WINTER 2019/20 New beginnings A new chapter in a longer story PAGE 6 With: youth community at the convent PAGE 16 Singing a new song Beginning in The Good Vyker: Focus On: in Great Yarmouth Reader ministry Richard of Caister Dersingham 10 12 25 28 DEVLIN PLUMMER STAINED GLASS SPECIALISTS IN ALL TYPES OF STAINED AND LEADED GLASS We work on glass dating from the early 14th century to the present day, the repair of casements and ferramenta, supply and installation of window protection. Many of our commissions come direct from PCC’s whilst many others are initiated by architects. To discuss conservation, repair, protection or commissions of stained glass to church windows please contact our studio 01379 677111 www.devlinplummer.co.uk Looking for ways to give Have you thought about hosting a valuation day with Keys Auctioneers for a fun your fundraising a boost? Antiques Roadshow style event? Our valuers offer advice and valuations on a wide range of items including ceramics, jewellery, paintings and silver etc. With ALL donations going towards your fundraising efforts, whether it’s maintenance for the building or a charity of your choice. Contact David Broom for more information and advice on 01263 733195 or email [email protected] Palmers Lane, Aylsham, NR11 6JA [email protected] www.keysauctions.co.uk | 01263 733195 Image from a valuation day at St.Andrews Church, Deopham From the Editor Contents THE MAGAZINE | WINTER 2019/20 he theme for this edition of Surya from India describes his journey into The Magazine really suggested finding a new faith and church community itself. This is the first quarterly in Thetford (pg 11). An invitation to make 14 COMMENT: Embracing change Winter issue that spans the your New Year’s Resolutions at Norwich change of year. It coincides with Advent as Cathedral is offered by Andy Bryant 15 PAUSE BUTTON: New shoots the start of the Christian year and we have (pg 14) and James Fawcett shares and fruits aT new Bishop of Norwich. A confluence of the new plans for the convent at “new beginnings” Ditchingham to reimagine community, Personally, I’ve taken on a new role in prayer and service, with young people addition to editing The Magazine. My at the heart of them (pg 16). colleague Katherine, who amongst other The main feature, written by Bishop things handles the press and media Graham about his new beginning in the relations for the Diocese of Norwich, is Diocese, perhaps sums up the theme on maternity leave and I’m covering most appropriately: that part of her role. I think Katherine As we come, and as we go, Christ is has taken on the more challenging new always slipping in alongside us, beginning that is first-time parenting! She continually inviting us to come and and her beautiful baby, Bertie, grace our follow him, on a journey into the front cover. unknown but to a place full of hope. As a parent now of a young adult and Wherever you are on your journey 6 teenagers, I am experiencing parenting of faith, may this edition bring you FEATURE: as a journey that comprises a series of inspiration and hope. A new chapter in new beginnings and new starts as our a longer story children grow and develop. And so it is Blessings, with our journey of faith. From first turning to Christ to walking with him through all 19 REVIEW: Books on the theme circumstances – this is a theme which you’ll find recurring throughout this edition. 11 Everyday faith: Surya’s story In our Comment article (pg 4), Rosie Sexton 14 Cathedral: Valuing New Year talks of embracing change and Emmanuel – God with us in the good and difficult Resolutions times. Archdeacon Karen highlights the 15 A fresh start at Emmaus often necessary endings before the new can begin (pg 5). 21 CYF: Starting high school A new junior choir has begun at Great Yarmouth Minster (pg 10) which has 22 Photo gallery: Bishop brought fresh experiences for those joining Barbara Bryant Graham’s welcome service and for those already at the Minster. Editor 26 RESOURCES: Extra The Magazine design: Get in touch Adept Design www.adeptdesign.co.uk 32 OUT & ABOUT: Parish 01603 882348 (Editor) Views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those happenings [email protected] of the Diocese and the acceptance of advertising does not indicate editorial endorsement. Diocesan House, 109 Dereham Road, Cover photo: Katherine and her new born baby, Bertie. Easton, Norwich NR9 5ES www.DofN.org/magazine facebook.com/dioceseofnorwich @DioceseNorwich The next issue (deadline 15 January) focuses on “faith in sport & outdoor spirituality”. Listen to The Magazine Podcast by searching for ‘Diocese of Norwich’ on the podcast app of your choice. 35 Lent Appeal To advertise in The Magazine please contact Glenda Charitos on 2020 01752 225623 or [email protected] 3 Embracing change hen we came to the UK, arrived in the UK, she had none of the it was the fourth country support I had. No family or friends, she we had moved to as a didn’t speak or look English and her For us, moving here, it was family in seven years. It future was on hold until others decided if the support of family, both was both exciting and daunting, starting they believed her story or not. immediate and wider, it was all over again. There was so much loss, All of us face new beginnings at many people who were open to andW yet it was an adventure, and one that points in our lives, some big and some we had chosen. getting to know us, taking smaller. Some are full of hope of a We had no home of our own, so we fresh start and of positive change, but time to let us join in with their invaded my long-suffering parents’ neat for others, things are not easy. Some already busy lives. and tidy house, looked for schools, a changes we choose and others are forced church, new community, and tried to upon us. understand this place where we should What makes the difference when we face reflecting on God’s faithfulness, guiding have felt at home, as I was supposedly and answered prayers, we can face the English, but where as a family we were change? For us, moving here, it was the support of family, both immediate and uncertain future with confidence and in fact strangers. The children’s accents gratitude. gave them away, but those soon faded. wider, it was people who were open to Were we starting to fit in? Having family getting to know us, taking time to let us As Augustine said, God alone is here eased the process of figuring out join in with their already busy lives. the place of peace that cannot be how life worked, but I did get strange Also, as Christians, it is knowing that disturbed, and he will not withhold himself from your love, unless you looks from the cashier for not knowing God walks through both the joys and withhold your love from him. how to pay for my groceries at the till. pain with us. Even in the darkest valleys, We had chosen our move to the UK, but the loneliest times, prayers are heard, others don’t have this luxury. Many of even if not answered in our way and the refugees I meet through the English timing. We know the truth of Emmanuel, classes I run in Norwich have a very God with us. different story to tell. We can also choose how we respond to Suzan recounted how becoming new beginnings. As John Newton said, a Christian had had catastrophic “His love in times past forbids me to think consequences. She lost her job and he’ll leave me at last in troubles to sink.” Rosie Sexton is the founder and director of her home, her family rejected her, and As so often mentioned in the psalms English+, a Christian charity seeking to help she had to flee her country following and repeated to me by refugees who newcomers to Norfolk feel welcome and integrate, imprisonment and torture. When she have had difficult new beginnings, by helping to make a more positive new beginning. 4 New shoots and fruits t’s extremely exciting to have our The new beginning, the shoot and then new Bishop of Norwich at last the fruit, comes out of an act of letting beginning his ministry amongst us. go, of apparent death and ending. Often It feels like a long time in the waiting, when we have a new beginning there’s but all is in God’s good time, of course. been a letting go before it can happen. IPeople often ask about the vacancy Starting a new school, college or job process in parishes, and why there has – there has been a series of goodbyes to be a gap between vicars. Sometimes to what has been left behind. Some there is a longer gap than we would like, who have heard God’s call to plant new but usually a gap is needed in order to churches have had to leave behind a properly let go of the person who has community where they were loved and left, and to be ready to welcome the new secure. It is often a leap of faith – that God beginning. goes with us in that transition and will bless the new beginning. A year ago, many of us were very sad to be Very truly I tell you, unless saying goodbye to the much-loved Bishop In churches we tend to be quite good at a grain of wheat falls into the Graham James.