Inside L Life of freedom - 3 Gospel mission - 4 Jonny lifeline - 6 GOOD NEWS Rallying call - 10 FOR NORWICH & NORFOLK Easter 2016: FREE 160 challenge - 12 Norwich churches call for refugee action I Church members and leaders joined a Rev Andy Bryant, who told the meeting: “Let refugees’ arrival. Diocese of Norwich Mother’s packed meeting of over 200 people at the RC us make Norwich a Fine City because of the Union president, Marguerite Phillips, also Cathedral in Norwich on March 4 calling on quality of the welcome we can offer. We will speaking on behalf of the Sanctuary Norfolk local councils to act on their pledges to not let ourselves be divided but will be a coalition, said: “We are pressing for a response welcome 50 Syrian refugees to Norfolk. community that works together. from the government and Norfolk County The meeting, organised by umbrella “I would love to see Norwich become a city Council on when something might happen. organisation the Norwich Refugees Welcome of sanctuary and create a culture of welcome We are also praying constantly for refugees Here Group, heard passionate speakers from a and the most vulnerable and the most marginal wherever they are. There is a lot of willing local Mosque, churches, aid agencies, refugee people will always know that they are welcome support in Norfolk and our members are support groups, trade unions and political here. That is what the Church of England and prepared to do whatever is necessary. “ organisations. all the churches across the city want to see.” A public march has been organized for Among the speakers was Norwich Meanwhile, Christian groups across Norfolk Palm Sunday, March 20, starting from the RC Ven Jan McFarlane. Cathedral's Canon for Mission & Pastoral Care, are doing what they can to prepare for the Cathedral to St Peter Mancroft church. Archdeacon of Norfolk pastor issues Norwich set to become bishop I The Queen has approved the nomination Easter cross challenge of the Ven Jan McFarlane, Archdeacon of Norwich as the sixth Suffragan Bishop of Repton in the Diocese of Derby and the ninth A South Norfolk church pastor female bishop in the Church of England. has challenged his congregation Jan will be consecrated as a bishop by the Archbishop of Canterbury on Wednesday 29 to erect eight-foot high wooden June in London and will begin her ministry in crosses in their front gardens Derbyshire later in the summer. The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd during Holy Week to remind Graham James, said, “Jan is greatly loved people of the Easter message. and much admired in the Diocese of Keith Morris reports. Norwich. She has been a fine communicator of the Christian faith in the local and regional media, and an archdeacon who has won the confidence and affection of lay people alike. ev Mark Taylor of Carleton Rode We will miss her enormously in this diocese Baptist Church said: “I was sat at home but we are thrilled that she has been called R planning for Easter services and in my to be a bishop in God’s church.” imagination I just saw a street in the village "She has been a very familiar voice and with crosses in the front gardens. A simple cross face in the local and regional media and shouts a message on its own, you don’t need greatly appreciated for her clarity of mind, any words. quickness of wit and vigorous exposition of “The crosses will be made of timber and will the Christian faith,” said Bishop Graham. have red ribbon where the nails would have "It will be little surprise to many who know gone through Christ's wrist, and a crown of Jan well that she has been chosen to be a thorns to loop over it. bishop. It seemed unlikely a couple of years “We want people to erect them in their ago when she was diagnosed with cancer, gardens early on Good Friday morning, with but it is a huge blessing that she has come the words ‘Jesus Christ’ stapled to the cross spar through her surgery and treatment so well - we will provide everything people need. and is now in such good health.” “Then on Easter Sunday morning, early Jan said: “I am honoured and delighted to again, remove the crown of thorns and add the have been invited to become the next Bishop word ‘Risen’ to the upright stake,” said Mark. of Repton, and I’m looking forward to all the Congregation member Steven Halstead has challenges and opportunities which lie volunteered to help make the crosses, for a ahead. But it will be very hard indeed to leave suggested donation of £10 to cover the costs. Norfolk where I have spent 16 very happy “There was a good response verbally last years working alongside first rate colleagues Sunday when we put order forms out,” said both in the church and in the local media. I Mark. “The local Anglican Pilgrim Benefice of have been proud to have been archdeacon of churches are also distributing the order forms such a fine city and will miss this county and and the chapel at Great Moulton has expressed its people more than I can say.” some interest. Since 1999 Jan has been Director of Com - The cross will come flat-packed with an eight- munications in the Diocese of Norwich. From foot and four-foot spar, plus the ribbons, a 2001 to 2009 Jan served as Chaplain to the wreath and some signage and a couple of Bishop of Norwich and has been Archdeacon screws. Mark and his team will distribute them of Norwich since 2009. She combines this and help people put them up if necessary. job with the communications role and as “If you are used to walking through your Warden of Readers. She has been a member community and suddenly one morning a cross Rev Mark Taylor, left, and Steven Halstead, with one of the wooden crosses. of the General Synod since 2005. appears in a garden and a bit further another Jan is married to Andrew Ridoutt, a one appears, with some ribbons and a sign, then people want them to explain the Easter story.” churches are interested in also using the idea. television cameraman and will have a leaving that is a big message,” said Mark. Mark is happy to give details of the crosses You can contact Mark on 01953 789899 or at service in Norwich Cathedral. “There are some tracts to go with them if and how to collect the bits needed if other [email protected] . 2 Good News for Norwich & Norfolk, Easter 2016 www.networknorfolk.co.uk NEWS GOOD NEWS FOR NORWICH & NORFOLK Let’s celebrate life’s victory over death I reflected glory of the Resurrection. I Good News for Norwich & Norfolk is Recently I did a question and answer Fr Sean published by Celebrate Norwich & Norfolk. session with a group of 12-year-olds who were Connolly Easter is overwhelmingly positive: it is about Registered charity no 1141245. surprised to discover that, although a Catholic life’s victory over death, about the forgiveness of our sins, about a new beginning for each of I Website: www.networknorfolk.co.uk priest, I can still smoke (I don’t) and drink (I do) is parish us, and about our welcome into a vibrant and I Editorial (01508) 488318. e-mail stories to and go to the cinema and stay out past ten priest at St [email protected] or o’clock at night (I do quite a lot). loving community which awaits the outpouring send copy to Pear Tree Farmhouse, Their whole concept of any organised George’s of God’s own Spirit at Pentecost. Wymondham Road, Wreningham, Norwich religion was to define it from a negative Norwich Christianity, especially in this Easter season, NR16 1AT. viewpoint: religion is about what we can’t do or should be a religion of enjoyment and laughter I Advertising: Helen Baldry (01603) 926120 at least about what we shouldn’t do. and life. It should be fun. We should have fun. I Distribution: Les Champion (01603) I can accept that Christian ethics are often hitting against the burning bulb; no, because Often at this time I tell people who come to 402310 portrayed in a “Thou Shalt Not” framework. instead there is on offer a bright and sunny day me in confession to go out and do something I Editor and designer: Keith Morris The Ten Commandments are an obvious to be explored and enjoyed. they really enjoy: celebrate life! I Regular writers: Kevin Gotts, Mike example. This season of Easter for Christians is a As Christians we are to be life-giving people, Wiltshire, Sandie Shirley, Helen Baldry, Les But the “No” of Christian ethics is always and reminder of the radical “Yes” that is at the heart affirming those around us, building up where Champion. only ever the reverse side of a much bigger of our religion. others tear down, making everyone we meet I Printed by Archant Print. “Yes”. It is the “No” said to the persistent moth Having fasted for the 40 days of Lent and feel loved precisely because we know that they I Churches, Christian organisations and about the electric light bulb: no, because celebrated the gruelling and terrible events of are loved: loved utterly by a God who was individuals from within Norwich and Norfolk are without it the moth will kill itself by its frantic Calvary, Christians at Easter bathe in the prepared to die for them.