JOURNAL OF BLACKBURN DIOCESE : THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND IN LANCASHIRE

THE

See MAGAZINE

JANUARY 2019

God’s wind can steer us in 2019

Happy New Year!

I wonder: what is the wind direction as you read this article at the start of a New Year? Chances are you have no idea, because you’re reading this inside. Unless, of course, you’ve picked this up at the back of a very draughty church!

And that’s the point. We tend to avoid the wind. We try not to sit in draughts – we assiduously fit draught excluders. We like to keep ourselves cosy in these dreary winter months.

Bishop Philip often comments that we should have our meetings outside in the fresh air.

And the wind can be exhilarating. In the autumn, we had a super holiday by a coastal loch in Argyll. The wind was so refreshing. My son, Robbie, who’s 13, needs his fix of fresh air and exercise every day. He said: “My favourite weather is windy.”

There’s something about being in the wind that blows away the cobwebs and makes us feel fully alive.

Jesus said: “The wind blows wherever it wills. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit”. (John 3.8)

In our closing Eucharist at our wonderfully energising Diocesan Conference, Bishop Julian opened with

the words from Jimmy Dean: “I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.”

He was urging us to unfurl our sails and rely on the energetic wind of the Spirit of God to take us out of the conference and back to our homes and communities across Lancashire - to see healthy churches transforming communities in the words of Vision 2026.

Then precisely as he finished celebrating communion, the Chapel at Swanwick was suddenly engulfed in an almighty wind storm.

Some of us think this wasn’t coincidental. How else does God assure

us that he has heard? The One who has thrown the galaxies into being can change the direction of the wind. No problem at all.

The 8th century historian of the Northern church, Bede, put it in similar words: “Unfurl the sails, and let God steer us where he will.”

So, at the start of this New Year, don’t hide away indoors. Get out into His wind. Let’s unfurl our sails and let God steer us where He wishes.

Bishop Jill

The See can also be found on the Diocesan Website: www.blackburn.anglican.org under News, or scan the ‘QR code’ on the back page

with your smartphone to be taken to the Diocese website page which contains the current and archive editions of The See.

One family working together More than 300 clergy and laity gathered together in November for our first Diocesan Conference in 10 years.

This special issue of The See looks back at our exciting and inspiring four day event 'The

Mystery of Faith: Believing It, Living It, Sharing It'.

On page 2 and 4 there is a feature about the con-ference with pictures; then on page 8 there are some great quotes about the event from people who were there.

DIOCESAN CONFERENCE

‘A wonderful atmosphere and enormous energy.’

That was the verdict of the former Bishop of London, The Lord Chartres, when speaking about Blackburn Diocese’s first Diocesan conference in 10 years.

The Bishop was one of many excellent speakers from across the country who accepted the invitation to attend and to share insights on ‘The Mystery of Faith’ – the conference theme.

More than 300 clergy and laity from parishes that make up The Church of England in Lancashire met for four days at the end of November.

Delegates gathered for an event that will, in the words of conference planning chair Rev. Toby Webber, the Vicar of Altham with Clayton-le-Moors, ‘have a real and enduring impact on parishes’.

The conference theme was ‘The Mystery of Faith’ and it examined some of the key doctrines of the Christian faith (the incarnation, atonement and future hope) and how these central truths can speak to a highly challenging contemporary culture.

A quality range of speakers included The Lord Chartres; Tim Farron MP, former Leader of the Liberal Democrats; Rt Rev. Pete Wilcox, Bishop of Sheffield and Rt Rev. Graham Tomlin, Bishop of Kensington in London.

Academics who addressed the conference, which took place at the Hayes Centre in Swanwick, Derbyshire, included Professor Ben Quash from King’s College London; Amy Orr-Ewing, Director of the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics and Jenn Strawbridge, Professor of New Testament at the University of Oxford.

Delegates were also able to participate in a whole range of excellent workshops with opportunities for questions and answers and they could even make ‘surgery appointments’ to get more direct support from Diocesan staff for specific queries.

What’s more, as the Diocese had turned a little bit of Derby-shire into ‘red rose country’ for a few days, there was even time to celebrate Lancashire Day, when Rt Rev. Philip North, the Bishop of Burnley, read out the Lancashire Day proclamation to the cheers of delegates.

This was not just a conference for those who attended in person however - the Bishop’s Leadership Team wants it to have an impact on EVERYONE who attends churches across the County.

So, clergy and lay leaders who came to Swanwick were encouraged to take back the learning and insight and share it with their PCCs and wider congregations.

To assist this there will be a whole host of resource materials available to download from the Diocesan website conference page ‘under News and Events’ on www.blackburn.anglican. org in the coming weeks.

There is also a highlights video already uploaded to the same resources page, as well as a link to a new ‘Focus on Discipleship’ video which was introduced by Bishop Julian and played for the first time during the closing conference Eucharist.

Speakers who attended were impressed by the impact our Diocesan Vision 2026 Healthy Churches Transforming Communities is having in Lancashire.

After his talk, Tim Farron MP was keen to pick up on Vision 2026 saying: “Churches should serve the community where they are, always

being clear about the Gospel; never forgetting why it is we are here and as Christians we should be faithful to what the Bible teaches us.

“One of the things the Bible teaches us is to serve the people around us and to demonstrate real love … and social action is one of the ways we can be faithful to Christ’s teaching.”

Reacting to the time spent together, Bishop Julian said: “The conference has been a real joy; gathering people together as one family from every part of Lancashire for three days to live, worship and learn together.

“To hear Bishop Richard Chartres say he had already picked up on the real energy here in the short time he has been with us is a wonderful affirmation of what a Diocesan residential conference can be.

“The fact we have not had a conference for ten years means this is very special and the fact that we have lay people with us for the first time is also very special, so I am deeply thankful and grateful to God.”

For more comments from conference delegates turn to back page

Joy of being one

family for Christ

The amazing conference organising committee, left to right, Rev. Stefan Dnistrianskyj from Wright-ington with Heskin St James; Rev. Tracy Charnock, from Blackpool Holy Trinity and Blackpool St Peter, South Shore; Jean Duerden from Blackburn; Rev. Toby Webber, Vicar of Altham with Clayton-le-Moors and Rev. Grant Ashton, Vicar of Euxton

Rev. Stefanie Rober, Bishop Christoph Meyns and Jurgen Steinmann attended the conference from our link Diocese of Braunschweig

Rev. Nick McKee, Diocesan Director of Vocations; Rev. Chris Nelson from Penwortham St Mary and Peter Jump, Churchwarden with Rev. Munawar Din, both from Christ Church, Blackburn

Rev. Damian Platt and Angie Walsh treasurer, both from Christ Church Thornton and Margaret Warburton, lay reader and Rev. Jane Atkinson from St John, Little Thornton

Bishop Julian, centre at front, prepares to introduce a speaker to a hall packed with Lancashire delegates from across the Diocese

Chris Hedley, Churchwarden from Christ Church Fulwood; Rev. Emma Swarbrick, Holy Trinity South Shore; Rev. Chris Boland, Vicar of Christ Church, Fulwood and Patricia Wilkinson, a Reader from Baxenden St John

PEOPLE AND PLACES

News

Our Bishops and Archdeacons will be leading the latest annual Clergy Study Days in early 2019, on the themes of stewardship and teaching whole-life discipleship. They take place across the Diocese on five dates in January and February. Our ‘focus on discipleship’ will also link with the Church of England’s work on ‘Setting God’s People Free’. The dates are January 10 and 31. Also February 6, 16 and 25. If attending the Clergy Study Days, participants should book on for catering purposes. Details of all the events can be found on www.blackburn.anglican.org ‘Events’ section under the relevant date.

Blackburn Cathedral held a service of collation and installation for 10 new Canons on Sunday 9 December 2018. Rev Grant Ashton, Rev Lawrence Carson-Featham, Rev Tim Horobin, Rev Linda Macluskie and Rev Chris Newlands became Honorary Canons and Mrs Jean Duerden, Mr Richard Jones, Miss Jo Snape, Mr Stephen Whittaker and Mrs Sue Witts became Lay Canons of the Cathedral.

Parishes can now purchase self-service contactless donation boxes through the Parish Buying website. Contactless donation units are ideal for churches looking to boost donations in an ever-growing cashless society. The tabletop unit can have a handle attached to make it mobile, or there are many ways to incorporate it into furniture and to secure it. For more information about this and other ways of taking contactless payments email support@parish buying.org.uk or phone 0800 368 0887.

All parishes should, by now, have received their copies of this year’s Parish Share leaflet. Each parish has been sent 15 copies for their PCC in the first instance. PCC members are encouraged to pass round the leaflet to members of the congregation as well. There is an electronic version of the leaflet on the Diocesan website ‘Parish share 2019’ page, together with other resources, including PowerPoints and the full text of the speech to Diocesan Synod in October by David Barlow, chair of the Diocesan Board of Finance.

Exploring Faith Accompaniment Course. Sponsored by Blackburn Diocese, the 2019 course will take place at the Xaverian Mission Spirituality Centre, formerly Tabor, Preston. It will run during the daytime on Mondays at fortnightly intervals from January 14 until June 24. The cost is held at £450 and includes a residential weekend at Hyning Monastery. The team is ecumenical, and applications are welcome from members of all denominations. For further details contact Canon Tricia Impey at patriciaimpey@btinternet.com or on 01524 36617.

The Churchwarden's Yearbook 2019 is now available. The yearbook is available direct from the publishers at the reduced price of £13.50 inc p&p (bookshop price £14.95). It can be ordered by phone on 01985 840189 using card payment, or by post (Churchwarden Publications, PO Box 420, Warminster BA12 9XB with cheque or card payment.

Read much more about the following brief news stories by visiting the Diocesan website, www.blackburn.anglican.org …

More than 100 Zumba exercise fans from all over Lancashire took over Blackburn Cathedral for a two-hour charity ‘Zumbathon’. Inspired by a previous event at Chester Cathedral, the huge crowd of fitness fans gathered in the aisles of the Cathedral on November 16 as modern Latin Zumba rhythms echoed round the ancient walls for the special Children in Need fundraiser.

In a contemporary take on a medieval tradition, Blackburn Cathedral has launched the first ever Cathedral brand gin. Called Cathedra – the Dean of Blackburn hopes this new gin, specially crafted by a local distillery, will become one of the go-to brands in the current gin revival – and in the longer term create a new income stream for the cathedral’s mission and ministry. The gin is made by Brindle Distillery in Lancashire. “This is not a novelty; this is a cathedral doing business,” said the Dean, the Very Revd Peter Howell Jones.

Forthcoming events

Oberammergau Passion Play. Rev Jonathan Carmyllie will be leading a group to Austria and Oberammergau between June 24 and July 1, 2020. Anyone interested in finding out more about the trip should contact Jonathan on 01254 824679 or email j.carmyllie@btinternet. com

Spring Harvest will take place in Harrogate, from April 13 - 17, 2019 and marks the 40th Anniversary year of Spring Harvest events. More information www.spring harvest.org/harrogate/ or contact Rory Curran at email: rory.curran@essentialchristian.org or on 01825 746506.

St Laurence’s Church, Union Street, Chorley PR7 1EB. On Tuesday 1 January 2019, 12noon, Day of Prayer for World Peace. Sung Eucharist to welcome the New Year followed by fizz and nibbles. On Sunday 13 January at 3pm, St Laurence's Light Classics. Festivo Winds (wind quintet) afternoon recital which will last approximately 45 minutes. £5 to include tea and cake following the recital - children free.

On Tuesday 19 February at 1pm, St Mary Magdalene church, Church Street, Clitheroe BB7 2DD, celebrity Organ Recital by James Lancelot, former organist and Master of the Choristers at Durham Cathedral.

Bread for the World, 28 to 31 August 2019 at Liverpool Hope University. This is a major conference being organised by the three northern Catholic Bishops for priests and laypeople associated with The Society. Bishop Philip hopes to take a strong group from Blackburn Diocese. More details can be found at www.sswsh.com. To book a place or find out more, email the Bishop of Wakefield bishop.tony@leeds.anglican.org

Leyland In Tune's monthly charity keyboard concerts held at Midge Hall Methodist Church, Leyland, PR26 6TD at 7:30pm. Entrance is £5 with refreshments and homemade cakes (£1 donation to the church). Concerts for 2019 are Monday 28 January, the guest player is Tony Stace and Monday 25 February with Rod Pooley. Both of these concerts are being held to raise funds for the Midge Hall Church Organ Fund. For further information ring Cathy on 01772 433509.

When God Says Go - All Hallows' Convention at

All Hallows Parish Church, Bispham, Blackpool FY2 0AY. On Saturday 23 February 2019, main speaker: Rev Dr Paul Gardner, an international and national speaker, author and teacher. Tickets £5. For further information www.bahchurch.com or contact the Parish Office: 01253 274172 to secure a place.

On Saturday 26 January at 7pm, Burns Night Ceilidh to be held at St Michael's High School, Chorley, PR7 1RR. For tickets prices and queries please contact 01257 231360. On Sunday 27 January at 3pm at St Laurence’s in Chorley there will be a St Laurence's Light Classics event with Azure (harp and violin); an afternoon recital which will last approximately 45 minutes. £5 to include tea and cake following the recital - children free. For more information and any queries please ring 01257 231360.

Situations vacant or wanted

Christ Church Fulwood, Preston is looking for a new organist or pianist to help lead and develop our sung worship. For more information please contact Rev Chris Boland on cpboland@outlook.com or tel 01772 715202.

Do you work in the Blackburn Diocese as a virger or caretaker within a parish? If so, the Church of England Guild of Virgers would welcome you to join the organisation. Further information is available by contacting Tony Hales on 01253 314235 or email tony.hales1148@hotmail.com or Pamela Derbyshire on 01524 791756.

St Anne's Church, Fence. Organist and choirmaster required from March 2019. Three Sundays per month. Magnificent 2002 Copeman-Hart digital organ. Please contact: Simon Parker, Churchwarden on 07397 232 933

Clergy updates

The Rev Nicholas James Heale, Vicar of Skerton St Chad, has been appointed as Priest-in-Charge of The Benefice of North and East Blackburn (Blackburn St Thomas with St Jude and Blackburn St Michael and All Angels with St John and Holy Trinity).

The Rev Graham James Birch, Vicar of Ainsdale St John in the Diocese of Liverpool, has been appointed Vicar of Great Harwood St Bartholomew and St John.

The Rev Christopher David Wood, Rector of St John Timberhill with Norwich St Julian in the Diocese of Norwich, has been appointed as Vicar (half-time) of Waddington St Helen and West Bradford St Catherine.

The Rev Christopher Krawiec, Curate at Great Harwood St Bartholomew and St John, has been appointed as Rector of Holy Trinity Poulton-le-Sands with St Laurence of Morecambe.

The Rev Kamran Bhatti, Curate at Preston The Risen Lord was appointed as Interim Assistant Curate (Missionary Priest) of Preston St Cuthbert and was licensed by the Bishop of Blackburn on 14 November 2018.

The Rev David Gibb resigned as Vicar of Leyland St Andrew on 31 December 2018.

The Rev Alan Byrom will retire as Vicar of Blackpool Christ Church with All Saints on 28 February 2019.

DIOCESAN CONFERENCE / VISION 2026 News? Feedback? thesee@blackburn.anglican.org

Deadline

for

the

February

edition

is

January 4,

2019

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The See is edited by Diocesan Communications Manager Ronnie Semley.

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Delegates and, by extension, their parishes have been energised by the Diocesan Conference ‘The Mystery of Faith’ writes Ronnie Semley, Diocesan Communications Manager.

Everyone involved agreed the most important part of the event was the chance for clergy and laity to study, worship, learn and laugh together.

And speakers at the conference really picked up on that – none more so than The Lord Richard Chartres, the retired Bishop of London. Bishop Richard said: “I found it such an encouraging visit. I have picked up on the wonderful atmosphere and your enormous energy. It really is a tonic.”

Conference Organiser Jean Duerden, from Blackburn, commented: “Everyone has had a great time and has given positive feedback about every aspect of the event. The speakers we booked exceeded all our expectations.”

Bishop Philip said: “It’s been beautiful over the last three days to return to the very heart of our faith to think what it means that God has been born for us as a human being, that he has died for us and risen for us.”

Paul Adnitt, a Churchwarden from St Gabriel’s, Blackburn added: “It’s just been brilliant with

excellent, exciting and challenging speakers. I have come away with some food for thought and great ideas for our upcoming parish mission.”

Bishop Jill said: “The conference has been a crucible where a wonderful group of faithful people from across Lancashire have seen their faith stoked, ready to become beacons of hope in the parishes where they live and work.”

Chris Hedley, a Churchwarden from Christ Church, Fulwood, Preston commented: “There was a real sense of a Diocese working together and being a team. It was also great to be able to network; to sit down with someone unfamiliar, find out your local issues were often very similar and discuss ways of tackling them together.”

Archdeacon Michael added: “It has been exhilarating; it has been exhausting… and our hearts are overflowing with love both for Jesus Christ and for one another. People have spoken to each other from different parts of the diocese and the county who would not normally be able to meet.”

While Penny Waters, Deanery Synod Representative from St Chad’s, Poulton-le-Fylde commented: “My expectations have

been surpassed. I really liked the very inclusive fellowship atmosphere. It was not ‘clergy and us’ … we were all part of one family.”

Archdeacon Mark said: “There was a howling wind around the conference site during the four days and I just sense the wind and the spirit is at work. He is going to do a new thing in Blackburn Diocese, I cannot wait to see what lies ahead.”

Rev Sue Timmins, from All Saints, Appley Bridge added: “We had some beautiful worship … I was in tears with the sense of the presence of God.”

While Rev. Chris Krawiec from St Bartholomew and St John, Great Harwood, commented: “The conference has had a real sense of fellowship and family about it and I have really enjoyed getting to know people better.”

And final word goes to an anonymous lay delegate who summed the whole conference up brilliantly saying: “It was like God was buzzing about everywhere!”

God was buzzing

about everywhere!

Early in December, the national church's Strategic Investment Board approved an investment of over £1.5m Strategic Development Funding towards the creation of the 'Preston Resourcing Parish' to be based at The Minster and St George's in the city centre, writes Dave Champness, Vision Coordinator.

The concept of a Resourcing Parish to be located in Preston was first proposed in March 2016 following a visit to the county by Rt Rev. Ric Thorpe, Bishop of Islington, who also has a national remit for church planting.

Over the following couple of years the concept was developed into an application for Strategic Development Funding by a small team led by Bishop Philip and including Archdeacon Michael, the Area Dean Rev Shaun Baldwin and the Deanery Lay Chair, Stephanie Rankin along with input from representatives of Holy Trinity Brompton - the church behind the Alpha course.

The aim of the Resourcing Parish is to build on the legacy of Fr Timothy Lipscomb and the interim ministry of Archdeacon Michael in their role as Vicar of Preston.

We will invest in a parish ministry team including an Anglo-Catholic Team Vicar based at St George's, whose aim is to actively share God's love through words and deeds with those who live in and/or visit the city centre.

The ministry team will include clergy who will spend a couple of years in the Resourcing Parish learning about church planting techniques, before they will themselves plant a church in one of the new housing developments springing up to the north of the city, and/or on one of the city's social housing estates.

Some of the national church's financial investment will be used to further develop the Minster site as a welcoming multi-purpose space with expanded catering facilities (Alpha courses include food - always a winner with students)!

Building works are expected to be completed (subject to formal building approvals) in summer 2019 ahead of a formal launch of the project in late September 2019.

Please pray for the ongoing work taking place in Preston to establish this exciting new project.

A new era for the

church in Preston

Community hubs: The two churches at the heart of the ‘Preston Resourcing Parish’, The Minster, pictured during a previous visit by the Archbishop of York, below, and a view of the magnificent interior of St George's, above.