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THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014 No: 6224

BISHOPS HAVE intensified the pressure on the Government on their austerity cuts as they delivered a letter calling for action on the rising food crisis.

The action comes as the Trussel Trust revealed this week that the number of food parcels they have handed out rose by over a third in the last year. They gave out 913,138 parcels, while other groups distributed 182,000, bringing the total to over a million.

Yesterday (Wednesday) a letter signed by almost 40 bishops and more than 500 clergy was delivered to the Prime Minister as part of the End Hunger Fast campaign.

The letter says the situation is “shocking” and asks the Government to commit fully to the independent inquiry, led by the Bishop of Truro, on the rise of hunger in the UK. Faith leaders, who are dealing with food poverty on the front line as more and more churches support local food banks and credit unions, are growing increasingly concerned at the inaction by the politicians to protect the poorest and most vulnerable in society.

The Government has yet to act on the original letter, signed by 27 bishops at the start of Lent, or even acknowledge the 70,000-strong End UK Hunger petition, delivered to Downing Street last month ahead of the Budget.

To mark the completion of their Easter and Lent fast to draw attention to UK hunger End Hunger Fast supporters held a vigil outside Parliament last night.

Meanwhile copies of the letter will be delivered to the constituency offices of David Cameron (Witney), Ed Miliband (Doncaster) and Nick Clegg (Sheffield) by three Christian leaders, who have been fasting for 40 days over Easter and Lent.

Mansfield Parish Priest Keith Hebden, Grimsby Chaplain Simon Gross and Catholic Missionary Scott Albrect will be joined by local Bishops, vicars and food bank volunteers at their respective hand ins.

The Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, said: “It is incredible that in a prosperous country like ours where we are told the economy is improving and house prices are rising, that nearly a million

Bishops increase austerity protest

people feel the need to visit food banks to feed their families. Surely the mark of a civilised society is how it treats its poorest and most vulnerable people.”

Keith Hebden, End Hunger Fast campaign spokesperson and Mansfield Parish Priest said: “With benefit changes, poverty wages and failing food markets leaving 900,000 people needing food aid Britain has become the hungry man of Europe.

“The Government ignores this call at its peril. I have never before seen religious people so united on an issue and I hope our collective words and prayers reach the ears of politicians who have the power to act.

“All they need now is some courage, faith and compassion and we might just build a society where no-one need go hungry in Britain.”

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Britain’s food crisis WELFARE: half of all those going to foodbanks have been referred there because of bureaucratic benefit delays, changes and punitive sanctions.

LIVING WAGE: The majority of households in poverty and at risk from hunger are in work and 60 per cent of them report cutting back on food to save money.

FOOD PRICES have gone up 30.5 per cent in the last five years, way ahead of general inflation and way ahead of wages. At the same time the poorest have to pay 19 per cent more for food in a poverty premium and more and more people are forced to buy cheap and unhealthy processed foods.

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Hague defends religious freedom i2

By Amaris Cole THE FOREIGN and Commonwealth Office said 2013 saw ‘a number of worrying developments’ for religious freedom around the world.

The Human Rights and Democracy

Thursday April 17, 2014

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Report, launched last week, highlighted the ‘closing space’ for Christians, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa.

Overall, harassment or intimidation of specific religious groups is at a six-year high, the report notes, and there is no

sign of the climate improving.

Speaking at the launch, Foreign Secretary William Hague said: “Human rights are part of the life blood of the Foreign Office.”

Last year, they gave £6,000,000 of humanitarian aid, making the UK the second largest donor in the world.

“As stated in Baroness Warsi’s keynote address in Washington, a key concern has been the closing space for Christians, in particular in the Middle East and North Africa region, the very region where the faith was born,” the Report reads.

“But there has been a rising tide of violence and intimidation in traditionally Christian countries in Africa.”

Statistics released with the 2013 report states one third of countries have restrictions on religion, despite 73 per cent guaranteeing religious freedom in their constitutions.

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A further 33 per cent of countries and territories have a high level of religious hostility and in 39 per cent of countries, violence, or the threat of violence, is used to compel people to adhere to religious norms; 5.3 million people live in a country with a high or very high level of restrictions on religion.

Syria, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan and Kazakhstan were highlighted in the report for their hostility towards Christians and other minority faiths.

Sexual violence in war zones is another key concern at the moment, with rape being used throughout the world as a method of war.

Many victims do not speak out for fear of shaming themselves and their family, but the problem is widespread through Libya, the Central African Republic and many other war zones.

Religion also stops some of those who have been sexually abused, usually women and children, speaking out.

Education is key in tackling this, by teaching both the soldiers that it is not a legitimate method of war and the victims that they must speak out.

In Libya, for example, women who have been raped have been forced to marry their attacker to reduce the shame cast on them.

Mr Hague called women’ rights a ‘key priority’ for his department.

More information about the Human Rights and Democracy: The 2013 Foreign and Commonwealth Office Report can be found on page 11.

Archbishop criticised Bishop of Oxford to retire

By Amaris Cole

BISHOP Gene Robinson has criticised the Archbishop of Canterbury’s comments on gay rights, saying that he is ‘letting the murderers win’.

Justin Welby said this month, during a phone interview with the London radio station, LBC, that the Church of England cannot rush on gay marriage because it could become a rationale for violence against Christians in Africa.

But the retired American bishop and gay rights activist said it was ‘absurd to buy into a group of murderers’ rationalizations’, and that this unintentionally gives legitimacy for the perpetrators’ reasons for murder.

In an article on The Daily Beast website, retired Bishop Gene Robinson said: “The Archbishop certainly knows that the reasons behind such violence are complicated and numerous, including both religious and long-standing cultural conflicts.

“Surely, these Muslim extremists were looking for a ‘reason’ to murder their Christian countrymen, and as is so often the case, they used ‘let’s blame the gays!’.”

He went on to argue that the Archbishop should also know that ‘you don’t resolve the anger and violence of bullies and hostage-takers by giving in to them’.

“They will be emboldened in their tactics and will only demand more and more.

“I’m reminded of the abused wife who blames herself for her abuse and resolves to try not to do anything to provoke her husband because she is ‘responsible’ for her own mistreatment.

“Her liberation is dependent on her rejecting the notion that her behaviour is the cause of the violence against her, which is similar to how the Archbishop should have placed the blame with the murderers themselves, rather than insinuating Anglicans working for LGBT rights elsewhere ‘caused’ this.”

Bishop Robinson writes that Justin Welby should have told the caller that the church is considering the what the scriptures say, how the church’s understanding has developed and personal experience of gay couples, when deciding whether change in the treatment of gay marriage is warranted.

He said the violence in Africa should have been noted, but the Archbishop should then have made clear: “we cannot give in to the violent acts of bullies and must discern and then pursue God’s will for all of God’s children. Violence and murder of Christians is deplorable, but so is violence against and murder of LGBT people.”

He said that the Archbishop of Canterbury should have used this platform to say: “And as the spiritual leader of the world’s Anglicans, permit me to point out, it is not helpful for some of our own Anglican archbishops, bishops and clergy to join in support of anti-gay legislation and rhetoric in their own countries, thereby fuelling the hatred and violence against innocent LGBT people, who are being criminalized and murdered for who they are.

“These are complicated issues, and with God’s guidance, we will discern what is right to say and do,” he wrote on the website.

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By a staff reporter

ANOTHER DIOCESE joined the list of those who could be in line to receive the first woman bishop when the Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Rev John Pritchard, announced that he will retire on 31 October at the age of 66.

Bishop Pritchard is well known in the wider church as chair of the Church of England Board of Education and he has also been the Church’s spokesperson on education in the House of Lords.

“This has been a hugely difficult decision to make but I believe it is time for a new chapter,” the Bishop said.

“I do this with mixed feelings, inevitably.

The truth is there’s never a good time to go.

But I feel that the diocese is in good heart.

We’ve gathered an excellent Bishop’s staff team, reshaped a more effective support of our mission. Our ‘Living Faith’ vision is well embedded and has proved an effective framework, ready to be reworked for a new phrase.

“The diocese is packed full of fine clergy and wonderful lay people and the mission is going forward imaginatively and energetically in our parishes, benefices and schools.

I just want to say what a great privilege it has been to serve in the Diocese of Oxford since I arrived in 2007.”

Bishop Pritchard went to Oxford from Durham where served as Bishop of Jarrow.

He is in the open evangelical tradition and has a reputation as a ‘safe pair of hands’ as an administrator with a passion for evangelism and education.

Easter’s message of hope

By Amaris Cole

THERE ARE moments when life doesn’t seem worth living anymore, and the Disciples felt like this on Good Friday, Church Together in England say in their Easter message.

Modern life can leave us with a ‘sense of helplessness around us, when injustice piles on injustice and dreams are trampled underfoot’, the Presidents of the group say.

When Jesus was killed, hopes for a ‘kingdom full of justice, peace and love’ seemed buried with him, but Easter restored these, along with breaking the

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power of death.

The message says: “On Easter Sunday morning when the women came to anoint the body of Jesus, they found that something extraordinary and inexplicable had happened. The grave clothes were there, but the tomb was empty.

They soon discovered that Jesus was alive.”

Modern Christians, just like the early ones, can overcome their sorrow, ‘giving us hope and strength to grasp the opportunities available, to proclaim his resurrection and to seek his help in times of difficulty and struggle’.

“With Christ in our midst

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we will overcome.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury will read the final devotional from a lent book for a podcast on Easter Sunday.

Justin Welby will read from Wendy Thomas’ 40 Days of Love.

The author is the National Prayer Co-Ordinator for the Street Pastors initiative and her book has be used as a Lenten devotional by numerous churches of various denominations in preparation for 10 days of love-in-action and mission that seeks to bring the love of God the Father to communities up and down the land.

Welcome for tax break i3

CARE has announced its support for the recent parliamentary vote for the provision of transferable allowances for married couples and is urging MPs to put their support towards a fully transferable allowance in the near future.

The transferable allowance that they are supporting will allow non-working spouses to transfer 10 per cent of their tax allowance to their working spouse. The allowance will act as a first step in recognising the importance of marriage and of the role played by stayat-home parents and carers, according to the social policy charity.

The allowance is expected to come into effect in April 2015, some 15 years after the removal of the recogni-

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Thursday April 17, 2014

tion of marriage in the income tax system and one month prior to the general election.

CARE’s Director of Parliamentary Affairs, Dan Boucher, stated: “Today Parliament has voted for the United Kingdom to come back in from the cold and to align ourselves with international best practice in recognising the importance of marriage in the tax system. This will help ensure that married couple families are treated more fairly. It will also help ensure that the very significant public policy benefits of marriage in terms of adult, child and community wellbeing are better recognised.”

When Britain removed their recognition of marriage from the income tax system it became the only other

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country aside from Mexico in the OCED to do so.

Taxation of Families, a report completed by CARE, demonstrates the implications of the decision made just 15 years ago.

The research showed that the tax burden on a oneearner married family with two children on the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) average wage (£35,883) was 45 per cent greater than the OECD average in 2012. The poor backlash is steadily increasing.

“By increasing the size of the transferable allowance to be worth the full amount of an adult’s personal allowance, families with only one earner would really benefit,” said CARE’s chief executive Nola Leach.

Cameron proves ready to ‘do God’ HE ONCE called himself ‘the heir to Blair’ but unlike his predecessor David Cameron is proving ready to ‘do God’. Of course, he has the advantage of not having Alastair Campbell on hand to deter him.

The Prime Minister also once said that his faith in God was ‘like Classic FM in the Chilterns. It comes and goes’ but currently reception seems to coming through loud and clear.

At a gathering in Downing Street for church leaders before Easter he revealed that his fortnightly attendance at the Thursday school Sung Eucharist as St Mary Abbots was a moment when ‘I find a moment of peace and hopefully a bit of guidance’.

He said he had started testing his children on their religious knowledge at breakfast, telling them that Easter wasn’t about chocolate eggs.

He also described his visit to the Church of the Holy Nativity on a recent visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories as a ‘small pilgrimage’.

“I think it’s an extraordinary place and I think something that will stay with me,” he said.

The Prime Minister drew most press comment for his claim that Jesus invented the ‘Big Society’ and his

Bishop’s tribalism warning

IN A CHURCH school ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide held in Kigali last week, the Bishop of Shyira of the Province de L’Eglise Anglicane au Rwanda, the Rt Rev Laurent Mbanda, called upon the young to safeguard the nation from the evils of tribalism.

“You should be happy that you live in times like these when Rwanda has good leadership.

The current government stopped genocide,

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brought peace and national unity - the kind of change this country needed. You have done very well to come and learn... Therefore be agents of change,” Dr Mbanda said according to reports in the New Times.

Over a 100-day period from 7 April 1994 to July, upwards of 1 million Rwanda Tutsis as well as Hutus who opposed the violence, were killed

by Hutus. The genocide claimed the lives of 20 per cent of the country’s population.

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endorsement of Eric Pickles’ remarks that Britain is a Christian country.

Mr Cameron said he agreed with those who told him that the Church has been promoting the Big Society for decades.

“Jesus invented the Big Society 2,000 years ago. I just want to see more of it,” he said.

But Downing Street was forced to issue a clarification of this remark when a report in The Times pointed out that in a speech to the British Asian Community the Prime Minister had credited them with inventing the Big Society.

“The Prime Minister has long made the point

that he may have coined the catchphrase but he didn’t invent the concept,” Downing Street announced. “All sorts of organisations from different faith backgrounds have made a positive contribution to society, including schools and charities.”

In his speech to church leaders Mr Cameron also called for ‘more evangelism, more belief that we can change people’s lives’. He said the government’s agenda on welfare reform, foreign aid and combating modern slavery amounted to an ‘evangelical’ mission.

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Diocese of Newcastle Members of St Michael’s Church have begun work on a display to be debuted on Good Friday, of boards that make up a modern interpretation of the church’s traditional ‘Stations of the Cross’. These will form a visual meditation on the suffering of Jesus Christ through his condemnation, torture and death on the cross. The boards will be made up of an eclectic range of art including photos, words, music, drama and more based upon the responses of peoples questioned by church members about various themes. The themes include: blame, burden, stumble, family, mercy, compassion, stagger, fear, spent, helpless, nailed, death, broken, and lost. The boards will be displayed through Byker Wall from Raby Cross, to Carville Rise, via Avondale house, up to Byker Garden and St Michael’s Church.

Diocese of Chichester

Diocese of Derby

The Passion of the Christ performed by Soul by the Sea will be making a repeat performance in Brighton on Easter Sunday. This performance will be free to the public. The play will be put on by a local amateur cast with writer and director James Burke-Dunsmore leading the cast as Jesus. Burke-Dunsmore has portrayed this same role in 80 productions worldwide. A prequel to Passion of the Christ will be performed by Soul by the Sea and a local art group, Movement in Worship.

Together they will be parading the streets of Brighton on Palm Sunday. No seating or parking will be provided.

A human trafficking summit is to be held in Derby as a response to the Bishop of Derby, the Rt Rev Dr Alastair Redfern’s work on the parliamentary select committee on modern slavery. The purpose of the summit is to see at a grassroots level what exactly can be done to combat slavery. The programme will be held on 23 June and begin with registration and coffee at 10am. The keynote speaker will be Detective Inspector Kevin Hyland of the Metropolitan Police Human Trafficking Unit.

Diocese of Portsmouth The Bishop of Portsmouth, The Rt Rev Christopher Foster has made his maiden speech in the House of Lords. In the speech he paid tribute to his predecessor Kenneth Stevenson and then delved into the issues at hand. The first was a plea to consider higher education immigration differently from other forms. The Bishop elaborated further stating the importance of international students within universities and in Portsmouth University in particular. Due to current immigration policies it was announced by the Bishop that Portsmouth University has had to turn away the world’s talent as well as ideas and that has cost them dearly. He also discussed poverty in Portsmouth and pledged his support to the issue while in the house.

Diocese of Coventry The Bishop of Coventry, Dr Christopher Cocksworth, has spoken out in praise of a prominent Muslim cleric in Iran in regards to his decision to gift to the Bahá’í community an important religious artwork as a token of support. The Bahá’í community in Iran has been the victim of ongoing persecution by the Government. The gift was an illuminated calligraphic work from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith. Of the event the Bishop said: “I very much hope and pray that this generous gift will assist in the flourishing of a culture of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence in Iran.”

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Diocese of Manchester

Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham

Newly appointed Bishop David Walker visited the ROC Centre in Radcliffe, Bury. ROC stands for Redeeming Our Communities. The centre is one of their many initiatives aimed to offer a solution to social needs. The centre houses a daily police surgery and provides a base for a variety of community activities including ROC Football, Youth Church, fortnightly community lunches and more. About 300 people of all ages utilize the centre’s services. Since the centre opened in 2011, Radcliffe Neighbourhood Police have reported a significant reduction in anti-social behaviour in the area. Anti-social behaviour has reduced by 36 per cent including rowdy and inconsiderate behaviour.

Two hundred new chairs for Southwell Minister, which will be used in the front two blocks of the nave, have been commissioned by Treske Furniture of Thirsk and their cost is being underwritten by the Cathedral Friends.

These new oak chairs are designed to be strong and comfortable to better suit the needs of the Minster. The chairs will cost about £200 each and Southwell is allowing people the opportunity to sponsor one. Sponsoring a chair for Southwell Minister will aid in the process in replacing 1,000 wooden seats that have become worn. Leaflets containing details about sponsoring a chair are available in the Minster or by contacting 01636 817285 chapterclerk@southwellminster.org.uk or visit www.southwellminster.org

Diocese of Peterborough

Diocese of Salisbury

The Chapter of Peterborough Cathedral has recently appointed Mr Steven Grahl as the director of music; he will assume his new post in September. The post was formerly held by Robert Quinney. Grahl currently holds the positions of Assistant Organist at New College, Oxford, Organist and Director of Music at St Marylebone Parish Church, London, and Principal Conductor of the Guildford Chamber Choir. Steven Grahl said of his new position: “I am honoured to have been appointed Director of Music at Peterborough Cathedral, and to have the opportunity to continue the excellent work of my predecessors by collaborating with the Chapter, music team and colleagues at The King’s (The Cathedral) School.”

‘A Subbuteo-sized Greenbelt’ – that is how a Dorset Vicar describes the five-day arts and children’s festival his parish church organizes annually. The Recreate festival to be held for the third year in East Dorset Village normally has about 250 people turn out to enjoy its events - a number that is far larger than those actually in the congregation. This celebration of the Easter season hosts a variety of events ranging from children’s activities to afternoon cafes to street dancing to musical performance and much more. The whole celebration wraps up in a grand finale where the minister transfers their main Sunday service to the marquee for a big Greenbeltstyle Eucharist. The Recreate Festival runs until 13 April at the Alderholt Recreation Grounds. Learn more at http://recreatefestival.org.

Diocese of York York Minister’s holy week will begin with a donkey leading the Minister’s clergy and congregation from the centre of York to the cathedral for the Palm Sunday service. The procession is meant to mimic the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem in the days before he was arrested and crucified, one week before he rose from the dead on Easter Sunday. During holy week at York Minister, visitors can also expect daily choral evensong, an Easter garden and a variety of activities for families and children. “Revealing York Minister in the Undercroft” - the Minster’s latest attraction, will also be open throughout the week allowing visitors to explore 200 years of history through interactive underground chambers. On Easter Saturday the Easter vigil will also be held. More information on Holy Week events can be found on the Minster’s website.

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Chaplain marries his male partner

A HOSPITAL chaplain in Lincoln became the first Anglican priest to marry his male partner last week.

Canon Jeremy Pemberton, 58, deputy senior chaplain for the United Lincolnshire Hospital NHS trust, went through a private marriage ceremony in a local hotel with his long-term partner Lawrence Cunningham, 51, last Saturday.

Canon Pemberton, who describes himself as an activist for LGBT equality in the church and in the workplace, told the Mail on Sunday the wedding was ‘very joyous, very happy’.

“I love this man and I want to be married to him. That’s what I want. It is the same as anyone wants to get married.”

Canon Pemberton said he had dis-

cussed his plans with the Bishop of Lincoln, the Rt Rev Christopher Lowson.

Bishop Lowson confirmed that he had informed Canon Pemberton of the House of Bishops’ statement but he would not say if he was planning disciplinary action.

One person described as ‘a senior traditionalist cleric’ in the General Synod was reported by the [i] Mail on Sunday as saying: “This will become a crisis if no action is taken”.

But the fact that Canon Pemberton is employed by an NHS trust complicates the matter. The trust will probably not want to take any action against Canon Pemberton and under human equality legislation will probably be unable to do so. If Bishop Lowson takes the radical

More baptisms in York

By Amaris Cole

step of removing Canon Pemberton’s licence it would well provoke a crisis in relations between the diocese and the NHS trust.

While liberals greeted the wedding with joy and expressed it was a step in getting the Church to accept gay marriage, traditionalists warned that this was a critical test for the Church’s authority.

“People are looking to the Church to enforce its teachings and discipline,” the senior traditionalist cleric told the Mail on Sunday. “The clergy have taken vows of obedience in public and they ought to live by that. Canon Pemberton should be stripped of his right to function as a clergyman.”

Supporters of the newly married couple on the social media are predicting

Chester vicar facing charges

By Amaris Cole A VICAR from the Diocese of Chester has been arrested on suspicion of rape in a historic case being investigated by the police.

The Rev Simon Marsh, 54, has been suspended while the claims are looked into by police, who questioned the vicar of Bramhall in Stockport, Greater Manchester last week.

The allegation of sexual abuse was said to have taken place between 2011 and 2012 on a teenage girl, aged between 16 and 19 at the time.

Church leaders in the area are reported to have expressed their ‘shock and surprise’ at his arrest.

Mr Marsh was released on bail after being interviewed by detectives, and no criminal charges have yet been brought against him, but the Diocese has pledged to step aside to ensure a full investigation.

THE ARCHBISHOP of York is celebrating Easter by baptising local people from different denominations outside of the Minster with other church leaders.

This Saturday, Dr John Sentamu will immerse a number of people wishing to be baptised in a large tank, from 2.30pm.

Archbishop Sentamu said: “This is the eighth year of our outdoor baptisms, when people come to make a public commitment to following Jesus Christ. I encountered Jesus Christ when I was 10 years old, and I knew I had to follow him whatever the challenges.

“Faith in the God revealed in Jesus Christ is always a risk, you never quite know how things will work out but they always do!”

He added: “Seeking an encounter with God is different for everyone and there are lots of stepping stones along the way. There is no one size that fits all.

“I often hear others describing how they felt nudged, or signposted along the way. Sometimes this nudging goes on for some years, before they make the step forward to receive God’s life freely given in Jesus Christ, come what may.

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that this will be the first of many gay clerical weddings.

Archbishop Justin Welby was forced to defend his appearing to link the expansion of gay rights in the West with violence against Christians in Africa when he attended a conference on violence and met the US Presiding Bishop in Oklahoma City last week.

The Archbishop said ‘we need to be aware of the realities on the ground’. “It doesn’t mean you necessarily do something other than you feel is the right thing to do, but you’re aware of the need to do it in a different way.”

He said there are Anglicans in 143 countries and that ‘we never speak exclusively to ourselves but we speak in a way which is heard around the world’.

Us calls for Anglicans to pray THE ANGLICAN Mission agency Us is asking churchgoers in England and Ireland to keep the world church in their thoughts and prayers this Easter season.

The society, formerly known as USPG, is urging churchgoers to open up their hearts and wallets to donate to their Lent Appeal.

In the small nation of Myanmar proper healthcare is difficult to come by. Healthcare facilities are miles away and the funds are simply not there for residents to make the journey on their own much less pay for the services once they arrive.

The Lent Appeal for this year will go towards the work of the church in Myanmar to provide adequate healthcare for its residents. Donations for the Appeal will help to provide volunteer healthcare workers with first aid supplies and basic medical equipment.

Their Lent course for this year is entitled “A Heart for Mission”, and

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is tied into the Lent appeal by looking at the Anglican Communion’s Five Marks of Mission, while drawing inspiration from the mission and work of the Anglican Church in Myanmar.

The course lasts five weeks and is available for free download online.

Us Outreach and Engagement Officer Heather Skull said of the course: “It has been inspiring to see churches getting together to study mission and what it might mean for them and the community beyond their walls, both locally and overseas.”

Currently due to funding provided by US, the church in Myanmar has trained 80 volunteer rural health workers in one diocese alone.

Whilst volunteering, peoples travel in groups of two to visit isolated rural communities and advise residents on healthy living, treat ailments and refer more serious cases to hospital.

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Nigerian Church closes diocese after Islamist threat THE CHURCH of Nigeria has temporarily closed the Diocese of Damatura in Northeastern Nigeria’s Yobe State due to the terror campaign waged against Christians by Boko Haram.

The Primate of All Nigeria, Archbishop Nicholas Okoh, reports that the Rt Rev Abiodun Ogunyemi has been evacuated to Jos and the “clergy are just being paid to keep it on.”

The Islamist terror group has sought to drive Christians out of Northern Nigeria and in recent months has moved the war south.

On 14 April 2014 over 200 people were killed when a bomb detonated

at a commuter bus station outside Abuja. The previous day approximately 60 Christians were murdered in the Northeastern State of Borno.

However “our church in Maiduguri is miraculously on but the churches are being attacked here and there,” Archbishop Okoh said.

“The Bishop has escaped so many attacks, but he is still there; so what we are doing is to find a way to support the Bishop to support his members. The Bishop is there to ensure that the church does not die.

“Let me say that evil will not win this battle no matter how long it takes,” Archbishop Okoh said.

Rwandan genocide remembered 20 years on IN A CHURCH school ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide held in Kigali last week, the Bishop of Shyira of the Province de L’Eglise Anglicane au Rwanda, the Rt Rev Laurent Mbanda, called upon the young to safeguard the nation from the evils of tribalism.

“You should be happy that you live in times like these when Rwanda has good leadership.

The current government stopped genocide, brought

peace and national unity - the kind of change this country needed. You have done very well to come and learn... Therefore be agents of change,” Dr Mbanda said according to reports in the New Times.

Over a 100-day period from 7 April 1994 to July, upwards of 1 million Rwanda Tutsis as well as Hutus who opposed the violence, were killed by Hutus. The genocide claimed the lives of 20 per cent of the country’s population.

Archbishop clarifies African remarks THE ARCHBISHOP of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, has clarified remarks made last week to a radio audience linking gay marriage in the West to the murders of Christians in Africa.

In an interview with Canada’s Anglican Journal given during a visit to Toronto last week the archbishop said his words had been misconstrued. There would be consequences to actions taken by the Church of England over gay marriage, but he declined to say whether this was reason enough not to act.

“What I was saying is that when we take actions in one part of the church, particularly actions that are controversial, that they are heard and felt not only in that part of the church but around the world…

And, this is not mere consequentialism; I’m not saying that because there will be consequences to taking action, that we shouldn’t take action.”

The archbishop added: “What I’m saying is that love for our neighbour, love for one another, compels us to consider carefully how that love is expressed, both in our own context and globally. We never speak the essential point that, as a church, we never speak only in our local situation. Our voice carries around the world.

“Now that will be more true in some places than in others. It depends on your links. We need to learn to live as a global church in a local context and never to imagine that we’re just a local church. There is no such thing.”

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News

5

Protests over planned Myanmar legislation BURMA’S PROPOSED religious freedom law has drawn protests from Christian and civil society leaders, warning the bill submitted to Parliament by the government of Myanmar President Thein Sein was a threat to religious liberty.

Sponsored by the Buddhist nationalist group “Movement 969” the bill forbids the marriage of Buddhist women to non-Buddhists without state permission, and criminalizes Muslim and Christian proselytism of Buddhists.

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, the chairman of the opposition National League for Democracy, has criti-

cized the bill saying it violates basic human rights. The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Yangon, Mgr Charles Maung Bo told the Fides News Agency he opposed the bill as it would “interfere with the individual right to choose one’s own religion.”

The Anglican Church of Myanmar has not taken a formal stance on the proposed legislation, but a church source told The Church of England Newspaper the proposed law was part of a wider campaign of Burmese Buddhist nationalism that spelled trouble for the country’s religious and ethnic minorities.

Lord Williams says theology is ‘way of life’ THE FORMER Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Williams, delivered the 2014 Dunning Lecture at St Michael’s Seminary and University in Baltimore last week, speaking on the topic “Theology as a Way of Life”.

In his 3 April 2014 address Lord Williams invited the capacity audience to engage in “theological behaviour” that was unafraid of self-scrutiny, patient with life’s deepest mysteries, and hospitable to conversation. Theological living occurs in discrete moments of encounter, both individually and collectively. These encounters could include the classic conversion experience of an individual, or the awakening of an entire society was the case in Britain in 1807 upon the abolition of the slave trade.

Such moments were not only experiences of liberation, he said, but steps into a “positive new identity.”

Inviting hearers to reflect on moments of new possibility and on practices of prayer and contemplation, Lord Williams concluded that “what it all adds up to is joy.”

Church loses Wal-mart court challenge A Federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the parish of Trinity Wall Street against the Wal-Mart Corporation, which sought to compel the company to distribute proxy material at its 22 April 2014 shareholders meeting that called for the company’s board to regulate the sale of products that offend “family values.”

The Episcopal parish in

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lower Manhattan, whose real estate assets and investments are valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars, on 1 April filed suit in the US District Court for Delaware asking the court to overturn Wal-Mart’s refusal to allow the proxy to come before the meeting.

The church alleged that the sale of products by Wal-Mart such as ammunition clips that

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hold more than 10 rounds or music that endorses violence and sex harmed the company’s market value.

On 11 April the judge ruled the Securities and Exchange Commission staff already had said Wal-Mart was not obligated to accept the parish’s proposal, and had not demonstrated the SEC ruling was erroneous.

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Letters

Write to The Church of England Newspaper, 14 Great College Street, Westminster, London, SW1P 3RX. or you can send an E-mail to letters@churchnewspaper.com. Tweet at @churchnewspaper If you are sending letters by e-mail, please include a street address.

NB: Letters may be edited

Challenge accepted Sir, May I remind Dr Christopher Shell that I did reply to the first of his challenges of 13 December, in my letter which you printed on 20th? I quoted a leading 20th Century New Testament scholar, Professor C Kingsley Barrett and his wholly theological explanation of Romans 1 and his setting of the passage in its context, regarding time and place.

With regard to his second challenge, I can say only that the young people I am in contact with, both churchgoing and not, are aware of traditional objections to homosexuality but find it difficult to see how they apply to Christians today, in the light of our greater understanding of human sexuality.

Dr Shell’s lumping it together with pederasty, STDs, etc, (I wonder why he stopped short at bestiality?) only confirms them in their belief that Christianity is not a living faith but a nostalgic hobby for people who seek refuge from today’s demanding questions.

As for “damaging practices”, when I worked as an adviser for the Legal Aid society, I was horrified to learn from many distressed Roman Catholic women that their Church condoned their husbands’ subjecting them to sodomy on a regular basis against their will, in order to avoid conception. This is another instance of the Law taking precedence over the Spirit, which is unacceptable to many younger people today.

Mar y P Roe, Bicester

Gay marriage

Sir, The article by Andrew Carey makes me ask myself the question “Would I attend a gay marriage?”

Oh dear. I suspect that there are many like me who have crossed many bridges in the last year or five, but this may be my Arnhem.

Years ago the biblical injunctions against homosexuality were dominant and virtually unchallenged. Then came the realisation that many people are not clearly XX or XY, and all need intimacy, whether expressed physically or not.

No problem with accepting

Definitions of marriage Sir, In his column in last week’s Church of England Newspaper Andrew Carey notes that there are now two different legal definitions of marriage in this country, one held by the state and one held by the Church of England in Canon B.30.

It is of course the case that Christians should accept that the state’s definition of marriage exists. There is no point in pretending that it does not. However, they also need to remember what is said in the marriage service in the Book of Common Prayer ‘be ye well assured, that so many as are coupled together otherwise than God’s word doth allow are not joined together by God; neither is their matrimony lawful.’

These words remind us that whatever the state does cannot change the nature of marriage as ordained by God at creation, namely an exclusive and lifelong union between one man and one woman (see Genesis 2:18-25 and Matthew 19:4-7). The responsibility that Christians now have before God is to continue to bear clear witness to the God given nature of marriage and to point out the consequence that same sex ‘marriages’ are not truly marriages at all. Contrary to what Andrew Carey suggests, this means that they should not attend gay weddings since to do so would be to make the Christian witness against same sex ‘marriages’ less clear.

There will be those who argue that behaving in this way would be contrary to the Archbishop’s call to continue ‘to demonstrate in word and action, the love of Christ for every human being.’ However, this argument is based on a misunderstanding of what love involves. Love is not the same as unconditional affirmation. Love means valuing every single human as someone made in the image and likeness of God and for whom Christ died, and acting in a way that gives expression to that value. This frequently means challenging people about their behaviour so that they can change where necessary and become more fully the people God intends them to be. It is this kind of difficult love that members of the Church of England need to learn how to show in response to the government’s attempt to re-define marriage.

Dr Martin Davie, Orpington

that there are many homosexuals, and Civil Partnerships make sense.

As to chastity, that’s even more difficult, and the saying that Platonic friendships are “The gun you didn’t know was loaded” springs to mind. Can one really hold the view that same-sex physical relations are acceptable, provided that neither partner wants to be ordained, let alone become a bishop? I pass on this one.

Marriage, for many like me, has to refer exclusively to a union between a man and a woman. “Rev” Adam Smallbone wanted to support his friends, but is forbidden by law from conducting a wedding ceremony. He could attend, however. Could I? I could attend a Civil Partner-

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ship ceremony. No problem.

Could I attend a “Gay marriage”?

No, it remains that Bridge Too Far. Tony Cullingford, Tewkesbury

Acceptance

Sir, I would question Andrew Carey’s remarks on Christians and gay “marriage” on two points in particular. Firstly, does not attending such an event imply acceptance of it?

I’m sure at least 99 per cent of people would think so. How does this equate with the New Testament’s teaching on avoiding every appearance of evil (1 Thess. 5:22), or having nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness (Eph 5:11)?

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We can be friends with “gay” people, yet graciously but clearly explain that we cannot attend as we do not believe it is right to do so in the light of Scripture. Surely that is better than giving the impression to others by our attendance that we see nothing wrong with it?

Secondly, is he not being rather naive in thinking the LGBT lobby will be satisfied now they can “marry”? One of their activists, Ellen Willis, has said “conferring the legitimacy of marriage on homosexual relations will introduce an implicit revolt against the institution at its very heart”.

Others have said the same. So same-sex “marriage”, rather than being the end of the insatiable demands of the LGBT lobby, will be rather, a Trojan horse from which to dismantle the whole concept of traditional marriage. No wonder the Lord advised his disciples to be shrewd as snakes as well as innocent as doves.

Mrs S Wilson, Tandragee, Co Armagh

Mocking tweet

Sir, Colin Coward (4 April) seems to mock orthodox theology in his tweet. A number of us have pointed out that God’s judgment often comes in the form of pestilence and disaster.

Most agree that in general a particular transgression does not reap a specific punishment. Colin’s suggestion that the badger cull merited the diluvian disaster strikes me as extremely facetious.

That God would ignore gay marriage but punish us for a badger cull seems to be dangerously close to mocking our Lord. If Colin is tempted to repeat the exercise, he should take careful note of Galatians 6:7 (“Be not deceived; God is not mocked:”).

Colin Bricher, Northampton

Superficial

Sir, I was quite disappointed

by James Catford’s “Faith in the Political World,” (4 April).

It turned out to be a superficial compare and contrast of two far Left Labour politicians, the unbelieving Tony Benn of nonconformist stock and the believing Eric Heffer of the

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Anglo-Catholic stable. A fairer comparison would have been either Tony Benn with Harold Wilson, both of Congregationalist backgrounds, or perhaps Eric Heffer with fellow AngloCatholic George Brown.

However, before we can really understand the affect of faith on politics we need to discern those who trust the living God of the Bible from those retain the outer shell with a philosophical concept of God. Believers expect grace to transform men and understand this world as a probation where wrongs will be righted in the world to come.

Those with an emasculated faith must right everything now, even if that enslaves us to the all powerful parental state, requires the passing endless laws to make men good, or restrain them from being bad.

So while I empathise with those on the Left, I am reminded of the aphorism that those who are not socialists when young have no heart, but those who remain so as they grow up, have no head.

There are two people of the Left whose views radically changed on conversion. Following his post-war conversion to Catholicism, the leading British Communist Journalist Douglas Hyde exposed the unprincipled infiltration of the Churches and other dirty tricks of the communists.

According to “I believed,” as well as Churchmen, even those on the political Right had come to advocate policies having their roots in Communism.

He is also remembered for his “Dedication and Leadership” advocating the adoption of the Communist cell system of indoctrination.

This became a favourite in some Charismatic and House Church circles.

The other person of the Left whose outlook was radically changed on conversion must be Dame Christabel Pankhurst.

How wise were men like Lord Hailsham in making the religious basis of society the first point of their political creed.

Alan Bartley, Greenford, Middlesex

Thursday April 17 2014

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The nation needs to return to the way of Jesus

Comment

As elections begin to loom, political leaders seem to show their religious side. Mr Miliband is claiming that his Jewish background is important to him, although he is an atheist, as was his communist father Ralph. Mr Cameron has said recently that he does have a real faith and it has helped him at times. Before his 1997 election triumph Mr Blair made a point of having photo opportunities of himself attending church services. Alas, neither Christian nor Jewish principles play any part in the policies of these leaders, and Mr Cameron in particular has visited deep crisis on the Church of England by his decision to redefine marriage away from the biblical doctrine of creation and covenant between a man and a woman and into a form of friendship.

Perhaps the sudden desire to gain some association with faith also has to do with the plummeting public regard for politicians’ virtue. The incident of the unfortunate Maria Miller has added to this negative view, so has the disclosure of the debauched gay sex parties at Westminster by Tory MPs. Marina Hyde’s Guardian piece was particularly sharp: ‘Like all dysfunctional institutions, Parliament has normalized a code of behaviour that wider society finds unacceptable’. And this is no doubt partly why Ukip’s poll ratings go up as a way of registering protest against the whole political establishment. It is a deeply unhealthy political situation, as of course is the BBC version of a sexually predatory culture in the Savile phenomenon.

The normalizing of such behaviour is a direct rejection of the Christian ideal of virtue as the goal to follow, notwithstanding the moral failure of Christians in public life as well as secularists. The point is that Christian virtue was the assumed moral norm, and this has now been thoroughly rejected by the state. This rejection of Christianity as the national cultural norm, however lightly stressed, has in fact caused much suffering and distress in all fields of life, including the highest level of politics, and even the unity of the UK. The falling-off of the common Christian bonds uniting Scotland and the rest of the UK has played a part in the rise of the SNP regime, a socialist nationalist party, contemptuous of bonds with the English and Welsh.

Significantly the one institution in the UK that is still highly respected and effective is the monarchy and Her Majesty the Queen, whose Christian faith is clearly not to be put in the closet.

The Passion of Jesus discloses our human sin and divine redemption. This Passion Week we do well to ponder Jesus, his ministry of saving love and redemptive suffering. His Gospel is universal good news, personally and also affecting our institutions such as the NHS, law and order, education and social welfare. All these have grown up from Christian roots, and we see daily the effect of these roots being cut away. Why does our nation now so disown Jesus and his way, the basis of western civilization?

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Leader & Comment

7

Why stay in the Church of England?

Simon Austen It’s a question I have been asked a number of times and, sadly, with increasing frequency.

Some of the most able ministers of the gospel, potential leaders for the future, are wondering whether there really is an honoured place for them in the Church of England.

Perhaps, after 20 years of ordained ministry, it is easier for me to answer positively. Conservative evangelical ministry is flourishing in many ways; churches are growing, traditionalists (as some would call us) are still being recommended for ministry; those of us in post are not experiencing the challenge of finding a job whilst holding to what is regarded now by some as a minority, dissenting position.

When I was first at theological college that position was the position of the Church of England. It soon became one of two equally valid alternatives. Then the language began to change. Before any law has reached the statute books those who hold to the traditional and accepted view have been gently moved in to the dissenting camp, even when there was no official position from which to dissent. And now we are on the brink of finding that it is not the Church of England’s position at all.

Those who have not moved in their convictions – men and women, lay and ordained – are now expected to flourish on the basis of pastoral provision and the hope of future trust.

Everything in me wants that to work, and I hope and pray that it does, but the shift in language which has been used to marginalize one position is in danger of being applied to a far bigger and more significant issue: human sexuality.

The recent Pilling report contains much that we need to recognise as we seek to pastor those in our care, but it also contains a hermeneutical virus which may cause the destruction and division of a confessional church, in which we are supposed to uphold the Bible as our authority (Canon A5). The Church of England has ‘power to decree rites and ceremonies, and authority in controversies of faith: and yet it is not lawful for the Church to ordain anything contrary to God’s word written.’ (Article XX). It will not do to say that the ‘traditional’ view expressed in these foundational convictions is one of a number of acceptable Church of England positions – but I fear the hermeneutical virus will take us in that direction.

Yet before any take precipitate action to leave we would do well to learn some lessons from church history. In 1758 Wesley wrote ‘Reasons against a separation from the Church of England.’ Amongst other concerns he reminded his readers: “The Experiment has been so frequently tried already, and the success has never answer’d the Expectation. GOD has since the Reformation raised up from Time to Time many Witnesses of pure Religion. If these lived and died in the Churches to which they belonged, notwithstanding the wickedness which overlowed both the Teachers and People therein; they spread the Leaven of true Religion far and wide, and were more and more useful, ‘till they went to Paradise.

But if upon any Provocation or Consideration whatever, they separated, and founded distinct Parties, their Influence was more and more con-

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fined; they grew less and less useful to others, and generally lost the Spirit of Religion themselves in the Spirit of Controversy.”

In our own day we must never lose the ‘Spirit of religion’ as Wesley called it. We must strive, as Ryle did in the following century, to battle for the biblical heart of the Church of England, even when “the clouds are gathering round the Church of England; her very existence is in peril.

Conflicting opinions bid fair to rend her in twain.

A strife has arisen within her pale in the last 30 or 40 years, not about the trappings and vestments of religion, but about the very foundation of the Gospel. It remains to be seen whether our beloved church will survive the struggle.”

It seems that we are heading towards ‘foundation of the gospel’ territory, changing that from which the Bible says we need to repent. But until such point where that is enshrined in law, we must do what we can to maintain and prosper a biblical witness in the Church of England; to stand firmly on the foundation that is our heritage and our confession.

We may be pushed to the edges of the ship or, indeed, that we find there is no place for us at all – but that must come as we stand our ground without running away, whilst being aware, as Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali has pointed out, that “There are certain things that can disrupt fellowship; in the New Testament two things are consistently presented as being able to disrupt fellowship. One is persistent and systematic false teaching whatever the scope of it might be. And the other is persistent sexual immorality. ... we must take this very seriously in our present situation.”

It is possible that authentic fellowship will be disrupted by others who are intent on a revisionist position: only time will tell. But until such time we must do what we can to embed and prosper Biblical ministry in the churches and parishes where we serve - until we can do so no longer.

In April 2011 The Independent carried an article with the title ‘Will the last person to leave the Church of England please turn the lights out.’ I hope that if that time comes, it will not be we who leave the Church of England; even if the Church of England leaves us.

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The Rev Simon Austen is Rector of St Leonard’s, Exeter

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Janey Lee Grace Live Healthy! Live Happy!

The real daily bread

‘Inspired by nature fuelled by passion’ is the ‘strapline’ for the recent Natural and Organic Products Europe trade show at London’s Olympia, the show is in its 18th year and it is massively increasing in popularity. Despite perhaps needing to make sacrifices in other areas, it seems people really hold onto their values and are becoming increasingly savvy about good nutrition, good food supplements and the best in natural and organic skincare and beauty products.

There were four zones all in the one show. The Natural Beauty and Spa featuring the best in organic and natural skincare and makeup, some of my favourite companies were there including Green People, Simply

Bee (great skincare containing Propolis) Planet Health who do unique skincare with silica and FOM cosmetics who have gorgeous facial oils.

The natural health zone featured supplements, herbal products including the high-quality supplements and ‘essential food’ from G&G vitamins, Sun chlorella, Better You who make great vitamin D oral spray and the Natural Living zone, including everything from Probiotic cleaning fluid from Libby Chan and the laundry soapnuts from Greenfrog Soap.

One of the most enticing zones was The Natural Food Show which included raw food, vegan, gluten-free and some well-known healthy brands. Some of my

Sajid Javid’s appointment as culture secretary caused a flurry of excitement in the media. The right wing press was delighted at the ascendancy of a bright, successful capitalist son of a Pakistani bus driver who had placed a portrait of Margaret Thatcher on his office wall. The left wing press was full of complaints that he knew nothing about culture. According to Media Monkey in The Guardian Jeremy Hunt was OK because of a background in PR and Maria Miller made the grade because of a career in advertising and marketing. But it was left to The Times to point out that Javid becomes an ex-officio Church Commissioner. The paper thought the C of E would find his financial knowledge useful, and helpfully explained that he is not an active Muslim although his wife is a practising Christian. Sadly it looks as though the Church will not be able to take advantage of Javid’s financial knowhow. The Times omitted to point out that the six holders of state offices who are Church Commissioners (who include the Prime Minister) do not serve on the Board of Governors who decide overall policy. What a pity. It would have made quite a change to have Javid rather than that Trollopian figure, Sir Tony Baldry, answering questions in the Commons on gay marriage or the Bishop’s Palace in Wells.

Archbishop Justin Welby and the bishops are in urgent need of theological support for their statement on same-sex marriage. Last week this column reported that the Faith and Order Report had been subject to a devastating analysis in Theology by Professor Nigel Biggar of Oxford. Now comes news that Dr Gerard Loughlin of Durham University has called on the bishops to come to a more catholic understanding of marriage as the grace offered between the spouses and witnessed by the church rather than as a grace conveyed by the church. Loughlin, who is publishing a book on homosexuality later this year or early next year, was giving the keynote address at the prestigious Society for the Study of Theology. He invoked Diarmaid McCulloch to support his argument that ‘listening’ can often really be a way of ‘silencing’. The Archbishop might be advised to call on Caroline Boddington to recruit some theologians to join the bench of bishops. With the departure of Rowan Williams, Tom Wright and Geoffrey Rowell it has few if any members who have served as full members of a university faculty of theology. Meanwhile Canon Mark Oaten, Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral, has called for a joint statement by Archbishop Welby and the Pope appealing for the decriminalisation of homosexuality across the world. After trafficking could this be the next ecumenical campaign? Don’t hold your breath.

Was Jesus married?

Religious Leaders

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favourites included Booja Booja chocolate, the great cereals from Rude Health, Tiana Fair Trade Organics who alongside their raw organic extra virgin coconut oil, coconut water, flour and nectar now also have Coconut Goodness, - coconut flesh in a jar – yum!

A real find for me was a US company who have just started distributing their food products into the UK: Food For Life baking have great bakery products. It all got quite biblical as I tasted their heavenly Ezekiel 4:9 sprouted grain breads. The sprouting of grains maximizes nutrition and digestibility, while retaining important natural fibre and bran. The resulting protein and complex carbohydrates don’t tend to spike blood sugar levels the way process flour breads would.

I couldn’t help but ask about the name. They said: “We could find no better name than Ezekiel for this bread. That’s of course, where we find this divine loaf described the book of Ezekiel Chapter 4, verse 9. “What’s amazing is that when we test the unique combination of the six grains legumes and seeds, we find a complete protein, containing all of the essential amino acids. And, of course, we germinate all of them to maximize nutrition and digestibility.”

Spread liberally with coconut spreadable – amazing, bread and butter with no guilt! And finally, I leave you with this quote from Ezekiel 4.9: “Take wheat and barley, beans and lentils, millet and spelt; put them in a storage jar and use them to make bread for yourself.”

Under pressure

First Muslim Church Commissioner

After 18 months of debate and accusations of forgery, the fragment of parchment that contains a reference to Jesus’ wife has been dated to around the eight century by experts at MIT and Columbia University. The small fragment contains two lines in Coptic which read ‘Jesus said to them, my wife’ and ‘She will be my wife’. The fragment was given to Prof Karen L King of Harvard Divinity School by an anonymous donor. Experts say that it dates to around 741 AD. When the fragment was first produced, the Vatican and a number of experts, including Professor Francis Watson of Durham, threw doubts on its authenticity. Despite the new evidence about the date of the fragment, there are still experts with doubts. An Egyptologist from Brown University claims in an article published alongside one by King in the Harvard Theological Review that there are grammatical mistakes in the artefact unlikely to have been made by a native speaker of Coptic.

He suggests that it is really a part of a copy of the Gallery Gospel of Thomas. Even King admits the fragment is not proof that Jesus was married, only that some early Christians were discussing the place of women in the church. In a statement she said the fragment affirms ‘that women who are mothers and wives can be disciples of Jesus – a topic that was hotly debated in early Christianity as celibate virginity increasingly became highly valued’.

Whispering

The

Giles Fraser has a new media perch in The Mail on Sunday in addition his normal slot in The Guardian. From it he has urged the PM to realise there is more to religion than good deeds. All very impressive but Giles never gets round to saying exactly what this ‘more’ is. He criticises [i] Rev for giving the same impression and in another media outlet suggested the Rev Adam Smallbone should take up politics but he doesn’t go this far in the Mail. The most he says in the piece in the Mail is to ask ‘will any politician have the gall to preach the full story of Christ’s crucifixion?’ Were any politician to do that, Giles would then probably use his slot in [i] The Guardian to attack them for pietism. Meanwhile Ed Miliband’s comment that he hopes to be our first Jewish Prime Minister even though he is an atheist has drawn forth quite a bit of comment. David Aaronovitch has no doubts that atheist Jews are the only true Jews. What Ed has not told us is whether he keeps the Jewish Law. Lord Sacks has made that an important test, saying it is not Jews who keep the Law but the Law that keeps Jews. Jewish or not, Ed is seen by 8 per cent of the population in a Sunday Times poll as embodying Britain today. Equal with Richard Dawkins, he is far behind Cameron (20 per cent) and Nigel Farage (16 per cent) but ahead of John Sentamu (5 per cent) the only church leader on the list.

Comment

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Friday April 17, 2014

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Some things can still surprise us...

There is that throwaway remark that ‘nothing surprises’ or there is ‘nothing new under the sun’, which is meant to betray a casual and jaundiced cynicism. In reality, as I get older I constantly find myself being surprised.

Firstly, there are unpleasant surprises. The announcement of the first gay ‘wedding’ of a Church of England clergyman and his partner shouldn’t have surprised me but it did. I still can’t get over the fact that in less than half a decade gay marriage has firstly come onto the agenda in a serious way and has now been enacted in such a short space of time.

It is also astonishing that when the Bible is so clear about the nature of human sexuality, human anthropology and the nature of Christian marriage, that a clergyman could even contemplate taking this step. There is such a clear gap between Christian orthodoxy and gay marriage that you’d have to be mad to believe you’d get away with it. It would be like simultaneously believing that one could be an atheist and a clergyman at the same time.

And of course, that has already been done, most famously by Don Cupitt.

The signs are that Canon Jeremy Pemberton will get away with marrying his longstanding partner, Laurence Cunnington. The Bishop of Lincoln’s response to the news that one of his priests had entered a gay marriage was ambiguous in the extreme, letting him know that he had explained “the guidelines of the House of Bishops.”

He added: “The Church of England is shortly to enter a process of facilitated discussions about its response to same-sex marriage. I am committed to entering that

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Andrew Carey

process in a spirit of honesty and integrity, seeking to discern the spirit of God at work in the church as we seek to understand the nature of marriage in the future.”

I read that as a very strong indication that the Bishop intends to sit on his hands because to take any action would be to pre-empt the results of the facilitated conversations.

The trouble is that this is to regard the Church of England’s position as undecided whereas the onus is on those who would change the Church’s teaching to make their case. It doesn’t surprise me in any way that the Church of England is confused about this but the level of dishonesty involved in maintaining the fiction that this is an open question is absolutely astounding.

Yet there are also so many pleasant surprises on a dayto-day basis. After such a dreadful rainy winter with floods throughout the country, the emergence of the country into a dry spring is a daily surprise. The recovery of Arsenal’s season to get into an FA Cup Final, having thrown away the premiership, is shocking. I have every expectation that Hull can confound us, but I can still hope.

And it is this word ‘hope’ that marks the central hallmark of our faith. The God who surprises us with his radical love, gives us hope that in spite of the darkness we will be reconciled with him and with each other in the fullness of time.

I wish all readers of the Church of England Newspaper, a very happy and peaceful Easter.

Paul Richardson

Comment

Canon Jeremy Pemberton tied the knot with Laurence Cunnington

The need for the bodily resurrection

Church and World

Ludwig Wittgenstein put his finger on what is important about the Resurrection of Christ. If Christ did not rise, Wittgenstein reasoned, if he is dead and decomposed, then he was a teacher like any other ‘and can no longer help; and once more we are orphaned and alone. So we are to content ourselves with reason and speculation’.

Without the Resurrection we can revere Jesus as a teacher and prophet but he can only be our saviour if he is risen from the dead. By ‘risen from the dead’ we must mean that Jesus is bodily risen. It is not enough to say that he is risen in the church or that God continues to be faithful to the project Jesus initiated. We need to be able to say that Jesus continues as a bodily agent and is able to relate to us.

The problem we have in making this case is not the appeal to historical evidence which actually does seem to point to a Resurrection. It is the difficulty we have in seeing how Jesus can be alive and active without there being a place in which he exists.

A body requires a location but the idea of heaven as an extraterrestrial place is no longer convincing to us. We do not imagine Jesus sitting at the Father’s right hand above the skies. Heaven is not a physical location so how can the physical body of Jesus be said to continue to exist there?

This question has been dealt with in a recent study by Professor Sandra Shneiders, Jesus Risen in Our Midst.

This collection of papers is one of the most important studies of the Resurrection to have appeared in a long time. Dr Schneiders is convinced of the importance of the bodily resurrection of Jesus for Christian spirituality and she outlines historical evidence that suggests the Resurrection really did take place. But she also recog-

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nises the problem of speaking about a bodily Jesus and proposes a solution to it.

A bodily resurrection requires an empty tomb and Schneiders suggests many New Testament scholars have shied away from this because they find it difficult to imagine a bodily existence for Jesus after the Resurrection. Yet the evidence for the empty tomb is strong.

The Jewish and Roman authorities could have discredited Christian claims by producing a body but they failed to do so. Only women are associated with the discovery of the tomb which suggests the story was not invented.

To argue for some kind of Easter story without the empty tomb is difficult because it is firmly embedded in the literary evidence and testimony of the eyewitnesses.

Even so, it is important to note that the early church did not use the empty tomb for apologetic purposes. There is no record of Paul visiting the site. The first Christians believed in the Resurrection because the risen Christ appeared to them. They recounted the finding of the empty tomb because it happened. They had no motive to make it up.

But how are we to understand a bodily Jesus? Schneiders suggests that we need to distinguish between a physical body and a material body. The Resurrection body of Jesus was not a material body but Jesus remains a distinct person who interacts with his disciples, eats with them and talks with them and appears to be the same person he was before death. The disciples do not just see a vision or have hallucinations.

Bodies serve a number of functions. They manifest identity through change; they make people distinct from others; they make possible interaction with other people; and they allow the formation of networks so that

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through one individual we are related to others. The bodily resurrection of Jesus enables all these functions to continue to be exercised. We see, for example, how his present relationships with his disciples draws them together in a close network.

‘What changes through Resurrection’, Schneiders writes, summarising her argument, ‘is not the reality but the mode of the bodily or symbolic presence of Jesus among his disciples’.

The post-Easter appearances of Jesus were probably unique. Since then Christians such as Julian of Norwich and St Teresa of Avila have spoken of Christ being perceptively present to them and many others have had the same experience. But while these appearances are bodily they do not seem to be physical in the way of the postEaster appearances.

Today, Sandra Schneiders suggests, we think of the glorified Jesus’ presence in this world as being primarily in the community of the baptised believers indwelt by his Spirit. Believers meet with Christ in the scriptures, in worship, in the sacraments and as they reach out in service to others. Christ’s cause goes on because his disciples continue to further his project.

But all this is only possible if Jesus continues to live and act. Echoing Wittgenstein, Dr Schneiders tells us ‘if Jesus is dead and buried, a figure of history available in and as a memory’ then all the talk of Christ present in the church and speaking through word and sacrament is ‘just play acting’.

Take away the Resurrection as a bodily event and you reduce Christianity to teaching that can inspire but cannot save.

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Thursday April 17, 2014

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Feature

The future of the Church’s ministry

By Tony Higton

“Churches that amalgamate are more likely to decline.”

What can be done?

“The findings show that single church units under one leader are more likely to grow than when churches are grouped together.” So said the recent Signs of Growth report. It goes on: “amalgamations of churches are more likely to decline … the larger the number of churches in the amalgamation the more likely they are to decline.”

Clergy running such amalgamations focus on administration, buildings and keeping the Sunday services going, rather than on growth.

The report adds: “There is, research suggests, a large pool of ministry untapped – those who might be ordained; lay leaders as well as the ‘lay lay’ leaders; people running churches without formal ecclesial training or ‘church badge’”.

At last the church has finally recognized this problem, and it’s going to get worse because 40 per cent of the stipendiary clergy are expected to retire in the next 10 years. Priests in charge of large amalgamations of parishes cannot provide adequate pastoral care potentially for every parishioner (in the sense of resident of the parish) that has been part of the foundation of the C of E. Nor can they ensure adequate development in depth and numbers of each local church in a benefice.

I do not deny that there may be exceptional priests with remarkable gifts and enormous energy who might make an impression in these ways on a multi-parish benefice before they die early of exhaustion (!) It is also possible to encourage a strategy team in some churches. But usually it means the local church remains in maintenance mode, which actually leads to decreasing numbers and loss of impact on the parish.

We seem to be following the Methodist ecclesiology, which for many years has had stipendiary ordained ministers overseeing a number of churches in quite a large circuit, supplemented by visiting lay preachers ‘doing the rounds.’

Nowadays the circuits are even bigger. I believe this to be an important factor in the crisis facing Methodism with chapel after chapel closing down.

Although local lay preachers have their value, this system also has grave limitations.

In my early Free Church years I was involved in churches, including Methodist Churches, which were fed on a diet of visiting preachers. It became clear that this is not the way to build churches.

Delegation of many aspects of ministry to lay members of the congregation is also vital, but experience teaches that it rarely leads to growth in and of itself.

There are, of course, more important issues for the growth and development of the church, than those outlined below, on which I could write in detail: * The importance of corporate prayer (not just intercessions in services). * The importance of clergy being taught how to do evangelism. * The importance of NT ecclesiological principles, not least how to discern gifts and ministries amongst lay folk and how to delegate effectively, including use of pastoral and mission teams.

I am, of course, not privy to any discussions going on in dioceses or nationally on how we face the future. My days on General Synod are many moons ago. But as I sit here on the remote rural edge of Ely diocese I not only have real concern for the future of the C of E but a few ideas that may be of use.

I am suggesting that people from three categories of already trained and approved ministers be appointed as the ‘persona’ to care for and develop one or at the most two churches in a benefice. In a large benefice of, say, eight churches, perhaps four such people could be appointed over a period of time.

Such ministers would serve only in those one or two churches except in emergencies, rather than ‘doing the rounds’ of several churches. They would be responsible for worship, pastoral care, teaching and mission, in co-operation with willing lay volunteers.

Three resources Planned use of retired clergy The retired clergy constituency is a growing, rich resource with many retired clergy willing to be used in ministry. The recent open letter from the chair of the Pensions Board said: “Around 14,000 clergy are in receipt of pensions, often having given many years - if not most of their lives - to the Church. Nearly half of them continue to work for the Church in their own communities, in a range of ways, and many activities and services simply would not happen without them.”

However, there appears to be no organized approach to utilizing this valuable resource. I suggest consideration of the following (assuming the clergyperson has a particular area of the country in mind for retirement):

The need of a parish ‘persona’

That clergy approaching retirement be invited to discuss their retirement in confidence with the bishop or his delegate in the diocese where they are considering buying a home, if they wish to continue to be used in ministry. Ideally this would happen before the final decision is made by the clergyperson about house purchase, so that those who wish to continue to minister will not be disappointed.

I feel strongly that the ‘persona’ of the parish is a very important concept. Years ago, in our large church, we appointed a corporate lay leadership team and I was prepared to pay a great deal of respect to corporate decisions made in that leadership, rather than standing on my dignity as the Rector. But it became very clear to me that successful churches do also require a prominent ‘presiding elder’, call him/her what you will.

I think we need to aim at the ‘persona’ in each parish as much as possible in these difficult times. Hence my practical suggestions below.

That this inter view includes: * Discussing the likely level of availability of the priest for ministry for some years after retirement. * Discussing openings for ministry in the area the priest is considering as a future home diocese/deanery/ parish. * In particular assessing whether there is an opening for that priest to function as the ‘persona’ in a church. * That discussions then take place with the relevant priest in charge and with the parish to which (or near which) the priest will retire.

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* That an informal contract is drawn up, say for five years, renewable if health permits, between the priest, the priest in charge and the PCC (as relevant).

(I am, of course, aware of House for Duty arrangements but they are not numerous - I understand about 400 in England in 2010. My suggestion would be similar but the priests would buy their own home and just receive expenses).

OLM and NSMs

I think OLMs do have a part to play but the important issue is that they are deployed effectively.

In my last parish with only two churches I had a stipendiary curate, two OLMs and two Readers! One of my time-consuming challenges was trying to make sure they all were used in ministry! This was a ridiculous situation. They had been trained and ordained. Could at least one have been deployed to serve a more needy parish nearby?

I think that it would be good to aim at having OLMs and NSMs deployed as helpfully as possible as ‘personae’ in parishes. I actually think that even where these folk are not perhaps the ideal candidates it is better than having no ‘persona’ in the parish, and better than just assisting the priest in charge in doing the rounds.

LLMs LLMs operate at various levels, but some are gifted in congregational leadership, and able to fulfil most functions (even, if absolutely necessary, Communion by extension).

Summar y NSMs, OLMs, LLMs and retired clergy are clearly already used extensively in most aspects of ministry in the C of E. My plea is for dioceses to aim at appointing from that pool of trained people a ‘persona’ in each parish, the one who is responsible, with the oversight of the priest in charge, for developing the congregational life in depth and numbers. Such a person could be NSM, OLM or LLM or retired priest.

Rather than travelling around to various churches in the benefice, just as the priest in charge does, the ‘persona’ would pour energy into one or at the most two churches with nearly all aspects of ministry included in that role.

Obviously there will be some candidates for the ‘persona’ who will disappoint, but if even 50 per cent are successful that would be wonderful. The priest in charge would be appointed knowing such people are in office, and has the responsibility of ensuring the whole benefice works well, with team meetings, beneficewide initiatives, etc. He or she should make it a priority to exercise an ‘apostolic’ ministry of encouraging and facilitating the ministries of the ‘personae’ in the benefice and, as the recent report urges, just as Paul told Titus to appoint elders in every town (Titus 1:5, cf Acts 14:23).

The emphasis would be on the growth of each local church.

There could be concerns that the priest in charge would be marginalized. In my view the opposite would happen. Some of the churches would begin to flourish more, with a ‘persona’, so there would be more life and activity for the priest in charge to oversee. A good priest in charge would be full of suggestions for further developments and would, of course, still take services on a rota basis in all the churches.

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Thursday April 17, 2014

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Feature

11

The Foreign Office defends religious freedom worldwide The Foreign and Commontime. As always, unprewealth Office (FCO) has Freedom of religion is now one of the main con- dictable - and unpredicted just published its latest cerns for the Foreign Office, William Hague stat- international events tend to annual report on human ed last week. provide the key thrust for rights, outlining its work to He was launching Human Rights and Democ- change in foreign policy. The secure and promote them racy: The 2013 Foreign and Commonwealth Office events of the “Arab Spring”, internationally. The report Report. The report notes “2013 has seen a num- and the widely reported often heralds a time when the ber of worrying developments with regard to horrific treatment of reliprotection of human rights freedom of religion or belief”. gious minorities, particularly is ever-present in internaThe report’s authors cast a scathing account of Christians, has meant that tional dialogue, yet readers many countries for their human rights abuses, the protection of freedom of might also be concerned but does it go far enough? Is the UK, through this religion or belief has become that in many parts of the Report, making their commitment to the ‘promo- a priority for the European world the human rights of tion and protection’ of the freedom of religion Union as well as the British ordinary people are per- and belief? We ask charities how they have react- government. This combined haps even more difficult to ed to this year’s review. with growing public interest, secure than ever before. and British Parliamentarians Introduced annually in who have a genuine passion 1997, the reports are for the issue, meant that the designed to give a reasonably comprehensive latest report declares that now “all FCO ministers are overview of the British government’s attempts to ambassadors for religious freedom”. ensure that the protection and promotion of human But in many ways the latest large glossy edition perrights are a cornerstone of its foreign policy. haps betrays ongoing, perhaps even growing, difficulThey also provide an opportunity for the govern- ties in seeking to secure the human rights of people ment to set a framework and a narrative for much of its internationally. work abroad and the reports unsurprisingly echo its Economic power has been shifting eastwards since priorities: the 2003 edition featured a picture of the vic- 1997, and with it so too has political power, influence tims of Saddam Hussein’s regime on its cover, recent and “narrative setting”. Countries such as China and editions have included imagery from revolutions in Russia may pay lip service to human rights protecNorth Africa and the Middle East. tions, but “state sovereignty” and “non-interference in Similarly, we see the focus on thematic issues the territories of other states” has made a political change over time. Freedom of religion or belief is now comeback and particularly in their statements. considered a “human rights priority area” for the govThis type of thinking has spread and inevitably has ernment and the latest report reflects this, providing an impact; illustrated to some degree in a range of serilengthy passages on recent challenges. ous human rights situations around the world where Religious freedom actually presents an interesting international exposure of atrocities has had little real case study into the range of factors that combine to impact on the ground, including in Syria, Sri Lanka and change the government’s foreign policy priorities over North Korea to name just a few examples.

The Islamic Human Rights Commission seeks to address issues of human rights abuses around the world. Part of this work involves applying pressure on various government agencies, particularly within the UK, to seek redress on these matters.

We often note with concern the UK government’s involvement in human rights abuses, in addition to its silence on others. While we welcome the attention paid to human rights issues by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, there is an apparent asymmetry to the way in which the 2013 Report addresses its concerns.

This includes an absence of certain states listed as ‘countries of concern’, particularly those with whom the UK has strong trade ties. An example of this is Bahrain, where the UK continues selling arms to the ruling family. Bahrain is not addressed in the Annual Report. Some of the arms sold to Bahrain have been used to violently quell demonstrations against the authoritarian regime. The UK government appears to have an economic interest in remaining silent on this issue. This silence has also facilitated the Bahraini government’s ability to arrest, charge and imprison individuals without due process, resulting in

some being sentenced, some to death. This is a case that should merit attention from the FCO, considering one of its ‘six global thematic priorities’ is the abolition of the death penalty.

Additionally, it is apparent that the FCO remains on the fence about particular issues in order to ensure stable diplomatic relations.

IHRC would contend that due to these strong diplomatic ties, the UK is in a strong position to effect change. Myanmar is discussed in the Report, and concern expressed over the treatment of the Rohingya Muslims. However, the FCO has fallen well short of the necessary condemnation of the persecution of the Rohingya and what the IHRC contends are in many instances genocidal acts.

This includes the deprivation of citizenship, the prevention of inter-marriages across racial-religious divisions, a restriction on childbirth, the brutal violence committed against the Rohingya, the failure to bring the instigators of this violence (notably the 969 movement leaders) to justice, and the general silence of the Myanmar government and Aung San Suu Kyi on the issue. It is not enough to simply request the offending government investigates reports of violence when it is

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that same government that is directly and indirectly responsible for the persecution of the Rohingya.

It is essential the UK does more and demands an immediate end to the marginalisation and maltreatment of a minority that the UN itself has called one of the world’s most persecuted groups.

Further, while we concur with the Report’s concerns over violence committed against women, particularly as tools of warfare, we believe that a singular focus on this matter can obfuscate the deeper structural issues within a country and provide a cover for potential military intervention by Western governments.

In Afghanistan for example, the need to ‘liberate’ women was deemed a humanitarian necessity by the UK. This, IHRC contends, was in keeping with many Western governments’ attempts to engage in military action under cover of alleviating human rights abuses. Justice for women and ensuring violence is not meted out against them is absolutely essential, but the cause should not be manipulated to further an aggressive foreign policy agenda.

Lena Mohamed, Caseworker, Islamic Human Rights Commission

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For those of us who are working in the international human rights field, this is somewhat of an uncertain time. We are encouraged that the British government along with many others - are publicly urging respect for human rights, including freedom of religion or belief. However, we are less certain about the changing narrative on human rights by many others. In the meantime, the FCO’s annual human rights report is a timely reminder of the ongoing struggles that many countless people continue to face on a day-to-day basis.

Matthew Jones, CSW’s Senior UN and Westminster advocate

The 2013 Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Report on Human Rights and Democracy was launched on Thursday 10 April. This is an annual report that publicises the FCO’s work, priorities and analyses on global human rights.

This year it was particularly encouraging to see a significant section reporting on the right to freedom of religion and belief (FORB). Open Doors welcomes the fact that FORB continues to be one of the top six human rights priorities for the FCO. However, in previous years, we have felt that it received far less attention than other rights. This year there appears to have been an uptick in FCO work on the right to freedom of religion and belief – or, at least, an increase in reporting of that work. This is a welcome development, which indicates how seriously the FCO takes the issue of FORB. Open Doors particularly welcomes the inclusion of the statement that ‘a key concern has been the closing space for Christians, in particular in the Middle East and North Africa region’, which is a concern we have been reporting on and engaging with the FCO on for many years. We also welcome the recognition that ‘there has also been a rising tide of violence and intimidation in traditionally Christian countries in Africa’, which is a worrying trend that Open Doors has been actively raising with UK politicians both last year and this year.

It is good to note that the voices of the 309,195 people who signed our Save Syria petition in 2013, highlighting the situation facing Christians in Syria, have also been heard, as the report notes that ‘there have been a growing number of reports of attacks on minority communities… there are clear examples of the suffering of Christians and other minority communities’.

However, some concerns remain. The sections on FORB often continue to be significantly shorter than those dealing with other human rights. This gives the impression – whatever the reality may be – that it is a lower priority than other rights. We are pleased that Somalia reported on FORB this year, but it could do with being much stronger, as could the report on Uzbekistan.

Once again, we were highly alarmed that the country report on Yemen made no reference to freedom of religion or belief. Last year we emphasised that the lack of reporting on this issue indicates that FORB is neither a problem in that country nor a priority for the UK there.

Yemen is number 10 on the Open Doors World Watch List (a list of the 50 countries where it is hardest to be a Christian) and Christians face severe persecution there – kidnapped missionaries are still unaccounted for and local converts face a real threat of death.

We are also concerned that FORB was absent from the report on Colombia. This is a particular problem for Christians in the indigenous areas of Colombia and Open Doors does a lot of work there with families of murdered Pastors. We will be following up both of these issues with the FCO. Zoe Baldock, Head of Advocacy for Open Doors

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Thursday April 17, 2014

Classifieds / Anglican Life

From Genesis to publication

The long hard road of Bible translation tells people they matter, boosts literacy – and carries the message of Jesus into all the world When CMS mission partner Tim Curtis caught his first glimpse of the arid Chaco forest in Paraguay, he knew it was the place he had seen in his dream.

It had been a low point back in England when he’d had that dream. “I felt it was God saying to me that he had something for me to do – something I’d enjoy and something with a purpose.”

Opening the scriptures to the hearts of indigenous people: CMS mission partner Tim Curtis Now, more than 30 years later, the dream is being fulfilled. Tim is about to embark on the final revision of the New Testament in the Enxet language, spoken by about 17,000 of Paraguay’s indigenous people and divided into two dialects which are almost separate languages - northern and southern Enxet. This is the final stage of the translation of the whole Bible (into southern Enxet) that he has overseen.

Even so, says Tim, “I won’t completely relax till the Bibles are printed and all the boxes are here.”

From horseback to hardback It was when Tim was teaching English in remote rural schools, sometimes riding seven or eight hours on horseback to deliver a lesson, that his project director asked him to take on Bible translation.

There followed several years of learning the Enxet language and training in the skills of translation. The project to translate the New Testament began in the early 90s. The first challenge was to find local potential translators who had a good enough level of Spanish.

“At most people have had a secondary education, so the nearest you will get to Hebrew and Greek is using a Spanish interlinear Bible. The translators first contact with the text will be in a Spanish version.”

With a team chosen, which has included two CMS Timothy mission partners, Asuncion Rojas and Juan Martinez, next came practice drafts. Finally team members would have books assigned to them to start work. “My job was to understand what they were writing in Enxet and see if that corresponded with what continued on page 13

Thursday April 17 2014

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THE 2014 BIBLE CHALLENGE

ANGLICAN CYCLE OF PRAYER

Day 108. 1 Samuel 31, Psalm 89: 19-52, Acts 4 Day 109: 2 Samuel 1-3, Psalm 90, Acts 5 Day 110: Enjoy hearing the Scriptures read aloud in church Day 111: 2 Samuel 4-6, Psalm 91, Acts 6 Day 112: 2 Samuel 7-9, Psalm 92, Acts 7 Day 113: 2 Samuel 10-12, Psalm 93, Acts 8 Day 114: 2 Samuel 13-15, Psalm 94, Acts 9

Friday 18 April. Good Friday. Lam 1:12-14, Zech. 12:9-11.

For me, kind Jesus, was thy incarnation, thy mortal sorrow, and thy life’s oblation; Thy death of anguish and thy bitter passion, for my salvation.

Therefore, kind Jesus, since I cannot pay thee, I do adore thee, and will ever pray thee, think on thy pity and thy love unswerving, not my deserving J Heerman Cameroon (Region Missionaire) - (West Africa): The Rt Rev Dibo Elango Saturday 19 April. Holy Saturday.

Lam. 3:22-33 Micah 7:7-15. Canberra & Goulburn - (New South Wales, Australia): The Rt Rev Stuart Robinson.

1.Regional Bishop in Wagga Wagga (New South Wales, Australia): The Rt Rev Genieve Blackwell 2. Assistant Bishop of Canberra & Goulburn - (New South Wales, Australia): The Rt Rev Trevor Edwards Sunday 20 April. Resurrection of our Lord Easter Day. Psalm 118:1-5, Heb. 1:1-5.

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia! our triumphant holy day, Alleluia! who did once upon the cross, Alleluia! suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

Monday 21 April. Monday in Easter Week. Psalm 148 Heb 1:6-9. Cape Coast (Ghana) - (West Africa): The Rt Rev Daniel Allotey Tuesday 22 April. Tuesday in Easter Week. Psalm: 149 Heb. 1:10-14. The Most Rev Dr Thabo Makgoba, Archbishop of Cape Town and Primate of Southern Africa; Cape Town - Table Bay - (Southern Africa): The Rt Rev Garth Counsell Wednesday 23 April. St George’s Day. Psalm 145:13-21, Heb. 2:1-4.

Carlisle - (York, England): The Rt Rev James Scobie Newcome; Suffragan Bishop of Penrith - (York, England): The Rt Rev Robert Freeman Thursday 24 April. Thursday in Easter Week. Psalm 146, Heb. 2:5-9.

Cashel & Ossory - (Dublin, Ireland): The Rt Rev Michael Andrew James Burrows

APPOINTMENTS The Rev Sarah Alexander Assistant Curate, Holy Trinity, Redhill (Southwark), formerly Assistant Curate with title of Associate Vicar, Newbury Benefice, Newbury Deanery (Oxford) The Rev Margaret Bird Area Dean of Maidenhead and Windsor, formerly House for Duty Assistant Curate, Benefice of New Windsor, Maidenhead & Windsor Deanery The Rev Hilar y Benson Permission to Officate in Derby with immediate effect The Rev Ian Brown Rector of Chalfont St Giles, Amersham (Buckingham), formerly Vicar of Frindsbury with Upnor and Chattenden (Oxford).

The Rev Ken William Campbell To become Rector of Chinnor, Sydenham, Aston Rowant & Crowell (Oxford) on 29 April.

The Rev Tim Day, Team Vicar in the Benefice of the Fosse Team in the Goscote Deanery (Leicester) , will be licensed by Bishop Christopher at 7.30 pm on Wednesday, 25 June at St Hilda’s, East Goscote.

The Rev David Eastwood, Team Rector of St Helens St Helen, also to be Area Dean of St Helens Deanery and Honorary Canon of Liverpool Cathedral.

The Rev Stephen Hardie Continues to have PTO in the Diocese (Norwich) The Rev John Christopher Mallett continues to have PTO in the Diocese (Norwich) The Rev Ben Harding, Assistant Curate of Brampton St Thomas’ with special pastoral

responsibility for St Peter’s Holymoorside and Director of Evangelism within the benefice, (Derby) has been appointed Chaplain to the Anglican Church of Lyon, (Europe).

The Rev Fiona Mayer-Jones, Assistant Curate, Beverley Minster (York) has been appointed as Vicar of the Benefice of Northallerton with Kirby Sigston. Licensing arrangements will be announced in due course.

The Rev Suresh Menon Senior Pastor of Grace Church, Worcester Park (London), formerly Associate clergy in Oxford The Rev Canon Dr Paul Moore Archdeacon for Diocese of Winchester to Focus on Mission, a new role, the first of its kind in the Church of England, leading a new Mission Development Team working across five key areas: developing and over-seeing fresh expressions of church and pioneering work across the Diocese, promoting social engagement (including establishing social enterprises), education, world mission partnerships, as well as enabling all forms of mission and training through the new School of Mission.

The Rev Alison Phillipson, Vicar of Coatham and Dormanstown (York) to be Rector of the Benefice of Guisborough.

The Rev Neil Traynor Chaplain to the Bishop of Wakefiled and Skara Link Officer to become Team Vicar of Witney (Oxford).

The Rev Janet Tully continues to have PTO in the Diocese (Norwich) The Reverend Canon Lydia Margaret Wells Retiring as Vicar of Sheffield St Peter & St Oswald and Honorary Canon of Sheffield Cathedral to be Canon Emeritus of Sheffield Cathedral and to receive PTO from 30th April 2014 The Rev Canon Wendy Ann Wilby Given the Bishop’s Permission to Officiate in the Diocese (Ripon and Leeds) The Rev Richard Malcolm Wharton The Chaplaincy Deputy Team Leader, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, ( Birmingham) to be Chaplaincy Team Leader, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Diocese of Birmingham on 7 April 2014

2014 The Rev Alison Jane Bownass Assistant Curate (part time), Hill, St James, (Birmingham), to retire then have Bishop’s Permission to Officiate in the Diocese of Birmingham with effect from 1 May 2014.

The Rev Canon Nigel John Hartley Vicar Aldeburgh with Hazlewood, Hon Canon St Edmundsbury Cathedral (Ipswich and Edmundsbury), to retire with effect from 31 May. The Rev Philip Moore, SSM Priest in Charge of York, St Thomas with St Maurice, and Coordinator of the St Thomas Mission Unit, (YORK) has resigned with effect from 12 May 2014. The Rev Modicum Okello Priest in Charge, St Michael Hall Green (Birmingham) to retire with affect from 20 April 2014 The Rev Canon Simon R Stanley, House for Duty Priest in Charge of York St Chad, (York) is retiring with effect from 15 June 2014.

The Rev Emma Caroline Mar y Sykes Associate Rector (Birmingham) St Martin in the Bull Ring to retire from 4 May 2014,Bishop’s Permission to Officiate in the Diocese of Birmingham with effect from 5 May 2014 The Rev Kath Wood, Priest-in-Charge of Stapenhill Immanuel, will retire with effect from 1st May 2014.

Mrs Wood will hold the Bishop of Derby’s Permission to Officiate in retirement

RETIREMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

The Rev Leonard Hughes Fr Leonard was Assistant Priest (NSM) of the Benefice of St Stephen, Leicester and Vice Chair of the Leicester (DFEMA) Committee and died on Monday 7 April in Antigua. No date as yet is known for his funeral which will be taking place in Antigua.

The Rev Nick Benson SSM Assistant Curate with title of Associate Priest, Benefice of Reading St John the Evangelist & St Stephen, Reading Deanery resigned 16 February

continued from page 12 the Bible says in Spanish,” says Tim. “At the very beginning translators can feel threatened very easily if you challenge what they’ve written. Sometimes have to wait until you’ve built up a non threatening relationship with each other – and they understand it’s not personal when you suggest reworking a phrase.”

Help with the translation also comes from the wider community. “When we have a reasonably good draft we have checkers based in different communities who read them and we get feedback. There is a lot of reading aloud of texts and checking they flow properly.”

The wider community helps out with tricky words and phrases too, as in this example from Mark’s Gospel.

“We were translating the word ‘life’ which in English can also be translated soul. The Enxet have a word for spirit, a word for your ‘innermost’ – the seat of your emotions. Still another word is something like ‘physical wellbeing’. Another word is ‘soul dreamworld’ – when you dream your soul goes off wandering.

“We’ll check the meaning of these basic terms, print out the passage – sometimes in several languages – and ask members of Enxet church for suggestions how we should translate the word.”

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The Register 13

The word in the world All of this wordy activity is boosting the literacy of the local communities too. The first missionaries to translate the Gospels and Acts in Enxet – in 1911 – were also the first people to write down the Enxet language.

As the New Testament (published in 1997) has been used, people want to read in church. “If people have had a few years of primary education and have been taught to read and write in Spanish they make the switch to Enxet very quickly – and they’ll do that on their own without a literacy campaign.”

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LAY & OTHER APPOINTMENTS Mrs Sue Booth, Presently Safeguarding Adviser (Ripon and Leeds) is resigning with effect from the 4th May 2014.

Ms Joanne Parkin Licensed Lay Worker and Assistant Chaplain of the University of Gloucestershire (Gloucester) from 16 April

DEATHS

Another boost to literacy is the arrival of the mobile phone. “It’s a status symbol – and if you’re a teenager with a mobile you’ve got to know how to use it. It’s encouraging to see young people text messaging in Enxet, because most of the things they need to access are in Spanish – the prestige language.”

Most importantly for Tim, the lack of a Bible in the people’s mother tongue scuppers sharing the message of Jesus. “If you’re trying to do mission and there’s no bible – or only portions, it’s very difficult. I think you’ll get a church that is not very mature if you don’t have the scriptures. It’s pretty fundamental to mission.”

Now the lengthy process is nearing the end and 2015 should finally see the complete Bible published for the first time in Enxet.

“To the Enxet people it said that they matter as a people. Having God’s word in the language of their heart is important to them. They are still a marginalised people – though things have improved greatly since the 1980s when I was first here– but the translation says ‘You matter’.

“And that’s true for all of us – that God says ‘You matter’ and that he is working his purposes out and wants to involve us – and is bringing people in from every part of the world.”

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Thursday April 17, 2014

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thespiritualdirector

By the Rev Dr Liz Hoare

14

Let all mortal flesh keep silence,/And with fear and trembling stand;/Ponder nothing earthly minded,/For with blessing in his hand,/Christ our God to earth descendeth/Our full homage to demand.

This is the first verse of a hymn that many Christians will have sung during the last few weeks. The breathtaking scope of the words and the grandeur of the music make it especially suitable for Epiphany and the focus on the Incarnation as revealing the glory of God. The words, originally written in Greek date back to the 3rd century and was part of an ancient liturgy known as the Liturgy of St James.

The idea of keeping silence before God is only part of the way we respond to God in worship but it is a valid part. The first line refers us to Habakkuk 2:20: ‘The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him!’ It follows the prophet’s mockery of those who manufacture idols out of wood and stone. These gods are lifeless, dull images that have no power to speak let alone command worship. The heart of worship rests on the awesome reality of the living God who is holy.

Holiness always moves people to worship and gods of wood and stone are devoid of anything other than what human beings ascribe to them in their imaginations.

This Epiphany carol reminds us that God has revealed himself in such a way as to make him-

self known to the whole world. In Jesus, God took flesh and came near to us. Yet we worship him in awe and wonder, speechless because his majesty goes far beyond anything we can say.

We argue about styles of worship that obscure one or other of these attributes of God. Some worship seems to make God too distant and remote from anything we can relate to. We are given no clue that God understands us and our situation. The other extreme makes God just like one of us; our best mate and it’s hard to worship with humility, awe and wonder. How may we learn to live with the paradox that is the God of the Bible and Christian experience? It’s not about personality or taste.

Perhaps the first thing to do is to acknowledge that God is so much greater than our limited ideas of him. The hymn goes on to say: King of kings, yet born of Mary,/As of old on earth he stood. The more we focus on the Lord Jesus and how he shows us the Father, the closer we will get to seeing both sides.

Karl Barth said that Christian worship is the ‘most momentous, the most urgent, the most glorious action that can take place in a human life.’

Sometimes that action makes us want to clap our hands and shout it to the rooftops. Sometimes that action needs to take the form of patient waiting in silence for God to touch us, as he did with Isaiah in the temple. Sometimes all we can do is stand ‘with fear and trembling’ ready to offer full homage.

Parish humour Parish humour is a mixture of the poignant and the slapstick. Sunday saw me start the day dressed as a donkey crawling round the church with children trailing after me as a part of our All Age Service. I ended the day with a lady recently widowed talking to me about 50 years of marriage sleeping next to a man who snored loudly. When I left the house after planning her husband’s funeral service she said “Thank you for making me laugh”.

On Monday morning I was at our Mother and Toddlers Group and singing If I were a butterfly (for the umpteenth time). I ended the day listening to a man telling me of the excitement of landing on the beaches on D-day. Half a century later he is a member of our homeless cinema club. We had one lady who fell into a diabetic coma the day after her wedding and could remember nothing of what had happened 24 hours previously. We showed her videos of the day and she kept on asking “Was I happy?”

There is an inevitable wistfulness to all religious language and ritual that seeks to do the impossible in taking the stuff of humanity and reinterpreting it in the light of eternity. In a nearby church during a period of swine flu the incumbent had started to wash his hands with hand gel. Two years later with the incumbent long gone to another job it had become a regular part of the Eucharistic ritual and the congregation did not understand why I said that it should stop. 45 people worshipping together in the local council estate was magnificent and sad. It was the former because we were all gathering together in the name of Christ It was the latter because the sound of our singing hymns was a thin reedy voice compared to the noise of the televisions in the houses all around.

Holy Week will be an especially

poignant time for me. I travel to Jerusalem to run the 2nd marathon organised by beautiful bruised Bethlehem. The idea behind the Right to Movement Palestine marathon is two fold.

Firstly there is nowhere that a Palestinian can go for 26 miles (42 kms) without going through an Israeli check point, therefore to run for that distance is an act of protest at the situation between the Palestinians and Israelis. Secondly a marathon is the type of event organized by a normal international city and so for blockaded Bethlehem to have its own marathon establishes it as just that. Last year it was the same day as the London marathon. There were 30,000 people in London and 54 of us in Bethlehem.

The marathon run is a 10km space between checkpoints and so we ran the route four times. 54 people running in circles, as an act of political protest, is slapstick humour at its most touching. If you want to pledge any sponsorship money for this event you can go directly to the website for Amos Trust (www.amostrust.org).

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This year I will also fulfil a long held ambition of running two marathons in a week. I will return to the UK and run in the much lesser known Huddersfield marathon. Marathon running has the Lent and Easter period combined together. The Lent period comes at 18 miles when one is running with legs like tree trunks.

Easter comes at the end when one reflects on what one has achieved.

The spirituality of marathon running is the theology of the Church.

There are no winners and losers because everyone is considered to have succeeded simply by virtue of their own participation. On Easter Day we are all winners. We celebrate the fact that we are all winners. Christ is risen from the dead and all are victorious - Happy Easter to one and all.

Rev Dr Bob Mayo is the Vicar of St Stephen and St Thomas Shepherds Bush with St Michael and St George White City www.ststephensshepherdsbush.org.

You can follow Bob on twitter @RevBobMayo

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Sunday

SUNDAY SERVICE 2nd Sunday of Easter Sunday 27 April 2014 Acts 2:14, 22-32 1 Peter 1:3-9 John 20:19-31 This Sunday’s readings naturally focus again on the resurrection of Christ, and particularly on the deep inexpressible joy it brings to believers who have not seen Jesus in the flesh.

Acts 2 is, of course, a Pentecost reading, but Peter’s speech to the crowd gathered in Jerusalem focuses very clearly on the resurrection of Jesus. His message sets the pattern for the rest of Acts: Jesus was the divine saviour; you killed him; God raised him; and we are witnesses of that. The usual response is “therefore, repent and believe!”

The reading this week zeroes in on Peter’s use of Psalm 16, and the glad rejoicing of the Messiah whose body has been raised to the right hand of God. The Psalm speaks of the path of life, which Jesus has opened up. The Psalm cannot be about David, who wrote it, argues Peter. He is still dead! Instead, he prophesied through this Psalm what Jesus would do. Or rather, he prophesied what God would do for Jesus: he would not abandon him to Hades forever, or let death have the final word. Jesus would be the promised King in David’s line, forever. The solid reality of Jesus’ own resurrection from the dead, and his joy, is the basis for our joy, our gladness, both now and after death “in his presence.”

Peter continues that same theme in his epistle to the dispersed believers of Asia Minor. The letter begins with blessing and praise — he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection. The things we own in this world, especially as “aliens and strangers” in it, are fragile and precarious. Our spiritual (but nonetheless real!) inheritance is kept safely in heaven, protected by God. The resurrection blasted a hole into the new world, for all who cling to Jesus with true faith. The genuineness of our faith is tested by trials and temptations that come our way “in the midst of this naughty world” as the Book of Common Prayer calls it. Those who love him, though they do not see him, will receive the salvation of their souls from the risen Lord Jesus. Who could hold back from expressing the inexpressible and glorious joy that comes from such assurance?

There is an element of Pentecost in the reading from the Gospel this week too, just as there is in the reading from Acts. The Johannine Pentecost is briefer and more enigmatic perhaps, and focuses on the disciples mission to “go out into the world in the power of the Spirit, to live and work to his praise and glory.” That is to come, once the doors are opened, but the drama in that locked house is all about Jesus: when they saw the Lord, they rejoiced.

Except Thomas did not see, and so he did not rejoice because he did not first believe. What a puzzling time it must have been for him — “Why, if he is risen, has he left me out?” he may have wondered. But one look at the holy hands and pierced side of the Lord convinced the doubter. His exclamation is best understood as a confession of Christ’s sovereignty and divinity, “My Lord and my God!” (not as a confession of the Lordship of the one in front of him, followed by a separate look to God above, as Arians in all ages might try to pervert the story with their own added stage directions!).

John completes his narrative with a blessing on all those who believe without having to see the risen Lord for themselves, who rely on the eyewitnesses. Much more could be written, he says, but what we have in his Gospel is sufficient to convince us that the Messiah is this Jesus — the one who gives us joy, when we gain life through faith in him.

Lee Gatiss is Editor of the NIV Proclamation Bible and Director of Church Society (www.churchsociety.org)

HYMN SUGGESTIONS Come, ye faithful, raise the strain Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us Come people of the risen king Open the eyes of my heart, Lord All my hope on God is founded

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Friday April 17, 2014

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The priest facing his own Calvary Brendan Gleeson seems to have a niche as characters making sacrifices. In In Bruges (2008) he gives his life to save fellow hitman Colin Farrell, in The Guard (2011) duty takes him into danger and possibly death, now in Calvary (cert.

15) his priestly role is a type of Christ, a good man dying for the sins of others.

Fr James Lavelle (Gleeson), a priest in rural Ireland, is in the confessional, when a man comes in and details his abuse at the hands of a Catholic priest many years before, from the age of seven. His catharsis will be to kill a priest – the abuser is dead, and his aim is to draw attention by killing a good priest.

He gives Fr James a week’s notice, so he can get his affairs in order. Does he know who has made the threat? – that’s what his bishop (David McSavage) wants to know, before advising that the seal of the confessional does not apply where there is no contrition, advice that Fr James seems reluctant to accept.

Then there’s a series of introductions to some of the villagers, including potential suspects. Local butcher Jack (Chris O’Dowd) is certainly suspected of beating his wife Veronica (Orla O’Rourke) who’s been having an affair with Ivorian garage mechanic (Isaach De Bankolé) and probably with others.

Dylan Moran plays a new money financier who’s bought the “big house”, Pat Shortt the publican at the other end of the Celtic Tiger aftermath, Aidan Gillen an overtly atheist doctor with a cocaine habit (“purely medicinal, Father”), Gary Lydon a police inspector with his own secrets, and M Emmett Walsh an ageing American writer contemplating suicide. Fr James became a priest after his wife died, and

Faith and Unbelief Stephen Bullivant Canterbur y, pb, £12.99 God Matters Peter and Charlotte Vardy SCM, pb, £9.99 A Faithful Guide to Philosophy Peter S Williams Paternoster, pb, £13.99 Peter and Charlotte Vardy and Peter Williams have already written a number of accessible works on the philosophy of religion that are popular with students and teachers. The Vardy team write as teachers; Williams has a more apologetic aim.

He is an evangelical apologist in the tradition of William Lane Craig or JP Moreland (both of whom endorse this book) who believes it is possible to make a reasoned case for Christianity.

Stephen Bullivant will be a fresh name to many but he has written an important book on Catholic doctrine and the salvation of atheists and co-edited the Oxford Handbook to Atheism. A young Catholic philosopher, he writes for a number of newspapers, religious and secular.

Faith and Unbelief is his first popular work and it is aimed at a general Christian readership. It is part of a

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his daughter (Kelly Reilly) arrives for a visit – after a recent suicide attempt – and remains unaware that it may be the last time she sees him.

In the midst of this, Fr James carries on his normal duties, giving the last rites to a car accident victim, whose French wife (Marie-Josée Croze) holds to her faith. That’s more than can be said for a younger priest (David Wilmot), though some of his lines could be straight from Father Ted. A lot of the script, by writerdirector John Michael McDonagh, does go for laughs. Jack’s view of his promiscuous wife is “I think she’s bipolar, or lactose intolerant, one of the two”.

Visually, the County Sligo backdrop is well shot by cinematographer Larry Smith. The table mountain of Benbulben lowers over many scenes, seeming to represent impending doom.

While many of the parishioners are ambivalent about the faith, they’re not untutored; when Fr James asks Veronica what she’s doing to do with her life, she answers “Nothing”, but follows up with, “Consider the lilies of the field”. Wearing a soutane even in leisure time (he had a drink problem in the past) Fr James is dutiful, aware of his faults, and perplexed when a casual chat with a young girl prompts her father’s anger.

His altar boy (Michael Og Lane) – a little schemer who likes painting - is a witness to the denouement on the beach, prefaced by one of the characters seeking amendment of life. There’s not much humour at the end, just a tortured soul visiting the sins of the Fathers on someone willing to lay down his life, blending revenge and atonement, with a postscript hinting at forgiveness.

series called ‘Faith Going Deeper’ which is edited by Andrew Davison, the new Starbridge lecturer at Cambridge. This is a book that deserves a very wide audience. It can certainly be read with profit by anyone interested in evangelism and pastoral care.

Atheism is on the rise at the moment and a key point Bullivant makes is that atheism is closely connected to Christianity. He suggests a number of reasons for this. Ernst Bloch went so far as to claim that ‘only an atheist can be a good Christian; only a Christian can be a good atheist’. Anti-idolatrous forms of negative theology often seem close to atheism but Bullivant quite rightly worries that it is poor theology that has often fuelled the growth of atheism. Atheists have often rejected popular ideas of God that are actually far removed from authentic Christian teaching.

Bullivant lists a number of social and cultural factors that he suspects have favoured the rise of atheism. Surprisingly he ignores a widespread rejection by young people in the West of Christian teaching on sex and the role of women. He singles out pluralism as a factor but fails to discuss Peter Berger’s claim that this can work to strengthen religious belief.

One interesting piece of research Bullivant quotes indicates that unbelief is disproportionately strong among the well educated. As Bullivant points out, this need not necessarily be taken as evidence of unbelief’s

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Reviews 15

The Lunchbox (orig. Dabba, Hindi with English subtitles, cert. PG) is a delightful feature debut by writer-director Ritesh Batra about a relationship conducted through messages in a “tiffin box”. 4500 dabbawallahs in Mumbai handle around 200,000 boxes each day, collected from homes or caterers and delivered to the worker’s desk and the empties returned later.

In one scene a dabbawallah (Sadashiv Kondaji Pokarkar) insists there are no mistakes – the system has been studied by Harvard – yet Ila (Nimrat Kaur) finds her husband’s lunchbox has gone instead to widowed and nearingretirement insurance clerk Fernandes (Irrfan Khan). She’s a good cook, trying to re-excite her husband’s interest in her, and the contents are superb.

Through notes in the box, Ila and Fernandes get to know each other, leading to the possible of a tryst, and maybe even escape together to Bhutan, supposedly the happiest place in the world. One concern for Fernandes is how much older he is than Ila, reinforced when someone offers him a seat on a train.

His trainee Shaikh (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) becomes a sort of confidant, while Ila has her invisible “auntie” (Bharati Achrekar) exchanging gossip and vegetables from the flat above.

The dialogue is not played for laughs but has its own wit and wisdom, and commentary on workplaces where there is “no value on talent”.

Fernandes often slips into business English, and one comment about “government records” curiously gets the subtitle “government files”.

It all adds to the charm of an engaging story wrapped around a fascinating slice of everyday Indian life and industry.

Steve Parish

general reasonableness since social factors could also be at work but it is an indication of the importance of taking seriously reasoned objections to Christian faith.

This raises the issue of apologetics. Bullivant recognises the importance of witness but argues that while this may set people on the road to conversion they also look for answers to their questions. This is where books like those of the Vardies and Williams are useful. Both works make good use of the writings of such important modern Christian philosophers as Richard Swinburne, Alvin Plantinga, and William P Alston whose writings are not always accessible to the general reader. Williams also makes refers to CS Lewis about whom he has already written a good book.

Both books deserve to be read but they should be handled with care. The Vardy team usually try to present different points of view fairly but sometimes (as on life after death) their own conclusions are vague and unsatisfactory. Williams is much more a robust Christian apologist but on such issues as Intelligent Design he pushes his case too far.

Some of what Williams has to say duplicates topics he has covered in previous works but this book breaks new ground with a long discussion of aesthetics. What might be called ‘the argument from beauty’ can be a powerful weapon in the apologist’s armoury if it is sensitively deployed.

Paul Richardson

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COLLEGE STREET SW1

I know it’s only Easter, but it is time we started making plans for summer to make the most of our holidays. Family holidays and festivals, along with chilling out in the park, are great ways to spend the hotter months, but how about challenging yourself to using the time for the greater good? Volunteer work, both here and abroad, not only does good, but also looks good on your CV. It is not too late to get involved – we have found four that are still recruiting. The work on offer varies hugely, so there is something to suit everyone. Do some good this summer.

CITY OF WESTMINSTER with Amaris Cole Venture Volunteer Contact- 0300 123 0780 ventures@cpas.org.uk Price: Free For those looking to stay more local this summer volunteer to lead a venture trip. Venture trips run throughout the summer for young people between the ages of 8-18.

During these Ventures that take place across England and Wales young participants essentially get to enjoy an environment with friends and share in their faith. As a volunteer you could participate in any number of duties ranging from leading activities to cooking and washing up. Volunteers wishing to participate in the planning aspect must be prepared to volunteer in the autumn. If you chose to be a venture volunteer you get the opportunity to not only have a fun on a Venture but to make an impact on the religious life of a child.

Christian Camp Leaders Contact: (44)-151-708-6868 uk@campleaders.com Price: Base price of £389. Participants will also receive a salary $800-$1150 based on skills and experience.

Spend your summer in the USA this year as an employee with a Christian Summer Camp.

With Christian Camp Leaders not only do you get the opportunity to further your connection with your faith but you also receive the opportunity to travel. (And make some money as well). Enhance your CV with international work experience and make a difference in the life of a child. If you are continuing onto a Gap year after the programme’s end, Christian Camp Leaders will assist employees in their travel plans and provide a shoulder for support. In order to participate, applicants must have a church leader’s letter of reference, a personal testimony and answers to a set of questions designed to give a flavour and depth of their faith in Christ.

Tearfund ICS Contact: 020 8943 7777 go@tearfund.org Price: You must fundraise at least £800 If adventurous is an adjective that describes you, a summer with Tearfund may be the perfect option. Through Tearfund’s programme participants will get the whirlwind opportunity to volunteer for 10 weeks in either South America or Africa. Furthermore, as if

that hasn’t already had you convinced, with Tearfund doing good will not leave you with empty pockets. As the sponsor of the programme, Tearfund provides the funds for flights, visas, travel and medical insurance, medication and vaccines, food and accommodation, a minimal allowance while on placement, and full support throughout the whole programme. Applications can be found on the website.

Youth For Christ- Short Term Oversees Mission Contact: Sharon Tromans on sharon.tromans@yfc.co.uk or Chris Nightingale on chris.nightingale@yfc.co.uk.

Price: Ranges from £65 (not including flights and food) to £1,800 dependent upon the programme chosen Visit Tenerife or Cape Town or volunteer at the Commonwealth Games in Scotland through a mission trip with Youth for Christ!

FREE CEN ONLINE FOR ALL STUDENTS! Email your course details to subs@churchnewspaper.com

PRIZE CROSSWORD No. 895 by Axe 15 17

20

21

22

23

Indonesian? [Gen; 1 Chr] (5) Book before Nahum (5) Chief city of ancient conMesopotamia, querors of Jerusalem [2 Kgs] (7) '"Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus, the --------"' [Mark/NIV] (8) 'And now, dear ----, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the [2 beginning' John/NIV] (4) visited who Man Nehemiah to tell him Jerusalem was still in ruins (6) One of the 12 Apostles who, according to tradition, became a missionary in India (6)

Down Someone who may give 1 the lessons in a church service (6) Bible's longest river (4) 2 Biblical currency (1): 3 the 'silver coins' of Matt 18 [NIV] (7) 'Jesus was driving out a 4 ----- that was mute' [Luke/NIV] (5) Rule or book that lays 5 down the form of a service, especially the mass (8) Roman province gov6 erned from Corinth [Acts; 2 Cor] (6) Peak, Noah's landfall as 12 the waters of the great flood receded [Gen] (2,6) Biblical currency (2): 14 the 'bags of gold' of Matt 18 [NIV] (7) First of the major 16

18

19

21

Hebrew prophets (6) 'Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ----- that has come on you to test you...' [1 Pet/NIV] (6) 'The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of ----- and Persia' [Dan/NIV] (5) 'For I will be like a ---- to Ephraim...' [Hos/NIV] (4)

Solution to last week’s Across: 6 Pudens, 7 Zophar, 9 Bede, 10 Arabians, 11 Massah, 13 Scribe, 14 Asa, 15 Casper, 17 Thresh, 19 Restrain, 21 Seth, 23 Recant, 24 Shiloh.

Down: 1 Yule, 2 Aeneas, 3 Issachar, 4 Ezra, 5 Barnabas, 8 Prior, 12 Awakened, 13 Satanism, 16 Petra, 18 Russia, 20 Acts, 22 Thor.

The first correct en try drawn will win a book of t he

Across 7 Descendant of Noah's eldest son (6) 8 'You care for the land and water it; you ------ it abundantly' [Ps/NIV]

9

10

(6) 'If the axe is dull and its ---unsharpened...sk ill will bring success' [Eccles/NIV] (4) Son of David who

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11 13

tried to seize the throne destined for Solomon [1 Kgs] (8) Language of 7 believed spoken

by Christ (7) Son of Japheth –

Ed i tor ’s choi ce. Sen d your en tr y t o Cr oss wor d N u mber 8 95 , The Chur c h of E ngl and Ne ws p ap er , 1 4 Grea t Col lege Str eet , W est min ster , Lon d on, SW1 P 3RX by n ext Frida y

PRICE £1.35 / 1,70€ / $2.20

Name Address Pos t C ode

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