor its human creators, Humanity Institute’s recent survey technology. or the end to some life-sapping complex situations, rather than If we surrender the gift of humanity can account for its decisions - it of several hundred machine- really is ‘computer routine jobs is to be welcomed. In learnt and repetitive tasks, I still to machines we will have only learning experts, to predict future AI ourselves to blame! says yes or no’. That could contrast, the growing concerns believe there are distinctive aspects represent a surrender of control to capabilities concluded that AI-written about the abuse of data, the potential to our humanity that will remain +RICHARD BEDFORD AI that should concern us.” 6 ALBANLife 7 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE PENTECOST 2019

‘Take your Vicar to the Lab,’ is generous grant from All Churches Take your Vicar to the Lab: case study St Albans Diocese’s ‘Scientists Trust to continue its work. The in Congregations’ project. It new grant will allow Revd Dr began in 2016, promoting closer Kathryn Pritchard, Research I met a robot at University relationship and understanding Fellow and Project Coordinator, between science and faith. to continue to work with the PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS It was grant-funded by the ’s Mission and The department’s CORBYS project Templeton Foundation’s Public Affairs team in Westminster looked at a person’s level of physical Scientists in Congregations on public policy implications of capability or empowerment. Working programme and continues to seek artificial intelligence and robotics with people with different degrees occasional opportunities to take and other scientific advances. of spinal injury, who are prone Christians to the lab and bring Among future work is a major to falls and instability, led to the scientists to meet and address piece of research into the impact congregations as they arise. of church engagement in science development of a robotic walking Scientists in Congregations is, and science-related public frame or prosthetic that could detect in turn, part Equipping Christian affairs, together with a proposal a potential fall and compensate to Leadership in an Age of Science, to integrate science more fully prevent this. The payback is obvious (ECLAS) first set up in 2015 and run into the curriculum for trainee - huge savings in healthcare costs by Durham and York Universities ministers. for fall injuries as well as the obvious in collaboration with the Church of benefit to people’s well-being. England. It has recently received a Canon Dr Tim Bull and Revd foreseeable future, machines won’t Professor Nick Goulding took a be taking over.” The aim is to make children to respond and became a The Revd Fiona Gibson attended The Revd Dr Sam Cappelman: group of clergy and laity from robots truly adaptive to humans: the diocese to visit the Robot bridge to interaction with teachers. a conference for church leaders “As people of God, it is critical capable of interacting with people KASPAR was also programmed to on AI, run by ECLAS (Equipping that we engage with AI.” House as part of the ‘Take Your in way which people perceive as Vicar to the Lab’ project which respond like a person to being hurt Church Leadership in an Age of acceptable and like, though not “AI is already present in many of the promotes greater interaction - children with autism have difficulty Science): devices and applications we use every identical to, interacting with a human. between faith and science. gauging how much force to use and “The programme included talks about day. As individuals we are no longer just The Robot House is a research SUPPORTING DISABILITIES can hurt others. So KASPAR helps with some of the areas of research, about ethics discrete and localised in the physical facility in the University of The department does much work that learning too. KASPARS can be (especially the ethics of relationships) world, we’re extended and displaced in a virtual world which can begin to define and Hertfordshire - in a real house on robots that support people with produced for around £1000 each, so and visits to computer science projects – albeit one equipped with including robotics. influence who we appear to be and what disabilities. If more mundane tasks have immediate ready applications. we desire. For some it allows the possibility a number of robots. People I came away thinking about just how hard- were done by robots, humans would of escaping from reality and developing LITERARY APPLICATIONS wired human beings are for relationship, can live in the house and the alternative online personas and avatars, be freed for more time for relationship UH’s Computer Science team is also being made in the image of God who is researchers look at how people the people they would like to be. In the and interaction, addressing real needs three persons in one. This leads us to want and machines interact. investigating applications for AI with digital world of AI, the question of who we in caring contexts, where the most to relate to anything, including robots, a crossover into literary, historical truly are is very real. Boundaries are not as Dr Bull said: “Human-robot interaction raising questions about whether machine- valuable care that a person can give HELPING CHILDREN WITH AUTISM clear as they used to be. For the church, and even theological research. human relationships are a problem or raises a number of interesting another is real human contact. KASPAR is a physically child-like social there are real and challenging questions Computers have for some time just part of the unfolding creativity of questions. For example, how should The more social utility and identifiable robot, designed to help improve the about who is the true ‘Author of Life’, in a been capable of reading printed humanity. In the light of the ‘Turing Test’ a robot approach a human being? interaction between children with virtual cosmos. pay-back an application for a characters and interpreting them. having been passed, where a machine Approaching directly from the front, autism and their teachers. Some robot has, the more likely it is to be Such ‘optical character recognition’ can interact with a person sufficiently There are economic factors too. AI head-on might appear threatening. children with autism don’t normally convincingly to appear like a human, it is gives accelerated potential for an ever- developed, because the investment works well, (think of scanners) but On the other hand, coming up from required is in the millions of pounds. react to their teachers because of interesting that though we might want to expanding range of tasks to be replaced by give the same programmes Arabic put limits on this for theological reasons, the side might seem disconcertingly Like all research, some are pushing multiple factors, among which is intelligent robots and systems, not just in and Cyriac scripts, especially in many scientists do also want limits, factories and warehouses, but increasingly devious. the difficulty they have in looking the boundaries a bit more than ancient texts where they are likely to making robots distinctively and identifiably in less mechanised areas, such as the The technology was hugely at human faces. The human face is others or are less easily identified as be hand written, and they are less robotic. Furthermore, they understand that emerging deployment of ‘chatbots’ and impressive, and it was amazing to very complex when speaking - there the church is well placed to comment on having an application, but may test successful. In a scholarly context, ‘carebots’ in traditionally human roles. see the robots navigating their way can be multiple and changing facial these areas. a principle or an application. The many of the ancient hand-written texts Experts suggest that we are at the bottom around the living room. However, expressions and enormous subtleties But if we agree that we should not treat £10.9m LIREC project’s objective was in Cyriac script would require decades of a steep curve and are about to make we are still a very long way from to investigate how cat-like a robot of muscle movements which the rest robots as people, are we applying the a rapid climb upwards as increasingly to decipher but AI has helped read converse insight sufficiently well, that the robots of science fiction. At could be. The behaviour of the cat of us take in our strides. For an autistic intelligent AI systems continue to develop 55,000 pages of writings, 25% of all we shouldn’t treat people like machines the moment, the robots have to be was modelled, but the project was child they can create an information and permeate society in the coming such ancient texts. expecting them to work monotonously decades. Artificial Super Intelligence taught to respond to each situation abandoned when it was clear that overload which is distressing. KASPAR and without consideration for their systems may have intellects which are far The visit, photography and reporting individually. They cannot generalise. embodying the ‘behaviour model’ was created to look as much like a humanity, turning them into commodities more developed and are likely to be ‘wiser’ So if a robot can pick up a coffee cup in a robot would create something person as possible, but with a simple of the visit was made possible by not seeking their flourishing. and learn and develop infinitely faster or a tumbler, that doesn’t mean that it markedly less cat-like than a cat even and bland face but one still effective the kindness of Professor William Finally, I was struck by how much of the than the best human brains in every field. could pick up a wine glass.” though it would be a good robot (with in conveying some expression so as Clocksin, Dr Farshid Amirabdollahian, common understanding of AI comes from Critically, there may not be an ‘off switch’ if science-fiction not fact!” very limited or zero application!). to reduce the overload. It worked! Dr Patrick Holthaus and others at the we don’t like them, their ethics and morals, Dr Bull concludes: “For the or the decisions they are making.” KASPAR was capable of encouraging University of Hertfordshire. Thank you. 8 ALBANLife 9 AROUND THE DIOCESE PENTECOST 2019

A family Easter baptism, + 1 A boy of five who learnt to pray in a school assembly and CHURCH started saying grace at home before meals brought his Life whole family to seek baptism, which led to him, his baby sister, mother and father being baptised in Radlett on Marking 25 years of Easter Sunday. Alongside them was Iris, in her seventies, who is also a new arrival at the church and came to seek women’s ordination baptism after she came to the communion rail during a service and sought out the Vicar, the Revd Javaid Iqbal, Canon Liz Hughes, Senior Chaplain to Luton Airport, is one of the few women afterwards. In an extremely joyful service, Tanya and Scott priests in the diocese still serving who were ordained priest in 1994, the first and their two children as well as Iris were visibly delighted year in which this was possible. She was among the 63 women ordained and moved to have taken this great step in their lives. Truly The Revd Javaid Iqbal with Iris, Tanya, Scott and priest in St Albans Cathedral on 23rd April 1994. an inter-generational moment for Christ Church! their two children, as they receive candles after Also noteworthy for us, although she is relatively new to the Diocese of St baptism. 2nd from right is Dave Martin. Albans, is the Revd Joy Cousans, Vicar of Eaton Bray with Edelsborough since last year. She was the very first woman ordained in the Northern Province, at Responding to Sri Lanka’s Easter Sunday atrocity and division.” Sheffield Cathedral on 15th March 1994. She was at the head of the line by Expressing his sadness and utter dint of her surname beginning with ‘C’! Prayers were offered and silences churches and the people of Sri Lanka. outrage, Bedfordshire Police Force kept in churches across the diocese Zafar Khan (Chair, Luton Council of Yet another St Albans connection is that the late Lord Runcie, the former Executive Chief Constable, Jon over the Easter weekend, following Faiths) said, “We are deeply saddened and former Bishop of St Albans, was the preacher. Boutcher QPM Mst (Cantab) said, “Our the shocking news from Sri Lanka of at this heartbreaking incident. While In his sermon he remarked: “In days when exclusively male leadership has condolences go out to the victims bombings of churches during Easter we still await information regarding been abandoned elsewhere, a priesthood which is purely male is up against and their families of these callous and Sunday services. Speaking on BBC the perpetrators and their motives, huge obstacles in fulfilling its task. Many Anglican communities already have evil attacks. We have zero tolerance Radio 5 live, the Bishop Alan said: we strongly condemn this barbaric experienced the riches which a woman’s pastoral care can bring.” for those that espouse hatred in The Vicar of Eaton Bray with “I share the widespread horror that and inhuman act of terrorism against Edelsborough, the Revd Joy whatever form and however subtly St Albans Diocese’s Dean of Women’s Ministry, the Revd Kate Peacock, said: people feel about this atrocity. With Sri Lankan people. Our heartfelt people might advance it. The ultimate “We are delighted to mark the anniversary of the ordination of women as Cousans, was the first woman attacks on places of worship in all parts condolences go to all those who have ordained in the Northern Province consequences of those that promote priests in the diocese with a special Eucharist and lunch in June, giving thanks of the world, we need to continue to lost their loved ones in this outrageously division and hatred is being seen all for the many years of ministry given by women. Our focus is confidently to of the Church of England 25 years make the fundamental argument for criminal and cowardly act.” ago. She is pictured with the Fair too often in its most horrific form. Our look forward to the time when both women and men can fully flourish in their the continuation of freedom of religious On behalf of the Luton Council of differences are our strengths.” Mayor ministry as priests alongside one another to God’s glory. ” Currently 1/3 of Trade ‘children hand in hand’ stole belief which protects all of us. We Mosques and the Luton Sunni Council presented to her by the parish to of Luton, Cllr Naseem Ayub, said: “We priests licensed in the Diocese of St Albans are women and on average over have a duty to speak on behalf of any of Mosques, Rehana Faisal said, “We are devastated to hear of this tragedy the last 14 years, the proportion of women ordained each year has been 44%. mark her 25 years as a priest to use religious community to protect that extend our condolences to all, and at Messy Church family services. that has taken place today in Sri Lanka. right anywhere in the world. It is very particularly to our Christian friends Our thoughts and prayers go out to sad that the number of asylum seekers who will undoubtedly be feeling a the innocent victims of this senseless let in to this country does not reflect pronounced sense of loss and sadness. and heinous attack. This is an attack on the number of persecuted Christians We stand united with all in grief and humanity, and all communities in Luton Responding to Christchurch all over the world.” A vigil was held in resistance to hate and violence. It is will continue to stand united against outside Luton Town Hall, with Luton’s particularly abhorrent that these attacks New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, has rightly been lauded for raising the bar over how to respond to a all forms of violence. We strongly faith communities, Luton Council were carried out on a day which holds terrorist attack following the atrocity against the Muslim community, which has left Muslim communities around the world condemn these appalling cowardly and Bedfordshire Police unanimously so much significance to Christians. We feeling very vulnerable. The aim of terrorists is to separate the community, to polarise people and communities, cause acts of hatred and division.” expressing their solidarity with the utterly reject all ideologies of hatred distrust and make people feel alone has been thwarted by people coming together and showing solidarity. Respond to the climate emergency - become an eco church In Luton, too, the response from local parishes and the St Stephen’s with St Julian’s Church, world through worship and teaching; Fair, showing how we can all extend Council of Faiths has been very well received. St Albans have provided a week-long looking after buildings and land; in the life of products we’d normally Flowers were distributed to Muslim parents outside one or display during the local Sustainability engaging with local communities and throw away. They offered free repairs two schools. The Revd Andy Gliddon, curate at St Hugh’s Festival about how they are making in global campaigns, and our personal of portable electrical and electronic in Lewsey, and his wife Rowena put a sign in their window St Stephen’s more environmentally lifestyles. Eco Church is provided free items, mending of clothes, bicycle- saying “We [heart] our Muslim neighbours.” A day later they friendly, raising awareness of climate of charge, to help as many churches as maintenance workshops, repairs of had a large delivery of food from the local Peri Peri shop! change, environment, pollution and possible celebrate what they’re doing costume jewellery, a ‘Make do and Speaking at the vigil outside Luton Town Hall on the cherishing their churchyard. to care for the environment and decide Mend’ exhibition, a home insulation Monday following the attacks, Peter Adams said very They have been using the EcoChurch what to tackle next. check demonstration, and recycling clearly to our Muslims friends and neighbours in Luton. framework from A Rocha UK, whose St Luke’s Church also got involved in advice. All that and selling second- “You are not alone in this.” free online resources can equip St Albans’ Sustainability Festival, by hand furniture, pre-loved clothing, churches to express care for God’s organising an Upcycle & Recycle crafts, wood turning, other home-made goods and a second-hand book stall. 11 10 ALBANLife PENTECOST 2019 2018 IN FOCUS Renewed commitment to Watford Town Centre Enabling parishes: 2018 in focus The Diocese of St Albans’ 330-plus parishes minister to their communities, Chaplaincy enabled by parishioners’ generous gifts of time, talents and money and through the support of diocesan staff and structures. Watford is a destination for commerce New ways of supporting parishes, alongside existing ones, emerged in 2018. They are helping to bring into being new and entertainment: Watford Town Centre forms of church, new structures and new opportunities to inspire people to grow as disciples of Christ in our parishes, Chaplaincy is making it a destination for schools and chaplaincies, supporting the growth which is integral to our vision: ‘Living God’s Love.’ volunteering and service Churches don’t The fifteen parishes of Watford RENEWED FOCUS grow by Deanery have chosen Watford Town Sitting alongside the plentiful Among ways in which the Board of Mission and Ministry supports churches to grow accident! Centre Chaplaincy (WTCC) as one provision of churches of all under ‘Living God’s Love’ are ‘Reaching New People’ and ‘Flourishing Churches’ of its mission focuses. During 2018, denominations and affiliations as Growth is about Watford was one of five deaneries well as other chaplaincies, Police, Reaching New People’s focus is The Flourishing Churches team more than just bringing such Deanery mission plans Hospital, Waterways, Railway and to make new disciples through offers parishes support with their numbers: it’s to the attention of the diocese’s Sport in Watford, WTCC is also developing, sustaining and growing overall plan for mission and how about how Mission and Pastoral Committee. undergoing a renaissance - partly to maturity fresh expressions of to resource it, after listening to their we grow in WTCC is supported and 25% funded in response to the changing town church and by equipping lay leaders. requests and concerns. generosity, joy imagination and Key areas of work include: by St Mary’s, Watford, with the bulk centre on which WTCC now focuses •  Creating learning communities courage, for example. It’s about how • VISION DAYS – explore and discover of its support coming from other its activities. This was one of the •  Working with parishes we grow in faith. But numbers are how to reach new people churches of all denominations in the outcomes of a recent trustees’ individually - identifying needs important, after all, part of our vision • TRAINING – short courses open to area who share the vision for Town review, which asked whether the WIDE SUPPORT through the Mission Planning to Live God’s Love is to make new all, focus on how fresh expressions Centre Chaplaincy. need for the chaplaincy is still the Not only is there greater support, but process Establishing meaningful disciples. can integrate into the life of churches same as when it was set up and within the community, WTCC has relationships lasting 12-14 months Growth happens not usually by Frances Novillo, Lead Chaplain, and engage with people so that they whether a centrally co-ordinated earned a trusted place and is one of has been shown to be more accident, but more likely through describes this vision: “The presence can take steps towards discipleship chaplaincy is the best way of the partnerships within the Watford effective than one-off interventions intentionally praying about today’s of chaplains explains the symbols of • LEARNING COMMUNITIES – delivering it. Both questions were Business Improvement District that and brings challenge and world, intentionally inviting people to the church.” bring together groups to grow in answered “Yes.” Another outcome earns Watford a coveted purple accountability come to church, intentionally going Chaplaincy is most easily understood understanding by sharing interests has been the appointment of a new flag, signifying that it has a ‘safe and •  Training - running events and on a journey of faith with them. It’s as the church going out to people and experiences Lead Chaplain ( below). thriving night-time economy.’ workshops which engage and about quality of relationship. • CONSULTANCY –Development rather than bringing people into support church. The religious think-tank Officers’ work with individual parishes In these pages I hope you will see THEOS describes it as “a very • INDICATOR PACKS – helping to In 2018, workshops on Leading the many intentional steps we have modern ministry,” in their report of the Frances Novillo - Lead understand and track progress Your Church into Growth, Growing taken in 2018 to help this process of Medium Sized Churches and Growing same name, suited to the changing Chaplain WTCC • GRANTS – providing seed funding growth, to the glory of God. circumstances in which Christianity • COACHING – helping people learn Generous Giving attracted 157 participants and garnered wholly operates in Britain as much as to the Frances came to WTCC from chaplaincy for how conversations lead to real positive feedback. changing landscapes of towns such Hertfordshire Police and at Luton & Dunstable change as Watford. The recent redevelopment Hospital. Her early career was leading music people in our diocese led to Bishop’s Council making of its major town centre site has and worship (“helping people to sing their Nourishing structures and strategies the following suggestions: that BAME people in church introduced a cinema back into the praises,”) in churches, cathedrals, schools, and for the Church’s mission and growth were invited to perform roles of added value in church, to middle of the town, accompanied at conferences, working ecumenically, based in make them welcome in rural communities, that there was by a bowling alley and a range of Roman Catholic churches. Bishop’s Council supported, approved or promoted a restaurants. These facilities have number of changes and initiatives which help create the a need for role models in church and that experiences taken the place of the street market, After taking an MA in the Psychology of Religion conditions for churches to grow in depth and numerically. needed to be personalised to change people’s at Heythrop College, she began to see that perceptions which has been relocated nearby. •  The new Board of Mission and Ministry brings a single chaplaincy was a wider version of what she had The development has introduced a focus of oversight to these areas of activity •  The Council approved a new ‘Ministry after 70’ policy been doing. younger teenage element into the •  A positive and encouraging Safeguarding Audit, •  Curates’ Training was in the process of being revised town centre’s night-life, on the streets She recognises the challenges and the opportunities for WTCC and would carried out in every diocese, was received and its to include: improving worship; (ii) working with young between 9pm and 1am. This extends like to grow from 9 to 25 chaplains in the retail sector. The new night-time recommendations acted upon people; and Fresh Expressions. One participant the time during which there is a demands call for more than double the Street Angels (from 19 to 42). described a training day for Curates on baptism as “the •  A presentation on celebrating and including BAME demand for street chaplains. most inspiring (training) session ever”

12 ALBAN 13 Life GOING DEEPER INTO GOD PENTECOST 2019 2018 IN FOCUS 2018 IN FOCUS TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES Growing the faith of children and young people: a key factor in church growth Chaplaincy renewed Watford Town Centre Chaplaincy, see p10 STRUCTURED support for children’s work led to SEVERAL MORE churches exploring children’s highlights WELCOMING THE WIDER COMMUNITY INTO ministry. CHURCHES The award winning £2m replacement halls complex at RECORD NUMBERS went on the summer Taizé youth Christ Church, Bedford as much as the new kitchen at St pilgrimage - 19 pilgrims: 11 under 18 and all under 29. John the Baptist, Gt Gaddesden are projects supported by the THY KINGDOM COME’s season of prayer for new disciples of Advisory Committee which welcome the community in to Christ from Ascension day to Pentecost included prayer MAKING NEW DISCIPLES use our buildings. (Advisory Committee) Living for young people facing summer exams. This was one THE STODDEN CHURCHES’ Café Sunday Watford St John’s Church of England Primary School God’s part of the celebration inside and outside St Albans at Yelden Village Hall emerged as a Fresh is a new Church of England school in an area Love is Cathedral with the Archbishop of Canterbury Expression from the perceived need for new where there was no existing provision. Its new our vision, and Presiding Bishop Michael Curry of patterns of worship building was blessed and dedicated by the expressed ECUSA attended by 3,000 people. in ‘Going THE PHASE PROJECT, is run by the Hitchin Churches Bishop of St Albans in August 2018. (Board for Mission and Ministry) Deeper into Schools Worker Trust -FOR TEENAGERS STRUGGLING (Board of Education) God’, ‘Making WITH MENTAL HEALTH. It has built strong and trusting New Disciples’ relationships across Hitchin schools. A young participant has and ‘Transforming told how her confidence in her faith and leadership skills has Communities’ CURATES’ and NEWLY- been encouraged. (Mission and Pastoral Committee) The BISHOP’S HARVEST APPEAL - and these are LICENSED READERS’ training ‘GIVE PEAS A CHANCE’ saw parishes All Saints Church, Leighton Buzzard and Pulford VA CofE seen in the lives includes new topics to better fit the and schools in the diocese raising Lower School provided an interactive and educational of all those who themes of Living God’s Love, they are: £59,363 to support a Christian Aid project experience for over 450 children from many have taken evangelism and church growth, helping bringing hope to farmers in Malawi. Growing schools in Leighton and Linslade who took part this vision to others grow in faith, conflict resolution, and drought-resistant, nutritious, commercially in ‘Experience Easter’ in Holy week. The heart and social action. valuable pigeon peas enabled co-operatives to engaging and hands-on trail around the form and negotiate fair prices for improved yield. This live it out MORE BAME (Black and Minority Ethnic) vocations church taught them about the events of is feeding farmers and their families, keeps them healthy in their were sought in many ways including unconscious bias the first Holy week. (Board of Education) and even pays for their children’s education where they lives. training for all Vocations Officers and Advisers. were once at the mercy of drought, famine and sickness. (Board for Mission and Ministry) WORK WITH REFUGEES IN WATFORD was informed by a clergy Many projects marking the centenary of the end of World To reach out in mission Ampthill, sabbatical visit to parishes in Sweden where this work is War 1, aimed at helping people to encounter God, St Andrew would like baptisms to be established. Revd Tony Rindl, the son of a 1939 child refugee including through the temporary introduction of ‘There more visible using a portable font and is from Austria, met people that were “deeply existentially but not There’ silhouettes of ‘Tommies’ in churches exploring how it could be kept securely... moved and felt they just had to do something.” A were supported. (Diocesan Advisory Committee) housewife opened her home to unaccompanied ...and Stevenage St Nicholas is developing a minors. A banker changed his profession and scheme with the Advisory Committee to reposition St John’s Digswell C of E Primary School gained new friends. The church saw their faith timber screens, open up meeting rooms and install celebrated a special ‘back to school’ and supported their engagement. All that a new floor and heating in order to make the most of Eucharist in September 2018. has happened has changed the church its building for its growing congregation and to engage as well as the lives of the people. (Board of Education) with those outside the church, including those in new housing. (Advisory Committee) IN 2018 Reaching New People through Fresh Expressions, a key growth factor, had: • 965 contacts with a Fresh Expressions Officer • 411 people accessed RNP TRAINING • 294 people attended A VISION DAY • 25 FRESH EXPRESSIONS using ‘Indicator Packs’ to measure progress

• 12 Fresh Expressions receiving grants Architect: Grindley Architects image © Grindley Architects 15 14 ALBANLife PENTECOST 2019 2018 IN FOCUS

Wherever you are in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Luton or North Barnet, you are in one of 338 parishes. In each, ministry PARISHES, SCHOOLS AND to their communities in and out of 400 church buildings takes place (as well as in places which are not church buildings CHAPLAINCIES: including village halls, schools, cafés, pubs and other venues). Making church building fit for mission involved the Advisory Living God’s Love in figures Committee in 70 visits and 462 cases in 2018 resulting in: 152 Notifications of Advice for Faculties 297 Archdeacons’ Letters of Authority Across the week, on average, Parish clergy are 12 Temporary Re-ordering Licences 28,700 people of all ages attend supported by the for matters including: church for services, but over half generosity of local 6 extensions 66 mechanical, electrical or the population are likely to step people giving to their 41 reorderings/alterations services cases into a church at some point parish church 79 repairs 169 churchyard cases during any year, for one of the and in 2018 they 56 furniture/fitting cases 1,200 weddings or wedding 44 other cases (bells, contributed £12.9 organs, clocks etc) blessings or 2,149 funerals, (with million in total for this purpose clergy or Readers taking a and paid to the diocese as parish St Leonard’s Church, Flamstead, was one of a number of projects in further 1,633 crematoria funeral share. This pays for clergy pay, the diocese which won funding from the National Lottery Heritage services in the diocese). Maybe There were 256 parish clergy and pensions and training - and more. Fund to either develop or execute a project supporting the building people will be among those another 31 non-parochial clergy £13.3 million was the total spent and, in this case, the telling of its 900 year old story. The Historic attending 2,553 christenings for on this parish ministry support in the 1,100 square miles of the Church Buildings Support Officer guides and assists many parishes infants or children or 257 adult in 2018. That’s 3% more than Diocese of St Albans in 2018. with these and other funding applications. baptisms. parishes put in.

Identifying vocations led to Parishes raise far 14 people starting more money than A new vision for ordination training, this, also paying making 41 ordinands as well As well as those attending on an for the upkeep of education emerged as 38 people in conversation average Sunday or weekday, their building with with Directors of Ordinands and there were 40,494 people at very limited sources in 2018 16 seeing a Vocations Adviser. church on Easter Day, of grant support, 28,907 of them taking their mission activities and The Diocesan Board of Education adopted a revised Holy Communion. also giving away £2.03m in vision for its work and its 136 schools in 2018. At Christmas, 111,161 charitable gifts (2016) to a wide 18 deacons and attended and 31,992 variety of causes. And there The new vision, ‘Living God’s Love in Education: Enabling 20 priests were took Holy Communion. are also the incalculable gifts Life in all its Fullness,’ is a contemporary interpretation ordained and of time and talent that many of the historic vision that saw Joshua Watson form the 5 people were Apart from those occasions, there people give to help with running National Society in 1811 with the aim of placing a Church admitted and are countless mother and their parish church. of England school in every parish to educate the poor. licensed as Readers. toddler groups, seniors’ lunches, exhibitions, concerts or visits The vision promotes the development of church schools where the intention is just to find as Christian communities centred on a common Christian a quiet place to think or pray. vision for education. At the heart of this Christian vision is the commitment to high-quality education, to a shared life Colin Bird, Board of Finance Chair and himself a parish treasurer for over thirty years said: together, to worship and to prayer. “Parish contributions to the parish share requests rose 3% in 2018 even though some parishes 90% of schools supported by the Board are currently found their financial positions challenging. Overall, the Board of Finance pays out more in graded good or outstanding. support of parish ministry than it receives from parish share alone. Improved returns from property Diocese of St Albans Multi-Academy Trust (DSAMAT) investments in 2018 helped to continue to make this possible. The Trust was established in October 2016 to support ‘The support and challenge that DSAMAT offers the We gratefully acknowledge the huge efforts from our church members in the parishes to continue Church of England schools within the Diocese. school is very effective. The Trust board and the regional to give generously to enable the parish contributions to be paid. These contributions are vital to hub boards have clearly defined areas of responsibility It comprises seven academies and is currently awaiting continuing the Church of England’s presence in the communities of the Diocese of St Albans that are communicated clearly to school leaders. Both the outcome of the application by Totternhoe Academy through the mutual support which the parish share scheme enables. The operations of this bodies play an important role in supporting school to become a Church of England Academy. diocese are complex and many faceted. As I start this triennium as Chairman, I have been improvement. Leaders value the strategic contributions impressed by the commitment and skill with which those who work in the diocesan office The Trust’s first Ofsted inspection, at Churchfield CE made by the chief executive officer, trustees and hub conduct their roles.” Academy, led to these comments from the lead inspector: board member.’ 17 PENTECOST 2019 HITCHIN DEANERY What would ‘fantastic’ look like? “A goal without a plan we can be,” says Jane. is just a wish” If that was the ....so when Hitchin Deanery’s twenty- goal, the next four churches found it was time to stage in the renew their mission planning, Rural process turned Dean, Revd Dr Jane Mainwaring, it into a plan. knew that a plan was essential. Aware After Readers of the pitfalls, she was : “keen that and clergy met our plan didn’t become a weighty and dreamed, document which just sat in a drawer, Churchwardens with everyone so exhausted by the did the same. process of arriving at it, that there was Jane says: “We no energy or enthusiasm left for the The Red Lion Pub, Preston where the villages did got off to a implementation stage! “ their dreaming great start. The Adopting a different approach, the villages’ clergy 1. Which areas of the shared vision are deanery was invited to embark on and Readers met and they just got you well on the way to? an exercise in dreaming. To make it. Churchwardens were glad to 2. Which areas of the vision are the exercise more manageable, be talking about something other aligned with your parish or benefice the deanery was divided into three than buildings and new alliances MAP? groupings: Hitchin town, Letchworth were formed, around what could be and Stotfold (two adjacent towns) and possible. 3. Which areas of the vision would you the villages of the area. A plan crystallised when Deanery like to explore in the next few years? The question was simple: ‘What would Synod met in a facilitated meeting to That way, every church would own ‘fantastic’ look like?’ There were just a bring the dreams together into a three- areas that they could celebrate, focus few conditions to be rigidly adhered fold vision. Parishes then personalised on the areas which were a current to: no anecdotes and (at this stage) the vision, looking at what they were priority for their particular church, Coming soon no practical objections. Just dreams. already doing and to answer three and ask honestly what might next “The goal was to believe in the power questions: need attention. of God, who can make us the very best Extracts from the three visions - villages, towns and market town Unsurprisingly, the three visions contain some common themes - but all are expressed in ways that the different communities feel best express their hopes and dreams. Common to all three are themes of inclusivity, outreach to the wider community and confidence in speaking about faith. Unique to the Letchworth and Stotfold vision was a vision for youth work and care for creation. Extracts below:

VILLAGES HITCHIN LETCHWORTH AND STOTFOLD We will value and respect the variety Our worship will be ‘accessible’ i.e. We will be experimental with a variety of worship in our villages and the at a time which works for those it of different cross parish worshipping worship will be the best we can offer, needs to work for; it will be inspiring, styles, doing it well and enabling being creative and flexible in style, including meeting the need of those people from across our towns timing and venue. seeking quiet and simplicity. and wider deanery to experience something new. Our life together will be marked by We will have accessible buildings the gifts of the Spirit, love, kindness, which are spiritual, ‘porous’, and We will build relationships through generosity, forgiveness, healing, and healing places and inclusive weddings, baptisms and funerals, by a courageous, outward looking communities where activities and moving people to a place of faith and attitude that draws people into the worship extend beyond Sundays. keeping contact. love of God. 18 ALBANLife 19 2018 IN FOCUS PENTECOST 2019 REACHING NEW PEOPLE What’s your call? THROUGH: Football EVERYBODY HAS ONE! Our vocation – God’s call to us –can take any number of forms. It could be to teaching or marriage or a life of deeper prayer or helping people in our community (or more than one, or even all of these!) Any of us can have helped Michael Hart, from Croxley Green, to shape someone’s journey, too. has one! Or maybe more than one!

LITERALLY ANYTHING Holland House in Cropthorne, Worcestershire, twice a year since the group started. These have been popular There are countless stories of people answering a call and formative events for many young people and the to serve. For some, it is answering the call to serve week 100th retreat is happening next year! Michael doesn’t do in week out in a choir, like Michael Hart at St Oswald’s, things by halves and as well as serving on the PCC he has Croxley Green, where he has been Director of Music and been involved in Churches Together in Croxley and in the Choir Master for over 50 years. “All I wanted was a game of Football Church remains connected to St Hugh’s, wider church. But that’ s not enough for Michael, who has also run where the baptisms happened during Sunday morning Some roles are not so up front but faithful service in any football,” says Revd Joe Pienaar, ‘Companions’ - a discussion group for young people, for a services. Joe values the connection to St Hugh’s, but is roles is essential to the church’s mission. Roland King, similar length of time. Vicar of St Hugh’s Lewsey. considering how Football Church might develop, maybe from St Leonard’s, Sandridge has done this for 60 years, to include Holy Communion on Sunday nights. The Companions have been on a weekend retreat to 59 of them formally as Churchwarden. Initially disappointed at not being able to book the football field across the road from the church for a weekly For others, like Janet Hosier and Sheila Meaning from kick-about with a few friends and friends-of-friends, Joe An oasis of Watford, it means responding to a need. In their case, was elated to find a new kind of church developing: 3,000+ CHURCH INSTALLATIONS moved by the number of people sleeping rough in the Sunday Night Football Church. It was quite unexpected centre of Watford, they started what is now ‘New Hope’ and at least as beautiful as the beautiful game. Tranquillity in 1990 to help homeless people using two old coaches which had been converted into soup kitchens. Their story The pitch they booked on the other side of town was a THE CHURCH Vist this place of peace is told in the book ‘Entertaining Angels’ which says that fifteen minute drive away, but Joe says: “we didn’t realise and tranquillity in Greater London far from being onerous, “...there is freedom to be found in that was going to be such a blessing: a lot of discipleship AUDIO/ V I SUAL  A warm welcome being consistently generous.” happens in the car to and from. Y’know, giving lifts to INSTALLATION  Comfortable accommodation people, loads of questions come up and a few weeks  Abbey Chapel & Quiet Gardens Generosity takes many forms and so does a call to into playing and talking, a couple of guys turned to me COMPANY  10 mins to Edgware tube & showing it. 150 years ago, Lady Hannah Buxton, whose and my colleague and just said: ‘could we get baptised?’ Mill Hill Broadway train station family owned Easneye House near Ware, Herts, wrote a It turned out they had been on the road of discipleship  Near M1 & A1 prophetic letter in which she expressed the hope that: themselves, watching You Tube videos and reading the ‘Easneye House would be ‘a fountain of blessing in the Bible at home independently, and there was no reason // Audio / Visual / Loop / Control church and in the world’. It became All Nations Christian not to baptise them.” // Listed / New Build / Refurb College which welcomes students from all over the world to learn cross-cultural mission. It became clear that the players wanted to get together // Project Management away from the pitch so the team began to get together an // Training / Support / Service RECOGNISING A CALL SERVICE SERVICE hour before playing, to do some Bible stuff, pray and to | A call to public ministry, needs to be recognised widely practise mutual accountability. Fourteen to fifteen come including by people in and out of church. early every week out of 22 to 24 who play, and a total Edgware Abbey Community of St Mary at the Cross TRAINING TRAINING | With clergy numbers back ‘in the black’ in St Albans squad of 35. So with different people turning up each 94A Priory Field Drive week, there is a real sense of a growing community. Edgware, HA8 9PU Diocese (more ordinations than retirements planned in the next few years) maintaining the level of vocations is Each week, the men explore scripture and consider Founded 1866 Reg Charity: 209261 a priority, and it’s something in which anyone can play how they can apply it in their everyday lives. Through a Personal Retreats INSTALLATION INSTALLATION | a part. Sometimes a chance remark can be an important What’sApp group, they encourage each other throughout Parish Quiet Days & Away Days step in helping someone to recognise and name a the week, occasionally meeting others in the church DESIGN DESIGN dmmusic.com 01582 761122 vocation - as in Andrea Maffei’s story overleaf. It’s a more for prayer. Then they gather on Sunday night and share contact 020 8958 7868 www.edgwareabbey.org.uk frequent occurance than you might think! stories of how their lives are changing. 20 ALBANLife 21 2018 IN FOCUS PENTECOST 2019

STORIES OF LIVES LIVED IN THE LIGHT OF FAITH, WITH VALUES OF VOCATIONS ONE YEAR ON GENEROSITY, JOY IMAGINATION AND COURAGE. The Revd Andrea Maffei says: “I’m more aware of the light in everyone.” ALBAN LIVES: Andrea, Curate in Training in Flitwick, Beds., feels that if the journey to being a priest is ten miles long, then she is in the last mile - but she also feels that it is a “journey of constant becoming which involves handing the self completely into God’s hands: my own efforts could never bring me there.” Perhaps that feeling is connected to her sense of the enormity of the call that she answered Quentin Chandler older (and taller!) classmates were why I had not handed in a single piece without being able to name it, beginning with baptism into the Catholic cleverer and far more advanced of work all term. A number of other Church as an adult. than I was. Then there was an awful offences were taken into account When she began to understand it, by then having been welcomed into the 1960s educational experiment of and I was made an offer I was not in a Anglican Church, she didn’t know how even to begin to share that feeling which I was a part. It was called the position to refuse. I left school. with her husband, until one day he told her that he had dreamt that his wife Initial Teaching Alphabet or ITA. Our would become a priest! That hurdle crossed, when she began praying for THE WORLD IS MY... 43-letter phonetic alphabet was, confirmation of the call, three different people asked her in the space of a A job as a bank clerk followed. I was significantly for me, devoid of the single day, “have you ever thought of becoming a priest?” trained in the highly skilled task of letter Q. As a consequence I was One year on since ordination as a deacon, she says something has changed: putting bank statements in envelopes. “Cwentin” for my first three years of perhaps through a greater devotion to prayer. She has found herself This turned out to be beyond me. I schooling. I couldn’t read or write increasingly excited by seeing people ‘catching’ a spark of faith and has seen somehow managed to put someone proper words until I was nearly eight. this happen through her contacts in the community. She is often hailed by else’s bank statement in the same My precociously gifted sister who is people as she rides her bicycle through the village and is more than ready to envelope as that of a member of a two years my senior was reading Jane engage them in conversation. Canon Dr Quentin Chandler’s very well-known banking family. Said Alban Life-story is a wonderful Eyre while I was still on Janet and banker failed to see the funny side. I got John. It was humiliating. The Revd Charles King says: “The call of God is waiting - it is a matter of example of ‘I wouldn’t start from the sack. I asked my manager what he there,’ turning out more than “HE’S GOOD WITH HIS HANDS” thought I should do next. “Maybe some tapping what is within.” ‘all right’ with Quentin’s I’m from posh stock but breeding more routine type of clerical work” discovery of the joy of salvation He went from St Paul’s Church, St Albans to train for ordination and is was no help. My grandmother, the came the reply. In retrospect, there may and, later, service. Curate in Training at St Michael’s Church, St Albans. Geographically, very personification of Received have been something unknowingly not a great distance, but there is a little more difference in the style of May his encouraging tale help Pronunciation, adopted a crushing, prophetic about his suggestion! But I you on your life journey. these two churches’ worship: St Paul’s is one of the Anglican charismatic upper-middleclass euphemism had now officially failed at school and in churches within the diocesan family and St Michael’s has a much more Dr Chandler is Rector of Marston to describe my lack of academic my fledgling career. ‘central’ Anglican tradition of worship. Morteyne with Lidlington, prowess: “Quentin’s very good with Bedfordshire and Director of Worse, my parents’ financial crisis For Charles that is a reflection of celebrating the parish church and not his hands” she would tell whoever had carried on unabated and we had wanting to be limited by one tradition. Ordinands for St Albans Diocese. would listen. The worst is that I knew moved into social housing in a town His early experience of church was largely through singing in a church precisely what she meant and had “Different people live out the call we where I knew no one and had no choir at his parents’ church. As an adult, whilst working in a job in the self-awareness to recognise that all share from God in different ways. friends. I was miserable. In protest at international planning based between Brussels and London, Charles I wasn’t really any good with my Our shared vision in St Albans Diocese my lot, I decided to be a punk rocker found himself living in St Albans and St Paul’s was his nearest church. hands either! Aged eleven I was off to is ‘Living God’s Love,’ and I spend a for about a week before caving into my Feeling welcomed, he made it his spiritual home. boarding school where – guess what lot of time with people for whom that teenage angst, growing my hair long, Two things happened there. He took part in a course aimed at means exploring a call to ordained – I was bottom of the class. And I was growing young leaders with mentoring from an older member of the ministry. It’s a privilege to listen to rubbish at rugby. congregation and, separately, was part of a discipleship group which them as they tell their unique stories. HARD TIMES helped him grow in faith and as a disciple of Christ. In each is a common thread: to delay When I was thirteen a financial crisis hit These two things led him to pursue a call to ordination and he went to responding because, for some reason my family. I found myself at the local train at St Mellitus College in 2015, combining that with a placement as or other, candidates don’t believe they comprehensive. This was 1975, John an ordinand at St Peter’s Church, St Albans in a ‘mixed mode’ training are worthy of God’s call. That was the Hurt was starring in Quentin Crisp’s model. There, he says, he was exposed to a great range of teachers case for me. I thought I was simply too The Naked Civil Servant on TV, and aiding his journey to become fluent in as many different styles of church thick to be a vicar. So here’s my story being a posh kid called Quentin was as possible. – maybe it will help you to respond to not considered cool. I was mercilessly He sees himself on an incremental journey, where he sees a continuous God’s call - whatever that may be! bullied. As time went on, I found that thread of deepening discipleship. Who knows where that will eventually A DIFFICULT START playing the class clown was a means take him? He is enjoying introducing things like an occasional Taizé Everything was set against me from of deflecting the bullying. I gave up service to St Michael’s and has an abundance of hope in the possibilities the start. I was a late August baby on school. Aged sixteen I was invited of the future. STARTING COMPREHENSIVE and so the youngest in my class. My to the head teacher’s study to explain 22 ALBANLife ALBAN LIVES becoming a progressive rocker and NO LOOKING BACK! some academic qualifications. “There shutting myself in my bedroom to listen Then came the moment when you are,” I triumphantly declared, “I to Pink Floyd and Genesis all day at full everything changed. told you I was too thick!” And that was volume. Something had to change. that. “Why didn’t you tell me you were LOOKING BACK having problems at work, Quentin?” PERSISTENT PRIEST There had been one faint but recurring asked Chris, the biker Rector in whose But the priest wouldn’t let it go. He chink of light through my childhood house the youth group met. “Why, hounded me. Two years later I and adolescent vicissitudes. Aged what would you have done about it?” surrendered and went to see a new nine, during a school assembly, I snapped. “Well I’d have prayed for DDO. This time I was told about listening to the story of the boy Samuel you for a start.” I was stopped in my a thing called the Aston Training being called at Shiloh, I had a sudden tracks. Why would he pray for me? A Scheme (sadly, long since defunct) and very clear thought: “What if God conversation followed. This person designed especially for people like me is calling me?” It was disconcerting to cared; he was interested in me for who lacked the academic wherewithal say the least, and never quite left my me. It wasn’t because I was funny or to proceed straight to theological mind: it had resurfaced, particularly as accomplished at playing the fool – college. I was recommended for INCREASE we sang hymns, at boarding school. not like my friends from school – he training. I sweated over the early These reminded me of singing in the essays but then experienced the joy of church choir a couple of years earlier finding I could do it. I ended up with a and so my sense of call became good degree. While in parish ministry GROWTH mingled with a longing for home. I studied for an MA. I got a distinction, and got into theological education. By the time I was a fully paid up I did a doctorate, ironically looking teenage disaster area, I had long since at why people find learning about dismissed such nonsense. At school, theology difficult. So now I’m DDO my sister had been in the Christian for this diocese and travel alongside Union, an organisation I utterly IMPACT others as they explore their call to despised. These people were praying ordination. That and being a parish for my conversion! I had a field day. priest are my ways of living God’s love. In the library I found a book about a German guy called Nietzsche who WHAT’S YOUR CALL? had confidently declared that God THEOLOGICAL STUDENT What about you? How are you called EFFICIENCY was dead. I happily related this news to live God’s love? Ordination? Lay to my sister’s CU friends – there was seemed interested in who I really was. Reader? Churchwarden? Youth no better way of annoying so many So did some of my contemporaries worker? Or is it to attend a home people in one easy go! Inevitably they in the youth group. This was a better group, start a fresh expression of responded by praying even harder for way of being. I wanted what they church or help with a foodbank? me and I became even more militant in had. I met with the risen Lord Jesus. I People prayed for me on my journey my declarations about God’s demise. discovered, after all, it was Nietzsche and it made a difference – perhaps who was dead and God who was alive. that’s what God is calling you to do. At any rate, there was no way I was And I knew I was loved. There was no The list is endless, but whatever the going to go anywhere near anything looking back. shape of your call, pay attention to to do with church or Christianity. Until, the thing that you think is stopping that is, the house move came and NOT THAT CALL THING AGAIN! you, and do it now. Through God’s my sister invited me to the church Time passed. I met and married my transforming grace it may turn out to youth group. Under extreme protest wife. Soon we were leading the youth be your making.” I agreed. At least it would be an group. The notion that God might be Your one-stop shop for church opportunity to get to know some calling me – perhaps to ordination – young people in a new town. And I resurfaced. I dismissed it. Why? I was supplies, resources and ideas. could tell them all about Nietzsche too thick. I had been a failure at school and the dead God thing. They’d be and wouldn’t be able to cope with bound to be impressed. But as it the academic side of training. A new Generosity Joy imagination Courage turned out I was the one who became parish priest arrived. He was another Sandown Park, Surrey DO YOU KNOW AN ALBAN captivated. Not, at first, by God, but of those annoying people who prayed LIFE-STORY? by a girl. Alas, my love for her was for me (he’s well into his nineties now 15-17 October 2019 unrequited (probably the long hair/ and, bless him, he still does). He sent Do you know the story of a life lived with NAEC Stoneleigh Floyd/Genesis obsession) but it kept me to see this person called the DDO generosity, joy, imagination or courage that could feature here? It might be me going to the youth group. who told me to go away and not to 4–5 March 2020 think about ordination until I had got yours or someone else’s. Get in touch: [email protected] www.creonline.co.uk Choose the UK’s most trusted home insurance provider and we’ll donate £13 0 to your church

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