the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds News from Together Together Inside this month’s Together: p II Beth begins ministry p III Peter becomes bishop p IV 30 years of service p V God’s Earth p VI Hook Lecture p VIII Christmas book Overwhelming vote for women bishops Synod motion for stronger legal provision for objectors defeated Designer clothes feature in advert Christmas poster www.riponleeds.anglican.org november 2011 Bishop John has joined the Archbishop of York and the Bishop of Bradford in wel- coming this year’s Christmas advertising campaign by Churchads.Net. The ecumeni- cal communications group is asking churches to support its 2011 poster and radio campaign which sets the na- tivity scene firmly in the 21st century with trendy twenty somethings, designer fashions and luxury gifts. But the traditional nativity ar- rangement is unchanged, with Jesus as its clear focus. And the message is ‘However you dress it up.... Christmas Starts with Christ’. Bishop John told Together, “With research (Continued on Page 2) In the latest stage in the debate over women bishops, church leaders from Leeds and North Yorkshire voted overwhelm- ingly last month in favour of women bishops and defeated a motion calling for greater statutory provisions for op- ponents. The Synod, (or ‘parliament’) of the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds, which stretches from south Leeds to the borders of County Durham, met on October 1st at the David Young Community Academy in Leeds and gave their backing to the draft ‘Bishops and Priests (Con- secration and Ordination of Women) Measure’ which has been forwarded to every dio- cese in the country by General Synod for debate. The vote to approve the women bishops’ measure was 74 in favour and 7 against with 2 abstentions. Only if the majority of Dioc- esan Synods approve the draft legislation, can the measure enabling women to become bishops return to the General Synod, probably in February 2012, for final drafting. So far every diocese which has met to debate the issue has voted in favour and the ‘Final Ap- proval’ stage could be reached in July 2012. The draft measure includes a code of practice giving provi (Continued on Page 2) Speaking in the debate, clockwise from top left: Kathryn Fitzsimons, Jonathan Clark, Bishop John, and Richard Mantle.
Transcript
I
the Diocese of Ripon and LeedsNews fromTogetherTogether
Inside this month’s Together:p II Beth begins ministryp III Peter becomes bishopp IV 30 years of servicep V God’s Earthp VI Hook Lecturep VIII Christmas book
Overwhelming vote for women bishopsSynod motion for stronger legal provision for objectors defeated
Designer clothes feature in advert
Christmas poster
www.riponleeds.anglican.org
november 2011
Bishop John has joined the Archbishop of York and the Bishop of Bradford in wel-coming this year’s Christmas advertising campaign by Churchads.Net. The ecumeni-cal communications group is asking churches to support its 2011 poster and radio campaign which sets the na-tivity scene firmly in the 21st century with trendy twenty somethings, designer fashions and luxury gifts.
But the traditional nativity ar-rangement is unchanged, with Jesus as its clear focus. And the message is ‘However you dress it up.... Christmas Starts with Christ’. Bishop John told Together, “With research (Continued on Page 2)
In the latest stage in the debate over women bishops, church leaders from Leeds and North Yorkshire voted overwhelm-ingly last month in favour of women bishops and defeated a motion calling for greater statutory provisions for op-ponents.
The Synod, (or ‘parliament’) of the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds, which stretches from south Leeds to the borders of County Durham, met on October 1st at the David Young Community Academy in Leeds and gave their backing to the draft ‘Bishops and Priests (Con-secration and Ordination of Women) Measure’ which has been forwarded to every dio-cese in the country by General Synod for debate. The vote to approve the women bishops’
measure was 74 in favour and 7 against with 2 abstentions.
Only if the majority of Dioc-esan Synods approve the draft legislation, can the measure enabling women to become bishops return to the General Synod, probably in February 2012, for final drafting. So far every diocese which has met to debate the issue has voted in favour and the ‘Final Ap-
proval’ stage could be reached in July 2012.
The draft measure includes acode of practice giving provi (Continued on Page 2)
Speaking in the debate, clockwise from top left: Kathryn Fitzsimons, Jonathan Clark, Bishop John, and Richard Mantle.
Beth begins pioneering nightclub ministryLast month’s commissioning of Beth Tash as Pioneer Minis-ter to the Night Time Econo-my caught the public and media imagination with articles and pictures in the Guardian, BBC News, the Yorkshire Post and Der Spiegel in Germany. Beth, 27, was previously Youth Pastor at St George’s Church Leeds, and was commissioned at a special service at the Royal Ar-mouries in Leeds with the new Riverside fellowship, another pioneering initiative, hosted by Revd James Barnett, Pioneer Minister to the New Communities.
Beth’s innovative new role is being paid for centrally by the Archbishops’ Council. It is the
third such post that the church has created in Leeds, follow-ing on from the appointment of James Barnett (right), and Revd Rob Hinton (left), the
Pioneer Minister to the Busi-ness Community.
Bishop James Bell who commissioned Beth said that it was important the church went out to people where they were. “The church has spent years in-viting people to come into our territory and receive our hospitality and do things our way. The way of Jesus was to go out and meet people, share their hospitality and sit down
and talk with them.... Be Jesus' presence, out there among people, and let them know the joy of Jesus."
(Continued from Page 1) showing that only 12% of adults, and only 7% of people aged between 18-24, know the Christmas story, it’s good that Church Ads is keeping Christmas focussed on Christ, by retelling the story in a way which engages creatively and positively with people’s interests.”
(Continued from Page 1) sions for those who cannot for reasons of belief accept women as bishops, but some traditionalists believe that this does not go far enough. A ‘following’ motion calling for stronger legal provision for alternative male bishops to be set up by statute rather than a code of practice was debated but was defeated by 70 votes to 12. Voting on the main motion was House of Laity: For 30, Against 4, Abstentions 2. House of Clergy: For 42, Against 3, Abstentions 0, House of Bishops: For 2, Against 0.
The image was created by top London fashion photographer, Max Oppenheim.
ChurchAds.net is inviting individu-als and churches to make a donation to a national Christmas advertising fund to buy poster sites, airtime on commer-cial radio and, for the first time ever, buy colour ads in national and regional newspapers.
For information visit www.christmasstarts.com
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News... News... News... News... News... News...Peter to become new Bishop of Doncaster
From Armley to Romania
St Aidan’s new head
An all-age team from seven churches in the Armley Dean-ery along with St George’s Leeds have been to Romania to take part in a 10 day mission. Forty eight local church members travelled to Hunedoara, a steel town in Transylvania, to help lead projects such as holiday clubs, orphanage programmes, school clubs, building or sports projects as well as working with local churches
John Wood, has been named as the school’s new headteacher from January 1st, 2012, succeeding Dennis Richards who retires at the end of the year. Educated at Leeds Grammar School, John joined the school as a teacher of Religious Studies in
September 1977. He has been a highly respected member of the school staff serving it in a variety of roles, most recently as Assistant Head within the Senior Leadership Team. John is the son of Rev Gordon Wood, who served in the Diocese of Ripon for nearly 40 years. He told Together he was honoured and privileged to have the opportunity to serve the school. “I am ex-tremely fortunate to be chosen to lead a wonderful school with a brilliant staff team. Although I will of course bring my own ideas and style to the job, the school’s values and ethos will remain unchanged.”
Peter Burrows, the Archdea-con of Leeds is to leave the diocese at the end of the year to become the next Bishop of Doncaster in the Diocese of Sheffield. Last month Peter was welcomed at Sheffield Cathedral by the Bishop of Sheffield, Rt Revd Dr. Steven Croft.
Peter said he was looking for-ward to the challenges and op-portunities, but that he would miss Ripon and Leeds. “I am
particularly grateful for the support and encouragement of Bishops John and James, the wider staff team and many lay
and clergy col-leagues. I will miss the dio-cese very much indeed and am indebted for the opportunities it has offered to develop my own ministry.”
Peter is hoping that friends and colleagues will join him at York Minster on February 2nd 2012 at 11am, when he will be consecrated as bishop.
on a ten day “Salt & Light” programme.
Trip leader, Alistair Kaye said, “It was a great experience working with the Romanians, learning
about their culture and it was great getting to know each other. People’s hospitality was amazing and it gave people many opportunities to serve, lead, preach and discover new gifts and talents."
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Thirty years of service
Bishop James writesChurch growth
The Pastor abandoned his planned sermon and instead preached what he felt the church needed to hear. It was a short sermon. “Love one another.” He delivered it three times in succession, with some puzzlement from the congregation in between each delivery! After he delivered it for the third time, they started to talk to one another and ask what they could do to help each other. Twenty eight peo-ple who were unemployed left with jobs, for instance. The pastor felt called to preach a different sermon. It was equally simple. “Love your neighbour as yourself.” A man got up and left the church. It wasn’t long before everyone else followed him. Before very long, people in the neighbourhood were talk-ing about the church: “Is that the church that cares about people?”
This is a story of an Evangeli-cal church in Argentina led by Juan Carlos Ortiz, and told by Simon Guillebaud at the New Wine Summer Conference. Under Ortiz’ leadership the church had increased from 300 to 1000 people. It was at the point of such significant growth in numbers that he felt led to preach the sermon that tested growth in the Spirit. As a result of his preaching these simple Bible messages,
three hundred people left. That was alright because love in action wasn’t for them. It is, however, what Christ calls his church to and is according to him the distinguishing and defining mark of his followers. “By this shall all know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another.”David Bentley Hart reflects on the spread of Christianity in the first three centuries: “The revolutions that genuinely al-ter human reality at its deepest levels – the only real revolu-tions, that is to say – are those that first convert minds and wills, that reshape the imagi-nation and reorient desire, that overthrow tyrannies within the soul.” He asserts that at the heart of that conversion was obedience to the command to love.
It would, of course, be inter-esting to know if there was a third stage in Ortiz’ sermon series - “Love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength”- and if so what the result was!
+James
1981. Margaret Thatcher was prime minister. A pint of milk cost 20p. And Adam Ant had two number ones in the chart. That was also the year that Julie Seddon started working for the Diocese of Ripon, as it was then.
Julie, part of the Finance Team, has served the diocese
for the past three decades. Last month she was presented with a bouquet, a certificate of rec-ognition of long service and theatre vouchers by the Chair-man of the Board, Alastair Thompson. Her colleagues also made a celebration cake decorated with the diocesan shield and strapline. Service to the diocese is a family trait as her father, Ron Enderby, was for many years Diocesan Ac-countant and her daughter has worked in the Administration Team. Julie said: “The staff in the Finance Team have always been wonderful and a pleasure to work with.”
The diocesan guide Caring for God’s Earth, contains all the helpful information your church needs to begin to reduce its carbon footprint. The guide can be found under Resource Docu-ments on the diocesan website or you can ring the diocesan office for copies. (www.riponleeds.anglican.org/mission_resourcing_docs.html) Let’s work together to achieve that ambitious target of carbon reduction.
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Caring for God’s Earth
It is just over a year since Caring for God’s Earth was launched at our Diocesan Synod in October 2010. This guide, sent to every parish, focussed on the challenge to reduce our carbon footprint by 80% by 2050, the goal set by the Church of England.
So what has been the response so far? The good news is that many of our parishes are taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint, to conserve energy and to enter upon the Eco-Congregation scheme. From the Archdeacons’ questionnaires in May, forty-four parishes have requested some help from the Diocesan Environment group. Has your parish come on board in taking steps to reduce your carbon footprint?
St Chad’s Church in Far Headingley is the example featured on this page showing a Church commu-nity which takes seriously its care for the environ-ment. They have a ‘green team’ and environmental concerns feature regularly in prayer and worship on Sundays.
An eco-congregation: St Chad’s, Headingley
St Chad’s is an eco –congregation and re-cently underwent a major eco-refurbishment. The church holds regular services focus-ing on the environment, and following last month’s service children from the Sunday Club planted crocus corns and daffodil bulbs in the shape of a cross in the church grounds.
The church also runs on-going recycling ini-tiatives, collecting computer cartridges from schools to send to Christian Aid, along with church collections in the area. Work is carried out on the churchyard to im-prove the grounds for wildlife and a community ‘Pay-back’ work party is clearing up an area of waste ground.
Climate change may have been displaced in the headlines by the world’s economic crisis but global warming and the potential disaster to our planet remain a serious threat. How do we respond as parishes? Caring for God’s Earth, a guide produced by the diocesan environmental group is designed to help parishes reduce their carbon footprint. Director of Mission, Adrian Alker talks more about it.
Environment officers, including Jemima Parker from Ripon and Leeds (front left), travelled on a London hybrid bus as part of a Shrinking the Footprint day.
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News... News... News... News... News... News...
Nine new Readers start work
Peace Garden opened on eve of 9/11
Baroness’s Hook LectureIn a new initiative for Leeds, the first ever Hook Lecture will take takes place at Leeds Parish Church on Thursday 17th November at 7.30pm.
Baroness Mary Warnock DBE FBA will be the guest speaker and has chosen for her lecture "The Foundations of Morali-ty". Bishop John will chair the event, which is jointly organ-
ised by Leeds Parish Church, the Leeds Church Institute, and the Department of Theol-ogy and Religious Studies of the University of Leeds. Lady Warnock, 84, is still regarded as one of Britain’s leading expert on medical ethics.
The Hook Lecture is named after Dean Walter Hook the prominent Victorian Vicar of Leeds responsible for the present Leeds Parish Church.
Admission to the lecture is free but by ticket, avail-able from the Leeds Church Institute (0113) 245 4700 or Leeds Parish Church [email protected]
On the eve of 9/11, Bishop John Packer was in Manston for the opening of a place of peace and reflection in east Leeds. St James Church of England Primary School in Manston has created a 'Peace Garden', and pic-tured with Bishop John at the opening are the youngest and oldest pupils at the school, Luke, aged 5 and Emma, aged 10.
The Peace Garden was created with community help, plants from the Parks and Gardens department of Leeds City Council and a group of pupils
who helped to plant the many shrubs and flowers.
The school’s 400 pupils together with parents and governors took
part in a special open-air serv-ice at which the garden was blessed and prayers for peace were offered.
Nine new Readers have been admitted to office at a service held at Holy Trinity Church in Ripon. Bishop James Bell licensed the readers to serve in par-ishes stretch-ing the length and breadth of the dio-cese – from Barningham, in the north, to Manston and Stanningley in Leeds. Readers are authorised to lead public worship, preach and share in pastoral work.
Pictured with Bishop James
are (front row left to right) Nancy Walsh (Stanningley), Val Lumsden (Wetherby), Tricia Dickenson (Manston),
Linda Billen-ness (Lower Nidderdale) and (backrow left to right) Sue Young (Barningham with Hutton
Magna and Wycliffe), Celia Morris (Upper Nidderdale), Steve Jackson (Catterick), Dan Hetherington (Kairos, Harro-gate) and Anne Cowan (Easby with Skeeby and Brompton on Swale and Bolton on Swale).
y Diary Dates Your guide to events
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Refuel introduction and information evening – for children’s leaders and clergy in the Leeds area. 7.30 - 9.00 pm at City Church, Leeds LS6 2EB. More from Anne Carter on (0113) 8800133 www.refuelleeds.org.uk
Called to the Big Society. Regional event at Leeds Church Institute, 10am – 2pm. To book contact LCI on (0113) 245 4700
Social Media – Benefits and Risks. Diocesan Office, St Mary’s St, Leeds LS9 7DP. 9.30am-1pm, free, book via [email protected] or (0113) 200 0556
Pilgrimage. Community art installation opens at Ripon Cathedral
Connect 2011. Exhibition from Christian or-ganisations engaged in social action. 6.30-9pm, The Wardrobe, St.Peter’s Square, Leeds
St Wilfrid Lecture, Ripon Cathedral – Mona Siddiqui ‘Islam and the Question of a loving God’. 7pm, admission free
In One City – film exploring the beliefs, values and lives of diverse Leeds people, 6pm, Round Foundry, Leeds, LS11 5QP
Ripon Choral Society, Handel: Israel in Egypt – Ripon Cathedral, 7.30pm. £17 with concessions
The Hook Lecture, Leeds Parish Church, 7.30pm. Baroness Mary Warnock DBE FBA on "The Foundations of Morality"
Grounding transforming lives to transform communities. Conference at Trinity Methodist
Church, Harrogate. 7.30pm on 18th and from 9.30am on 19th. www.rolltherock.org.uk
Christmas Gift and Food Fair – over 70 stalls inside Ripon Cathedral. 10am-4pm. Adults £2.50, children free
Refuel. Celebration evening for7-11 year olds (school years 3-6) from 4pm -6pm at Mosaic Church, The Warehouse, Sweet St. LS11 9DB. Info, Anne Carter (0113) 8800133
Wetherby Choral Society in concert at St James’ Parish Church, Wetherby, 7.30pm. Tickets and information (01937) 583074
The Nidderdale Messiah. St James’s Church, Birstwith. Rehearsal from 1 p.m. performance at 3.30 p.m. Details at www.nidderdalemes-siah.org.uk or (01423) 781919
Cathedral Friends lecture. Barbara Packer speaks on Sri Lankan Celebrations. 3pm, Thorpe Prebend House
Oakleaf Services – annual memorial services for victims of road accidents. Ripon Cathedral and Leeds Parish Church, both at 3pm
The Leeds Summat. Workshops on range of issues, music, kids activities, Leeds University Union (9am-5pm) and Notre Dame College (evening). www.summat.org
Engaging with Mark, Christ Church Har-rogate, 11am- 3.45pm. £20 Information Paul Hooper, (0113) 2000557
Advent Communion and Address, Ripon Ca-thedral, 7.30pm. Bishop John Packer will speak on ‘Cathedrals, Bishops and Boards – what is a diocese?’. All welcome to attend, particularly clergy and readers
VIII
Moves and Appointments
News in Brief
David Brighton Editor(0113) 2000540, email:Together @riponleeds-diocese.org.uk
The Director of Mission Resourcing, Adrian Alker, has written a book for churches at Christmas, the third in a new study series entitled ‘Together In Hope - Resources for Chris-tian Faith Today’.
‘Christmas – Ancient Mean-ings, Modern Faith’ explores the birth narratives in Matthew
Revd John Richards, Priest-in-Charge of Barningham with Hutton Magna and Wycliffe and Gilling with Kirkby Ravensworth; to be also Assistant Area Dean of Richmond.
Revd Ruth Hind, Priest-in-Charge of the United Parish of Kirklington with Burneston and Wath and Pickhill; to also be Assistant Area Dean of Wensley.
and Luke, their place as ‘para-bolic overtures’ to the gospels and their profound insights into the significance of Jesus both then and now. Each of the five chapters ends with questions to promote group discussion and there are ideas for creative liturgy and further study.
Adrian says: “I hope this book will confirm the significance of the ancient stories of the nativity of Christ for our world today, as we the profound meanings of Christmas for contemporary disciples.
Priced at £2.95 the book can be bought directly from Adrian at the diocesan office.
Francis and Elaine
Together would like to apolo-gise for our mistake in giving Elaine Wainaina the name Elizabeth last month.
The great news is that Francis and Elaine completed their cycle ride from Lands End to John O Groats and to date have raised more than £8000 for St Andrew’s Starbeck building project and the Wellspring Counselling Centre.
You can still give by going to www.teamfrancis.co.uk
