NewsWhat’s your promise? Do your bit to end povertyPAGE 3

NewsBishop Colin runs theGreat South Run for Cecily’s FundPAGE 5

Feature

First tastes of New Wine PAGE 7

Meet our 44 new curatesPAGES 10 and 11

Letters & CommentChurch supports AmnestyPAGE 19

God in the Life of

Tony Baldry, MP

PAGE 20

Inside:Reporting from Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire www.oxford.anglican.org September 20010 No. 216

‘Jesus-inspired’ visionfor church schools

Win Bishop John’s new book- turn topage six

A tribal visit

JESUS’S attitude to childrenshould be at the centre of thevision and values of Church ofEngland Schools.

That was the message from theRt Revd Alan Wilson, the Bishopof Buckingham, as he took overas chairman of the OxfordDiocesan Board of Education.He was speaking this month asteachers were preparing lessonsand parents ironing uniformsready for the return to schoolafter the summer holiday.

Bishop Alan said: “There is alot of talk in the education worldabout vision and values. I havemet people who are waiting forthe Government to decide whatit wants to do. As Christians Idon’t think we should look tothe Government for our visionand values. We have a perfectlyclear vision of the importance ofthe child in the Bible. Jesuschanged the way society thoughtof children, putting them first.We should do that too.”

Bishop Alan has taken over ata time when nationally, theCoalition Government is makingmajor changes to the educationsystem. The Academies Act,introduced earlier this year,means any school can apply tobecome an academy, with thoseclassified by Ofsted asoutstanding being pre-approved.

Meanwhile, many schoolbuildings programmes, plannedunder the Labour Government,have been axed, and others areunder review, as part of a costcutting scheme.

Bishop Alan said: “I thinkthere is a bundle of logistical andtechnical questions about thedetail of the academies processand no one knows yet how it willwork out. We have experience ofsetting up academies and havelearnt an enormous amountabout the opportunities they canoffer, as well as some of thesnags.”

Over the last two years thediocese has been involved in thecreation of the Oxford Academy,on the site of the former PeersSchool and the Aylesbury ValeAcademy, which has replacedthe Quarrendon School. A thirddiocesan sponsored academy inBuckinghamshire has beenproposed.

“Academy status won’t suitevery school and we areconcerned to provide a highstandard of education in all ofour schools.

“Church of England Schoolswere by and large founded forthe education of the poor. Wewant to stand by ourcommitment to run schools foreveryone, especially the poorand disadvantaged in oursociety.”

THESE four Maasai warriors captivated children with theirstory telling during visits to church schools this summer.They also sang and preached in churches during theirmonth-long visit to the Diocese of Oxford.

Chief, Peter, came to the Diocese with pastor John andSabina and Dan to raise awareness of the challenges climatechange is posing to their nomadic way of life.

Some Maasai people are opting to stay put, so that theirchildren can go to school and so that they can find enoughwater to feed their cattle. Traditionally Maasai have beennomadic, living in Kenya and northern Tanzania for 500years. The visit was organised by the African Children’sFund. For more information seewww.africanchildrensfund.org.

By Jo Duckles

Pic: KT Bruce

theDoor SEPTEMBER 2010 2

Prayer & reflection

To the edge of the world

There is something deeplyattractive about SkelligMichael. This rugged,mountainous island juts outof the Atlantic Ocean eight

miles off the west coast of Ireland.Mysterious and alluring from themainland, as you approach the islandappears wild and inhospitable.

Yet, remarkably, this ‘skellig’ (theGaelic for rock) named after St Michael,the archangel associated with highplaces, was for six hundred years thehome of a monastic community. Later itbecame a pilgrimage site, and today itattracts pilgrims and visitors drawn towhat is now a UNESCO World HeritageSite.

Only a handful of facts are knownabout the island’s monastic community,but they are enough to fire theimagination. The writer GeoffreyMoorhouse used this scant informationto speculate about what life might havebeen like for the monks, and his bookSun Dancing was short-listed for theBooker Prize. It paints a vivid picture ofthe harsh monastic life, and the deepimpact of living by faith on what wasbelieved by its inhabitants to be, quiteliterally, the edge of the world.

Skellig Michael and its twin LittleSkellig (a gannet colony) are renownedfor their inaccessibility, and this adds to

the attraction. Geoffrey Moorhousemade four trips to Ireland before hecould land on Skellig Michael. It tookme almost a week of waiting before Icould make the crossing in choppy seas.

The monks who arrived in the sixthcentury would have travelled in small,flat-bottomed curraghs, made fromanimal skins stretched over woodenframes. Why is the island so fascinating?Not only does it give us an insight intomedieval monasticism and thecompulsion to find a ‘desert in the

ocean’, but it speaks the truth aboutCeltic Christianity.

For those of us influenced by thistradition today, with its strong emphasison the natural world, it’s a powerfulreminder not to romanticise thisexpression of faith. The essence of CelticChristianity is not so much sensing Godthrough the beauty of nature, but anawareness of God’s providence in thestruggle for survival. Through the eyesof those who lived with the constantthreat of storms and starvation, the

island was as much hostile andsometimes terrifying as it was a dramaticand spectacular home. For the earlyCeltic Christians, sensing the Creatorwas first and foremost about recognisingour absolute dependence upon God asour provider.

The threat of global warming and ourapparent culpability in causing climatechange is helping bring about arenaissance of Celtic Christianity of theauthentic kind – a genuine sense of ourdependence upon God and the need totreat scarce resources with reverence.

There’s no more powerful way ofheightening awareness of this thanvisiting Skellig Michael. Crossing roughseas, landing on a tiny jetty, ascendinghundreds of stone steps up a precipitousslope ensures the journey is a pilgrimagewhere even the unreligious may offer aprayer or two along the way. The pilgrimis rewarded by entering the remarkablesettlement of dry-stone ‘beehive’monastic cells. It’s impossible not to bemoved by an awareness of whatgenerations of monks endured for theirfaith and shared, huddled together onthe side of a cliff.

The priest and poet David Scott haswritten of his own pilgrimage to SkelligMichael. Describing the moment heentered the monastic settlement, hewrote: ‘…Stop. Breathe. Let in the peace,and if you don’t kneel there

where on earth will you kneel?’ Anyone who has visited Skellig

Michael will know what he means. EEddmmuunndd NNeewweellll iiss SSuubb--DDeeaann ooff CChhrriisstt

CChhuurrcchh,, aanndd wwrriitteess aabboouutt tthhee rreellaattiioonnsshhiippbbeettwweeeenn tthheeoollooggyy aanndd tthhee sseeaa..

Edmund Newell takes us toa monastic island once knownto its inhabitants as ‘the edgeof the world.’

September prayer diary compiled by John Manley (The following is for guidance only, please feel free to adapt to local conditions and, if you wish, produce your own deanery prayer diaries.)

SSUUNNDDAAYY 55 Wantage deanery: area dean JohnRobertson, lay chair Nigel Baring, treasurer Mrs KMackenzie, associate clergy Antonia Cretney, deaf churchchaplain Roger Williams. The people, PCCs, wardens &support staff of the deanery. The Episcopal Church of theSudan.

SSUUNNDDAAYY 1122 Racial Justice Sunday Woodstockdeanery: area dean Stephen Jones, lay chair PaulineRichardson, secretary Rosalind Gerring, treasurer PaulAtyeo. The people, wardens, PCCs and support staff of thedeanery. The Anglican Church of Tanzania. The diocesancommittee for Racial Justice: link persons Richard Chand,Mark Charmley, Mervyn Williams.

SSUUNNDDAAYY 1199 Wycombe deanery: area dean DavidPicken, associate AD Robert Jennings, lay chair WendyGoodier, treasurer Marie Jackson, associate clergy ElaineCarr, chaplain to High Wycombe Deaf Church Ben Whitaker.The people, wardens, PCCs and support staff of thedeanery. The Anglican Church of Uganda. Ecumenicalrelations in the diocese, officers Moira Astin, Tony Dickinson,Chris Collinge.

SSUUNNDDAAYY 2266 The diocesan Rural Officers’ Team,diocesan rural officer Glyn Evans. The Episcopal Church ofthe USA. The members of Parliament serving the people ofthe diocese.

Prayer to the Father through the Son inthe power of the Spirit for:WWEEDD 11 Grove: clergy John Robertson,Paul Gooding, Paul Eddy; LLM SuePowditch. Grove (VC) School.

TTHHUU 22 Hanney, Denchworth & EastChallow: clergy Anthony Hogg. Hanney(VC) & East Challow (VC) Schools.

FFRRII 33 Ridgeway: clergy Alan Wadge.Childrey The Ridgeway (VC) School.

SSAATT 44 Wantage: clergy John Salter,George De Burgh Thomas, Paul Faint,Keith Kinnaird, Michael Berrett. WantagePrimary (VC) School.

MMOONN 66 Wantage Downs: clergyElizabeth Birch, Sr Patricia Gordon, JeanPage. Hendreds (VA) School.

TTUUEESS 77 Blenheim team: clergy AdrianDaffern, Andrew Parkinson, Shaun Henson,David Muston, Stephen Pix, Brian Wood.Bladon (VC), Woodstock (VC), WoodstockMarlborough (VC) Schools.

WWEEDD 88 Eynsham & Cassington: clergyMorey Andrews, David Salter, JohnUnderwood, Roger Aston; LLM Neil Grady.Cassington St Peter’s (VA) School.

TTHHUU 99 Hanborough & Freeland: clergyDavid Tyler, Jackie Gardner, Peter Ball, SrMary Britt; LLMs Clive Berry, Hugh Dalton,Elizabeth Sharples; pastoral assistants JohnFox, Peter Langley. Long Hanborough (VC)& Freeland (VC) Schools.

FFRRII 1100 Steeple Aston, North Aston &Tackley: clergy Sarah Parkinson. Steeple

Aston Dr Radcliffe (VA) & Tackley (VC)Schools.

SSAATT1111 Stonesfield with Combe Longa:clergy Roy Turner. Combe (VC) School.

MMOONN 1133 Westcote Barton with SteepleBarton, Duns Tew and Sandford StMartin: clergy Graeme Arthur.

TTUUEESS 1144 Wooton with Glympton andKiddington: clergy Stephen Jones; LLMJenny Wagstaffe. Wootton-by-Woodstock(VA) School.

WWEEDD 1155 Flackwell Heath: clergyChristopher Bull, Martin Courtney, GrahamHartnell, Jill Roth; LLM Sue Simpson;youth/children’s worker Ellie Wartew.

TTHHUU 1166 Great Marlow with MarlowBottom, Little Marlow and Bisham: clergyNick Molony, Elizabeth Macfarlane,Gabrielle Smith; LLM John Bustin. Bisham(VC), Little Marlow (VA), Marlow Holy Trinity(VA) and Marlow Infant (VA) Schools.

FFRRII 1177 Hambleden Valley: clergy JohnWigram, Rachel Wigram, Jeremy Mais;LLMs Susan Brice, Annette Jackson. Frieth(VA) School.

SSAATT 1188 Hazlemere: clergy Clive Collier,Michael Wynter, Mark Meardon; pastoralworker Derek Hopwood. Widmore End TheGood Shepherd, Rose Avenue and CedarAvenue congregations. Hazlemere (VA)School.

MMOONN 2200 Hedsor with Bourne End:clergy Ann Trew, Rosemary Payne, MaggieRode; LLM Lyn Gooch.

TTUUEESS 2211 High Wycombe team: clergyDavid Picken, Simon Dust, Yvonne Murphy,Nicky Skipworth, Stephen Whitmore, PaulWillis, Jackie Lock, James Kennedy, MarieJackson, Ruth Wooster, Peter Viney; CA SrDebbie Orriss; LLMs Maureen Lampard,Derek Lancaster, [withheld], David Tester,Peter Kent, Janice Allerston (& pastoralassistant), Josie Martin, Allison Smale;pastoral assistant Heather Graham. HighWycombe (VA) School.

WWEEDD 2222 Hughenden: clergy SimonCronk, Frederick Friend; LLM Bill Geers.Great Kingshill (VA) School.

TTHHUU 2233 Loudwater: clergy TimothyButlin; LLMs David Clarke, Patrick Finlay.

FFRRII 2244 Lane End with Cadmore End:clergy Robert Jennings; LLMs Judy Taylor,John Coombs. Cadmore End (VA) School.

SSAATT 2255 Stokenchurch with Ibstone:clergy Alistair France. Ibstone (VA) School.

MMOONN 2277 Terriers: clergy Tony Dickinson;LLM Valerie Evans.

TTUUEESS 2288 West Wycombe with BledlowRidge, Bradenham and Radnage: clergyNigel Lacey, Veronica Beaumont, LindaRichardson; LLM Robert Hutton. Radnage(VA) School.

WWEEDD 2299 Wooburn: clergy MartinWallington; pastoral assistant BrendaHadley. Wooburn St Paul’s (VA) School.

TTHHUU 3300 All who are sick in the hospitalsof the diocese: the chaplains and staffministering to their needs.

SundaysAs Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting atthe tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up andfollowed him. (Matthew 9.9 NRSV)

3

Pray for PakistanCHRISTIAN Aid has publishedprayers and resources forchurches to highlight the floodsin Pakistan in their Sundayservices.

To download the resources goto www.christianaid.org.uk/emergencies/current/pakistan-floods-appeal/prayer.aspx. To give to the emergencyfund call 08080 004004.

Hospital pealTHE bells of St Mary’s, Banburyrang out to celebrate thecommunity’s achievement inwinning a campaign to keep keyservices at the Horton GeneralHospital.

The peal, of 5003 GrandsireCaters, marked the victory of thepeople of North Oxfordshire andthe surrounding area, whocampaigned to retain theChildren’s and Maternity Serviceat the hospital.

A peal board to celebrate theevent will be hung in the belltower, along with peal boards tomark similar peals including oneto mark victory in the Crimea anda muffled peal for the funeral ofWinston Churchill.

Attorney GeneralRides and StridesTHE UK’s new Attorney General,Dominic Grieve is one ofthousands of people expected totake part in the annual Ride andStride.

Dominic, the MP forBeaconsfield and Marlow, will betaking part in theBuckinghamshire section of thenational event. In previous yearsthe Door has reported thatWitney MP turned PrimeMinister, David Cameron, hastaken part in Oxfordshire.

The event sees people walk,cycle or ride horses as they visitas many churches as possible inthe alloted time, often stoppingto explore historic buildings. InEast Berkshire, for example,riders and striders might like tovisit John the BaptistShottesbrooke, built in 1337 bySir William Trussell as anecclesiastical college.

It is expected that nationally10,000 churches will open theirdoors for the event, on Saturday,11 September, between 10amand 6pm. Money raised will beused to support maintenanceand repair work at historicchurches.

To take part or for moreinformation on the Ride andStride in your area visit:Buckinghamshire seewww.bucks-historic-churches.orgor call Patricia Burstell on 01628482754. Oxfordshire:www.ohct.org.uk/bike.htm oremail rideandstride@ohct.org.uk;Berkshire:www.berkschurchestrust.org.ukor email clive.betteridge@berkschuchestrust.org.uk.

NewstheDoor SEPTEMBER 2010

IN BRIEF

THE Bishop of Oxford is urgingChristians to make smallpromises as part of a nationalcampaign to help us rememberthose in poverty.

The What’s Your Promisecampaign has been launched byMicah Challenge UK, and aimsto make a difference throughmillions of tiny promises.

The Rt Revd John Pritchardhas pledged his support to thecampaign. The campaign simplyallows everyone to make apromise to do something tohelp the MillenniumDevelopment Goals (MDGs) tobe met.

Bishop John said: “What’sYour Promise’ is a simple but farreaching campaign idea thatI’m very happy to support. Ipromise to keep the MDGs asthe touchstone of my concernto fly the flag for those trappedin poverty worldwide. I hopemany in the Diocese of Oxfordwill join me in making thispromise and then keeping it.“

Across the UK some arepromising to write to their MPs,others are promising to eat lessto show solidarity with thehungry and one man iscommitting to help people inseven developing countries starttheir own income generatingprojects.

People from Oxfordshire,

Berkshire and Buckinghamshirehave made promises on theWhat’s Your Promise website.Here are a few examples:

“I promise to pray regularlyfor those who suffer frompoverty and injusticethroughout the world,” saysPam Cooper from Kidlington.

Jacqui from Oxford stated: “Ipromise to pray once moretoday with the poor in mindand for God’s grace to turn myprayer into action.”

“I promise to volunteer oneday per week of my time by nolater than September 2010 tocharitable organisation thatadds value and helps thedisadvantaged,” said DavidRichardson of Reading.

“I promise to be moregenerous in my giving and tocontinue to buy Fairtradewhenever I can,” said Tricia,from Gerrards Cross.

The global Micah 2010campaign will reach a highpointon 10.10.10, when 100 millionChristians in 40 nations willpray the same prayer. They willbe praying in unity toencourage world leaders toremember the MillenniumDevelopment Goals – theircommitments to halve extremepoverty by 2015.

What’s your promise?

The image of the Baby Jesus in the womb will be on buses and billboardsacross the UK this Christmas. See www.churchads.net for more information.

By Jo Duckles

@ONLINETo read more promises or jointhe campaign visithttp://whatsyourpromise.org.uk

Premiere of Eucharist music

THE choir from All Saints Church, Ascot raised the roof as theysang the new music for a sung Eucharist at Christ ChurchCathedral.

The Trinity Mass, composed by David Thorne, was sung duringthe Petertide ordination services. The Ascot choir was proud tosing at the service at which its new curate, the Revd Rosie Webb,was ordained. Christopher Goodwin, choirmaster, said: “It wasexciting to do something new. “I think the congregation enjoyedit and I would recommend this setting to choirs.” The setting ispublished by Culver Music www.culvermusic.com. For full detailsof the ordinations see pages 10 and 11.

Heritage highlights churchesTWO Anglican churches inOxford Diocese have beenhighlighted in a nationalcampaign by English Heritage.

St Laurence’s Reading and StMary’s, Milton Keynes, werehighlighted in a publicitycampaign after a survey revealed14 per cent of the South East’slisted places of worship were inneed of major repairs. Thesurvey was part of EnglishHeritage’s Heritage at Riskinitiative.

St Laurence’s is a Grade Ilisted building and winner of thisyear’s Regional Award for Caringfor a Historic Place of Worshipin the South East. The churchwas built originally in theNorman period, with additionsmade in the 15th century andrestoration work carried out inthe 1860s. It has a congregationof 400. Groups for youngmothers, youth clubs and afterschool clubs, as well as holidayactivities for social services andyouth offending team clients areheld there.

The Revd Matt Stevens, curate,said: “To win an award is always asurprise. The work we do at StLaurence revolves around

relationship, and one aspect ofthis is the relationship between aprecious historic building andfaith lived practically in dailylives.”

St Mary’s has been highlightedas exemplifying best practice inprotecting a place of worship.The building is a Grade IIAnglican Church and is theoldest building in the village.Dating from the 13th century,the church was rebuilt byarchitect William Butterfield in1848.

In 2007, the church received agrant from the Repair Grant forPlaces of Worship Scheme, forrepairs to lead roofs.

The Reverend David Lunn,Team Rector, said: “St Mary’s sitsin the middle of a rapidly-growing largely non church-going population and we wantedto become more involved withthe wider community. The firststep was to renew our aging leadroofs and this was completed lastyear with the invaluable help ofEnglish Heritage.” ONLINE

@English Heritage has producedCaring for Places of Worship,a practical guide, DVD andwebsitewww.englishheritage.org.uk/powar

theDoor SEPTEMBER 20104 Advertisement Feature

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For a Christian of any age the choiceof a theological, secular or social subjectis likely to be considered as it willbecome a foundation stone for the future.In September we stand at the start of anew education year for learning at alllevels.

PPRRAAYYEERR AANNDD AADDVVIICCEE CCAALLLLEEDD FFOORR

A lot of prayer and advice will beundertaken in deciding what path tofollow, even when inherent talents seemto make the choice a little more obvious.

For younger Christians the path mayhave already been discussed whenchoosing subjects for ‘A’ levels but formany older Christians starting a coursecould well be a part of a change in life’sdirection. It is worth spending time withfamily, friends and even the Vicar whenmaking these important choices.

Making the choice for Theology reallyis one of those life defining decisions.The period of careful study leading on asit often does to a lifetime in ministry andmission.

Apart from Theology courses in ourUniversities there are some specialistcolleges for Christians offering specialistoutreach courses with degree

accreditation through a major University.There has been a little uncertainty inconnection with some courses and thenumber of places available asUniversities make cuts to their spending. CCHHOOOOSSIINNGG AA CCOOLLLLEEGGEE

There’s also the choice of college. Formany some time away from home atUniversity can be a time of self-discoveryand growing, a chance to study whilstenjoying life in a different city.

This is a popular choice for youngpeople who see student life as muchmore than study, but also aboutestablishing an 'independence' forthemselves.

For those from a small town or villagethe lure of the shopping and facilities in alarge town or city can proving an excitingoption but some students might wellprefer an option that enables them to getaway from hustle and bustle to a quieterstyle of campus with few distractionsfrom their study. Possibly in thecountryside or near to the sea.

SSTTUUDDYYIINNGG CCLLOOSSEE TTOO HHOOMMEE

There are all sorts of reasons whysome students prefer to studysomewhere close to home. This can bedue to the commitments such as familyresponsibilities or commitments to thelocal church or other organisations.

Mature students who already have ahome of their own might still want to useit as a base, some quieter young peoplemight like the security of returning totheir parents each evening or returning atweekends.

Travelling times are also shorter, aboon for most students. Financialconsiderations can also be a reason tostudy a little closer to home.

Foundations for the futureFocus on Adult Education

There are many excellent Colleges and Universitiesoffering the conveniences student life coupled with shortjourney times home.

RREEWWAARRDDIINNGG TTIIMMEE OOFF LLIIFFEE

For all the challenge of full time study should prove tobe rewarding and fulfilling.

There will also be those who might be interested inone of the many distance-learning courses availabletoday.

There are many on offer catering for all ages andabilities. Such courses can help the student in theirprivate devotions and understanding of the Scriptures.

The bells, the bellsALL Saints Church in High Wycombe haslaunched an appeal to raise £250k torebuild its crumbling bell tower.

The bells and frame will be taken out ofthe tower as townspeople watch. Thetower was built about 500 years ago andsince then the bells have been heardacross the town, marking services andweddings. It is believed the tower will falldown if the work is not carried out.Wooden beams have been eaten by deathwatch beetles and the masonry is cracked.

To raise funds All Saints is sellingnotelets for £2 per pack and mugs for £6each as well as holding other fundraisingevents.

High hopes for hallThe SKY was the limit for six daredevilsfrom All Saints’ Didcot, who did a tandemsky dive to help raise £550,000 to build anew youth and community hall.

The Revd Karen Beck, Nicola Campbell,Catherine Kiely, Dr Helen Walker, Dr SallyReynard and Mark Scane all carried out thesky dive.

Fundraising for the hall has already seenlocal people raise £100,000 and SouthOxfordshire District Council allocate agrant of £100,000 to the project. It’shoped that work on the new hall will beable to start next spring when all thefunding is in place.

Go to www.justgiving.com/Karen-Beckto sponsor the sky divers.

theDoor SEPTEMBER 2010

NewsIN BRIEF

5

Ready to run for Cecily’s Fund

THE Bishop of Dorchester and hisdaughter are limbering up to take partin the Great South Run to raise funds toeducate Zambian children who havebeen orphaned or made vulnerable byHIV.

The Rt Revd Colin Fletcher and hisdaughter Pippa, will take part in the 10-mile run on 24 October to raise funds forCecily’s Fund, an Oxfordshire-basedcharity set up by Alison and BasilEastwood in memory of their daughterCecily who died in a traffic accident 12years ago while volunteering withorphans in Zambia.

“I first got to know about Cecily’s Fundwhen I was working with the Archbishopof Canterbury and we visited Basil andAlison in Damascus,” he said. “My wifeSarah and I subsequently saw them inSwitzerland and it was a particular delightto me when I was appointed here 10 yearsago to find out that they planned to‘retire’ to this part of the world. Cecily’sFund and the work that it is doing is quitemagnificent.

“I count it as a great privilege to berunning for it this year, even if it means

I’m discovering all sorts of aches andpains en route.

“I tried to sign up for the Great SouthRun last year but missed it so it’s greatthat I can do it this year. Pippa, mydaughter, will be running with me. She’sjust qualified as a doctor so it’s great tohave a physician running with me. Herwedding will have taken place threeweeks before so October promises to bepretty eventful. Kate, our other daughter,will also be running.”

All sponsorship raised by the Bishopand his daughter will go to help Zambia’spoorest children to go to school byproviding them with shoes, uniforms,books, pens and help with school fees.Education will not only help thesechildren to gain knowledge and skills sothat they can earn a living, but has alsobeen shown to reduce their risk ofcontracting HIV.

@ONLINETo sponsor Bishop Colin and Pippavisitwww.virginmoneygiving.com/ColinandPippa

In training are Bishop Colin and Pippa.

PICTURED is Alex, 12, a pupil at theOrmerod Special Educational Centre atthe Marlborough CofE School,Woodstock.

Alex, who is autistic, is a talented artistwith a passion for stained glass, churchesand Christian art. His work includesseveral Oxfordshire churches and imagesfrom inside them.

He is one of the students who took partin We Were There, Now We’re Here project,which culminated in two exhibitions inOxford and a book, with a foreword byDavid Cameron.

For more information seehttp://weweretherenowwearehere.wordpress.com. The painting is Alex’s versionof St Francis and the Birds.

Painting Christian art work

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theDoor SEPTEMBER 20106

Feature

‘Who do you say I am?’

Iwas staying in the fascinatingcommunity of Taizé in France where5,000 young people come each weekin the summer to pray, talk, workand share stories. As I wandered

around the site I began to notice thevariety of messages on the young people’sT-shirts.

The first one I saw said boldly: ‘It’s allabout me.’ That didn’t seem to be quite inthe spirit of Taizé, I thought. But then Isaw another: ‘If found, please return tothe pub.’ We’re still not there, I mused. Ibecame more positive as I began to readthe next. ‘Devote yourself,’ it startedhopefully, ‘to Heavy Metal,’ it endedsolemnly. Finally, coming through thecrowd, I saw a T-shirt that said simply:‘Love your enemies.’ At last! Here was theauthentic spirit of Taizé. Here was theecho of Jesus.

We live in a spiritually confusedculture. Liam Gallagher of the rockgroup Oasis once said ‘I don’t pray and Idon’t go to church but I’m intrigued byit, I dig it. I’m into the idea that therecould be a God and aliens andincarnation and some geezer years agoturning water into wine. I don’t believewhen you die, you die. All the beautifulpeople who have been and gone –Lennon, Hendrix – they’re somewhereelse, man. Whether it’s here or whetherit’s there, they’re doing some musicalthingummyjig. They got to be somewhereelse, haven’t they?’

It’s hard to know where to start indeconstructing that statement, but it’snot unusual to find ‘pick’n’mix’believing. One article in The Times onspiritual gurus said, ‘In philosophy orspirituality gurus are our cocktail shakers– mixing up a bit of Buddhism, a touch ofKabbalah, some feng shui, a dash of wiccaand a pinch of shamanism.

So where does that leave our traditionalreligious leaders, with their old-fashionedsingle-brand approach to theisms?Increasingly obsolete.’ Religion is beingrebranded for the consumer age. There’sa mini-industry of ‘gurus’ telling us howto take control of our lives with easyslogans: ‘There is a power greater thanyou’; ‘Open your heart to love’; ‘The pastis not the future.’ Christian concepts areeven slipping on to the perfume counter:you can spray yourself with ‘Purity’ andcover your skin with ‘Grace’.

However, the answer to profoundcomplexity often lies in profoundsimplicity. To me, and to millions ofothers, that profound simplicity is foundin the person of Jesus. ‘Profound’because he is not just one who wants mefor a sunbeam.

‘Simplicity’ because the experience ofcountless people is that when Jesus is putinto the centre of our picture, the rest of

life seems to rearrange itself rathersatisfactorily.

Note how, even for Liam Gallagher,there in the middle of his observations isa reference to ‘some geezer years agoturning water into wine’. Jesus isremarkable for his hold on the popularimagination. A recent survey by thecompany behind the cult televisiondrama Primeval asked which people, nowdead, the British would most like to meet.Princess Diana was second and WilliamShakespeare third, but the clear winnerwas Jesus Christ.

But who is this Jesus? It turns out thathe is deeply elusive. People have tried toco-opt Jesus into their team ever since thestone was rolled away from the tomb, butthey never actually manage to recruithim. In the famous words of AlbertSchweitzer: ‘He comes to us as Oneunknown, without a name, as of old, bythe lakeside, he came to those men whoknew him not. He speaks to us in thesame words: ‘Follow me!’ and sets us tothe tasks which he has to fulfil for ourtime.

‘He commands. And to those who obeyhim, whether they be wise or simple, hewill reveal himself in the toils, theconflicts, the sufferings which they shallpass through in his fellowship, and, as anineffable mystery, they shall learn in theirown experience who he is.’

It’s true that we each have to come to

our own understanding of this multi-faceted human being, and yet, throughall the countless millions of words spokenand written about Jesus and the threebrief years of his ministry, here is agenuine ‘man for all seasons’. He has theability to speak across ages and cultures,across glories and tragedies, across theentire sweep of human emotions, and todo so with a freshness and authenticitythat no other person possesses.

Here is a man who had no PR machine,no shadowy ‘advisers’, no lap-top, emailor internet. He wrote no book,syndicated no newspaper articles, had nosocial networking site. He spoke to nomore people in his lifetime than wouldfill the football stadium of a team in the

lower reaches of the Championship. Buthe changed the world more than anyperson has ever done, and he touches theimagination of more people today thanever before.

The essayist R. W. Emerson said that‘the name of Jesus is not so much writtenas ploughed into the history of the world’.You can’t miss him. Even at the triviallevel one can see how ubiquitous thename of Jesus has become. When a golfermisses a golf putt it would be strange if hewere to shout ‘Winston Churchill!’ orwhen he stubs a toe to yell, ‘MahatmaGandhi!’

The effect of Jesus on every layer ofhuman experience is remarkable,however it is evaluated. He’s themagnificent outsider who strides throughthe pages of the New Testament withglorious freedom. He’s the centre pointof history, the pivot on which humanaffairs have so often turned.

He’s the transforming presence whohas turned more lives upside down thananyone could dream of. He’s thedynamic personality who has rewrittenthe rule-book of whole nations, re-framing their laws, their customs, theirvalues, their politics.

This Jesus is our partner in prayer andin pain. He’s strangely crazy about hisChurch, and he’s been the inspiration ofsome of the greatest artistic achievementsof humankind. Truly, the wake of thisapparently minor figure from small-townPalestine has been spectacular in theextreme.This is an edited extract from Living Jesusby John Pritchard, (SPCK ISBN 978-0-281-06040-5).

Bishop John takes a fresh look atthe pivotal and transformationalrole Jesus has played throughouthistory.

Win Living JesusThe Door hasthree copies ofLiving Jesus togive away to thewinners of thismonth’s prizedraw. To be inwith a chance ofwinning send yourname and addressto Living JesusCompetitionDiocean ChurchHouse, Oxford, OX2 0NB to reach us byFriday 3 September.

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All Saints’ Church, Marlow Director of Music The current Director of Music is retiring inSeptember 2010; therefore the Clergy and PCC areinviting applications from suitably qualified andexperienced musicians to fill this important positionas soon as possible.All Saints’ Marlow has a rich and varied musicaltradition, and is one of the few Parish Churches inthe country where there is a full Men and Boys’ choirwhich sings Evensong each Sunday and many otherservices & festivals throughout the year. In addition,there is a Girls’ choir, a mixed adult choir, and anumber of other less formal music groups which leadthe music for the wide range of traditional andcontemporary worship styles that are offered. A fullChoral Evensong is sung each month. Furtherinformation on the church and music can be found athttp://www.allsaintsmarlow.org

There is a very fine 3 manual Father Willis organ(rebuilt in 1997), and a good grand piano in thechurch. These instruments are used both forworship and for the many concerts and recitals thattake place. The music library is extensive, and hasbeen extended every year. The Director of Music isassisted by a Deputy, an Assistant Organist, and anumber of other volunteers.The church is affiliatedto the RSCM.

For a full Job Description and further information,please contact All Saints’ Parish Office, TheCauseway, Marlow SL7 2AATel: 01628 481806 parishoffice.marlowteam@btinternet.com The deadline for applications is 10th September2010, and interviews will be held on 27th September.

FamilytheDoor SEPTEMBER 2010 7

TWO families who packed theircamping gear and headed toNew Wine for the first time thisyear describe their experiences.

First tastes of New Wine

For some years we had talked aboutgoing to New Wine but had neverbooked. However, this year God

had decided the Washbourn Familyshould be going to camp at New Wine –Central and South East at the Bath andWest Showground at Shepton Mallett.What an amazing week.

How are we so certain that God wantedus to be there? Well we entered acompetition in the April edition ofTheDoor and we won a family ticket.

Nicky Gumbel described New Wine asbeing like a “foretaste of heaven” but wassure that Heaven would have better toiletand shower facilities. Actually, theyweren’t quite as bad as friends had led usto expect, although the central ‘ShowerCourt’ caught us out, being one of theshow ground facilities for showering thecattle.

New Wine was fantastic providing amuch needed spiritual lift with lots ofgood solid teaching, great children’sgroups covering all ages, pastoral prayer,food court, market place (with bookstallsand many other offerings forshopaholics), and a medical servicewhere advice and treatment is givenfollowed by prayer.

On arrival we were welcomed by ourvillage host who helped us find a place topitch our tent and then offered us a verywelcome hot drink. From the areaoutside our tent we had many moments

drinking and eating whilst contemplatingthe wonderful scene and seeing God increation.

Charles (our son aged 8) registered forRock Solid and happily joined in all thevaried activities during the week. Therock band and drama were highlights forhim. The other youth sections were alsocompletely rocking and a real inspir-ation for future growth.

There was plenty for those involved inchurch growth. For example, onespeaker’s wife had a vision to weighbabies at church during the week. Thespeaker could not see the reasoning orthe end game but trusted his wife and lether go ahead with the vision.

The wife involved local health visitors

and offered the church as a meetingplace to weigh babies. With coffeeprovided, 90 mums regularly attend andsome go on to Alpha and become churchmembers. There was a recurring themeof ‘Freedom of Control’ — communicatethe vision, become trusting in executionand pray for positive outcomes.

After such a great week it was hard toleave, however it was easier with theknowledge that we plan to return to NewWine in 2011. Thanks again to The Doorand to New Wine for such a memorableweek.

Karen, Alistair and Charles Washbourn.The Washbourns live in Henley and worshipat Holy Trinity, Henley.

Ruth Reavley’s A to Z of New WineLAST year our daughter Lizzie went toNew Wine with friends and came backsaying: “We’ve all got to go next year.”So my husband Cedric, associate clergyat St John the Baptist Burford and afull-time pharmacist, Lizzie, and David,14, joined a 35-strong group from ourparish. Between us, we have doneparish weekends away and occasionalchurch conferences, but nothing likethis.Affirmation – the reassurance that weare all on journeys, that there’s loads ofways to travel, that paths differ and thatNew Wine has loads to offer.Bands – lots of them, leading worship,doing gigs.Children’s/Teenagers’ programme –Gems, Boulder Gang, Club One,Thirst… Masses of coloured t-shirtedleaders and pastors, happy teenagersand childrenDay off – on Wednesday when peoplewent exploring the local area. Wemooched and chatted.Evangelical – was the flavourthroughout. Early morning bible studyfor the larks. We owls went for eveningsocials with our pairsh, and didn’t burn

the candle at both ends.Friendships – Lots of time to chat withthe family and the parish group. Lots ofone to one and small groupconversations, and quite a bit ofmentoring between adults andteenagers – and the wise words weren’talways from the older to the younger…Getting to events on time – essential. Behalf an hour early for the more popularevents.Holy Spirit – evident often in responsesat the end of morning worship andteaching and the end of eveningcelebrations and talks. The ministryteam was huge and no one was leftunsupported. No one was leftunchanged either.Ice Block exchange – meant we coulddo the serious food preparation athome, bring it frozen and keep ourfood and the white wine cool.Jokes – the hallmark of a speaker atease.Kindness – was apparent everywherealong with respect for differences oftaste, opinion, lifestyle, music andprivacy.Love Offerings (with a Gift Aid option)gave us the chance to join in socialjustice work and support the bursaryfund, which enables people fromdisadvantaged urban churches toattend could anyone you know benefit?Marketplace – bookstalls, CDs, charities,paintings, camping kit, clothing and lotsmore.Next time – could it be you?Outstanding – I’m an administrator and

I’d give the admin team who put thisevent together an ‘Outstanding’ rosette.Prayer shed – a place dedicated tospace and stillness – not a lot of that tobe had at New Wine, so it’s precious.Quiet – from midnight, until 8amRadio New Wine – don’t get out of yoursleeping bag and still hear worship,talks, interviews and musicSpeakers – from the globally celebratedto the just-starting-out, men and women,multi-national, young and not so young,offering 120 seminars on nine themes –fantastic choice!Teams – the ones who cleaned the loosand showers were my heros.Unstoppable! – the theme for this year,with everything giving you the means tolive in the belief that God isunstoppable.Venues – One and Two and the Big TopTent. Stick with one for the morningworship and talks as they are a series,but otherwise pick and choose.Worship – with thousands of otherpeople was a moving experience.X Marks the spot – I’ve come away withquite a few spots that have been hit, andthat’s as someone who wouldn’t usuallyconsider herself an evangelical.Yes – we’re going again in 2011 – andthinking together about how to make itpossible for others to come –encouragement, publicising the dates(31 July – 6 August for the OxfordDiocese), funding, tents and kitpooling/loans.Zealous for the Lord – how New Winewants you to be.

Photo: St John’s Burford

Front are Charles (left) and Alistair Washbourn with friendsJackie, Mark, Wilhelm, Pat, and Louisa. Pic by Karen Washbourn.

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theDoor SEPTEMBER 2010

FeaturetheDoor SEPTEMBER 2010 9

Chequers and Chilterns

Do you have a favourite walkwhere you pray that you’d like toshare? Contact us on 01865208225 or jo.duckles@oxford.anglican.org

Start at the church of St Peter andSt Paul, Ellesborough (parkingopposite, (1). Aylesbury Valestretches out before you and inthe distance are the low hills

around Whitchurch, Waddesdon andBrill.

Around the church run the Chilterns,with Coombe Hill as a high point. Thewhole area abounds with the remains ofburial mounds and fortifications datedback to pre-Roman times. Ellesboroughchurch is a welcome respite for walkerson a warm day, offering hospitality onsummer weekends and interesting in itsconnection with Chequers, the big houseon the other side of Coombe Hill.

There are few churches that can boast acollection of signatures in their visitors’book such as Dwight Eisenhower, AlecDouglas-Home, Harold Wilson andEdward Heath. Prime Ministers residingat Chequers and their visitors havefrequently worshipped in the localchurch. Margaret Thatcher was known tohave prayed here, finding comfort duringthe Falklands War. You may like to pauseand pray for our political leaders and thedifficult decisions they have to make.

We leave the churchyard and walktowards the Kimbles. The road fromWendover to Princes Risborough followsthe route of the Icknield Way, an ancienttrack said to be pre-Roman, which ranfrom Norfolk to Avebury in Wiltshire. Itwas paved in Roman times, and is one ofthe oldest roads in the country.

The peaceful church of All Saints, LittleKimble (2) has stood here for 700 years.In the 14th century the chancel wasadded along with a series of wall paintingsand tiles. These paintings werewhitewashed over in the 16th century butrediscovered after restoration work in the19th century.

The paintings are considered to beartistically the best in Buckinghamshireand their complete restoration isplanned. They show St George havingkilled the dragon; St Christopher, and StBernard of Clairvaux – who was linked tothe mother churches of the time,Missenden Abbey and Chertsey Abbey.The font is probably older than thechurch, and the medieval Chertsey tilestell the romantic tragedy of Tristan andIseult.

Further up the hill stands the BernardArms (3), a good lunch stop. This is thepub which Yeltsin and other foreigndignitaries tend to visit when staying atChequers. Inside is a collection ofphotographs of British Prime Ministers.You may like to pray for peace betweennations.

Next door stands the magnificentchurch of St Nicholas, Great Kimble (4),first built in 1265, and dominated by themagnificent Aylesbury Font.

In the 16th century the patronage ofthe church came to the Hampden familywho were major landowners andinfluential politicians. John Hampden’s

disagreements with Charles I had asignificant impact on the start of theEnglish Civil War in which bothHampden and the King died.

St Nicholas’s church was famed for thestand Hampden took against paying ShipTax money in 1637. Legend has it that hegalloped up the hill and into the churchto make his protest to his assembledtenants and neighbours. During the warHampden’s “BuckinghamshireGreencoats” drilled in the churchyard. Astatue of him stands in Aylesbury, andanother in the lobby of the Houses ofParliament.

The Aylesbury font in the church isone of 14 made at the end of the 12thcentury, of stone from the Totternhoequarry in Bedfordshire. A local story isthat Edmund Hampden ordered theremoval of the font as he disagreed withinfant baptism. The villagers removed itbefore it could be destroyed and hid it ina nearby pond.

We cross the road and walk uphill ontothe Chilterns (5) following part of theRidgeway footpath, an 87-mile nationaltrail based on an ancient chalk path fromAvebury to Ivinghoe Beacon.

The fantastic Red Kite can usually beseen overhead, a spectacular bird of preydistinguished by its russet plumage andforked tail. The kite is a well-loved featureof the mid and southern Chilterns. Givethanks for the beauty of God’s creationand the delights of the countryside.

We now pass the entrance to Chequers(6), the estate which was bequeathed tothe nation by Sir Arthur Lee as thecountry residence of our Prime Ministersin 1917. Pray for refreshment for thosewith important jobs and heavyresponsibilities. Think about your ownwork/life balance. Where do you findrest?

The Ridgeway National Trail crossesVictory Drive, the private drive alongwhich Churchill had beech trees planted,offering good views of the house. LadyMary Grey, sister of Lady Jane Grey, wasimprisoned in Chequers in 1566 and thehouse was later owned by a grandson ofOliver Cromwell.

We cross the road and continue our waydownhill (7) back to EllesboroughChurch. To our right, footpaths takewalkers up Coombe Hill (8), once part ofthe Chequers Estate but given to theNational Trust in the 1920s.

From the summit it is possible to see sixcounties. The Coombe Hill Monument,

erected in 1904, is Grade II listed andrepresents one of the first examples of awar memorial set up in dedication of themen who fell fighting for their country. Itwas erected by public subscription inmemory of 148 men fromBuckinghamshire who died during theSecond Boer War. You may like to pray forour soldiers serving overseas today,especially in Afghanistan. Pray for peacethere.

Back in Ellesborough, the backdrop forthe church is Beacon Hill, known also asCymbeline’s Mount. It’s a climb worthmaking again for the views. Cymbeline’sMount was the stronghold of the BritishKing Cunabelin or Cymbeline, fromwhom Great and Little Kimble derivetheir names. A gold coin depicting himwas found here.A podcast of the Revd Jan Henderson andArchdeacon Karen talking to Sarah Meyrickabout the prayer walk can be found at www.oxford.anglican.org/prayerwalks.

Archdeacon Karen Gorhamspots a red kite and discovers the

history of the Chilterns in the

seventh of our series of prayer

walks.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

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FeaturetheDoor10

Bumper ordinations see 4

Andrew Allen, Aston Clinton withBuckland and Drayton Beauchamp Spending his childhood in Cyprus, amongother places, meant Andrew was bitten bythe travel bug. After schooling in Ulster,he moved to Oxford to study law andGerman law, then headed to London. Hehas just returned from living with the OldCatholics in Bonn.

Andrew Thomas, The Cookhams Andrew was born and brought up inSurrey. Apart from his first five years afterleaving school, he worked as a children’snurse in intensive care. His spare time isfilled with running, swimming, his nephewand niece and spending time in the greatoutdoors.

Ben Williams, St John’s, Cowley, OxfordBen was the youngest member of theOxford Ministry Course, the pre-ordination training course, and isfinishing a doctorate. He is also a concertharpist and pianist.

Carolyn Bailey, Great Missenden withBallinger and Little Hampden There‘s nothing animal loving Carolynlikes more than taking her dogs up intothe hills on a glorious day for a good longwalk. Her other hobby is horse ridingalthough she doesn’t seem to have muchtime for it nowadays.

Christian Hofreiter, St Aldate’s, Oxford Christian’s path to ordained ministry hastaken him from the moutainous valleys ofhis native Tyrol, where he was a universitylecturer and a translator, to the corridorsof power in Washington DC, where herepresented foreign governments, toOxford University for a doctorate intheology.

Claire Alcock, Langtree Claire was a primary school teacher inEastbourne where she taught music andRE. After having a family she completedthe Writers’ Bureau CorrespondenceCourse. She also loves to compose musicfor piano and guitar.

Daniel Inman, Deddington with Barford,Clifton and Hempton Daniel grew up in the grittiness of theSurrey-Hampshire border, the wastelandsof southern California, and HaylingIsland. He became a Christian as ateenager and studied theology at Oxford.He is a keen musician, walker andtraveller.

Daniel Lloyd, Stony Stratford A priest’s son, Daniel went to school inWitney and then to Merton College,Oxford, where he studied history andGerman. He was also a teacher in Vienna.

Gareth Lane to serve in Bedgrove Whenever he gets the opportunity Garethlikes to go surfing. Two years ago hehelped save the lives of a man and hisdaughter who were body boarding andbeing dragged out to sea, but didn’t havethe strength to swim to shore. He says: “Itseems ironic that now two years later I amabout to be ordained into a positionwhere I will be responsible for the safetyof people’s spiritual lives.”

Glynis Beckett, Radley with Sunningwelland the Benefice of Kennington Glynis says she remembers a line in asermon which stated “This is the day yousaid ‘yes’ to God, or at least when youstopped saying ‘no!”. She feels deep joy atgetting to this point in her life.

Graham Choldcroft, Thame and as achaplain for Thames Valley Police Influenced by boyhood memories ofreports of ‘a man helping police withenquiries’ Graham went on to enjoy acareer in the criminal justice system. He islooking forward to using that experiencein his ministry as a police chaplain.

Helen Barnes, Haddenham withCuddington and Kingsey and AstonSandford Helen Barnes is a mother-of-two, businesspartner with her husband, operationsmanager for a large international charityand is now following God’s prompting andbecoming a curate.

James Kennedy, High Wycombe TeamMinistry James came to Oxford as a surgeon, toresearch a novel non-invasive cancertreatment. On finishing his DPhil, he wasappointed Clinical Lecturer and Surgeon-Scientist in Oxford University’s NuffieldDepartment of Surgery, where he workeduntil 2007, when he left to starttheological training.

Jane Baun, Abingdon Team MinistryJane Baun grew up on a wooden sailingboat, exploring the Chesapeake Bay onAmerica’s east coast. Fluent in Russian,she worked in Moscow during the ColdWar. Marriage to an Englishman broughther to Oxford, where she teachesByzantine and Eastern Orthodox historyfor the Oxford University TheologyFaculty.

Janet Minkkinen, Cippenham Janet is married to Paul, and has a son,

Philip. Her working life serving customersat Marks and Spencer’s was good trainingfor ministry. During her training, both ofher parents died. Her mum had herordination stole made and had ‘love mumX’ woven onto it.

Jean Pryce-Williams, Cumnor Jean is a psychotherapist, spiritual director,artist and photographer. She paints largerthan life Beryl Cook type characters whichremind us to make friends with our‘wobbly bits’ and to take ourselves far lessseriously. She says that a life livedgratefully and enthusiastically proves forall to see that Christians can have fun.

Jill Roth, Flackwell Heath Jill says her dream of becoming a famousballet dancer fell flat as a little girl becauseher mum said she was too tall, so she tookup Latin American and ballroom. Shesays: “I love reliving my dancing dayswatching Strictly Come Dancing. I’ve nowtaken up tap dancing to keep me in trim.”

Jitesh Patel, Abingdon Jitesh is looking forward to serving ascurate at Christ Church Abingdon. He is aformer science teacher who lovesspending time with friends, reading agood book and enjoying new places.

Jo Reid, Brize Norton and Carterton Jo grew up in an Army family and startedschool in Cyprus. She experienced herfirst war when Turkey invaded in 1974when she was five. She says: “I remember

being crouched under an upturned sofa inour house as shells dropped around us.We were evacuated eventually and put ona Hercules back to the UK. We landed atRAF Brize Norton in just the clothes westood up in.” Jo joined the Army aged 24and served with the Royal Corps of Signalsfor 12 years.

Jonathan Hunter Dunn, Burford withFulbrook and Taynton, Asthall withSwinbrook and WidfordJonathan is a physicist. His hobbies are

metalwork and mechanical engineeringand he applies these to repairing andrestoring things that are contributing toneedless waste and pollution. He says:“Because of Jesus, neither is it necessaryfor our sin and brokenness to resign us tothe eternal burning rubbish tip.”

Judith Hattaway, Hurst Judith says being married to aShakespearean scholar with a name likeHattaway is always going to make for aninteresting life. The couple have fourchildren and six grandchildren, two ofthem with special needs. Judith is achaplain at a high security mental hospitaland at The Avenue Special School inReading, where she is also a governor. andshe runs a private counselling practice.

Kevin Wright, Radley with Sunningwell andthe Benefice of Kennington Kevin, a grandfather of two, taught deafchildren at Mary Hare School for morethan 20 years. He was also head of scienceand head of ICT. He is a steward atNewbury Rugby Club, is married to Chrisand has four cats.His interests includemusic, art, real ales, Greek holidays andonline Scrabble. His silk ordination stolewas hand woven by his wife, Chris.

Lucinda Heyn, Goring and Streatley withSouth Stoke

The Door introduces the 44 new deacons who are settling intoparishes in Oxfordshire Berkshire and Buckinghamshire afterour new-style annual Petertide ordination services in July.

From left, Margaret Yates, June Hattaway, Stuart King, Andrew Thomas, Pam Rolls, GraemeFancourt, Rosie Webb, Peter Day Tina Molyneux and Cath Mackrell. In front of BishopStephen are Sally Robertston and Marion Pyke.

‘This is the day you said

“yes” to God...’

‘A life lived gratefully and

enthusiastically proves for all

to see that Christians can

have fun.’

11SEPTEMBER 2010

44 curates take up calling

Lucinda is excited to be leaving the worldof publishing after 20 years to workalongside the people of her benefice. Sheis a Franciscan who loves to be outdoors,walking or running. She is hoping to visitUganda again next year where she hasbeen helping to support a new primaryschool.

Marion Pyke, Caversham, Thameside andMapledurham Marion was an opera singer in the 1960sand when she was not singing she taught.She also became a Relate counsellor andpsychotherapist. In 1975 she became apsychiatric social worker. She is also amother and grandmother and spent 49years of her married life in Caversham.She became a Licensed Lay Minister in2004. Her husband John died inFebruary, as she was approachingordination, but she knows he will be byher side supporting her as he always did.

Martin Henig, North Hinksey and Wythamand the benefice of Oxford St Frideswidewith Binsey Martin is an archaeologist and has wrtittenbooks on Roman art. He is a vegetarianwho campaigns for and is passionate aboutanimal rights. He is also an HonoraryProfessor at the Institute of Archaeology,University College London and is writingwith others a definitive catalogue ofsculpture from Roman London.

Pam Fielding, Sherington with Chicheley,North Crawley, Astwood and HardmeadPam is a retired modern languagesteacher who served as an LLM for 10years. During an interregnum, peoplebegan asking her if she was the new vicar.She says: “I felt God’s calling as a sense ofa warm hand in the middle of my back,encouraging me.”

Pam Rolls, Harwell with Chilton Pam trained on the Local MinistryPathway with five others who she says havebecome dear friends. She says: “Mypassion is reaching others with the love ofJesus through the ministry of our localchurches and through an after-school clubin Chilton School. My other interestsinclude history (especially World WarOne) and music.”

Patricia Bhutta, Cumnor Patricia Bhutta was born in Egypt andmoved to Oxford in 1987 where shebrought up four children while runningher own legal firm. She describes herselfas the radicalised older woman. She says:“I’m radicalised by a passion for sharingmy love of God in creative and caringways.”

Paul Chamberlain, Thame Paul is a former environmental scientist,specialising in soil and things that live init. His wife described his job as ‘bugs anddirt’.

Paul Norris, Woughton Paul has been a ten pin bowling enthusiastfor the last 40 years. He says: “It is a greatgame for fellowship, and in my youth I wasquite good.”

Peter Day, St Paul’s, WokinghamPeter has been a graphic designer, a mod,a bank clerk, a collector of ska and rhythmand blues, a rider of Vespas andLambrettas, a theology student, aconference organiser, a fan of 60sinfluenced clothes, a lecturer, a souldancer and an RE teacher.

Peter Dockree, Wolverton Peter was a frontline social worker in childprotection and family support and set up arehabilitation project in rural Nigeria. Heis married with three young children andhas a passion for children, young peopleand cross cultural working.

Philip Atkinson, St Aldate’s, Oxford Phil was a Consultant in Public Health inthe NHS. He will be based at St Aldate’sChurch in Oxford, with responsibility forleading their work with the poor andmarginalised.

Pippa Soundy, Amersham on the Hill andChurch Mission Society Pippa has been an oil company executive,a music teacher and a communityvolunteer.. She says: “I’m excited aboutnew possibilities in my curacy, apartnership between the AcknowledgedMission Community of CMS and theparish of St Michael’s, Amersham. I’mmarried to Andrew and we have threechildren.”

Rosie Webb, Ascot Heath Rosie trained as a nurse, has five fabulouschildren has climbed mountains, run halfmarathons, shared the labours and fruitsof an allotment and yet says it seems thatlife is just beginning at 50.She says: “Life is an adventure to embrace

and explore, so we go to Ascot Heath infaith.”

Sally Robertson, PurleySally has lived in Purley on Thames for 14years. She says: “I particularly enjoyleading Purley Puppets, a group ofchildren and adults who present theChristian story in new ways.”

Sok Han Yong, St Aldate’s, Oxford Sok Han is Chinese and says coming tofaith encountered challenges as itprovoked serious opposition andpersecution. She says: “I was threatenedwith banishment from the family if I didnot renounce Jesus Christ and was forcedto burn the Bible instead.” She says Christhas called and affirmed her, and she hasconviction, dedication and commitment toordained ministry.

Stephen Blake, Burford with Fulbrook andTaynton, Asthall with Swinbrook andWidford Dr Stephen Blake will serve as a curatealongside full-time General Practice inChipping Norton. He is a tutor insubstance misuse for the Royal College ofGeneral Practitioners. He also works atthe Bayberry Clinic, a residentialrehabilitation centre near Bicester.

Stuart King, Bearwood Stuart is a school master in Berkshire. Aswell as teaching physics and RE, he isheavily involved in the Combined CadetForce, Duke of Edinburgh and sailing.

Tina Molyneux, Burchetts Green Tina is married with 10 year old tripletswho daily test her background inmanagement consultancy and humanresource management. She says: “I amrarely described as a domestic goddesswhich makes it ironic that my call to thepriesthood dramatically came during aquiet moment in my kitchen.”

From left, Pippa Soundy, Jitesh Patel, Pat Butta, Janet Minkkinen, Paul Norris, Andrew Allen,James Kennedy, Peter Dockree, Carolyn Bailey, Jill Roth and Helen Barnes. Front are JeanPryce-Williams, Pam Fielding, Jane Baun and Gareth Lane.

From left, Dan Inman, Ben Willams, Jonathan Hunter-Dunn, Stephen Blake, GrahamCholdcroft, Paul Chamberlain, Christian Hofreiter, Peter Scammen, Philip Atkinson, KevinWright, Claire Alcock and Glynis Beckett. Front are Martin Henig, Sok Han Yong, Lucy Heynand Jo Reid.

‘My passion is reaching

others with the love of

Jesus...’

Pictures by KT Bruce. www.ktbrucephotography.com

‘I felt God’s calling as a sense

of a warm hand in the

middle of my back...’

12 theDoor SEPTEMBER 2010Advertisement Feature

theDoor SEPTEMBER 2010

SSaattuurrddaayy 44 SSeepptteemmbbeerr

BECKLEY: Organ recital by CarlJackson at St Mary’s Church at6.30pm. Details 01865 351270.

UPTON: St Mary’s Church fete at2pm.

SSuunnddaayy 55 SSeepptteemmbbeerr

AMERSHAM ON THE HILL: StMichael and All Angels at 6pm .‘Living Water’ - Sustaining theSacred Centre. A time of stillness,Gospel reading. 01494 726680.

DORCHESTER ON THAMES: ThePrincipal of the Oxford Academy,Mike Reading, will preach atDorchester Abbey’s morning serviceat 10.15am. Details 01865 340007.

TThhuurrssddaayy 99 SSeepptteemmbbeerr

NEWBURY: An organ and mezzosoprano recital at St Nicolas Churchat 1.10pm. Admission free.

SSaattuurrddaayy 1111 SSeepptteemmbbeerr

GARSINGTON: St Mary’s Churchfete in the gardens of GarsingtonManor at 2pm - 5pm. Detail 01865361429.

MAIDENHEAD: St Luke’s Church isopen for Hertigate open days from10am - 4pm.

ABINGDON: St Helen’s Church.Abingdon Artists’ summer exhibitionuntil 18 September from 11am -5pm. Free admission.

OXFORD: St Giles’ Church at 10am- 4pm. Workshop on Elgar’s TheDream of Gerontius and CardinalNewman’s poem. £5. Details07789866870.

WWeeddnneessddaayy 1155 SSeepptteemmbbeerr

DORCHESTER ON THAMES:‘Climate Change - is it a problem?’ -presented by Dorchester Abbey andDorchester Carbon Project at theAbbey at 7pm. ‘What can you do as aChristian to protect our environment?.Questions and answers, fun groupquiz, stalls, refreshments. Details01865 340007.

TThhuurrssddaayy 1166 SSeepptteemmbbeerr

AMERSHAM ON THE HILL: StMichael and All Angels at 8pm.Millennium lecture by Dr SheilaCassidy ‘God beyond Church’.Details 01494 726680.

ASTON TIRROLD: Drop-in quiet dayat the Centre for Reflection from10.30am - 3.30pm with Revd DavidBunney. Details 01235 850423.

SSaattuurrddaayy 1188 SSeepptteemmbbeerr

MONKS RISBOROUGH: StDunstan’s Church fete from 2pm -4pm.

NEWPORT PAGNELL: St Peter andPaul Parish Church flower festival at10am - 5pm. Concert at 7.30pm.

HEADINGTON: The Oxford ChristianInstitute for Counselling are holding ahalf day experimental workshop -‘The importance of creative activityfor those involved in the caringprofessions’. To be held atHeadington Baptist Church from9.30am - 1pm. Details 01865308889.

SSuunnddaayy 1199 SSeepptteemmbbeerr

SLOUGH: St Paul’s Church at 6.30pm.‘Living Faith’ service with the Bishop ofBuckingham.

ABINGDON: St Helen’s Church openfrom 3pm - 4pm for teas to livebackground cello music, followed bychoral evensong.

TTuueessddaayy 2211 SSeepptteemmbbeerr

SLOUGH: St George’s, Britwell - talkwith Fiona Castle at 8pm. Detailsbritwellstgeorge@googlemail.com

WWeeddnneessddaayy 2222 SSeepptteemmbbeerr

OXFORD: Conference at WorcesterCollege until 24 September. ‘Conflictand Convergence: Jewish andChristian Approach to the Psalms’.Details www.oxford-psalms-conference.co.uk

SLOUGH: Open day for SloughReligious Studies Centre at IQRASchool from 2pm - 5.30pm.

HENLEY: A day of encouragementfor women at Highmoor Hall. Guestspeaker - Jennifer Rees Larcombe‘Beauty from Ashes’. Details 01491641112.TThhuurrssddaayy 2233 SSeepptteemmbbeerr

SLOUGH: St Anne’s Church,Dropmore (Littleworth Common).Experience a prayer labyrinth from10am - 4pm. Details 01628 661182.

FFrriiddaayy 2244 SSeepptteemmbbeerr

FINGEST: Hambleden Valley, NearHenley. Healing service with laying onof hands and anointing at HolyCommunion at 10.15am. Details01491 571231.

TILEHURST: St Michael’s are holdinga ‘Harvest of Talents’ festivalweekend this weekend. The Bishopof Oxford will preach on Sunday 26September at 9.30am.

SSaattuurrddaayy 2255 SSeepptteemmbbeerr

DRAYTON (Near Abingdon): StPeter’s Church are holding a jazz andswing concert from 7.30pm -9.30pm. Details 01235 531683.

HAMPSTEAD NORREYS: ‘Save theGiants’ barn dance and hog roast at7pm in the village hall. Tickets 01635578624.

THEALE: Holy Trinity Church areopen from 9.30am - 12.30pm for‘Macmillan Biggest Coffee Morning inthe World’.

SLOUGH: Langley Marish PrimarySchool - Happy Families Fun Dayfrom 12 noon - 3pm.

SSuunnddaayy 2266 SSeepptteemmbbeerr

DORCHESTER ON THAMES:Praise@7 - Informal worship atDorchester Abbey at 7pm.

TTuueessddaayy 3300 SSeepptteemmbbeerr

CHAVEY DOWN, ASCOT: St Martin’sChurch Hall SL5 8RR at 7.30pm. Atalk given by Ann Memmott (AutismConsultant for the diocese) - ‘Welcoming people with Autism andAsperger Synodrome’. Details 01344886234.

The DoorpostThe 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 October 2010 issue is 3 September.

Courses, training, conferences & workshops in September 2010

13

MAKING GOOD PREACHINGBETTER: Saturday 11 September atThe Soltau Centre, Stubbings from10am - 4pm. Cost £18.ETHICS: How do Christians makedecisions about ethics and lifestyle ina complicated world? This is a Level2 rolling programme course andbegins on 27 September at 7.30pm -9.30pm in Gerrards Cross (10sessions). For details of the abovecourses contactsheila.townsend@oxford.anglican.org

ABINGDON: An Acorn ChristianHealing foundation course ‘Listen toListen’ on 7, 14, 21 October and 4November at 7.30pm at Christ

Church, Northcourt Road. Cost £32.Details 01235 532759.

ROOM FOR EVERYONE: GrowingChurch in a changing culture - Thisimportant diocesan conference isbeing chaired by the Bishop ofDorchester on 25 September at TheKings Centre, Oxford from 10am -4pm. £5. Detailsruth.wilson@oxford.anglican.org

LEARN SIGN LANGUAGE: The DeafDirect Centre in Oxford are runningcourses to learn sign languagestarting in September. Emailtraining@deafdirect.org.uk

Courses & special events

Sundays: 8am Holy Communion;10am Matins (coffee in PrioryRoom); 11.15am Sung Eucharist;6pm Evensong.Weekdays: 7.15am Morning prayer;7.35am Holy Communion; 1pmWednesday only Holy Communion;6pm Evensong (Thursday SungEucharist 6pm).

After Eight: Time to reflect, time topray. Contemporary liturgies for mindand spirit on Sundays at 8pm.

Tel: 01865 276155www.chch.ox.ac.uk

Services at Christ ChurchCathedral

A barn dance will raise funds to restore stone work around effigies at St Mary’s,Aldworth. (See entry for September 25th.) Pic: Pauline Sheppard.

(TD 9/10)

TToo aaddvveerrttiissee iinn TThhee DDoooorr

CCaallll 0011775522 222255662233

theDoor SEPTEMBER 2010Advertisement Feature14

ArtstheDoor SEPTEMBER 2010 15

Once again, Oxford-based CreationTheatre Company hasundertaken the challenge of

creating exciting theatre in a magicalvenue and passed with flying colours.

Taking on Shakespeare’s Romeo andJuliet, the company gives the well-knowntragedy a fresh new setting and brings itto dazzling life with music, dance and aneclectic mix of modern costume.

Although Creation has undergoneserious financial crises after their pledgeto take traditional theatre (particularlyShakespeare and fairytales) to unusualvenues has put them at the mercy ofBritish summers, they are onto a winnerwith the rooftop amphitheatre at theSaid Business School.

Here, the stunning outdoor stage hasan indoor counterpart for bad weather.It is understandable however, why theytry to keep the performance outsideexcept in severe cases as the semi-circleof tiered steps give a real intimacy to theperformance, and the darkening skyperfectly complements the play’s journeytowards its climax. I experienced tenminutes of rain in the first half and it isa credit to the quality of theperformance that the audience seemedfar too gripped to notice.

An outstanding element of the showwas the use of movement. Theperformance opened with a street fightin the Said’s lower courtyard – which theaudience observed as if citizens atVerona – and the highly chargeddancing at the Capulets’ ball gave asexual energy to the play.

Yet despite the visual excitement,moments of slowness made sure thebeauty of the poetry still had time tosing.

A particular star for me was the skinny-jeaned Mercutio, whose Queen Mabpowerfully explored the fine linebetween the real and the imaginary, andwhose laddish banter couldn’t fail tobring a smile.

A reminder (if you needed one) thatShakespeare truly is a playwright for thepeople – a thoroughly enjoyableevening.

Imogen Phillips attends St John theBaptist, Bodicote.

Romeo and Juliet runs at the SaidBusiness School, Oxford until 4

September.

A dazzling tragedyby Imogen Phillips

@ONLINE

To book tickets visitwww.creationtheatre.co.uk or call thebox office on 01865 766266.

South African link up for book launchTHE latest book by the Revd MichaelWenham, who has Motor NeuroneDisease and retired from his post of vicarof Stanford in the Vale, was launched inGrove, Oxfordshire, with a simultaneouslive link-up to South Africa.

The book, I Choose Everything, was co-written with fellow MND sufferer,Jozanne Moss, who lives in George, nearCape Town. “We’ve never met,” saidMichael. “But she read my book MyDonkeybody last year, and contacted me byemail. This book is the result. Much of itis her journal and moving reflections onbecoming terminally ill. She has amazingfaith.”

The Cornerstone Coffee Shop inGrove, run by the local churches, waspacked for the book launch, while fromher bedroom in South Africa Jozannewith husband, Dave, and children, Luke,12 and Nicole 9 joined in via Skype.Jozanne’s MND is in an advanced stageand she can no longer move or speak.

Michael said that MND covers aspectrum of neurodegenerativeconditions of which most were veryaggressive and fast. ‘The average timebetween diagnosis and dying is 17months which means of course there arepeople whose life expectancy is less thana year. I’m a lucky exception. I wasdiagnosed in 2002.

“I’m very grateful to Lesley Ogdenfrom our local MND Association forcoming. The association does a fantasticjob in supporting us all. The MNDA iscampaigning for a National Strategy for

MND care. It’s not enough to say it’s justanother long-term neurologicalcondition. Normally it’s anything but.GPs need to recognise it early on andhow best to provide appropriate care,because of course there’s no cure as yet.”

Jozanne Moss & Michael Wenham, I Choose Everything – embracing life in the

face of terminal illness (ISBN 978-0-85721-012-8) with foreword by Archbishop

Desmond Tutu is published by MonarchBooks, £7.99.

Addiction

Counselling

Training

School

GGiilleeaadd FFoouunnddaattiioonnss AAddddiiccttiioonn CCoouunnsseelllliinnggTTrraaiinniinngg SScchhooooll at Risdon Farm, Jacobstowe, nearOkehampton offers the following Diplomaprogramme coveringRestoration Ministry (11 courses) 150 hours: £385Recovery Support Counselling (17 courses) 280 hours: £530Addiction Studies (23 courses) 350 hours: £700GGiilleeaadd FFoouunnddaattiioonnss iiss aallssoo ooffffeerriinngg-- Biblical Systematic theology- The Holy Spirit- The Person of Jesus Christ: £250At Gilead Foundations we use the Genesis ProcessRelapse Prevention programme with our clients.This training and the Genesis tools are usedthroughout the programme at Gilead: £318 We alsohave a correspondence course on counselling by JayAdams: £954

SPECIAL OFFERGilead Foundations is offering a limited number of scholarship places to suitable candidates who would like to study at ACTS.

Don’t lose out, sign up NOWThe details:

•• TTrraaiinniinngg ppeerriioodd:: approx 12 months•• AAccccoommmmooddaattiioonn:: Accommodation at Gilead Foundations, Risdon Farm will be free. If you are eligible for housing benefit,

Gilead Foundations will be claiming for this. Food will be supplied in the community dining room, free of charge.

•• TTyyppiiccaall wweeeekk:: 5 days training (2 days in the classroom and 3 days practical at the rehabilitation centre), 1 day off, plus alltrainees would be expected to be at the Gilead church on Sunday morning.

•• CCooddeess ooff pprraaccttiiccee:: Trainees must agree to abide by a code of practice (a copy is available on application).•• SSttuuddyy mmaatteerriiaallss:: All study material will be paid for by Gilead Foundations

IIff yyoouu,, oorr ssoommeeoonnee yyoouu kknnooww wwoouulldd lliikkee mmoorree iinnffoorrmmaattiioonn aabboouutt AACCTTSS oorr wwoouulldd lliikkee ttoo mmaakkeeaann aapppplliiccaattiioonn,, pplleeaassee ccoonnttaacctt::

LLaauurraa AAllmm TTeell:: 0011883377 885511224400,, FFaaxx:: 0011883377 885511552200,, llaauurraa..aallmm@@ggiilleeaadd..oorrgg..uukk,, wwwwww..ggiilleeaadd..oorrgg..uukk

16 theDoor SEPTEMBER 2010Advertisement Feature

Next Open MorningSaturday 6th November 2010

(visits welcomed at other times, please contact us to arrange)

New Yatt Rd, Witney, Oxon

OX29 6TA

t: 01993 778463

e: tks@occ.org.uk

www.occ.org.uk/tks

An independent, Christian school for girls and boys aged 5 - 16, offering a well-balanced curriculum, friendly, caring atmosphere, high standards of pastoral care and excellent academic results.

30,000 young peopledoomed to dilapidation forthe medium term.

In his letter Bishop John,(pictured right) who is chairof the Church of England’sBoard of Education, focuseson the impact on the 23Church of Englandsecondary schools whichwere anticipating majorbuilding work in the nearfuture but which have now been told it will no longergo ahead, and a further 18 CofE academy buildingprojects now under review.

He also reflects on the impact on the widereducation system, highlighting concern about theimpact on communities under-served by the educationsystem in the past, and predicting strong resistance fromlocal communities to the sudden halt of the programme.

Bishop John argues that the Government’s policy“needs to be re-visited and revised so that newproposals can be brought forward which will givehope to those who currently feel very deflated andwhose aspirations and hard work appear to havecome to nothing.”

In his letter to the Government the Bishop said:““II aamm wwrriittiinngg ttoo eexxpprreessss sseerriioouuss ccoonncceerrnn aabboouutt tthheeiimmppaacctt ffoorr tthhee CChhuurrcchh ooff EEnnggllaanndd ooff tthhee iinntteennttiioonn ttooccaanncceell tthhee BBSSFF pprrooggrraammmmee ffoorr sseeccoonnddaarryy sscchhoooollss..

““AAss yyoouu kknnooww,, tthhee CChhuurrcchh hhaass oovveerr 220000 sseeccoonnddaarryysscchhoooollss aanndd ccuurrrreennttllyy ssppoonnssoorrss 2277 ooppeenn aaccaaddeemmiieesswwiitthh sseevveerraall mmoorree iinn tthhee ppiippeelliinnee.. MMaannyy ooff oouurrsscchhoooollss aarree iinn aarreeaass ooff sseevveerree ddeepprriivvaattiioonn aanndd tthheeyyaacchhiieevvee aabboovvee tthhee nnoorrmm oouuttccoommeess ffoorr tthheeiirr ppuuppiillss..OOuurr lloonngg ssttaannddiinngg sseerrvviiccee ttoo ssuucchh ccoommmmuunniittiieess iiss aakkeeyy ppaarrtt ooff tthhee CChhuurrcchh’’ss mmiissssiioonn iinn eedduuccaattiioonn –– aa ffaacctt wwhhiicchh II kknnooww yyoouu ssuuppppoorrtt,, aanndd iitt iiss iinn tthhiissccoonntteexxtt tthhaatt II wwrriittee..

““BBootthh tthhee BBooaarrdd ooff EEdduuccaattiioonn aanndd tthhee CCoouunncciill oofftthhee NNaattiioonnaall SSoocciieettyy aarree vveerryy mmiinnddffuull ooff tthheeGGoovveerrnnmmeenntt’’ss ccoommmmiittmmeenntt ttoo rreedduucciinngg tthhee nnaattiioonnaallddeebbtt,, bbuutt wwee hhaavvee sseerriioouuss ccoonncceerrnnss aabboouutt tthhee iimmppaaccttooff tthhee ddeemmiissee ooff BBSSFF oonn oouurr sscchhooooll ssyysstteemm.. MMaakkiinnggtthhee pprrooggrraammmmee mmoorree eeffffiicciieenntt iiss oonnee tthhiinngg,, bbuuttddeecciimmaattiinngg iitt iinn tthhiiss wwaayy iiss qquuiittee aannootthheerr..

““IInn oovveerraallll tteerrmmss,, tthhee kkeeyy ffaaccttss aarree::•• 2233 CChhuurrcchh sscchhooooll pprroojjeeccttss wwiitthh aa ccoommbbiinneedd ccaappiittaall

vvaalluuee ooff ££330066mm hhaavvee bbeeeenn ssttooppppeedd;;•• 1188 pprroojjeeccttss,, mmaaiinnllyy nneeww aaccaaddeemmyy bbuuiillddiinnggss,, wwiitthh aa

ccoommbbiinneedd ccaappiittaall vvaalluuee ooff ££331155mm aarree uunnddeerr rreevviieeww;;•• MMoosstt ooff tthhee pprroojjeeccttss aaffffeecctteedd aarree iinn aarreeaass ooff sseevveerree

ddeepprriivvaattiioonn;;•• TThhee bbuuiillddiinnggss aarree iinn aa vveerryy bbaadd ssttaattee,, oofftteenn uunnddeerr

mmaaiinnttaaiinneedd ppeennddiinngg aannttiicciippaatteedd rreebbuuiillddss,, aanndd tthhiisssseerriioouussllyy iimmppaaiirrss tthhee cchhaanncceess ooff rraaiissiinngg ssttaannddaarrddss;;

•• SSoommee bbuuiillddiinnggss hhaavvee vveerryy sseerriioouuss hheeaalltthh aannddssaaffeettyy iissssuueess aanndd mmaayy ssoooonn bbeeccoommee uunnuussaabbllee..OOtthheerrss hhaavvee aaccuuttee ssttrruuccttuurraall pprroobblleemmss;;

•• TThhee iimmppaacctt oonn llooccaall ccoommmmuunniittiieess aaffffeecctteedd bbyyssttooppppeedd pprroojjeeccttss wwiillll bbee vveerryy sseerriioouuss aanndd wwiillll bbeeaaccttiivveellyy rreessiisstteedd iinn mmaannyy ppllaacceess;;

•• TThhee pprroojjeeccttss uunnddeerr rreevviieeww aarree mmaaiinnllyy aaccaaddeemmyypprroojjeeccttss.. CCaanncceellllaattiioonn oorr rreedduuccttiioonn iinn ccaappiittaall ssppeennddwwiillll ccoommpprroommiissee tthhee FFuunnddiinngg AAggrreeeemmeenntt wwhhiicchh hhaassbbeeeenn ssiiggnneedd iinn ggoooodd ffaaiitthh tthhaatt aa nneeww bbuuiilldd wwaass ppaarrttooff tthhee ddeeaall.. CCoo--ssppoonnssoorrss mmaayy ppuullll oouutt iiff nneewwbbuuiillddiinnggss ffaaiill ttoo mmaatteerriiaalliissee;;

•• TThhee aassppiirraattiioonnss iinn eedduuccaattiioonn bbrriieeffss aannddeexxpprreessssiioonnss ooff iinntteerreesstt mmaayy bbee uunnaattttaaiinnaabbllee iiff nneewwffaacciilliittiieess ffaaiill ttoo mmaatteerriiaalliissee;;

•• SSeevveerraall ooff tthhee ssttooppppeedd pprroojjeeccttss hhaavvee iinnvvoollvveeddyyeeaarrss ooff hhaarrdd wwoorrkk ttoo rree--eessttaabblliisshh tthhee pprroossppeeccttss ooffggoooodd sscchhoooollss iinn tthhee aarreeaa.. TThhee rreemmnnaannttss ooff tthheesseepprroojjeeccttss mmaayy bbee uunnwwoorrkkaabbllee iinn eexxiissttiinngg bbuuiillddiinnggss..““TThhiiss ppoolliiccyy nneeeeddss ttoo bbee rree--vviissiitteedd aanndd rreevviisseedd ssoo

tthhaatt nneeww pprrooppoossaallss ccaann bbee bbrroouugghhtt ffoorrwwaarrdd wwhhiicchh wwiillll

ggiivvee hhooppee ttoo tthhoossee wwhhoo ccuurrrreennttllyy ffeeeell vveerryy ddeeffllaatteeddaanndd wwhhoossee aassppiirraattiioonnss aanndd hhaarrdd wwoorrkk aappppeeaarr ttoo hhaavveeccoommee ttoo nnootthhiinngg..

““WWee jjooiinn wwiitthh yyoouu iinn sseeeekkiinngg ffiinnaanncciiaall pprruuddeennccee,,iinnccrreeaassiinnggllyy eeffffiicciieenntt uussee ooff ccaappiittaall aanndd tthhee nneeeedd ffoorriimmpprroovveedd ssttaannddaarrddss iinn oouurr sscchhoooollss.. WWee hhaavvee bbeeeenneennccoouurraaggeedd bbyy tthhee wwaayy iinn wwhhiicchh tthhee CCooaalliittiioonnGGoovveerrnnmmeenntt hhaass ssiiggnnaalllleedd aa ccoommmmiittmmeenntt ttoo wwoorrkk wwiitthhuuss ttoo ddrriivvee uupp ssttaannddaarrddss iinn oouurr sscchhoooollss,, aanndd wwee ssttaannddrreeaaddyy ttoo wwoorrkk wwiitthh yyoouu ttoo eennssuurree tthhaatt pprrooggrreessss iiss nnootttthhrreeaatteenneedd bbyy ffaaiilluurree ttoo pprroovviiddee sscchhooooll bbuuiillddiinnggss ttoo aassttaannddaarrdd oouurr cchhiillddrreenn rreeqquuiirree aanndd ddeesseerrvvee..””

TThhee CChhuurrcchh ooff EEnnggllaanndd’’ss lleeaadd ssppookkeessppeerrssoonn oonneedduuccaattiioonn iissssuueess,, tthhee BBiisshhoopp ooff LLiinnccoollnn,, tthhee RRttRReevvdd JJoohhnn SSaaxxbbeeee,, hhaass wwrriitttteenn ttoo EEdduuccaattiioonnSSeeccrreettaarryy MMiicchhaaeell GGoovvee ttoo eexxpprreessss hhiiss sseerriioouussccoonncceerrnn aatt tthhee ccaanncceellllaattiioonn ooff tthhee BBuuiillddiinnggSScchhoooollss ffoorr tthhee FFuuttuurree pprrooggrraammmmee iinn sseeccoonnddaarryysscchhoooollss..

As the House of Commons begins to debate theAcademies Bill, the Church is signalling its deepdisappointment at the recent announcement inanother area of education policy, which it says willsee the fate of the learning environment of at least

Church of England’s concern over scrapping of schools building programme

theDoor SEPTEMBER 2010 17Advertisement Feature

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With concerns surrounding much of education inBritain today, it should come as little surprise thatindependent Christian schools maintain theirpopularity with parents, providing a strong spiritualand moral basis in all that they do. The moredisciplined style of education seems to bear fruit andtheir academic results continue to impress and inmany cases improve.

FFAAIITTHH BBAASSEEDD SSCCHHOOOOLLSSAnglican schools continue to be popular and are

approached by parents from across the denominations,as well as other faiths, who wish to ensure that theirchildren can enjoy a start to life based on a firmfoundation.

You will find faith based schools in both the statesupported sector offering free education whilst otherscan be found in the Independent Schools roster.Many of these schools will attract pupils from the localarea as well as those who make use of the boardingfacilities.

Cost is a deciding factor for many parents whomight well feel that they cannot afford the fees thatmany private schools charge, overlooking the fact thatin many cases bursaries are available for suitablepupils who come from a background that does nothave the ability to pay large fees. Many parents startsaving when their child is young in order to financethem through secondary or higher education. It'sworth checking with your bank or building society tosee what sort of schemes might be available.

MMOORREE TTOO SSCCHHOOOOLL TTHHAANN EEXXAAMMIINNAATTIIOONNSSIt isn't just the academic side of school that's

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much more than a bank of knowledge. Many schoolsoffer the opportunity of travel or adventure training inorder to broaden the mind.

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A lot of prayer and advice will be undertaken indeciding what path to follow, even when inherenttalents seem to make the choice a little more obvious.

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‘If it is possible, so far as it depends on you,live peaceably with all.’ Romans 12: 18.

The first reaction on the part ofthose who have read Acts and theEpistles to this piece of excellent

advice from St Paul might be that hesometimes seems to have had problemswith following it himself.

He apologised for an angry outburstaddressed to the high priest (Acts 23:2-5), and famously rowed in public withhis fellow-apostle Peter (Galatians 2:11-14). In fact the whole of the letter tothe Galatians is angry in tone andincludes a comment about the‘circumcision party’ that would causeuproar if repeated in a modern pulpit(5:12).

Perhaps because Paul knew aboutanger from personal experience he wasparticularly concerned to warn about itsdangers. ‘Live peaceably’ is probablysomething we’d all like to do, butsometimes circumstances, opposition orwhat we see as dishonesty or disrespectblows away our intended self-control. Ithappens in families, at work and, sadly,in churches.

The more strongly we hold to ourbeliefs, the more threatened and angrywe feel if they are treated lightly, oreven contradicted, especially by thosewe would have expected to be ourallies. Controversy has always beenpresent in the Church and anyone who

thinks that our present disagreementsand splits are unique in church historyhasn’t studied it very closely!

The challenge is to learn to disagreewithout being disagreeable, to hold ourown views without ridiculing or abusingothers for holding theirs - and torecognise that arguments in the Churchof Christ are family arguments. Paul andPeter disagreed sharply, but theyremained in fellowship. Christians inapostolic times disagreed over the issueof meat offered to idols, but managedto stay in the same Church. ‘So far as itdepends on you’, says Paul. Sometimesthe peace is destroyed despite my bestefforts to maintain it.

Yet the ‘peacemakers’ are still the‘children of God’, and it is always betterto be a peacemaker in the church thana peace-breaker. Judgement (or‘vengeance’, even, as Paul goes on tosay in this passage) is God‘s prerogative,not ours. We can leave the judgementas to who is in the right and who is inthe wrong to the only One who is ableto make it perfectly.

There is nothing wrong withargument, in the sense of a passionateexchange of honestly held views. Thereis everything wrong with argumentexpressed angrily, sarcastically,destructively or dismissively. ‘Livepeaceably’, speak peaceably, and leavethe final judgement to God. That hasalways been the Christian way to copewith controversy. Canon David Winter is a former Diocesan Adviseron Evangelism, former BBC head of religiousaffairs, a broadcaster and author of many books.

Letters & commenttheDoor SEPTEMBER 2010

Guidance for funeralsI am a retired Reader who has conductedmany funerals in crematoria for people whohave had little or no church contact duringtheir adult life.

As I have been asked to take suchfunerals, they will be Christian events, but Ican offer families a considerable amount ofchoice as we plan together for the event. Ihave however certain reservations oruncertainties as I have used some of whatI regard basic expressions from the C of Eprinted order of service.

I was therefore interested to read thereview in the Church Times of Peter Jupp’sDeath Our Future: Christian Theology andFuneral Practice and as a result decidedto get the book. However I could not justifyspending £25 on it, so I went to my locallibrary to ask if they would order it for me,and then add it to their shelves. There wasno hesitation and I found the book to beeverything the reviewer said it was.

I would like to let the Door’s readersknow this book is available for borrowingfrom Oxfordshire County Council’s LibraryService, which means you can have aworthwhile read at no cost to yourself.

Dennis R Piper, Bampton

LETTERS

Audio version

by Joan van Emden

One of the most excitingthings I’ve ever done inchurch was to stand up andannounce that ‘our’

Amnesty International Prisoner ofConscience had been released. It was agreat moment and the applause was fullof joy.

We kept a photo of Gamal, anEgyptian journalist imprisoned for freespeech, in the Lady Chapel with anAmnesty International candle. Eachweek we prayed for him and we senthim occasional cards, never knowingwhether he received them. AI kept usinformed of the conditions of his jailand after two years, we had the news wehad been waiting and praying for. Laterwe heard Gamal, a Muslim, was amazedand moved that Christians had caredabout him and that women had takenlead roles in working for his release.

As a church we can’t belong to AI butI am a link to the Reading branch. It’simportant we take no action without AIapproval, as a mistake, for example,sending a Christian card, may makefurther trouble for the recipient.

Our current prisoners are WestPapuan, committed Christians,imprisoned for joining a peacefulprotest. One, Yusak, was released in July,praise God. We sent them Christmascards with over 100 signatures,including Bishop Stephen’s. LordHarries of Pentregarth, the formerBishop of Oxford, recently took apetition with more than 3,000signatures to the Indonesian Embassy,asking for the release of our prisoners;many of our names were there. Thelocal AI branch collected money to payfor an operation urgently needed byFilep, one of our prisoners, and animpromptu collection at church raised£300. The authorities have agreed thatFilep can have the operation, and we’rewaiting for the result.

We’ve gained so much from the AIlink. Our congregation is made up ofpeople of many nationalities, amongthem those who understand thenightmare of unjust imprisonment. Inour prisoners, we have a focus for ouractive concern; we are kept aware in avery practical way, week by week, that weare all brothers and sisters in the love ofOur Lord, and of each other.

Joan van Emden is on the ministry teamat Christ Church, Reading.

Comment

Thought forthe month

by David Winter

19

Sight impairedpeople can nowget a free audio

version of The Door bycontactingGraham

Winterbourne on01884 840285

Comings and GoingsRevd Paul Smith will take up post asTeam Vicar in Abingdon; Revd Dr MohanUddin will take up post as Team Vicar inNewbury; Revd Jonathan Hawkins willtake up post as Associate Minister inAylesbury; Revd Dr Mark Griffiths willtake up post as Priest in Charge inBracknell; Revd Peter Waterson will takeup post as House for duty Priest in theThame Team; Revd Canon

Adrian Daffern will take up post as TeamRector of the Blenheim Team Ministry;Revd Liz Welters retires from theSchorne Team; Revd John Cooper willretire from Wootton and Dry Sandford.The following has been given permissionto officiate: Revd Clive Jones. We recallwith sadness the deaths of Rt Revd AlanSmithson; The Very Revd John Methuen;Revd Anthony Welling and Revd CanonBill Whiffen

Editor: Jo Duckles Tel: 01865 208227Email: jo.duckles@oxford.anglican.orgEditorial Assistant/Distribution: Debbie DallimoreTel: 01865 208225 Email: debbie.dallimore@oxford.anglican.orgAdvertising: Roy Perring Tel: 01752 225623 Email: roy@cornerstonevision.comDeadline for October 2010: Friday 3 September 2010.Published Monday 20 September 2010.

The Door is published by Oxford Diocesan Publications Ltd (Secretary Mrs Rosemary Pearce). Theregistered 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, their inclusion in The Door doesnot guarantee it or mean that they are endorsed by the Diocese of Oxford.

Prayer for captives

Coping with controversy

Competition WinnersBetty Course from Newport Pagnell,Vivienne Holloway from Haddenhamand Daphne Washbrook fromThatcham were the winners of the prizedraw in the July/August issue of TheDoor and have all won a copy of ‘TheMiracle of Saint Ralph’ dvd.

25 years of counsellingThe Oxford Christian Institute forCounselling (OCIC) celebrated its 25thanniversary with a thanksgiving event atHeadington Baptist Church.

Friends and supporters joined currentstaff and trustees to hear glimpses of thepast, a theological reflection from the RtRevd David Atkinson and theopportunities and challenges for thefuture followed by a celebratory afternoon

tea. On Saturday 18th September, theRevd Anne Holmes will conduct amorning workshop in Headingtondesigned for “Creative Repair”. Also in

Headington, on Tuesday 19th Octoberfrom 7.30pm, Bishop John, an OCICPatron, will talk on ‘Pastoral Care and thePlayfulness of God’.

See the website www.ocic.org.uk formore information.

In brief

God in the life of... theDoor SEPTEMBER 2010

Tony Baldry is recovering fromhis first experience ofGeneral Synod when wemeet. With its marathondebate on women bishops, it

was a baptism of fire.“Never in my wildest dreams did I

imagine that I’d spend the morning ofmy 60th birthday at General Synodspeaking in a debate on women in theepiscopate,” he says. “Usually with thissort of thing, you’d listen for a couple oftimes before speaking but I was called onto speak even before the Archbishop ofCanterbury.”

The Second Church EstatesCommissioner represents the Church ofEngland in Parliament, which means thathe is responsible for steering churchlegislation through the Commons. “I feltit was important to explain to Synod thatthe House of Commons would find itdifficult to support anything thatsuggested women were second classbishops.”

He makes me a cup of tea in hiskitchen. On the windowsill is acommemorative Cameron-Clegg Coalitionmug. The coalition, he says, is workingvery well. David Cameron is “an excellentPrime Minister and an excellent leader”.

“The task of Second Church EstatesCommissioner is about trying to ensurethe machinery of the Church and themachinery of government work welltogether,” he says. “Church andParliament work together in many areas,from concerns about doctrine andworship, to conservation and adaptationsof church buildings, and the work of theChurch in inner cities and overseas. The

closeness of the relationship isdemonstrated by the prayers we say eachday in the House of Commons.”

He used his position to defend churchschools in the recent debate on theAcademies Bill. “Some MPs had tabled anamendment because they are suspiciousof faith schools generally,” he says.

By tradition, the role of Second ChurchEstates Commissioner goes to a seniorbackbencher. Mr Baldry, who wascampaign aide to Margaret Thatcher inthe 1974 General Election, was elected tothe Commons in 1979, first for Thurrockand from 1983, north Oxfordshire. Heserved as a minister under both Thatcherand Major. He is proud to have been oneof only 15 Conservatives who votedagainst the Iraq war.

He describes his upbringing inBuckinghamshire as ecumenical and

spiritually rich. “My mother was a Quakerand my father an Anglican. So I went toSunday Meeting and Sung Evensong,with Sunday school in the afternoonwhere I was taught the basic buildingblocks such as the Beatitudes, theMagnificat and Nunc Dimittis, and storiesfrom the Bible.

“Also in the village there was a retiredteacher, whose family had been involvedin the church for many years, and she wasa mentor. In Burnham we had NashdomAbbey, a Benedictine Anglicancommunity. Nashdom in the 1960s was avibrant community of scholars, and Iused to go and stay there from time totime as a guest.

“Then there was the RC priest ofBritwell, Father David Woodard, who wasone of the small group who challengedthe Pope’s encyclical Humanae Vitae. I

didn’t appreciate at the time but it was avery rich upbringing.”

He attended Leighton Park School inReading, a Quaker school with anAnglican headmaster. His faith was an“active choice at school” and he wasconfirmed at Christ Church, Reading.These days he attends his village church,St Mary’s, Bloxham, or St Gabriel’s,Pimlico, when he is in London.

He still occasionally attends QuakerMeetings. The Prime Minister and mostof the Cabinet, he says, are “quietChristians”, motivated by Christianvalues, believing they have aresponsibility to serve their country.“Much of what David Cameron is sayingabout the Big Society is about thatinherent responsibility. And all of us asChristians have that responsibility.”

He says he is only just getting his headround the different factions within theChurch. “Most people want the Churchto look outwards and engage with thecommunity as a whole,” he says. “At thesame time there’s the issue of

maintaining the fabric of our churchesand cathedrals.

“In a constituency like mine, there area huge number of churches, based onprevious patterns of settlement. Thatmeans small congregations are strugglingto maintain churches that have beenaround for many centuries.”

Another challenge is presented by ourbusy lives. “It’s often hard for families toattend church, when both parents areworking. That means we’re in danger oflosing the common literature of churchthat people of my generation grew upwith. And unless people are confident,there’s always a risk when they do go tochurch that they feel like they are takingan exam for which they’ve only beentaught part of the syllabus.”

The new Second ChurchEstates Commissioner MPTony Baldry talks to SarahMeyrick about his life, hisfaith and his hopes for theChurch of England.

AAnn aammbbaassssaaddoorr iinn

‘Most people want the

Church to look outwards...’

Parliament

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