Spotlight Sept/Oct 2019 Climate Action People across the diocese are urged to get Our four bishops are encouraging churches, involved in a climate action day on Friday 20 clergy and diocesan staff to show solidarity with September. young people to demand an end to the age of fossil fuels and climate justice for everyone. Parliament has declared a climate change emergency and a series of climate strikes have Bishop Clive, diocesan lead on the Environment, taken place across the UK and elsewhere, led by said: “As we seek to partner with others in young people. From 20-27 September there will seeking the common good, we are called be a global week of action to coincide with the to work for justice as people of hope. Our UN Climate Summit on 23 September. love for our neighbour applies to the whole of creation and by making small changes The diocese is committed to taking climate to our lifestyles and campaigning change seriously through a new Diocesan for the Government to make big Environmental Policy and Action Plan. Parishes changes we can be part of halting across the diocese are registering for Eco the progress of climate change.” Church – a national award that recognises and supports churches who are working to become Diocesan offices in Lichfield will close on more environmentally friendly. 20 September to enable diocesan staff to participate in action. There will also be a gathering at Lichfield Cathedral and the bishops have asked clergy to set aside their usual duties to participate in worship, events and advocacy on the theme of climate action on that day. Churches are encouraged to share their efforts on social media with the hashtags #climatechange and #chadclimateaction. Special resources will also be available for Church schools. For ideas and resources go to www.lichfield.anglican.org/climateactionday | Let us know your plans at [email protected] | Bishop Michael talks more about ecological mobilisation on p 11. The Church of England around Staffordshire, northern Shropshire and the Black Country A ton of welcoming places across the diocese An initiative that offers a warm welcome Transforming Communities Together Chair, the in local communities is now open in 100 Rev Dr David Primrose, said: “We’re delighted places across our diocese. The 100th Place of to have Places of Welcome now at a growing Welcome opened its doors at one of the most number of places and want to continue this unique venues yet – Hammerwich Hall Care growth. It’s fantastic to have a variety of Home, near Burntwood. different organisations involved, as we work towards our vision of every community having a Places of Welcome is a network of small Place of Welcome.” community organisations who provide an unconditional welcome to local people for at Places of Welcome is a grassroots movement least a few hours each week. The initiative is that began in Birmingham. It has five values spreading across the country with over 350 ensure that each venue is open at the same venues taking part. Places of Welcome are run time and place for at least a few hours every by local groups who want to make sure that The 100th Place of Welcome in the diocese at Hammerwich Hall everyone in their area has a place to go for a Care Home near Burntwood (above). The Place of Welcome at There are no charges for joining Places of friendly face, a cup of tea and a conversation. St Oswald’s Oswestry (below). Welcome, and anyone can start one in their organisations community. Places of Welcome can be in any The 100 Places of Welcome across the diocese can know location including churches, mosques, temples, – in Staffordshire, the Black Country and and love their community centres or housing associations. Shropshire – are in venues including many communities.” churches and other community buildings, Find out more at: www.placesofwelcome.org.uk including all three libraries in Tamworth! They Hammerwich are all open to the public at a set time on a Hall, owned weekly basis. and run by Advinia Health Care, became the 51st Place of Welcome to Place of Welcome team at St John’s Community Church, Chase open in Staffordshire and hosts its weekly Place Terrace (above); volunteers in Lichfield District (above right) and at Tamworth Library (right). of Welcome every Thursday between 2pm and 4pm in the Home’s Vintage Tea Room. week and is welcoming to anyone wanting to attend: Emily Hocking, Customer Relations Manager, commented: “Advinia Health Care are delighted • Place: An accessible and hospitable to join the Places of Welcome network and building, open at the same time every we look forward to welcoming people to week. our wonderful home and gardens. We pride • People: Open to everyone regardless ourselves on the warm welcome we offer and of their circumstances or situation, and look forward to making new friends by offering staffed by volunteers. Bishop Michael at St Matthew’s Tipton (photo: Express & Star). this opportunity for people to pop in for a • Presence: A place where people actively Bishop Michael said: “It is a fantastic cup of tea or coffee and a chat on Thursday listen to one another. achievement that there are now 100 Places afternoons.” • Provision: Offering free refreshments and of Welcome across our diocese – each one basic local information. offering people a haven of companionship Places of Welcome are sponsored and • Participation: Recognises that every and friendship. Places of Welcome really do supported by Transforming Communities person coming to a Place of Welcome will combat isolation and loneliness and are a Together, a joint venture between the Church bring talents, experiences and skills that practical outworking of how churches and other Urban Fund and the diocese. they might be willing to share locally. Follow us on Twitter @Lichfield_CofE 2 Regular updates on our website www.lichfield.anglican.org 3 Join our Facebook Group “The Church of England’s Diocese of Lichfield” The Church of England around Staffordshire, northern Shropshire and the Black Country Reaching rural youth Bishop Geoff to bid farewell The four Mission Projects launched by The Bishop of Stafford Geoff Annas has then and, as I shall be 66 at the end of Bishop Michael in 2017 each cover one areas announced that he is to retire at the end of November it seems a really good time to move of Christian community: Parishes, Schools, November. and allow a new bishop to work with Bishops Chaplaincies and Fresh Expressions. Michael, Clive and Sarah in guiding the diocese Bishop Geoff and his wife Ann came to in its exciting journey. The Fresh Expressions project focusses on the Diocese of Lichfield in 2010 to join the young people in Shropshire, and in particular episcopal team led by the Bishop of Lichfield. “I do not regard myself as ‘retiring’ but how to gather, encourage, teach and disciple As Area Bishop of Stafford, he has overseen a simply joining that magnificent band of those aged 11-18 in widely dispersed rural region that includes Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford, clergy and lay ministers who work their socks homes, hamlets and villages. Newcastle-under-Lyme, Burton-on-Trent off but for no financial payment and without and many rural communities across North whom the Church of England as we know it Titled ‘4 Rural Youth’ it has one strand trying Tudor Humphreys has been a youth worker for Staffordshire. He will leave shortly before his would collapse!” to support young people from villages where 30 years and had been concerned about the 66th birthday and he and Ann will return to live they gather during the day - through school lack of Christian work with young people in the in Southampton, where he previously served, Bishop Michael said: “Bishop Geoff has served chaplaincy - and three strands testing different villages. “While out walking the dog one day close to their family. the communities and churches of North ways of supporting young people’s faith in I had a picture of a spired church, like that at Staffordshire faithfully for almost a decade – rural communities through local projects in the Rhyd-y-Croesau and it made me think about Bishop Geoff making him one deaneries themselves. Oswestry Rural Youth what was happening in those villages for young said: “We will be of the longest Church is the last to get going, but progress is people with their faith. Somebody handed me a leaving many serving Bishops certainly being made. Unlike the other deanery- letter at church talking about a meeting pulling friends but taking of Stafford. I based projects in Wrockwardine and Hodnet, together some of the youth work leaders with us happy will be very sad ORYC’s leaders wanted to employ a full-time around Oswestry. I was really keen to be part of memories of to see Ann and youth worker to be able to network more that. Two of the local vicars had been trying to this special part Geoff leave but quickly and build relationships with both youth get something off the ground.” Tudor quickly of Britain that I am pleased and the 18 churches of the deanery. became part of the ORYC steering group. was previously that they will unknown to us. now be closer “There has been good work with Messy They began to make progress, and using The creativity and to family and Churches within the deanery but nothing fundraising skills in the group managed to match a warmth of the have more time connecting with those of secondary school grant from the diocese enabling them to appoint a people of North to spend with age [outside of Oswestry town centre] - some pioneer youth minister in September 2018.