The Month May 2016

Christmas starts with Christingle

May 2016

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

New dawn breaks for Bradwell Bring the kids to light a candle Festival for Christ’s birthday

By Revd Canon Jenny Tomlinson, Bishop's Adviser on Women's Ministry ONE of the workshops at the Colchester Area Conference in January focused on the Lord’s Prayer.

We listened to the beautiful setting of it from David Fanshawe’s African Sanctus, used a labyrinth to explore each phrase, and ended by joining together in a mime version. Participants were also asked to think about what is, for them, the most comforting and the most challenging aspects of this ancient prayer.

The wonderful thing about such very familiar words is that we pray them instinctively, and at a deep level. When we feel stuck about how to pray, we find on our lips and in our heart the words which Jesus himself taught us. I remember some friends telling the story of being stuck in a mountain lift. Everyone was apparently getting very worried, when someone suggested that they should all say the Lord’s Prayer – which they did, each in their own language. The incident had a happy ending and it sounded as if the sense of corporate dependence on God expressed in prayer in a nerve wracking situation was very special.

I wonder if we can all discover, without having to go through the anxiety of being stuck in a lift, something of that sense of together being dependent upon God? As CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

PICTURE: TONY HARRINGTON

Adviser’s View

christmasstarts.com

Report and pictures: Pages 6 & 7

Cheapside is London destination for pilgrimage of relics of St Thomas Becket Page 2

www.chelmsford.anglican.org

Elizabeth Snowden is installed as the new Archdeacon of Chelmsford Page 3

■ Synod votes in favour of new Share scheme: Page 5 ■ What's on in May: Page 9

2

THE MONTH May 2016

THE

month — Canterbury saint set to return to Cheapside birthplace in May

Relics of St Thomas Becket on City of London pilgrimage

Two of the stained glass images of St Thomas Becket in the windows at Canterbury Cathedral. The dramatic north ambulatory window image (above) representing Thomas Becket was made in the early 1900s by Thomas Caldwell, using rescued pieces of medieval glass.

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

editorial 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: 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.

By REVD DR ROBERT BEAKEN A SELECTION of the relics of St Thomas Becket are to be brought from the Basilica of Esztergom in Hungary on a week’s pilgrimage to England in May. They will be taken to Cheapside in the City of London, where Becket (the ‘Cheapside Brat’) was born in about 1118, and will end up in Canterbury Cathedral, the scene of his martyrdom on December 29,1170.

These will not be the first relics of Becket to return to England. Most of Becket’s bones from his tomb in Canterbury Cathedral were destroyed during the Reformation, but some were earlier taken abroad and have survived.

In 1987 I was one of the Anglican ecumenical exchange students sent to study for a semester at the Venerable English College in Rome. In 1989 I planned a short visit back to Rome to visit friends in the College.

Before I set off, I received a postcard from Sister Benedicta Ward, asking if I could obtain a relic and its documentation for her – ‘first choice Bede, second choice Anselm' – as she was researching relics and the medieval mind.

I returned to Rome, slipped on a highly-polished marble floor, banged my head on a table (the family would say I’ve never been the same since) and spent most of my time in bed, apart, I seem to recall, from an outing to Giolitti’s for some medicinal ice cream.

I explained to a seminarian about wanting a relic for Sister Benedicta, and he promised to see what he could do. He explained that some nuns ran a small office attached to the Vicariate of Rome which verified relics.

The relics were free, but the sisters asked for a modest donation to cover administration.

Four or five months passed, and one day the postman popped a jiffy bag through the letterbox of my house in Forton, Gosport, where I was then a curate.

I opened it, to find a certificate in Latin and a small metal container, with a tiny white spec in the centre and miniscule writing proclaiming it to be ex Ossibus S. Thomae Bechet E. Cant. M. – from the bones of St Thomas Becket.

Sister Benedicta was highly delighted when I turned up with the relic in Oxford a few weeks later and eagerly scrutinised the certificate, saying that the form of words had hardly changed in centuries. I left the relic and certificate with her.

Some months later the postman brought them to me

BECKET FACTFILE

ST THOMAS Becket (also known as Saint Thomas of Canterbury, Thomas of London and Thomas à Becket) was born on December 21, 1119 (or 1120) and martyred on December 29, 1170. He was born in Cheapside, London, on the feast day of St Thomas the Apostle. He was the son of Gilbert and Matilda Beket. Gilbert's father was from Thierville in the lordship of Brionne in Normandy, and was either a small landowner or a petty knight. Matilda was also of Norman ancestry, and her family may have originated from Caen. Becket was sent as a student to Merton Priory and attended grammar school in London, possibly at St Paul's Cathedral.

Thomas was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his murder in 1170. He is venerated as a saint and martyr by both the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion. He engaged in conflict with Henry II, King of England (pictured left in lower picture) over the rights and privileges of the Church and was murdered by followers of the king in Canterbury Cathedral. Soon after his death, he was canonised by Pope Alexander III. again. I was not quite sure what to do with the relic – it did not seem right to store it in the tabernacle with the Blessed Sacrament (‘I see you approve of the reforms of Lanfranc’ commented Sister Benedicta when I told her of my qualms) – and so for some months the relic of Canterbury’s martyred archbishop sat in my filing cabinet (filed under ‘B’).

Around this time, Portsmouth Cathedral – where I had been ordained, and for which I have a soft spot – underwent a lot of building work and internal reordering.

It dawned on me that the cathedral was dedicated to St Thomas of Canterbury.

'Relics would be thought of as gruesome' I offered the relic to the Provost, Very Revd David Stancliffe, who said he would place it under the new stone altar. I thus had the very rare experience of having Thomas Becket (or at least a portion of him) on the passenger seat of my car, and giving him a lift from Gosport to Portsmouth.

Most modern members of the Church of England would, I guess, run a proverbial mile from a relic, although I suppose relics could fittingly be described as ‘messy church’.

Relics would probably be thought of as gruesome, and I expect they may be. However, before we entirely dismiss them from our minds, we might do worse than ponder for a moment why medieval Christians found relics helpful on their spiritual journey.

I can think of two main reasons. Firstly, we need to imagine an age before cameras. A relic performed some of the functions of a photograph in our time: it helped the Christian to imagine the saint, and thus to

be comforted and possibly challenged. On one level, venerating a relic was a little like kissing a photograph of someone you love, or treasuring a possession of someone who has died: it is a link.

But relics had a secondary purpose, and here I wish to employ a rather over-used and not infrequently abused word in the Church of England: relevance. Relics, I suggest, were found to be highly relevant to the lives of ordinary Christians.

Here were bits of bone or other relics of men and women who had sought to follow Jesus Christ during their time on earth.

Sometimes they had died peacefully in their beds, but quite often they had been martyred for their faith.

Here are relics of holy men and women who knew winter and summer, happiness and sorrow, bad eyes, achy bones, dental problems (most certainly), indeed, all the things that we too have to cope with, as we tread the Christian path with minds and bodies that are both wonderful and wonky.

The saints and their relics, then, are relevant, because they lived lives just like ours, and managed faithfully to follow Jesus.

More than that, relics are bits of men and women who were quite literally touched by God and made holy. Yes, they struggled, were tempted, sinned and repented, many times over – just like each of us – and yet the Holy Spirit reached out and transformed them. Relics remind us that God is unchanging. If He can reach out and touch Thomas Becket with His love and grace, He can do the same to us, and indeed He yearns to.

Relics challenge us to bid Jesus enter our lives afresh, day by day. l Revd Dr Robert Beaken is Priest in Charge of Great Bardfield and Little Bardfield.

THE MONTH May 2016

THE

month — Poised to nurture church growth

Elizabeth is installed as new Archdeacon

REVD Elizabeth Snowden was Collated and Installed as the new Archdeacon of Chelmsford in Chelmsford Cathedral on Sunday, March 13.

Elizabeth (pictured right), who was Vicar of Bestwood Emmanuel with St Mark and Area Dean of Nottingham North Deanery in the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham, brings grass roots experience and nurture church growth.

Elizabeth began her ministry in the Diocese of Chelmsford (pictured at the foot of the page) at the end of March.

She succeeds Ven David Lowman who retired after 15 years as an Archdeacon in the diocese at the end of January.

Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford (pictured below) said: “I have enjoyed welcoming Elizabeth and her husband Geoff to Chelmsford Diocese. Elizabeth comes with great experience as a parish priest and an Area Dean.

“She knows how to make church work at the grassroots; and growth won't really come from anywhere else.

In her new role as Archdeacon of Chelmsford she will help our parishes to flourish.”

Elizabeth has been in Bestwood, Nottinghamshire for the last five years and was Area Dean of Nottingham North Deanery.

She worked closely with four other parishes in Bestwood, two of which are Methodist-Anglican Local Ecumenical Partnerships.

Ground breakers

THE Beaulieu Community Trust hosted a formal ground-breaking service in April to mark the start of construction of the new community centre at the heart of the Beaulieu Square Neighbourhood Centre development in Chelmsford.

The trust, formed of representatives from Beaulieu church (a congregation of the Church of England), Springfield Parish Council and local residents will be responsible for managing and curating events at the Beaulieu Community Centre for residents of Beaulieu and the wider Springfield community. l The June edition of The Month will carry a feature on the project at Beaulieu Square.

Bestwood is a large outer urban estate, with St Mark’s being located in a former mining village which is seeing large housing developments take place.

Her work was focused on joining people together in mission across a large outer urban estate.

In her role as Area Dean, Elizabeth’s focus was on building relationships between clergy and lay people across the deanery.

She became Resident Minister at Holy Trinity Clayhanger, a ‘replanted’

congregation in a church school and Youth and Children’s Worker in the Parish of St James Brownhills after serving her curacy in Burntwood, South Staffordshire.

She studied Geography, taught both Geography and Economics to Advanced Level and was ordained in 2001 after training at Queen’s Theological College in Birmingham.

She is married to Geoff and is a mother of four.

Elizabeth said: “I am excited to be joining Chelmsford's outstanding senior staff team as the diocese seeks to realise and implement the aims of Transforming Presence and Transforming Leadership.

“I am also intrigued by the influence of the Saxon Bishop Cedd here, whilst his young brother Chad did similar work in the diocese where I was ordained in Lichfield.”

Welcoming Elizabeth's appointment, Rt Revd John Wraw, the Area Bishop of Bradwell added: “I am delighted that Elizabeth has agreed to be the new Archdeacon of Chelmsford and I have enjoyed welcoming her and Geoff to Essex and East London.

“She brings a wealth of practical experience of ordinary parish life together with a real commitment to mission and the growth of God’s kingdom.” l For more pictures of this service and other events visit our flickr page www.flickr.com/chelmsford-diocese.

St Francis film evening BISHOP Stephen and Nicholas Henshall, the Dean of Chelmsford Cathedral are hosting a special film evening at the cathedral on Wednesday, May 11.

The film, entitled 'Finding Saint Francis' is a docudrama about the life of St Francis of Assisi set in modern times at Hilfield Friary in Dorset.

Paul Alexander, the director of the film will also be at the event and will be available to answer questions.

The film is being shown in

St Cedd’s Hall and there is a £5 per head charge payable on the door to cover the costs. l In order to assist with refreshments please sign up by going to the cathedral website; www.chelmsfordcathedral.org.uk, go to the ‘Faith and Education’ tab on the menu at the top and click on the ‘Finding Saint Francis film’ to sign up for the event.

Places for the film evening are limited to 120; so sign up early to ensure a place.

CHURCH PEWS UNCOMFORTABLE?

WHY NOT TRY SAFEFOAM’S TOP QUALITY UPHOLSTERED FOAM PEW CUSHIONS? Safefoam, Green Lane, Riley Green, Hoghton, Preston PR5 0SN

www.safefoam.co.uk Freephone 0800 015 44 33

Free Sample Pack of foam & fabrics sent by first class mail When phoning please quote TM0516

“The church is called to be with the people. We help young people to study and try to improve nutrition.

God is on the side of the vulnerable.”

Fr Lakshman Daniel, Church of Ceylon

This Harvest, help Us to feed the bodies and minds of children from tea plantation communities in Sri Lanka.

Worship resources and more info at www.weareUs.org.uk/harvest or call 020 7921 2200.

Us. The new name for USPG Registered charity number 234518

EXPLORING YOUR FAITH OR TRAINING FOR MINISTRY? SEITE provides certificate, diploma, BA and MA courses in Theology, Ministry and Mission, taught by highly qualified and experienced staff. You will study locally at our accessible teaching centres in Southwark or West Malling.

Interested? Have questions? Please contact us: E-mail: admissions@seite.co.uk Tel: 01227 471120 Website: www.seite.co.uk

3

4

THE MONTH May 2016

THE

month — Colchester church building joins new camping craze

Champing at St Martin's bit

CHAMPING – the unique concept of camping overnight in historic church buildings – is the latest phenomenon in English camping.

Champing is the brainchild of the Churches Conservation Trust (CCT), the national charity protecting historic churches at risk. The trust has saved more than 347 buildings which attract almost two million visitors a year.

The unique collection of English parish churches includes

irreplaceable examples of architecture, archaeology and art from 1,000 years of his-

tory – and now tourists can sleep in them.

During the pilot Champing season last year, the trust hosted champers from all over the world in four of the churches. Champing proved so popular that the trust has increased the portfolio for the 2016 season to ten churches, all bookable online at www.champing.co.uk.

One of the new champing sites for 2016 is St Martin's, West Stockwell Street (left) in the heart of historic

Colchester. Parts of this redundant church building are believed to be bricks re-used from Roman buildings built earlier than 200 AD. The church is very impressive, sparselydecorated with limewashed walls, the high wagon roof and striking Jacobean woodwork show the reason why it was a perfect venue as a theatre for many years.

Champing adventures cost £55 per person per night, including breakfast, £20 for

I would recommend Genesis Cars to everyone Miss Clare - March 2016

Nearly New less than 12 mths old 2015 Ford Focus 1.5 TDi Zetec 3dr Choice of colour 10 to 30k miles

SAVE £6971 on cost when new

2013 / 13 Reg Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 CDTi Exclusive Nav Estate 6Speed White 69k miles

2011 / 11 Reg Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi Zetec 5Dr Blue 69k miles

2011 / 11 Reg Vauxhall Astra 2.0 CDTi SRi 5Dr Silver 62k miles

ONLY

ONLY

ONLY

£5495

for Heritage, Tracey Crouch MP: “The trust does fantastic work protecting many of our important historic churches and making them accessible.

"The trust’s scheme has proved a popular and inventive way to encourage people to explore church buildings.

"This scheme is truly an encouraging way to ensure the rich history in churches is not lost.” ● Find out about the CCT at www. visitchurches.org.uk

people to enjoy these two gems of our English heritage over many years to come,” said churchwarden Peter Tottman.

“The roof works will be almost the last part of a programme, over the past five years, of restoration and improvements that has included restoration of the bells, restoration of exterior masonry, and installing a kitchen and toilet. Work will begin in September and should be complete by the end of the year."

The churches are significant features of the Essex rural landscape.

The churches overlook the village

green. St Christopher’s dates from 1360. The tower and porch were added in 15th century and the church was extended in 1853. ● To apply for an FECT grant, log on to www.foect.org.uk/grant_ application.php or call John Bloomfield on 01708 745273. ● FECT’s annual meeting will be held at Holy Cross, Felsted on May 18 at 7.15 pm. The Gepp Lecture on ‘Sharing the Space, Sharing the Spirit’ will be given by Sir Barney White-Spunner at 7.45pm. All welcome. If you plan to attend please email events@foect.org.uk.

ST. MARY’S CONVENT WANTAGE

St Mary’s Convent offers a variety of facilities and flexible accommodation for Group Quiet Days and Group Retreats. Also, Conference facilities and private stays.

Theological Library may be available on request.

£11990

£7995

the 2016 season. I urge all potential champers to visit champing.co.uk to book their break and avoid miss this awardwinning experience.”

Peter Aiers, Director of CCT in the South East said: ‘I love historic parish churches and there is no better way to enjoy their beauty and tranquillity than by staying the night. We want to increase the appeal of these public spaces for everyone.”

His words were echoed by the Minister

£15,000 grant for roof repairs ST Christopher's Willingale (left) has been awarded £15,000 grant by the Friends of Essex Churches Trust (FECT) to help replace weathered roof tiles over the nave, chancel and porch.

St Christopher's shares the churchyard with St Andrew’s church and together these two churches straddle the Essex Way, the Epping to Harwich footpath.

“The almost unique occurrence of two churches in one churchyard on the Essex Way brings many visitors to the village. The support of the Friends will enable many

FROM

children 15 and under and for groups of eight people or more the price reduces by 20 per cent to £45 per adult. The trust is working on joining up with local businesses and attractions to further complement stays.

Crispin Truman, Chief Executive of the trust said: “Our in-churchcamping breaks have already seized the imagination of hundreds of champers around the country and the bookings are flying in for

£6995

GenesisCars.org.uk Creating the ultimate car buying experience Our team is ready to help you...

0800 230 0238 / sales@genesiscars.org.uk

For the Lord your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them.

For further details please contact: St Mary’s Convent, Wantage, Oxfordshire, OX12 9DJ Tel: 01235 763141 Email: guestwing@csmv.co.uk www.csmv.co.uk

ALL INCLUSIVE CONFERENCE AND EVENT FACILITIES

BELSEY BRIDGE THE HAYES

Swanwick, Derbyshire DE55 1AU

With three well equipped venues across the UK, CCT offers flexible conference and event solutions for all occasions, big or small.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

De 4:31

0300 111 4444

Ditchingham, East Anglia NR35 2DZ

HIGH LEIGH

Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire EN11 8SG

info@cct.org.uk

www.cct.org.uk

The Christian Conference Trust, Registered Charity No. 1056604. A company registered in England, No. 3203917 limited by guarantee.

CCT8374 - 14 page advert in The Month magazine v2 REPRO.indd 1

24/11/2014 09:11:46

THE MONTH May 2016

THE

month — New Share scheme is realistic and clear

IT is time we had a new Share scheme across Chelmsford Diocese, Diocesan Synod decided in March.

Commending the decision, Stephen Cottrell, the Bishop of Chelmsford said: “When we talk about the Share let’s be clear what we’re talking about.

“We’re talking about the cost of ministry for our diocese right across east London and Essex.

“And what I like about the Share system we’re introducing is – well, first of all, I understand it.

“It’s clear, it’s simple, it’s communicable and it’s based upon principles of generosity and mutual support.

“We hope that through this new Share scheme not only will we be able to pay for the ministry we need now and into the future, but that also by being realistic and generous about what we need and how much we can contribute, we will grow the Church.”

What the new Scheme will mean

Jenny Tomlinson, the chair of the Share Review group explained: “Since the current Deanery Share scheme was introduced many good things have developed. We now have far more self-supporting clergy.

“We’ve seen the emergence of Fresh Expressions and pioneering ways of being Church. New forms of lay ministry have been authorised.

“As we continue to re-imagine ministry and to work together more closely to become a more missionary Church, the time has come to look at the Share system – at how we apportion the cost of making sure that the news of God’s love in Jesus Christ reaches every part of our varied and diverse diocese.

“The national Church has also been reviewing the way that it supports dioceses financially, and we now know that over the next ten years, the two and a half million pounds which Chelmsford Diocese currently receives every year is going to gradually reduce to around about one million.

“Overall the new Share scheme is going to help us all to see more clearly how we support each other as we all seek to respond to God's call to mission and ministry throughout East London and Essex.”

How the new Share scheme will work (see diagram above)

From 2017, Share will be allocated directly from the diocese

WE BEAT OTHER WEQUOTES BEAT OTHER WITH...

QUOTES WITH...

50% OFF 50% OFF OF WE POWER BEAT OTHER POWER OF

ATTORNEY QUOTES WITH...

ATTORNEY AND UPTO AND UPTO

50% OFF 30% OFF POWER OF 30% OFF ATTORNEY WILLS WILLS AND UPTO

30% OFF WILLS

5

NEED A LASTING NEED A LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEY? POWER OF ATTORNEY? NEED A LASTING

A LOCAL COMPANY YOU YOU NEEDNEED A LOCAL COMPANY THAT IS THAT IS FAST, EFFICIENT, COMES YOU POWER OF ATTORNEY? FAST, EFFICIENT, COMES TO YOUTO AND IS AND IS COMMITTED TO DRIVING DOWN YOU NEED ATO LOCAL COMPANY IS COSTS COMMITTED DRIVING DOWNTHAT COSTS FAST, EFFICIENT, COMES TO YOUareAND IS The&Will Trust Company professional, The Will Trust&Company are professional, COMMITTED TO DRIVING DOWN COSTS accredited certificate providers and will accredited certificate providers and will send the finished documents to the Office The Will &finished Trust Company are professional, send the documents to the Office ofPublic The Public Guardian forand registration accredited certificate providers will of The Guardian for registration after after signing and witnessing. send thesigning finished documents to the Office and witnessing. of The Public Guardian for registration after We provide avisiting home visiting We provide a home service toservice to signing and witnessing.

take instructions andback bring back all the take and visiting bring all the Weinstructions provide a home service to documents for signing and witnessing. documents for signing and witnessing. take instructions and bring back all the So, don’t delay, contact us today forcontact signingusand witnessing.

So,documents don’t delay, today and giveand give yourself peace that we yourself peace mindofthat we will So, don’t delay,of contact usmind today andassist givewill assist youyour andfamily’s your family’s wealth and health. yourself peace of mind that we willhealth. assist you and wealth and you and your family’s wealth and health.

01268 0800 112 3417 01268 55 1155 2211– 22 0800– 112 3417 01268 55 11 22 – 0800 112 3417 enquiries@willandtrustcompany.com enquiries@willandtrustcompany.com enquiries@willandtrustcompany.com www.willandtrustcompany.com www.willandtrustcompany.com www.willandtrustcompany.com

Synod backs switch to new Share scheme not to deaneries but to benefices, to commissioned mission and ministry units and to those groupings which have opted to be ‘early adopters’ of the new scheme.

The following year mission and ministry units will see the cost of their ministry (‘A’ in the diagram above) and also their proportion of the costs of training future ministers, and of the various services which exist right across the diocese (‘B’).

The major difference between the old scheme and the new one is that instead of financial support for those places that need it being allocated through a complex and variable formula, it will be given through a Mutual Support Fund.

Mission and ministry units will be invited either to make a

request for money from the Mutual Support Fund or make a pledge into it (‘D’).

The Fund starts with money already in it from various sources, including the national funding for deprived communities, and that money will be passed directly on to the parishes affected without any kind of application process.

The old scheme and the new scheme both rely on mutual support and generosity but this is much more transparent under the new arrangements.

Share will continue to be allocated to the benefice until mission and ministry units are ready.

When these are formally commissioned, Share can be continued on the basis of the

existing figures or revisited it if that is more convenient.

The consultation last year showed that people liked the simplicity of the new scheme.

Diocesan staff, archdeacons, mission and ministry advisers and deanery officers will be on hand to help as the new scheme gets established. ● Benefices and deaneries will be contacted in the summer with the details.

In the meantime, log on to www. chelmsford.anglican.org/share to access audio-visual presentations and transcripts.

Mark Spraggins, Chelmsford’s director of finance, is available to answer any questions.

You can email Mark at mspraggins@chelmsford.anglican. org

'Thy Kingdom come' urgently

FROM FRONT PAGE

we approach Pentecost this year, we are asked to pray ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ with fresh urgency and with a particular focus.

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York are inviting every church in England to join in a week of prayer from May 8-15, concluding on Pentecost Sunday itself.

We’ll be praying ‘for every Christian to receive new confidence and joy in sharing this life-transforming faith’.

Praying makes us vulnerable, and that particular prayer is itself a challenge. Maybe you find it hard to picture yourself as someone who is both confident and joyful in sharing their faith. Heartfelt prayer opens us

IN MY VIEW

to the possibility of God responding by inspiring us to do something new or different.

We might be taken beyond our normal comfort zone, to a new area of ministry, or we might encounter unexpected opportunities to share our faith.

When we feel uncertain, we can turn again to the Lord’s Prayer: ‘Give us this day our daily bread’.

Jesus’ own life, and the life he seeks to live in us, is all about trusting God to give us what we need, when we need it.

And it’s as we learn to pray together – to our Father – that we grow in trust, and

become truly interdependent within the Body of Christ.

The first chapter of Acts tells us that the days between Jesus’ ascension and the coming of the Spirit were days of waiting, when the disciples gathered together and were ‘constantly in prayer’.

Let’s gather together to pray this year, and discover afresh our sense of corporate dependence on God. Revd Canon Jenny Tomlinson Women’s Ministry Adviser ● Archbishops Justin Welby and John Sentamu are calling Christians nationwide to pray for evangelism this Pentecost.

Follow @thykingdom_come on Twitter and use the hashtag #ThyKingdomCome.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

BE SEEN To advertise in this newspaper call

01752 225623

6

THE MONTH May 2016

JOB VACANCY Children’s and Youth Worker St Thomas of Canterbury Church of England Church in Brentwood is seeking a dynamic and motivated Christian individual for the new part-time role of Children’s and Youth Worker for a large and vibrant congregation.

For more information on this exciting opportunity and job spec contact Father Colin Hewitt at fathercolin@live.co.uk

SHERBORNE

Short breaks in Dorset Elegant, spacious, 2 bed, apartment in listed building close to Abbey Church.

Open all year.

Please ring for brochure:

01404 841367 ALGARVE

Luxury 3 bed villa (all ensuite) Sleeps 6/8, near Carvoeiro.

Own pool, all mod cons Situated on Pestana Golf Resort.

Golf, Tennis, Free Wifi.

Also on Trip Advisor Full details and brochure: Brian Chambers

Tel: 02380 265 683 bripat@brialdon.freeserve.co.uk www.casa-oleander.co.uk

Take a Break Dartmouth Devon

Delightful ground floor flat with glorious views across river Dart.

Sleeps 4: double ensuite, twin with bathroom, all mod cons.

New dawn i for Bradwe THE

month — The pilgrimage will begin the weekend’s ac

ON STAGE

Tel: 020 7223 5473

Travel Insurance Arranged for The Month readers

Real and friendly people... not machines!

Our insurance has a customer 24-hour helpline, full medical cover with most pre-existing medical conditions accepted and, most importantly, an air ambulance get you home service.

LONG STAY AND CRUISE COVER AVAILABLE Call now for our early summer offers Annual multi-trip cover (max. age 85) Single trip cover (NO max. age)

UK BASED

for UK, Europe and worldwide holidays Single trip cover for all departures up to 31/12/17 Conditions apply

Please call for details ~

0116 272 0500

FT TRAVEL INSURANCE

The Daisy Bowlers

Authorised & regulated by the FCA

Gilead Foundations is a Therapeutic Community, offering a residential rehabilitation program, called KEY, for people with life-controlling addictions, such as drug or alcohol abuse, homelessness, gambling, eating disorders, self harm, and other addictive behaviours.

Based on a 300 acre dairy farm in rural Devon, Gilead uses the Genesis Process Relapse Prevention programme with our clients.

Andy Flannagan

BRADWELL Festival is gearing up for its inaugural event on the weekend of July 2 and 3.

The successor to the annual pilgrimage (top right) that has taken place at Bradwellon-Sea on the first weekend in July for many years, the festival will extend the opportunity for Christians from different traditions to come together with a programme of events and activities over the whole weekend.

The Bradwell Festival’s tag line, ‘Connect. Celebrate’, sets the tone for a festival that is rooted in ecumenism: it will offer a place for Christians to connect with one another through pilgrimage and worship, to be inspired and challenged by different speakers, to enjoy a variety of music, and simply to have time and space to be together, and celebrate with one another.

The pilgrimage itself will begin the weekend’s activities. This year, for the first time, there are two different routes, reflecting the different starting points and journeys we take as Christians, as well as the different walks of life from which we come.

As one Bradwell resident put it, the two routes celebrate "the diversity of our ways to God".

'Music is a key part of any festival and Bradwell is no exception' COVER STORY

The Famous Potatoes

If you, or someone you know would like more information about Gilead or would like to make an application, please contact: Laura Alm Tel: 01837 851240 Fax: 01837 851520 laura.alm@gilead.org.uk

www.gilead.org.uk

REVD HANNAH BUCKE, chair of Bradwell Festival organising committee, begins the countdown to the revamped pilgrimage on July 2 and 3

Dave Walker

The traditional pilgrimage walk through the village of Bradwell-on-Sea will begin at St Thomas’s Church at 11 am, while a second route, starting at the same time from The Green Man pub at the Marina, will follow the sea wall by the Blackwater Estuary.

Festival-goers will be fuelled by bacon butties (veggie options available) on both walks, and those walking through the village will be able to enjoy refreshments on the way, provided by members of the Northumbria Community.

This year, Christian resource-writer Aisling-Blaise Gallagher has written a guide for the pilgrimage which will enable people to reflect and pray at various points

on the way, taking inspiration from the local landscape.

On arrival at the site of St Peter’s Chapel at different times and from different places, people will be led in worship by John Pantry, well-known local musician and broadcaster.

The rest of the weekend will continue with a variety of bands, musicians, speakers and other attractions, concentrated in St Peter’s Chapel field and the Othona Community site, as well as at other locations in the village.

Music is a key part of any festival and Bradwell Festival is no exception. Already booked to perform are comedy folk band and Greenbelt favourites, Folk On. Fresh from appearances at festivals and comedy clubs around the country, as well as their own sell-out shows, they will be performing their unique brand of musical comedy on the main stage.

Also appearing on the main stage is another Greenbelt regular, London-based Irish singer-songwriter Andy Flannagan.

Andy’s acclaimed 2012 album 'Drowning

7

THE MONTH May 2016

is breaking ll Festival Folk On

in the Shallows' has been described by one music critic as "a near perfect album – insightful and challenging lyrics, infectious melodies, warm, confident, clear and committed singing" and by another as "soulful, truthful and embodying today by the bucketload".

Andy’s music is shot through with both a passion for social justice and a call for self-reflection.

Another main stage set comes from Leigh-on-Sea based band The Famous Potatoes. When asked about their style of music, they said: "Well, we call it 'Soil Music' because it’s earthy – made up of western swing, bluegrass, country, gospel, folk, cajun and anything that brings that old time, good time."

Described by DJ Andy Kershaw as "the second best band in Britain", The Famous Potatoes have spent more than 30 years performing at shows, festivals, gigs and barn dances, notching up well over 1,500 performances.

It’s not just the main stage that will host music performances.

There will also be the Performance Cafe at the main building of the Othona Community. During the day, vintage jazz trio The Daisy Bowlers will be providing musical accompaniment to those visiting the cafe and the nearby merchandise village.

Musicians Debbie Bines, Heather Simmons and Grammy award nominated

Entry to the festival is free this year but donations are welcome, and please book your free ticket via website www.bradwellfestival.com

arranger and producer Dave Cooke regularly perform together as The Daisy Bowlers and each has an impressive CV, with performances at Ronnie Scott's, The National Theatre and Kensington Palace to their names.

The Speakers’ Tent boasts an interesting line-up, with a varied programme of speakers throughout Saturday.

The Bishop of Chelmsford, Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell will be speaking, as will the Dean of Chelmsford Cathedral, Very Revd Nicholas Henshall.

Actor-priest Richard Syms, whose acting credits include 'Gangs of New York' and 'The Iron Lady' will be sharing something of his experiences as well as celebrating 70 years of the Othona Community with some reflections on community.

Cartoonist Dave Walker will also be talking about his work. Dave studied applied theology at Moorlands College and then went on to youth work before becoming a professional cartoonist and the resident cartoonist for The Church Times.

Dave’s popular church-themed cartoons have been published in several books, including 'Heroes of the Coffee Rota' and 'The Exciting World of Churchgoing'. He has also created cartoons for Traidcraft and is currently working on a book of cycling cartoons for Bloomsbury Press.

Essex author Jane Dolby (above) will be speaking about the tragic circumstances that led to her forming The Fishwives Choir and writing her book 'Song of the Sea'.

Jane’s husband, Colin, was a fisherman whose family had worked the Thames Estuary for over 300 years. One day Colin’s boat was caught in a storm and overturned off the Southend coast; Colin did not survive.

With the help of the Fishermen’s Mission, Jane began to rebuild her life and, literally, found her voice, forming a choir of women whose lives had been touched by similar tragedies in the fishing industry.

Jane’s book has been described by The Independent as ‘an original contribution to the canon of grief and recovery'.

For those seeking peace and stillness over the festival weekend, the Northumbria Community will be saying their Daily Office in St Peter’s chapel and the chapel will be open as a space for prayer and reflection throughout the weekend.

St Mary, Beaminster, Dorset

ctivities — with two different routes for the first time

enhancing church interiors

Ronald Emett fine furniture www.ronaldemettfurniture.com

01308 868025

AnteIncluding: • • • • •

Public Address Sound Reinforcement Sound Distribution Induction Loops No organ? - No problem!

Portable Equipment

SOUND + VISION St Thomas’s church will also be open and will be serving cream teas on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

Local members of the Northumbria Community will be hosting a meditative installation exhibition by artist Francesca Ross at their smallholding in the village.

Francesca has recently created artwork for the new edition of the Northumbria prayer book, Celtic Daily Prayer.

Sunday at the festival will be more chilled, with overnight campers having the opportunity to watch dawn break over the estuary, followed later in the morning by an ecumenical service.

The festival will close with an evening service at St Peter’s chapel (below picture: Tony Harrington) at 6.30 pm, led by the Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre.

The Canonesses describe themselves as ‘women of the Gospel searching for new and inclusive ways of living community with Resurrection hope'.

The Bradwell Festival team hope that there will be something for everyone over the course of the weekend.

Perhaps Bradwell is the perfect venue to connect and celebrate - its ancient chapel a place of origin for Christianity in this part of the world, built before division and separation in the Church, and the Othona Community founded as a place of reconciliation and understanding between people of different faiths, cultures and nationalities.

Entry to the Bradwell Festival is free this year, though donations are welcome, but please book your free ticket via our website: www.bradwellfestival.com.

You can also find more details about the festival, including catering, transport, overnight camping and updates about the line-up on our website.

ELECTRONICS

26 The Triangle, Frinton on Sea, CO13 0AU frinton@save-electronics.co.uk www.save-electronics.co.uk

A family run business with over 45 years experience.

01255 673766 or FREEPHONE 0800 056 3766

ESSEX & the FESTIVAL OF LEARNING Summer 2016

The Festival of Learning is a national event organised for the Learning and Work Institute (formerly NIACE, the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education) and is supported by the European Social Fund. This year it runs from 1st May to 30th June. Many adult education events take place throughout Great Britain, and nominations for awards for outstanding adult students, tutors, local educational organisations and volunteer groups are currently being submitted. The Essex Federation of the WEA is playing its part – listed in its advertisement in this issue of The Month are some of the many events being organised in our own county. As we go to press, the Federation is engaged in organising a non-partisan Study Day on the history and workings of the European Union to help inform the voting public in advance of the Referendum. Later at the end of June and the beginning of July there will be the two-day Summer Schools: in Chelmsford on ‘T.E. Lawrence and the Middle East’, to be delivered by university lecturer Tariq Sadiq, and ‘Art / History: Monuments and Megalomaniacs’ with Roger Simpson; and in Colchester on ‘The Making of London’ with Honor Ridout, and ‘Elizabethan Gardens and Shakespeare’s Flowers’ with Andrew Sankey. The promotion of health and well-being is an important part of the WEA mission, and professionally guided walks around Saffron Walden, Clacton, Silver End, Long Melford, Colchester and Dedham, for which bookings are currently being taken, are also being organised.

8

THE MONTH May 2016

EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE John Kenway BRAND NEW

NISSAN NOTE 1.2 N-TEC 5DR

£149 .99 PER MONTH *

48 MONTHS (9+47)

61 REG FORD KA 1.3 TDCi ZETEC 3DR (START STOP) RED 58K

12 REG VAUXHALL ASTRA 1.7 CDTi 16V EXCLUSIV 5DR GREY

13 REG PEUGEOT 107 1.0 ALLURE 5DR BLACK 45K

ONLY £4293 ONLY £6239 ONLY £4641 PART EXCHANGE WELCOME

FULL HISTORY CHECK

FLEXIBLE FINANCE AVAILABLE

NATIONWIDE DELIVERY TO YOUR DOOR

BRAND NEW CARS AVAILABLE ALL MAKES

UP TO 4,000 USED CARS PRICE CHECKED DAILY, COMPREHENSIVELY CHECKED & FULLY GUARANTEED

AUTOSAVE... SERVING THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY FOR OVER 35 YEARS

CALL 0845 122 6910 AUTOSAVE.CO.UK

*Based on personal Contract Hire (PCH) payment profile 9+47. Finance subject to status. Terms and conditions apply. Applicants must be 18 or over. Guarantee/indemnity may be required. We can introduce you to a limited number of carefully selected finance providers. We may receive a commission from them for the introduction.

“We Educate Adults”

POSTGRADUATE STUDY AT HEYTHROP

WEA FESTIVAL of LEARNING Summer 2016

SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE IN PHILOSOPHY, THEOLOGY, RELIGIONS & ETHICS Don’t miss your chance to study a Masters programme with us this September: • • • • • • •

MA Abrahamic Religions MA / MRes Biblical Studies MA Canon Law MA Christian Spirituality MA Christian Theology MA / MRes Christianity & Interreligious Relations MA Contemporary Ethics

• • • • • •

MA / MRes Pastoral Theology MA / MRes Philosophy MA Philosophy & Religion MA Philosophy in Education MA Philosophy of Religion & Ethics in Education MA Psychology of Religion

All programmes are for full-time study with late afternoon/evening teaching.

An enhanced range of funding is available for 2016-17 to support eligible students including Academic Excellence Scholarships, Tuition Fee discounts for Qualified Teachers and Student Support Bursaries for those most in need.

Unable to commit to full-time study? Our range of Postgraduate Certificates and individual modules enable you to study the subjects you’re most interested in whilst gaining postgraduate level credits. Choose from over 60 fascinating fields in Religions, Ethics, Philosophy and Theology.

Next Open Evenings: • Wednesday 4th May, 5.30 - 7.30pm • Tuesday 14th June, 5.30 - 7.30pm

Saturday 23rd April One Day Schools 11 a.m. at Feering “George Washington’s Essex Ancestor”: Wendy Barnes “Capability Brown & the English Garden”: Madeline Edmead “Music in Disguise”: Quintus Benziger

EE SS SS EE X X

Feering Community Centre, Coggeshall Road, CO5 9QB

Book with: Mrs. Jane Dougan, 01245 476583, e-mail jmd8@post.com. £10

Wednesday 27th April Richard Waskett Memorial Lecture “Too Highly Strung – a Career in Music”: Steve Galler 2 p.m. at Oaklands Museum, Chelmsford, CM2 9AQ Book with: Mrs. Jane Dougan, as above, £5 including cream tea

FF EE D D EE R R A A TT II O O N N

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Saturday 29th April Braintree Branch One Day School “A Russian Journey”: Dr. Anat Vernitski 11 a.m. Braintree Town Hall, Fairfield Road, CM7 3YG

Book with: David Stubbs, 01376 322017, e-mail weabraintree@live.com £10

Saturday 21st May Halstead Branch free Centenary Event!

Celebration of the branch’s first 100 years 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Ted Woodgate talks about life in Essex in 1916; Malcolm Root shows slides and tells tales of old Halstead; coffee, tea, cake BOOK! 01787 476036 (Viv), e-mail halsteadweaadamrfthompson.com

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Saturday 21st May Kelvedon & Feering Branch One Day School 10.30 to 3.30 Mark Felton history of “Zero Hour” WW2 escape

Feering Community Centre £12 including lunch: Book with Ken Edwards: Book with: Ken Edwards 01376 570573, e-mail kenlindaedwards@msn.com

Saturday 21st May Rayleigh Branch One Day School 10.30-3.30 “Beethoven & Turner”: Andrew Rothwell Trinity Church Hall SS9 5XR Book with: Pam Clark, 01702 520738, e-mail pam_clark@live.co.uk £12

ESSEX FEDERATION SUMMER SCHOOLS 2016

Chelmsford 27th & 28th June, Colchester 4th & 5th July: book with Jane Dougan

Find out more and book an open evening place at: a www.heythrop.ac.uk E admissionspg@heythrop.ac.uk q 020 7795 4201

Glenda.indd 1

Full brochure: www.wea-essex.org.uk or contact local branch secretaries.

ESSEX FEDERATION GUIDED SUMMER WALKS 2016 Contact Joan Black, 23 Highfield Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2NF.

Philosophy & Theology UNIVERSITY OF LONDON 04/04/2016 15:37:00

Workers’ Educational Association, Registered Office: 4 Luke Street, London, EC2A 4XW Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and Wales Number 2806910 Charity Registered in England and Wales Number 1112775 and in Scotland Number SC039239

THE MONTH May 2016

THE

month — What’s on near you in Essex & East London

Saturday, April 23 ● All Saints, Messing, near Tiptree. 7.30pm. an evening of entertainment with the Southend Vox Chamber Choir. Tickets £7.50, including refreshments, from 01621 816686 or 816695. ● Toppesfield & Gainsford End Art Exhibition & Afternoon Tea to celebrate the 90th birthday of The Queen. 2pm in St Margaret's church. Art theme: The Queen & St George. All ages and abilities welcome!

Sunday, April 24 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 3.30pm. Evensong.

Tuesday, April 26 ● Kingsland Cafe (above Aldi), Lexden, Colchester.

12-2.15pm. Friendship Group.

Wednesday, April 27 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 1-3pm. ‘Welcome on Wednesday’ in the Cathedral with our lay chaplain Jean Standen; tea/coffee and cakes. All welcome. ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 9.30am-12noon. Baby & Toddler Group in St Cedd’s Hall. ● St. John’s, Stratford, E15. 1.05pm. Lunchtime Concert by Carina Drury Quartet. Free Entry. Retiring Collection. (www.stjohnse15.co.uk for updates) ● St John’s Church, St John's Close, Colchester CO4 0HP GB. 10.30am-4pm. Pilgrim presentation day run

by Stephen Cottrell (see panel right).

Thursday, April 28 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 10.45am. Faith and Fitness.

A free fitness class with a difference for all ages and abilities. The session will include a prayer, a workout and meditation to improve your physical and spiritual health and well-being. ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 7.30pm. The Welsh Society meets in the Chapter House. ● St Laurence church, Corbets Tey Road, Upminster RM14 2BB. 1.05pm. Lunchtime Recital by Simon Botschen, organ - St Laurentius, Germany. Car parking available- no charge to church users. Concerts are free, with a retiring collection. Kenneth Tickell built the church’s fine organ in 2003. It is a fine instrument, with a variety of colours, which allows the organist to play repertoire from all periods.

Friday, April 29 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 12.30-1.15pm. Lunchtime Concert: St Bernard's School Choir (Westcliff).

Admission is free, but we welcome your contributions, which are divided between various charities and Cathedral expenses. Light refreshments from 12 noon, or you are welcome to bring your own if you wish. ● St Thomas of Canterbury, Brentwood. 1pm.

Lunchtime Live! With David Silkoff (piano). Retiring collection. For further details: 01277 218121.

Saturday, April 30-Monday May 2 ● St Peter's church, Church Road, Great Totham CM9 8NP. 11am-5pm daily. Flower Festival - 90 Glorious Years depicted in flowers, with music recitals, song, dance, children's activities, photographic display and refreshments. Sat: 7.30pm. An evening of music.

Saturday, April 30-Saturday May 7 ● Lexden Arts Festival – Please website at www. lexdenartsfestival.org.uk for full programme.

Saturday, April 30 ● The Room in the Rodings, Dunmow Road, Beauchamp Roding CM5 0PF. 10am-4pm.

Beauchamp Roding Country Market. Refreshments, cakes, tombola, plants, second-hand books, bric-abrac, raffle, local produce in aid of St Botolph's church. ● St Peter's Church, Church Road, Great Totham CM9 8NP. 7.30pm. An evening of music. ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 7.15pm. Cathedral Dinner with speaker Richard Coles. Popstar, priest and BBC Radio 4 presenter. Tickets £25 from Yvonne Spence tel: 01245 465108.

Sunday, May 1 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 3.30pm. Evensong. ● Loshes Farm Woodland, Great Henny Sudbury CO10 7LX.3-5pm. Forest Church North Hinckford.

Worshipping God in the beauty of a woodland including a Rogation Sunday walk. Using our senses to stop and wonder at God's glorious creation. Bring a notebook and pencil and wear stout footwear. ● Afternoon Teas at All Saints, Epping Upland.

3-5pm. Come and enjoy our lovely rural setting and fantastic views, whilst tasting delicious home-made cakes, tea and coffee. We are dog friendly and have water bowls and biscuits for our four-legged friends.

Monday, May 2 ● St Mary's, Burnham on Crouch, CM0 8DA. 10.30am-3.30pm. Big Burnham Book Sale. There will be hundreds of books for sale, all at reasonable prices. St Mary's handmade cards will be on sale and refreshments will be available. Entry is free.

Tuesday, May 3 ● Kingsland Cafe (above Aldi), Lexden, Colchester.

12-2.15pm. Friendship Group. ● St John the Baptist, High Street, St John’s Road, Epping CM16 5DN. 7pm refreshments; 8pm service.

Harlow Archdeaconry visitation centre for Epping Forest & Ongar and Harlow Deaneries.

Wednesday, May 4 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 1-3pm. ‘Welcome on Wednesday’ in the Cathedral with our lay chaplain Jean Standen; tea/coffee and cakes. All welcome. ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 9.30am-12noon. Baby & Toddler Group in St Cedd’s Hall. ● Friends of Essex Churches Trust Spring Study Day will visit four medieval churches in north-west Essex St Mary the Virgin, Arkesden, St Mary & St Clement, Clavering, All Saints, Rickling and St Mary the Virgin, Wendens Ambo. Members £7; guests £10. Bookings to Susan Clark-Starr 01787 24212, 07956 463628, email: susanclarkstarr@hotmail.co.uk ● St John’s, Stratford, London E15. 8pm. Theological Society Lecture. “Rebel or Slave: a practical theology of discipleship” with Rt Revd Peter Hill. Originally from Swansea, Peter Hill studied at Manchester and Nottingham universities and Wycliffe Hall Oxford. He taught for eight years in Greater Manchester before

Pilgrim presentation

MANY parishes in Chelmsford Diocese are using Pilgrim, the major teaching and discipleship resource from the Church of England.

Pilgrim aims to help every church create a place where people can explore the Christian faith together and see how it can be lived out each day.

Bishop Stephen, the Pilgrim course author, will be running a presentation day at St John’s church, Colchester on April 27 (10am-4pm).

This event is aimed at people who are involved in mission, lay ministry, education, as well as training at all levels including CME, IME and Reader training.

Clergy, discipleship group leaders, churchwardens and Readers/LLMs are invited to attend, whether interested in finding out more or willing to share feedback. ● Find out more about Pilgrim at www. pilgrimcourse.org and book a place at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/pilgrimpresentation-day-tickets-21108911322. being ordained. He has served as a Curate in Nottingham, Vicar of two mining parishes, Diocesan Chief Executive, Archdeacon of Nottingham, and is now Bishop of Barking. A keen sport and outdoor enthusiast, he is committed to the theology and practice of pilgrimage, having completed a number of long distance pilgrim walks. He has led many pilgrimages to The Holy Land, is learning to fly fish, cycles for pleasure, and has faith enough to support Swansea City and Welsh rugby. A video of the lecture will be available on YouTube after the event. ● St John’s, Stratford, London E15. 1.10pm.

Lunchtime concert series: Dan D’Souza and friends.

Free entry. Retiring collection. www.stjohnse15.co.uk ● Lakeside Shopping Centre, Thurrock. 1-3pm. Café Theology. Meet at the Food Court. ● Library, Diocesan Office, 53 New St., Chelmsford.

1pm. Chelmsford Christian Bookshop Reading Group (see page 12). Everyone is welcome and it is free to join. For details, please contact the bookshop on 01245 294405 or email bookshop@chelmsford.anglican.org ● St Andrew’s church, The Drive, Ilford IG1 3PE. 7pm refreshments; 8pm visitation charge. West Ham Archdeaconry visitation centre for Newham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest Deaneries.

Thursday, May 5 Ascension Day ● 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. ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 10.45am. Faith and Fitness.

A free fitness class with a difference for all ages and abilities. The session will include a prayer, a workout and meditation to improve your physical and spiritual health and well-being.

Friday, May 6 ● Chelmsford Cathedral.12.30-1.15pm. Lunchtime Concert by James Davy (Organ - Chelmsford Cathedral). Admission is free, but we welcome your contributions, which are divided between various charities and Cathedral expenses. Light refreshments are available from 12 noon, or bring your own.

Friday-Sunday, May 6-8 ● Flower Festival - theme 'Glimpses of Shakespeare' at St Peter & St Paul's church, Black Notley CM77 8LE. Preview Evening: Friday: 8pm; Saturday 10am5pm Sunday 8th May 10am-6pm (All-age Eucharist 11am; Songs of Praise 6pm. Refreshments with homemade cakes; Children’s Tombola Stall. Preview Evening: An evening of music, wine and poetry with the flowers at their best. Tickets £5. To book, call 01376 567971 or email bethbendrey@hotmail.co.uk.

Saturday, May 7 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 10am-12 noon. Cathedral Coffee Morning in the Chapter House. Come and enjoy fresh coffee, home-made scones and a bring & buy. ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 7.30pm. Rotary Concert see www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs Sunday, May 8 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 3.30pm. Evensong. ● All Saints' church, Epping Upland. 3-5pm.

Afternoon teas. Enjoy our lovely rural setting and fantastic views, whilst tasting delicious home-made cakes, tea and coffee. Dog friendly church with water bowls and biscuits for our four legged friends. ● St Mary's Buttsbury Ingatestone Road between Stock and Ingatestone, CM4 9PA. 11.15am-1pm.

Rogation Sunday service with tea & coffee afterwards.

Monday, May 9 ● St John the Baptist, Church Hill, Finchingfield CM7 4NW. 7pm refreshments; 8pm service. Stansted Archdeaconry visitation centre for Braintree and Hinckford.

Tuesday, May 10 ● Kingsland Cafe (above Aldi), Lexden, Colchester.

12-2.15pm. Friendship Group. ● St Mary’s, Church Hill, Lawford CO11 2JX. 7pm refreshments; 8pm service. Colchester Archdeaconry visitation centre for Harwich and St Osyth.

Wednesday, May 11 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 1-3pm. ‘Welcome on Wednesday’ in the Cathedral with our lay chaplain Jean Standen; tea/coffee and cakes. All welcome. ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 9.30am-12noon. Baby & Toddler Group in St Cedd’s Hall.

● Chelmsford Cathedral Chapter House. 6pm. A docudrama about the life of St Francis of Assisi set in modern times. The director of the film, Paul Alexander, will answer questions. Please sign up on the Cathedral website (see page 3). ● St John’s, Stratford, London E15. 13.10. Lunchtime concert series: Francis Bassett; jazz piano. Free entry.

Retiring Collection. www.stjohnse15.co.uk ● St Peter's & St Paul's, High St., Grays RM17 6LN. 7pm refreshments; 8pm service. Southend Archdeaconry visitation centre for Basildon and Thurrock.

Thursday, May 12 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 10.45am. Faith and Fitness.

A free fitness class with a difference for all ages and abilities. The session will include a prayer, a workout and meditation to improve your physical and spiritual health and well-being. ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 2pm. Mothers' Union Afternoon Section meet in St Cedd’s Hall.

Friday, May 13 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 12.30-1.15pm. Lunchtime Concert by Kerry Bassil and Lynn Creasey. Admission is free, but we welcome your contributions, which are divided between various charities and Cathedral expenses. Light refreshments available from 12 noon, or you are welcome to bring your own if you wish.

Saturday-Sunday, May 14-15 ● Flower festival at St Andrew’s Minster, Church Road, Ashingdon SS4 3HY. 11am-4pm.

Saturday, May 14 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 7.30pm. ME Awareness Concert. ● Ilford Hospital Chapel, Ilford Hill. 1-2.30pm. Open Day. Stalls will include greetings cards, jewellery, bargain CDs and DVDs, Memorabilia and bric a brac.

Free guided tours. Refreshments available. ● St Nicholas, Hall and Meadow, Great Wakering SS3 0AH. Noon-4pm. Summer Fete. Grand raffle fancy dress - prizes awarded at 1.45pm to the best fancy dress. China smashing – tin-can-alley – face painting plants – homemade cakes & jams - tombola children’s games - bouncy castle refreshments; cream teas, bbq, beer & wine – ice cream church; art exhibition – flower arranging competition – music. Find out more at www. stnicholas-greatwakering.org.uk ● St Mary's, Church Lane, Sheering. Friends of St Mary's Sheering Concert by local performers. Tickets £8 (£1 children aged 6-12) include programme and refreshments from 01279 734334 or 734442. ● Plant Sale at St Mary the Virgin church, Church Lane, Stapleford Abbotts RM4 1ES. 10am-2pm Sale of plants and various other stalls including homemade cakes and jams bric-a-brac and books. Refreshments available throughout the sale. ● Musical Concert at St Mary the Virgin church, Church Lane, Stapleford Abbotts RM4 1ES. Doors open 6.30pm for 7pm. Concert features the 'St Francis Hospice Choir and Friends' entitled 'Music for a May Evening'. £5 on the door. Proceeds shared between St Francis Hospice and St Mary the Virgin Church. ● Organ recital at St Peter ad Vincula church, Church Street, Coggeshall CO6 1UD. 7.30pm. Organ Recital performed by Gillian Ward Russell (Concert organist and President of the Essex Organists' Association).

Programme includes music by JS Bach, Gigout, Jongen, Rawsthorne and Widor. Tickets available on the door: £7.50 adults, £5 12-18 years, under 12 free.

Interval refreshments will be available.

Sunday, May 15 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 3.30pm. A special Choral Evensong celebrating Her Majesty The Queen's 90th Birthday – all welcome. ● All Saints, Epping Upland. 3-5pm. Afternoon teas.

Enjoy our lovely rural setting and fantastic views, whilst tasting delicious home-made cakes, tea and coffee.

Dog friendly church with water bowls and biscuits for our four legged friends. ● Priest House, All Saints' Church, Doddinghurst CM15 0NJ. 2.30-4.30pm. Cream teas in the medieval Priest House or garden. All proceeds to church funds. ● Dementia Awareness Week. For details contact the Alzheimer's Society, 01206 573708.

Tuesday, May 17 ● Kingsland Cafe (above Aldi), Lexden, Colchester.

12-2.15pm. Friendship Group.

Wednesday, May 18 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 1-3pm. ‘Welcome on Wednesday’ in the Cathedral with our lay chaplain Jean Standen; tea/coffee and cakes. All welcome. ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 9.30am-12noon. Baby & Toddler Group in St Cedd’s Hall. ● St John’s, Stratford, London E15. 13.10. Lunchtime concert series: Costanza Casullo; guitar. Free entry.

Retiring Collection. www.stjohnse15.co.uk ● Friends of Essex Churches annual meeting. Holy Cross Church, Felsted. 7.15pm. The Gepp Lecture on ‘Sharing the Space, Sharing the Spirit’ will be given by Sir Barney White-Spunner at 7.45pm. All welcome. If you plan to attend please email events@foect.org.uk.

Thursday, May 19 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 10.45am. Faith and Fitness.

A free fitness class with a difference for all ages and abilities. The session will include a prayer, a workout and meditation to improve your physical and spiritual health and well-being.

Friday, May 20 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 12.30-1.15pm. Lunchtime Concert by Tim Smith (piano). Admission is free, but we welcome your contributions, which are divided between various charities and Cathedral expenses. Light refreshments available from 12noon or bring your own.

Saturday, May 21 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 7.30pm. Hutton and Shenfield Choral Society. For more details www.hscs. org.uk Tickets from www.ticketsource.co.uk ● Church of St John the Baptist, Danbury. 11am-5pm.

Gospel Singing Workshop with CeCelia Wickham Anderson from the group Black Voices. You need no

9

experience of choir singing nor be able to read music. At 6pm there will be a performance with members of the Chelmsford Community Gospel Choir. A BBQ in the garden for singers and guests who want to stay and relax in afterwards. Cost for the workshop will be £10 (£5 for 16 years or under). BBQ tickets sold separately.

Further details: Paul Haggeron 01245 400079. ● St Francis church, Barkingside IG6 2LA. 3pm.

Prayer Book Society annual service of evening prayer.

Sunday, May 22 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 3.30pm. Evensong. ● St James' church, Beatrice Road, Clacton-on-Sea CO15 1LE. 4pm. St James@4. A short, informal Service of Holy Communion, using modern music, and followed by refreshments. Suitable for all ages. ● All Saints' church, Epping Upland. 3-5pm. Afternoon teas. Enjoy our lovely rural setting and fantastic views, whilst tasting delicious home-made cakes, tea and coffee. Dog-friendly church with water bowls and biscuits for our four legged friends. ● Priest House by All Saints, Doddinghurst CM15 0NJ. 2.30-4.30pm. Cream Teas in the medieval Priest House or in its garden. All proceeds to church funds.

Monday, May 23 ● St Augustine’s church, St Augustine’s Avenue, Thorpe Bay SS1 3NG. 7pm refreshments; 8pm service. Southend Archdeaconry visitation centre for Hadleigh, Southend and Rochford.

Tuesday, May 24 ● Kingsland Cafe (above Aldi), Lexden, Colchester.

12-2.15pm. Friendship Group. ● St Peter’s, South Weald, Brentwood CM14 5QJ. 7pm refreshments; 8pm service. Chelmsford Archdeaconry visitation centre for Brentwood, Chelmsford North and South Deaneries.

Wednesday, May 25 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 1-3pm. ‘Welcome on Wednesday’ in the Cathedral with our lay chaplain Jean Standen; tea/coffee and cakes. All welcome. ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 9.30am-12noon. Baby and Toddler Group in St Cedd’s Hall. ● St John’s, Stratford, London E15. 13.10. Lunchtime concert series: Luigi Pignatiello; guitar. Free entry.

Retiring Collection. www.stjohnse15.co.uk Thursday, May 26 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 10.45am. Faith and Fitness.

A free fitness class with a difference for all ages and abilities. The session will include a prayer, a workout and meditation to improve your physical and spiritual health and well-being. ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 7.30pm. The Welsh Society meets in the Chapter House. ● St Andrew’s, Church Road, Hatfield Peverel CM3 2LE. 7pm refreshments; 8pm service. Colchester Archdeaconry visitation centre for Colchester and Witham. ● Ware Christ Church, Ware SG12 7BZ. Healthy Leaders, Healthy Churches Ware. Study/training day exploring the theme of 'healthy leadership' through practical issues such as staying fresh in leadership, learning how to handle expectations healthily, being appropriately vulnerable and identifying spiritual impediments to leadership. Will include teaching and interactive components led by John Dunnett. It is suitable for clergy and lay leaders. 10am (9.45am for coffee) to 3.45pm. Refreshments available throughout the day but please bring your own lunch. £28 for the first person and £15 for the second and any further bookings. Book your place at www.cpas.org.uk/events Friday, May 27 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 12.30-1.15pm. Lunchtime Concert by Charlotte Rowan (Violin). Admission is free, but we welcome your contributions, which are divided between various charities and Cathedral expenses.

Light refreshments from 12 noon or bring your own. ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 1.45pm. Talk by US Historian Bob Anderson about the cathedral's connection with New England. Free event. ● St Thomas of Canterbury, Brentwood. 1pm.

Lunchtime concert. The Emily Lynn Jazz trio (soprano, sax & percussion). Admission free. Retiring collection.

Further details: 01277 218121.

Saturday-Monday, May 28-30 ● St Andrew’s Church, Wormingford. Annual Flower Festival: A Celebration the Queen’s 90 years. Teas and cakes available from Wormingford Community Centre in the old school buildings and a bric-a-brac sale.

Saturday, May 28 ● Little Common, Little Totham. Annual car and motorbike rally featuring vintage and veteran vehicles.

Sunday, May 29 ● Chelmsford Cathedral. 3.30pm. Evensong. ● All Saints' church, Epping Upland. 3-5pm. Afternoon teas. Enjoy our lovely rural setting and fantastic views, whilst tasting delicious home-made cakes, tea and coffee. Dog friendly church with water bowls and biscuits for our four legged friends. ● Priest House by All Saints, Doddinghurst CM15 0NJ. 2.30-4.30pm. Cream Teas in the medieval Priest House or its garden. All proceeds to church funds. ● St Mary's Buttsbury, Ingatestone road between Stock and Ingatestone CM4 9PA. 3.30pm. Evensong Vesper Singers with Bruce Pennick.

Sunday-Monday, May 29-30 ● Open Gardens event, at The Hall, Tendring from 1-5pm. All proceeds from both days will go to Clacton on Sea Lifeboat.

Tuesday, May 31 ● Kingsland Cafe (above Aldi), Lexden, Colchester.

12-2.15pm. Friendship Group.

June 2016 diary deadline ● Submit event details at www.chelmsford. anglican.org/eventsform or call Sarah Newman on 01245 294443 by May 9 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

10

THE MONTH May 2016

Build your business on a firm foundation!

P L E H S U LET YOU GET

T N I R P R YOU TING MARKE IGN CAMFPF A THE O GROUND

Through our professional design and print service we can help you make your marketing campaign stand out from the crowd.

We also offer advertising in national and regional Christian newspapers and magazines. Please ask for details.

CALL US – 01752 225623 Cornerstone Vision, 28 Old Park Rd, Peverell, Plymouth, PL3 4PY

Design • Marketing • Advertising • Print

www.cornerstonevision.com

THE MONTH May 2016

11

Changing lives for 85 years Did you know that there are almost two million people living with sight loss in the UK today? By 2050 this will have doubled.

The future can seem very bleak when you lose your sight, and that’s why the charity Guide Dogs needs to be here; to make sure that when someone loses their sight, they don’t also lose their freedom.

Since 1931, when the first four guide dogs completed their training, Guide Dogs has trained and partnered over 30,000 dogs, and changed the lives of thousands of people with sight loss.

Did you know?

• Two out of ever y three guide dogs are made possibl • You do not need e thanks to gifts to have lost all yo in Wills. ur sight to own a • There is no uppe guide dog. r or lower age lim it to owning a gu • The lifetime cost ide dog. of a guide dog is around £50,000.

• The guide dog se rvice receives no government fund ing.

Dave Kent is an inspirational guide dog owner whose life has been transformed thanks to the eight guide dogs he has owned.

Dave was born with congenital cataracts and, after corrective surgery went wrong, he lost his sight completely at the age of 18.

Guide Dogs was there to support Dave at his lowest ebb and he was partnered with his first guide dog, Elma, which changed his life forever. “I haven’t looked back since that first walk with Elma,” he says. “Having Guide Dogs behind me gave me the confidence to pursue my ambitions.”

“It’s not only about the wonderful dog.

The organisation has been with me through the darkest days of my life.

The pastoral care has been out of this world. They helped me make sense of a world that was alien to me.”

Dave’s seventh dog Quince hung up his harness and retired last year, and

Dave was without a guide dog for a little while. He says, “I trusted Chad from the matching walk. It felt amazing. Thirty yards into the walk, I knew in my heart that Chad was for me. He felt so positive and indicated a real lust for life.”

At any one time, Guide Dogs is responsible for around 8000 dogs, from the tiniest new-borns to those retired dogs who are taking a well-earned rest. It can be hard to imagine these tiny balls of fluff going on to do such an important job

Of course Guide Dogs couldn’t make this commitment to their guide dog owners without the support and generosity of the public. As well as all the general fundraising Guide Dogs does, a large proportion of income comes from gifts left in Wills. In fact two out of three guide dogs are made possible thanks to gifts in Wills.

Christine Pye, a long-term supporter of Guide Dogs, chose to leave a gift in her Will to say thank you for the gift of sight.

“It’s the least I can do, and it’s a way of celebrating the great sights I enjoy every day, for which I am truly privileged. I’m so happy to think that at some point in the future my money will go towards some lovely dogs who will go on to become someone’s eyes.”

A gift to Guide Dogs transforms the life not only of the guide dog owner but also the life of their families. A Will can be a great way of showing what has been important to you in your life time. After remembering friends and family, a gift to Guide Dogs in your Will is a unique way of giving back someone’s freedom, independence and confidence.

To find out more about the work Guide Dogs does, visit guidedogs.org.uk or call us on 0800 953 0113.

Request your free Life Changers DVD and brochure to find out more about the incredible impact of gifts in Wills.

Fill in your details below, visit guidedogs.org.uk/life, or call us on 0800 953 0113.

Knowing that he will always have a guide dog at his side, thanks to Guide Dogs’ promise, gives Dave the confidence to live his life to the full. “The dogs have made me so proud and given me so much,” he says. “They have enabled me to walk down the street with self-respect; that never fails to move me.”

Title:

Dave Kent is featured in the Life Changers DVD, where you can find out more about our work, and see the incredible impact of gifts in Wills and those who benefit. This DVD is full of the latest information about Guide Dogs work, and features some lovely stories and partnerships.

My telephone number is:

First name:

Surname:

Address:

Postcode: We will use your personal information to process your application and to communicate with you about Fundraising.

Keeping you in touch We would also like to keep you informed about Guide Dogs and other ways you can support us. Using email helps us to reduce our costs. If you are happy to receive information in this way, please complete your details below: Email To unsubscribe at any time email unsubscribe@guidedogs.org.uk

If you would prefer not to receive this information by mail or telephone, please complete the following: Do not mail me

Do not telephone me

Please return to: Freepost Plus RTCG-GHHH-YBUG, Guide Dogs, Hillfields, Reading Road, Burghfield Common, Reading RG7 3YG

A16G16005

Pursuing ambitions with the help of Guide Dogs - Dave’s story

The story begins with guide dog puppies being born at the homes of volunteers, so that their first weeks are spent with mum in a home environment. Then the pups live with a puppy walker for a year learning the basics. From here it’s on to guide dog school where they learn the vital skills they need to change the lives of people with sight loss.

and become someone’s eyes, but such a lot of work goes on behind the scenes to make sure the best guide dogs possible are bred. Last year 1229 puppies were born and placed, and most of them will go on to change the life of someone with sight loss. Guide Dogs makes a lifetime promise to each guide dog owner; to provide them with a guide dog for as long as they need one.

12

THE MONTH May 2016

THE

month — Henry is noted painter of religious art in contemporary style

£3 million saved on church energy bills

THREE years into running the C of E’s Energy Basket, Parish Buying has saved churches, parishes and schools more than £3m, and with 25% growth last year, these savings are set to increase.

Parish Buying is a professionally managed procurement service set up and run by the Church to assist parishes in their buying – saving time and money to release into mission and ministry.

The deadline for signing up for next year’s Energy Basket is May 1, and as it grows, the reasons to join become greater: ● Time saved – no need to hunt around for a new contract every year. ● Competitive pricing – using the bulk buying power of the Church to get great prices. ● Customer service – a dedicated team that understand churches and the energy market.

Sign up or find out more by ringing 0800 368 0887 or sending an email to energy@parishbuying.org.uk

Judith commissioned as MU president

BISHOP Stephen commissioned Judith Meaden as Mothers' Union Chelmsford Diocese president at Waltham Abbey along with the new trustees' board, speakers and officers. Judith (centre) is pictured with Bishop Stephen (right) and Canon Edward Carter, the MU's diocesan chaplain.

Goodmayes' Trinity window is dedicated

A SERVICE to commission and dedicate the newly installed 'Trinity Window' as the East Window of All Saints Goodmayes, to commemorate a century of worship at the church, was held on Palm Sunday, March 20.

Stephen Cottrell, the Bishop of Chelmsford, conducted the service and dedicated the Centenary window.

Bishop Stephen said that it was lovely to be at All Saints Goodmayes for Palm Sunday and dedicate their beautiful centenary window.

He noted that the window encompasses all the colours of the liturgical seasons and is a reminder of God the Holy Trinity.

Bishop Stephen also spoke of God's promise to open the window of heaven for us and he led the congregation in praying that as the light shines through the many colours of the window, so our lives may show forth the beauty of God's manifold gifts of grace.

Bishop Stephen is a patron of the Christian arts organisation commission4mission and the Trinity window at All Saints Goodmayes is the 13th commission completed by commission4mission.

The window was made and installed by Richard Paton to a design by Henry Shelton. Richard and Henry have previously worked together on c4m commissions at All Saints Hutton where they created two sets of etched glass windows.

Henry’s colourful abstract design for the three-light East Window features, in his inimitable

CELEBRATION: Revd Petros Nyatzanza, Vicar, All Saints Goodmayes (left), Henry Shelton (centre) and Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell (right) with East window, All Saints Goodmayes.

minimal style, imagery representing the Holy Trinity. He is a member of the congregation and previously created etched glass windows for the Reindorp Chapel at All Saints.

The window commemorates the 100th anniversary of the church and has been funded, in part, by donations from the congregation in memory of loved ones.

Richard said: “This very colourful design by Henry symbolises the Holy Trinity (God the Father, Jesus & the Holy Ghost) depicted in just three lines.

The space inside has been transformed from anonymous small square glass making a large

space more intimate and warm.”

Richard has more than 20 years' experience working with glass. When he is not creating works of art in glass, he teaches glass-making classes in the various techniques, passing on his tips, tricks and considerable knowledge to others.

Also in 2015, using Craigie Aitchison’s final design, he made a window for the Prayer Chapel in Birmingham's St Martins in the Bull Ring and a three-metre high stained glass window set into a light box hung on the wall of a North London Synagogue depicting an 11th century poem

visualised in a design by Michael Hall.

Henry is a noted painter of religious art in a contemporary style. He trained as an apprentice draughtsman in a London studio developing his drawing skills in lettering and fine art.

After 15 years he set up his own studio receiving many commissions from such clients as the Science Museum, borough councils, private and corporate bodies. He then worked designing in studios across the world, including Hong Kong and the USA. Throughout this time and up to the present he has painted Christian art and his commissions include an Ascension installed as an altarpiece in the Church of the Saviour, Chell Heath, Stokeon-Trent; the Millennium clock tower in Goodmayes, and the memorial etched-glass windows in All Saints Church, Goodmayes, depicting events in the life of Jesus.

In 2007 he had a one-man exhibition in York Minster of the Stations of the Cross.

Most recently, he has completed commissions for St Luke’s Chapel in Queens Hospital, Romford, a contemporary set of Stations of the Crown of Thorns for St Paul’s Goodmayes and etched glass windows for All Saints Hutton.

Trotting through carpet of daffodils

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

Reading Group on the Wright tracks

By RACHEL ORFORD IT is an understatement to say that Tom Wright is a prolific Christian writer, so why out of all of his books, 7.45am Morning Prayer including his widely read series of New Testament 8.15am Holy Communion commentaries, did the diocesan book club choose to (also Weds at 12.35 tackle 'Suprised by Hope' as its May selection? and Thurs at 10am) Originally subtitled 'Rethinking Heaven, the 12.00pm Midday Prayer Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church', it does 5.15pm Evensong address weighty subjects – life after death, what we (sung on Mon, Tues, mean by the resurrection and how what we believe Thurs and Fri) about these things affects what we do in the here and now. It is not one to skim through. One reviewer tells of a fellow church member who told him: "If this book is true then my whole life has to change." www.chelmsfordcathedral.org.uk That is a bold assertion, but the author does have a way of turning things on their heads as well as plucking

Daily Services

VALENTINE the donkey, led the Palm Sunday procession at St Peter’s Aldborough Hatch (left), along the pathway planted last October with more than 2,500 tête-à-tête narcissus by members of the church and local residents.

Photographer Ron Jeffries said: "Folk walking by just stopped to stare, whilst others sit on the benches to soak up the spring-like atmosphere in the bitter cold."

out details to reveal truths that now seem so obvious you wonder why you never saw them that way before – and of course his engaging and conversational style does pull you in and keep you reading. If you are captivated by his wonderful explanation of the world after Jesus’ resurrection as “God's new project not to snatch people away from earth to heaven but to colonize earth with the life of heaven” then there could be life changing things in this book to discover.

Available from the Chelmsford Christian Bookshop at £10 (rrp £12.99), why not come and explore it with the Bookshop Reading Group? We meet at 1pm in the Library at the Diocesan Offices on the first Wednesday of each month. For details and encouragement, please contact Rachel or Sally on 01245 294405 or at bookshop@chelmsford.anglican.org

Tom Wright: A life changing read?