INSIDE: June 2020 Page 3 Archdeacon of Lindisfarne to become next Dean of Derby Page 4 Introducing the new Rector of Hexham Pages 6&7 Our schools during Covid-19 Page 9 Fundraising ideas Page 9 Wellbeing: Dealing with change The Bishop of Berwick, the Right Revd Mark Tanner to become 41st Bishop of Chester HE Right Reverend Mark Tan- events, where members of the public ner has been named by will be invited to watch and partici- Downing Street as the next pate via Facebook and Zoom. Bishop of Chester, succeeding The Bishop of Newcastle, the Right theT Right Reverend Dr Peter Foster Reverend Christine Hardman said: “‘It who retired last September. has been a real joy to work with Mark Bishop Mark has been Bishop of as a key member of the team here. I Berwick since 2016 and is expected to give thanks for his time amongst us, take up his post in the autumn, practi- for his friendship and counsel, his calities permitting. kindness and great sense of fun, and “It will be hard to say goodbye to the most particularly, for his focus on North East,” he says. ”But those whom we are called Lindsay and I are excit- to serve as Christ’s ed to return to Chester You can watch a church today. He has where I was ordained video of Bishop Mark been instrumental in and both of our chil- talking to Bishop helping us establish our dren were born.” Christine about his Resource Church and Mark says: “I am so new appointment on imagine new possibili- grateful to be part of the YouTube at https:// ties in terms of ministry life of the Diocese of bit.ly/BishopMark and mission, and has Right Revd Mark Tanner Newcastle. This is such served us well as Bish- a special part of the op of Berwick. I know world and it will always the Diocese of Chester leadership and experience as a theo- for today. I know his deep prayerful- College in Durham and a non-resi- be part of us. God is not will be blessed through logical educator have prepared him ness in the Spirit and thank God for his dentiary Canon of Durham Cathedral, finished with us yet and his ministry there. In well to be the Chief Shepherd of the joyful faith. The whole diocese has a post he occupied until his move to I look forward to cele- these challenging Diocese of Chester. Bishop Mark and been praying, and we thank God for the Diocese of Newcastle to become brating what He leads times, where it is not his family will continue to be in my answered prayer!” Suffragan Bishop of Berwick in 2016. you all into in the possible for endings prayers.” Mark was ordained deacon in 1998, Mark has been a member of the months and years to and beginnings to be The Bishop of Birkenhead, the Right having served as the Youth Worker at General Synod since 2015, with a come. It is an honour to what we would want Reverend Keith Sinclair said: “It is a Holy Trinity in Coventry and then break when he became a bishop. He is be appointed to the Dio- them to be, Bishop Mark, great joy to be able to welcome Mark trained for ordained ministry at Cran- a member of the Church of England’s cese of Chester at such a key time in Lindsay, and their family are in my and Lindsay back to the Diocese of mer Hall in Durham. He served a cura- Ministry Council and has led the the life of our communities, nation prayers as they prepare for this next Chester. To be ordained deacon and cy at St Mary’s Upton on the Wirral renewal of the Church’s processes for and Church. In Christ, God offers a gift season in their lives.’ priest here and then be called back as before moving to Doncaster as Vicar of discerning call to ministry. He is a of hope beyond our imagining and we The Archbishop of York, the Most bishop is a special gift of God. Mark St Mary’s. In 2007, he was appointed contributing author to a number of get to share it in practical service and Reverend and Right Honourable John brings fresh eyes and energy to a dio- Vicar of Holy Trinity, Ripon, and there publications, writes occasionally for profound worship. God is here for all.” Sentamu said: “I am glad that Her cese in which he is no stranger. He he also served as Area Dean and an the Church Times and is the author of Bishop Mark and his wife, Lindsay, Majesty the Queen has approved sees God working in our life here and Army Chaplain. In 2011 he was ‘The Introvert Charismatic’ and ‘A will be introduced to the Diocese of Bishop Mark Tanner to be the next is ready for the challenges we face in appointed as Warden of Cranmer Hall, PCC Member’s Essential Guide’, Chester via a series of live-streamed Bishop of Chester. His formation, living and speaking the gospel of Jesus and later, Vice Principal of St John’s among other titles. 2 generous engaged open A personal VE Day reflection The Vacancy in See by Canon Alan Hughes MBE TD, Chaplain to the High Sheriff of Northumberland I was sad to mark the 75th Committee elections anniversary of VE Day on May 8th isolated at home, in front of a map of the world instead of involved in a public gathering supporting the High Sheriff. Hostilities did not fully cease until some months later on August 15th, VJ Day, when the war ended in The Far East and my wife’s father and his comrades could return home to family. The months following were full Elections are taking place for the Vacancy in See Committee, which is a of optimism, after a harrowing committee that only meets if the See of the Bishop of Newcastle is period in which so many “knew vacant. The Vacancy in See committee is an important, permanent their duty and did it’ soldiers, fixture of the Diocese, as it needs to be available if a vacancy for the sailors, airmen, all the support services at home and abroad position of Bishop of Newcastle is announced. Nominations are open we shared in the two minutes until noon on Thursday 4th June. Licensed clergy and laity who are on a including doctors, nurses, first aiders hospital and stretcher bearers. silence at 11am, listened to The unit made up of civilian NHS staff, parish electoral roll and take communion are welcome to stand as Queen’s broadcast on BBC at 9pm, so naturally I also gave thanks for candidates for election. Those elected will serve until 31st December Though physically, emotionally and sang ‘We’ll Meet Again’ on our the NHS in all of its facets then and 2021. and financially exhausted, optimism doorsteps. Susan and I once sang today. I prayerfully thanked them led to confidence and opportunities this with Vera Lynn and The Queen and all who have been positive to reset society. Folk now knowing Mother at an event in London to through these times, for being It may seem an oddity of the Church of England to have a committee honour Victoria Cross holders. that might never meet, but at least the time commitment is minimal – what was really important in life, life a generation which also knows itself, not only for them but also for its duty to others and does it, even when the committee does sit, it tends to only hold two to three others. On 8th May we gave thanks for regardless of the cost. meetings! When it meets the committee plays a pivotal role in the the lives and sacrifices of those first stage of selecting the next bishop, discussing the needs of the On May the 8th, those with who ensured that we could live in May we too pray for a reset of Diocese and producing a statement of what the Diocese of Newcastle memories of grandparents or a free world and raise a family with society after this present crisis is freedom of thought. I first served requires from our next bishop. This statement of needs is then given, parents involvement in World War over. 2, whether as servicemen and as a regular soldier almost 60 years alongside any other information about the Diocese required, to the ago, then later as a Territorial Army A message from the High Sheriff: Crowns Nomination Committee (CNC). Members of the Vacancy in See women or in essential occupations at home had their own thoughts, as chaplain, at one point to a field Page 12 committee elect, by ballot, from their members people to sit on the CNC to give a perspective from members of the diocese. It is the role of the CNC to shortlist candidates and interview them, before referring their choice to Downing Street and the Crown. The CNC is also made up of the Archbishops and other elected members from General Synod. Gospel Readings June Nominations for candidates are open until noon on Thursday 4th Monday 1st June Tuesday Matt 5: 43- end June. The current vacancies and eligibility are: Visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth Wednesday Matt 6: 1-6, (transferred from 31st May) Luke 1: 39-49 16-18 As the Committee discusses the needs to the diocese in the process Tuesday Mark 12: 13-17 Thursday Matt 6: 7-15 of appointing the next bishop, we want to encourage people to stand Wednesday Mark 12: 18-27 Friday Matt 6: 19-23 who represent different aspects of our ministry and mission.