r 7 /E BRING GOOD NEWS

-

Jesus was a carpenter and so is Mark Ripley

One day Mark felt Jesus come into his workshop. Now his faith and his creativity are intertwined

Page 5

DROP THE DEBT DAY IN OXFORD Frank Blackwell Oxford felt like Africa on Saturday 12 May when a multi-national gathering filled the sun-drenched city centre for Drop the Debt Day. Christian Aid supporters were out in force and so was Aallee Owoo (pictured) and his fellow Kakatsitsi drummers from Ghana. FULL STORY PAGE 2

All this comes from

The place to shop for interiors • On the A44 in Woodstock Craft made articles for the home • From craftmakers' cooperatives

PAGE 8- EDITORIAL PAGE

PAGE 11

PAGE 19

How green is our Church?

Ordained for the community Asian Tigers for Christ What you can do for Conservation Sunday

Beren H artless writes about a new breed of clergy 'Yes, yes, yes' says our book reviewer

St Augiustne's schoo l: Diocese goes it alone

As the Roman Catholics withdraw from the partnership at Oxford's combined school, the Anglicans are sad but determined to set up their own secondary school in the City THE DIOCESE of Oxford plans to set up a new Church of England secondary school in the City of Oxford. The pro-posal in an informal consulta-tion document, follows the decision of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham to withdraw from the partnership which set up St Augustine's as a combined Roman Catholic Anglican School.

Left with no choice, the school's governors met on 21 May and decided they could not continue with their propos-al to keep St Augustine's as a joint school. In effect this will lead to the school's closure in 2003.

'To have to vote in this day and age to close a school that is a shining ecumenical light is the saddest thing I have had to take part in' said John Morrison, Archdeacon of Oxford and a foundation governor. Faced with the loss of the joint

school the Oxford Diocesan Board of Education (ODBE) is proposing to set up a new Church of England Aided Secondary School. The ODBE proposal is to have the new school on their Cricket Road premises on the old Cowley St John school site. 'The school will be distinctive because it will be part of the rich Anglican tradition of service in education and inclusive because it will

serve in the local community to meet the needs of Christians and those of other faiths who seek a Church of England sec-ondary school,' says Danny Sullivan, Oxford Diocesan Director of Education, himself a practising Roman Catholic.

The Bishop of Oxford has been personally involved. He has written three times in the past two months to the Roman Catholic Archbishop offering ways forward to allow the joint school to continue. 'With the Board of Education I am proud of the achievements of St Augustine's. However, with pain and regret we accept that all our efforts to persuade the Archdiocese to remain a part-ner with us have failed. It is a successful and developing school, and had the potential to continue to be a distinctive wit-ness to collaboration between the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches,' the Bishop of Oxford said.

The reorganisation of educa-tion in Oxford City from a three-tier with first, middle and upper schools to a two-tier sys-tem led the Archdiocese of Birmingham to propose a sep-arate Catholic secondary school drawing from a far wider catchment area than Oxford City. ODBE's argu-ment has always been that the needs of the Roman Catholic community can continue to be

met in the joint school. ODBE has a long history of

providing secondary education in Oxford City. 'Its preferred option was to retain St Augustine's as a joint school', says Danny Sullivan. 'However, in the absence of its partner, the Archdiocese of Birmingham, we believe that the proposal for a Church of England Aided Secondary School is within the spirit of the reorganisation of the City', he said. 'Given Oxford's religious his-

tory St Augustine's has been a distinctive example of collabo- ration between Roman Catholics and Anglicans. Our Diocese's continuing commit- ment to the school has reflect-ed other ecumenical initiatives between the two Churches such as Toronto 2000 when Church leaders agreed to work together locally wherever pos-sible,' said Danny Sullivan.

'In July I will be attending the opening of the first joint sec- ondary school between the Roman Catholic Diocese of Hallam and the Anglican Diocese of Wakefield. This school in Barnsley is the result of prayer and planning between the two Churches. It reflects an ecumenical vision to which the ODBE is com- mitted and which under-pinned its wish to retain St Augustine's as a joint school', concluded Danny Sullivan.

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THE DOOR JUNE 2001

The work of 'the honourable bird' A JAPANESE person once said to a Christian friend 'I think I begin to understand something of the Father, and of the Son, but I dont yet under-stand the significance of the honourable bird.' For many Christians today the third per-son of the Trinity still remains something of a closed book, and the work and place of the Holy Spirit is misunderstood. As we come to celebrate Pentecost 2001, what is the sig-nificance of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church and how might He impact and deepen our commitment to Sharing Life? Much of course could be said, but three insights provide a 'starter for ten'.

Promise of the Spirit It is always fascinating how little impact the resurrection actually made on the lives of those first followers of Jesus. They remained afraid and behind locked doors, and

- Peter could come to the point where he wanted to return to his former life of fishing. They became intellectually convinced of the presence of the Risen Christ; their hearts and emotions were stirred, but the resurrection did little

to transform their lives or give them a sense of new direction and purpose.

It was into this vacuum the risen Lord gave the promise of the Holy Spirit. On the day of Ascension he gave the seemingly impossible task of the evangelisation of the whole world, and promised that the Father's gift of the Spirit would be given, and

CHRIS NEAL WRITES

that, despite all the evidence, the task would be undertaken.

No comfort zone On the day of Pentecost the promise of the gift of God's Spirit was fulfilled in dra-matic and powerful ways. The followers of Jesus, hud-dled in the upper room, found themselves literally blown through the door, and out into the market place.

Hearts gripped and held by fear became inflamed with passion and zeal and an unsuspecting and motly

OXFORD Drop the Debt Day was part of a worldwide movement calling for total cancellation of unpayable. debt for the world's poorest countries at the G8 Genoa Summit, July 2001. The movement has taken up the work begun by Jubilee 2000. We need to cancel the debt because: *Debt kills: Repayments divert money away from basic life-saving care in the poorest countries. The UN has esti-mated that 19,000 children die each day as a direct result of the debt burden. *Debt makes a nonsense of

crowd found themselves con-fronted by supposed drunks proclaiming a message of a God who had given the possi-bility of a new start because of the life, death and resurrec-tion of a person called Jesus.

Such behaviour may not sit easily with some of the more cerebral and staid traits within the 21st century Church of England, but the lesson is clear if we are willing to see it. Mission in the power of God's Holy Spirit will mean we are blown out of our comfort zones and into situations which may seem very threaten-ing and even hostile. Sharing Life will mean nothing, unless individual Christians, and Christian community, however and wherever it is expressed, are open to this disturbing power of God's Spirit.

Crossing bounderles Someone has said the Book of Acts of the Apostles would be better entitled 'The Book of the Acts of the Holy Spirit in and through some of the Apostles'. Certainly the book of Acts (and it is well worth a re-read for those seriously concerned with Sharing Life) clearly models one basic and

aid: for every £1 the rich countries give in aid, they take back up to £3 in debt repayments.

The day in Oxford started with a parade from South Parks at 2pm through the city centre, finishing on Broad Street with a tug of war involving the IMF and the World Bank against the poorest countries. There was also the chance to book a trip to Genoa, Italy, to lobby the G8 Summit on 21 July. For details contact Oxford Drop the Debt Group, 57b St Clement's St, Oxford, (01865) 723486 bhayhow@viva.org

fundamental principle: the Church is not called to live in narrow, clearly defined con-fines, but is called, in the power of God's Spirit, to cross every frontier, whether that frontier is political, nafjonal, racial, cultural or social. This is a key challenge for the 21st century church in. western Europe. We are back in a mission situation, but the boundaries and groupings into which we are sent are many and complex. However, we can be sure that God's Spirit is already at work beyond every division and we are challenged to be willing to go and co-operate with him. The challenge of the Risen Lord and the gift of the Holy Spirit and the call at the heart of Sharing Life, is whether we are willing to make this journey with him.

Canon Chris Neal is the Diocesan Director of Evangelisation

If you wish to be part of Prayer NETWORK for Sharing Life. please contact Chris Neal at kat-rina@stmarys.psa-online.com or Thame Barns Centre, Church Road, Thame, Oxon, 0X9 3AJ (01844) 216097

Sharing Life for you

An Advent candle, prayer card and a project pack with an Advent calendar will be made available to parishes as part of the Sharing Life initiative for Advent. These resources will be for use by all age groups in parishes, schools and homes. An update on the progress of the project will be in the next issue of the DOOR. The Sharing Life logo is also now available to download from the Diocesan website, (www.oxford.anglican.org) for parishes to use in connec-tion with Sharing Life pro-grammes.

\ne C ays of THE Primates of the Anglican Communion have called for nine days of prayer between Ascension Day, May 24 and Pentecost June 3. They have asked that each day we pray

MARCUS Braybrooke, Vicar of the Baldons and Nuneham Courtenay has been named as one of the two recipients of the Kashi 2001 Humanitarian Awards for 'nearly 40 years of leadership in the Interfaith Movement'. Marcus has been a Trustee of the International Peace Council and was recently elected as a peace Councillor. The other eighteen

Just a Ste THE Steppin' Stone Centre in Oxford will be open Thursdays t Tuesdays from 4 June, pro-viding healthy low-cost meals and other facilities as well as training and activities to help homeless and vulnerable people to get back into mainstream

LAST summer ITV made a ten-part series about the Alpha course which will be screened across the UK in July. The series, presented by Sir David Frost, follows one small group all the way -through their Alpha course at Holy Trinity BromptOn, and

THE Intercontinental Church Society's new Chief Executive, the Revd Ian Watson is a for-mer Rector of Woodley in Berkshire. Ian joined ICS in May 2001 succeeding Canon John Moore who retires after five years with this Anglican agency. A Royal Marines

orayer for the unity, work, witness, needs and mission of the Anglican/Episcopal family of churches around the world. Details 020 7620 1070 or aco@anglicancommunion.org

Councillors included HH the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Marcus is a President of the World Congress of Faiths and a Patron of the International Interfaith Centre, both of which are based in Oxford. He is the author of a number of books, including, his Christian-Jewish Dialogue: the Next Steps (See page 19 book review).

society. Volunteers are needed to help staff three slots: Mornings from 11.00 a.m., afternoons 4.00-6.00 p.m., evenings 6.00 - 8.00p.m. Details: 01865-728545; infotheporch.fsbusiness.co.uk; Lisa Brophy, The Porch, All Saints Convent,

'St Mary's Road, Oxford 0X4 1 RU

includes extracts of Nicky Gumbel's talks. It will be screened on Sunday evenings and is scheduled to start on 29 July, with the final episode shown on 30 September. For more details about Alpha contact

ew.alpha.orguk 020 7581 8255

Officer by background, he was ordained in 1981, speaks four languages and is married to Denise. Until his new appoint-ment he was Chaplain at Christ Church, Amsterdam (Diocese of Europe) where he ministered to over 50 nationalities. For more information about ICS Holiday Churches ring (01926) 430347

Breaking the chains of debt in Oxford

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A DELEGATION from the Oxford Diocese flew out to Sweden recently with the aim of possibly establishing a 'twinning' with the Diocese of Växb. The delegates included the Bishop of Reading, Dominic Walker Mother Barbara Claire CSMV, Dr Anna Thomas- Betts,

Canon Martin Peirce, Susan Walters and the Revd Tony Dickinson, Diocesan European contact who coordinated the visit. They are pictured above at a meeting with the governing board of the Växjd Diocese. with the Bishop of Växjd, Anders Wejryd at the far end of

table. During their visit Bishop: Dominic and Mother Barbara Claire gave talks on the healing minsitry and the religious life respectively. The visit ended with a Eucharist in Kalmar Cathedral which is built over the grave of the English missionary St Sigfrid.

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THE DOOR JUNE 2001 3

The life we have in Christ is too precious to keep to ourselves TWO challenges have been issued to church members in rural Oxfordshire by the Bishop of Dorchester, the Right Revd Cohn Fletcher in his Visitation 'charge'. First he has asked them to decide upon two 'practical and measurable' things to do in response to the Sharing Life initiative. PCC secretaries are asked to write to him by October stating what these will be and then again next June with a progress report. His second challenge is on the

question of giving. 'Being seri-ous about Christiarr disciple-

ship has its consequences for sacrificial giving' said Bishop Cohn. He spoke of the 'deep rooted problems of the tight-fistedness some would say meanness' of so many Anglicans when it comes to our financial giving and said: 'Only when we get that right will we be able tb realise our full potential as a church.'

On the question of giving Bishop Cohn put a practical suggestion: 'Work out how •much you give on an average week. Get hold of the coin or note closest to it and then put another coin or note next to

it - whatever is the next high-est in legal tender. So next to a £5 note put a £10 note and next to a £10 note a £20 one and so on. Then ask yourself what would it cost me sacri-ficially to give the second rather than the first and ask that again in a year's time.'

The purpose of the annual Visitation is the formal swear-ing in of churchwardens and the delivery of the charge to the parishes. For Cohn Fletcher it is his first

Visitation as Bishop of Dorchester. Like his fellow bishops the theme of the 2001 Visitation charge has been Sharing Life, the Diocesan initiative to tackle the problem of sharing the life of Christ with a society for whom Christianity seems irrelevant.

In his charge Bishop Cohn said Sharing Life is not a pro-gramme or a tick list but a major change of mind set as a Church. 'The life we have in

Christ is too precious to keep to ourselves', he said 'but in order to share it we need to take a risk and to be willing to change and develop as a Church.' Worship that appeals to con-

gregations of the future as well as the congregations of today, a faith integrated into the whole of our lives and church building projects which push the doors of our churches ever wider open to welcome people in are some of the ways of sharing our life in Christ.

Bishop Cohn said that he had heard a number of voices say

of Sharing Life 'It won't work' or 'Just another bright idea from the bishops'. The best way to get it not to work was to treat it not as a people cen-tred opportunity but as a doc-ument to be consigned to the bottom of the PCC agenda. Giving it life will require com-

mitment and sacrifice, the will-ingness to work together and then the willingness to think new thoughts and take some risks in the belief that the life Christ has given us is worth sharing with as many people in as many situations as possi-ble, said Bishop Cohn.

Visitiation report by Christine Zwart

Diocesan delegation to Sweden What is more important than time?

WHO benefits from your vote? Vote to end world Poverty and promote Human Rights.Global View 2001 is an alliance of 24 charities with over three million sup-porters campaigning for all-party action on international issues such as climate change,

HIV/Aids, the arms trade and debt relief. Recent reseach indi-cates that more than 70% of the public are concerned about poverty in developing coun-tries. Global View is about making sure that the needs of the developing world are not forgotten in this election. Ask

questions on international issues at hustings meetings, or when you are canvassed and display a Global View poster. Details: 01865 312610 or go to oneworlcL net/uk/election.

Ruth Parkyn, CCOW It isn't too late to get copies of the Diocese's General Election Pack (see May DOOR), phone 01865 208214.

DIOCESAN Mothers' Union leaders have decided to do nothing about a 125th anniversary time capsule because their planning for the 'Sharing life' initiative is more important. The time capsule is the idea of

the Central Mothers' Union Trustees and will be taken around the dioceses between 7 June and 7 November spend-ing three days in each.

Following a meeting with the Bishop of Oxford, the Mothers' Union have lots of ideas for the future. We need to be a resurrected Mothers'

VITAL lessons for the renewal of the UK Church are emerg-ing from a dynamic part of the Anglican Communion: South East Asia. A team from the Diocese of Sabah, East Malaysia, visited Oxford to talk about their fast-growing church. It has grown from around 700 to 3,500 since 1992 when they moved to a 'cell' structure.

On Saturday S May around 150 people gathered from all over the country to a study day on 'Anglican Cell

Union within the resurrec-tion Church - there is a lot we can do to be more open, flexible and welcoming towards younger families. This is not the moment to be dwelling on the past. We must raise our ambitions - not bury them in a capsule.

Members are already initiat-ing a wide variety of money raising events towards the world wide 125th Anniversary Project - funding an innovative literacy pro-s gramme for women in Africa and parenting programmes in the home dioceses. Local

Church?' sponsored by. Wycliffe Hall and the Oxford Diocese. The team, led by Canon Albert Van, Archdeacon of Sabah and Rector of St Patrick's Church in Tawau, spoke about the principles behind cell church, how his church has developed an innovative and dynamic approach to children's and youth work through cells, and how the small group relates to the larger congregation, all within an Anglican context. A lively question and answer ses-

events vary from family pic-nics and garden parties to themed family services and Songs of Praise evenings - all with special anniversary stick-ers and project information for participants.

We will honour any arrange-ments our neighbouring dioce-ses make for hand over cere-monies - and take good care of the capsule while it is with us in Oxford - but we must con-centrate on the future or there will be no MU members left to open the capsule.'

Felicity Randall Oxford Diocesan MU President

sion during the day and posi-tive feedback afterwards showed the high level of inter-est in this approach to church life among Anglicans in the UK. The Malaysian team, who had come over thanks to a grant from the Kaiser Trust, also spoke at seminars and, alongside Steve Chalke, at an evangelists' day in Wycliffe Hall, where both Albert Vun and the Archbishop of the Diocese of Sabah, Yong Ping Chung, studied in the 1980s. Report by Clare Wenham

Learning from the Asian Church

the Door The Door is published ten times a year. 40,000 copies are distributed in the Diocese of Oxford with the help of volunteers.

Editor Christine Zwart Telephone: 01865 208227

Assistant Jemimah Wright Telephone: 01865 208226

Photography Frank Blackwell

Business and distribution manager Tim Russian

Editorial support group Tim Russian (Chairman, Long Crendon),

John Crowe (deputy chairman, Aston and Cuddesdon Deanery);

Clemency Fox (Marston), Keith Lamdin (Director of Training), Jo

Saunders (Social Responsibility Officer), Leighton Thomas (Abingdon

Deanery), Richard Thomas (Communications Officer), John

Winnington-Ingram (Cottisford), David Winter (Clifton Hampden).

Editorial address Diocesan Church House, North Hinksey, Oxford,

0X2 ONB. Fax: 01865 790470. e-mail: door@oxford.anglican.org Advertising address David Holden, 4th floor, Westway

House, Botley, Oxford 0X2 9JW. Telephone 01865 254506.

Fax 01865 249211. dholden@diocesan.fsnet.co.uk

The DOOR is published by Oxford Diocesan Publications Ltd

(Secretary Mrs Rosemary Pearce). The registered office is

Diocesan Church House; North Hinksey, Oxford, 0X2 ONB.

Tel: 01865 208200.

Deadlines for July DOOR: Features 10 June

Letters, What's on and advertising 15 June

News 21 June

While every care is taken to ensure the reliability of our adver-

tisements, their inclusion in The DOOR does not guarantee it or

mean that they are endorsed by the Diocese of Oxford.

Bishops and Archdeacons

BISHOP OF OXFORD The Right Revd Richard Harries,

Diocesan Church House, North Hinksey, Oxford, 0X2 ONB

Tel:01865 208200. Fax: 01865 790470.

• E-mail: bishopoxon@dch.oxford.anglican.org

ARCHDEACONRY OF OXFORD Bishop of Dorchester The Right Revd Cohn Fletcher, Arran House,

Sandy Lane, Yarnton, Oxford OX5 1 P B Tel: 01865 375541.

Fax: 01865 379890. E-mail: bishopdorchester@oxford.anglican.org

Archdeacon The Venerable John Morrison, Christ Church, Oxford

OX1 1DP Tel: 01865 204440. Fax 204465.

E-mail: archdoxf@oxford.anglican.org

ARCHDEACONRY OF BERKSHIRE Bishop of Reading The Right Revd Dominic Walker, OGS,

Bishop's House, Tidmarsh Lane, Tidmarsh, Reading RG8 8HA

Tel: 01189 841216. Fax: 0118 984 1218.

E-mail: bishopreading@oxford.anglican.org

Archdeacon The Venerable Norman Russell, Foxglove House,

Love Lane, Donnington, Newbury, Berks RG14 2JG Tel: 01635

552820. Fax: 01635 522165. E-mail: archdber@oxford.anglican.org

ARCHDEACONRY OF BUCKINGHAM

Bishop of Buckingham The Rt Revd Mike Hill,

Sheridan, Grimms Hill, Great Missenden, Bucks HP16 9BD

Tel: 01494 862173. Fax: 01494 890508.

E-mail: bishopbucks@oxford.anglican.org

Archdeacon The Venerable David Goldie, 60 Wendover Road, Aylesbury,

Bucks HP21 9LW Tel: 01296 423269. Fax: 01296 397324.

E-mail: archdbuc@oxford.anglican.org

PROVINCIAL EPISCOPAL VISITOR Bishop of Ebbsfleet The Right Revd Andrew Burnham, Bishops HoUse, Dry

Sandford, Adingdon, 0X13 6J Tel: 01865 390746

E-mail: bishop.andrew@ebbsfleet.org.uk

4

Polly flies back to Drayton church POLLY VACHER, a member of St Peter's Church in Drayton (Abingdon Deanery) completed her sponsored round the world flight on Thursday 17 May when she landed at Birmingham Airport accompanied by two RAF Harriers from RAF Cottesmore. The trip had taken her about 29,000 miles in four and a half months and has gained Polly a place in the record books: 'the smallest aircraft, flown solo by a woman to fly around the world via Australia and the Pacific.' Polly's flight has gained sponsorship for a scholarship for Flying for the Disabled - a charity in memory of Group Captain Douglas Bader. Polly set out in January with letters of greeting from St Peter's to the Anglican churches wherever she landed. The picture shows Polly with her husband Peter and the Revd Dorothy Derrick, priest in charge of Drayton St Peter and the Revd Theresa Scott, NSM in St Peter's Church on 20 May. The display board in the background has been used by the congregation to follow Polly's progress during the past months. More information may be found on the Website:- www. worldwings.org

Berkshire CROW hits new heights

'An ordinary life well lived' CHRISTINE Winter died on 1 May in the Churchill Hospital, Oxford, after being diagnosed with cancer just eight or nine weeks earlier.

At her funeral on 11 May at Cold Ash, fife congrega-tion shared the pain of David and their children, Philip, Becky and Adrian but as we contem-plated an ordinary

But as well as her practical common sense, her faith was at the core of her being. In one of her sermons. about the

events of the first Christmas, I remember her say-ing it was a very down-to-earth event and that's what she did so well - brought God down to us on our level. She was an ordinary person

life well lived, we were also given a glimpse of the big-ger picture.

Christine Winter

1935 - 2001

sharing God with ordinary people in an ordinary. way. What a role-

The team ministry of Christine and David Winter came into the Oxford diocese to Ducklington in 1989, moved to Cold Ash in Berkshire in 1995 and 'retired' to Clifton Hampden in February 2000. Christine, having been in nursing, a mother, a school nurse and a lay reader in London, brought all these skills to parish life, with inspired practical initia-tives like introducing a lay pastoral team and a Mothers Union group in one parish, a toddlers' group in another and reviving family services in another. Moreover, after she died, just as with Dorcas in Acts 9, many had individual stories to tell of her thought-fulness and acts of kindness. 'Christine was always there at the right time, saying the right things', said one member of our congregation.

model! She was open minded, con-

stantly accepting new chal-lenges (and new gardens!) - as a lay-reader in her forties, parish life with David in her fifties, as a pastoral tutor to ordination candidates in her sixties, not to mention being a grandmother to Lydia and Harry and advisor to the Biahop at the same time!

Somehow we will have to weave Christine's death into the tapestry of our lives. Being a devotee of Julian of Norwich, Christine would have been good at that: she would say, 'All shall be well and all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well.'

Ruth Edy Ruth Edy now lives in Ducklington Rectory, where she first met David and Christine Winter ten years ago. She teaches Latin part-time in the local com-prehensive school and is married to Bob Edy, priest in charge of Ducklington.

THE DOOR : JUNE 2001

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SNIPPETS

CRoW, Berkshire churches' annual Cycle, Run or Walk has raised over a quarter of a million pounds in the 14 years of its existence. CRoW 2000 achieved the highest Berkshire total ever and also involved a record number of churches.

On 9 September 2000 250 Berkshire churches were open for for the cyclists, runners and walkers from 112 churches who between them raised £23,740.96. The final total with Gift Aid was £25,849.'

Half of the amount raised by each participant is returned to the church of their choice to be used as that church thinks fit. However, the other half and

the Gift Aid is retained by the Trust to award grants to churches in need of help with maintenance.

The county and area organisers wish to thank all the church organisers and stewards. Nine of those stewards were sponsored themselves for the first time, raising £384.80.

This, annual event, organised by the Royal County of Berkshire Churches Trust, is similar to those in 30 other counties including Bucks and Oxfordshire which this year will be held on 8 September. Look out for details in your churches or CRoW's website www.readingchurches.org.uk/RCBCT

Daphne Barnes-Phillips Berkshire County Organiser

• WHAT DO Stanley Spencer and John Muafangejo have in common? They are both artists that the Revd John Waller, Team Rector of Wading Valley Ecumenical Parish has chosen to study. He has been given the opportunity after receiving an Ecclesiastical Insurance Bursary Award which will fund a study trip to Namibia where John Muafangejo was a member of the Anglican Church which played a crucial role in the freedom struggle of his native Namibia. The artist Stanley Spencer (1891-1959) lived nearer to home in Cookham, Berkshire where many of his most remarkable religious paintings are set.

A STICK, walking boots and scallop shell equipped Richard Yeo, 52, at his com-missioning at the Parish Eucharist at Sutton Courtenay in May. It was to mark the beginning of his walking pil-grimage to Israel. The 2,300

The sixth annual Assembly of Churches Together in Buckinghamshire on 19 May began with the joyful task of handing over the profits of last year's major Pentecost 2000 event to three Christian chari-ties. Canon Tim Higgins (right) Chairman of Pentecost 2000 and Area Dean of Aylesbury, is pictured sharing the profits with (left to right) Peter van Cauwelaert receiving £500 for Cafod; David Rake accepting £700 on behalf of Tear Fund and Peter Lillycrop Christian Aid representative with a cheque for nearly £2000. £2000 was also given to Jubilee 2000 last year.

The main business of the

miles journey will take him through France, Italy and Greece and is likely to last about five or six months. This is for him a pilgrimage of faith which he hopes will draw him closer to God.

• READING DEANERY Mothers' Union held a suc-cessful Coffee Morning on and bring and buy sale at St Michael's Church, Tilehurst. on 24 April It was in aid of the Mothers' Union 125th Anniversary Fund to support literacy and other projects overseas. Over 60 people attended despite the, rain and over £278 was raised.

• THE OXFORD DIOCESAN Guild of Church Bell Ringers has a new Honorary General Secretary. He is Nigel Harrison, who may be reached at Easter House, Taynton, Burford, Oxford. OX18 41-H. Telephone: 01993 823149 email nham@supanet.com

Assembly was to receive 'Co-operating but not Committed', the results of a survey of churches and Churches Together in Buckinghamshire (more about this in the July DOOR).

The Assembly, held in the new St Mary's Church of England School in Fairford Leys, Aylesbury, ended with a procession through some of the new houses already occu-pied at the centre of the village. There Church leaders dug a symbolic 'sod for God' where work will start shortly on the new ecumenical church and community building which will be at the heart of this new community.

Requiem for Su FRIENDS from Malawi, Hong Kong and Australia as well as family and former colleagues and friends from the Oxford" Diocese gathered in Salisbury Cathedral on 21 April to give thanks for the life of Canon Dr Susan Cole-King who died sud-denly on 8 February.

In his address the Right Revd Michael Mayne highlighted the restlessness of a spirit always seeking a home but perhaps not finding true rest until her 'retire-ment' in Salisbury. In this last part of her life Susan was as active as ever leading a series of workshops in Malawi to help churches there come to terms with the ravages of AIDS. I think is true to say that every-

san Cole-King one who encountered Susan, even her family, only saw a tiny slice of her huge life, and never glimpsed (nor even guessed at)

'the myriad activities in which she was so deeply engaged with all her boundless energy, Michael Mayne said. The Requiem had all the best

ritual and worship the AnglicanChurch can produce in a huge cathedral, while retaining a homeliness which kept humanity in perspective. As one colleague remarked: 'She wouldn't have organised it that way for herself, but I'm sure she appreciated it. May she rest in peace and rise in glory!' Extract from a report by Diana Hasting, St Peter's Drayton

Chiltern Church Football League wants more teams The Chiltern Church Junior and Adult Leagues who organise Saturday football for teams from various denominations in the High Wycombe area are keen to increase the number of churches involved for all age groups from five years to adult. Other teams presently participating come from Leighton Buzzard, Harefield, Oxford and Slough.Any church interested in putting a team forward should contact: Juniors David Putman (Secretary of Junior league and Holy Trinity, Hazlemere FC) 01494 444117 (H) and 01494 459878 (W;) Richard Eteson (Chairman of Junior League and Secretary of Union Baptist FC) 01494438221(H); Peter Green (Chairman of HolyTrinity, Hazelmere FC) 01494 815284 (H) and 01753 589520 (W). Adults Dominic Birch (Secretary of Adult League and St Edmund Campion RC Church FC) 01628 770947 (H) and 01966 136246; Phil Gordon (Chairman of Adult League and Secretary of St Clement, Oxford FC) 01865 204260 (H).

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THE DOOR JUNE 2001

5

God in the life of Marl( Ripley

CREATMTY AND FAITH run like two threads through Mark Ripley's life and have become inter-twined. He has found it easier to connect with God not in the tradition he was brought up in, but in the silence of contem-plative prayer. Born in 1958, Mark works in Oxfordshire as a cabi-net maker and is married to Monika. They have two young children.

MY FAMILY have been Christians for as many gen-erations as we can count, and they have also been artists and crafts people. So I grew up in that atmosphere of faith and creativity.

As a student I went on a retreat at St Bernard's Monastery in Leicestershire. There was something about it that clicked with me, I could really identify with what they were doing. It was the first time I had felt like that. There were elements of reformist theology that I had been taught growing up, (my parents were non-con-formists, and I grew up in a Evangelical Baptist Church and then latterly a charis-matic house church) that somehow didn't answer all my questions. God seemed to be outside the box, so my box had to shatter before I could move on.

In terms of my own discov-ery, I had a crisis of faith when I was 25 in which all my ideas of God disap-peared, and God seemed to disappear too. I had been aware of God in my own life from early childhood, but somehow the explanations that I had come to under-stand didn't fit anywhere. It was a very black period which resulted in a short time of me not believing anything at all. That was devastating, because God had always been somewhere at the bottom of everything before then.

Towards the end of this peri-od, about 1986, someone gave me a book by Brother Ramon called A Hidden Fire which in some ways took me back to

childhood experiences of God which were I suppose mystical. It explained what had been happening on the

retreat, and also taught me how to go forward with it. Suddenly I could follow Christ in a way which was relevant to me, which was a huge relief.

I came to know Brother Ramon as a friend and spiri-tual guide. He was a Franciscan Friar and at the time Guardian of Glasshampton Monastery near Worcester. For a while I seriously considered becom-ing a friar myself. My rela-

tionship with Ramon contin-ued until his death last year. It was he who introduced me to contemplative prayer. This

kind of prayer develops a place of quiet encounter with God; for ourselves and then for others and the whole of creation. This is not always a comfortable process, but nonetheless is deeply rewarding.

I spend the first hour of each working day with an hour's silent meditation and prayer. It is a discipline which is a labour of love, and a joy. I do it at home

before the children get up, because once they are up there is no chance!

There is a very close corre-lation between my creative and spiritual development. I went to Art College - in Leicester and specialised in furniture design and con-struction. I enjoyed every minute of it. I left with a degree but wondering what I was going to do next. Then an occupational therapist friend of mine said she had a vacancy for someone to teach woodwork to psychi-atric patients, so I went thinking this is going to be awful, but I loved it, I stayed there for three and a half years. It was only a part time job, so for the rest of the working week I was furni-ture making and developed my own ideas creatively. I worked in a couple of reha-bilitation centres for the blind, before spending five years teaching in a training centre for adults with learn-ing difficulties. I enjoyed it to the point where I was consid-ering training as a social worker, which in a way sur-prised me as I am naturally quiet and a bit reclusive. The furniture making gradu-

ally took over and ten years ago. it became full time. Monika worked with me until the children came along. I had a bit of a problem with it to start with because I thought the teaching and the social work dimension was far more valuable than mak-ing things for people who were fairly comfortably off. But I kept on being drawn back to it. Ramon, among others, was helpful in this, and was very encouraging in terms of furniture making. Gradually I began to see the value of it for its own sake, and that is when the creative

and prayer life really came together. The bottom line is that I think I have been called to do this, not in any grand way. I just can't get away from it.

I gradually began to use work as a focus for prayer, which is where the thing began to connect. I do this partly through the Jesus prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God have mercy on me a sinner.

It is prayed in a rhythm of breathing and I began to use that in the rhythms of wood-working, in planing and sanding. Probably the most exciting period of all of this was in the early nineties, where I began to encounter God in a mystical way. It was as if God was coming into the workshop. It wasn't in me, it was around me. Some of those experiences were extra-ordinary. Sometimes people would come into the work-shop afterwards and I would think why can't you feel it? To some extent in the work-shop I sense God around me in a way that I don't any-where else, so the furniture making still carries on in that atmosphere. That period coincided with a deep process of repentance for me person-ally, so maybe it helped me through that, I don't know.

Then for a while it became far more mundane and practi-cal. I just came to work and did a job, got some money and took it home and I helped look after the children, and got very tired and all the other things that a parent of

Photograph by Frank Blackwell

Interview by Jemimah Wright

young children does. But then again more recently over this past year or so there is a

new sense, not of me pray-ing while I am working or of trying to discover God in the process, but of the work itself becoming a prayer, I had always wanted it to be like that, and it seems to be increasingly true.

I got married 11 years ago to Monika. Spiritually we understand each other. We pray together and bring up our children (Helena is eight and Alice is four) hopefully in an atmosphere of simplicity, love and truthfulness. What happens here in the workshop, the creativity and the solitude is one thing. Going home to a whole different dimension of life at home is equally important. We worship at St John and

St Stephen's Church in Reading. Once I started going on retreats I effec-tively became a practising Anglican because I was going to Anglican retreat centres. I became very moved by the importance of the Eucharist. Monika was a Catholic so we have both moved away from the traditions we were brought up in. For me, having come from a free worship style I found the liturgy hugely liberating. I think there is something about me that must be intrinsi-cally disciplined because I love that containment and within that I find God in a way that I never did in a free charismatic setting.

My main desire now is for my faith and creativity to change me. I am aware of changes in myself, that I have become less reclusive and less defensive. I would like the kind of truthfulness and com-passion that I find in Christ to be present through me.

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For the Holy Spirit Making us alive with his life I give you thanks

Open me to that Spirit And renew your Church, That we may share your life with others. Draw them into your love And transform your world.

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THE DOOR JUNE 2001

7

S naring life

/[ Committec to affrmng ministry in all areas of life This is the fourth in a series of explorations about Sharing Life. Each month a different person

considers one of the themes of our evangelisation strategy. We offer an explanation, some discussion

points and a focus for contemplation. We suggest cutting these out and keeping them for further study.

I

I

L

Explanation

and exploration

Affirming ministry in all areas of life

See,-, the welfare of any cLy to which I have carried you off, anc pray to the Lord for it. (Jeremiah 29 v7)

Discussion points 1. How can we minister positively and prayerfully to the brokenness and distress in our local com-munity?

2. What kind of ministry is called for to enable others to feel that they can belong?

3. How can we value each person in their role in the life of church and community?

4. In what ways can I show my Christian faith to others in my everyday life?

MINISTRY is service to others in the name of Christ. It has many forms and faces. Many people associate ministry purely with ordination or accred-itation to a specific role as bishop, priest, deacon or licensed lay minister. It is often assumed that min-istry only happens within the parish church and its congregation.

In Sharing Life we are reminded that ministry goes far beyond this. Priests and lay workers minister in hospitals, pris-ons, schools, youth and community work, care for the elderly. Ministers in secular employment join lay people and chaplains in witnessing to their faith in the workplace, and fol-lowing a ministry there.

All have a vocation All Christians have a vocation, a calling by God, to minister in some way. By our baptism we are made one in Christ, and we each have a role to play in showing his love to the people with whom we live, work, worship and share our time. We are each called to ministry in loving our neighbour, con-tributing to the common good and in sharing the good news of the Kingdom of God.

Church members may be a minority in our society but, with trust in God, active ministry can achieve more than might be imagined. To serve our communities effectively we must first understand

their circumstances and listen to their needs. That is why we need people with differing gifts to work in different situa-tions; in urban priority parishes, in rural benefices, and in suburban settings.

All are witnesses I Clergy, with a sacramental I ministry, and laity in all I they do to serve God, com-plement each other as wit-nesses to God's love, whether in the parish or the wider community. For the church is not separate from the 'world'; it is part of it. Much ministry is not pub-lic; the private visit, the lis-tening ear, the supportive phone call, the car lift to church. Important ministry I is in those small unremem- I bered acts which make God's house warm and wel- I coming - flower arrange- I ment, dusting and polish- I ing, printing notice sheets. I All these aspects of mm- I istry should be affirmed I and valued. We thank God for it. We should remember too to thank I those who minister to us. Across the Diocese we must support all ministry through prayer and a pos-itive attitude. Let us thank God for our parish clergy and ministerial teams, for secular ministers, and for every Christian who through their everyday ministry gives 'the world' a glimpse of God's love.

J0 Saunders

Jo Saunders is Diocesan

Officer for Social Responsibility. I

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Next stage of the journey

OVER sixteen years I have had serious talks with more than a thousand men and women. They have all been wondering whether the next stage of their Christian journey might be to train for ordained ministry. If anyone tells you that the Christian faith is dying, I know better.

In this DOOR you can read about our new Deacons (page 10). Don't be troubled that there are fewer than usual this sum-mer. Several of this year's stipendiary curates will be ordained at the end of September, in company with 25 non-stipendiary and ordained local minis-ters. They have been train-ing together on the part-time St Albans and Oxford Ministry Course. Their pro-gramme leads to an Autumn ordination.

One of my questions to those who come to see me goes something like this: What makes you go on wanting to be a Christian? I am a happy man to have heard so many interesting and sometimes exciting replies. People often speak from intimate experience.

This summer I retire as Director of Ordinands. I shall ask myself the same

Like my visitors, I am wondering about the next stage of my own Christian journey. I want to go on as a Christian disci-ple, and go deeper, because of Jesus.

I find Jesus first in the com-pany of Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. There is so often something new, even now. I find Jesus in the com-pany of other people, who have met Jesus in God's own way for them, and who share what they know. So I hear something new about Jesus, about the other person, and maybe about myself. This is 'Sharing Life'. The gospels also tell me to expect Jesus in -unexpected places and unusual company, far from religion, and from those who are already disciples.

Jesus sometimes comforts me. More often he disturbs. He wants to turn me upside down, and mostly I resist. As I move into retirement, and continue my journey, I think I want to dare to let him disturb me, and not resist so much. I hope I still have time. I know that Jesus is 'Sharing Life' with me, and with us all.

Martin Peirce

There will be a farewell service for

Canon Martin Peirce at Christ Church

Cathedral on 28 June at 6pm.

FROM THE

DIRECTOR OF

ORDINANDS

Diocesan Appointments

Students taking part in a Big Wheel werkshop.This is just one of the ways A Christian Response to the Environment (AChRE) puts across their green message.

aintnoto be an ordained local mister. He N, ad i5frithe Bishop

on cutting carbon emmissions and will be in touch with parishes. Meanwhile you can contact him on 01344 451155,

AChRE ecumenical group in the Diocese promoting environmntai awareness. Look out for details of their parish survey to assess what churches are doing to help the envi ronrnent.Lit of resources is avs'l-

ble for £1.00. Contac James, 01344 451155, dr.i.n.james@btinternet.c. Adrian Hopwood, 01235 751518, e-mail adr[an@procefff9.co.uk

A Rocha, Christians in Conservation specialise in develop-ing reserves in areas where conser-vation is weak. Their first was in Portugal on an estuary threatened with development. LI 1< Director, the Revd Days Bookiess based in. inner London where he is setting up a waterways reserve Their Conservation Sunday resource pack 'Let all creation praise the Lord' costs £5.50.Tel!Fax: 01387 710286 rocha@compuserse.com web to ,v,,'w.aro ha,oro

Christian Ecology Link is a bridge between churches and qreei, mc /ment. Has extensive list of re ,,ur. '5 on Its ,vebsite '.,.Nvw.clrri~,-

tian-P_co!o9y.org.uk

DH' W3UiffAV616 lnfo&hristian-ecology.org.uk

Eco-congregation an ecumeni-cal project encouraging church con-greatj to rejoice In creation

and social care. Good church audit pack available free from: London Diocesan House, 36 Causton St, SWTP 4AU, Contact: Churches Environmental Project Officer, the Revd Dr David Pickering on email: david@tidybri-tain.org.uk

The John Ray initiative brings together scientific and Christian understandings of the environment. Conferences and thought provoking material.

ma2:jri@che1t.ac.uk Web: we'jri.org.uk

Sage Oxford's Christian environ-mental group, qve presentation lead bervices and discussions,

organise walks and practical con-servation projects. Bible study set, 'God, the Environment and You' is available from them and on their web site www.sageoxford.org.uk Contact David & Caroline Steel: 01865 432600,e-mail: info@sft,th'

Other resources Roots and Branches, starter pack to help churches care for God's creation £4 00, URC Church, 86 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9RT. Sustainable Living a guide to get-ting started from: BBONT iv sims MundMThe Lodge, 1 Armstrong Road, Littlemore 0X4 4XT.

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8 THE DOOR : JUNE 2001

MANY people are surprised to discover that there are Christians who see their con-cern for the natural environ-ment as an integral part of their faith. Some Christians can find this a bit alarming: 'if we spend time saving the plan-et, might we forget to care about people?' But more and more people in the church are beginning to realise that the two things are interconnected. We depend on this planet to live, and need to care for it for our own sake and for future generations. More than that, our earth has been made by God and belongs to him. If we treat it carelessly, we are being thoughtless or worse in our attitude to him. By caring for our planet, we become stew-ards of God's earth and part of his creative process.

A concern for the environ-ment does not just mean look-ing after very beautiful areas. Wherever we live and work, we can show our care through the amount of pollution we put into the atmosphere, how we use natural resources and how we dispose of our waste.

Last year the Bishop of Oxford signed an agreement to seek to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the Diocese. The initiative came from a partner-ship proposal by the Alliance of Religions and Conservation. As our government ratifies and

Becoming an environmentally - friendly Church might seem a daunting proposal. How can you ever efficiently heat a huge 700 year old building? And how can you reduce the use of car travel in the coun-tryside where there is poor public transport? There are some very straight forward things that we can do such as fitting low energy light bulbs, insulating our properties bet-ter and using car pools where it is possible. AChRE has been looking for creative ways to put this message across and has enlisted the help of 'Big Wheel' an international-ly recognised group that spe-cialises in using drama in edu-cation. Their 'Climate Change Game Show is to be launched on 4 July in Milton Keynes and will provide food for -thought and practical ideas.

So whether you live in the town or the country; have an ancient or a modern church; lead the services or do the washing up (or both!) you will be able to do something to help in this initiative. So look out for information from AChRE and Ian James, and contact the organisations on this page for help, advice and resources. We would love to know what your church is doing to help the environment and care for this wonderful world that God has given us,

The Revd Mark Abrey, Priest in Charge St Margaret, Anfield to be Priest in Charge Chadlington and. Spelsbury, also Ascott-under-Wychwood; The Revd Kevin Ashby, Rector of Billing and Rural Dean of Northampton to be Rector of the Benefice of Buckingham; The Reed Saskia Barndon, NSM Assistant Chaplain at Wycombe Abbey School to be Chaplain at Haberdasher's Monmouth School for Girls; The Revd Stephen Bessent, Vicar of Cogges and South Leigh to be Priest-in-Charge, Parish of Alpington; The Reed Henry Brierly died on 26/2/01; The Revd Guy Cole, Incumbent at St Peter, Penhill, Swindon, Bristol Diocese, to be Incumbent at St Michael and St Mary Easthampstead; The Revd Andrew Coleby, Ecumenical Chaplain Oxford Brookes University to be Priest in Charge All Saints Didcot; The Reed John Hallows, Team Vicar of Bracknell Team Ministry and Deanery

Training Adviser to be Priest-in-Charge Barrowford St Thomas; The Reed Piers Nash-Williams, Rector Ascot Heath All Saints to retire; The Reed William Olhausen, Assistant Curate Greyfriars, Reading to be Associate Vicar at Holy Trinity, Cambridge; The Reed Theresa Scott, to be Bishop's Adviser for Women in Ordained Ministry; The Reed Michael Sserunkuma, Rector of Canton, Cardiff Diocese to be Assistant Chaplain Royal Berks and Batle Hospital NHS Trust; The Reed Beryl Stannard, Assistant Curate, Gerrards Cross St James w Fulmer St James to retire; The Reed Tom Thomas died on 13/4/01 The Reed Steve Williams, Team Vicar of Aylesbury, Walton Team Ministry to be also acting Team Rector of Aylesbury; The Reed Fred Woods, Team Vicar Woodley Team Ministry to be Town Centre Vicar, Colchester, Chelmsford Diocese.

Going for a greener Church June 3 is Conservation Sunday when churches are invited to focus on caring for God's world. Margot Hodson of SAGE offers some practical advice on how churches can become more environmentally friendly

implements the Kyoto Protocol, we play our role in our church communities by taking action to bring down carbon dioxide emissions, which will reduce the rate of global warming. All churches can help in some way towards this and in doing so we show respect for God's creation and may find that it is a surprising witness to those around us.

Bishop Richard has appoint-ed meteorologist, Dr Ian James as Diocesan Environmental Officer to give his specialist advice and co-ordinate the campaign. Ian has joined with the Revd Adrian

Hopwood to establish a new group to encourage action on environmental issues. A Christian Response to the Environment (AChRE) has drawn together environmental experts, representatives from existing environmental organi-sations and others with envi-ronmental concern. They were particularly encouraged to dis-cover how many organisations and projects were already active and a number of differ-ent groups are now co-operat-ing together to improve envi-ronmental awareness and action in the three counties in the Diocese.

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A new Diocesan tune

TAKE a look at the Oxford Diocesan Year Book or the Diocesan web site and you might be for-given for believ-ing that the Oxford Diocese is a musical desert. Every PCC secretary and treasurer is included in full detail but only

my music to God? And haven't you always wanted to know where to get a trum-peter for 'Thine be the Glory' on Easter morning?

Despite the efforts of the Royal School of Church Music, musical cross-border co-opera-tion between parishes is nei-

by. John Howell

two organists get a mention. Bell ringers get a better press than directors of music.

But the reality is very dif-ferent from this bleak pic-ture. In this corner of South Oxfordshire alone there are at least five cathedral-sized choirs; many regularly exporting their talents to cathedrals throughout the UK and Ireland or even to the poppy fields of Flanders.

Sharing resources Try interesting local parish choirs in a friendly choral competition. Where is the list of colleagues to whom to write? How do I know which parishes have choirs? How do clergy know where to turn quickly for an organ-ist for a funeral? How do they know that organist A won't murder the Bach pre-lude specially requested by the deceased, or that organ-ist B can cope with the song requested from a favourite show? If my parish defaults on its Parish Share, why should I have to endure guilt about buying 30 copies of Palestrina's Sicut Cervus when a set may be gathering dust two parishes away? Where do I turn to find a music group if my own tal-ents are more traditi6nal? How do I know who has had experience of lona ser-vices? Where does one get a full choir for a special wed-ding when even the local stately home includes one in its wedding package? Where do I go if I'm a trom-bonist with a desire to offer

ther easy nor natural. It's not something the Diocese seems to actively foster. In some parts of the Diocese new choirs or music groups can even be seen as 'threat-ening' to those in established neighbouring parishes.

The heart of worship This cannot be right. Music, after all, should be at the heart of our worship. Let's treat music and musicians as a real resource. Let's have organists or directors of music in the Diocesan Year Book. But let's also do. something for ourselves. If you are a church musician, why not email me on 8930@email.msn.com with your contact details, a brief description of the type of music your church uses, and a note of your resources.

Then let us get that infor-mation put on a Diocesan web site for us all to share. Write to The DOOR too, and start a debate on what we musicians need and how the Diocese can help; Let's find out what we've got and how we can best use and share those talents and shake ourselves out of the complacency of our own parish-based thinking.

Dr John Howell is the Director of Music of the St Laurence Benefice choir based in Warborough. The choir is drawn from all three parishes in the Benefice. Frank Blackwell's photo was taken at a rehearsal for BBC Sopgs of Praise which came from Warborough in June 1999.

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THE DOOR JUNE 2001

o the editor

Still too many Bishops, a word against abortion and standing with, Christ not synod

Stipendiary Clergy I write in reference to Brian Strand's letter entitled 'Economising on Bishops'; in the April DOOR. This letter is based on a common mis-conception that the reason for the reduction in the num-ber of stipendiary clergy is lack of financial resources. This is certainly not true, at least in the Oxford Diocese. The reduction is due to the fact that in recent years the numbers of stipendiary clergy being ordained has been below the number of those retiring - and this trend is expected to continue, in spite of the increase in the num-bers now coming forward for ordination. Only a few years ago the total number of active stipen-diary clergy dropped below 10,000. Now it is about 9000 and is expected to fall to 8000 within the next few years. The 'good news' in this Diocese is that, with our non-stipendiary ministers and ordained local ministers we now have more ordained clergy than before. Chris Burley. Vice-Chairman of the Board of Finance

I am obviously happy to defer to Rita's and June's knowledge (lettesr in May edition) but the fact remains there are 114 bishops, rough-ly one per 10,000 English Anglicans, costing £9.3m i.e approx £80k each per annum but their numbers have not reduced but the number of clergy-available for pastoral care at parish level is being significantly reduced. My concern was that all areas of the church need to be radically reviewed to to ensure we fulfil Jesus' commission to the people of England. Releasing laity into local ministry needs to be supported by an urgent revi-sion to some C of E practices and in particular ensuring such ministry is supported by increased numbers of part-time paid clergy to make up the seemingly ever- reducing numbers of full-time clergy. Brian Strand Aylesbury

Pro-life I really must comment on the issue which the Oxford Diocesan Board of Social Responsibility is encouraging churchgoers to question prospective MPs on before decided how to vote. Whilst the issues suggested may all have some merit, none of them can remotely compare with the injustice of the slaughter of 180,000 innocent-unborn children in England every year, with, in many cases, the cost being borne by the NI-IS. If a child is not allowed to be born, then whether, for instance, it might, if it had lived, have faced being detained in some country without trial whilst its immigration status was determined, is irrelevant. Repealing the Abortion Act would immediately save tens of thousands of lives of future English citizens every year, and would also avoid many of the complications, both physical and mental, which women often suffer as a consequence of having a pregnancy terminated. Rights after birth are impor-tant but cannot compare with the right to be born in the first place, which is the foundation for everything else. Our primary need is for MPs who will tackle that issue, however little political mileage there may be in it. Eileen Morrison London

Church remarriage Christ taught that remarriage is adultery by 'both persons. Paul, referring to Christ's teaching, write that the divorced should be recon-ciled or stay single. Indeed reconciliation between people separated for any reason is a consistent New Testament theme. Surely as Christians we are called to follow this teaching and not follow the trend, all too common in the Anglican Church today, of explaining away Biblical teaching. Advocates of remarriage in church are too ready to cite forgiveness in support of their cases. Yes, forgiveness is cen-tral to Christianity but so is

repentance and reconciliation. Where are these if one sin is then followed by another? Do we no longer believe in Christ's redeeming and restor-ing power? At least Mrs Swinbank referred to dead marriages being renewed. Many Diocesan Synods have voted in favour of remarriage in Church. All priests will have to guide them are the doctrinally and intellectually flawed guidelines from the Working Party. We are on the downward path to remar-riage at will depending main-ly on the sympathies towards the couple of the local priest. Would that the energy put into preparing the Report and the subsequent discus-sions had been put into advancing counselling encouragement and support for couples before marriage and afterwards. Then the Church would truly witness to upholding the ideal as taught by Christ. As for me, if it is synod or Christ, I chose Christ. Peter G Dibb High Wycombe

God in the Life of 'Thrilling!' is the only word to describe my reaction to Christine Zwart's interview with Ian Hutchinson Cervantes (May 2001). It illustrates perfectly that if you 'pray 'Here I am Lord; please use me' He does! Thank you. Brian Foster, Stanford in the Vale.

Remember the poor Your pages are often encour-aging us to think about 'third world' issues, poverty, fair trade and this month of course Christian Aid. Surely we should use every opportu-nity to put Jesus' teaching into practice. There are 74 references to the 'poor' and 'poverty' in our concordance. Why is it then that you pub-lish a recipe every month by Ann Way, and I do not ever remember seeing a reference to using fairly traded food? (although you did review my little book some 5 years ago on cooking with fairly traded

food which I sent to you) Isn't it time that you put words into actions? May I also inform you that Traidcraft are always looking for new reps to sell their food in their churches and elsewhere. Jill White, Sandhurst

Helping Children at Risk The issue of 'children at risk' highlighted on the back page of the May DOOR has been described as 'the biggest social problem facing the world today'. If you were to take a register of all today's street children, it would take more than three years to name them all. Add to them the 17 million children who die each year from malnutrition and starva-tion, the 200 million child labourers, the thousands of vic-tims of war and disasters, the Aids sufferers and orphans and the resulting picture looks totally overwhelming.

Around the world there are tens of thousands of Christian groups already working with these children. Individual pro-jects are often small, under-resourced and struggling but together they make up the largest like-minded group working with children at risk. Viva Network, an interna-tional charity, whose head office is in Oxford, encour-ages stronger connections between Christian groups working with 'children at risk'. You can visit their web-site: wwwviva.org

In June, as The DOOR arti-cle stated, Christians will unite to pray for these chil-dren and those who work to help them.Why not come to a meeting of Grove Free Evangelical Church in the Church of England School, North Drive, Grove on Sunday 17 June from 10.30 when the speaker will be Ross Wilson of Viva Network. He has an extensive knowledge of childcare projects world-wide and has been working with street children's projects in Uganda. At an evening meeting at 7pm our prayers will focus on children at risk. Stephanie Brown, Grove Free Evangelical Church

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10 THE DOOR JUNE 2001

Mark Blarney I will be serving as assistant curate in the Parish of Cowley St John. I am married to Caroline and we have two sons: Jacob (9) and Joseph (7). Before starting my train-ing . at Ripon College Cuddesdon, I qualified as a Chartered Surveyor. In my spare time I enjoy walking, seeing films at the cinema .rather than years later on-video, and playing as much squash as is physically possible!

Tim Norman I became a Christian as a teenager, struck by the wonder-ful world I was discovering through science and convinced of Jesus' claims to be the only way to know God. Vanessa and I met at University College London, where I was researching in Chemistry until last year. I have been working with St Aldate's since then, while we have been looking for a curacy close enough for Ness to commute. We are really look-ing forward to joining St Mary's, Chipping Norton.

PETERTIDE, the time around the feast of SS Peter and Paul on 29 June, is ordination time. It is also the time when we cel-ebrate vocation in its widest sense. Please pray for those, featured on this page who are being ordained deacon. Remember also those being ordained priest (fisted be/ow right)

TIMES OF ORDINATIONS

At Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford on Sunday 1 July at 10.30am The Bishop of Oxford will ordain nine of the ten on this page as Deacons. There will be a retreat for all the ordi-nands from 28 June until 1 July at St Mary's Convent, Wantage conducted by the Revd Gordon Mursell Provost of Birmingham Cathedral who will preach at the ordi-nation service. At St John's Newbury on Sunday 1 July at 4.3Opm In his first ordination in the Oxford Diocese, the new Bishop of Ebbsfllet the Right Revd Andrew Burnham will ordain Anthony Howe Deacon

STOP PRESS Alveen Thoresen, a member of St Albans and Oxford Ministry Course will be ordained Deacon to be a non-stipendiary curate at St Peter's, Caversham.

Andrew Atherstone After nine years in South Africa, the rest of my youth was spent in Cambridgeshire and Sussex. I worked for churches in Islington and Reading (St Agnes and St Paul) before training at Wycliffe Hall. My wife, Catherine, works for Oxfordshire County Council, and we are expect-ing our first child at the end of June. Football and the his-tory of the Church of England take up much of my spare time.

Mark Rudell After 20 years in the Baptist ministry I am making the change to being a priest within the Anglican' Church, in order to serve the community rather differently than might . have been possible before. I have worked for Tearfund as a com-municator and gained a broad perspective on the Church world-wide. My wife Marion works for Baptist World Mission and we both look for-ward to a new kind of ministry.

Daniel Muñoz Whilst from Spain, a predom-inantly Roman Catholic country, I became a Christian in my local Anglican church in 1994, through'reading the Bible and Christian fellow-ship. The call to discipleship was followed by a call to full-time Christian ministry, which in the future may lead me bck to Spain. Training at Wycliffe Hall, has been an invaluable experience. Now I am looking forward, with excitement, to joining the Hazlemere team as a curate.

Anthony Howe An East Anglian by birth, I came to Oxford ten years ago when I read music at Queen's College. Since then, I have lived in Wantage, worship-ping at the parish church. I have spent the last three years at St Stephen's House, where I did a second degree (in theol-ogy), and I will serve as a dea-con in the parish of St John the Evangelist, Newbury. My interests include, naturally enough, music, also art, trav-elling and books.

Anthony White Having grown up in a vic-arage, I felt a certain inevitability about ministry. However, it was not until much later that I felt sure that God was calling me. By this time, after numerous years as both a student and a journal-ist, I had married and had also started a family. Philippa, my wife, is a senior occupational therapist in Oxford, and we have two small daughters, Olivia and Georgina.

Keith Eyeons I'm the first person from Oxford Diocese to benefit from a new style of training run by St John's College, Nottingham. This 'Sandwich Course' combines parish ministry with part-time study and leads to an MA. I've been working at St Mary's Church, Iffley, in Oxford as a lay-worker since 1999, and will continue there as their curate. It's a very exciting year for me: I'm also marry-ing 'my fiancée, Mel, in September at Iffley Church.

Andreas Lowe I was born in Germany. After studying at St Peter's, Oxford, I went to Selwyn College, Cambridge, to read for a doctorate in Church History, and trained for ordi-nation at. Westcott House. After nine years at college I definitely feel ready for life in Upton-cum-Chalvey! When I get the time, I love making music or preparing a meal with friends, and enjoy a quiet read or a good walk in the country.

To be ordained priest At St Mary's Aylesbury on 1 July, 10.30am, the Bishop of Buckingham will ordain: Jonathan Bicknell (Chesham Bois), Anne Faulkner (Aylesbury with Bierton and Hulcott), Nathaniel Schluter (Gerrards Cross), Paul Smith (Prestwood), Ann Trew (Hambledon Valley) At St Mary's Reading on I July, 10.30am, the Bishop of Reading will ordain: Rosemary Bra-u-- (Maidenhead, All Saints), Stuart Gay (Sunningdale), Anthea Griggs (Sunningdale), Martin Robbins (Thatcham) At Dorchester Abbey on I Julyl 10.30am the Bishop of Dorchester will ordain: Sarah Coakley (Littlemore), Harriet Harris (Weidham College and Oxford, St mary the Virgin), James Howson (Cogges), Alex Hughes (Headington Quarry), Penny Joyce (Oxford St Clements), Frauds. Orr-Ewing (Oxford, St Aldates), Angela Paterson (Icknield), Roy Turner (Bladon with Woodstock).

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by Beren Hartless

Prirtipal of the Oxford Diocese's OLM

Scheme

N CHRISTIAN TOURS &

PILGRIMAGES

1. MAW 1 SATA

GROUP TRAVEL

2001/2002 Parishes, groups and individuals Our pilgrimages this year are:

• LOURDES/PARIS and NEVERS, 8 days £359 • ROME 8 days, half board, flights from

Manchester and London £749 • HOLY LAND, 10 days, half board from London • £798 • LOURDES, PARIS and NEVERS, 8 days

DEPARTING 21St June, only £339 • LOURDES, 10 day stopover (only one

departure) no night driving. Bed and breakfast en route with full board in Lourdes, no hills, only £349 This pilgrimage will stay in Lourdes for the full duration of the Liverpool Archdiocesan Pilgrimage

AUGUST DEPARTURES • LOURDES, 7 days, no night driving,

departing 6th/15th/24th 2 nights bed and breakfast near Paris, full board in Lourdes, visiting Rue du Bac, on return only £269

SEPTEMBER DEPARTURES • LOURDES, 7 days, no night driving,

departing 3rd, 12th, 21st, 30th

GROUP LEADERS AND CLERGY Join us on one of our educational pilgrimages to the Holy Land or Turkey. Departures from Manchester or Heathrow Airports weekly thoughout November. Come & see for yourself, the. Holy Land is safe for you and your group to visit. Please contact me, Dave Powell, at Nexus Travel and Tours for a full itinerary of these special pilgrimages

NEXUS CHRISTIAN TOURS AND PILGRIMAGES

28 Davies Street, London W K 4NA Call us FREE on 0800 028 4225

Keith Knee-Robinson (second right) and Stephen Cousins (Year three OLMs in training) on a group training evening at St Mary's Burghfield

THE DOOR : JUNE 2001 11

OLVs - a orUhant ac C ifion'to ministry NEED 1.1. HELP? IN THE 19201S, Roland Allen,

a priest who had served in this Diocese, became a missionary, first in China, later moving to Africa. Reflecting on his expe-rience of the 'mission station' approach to faith sharing, Allen realized that this was an ineffective and unbiblical way of communicating the gospel. Basing his work on New Testament principles, he inspired all kinds- of voluntary, non-stipendiary forms of ordained ministry, including ordained local ministry (OLM).

Even before the financial and structural problems of the Church Commissioners became news, the drop in the number of men and women offering themselves for stipen-diary ministry began to cause a re-think of ordained ministry. When you add to this the fact that rural dioceses and dioce-ses with urban priority areas identified the need to maintain a foothold in local communi-ties, it is no accident that OLM

was first explored in rural dio-ceses like Lincoln and Truro in the 80's, followed by Manchester and Southwark.

For some time the Church has been re-appraising the ministry of the ordained with-in the context of the ministry of all the baptised. Over the last 20 years, the ministry of the laity has been further encouraged in this Diocese by the work of the local training schemes together with all sorts of creative parish initiatives. So in many parishes, the idea that that clergy 'do' the ministry and lay people 'help' has gone out of the window. OLMs are called, trained and

deployed within the local com-munity from which they come. They are committed to staying in that community. They are always part of a local ministry

team: sharing life with lay and ordained colleagues. OLM priests are priests like any oth-ers in every other way. All cler-gy are limited by licence. But OLMs are supported and encouraged by the bishops to focus their ministry in one place.

They can minis-ter outside of it, but they seldom do so.

OLMs aren't a third class kind of priest, but a brilliant addi-

tion to the breadth of authorized min-istries which are possible in this Diocese. They come from every walk of life and are gen-erally well known and highly respected in their communities. Of the 44 dioceses, 17 have OLM schemes operating. About 280 OLM's have been ordained across the country already, with another 64 to be ordained this year. Of the 550 or so licensed parochial clergy

in this Diocese, about 30 are OLM's. In addition, we have 27 OLM's in training.

All OLM training is validat-ed nationally and we have external moderators just like the theological colleges and courses.

The training in our new scheme is integrated so that OLM's, licensed lay ministers (readers), people exploring vocation and all kinds of other people learn together. An ordi-nand's previous learning is taken into account and his/her progress is assessed by the col-lecting of evidence of their the-ological knowledge, and gifts and skills in ministry in a port-folio. We take a collaborative approach to the trainin... ordi-nands, incumbents and the parish/benefice ministry team are all involved, together with many people from the parish, working together to show evi-dence of the way the parish/benefice is developing.

Database design, websites, layouts, internet training? -

I am local, St. Andrews, and charge reasonable rates. Edward Peters, 73 Victoria Road, Oxford 0X2 703

Tel: 01865 316922 - Email: Edward@mraoxford.freeserve.co.uk

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When I heard about OLM, it filled me with enthusiasm and vision The life of Kate Wilson has been transformed since she started her OLM training

If you think God is calling you - If you have a sense that God might be calling you to some further form of service whether lay or ordained, stipendiary, non stipendiary or ordained local ministry, you might like to discuss this with one of the Network of Vocations Advisers. They will act as a sounding board and help you discern the way for-ward. You will receive advice about the different forms of ministry and the training available

In Berkshire there is a Vocations Fellowship which meets regularly. In Oxon and Bucks there are vocations events every year. Watch The DOORPost for details.To find your local Adviser, please ring one of the following: Mrs Hilary Unwin, Chairman of the Network, Amersham, 01494 725228, The Revd Nicholas Sandy, Vice-Chairman, Didcot, 01235 812114. The Revd Mervyn Puleston, Secretary, Kidlington, 01,865 372360. The Revd Jonathan Sibley, Secretary of Berks Vocations Fellowship, 0118 983 2328 ore-mail unwin@grhapc.org

God wants me to do some-thing but I'm not sure what!

Vocations Breakfast Saturday 30 June 8.30 to 12,30 Stewkley Methodist Hall (near Leighton Buzzard) Speakers from a variety of min-istries and an opportunity to learn about what might be poossible and how you could prepare for it! Cost £4 Details: Church Cottage, Waterloo RD, Linslade LU7 2NR.

Ministry and Vocation Saturday 7 July at lOam St George's Church, Wash Common near Newbury Speakers: Margaret Sentamu & the Revd. Mark Sowerby from the Ministry Division, Archbishop's Council. Details from Jonathan Sibley 0118 983 2328.

I HAD never considered Local Ordained Ministry in my search to find a better way of serving the Lord. I didn't even know what it was! My life experience had exposed me only to the traditional stipen-diary minister, the non-stipen-diary minister and the lay reader. But when I heard about OLM, it filled me with great enthusiasm and vision

and I knew my life was about to take a new direction. The philosophy of OLM is

rooted in the key priority of the Church to help people come to faith and to be inte-grated into the community unlike the traditional way of training for the ministry which takes people away from the communities where they have come to faith never to return. Since I intended to stay in Iver for many years, it was right that as I started on my journey to seek God's will in my life, (and to see if ordina-tion was the right road to fol-low) one of the first tasks should be to get the support of the parish. After all! was being trained to serve them. I met another fellow 'trav-

eller', Tony, who is also from

Iveç and we headed towards OLM selection together. We began by writing an article in the parish magazine explain-ing the concept of Ordained Local Ministry and asking (somewhat hesitantly!) if any-one thought we were unsuit-able for our calling. Thankfully, nobody did! Anne Faulkner, our Parish Development Advisor, also

attended a PCC meeting to explain the initiative. By March 2000, our selection conference weekend-at Clewer was fast approaching. Tony and I had attended numerous interviews and read many books in preparation. To our huge relief we were both accepted as suitable for train-ing and started the next stage in our travels. By now we had the support of five others in our training cohort.

The training consists of four elements. Each week, during academic term, we attend a rolling programme of classes covering different subjects such as history and doctrine, Biblical interpretation, self awareness and leading wor-ship. There are also weekend workshops.

A Portfolio is used within the scheme as a learning and assessment tool both for the Parish and for the ordinand. With the support of a mentor; my portfolio requires me to take responsibility for display-ing evidence of my learning and development of knowl-edge, gifts and skills.

Submitting essays was never a strong point for me during my school days so I had to come to terms very quickly with deadlines, homework and a whole new language. Suddenly, we talked about 'learning outcomes'; 'develop-ing competencies' and 'sub-mission dates'!

If there is a downside to the training, it is that we have had to give up doing anything in the parish that can't be used as 'evidence' for our portfolio. This can cause tension because some of us have had to give up doing the things we enjoy. I also have my own development programme which includes retreats and meeting with the other ordi-nands and their incumbents.

A structured parish develop-ment programme provides the final element of training. Two key questions are asked: 'What kind of community are we?' and 'What kind of church are we in this commu-nity?' This element of the pro-gramme provides evidence of the practical skills we need to function effectively in our role.

For me, the truly wonderful thing ubout OLM training, is the challenge it gives me and the knowledge that I can seek support from my peers, the parish, the congregations and all who make up the team that is nurturing me through it.

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FRANCE COGNAC,

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ferry port and the beautiful beaches of the Gate d'Emeruade.

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CORNWALL CHIVERTON PARK

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EXMOOR PORLOCK BAY Self catering in De-Luxe

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LLAN000NO NONEHAM HOUSE HOTEL

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DEVON PRAWIE POINT Coastguard house. Sleeps 8

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DERBYSHIRE DALES

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THE DOOR :JUNE 2001

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sailing, fishing, golf & tennis. Country walks and birdwstching. S.A.E. please for list & particulars

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SCOTLAND ORKNEY Kirkwall Town Centre

True hospitality and excellent food. En suite bedrooms, colour IV, three star

For further kifotrnolisr contact Albert Hotel, Mounthoolie lone,

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Perranporth, Cornwall

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amenities include outdoor pool,bar, shop and laundry. Special rates for oft season short breaks.Tel: 01872 572083 for brochure and details.

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ENGLISH TEACHER

This post provides the ideal opportunity for a career English Teacher (Years 5-9) who can contribute to the life of the school. In combination with the post there are further opportunities within the school through the non-resident boarding tutor system and the Housemaster/Housemistress system. The successful candidate will be sympathetic with the boarding ethos. An ability to offer games would be an advantage.

Swanbourne House is a successful Prep School with well motivated and happy children. The pupils are prepared for CE and for scholarship to top Public Schools. Swanbourne House is child centred, forward looking and has excellent facilities. A new swimming pool and six new classrooms will be in place by October 2001. We stand in a superb country setting, within easy each of fast-growing towns.

Staff benefits include: Help with accommodation, SHS pay scale, allowances for teaching Games, a BUPA scheme, removal allowance, career support, lOT training, a friendly common room and the best of traditional Prep School education delivered with an eye to the future. The salary for this post is negotiable. Look us up in the Daily Telegraph Schools' Guide and on the web at www.swanbourne.org

Prospective candidates should telephone, fax or e-mail for a job description and a school prospectus.

Apply in writing (two sides of A4 only) and fax to:

The Joint Heads, Mr and Mrs S. D. Goodhart Please enclose your CV and the names, addresses and

telephone numbers of three referees.

Closing date for applications: 25th May 2001

Registered Charity No: 310640

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Courses

Mystery Plays

Music Pilgrimage Advocacy

Stewardship Training Evangelism and Ministry 16 June Leading Morning and Evening Prayer (BCP) without a priest or LLM present, lOam - 12.15pm at St John the Evangelist Church, Newbury. Cost £3.50 and led by the Revd Anne Faulkner and the Revd Peter Ballantine 7 July Leading Prayers in Public Worship, 10.30am - 3.30pm at Diocesan Church House. Cost £3, tutor is the Revd Joanna Coney. Details: Juliet Ralph (01865) 208282

Breaking the Sileflce 6 June This study day will address the issues in domestic violence, and explore appropri-ate ways for the Church to respond. 10 Welcome and introduction 10.15 What is domestic vio-lence (facts, figures, description) 10.45 A personal experience 11.15 Coffee 11.30 Available skilled help (Solicitor, Thames Valley Police, Women's Aid) 12.30 Lunch 1.15 The Church's Response - introduction 1.45 What should our Response be? (Group work) 3.15 Round-up of the day 3.30 Close 10 - 4pm at Diocesan Church House £10.

Cottesloe Christian Training Programme 30 June 'God wants me to do something -, but I'm not sure what.' at Stewkley Methodist Church LLd1

Celebrating Ten Years of Faith in the Countryside 23 June A conference and cel-ebration at Southwark Cathedral for all engaged in the countryside. The aims are to: assess what has been achieved in the past ten years, share a vision for the countryside with partner agencies and to identify and seize new opportunities. Reply by 23 May to: Celebrating Ten Years of Faith in the Countryside, The Diocesan Council for Social Responsibility/Church Society, 60 Marsham Street, Maidstone, Kent MEI4 1EW (01622) 755014 office@csr.org.uk

Calling all Fathers 15- 16 June. Fathers Day Conference in Bath. Speakers include Steve Chalke and J John. Issues covered in confer- ence talks and workshops: abortion adoption conflict management discipline divorce grandfathers keeping a sense of humour setting an example spiritual leadership within the family stepfathering stress time management unemployment widowerhood Venue: The Forum at Bath Cost: £25* only for the confer- ence* Lower for those with finan-cial hardship. Registration: By fax: 01 244 315 108 e-mail: dirk@parenting.ymca.org.uk Post: Great Dads, YMCA

' Dee Bridge House, 2S-27 Bridge Street. CHESTER CH1 IRS.

Wounds and Blessings 6 July A day retreat led by Giles Charrington and Janet Lake (from Oxford Institute for Counselling) 10.30 - 4.30pm at Stanton House, Stanton St John, near Oxford. Cost £20 including lunch, tea and coffee. Bookings: Sonia Copper, OCIC, First Floor Offices, 119/121 London Road, Headington, Oxford, 0X3 9HZ (01865) 308889

Church of England Guild of Vergers Conference 2001 18-22 June Annual Training Conference, Newman College, Birmingham. Seminars, work-shops, lectures, trade stands, fellowship, fun and worship. All who do the work of a verg-er, (with or without the title are most welcome. Details: D Sumner, 2 Hanover Court, Evesham Road, Headless Cross, Redditch, B97 SET

Oxford Summer School 29 - 30 June Eugene Peterson (author of The Message) Conference 'Follow the Leader' at St Aldates Church, Oxford. Cost £20. Details and contact informa-tion: Wycliffe Hall, 54 Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 6PW summer.school@wycliffe.ox.ac.uk

CEL Annual Conference 13 October 'Heaven and Earth; what Christianity teaches about land use' to be held at Ryton Organic Gardens, near Coventry. Details: Tim Cooper (0114) 225 4838

BBC RADIO OXFORD

Mystery Plays 2 Sept The Chapterhouse Theatre Company Presents The Mystery Plays - The Ancient Cornish Drama at Weston Manor Hotel,

1, Oxfordshire 5pm (Grounds open at 2pm for picnics) Tickets £8 adults, £6 concessions. Details: Weston Manor Hotel (01869) 350621. These beautifully dressed medieval plays are performed at some of the most treasured cathedrals, castles and abbeys of Britain by a full cast with traditional music of the period.

Event in the Tent 29 June - 2 July A series of tent meetings organised by Oxfordshire Community Churches at the King's School New Yatt Road, Witney. Speakers include the Revd Marke Stibbe from St Andrews Chorleywood, the Revd David Maclnnes from St Aldates, Oxford and John and Carol Arnott from the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship. Friday night worship is lead by Martyn Layzell and the Soul Survivor band. For more details contact

Lift up Your Voice and Sing 30 June Led by He Kucharek, a experienced vocal-ist whose talents span a wide range of styles. She is a worship leader at Chiswick Christian Centre and is a tutor at London Bible College. She teaches with an infectious enthusiasm. Come and enjoy an afternoon improving your singing 1pm - 5pm at Cumnor Old School, Cumnor, Oxford £7 (S for those belonging to Music and Worship Foundation registered Churches, and concessions). Details from Elizabeth Kirby (0186S) 427837

Dorchester Abbey Music 2 June Charity Concert for Sobell House 3 June Vespers sung by Benedictines from St Benet's Hall 3.30pm 9 June Concert by Reading Bach Choir 7.30pm 16 June Concert by Benson Choral Society and South Oxon Youth Choir 7.30pm 18 - 23 June Oxfordshire Festival 6pm concerts (12 noon Sat) 27 June Concert by Girton College Choir 7.30pm 7 July Concert by Girton College Choir Details: Mrs Stephanie Forman (0186S)340434

Services at Christ Church Cathedral

Sundays 8am Holy Communion, lOam Matins and Sermon; 11.15am Sung Eucharist; 6pm Evensong.

Taizé After two highly successful trips in 1999 and 2000, a group from the Oxford Diocese will once again be spending a week in Taizé in 2001 (28 July - 6 August). This week will pro-vide the opportunity to: *Meet young people from over the world *Pray together with music and silence *Share questions and hopes *Find new ways of looking at the Church *Stand back, to see our lives in the light of the Gospel. The Pilgrimage will be led by the new Bishop of Dorchester Cohn Fletcher, and will cost £170 (includes travel and a week's stay in Taizé.) For more information and a registration form, contact Andrew Gear, Diocesan Church House, North Hinksey, Oxford 0X2 ONB (01865) 208253 youthofficer@oxford.anglican.org

St Alban's-tide Pilgrimage to St Alban's Abbey 23 June Coach leaves from Cowley Rd at 8.45am, festival Eucharist in St Albans, bring a picnic, free afternoon. Details from Mrs Smith (01865) 247048

Glastonbury Pilgrimage to Go Ahead 7 July The Pilgrimage will take place as announced. The preacher in the morning will be Bishop David Thomas and in the evening Bishop John Gaisford. It was reckoned that the Foot and Mouth epidemic would be almost over by then, and no

S

A voice for the voiceless... Do you know when you last felt lonely? A few years ago, while working at a Russian orphanage on the coast of the Baltic Sea, I vividly remember sitting, on a beach looking out over the Gulf of Finland, and feeling utterly alone. There were a lot of people about, but none of them really knew me - my hopes and needs, the things I could do, and the things I thought. To make things worse, I couldn't speak Russian very well, and this meant that it was difficult to build relation-ships with those around me.

You don't need to go to Russia to have this experience. One of my current jobs is at a Witney-based charity, where I support volunteers working throughout West Oxfordshire. My role is to match them up with a person in the area who has a communica-tion disability, and who wants and needs somebody to speak up on their behalf. There can be many things which make it diffi-cult for someone to express themselves or be understood by others in society, such as mental illness or learning disability.

Do you, or does somebody you know, need to get themselves heard? Or could you be that voice for somebody who finds themselves ignored or neglected? We have opportunities to get involved both short- and long-term, so why not get in touch by writing to me: Dalibor Warburton, at West Oxfordshire Citizen Advocacy, 33a High Street, Witney 0X28 6HP, phone: (01993) 704826, or by e-mailing us at: info@CITAD33a.freeserve.co.uk

What's On is a free service for readers of The Door. if you would

event included on The DoorPost, send details in writing to the ad

below before the 15 June deadline. There is no August DOOR.

This morning will be an oppor-tunity to learn about what might be possible and how you could prepare for this. From 8.30am - 12.30pm £4. Book by 26 June (01525) 375109

St John's College, Durham 7-9 &14-16 September Autumn Holiday Weekend: Leisure Study and Worship at St John's College. Details from Rachel Jones (01423) 797800

palicilig dLia1IC111Ci1LS, aiiu Ilic

Mendip District Council and Abbey are most anxious that the Pilgrimage should proceed as scheduled. Details: Francis Gardom (01225) 446670

Wednesdays 1pm Communion service, everyone welcome. Saturday mornings lOam - 12 noon Ark-T Café, Crowell Road, Cowley, Oxford (01865) 773499/396778

104.1 Enjoy your Sunday breakfast

Sundays 6 - 9am Local religious views,

church news, favourite hymns

/.i3am holy Lornmumon; 1.05pm Holy Communion on Wednesdays only 6pm Choral Evensong 6pm Sung Eucharist on Thursdays or Saints Days

The July issue of the Door will be

ready for collection on 22 June

JUNE Fri I GROVE Cornerstone Coffee shop June special Cappaccino cake with tea or cof-fee for £1.15 (01235) 772280 Sat 2 BROUGHTON w NORTH NEWINGTON Church Fete at Broughton Castle 2 - 4pm. Details: 01295 264987 Sat 2 BANBURY Focolare after-noon 2.30 - 4pm at St Francis's Church, Highlands. An introduc-tion to the Focolare ideal of foster-ing unity. Details: (01295) 265836 Sat 2 SHIPPON Summer Fayre at St Mary Magdalene 2-4pm. Sat 2 CUMNOR Men's Breakfast, 8.30àm at Cumnor Old School. Sun 3 BOTLEY and CUMNOR Cream Teas and Family Fun after-noon, 4pm Arnolds Way. Pentecost Praise at 6pm. Sun 3 LUTON Abseil for free down the Luton Thistle Hotel, raising money for The Children's Society. Details: Kim Gutteridge. (01767) 260714 Sun 3 FRITWELL Open Gardens and Church Songs of Praise in aid of St Olave's Church, 2-6pm. Details: (01869) 345507 Mon 4 CUMNOR An evening with Dr David Cook of BBC's The Moral Maze 7.30pm at Cumnor Old School. Fri 8 BANBURY A 'Quiet Gardeii' in Balscote village, open 2 - 6pm with two short addresses. Arrive and leave when you wish. Enquiries: (01295) 738 194 Fri 8 -10 READING Flower Festival at Christ Church 10 - 6pm, 10 - 7pm and 2 - 5pm followed by Thanksgiving Choral Evensong at

6pm (Cheese and wine party on Fri £5, 8pm) Details: (0118) 986 0610 Sat 9 WENDOVER Music con-cert at St Mary's Church with the Emperor Quartet, 8pm. Details: (01296) 622805 Sat 9 DORCHESTER Concert by the Reading Bach Choir includ-ing Lobet den Herrn (JS Bach) and works by Mozart and Rosanna Panufnik. Details: (0118) 963 5007 Sat 9 - 10 CHARLBURY 'A Celebration of Summer Flowers' in St Mary's Church, arranged by members of all five churches in the town as part of Charlbury Arts Festival. Details: Sarah Potter (01608) 810388 Sat 9 - 10 WANTAGE Church Open Weekend, church open from 2 - 5pm, concert by the Parish Church choir at 7.30pm on Saturday. Sunday evening service at 6pm followed by a sing-a-long. Details: (01235) 762842 Sat 9 - 10 IVER HEATH St Margaret's presents a Flower Festival called Movie Magic 11am - 5pm Sat -9 - 10 CROWMARSH Flower Festival 10-6pm and 11-6pm at Crowmarsh Gifford Church. Details: (01491) 837243 Sun 10 BERRICK SALOME Open Gardens Event, Plant and Cake stalls, Cream Teas, Croquet and Fun Dog Competitions. Details: (01865) 891124 June 10 STEVENTON The Damascus Group of Parishes are holding a open-air service on the village green at lOam. Activities for children and a picnic lunch. Sun 10 CHIPPING NORTON

Choral Evensong at St Mary's Church. Details: from Church Office (01608) 646202 Thurs 14 OXFORD The Archaeology of Qumran 8pm at the Oxford Jewish Centre. Details: (01865) 761630 Sat 16 OXFORD Oxford Harmonic Society presents Bach, Magnificat and Handel, at the Town Hall, 8pm. Tickets (01865) 798600 or at door. Sat 16 WINDSOR The Royal Free Singers perform at concert at Windsor Parish Church 7.30pm. Tickets £10 (including strawber-ries and cream) Details: (01753) 855173 Sun 17 WANTAGE Songs for a Summer Afternoon, followed by a guided tour of the Church and tea. £5 including tea. Details: (01235) 762842 Sun 17 CLANFIELD Village gardens open 2-6pm £3 to include about 12 gardens. Details: (01367)81025S Sun 17 LETCOMBE BASSETT Gardens Open Day 2-6pm, plus flower festival, plant and cake stalls, cream teas and pony rides. Details: (01235) 762390 Sun 17 WARGRAVE Churches Together in Twyford & District are holding their Annual United Service at 10.30am in the Grand Marquee on Mill Green. Details: (0118) 9401334 Sun 17 BIGGLESWADE Open Gardens-at Southill Park, plants, teas and wine from Warden Vineyard. Details: (01767) 260714 Sun 17 HOOK NORTON 'Village Open Gardens' about 12

open, 2 - 6pm. £3 inclusive map and ticket teas available and easy parking. Details: (01608) 730062 Sun 17 GORING ON THAMES 9.30am Parish Communion at St Thomas's Parish Church with music led by Noel Tredinnick and musicians from All Souls, Langham Place. Sun 17 GORING ON THAMES Faure Requiem, Noel Tredinnick will be conducting All Souls Musicians and St Thomas's Choir at St Thomas of Canterbury, Goring-on-Thames at 3.30pm. Tickets £7.50 (incl light refresh-ments) are available by calling 01491 873438 Thurs 21 ABINGDON Finding the Path, key skills for working effectively with 11-14 year olds. At Christ Church, 7.30pm £10 Details: (01926) 458458 Fri 22 ISLIP Barn Dance with Captain Webb's band at Village Hall - tickets £5 (under 14's £3). Details: (01865) 373972 Fri 22 FINGEST (Hambleden Valley, near Henley) Healing ser-vice with laying on of hands and anointing at Holy Communion 10.15am. Details: (01628) 476291 Sat 23 OXFORD Alzheimer's Society Plant Sale in aid of the local Branch, at St Catherine's College, 1.30pm - 4.30pm. Details: (01865) 862064 Sat 23 WITNEY Holy Trinity Church Fete, 2pm on Woodgreen. Stalls, activities and arena events including children's fancy dress competition. Sat 23 THE LEE (near Great Missenden) Church Fete 2pm on

the village green. Details: (01494) 837309 Sat 23 HINTON WALDRIST Church Fete at The Grange, 2.30pm, includes raffle with star prize of day excursion on the Orient Express. Details: (01865) 820595 Sat 23-24 ISLIP Flower Festival at St Nicholas Church and Open Gardens 12 - 5.30pm, boat trips and treasure hunt. Details: (01865) 379072 Sun 24 TILEHURST Healing service with laying on of hands and sung Eucharist at St Catherine's 9.45am. Details: (0118) 942918 Sun 24 OLD LINSLADE (near Leighton Buzzard) Strawberry and cream teas at St Mary's. Details from Sheila Deighton (01525) 377326 Wed 27 DORCHESTER Girton College Chapel Choir Cambridge present an evening of choral music from Tallis and Byrd to Grainger and Cole Porter, 7.30pm, tickets £1O/7.50. Details: (01235) 522237 Fri 29 - I HAWBRIDGE St Mary's Church Patronal Festival. Concert with lain Ledingham on 29 at 7pm at Hawridge & Cholesbury school. Details (01494) 758332 Sat 30 OXFORD 'Summer Get-Together' at 2.30pm, tea on the lawn and stalls in aid of St John's Home. Details: (01865) 247725 Sat 30 ISLIP Strawberry teas, book sale and children's fancy dress at 3pm in aid of St Nicholas. Details: (01865) 374386 Sat 30 WOUGHTON ON THE GREEN Strawberry Fayre at 3pm in St Mary's Church.

Sat 30 BOURNE END St Nicholas' Church annual Riverside Fair on the banks of the Thames at River Cottage, Riversdale. Includes river trips, children's' games, cream teas and stalls. Opens 12 noon. Sat 30 MARSH GIBBON Flower Festival at St Mary's Church 10 - 5pm Sat 30 - I FREELAND Flower Festival at St Mary-the-Virgin 10-6pm and 12 -6pm. Details: (01993) 882273 Sat 30 - I HAWBRIDGE Gift Day and Flower Festival, at St Mary's 10.30-5.30pm

JULY Sun I MARSH GIBBON Village service lOam, St Mary's Church open for Flower Festival 2-5pm Sun I OLNEY Summer Celebration Choral Concert at 8pm in the Parish Church. Tickets £10 from (01908) 661049 Mon 2 MARSH GIBBON 'Professional Floral Art with Bob Harris 8pm, £5. Details: (01869) 277428 Tues 3 OXFORD Christianity and National Identity 7.30pm at Friends' Meeting House, 43 St Giles. Sat 7 STEVENTON GREEN St Michael's Traditional Village Fete 2.30-4.30prn. Details: (01235) 831418 Sat 7 WENDOVER Music Concert at St Mary's Church with the City of London Sinfonia, 8pm. Details: (01296) 622805 Sat 7 SALFORD Garden Fete at the Old Rectory, Cream Teas, stalls and games. Details: (01608) 643276

Sat 7 - 8 WOODCOTE Flower Festival at St Leonard's Church 10 - 5pm. Theme: Songs and Symbols Mon 9 READING GSS Meeting, Mass at St Marks 7.30pm. Details David Gillman (0118) 9598102 Sat 14 GREEN PARK SAOMC Reunion for former and current students and staff, 10-4pm. Speaker: Canon Vincent Strudwick. Details and booking (0186S)208260 Sun 15 POTTON Open Gardens at Causeway Cottage and 88 Everton Rd, (2-5pm). Details: (01767) 260714 Sun 15 SILCHESTER The Longslade Consort present 'A Feaste of Early Music for the Kings and Queens of England' 7.30pm. Details (0118) 970 0825 Sat 21 ASTON ABBOTTS Festival with Floral Church, stalls and sideshows 2-Spm. Details: (0296) 681343 Sat 21 STREATLEY 'A Summer Serenade' Concert of vocal and instrumental music by graduates of the University of Surrey 7.30pm. Tickets £6 including refreshments. Details: (01491) 872686 Sun 22 BOVINGDON AIR-FIELD near Chesham. A Driving Challenge in aid of The Children's Society. Be sponsored to drive a fire engine, juggernaut, dustcart, double-decker bus or racing banger, from lOam. Details: (01844) 292 242 Sun 29 POTTON Open Gardens 'Three Views of Potton', at Grove Lodge, Deepdale, 12 Sutton Rd and 22 Gamlingay Rd (2-6pm). Details: (01767) 260714

DO YOU CLYP? I am researching the origination and ancient custom of 'YCLEP-PING' ie clypping of a parish church. First the people face inward holding hands around the church, thanking God for His faithfulness and that of past generations, and praying for it themselves. Then turning out-ward, they pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to live and work to God's praise and glory. The custom is observed in July and is probably pagan in origin. If you have any information about yclep ping, please contact: Peter Atkinson (01226) 742659

Notices STOP FOR TEA WITH THE DOOR! We hope to include our annual church-tea guide in the July DOOR. If your church offers teas or other snacks on a regu-lar basis in the summer months and you would like to be included (no charge) then send us details by 11 June. Please tell us briefly about what you will offer (eg cream teas), and about toilet facilities and whether there is access for people with a disabil-ity. Send the information to The DOOR, Church House, North Hinksey, Oxford OX2 ONB. email door@oxford.anglican.org

Door The Door Post is a supplement to The Door and is published by Oxford Diocesan Publications Ltd.

The Door is published ten times a year (not August or January) and is distributed

free of charge to churches in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.

Editorial address: The Door, Church House, North Hinksey, Oxford 0X2 ONB.

Telephone: 01865 208227 Fax: 01865 790470

Email: door@oxford.anglican.org

Training for Ministry? Wesleyan Bible Institute Offers part-time courses in Youth Ministry, Christian Counselling, Church Leadership and Ministerial Studies. For more details contact: The Director, WBI, 138 Hamstead Road, Handsworth, Birmingham B20 2QR. Tel. 0121 240 2130 Fax 0 12 240 2174 Email: whi@akantine.co.uk

Registered Charity 291478

ST JOSEPH'S CONVENT SCHOOL READING, BERKSHIRE

An independent day school for girls aged 3 to 18.

PREPARATORY DEPARTMENT KINDERGARTEN TO YEAR 6 (AGE 3 TO 11)

with after school care facilities

OPEN MORNING SATURDAY 9 JUNE 2001 10.00 A.M. TO 12.00 P.M.

Join us for coffee and croissants and bring your friends

Applications are now invited for entry in September 2001

For further details and a copy of our prospectus, please contact: St Joseph's Convent School,

Upper Redlands Road, Reading, Berkshire RC1 51T

TEL: 0118 966 1000 St Joseph's Convent School is a registered charity which exists to provide education for girls.

_C ucati on GA. WOOD

Schoolwear for

girls and boys age 4 upwards

available all year round

5 Church Square High Wycombe

01494 529693

KINGNAM HILL

HEYTHROP COLLEGE The specialist Philosophy and Theology College of the

UNIVERSITY OF LONDON

MA in Philosophy and Religion

Heythrop College, founded by the Society of Jesus in 1614, has one of the largest theology teaching faculties in Britain, as well as one of the finest theological libraries. The College is situated in private gardens in the heart of Kensington, with excellent underground and bus links to all mainline stations.

The MA in Philosophy and Religion offers an opportunity to carry out a detailed study of questions which are of fundamental concern to humankind. Tuition is on one evening per week over two years in the Michaelmas and Easter terms. All modules are assessed by examination or essay.

There are two core modules: Philosophy of Religion introduces the most common questions which philosophers ask about religion - questions such as 'Why does God allow suffering?' or 'Can miracles happen?' And God and the Good traces the history of the relationship between God and goodness from Plato and Aristotle through to the present day.

In the second year, participants choose one module from Contemporary Moral Problems, Psychology of religion, and Wittgenstein: Language, World and Value. Also required is a 10,000 word dissertation on a topic selected from the areas covered by any of the modules studied.

This Master's degree course is suitable for those in full-time, part-time, or lay ministry, teachers, or anyone who wishes to gain a deeper understanding of religious belief. It is accessible to the non-specialist with no previous knowledge of the subjects.

For further details, please contact Annabel Clarkson, Academic Registrar, Heythrop College, University of London, Kensington Square, London W8 5H0; e-mail: a.clarkson@heythrop.ac.uk Fax: 020 7795 4200; or telephone: 020 7795 6600.

Further information may also be found at www.heythrop.ac.uk

Heythrop College is a registered charity No. 312923

UNIVERSITY OF WALES LAMPETER UK

M.Th. in Church History Study Church History at one of the leading centres

in the UK. An interdisciplinary course with a particular emphasis on Byzantine, Medieval and Modem

Christianity. The course can be followed in full-time, part time and distance modes.

Enquiries to: Dr Frances Knight

Department of Theology and Religious Studies

University of Wales, Lampeter SA8 7ED

Tel: 01370 424708

Email: Frances.Knight@lamp.ac.uk

ILPCOLLEG URGEON'SI

E Preparing Christians for Mission and Ministry

Mth in Preaching An Ecumenical In-Service Resource for Preachers

This Open Learning Masters' Course is the result of the unique association between spurgeon's college and The college of Preachers.

It is designed for those wishing to study further, deepen their understanding and develop their preaching ministry.

The course is studied through Open Leaning which means the participants work

at their own pace, in their own time and in their own home. For more details please contact Karen Atkin, Administrator, College of Preachers, on 01778 422929 ftel/fax)

Email: collpreach@mistraI.co.uk

Open Leaning Course validated by the University of Wales Spurgeon's College and the College of preachers are both Registered Charities

A leading GSA Catholic Independent Day School

Welcoming all Christians & those supporting its ethos

Founded 1870 Preparatory School (2t/2 - 11)

Senior School (11 - 18) 580 Girls

THE MARIST CONVENT SCHOOL King's Road, Sunninghill, Ascot, Berks SL5 7PS

• Renowned for happy & caring ethos • Outstanding exam results: 100% 5+ GCSEs A-C (76% atA*B);

99% A Level success rate (65% at A-B); strong Oxbridge tradition to Small classes to Broad academic curriculum: 21 GCSE & 26 A Level subjects to Flourishing Sixth Form; excellent careers department • Excellent reputation for sport, drama, music & creative arts • Extensive School Coach network, including Maidenhead/Windsor • Academic Scholarships & Sibling Discounts • Welcomes entry at ages 21/2, 4, 7, 11, 13 & 16

OPEN DAYS PREPARATORY SCHOOL: SATURDAY 16 JUNE 2001, 10AM-4PM

SENIOR SCHOOL: SATURDAY 23 JUNE, 10AM-2PM Tours with students ' Welcome by Headteacher Activities Tea

and Refreshments

For further details or to arrange a visit or taster day for your daughter please contact:

Preparatory School: Tel 01344 626137; Fax 01344 621566 Senior School: Tel: 01344 624291; Fax 01344 874963

Registered Charity No. 225485

THE DOOR JUNE 2001

TO ADVERTISE RING: 01865 254506 Kingham Hill School, a co-educational inde-pendent school for 240 pupil's aged 11-19 years old. Set in 90 acres of parkland in the heart of the stunning Cotswolds near Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, it is only an hour and a half from London and within easy reach of major air-ports.* Kingham Hill is among a

variety of British schools

providing around 9,000

boarding places for chil-

dren from overseas. With

20 per cent of its children

coming from abroad there

is a truly thriving interna-

tional community at the

school.

The school represents an

Action Bookshare P0 Box 694, Rhyl, LLIB IN

Training in personal evangelism and effective follow-up to produce mature believers

through Bible ttudy.

Website

www.actionintl.org E-mail: actionuk@btintemet.com

Telephone: 01299 401511 Fax: 01299 402461

Registered Charity 1058661

Members of EA and Global Connections (EMA)

impressive cross-section

of society - and abilities

too. With a staff/pupil

ratio of 1:7, the aim is to

provide a high-quality sec-

ondary education for all

boys and girls of average

academic ability.

"Boarding schools offer

quality provision for

pupils on their doorstep.

For instance facilities at

Kingham, which are typi-

cal of other schools

include - games, many

sports pitches, a sports

hall, assault course, tennis

courts, swimming pool,

.22 shooting range, clubs,

music, and drama.

Adventure activities

include a Combined Cadet

Force, Duke of Edinburgh

Award Scheme, Scouts

and a sub aqua club. We

also recognise the impor-

tance these days of IT -

here is currently one com-

puter for every three chil-

dren".

"We firmly believe that

an education should pre-

pare a young person for

life by developing the

whole. person. We do this

by using our strengths to

build up and bring out

those human qualities

that are the foundation

for the attitudes and

strength of character".

Headmaster Martin

Morris goes on to say,

"Most boarding schools

are very experienced in

caring for children whose

parents move around the

world. Here, we do our

best to be an extended

family. And with the avail-

ability of e-mail these

days, parents and their

children find it is so mush

easier to keep in touch".

* The school is always

ready to welcome

prospective pupils and

parents for an informal

visit.

For further information

contact Kingham Hill

School, Kingham,

Chipping Norton, Oxon

0X7 6TH.Tel: 01608

658999. Fax: 01608

658658. Email: admis-

sions@kinghamhill.org.uk

or browse the website at:

www.kinghamhill.org.uk.

I.

I

A Christian boarding and day school for boys & girls from 11-18

• Christianity in action - students give practical help overseas each year - recently Romania and Zimbabwe

• Excellent pastoral care enabling students to reach their potential

• Visiting groups from Christians in Sport to escapologists

• Bursaries for clergy families and substantial discounts for former students of Oak Hill College, London

Telephone: 01608 658999 Website: www.kinghamhill.org.uk

Ki,,qi,rr Hill School Kingi,arr, Chippi,,cj Norto,, O,,fordshire 0X7 6TH 5J1< secresary@kir,ghmhai.orq :k

90444~ mot, 000v 2 0 0 1 More than just Blooms

Banbury in Bloom is not just about flowers - it's about educating the local community on important environmental issues. Banbury Community Garden & Nursery in People's Park aims to give schools the right type of outdoor facilities where they can educate their children on aspects of horticulture and conservation. It includes a wildlife garden and pond - formal garden with excellent wheelchair access - Willow sculptures and available plots of land which local people can use to grow flowers or vegetables. If you are interested in learning about the environment or just want the opportunity to relax in pleasant surroundings - come along and see what Banbury In Bloom is doing for your community.

If you wish to become actively involved in Banbury In Bloom 2001 contact

Tony Magean on

01295 252535 or visit our Website

Website designed and developed by students at North Oxford Technical College

www.banburyinbloom.co.uk

need funds to keep everything moving." For more information call, TFSR at 02380 869697 or write TFSR, Netley Marsh, S040 7GY

"CUP ON"to a CONCRETE fence post * NO DRILLING * INSTANT FIT HANGING BASKET BRACKET clips on to standard 4" wide concrete fence post. Takes a 1° 14" basket. Steel sonstrastion. Unique robber trip. / Sold in pairs - 2 for £17.49 md. postage / k CHEQUES TO: JOHN HARRIS PRODUCTS 21 DENEHURST GARDENS, LANGDON HELLS, ESSEX SSI6 615 or TEL 01268 544603 FOR PAYMENT BY CREDIT CARD. view our unique products - www.johnhorrisproducts.co.uI.

SATURDAY 30th JUNE

First UnitedMethodist Handbeff Choir

St Michael at the Northgate Church, Oxford PERFORMANCE BEGINS AT 7.30pm

A very experienced mixed voice choir and handbell group Tickets and Information from Casterbridge Tours on (0 1935) 810810

or at the door (Free Admission)

SUNDAY 17th JUNE

'Vo0 ices iii the Laurel

St Michael at the Northgate Church, Oxford

PERFORMANCE AFTER THE 10.30am SERVICE A select ensemble of mixed voices

Tickets and Information from Casterbridge Tours on (0 1935) 810810 or at the door (Free Admission)

ON MONDAY 25th JUNE

Wilmington Select Chorale Christ Church Cathedral,

Oxford PERFORMANCE BEGINS AT NOON

A sound choir group with a challenging, eclectic programme

Tickets and Information from Casterbridge Tours on (01935) 810810 or at the door (Free Admission)

Bluebells LANDSCAPE GARDENERS

Specialising in: Block Paving and Driveways, Paths, Fencing,

Turfing, Groundwork - Hard and Soft, All Aspects of Brickwork.

Photos and references if required

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cirling Buds of May PCi2nt \(ursery

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READY FILLED BASKETS & TUBS OR USE OUR REFILL & GROW SERVICE

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Impatiens, Petunias, Lobelia 120 for £12. Geraniums. 120 for £20 14" self watering hanging baskets - fully planted for £10 - available from this weekend - don't miss out, they're the best buy in the

nursery. Full range of hanging baskets and patio plants - 85p each 5 for 4orI8 for 14.

Veg plants - 24 for £3 Herb plants - 25p each Plus many other special deals on shrubs, palms, climbers, herbaceous, compost and sundries

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Don't miss out - we are the cheapest about! Come and have a hunt on the clearance benches for some serious bargains!

5,.,-.. 1,,5n',

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EADHAMs' Garden Machinery

Sales & Service MINSTER LOVELL

Tel: 01993 778900 68a Brize Norton

Road,

Q Minster Lovell, Oxon

PEST PROBLEMS? Drive them away using

Ultrasonic Sound. Rats/mice in the house

£1999. Cats/dogs in the garden £39.99 + carriage.

Details from TSM

Tel: 81838 808199 aww.pestcontrol-quick!y.co.uk

Yc.i c,t nw ii--ir"aill your

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MILTON KEYNES CHRALE

BRUCHER Mass in E minor

Mozart -

Serenade in E flat

Taveflet - song for Athefle

0meV parish Church Sun 1st July 8pm

with The Marais Ensemble Tickets £10 (C2 concession) 01908 661049 evenings & weekends

.0

ww

w.m

kc

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t

The 2001 New Eclectics Annual

Conference For all Evangelical Anglicans Lay and Ordained in active ministry

The Church Shaped for mission

Who moved the goal posts? Monday 5th - Thursday 8th November

at The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire

Speakers include: George Lings, Director of the Church Army's Centre for Church Planting and Evangelism. Phil Potter, Bonnie Appleton, Andrew Comes,

Andrew Wingfield Digby.

Join us! For details contact Gill Morrison, Conference

Mministrator, The Rectory, Rectory Road, Rushden,Northants NN1O OHA Tel/Fax: 01933 312554

e-mail: Morrison@barryandgill.freeserve.co.uk

SPIDIR CARE OF THE

east midlands WOUNDED HEALER led by

Revd Doug Hiza (director of International Communication Counselling Services)

SATURDAY JUNE 2nd, 2001, 10am to 4pm

at the ABBEY CENTRE, Overslade Close, East Hunsbury,

Northampton Cost £10, bring a packed lunch, drinks provided

INFORMATION/ BOOKING/ CHEQUES MADE .OUT TO SPIDIR no:

MRS M BEDFORD, 24 EAST RISING, EAST HUNSBURY,

NORTHAMPTON NN40 TP - TEL: 01604 701638

THE DOOR : JUNE 2001 17

dver:ibin

TO ADVERTISE RING: 01865 254506

g

Continued from Page 16

"It is more effective to work with local organisations who know the ways of their communities. We can be sure then that the tools we send fit into the poverty fighting projects they are carrying out." Tools for Self Reliance is growing but still can't meet all of the requests from their partners in Africa. Thanks to a generous legacy gift, they are expanding the workshop at the headquarters on the edge of the New Forest. "We do need tools to refurbish but some people are surprised that we don't want what they have to offer. We don't send garden tools, for example because we support blacksmiths who make the heavy duty tools that African farmers need. We want good tools that we can clean and sharpen to first class condition," said Kidd. "That's not all we need - we are looking for more volunteers to help us refurbish tools and join us in campaigns in favour of the people we work with such as Jubilee 2000. And we

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P RHA DINGY SAILING COURSES

ALL ACES - BEGINNERS to INSTRUCTORS residential and non-residential

For further information telephone 01983 522195 or

see our web site www.medinavalleycentre.org.uk

SAINT PAUL, WOKINGHAM Seeks a

tre-ctvr f.Miwc

Strong Anglican/Catholic Choral tradition To direct and encourage development of the choir,

and other musical resources working with the existing Organist.

Remuneration within RSCM guidelines. Further details from: Rev'd Roger Stillman,

St. Paul's Parish Office, Reading Road, Wokingham RG41 1 E Tel: 0118 979 2122

e-mail: roger.stillman@stpauls-wokingham.fsnet.co.uk Applications to be received by 25th June 2001.

ORGANIST

required September 2001

(2 Sundays out of 4) Eucharist & Evensong

RSCM rates apply St. Michael's,

Steventon Contact: Choirmaster

Terry Pearce 01635 281570

18 THE DOOR JUNE 2001

CELEBRATING STORY took place in Bierton, Aylesbury on 28 April and was the con-clusion of the 18 month pro-gramme put together by Jenny Hyson, Diocesan Children's Advisor and Sue Dogget of the Bible Reading Fellowship, as a celebration of the whole Church but with an emphasis on children.

The day was also used to launch two books, one writ-ten by Sandra Pollerman, Stories, Stories Everywhere and one written by Heather Butler, More Stories to make you think.

It was a great disappoint-ment to Jenny Hyson that she could not be at the final event following her slow recovery

from a car accident in February. I took over the administration for her and went along on the day to help.

Thirty children and 70 adults turned up on this bright Saturday to enjoy stories 'In a Shoe Box' and other work-shops covering differing aspects of how to 'tell the story' includ-ing mime and drama.

Clowning around Sandra Pollerman, work-shop leader, writer, broad-caster, clown and spiritual director (better known to some of you as Nibbles at the Celebrating Together day last July) opened the day in a lively fashion and soon captivated the audi-

ence with her ideas on how a story might be handed down.

Lunch was quickly upon us and the quiet day was turned into mayhem as children made their own entertain-ment for an hour. However, after lunch Sandra was soon able to get their attention for the afternoon sessions which were received with the same enthusiasm. The day ended around 3.30

pm with final worship led by children, a fitting end to a whole series of events on Celebrating Together.

Valerie Hooley

Valerie Hooley is assistant to Jenny Hyson, the Diocesan Children's Officer.

Canon Coflg ratulates CUP winners

CANON Brian Shenton (pictured above with a team from the Church of God Worldwide Mission) opened the Reading Churches' five-a-side soccer cup competition with a prayer, and stayed to present the prizes at the end of the event. The competition took place on Saturday S May at 5pm and involved teams from all over the Reading area. In the eight to ten-year old competition, tIle 1st Earley Boys'

Brigade were joint winners with the Church of God Worldwide Mission. The 11 to 13 age group produced Ashbridge Park as winners with the Church of God Worldwide Mission as runners up again.

Gateau Mule Feuilles au Frail By cookery writer, Ann Way

THIS RECIPE is an adaptation from a marvellous set of 'Cordon Bleu' magazines that were on sale monthly in the early days of my marriage. I often refer to these old books and frequently find a useful recipe in my constant search to keep our readers in their kitchens when they aren't too busy else-where. Strawberry time is coming up to its peak this month - so I hope some of you will try this one.

Ingredients 1/21b of puff or flaky pastry. Shop bought saves time 1/2 pint double/whipping cream 3 table spoons of red currant jelly (or sieved strawberry jam) 1 lb strawberries 2 oz icing sugar 1 orange, squeezed

Method Set the oven at 400f, Gas mark 6° or 200°. Roll Out the pastry very thinly and cut out two cir-cles about seven inches wide. Remove the centre with another cut about five inches wide. A plate and a saucer could be used a a marker and pressed on the pastry and then cut around them with a sharp knife. Fold the remaining pastry and roll out again, cut out one plain cir-cle slightly thicker than the other rings to act as a base. Once the pastry rings are on the baking sheets prick them well and cook in a preheated oven until risen and pale golden brown (approx. 10 - 12 min-utes). Leave them to cool.

Meanwhile wash and hull the strawberries and drain on kitchen paper. Save about six even sized ohes for decoration and chop the rest up into small-ish chunks. Shake these in the-icing sugar and a little squeeze of orange juice and leave to marinade while you whip the

i cream. Heat the redcurrant jelly or sieved strawberry jam with the rest of the orange juice until it has melted. When the pastry is cold, place the thicker bottom ring on a nice dish, brush with a little of the jelly and continue with the other rings. Mount them on the base and fill the centre with the strawberries and cream.

The final celebration of story Valerie Hooley writes about the final event of Celebrating Together, the Diocese's Millennium programme for children

OUR NEW WEBSITE MUST

BUZZ FROM DAY ONE!

Website Editor for Churches' Media Trust

Funding is now available for a half time Web Editor in the Oxford area to facilitate a significant new Christian website serving Churches and Media.

CMT is looking for a Media and Web-literate person with good understanding of Church affairs across the ecumenical spectrum.

More editor than technician, our Web Editor will operate from home but in close co-operation with CMT's Website providers.

Application by CV before 23 June to mark@rudall.freeserve.co.uk

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THE DOOR JUNE 2001

19

BOOKS ART Christian - Jewish Dialogue: the next step THIS important book is the outcome of some 40 years' involvement in Christian-Jewish dialogue. Marcus Braybrooke's analysis is that, while the, awfulness of the Holocaust (Shoah) has led many Christians and Jews over the last half century to meet together and to estab-lish friendships and in some cases collaboration over social action, dialogue has reached something of a plateau. What is needed now is 'a theology of each side to validate the other's existence'

In seeking to establish this theology of the 'other', Braybrooke argues that Jesus was a Jew of His times and

that his polemic against the Pharisees, while certainly critical, was well within the contemporary bounds of acceptable debate. He sug-gests that Paul's primary concern was to safegaurd the position of Gentile converts within Christianity - ie they did not have to conform to Jewish practice - rather than a criticism of Judaism itself. It was only as the early Church grew and the pro-portion of Jews declined in relation to Gentiles that the anti-Jewish polemic increased and pointed for-ward to the anti-Semitism which has been such a blot on Christian history. With

his avowedly 'liberal' approach, Braybrooke con-cludes by arguing for the parallel validity of the Jewish and Christian covenants.

Many, like Shaye, J.D Cohen, have outlined the task of a theology of religion to be to accept the integrity of the other without impair-ing the integrity of one's own religion, and many have lamented our failure to achieve this goal. One of the most remarkable features of his book is the response it has elicited from Rabbi Tony Bayfield who, in paying trib-ute to Braybrooke's sensitivi-ty and steps to accommodate Judaism within Christian

theology, himself suggests that it is time for Jews to take Jesus seriously. As Bayfield says: 'If Christians need fully to accept Jesus as a Jew, Jews need fully to accept Jesus as a remarkable Jew.'

Many key underlying issues remain unresolved, not least the question of conversion (especially from Judaism to Christianity) and the contin-uing issue of peace and jus-tice in Palestine/Israel, but this book is important not only in the context of Christian-Jewish dialogue but also as a particular model of inter-faith dialogue in general. It is clear that, if inter-faith dialogue is to

make real theological progress, it requires a lot of hard work on both sides and a willingness for each to come to grips seriously with the other's theological prob-lems. That is the achieve-ment of this book.

Hugh Boulter

Hugh Boulter chairs the Oxford Diocesan Council for Interfaith Concerns and is cur-rently undertaking research at Bristol and Warwick Universities into a Muslim understanding of Christian doctrine.

CHRISTIAN-JEWISH

DIOLOGUE:THE

NEXT STEPS

MARCUS BRAYBROOKE

SCM PRESS £12.95

THE WICKET GATE, an etching by Robin Tanner (1904-1988), is from Ronald Blythe's The Circling Year (Canterbury Press, £16.99). At Pentecost in Jerusalem the infant Church realised that the Comforter, so bafflingly spoken of by Christ, was nothing less than the breath of God. That is the essential, spiritual ele-ment which would keep it alive, says Ronald Blythe in The Circling Year, 35 short, gentle reflections inspired by the readings for the Church's year, which he 'read ratler than preached' in the rural Essex villages where he is a Licensed Lay Minister.

Travels with a Primate Yes! yes! yes! New thoughts of God, new hopes of heaven

'EEH, that were good, it were all I could do to stop meself laughing!' This, allegedly, a Yorkshireman's reaction to a famous comedi-an's act, was how I felt read-ing this light-hearted tome. Faintly Wodehousian in style,

it takes the reader behind the dignified appearances of Archiepiscopal travels to the sometimes chaotic reality, as experienced by the Archbishop's Adviser on Anglican Communion Affairs.

Calculated to amuse rather than inspire, the book is liber-ally spattered with fascinat-ing anecdotes from the che-quered history of Lambeth Palace and its previous occu-pants, as well as the author's reminiscences of his travels with the late Dr Robert Runcie and his Chaplain.

As acknowledged on the fly-leaf, some of Terry Waite's comments are unguarded. More than once, mention is made of the 'indifferent' (or worse), food encountered dur-ing visits to different parts of the Anglican Communion. Korean readers are invited to retaliate by uttering similar imprecations on delicacies such

as fish and chips and Yorkshire pudding. Still, in a book of potential interest to Anglicans world-wide, it seems unfortu-nate that such comments passed the editors unscathed.

However, the author's evident vulnerability to digestive upsets may well be a mitigating factor. In a truly hilarious passage, we learn that a Chinese physician, assigned to keep the then uncommonly healthy Dr Runcie fighting fit, described Terry Waite as a 'paper tiger'.

Reading this gentle and humorous volume, it is hard to keep in mind that it was written by a man who has passed through the fire. That is, until he mentions it at' the end. That he is now able to write in such vein is a tribute to his resilience. Digestion apart, no paper tiger he! Michael Nunn is Financial Director of the Anglican Consultative Council and Liscenced Lay Minister in the Akeman Benefice.

TRAVELS WITH A

PRIMATE

TERRY WAITE

HARPER COLLINS

HARDBACK £17.99

THIS is an exciting and chal-lenging account of the dynamic growth of churches in the Anglican Province of South Fast Asia. Michael Green intro-duces us to Christian leaders with a deep love for Christ and a passion to bring their nations into relationship with Christ. The first seven chapters encour-age readers to learn from South Fast Asia, about love, the cell church, church planti-ng, leadership, God's powerful Spirit and from an Asian archdeacon. Underlying all of these are the four emphases introduced by Archbishop Moses Tay after he became Bishop of Singapore in 1982: leadership training; mission and evangelism; community involvement and conviction of the authority of Scripture. Such is Moses Tay's commitment to mission that he even appointed deans for areas where there were not yet any Anglicans in the anticipation that churches would be planted there. It is not often I read a book which elicits an inner cry of 'Yes, yes, yes' to its theses, but this was one of them.

A significant contribution to this church growth is their

adoption of the cell church principle. Cells of seven to 15 people have two major func-tions - ministry to one another and multiplication. When they reach 15 they split and form two new groups, the average length of time being in one group about nine months. Well-trained lay leadership is clearly a prerequisite. The final chapter entitled 'Just

learning' begs the question whether we are too proud to learn from our Asian brothers. Michael Green is not uncritical of all they do and believe, but this inspiring account of their efforts to bring Christ to 400 million people had me inward-ly crying 'Yes, yes, yes' on almost every page. Buy it, read it and give it to your vicar and PCC for holiday reading!

Richard Weston

Richard Weston is National Director of International Student Christian Services

ASIAN TIGERS FOR

CHRIST

MICHAEL GREEN

SPCK

£7.99

'STRAIGHT from the inner soul of a good, and true, and saintly man': this is how John Keble's poems were described in his obituary in The Times in 1866. Ordained in 1815, he became a tutor in Oxford University and was elected Professor of Poetry in 1831. His 'Sermon on National Apostasy', preached in the University Church of St Mary the Virgin in 1833, caused a sensation by denouncing the nation for turning away from God and regarding the Church simply as a social institution. It is considered to mark the start of the Oxford Movement. Keble finished his life as a parish priest in Hampshire.

Keble's hymns originated as longer poems in The Christian Year, his collection of poems for each Sunday and festival in the Church year. For Keble, a quiet, modest man, his poems were a private expression of his own devotion, and he pub-lished them only with the per-suasion of his father and friends, and then anonymously.

The Christian Year was a best-seller of its day, much used as a devotional aid alongside the Book of Common Prayer.

'New every morning', quoted in part below, originally part of a 16-

verse poem, reflects Keble's belief that God was especially to be found in everyday sur-roundings, in the normal rou-tine of life.

New every morning is the love Our wakening and uprising prove; Through sleep and darkness safely brought, Restored to life and power and thought.

New mercies, each returning day, Hover around us while we pray; New perils past, new sins forgiven, New thoughts of God, new hopes of heaven.

The trivial round, the common task, Will furnish all we need to ask; Room to deny ourselves, a road

To bring us daily nearer God.

Next month: Kirsty Creighton on Christopher Wordsworth and Stanford-in-the-Vale.

Hymn Notes

by Clare Wenham

WANTED

The photographs: (top) A children's group at one of the congrega-tions; (bottom) Holy Trinity congregation; (below right) Sir William Ramsay School one of the schools rented for use on Sundays.

Breakfast at St Monica's after Friday morning Eucharist includes their chaplain, the Revd Jonathan Verwand and Sister Camilla SPB (centre).

Red Bordeaux 1990 & older Vintage Port 1970 & older

White Burgundy 1992 & older Red Burgundy 1990 & older

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Receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 8.15)

SIMON Magus had never heard of the Holy Spirit. He had heard of Jesus. He had heard of God the creator. But until Philip the deacon came preaching good tidings with signs and miracles, the notion of the Spirit had passed him by. God would not be displeased. The Spirit is always unher-

alded. He enters the stage of life with no applause - for the Spirit is the unseen and 'anonymous' presence of God. He is the unpredictable one, moving and shifting like the wind and yet igniting the spark of love within each of us, sometimes causing an inferno in the world, a rapidly spreading blaze of fire. He comes to us as the hymn says, 'as one unknown'. He is unrecognised, unacknowl-edged yet full of surprises. Even, the New Testament

book that tells his story testi-

by Leighton Thomas

THOUGHT FOR

THE MONTH

fies to the Acts of the Apostles, the principal par-ties in the drama being seen as a few male disciples. But should it not be properly called 'the activities of the Holy Spirit'? Perhaps not. We get the feeling that the Holy Spirit likes it best of all when our attention is focused elsewhere.

Canon Leighton Thomas is Rural Dean of Abingdon and a

member of The DOOR's Editorial Support Group

Pentecost is the Festival of the Holy Spirit and we name him! He presents to us a variety of gifts, graciously and free of charge. Look out for them! If you perceive within yourself any heavenly gift whatever, then use it to exalt his name. If you have a musical instrument, play it. If you have a voice then use it to sing his praise, prefer-ably with two or three others in the fellowship of his holy presence. But be not 'puffed up', claiming the ability as of your own. Be guided by his humility and his enormous generosity. Acknowledge that of all the graces within his treasury the greatest he has already given to you and to every one; his uncondi-tional love.

The imperfect Simon Magus said: 'Give me the same power too'. That sim-ple prayer was enough for the Spirit to begin a process that finally led to acceptance, forgiveness and new life. e

"DO YOU HAVE ANY OF THESE L.

WINES FOR t SALE?"

When home was a house of prayer in Kimberley Multiplying and dividing MIEKE GAYNOR writes the first of two articles about her three-month visit to our link Diocese of Kimberley & Kuruman

'WHAT are you going to do for three months in Kimberley?' was the question asked by fami-ly, friends and fellow parish-ioners at All Saints Church,

Marlow in the Oxford Diocese as I was ready to leave on 21 January, a week after Bishop Richard and Jo Harries return from their K&K visit. I was confronted by the same ques-tion on arrival in Kimberley the following day. This was my second visit to K

& K. In December 1999 I spent two weeks in Kimberley, enjoying the hospitality of Father Ossie Swartzs family. I was also able to strengthen the link between the Parish of St James, Galashewe and my parish of All Saints, Marlow. This time I was invited by Sister Camilla SPB at St Monica's House of Prayer to come back and stay for three months. St Monica's became home for

me for the whole of my stay. Not only was I made welcome by Sr Camilla and Mathilda Strong, I was also included in the pastoral care that is at the heart of St Monica's. There is a steady stream of visitors, both lay and clergy, who know that they will be listened to, prayed for and supported in their needs and the chapel is available to anyone for private prayer. The telephone calls from all over the Diocese from people needing to

share a problem or to ask for prayer is another aspect of St Monica's ministry. St Monica's also provides accommodation for people on retreat including

Ordinands prior to ordination. It is a busy place but with an inherent sense of peace. Whilst there I was asked to organise two workshops for 20 lay people on bereavement sup-port visiting. A bereavement support ministry was set up at All Saints Marlow a couple of years ago whereby lay people, after training, visit the bereaved, starting about four weeks after the funeral at a time when the bereaved person often feels lonely and vulnerable. Another task was helping

Abigail Ngoako (wife of Father Ben Ngoako at St James) in her work at the Zenzeleni Wellness Centre. Abigail contin-ues to work with both adults and children who are infected with HIV/AIDS. During my time in Kimberley I

had the opportunity to worship in several churches in the Arch-deaconry. The Easter Vigil at St James was one of the high-lights. The welcome, hospitality and sense of belonging I experi-enced is something I will never forget. I learnt so much and received far more than I gave. and it was a privilege to be allowed to share in many differ-ent lives in many different ways.

Mieke Gaynor

ONE HUNDRED and fifty years ago two ladies prayed and established the funding for the building of a small church and a large vicarage in a small hamlet on the hills out-side of High Wycombe. Its purpose was to bring godli-ness to the local area and to the families living nearby. Today that area of Hazlemere is a sprawling urbanisation of housing estates and 15,000 people. The purpose of the church remains the same - to bring the love of God into people's lives and to help them respond to God themselves. That original church, though

still looking remarkably the same outside, has been extend-ed, modernised and equipped and now provides a resource building used by the church and local community. The vic-arage has been sold off and a more manageable house built at the bottom of the garden! The living church that uses

this and other facilities in this parish has also changed and grown quite dramatically. Having always been at the heart of the community and with a daughter church near-by, the church has outgrown buildings and has developed into a community church with it's primary emphasis on small groups - cell groups!

The move to cell church, begun eight years ago and still in process, has at its heart a simple principle. Church is where the people are - not a building or even a series of ser-vices or meeting attended by people. Essentially it recognises that when two or three, or 10 or 12 as in the case of cells, gather they have all the aspects of church and can function as that. Obviously when a hun-dred are also gathered (one of our congregations) that is also church or indeed when we all

gather (600 plus) that is also church.!!! Gatherings at con-gregational level have a focus on Worship and Word. The larger celebration events are just that - time to celebrate. We have difficulty finding venues for these and in the summer we all meet outside for worship, games, competi-tion (leaders volley ball team champions!!) and fun!

The Anglican Church in Hazlemere and Widmer End now meets in 40 adult cell groups and these make up seven different congregations. These congregations make use of both the parish build-ings but also schools which are rented for use on Sundays or midweek meetings. There are still activities which take place such as mums and tod-dlers and various youth

groups but the programme is kept to a minimum to allow people to make and form good relationships.

The goal of this is not just that people will have a healthy and supportive network of fel-low Christians but will offer real friendship to those who live around them and with them. People are actively encouraged to develop one to one relationships as the most effective bridge for the gospel. As a church we make extensive use of Alpha as a way to help people investigate for them-selves the truths of Christianity and when people come to faith they join one of the cells to be encouraged and discipled. When cell groups grow they

multiply to form two new cells. When congregations grow they multiply to form

two new congregations. Growth is a fundamental to cells and therefore to the Church. If half the adults in the church brought a friend to faith in the next year and then those people brought some-one to faith the next year and so on the whole of Hazlemere and Widmer End could come to faith in seven years! (the whole nation in 20 years!!). This is unlikely to happen quite like that but we are on the way and believe that our purpose as the Church in this place hasn't changed much from that original vision 150 years ago

Parish Profile Population: 15,000 Housing: urban development in housing estates

Church Membership: Electoral roll 430; children 150; youth 100.Total Membership: 750, 40 cell groups, seven congregations

Staff: Vicar; Associate Vicar; Assistant Curate from July 2001; two pas-toral workers; administration staff equal to one full-time; Oasis train-ing youth worker; part-time evan-gelist; full-time young people's support worker,

Other Aspects: Church of England primary school next to Holy Trinity Church; three mums and toddlers groups; weekly day centre/luncheon club; Alpha courses;. marriage and parenting courses and lots more.

Seven adult congregations and 40 cell groups now make up the Anglican Church in Hazlemere. Clive

Collier, Vicar of Holy Trinity, writes about this pioneering way of being a church