News from Ridley - Summer 2015

Summer 2015

NEWS from

www.ridley.cam.ac.uk

In this issue: THEOLOGY IN CONTEXT The new Common Awards emphasis on contextual training p 3

SPOTLIGHT ON PARISH PLACEMENTS Three parish vicars shed light on what Ordinands learn and how they bless pp 4–5

THE “RED CARPET CURATE” Ridleian Peterson Feital and his mission to support the arts in London p 5

PRAYER CENTREFOLD PULL-OUT An invitation to pray for our leavers: The 2015 Ember List pp 7–10

PERSONAL STORIES OF KINGDOM BUSINESS Richard Higginson looks back at the “best ever” Faith in Business spring conference p 12

THE CHOICES WE MAKE Adrian Chatfield on the stark choices we face as Christian leaders p 14

Youth Ministry Training: A New Approach p 10

KINSHIP: THEOLOGY AND PRACTICE Ordinand David Torrance describes his PhD research on the overlooked subject of kinship p 16

Principal’s Piece “The Church of England is facing an existential crisis,” General Synod members were told in February by the First Church Estates Commissioner.

Eavesdropping from the gallery, I then heard him offer an annual injection of £10 million. But this funding would not be dispensed to ease the pain of decline.

Resourcing Ministerial Education (RME) was one of the main remedies being trialled. The Report prescribes a 50% increase in vocations to ordained ministry, to offset the retirement of 40% of clergy within ten years. It proposes new funding arrangements, giving greater freedom to dioceses to choose training pathways. Synod members expressed wellfounded concerns about the course of treatment and possible side-effects. Further consultation is underway.

Part of the RME recovery programme is so-called “contextual” training. This refers to a student’s immersion in a local context and how this is integrated with other aspects of formation. Certain kinds of context-based training have the added advantage that ordinands do not need to move house, but instead commute for classes.

In supposed contrast to “coal-face” contextual learning, College-based theological education can be lazily dismissed as “ivory tower” learning. Yet at Ridley, contextual experience has long been part of full-time training. In this edition of News from Ridley you can read how today’s ordinands gain this contextual experience, along with ways it’s harnessed by the new Common Awards programme. You can also read about a new context-based pathway we have launched with Westcott House. It offers even greater emphasis on contextual learning, while still benefitting from our Cambridge-based teaching and community life. We have been offering such training to youth ministry students for 17 years. From the autumn, they too will be able to reap the benefits of Common Awards.

Looking ahead, we can expect to offer such pathways flexibly, to meet the needs of dioceses and, we pray, the growing numbers of ordinands. Training leaders who engage with our changing society is powerful medicine. We refuse to accept the Church of England’s condition is chronic, because “the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead” is the Spirit who gives life to the Church (Romans 8v11).

Andrew Norman, Principal

Thank you!

We would really like to say a big thank you to everyone who gave to our Easter appeal for a new serving counter for the College dining room.

Your generosity in donating over £8,000 to the appeal has enabled us to invest in this new equipment for the benefit of the community. We have named the new servery “Tabgha”, after the north-western shore of the Sea of Galilee, as a reminder that the risen Jesus is with us as we eat together each day.

Tabgha – The Sea of Galilee “The risen Jesus still uses meal times for significant encounters.”

Catering Manager Robert Brownlie at the new servery

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Theology in Context Ordinand Beth Cope looks back on her first year in the new Contextual Training Pathway, a joint project of Ridley Hall and Westcott House.

This year, I’ve particularly explored prayer: I’ve been humbled and inspired by responses to my questionnaire asking to whom, how often, why, and how people pray.

I’ve put my findings into practice, giving back to the community while improving my own understanding.

I’ve put my findings into practice, giving back to the community while improving my own understanding.

us have been listening, perhaps starting to ponder the questions themselves. Maybe one day they’ll join in!

On Tuesdays, the contextual students gather for a simple lunchtime communion. We take turns to lead aspects of worship and to preach, feeding back to each other afterwards, before reflecting together theologically on a wide range of issues, linking theory with practice. We’ve gained practical skills by taking turns to lead discussions. I come home exhausted and inspired!

Beth Cope, First Year Ordinand

Beth preparing for Table Talk

Despite being out of college for two days a week, I feel fully part of Ridley’s community.

Through Federation lectures, I’m getting a good grounding in theology and doctrine, as well as preparation for Mission and Ministry. Praying, eating, and studying together is important.

I wanted to pray regularly with my attachment community, so I join in “Daily Prayer” in the church centre. Some days, I take my books into the church-run cafe, interspersing my study with conversations with church members, cafe volunteers, and diverse local people. I’ve shadowed the vicar to diocesan, parish

The Contextual Group engaged in theological reflection

and civic meetings, discussing them afterwards.

I join Staff Team meetings, talking through a whole range of pastoral, liturgical, theological, seasonal, or community issues.

As well as simply ‘being’ in the cafe, I’ve started running Table Talk, gathering four to six people to share, laugh – and sometimes cry – while discussing things that matter but we don’t often talk about, e.g., “Can tomorrow be better than today?” or “Why do bad things happen to good people?” People around

New Contextual Training Emphasis This year we have started the new Church of England Common Awards courses.

The move to new awards provided the opportunity to re-think how we shape our practical training for ordination.

We have worked at forging stronger links between the practical experience that students get in their attachment churches or chapels, and what they learn through “Life and Service” – the module that all Ordinands do which covers the nuts and bolts of practical parish ministry. We have aimed to put much more emphasis on the context in which students are working and the mission that is occurring there.

Students now have the opportunity to reflect theologically at greater depth on their church or chapel’s context and mission as part of their assessed work.

First year students think about the strengths and weaknesses of their attachments using Robert Warren’s Healthy Churches material. Second years engage in an exercise of missional mapping, thinking about how their churches are listening to their communities in order to identify where God might be calling them to some form of mission and outreach.

In all of this they are supervised by the clergy in their attachments. We hugely appreciate all the time, energy and care that supervisors put into this work.

Three of our attachment supervisors have written about their different contexts to give you some idea of the range of work our Ordinands are involved in (pp. 4–5).

Revd Ali Walton, Director of Pastoral Studies

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Spotlight on Parish Placements All our students who are training for ordination belong to a church or college chapel during term time, attending Sunday services and either an afternoon or an evening per week. Here we shine the spotlight on three of the diverse contexts in which they learn “on the job”.

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The Church of the Good Shepherd is located at the heart of a housing estate with a reputation for high crime rates and social deprivation.

The Church of the Good Shepherd is, numerically, the largest single parish in the diocese of Ely. Situated in the north of Cambridge, the parish is very diverse with some large houses brushing up against one of the most deprived estates in the country. The church seeks to reach out to and reflect the diversity of the community we are called to serve, and to share God’s love through action and words.

The church really enjoys having students on placement with us. There are a wide variety of ways we ask them to get involved, from preaching to serving at the monthly Sunday lunch, to taking communion to the housebound on a Sunday. Students help us with our housegroups; we encourage them to take

part and help run a group and in the past they have put together courses for churches to run. Students are also encouraged to lead and share in the planning of services, which have led to many interesting and creative collaborations. There are also opportunities to be involved in our engagement with the community. We host a foodbank and we join in with a number of local churches on various outreach and seasonal events as well as running community action days twice a year with the local authority. There are five primary schools, four nursing homes and a secondary school, all of whom we are involved with in a variety of ways.

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Students seem to enjoy their time with us here and we certainly appreciate the gifts that they bring to us as they share in our ministry.

The Revd David Maher, Vicar of The Church of the Good Shepherd

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St Helena and St Mary’s Church, Bourn is situated ten miles west of Cambridge in a landscape of farming land dotted with rural villages.

Bourn Church serves as the thriving, focal church of a cluster of villages within the Papworth Team.

Placements with us require a willingness not only to get stuck into a single church community but to travel around a number of smaller villages and experience the reality of rural multi-parish ministry.

Each church community is different, most are tiny and the challenges for a congregation of fewer than ten of maintaining a priceless medieval building are never far from a PCC agenda!

Ordinands and their families are embraced in the life of the church community and ordinands are quickly immersed in the worshipping life of the church. In Bourn that’s a variety of CW Order 1 communion services with robed choir, a lively children’s service with puppets, BCP evensong and a service of the word. Christmas, Easter and Harvest provide opportunities for creative liturgies and events which expand their experience, plus the odd event such as an outdoor Pet Service.

Our C of E Primary School is a vital part of our community and ordinands have opportunities to share in that ministry, along with pastoral visiting and the occasional offices.

Ordinands are often able to contribute something more personal in fellowship and children’s groups and we highly value the thoughtfulness and theological clarity which they bring to these projects.

Our congregations have been so encouraged and strengthened by the witness and ministry of our ordinands and we hope for more in the future!

The Revd Dr Alexandra Clarke, Vicar of St Helena and St Mary’s

The “Red Carpet Curate” with a mission to support the arts During his time at Ridley, Peterson Feital’s energy and enthusiasm was infectious and his love for the arts palpable, and so it was no surprise to us to hear of his appointment this year as the first Missioner to the Creative Industries for London Diocese.

The Church has long been a patron of the arts, and the creative industries have been integral to its operation and flourishing for centuries. Peterson’s appointment gives him responsibility for enabling the church to be a patron of artists and the opportunity to lead The Haven London, one of the Church’s most exciting and entrepreneurial projects.

The Haven London is neither a church nor a church plant, serving Christians and non-Christians alike. It is a social enterprise established to fill a void, supporting creative people by focusing on their wellbeing and providing a platform to explore spirituality through the arts.

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St Mary & St Michael’s, Trumpington serves a residential area on the outskirts of Cambridge.

If you have travelled to Cambridge recently by train or via the M11 you may well have seen the rapid growth of housing developments to the south of the city. There is a high demand for new housing in Cambridge and the parish of Trumpington, which will see the parish of Trumpington increase in size by 10,000 people, 3700 homes and three new schools by 2019.

The initiative is already attracting much attention and support among the creative community and the media for its unique approach.

The Haven London (www.thehaven-london.com) will be officially launched in June at an invitationonly event with opera director Rosie Parker and producer Shaka Bunsie (Old Vic). Featured performers and speakers during the evening include Dezmond Meeks (American Idol), opera singer James Cleverton, artist Natasha Lien (V&A Museum), HRH The Prince of Wales and Kevin Spacey, and many others. Attendees will also be treated to a small exhibition from the award-winning Celebrity Photographer Dave Hogan, one of Britain’s best-known celebrity photographers.

Having worked alongside many influential people in the arts, Peterson is currently doing empirical research on Theology and Fashion, looking at Coco Chanel and Alexander McQueen.

His regular attendance at BAFTA screenings throughout London has earned him the nickname in mainstream media as the “Red Carpet Curate”. To find out more about his work, visit www.petersonfeital.com.

Revd Peterson Feital is originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is married with one daughter and trained at Ridley from 2009 to 2011.

St Mary & St Michael’s, Trumpington tries to be an effective parish church serving the community, offering a breadth of styles of worship and encouraging people to explore faith and grow as disciples. Trumpington’s leafy appearance hides a widely diverse population of many different nationalities and families in poverty living cheek by jowl with million-pound homes.

Ridley ordinands have made a valuable contribution helping lead Alpha Courses and youth groups, boosting the music groups and “Open the Book” school assembly teams, and taking part in community outreach events – alongside the Sunday by Sunday contribution of skills to leading worship, prayers and preaching.

In return we hope to offer them experience of a growing church looking to find creative ways to reach out to a growing community.

Revd Andrew Chrich, Vicar of St Mary & St Michael’s 5

Pioneer Pastures New We speak to David Male, Ridley’s Tutor in Pioneer Mission Training and the Director of the Centre for Pioneer Learning (CPL), as he prepares to take up a new national role.

Tell us about your new role I have been appointed as National Advisor for Pioneer Development for the Church of England, based in Ministry Division in London but also seconded to the Fresh Expressions National Team. My main role is to be the champion for pioneers in the Church and to help develop a vision and strategy for pioneering across the whole of the Church. This will include working on how we identify, select and train pioneers, both lay and clergy.

I hope also I will be able to be the connector between those working on the margins and the central agencies of the Church. I will be involved with colleges and courses but will also be looking to develop centres of excellence for pioneers and a scheme for younger pioneers.

What are your hopes for Ordained Pioneer Ministry in the Church of England?

My basic hope is that over the next five years we will see a huge growth in the number of pioneers in the Church and that the Church will see pioneers as key people who will lead us into a new future. The majority of these new pioneers will be lay and we have much work to do on how we train, support and deploy

Official Launch of the Newbigin Centre In the last Newsletter we announced that the Ridley Council had enthusiastically endorsed the proposal to develop the Newbigin Centre Centre for Gospel and Western Culture under the leadership of Paul Weston.

The official launch will be held on Thursday 16th July at 4pm at Trinity Hall Cambridge as part of the “Lesslie Newbigin Dr Paul Weston, Director, Newbigin Centre Summer Institute” (being held there 13-16 July). Ridleians would be very welcome to join us for this occasion (RSVP to Paul at pdaw2@cam.ac.uk).

There will be refreshments and short contributions from a number of speakers, including Andrew

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them. I hope we will be able to develop more flexible patterns of training and support for pioneers which recognise the variety of pioneers in the Church.

Where does that leave the Centre for Pioneer Learning?

CPL will continue, grow and develop I am sure. I will be replaced as Director and I will continue to be involved with the Centre in a variety of ways. One of the things we said when CPL started five years ago was that it must not simply revolve around me. A sign for me of CPL’s growth is that it will thrive without me as Director, but I will certainly be involved through teaching on various courses.

What have been your highlights as Tutor for Pioneer Ministry at Ridley Hall and Westcott House?

It has been such an honour to work with the amazing group of pioneers who met at Ridley and Westcott, around 40 of them from Ridley, Westcott, ERMC, Wesley House and Westminster College. The three hours we have spent together every Friday morning have provided some of the richest moments of my life. Of all my good memories of the last nine years this is what I will most miss. It is always very special when pioneers come together; many described it as an oasis for them. I learnt so much with them and from them. We had some great speakers join us, many from all over the world, but the best times for me were when we were talking together and stimulating each other’s thinking and practice.

Norman, Scot Sherman (Director of the Newbigin House of Studies in San Francisco), and Paul Weston (the Centre’s Director).

As this issue of News from Ridley goes to print, there are still one or two spaces available for the Institute itself. Its theme is “The Gospel as Public Truth”, and amongst others we will be welcoming Richard Mouw (past President of Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, USA), and Claire Foster-Gilbert (Director of the Westminster Abbey Institute). For further details see: www.ridley.cam.ac.uk/news/943-newbigin-2015

Over the Easter break as part of his forthcoming role as the Director of the Newbigin Centre, Paul Weston visited Duke Divinity School, where he met faculty members and preached in the Chapel. He then spent a week at St George’s Episcopal Church in Nashville as ‘Theologian in Residence’, giving a number of talks and lectures on relating the gospel to contemporary culture.

With this pull-out centrefold we invite you to pray for this year’s leavers as they embark on their future ministry, whether it be in the world of work, in parish ministry, or in youth and children’s ministry.

Ember list 2015 Ruth Atkinson

(formerly Human Resources/Payroll Officer) Although the future is as yet uncertain, we are waiting with anticipation for where God is placing my husband, daughter and me for the next step in our ministry. I take with me lots of memories from my time at Ridley.

Richard Attew (and Karen & Hope)

(formerly Primary School Teacher & Pastoral Assistant) Parish: St. Stephen’s, Harlow (Chelmsford) In their classic 1977 track Hotel California, the Eagles sing: “You can check out any time you like. But you can never leave”. Like the Hotel California, Ridley is a place where many check out, but no one actually leaves. This community is woven forever into our lives. Our memories, like God Himself, will remain; forming us for the journey ahead.

Andrew Baguley (and Carolyn)

(formerly Teacher, Lecturer and Systems Developer) Parish: St Peter’s, Belper (Derby) Ridley has provided two years full of opportunities to learn from others in the Cambridge Theological Federation, explore the breadth of Anglicanism around Cambridge, especially attached to Trinity College Chapel, and deepen my theological understanding in Wednesday evening discussions with Mike Thompson and Richard Bauckham. I’ll miss the people but look forward to serving God in new ways in Belper.

Christopher Beaumont (and Cat, Elise & Edward)

(formerly Business Change/Operations Manager) Parish: Bradley Stoke (Bristol) Coming to Ridley has made me realise the power of community to change and transform us, as we encounter Jesus in the people we live and work alongside. I’m thankful for the life-giving friendships I’ve made here, and my hope is to continue many of them as I face both the joys and challenges of parish life.

Paul Boulter (and Katharine, Sam, Simeon & Isaac) (formerly Political Consultant) Parish: Christ Church, Bedford (St Albans)

Ridley has been such a blessing. Having space to study, think, talk, pray and do has been just what we’ve needed. Please pray for the family settling in to a new environment and routines. We’re both excited and nervous for what lies ahead! God has called us thus far and we’re trusting him for all our future steps.

James Brown

(formerly Assistant to the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Representative to the EU) I will be deferring the start of curacy for a year or two. I have had a very rich time at Ridley and will leave with a lot of learning and experience.

Rosheen Browning

(formerly Art Teacher) Parish: St Andrew’s, Paddock Wood (Rochester) I am really grateful for my time at Ridley.

Sometimes it has felt like a retreat and at others an academic challenge but I have learnt so much. I used to be an Art Teacher and hope to continue being creative in my post as curate in St Andrew’s, Paddock Wood, Kent. Please pray for my husband, Nik, and me, and our two teenage daughters as we move and settle into our new home, new jobs, new school and college.

Rebekah Clark

(formerly History Student) Parish: Christ Church and Emmanuel, Westonsuper-Mare (Bath and Wells) For all that I have learnt during my three years at Ridley, for the wisdom of those who have taught me and enabled me to grow, for the gift and encouragement of amazing friends and for the Lord’s faithfulness to me on the mountain tops and in the valleys, I give thanks to God. Weston-super-Mare here I come!

Robert Evans

(formerly Graduate Historian) Parish: Christ Church, Cambridge (Ely) While at Ridley, I have cherished studying in a community of wonderful people and growing in my walk with Christ. I look forward to the challenges of combining my curacy with my continuing doctoral research in medieval history at Cambridge.

Andy Finn (and Tamar, Reuben & Caleb) (formerly Youthworker)

Parish: Benefice of Ingatestone with Fryerning and the Benefice of Margaretting with Mountnessing and Buttsbury (Chelmsford) I am looking forward to finding out what God has in store as I move to Ingatestone. My time here at Ridley has gone so quickly. I feel blessed by the fellowship and friendships formed whilst here and I look forward to keeping in touch with people once I am ordained and in the parish.

Mark Fuller (and Becci & Josie) (formerly Youth Minister) Parish: St Peter’s Church, Yaxley (Ely)

It has been a joy and a privilege to have spent three years at Ridley with a wonderful community of people who have continually challenged, inspired and encouraged me. The times of prayer, fellowship and the academic work have left me feeling both excited and equipped as I begin this next stage as an Ordained Pioneer Minister.

Andrew Goy (and Hannah & Jessica) (formerly Lay Assistant Minister) Parish: Church of the Good Shepherd, Crookhorn (Portsmouth)

Hannah and I have loved being part of the Ridley Community; worshipping, laughing plenty and living the highs and lows of life together. Our prayer is that we will find a similar sense of community in our new parish, though hopefully with fewer essay deadlines.

Charles Higgins (formerly Postgraduate

Student) Parish: St Matthew’s and St Oswald’s, Rugby (Coventry) I’m so grateful for Ridley – for the support of the community and the opportunities I’ve had to learn and serve everywhere from rural Cambridgeshire to Tennessee! I leave not only with ordination on the horizon but also getting married to Emma, who I met here, and full of excitement for life and ministry in Rugby and beyond!

Chris Hood (and Helen, Megan & Freddie) (formerly Teacher) Parish: Wetherden and Stowupland (St Edmundsbury & Ipswich)

To study and learn at Ridley, being surrounded by so many wonderful people, has been a delight. To be given the opportunity to reflect on God’s amazing love and to attempt to understand the immense privilege of serving His church means that I am excited as I head to what He has in store for us as a family next.

Dan Hughes (and Mandy & Abigail)

(formerly RE Teacher) Parish: Elmdon Church, Solihull (Birmingham) I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity to belong to a church family at All Saints Little Shelford and learn from its godly leaders. I’ve also valued making good friends at Ridley Hall. I’m looking forward to completing a dissertation on the Anglican Evangelical Understanding of Bishops and the opportunity to preach to, pray for and pastor the people of Elmdon.

Emma Jamieson

(formerly Student Pastor) Parish: St Matthew’s and St Oswald’s Church, Rugby (Coventry) Ridley has been truly life changing – I find myself leaving to be both ordained and married to fellow ordinand Charles! The friends and memories made here won’t be forgotten.

Placements with a prison chaplaincy and a church in Washington DC were a great privilege. I am grateful for this time and I’m looking forward to our curacy!

Dan Leathers (and Claire, Joshua & Peter)

(formerly University Student Worker and Lay Chaplain) Parish: Whitfield, Glossop (Derby) The last three years at Ridley have been transformational, deeply challenging and affirming, stretching and formational. I feel better equipped to follow Christ to the areas he’s calling the family and me to.

Prayer for our boys to settle well and for good relationships to be forged would be appreciated.

Elis Matthews (formerly Editor and Parttime Underwear Model) Parish: St Paul’s East Ham (Chelmsford)

Ridley has been a wonderful period of rebuilding, equipping and rejoicing. I’ve so loved the community here, and the opportunity to be creative in worship and to explore theology and mission alongside lifelong friends. I’m superpumped about the next part of the adventure. “Let the weak say I am strong.”

Katie Miller (and Bill, Beth, Jessica & Ethan) (formerly Palaeoclimate Researcher) Parish: St Aidan and All Saints Speke (Liverpool)

I have greatly enjoyed the breadth and depth of the theological study at Ridley and I feel challenged and enriched by that study. The Pioneer training

has been especially helpful, spending time with other Pioneer practitioners. I am looking forward to working all these things out practically in Liverpool.

Lucy Nagel

(formerly Secondary School RE Teacher) Parish: Redland Parish Church (Bristol) The last two years have gone by so quickly!

I have very much enjoyed the opportunities I have had to learn, study, worship and pray in such amazing surroundings. I have found Ridley to be a wonderful community to be part of and know that as I return to Bristol for my curacy I will be encouraged and supported by the friends I have made here.

Kevin Rogers (and Lorna, Malcolm & Daniel)

(formerly Social Worker) Parish: St Luke’s Church, Poole (Salisbury) I arrived at Ridley a Social Worker, to progress on my journey towards Priesthood. Ridley provided space to bring all that I am to Jesus, for refining.

A painful, yet liberating experience as I take up a Curacy at St Luke’s Church in Poole with my precious wife, Lorna and our boys, Malcolm and Daniel.

Dave Scott (and Gabriele, Samuel & Johnny)

(formerly Science Teacher) Parish: Church of the Good Shepherd, Collier Row (Chelmsford) I am very thankful to God for his continued leading and all the marks of his grace towards me and my family as we look forward to this new phase of ministry. Thanks also to the wonderful Ridley community who have shared their lives and passion and shaped us.

Laurence Smith (formerly Student)

Parish: St Mary’s with St Peter’s (Bury St Edmunds) I have met some great people during my three years at Ridley Hall and look forward to serving with them in God’s Church. I feel ready now to take these next steps with my wonderful wife as we grow in faith together (II Timothy 1:7).

Andy Tufnell (and Claire, Bethany & Grace)

(formerly Physics and RE Teacher) Parish: St Luke’s, West Bridgford (Nottingham) Ridley has been a tool in the Lord’s hand in chiseling, sanding and gently weather-proofing both me and my family. The years ahead will hold times of storm and times of stillness; Ridley’s staff and fellow students have

equipped us well for such times as we embark on a lifetime of service to Christ’s Kingdom. We are grateful.

Nat White (and Pete)

(formerly Social Worker) Parish: St Columba and The Northern Saints, Corby (Peterborough) It has been such a privilege studying, being part of Ridley life and living in Cambridge.

I have appreciated the opportunity to study full time and learn alongside such amazing people. I have benefitted greatly from the integrity, experience and wisdom of the lecturers and tutors, who have given me much support and care. I will treasure this time.

Dennis Woodward (and Aniek & Tessa) (formerly Finance Officer at Tearfund)

Parish: Christ Church, Beckenham (Rochester) It’s been a real privilege to serve and belong to the Ridley community for these past three years! My love for the Lord has only grown.

I am particularly grateful for my family, my E12 roommates, my Prayer Triplet and Quad and E Staircase. As God continues to shape me, I look forward to sharing the Good News in Beckenham!

We asked this year’s leavers...

What has been the best thing about your time at Ridley?

“Friends, spiritual growth (even in unexpected ways), family support.”

“All the people.”

“Developing work & personal skills.”

“Community” “Wonderful lunchtime chats, prayer-sharing and plenty of role models amongst the tutors.”

“The people and the study” “Having a chance to be more creative again” “The people” “I’ve had the privilege of studying God and his Word more.”

Youth Ministry: A New Approach CYM is evolving its training to ensure it meets future needs.

CYM Centres offer the very best education and training for work in church, schools and community settings. Over 80% of students have a job secured before they finish their course. From September 2015 we are pleased to announce that CYM member colleges in England, including Ridley Hall, will be offering pathways within the Common Awards developed specifically to train for roles in children, youth and mission work.

Youth Ministry Students Please pray for students at the Cambridge Institute for Children, Youth and Mission who have just completed their final year at Ridley.

Their training placements have been varied, from church and community-based youth projects to national youth organisations. Some will continue in these posts after graduation, others will be going into new posts in an equally diverse range of roles.

The CYM endorsed BA (Hons) in Theology, Ministry and Mission, validated by Durham University, provides a new approach to training for the fluid and fast moving work of children, youth and mission work.

For further information or to attend the next open day on June 30th (see below), please contact Fiona Bell-Williamson on 01223 748365 or e-mail: info@cambridgecym.org.uk

Interested in Youth Work?

If you’re interested in finding out more about studying at The Cambridge Institute for Children, Youth and Mission, you are warmly invited to our open day, which will be held on Tuesday June 30th (10am to 1.30pm).

It’s a great chance to meet the staff, visit the teaching venue, meet with students, and ask as many questions as you want about our courses and how the learning will equip you for your future work and ministry. The morning includes a sample lecture and a tour of Ridley.

After lunch there will be the opportunity for individual conversations between visitors, staff and students. To book your place now contact Fiona Bell-Williamson: • 01223 746583 • info@cambridgecym.org.uk

or visit www.cambridgecym.org.uk.

2015 LEAVERS: Leanne Davis, Simon Densham, Tom Fance, Sam Fowler, Emily Gibson, Marcus Giddy, Annabel Guest, Matt Lockwood, Ross Lusby, Dan Mapstone, Cat Morris, Chris Painter, Kayleigh Prince, Dave Read, Heather Rogers, Charlotte White.

STOP PRESS: New Staff Appointment Revd Dr Michael Volland (Ry 2004–06) has been appointed Director of Contextbased training, from August. His role will span training of CYM students and ordinands.

Michael is married to Rachel and they have three children. He has published a number of books, chapters and articles, including God on the Beach (Survivor, 2005) and most recently The Minister as Entrepreneur (SPCK, 2015).

An archaeological dig at Ridley Moule Society Launch Ridley Hall is launching a new legacy campaign, and we want to make sure that those who intend to entrust the College with a gift in their Will are given the recognition they deserve in life.

To achieve this, we are excited to announce the Moule Society, a group exclusively for these generous benefactors.

This initiative will allow those who plan to leave a bequest closer contact with the College, with

The

1881Society

Making Potential a Reality

The 1881 Society was launched this Spring to find 1,881 donors who want to support the formation of the next generation of Anglican Christian leaders at Ridley. Will you join us?

The funds raised through the 1881 Society will enhance the educational and training resources of the College, from scholarships and bursaries to research facilities and extra courses, including an All Age Worship Training Day at a cost of £500 per year, and a Conflict Resolution course for our final-year students at a cost of £2,000 per year.

Will you help us establish new and much-needed training opportunities? Being a part of 1881 doesn’t have to involve giving a lot of money. What it does involve is a commitment to be consistent in giving, no matter how large or small.

Every donation – large or small – makes a real difference to the training of our future Church leadership.

1881 Society entry level donations start at just £1.57

exclusive progress reports and events throughout

Findsthedate to Roman year.back Moreover, there will be opportunities to tailored recognition for such gifts. and discuss Iron Age times

A leaflet and more information is available on the website. If you have already notified us of a gift in your Will, you will automatically be a member.

If this applies to you, and you would prefer to remain anonymous, please contact us at: development@ridley.cam.ac.uk

We invite you to help us secure Ridley’s, and the Church’s, future.

a month for students up to £1881 annually for Higher Level donors, and cost you less if you are eligible to GiftAid your donation: Donation Level:

Higher

Lower

Student

Annual Gift (Non-Gift-Aid)

£1881

£188.10

£18.81

Annual Gift (Gift-Aided)

£1504.80

£150.48

£15.04

Monthly Gift (Non-Gift-Aid)

£156.75

£15.68

£1.57

Monthly Gift (Gift-Aided)

£125.40

£12.54

£1.25

1881 Society members will not only benefit from knowing that they are changing the future for ordinands at Ridley, but will also receive exclusive 1881 Society event invitations and discounted room rates at Ridley among other entitlements.

To join, simply choose your donation level from the above table and complete the enclosed donation form, marking it clearly “1881 Society”. We have enclosed a pre-paid envelope for your convenience.

For more information see our website or contact the Development Office: • www.ridley.cam.ac.uk/giving-to-ridley • development@ridley.cam.ac.uk • 01223 746586

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Kate Nix 1961–2015

Personal Stories of Kingdom Business

It is with deep sadness that on behalf of Kate’s family we share the news of her untimely death in March.

“Best ever”. That is how several regular attendees described our 2015 spring conference.

Kate had been living with the knowledge that she had an incurable sarcoma for 18 months, and despite chemotherapy and tough treatment, she maintained a positive spirit and “carried on as normal, as far as that was possible”.

Numbers were up for the fourth year running: over 60 people all convinced that business is important for the Kingdom and wanting to make a kingdom influence felt in ways both sensitive and substantial. The atmosphere was very relaxed. Delegates enjoyed the speakers’ input, the networking and sharing at a deep level, in Q & A sessions as well as over meals and drinks.

Kate began working at Ridley Hall in Reception in 1999 and, in September 2003, she was appointed as PA to the then Principal, Christopher Cocksworth.

She was a key member of the Administrative Team and was beautiful both inside and out. She fully integrated into the College community not only in the staff team, but also as an alto in the Gospel Choir, an excellent croquet partner to various staff members past and present and a key member of the winning staff pancake race team!

Her creativity, organisation, efficiency, care, love and friendship were appreciated by students and staff alike. She was an animal lover, a gifted artist and her love of literature and crosswords were frequently shared with staff over staff coffee or lunch breaks.

Her husband and sons were regular visitors during her tenure and also since she left Ridley to work elsewhere in the University of Cambridge.

We think of and pray for Grahame, Adam and Thomas and her family in their sad loss, and those of us who worked with her recognise that Kate-shaped space in our lives.

Dr Graham Kings writes about the newly created post of Mission Theologian in the Anglican Communion

“I’ve heard of knowing the Father through the Son, but this is knowing the son through the father.”

My opening greeting to Anthony Poggo, Bishop of Kajo-Keji and fine theologian in South Sudan, Graham Kings with Anthony was in 2008. Benaiah Poggo was Poggo, Bishop of Kajo-Keji a student at Ridley Hall with me 1978–80. Anthony had a sabbatical at Ridley last year.

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A major theme of the conference was business leaders telling their stories. Delegates were particularly gripped by entrepreneurs and business owners Gray Grant and Matthew Kimpton Smith explaining how God had led them to develop highly distinctive companies. In their roles as sustainability directors, John Revess and Cal Bailey provided strong back-up from plc and family business perspectives.

Personal story was balanced by academic input from Andy Henley and Peter Heslam, who demonstrated the worldwide prevalence of entrepreneurship among evangelical, pentecostal and charismatic Christians.

Eve Poole on Saturday evening and Richard Higginson Since leaving Ridley, international engagement has been a recurring feature of my ministry. Having served in Harlesden, Kabare (Kenya), Cambridge Centre for Christianity Worldwide, Islington, and Sherborne, there now comes a new call in July.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Church Mission Society and Durham University have become partners in creating an innovative seven-year post: “Mission Theologian in the Anglican Communion”.

I will be based in London, employed by CMS, studying at Lambeth Palace Library and Durham University, as an Honorary Fellow in the Department of Theology, and will work closely with mission and theology

Moving on from Cambridge CYM Cambridge CYM will be saying goodbye to their Centre Director, Dr Jo Griffiths, at the end of August. Jo has been involved with Cambridge CYM for ten years, and has been the Centre Director for the past six years.

Prior to this Jo had worked extensively in both Christian and secular settings. She was one of the very first CYM graduates at Cambridge.

She has overseen a number of developments at Cambridge CYM: the move from Oxford Brookes University to Staffordshire and Gloucester as validating universities with three degree streams (Youth, Children and Families and Schools Work) and now the move to Common Awards with Durham University. Last year she was awarded her PhD from Brunel University in which she looked at the professional identity formation of newly graduated Christian youth workers.

Photos reproduced by kind permission of Andrew Wilkinson

in the Sunday service weighed in with theological reflection and ethical analysis.

A memorable time was had by all. Many of us are already looking forward to getting back together for the 2016 spring conference.

Revd Dr Richard Higginson Director of Faith in Business

colleagues in the Anglican Communion Office and around the world. Priorities for the post include:

First, stimulating a network of theologians in the Communion as “Doctors of the Church” and encouraging their fellowship, writing and publishing. This will involve convening a seminar in Anglican Communion Studies in different regions of Africa, Asia and Latin America in particular.

Second, editing the new website and publishing on it papers given in the seminar, as well as articles from elsewhere (www.MissionTheologyAngCom.org).

Third, working with publishers and editors in the South and the North to create a new book series, Anglican

Jo says “It has been my absolute privilege to work at Cambridge CYM, to train students, see them grow and mature in their faith and move on into the world of work. I will be very sad to leave Ridley Hall. CYM is changing with the move to Common Awards and I leave this transition in the capable hands of Robin Barden, but I feel the time is now right to take on another challenge.”

“It has been my absolute privilege to train students, see them grow and mature in their faith and move on into the world of work.”

We wish Jo well in her new post, which will be Families Chaplain for St Andrews Parish Church, Enfield, North London.

Theologies: African, Asian and Latin American.

Fourth, helping to arrange sabbaticals in colleges like Ridley Hall for hard-pressed theologians to write up their research for such publications.

Fifth, doing my own research and writing on developments in intercultural theology in the Communion.

I look forward to keeping my feet on the ground in local mission, as Honorary Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Southwark, and would value prayer for this whole project.

Dr Graham Kings, Bishop of Sherborne

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The Choices We Make How we love our independence!

The Enlightenment taught us that we are able to tame our lives by reason, standing alone, dominant and proud, rulers of all we survey. The Romantics reacted against this optimism, but saw no way out of self-rule. Byron’s hero Manfred cries to himself that We are the fools of Time and Terror: days steal on us, and steal from us; yet we live, loathing our life, and dreading still to die. As heirs of this tradition in the

West, many of us are caught between the twin traps of pride and despair. Self-loathing and fear of death make up the stuff of the counsellor’s couch.

For the Christian, godly dependence makes the only sense: Today the Lord has obtained your agreement: to be his treasured people, as he promised you, and to keep his commandments (Dt.26.18). The depth of love and grace which has prompted God to approach us with dignity, to invite our agreement, and to promise eternal regard for us, is almost beyond belief. As I look back on eight years of the Simeon Centre’s life, I am brought back to the beginning. The Centre’s mission is simply to remind us, and others, that life presents us with a stark choice: pride or humility; despair or hope; a delusion, or eternal life.

The challenge for Christian leaders is as simple and as stark. By what measure are we measuring ourselves, and when will we stop long enough even to hear God’s plaintive cry to us: Choose this day whom you will serve?

Manfred On The Jungfrau by John Martin

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Adrian Chatfield is Director of the Simeon Centre for Prayer and the Spiritual Life

On the Road

Getting theWord out

...our regular snapshot of some of the recent speaking engagements of members of Ridley’s teaching staff.

Recently released and forthcoming publications from Ridley staff, students and alumni

Anne Aldridge

Adrian Chatfield

Richard Higginson

Philip Jenson

Rob McDonald

Mike Thompson

Catherine Wright

Anne Aldridge co-led a training day in Southwell Diocese on healing ministry. She also spoke on theological education and ordination to a men’s group in South Cambridgeshire and led a seminar on pastoral care at the Healing Advisory Group Conference in November.

Adrian Chatfield was interviewed on Premier Radio’s “The Leadership File” (hear it at http://bit.ly/1KQYaaU) and gave a series of Holy Week talks at Holy Trinity Clapham on “The Walk” with Jesus to the cross. He also presented on “Prayer and Grace” and “Praying Imaginatively” at the Diocese of St David Clergy Conference.

Richard Higginson taught an MA Ethics module and spoke at several marketplace ministry events in Hong Kong in August 2014. He also presented at faith and business conferences in Oslo and Uppsala and spoke on Christian entrepreneurship at Christian business networks in Oxford and Jersey.

Philip Jenson gave a series of talks at Lee Abbey on Isaiah 40–55 and spoke to Readers from the diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich on Preaching the Old Testament. He has also been involved in the development of the Common Awards program.

Rob McDonald gave a paper on “Barth Backwards” at an RIST Seminar, Kings College London and spoke on “The Holy Spirit and the Trinity” at St Paul’s Theological Centre, London. He has preached on a range of subjects, including a sermon entitled “Elijah’s Lament” at St Catharine’s College Choral Evensong.

Mike Thompson preached on the Parable of the Sheep and Goats at the largest Episcopal church in North America, St Martin’s Church, Houston (hear it at http://bit.ly/1GT4zyy).

He also taught at the St Barnabas School of Theology in Cambridge on “Encountering the New Testament” and “The Human Condition”.

Catherine Wright gave a presentation in May at Wells Cathedral on “Wells’ Cathedral’s Jesse Window: Some Theological Perspectives.”

Theology Election, Atonement, and the Holy Spirit by Matthias Grebe (Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2014)

Bible

The Writing on the Wall: Everyday Phrases from the King James Bible

by Richard Noble (Durham: Sacristy Press, 2014) “Division, Separation and Discipline in the New Testament” by Michael B Thompson in A. Atherstone and A. Goddard (eds), Good Disagreement?

(Oxford: Lion Hudson, forthcoming)

Church Life and Mission

Articles on “Confession” and “West Indies” by Adrian Chatfield in G. T. Kurian and M. A. Lamport (eds), The Encyclopedia of Christian Education (Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2015) “The Cloud of Unknowing and the Stages of Faith” by Adrian Chatfield in Resource: Renewal for mission in the power of the Holy Spirit, Spring 2015

“Lesslie Newbigin: Looking Forward in Retrospect” by Paul Weston in Journal of Missional Practice, iss. 5, Winter 2015), pp. 1–13

Anglicanism

“Anglicanism and the Apostolic Church in Armenia” by Laurence Smith in Koinonia: the Journal of the Anglican and Eastern Churches Association, 2014

Faith and Business

“A Bank with a Christian Ethos: Interview with Alexander Hoare of C. Hoare & Co” by Richard Higginson in Faith in Business Quarterly, 17:1

Fiction

The Devil’s Dance: Redeeming Hallowe’en by John Symons (London: Shepheard-Walwyn, 2014) 15

Kinship: Theology and Practice First-year student David Torrance describes the research he is undertaking for his University of Cambridge PhD.

he makes precisely this move, allowing his moral theology to be informed by an uncritically received notion of how kinship “must” be.

Social scientists, and particularly anthropologists, have done a great deal of work interrogating kinship in its different contexts. In the process, social anthropologists have generated useful frameworks How should Christians underin which to make sense of kinship as it is practised stand the nature of kinship, and understood in different contexts. By drawing and reimagine how it might upon these anthropological insights the theologian be practised, in the light of is enabled to identify those concepts and practices Christian belief? that give particular expressions of kinship their disWhen it comes to kinship, tinctiveness. In light of this, theological insights can the following two claims be brought to bear on these concepts and practices can be made without fear of in order to explore the possibility and character contradiction: first, of a distinctively Christian kinship is one of the account of kinship. These The project seeks to identify main ways in which theological insights will be human beings organise themselves, and the the ways in which Christians informed by wider themes experience of kinship greatly influences huin Barth’s Church Dogmatmight think about and man life and action; second, many accounts ics, but also by a range of practise kinship differently of the Christian faith imply a story that runs theologians and disruptive in light of their faith. counter to the narratives of kinship widely Christian practices from told and acted out. the history of the church.

Despite a long tradition of reimagining the family in the light of distinctive Christian convictions, contemporary Christian ethics has shown a tendency to assume that a particular expression of kinship is necessary and therefore beyond reimagining. Karl Barth is one of the most striking representatives of this tendency, not just because of his significance in Christian theology, but because he is so committed to the view that theological insights cannot be drawn from an interpretation of the created world.

However, I will argue that in his ethics of parenthood

The project seeks to identify the ways in which Christians might think about and practise kinship differently in light of their faith. In particular, how might core Christian belief shape how Christians think about adoption, new reproductive technologies, inheritance, abortion, marriage and celibacy, the care of the elderly, alternative ways of organising households, and the problem of caring for those who are considered to be non-kin?

David Torrance First year Ordinand

Cycling for Mission

As you receive this newsletter, four members of the Ridley community will be getting on their bikes to raise money in support of the College’s three Mission Partners. Nik Browning, Rob McDonald, Tim Gage and Tim Madeley will cycle the 126km Tour of Cambridgeshire, the first continental-style closed road route in the UK. Nicknamed “The Ridley Riders”, the four have agreed that they should reach a target of £2,000 in sponsorship between them, and they will shave their legs shortly before the race!

To sponsor their ride, go to:

www.justgiving.com/ridleyriders

The Ridley Riders aim to raise £2,000 to support our three Mission Partners: OneLife, which exists to connect and equip young people and students to become exceptional leaders in every sphere of society; The Alexandria School of Theology in Egypt; and Canon Andrew White’s critical work in Baghdad as Christians face increasing persecution in the Middle East.