#160 March 2005 by Diocese of Oxford

DIOCESE OF OXFORD REPORTER IN BERKSHIRE, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE & OXFORDSHIRE

WE BRING GOOD NEWS!

www.oxford.anglican.org

MARCH 2005

No 160

the I)oor ONTH'S SUPPLY OF GE7

PLUS HAVE A MASTEACLASS IN BROADCASTING WITH DAVID WINTER, SEE PAGE 5

Why we should all be happy for Charles and Camilla The announcement that Prince Charles is to marry Camilla Parker Bowles in St George's Chapel, Windsor on April 8 has divided opinion. But the Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd Richard Harries, welcomes the marriage, and explains why he supports the Archbishop of Canterbury's decision to offer the couple - who are both divorced - a service of prayer and dedication after a civil service. 'THE Church of England's

understanding of marriage is that a civil marriage is just as much a marriage in the eyes of God as a marriage in a church. This is a very significant difference between the Anglican

understanding of marriage and the Roman Catholic understanding of marriage. Roman Catholics only believe in a marriage which takes place in church before a priest. In the Church of England the ministers of the sacrament of marriage are the two people themselves making their vows in public before witnesses. Until very recently the service of prayer and dedication, as it is

called, was the only service the Church of England could offer to people in the position of Charles and Camilla. I know from my own experience as a

'Whatever the faults, pain and shame of the past, a Christian attitude allows them to start again with a wholehearted love for one anothe publicly expressed and sealed in marriage' parish priest that this service can often be profoundly moving. People who are married for a second time usually take it much more seriously than many people who are getting married for the first time. When couples say they want a service of prayer and dedication of their marriage to God, they really mean what they say. Now the Church of England does offer marriage in church for people who have been divorced and whose partners are still living, but there are very strict guidelines sent out to all parish priests about when

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this is appropriate and when it is not. Clearly Charles and Camilla decided with the Archbishop of Canterbury that in their circumstances the most appropriate religious dimension to their marriage was to have a service of prayer and dedication. I think this was a wise decision, which will be welcomed by parish priests in this diocese. No special favours have been given to Charles and Camilla in offering them this service of prayer and dedication. Many parish priests in this diocese have offered couples in similar circumstances such a service. I am very pleased that they are getting married. Whatever the faults, pain and shame of the past, the Christian attitude allows them to start again with a wholehearted love for one another, publicly expressed and sealed in marriage, praying for the grace of God in their future life together. And we join with them in praying for God's grace and God's blessing on them.'

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The Passion of Christ - a reflection The cooling towers of Didcot Power Station dominate the landscape round Oxfordshire and the former West Berkshire. Though obtrusive, they are not unbeautiful. In an association that is at once striking and dangerous, [Roger] Wagner sees them as both the gas ovens of the Nazi extermination programme and the Jewish Menorah, the sevenbranched candlestick which gives its name to the picture. In the foreground figures that are recognisably Jewish convey an impression of utter, abject grief. For Christian believers, the Crucifixion is a sign that God suffers in all human suffering and especially this must be true of the suffering of his chosen people. It reveals unspeakable, bleak desolation. When Jesus cries out from the Cross, it is as a Jew to a Jewish God, who is also the God who loves all people. The light in Wagner's paintings is distinctive, almost surreal. It could be the first light of dawn or the light of evening, yet the effect is somehow starker than that. It is nothing less than the light of judgement, revealing all things with terrible, searing clarity. Light, because it is God's light, uncreated and created, can never be without hope, so the light of the towers, even the light on the clouds of steam/smoke presages something better. The presence of the Menorah indicates that even in the death camps, so many Jews sought to be faithful to the one who seemed to have abandoned them. For Christians, God is also here, in the Cross. But this hope, if it is received as such, cannot be seen apart from the light that lays everything bare, the terrible cruelty, the unspeakable grief. Edited extract taken from The Passion in Art, by the Rt Revd Richard Harries (Ashgate Publishing). The original of Menorah hangs in St Giles Church, Oxford and can be viewed between 12-2pm weekdays.

THE DOOR

n brief

News Make Poverty History campaign: as Christians we must act by Richard Harries IN 1987 I was at a meeting of the Anglican Peace and Justice Network in Singapore. A major subject of our discussion - even then - was third world debt. At the end of our meeting we began to discuss when we might meet again. We usually met every two or three years and that timetable was generally assumed. At this point a bishop from Brazil erupted in anger. Brazil, though a reasonably wealthy country, was hugely in debt because of a combination of irresponsible lending by world banks flush with money

because of the hike in oil prices and corrupt regimes. The result was that the poor in Brazil were suffering hugely. My friend erupted in anger because it was, for the poor of his country, literally a matter of life and death - delay in tackling the problem meant hundreds of thousands more lives lost. His anger brought home to me the urgency of this situation in a way that has remained with me ever since. We can feel very encouraged that Christians in general and the aid agencies in particular have been the driving force in tackling world poverty in recent years, first through the Jubilee cam-

to look at the options for legislation on women bishops. Any option will need to find a way to keep opponents within the Church. The process of removing the legal obstacles to consecrating women bishops is expected to start at the next general synod, in July of this year. Revd Moira Astin, team vicar at Woodley St James, reported on the debate for the Door's website (www.oxford.anglican. org/door). She said: 'Strongly held views were offered with clarity and sensitivity. 'The debate was on whether it is the right time to go ahead with this. We were reminded that the process will take at least four years even if we do start in July, and that imprudence and undue haste are not adjectives we

usually associate with how synod does business!' She said there was only one 'poor note' in the debate, when one speaker likened the group behind the rescinding of the act of synod to the IRA. 'Synod murmured its disapproval', she said. The diocese of Oxford sent a message from its own diocesan synod at the end of last year, calling for the Church to have an urgent debate on the issue. The motion was brought forward by the Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, Christopher Lewis. He said it was nonsense to argue women could be priests but not bishops. For a daily diary of General Synod by the Revds Moira Astin, Richard Thomas and others see www.oxford.anglican. org/door

Synod voted this week to end the 800 year old tradition of vicars having a 'job for life', by taking the first steps towards scrapping freehold. Bishops and clergy voted for a new system of 'common tenure' for all clergy, to replace the freehold system. It was argued that freehold made it difficult to remove incompetent clergy from their parishes. Common tenure will give clergy protection under employment law for the first time, and severance pay if made redundant. Clergy will also be subject to a 'capability procedure' which will allow bishops to dismiss them if they are ruled to be lazy or incompetent. Some clergy were against the proposals, GENERAL

Bishops and Archdeacons The Door is published ten times a year. 40,000 copies are distributed in the Diocese of Oxford with the help of volunteers. Editor Rebecca Paveley Telephone: 01865 208227 Editorial Assistant/Distribution Manager Natalie Abbott Telephone: 01865 208225 Photography Frank Blackwell Editorial group David Shepherd (Chairman, Woodstock); Cohn Fletcher (Bishop of Dorchester); Clemency Fox (Marston), Keith Lamdin (Director of Training), Richard Thomas (Diocesan Director of Communications), Philip Hind (Web Editor), Revd Ian Cohen (Chahgrove), Revd Ann Douglas (Woodley), Becky Bevan (Cold Ash), Maranda St John Nicolle (Kidlington) Editorial address Diocesan Church House, North Hinksey, Oxford, 0X2 ON B. Fax: 01865 790470. e-mail: door@oxford.anglican.org Production Esar Graphic Design Ltd. Telephone: 01527 402758 e-mail: esar.graphicdesign@virgin.net Advertising address Sue Williams, The Old Bakehouse, 1242A Evesham Road, Astwood Bank, Redditch, Worcestershire B96 6AA. Telephone 01527 892945 Fax: 01527 892152; e-mail cross.publications@virgin.net The DOOR is published by Oxford Diocesan Publications Ltd (Secretary Mrs Rosemary Pearce).The registered office is Diocesan Church House, North Hinksey, Oxford, OX2 ONB.Tel: 01865 208200.

Deadlines for APRIL 2005 DOOR: Features 3 March; Letters & What's on 9 March; News 16 March Published 21 Match. While every care is taken to ensure the reliability of our advertise ments, their inclusion in The DOOR does not guarantee it or mean that they are endorsed by the Diocese of Oxford. Photos which appear in The DOOR can be purchased by contacting crank Blackwell on 01865 341013 or frankblackwell@btopenworld.com

paign to tackle the debt of the poorest countries in the world and now through the Make Poverty History campaign. The three aspects to this campaign, eliminating the debt, trade justice and generous well-targeted aid, are fundamental and need to be taken together. The government and the international community will need to continue to feel our concern and sense of urgency during this year when the UK is President of two such key groups, the European Union and the G7 countries. Rt Revd Richard Harries is the Bishop of Oxford

End of 'parson's freehold'

First steps towards women bishops THE Church of England has taken the first step towards consecrating women bishops at the meeting of its governing body, the general synod. Members voted overwhelming in favour of starting the process of admitting women to the episcopate. It is nearly 11 years since women were first ordained as priests and under the proposed timetable, the first women bishops could be appointed as early as 2010. Archbishop of The Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, acknowledged that deep differences remained in the church over the issue. Traditionalists have demanded a 'third province' free of women bishops. Dr Williams announced that a working group had been set up

MARCH 2005

BISHOP OF OXFORD The Right Revd Richard Harries, Diocesan Church House, North Hinksey, Oxford, OX2 ONB Tel:01865 208200. Fax: 01865 790470. E-mail: bishopoxon@dch.oxford.anglican.org

saying it would place them at the mercy of vexatious complaints from parishioners. But David MacClean, who drew up the proposals, said: 'Witch hunts of that sort, even if they won the support of the church panels, would never survive the scrutiny of an employment tribunal. I would say to clergy, 'you can be as eccentric or difficult as you like, but if that drives colleagues to nervous breakdowns, or if it prevents you dealing appropriately with the penitent, the dying or the bereaved, a responsible church must intervene.' However synod expressed its grave reservations about moves to transfer ownership of vicarages, churches and churchyards to diocesan boards of finance.

ARCHDEACONRY OF BERKSHIRE Bishop of Reading Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, Bishop's House, Tidmarsh Lane, Tidmarsh, Reading RG8 8 H A Tel: 01189 841216. Fax: 0118 984 1218. E-mail: bishopreading@oxford.anglican.org Archdeacon The Venerable Norman Russell, Foxglove House, Love Lane, Donnington, Newbury, Berks RG14 2JG Tel: 01635 552820. Fax: 01635 522165. E-mail: archdber@oxford.anglican.org

ARCHDEACONRY OF BUCKINGHAM Bishop of Buckingham The Rt Revd Alan Wilson, Sheridan, Grimms Hill, Great Missenden, Bucks HP16 9BD Tel: 01494 862173. Fax: 01494 890508. E-mail: bishopbucks@oxford.anglican.org Archdeacon The Venerable Sheila Watson, Bede House, Paul's Hill, Penn, High Wycombe, Bucks HP1O 8NZ Tel 01494 814571. E-mail archdbuck@oxford.anglican.org

PROVINCIAL EPISCOPAL VISITOR Bishop of Ebbsfleet The Right Revd Andrew Burnham, Bishops House, Dry Sandford, Abingdon, OX13 6J P Tel: 01865 390746 E-mail: bishop.andrew@ebbsfleet.org.uk

ANTHONY McGowan, chaplain at the Radcliffe Infirmary, has been made redundant by the N H S Trust. The Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust decided it needed to make savings and cut one post in the chaplaincy team that serves all the hospitals in Oxford. Chaplaincy team leader Revd Nick Fennemore said that he had been told one chaplain had to go. He said the loss of the Revd McGowan 'had put a lot of extra pressure on the rest of the team'.

Correction An article in the February Door entitled 'Jerry Springer the Opera was a denigration of our faith' may have unintentionally misled readers into believing that threats (including death threats) were sent to BBC employees from the organisation, Christian Voice. This is not the case. No threats of any kind were sent from Christian Voice or from its website to any BBC executive and we apologise for the

confusion.

Competition winners THE winners of the Spiritual Detox book competition (Feb. Door) are: Jill Frances White, Princes Risborough, Bucks, Ruth Lee, Didcot, Oxon, Peter Harris, Burford, Oxon, J Thomason, Wokingham, Berks, U James, Aylesbury, Bucks

Sight impaired people can now get a free audio version of The DOOR by contacting Graham Winterbourne on 01884 840285.

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ARCHDEACONRY OF OXFORD Bishop of Dorchester The Right Revd Cohn Fletcher, Arran House, Sandy Lane, Yarnton, Oxford OX5 1 P B Tel: 01865 375541. Fax: 01865 379890. E-mail: bishopdorchester@oxford.anglican.org Archdeacon designate (1 May) Revd Canon Julian Hubbard. Mail to: Christ Church, Oxford OX1 1DP Tel: 01865 204440. Fax 204465. E-mail: archdoxf@oxford.anglican.org

Radcliffe hospital loses chaplain

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THE DOOR

MARCH 2005

Feature 11111

G ving, not tipping i

What makes us dip into our pockets and give? Was it the emotive pictures of crying children, dead bodies, and wrecked lives which led to such an outpouring of generosity for the victims of the Asian Tsunami? So much money was generated by the Tsunami appeal that many charities have now declared they have enough cash to do what they want - an unprecedented situation. Yet one Oxfordshire based Christian charity, Habitat for Humanity, is still appealing for money and Barry Floyd sets out below why his charity is desperate for donors to plan their giving, long term. Other charities have found their donations drop as a result of the Tsunami appeal. Rebecca Paveley wonders what the Church can learn from this about encouraging giving from its members. CHARITABLE giving has hit the headlines as never before, thanks to the amazing generosity of people across the world to the people suffering as a result of the Asian Tsunami. As Christians, we are encouraged to give freely. As Anglicans, the Church of England suggests we should be giving five per cent of our income to the church, and another five per cent to other charities. Some churches actively encourage tithing giving up to 10 per cent of your money to the church to spend on ministry and mission. The ten per cent figure derives from the Old Testament, but it is meant to be a basis for our giving - not a fixed sum. But it is important that it should be sustained, regular giving - not just a dip into a pocket and see what's there once a week. Sustained giving is particularly important because of the sea change happening in dioceses around the country at the moment. That change focusses on what congregations give and what ministry they will get

in return. For a long time, the church was cushioned financially by the Church Commissioners and legacies but that money is drying up. Parishes are having to learn to pay for their ministry. The Bishop of Dorchester, the Rt Revd Cohn Fletcher, says: 'The living church has to start paying for the living church. In free churches, this has always happened, they have depended on tithing for their very existence, but until now the Church of England hasn't had to worry about that.' The problem the Church faces is that people do not give to institutions readily - as the Tsunami illustrated, people are much more willing to give if their emotions are engaged. People in the church do not associate supporting their vicar, or their church, with the amount of money they put in the offering each week. Bishop Cohn: 'People do not connect the vicar, who they like and think is a nice chap or woman, with the money they contribute. That human connec-

tion hasn't been made but it has to be.' Giving across the Oxford diocese varies enormously from parish to parish, and deanery to deanery. In some it amounts to £2 to £3 a week per person, up to £12 —£15 in others. Though

'I tell YOU the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on.' Mark 12: 43-44 the Oxford Diocese is per head, much wealthier than some others, this isn't reflected in our giving figures. Statistics collected by Church House, Westminster show we give 2.6% of our income and rank 30th out of 43 dioceses. The truism that the

Long term giving: after the Asian Tsunami by Barry Floyd IN the wake of the devastating Asian tsunami on Boxing Day last year, most of us heard politicians using the phrase , the response to this disaster will be a marathon ... not a sprint'. A month later, we witnessed some British charities close their appeals due to the terrific response of the British public. Does that mean that the situation is under control, the race is over, and everyone who needs help from the relief and development agencies will receive it? Of course not! The scale of destruction was enormous and it will take years and plenty more money yet to return the affected people back to any sense of normality. While emergency relief agencies closed their appeals once they were satisfied they had the money to fulfil their immediate commitments, development agencies need regular income in order to achieve their longterm goals. Take Habitat for Humanity as an example. It is an inter-

national Christian housebuilding organisation that currently builds a house every 26 minutes, and works in 98 countries worldwide. The charity was working in Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Indonesia and Bangladesh long before the relief agencies and media arrived and will be there for a long time after. In Sri Lanka for instance, Habitat for Humanity has been building houses in partnership with the needy since 1994. In fact, they are the second largest house-builder in the country after the Sri Lankan government. At the time the tsunami struck, they had already helped around 4,000 Sri Lankan families out of poverty housing into simple, decent homes. Habitat for Humanity would have continued working in Sri Lanka even if the tsunami had not struck but the scale of devastation has given them a whole new challenge. They plan to build 10,000 simple, permanent homes in the first 6 months to

a year. To meet that challenge they need long-term commitment from people in the UK. Please help them with a regular gift and so that they can fulfil their long-term commitment to rebuilding homes and hope. Whilst every charity appreciates the one-off gifts that its supporters give out of the kindness of their hearts, it is very difficult to plan ahead with this income. Regular giving is a long-term source of income that the charity can rely on and with which they can plan ahead. As long as the charity has a healthy "core" of committed supporters who give regular donations, it can make an accurate assessment of what projects it is able to commit to in the foreseeable future. For more information on the work of Habitat for Humanity or to request a regular giving form, please contact Astrid Keen on 01295 264240 or visit their website www.habitatforhumanity.org.uk. Barry Floyd works at Habitat for Humanity in Banbury, Oxon

Tsunami devastated Sri Lanka, where Banbury based charity Habitat for Humanity is working to rebuild homes, photo Kim McDonald/HFHI richer you are, the less you give, appears to be alive and well. Or as Robin Stevens, national stewardship officer for the Church of England says, the more we get from God, the less we give back. The Bible encourages us to give joyfully, out of our wealth, to relieve the suffering of others. We give because God first gave to us. And giving 'refreshes' us too. Proverbs

tells us: 'A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.' Bishop Cohn again: 'Part of the predictable but unplanned result of cheerful giving is that you feel good when you do it, and there is nothing wrong with that.' Guidance from the Church of England says: 'Unless our money gift has cost us some-

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thing, it is not really a thanksgiving but more like a tip. And one of the tensions in our discipleship lies in whether we live our life and give to God the odd crumb, or whether we give to God first, and then manage the rest. If the Christian disciple does the first, he will never be satisfied: If he does the second, he will always have enough.'

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As one of the oldest organisations on University School's two campuses, the Glee Club dates back to 1890 - the year of the school's conception. For 115 years, the Glee Club has continued to maintain its reputation for high quality choral singing and a superior musical education for its members. Currently, the Ensemble has over 60 boys participating, of which 29 will be travelling on a 3-concert music tour to England in March. The all-male Glee Club performs several concerts each year and has toured throughout North America and Europe. The repertoire for the group's forthcoming tour will include standards of the Male Choral idiom with the music of Randall Thompson, Bach and popular American favourites. The programme will also feature variations on Mary Had a Little Lamb, Simon & Garfunkel and African freedom songs.

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THE DOOR : MARCH 2005

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Two new bishops from the Diocese

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TWO priests from this Diocese have been appointed as Bishops. Revd John Stroyan, aged 49, is to become Bishop of Warwick. John is area dean of Deddington and vicar of Bloxham with Milcombe and South Newington. Married to Mary, he has two daughters. He will be consecrated in Southwark Cathedral on Thursday 21 April and

installed as Bishop of Warwick in Coventry Cathedral on Sunday 1 May. Revd Dr Lee Rayfield, vicar of St Peter with St Mark's, Furze Platt in Berkshire has been appointed as the Bishop of Swindon. Dr Rayfield, 49, is also area dean of Maidenhead and Windsor. Married to Liz, he has two sons and a daughter and will take up his post in June.

.-..

Selwyn Hughes on the Bible

Sybil Stephenson and Alan Barraway, who have given over 120 years of service to St James the Great, Ruscombe. photo Frank Blackwell

by Natalie Abbott CONTINUING in our search to find the long serving members of our churches, The Door has received a letter nominating Sybil Stephenson who lives in Twyford. Sybil started playing the organ for St James the Great, Ruscombe when she was still a schoolgirl, She went on to play for both St James and St Mary's, Twyford for 68 years, where she says many wonderful times were had, playing in concerts and at services. Sybil announced

her retirement in 2000, but the following Sunday was contacted by another local church and since then has played at nine different churches in four years. 'I've only had two Sundays off in the last four years,' she said. Sybil is pictured with Alan Barraway, who has also given over 60 years of faithful service at St James the Great, Ruscombe. He joined the choir in 1939, at the outbreak of World War II. He is a server and has been sacristan and verger for 20 years.

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Orchestra I of St John's Music in the Abbey Artistic Director: John Lubbock

9 03 11 MUSIOU

ABBEY

Music in the Abbey

crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Performed

Dorchester Abbey, Oxfordshire

in the beauty and grandeur of

3 S Bach St John Passion

REVEREND Selwyn Hughes is the founder of Crusade for World Revival, an interdenominational organisation dedicated to assisting people to apply Gods word to everyday life and relationships and to pray for revival. For more than 39 years he has been the author of the Bible reading notes Every Day with Jesus, read worldwide. A Welshman, he was trained in Theology in Bristol and later attended a number of counselling training courses in the United States. He was a pastor for eighteen years before founding CWR and has travelled in many countries presenting seminars on different aspects of the Christian life and ministering to leaders in many nations. Currently he is Life President of CWR and has been responsible for the development of the counsellor training programme at CWR. With over

fifty years of counselling experience, Selwyn has developed deep spiritual insight into the complexities of human behaviour. He has personally trained thousands of Christians throughout the world. You are invited to an evening at Greyfriars Church, Reading on Saturday 12 March at 7.30pm to hear him speak about his life and how important the Bible has been to him. There is no charge for the event, but there will be a retiring collection for Bible Society. Copies of his recent autobiography will be on sale. For further information please email sue.wilmot@ biblesociety.org.uk, or phone 0118 959 9796. Everyone is welcome; however, if you intend to bring a large group, please inform in advance. Sue Wilmot worships at Grey friars, Reading

Bells ring out again in Wokingham THE restored bells of Wokingham's parish church rang out in celebration at a dedication service by the Bishop of Reading, Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell. Bellringers came from far and wide to ring the 300 year old bells, after a 5 year long project. The work cost £53,000, which was paid for as part of the Church's 'Celebrating Community' project. Rector of All Saints, Revd

David Hodgson, said: 'Now our bells are able to continue calling people to worship God and helping us to celebrate family and community events for many years to come.' Tower foreman John Harrison said: 'This was a memorable occasion, sharing this celebration with the community of Wokingham and with the wider ringing community, which has given support.'

The church of Christ the Cornerstone in Milton Keynes is celebrating its silver anniversary this year. A full list of events are planned, beginning on March 6 at 6pm with a musical reflection. On March 12, the Cornerstone Chamber Choir will perform Mendelssohn's Elijah at 7.45pm, on March 20 at 6pm there is a 21st century approach to Holy Week using drama and meditation. On March 27 there is music for Good Friday at 730pm. The celebration service will be held on April 10. Christ the Cornerstone is the coming together of five major Christian denominations and using the only purpose built, city centre, ecumenical church in the UK. Details of all Cornerstone events are available on www.cornerstonemk .org.uk For more information on any events or service contact Walter Greaves on walter.greaves@connectfree.co.uk or call 01604 864600. I

Dorchester Abbey promises to be a stunning, moving and inspiring

Saturday 19 March 2005, 6pm OSJ

Ticket Prices:

OS] Voices

A £25

B £18 (f 15)

C £12 (ElO)

John Lubbock: Artistic Director Concessions indicated in brackets and apply to under 18s, full-time undergraduate students, disabled patrons and registered unemployed.

NichoLas RansLey Tenor Christian ImmLer Bass

The Abbey is wheelchair accessible.

Under their conductor John Lubbock,

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Wheelchair users are offered a

OSJ and 053 Voices return to Dorchester Abbey to perform Bach's powerful meditation on the story of the betrayal, arrest, trial and

Cornerstone celebrates

without an interval, this performance

occasion.

Christopher Lemmings Evangelist Charlotte ELlett Soprano Christine Cairns Contralto

Cursillo weekend Cursillo is a movement of the Church to empower Christians to grow through prayer, study and action. It is active in Over 30 dioceses in the UK, as well as in many countries around the world. Following an extended period of preparation it is now being launched in the Diocese of Oxford. The Bishop of Reading said: 'Cursillo has proved itself to be a marvellous way of renewing the life and vision of Christian people and thereby supporting the work of the church in its mission and ministry in the world. I'm delighted that Cursillo is coming to the Diocese of Oxford and believe it can make a big difference in the life of our parishes.' People are generally introduced to Cursillo through three day residential weekends, and the first opportunity to participate here will be between 21 and 24 April at the Cold Ash Centre, near Newbury. sLeaflets, booking forms and further information are available from Andrew Garrett, 5 The Paddock, Kennington, Oxford OX1 5SB.Tel 01865 739943.

Box Office: 01865 305305 www.ticketsoxford.com

Eco-col.um Ii Last month the Church of England released a report called 'Sharing God's Planet,' and General Synod debated the issue. In our own diocese, we held a major conference on Climate Change. We are now well aware that the planet is in serious trouble from our actions, and have good informed theology to convince us that caring for this earth is a part of our mission in the world. The problem comes in knowing what to do. Is it simply a matter of having organic sugar in our tea and cake at church fetes - as one newspaper i depressingly predicted would be the Church of England's solution? If we are to adequately

respond to the scale of the crisis we must fun- I damentally rethink the way we run our I churches and our diocese. Environmental policies need to be a top I consideration in managing our buildings, in I decisions about transport, in reducing our use I of disposable items, and when making con- I sumer purchases. A programme like Eco-con- I gregation would facilitate this, or a study course such as the Certificate in Christian, I Rural and Environmental Studies. Individuals might like to join a local group, and Sage - the Oxford-based group -, is willing to help Christians in other areas set these up. A thoughtful response to the needs of the I planet will challenge our lifestyles and enrich our appreciation of God's creation.

Margot Hodson is Chaplain of Jesus College, Oxford and a member of Sage.

THE DOOR

MARCH 2005

Goc in the Life o

Keeping the faith at Radio Oxford Jonathan Hancock took over from the Sunday show veteran, Hedley Feast, last autumn. Following in Hedley's footsteps on BBC Radio Oxford was a 'real challenge' he says but he has quickly made the show his own. Though only 33, he has achieved some amazing feats. As well as getting a first from Oxford, he became World Memory Champion at the age of just 22. Married with two young children, he lives in Oxford. He tells Rebecca Paveley about his faith and his work. Photo Frank Blackwell came to Oxford as a student in 1991. I had been brought up in Middlesborough but had spent a year out working with Mission for Seafarers in Brisbane, Australia. As soon as I arrived in Oxford to study English, I volunteered at Radio Oxford. I had been doing community and hospital radio in the North East and wanted to continue. Radio Oxford gave me opportunities to go out reporting for them, which meant I drove all over the county and grew to love Oxfordshire. While most of my college friends never left the city, I went round all of the Oxfordshire villages so at the end of my three years as a student I really felt I was at home in the county. When I finished university I started working for the BBC properly, as a freelance reporter. Since then I have gone on to work on practically every show! I started on weekends, then did the mid-morning programme, then the breakfast programme and now I'm working at weekends again, doing the football show on Saturday as well as Sunday Breakfast. Running parallel to my work has been my other interest in memory and harnessing creativity. This started when I was at school. One day I was watching Record Breakers with friends and 'I FIRST

'People who are passionate about their faith tend to be interesting people, who are passionate about life' we started talking about whether any of us would break a record. We had a bet one of us would, and I went away and looked in the Guiness Book of Records and saw there was

one for remembering playing cards so thought I would try my hand at that. I came upon a technique for helping you to remember, which involves using pictures and images and I found I could use this technique to remember anything. I did this to remember the order of jumbled up packs of playing cards and I became

'The programme is about looking at what unites different faiths, not what divides them' World Memory Champion in 1994. I've written books about this technique, for both adults and children, and I am working with primary schools now looking at ways to implement this into the classroom and help children harness their creativity. My family background is a mixture of Methodist and Church of England. My grandfather was a Church of England vicar but my Mum was a Methodist. I was baptised as a Methodist but confirmed as an Anglican and we alternated between different churches when I was growing up. In Oxford, I tried out different churches. My wife is a Roman Catholic and we happened on St Anthony of Padua in Headington. The priest there is brilliant and he really re-ignited my interest in faith, and what â&#x20AC;˘! believe and why I believe. I was received into the Roman Catholic church last year. It is a very multi cultural church, as it is near the John Radcliffe hospital and it is wonderful for children. Taking on the faith show on BBC Oxford came at a good time for me. As a public service broadcaster, the BBC wants to reach out to everybody and connect with all our licence payers, of every faith. The programme is about

looking at what unites different faiths, not divides them. We are not trying to sway or shake people's faith but trying to explore them to increase understanding of differences. At its foundation it is a Christian programme but we want to explore other perspectives too. It was a huge challenge, trying to fit 'faith' into a radio show, the possibilities are endless. But it really seems to have caught people's imagination and we have lots of people wanting to come on. People who are passionate about their faith tend to be really interesting people, who are passionate about life. We want to find out what they do with the whole of their lives, not just on a Sunday morning.., and if FIRST DAY COVERS and PRESENTATION PACKS Free competitive price list

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WOULD you like to appear alongside Jonathan Hancock on BBC Radio Oxford on Sunday morning? The Door has teamed up with the BBC to offer one reader a one-off chance to present a 'Thought for the Day' style piece live. The Door and the BBC are looking for someone who can script a short, topical, and lively piece suitable for BBC Sunday Breakfast's audience. The piece must be of interest to people of all faiths and none. To help the winner, veteran broadcaster

and author David Winter (pictured below left) will give a masterclass in presenting Thought for the Day before it goes on air. To enter, submit a piece, on paper, which takes around three minutes to read aloud. The winner will be chosen by Jonathan Hancock, David Winter and the Door's editor, Rebecca Paveley. The winner will have the option of using their submitted piece, or writing a more up-todate script in the week the programme goes on air. All entrants must be able to travel independently to the BBC studios on a Sunday morning. Send entries to Thought for the Day competition, Church House, North Hinksey Lane, Oxford OX2 ONB by March 15.

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that means asking Rosemary Conley how she reconciles having a huge fortune with her faith, then we do it. It was a challenge taking over from Hedley Feast, but he is still involved and reports for us once a week, which is great. In a funny way, presenting the football show does fit in well with the Sunday show. Both programmes based on people's passions. With football, you are talking to straight laced people all week who save it up to let it all out on a Saturday afternoon. Often too these people who sing along at a football match will be singing along too in church or wherever on a Sunday morning as well. Its a wonderful job.'

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THE DOOR : MARCH 2005

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Handing on faith to the next generation Revd Tony Dickinson, the Diocese's European officer, writes about a very special gathering in Germany 'WIEN your child asks, in time to come Children ask direct questions. They confront us with the truth. It is not exactly typical for a child to ask the kind of questions referred to in the verses of Deuteronomy 6, from which our theme is taken about instructions, regulations and legal principles. Yet behind it lies the wide horizon of the questions about what is important to us all: what we believe, how we communicate it today and what we need for tomorrow. Those words from Deuteronomy 6.20 provide the watchword for this year's German Protestant Kirchentag to be held in Hanover from 25-29 May. It is a theme of interest to anyone concerned with the handing on of faith from one generation to the next and many of the topic areas resonate with questions which are being asked widely in this country as well as in Germany. Bishop Alan is planning to lead a group from the Diocese of Oxford. The German Kirchentag is an extraordinary gathering of over 100,000 Christians

large percentAs I write, it is age of people predicted that choose not to within the next vote in General few days a Elections. They General Election say, 'I'm just will be called for one person. May 5. Word is What possible that the 'feel by difference can factor' good Alison Webster my vote make?' engendered by Nothing highthe announcement of the engagement of lights better the deficiencies Charles and Camilla makes of our society's individualisthis an opportune time for tic worldview. That each Tony Blair. Personally, I individual is part of somecan't see how the two things thing much bigger than can possibly affect one themselves is the whole another in any way, but then point of life-in-society. Being I never did understand the 'just' a drop in the ocean counter-intuitive psychologi- means also being crucial to cal nuances of party political the existence of the ocean, and oceans can be very powcampaigning. A more logical connec- erful, as we all know well. Christians rightly take tion, for me, is between elections in the UK and the seriously the opportunities recent elections in Iraq. for participation in social There, members of the elec- change afforded by electorate risked their lives to tions. Churches Together in face down the insurgents Britain and Ireland (CTBI) and exercise their right to has launched a website affect the future of their (www.churcheselection.org. nation. Before that election uk) as a resource to help took place, it was argued local churches to plan that the power of ordinary 'Question Time' meetings Iraqis to determine their for candidates standing for future was negligible in the the General Election. Such face of the external powers church-organised meetings weighing in to steer their are an excellent opportunity country in a particular direc- for voters to meet and question. Yet after the election tion candidates, and are often things look rather different. the most significant all-party The external powers haven't meetings in a constituency. gone away - far from it - but Members of the Oxford in embracing the possibilities Diocesan Board for Social of 'people power', ordinary Responsibility have come up Iraqis have reminded the with example questions with world (and themselves) that a more local flavour to comthey are agents in their own plement this website. Check destiny, not simply 'objects' these out on the diocesan website www.oxford.angliof the actions of others. Here, thankfully, we do can.org and try them out at not risk our lives when we the hustings. take part in the democratic process. It is paradoxical, Alison Webster is the diocesan therefore, that a disturbingly Social Responsibility Adviser

which happens every two years in a major German city. It also has a strong international dimension and we are expecting around 300 people from Britain to attend in 2005. This will be the fourth time Hanover has played host to a Kirchentag and it is indeed notable as the place where the Kirchentag movement first began in 1949. Although the event in Hanover is not officially an 'ecumenical' Kirchentag, like the one in Berlin, it is open to all, Protestant and Catholic alike, and is always a place of

'Children ask direct questions. They confront us with the truth' great ecumenical sharing. The Kirchentag has its own web page with information in both German and English, www.kirchentag.de. The British Kircheitag Committee also has its own website, www.kirchentag.org.uk. A knowledge of German is

Press do we have a tendency for excess? What are overeating, drinking too much, smoking and taking drugs, really all about? The Evening Post reports this month, that an eating disorder group has now formed at the Women's information Centre in Silver Street, Reading. The Bucks Free Press discusses 24 hour drinking and whether there would be a market for it in High Wycombe. The reaction from residents is mixed. 'If people want to drink a lot they will find a way to do that, whether the pubs are open for 24 hours' - is one student'sopinion; a local nurse gives us her view; 'I think that it will just encourage more alcoholics and the penalties won't be able to prevent that'. Of course, a good meal and bottle of wine, do not an addict make. But when you consider that, according one set of health statistics, at least 1 in 10 women has an eating disorder, and a huge propor-

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A love that frees us from shame and fear tion of crime is drink related, it begs the question - why do so many humans have such difficulty with moderation? As someone who battled with an eating disorder for most of my early adult life, I can give my perspective on this dilemma, but of course it is subjective and based on my own journey. For me, childhood wounds, and adolescent fears left me with a longing that could never be filled. Even the most passionate commitment to hard line evangelical Christianity did not case my own disease. In fact, believing that God sent his son to die for my sin, left me wondering whether God was a sadist and whether I was just downright unlovable. I learned to repress my pain and dull the agony with overeating and purging.

'To erase him was the response from those who could not bear the truth of his existence' When the pain got bad enough, I questioned it all - my faith, my values, my friends, my ideology, Christian or otherwise - basically all that I held dear. I have since come to realise, that possibly Christ was crucified because he had such a great

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helpful but not necessary, as a number of events have simultaneous translation and a lot of support is offered for international visitors. The cost of attendance is 79 Euros (+ 12 Euros fee for arranging free bed and breakfast accommodation in local homes). At current rates of exchange that is less than £65.00 for up to six nights accommodation, free admission to all the events (and to most of the museums and galleries in Hanover) and unlimited travel on the Hanover public transport system from 2429 May. The only additional costs will be those relating to travel between the UK and Hanover and to meals (other than breakfast) while you're there. Anyone who is interested in going, whether as an individual or as a member of the Diocesan Group, is asked to contact Canon Tony Dickinson as soon as possible.

Bookprint Creative Services, founded in January 1993, is an independent Christian company built on almost 30 years' experience in designing and producing books for publishers. We have looked after the design and production of many hundreds of titles for Christian publishers and authors - well over two million books in all and including a number of bestsellers. For authors who are ready to finance the production of their book we offer a complete one-stop service from receipt of manuscript to delivery of finished books - and more. As well as complete design and production we can offer editorial assistance if required and a sales, marketing and distribution service into Christian bookshops and potentially beyond. This is the ideal route for an author to self-publish his or her book, allowing them to achieve a quality and standard normally only attained by leading publishers. Through our associate company Thankful Books we also offer self-financing authors the opportunity to have their book considered for co-publication under this new and growing Christian publishing imprint, giving further increased sales potential. Whether you have written a book of poems, teaching, autobiography or the history of your church or parish - you name it - provided it exceeds a minimum of about 16,000 words we can turn it into a professional paperback or hardback, printed black inside (with colour pictures added if required) and full colour cover. Print runs start at 500 copies. Your book could be the achievement of a lifetime: Bookprint can help you make it a reality, attaining a standard to maximise its potential and help it stand alongside the best. For further details send for a free information pack and estimate request form, without obligation, to Bookprint, 24 The Avenue, Eastbourne, E. Sussex BN21 3YA, or email: BCS@bookprint.co.uk or telephone: 01323-411315.

sense of self being born of the Father. His truth was so terrifying that it highlighted all that was 'diseased' around him - the conflict, the prejudice, the violence, the pride, the hatred. To erase him was the response from those who could not bear the truth of his existence. God's love is, of course bound up with his judgement, but there is never one without the other - and for those of us who carry shame and fear, that loving acceptance is paramount. I do not need an external judge, I have to face and fight my internal one every day already. I wonder how many others who use substances to excess, are facing this kind of pain too? Pain is often hidden - but today's criminals seem to want to make a celebrity splash when they go about their business. The Reading Chronicle reports how a raider wearing a luminous coat looted thousands of designer clothes from a shop in Caversham Road. He left the scene of the crime in a high visibility jacket and in a white Ford Escort van. Perhaps, he had a passion for road safety? Or maybe it was just a very public fashion statement. God knows. Clare Cat ford presents BBC Radio Berkshire's Sunday morning show.

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THE DOOR MARCH 2005

Fa :race For-rig'I Do the Fairtrade challenge! Do the 'fairtrade diet' this Fairtrade Fortnight and win a month's supply of Divine chocolate's new orange bar. Natalie Abbott offers some suggestions to make living off fairtrade food simple and enjoyable. HOW much do you spend on your weekly food bill? If you are shopping for a family, its likely to be heading for three figures. Times that by four, for a month. Then by 12 for the year. Shocked? Now how much of that sum is spent on food that you know has been traded fairly - where the workers who produced it earned a fair wage for a fair days work under fair working conditions. If just a proportion of your weekly shop is spent on fairtrade goods, you can make a huge difference. And there are now hundreds of fairtrade goods out there, in shops and supermarkets, to make your fairtrade shop easier. To spur you on, the Door and Fairtrade chocolate producer Divine are setting a challenge. We want readers to try and use at least four fairtrade products a day in their cooking during Fairtrade Fortnight (March 1-13). To help you, we've produced a few ideas for meals and lists of the types of food that are readily available as fairtrade products, plus some

of the shops that stock them. And, as an added incentive, Divine will give a month's supply of their new chocolate orange bar to one reader who sticks to the challenge and writes an entertaining account of their 'fairtrade fortnight diet' and sends it into the Door at the usual address. This idea of a 'fairtrade diet' was first used by staff at fairtrade@stmichaels, in Oxford. Staff there challenged customers to use a couple of fairtrade products a day for a month. Mary Ashton, a member of the co-operative which runs the shop, said some people had found it really easy. 'Some of the staff here did it by just having a bar of chocolate and a glass of wine every day but it is just as easy to be more creative. I try and do it most of the time, as an ongoing diet. The fact you can now get fairtrade pulses helps enormously. That and the new herbs and spices mean you can do 'proper cooking' too with fair-

trade products.' Customers took up the challenge with enthusiasm. Mary said: 'Our intention by doing it was to sharpen awareness and challenge people to use more fairtrade products. People are becoming much more conscious about their food and the conditions under which it was produced, so this just helped that process along.' The Diocese of Oxford is still working towards becoming a fairtrade Diocese. We need 60% of parishes to pledge to use only fairtrade products. Many churches do buy fairtrade tea, coffee and biscuits at the moment, but haven't signed the pledge. We need you to sign the pledge to count towards the total and get fairtrade status, so if you haven't had your pledge form, send for one now! Forms can be obtained by calling 01865 378059 or from the Board for Social Responsibility website (www.oxford.anglican.org/bsr and click on Just World).

Staff at the Cornerstone fairtrade shop in Grove, Oxon. photo Frank Blackwell

Fairtrade Food There are now 250 Fairtrade products available. These include wine and beers; fresh fruit and vegetables; fruit juice; coffee; tea; sugar; honey, preserves, spreads; dried fruit, nuts and snacks; cake; chocolate; cocoa; rice, pasta and cereals and pulses.

Fairtrade Shops Abingdon Traidcraft Group, 10 Bath Street, Abingdon; Fairtrade@st.michaels,

Cornmarket, Oxford; Oxfam Shops 0870 333 2700 to find your nearest store stocking fair trade food products); The Cornerstone, Grove; Judith Condor Vidal at the Oxford Open Market; The Kiosk, Church of Christ the Cornerstone, Central Milton Keynes; Sust! Central Milton Keynes Food Centre; The Mustard Seed, Faringdon The World Shop, RISC, Reading; plus Co-op and other major supermarket chains

Fairtrade Meals Breakfast: Cereal/muesli and/ or toast with chocolate spread or fair trade jam; Fresh fairtrade fruit; Buttermilk pancakes with fairtrade bananas and fairtrade honey Lunch: Fairtrade Rice or pasta salad with fairtrade vegetables Dinner: Stir-fry fairtrade vegetables and rice; soup with fairtrade pulses and vegetables. Dessert: Rice pudding; banana fritters; Fairtrade chocolate cake.

Fairtrade visitor from the Windward Isles BANANA grower Regina Joseph, from the island of Dominica, will be visiting Oxford on 9 March to promote Fairtrade. Mrs Joseph, all of whose bananas are sold on the Fairtrade market, will be talking to shoppers at the

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Headington Co-op from 11 to 2 and speaking at a Fairtrade dinner in the evening. greatly Fairtrade has improved the growers' situation in Mrs Joseph's area. Mrs Joseph also speaks enthusiastically

about the direct benefits for her and her family: 'I don't have to use chemicals, which is good for my health and a healthy environment. '[Fairtrade] helps to pay the bills and send my children to

school.' All are welcome at the dinner celebrating !vlm Joseph's visit; if you'd like to attend, details can be found at www.fairtradeoxford.org.uk or by calling 01865 378059.

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THE DOOR : MARCH 2005

Letters It's Friday but Sunday's Coming!

Farewell from the Morrisons; race and religious hatred; clergy costs Thank you and goodbye from the Morrisons

people and those IN a book of the that work with above title, Tony them, young Campolo recalls an people growing epic sermon he up in a confused heard one Good BY YOUTH generation: Friday. The Sermon ADVISER IAN 'Adolescents are was framed around MACDONALD not monsters. the lines 'it's Friday They are just but Sunday's people trying to learn how to coming!' 'It was Friday; it was Friday make it among the adults in and my Jesus was dead on the the world, who are probably cross. But that was Friday and not so sure themselves' (Virginia Satir). Even those Sunday's comin'! 'It was Friday and Mary that know something of was cryin' her eyes out. The Christianity know far more disciples were runnin' in every about the 'Friday' than they direction, like sheep without a do about the 'Sunday', but Shepherd, but that was Friday. this is the 'living hope' to Sunday's comin'!' And so he which 1 Peter refers. It's this said the sermon continued, 'Sunday' message that presbuilding in volume and power ents hope and a vision of what could be; the Kingdom all the time. 'It was. Friday. The cynics breaking out on earth. I love were lookin' at the world and what Walter Brueggemann saying; you can't change any- has to say in The Prophetic thing. But those cynics didn't Imagination: 'The task of know it was Friday. Sunday's prophetic ministry is to nurture, nourish, and evoke a comin'!' Tony recorded that that the consciousness and perception sermon reached such an alternative to the dominant excitement that when the culture around us.' He points preacher delivered the final, out that the prophets tended 'It's Friday!' the whole congre- to weep BUT then present an gation roared back, 'BUT alternative vision of the future. SUNDAY'S COMIN'!' It's this 'Sunday' inspired That may or may not remind you of your church view of the future we need to but the sentiment is universal. be communicating to young We've journeyed through Lent people. But its also this view to Good Friday and look to of the future that we need the excitement of Easter Day. young people to be part of, as the youth strategy says, we Christ has died; need young people to have Christ is risen; the opportunity to be 'leaders Christ will come again! Sunday's coming! And that and innovators in the Sunday hope and excitement Church'. We need their radiates out of Easter to every energy, enthusiasm, creativity day, to our whole lives, to all and cultural understanding ages! In a cynical and hurting to be part of living and comworld it's hope for the now municating that vision. Sunday's here and Sunday's and for the future! My ministry is to young coming!

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the editor

I would like, by courtesy of The DOOR, to send my best thanks to all those who have made my moving into retirement very special. I very much appreciated the large number of people who came to the Farewell Evensong at the Cathedral. It was, for Angela and me, a remarkable and moving occasion. Many thanks also for the beautiful silver dish, which will have pride of place in our new home, and the exceedingly generous cheque which will provide me with a greenhouse big enough to grow tomatoes to my hearts content. My 37 years in the diocese have been very happy. I am very grateful to have had so many wonderful colleagues and friends. Thanks again. John Morrison Oxford

Race and Religion

Robin Further to Richardson's article, 'Hate, hatred, race and religion' in February's 'The Door', may I point out that it isn't only

Clergy News Revd Shaun Atkins, Vicar, Fulham, to be Associate Minister (NSM), St Andrew's, Linton Road, Oxford; Revd Lady Denise Brown, NSM in Beedon and Peasemore with West lIsley and Farnborough to be NSM also in Brightwalton with Catmore, Leckhampstead, Chaddleworth and Fawley; Revd Stephen Coe, Associate Priest, St Andrew's Linton Road, Oxford, to be Vicar, Holy Trinity, Wallington; Revd John Connell, Vicar of Llantilio Pertholey w Bettws Chapel and Rector of Llanddewi Skirrid, Diocese of Monmouth, to be Priest in Charge, St Paul's

There has been increasing attention in the media recently over the effects of climate change caused by fossil fuel combustion and pollution from air-borne particles. Whilst we all wring our hands and say "Something must be done!" what would be our reaction if we were suddenly made aware that there are products that create the same amount of useable energy from a lesser amount of fuel and produce significantly reduced emissions? Would we want to know more or would we dismiss the notion as being beyond credibility? A number of PCC5 and Incumbents have decided to find out more and, as a result, are paying less for their fuel and, at the same time, helping the environment. One such Parish is Wooburn where 'Thermoflow' magnetic ionisation units were installed some 18 months ago. The heating costs of the Church were becoming of such a concern, that the PCC had contemplated asking the congregation to suffer a 'cold Sunday' - i.e.turning the heating off for one Sunday per month. Thermoflows were duly fitted and a comparison of consumption with the previous, similar, period has now been made and it has been found that the fitting of the Thermoflow units had produced a saving of some 18%20% in gas consumption - more than paying for their installation costs (E200) in their first year of use! Needless to say, the units remain in service. Details of these units can be obtained from Tony Price on 01908 672524 or by e-mail to tonys.price@virgin.net.

Irish atheists who can't choose their religion. The Quran and Haddith teach very clearly that any Muslim who renounces their religion is an apostate and their life is forfeit. An example would be Heshu Yones, a Muslim girl living in Britain, murdered by her own father because she was leaving Islam to become a Christian, like her boy friend. The increasing number of these so-called 'honour killings' in the UK (recent estimates are in the hundreds) has led to the establishment of a special Metropolitan Police unit to investigate this practice. I was also wondering on what basis Robin refers to our Muslim brothers and sisters.' Christians are brothers and sisters on the basis of their acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. His atonement for our sin is based on his Deity, His substitutionary death on the cross and his subsequent resurrection, all of which are specifically denied by the Q uran. G. R Hargrove by email Wokingham with St Nicholas Emmbrook, Sonning; Revd Simon Douglas-Lane, Vicar, Hounslow with Good Shepherd, Diocese of London, to be Team Vicar, Wraysbury & Horton in the Riverside Team, Burnham and Slough; Revd Glyn Evans, Rural and Regional Officer, to be Diocesan Rural Officer (part-time); Revd Antony Feitham-White, Curate, Bernwode Benefice to be Royal Army Chaplain, Maidstone, Kent, Diocese of Canterbury; Revd Diana Clover, Curate, Aylesbury with Bierton & Hulcott Team Ministry, to be Priest in Charge, Amersham on the Hill; Revd Bill Knight, of Incumbent, Benefice

Church Survey

Dr Jonathan Williams last year asked people what encouraged them to go to church. Ex-church goers were asked why they stopped and what would bring them back. Non-churchgoers were asked what would encourage them to begin. All were asked if the demise of 'clergy visiting' was significant. As a self selected group these people's answers were not 'scientific' or statistically balanced. Yet there were 14,000 replies and their comments should be of interest to all of us. The survey can be downloaded, free of charge, at www.churchsurvey.co.uk

more than two times higher than the average salary for social, educational and health-care work in our area. Can this figure be justified given the current state of the Church of England's finances, and can it be reconciled with Christian teaching about having only what we need? William Stevens Wallingford, Oxfordshire

Editors Note: The Door asked Brian Newey, chair of the Diocesan Board of Finance, to respond: •

I am told that the cost of supporting a single priest in the parish ministry in this part of the country is approximately £40K, including stipend, housing and pension costs, but not including expenses paid for by parishes. This is considerably higher than ministry costs in some other denominations and

'The stipend of a Vicar in Oxford is under £20,000. Pension and NI contributions raise the cost to £24,500. Maintaining houses, council tax and rates, periodic removal expenses, all clergy training and other support raise the cost to about £34,000. Finally, we add in the cost of forty or so curates because they are being trained to serve the whole church, making a 'cost per vicar' of £38,000. £40,000 is only reached if diocesan and national overhead costs are included.'

Riverside, is to retire; The Ven John Morrison, Archdeacon of

Berkshire; Revd Or Nat Schluter, Curate, Gerrards

John L Mitchell Penn, Bucks

Clergy Costs

Oxford, to be Canon Emeritus of Christ Church Cathedral and Archdeacon Emeritus of the Diocese of Oxford; Revd David Paterson, Non-Parochial Minister, is given Permission to Officiate; Revd Mike Payne, Vicar, St Mary's Peckham, Diocese of London to be Housefor-duty Priest, Chenies and Little Chalfont, Latimer & Flaunden; Revd Ian Pusey, Priest in Charge - Lamp Group, to be also Area Dean of Newport Deanery; Revd Janet Russell, Team Vicar, Wallingford Team Ministry, to be Parish Development Advisor for the Archdeaconry of

Cross and Fulmer, has resigned;

Revd John Simpson, Associate Vicar, Holy Trinity with St Jude, Upper Chelsea, London, to be Priest in Charge, Litte Missenden; Revd Maurice Stanton-Saringer, Area Dean of Newport Deanery, has Revd Nicholas resigned; Taylor, Non-Parochial Minister, is given Permission to Officiate; Revd Sally Welch, Priest-inCharge of Kintbury with Avington, to be Rector of Cherbury with Gainfield, Vale of the White Horse; Revd David West, Priest in Charge, Christ Church Reading, to be Vicar, Christ Church Reading.

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THE DOOR

MARCH 2005

Youth

N i nesi the new 13m. engaging 'tweenagers' in today's church By Liz Roberts HANDS up everyone reading this who's involved with their church's teenagers! I can see a paid youth worker over there, a Sunday School volunteer in the back row, a vicar on a mission in the side aisle... A training session by Jenny Hyson, Diocesan Children's Adviser and Ian Macdonald, Diocesan Youth Adviser, however, made it plain that the entire church has a responsibility to engage this critical age group. Statistics show that children who leave the church at 12 have - by and large - already made up their mind to do so at seven. It's a central message which turns on its head everything we think about working with the upper primary/lower secondary child - the ground for them finding church wel-

coming, accepting and person- of the marketing budgets tarally relevant is laid long before geted at this age group, and they reach the age of inde- our yesterdays are unrecognispendent decision-making. able to today's young. And as the training session Incidentally, teenagers have revealed, there is a massive more money than ever before shortfall between the percep- (pocket money rose by 32% in tion which those of us who are the six years 1993 - 1999). In the late 1990's, 1000 youth leaders have of our teenage years and the pres- teenagers were leaving the sures and influences on those English church every single week - they thought it boring who are teenagers today. Just think of all the changes (87%); uncool (73%); none of in society of the last two their friends went (61%); they decades: family structures, the way education is conducted, 'Statistics show that the general 'busy-ness' of life (swimming lessons, music les- children who leave sons, Sunday football, Sunday the church at 12 shopping) and, because of greater mobility, the lack of have - by and large adult role models who can - already made up commit themselves to anything in community life (other their mind to do so than self-improvement, like at seven' the gym). Add to these the size

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had other things to do on a Sunday (63%); for some, it was the only chance they got all week to have a lie-in. Then there are the not inconsiderable hurdles of 'I don't believe or 'My parents in God' don't encourage me to go' (48%). Even if that decline were suddenly to have halted (which it hasn't), congregations now are left with not only the question of how we counteract the influence of the teenagers who left in the 1970's, who are telling their own children that there's nothing to be gained from belonging to a church community, but also how we can work with families to attract their young when they get into their early teenage years. And how can we encourage Dads so that especially boys continue to have a male role model who does find it cool to go to church? One of the ways we can respond is to acknowledge the fact that 'nine is the new 13'. Ruth Hassall is the Church Pastoral Aid Society's advisors on the 9s - 13s and she would like to see churches reordering their youth resources to make way for clubs catering specifically for them. Children are consumers much earlier these days and they and their parents have a marked sense of having the consumer's right to vote with their feet. If we are weekly producing something too babyish for the 9 year olds (the girls amongst whom are already aspiring to be teenagers), we will never inter-

(64%)

est them in the first place or who have developed their own lose them even when they've courses and clubs in response their groups' been faithful members of our to St various groups since the age of respective interests: three. Rethinking how we Andrew's has just started a work with teenagers might 'Christians and Sport' group, seem daunting, but engaging for example. Both would also 9-13s - premature teenagers, add another 'must' - being or be-'tweenagers' - is actual- age-appropriate and drafting ly quite liberating, because it's in older teenagers and young out with a curriculum and in adults, prepared to be candid about their own journey of discovery, to be role models 'Children are conand leaders for the 9-13s. sumers much earliIf successful, reaching out to this vulnerable age group may er *these days and well also mean throwing open they and their par- the doors to quite challenging ents have a marked young people who put us sense of having the under enormous strain to be non-judgmental. 'There is no consumer's right to such thing as the right personvote with their feet' ality for the job of tweenagers' leader', says Marianne, 'all you have to do is love the chilwith building friendships and dren and be prepared to value listening to the way they want them, to treat them as individto learn and what about. It's a uals and work with the excitreal shock to the average ing raw material of their eclecSunday School system to hear tic youthful energy.' Treating that we need to see beyond the them as individuals includes, usual 'rota-and-programme' in both Oxford and approach which aims to keep Amersham, communicating youth leaders in post on the with the group members in the promise that they won't have first instance, rather than with to take more than one session the parents (although at a month or be too creative! Oxford, parents enjoy regular The Door spoke to two lead- parents' evenings, where they ers: to Marianne Holt at St get to discover what fun Mary's church in Old they're missing out on by not Amersham and Alex being 13 any more!) We underestimate the thirst Johnstone at St Andrew's in central Oxford; both of them for spirituality amongst young have a stable leadership team teenagers, Alex believes. of the same faces every week 'Church clubs aren't just about having fun, and small groups enable young people to investigate faith and the world - and develop a living relationship with Jesus - in a

+ THE DOOR

MARCH 2005

Youth People love great savings.

Resources: There are lots of websites available - often originating in the US. Here are just three: www.youthblog.org Christian Youth Work and Ministry: Thoughts, Reflections, Encounters and, of course, Humour. A website for encouragement by the Diocese's Ian Macdonald. www.funandgames.org Ideas for Christian youth groups www.thesource4YM.com More ideas for Christian youth groups Peter Brierley, 'Engaging Teenagers' ISBN 185424 221 0 (currently out of print - second-hand retailers ought to be able to source)

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Jenny Hyson, diocesan children's adviser, and Ian Macdonald, diocesan youth adviser - Diocesan Church House, 01865 208200 Ruth Hassall - CPAS 01926 458456

Training: The next Tweenagers training events are on 14 April at Diocesan Church House and 15 June at St Mary's Church Centre, Twyford

secure setting.' In Amersham you might eavesdrop on African or Celtic prayer, or see the youngsters on a prayer walk, or laying on hands. The 9-13 agegroup and beyond is, thanks to 24hour media far outlets, more fired up

about global issues than ever their leaders were. Whether it's third world debt or the environment that offends their sense of justice, youth sessions can tap into this fervour and nurture the kind of faith which (as Matthew's Gospel tells us) can move mountains if we need it to. This is vital equipment for facing adolescence and adulthood - Ruth Hassall: 'One of the main challenges that we face as leaders of 9-13s is helping them to grow in faith as well as age, so that with each passing year they discover God's bigger than they'd previously

known him to be.' She believes, too, that we should offer them chances to grow as

'One of the main challenges that we face as leaders of 913s is helping them to grow in faith as well as age, so that with each passing year they discover God's bigger than they'd previously known him to be' Ruth Hassall disciples through serving and leading others: 'We need to provide meaningful opportunities in a supportive environment whilst not loading them with greater responsibility than they can bear.' You couldn't get much more responsible than going out to Armenia on a building project, which is what older Amersham teenagers have before them this summer, whilst the younger ones fundraise to make it possible for them to go. Both Amersham and Oxford youngsters meet partly in homes and partly in

church. St Andrew's also takes over a school on Sunday evenings so that there is loads of space to have a social, funand-games 'loud' programme in parallel to a quiet area: church means having to behave in a certain way, it seems, and being off-site allows youngsters more freedom of exploration of themselves and the faith. Returning to the question of where responsibility for our tweenagers lies, it's back to Ian Macdonald. 'The key to our providing a secure, loving and stimulating springboard for adolescence is thinking laterally - about the day, the time, the content and the venue of groups. But before even that, the challenge to the church is first to find new ways of flexibly supporting all the different family structures of today and accommodating the pressures of current lifestyles. Every single churchgoer has a role in engaging tweenagers in today's church and valuing their contribution. And it's urgent. Liz Roberts is a youth leader herself and works as a freelance publicist for charities. She attends St Matthew's Church, Harwell, Oxon. Photos Frank Blackwell, with thanks to the Tweenagers Club at St Andrew's Oxford.

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MARCH 2005

Features Butter Shortbread

Courses which support family life

By our cookery writer Ann Way

THE Mothers

I have always enjoyed the special taste of a really good Scottish shortbread and we were very pleased to be given a large tin of them from a friend at Christmas. Now March is here, all those lovely biscuits are just a memory, as is my New Year's resolution to reduce some weight! Then last week I was looking through a thick old notebook my husband Leslie gave me when we first got married 45 years ago for keeping all my hand written recipes in. Suddenly I spotted an old Stork recipe that I had adapted by using proper butter and a little rice flour as well as plain flour. Deciding this might be a possible recipe for the readers of The Door cookery column, I tried it out. The results were as good as I remembered and the family loved them. I know it is easy to buy them in the supermarket, but it is so much more satisfying to make them yourself, so do have a go. It really is worth it! Ingredients 5 oz/ 150g butter 6 oz/ 175g plain flour sieved 1 1/2 oz/ 40g rice flour lozI 25g caster sugar (for dusting) Optional extra: an orange peel, finely grated 2 07/ 50g caster sugar (flavoured with 2 drops vanilla essence) (Makes about 16 biscuits)

8 mins.

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Oxford Diocesan Council for Social Work, also known as Parents And Children Together (PACT), ugently needs members for its adoption and fostering panels, says Chief Executive Yvette Gayford. There are seven positions available over the two panels, which meet once a month on a Wednesday morning in Reading. The adoption panel is looking for one lay person with experience of working with families (so, as a suggestion, a former

THE

Rub all the fat into the dry ingredients until it becomes like breadcrumbs. Knead them until you have a smooth dough. Roll this out on a slightly floured board until the dough is about 1/4 of an inch (0.75cm) thick. Cut out circles of about 2 and 1!2inches (6 cm) across with a fluted cutter or use a plain one and mark the edges with a fork. Prick an even design with the prongs of a fork and place on a lightly greased baking tray. Heat your oven up to 300°F! 150°C! gas mark 2. Cook your biscuits for about 15 minutes or until they are golden brown (not too dark). Cool them on the tray for a minute or two and then transfer to a wire rack to get cold. Sprinkle with a little sugar and store in an air-tight tin.

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problems which families encounter. Oxford Diocese is running a residential course for facilitators from 1-3 July. Thanks to financial assistance from the Central Mothers Union the course, which costs about £350 per person is free to learners. Accredited by the Open College Network the course teaches skills and develops confidence through a relaxed and 'fun' participatory approach. It also offers a useful addition to a CV for anyone who is thinking

about job-hunting, as well as a step forward for anyone who is looking to further their studies. Contact MU Development Worker Pennie Kennedy (01865 848633 or mu@penniekennedy. org) for further information. Parenting Coordinators Karen Button (01296 613558) and Emma Moffatt (01635 862616) would also be happy to tell you more. Non-MU members may also apply, if they are prepared to run a course for the MU, though obviously members will be given priority.

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Union regards the support of family life as one of its key roles in society and is developing this support very successfully through its Parenting Programme, which trains people to lead and facilitate parenting groups. Typically a group consists of six - ten parents led by a facilitator who meet for six - eight weekly sessions based on handbooks and videos. Topics are chosen by the participants and give plenty of opportunity for parents to swap ideas and solve some of the

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health visitor or teacher) and two adopted people over the age of 18. The roles are expensespaid and the only commitment beyond the monthly meetings is alkwing time to read around the cases in advance. There is also a job going for a medical adviser: applying for this position means being available monthly, but it does attract an honorarium. PACT's fostering panel, on the other hand, is looking for a foster parent who has fostered within the last two years (but not

with PACT), as well as someone who has been fostered, plus another prospective member with a general interest or experience in the field. Adoption law dictates how PACT - or any adoption or fostering agency - makes up its panels, but committed volunteers are essential to making them work successfully. If you think you can fulfill any of these important and immensely rewarding roles, please contact Yvette on 0118 938 7600.

Helpful Holidays - brilliant cottages and great country houses hatever New Year resolutions people Advertisement Feature might make, one of the more common as the Helpful Holidays newsletter put it recently must be to spend a little more time Head out west on a Friday evening and drift back relaxing and a lot less allowing the pernicious on Tuesday with a sunny smile. A few days of good fingers of stress to creep over us. Easier said, walking, sweet Atlantic air, jolly lunches and especially in the warm afterglow of Christmas, than evenings toasting your toes in front of a log fire done, But stress is one of those things were work wonders. Stand on top of a Dartmoor tor and frequently unaware of until if goes away and then lean into the wind; find a convivial atmosphere in a its like a dead weight being lifted. Getting away country pub, watch the rollers pound the north from day to day life, even if just for a weekend can Cornish coast. These are just a few of the many be a wonderful and spring is one of those times things we love about living in the West Country when time in the countryside can really lift ones we think you'll like them too. heart. Take, for instance, a weekend at a cottage in Helpful Holidays www.helpfulholidays.com Devon or Cornwall. Web sites abound offering Classic Cottages wwv.classic.co.uk cottages for rent but trustworthy sources of advice on where to stay are rarer. The West Country is lucky enough to have some of the very best British holiday agencies and these companies Brilliant cottages and great country houses to have carved out a niche for themselves hire for holidays all over the wonderful West by providing excellent advice with plenty Country. of local knowledge and a genuinely caring attitude towards their customers. Call us and we'll send you our brochure or Helpful Holidays based in Chagford and visit our website to browse online. Classic Cottages based in Helston are two of the largest West Country Or, if you own a holiday cottage, why not agencies, each with about 500 request our owner's pack and find out how properties to choose from. They range we support the 500+ owners who already ask from chocolate box types to great big us to market their properties for them. country houses for the whole extended family. Weekend breaks are generally available outside the main holiday seasons and the rates are remarkably low for whats on offer. Both companies really go to town on quality and market themselves on the reliability of their service and both have been on business The holiday for over 20 years so they must be doing cottage experts something very right. The lure of tropical white sand beaches and luxury hotels in Mill Street, Chagford, Devon far flung places may dominate the pages of major travel brochures, by Devon and www.helpfulholiday.com Cornwall have a lot to offer a weekend e-mail: help©helpfulhofldays.com traveller in need of some revitalising or

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Please don't pass by on the other side... your support can make all the difference today KEYCHANGE CHARITY CHRISTIANS HELPING'PEOPLE IN NEED

Bad day? Isn't it great when you can close the front door, make a cup of tea and put your feet up? The promise of a hot bath and a soft bed ease away the troubles of the day... but what happens when there's no front door to close, no kettle, no bath and not even a bed? What helps then? At a Keychange home, we care for girls and women who have nowhere else to go. We provide a room of their own in a home free from alcohol, drugs and violence in a welcoming, affirming and most importantly, a Christian environment.

We rely on donations to continue our work with the homeless. Please help us to provide someone with a shelter from the storm - whatever you are able to give will be used effectively to help people in need. To send a donation now, just fill in the form below and post with your cheque to: Keychange Charity, 5 St George's Mews, 43 Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE 7J B. To find out more, visit our website at: www.keychange.org.uk or call: David Shafik on: 020 7633 0533.

Donation Form Gift Aid - Donations made under the Gift Aid scheme mean that we are able to claim back 28p from the Government for every pound that you donate. To enable us to do this, please full in your name and address details below and tick the box. GIFT AID DECLARATION I, having given my name and address below, require Keychange Charity to treat this and all future donations as Gift Aid donations. I confirm that I am a resident UK taxpayer. Gift Aid TD0205 I enclose my gift of ÂŁ Please send me details about supporting Keychange regularly by standing order Full name

eychange Charity, formerly known as Christian Alliance, was founded in 1920 by a group of women oncerned for the social and spiritual needs of young single women working in cities. Superficially, conditions have changed enormously since our work began, but there are still major social problems in the UK. Recent trends in family life have lead to dramatic and shocking changes in the structure of today's population. One of the most worrying trends is the huge increase in the number of young people who find themselves, with nowhere else to go, living on the streets. Figures released by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (representing only a fraction of the true statistics) show that in the last two years alone, the number of young people who are homeless in Britain has doubled. Keychange works with girls and young women who are homeless - our aim is give them the support and nurture that they need in order to enable them to live independently. Here are a few thumbnail sketches, which illustrate the impact that Keychange is having. The stories give only the briefest outline of these situations - the background; the pain involved; and the patience and commitment of our staff are only hinted at. But we hope that they will give you a flavour of the work that Keychange is involved in. Many of the girls come to us when no other hostel will accept them. We have changed the names to protect the privacy of the individuals concerned, but the stories are true and took place in our Exeter hostel within the last year. Cas was 17 when she first came to Esther with a drug habit and relationship traumas. Her life has been totally turned around and she is now living with no support Sarah had mental health issues and absolutely no confidence, but after 9 months at Esther, is now at college sitting qualifications in social care. Fiona left behind three young children to flee from a violent husband who was wrecking her life. When we first met her, she was so terrified that she cowered in a corner of the room. The Keychange staff was instrumental in helping her to make profound changes in her home situation. After only four weeks, she left a changed woman and is now living with the children. We rely on the support of donors and prayer partners to make the difference. To help us in this vital work please see our advertisement - thank you.

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Godly Order and You R.C. Turner. A primer for new Christians A refresher for mature Christians A follow-up to evangelism Also suitable for small group study Ample references included £6.99 inc. P&P. Penn-Putnam, P.O. Box 3235, Marlow SL7 3W1

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PARSONS THROUGH THE AGES A Collection of country clerics, good, bad, and so so By John Houghton Published by, and available from

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ISBN 0-954 2664 0-4 £8.50 Individual copies by post £9.50 Inc. p&p. Cheques payable to Hatfield Books The author is himself a parson, who recently celebrated his Diamond Jubilee as a Priest. He writes of his fellow priests through many centuries. They include the saintly and the famous, many so holy that shrines were built for them to which pilgrims flocked. Others were less saintly, full of human foibles much like ourselves. And some were frankly infamous. The book treats of notable clerics who were great Diarists whose Journals do much to illuminate the 18th century. The same century also saw the murder of a country vicar at the hands of his farmer parishioners. By contrast, other country parsons ministered unseen in their rural parishes like George Herbert. The author revels in the extent to which poets have commented on the state of religion in their days, from the writings of Chaucer and the concerned poetical comments on the upheavals of the Civil War. One chapter, aptly called "Warts and All' gathers together clerics who all fell from grace. Even more startling are the individuals described in the chapter called "Stronger than fiction' John Houghton's own ministry began as Curate in Wolverton in 1938. In 1942 he went on to 30 years service as a missionary in Zambia, where he was Archdeacon. He returned to England in 1974 and settled in Bletchley where he still lives. ALL THE ROYAL TIES ON HIS BOOK WILL GO TO THE BUCKINGHAMSHIRE HISTORIC CHURCHES TRUST.

Church House Bookshop is introducing a new email scheme to help parishioners keep in touch with the big issues. Customers can sign up to receive monthly emails with information about new books on evangelism, church management and pastoral care. There is also an option to request special E-Alerts when major reports or additions to the Common Worship range are published. The mailings can then be followed up by a visit to the bookshop web site, where there are reviews, extracts available to download, and simple links to buy online. Those wanting to follow up a particular topic will find detailed articles, and the chance to browse the online catalogue for other recommended titles. CH Bookshop Web Manager, lona Hine, said "As the Church of England's official bookshop, helping parishioners to connect with the resources available is central to our ministry. Our team already provide

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guidance for hundreds of customers each week, but we want to make sure our services are available on the widest possible basis. Working on the web, I noticed that customers further afield don't find it easy to keep track of publication dates. Word of mouth is no longer as effective as it once was. It doesn't matter whether you're an accomplished theologian, or a beginner in faith, if you don't live near a good bookshop you can simply miss out." The E-Alert scheme is a simple way for people to discover what's going on in the wider church - as it happens. We already offer a comprehensive mail order service. Now with [-Alerts we can deliver news straight to the desktop.

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Challenged by this, CMS worker Ian R Smith felt moved to plan his own trip to the Bible Lands. In his recently published book A Case of Confidence, he shares the ups and downs of his visits, not forgetting the impediment of his recalcitrant, oversize suitcase! He returned impressed by the depth of spirituality in the believers whose stories he tells. Prayer is the surest ground of hope for a revival that would defy, the calculus of the demographers. One sign of just such a hope he saw in

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As recently as 1900 - and despite centuries of Ottoman rule —Jerusalem still numbered a plurality of Christians from a wide set of traditions. Since then, the tides of migration and politics have seriously diltited their presence there and throughout the Levant. Author William Dalrymple in his travel book i4vtn the Holy Mountain concluded; "John Moschos saw [Eastern Christianity ca 600 AD] begin to wither in the hot winds of change that scoured the Levant of his day. I have seen the last stalks in the pnxess of being uprooted."

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Woric C nurch Bear necessities in India by Bob Forster THE bear was the star when a group of Tearfund vol-

unteers, including Ian and Erica Cave, along with Bob Forster from the Oxford Diocese, visited projects in India in the autumn. The bear in question, namely Barnaby Bear from Bob's school, kept scores of children entertained and scores of adults intrigued as he was photographed in many and various locations. The group of twelve Tearfund representatives, plus furry friend, observed projects in Delhi, Jamkhed and Mumbai. The projects ranged from slum health and empowerment initiatives to education and self-help projects. The impact was, quite simply, to use a Canadian term, awesome. Lives were being changed, self—reliance was at the heart of progress and everywhere bore witness to the commitment of Tearfund partners. Everything was being done in the name of our Saviour. There were many lasting impressions. As well as that dedication, often carried out in the most depressing conditions, there remained a real sense of the quiet dignity of the Indian people as they made the most of their lives. Any feeling of sympathy felt by our British volunteers turned to empathy as we drew alongside the people, talked with them and understood them better than we had dared to hope. Any groups or fellowships wanting to know more can contact Tearfund's Abingdon office (01235 550467) to arrange a visit by one of the volunteers; and, who knows, perhaps Barnaby will come too! Bob Forster is a licensed lay minister in the Wychwood benefice

Transforming lives in Cambodia Marian Lloyd, from St Aldates, Oxford, visited Cambodia as part of a year volunteering with Tearfund AS a member of Tearfund's Year

Team, I visited Tearfund partners in Thailand and Cambodia. Of all the partners we met, the most personally inspiring for me was the Cambodian Hope Organisation (CHO), based in Poipet, a small town on the border with Thailand. The UN ranks Cambodia as one of the world's poorest countries and the people of Poipet have very little. As a border town Poipet is full of Cambodians hoping to find work in Thailand. Many fail and join the huge slum communities, becoming drawn into the town's underground world of illegal gambling, prostitution, and sex trafficking. At particular risk are the 300 street children who daily carry packages across the border for the equivalent of only seven pence a time, and sleep rough at night. Many of these children are kidnapped, trafficked across the border and forced to work in the international sex trade.

In this darkness, however, CHO shines as beacon of light. The infectious faith of its founder, Chomno-In, is incredible. Having felt God's call to leave his home in another part of Cambodia to serve the people of Poipet two years ago, ChonmoIn started CHO before even securing funding. God has faithfully provided for the organisation in many ways, and CHO became a Tearfund partner in 2002. Through his witness, all of Chomno-In's staff have become Christians and start each day together in prayer. They then disperse to run sewing classes, motorbike repair and IT courses, agricultural training programmes and school lessons for vulnerable young people and children in Poipet and the surrounding villages. When we visited they had recently opened a café staffed by ex-prostitutes. Chomno-Ins wife had resigned from her job to train the girls who had learnt to cook from scratch in three weeks. The meals they served us were the best we had on the whole trip! The sacrificial lifestyle and

A unique blend of fact, legend, theology and faith Advertisement Feature ASTER is a time for focussing on Jesus and what better way than by investing in some new books to help yourself and your family better understand the central Christian message. Lion is well known as a publisher of top quality books for children and adults, ranging from beautifully illustrated children's Bibles to highly respected information and reference books for adults. The new Lion website at www.lionhudson.com is well worth visiting to check out the latest books and to choose some suitable reading for this special time of year. Three new books about Jesus are certainly worth considering: Described by the Sunday Express as 'a unique blend of fact, legend, theology and faith', The Jesus Conspiracy is a gripping retelling of Jesus' life in the style of a novel, from his birth in unusual circumstances to the events of the first Easter. Gordon uses his skills as a novelist to flesh out the minor characters, bringing them to vivid life, and his training as an

investigative journalist enables him to offer new perspectives on the familiar story. This fast-moving narrative will be a compelling read for anyone fascinated by the character of Jesus and his life and death. Gordon Thomas' books have sold over 45 million copies in 36 countries and he is currently working with Hollywoodbased Damascus Films on a film version of The Jesus Conspiracy. The Jesus Encyclopedia by Lois Rock is an excellent book to buy if you have children between the ages of 8 ad 14. It deals with all the key incidents of Jesus' life and brings him alive for today's generation. There are references to the corresponding stories in the Gospels throughout and the detailed illustrations by Peter Dennis recreate the atmosphere of the times. Jesus and his disciples come across in this book as living real figures. They are placed firmly within the context of the Roman Empire and the faith, traditions and history of the Jewish people. Numerous

photographs are used to supply archaeological evidence and to show what places look like today. But above and beyond this, the book shows and explains how aspects of Christian belief and practice are firmly rooted in the teachings of Jesus. This is a book that makes learning about Jesus not only interesting but totally relevant. It has a detailed index too that makes it easy to look up just about any Christian topic that you might be asked about over Easter week. And, if you have young children aged 4 to 8, A Child's First Story of Jesus - also by the versatile and prolific Lois Rock — will provide good material for shared reading and for independent reading as your child develops as a reader. In this lovely book, illustrated by Anthony Lewis, you will find all the important stories about Jesus retold in large clear print and utterly faithful to the original accounts in the four Gospels.

Jennifer explores self-identity Silvertree Publishing is pleased to announce that Jennifer Minney is recording more talks for U C B Christian Radio. Following the success of her series on depression, fear and stress, she has now been invited back to deal with the vital topic of self-esteem. The talks will be based on her book, Self-esteem: the way of humility. In this book, Jennifer explores self-identity and discusses the causes and effects of low self-esteem. She then looks at ways of improving every aspect of the self, whilst also focusing on the need to rediscover our connectedness with God and the entire created world. Jennifer's books have been ordered by counselling organisations and retreat centres around the country, and are praised by the

Association of Christian Counsellors for their clarity and helpfulness. Jennifer Minney has over twenty years of counselling experience and is a popular speaker. For the past two years she has been leading regular seminars in Yeovil, and now her ministry will be more widely accessible - a new series of small-group weekend courses will be held at her practice in South Somerset, with accommodation available for up to six people if required. Subjects include Enhancing Self-esteem, Creation and Creativity, Enrichment through Poetry, and Creative Writing. Full details are available from Silvertree. www.silvertreepublishing.co.uk

commitment to serve Christ in their community is evident in Chomno-In and his staff. Moreover, through their ministry many young people have given their lives to Christ. Not only are they being equipped with skills to provide them with secure futures, they are rooting themselves in Christ. It was incredible to meet

the staff of CHO and to be inspired to investigate ways of reaching out to my local community on my return to the UK! If you would like to apply to go abroad on a short-term team with Tearfund phone 020 8943 7777 or email transform@tearfund.org or visit:www.tearfund.org/transform.

If its worth read*ing... .. read a good book NEW! NEW! NEW! A Selection of

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newspaper notices. Only if these cost rise above the increase allowed for in the plan may a further payment be required at the time of need. Otherwise, once you've paid for your plan, your family or estate wont be asked for a penny more for the arrangements you have selected. You can personalise any of Golden Charter't four plans to suit your own requirements through their unique Select Reserve option. This is not the case with some plans on the market so be sure to check exactly what is covered if you are shopping around. Make sure that you can select and use the local funeral director of your choice. Some plans restrict your choice by nominating a firm owned by the plan's parent company. It is important to distinguish between a prepaid funeral plan and the funeral expenses policies offered by insurance companies. Such policies often do not detail the

Traditionally a funeral directors has always been part of the local community with the owner serving the local area in which he was brought up. Sadly with the growth of large groups and coops who employ managers, frequently from outside, this local connection has often been severed. Fortunately there are still many true family firms left. A.B. Walker & Son has been serving Central Berkshire and South Oxfordshire for 180 years. There are five members of the Walker family working in the firm and these were all born, brought up and educated in the area, they now serve and have long established links with the local community. There is still a strong feeling amongst the general public in favour of using a local funeral director. Hence in the last twelve years A.B. Walker have established additional branches in Bracknell, Henley and in 2005 Wokingham to further support the areas they have traditionally served from Reading. arrangements or fully cover the costs of the funeral. If you are in reasonable health the sum paid out to the family could easily be less than the amount you have paid in premiums. Golden Charter even ensure that the thoughtfulness shown in purchasing a plan is remembered for many years to come. Through an exclusive arrangement with the Woodland Trust a tree is planted on your behalf in one of the Trust's woodland sites. Over 100,000 trees have now been planted, a living legacy for future

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(*The Oddfellows Survey of Funeral Costs 2000).

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THE CARIA6 APPROACH TO A SENSITIVE

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- I

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THE DOOR MARCH 2005

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TRAIN N COURSES CONFERENCES

WORKSHOPS

111

The Doorpost is a free service for churches to advertise their events and is designed to be hung on church noticeboards. Please send your events to door@oxfordanglican.org or by post to Church House. The deadline for the April issue is Wednesday 9 March

Döör on MARCH Concert I.-.y Lyra Singers from St Petersburg, Parish Church 7.30pm. Tickets £5. 01869 337052. Wed 2 READING Reading Concert Singers, Faure Requiem and sacred music, in aid of MS charities, St Agnes Church 7.30pm. Tickets £5. 0118 942 5290. Thu 3 READING Bishop of Reading on 'Evangelism in the Workplace', New Hope Community Centre 6.30pm. www.readingatwork.org. Thu 3 OXFORD United Nations Association: 'Terrorism & International Organisation' lecture 5.30-6.45pm, Council Chamber, Town Hall, St Aldate's. 01865765931. Sat 5 AYLESBURY Multi-faith service of thanksgiving for people affected by adoption St Mary's church 2.30pm www.norcap.org.uk Sun 6 MILTON KEYNES Choir of City Church: 'God so loved the world' musical reflections looking towards passiontide, City Church 6pm. Free; offertory. 01908 246486. The I DEDDINGTON

Sat 12 EAST HAGBOURNE

Hagbourne, Upton & Blewbury Churches, 'Plant a Tree for SOp',for Liuili, Tanzania. School Hall 12 noon-2pm; kids' crafts, cakes, stalls, live music, light lunches, etc. 01235 850486.

Concert of Russian music by Lyra from St Petersburg, St Mary the Virgin 7.30pm. 01491 571588. Sat 12 THA 'Child Poverty Making Poverty History', Mothers' Sat 12 HAMBLEDEN

To you, 0 Loni, I lift up my soul in you I mist, 0 my God Psalm 25: 1 Let us pray to God our Father, through Jesus Christ his Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit, for: Tue I St David, the start of Fair Trade Fortnight. The

Diocese of Kimberley and Kuruman and development of the companion relationship with Oxford Diocese: link coordinator - Nick Molony. Members and work of the Council for Partnership in World Mission: chairman Martin Peirce. Mission agencies' representatives. Wed 2 Churches Together groups and all in leadership in Local Ecumenical Partnerships. Diocesan Ecumenical Officers Tessa Lawton, Moira Astin, ?ony Dickinson, and Richard Cattley; County Ecumenical Officers - Bede Gerrard, Honor Alleyne, Douglas Butterfield, Mary Cotes. Thu 3 The twinning with Vaxjo Diocese in Sweden: Bishop Anders Wejryd; link clergy Christopher Meakin in Sweden, Tony Dickinson in Oxford. Fn 4 Women's Woild Day of Prayer That the ecumenical

services will be part of developthg links of Christian witness and service in the community. Women in the diocese with ordained, licensed, accredited or

Union Awareness Day, Thame Barns Centre llam-3pm (bring lunch). Tickets £2.50 (enclose sae) The Priory Room, Christ Church, Oxford OX1 ID or on the day. Sat 12 SANDHURST Experiments in prayer (prayer stations, live music, discussion, worship) arranged by churches in Sonning Deanery; children welcome. 0118 934 3909 or 01252 873030. Sat 12 MILTON KEYNES

Cornerstone Chamber Choir & Orchestra: Mendelssohn, Elijah, City Church 7.45pm. Tickets 01908 246486 or 07961 348697. Sun 13 HIGH WYCOME Organ recital by Edward McCall, St Francis of Assisi, Amersham Rd, Terriers 3pm. Free; collection for HOPE Africa. 01494 520676 or 526346. Fri 18 FINGEST Healing Service with laying on of hands and anointing at Holy Communion 10.15 am. 01491 571231. Sat 19 NORTHMOOR Lower Windrush Choral Society: Haydn Nelson Mass and Te Deum, St Denys Church 7.30pm. Tickets £7, 01865 300226 or 300544 or on door. Sat 19 OXFORD Berks Recorder Consort. 'Dancing through Time at Oxford', St Giles' Church 7.3Opm.£5 on door. www.st-giles-church.org. Sat 19 OXFORD Cumnor Choral Society Stainer's Crucifixion and Stanford's Motets St Peter and St Paul Church, Botley 7.30pm £7.50 Sat 19 OXFORD 'Father Sergei of Bulgakov', St Theosevia Centre, 2 Canterbury Rd. 10.30am. £10. 01865 310341, <sttheosevia@onetel.com> Sat 19 HIGH WYCOMBE

Wooburn Singers, Forest Philhar-

authorised ministries. 5 Church societies and institutions represented in the diocese that are particularly focussed on the needs of children, families, marriage, and the elderly, e.g. The Children's Society, Broken Rites, SCOP. FLAME (Family Life and Marriage Education): officers, volunteers, projects and service users. PACT (Parents and Children Together): officers, volunteers, projects and service users, especially those connected to adoption, fostering and respite care. Sat

Fourth Sunday of Lent Sun 6 Mothering Sunday

Our Mother Church and family of Christians, all who exercise the gift of mothering. The Mothers' Union: Christian Care for Families worldwide: president - Primrose Gallimore; branch leaders and members in the parishes, their projects and work of supporting the clergy. Mon 7 All supporting the work of child protection: bishop's adviser - Hugh Valentine; diocesan coordinator - Stephen Barber. All involved in using Criminal Records Bureau and supervising the administrative aspects of children's work. Those who monitor the implementation of Better Safe Than Sorry guidelines. The

8 Claydon Deanery.

monic Orchestra and professional soloists, Mozart Mass in C Minor, Solemn Vespers, Haydn Insanae & Vanae Curae. Tickets £12, 01494 816270 or on door. Sun 20 AYLESBURY Bela Hartmann: piano version of Haydn Seven Last Words from the Cross, with reflections, St Mary's Church 3pm. Free; collection. 01296 437641 or 622238. Sun 20 OXFORD Daffodil Day at Shotover House: teas, produce, thousands of daffodils, in aid of St Nicholas Forest Hill with Shotover & Sandhills £2 (family concessions); dogs on leads. Entrance A40 westbound opposite B4027. Sun 20 STEVENTON Steventon Choral Society: Faure, Requiem, Haydn, Little Organ Mass in aid of organ fund. Tickets £6 01235 834015 or 210631. Sun 20 AMERSHAM ON THE HILL Creative, contemplative

worship 3rd Sundays St Michael & All Angels 6pm.

Women's World Day of Prayer 4 March

'Let our Light Shine': services (prepared by Christian women of Poland) across the diocese, including:

Aylesbury: Bedgrove: Our Lady of Lourdes,

Camborne Ave 2pm Quarrendon: St Peter, Coventon

Rd 7.3Opm Mortimer: Mortimer Methodist 2pm Oxford: Botley & Cumnor: St Michael, Cumnor 10.30am Headington: Holy Trinity, Quarry 10.30pm; St Francis, Hollow Way 7.30pm Central: Christ Church Cathedral 12.30pm North Oxford: St Gregory & St Anthony 130pm Marston: St Anthony 2pm South Oxford & Kennington:

Kennington Methodist 2.30pm

Wed 23 TILEHURST Olivet to

Calvary, St Mary Magdalen Church 7.30pm. Collection for Heartbeats; refreshments. 0118 942 5290. Fri 25 READING Olivet to Calvary, St Agnes Church 7.30pm.

Collection for Heartbeats; refreshments. 0118 942 5290. Fri 25 MLTON KEYNES Choir and instrumentalists of City Church: Music for Good Friday, City Church 7.30pm. Free; collection. 01908 246486 or 07961 348697. Sun 27 READING'Make Poverty History' service, St Peter's Church, The Warren, Caversham, 6.30pm with Canon Francis Makambwe of Zambia.

Encouragement in our many and varied ministries, in learning from and supporting one another as we extend them across our parish boundaries. The development of new training resources with neighbouring deaneries and a new awareness, by all our churches, of the needs and opportunities around us. Area dean - David Hiscock; synod lay chairman - Geoff Strutt. Wed 9 Schome Team Ministry: clergy - David Meakin, Andy Bell, Martin Partridge, Liz Welters Nancy Taylor; licensed lay minister - Joseph Piper. Thu 10 The Claydons - East Claydon, Middle Claydon, Steeple Claydon: clergy Rodney Holder; licensed lay minister - Shirley Holder. Fri 11 Swan Team Ministry: clergy - David Hiscock, Elizabeth Mason. Sat 12 Winslow with Great Horwood and Addington: clergy - Tony Whalley, Geoffrey Ball; licensed lay minister -John Dale. Fifth Sunday of Lent Sun 13 Passiontide begins

All who provide quiet days, retreats and a place to rest and be. Mon 14 Burford Priory, Order of St Benedict: abbot - Stuart Bums. Third Order of the Society of St Francis: area ministers - Michael Taylor, Ann Potts, Anne Holmes; area formation guardians - Cohn Bass, Joanna

Signed Services

Services using British Sign Language; all welcome: 2 Mar Slough 6 Mar Cross

Deaf Centre 1.15pm and Stable Church, Downs Barn, Milton Keynes I O.4Sam; Shaw Church, Newbury 3pm; Reading Deaf Centre 6.30pm 13 Mar Holy Trinity Church, Walton, Aylesbury 3pm; Oxford Deaf Centre 3pm 24 Mar Reading Deaf Centre 6.3Opm 27 Mar St Mary's Church, Haddenham, Aylesbury 3pm

Courses St Albans & Oxford Ministry Summer Courses (SAOMC) From 26 Apr:

Introducing the Old Testament (10 sessions) Christology and the Trinity (10) Human Development (10) NT Theology I: Hebrews, Peter, James, Revelation (5) Recent Liturgical Devlopments (2 double) All at Ripon College, Cuddesdon Gill Pratley, SAOMC, Diocesan Church House, tel. 01865 208260 When a death happens'how do you begin to help?

Saturday Seminars: 12 Mar When a baby or child dies 2 Apr Bereavement through suicide 16 Apr Do men & women grieve differently? 30 Apr When a post mortem is necessary 21 kiiay Children's needs after someone special dies St Peter's Centre, Iver, Bucks 10am-12 noon £10 each; £50 for all 6, paid in advance 01494 479748, e-mail <training@childbereavement. org.uk> BBC RADIO OXFORD 95.2 BBC RADIO BERKSHIRE 104.1 Enjoy your Sunday Breakfast Sundays 6 - 9 am Local religious views, church news, favourite hymns

Coney. rised ministries. 15 The Priory, Community of St John Baptist, Community Pn Sunday of the Companions of Jesus the Sun 20 Blessed is he who is Good Shepherd and Community coming in the name of the Lord of Reparation to Jesus in the Matthew 21:9 Blessed Sacrament: The Revd Mon 21 All non-stipendiary Mothers; warden - Lister Tonge. ministry and the parishes served: Burnham Abbey, Society of the bishop's officers - John Precious Blood: superior - The Edwards, Hugh Lee, Jim Revd Mother. St Mary's Turner: area convenors - Bob Convent, Freeland, Community Edy, Hugh Lee. of St Clare: abbess - Sister Paula The 22 Bishops, priests and Fordham. deacons as they renew their Wed 16 St Mary's Convent, vows and those who, during the Community of St Mary the coming year, will be blessed by Virgin: superior - Mother the oils distributed by Bishop Barbara Claire; warden - John Richard at Christ Church today. Austin; chaplain - Oliver Simon. Wed 23 Mission in Work and All Saints' Convent, Society of Economic life, industrial chapAll Saints Sisters of the Poor: laincy: adviser Nicholas superior - Mother Helen; chap- Parish; missioners, chaplains, lain - Christopher Irvine. ministers Nicholas Parish, Convent of the Incarnation, Stephen Heap, Andrew Coleby, Community of the Sisters of the Ian Parker, Bob Penman, Love of God: superior - Mother Graham Skipsey, Susan Van Rosemary; warden - David Beveren; director Barbara Barton. Hayes. Ministers and ministry in Thu 17 St Patrick Elmore economic affairs and Abbey, Newbury Order of St unemployment. Benedict: abbot - Dom Basil Thu 24 Maundy Thursday Matthews. Society of the Sacred Father, if you are willing, take Mission, Milton Keynes: prior - this cup from me; yet not my Frank Green. will, but yours be done Luke Fri 18 Those who serve as chap- 22:42 lains in the universities, schools Fri 25 Good Friday Father, and colleges of the diocese. into your hands I commit my Sat 19 St Joseph's Day,'a spirit Luke 23:46 righteous man'. Men in the Sat 26 Holy Saturday But diocese with ordained, they rested on the Sabbath in licensed, accredited or autho- obedience to the commandment The

Women in Mission: Big Issues Post 9/11 15 Mar Fear, ignorance

and faith: how can we as Christians respond? Conference with Amy Orr Ewing, Sue Jelfs, Frances Ihiff Newport Pagnell Baptist Church, Lovat Hall, Silver St 7.3O-lOpm Sue Garnham, tel. 01908 618679 Prayer 12 Mar Prayer: its

Mystery, Practice and Power Revd Chris Hancock I Oam-4pm Wycliffe Hall, Oxford £16; bring lunch. Eeva John, Wycliffe Hall, 54 Banbury Rd, Oxford 0X2 6PW, tel. 01865 274212, e- mail <eevamaria.john@zvycliffe.ox.ac.uk>

Services at Christ Church Cathedral Sundays: 8am Holy Communion; lOam Matins; 11.1 5am Sung Eucharist; 6pm

Evensong Weekdays: 7.1 5am Matins; 7.35am Holy Communion; 6pm Evensong (Thursdays 5.35pm, Sung Eucharist 6pm) Wednesdays only: 1 .O5pm Holy Communion Special Services for Holy Week (in addition to usual services): Palm Sunday: as Sunday; Tuesday: 11am Service for Blessing of Oils and Renewal of Vows; Wednesday: 1pm Holy Communion, 7.30pm St John Passion sung by the Cathedral Choir Maundy Thursday: 7.30pm Eucharist with adddress; Good Friday: 1 O.00am Good Friday Liturgy; Easter Eve: 9pm Easter Vigil and Confirmation Service; Easter Day: as Sunday

Luke 23:56

Easter Day Sun 27 Jesus himself stood among them and said 'Peace be with you' Luke 24:36 Mon 28 Henley Deanery. Area dean Duncan Carter; synod lay chairman Brian Pearce; ecumenical representative Hilary Campbell. Goring with South Stoke: clergy Mark Blarney, Hilary Campbell, -

Elizabeth Dowding.

The 29 Henley with Remenham: clergy Martyn Griffiths, John Bone, Ernesto Lozada-Uzuriaga. Henley-onThames: clergy Duncan Carter; licensed lay ministers Trevor Lewis, P. Lewis, Michael Forsdike. Wed 30 Rotherfield Peppard and Kidmore End and Sonning Common: clergy Graham Fouhis Brown, Hugh Warwick, Barry Olsen. Langtree Team Ministry: clergy Kevin Davies, Nelva Moss, John Evans, Angela Linton, Peter Steddon; licensed lay minister Brian Turner. Nuffield Holy Trinity: clergy John Shearer. Thu 31 Nettlebed with Bix, Highmooç Pishill and Rotherfield Greys: clergy Brendan Bailey, Bill Bowder, Elisabeth Lakey; licensed lay minister Jane Suter. Shiplake with Dunsden and Harpsden: clergy Martin Connop Price, Stephen Cousins, Dick Chown. -

THE DOOR

MARCH 2005

BOOKS Growing Together: a guide for Going down to the sea couples soon-to-be-married, justmarried, or even smug-marrieds! with Bishop Bill 100

Tom Heffer, chaplain to the Mission to Seafarers, enjoys the memoirs of Bishop Bill Down, its former general secretary and a Bishop of Bermuda who now lives in Witney. THE trouble with many round

robins and personal websites is that they are often filled with information which is of interest only to their authors. Unfortunately, (and expensively for the reader who has purchased the book) this fate is sometimes extended to autobiographies and memoirs. Down to the Sea, thankfully, does not fall into this category. Written in an engaging style, it provides an enlightening portrait of Bill Down's colourful life and ministry. His ejection from Sunday School at an early age for fighting and making a boy cry, for example, sets the scene for a course of events which leads to his ordination to the priesthood and eventual consecration as Bishop of Bermuda.

As the book unfolds the story of Bill's life, images of him trying to play cricket with patients at a psychiatric hospital, scattering ashes in perilously windy conditions in the North Sea and tackling .a bunch of cross-dressers in a Seamen's Club in London are humorously interspersed between more serious reflections on the nature of his calling and the inevitable effect it has had on him and his family over the years. The variety of experiences he has acquired from ministering in different contexts and places around the world has given him an unique insight into the structure and practices of the Anglican Communion which the reader is drawn into through his live-

ly commentary and thoughtful observations. Refreshingly, these memoirs do not hide the author's moments of self-doubt or his recognition of mistakes made. Instead, they present a picture of a person who has struggled with many of the difficult situations in which he has found himself and, perhaps, most encouragingly, vividly demonstrates that a life dedicated to Christ can bring with it its own ready supply of joy and surprises. DOWN TO THE SEA BILL DOWN THE MEMOIR CLUB

£17.50

by Natalie

Abbott

Preparation' can have somewhat of a stigma attached to it. For some, the name perhaps conjures up images of advice on 'the finer points of pastry making' or ,the merits of cleaning the car on a Saturday afternoon'. At the other end of the spectrum, one friend experienced a marriage preparation course which consisted entirely of discussions on wedding flowers, wedding outfits, wedding receptions... without progressing to the 'M' word. But how do you best prepare for such a life-changing experience? Happily many of our churches run fantastic courses and I and many others have benefited enormously from meeting with those who have been 'in the game' for longer. Many such courses base discussions on marriage preparation or 'marriage 'MARRIAGE

exploration' books. Andrew Body's new book 'Growing Together' is the per-, fect tool to get you thinking, whether in a group or as a couple. He has produced a practical guide to promote discussion on key life issues: children, commitment, communication, faith,. money, roles, expectations.. .etc. Using a simple model throughout: 'where are you coming from?' (what attitudes/ prejudices we may have inherited from our past), 'where are you now?' (what our present experience has to tell us) and 'where are you going to?' (what hopes and fears we have as we look to the future), he helps to develop a shared understanding of expectations. Within each section he provides more specific questions to consider ranging from 'How do you define a domestic chore?' to 'If Great Aunt

Jemima left you £500,000, what would you do?' The book is billed as 'A Guide for Couples Getting Married', but it is thought provoking no matter how long you've been married. I was particularly struck by the illustration on the cover; it reminded me that after 4 years of marriage I still can't share my toothbrush! The Door has 3 copies of. Growing Together by Andrew Body to be won. Send your name and address to Growing Together Draw, The Door, Church House, North Hinksey Lane, Oxford, 0X2 ONB by 15 March. The first five names out of the hat will win. GROWING TOGETHER ANDREW BODY CHURCH HOUSE PUBLISHING £6.99

Why worship songs are failing the church by Clare Wenham NICK Page

likes worship songs, and knows that their authors write them to bring people closer to God. But he is concerned that many modern songs are spoiled by poor poetry and vacuous language. Taking a brief look at the history of Christian hymns and songs, he concludes that modern worship songs are modelled on the pop song rather than on the poem, and that this has led to lyrics being downgraded, and to worship leaders being seen in the role of rock

stars rather than servants. He is sure that sound song-writing techniques (backed up by prayer and Bible study) are important for Christian songwriters; the book is full of practical advice to encourage higher standards of writing. Nick Page (who lives in Oxfordshire and is author of, among other things, The Tabloid Bible) writes in a lively style with plenty of humour, which includes an imaginary correspondence between 'anointed song writer' Kevin Molecule and his publisher, Dwellingness Ministries. It is

provocative and challenging and, although it is particularly relevant to song-writers, worship leaders and those who choose songs for services, has something to make us all think about 'why worship songs are failing the church'. Clare worships at St Andrew's, Dean Court AND NOW LETS MOVE INTO A TIME OF NONSENSE NICK PAGE AUTHENTIC MEDIA £6.99

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In praise of mothers about having a It is very easy to by Em Coley café with soft settle into a pattern. To get used to VIEW FROM THE drinks and PARISH snacks as people the way in which arrive?' It was a things are done great suggestion and to create routines. The church particularly and warmly welcomed by the rest of the group. is quite expert at creating As for me I found it the and sticking to traditions. We most nerve-wracking element are creatures of habit, and of the whole evening. I wasn't somehow find comfort in so concerned about a lack of custom. service sheets, about the eight I found myself challenged person strong youth band, the other day that my ideas about asking people to do were becoming routine - that something as part of an inforI was falling into the 'tradimal talk - but take away peotion trap'. The youth group ple's coffee and anything was putting together an Evening Celebration. The for- could happen! I totally underestimated the mat and content were left people who came. We had a totally up to the group, and great turn out of people from so we brainstormed customall age groups, and everyone ary elements of a service, had enthusiastic and encouragother aspects that could (and ing comments to make about should in their view) be the whole service, including the included, and finally discardcafé style refreshments!! I for ed existing elements that we one have been abruptly didn't want to include (the reminded of how easy it is to sermon was the first thing to get blinded by tradition and go!). I was hugely impressed paralysed by the fear of not by the group's awareness of sticking to custom. Aware now different learning styles, and their commitment to ensuring that the potential outcome of that people had a broad expe- both of these is to stifle other people and other ways of rience throughout the service. doing things, I am thankful But then we talked about that I have a great group of refreshments. 'I'll bring tea and coffee for after the service' teenagers to keep challenging me to move beyond the status I volunteered, but my offer was met with looks of disdain. quo! Revd Em Coley is in the first 'Why do we always have cofyear of a curacy at Wendover fee after the service,' one with Halton, Bucks member questioned, 'how

Mothering Sunday falls on 6 March this year and churches across the Diocese will hold special services for families. Gerry Hanson looks at the history of the Mothering Sunday hymn, and the origins of one of its greatest writers, Henry Williams Baker. Sunday, the mid-Lent festival, is celebrated in various ways. In the Roman Catholic Church it is traditional for the Pope to bless the Golden Rose and children feast on mothering cakes and simnel cakes. In the Anglican faith it is customary for children to present small gifts to their mothers and in times past when they were more readily available, a small bunch of violets was emblematic of the day. It is said that Mothering Sunday derives from the preReformation custom of visiting Mother Church on that day, and children away from home, especially daughters in service, would return to the family home to be with their family, and especially with their Mother on that special Sunday. The hymns chosen for services on Mothering Sunday, not surprisingly, are of motherlove and usually in praise of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 'Virgin Born, we Bow Before Thee' and 'Sing we of the Blessed Mother' are lust two that come to mind as does that hymn of the Annunciation, 'For Mary, Mother of the Lord'. One hymn that may not be quite so well known which speaks so eloquently of the 'wondrous MOTHERING

depth of love divine' and the 'joy to be Mother of the Lord' is the one that starts 'Shall we not love thee, Mother dear, whom Jesus loves so well?'. It was written by Sir Henry Williams Baker who has many fine hymns to his credit including 'Lord, Thy Word Abideth', '0 Praise Ye the Lord', and 'The King of Love my Shepherd is'. Henry Baker was born in 1821, the eldest son of a ViceAdmiral, and was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge and ordained in 1844. Seven years later he became Vicar of Monkland near Leominster on the English-Welsh border where he remained for the rest of his life. In the same year he succeeded to his father's baronetcy. Hymns Ancient and Modern

The duties of his small rural parish were far from onerous and left him considerable time to devote to hymn writing. But his contribution to the English hymnody was far greater than the dozens of hymns he wrote, for Baker can take the credit for the preparation and compilation of Hymns Ancient and Modern which did so much to promote the practice of hymn-

singing in the Church of England. A member of the Anglo-Catholic wing, Baker was anxious to restore to the church the treasures of early Latin hymns. One of his successes in that direction was to secure the many fine translations of that great write; J M Neale.

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There are many writers of hymns who are better known than Sir Henry Baker, but few who can rival his contribution to the Church's hymnody, and it is a great loss that he died at the relatively young age of 56.Gerry Hanson lives and worships in Iver Heath, Bucks photos by Frank Blackwell

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by David Winter Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mothers sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. John 19:25

There were, of course, many spectators present for the crucifixion. Public executions have always played to full houses. Among those who watched Jesus die were his avowed enemies, the temple faction, and the gawping crowd of onlookers; the party of Roman soldiers who carried out the grim task, and a little group of friends and disciples. This group included the mother of Jesus, her sister, another Mary, 'wife of Clopas', Mary Magdalene and the 'beloved disciple', John. Luke tells us that other women disciples were there,

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

too, though most of the male followers of Jesus had fled. The Gospels depict a scene of wailing, darkness and dereliction, 'the suns light failing'. Yet even in this scene of human despair - and one can only try to imagine how Mary felt watching her son slowly and cruelly put to death - there are wonderful rays of humanity and hope. From the cross, Jesus makes arrangements for his mothCanon David Winter is a former Diocesan Director of Evangelism, a broadcaster and author of many books including Message for the Millennium (BRF').

er's future care. John was to take her into his household. There are words of forgiveness both for the execution party ('Father, forgive them. They don't know what they're doing') and for the penitent thief. And the centurion in charge of the soldiers, impressed with the way in which Jesus died, says, 'Truly this was God's Son!' Even the crowd, the people who had merely come to watch, went away, Luke tells us, 'beating their breasts'. Finally, in act of remarkable courage, Joseph of Arimathea, 'a member of the council', went to Pilate and begged for the body of Jesus, which he laid in a new, rockhewn tomb. 'The Passion of the Christ' was over. All that remained was the final victory over death itself.

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