Clergy Mailing - December 2019 Contents 1. Nifty Notes 2. Ministry Vacancies 3. DAC 2020 Annual letter Niftynotes news & information from the Diocese www.southwell.anglican.org DECEMBER 2019 Compiled by Nicola Mellors email: [email protected] Round the world cyclist welcomed home dventurous cyclist Robert Cleave was welcomed Ahome in October after an 18,000 mile round-the-world-ride by his church, family and friends – and Bishop Tony Porter. Sixty-four year-old Robert, who attends St Michael’s Church in Bramcote, completed his epic 18 month journey to raise money for three charities which are close to his heart. Grandchildren Lucy and Maggie, and his son and daughter, Betty and James cycled the last leg with Theological College) which led Traidcraft are beneficiaries of the him - from Wollaton Hall to me to be a Christian in the trip, and Cancer Research, as his Bramcote Park - along with the world.” This was then developed Continued on page 2 Revd Steve Silvester. as a lay person; he was Nottingham South Deanery Lay Robert, who worked in IT at Chair for 19 years, on Diocesan In this month’s issue: Boots for 40 years, comes from a Synod, and Bishop’s Council for Christian family – and made his 12 years. 2 New in brief own personal faith commitment in 6th form. For the past 10 years Robert has 4 Events and information been involved with young “It was a gradual conversion.. and Prayer diary peoples’ work. 5 suffused every aspect of my life,” says Robert. “It wasn’t that I felt ` 8 World links news He started as a Traidcraft Rep at called in a specific direction – St Michael’s and the work is still though I did do an Extension 10 What’s On going on through others – Studies Course (a distance including his wife, Christine. learning course at St John’s 12 Comings & Goings @diocswellnott @SouthwellandNottingham 2 December 19 News in brief. News in brief. News in brief. News in brief. Continued from page 1 Christian art – it’s wonderful to His favourite countries were India see the differences from here in and China. “So different and mother died from the disease four the UK and to be able to worship contradictory – ‘in your face’ - I years ago. He added BREAD to with other Christians, also seeing was never bored. Not many speak his charities – which works with what their issues were e.g, English off the tourist trail in the village of Berega in Tanzania Thailand working with refugees China, where I came across the – the local church, hospital and from Myanmar and Arizona/New recently discovered tomb of an schools. “We have been out there Mexico with immigrants from emperor from 2,000 years ago – and seen what’s happening due to Mexico – I couldn’t always Guang Zhou – who was buried in drought economic problems understand them but it added to a jade suit.” etc….It’s a small charity which the fun.” can make big changes to the Other interesting experiences people there.” Funds raised so far Robert attended a Greek included being in a Sydney are £23,000. Orthodox service in Thessaloniki church when it happened to be and spent 10 days there, after a ‘National Sorry Day’ – when they The intrepid traveller planned the gear cable wore through – which say sorry for what happened to 18,452 mile route across 29 was a different length locally so the Aborigines. Also in Canada, countries according to the level of he had to wait for a replacement whilst attending anti-slavery risk – which he found on the from the UK. “It felt more like a events, he went to see Uncle Foreign Office website. He performance – with stuff being Tom’s Cabin on Walpole Island decided to jump the ‘riskier’ done ‘to you’ by the priest and near Toronto which belonged in places; he cycled to Europe and choir, lots of incense and icons; it real life to a former slave called Istanbul but flew over the Middle was quite theatrical,” he says. Henson - and his house is now a East to India and on from there. museum. In Australia he cycled from Perth 1,000 miles from the finish his to Sydney but took a train across bike broke while in the car Robert lost 2.5 stone on his 200 miles of the arid Nullabor manufacturing city of Detroit – journey but is now starting to Plain as there was nothing there where he went round the factories gain weight – as he’s not cycling to provide rest and recuperation. - including a special tour of for six or seven hours per day! Henry Ford’s first factory, when “It was harder for Christine as she Prior to setting off, Robert broke they heard about his trip. loves doing interesting stuff… his shoulder in a car accident and but she came out seven times to also had to have his right hip He explains: “Suddenly the see me – so lots of holidays – replaced. He needed a knee saddle came off in my hand… the every time I went somewhere she support for his left knee due to frame had broken where the wanted to visit.” These included extra wear and tear throughout saddle connects to the frame via a Bordeaux; Spain (where they had the journey – and was aware of metal tube (see below). A local a family holiday); Athens; prayer from home which, he says bike shop helped mend it as a Istanbul to Bangkok (where their thankfully, helped him get temporary solution with gorilla daughter joined them and through. tape – which got me through the provided the music for the last 1000 miles.” Christingle service – and Robert He also developed a chest rode his bike down the aisle to be infection in Rajasthan – the most interviewed by the vicar). After polluted state in India - and had to China they flew back to the UK stop cycling for five days. to see their first grandson and He visited lots of churches and they celebrated their 40th cathedrals around the world to wedding anniversary in experience them. “There’s a Chicago… and Japan. staggering variety and richness of Continued on page 3 Niftynotes 3 News in brief. News in brief. News in brief. News in brief. Continued from page 2 and written in felt tip (see below). whilst drying and he left the other Luggage consisted of two paniers in a hotel – so Christine Robert took 45,000 photos and at the back allowing 15kg of stuff replenished his supply – plus new made 400 videos. As he hit the for 18 months…plus a small tyres when required - in the post. 18000 mile mark at OSAKA handlebar panier for his phone, Castle in Japan he did a live - wallet, torch etc.. There were various random acts stream. His favourite photo is of of kindness – including a lady himself at that point with a sign He took three pairs of underpants who approached him in a park in made from towels from the hotel but lost two pairs en route! One Australia and gave him a bottle of pair blew off the back of the bike ice cold water – and then returned with a home-made fruit cake. Robert now plans to give talks about his trip to schools, scout groups etc… but as for another long distance cycle trip in the future….? He says: “Christine’s going to have me on a short leash now! It’s been absolutely brilliant – I can’t understand why more people don’t do it!” More photos here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/so uthwellandnottingham/albums/72 157711447982276 New Warden of Readers appointed ay Reader Sue Waterston Sue, who works for the Bishop Paul said: “I am delighted has been appointed as the homelessness charity Framework, that Sue has kindly accepted my LWarden of Readers for the will have a particular focus on invitation to be the Diocesan Diocese of Southwell & providing pastoral care for the Warden of Readers with Nottingham. Sue, who serves on growing number of Readers and immediate effect. Bishop’s Council and is PCC Licensed Lay Minsters in the “Sue brings to this role not only Secretary at St Giles’ Costock, diocese, and will also help to her considerable experience as a said: “I am humbled, delighted devise a framework for deploying Reader but also her strong and excited at the prospect of this valuable ministry for mission pastoral gifts exercised through being the next Warden of Readers and growth. her role as a trainer for the at a time of growth and change in diocese and in the workplace. the Diocese. She will work with a wider team “May I take this opportunity to “Lay ministry has long been my supporting Readers; the training once again acknowledge the passion and I believe we have a and development of Readers and tireless contribution of our key role to play in the Lay Ministers will continue to be previous Warden of Readers, Mr implementation of the diocesan held within the framework of the Chris Perrett, who has helped to vision. Being called to pastorally School of Discipleship under the lay such strong foundations on support my brothers and sisters in expertise of The Revd James which to build for the future.” Christ in this important work is a Halstead. real privilege.” 4 December 19 Events and information. Events and information. Events and informa Focus on building better Caring for the communities and homes environment he Archbishop of Canterbury’s Commission on Housing, The Revd Alex Shiells, Curate at Church and Community will seek to re-imagine housing Christ Church, Worksop writes: policy, with a focus on building better communities and homes, T In late October I was privileged not just houses.