CROSSLINCS News from around the Diocese of Lincoln www.lincoln.anglican.org
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Mar/Apr
Jerusalem journey for curate Phaedra
The Revd Phaedra Pamphillon-Green CA (Church Army) a first year curate from All Saints’ in Gainsborough, will be heading off to Jerusalem for eight weeks on an International Course. Selected by the Swedish Theological Institute, Phaedra will join a group of 13 other successful applicants to take part in the inter-faith course, which aims to teach students about the three religions with roots in Jerusalem; Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Revd Phaedra in All Saints’, Gainsborough
“I have always had an interest in understanding where other people come from and other cultures, and I believe that having a greater understanding of others Introducing the three religions helps us to better understand as distinct faiths, the course ourselves. If we want to share will show the inter-related the gospel effectively we have religious systems. to be understanding of other people’s beliefs and where Phaedra applied for the they come from.” course in July 2014, and believes her Masters degree As well as understanding the in Pastoral Theology and her theological aspects of the previous work in inter-faith religions in Jerusalem, the relations helped her in the course sets out to explore application progress. and explain the long standing conflicts that have arisen “I have been privileged to between the regions of Israel work with Imams as a hospital and Palestine. chaplain when I was in Continued on Page 2
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Stepney,” explains Phaedra, “as well as the Haredi community in Hackney.
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“I am certain that the experience can only enhance the training she has begun here and will benefit not only her, but her fellow curates as she reports back – and of course the wider Church. Our Swedish link diocese has been very generous in making this possible.”
The submission deadline for the next edition is Wednesday, 18 March.
Contacts Editor and Head of Communications Michelle Lees T: 01522 50 40 34 M: 07885 99 99 07 E: michelle.lees@lincoln.anglican.org
Phaedra is very thankful to the diocese for this once in a lifetime opportunity. “It’s humbling and exciting and I feel that I have a lot of responsibility to get it right and to give something back to the diocese. It’s important that the whole diocese benefits from this.”
Media Officer and Sub Editor Daniel Herrick T: 01522 50 40 37 M: 07885 99 99 06 E: daniel.herrick@lincoln.anglican.org Bishops’ Press Officer Will Harrison T: 07736 29 26 68 E: will.harrison@lincoln.anglican.org Diocesan Offices Edward King House, Minster Yard, Lincoln LN2 1PU. T: 01522 50 40 50 E: reception@lincoln.anglican.org www.lincoln.anglican.org www.facebook.com/Dioceselincoln www.twitter/CofELincoln www.flickr.com/Dioceseoflincoln The Bishop of Lincoln The Right Reverend Christopher Lowson T: 01522 50 40 90 E: bishop.lincoln@lincoln.anglican.org The Bishop of Grimsby The Right Reverend Dr David Court T: 0152250 40 90 E: bishop.grimsby@lincoln.anglican.org Diocesan Secretary Ms Angela Sibson T: 01522 50 40 30 E: richard.bowett@lincoln.anglican.org PA to the Diocesan Secretary Mickey Tucker-Lowe T: 01522 50 40 32 E: michelle.tl@lincoln.anglican.org The Archdeacon of Lincoln The Venerable Tim Barker M: 07590 95 00 41 E: archdeacon.lincoln@lincoln.anglican.org The Archdeacon of Boston The Venerable Dr Justine Allain Chapman M: 07715 077 993 E: archdeacon.boston@lincoln.anglican.org Interim Archdeacon of Stow & Lindsey The Venerable Martin Grey M: 07809 521995 E: archdeacon.stowlindsey@lincoln.anglican.org w w w.lincoln. anglican.org
Phaedra hopes to bring these lessons back to the diocese to use throughout her priesthood. “I really want to learn what it is like to live within the area of conflict and see how it affects people in the region. On the course we will be looking at sustainable development across the cultures, which is something I can bring back to the diocese to relate to our own situation in Lincolnshire; bringing cohesion to communities with diverse cultures. “As priests we have a unique opportunity to work with and guide communities, helping each other to develop an understanding of other points of view; to recognise that we are in this community together and to realise how many similarities we share, so we can learn to work together peacefully.”
The Swedish Theological Institute The Swedish Theological Institute is the Church of Sweden’s study and dialogue institute in Jerusalem. It was founded in 1951 and hosts in-depth studies into the texts and traditions, which are fundamentally important to the three religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Canon Jeffrey Heskins, the IME Officer responsible for curate training in the Diocese of Lincoln said; “I am delighted that Phae has been offered this opportunity,” said Canon Jeffrey. “Her background as a former social worker and her commitment to inter-faith dialogue make her an ideal choice as a participant on this course.
Phaedra with Canon Mike Cooney, who has been influential in making this happen.
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Special Holocaust Memorial candle lit at St John’s “It was a real privilege to be part of such an important event today, and to be able to light this candle” said Jessica. “It is important that we always remember the people of the Holocaust and pass the message on to future generations.” St John’s was chosen from hundreds of applications sent to the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, and Stephen Hoy, vicar of St John’s, is proud the church was selected to host one of the 70 candles.
The congregation stand in a moment of reflection at St John the Baptist’s church, Lincoln
Seventy years on from the liberation of AuschwitzBirkenau concentration camp, St John the Baptist’s church on Lincoln’s Ermine estate, hosted one of 70 specially commisioned holocaust candles. Miss Jessica Howell, an RE teacher at a local academy in Lincoln, lit the candle at 4.30pm to mark a moment of national reflection.
“It’s a great honour to have been selected to host one of the special memorial candles here at St John’s,” said Fr Stephen. “Holocaust Memorial Day is an important focal point in the year, and it is vital that we remember and reflect upon the horrors of the past, and honour those who survived. “The service was attended by people of various faiths and none, and was a real moment of unity for everyone.”
From the Bishop... Lent is often seen as a time to ‘deny ourselves’, to give things up - often things like coffee or chocolate or alcohol. This discipline both helps us to remember this is a solemn time leading up to the joys of Easter resurrection, and to strip away symbolically some of the things that can get in the way of our relationship with God. It helps us to be intentional about our relationship with God. More recently there has been a move towards encouraging people to think of Lent as a time to take up (rather than give up) something – to start doing something we have not been doing before. This can be as diverse as taking a course on mindfulness, or just making the time to read a novel, as well as things like going to a Lent group or reading the Bible and praying daily. 2015 is a special year in the life of our diocese – we’re calling it ‘Year of Discipleship’ – as we focus on what it means for each one of us to be a disciple, a follower of Jesus, today. So I would encourage this to be your focus in Lent 2015. Is there something you could take up this Lent as part of your journey as a follower of Jesus? The diocese has resourced lots of things you could do, and I encourage you to visit their page on our website, or contact them to find out more. Whether you take up or give up, the end purpose stays the same – you are doing something to help you focus on your relationship with God. When we do that, we find God willing and waiting to nurture and deepen that relationship as we journey with Jesus through Lent, and discover again that the Way of the Cross is the Way of Resurrection.
The Right Reverend Christopher Lowson The Bishop of Lincoln DIOCeselincoln
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Deanery Focus Bolingbroke Deanery In each future edition of Crosslincs we will feature one deanery. We hope to highlight some of the exciting work and interesting areas of the deanery and give a taste of some of the work going on there.
Canon Peter Coates is excited by the opportunities that developing discipleship can bring across the diocese, but particularly the opportunities for Bolingbroke.
In this edition we are focusing on Bolingbroke deanery.
Canon Peter is working with the whole deanery as “united benefices” and has big plans Bolingbroke is in the Archdeaconry for the future: “With Cheryl of Lincoln and is in the heart Hilliam and Fran Jeffries, my of rural Lincolnshire. Situated full time colleagues, we are in the east of the diocese and looking forward to the fruits contains five groupings, Spilsby, of discipleship growth across Marden Hill, Stickney, Partney and the Deanery; in particular South Ormsby in two Benefices. that the strength of our small There are 39 churches within rural Churches can grow through Bolingbroke, all of which are a renewed and enriched local overseen by a team, both lay and leadership and vision. We believe clergy, working with the Rural that small is good – in fact it is Dean of Bolingbroke, The Revd beautiful”. Canon Peter Coates. Beautiful is certainly a word that With a fantastic heritage of applies to Bolingbroke; home to beautiful buildings and stunning some very unusual and possibly countryside, you could be forgiven unique churches. At the heart of for thinking this rural idyll is a the deanery is St James in Spilsby. sleepy place. But far from it. Built in the 14th century, it has two Bolingbroke is a thriving and naves and once housed a college forward thinking area. It has a consisting of a master and twelve history of pioneering ministry. The priests. Founded by Sir Robert current rural dean of Bolingbroke, Willoughby, the first Baron, the
The two naves at St James, Spilsby
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college was housed in the Trinity Chapel, which is the oldest part of the church and which today houses the tombs of some of the Willoughby family. St Peter and St Paul’s at Langtonby-Spilsby, built in 1725, is also very unusual. The Grade I listed building remains in the classical style with box pews facing each other, a triple decker pulpit and a gallery at the western end. Only three parish churches in England retain the same arrangement of box pews. As well as having many interesting historical buildings, Bolingbroke is a pioneering deanery, with many exciting projects and ideas to take faith to the people of the deanery in the future. The South Ormsby group has always been at the forefront of pioneering ministry. It was instigated as an experiment in the early 1950’s and was a way of grouping together a set of parishes in an entirely rural area. What we have come to know as group ministry, was an entirely new concept at the time, pioneered
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were able to travel from the rural areas to their local church. The first incumbent of the South “Today we thank Revd Arthur Ormesby Group was the Reverend for his work, foresight and vision Arthur C. Smith. He and his team and we try tirelessly to follow his called this venture, “an adventure philosophy of ‘together we can’. in friendship,” and while working in the area, he wrote a book entitled: “Each service held is a group “The South Ormsby Experiment.” service, and each parish retains its identity and independence, whilst also fostering the identity of South Ormesby and working together to build upon its success.”
“The South Ormsby group has always been at the forefront of pioneering ministry. What we have come to know as group ministry was an entirely new concept pioneered here in the Diocese of Lincoln.”
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“Second Sunday at Six is very much a fresh expression of church, and one person has even gone on to describe it as Messy Church for adults. It begins by providing food and drink and moves on to worship God in new, different and novel ways.” These novel ways have included people making plasticine models of the things they wish to pray about.
Other initiatives include Breakfast Worship at Raithby, which was held The foresight shown by Mr Smith in in the village hall, and a 24-hour his ministry continues today, with prayer vigil for Syria and Africa. the Revd Martin Faulkner and the Revd Fran Jeffries developing new “The prayer vigil for Africa schemes and projects to bring the ecumenically involved all the church to all ages and to all people. churches in Spilsby from the Roman Catholic church to the New Life Martin explains just some of the Church to the Christian Fellowship, projects being developed in the all provided a session of worship deanery. in their own style and included Messy Church where children “In the Partney group we have made bread.” said Revd Martin. “In developed a child friendly liturgy just a 24-hour period the church for the family service,” explains raised £1500 for people starving in Revd Martin. “We can engage Africa”. children at their own level and we use a children’s story teller bible for Bolingbroke deanery is steeped in our scripture readings, prayers that history and is using fresh thinking are age appropriate and instead of initiatives to engage people a sermon, the children are told a throughout the area. If you would story that fits in for the scripture of like to find out more you can visit The Revd Cheryl Hilliam the Rector the day to help them understand www.lincoln.ourchurchweb.org.uk/ for South Ormsby, explains how the reading.” spilsby. one particular story in the book inspired Mr Smith, and still inspires Bolingbroke is a very rural deanery, Cheryl today. so the team are also working to “In the book Mrs Smith comes across her three children playing, conducting a pretend service in their nursery. When asked where the congregation was, one of the boys replied, “there is no congregation, it’s Sunday.”
make the church more accessible to those in rural areas.
“At Little Steeping the church is situated about a quarter of a mile outside of the village, explains Martin. “This puts it on the periphery to the community, so in order to re-connect the church “This obviously struck a chord with with the village we hold a monthly Mr Smith and so he spoke with service called ‘Second Sunday at every PCC in the group to discuss Six.’” the possibility of purchasing a bus to enable people to travel to These services have been running church. They all donated £12 and for two years and no two services the bus was purchased, and with it have ever been the same. congregations improved as people
In the next edition of Crosslincs we will be looking at the deanery of Holland
If you have any interesting stories from Holland that you would like published in the next Crosslincs, then please contact us at daniel.herrick@lincoln.anglican.org or 01522 504037
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Commisioned to serve The Bishop of Lincoln undertook one of the less familiar services of his office when he commissioned The Revd Jeff Wilson as Spiritual Director, and Liz Lilley as Lay Director, for the Cursillo movement in the Diocese of Lincoln for 2015. The Bishop commended Jeff and Liz for their dedication to working towards Christian revival in Lincolnshire. He quoted Archbishop Justin Welby, saying that the Church cannot be rejuvenated from outside, but must change from within. This rejuvenation, he said, would, “take place through spiritual regrowth, rooted in prayer and study, “like that found in Cursillo. He spoke about each Christian’s lifelong journey, growing and developing in faith, and commented, “that new growth in the Diocese is rooted in the people it serves, springing from those roots as the diocese grows in faith, confidence and joy.”
Bishop Christopher with Liz Lilley and The Revd Jeff Wilson after their commissioning to service for Cursillo.
Liz Lilley commented; “It was so encouraging to be acknowledged and affirmed by our diocesan Bishop. I was moved to have the Bishop extend to me the right hand of fellowship. Within Lincoln Cursillo we are pleased to be able to provide another method of deepening people’s commitment to Christ, especially as we approach the Year of Discipleship together.”
Cursillo is a worldwide organisation, Spanish in origin, which takes the four-day model of Christ’s passion and resurrection and uses it to shape an intensive, residential retreat based on studies, reflections and the expression and sharing of thoughts and faith. The Cursillo movement is structured on the tenets of prayer, study and action, used to underpin and promote individual Christian involvement in local communities and churches. Cursillo encourages faithful Christians to explore their belief more deeply and to walk forward with new energy and commitment in their lifelong journey of faith – their “fourth day”, following the three-day retreat. The next Cursillo retreat in Lincoln will be in October 2015 and places are already being reserved. If you would like to know more, please contact Liz Lilley 01507 440039.
First female bishop consecrated in historic ceremony been people of faith, but every one of them has felt this moment marks “Archbishop Sentamu has something important. observed, ‘The way that we show our faith and our love for one “Thank you to all who are praying another is with two simple things, for me and partying with me today. prayer and parties.’ Today is an Please continue to hold me in your occasion of prayer and of party prayers as, after the example of – and I am thrilled that so many St Timothy and St Titus who are Bishops gather outside York Minster following want to share in both. I cannot celebrated by the Church on this the Consecration service. properly express how encouraged day, I share in work of proclaiming The Rt Revd Libby Lane was I have been in the weeks since the the gospel, in word and action, and consecrated as the first female announcement of my nomination, bearing witness to the name of bishop in the Church of England in by the thousands of messages Jesus.” a packed service at York Minster on I have received with words of The Bishop of Lincoln was at the congratulation, support and 26 January. wisdom. I’ve heard from people of service in York, and spoke of his More than 100 bishops attended all ages, women and men - people I delight at being part of the historic the ceremony, as well as women have known for years, and people I event. bishops from across the Anglican have never met; people from down “I was honoured and delighted Communion. the road, and people from across to be able to participate in the the world. ordination of Libby Lane as Bishop. In a statement shortly after being consecrated, Bishop Libby said “Many of those who have been in Today marks the beginning of an she had been encouraged by the touch have little or no contact with exciting new chapter in the life of thousands of messages of support the Church of England; not all have the Church of England.” she had received.
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South Holland Flower Festival The South Holland flower festival is one of the highlights of the year on the deanery calendar. Between 25 April and 4 May, 20 churches from across Spalding and
Wimbledon themed arrangement by Jane Pearson
the surrounding areas will display their flower arrangements, designed around a selection of themes. This year’s themes range from ‘music in bloom’ to ‘inspirations’ and even ‘TV comedies’. Jane Pearson is the PCC Treasurer and Flower Festival Co-ordinator at St Mary and the Holy Rood’s in Donington. She and her colleagues have been organising the event at St Mary’s, which isn’t just about the flowers. “A significant part of the flower festival is the catering that the ladies do in the church hall. They provide a constant supply of tea, coffee, wonderful home made cakes, toasted sandwiches and
much more,” explains Jane.
“We have another meeting in early February to discuss any problems The flower festival also has to cater that may have cropped up in the for people from further afield. “We planning. Each section head knows regularly cater for coach parties,” what they have to do and just says Jane. “They either just pop gets on and arranges everything in for a quick bite to eat and then to do with their section, including take a wonder around the many compiling volunteer staffing rotas decorated churches, or they stay to cover the 10 days. for the whole day. On the Sunday we provide a full roast dinner for “We have section heads for flowers, around 100 people.” catering, raffle, cake stall, book stall, plants & vegetables stall, meeters & The themes provide some greeters, tombola, craft stalls, bricinteresting arrangements each year a-brac, music & candles, advertising and Jane is already impressed with and sponsorship.” some of the ideas from her church. “Our theme this year was chosen For many years the churches of by our outgoing co-ordinator Ina south Lincolnshire have decorated Price. She has chosen “Inspiration their buildings with wonderful – what inspires you?” and we have flower arrangements for everyone already had some great ideas such to enjoy. This year sounds like it will as mothers, the forces, a day at the be no exception. river and a lovely warm fire on a cold winter’s night.” For more information about this year’s festival, or to download a “St Mary’s church usually raises leaflet, visit the Churches Together around £5,000 each year from the in Spalding and District website at flower festival, but last year topped www.ctspad.org.uk all expectations. We managed to raise a wonderful £7,003.45 last year, which gives us a hard target to achieve this year, but we are hopeful we can do it.” Debbie Reynolds is from St Peter and St Paul’s in Gosberton and explains the planning behind the flower festival. “The planning work starts in September when the Flower Festival Committee meet in the Church Hall to find out what the theme will be,” says Debbie. “Our theme is chosen by Valerie Brocklehurst who is fantastic and organises the flowers in the church. She also decides what theme each arrangement will have, sends letters out to people who have done arrangements in the past, advertises for new arrangers and orders the flowers. Dioceselincoln
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A day in the life of... A churchwarden
Our building is a baby in this parish, I collected the food donated by but the potential problems are the parishioners for the Larder (the same. local food bank supported by the Skegness Fellowship of Churches) There was a meeting with a local and took it to the distribution point. electrician to discuss old outdated heating panels and what the options Home for lunch, and then as we were for replacing them, with are in a vacancy at this time, I went something modern and efficient on line to view other web sites for and hopefully warmer. ideas and inspiration for the draft parish profile we are preparing. Then of course there is the question of where that money might come Life is busy and hectic at times, but from and if we can afford it. it is a fulfilling role that enables me to serve God. I would encourage I then went into the office to assist anyone to be a churchwarden, the parish secretary to prepare and an essential post in the Church of print off the accounts sheet for next England, especially if you don’t week’s PCC meeting. want to be sitting at your fireside watching daytime television!
Terry Allaway is churchwarden at St Matthew’s, Skegness. He tells us what a typical day is like. “Today duties did start with a huge gust of wind and heavy rain which made me immediately think, ‘I had better check the area near the font’ where the roof had leaked before. It had been repaired, but had it held? Thankfully it had, but with a building 134 years old you can never be certain. Then a quick check to make sure the drains were clear of debris, another source of problems.
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From your Archd eacon s...
Could you be churchwarden?
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Springtime is always heralded as a time of new beginnings and new life, and in the Church it is a very important time for obvious reasons, with Lent and Easter, followed by Pentecost. It is probably no coincidence then that this is the time we hold our annual parochial church meetings – thinking about our plans for the forthcoming year, and electing new officers, such as churchwardens. Churchwardens are elected annually – some churchwardens stand only for one year, whereas others choose to stand for election every year and hold office for many years. The role carries great responsibility, and many people don’t realise that it is a legal position that requires a declaration to be completed, and the churchwarden to be sworn in each year at an Archdeacon’s Visitation Service. [For important detailed information on the legalities and legal responsibilities of being a churchwarden, please see the website lincoln.dioce.se/ newchurchwardens ] Some churchwardens take on the role simply to ensure the building is kept in order - preserving history and heritage for future generations - others because they enjoy the privilege of serving their church and community. It is a highly respected and multi-faceted role, covering such areas as leadership and support for parish priests and incumbents, facilitating worship, looking after the fabric and its contents, record keeping and financial matters – not that the churchwarden needs to undertake all these tasks themselves, but rather to
delegate when necessary, and ensure they are done. Whilst the role requires great care and dedication, most churchwardens find it very rewarding. If you think you would like to play a role in what happens in your church, and to help safeguard its heritage, you may like to consider whether you could stand as a churchwarden this year. To all our current, future and past churchwardens, we would like to offer our thanks for the incredible job you do.
Church Support Officers Day combined with visitation services. Thursday 7 May Petwood Hotel Stixwould Road Woodhall Spa Lincolnshire LN10 6QG Saturday 13 June Lincoln College Monks Road Lincoln LN2 5HQ
The Venerable Martin Gray will be serving the diocese as Archdeacon of Stow and Lindsey on an interim basis, until a permanent replacement is appointed. Bishop Christopher said, “I am delighted that Martin has agreed to join our team, and I am extremely grateful to Martin for agreeing to step into this demanding role, and I know you will join me in welcoming him to the Archdeaconry of Stow and Lindsey.” Martin comes to us with significant experience, having previously been Archdeacon of Lynn, and will be supported in his ministry here by the Reverends Moira Astin, Andrew Dodd and Alan Hayday. Archdeacon Martin said, “It is a real pleasure to be here in what is a new part of the world for me, which I am looking forward to discovering.” He added that he is, “Looking forward to being able to offer help and support wherever I can over my interim period here.” Martin has been licenced by the Bishop of Lincoln in order to undertake this role and, working approximately half time, he will remain with us until a permanent appointment to the role is made. If you wish to make appointments with Martin, please contact Angela Wilson in the first instance on angela.wilson@lincoln.anglican.org or 01522 504089
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“Unity in the community” How one church school is embracing inter-faith relationships
Gillian plans the day with pupils from Swinehead St Mary’s School
The Diocese of Lincoln is full of many rich and diverse cultures and religions. With so many different faiths in our county, it is important to educate children on the different cultures to build strong interfaith relationships within our communities. The diocesan RE advisor, Gillian Georgiou, is working with schools to engage children in the subject of multifaith, and is currently working on a project called ‘Unity in the community’. Gillian explains the importance of education when it comes to multi-faith. “It is a great privilege to visit many primary and secondary schools – both church and community - around the Diocese as part of my role as Diocesan RE Adviser,” said Gillian. “The staff and pupils of the schools I visit are particularly enthusiastic about and committed to exploring world faiths and investigating the ways in which they are lived out around the world today.”
It is hoped that projects like this will be set up across the diocese, enabling children, teachers and parents to explore and discover other cultures and religions, as well as equiping them with the tools necessary to recognise bias, prejudice and misinformation in the ways in which world religions appear in the media and on social media; tools which Gillian believes are Gillian and the RE department are keen to encourage important for everyone to learn. such enthusiasm and in one School in Swineshead the pupils are really embracing inter-faith relations. “Church school education is focused on the development of the whole child, and understands St Mary’s C of E Primary School, part of the Emmaus the school community to extend beyond pupils and Federation, are working on a “unity in the community staff out into the wider family, church and social day”, and Gillian is looking forward to being part of it. communities.” “It is really exciting to see the work of Swineshead St Mary’s C of E Primary School. Pupils have been working hard to produce a ‘Unity in the Community’ Day, which aims to inform local people about world religions and give them the opportunity to experience some of the sights, sounds and tastes of these faiths. This is hoped to be the beginning of a Diocesan-wide project on interfaith relationships.”
“It is impossible to understand and inhabit the modern world… without a critical appreciation of faith and, even more than that, a mature spiritual, social and cultural world view.” w w w.lincoln. anglican.org
The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Right Reverend Stephen Cottrell, recently stated that it is, “impossible to understand and inhabit the modern world… without a critical appreciation of faith and, even more than that, a mature spiritual, social and cultural world view.” “We are really proud of the church schools in our Diocese for doing just that,” said Gillian. “They are shining a bright light on what can be achieved when you “welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God”.
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Riddings Brigade earns Silver Award A youth group in a deprived area of Lincolnshire has been awarded a Silver Award in the Bishop’s Best Practice Scheme.
to express themselves in a safe environment off the streets and out of trouble. We have good links to the local junior schools and the wider community, as well as some great church volunteers, which we simply could not do without.”
The Riddings Brigade was given the award for its great activities for children and providing a sustainable service to the Scunthorpe area. Since opening in 2011, youth crime statistics in the area have dropped year on year. In 2010-11 the number of The Brigade was launched in 2011 by the Diocese arrests for 10-14 year olds was 206. It fell to 102 the of Lincoln, and is organised by the Church Lads and following year, and last year it dropped further to just Church Girls Brigade (CLCGB) and linked to the Church 52. of the Holy Spirit, Riddings in the parish of Botttesford with Ashby. Its aim is to combat boredom amongst Karen feels that youth groups like The Riddings Brigade youngsters living on the Riddings estate in Scunthorpe. and her other group, Positive Activities Riddings for 11Children aged between 7 and 11 years of age; meet 19 year olds, have had a positive effect on the crime every Wednesday evening at Riddings Youth Centre on figures for the area. “There is nothing else for this age Willoughby Road and take part in a variety of activities range to get engaged with,” explains Karen. “We run a including sports, crafts and cooking. very varied programme to cater to people of all faiths and none; and the children are asked what they would Karen Boothman is the leader of the group and was like to do and have a say in the running of the group surprised to have been given the award. “It’s just what and publicising it to other children.” we do,” said Karen. “We didn’t set out to win any awards, we just wanted to provide a safe haven for The Brigade is currently looking for further funding. the children.” They have funding for another year, but are yet to find anyone to fund them beyond that. “We have tried Karen believes that the Brigade is vital to the area. local funding options, but to no avail, so are currently “The Riddings is borderline deprived, and the youth looking to apply nationally with the help of Dave Rose population have very little to keep them entertained. from the Diocese of Lincoln Children and Youth Services The Riddings Brigade is a positive activities group, (DoLCYS). Dave is a great help to us and is always there which engages young people and gives them an outlet for advice and support when we need it.”
Delivery of Crosslincs and Prayer Diary At the diocesan centre we constantly review how we We would like to thank all of our distributors who can give you the best service, for the lowest price. have so dilligently delivered these for us in the past; we are extremely greatful for all your work. For many years we have delivered the prayer diary directly to those who requested it. But when we looked I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all at the communications we deliver, and considered how the volunteers who take the bundles of Crosslincs, and we can best help grow and deepen faith and prayer make sure they get to their intended recipients. in the diocese, it seemed obvious that a simplified prayer diary should be included inside each edition Thank you of Crosslincs. With a distribution of 9,500 we have the opportunity to engage many more people in the Michelle Lees prayers for our diocese. Communications Officer The prayer diary will also be available on the website, facebook and twitter each day, and downloadable for you to print from the website.
See the new pullout prayer diary on pages 13,14,15 and 16
To help us deliver Crosslincs to the distribution points as quickly and as cost effectively as possible, we will be switching over to a Royal Mail 48 hour delivery service.
It is also available via the website www.lincoln.anglican.org Dioceselincoln
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Grant money available
“Our church building needs urgent repairs - but we can’t afford it.”
A scenario familiar to many, but did you know there might be a solution? Your church tower is in urgent need of repair; it says as much, and more besides, in your recentlydelivered Quinquennial Inspection report. The sum total of the work is £110,000 and it should have been done yesterday. You have £5000 in the PCC’s bank account which you had intended to spend on a new servery, whence you would offer warming (for your church heating system is moribund) post-Sunday service or pre-music recital coffee to congregation and community alike. That £5000 you raised and saved seems to be destined for other purposes. And this is entirely, but perhaps frustratingly, correct.
wish to keep the church building in good repair, but wish to share it with their communities. For this reason the GPOW scheme will fund heritagefocused activities such as community-led research, new interpretation (guidebooks; touchscreen facilities; displays), new church websites and Every PCC member is a trustee of the charity that lecture programmes as part of a scheme of work is the PCC and as such shares legal responsibility that addresses urgent building repairs. for the care of the church building or buildings under its stewardship; and while a new servery The GPOW scheme will also provide an additional can be a tool for mission, it will not keep the 15% of the total project cost (repairs plus activities) church tower standing. for capital works to help community engagement, i.e. serveries, lavatories, heating and lighting. But there is a way for a PCC faced with such a situation to have its cake and serve it; to transform So, with the help of the Heritage Lottery Fund a potentially daunting, disappointing situation into our hypothetical PCC with the £110,000 urgent one filled with opportunity. repair bill, £5000 in the bank and dreams of a servery, now has a £140,000 project for repairs, Current funding culture, driven by the Heritage recruitment of new volunteers, a new website, Lottery Fund’s Grants for Places of Worship guidebook and touchscreen displays in church, (GPOW) scheme, recognises that PCCs not only plus £21,000 to spend on a new servery and an upgrade to the decrepit heating system. As you may imagine, such a grant scheme is very competitive, so the Church Buildings Team will assist you to plan a project, application, match funding strategy and programme for delivery that will give you the best chance of success. For more information regarding the GPOW scheme, visit the HLF website at www.hlf.org.uk and click on the “Looking for funding?” tab at the top of the page. To discuss any repair or adaptation of your church building, please contact the Church Buildings Team on: 01522 504047 / 01522 504048 / 01522 504049
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New DAC Chairman appointed The Revd Canon John Patrick, the Subdean at Lincoln Cathedal, has been selected to succeed the Revd Canon Nick Buck in the role of DAC Chairman.
as I felt it was something I could contribute towards,” said John. “Hopefully I can bring my background as a parish priest and my background from the Cathedral, where I work with skilled tradesman who work with all the material which make up a church building, and apply that to make the very best of what the Church can offer.”
Canon John will chair the committee of specialists who advise the diocese, serving the 631 churches regularly used for
Canon John is also thankful for the team he has inherited and the work done by his predecessors. “We are well blessed with the people at the DAC. They are a body of people who give up their time willingly to progress New DAC Chair the mission and ministry of churches throughout the The Revd Canon John Patrick diocese. I am also thankful for the work done by Revd worship across the diocese. Canon Nick Buck and Vice Chairman Susan Ledbetter. They have laid strong foundations upon which we can Canon John has been involved with the diocese for 20 build and expand our work out into the parishes,” said years including roles as vicar of Sleaford, Rural Dean of John. “I also acknowledge with gratitude the work that Lafford and chair of the House of Clergy for Diocesan goes on in the parishes by those un-sung heroes, who Synod. He also has a background in church care and, in want their churches to be the heart of the community.” his role as Sub Dean, is charged with looking after the fabric of the Cathedral. If you have any questions regarding your church building, then please contact the church buildings team He feels that all of his previous experience will stand him on 01522 50 40 46 in good stead in his new role. “I applied for the position Maltby, Bilsby with Farlesthorpe, Hannah cum Haganby with Markby; and the parishes of Willoughby with Sloothby with Claxby and Ulceby with Fordington
The Revd Sandra (Sandy) Brown retired from her post as Associate Priest at St George’s Church, Swallowbeck with effect 31 December 2014.
The Revd Pamela Fraser was licensed by the Bishop of Lincoln on The Revd Canon Nicholas John 15 January as Rector of Asterby and Buck is to become Vicar of the Hemmingby Groups. Benefice of St Giles, Lincoln.
The Revd Jean May Wrisdale retired from her post as assistant curate of Fotherby parish with effect 31 December 2014.
RECENT APPOINTMENTS The Revd (Peter) Charles Patrick is to become Rector for the Benefice of the Horncastle Group.
The Revd Richard James Edward Major is to become Rector of the Benefice of Woodhall Spa Group
RESIGNATION
The Revd Paul Darbyshire resigned from his post as non-stipendary The Revd Susan Ann Paterson is assistant curate of St. Botolph’s to become Vicar of the Benefice of Church in Quarrington on 30 Deeping St James. September 2014.
LICENSING The Revd Jacqui Morton was licensed by the Bishop of Grimsby on 21 December as assistant priest to the benefices of Alford with Rigsby, Well, Saleby with Bessby and
RETIREMENT The Revd George Douglas Massey retired from his post as incumbent of the benefice of Messingham with effect 24 October 2014.
The Revd Alan Littlewood retired from his post as Priest in Charge of the benefice of the Barkston and Hough Group and Ancaster Wilsford Group with effect from 31 December 2014. The Revd Hugh Charles Middleton will retire from his post of Priest in Charge of the Benefice of Bracebridge and Incumbent of Bracebridge Heath St John the Evangelist with effect 31 March.
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What’s coming up in 2015?
This is a big year for the Diocese of Lincoln • 7 - 28 March – Exploring Discipleship Days and for the nation. Lincoln was recently voted third in the top 20 ‘must visit places’ of 2015 by the Mirror newspaper, and with so much happening, it’s easy to see why. 2015 sees the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, a General Election, Diocesan and General Synod elections and in the diocese it is the Year of Discipleship with many events taking place throughout the year to promote discipleship.
As part of our Year of Discipleship, the discipleship team have put together a collection of regional events to support and resource people for the year ahead. The events are free of charge and open to everyone. For more information, or to download a leaflet about the days, visit Over the next couple of pages is a calendar showing www.lincoln.anglican.org/faithanddiscipleship the highlights and important dates for your calendar • 28 - 29 March - Discover Lincolnshire in 2015.
• 9 - 13 February – General Synod, London. • 13 February – 7.00pm – 8.00pm Magna Carta Lecture Series: Lincoln Cathedral’s Magna Carta Abroad.
Weekend
There will be free entry to many of Lincoln’s attractions over this weekend, including Lincoln Cathedral. For more information visit, www.visitlincoln.com.
• 1 - 2 April – Lincoln Castle Magna Carta Experience Opening After £22m of investment, Lincoln Castle re-opens its doors to unveil the David P J Ross Magna Carta Vault, as well as improvements to the Castle’s historic prisons and wall and a new Heritage Skills Centre. This opening will commemorate the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, showcasing the only remaining original example of the historic document, signed at Runnymede in 1215. For more information and pricing, visit www.visitlincoln.com
The 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, is being celebrated by a series of lectures on the historic document, to be held throughout the year, including • 2 April – Maundy Thursday this one hosted by The Very Reverend Phillip Buckler, Dean of Lincoln. This lecture will take place in Lincoln • 3 April – Good Friday Cathedral’s Chapter House.
• 14 February – St. Valentine’s Day
• 6 April – Easter Monday
• 18 February – Ash Wednesday
• 24 May – Pentecost
• 3-10 March – HLF Applications
• 5 May – General Elections
Early March is an opportunity to get in any Heritage One of the biggest days of the year. The country will vote for the next British Prime Minister. Lottery Fund (HLF) applications to the DAC.
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Hustings are being held throughout famous pianist, Piers Lane. Lincolnshire over the coming months, and we would urge you • 25 June – Lincolnshire to use these opportunities to really Show understand what each candidate stand for.
• 15th May – Talk by Dr Rowan Williams, ‘The legacy of Magna Carta in the modern world.’
A celebration of Lincolnshire’s agricultural sector. www.lincolnshireshow.co.uk
• 3 - 6 December – Lincoln Christmas Market Needless to say, 2015 is a packed year with loads going on across the diocese.
• 26 June – 23 September Lincolnshire’s Great Exhibition
You can keep up to date with all the big events via our website at www. lincoln.anglican.org, where you can also advertise your own events.
From the Magna Carta, to the birth certificate of Australia and much more, the Great Exhibition is an opportunity to celebrate some of Lincolnshire’s heroes at local museums across Lincoln.
You can also visit www.lincolncathedral.com and www.visitlincoln.com for more information about other events happening across Lincolnshire.
Among the historic figures celebrated are, Sir Isaac Newton, Alfred Lord Tennyson, Sir Joseph Banks, and Hugh of Wells, who was at the signing of the Magna Carta.
Former Archbishop of Canterbury • 23 July – Jesus Christ Superstar at Lincoln Dr Rowan Williams, will be visiting St Giles’ in Langton-by-Wragby to Cathedral give a talk on the legacy of the Magna Carta. This forms part of Read more on page 24 several events held at St Giles; read more on page 27 • 4 - 5 July – Petertide
• 31 May - Trinity Sunday • 18 - 22 June – Three Choirs Festival A feast of English music at Lincoln Cathedral performed by three choirs and other classical performers. The choirs of Lincoln, Peterborough and Southwell Cathedrals will come together for a feast of mainly English music over four days in June. On Thursday 18 June there will be an opening gala evening featuring Tasmin Little, the world renowned violinist, accompanied by Australia’s most
Ordinations
• 8 July – Diocesan Synod • 10 - 14 July – General Synod • TBC – September – Diocesan and General Synod Elections
Keep up to date throughout 2015 at www.lincoln.anglican.org
There you can also sign up to our E-Bulletin for all the latest events in your area.
• 7 November – Diocesan Synod • 29 November - First Sunday in Advent Dioceselincoln
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How to get your church Messy
Revd Steve Johnson, the Priest in Charge of Market Rasen (Regional Coordinator for Messy Church covering the North East of the Diocese) explains how you can set up a Messy Church in your area.
If, like many of us, you are keen to engage with young families, then Messy Church is an ideal way to do it. Messy Church has three essential ingredients; craft, worship and food - which can be fun for all the family. The best way to ensure a successful Messy Church is to plan ahead. From the outset you need to understand what Messy churcn is and isn’t! Don’t worry, support is at hand from one of the Regional Coordinators1 in the Diocese, all of whom have a wealth of experience and resources. Once you understand what Messy Church is, you need to consider what resources are needed, its venue, and how to raise the profile of this new initiative. This can involve, for example, contacting the families of those who have been baptised in the past five years, using the links you may have with schools in your area, and inviting families you know to come along. The next step on your journey is to identify and seek volunteers from across your parish who have an interest in either doing craft, helping with the worship, or preparing the food. It is important to establish teams of people who will help in these areas (remember that for safeguarding it is recommended that you have your Messy Team DBS checked). It is these volunteers who play a vital role in the success of Messy Church.
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Once you have your volunteers identified, then it is time to make sure that all fully understand Messy. Each Messy Church meeting is based around a theme, and the best way is to meet regularly for prayer, to plan the craft activities, plan the worship and organise the food. Typically you will need around ten craft activities covering ages from pre-school to year 6. When planning craft activities remember that many can be resourced by donations of unwanted and often discarded items. Such items include empty boxes, egg boxes, thread, cloth, and so on, given by the congregation who are often very willing to help. It is also important that the volunteers meet to learn about the theme and to consider how they can disciple those who come to Messy Church on their Christian journey. Messy Church lasts about two hours. Following on from an hour of craft, everybody is involved in worship, followed by a shared meal together. From my own experience, Messy Church is the ideal way to engage with families.There are 3 very good books to give you many suggestions of themes and craft and other easy to organise activities to go with them, complete with details for the worship session and the food. There is also now a quarterty magazine “Get Messy!” which has even more themes and suggestions. Also, a member of the Lincolnshire Messy Church Team will be delighted to come and talk to you. The very first Messy Church I set up saw the number of people attending rise quickly as word spread. For these people, Messy Church has become their church. As we begin to think about the Year of Discipleship this exciting venture is encouraging and up lifting when as a parish we previously only engaged with a few families. Underpinned by prayer, our volunteers and members journey together on their path of discipleship. Revd Ian Walters, Regional Coordinator (South of Diocese), 01775 840694 vicar@gosberton.org
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Revd Steve Johnson, Regional Coordinator (North of Diocese), 07766411090, 01673 844770 vicar@stthomasmarketrasen.org.uk Revd Julie Doddrell, Regional Coordinator (Boston and east), 01205 316524 julie.doddrell@mod-comp.co.uk
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...and for the little ones there’s a ‘mini’ version. Messy Church has become a common sight throughout the diocese and across the Church of England. It was launched in 2004 by Lucy Moore, in Cowplain near Portsmouth and has grown ever since. There are currently 2723 Messy Churches across the world; providing fun in a family friendly environment, and teaching children about Jesus Christ. St Thomas’ church in Market Rasen has taken the concept one step further. In January they launched a new toddlers group called ‘Mini Messy Church’. Mini Messy Church follows on from the concept of Messy Church, but aims the activities at pre-school children. Families are encouraged to come along and learn about Jesus through craft, music and play. Revd Stephen Johnson from St Thomas’ explains the premise behind Mini Messy Church. “Each session always comprises of three distinct parts, breakfast, craft and playtime, with a Christian story and song! “The group meets weekly, and it is an opportunity for the families of Market Rasen and the surrounding villages to come together and celebrate God through story, music and prayer.
Competition!
Easter is fast approaching and the shops are filling with chocolate eggs.
In a national poll last year, the Real Easter The Real Easter Egg range for 2015 Egg was voted the UK’s favourite Fairtrade egg and more than a million Real Easter Eggs were sold! And we would like to give children, courtesy of the Real Easter Egg company, a chance to win one of these delicious eggs. We are giving away three Real Easter Eggs to the best Easter egg design sent into us. You can paint it, draw it, or even make it! Just make sure we receive your entries by 20th March by sending a picture of your Easter themed design, with your name, age and contact details to: crosslincs@lincoln.anglican.org or
Volunteers Sheila Lamming, Ann Court and Liz Johnson with puppet Mini, who helps to tell the stories
“It’s different from an ordinary toddler group,” explains Revd Stephen, “because it’s an event for pre-school children and their carers, parents, or grandparents which will follow a particular Christian theme each week.” St Thomas’ is home to one of the first Mini Messy Church groups in the world and it is hoped that the concept will spread and be as successful as its counterpart Messy Church.
by post to : Crosslincs Easter Egg Design, Edward King House, Minster Yard, Lincoln. LN2 1PU There are three age groups each winning one of the Fair-Trade eggs. Group A - 4-7 year olds Group B - 8-11 year olds Group C - 12-15 year olds We will announce the winner on March 30th via the website and our social media pages. Good luck! The Real Easter Egg is still the only Fairtrade egg with a copy of the Easter story in each box. There is also a charitable donation for every 150g egg sold. More than £140,000 has been donated from sales. It also supports farmers and producers in the developing world by using Fairtrade chocolate, and can be purchased from major retailers. Dioceselincoln
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Exploring Discipleship
Saturday 28th March St George’s Church, St George’s Square, Stamford, PE9 2BN
The Diocese of Lincoln’s Year of Discipleship launched on 18 January. Throughout the year resources and (Please bring a packed lunch. guidance will be available to help us develop and grow Drinks are provided) in our relationship with Jesus. To book visit the Diocese of Lincoln website
Exploring Discipleship days
www.lincoln.anglican.org/exploringdiscipleship
These are regional events to support and resource or call the discipleship team on 01522 504080. people and churches for the Year of Discipleship. The events will showcase a variety of speakers, ideas, stories and resources, to enable churches to develop New table talk app available for Lent. and encourage people into faith, and deepen and grow faith further in day to day life. Helping us engage with Lent and Easter in a new and This event is free of charge and open to anyone who exciting way, Table Talk for Easter provides a safe place for people to begin to explore, articulate and would like to come whether lay or ordained. engage in conversations about the big, and not so big, Dates: (All events are a 9.30am arrival for a 10am start questions of life. ending at 4pm.) A free mobile phone ‘app’ has been developed and is Saturday 7th March - The St Lawrence Academy, available to download Doncaster Road, Scunthorpe, DN15 7DF in time for Lent (and for those who prefer Wednesday 11th March - Leasingham Village Hall, not to use phone Chapel Lane, Leasingham, NG34 8LB technology, a hard copy is also available). Thursday 12th March - St Mary’s Church, Market Place, The Table Talk for Long Sutton, PE12 9JJ Easter app is available free from 1 February Thursday 19th March - Fortuna Horncastle Business until the end of Easter. Centre, Mareham Road, Horncastle, LN9 6BW To find out more about these visit Wednesday 25th March - Grimsby Minster, St James www.table-talk.org Square, Grimsby, DN31 1EP
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and resources, as well as featuring fellow disciples, who are taking part this year. The new blog will be live every Wednesday morning from 11am, so you can read about what the team have been up to each week. So follow - @YoD_Lincoln and visit - www.yearofdiscipleship.wordpress.com
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Confident Discipleship
A course to help explore discipleship in your church Following on from the ‘Lifelong Journey’ Advent course, this five session course is designed to get the Church in Greater Lincolnshire thinking and talking about what it means to be a ‘disciple’ of Jesus Christ today. The five sessions of the course are based around the journey that Jesus’ first disciples travelled: Come, Follow, Learn, Change and Go. This course can be used at any point during the Year of Discipleship. Have you chosen your Lent course? If not, you can use the Confident Discipleship resource this lent. Downloadable from www.lentinlincoln.org or order a hardcopy from the discipleship office, 01522 504080.
Meet the Discipleship Team - Nick Mundy What did you do before joining the Discipleship Team?
I was a teacher of classics (Latin and Greek), mostly at Manchester Grammar School, where I was head of department, head of sixth form and then deputy head. I trained for ordination at Ripon College Cuddesdon, Oxford, and then was a curate in the Monmouth Group of Parishes. I came to the diocese last July to be Rector of South Lafford, a parish of eleven rural parishes between Bourne and Sleaford, as well as a Developing Discipleship Advisor.
Who is your favourite disciple and why?
This would have to be Barnabas – partly because of his name (which means ‘son of encouragement’) and also because he was so strongly supportive of his fellowChristians. He is described (Acts 11.24) as a ‘good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith’ – which isn’t a bad description of what a disciple should be. The story (Acts 15.36-41) about him wanting to give Mark a second chance does him great credit.
What gifts do you bring to the Discipleship Team?
Obviously as a teacher, I love explaining things, especially the Bible. And I like to encourage others and always try to bring the best out of them.
What does Discipleship mean to you? Is your church running a pilgrim course for the Year of Discipleship? Please get in touch and let us know if you are.
I like to compare it with being on pilgrimage – it means keeping going when things are tough, and enjoying sometimes plodding on on one’s own and at other times rejoicing in the company of fellow-disciples. But above all, it’s about pressing on towards the goal of being more Christ-like – with Christ himself walking alongside to support and guide.
Tell us one random fact about yourself.
If you would prefer a lent course based on this year’s lectionary, you may wish to look at Reflections for Lent available from Church House Publishing.
I went up the Twin Towers with our daughters on 8/11 – exactly a month before they were destroyed. One daughter still has her ticket… It was the only place where they searched our bags on the whole of a two week trip to the USA.
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Jesus Christ Superstar comes to the Cathedral Lincoln Cathedral is proud to present the the West End hit “Jesus Christ Superstar” the first time the show has been fully staged in a religious venue. With a company of nearly two hundred performers and a live orchestra, this brand new production will be the experience of a lifetime, and one of the centre-pieces of the Magna Carta 800 celebrations which run throughout 2015.
You can discover more about the production on the official web site at http://www.superstarlincoln.co.uk and follow the production on Facebook at http://www. facebook.com/superstarlincoln.
Working alongside producers Ben Poole, Brad Buchanan and Production Manager Neil Martin, the Cathedral have drawn talent from across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire and are working closely with the community to give first time performers, as well as established local talent, the opportunity to be a part of this epic event,and includes students from Lincoln University. The Cathedral are now actively seeking sponsorship for the production and invite local companies who wish to help to contact Lincoln Cathedral Event Manager Alexandra Schimmel for an information pack via email at eventsmanager@lincolncathedral.com. With performances running from July 23rd until August 1st 2015, this strictly limited run is sure to sell out very quickly – book your tickets today to avoid disappointment. Tickets are on sale from Lincoln Cathedral at www.lincolncathedral.com
Lincoln Cathedral presents four organ concerts This year sees an exciting and varied programme of organ concerts in Lincoln Cathedral. The dates for the concerts are: Saturday 16 May at 7pm Jeffrey Makinson, £5.00 Saturday 30 May at 7pm Gereon Krahforst (Saarbrucken, Germany), £5.00 Sunday 21 June at 5pm Colin Walsh (Lincoln) – part of the Eastern Three Choirs Festival, £6.00 Saturday 27 June at 7pm Philippe Lefebvre (Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris), £5.00 For more information, visit www.lincolncathedral.com
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Gereon Krahforst will be performing on Saturday 30 May
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A small part of Lincolnshire with a big story to tell The 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta has attracted a lot of attention locally, nationally and internationally. With celebrations planned across the country and the grand unveiling of the new vault in Lincoln Castle.
The Revd Ann Mazur hosts a monthly Sunday service in St Giles and feels it is important for Dr Williams to speak at the celebrations. “It is a privilege to have Dr Rowan Williams come to our church to talk about the Magna Carta. Langton-by-Wragby and St Giles are pivitol to the story of the Magna Carta and it is However, in a small, sleepy corner of Lincoln there great to have such an important figure in the modern is possibly one of the most important pieces of the church here to talk about it.” Magna Carta story, with some rather big events of its own. The small village of Langton-by-Wragby is located about 12 miles east of Lincoln city centre. As you drive along the A158, you will notice the sign stating you are in the village, but you may not even notice any of the hidden beauty without leaving the main road. If you do venture down Church Lane, you will drive past a beautiful moated farmhouse and further around the corner you will stumble upon the medieval St Giles church. So what is the significance of these buildings in the story of the Magna Carta? The farmhouse is said to be the site where former Archbishop of Canterbury, Stephen Langton, was born in 1165. Stephen Langton was a pivotal figure in the Magna Carta story and in the way we read the bible today. During his time teaching theology in Paris, Stephen Langton was responsible for changing the order of the books in the bible and arranging them into chapters. Pope Innocent III consecrated him as the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1207, which proved unpopular with the then King John, who refused the Archbishop entry into England. When Stephen was once again granted entry to England, he set about his work and concern for lawful government and national justice. He was at the centre of the negotiations prior to Magna Carta between the barons and the King, and he is named as the first witness on the historic charter.
A window in St Giles’ church depicting the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Stephen Langton.
“We want Dr Williams to talk about not only the past legacy of the Magna Carta, but also what the future holds. We hope that this document will be celebrated for many years to come and it is important that the legacy of democracy is passed onto future generations.”
To celebrate the signing of the Magna Carta and the historically significant part Langton-by-Wragby had to play in it, St Giles’ church will be holding a number of Tickets for this event are £5 and are on sale now. To events over the year. book tickets and for more information, please call 01673 858 978 or email margaretsergeant@btinternet. The main event will take place on Friday 15th May, com. when the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, will give a talk entitled ‘The Legacy of Magna Carta in the modern world.’
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Digging in Sodom?
Glen Ruffle, a devoted local Christian, talks about his time on an archaeological dig in Jordan, and the wonderful discoveries that were made... the right place.
For the last few years, as February has come round, I’ve been blessed enough to jet off to a very sunny country. While England huddles in the frost, I head to Jordan. Jordan is the ‘other’ Holy Land. We often forget that to cross into Israel, Moses and Joshua first came through Jordan. Moses led the Israelites there, and looked across the Jordan Valley from Mount Nebo to the Promised Land. In fact, Jordan was so attractive, Reuben and Gad – two of Israel’s tribes – decided to stay and not cross over (Numbers 32:1-5), and David’s kingdom encompassed both sides of the Jordan Valley, which today demarcates Israel and her neighbour. Jesus too went to Jordan, being baptised on the Eastern side of the River Jordan (Matthew 3:13-17) and sending the demon-possessed swine into Lake Galilee from Gadara (Luke 8). It’s also now believed that John the Baptist was beheaded at Herod’s fortress at Machaerus, overlooking the Eastern side of the Dead Sea. I’ve been making this journey because I was blessed with having the opportunity to take part in an archaeological dig. A group of archaeologists from Trinity South West University in Texas, USA, believe they may have found the biblical city of Sodom! The place they are digging – Tell el-Hammam – is showing material remains of the right type, of the right age, in
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All of the hard work is compensated though when you find something. Most Bible maps place Sodom at Sometimes it is a ‘ching’ sound the southern end of the Dead Sea, as your tools hit the pottery; followed by a question mark. Yet sometimes it is a moment when the the southern location only became oddly shaped stone you are digging a valid theory in the 1800s: before out suddenly shows a carved form then, most people placed the Five you recognise, and sometimes the Cities of the Plain of which Sodom object literally jumps out at you. was a part, at the northern end. Much of the work is carried out by Tell el-Hammam shows evidence volunteers, and funding is always of a massive Middle Bronze Age in short supply. But why would fortified city-state that came to anyone volunteer to sweat it out in a fiery destruction. This places the desert, getting covered in dirt? it at the time of Abraham, and fits the Genesis account of a city For me, it is about being part of annihilated by fire and brimstone. a project that is literally changing history, and challenging those who If you follow the Bible’s geographical write off the Bible as historical junk indicators for the city’s location, to think again. Sodom is where it should be. Genesis 13:3-12 places Abraham Dr Steven Collins, the head between Bethel and Ai (at the archaeologist, argues that as northern end of the Dead Sea) and Western culture moves further near the Perizzites (whose territory from the biblical principles it was was at the northern end). founded on, the value of finding physical evidence for the truth of The Hebrew word for ‘plain of the the Bible increases. We give money Jordan’ is Kikkar, which translates to charities because our culture as a round loaf of bread or coin; is ingrained with the Christian something similar to a disk in teaching to love others; yet if we shape. This is the rough shape of remove the Christian part, there is the valley where the Jordan River no telling what else may fall. feeds into the Dead Sea at the northern end. The Bible states that Helping on the dig is also a chance Lot went and lived among the cities for volunteers to learn a a great of that plain. deal, and connect with the past in a very tangible and real way. The discovery and archaeological Every volunteer finds something work continues, and whatever the memorable in themselves and the site was, it is sure to add greatly to place - my biggest thrill from my our understanding of the ancient last adventure in Jordan was having world. the chance to pull water out of a 3000-year-old Moabite Well in It’s not for the faint hearted - exactly the same way that people mornings start early, and the work have done since the time of David, can be slow and heavy (you have and possibly before then. to get used to carrying lots of heavy buckets of soil to the dumps, The Holy Lands really are magical though paid local Jordanian workers places. help us do alot of the heavy work).
Crosslincs 27
“What have the Romans ever done for us?” ‘What have the Romans ever done for us?’ Fans of Monty Python will know the context for the question; in the film ‘The Life of Brian’ the freedom fighters are gathered in a meeting, angry at the Roman occupation. In answer to the question there follows an almost inexhaustible list of things the Romans had done for the people and the society to which they belonged: roads, irrigation, law and order etc.
as some of our forebears in Protestantism spoke of Roman Catholics.
When I left the Methodist chapel in the coal mining community of Cannock Chase in 1984, for theological college in Manchester, I would have found it hard to believe that over the coming years I would count amongst my closest friends members of the Jewish and Islamic communities, that I would play a part in It may be that we as Christians could pose the same providing refuge for Muslims fleeing a Serb Christian question relating to those of a faith other than our onslaught in the Balkans, that I would speak in own. ‘What have the Jews ever done for us?’, ‘What Synagogues, be guest of honour and the only nonhave the Muslims ever done for us?’ and so on. The Muslim in a large gathering at Eid, and be the preacher answer would be more than we can imagine, and in a mosque on a Friday during Ramadan. Each of these certainly more than most would admit. experiences, and many more, have not devalued my Christian faith by any means, they have strengthened Living in a world that increasingly reflects a village, it is it, enriching my life in the process. inevitable that we should encounter more people of a different faith than the majority of our ancestors could In recent years my heart has sunk each time I have have ever known existed, let alone learnt from. witnessed Islamaphobic rants or the recurrence of vile anti-Semitism. These ugly features of modern society threaten to tip us once again into very dark places; extremism breeds extremism and there is no more fertile ground than an age of austerity. I have spent a lot of time studying the anti-Judaism of the Christian Church that helped lay the tracks to Auschwitz. As a Church we have still not come to terms with our own complicity in the Holocaust and we are therefore unknowingly adding to the hatred that stalks our world. There are similar traits forming through our Over the course of my thirty–year ministry I have ignorance and prejudice of other faith communities, been truly blessed by those who have come from a not least those within Islam. That is not to say that different tradition to my own, from a Roman Catholic the other communities have no responsibility for the Priest to a Reform Jewish Rabbi. I have come to divisions that are opening up, but it is to admit our believe, and indeed hope and pray, that at some point own need to repent of sin. in the not too distant future, we will undertake the same journey that many have taken with regard to the We have much to gain from engaging in dialogue, and ecumenical movement within and across the Christian much to lose by pretending we have all the answers to denominations, but this time with those of faiths life’s questions, or a monopoly on truth and love, we different to our own. Today we speak of Muslims do not.
“We have much to gain from engaging in dialogue and much to lose by pretending we have all the answers to life’s questions”
Written by Bruce Thompson - Chair of the Methodist Lincolnshire District and Chair of Methodist Friends of Judaism Dioceselincoln
@cofelincoln
DEANERY CALENDAR February 20 | 10.00am - 12.00pm Coffee morning and cake sale Somerby House Coffee and cake at the birthplace and home of Tennyson. All welcome. Funds will be donated to the Fabric Fund of the ‘Tennyson’ heritage church of St Margaret’s, Somersby February 30 Be a chorister for a day Lincoln Cathedral Boys and girls aged 7 to 11, can join Lincoln’s internationally acclaimed choir for rehearsals, lunch and Evensong in one of the finest medieval buildings in the world. Places are limited so book your place now! For further information, ring 01522 551342 or email ruth.ginn@lincolnminsterschool.co.uk March 7 - 28 Exploring Discipleship Days A number of regional events to support and resource people for the year ahead. The events are free of charge and open to everyone. For more information visit www.lincoln.anglican.org/ faithanddiscipleship March 11 | 9.30am - 4.00pm Gift of Years conference Old Palace Hotel Lincoln Resourcing the spiritual journey of older people and a look at Anna Chaplaincy to Older People. Guest speaker, former BBC and ITV presenter Debbie Thrower. To book a place or for more information contact Susanna Aldred via email at susannaaldred@gmail.com March 21 | 7.30pm - 9.30pm Lincoln Choral Society Concert Lincoln Cathedral Concert by Lincoln Choral Society performing Beethoven’s 9th (Choral) Symphony) in the Nave of Lincoln Cathedral
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March 24 | 6.00pm - 7.00pm “Who wrote Magna Carta?” University of Lincoln Hosted by the University of Lincoln: Professor Nicholas Vincent FBA will delve into the creation of this consequential document: ‘Who Wrote Magna Carta?’ as part of the Magna Carta Lecture Series 2015. March 28 - 29 Discover Lincolnshire Weekend Entry to many of Lincoln’s attractions and activities will be free of charge during Discover Lincolnshire Weekend from 28th to 29th of March. Find out more at www.visitlincoln.com April 1 - 2 | 10.00am - 5.00pm Lincoln Castle Magna Carta vault unveiling Lincoln Castle Lincoln Castle re-opens its doors after a £22m investment; revealing the David P J Ross Magna Carta Vault, vast improvements to the Castle’s prisons and its walls and a new Heritage Skills Centre. April 3 | 7.30pm - 8.30pm Good Friday Devotional Concert Lincoln Cathedral Lincoln Chorale perform. Free entry April 7 | 7.30pm - 9.30pm Lincoln Theological Society lecture Bishop Grosseteste University The first of Lincoln Theologial Society Lectures. The Rt Rev. Rt Hon.Lord Rowan Williams will give a lecture; Centenarians,Teresa of Avila and Thomas Merton. Tickets £5 including wine or juice and parking if room available in advance from Unicorn books (Lincoln Market) and Lincoln Minster Shop and on the door
April 7 | 6.30pm 1549 Evensong St Giles Church, Langton-by-Wragby 1549 Evensong sung by Lincoln Record Society as part of Langton-by-Wragby’s Magna Carta celebrations April 17 | 7.30pm Swayfield Village Hall April 19 | 4.00pm Corby Glen Church Street Rooms “The Jesus Story musical” The Jesus Story Musical was written by Revd Richard Rice-Oxley, a retired priest in Swinstead. It is a musical journey through the birth, life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ with a linking narration. New members of the choir are warmly welcomed. Please contact the Musical Director Janet Roberts 01476 550374 for more information and rehersal times April 17 - 19 | 10.00am - 4.00pm The Spark Festival Lincoln Cathedral Lincoln’s most precious engineering masterpiece, the Cathedral, hosts a celebration of the city’s engineering heritage. Bring your families and take part in have-a- go activities, meet today’s engineers and technologists, and find out about career and study opportunities with world leading organisations based in and around Lincoln. Free entry. For more information visit www.lincolncathedral.com April 22 | 7.00pm - 8.00pm An evening with Lord Janvrin Lincoln Cathedral Talk by Lord Robin Janvrin, former Private Secretary to HM The Queen April 25 - May 4 South Holland Flower Festival Churches from around South Holland will be decorating their buildings with wonderful flower arrangements. Catering provided. For more information see page 7
Dioceselincoln
@cofelincoln