By TIM ELBOURNE, the plains - Chelmsford Diocese · Christingle No rains on the plains. Diocese has...

February 2016

■ Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: Centre pages ■ 2014 church attendance figures: Page 9

Excited Dedham Primary School pupils hit the high notes in pop music projectPage 9

Single? New book asks whether you are fulfilling your God-given potentialNB

N E E D T O K N O W I S T O R I E S I A R E A U P D AT E S I E V E N T S N E A R Y O U

Bishop's Lent Appeal: Centre pages www.chelmsford.anglican.org

D i r e c t o r ’ s V i e w

By TIM ELBOURNE,

Diocesan Director

of Education

MANY years ago I spent a summer in South Africa as a guest of the Anglican

church and of an activist friend who was organising doctors and medical staff to defy the strict apartheid rules about which hospitals could care for which people.

It was the beginning of the death

throes of the regime, and a time of

extreme tension.

Tear gas canisters and sjamboks flew

around several places I visited. In Durban

a gun was pointed at me in anger by a

young conscript outside a Christian centre

where a group of black activists were

claiming sanctuary. In Cape Town I joined a

march led by Archbishop Desmond Tutu in

which defiant women and children had to

be shielded against the effects of tear gas.

On my return, I went straight from

Heathrow to the final day of a Higher

Education conference. It was a truly surreal

experience.

I was greeted at the door by a clown.

The organisers had planned an afternoon

of greasepaint, using ‘circus’ as a metaphor

for their theme. So just a few hours after

leaving the urgency, crisis and brutality of

a country on the very brink, I was in the

genteel surroundings of a conference

centre with colleagues dressed up as

circus clowns. Worlds apart.

I was reminded of that sense of

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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embraced rather than necessarily changed.”

Jennifer Rees-Larcombe, writer

Anne Goss was forced to retire from a 20-year teaching

career by a life-changing health condition. Since then she

has tutored from home and served as a volunteer in

education and in pastoral work. Her wide interests include

photography, reading, travel and spending time with

friends. She has never been married and she hopes her

booklet will encourage many to reach their full potential,

whether single, divorced or widowed.

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No rains onthe plains

Diocese has greenest buildingTHE month — New E16 vicarage wins Essex Green Awards 2015's top prize

2 THE MONTH February 2016

THE Diocese of Chelmsford has won the top prize for the Greenest Building at the prestigious Essex Green Awards 2015.

The new vicarage at Victoria Docks in London E16 was acclaimed in the 2015 awards during a ceremony (left) at the Weston Homes Community Stadium in Colchester.

The winning citation said: "The diocese has long held a belief that the improvement of the environment is a core part of its being. It constantly strives to improve its carbon footprint and the vicarage eco build is testament to this with its environmental footprint leading the design and build have as little an impact on the environment as possible. This includes the use of solar energy, along with numerous energy saving measures implemented on an ongoing basis."

Kevin Quinlan (inset right), Diocesan Deputy Property Manager, said: "The diocese aims to

provide energy efficient and low carbon new housing for its clergy making efficient use of natural resources including water and solar within and around the building.

"Our new house achieved this by using a rainwater harvesting unit supplying water to all the toilets, maximum allowed solar PV for the electricity combined with low energy fitting throughout and solar water panels to heat all the hot water. Also provided were kitchen recycle bins, compost bin and cycle store.

"This vicarage achieved 'A' rating for its energy efficiency and an 'A' for the impact of the building on the environment all using traditional materials as this is not a passive house. As far a possible the materials used in the vicarage are either made in or have a major supply or business headquarters in Essex giving the benefit of logistics and minimising the carbon footprint."

Bishop pensLent course

STEPHEN Cottrell, the Bishop of Chelmsford is the author of York Courses' new five-session course suitable for Lent 2016 – or any season.

'The Psalms – prayers for today's church' is an ecumenical course for discussion groups and individuals, comprising course booklet, CD and transcript booklet.

The ancient poems we call the Psalms are more than 2,000 years old. They were written in very different times from our own when humans could travel at the speed of a camel – not at the speed of sound. But these songs have stood the test of time for they address many of the problems we still face: violence, injustice, anger and bewilderment. Why do the wicked prosper? Where is God when we suffer?

In this five-session course, Bishop Stephen reflects on the psalms in general and five psalms in particular. He invites us to join him as he does so.

The five Psalms are:l Session One – Know that the Lord is God (Psalm 100). l Session Two – Out of the depths have I cried (Psalm 130).l Session Three – How long, O Lord? (Psalm 13). l Session Four – You spread a table before me (Psalm 23).l Session Five – Unless the Lord builds the house . . . (Psalm 127).

The participants on the course CD are:l John Bell is a resource worker with The Iona Community who lectures, preaches and conducts seminars across the denominations.l Father Timothy Radcliffe OP is Director of the Las

Casas Institute, Blackfriars, Oxford.l Revd Prebendary Rose Hudson-Wilkin was born and grew up in Montego Bay, Jamaica. She was ordained deacon in 1991 and ordained to the priesthood in 1994. In 2007 she was appointed as a Chaplain to Her Majesty the Queen and in 2010, she became the 79th Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons, the first female appointed to that position. l Revd Dr Jane Leach is Principal of Wesley House, Cambridge.l Please order at www. yorkcourses.co.uk or by phone (01904 466516) or email [email protected] for information annd prices.

The Diocese of Chelmsford is currently looking to fill the following post

Education Support Officer Full Time (35 hours per week)

Would you like to work at the heart of our dynamic Education Team which serves 140 Church schools across the Diocese?

We are recruiting an efficient and well organised full-time Education Support Officer to work in our Chelmsford office as a member of our reconfigured team. This is a new post, with a wide ranging portfolio of administrative responsibilities. If you can:

• Communicate well with a wide range of people• Prioritise a range of organisational tasks• Relate comfortably to the worlds of education and church• Use Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel proficiently• Evidence education to A Level standard or equivalent

We would love to hear from you.

Salary: c£21,500 pa. subject to experience & qualifications.

For more information and how to apply, please visit: www.chelmsford.anglican.org/about/staff_vacancies Closing Date: Wednesday 10 February 2016 Interviews: Monday 22 February 2016

‘SET ME ON FIRE’ BY MALCOLM MACDONALD MOST Christians have, deep within them, a hunger for a more authentic and fulfilling experience of God.

'Set me on fire' examines what it means to be filled with the fire of God, as the believers were at Pentecost.

Revd Malcolm Macdonald, Vicar of St Mary’s church in Loughton, has seen the church grow significantly in his time there.

Malcolm, who regularly teaches at conferences in England, says his heart is to see revival, growth and freedom in the UK church.

For over 20 years, Malcolm has been thinking about, studying, and teaching on this subject. 'Set me on fire' is aimed at people who have a sense of spiritual hunger and desire for revival, but are not sure what this means, or how to get there. It uses the theme of the fire of God across scripture to paint a picture of what it looks like to be on fire for God.

Malcolm covers themes such as holiness, revival, mission, God’s presence, prayer, intimacy with God and suffering. He helps readers to grasp the challenges of seeking to be a radical disciple, along the way

offering personal reflections from his own journey.

Commenting on the book, Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford, says: “As children we were taught not to go too near the fire or we would be burned.

"The Christian life teaches something else. Another fire. One that burns brightly, but does not consume. We don’t just need to go near it. We must receive it.

"This happened to Moses, and his life was changed. It happened to Mary, and the Christ was born. It happened to the apostles, and the church grew.

"That same fire is available today. So read this book carefully. It will burn you.”l 'Set me on fire' is available from the Chelmsford Diocesan Bookshop (£7.99). Contact Rachel or Sally on 01245 294405 or email bookshop@chelmsford. anglican.org for details of how to purchase the book. l Turn to the NB supplement Page 1 for the Bookshelf column.

BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT FROM MONARCH BOOKS

Availableforreview.Theauthorisavailableforinterviewsandtowritearticlesrelatedtothebook.

SetMeonFirepaperback,198x130,160pp,9780857216915,£7.99,November2015

Contact SimonCoxSeniorBrandManagerMonarchBooks01865302764simonc@lionhudson.com

WhatitmeanstobefilledwiththefireofGod,asthebelieverswereatPentecost.

MostChristianshave,deepwithinthem,ahungerforamoreauthenticandfulfillingexperienceofGod.SetMeonFireexamineswhatitmeanstobefilledwiththefireofGod,asthebelieverswereatPentecost.Forover20yearsMalcolmMacdonaldhasbeenthinkingabout,studying,andteachingonthissubject.SetMeonFireisaimedatpeoplewhohaveasenseofspiritualhungeranddesireforrevival,butarenotsurewhatthismeans,orhowtogetthere.ItusesthethemeofthefireofGodacrossscripturetopaintapictureofwhatitlooksliketobeonfireforGod.Author,MalcolmMacdonaldcoversthemessuchasholiness,revival,mission,God’spresence,prayer,intimacywithGodandsuffering.Hehelpsreaderstograspthechallengesofseekingtobearadicaldisciple,alongthewayofferingpersonalreflectionsfromhisownjourney. What people are saying about the book: “ItistheprayerandsongofourheartsthatGodwouldsetusonfirewithHimselfandforHimself,aswedwellinHispresenceandsurrenderourlivestoHiminworshipandmission.MalcolmMacdonaldchallengesustoliveallthecostlytransformationthefireofGodbrings.”MarkBailey,NationalLeader,NewWine“Thebookisavirtualincendiarydevicedesignedtoignitetheheartofeveryreader.ItpulsateswithpassionandalongingforanauthenticencounterwiththelivingGod.Suchencountersaretransformational.Today'spersecutedchurchknowsallaboutthis.Theholyfirethathasconsumedthemconsumedtheearlychurchalso.I'mleftprayingtheprayer;OLord,foryourglorysetmeonfiretoday!”EddieLyle,President,OpenDoors“Thetitleofthisbookisaboldprayer,butonewhichisembodiedinMalcolmMacdonald'sownlifeandministry.Thisisabookthatspeaksoutofdeeppersonalexperience,thewisdomofyearsofministry,andaburningdesireforGodandhispresence.”RtRevdDrGrahamTomlin,BishopofKensington“Aschildrenweweretaughtnottogotoonearthefireorwewouldbeburned.TheChristianlifeteachessomethingelse.Anotherfire.Onethatburnsbrightly,butdoesnotconsume.Wedon’tjustneedtogonearit.Wemustreceiveit.ThishappenedtoMoses,andhislifewaschanged.IthappenedtoMary,andtheChristwasborn.Ithappenedtotheapostles,andthechurchgrew.Thatsamefireisavailabletoday.Soreadthisbookcarefully.Itwillburnyou.”RtRevdStephenCottrell,BishopofChelmsfordAbout the author MalcolmMacdonaldistheVicarofStMary’sChurchinLoughton,Englandandhasseenthechurchgrowsignificantlyinhistimethere.Hisheartistoseerevival,growthandfreedomintheUKchurch.HeregularlyteachesatconferencesinEngland.

'Read this carefully...'

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Editor: Jon LongmanEditorial and photographs for The Month should be sent to:[email protected] Jon Longman, The Month, 1 Bouchiers Place, Messing, Colchester CO5 9TY. Tel: 01621 810530. Mobile: 07860 769906l Digital photographs for publication: Please take pictures at largest size,

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The Month, incorporating NB and East Window, is the free circulation newspaper of Church of England in Essex and East London (Diocese of Chelmsford). www.chelmsford. anglican.org/themonthl Find Chelmsford Diocese on Twitter @chelmsdiol Find Bishop Stephen on Twitter @cottrellstephenl Subscribe to our YouTube channel www.youtube.com/ChelmsfordDiocesel Like us on Facebook: www. facebook.com/chelmsdiol Like our Ask an Archdeacon Facebook www.facebook.com/ askanarchdeaconl View our photostream on Flickr www.flickr.com/photos/chelmsford-diocese

Might God be calling you?VOCATIONS Days are an opportunity to consider God’s call and find out more about the different types of ordained and licensed lay ministry direct from Church leaders.

Take a look at the dates below and see if there is a venue near you:l Saturday February 6, 9am-1pm, Newham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest Vocations Day, Leytonstone St John.l Saturday February 20, 9.45am-3.45 pm, Barking Archdeaconry Vocations Day, Gidea Park St Michael.l Saturday February 27, 9.15am-3.30pm, Bradwell Area Vocations Day, Canvey Island St Nicholas. l Saturday March 19, 9am-1pm, Harlow Archdeaconry Vocations Day, Harlow St Paul.

For more information and details of how to book please visit www.chelmsford.anglican.org/vocationsdays2016

BOOKSHELF EXTRA

Parish share review debate

Mosque hosts doublebirthday celebration

THE MONTH February 2016 3

THE month — Faithful Friends builds interfaith links

event. The Christians cut the cake for Muhammad and the Muslims cut the cake for Jesus.

"The event was attended by around 50 people from the Forest Gate area, many of whom are involved in the interfaith group Faithful Friends."

The Minhaj Ul Quran mosque, which organised the joint celebration, used the occasion to formally open the health care room at the centre.

Speaking at the event, Imam Sadiq, Qureshi of Minhaj Ul Quran, denounced the link that is often made between religion and terrorist violence.

FOREST Gate's Faithful Friends' group from different faiths gathered at the Minhaj Ul Quran mosque to jointly celebrate the birthdays of Jesus and Muhammad.

Revd Dr Chigor Chike, Director of Faithful Friends and Vicar, Emmanuel Church with St Peter explained: "In 2015, the birthday of Muhammad, which follows the lunar calendar, fell within a day of Christmas, thereby providing the opportunity for such a happy event.

"The photograph (above) shows some of us cutting the cakes at the

"He declared that anybody who kills or harms other people cannot be a Muslim," said Dr Chike.

"In the same vein, he refused to accept that violent acts committed by any Christian should be attributed to their religion.

"In his view, it should only be attributed to the perpetrator."l Faithful Friends have planned a year-long series of events for 2016. More information can be obtained by ringing Dr Chike on 07905 155494 or by contacting him via email [email protected].

THE final report on a new parish share scheme is set to be debated by Diocesan Synod in March.

The proposed scheme was commended for its simplicity in a recent consultation, but members of the review group also want to address the concerns expressed.

Detailed work done by the diocesan finance team will enable the budget to be presented under the four distinct headings envisaged in the interim report:l Direct costs of all ministers licensed by the Bishop.l Future ministry training costs and curates.l Services to parishes/mission and ministry 'units'.

l Other expenditure.Canon Jenny Tomlinson, the chair of the

review group (left) said: "We hope that presenting the budget in this way will help people to understand more easily what difference their generous giving makes.

"I look forward to sharing our final report with Synod next month."

The interim report is available on the diocesan website at www.chelmsford.anglican.org/parishes/parish-finance/parish-share-review.

The March Synod will be reported in The Month.

Pledges to cut CO2 emissionsJOHN le Seve (right) from St Bartholemew's Wickham Bishops cycled 250 miles to Paris for the international climate change conference in December and collected pledges from 78 people to reduce their CO2 emissions by a total of 1.25 tonnes.

"It was so encouraging to hear what people are already doing, and prepared to increase doing for the sake of our future," said John.

"In a sense our contribution seems small – an ‘average’ UK citizen contributes 15 tonnes of CO2 per year – but

people across England have been doing the same and combined we could eliminate the need for at least one power station.

"The cycle ride to Paris was fantastic. I chatted to like-minded people as we travelled along quiet lanes, including ‘L’Avenue Verte’, a dedicated cycle route in France.

"The end of mass gathering felt like a triumphal cavalry march, and I believe that the pressure from people across the globe influenced the political will to act."

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De 4:31


THE month — Changes follow decision to accept women priests

Thaxted approves plan to create united benefice of four parishes FATHER Philip Tarris has been installed as the new Priest-in-charge of Thaxted,

Nearly 300 people attended the service and reception.

Philip’s appointment marks another step forward in the changes Thaxted has undergone following its decision to accept women priests.

The final stage will follow parliamentary approval for the creation of a united benefice with the parishes of Hempstead, Radwinter and The Sampfords.

The service saw the creation of a Team Ministry with Father Chris Brown, Father Graham Ridgwell and Adrian Wright (Reader) joining Father Philip to lead Thaxted’s journey of faith.

Thaxted’s churchwardens, Professor Colin Harrison and Mrs Janet Walker, expressed their delight at the progress being made to provide Thaxted with priestly leadership.

During the service they were joined by representatives of the churchwardens from Father Philip’s previous benefice and all promised support for the future.

Music for the service was provided by Christopher Bayston and the Thaxted choir who also sang the anthem Expectans Expectavi by Charles Wood and the Sampford Singers sang a reflective hymn based on Psalm 139.

The service marked the response to Bishop Stephen’s call of two years ago for Thaxted to pray about its future and consider its position on Resolutions A and B.

Under the leadership of Father Chris Brown this was achieved and Thaxted moves on with its catholic faith intact but with a determination to reach out to all people in the town.

Joe Hobbs' picture follows the licensing by the Bishop of Colchester, Rt Revd Roger Morris (centre), and the installation by the Archdeacon of Stansted, Venerable Robin King (second from left), of Revd Philip Tarris (second from right) as Priest-in-Charge of the parish of Thaxted. Also in the picture are Father Chris Brown (left) and Elizabeth Tarris (right).

GREAT TOTHAM PCC member Vicky Heaviside needs help to solve a puzzle.

Vicky said: "We have recently seen the restoration of two of our church paintings, one an illustration of the church itself about which we now have a considerable amount of information but the other, An Adoration, is still rather a mystery.

"It is believed to have been presented to our church before 1831 by a Mrs Frances Lee.

"At some point she lived in Maldon but the painting is said to have once hung in 'Messing House'.

"I have been unable to identify 'Messing House' or, as yet,uncover any more details about Mrs Lee." l If you can help the PCC, please send an email to themonth@ chelmsford.anglican.org

On thetrail ofFrancesLee?


THE month — Sports ministry thrives on common ground

Football Churchis just champion

Colchester sportsman DANIEL LAYZELL, who now works for pioneering Church DNA Networks, reflects on how the DNA Football Church changed his life. Daniel also works in a DNA network – Fresh Beginnings Refugee Support Centre in Chelmsford.

TWO years ago I got involved with a football team. The fact that it was a church-based team didn’t matter much to me – at the time.

I had cynically been inside a church a couple of times since leaving my previous church 15 years previously, feeling much disillusioned. Since then, I have seen people come and go in our church team. Many people getting touched by God and I’m sure some seeds have been sown. I have also heard of and spoken to many people that were involved up to seven years ago and the long term effects on them have been quite amazing.

I now organise and oversee our Football Church. I came to be involved quite by chance – well, it felt that way at the time.

A number of random actions led me to this unique group of lads. Initially I agreed to help cook breakfast and to organise other activities for the lads. Over just a few months I got drawn in deeper and deeper. I was reminded of the love and fellowship of my old Boys' Brigade days. A special kind of love I didn’t expect to feel again.

'Our Football Church is not full of stereotypical

church people'Shortly after getting involved I

witnessed the glory of our Football Church lifting the local cup for the first time (top picture). The love I sensed between us all was overwhelming. The lads are aged from 18 to about 26. We have quite a mixture of backgrounds which makes our Football Church quite unique in our area of Essex.

We are not full of stereotypical church people with a church background. Many of the lads had a minimal knowledge of faith and the Bible. It has led to many varied random and often amusing discussions. What is great for me is that this helps me develop my faith and education.

When I first got involved in the Football Church I attended our main church a few times out of curiosity. I can remember a night when my plans fell through. So, at a loose end I attended an evening of testimonies at our church. It’s an evening that changed my life.

A short while later we held a football tournament and barbecue. There I witnessed two of our lads

being baptised on the beach. It confirmed the commitment that I wanted to make. Not long later, I was baptised in my back garden (picture above), surrounded by friends, family, neighbours and of course my new church family.

The last football season I think will go down as a learning experience – from everyone’s point of view. I remember talking at our end-of-season party about laying foundations during the season. Sometimes it is important to see the house be damaged so that you can build the foundations again – on firmer ground.

This season we have made a big step up by joining the Chelmsford and District Churches League. The standard of football is much higher and so far we are on a steep learning curve. But the

attitude of the guys has been really strong. I firmly feel that the challenges of last season prepared us for this challenge.

We have tended to focus on outreach in our Football Church and that is vital. But I think it’s also an excellent opportunity to grow people’s faith and to develop disciples. I have been lucky to observe how some of the lads' faith is developing.

I can’t help looking at the parallels in the way their faith is developing in line with their personalities. Football seems to be a great conductor for these growths as personalities are laid bare on the field of battle.

Sports ministry is proving a great way of welcoming or introducing people into our church. During the summer we held a six-

a-side tournament. We had about 80 non-church players and about 40 church players. During the tournament Christians in Sport held a couple of short faith talks. Amazingly, another church won the tournament and the top goalscorer was decided through great sportsmanship.

Through our sports ministry we have had an influence on people who would normally not come into contact with a church. In fact they would normally take steps not to come into contact with churches. I see this work as vital to connect with people in an age bracket that is so hard to connect with.

The first thing people ask me about our Saturday mornings is what the score was. Not who was the winner. Often I have replied that we lost but God won. I’m hoping, as the season and our team develops we will have some more wins. We then have to remember that it’s a victory for God and keep our focus on him.l If you would like to talk to Dan about his sports ministry, please contact him via email at [email protected] or see websites: dnanetworks.org or freshbeginnings.orgl DNA Networks is one of the Bishop’s Mission Orders which recognise and affirm a mission initiative by creating a system of support, accountability and oversight.

'God does not keep worlds apart'FROM FRONT PAGE

dislocation recently when I returned home after visiting family and friends in Yorkshire and Manchester. York had been flooded out; rivers had burst their banks causing chaos across the cities of Leeds and Salford, and many other towns.

The ancient Tadcaster bridge, which I once crossed several times a week, had collapsed. Scotland would be next. Yet in East London and Essex, the sun shone, people went about their daily round and tweeted of afternoon strolls around Heybridge basin. Worlds apart.

So it was heartening to read that a Saffron

Walden man, Chris Cooper, with no northern connections, had launched an appeal for the flood victims in a spontaneous act of solidarity.

As an early Lent approaches and we think about how we will mark it in our own lives, one way would be to work at deepening our own sense of solidarity with others.

Authentic Christian education deepens awareness, and commits us to a service of reconciliation in a world marred by division.

The response to our own Syrian refugee appeal last year was powerful; as well as

raising money it was a prophetic sign against pretending some people inhabit a different world that is nothing to do with us.

Waiting on God widens our sympathies, intensifies our hope and quickens our sense of connectedness with others. We can express this through prayer, friendships, giving, and sometimes through campaigning.

Lent culminates in the ultimate act of divine solidarity as God totally identifies with our human lot, even death. Christ’s life and death is God’s act of solidarity with each one of us, wherever in the world we live and whatever our lives are like. God does not keep worlds apart.

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THE month — Please give generously to support project that is tackling the impact of clinate change on farmers

'Your support will help the Kenyans to become less dependent on outside aid'

RT REVD STEPHEN COTTRELL, Bishop of Chelmsford, explains why you should support his appealDear Sisters and Brothers in Christ

The 2016 Lent Appeal is supporting the Sustainable Agricultural Livelihoods Initiative (SALI) project.

Kenya has a very dry climate and so the SALI project helps farmers overcome the problems associated with climate change.

Its innovative agricultural schemes help local communities to become more resilient

to extreme weather conditions.At this time when we recall the life, death

and resurrectionof Jesus Christ, it brings to mind a call to act, a call of hope,and a call to mission by showing our care for God's creation.

Please give generously to enable our brothers and sisters in Kenya to provide food for their families and break free fromthe chains of poverty.

Thank you very much

+Stephen Chelmsford● The appeal will remain open until September 2016.

REVD LEE BATSON, World Church Partnership and Development Adviser, Diocese of Chelmsford, explains how the Sustainable Agricultural Livelihoods Initiative (SALI) project works...

CLIMATE change and unseasonable weather affects us all, as we have seen recently in the north of England.

But it has a disproportionate impact upon subsistence farmers who depend upon reliable weather patterns to know when to plant so that they can produce the food they need to survive.

This year we are working again with Anglican Development Services in Mount Kenya East (ADSMKE) and Christian Aid to raise funds for the Sustainable Agricultural Livelihoods Initiative (SALI) project.

SALI sends accurate, localised weather and climate information to local farmers so that they know when to expect rain, and when they should plant their seeds.

It trains them in the best farming techniques, and is also working with groups of farmers to help them gain better access to the markets so that the food they produce

gets the best price. Your support this year will help our friends in Kenya to become less dependent on outside aid, and more resilient against climate change so that they can look to a future where they can become self-reliant.

Please do give whatever you can to support this project: ● £194 will pay for a meeting between farmers and buyers so that farmers will be able to make their voices heard.● £23 will provide seeds for a community tree nursery.

● £3.90 will provide a watering can for a subsistence farmer. Study resources● This year we are also pleased to offer a study resource to accompany the appeal that will help us pray and reflect more deeply upon the challenges being faced by the farmers of Kenya. This can be downloaded from the Diocesan website at www.chelmsford.anglican.org/lentappeal2016. Further information● Please do contact Revd Lee Batson on 01245 451087 or [email protected] if you would have any questions or would like further information.

COVER STORY

BISHOP'S LENT APPEAL 2016 How to Give● We are very pleased to be partnering with Christian Aid who will oversee the use of the money on our behalf as they are already working with ADSMKE on other projects.

Donations may be made online, by text and by cheque. For full details of how to give online and by text please visit the appeal’s dedicated web page www.chelmsford.anglican.org/lentappeal2016.

Church donations can be made payable to Chelmsford DBF and sent to Liz Watson, Diocesan Office, 53 New Street, Chelmsford CM1 1AT.

Thank you very much for your support. It will make a big difference to the lives of subsistence farmers in Kenya.

EVER thought of having services in a language other than English in your local parish church?

Well, that’s exactly what’s happening at St Patrick’s, Barking, where, besides the local congregation being ‘fed’ in English on a Sunday morning, other nationals are receiving the Word and Communion in Spanish and Portuguese.

This ministry started last March with midweek evening services in Portuguese and then in July a bi-monthly Sunday evening service in Spanish (left).

This followed prayerful discernment by Revd Graham Dowling, vicar at St Patrick’s, and Marco Lopes, a Portuguese Licensed Lay Reader reacting to the

necessity to meet the spiritual needs of a considerable fringe of non-English speaking people in the locale.

Current nationalities represented in the congregations include Brazil, Angola, Cape Verde, Sao Tome and Principe, Columbia and the Dominican Republic. Both congregations total some 60 men, women and children.

People are attracted to this church principally through an interesting and engaging natural approach.

Marco said: “I use a threefold evangelistic approach, namely the local supermarket, the Portuguese local café and bus stops. These are excellent places where the probability of hearing someone

speaking in Spanish or Portuguese is immense and where you can easily start a conversation.

"The rest follows naturally and people get really interested when they find out that there are services in their own mother tongue.

"Though their childhood religious upbringing can be mainly Roman Catholic, the congregations don’t seem to experience problems in participating in a service that is clearly identified as Anglican, doubtless because it is held in their own language and is sensitive to their tradition.

"If you happen to join one of these gatherings, you will find a lively

atmosphere where liturgy translated from Common Worship, singing, flag waving, clapping and prayer are harmoniously interweaved and where your only risk is being warmly hugged and kissed during the peace."

Many in the congregations have expressed their desire to be baptized and confirmed and preparation courses are imminent so that in due course they will come to consider themselves members of the Church, the Church of England – but not the Church of the English only – a Church for all nations.● For more information, please speak to Graham on 0208 507 7487, contact him via email at [email protected] or consult website www.stpatricksbarking.com

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Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Psalm 1 (ESV)

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THE month — Parish church assists funding of school's recording project

Dedham pupilshit high notes

By LAURA VALENTINE

PUPILS and staff have excitedly welcomed iSingPOP to Dedham Church of England Primary School.

This singing and recording project, jointly funded by Dedham Parish Church and the school, lasted for five days and saw the children learning seven catchy pop songs based on Christian values.

These Christian pop songs covered themes such as love, friendship, social justice, praise and trust.

During the three days of workshops, the songs were put into context for the children in a really child-friendly and engaging way.

The members of the iSingPOP team were incredibly positive and encouraging and it was impossible not to leave the school hall feeling a few inches taller, inspired by the lyrics and catchy melodies.

On day four the children recorded their own CD and on day five they performed two brilliant concerts at Dedham Parish Church (pictured right).

The whole community was invited and my favourite story was hearing how two ladies who

had simply come to see the harvest flowers ended up staying for an unexpected concert which they thoroughly enjoyed.

“It was awesome”, “I didn’t want it to end” and “It’s made me want to sing more” were among the reactions from the children.

It was a pleasure and delight to see all of our children – even our four year olds – beaming from ear to ear, praising God in song and giving their performances absolutely everything.

The children’s enthusiasm was mirrored in the faces of the audience and their parents too.

We now look forward to adding these new worship songs to the hymn list at family services and Revive@5.

PARISH BUYING: Save your church £££s

AREA DEANS

THE Bishop of Chelmsford has appointed Revd Jonathan Collis to be the Area Dean of Southend within the Archdeaconry of Southend. This appointment is for a period of five years from October 7, 2015. Jonathan also remains Vicar, Thorpe Bay, St Augustine (14.12).

THE Bishop of Chelmsford has appointed Revd Canon Margaret Ann Shaw to continue as the Area Dean of Basildon within the Archdeaconry of Southendwith effect from November 2, 2015.This appointment is for a period of two years. Margaret also remains Vicar of St Andrew’s with Holy Cross, Basildon (10.02).

APPOINTMENTS

Revd Katie de Bourcier, Assistant Curate in the Great Baddow Team Ministry (11b13) is appointed Priest-in-Charge, of the Halstead Area (18.04) from November 10.Revd Jane Bradbury, Assistant Curate, Helston & Wendron in the Diocese of Truro, is appointed Assistant Curate, South Weald St Peter (09.19) from February 29.Revd David Childs, Priest in Charge of Hadleigh St James the Less (13.04) and Hadleigh St Barnabas (13.05), is appointed Hospital Chaplain to Southend University Hospital NHS Trust from February 22.Revd Graham Crook, Chaplain Southend Health Care NHS Trust, retired on October 31.Revd Ian St John Fisher, Vicar of North Shoebury St Mary the Virgin (14.03) retired on August 31.Revd Sonia Groombridge, Curate Hornchurch St Andrew (04.08) and

Healing and Deliverance Ministry Adviser Barking Episcopal Area (01.0), is appointed Associate Priest Hornchurch St Andrew (04.08a) (also remaining as Healing and Deliverance Ministry Adviser Barking Episcopal Area (01.0) from February 2.Revd Pauline Hart, Assistant Curate at Alresford St Andrew (27.01) and Frating w Thorrington St Mary Magdalen (27.01a), is also appointed also appointed Assistant Curate at Elmstead St Anne & St Laurence (24.03) from January 14.Revd Susan Mann, Assistant Curate of Wickford St Catherine (10.12a), Wickford St Andrew (10.12b) and Runwell St Mary (10.12c) is appointed Priest in Charge of Orsett St Giles & All Saints (15.10), Bulphan St Mary the Virgin (15.10a) and Horndon on the Hill St Peter & St Paul (15.10b) from March 2.Revd Peter Ngugi, Assistant Curate (Title post) The Walthamstow Team Ministry (08.16): Walthamstow St Mary the Virgin (08.16a),Walthamstow St Gabriel (08.16b), Walthamstow St Luke (08.16c), Walthamstow St Stephen (08.16d), is appointed Priest in Charge Beckton St Mark (05.20) from October 29.Revd Daniel Pierce, Assistant Curate of St John the Baptist, Stockton-on-Tees, withSt James Hardwick in the Diocese of Durham, is appointed Pioneer Team Vicar in the Billericay and Little Burstead Team Ministry (10.03) from November 10.Revd Roderick Reid, Priest in Charge, Bocking St Mary (19.02), is also appointed Curate in Charge, Panfield, St Mary & St Christopher (19.10) from January 13.Revd Canon Paul Robinson, Priest in Charge of East and West Tilbury St Catherine and Linford St Francis (15.05), is appointed Rector of East

and West Tilbury St Catherine and Linford St Francis (15.05) from February 28.Revd Pauline Scott, Rector at Alresford St Andrew (27.01) and Frating w Thorrington St Mary Magdalen (27.01a), is also appointed as Priest-in-Charge at Elmstead St Anne & St Laurence (24.03).Revd Philip Tarris, Priest-in-Charge The Sampfords and Radwinter w Hempstead (26.08) is also appointed Priest in Charge of Thaxted - St John the Baptist with Our Lady and St Laurence (26.17) from October 13.Rt Revd Roderick Thomas, Suffragan Bishop of Maidstone, is also appointed Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Chelmsford from January 24.Revd Samantha Winney, PTO, is appointed Associate Priest, Harwich Peninsula Team Ministry (24.02), from September 30.

PERMISSION TO OFFICIATE

THE Bishop of Chelmsford has given Permission to Officiate in the Diocese of Chelmsford to:Revd Laurie Bond, 34 Cedar Close, Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex CO14 8NJ. This permission is valid until May 27, 2020.Revd Anthea Marjorie Cannell,118 High Street, Harlow, Essex CM19 5EF. This permission is valid until August 10. 2019.Revd Leonard Hamblyn Kenneth Davies, The Vicarage, 79 Claremont Road, Forest Gate, London E7 0QA. This permission is valid until January 16, 2018.Revd Stewart Henry Gibbs, The Vicarage, Broomfields, Hatfield Heath, Bishops Stortford CM22 7EH. This permission is valid until July7, 2020.Revd Gillian Frances Hopkins, 15 Deer Park Way, Waltham Abbey EN9

3YN. This permission is valid until March 22, 2020.Revd Keith David Norris, Still Waters, 8 Hesselyn Drive, Rainham RM13 7EJ. This permission is valid until August 23, 2020.Revd Albert Victor Watson, 107 The Hoo, Harlow, Essex CM17 0HS. This permission is valid until April 9, 2017.

READERS

Allison Cline-Dean, Reader at Chelmsford Cathedral [11a03], is appointed Lead Lay Chaplain at Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust also Licensed as a Reader in the Diocese of Chelmsford from January 4.

THE Bishop of Chelmsford has given Permission to Officiate as a Reader in the Diocese of Chelmsford to Mrs Margaret Elizabeth Southgate, 5 Portlight Close, Mistley, Manningtree Essex CO11 1UD. Permission is valid until October 6, 2020.

LAY WORKER

Gary Wilson, Pastoral and Evangelism Intern Woodford Wells All Saints and St Andrew (07.23), is appointed Licensed Lay Worker of Barkingside St Cedd from December 21.

RIP

Revd Peter Adams, Permission to Officiate. Died on November 24.Revd Richard Allen, Permission to Officiate. Died on December 10.Revd Christopher William Cousins, Permission to Officiate. Died on January 6.Revd Peter Williams, retired. Died October 23.

UNFAZED by the fall in weekly attendance below one million in 2014 the Church of England will not be putting its trust in short term fixes but remains realistic about the time it will take to reverse the decline.

At present the Church loses about one per cent of churchgoers each year as people die or become housebound.

A long term strategy described as the most radical reform and renewal programme in living memory was already under way before the figures came out. Under this strategy resources are being re-focused on prayer, evangelism, discipleship, vocations, leadership and training.

Stephen Cottrell, the Bishop of Chelmsford, commented: “Obviously these figures aren’t good news, neither are we complacent about the challenges that lie ahead, but there are no surprises here, and we will certainly not be swerving off the road Jesus Christ has set before us.

“Many individual churches are growing. At the moment not enough to make up for the decline in others, but we believe this can change, and we are learning from the churches where there is growth. We are still as resolute as ever in our commitment to live out our faith, share our faith, enjoy our service to God and grow our ministry.

“Those priorities are set out in Transforming Presence. Our direction of travel remains the same.

“Following the Time to Talk consultative conference last year attended by more than 700 people from our parishes I look forward to re-focusing our work with Transforming Presence in the near future.”

Detailed analysis has revealed that attendance at services which were primarily for schools were excluded from the 2014 figure although they were included in previous years.

And Fresh Expressions of Church which are effective in attracting people in were not recorded in full, underlining the importance of churchwardens recording attendances beyond Sundays and traditional forms of church.

As well as this activities such as educating school children, providing chaplaincies, running homelessness services and hosting foodbanks were left out.

More adults attended a CofE church each week in October 2014 (830,000) than are members of the six main political parties across the UK (794,000).

2014 attendance in Chelmsford Diocese:l Average all age weekly attendance was down by 1.9 per cent.l Child Sunday attendance was up by 1.2 per cent.l 34 per cent of parishes showed growth in their monthly member figures.l The total number of people coming to Chelmsford Cathedral for all events increased by 7.5 per cent.

No surprises in attendance figures as plans for discipleship are firmed up

PEOPLE & PLACES

EACH year church treasurers, administrators, churchwardens, and PCCs make buying decisions for their churches which add up to more than £147million across the C of E.

To help with all these procurement decisions, the Parish Buying team have put together some buying tips from the experts to help you make the most of your budgets.

These Procurement Top Ten Tips can be

found at http://www.parishbuying.org.uk/emails/general/procurement-top-tips.pdf.

The aim of these top tips, and of Parish Buying as a whole, is to save the church £10million a year through better procurement decisions; avoiding high costs, misleading contracts, and unnecessary spending.

And it doesn’t stop with advice. All Parish

Buying contracts are carefully vetted by their Procurement team, with over 55 years combined experience, to ensure your church gets the best deal.

You can access all of these contracts by registering for free on the Parish Buying website at www.parishbuying.org.uk/, contacting the team on 0800 368 0887 or emailing [email protected].

Faiths Forum seeks urgent action on Calais refugeesA FAITHS Forum for London group has visited refugees in the camp at Calais.

Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Sikh and Hindu members of the group returned determined to seek action in relation to the plight of 6,000 migrants living on the camp, mostly victims of war, civil unrest, and dictatorship in Sudan, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Syria and elsewhere.

The group was led by Canon Steven Saxby of London Churches Social Action and Nazek Ramadan of Migrant Voice.

The group met Yvette Cooper MP in Calais and urged her to press for the creation of safe, legal routes for migrants and for family re-unification of refugees separated in different parts of Europe.


Cross Rhythms Teesside community radio station broadcasts 24/7 to Stockton-on-Tees and the Tees Valley. ‘That’s a long way from here’ you may be thinking, but hopefully the aims and values of this Community radio station will not be a long way from those of many in the church throughout the UK.

The station engages with the community through radio using local news, discussions and interviews, with the latest contemporary Christian music providing the backbone to the sound and ethos of the station. Sharing the Gospel with a 21st century audience using 21st century means.

One of the station’s founding DJ’s had this to say: “We’re often hearing from people who love the station, for the effect it has on the community if not the music itself. I’ve been a DJ for 10 years and my grandmother, who is 87 years old, supports what I do wholly. She can’t stand the music I play, but she supports what I do because she loves me and she believes in the project. The music may not be to the taste of older Christians. But it’s actually about seeing

the bigger picture and saying, ‘It’s not necessarily what I like but I can see it connecting with a lot of people.’ That’s the starting point and everything else will fall into place around it.”

The radio station is run as a not-for-profit organisation, and any income goes towards the ministry of reaching the local community with the Gospel, and engaging with local communities for social gain. During the recession, many of our projects with young people, especially around education and training, sadly ceased due to lack

of funding. Organisations that used to pay for those services had their budgets cut or removed, and as a result, the station has to find new income and support.

But now for the good news: Effectively, the station ‘re-started’ in September 2014, with a new Station Manager and a new Station Administrator, Rafal and Ania Dupat. This young Polish couple arrived in the Tees Valley area sensing a call from God and not really knowing why. Rafal has extensive production and audio engineering experience, and Ania has managed a number of community projects. Ideal qualifications for a Christian Community Radio Station, although they had no idea it even existed when they came!

Since getting involved, Raf and Ania have encouraged the growth, management and training of a new crop of more

than twenty volunteers to produce and present local programmes. They have also been meeting and engaging with the local community at large, and the Christian faith community especially, as well as community groups and organisations, and listener feedback is encouraging.

“We’re working towards securing funding to develop more programming and training opportunities to reach what is one of the most deprived areas in the UK”, said Rafal. “We have developed a love for the Tees Valley area, and the people here, and we want to use the radio station to bring hope and light in difficult times. As an evangelistic outreach, this radio station is broadcasting to people 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year – it’s a phenomenal resource for the church in its mission.”

A message from Chris Cole, co-founder of the Cross Rhythms ministry.It is fair to say that the Christian Faith has been the most ‘civilising influence’, globally, since the revelation of Jesus Christ as the Son of God. In the Western World, the printing of the Bible over 500 years ago on the newly invented printing press enabled our civilisation to develop our politics, economics, education, societal attitudes, major institutions and spirituality. All of these developments have been at the cornerstone, until recently, of our liberal democracies.

It is now the development of the internet, digital satellite, FM radio and television communications that gives all of us who call ourselves ‘followers of Jesus Christ’ the opportunity to

share our stories on these platforms.In many ways this is probably the

first opportunity people will have of witnessing powerful messages and testimonies of real life in God. We are often the first Bible people will now read.

Cross Rhythms as a national ministry is growing with three Community radio stations licensed in the UK, (Teesside, Stoke on Trent and Plymouth), independently owned and operated but partnering together with similar aims and vision.

Cross Rhythms Teesside is reaching young people who engage with the music – but it is asking older people with a passion for a lost generation for support. It is based in one of the

most deprived areas of the North East of England – but it is asking for help from people in this area who can see the vision and wish to support it.

We now have a younger team developing around us who are very ‘media savvy’ and capable of maximising the amazing opportunities the Lord is giving us to ‘influence our cities for good’ by broadcasting the very best Christian Contemporary music with life changing messages.

Your partnership is not only deeply valued but is part of our spiritual resourcing to influence the airwaves in a way that helps those who don’t know Jesus gain a glimpse of His offer of salvation.

Please Consider Supporting Cross Rhythms TeesideOur running costs are kept extremely low, and our not for profit radio station is currently entirely staffed with volunteers. We only need 40 supporters donating £30 per month to enable us to sustain and develop our programming, reaching the whole area 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with the Gospel. A gift, or monthly donation, of any amount, would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

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Please return this form to Cross Rhythms Teeside, c/o Cornerstone Vision, 28 Old Park Road, Plymouth, PL3 4PY

Reaching a City with the Gospel

“A young lady came to see us at the studios, with her baby in her arms. She told us she had listened to a testimony on Cross Rhythms Teesside, and as a result had decided to keep her baby – there’s a little child alive now because the programming touched someone’s heart and gave them hope in a very difficult time.”

Cross Rhythms Teesside is very grateful to Cornerstone Vision, who have kindly sponsored this page.

Contact:

Rafal Deputat Station ManagerE: [email protected]


FREE DELIVERY AVAILABLE

- order by 1st March, see below

Special Edition

Original

Dark

This year The Real Easter Egg range has had a makeover and each single boxed egg includes a unique copy of the Easter story in the shape of a pull out 37 cm high cross illustrated by Helen Cann.

Please note the Dark and Special Edition eggs are not being sold in supermarkets but can be bought from independent stores or ordered online.

*There is a charitable donation for every 150g egg sold.

It’s time to reclaim Easter!Out of the 80 million Easter eggs sold in this part of the world every year, The Real Easter Egg is the only one which has an Easter story booklet in the box, is made of Fairtrade chocolate and makes a donation to charity from its sales.*

To allow us to continue to make The Real Easter Egg, we need people to switch and buy. As Easter is very early this year, we need to communicate this as soon as possible. Don’t forget, delivery is free if you spend more than £45 and order by 1st March 2016. So we need a champion to encourage people to buy directly from us. See below or have a look at the free resources at www.realeasteregg.co.uk

How you can helpWe sell the Real Easter Egg in three ways: by people buying directly from us, from independent retailers and from supermarkets. The supermarkets, which are stocking the eggs, will only ever have about 12 eggs on display in any one store. So they would be simply overwhelmed by the demand from a typical church. Last year, hundreds of churches placed orders directly with us in quantities ranging from 12-1,000 eggs. Direct sales are very important for our company to trade. So we hope you will join the campaign and encourage people to buy directly from us.

Tastes good and does goodThe Real Easter Egg was launched in 2010. It was a real struggle as all the supermarkets turned it down at first. To date, we have sold more than one million eggs with 750,000 of these sent through the post directly to churches and schools. Not only has there been an increase in Fairtrade chocolate sales, but nearly £200,000 has been donated to charity.

FREE DELIVERY

*Free delivery on orders over £45 and received by 1st March.

Pay online by card - The simplest way to pay is to visit our online shop at www.realeasteregg.co.uk

Payment by cheque - Complete the form below and return to: The Meaningful Chocolate Company, 11a Eagle Brow, Lymm, WA13 0LP. Cheques payable to ‘The Meaningful Chocolate Company Ltd’.

Delivery Address:

Title: First Name: Surname:

Tel. No: (Daytime) Email:

No. of Eggs Total

Postage & PackagingSee terms and conditions below

FREE*or £4.95

How to order

Original Real Easter Egg (150g) (£3.99 each must be ordered in multiples of 6) £23.94

Special Edition Real Easter Egg (280g)Can be ordered in singles, each egg £9.99

Dark Real Easter Egg (180g)(£5.50 each must be ordered in multiples of 6) £33.00

Grand Total

Original (RRP £3.99)A fresh new design. Includes the Easter story in the shape of a cross, a high quality milkchocolate egg (125g) and Yummy Bar (25g). Must be ordered from us in multiples of 6.Includes a donation to Traidcraft Exchange.

Special Edition (RRP £9.99) Contains a high quality milk chocolate egg (200g), an olive wood holding cross keyring from Bethlehem, a cross shaped Easter story and an orange milk chocolate bar (80g). Not available in Tesco this year. Can be ordered in singles.

Dark (RRP £5.50)An egg made from premium dark Fairtrade chocolate (165g) with 3dark chocolate squares (15g) and a cross shaped Easter story.Must be ordered from us in multiples of 6.

if ordered before 1st March 2016*

David Marshall and Larry Bush receiving thedonation cheque from egg sales in 2015.

NEWBeautiful Easter

story design

Paris climate deal ushers in new dawn

THE month — Memorial created from church roof slate


Garden and memorialtribute to war heroes

CHRISTIAN Aid has hailed the final Paris climate agreement as a new era which has the potential to transform the global economy to address climate change.

Mohamed Adow, Christian Aid's Senior Climate Advisor said: "For the first time in history the whole world has made a public commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and deal with the impacts of climate change.

"Although different countries will move at different speeds, the transition to a low carbon world is now inevitable.

"Governments, investors and businesses

must ride this wave or be swept away by it. Negotiations were long and hard fought but the result is an agreement which will usher in a new dawn of climate aware politics. The era of politicians burying their heads in the sand is over.

"This is a historic agreement and the culmination of a path the world set out on four years ago. The baby conceived in Durban has now been born. Like any infant it needs to be nurtured so that it grows stronger over time. It will be up to national governments to ensure this happens.

"This deal must echo through boardrooms

and stock-exchanges around the world - the era of dirty investments is over. The profitable, forward-looking business opportunities of the future lie in clean investment.

"Crucially the Paris Accord has not left poor countries behind. Richer countries have committed to deliver the finance they promised to help developing countries adapt and grow in a clean and sustainable way. For the first time in an international treaty clear consideration has also been given to loss and damage – support for countries facing climate change so severe it can't be adapted to."l Cycling to Paris summit: see page 3

The service was led by the Revd Canon Jenny Tomlinson.

Grants from Sewards End Parish Council, Uttlesford District Council, the Thursday Carpet Bowls and Social Club and Saffron Walden Round Table

supplemented church funds to make the project possible. The garden scheme also benefitted from individual donations, given in memory of loved ones or to mark an important occasion.

The war memorial itself was

created from an original 19th century slate tile from the church roof.

It depicts painted poppies on both sides which pivot to show the black background on one side and white on the other,

ONE hundred people gathered at St James' church, Sewards End, Saffron Walden, in November, for the dedication of the new garden and war memorial by Revd Canon Jenny Tomlinson.

A path, benches and a wide border and trelliswork (right) have been constructed to create a peaceful place in the middle of the village where people can sit and enjoy the surroundings.

The village supports the Injured Soldiers Fund at Carver Barracks, and a contingent of soldiers took part in the Act of Remembrance.

Eight men with Sewards End connections who gave their lives in the First World War were remembered by name during the ceremony.

symbolising light and hope coming from darkness and despair.l Picture: GORDON RIDGEWELLl Article has been reproduced with the kind permission of the Walden Local.

A GROUP of Wickford and Runwell children, aged from eight years old, spent the night of December 11 to 12 sleeping out to help fight homelessness (right).

The Advent Sleep Out Challenge which took place at St Andrew’s Church, Wickford, was organised to raise awareness of the problem of poverty, to give the children an opportunity to experience what homelessness is like, and to raise money for charity, the Church Urban Fund.

The children, who are part of the Wickford & Runwell Team Ministry Youth Group, slept overnight in cardboard boxes and sleeping bags in a homemade stable to remind themselves of the Christmas story that Mary and Joseph could find no room at the inn, and that Jesus was born in a stable.

The children have met their target of raising £500, but donations can still be made at https://adventsleepout. everydayhero.com/uk/team-wickford.

Wickford and Runwell Team Rector, Canon Jane Freeman said, “Our youth group wanted to do something this Christmas to help those who are struggling with poverty.

"What could be more appropriate than sleeping rough in a stable as Mary, Joseph and Mary did on that first Christmas?”

Children sleep out like Mary and Joseph in Wickford stable to fight homelessness

Loughton quiet dayTHE Ven David Lowman, who retires as Archdeacon of Chelmsford on January 31, is going to St John the Baptist church, Church Lane, Loughton to lead 'From Darkness to Light - A Lenten Quiet Day' on February 13.

The quiet day runs from 10am to 4pm. The suggested offering of £12 includes tea and coffee. Please bring your own lunch. l Please ring 0208 508 2948 for further details.

THE annual Colchester Area conference at St John’s Colchester on Saturday, January 30 is focused on “Living Prayer – Encountering God in different ways”. The cost per place is £5 or £20 for five places. Bookings can be made via Eventbrite at http://bit.ly/1lIZF3A.

Colchester prayers

IN BRIEF

BISHOP Stephen will launch a new course for ‘older evangelists’ in Chelmsford Cathedral on Wednesday, January 27 at 11am.

The course has been written by Canon Hugh Dibbens, one of the Diocesan Evangelism Advisors, and will be run for the first time this Lent.

Speaking about the course, Hugh said: “Active seniors bring a life-time of experience and faith with them, and often have a flexible timetable as well.

"I’m keen to help release more senior members of our congregations for mission and evangelistic ministry.

"The course covers things like Christian Grandparenting and Intergenerational Evangelism.” l Anyone is welcome to attend the launch event. For more information about the course see the Cathedral website at www.chelmsfordcathedral.org.uk or call Canon Edward Carter on 01245 294486.

Course focus onolder evangelists

Worship & Prayer at Chelmsford Cathedral

Sunday

Daily Services

www.chelmsfordcathedral.org.ukwww.chelmsfordcathedral.org.uk

7.45am Morning Prayer8.15am Holy Communion (also Weds at 12.35 and Thurs at 10am)12.00pm Midday Prayer5.15pm Evensong (sung on Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri)

8.00am Holy Communion9.30am Parish Eucharist11.15am Choral Eucharist3.30pm Evensong

A warm welcome to your cathedral, serving Essex and East London

By TIM ELBOURNE, the plains - Chelmsford Diocese · Christingle No rains on the plains. Diocese has...

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