Crosslincs 33

The art of Christmas

Taking stock of chaplaincy

Unravelling the images of the nativity

Bringing God to the race circuit

page 11

page 12

No 33 Christmas 2011 FREE Diocese of Lincoln newspaper www.lincoln.anglican.org

crosslincs

The Bishop takes the opportunity to talk to children from Monks Abbey Primary School in Lincoln prior to his enthronement.

Bishop takes his seat Edward Joyner he 72nd Bishop of Lincoln, the Rt Revd Christopher Lowson, has taken his seat in Lincoln Cathedral, marking formally the beginning of his ministry in the Diocese of Lincoln.

Having paid homage to the Queen, and been ordained and consecrated by the Archbishop of Canterbury and other bishops at Westminster Abbey, the Bishop was able to be enthroned in the Cathedral.

Spectacular music and ceremony accompanied the enthronement, which was attended by around 2,400 people, and the service began with a long procession of representatives from the Church and community.

According to a centuries-old tradition –

T

said to date from the time of St Benedict – the new Bishop knocked on the Cathedral’s West Door three times with his crozier before being welcomed to the Cathedral by the Dean.

The Archdeacon of Canterbury, who represents the Archbishop of Canterbury at enthronement services, placed the new Bishop in his seat in the Cathedral – the Bishop’s throne, or “cathedra”, from which a cathedral takes its name.

As well as being a celebration, there is a legal side to an enthronement service, and the Bishop was required to make oaths in accordance with Church law and the statutes of the Diocese and the Cathedral.

“This is a momentous step in my ministry and a very important occasion for me”, said the Bishop.

“It is an honour and a challenge to serve as a bishop and I am looking forward to it immensely.”

Local businesses were quick to offer their support by providing lunch for the 2,400 people who attended the service.

“It’s fantastic to have leading local and socially-conscious businesses and organisations supporting the Bishop’s enthronement,” said Max Manin, Chief Executive of the Diocese.

“Bishop Grosseteste University College, Lincolnshire Co-operative, A W Curtis of Lincoln, Lincolnshire Poacher Cheese, The Meaningful Chocolate Company and Pipers Crisps all contributed to the lunch.

“It was a celebration for all of Lincolnshire to enjoy”, he said. > More photographs on page 10

PHOTOGRAPH: ANTONY KELLY

Women bishops vote Lincoln’s Diocesan Synod voted overwhelmingly in favour of proposed legislation to enable women to be ordained to the episcopate.

News, page 3

Chaplaincy debated A proposal to review the Diocese’s £250,000 contribution to the organisation which provides workplace and educational chaplaincy is debated on the letters pages.

Letters, page 8 and 9

Metal thefts anguish The Archdeacon of Lincoln on the case for reforming the scrap metal industry to reduce the number of lead thefts in the Diocese Features, page 15

2

crosslincs Crosslincs 01522 504034 crosslincs@lincoln.anglican.org

News

Olympic guidance hurches planning large events in celebration of the 2012 Games now have a guide to help them solve the many practical issues involved.

Those intending to show the opening ceremony live in the outdoors face the problem that it will be before the hours of darkness. The free guide suggests costeffective answers as well as covering sound and lighting, health and safety, transmitting live footage and more.

The guide also includes full details of the BBC’s permission for the public showing of their transmission (which is allowed, as long as it is shown without charge and the content is not altered).

Marty Woods, who leads More Than Gold’s Festivals Team said: “It’s a minefield running a big public event, especially when it involves a big screen.

“This guide puts churches in touch with the expert advice they need to have a roaring success.”

More than 1,000 events run by churches

C

are expected all over the country, with many featuring the Opening Ceremony on a big screen.

The guide is based on the work and experience of the team at Event & Management Services. Since 1981 they have delivered events including village fetes, touring shows, corporate presentations and festival sites such as Greenbelt.

The guide can be downloaded for free at www.morethangold.org.uk/free-resources

Finally − a parking space after 12 years t Mary’s Church, Pinchbeck has put the brakes on a saga stretching back 12 years, with the opening of a new car park.

The sale of the vicarage in 1999 left the congregation without a place to park their cars, but with the promise that a new car park would be built.

After protracted negotiations with English Heritage and the local authorities, the PCC was given the green light and construction began.

Archdeacon Tim Barker – who was rural dean when the vicarage was sold – presided at a recent Sunday morning service and then Max Manin, the Diocesan Chief Executive, opened the new car park.

The Archdeacon’s humorous opening ceremony included a prayer of blessing for

S

any form of motorised transport, with Max Manin cutting the ribbon (pictured, with churchwardens Roy Withyman and Aileen Workman.

Festive services a click away New Subdean announced he Bishop of Lincoln has announced that the new Subdean of Lincoln is the Revd Canon John Patrick, who is currently vicar of Sleaford and rural dean of the Lafford Deanery.

Canon Patrick is well known in the Diocese of Lincoln, being Chair of the House of Clergy of the Diocesan Synod.

The Very Revd Philip Buckler, Dean of Lincoln, said: “John Patrick has the blend of skills and gifts which we believe we will need on the coming years.

“We are delighted that one of the new Bishop’s first appointments is in the cathedral”, he said.

The Subdean is responsible primarily for the fabric of the building and for the pastoral care of all those in the cathedral community – two areas about which Canon Patrick is passionate.

“As a parish priest you’re a pastor and it’s part of the work I’ve always enjoyed – meeting and being with people, and just being a presence, really”, he said.

“As well as the formal side of the pastoral visiting, which is caring for people in their joys and sorrows, one of the joys of being here is going through the building and connecting with people – not just those who are visiting or coming to worship, but also those who are here on a regular basis, in the shops, in the restaurant, the stewards and guides.

“It’s a big community with lots of people employed and hundreds of volunteers.

Being a part of that will be a privilege.”

T

omedian Jo Brand is backing a new website launched by the Church of England to help people find a Christmas service near them.

Details of Christmas, crib, Nativity, Christingle and carol services posted by many of the Church of England’s 16,000 places of worship are just a click away at www.christmasnearyou.com.

“As usual, I am looking forward to Christmas this year and going to a church service,” said Jo. “I'm not really a churchy person although I do think Jesus was a good bloke. The singing of carols and churches decorated with Nativity scenes and holly are a great attraction for families at Christmas time, particularly for me, because they remind me of my child-

C

hood in a small Kent village when it always seemed to be snowing at Christmas.”

By simply entering a postcode, www.christmasnearyou.com will show all the times and places of all nearby Christmas and carol services.

“I think many people in this country who are not regular churchgoers do manage to get along to a traditional Christmas service,” says Jo. “It marks a time of year when we should be thinking particularly about people for whom Christmas is a grim or sad time and how it's not all about presents and consumerism.”

In 2012 a similar site will promote special services to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.

The pattern of worship is something Canon Patrick looks forward to.

“It’s going to be a great delight coming together with colleagues to pray at 7.30 in the morning. Starting the day like that will be a great joy”, he said.

Oversight of the Cathedral’s works department also holds great appeal, despite the many challenges of restoring and maintaining an ancient building.

“You’re always going to have the ongoing work, which you can plan for, but there’ll always be the unexpected as well.

We’ve the people with the experience and ability to deal with it.

“It’s going to be lovely to work with colleagues. There’s an incredible bunch of people in the works department. Working with people who are skilled and gifted like that will be a privilege.

“Because of the status of the building and its particular place in peoples’ hearts, we’re very lucky to have the support of people around the county and beyond.”

Asked if he has any plans to replicate Sleaford’s solar-panel project at the Cathedral, Canon Patrick is pragmatic.

“I suspect if we were to put solar panels on the roof of the cathedral, it might raise a few eyebrows!”, he laughed.

Canon Patrick moves to Lincoln with his wife Jo and two children, who will complete their schooling in Sleaford.

He will be installed as Subdean of Lincoln at a service in early 2012.

Lent Study Course incolnshire Chaplaincy Services is producing a study course for use from Lent 2013 onwards looking at Discovering Meaning in a Changing World. It will cover issues such as choices, compromise, challenge, compassion, change and commission in a contemporary world. For more details visit the LCS website which is www.lincschaplaincy.org.uk

L

3

crosslincs

Crosslincs 01522 504034 crosslincs@lincoln.anglican.org

News

Diocesan Synod backs women bishops proposals Edward Joyner majority of dioceses in the Church of England has voted in favour of proposals to allow the consecration of women bishops.

The Diocese of Lincoln’s Synod was among the last to debate and vote on the proposals, following a long process of discussion at deanery synods.

Speaking after the vote, the most senior woman cleric in the Diocese of Lincoln, the Venerable Jane Sinclair, Archdeacon of Stow and Lindsey, said she was pleased with the result and the debate.

“I was delighted by the quality and tone of the recent Diocesan Synod debate on the ordination of women to the episcopate,” she said.

“It says much for the generosity and courtesy to be found among faithful members of the Synod that widely diverse views on women bishops were expressed and listened to carefully and prayerfully.”

Canon Andrew Hawes, who is a member of the Forward in Faith movement, which is opposed to the ordination of women, agreed that the debate had been positive and balanced.

“The outcome of the main vote was entirely predictable, but the debate was very even-handed with some very good contributions from orthodox laity”, he said.

The votes around the country follow a General Synod agreement that despite there being no theological barrier, each diocese should have an opportunity to vote.

The Bishop of Lincoln, the Rt Revd Christopher Lowson, said that it was important for the Church to work through areas of disagreement in the spirit of charity and goodwill.

“This is a hugely significant area of discussion for the Church, and I thank members of

PHOTOGRAPH: DIOCESE OF PERTH

A

Bishop Kay Goldsworthy has been Assistant Bishop of Perth since 2008. She was the first woman to be consecrated bishop in Australia.

Synod for engaging in such a thoughtful and robust debate,” he said.

“It is important that we have collegial and respectful discussions, even when we don’t necessarily agree with each other.”

The votes around the country follow a General Synod agreement that despite there being no theological barrier to women becoming bishops, each diocese should have an opportunity to vote on the draft measures.

With the exception of the Dioceses of London and Chichester, every diocese in the Church of England has voted in favour of the resolution, easily exceeding the majority required to send the legislation back to General Synod.

Canon Hawes’s priority is ensuring that conservative Anglicans are cared for under any new legislation.

“I am hoping and praying that the General Synod will find a way of honouring the promises made to parliament and Synod in 1993 that there would be “a permanent and honoured place” for the loyal members of the Church that cannot accept

the ordination of women as presbyter of bishop”, Canon Hawes said.

“The legislation as it stands guarantees that an orthodox presence in the Church of England will be cut off at the roots within a generation.”

Archdeacon Sinclair also sees working together as a priority.

“From now on our task is to work closely with those who, in conscience, cannot accept the ordination of women bishops, in order to make provision, as far as we are able, for all of us to remain with integrity within the Church of England of which we are all members together,” she said.

“To be part of the Church of England which can so celebrate and live with diversity provides a very real opportunity to bear public witness to the grace and unity which we share in Christ.”

The issue is likely to be decided at General Synod in July 2012, with a two-thirds majority of the Houses of Bishops, Clergy and Laity required to pass the resolution.

The earliest that the first women could be consecrated as bishops would be in 2014.

The votes

The result of the vote “That this Synod approve the proposals embodied in the draft Bishops and Priests (Consecration and Ordination of Women) Measure and in Amending Canon No 30”:

House of House of House of Bishops Clergy Laity

In favour

2

39

44

Against

0

9

5

Abstentions

0

3

2

4

crosslincs Crosslincs 01522 504034 crosslincs@lincoln.anglican.org

News

Ministering in Grimsby Winter guidance for the elderly Will Harrison

former civil engineer has begun a new ministry in North East Lincolnshire after seven years in a south London parish.

The Revd Andrew Dodd (pictured, right) worked for a county council’s highways department before studying theology in 1997 and being ordained in 2000.

Most recently, Andrew was parish priest of St Mary’s Newington, Southwark, where his wife, Louise, was also an associate vicar in the nearby parish of Bermondsey.

Andrew and Louise have two children.

He was appointed parish priest of Great Grimsby and Area Dean of Grimsby and Cleethorpes in the Autumn.

“I’m really looking forward to the new challenges and opportunities in North East Lincolnshire,” said Andrew.

In his free time, Andrew enjoys cooking and country walks.

PHOTOGRAPH: WILL HARRISON

A

group of organisations in North East Lincolnshire has joined forces to establish a scheme that aims to ensure the wellbeing of elderly and vulnerable people during periods of extreme winter weather.

A

Cathedral on register of ‘at risk’ churches Edward Joyner new report from English Heritage has identified 21 Diocese of Lincoln churches as being “at risk” – including Lincoln Cathedral.

Included on the list are churches from around the Diocese, although English Heritage stresses that many are recipients of − or eligible for − funding.

The Diocese of Lincoln’s Historic Churches Support Officer, Matthew Cooper, said that the report was not necessarily bad news.

“Not all churches in the Diocese have been surveyed, but this latest information from English Heritage is an incredibly useful resource as it helps us to fundraise and prioritise certain repair projects,” said Matthew.

“Most historic buildings go through cycles of repair, so it is important to remember that the churches highlighted in the register have not necessarily been singled out because of the activities of those responsible for their upkeep.

“Of the churches listed on this year’s register, 17 are already planning repair projects, and 14 have already received grant aid from English Heritage.

“The churches on the register represent a

A

little over three per cent of the total number of church buildings we have in the Diocese of Lincoln, in line with the national average of three per cent of listed buildings at risk, and significantly below the East Midlands regional average of four-and-ahalf per cent.

“These statistics represent an incredible amount of hard work carried out by volunteers throughout the Diocese. It is also a testimony to the great affection the wider community of Lincolnshire has for its church buildings.”

The Member of Parliament for Lincoln, Karl McCartney, admitted he was concerned about the findings.

“I am, of course, concerned at the number of historic sites in Lincoln that are currently included in the Heritage at Risk Register,” he said.

“Baroness Andrews, the Chairman of English Heritage, has promised to write to me again next year with a further update and I shall be watching this situation closely.

“It is vital that places such as Lincoln Cathedral, and the various buildings and areas that the City Council and County Council administer, that form such an important part of our local identity, are preserved for future generations.”

At risk: St Peter & Paul, Algakirk All Saints, Fosdyke St Peter & St Paul, Kirkton St Benedict, Candlesby St Mary, East Barkwith All Saints, Beckingham St Oswald, Blankney St Andrew, Cranwell St Chad, Welbourn All Saints, Wellingore The Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lincoln The Abbey Church of our Lady, St Bartholomew & St Guthlac, Crowland St Mary, Weston St James, Skillington St James, Woolsthorpe by Belvoir St Cuthbert, Brattleby St Martin, Owersby St Lawrence & St George, Springthorpe St Martin, Owston Ferry St Lawrence, Thornton Curtis St Andrew, Wootton

As well as issuing information about what supplies to purchase in preparation for winter, the scheme encourages people to get involved, be good neighbours and support their local communities. The Winter Planning team are also providing a telephone number for people to call in case of emergency.

The Bishop of Grimsby, the Rt Revd David Rossdale, said: “This is an excellent initiative which provides real support to the most vulnerable people in our community during a particular time of need.

“It enables us to work together as a community to be inclusive and caring for all.

“I fully endorse this campaign and hope that it will be well supported by people in every part of North East Lincolnshire.”

The scheme was officially launched at Grimsby Minster in October, when the Revd Andrew Dodd welcomed those in attendance to the Minster before handing over to the Worshipful the Mayor of the Borough of North East Lincolnshire Councillor Susan Pickett who opened proceedings.

The organisers of Winter Planning are now seeking volunteers and area co-ordinators to act as the scheme’s agents across North East Lincolnshire. Because they are a presence in most communities, churches are ideally placed to play a central role in the Winter Planning Campaign.

Churches could disseminate information throughout their communities, help to identify people who could potentially benefit from the scheme and provide a base for volunteers and co-ordinators to organise their activities.

If your church is in North East Lincolnshire and can help to deliver vital assistance to those who need it most over the winter period, please contact Penny Burton on 01472 315437 or at penny@vanel.org.uk

5 Crosslincs 01522 504034 crosslincs@lincoln.anglican.org

News

Crozier back to life − after 750 years Lincolnshire stickmaker has recreated the crozier of one of Lincoln’s most renowned bishops after seeing just a silver collar in the cathedral’s treasury.

Thomas Hand, who is a member of the British Guild of Stickmakers, was intrigued to see the silver collar, which is the only surviving part of the crozier of Bishop Robert Grosseteste, who was Bishop of Lincoln from 1235 to 1253.

“Using a copy of a painting obtained from the British Museum, I got a sense of the size of the crozier,” said Mr Hand.

The new crozier is carved from English walnut and forms a double scroll enclosing a Celtic cross. The staff shank is in English yew, and a simple, black buffalo horn ferrule caps the shank.

The sterling silver collar, which is a replica of the original, has the same inscription: Per baculi forman prelati dis cito norman − “Know the prelate by the style of his staff”.

The crozier was presented by Mr Hand to Lincoln Cathedral in a ceremony, at which the duty chaplain, the Revd John Pryor, received it.

PHOTOGRAPH: WILL HARRISON

A

Mr Thomas Hand (left), who until recently lived in Nettleham, made the replica of Bishop Robert Grosseteste’s crozier, and has given it to Lincoln Cathedral.

Scarecrows deliver Will Harrison n annual village scarecrow festival has raised more than £2,500 for a village church.

The weekend festival, held in Dunston, near Metheringham, was held in aid of St Peter’s Church.

Organiser Adrienne Jones said that the event had been a resounding success.

“The weather was really kind to us, people flocked round the village in droves, with at least 500 families following the scarecrow map, and then eating around £800 worth of refreshments,” she said.

“It was a great community atmosphere, and a tremendous team effort, which raised more than £2,500 of badly-needed funds for St Peter’s.”

The weekend ended with a village service of praise and thanksgiving in St Peter’s church led by the parish priest, the Revd Jonnie Parkin with John Corrie and the Da Capo musicians from Timberland.

Number two: The Dunston Dunny (right), created by Max and Vicky Ellis took second prize in the annual Dunston village scarecrow festival.

PHOTOGRAPH: ADRIENNE JONES

A

Sponsor this page.

Advertise your business* and support Crosslincs for £200 per edition.

Contact 01522 504033 or crosslincs@lincoln.anglican.org for more information. *Terms and conditions apply. Call for more details.

6

crosslincs Children and Young People 01522 504067

Children and Young People

youth@lincoln.anglican.org www.lincoln.anglican.org/youth

Godly Play training group of Methodist and Anglican children’s workers trained for Godly Play at Christmas.

Meeting in Skellingthorpe Church, the group explored the use of the Advent and Holy Family Godly Play Material and how they could use it in their own situation.

The Holy Family figures used by the

A

attendees will now be available to borrow from the DoLCYS area Resource Centres.

Following the Godly Play at Christmas event, DoLCYS is considering a Godly Play at Easter event for early February. Anyone interested, please contact Dave Rose CA at youth@lincoln.anglican.org or on 01522 504067.

Holiday club success church holiday club was a great success, thanks to the hard work of volunteers who planned and prepared the four-day event.

The Grantham Deanery Holiday was organised by Liz Boland and a team of volunteers.

On arrival, the children made their own badges based on their respective groups: lamps, sheep or grapes. The names of the groups then tied in with the theme of each day’s activities.

“Yoghurt cartons, cotton wool, milk cartons and paper plates have never been put to better use than to represent different

A

, -/ å- -

sheep to depict the many different people in the world”, said Suzanne Starbuck, the Children and Young People’s Parish Support and Project Worker.

On the final day the children were issued with the Bishops’ Award certificates.

“This was a remarkable event with 45 children aged between four and ten in attendance over the four days,” said Suzanne.

“It was made even more special when from those who came there were only nine children who attended church.

“There are already requests for another holiday club in February.”

Young people’s achievement awarded

W 0 ÖÁÄa?ß o jWj MjÁ Ô夤 .Í ?Áß j 8 ~w Áa ÖÁW ^ W

Õ i` Ü i vÀ È« ] iÛi Ì >Ì Ç«

j jMÁ?Íj Ý Í Á ÄÍ ? æ a a ÁjWÍ Á^ ÁjÍÍ? ~j ?^ 0 j WÄ wwjWÍ Á ? a W aÁj wÁ .Í ?ÁßÀ Ä +Áj¬?Á?Í Áß .W ±

upils at Potterhanworth School have been presented with Church Children’s Achievement Awards at a special celebration assembly.

The certificates were presented by Ron Applewhite − the oldest bellringer in Potterhanworth (and possibly in the Diocese). Ron, who will be 92 in January, began as a chorister at Washingborough Church, but joined the belltower aged twelve when his voice broke. He moved to Potterhanworth in 1948, and joined the belltower there. His children attended Potterhanworth school, and he said that he was particularly pleased to be asked to make the presentations.

P

Ëx >`Õ Ìà ËÓ V `Ài Ì V iÌà vÀ \ -Ì >ÀÞ i 7 }v À` ÕÀV > à /i « i iV -Ìi iÌÌ ­ä£xÓÓ xÓx{ {® / i Õ} L À Õ} À ÃÌ > å ` vwVi ­ä£xä ÓÈxä£Î®

D: aTVXbcTaTS RWPaXch ]^ $'$ 2^\_P]h ]^ $ & $!$ BR^c RWPaXch ]^ B2 "( $ =8 RWPaXch ]^ GA(#%"( 2^\_P]h ]^ =8 $( $# A>8 RWPaXch ]^ 27H %((' 2^\_P]h ]^ #!%(!'

CWT 2WaXbcXP] 0XS ]P\T P]S [^V^ PaT caPST\PaZb ^U 2WaXbcXP] 0XS* ?^eTach >eTa Xb P caPST\PaZ ^U 2WaXbcXP] 0XS 2WaXbcXP] 0XS 0dVdbc ! ! $ 1

The single credit certificates were awarded to year 5 and 6 children for attending an instruction session in the belltower of Potterhanworth Parish Church, where they learned the basic parts of a bell and the sorts of bells in that tower and completed work sheets on what they had learnt.

Around 40 children were awarded CCAA credits.

Capt Dave Rose, the Diocesan Children & Youth Officer, stated that he was especially pleased to be invited to this presentation, because it not only celebrated the achievement of the children, it also gave an example of school and parish working together to enrich the experience of the children.

7

crosslincs

Reading-out of warden

he Diocese of Lincoln’s Warden of Readers has retired after eight years in the post.

Canon Alex Whitehead (pictured, above), who was also parish priest of the Stow Group in the Diocese until two years ago, was previously Director of Readers in the Diocese of Durham, where he had also

T

been Chaplain to the Bishop of Durham.

Readers from around the Diocese of Lincoln presented Alex with various gifts, including a specially-made paperweight, at a tea-party at St Luke’s Church, Birchwood.

He spoke of the privilege and enjoyment he had experienced in serving the vital ministry of Readers in the Diocese.

Readers licensed

ive new Readers were licensed at the annual service in Lincoln Cathedral in the Autumn.

Pictured, above (left to right) are Paul McLaughlin (South Ormsby Group), Elaine Southern (Winterton Ministry Team), Warden of Readers Canon Alex Whitehead, David Rossdale, Bishop of Grimsby, John Beverley (Springline Group), Jean Batchelor

F

(Walesby Group) and Jane Randells (Graffoe Group).

Readers are the only nationally-accredited and canonically-governed lay ministry in the Church of England. Their theological training enables them to preach, teach, and lead worship, and they are also able to assist in pastoral, evangelistic and liturgical work.

8

crosslincs

Swineherd raises cash famous pig-keeper who has looked out across Lincoln for centuries will set an example to help raise £2.5 million for a cathedral restoration project.

Lincoln Cathedral has launched the next phase of its turret restoration campaign, a five-year project to restore the west front of the building.

Cathedral Fundraising Officer Sally Crawford said the Cathedral needs to raise £200,000 from local businesses in the next 12 months, and hopes that local business will continue to support the restoration effort in the coming years.

“So far we’ve raised £120,000 so we are optimistic of meeting our target”, Ms Crawford said.

At the pinnacle of each turret is a figure: on the south-west turret, St Hugh, the patron saint of Lincoln Cathedral, and on the north-west turret, the Swineherd of Stow, who gave a gift of silver pennies to St Hugh towards the construction of the Cathedral.

“The story of the Swineherd shows that throughout history, local industry has supported the Cathedral and recognised its importance”, Ms Crawford said.

Work on restoring the statue of St Hugh is undertaken by a team of highly-skilled craftspeople, under the leadership of the Cathedral Works Manager, Carol Heidschuster.

A

he Lincoln Diocesan Ladies’ Choir got Advent off to start by performing in a Lincoln city-centre shopping centre.

Conducted by their director, Rosemary Field, the choir sang a selection of Advent music, and gave readings.

Crowds took a break from their Christmas shopping to take part in the Advent Experience.

T

PHOTOGRAPH: WILL HARRISON

Letters Fond memories From Miss Phyllis Hollings I was delighted to read about the Children’s Country Holiday (100 years ago, Crosslincs 32). Our priest, Rev Canon Ian Robinson, directed me to the article he knew would interest me, about the church inviting children from Vauxhall, London for a holiday in Caistor.

As a child I remember my mother, Dorothy Reetham, telling us about these visits. The children would come to stay with her grandma, who brought her up. The church paid my great-grandma a guinea.

I’m not sure if this was for one or two

weeks. Mrs Westbrooke, the vicar’s wife, would invite the children to tea and other similar activities. One day, my mother had her photo taken with them at the back of Deanery House, Caistor (front right, aged nine). My mother got into trouble when she got home, as she had not changed into her best clothes.

The photo was taken by a Mr Eastoe.

Years later, when my mother was employed to sort and deliver mail (including telegrams) for the Post Office, she was sad to have to deliver a telegram to Mr and Mrs Eastoe informing them that their son had been killed in France during the First World War. Phyllis Hollings Caistor

The value of chaplaincy From the Revd Canon Andrew Vaughan I read with interest the Revd Martyn Taylor’s view that the contribution of the Diocese to the work of Lincolnshire Chaplaincy Services (LCS) should be questioned (Letters, Crosslincs 32).

Mr Taylor had also aired his views on LCS at the July meeting of the Diocesan Synod.

Working under the umbrella of Churches Together in All Lincolnshire, we are a unique resource for the developing life and mission of the whole Church.

In our contemporary lifestyles, chaplaincy is an expression of what it means to be Anglican.

We are not a congregationalist, gathered church, but one that believes its ministry is

to the whole of society. This vocation encompasses the Church’s ministry in parishes, and also extends well beyond it.

We are called to take all human existence seriously, and to give support and care to people in all their circumstances – home, work, leisure, health, prison, and so on − based unconditionally on the model of Jesus Christ.

Mr Taylor raises several key issues. Is the Diocese getting good value for the money it grants to LCS? Yes. LCS is an ecumenical project, sponsored and funded by the member churches of Churches Together in All Lincolnshire. LCS also receives funding from a number of the organisations with whom its chaplains work.

Nonetheless, the Diocesan grant (expected to be £264,500 in 2011) represents a very significant proportion of LCS funding. LCS’s current funding enables it to provide a total of seven paid chaplains: three in urban/industrial mission in the three major conurbations of the Diocese, an agricultural chaplain, an environmental chaplain, the university chaplain and a further education chaplain. These chaplains have well-developed teams of volunteers in place to deliver and expand the work of chaplaincy. For example recent funding changes have led to the LCS Further Education Chaplain dividing her time between chaplaincy in an FE College, and recruiting, training and managing a range of excellent volunteers in several other FE Colleges across the Diocese.

Similarly, the Environmental Chaplain is developing a wide network of volunteer Green Apostles to assist parishes and deaneries in their response to environmental issues locally.

However, a strategy of developing voluntary teams has cost implications, and the removal of the Diocesan grant to LCS would mean that we would be in danger of adopting a model of asking people to volunteer their time and energy without appropriate support. The volunteer model of chaplaincy works best when it is supported by an experienced and more widely based organisation.

Can LCS make the Diocesan grant provide better value, at no extra cost to the Diocese?

Yes. The LCS Board is refining its business plan to enable the core funding from the Diocese and other Churches to attract external funding.

This has been the model we were able to employ successfully with the development of further education chaplaincies, where for a number of years LCS provided half the employment costs for each chaplain, and matched funding was provided by each college until the recent funding changes mentioned above.

The LCS board is currently developing new options for matched funding to support its existing work among the farming communities of the Diocese, in industry, and in partnership with prison chaplaincy, to provide chaplaincy support to ex-offenders.

It is, however, a fact that at its inception LCS was seen as an aspect of tithing within the Diocese, a sign of our commitment to seek to engage with God’s world, a symbol of God’s free love for His creation. In short, LCS is a vital expression of Christian mission whose grant support from the Diocese is an expression of the Diocese’s own commitment to wide-ranging and imaginative Christian mission among those whom it

9

crosslincs

Letters to the editor, Crosslincs, Church House, Minster Yard, Lincoln LN2 1PU crosslincs@lincoln.anglican.org A name and address and telephone number must be supplied with every letter and e-mail. Letters may be edited for style and length.

Comment & letters Understanding the context of chaplaincy

Chaplaincy should not judged solely on finance

Comment

From the Revd Canon Mostyn Davies Martyn Taylor asks if Christian witness has been diminished by the removal of a full-time chaplain and answers that he doesn’t think so (Letters, Crosslincs 32).

Well, maybe I can ask if Christian witness would be equally undiminished if Martyn Taylor became a volunteer instead of a fully-paid, housed, insured and pensioned cleric?

As a former full-time industrial chaplain, I suffered a working lifetime of this kind of enervating argument. As it happens, I did raise a parish share from the impoverished inner-city congregation I served at weekends.

But, no, the large network of people I worked with through the week didn’t pay the church for the dubious pleasure of letting me know and work with them.

However, within that network I was able, as a publicly identifiable representative of the Church, ‘to work for the welfare of the city, because on the welfare of the city all our welfare depends.’

The large network of people I worked with through the week didn’t pay the church for the dubious pleasure of letting me know them and work with them.

Jeremiah surely got it right! There is more to Christian witness in society than shoring up the parish system that is such a pastoral glory but which has allowed itself to become progressively more self-centred and marginal in society.

Yes, the Church could survive, as it began, with an unpaid ministry and parishes could save enormous amounts of money if this were the case. But the real need is to create new ministry structures that will engage, and be seen to engage, the Church in the agonising spiritual and moral dilemmas that are challenging the welfare of today’s society.

Mostyn Davies Peterborough serves.

Can LCS make a difference in the workplace? Yes. LCS is keen to support Christians who are looking for effective ways of expressing their faith within the context of their employment. Any one employee is normally constrained in their freedom to engage widely across their place of employment. Often the chaplain is the only person with freedom to engage at all levels across an organisation. Thus a chaplain may have opportunities for Christian ministry and mission at work which is different but complimentary to the individual Christian employee.

Can LCS make a difference in the parish?

Yes. First, LCS chaplains are always willing to support parishes which are seeking to develop chaplaincy ministry in their local

be

From the Revd Ian Walker eritage is an important idea. It literally means those things which are transmitted by right of inheritance.

In the past this might refer to land, goods, rights and privileges.

Today it can refer to things which we inherit as a culture, from physical traces of past generations such as buildings, objects and art, to more conceptual notions such as language, tradition, and identity.

It is from our heritage that we derive a great deal of our cultural identity. From it we learn that the way we behave and interact has identifiable origins. We learn the things we have in common, and the things which set us apart, the things we find funny, and the things we never joke about.

It is possible for heritage to impart this knowledge almost imperceptibly. It is passed naturally from generation to generation. Of course the care of fragile relics requires effort, and the retention of obsolete customs faces an uphill struggle in an increasingly ‘progressive’ time. These are the high-profile causes which are singled out, yet the process of heritage is going on around us all the time.

The way we value heritage has become increasingly more deliberate over the past hundred years. Stately homes and precious objects have become fossilised and curated as important artefacts of our heritage while at the same time being treated as something foreign and fragile. Heritage ‘sites’ are identified as places with significantly more heritage than elsewhere.

Heritage objects are highlighted as a nexus to another time.

Many of us love visiting stately homes and castles, but if we start to think of heritage as being something which exists only in special sites, or as a subject which can only be explained by a curator, we surrender our past into the hands of others.

Heritage isn’t all historical narrative and expensively-preserved gatehouses, it’s how we have been shaped by the past.

H

Worse still is the continuing trend of heritage as a marketing term. It is possible to live a modern life in an entirely heritage manner, even when this strays into outright oxymoron.

You can listen to your heritage digital radio, while wearing this season’s newest heritage fashion line. If you get tired of those things, you can talk to heritage construction to build you a new house, and get heritage removals to shift all of your heritage possessions. With all that accomplished you’ll need a heritage plumber to fit your heritage bathroom. This is but the tip of the heritage iceberg, and none of it is actually about the use of traditional materials or techniques.

There is nothing but shame in seeing this extraordinary cultural phenomenon as being accessible only through specialised interpretation.

From a marketing point of view, using heritage to sell products and services is a very attractive prospect. Unlike history, heritage has the ability to weed out uncomfortable events from the past, extracting only hard-learned lessons. It inspires feelings of stability, continuity and quality. It is an evocative and inspiring concept, and one which has the power to appeal to all people and yet remain distinctly personal.

In short, there is nothing but shame in seeing this extraordinary cultural phenomenon as being accessible only through specialised interpretation, and the degree to which our society seeks first to moth-ball and then to market it is shocking. We should think differently about our own heritage, and how we engage with it. The moment we let others make that decision for us, we surrender a small part of ourselves.

The Comment is written by a different anonymous author each edition with the intention of provoking thought and debate, and is not necessarily the view of the Diocese of Lincoln. Letters are welcomed on any subject. communities. We are actively working with parishes in Skegness, Sleaford and Ruskington in this way at the moment.

Please ask us if you’d like to know more.

Secondly, LCS chaplains often work with people who have no local church connections. The chaplain in the workplace is there to exercise a Christian presence, sometimes challenging, sometimes supportive, to those who seek that engagement without the strings which sometimes are perceived to be present when relating to a parish church. Chaplains will always signpost people to their local church if that is what they wish.

Thirdly, it is becoming clear that without the flexibility of our chaplains many churches would be without ministerial support on Sundays, in a way that would not be

addressed by having extra parish-based clergy. Our chaplains have reported regularly on experiences where congregations have said that the visit of a chaplain has spoken to their situation more directly than that of their parish based ministers, and that their vision had been expanded from that contact.

Can LCS make a difference to the reputation of the Diocese?

Yes. At the beginning of his ministry in the Diocese Bishop John Saxbee hosted a meeting with all the sector ministers in the area. He later reflected back to me that this meeting for him was significant: he recognised that through the work of the LCS Chaplains many doors across the communities of Lincolnshire would be opened quicker for him.

I should like to respond to Martyn Taylor’s call for a ‘principled debate’ about the support of Lincolnshire Chaplaincy Services from the diocesan budget (Letters, Crosslincs 32) and whether this is a good and right strategy for today. I write as a parish priest who is married to a full-time chaplain who now works for LCS. I must take issue with the assertion that chaplaincy is an expensive luxury that “brings no income back to the Diocese”.

Over the years I have worked in a variety of parishes which have almost always paid their parish share in full but I do not think I have ever been judged by that fact. LCS is an ecumenical partnership which aims to encourage ministry and discipleship in industry and education and is funded by other denominations and secular institutions as well as the Diocese of Lincoln. Once we start talking about how much money any minister brings back into the common purse we are making a very limited judgement about the effectiveness of that particular ministry.

Chaplains do not work in isolation nor do they work in competition with parish clergy.

Part of the ministry is to encourage and equip people to be a Christian presence in their place of work and this can help them to grow in their discipleship and so benefit the Church as a whole. As they do this they may also be encouraged to play a greater part in the life of their parish churches. Paid chaplains are also there to encourage and develop the ministry of chaplaincy volunteers which is growing in a time of financial stringency. All this is a contribution to the nurturing of discipleship and the encouragement of vocations to ministry which is a task of the whole Church.

Like parish ministry, chaplaincy has been subject to cuts in recent years. Now that LCS is funded as a separate entity I do worry that it may seem to be a soft target when further economies are considered. I very much hope that our principled debate will show that well resourced chaplaincy continues to play a valuable part in the ministry of the Church alongside the work of the parish church.

Ian Walker Epworth In a conversation he told me about another diocesan bishop, who couldn’t understand how Bishop John had such good access to the public, private and voluntary sectors. Bishop John’s reply was that we still had chaplains working in those areas, who were happy and able to open doors.

Tellingly, the other diocese had stopped any professional chaplaincy work some time before.

If anyone would like to discuss further the work of LCS, our chaplains and board members are willing to meet and share the detail and vision of the charity.

Andrew Vaughan Chaplaincy Director of LCS

10

crosslincs

The Right Revd Christopher Lowson was enthroned in Lincoln Cathedral on 12 November.

Clockwise from above: following tradition, the new Bishop knocks to gain entry to the Cathedral; the Bishop is escorted to his throne by the Archdeacon of Canterbury; greeting the congregation after the service; the Bishop’s family enjoy their packed lunch; the procession makes its way up the nave; the Bishop is enthroned in the Cathedra.

More at www.flickr.com/dioceseoflincoln.

Photographs: Antony Kelly

Christopher Lowson was consecrated Bishop by the Archbishop of Canterbury (see pictures, below) in Westminster Abbey on St Matthew’s Day, Wednesday 21 September − exactly 825 years after the occasion on which St Hugh, patron saint and Bishop of Lincoln, was consecrated in the Abbey in 1186. Photographs: Westminster Abbey

11

crosslincs

The art of Christmas Matt Cooper Historic Churches Officer

After early experiences of being clad in cotton wool, Matt discovers that there’s more to nativity scenes than meets the eye. very year in December thousands of children across the country perform nativity plays in schools and churches.

For many it’s a traditional highlight of Advent. For me, it was yet another Christmas spent dressed as a sheep. But what I didn’t know – aged six and clad from head to toe in cotton wool – was that I was continuing a centuries-old tradition, which owed much to our medieval ancestors.

The nativity scene has been depicted in art since Roman times. We are so familiar with it, it becomes easy to overlook. Yet there is much within it which should surprise us, even beyond the extraordinary narrative of the gospels themselves.

Why, for instance, is there invariably an ox and an ass in every nativity scene? They don’t receive any mention in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. And why do we often show the shepherds and the wise men arriving at the same time? The gospels suggest the Magi took as long as two years to get to Bethlehem, and the shepherds were present that very night. Personally, I’ve always found it rather surprising that Mary is able to look so composed having so recently given birth; she is often depicted kneeling in prayer. As representations of an historical event, they are problematic.

The answer is that these traditional images are more than just scenes depicting a story. They were formalised and popularised at a time when images were used for teaching, and very subtle nuances can tell us a great deal.

The ox and the ass, for example, are not simply there to lend a pastoral atmosphere.

Ancient interpretations of scripture took the following phrases to relate directly to the nativity of Christ. Isaiah 1:3, “The ox knoweth his own, and the ass his master’s crib”, and Habakkuk 3:2, “In the midst of the

E

Window from the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem. two beasts wilt thou be born”. According to Saints Augustine and Ambrose, the ox represents the Jewish people, and the ass the Gentiles. Their inclusion in the nativity reminds us that Christ lived for all people.

As well as acting as symbols, these two “beasts” occasionally interact with their surroundings. The sight of an animal eating the hay from the manger in which the baby Jesus rests serves as a foreshadowing of his later sacrifice. The image of the body of Christ presented in a feeding trough is a powerful illustration of the purpose of the Incarnation. In England this was taken to extremes when mince pies were created to serve as mangers in model nativities, only to be eaten on Christmas Day. Oliver Cromwell outlawed this tradition as “idolatrie of the crust” and the eating of mince pies on 25 December remains a criminal offence.

All these details tell significant stories.

Their variety can in part be attributed to the fact that only two of the Gospels relate the story of the nativity. Of these two accounts we find quite different details, leaving the artist or theologian room to explore the birth of Christ in a number of different contexts.

For example, while the most commonplace image of the first Christmas takes place in a stable, the Gospels don’t insist on this. As a result, many depictions show the nativity in a cave instead. We cannot now know whether this was the case, but by choosing to present the scene within a cave the artist is able to foreshadow the

future resurrection of Christ within a rockcut tomb.

The arrival of the different participants in the traditional nativity scene is also significant. Much like the ox and the ass, the shepherds are seen as representing the Jewish people and the Magi the Gentiles.

By showing the two groups simultaneously we are given a visual reminder that the Christ-child can be adored by all people throughout time.

Looking again at Mary’s role in the scene, the image of the Virgin has changed significantly over the centuries. In the earliest depictions of the nativity she is often lying in bed with the Christ-child swaddled nearby, either on a small altar (or “mensa”), or being washed by two handmaids. The handmaids relate to apocryphal accounts of the infancy of Christ, but Mary’s posture is most likely explained by her own exhaustion from labour.

Since the fifteenth century, nativity scenes have been influenced by a vision of St Bridget of Sweden. Bridget dreamt of the nativity, of Mary giving birth painlessly, of the baby Jesus providing a brilliant light from his body. Subsequently, in art, Mary appears unaffected by the pains of labour, and the formerly swaddled Christ is shown naked and radiating light in a darkened room.

St Bridget was not the first to have such visions; stories of sympathy with the figures of the nativity are numerous throughout history. Perhaps the most famous is found in the life of St Francis, as written by

St Bonaventure. In 1223 Francis visited the small town of Grecio to celebrate Christmas. The saint hoped to instil a new sense of the reality, joy, and humility of the nativity. Having asked permission from the Pope, Francis created a manger full of hay and borrowed an ox and an ass so that he might recreate the Christmas scene in a cave in the forest. The people crowded the hillside while he preached for the midnight mass. A nobleman of Grecio had a vision of the living Christ-child.

Francis used the nativity scene to bring life to the Christmas story. In the wake of this inventive exposition “living” nativity scenes became popular across Europe. The symbols of the nativity allowed people access to the meaning of the incarnation in a more immediate way than could be achieved through Latin texts. Today Franciscan churches still feature elaborate nativity scenes all year round, and our parish churches are full of depictions of the first Christmas.

The nineteenth-century Scottish poet Alexander Smith said this of Christmas: “To one day all the early world looked forward; to the same day the later world looks back.

That day holds time together”. For centuries artists and theologians have dwelt on the interpretation of the nativity scene.

As we do so again this Christmas, whether in sermons, in contemplating the art found in our church buildings, or by attending the nativities performed by children in the tradition of St Francis, we are held together  across time.

12

crosslincs

Nick Edmonds

Chaplaincy is undertaken even in the most unlikely of situations.

drian gave me a short warning: “Don’t wear good clothes!” he said. As the BriSCA Formula 1 stock car teams made their final preparations for the first race of the evening, the last few spectators hurried to get a good view of the track.

Suddenly, the industrious hubbub of the pit lane was subsumed by a fugue of V8 Chevrolet engines spluttering into life.

Despite a tarmacked racetrack at the Skegness Stadium, the adjacent pit-lane area is in fact little more than a patch of unsurfaced scrubland, and it was at this moment that I realised the wisdom in Adrian’s words.

As the cars began their procession to the grid, we, and all those within a hundredmetre radius, were met first by a heavy waft of petrol, and then a cloud of dust which

A

would not have looked out of place in a scene from Lawrence of Arabia. I was glad to have followed the advice.

“My wife always laughs at me when I get home,” said the Curate for the Mablethorpe group, who has developed a chaplaincy to the Skegness Stadium, and has been attending stock car race meetings since his childhood.

“Sometimes you don’t realise what a state you’re in until you touch your face!”

The noisy dusty world of stock car racing traces its origins to the days of prohibition in the USA, when moonshine runners would often find the need to make swift getaways from the authorities. In order to do so, modifications were made to the engines of normal road going ‘stock’ cars, and the bodywork reinforced.

When they weren’t hauling liquor, the bored drivers soon began filling time by racing each other in their souped-up wagons, and the sport of stock car racing was born, and eventually evolved into the hugely popular American ‘NASCAR’ series. Closer to home, the first stock car races in Britain took place in the 1950s around Greyhound tracks, and the sport quickly gained a cult following. Nowadays there are three main categories of stock car racing in the UK: Hot Rods, Stock cars and Bangers. Tonight, it was the turn of the Stock cars, with the main event of the keenly awaited world final of the Saloon class.

Adrian’s father, a lifelong servant of the motor industry, began taking him to stock car race meetings at Long Eaton in Derbyshire.

“I was hooked straight away,” Adrian remembered.

“I remember staging whole race meetings with toy cars − every last little detail!”

“Now when I go to races, the combination of sights and smells take me straight back to my childhood.”

Having followed the sport all his life, it

PHOTOGRAPH: NICK EDMONDS

Chaplaincy in the

Adrian Smith, Curate of Mablethorpe, has developed a chaplaincy to the Skegness Stadium

Become a member and enjo enjoyy the benefits • A wide range of offers and pr promotions omotions available exclusively to members. year.

• Dividend bonus in December each year.

• Our in house magazine, Esprit, is produced 3 times a year and is FREE for members members.

Pick up a n applica tion form in s tore.

Find your n ea www.linc rest store visit olnshire. coop

13

crosslincs

e round

m − home to the full-contact sport of stock car racing.

Out of 80 million Easter eggs sold in the UK every year, the Real Easter Egg is the first and only egg to tell the Easter story on the box.

The Real Easter Egg will be selling in 2012 .

It will have an improved box, a clearer Easter story with a biblical quote, and be made from a Fairtrade chocolate blend that customers gave a 97% approval rating to.

We aim to make the Real Easter Egg a tradition and want to reconnect the giving of eggs with the telling of the Easter story.

Register today We hope you and your church will join the campaign in 2012.All you need to do now is register at www.RealEasterEgg.co.uk.

seemed only natural to Adrian to think about what he could give back to the sport.

“It’s not about doing a lot,” said Adrian, who has now been in the role for just under a year.

“At first, I think people saw the word ‘Chaplain’, and thought ‘what do we need a vicar for?’

“But now I think they’re getting to see that I’m just somebody who gets to know people and takes an interest in how everyone is getting on.”

Adrian proceeded to do just this, chatting with the drivers and teams, and telling me all about each of their successes and significant crashes as we go. We passed a TV crew, filming follow-up footage to a successful BBC series entitled Gears and Tears, following the Smiths and the Wainmans, the two rival clans who have dominated the circuit for 40 years. The gold-coloured car of Andy Smith, the current Formula 1 world champion was one of the evening’s focal points for more than just the BBC camera as fans crowded to get a close look.

My lingering thoughts of the glamorous polish of Silverstone and Monte Carlo suffered a further setback at this point, as a man brandishing an angle grinder and a length of steel manoeuvred into our vicinity, tossing the latter to the ground with the air of one evicting an unloved pet cat.

“Mind out,” came the brief warning, as with nothing more than a hobnailed boot to restrain the metal, dramatic sparks began to fly.

“Perhaps we should make our way to the track,” Adrian suggested.

With the countdown ticking for the main event of the evening, now I had a chance to get a feel for this most uncompromising of motorsports, as the warm-up races began.

“This is all full contact,” Adrian explained, unnecessarily, as we watched driver after driver collide percussively with the corrugated crash barrier as rivals held aggressive cor-

nering lines. I began to understand why hasty running repairs were such a feature of the sport. In fact one such smash caused such significant damage to the crash barrier that emergency repairs were required, which held up proceedings.

Cue an unexpected moment in the spotlight for Adrian, who was summoned to the starting grid for an impromptu interview with the stadium announcer, requiring a swift dash from the diametric opposite point on the track where we had been queuing for a burger. Unmoved though, Adrian combined his characteristic charm and ease with in-depth knowledge of the sport to show why he has clearly won respect among drivers and aficionados alike, while I snuck through behind him to take the opportunity of some photos from the right sight of the high mesh fence.

With the barrier’s integrity restored, then came the big moment – the final. The Saloon cars took their places on the grid, as fireworks lit up the inky sky, and like a herd of snorting buffalo, they were off! From amid the melee, at regular intervals a car was thrown out at an improbable angle, like a stone from a lawnmower blade, as a crowd of beleaguered drivers in the middle of the track grew alongside their battered steeds.

If the previous races had been fractious, this was bordering on carnage, as no quarter was given. This was it: all or nothing! And then, as suddenly as it had begun, all of the sudden, a bell signalled the last lap, with three cars battling for front spot. They crunched and wove, snarled and spat until on the very last bend, car number 677, belonging to driver Eddie Darby, stole through to take the title.

“One thing though,” said Adrian, when the noise has subsided, and the tractors began the job of rounding up the various mangled car parts.

“You won't see me anywhere near the inside of one of those things!” 

14

crosslincs

Celebration, confidence, compassion, collaboration

The Rt Revd Christopher Lowson on beginning his ministry in the Diocese of Lincoln

hen my former boss at the Archbishop’s Council, William Fittall, Secretary General of the Archbishops’ Council, got out of a taxi outside Lincoln Cathedral on Saturday 12 November to attend my enthronement, he saw a person standing with a placard and thought, “This is rather early for a demonstration”.

When he walked further, he saw that the placard said, “Bacon Butties for £1” and he knew that the new Bishop is going to be alright after all!

The day of enthronement was a great day for me personally and I hope it marked the beginning of a creative chapter in the life of the Diocese of Lincoln. Being the 72nd bishop of a diocese does put you in a historical context and remind you that many Bishops have trodden this path before: some saints, some rogues and some, like me, in between.

During the five weeks between my consecration and enthronement − this is a time usually when bishops move into their new home, which was not possible in my case − I have spent a busy time visiting every corner of the Diocese, from New Holland in the north to Stamford in the south, from Skegness in the east to Isle of Axholme in the west. I have met most of the stipendiary clergy and those self-supporting ministers and retired clergy who were available to see me when I came to their area. I will be catching up with the remainder in the next few weeks.

It was a very encouraging experience, because I was able to share with the clergy

W

PHOTOGRAPH: ANTONY KELLY

The Bishop

The Bishop was interviewed before his enthronement. something of my vocational journey and also check out with them whether the charge that was delivered to me by the Archbishop of Canterbury, at my confirmation of office in Lambeth Palace, had captured the challenges and opportunities facing a new bishop. Generally, I had the impression that in fact the charge presented a fairly accurate picture of the state of the Diocese, though it could be nuanced in some contexts.

From that initial conversation and other conversations with deanery lay chairs, Diocesan Council, Diocesan Synod and interest groups of clergy, several themes have begun to emerge in my mind. I’d like to explore them using the following headings. The first is: Celebration It is clear that there is a great deal to celebrate in the Diocese of Lincoln. As the new Bishop I am not arriving here in crisis mode, because something has gone wrong, but inheriting a well-run diocese with keen and engaged clergy and laity, looking forward to the future. In this respect, I am grateful to the previous Bishop for all his work and to the Bishop of Grimsby for his oversight during the Vacancy in See. I am particularly impressed with the Diocesan work in the area of education and I have learned that the Diocese of Lincoln is leading the Church of England in thinking through how the Church may respond to new government initiatives in relation to academies. I am also conscious that a great deal of good work has been done through the New Era initiative in motivating and discerning new vocations for lay and ordained ministry. There is a lot to be thankful for.

Confidence One of the ideas in the Archbishop’s

charge which seemed to resonate with the clergy and laity I’ve spoken with, is that the Church of England as a whole has lost a little self-confidence in recent years. Of course, we should not be confident in ourselves, but in the power and love of God revealed magnificently in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The discovery of the empty tomb transformed the world everywhere and for all time and we should be confident that the Good News can transform the lives of people today.

We can also be confident in the Church of England. Sometimes seen as a compromised and untidy organisation, I think our Church models a way of managing diversity while maintaining unity − that is a great gift to the Christian Church across the world. We are not and should never be a one-party state and there should always be a place for Christians with complementary perceptions, to live together in unity, even though this might sometimes be untidy and occasionally fractious.

This is particularly relevant as we move forward towards the decision whether to ordain women to the episcopate. We need to find a way which honours those within our family who take a different view on this issue.

As well as the management of diversity, we need to be confident that the love of God expressed in Jesus has made an appropriate impact upon our own lives. I am working with colleagues in the Bishop’s staff and others to explore a programme across the Diocese, beginning in 2012, to deepen the quality of discipleship of every person − including the bishops in the Diocese of Lincoln. Are we really giving enough time to prayer, to intelligent engagement with scriptures, to serving the local community? Are we taking seriously

the call to manage our resources in response to God’s love for us?

Compassion I am clear that many in the Diocese are already engaged in a great deal of work to serve the poor and disadvantaged in our area: work with homeless people in Lincoln, young people in New Clee, with people with learning difficulties in Stamford. This is a small number of examples of the important work that the Church undertakes at grass roots level, to serve those in need and, in doing so, uncovering God’s kingdom here on earth. We are called to have compassion, that is, to suffer with those in need and the focal point of our life as a Church shouldn’t be on Christians having a nice time together in worship − though of course that is important − but on that worship spilling over into engagement with the needs of the wider community.

Many of those who attend the parish churches of our three counties are engaged, not only in church projects, but also in forms of other Christian service in their local communities.

We should not be complacent. There is always more we can do and we need to remind people and model the fact that we are here for the whole community.

Collaboration In order to achieve our mission and ministry in the life of the world, we need to work collaboratively with lay and ordained people, self-supporting, voluntary and paid, young and old, to serve the community and express our life as Church. This does require the clergy, particularly the stipendiary clergy of the Diocese, to work in a different way from the way in which we were originally trained for the priesthood.

Gone are the days of the one-man band, in which the incumbent does everything. We are called to work as enablers and servant leaders, orchestrating the whole of the gifts of the people of God. One of the purposes of the Bishop and his immediate team of colleagues in Lincoln is to resource and encourage the work at the grass roots, at parish and benefice level.

This leads me to tell you that I am instituting an independent review of the central resources in Lincoln, that is, the financial and human resources that God has given to us, to discover whether they are serving adequately the needs of the Christian community at local level: whether there are things we should be doing that we are not doing, whether there are things that we are currently doing that we should not. I’m inviting three independent people with significant experience to take a fresh look at our central resources, both human and financial. I hope this will be undertaken in the first few months of 2012.

So thank you for your generous welcome. Susan and I already feel part of the Diocese of Lincoln and we look forward to working together to deepen our life in  Christ and to serve our Community.

15

crosslincs

Taking the lead on tackling thefts as relatively low-risk for criminals. The theft of metal from churches was thought to be essentially a ‘victimless crime’ and was not a high priority for police forces. A priority for criminals is the easy disposal of what they have stolen; metal theft was attractive because the scrap metal industry is essentially a cash economy with little effective regulation (apart from the outdated Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964). This meant that criminals could turn up at a scrap yard with a lorry-load of lead, limited identification and walk away with a fistful of cash.

When the theft of lead from church roofs was beginning to be a problem, parishes were required to replace stolen lead with new lead. With hindsight, it is clear that this was not sensible. The thieves rubbed their hands and came back for a second helping.

But nobody envisaged that the theft of metal would reach epidemic proportions – and there was little guidance about suitable alternatives to lead for church roofs.

Once the scale of the problem became clear, the Cathedrals and Church Buildings Division of the Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England – which is responsible for developing and maintaining relations between Church and State, national and local bodies on church building matters – set up a working group and produced a report in February 2011, identifying the problem, proposing ways of limiting the damage to our churches and offering guidance on alternatives to lead.

Lead remains the best material because it is part of the character of our churches and the most appropriate roofing material for

Tim Barker

Metal theft is not a victimless crime, writes the Archdeacon of Lincoln

he loss of panels of lead from church roofs used to be merely a nuisance: the insurance company paid up, the roof was repaired and the church got on with its life.

Over the last couple of years, the theft of lead and other metals has moved from being a minor irritation to become a major threat to the nation’s heritage and even the viability of some parishes. In 2003, Ecclesiastical Insurance had ten claims for metal theft, costing a total of £18,000. In 2010, there were 1,763 claims, costing more than £3.3 million.

Churches were among the major targets for criminals, because of the relative ease of access and because lead had become a valuable commodity, but the problem of metal theft quickly spread to the railway, telecommunication and utility companies.

These industries rely on copper cable and other metal products for communications, signalling and power supply. The theft of copper, like lead, has become very attractive to criminals who can make a quick profit and have no scruples about the effect their actions are having on businesses and communities up and down the country. While it has become apparent that highly sophisticated and well-organised criminals are involved, others have jumped on the bandwagon, stealing manhole covers from roads and even the metal plates listing the names of the fallen from war memorials.

Metal theft has become attractive to criminals simply because of the record high prices of metals (especially lead and copper) on the world markets – driven by high demand from emerging markets in India and China. Metal theft has also been seen

How to foil the thieves: Churches in Lincolnshire will soon be receiving signs which should be prominently displayed, showing the church is protected by the Police. These signs will provide a further deterrent to thieves and have been funded by the Diocese, Lincolnshire Police and the Lincolnshire County Council. · Read the advice issued by Ecclesiastical Insurance: www.ecclesiastical.com/churchmatters · Read the Church Buildings Council advice at www.churchcare.co.uk (click on the ‘metal thefts’ link at the bottom of the main box) · Install an alarm, but contact your Archdeacon or the Diocesan Advisory Committee Secretary (Keith Halliday, keith.halliday@lincoln.anglican.org or 01522 504047) for advice before you enter into a contact with a supplier, as permission will be required · Make sure that Smartwater is applied to any lead or copper roofs · Encourage local people to keep an eye on the church and report any unusual activity immediately to the Police

PHOTOGRAPH: MATTHEW COOPER

T

appearance, performance, ease of installation and lifespan. But English Heritage has reluctantly accepted that it is no longer possible to insist on churches replacing stolen lead with yet more vulnerable lead – and has produced new guidance allowing churches to depart from the ideal and make pragmatic decisions to use ternecoated stainless steel or even more temporary solutions if a parish cannot afford permanent repairs.

We hope that local planning authorities (which need to be consulted if there is a change to the external appearance of a listed building) will be equally sympathetic.

The Police have taken very welcome steps to deal with metal theft. They recognise that they did not initially appreciate the seriousness of the crime, but that has changed. Metal theft is right at the top of their agenda – Lincolnshire Police have surveyed all the churches in Lincolnshire and want to be given any information that will prevent churches being attached or that will lead to the capture of criminals involved in metal theft.

The theft of metal church roofs is not a victimless crime – it strikes at the very communities the Government wishes to encourage and sustain. It is, therefore, essential that the Government listens to communities and businesses that are being damaged and makes changes to legislation that will severely hamper criminals’ ability to profit from this crime.  The Archdeacon of Lincoln was a member of the working group examining lead theft on behalf of the Archbishops’ Council.

In 2010, there were 1,763 claims for the theft of metals from churches, costing more than £3.3 million.

16

crosslincs

The changing face of education David Rossdale

The Bishop of Grimsby, Chair of the Diocesan Board of Education, sets out the changes and challenges ahead for church schools.

uring 2011 we have marked 200 years of church schools. We have celebrated being inheritors of an amazing vision that there should be a church school in every parish.

Much has changed over 200 years, but the impact of that vision continues to be lived out in England and Wales. In the Diocese of Lincoln there are some 25,000 children attending our 141 schools each and every day of the school year and they are among the 1,000,000 children in church schools around the country.

The involvement of the Church in public education has been based on a remarkable partnership between the state and the Church of England − a partnership which has allowed us to offer education within a distinctively Christian context. It is a privileged position and the continued popularity of church schools suggests that parents trust us to fulfil our part of that partnership.

Yet, as we mark this anniversary, a paradigm shift in the politics of education has become clearer as the government unfolds its academy agenda. At present that agenda invites schools to consider operating independently of local authorities by becoming academies. It appears to be an agenda which, in due course, will see that invitation given some form of compulsion.

Church and community schools have responded to this invitation in a variety of ways. Some have enthusiastically embraced the possibility of independence, others have reluctantly engaged with the opportunity, while others are waiting to see what happens.

Paradigm shifts are difficult to discern

D

and interpret while they are in process; however, it has become evident that the partnership between the Church and the state, which has endured since the 1944 Education Act, is no longer a feature within the changing political mindset. The Church has moved from being a partner in education, to being a provider of education, to be judged alongside other providers who have become involved in leading and developing academies.

How should the Church respond? The temptation is to defend our territory and look to our history as a justification for our continued involvement in state-funded education. Yet such a response may see us becoming spectators, rather than participants, in a new political narrative for education.

To take full advantage of the opportunities created through this paradigm shift will require a change of mindset from within the Church. We need to stop seeing church schools as extensions of the process of being “church” in the parish or Diocese, but rather recognise that we have a privileged opportunity to involve ourselves in releasing the potential of young people − a potential which we see as being both spiritual and academic. By embracing all this and taking a leading role in education, we have an opportunity to challenge the utilitarian approach to education − which suggests that its prime purpose is to make young people employable − and to celebrate that the purpose of education is to enable young people to become more fully human.

For this to happen we have to see church

schools as opportunities for that dimension of mission which is about engaging with life as it is, not to recruit nor to proselytise, but to transform and to offer ourselves at the service of others. Seizing the opportunity to serve the needs of young people and their families through education means that we will have to take responsibility for the quality and standards of what is being offered.

Part of our mindset change will be to move on from judging church schools by whether they ‘get the children into church’, or are teaching the Lord’s Prayer, to how they are equipping children with high standards for their learning and a moral compass, shaped by the values of the Kingdom of God, by which they may navigate their way through the uncharted waters of an increasingly secular and pluralistic society.

Outstanding Collective Worship (assemblies) and Religious Education will play their part in this, but it will be the willingness of the whole church community to take responsibility for the governance of our schools which will be their determining feature.

In this new paradigm for education, there will be no room for providers who cannot perform. Staying involved in education will need the active engagement of Christians in their local schools or academies, not as another “job to be done”, but as a wonderful expression of Christian ministry and service.

In the end, a moral compass shaped by the values of the Kingdom of God can only be shared by those who already use it for themselves. 

17

crosslincs

Burdens or opportunities?

Ben Stoker

also be described equally and simultaneously as a great privilege.

Likewise, the opportunity for churches to engage with local and wider communities is ever present, it doesn’t suffer atrophy simply because the church gutters need to be replaced, or there is no lavatory on the premises. So, in short, we must acknowledge that maintaining our church buildings can be difficult, but we must also

Victorian decoration and stained glass, continues to impress and inspire; however, it is an enormous and demanding church serving a tiny parish population. There is no lavatory on the premises and it can become very cold during the autumn and winter.

And yet the small PCC of St Peter and St Paul’s has not retreated into the concept of a burdensome church, it is tackling the

The Diocese of Lincoln has the highest proportion of listed churches in the country. But how can communities preserve these buildings? hen we think about our church buildings it is tempting to describe them as being either a burden or an opportunity. But are we sensible to do so?

It is straight-forward to cast the church building as a burdensome entity which requires time and money to be lavished upon it in perpetuity. The cost of heating, repairs to the roof, problems with stonework, plus much else besides can weigh down a PCC which considers its church building to be predominantly a burden. PCC members will shoulder their burden, but not lightly; the recognition of their church building as an opportunity is almost certainly beyond them.

So what of those PCCs who decide that the church building in its care is not a burden but an opportunity? For these PCCs the enormous scope of possibility is surely open before them. Or is it?

Unlike a church of burden, a church of opportunity demands that the roof is repaired, the heating system is replaced and the structural work is carried out; but it also requires that the church’s welcome is improved, its doors opened more regularly and that community-focused activities are organised; and what about the installation of a lavatory? Will that be necessary too?

Given the added demands of the church of opportunity it is possible that a PCC will seek refuge in the relative inactivity of its burdensome church. We must not mislead ourselves: to recognise the opportunity is not to negate the burden.

So if asking whether our churches are a burden or an opportunity is unhelpful, what question should we be asking?

Perhaps we shouldn’t ruminate upon such questions but, rather, make positive declarations: all church buildings demand time and money as they always have done. This will not change. Yes, maintaining them can be described as burdensome, but it can

W

The community at St Peter’s and St Paul’s, Algarkirk, is getting to grips with the opportunities the building provides recognise that they are one of the greatest assets we have with which to reach out to people, and that to care for and sustain them is an honour.

The Grade I listed parish church of St Peter and St Paul, Algarkirk requires a significant amount of very costly repair work to ensure the future of the building. Its medieval splendour, augmented by fine

structural issues head-on − after all, they are not going to go away − and it is reaching out to the local community through the church building.

In September, and working in conjunction with the Parish Council and Village Hall Committee, the PCC organised a Heritage Open Day along with an evening of music and dancing in the church. This event

attracted more than 200 people, some of whom had travelled to Algarkirk from neighbouring villages. Subsequently, the PCC has organised a Christmas celebration for all the family, scheduled to take place on 18 December.

The Revd Gary Morgan, St Peter and St Paul’s priest-in-charge, said of the recent community events: “Many people who were unaware of the church’s existence discovered what a wonderful place of worship it is.

“We have some events in the pipeline for next year including another Heritage Open Day.” And about the much-needed repair work, Gary is pragmatic: “Without publicity and funds to repair the church it will just fall deeper into disrepair.

“Greater awareness of the plight of the church has enabled us to spread our fundraising efforts.”

The PCC of St Peter and St Paul’s clearly recognises that the church is important to people, whether those people have known the building for years, or have only just discovered it. The PCC provides members of the whole community with opportunities to demonstrate their affection for the church and continually invites them inside: for worship, for fun and for fellowship.

The repair work still needs to be carried out, it’s still rather cold during the winter and no permanent lavatory has been installed, but the PCC is executing its responsibilities to the church and the local community with high-spirited determination.

So what can St Peter and St Paul’s experience teach us? Simply this: that to choose between burden and opportunity as a means of describing our churches is impossible − it is not a choice. 

100 years ago From the Lincoln Diocesan Magazine, December 1911 and January 1912 Compiled by Emily Harris (16), a pupil at William Farr School, Welton

St Hugh’s Home, Lincoln A site has now been purchased, and the new Home for Girls will be erected in the Victoria Road, Louth. A little later the arrangements for the formal opening of this Home will be published, and it is hoped that a very large number of those interested in the Society’s work will be able to attend on that occasion.

In having Homes for both boys and girls the Diocese will be in a sense complete, but it is hoped that those who at present support the society will see the stern need for securing the interest of others in order that the expense of running the two Homes may be adequately met.

She had crossed her legs, and a little bit of boot very nicely blacked was just outside her frock. As the lesson went on one boy seemed to think the fire wanted attention, and that it was his business to make it up.

The coal pan was near the teacher, so he took up the tongs and put a few on. Then he appeared rather short-sighted and took hold of the tip of the teacher’s foot and attempted to lift that on to the fire. After that this lady thought she would like to teach a class of rather rough club girls; the result was much the same. It was very difficult to know which was the teacher and which was taught; the best you could say for the class was that it was an attempt at mutual improvement.

Reverence in Sunday School Canon Hodgkinson I should like to tell you of one of my teachers who was my despair, because her scholars seemed always tempted to make complete hay of her. She had a class of boys. Of course it was a terrible mistake to give them to her. She sat by the fire, and they round it.

On Friday, November 10th, as many friends as could got together on a very short notice assembled at Greestone House, when the presentation was made by the Bishop of Lincoln in the name of the subscribers.

The present took the form of a solid silver

two handled cup and cover, on plinth, a rose bowl on plinth, and a salver, each article bearing the following inscription, together with Canon Hodgkinson’s crest and coat of arms: − “Presented to the Rev. Canon Hodgkinson, November 10th, 1911, on his leaving Lincoln, in grateful acknowledgement of his work in the Diocese, extending over a period of 50 years.”

Colsterworth Two new bells have been added to the tower, together with new framework. New floors have been put in the bell chamber, the clock weights have been encased, and the tower has been opened to allow the sound to disperse.

The Bishop of the Diocese came to dedicate these improvements to the church. The day’s proceedings commenced at 7:30 am with Holy Communion. The dedication service was at 2:30 pm, when a large congregation assembled, the service commencing with hymn 396.

18

crosslincs

Hidden gems of Lincolnshire: More of the best churches in the Diocese of Lincoln chosen by Keith Halliday, DAC Secretary, Matt Cooper, Historic Churches Officer, and Ben Stoker, Open Churches Officer.

Ruskington, All Saints Ruskington is a large village a few miles north of the market town of Sleaford. Many of the 5000 or so residents shop, eat and drink in the multitude of establishments that are located on or nearby The Beck, a small stream that bisects the length of the High Street, creating High Street North and High Street South. The parish church of All Saints sits, slightly elevated in grassy grounds, at the west end of these two Beckbordering High Streets. Ostensibly, it is an attractive, yet largely unremarkable church with a medieval tower, which collapsed in the early seventeenth century and was rebuilt in 1620. The church also boasts a large twelfth-century tower arch, interesting arcade piers and a stained glass window manufactured by William Morris and designed by arguably the greatest British artist of the second half of the nineteenth

century, Edward Burne-Jones.

Executed in 1874, Burne-Jones’ design presents the Ascension of Christ in the central light of a fairly substantial Gothic window; each of the two flanking lights contains a single angel holding an unfurled scroll. The delicacy of the drawing is typical of the artist’s Florentine style of this period.

Burne-Jones’ devotion to the art of Renaissance Italy contrasted profoundly with the passions of his great friend William Morris, that inveterate lover of the art and sagas of the cold, inclement north.

In 1875 Morris’ decorative arts firm Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co. was re-organised and re-named Morris & Co. Burne-Jones created the designs for All Saints’ Ascension window during the year that bitter negotiations between Morris and the firm’s partners regarding the transferal of sole control of the company to Morris began to rage.

Burne-Jones, a partner himself, supported his friend throughout this rather difficult affair and the two men continued their artistic collaboration until Morris’ death in 1896.

Morris obviously approved of BurneJones’ figure designs for All Saints as he re-

used them at the churches of Prescot, Allerton and Putney during the 1880s; but we must remember that these remarkable designs were conceived of for a humble church by a Beck in Lincolnshire.

The key for All Saints is available from Southern and Thorpe butchers on High Street North.

South Carlton, St John the Baptist Just outside Lincoln is the rural idyll of South Carlton, where the intrepid visitor will find the church of St John the Baptist.

From the church path this appears to be the quintessential English parish church: distinguished Victorian funerary monuments, ramshackle boundary walls, and views of sedate farmland. A walk round to the north of the church, however, suggests there is something different about this particular building. Annexed to the chancel is sizeable Victorian mausoleum.

The interior is just as welcoming and intriguing. Architecturally the church is a mixture of styles and periods from early Norman to Georgian and Victorian, but somehow nothing feels disjointed. For

example, the rood screen features some original 15th century components alongside timbers taken from the demolished spires of Lincoln Cathedral in 1812. Some striking design features include the 19th century stencilling of symbols relating to St John the Baptist in the chancel roof, or the idiosyncratic angels carved into 15th century pew ends.

The most remarkable feature of this little parish church is the variety and quality of its memorials, almost all of which are dedicated to the Monson family. Here the Monsons are frequently represented by moons and suns in a visual play on the name.

Reminders of them can be found in four hatchments, the carvings of the rood screen, in stained glass, and in the extravagant 17th century tomb of Sir John and Lady Monson (1625). This imposing classical structure features figures of the couple’s thirteen children gathered on all four sides in an attitude of prayer. It was constructed by their heir, Sir Thomas Monson, who rose to fame as MP for Lincoln, Sheriff of Lincolnshire, and favourite of James I, before falling from grace by association with a Catholic conspiracy.

Two professional perspectives: working with historic churches Philip Craven ith many hundreds of historic churches in the Diocese, Philip Craven speaks with two people whose jobs affect their day-to-day affairs and conservation for the future.

Mary Anderson is an architect with extensive experience working with both sacred and secular historic buildings. Mary currently has two Diocesan projects on the go –Crowland Abbey’s west tower, and the roof of Weston Church.

Mary is keen to dispel the myth that churches are especially difficult projects.

With churches special planning rules apply many changes are exempt from secular planning authorities, and you apply through the Diocesan Advisory Council (DAC) instead.

Many of the complications that come from working with secular and new buildings, such as environmental requirements due to climate change, do not apply to historic churches – apart from extensions and nonworship areas.

For Mary it is important that the creative process starts anew with every new project.

“I look at every project completely afresh and uniquely, and try to feel my way through how we’re going to deal with it.

“Sometimes you’re looking at a historic setting that is wider than just the site and the building that you’re dealing with.

“I’ve always tried to approach [design] with an understanding of what’s there first. I try not to have preconceived ideas when I go in, and I try to let what’s there guide me, rather than me try to mould it”, she said.

Trying to balance the hopes of those who use churches with what’s allowed by preservation organisations can be tricky, but Mary’s approach has been refined over the years to balance contrasting ideas: “I always feel a great duty to the historic building, so I won’t be persuaded to do

W

something which I feel is wrong for the building. On the other hand, one has to recognise that in order for the building to continue to live it needs the people that use it to be able to use it effectively and continue supporting it.

“My approach is not to be dictatorial, but to try and always explain where you’re coming from and take people along with you”.

This idea of complementary design is paramount in Mary’s work. “I quite like it when I’ve done something and nobody can see I’ve been there. That, to me, is the greatest compliment.

“I do enjoy repairing things most of all, because that enables the historic fabric to keep on going, and if I do other things I like them to be elegant, appropriate and user friendly. I’m not into statements.”

Sarah Chadd works with a historic church on a daily basis. As Parish Co-ordinator for St Mary and St Nicholas, Spalding, Sarah has a wide-ranging brief of responsibilities, not least of which is the day-to-day management of the church’s maintenance.

“There’s a slow drip drip of things to be done: we’ve just had our quinquennial [inspection] so we’re looking at the major work that need to be done. There are things that just go wrong, like the heating because it’s old, and things that get broken. There’s also forward-planning and what we might want the building to do in the future.”

With its ancient design and Gilbert Scott’s Victorian pews throughout, St Mary and St Nicholas isn’t suited to all modern uses, which range from daily worship to orchestral concerts, large school services and the popular pram service for pre-schoolers and toddlers. Architectural planning for the future is important to continue the church’s mission.

Sarah Chadd (left) and Mary Anderson (above) give an insight into working with historic churches and the daily challenges they present.

Sarah notes that planning for proper maintenance and reguthey’ve considered lar inspections is very important. The Society many options, but it for the Protection of Ancient Buildings runs comes down to the regular Faith in Maintenance courses at compromise between diocesan centres around the country – and having a fully flexible space and not wanting having trained church representatives, as to alienate the congregation and local peo- well as keen-eyed congregation members, is ple. undoubtedly a great help in conserving “Like everything, if it’s what people are Lincolnshire’s many historic churches for used to, then you have to make a really good worship today and in future years. case for changing it.

“We’ve considered leaving everything to taking it all out and starting with a blank can- Diocesan Church Buildings website: vas, and I think we’ve come down to decid- www.lincoln.anglican.org/churchbuildings ing that trying to do the whole building in one go is very difficult. We’ve decided to break it down into more manageable, prioritised projects, hence the idea to do the west end re-ordering first, to get the bulk of the new entrance sorted out and to create some circulation space.”

As well as planning for future repairs and re-orderings, Sarah agrees with Mary that

crosslincs is available in a recorded format for the partially sighted.

Call Dorothy Selfe on 01507 603809.

19

crosslincs

Terry Miller

Eleven years after the Millennium Development Goals were set out by the United Nations, Terry Miller evaluates how well the world is doing.

hristmas is the season of goodwill and peace on earth, and a suitable time to revisit the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – the global effort to reduce poverty – and there is cause for both celebration and concern.

The eight main goals and the various targets for the MDGs were set at the UN in New York in September 2000. It was a time of vision and optimism, and marked a renewed commitment following the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. Rio had galvanised nations and people at all levels with a commitment to sustainable development, of equity, of equality, and inclusive economic growth.

The target for the MDGs is to achieve the goals by 2015, so we are now in a better position to examine our progress. In 2012, another pivotal global conference, Rio+20, will give us a chance to re-adjust commitments, which is particularly challenging in the continuing economic turbulence. In particular, it will be a chance to address the environmental challenges, as the UN Secretary General says in the 2011 report, to “take more determined steps to protect the ecosystems that support economic growth and sustain life on earth”. Poorer nations are disproportionately affected by ecological crises.

The primary target is to reduce extreme poverty to 23 per cent of the global population, defined as those living on less than $1.25 a day. In 1990 the figure was 1.8 billion people and by 2005 it was 1.5 billion – but the likely figure in 2015 will be under 900 million, or around 15 per cent of the global population. It is still a huge figure, but it represents real progress, most of which has been in the Eastern Asian economies and India – but even in subSaharan Africa the forecasts are upbeat.

The economic crisis has not hindered these improvements, but although cheaper commodity prices have helped, they have not translated into increased employment.

Most people in developing regions fall into the category of vulnerable employment, characterised as informal working arrange-

C

Could do better, must do better ments, lack of social protection, low pay and difficult working conditions. One in five workers and their families are in extreme poverty and the improving trend has flattened out since the economic crisis.

An important indicator of global poverty is hunger, and the proportion of people going hungry has settled at 16 per cent despite reductions in poverty. With a larger global population this means more people than in 1990: 837 million as against 828 million. The target is likely to be missed by 2015, and once again sub-Saharan Africa is the highest with over 35 per cent of the population going hungry.

This is a serious indictment of the efforts and policies of the developed world. SubSaharan Africa has made significant progress towards the second target – full primary education – with a leap from 58 per cent to 76 per cent since 1999. All other nations are unlikely to reach the target in 2015 of 100 per cent. As the 2011 report says, “being poor, female, or living in a conflict zone increases the probability that a child will be out of school”.

The third goal, gender equality and promoting the empowerment of women, is believed to be the key to the success of the MDGs. In some regions, achieving gender parity in education, in work, and in parliamentary representation is a long way off, although some have already accomplished it.

Global economic difficulties are affecting the ability of some nations to maintain levels of programme commitment.

Improvements in health care represent three of the goals and a significant area for development. The fourth goal, reducing the under-five mortality rate by two-thirds, can be reached with considerable effort.

There has been significant progress with 12,000 children less dying each day, but all 31 countries, except one (Afghanistan), with at least 100 deaths per 1,000 live births, are in sub-Saharan Africa. Deaths from malaria, diarrhoea and pneumonia are the leading killers in sub-Saharan Africa, and in SouthEast Asia over half of childhood deaths occur 28 days after birth, indicating the need for much better post-natal care.

The fifth goal, reducing the maternal mortality ratio by three-quarters, is still some way off, but progress is being made with the ratio dropping by 34 per cent between 1990 and 2008. There has been some progress in targeting HIV/AIDS, malaria and other major diseases. Although HIV infections fell by nearly 25 per cent worldwide between 2001 and 2009, that figure masks an increase in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and unchanged rates in Eastern Asia, Central and Western Europe and North America.

Treatment for HIV/AIDS has expanded but the 2010 target for universal access was missed. Deaths from malaria have decreased by 20 per cent, but there is still a long way to reaching the target of 50%; however, the fall in tuberculosis infection puts the 2015 goal in reach.

The two remaining goals focus on sustainability and development. The seventh goal, ensuring environmental sustainability, is in jeopardy, with huge losses of forest in many parts of the world – although some areas, such as China and Europe, have

improved forest cover.

More terrestrial and coastal areas are being protected, but the number of endangered species and extinctions continue to rise, fish stocks are in decline and water resources in many areas are critical. The good news is that the target to reduce by half those without sustainable drinking water is being exceeded.

Good progress is being made towards goal eight, to develop a global partnership for development. More than ever is being given, but less than the promises made in 2005; most donors plan to increase aid over the next three years, but at a reduced rate.

In 2010 the UK gave 0.56 per cent of its gross national income, exceeding the promise of 0.51 per cent, although Luxembourg gave 1.09 per cent and Sweden 0.97 per cent.

Undoubtedly global economic difficulties are affecting the ability of some nations to maintain levels of programme commitment, yet the debate over global inequality has moved onto the streets – as we have seen in the Occupy movement.

There have been calls for a Robin Hood (or Tobin) Tax on financial transactions, which would direct large amounts of funding to developing nations. Part of the vision for sustainable development was to shift resources to the poor to encourage more equal access to development. The pivotal ideological struggle may be around a simple but revolutionary idea, which is at the heart of the Christian Faith: “to be aligned with the world’s poor and to share our possessions and wealth.”  For more information on the MDGs see the 2011 Report which is accessible from www.un.org/millenniumgoals

20

Victorian nightmare or medieval dream?

crosslincs

Keith Halliday

We are lucky to have many examples of fine Victorian restoration in the Diocese of Lincoln, writes the Diocesan Church Buildings Adviser.

St Helen’s Brant Broughton, as inherited by the Revd Frederick Sutton. ictorian restoration is loved and despised in the same measure. The era can be summarised as a time when huge numbers of ancient churches were restored, often being enlarged, demolished, re-built, or otherwise mutilated irreversibly in the process.

If it were not for the enthusiasm for restoration of these churches during this era, many of them would not be here today. It is this enthusiasm, particularly in one Lincolnshire personality, that is worth investigating.

Frederick Heathcote Sutton was born in 1833 at Norwood Park, in Southwell, Nottinghamshire. The earliest recording of exposure to the style known as Gothic Revival or Neo-Gothic is when his elder brother wrote A Short account of Organs in 1847, referring to Gothic Revival designs for organ cases by Pugin.

By 1858 he was collaborating with his brother Augustus in designing stainedglass windows.

In the Lincoln Architectural Society Report of 1858 “six stained-glass windows have been most liberally presented to the Cathedral, by the Rev Augustus and Mr F Sutton, who were themselves both the designers and the executors of the same.

Two of these are erected in the north-eastern transept, two in the cantilupe chapel in the opposite transept, and one in each of the clerestories of the same.

All are in most excellent imitations of old designs, and from this quality, which they possess in an eminent degree they assimi-

V

late remarkably well the general character of the Cathedral.”

By 1860, Sutton had been ordained a deacon and designed the chancel decoration including the organ case at Ashley Church, Northamptonshire. There follows an extremely dedicated and productive 28 years of being patron and advisor as well as designer for numerous churches in this diocese and neighbouring dioceses.

He collaborated and was friends with the

His crowning achievement was his beloved church at Brant Broughton. All the stained-glass, excluding the east window, was not only designed by Sutton but made by him in the rectory.

leading English ecclesiastical architect George Frederick Bodley. In 1872 his book Church Organs: Their position and Construction was published.

When the Revd Frederick Sutton was installed as vicar of St Helen’s, Brant Broughton on 1 September 1873, it would not be surprising if he was shocked by the condition into which the church had fallen, a fate all too common to churches in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Almost all vestiges of interest had been destroyed, a confused mass of ill-arranged deal pews had been erected, the pavement uneven and broken, the fine stone vaulting in the tower had been destroyed, the tracery in the west window removed, the pillars insecure and undermined with vaults, the chancel arch shattered and repaired in cement, and the chancel, even though only built in 1812, was inadequate in size and meagre in detail with no windows on the north side.

Thus began a programme of restoration that was finally completed by his nephew, Revd Arthur Sutton in 1903, 15 years after Revd Frederick Sutton’s death. There was one further addition in 1919, the fixing of the figure of Christ to the rood screen.

A portion of the obituary of the Revd Canon Frederick Sutton from the Lincolnshire Chronicle in 1888 reads: “The rev. gentleman had been to Newark in the early part of the day, and returned home about 3.30pm.

“He then went to the church to inspect a new stained glass window which had that

day been placed in the Chancel, and which was the only remaining window in the chancel that was not of stained-glass. He expressed how pleased he was with the work, and remarked that he never expected to live to see the work completed.

“He had dinner at six o’clock… and getting up from his chair at the same moment exclaimed “Dear me, how queer I feel,” and appeared to faint.”

Examples of Sutton’s work and design in Lincolnshire can be found in the organ decoration at Great Carlton, the organ cases at Algarkirk, the altar rails at St Mary le Wigford in Lincoln, part of a reredos at Washingborough (originally designed for St Mark’s, Lincoln), the west window of St Botolph, Lincoln, the organ cases at Leadenham, Plumtree, Corringham, and Edmonstone.

His crowning achievement was his beloved church at Brant Broughton. All the stained-glass, excluding the east window, was not only designed by Sutton but made by him in the rectory, with help from Charles Eamer Kempe.

The roofs were entirely repaired, lavishly coloured (based on medieval remnants uncovered during the restoration), the tower vaulting was replaced, the tracery of the west window was restored, and the chancel taken down and rebuilt.

The remaining works – too many to mention – helped seal the future of St Helen’s, with Henry Thorold describing it as being “one of the best of all Lincolnshire churches” and “like a medieval dream.” 

21

crosslincs

Advertise your event in the Deanery Diary free Visit www.lincoln.anglican.org/yourevent

Deanery Diary See details of more events at www.lincoln.anglican.org

16-21 December 2011 Music in Winterton: On Friday 16 December the South Yorkshire Police Male Voice Choir will be performing at All Saints Church, Winterton at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £8, under 16s free. Tickets from Ida Liversidge on 01724 732268. On Saturday 17 December,four talented musicians who play between them a dazzling array of instruments including cello, bagpipe crumhorn and concertina will perform at All Saints Church, Winterton at 7.30pm. The music is mainly traditional from England, France and Scandinavia. Tickets £5 at the door. And on Wednesday 21 December at 7.30pm, there will be carols and readings in the George Hogg pub in Winterton. For more information visit lincoln.ourchurchweb.org.uk/winterton.

11 December 2011

Scunthorpe Grimsby

Christmas at St Edith’s: Come to the beautiful church of St Edith at Coates to enjoy an afternoon of Christmas peace and joy. From 2.30pm we are offering you a quiet time with the opportunity for personal relection followed by refreshments and carols.

For more information call Pauline Organ 01427 788629.

10-11 and 17-18 December 2011 Christmas Tree Spectacular: At St Clement’s Church, Fiskerton, open 11am to 4.30pm. Twelve individually decorated trees by village clubs and organisations. Live music during both weekends. Tea and coffee, mulled wine and mince pies.

Jams, chutneys, spiced fruit and fruit vinegar on sale.

Grand Raffle.

Gainsborough

Market Rasen

Louth

10-11 December 2011 Nativity Festival: At All Saints’ Church, Wellingore, from 10am to 3pm. Displays of various interpretations of the Nativity, provided by local churches, schools, community groups and artists. Entry by donation and there will be seasonal refreshments available.

10-11 and 17 December 2011

Lincoln Horncastle

Christmas events in Freiston: At St James’s Church, a Christmas Tree Festival and Yuletide Fayre on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 December, from 10am to 4pm. Enjoy Skegness decorated trees celebrating Christmas Around the World, plus stock up on your festive favourites: food, unusual gifts, decorations and greenery. In a Yuletide atmosphere with children's and gospel choirs, dancing and bell ringing. On 17 December at 7pm, the Boston Grammar School Jazz Band will perform a Christmas Jazz Concert in the church, which will be beautifully decorated with more than twenty trees.

Sleaford 11 December 2011

Boston Grantham

A country Christmas concert: At Kirton Parish Church near Boston from 2.30pm to 5pm, traditional carols and Christmas songs performed by Nick and Anita of Country Contrast from Lincoln.

Admission £6 (children free) with refreshments available. There will also be a cake stall, raffle and tombola stalls, raising money for the roof fund.

4 February 2012

Spalding

St Gilbert Annual Lecture: At Billingborough Church and village hall, South Kesteven, Lincolnshire on St Gilbert's Day from 9am to 5pm.

This year three speakers (Glyn Coppack, Paul CopeFaulkner and John Wilford) will talk on the topic of Sempringham, the place where a large church and monastry once stood. They will discuss the foundation of the Gilbertine Order, up to the present day. Contact Alison Greig on 01778 440140 for further information.

Stamford 10 December 2011 to 1 January 2012 Christmas Tree Festival: At St Mary's Church Weston. Twenty decorated trees. For more information contact Rosamund Seal on 01406 370791.

Advertise your event in Crosslincs. Visit www.lincoln.anglican.org/yourevent

22

crosslincs

Bishop’s Office is Back to the Future Edward Joyner ousing the Bishop’s new offices in part of a deconsecrated church might seem strange, but the site to the south of the Cathedral is adjacent to what has been a place of church administration for the best part of a thousand years.

Lincoln was the main seat of the Bishops of Lincoln for the first few hundred years of the

H

Diocese’s 900 year history. The great rose window in the Cathedral’s south transept is called ‘the Bishop’s Eye’, because it looked towards the Bishop in his medieval palace below.

In the days of horses and carriages - and a diocese that stretched down to the Thames the Bishop of Lincoln had lodgings in several counties to enable his oversight. Then, over time, his main seat moved away from the centre of Lincoln. From 1885 (when Edward

King moved to what’s now known as The Old Palace) the Bishop has been based back near the Cathedral and the administrative heart of the Diocese - most recently in a house on the north side of the Cathedral. This tradition will continue with the new house on Nettleham Road and the new offices in part of The Old Palace complex.

At present The Old Palace houses the Diocesan offices and the Diocese’s retreat house, which is also used for conferences,

St Michael’s will have office space for the Bishop as well as expanding the capabilities of The Old Palace complex.

wedding receptions and other functions, as well as providing high quality accommodation. The commercial activity is all part of making the complex financially viable - such that the cost of the offices as well as the retreat house will be covered without the need to draw on Share payments.

The addition of the deconsecrated church of St Michael on the Mount makes excellent practical and financial sense. The Bishop will have a new workspace, and The Old Palace will be able to expand the number of bedrooms it can offer. This means that for the first time since its refurbishment in 2009, individuals will be able to book accommodation without having to be part of a group booking.

“As we already have the core staff in place, adding St Michael’s will add little to costs but will generate substantial income,” says Max Manin, Chief Executive of the Diocese. “There will be significant economies of scale for the commercial operation, which is what makes the whole enterprise viable, so the expansion will add to profitability, as well as contributing to the local community and economy.” Mr Manin added that the determining factor in the decision to incorporate the old church into the complex was that “the development represents a very creative use of investment assets that will produce a significantly higher income than leaving the money in stocks and shares, while also generating long-term capital growth”.

The Bishop’s quarters, towards which the Church Commissioners will contribute financially, will be in a separate part of the building from the accommodation. It will have its own entrance and will consist of office space, a large meeting and function room, and a chapel in the apse of the old church.

An enormous amount of work has already been done by architects, planners and archaeologists. Gelders, based at Sturton-byStow, has won the tender for the building contract and will start work soon, with the goal of opening the new building in late May 2012.

I believe in God Mark Hocknull Head of Ministry Training, Head of the Lincoln School of Theology and Chancellor of Lincoln

Mark continues his exploration of the Apostle’s Creed: He ascended into heaven

he visual imagery of the Ascension relies on a model of the universe which sees it divided into an underworld below, the earth in the middle and the heavenly world above the earth.

We have long since abandoned this cosmology. First Copernicus and Galileo moved the earth from the centre of the

T

universe and placed the sun at the centre.

But modern understandings of the universe de-centre the sun also. The sun is but one of billions of stars in the galaxy, and a fairly minor one on the galaxy’s outer rim at that. Nevertheless, the idea of Christ’s Ascension into heaven is deeply rooted in Biblical language.

The earliest Ascension reference is to be found with the end of Elijah’s earthly life.

Here it sets a religious pattern for the glorification of a hero. Like Enoch, Elijah is taken into heaven without tasting death.

Christ both fulfils the pattern of Ascension and breaks it. Christ ascends after tasting death and experiencing Resurrection. The theology of the Ascension is more complex and significant than a mere poetic licence of the uplifting of Christ in line with a long outdated cosmology.

The Ascension marks the end of Christ’s earthly mission and the reunion of Christ with the Father. It sums up the whole process of redemption: the Son of God left Heaven and then returned again once his

mission was accomplished.

The climax of this mission is reached with the Son’s return to the divine realm.

This is the Son who left the divine world, but with one important difference. The Son is now irrevocably united to human flesh and bone. The return of Christ to the heavenly realm means that a human being has also entered that realm. Not only is Jesus the pioneer of our faith through his crucifixion, as the letter to the Hebrews recalls, he is the pioneer of our faith in that where he goes our ultimate destiny lies also.

The Ascension of Christ means that a human being is already in Heaven waiting to welcome the faithful.

The return of Jesus to the divine realm marks the fulfilment of not only Jesus’ own destiny but also the destiny of the created order. It is a first demonstration of the reconciliation of the whole created order with its Creator. The end of Christ’s work, its aim and purpose is that we are with him in the divine realm, with God the Father.

As we shall see later however, we are not left alone in the world. If the Ascension marks the end of the earthly public ministry of Jesus, it also prepares the way and ushers in the new age of the Spirit. It marks the liberation of Christ’s limitation in space and time, so that, through the Spirit, Christ can be universally present in space and time, in men and women of faith. There is a foretaste of the final reconciliation with God to be experienced now in the world as Christ is present already through the spirit with us here in this world.

That a human being and God have become one in Christ should be visible first and foremost in the fact that there are men and women today who through their own baptism and gift of the Spirit are united with Christ and who are given the responsibility of bearing witness to this fact. Jesus’ earthly time is over; now is our time, time to enjoy the presence of Christ and to allow that presence to shine forth in the world through lives transformed. 

23

crosslincs

Crosslincs 01522 504034 crosslincs@lincoln.anglican.org

Dropping in

Sutton St James

Phil drops in to Sutton St James, close to the Norfolk border.

PHOTOGRAPH: PHIL CRAVEN

Phil Craven

Pauline Stebbings, Sally Clifton and Judith Dunkling in Sutton St James Church. rriving at Sutton St James, I was struck by how warm it was; not in terms of climate − my visit was on an early and decidedly chilly November morning − but by how warm the reception was.

Walking into the churchyard I encountered a lady hurrying from the village shop next door, a pint of milk in hand and a promise of cups of tea and biscuits in the very near future.

This turned out to be Sally Clifton, one of St James’s two bubbly churchwardens. Waiting by the church and eagerly anticipating their companion’s return were the Revd Judith Dunkling and Pauline Stebbings, the Sutton Group’s new priest priest and the second of its churchwardens.

With my first of several cups of tea, I surveyed St James’s church. The current church and separate stuccoed tower are all that remains of a larger building, the nave of which was destroyed during the Protectorate.

St James’s is located in what was the chancel, and it benefits from being a little more diminutive – its size now lends it a sense of cosiness and welcome, which complements its vicar and churchwardens’ reception. St James’s does need a little attention in parts, but it felt well-loved and a welcoming place to worship.

Since arriving in the Sutton Group in January, Judith has greatly encouraged welcoming and inclusive churches, and certainly in St James’s the churchwardens have taken to this task with great energy, making sure that all of the congregations feel valued and are put to use through having jobs to do on a Sunday morning, regardless of age.

Judith and the churchwardens are also developing a close church and village community through a packed calendar of social

A

Services at St James’s 1st and 3rd Sundays: Eucharist 2nd Sunday: Morning Prayer 4th Sunday: Service (led by the churchwardens).

As it was: Sutton St James after the Protectorate. events which includes sausage suppers (using local produce), pub quizzes, the Harvest Lunch, a fantastically popular flower festival in the summer, a large community barbecue, an art festival for local artists, the annual bell ringing festival in the Elloe Deanery, and the Christmas tree

decoration of the church.

As well as a vibrant church community there are close ties with the wider village population too: members of the church lead reading groups in the local primary school, supervise swimming and other activities, and the annual Christingle serv-

ice – with real candles this year – is always popular with the children.

The churchyard also draws a lot of the local community to the church, whether to take part in nature watching (Judith, Sally and Pauline led a survey last year) or to visit the many well-tended graves of loved ones. 

Gazette Appointment The Revd Dr Lynda Pugh, Assistant Curate in the Glen Group of Parishes, to be Priest in Charge of the benefice of Ringstone in Aveland.

Death The Rt Revd John Edward Brown, born 1930, deacon 1955, priest 1956, consecrated 1987, Chaplain St George’s College Jerusalem 1955-57, Sudan 1960-64, Parish Priest Maidenhead St Luke (Oxford) 1969-73, Rural Dean Sonning 1973-77, Parish Priest Bracknell Holy Trinity 1973-77, Archdeacon of Berkshire 1978-87, Warden Ascot Priory 1980-87, Bishop of Cyprus and the Gulf (Europe) 1987-95, retired 1995, Honorary Assistant Bishop (Lincoln) 1995-2011, Rural Dean Grimsby and Cleethorpes 2003-04, died 23 October 2011, aged 81 years.

Contact Information The Bishop of Lincoln The Rt Revd Christopher Lowson  01522 534701 8 bishop.lincoln@lincoln.anglican.org

The Archdeacon of Stow and Lindsey The Venerable Jane Sinclair  01673 849896 8 archdeacon.stowlindsey@lincoln.anglican.org

The Bishop of Grimsby The Right Revd David Rossdale  01472 371715 8 bishop.grimsby@lincoln.anglican.org

The Archdeacon of Lincoln The Venerable Tim Barker  01529 304348 8 archdeacon.lincoln@lincoln.anglican.org

The Bishop of Grantham The Right Revd Dr Tim Ellis  01400 283344 8 bishop.grantham@lincoln.anglican.org

Diocesan offices The Old Palace, Minster Yard, Lincoln LN2 1PU  01522 504050  01522 504051 8 reception@lincoln.anglican.org : www.lincoln.anglican.org www.facebook.com/dioceselincoln @CofELincoln www.flickr.com/dioceseoflincoln

The Chief Executive Mr Max Manin  01522 504030 8 chief.executive@lincoln.anglican.org

24

crosslincs

Biblical clothing wins first prize Will Harrison n Old Testament scholar has been awarded a major prize for her depictions of the themes of Biblical stories.

The theme of the Lancelot Andrewes art competition coincided with the 400th anniversary of the King James translation of the Bible, and Southwark Cathedral invited artists to translate themes from the stories of Abraham, Hagar and Sarah into contemporary culture.

Lancelot Andrewes, leader of the company of scholars that translated Genesis among other books of the Bible, is buried in Southwark Cathedral.

As well as being a scholar of the Hebrew Bible, Vivienne Rowett (pictured), of Bartonupon-Humber, is also qualified in fashion, and put these two of her skills together to create a ‘textile exegesis’ − an analytical commentary of the lives of Sarah and Hagar.

“I’m strongly influenced by Tracey Emin and Grayson Perry, and referenced traditional and contemporary art and craft practitioners,” said Vivienne.

She explained that the work, entitled A Dress for Sarah and a Dress for Hagar is the depiction of her meditation on the Biblical texts, and strongly portray the communication between humans and between humans and God. “The work was at least 40 per cent study,” said Vivienne.

“I was absolutely delighted to win the prize, but it now means years of hard labour!”

By winning first prize, Vivienne was awarded her own exhibition in Southwark Cathedral later next year, which will use the theme of the Psalms.

“I’ve got a lot of work to do,” she laughed.

A

1

2

3

4

5

9

6

7

8

10

Prize crossword The first correct entry to crossword number 30 to be opened on 3 February 2012 will win £25.

11

Send to: Crossword, Crosslincs, The Old Palace, Minster Yard, Lincoln LN2 1PU

12

The editor’s decision is final. Photocopies acceptable. One entry per person

13

14

15

Across

5

Partners find confused coati in asses clothing (10)

9

6

A pack without jokers (5,3)

7

Heavenly messenger with nothing for man from

Old timer owned by us figuratively speaking (4-5)

10 Pub and monarch not outside (5) 16

19

17

18

20

21

11 Putting up bunting on the floor? (7) 8

13 Happening with first female in garden. National

14 Plants unlike the giant hog (5,5)

Trust? (5) 22

23

25

number 30

Cupid comes up inflamed (4)

15 Present and past occasionally (3,3,4)

14 Evangelical or Divine (5,4)

17 Remove some of the 22d to give freedom (8)

16,22 For a more accurate record than 9 consult a PC

18 Gravel race over the jumps (8)

(2,3,4,2,4,3,4) 24

“Measure for Measure” (6)

12 Exit points for wares (7)

20 Songs sung by the Fuehrer? (6)

19 Sign of Uncle Santa Claus (4,5)

21 I’m in location for fish (6)

21 Father X holds the bread (5)

22 Tin port on starboard (4)

22 See 16

23 Quick progress through Advent (4)

by Kettlebird 23 Not the way to run the 18 (4,3) solution number 29

24 Fisherman’s basket (5) 25 Make unholy mess of east creed (9) Down 1

Cold reaction (10)

2

Mayhem in the abattoir (8)

The views of contributors do not necessarily reflect those held by the Diocese.

3

Discriminating against the antiques (6)

Deadline for the next issue: Friday 3 February 2012 Editor Will Harrison Reporter Phil Craven Telephone: 01522 504034

4

Group may be pressing up the plank (4)

crosslincs

Scribble pad

is published by the Diocese of Lincoln.

Printed by Mortons Print Ltd, Horncastle, Lincolnshire

crosslincs@lincoln.anglican.org

Congratulations to Mrs Kathleen Taylor of Ropsley, the winner of crossword 29.

L O L W S L O N I S C C A M L E R S

C O O K I N G T H E B O O K S

H R I S T O T R O S O K W P S P A S G H P E E H O O L T E A E E R S I D T T I C A N T I G N E D

O P H E R P A A A E N T I C E S N C E Y T H O T E L O I O U P I N G T O M G H R M B E E S I S E G N A T U R E H L M T T R I U M P H U B I E P R I N T