Shareit! 42 by Church Army

shareit! The Magazine of Church Army

Winter 2015/Spring 2016

Welcome

ear friends, The past year has been a very busy one, filled with hard work but also many satisfactions. Our mission remains the same: to bring as many men, women and children across the British Isles to a living faith in Jesus. The new year promises to be full of activity, with the number of our Centres of Mission set to double over the next 18 months, particularly within the Celtic regions. As we prepare to celebrate Christmas with our loved ones, let’s not forget about all the people in our society suffering from loneliness (page 8). Loneliness can strike at any age, whether you are rich or poor, male or female, but we can take comfort in the message that we are never truly alone. As it says in John 14:18: “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” Amen! On page 12, we hope you will be transported by our passionate commitment to evangelism, as our evangelists reach out to the most vulnerable members of society by bus, boat and bicycle. You can read an interview with the Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons and Church Army Evangelist, Rose Hudson-Wilkin, on page 16. We also hear from Harry, a young man helped by our Amber Project in Cardiff (page 24) and from Emma, who chats to us about how one night at our Marylebone Project changed her life (page 28). Looking back over the past year, I am so grateful for your continued support, prayers and encouragement. Please continue to partner with us so that, together, we can transform even more lives. We wish you a Christ-filled Christmas and a 2016 full of peace, love and joy. Yours in Christ,

Canon Mark Russell Chief Executive and Community Leader www.churcharmy.org.uk/ceo Patron: HM The Queen Church Army is a mission-focused community of people who are transforming lives and communities through the work of evangelists, staff and supporters. We are committed to sharing the Christian faith through words and action in a variety of contexts across the United Kingdom and Ireland. The paper used is from sustainable forests and can be recycled. Printed by Colourwise who have 14001 accreditation.

Wilson Carlile Centre, 50 Cavendish Street, Sheffield, S3 7RZ Tel: 0300 123 2113 Email: info@churcharmy.org.uk www.churcharmy.org.uk Registered Charity Nos: 226226 & SC040457

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Shareit! is the magazine of Church Army and it is available free upon request. Please let us know if you would prefer not to receive further issues of Shareit! or other communications from Church Army. If you have a story for Shareit!, or suggestions on how we can improve this magazine, then please contact Michelle Pellegrino. Editor: Michelle Pellegrino 0300 123 2113 Sub-editor: Bethan Hill Design & Print: CPO 01903 264556

ISSN 1751-3960

Winter 2015/Spring 2016

4 News All our latest stories

16 The Rose of Westminster A candid chat with a pioneer

26 Christmas evangelism Making the most of this festive season

19 Remembering Church Army in your Will A gift for future generations

28 Emma’s story How the Marylebone Project changed her life

8 Christmas appeal Ian’s journey out of loneliness 10 Be part of our mission Meet two of our newest members 12 Transported by evangelism Outreach by bus, bike and boat

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20 Highlights from the Annual Report The year in numbers 24 Harry’s story From being helped to helping at The Amber Project

30 Faith Pictures Q&A with the author of our latest evangelism resource 31 The last word A reflection from Peter Graystone

h Army e of Churc

/Spring 2016 Winter 2015

Is this the first time you’ve read a copy of Shareit!? Would you like to receive your own edition regularly? To sign up and to find out more about our other resources, please visit www.churcharmy.org.uk/res Alternatively email info@churcharmy.org.uk, telephone 0300 123 2113 or write to Church Army, Wilson Carlile Centre, 50 Cavendish Street, Sheffield, S3 7RZ.

Front cover: C hurch Army Evangelist, Rose Hudson-Wilkin, pictured here on the terrace of the Palace of Westminster. Rose is the first woman, as well as the first black person, ever to serve as Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons.

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Contents

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CHURCH ARMY EVANGELIST AWARDED BEM Church Army Evangelist, Maureen Greaves, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the community in North Sheffield as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours. Maureen received intense media attention following the murder of her husband Alan (aged 68), on 24 December 2012, as he walked to church for the late-night Christmas service. Alan was an organist and lay preacher at St Saviour’s Church, High Green, in Sheffield. The couple married in 1972 and have four children. They both dedicated much

of their lives to church and community work. In July 2013, at the end of a trial where one man was convicted of the murder of Alan and another of manslaughter, Maureen said: “It’s through God’s mercy that I have been able to extend real and true forgiveness.” Following the news that she is to receive the BEM, Maureen said: “Alan is constantly in my thoughts and I continue to miss the life that we shared. I am amazed and humbled that the Queen should honour me in this way and I accept it on behalf of both Alan and myself.”

Maureen Greaves

ELLIE GOULDING VISITS MARYLEBONE

A huge thank you to the homeless charity Streets of London and singer Ellie Goulding who have donated £15,000 to the Marylebone Project, our centre for homeless women in London. Ellie visited the project in October 2015, where

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she spoke to several of the women. She said: “It gave me lots to think about, especially when we all shared stories. They are doing wonderful work here, giving women who find themselves in difficulty the help they need to rebuild their lives – truly awesome!”

Church Army Chief Executive, Mark Russell, said: “We are extremely grateful to Ellie and Streets of London for their generosity. These funds will make a lasting difference to the lives of vulnerable homeless women, empowering them towards independent living. Ellie’s visit really means a lot to the women at the project, as it sends a powerful message that people do care about their plight and are willing to hold out a helping hand to them.” The funds will go towards the Marylebone Project’s Women into Work, a programme designed to train, support and guide women on their journey towards employment. Around 110 women a year benefit from the programme.

Photo by permission of Media Wales

A new Church Army Centre of Mission has been launched in South Wales, in partnership with the Diocese of Llandaff. It opened in September 2015 and is based on the Cimla housing estate in Neath. The Lllandaff Centre of Mission aims to establish new models of Christian community, train individuals across the diocese in mission and evangelism, and create links with the local community, particularly with schoolchildren and the elderly. Church Army Evangelist, Andy Settle, has been appointed as the Lead Pioneer Evangelist for the centre. The Archbishop of Wales, Barry Morgan, said: “I am very grateful to Church Army, who come with a proven track-record of mission, for heading up this centre, working alongside the clergy and people in Neath. It forms a very exciting and promising example of how a Ministry Area can open up possibilities and enable us to reach out.” Church Army Chief Executive, Mark Russell, said: “We have a big vision, to work alongside others in Neath and to communicate the Good

The Archbishop of Wales, Barry Morgan, and Bishop David Wilbourne have been pivotal in developing the new Centre of Mission

News in innovative ways. We want to let people know they are loved by God and find new ways of helping people grow in discipleship.”

WELCOMING THE BLACK SHEEP

Founder of The Order of the Black Sheep, Mark Broomhead

Snapshots – stories from the edge is a free downloadable booklet published every year that tells the story of a fresh expression of church. The fourth edition, entitled Welcoming the black

News

NEW CENTRE OF MISSION IN SOUTH WALES

sheep, examines the founding of The Order of the Black Sheep (TOBS), a church with rock and heavy metal music at its roots, in Chesterfield. Author George Lings, Director of Church Army’s Research Unit, examines this congregation and takes a look at the life of TOBS founder, Mark Broomhead, and what led him to establishing TOBS. George explains why he chose to visit and write about this particular fresh expression of church: “When I visited, this young church impressed me. It shows depth in tackling issues, you sense ready acceptance by its community, and it exhibits freshness of approach while respecting historic values. Many people feel like a black sheep from time to time – now there’s even a church for them.” To read the full report, visit www.churcharmy. org.uk/snapshots

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BEST PRACTICE FOR PIONEER CURATES

The Conference Planning Group

The fifth edition of Snapshots – stories from the edge, called Good practice in deploying and working with Pioneer Curates, gives some guidelines on how best to deploy and map the key relationships of Pioneer Curates and their Training Incumbents. The booklet was co-written by the Director of Training for Fresh Expressions, Ali Dorey and the Director of Church Army’s Research Unit, George Lings. Both of them were involved in organising conferences in 2012 and 2014 for incumbents and their Ordained Pioneer Ministers, where participants explored which processes were proving helpful in the various contexts – and which were not. Other members of the

Conference Planning Group were also consulted. The authors decided to share these up-todate experiences and the key points that emerged to assist the Church of England in moving towards best practice. Pioneering is still a fairly new role within the church, with some mismatches in expectations. There are lessons for all parties, the incumbent, the parish congregation, the pioneer and anyone else called to start a fresh expression of church within their diocese. It covers the entire process of deployment, from when a pioneer is first brought in, to eventual departure. Three editions of Snapshots are published each year. To read the full report, visit www.churcharmy.org.uk/snapshots

RUNNERS PUT THEIR BEST FOOT FORWARD

Church Army runner, David Craig, completed the London 10k run in 50 minutes

We are proud of our energetic team of six runners – especially our retired Evangelist,

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73-year-old Ken Cavanagh – who hit the streets as part of The British 10k London Run, raising £3,500 for Church Army. The team ran past some of London’s historic landmarks including Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and Tower Bridge. South African-born David Craig, who works in our Sheffield office, said: “It felt fantastic to share the day with so many people, both the runners and supporters were cheering each other on, creating a truly thrilling atmosphere. I heard shouts of ‘Go Church Army!’ which was incredibly encouraging. I’m happy to have played my part in raising funds for our life-changing work.” If you would like to organise a race or any other sporting event in your local area to fundraise for us, please telephone 0300 123 2113 or email fundraising@churcharmy.org.uk

News

SACRED SPACES REVISITED By popular demand, Seven Sacred Spaces, written by the Director of Church Army’s Research Unit, George Lings, has been reprinted in colour and revised with up-todate information. The book attempts to answer the question: “What makes a healthy Christian community?” George has travelled extensively, visiting Taizé and Cîteaux, and has stayed at Northumbria Community and with the Anglican Franciscans in Hilfield, Dorset. George concludes that there’s a lot to be learned from monastic communities. His experiences – along with his studies of monasteries throughout history – confirmed his thoughts that healthy monastic communities contain seven sacred spaces: cell, chapel, chapter, cloister, garden, refectory and scriptorium. In his book, George analyses what characterises these sacred spaces, believing that this will help fresh expressions of church grow in a more balanced way. Seven Sacred Spaces costs £4. A downloadable version of the book is also available. To order your copy, please visit www.churcharmy.org.uk/sevenspaces

RUNNING FOR AMBER Our congratulations and thanks go to Darren Evans and his BT colleagues who ran in the Cardiff Half Marathon 2015, raising £835 for The Amber Project. The Amber Project provides support to young people aged 14-25 in Cardiff and the surrounding areas who have experience of self-harm. Darren, who works as Project Manager for the BT Group in South Wales, said: “I’ve visited the project and had the chance to speak to some of the young people there. I’ve seen first-hand how dedicated and committed the staff are to the well-being of these young people, so I was keen to contribute in raising funds for this worthy cause.” “We are very grateful to Darren for the time and effort that he has put in to help us with our work,” The Amber Project

Darren Evans, pictured here with his BT colleagues, Leighton Evans (L) and Charlie Haydock (R)

Coordinator, Caryl Stock, said. “The funds raised will go towards running a series of evening theatre workshops for the young people, with the aim of increasing their emotional resilience, confidence and self-esteem.”

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Fighting Loneliness:

Ian, 55, lives in High Green, Sheffield. For the past 25 years, he has been wheelchair-bound, as he suffers from Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects the body’s connective tissue. Ian lives alone but, thanks to Church Army Evangelist, Maureen Greaves, he’s now a lot less isolated. Here he explains what a typical day is like for him – and why he can finally look forward to Christmas I am an only child. I’ve never been married and have no children of my own, but I was very close to my parents and grandparents.

“ My Christmases tend to be a bit sombre” I’ve been housebound for many years. Because of my genetic disorder, I’ve suffered a stroke, and had to have open-heart surgery. It has also caused me eyesight problems. During the day I use my PC a lot. Like many people with a disability, I find that it’s a window to the world. I also spend a lot of time in front of the television – I am what you might call a ‘news

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junkie’, and flick between the various news channels. My parents passed away in 2001 and 2008. It was then that I asked myself: “What do you actually believe in, Ian?” and I became involved with St Saviour’s Church. It was actually Maureen’s husband, Alan, who got the ball rolling. He knocked on my door in the spring of 2010. At that time I had two operations on the horizon, so I had to put plans of getting involved with the church on the back burner. Then Maureen knocked on my door in early 2011. She suggested I might enjoy St Saviour’s Snapshots family service, as

Stories

Ian’s story it’s not too heavy or serious, and I thought, “Why not?”. I’ve been going ever since. Maureen is an inspirational woman, even before the tragedy that happened to Alan (see News in Brief, page 4), and more so since. Everyone in High Green knows her because of her door-knocking, as well as the community projects and events she runs. Through Maureen, I take part in Friday Feast, a weekly event offering local people a nutritious meal and a chance to socialise with each other. I’ve made quite a few friends through Snapshots and Friday Feast.

“ I see myself as an apprentice Christian” Loneliness is a bigger problem at certain times of the year. Christmas can obviously be a lonely time for many people. There is never a day when I don’t think about my parents, but it’s worse during the Christmas period. My Christmases tend to be a bit sombre. Thanks to St Saviour’s, the run-up to Christmas has become a happier time for me because there is so much going on. My

Ian with Evangelist, Maureen Greaves

relationship with God is also getting better all the time – I see myself as an apprentice Christian. I have a long way to go but that is the way it is, it’s a lifelong process. The way I define Jesus is that he’s a presence that stays with you: you can’t see it, smell it, or taste it, but you know he’s there, and that comforts me. There are times when I feel low, but with Jesus I know someone’s there on my team, on my side. I don’t think you’re ever really alone if Jesus is with you. Ian was the focus of our Christmas

appeal 2015. You can see a film about Maureen Greaves’ work online at www.churcharmy.org. uk/ChristmasAppeal

UK, the loneliness capital of Europe According to figures published by the Office for National Statistics in 2013:

7.7 million people in the UK live in singleperson households

Lonely people are more at risk of high blood pressure, dementia and depression

Forty-five percent of those who live alone say they feel lonely all the time

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Be part of our The mission community is a movement of Christians across the British Isles who are passionate about the Good News of Jesus Christ and want to share it with their family, friends, neighbours, colleagues and those in need within their communities. Our objectives are to encourage, resource and enable you to share your faith with others through words and action We hear from two new members on why they decided to become part of our mission community family: Robyn Fairey works as a volunteer in children’s ministry in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey. She joined the Church Army Mission Community in March 2015

Robyn with some of the children she works with

I’m originally from New Zealand but, for the past seven years, I’ve been working as a volunteer on the St John’s housing estate alongside Church Army Evangelist, Sheila Samuels. We run groups for toddlers and their parents or carers, as well as a Messy Church. We work hard to build relationships

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and create a warm, welcoming Christian community within the area. I’ve been familiar with Church Army and its work for a long time, as I knew several Church Army Evangelists in New Zealand. I was particularly struck by Sister Wendy Woods in New Plymouth, who just seemed to shine with the love of God. I found out about the Church Army Mission Community through Sheila and her husband, Patrick Samuels, who is also a Church Army Evangelist. Both Patrick and Sheila are members of the mission community. Previously, I hadn’t realised that one could become part of the mission community without necessarily being a Commissioned Evangelist. I attended one of their Discovery Days in Sheffield to find out more. I was so inspired that, shortly after, I made an application to become a member. My First Promises service was really special, surrounded by my family, including my husband, Anne-Klaas, and our son, Joshua, as well as friends and colleagues. The advantages of being part of the mission community are: a sense of belonging, a common purpose – knowing that you are part of something bigger than just your own journey – and a shared vision of bringing people to a living faith in Jesus.

Community

mission Charlie Kosla is the Mission and Evangelism Adviser for the Diocese of Chelmsford. He joined the Church Army Mission Community in June 2015 I live in Harlow, Essex, although I’m originally from east London. I am married to Ann, who is a vicar, and we have three daughters and two grandsons. I don’t come from a Christian background and I didn’t used to attend church. It came as a big shock in my early twenties to discover young people that not only believed in God but enjoyed going to church! When I was 22, the “spiritual penny” dropped, and I came to a living faith in Jesus Christ. It was then, that, for the first time in my life, I got involved with my local church. I am now ordained and work for the Diocese of Chelmsford as the Mission and Evangelism Adviser, teaching and encouraging people in mission, evangelism and fresh expressions of church. I was familiar with Church Army and its work through my commissioned colleagues, so when I heard that Church Army was about to become an Acknowledged Mission Community and create new pathways for membership, my first thought was: “How do I join?” Church Army has a great track record in mission and evangelism and its

Charlie

strength is in the quality of its people, so to become part of the wider community means connecting to a vast and supportive network of fellowship, experience and expertise. One of my roles is to provide ongoing training and support to parish evangelism enablers within the diocese, and I’ve been encouraging my colleagues to consider joining the Church Army Mission Community. Being part of the mission community means that as an evangelist you are not doing things alone, but as part of a family who understand the challenges of sharing the gospel in today’s society and help you in ensuring that evangelism is given priority within our churches.

A re you passionate about evangelism? D o you want to be resourced to share your faith with others?

Would you like to meet with other like-minded people? For more information about the mission community and how to become a member, please visit www.churcharmy.org.uk/missioncommunity or email missioncommunity@churcharmy.org.uk

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Transported b Bringing people to Jesus

Church Army’s aim has always been to reach outside church walls and bring Jesus into the very heart of communities. Over the years, we have found many innovative ways to share the Good News – including by bus, boat and bicycle. Michelle Pellegrino speaks to some of our evangelists from across the British Isles about the advantages of these ‘vehicles for evangelism’

A road full of twists and turns – Selby Centre of Mission’s bus project

Our Selby Centre of Mission runs a bus project as part of its local community outreach

Evangelists, Richard Cooke and Neil Walpole have been building relationships with the Flaxley Road community in Selby for the past nine years. They are investing in young people by leading assemblies, after-school groups, holiday clubs and their bus project. Here, they talk to us about their ‘journey’ “Setting up our bus project led us along a tough road, full of twists and turns. It took us several years and a lot of hunting for suitable premises before we were able to realise our vision, in March 2015. Locals know they can find the bus in the same location

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every Wednesday from noon to 9 pm. We welcome older people, parents and primaryschoolchildren, but the bus has been most effective in reaching out to local teenagers. “Through the bus project, we have gained a much deeper understanding of young people’s needs. Many of them are struggling with low self-esteem, anxiety and anger; others are having underage sex and have to deal with unwanted pregnancies; some have a history of child abuse or self-harm. “A lot of the young people come from dysfunctional families, where parents struggle

Stories

y Evangelism by bus, boat and bike to give their children the love they need because of their own emotional baggage. In some cases, one or both parents suffer from addictions and violent behaviour patterns.

“ A lot of the young people come from dysfunctional families” “There are a lot of deep hurts. We try to help these young people by listening to their problems and leading them to a place where they can see God clearly and can experience his love and power at work in their lives. “The advantage of having a bus is that it’s very much a visible presence, it grabs people’s attention. We have a drink or a

meal together, play sports outside on warm evenings or play board games and watch Christian pop videos on dark, cold evenings. We conclude each get-together by offering a time of personal prayer, and we have been delighted by the response: many young people ask us to pray for them. “The project currently reaches out to about 35 young people each week, and has led to us setting up a Youth Alpha on the Bus course. We will shortly be launching a self-harm support group for 11-16-year-old girls as well. “These young people really need love and consistency in their lives and we are there for them to talk through things and help them live their lives in the fullness that God intends for them.”

Pedal power – Scottish Borders Centre of Mission Paul Smith runs the Grafted Project from our Scottish Borders Centre of Mission in the village of Newcastleton. One of the main aims of the project is to encourage physical, mental and spiritual well-being through outdoor activities, such as cycling. Paul highlights how cycling can help to heal lives “The countryside around the Scottish Borders Centre of Mission is remote and consists of moorland, valleys, rivers and streams. The local forest trails provide stunning routes for mountain biking, while the quiet country lanes offer picturesque routes for road cycling. During our excursions, we encounter local wildlife such as deer, buzzards, badgers and hares. “Our cycling outreach is a befriending ministry for those who are vulnerable. There are no prerequisites in terms of gender, age or ability – many of the people we reach out to are not experienced cyclists. Many of the participants struggle with loneliness,

depression or poor self-esteem. Our work is also focused on people who live with a wide spectrum of mental health issues, as well as those struggling with drug and alcohol misuse. “At the heart of this ministry is the opportunity for building trust and genuine friendship. Cycling together is a special way to bond, have fun and learn from each other’s experiences. These excursions create ample opportunity for honest conversations about personal challenges and to reflect on issues of faith. Naturally, getting fit

“ Together, we face the climbs, descents and exposure to the elements…” is another great advantage! Together, we face the climbs, descents and exposure to the elements in our objective of reaching our final destination. Every time we go out it’s a different experience. Cycling really is one of the most exhilarating ways to experience the wonder of God’s creation.

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Transported by Evangelism Bringing people to Jesus by bus, boat and bike (continued)

(L-R) René, Peter and Kenneth, who take part in the cycling project at our Scottish Borders Centre of Mission, with Church Army Evangelist, Paul Smith

“One of the biggest challenges I’m facing at the moment is getting the size of the groups right: too big and there is a danger of weakening the bonds between members; too small and we run the risk of excluding those most in need.

Kenneth

has struggled with depression for many years and remained isolated from the community. Cycling has enabled him to build his self-confidence, fitness and ability to establish relationships with others. He now attends church, house groups and other activities on a regular basis. Kenneth has also been writing poetry and short stories based on his cycling excursions.

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“It’s so encouraging to see people grow in confidence, trust, faith and friendship and I feel strongly that this is a ministry God has set before me. My prayer is that God will continue to direct me to individuals who need to be restored and renewed through Jesus Christ.”

Peter

René

is a Christian who has been living with Parkinson’s disease for a number of years. Paul obtained a trike for Peter, which has given him much greater freedom and confidence in getting out and about. Recent research claims that cycling is beneficial for people with Parkinson’s.

didn’t know how to ride a bicycle and Paul has slowly been teaching him. René has lived with acute mental health issues all his life, so this has been a real opportunity for him to challenge himself and learn a new skill.

The Chester Centre of Mission is based in Ellesmere Port in Cheshire and is run by Evangelist, Rob Barker. Together with James Wilkinson and Colin Harris, the team runs a number of outreach activities, including a narrow boat project. Rob tells us more “I felt a calling for a boat as a way of bringing people together to enjoy God’s creation and sharing the Gospel with them. I prayed to God about it and, shortly after, I received a phone

“ It’s a different way of doing church” call from a man in Bristol, saying he had a narrow boat for us! The only condition was that he wanted the boat to be called Andrew, as this was the name of his brother, who’d had Down’s syndrome and had passed away. “My team and I have been taking out a variety of groups on the narrow boat for over three years now. The groups we take out include members of Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, people from local homeless hostels, ex-offenders, men from the local pubs

Stories

A boat named Andrew – Chester Centre of Mission’s narrow boat project struggling with broken relationships and other problems, young people from our bus project, as well as people with learning difficulties. “For many people, going out on a narrow boat is a new and exciting experience. There’s something about being in the water, surrounded by nature, which breaks down barriers and makes people open up. Our team just wants to give them an enjoyable day out, and let them know that we are here for them if they want to get things off their chest. We don’t judge them or preach to them, we simply share our faith and tell them how God has changed our lives. We have deep and honest conversations and try to answer their questions – it’s a different way of doing church that surprises a lot of people, who often have stereotypical ideas of what a Christian is like. “We also have a 14-foot RIB (rigid inflatable boat), kayaks and canoes to take members of the community out in, and we regularly organise adventure weekends. We just want everyone we come into contact with to feel welcomed, loved and valued – by us and by God. We consider it a huge privilege to serve our local community through these activities.”

(L-R) Evangelists, James Wilkinson, Rob Barker and Colin Harris, taking some young people with learning difficulties on a narrow boat outing

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The Rose

Rose with photos of her predecessors. Rose is the 79th Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons and the first female Chaplain in its history.

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Stories

of Westminster “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28 Church Army Evangelist, Rose HudsonWilkin, has a pioneering spirit: she is both the first woman and the first black person to serve as Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons. Since 2007, Rose has also served as a chaplain to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, making her one of the few who are invited to officiate and preach at the 400-year-old Queen’s Chapel next to St James’s Palace Blossoming beginnings I was born and raised in Montego Bay, Jamaica. My family was definitely not rich – a pair of shoes had better last me the entire year! We were poor, we had nothing, but we were rich in the Lord.

“ Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is such a lovely, humane person…” Growing up, I was influenced by the older generation, especially older women, who had such a deep spirituality and strong faith. I knew about Church Army from a young age, thanks to their presence in Jamaica. When I was 14, I felt an overwhelming sense of being called by God. At the age of 18, I left Jamaica to enrol in the Church Army Training College, and it was there that I met my husband, Ken, who was a year above me. Ken now works as a chaplain at HM Prison Holloway in London. We have three children, and we have recently become grandparents. I became a Church Army Evangelist at the age of 21. I was ordained as a priest

in 1994, which was the very first year that the Church of England allowed female ordination.

Wilson Carlile I have quite a few things in common with Church Army Founder, Wilson Carlile: I am a Prebendary at St Paul’s Cathedral and Rector of St Mary at Hill – just like he was! Wilson was a courageous man who wasn’t scared to try something new by stepping out of the church to reach out to people and bring Jesus into their midst.

Rooting out racism and sexism I have faced many obstacles in my life, especially racism and sexism. I’ve encountered a lot of people along my way who couldn’t see past a black face. Every time this happened, I would think to myself: “It’s not my problem, it’s their problem, it’s their own short-sightedness.” I don’t see any walls in life that are impregnable. As it says in John 1:12: “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Sexism is still very much a problem to overcome, both within society at large and within the Church of England – look at how the Church allowed women to become bishops only recently! My prayer is that people stop labelling each other as different and recognise all that we share in common instead. We all have the same hopes and aspirations, each one of us is created in the image of God.

HM’s sleep-over party, Windsor Castle In 2008, I had the wonderful experience of being invited by Her Majesty for a sleep-

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over at Windsor Castle. There were about 10-12 guests and she managed to find something connected to each guest in her library – for me, she had found a document relating to the establishment of the Church of Jamaica, and we chatted about that. The fact that she went into so much detail for each guest was truly amazing. The Queen also showed us around Windsor Castle; she was the perfect host. I am one of the Queen’s chaplains – she has several and we take turns preaching or leading services in her private chapels and generally being available to Her Majesty. She is such a lovely, humane person with a good sense of humour. She also has a deep faith, and I suspect it was her faith that sustained her through the tough times she’s had to face. It is an honour to speak at St James’s, but my preaching is always about how to challenge God’s people. I like to think that my preaching is uncompromising because it’s about finding out what God is saying to us about how we live, how we share our resources, and how we reflect his light.

Daily life at Westminster My typical day begins between 5 am and 6 am. I start my day with a time of quiet reflection as once I’m out, it’s usually back-to-back appointments. Every Tuesday morning at 7:45 am, I lead the service at my church of St Mary at Hill before heading off to Westminster. My days are varied, I have meetings with

Rose has served two terms as a member of the General Synod of the Church of England and has also served as one of the Panel of Chairs. Among Rose’s string of achievements, she has twice represented the Church of England at the World Council of Churches. She has also served as Chair at the Committee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns and the Worldwide

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both the new and long-standing MPs, attend receptions or conduct memorial services. It’s a long day – I typically finish between 10 or 11 pm – but I enjoy it. I also take part in about three or four speaking engagements a month, especially on the topic of faith and politics. My role as Speaker’s Chaplain is to give spiritual guidance to everyone here who requires it. Around 5,000 people – from cleaners and security guards to the MPs and staff members of both Houses of Parliament – all of them are welcome to knock on my door. I lead daily prayers in the Chamber of the House as well as Holy Communion and Eucharistic services.

“ They couldn’t see past a black face…” My prayer for Parliament is that our MPs may have the courage to make laws not according to what’s popular, but because these laws are honourable, just and beneficial to the majority of the population. What about the rumours that I’m tipped to be among the first cohort of women bishops in the Church of England? Rumours are clearly just that, rumours! I will need to see the writing on the wall and then go where God tells me to go, where my soul will flourish and where I can do the most good. Ultimately, that’s what really interests me.

Committee of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. In July 2015, Rose was awarded the Jamaica Cultural Alliance Trailblazer Award for her role in promoting Caribbean culture and history. She also participated in the closing ceremony of the 2015 Special Olympic World Games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, meeting several of the athletes.

Live Love Leave

We all want to live well, to love and be loved and to leave something for the future. Mary Rogers’ parents worked in the workhouse institutions and so, from an early age, she felt an affinity with the homeless. Later on in life, Mary raised finance for a hostel, for young girls made homeless through pregnancy, where she befriended and helped many as they gave up their babies for adoption or moved on to life as single mothers. As a result of the work Mary had dedicated her life to, she felt a strong connection Church Army’s homeless projects and chose to leave us a gift of £5,000 in her Will. “ Being able to give some of her money to certain causes she felt drawn to reminds us of what a cheerful and loving person she was.” Marion Gerson (daughter of Mary Rogers)

Gifts left in Wills allow us to fund one in four of our projects and each of those gifts, whether big or small, makes a difference to lives of the people we work with. By leaving us a small gift in your Will you will be helping to transform lives and communities into the future, leaving an eternal legacy. To learn more about how you can leave a gift in your Will to Church Army, please visit www.churcharmy.org.uk/legacies or alternatively contact Becky Forder by calling 0114 2521 657, or emailing b.forder@churcharmy.org.uk

Church Army is a Registered Charity in England No: 226226 and in Scotland No: SC040457. Church Army is a Company Limited by Guarantee, registered in England & Wales No: 37169. Registered Office: Wilson Carlile Centre, 50 Cavendish Street, Sheffield, S3 7RZ.

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Looking back We’ve just published our Annual Report for 2014/2015. There is much to praise God for, and we pray that we may continue to impact increasingly more lives as individuals come to know God’s love for themselves. Thank you so much for your continued support, we couldn’t do what we do without you! Where we are doing evangelism Activities in Scotland Six of our evangelists work in Scotland. The Grafted Project, based in Newcastleton and Hawick in the Borders, is the main focus of our Scottish Borders Centre of Mission. In partnership with the Diocese of Brechin, we also launched a new Centre of Mission in Dundee. Church Army Scottish Charity Regulator.

Activities in Ireland Twenty-six of our evangelists are based being in the Republic of Ireland. Review of Centres of Mission meant that Craigavon came to an end but we are extending our work in the Diocese of Connor which will see a new Centre of Mission launched in September 2015, alongside the Lisburn Centre of Mission. Discussions with dioceses in the Republic of Ireland are underway to develop further Centres of Mission.

20 Shareit!

Annual Report

on the year The Marylebone Project is our London-based project for vulnerable, homeless women and is one of the largest of its kind in the United Kingdom. Last year we were able to settle 76 women back into independent living. We were also able to offer 40,515 bed nights to women, with the four emergency beds occupied for 90 percent of the time, which equates to 1,314 nights of accommodation provided. This year, the day centre had over 6,500 visits and supported 516 new clients.

Church Army Residential Services is one of the few agencies in Cardiff that provides accommodation and practical support for young homeless people aged 16 to 21. It provided support to 86 homeless young people over the past financial year.

The young people at The Amber Project taking part in a theatre workshop

The Amber Project in Cardiff supports young people aged 14 to 25 who have experienced self-harm. The project aims to be a vital safety net for these high-risk young people by creating an environment that is safe and welcoming and providing support tailored to their specific needs. The Amber Project currently helps around 30 young people each week.

Activities in Wales Seven of our evangelists are based in Wales, together with Church Army Residential Services for homeless young people and the Amber Project for young people who self-harm, both based in Cardiff. The Valley of Hope project in the Welsh Valleys worked mainly with homeless ex-prisoners but closed support.

In addition to the evangelists recorded here, one person works within the Diocese in Europe and 161 are retired from stipendiary ministry, although many are still active in their local churches and communities.

Activities in England Throughout England, we have 239 evangelists located across 40 dioceses. Nine Centres of Mission were in operation in Bradford, Chester, Greenwich, Newcastle, Selby, Sheffield, Southampton, Thanet and Warwick. Centres are regularly reviewed in line with needs and our DARE strategy and so during the year Warwick came to an end. Our work includes working with vulnerable women and those involved in prostitution, and work with homeless people which includes the Marylebone Project in London, one of the largest homeless hostels for women in the United Kingdom.

Shareit! 21

Finances come £6,162,000

INCOME £6,162,000

n C hurch Army’s total income during the period 1 April 2014£617,000 Investments 31 March Housingto Benefit for our2015 was £6.2m (2013/2014: 9% homeless projects £6.8m), a fall of£1,307,000

Supporting People Grants for ourn homeless £1,102,000 T he mainprojects reason for the reduction Other fees for our homeless projects £80,000 was within income from legacies Legacies which fell to £766k from the £766,000 high level last year of £1.4m, £700,000 a Donations from parishes reduction of 46%. The current£550,000 Individuals' donations year level is still very encouraging Donations from trusts £218,000 in what becoming a highly £185,000 Donations to TheisMarylebone Project selective process for donors, Other £637,000 with family and domestic needs competing with many potential charitable beneficiaries n

ur donation income decreased O slightly this year by 0.9% (£18k) from £1.94m to £1.92m. Individual donations were down 9% (£52k) but the decline in church donations has slowed, with only a 2% (£8k) reduction against the previous year

Gift Aid income achieved £69k penditure £7,888,000 against a figure for the previous n

year of £83k. This is in line with the Centresreduction of Mission in individual donations. £1,683,000 We have identified a number£649,000 of Fresh expressions donors for whom we have no£462,000 Gift Other field evangelism a TrainingAid declaration and it is now £519,000 particular target area to maximise Homeless projects £3,417,000 this income stream Generating funds £1,118,000 Governance £40,000 n 4 1% of the total income derives from housing benefit and Supporting People Grants, from Westminster and Cardiff Councils, which fund our homeless projects. This equates to £2.5m and is some £98k less than the previous year, following programmed reductions by the local authorities

10%

3% 4%

21%

11%

18%

13% 1%

Investments........................................... £617,000 Housing Benefit for our 0.5% homeless projects ............................. £1,307,000 Supporting People Grants for our homeless 14% projects ................. £1,102,000

21%

Other fees for our homeless projects .................................. £80,000 Legacies............................................... £766,000 Donations from parishes ...................... £700,000 Individuals’ donations ......................... £550,000 8% Donations from trusts ........................... £218,000 Donations to The 6% Marylebone Project............................. £185,000

43%

Other .................................................... £637,000 7%

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18%

13%

Annual Report

EXPENDITURE £7,888,000

0.5%

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

14%

21%

6% 43%

5% (£6.7m) of our total 8 expenditure is spent on our charitable activities with the remaining 15% (£1.2m) spent on governance costs, investment management and fundraising. The increase in the proportion relating to fundraising is a consequence of a concerted effort to increase our donor base but also for working hard to maintain and secure the existing donor loyalty xpenditure on our Centres of E Mission has increased from £1.5m to £1.7m and represents 25% of total costs, a six-point increase over last year

T otal expenditure is in line with the five-year plan to reduce the overall operating deficit. This strategy was approved by Church Army’s Board and Senior Leadership in 2012 and is regularly monitored by local management to ensure alignment with budget expectations

Centres of Mission ............................ £1,683,000 Fresh expressions.................................. £649,000

annualreport

Church Army’s report for the year ending and accounts, 31 March 2015, incorporating the Strategic Repor t

Other field evangelism......................... £462,000 Training ................................................. £519,000 Homeless projects ............................. £3,417,000 Generating funds............................... £1,118,000 Governance .......................................... £40,000

This information represents a summary extracted from the full financial statements of Church Army. The full accounts, signed by BDO LLP, are available on request from Church Army’s registered office. Copies of these accounts and the trustees’ reports have been filed with The Registrar of Companies.

The full version of this year’s Annual Report is available on our website www.churcharmy.org.uk/annualreport

Shareit! 23

From being help The Amber Project: Harry’s story

Three years ago, an unhappy teenager named Harry came seeking help from The Amber Project, one of Church Army’s key projects based in Cardiff, which supports young people aged 14-25 who have experience of self-harm. He talks to us about his emotional journey of healing and self-discovery When I was 16, I suffered from anxiety and self-harm. I was doing my GCSEs and trying to find my own identity; it was a really stressful time for me. I hated myself and I wanted to punish myself: I used to cut myself, I would sometimes go for an entire week without eating, I wouldn’t take care of my personal hygiene…

“ I just didn’t have the skills to communicate with others” I’d been to counsellors but it hadn’t really helped, so our family doctor recommended The Amber Project. I felt really nervous the first time I went there, as I’d been spending most of the time locked

24 Shareit!

in my bedroom and I just didn’t have the skills to communicate with others. The Amber Project’s Coordinator, Caryl Stock, chatted to me about what was available at the project, such as the workshops. I started attending the theatre workshops but initially they didn’t quite work for me. I preferred the arts and crafts workshops, as they gave me a chance to talk and get to know the others. Funnily enough, The Amber Project made me realise how much I love theatre. I am now part of the Amber Creative Team (ACT) and help out at the theatre workshops. They are great for building confidence and learning skills that help you cope with everyday life. Thanks to Amber, I’m a much happier, more

Stories

ed to helping confident person. I feel better prepared to deal with the problems that life throws at you. I’m doing other theatre-based work as well. I volunteer at the Sherman Cymru theatre in Cardiff, reaching out to people with learning disabilities through drama. We’re aiming to put on a performance to prove that just because you have disabilities there is no reason why you can’t achieve your dreams. I have an audition with a physical theatre company and if I am successful, I’ll get to perform two shows in London. Physical theatre is a form of theatre that emphasises the use of physical movement, such as dance and mime, for expression. Eventually, I’d like to study drama at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and become a professional actor.

“ I felt like I belonged straight away” After attending the workshops for about a year, I started going to counselling. The Amber Project’s counselling sessions are the best I’ve ever had, they’ve been really useful. I’ve made a lot of friends at Amber. Somehow I’ve found it a lot easier to make friends here than in other places. Everyone is so welcoming; I felt like I belonged straight away. It’s nice to know that you are not alone and that you can be yourself without worrying about people judging you. When I first came here I couldn’t say boo to a goose, but now I can’t shut up! I wish I could go back in time and talk to my 15-year-old self. I can’t do that, but what I can do is help other young people

Harry in action

who are going through the same emotions that I did. They listen to me because they know that I’ve been through the same things myself. Now, I can honestly say to other young people who are suffering: “It really does get better”. According to YoungMinds, one of UK’s leading charities committed to improving the emotional well-being and mental health of children and young people, over the last ten years the number of young people being admitted to hospital because of self-harm has increased by 68 percent. Since many people who self-harm choose not to go to hospital or seek medical attention, the real figures are probably much higher. The Welsh Government has also highlighted that suicide is one of the highest causes of death among children and young people in Wales. The Amber Project’s theatre workshops explore issues related to self-harm through drama, a safe and powerful way for young people who find it difficult to verbalise their thoughts and feelings to explore difficult issues such as peer pressure and bullying. F or more information, visit

www.amberproject.org.uk Shareit! 25

Top tips for Christmas evangelism

rapping up Christmas: Why not offer a free gift-wrapping service at Christmas time in your local shopping centre, providing the opportunity to express Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love and extending an invitation to your Christmas services. Carols or words of blessing could accompany this idea.

ince pie give-away: Take to the streets with free mince pies during one of the weekends before Christmas when people are busy shopping. Wrap the mince pies individually in cellophane and attach a sticker to them with a Bible verse and a weblink to your church website. This is an easy way to engage your whole church in mission.

chool outreach: You could offer schools, both primary and secondary, the opportunity of hosting their Christmas concert in your church.

hank you for the music: If you are part of a local band or music group, ask your conductor or leader if you can do a programme of carols or Christmas music at shopping centres or schools as part of service to the wider community. Offer to write the programme, perhaps including a simple and appropriate prayer inside for the community.

ood hampers: In the run up to Christmas, organise a team of people in your church to collect for and put together food hampers for families in need. This is a great way of practically demonstrating the gospel.

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arols by Candlelight and Christingles: Never underestimate the evangelistic potential of Christmas â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this may be the only time of year people are prepared to set foot in a church. As part of your Christmas services, make sure the gospel is clearly presented in an accessible way. Also, take the opportunity to advertise any follow-up courses beginning in the new year, and regular church groups that are available for people to get involved in.

Top Tips

What better time than Christmas to share Jesus with members of your community? Here are some evangelism ideas for the festive season

nternational friendships: If you belong to a church that is close to a university, take the opportunity to make contact with international students who may be spending Christmas alone in their halls of residence away from their families. Offer to pair them up with a church family where they can enjoy the experience of a traditional British Christmas.

et crafty: Host a Christmas craft morning in early December for those with young children in your community. Think home-made Christmas tree decorations such as stars and angels, Christmas cards and, of course, plenty of glitter! During the event, take the opportunity to invite everyone to your Christmas services, particularly those aimed at families and children.

hristmas dinner: For many people, Christmas can be an extremely lonely time of year. How about hosting a Christmas dinner at your church for those who are vulnerable or marginalised?

ive nativity: Join together with other churches in your area to organise a live nativity service in your local park.

For more evangelism top tips, visit www.churcharmy.org.uk/toptips Shareit! 27

How the Marylebone Pr “ I was a young, vulnerable female and they were very protective of me…”

Emma in the courtyard of Marylebone’s Bradbury House, where she was given hospitality ten years ago

“It’s strange to look back on a time in my life when I was homeless and desperate. I didn’t know who I was or what I was doing in life and damaged a lot of relationships through poor life choices... I think you can never underestimate the power of one conversation… and how one night can transform your entire life.” 28 Shareit!

My name is Emma, I’m 26, and I live in London. When I was 16, I was going through a difficult time with my family, not really through any fault of their own, but because of how I perceived certain things and the choices that I made. I ended up running away from home. I worked my way round staying with different friends until I ran out of options and I ended up sleeping rough on the streets of London. I’m very glad that this experience only lasted for about a week.

“I survived on 20p crackers” I was desperate but resourceful – I survived on 20p crackers, I would stay on tubes or 24-hour buses to keep warm. You can’t really sleep when you are homeless, as you always have to have your wits about you. My mind was just racing and I kept thinking: “This is all my fault, I could end up on drugs, I could end up in prostitution…” Luckily, none of my fears were realised. I think God was really looking after me. One day, I was standing outside a church, crying. A woman came out and asked me what was wrong, so I told her. She decided to do quite a risky thing and said I could stay at her house overnight, and use her phone to call around and find a place to stay. I talked to the Westminster City Council and they told me that Church Army had an emergency women’s hostel called the Marylebone Project. I had never heard of Church Army before and I had no idea what they did, but I was really desperate and I jumped at the chance. The Marylebone Project’s

Stories

oject changed my life staff members were attentive, caring and compassionate. People who live on the street get judged so much and walked past all the time, so, to have someone treat you like a human being, that’s really important. I was a young, vulnerable female and they were very protective of me and made sure I didn’t have too many people around, they let me take my time. Even though this happened ten years ago, things like that really stay with you. A staff member took me up to my room and there’s something really special about being told this is your room, this is your safe space – you can get a good night’s sleep, have a hot shower, no-one is going to disturb you. I remember feeling overflowing with gratitude. I only stayed at Marylebone for one night, after which I was referred to a longer-term hostel. I know it can sound really clichéd to refer to it as “the night that changed my life” but it’s true: that one night was the catalyst that led to other opportunities. I am so grateful to God for organisations like Church Army, which exist to help people through really difficult situations. Emma currently works for a communityfocused church in central London, which helps the most vulnerable members of society, including the homeless and the elderly. Describing her faith, Emma said: “My first identity is as a Christian and all the other things that make up who I am and what I do flow out from this. Jesus is at the centre of my life and I believe we are called to be Jesus’ hands and feet on earth.” T o watch a video of Emma’s story,

www.churcharmy.org.uk/emma

Shareit! 29

Resource

with Faith Pictures Author Faith Pictures is our brand new resource, launched in November 2015. The downloadable evangelism course is rooted in the latest communication theory on the importance of storytelling and use of images, helping people to talk about their faith journey in their own unique way. Church Army Tutor, Mike Starkey, who created the resource, tells us more Why did you decide to call the resource Faith Pictures? Lots of people struggle to find the right words when it comes to talking about their faith. This downloadable course is based around a very simple idea. It’s about helping people to come up with a picture or image that lets them talk about their unique faith journey in terms of a concrete image. This could be anything – a sunrise, buried treasure, wrestling match or a pair of glasses, for example.

Can you give us a taste of what we can expect with this online course? It’s very accessible, there are no pre-packaged “correct” answers or formulas and it uses no jargon. Group leaders can download the guide and hand-outs, and there is a short video for each session. For those who don’t have internet access, the materials will be available from Church Army.

Who is Faith Pictures aimed at? It’s aimed at anybody who’d like help with talking about their faith with friends and colleagues. It’s particularly suited for small church groups and those churches that wouldn’t normally use words such as evangelism.

30 Shareit!

Mike Starkey filming for Faith Pictures in Manchester

How long will it take me to complete the course? There are six sessions in total. It is designed to be run by groups over a six-week period, with one session a week.

Is the course difficult? The whole course has been designed to be as accessible, user-friendly and as simple as possible. Ease of use doesn’t mean the content is shallow or trivial, though – hopefully, it will prompt some deep conversations. I hope that people will find the course’s emphasis on honesty and openness to be liberating! or more information, please visit F

www.faithpictures.org

The Last Word

The wonder of it all

“ Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise ... Speak of the glorious splendour of his majesty, and meditate on his wonderful works.” Psalm 145:3-5 hen I visit Church Army’s home in Sheffield, I usually travel by train but, for reasons too boring to explain, on one particular morning I was driving. That’s how I came to be in a car park, dumbfounded, as the sky turned pink, purple and orange. It’s the most beautiful thing that has ever happened at the Newport Pagnell service station. What did I do? Just what you would have done. I stopped, watched and realised how glad I was to be alive. I know all about sunrises, of course, because Mr Harle dragged me through GCSE physics. I found it incredibly dull, but I do still remember the principles of Rayleigh scattering, and why more light from the red end of the spectrum reaches us when the sun is on the horizon. But that morning by the M1, I didn’t care. God can do it however he likes! I’ve waited months to tell you this. Shareit! never seems to arrive quickly enough. These times when God takes

us by surprise don’t come as often as we’d like. So, sometimes we need to create our own moments of wonder – and I’ve got three suggestions to bring all the glory of God into something commonplace. First, light a candle. Stare at the flame and amaze yourself by remembering that there is another of these some 150 million kilometres away. It’s vastly bigger and we are orbiting around it. And there are 100 billion of them in our galaxy alone. Secondly, look intently at a flower. Ten years ago there was nothing, not even a seed. Just a smattering of atoms and a determination to flourish. And now there is this exquisite creation. Thirdly, eat an apple turnover. Pastry, cream and fruit – what kind of genius first put these ingredients together? Need I say more? In a world of infrequent wonders, take matters into your own hands. Celebrate being on a planet full of the glory of a gracious God.

By Peter Graystone

Shareit! 31

soul[food]

Ma kin g mor e of occ asi ona l con tac ts Wed

ding

Specials

era

Fun

Who?

What? Why?

When?

Baptisms

A great opportunity for your church to help people take a step from attending a service to exploring faith. Explore Christian faith through themed bite-sized thoughts sent via text or email.

Find out more:

www.soulfood.me soul[food] is an initiative based at The Church of England - Birmingham