in shape summer 2012
DESCRIPTION
the magazine of the Diocese of LeicesterTRANSCRIPT
shapein
Healthy Churches in Leicestershire
Summer 2012 : Issue 5News and Stories For Your Church
lives and communities transformedworship in a way that renews and inspires
self-giving service to the communitybeing rooted in prayer
confident and sensitive evangelismlifelong Christian nurture
the welcome of newcomersbecoming child friendly
celebration of people and places
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This magazine is the quarterly publication of the Diocese of Leicester. The themes of In Shape are centred on the diocesan vision “Shaped by God” on which the nine Marks of Mission are based.
This vision is of flourishing mission in the 300 Anglican churches of the City and the County.
In Shape is edited by:Liz Hudson-Oliff Keith CousinsMike Harrison Barry Hill Andy Rhoadese-mail: [email protected]
ContactsThe Diocese of Leicester administration and Leicester Cathedral Tel 0116 261 5200
The Office of the Bishop of Leicester Tel 0116 270 8985 [email protected]
Diary Dates should be sent [email protected] or entered at www.leicester.anglican.org events by Monday 9th July. Inclusion is dependent on space available.
Signup to Diomail at www.leicester.anglican.org/misc/diomail-signup
Commercial advertisers are invited to call for current rates. The inclusion of an advertisement in this publication does not constitute any endorsement of a product or service by either the editors or the Diocese of Leicester
In This Issue3. Bishop’s Letter
4. On the Starting Blocks
5. Journeying Together
6. Worship at the Chrism Eucharist
6. Leicester United Christian Fellowship
8. The Diamond Jubilee Visit
9. The File
10. Getting Messy
11. YP4L An Update
12. Mission in Japan 13. leicester.anglican.org/announcements
14. Treasures Unlocked
15. leicester.anglican.org/events
16. The Interview John Orridge
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Bishop’s LetterOur identity as a disciple of Christ is always both a personal response to the overwhelming love of God, and is also formed by fellow pilgrims on the way. As I leave this Diocese, and by the time you read this I will have been consecrated as Bishop of Bedford, I am profoundly and gratefully aware of the formation that I have received through being part of the Christian community in our Diocese.
It is a good news story. It is the Leicester United Christian Fel-lowship, an Asian congregation, who are joining the Diocesan family in June under a Bishop’s Mission Order, who are passionate about evangelism; it is the deaf and hard of hearing community at the Church of the Good Shepherd developing new life at St Andrew’s Jarrom Street who have so much to teach us about ‘hearing’ God’s word; it is people in the Ironstone Group growing in their Chris-tian faith through encounters with people of other faiths on an ‘Unfamiliar Journey’ course from the St Philip’s Centre; and it is the faithfulness of the people of St Thomas’ South Wigston with whom I shared Holy Week. Those are just a few of the formation moments I have received in my final weeks in this Diocese.
It is our story of being ‘Shaped by God’ for witness and service which is once again celebrated in this edition of ‘In Shape’. Thank you for all that you have given me; let us continue to encourage one another as God leads us forward.
+ Richard
Richard Atkinson writes…
In a speech launching this year’s Back to Church Sunday, the Archbishop of Canterbury said, “We have been in danger of forgetting just how much we still have in the ‘bank’ and just how much desire there is for connections to be made in the minds and hearts of a lot of people. What Back to Church Sunday has more than anything demonstrated is that you don’t have to dig too far to find that desire for connection.”
Not another initiative!Diamond Jubilee. 2012 Games. Harvest. Given the many opportunities that 2012 brings,it might be easy to see Back to Church Sunday as another event to which to invite people who aren’t yet part of
the worshipping community. Most people new to church need more than a single invitation to make the step from being on the fringe to being involved. Back to Church Sunday offers another step in the process. This year’s theme is designed to echo the words you might say when extending a welcome, “I’m inviting you”.
A simplified processThe registration and ordering process is now open, and it’s been simplified. You can input your church’s details at www.backtochurch.co.uk/taking-part. For the first time this year all churches that reg-ister will appear on a map so that those interested can find a church near them taking part. Liturgical resources are also
being refreshed, with sermon outlines, templates for services and much more, all of which will be free and available later in the summer.
A simplified packThe information and resource pack is also simpler and cheaper than previously. Smaller packs are available for smaller churches. New this year is an event pack with balloons, bunting and a 2.5m long weatherproof banner. A hospitality and t-shirt pack is also available.
Visit www.leicester.anglican.org/btcs for a wide range of resources for churches. It’s also the place, later this year, to find a list of all the churches taking part in Back to Church Sunday this year.
Archdeacon of Leicester 2002 - April 2012
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lives and communities transformed
teamwork and shared vision. Ironstone VillagesYou could follow in our footsteps writes Mike Alexander. Our villages team have run a few events already with a sports/Olympic theme. We’ve tried Wii 10 pin bowling, carpet bowls and recently around forty people of all ages came together for Wii fencing. For the armchair sports fans there were cream teas and nail painting. We were delighted that so many people came and had such a great time.”
Our forthcoming events include further fencing sessions, archery, sailing and raft-building at Rutland Water. There is also a sports quiz, a walk/run/cycle between three of the benefice churches, and more carpet bowls. Home and cell groups are exploring a themed topic and the church will be open during our Village Open gardens day.
Hoby This small village will have an Olympic notice board identifying a number of sports competitions including tennis, badminton and table tennis. It will show results of games and venues for a variety of competitions being held around the village over one weekend. The church is also working with other groups. The local pub is staging petanque, darts, dominoes and skittles. Competitors are striving for ‘chocolate’ medals to be presented at the end of an Olympic weekend, taking place before the end of the school term and before the Games start. The medals ceremony will include a BBQ.
they offer. It was a chance for them to get together and work out some ideas on how they could implement this goal.” Two more Roadshows are happening over Spring and Summer. Check diomail regularly. See page 2 for sign up details.
Braunstone ParkSt Peter’s, Woodshawe Rise, Leicester is holding their Summer Festival and Fayre on the weekend of 15th - 17th June. Sport and the Olympics is the summer festival’s theme. “We’re planning displays about local sports clubs, there will be sporting celebrities attending and a quiz hosted by Christians in Sport at the pub. There will be a penalty shoot-out, a parachute game, a bouncy castle, a story session and sporty flower displays. The Fayre will be opened by the Braunstone Park runners, led by Paige Murray, a local woman who champions opportunities for people with disabilities.” Roz Burch
Aylestone Inter-Church collaboration is the name of the game in Aylestone. St Andrew’s, St Edward’s Roman Catholic, Aylestone Baptist and New Life Apostolic Churches are getting together to organise an Olympic themed fun day on 1st July. The stars will be the participants in various activities and games that reflect the Community spirit in the neighbourhood and which promise celebration and fun. With the opportunity to explore more of the Christian faith, it’s a lovely example of
It’s not too late to get involved. At the Sydney Olympics in 2000, the majority of Australian churches didn’t get involved until three months before the Opening Ceremony. The best two steps off the blocks are to download the “15 practical ideas and resources” brochure from www.leicester.anglican.org/2012-games. You can also sign up as a Gold Champion for occasional emails on the same web page or call 0116 261 5335. Here’s a taster of some of the events being planned in the diocese.
Coalville During the Olympic Games, the Run the Race café will be open in the town centre. It will be the hub of local celebration and the base for community action by young people. The Games will be shown on Big Screen, with refreshments available. There will also be an opportunity to chat about life’s big issues. Many special events will be laid on during the Games. “This is a positive event for the town that we want to fully support”, said a spokeman of the Coalville Precinct.
Youth Roadshow Nearly 40 people came to our first Roadshow,” says Matt Brown, Director of Reality Youth Project. “This was a great encouragement to all of those involved and showed us that God is backing us up in all that we do. The Roadshow’s task was to inspire our young people about the Games and the mission opportunity
Getting to the point in Ironstone Villages
On the Starting BlockHundreds of events are being planned by churches around the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The list is almost endless. Community fun days and relays. Sports quiz nights and village Olympics. Coaching for young people and board-game Olympics. Inter-school quizzes and sporting versions of exploring faith courses. Holiday clubs and even a prayer relay from school to school across the county and city.
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being rooted in prayer
At the heart of Christian discipleship is the desire to become more Christ-like. There are different dimensions to this discipleship but it includes growing in awareness of the presence and prompting of God, sensitivity to the movement of the Holy Spirit and responsiveness to that movement.
Prayerfulness and spiritual alertness are key to this, and giving these aspects of our journey attention can result in a profound deepening of our discipleship.
Many people find it helpful to have a companion on this spiritual journey – some call this person a Spiritual Director or a Soul Friend. There are a number of men and women – both ordained and lay – in the Diocese of Leicester who are available to help in this way. The Diocesan Spirituality Core Group has a list of who they are and is able to put people in touch with them. If you would like to speak to someone about this then please contact Mike Harrison, or Gill Russell or Valerie Joyce who are members of the Group.
The Spirituality Core Group is also
there to resource parishes - members of the group are willing to lead a retreat – for example a ‘retreat in daily life’ – or a week of ‘accompanied prayer’ in your church. There are Network evenings advertised to which you are invited along to at which there will be a conversation and resourcing about different aspects of spirituality. Recently for example evenings have been devoted to Thomas Merton, John Main and medieval spiritu-ality. The Group, in this way and through other initiatives, seeks to encourage the wider Church as well as individual Christians to engage in spirituality. In the autumn of this year we are planning to provide a nine week course with opportu-nities to practice as well as learn about a variety of Christian spiritual traditions – watch out for this being advertised.
For more information please contact:[email protected] Tel 0116 [email protected] [email protected]
Journeying Together One of the 7,000 Olympic Torchbearers selected from 60,000 applicants, and running in Wymeswold, Leicestershire, is Ted Collins from Hugglescote, near Coalville.
Sports Chaplains needed
Richard Gamble, the former chaplain of Leicester City Football Club and head of Sports Chaplaincy UK, will be hosting an evening in Leicester for those interested in exploring offering chaplaincy to a local sports club. The evening, on Tuesday 18th September is open to lay and ordained people.
More details from 0116 261 5348 or [email protected]
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Torchbearer Ted
Ted moved up from Gloucestershire with his wife Carol, just under two years ago, and is a member of the Church Council for St John the Baptist. He is also involved with the other churches in the area.
After attending a meeting organised by the All Churches group, More Than Gold, Ted felt inspired to apply because he very much wants to use the opportunity to talk about Jesus.
worship in a way that renews and inspires
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This year’s Chrism Eucharist on Maundy Thursday felt different because of the memories of the Royal Visit. We gathered with our Bishops underneath the Jubilee Corona woven from willow and hung above the cathedral nave altar. This naïve piece has evoked much conversation from visitors since March 8th – is it meant to be a glorious royal crown or a is it a crown of thorns or is it something of both?
As the service proceeded and the oils for healing, anointing and commissioning were blessed and as the congregation reaffirmed their commitments to Christ in baptism and ordination, my eyes kept dancing back and forth between the corona and the people.
I could see many familiar faces and now having been around for a few years, these faces triggered stories – stories of huge joy, complex stories of ill health or stress or fractured relationship, exciting stories of new growth and learning. Woven before me in the congregation was evidence of a crown of thorns and a crown of glory. These dynamics were inseparable within the people and inseparable in the hanging corona. All was offered to God.
I experienced worship which was framed with the Glory of God enabling the transformation of the broken people of God. It was a glimpse of the glorious Kingship of Christ made visible in the King whose hands washed feet and were bloodied for our sake.
David Monteith
The Leicester United Christian Fellowship (LUCF) is a group of Christians of Asian origin from around Leicester, who speak Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi. Some Gujrati, Tamil and Marathi speaking Christians have also joined us. We have also been joined by many converts from Sikhism and Hinduism.
At present we worship in Harrison Road Methodist Church in Belgrave, but soon we will be coming under the auspices of the Anglican diocese of Leicester, moving to All Saints Church, (formerly St Gabriels) Belgrave. This will be our new permanent home for worship and outreach to the community.
Bishop Tim and Ven Richard Atkinson have greatly helped facilitate the move of the LUCF to becoming a Church of Eng-land congregation and after many meetings (and many visits by Richard to the fellowship LUCF) we are eagerly waiting for 10 June when LUCF will be welcomed to the diocese and Sunny George licensed in Leicester Cathedral as an Evanglist by Bishop Christopher. The Service will be at 4pm after which we will travel to All Saints for its formal opening. Our hope is to be able to worship our saviour and Lord and reach out to the com-munity with the love and gospel of our Lord Jesus.
LUCF, the Fellowship was established up by Colonel John Mubbarak, a Pakistani Salvation minister, in 1999 and originally worshipped in North Evington Salvation Army Church. Before then Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi speaking Christians used to join different Gujrati-speaking Christian fellowships around the city. In 2002 some members of the Fellowship moved to worship at St. Crispin’s Church, Braunstone Town Leicester, where Rev. Javaid Iqbal provided priestly and spiritual oversight. In August 2004 Javaid moved to St. Denys Evington so the fellowship moved with him and made St. Denys their spiritual home. In January 2007 Javaid moved to Thurmaston so the fellowship divided in two, one group worshipping at St Gabriel’s and the other starting to worship at Harrison Road Methodist Church
Worship at the Chrism Eucharist
The Leicester United Christian Fellowship
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under the leadership of Sunny George. Eventually the groups united, as the Leicester United Christian Fellowship, LUCF. This fellowship has grown considerably as many Christians from India and Pakistan came to Leicester and joined.
At LUCF we worship in our mother tongue and pass on our culture and style of worship to our children so that they know their roots. We also interact with the main English congrega-tions in our area of residence as we are one family of God. We respect each other’s tradition, customs and styles of worship as we have come from many different denominations. Along with the worship, we have times for fellowship, not least through the sharing of food after services. Most of us are families with young and teenage children so we tailor programmes to suit, with lots of fun activities and outings, especially in the summer.
We also have special programmes with meals at Christmas, Easter and other occasions. We hold an annual convention when Asian Christian from around the UK join us for a day of worship and fellowship. New members are always welcome or just drop in to experience a different style of worship.Sunny George 07701092810 0116 212 [email protected]. Canon Javaid Iqbal 07782169987 0116 [email protected]
Remembering with HopeHope Against Cancer is arranging a performance of Fauré’s ‘Requiem’ in Leicester Cathedral in place of Choral Evensong at 4.00p.m. on Sunday 4th November. Local singers will join the choir of Leicester Cathedral with soloists, Chlöe Willson Thomas and Gwion Thomas. The performance will be directed by Dr Christopher Johns, Director of Music at the Cathedral.
This has become an annual remembrance. It offers an opportunity to reflect on loved ones past and present who have either died from cancer or are suffering and needing treatment. No tickets but there will be a retiring collection for Hope Against Cancer.
If you would like to sing with the choir, please contact Elizabeth Cox. Tel 0116 2700101 or e-mail [email protected].
Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee visit
The Queen’s visit to the Cathedral and St Martins House, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh and Duchess of Cambridge was “just wonderful!”, according to the people who stood from 8am to see her arrive.
As the royal guests stepped out of their vehicle the many hundreds of people gathered in Peacock Lane and the Cathe-dral grounds waved flags and banners, Kibworth Brass Band played, Sikh Dohl drummers played and the Cathedral bells rang. The Royal visitors really enjoyed (so we are assured!) the half hour service which included readings by members of other faiths from their own scriptures, and the first performance of an anthem from the choir songbook of music composed especially for the Diamond Jubilee. There were young Indian and Pakistani traditional dancers, trumpets, a choir from Church Hill Church of England Junior School and a cello solo by a young chorister.
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celebration of people and places
The Queen and Duchess received posies, then met hundreds of school chil-dren - collecting many bunches of flowers, cards and gifts on the way while Ibstock Scout band played and a Zimbabwean choir sang.
The Royal Guests met Faith Leaders, youth groups and charities working from St Martins House, before enjoying lunch in the Grand Hall with a wide range of guests age from 6 to 96. One couple celebrated their Diamond wedding anniversary on very day of the visit!
As they left St Martins House they all signed a commemorative document which will placed in the Cathedral, and the Queen unveiled a stone monolith engraved in honour of the visit.
A DVD of the visit is now available from Christian Resources (see back cover for details) and there are over 100 photographs on the Diocese of Leicester Flickr page
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lifelong Christian nurture
“The File” is a major new library of resources to support mission and ministry across the diocese. It’s a series of sessions mostly designed to be led and run locally, plus some longer courses. Compiled by the Mission and Ministry team, they offer opportunities to learn together, to release and engage new ministries and gifts, and allow people to participate in developing the mission and ministry of their local Church or Christian Community.
Download a list of sessions at www.leicester.anglican.org and click on Shaped by God > The File.
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Every child leaving a church school at the end of the academic year will receive a complimentary copy of the special Diamond Jubilee New Testament. “We’re absolutely delighted to be able to give them this gift”, says Mary Lawson, Director of Education at the diocese. “Over two thousand year five and six pupils at almost a hundred Church of England aided or controlled primary schools, will be getting a copy.”
Nationally, a quarter of a million of these special Bibles have been produced in a joint collaboration between The Church of England and Hope Together.
Free Diamond Jubilee New Testament to all schools
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Over fifty Leicestershire churches regularly get “Messy”. Messy Church is a time of creativity, worship and eating together and is so much more than a funky toddler group. As one of the founders writes, Messy Church is an “attempt to be church for families who might want to meet Jesus, belong to their local church and bring up their children as Christians but can’t cope with traditional Sunday morning church services.” Here three Messy Church’s practitioners share their experiences:
becoming child friendly
Why ‘Messy’? No one’s keen on hoovering up glitter & wiping down gloop. It’s ‘Messy’ because it’s church on any day but Sunday. Sunday clubs were getting a tad difficult to fill with children swimming, football, rugby etc. The Bible tells us that the seventh day should be a day of rest but, in our present-day culture, rest and relaxation doesn’t necessarily include Church. It’s often more about, family time. So we have to look at different ways of spreading the Word.
Brilliant --- Messy Church is it then –I thought. First a team: I asked a few likely candidates & ‘hey – presto’ with a bit of arm manoeu-vring - job done. Next a time and day were agreed. Then we had to decide exactly what we would do. Offering drinks, biscuits & fruit on arrival was a great start.
Then we grew and became a little more adventurous. ‘Shall we offer a hot meal?’ Would the team be ‘up’ for this? Of course they would and so this fol-lowed. What a joy it is to see tables right down the centre of our hall with children and sometimes families eating together. Ninety percent of these people do not come to church on Sundays but we had 60 sit down to Christmas lunch, at tea time, in December. That felt good.
Why do they come? Cheap meal, arts and crafts, something to do? I don’t really know. What I do know is they keep coming
and we keep sowing and praying that God will keep working. His promise to us
The down side? It’s hard, noisy, frus-trating, especially when kids are running wild. They often don’t seem that inter-ested, behaviour has changed since my kids were small, culture has changed, techi stuff is massive and hard to get to grips with. We are all completely wacked by the end and say ‘thank goodness it’s only once a month’. But we’re 3 years in and no sign of giving up, yet!
This must be a way forward, because like it or not, our culture has changed. Thank God, otherwise would we still be chalking on cave walls. Why not try with a
‘taster’ morn-ing during school holidays, something like ‘messy morning.’
I think advertis-ing is crucial and done as professionally as possible, using schools email system
where available. Interesting themes and projects are also important. But most of all it has to be fun. All this wrapped up in a short time of simple, relatable worship for families together.
It is a fresh expression of church and certainly one to look closely at. Some members of our church still say, “Sunday clubs are dwindling aren’t they?” To which I reply “Absolutely not. We have just switched the day to Tuesday”. Eunice Hayes, St Wilfrid’s Messy Church, Kibworth
Getting Messy
Eight P’s of Messy Church
Possible• Our MC is monthly, it is demanding, so
we could not manage it more often and feel it would not be so special if we did!
• We chose Sundays at 4pm. It seems to be a time which suits a lot of families
Publicity• We have a different bright themed
poster each month. 20 around the village and 400 flier size go to local C of E Primary School.
• Email reminder to ‘known’ families
People• We have had 9-10 regular leaders and
need at least 5 /6 for each session to welcome and lead crafts. A rota of 5 for serving teas. Others have helped on one –off basis eg. for ‘Godly Play’
Preparation• Make good use of MC books, especially
when starting out.• Clear themes• Variety of crafts / activities and break
usual pattern of session sometimes eg. outside activity occasionally when weather permits.
• Use talents / knowledge of your church members
• Use internet for crafts
Parents• Craft activities which require their
involvement work well. Also family activities like treasure hunts
Plenty of food• The children rush to it after ‘Messy
Grace’ and eat well!• Plenty of fun! Create a happy
atmosphere
Prayer!
Ruth and Tony Treseder - Quorn
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self giving service to the community
At the last Diocesan Synod (the church’s parliament) in February, members were briefed on the work of the YP4L “strategy”. It was fantastic to share the stories of God’s grace around the county, who things that have been tried, and some that failed and the lessons learned. YP4L was agreed at Synod four years ago. In that time there have been thousands of lives touched, relationships developed, communities working together, transformational experiences and so much more. They can’t all be shared. But here’s just a few stories to illustrate the strategy which has enabled churches to reach out to a whole new generation.
‘Passion’ Dan Gardiner Youth Missioner, Passion“Passion has become a really positive space in Shepshed for young people. Hundreds have come through the doors and have taken part. They see Passion as a space in which they can feel safe, spend time with their friends and own as their own. Through these relationships we have been able to listen and offer advice on some tough issue like finding a job, sexual health, relationships with parents/carers, alcohol and drugs issues. The young people have started to see a Christian presence in their community, which they can relate to and want to be part of.
Recently a young person, associated with Passion died unexpectedly, shocking the community. On the day that it hap-pened Passion opened its doors for young people just to have somewhere to be … to talk … to get angry … to ask questions. Over 50 young people came. So did many
YP4L - Young People for Life an update
adults including the family of the young man who died. They just did not want to alone, and knew they were welcome.”
Elsewhere in Shepshed, six churches were joined by the Loughborough Orches-tra. They put together 20 minute sets of “Songs from the Musicals”. Over 300 people came together from across the community. It was a wonderful night and raised more than £2,000.
Recently Youth Workers were invited onto the Diocesan Leader Programme to bring a wealth of new experiences with them. Six young people have taken part in a Vocations Weekend. They relished the space and time to reflect on what God may be calling them to.
YP4L works closely with the Ministry and Mission, offering training and practi-cal support to individual PCC’s, deaneries and Mission Partnerships as we all seek the best way to reach out to generation so different from ours. It is a Mission into a whole new Culture.
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Leading Messy Church Ros Henwood, Hope Hamilton Church
What I love about “Familyzone” at Hope Hamilton School on Wednesdays is greeting children and parents as they come through the door. Kids rush to mould playdough at the tables, and mums gratefully accept a mug of tea. After our Bible story, sitting on the carpet together.We always ask the familiar “I wonder” questions. “I wonder which bit of the story you liked best? I wonder which bit was most important? ” Eager children and thoughtful parents sometimes come out with real gems, I see the story in a new
way too.What I hate is when a child is disrup-
tive, and the parent doesn’t intervene to discipline.
What keeps me going is hearing younger and older members pray out loud as we pass an object round the circle. The infectious joy of our call to worship song, “May you find peace” with trumpet actions lifts my spirit too!
Interested in a Messy Church? For a free copy of the book introducing Messy Church, to borrow a wide range of Messy Church materials contact [email protected], 0116 261 5335
Youth Officer, Mads Morgan [email protected] 805196
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confident and sensitive evangelism
For 25 years the dioceses of Leicester and Japan have been linked. In the third article about our global ties to other Anglican communities, Yoshimi Gregory writes about her county.
Japan is a secular society with a minor-ity Christian presence of about 1 million people, of which 5,0000 are Anglican. An island nation who tends to find itself isolated from the Continent. An aging nation and well developed economy, education and health being the big issues of the country. In Japan education is a key to Christian mission and development, an aim shared with our own diocese. The churches often run kindergartens, schools, and some have universities too. Most years our Link welcomes and hosts school boys from the Rikkyo Anglican School in Tokyo, as part of their ‘Summer School’ programme of learning English and British way of life. The host families offer a Christian life to the students and
take them to their church on Sunday.
The Great Tohoku Earthquake, Tsunami and Nuclear Disaster 2011
The Anglican Church of Japan may be small in number but has been active in the disaster relief work following the tragic disaster in March 2011. They set up the ‘Tohoku - Let’s Walk Together’ Project, pro-viding practical support for those groups not supported by main relief efforts, with special attention to disaster victims facing particular hardship, the elderly, children, those with disabilities, foreign residents, low-income people, and refugees.
Two activities to mention here are: Japanese language provision for Filipino women who lost houses and jobs in the dis-aster, so that they can be retrained for new job skills; Madoka project which provides work for people with learning difficulties, who create paper craft and decorate orna-ment eggs made of silk cocoon for Easter
What have we learnt from the Mission Partnership reviews?The Diocese would like to come and review our Mission Partnership’ said the convenor to the Mission Partnership Action Group (MPAG). The immediate response is a groan.
Many of us are concerned when someone wants to come and see what we are doing. We might feel unsure about our focus and direction, even concerned about where we it might be taking us. These thoughts and comments are not strange ones to members of the reviewing teams who have now seen all the Mission Partnerships in the Diocese, quite a task. It has however been most rewarding and we have learnt a lot.
This process has helped many of us identify and learn the many strands of what ‘mission’ is. Across Leicestershire many
wonderful opportunties have emerged to share in the life the love of Jesus Christ. Being able to encourage and support one is a powerful and energising tool.
The focus of a Mission Partnership is to equip churches for leadership in mission and teaching, while maintaining their distinctive identities. here are some of the ideas that have emerged.
• Ensuring our Churches our open everyday for visitors. Providing opportunities for prayer requests and quiet reflection.
• Working together for Back to Church Sunday, with specific areas/villages being visited and prayed for.
Mission in Japan
and Christmas, after their workshop was washed away by the tsunami.
The disaster relief effort in Japan is far from over, and the Project’s DVD is sent to every parish in the Diocese, so that you can find out what is happening now. Areas are still contaminated with nuclear mate-rial, people are still housed in temporary structures, many individuals remain unsupported as relief efforts focus on the major centres. Several thousands bodies are still unaccounted for.
Last year our diocese raised £5,000 for Tohoku. The Japan Link Committee continues to support the relief efforts through information and continued fund raising this year.
For information on the Tohoku Disaster Relief efforts or the Japan Link, contactRevd Stephen Crofts 0116 327 9781 [email protected] Gregory 07986 196332
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leicester.anglican.org/announcements
The Revd Stephen HeygateNew Appointment: The Revd Stephen Heygate is to continue as the Bishop’s Advisor for Ministry of Deliverance until 31 December 2015
The Revd Stephen GambleNew Appointment: Priest-in-Charge of the Benefice of Kirby Misperton with Normanby and Salton and the Benefice of Middleton Newton and Sinnington in the Diocese of York
The Revd Canon Ian GemmellNew Appointment: Priest-in-Charge (half-time) of the Benefice of St Andrew, Foxton with St Helen, Gumley and St Luke, Laughton within the Gartree First (Harborough) Deanery.
The Revd Frances KnightThe Bishop announces that the Revd Frances Knight will be retiring as Associate Minister (NSM) in the Benefice of The Abbey, Leicester - Team Ministry (TM) on Easter Sunday, 8 April 2012.
The Revd Richard CurtisNew Appointment: Priest-in-Charge (Transition Priest) in the Benefice of Hallaton and Allexton, with Horninghold, Tugby and East Norton, and Slawston within the Gartree First (Harborough) Deanery
The Revd Tony CoslettNew Appointment: Assistant Curate (Associate Priest) of the Benefice of Broughton Astley and Croft with Stoney Stanton in the Guthlaxton Deanery
The Revd Stephen BurnhamNew Appointment: Vicar of the Benefice of St Anne, St Paul and St Augustine within the City of Leicester Deanery
The Revd Mervyn CoussensThe Bishop announces that the Revd Mervyn Coussens will be retiring as Rector of the Benefice of St Mary’s Lutterworth with Cotesbach and Bitteswell with effect from 30 September
The Revd Bonnie Evans-HillsAdditional Appointment: Acting Interfaith Adviser to the Bishop of LeicesterCurrent Appointment: Assistant Curate in the Parish of Oadby
Loughborough Anglican Mission Partnership (LAMP)The Bishop announces that Revd Michael Broadley has agreed to act as Mission Partnership Convenor for the Loughborough Anglican Mission Partnership (LAMP) for a period of 3 years. Michael replaces the Revd Rachel Ross in this role.
Revd Tim BlewettThe Bishop announces that the Revd Tim Blewett will be resigning as Warden of Launde Abbey, Bishop’s Spirituality Adviser and Priest-in-Charge of Loddington with effect from 31 March 2012. Tim has been granted Permission to Officiate with effect from 31 March 2012 to expire 1 October 2015.
• Encouraging more people into our buildings by holding events like Christmas Tree Festivals.
• Offering the Partnership resources that assist Outreach, such as providing Training that can be done together that improves the welcome we offer newcomers, looks at Rural Mission or Leading Your Church into Growth (LYCiG).
• Sharing initiatives together, such as developing an effective local prayer ministry, planning joint services and good practice.
• Running joint wedding preparation courses and valuing each couple that comes to our churches.
• Looking at being child friendly. Exploring Messy Church and other Fresh Expressions together.
• Running a Men’s Breakfast and engaging more fully with the men who come.
• People like to sing. Joining choirs and contributing to lively and uplifting worship that others will want to be a part of. Having fun at church is allowed!
• Running courses of Alpha or Emmaus with others.• Celebrating birthdays and anniversaries, bringing the life of
the church and that of the family closer together.• Developing our Vision of what we want ‘church’ to be in the
rural, urban and city context and doing this together.
A quote from one church says it all, “We didn’t think we were doing much, and we didn’t realise that it was mission either’.”
The Mission Partnership reviews have allowed us to be present for a moment to hear of the many activities taking place across the Diocese What it has done is confirm that God has given us much to be thankful for and given so many the confidence to work in their communities in many different and varied ways, clearly focussed on Mission. Vic Allsop Reviewer
CHURCH CLOCKS
Automatic drives fitted to your clock will free up valuable space and eliminate the potential danger of
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Both these products are designed for fitting by your own suitably qualified volunteer. Alternatively ask us to
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Richard White CEng MIMechE BHI Tel: 0116 240 4005 Email: [email protected]
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#Mini-Reviews The Art of Worship Nicholas Holtam
Beautiful paintings from the National Gallery accompanied with prayers and readings for meditation – food for the eye, heart and soul. Review by Mike Harrison. Available at a discount (£11.69 down from £12.99) for readers of In Shape from Christian Resources Leicester 0116 261 5222, [email protected]
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Leicestershire has so many churches which contain fascinating features to attract visitors. From beautiful stained glass to unique historical links, unusual architectural features or simply being a special place of peace.
In partnership with Go Leicestershire, the official Online Tourism Guide and the Destination Management Organisation, responsible for promoting Leicester and Leicestershire to visitors we’ve choosen 12 churches that offer something special.
Up to date details can be found on the website www.treasuresunlocked.co.uk or call the Leicester Visitor Information Centre on 0844 888 5181.
the welcome of newcomersleicester.anglican.org/events
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Prestwold Classical Music ConcertFriday 2nd March - to be held at Prestwold Hall, Nr Loughborough, LE12 5SQ at 7pm for 7.30pm featuring Junko Kobayashi (pianist) and Tamara Zivadinovic (soprano)
Coff ee Morning, St Margaret’s, LeicesterSaturday 3rd March - 10 am - 12 noon. The Lord Mayor of Leicester will be in a� endance and the monies raised will go to the Lord Mayor’s Appeal.
Who do you say that I am?Saturday 10th March - A queer conversation on identity and faith. Pádraig Ó Tuama leads a workshop exploring the interface of sexuality and spirituality. 3.00-5.00pm. St Martins House, 7 Peacock Lane, Leicester, LE1 5PZ £3 (concs £2)
Emmanuel Lunchtime ConcertsThursday 15th March - 1pm. Loughborough Endowed Schools bring a feast of choral and instrumental music. Chamber groups and soloists will enrich and entertain.
350th anniversary of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer evensongSunday 18th March - Leicester Cathedral Full choral evensong, with music from the Choirbook for the Queen, at 4pm
Worship With a Classical FlavourSunday 18th March - St Mary in Charnwood, Nanpantan, Loughborough at 6pm. With Ma� Lax (trumpet) & Angela Foan (piano)
Evening Talk by John FloranceThursday 22nd March - “Why bother with Wagner?” in The Kempe Room, St Martins House, 7 Peacock Lane , Leicester, LE1 5PZ at 7.30pm
Spring Concert by the Shepshed SingersSaturday 24th March - at Holy Trinity Church, Barrow upon Soar. 7.30pm. Conducted by Andrew Goff . Tickets £7 (£6 concessions) from www.shepshedsingers.org.uk - or at the door
Spring Cra� Fair, Scrapto� Saturday 31st March - All Saints Church Scrapto£ . 10am - 3.30pm. Genuine cra£ stalls . Run by The Friends of All Saints Church Scrapto£ and Netherhall.
Lunchtime Recital St. Margaret’s, LeicesterThursday 12th April - 1 pm - 1.30 pm. Paul Bricher - Organ, Admission free - tea and coff ee provided
A Quiet Day In Eastertide At Off a HouseMonday 16th April - The Fellowship of Contemplative Prayer off er a day of silent listening to the Word of God at Off a House (near Leamington Spa) on from 9.30am to 3.15pm
Coff ee Morning - St. Margaret’s, LeicesterSaturday 5th May - To raise money for CHRISTIAN AID. 10 am - 12 noon. Many stalls, including raffl e and refreshments.
Lunchtime Recital St. Margaret’s, LeicesterThursday 10th May - 1pm - 1.30 pm. Phillip Herbert - Organ, Admission free - tea and coff ee provided.
Emmanuel Lunchtime ConcertsThursday 17th May - 12.45pm Join us for a lunchtime of Jeanine Thorpe’s virtuosity and musical passion.
Worship With a Classical FlavourSunday 20th May - St Mary in Charnwood, Nanpantan, Loughborough at 6pm Jeanine Thorpe (violin) & Jeremy Kimber (piano).
‘At the heart of the hoped-for future, which comes from the God of love, is the flourishing of individuals, communities, and our world globe’
Prof Miroslav Wolf
Five conversations in Lent exploring faith and contemporary issues in our society.
Headlined Health, Education, Justice, Economics and Welfare.
Experts from the national stage, alongside regional spokespeople and Christian thinkers will meet together and invite us into a public conversation chaired by Bishop Tim.
Tues 28 FebruaryTues 6 MarchTues 13 MarchTues 20 MarchTues 27 March
All weeks 7.00-9.00pm
The Grand Hall, St Martins House, 7 Peacock Lane, Leicester, LE1 5PZ
life in abundance?
more than a meeting
See www.leicester.anglican.org/lent-lectures-2012for more details
abundance trailer LIVE.indd 1 23/01/2012 11:08:47
Soar Valley Press works with a broad range of churches, church organisations and commercial clients to improve their designs and deliver cost effective print solutions.
Whether you want to rethink a parish magazine, create a welcome brochure, produce an annual report or publicise a forthcoming event – speak to the experts.
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Working with Diocese of Leicester, Launde Abbey and churches throughout the diocese
WinnerDigital Printer Awards 2011
inshape february.indd 15 24/01/2012 15:18
1. St Mary & St Hardulph Priory Church / Calke Abbey Ashby Rd, Breedon on the Hill DE73 1BA Reputed to be over 1300 years old, its hilltop position gives views of Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
2. St Helens Church / Ashby de la Zouch CastleLower Church St, Ashby de la Zouch LE65 1AABeware of the finger pillory used to punish those who had misbehaved in church.
3. All Saints Parish Church / John Taylor’s BellfoundryChurch Gate, Loughborough LE11 4REAssociated with the local bellfoundry, including large commemorative brass floor.
4. St Peters Church / Bosworth BattlefieldPark St, Market Bosworth CV13 0LLTouch the grooves on the pillars from the sharpening of swords by soldiers during the Civil War.
5. All Saints Church / Bradgate ParkBradgate Rd, Newtown Linford LE6 0HDSee the links to royalty, especially Lady Jane Grey’s window.
6. St Marys Church / Stanford HallChurch Gate, Lutterworth LE17 4ANPast vicar Sir John Wycliffe first translated the Bible into English in the 14th century.
7. Leicester Cathedral / City of LeicesterPeacock Lane, Leicester LE1 5DEA memorial stone to King Richard III is part of the chancel floor.
8. St Mary the Virgin Church / Belvoir CastleChurch St, Bottesford NG13 0BAHome of the tombs of inhabitants of Belvoir Castle. The spire is one of England’s tallest.
9. St Marys Church / Melton TownBurton St, Melton Mowbray LE13 1DJThe largest church in Leicestershire, can you find the Knight of the Crusade?
10 & 11. St Andrews Church / St Helens Church / Foxton LocksMain St, Foxton LE16 7RB; St Helens, Gumley LE16 7RUEnjoy a walk from church to church passing through the series of ten locks at Foxton.
12. St Dionysius / Harborough MuseumChurch Square, High Street, Mkt Harborough, LE16 7NBEasily found with its 160ft spire, another treasure to view along with the Hallaton coins.
leicester.anglican.org/events
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Leicester Grammar Junior School and Leicester Grammar School located together on one 75 acre site in Great Glen, offering independent, co-education based upon Christian
principles for pupils aged 3 to 18.
For more details contact 0116 2591900 [senior school] or 0116 2591950 [junior school]
London Road, Great Glen, Leics. LE8 9FL
For straightforward advice on� Savings� Investments� Protection� Retirement
Contact Darrel Foulk, Independent Financial Adviserfor Leicester Diocese and area
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Project1:Layout 1 16/6/10 11:21 Page 1
Fifties Evening BirstallSaturday 2nd June - Celebrating The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Birstall Village Hall at 7.30pm. Music provided by The KB Band . Tickets £8 Including Supper. (Children under 10 free). Tel: 2676550 or 2677238
Coffee Morning - St. Margaret’s LeicesterSaturday 2nd June - 10 am - 12 noon.Many stalls and raffle. Refreshments available. Also 7th July 11am -3pm and 4th August 9am-12pm
60 Glorious Years’ a Celebration in FlowersSaturday 2nd June - All Saints’ Church, Wigston Magna in association with the Wigston & Knighton Floral Society Church open Saturday 10am - 1pm & 4pm to 6pm and Sunday 3rd June 11.30am to 5pm. Bank Holiday Monday and Tuesday 4th & 5th June 10am to 4pm
Queens Diamond Jubilee EventSaturday 2nd June - From 11am - 4 - 30pm. in the grounds of Knighton Halll, Knighton Rd Leicester by kind permission of the Vice Chancellor Sir Robert Burgess
Open Gardens in Woodhouse EavesSaturday 2nd June - 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm & Sunday 3rd June . Woodhouse Eaves An opportunity to visit a wealth of interesting gardens, both large and small
Open Church at All Saints, KimcoteMonday 4th June - Tea/Coffee. Homemade cakes, books and Bric a Brac stalls
Open Garden & Plant Sale Saturday 9th June - In the back garden of 57 Swepstone Road, Heather. 2pm- 4pm, Tea, homemade cakes, plant sale and raffle. 50p, all proceeds to the Church Flower Festival.
Open Church at St. Leonard’s, SwithlandSaturday 9th and Sunday 10th June - Main St, Swithland for Tea/Coffee and Cakes from 2pm - 4.30 pm donations in Aid of Church Funds
Flower Festival CountesthorpeSaturday 9th June to Monday 11th June. St. Bartholomew’s Church, Foston. 10.30-5pm Sat & Sun, Mon 10.30- 4pm. Morning Coffee, Cream Teas, Bookstall, White Elephant and others. Service Sunday 9.15am
Lunchtime Recital St. Margaret’s. LeicesterThursday 14th June - 1pm - 1.30 pm. Richard Archer - Organ. Free - tea/coffee provided
Groby Open GardensSaturday 16th & Sunday 17th June - 14 Gardens open throughout the village on Sat 11am - 5.30pm and Sun from 12 to 5.30pm. Entry £4 for both days(children under 16 free) Maps and passports from Parish Church, Markfield Rd. Refreshments & stalls. Tel: 0116 222 9133
Festival Orchestral ConcertFriday 22nd June - Oakham School Symphony Orchestra. Oakham School Chapel, 7.45pm, Free tickets required from 01572 758280, [email protected] or Music&More; (Oakham)
150th Anniversary Open Afternoon Saturday, 23rd June - 2.00 pm - 4.30 pm, St. Andrew’s, Jarrom Street, Leicester. Explore the Church ,share memories, talk on Church’s history at 3 pm. Evening prayer at 4.30 pm
Open Church at All Saints , KimcoteSunday 1st July - Tea/Coffee. Homemade cakes, books and Bric a Brac stalls. Also 5th August and 2nd September
Teas in Church, Tilton on the HillSunday 1st July and all 5 Sundays in July at St.Peters Church, LE7 9LG. Tea/coffee cakes, cream teas. Disabled access. 3 - 5pm
Leicester Chorale ConcertSaturday 7th July - St. Paul’s Church, Woodhouse Eaves. One of the leading chamber choirs in the East Midlands
Annual Fair in HeatherSaturday 14th July - St John the Baptist Church, Heather - 2pm until 4pm. Annual Teddy Bear Parachute Jump from Church Tower with Strawberry Tea and a Craft Fair
Open Church at St. Leonard’s, SwithlandSaturday 14th and Sunday 15th July - Tea/Coffee and Cakes from 2pm - 4.30 p.m. Donations in Aid of Church Funds . Also 11th and 12th August
Lunchtime Recital St. Margaret’s, LeicesterThursday 9th August - 1pm - 1.30 pm Ian Imlay - Organ. Free - tea and coffee provided
#Mini-Reviews Church 3.0 by Neil Cole
“The author of Organic Church, suggests a comprehensive ‘upgrade’ to how we are church is needed – and has already started in some places. A positively provocative read, challenging the church to grow as more of a movement than a monument (and to move from living attractional to incarnational lives). Even if we answer some of them differently, Neil Cole raises lots of important questions that we need to grapple with.” Review by [email protected]
Available with a 10% discount for readers of In Shape from Christian Resources Leicester (0116 261 5222, [email protected]
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Known for either his colourful patterned shirts, ministry amongst children and young people in his local church, being the husband of a Curate, or parish share allocations as the diocesan Director of Finance, John Orridge wears many hats. In the midst of a busy schedule, he made time to share about life, faith and how it all adds up.
“I started at Sunday School in Melton Mowbray but then left to play rugby on a Sunday Morning. I came back to Church properly in my 20’s, post university. My wife, Harriet and I wanted to bring up our kids within the Church family. We moved back into the Diocese in 2009 when my wife took up a curacy. I wasn’t working at the time as I’d left employment to support Harriet through her ordination training. It’s a long story as to how I ended up as the Diocesan Finance Director, but I know that God has guided me throughout.
Confirmation was something I rebelled against, I waited until I was 35, thinking it was far too inclusive a club. The Holy Spirit let me know on the night of my confirmation that I’d done a good thing, and I was loved! Since then, I’ve had some amazing experiences, but also times when I’ve felt not so close to God. But He has always used other people to bring me back with a word of knowledge or through prayer ministry.
I’m a Christian and a Chartered Accountant (in that order) and being Director of Finance for the diocese really fits. Having said that, it can be a tricky job as I’m the man who calculates the Parish Share. You have to have a thick skin, par-ticularly in the fortnight after you’ve sent out the notifications, but my faith helps
me to keep grounded and recognise that if I have, for instance, an irate Treasurer on the phone it is measure of their passion for their Church. We have the challenge in our department to make every £ we have work as hard as possible for the mission & min-istry of our Church in the City & County.
The good news about money in the diocese is that we are surviving in these difficult times. It never ceases to amaze me that the Parishes continue to work so hard to meet their Share commitments. This year we shall be working to ensure that we are properly financially struc-tured to meet the challenges of the 20/20 Vision initiative.
The question I get asked most about money is normally concerning, unsurpris-ingly, Parish Share [the amount each parish contributes towards the general fund which supports ministry in all its forms, training, churches in areas of finan-cial deprivation, etc.] It is such a complex calculation that it’s only understood by a few people. We’ve started a review of the current system, so what this space. The other matter is the connection between Share and the Diocesan budget. 75p of every £1 given in Share goes directly or indirectly to putting clergy into a Benefice or Parish. We have to work really hard on the budget to achieve this level. When most people hear this statistic they tend to appreciate more what their giving is actually used for.
It’s so exciting seeing children from non-Christian families attending after-school clubs and outreach initiatives, in Waltham, which simply enable us to show the children how much fun it is to be a Christian. I’m also loving the fact that Bishop Tim has just commissioned our new Benefice Youth Council, following an initiative from our Youth with Beverley Stark (our Rector). There is a real hunger amongst our Young People to form their own, sustainable, group identity.
I love it being a clergy spouse. Overall, there have been many more ‘ups’ than ‘downs’ in the last three years. I have to admit that, as a clergy spouse, my jam
making and flower arranging are rubbish, but I do make a mean flapjack (not trying to live up to the stereotype at all!) Harriet is now in her third year as a Curate, so we may be looking for a new post shortly. It’s toughest for the kids who are settled into their schools, but we have faith that the right post will come at the right time for us. One of the things I love the most is actually the number of people that pray for us as a family. It’s truly humbling.
Helping those in the early stages of their faith journeys energises my faith. I love doing Alpha [a short course to explore the Christian faith], cell groups (youth & adult) and kids work, because you have nowhere to hide in terms of describing your own faith. You have to be honest in your answers and deal with the really big questions of what it is to be a Christian. But mainly its seeing the amaz-ing impact that God is having on those lives.”
The InterviewJohn Orridge
Christian Bookshop
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John Orridge in conversation with Barry Hill.