Issue 3 - The Diocese of Canterbury

The
of the
the Diocese
Diocese of
of Canterbury
Canterbury
The newsletter
magazine of
ISSUE 3 AUTUMN 2010
BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY –
Who will you invite?
Sharing the
Christian message
with children and
young people –
Page 8
Also inside this issue:
● Parish and Diocesan news
● Becoming a disciple
● Poverty and Hope 2010/11 Appeal
● Ride and Stride, Cathedral
Open Evening and other events
The
of the
the Diocese
Diocese of
of Canterbury
Canterbury
The newsletter
magazine of
Curates ordained at Canterbury Cathedral - page 4
Hawkhurst youth group float
boats for Burma - page 7
News and events from the
Diocese of Canterbury
Introducing Jesus
to children in
Dover - page 8
Contents
Changing churches for community
use – good or bad news? Page 15
Contact the editorial team
Outlook is the new quarterly magazine for
the Diocese of Canterbury.
Editor: Emily Shepherd, Tel: 01227 459401
email: [email protected]
Communications Advisory Group:
John Barton, Richard Collins, Mike Field,
Christopher Robinson, Martin Short and
Leo Whitlock.
Canterbury Diocese, Diocesan House,
Lady Wootton’s Green, Canterbury
CT1 1NQ Tel: 01227 459401
The editor and team welcome submissions
for Outlook Magazine and can be contacted
via the contact details above.
Advertising Manager: Rose Osborne,
Tel: 01304 614878
email: [email protected]
Designed by: Green and Tempest,
www.greenandtempest.co.uk
Future editions will be published:
November 25th (copy deadline Nov 8th)
March 3rd (copy deadline Feb 7th)
FEEDBACK
We hope you enjoy the new Outlook
magazine and the editor would welcome
your comments: [email protected]
Diocese map: Digital Mapping Solutions from Dotted Eyes. © Crown Copyright 2010.
All rights reserved. Licence number 100019918 (Scale: 1:10,000), Mark Binns, [email protected]
2
4
Diocesan News
6
Parish News
8
“Let the children come to me”
Christian youth initiatives
10 Poverty and Hope Appeal
11 Maidstone Big Street Party
12 Ride and Stride and ‘What’s On’ in the
Diocese
13 Cathedral’s open evening Details of this
year’s event at Canterbury
14 Bishop Trevor on making disciples in 2011
15 Talking Point Using our churches for
community use – a necessary change?
16 Meet the People Miriam Oliver, youth
worker with the G7 group of parishes
A new beginning
The Venerable Philip Down, Archdeacon of Maidstone
We all know the experience of
beginning again. For some it will be
after an illness. For others it will be
after a life changing event like
losing one’s job or marriage. More
commonly it is something smaller
like returning home after a holiday
or returning to school or university
to begin a new year of studies.
Beginning again is not straightforward! It is often full of
challenges like recovering one’s confidence or making
discoveries about oneself and others in new or renewed
relationships. It can be quite scary. Back to Church Sunday
might be just like this.
It is also strangely and wonderfully an experience of hope and
even joy. These are strong feelings which arise from the
freshness of experience and the opportunities before us . . .
especially those which are unexpected.
That’s the thing about human experience, it is all so ambivalent!
For me personally, I am returning from a period of extended
leave. I feel both refreshed and excited at change and
development in the Diocese and also a sense of trepidation at
how much is going on and how it will all work out. I am equally
aware of the opportunities and the challenges that lie before us.
No matter how I look into the future it is full of new beginnings.
Our churches, at this time of year, will find a period of new
beginning as so many people return from holiday and return to
the daily round. Picking up the threads of the church year and
finding again the presence of God in our daily lives will remind
us that for the Christian, ‘new beginnings’ are the currency of
God’s ever present grace and love. Through prayer and word
and sacrament we are drawn into the drama of God’s new
beginnings every day.
Welcome back if you’ve been away. Welcome too if you haven’t!
Into the autumn we go with the fair wind of God’s grace at our
backs and the light of his love to guide.
Philip
Front cover story
Back to Church Sunday: September 26th
Church-goers in over 100 churches in the Diocese will be personally
inviting someone they know or love ‘back to church’ on September
26th as part of a national campaign led by the Church of England.
Back to Church Sunday follows the simple and effective idea of
extending a personal invitation to church on a particular Sunday.
The Reverend Richard King, one of Canterbury Diocese’s
missioners, urges all church-goers to invite a friend: “Think what it is
about going to church that you love and then share that with someone
who you care for. It’s simple and it works.”
Participating churches will be using special materials to help make
the event run smoothly, including invitations, prayer cards, T-shirts
that say welcome and even Fairtrade tea and biscuits.
I got invited
back..
.
Well, I can’t believe it’s a year ago that
our dear neighbours, Tessa and James,
asked us back to church.
What a year it has been for me from knowing very few people in the
village; now I don’t think there are
many people I don’t know!
Someone asked me if I had found
God as I go to church so much now. Actually God has found me. I’ve
been involved in many things at Wye Church including helping with
the poppy appeal, reading in church, acting as the local newspaper
correspondent for Wye and Brook and even becoming a Sidesman.
Coming Back to Church has done a lot for me. I would like you to
read Matthew 7.23 (judging others), then you will know why it took
me so long to come back to church.
I urge you to go out there, just as Tessa and James did, and bring
someone Back to Church with you on September 26th.
Mike Adams, Wye Church.
Find out more at www.backtochurch.co.uk
Back to Church Sunday service at Wye Church 2009.
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Diocesan News
Hundreds confirmed by Bishop Trevor
Around 350 people have been confirmed by the Bishop of
Dover in services across the Diocese.
Bishop Trevor with confirmation candidates from Sutton Valence School.
All confirmation candidates receive a request from Bishop
Trevor to write to him about their story of faith. Bishop Trevor
remarked: “The letters I receive show the remarkable spiritual
journeys people have made. Without exception all have witnessed
faith through the love and care of a friend or family member.”
New Archdeacon proposed in
Diocesan re-structure
During the July meeting of Canterbury Diocesan Synod, members
voted unanimously for work to continue on a proposed re-structuring
of Boards and Committees. The proposals, which seek to provide
more support to churches through the creation of a new area of ‘Local
Church Development’, include a recommendation to appoint a third
archdeacon, rather than a new Bishop of Maidstone to the senior team.
In his pastoral letter sent to clergy, readers and church officers at
the end of June, Bishop Trevor set out the draft plans which include
a new Archdeacon who will offer practical support to parishes in
their mission, by drawing together diocesan resources and making
connections with potential partners.
Paying tribute to the Bishop of Maidstone, the Right Reverend
Graham Cray, who left the Diocese to become leader of the
Archbishop’s Fresh Expressions team in April 2009, Bishop Trevor said:
“Bishop Graham firmly placed mission at the centre of all we do and
Archbishop’s Council agree that building on this legacy means that we
should now focus on delivering the practical support needed to help
parishes grow and prosper.”
The Bishop’s letter concluded: “I am committed to shaping the
Diocese so that together we may grow the Kingdom of God.” Final
proposals will be discussed at Diocesan Synod in November.
FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS www.canterburydiocese.org
Follow the Bishop of Dover and Diocese of Canterbury
on Facebook and You Tube
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Bishop’s Day for Laity: building
communities
Bishop Trevor invites church
goers to a special day for laity to
explore the active role churches
can play in building communities.
The free day, ‘From Postcard to
Presence - Being a Gift to Your
Community’, includes a keynote
address by Bishop Trevor, a
sandwich lunch, a choice of six
workshops and worship. The
event takes place on Saturday
September 18th, 10am to 3pm at
St Paul’s Church in Maidstone.
More information and booking:
www.canterburydiocese.org/
bishopsdayforlaity or telephone
01227 459401.
Basic Enneagram Course offers
self awareness
The Enneagram is a tool of compassion which describes nine different
personality styles and encourages individuals to understand their own
personalities and to access possibilities for change within themselves.
A non-residential weekend course for those with no previous
knowledge of the Enneagram is being held from Friday 26th to
Sunday 28th November 2010 at Stelling Minnis, near Canterbury.
More details available from course tutor, The Reverend Margi Walker:
[email protected] or Tel: 01227 709318.
Hairdresser and Statistician among
those ordained Curate
Seven men and seven women including a hairdresser, a
landscape planning officer, an accountant, a statistician and
a grandmother were ordained curates at a special ordination
service in Canterbury Cathedral on Saturday 3 July.
Lorraine Apps-Huggins (pictured above with Bishop Trevor
and Archbishop Rowan), 46, a hairdresser and mum from
Deal, became a Christian in her early 30s after attending an
Alpha course. Lorraine, who describes her young adult years as
‘hedonistic and wild’, said: “I was going through a particularly
difficult time in my life and so to discover God’s love for me,
his plan for me, and to receive his reconciling forgiveness for
my wayward years was life transforming.”
Lorraine will serve as an Ordained Local Minister at St
George’s, an unpaid, part-time role.
Cathedral Canon cycles length of Britain
for charity
Four new Readers licensed, another 400
called for!
Ed Condry, Canon Treasurer of Canterbury Cathedral, cycled from
Land’s End to John O’Groats in aid of the Bishop Simeon Trust this
summer.
Completing the journey in just six days, covering 875 miles and
consuming 9,000 calories a day, Canon Ed raised over £13,000 for
the Trust which supports education and development projects in
South Africa for those suffering the effects of HIV/AIDS.
On Sunday 18th July, four new Readers were admitted and licensed
by the Bishop of Dover at a special service in Canterbury Cathedral.
Speaking at the service, Bishop Trevor called for 400 more people to
become Readers in the Diocese.
Nearly 200 people are currently licensed in Canterbury Diocese as
Readers; lay people, from all walks of life, trained and licensed by the
church to preach, teach, lead worship and assist in pastoral, evangelistic and liturgical work.
To find out more about Reader Ministry contact Hilary Richter,
Warden of Readers: [email protected] or 01303 893566.
Canon Ed Condry cycles past Canterbury Cathedral.
Bishop Trevor with Alison Gilbert, Kevin Fulcher, Alex Finlow and
Katy Carter.
5
Parish News
680 year old brasses to be
displayed at Abbey open day
Brasses at Minster Abbey,
which date back to 1330
will be on display to the
public for the first time
in thirty years. The public
viewing of the Northwood
brasses will form part of an
open day at the Abbey on
Saturday 9th October.
Andrew Parr, PCC
secretary explained the
importance of the brasses:
“These brasses are notable
for the details of armour
and female dress of the
period; there are only
three earlier brasses in the
country which show female
attire of this period. Lying
between the choir stalls
in the chancel, the brasses
are currently covered
by carpet, which we will
temporarily remove for
public viewing.”
Replicas of the brasses will be available for rubbings. Displays
and guided tours will highlight other historic items including the
Grey Dolphin tomb and the pagan Green Man symbol.
Minster Abbey, which occupies a hilltop position on the
otherwise flat Isle of Sheppey, is one of the oldest functioning
churches in England and dates back 1,400 years.
The open day runs from 10am-4pm and admission is free.
For more information contact Andrew and Alison Parr on
01795 875835 or [email protected] or visit the website:
www.minsterabbey.org.uk
Saint Rumwold Lectures 2010
Since 2004, the tiny church of Saint
Rumwold, Bonnington has held a
series of lectures on Friday evenings
in July. Speakers have included
Baroness Julia Neuberger, Bishop Gene
Robinson and Dr. Jane Williams. Most
of the lecturers have spoken from a
Christian viewpoint but an imam, a
rabbi, a Buddhist, a Hindu priest and a
Druid priestess have also contributed.
For the second lecture of this year’s series, Saint Rumwold’s
was packed with 120 people who came to hear Tony Benn talk on
the subject of ‘Democracy and the Market’. Mr Benn spoke of his
Christian upbringing which influenced his political beliefs of honesty,
integrity and justice.
Other lecturers this year included theologian Theo Hobson on
‘Disorganised Religion’ and Gary Lachman, pop-musician turned
author who spoke about the life of Emmanuel Swedenborg.
6
Installation Art at St Alphege
Whitstable
St Alphege Church, Whitstable
hosted installation art by Albert
Potrony as part of the Biennale
festival in the town in July. The
artwork created by Potrony,
included a sound installation
(shown on the right) and
customized van which parked at
several locations in Whitstable.
The locations, which included
St Alphege, provided a ‘listening
space’ where members of
the public could experience
the composition of dialogue
gathered from a group of male
asylum seekers and volunteer
Rev Rachel Webbley at one of Potrony’s
visitors, focused around Dover
listening spaces.
Immigration Removal Centre.
Over 220 people engaged in the work. Mr Potrony commented: “The
response to the project was very good and St Alphege’s provided a calm
and welcoming space to stop and listen to the work in a more intimate
way than in the other locations.”
Two projects for homeless to run
in the Diocese this winter
Mike’s Place, a scheme providing services for homeless people in
Sittingbourne, officially opened this summer. Providing breakfast
and facilities for laundry and showering, the centre is staffed by
volunteers three mornings a week.
David Cummings, Deputy Churchwarden at St Mary’s
Sittingbourne, explained why the project was initiated: “We
identified the need to assist those who frequently slept in the
churchyard or asked the church for support. The Church House
building located behind the church was identified as a good base
for the project and after more than two years of fundraising and
alterations, the centre is now
open for use.”
The spring edition
of Outlook featured the
Folkestone Churches Winter
Shelter Project which ran
for 84 nights and helped 47
different guests during the
winter of 2009/10. As well
as providing food, a bed for
the night and support, the
volunteer staff also helped
all night shelter residents
who were eligible for
accommodation/assistance
to be placed into permanent
accommodation. The
Folkestone Churches Winter
Convenor, Angela Fennell, with one of
Shelter Project has recently
the new washing machines at Mike’s
announced that it will run
Place in Sittingbourne.
once more during the winter
Photo: David Cummings
of 2010-11.
Teddy Bears Jump for St Mary’s,
Elham
Messages of hope from
Hawkhurst youth group to Burma
Over 50 bears and furry friends collected their Pawsports and jumped
from the tower of St Mary’s Church, Elham on Sunday 11th July.
Event Organizer, Christine Osbourne, explained the fundraising
event: “A few bumped their way down and landed gracefully at our
feet, but most took off spectacularly to their
owners’ delight. One flew round the corner and
down the lane. The jump-masters up the tower
gave us a lively commentary while we ate icecreams in the sun. The occasion drew curious
onlookers as well as the congregation. We had
fun, made new friends and enjoyed each others’
company.”
Completion of Tower Appeal to be
celebrated with Pam Rhodes
The completion of the appeal to raise
£50,000 to rebuild the 11th Century
Tower at St Clement’s Church in Sandwich
will be celebrated at a special ‘Songs
of Praise’ concert with Pam Rhodes in
October.
Pam Rhodes, the well known BBC
presenter, will host the un-televised
Songs of Praise on Sunday October 10th
at 6pm at St Clement’s. The concert will conclude a number of
celebration events including a Flower Festival which runs from
Thursday 7th to Sunday 10th October.
Members of St Laurence Youth Group with their origami boats.
Members of the St Laurence
Youth Group, Hawkhurst,
made origami boats and
floated them on the Church
pond, in remembrance of the
young people of Burma (the
Karenni Youth) who have been
denied freedom of speech,
and imprisoned for peacefully
protesting against an oppressive
political regime.
7
“L the c
Christian initiatives for young people
“Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them.” said Jesus
in Luke 18:16. Luke recounts the story of Jesus rebuking his disciples
for preventing the children in a crowd from moving towards him.
Jesus’ message is clear – ‘stop getting in the way of these children
coming to me’. Today the rebuke may be better aimed at society and
its enthusiasm for secularism.
What role can Christian communities play in helping children and
young people experience Christian faith, especially those who are not
church goers and do not attend Church of England Schools?
Cross Links Dover and Weald Youth for Christ are two initiatives
working directly in local communities. Weald Youth for Christ’s
summer camp and Jesus, Mess and Biscuits, an after school club run
by Cross Links, provide two fine examples of modern day disciples
helping children and young people come to Jesus.
Weald Youth for Christ
Summer Camp
Weald Youth for Christ (WYFC), a branch of the national Christian
charity, Youth for Christ, provides a number of services for children
and young people in the Weald area including school clubs, youth
groups, weekend events and an annual summer camp.
Centre Director Sharron Coburn and her husband Dennis Coburn,
Senior Youth Worker, who attend St Dunstan’s Church in Cranbrook,
have been involved with WYFC for many years including running
a summer camp for eleven years. “Summer camp is what the young
people value most of all” explains Sharron. “Camp provides a safe
place where young people can talk about issues and their faith in
the company of good friends. It provides the time and space for
meaningful conversations that make a real difference to the young
people’s lives.”
Around 50 young people aged 8-18 attend the annual summer
camp in August and around 20 teenagers attend the 3 day teen-camp
which takes place immediately before. Participants are drawn from the
local rural community; most young people are not church goers.
Lasting six days, the young people enjoy games, sport, swimming,
art and worship, in the beautiful grounds of The Oasts Christian
Conference Centre in Northiam, provided generously by the owners
8
Chris and Georgie Wates.
It is clear how rewarding camp is for the leaders and volunteers as
Dennis explains: “We get our energy from seeing our young people
journey in faith. Some make a decision to become Christians, for
others, the steps are smaller, but equally rewarding.”
Camp not only has a positive affect on the children, but also
sometimes on the parents. “Some parents have been brought to faith
and go to church now as they have seen a change in their children who
have attended camp” explains Sharron.
WYFC works hard to create tomorrow’s leaders as Sharron explains:
“We have a passion to release our young people into leadership. God
has been very gracious by helping us to grow our own leaders and
many come back from college and university to volunteer on camp
each year.
“Camp provides the time and space for
meaningful conversations that make a real
difference to the young people’s lives.”
Sharron Coburn, Centre Director, WYFC
Gemma, who is 18, attended camp from the age of 8 when
her parents saw it advertised in a local paper. After several years
volunteering as a young leader, Gemma now takes the responsibility
of an adult leader: “At camp we achieve the balance of informing our
young people without forcing Christianity on anyone. It is fun and
friendly and we all love it!”
children come to me”..
Nigel Collins (right) with children at Jesus Mess and Biscuits.
Cross Links Dover
Jesus, Mess and Biscuits
For Nigel Collins, the team leader of Cross Links Dover, a community
church project, the best way of engaging with children and young
people is by getting to know them through activities in schools,
weekend and holiday clubs: “All these help to build relationships with
the children and young people and their parents.”
Nigel goes on: “As a follower of Jesus I am trying to be more like
him and so, I hope that in some small way, I am showing them Jesus
through the way I relate to them. We can show children that God is
good and we (Christians) are okay!”
A fresh expression of church based in Buckland, Dover, Cross Links
works with people of all ages in the local community. An example of
its work with children is an after school club called Jesus, Mess and
Biscuits which has been running as a joint venture with Green Park
Community Primary School in Buckland for just over two years.
Aimed at children aged 5-11 years who do not attend church, the
weekly sessions include a snack, an activity linking to the teaching of
Christ, story and prayer time.
Nigel, who is also a Reader, explained why Jesus, Mess and Biscuits
is so popular: “The children love the messy craft and cooking activities
a lot. There is a great sense of openness to the Christian message, and
the teachers that help run Jesus, Mess and Biscuits are very open about
their own personal faith. I think this helps to break down any fear or
suspicion that might otherwise have existed.”
Head Teacher of Green Park Community Primary School, Richard
Hawkins is a big fan of the club: “Jesus, Mess and Biscuits is fantastic.
As a Christian myself I am keen that children are given the opportunity
to learn more about Christianity. The club has earned a reputation for
being so much fun, that it is now our most popular after school club.”
“As Jesus, Mess and Biscuits has evolved,
I would say that in many ways it has
become ‘church’ in its own right for those
that attend”
Nigel Collins, team leader, Cross Links Dover
The project helps create links to church and other services at Cross
Links: “Quite a few from Jesus, Mess and Biscuits attend our children’s
clubs and a couple of children have begun coming to our monthly
Messy Church with their parent” explains Nigel. “As Jesus, Mess and
Biscuits has evolved, I would say that in many ways it has become
‘church’ in its own right for those that attend, which is around 30 a
week.”
What do the children think? Shea, a lively young lad of 6 years who
is sad Jesus, Mess and Biscuits will stop for the summer holidays sums
it up by saying: “I just can’t wait to start Jesus, Mess and Biscuits again
in September!”
For more information or to support or become
a volunteer with the projects:
Weald Youth for Christ
Cross Links Dover
Website: www.wealdyfc.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01580 242835
Website: www.cross-links.org.uk
Email: [email protected].
Tel: 01304 827859
9
2010/11 Poverty and Hope Appeal
Project: Antananarivo orphanage
and ‘Akany Tafita’ outreach project.
Partner: Diocease of Madagascar.
Help provide a loving family home
for orphans and an outreach project
for children in Antananarivo,
Madagascar so that these young
children may learn work skills to help
them become self-sufficient.
The 2010/11 Poverty and Hope
appeal will support five projects
that help children and young
people across the world
Poverty and
Hope Director,
Ali Duguid,
writes . . .
We can
make a real
difference to
children and
young people
who are weary
and powerless, through this year’s
Poverty and Hope appeal.
Together we can help young girls in
North India receive a free education,
and we can provide a loving
home and education to orphans in
Madagascar. We can support street
children in Brazil so that they no
longer need to scrounge from dumps
and we can help young women
in Afghanistan become literate so
that they can rise out of poverty.
In Kent we can support education
programmes so that our children and
young people can take action locally
for a more just and sustainable
world.
Please encourage your church,
school, workplace, friends and family
to give generously to the 2010/11
Poverty and Hope Appeal. Please
also pray for the projects, trusting in
the Lord that the weak, weary and
powerless will be empowered and
renewed.
10
Project: STARS women’s literacy
programme.
Partner: Christian Aid
Support young women in Afghanistan
to read and write so that young
women can break free from poverty
and repression.
Photo: USPG
“Strength to the weary, power to the weak”
Project: Mission Girls’ Hostel.
Partner: USPG
Help provide free education for
underprivileged girls in Khariar,
North India, so that girls like Smruthi
(pictured) can gain an education and
support their family and community.
Project: Global Learning in Kent.
Partner: Commonwork
Support children and young people
in Kent schools to explore global
challenges such as poverty, injustice
and climate change, helping them
take action locally for a more just and
sustainable world.
Project: ‘My Father’s House’.
Partner: CMS
Support street children in Olinda,
Brazil by providing help, spiritual
guidance and security for children
so that they no longer need to suffer
abuse or scrounge from dumps.
Poverty and Hope leaflets and
posters will be in churches from
early September. Alternatively
you can find out more at:
www.canterburydiocese.org/
povertyandhope, where you can
also order resources or make an
online donation.
St Martin’s Big Street Party
A ‘Big Street Party’ aimed at engaging the local community was held
by St Martin’s, Maidstone in July. Over 100 people including the
Lord Mayor of Maidstone attended the event, which took place in
Northumberland Road.
The Big Street Party was one of a series of events organised by the
church to promote engagement with the local community. Duncan
Hagan, Parish Press Officer explained: “There was a wish to send
out a welcome message to the parishes we serve; Shepway, Senacre,
Mangravet and parts of the Parkwood area of Maidstone; to welcome
all into the life of their local church.”
The party, which was held in front
of the church, attracted people of
all ages. The Mayor of Maidstone,
Cllr Eric Hotson, opened the event
and commented that the occasion
was a very important event for the
community which the attendees would
remember for the rest of their lives.
Stalls behind the church helped
provide entertainment and interest and
children were treated to games, face painting and ice creams.
The afternoon was rounded off with community singing supported by
a local group called Energize, led by the dynamic Kristin.
Mr Hagan concluded: “The aim of the street party was to give
something to the community from St Martin’s and in this respect it was
a generous helping of food, fun and camaraderie.”
St Martin’s Church supports the local community with parenting
groups, kids clubs, coffee mornings and dances.
It runs a friendship club and book group, plus café church and study
groups, Sunday school and summer holiday camps.
More info at: www.stmartinsmaidstone.org.uk
“There was a
wish to send
out a welcome
message to the
parishes we
serve”
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11
What’s on in the Diocese
Saturday, September 11th 2010
Churches ‘Ride
and Stride’
Hundreds of people across Kent will get on their bikes or put on
their walking shoes to raise funds for churches and chapels in the
area on Saturday September 11th. The Friends of Kent Churches
sponsored ‘Ride and Stride’ invites participants to collect
sponsorship and visit as many churches as they like from the
750 taking part, between the hours of 10am and 6pm.
Go on, have a go!
Why not participate and raise money for your church. Sponsor
forms, and a list of all the churches which will be open are
available from your church or from Carolyn Millen on 01622
843383 or check the website: www.friendsofkentchurches.co.uk
The Hambridge Family outside St Nicholas Otham in 2009.
Thursday 9 September
Davington Priory Church, Faversham
9.30am - 3.30pm. A Quiet Day for rest and reflection. Lunch included.
Booking enquiries to: Roz Graham 01795 538079
Saturday 2 October
St Peter’s-in-Thanet
7.30pm. Concert with The King’s School Crypt Choir. Tickets £7. Details
from: e-mail [email protected]
Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 September
All Saints’ Church Graveney
10am - 4pm. Photo exhibition with refreshments. For more information
contact Val: 01795 537778
Saturday 2 October
St Peter’s Methodist Church, Canterbury
7.30pm. Christian Aid concert: The Galliard Trio. Programmes £10
(Students £5) from B. Golding 01227 470151 or email to:
[email protected]
Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 September
St Peter’s Church, Oare
10am - 4.30pm. Flower Festival – Theme ‘Beauty of the Earth’
Sunday 12 September
Eastling Church, Nr. Faversham
10.30am. Service of Healing. Info from the Rectory: 01795 890487
healingandwholenessteam@gmail
Saturday 18 September
St Clement’s Church, Sandwich
7.30pm. Organ concert with Stephen Cleobury. Tickets priced at £7 (with
concessions). Contact Julian Sampson: 01227 721697
Friday 24 September
Godmersham Church
7.30pm. ‘John Ward, Artist Remembered’ by his sons Will, George and
Toby, in conversation with Mike Field. For tickets (£10) or information,
contact the Secretary, Roz Field, on 01233 812423 email to:
[email protected]
Saturday 9 October
Saltwood Village Hall
10am - 12 noon. Autumn Fair for Saltwood Parish Church. Variety of stalls.
Wednesday 13 October
Gulbenkian Theatre, Canterbury
7.30pm. Men’s Evening with Jonathan Aitken. Tickets £7 including
wine and canapés. Details from Thomas Collett-White email:
[email protected]
Saturday 30 October
St Nicholas-at-Wade Church
10am to 3pm. Charity Day. Free entry.
Thusday 23 and Friday 24 December
Canterbury Cathedral Carol Concerts
Thursday 7.30pm – un-ticketed event. Friday 3pm – by ticket only.
Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 September
St Michael and All Angels, Marden
10am to 5pm Saturday and 12 noon to 5pm Sunday. Flower Festival.
Contact: Revd James Robertson, Tel: 01622 831890
Those living in Canterbury Diocese may apply
for free tickets for the Christmas Eve Carol
Service. The applications process for members
of Canterbury Diocese will open on the Friday
1st October and will be extended to the general
public in early November.
Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 September
St John the Baptist, Mersham near Ashford
10am to 5pm Saturday and 11am to 5pm Sunday. Flower Festival –
‘All God’s Gifts’. Lunches and teas available.
Anyone wishing to attend the Christmas Eve
Carol Service should write stating contact
details, number of tickets required (max 4 per
application), including an SAE to:
Friday 25 to Sunday 27 September
St Margaret’s Church, Bethersden
Flower Festival called ‘WOOD You Believe It’.
Mrs. J Prebble, Cathedral House,
11 The Precincts, Canterbury, CT1 2EH.
Tickets will be sent out mid December.
For a full list of events in the parishes visit
www.canterburydiocese.org/whatson/parish
12
To receive a full list of parish events by post, please send an A5, self- addressed
envelope (with large letter stamp) to: What’s On, Diocesan House, Lady Wootton’s
Green, Canterbury CT1 1NQ
Cathedral Open Evening
offers musical treat
Canterbury Cathedral’s free annual
Open Evening will take place this year
on Tuesday 5th of October 2010 from
5.30pm to 9.00pm.
With a theme of ‘Music and Choristers of
Canterbury Cathedral’, the event includes
reflections from choristers past and present
about their life at the Cathedral.
The Nave and Quire will also be packed
with exhibits, displays and demonstrations
from many of the skilled and talented
departments at the Cathedral.
The evening starts at 5.30pm with
choral evensong followed by displays
and activities and a performance by the
choristers at 8.40pm and finishes at 9pm
with Compline.
Christopher Robinson, Press Officer for
Canterbury Cathedral, said: “We hope
that the residents of Kent will take this
opportunity to pop in and find out more
about their Cathedral. The free Open
Evening really caters for all the family and
we invite one and all to attend.”
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MAKING DISCIPLES IN 2011
continuing to grow, exploring
and experiencing that life-giving
faith in Jesus Christ. It is about
living a lifestyle that Jesus
advocated.
What can we learn from
Jesus’ twelve disciples?
Bishop Trevor invites the whole
Diocese to engage in a year
of discipleship from Lent 2011
through to Pentecost in 2012.
Outlook asked Bishop Trevor
how modern day churchgoers can see themselves as
disciples.
What does it take to be
a disciple in the modern
world?
All Christians, wherever they are
on their journey of faith, can learn
more about being disciples of
Christ. Disciple means ‘pupil’ and
discipleship is all about learning,
Jesus’ twelve disciples were
extraordinary people who
dropped everything to learn from
and support Jesus with his
ministry. The gospels show us
that time and time again the
disciples were utterly mystified
about their calling and often
questioned if they were prepared
and ready for all that lay ahead of
them.
After Jesus’ death they were
responsible for spreading
Christianity – not bad for a group
of humble fishermen, labourers
and officials.
Most of us will not be called
in such an extreme way, but if we
are to be faithful Christians we
should be able, as St Paul says, to
give account of ourselves to the
world which we seek to serve, in
Christ’s name.
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How will a year of
discipleship make a
difference?
As I went around the deaneries
earlier this year, I sensed that
discipleship is one of those
critical areas of our common life
which we need to strengthen if
we are to grow the Church.
The year of discipleship will
involve churches choosing
learning activities that make us
more confident in our faith. By
strengthening discipleship, each
of us will be better placed to serve
the communities in which we
live. Together we can demonstrate
God’s love for the world and help
bring others to faith. We will then
be in a stronger position to
answer Jesus’ call to ‘go and make
disciples’.
How will we prepare for the
year of discipleship?
The planning group is working
on three potential ways:
1) On Saturday 27 November
there will be a discipleship
consultation in the chapel of
Christ Church University from
9.30am to 12.30pm.
We will be inviting the Diocese to
share existing good practice and
explore how the year of
discipleship might help grow the
church.
2) A framework for a 2011 Lent
course will be made available for
churches to use.
3) The days between Ascension
and Pentecost, traditionally, the
days of waiting in prayer, will, I
hope, provide us with an
opportunity to pray together as a
Diocese for our common life.
Churches are encouraged to
explore the wealth of resources
available which helps people grow
in faith and make us the people of
God here. Throughout the year I
look forward to learning from
and sharing our stories of faith.
How can we find out more?
More information about the year
of discipleship will be available
soon but in the meantime, please
do share your thoughts with me
or with Peter Ingrams our Local
Ministries Officer:
[email protected] or
01227 459401.
TALKING POINT PETER WILLIAMS
CHANGING CHURCHES FOR COMMUNITY
USE IS NOT NECESSARILY BAD NEWS
The BBC news release on Friday,
June 11 was succinct and
informative: “Plans to transform
a Victorian church into an arts
venue have been approved.” The
church in question is St Mary’s,
Ashford and the Church of
England’s planning body had
agreed, in the teeth of opposition
from the Victorian Society, to
alterations that would allow 350
people to attend cultural events in
St Mary’s. The church would
continue to serve its congregation
as a place of worship. “Building
work will start next month.” The
message ends.
Now there are two ways of
looking at this news release. The
first is that the mission of yet
another church is to be altered,
with its historic importance “lost
to further generations” to quote
the Victorian Society. As Fraser,
the lugubrious Scotsman in Dad’s
Army would have commented:
“We’re doomed; we’re all
doomed.”
“THE REALITY IS THAT
THE CHURCH OF
ENGLAND HAS TOO
MANY CHURCHES”
I don’t know the parishioners
at St Mary’s but, because this will
have been a carefully-considered
decision, no doubt some will have
taken this view. Yet, even if
Mammon is elbowing his (or her)
way into a sacred space, bad news
is seldom all bad.
There used to be a slogan on
every tin of Tate and Lyle Golden
Syrup. There was a picture of a
poor old lion who’d seen better
days, inert, and very obviously
dead. A swarm of bees had found
a home in its carcass and the
legend read: “Out of the strong
came forth sweetness.” This used
to intrigue me, not so much
because of the biblical message
but because I thought the
judgment on the lion less than
fair.
It had my sympathy. This
magnificent creature deserved
more than the role of a mere
receptacle. Bees, on the other
hand, could be both predatory
RE
T
N L
E
C SA
S PO
T
AR PRO
and painful, particularly to
anyone wearing short trousers.
Buried in the City pages
recently, was the news that Tate
and Lyle were changing their
corporate structure. The British
sugar division was being sold off
to an American competitor so
that Tate and Lyle could
concentrate on other, less highprofile aspects of their business.
Perhaps the Golden Syrup of my
childhood will also disappear.
But, if that is the case, I will
never forget the legend that was
on every one of the tins - the
mangy old lion and the swarm
of vigorous, productive bees.
Change is always disturbing.
Change for change’s sake is
irrational. But change which
opens minds to new possibilities
can refresh communities. The
reality is that the Church of
England has too many churches.
Many are beautiful but all are
expensive to maintain. Their
maintenance can obsess a
congregation and divert finite
energy away from reaching out
into their communities. What
has happened at Ashford, and
the solution that the
parishioners have found, is an
example of the constructive
thinking which is necessary if
this country isn’t to be deafened
by the slamming of a thousand
church doors.
One of the most popular
aspects of the annual
Canterbury Festival, which I
chaired for 21 years, is the
Festival Club. It is housed in
what used to be St Alphege
Church, located just outside the
walls of the Cathedral and much
enjoyed by thousands of festivalsgoers every October. Initially,
St Alphege was used as the City’s
Urban Studies Centre. Now, it is
occupied and preserved by the
King’s School and used as a place
of learning. I like to think that the
monks, who originally built and
dedicated this holy place to the
memory of St Alphege, would
approve of all the community
activities which this great old
building has accommodated over
the past 30 years.
For day to day this building is
alive with the music and the
debate and the laughter that are
part of its several and varied uses.
And, after all, those are three of
the most important qualities that
the arts and Christianity
fundamentally share. Or they
should be.
Peter Williams is President of the
Canterbury Festival and Chairs
the campaign to build the new
1200-seat Marlowe Theatre, in
the heart of Canterbury.
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15
MEET THE PEOPLE
Miriam Oliver
Miriam Oliver, 30, a volunteer youth worker with the G7 Group of Parishes*, loves flying in planes and hot air balloons,
has been part of the Free Church and Baptist Church and is classed by her friends as one of the most ‘normal’ Christians
they know. Emily Shepherd went to find out more . . .
I hear you always wanted to be a
missionary?
Yes. As I loved aeroplanes I wanted to
work for the Mission Aviation Fellowship,
but as I grew up, I became more
interested in becoming a missionary on
the doorstep. In some ways it is more
challenging to show people in this
country, who don’t want for anything,
that there is a gap in their lives.
for me. I felt called home but there was
nothing for me – work was sparse and
I wasn’t really attending church
regularly. I was pining for Canada and
suffered depression. I eventually
returned to Calgary for three months
in June 2009 to close things off.
You came back to the UK and also
back to church?
I came back for good in September
2009 and started thinking about
finding a church. I heard that Charing
Church had just completed a 24 hour
prayer vigil and that they were running
a special Back to Church service with
bacon sarnies and coffee. This was my
kind of church!
At this service I met some people
who persuaded me to attend the
9.30am service the following week.
They said they would wait for me and
that was just what I needed. I
immediately felt at home. I now run
the G7Teen youth group (for 11-16
year olds) and in January I started a
group for 17-21 year olds.
Have you always had faith?
My grandfather was Pastor of Egerton
Free Church and I grew up in that
church, eventually becoming a Sunday
school teacher. My faith has always been
about serving others.
During my twenties there were some
off-the-road patches. It wasn’t that I
questioned God, but I wanted to live a bit;
I didn’t want to be seen as a sandal
wearing, dull Christian.
When did your interest in flying start?
My mum said I was drawing pictures of
planes from the age of three. I grew up
near Headcorn airfield and loved seeing
them fly overhead. Whilst I studied for
my English degree at Christ Church, I worked part time as an engineer
in the hangar and my first job after university was with a hot air
ballooning company, Skybus Ballooning. At the weekends I worked in
the bar in exchange for flying hours. I also won a ballooning
scholarship, although I never quite gained my balloonist’s license.
Has flying strengthened your faith?
Flying is such a beautiful thing and God really speaks to me through it.
You realise how small you are and how big the world is. In life you
never fly solo as God is always in the right hand seat guiding you
through the turbulence.
Will you be inviting someone to Back to Church Sunday?
I intend to invite a woman I know, who was raised in the church but
who is not now a church goer. She recently went through a difficult
time when a family member was gravely ill. We talked about faith and
we both prayed and her relative recovered.
People are much more open to faith than we think. People love the
idea that you have faith and feel deeply touched when they know they
are prayed for.
Do you now class
yourself as Anglican?
I feel denomination does
not define me; I have faith
not religion. But the
Anglican Church really
supported me at a time
when I didn’t know what
to pray. The liturgy
carried me, prayed for
me. I suddenly saw how
powerfully God was
moving within the
Anglican Church.
Why did you go to Canada?
Following a five week family holiday in Canada when I was six, Canada
has always been my Narnia, a special and enchanting place, so I was
delighted to spend nearly three years there in my late twenties.
I joined a Baptist Church in Calgary and worked with young people
and was part of the pastoral care team and was even involved in
baptising adults. Despite being a larger church, it created a strong sense
of extended family, which I found very powerful.
Whilst in Canada I worked for a Christian Bookshop in Calgary but
sadly the business closed during the economic downturn of 2008.
I returned to the UK in 2008 but this was a huge wilderness time
* G7 is a group of parishes including Charing, Charing Heath, Egerton, Hothfield, Little Chart, Pluckley and Westwell.
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