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the Diocese of Ripon and LeedsNews from TogetherTogether

Inside this month’s Together:p II Poverty Conferencep III Welcome to Paulp IV New comms directorp V A greener churchp VI Baptism historyp VIII June celebrations

Churches protest at VAT on building worksThirty R&L churches a year would be hit by 20% tax on development projects

Diocese spearheads national initiative

Roof theft campaign

www.riponleeds.anglican.org

june 2012

Churches across the diocese have joined the growing protest over government plans to put VAT onto the cost of alterations to listed buildings.

In Ripon and Leeds it is expected that some thirty churches per year will be af-fected if VAT at 20% is added to the cost of big projects or minor alterations to improve listed buildings and make them more community friendly. They include St An-drew’s Starbeck which has been raising money for an £800,000 extension, with work due to start this September. Unless the Chancellor, George Osbourne, changes his mind St Andrew’s will now face an extra bill of £90,000.

In a front page article in the Harrogate Advertiser, vicar, Revd Francis Wainaina (pic-tured with Maurice Pindar,

external funding manager and Michael Langford, Project Manager), said the move flew in the face of the Big Society.

“This is a kick in the teeth. We are trying to emerge out of this and the government says, ‘we’re slapping something else on top of it.’” The exten-sion will house a new kitchen, a community room and new toilets. So far nearly £160,000

has been raised.

Other churches facing an extra 20% tax bill include St John’s East Witton (lighting improve-ments), St Mary Appleton Wiske (new toilet facilies), St. Mary’s Garforth (reordering) (Continued on Page 2)

Ripon and Leeds is leading a new national campaign to be rolled out across the countryto stop criminals from stealing lead from Britain’s church roofs.

Several churches, starting in the north of the diocese, along with two other dioceses - Pe-terborough, and St Edmunds-bury and Ipswich - have had roof alarms fitted to some of the most at-risk churches by leading church and heritage insurer Ecclesiastical.

Churches throughout the diocese will be able to display signs warning criminals of the presence of roof alarms. Because the alarm sensors are virtually undetectable from (Continued on Page 2)

Other speakers included John Bell of the Iona Commu-nity and local curate Revd Jude Smith.

Dioc-esan Urban Officer, Kathryn Fitzsimons said, “Hosting the CUF conference in Leeds was a great opportunity for Chris-tians in the city who work together in tackling poverty to stand in solidarity with others from across the country.”

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VAT protest Roof theft campaign

Leeds hosts major poverty conference“We have lost a vision of how we might transform our society,” Dr John Sentamu said in his keynote speech at the Church Urban Fund conference, Tackling Poverty, in Leeds last month. He told delegates from throughout the country, “We are seeing cuts to valuable public services where investment is needed.”

Archbishop Sentamu spoke of a "poverty of vision” and told delegates, “We are far richer today yet misery is growing. ... As well as the reality of poverty and growing inequal-ity in our country today, we also face the problem of poverty of vision."

“Poverty,” she said, “causes chaos and mess, being along-side those who live in poverty can be messy and difficult but it also brings gifts of love, friendship and hospitality.”

(Continued from Page 1)and Grewelthorpe (new kitchen and toilets).

Alice Ullathorne, Church Buildings Support Officer said, “If passed, after October 2012 churches will probably have to find 20 per cent more money for alterations and other new work. This will cost the Church of England up to £20 million per annum on works to its 12,500 listed church buildings.” The CofE has created an e-petition call-ing on the Chancellor to bring back zero rate VAT: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/peti-tions/32229

(Continued from Page 1)the ground, criminals will be unable to tell which churches are alarmed and which are not. Precise details of the alarms and their locations are not being revealed.

The campaign will continue to be rolled out to other dioceses across the country throughout 2012 until most of the 42 mainland English dioceses and a number of Scottish and

Welsh dioceses are alarmed. Hands Off Our Church Roofs has been launched by Ecclesiastical Insurance, which is investing £500,000 to install roof alarms free of charge on some of the most vulnerable churches.

The campaign is backed by the

Church of England Church Buildings Council, the Associ-ation of Chief Police Officers and Minister of State for the Home Office, Lord Henley.

consort, Mrs Betsy Johnson), as well as rep-resentatives of other churches and faith groups. Clergy from across the city attended the service as well as Paul’s fam-

ily, friends and colleagues.

Representatives from each deanery presented Paul with symbolic gifts including a rugby ball in the colours of Leeds Rhinos.

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City service of welcome for Archdeacon Paul

Bishop lifts the lid on media ethics

The new Archdeacon of Leeds, the Venerable Paul Hooper, has been welcomed and licensed at a special ser-vice at Leeds Parish Church. The congregation included the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Alan Taylor, (pictured with

In his address, Paul said that the good news of the risen Christ needed to underlie the ‘tough challenges’ facing the church in Leeds.

“Christian ministry in the 21st century is really tough. But on the other hand, is not this, then, just the right moment to acknowledge our dependence upon God, and commit our-selves to fostering a sustain-able network of lively and dynamic Christian communi-ties across the city? This will mean growing healthy par-ishes, planting fresh expres-sions of church and pioneering innovative models of Christian community.”

On the day that Rupert Mur-doch gave his evidence to the Leveson Enquiry, the Bishop of Bradford, Nick Baines, shone a timely spotlight on media and ethical issues, speaking of his own experi-ences at the hands of the press, in his St Wilfrid lecture at Ripon Cathedral.

Bishop Nick, a regular guest on Radio 2’s Breakfast show, looked at the nature of the me-dia, journalistic practices and recent challenges. His strong-est criticism was reserved for the Murdoch empire. “Nothing should distract us from the ethical mire into which this

particular media organisation has dragged us.” He said there was “allegedly a culture of bullying in which journalists were compelled to indulge practices they clearly thought were dubious.”

The next lecture in the series is on Thursday June 18 at 7pm when Michael Nazir-Ali, the former Bishop of Rochester speaks on ‘Bio-Ethics and Respect for Persons’. Admis-sion is free.

A former Harrogate curate, the Revd Arun Arora, has been appointed Director of Com-munications for the Church of England. Arun (40), who was Curate at St. Mark's Church Harrogate from 2007 until 2010, while at the same time serving as Director of Com-munications to the Archbishop of York, is expected to take up the post in late July. His

wife Jo was also a curate at St. Mark's Harrogate and the cou-ple have one daughter. (Pic-tured above, Arun Arora, Paul Hooper now Archdea-con of Leeds, and Jo).

The Communications Office is based at Church House West-minster and provides direct support to the national institu-tions, bishops, cathedrals and diocesan communications of-ficers. Graham James, Bishop of Norwich said: "Arun Arora is a person of great and varied talents. I know his appoint-ment will be warmly wel-comed within the church and well beyond it, too."

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Harrogate curate to be comms chief

Bishop John writesEquality for all

In the celebrations this month of the Queen’s diamond jubi-lee we see again those pictures of the Coronation in 1953 when the young Queen vowed to serve her peoples under God. On a number of occa-sions I have had the privilege of receiving Holy Communion at the same service as the Queen, and have pondered the way in which that service places each one of us as equal in the sight of God. We receive Christ’s presence for our lives whether we do so in Westminster Abbey, in Armley prison chapel, in our Cathe-dral, in our parish church or in a bed in a hospice.

Equality is a popular word in our culture, though it means very different things. A cou-ple of years ago, Wilkinson and Pickett’s The Spirit Level was a popular reflection on our society, with its sub-title, ‘Why more equal societies al-most always do better’. It ad-vocated greater financial and social equality, but its message has been largely lost at a time of economic pressure. People are more concerned with their own standard of living than concepts of equality.

Ideas of equality based on human rights however are alive and well. We all deplore discrimination based on race or gender, though there is a

long way to go before the reality matches the rhetoric. We affirm equality of choice, whether in religion, school-ing or where we live. Here we need to pause. Equality of choice for some may well mean a lack of opportunity for others. We need to ensure that the equality we seek does not mean deprivation for others.

Amongst the great verses of scripture is Jesus’ assertion that, ‘I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself’ (John 12 v32). That is the equality we affirm, of which Holy Com-munion is one expression. We pray for an ever deepening un-derstanding of equality both in our church and in our world. +John

Last month there were three significant developments in efforts to make the diocese greener. A new Environment Officer was appointed, solar panels were installed on a church roof for the first time, and the diocese joined a pilot scheme to cut energy emissions. Together found out more.

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Diocese joins energy saving pilot schemeThe diocese has joined four others in pioneering an online energy data tool to make efficiency savings. “The sMeasure will enable every church to make cost savings on their energy use and at the same time reduce their carbon footprint,” says Jemima

Parker who will be helping churches implement the scheme.

Church is a shining example - says MPThe sun came out as Bishop James Bell (below left) and the MP for Harrogate and Knaresbor-ough, Andrew Jones (right), launched the solar energy scheme at St. Mark’s Harrogate - the first church roof in the diocese to be fitted with solar panels. From twenty feet above a crowd of churchgoers, Bishop James led a prayer of dedi-cation before Mr Jones cut the ribbon to officially declare the scheme open.

St Mark’s has fitted 39 solar panels to its roof and received a grant to cover 56% of the costs from WREN, a not-for-profit business that awards grants to community projects from funds donated by Waste Recycling Group (WRG) to the Landfill Communities Fund.

Later, at an environment morning in the church, Andrew Jones said the St. Mark’s church scheme was an example he hoped others in the area would follow: “I hope we will see more emphasis on this from companies and other organisations and charities in the area.”

Towards A Greener ChurchTowards A Greener ChurchDiocese takes strides towards cutting its carbon footprint

Jemima’s environment role The diocese has appointed Jemima Parker as the new part-time Environment Officer to encour-age churches to take steps to reduce their energy usage and carbon footprint. Jemima, a geography

teacher and a member of St Mark’s Harro-gate, is also a member of the Environment Task Group and is being taken on to work part time on a one year contract. In her own church she has helped to spearhead the introduction of solar

panels as well as more modest changes: “They range from switching to a green energy supplier, to campaigning on climate justice, to tangible things like having bike racks, ‘walk to church’ Sundays, recycling, and switching from paper to email.” Jemima says that Christians have something distinctive to say about the environ-ment, but we need to take the lead: “We’re called to honour creation and give glory to God himself.I want to encourage and support churches across the diocese to take the next step in engaging with the environment and cutting their carbon footprint in a measurable way.”Contact Jemima at jemima.parker@riponleeds-diocese.org.uk or (01423) 569121.

Baptisms make history at Leeds Parish Church

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Young people paint the walls

For the first time in its history, Leeds Parish Church saw baptisms by full immersion in water, following the ancient church practice of welcoming new members in time for the Easter feast. In a special Saturday evening Transcendence service held on Easter Eve, three childen, Blessing, Casey and Isabella, were baptised by Canon Tony Bundock and Revd Sue

Wallace using a specially installed baptism pool and surrounded by a congregation of seventy people. During the

Tran-scendence event, the congrega-tion walked around the building to watch the creation his-tory, light the Easter

fire, and renew their baptismal vows. Transcendence is a monthly multimedia Eucha-rist, held on the first Saturday of the month at 7.30pm.

The young people of St James’ Manston found an unusual way to welcome new Vicar, Revd Carolyn James when she was licensed last month.

The 11-16 year olds, who are part of “J@M”, decided to create a series of murals in the church hall.

“They jumped at the chance

and came up with lots of designs,” says Jane Fewster, a member of the Manston St James, Junior Church team.

“Over the last few months this has been taking shape, when-ever they

had free time, even coming down on a night after school and after clubs that they at-tend.”

The Church Housing Trust, a charity begun by the Church Army and dedicated to the rehabilitation and resettlement of homeless people, has put its support behind The Beacon, a housing and training centre for single homeless veterans.

The Beacon, near Catterick Garrison, was opened last month by local MP and Foreign Secretary, William

Hague and is run by Riverside ECHG, formerly the English Churches Housing Group. It aims to help single ex-Servicemen and women who are most at risk of homeless-ness, and provides temporary accommodation for up to 18 months.

The centre has on-site training facilities and helps residents into employment and perma-nent housing. Church Housing Trust, the charity partner of Riverside ECHG, raised £65,152 to help towards fur-nishings and equipment for the flats. More at www.churchho-suingtrust.org.uk

y Diary Dates Your guide to events

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Junein the Diocese of Ripon & Leeds

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2

3

3

3

4

12

16

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19 - 25

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26-29

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Diamond Jubilee Celebratory Service, Leeds Parish Church, 6pm. Preacher, Bishop John. All welcome

Diamond Jubilee party St Cyprian with St James, Harehills, Leeds, from 2pm

‘Big Lunch Celebration’ as part of St Barna-bas’ Church Alwoodley 50th Anniversary cel-ebrations. BBQ and entertainment by the North Leeds Jazz Orchestra. Tickets for the BBQ are £5 adult, £3 children. (0113) 2268269 or email celebrate@stbarnabasleeds.org.uk

Celebrity Five Aside Football Tournament - including teams from Emmerdale, Hollyoaks and Coronation Street, with Live music. In aid of St Georges Crypt. Gerforth Town FC, 10am

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Service. Ripon Cathedral , 3.30pm

Diamond Jubilee celebrations, St John’s Bilton, Harrogate 11am – 4pm. St John’sDrive and Hall will be the scene of festivities with fun and food for everyone

Welfare Reform, 7.30pm, Leeds Church Institute. Hosted by Leeds Churches Together in Mission. Sue Hoey on 07946 085 575 or info@leedschurchestogether.org.uk

Refuel - the exciting once-a-term children’s event for 7-11’s – 4pm – 6pm, Mosaic Church, Sweet Street, Leeds, LS11 9DB . Information www.refuelleeds.org.uk, (0113) 8800 133 or email: anne.carter@riponleeds-diocese.org

Golden Wedding Service - Ripon Cathedral, 3pm. Service of blessing for 50 years of mar-riage. Tickets essential - from Linda Bennett, The Chapter House, Ripon Cathedral HG4 1QT

19 Olympic Torch comes to Ripon and Leeds –Wetherby, Knaresborough, Starbeck and Ripon – Celebration on the Cathedral West Front. 20 Aiskew, Bedale, Aysgarth, Leyburn and Richmond. 23 Olympic 24 hour prayer event, Bridge Street Church, Leeds (organised in conjunction with St George’s Church) open to all24 Burley, Kirkstall, Headingley, Potternewton and Harehills - St Chad’s Olympic Party” from 1.30pm-5pm and then 6 till late.25 Leeds via the city centre, Hunslet and Bees-ton. St George’s Church host a 24 hour prayer event over the weekend (23/24), receiving the ‘prayer torch relay’ from Manchester and deliv-ering it to Sheffield on Monday 25th . Check the torch route online at www.london2012.com/olympic-torch-relay-map

The PCC - what you do and don’t need to know. 7pm – 9.30pm, Gilling West. £10 per parish - book and pay online or contact gail.matthewman@riponleeds-diocese.org.uk

School of Theology, Bible Track - eight Sat-urday morning sessions at St George’s Centre, Leeds LS1 3BR, 9.30am – 1pm. Coffee, pas-tries, worship, and teaching. £10 (£5 conc.) for each session: email sot@stgeorgesleeds.org.uk

Lifepath at Jervaulx Abbey. A Scripture Union event for 800 schoolchildren, based on the lives of the Cistercian Monks at Jervaulx Abbey. If you are interested in helping out contact Victoria Wild (01765) 676832 or email lifepathJervaulx@scriptureunion.org.uk

Create 3-6 pm, at St Richards’s Church, Kentmere Avenue, Seacroft, Leeds, LS14 1BX. More contact Judith Shalkowski (0113) 226 5515/ 07759 470 199

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Moves and Appointments

A month of celebrations

David Brighton Editor(0113) 2000540, email:Together @riponleeds-diocese.org.uk

John Carter Managing Editor(01423) 530369, email: jhgcarter@aol.com

Cost and delivery enquiries:Julie Milbourne, Ripon & Leeds Diocesan Office, (0113) 2000540

Cathedral lightsFrom dusk until midnight, every evening until June 5th, Ripon Cathedral will be bathed in red, white and blue floodlighting, to celebrate the Queens Diamond Jubilee. Events at the Cathedral include a Service of Celebration on Sunday 3rd June at 3.30pm, a floral installation: ‘Happy and Glorious’, a book of messages for the Queen, a display of

Coronation memories and a street party in the Nave for sixty selected people on Tues-day June 5th.

Jubilee celebrationsAmong other events in the diocese, on Friday June 1st Leeds Parish Church will be holding the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Service of Celebration for Leeds at 6pm with Bishop John speaking. On Saturday June 2nd, from 2pm, there’ll be bunting streaming from the rafters for St Cyprian with St James, Harehills’ version of a street party. St Augustine’s, Wrangthorne at Hyde Park Corner, Leeds have a Diamond Jubilee church picnic on the Moor at midday on Sunday June 3rd. At Christ Church, Upper Armley, on Sunday June 3rd, there is All Age Jubilee Worship followed at 12.30pm by the Big Jubilee

Lunch with free barbecue and children’s activities. At St John’s Bilton, Harrogate on Monday June 4th from 11am – 4pm, St John’s, Drive and Hall will be the scene of festivities with fun and food for everyone.

Olympic Torch RelayOlympic celebrations have already begun at All Saints Church, Kirby Hill, which recently held a United Benefice service with an Olympics theme. Other churches are joining in when the Olympic flame makes its way through the diocese (see Diary Dates p7). In Headingley, for ex-ample, where the Torch Relay goes through on Sunday June 24th, St Chad’s is holding an Olympic Party from 2pm and then 6 till late with a ‘50s style fete with sports activities, crafts, stalls and teas.

Revd Olivia Lambert of Har-rogate; has been given Permission to Officiate

Revd John Richard Bullamore of Leeds LS14; has been given Permission to Officiate

Revd Sharon Vernie Kaye, Cu-rate at Yeadon (Bradford); to be Team Vicar of the Moor Allerton and Shadwell Team Ministry

June 2012 is a month of celebration – many cathedrals and churches will be marking the Diamond Ju-bilee of Her Majesty Queen over the extended bank holiday weekend of June 2nd-5th, and then from June 18th - 25th, the Olympic Torch will be coming through the Diocese on four different days with several churches planning to celebrate as the Olympic flame goers past. Here are some highlights:

Jemima Parker has been ap-pointed Diocesan Environment Officer (part-time).

Temporary Contact Details for the Archdeacon of Leeds: The Ven Paul Hooper, Hol-lin House, Weetwood Avenue, LEEDS, LS16 5NGOffice Tel: 0113 269 0594 Email: paul.hooper@riponleeds-diocese.org.uk