The Month September 2015 by Diocese of Chelmsford

with Christingle

September 2015

N E E D TO K N OW

I S T O R I E S I A R E A U P D AT E S I E V E N T S N E A R Y O U www.chelmsford.anglican.org

Bishop’s View By Rt Revd Peter Hill, Bishop of Barking DO you live in a house or a home? Think about it for a moment. As I write this, two things in particular are exercising my mind: the refugees desperately trying to enter the UK from Calais and the rapidly increasing cost of accommodation for poorer families in East London where I live. In both these situations people in need, seeking to create a home, are denied the possibility. Some move from house to house, shelter to shelter or even street to street! What is to be done? I am no naive idealist. Both problems are immense, complex and not given to quick or easy solutions. But they are also a matter of social justice. The ability to create a secure and happy home is a basic human right. It is entirely biblical, going back to the promises of God to his pilgrim people in the Old Testament. How can we as Christians respond and act? Two definite means have crossed my path recently. I caught a part of a TV documentary which highlighted the plight of young asylum seekers and refugees who, having lived in foster care in the UK through much of their childhood, are suddenly deported to the land of their birth once CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Bring the kids to light a candle for Christ’s birthday

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Jump to it!

Sack race snap is our winner: Page 2

Walthamstow bellringer invents miniature belfry to instruct new recruits Page 6

Boaters Fellowship brings Christian narrow boat sailors together Page 7

■ 22-year-old Helen Jones is youngest candidate to be elected to Diocesan Synod: Page 3

THE MONTH September 2015

month — Don't miss opportunity to have your say . . .

What do you think about Share Scheme proposals? By REVD CANON JENNY TOMLINSON Chair of the Share Review Group

I ALWAYS enjoy the ‘beginning of term’ feeling in September as we think about what lies ahead. For me and other members of the Share Review group, an important part of this autumn’s work will be looking at the various responses to our interim report. We were asked to devise a new Share scheme which would support all the proposals in Re-imagining Ministry.

I presented our ideas to Diocesan Synod in June, and you can find both the report and a film of the presentation at www.chelmsford. anglican.org/parishes/parishfinance/parish-share-review I know from my postbag and inbox that some have already considered this, and others are planning to do so. The new scheme depends on our generosity and mutual support; so it’s vital that people throughout the diocese, and especially PCC members, understand the proposals and take the opportunity

Worshipping in the Forest Jenny Tomlinson

By REVD GRAHAM HAMBORG, Bradwell Area CMD Adviser ON midsummer’s day, 14 people came together to celebrate the warmth and light of the Creator God. They made posies of yellow flowers which were laid over a circle of stones to symbolise the sun. They prayed to the God of the East and the sun’s rising to bless them with the dawning of light, to the God of the South and the light of summer to bless with his warmth, to the God of the North and the season of passing winter to bless at all times, and to the God of the West where the sun sets to bless with his presence in times of darkness. They joined in saying St Francis’s Canticle of the Sun. They reflected on

some of the trees in the wood: the prolific elder tree, which in the Middle Ages people said the cross of Christ had been made of, some flowers from which were inserted into the cross of sticks at the centre of the gathering; and the hornbeam, oak and sweet chestnut trees. This was the first gathering of Forest

Church in Essex, in the woods at the Rectory in Little Baddow (above). Forest Church is a growing movement nationally, and the purpose statement of Forest Church in Essex is that “We seek to find the presence of God in the open air and in nature, and to connect with the Divine Being who is

present in creation. We seek to foster a love of creation, a love which will lead us to care for it. "We look for reconciliation between nature and human beings, and within human relationships.” Some were from local churches. Others had travelled to be there, from Kent, from Suffolk, one even from Sheffield whose father lives in Essex, and who came down specially for this weekend. l Forest Church in Essex will be meeting about eight times a year, the next gathering being for the Autumn Equinox and Harvest Festival on September 20. l Email forestchurchinessex@ gmail.com for more details, or find it and like it on Facebook.

Sack race winner

CONGRATULATIONS go to Margaret Perthen for 'Summer sack race' – the winning entry in our photo competition this month. The winning picture was chosen by Paul Starr of Chelmsford photographers and videographers StarrPhotos. For the competition next month we are offering a choice of topics – either church interiors or the light produced by stained glass. Can you dust off your tripod and capture a wonderfully evocative scene? Entries by September 4 please to photos@ chelmsford.anglican.

to comment on them. Please don’t hesitate to ask me, or any member of the Share Review group, if something isn’t clear, or you’d like to know more about the thinking behind what is being suggested. We’ve drawn up a response form which was sent out with the budget consultation, and you can find it on the same web page. We’re asking for replies by November 16 to give us time to consider them carefully before the debate at the March 2016 Diocesan Synod.

God often shows up during the night SEPTEMBER’S READING GROUP CHOICE – Learning to Walk in the Dark by Barbara Brown Taylor “WHETHER it is a seed in the ground, a baby in the womb or Jesus in the tomb, it starts in the dark.” How do you view darkness? As something to be afraid of or as a place of depression and despair? If God is light, is darkness bad or evil? Perhaps you have been through a “dark night of the soul”? Best-selling author and renowned preacher Barbara Brown Taylor wants to change our minds about the dark; she sees it as a place that reveals rich treasures. Light = good and dark = bad is a simplistic equation that many of us never question especially Christians who often associate darkness with evil.

In September, the Chelmsford Christian Bookshop Reading Group will be following the author on a journey to discover what we can learn about God when we can’t see where we are going and when we feel lost, alone

The Month, incorporating NB and East Window, is the free circulation newspaper of Church of England in Essex and East London (Diocese of Chelmsford). www.chelmsford. anglican.org/themonth ● Find Chelmsford Diocese on Twitter @chelmsdio ● Find Bishop Stephen on Twitter @cottrellstephen ● Subscribe to our YouTube channel www.youtube.com/ChelmsfordDiocese ● Like us on Facebook: www. facebook.com/chelmsdio ● Like our Ask an Archdeacon Facebook www.facebook.com/ askanarchdeacon ● View our photostream on Flickr www. flickr.com/photos/chelmsford-diocese ● Like us on Pinterest https://uk. pinterest.com/chelmsdio

Editorial

COVER STORY org. The prize for the winning entry each month will be publication in The

Month and the entrant judged to have submitted the best photograph of the

year will be invited to a masterclass with StarrPhotos. l Full terms and conditions are online at www.chelmsford. anglican.org/ photocompetition

l Jenny Tomlinson can be contacted as follows: email jtomlinson@chelmsford.anglican. org tel 01799 500757. l Re-imagining Ministry is one of the strategic priorities for the Diocese of Chelmsford in Transforming Presence. See also www.transformingpresence.org.uk l The Share Review Group comprises: Revd Carol Ball, John Ball, Canon Don Cardy, Revd Canon Edward Carter, Frank Hawkins, Pauline Montague, Anthony Nicolle, Ven John Perumbalath, Revd Canon Martin Wood.

Editor: Jon Longman Editorial and photographs for The Month should be sent to: themonth@chelmsford.anglican.org or Jon Longman, The Month, 1 Bouchiers Place, Messing, Colchester CO5 9TY. Tel: 01621 810530. Mobile: 07860 769906 ● Digital photographs for publication:

or afraid. Perhaps He is more present to our vulnerable night-time selves than in the distraction of daylight? l The Reading Group meets at lunchtime on the first Wednesday of each month at the Diocesan Office, 53 New Street, Chelmsford (next meeting – September 2). If you would like to join the group to discover the challenging and thoughtprovoking insights offered by the book, please give the Bookshop a call on 01245 294405 or email bookshop@ chelmsford.anglican.org. l Learning to Walk in the Dark is available from the Bookshop at the special price of £11.50 (RRP £12.99). All purchasers will be entered into a draw to win a Hannah Dunnett 'Encourage One Another' mini-poster print. SALLY MATTHEWSON Bookshop Assistant

Please take pictures at largest size, resolution and compression. Hi-res JPGs or Tiffs should be re-sized to min 7x5in at 300dpi with no layers or sharpening. Captions, your name and contact details should be embedded in the 'File Info' section if possible. If e-mailing many shots, send only 72dpi initially at max size of 8x6in. When submitting photos please confirm that written consent has been obtained from parents / guardians of children under age 16 for publication of photos publicising church activities in The Month. ● The inclusion of an advertisement should not be taken as implying endorsement of the objects of the advertiser by the diocese.

Advertising Please contact: Glenda Charitos, Cornerstone Vision, 28 Old Park Road, Peverell,Plymouth, Devon PL3 4PY. Tel: 01752 225623. Fax: 01752 673441. e-mail: glenda@cornerstonevision.com

Distribution For distribution contact: internalcomms@chelmsford.anglican.org Tel: 01245 294443. Your newspaper will normally be available from the third Sunday in the month. Any further changes will be advised to distributors.

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THE yourselfMONTH peace of mind September that we will assist 2015 you and your family’s wealth and health.

THE

month — Diocesan Synod - your church parliament

Helen Jones

Helen is youngest ever to be elected

2015 SYNOD ELECTION RESULTS DEANERY Barking & Dagenham Epping Forest & Ongar

Harlow Havering

Newham

Redbridge

Waltham Forest

Brentwood

Basildon Chelmsford North

Chelmsford South

Maldon & Dengie Hadleigh Southend Thurrock

Rochford Witham

Hinckford Braintree Colchester

Dunmow & Stansted Harwich Saffron Walden

St Osyth * New members are marked with a star

CLERGY Revd Julie Fleming* Revd Martin Court Revd James Knowles * Five vacancies Revd James Rodley* One vacancy Revd Canon David Banting Revd Tony Burford Revd Martin Howse Revd Bernadette Hull Revd Shaun Moore* Revd Quintin Peppiatt Revd Marionette Macauley* Revd Annie McTighe Revd Jeremy Fraser* One vacancy Revd Marie Segal Revd Canon Ian Tarrant Revd Sue Sterry* Revd Santou Beurklian-Carter* One vacancy Revd Kieran Bush Revd Lesley Goldsmith Revd Alex Summers* Revd Nigel Anstey* Revd Adrian McConnaughie* Revd Patrick Sherring Revd Andrew Grey* Revd Paul Carr* Revd Jo Delfgou Revd Tom Page Revd Canon Carla Hampton Revd Keith Roddy* Revd Gemma Fraser Revd Canon Philip Ritchie* Revd Canon Carol Smith Revd Sandra Manley Revd Mark North Revd Clive Hillman* Revd David Tudor Revd Marion Walford Revd Louise Williams One vacancy Revd Andrew Higgs Revd Justin Hutcherson* Revd Christine Williams* Revd Nick Rowan* Revd Brenda Wallace * Revd Geoff Bayliss Revd Patrick McEune* Revd Anne Marie Renshaw Revd John Richardson Revd Sally Womersley* Revd Beth Bendrey* Revd Charles Mason Revd Paul Norrington* Revd Tim Platts* Revd Teresa Wynne One vacancy Revd Tim Goodbody Revd Ruth Patten* Revd Paul Mann* Revd Simon Heron Revd Neil McLeod Revd David Tomlinson Revd Guy Thorburn Revd David Lower*

LAITY Kathy Playle Marco Lopes* Michael Hall Derek Smith Lynette Rodgers* Robert Taylor Piers Northam John Winterbotham Christine Cox Lynne Bennett John Bloomfield Ann Colton Lesley Judd* Mary Moore Larry Morris Cat Trinder* Shirley Biro David Martins Ursula Davies

Heather Houseden* Christopher Abbess Jillian Leonard Celia Heath* Malcolm Leonard Vevet Deer Diana Kennedy Colin Setchfield Rosalind Tatum Michael Bitschine Mark Jobin Hilda Witchalls One vacancy Mary Edwards One vacancy Roger Shilling Robert Hammond Ros Smith Christine Horton Harry Marsh One vacancy Peter Manley Adrian Smith* Ron McLernon Michelle Tackie One vacancy Christine Ballard Margaret Henning One vacancy Leslie Brock Laurence Martin Pamela Kirby Gordon Simmonds Angela Puzey* Mike Robinson Christine Brown Rosemary GisslerWebber* Christine Inwang* Ian Tinton Isabel Adcock Sylvia Halford John Brown Roger Ennals Helen Jones* One vacancy Belle Beszant Roland Pelly Nigel Dyson Marilyn Mayo Susannah Lacon David Morgan Richard Freeman* One vacancy Janet Russell Patricia StanburySandford Wendy King

By NATHAN WHITEHEAD Pastoral Secretary to the Diocese of Chelmsford THE Chelmsford Diocesan Synod comprises 200 people. Some are Synod members because of a post they hold, Bishops and Archdeacons for instance. Others are nominated by the Diocesan Bishop or are co-opted by one of the Houses (of Laity and Clergy) because of an expertise or they can bring to the Synod. But the bulk of Synod is clergy and lay representatives elected by their Deanery to represent them. Between May and July this year elections were held to find out who will represent each Deanery on the Synod for the next three years. With this new Synod one of the things to rejoice in is that there is a good balance of experienced Synod members and new members. This will stand the Synod in good stead, as it will enable a good deal of continuity as well as fresh eyes. Generally speaking the age profile of the Synod seems to have become more diverse. I will now no longer be the youngest person in the room! The election saw what I believe to be the youngest person ever elected to Synod, Helen Jones, 22. Helen has just finished a discipleship year with a placement at St Luke's church, Highwoods, Colchester, doing children's and families' work. She will be starting a new role at the church from September, working with young people and university students. Historically the words ‘Synod’ and ‘excitement’ may not have belonged in the same sentence but this has been changing. There is every chance of exciting debates over the next three years. Anyone is welcome to sit in as an observer. In November, the focus will be on discipleship and we hope to have a ‘market stall’ presentation showing how disciples of Christ are being made around our Diocese. We will also hear from the Chelmsford Committee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns and our Board of Education in the early part To advertise of this new term. Another big piece of in this newspaper, business comes up in March when the Synod will vote on a new Share 01752 225623 Scheme. There will also be the usual and important business items, such as approval of the annual Diocesan Budget and, as the Synod membership is more or less coterminous with that of the Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF), the approval of the annual Statutory Accounts of the DBF. The word ‘Synod’ has its root in ancient Greek and means ‘the way together’. One of the ways in which our Synod has been journeying together in recent times is in nurturing ‘Transforming Presence – Strategic priorities for the Diocese of Chelmsford’. The Synod is where the missionary branches of Transforming Presence meet. Synod members will be called on by General Synod – our national parliament – to give their view on big issues facing the national Church such as the ‘Reform and Renewal’ package which covers a raft of different areas, too big to summarise here. So, please do pray for the Synod representatives, pray for God to endow them with His wisdom. I’d like to finish on a quote from the former Chair of the House of Laity, Canon Dr Sue Atkin: ‘We take our business very seriously but we don’t take ourselves too seriously’. I think that typifies the ethos of our Synod. l Chelmsford Diocesan Synod meets three times a year at Chelmsford Cathedral. The first meeting of the new Synod will be held on November 14, 2015 in Chelmsford Cathedral. In 2016 the Synod will meet on March 12, June 18 and November 12. For information about Synod, including agenda and minutes, visit our dedicated web page www.chelmsford. anglican.org/about/ committees/diocesan-synod. l To find out about ‘Reform and Renewal’ in the Church of England, take a look at the following web page: www.churchofengland.org/ reform-renewal.aspx

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THE MONTH September 2015

THE

month — Congregations value mission and ministry

Ceremony is tribute to Nina

PUPILS, parents, governors and special guests gathered at St James CofE Primary school in Waltham Forest to celebrate success at the school's first graduation awards ceremony for Year 6 pupils. The ceremony honoured former head teacher Nina Panayis and was opened with a special message by Forest North Councillor Seyi Akiwowo. Chair of governors Ellen Kemp said: "It was an emotional and special occasion for us as we came to say goodbye to our Year 6 pupils and present awards for special achievements. We hope that they take on board the special messages from our guest speakers as they embark upon the next journey in their education." The closing address and blessings were given by Revd Cornelius Henry. l Pictured are Year 6 graduation award recipients with Councillor Seyi in the middle, Nina Panayis at the far left end and Ellen Kemp, chair of governors at the school, on the far right.

Record giving nears £1billion PARISH churches across the country raised a record £953million in 2013 to fund the mission and ministry of the Church of England. Parishes raised these important funds from a combination of regular and one-off donations as well as investments and legacies.  Parishes have seen a combined increase in income of £24m over figures from 2012, and

after total expenditure, which also decreased on 2012, saw a £33m surplus.  In addition to supporting the work of the Church at parish, diocesan and national level, parishes have continued to give more than £46m to other organisations working around the world, from foodbanks and local children’s charities to international aid appeals.  Dr John Preston, the CofE’s national

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stewardship adviser, said:  “With the latest financial statistics, we’ve seen average weekly giving rise in 2013 to our highest ever level. "We rely on the generosity of our committed church members to support the mission and ministry of the church. Post-downturn, people have really looked at what is important to them and found a sense of community and belonging within the church.”

Average weekly giving per tax-efficient subscriber has continued to rise year on year with members giving on average £11.60 in 2013. Average weekly giving per church member rose to £7 in 2013, matching the peak level seen in 2009. The average ‘Church member’ contributed 3.3% of their income to the Church. with 2.9% to general funds, and a further 0.4% to special purpose funds.

THE MONTH September 2015

THE

month — Past trends under scrutiny

Adult church membership growth potential

Percentage of 2001 Census Christians

FIRSTLY, we thank all the readers who accepted the invitation at the end of recent articles to pass back comment to the Diocesan Office. In one case, a respondent wondered whether we had any detailed information on the factors which had resulted in growth in a third of our parishes. So far we have not set out to collect this sort of detailed information but experience suggests that many factors will be involved with a very variable pattern across the parishes. Perhaps under 'Transforming Presence' and the theme of 'Serving with Accountability' we shall discover more about this in the future? The appointment of our church growth analyst, Chris Copus earlier this year should facilitate this but in the meantime, and as last month’s article suggested, perhaps we should engage in some modest self-appraisal at local level using for inspiration 'From Anecdote to Evidence' – see www.churchgrowthresearch.org.uk/ report? In another case, a respondent, prompted by the chart showing the adult membership per stipendiary minister in each diocese, wondered whether selfsupporting ministry should be included too? You can find the chart online at http:// issuu.com/chelmsdio/docs/month_ august_2015 (page 9). This chart appears in the 2016 Budget Report to illustrate the comparative difficulty we have in funding our ministry – there are fewer members to finance (through giving) each stipendiary minister than in most other dioceses. However, in last month’s article it was also used to show that there is potential for growth in traditional church. Again, under 'Transforming Presence', but this time the theme of 'Re-imagining Ministry', we will need to find ways of bringing self-supporting ministry into the resource equation and the Review Group, tasked with recommending revisions to the Parish Share Scheme, has noted this issue. Can the below average level of

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Sowing seeds of peace for vulnerable women in Delhi Chair of diocesan budget subcommittee CANON DON CARDY look into the Christian denominations adult church membership in our diocese be accounted for in any way? As with the earlier question about church growth, there are probably many factors involved, but this is a long standing situation – it isn’t a recent phenomenon. Arguably one important factor is the comparative strength of the different Christian denominations in different parts of England.

This can be illustrated by the Church Census work of Dr Peter Brierley over the years. This first appeared in 'Prospects for the Eighties', published by the Bible Society in 1980, then in 'Prospects for the Nineties' published by MARC Europe in 1991, and then more recently in the various editions of 'Religious Trends' first published by Christian Research in 1997. In this work, survey forms were sent to every known worship centre in the country and the results analysed according to the local authority area in which they were situated. The chart (above) shows the Sunday church attendance in 2005, including both adults and children, expressed as a percentage of the population in each area declaring itself to be Christian in the 2001 Census.

The chart shows the attendance in Anglican churches, Roman Catholic churches, and then in all the other denominations combined – of which there are many. On the Sunday of the Church Census in 2005, only 8.8 per cent of the Christian population was found to be in attendance at a worship centre. This again illustrates the huge potential there is for church growth. In this chart, the Diocese of Chelmsford comprises Essex and a part of Greater London. In both cases the proportion of Anglicans is comparatively small and this may help to explain the position of the diocese in the chart published last month. l Your views are very important to us – email statistics@ chelmsford.anglican.org l See also www. transformingpresence.org.uk

Do you live in house or home?

FROM FRONT PAGE they become adults at 18. Some 600 young people have been ejected this past year: children who have found a loving home, security and identity amongst us, removed to often war torn dangerous lands where they no longer belong and many become destitute and worse. We may not be able to cope with or welcome all refugees who wish to join us from across the channel, but surely we can object vociferously to our government on behalf of these young people, who have in reality become British through and through and then are tipped out as adults. I intend to do so via all channels, beginning with the Home Secretary. Join me. I have also engaged with the London Citizens campaign for affordable homes in London. Here, part of the strategy, leading up to the London Mayoral election next spring, includes a group of community leaders meeting with all the Mayoral candidates to

discuss the issue and lobby them to include realistic and practical responses to the housing crisis in their own manifestos and campaigns. As a starting point I was amongst a group who met with Tessa Jowell, one of the Labour Party contenders recently. The cost of a house, whether bought or rented, is at the total mercy of current market forces. Unless serious efforts are made by us all, and especially by people of power and influence over the next few years, London will increasingly become a city where teachers, nurses, social workers and Christian ministers can’t afford to live in the communities they serve; where ordinary families, the young and the disadvantaged are forced out by the skyrocketing expense of setting up a real, stable home. And it’s not just London: many of our attractive towns and villages in Essex are going through the same “churn” as sociologists and developers call it - horrible terminology for a heartrending problem! For houses to be

turned into homes, they need to be affordable, stable and permanent. The culmination of this strategy is to be a London Citizens Assembly with all the Mayoral candidates at the Copperbox on the Olympic Park, Stratford on April 28, 2016. We intend to gather 6000 people from our London communities to ask the candidates how they will respond to this issue as a priority if elected. I hope that many from our East London parishes will commit to coming and get involved along the way. More information will be available through the run up to the event. In the meantime see http://www.citizensuk.org/ housing We follow a Saviour who said, “In my Father’s house there are many homes...” (Peter Hill revised translation). Back to our original question, do you live in a house or a home? And more importantly how can we work to ensure many more have a just chance to be at home amongst us? Peter Hill, Bishop of Barking

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THE

month — Bellringer creates model training aid for new t

Enter

Miniature belfry is ringing in a new era of training

MICKEY Etches, a bell ringer at St Saviour’s church in Walthamstow (right), has developed a desktop scale model of a church bell mounted in a frame with its fittings. The model is designed to demonstrate the bell ringing forces and allow a bell tower captain and learner to develop a mechanical appreciation of their efforts without leaving the ringing chamber. “When I began learning to ring church bells at the age of 15, I was amazed at how much skill is involved to be able to control the bell and rope successfully and safely,” said Mickey. “The art of ringing can appear effortless to witness but this is only due to a ringer’s trained familiarity and evolving second nature in understanding the potential energy, kinetic energy and conservation of energy aspects of traditional English full circle change ringing. “A bell on average can have a weight very similar to that of a small car. “When a church bell is in the 'up/ready' position there is a large amount of potential energy waiting to be released by a relatively small trigger, the trigger being the gentle pulling of the rope by a ringer, bringing the bell 'off the balance'. “As a bell is pulled 'off the balance', the

potential energy is transformed into rapidly increasing kinetic energy as it falls, pivoting on the bearings attached to the frame, as the bell reaches the bottom of its swing facing down, the momentum carries the bell back upwards and completes the circle with diminishing energy. “Typically, most ringers, including myself, will tend to 'overpull' the bell, adding excessive energy to complete the circle. This initiates a ringer’s counter resistance to avoid the breaking of a 'stay'. Bell control takes constant learning.” l For enquiries about ordering a full circle change ringing training aid, email sterlingapplicationsltd@gmail.com

By LES BROCK TALKING at a dinner party one evening, I happened to mention to my fellow guest, Archdeacon Mina, that my wife and I once owned a narrow boat. I took early retirement in 2001 after a long career in the City and I needed a retirement project. My wife came home from work one day to tell me that she had been online and purchased a 55-foot long narrow boat shell and she thought I would enjoy fitting it out. How right she was, and six or seven months later, with our newly fitted out NB Oracabessa, we set sail on our two-week maiden voyage from Stanstead Abbots on the River Lee Navigation to our eventual mooring marina at Crick, on the Leicester arm of the Grand Union Canal about six miles from Rugby. During our eight or nine years cruising we saw some amazing sights — things that unless you were on the canals you wouldn't know were there — beautiful countryside, spectacular aqueducts, inspirational industrial archaeology and fascinating wildlife — all wonderful proof of our Dear Creator's work. We spent most of our summers cruising the canals of England, from Easter through to the end of September every year, and covered virtually every accessible canal in the vast network that criss-crosses England. One of the most memorable things, apart from God's creative work, was the number of different churches we managed to find on our journeys. When we moored up on Saturday, we would sound out the locals, mostly in a nearby hostelry, to find the nearest churches for the following morning. I eventually acquired a satnav and that allowed me, not only to search for a church, but also it directed us to it.

THE MONTH September 2015

tower recruits

ring His gates...

FELLOWSHIP AFLOAT: NB Oracabessa in her prime after being fitted out as a retirement project by City gent Les Brock

We visited the highest — smells, bells and processions — down to the lowest, which often, like out dear church at Chadwell St Mary, didn't even have candles, and everything in between. But for two or three from recollection, our welcome in all these churches was so warm and inviting. Three out of perhaps a 140 or so, isn't bad is it? We not only shared wonderful worship, we

were invited to Sunday lunch, afternoon barbecues, garden parties, given bottles of homemade wine and cordials, and wonderful cakes to take back to our floating home with us. We were welcomed as family and we worshipped with friends. Just before we sold 'Bessy' in 2009, we happened to moor one evening next to a boat with a sign in the window declaring The Boaters'

Christian Fellowship. This fellowship offers location of churches all along the canal network, within one mile of the moorings. It has updates and news of canal events calendar, missions, evangelical conferences, and much, much more. It is a support network for Christian boaters and brings together like minded narrow boaters who love and worship our Dear Lord Jesus Christ. Whilst talking to fellow Christians, both in our deanery and around the diocese, there are many canal boaters, and The Boaters' Christian Fellowship is well known among them. If you are planning a trip on our canals or rivers, The Boaters' Christian Fellowship is a great way of searching out places of worship, wherever you moor, and fellowship among Christians who love and worship our Dear Lord Jesus Christ. It will also help you find much larger events where you will meet and give praise with Christian evangelical brothers and sisters. If you don’t already know it I’ve added the link, with the permission of The Boaters' Christian Fellowship. l www.boaterschristianfellowship.org.uk

Brentwood Choral Society

- Replacement Conductor Brentwood Choral Society is looking for a replacement conductor from January 2016. We are a long-established society with a current membership of 45 - 50 but keen to expand and broaden our repertoire and age range. Our annual programme consists of two major concerts together with other local societies and orchestra, and our own two concerts. We are keen to find an enthusiastic conductor to take us forward. Please contact David Brice Chairman 01277 221422, davidpbrice@aol.com or Robin Derbyshire Hon Secretary 01277 651689, rmderbyshire@btinternet.com Closing Date 1st October 2015

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THE MONTH September 2015

A letter from our Founders … We hope you find Carolyne’s story encouraging and that it will help you understand work of Gilead Foundations. Since 1991, we have developed a clear mission: Unlocking people from addiction, fear and pain, and releasing them into their true potential, by teaching them to understand why they do things they don’t want to do and how to do only what will bring real success and fulfilment, so that relapse is a thing of the past. We’ve had some success with fundraising this year, but we still need your help … We successfully applied for funding to make ourselves more well-known to Local Authorities and Social Services through marketing, and to employ a part-time staff member as a ‘Referrals Co-ordinator’. This all means that those who would benefit from Gilead’s help can get here with the funding that is available to them, due to regular contact and better relationships with referring Agencies and Local Authorities. How you can help: Please consider donating either a gift or a regular Partner amount, helping us make that part-time role a fulltime role, as we aim to ‘match-fund’ the grant to pay for a full time salary. Having someone in this essential role will enable more fully-funded and

PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING GILEAD A gift towards our building costs helps us ‘set the lonely in a family’ where they can receive help as they restructure their lives for freedom. Grace Lodge could not have been built without the financial help of donors just like you. If you would prefer to become a regular financial Partner, we welcome donations of any amount but would suggest £20 per month. If you have any questions about our work, please contact Lois Samuel on 01837 851240. If you have questions about making a larger donation or interest free loan to the ministry, please contact Chris Cole (Trustee) on 07957 433973. You can also visit www.gilead.org.uk to find out more about us and donate online.

I am a UK taxpayer and I agree to Gilead Foundations Charity (GFC) claiming tax on all past, present and future donations I make to the charity. Please treat my donations as Gift Aid donations. I confirm that I am paying or will pay an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax to cover the amount GFC and any other charities or Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) will reclaim for the tax year (6 April one year to 5 April the next year). Council Tax and VAT do not qualify towards Gift Aid. GFC will reclaim 25 pence of tax for every £1 that has been given. Signed

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part-funded Clients to come to Gilead. ANOTHER NEW, PURPOSE-DESIGNED BUNGALOW! By April 2015 we had filled the beds at Grace Lodge, our newest building for up to eight male clients, which we built with support from readers of the Diocesan newspapers. Our next major project is the building of Faith Lodge, the second of our three bungalows. Foundations and all major groundworks are complete, and we’re excited at the prospect of building this as soon as possible, having learned much from building Grace Lodge. With your help, Faith Lodge will become home for up to eight female Clients, House Parents and a Support Worker. How you can help: Please consider donating to this building project, enabling us to provide a safe ‘family’ environment to unlock people and release their potential, more and more in the years ahead. You can use the form on this page, or donate at www.gilead.org.uk. If you would like to find out more about Gilead, please contact Lois Samuel on 01837 851 240. You can be sure that whatever you give will be used to bring hope and transformation to individuals and families torn apart by addiction. Thank you

Any gift you give will be used for the work of Gilead Foundations. If you wish to restrict this for the building fund, please tick this box I enclose a one-off gift of £ Please make cheques payble to Gilead Foundations

I would like to become a Partner Please ﬁll in this form

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Instruction to your bank: Please deduct £ from my account on (dd/mm/yy) / / Then monthly until further notice. Pay this sum to Gilead Foundations Account No: 05651441 Sort Code: 54-21-14 Nat West Bank, 40 Fore Street, Okehampton, EX20 1EY Signed

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Address Postcode Organisation / company (if applicable) Telephone Number Email Please return this form to Gilead Foundations, Risdon Farm, Jacobstowe, Okehampton, EX20 3AJ Tel: 01837 851240 Fax: 01837 851520 Email: admin@gilead.org.uk www.gilead.org.uk Registered in England No: 2608644 Limited by Guarantee Registered Charity No: 1002909 DIO0915

01837 851240 www.gilead.org.uk

Grace Lodge

Carolyne VanAgen Carolyne VanAgen was at Gilead in the ‘90’s. She completed the rehabilitation programme, and became a valued member of staff. She trained for four years to become a qualified psychotherapist specialising in counselling and is now a Project Manager, working with ex-offenders at Langley House Trust in Somerset. She is one of many people whose lives, and families, have been transformed through the work of Gilead Foundations. This is her story … Carolyne says she had a good childhood but became an insecure and frightened person for simple reasons. Her family moved around a lot, different schools, different homes, and different friends. “By the age of 15 or 16, I was unsure of myself, and felt lost, with no sense of purpose,” she commented. She dabbled in drugs, with weekends stretching into the working week as she searched for life. The people she mixed with had a negative influence on her, and she became consumed with her destructive lifestyle. “I lost the real Carolyne, and formed bad relationships,” she said. During her twenties, she lived as a ‘new age traveller’. She tried several times to ‘get her act together’, but she could not sustain a ‘clean’ way of life, even though she wanted to. By her late twenties her life had become chaotic. Her son had been abducted by her estranged partner, and she had travelled to Europe to find him. (The boy was found, almost miraculously, by a Christian lady working in a soup kitchen in Gibraltar, later to be reunited with Carolyne.) At the age of 29, desperate and with nowhere else to go, Carolyne and her new partner arrived at Gilead, with all they had in two carrier bags. At the time, (1994), Gilead was able to take them in straight away. “I’m so glad there was no lengthy referrals process,” said Carolyne, “I don’t think I would have made it. It needed to be immediate, or nothing.” Carolyne came off high levels of Methadone and pills, and her first few months were very difficult. She remembers sitting in church on Sundays, part of her disbelieving ‘all this rubbish’, part of her wishing it could all be true. She had no ‘Damascus road’ experience, but over time, listening, watching and beginning to talk to God herself, she developed a deep faith. “It’s solid,” said Carolyne, “and it has never left, it only grows.”

Because of the effects of drug use and withdrawal, for six months she could barely hold a conversation. Then, as her emotions re-surfaced, she was scared that guilt and shame would overwhelm her if she let them. “But Gilead (especially Ian and Bron Samuel) made me feel safe,” she said. “They believed in me, and that gave me hope to begin to believe in myself.” This kind of experience is reported often by people who go through Gilead’s rehab programme; the ‘family’ environment is vital to acceptance and recovery. Carolyne’s son, after being found in Gibraltar, was made a ward of court at Gilead. She remembers their re-union, with her son running into her arms, “like a scene from a movie,” she says. “He was like an anchor for me. When it was tough, I did not leave, because of him.” Today, Carolyne is married, with five children, all doing well. She still works through issues of insecurity like many of us, but now she does that with God. She remembers how one day, out walking, she asked God to forgive her for the chaotic early life of her two oldest children, and as she crested a hill the sun rose to meet her and she knew God was speaking to her in a personal way, of His forgiveness. She has taken firm hold of the fresh start that has been given her, and she now helps people who are seeking a way out of the kind of life she used to lead.

THE MONTH September 2015

THE

month — Ride+Stride on September 12 and other great events

Sunday, August 23 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 3.30pm. Evensong. ● Chapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall, Bradwell-on-Sea. 6.30pm. Summer Sunday Evening Services at the place where the land meets the sea and the sky comes close. A place where the distance between heaven and earth is tissue thin. A Festival of Pilgrimage Revd Peter Smith and Revd Gill Hopkins of the Waltham Holy Cross Team Ministry will share their experience of pilgrimage. Monday, August 24 ● Messy Monday. St Michael and All Angels, Loughton. 10am to 12.30pm. Info from st-michaels@hotmail.co.uk Tuesday, August 25 ● Kingsland Cafe (above Aldi), Lexden, Colchester. 12-2.15pm. Friendship Group. ● The Julian Meeting. St James the Less, High Street, Hadleigh, Essex. 2pm. Contemplative prayer introduced with words and music. Wednesday, August 26 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 1-3pm. ‘Welcome on Wednesday’ in the Cathedral with our lay chaplain Jean Standen; tea/ coffee and cakes. All welcome. ● St John’s church, Stratford E15. 1.10-1.50. Concert by Ifeatu Okoye and Paul Reilly, tenor with piano acc. Free entry. Retiring collection. Visit St John’s website www. stjohnse15.co.uk Friday, August 28 ● Lunchtime Live at St Thomas of Canterbury, Brentwood CM14 4BD. 1-2.45pm. Julia Wilson-James (soprano) and Tim Smith (piano). Admission free - retiring collection. For further details: 01277 218121. Friday-Monday, August 28-31 ● St Mary’s church, Theydon Bois. Flower Festival: 'Saints Alive'. Friday: 7-9pm. Preview and evening reception with live music and refreshments. Saturday: 10.30am-4.30pm. Stalls and refreshments at the church hall. Sunday: 12.30-5pm. Festival church service 5pm. Monday: 10.30am-4.30pm. Family Fun Day. BBQ and stalls including children’s games, bouncy castle and lots more. Saturday-Monday, August 29-31 ● St Giles church, Old Church Lane, Mountnessing CM13 1UN. Art, Craft and Flower Festival. 10am-5pm Sat and Mon: 11am-5pm Sun. Refreshments available with other attractions. For more details please contact Rita on 01277 352237 or Sue on 01277 34886. ● St Mary's, Church Road, Ramsden Bellhouse. Flower Festival - 'Colours'. Sat: 2pm-5pm. Sun & Mon: 11am-4pm. Songs of Praise Sunday at 4pm. Ploughman's Lunches and Light refreshments available. Saturday-Tuesday, August 29-September 1 ● Flower festival. St John the Baptist, Finchingfield CM7 4NN. Enjoy the beautiful displays on the theme of weddings. On Sunday visitors are welcome to stay for the Songs of Praise service at 6.30pm and renew their wedding vows. ● Coggeshall Annual Flower Festival. St Peter ad Vincula Church Green, Coggeshall, Colchester CO6 1UD. Open 10am-5pm each day except Sunday when the festival is open 11.45am-5pm. The 28th annual Coggeshall Flower Festival will take place in the beautiful Church of St Peter ad Vincula, which lies at the heart of the historic town of Coggeshall. This year our spectacular floral interpretation depicts stories in the Bible concerning water, including God’s Creation of the Deep, Noah’s Ark and Jonah and the Whale. St Peter’s has established a well-deserved reputation for outstanding flower festivals and preparations for this year’s festival began back in January. Some 33 flower arrangers will work over four days to put the festival together, creating more than 100 arrangements in 28 displays. The festival also offers a treat for music lovers. Musical recitals will take place in the church during the weekend and on Saturday at 7.30pm there will be a concert, given by Swing Express Big Band, with music from the 30s, 40s and 50s (tickets £12, concessions £10, under-16s £2). There will be a ‘Songs of Praise’ style service on Sunday at 5.15 pm at which visitors will be most welcome. Delicious homemade cakes and light lunches will be available in the church for the duration of the festival and we will have our hugely popular preserves and produce stall again. Entry is free – although donations towards the upkeep of the church will be warmly welcomed. For further information regarding the Flower Festival please contact Judy Crawford on 01376 561389 or jandacrawford@ btinternet.com For tickets for the Saturday evening concert, please contact Tessa Curtis on on 01376 563020 or Florum Florists on 01376 561229. Details can be found on the Church website www.st-peter-ad-vincula.org.uk Saturday, August 29 ● St George's church grounds, Ongar Road (near Robin Hood roundabout), Brentwood. The third annual Dog Show. Registration 12 noon - judging - 1pm onwards. There will be a raffle, book & DVD and other stalls - and hot dogs! Light refreshments will be on sale. For further info, ring Mick Grimes 01277 218739. In aid of St George's Porch Fund. ● Jazz on a Summer Evening at St John the Baptist, Danbury CM3 4NG. 7:30pm. Tickets £12.50. Light refreshments included. Cash bar. For tickets, contact David Alderton 01245 227588. Sunday, August 30 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 3.30pm. Evensong. ● Chapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall, Bradwell-on-Sea. 6.30pm. Summer Sunday Evening Services at the place where the land meets the sea and the sky comes close. A place where the distance between heaven and earth is tissue thin. A Festival of Pilgrimage A celebration of the journey led by the Chaplain, Revd Brigid Main. Monday, August 31 ● 'At home in and around St Germain's church': St Germain, Story Lane, Bobbingworth. 12.30-5pm. Decorated church, Ploughman's Lunches, Cream Teas, Various stalls. Come and spend a friendly afternoon in the countryside among some great people. Flower display's auctioned at 4.30pm, Raffle, lucky programme. Entrance £1 adults, children under 14 free. The church is situated just off the A414 between Ongar and North Weald. Tuesday, September 1 ● Kingsland Cafe (above Aldi), Lexden, Colchester. 12-2.15pm. Friendship Group. Wednesday, September 2 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 1-3pm. ‘Welcome on Wednesday’ in the Cathedral with our lay chaplain Jean Standen; tea/ coffee and cakes. All welcome. ● Lakeside Shopping Centre, Thurrock. 1-3pm. Café Theology. Meet at the Food Court. ● St John’s Church, Stratford E15. 1.10-1.50. Concert by Rebecca Hardwick, soprano. Free entry. Retiring collection. Visit St John’s website www.stjohnse15.co.uk Thursday, September 3 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 10am. Mothers' Union Corporate Communion in St Cedd’s Chapel. ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 8pm. Mothers’ Union Evening Section meets in St Cedd’s Hall.

Saturday, September 5 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 10am-12 noon. Cathedral Coffee Morning in the Chapter House. Come and enjoy fresh coffee, home-made scones and a bring & buy. ● St James’ church, Beatrice Road, Clacton-on-Sea (Entrance through church hall in Tower Road). 3-5pm. Messy Church with ‘Stilling the Storm’ theme. We talk, have fun together and discover more about God. Crafts, games and stories suitable for children and their families, plus food. There is no charge, but donations are always welcome. All children must be accompanied by an adult. For further details please contact Peter on 01255 429896 or e-mail p.kane.03@cantab.net ● St Nicolas church, Witham. 7.30pm. Organ recital by Magdalena Bialecka (Warsaw). Retiring collection. Details from David Martin (Director of Music, St Nicolas) 01376 515827. ● Chelmsford Cathedral Gala Concert. Belmont Ensemble of London play Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons’ and choral pieces by Bach and Handel with the English Chamber Choir. Complimentary wine, soft drinks and canapés during the interval. All in support of our local Clergy Charity (239238). Full details (including box office) www.essexclergycharity.org. uk or ring 07802 282193. ● All Saints' church, Epping Upland CM16 6PH. 2-5pm. Fun Dog Show. Come and have some fun in the Novelty Classes. Refreshments, including home-made cakes. Sunday, September 6 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 3.30pm. Evensong. ● St Nicholas, South Ockendon. 2-4pm. Grade I listed building, masonry architecture from c. 1180 Open day. Refreshments available. Historical information display changing each month. Free [Sundays] commuter car park two minutes away. ● All Saints, Church Lane, Little Totham CM9 8LU. 6.30pm. Choral Songs of Praise featuring the joint church choirs of Little Totham, Goldhanger and Witham. More information and tickets from 01621 891660 or viv@letscom.nitrex.net ● St Mary & St Christopher, Panfield. Harvest festival family service. 10.15am. Tuesday, September 8 ● Kingsland Cafe (above Aldi), Lexden, Colchester. 12-2.15pm. Friendship Group. Wednesday, September 9 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 1-3pm. ‘Welcome on Wednesday’ in the Cathedral with our lay chaplain Jean Standen; tea/ coffee and cakes. All welcome. ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 9am-12noon. Pram Group in St Cedd’s Hall. ● Great Totham village hall, Maldon Road. 2.15pm. 30-strong Abbeygate Concert Band - big band music from musicals to marches, pops to Puccini. Refreshments and a raffle. Donations please. More information and tickets from 01621 891660 or viv@letscom.nitrex.net ● St John’s Church, Stratford E15. 1.10-1.50. Concert by Bayswater Music Group, Woodwind. Free entry. Retiring collection. Visit St John’s website www.stjohnse15.co.uk Thursday, September 10 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 2pm. Mothers' Union Afternoon Section meet in St Cedd’s Hall. ● All Saints, Church Lane, Little Totham CM9 8LU. 7.30pm. Pam’s People – members of the Plume Adult Music School – showcase a wide range of talent from choral to orchestral music. £5.50. Concessions £4.50. More information and tickets from 01621 891660 or viv@letscom.nitrex.net ● St Laurence church, Upminster. Lunchtime recital: 1.05 1.50pm - Alba flute and guitar duo. Free admission, retiring collection. Thursday-Sunday, September 10-13 ● Heritage Open Days 2015. More information at www. heritageopendays.org.uk Includes Chelmsford Cathedral walk/talk and visit to Guy Harlings, the Diocesan Office on September 12. Friday, September 11 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 12.30-1.15pm. Lunchtime Concert by Tim Rhodes (trumpet), Andrew Cantrill (organ), Music department. Admission is free, but we welcome your contributions, which are divided between various charities and Cathedral expenses. Light refreshments are available in the Cathedral from 12 noon, or you are welcome to bring your own if you wish. Friday-Sunday, September 11-13 ● St Mary the Virgin, Gestingthorpe CO9 3BB. Flower festival theme - Shakespeare. Fri: 7pm - Preview buffet supper with entertainment by Riotous Assembly and guest speakers on Shakespeare. Tickets only in advance (£15; £10 for children) from 01787 460273/469688. Sat: Village Fair with stalls in the churchyard and village hall. Saturday-Sunday, September 12-13 ● Aldham Flower Festival. 10am-5pm. Songs of Praise on Sunday at 5.30pm. Flowers, Fun and Fundraising. Stalls include cakes, produce, plants, books, bric-a-brac, crafts, jewellery, etc. Please contact Linda Mills-Reed (01206 241572 or 07880 715242) for more details. The weekend will be in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society and Aldham Church Fabric Fund. ● Flower Festival: 'Lads and Lasses'. St. Martin’s church, Little Waltham CM3 3LJ. Saturday: 11am-5pm & Sunday: 2-5 pmEnjoy the lovely flower displays to the theme of 'Lads and Lasses'. There will be stalls, refreshments and homemade cakes. Lunches (Saturday only). Free entry – donations welcome ● Heart Essex Wedding Show. Brentwood Centre. The Diocese has a stand (number 135) promoting church weddings. The show is open from 10am-4pm. Our team of vicars will be on hand to offer advice and answer all your questions about marrying in church. If you are planning the church wedding of your dreams, why not come and see us? For more details about the show visit: www.promo.heart. co.uk/heart-essex-wedding-show/ ● St Leonard's, Southminster. 9.30am-6pm. Art & Craft Exhibition. Refreshments available all weekend, including Ploughman's Lunch on Saturday. Catalogue of displayed items will be available; many items will be for sale. Admission is free but donations will be gratefully received for church funds. Contact details: 01621 772199. ● St Mary the Virgin church, Church Road, Burnham on Crouch. Crafting Creations - A Craft Fair Including An Exhibition Of Crafts. Sat: 10am To 4pm: Sun: 12pm-4pm. Entry to the exhibition is £1 for adults. Children free. ● St Edmund church, Abbess Roding CM5 0PA. Flower Festival - 'Poetry'. Sat: 9am-4pm. Sun: 9am-3pm Flower Festival service with the Bishop of Colchester at 3pm followed by refreshments. Freshly cooked breakfasts (from 9am), lunches, BBQ and teas. Crafts, many stalls: cakes , produce, plants etc. Historic parish registers on display. Novelty dog show: many classes. Saturday-Monday, September 12-14 ● St Peter's, South Hanningfield CM3 8HW. Flower

Festival 'Poetry in Bloom'. Sat and Sun: 12noon-5pm. Mon 11am-3pm. Sunday 5pm Songs of Praise and Verse Service. Saturday, September 12

● Friends of Essex Churches Ride+Stride Sponsored cycle and walk across Essex and East London. 10am to 6pm. Full details at www.foect. org.uk/rideandstride/publicityandforms.php

● All Saints, Church Lane, Little Totham CM9 8LU. 7.30pm. Admire local talent and have a laugh when village performers strut their stuff. More information and tickets from 01621 891660 or viv@letscom.nitrex.net ● St Mary & St. Christopher church, Panfield: Harvest Festival Lunch in Panfield Church Hall CM7 5AJ. 12noon3pm. This will be a home cooked meal of two courses and loads of different desserts followed by tea or coffee. You are quite welcome to bring any drink you wish to enjoy with your meal. Please bring your own crockery and cutlery. Glasses, cups and saucers are provided. Adults £10.50, children under 10 years £5. To book, call Helen French 01376 344170. ● St. Andrew’s church Althorne, CM3 6BZ. 10am-6pm. Tea, Cake & Books. In aid of Friends of Essex Churches Trust. More info: Lynda 01621 740481. ● St Margaret’s church, Woodham Mortimer with Hazeleigh at Woodham Mortimer Hall. 2.30-5pm. Afternoon Concert by New City Voices. John Trent Wallace (choirmaster), Clare Penfold (piano) plus other musicians. Tickets Adult £8; children under 12 £2: to include tea and cakes. Information tel: Kathy 01245 357635 or Naomi 07900 370019. All proceeds towards Spire Fund. ● Ilford Hospital Chapel. 10am-2pm. Open Day. Come and visit the oldest building in Ilford. Free entry and free guided tours all day. Stalls including souvenirs, greetings cards, CDs, DVDs, books, White Elephant. Light refreshments all day. ● St John the Baptist church, Danbury CM3 4NG. 2-5pm. Tower & Teas. Climb the tower to get a bird’s eye view of Danbury,and see Essex from its highest point. (Children must be 8+). Sunday, September 13 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 3.30pm. Evensong. ● Fun on the Field at St Michael and All Angels Loughton. 11.30am-2pm (following 10am Parade Service). Games, activities and barbecue. Info from st-michaels@hotmail.co.uk ● St George's Church, Ongar Road (near Robin Hood Roundabout), Brentwood. 2.30pm-5pm. Tempting Teas in the Church Hall - and a chance to see Brentwood's only Art Deco church - designed by Brentwood born and educated architect, Laurence King OBE. The church is open on Saturday from 10am-5pm - but sorry, no teas. Tel: 01277 213618 for more information. Tuesday, September 15 ● Kingsland Cafe (above Aldi), Lexden, Colchester. 12-2.15pm. Friendship Group. Wednesday, September 16 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 1-3pm. ‘Welcome on Wednesday’ in the Cathedral with our lay chaplain Jean Standen; tea/ coffee and cakes. All welcome. ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 9am-12noon. Pram Group in St Cedd’s Hall. ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 8pm. Chapter House. Chelmsford Cathedral Theological Society. ● St John’s, Stratford E15. 1.10-1.50. Concert by Lara Carter and Cathy Davis, flute and piano acc. Retiring collection. Visit St John’s website www.stjohnse15.co.uk Thursday, September 17 ● St Laurence church, Upminster. Lunchtime recital: 1.05 1.50 - Christoph Hauser (Klosterkirche Furstenfeldbruck, Germany). Free admission, retiring collection. Friday, September 18 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 12.30-1.15pm. Lunchtime Concert by A Musical Affair (piano duettists). Admission is free, but we welcome your contributions, which are divided between various charities and Cathedral expenses. Light refreshments are available in the Cathedral from 12 noon, or you are welcome to bring your own if you wish. Saturday, September 19 ● St John & St Giles Church, Great Easton (CM6 2HG). 9am. Journeying With The Saints. In 2014 the churches comprising the Dunmow & Stansted Deanery organised a weekly walk to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Diocese of Chelmsford. In response to the wishes of those who so enjoyed these walks, Rural Dean Cilla Hawkes and a team from the Deanery are organising further walks for 2015. These take place on the third Saturday of the month from March to October, commencing at 9am with a walk lasting about 1¼ hours. This will be followed by some refreshments and then a short time for prayer from 10.30am to 11am. People not wanting to walk will be most welcome to join in with refreshments at 10.15am. During the morning there will be an opportunity to learn about those interesting saints who have left their mark on the area being visited. It will be an enjoyable morning. Dogs are always welcome to bring their owners on leads. Queries can be directed in the first instance to Angela Harbottle on 01371 872894 or e-mail at angela. harbottle@virgin.net. ● St John the Baptist Parish church, Danbury CM3 4NG. 7-10pm. Danbury Does Disney Proms - not the last Knight. Enjoy an evening of Disney Classics followed by Prom Classics Prom Night Festivities featuring the St Johns Prom Singers and all of the usual Prom Night favourites. Lots of audience participation including Rule Britannia, Land of Hope and Glory, Jerusalem and much more. Bring whistles, balloons, flags, party poppers and anything else suitable for this riot of patriotism! Entry is free (retiring collection in aid of St John’s church). www.stjohnbaptistdanbury.org.uk ● Being Good News in Schools – Chelmsford Diocese conference. Becket Keys Church of England Secondary School, Sawyers Hall Lane, Brentwood CM15 9DA. 9.30am4pm. Admission £15 including refreshments and lunch. Book through www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/being-good-news-in-schoolstickets-16226674420?aff=eivtefrnd Sunday, September 20 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 3.30pm. Evensong. ● Forest Church in Essex in the woods at the Rectory in Little Baddow. Gathering at the autumn equinox. At this time day and night are the same length, and we begin to accept that darkness is part of our human existence as well as light. Nature slows down – can we slow down our pace of life? It’s also Harvest time, in which we give thanks for nature’s provision. For more details, email forestchurchinessex@ gmail.com or visit our facebook page at www.facebook.com/ forestchurchinessex. ● Bishop Stephen’s final Missionary Journey this year will take place in the Havering deanery, centred on St Edward’s Romford. If you would like to join Bishop Stephen please contact Nick Ellis (nick@stepbeyond.org.uk). We will post an interactive route with timings on the Bishop's website www. stephencottrell.org ahead of the day. Tuesday, September 22 ● Kingsland Cafe (above Aldi), Lexden, Colchester. 12-2.15pm. Friendship Group.

Wednesday, September 23 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 1-3pm. ‘Welcome on Wednesday’ in the Cathedral with our lay chaplain Jean Standen; tea/ coffee and cakes. All welcome. ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 9am-12noon. Pram Group in St Cedd’s Hall. ● St John’s church, Stratford E15. 1.10-1.50. Concert by Gail Ford and Edward Dodge, oboe and piano acc. Free entry. Retiring collection. Visit St John’s website www. stjohnse15.co.uk Thursday, September 24 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 7.30pm. The Welsh Society meets in the Chapter House. ● St Laurence Church, Upminster. Lunchtime recital 1.05 1.50pm. James Newby and Claire Habbershaw (baritone and piano). Free admission, retiring collection. Friday, September 25 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 12.30-1.15pm. Lunchtime Concert by Zoe Evans (soprano). Admission is free, but we welcome your contributions, which are divided between various charities and Cathedral expenses. Light refreshments are available in the Cathedral from 12noon, or you are welcome to bring your own if you wish. ● Lunchtime Live at St Thomas of Canterbury, Brentwood CM14 4DF. 1-1.45pm. Katy Elman (percussion), Tim Brice (piano). Admission free - retiring collection. For further details: 01277 218121. ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 8pm. Baked Alaska. Production by Riding Lights Theatre Company in conjunction with the Diocesan Environment Group.Tickets: £12 / £9 (concessions) £7.50 (under 18s in groups of 8+). Box Office: 01904 613000. Saturday, September 26 ● St Andrew's church, Marks Tey, Colchester. CO6 1LW. 10am-1pm Reaching the spiritual but not religious - with the Jesus Deck! Training morning £5 including refreshments. ● Althorne Church Hall CM3 6BY. 10am. 'Biggest Coffee Morning in the World' Macmillan coffee morning. For more details: 01621 741052 ● Messy Church at Panfield church CM7 5AJ. 10.30am. You are invited to an hour of crafts, activities, child-friendly worship, and coffee and cake in the surroundings of our beautiful church. Families with children of all ages area assured of a warm welcome to this informal and friendly morning. Contact Revd Janet Nicholls: 01371 851317 for more information. ● Michaelmas Fair at St Mary's, High Road, Langdon Hills SS16 6HY. 11am-4pm. Seasonal crafts, handmade gifts, food stalls and much more. Refreshments are available and lunches will be served between 12noon-2pm. Free entry. Proceeds to the Essex Wildlife Trust. Saturday-Sunday, September 26-27 ● Harvest Flowers at St Giles', Great Hallingbury CM22 7RE. Saturday: 2 pm to 5 pm. Sunday: 2 pm to 4 pm. Come and enjoy beautiful harvest flower displays and cream teas. Sunday, September 27 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 3.30pm. Evensong. ● St Mary's Buttsbury. Harvest festival service. Ingatestone Road, near Ingatestone. 3.30-6. All are welcome and afternoon tea will be served after the service. Tuesday, September 29 ● Kingsland Cafe (above Aldi), Lexden, Colchester. 12-2.15pm. Friendship Group. ● Dedham Parish Church. 8pm. Dedham Lecture 2015 by Dr Rowan Williams, Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge and former Archbishop of Canterbury. 'Teresa Of Avila & Thomas Merton - Two Anniversaries'. Further information from the Dedham Ecclesiastical Lectureship Trust. Wednesday, September 30 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 1-3pm. ‘Welcome on Wednesday’ in the Cathedral with our lay chaplain Jean Standen; tea/ coffee and cakes. All welcome. ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 9am-12noon. Pram Group in St Cedd’s Hall. ● St John’s Church, Stratford E15. 1.10-1.50. Concert by Andy Losq, organ. Free entry. Retiring collection. Thursday, October 1 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 10am. Mothers' Union Corporate Communion in St Cedd’s Chapel. ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 8pm. Mothers’ Union Evening Section meets in St Cedd’s Hall. Friday, October 2 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 12.30-1.15pm. Lunchtime Concert by. Admission is free, but we welcome your contributions, which are divided between various charities and Cathedral expenses. Light refreshments are available in the Cathedral from 12 noon, or you are welcome to bring your own. Saturday, October 3 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 10am-12 noon. Cathedral Coffee Morning in the Chapter House. Come and enjoy fresh coffee, home-made scones and a bring & buy. ● St Nicolas church, Witham. 7.30pm. Organ recital by Andrew Cantrill (Bures). Retiring collection. Details from David Martin (Director of Music, St Nicolas) 01376 515827. ● St Katharine, Little Bardfield. 3pm. Organ recital by International Organist Anne Page. Tickets £12, under 16s £5, (including refreshments) from: Peter Wood 01371 856382 or Charles Thompson 01371 811769. Sunday, October 4 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 3.30pm. Evensong. Tuesday, October 6 ● Kingsland Cafe (above Aldi), Lexden, Colchester. 12-2.15pm. Friendship Group. Wednesday, October 7 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 1-3pm. ‘Welcome on Wednesday’ in the Cathedral with our lay chaplain Jean Standen; tea/ coffee and cakes. All welcome. ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 9am-12noon. Pram Group in St Cedd’s Hall. ● Lakeside Shopping Centre, Thurrock. 1-3pm. Café Theology. Meet at the Food Court. August & September Sunday afternoon teas ● The Church of the Holy Innocents, Church Lane, High Beach, IG10 4BF. 2-5.30pm. Sunday afternoon teas. Come and enjoy home-made cake, tea/coffee in the tranquillity of Epping Forest. Please contact Revd Gill Hopkins 01992 760492 for further details. Afternoon teas every Sunday ● All Saints, Epping Upland. Every Sunday up to and including October 25. Come and enjoy our lovely rural setting and fantastic views, whilst sampling delicious home-made cakes, tea & coffee. We are a dog friendly church and have water bowls and biscuits for our four-legged friends. October 2015 diary deadline ● Submit event details at www.chelmsford.anglican.org/ eventsform or call Sarah Newman on 01245 294443 by September 1 for inclusion in The Month and on the diocesan website. Latest events ● You can find the latest events online at www. chelmsford.anglican.org/faith/whats-on

THE MONTH September 2015

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28th Oct Book now online

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THE MONTH September 2015

THE

month — Grants support new church roof

IN BRIEF

Caring for your parish church

THE DAC and Essex County Council have organised a one-day conference on Thursday, October 8 titled 'Caring for the Parish Church' at the Central Baptist Church, Chelmsford. If you are interested in attending the programme, booking form and directions to the venue are available from traditional. buildingskills@essex.gov.uk or Gemma Clayton, Place Services, Essex County Council, County Hall, Chelmsford CM1 1QH. Tel: 03330 138156. For catering purposes, bookings will be accepted no later than Wednesday, September 30.

Nominate group for Queen's Award

THE Queen's Award for Voluntary Service recognises the outstanding work of local volunteer groups in their communities. Nominate a volunteer group for the Award online at http://qavs.direct.gov.uk/ by September 18. Read the guidance notes at https://qavs.direct.gov.uk/guidance-notes. The Awards are assessed by Lord Lieutenants, whose recommendations are considered by a national committee before a final shortlist is sent to the Cabinet Office and then to the Queen for her approval. The winners will be announced next June.

Halloween ideas

HELP children find light this Halloween. Get tip tips on how to run your alternative Halloween party, adapt craft and games ideas to your needs and put on an all-age church service. Register to receive your free Scripture Union ‘Light Pack’ at www.scriptureunion. org.uk/3594153.id

Great celebrations

ST PAUL’S church in Great Baddow has celebrated the unveiling of a new roof after a successful appeal for £40,000. The project was funded through the generosity of congregational giving and was supported by grants from the Friends of Essex Churches Trust and five other bodies. The congregation gathered as Councillor John Aldridge, Vice-Chair of the Essex County Council's Community Initiatives Fund and Councillor Sue Young of Great Baddow

Parish Council reflected on the completion of the project. Vicar of St Paul’s, Revd Phil Sheldrake said: “It was a wonderful occasion with a service of worship on the theme of thanksgiving leading into a hearty church lunch.” Grants were received from the Friends of Essex Churches Trust, All-churches Trust, Essex Environment Trust, Essex County Council's Community Initiatives Fund, Great Baddow Parish Council and Fowler, Smith and Jones.

THANKSGIVING: Vicar Phil Sheldrake climbed up on to the new roof and led prayers before snipping the ribbon to unveil the roof (left) and cut a celebration cake (below)

'There must be more than this...'

By REVD SHARON GUEST THERE must be more than this: I used to think this adage to myself and I wonder if you have ever thought the same? There is a song with the same name which goes on to say consuming fire fan into flame a passion for your name; and I wonder whether you have a desire to draw closer to God in a new way? Spending time with fellow Christians sharing in fun, food and fellowship? Cursillo is one way to do all of these things. By coming together on a Cursillo weekend which is held in the Retreat House, Pleshey in this diocese there will be plenty of opportunity to draw closer to God and each other

as we share in short talks, meditations and communions together. Of course you may be thinking what is this Cursillo? It begins on a Thursday evening with people arriving after 5pm and ends the following Sunday afternoon with a service at 3pm. During these three days, those attending live, work and worship together, listening to talks given by different people, both lay and ordained. You will hear talks on subjects like Grace, Obstacles to Grace, Faith, Study, Sacraments, Evangelism, and the Christian Community in Action amongst other short talks which lead to lively follow up in small groups.

Learning, praying, sharing, singing, laughing and living together is the basis for discovering what it means to say: “We are the body of Christ.” Many people have been on a weekend and it is often described as a transforming experience and I have heard people say it was the best weekend they have been on with these comments being made by others who have attended in the past: “We were both really pleased we went on the Cursillo – everyone put so much into it.” “I wouldn’t have wanted to have missed it for anything.” "Had such an amazing time. I feel like a new person again. Thanks.” The next Cursillo weekends will

be: October 28-November 1, 2015, and April 21-24. 2016. l If you are interested in coming along to a weekend and would like to speak to someone please contact: Revd Sharon Guest (Spiritual director for Cursillo in Chelmsford diocese) Tel: 01279 452243 sharonguest07@ btinternet.com; Lisa Groves (Lay Director for Cursillo in Chelmsford diocese) Tel: 07432 649240, lisag105@gmail.com; or Sandie Forshaw (Bookings Secretary) Tel: 020 8501 1397, sandie. forshaw@btinternet.com As we seek to be followers of Christ may we encourage and build up our worshipping community through love and prayers, may God bless us in all that we do for Him.

towards the 2015 United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Paris and beyond towards the 2015 United Nations on Climate Change in Paris and beyond RIDING LIGHTSConference THEATRE COMPANY

RIDING LIGHTS THEATRE COMPANY

Worship & Prayer at Chelmsford Cathedral

A warm welcome to your cathedral, serving Essex and east London Sunday

8.00am 9.30am 11.15am 3.30pm

Holy Communion Parish Eucharist Choral Eucharist Evensong

Daily Services 7.45am 8.15am 12.00pm 5.15pm

Morning Prayer Holy Communion

(also Weds at 12.35 and Thurs at 10am)

Midday Prayer Evensong

(sung on Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri)

www.chelmsfordcathedral.org.uk

“Warming entertainment”

Fracking“Warming Times

entertainment”

CURSILLO WEEKEND: A 2015 record of pilgrims and the leaders' team

Pilgrimage in your very own building

BISHOP Stephen will be launching a new pilgrimage initiative on May 7, 2016. He is the keynote speaker at a day simply called 'Pilgrimage In Your Building - A morning exploring how to do it'. Along with Bishop Stephen’s address, there will be practical introductions to different ideas of how to use the resource of your local church as a place of pilgrimage for both congregations and visitors to explore. There will

be three opportunities to take part in 2016 — May 7, June 11 and October 15. Each will have a different keynote speaker and each will take place in a different episcopal area. l If you want to find out more, please contact the Dean (dean@ chelmsfordcathedral.org.uk) or the Archdeacon of Harlow (a.harlow@ chelmsford.anglican.org). Put the dates in your diary now and look out for further information.

Fracking Times

“Making a pudding of the “Making planet!”a pudding of the The Global Gourmet planet!” The Global Gourmet

Directed by

Written by

Directed by Paul Burbridge

by Paul Written Burbridge

Paul Burbridge and

Paul Burbridge

JonathanandBidgood

Sean Cavanagh

Jonathan Bidgood

TIME TOTO CHANGE TIME CHANGETHE THETEMPERATURE TEMPERATURE FRIDAY 25th SEPTEMBER: 8.00pm CHELMSFORD CATHEDRAL 53 New Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1TY

Tickets: £12 / £9 (concessions) / £7.50 (under 18s in groups of 8+) Box Office: 01904 613000 // ridinglights.org/baked-alaska