CROSSLINCS News from around the Diocese of Lincoln www.lincoln.anglican.org
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January/February 2020 – Free
The power of listening and offering hope The Bishop of Lincoln’s Social Justice Fund, which was set up in partnership with the Lincolnshire Community Foundation, was launched back in 2015 to support local organisations involved in social justice. At that time it was said that the hope was to help schemes, groups and organisations to make a difference and to help to transform lives throughout greater Lincolnshire. Crosslincs hears from one such group in Gainsborough...
The Riverside Access and Training Centre in Gainsborough offers hope to people who are in such crisis and despair that suicide can seem to be the only way out. As one user who is now a volunteer there has said, “Without it I’d probably be in prison or dead”. Centre users come from a wide variety of backgrounds, although nearly all are unemployed. There are young mums, those with drug and alcohol dependencies and a growing number of homeless people. (Continued overleaf...)
INSIDE...
INSIDE...
Good news and friendship
Dwelling in the presence of God
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Crosslincs is produced by the Diocese of Lincoln
The submission deadline for the next issue is 31st January 2020 Editor E: crosslincs@lincoln.anglican.org
Communications Officer The Revd Adrian Smith T: 01522 50 40 37 M: 07885 99 99 07 E: adrian.smith@lincoln.anglican.org Communications Assistant Louise Brown T: 01522 50 40 64 E: louise.brown@lincoln.anglican.org Diocesan Offices Edward King House, Minster Yard, Lincoln LN2 1PU T: 01522 50 40 50 E: enquiries@lincoln.anglican.org www.lincoln.anglican.org www.facebook.com/Dioceselincoln www.twitter.com/CofELincoln Instagram: diocese_of_lincoln The Bishop of Grimsby Acting Bishop of Lincoln The Right Reverend Dr David Court T: 01522 50 40 90 E: bishop.grimsby@lincoln.anglican.org The Bishop of Grantham The Right Reverend Dr Nicholas Chamberlain T: 01522 50 40 90 E: bishop.grantham@lincoln.anglican.org Diocesan Secretary The Revd David Dadswell T: 01522 50 40 32 E: david.dadswell@lincoln.anglican.org PA to the Diocesan Secretary Kay Clayton T: 01522 50 40 32 E: kay.clayton@lincoln.anglican.org The Archdeacon of Stow and Lindsey The Venerable Mark Steadman T: 01522 50 40 39 E: archdeacon.stow@lincoln.anglican.org The Archdeacon of Boston The Venerable Dr Justine Allain Chapman T: 01522 50 40 39 E: archdeacon.boston@lincoln.anglican.org The Archdeacon of Lincoln The Venerable Gavin Kirk T: 01522 50 40 39 E: archdeacon.lincoln@lincoln.anglican.org W W W.LINCOLN. ANGLIC AN.ORG
The power of listening and offering hope (continued) The centre receives no national support and relies wholly on obtaining grants in order to keep running. It has received two grants from the Bishop of Lincoln’s Social Justice Fund, which was set up to transform lives in greater Lincolnshire through funding projects that tackle a number of issues, including poverty and isolation. The funding was used to support 1:1 and group coaching sessions, in addition to the regular coffee mornings that provide the users with a sense of community. The regulars support new people and they all look after each other. There is also a foodbank. There is a lean management structure: one non-National Health Service mental health specialist and seven volunteers (most of whom were service users themselves). Damon Parkinson is the Director of the centre. He said: “Our centre is a lifeline, literally, for many people. Gainsborough is one of the most deprived towns in Lincolnshire, and there are many people stuck in a vicious cycle of unemployment, drug and alcohol dependencies and financial problems. When combined with mental health issues, just another thing going wrong can push people over the edge. “Being seen by the statutory services depends on whether you meet the threshold for being ‘desperate enough’ to pose an immediate danger to yourself or others, so if you don’t, then you won’t be seen. These people are referred to us for help. We don’t turn anyone away.”
“The success of the programme can be seen in the transformation in their lives...” The funding from the Bishop of Lincoln’s Social Justice Fund has helped 55 people with improvements to their mental health. The success of the programme can be seen in the transformation in their lives – some have moved on to further learning activities, some now volunteer with Riverside, and some are in paid employment. Damon continued: “When someone turns up needing help, our focus is on the person and what they need there and then, and that is just to be listened to, nothing else. The waiting list is shuffled around to squeeze in clients who are assessed as being in immediate need. “We make a big difference in a short space of time as the people learn to trust us, and we help them make a plan. If you have no money, no prospects, no food, and are already depressed and anxious, it is not surprising that people end up having a complete breakdown. But we show them that there is hope and help them to get back on track. We have received so many letters of thanks telling us how we have helped them, and this really spurs everyone to carry on fighting for the future of the centre.” Speaking with reference to this work, Bishop David has said: “This project has clearly shaped lives in Gainsborough and I am delighted that the diocese has been able to help fund this vital work. The Bishop of Lincoln’s Social Justice Fund was set up to partner with local communities as they sought to address real, local needs. This is what we call faith in action, and we are thankful that the Riverside Training Centre was there for these very vulnerable people in their very darkest hours.” Further information on the Bishop of Lincoln’s Social Justice Fund may be found at https://www.lincoln.anglican.org/News/the-bishop-of-lincolns-social-justice-fund Pictured on the previous page are some of the centre’s team. For more details on the centre and its range of services, please see https://www.riverside-training.org.uk/
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Serving the community A bluebell wood in the making Crosslincs hears of the recent transformation of an area of land next to All Saints Church in Saxby, and how it has been put to use for the benefit of the community... A conversation was held. “What do you want to do with the space?” asked the Revd Canon David Rowett, Vicar in the Barton-upon-Humber Group. “I’d like a bluebell wood,” said Dorothy Fagge, Churchwarden at Saxby All Saints, near Brigg. “Well, get on with it then,” said David. And she did. The space in question was a three-acre piece of land on a hill next to All Saints Church in Saxby, near Brigg. Formerly a cow field, it had become overgrown and now resembled scrubland. The church, on the other hand, sits nestled at the bottom of the hill amid some mature trees. It is a fine example of the work of George Gilbert Scott, an important English Gothic Revival architect. The church has recently undergone extensive restoration to return it to its former glory. The field did not complement the space. David’s preferred choice was to use the area to have a green burial space, but this was unfortunately not possible owing to the number of springs in the hillside; and so the conversation above was held and Dorothy got on with the job of fundraising.
“Our community is using the space, which is what we wanted...” The vision for the area was to have a community woodland planted with native trees with an open space, paths and a play area for children. Did they fancy a green amphitheatre, the landscape gardener asked. Why not. A nurse by profession, Dorothy has been raising money since she was in her twenties, so 50 years later she knows a thing or two about how to do it. Early in her career she was sent on a training course to Great Ormond Street Hospital to learn how to raise money for hospital projects. She said: “Targeting the right funding bodies is obviously key; you need to check that they have a track record in donating to projects such as yours, and that way you stand more chance of being successful.” She also took advice from the Woodland Trust, which was able to suggest bodies that donate to environmental projects. The field cost £30,000 and the parish council gave advice on how funding for this element could be realised. The Woodland Trust provided 750 trees at a much-reduced
cost, but a large amount of money was needed to pay for landscaping the hill and shaping the pathways. They held exhibitions in the village hall so that people could see what they were planning and people got on board. The residents in the village were very generous and Dorothy kept plugging away with grants, but it took seven years to complete the project from the initial idea in 2010. Her charm and tenacity also secured her a number of other donated items, including a children’s wooden play tractor, a gazebo and some wooden ‘in memoriam’ benches. David said: “Lincolnshire has very few green public spaces and it is England’s least wooded county, so the fact that we have been able to develop our own green space, for our community, is wonderful. It has been several years of hard work to make it possible and it hasn’t been easy but it has been well worth it. The success of the project is a tribute to Dorothy’s hard work and tenacity in raising the money; the generosity of our parochial church council and community in giving their time and money and the help and support of the local authority, local businesses, the diocese and the Woodland Trust. It’s nice to be able to give something back to our community as they have been wonderful in supporting us.” “I am absolutely delighted with the finished result,” said Dorothy. “It’s everything we hoped for and more. To make the bluebell wood we planted 50 bluebell bulbs around each tree, so in time they will self seed. We also put in some snowdrops and wild daffodils and this spring it did look lovely. Our community is using the space, which is what we wanted. Our amphitheatre has been used for concerts, as a resting place for cyclists and for Christening parties. When you all come together you can achieve great things.” DIOCESELINCOLN
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Overseas links Good news and friendship Following on from our recent focus on a parish pilgrimage to Brugge, Crosslincs hears of the link between a Lincoln church and Northern Uganda... St Mary Magdalene Parish Church in Bailgate, Lincoln has a well-established link with the Diocese of Northern Uganda and Bishop Johnson Gakumba. Margaret Ford, a member of the ministry team at St Mary’s, formerly served as Secretary to Archbishop Janani Luwum, and the people of the parish provided the funds for the roofing of St Stephen’s Church at Keyo Hill, which is now known as Musalaba (pictured right). On the 26th of November each year a celebration is held to mark the arrival of missionaries on that day in 1904, and in November 2019 three representatives from St Mary’s (Adrian Smith, Vicar; Julia Hepburn, Curate; and Geraldine Ham, Deputy Churchwarden) were able to take up an invitation from the bishop to spend a week in the diocese. A busy and varied schedule offered the bishop’s guests a wonderful insight into the life of the diocese, including services of confirmation (the bishop confirmed 117 people at a Sunday service and then a further 160 at the celebration at Musalaba, during which Adrian had the privilege of preaching to a congregation of around onethousand people). The headteacher at Gulu Primary School (pictured below with Bishop Johnson) shared something of the school’s work with blind and partially sighted children, and the guests were warmly welcomed at the diocesan office and various churches and projects in the diocese.
In addition, they were also able to meet and spend time with another link contact, Catherine Akullo Wana (Agape Christian Children), and to hear more about her work in supporting orphans and families. The trip has given the group much to consider and for the parish to hold in prayer. As Julia has said, “I’d never been to Africa, and never dreamt I’d visit Uganda. I was aware, of course, of our parish link with the Diocese of Northern Uganda, having heard some of the stories and prayed often for the diocese. Now, for me, that link is vibrant; as warm and welcoming as the country and its people. Prayers answered and many more to pray.” An information-sharing event is being planned for the parish for the new year. Updates will be at https://stmarym.org.uk/ W W W.LINCOLN. ANGLIC AN.ORG
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Learning together Dwelling in the presence of God Lisa Hughes, one of our ordinands, reflects on a memorable trip to the World Council of Churches... Last October, 17 Anglican ordinands from around the country were fortunate enough to visit the World Council of Churches (WCC) and Bossey Ecumenical Institute in Geneva. The trip was organised by the Revd Canon Roger Spiller, who was a Bossey graduate in the 1970s. Roger refers to his time at Bossey as ‘life transforming’ and his passion for ecumenism is infectious – his bi-annual trips to Bossey are his way of sharing that passion. Set on the banks of Lake Geneva, Bossey is as beautiful as it is transforming – the whole setting seems swathed in generations of worship and prayer. Each year, Bossey is home to a new set of students from around the world; the 32 students that formed this year’s intake were from 19 countries and represented 15 different denominations of Christianity. The students live, eat, study, and, most importantly, worship together. Every morning a different tradition leads morning worship in the small chapel, and on our first morning it was Indonesian. I was part of the team that led Common Worship Morning Prayer – what a privilege. When I introduced the Lord’s Prayer, what came back to me was a sound so sweet it has no compare, with each person saying the prayer in their own language, and yet finding the same rhythm, and somehow, all reaching ‘Amen’ at the same time.
Much of our time at Bossey was spent in lectures. Our time with the students was special. I have had to reconsider my own reading of scripture – what I learnt at Bossey is that there are as many interpretations of scripture, as there are people. We need to ask each other what scripture means to us, and what it could mean if we looked at it afresh through each other’s eyes. The sad part of the visit was the realisation that they do not celebrate the Eucharist at Bossey. Each Sunday the students go to Geneva to find a Eucharist celebrated in ‘their’ denomination. The WCC does have an agreed Eucharistic liturgy, but it is no longer used. It is hard to accept that Christians cannot come together for this most important of feasts. Both at Bossey and the WCC there is a mantra that ‘unity is not about uniformity’, and there is an acknowledgement that we no longer feel the pain of division in our church and each church is happy to do its own thing. But living ‘alongside’ one another is not enough – we need to be drawing ‘together’ so that the Kingdom may once more be focused on God. I witnessed what it can be like to leave denomination at the door, and just ‘be together’ in the presence of God, and it was good. Postscript – We often talk at college about what we hold in our closed fist, the things that are essential to our relationship with God. For me the Eucharist has always been in my closed fist, untouchable and non-negotiable. As I have reflected on my visit, I have come to realise that if I don’t start to open my hand and look ecumenically at the Eucharist then any dream of Christian unity is pure folly. I have been praying for the compromise of others without understanding that the compromise has to start with me. I want my future ministry to celebrate the richness of the ways God chooses to meet his people, and it is only by being open to, and inclusive of, the worship of others that we can truly achieve this. DIOCESELINCOLN
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Stories of faith People, pets and God – from one dog collar to another! The Revd Julie Donn speaks to Crosslincs about a personal area of ministry and study, as she seeks to raise awareness of the impact of the loss of a pet... The Revd Julie Donn MA is incumbent at St Andrew’s Church in Immingham. The initials after her name are in respect of finishing her Masters in Theological and Pastoral Studies, and her dissertation was titled ‘Pet Loss – a Grief Unobserved. A Pastoral and Theological Response to Issues Raised by Companion Animal Death’. Her dissertation is dedicated to the memory of her dog, Scamp, a ‘very loyal and precious dog’, who died in 2011 at the grand age of 18. In her paper, Julie discusses the issues raised from a perceived vacuum in the support available for those who have lost companion animals from a Christian perspective, and she calls for these relationships to be openly supported as such that are valued in the sight of God. Julie said: “There is a real bond of friendship between humans and animals, where God is in that bond and I see that connection as an extension of the love of God. It is part of theology to love all creation.”
“I understand when someone comes to me having said goodbye to their pet...” Her thesis also covers the theological understanding of how pastoral care could be applied to an animal bereavement; animal theology and the concept of the soul in relation to animals; and ideas around animals and heaven. Julie’s love of animals goes back a long way. Prior to being ordained she worked for the Blue Cross (the animal charity) for 15 years, and was based at their animal hospital in Grimsby. Julie said: “I really enjoyed my time working for the Blue Cross, and on the first morning of my first day I adopted Scamp. Scamp was in a poor state. She came into the hospital with a broken leg, which needed surgery and was then encased in Plaster of Paris. Acutely malnourished, her other front leg couldn’t stand the extra strain and another stress fracture happened, so both legs needed W W W.LINCOLN. ANGLIC AN.ORG
Horace and Doris have found a new home courtesy of Julie.
surgery and plastering. Her owners never came back for her and so she went home with Julie. “The first of many!” she reports. Julie described her feelings for her pet. “She was particularly precious to me as she taught me so much about life and love, and my late husband, Alistair, absolutely adored her. Although Scamp was only a few months old when she came to me, I have a passion for the dogs that are disabled, or have chronic health issues or are just old. It’s not their fault.” When Julie was ordained she moved into her new home with 11 very old dogs and four old cats. Up until recently she was left with Lulu, her one-eyed 14-yearold spaniel and sole surviving dog from her time at the Blue Cross, but Lulu died in November. She has, however, acquired two other rescue dogs: Horace, the one-eyed pug, arrived in 2018, and this summer, Doris, the four-year-old pug, moved in. “What I saw whilst working at the Blue Cross was that, like me, most people saw their pet as an integral member of the family and loved and cared for them as such. It was a privilege to share with them the joys as well as the sadness and grief when that relationship was broken. One widower I met was in pieces at the death of a budgie, but it was because his late wife had taught it to talk and when it died that last connection was gone.”
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Reaching out to others Currently the Church of England has no specific guidance for members of the clergy in how to help and support those suffering with an animal bereavement. Similarly there is little formalised training for vets in how to manage the human, emotional aspect of a pet’s death. As a result, Julie states that this leaves many people finding the loss of a pet to be a ‘lonely experience’. Having had many cats and dogs as pets, Julie has experienced the grief of their passing again and again. “Even though I grieve terribly when I lose a much-loved animal, I understand that there is a time when you have to let go. I know my animals have had the best of everything and I wouldn’t want them to suffer for my sake. Unless you have had a pet and really loved it, people just don’t understand how you feel; but you share memories and experiences with animals, just as you do with people. “The pain is real – you feel a knot in your stomach whether that is for an animal or a person; so I understand when someone comes to me having said goodbye to their pet. I say prayers with them and I talk about their pet going to heaven. It’s not fluffy and I hope it helps people to move forward,” she said.
At the end of her thesis, Julie makes a number of recommendations. These include the need for suitable liturgical material to help bereaved owners undertake some rite of passage for their pet – whether that is in the form of prayers, service sheets or a burial. Information to help the healing process would also be beneficial – this could be memory boxes or pet memorial services. Until pet loss is more widely recognised as a form of bereavement, Julie is able to combine her love of animals and her day job by leading special animal services for anyone who would like one. These can be both acts of celebration as well as for those who have lost a pet. In this regard she has worked with Alf Wight’s son Jim (Alf was the author of the James Herriot books) at a service in Thirsk in Yorkshire and she has also held one in the Actors’ Church at Covent Garden, London, where several celebrities brought their pets along. She has also held services in her own parish churches over the years, where horses, dogs, cats, snakes and spiders were all blessed; some of which were even covered by Country Living magazine and Yorkshire TV. The beasts in the fields are not forgotten either, and sheep and cows can be blessed at rural services. For more on St Andrew’s Church in Immingham, please see https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/15013/
Seth Lakeman – A Pilgrim’s Tale Tour will call at Immingham Details have been announced of a special performance by award-winning folk singer Seth Lakeman at St Andrew’s Church in Immingham (Thursday, 6th February 2020). Next year (2020) marks the 400th anniversary of the historic Mayflower voyage. Seth Lakeman was raised and still lives on Dartmoor, within sight of the sea at Plymouth, from where the Puritans sailed on the Mayflower in 1620. Seth tells the epic and soulful tale of the Pilgrim Fathers on his new album, A Pilgrim’s Tale, which is due for release in Spring 2020, and he will be playing songs from the album live with his band in the towns and cities that the Pilgrim Fathers came from. Tickets may be booked via https://www.seetickets.com/event/seth-lakeman-apilgrim-s-tale/st-andrews-church/1453408 DIOCESELINCOLN
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Remembering together Celebrating ministry and service Image courtesy of the Church of England.
The Revd Alice Nunn, Vicar of the Winterton Group, pays tribute to her friend and colleague, the Revd Jane Whitehead (October 1945 – October 2019)... Eighteen-or-so years ago I was appointed Vicar in the Winterton Group… the first woman, and the whole idea was new, and perhaps not entirely welcome to some… But on arrival I found that Jane, by then, well established as a ministry team member and the first woman priest in Winterton, had been lovingly preparing the ground for a woman vicar… she had quietly and gently got on with the business of being a priest here and made it feel OK, even to the dubious, and people trusted her – after all she was a real local! From the start, Jane was an indispensable member of the team, taking on her duties willingly, joyfully and thoughtfully. Sometimes in saying seemingly simple things she was able to get to the heart of the matter, making us all think. Many in our group of parishes will have memories of her ministry among us, baptising children, marrying couples and of course conducting funerals and also simply being there for people. But central to her ministry was the regular celebration of the Eucharist. It is for this reason that it was right that we celebrated Jane’s life and ministry among us in the context of this service, the Eucharist, which was such an important part of her spiritual life. Jane saw presiding at the Eucharist as both a duty and a joy. And she overcame life-threatening illness, including a liver transplant, back in 1994, all before she stepped up for selection and subsequent training in the ministry. Jane was ordained priest in Lincoln Cathedral in 1999 and continued to exercise her priestly vocation for many years, though sadly for the last couple of years this became increasingly limited. However, her love and concern for people always shone through and continued to do so, even as her health deteriorated. Jane always seemed to be calm and peaceful, making time for people and listening to them. At Jane’s funeral on the 5th of November 2019, I reminded people that we had just celebrated the festival of All Saints, and observed that saints, or friends of God, can be found everywhere. Not just pious figures in stained-glass windows or people who suffered gruesome martyrdoms, or who were around when W W W.LINCOLN. ANGLIC AN.ORG
Jesus trod this earth. But we all have the potential and calling to be saints. Jane responded to this call and not only studied and preached the Gospel, but lived it too. We may be certain that Jane is now in light and joy, with our loving Lord and God, on another shore. I know Jane will be sadly missed by us all and our thoughts and prayers go to her family and friends at this sad time. The Revd Canon Michael Wright As we were preparing this issue of Crosslincs for press, we were informed of the death of the Revd Canon Michael Wright. Michael served his curacies at St Aidan’s, Cleethorpes and St Clements’, Skegness, before serving as Vicar at St Michael’s, Louth and as Rector of St Andrew’s, Stewton. During his ministry, Michael was also Rector of St Peter’s, Warmsworth and Vicar of All Saints’, Wath upon Dearne, both in the Diocese of Sheffield. In addition, he was a canon of Sheffield Cathedral, Warden of Readers and Rural Dean. He retired to Sleaford, where he continued in his ministry for a further 25 years. The Revd David Jordan-Baker The Revd David Jordan-Baker died on 13th November 2019. David was formerly Curate of St Nicholas, Spalding; Priest in Charge in Morton, near Gainsborough; Vicar of St Mary’s, Wrawby; and, most recently, Vicar of St Peterat-Gowts in Lincoln. We continue to hold the families and friends of Jane, Michael and David in our prayers.
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Announcements The Revd Stuart Cradduck has been commissioned as Rural Dean of Grantham from 13th November 2019 for a term of five years. The Revd Chris Hewitt has been commissioned as Rural Dean of West Wold from 13th November 2019 for a term of five years. The Revd Ben Topham has been appointed Associate Rector of Stamford St George with St Paul.
The Revd Owain Mitchell has resigned his licence as Vicar of the benefices of Brigg, Wrawby & Cadney cum Howsham with Worlaby and Bonby with effect from 5th February 2020. Owain will be licensed in the Diocese of Derby on 6th February 2020. Please join us in praying for all of these people. Details of current vacancies in the diocese are available at www.lincoln.anglican.org/vacancies
PRIZE CROSSWORD
Set by Ariq
Solution to the crossword in the last issue. Winner: Mr A.J. Pope, Alford.
To enter the Prize Crossword: Please send completed entries to Prize Crossword, Crosslincs, Communications Office, Edward King House, Minster Yard, Lincoln LN2 1PU. Closing date: 31st January 2020. A photocopy of the completed crossword is acceptable. The editor’s decision is final, and the prize will be a faith-related book.
Across 1 Chap and I settle on dis/ advantage. (8) 6 Keep your temper in, now rather than later. (5) 10 Old schoolgirls. (7) 11 Pendular body part on which jewellery may depend. (3,4) 12 A dab hand for starters, and don’t expect preferential treatment. (5) 13 Noble woman, gaining fifty, is incalculable. (9) 14 Batting XI interior. (6) 16 Vegan source of chickens? (8)
19 Spinning in sequence. (8) 21 Deal with and learn to embrace control. (6) 24 I quit deal. (9) 25 Roustabout works on ring. (5) 27 Fake duplicate, losing faith, gives singular praise. (7) 28 Cutting-edge tooth. (7) 29 Given direction will steward ever return. (5) 30 Café includes a fine mix in coffee. (8)
Down 2 Financial restraint in hospital unit is critical. (5) 3 Random note dad gave to help. (7) 4 Clasp close, when boy falls off bench. (6) 5 Runaway jury pledge on not only forming early opinion. (8) 6 Two pork chops in kitchen. (7) 7 Earlier tennis shot. (9) 8 Finally takes note of both the time and tides. (5) 9 Blasé attitude of King Charles’s man. (8)
15 Technical instrument placed just so. (3,6) 17 A rate sure to yield riches. (8) 18 Loving Latin speaker’s affliction. (8) 20 What wild Ted will do when he is fed up? (7) 22 Should journalist clear it with editor first? (7) 23 Refile letters as substitute. (6) 24 A person that would repel back in the old days. (5) 26 Reverse 28, less 101, in string application. (5)
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This Time on Monday ‘God is always there’ Sarah Spencer, our Discipleship in the World Officer, chats with Liam Atkinson about his everyday faith... Sarah: Hi Liam, please tell us a bit about yourself. Liam: I’m from West Yorkshire and moved down here to the Cleethorpes area. I’ve always been to church with my parents (a lay minister and a churchwarden) and my Grandma (a youth group leader). I’m interested in how services work and how you interact with so many different people. When I was young, my vicar spotted how keen I was and made me a box with cloths and utensils in; I used to get them out during the tea and coffee after a service, and do my own service! Sarah: What church do you go to now? Liam: I go to Christ Church in Cleethorpes and am now in a group with St Aidan’s, Old Clee and St Francis’. We get to interact with lots of different people in different ways, some are quite traditional and others are very community orientated, so it’s great to be able to experience the differences. I’m one of a group of four youth group leaders. We have children from all four churches come to our youth group called the Net. We also do a community buffet lunch to try and spread the Gospel. Sarah: What do you do on a Monday? Liam: On a Monday, I am usually up early, and working in a café all day, cooking the food and chatting with customers. It is in a NHS rehab centre, so the customers have all had falls or serious injuries and are beginning to build their confidence again. When they come down I can be that smiley face, looking after them and be a listening ear to people as they talk about their lives. I’ve always struggled with what I wanted to do in life. I knew it was catering and customer services, but I ended up in a job which really knocked my confidence. Getting this job gives me a way to get in. Now I realise that God knew exactly where to place me, that he has been planning this from years ago. To move up here, working in this job now, it is all God’s plan and it’s brilliant to know! Sarah: How does your faith help you in this work? Liam: If I didn’t have faith, I think I’d always wonder why has this happened to them? My faith is based on helping other people, like Jesus and his disciples helped others. Through faith I know God works in mysterious ways, and no matter what happens, God is always there, and W W W.LINCOLN. ANGLIC AN.ORG
always has a plan for us. So even when we are going through a rough time, he is always there, and he knows how it will work out, and that there will always be a welcome home in heaven. Sarah: What about the other way round, does your work inspire your faith? Liam: Recently the team I work in discovered that we are all Christians. We only found out by chance. One of my colleagues was wearing a cross and I said, ‘Oh, that’s a nice cross, are you a Christian?’ And she said ‘Yeah, are you?’ We got talking and then started praying together. It was a nice moment, and so good to know that in the busyness of work there are others who value faith and want to offer prayer for those we serve. We’ve had times when the staff and patients have been in a really bad way. It’s been amazing that we have been able to pray for them and to hear later on that their lives have changed and the small seeds that were sown in prayer have grown into something healthy. It’s such a privilege. Sarah: Is there anything we can pray for you? Liam: Please pray for our youth group and its leaders. The children are the church now and they are the church to come. We need to look after our youth and children and let them grow and contribute to our worship. We might feel safe holding onto our traditions, but if it were not for our younger people, there would be no church in 20 years’ time. And pray also for people working in cafes who are quietly serving, being a Christian presence and who don’t know if there are other Christians in their workplace. I pray they have confidence to go out and speak to people and share God’s love with those that they work with.
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Lent 2020 Saying ‘Yes’ to life – Lent 2020 Sarah Spencer, our Discipleship in the World Officer, looks ahead to some resources for Lent in 2020... This year’s Lent book Saying Yes to Life (Ruth Valerio; SPCK) was commissioned by Archbishop Justin and imaginatively connects the days of creation with today’s ethical, environmental and social concerns. It lifts us from our daily lives, to issues that impact millions around the world. As people made in the image of God, we are entrusted to look after what God has made and to share in the joy and creativity of God, who sees his creation and names it good. Asked to produce something theological in depth and global in scope, Ruth’s book is reflective and practical while also a stirring call to action and contemplation. Archbishop Justin says, ‘Ruth Valerio’s book is perfect for individuals and groups to think, reflect, pray and be challenged together.’ Each chapter contains prayers and discussion questions that are to be used by groups who meet for Lent, with additional study resources and interviews available via a dedicated website.
An invitation to share in a forum to discuss issues around LGBTQ+ Karen Henson issues an invitation for people to join her to meet and share experiences and information... Several years ago I felt a need to find and join a group of LGBTQ+ Christians in our diocese. I was struggling personally with coming out and I wanted to get to know people with other experiences of coming out and being part of the body of Christ. I could not find one. Recently, I had the great fortune and pleasure to be part of the first deanery in the country – that is the first officially wholly LGBTQ+ inclusive deanery – during a time on placement in Manchester. This experience was exciting on so many levels and has got me thinking about our own diocese. I think it is essential now to have a group in our diocese that meets together for worship/Eucharist to celebrate our
Complementing this book, the Church of England has developed a #LiveLent Care for God’s Creation campaign on social media. For the first time, the Lent book and digital campaign support each other, with emails, apps, web links and booklets for both adults and children containing daily bitesized reflections and actions. To mark Lent, the next free Eco Church Workshop, ‘A Church for our Planet’, will take place on Saturday, 21st March 2020 (10am–4pm) at the church hall of St John the Evangelist Church in Brigg (DN20 8JE). Booking is available online via Eventbrite (search for ‘A Church for our Planet’), or please contact me on 01522 50 40 75 for more details. See also https://www.churchofengland.org/everydayfaith
love for God, to give thanks for the gifts that God has given us in being LGBTQ+, and to establish a forum to discuss issues together, so that we can benefit from pooling our talents. My idea is to test this by asking if others would be willing to help me in this, or if people would be interested in coming and cooperating at whatever level in its leadership, formation and sustained membership? This would be open to all, whatever the personal circumstances, sexuality or gender identity (I am a transwoman), and this group could allow us to find a place of focus that would help us to find ways to shake off fear, shame, ignorance or prejudice in the world. It is not easy, and there is a lot of work to do, and so that is why it’s important for us to gather together. If you are interested in joining me and in hearing some more details, please get in touch with me. I may be contacted via email at karenahenson@outlook.com or by calling 0771 992 5324. DIOCESELINCOLN
@COFELINCOLN
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Mission and outreach Reaching people through sport James Radcliffe, Associate Vicar of St Peter in Eastgate and St Peter in Carlton, Lincoln, reflects on the mission opportunities that are presented to us through sport... Nelson Mandela once wrote: “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair.” Anyone who watched the 1995 Rugby World Cup or the film Invictus will know the truth of these words. Sport and fitness are valuable outreach opportunities and a terrific way of connecting with the communities we serve. During a period of extended study leave I visited South Africa to learn how churches and Christians are connecting with their communities through sport. I spent time with, and interviewed, many inspiring Christian men and women, and here are some of my findings. First, Bruce Nadin is the National Director of Sports Chaplaincy SA and a former chaplain at Leicester City FC. JR: How would you describe sports chaplaincy? BN: It’s a ministry of presence, for all faiths and none, by permission; pastoral care is proactive and spiritual care is reactive.
JR: How big is the work of Sports Chaplaincy SA? BN: We only started in 2015 so there is room to grow. Sports Chaplaincy UK is a much older organisation. At present there are 27 chaplains officially accredited, serving and registered across South Africa. But the requests for chaplains from around South Africa exceed what we can currently provide. The great task into the future is to find suitable men and women for sports chaplaincy, train them and deploy them to the sporting context that is the right fit for them and the sports community they serve.
JR: How did you get into it? BN: I was sought out to mentor a player at Ajax Cape Town FC, who was seeking to put his life back together. He’d had a Christian upbringing but had wandered away during his football career. He wanted to get back to where he’d been.
BN: It is worth mentioning the difference between Christian ministry ‘through’ sport and ‘in’ sport. Sports chaplaincy is all about ‘in sport’. We are there as their guest, responding to needs. Whereas ministry ‘through sport’ is when Christians do the inviting and people are the guests of them in the sporting activity.
JR: Why were you approached? BN: Because he knew I was a Christian who loved sport and spoke his ‘language’.
Hendrik Jansen is a missionary, seeking to plant a church in a township. He leads an informal soccer game every Saturday in a township for young people. JR: How did this get started? HJ: Three years ago, I moved into the township with my family and turned up with a football and water! Now it is a bit more formalised. They fill in an attendance sheet, we have a half-time talk from the Bible and play a proper 90-minute game of football. It is self-selecting by the boys. They are all between 14–19 years old. I’m helped by two or three volunteers from my church.
JR: What does sports chaplaincy involve? BN: I have always found this acrostic helpful: • Christ • Honest and trustworthy • Always a guest • Prayerful • Local backing • Available • Initiative • No charge • Servant leadership W W W.LINCOLN. ANGLIC AN.ORG
JR: What have been your values in this sports ministry? HJ: The four main values are relationship, genuine concern, Bible proclamation and prayer.
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Sharing experience and stories Hans Scriba is a retired rugby player who represented Western Province RFC. Hans works for SA Rugby full-time. He came to faith as a student at Stellenbosch University. JR: Looking back, how did your church leader find having a full-time rugby player in his congregation? HS: I’m not sure he quite knew what to make of me! I was often away from church and on rugby training camps. JR: What was your greatest Christian support while playing? HS: My mid-week church group kept me grounded: encouraging me whether Western Province won or lost, whether I played well or not. HS: I was keen to do something for my old team-mates when they reached the age of family responsibilities. Three years ago, I got together with old Christian friends from the sports and business world and set up a Christian sports and business ministry. We welcome anyone who will appreciate hearing about the experiences of respected Christian sport and business people over breakfast. Previous speakers have included the cricketers Peter and Shaun Pollock. Beth Veyendall is a British woman who moved to South Africa for a short-term youth work job and then married a South African. She has lived there for 10 years. She leads the Helderberg Academy (www.helderbergacademy.co.za) JR: What exactly do you do? BV: We have a term of coaching rugby, soccer and netball, with each lasting 16 weeks. We use material from Coaching for Life, which holistically covers a sport skill, a life skill and a related Bible topic. For example, in football, a session would involve heading, courage and David and Goliath or short passing, connectedness and vine and branches. I train a team of coaches to deliver these sessions in three townships.
instil the values your players will need in their daily lives. Additionally, each practice session highlights God as our father, the ultimate coach in our lives. Our hope is that these sessions will be embedded into the heart of each player and will lead each player to true life. Looking back and some ideas for application at home My time in South Africa taught me the distinction between ministry ‘in’ sport and ‘through’ sport. With regard to the former, it gave me the impetus to get off the couch and get back to my first sporting love: rugby. I joined Lincoln RFC and turned out for the 3s. It gives me an opportunity to be an ambassador for Christ there, to do good, keep fit mentally and physically and make the most of opportunities to serve and make a difference to people who are not churchgoers. Obviously the sport and leisure activity that a Christian engages with will differ according to age, season and passion. But the key thing is be involved in some way in an activity that gathers everyday people together. With regard to the latter, it prompted me to approach the Head of my local primary school to see if there was a sports club they would like to offer to the pupils. To cut a long story short, we had a term of tag rugby on offer to a group of boys and girls! In time it would be great to offer a church sporting activity for the community, but we are prayerfully waiting for a core group to emerge to lead this.
JR: What is the overall vision of your ministry? BV: Coaching for Life is designed to support you as you teach the sport while connecting it to biblical stories that
As a member of the wider diocesan Ministry of Sport group (www.lincoln.anglican.org/ministry-of-sport), it was the catalyst for organising a Christians in Sport Quiz in a local tennis club, an inter-church all-age rounders game as part of the National Sports Sunday, and producing a leaflet containing ‘30 Practical Ideas for Engaging with Sport’. Jesus asked his followers to ‘go and make disciples of all nations’. Is the greatest opportunity for us in the twenty-first century the one that is offered by sport and recreation?
Keeping in touch via the diocesan e-bulletin...
Sharing in prayer with others around the diocese
The diocesan Communications Office produces a regular electronic newsletter (e-bulletin). A sign-up facility is on the homepage of our website (www.lincoln.anglican.org) or call us on 01522 50 40 64/01522 50 40 37 or email us at communications@lincoln.anglican.org
The monthly diocesan prayer diary is published as a downloadable document on the diocesan website at www.lincoln.anglican.org/sharing-in-prayer Printed copies of each edition may be obtained by calling John Leach on 01522 50 40 49 (john.leach@lincoln.anglican.org). DIOCESELINCOLN
@COFELINCOLN
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Noticeboard Rural churches in our diocese secure National Lottery support Churches in two of the most rural areas of our diocese are set to benefit from nearly £80,000 of National Lottery Heritage Fund investment as part of a unique project being run by our diocese, the first of its kind in the country... Many churches around the diocese need ongoing intervention so that they might remain in use and support their local communities, and so the focus of this new project (‘Building Capacity in the Rural Parish Church in Lincolnshire’) will be to recruit and train volunteers who can support key rural churches.
“These events will offer an opportunity to learn more about becoming involved with this very special project that will help shape lives and communities...” The funding is being used to support parish churches in and around Spilsby, Market Rasen and Caistor, and the programme will run to April 2021. Steven Sleight, Diocesan Advisory Committee and Pastoral Secretary for the Diocese of Lincoln, has said: “We are thrilled to be able to offer additional support to some of our most rural churches as a result of this grant, which has been made possible thanks to players
of The National Lottery. We have 630 church buildings in the Diocese of Lincoln, many of which require repair and maintenance. This funding will help us to recruit and train volunteers who can help to secure this wealth of built heritage for generations to come.” Caroline Wallis, Rural Churches Volunteers Project Officer, has said: “The first step of this exciting and innovative project is to connect with the existing stakeholders in the parishes to discuss their aspirations for their church buildings and where they need help. This will be followed by a series of volunteer recruitment events for members of the public. These events will offer an opportunity to learn more about becoming involved with this very special project that will help shape lives and communities.” To enquire about volunteering or to suggest a church building project in your area, please contact the Project Officer, Caroline Wallis, on 01522 50 40 38 or via email at caroline.wallis@lincoln.anglican.org Forthcoming volunteer recruitment events will be advertised locally, in Crosslincs and on the diocesan website.
Key diary dates: training days for incumbents and treasurers The following dates and venues have been agreed for training days for incumbents and treasurers in 2020... Boston Archdeaconry: Thursday, 10th September 2020 (9.30am to 3.30pm) at Gosberton Clough Church Hall (PE11 4JR). Stow & Lindsey Archdeaconry: Friday, 11th September 2020 (9.30am to 3.30pm) at Nettleton Village Hall, Moortown Road, Nettleton LN7 6AA. Lincoln Archdeaconry: Saturday, 12th September 2020 (9.30am to 3.30pm) at Tattershall Village Hall, 16 Lodge Road, Tattershall, Lincoln LN4 4LL. W W W.LINCOLN. ANGLIC AN.ORG
If you cannot make the seminar in your area, please feel free to attend at another location. This year’s Saturday event for working treasurers is combined with the Lincoln archdeaconry seminar. Speakers will include Edentree and the Association of Church Accountants and Treasurers (ACAT), and there will also be training sessions delivered by the diocesan HR Officer and the Finance Director. A session on fundraising and grant funding will be hosted by the Church Buildings Team. Invitations will be sent out in the new year, and more details may be obtained from Michelle Wardlaw, Assets & Trusts Officer, by calling 01522 50 40 61 or via email at treasurerseminar@lincoln.anglican.org
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Safeguarding training Safeguarding training in your area Lucy Russell, diocesan Safeguarding Training Coordinator, offers details of further safeguarding-related training... The safety and wellbeing of the most vulnerable in our society lies at the heart of the Gospel we are privileged to share. Our churches should be places of security and safety for all. As those who share in the public ministry of the Church, we bear a responsibility for ensuring that our own care for the vulnerable is well informed, and meets the standards required by the diocesan policies for the safeguarding of children and adults at risk. Safeguarding training is mandatory; it is delivered in the church context and requires delegates to take part in a safeguarding training session at least once every three years. Renewal of authorisation, permission to officiate (PTO), and the take-up of a new position in the diocese also require the appropriate level of safeguarding training to be met. Basic Awareness 2020 Please contact safeguarding.training@lincoln.anglican. org for more details regarding access. The module is for Parochial Church Council members, servers, sidespeople, bellringers, administrators, shop staff, refreshment providers, flower arrangers, musicians and anyone attending a Foundation or Leadership face-to-face course. Who should attend the Foundation Module? Authorised lay ministers; pastoral assistants (for example, those who take Holy Communion to the housebound and do this unsupervised); children’s and young people’s workers; group leaders/supervisors, bell tower captains; other volunteers (anyone else not qualifying for the Leadership Module). Who should attend the Leadership Module? The Leadership Module training is mandatory for clergy who hold the Bishop’s licence and are in employment; Readers who hold the Bishop’s licence; clergy and Readers with PTO (whether they are retired or not). The Leadership days are all 9am–4.30pm. This training is for all members of the clergy, but churchwardens and safeguarding parish officers may also find it beneficial. Foundation Module Training 2020 Saturday, 11th January 2020 – Priory Church Hall, Deeping St James (9.30am–12.30pm)
Monday, 13th January 2020 – St Mary’s Church, Horncastle (1.30–4.30pm) Monday, 13th January 2020 – St Mary’s Church, Horncastle (6–9pm) Saturday, 18th January 2020 – St Faith’s Church, Lincoln, (9.30am–12.30pm) Saturday, 25th January 2020 – St Francis, Cleethorpes (9.30am–12.30pm) Monday, 27th January 2020 – St Mary’s Church, Horncastle (1.30–4.30pm) Monday, 27th January 2020 – St Mary’s Church, Horncastle (6–9pm) Tuesday, 28th January 2020 – St Thomas’ Church Room, Market Rasen (6–9pm) Saturday, 8th February 2020 – Skirbeck Holy Trinity Church, Boston (9.30am–12.30pm) Saturday, 29th February 2020 – St Mary’s Church, Horncastle (9.30am–12.30pm) Saturday, 21st March 2020 – St Mary’s Church Hall, Long Sutton (9.30am–12.30pm). Leadership Module Training 2020 Dates and venues are in the planning stages. Please check https://www.lincoln.anglican.org/training for up-to-date details.
Introducing Safeguarding Dashboards Safeguarding Dashboards has been created to address the challenges felt by parishes and the increase in administration for parish safeguarding officers in following new policies and procedures adopted by dioceses to make churches safer. It is said that Safeguarding Dashboards has been designed to display a clear and simple dashboard on a mobile phone, tablet or computer, and that the homepage allows the safeguarding officer, incumbent, churchwardens and other authorised users to ‘see the current status of compliance at a glance’. The dashboard has been piloted by 11 parishes in the diocese since August 2019, and this free resource is to be rolled out across the diocese. All incumbents, priests-in-charge and safeguarding officers (for whom the diocesan office has an email address) will receive some email correspondence with further details. These details will include invitations to access their specific dashboard, and ongoing support will be provided by the Revd Cameron Watt (project lead) and the diocesan safeguarding team. DIOCESELINCOLN
@COFELINCOLN
CALENDAR JUNE 2020
Thursday, 18th–Saturday, 20th June. The diocesan Clergy Gathering (at Bishop Grosseteste University, Lincoln). Further details will be announced soon and bookings will open in the new year.
Digital media training In November 2019 a free digital media training day was held at St Edmund’s Church in Riby. This practical day, the second such day offered by the Church of England Digital Team with support from the diocesan Communications Team, had the aim of helping churches to explore how to make the most of social media and websites, with the aim of helping them reach their community.
A Pilgrimage to the Oberammergau Passion Play and Austria with The Ven. Gavin Kirk and The Ven. Mark Steadman: 13th–20th May 2020 The Oberammergau Passion Play is performed every 10 years by the local residents and community of the small German town. This pilgrimage will be an opportunity to reflect on the central events of the life of Jesus, and there will also be time spent at religious sites and the beautiful scenery of lakes and mountains. The cost is £1,595 per person sharing a twin-bedded room with private facilities. For more details and a booking form, please contact the Pilgrimage Administrator, Archdeacons’ Office, Edward King House, Lincoln LN2 1PU (telephone: 01522 50 40 39).
Holy Land and Petra Pilgrimage 2021 The Revd Canon Chris Lilley is to lead a pilgrimage to the Holy Land from 9th–15th February 2021, with an optional extension to see the Dead Sea, Masada and, in Jordan, Petra and Mount Nebo (15th–18th February). Pilgrims will visit many biblical sites in Bethlehem, Nazareth and Jerusalem. There will be a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and travel on cable cars up the Mount of Temptation, near Jericho. The Eucharist will be celebrated by the Sea of Galilee and at the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem, and there will be time to share thoughts together during informal worship each evening. For more details, please contact Chris on 01507 44 00 39 or via email at c.lilley@btinternet.com
Areas covered included Facebook, Instagram and A Church Near You, and it is anticipated that a further day will be held this year (in the south of the diocese). More details to follow.
Do you run or help run a toddler group? Ann Court, Bishop David’s wife, who herself has run toddler groups for many years and currently helps with toddler groups at two churches, is forming a group for leaders for networking, support, sharing ideas and more. The initial meeting for people to discuss what they would find most helpful will be at Edward King House in Lincoln on Friday, 24th January 2020 from 12.30–2pm, and will include a light lunch. If you would like to come along, or if you are interested in finding out more, please contact Marie Isaac, Mission and Ministry Administrator, on 01522 50 40 22 or via email at marie.isaac@lincoln.anglican.org
Congratulations to our four new canons We send our congratulations to the following people, who were installed as canons at a service held in Lincoln Cathedral on Saturday, 16th November 2019. The new canons are as follows: • Canon Nigel Bacon (Reader based in Market Deeping, Lay Chair of Diocesan Synod and member of General Synod) • The Revd Canon Nick Brown (Louth and Rural Dean of Louthesk) • The Revd Canon Rosamund Seal (Holbeach and Rural Dean of Elloe East) • The Revd Canon Phillip Wain (The Lea Group and Rural Dean of Corringham). Image above: Bishop David with all four new canons. From L-R: Canon Nigel Bacon, the Revd Canon Rosamund Seal, Bishop David, the Revd Canon Phillip Wain and the Revd Canon Nick Brown.