News from the Church of Diocese of York England between the Humber and Newsletter the Tees August 2010 St Andrew’s, Kirby Grindalythe wins National Award St Andrew’s, Kirby Grindalythe, has won a national award from English Heritage. Grade II* St Andrew’s was facing a bleak future and possible closure before the congregation and the village rallied around, organising suppers, parties, treasure hunts, a flower festival and even a sponsored swim to raise funds for vital restoration work. Impressed by their sheer enthusiasm, English Heritage stepped in with (Picture: Tony Bartholomew) grants worth £350,000 to help save its crumbling fabric. He persuaded Matthias Garn from York, the Master Mason carrying out Now heritage chiefs have declared St the work, to give him a trial. So Andrew’s the winner in a national impressed was Garn by the young competition to recognise the efforts man’s determination, he offered him of congregations and churches in a three year apprenticeship. Now securing the future of cherished David will become a fully qualified places of worship and putting them mason in just a few months time, back at the heart of the community. with the icing on the cake being that English Heritage has just declared English Heritage funded repairs also him its Apprentice of the Year. opened the door for local man David Land, 26, to embark on a new career. 1 Living out Living the Gospel Every day there is something in the news about ‘measurable outcomes’. A study has shown that such-and- such a change in policing seems to have had an effect on some particular crime figures. A new piece of engine technology is expected to cut emissions by so many per cent — and so on. Very often outcomes are expressed in money terms: how they affect the ‘bottom line’. Things connected with faith, mission and ministry don’t lend themselves to being measured in those ways. Yes, I know, we can count people at church services, and we can read the annual accounts. Yes, we all hope to Christians, and together as a church, see more people drawn to needs to be lived against the involvement with the life of the background of realising our need of church, and it is important that we God and forgiveness; and we need to have the means to resource hold in our hearts and minds what evangelism and pastoral care. But Jesus shows us of the power of love mission and ministry do not run in as well as its cost. direct parallel with profit or popularity. Statistics, and measures All this is something to live, and of activity that fit the commercial show and share. Yes, there will be world and public services, are often outcomes — lives changed, injustice not appropriate or helpful. challenged, hope renewed — and they will be counted in the currency of Even if that is true, it still remains the kingdom of heaven. vitally important for Christians to be purposeful and effective as ambassadors for Christ. As a Diocese The Ven. Paul Ferguson, Archdeacon we declare that our mission is to of Cleveland glorify God, pray for renewal, share the good news, search for the truth, and serve our neighbour. Worship and prayer, and being open to God’s message in the scriptures, are the foundations. Our life as individual 2 Diocesan Education Conference The annual Diocesan Education Conference took place on Wednesday 30th June at York Racecourse. The Rt Revd John Saxbee, Bishop of Lincoln and Chairman of the Church of England Board of Education gave the keynote speech on the theme of “Change, Challenge, Choice”. Janet Huscroft, Headteacher of Hook CE Primary School, spoke about innovative ways of creating a flexible curriculum, and Dr Elaine Storkey, President of Tearfund, finished the day looking at the context of Church Schools in our world and our society. For the full text of Bishop John’s The conference also included an act keynote speech and much more on of worship and performances by the conference, visit Cherry Burton Church of England www.dioceseofyork.org.uk/your- VC School. schools. XLchildren at Bishopthorpe Palace Over 300 people came to the XLchildren event “The King of Heaven” at Bishopthorpe Palace on Saturday 26th June. There were adventures in the woods (with a giant and a grumpy gnome), a climbing wall, craft activities, woodcrafts and much, much more. Pictured are Lucy Peel, Olive Ferguson and Blossom the Barn Owl. 3 Archbishop of York appoints Evangelist The Revd Canon Roger Simpson, Associate Minister of St Michael le Belfrey, York, has been appointed Archbishop’s Evangelist. As Archbishop’s Evangelist, Roger will work with lay people to lead missions throughout the north of England, bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to people in parishes, pubs and clubs, streets and schools. The Revd Canon Roger Simpson says, “I’m really excited about the potential of this role as Archbishop’s Evangelist, and I have a real sense that God is opening doors in the north. Since people have heard about the appointment, they’ve been getting in touch with me, and I’m across the north of England, as well already booked to run missions at as at St Michael le Belfrey”. universities, a cathedral, towns and villages. We’ll be taking the Gospel The Archbishop of York, Dr John to people, engaging with them and Sentamu, welcomed Roger’s sharing the good news. appointment, saying, "I’m delighted to be able to appoint Roger as my “This is the sort of work that I’ve Evangelist throughout the north of been doing all throughout my England. He is passionate about ministry, but since becoming Vicar of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, St Michael le Belfrey ten years ago, and I know he will help many I’ve devoted my time to one congregations share the good news particular church. Now, I can help and engage with their communities”. develop evangelism and mission Vetting and Barring put on hold As of 15th June 2010, the government has put the Vetting and Barring scheme on hold - you can read more at www.isa-gov.org.uk. We will let you know more information as it emerges. 4 Update on Diocesan Finances We hope that this will be the first in a series of articles in the monthly newsletter to update you on how our Diocesan finances are faring. We're going to try to share this information every four months so you are fully informed of what's going on with your money. To remind you of the context, we have an annual income budget of £12.5 million, £8.4 million of which comes from parish share, remember - this Parish share is what and 85% of our costs go on the keeps ministry across our people working across the Diocese. communities running. If you need help encouraging your congregation Firstly, we'd like to thank all to give faithfully and responsibly, churches who have been sending in don't forget “The Responsibility Is their Parish Share - we know that Ours” (TRIO). TRIO is a scheme to finances are tight everywhere, and teach congregations about the you're working hard - we appreciate finances of their church, and it greatly. However, not everyone is encourage them to accept sending in their Parish Share, or responsibility for the ministry, sending it in full, and we are roughly mission and maintenance. If you're £140,000 behind where we had interested, contact Paul Lightburn in budgeted to be by this stage in the the finance department on 01904 year. So what does this mean? If the 699 533. Or there are other situations carries on, we may exceed resources on our budgeted deficit of £237,000 www.parishresources.org.uk meaning we will have to eat into our reserves more than we had We've been working with your anticipated - our current forecast is elected representatives at parish, that we will end the financial year deanery and synodical levels to make with a deficit of £310,000. If we have sure we get the parish share levels to keep eating into our reserves, it right for 2011, and by the time you means that we'll have less and less read this, the draft budget will have money to support our mission. And gone to Diocesan Synod in July. It that will put further pressure on post will go back to Diocesan Synod for numbers in the future. final approval in October, and we'll keep you informed of how the We need to to keep being faithful, to Diocesan finances are progressing keep paying your parish share in full, throughout the year. and paying it on time. Please Catherine Evans, Finance Manager. 5 mission shaped ministry mission shaped ministry, a national Locally, the course is being headed ecumenical course backed by the up by a team which includes Gavin Church of England, Methodist Wakefield, Pam Macnaughton, Sam Church, URC and other Foster, Richard Cooke, Peter denominations and aimed at helping Hallsworth, Christian Selvaratnam people to establish fresh expressions and Sue Wallace. of church across the country, is ‘gathering momentum and exceeding The course also offers participating all expectations.’ The one-year part- teams the opportunity to make the time course launches in the Diocese most of a mission coach/mentor, of York in September 2010. Already someone who will come alongside over 1,000 people nationwide are on them and help them establish new the course, which focuses on new ways of being church. The cost is areas of outreach that engage with £280 per student, including a those outside the reach of the weekend away, and some support traditional church.