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CRUX Issue 48 January 2018 Church for a different world 25p CELEBRATING OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
CRUXIssue 48
January 2018Church for a different world
25p
CELEBRATING OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
Church for a different world
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TURNING WORDS INTO REALITY
MESSY EUCHARIST
Readers of CRUX will have got used to seeing the phrase Church for a Different World on these pages, and an evening event at Bishopscourt recently showed that it’s a lot more than just a snappy strap line. Representatives of 16 different church projects, chosen by judges from among a wide variety of entries, came together to be highly commended for how they are turning those words into reality.
Sixty four guests shared with each other how they are serving the needs of the wider community, growing the church and nurturing their members. Together, they were providing debt advice, setting up language classes, taking the Christmas story onto their streets, engaging with parents and toddlers, setting up a variety of Fresh Expressions of Church, and much more.
Each was working with the reality of the world as it is, and being a force for change. Many showed the strength of working together with neighbouring parishes, other denominations and different faith
communities. The God who is calling us to create and serve a different world is also calling us out from behind the historic barriers that have divided us.
The animated level of conversation was audible proof that while every group was rightly proud of what they are already doing, they were not going to miss the chance to discover new ideas from each other.
To share that more widely, over the next few months we will be featuring a number of the projects here in CRUX. And, in answer to the question posed to me many times during the awards evening, we will be offering awards again. So please think and pray about how you and your church can be among our next round of winners!
Navid first arrived in the UK in 2011 as a refugee and is a member of the Farsi speaking community at St Thomas’ Church, Werneth. “I became interested in Christianity when I was living in Iran. I saw a film about Jesus taken from Luke’s Gospel. It was really interesting for me how Jesus forgave everyone. I never had the chance to investigate but I was always curious about it.” It was when Navid was invited to St Thomas’ Church that he was invited to attend Bible Study group but he didn’t feel able to take his faith further as he was suffering from depression and PTSD. “But there was always something inside me wanting to find out more. I needed to know if it was for me or not”. In 2015 things changed for Navid. “I felt it was easier for me, I could be useful in the church and I found myself so welcomed.” He returned to Bible Study classes where he also acted as a translator for Farsi speakers. “To explain things, you have to understand it first, so it made me dig deeper and find out more.” Eight months later, he made the decision to be baptised on Easter Day. “It was the start of a journey for me.” Navid has now joined five fellow Farsi speaking Christians on the Foundations for Ministry course run by the diocese. “The course is difficult, it’s good and most of all, it’s challenging. We are trying to learn from each other and understand each other as we come from different backgrounds and cultures”.
As Revd Janet Pitman of St Thomas’ Church explains, “It’s great that two of our Farsi speaking congregation have this opportunity and we as a parish support them in many ways.” Navid feels at home at St Thomas’. “What I like about the Church of England is that you are accepted and welcomed for whoever you are. You see the love between people, and you are always welcome. You will always feel safe here.” Navid is thinking about the future.
David Walker Bishop of Manchester
CRUX January 2018
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I’m hoping that maybe in a couple of years I will have enough understanding of being a Christian that I will be able to help other people who are new in their faith and like me are curious to know more. For now this is the place for me to grow my faith.”
BRIEF ENCOUNTER: Navid“ You see the love between people, and you are always welcome”
Manchester Cathedral is hosting its first Messy Eucharist on Saturday 13 January with activities, Eucharist and refreshments. Come along as a family or with other from your usual Messy Church congregations to learn more and share good practice. To help with planning, please book your place by contacting Helen Tyler on 0161 828 1436; [email protected]
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CRUX January 2018
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Church for a different world
PLANTING THE SEEDS OF ECO CHURCH
January is a good month to test our will to ‘walk the talk’ of New Year’s resolutions. Though often intensely personal: ‘I’m giving up alcohol’ or ‘I’m taking up exercise’, they can also be decisions made together as the Body of Christ.
One from the back end of last year, passed unanimously at our most recent diocesan synod, was the motion for Manchester to register its intent to work towards becoming an Eco Diocese. What does this mean and how might we honour the resolution and ‘walk the talk’ in 2018?
Perhaps the first thing to say is that the motion, like any healthy resolution, is less of a finger wagging ‘do not’
than a strategic ‘thumbs up’, to build on the many good things that our churches and Church House are already doing as we honour the fifth mark of mission and ‘strive to safeguard the integrity of God’s creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth’.
Some of the ways in which our churches ‘walk the talk’ were shared through the 2017 Archdeacon’s Articles of Enquiry, which revealed that while only 14 churches had switched to green energy suppliers, three times as many were interested in becoming Eco Churches and well over 100 were already engaged in green activities in mission.
The resolve to register as an Eco Diocese gives us the opportunity to celebrate and support such churches and to be more strategic about our collective ‘carbon detox’. It will involve dry, but foundational, work like rewriting an environmental policy for the diocese, but also, for those who like them, incentives such as the challenge to register enough churches for an Eco Diocese award. Other steps will include training for clergy and laity (including the new ALM module in Ecology and Creation).
CARBON LITERACYSynod has also called for the Board of Finance to achieve Carbon Literate status through the innovative Manchester-based Carbon Literacy Project. This aims to educate about the carbon impact of what we do and help us do our bit to reduce our carbon footprint. The diocese will work with other faith groups, church schools and local communities to share the resolve to improve our stewardship.
Resolutions can waver during the year, of course, and when they do we have another resource that is both
Word and action. Paraphrasing the prophet Micah: What does the Lord require of us as individuals and as church in 2018? ‘But to act justly, love mercifully all God’s creatures and walk humbly on God’s earth’.
2018
There is lots of information on Eco Diocese at ecochurch.arocha.org.uk/eco-diocese or contact Revd John Hughes, Environment Officer, on 0161 872 0500.
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Church for a different world
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CRUX January 2018
We invited you to nominate projects for Church for a Different World Awards and here are the results! There was an incredible response, resulting in 16 projects being highly commended by Bishop David at an awards ceremony before Christmas and a further 11 receiving written commendations.
CELEBRATING WITH AWARDS
“The Award has been such a boost to Carol, our ALM and an encouragement to our Singing 4 Tots Team. We shall be celebrating with our mums, babies and nanas!”
GIFT AID LITE IS GROWINGGift Aid revenue makes a crucial difference to every church, providing an extra £2 million of income to our parishes each year.
The Gift Aid Lite scheme provided by the diocese supports over 180 churches with the administration and accuracy of their Gift Aid claims. This helps parishes maximise their income and keep on top of making regular claims.
As well as continuing to administer traditional giving methods, Gift Aid Lite is adapting to give churches new ways to receive donations. Churches will have the opportunity to be able to accept card payments, contactless donations and create Quick Response (QR) codes in parish publications.
This is important in today’s increasingly cash-free society. A direct debit facility will also be available which gives donors the option of inflation-proofing their giving, which is a significant step forward in tackling the issue of static giving.
On the admin side, churches will be able to input their donations online and reference their own records.award, and thank you to our many organists who play for services week in week out. We do appreciate you!
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Look out for more details in the New Year. If you have any questions, please contact Sue Warren, Gift Aid Advisor on 0161 828 1424; [email protected]
The awards celebrate the inspirational and innovative work that is growing throughout the diocese as we become Church for a different world. Sometimes this is through major projects; often, it is through the small-scale, involving just a few people. But the effect is the same in both cases: to glorify God and to make Him known.
Bishop David said, “I announced the Church for a different world awards last summer, inviting you to share good practice, help us learn from each other, and celebrate what is good. I have been delighted by the number and quality of applications for an award.
“The projects reflect our five priority areas of delivering church, addressing social injustice, nurturing people, spreading spirituality and transforming communities. I am very impressed with
the range of projects demonstrated, and I hope that by sharing ideas, you might be encouraged to try new things that have been shown to work well in different contexts.” Revd Karen Owen, Team Vicar at Ellenbrook, representing Singing 4 Tots, said “We want to thank Bishop David for the super evening at Bishopscourt and the pleasure of being granted the Award. We had some excellent conversations with other winners and hearing their stories was truly inspiring!
Hurst, St John the Evangelist
A Place of Welcome organised to address issues surrounding social isolation, in liaison with local statutory and voluntary agencies. Kersal, St Paul & St Andrew
£18,500 raised for a borehole in Kenya, through a personal connection forged at St Paul’s.
Oldham Parish Church
Set up in 2011, in collaboration with other statutory and voluntary services, the Street Angels serve the night-time economy. Pennington, Christ Church
Church plant to reach the marginalised and underprivileged, with other services in partnership with CAP.
Prestwich, St Mary
A mid-week worship service aimed at pre-school children and carers.
Stretford Deanery
Every parish has sent representatives to dementia awareness training, culminating in the Deanery becoming ‘Dementia Aware’ in May 2017. Victoria Park, St Chrysostom
Working with the Medaille Trust, the need was identified for victims of human trafficking to gain English language skills.
West Bolton, St Paul with Emmanuel
Three elements: Faith Trails, Bolton Inter-Faith Young Ambassadors, and Farsi Bible Study/Support Group.
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Church for a different world
Highly commended projects
CRUX January 2018
Group Ashton, Holy Trinity & Community Centre
SummaryLarge-scale project including tackling isolation, empowering women and promoting good mental and physical health in a deprived and multi-ethnic community. Broughton Team Ministry
Four projects: closer relationship with local Jewish community; a fresh expression; a community food club; a Place of Welcome
Clarksfield, St Barnabas
Multi-stranded youth and community projects, including largest youth club in Oldham and 200-300 free breakfasts served during school holidays. Collyhurst, The Saviour
Debt advice scheme established in June 2016, at a time of benefit changes. Debts of over £500k have been written off as a result
Davyhulme, St Mary the Virgin
Successfully enabled and encouraged (younger) church leadership from those with work or home commitments
Droylsden, St Mary with St Martin & The Epiphany
As part of the improvement and regeneration of the town centre, nativity scenes are placed in local shops. Displays have grown to number 65 in 2016. Eastlands, St Barnabas & Beswick, The Resurrection
A ‘sacramental fresh expression’ starting in January 2017, in a part of the parish with no church building. Sessions begin with shared food. Ellenbrook, St Mary the Virgin
Arising from baptism ministry, a monthly carer & tots group.
Project People, Place and Presence
Community Mission Project
Wardenshare
Droylsden Nativities Festival
Afternoon Church
Singing 4 Tots
Gateway Debt Advice
Abundant Life
St John’s Wednesday Welcome
A Dementia Aware Deanery
Language Classes for Victims of Human Trafficking
Emmanuel Community Cohesion Project
The Borehole Project
Oldham Street Angels
Sports Village Church
Pre-School Praise
APPOINTMENTSThe Revd Canon Dr Chris Bracegirdle currently Team Rector of Blackrod, Daisy Hill, Westhoughton and Wingates, has been appointed Incumbent of St Peter with St Philip Bolton-le-Moors and Borough Dean of Bolton.
The Revd Annie McMullen (née Woodcock) who currently holds Permission to Officiate in the Diocese of Manchester has been appointed Re-settlement Chaplain for HMP Forest Bank.
The Revd Deborah Sandercock-Pickles, currently Priest-in-Charge of St Margaret Prestwich, has been appointed Incumbent of St Margaret Prestwich.
The Revd Chris Wedge, currently Priest-in-Charge of St Mary Prestwich, has been appointed Incumbent of St Mary Prestwich.
RESIGNATIONSThe Revd Canon Alison Hardy, currently Incumbent of All Saints Stand and Area Dean of Radcliffe & Prestwich Deanery, has been appointed Priest-in-Charge of Embleton and Rennington and Rock and Area Dean of Alnwick in the Diocese of Newcastle.
RETIREMENTThe Revd Jenny Montgomery, currently Priest-in-Charge of Goodshaw and Crawshawbooth, is to retire on 8 April 2018.
St. Denys’ Bookshop
CLOSING DOWN
SALE Starts 8 January 2018 Sadly after 35 great years, St. Denys’ Bookshop is to close owing to a rent rise. All stock and fittings must be cleared.
COME ALONG, SAY GOODBYE AND PICK UP A BARGAIN
Church for a Different World Awards 2017
Highly Commended for People, Place and Presence to Ashton, Holy Trinity and Community Centre
Awarded by the Bishop of Manchester, Dr David Walker
Celebrating how we are becoming Church for a different world
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CRUX January 2018Church for a different world
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In addition to the highly commended projects, another 11 were commended by Bishop David.
CHURCH BUILDING TOOLKIT
For further advice on church building projects, please contact: Heather Ford, [email protected]
Open Arms
Droylsden and District Foodbank
Sing Choirs of Angels!
Quiet Garden
Maggie Tots (toddle group)
Family Fun and Food
Mission Action Plan
Benefice Church Council
Schools working together
Feed Your Faith
‘If you don’t come to us, we’ll come to you!’
Group Chorlton, St Werburgh Droylsden, St Mary with St Martin & The Epiphany Eccles Deanery Flixton, St Michael Heywood, St Margaret Langley, Burnside Centre
Little Hulton, St John Bapt.
Littleborough Mossley Prestwich, St Margaret & St George
Wythenshawe
Some of the projects have already been covered in CRUX and in videos on our YouTube channel. Look out for more stories in the months ahead.
Crossing the Threshold, a fully revised and expanded online toolkit, provides advice, hints and tips for adapting a church building for wider community use, while balancing the needs of existing worshippers. Download the excellent resource from tinyurl.com/y72rp77s
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CRUX January 2018
LORD HELP US GROW
Paul writes to the Corinthians saying, “I planted, Apollos watered but God gave the growth”(1 Corinthians 3:6). This well known verse grounds our desire to grow in two important truths. Disciples of Jesus have a role to play – in sowing, planting, watering. But ultimately it is only God who gives us the growth, and that leads us directly into prayer.
Our diocese is blessed with wonderful worship and with churches that seek to be a transforming presence in their communities through foodbanks, debt advice, youth work and a thousand other ways. Where we struggle is in our desire to grow. The Bishop’s Council has thought about this and focused our growth in these terms “Growing new disciples in missionary church communities which are younger, more diverse, active and spiritually engaged”.
It’s a brilliant goal but how do we achieve it? We need to do the planting and watering.Some of it is to do with getting more confident in sharing the good news of Jesus. This amazing person whom we all love, has made a difference in our lives. We plan to continue to put on training that enables us to share our love for Jesus and the abundant life he came to bring.
Many churches are finding new ways of doing church that attract families. We are known for having many Messy Churches, and some have seen both children and adults being baptised. There is a growing desire to plant new churches that suit their community, and to learn from the experience of good practice elsewhere. The Resource Church at St Philip’s Salford is a further way of following God’s call to do a new thing in Manchester.
But if we want to grow, in every way, it does begin with prayer. So we want to develop resources that help our churches to pray for growth.
The ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ week, which was such a brilliant time in 2017, enabled us to focus our prayer for people to come to know Jesus and for our communities to be transformed and blessed. We will be repeating it this year.
As we launch out in prayer and begin to share our faith, we will find that we grow in every way, in love for God, in love for one another, into a deeper faith and trust, into a deeper understanding of our faith. Lord, help us grow!
Bishop of Bolton, Mark Ashcroft
FINNISH YOUTH CAMP 2018
We are excited to be heading to Tampere for a
Finnish-style Youth Camp from 25 July to 1 Aug 2018.
A fabulous opportunity for young people aged 13-18
who are interested in exploring their Christian faith
and experiencing a new country, culture & adventure!
Contact: Susie Mapledoram on 0161 828 1435/
07967 657587; [email protected]
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CRUX January 2018We want to hear your thoughts
Send to:Church for a Different World, Diocese of Manchester, Church House,90 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2GH
WHAT’S ON THIS MONTH AT MANCHESTER CATHEDRAL?
CANON WRAY’S SOCK DAY APPEAL
The Canon Wray Sock Appeal is back and you can drop new pairs of socks right up until the official anniversary of this historic legacy on 21 January.
Thanks for your feedback so far
What would you like to see discussed in a future issue? Continue the conversation
Website:manchester.anglican.orgTwitter:@DioManchesterFacebook:Church of England (Diocese of Manchester-official)Email: [email protected]
What will we do with your comments?
We will collate all the responses we receive and consider them as we develop our plans and priorities for the diocese.
We will not be able to provide individual responses, but we will provide updates in CRUX on how your feedback is shaping Church for a different world.
WHAT SMALL CHANGES CAN I MAKE TO REDUCE MY CARBON FOOTPRINT?
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Like us, search for Church of England (Diocese of Manchester-official)
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To advertise in CRUX contact:Simon Ambrose, 0161 828 [email protected]
The copy deadline is the first of the month prior to publication.Payment is in advance. Small ads cost 50 pence per word (maximum of 40 words) plus VAT.
Editorial:All editorial items to Ann Mummery,0161 828 [email protected]
The NEW Manchester Diocesan Directory 2017/18
Out now! Available from:
St Denys Bookshop 10 Cateaton Street
Manchester M3 1SQ 0161 835 1069
Featuring: Contact details
for clergy and parishes
Colour maps indicating benefices
Resources for ministry
ONLY £6
