Number 24
The Diocese of Oxford Reporter: Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
July 1991
Cathedral's new canons
FOUR new honorary canons were installed during Evensong at Christ Church Cathedral on June 8 (picture right). It was an occasion for the Diocesan 'family' to come together, and there was a large congregation of senior clergy, relatives, friends and parishioners from all three archdeacomles. Pictured above, at the service (left to right) are: Canon Martin Chadwick (Charlbury), Canon Bill Whiffen (Seer Green), the Bishop of Oxford, the Dean of Christ Church, Canon Ken Humphreys (California) and Canon Cavell Cavell-Northam (Stony Stratford). Photos: Frank Blackwell.
Keeping poverty on the agenda CHRISTIANS like ourselves should stand "in solidarity with the poor", whatever the cost and not only with the materially poor, but with all those who are vulnerable and in need - said the Right Revd Richard Harries, Bishop of Oxford. He was speaking at the Churches and Poverty Conference, organised by the Diocesan Board for Social Responsibility (BSR) and the Diocesan Institute in Oxford on June 15. Many present were ex-Church Urban Fund parish and deanery promoters, plus others concerned about poverty from a variety of churches, communities and political perspectives. "We want to clear up the confusion between poverty, politics, the Church Urban Fund and God," was the response from one of the workshops, and all were clear that there must be a way of talking about poverty and politics from a Christian perspective. Frank Field, MP, chairman of an all-party House of Commons Select Committee on Social Security, highlighted the growing number of very young single mothers, and the large number of low birth-weight babies; the problems of long-term unemployed people; the lack of appropriate technical training in
by Anne Borrowdale Social Responsibilty Officer schools; and a change in attitudes whereby self-interest had replaced commitment to the common good. His speech provoked some intense debate, as well as setting the scene for other speakers. The impact of shipyard closures on a north-east community was vividly outlined by Yvonne Fife, development worker at the Benedict Biscop project in Sunderland - which the Oxford Diocese supports through the Church Urban Fund. The Revd Ron Hart, from the Church of the G ood Shepherd, Aylesbury, told of the local Southcourt adventure playground and information centre project, while Elizabeth Higgs, Director of the Arkleton Trust, and the Revd Glynn Evans, Oxfordshire Rural Chaplain, described the hidden face of rural poverty. There was general agreement that churches of different denominations should together assess the needs of their local community, and perhaps share their buildings, skills and resources with it. Conference members wanted the Diocese to keep poverty on
Inside The DOOR page 5 Meet the Petertide ordinands God in the life of Paul Hawgood and his ministry to the lonely page 6 Churches in our care: the work of page 7 the Diocesan Advisory Committee Youth work in the Diocese pages 10/11 Th. DOORs church tea room guide page 12 The
the agends, and not to be afraid to lobby on a political level. There was support for Church Action on Poverty, but also an awareness that CAP has its critics in our Diocese. The Board of Social Responsibility was asked to maintain interest in these issues through its own newsletter and The DOOR. For a fuller report and information about poverty and related issues in the Diocese please contact the BSR at Diocesan Church House.
Ordination of women
The great debate THE debate on the ordination of women to the priesthood is the major item on the agenda of the Oxford Diocesan Synod at its meeting at Lady Spencer Churchill College near Wheatley on June 29. The result will have no direct effect upon the voting of General Synod members when they meet to consider the final legislation in 1992. However, all diocesan results will be available to them. Diocesan synod members are drawn from the laity and clergy of the Church of England in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. They are being asked to debate and vote upon a motion proposed by Canon Martin Peirce, the Diocesan Director of Ordinands: "That this Synod approves the proposals embodied in the draft Priests (Ordination of Women) Measure and in draft Canon C413 (Of Women Priests) and draft Amending Canon No 13". The Revd Edwin Barnes, Principal of St Stephen's House, will be the main speaker against
it, and the debate will be chaired by Dr Philip Giddings. The voting on the motion will be by Houses: the House of Bishops, the House of Clergy, and the House of Laity. Each will separately have to approve the legislation by a simple majority vote. Before the vote is taken, there will be a period of silence followed by a recitation of the Lord's Prayer to emphasise that all Synod members are one in Christ. Immediately after the result is announced, the Synod will end. The deanery synods have already voted on the issue. Bradfield, Mursley, Newport, Reading, Vale of the White Horse, Wantage and Woodstock voted against the motion, while the other 22 deaneries voted for it. In all, 293 clergy voted for women priests and 129 against with 19 abstentions. Of the lay members 825 voted for, 340 against with 43 abstentions. There will be a full report of the Diocesan Synod debate in the September DOOR.
Overlooking the Bay of Bengal, skilled craftspeople make hand painted batiks. Ofle VIllaq4 has helped transform these onto very special quilt covers (with matching pillowcases) now on sale at our shops. Home and-living accessories from Africa, Asia, South America.
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Sharing the Good News in the Decade of Evangelism