NEWS SPRING 2018

Sharing Christ through a meal

INSIDE:

Rev Dr Helen Collins on peacemaking, a new book honours Rev Prof John Nolland, and more… www.trinitycollegebristol.ac.uk Cover photo: Images of Trinity students at Bristol’s Wild Goose Café by Chris Dobson. Read more on page 18. Focusing exclusively on the call to Christian In this issue unity or on what it means to be set apart in truth can lead to our forgetting that we are sent by God into the world that he loves. If we NEWS were truly to be living embodiments of Jesus’ From the principal 3 prayer in John 17, we would be those whose commitment to the truth of God’s word leads College news 4 From the principal to a desire for unity and an impetus to go Staff news 7 into the world in mission. The features in this newsletter reflect all of these themes Faculty news 8 The idea is often put forward that and therefore reflect the way in which here Alumni news 22 truth and unity are in conflict, or in at Trinity we hold all three of them to be tension. That is not true. Disunity important. FEATURES presents to the world an untrue I am delighted to see the publication in honour of the 70th birthday of Rev Prof John Why is peacemaking so hard? image of Jesus Christ. Lack of truth corrodes and destroys unity. Nolland, a man whose life’s work has been a If God created us to live in peace, why do we struggle so much commitment to studying and revealing the , as Christ’s followers to be peacemakers? By Tutor in Pastoral truth of God’s word in the Bible. John was and Ministerial Studies Rev Dr Helen Collins. 10 my pastoral tutor when I was an ordinand Holy Father, protect them in your training at Trinity twenty years ago. Both name that you have given me, so then and now as his colleague, I have been New book honours John Nolland that they may be one, as we are one. encouraged and blessed by his profound A recently published volume honours Rev Prof John Nolland’s … Sanctify them in the truth; your wisdom and insight, as have so many others. contribution to the field of New Testament studies. word is truth. As you have sent me Helen Collins’s excellent sermon on 14 into the world, so I have sent them peacemaking stands as a challenge to into the world. each of us to do ‘one thing’ to work towards restoring the peace and unity (not ‘order’ or John 17.11b, 17-18 Finding Jesus in a hot meal ‘same-ness’) of relationships in God’s creation. Bristol’s Wild Goose Café provides unconditional Finally, I am always so pleased to see our acceptance and practical services to those who’ve hen Jesus prayed for his disciples in students being ‘sent out’ of college to 18 become marginalised. Its ministry is also having an impact the upper room the evening before his on Trinity ordinands. W minister to those in our city who need to hear, crucifixion, he was specific in what he asked see, and receive the love of God. I hope that his Father for them. He prayed that they reading about the contribution some of them would be one, he prayed that they might be are making through the Wild Goose Café will Trinity College is a theological training college located in Bristol, England, dedicated to sanctified (set apart, consecrated for God’s inspire you, as it does me. equipping students to live like the Kingdom of God is near as they prepare to lead churches purposes) in the truth, and he committed to and Christian ministries around the world. The college offers certificate, diploma, bachelor’s, their being sent out into the world with that graduate, and postgraduate programmes to both residential and nonresidential students. word of truth. As I have been reflecting on this passage recently, it strikes me that as a Trinity College News is published twice annually by the college to inform, serve, and connect Trinity’s alumni, students, and friends. To contact the editor, please email Melissa Stratis, church we are sometimes tempted to focus [email protected], or call + 1 (44) 117 968 0205. on one aspect of the prayer at the expense of others—a focus on unity can lead to a neglect For more information about Trinity, including recent news and blog posts, please visit Rev Dr Emma Ineson www.trinitycollegebristol.ac.uk and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. of the truth of God’s word, and vice versa. Principal

2 33 Nursery connects New Bonhoeffer class Trinity NEWS with care home During the spring Bonhoeffer’s writings, from his dissertations to Beginning last October, Alive’s Bristol Ageing term, students his posthumously published Ethics and Letters Better community engagement project has were offered the and Papers from Prison. In between, the group New Trinity video connected our nursery, Muddy Boots Day opportunity to take looked at Bonhoeffer’s time in Harlem, his Nursery, with the residents of Stokeleigh a new 10-week Creation and Fall letters, his controversies with Care Home. Once a week, either some of class focused on the the National Socialists and the nationalised the residents come for a visit to the nursery, life and writings of church, and his popular Discipleship and Life or some of the older children visit the care Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Together. ‘Learning about Bonhoeffer and home, resulting in firm friendships and The class, which was taught jointly by Tutor reading his work has stretched and challenged benefits to both young and old. ‘The children in Theology and Ethics Rev Dr Jon Coutts me,’ says ordinand Emily Swinerd. ‘His life love it,’ says nursery manager Jenna Jefferies. and Tutor in Christian Doctrine Dr Justin reflected the development of his theology. He ‘They love interacting with different people, Stratis, worked chronologically through was an inspired theologian.’ showing things they’ve been making and doing at nursery. It’s been really positive for the residents, who have different levels of Retreat Day studio and started creating. Other options dementia—they’ve seen positive changes in included learning about icons, photography, If you’ve not yet seen our new video, At the end of January, students spent a their memory and interactions. The parents watching and discussing a film, participating highlighting the college community and what Retreat Day engaged in one of ten options of our nursery children have also really been in a Quiet Day at a church near Ilminster, it can mean to train at Trinity, for the day, designed to help them be still, behind our making this connection. It’s put us and learning how to meditate on scripture visit bit.ly/2AP1J1C. to reflect, and to engage with God and the more into our community, and it helps us to through Bible journalling. world around them in a variety of ways. link more with the college’s kingdom values.’ Global Anglican mission Options included a 30-35 mile cycling New at Connect In February, Trinity welcomed Vice pilgrimage, during which students stopped Chancellor of Uganda University Rev Dr at various churches and chapels to pray for Over the last year, Connect (Trinity’s group John Senyonyi and Church Mission Society their work and witness. Others participated for student spouses) has developed executive leader Philip Mountstephen to in an 8-mile Franciscan walk through Leigh opportunities for their growing number college to give a presentation on global Woods with missiology tutor Rev Dr Howard of student husbands. In addition to their Anglican mission and ministry and to Worsley. Students who chose the visual arts participation as desired in weekly Connect participate in a Q&A with students and others option collected inspiration during a quiet events, husbands of Trinity students regularly who attended the evening. walk around college, then came back to the meet at Bristol Zoo or elsewhere with children during the day, or at a pub in the evenings, without children. ‘We have also organised a regular night out in our Monday Connect calendar to eat together,’ says Ebun Faturoti, who served on Connect’s Exec this year. ‘There has been a Mexican Night, Chili Night, and a Beer and Burgers Night. This has come about due to an increase in men regularly attending Connect—hopefully numbers will continue to increase next year.’

Want more frequent news updates? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, When it snowed in March, Trinity ordinands Emma Swarbrick, Lydia Rudge, Becca Rimmer, and or Instagram. Rebecca Taylor created snow sculptures of the Clifton Suspension Bridge and Belfast Cathedral.

4 5 The Light Experiment John Swinton lecture Block week on preaching At the start of the 2017-18 college year, our Last November, Trinity hosted a free As part of a preaching block week, students Student Exec commissioned ordinand Joe public lecture from Prof John Swinton on participated in sessions that included Knight to work with a team of students to create ‘A Matter of Faith? The Role of Belief in the ‘A Theology of the Preached Word’, a new gathering called ‘The Light Experiment’ Experiences of Christians Living with Severe ‘Approaching the Bible’, and ‘Authentic for a worship and prayer experience in which Mental Health Challenges’. Prof Swinton Preaching’, as well as a seminar from everyone in the larger Trinity community could is one of the leading voices in the field of comedy writer James Cary, who has written participate. ‘We wanted to come together in disability theology. His book Dementia: for ‘Miranda’ amongst other comedies. a creative space where we could love God Living in the Memories of God was awarded He talked with students about what they together,’ Joe explains. the 2016 Michael Ramsey Prize by the could learn from comedians about effective Archbishop of Canterbury. communication.

Staff news

This spring we said farewell to Nicola Willcocks (below left), who has assisted so many Trinity students and their families through their transition to college over the last eight years as our admissions officer. ‘Nicola has been a wonderful member of the Trinity team,’ says Principal Emma Ineson. The three outdoor evening gatherings in ‘She has overseen admissions, interviews November, February, and April incorporated and open days, as well as monitoring the aspects of drama, the arts, visuals, multisensory process for ordinands finding suitable experiences, and different forms of light while curacies—what Nicola herself termed telling the stories of Creation, God calling his “arrivals and departures”. Nicola combined people out from Egypt, and the resurrected efficiency and thorough planning with a Jesus restoring and commissioning Peter. deep pastoral heart and a wicked sense of ‘There was a flow to the story told over the humour. We will greatly miss her contribution whole year,’ Joe says. ‘We only did three but This year’s Light Experiment team and presence around the place, and we it felt significant—we were telling God’s story wish her well.’ Alison Branston (below right) In April, our nursery manager Helen O’Neill through light.’ space for everyone, whether adults or children, joined us in April as the new Admissions died, after battling a long-term illness that had kept her off work since May last year. ‘The Light Experiment has quite a strong single or married, to feel welcomed and able to and Data Compliance Officer. She has Helen has been much loved at college, social dynamic to it, as a kind of “holy social” meet with God as they are. The gatherings will worked previously as an administrator with and we grieve with her family at her loss. event,’ says team member Ben Coulter. ‘It continue to evolve in the next academic year: the diocesan registrar in Peterborough and ‘The nursery has been her life’s work,’ says is about being in community in a prayerful ‘It will still be an experiment,’ says Ben. before that as a bank manager. Executive Director Andrew Lucas. ‘She environment stimulated through entering started with the nursery more than twenty into biblical story in drama and art, with years ago when it opened and has served different forms of light and colour. It sort of it faithfully ever since. Many generations of sits somewhere between a familiar worship student families will remember her with love service in the chapel or in church and a and affection. They always knew that their community social event.’ children were in very good hands. We have The Light Experiment team has received lost a treasured colleague.’ Please pray for strongly positive feedback from those who’ve Helen’s mother, Anne, and for her brothers, participated, saying how this has been a Anthony and Paul.

6 7 the poetry, wisdom, and prophetic books the personhood of God. He has also been teacher, inspiring students by bringing church Faculty NEWS in the Old Testament for the community of making regular trips to Twydall, a council history to life and showing its relevance for this St Anselm. Later in February, he was the estate in Kent, where he has been invited to time and place,’ says Principal Emma Ineson. Our Tutor in Pastoral and official respondent to the Laing Lecture at the become involved in The Estates Theology ‘His passion for Jesus, his deep and courageous Ministerial Studies Rev Dr London School of Theology. In May, he gave Project with Philip North, the Bishop of spirituality and his sense of humour have made Helen Collins has written a research lecture at Durham University, then Burnley, alongside Trinity alumna Rev Ann him a great deal of fun to have around. We a chapter on developing spoke at a conference on ‘Forgiveness in the Richardson (Trinity 2010). This spring, he are grateful for his contribution to the Trinity a feminist practical Old Testament’ at Trinity College, Dublin, the completed his 3-year term on the Executive community and will be praying for Nigel and theology methodology following weekend. Committee for the Society of the Study of Anne in this next phase.’ from a charismatic Theology; he chaired the opening session for perspective in the new their April meetings on ‘Theology, Culture, Prof Steve Walton book Researching and Unbelief’ in Nottingham. Female Faith. joins Trinity Tutor in Missiology Rev Dr Howard Worsley Professor Steve Walton has joined Trinity’s In April, Tutor in Theology and Ethics Rev Dr recently wrote ‘Bridging the Worlds of associate faculty as a New Testament Jon Coutts gave one of the plenary talks Mission and Religious Education (RE) research supervisor for our postgraduate (pictured below) at the Society for the Study in Schools’ for the research programme. ‘Steve Walton brings of Theology meetings in Nottingham, titled International Journal of Missiology (Spring not only his internationally recognised ‘Hail, Caesar? A Jesus Film for Cultured 2018) and ‘How different atonement theories expertise as a Luke-Acts scholar, but also Disbelievers’. He was also invited to at Easter speak to children about the his years of experience teaching and serving meaning of Jesus’ death and resurrection’ for participate in a panel discussion at a local In February, Principal Rev Dr Emma Ineson in theological education,’ says Director of Childswork Magazine (Spring 2018). church on ‘Being a Christian at Work’, talking led the Ash Wednesday retreat for staff and Postgraduate Research Dr Justin Stratis. ‘We about the difference it makes to approach residents of . In March, she are privileged to have him join us.’ work Christianly, alongside Christians working met in London for the Farewell to Nigel Scotland Prof Walton’s major current research in law, social justice, and micro-electronics. 2020 Design Group. In April, she travelled to project is the Word Biblical Commentary Texas in the US to preach at the invitation on Acts. He is secretary of the British of Bishop George Sumner at the Episcopal New Testament Society and serves on Diocese of Dallas clergy conference, held at the steering committees of the Society Camp Allen Navasota. of Biblical Literature Book of Acts and Biblical Lexiography sections, as well as Andrew Lucas was made an honorary on the editorial board of the Library of canon of Bristol Cathedral for services to New Testament Studies series. He blogs the diocese and to theological education. about New Testament studies at http:// Andrew chairs the diocesan board of stevewalton.info. directors and was previously chair of This spring, Tutor in Church History Rev Dr In April, Tutor in New Testament Dr Jamie governors of the voluntary aided secondary Nigel Scotland gave his final lecture at Trinity, Davies was invited to participate in a research school in Bristol Diocese. and the moment was commemorated in the exchange with the University of St Andrews; classroom with a George Whitefield cake he spent time in collaborative research Tutor in Church History Rev Dr Nigel (pictured above). Nigel has taught Trinity sessions with Dr Elizabeth Shively. Dr Shively Scotland wrote an article on ‘Revivalist students church history for a decade, leading will then also travel to Trinity to continue Women and the Campaigns for Social pastoral and ASEP groups over the years, as the research sessions, resulting ultimately Reform and Equal Rights of Nineteenth well as supervising research students and in a project on the language of apocalyptic Century Women in England and America’ for leading college trips to Rome. His taught thought in the New Testament. the Journal of European Theology. modules have included Early Christianity, Reformation in Europe, Modern Evangelical In February, Tutor in Old Testament Rev Tutor in Christian Doctrine Dr Justin Stratis Christianity, Revivals and Revivalism, and Dr David Firth spoke at Lambeth Palace, has written an article for the November 2017 Christianity in Focus—Wesley to Wimber. providing a teaching session on how to read issue of the Scottish Journal of Theology on ‘Nigel has been an insightful and engaging

8 9 Why is peacemaking

so hard? by Rev Dr Helen Collins

During Lent this spring, our will be filled. But today’s passage is different: faculty preached through the ‘They will be called children of God.’ God will say to the doers of this particular blessed Beatitudes, which also form the state, ‘That’s my boy. That’s my girl.’ God will basis for Trinity’s Community recognise something in them that is his very Values. Below is an adapted own character and being and life. And so, what is it that will make them recognisable as version of Tutor in Pastoral and ‘children of God’? Ministerial Studies Rev Dr Helen ‘Blessed are the peacekeepers?’ No, that’s Collins’s sermon on ‘Blessed are not what Jesus says. He doesn’t say, ‘Blessed the peacemakers, for they will are the peaceful ones, those who like there to be harmony and wellness, who keep their be called children of God’. heads down and don’t rock the boat or cause too much of a stir.’ Instead he says, ‘Blessed A few years ago, I came across my daughter are the peacemakers.’ There is something playing in our living room with Disney princess active and engaged about the peacemaking dolls, and I thought I’d get involved in the that Jesus pronounces as blessed, that God game. Sleeping Beauty was lying on the bed, himself recognises as something of his own and I asked my daughter, ‘Oh no! How did character and being. this happen?’ She exclaimed, ‘The witch! The witch cast a spell! What are we going to do?’ To which I replied, ‘We need a prince to come Peace is both our and save her!’ Upon hearing this, my daughter potential and our destiny dropped her toys, put her hand on her hip, So what is this ‘peace’? Well, perhaps it’s and said, ‘Mummy! This princess is in charge helpful to set it in the wider narrative and of her own destiny! She doesn’t need a prince! context of scripture. In Genesis 1, that She has an alarm clock!’ Slightly taken aback, wonderful creation story of God having made I thought, ‘Wow, a precocious 3-year-old a world which is good, harmonious, full of feminist...that’s my girl!’ abundance and creativity, we see that at So far in the Beatitudes that we’ve looked the culmination of the narrative, God rested. at, the promises have all been to experience Creation rested. It spontaneously and joyfully a particular virtue or state—they will inherit enjoyed the wholeness and rightness of God’s the earth, they will be shown mercy, they created order, of living in harmony together. Artwork by Trinity student Amy White. will see God, they will be comforted, they It’s a wonderful vision of creation at peace. See more of her Bible journalling creations at devlinwhite on Instagram. 11 We know that sin and disobedience brought at peacemaking, in the meantime? Well, harmoniously together. How does he do this? absence of peace for any, there is an absence fractures to that peaceful creation. We see obviously sin and disobedience continue to Through judgement, striking the earth with the of peace for all. When we look back at Genesis, Adam and Eve hiding from God in the garden be rife in the world, in the church, in our lives, rod of his mouth, slaying the wicked. This is I don’t think the harmony and peace of right and covering themselves in their shame. and thus we maintain these fractured broken an active type of peacemaking that isn’t afraid relationships also meant a complete sameness We see God pronouncing a curse upon relationships that came about from the Fall. to risk the potential danger that comes to the of perspective and outlook. And similarly when the serpent and declaring that there will be one who engages with it. Jesus says in Luke we look ahead to the vision of Revelation—I But I want to explore two particular reasons enmity between the serpent and the woman, 12:51, ‘Do you think I’ve come to bring peace don’t think that people of every tribe and nation why I think the Christian church struggles between humanity and God’s other creatures. to the earth? No, not peace, but division.’ I’m gathered worshipping before God means with peacemaking. The first is that, I think, We see that there will be enmity between not saying that we ought to pick fights, to start everyone agreeing about everything. Peace we often misunderstand what we mean men and women, as Eve is told, ‘Your husband conflicts in order to make peace. But it’s about is recognising that there will be differences, by ‘peace’. When we talk about being will rule over you.’ We see broken relationships recognising that the gospel is divisive. Jesus that this is how God created the world, this is peacemakers, we often equate peace extending to the whole created order, as causes conflict because he wrestles with what he pronounced as very good. It’s about with an absence of conflict. This is how the humanity have to fight with the land to make our self-enthronement, our sinful desire to genuinely hearing those differences, engaging world understands peace. When we talk it produce food. And we see, ultimately, a be in charge of our own worlds—that causes with them, seeking out the voice of the stranger about wanting to see world peace, what we fractured relationship between humanity and conflict. Peacemaking is about recognising in order to allow our world to be expanded, and mean is an end of war, an end of fighting. God as they are expelled from the garden and conflict and not running away from it; it’s recognising each other as fellow brothers and That is a start, but it’s far short from the prevented from enjoying the closeness that about engaging with it, taking some of the sisters before our differences of opinion. vision that we’ve just outlined in scripture they knew with God in the beginning. What responsibility upon ourselves, even if it is of the wellness, rightness, goodness, and began with peace and wholeness ended nothing to do with us. Being peacemakers restfulness of creation. That vision of peace is Becoming peacemakers through sin and disobedience, fracturing means identifying with those who are at significantly different from simply not fighting This can all feel overwhelming. How on earth relationships in every possible way. So, loggerheads with one another and seeking to with each other, yet so often in church this do we become peacemakers in a world ultimately, that peace was lost. make peace in that context, just as God did is what we settle for when we think in terms so full of fractured relationships? Stanley through the blood of his cross. He engaged But we also know, praise the Lord, that this of peace. This can lead us to appeasement, Hauerwas, in The Peaceable Kingdom, talks in the fray in order to see that peace realised. is not the end of the story. Even before the which I would consider to be the disease about ‘the grace of doing one thing’—what True peace often means engaging with birth of Jesus, we see in Isaiah 11 a vision of of our church at this time. We don’t want to is the one thing that you can do today conflict in order to see the fullness of the the lion with the lamb, the child and the asp engage in conflict. ‘For peace’s sake,’ we say, that will bring God’s peace closer? What’s vision of peace for which we are destined. playing together—a vision of renewed and ‘just don’t go there. Don’t upset things.’ the one thing that you can do this week restored relationships in creation, a vision A second reason why we struggle with to see this wholeness, rightness, fullness, The only other place in the New Testament of peace. That prefigures the vision we making peace is that we tend to associate and presence of God realised in peaceful where this word ‘peacemaker’ comes is in see in Revelation 21-22 of peace restored, peace with homogeneity—sameness. As relationships in your life? Imagine a church Colossians 1:20, and it refers to God himself relationships healed and mended among long as we all agree, then we’re at peace with where, when someone offended you, you every tribe and nation and language, as God when it says, ‘God was pleased to reconcile one another. We tend to think of peace as didn’t immediately go to all your friends and renews creation and dwells with his people. to himself all things, whether things on earth ‘order’. And this is, again, never truer than in our moan about it, but then think, ‘I’m not going or in heaven. He made peace through the churches, where we can become cozy clubs of to do anything for peace’s sake—I don’t want We see from this sweeping arc of scripture blood of his cross.’ The peacemaking of God sameness, and because we all agree and get to cause problems or rock the boat.’ What that peace is both our potential and our that we are called to replicate is a peace on, then we think we are inhabiting the peace if we participated in a church where when destiny. Peace is what we were made for, it is that rolls up its sleeves and gets involved what Creation was intended to be—at peace that God spoke about. But actually, I want to somebody did challenge or upset us, we in the mess and brokenness—that risks the with itself and with its Creator. And we see say that this vision of sameness is again a false were able courageously (but humbly and outcome of potential crucifixion. It is a peace that our destiny is for that restored peace, peace. Peace is about seeing justice restored. graciously) to address it with them, face that engages with the brokenness and the that rightness, wholeness, abundance, and It is about wrestling for the fair distribution to face, and not bring everyone else in? struggle. It’s not a peace that says, ‘Oh well, blessed good life. of power so that no one group is oppressed What if we were in a church where when that has nothing to do with me, let’s just keep by any other group. To be peacemakers is we witnessed division between people we everything nice and calm.’ Peace is not an to hear the voice of the stranger, to engage didn’t just think, ‘Well, that’s their problem— So, why do we struggle avoidance of conflict—that’s a false peace. with the position of the other, to understand let’s gossip about it because it is quite with peacemaking? Again, in Isaiah 11, this Messianic figure—this their experience, to see how maybe even interesting,’ but we risked the rejection of If this is what we’re made for and this is what Prince of Peace we’re told in Isaiah 9— my life choices and the way that I live cause getting involved, of trying to make peace to we’re destined for, why are we not very good comes to bring a vision of creation living them not to be at peace. Where there is an re-establish harmonious relationships. What if

12 13 Continued on page 17 realising this, I spoke with Dr Justin Stratis, the and present it to John without him knowing director of the postgraduate programme at beforehand. John was not aware of the Trinity, and Prof Steve Walton, a fellow New project until our presentation at Tyndale New book honours Testament scholar [and new Trinity associate House in July 2017, where he was joined by faculty member] about the prospects of this his wife Lisa, his son David, and his daughter volume. Justin and Steve were excited about Elisabeth. David Wenham and I presented the the idea and encouraged me to reach out to volume to John (Craig was unable to attend), John Nolland a couple of coeditors. It wasn’t hard to find and the current chair of the New Testament scholars who were interested in this project studies group Ian Paul prayed for John in for John, and soon David Wenham and Craig thanksgiving for his ministry and career up to Evans had joined me as coeditors. We began this point. The book was finally published in work in December 2015. March 2018.

It was our goal all along to present the book to John during the New Testament study In what ways does the groups at Tyndale House in his 70th year. Q: book honour John? We chose this particular event because John influenced many of us through his First, it is evident simply leadership as chair of the group, and we A: by looking at those who’ve wanted to surprise him with this volume contributed to this book that while surrounded by those who love him. John has made a profound To our amazement, David, Craig, and I were impact and continues to do so in the field able to make it through most of the project of New Testament studies. You’ll be hard-

his spring, Bloomsbury T&T Clark Q: How did this book Tpublished a volume for its Library of come about? New Testament Studies titled The Earliest Perceptions of Jesus in Context in honour The journey of this volume of Trinity Tutor in New Testament Rev Prof A: began with my admiration for John Nolland’s contribution to the field of John as a pastor, a scholar, and New Testament studies. This collection of as a person I simply enjoyed essays from top New Testament scholars spending time with when we talked about was edited by Trinity postgraduate research my dissertation and other topics. I remember alumnus Rev Dr Aaron White and Trinity one day having a conversation with John associate faculty members Rev Dr David and realising that it would soon be his 70th Wenham and Prof Craig Evans. In an birthday. In our field, important stages of interview, Dr White explains more about the one’s career or birthdates are marked with book and its genesis. honorary volumes such as this one. Upon

14 15 Peacemaking, continued from page 13 pressed to find a volume biblical studies, and the admiration many we were part of churches that weren’t afraid full of so many high calibre people have for him and his work. The to challenge deeply held practises, to risk the academics who are also contributors teach and live around the stranger coming in to change what we do, known for being part of world—in Belgium, Germany, Czech Republic, in order to realise peace and be this family the ministry in some way. Indonesia, Australia, Canada, South Africa, the of God we see envisioned in Revelation? What one thing might God be prompting you Among contributors who US, as well as the UK. to do today? Are you aware of an absence were John’s former students In the introduction to this volume, we put of peace, of rightness of relationship, (including Craig Smith, Yong together a helpful guide as to what each of wholeness, of the presence of God Bom Lee, Thomas Hatina, of the eighteen contributors brings to somewhere in your life, or in your church? and Douglas O’Donnell) the volume. For example, Rainer Riesner What is the one thing you could do to live many are ordained as well that imagined future that we work towards? discusses the latest archaeological and as published scholars. In historical evidence surrounding Nazareth. Blessed are those who risk the temptations to addition to these former Eeva John looks at Luke’s portrayal of Jesus appeasement and order and cozy sameness, students, one will find as a teacher. Armin Baum considers the who are willing to roll up their sleeves and scholars in this volume (such much-debated question of the genre of the engage in the conflict and struggle for as NT Wright and David gospels. Darrell Bock explores one particular peace, motivated by a vision of a creation Wenham) who have also Rev Dr Aaron White (right) and Rev Dr David Wenham (middle) fully reconciled to its Creator, in wellness and part of the central section of Luke, pointing served as ministers in the make a surprise presentation of the book manuscript to Rev goodness and life. Blessed are they—for to out themes of authority and accountability. church, and many of the Prof John Nolland (left) in July 2017 at Tyndale House, in them, God will say, ‘That’s my boy. That’s my Robert Brawley looks at the characterisation other contributors have been advance of its publication by T&T Clark in March 2018. girl.’ Amen. of the Pharisees in Luke-Acts, finding Luke’s or currently are teaching portrayal of their relationship with Jesus to future vicars and pastors at training colleges thinking scholarship, all with a focus on how be more positive and less confrontational and seminaries. This is an important point the earliest believers might have seen Jesus than has often been recognised. Roland because it clearly reflects John’s passion for and his ministry. The result of this is a volume Deines offers a comprehensive and insightful scholarship not to be an end in itself, but to full of cutting-edge research that includes discussion of the generally neglected have a practical impact on the world for the approaches to memory research, some on subject of the Holy Spirit in Matthew. Each sake of the gospel. intertextual inquiry, literary criticism, and contributor (according to what I am familiar others on the historical backgrounds of the with concerning each of these scholars) Second, I would say that the theme of the New Testament. In total, the volume offers has set their strengths to work in order to book is meant to reflect the emphasis of compelling articles that give a clearer picture interact with John’s scholarship and honour John’s scholarship. As David, Craig, and of who Jesus was and what his ministry was his example. myself looked for a cohesive team of about during his time on earth. We did all contributors, we realised that in John’s of this with the hope of honouring John and is Tutor in scholarship was an honest, thorough, and reflecting and interacting with the primary Rev Dr Helen Collins Rev Dr Aaron White is an associate Pastoral and Ministerial Studies. Her PhD, believing search for who Jesus was and is, concerns of his scholarship. which she completed at Trinity, was a and how that impacts our understanding pastor at Faith Presbyterian Church in Quincy, Illinois, USA. He completed his practical theology study examining the of Christianity and its outworkings. Among Can you talk a bit PhD at Trinity College Bristol in 2017 experience of charismatic worship and his other published works, John’s 3-volume more about the book’s Q: on the use of the Minor Prophets in the motherhood. commentary on Luke and his single contributors? volume on Matthew are two mainstays in book of Acts in a dissertation titled ‘The Listen to the entire faculty sermon New Testament scholarship and biblical Prophets Agree: Jesus, the Day of the The calibre of scholars with series on the Beatitudes through our commentary. What we hoped for in this LORD, and the People of God According which we were able to fill this website (www.trinitycollegebristol. honorary volume Johnfor John White was a collection of A: to the Lukan Reading the Greek Book of volume shows the reach of ac.uk/beatitudes/) or by visiting Trinity_ essays inspired by John’s erudite and clear- the Twelve Prophets’. John’s influence throughout College_Bristol on SoundCloud.

16 17 Finding Jesus in a hot meal Bristol’s Wild Goose Café, a Crisis Centre Ministries project led by Trinity student Jonnie Angel, provides unconditional acceptance and practical services to those who’ve become marginalised. Its ministry is also having an impact on Trinity ordinands.

At the beginning of 2011, Jonnie Angel was an operations director for a property management solutions corporation with an estimated worth of over a billion pounds, overseeing the delivery of contracts. By the end of 2011, Trinity students at the Wild Goose at the age of 46, he had been (l-r) Ed Saunders, Jon Holder, Dave Edmondson, and Elliot Swattridge made redundant. In what became a year of loss for him, Jonnie decided to volunteer one or two After completing the Certificate last year, he’s he also lost his home. nights a week at the Wild Goose during his now in his first year of the Diploma. ‘I want to time off working, and soon was duty manager challenge people’s perceptions,’ he explains. The next several months one night a week. As he invested time at the ‘I’m being equipped through study to do that. became a time of reflection for Goose, Jonnie found himself caught between All of my classes have been relevant. I want Jonnie. ‘God spoke to me about two job possibilities: a part-time estate to think more deeply about what the church being real,’ he says. Though management job and an opening at the Wild is doing for the poor, and understanding the Jonnie had been a Christian Wild Goose project manager and Trinity student Jonnie Angel Goose for an assistant manager. Again, he metanarratives in scripture has enabled me since his childhood (his father is prayed, ‘Lord, what do you want me to do? to understand this better.’ former Trinity New Testament Whichever comes up first I’ll take.’ In July At the Wild Goose, Jonnie has recognised It was whilst attending an evening church 2012 he became the Wild Goose’s assistant tutor Rev Gervais Angel), he explains, ‘I was practical ways in which his previous job, service that Jonnie first encountered the manager, and in 2014 he was appointed very much doing stuff for God out of my own which included public sector work, prepared Wild Goose Café, as he listened to its general project leader for the Goose. agenda. There was a lot of denial of reality him for this new endeavour. He also began manager describe its work in Bristol. Through in my life.’ He realised he’d been caught in As Jonnie’s new role put him regularly in the to see a benefit to his troubles in 2011. Crisis Centre Ministries, the café fed those a mindset focused on achievement and position of needing to speak in local churches ‘Ten years ago, I was one of the people success, about looking a certain way in front without homes, rough sleepers, people and schools about Crisis Centre Ministries who would have walked down the street, of others. Now he prayed, ‘Lord, not my will, caught in addiction, and others who’d found and issues around homelessness, he began feeling comfortable to judge other people’s but your will’ and determined to follow in themselves in places of need, sometimes to seek out a deeper level of theological situations,’ he says. ‘Though I’ve not had whatever God had next for him. simply the need to find friendly faces. learning as an independent student at Trinity. addiction, I understand now that sense of

18 19 loss, of being stripped of everything, the community café—it has that feel. We have the experience affected not only by the Ordinand Elliot Swattridge has found his pressures around housing. The things I’ve a self-managed chess club, and someone opportunity to serve but by the experience time spent volunteering at the Wild Goose been through give me a real empathy to sometimes brings a guitar in to play and of seeing the local impact that can happen personally formative, as he’s needed to understand other people’s stories.’ teach others as well.’ when churches work together. ‘It’s been face his own nervousness in advance of powerful to see people from lots of different going each time. ‘I’d feel a good deal of A café building churches coming together to volunteer,’ says anxiety before going to volunteer, thinking Future vicars at the Goose ordinand Dave Edmondson, who completed about all the people there, and imagining community Jonnie has increased the number of students his community placement at the Goose and standing around not knowing who to talk completing placements at the Wild Goose who continues to volunteer fortnightly. ‘If According to Crisis Centre Ministries, to first and what to do next. Yet, it is in this to sixteen, and while some are medical one church opened its doors one night, and ‘The number of people sleeping rough struggle that God has worked most in me. students from Bristol University, the majority another church opened its doors another has doubled since 2010, with Bristol now And then, as a result, I’ve stumbled into so are Trinity students. All Trinity ordinands must night, it would not have the same level of having higher rates of homelessness than many conversations with guests who are in choose a community placement to complete impact. It’s great to see lots of different anywhere outside London’. Simultaneously, horrendous life circumstances, yet just say in their first year, in addition to a church denominations come together to serve like the homeless services offered through the how they feel God somehow working in their placement that lasts for the duration of their Jesus did. When churches come together government have been cut by 45 percent lives in a way they can barely put into words. programme. Community placements help they can do incredible things.’ between 2010 and 2015. God is clearly at work in these people, and it diversify students’ experiences of mission And as Jonnie Angel found God disrupting his is a privilege to be used as even a little piece The Wild Goose Café, which purchased its and ministry, while also helping students to preconceptions with a new empathy and the in the puzzle.’ current location on Stapleton Road in Bristol engage with people who are different from after millionaire Dawn Gibbins posed as a themselves, to think theologically about what volunteer at the Goose for the TV series ministry looks like in a ‘secular’ context, and The Secret Millionaire and then donated to think about what role the church might £125,000 to grow the ministry, now provides play in partnership with other organisations. When churches come together 500-600 plates of food each day. ‘We Several current Trinity students have enable the church to be able to serve the completed placements at the Wild Goose, they can do incredible things. most marginalised and vulnerable in Bristol,’ many of them continuing to volunteer there, - Trinity ordinand Dave Edmondson Jonnie says, as he mentions the 400-450 even after the end of their placements. volunteers from various Bristol churches ‘My spirituality is very much worked out in who staff the café every week. In addition practical service,’ says ordinand Jon Holder, ability to see others with new eyes, similarly ‘Being in a predominantly white-middle class to providing breakfast and lunch four days a who came to Trinity two years ago after the students can find their interactions at the church placement, it has been important to week and an evening meal six nights a week, helping lead a youth outreach programme Wild Goose disrupting some of their previous stay in touch with the realities and experiences the Goose hosts advisory sessions about at an estate in Oxford. Just two weeks ways of thinking, changing them, and raising of some of the most marginalised people in housing, finance, employment, health, and into his programme at Trinity, he began questions about how they might seek to society,’ says ordinand Sam Rylands. ‘When citizens’ rights. They provide weekly medical volunteering weekly at the Goose not only for conduct their future ministries. we talk about “serving” in the church, it’s used clinics for street drinkers, help people with his community placement but throughout his to mean joining the tea and coffee rota, or the ‘I’ve realised that people are just one their appointments and forms, and offer fresh programme. On the nights he serves as duty kids’ team—and these are great things, but relationship breakdown, one bad decision, clothes, toiletries, showers, laundry, sleeping manager, Jon manages a team of eight to that’s serving the church. The church is called one spiral from being on the streets,’ Dave bags, and more. In 2017, the Love Britain + ten people, oversees the food preparations, to serve the world, and the Wild Goose is a says. ‘It highlights the importance of being Ireland Awards recognised the outstanding prays with the team, serves hot food, tea really good example of the way the church there, of listening. And, in thinking about work of the Wild Goose, as a charity that puts and coffee, cakes, and fruit, and chats with does that.’ doing pastoral care, how do you do that in ‘Christian faith and love into action within your that evening’s guests. ‘A few people I know this situation? With people going through ‘When you are dealing with a homeless local community’. quite well by now, and I’ve been able to have horrendous things, whether that day or long man throwing up everywhere, and you’re long conversations over several weeks with ‘Through providing food, we’re also building ago—how do you do that? And, if the one cleaning it up and covered in it, you can people. One guy I bought a Bible for, and he relationships with people,’ says Jonnie, ‘We or two hundred guests of the Wild Goose reflect on Jesus, and on what he would have is reading it now.’ accept people unconditionally—they can walked through the doors of my church, done,’ Jon Holder says. ‘For me, that’s what walk in and leave without talking, or they can Many of the Trinity students who’ve what would the reaction be? I haven’t got an being a vicar is—caring for the people God’s come in and ask for support. Some call us a volunteered at the Wild Goose leave answer for that one yet.’ put in front of you.’

20 21 Alumni NEWS

John Wallis (Clifton 1962) retired from heading—would we manage to get the In January 2018, Rev Alwyn Pereira (Trinity Congratulations to our Emmanuel Church, Northwood, in 2001 to planet back on track? Would our exploding 2011) was collated as the new Vicar of St recent leaver Shakeel West Norfolk living in Grimston, just seven population drive us out into space, and if so Michael the Archangel with the Ascension, Nurmahi (Trinity 2017), miles outside Kings Lynn and so began for how far? After thinking about what the Psalms Aldershot (Guildford Diocese). who has been named the first time rural ministry. For fifteen years tell us about our future, and considering the new chair of the In March (Trinity 2014) Church of England now he has organised a men’s breakfast Isaiah 54:17 (‘no weapon formed against you Rev David Sigsworth was announced as the new vicar of All Saints Youth Council. whenever he can encourage former friends will prosper’), he began to formulate the plot Lightwater. and contacts to come and speak about for this story. To read more or order a copy Christ. These days there are forty to fifty men visit www.pennantpublishing.co.uk/garden.htm. present. More recently in 2015, he helped Dr Jonathan Allen (Trinity start an annual Keswick Ministries and 2017), who recently Tell us your news! Scripture Union-supported Bible Teaching After several years as a prison chaplain, completed his PhD at Trinity weekend, called appropriately ‘Word on Rev Benny Hazlehurst (Trinity 1991) researching the role of Keep in touch with college friends the Wash’ in September. ‘Retirement is the changed roles two years ago to become continuing Jewish identity by sending us your updates as you time for new things in the life of ministry and vocations coordinator for Salisbury Diocese, among believers in the UK move, have children, or want to share Christian service,’ he says. ‘I want all who encouraging vocations to lay and ordained church, has written A Profile something of your work and ministry. read [about this] to pray, for as Jesus told us, ministries across Wiltshire and Dorset. Sadly, of Jewish Believers in the Email your updates to UK Church (Wipf and Stock, “Without me you can do nothing.” I am still more recently, he has been diagnosed with [email protected] or 2018). He is also the author of a five-volume learning the secret of prayer for missionary advanced prostate cancer, but he is not by post to Melissa Stratis, Trinity College, set of daily readings/devotional studies based work. Greetings to all alumni! My last visit to giving up. You can read more through his Stoke Hill, Stoke Bishop, Bristol, BS9 1JP. on the Synagogue reading cycle, When You Trinity was when my lifelong friend Dr James blog at http://benny2010.blogspot.co.uk/. Kim, former President of the Pyongyang Like Down and When You Rise Up (2011). University of Science and Technology, North Korea, was introduced to the student body Rev Beth Brown by the principal at lunch, who announced (Trinity 1995), that one of the study rooms would be named associate in the to honour him. He was at Clifton with me Cannings and Redhorn from 1960-1962. He taught me the power of Benefice, died last Stoke House prayer, and the faithfulness of God as our March after a serious watercolour prints heavenly Father.’ car accident. After for sale being made An artist with connections to Trinity at Wells Cathedral in Rev Dr David Pennant (Trinity 1986) has has created a watercolour of Stoke 1995 and ordained published The Garden House; prints are available for a limited priest in 1999, Beth of the Galaxy: The time for £20 (with a mount) or £7.50 served a curacy in Vision of Abram the (unmounted). To order one, visit her Etsy Seer. The roots of this Taunton before holding parochial posts in shop at https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ young adult novel Bath and Swindon. She came to Salisbury WatercolourGoods. began growing inside Diocese in June 2015, where she helped look David when he first after the benefice while it was in vacancy, became aware of made excellent links with Bishop’s Cannings global warming and Church of England Primary School, and began to wonder worked to help develop the pastoral and where humanity was healing ministries of the benefice.

22 23 Use your alumni discount to benefit from Trinity’s facilities and grounds

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