#43 June 1993

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Sharing the Good News in the Decade of Evangelism

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Issue Number 43

The Diocese of Oxford Reporter: Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire

OUR URGENT CALL TO PRAYER "We are calling God's people to a new urgency for prayer and intercession for the conversion of the nation and the renewal of God's Church in unity, mission and prayer," said Bishop Michael Marshall, Archbishops' Adviser for Evangelism, in Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford on April 23. The Bishop, who was taking part in a 16-day pilgrimage of prayer around the cathedrals of England, said that there had been a new sense of outrage as people saw the depths of depravity to which we are capable of falling. As a result many wanted the Church to "wave the cane a little higher". "But that is not God's way in these last days. This is not a moral crisis but a spiritual one. It is a crisis of faith. In every human heart there is a Jesusshaped hole," the Bishop said.

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Christine Zwart reports on the Mission to the Cathedrals

The vocation of the Church was to hold Jesus up but how could this be done? Bishop Michael said that the Springboard team had realised that they had got things in the wrong order. If the Church was to win the hearts of the nation their evangelism had to start with prayer and a new love and obedience to God's Word. The pilgrims carried with them a copy of a famous Holy Trinity icon by Andrei Rublev in which the hospitality of

Abraham reflects the hospitality of God. Referring to it Bishop Michael said the Church must be a walking icon, a window to the heart of God. "Has the heart of our Church been broken sufficiently to offer the hospitality of God's love to the stranger, the outcast and the hurting?" Elderly people especially could be on the frontiers ofevangelism because they had time to intercede daily if they were willing, said the Bishop. But to the whole Oxford Diocese he sent out the message: "Let us pray with a new passion for the nation and for the opening of our own hearts. Renewal is going back to our first love. The renewal of God's Church begins with me, today, now." The Springboard Mission to,k them to 42 cathedrals from Truro to Carlisle. In all, over 4000 people joined them for the specially written 'Short Office for the Mission of the Church'. Some of the largest congregations gathered in the early morning. In Wells for instance, 300 people turned out for the dawn service. Oxford's Cathedral was number 32 on the tour which ended at Westminster Abbey on

June 1993

Inside The DOOR GOOD NEWS FROM BLACKBIRD LEYS PAGE 5 Summer is in the air in this June DOOR . We bring you a new design and Good News stories in plenty, many of them about young people. Take 26-year old Darren James - not everyone would envy him his job as a Christian youth worker on the troubled Blackbird Leys estate, yet the story of his week buzzes with joy and Christian conviction.

NEWBURYS GIFT OF A DAY Page 15 Bishop Mi chael joined the congregation for the renewal of their Baptism vows. April 27. For the fifty or so who gathered in Christ Church at noon it was a time to remember always. For a moment the internal problems of the Church of England seemed unimportant. After all had not Bishop Michael reminded us of the need for Christianity rather than Churchianity. And as we walked with lighted candles to the Cathedral's west door to renew our baptismal vows, we were suddenly very conscious that renewal in our Diocese was beginning today, now - with us. The Springboard team is available, by invitation, to support andencourage parish initiatives in evangelism. You can contact the Springboard office on 0227 784985. Meanwhile why not share in their prayers for mission by saying the icon prayer each day.

THE ICON MISSION PRAYER Holy God, Trinity in Unity, you were recognised by Abraham at the oak of Mamre and welcomed by him as an honoured guest: receive your Church in this Decade of Evangelism into the circle of your eternal hospitality, that, refreshed and renewed by your abundant grace, we may bring the whole world to know the embrace of your love revealed in Jesus Christ upon the cross. Give to all your people at this time: a new vision of your glory: a new experience of your power; a new faithfulness to your Word, and a new consecration to your service, that your Holy Name may be glorified and your Kingdom be advanced where you live and reign, forever one God, unto the ages of ages Amen

There is Good News too from Wash Common, Newbury where 400 excited children gathered for a Children's Gift Day (photo below). Frank Blackwell has captured some special moments for Young DOOR.

The Bishops impressions of Armenia, a home for the elderly with a difference, the faces of our new ordinands and a book review for Father's Day are all inside this DOOR.

A unique shop, to excite the senses: Rugs, quilts, cushions, containers, lighting

OXFORD: King Edward St Christ Church Cathedral is thirty second on the cathedrals tour. Afterwards Bishop Michael Marshall (left) and members of the Springboard team including the Revd Jeremy Haselock from Boxgrove Priory near Chichester, went on to Bristol.

(BETWEEN HIGH ST & ORIEL SQ)

WOODSTOCK: On the A44 CHELTENHAM: Regent Arcade

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