#119 February 2001

Page 1

On the road with Springboard Transformation by the Spirit Growing old with grace Don Brewin introduces a world-wide work of God

How Martin Cavender changed direction

Do we meet the spiritual needs of the elderly?

D WE BRING GOOD NEWS

In sickness and in heath' - Dos Swinbank re'iews a useful new book about building and maintaining a lasting relationship page 19

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No 119

FEBRUARY 2001

Dare to share?, There was a new atmosphere at Synod. People didn't just talk about the principles and values of evangelisation, they began to practice them the new name for the Diocese of Oxford's principles, priorities and values for evangelisation, was the theme running right through the first meeting of the newly elected Diocesan Synod in High Wycombe in November. A more informal style, with group discussion and a shared lunch, helped members to experience the shared life in Christ amid the legal business, which included endorsing the Sharing Life document. Out of our 29 Deaneries, 23 had responded by the summer to the consultation paper A Strategy for Evangelisaion 2000-2010, said Canon Simon Brown, the new Synod Vice-chairman. These next ten years after the Decade of Evangelism should be a matter of mission, not just maintenance, for all our parishes. There is no 'quick fix' that will solve the problems of the decline in Church attendance, Canon Chris Neal, Diocesan Director of Evangelisation, told Synod. We need to build community where we can accept each other, and work together as the body of Christ, equipping each other for servant leadership. We 'SHARING LIFE',

should allow our worship to be 'touched by the transformation of God', rather than 'buying into the consumerism of the age', and we should remember that we are a pilIT FELT LIKE NEW START 'It was so good for Diocesan Synod not only to discuss 'Sharing Life' but to put its new culture into practice.The 'top table' was swept away and immediately removed barriers, physical and social. The Deanery group discussions encouraged every synod member to contribute to the process, not just those who are articulate. Sharing our food table together was a potent symbol of the early Church, a vibrant Gospel and inclusion in community. In this atmosphere one could genuinely believe that, the Church is making a new start.' a visitor at Synod

grim Church. 'God is always on the move, and calls us to move with him,' he said. There were lively discussions in Deanery groups about how to turn the responses to the evanglisation consultation paper into concrete actions; the suggestions were collated and circulated

to members afterwards. The Sharing Life leaflet will now go to members of PCCs, Boards and Councils as a summary of Diocesan policy. Bishop Richard said that he was setting up an implementation committee which would ensure that the Sharing Life strategy would be taken into every aspect of the life of the Oxford Diocese.

Convention enthm Around 220 parishes had responded to the preliminary leaflet about a Diocesan in High Convention Wycombe in 2002, giving ideas for speakers and activities and sending money, said Alan Wilson, Chairman of the Planning Group. Nearly £20,000 had been received from parishes, making it feasible to go ahead and Synod voted with enthusiasm that it should do so. It will not be a fully residential conference like Bognor, but will probably offer a range of events targeted at specific groups and a chance for all to share progress on Sharing Life. Report by Clare Wenham

See also New People page 3 Sharing Life full text page 10 & 11 From the Bishop page 8

All this comes from

Frank Blackwell

BIG BREAKFAST FOR JESUS

Christians in the Oxfordshire town of Witney followed the success of their June March for Jesus with a free street breakfast on 16 December. Outside the main Post Office (left to right) Stephanie (10) and Ruth Gittelson (8) and Rosanna Purkiss (5) can't wait to sample their hot dogs. A big turn out of helpers from all the churches shared out breakfasts, distributed balloons, sang carols, and gave information on Christmas services.

Doorpost

Information

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One page says it all Courses training, festivals, events People anc

aces

Letters

The place to shop for interiors • On the A44 in Woodstock Craft made articles for the home • From craftmakers' cooperatives

page 4 oage 9

a Prayer diary

oage 13

0 Time of your life

page 18


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