Partnership Borneo Again

Partnership Borneo Again

Spotlight Nov/Dec 2017 Partnership Borneo Again The Diocese has formally renewed an historic “This is my first time to visit Sabah and indeed partnership with the Diocese of Sabah on the Malaysia,” Bishop Michael told the congregation, island of Borneo. The Bishops of Sabah and “and we rejoice in the bonds of friendship, Lichfield signed the accord earlier this month companionship and prayer that unite us.” while a group from Lichfield were visiting the Malaysian states (see pages 5 & 6). Bishop Melter expressed his hope that the dioceses will work together in mission, education “Personally and as a Diocese, this visit is very and post-theological training for clergy. helpful because it helps us to re-establish our friendship and fellowship with the Diocese of “I’ve been really enthused by Lichfield,” said Rt Revd Melter Tais who became the commitment, zeal and bishop of Sabah in 2015. Later in the day, the joy in the Gospel of our Bishop Michael was the guest preacher at a Anglican brothers and sisters service of Confirmation at St Andrew’s Cathedral in this part of the world. in the capital of Sabah, Kota Kinabalu. The excitement has been tangible,” said Bishop “We used to have this link before and I really Michael. thank God for this opportunity to have Bishop Michael speak to our people from the word of Lichfield Diocese God,” he continued. already enjoys missionary partnerships with the Dioceses Bishop Michael presented the of Kuching, West Malaysia and Bishop of Sabah, Singapore in the same region. Rt Revd Melter Tais, with a plate from the The next formal expression of the partnership is Staffordshire potteries to anticipated in July 2018 when, along with other commemorate dioceses from South East Asia, representatives their meeting. from Sabah will be joining a week-long series of events in Lichfield Diocese joining with parishes to focus on discipleship. A video about the partnership can be viewed at www.lichfield.anglican.org/companion_links The Church of England around Staffordshire, northern Shropshire and the Black Country God With Us Wowing with worship Churches and Primary school pupils were plunged into the worship within congregations are being beauty of the Peak District at the start of one our schools. In a encouraged to get of the Diocese’s new mission initiatives. world of change involved with this year’s and fast pace #GodWithUs Christmas The 24-hour residential this ‘grounding’ campaign. retreat at Dovedale opportunity for our House was the first in a next generation #GodWithus follows series for those in Church is inspiring and the success of 2016’s schools in the Stafford essential.” #JoyToTheWorld national Episcopal Area aimed to Church of England put the ‘Wow!’ factor into The Bishop initiative which included worship. of Stafford information on over Geoff Annas, who also took part, said: “The 1,300 Christmas services Twenty-five children programme encourages children to experience in Lichfield Diocese. from four primary things they may not normally come across schools descended on - such as the beautiful vastness of Dovedale Local churches can join in this year by Three videos that tell the story of the joy of Dovedale for a packed and a candlelit service - as well as fulfilling uploading their Christmas events to www. going to church at Christmas will be also programme which curriculum requirements. Local clergy and lay achurchnearyou.com which is about to be released throughout December on Facebook, included high-energy teams come along and can then work with relaunched with many new features. Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. games, craft activities, young people from the retreat in the science experiments, prayer planning of school assemblies and They can also take advantage of Your Christmas Archbishop Justin Welby said: “The constant stations, a midnight walk worship.” Journey, a series of 13 short reflections refrain of Christmas, in carols and readings, is (at 7.30pm!), a prayer throughout that God is with us. In whatever situations you labyrinth and a candlelight The Lighthouse Project in Bucknall, December and find yourselves this Christmas, God is with you Taize service at Ilam a community programme between January. Written – you only need to turn to him and ask to know Church. Youngsters were church and school, and the by soul [food] for his presence.” encouraged to prepare Connect2 missional community at people who are creative worship using art, Brown Edge School are also part of new to faith and Meanwhile, Cathedral Illuminated returns to music, poetry, and drama. the mission initiative - one of four to help us grow in Lichfield Cathedral from Monday 18 December across the Diocese launched last our love of God, to Saturday 23 December (excluding Thursday The retreats aim to provide May at the Come Follow Christ: First the messages 21st) for ‘Star Of Wonder, Star Of Light’. a positive experience for Steps event. can be received pupils and school staff and as texts, emails, Presenting the nativity story in mesmerising to mix schools from rural, on social media images and sounds, the projections will move town and inner city settings. Local clergy and and through a visitors on a journey around Cathedral Close lay teams who have links with the schools are new booklet. Sign and into the building itself where there will also invited to take part. Nine retreats are planned up by texting be readings at the crib, the annual Christmas over the next three years involving primary, GodWithUs to Tree Festival and a Star installation. middle and secondary schools. 88802 (Standard network rates Tickets can be purchased from The Shop at Alison Evans, a teacher at All Saints School in apply). No.9 or at www.lichfield-cathedral.org Rangemore, said: “Thank you for this amazing opportunity. Not only have the children More information and resources for churches, including posters, to share been spiritually uplifted, but also staff have your Christmas services are available at www.churchofengland.org/christmas been renewed and inspired to rejuvenate our 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 Heart-level connections Enabling Advice “Do we want people with dementia in our he saying?’ A new Enabling services? It may mean doing things differently,” It’s important Church Advisor will says Dementia-Enabler Sarah Thorpe. that people help parishes across recognise the Diocese remove ”For people affected by dementia, patterns dementia as barriers to people change and church families need to be flexible. a progressive with impairments A day-conference on dementia-friendly worship disease of the or disabilities fully looked at simple steps churches can take. brain, so Pat’s entering into local sister can be church life. “Pat Jones talked about going to a village included as church near Telford with her sister who she is. The Revd Zoe has dementia. A friendly greeting and Heming was licensed clear communication of hymn numbers or “Our in the half-time role instructions to stand, sit or kneel are welcomed. conference by the Bishop of A little slower can be enormously helpful; Pat’s explored lots Lichfield at a special sister joins in the Lord’s Prayer but is often only of possibilities. Singing touches the soul when service at St Andrews half-way through when everyone has finished. words connect less – including in residential Church in Aston, in Communion can be a challenge. When she homes. And we are excited to see how Newport, Shropshire, receives a blessing from the priest, Pat’s sister Godly Play can be used effectively with older where Zoe will spend the other half of her time how to practice my faith without causing treats it as a personal gift, tries to hold his hand generations. As to the spirituality of dementia, serving as vicar. more pain. Like many in all our parishes, I and says ‘thank you’. The running commentary the move from independence to dependence is would stay home rather than seem ‘irreverent’ can be difficult: ‘Why’s he doing that? What’s a move into relationship and community, into Zoe, who often uses a wheelchair due to chronic during worship which had a huge impact on the dance of the Trinity. pain, was previously the Curate of Hodnet my faith. The Bible is full of stories of God Deanery in north Shropshire. As well as being ‘enabling’ people to understand and embrace “It’s a journey from the head to the heart a regular panellist on the Diocese’s weekly TGI their own weakness. There are so many simple, that moves us from believing to belonging. Monday online chat show, she is a member inexpensive ways to worship together and When we can’t reliably remember of General Synod and has spoken and written embrace one another’s gifts to make sure that information, a heart-level connection comes extensively no-one is isolated from church life or left feeling Zoe’s appointment follows the from being valued. Maya Angelou says: commissioning of new Diocesan Advisor on how like a ‘bad Christian’.” ‘People will forget what you said, people will to the Deaf Church, the Revd Susan the Church Myatt, as reported in the last edition of forget what you did, but people will never Spotlight urgently needs Bishop Michael added: “Everybody has a place forget how you made them feel.’ to notice who at the table of God and we need to do what is we exclude best to ensure or church buildings and the way “We’re encouraging churches to identify from church we organise our worship are open to all.

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