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The National Church Institutions working for you

February 2015

Archbishops propose programme of reform and renewal

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have written to members of the Church of England’s General Synod pro-posing a “programme for reform and renewal” for the church.

The statement came ahead of the publication of a series of reports and papers proposing reforms that were published on the CofE website ahead of the meeting of the February meeting

of the General Synod The reports have been released

alongside videos and blogs on the Church’s communications blog.

Continued on page two

inreviewwww.churchofengland.org

Learn about “the heart of Christian worship” this Lent – p4

welcome boost for kids savings clubs – p3

Revd Libby Lane announced as next Bishop of Stockport - pictures on p4

Page two | The National Church Institutions working for you

Reform and Renewal papers published Continued from page one

The first paper, Developing Discipleship, was published alongside a video interview with the Bishop of Sheffield, Steven Croft reflecting on the vision for the Church in discipleship.

Bishop Steven said:“The Church is called to

be and to become a commu-nity of missionary disciples. Discipleship is not just about learning, it’s also about service and being equipped for God’s service in the world as Christ sends us out. And growing the Church is about making dis-ciples in obedience to Jesus’s commission in Matthew 28. Serving the common good is about equipping every Chris-tian disciple to make a differ-ence, in the wider world, in their workplace, in their family, in their community, so that the Church as a whole is a blessing to God’s world and a channel of his grace and love.”

The second paper pub-lished was entitled ‘Simplifica-tion’ and in the accompanying video interview, the Bishop of Willesden, Pete Broad-bent introduced the work of the group:

“The remit of the Simplifi-

cation Task Group has been to identify hindrances to mission. We asked bishops, archdea-cons and dioceses – “What is it that prevents you from making changes that will enable parishes, churches and con-gregations to flourish and new initiatives to take shape?”

The third paper, ‘Resourc-ing Ministerial Education’, was published with another video with the Bishop of Sheffield who introduces the work of that Task Group: “The way we encourage, prepare and form lay and ordained ministers is critical for the future mission of

the Church of England…. Are we recruiting and training the right numbers of clergy and lay ministers with the right gifts for the future? Are we offering them the best possible forma-tion and training to equip and support them in their ministry.”

Finally, two papers were published together on ‘Resourcing the Future’; and a paper from Andreas Whittam Smith, First Church Commis-sioner entitled ‘Church Com-missioners’ Funds and Inter-Generational Equity’.

Canon Dr. John Spence, Chair of the Finance Com-mittee of the Archbishops’ Council, who introduces ‘Resourcing the Future’ in an interview, said:

“We are here to help every parish, deanery and diocese achieve its goals. The totality of the reports published this week represent a coordinated response to a proven and vital need….the need to respond to those dioceses who have asked for us to help inject other expertise on strategy to help turn their ambitious plans to reality.”

All of the blogs, videos and reports can be found at:www.cofecomms.tumblr.com

“ We believe that these reports provide a ba-sis for developing and delivering a major programme of renewal and reform within the Church of England as a matter of urgency.

” The Archbishops of Canterbury and York

The Bishop of Sheffield, Steven Croft, talks about the Developing Discipleship paper. In a separate video, Bishop Steven talks about Resourcing Ministerial Education

The Bishop of Willesden, Pete Broadbent, introduces the Task Group report on Simplification

Canon Dr. John Spence, introduces the Task Group report on Resourcing the Future and shares an overview of the Task Groups

Andreas Whittam Smith, introduces the paper on the Church Commissioners and the work of the Task Groups

InReview | Page three

Archbishop of Canterbury receives honorary degree from Durham University

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has received an honorary degree from Durham University “in recognition of his ministerial achieve-ments and devotion to his parish communities.”

Archbishop Justin, who trained for ordination at Durham University’s Cranmer Hall, received a doc-torate in divinity in front of hundreds of students attending the University’s Winter Congregation Ceremony at Durham Cathedral.

He was presented with the degree by Acting Vice-Chancellor of Durham University, Professor Ray Hudson.

Archbishop Justin said: “To receive this unmerited honour is yet another gift from one of the Church of England’s main partners and greatest supports in theological education. I am hugely grateful.

“Durham is one of the greatest centres of Chris-tianity, and I have received its riches again and again. From the wonderful teaching and train-ing of my time at Cranmer Hall, through to the extraordinary privilege of being its Bishop, the home of St Cuthbert has been a blessing to me as to so many.”

Archbishop Justin is given his honorary degree at Durham Cathedral. Credit: Keith Blundy.

Archbishop Justin welcomes government boost to get kids saving

The Archbishop of Canter-bury, Justin Welby, has wel-comed the announcement that the government will fund a pilot programme to help children develop good financial habits at a young age by setting up sav-ings clubs in primary schools in partnership with credit unions.

Research indicates that chil-dren develop their attitudes towards money long before they reach secondary school age, with the Money Advice Service sug-gesting that most children have formed their financial habits by the age of seven.

The ‘LifeSavers’ project, which is led by the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Task Group on Responsible Credit and Savings, will seek to equip children with good financial habits by edu-cating them about the benefits of saving at an early age. It will also introduce children to credit unions, which play a key role in providing financial services to more than a million customers across Britain.

The project will pilot in six

schools in its first year in South East London (Lew-isham/Bromley), Bradford and N o t t i n g h a m , before rolling out to up to 100 schools over the next four years, benefitting up to 30,000 pupils.

Archbishop Justin Welby said:

“It is great news that the government has announced this funding for the ‘Lifesavers’ pilot programme, ena-bling us to begin a programme of establishing savings clubs at church schools across the country. This project has the potential to help estab-lish sensible, positive attitudes to money and the habit of saving in children and young people - habits we hope will stay with them for life. I am immensely

grateful that HM Treasury has endorsed the ‘Lifesavers’ approach by providing this invaluable practical support.”

Find out more about the Archbishop’s initiative to create a fairer financial system at:www.toyourcredit.org.uk

Archbishop of York launches new book, On Rock or Sand?

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu’s has edited the book ‘On Rock or Sand?’ pub-lished on January 20th, featur-ing contributions from experts in economic, political, social and religious disciplines, including Lord Adonis, Sir Philip Mawer, Oliver O’Donovan, Andrew Sentance and Archbishop Justin Welby.

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu said:

“The book addresses cru-cial questions about the moral principles that undergird the way Britain is governed. It is about building firm foundations for Britain’s future and setting out

the essential values we need to build a just, sustainable and com-passionate society in which we can all participate and flourish. We need to rediscover the true meaning of the word economy – it means a household, a com-munity whose members share responsibility for each other. The giant that must be slayed is income inequality - where some few have far too much and the many have too little.”

For further information about the book. including a video interview with the Archbishop of York:bit.ly/onrockorsand

You can hear a round up of news from the Church of England in our new weekly podcast. It’s available on the front page of the Church of England website, www.churchofengland.org, or you can now subscribe to

it on the ‘podcast’ section of iTunes. Search for ‘Church of England podcast’ in the iTunes store and opt to subscribe. Every time there’s a new edition, it’ll be delivered to your device.

Page four | The National Church Institutions working for you | InReview

Bishop of Carlisle sets out arguments against assisted suicide

The Church of England’s opposition to a change in the law on assisted suicide remains “absolutely clear”, the Bishop of Carlisle says.

Writing in a blog for The Huffington Post, Bishop James Newcome, who is lead bishop on health care issues, said there is a “fundamental responsibil-ity” to care for and protect the most vulnerable, including elderly people at risk of abuse. He added that many disability charities are “deeply concerned”

about the potential implica-tions of Lord Falconer’s Assisted Suicide Bill.

In his blog Bishop James commented:

“A huge number of amend-ments have been proposed for the Bill. Some have already been debated, and it has been agreed that assisted suicide should be a matter for the courts rather than the medical profession to determine. This helps - but from the Church of England’s point of view does not make assisted

suicide itself more acceptable.“Our position remains

absolutely clear. As a matter of principle we are opposed to assisted suicide, and in favour of retaining the current law together with the guidelines issued by a former DPP.”

Also writing for the Huff-ington Post, author and blog-ger Michael Wenham (pic-tured, left), who has Motor Neurone Disease, argues against the Bill.

“Assisted dying is not a pri-vate matter, because it affects the doctors, nurses and phar-macists who are expected to perform semantic contortions and pretend that killing is a syn-onym for curing, and to desert their vocations as healers. That changes the doctor/patient rela-tionship,” he said.

The Bishop of Carlisle, James Newcome

The Church of England’s Communications office is currently offering a number of one-day training courses at our London Media Centre (places limited).

Upcoming courses:

Get your Church Noticed - 4th March

Due to popular demand, Neil Pugmire, author of ‘100 Ways To Get Your Church Noticed’, will be holding a second workshop based on the principles of his successful and newly re-pub-lished book, teaching how to put together a coherent communi-cations strategy for your church.

Giving a whistle-stop tour of tools to put your church on the map – including branding, noticeboards, magazines and new media – by the end of the day you will have learned how to give your Church communica-tions a makeover.

Spaces very limited, book early to avoid disappointment. For more information, please contact: comms.training@churchofengland.org

The Bishop of Exeter, Robert Atwell is encouraging the church to use one of the latest titles in the popular Pilgrim Course for study in Lent this year.

The Pilgrim Course, published by Church House Publishing, offers an approach of “participation, not persua-sion” and is written to help people explore what it means to be a Christian.

Across six sessions, The Eucharist explores why Holy Communion stands at the very heart of Christian worship and invites us to consider the place of worship in our own lives.

A social media campaign will run on Twitter (@PilgrimCourse and #LentPilgrims) throughout Lent to support and encourage churches and individuals to follow the course and share stories. The accounts will include resources to inspire anyone considering running the Pilgrim Course:

• videos introducing each session • audio reflections, • links to sample sessions and notes

• quotes and prayers throughout each session.

Bishop Robert, one of the authors of the course, said:

“The disciples Jesus met on the road on the first Easter Sunday recognized him in the breaking of bread. This Lent as we journey towards Holy Week

and Easter, this course offers us a unique opportunity to explore how Christians encounter God in worship and above all in Holy Communion.”

For more details about the Pilgrim Course:www.pilgrimcourse.org

Follow the latest news about the Pilgrim Course at www.twitter.com/pilgrimcourse

Videos promoting Pilgrim are available at:bit.ly/pilgrimpromo

Lent campaign launched to learn about heart of Christian worship

Extract from The Eucharist

When I was a stranger you welcomed me

One of the most basic, but often overlooked, symbols of the Christianfaith is a table. Think of almost any church you have been into andyou will find one. Sometimes it is very grand, high and lifted up andbedecked with candles; sometimes it is plain and unadorned. But itis there for a reason. It signifies one of the most fundamental truthsof the Christian faith: that we are welcome; that in the words of Jesuson the night before he died, ‘there is a place prepared for us’ (seeJohn 14.2).

In Jesus, God has done everything that is needed for us toenjoy eternal life with him. That being welcomed into the life of God is symbolized by the table. As we shall see in a later session, it is also a foreshadowing of the banquet of heaven itself.

Bishop of Chelmsford, Stephen Cottrell

Pictures of the announcement of revd Libby Lane as next Bishop of Stockport available online

Pictures of the new Bishop of Stockport – and the first woman bishop in the Church of England – Revd Libby Lane are made available online at: bit.ly/libbypictures