Bob Atkins - Metropolitan Police Authority Treasurer PAGE 20 Martyn Percy on Rublev’s Trinity News Door Post Voting - why it matters PAGES 10 and 11 Feature God in the Life of Reflection Call to action: Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd John Pritchard, is pictured with local clergy outside Oxford’s New Road Baptist Church, raising awareness of the plight of those who have no access to water or sanitation as Christian Aid Week approaches. For the full story, see page three. PAGE 2 By Jo Duckles
Reflection Martyn Percy on Rublev’s Trinity PAGE 2 News Getting in the zone in Great Missenden ‘Lord, bless this pub’ PAGE 5 Feature Voting - why it matters PAGES 10 and 11 Door Post What’s on around the Diocese PAGE 13 Comment Two teenagers describe their views on voting for the first time PAGE 19 God in the Life of Bob Atkins - Metropolitan Police Authority Treasurer PAGE 20 Inside: Reporting from Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire www.oxford.anglican.org May 2010 No. 213 Making your vote count Win a family ticket to New Wine - see page seven CHRISTIANS are being called on to make their voices heard in the General Election. As churches across Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire organise hustings, Bishop John has sent out a pastoral letter to clergy, outlining some of the issues Christians might want to consider. “The gap between the richest and poorest in society is still widening and therefore we must be alert to policies which endan- ger those struggling with debt or unemployment,” he wrote. “If Christians are following their Lord they will give a voice to the voiceless who carry little clout politically and are not organised to make an impact on political agendas. Fair treatment for asylum seekers is part of this – and isn’t ‘sanctuary’ a better term to use than ‘asylum’?” He said: “When politicians speak from the heart about the alleviation of global poverty I am always impressed. If they came into politics because of a concern for justice, they will be sharing many agendas with the Church.” Bishop John said he wanted to reaffirm the political process. “Everyone has been demoralised by the scandals about MPs’ expenses – not least MPs them- selves. He said that while there was serious work to be done in repentance and reform, no one was helped by cynicism. He added: “Not many of the constituencies in the Diocese of Oxford are marginals and there- fore key battle grounds for the election, but our concern is a deeper one and that is to have people we trust and respect representing us in Parliament. We will be voting for a person as well as for a government. May God give us the integrity and wisdom we will be asking of them.” The Revd Glyn Evans, Diocesan Rural Officer, has produced a paper, encouraging rural congregations to engage with the issues. He states: “According to a recent survey by the Commission for Rural Communities, 48 per cent of rural people feel that policy makers ignore the needs of their local area. Rural Christians have a voice which they can use on behalf of rural communities and the work of rural churches.” Approximately 40 per cent of the population of Oxfordshire, 35 per cent of Buckinghamshire, 11 per cent of Milton Keynes and 21 per cent of Berkshire are clas- sified as rural communities. See ruralofficerdiooxford.blogspot .com/ for more information. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 By Jo Duckles How many clergy can you f it in a portaloo? Call to action: Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd John Pritchard, is pictured with local clergy outside Oxford’s New Road Baptist Church, raising awareness of the plight of those who have no access to water or sanitation as Christian Aid Week approaches. For the full story, see page three. Pic by KT Bruce
Transcript
ReflectionMartyn Percy on Rublev’sTrinity
PAGE 2
NewsGetting in the zone inGreat Missenden
‘Lord, bless this pub’
PAGE 5
FeatureVoting - why it mattersPAGES 10 and 11
Door PostWhat’s on around the DiocesePAGE 13
CommentTwo teenagers describetheir views on voting forthe first timePAGE 19
God in the Life ofBob Atkins - MetropolitanPolice Authority Treasurer
PAGE 20
Inside:Reporting from Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire www.oxford.anglican.org May 2010 No. 213
Making yourvote count
Win a family ticket to NewWine - see page seven
CHRISTIANS are being called onto make their voices heard in theGeneral Election.
As churches acrossOxfordshire, Berkshire andBuckinghamshire organise hustings, Bishop John has sentout a pastoral letter to clergy,outlining some of the issuesChristians might want to consider.
“The gap between the richestand poorest in society is stillwidening and therefore we mustbe alert to policies which endan-ger those struggling with debt orunemployment,” he wrote. “IfChristians are following theirLord they will give a voice to thevoiceless who carry little cloutpolitically and are not organisedto make an impact on politicalagendas. Fair treatment for asylum seekers is part of this –and isn’t ‘sanctuary’ a betterterm to use than ‘asylum’?”
He said: “When politiciansspeak from the heart about thealleviation of global poverty I amalways impressed. If they cameinto politics because of a concern for justice, they will besharing many agendas with theChurch.”
Bishop John said he wanted toreaffirm the political process.“Everyone has been demoralisedby the scandals about MPs’
expenses – not least MPs them-selves. He said that while therewas serious work to be done inrepentance and reform, no onewas helped by cynicism.
He added: “Not many of theconstituencies in the Diocese ofOxford are marginals and there-fore key battle grounds for theelection, but our concern is adeeper one and that is to havepeople we trust and respect representing us in Parliament.We will be voting for a person aswell as for a government. MayGod give us the integrity and wisdomwe will be asking of them.”
The Revd Glyn Evans,Diocesan Rural Officer, has produced a paper, encouragingrural congregations to engagewith the issues. He states:“According to a recent survey bythe Commission for RuralCommunities, 48 per cent ofrural people feel that policymakers ignore the needs of theirlocal area. Rural Christians havea voice which they can use onbehalf of rural communities andthe work of rural churches.”Approximately 40 per cent ofthe population of Oxfordshire,35 per cent of Buckinghamshire,11 per cent of Milton Keynes and21 per cent of Berkshire are clas-sified as rural communities. See
ruralofficerdiooxford.blogspot.com/ for more information.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
By Jo Duckles
How many clergy can you f itin a portaloo?
Call to action: Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd JohnPritchard, is pictured with local clergy outside Oxford’s NewRoad Baptist Church, raising awareness of the plight ofthose who have no access to water or sanitation as ChristianAid Week approaches.For the full story, see page three.
Pic by KT Bruce
theDoor MAY 20102
Prayer & reflection
There is nothing in scripturethat explicitly links together,in the phrase of the song-writer Don Maclean, ‘thethree men I admire the most,
the Father Son and Holy Ghost’. TheChristian doctrine of the Trinity wasarrived at slowly and painfully over a 400year period.
Here was something that was glimpsedby the first generation of Christians, butonly dimly. The Trinity is one of the cor-nerstones of Christian faith – yet theword never appears in the Bible.However, the scantiness of scriptures onthe subject of the Trinity is an importantkey in coming to terms with the truth ofthe Trinity. For the true and deepChristian response to the mystery of theTrinity is not theology or philosophy, butworship. The complexity of the doctrinepoints beyond itself. God cannot beseen; his nature is hidden; truth is onlydimly perceived.
And this is what we see in Rublev’s pow-erful ikon. Entitled The Hospitality ofAbraham, it was painted in the early 15thcentury, at a time when it was forbiddento portray any divine image. So AndrejRublev painted a picture, apparently, ofAbraham entertaining the angelicstrangers who are featured in Genesis 18:1-15. But the picture is clearly not that; itis a representation of the Father, Son andHoly Spirit, and the clues are all there.All three characters wear blue robes – thecolour that symbolises divinity. They sitaround a table, but in a circle. All threehold staffs, symbolising their divine
authority. All three sit in a kind of 'opencircle'.
The Father is to the left, and behindhim the ‘many rooms’ of his house John.14: 2). He is also the most mysterious ofthe three characters – his divinity (repre-sented by the blue robe) more shrouded
than the others. He appears to be look-ing directly at the figure on the far right.
Jesus sits at the centre of the table. Weknow it is Jesus, because his gaze is on thefather; he is ‘robed’ in divinity (blue); thefingers of his right hand bless the chaliceof wine at the table, and the tree behind
him is a reference to both Calvary andthe tree of life.
The Holy Spirit is furthest to the right,and behind him are rocks springing withwater – symbolising both baptism and theSpirit. His eyes gaze past the chalice tothe curious rectangle that is just visibleon the side of the table, and with a crudebed drawn inside it.
So what is this curious rectangularspace that Rublev has drawn, in the cen-tre of his ikon? It is in fact a vacant cata-comb; a grave. He is saying to the viewer,you have a place at table with God, in lifeand in death. This is your reserved spaceto eat and drink with God, Christ and theSpirit. Indeed, the Spirit will raise you tolife (which is why the grave is empty).
Casual viewers would never see thismeaning in the ikon. But it is there if youlook carefully and prayerfully. This is adeep and profound invitation to com-munion with God; to feast at the table ofthe Trinity in the Eucharist.
And when you begin to glimpse thetruths in this picture, they start to changenot only how you live your life, and howyou prepare for death; but how you wor-ship now. Here Rublev tells us that weshall all enter into the mystery of theTrinity in the end. In the meantime, letus put all conceptualisation and theologyof the Trinity to one side, just for themoment. And come, let us worship.Revd Canon Professor Martyn Percy isPrincipal of Ripon College, Cuddesdon andthe Oxford Ministry Course.
May prayer diary compiled by John Manley The following is for guidance only. Please feel free to adapt to local conditions and, if you wish, produce your own deanery prayer diaries.
Entering the mysteryAs Pentecost approachesMartyn Percy reflects on themystery portrayed in Rublev’sThe Trinity.
SSUUNNDDAAYY 22 Reading deanery: area dean Brian Shenton, laychair Peter Jeal, secretary Sue Nallon, treasurer Joan Walker,ecumenical representative Owen Jewiss, associate clergy ColinBass. The people, wardens, PCCs and support staff of thedeanery. The election of new members of parliament, county,district and local councillors.
SSUUNNDDAAYY 99 The Oxford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringersholding their AGM on Saturday; the Anglican Church of Korea,presiding bishop Solomon Jongmo Yoon.
SSUUNNDDAAYY 1166 Youth ministry adviser Ian MacDonald. Authorisedlay ministry, director of studies Keith Beech-Gruneberg. Licensedlay ministry adviser Sheila Lloyd. The episcopal visitation for clergyand churchwardens in Claydon deanery.
SSUUNNDDAAYY 2233 The bishop of the diocese, John Pritchard; thearea bishops Colin Fletcher, Stephen Cottrell (bishop-elect ofChelmsford), Alan Wilson; archdeacons Julian Hubbard, NormanRussell, Karen Gorham.
SSUUNNDDAAYY 3300 Claydon deanery: area dean David Hiscock, laychair Geoff Strutt, secretary Linda Storey & her family, treasurerTerry Capstick & his family, ecumenical representative Lorna Piper.Those preparing for the annual deanery service in June. Theplanning group for the deanery church stand at the Bucks countyshow in August. Confirmands and the ongoing nurture of theirchurches. The joint stewardship support group for parishes inconjunction with Buckingham and Mursley deaneries. The Churchof the Province of Melanesia.
Prayer to the Father through the Son inthe power of the Spirit for:SSaatt 11 Reading deaf church: clergyRoger Williams.
MMoonn 33 Caversham St Andrew: clergyNigel Jones, Caroline Wilson.
TTuuee 44 Caversham St Peter &Mapledurham St Margaret: clergy DanTyndall, Keith Knee-Robinson, AlveenThoresen; LLM Marion Pyke.
WWeedd 55 Caversham St John: clergyJeremy Tear.
TThhuu 66 Earley St Nicolas: clergy NeilWarwick, Maureen Devine, David Webster.
FFrrii 77 Earley St Peter: clergy DerekSpears, Maggie Thorne; LLM Roy Baxter.Earley St Peter (VA) School.
MMoonn 1177 Reading St Agnes with St Paul& St Barnabas: clergy Vernon Orr, EveHoughton, Eddie Orme; LLM ChristineOrme.
TTuuee 1188 Reading St Giles
WWeedd 1199 Reading St John theEvangelist: clergy Vincent Gardner,Suzanne Knight, Ali Marshall, Nick Benson;Richard Croft, Peter Marshall, JeremyThake, Don Mason. Reading St John’s (VA)School.TThhuu 2200 Reading St Mary with StLaurence: clergy Brian Shenton, ChrisRussell, Matt Stevens; youth work directorChristopher West.
FFrrii 2211 Reading St Luke with StBartholemew: clergy Nigel Hardcastle,Richard Christopher, Brian Blackman,Christine Blackman; LLM June Hardcastle.
SSaatt 2222 Reading St Matthew: clergyJohn Hudson.
MMoonn 2244 Tilehurst St Catherine &Calcot St Birinus (including theCornwell Community Church): clergyDenis Smith, Lorraine Colam; LLMs TonyBarltlett, Michael Heather.
TTuuee 2255 Tilehurst St George & TilehurstSt Mary Magdalen: clergy Adam Carlill,Michael Oke, Duncan White, Peter Grosse.
WWeedd 2266 Tilehurst St Michael: clergyJohn Rogers; LLM Don Wark.
TThhuu 2277 Woodley group: clergy EddieMarquez, Moira Austin, Tim Austin, SeanRiordan; LLMs Susan Walters, DavidFulford, Michael Patterson; youth pastorIan Mullens. Woodley (VC) School.
SSaatt 2299 The Claydons & Swan team:clergy David Hiscock, Peter Knight, AngelaMann, Kay Peck. Marsh Gibbon(VA),Twyford (VC) Schools.
MMoonn 3311 Winslow with Great Horwoodand Addington: clergy Belinda Searle-Barnes, Geoffrey Ball, Ann Harwood.Winslow (VC), Great Horwood (VC)Schools.
SundaysDivided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tonguerested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit andbegan to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.(Acts 2:3,4 NRSV)
‘This is a deep and profound
invitation to communion
with God.’
The Holy Trinity, 1420s (tempera on panel) by Rublev, Andrei (c.1370-1430) Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow, Russia/ The Bridgeman Art Library
3theDoor MAY 2010
Love OxfordTHOUSANDS of people willflock to Oxford’s South Park forLove Oxford on 23 May.The event kicks off with a family
warm-up at 10.30am before themain service at 11am. There willbe a family picnic in the parkafterwards. In the afternoon aVertigo youth event takes place,before a 7pm evening celebration, led by John Arnott,of the Vineyard movement.
Earthing faithTHE Diocese of Oxford haslaunched its new Earthing Faithwebsite.
The site provides a space toshare ideas and experiencesaround the environment. Helpingus be creative and collaborativein our response to spirituality andfaith, and our engagement withthe earth.
Celebrating our diversity andexperience, the website hopes tospark ideas and connect youwith other peoples experiencesand stories; as well as developconversations as you commenton what others have said andshare your own story. Togetherhelping develop a personal andspiritual transformation throughour engagement with the eartharound us.
See www.earthingfaith.org tofind out more.
.
General SynodA campaign has been launchedto find people who will stand forelection to the next GeneralSynod in the Autumn.
The Synod is the body thatgoverns the Church of Englandand has 378 lay and clergymembers. Archbishop of Canter-bury, Dr Rowan Williams, said:“Any healthy and mature churchis a church where everyone feelsthey have a voice. Synod needsyour voice because we need allthe voices together to discoverthe truth thtat God wants us toknow for our generation, society,sanctification and our ownhealth.
To find out more visitwww.generalsynodelections.org.
Rural trainingFREE Rural Mission training isset to start in Wash Common,Newbury this month.
The course comprises threeSaturday sessions, on May 8th,June 19th and a follow-up morning on November 13th. Thetraining is most effective if asmall parish group attends and ifthe same people can attend eachsession.
We will help you plan an eventwhich will work in your own context based on your existingchurch contacts. For more infor-mation contact Janet Russell [email protected] call 01865 208296.
NewsIN BRIEFMake your vote count
Christians in Politics haslaunched a Join the PartyCampaign encouragingChristians to influence the politi-cal system from the inside, asparty members, local councillorsand even MPs. For more infor-mation see www.christiansinpoli-tics.org.uk. The campaign waslaunched last month with videoclips of the main three party lead-ers, Gordon Brown, DavidCameron and Nick Clegg, andfrom the Archbishop of York, Dr
John Sentamu. Meanwhile the Archbishops of
Canterbury and York are set towrite to the UK’s political lead-ers, outlining the issues that areof particular concern toChristians.
See www.oxford.anglican.orgfor Bishop John’s letter, theArchbishop’s letter and otherelection related documents.
For more on why Christiansshould vote see the features on pages10 and 11 and comment on page 19.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
BISHOP of Reading, the Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, has been nomi-nated by the Queen as Bishop of Chelmsford.
Bishop Stephen (pictured above) was consecrated Bishop ofReading in 2004 and since then has had oversight of Berkshire’s 200Anglican parishes. He is also chair of Oxford Diocese’s Board ofEducation.
Bishop John said: Bishop Stephen has had a highly effective min-istry as Bishop of Reading. He has been widely loved and admired forhis bold evangelism, obvious prayerfulness and inspired communica-tion and will be hugely missed. We knew we’d lose him and are verygrateful for the time we have had. Chelmsford will find itself led withimagination, courage and a sense of fun. We wish Stephen and hisfamily much joy.”
BISHOP John was joined bychurch leaders from acrossOxford to raise awareness of thelack of clean water and sanitationin some of the poorest parts of theworld, ahead of Christian AidWeek (May 9 - 15).
He said: “I am delighted to betaking part in a pre-Christian AidWeek call to action once again. Itis shocking that in a world whereso many of us have so much,there are still millions of peopleliving in appalling slum condi-tions, without access to cleanwater or sanitation.
“It might seem comical to see aBishop and clergy crowding intoa portaloo, but we are makingthe serious point that so manypeople in poorer parts of theworld are denied the most basicservices that we all take for grant-ed.” More than 70 per cent ofAfrica’s urban population live inslum conditions.
Anne Owers, Chair ofChristian Aid, thankedChristians across Oxfordshire,
Berkshire andBuckinghamshire, who raisedmore than £521,000 last year.She said Chrisitan Aid existsbecause of the work of men andwomen in the UK expressingtheir solidarity with men andwomen in poorer countries. Shesaid: “It is a tangible response tothe Gospel commandment tobring good news to the poor:that things can and should bedifferent, and that we areresponsible for those we cannotsee and will never meet.
“That will be expressed, inChristian Aid week, in events,collections and services. It willshine through every envelopeand collection tin, every cakebaked and every prayer uttered.On behalf of all those whoselives are lifted by that Gospel ofhope, thank you for all you havedone and are doing.”
For more information aboutbecoming a Christian Aid Weekcollector, contact the regionaloffice on 01865 246818.
How many clergy can you f itin a portaloo?
Chelmsford beckons forBishop Stephen
Diocese welcomes newDirector of MissionTHE Revd Dr Michael Beasleyhas joined the Diocese of Oxfordas Director of Mission.
Michael, 41, started work atDiocesan Church House as thisedition of the Door was going topress. Previously he worked intwo roles – as Vice Principal ofWestcott House TheologicalCollege in Cambridge andDirector of a research groupfocussing on child health andeducation at the Department ofInfectious Disease Epidemiologyat Imperial College, London.
He is heading up theDepartment of Mission, whichwas formed when the Board ofStewardship, TrainingEvangelism and Ministry mergedwith the Board for SocialResponsibility.
Michael, who is married toLizzie, an assistant headteacher,said: “I’ve had a really lovely wel-come from the department. It’sgreat to be somewhere that’s so
upbeat and positive. I’ve beenbusy getting to know people inthe department and the workthat each of them does and I’mreally looking forward to gettingout and about in the diocese.”
Church re-opens after £550k upgrade
THE Bishop of Oxford has re-dedicated St James Church,Finchampstead following a £550,000 conservation project.The project on this ancient 12th century Grade 1 listed waspaid for with funds raised by the congregation and villagemembers. The largest single grant for the scheme was£15,000 from the local council.
The work included re-tiling the roofs and re-pointing thetower; new floors with enhanced disabled access; a newlighting scheme and sound system; replacement pews; re-plastering and redecoration - including a new ceiling in theLady Chapel; and a new fire detection and security system.The focus was on conservation and restoration, rather thanre-ordering. In the process an ancient tomb was discov-ered.
4 theDoor MAY 2010
DDrraayyttoonn’’ss hheerrooeessVILLAGE vicar, the Revd Josie Midwinter,who is planning to retire, was presentedwith an Unsung Heroes certificate during aceremony at Abingdon Guildhall.
Josie, Priest-in-Charge of St Peter’sDrayton, was awarded the certificate in theannual event organised by the Vale ofWhite Horse District Council, for her workin the community as well as her churchwork. This has included being a schoolgovernor, helping set up a youth club inDrayton and working with the uniformedorganisations.
Sheila Cook, also of St Peter’s, was alsogiven an award for services to the ParishCouncil and for the work she does visitingthe sick and lonely, along with Ann Webb,who runs the village hall.
RRaaiinn ttaaxx aabboolliisshheeddTHE controversial rain tax has been abolished by the Government.
The tax would have charged communityand faith groups for variable amounts ofsurface water drainage, depending on thesize of a building’s size. It was abolished inParliament with the passing of the Flood &Water Management Bill last month. The billmarks the success of DontDrainUs.org atwo-year national campaign launched bychurches and community groups, againstthe tax. Martin Dales of DontDrainUs.orgsaid: “This is good news for everyoneinvolved in community activities and evenmore relevant, with cross-party supportduring Parliament's appropriately termed‘wash-up’ period before Dissolution.”
theDoor MAY 2010
NewsIN BRIEF
5
A MOUNTAIN bike trail,climbing wall and streetdancing were all part of theZone Plus holiday club at StPeter and St Paul’s Church,Great Missenden,Buckinghamshire.
A mini-spa for the young-sters to get their nailsdone, a photographicworkshop, street art, dramaand bell ringing were allpart of the event. Youngermembers of the church ini-tiated and organised manyof the activities. Zone Plus attractedpeople aged 10 to 16 from across thearea including those who are not regularmembers of the congregation.
The four days of fun were inspired bythe Marlborough Abbey Skate Park – askate park inside an historic abbey. “Wethought ‘what a wonderful way to welcome youngsters into Church,’” saidHelen Biggerstaff, one of the organisers.Helen borrowed the cycle track (pictured above) from the cyclingcharity she works for.
David Harris, churchwarden, said: “Wewanted to have a range of different activities to attract as many youngsters aspossible and we were lucky to have
contacts at Urban Strides for the StreetDancing and Graffiti Peace for the streetart. The climbing wall came from theBuckinghamshire County Counciloutdoor centre at Green Park.”
Vicar, the Revd Rosie Harper,described the week as sensational. Shesaid: “New ways of being church can sooften end up being simply the old waysserved up in a new venue. Zone Plusinvites us to be more radical.”
Getting in the zone
@ONLINE
For more photographs visitwww.zoneplus.org.uk
Pics: Zone Plus
‘Lord bless this pub’VICAR of the Uffington Benefice inBerkshire, the Revd Rosanna Martin,recently perfomed an unusal duty thatwas certainly not in her job description.
Rosanna visited Michael Lowry andJanet Kirk, the new owners of the Fox &Hounds, the last remaining pub in thevillage. She held a short ceremony to bless the pub and all of its staff,which was followed by a champagne celebration.
The door of the pub featured as thefocal point for the blessing.
The blessing took place at Easter, asthe Archbishop of York, Dr JohnSentamu hit the headlines with calls forclergy to hold debates and discussions incommunity venues like the local pub, asa way of spreading the word.
The Uffington ceremony was held towish the pub every success in the smallvillage, where the church, the school,the pub and the village hall are theprime meeting points for the community.Rosanna said: “We wish the newlandlords every possible success andhappiness in the village. Given theauspicious start we are all certain theywill succeed.”
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theDoor MAY 20106
Spotlight on...High Wycombe
A TEAM of 12 chaplains is building rela-tionships with workers in the centre ofHigh Wycombe.
As the sparkly new Eden Centre pros-pers, other areas of the town have suf-fered in the credit crunch, with shopsclosing down. The Revd YvonneMurphy(right) leads the chaplains whoeach have a specific area of the town cen-tre. Yvonne is the only ordained ministeramong the chaplains, who come from allwalks of life. One is from a banking background, and his ‘patch’ is the banks andbuilding societies. “He knows who toapproach in the banks and how to workwith them, whereas the rest of us would-n’t necessarily,” says Yvonne, Team Vicarof St Mary and St George Church, High
Wycombe. “We do hope people fromother faiths will eventually join us. Wedon’t see the chaplaincy as a place to con-vert but a place to get alongside peoplewho work in the town. We are people whohave an interest in taking the love of Godinto the community.”
Yvonne has been asked to spend time
with lap dancers, who are often youngwomen from Russia or Latvia. “They areyoung girls who are a long way fromhome and need to talk so someone. Itdoesn’t mean we condone what they do.Jesus was out with the people and that’swhat I like about this job.”
THE Wycombe Night Shelter started aftera rough sleeper was found dead by aBaptist minister.
Sheila, the minister, had been lookingto expand a Tuesday Open Door lunchfacility for vulnerable people, when shediscovered the body. The Revd Paul Willissaid: “One death was one too many andthat was the catalyst for a response.”
High Wycombe church leaders went tovolunteer at Camden Night Shelter,where they found out how it worked,before launching one in High Wycombe.
“We held a meeting to see what thelevel of interest was and we were pleasant-ly surprised.”
The night shelter now meets in sevendifferent venues, one for each night ofthe week, from the beginning of Januaryto the end of March, offering homelesspeople somewhere to stay, a hot meal,breakfast and the chance to get a washand change their clothes.
There are three paid staff and 300 vol-unteers operating a shift system to makethe huge project work. There is anevening shift, overnight shift and morn-ing shift.
Ali Preston, project co-ordinator, wastaken on in 2007, and even when thenight shelter isn’t running, she runs dropins providing support for the homelessand to those who may have found accom-modation. This includes helping people
fill in forms for benefits, look at housesand flats. Last year just four out of 48 peo-ple didn’t find accomodation and peoplewho have been homeless for 15 to 20years have ended up finding homes.
She said: “People’s reasons for beinghomeless are very different. If they arepeople with addictions we try and helpengage them with agencies in the townthat can help them. We recognised whatwe could do as churches and what wecouldn’t. We have developed good rela-tionships with drug and alcohol agencies.
“We accept people as they are. To socie-ty they seem hopeless cases but everyoneis made in God’s image and is of amazingvalue to him.”
Ongoing care is offered as often theaccommodation can be a pokey roomwith no windows and false walls. If thehomeless have been used to spendingtheir days with others in the same posi-tion, they can suddenly be isolated andthat can lead to depression.
Polish immigrants who have lost workbecause of the credit crunch have alsofound themselves on Wycombe’s streets,with no eligibility for the benefits systemmost of us would rely on if we were sud-denly unemployed. The day centre’s workalso includes English as a second lan-guage for the Poles, a Polish course forvolunteers and self confidence classes forNight Shelter users.
JJoo DDuucckklleess visits theBuckinghamshire town to findout how Christians there areliving out Living Faith.
Chaplains
Night shelter
A PUPPET dog insults the MC ashe delivers a Christian message tothe Rainbow congregation at StBirinus and St John Church, HighWycombe.
This is not a conventionalchurch service. It is especially foradults with learning disabilities.Marie Jackson said: “If you lookaround our area it is full of shel-tered flats and it means there are alot of people who need access toworship in a different way.
The Rainbow congregation hasbeen going for about three years,bringing two churches together. It
has more than 40 regular membersand was to hold a confirmationservice with Bishop Alan, with sim-plified language. About half adozen Rainbow members also goalong to ordinary church servicesand new, similar congregationshave been planted in Amersham.
Marie said that it is estimatedthat nationally there are one mil-lion disabled people who arepotentially congregation membersbut find their needs are not beingmet by the Church. “The questionis how is the Church going to reachthe ones who don’t know about it.”
Rainbow
Street Angels
STREET Angels are a welcome pres-ence on the streets of High Wycombeat night. They started in Freshers’ Week lastyear and expected lots of vomiting stu-dents, but were pleasantly surprised.“It’s about prayer walking, listening toGod.” said Rachel Mozley, “We haveseen vicious fights kick off and theyhave calmed down as we have beenstanding there praying. We look outfor vulnerable people and they knowus as well. If we see girls on their own,or anyone, we will ask them if they arealright. We have a good relationshipwith the police but we are not thepolice.”
A Quiet Garden tucked in a corner of All SaintsChurch provides a haven for anyone who wants to getaway from the bustling town centre.
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FamilytheDoor MAY 2010 7
A career in foster care?
AS a single mum living in acouncil house, DebbieHeadley from Readingthought she would be reject-ed when she applied to be a
foster carer.But Debbie, whose eldest daughter
Melanie is now 18, was exactly the sort ofperson PACT (Parents And ChildrenTogether) were looking for. Heryoungest daughter, Ruby, was just sevenwhen she fostered her five years ago.
Debbie said: “The best thing about fos-tering is seeing how far Ruby has comeand how well she is doing. She is a dif-ferent child to the disruptive little girl offive years ago.
“She has shown me that I am quite agood mum. I have helped her turn herlife around and shown her all the oppor-tunities that are open to her. I neverthought I would be accepted as a fostercarer but the main thing is that youneed to care and to be willing to shareyour home, and your life.”
With many people striving for a morerewarding work-life balance and otherslooking at alternative careers followingredundancy, one option could be tobecome a foster carer. There are morethan 44,000 children currently in fostercare in England but many are in shortterm placements and are in desperateneed of a ‘forever family ‘ eitherthrough permanent fostering or adop-tion.
National Foster Care Fortnight takesplace from 17-30 May and voluntary fos-tering and adoption agency Parents AndChildren Together is searching for peo-ple prepared to consider permanent fos-tering as a career choice.
PACT was set up in 1911 as the socialwork arm of the Diocese of Oxford. Itaims to build and strengthen families
across the Thames Valley. As well as itswork in adoption and fostering, PACTalso helps families through a network ofchildren’s centres, drop in sessions andone-to-one support in communitiesacross Berkshire, Buckinghamshire andOxfordshire.
PACT Senior Adoption and FosteringSocial Worker, Simon Furlong, said it isimportant to recognise foster carers asbeing fellow professionals. “Fostering achild requires a great deal of skill andthe ability to deal with some challengingsituations. The children we are seekingfamilies for will have had a difficult startin life. They may have experienced trau-ma, loss or abuse and will need supportto help them overcome this,” he says.
“The children we need families formay be older, from an ethnic minoritybackground, have a disability, a healthissue or uncertainty regarding their
future development. They may be partof a sibling group who need to be kepttogether.
“Being a foster carer can be extremelyrewarding as you watch children develophealthy relationships with yourself, mem-bers of your family and others in yourcommunity, as well as seeing them makeprogress in all areas of their develop-ment.”
PACT offers training for all those wish-ing to become foster carers includingan extensive programme of ongoingtraining leading to a qualification withthe Children’s Workforce DevelopmentCouncil. In recognition of their workand the fact that they need to be avail-able during the day, PACT pays a gener-ous allowance, as well as providing 24hour support and a range of therapeuticservices.
Simon added: “A career in fostering
may be appealing to people who aregoing through a transition in life. Maybethey want a career change, or one hasbeen forced upon them in the currenteconomic climate. It could be someonewhose own children are growing up andbecoming more independent. Singlepeople can be foster carers.
“We are looking for people who haveexperience of looking after or workingwith children(either through being aparent, or through professional or vol-untary work), a genuine desire to helpchildren, as well as having lots of energy,enthusiasm and support from family orfriends.”
PACT is looking for permanent fostercarers who will support the child to theage of 18 and beyond. It also operates arelief foster care service for people pre-pared to care for a child or young per-son for a weekend or a short break.
EEmmmmaa OOwweenn on why, asFoster Care Fortnightapproaches, families areneeded to take in childrenacross Oxfordshire, Berkshireand Buckinghamshire.
PACT will be on tour later this month withits Foster Care Fortnight Roadshow, from9am to 5pm on each date:
Tuesday 11th MayEden Shopping Centre, Wycombe
Monday 17th MayBroad Street Mall Reading
Wednesday 19th MayKennet Shopping Centre Newbury
Thursday 20th MayBroad Street Mall Reading
Monday 24th MayTemplars Square Cowley
Wednesday 26th MayBroad Street Mall Reading
Friday 28th MayBroad Street Mall Reading
Or contact the PACT duty social workerbetween 10am and 1pm weekdays on0118 938 7600
ONLINE
@Download the fostering informationpack at www.pactcharity.org
Win a family ticket to New Wine 2010EVERY year thousands of Christians flock to NewWine for a week of inspiring teaching, spirit filledworship, fun-filled children’s groups, relaxation andfun.
Like the Door, New Wine was founded in 1989. Thefirst summer conference saw 2,400 people head forthe summer Bath and Wells showground. The move-ment was set up by the Revd David Pytches, thenvicar of St Andrew’s, Chorleywood. In the 1980sDavid had a longing to see ‘the spontaneous expan-sion’ of the church in this country as he had seen ithappening in Chile, while Bishop there.
Through a growing friendship with John Wimber,the founder or the Vineyard Church in the USA, herealised that one of the keys was the equipping ofordinary Christians for ministry through the gifts andpower of the Holy Spirit. By the early 1990s the youthwork had grown so much under Mike Pilavanchi’s
leadership that the separate Soul Survivor movementwas born.
So, in this special, 21st anniversary edition of theDoor, we have secured a family ticket, worth around£500 for two adults and two children aged under 18to go along to Unstoppable, New Wine’s 2010Summer Conference, at the Bath and WellsShowground on August 1 to 7. There’s something foreveryone, with Bible teaching starting at 7.15am andvarious sessions continuing until the evening celebra-tion at 7pm. Once that’s over the artists, musicians,theatre groups andcomedians continueuntil late into thenight.
The ground will bepacked with cafes,sports activities and
arts events as well as hun-dreds of stalls. To be in witha chance of winning simplysend your name, addressand age to New WineCompetition, The Door, Diocesan Church House,North Hinksey Lane, Oxford, OX2 0NB, to reach usno later than 14 May.
For more information see www.new-wine.org/sum-mer or call 0208 567 6717. Also see the New Wineadvertisement on page 15.
theDoor MAY 20108
Advertisement Feature
Burford, nestling on the RiverWindrush, is a picture post-card town often described asthe gateway to the Cotswolds.Its position on an important
trading route meant it prosperedbetween the 14th and the 17th centuriesthanks to the flourishing Cotswold wooltrade.
The walk begins at the parish churchof St John (1), an outstanding church(awarded five stars by Simon Jenkins inhis England’s Thousand Best Churches)which is a living reminder of the town’shistoric wealth. The historic tradingroute now attracts thousands of visitorswho seek out the churches as part oftheir Cotswold experience. There theyfind a growing, lively and diverse congre-gation of people who come to thechurch each week to worship and pray.
There is plenty to see inside. In partic-ular, you may like to look at the memori-al to Edward Harman, who was HenryVIII’s barber and courtier, and who diedin 1569. His memorial shows his 16 chil-dren, and more surprisingly, the firstknown depiction in England of theIndian inhabitants of the New World.The connection with Harman is uncer-tain, but the intention may well havebeen to indicate the cosmopolitan reachof the town’s trade, at a time when theAmericas were almost unimaginably dis-tant.
You may like to pause here to considerour connections with those far away onthe other side of the world. How do thechoices we make affect them? Pray forpeople in parts of the world in particularneed at the moment.
The church was also the scene of adramatic incident in 1649, when OliverCromwell imprisoned a group ofLeveller mutineers here for three nights,after which they were to be taken outand shot. In the event, Cromwell relent-ed after the first three of the 340 or sohad been executed. One of the survivingprisoners, Anthony Sedley, carved hisname on the lead of the font. Imaginewhat it must have been like to be impris-oned here, knowing you were facingdeath. You may like to pray for thosewho are caught up in political turmoiltoday, and in particular those in real fearof their lives.
Finally, have a look at thewindow(main picture) in the southtransept by the stained glass artistChristopher Whall, a contemporary of
William Morris and an important mem-ber of the Arts and Crafts Movement.The window shows, in great detail,scenes from Jesus’s life. The sober tonesused to show the earthly life of Christgive way to more dramatic colours as thestory progresses upwards. Overarchingthe whole is a quite spectacular, goldencelestial city, inspired by the book ofRevelation. You may like to reflect onyour own vision of heaven.
Leaving the church, bear left alongChurch Lane, turn right intoGuildenford and then left onto WitneyStreet. After half a mile or so, turn leftoff the road onto the footpath which fol-lows the River Windrush (2) to Widford.You may like to reflect on the river, andits unstoppable flow. You might pray forthose for whom water is desperatelyscarce, or frighteningly destructive totheir way of life.
Rejoin the road shortly before turningleft into Widford. Take the track (on theright) along the footpath to St Oswald’schurch, clearly visible ahead (3). As you
cross the meadow you can see from thelumpy ground the traces of a former set-tlement that has long since disappeared,leaving the tiny church in isolation.
The church is a single cell structurefrom the 13th century, built over aRoman villa. Amosaic existsbeneath thechancel floor.There areGeorgian boxpews, and theremains of earlywall paintings.What makes StOswald’s so spe-cial is its simplici-ty. Pause to enjoythe tranquillity.Think about howand where youfind stillness anda sense of God’spresence in yourdaily life. Where
are you most refreshed? Remember thelost village, and the generations of thosewho have lived and worshipped in thisplace over the centuries.
Return to the path and continue onhalf a mile to Swinbrook church. StMary’s (4) is different again. Thanks to astray war-time bomb, there is almost nostained glass, and the interior isextremely light as a result. (Fragments ofancient glass were rescued and recom-posed in a window in the south aisle.)The church is noted for the extraordi-nary Fettiplace tombs along the northchancel wall. Each has three effigies,lying on shelves. On the left, the figuresare highly stylised and stiff; on the right,erected fifty years later, the figures aremore relaxed.
In the churchyard you can see thegraves of another famous family, theRedesdales, who include Nancy, Unityand Diana Mitford (later Mosley). Youmay like to pause and think of the wordsof the Nunc Dimittis:
“Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace.For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;To be a light to lighten the Gentiles, and to be the glory of thy people Israel.”Pray for those you have loved who
have died.Walk back towards Widford church
and then turn right up Dean Bottom.When you meet the road, turn lefttowards Fulbrook (5) where you can visitthe church of St James the Great or turnleft along the main road to returnstraightaway to Burford.
Burford is 19 miles from Oxford on theA40. There is a free car park off the HighStreet (A361) near the church. Bus routesinclude the 233/X3 (Stagecoach) and 53(Swanbrook). The churches described in thewalk are generally open during daylighthours.
Do you have a favourite walk whereyou pray that you’d like to share?Contact us on 01865 208225 or
theDoor MAY 2010 9
Feature
A history in the landscapeFor the third in our series ofprayer walks SSaarraahh MMeeyyrriicckkvisits Burford in WestOxfordshire with RRuutthhRReeaavvlleeyy..
Listen to Ruth Reavley reflecting on her walkaround Burford with the Revd Sally Welch atwww.oxford.anglican.org/prayerwalks.
Pictured left to right: The Revd Sally Welch, Ruth Reavley.
Pic: 2020 Snipe Photos/A Kirk
theDoor MAY
STANDFIRST PIECE TO HERE.........Voting - why it Feature
10
The revelation in 2009 of theextent and nature of expensesclaimed by MPs aroused almostuniversal feelings of outrageand derision, writes Richard
Harries. This was in some ways unfair, forall MPs were smeared, while some wereshown to be exemplary in their claims.Moreover, the assumption behind thewhole system of expense claims was wrong,and for this successive governments andthe electorate as a whole must take someresponsibility.
Nevertheless, this scandal has had theeffect of lowering the respect in which par-liamentarians are held even further.Opinion polls regularly indicate that mem-bers of Parliament come very far down thelist of those whom members of the publicrespect and trust. One of the latest polls onwhich professions are most trusted to tellthe truth, or assumed to be lying, revealedthat only 21 per cent of those polled trust-ed politicians to tell the truth.
This was higher than journalists butshockingly low compared to the 92 percent of those polled who trusted their doc-tor to be honest with them. This is not a sit-uation about which we should simply shrugour shoulders and say, “That’s how it is.” Itis unhealthy and potentially dangerous forour national life.
No doubt there has always been a fairdegree of scepticism about politiciansand their alleged altruism. Dr
Johnson remarked that it was difficult to finda politician who was not on the make. As hetold Boswell, “Politics are now nothing morethan means of success in life.” Nevertheless,there have been those in all parties who wereinspired to work for them, in some cases givetheir whole life for them, for altruistic as wellas personal motives.
For many, the Labour Party was a moralcrusade to change society for the better onbehalf of the poor. Within the ConservativeParty there was a strong tradition ofnoblesse oblige. Within the Liberals therewere those who were driven by the need tobring about progressive social change. Thevestiges of these attitudes are still there.Nevertheless, the general public believesthat, on the whole, politicians are in it forthemselves. This distrust of politicians ingeneral is also focused on governments.Only 29 per cent of British people trusttheir government, compared to the 66 percent of the Dutch who trust theirs. TheBritish figure is even lower than theEuropean average of 34 per cent.
No doubt the media does not help. Itlikes to focus on the greasy-pole sideof politics – who is climbing up and
who is slipping down. Politicians continuallyurge that politics is about policies, and itshould not be personalised in this way, andthere is some justice in their complaint. Yetsuch is the distrust that the general publicfind it hard to go beyond questions of who isin and who is out of the ruling cabal.
At the same time there is a profoundmistrust of politics emanating from themedia. Jeremy Paxman, so the caricaturesuggests, has only two questions: who areyou and why are you lying to me? In thelight of this, it is not surprising that mem-bership of all political parties has declinedso rapidly. The media loves to focus on thealleged decline in attendance at church.What it ignores is that the decline in mem-bership of political parties is far more dra-matic. Membership of the ConservativeParty has declined from 3 million membersin the 1950s to less than 300,000, with asimilar decline for Labour, whilst LiberalDemocrat membership stands at just60,000.
This suspicion and indifference isunhealthy. It undermines our public lifeand is potentially dangerous for society as a
whole. And it concerns us all. Politics istoo important to be left to politicians.However, the situation is even more seriousthan this scepticism about individual politi-cians might suggest.
People have become either cynicalabout or indifferent to the whole politi-cal system under which we live. The
turn-out for elections is abysmal. Many of uswill remember the huge queues in SouthAfrica for the first election after the end ofApartheid. People had to queue for hoursand in some cases days in order to cast theirvotes. By contrast, the people voting in thelast general election constituted only 61.4per cent of the electorate. This contrasts withthe 83.9 per cent who turned out in 1950.
Voting figures at other elections are evenworse. Turn-out in Britain for Europeanelections is usually around 35 per cent, buthas fallen as low as 24 per cent. In localgovernment elections the turn-out in 2006in England was 36.5 per cent, and it hasbeen lower. The situation amongst youngpeople is even more disheartening. AHansard Society survey in 2009 found thatonly 30 per cent of 18–24-year-olds had dis-cussed politics or political news with some-one else in the previous two or three years,
compared with 47 per cent of their par-ents’ generation.
There are a number of reasons for thislow turn-out, not all of them sinister.One of them is that there is less dif-
ference in policies between the major politi-cal parties than there has sometimes been.There is a broad consensus on certain funda-mental issues, and this, reflecting as it does abroad consensus in the electorate, ensures acertain stability, which is no bad thing.Another reason is that our personal con-cerns are immediate and obvious, whereaspolitical policies and systems can seemremote and not of very pressing import.
However, political policies do make a dif-ference to our personal lives. When a fami-
ly member is ill we realise the importanceof having a good National Health Service.If someone we know is suddenly maderedundant, we recognise the importance ofhaving a national economy that is prosper-ing, as well as adequate safeguards forthose who find themselves unemployed.The fact is that political policies vitallyaffect our lives, for good and ill.
Undergirding both policies and theprocess by which they are made is ourpolitical system and the values which itenshrines. Here, potentially, there is aneven more serious malaise than lack ofrespect for politicians or indifference topolitical policies. It poses questions aboutwhether our political system really mattersand about the values from which it springsand which it embeds. Is this really a matterof indifference?
This book is written in the convictionthat the kind of political institutions,ideas and values that we enjoy today,
which we either take for granted, or regardwith a degree of scepticism, do matter verymuch. Furthermore, although it is widelyheld that the leading political notions of ourtime nearly all derive from Europeanthinkers from the 17th to the 19th centuries,usually termed “the Enlightenment”, I arguethat these notions are in fact deeply embed-ded in a Christian understanding of what itis to be a human being in society.
I have no desire to knock theEnlightenment, as has become fashionablein some theological circles. We are all heirsof the Enlightenment in one way or anoth-er, and glad to be so, not least when weread about some barbaric custom that stillprevails in another country. But it is impor-tant to recognise that many of the leadingEnlightenment thinkers regarded them-selves as Christians, if of varying degrees oforthodoxy. Furthermore, theEnlightenment itself arose in and out ofChristian soil, drawing on certain funda-
As tthhee DDoooorr went to press political manifestos were hitting theheadlines and the General Election battle was well underway.Here we look how engagement in politics is an important outworking of the Christian faith.
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by our Christian faith.’
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Written and presented in aneasy to read tabloid style,based on the UK’s biggest circulation newspapers, TheSon is an ideal tool to reachbelievers and unbelievers aswell.
As well as up-to-the-minutenews, showbiz and sport fromthe paper, we bring you someuplifting testimonies andinsight from The Son’s bril-liant team of columnists.
The current edition of TheSon includes stories on RingoStarr, Simon MacCorkindale,Denzel Washington, RubyTurner, Dmitar Berbatov, PaulAzinger and many more.
It’s an ideal tool foroutreach. Why not use TheSon to reach your community?
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mental principles within it. I do not denythat in some respects Enlightenment prin-ciples had to be asserted against the holdof religious orthodoxy, most notably in thecase of religious liberty. It is fundamentalto the Enlightenment that people must beleft free to choose their religion, or reject italtogether, and this came hard to estab-lished religions.
But our history and culture is a predom-inantly Christian one. Most people stillclaim to be Christians, whatever they
mean by it. And it is important to tease outthe fact that the political values which shapeour society, and which are vital to our lifetogether, are rooted in a particular under-standing of what it is to be a human being insociety. Whether we approve of it or not,some of our most cherished values havecome to us because our history has beenshaped by the Christian faith. It is more thana question of historical influence. TheChristian understanding of what it is to be ahuman being in society has an abiding validi-ty.
Most people take our political valuesfor granted. But from time to time asociety is confronted by a crisis in
which it is forced to ask in a serious waywhether in fact it stands for anything at all.
This country was faced by such a crisis in1938. About that T. S. Eliot wrote at thetime: “I believe that there must be many personswho, like myself, were deeply shaken by the eventsof September 1938, in a way from which onedoes not recover; persons to whom that monthbrought a profounder realization of a generalplight … It was not a criticism of the govern-ment, but a doubt of the validity of a civiliza-tion. We could not match conviction with convic-tion … Was our society, which had always beenso assured of its superiority and rectitude, so con-fident of its unexamined premises, assembledaround anything more permanent than a con-geries of banks, insurance companies and indus-tries, and had it any beliefs more essential than abelief in compound interest and the maintenanceof dividends?”
I do not believe we are faced by a compa-rably serious crisis now. International ter-rorism is very seriousindeed, but it is notat the moment ofthe same order asthe Nazi threat toEurope. Butunless we takestock fromtime to time,and reaffirmthe values bywhich welive, a cri-sis, if itcomes,will finduswant-ing –as T. S.Eliot thoughtthe Munich agree-ment found Britain wanting.
This is an edited extract from Faith in Politics?Rediscovering the Christian roots of our politi-cal values by Richard Harries (Darton Longman &
Todd)
The coat-hangers in the Members’ cloakroom in Parliament all have a red ribbonattached to them so that MPs may safely store their swords before entering thechamber. As Lord Carey commented, ‘In the modern world there is great pressureto treat faith in the same way – to put it safely aside before entering our work-places, and to pick it up again at the end of the day.’
When former Prime Minister Tony Blair was asked about his Christian faith,Alastair Campbell silenced his reply saying, ‘I’m sorry, we don’t do God.’ Onlyafter stepping down as Prime Minister did Blair admit the importance of his faithand explain why he never discussed it: ‘If you are in the American political systemor others, then you can talk about religious faith and people say “Yes, that’s fairenough” and it is something they respond to quite naturally. You talk about it inour system and, frankly, people think you’re a nutter.’
Politics is the process by which groups of people make decisions – decisions thataffect significant areas of our lives. Votewise Now! has been written to stimulatewise thinking about, and involvement in, important current political issues.Alistair Campbell’s suggestion that private faith has no place in politics is wrong;there is no such thing as neutral, value-free or even moral-free ground. In voting,Christians must make, and act upon, the important connections between what webelieve and how we live. The Bible rejects thesacred–secular, public–private divide. We are wholepeople created to live whole and holy lives.
Jesus incarnated a message which threatened thepolitical authorities and led to his execution. Thekingdom of God is a political statement. Christ isMessiah and Lord, not Caesar or any other politicalruler. The Bible is replete with calls to seek justice,fight the cause of the widow and orphan, and standagainst the oppressor – all part of ‘loving God andloving our neighbour’.
Indeed, it could be argued that Christians in par-ticular have a political mandate requiring them tobe involved, seeking ways that God’s will ‘may bedone on earth as it is in heaven’, that his kingdomwill come, overthrowing false and misused claims toauthority and power.
This is an edited extract from the introduction toVotewise Now! Helping Christians engage with the issuesedited by Rose Lynas (SPCK).
Gilead FoundationsAddiction CounsellingTraining Schoolat Risdon Farm, Jacobstowe, near Okehamptonoffers the following Diploma programme covering:Restoration Ministry (11 courses) 150 hours: £385Recovery Support Counselling (17 courses) 280 hours: £530Addiction Studies (23 courses) 350 hours: £700Gilead Foundations is also offering- Biblical Systematic theology- The Holy Spirit- The Person of Jesus Christ: £250At Gilead Foundations we use the GenesisProcess Relapse Prevention programme withour clients. This training and the Genesis toolsare used throughout the programme at Gilead:£318 We also have a correspondence courseon counselling by Jay Adams: £954
If you, or someone you know wouldlike more information about ACTS
or would like to make an application,please contact:
Recession-bucking Christianexhibition gets back in thesaddle at Sandown Park IN SPITE of tough economic conditions, organisations servicing churches report increased sales, says the organisers of theInternational Christian Resources Exhibition taking place from 11th to 14th May at Sandown Park Exhibition Centre in Surrey.‘We've weathered previous recessions and intend to be around through the next one as well!’ declares CRE event director SteveBriars. ‘This year's event is well on the way to being our biggest ever.’
More than 370 organisations, exhibiting everything from stained glass to sound systems,puppets to pews, will cram into all three floors at Sandown – making it, once again, thevenue’s biggest annual show. Some 13,000 visitors are expected over the event’s four days.A seminar, workshop and special features programme has been carefully constructed tomeet the needs of people at all levels of local church leadership.Special zones include Church Technology, Sports, Mind and Soul, Churches For All andChildren and Youth. Biblefresh will inspire people to re-engage with Christian scriptures. Theinitiative heralds next year's national celebrations marking the 400th anniversary of the KingJames Bible - first published in 1611. The Museum of the Bible at CRE will display bibles owned by famous people, including mur-derer Reggie Kray, Bible smuggler William Tyndale, Baptist preacher John Bunyan,England's leading executioner Albert Pierrepoint - and rock and roll legend Elvis Presley.Kua Wee Seng will tell the story of how the Bible has become China’s best-selling book inthe past four decades. We are pleased support the Biblefresh vision of taking the most pub-lished book and making it the most read book,’ said CRE event director Steve Briars. More than 100 practical seminars are scheduled at CRE with titles ranging from The Churchand the London Olympics to Dementia and Faith. Specialist workshops cover subjects likefund-raising and creative writing. An extensive arts programme will include presentationsfrom Noel Tredinnick and members of the All Souls Orchestra, the London CommunityGospel Choir and Saltmine Theatre Company.Furnishings, church fabric, building services, architects and surveyors - all are represented atCRE, Europe's leading exhibition of Christian products and services. Transcribe Thames Group who are now in their 26th year with the CRE believe they are tak-ing their best offer yet to visitors at Esher. To help churches cope with printing costs whichincrease year on year are offering a digital duplicator and photocopier package at just £1,000plus vat. Marketing manager, Matthew Butterworth says it offers a saving of £5,500 com-pared to new equipment and the price includes installation and training. You can meet themon stand S126 where they say they'd like to say hello to both old and new faces.
Kingdom Coffee are another regular exhibitor at the CRE. At the lasttwo shows they've raised over £2,000 for Latin Link from donationsmade in exchange for a cup of their great tasting ethic coffee. You'rewelcome to visit them this year on stand E17 where they will be rais-ing more funds for the charity! Celebrating 25 years in business Fullers Finer Furniture are design-ers and manufactures of quality Church furniture. Based in Westonsuper Mare, Somerset Fullers will be exhibiting at Sandown ParkEsher CRE for the 15th year running. Since their first exhibition in1996 the church furniture side of the business has gone fromstrength to strength and it now makes up over 90% of the workundertaken. The majority of which is bespoke made church furnituresuch as lecterns, pulpits, communion tables, fonts, choir frontals andmemorial pieces. These are produced from their own designs or theclients and also architects drawings, as well as this also offering arestoration service where old furniture can be given a new lease oflife or even turned into something different. When the decision of“keep the pews” or “get new chairs” arises, Fullers can help by beingable re-cycle some or all of the pews to make for instance a newAltar or font. The business that began in 1985 is proud to say that they also workalong side many of the other exhibitors at CRE which makes it aneasier ride when re-designing your own church, working along sidecompanies that provide architectural needs, sound and vision, seat-ing, textiles and lighting. Fullers will be displaying their award win-ning revolutionary Canterbury lectern and York lectern with uniquegas lift height control as well as other bespoke items. You can findthem on stand P45 where they will be happy to discuss your Churchrequirements with you. CRE has an ongoing responsibility to be at the cutting edge ofchurch life,’ said executive chairman Colin Saunders. ‘We aim tomeet the resource and training needs of all involved in church leader-ship - not only those in full-time church or ministry employment butthe many thousands who voluntarily work in churches at all levels.’It's well worth buying your ticket in advance as there will be adraw with a chance to win a brand new KIA 1.41 Super Minicourtesy of Autosave! Advance tickets can be booked by visit-ing www.creonline.co.uk. For a group booking form (five ormore) phone CRE on 01793 418218.
theDoor MAY 2010 13
CAVERSHAM: St Andrew’s Churchare holding a May be exhibition ofcontemporary art from 3pm - 7pmalso on 2 and 3 May. All welcomeand free entrance. Take part bybringing a potted plant to place onthe wall outside the church creating‘a line of colour’.
CHESHAM: Christ Church,Waterside HP5 1PY is holding itsannual art exhibition including BrianHall’s ‘Stations of the Cross’ set inChesham. Open today andtomorrow from 11am - 5pm. Details01494 725228.
PRESTWOOD: Spirit of Prestwoodcommunity event on PrestwoodCommon, Nairdwood Lane from2pm - 5pm.
READING: St Nicolas Church,Earley RG6 7JN at 8pm. ReadingVocations Fellowship meeting. ‘Myfirst year as a vicar’ by The Revd NeilWarwick. Details 01865 208291.
NR HENLEY: The Mothers’ UnionOxford Diocese retreat will be heldat St Katharine’s, Parmoor until 6May. You can stay for the whole timeor just visit for the day. Details01865 726308.
OXFORD: Retired ClergyAssociation meeting in the PrioryRoom, Christ Church Cathedral at10.30am. Coffee at 10.15am.Details 01865 880210.
FREELAND: Drop in Quiet Day atthe Old Parsonage from 10am -4pm. No booking needed (bring yourown lunch).
OXFORD: Come to celebrate CelticChrisitian Spirituality at Wycliffe Hallfrom 7pm. Michael Mitton will launchthe new revised edition of his book
‘Restoring the Woven Cord’. Details01865 319700.
OXFORD: Unicorn Group OpenMeeting. All welcome at 1 CanterburyRoad, North Oxford from 12.30pm.Coffee provided, bring your own lunch.1pm - 2pm - Dr Betsy Livingstone:Midwife to a Dictionary.
OXFORD: The 25th Eric SymesAbbott Memorial Lecture by The RtRevd the Lord Harries of PentregarthFKC - ‘The End of the PermissiveSociety? Towards a Christianunderstanding of the common God.’ AtKeble College at 5.30pm. Details 0207848 2333.
GREAT MISSENDEN: St Peter andSt Paul are serving cream teas from3pm - 5pm every Sunday. ThisSunday there will also be a trio ofclassical guitarists to entertain you.
OXFORDSHIRE TOUR: The Choirof the Church of the Resurrection,Mmabathos/Mafikeng, South Africais on tour from 11 - 17 May. Detailsof venues from 01869 339017.
MARLOW: All Saints Art andSpirituality Group are holding aSculpture workshop from 2pm - 6pmin the church hall. [email protected] for details.
ROTHERFIELD PEPPARD: AllSaints Church at 8pm. The DarlingBuds of May concert. Free entry.
HAMBLEDEN: St Mary the ViriginChurch at 7.30pm. Orchestra of StJohn Voices will perform music fromfive centuries. Details 01491571588.
BECKLEY: St Mary’s Church at7.30pm. Concert by the GalliardTrio. Details 01865 351270.
DEDDINGTON: The Deddington
Maurice Frost Festival will take placeat the parish church from 15 - 16May. Begins at 6.30pm on 15 May.Details of programme from 01869349869 or 01869 338017.
GREAT MISSENDEN: St Peter andSt Paul Open Garden day from 2pm- 6pm.
OXFORD: The Council for Christiansand Jews meeting at 8pm at theOxford Jewish Centre, RichmondRoad, Oxford. ‘Sharing our festivalsNo II’ Shavout/Pentecost. Speakers: Revd DrHelen-Ann Hartley and Dr DavidAriel. Details 01865 343309.
HENLEY-ON-THAMES: A day ofencouragement for women atHighmoor Hall with Lois Cuthbert.10am - 3.30pm. Details 01491641112.
OXFORD: Unicorn Group OpenMeeting. All welcome at 1Canterbury Road, North Oxford from12.30pm. Coffee provided, bringyour own lunch. 1pm - 2pm -CanonDr Edmund Newell, Cathedral Sub-Dean, on Grimm Theology.
THAME: St Mary’s Church today andtomorrow from 10am - 6pm and 23May from 1pm - 6pm. ‘Colour myWorld’ flower festival. Also Songs ofPraise service at 6.30pm on 23 May.Details 01844 213491.
DORCHESTER ON THAMES:Praise@7 - Informal worship inDorchester Abbey at 7pm. Details01865 340007.
FINGEST: Hambleden Valley, nearHenley. Healing service with layingon of hands and anointing at HolyCommunion at 10.15am. Details01491 571231.
The DoorpostThe Doorpost is a free service for churches to advertise their events and is designed to be hung onchurch noticeboards. Please send your events to [email protected] or by post to ChurchHouse. The deadline for the June 2010 issue is 7 May.
Courses, training, conferences & workshops in May 2010
Preaching: An intermediate courseparticuarly relevant to LLMs andcurates. 4, 11 May; 1, 8 June atDiocesan Church House. [email protected]
Bible and Hermeneutics in Ministry(Level 3 course): This advancedcourse is part of the ‘Oxford BrookesBA in Theology and Religion’ and is a3 day residential couse at RiponCollege, Cuddesdon. 19 - 21 May.Details [email protected]
Spritual Direction: If you want to get
the basic idea of ‘spiritual direction’talked about in your local church andwould value a bit of help then come toour taster workshop on 8 May atDouai Abbey, Reading. [email protected]
Rural Mission Training Course: Thisfree training is being offered to smallparish groups (including the vicar) toenable parishes to put on a mission(or evangelistic) event in the autumn.The course comprises three sessions- 8 May, 19 June and 13 November.
The Well Centre evening lecture:‘Making a life or making a living: whydo I work so hard?’ by Fr DermotTredget OSB at Douai Abbey from6.30pm on 19 May. Details 0118 9864829.
The Simeon Trust (promoting thespiritual life of the elderly in residentialhomes): Study day on 6 May at RiponCollege, Cuddesdon - The GoldStandards Framework: Improving thequality of end of life care for elderlypeople in care homes. Details 01865877404.
Courses & special events
Services at Christ Church CathedralSundays: 8am Holy Communion; 10am Matins (coffee in Priory Room); 11.15am Sung Eucharist; 6pm Evensong.Weekdays: 7.15am Morning prayer; 7.35am Holy Communion; 1pm Wednesday only Holy Communion; 6pm Evensong(Thursday Sung Eucharist 6pm).After Eight: Time to reflect, time to pray. Contemporary liturgies for mind and spirit on Sundays at 8pm.
Tel: 01865 276155 www.chch.ox.ac.uk
FRIDAY 21 MAY
WEDNESDAY 19 MAY
SUNDAY 16 MAY
FRIDAY 7 MAY
SUNDAY 9 MAY
THURSDAY 6 MAY
TUESDAY 4 MAY
MONDAY 3 MAY
SATURDAY 1 MAY
WEDNESDAY 12 MAY
SATURDAY 15 MAY
MONDAY 17 MAY
SUNDAY 23 May
FRIDAY 28 MAY
TUESDSAY 11 MAY
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The Hospital, founded in 1132and home to 25 retired laymen (Brothers), currentlyhas vacancies and applicationsare welcomed.A registered Charity with aChristian foundation, theHospital is situated a milesouth of Winchester. EachBrother lives independentlyand occupies a flat which theyfurnish themselves.Further information and an application form areobtainable from:Piers Armstrong, Clerk to the TrusteesSt Cross Hospital Winchester, SO23 9SDTel: 01962 878218E-mail: [email protected] Charity No. 202751
A beautiful group of medieval buildingsby the water meadows.
Church, gift shop and teas. Groups welcome.Admission:Adults £3.50 & Seniors £3 Children £1.50Open 9.30–5pm (Summertime) Open 10.30 - 3.30 (Wintertime)
Tel: 01962 851375
With the arrival of summer, almosteveryone’s mind turns to days out andspecial events. Churches will be planning flower festivals, art exhibi-tions and other events.
Further afield there will be so many places tovisit and things to do, writes Roy Perring.
There are many other secular events to attractour attention and make demands on our time.Country gardens and walks offer a chance to getaway from the frustrations of day-to-day living andrelax in a more natural environment.
Zoos and other attractions featuring animalsalways appeal to Christians of all ages; perhapsit’s our early teachings on Noah and his ark. Thisyear will probably find the Meerkats at theCotswold Wildlife Park getting plenty of attentionafter the fame that their animated counterpartshave found on the TV.
The years have seen the arrival of themedparks attracting families by the thousand but thereis still a strong desire to visit places from the past,steeped in history and spirituality.
Describing itself as a beautiful group ofmedieval buildings by the water meadows, a visitto the St. Cross Hospital and Almshouse inWinchester offers a pleasant day out for all of thefamily.
The ever popular Graham Kendrick, writer ofsome of the most popular worship material forquite some time, provides an evening of entertainment and more at the Wantage
Civic Hall on 18th May.
King's Centre, Oxford becomes the venue on22nd May for a major event by the ChurchMission Society.
Day 50 offers a celebration of God's missionwith an address by The Most Rev John Sentamu,Archbishop of York and music by the Tribe ofJudah gospel choir. There will also be dramaworkshops and break-dancing plus reports frompeople who are working in mission across the world.
Looking towards the summer, July offers anotheropportunity to attend the Life of Christ play atWintershall. Now firmly established the open airevents in Surrey offer a great day out to see thestory of Jesus performed by a cast of over 200.
The first week in August offers the New WineSummer Conference at the Royal Bath and WestShowground. This is one of the major Christianevents of the year and relatively close to home inSomerset!
If the weather should take a turn for the worst,the south west is full of exhibitions and other visitor attractions where you can learn as well ashave fun.
There's always plenty to do in the evenings aswell with all forms of art and culture to choosefrom highbrow to lowbrow. Our churches veryoften become venues for concerts of classical music.
Everyone has different ideas on how to spendtheir leisure time, but the important thing is tospend it wisely.
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the Door MAY 2010
Arts15
Enabling spiritual growth
This is a beautiful, thoughtful andmoving book. Well crafted and thor-oughly researched, it offers a rare
resource for all those involved in the care,upbringing and development of children,whether in secular or faith community set-tings.
Following their excellent first bookDisturbed by Mind and Spirit [Continuum2009], it is again the combined work of anAnglican priest and his wife, an experi-enced clinical psychologist specialising inchild and adolescent work.
This time the focus has moved fromparish life to a branch of sector ministry,school chaplaincy, enhanced by insightsfrom their own developing experience ofparenting. Again there are parallel frame-works, namely the Christian rites of bap-tism, confirmation and ordination on theone hand and the psycho-social stages ofhuman development on the other.
The idea of vocation is brought useful-ly into the task of enabling the spiritualgrowth of young people. A core idea isthat of borderland, the crossing ofboundaries both literally in the physicalsetting of the Welsh borders and symboli-cally in the wilderness times of adoles-cence and pilgrimage.
This is also a timely book. It builds oncurrent concerns about what is happen-ing to our children and extends that con-cern to adolescence. It calls on adults tobe “willing and mature enough to allow
today’s adolescents the immaturity of their age,to enable them to work things out for them-selves, and not have a pseudo-responsibilitythrust upon them” (p.143).
The authors have the insight andhumility to reflect on their own spiritualjourneys. A recurring theme is that ofmetanoia, repentance understood asturning round from the mistakes of thepast with energy for new life and commit-ment. Therefore I would recommend thisbook of integrity to people of all ages. The Revd Anne Holmes is a pscyhotherapistand an member of the clergy at St Nicholas,Marston.
Called by Mind andSpiritGavin and JoannaKnightContinuum: £14.99
by Anne Holmes
In Made For Goodness, Desmond Tutuand his daughter Mpho Tutu, explorehow, though sometimes we act out ofdepravity and despair, we know in ourhearts we were created to be so muchmore.
They show how we can find our wayback to goodness by changing our atti-tudes, practising forgiveness and byprayer.
As Archbishop of Capetown at theheight of the Apartheid regime, Tutusaw many shocking and violenct inci-dents. The Door has three copies to
give away in thisprize draw. Tostand a chanceof winning sendyour name andaddress toDiocesan ChurchHouse, NorthHinksey Lane,Oxford, OX20NB, to reach usno later thanMonday 10 May.
Win a book by Desmond Tutu
Corking good artTHREE local artists will be displaying theirwork at St Andrew’s Church, Caversham,during the May Bank Holiday.
The exhibition has been arranged follow-ing the success of a similar event, entitledFull of Beans, last year. It’s aim is to be acontemporary art exhibition in a religiousspace, not a religious art exhibition, but thechurch provides a special and reflective set-ting. “We are so lucky to have this beautifulchurch, which is supposed to be here for thebenefit of the whole community, not justregular churchgoers, so it’s been great to beable to host such an exciting and interestingexhibition,” says the Revd Nigel Jones, vicar.
There will be a mixture of art, photogra-phy, etchings, sculptures, drawings andinstallations as well as interactive pieces.There will be a range of activities and eventsthroughout the weekend.
Right is memento II by Bithja Moor.
theDoor MAY 201016
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Church and Black churches.
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For more information visit our websitewww.queens.ac.uk or contact Rosemary
The Queen’s Foundation,Somerset Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2QH
To advertise in The Door and reach thousands of Christians call Roy Perring
on 01752 225623
ADVERTISING FEATURE
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thousands of Christianscall Roy Perring
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The Door is just one ofsix Anglican
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theDoor MAY 2010 17
From its very beginning the Christianchurch has had a mission to share itsmessage of joy and hope, as well as acaring mission towards its fellow man.Today this tradition continues withChristians of all ages joining in with various forms of evangelical outreachand care for others.
Opportunities at home and abroad
There are countless opportunities for volunteers ofall ages to dedicate time to a whole range of practicalactivities in this country as well as oversees.
The Gap year is becoming more commonplace withpeople in full time employment as well as with students. Popular destinations include the many countries needing help in Africa, South America andIndia, although there is much work to be done in themajor cities in this country.
All sorts of skills are required abroad from buildingto teaching as well as farming and preaching. Much ofthe work done today has the aim of making the recipients of the aid more self sufficient and better tocope when the helpers return home.
Every little bit helps
Not all of us have a year to set aside and there arecountless opportunities where it is possible to offer afew hours a week to work locally with the many agencies helping the disabled, homeless or elderly.
A TIME TO CONSIDER MISSIONADVERTISING FEATURE
Things have changed a little sincethe days of well meaning people setting up a charity to look after a specific cause and now with greaterinvolvement at times from local andnational authorities there do seem tobe a few more regulations.
Things are getting a little more technical and for example a 'helpingthe homeless organisation' is just aslikely to need someone who can help
with computer training just as much assomeone who makes an amazingsoup. If you are looking for somewhere to offer some time, checkwith your Vicar or other church members first, then there's always thelocal library or citizens advice centre.
If you find for any reason that youfeel there isn't a specific opportunity touse your skills just remember that mostmission organisations will be looking
for someone to help raisefunds and of course yourprayer support is vital.
theDoor MAY 201018
“A haven of peace in a troubled world”
Epiphany House seeks to provide physical and spiritual space inorder that an ecumenical ministry of hospitality, Christian outreach,
pastoral care, education, spiritual formation and guidance can beoffered.We have comfortable overnight accommodation for up to16 people, a beautiful chapel and peaceful gardens. Public transportlinks are good and we are centrally placed for exploring the county.
A few places still available on
“ In the Steps of the Cornish Saints ”A Pilgrimage Retreat at Epiphany House
Saturday 19th June (arriving pm) -Saturday 26th June 2010 (departing am)
Free on street parking nearby. Reductionsfor full-time Christian workers.
Tel: 0207 226 2663
ADVERTISING FEATURE
19
‘For by grace you have been saved throughfaith, and this is not your own doing; it isthe gift of God - not the result of works, sothat no one may boast.’ Ephesians 2: 8,9
The lives of John and CharlesWesley are celebrated in theChurch Calendar on May 24th.
The brothers were sons of the Rector ofEpworth in Lincolnshire.
John was born in 1703 and Charlesfour years later. Both eventually becamestudents at Christ Church, Oxford, andboth were ordained in the Church ofEngland, a fact recorded on a plaque inChrist Church Cathedral, honouringthem as the ‘founders of the MethodistRevival’. The word ‘Methodist’ was anickname given to them by other stu-dents because of their ‘methodical’approach to Christian devotion, whichincluded weekly communion (thenquite rare) and daily prayers and Biblestudy.
John had a chastening experience as amissionary in America, including anunfortunate and unrequited love affair,and returned to England feeling thatthere was a vital element missing in hispersonal faith. He attended a meetingin London, at which Luther’s Preface tothe Epistle to the Romans was read.There he had a life-changing experi-ence which he described in his journals,feeling his heart ‘strangely warmed’,and receiving an inward assurance thathe did trust Christ ‘and Christ alone’,for his salvation. From this he becameconvinced that ‘personal, present salva-tion’ came only from the grace of Godreceived by faith, and that became thetheme of his preaching for the rest ofhis life.
An eloquent preacher, he took everyopportunity to expound this ‘new’insight into the Gospel, although, truthto tell, it was as old as Augustine, who
himself found it in the same Epistle.Many pulpits of the Established Churchwere closed to him, his views beingregarded as dangerously ‘enthusiastic’,but in hired meeting rooms and eventu-ally in the open air, and parish churcheswhich welcomed him, he preached tohundreds of thousands of people.
While robustly denying that it was hisintention to create a new denomination,Wesley encouraged the formation of‘classes’ where the Bible was studiedand the doctrines of faith wereexpounded. These groups proudly tookthe name ‘Methodist’. Most of them,however, like John and Charles,remained for a long while loyal commu-nicants of the Church of England.
Charles had a similar conversion expe-rience the year after his brother, but wasat heart more of a traditionalist. Whilehe joined in the preaching, his maincontribution to the fledgling movementwas writing hymns - hundreds of them.Today, 250 years later, his hymns arefound in the hymnody of the world-wideChurch, from the Salvation Army to theRoman Catholics.
Eventually the split between theWesleyan Methodists and the Church ofEngland took place when Johnordained presbyters for overseasMethodist missions, having failed to per-suade the Bishop of London to do so.Charles, however, in his own words,‘lived and died a priest of the Church ofEngland’. The Wesley brothers’ message- preached or sung - had a lastingimpact on the whole Church. FewChristian communities globally havenot been influenced by the preaching ofthe older Wesley and the hymns of theyounger one.Canon David Winter is a former Diocesan Adviser onEvangelism, former BBC head of religious affairs, abroadcaster and author of many books.
Letters & comment
Audio version
Thought forthe month
by David Winter
Sight impairedpeople can nowget a free audio
version of The Door bycontactingGraham
Winterbourne on01884 840285
Editor: Jo Duckles Tel: 01865 208227Email: [email protected]@googlemail.comEditorial Assistant/Distribution: Debbie DallimoreTel: 01865 208225 Email: [email protected]: Roy Perring Tel: 01752 225623 Email: [email protected] for June 2010: Friday 7 May 2010. Published Monday 24 May 2010.
The Door is published by Oxford Diocesan Publications Ltd (Secretary Mrs Rosemary Pearce). The registered office is Diocesan Church House, North Hinksey Lane, Oxford, OX2 0NB. Tel: 01865 208200.While every care is taken to ensure the reliability of our advertisements, their inclusion in The Door doesnot guarantee it or mean that they are endorsed by the Diocese of Oxford.
theDoor MAY 2010
Comings and Goings -
The Revd Philip Mann will take up post asAssociate Minister at Gerrards Cross andFulmer; The Revd Caroline Kramer willtake up post as Curate (Associate Vicar) atWokingham All Saints; The Revd GrahamWaterson will take up post of House forDuty in the Thame Team Ministry; The RevdBrian Hyder-Smith will take up post ofHouse for Duty in Ironstone; The RevdCanon Adrian Daffern will take up post asTeam Rector in the Blenheim TeamMinistry; The Revd Mary Crameri will retirefrom her House for Duty post in the ChaseBenefice; The Revd Pete Steele hasresigned from his post as Rector ofAldermaston and Woolhampton and AreaDean of Bradfield Deanery.
David Paterson (Letters, April 2010) calls for adebate on the creation of more faith schools.We believe that our schools add significantly tocommunity cohesion.
Oxford Diocese has 112 aided and 116controlled schools: the vast majority admit children from their local catchment area as theirpriority. In the last two years we have becomethe sponsors of two academies, both of whichhave maintained the same admissions policy asbefore – taking pupils from their catchmentarea regardless of faith.
In 2007 the C of E joined all the main faithschool providers in signing a shared vision for
promoting community cohesion through ourschools.
In fact, research published in November2009 showed that the average grade awardedby OFSTED to secondary faith schools for promoting community cohesion was significantlybetter than the average grade awarded to community schools.
Far from being divisive, our church schoolsaim to serve and to reflect the areas where theyare located. We are proud of our churchschools and the Diocese will continue to support them in offering an inclusive educationand promoting social cohesion in thoseareas.
Leslie Stephen, Director of Educationfor the Diocese of Oxford.
CompetitionWinners
Mrs Alison Bayley from Amersham;Julia Morgan from Wexham andJames Glynn from Bodicote werethe winners of the competition featured in the April issue of TheDoor and have all won a copy of‘The Good Green Footprint’ published by Lion Hudson.
The direction of our world is determined by several forces, ofwhich politics, government, money
and power are a few. As Christians I believe we should be
living in the world but not be of theworld, and in order to do this we musttake seriously the day-to-day issues of ourplanet, engaging with politics withoutbeing absorbed by it or forgetting to seeits significance, with perspective.
Having said this, it isn’t easy to engagewith something I know little of (and Iknow others my age feel the same) -especially as we are constantly being toldthat the so-called ‘left’ and ‘right’ wingparties now have very similar policies andno party looks beyond its elected fiveyears.
While I understand why our politicianstake a short term view it is somethingthat I struggle to come to terms with.
When issues such as global warmingand population growth are looming onour horizon it is blatantly obvious that
some sustainable steps must be taken,and yet apparently this is not what theelection is about. On top of this, it is difficult to really see how my vote isgoing to make a difference, but I recog-nize that voting is one thing I can do.
So, in the same way that I need anincentive to revise, I see the election asan incentive to get involved in politics.The regrettable events of the lastmonths, including the recession and theexpenses scandal, have both increasedmy interest in politics and made me awareof how far reaching the consequences of such occurrences can be.
It is hard, when school is your daily life,to understand the impact of politicaldecisions or changes in the economy onour society. However, I would really liketo have a greater understanding and Ihope that the manifestos created in thecoming weeks will help me to make aninformed decision for my first vote.
Although I do not pretend to under-stand the history of politics or to have asolution for any of the problems we face,I hope the honesty that Christ teaches uswill always help me to play the role Ishould play in the world that we live in.
Claire Ewbank is 18 and a member of StClement’s, Oxford.
As a British citizen, I am fortunate tobe a part of one the most genuine-ly democratic countries in the
world. To take this for granted would beoutrageous.
Across the globe people have foughtand died for their right to vote and itshould be seen as both a privilege and aduty to do so. Keeping a governmentaccountable is vital in ensuring they arerepresenting our views and acting in thebest needs of this nation.
There is a wonderful phrase: “Peopleshould not be afraid of their govern-ments, governments should be afraid oftheir people.” That is a fundamental dif-ference between a democracy and a dic-tatorship. For this reason I feel excitedand honoured to be voting in a generalelection for the first time on 6 May.
I’m a student, so inevitably the issue ofStudent Loans and Tuition Fees is highon the agenda. The Conservatives saythey plan to cancel debts of studentsobtaining degrees with 2.1 honours and
above. The Liberal Democrats plan toabolish the top-up fees brought in by theBlair government in 2004 – despite the2001 Labour manifesto promise of: “Wehave no plans to introduce University top-upfees, and have legislated to prevent their introduction."
The Lib Dems are well known for theiropposition to tuition fees, but they canafford to be generous with their promis-es as they are less likely to have to carrythem out. However to focus an entireelection on tuition fees would be short-sighted. There are many other importantissues at stake: how to get this countryout of recession, spending in the publicsector and how to tackle climate change.
In the Bible God seems to providegreat leaders without resorting to ballotsand paper. But as a Christian, I care pas-sionately about the society I live in, and Iwant to exercise my democratic privilegewisely. As a student, I’m lucky enough tochoose where my vote will count most. Iwill be transferring my vote to my termtime address, so that I can vote for mylocal MP in Sheffield... who happens tobe Nick Clegg. And I will be sitting upthrough the night on 6 May watching theresults unfold.
Jack Phillips is 19 and a member of StJohn the Baptist, Bodicote.
Commentby Jack Phillips
Privileged to vote
Commentby Claire Ewbank
One thing I can do
LetterChurch schools good for community
God in the life of... theDoor MAY 2010
This time last year, Bob, 60,was planning to retire fromaccountancy. But when hesaw the job of Treasurer forthe Metropolitan Police
advertised, he says he just had to go forit.
“It’s the top job in my field,” he says.Now, far from enjoying a relaxing retire-ment, Bob takes the 6.53am train fromBicester to London to head for hisoffices in Scotland Yard each day. Therehe works as Treasurer for theMetropolitan Police Authority, scrutinis-ing how the authority spends its £3.5bnbudget on everything from paper clipsto helicopters.
Although he doesn’t get back intoBicester until about 7.30pm, he says hiswife Sherry jokes that she sees more ofhim than before. “I haven’t got any ener-gy to do anything else. I sit down andwatch television with her,” he says.
I walked in to St Edburg’s to interviewBob just as he was coming to the end ofa Saturday morning Mass forWalsingham. We chatted in the 900-year-old Norman church that is currentlyundergoing a £1m upgrade.
Bob’s career began in local govern-ment in Camden and has taken himfrom London to Fenland, Portsmouthand Wiltshire, Buckinghamshire CountyCouncil and eventually Thames ValleyPolice, a force that covers Oxfordshire,
Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. Hebecame Deputy Treasurer of the ThamesValley Police Authority in 1993 and waspromoted to Treasurer in 2003.
At the same time, he was on a faithjourney. “I was always a closet Christian.I was baptised as a child but hadn’t beengoing to church. When my son joined achurch choir in Wiltshire, I went alongto support him. The vicar noticed I’dbeen going regularly and asked if I hadthought about getting confirmed. I felt Ididn’t know enough about the Churchof England or the Christian faith.” Thevicar told him that was fine and invitedhim to take confirmation classes. He wasconfirmed in 1990.
When he moved to Bicester, he joinedthe choir at St Edburg’s with his son aswell as becoming part of the servingteam. “I started to feel over a year or twothat I wanted to do something else but Iwasn’t clear what. I went to a vocationsday and talked to the priest here, andcame to the conclusion that it was prob-ably non stipendiary ministry,” he says.Bob went through the selection processfor ordination as he was completing adegree in social sciences and economics.He joined the Oxford Ministry Courseand was ordained in 1997.
“It was a gradual process and after-wards I could see the links and the crossroads where I made particular choicesand they all made sense,” says Bob, whokeeps his two roles in separate boxes.“I’m a senior manager at work and there
could be a conflict if I was seen as some-one’s priest. At the same time peopleknow I’m a priest. It pervades your life.You bring in your Christian philosophyto whatever you are doing, whether it’ssimply trying to do the best you can as amanager, it just is what you are, even ifit’s not that overt.”
He knows that his job is a key one inthe current financial climate, and asLondon Mayor, Boris Johnson sets multimillion pound savings targets. “Theproblem at the moment is that becausethere is an election looming I don’tknow what the figures are going to be.People are working on the basis of whatthey think might happen. Whatever hap-pens could have a significant effect onthe public sector as we go forward andwill mean we will have to look seriouslyat delivering things in a different way,”he says.
So how does Bob balance being apriest with his demanding full-time job?“I’ve slowed down a bit since we had aninterregnum, when there were two of uscovering five churches across the area,”he says. He used to be a keen cricketer,but now watches sport from his armchair.
Bob is married to Sheridan and the cou-ple have four grown up children.
20
The Revd Bob Atkins tellsJo Duckles about balancingthe books for the Met whileserving as an Assistant Priestin Bicester.
‘ You bring in your
Christian philosophy to
whatever you are doing. ’
Accounting for the police
‘I started to feel over a year
or two that I wanted to do
something else...’
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