Letters & CommentA Bishop’s view of theKirchentag festivalPAGE 2

NewsA church on the movePAGE 3

Spotlight onVocationsGiving PAGE 6

NewsA pilgrim’s tale of a trip toour Swedish link diocesePAGE 5

FamilyThe MU Factor

PAGE 7

Feature & PrayerTuning up with the RSCMJuly/August Prayer DiaryPAGE 9

Door PostWhat’s on around the DiocesePAGE 12

ArtsMore tea vicar - churchserves Truck FestivalPAGE 15

ReflectionBishop Stephen on Stanley SpencerPAGE 19

God in the Life ofHistoric churches expert,Mary SaundersPAGE 20

FeatureWomen Bishops? Aguide to the debatePAGES 10 and 11

Inside:

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Win The God You Already Know

MORE than 100 people from a variety of faith backgrounds joinedthe annual Friendship Walk in Oxford.

The event sees crowds walk from the Oxford Synagogue inJericho to St Mary the Virgin Church in High Street and finish at theCentral Mosque in Manzil Way. It started in 2004 and at firstinvolved just Christians and Muslims. Since then Jewish, Sikh Hinduand Baha’i people, as well as those with no faith, have joined in.

In previous years walkers carried white balloons to symbolizepeace. ‘White is the Sikh funeral colour, so this year we used multicoloured balloons to stand for multi–faiths and olive trees as asymbol of what unites us,’ said the Revd CharlotteBannister–Parker, one of the organisers.

WWoommeenn BBiisshhooppss:: aagguuiiddee ttoo tthhee ddeebbaattee-- ppaaggeess 1100&&1111

Sharing the journeyReporting from Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire www.oxford.anglican.org July/August 2009 No. 205

Mission shaped givingA NEW scheme to encouragemission driven stewardship acrossthe diocese is being piloted inOxford.

It comes as, despite therecession, dedicated Christiansare continuing to give generouslyto their churches. The ParishStewardship Promoters Network,launched last month in Cowley,Oxford, will be rolled out acrossthe diocese in 2010. It follows thesuccess of similar networks inSheffield, Ripon and Leeds, andGuildford.

The Revd Bruce Gillingham,Cowley area dean and rector of StClement’s Church, said: ‘It’sabout mission driven stewardship.Instead of being anxious, it’sallowing us to think about whatGod is calling us to do aschurches, and how to deliver theright resources to be salt and lightin the world. People should seethe vision, become stakeholdersin delivering it and be proud oftheir church.’ He said a launchevent, held at St Clement’s,helped churches see how theirmission fitted alongside financialpressures of paying their parishshare and dealing with repairsand maintenance of buildingsduring the recession.

Brian Newey, Chair of theDiocesan Board of Finance, said:‘I am delighted and amazed bythe way people dedicatethemselves to the work of thechurch. I know times are hard butthere is a real place for our

generosity to keep the life of thechurch and the faith going.Having a focus for stewardship ineach parish is something reallyvaluable.

‘It’s often something we thinkabout every three years. Since the1960s giving has been continuallyimproving throughout theChurch of England, and thisshould help keep upmomentum.’

In the Oxford Diocese thePSPN will build on the success ofthe Nurturing Mission-FocussedGiving programme. Designed byRobin Brunner-Ellis, DiocesanChristian Giving and FundraisingAdviser, the programme helpschurches to undertake regularmission action and resourceplanning.

Mr Brunner-Ellis said he wasinspired in his role by the way hesees churches reach out andbring real change in theircommunities.

He said the PSPN will involvefinding one person in each parishwho can champion stewardship.‘The benefits of this network willbe more motivated churchcommunities who understandtheir mission and the resourcesrequired to carry it out,’ he said.

‘For very many churches, this isa case of identifying one of thosepeople in your congregation whois doing all or most of this role. Itmeans that I know theappropriate person with whom tobe in regular contact.’

By Jo Duckles

Photo: Pete Chaundy

Letters & commenttheDoor JULY/AUGUST 2009

Sight impaired people can now get afree audio version of The Door by

contacting Graham Winterbourne on01884 840285

A50 years and not outThe Benefice of Ellesborough, StokeMandeville and the Kimbles is proud toacknowldge through the Door, Tom Clark’s50 years service as an organist.

Mr Clark began playing at St Michaeland All Angels, Halton, aged 19 in 1959.Since then he has played at St George’sRAF Halton, Ellesborough Church and StMary’s Stoke Mandeville. He also plays atThe Chilterns’ Crematorium and atweddings and funerals at at a variety ofchurches. He has worked withapporximately 13 parish clergy and 14senior RAF chaplains. The organ is hisfirst love, closely followed by cricket,hence the headline.

We celebrated his 50 years of servicewith a party where he was presentedwith a voucher and a bottle ofchampagne. It was a really nice tribute tosomeone who has given such loyal anddedicated service over so many years.

Denise Clark, Great Missenden

Solace from the stormI received a copy of the Door last Sundayafter attending a service at All Saints inLoughton and felt compelled to write toyou. As a child (I’m 41 now!) Iremember the vicar saying that part of hisjob was to listen and help people in thecommunity who were experiencingdifficulties in their lives.

I’m sure it is still the case now andwith the recent change in our economicclimate I have heard that more and morepeople are attending church in the hopeof finding comfort during their financialhardship. I have to say, as well asdesiring to find God again, my partnerand I have been attending churchrecently in the hope of finding solace anda place within our community. Ourbusiness has suffered greatly in the lasteight months and we’ve had to find othermeans of earning a living. We havestarted two new, growing businesses,one selling healthy chocolate and theother designer jewellery. We hope thiswill encourage any Door readers who areexperiencing financial difficulties not togive up. Elizabeth Caswell, Milton Keynes.

‘Keep up the good work’I am sure that feedback is alwayswelcome so a few words so say howhelpful and useful I have found the Doorover the months and years.

There are always good articles to befound on a wide range of subjects andissues. Book reviews are particularwelcome as secular news papers rarelyhave book reviews on religious subjects,so to have one or two (or more?) in theDoor is helpful. Keep up the good work!

John Hamilton, Nash, Bucks

LETTERS

Editor: Jo Duckles Tel: 01865 208227 Email: jo.duckles@oxford.anglican.orgEditorial Assistant/Distribution: Debbie Dallimore Tel: 01865 208225Email: debbie.dallimore@oxford.anglican.orgAdvertising: Ian Pilkington Tel: 01752 225623 Email: ian@cornerstonevision.comDeadlines for September 2009: Features 7 August; Letters & What’s On 7 August; News 7 August. Published 24 August 2009.

The Door is published by Oxford Diocesan Publications Ltd (Secretary Mrs Rosemary Pearce). The registered office is Diocesan Church House,North Hinksey Lane, Oxford, OX2 ONB. Tel: 01865 208200. While every care is taken to ensure the reliability of our advertisements, theirinclusion in The Door does not guarantee it or mean that they are endorsed by the Diocese of Oxford.

AUDIO VERSION

Competition winners

by the Rt Revd Alan Wilson,Bishop of Buckingham

For four days in May this year,the answer to the question thatthe Lord asked Adam in theGarden, was Bremen. The

32nd German Evangelical ChurchKirchentag was probably, as a well-known lager ad used to say, the largestChristian gathering in Europe this year— 128,000 of us in the main learningand worship sessions, and an estimatedquarter of a million partying togetheron Wednesday night with Samba bandson the streets of Bremen.

Imagine a dozen simultaneousSpring Harvests, taking over a city thesize of, say, Hull, and you pretty muchget the idea. Founded in 1949, thesame year as the Federal Republic,Kirchentag (see right) has played asignificant role in contemporaryGerman history. Bringing togetherChristians from all over the countrythroughout the years of division, it hasfulfilled a mission indicated by thetheme of the 1949 event at Hannover— ‘We are still brothers’.

Presentations included a session ledby the German Chancellor, AngelaMerkel, who, among many otherweightier things, spokeunsentimentally, but movingly, of herstory as the daughter of a pastor in EastGermany. The president of the WorldBank was there for the economic worldorder seminar, as was Richard Rohr,the Franciscan theologian andEnneagram wonk.

But where were the Brits? BishopNick Baines, our man on the MeissenCommission, led a delegation fromChurches Together in Britain andIreland, but the largest groups werefrom Kenya and Hungary. The totalcost, including admission to everythingand transport, is only 89 Euros andaccommodation with local hosts is free.The deterrent couldn’t be cost.

One answer may be the languagebarrier. However, there is nowsimultaneous translation for the bigevents and most younger Germansspeak embarrassingly goodEnglish.This event is all about faith,and one quotation from Luther thatcropped up three times in my hearingat different events: ‘If I knew the wholeworld was going to smash, yet I wouldstill plant an apple tree today.’ Perhapswhat we all need is a bit of faith to lookoutward, to share, and to celebrate.

CommentSix days before the Passover Jesus came toBethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he hadraised from the dead. There they gave adinner for him. Martha served, and Lazaruswas one of those at the table with him. Marytook a pound of costly perfume made of purenard, anointed Jesus’s feet, and wiped themwith her hair. the house was filled with thefragrance of the perfume. John 12:1-3.

Later this month, on the 29th,we celebrate this family atBethany, Lazarus and hissisters Martha and Mary.They seem to have provided

a peaceful pied a terre for Jesus on hisvisits to Jerusalem, a place where hecould genuinely feel at home.

It’s strange to think of a household inthose days where an adult man lived withhis two sisters - not at all surprising,perhaps, to us, but in a society where allmen were expected to be married by theage of 30, and all women were marriedlong before that, it’s interesting tospeculate how this particular householdcame into existence. However it was,here were three people whom Jesuscounted among his closest friends.

Martha, as is evident from the Gospelstories, was the practical one, Mary theone who preferred to ‘sit at the feet ofJesus’ and absorb his teaching (Luke10:38-42). Lazarus is simply a name,until the remarkable story earlier inJohn’s Gospel of his death andrestoration to life by Jesus. The incidentrelated above follows that event - adinner party hosted by Martha, at whichMary made an extravagant andsacrificial gesture of devotion to Jesus. In

those respects, both of them acted trueto character.

Because from the time of Gregorythe Great in the sixth century Mary ofBethany was identified as MaryMagdalene, the woman out of whomJesus cast ‘seven devils’ and who was thefirst witness of the resurrection, each ofthe three had a separate feast day.

However, a more critical view of thebiblical evidence led the Vatican torecognise that this identification wasdisputable, to say the least, and theChurch of England calendar nowcelebrates the three members of thefamily on the one day and MaryMagdalene on a separate one. Thatleaves each of us to make our owndecision about the identity of thewoman, or more probably women, whoat different times anointed or washedthe feet of Jesus (see Matthew 26:7, Luke7:38, Mark 14:8).

Humanly speaking, the three peopleat Bethany were simply friends of Jesus -and yes, the Son of Man needed friends,as we all do. He knew and loved themand enjoyed sharing in the life of theirhome. Finally, in the mysterious ‘sign’ ofthe raising of Lazarus, he gave the sistersthe greatest gift possible, the restoredlife of their brother who had died. Nowonder Mary, in a gesture of pure andwonderfully extravagant worship,poured precious ointment on his feet.And no wonder that when she did, thewhole place was filled with its fragrance.

Canon David Winter is a former DiocesanAdviser on Evangelism, former BBC head ofreligious affairs, a broadcaster and author of manybooks including Journey to Jerusalem (BRF2008), The Bible Made Clear and EspressoPrayers (both Lion Hudson 2008). His book,Seasons of the Son (Canterbury Press) includesreflections on the various festivals and holy days ofthe Christian year.

Thought forthe month

by David Winter

2

The following are the lucky winners of thecompetitions featured in last month’sedition of the Door:George Pulford from Kidlington, MrsArmstrong from Milton Keynes, Mrs Bluckfrom Buckingham have all won copies ofthe One Stop Guide to Christianity byThe Revd Canon David Winter.

Comings and GoingsRevd Neil Warwick will take up post asVicar of Earley St Nicolas, Reading; RevdDavid Pickering will take up post as Priestin Charge at Fyfield with Tubney andKingston Bagpuize; Revd Dr John Readerwill take up post as Rector of IronstoneBenefice; Revd James Maddern will takeup post as Team Vicar of Brize Norton andCarterton; Revd Rachel Wadey will takeup post as Hospital Chaplain at ProspectPark Hospital, Reading; Revd HeatherParbury will take up post as Priest in

Charge at Pangbourne with Tidmarsh andSulham; Revd Sally Welch will take uppost as Assistant Priest at SS Margaret andGiles, Oxford; Revd Prof BernardSilverman will task up post as AssociatePriest at SS Margaret and Giles, Oxford;Revd Yvonne Murphy will take up post asTeam Vicar at SS Mary and George, HighWycombe and Lead Chaplain; Revd CanonDr Brian Meardon is retiring from his postas Vicar of St Michael the Archangel,Warfield on 19 July; Revd Nigel Sands hasbeen given permission to officiate.

Mortal where are you?

Patricia Napper from Abingdon, BarbaraFarrar from Ducklington and Mrs Wattsfrom Tilehurst have all won copies ofGoing to Church by The Right Revd JohnPrichard.

Crowds are pictured at Kirchentag 2009.

Providing shelterSCOUTS from acrossBuckinghamshire teamed upwith the charity Shelterbox forBig Green Box last month.

The scouts took part inevents including a Londonscavenger hunt and took part ina virtual natural disaster stagedat Victoria Station in London.The week aimed to raise fundsfor the charity, which providesemergency shelters for thoseaffected by disasters.

In the run up to the weekthey were encouraged to campoutside and to raise funds forthe charity. Scout leaderMicelle Chalker said: ‘It was agreat opportunity for thechildren to appreciate howlucky they are and how hard itis for people in other parts ofthe world affected by disastersand conflicts.’

Actors wantedCOULD you take to the stagewith the Riding Lights TheatreCompany during its 2010Roughshod Tour?

The company is looking foractors to join the tour, which willsee high energy performanceswith a spiritual heart taken toplaces where live theatre is rare.Every year the Roughshod toursees five people tour betweenFebruary and August.

For an application packcontact Izzy Harris onIzzy@rltc.org or 01904 655317.

Roots for kidsTO celebrate the Churches’Year of the Child, ecumenicalROOTS has published HolidayClub resources.

The material is suitable for3-11 year-olds, and includes anall-age service designed tocomplement it. A pdf can bedownloaded fromwww.rootsontheweb.com.

Green Bible studyA Bible study with anenvironmental theme has beenlaunched by Ruth Valerio, whoruns A Rocha’s Living Lightlyinitiative.

The four part study coversThe Wonder of Creation, theTragedy of the Fall, God ThePeople and the Land and OurFuture Hope. It is available fromwww.aorchalivinglightly.org.uk/.

Creation in crisisChurches Together in Britainand Ireland has producedresources to help churchesobserve A Time For Creationbetween 1 September and 4October. The materials are toprepare everyone for the UNClimate Change Summit inCopenhagen in December. For more information seewww.ctbi.org.uk/375.

NewstheDoor JULY/AUGUST 2009 3

IN BRIEFMission shaped giving

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 On the move

THE congregation of Whaddon Way Church in Bletchley, MiltonKeynes walked out of their building - and marched down theroad to their new, temporary home.

They will be meeting at the nearby Frank Moran Centre, avacant local community hall, for the next few months while theirold building is replaced. The walk (pictured above) was an opportunity to perform an actof open-air witness in the community during a recent Sundayservice. ‘It’s an exciting time for the church,’ said the minister, the Revd.Alan Bird. ‘Funnily enough, the old building was always meant tobe temporary – it had a design life of ten years, but has servedus extremely well for over four times that period!’

Whaddon Way is a united Baptist/Church of Englandcongregation and as such was one of the first of its kind in theUnited Kingdom.

The church provides activities for young people, a lunch club,mums and tots, a group for those with dyslexia, numeracy andliteracy issues and the opportunity to receive prayer.

Hundreds of people packedinto St Andrew’s Church,Sonning on Sunday 7 June for aspecial service to commemoratethe 65th anniversary of the DDay landings.

The Mayor of WokinghamCouncil, the Deputy Lieutenantof Berkshire and the Rt. Hon.Theresa May MP were joined bysenior military representatives,veterans and school children

for an adapted choral evensongled by the the Revd. JamieTaylor, Sonning vicar.

A special ‘Tri service’ wreathwas laid by Major DouglasGoddard, a veteran of theSword beach landings, and aposy of flowers was laid at thememorial to a villager, JJSnowball who died in thelandings.

Hundreds mark D Day

WHAT burning questions haveyou always wanted to ask abishop?

This month the Door launchesa four-part series invitingreaders to ask our bishops fortheir views on whatever subjectsthey would like to know moreabout. We’ll be starting with theBishop of Oxford, the Rt RevdJohn Pritchard, (picturedright).

Please email your questionsfor Bishop John todoor@oxford.anglican.org orsend them to Ask Your Bishop,

Find out how an organ worksDo you know how an organ works? Do you know all the differentsounds it can make? Have you ever heard or played one? Toanswer these questions, and offer young people in and aroundReading a fun day, the Berkshire Organists’ Association is holdingan event in Reading Town Hall on July 11 2009, from 10am to12.30pm.

The event will be divided into two slots: 10-11am for 6-11 yearolds, and 11.30am-12.30pm for 10-18 year olds. For moreinformation email info@berkshireorganists.org.uk, phone (0118)958 6537 or visit www.berkshireorganists.org.uk.

At 7.30pm on the same day, there will be a concert in the TownHall, organised by the Berkshire Maestros (Young Musicians’ Trust)in association with the BOA which will feature a wide range ofmusic, with accompaniments and solo items played by youngorganists.

Pictured are Major Douglas Goddard (seated) with the Revd Jamie Taylor,Mayor of Wokingham, and local dignitaries. Pic by Gordon Owen

Cricket commiserations THE DOOR offerscommiserations to the OxfordClergy Cricket Team, who wereknocked out of the Church TimesCricket Cup as the July/Augustissue went to press.

Captain, the Revd Dr HughWhite, who is set to stand downbefore the next season, said:‘We have more players this time

and I look forward the teambeing more successful in thefuture.’

Mr White’s successor ascaptain of the team will be theRevd Stephen Johnson, vicar ofSunninghill. The Oxford teamhas a long history of victories inthe annual competition.

Coming soon to a church nearyou - Living Faith for the futureThe new ‘Living Faith’ materialswill be distributed across thediocese over the next few weeks.

Launched at diocesan synod atthe end of June, the resourcesinclude a DVD, leaflets, posters,postcards and calling cards to helpchurchgoers connect with the newdiocesan vision and use it tosupport their local planning formission.

At the same time a new online‘Living Faith’ section on thediocesan website has gone live.There is an individual ‘LivingFaith’ pack for every benefice,with suggestions of how thematerial might best be used.

The packs will be distributedover the next few weeks from theArea Bishops’ offices.

Later in the year there will beevents in each archdeaconry (5October Bucks, 6 OctoberOxford, 23 October Berks) toexplore the ‘Living Faith’ ideasfurther. At this stage a Bible Studyguide and a Health Check forlocal churches will also beavailable. For more informationcall 01865 208224 or emailsarah.meyrick@oxford.

anglican.org. @ONLINEVisit www.oxford.anglican.orgto find out more.

Photo: Jak Richards

Ask your Bishop

Mr Brunner-Ellis added: ‘Oneof the crucial aspects of this pilotis to evaluate how a PSP mightwork in the smaller churches ofthe diocese, mostly in our ruralareas.’

The Bishop of Oxford, the RtRevd John Pritchard said: ‘This isa great way of further releasingthe generosity of Christians inresponse to the generosity ofGod. We all want to see God’sKingdom grow in this dioceseand for that we need both faithand resources. This is aboutresources. I do hope the PSPnetwork prospers.’

Mr Gillingham said that the StClement’s congregation will

discuss the scheme before thePCC decides how to follow it up.He added: ‘Larger churchesmight need to think about acollaborative team. A PSPworking alongside missionplanning and communicationsco-ordinators might be the wayforward. Smaller, rural churchesmight nominate a PSP to nurturegood stewardship practice acrossseveral parishes.’

For more information on thescheme, or for advice onstewardship, email RobinBrunner-Ellis on robin.brunner-ellis@oxford.anglican.org or call01865 208254.

theDoor JULY/AUGUST 20094 Advertising Feature

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will I ever see

my !fthbirthday?

Summer’s a great time when all goes welland the weather doesn’t through up nastysurprises. The possibility of enjoying thegreat outdoors seems to free the spirit ofmost of us. The chance to go on short walks through thecountryside or a stately home is alwaysrelaxing, taking our minds of the bustle ofeveryday life. In the summer it might notalways be necessary to have all theinvestment in clothing that an around theyear hiker does, but its always worth wearingsensible hard wearing shoes, somethingwarm in case the weather changes and theodd snack. Most of the places you visit areunlikely to be far off the beaten track and assuch there is sure to be a café orrefreshment stall. If you are out walking keepan eye on the local churches, many open inthe summertime with flower shows, artexhibitions and more besides. Most of us have a soft spot for animals andfind them a great release for the stresses ofmodern life, if you are out with children, theycertainly enjoy visiting the zoo, workingfarms and other such attractions. Midwaybetween Oxford and Cheltenham you’ll findthe Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens.Here you’ll find all manner of Animals fromaround the world.There are some 300 species of animalsincluding some of the most endangered inthe world; see the beautiful Sifaka lemur, theonly one to be seen in the country and also,critically endangered, the Lac AlaotranGentle lemur within the new MadagascarWalk-through lemur enclosure. In the

recently re-furbished Reptile House can beseen baby Morelet’s crocodiles, again theonly ones on public display and the first tobe bred in the UK. So make a visit to the Park, enjoy a trainride, a picnic, the adventure playground andthe children’s farmyard. The Park is opendaily from 10am. If it’s farm animals that attract you, thenyou’ve only to wait until 27 August for theBucks County Show held on the outskirts ofAylesbury town. It’s the 142nd such show sothey must be doing something right!Designed to include something for all of thefamily this years show boasts vintagetractors, livestock, Bolddog Lings MotoCross Team, Show Jumping and other liveattractions such as a Sheep Show. If that’snor enough to tempt you along possibly theFood Hall, Rural Craft Marquee, Home andGarden Marquee and Shopping Marqueemight do the trick. In all there are over 200trade stands that you can visit.Do you like Swing Music? It was great whenit was invented and it still has that air ofexcitement today. The Boulevard Jazz Bandhave several dates coming up in thesummertime offering river cruises from bothOxford and Windsor. They’ll also beappearing at the Bicester Jazz Festival inAugust. All of the gigs will be a greatopportunity to see this popular and talentedband who are offering their services tochurches for fund raising events. For details of church based events see theregular Doorpost diary section and storiesthroughout the paper.

LLooookkiinngg ffoorrwwaarrdd ttoo aann eexxcciittiinngg ssuummmmeerr

FAVOURITE HYMNS – Volumes I-XIIby Derrick Hanson have themes asdiverse as Christmas, Poetry, CharlesWesley’s hymns, ‘Our Time’, Prayer,Scripture, Special Occasions, theGreat Composers, the Victorian Era,the 20th Century –with historical background, words and music – withhymnwriters from Isaac Watts (1674-1748),‘the father of Englishhymnody’ to Fred Pratt Green (1903-2000) - and a complimentaryCD of the chosen tunes. For an illustrated leaflet, contact GrasshopperPublishing, Box 95, Liverpool L37 7WXor 01704 - 874040 or www.grasshopperpublishing.ltd.uk.

COUNSELLINGREV. HEATHER McGIVERNShort or long term counselling by

experienced and qualified practitioner.Spiritual direction also offered.

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Tel: 0118 973 4801

Fine furniture for church and homeRonald Emett

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NewstheDoor JULY/AUGUST 2009 5

Ride and Stride launchSPONSOR forms for the annual Rideand Stride will be available in churchesfrom the start of July.

Last year the event raised more than£116,000 when over 800 people chose towalk, cycle or ride horses around Berskhire,Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.

Participants included Joe Appleford,four, who cycled 14-and-a-half miles fromWoodstock to Oxford and DorothyWoodword, who was in her eightieth yearand visited 50 churches during the event.

This years Ride and Stride takes placeon Saturday, 12 September. For moreinformation contact Daphne Barnes-Phillips (Berks) on 01189 872017,Patricia Burstall (Bucks) on 01628482754 or the Ven. John Morrison (Oxon)on 01865 876625.

O come all ye faithfulWHY are the people of Earley going tosing a Christmas carol in July?

St Peter’s Church was consecrated in1844 and to give thanks for 165 years ofthe church the congregation is throwing aweek long Festival of Music and the Arts,from Monday, 29 June.

The fesival will include youth concerts,a quiz night, prayer walk and Bible study.There will be floral displays, craft workand various musical events. Seewww.earley-stpeter.org.uk or contactstpetersearley@btinternet.com or call0118 966 8575 for more details.

IN BRIEFLiving Faith at village fair

CHURCHGOERS teamed up withBurghfield Residents Association to stepin and save the village’s annual May Fair.

The fair was set to not take place butmembers of St Mary’s Church wereamong the Christians who got togetherto run the event. Vicar, Gill Lovell saidthe church ran the refreshments area,free childrens activities and provided a

quiet space for people to stop and chat,or ask for prayer. St Mary’s also startedthe day with a Songs of Praise servicebefore the fair started. The eventhappened as St Mary’s began to use ideasfrom Living Faith Bishop John’s five yearvision, in some of its activities. Thechurch magazine has been re-branded asLiving Faith in Burghfield.

Carol Jackson is pictured with young friend Sandy at the May Fair. Pic: Gill Lovell

ST SIGFRID, who according to traditionfounded Växjö diocese, our Swedish link,was an Englishman - if he existed.

The Christian relationship betweenEngland and Sweden is longstanding.Influences have gone both ways. Forinstance, the revelations of St Birgitta,who is now a patron saint of Europe,were rendered into English in the 15thcentury and the order she founded wasintroduced into England at Syon Abbeyby King Henry V. Birgitta’s order beganat Vadstena on the north-eastern shore ofLake Vattern.

The Abbey Church which Birgittacommissioned and where her relics nowlie is a place of pilgrimage. Vadstena isabout 120 miles to the North of Växjö,and for me, wishing to celebrate theChristian links between England andSweden and to learn about the SwedishChurch and Växjö diocese, it seemedgood to walk those miles as a pilgrimage,pitching my tent where I would. I wentvia Jonkoping on the southern tip ofVattern where I met a choir that came toDeddington and Witney last year It’s aroute St Sigfrid (if he existed) wouldsurely have travelled.

What might have been a pleasureturned into a penance with the returningwinter with night time temperaturessometimes dipping well below zero. I wascomforted by the hospitality of the rectorof Sävsjö and his wife, which made thestep on to Jonkoping seem possible.

Jonkoping is a delightful city,beautifully set and with many pleasingold buildings. The Sofia Church is oneof these: a magnificent neo-Gothicedifice with a strong congregation and

where I felt very much at home. We andthe Swedish Church, both nationalchurches committed to the service of thewhole population of our countries, sharea wavelength. That means we can haveeasy communication about matters thatconcern us both.

What’s more, the Swedes see in us aglimpse of a likely future for them –lower funding levels (the SwedishChurch is currently very well resourced,but it looks as if membership andtherefore funding will decline), fewerprofessional staff and much morereliance on volunteers. TheOxford–Växjö link offers much bothways. The fifty miles to Vadstena fromJonkoping were much more pleasantthan the first leg of my walk; spring wasback, the forests opened out, there weremagnificent views across Vattern.

Vadstena in Holy Week was all andmore than I had hoped - the daily officesmaintained by the community at thePilgrim Centre, the superb liturgy,interesting conversation with fellow-pilgrims, the austere and spaciousgrandeur of the Abbey Church. VäxjöCathedral is a gem, but I doubt there isany better place to be, in Sweden at least,for the high point of the Christian yearthan Vadstena.

If you get the opportunity, try it, eventhough it’s just out of Växjö diocese.Above all, do think about taking up thepossibilities offered by our partnershipwith Växjö. Parish-to-parish links are nowwhat’s wanted and a trip to Sweden inpursuit of one offers many rewards –especially in summer.

The Revd Dr Hugh White is Rector ofDeddington with Barford, Clifton and Hempton.

By Hugh White

The Swedish link

theDoor JULY/AUGUST 2009

Spotlight on...6

Vocations

Stewardship

Ihave been in nursing for over 20 years,so how did I find myself managing theWell, a café run by Barley Hill Church,

Thame?I have also dabbled in catering for

large events and I love cooking. Thosepeople who know me will know that I liketo be busy. The problem with being busyis that sometimes you don’t stop to findout if you are being the right kind ofbusy.

I believe that God has a purpose foreach of us and I was beginning to feelthat I should be doing something else.About 18 months ago I rememberpraying that I needed clarification onwhat I was supposed to be doing andasking God to make it really clear in neonlights.

Well nothing happened and I forgotabout the prayer. Several months latersomeone in church talked about a teamthat were looking into the possibility of acafé project. I thought I was going toexplode. A voice inside my head wastelling me to talk to someone about itthere. That’s not the way I do things, butI did.

I then prayed and asked friends to prayabout my involvement. I found myselfwanting to be part of taking it forward. Atthis point I felt that I was at the top of a

cliff like a glider wanting to jump off inorder to fly, but I was too scared so stayedput.

I thought ‘I’m a nurse, it is what I do’and I decided that I needed to put Godto the test. I felt that I needed to havesome real reassurances about how I couldcontinue certain aspects of my nursingand how the project was to be funded.Every time I thought that a door wouldbe shut I found it would fling straightopen before I had even got there.

I began to feel what can only bedescribed as an inner peace, although Iwas still terrified of venturing into newterritory. The timing and venture feltright but we were entering a recession.Who starts a business up in thoseconditions other than God? So I handedin my notice for nursing and now work atthe Well.

I had and continue to have a real senseof peace and rightness about thedecision. I know that I am being upheld

in prayer and it is amazing that stuff Ithought would stress me out just hasn’t. Iam grateful to a loving heavenly fatherfor that. This is something that I do notdo in my own strength, whereas innursing I did.

I think that all the things I have done inthe past I am drawing on now. It is anamazing privilege that I have beensupported and encouraged by family,friends and my church to do what Ibelieve God wants me to be doing for thehere and now. The Well on the Corner of Wellington andNorth Street, Thame serves coffee, cakesand light lunches. It provides high chairs,WiFi access, toys and complimentarynewspapers.

As part of the Door’songoing series exploringvocations Claire Britton tellsof her journey from nursingto managing a church-runcoffee shop.

Called to serve... coffee and a warm welcome

@ONLINEFor more information call 01844216196 or seewww.thewellcafe.co.uk

GIVING went up by more than 20 percent last year even though no collectionplate was passed around at St Michael’sChurch, Tilehurst.

The church has had a stewardshipcommittee for more than 30 years andmost congregation members give theirtithes and offerings through gift aidenvelopes and bankers’ orders. However,that is going to change. Denise Easteal,chair of the stewardship committee, said:‘We are going to start sending a plateround for the newer people who are notfamiliar with the way that we work.

‘Last year our giving increased from£50,000 to £62,000 thanks to a campaign.‘There are 240 people on our electoralroll and most are involved in our givingscheme. We encourage them by writingto them to keep them informed aboutthe running costs of the church and theamount we need cover our operatingexpenses.’

St Michael’s has had help from RobinBrunner-Ellis, and has the LiverpoolDiocese’s Giving in Grace resources for itscampaign. ‘There were lots of materialswe could use for our particular campaignand the whole idea of Giving in Grace wasone which really fitted in with the values

of our church. We were quite successful.We went into an interregnum just as wewere starting. From a planningperspective it was well underway but wedidn’t have the leadership from thepulpit explaining how important it was.

‘We communicated through lettersand pew notices. Giving went up by morethan 20 per cent, from £50,000 to£62,000. We hadn’t had a good campaignfor three or four years so the time wasright to do it.’

Hot on the heels of that the churchlaunched another campaign, to raise£300,000 for a restoration work. ‘We’vealready raised £180,000 towards that.We’ve got some funding from variousorganisations and some from thecongregation. St Michael’s gives 10 percent of the money it receives through itsgiving programmes to nominatedcharities, currently the charity Anglicanmission agency USPG.

Following our front page storythe Door found out how twochurches in the diocese approach giving.

St Mary’s, Princes Risborough:‘All things come from you... and ofyour own do we give you.’ Thesewords from our communion serviceare the basis of our Christianstewardship wwrriitteess DDeebbbbyyCCaaddwwaallllaaddeerr..

We have an annual SStteewwaarrddsshhiippSSuunnddaayy, which is held in November, onthe Sunday before Advent. This is anopportunity for members of thecongregation (pictured left at their parish weekend away) to review their contributionto the life of the Church and their financial giving.

This year a presentation was given at both of our morning services, explaining thebiblical basis of Christian Stewardship. We send out leaflets and a reply form to thecongregation. It is an opportunity for people to review the time and talents they giveto the life of church as well as their financial giving and we stress that they can giveup doing something as well as volunteering for new commitments.

On the basis of pledged giving through the stewardship scheme, we are able to planour budget and charitable giving. The PCC is committed to giving 20 per cent of ourincome to charity. The majority of the charities are Christian and based on mission;some are secular but local. Members of the congregation propose charities andprovide information about them and the PCC votes on which to support. In this waywe try to give something back in thanks for all that God has given us.

Debbie March is pictured left with Claire Britton outside the Well. Inset: The Well exterior. Pics byThe Well staff

A time toadvertise

You've got an important message to communicate, itcould be something to sell, it could be a vacancy to fillor even an event to attract people to. Advertising isthe answer. A simple effective message can reachthousands of people, clearly and swiftly and repay thecost many times over.We all know of an advertisement that we've seensometime that really sticks with us.This newspaper is one of six Anglican newspapers forwhich Cornerstone Vision is responsible for the paidfor advertising. The advertising is both a service tothe advertisers and readers and also helps to makesure that the papers continue to flourish from thevaluable income.Just what should you put into an advertisement? Youcould almost say as little as possible. Keep yourmessage clear but do include all the important factsthat you wish to reach the readers with. Make surethat you allow enough time for the advertisement tobe effective particularly if you are hoping people willtravel to an event. Photographs and illustrations canwork well at attracting the eye, but only if you haven'tfilled the booked space with too much text.The team at Cornerstone are only too happy todiscuss your advertising and your budget on this orany of our other titles, so do give us a call on 01752 225623.Email: roy@cornerstonevision.comIs it advertising that you are after? The above numberonly looks after the paid for advertising in this title. Ifyou are hoping to include a story on the editorialpages or a listing in an events guide it's best that youcontact the editor direct. Remember that as with mostpublications the editor will not be in a position toguarantee inclusion in the pages, but the coveragewill be free. For the best effect its worth having aword with the editor, or send an email to them andplace a paid for advertisement as well: this doublesyour chance of getting noticed!Whoever you contact do have a daytime contactname and phone number handy in case they need toget back to you. Newspapers are very time sensitiveand being able to speak directly with you cansometimes make the difference between beingfeatured in the paper or not.You can find the editor's phone number and emailaddress elsewhere in this paper.

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7

FamilytheDoor JULY/AUGUST 2009

The Mothers’ Union factor

Beer– loving Chris would notlift a finger to help at homewhen the BBC placed him inPat’s Buckinghamshirecottage. A documentary

production crew for Kick Out The Kids,which focused on the fact that almost athird of people in their 20s in the UK arestill living at home with mum and dad.

Chris, a gardener by trade, usually slepton the sofa of his mother’s onebedroomed flat. Although claimed hecouldn’t find employment while hismum held down two jobs, he would not

help with domestic chores or cooking, His stint with Pat, a former member of

the Women’s Royal Naval Service,appeared to change all that. Theoctogenarian allowed him his freedom togo clubbing on the Saturday night, onthe grounds he would get up and go tochurch with her the next day. On camerahe stated he was set to sink at least 12pints to get ready for church the nextmorning. And, to Pat’s disapproval, hedidn’t make it out of bed in time. Helater redeemed himself by excelling atthe housework and, after wonderinghow to have fun, challenged Pat to a cakebaking contest.

The cakes were tested by members ofPat’s home group, which Chris attended.Pat, whose late husband was a soberalcoholic and on film said she‘disapproves of young people enjoyingbeing “out of it” on alchohol’. Sheattends Holy Trinity Church, Penn, andis a parenting facilitator for the Mothers’Union.

She said: ‘My husband said to me “thegreatest function of a parent is to makeitself unnecessary to its children”. Hetaught me the importance of dependingon God first.

‘Before he died he said the troublewith dependency on humans is we letpeople down or they let us down. Fearand faith don’t live very well in the samehead. I like to use my influence to helppeople wherever I can, as it said in thefilm. It was a life–changing experience

and my purpose in doing it was to behelpful to other people. I like to helpyoung people realise they should behelpful to others and can help peoplewith addictions and their relatives get thesupport they need.’

And Pat believes she had a positiveeffect on Chris. She says: ‘We had a goodrelationship. At heart he was a very goodboy although he was taking his mum forgranted. He has taken on board the ideathat he should be looking after herbetter. He is cooking more and hopefullyhe’ll be able to wash and iron his ownclothes.’

‘Mum, I’m starving, when are yougoing to come home?’ Chris said, duringone of the last scenes of the film, as thecamera panned out to show him talkingon his mobile as he was cooking aspaghetti Bolognese.

And the verdict from his long sufferingmum was: ‘Pat did really well with him.She got far more out of him than I haveever done.’

Last year I was part of a MOUSEteam from the Bridgebuilder Trust,and it was an unforgettable

experience. MOUSE stands for MovingOn Up Schools Education and is anamazing way to reach out to young peoplein a supportive way while giving themGod’s word.

I was part of a team of around 10young people who travelled aroundMilton Keynes’ primary schools to givean assembly to the year six studentsabout the all important move tosecondary school. The aim was to

reassure the pupils about the move upand answer their questions in a fun andcreative way The project lasts for threeweeks with the first week being atraining week, when we were shown howto be a good role model. It is importantas it bonds the team together andcreates time to put together the skit thatwe use to kick start the main part of ourassembly.

Each year MOUSE bases the assemblyon a biblical character who goes on ajourney similar to that of the studentsmoving to secondary school. Last yearwe had Jonah and his journey of makingdecisions and doing the right thing. Theskit gets the children involved and takesaway the formalities of an assembly asthe following activities include games in

which children are encouraged to takepart. The assembly itself gives thechildren direction in their move andhelps dissolve any insecurities theymight have. I think MOUSE teams areso important not only for supporting thechildren in their move to secondaryschool, but also as a way of reaching outinto the community in which we live inan unforgettable way. I do voluntarywork in Milton Keynes and childrenrecognise me and remember theassembly which proves just howsuccessful it is. Not only does theproject help, encourage and support thechildren but helps to develop eachperson on the team as an individual. Tobegin with I was very apprehensiveabout standing up in front of a hall of

children and giving them a message, butnow I am confident in many aspects ofmy life and feel that MOUSE hascontributed enormously to that.

In addition I came away with someamazing friends and an experience I willnever forget and want to do over again.

Charlotte is 17.To find out more aboutMOUSE teams see www.mkbt.org.uk

An unemployed 25-year-oldwas put through his paceswhen he was sent to live withMothers’ Union volunteer PatDancer, 83, for a realitytelevision show. Jo Ducklesreports.

PARENTS’ achievements with theirchildren are what make runningMother’s Union classes so rewarding

for the facilitators.There are classes across the Oxford

Diocese and beyond, including onelaunched at All Saints, Wokingham, as acommunity outreach project. There theteam of facilitators includes formerteachers Pam Creech and VeronicaUpstone. Both have children andgrandchildren of their own and despitetheir years of experience they say thecourses have helped them learn moreabout parenting. They were delightedwhen mothers at the poorer end of thesocial scale began attending.

‘It’s very rewarding. One mumrecently said she would normally screamat her little boy when he was naughty.Instead on one occasion she held him atarm’s length when he threw a trainer ather. He did it again and she did the same

thing and he ran off and played. Shepraised him for listening to her,’ said MrsUpstone.

‘She’s also spent time with herchildren, reading stories to her daughterwho is a toddler and playing computergames with her son. She bathed herchildren and they went to bed at 7.30pm,when normally they wouldn’t settle downuntil 10pm. They do need to be aware it’snot always like that, we do all havefailures and they have to accept that,

move forward and try again.’Mrs Upstone criticised government

plans to force mums and dads to go onparenting courses. ‘I’m not sure thatworks, because they won’t want to bethere. Before joining us these womenand their families might have thoughtparenting courses were a waste of time.They might have thought middle–classpeople would patronise them but nowthey know that’s not true. What’s great isthat they are telling their friends, and

passing on what they have learnt tothem.’

Mrs Creech said: ‘I have a grandsonwho is three and a grand daughter who isfour-and-a-half and I have learnt a lotthat I have passed on to my children,through doing this. I was at the mothersand toddlers group when one mum toldme she had implemented what she’dlearnt on the course. She said one of herchildren was riding his bike and theother dressing himself. I gave her a hug.It’s so worthwhile when you can helpmums who don’t have the support ofgrandparents the way I did or mychildren do.’ The course facilitatorscomplete a training course which takesplace over four Saturdays. Onceparticipants have completed a learningjournal, and a portfolio of evidence toshow how they ran their first facilitationclasses, they get an Open CollegeNetwork Accreditation qualification,which makes a great addition to their CV.The facilitators course is to take place inthe autumn, either in Milton Keynes orat Cuddesdon.

For more information contact PennieKennedy on projects@muoxford.org orcall 01865 848633.

Good parenting at an earlystage can help avoid thesituation described above.The Door finds out how theMothers’ Union is helping.

Above are some of the people who trained to be Mothers’ Union parenting facilitators atCuddesdon College last year. Pic: Pennie Kennedy

YouthViewby Charlotte

theDoor JULY/AUGUST 20098

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Closing date: 17th July 2009 - Interviews: Friday 24th July

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Prayer & FeaturestheDoor JULY/AUGUST 2009 9

He was transfigured beforethem, and his face shone like thesun, and his clothes becamedazzling white. … suddenly abright cloud overshadowed them,and from the cloud a voice said,“This is my Son, the Beloved;with him I am well pleased; listento him!” (Mt 17:2,5 NRSV)

Pray to the Father through the Son inthe power of the Spirit for:

JJUULLYY

WWeedd 11:: Community of St Johnthe Baptist, Begbroke: leaders SrMary Stephen, Sr Ann Verena,chaplain Lister Tonge. Community ofthe Companions of Jesus theGood Shepherd, Begbroke:superior Sr Ann Verena, wardenLister Tonge, the sisters of the orders.

TThhuu 22:: Third Order of the Societyof St Francis: the minister general,the minister provincials, ministerprovincial European ProvinceJoanna Coney; area ministers:Sheila Hazel, Hazel Berry; areaformation guardians: Pam Halliwell,Colin Bass, Margaret Ellis; themembers of the order.

FFrrii 33:: Thomas the Apostle Societyof the Sacred Mission, MiltonKeynes: prior Frank Green, thebrothers of the order.

SSaatt 44:: All Saints Sisters of thePoor, Oxford: leader Sr Helen Mary,the sisters of the order.

SSuunn 55:: 4th after Trinity Those beingordained this weekend.

MMoonn 66:: Thomas More, scholar,and John Fisher, bishop, reformationmartyrs Community of St Mary theVirgin, Wantage: superior MotherWinsome, warden Bishop StephenCottrell, chaplain Robert Teare, thesisters of the order.

TTuuee 77:: Community of the Sistersof the Love of God, Oxford:reverend mother Sr MargaretTheresa, warden The Revd DrAndrew Teal, the sisters of the order.

WWeedd 88:: Society of the PreciousBlood, Taplow: superior thereverend mother, the sisters of theorder.

TThhuu 99:: Newport Deanery: areadean Christa Pumfrey, lay chairmanRod Cannon, ecumenicalrepresentative Beverley Hollins. The

people, wardens, PCCs and supportstaff of the deanery.

FFrrii 1100:: Gate (Gayhurst,Ravenstone, Stoke Goldington,Weston Underwood): clergy ChristaPumfrey, LLM Geoff Morris. The staffand pupils of Stoke Goldington (VC)School.

SSaatt 1111:: Benedict of Nursia, abbot,founder of western monasticismElmore Abbey, Newbury, Order ofSt Benedict: prior Simon Jarrett, thebrothers of the order.

SSuunn 1122:: 5th after Trinity Hanslopewith Castlethorpe: clergy GaryEccleston; LLM Eric Dodworth.

MMoonn 1133:: Lamp (Emberton,Haversham, Little Linford,Tyringham, Filgrave): clergyRichard Caddell; LLMs AndrewGeary, Wendy Reidel.

TTuuee 1144:: John Keble, priest,Tractarian, poet Keble College,Oxford: the master, fellows andstudents of the college.

WWeedd 1155:: Lavendon with ColdBrayfield, Clifton Reynes, NewtonBlossomville: clergy ChristaPumfrey.

TThhuu 1166:: The staff and pupils ofNewton Blossomville (VC) School.

FFrrii 1177:: Newport Pagnell withLathbury and Moulsoe: clergyMichael Godfrey, Glynis Bell, JanetLawrence; LLMs Mervyn Evans,Colin Taylor.

SSaatt 1188:: Elizabeth Ferard,deaconess, founder of theCommunity of St Andrew Sisters ofSt Etheldreda (Associate Sistersof the Community of St Andrew),Milton Keynes: clergy Sr Hazel;warden Basil Jones.

SSuunn 1199:: 6th after Trinity, Gregory,bishop of Nyssa, and Macrina,deaconess, teachers of the faithOlney: clergy Clare Wood, ValReveley; LLM Rena Partridge.

MMoonn 2200:: Margaret of Antioch,martyr Sherington with Chicheley,North Crawley, Astwood andHardmead: clergy Mandy Marriot;LLMs John Fielding, Pam Fielding.

TTuuee 2211:: The staff and pupils ofNorth Crawley (VC) and Sherington(VC) Schools.

WWeedd 2222:: Mary Magdalene, discipleWallingford deanery: Area Dean

Edward Carter, lay chairman GrahamGoy. The people, wardens, PCCsand support staff of the deanery.

TThhuu 2233:: Cholsey and Moulsford:clergy Andrew Petit, Valerie Gibbons,John Mackney.

FFrrii 2244:: The Churn (Aston Tirrold,Blewbury, Hagbourne, NorthMoreton, South Moreton, Upton):clergy Jason St John Nicolle, LouiseButler, Anthony Lury; LLM , laypastor Beryl Hill.

SSaatt 2255:: James the Great, apostle,martyr The staff and pupils ofHagbourne (VC) School.

SSuunn 2266:: 7th after Trinity Didcotgroup ministry (includingLadygrove): clergy Karen Beck,Allen Edwards, Hugh Boorman;LLMs including Nick Hards, StuartRoberts.

MMoonn 2277:: Brooke Foss Westcott,bishop, teacher of the faith The staffand pupils of Didcot All Saints (VA)School.

TTuuee 2288:: Didcot St Peter: clergyEdward Carter, James Baker; LLMsFran Childs, Jenny Loder.

WWeedd 2299:: William Wilberforce,Josephine Butler, social reformersThe staff and pupils of DidcotNorthbourne (VA) School.

TThhuu 3300:: Silas, companion of PaulHarwell with Chilton: clergy ChrisStott, Bruce Keeble; LLM SteveWard.

FFrrii 3311:: Ignatius of Loyola, founderof the Society of Jesus WallingfordTeam Ministry (includingCrowmarsh Gifford): clergy DavidRice, Jeremy Goulston, Jim Spence,Janice Chilton.

AAUUGGUUSSTT

SSaatt 11:: The staff and pupils ofCrowmarsh Gifford (VC), BrightwellCum Sotwell (VC), and WallingfordSt Nicholas (VC) Schools.

SSuunn 22:: 8th after Trinity WantageDeanery: Area Dean JohnRobertson, lay chairman NigelBaring, associate clergy AntoniaCretney, chaplain to the deaf RogerWilliams. The people, wardens,PCCs and support staff of thedeanery.

MMoonn 33:: Grove: clergy JohnRobertson, Paul Gooding, Paul Eddy(ordained at Petertide); LLM Sue

Powditch.

TTuuee 44:: The pupils and staff ofGrove (VC) School.

WWeedd 55:: Wantage: clergy JohnSalter, George de Burgh Thomas,Paul Faint, Keith Kinnaird.

TThhuu 66:: The Transfiguration of OurLord The staff and pupils of WantagePrimary (VC) School.

FFrrii 77:: Hanney, Denchworth andEast Challow: clergy Anthony Hogg.

SSaatt 88:: Dominic, founder of theOrder of Preachers The staff andpupils of Hanney (VC) and EastChallow (VC) Schools.

SSuunn 99:: 9th after Trinity, MarySumner, founder of the Mothers’Union Ridgeway (Childrey, WestChallow, Letcombe Bassett,Letcombe Regis, Sparsholt,Kingston Lisle): clergy Alan Wadge,LLM Emeritus Serena Gledhill. Thestaff and pupils of Childrey TheRidgeway (VC) School.

MMoonn 1100:: Laurence, deacon atRome, martyr Wantage Downs(East Hendred, West Hendred,Ardington, Lockinge): clergyElizabeth Birch, as she begins herministry in Wantage Downs, JeanPage, Sr Patricia Gordon; LLMElaine Steer.

TTuuee 1111:: Clare of Assisi, founder ofthe Minoresses Community of StClare, Witney: abbess Sr PaulaFordham, the sisters of the order.

WWeedd 1122:: The staff and pupils ofHendreds (VA) School.

TThhuu 1133:: Florence Nightingale,nurse, and Octavia Hill, socialreformers Wendover Deanery: AreaDean Mark Dearnley, lay chairmanGavin Oldham, ecumenicalrepresentative Norman Dick,associate clergy Kevan Royle. Thepeople, wardens, PCCs and supportstaff of the deanery.

FFrrii 1144:: Aston Clinton withBuckland and DraytonBeauchamp: clergy ElizabethMoxley.

SSaatt 1155:: Mary, mother of Our LordEllesborough, The Kimbles andStoke Mandeville: clergy JanHenderson; LLM Julie Willis.

SSuunn 1166:: 10th after Trinity The staffand pupils of Great Kimble (VC)School.

MMoonn 1177:: Great Missenden withBallinger and Little Hampden:clergy Rosie Harper, Joanna Gallant;LLM Patricia Neale; pastoralassistant Nadine Rose.

TTuuee 1188:: The staff and pupils ofGreat Missenden (VC) School.

WWeedd 1199:: Hawridge withCholesbury and St Leonards:clergy David Burgess, Ivor Cornish.

TThhuu 2200:: William and CatherineBooth, founders of the SalvationArmy The staff and pupils ofHawridge and Cholesbury (VA)School.

FFrrii 2211:: Little Missenden: clergyJohn Simpson; LLM Gareth Beynon.

SSaatt 2222:: The staff and pupils ofLittle Missenden (VA) School.

SSuunn 2233:: 11th after Trinity Theformer residents of Burford Priorywho are on retreat as they wait fortheir new home in Worcestershire tobe completed.

MMoonn 2244:: Batholemew, apostlePrestwood and Great Hampden:clergy Deiniol Kearley-Heywood;LLM Christine Marsh.

TTuuee 2255:: The Lee: clergy DavidBurgess, Ivor Cornish.

WWeedd 2266:: The staff and pupils ofLee Common (VC) School.

TThhuu 2277:: Monica, mother ofAugustine of Hippo Wendover andHalton: clergy Mark Dearnley, EmColey, Bernard Roberts; LLMs RuthDearnley, Joe Groat; youth workerPaul Hammett.

FFrrii 2288:: Augustine of Hippo, bishop,teacher of the faith Weston Turville:clergy David Wales, Susan Fellows.

SSaatt 2299:: Beheading of John theBaptist The staff and pupils ofWeston Turville (VA) School.

SSuunn 3300 12th after Trinity, JohnBunyan, spiritual writer Our linkdiocese of Kimberley and Kuruman(Southern Africa): Bishop OswaldSwartz, the clergy and people of thediocese; dean Brian Beck, staff andpeople of St Cyprian’s Cathedral,Kimberley.

MMoonn 3311:: Aidan of Lindisfarne,bishop, missionary Our link dioceseof Växjö (Sweden): Bishop SvenThidevall, the clergy and people ofthe diocese.

July/August prayer diary compiled by John Manley

ARANGE of activities organised bythe Royal School of Church Musicare under way in the Diocese of

Oxford, writes Terence Carter. Last year 52 people were presented

with Bishop of Oxford Awards, from theRSCM, for their musical achievements.They were aged from eight to people intheir 70s, and the RSCM would love morepeople to have a go. RSCM Oxford is oneof 42 areas in England and Wales, and isdivided into three districts: Oxfordshire,Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.

The Annual Choirs’ Festival is normallydirected by a cathedral organist. A choirof 300 or more sings a choral evensong.The music is a balance of pieces whichparticipants can take back to their ownchoirs, with more adventurous itemswhich will be outside their normalrepertoire. The next festival will bedirected by Christopher Robinson,formerly organist and director of musicat St John’s College, Cambridge, at

Dorchester Abbey on 10 October. A non-residential three-day course for

Choristers takes place during the Easterholidays, normally at Magdalen CollegeSchool with daily services in MagdalenCollege Chapel. Two of the choristers areawarded scholarships to the RSCMResidential Course in Bath in August.

Around 80 choristers are instructed byfour housemasters before comingtogether under the Course Director,Peter Smith, of Magdalen CollegeSchool. The Bishop of Oxford, the RtRevd John Pritchard, was present on thefinal day. He also presided at the MaundyThursday service at the Cathedral, when30 choristers from the course wereselected to form the choir.

Other events include a Meet, Eat andSing, Choral and ConductingWorkshops, Singing Days, OrganTraining, Singing Tours of Churches,Songs of Praise, Sight Singing, VoiceProduction and, coming up on 14

November, “What Computers can do foryour Choir”. Oxford administers theBishop of Oxford’s Bronze and SilverAwards examinations in June andSeptember each year. In 2008, 43 peoplewere presented with Bronze or SilverAwards and a further nine with Gold.Successful candidates were presentedwith their certificates by the Dean ofChrist Church Cathedral in November.

Terence Carter is Secretary, RSCM OxfordArea and Chairman, RSCM OxfordshireDistrict.

Tuning up with the RSCM

ONLINE @For more information about local eventssee www.rscm-oxford.org.uk. Tobecome a member or make a donationsee www.rscm.com/membership

Choristers from this year’s Easter course, from left, David Bannister, Jonathan White, NicolaCampbell, Emily Hodgson, Peter Smith, Bishop John, Philip Bowcock, Polly Dow, Ellen Reading,Tara Scott, Kathryn Burningham and Ray Cook. Pic: Nigel Bates

A guide to the debate

FeaturetheDoor J10

Today, over a quarter of priests inthe Church of England arewomen. After more than adecade of women’s priestlyministry, many people in the

Church feel ordaining them to theepiscopate is a logical and appropriate step.However, opposition has not died away andthe number of people in the Church whobelieve that women should not hold theoffice of bishop cannot be ignored. TheHouse of Bishops’ Working Party onWomen in the Episcopate was set up in2001 under the chairmanship of the Bishopof Rochester. Its report was published in

November 2004 and, following variousdebates draft legislation is now beingprepared to enable women to be bishopswhile allowing an honourable place in theChurch of England for those opposed.

TThe role of Bishop has its origins in thevery early church and the office of Bishophas been one of the marks of continuity inthe Church.

The Church of England has always beenan Episcopal church but some expressionsof the role of Bishop have changed torespond to different eras in the life of theChurch. The foundational roles of allbishops are:

• To be a missionary for the Gospel inthe world

• To be a teacher of the faith and akeeper of orthodoxy

• To be a focus and expression of theunity of the Church

• To be a sign of the universal church ina particular locality

• To ordain and appoint priests anddeacons who function as an extension ofthe Bishop’s ministry in their sacramental,teaching and pastoral roles.

This guide is intended to support prayerfulreflection and study of the issues by deaneries,parishes and individuals.

From Scripture: Scripture teaches theessential dignity and equality, and thecomplementary nature of the whole of

humanity before God. Women played an important part in

Jesus’s life and ministry. In this way Jesusradically challenges the belief ofcontemporary Jewish society that womenwere inferior. The Book of Acts and theepistles show women working alongsidemen in the life and ministry of the earlychurch. There is evidence that womenfeatured prominently in the Paulinemission. It resulted in the ‘elevation ofwomen to a place in religious work forwhich we have little contemporaryparallel.’(Banks, R (1980) Paul’s Idea ofCommunity pp157,160.)

From tradition: Christian tradition is notstatic but dynamic and can developunder the power of the Holy Spirit.

The ordination of women to thepriesthood and to the episcopate can, intime, form part of the Christian tradition,as has the doctrine of the Trinity; a doctrinethat was not recognised as part if theChristian tradition until the fourth and fifthcenturies.

From reason and experience: There iswidespread support for the ordinationof women bishops within the Church of

England. Many have had a very positive experience

of women’s ministry in the Church and this

has made them supportive of the idea ofwomen bishops. Women have a sense thattheir call to the ordained ministry is a callfrom God. They give the same sort oftestimony that men give as evidence of agenuine call, and these should be acceptedin a similar way.

The Church’s proclamation of the Gospelin today’s society lacks credibility if womenare not perceived to have equal status withmen before God and their gifts, offered tothe ministry of the Church equally valued.If women are ordained as bishops, theChurch will benefit more fully from theparticular gifts women have to offer and itwill become more truly representative.Ordaining women as bishops will removean obstacle to the development of Anglican-Methodist relations and would facilitateecumenical dialogue with a range of otherchurches who already ordain women to alllevels of their ministry. The current

situation is unjust to women and aninfringement of their rights, as it would beif they were still not allowed to be HighCourt judges or chief executives in businessor industry. In society where women arenow found in every kind of role, manyassume it must be right for women also tobe bishops; indeed some people aresurprised that it is not already the case.

Questions for reflection/group discussion1a. Read Genesis 1: 27–28What does this passage tell us about God’s creation of humankind and his original

purpose for humanity?1b. Read Genesis 3: 1–19How does this passage add to or change our view of God’s purpose for humanity?2. Read Romans 16:1–16Some would say that Junia, an apostle, was a woman. What does this passage tell us

about the role women played in the early church?Note: For verse 7 the original text is ambiguous.

Following the publication of theRochester report two majorpractical issues have occupied the

mind of General Synod: firstly, whetherwomen should be appointed as bishopson the same terms as men or whetherthere should be restrictions on theirexercising of the Episcopal office; andsecondly, what action, if any, the Churchshould take with respect to those who, asa matter of conscience, could not acceptthe ministry of female bishops.

After the vote in General Synod in1992 in favour of the ordination ofwomen as priests, provision was madefor those who, in conscience, could notaccept that decision. Parishes sincehave been able to opt to receivealternative episcopal oversight from a

Provincial Episcopal Visitor. It can be argued that it would be

unjust not to act in a similar way inrespect of a decision to ordain womenas bishops. However, for those whobelieve that the inclusion of women inthe episcopate to be God’s will, anyinstitutionally, sanctioned opt-outroutes are a serious affront to Godlyjustice and unity.

One of the important features of theChurch of England throughout itshistory has been its ability to live withdifference and to demonstrate thereality of Christ’s gospel ofreconciliation. The challenge now forthe Church is to prayerfully seek thewill of God together in the pursuit oftruth, unity and love.

Possible timescale:FFeebbrruuaarryy 22000099:: The legislation was first consideredFFeebbrruuaarryy 22000099 ttoo FFeebbrruuaarryy 22001100: RevisionCommitteeFFeebbrruuaarryy 22001100 ttoo JJuullyy 22001100: Revision in fullGeneral SynodJJuullyy 22001100 ttoo DDeecceemmbbeerr 22001111: Reference toDiocesan SynodsFFeebbrruuaarryy 22001122:: Final drafting stageFFeebbrruuaarryy 22001133:: Final approval. A two-thirds majoritywill be required in each house for this to happenFFeebbrruuaarryy 22001133 ttoo DDeecceemmbbeerr 22001144:: ParliamentaryApproval and Royal Assent

Arguments for...

The future challenge

Women bishops

@ONLINEAt February’s Diocesan Synod speakers from arange of traditions gave their views. Visitwwwwww..ooxxffoorrdd..aanngglliiccaann..oorrgg//wwoommeennbbiisshhooppss

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Arguments against...From Scripture: The Church of

England is founded on the Bible asthe inspired Word of God, and as

Christians we submit to God’s word asopposed to fitting it into our world view.Genesis 2 asserts that men and womenare equal before God and that they havecomplementary but differing roles.

Jesus, a radical figure in teaching andin practice, called both men and womento follow and serve him. He also taughtboth men and women. The firstwitnesses to his resurrection werefemale. But Jesus called only maleapostles and never questions thepatriarchy of the Old Testament. Indeedhe says that he came not to abolish thelaw but to complete it (Matthew 5:17).

The writings of Paul picked up thetheme of female, functionalsubordination and Paul affirmed maleand female ministry and service.However, authoritative teaching anddiscerning of prophecy is expected to befrom male presbyters (priests) andoverseers (episkopoi). Both men andwomen serve as deacons, thereby takingon male and female ‘servant leadership’roles.

However, the overall leader (overseer)is always male. Paul’s explanation of‘headship’ (1 Corinthians 11) states thatwhilst Christ is head with God, God isthe head of Christ, Christ is the head ofman and man is the head of woman.

From tradition: Whilst there havebeen attempts to prove theexistence of female presbyters and

bishops in early church history, theevidence is very conjectural and, to many,

unconvincing. Neither the ordination of women as

priests, nor as bishops, is foundanywhere in the Christian tradition inearly apostolic, patristic, medieval ormodern times. The use of male andfemale language in the Bible, in theChristian tradition and in humancultures demonstrates that humansexual differentiation and thepatriarchal ordering of society are partof the ‘givenness’ of the humansituation as God created it.

There is a need for the corporateseeking of wisdom in which the Church,not just the Church of England but theentire Anglican Communion, andindeed the universal Church, discernsthe will of God. When the Church ofEngland decided to permit women to bepriests it did so on the understandingthat the decision would be subject to an‘open process of reception’; a processwhich is by no means complete. Thedecision cannot be deemed to be thewill of God until the whole Churchaccepts it. It would be inappropriate toproceed with the ordination of women

as bishops until their ordination to thepriesthood has been fully accepted.Ecumenical considerations show us thatthe vast majority of Christendom,including the whole Roman CatholicChurch and the great Eastern Church,do not have female presbyters, let alonefemale bishops.

From reason and experience: Itwould be wrong to change theChurch’s tradition to bring it into

line with contemporary British society.The church ought to be encouragingforms of ministry other than ordinationwhereby women could make use of theirtalents and abilities in ways that honourthe order of male-female relationshipsGod has established.

At the moment, the Church ofEngland is holding together despitediffering views about women aspresbyters, but continuing unity wouldbe impossible should women beordained as bishops. A bishop is thefocus of unity. If the bishop is a woman,and therefore, not the focus of unity fora number of church members, ourCommunion would be broken.

Questions for reflection/group discussion1. Read a) 1Cor 14:34–38 and b) 1 Tim 2: 9–15Are these passages as a whole applicable throughout history and across cultures,

or do they relate specifically to what was happening in those churches at the time ofwriting?

2. Read Ephesians 5: 21–23What are the key features of the relationships described in this passage? In what

ways does this passage apply to the Christian Church today?

In 2008, 18 women bishops from the Anglican Communion attended the LambethConference, yet the topic is still being hotly debated by in the Church of England. In this pullout and keep guide, the Archdeacon of Buckingham the Ven. Karen Gorham explores theissues and considers the future.s

Women Bishops from across the world are pictured at the 2008 Lambeth Conference. Left, the Rt Revd Dena Harrison, Bishop Suffragan of theDiocese of Texas, chats to women clergy from the Oxford Diocese at a ‘Purple Party’ held when she stayed here during the conference. Pic: ACNS

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The Doorpost is a free service for churches to advertise their events and is designed to be hung on churchnoticeboards. Please send your events to doorpost@oxford.anglican.org or by post to Church House. Thedeadline for the September 2009 issue is 7 August.

Courses, training, conferences & workshops in July/August 2009

Wednesday 1 July

EARLEY: St Peter’s Church isholding events from now until 5 July.See www.earley-stpeter.org.uk orphone 0118 966 8575.

CRANBOURNE: St Peter’sChurch. Organ recital by Paul Haleat 8pm. Phone 01344 893026 fortickets (£10).

OXFORD: St Giles’ Church. ClareWeiner’s art exhibition runs until 13July. www.st-giles-church.org

Saturday 4 July

MILTON KEYNES: Holy Trinityand St George’s Churches summerfayre at 11am - 3pm.

FINCHAMPSTEAD: St James’sChurch village fete at 2pm, MemorialPark, Finchampstead village. Details0118 9730133

Sunday 5

AMERSHAM ON THE HILL: StMichael and All Angels - ‘SacredSpace’. Contemplative, creative,‘fresh expressions’ worship at 6pm -7.15pm. Tel: 01494 726680

THAME: Christchurch Methodistand United Reformed Church at7.30pm. The Terrific Tale of RoddyGale (musical - new adaptation ofThe Prodigal Son). Details 01844351096.

Tuesday 7

EARLEY: Berkshire VocationsFellowship meeting, St NicolasChurch, 8pm. ‘Vocation in theSecular World’. Details 01865208291

Wednesday 8

READING: Organ recital, ReadingConcert Hall, 1pm. Detailswww.readingarts.com

Saturday 11

TILEHURST: St Michael’s, RouthLane/New Lane Mill. Concertfeaturing Reading Male Voice Choirat 7.30pm. Tickets0118 9428186.

BUCKLAND: Church fete at TheVicarage, 2pm.

TWYFORD: St Mary’s Church,Station Road, Twyford, 10am -10pm. Pray with rocks and stones,sand and clay. Also on Monday 13July at 9am - 9pm. Live music at8pm on 11 July. Details 0118 9343909

BEGBROKE: The Oxford/Dorchester Vocations FellowshipQuiet Day, Begbroke Priory, Oxford10am - 4pm. For bookinginformation contact Sue Foley on01865 208291 or emailsue.foley@oxford.anglican.org

Sunday 12 July

OXFORD: St Nicholas Church, OldMarston at 2pm - 5pm. Musicafternoon to celebrate the openingof the new nursery, St NicholasBaby Home in Bangalore, India.

Sunday 19 July

CHISELHAMPTON: Celebrate the40th anniversary of the ChurchesConservation Trust, 4pm. Led by TheBishop of Dorchester. Details01865 890079.

‘Big Lunch’: Churches are beingencouraged to grow their ownproduce, or use local food andbreak bread with their community forthe Eden Project’s nationwide ‘BigLunch’. Detailswww.edenproject.com/our-work/people/big-lunch/index.php

Tuesday 21 July

STONOR, HENLEY: RetiredClergy Association outing. Meet atStonor House at 2pm. Details01865 880210

Friday 24 July

FINGEST: Hambledon Valley, nearHenley. Healing service with layingon of hands and anointing at HolyCommunion at 10.15am. 01491571231.

Saturday 25 July

ASTON ABBOTTS, AYLESBURY:St James’s village fete 2pm - 5pm.Floral displays and songs of praiseon Sunday 26 July.

Sunday 26 July

DORCHESTER-ON-THAMES:Dorchester Abbey informal worshipat 7pm, part of the @7 series.Everyone welcome. Details 01865340007.

MEDMENHAM (between Marlowand Henley): Open gardens from 12noon - 6pm. Tel: 01491 571216.

Friday 31 July

CHISELHAMPTON: An eveningof Betjeman at 7.30pm. Recitalswith music. Details 01865 890079.

Thursday 27 August

WITNEY: The Plough, High Street.7.30pm. Rain or Shine TheatreGroup are performingShakespeare’s ‘The Taming of theShrew’. Details 01993 704430.

Friday 28 August

FINGEST: Hambledon Valley,Healing service with laying on ofhands and anointing at HolyCommunion at 10.15am. 01491571231.

Saturday 29 August

CHENIES: St Michael’s Church aflower festival from 10am - 6pm untilMonday 31 August. Details 01923284433.

Thursday 2 July - Stoke PogesQuiet Garden, Stoke Park Farm,Park Road, Stoke Poges SL2 4PG.Thursday 2 July at 10am - 12 noon‘Listening through our senses -scatter the fragrance.’ Thursday 9 Julyat 10am - 12.30pm ‘Be still and knowthat I am God.’ Details 0175364273.Wednesday 15 July - War memorialcustoidans’ conference from10.30am - 1pm at Aylesbury CivicCentre, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.Telephone 020 7259 0403 for detailsand booking form.Tuesday 21 July - Dying yet welive. Spiritual accompaniment of the

dying and what it can teach us aboutliving. Led by Victoria Slater. To beheld at Diocesan Church House from10.30am - 4pm. Cost £15.www.oxford.anglican.org/miscellaneous/spiritual-direction/Wednesday 22 July - ContinuingMinisterial Development Courseon Child Bereavement from 10am -4pm at Diocesan Church House. Tobook your place contactmandi.bowden@oxford.anglican.org Summer School for BiblicalStudy at St Anne’s College, Oxford.25 July - 8 August. Emailmargaret.burrow@mcb.net

Courses & special events Services at ChristChurch Cathedral

Sundays: 8am Holy Communion; 10amMatins (coffee in Priory Room);11.15am Sung Eucharist; 6pmEvensong.

Weekdays:7.15am Morning prayer; 7.35amHoly Communion; 1pm Wednesday only HolyCommunion; 6pm Evensong(Thursday Sung Eucharist 6pm).

Why not enjoy a picnic for the Big Lunch on Sunday, July 19?

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Come and Study at theCUDDESDON SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AND MINISTRYWhether you are just beginning to think aboutministry, or are exploring a vocation. Whether youare eager to study more about the Bible and how itcan still help to shape the world we live in or wouldlike to deepen your theological reflection and honeyour pastoral practice.

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Further details are available on our website at www.rcc.ac.uk, or fromThe Cuddesdon School of Theology and Ministry, Ripon College

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The closing date for applications is 14August 2009.

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Deciding on full time education is a tremendously importantchoice. In many cases the subject chosen can haverepercussions throughout life, forming for many students thefoundations of a lifetime’s career. For a Christian of any age thechoice of a theological, secular or social subject is likely to beconsidered as it will become a foundation stone for the future.PRAYER AND ADVICE CALLED FORA lot of prayer and advice will be undertaken in deciding whatpath to follow, even when inherent talents seem to make thechoice a little more obvious. For younger Christians the path mayhave already been discussed when choosing subjects for ‘A’levels but for many older Christians starting a course could wellbe a part of a change in life’s direction. It is worth spending timewith family, friends and even the Vicar when making theseimportant choices.Making the choice for Theology really is one of those life definingdecisions. The period of careful study often leads on to a lifetimein ministry and mission. DIFFERENT CHOICES FOR DIFFERENT PEOPLEThere will be others who would like to understand the Bible betteror have a real understanding of pastoral care in order to seek anew direction or to serve better in their current choice. CHOOSING A COLLEGEThere’s also the choice of college. For many some time awayfrom home at University can be a time of self-discovery andgrowing, a chance to study whilst enjoying life in a different city.This is a popular choice for young people who see student life asmuch more than study, but also about establishing an‘independence’ for themselves. For those from a small town orvillage the lure of the shopping and facilities in a large town or citycan proving an exciting option but some students might well preferan option that enables them to get away from hustle and bustle toa quieter style of campus with few distractions from their study.STUDYING CLOSE TO HOMEThere are all sorts of reasons why some students prefer to studysomewhere close to home. This can be due to the commitmentssuch as family responsibilities or commitments to the local church

• continued on next page

FFoouunnddaattiioonnss ffoorr tthhee ffuuttuurreetheDoor JULY/AUGUST 2009 Advertising Feature

theDoor JULY/AUGUST 200914

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or other organisations. Mature students whoalready have a home of their own might stillwant to use it as a base, some quieteryoung people might like the security ofreturning to their parents each evening orreturning at weekends. There are manyexcellent Colleges and Universities offeringthe conveniences student life coupled withshort journey times home. In some casesthe sea or countryside is not far away.

REWARDING TIME OF LIFEFor all the challenge of full time studyshould prove to be rewarding and fulfilling.There will also be those who might beinterested in one of the many distance-learning courses available today. There aremany on offer catering for all ages andabilities. Such courses can help the studentin their private devotions and understandingof the Scriptures.

Deciding on a school for your children is a tremendouslyimportant choice. In many cases a child’s primary andsecondary education can have repercussions throughoutlife. With growing concerns surrounding much of educationin Britain today, it should come as little surprise thatChristian schools maintain their popularity with parents,providing a strong spiritual and moral basis in all that theydo. The more disciplined style of education seems to bearfruit and their academic results continue to impress and inmany cases improve.

Faith based Schools, often have waiting lists or entranceexaminations to help them maintain their standards ofexcellence, or offer open days for parents and prospectivepupils to look around at what is on offer. The early monthsof the year often have entrance examinations or open daysfor the following September's intake.

It’s a very similar story with further education and whilstmost students will have already decided on a University orCollege to attend from the autumn semester, some will still

be looking for a course and others will start planning fornext year.

A lot of prayer and advice will be undertaken in decidingwhat path to follow, even when inherent talents seem tomake the choice a little more obvious. For youngerChristians the path may have already been discussedwhen choosing subjects for A levels but for many olderChristians starting a course could well be a part of achange in life’s direction.

There’s also the choice of college. For many, some timeaway from home at University can be a time of self-discovery and growing, although others may well prefersomewhere closer to home. This can be due to thecommitments such as family responsibilities orcommitments to the local church or other organisations.Travelling times are also quicker a boon for most students.

For all the challenge of full time study should prove to berewarding and fulfilling.

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Choosing a school

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FFoouunnddaattiioonnss ffoorr tthhee ffuuttuurree

15

ArtstheDoor JULY/AUGUST 2009

The term ‘fresh expressions’usually triggers a number ofreactions: some people are

excited while others are suspicious.Many more are still unsure what the fussis all about.

This book will be extremely helpfulfor enthusiasts, critics and theundecided with its varied mix of theoryand story-telling. It’s a really helpfuladdition to the rapidly expandinglibrary of fresh expressions literature. Afresh expression is “a form of Christiancommunity for our changing culture,established primarily for the benefit ofpeople who are not yet members of anychurch.”

This book contains stories andaccounts from people who have alreadystuck their neck out and had a go. Thereare chapters about Visions, theU2charist and Feig. Richard Giles hasinteresting things to say about buildings.Ian Adams and Ian Mobsby talk aboutNew Monasticism while Philip Roderickand Tessa Holland explain ContemplativeFire.

This book is an attempt to relate thefresh expressions concept to a deeperwell of tradition and understanding.There are references to the catholic,sacramental or contemplative traditions.In many ways the writers are inconsistentabout what this might mean, but thebook opens the door to an interesting

and intriguing conversation. In the opening chapter, Archbishop

Rowan Williams suggests that the term‘catholic’ should imply an approach tothe Christian life which is about“speaking the whole truth to the wholeperson”. He also points out that acatholic approach has some reallyvaluable resources to offer to the freshexpressions movement. These couldinclude a concern for non verbalexpressions of faith, a focus onsacramental action, a strong sense ofliturgical time and rhythm and aninsistence that faith is a community aswell as an individual experience. Everystory and argument in the book isbeyond the scope of a short book reviewso could I suggest you get hold of a copyand give it a read. There are some realtreasures here which you might findsurprisingly helpful.

The Revd Tim Norwood is Area Dean ofMilton Keynes and Team Vicar in WatlingValley.

By Tim NorwoodFresh Expressionsin the SacramentalTraditionIan Mobsby/ StevenCroftCanterbury PressRRP £16.99

Freshening up church

Win The God You Already KnowPublished in June by SPCK and written by Henry Morganand Roy Gregory, this book is aimed at anyone who wants todevelop their spiritual and prayer life.

And The Door has three copies to give away in this issue’sprize draw.

To be in with a chance of winning simply send your nameand address to The God You Already Know competition, TheDoor, Diocesan Church House, North Hinksey Lane,Oxford, OX2 0NB, to reach us no later than Friday, 7August.

CHURCH members at St Michael and AllAngels, Steventon are preparing to serveice cream and sweets at one of the first ofthe region’s summer festivals.

The Revd Colin Patching says hiscongregation enjoy working at the TruckFestival so much he has to tell some ofthem they can’t do two shifts. He saysworking at the event helps buildrelationships in the community.

‘In church, you get folk who come to an8am service but others don’t come until6pm; and, while they do meet in between,they don’t really spend any time together.When working on something like this,people begin to make friends with peoplethey’d normally pass by in the street.

‘This is particularly true when it bridgesthe age gap, because you get teenagers onthe ice cream stall working with peoplewho are old enough to be theirgrandmothers.’

He uses rock music for his Sundayservice, which takes place at the festival.‘The time slot we’ve had before has beenvery early, and I’ve been up there on thefarm, creeping out of my tent to comeand do the 8am service,’ he says.

But he says that slot is way too early toattract many festival goers to church. ‘Wedo get a few straggling down, which isnice. But this year I’ll do something alittle less church-based.

‘I’m working on something right now; abit like Worship On The Run! I might dosome sort of roving thing. Something thatincorporates live street theatre. I’ve gotsome pretty zany folk who I think willhelp me with it. Watch this space.’

The Truck Festival takes place atStevens Farmhouse, the Causeway,Steventon on July 25th and 26th.Supergrass are headlining.

More tea, vicar? Church serves festival

theDoor JULY/AUGUST 200916

Go In search of theNorthern Lights

There is no better way to experience the Northern Lights than by sailing through the sheltered coastal waters, on board a ship from the Hurtigruten fleet with the AuroraBorealis set against a dark sky, free from artifical light. As you glide through the Arctic twilight, you become one with the peaceful atmosphere that descends around you.

Arctic HighlightsThis Arctic adventure travels to remote regions along the dramatic coastline taking you tothe most northerly part of Norway. The entire duration of this tour is spent above the ArcticCircle, increasing your chances of seeing the Aurora Borealis.4 nights/5 days - Troms - Kirkenes - TromsDay 1: Fly to Troms where you will be transferred to the ship (D)Day 2- 3: Enjoy the voyage North, visiting North Capeand on to Kirkenes where we take part in a dogsledging excursion before sailing south(B,D)Day 4: Arrive in Troms late evening, transfer to ourcentrally located hotel for an overnight stay (B,D)Day 5: Some free time may be available before wereturn back to the Uk (B)

No Single Supplement Half Board Return flights ex LGW (OTHER AIRPORTS AVIALABLE AT A SUPPLEMENT)06 MARCH 13 MARCH20 MARCH£725 PLUS £72 North Cape plus £99 Husky Adventure(dog sledging) = £889ppADDED VALUE – WE WILL FUND THIS – FREE UPGRADE TO AN OUTSIDE CABINFOR ALL BOOKINGS MADE BEFORE 31ST JULY 2009Reader offer organised through Peter Goord Travel and HurtigrutenCall now to book on 0800 048 1055All holidays subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply. Calls may be recorded fortraining purposes and your protection.

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Prayer & reflectiontheDoor JULY/AUGUST 2009 19

South of Newbury, and just offthe A34 at Burghclere, is theremarkable Sandham MemorialChapel. The interior is linedwith paintings telling the story

of Spencer’s First World War experience:as an orderly at the Beaufort War Hospitalin Bristol, with the Field Ambulanceservice in Salonika and then on activeservice with the 7th Royal Berkshires.

But these are no ordinary war paintings:the soldiers are not depicted in battle, butin all the little moments either side ofconflict. We see them filling their waterbottles, making beds, picking bilberriesand washing lockers.

But they are the same soldiers who arefighting and dying in the bloodiest conflictof human history, a war that did not endwars but changed the way we think andfeel about warfare.

This fascination with the detailedminutiae of everyday life is somethingfamiliar to all who love Spencer’spaintings. But in this context it is all themore poignant. After the killing hasfinished there are jobs to be done. Lifegoes on in the madhouse of war. You areeither dead, or so injured that you aretaken from the battlefield, or you are alive.And if you are alive you have to carry on

living. There are beds to be made andmeals to be cooked.

It is the awful ordinariness of thesepaintings that bring home the horrors ofwar. After a day’s killing you go home andpolish your gun. On the east wall of thechapel, behind the altar is one of the mostimportant English paintings of the 20thcentury: The Resurrection of the Soldiers.

This would be an astonishing paintingwherever it was viewed, but in the contextof this chapel it is all the more powerful.The same ordinary soldiers have now diedand are climbing from their graves to anew life. Some embrace the crosses thatmarked the spot where they were buried.Others reach out to each other. Theupturned crosses tumble towards theinterior of the chapel. The menresurrecting in the trench immediatelybehind the altar form a line of

communicants. The one on the right isSpencer himself, ready to receive thebread of heaven. Writing about thispainting Spencer said that the soldiers aretransfixed by the words of Christ: ‘He thatloses his life for my sake shall save it…’They are thinking of ideas arising from thewords quoted, that it is actually impossiblefor anything good to be lost. The Christianfaith is a disconcertingly material religion.In the Bible, the resurrection of Jesus isconsistently described in physicals terms.

Jesus is held by Mary Magdalene, touchedby Thomas, and eats breakfast on thebeach with Peter.

For Spencer the resurrection is aboutthe whole of life raised up. It is picture ofnew creation. Hence the resurrectedsoldiers reach out to each other in perfectself giving love; the love which is itselfembodied in the sacrifice that so manymade in this terrible war.

And, with this in mind, for those of you

who visit the chapel – and I hope thatmany will – we look back at the otherpaintings and detect intimations ofresurrection: the men waking in themorning; the preparations for breakfast;figures stirring under their chrysalis likemosquito nets; the men filling their waterbottles with their capes splayed behindthem like angels’ wings; the way they carefor each other, and the tremendous carethat is taken in the most ordinary tasks.

It is all a celebration of the potential oflife to be raised up. And as well as no rankthere are also no guns in these pictures ofwarfare which are really pictures ofheaven.

Writing to his sister, Florence, when hiswork in Burghclere was nearly complete,Spencer said: ‘They don’t look like warpictures; they look rather like heaven, aplace I am becoming very familiar with.’

SStteepphheenn CCoottttrreellll iiss tthhee BBiisshhoopp ooff RReeaaddiinngg..HHee rreecceennttllyy ggaavvee aa lleeccttuurree oonn SSppeenncceerr’’ss wwoorrkkaatt tthhee NNeewwbbuurryy SSpprriinngg FFeessttiivvaall.. HHee hhaass aalliiffeelloonngg iinntteerreesstt iinn tthhee aarrttss aanndd hhaass wwrriitttteennmmaannyy bbooookkss oonn ssppiirriittuuaalliittyy aanndd ddiisscciipplleesshhiipp..

This year marks the 50thanniversary of the death ofartist Stanley Spencer, whospent most of his life inCookham, Berkshire. The RtRevd Stephen Cottrelldescribes the link betweentheology and Spencer’sinterpretation of the bloodiestconflict in human history.

It is accomplished: The Resurrection of the Soldiers

‘It is the awful ordinarinessof these paintings thatbrings home the horrors ofwar.’

‘The soldiers have now diedand are climbing from theirgraves to a new life.’

‘They look rather likeHeaven, a place I ambecoming very familiarwith.’

Above is the Resurrection of the Soldiers and right is another section Spencer’s unique muralPics: The National Trust

The Prayer Diary has temporarily moved to page nine.

God in the life of…theDoor JULY/AUGUST 2009 20

Mary has visited almost allthe 813 churches on herwatch. She started as aclerk in the DiocesanRegistry in 1972, but is

best known as Secretary of both theDiocesan Advisory Committee (DAC)and the Diocesan Pastoral Committee(DPC), a role she has held for the past 20years. The DAC is responsible for thediocese’s churches, their use, repair anddevelopment, while the DPC isconcerned with the organisation ofbenefices and parishes.

The Diocese of Oxford has morechurches than any other diocese in theChurch of England, and two thirds ofthem are Grade 1 or Grade II* listedbuildings. Church and churches havebeen part of her life since earlychildhood.

‘I am a cradle Anglican,’ she says. ‘Mypaternal grandfather was a priest and myfather was a lay reader and Deanery LayChair. He used to take me round withhim when he was leading services andvisiting churches, so I always knewchurch buildings.’ She comes from afamily of teachers, and grew up inBenson in Oxfordshire. Her father washeadmaster of Wallingford Grammar

School and her mother taught the violin.‘She still plays in a string quartet, aged87,’ says Mary. She and her brother bothinherited a love of music: Mary plays thecello and sings in the City of OxfordChoir, and her brother is Deputy Headof Wells Cathedral School.

After school at St Helen and StKatharine in Abingdon, when it was stillrun by the Wantage sisters, Mary went toGirton College, Cambridge, to readclassics. There she met her husband,David, a maths student. Unlike herparents and brother, Mary knew shedidn’t want to teach.

After a brief and unsatisfactory spell

working for a company that madescientific instruments, she applied forthe job at the diocese. ‘I’ve been reallylucky to find the job I want to do,’ shesays. ‘The best part is the buildings, thehistory and all the wonderful people youmeet, from churchwardens to architectsto specialist conservators. We do between70 and 80 visits a year, and that’s thereally worthwhile thing, spending anhour walking round a church building,talking about why things are as they are.’

It’s a field with no quick results. Theaverage reordering project takes three orfour years from the first idea tocompletion. Complex legislation and the

need to consult bodies such as EnglishHeritage adds to the challenge.

‘The most difficult part of the job iswhen people bring a project that theyare very committed to, and you can see itis not necessarily the best way forward forthem. It’s like walking a tightrope to findyour way through. I always tell people towork with the grain of the building;don’t try to fight it,’ she says. ‘Thatcauses upset at a non-verbal level thatpeople are not always aware of. Theother trouble is when the project is tooclosely tied to the vision of specificpeople – what happens when they are nolonger there?’

She’d like to see more liturgicalreorderings as well as the more commoncreation of social space. ‘Good liturgical

reorderings are few and far between. I’dlike to see people raise their sights.Buildings do matter and speak of ourfaith and the faith of earliergenerations.’

At the heart of Mary’s love of churchesis her faith. ‘It’s always been there,lurking, and more or less active atdifferent times of my life,’ she says. Sheis an Anglo Catholic and attends StMary’s Aylesbury, which was her parishchurch when she and David firstmarried. David has always been ‘verysupportive’of her work.

She will miss visiting churches but islooking forward to having more time forher hobbies: music, gardening and bird-watching. She will also enjoyaccompanying David, who holds avisiting Professorship at a Czechuniversity, on his visits to EasternEurope. ‘It’s fascinating to be able to visitsome of these countries that seemedimpossible a generation ago,’ she says.

A lifetime

‘The best part is thebuildings, the history andall the wonderful people youmeet...’

‘Buildings do matter andspeak of our faith and thefaith of earlier generations.’

of servicePic by Natalie Merry

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Your Door to Christians throughoutOxfordshire, Bedfordshire and BerkshireWith over 35,000 copies of the The Doordistributed through Anglican churches in the OxfordDiocese, it makes it a great vehicle to advertiseyour products and services in local churches.Other Christian and charitable organisations,

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The end of July sees the endof an era for the OxfordDiocese when MarySaunders retires. She toldSarah Meyrick about hercareer helping restore ourhistoric churches.