THE ORIGINAL CHURCH NEWSPAPER. ESTABLISHED IN 1828 Celebrating all THE Analysis things organic in of a September, p8 CHU RCHOF parish mission, ENGLAND p10 Newspaper NOW AVAILABLE ON NEWSSTAND FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014 No: 6246 Calls for reconciliation as Scots vote ‘No’ CHURCH LEADERS issued statements this morning calling Alex Salmond for reconciliation after the No and below campaigners won the Scottish 5am News David Cameron independence referendum by a disappointing to many, will be this morning margin of 55 per cent to 45 per welcomed by all those who cent. believe that this country can In upbeat remarks SNP leader continue to be an example of Alex Salmond said he accepted how different nations can work the verdict and called on all together for the common good Scottish people to ‘follow suit in within one state.” accepting the democratic ver - Archbishop Justin Welby dict of the people of Scotland’. added: “This is a moment for Prime Minister David reconciliation and healing not Cameron said he was ‘delighted’ rejoicing or recrimination. with the result. “As I said during Some of the wounds opened up the campaign, it would have in recent months are likely to broken my heart to see our take time to heal on both sides United Kingdom come to an of the border.” end.” He said the close links He said it was now time for between the Church of Scot - the United Kingdom to come land, the Scottish Episcopal together and move forward, but Church and the Church of Eng - added that a vital part of that land meant they all have a con - would be a balanced settlement: tribution to make “not only to “Fair to people in Scotland and reflect on the lessons of the ref - importantly to everyone in Eng - erendum campaign but to land, Wales and Northern Ire - engage in delivering the radical land as well.” restructuring of the relationship He said that the matter had between Scotland and the rest now been settled for a genera - of the United Kingdom for tion, or perhaps for a lifetime. which commitments have been “So there can be no disputes, no made.” re-runs – we have heard the set - The Free Church of Scotland tled will of the Scottish people.” The voting figures were 2,001,926 for No and 1,617,989 urged the nation to move from Assembly of the Church of Scot - called West Lothian question for Yes. Turnout was 84.5 per “self-interest” to “focusing on land, the Rt Rev John Chalmers, –requires a decisive answer. cent. the needs of others”, but it will preach on the need to pro - “So, just as Scotland will vote Referring to the ‘Vow’ that warned that lasting change to mote healing where there has separately in the Scottish Parlia - was published in newspapers in “societal ills” such as sexual been hurt and unity where ment on their issues of tax, the days running up to the refer - abuse, relationship breakdown there has been division. spending and welfare so too endum David Cameron said: and poverty could only be The focus for politicians will England, as well as Wales and “The three pro-union parties achieved with Christianity flour - now be to draft legislation to ful - Northern Ireland, should be have made commitments, clear ishing in the public square. fil the Vow made to Scottish vot - able to vote on these issues and commitments, on further pow - The Church of Scotland ers. Lord Smith of Kelvin was all this must take place in tan - ers for the Scottish Parliament. revealed plans for a national appointed by David Cameron to dem with, and at the same pace “We will ensure that they are service of reconciliation at St oversee this process, which is to as, the settlement for Scotland. honoured in full.” Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh be agreed by November and “I hope that is going to take The Archbishop of Canter - on Sunday. draft legislation published in place on a cross-party basis. bury said the debate had gener - More than 1,000 people are January. “Now we must look forward, ated profound questioning and expected to attend, including David Cameron said: “We and turn this into the moment unsettlement far beyond Scot - leaders from the Better Togeth - have heard the voice of Scotland when everyone – whichever land. er and Yes Campaigns who will - and now the millions of voices way they voted – comes togeth - “The decision by the Scottish contribute readings during the of England must also be heard. er to build that better, brighter people to remain within the service. “The question of English future for our entire United United Kingdom, while deeply The Moderator of the General votes for English laws – the so- Kingdom.” [email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 2 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday September 19, 2014 News THE Diocese of Durham CHU RCHIN A passion for Coronation Street and social media has resulted in the Bishop of Jarrow being invited as the first clergy guest VIP blogger for the show. The Rt Rev Mark Bryant, who is a long-time ENGLAND fan of the soap, often uses plot-lines from the programme to make points about life in his own blogs. Now, his tweeting following a visit to the set of the Salford-based programme has resulted in the show asking him to expand his thoughts in blog form in return for a donation to a charity of his choice. The Bishop said: “I cannot remember when I first started following Corrie but I think I have been following it for well over 20 years. Corrie is definitely my ‘cup of tea’. “I like it because many of the themes in the show reflect what is happening in real life and drawing on them in my teaching of Christian faith allows me to reach people who might not Picture: Keith Blundy/Aegies Associates normally listen to a priest.” Bishop Mark is on Twitter at @BishopMark1 and his Coronation Street blog can be read at: http://coronationstreetupdates.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/exclusive-coronation-street-vip- blogger.html Diocese of Canterbury A Kent church is inviting villagers to pop into their local pub to say their prayers. Martin Jones, vicar at St Martin’s in Aldington, near Ashford, is conducting a weekly service at historic Shepherd Neame pub the Walnut Tree. It takes place in the bar from 9am every Wednesday, and the congregation is growing every week. He said: “The village of Aldington has moved since St Martin’s was built in the 12th century, and the church is now about a mile outside. The aim of holding these services at the pub is to meet people where they are, instead of expecting them to come to us. “The sessions are also different to a traditional church service, in that they are much more informal.” Licensee Karen Barrett said: “Getting together at the pub on a weekday morning is not only more convenient for lots of people, but also a comfortable, familiar environment. I provide everyone with tea, coffee and biscuits and it is a really relaxed atmosphere.” Diocese of London Diocese of Ely Diocese of Bristol A vicar who arrived from Australia was A new organisation set up to resource and licensed last week as the new Priest support pioneer ministers has been A new film about the life and history of one of Bristol’s oldest Missioner of a new worshipping community in launched in Cambridge. churches has just gone live on its website. North London. The Centre for Pioneer Learning emerged The 17-minute film about the 800-year-old parish church of St The Rev Andrew Williams, who was from a partnership between the Diocese of Mary Redcliffe, made by John Thomson of Bristol-based Greatful previously Rector of a church in Perth, is to Ely, Westcott House and Ridley Hall Productions, is believed to be the first of its type to be produced lead St Francis @ The Engine Room. This Theological Colleges, Cambridge. The by a Bristol church to encourage worshippers, visitors and new initative in Tottenham Hale aims to build vision of the Centre is to send out, resource tourists. community links on Hale Village estate, and support a generation of pioneers who The film features choral works as it explains the medieval working with Andrew and Martina Kwapong, will transform lives, shape their wider origins of the church and the ways in which it is encouraging experienced community workers from communities and help to renew the Church. people to – as the vicar, the Rev Dan Tyndall puts it – ‘dip their London City Mission, who have been working The founder and Director of the Centre, toes in the waters of spiritual life.’ in Hale Village and Ferry Lane estates for two the Rev Canon David Male started one of Commenting on production of the new film, Dan said: “As a years. the first such churches in the UK, the Net parish we have agreed that the purpose of our church is to be a The Engine Room uses innovative ideas to Church in Huddersfield in 1998. He said: “It beacon of the Kingdom of God and, with our website video now engage locals, including organising family- has taken us nearly four years to get to this live, the reach of that beam is spreading to shine out from friendly activities including canoeing, point. We want to support and equip leaders computer screens across the city, country and, hopefully, the blackberry harvesting and jam-making, and who will change their communities and the wider world.” ‘meet the neighbours’ events for new church.” residents.