Crosslincs Nov/Dec Issue

News from around the Diocese of Lincoln www.lincoln.anglican.org

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Nov/Dec 2014

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“It is never too late to learn more about God” Sue stands proud in St Mary and St Nicolas Church in Spalding

Reader Sue’s a great ambassador for life-long learning It was a double celebration for Reader Sue Slater when she graduated and marked a special birthday…all in the space of a few days.

Sue, a Reader at St Mary and St Nicolas Church in Spalding, gained a first class honours degree in theology from the University of Lincoln, and shortly after the degree ceremony she celebrated her 70th birthday with a special evensong attended by family, friends and parishioners.

For Sue, it was a very precious time.

“It was really splendid. I was very happy about it all. I am still somewhat amazed to have done all the work that was needed to get a degree, and absolutely delighted it was a first,” said Sue, who lives across the road from St Mary and St Nicolas, where she and husband James have been living since they moved to Spalding in 1987.

Sue’s husband and her sister, the

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Parish churches drive new service in Lincoln Minster Shop PAGE 9

Revd Jane Rawling, a priest in the Diocese of Rochester, as well as two of Sue’s three grown-up children, attended the graduation ceremony in Lincoln Cathedral.

The whole family, including two granddaughters, joined together to celebrate Sue’s 70th birthday, and were in the congregation when she preached a sermon at a celebration evensong the night before her milestone CONTINUED birthday.

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Crosslincs is produced by the Diocese of Lincoln

The submission deadline for the next edition is Friday, 21 November

Contacts Communications Officer and Editor Michelle Lees T: 01522 50 40 34 M: 07885 99 99 07 E: michelle.lees@lincoln.anglican.org Sub Editor Daniel Herrick T: 01522 50 40 37 M: 07885 99 99 06 E: daniel.herrick@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.com/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: 01522 50 40 90 E: bishop.grimsby@lincoln.anglican.org Diocesan Secretary Ms Angela Sibson T: 01522 50 40 30 E: angela.sibson@lincoln.anglican.org

Sue’s life-long learning contd...

Sue, who became a Reader last year after completing a three-year foundation degree at Lincoln School of Theology, focused on life-long learning in her sermon. She shared her journey and calling.

“When people suggested when I was in my thirties that I might become a Reader, I was fully occupied with three young children and sure that the time was not right,” said Sue. “When they were older I was still too busy, but my excuse was that I was working full-time. When I retired I assumed I was too old to start training, and that seemed a good and final excuse. Just over four years ago I ran out of excuses and, with our vicar’s support, I started to explore my calling, my vocation; to talk through the possibility that God might be calling me to some sort of public ministry.”

So Sue, who worked as personal assistant for the national director of the Leprosy Mission before retiring, began the road to gaining her Theology degree, studying part-time at the School of Theology in Lincoln. “I am still amazed, and very proud that I got a First, and very glad that it is never too late to learn more about God, and the Christian faith,” she added.

From the Bishop…

This year’s time of remembrance is particularly poignant. The horrors of the First World meant that long-held notions of an all-powerful God began to be questioned. If God is allpowerful, how could evil be allowed to flourish on this devastating scale? And why should we continue to trust in a God seemingly indifferent to our fate?

One person who wrestled with these questions was Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy, an army chaplain who was nicknamed Woodbine Willie as he handed out cigarettes to troops at the same time as copies of the New Testament. He was on the front line whenever possible, and those battlefield experiences forced him to confront depths of evil and suffering which few of us will ever see.

PA to the Diocesan Secretary Mickey Tucker-Lowe T: 01522 50 40 32 E: michelle.tl@lincoln.anglican.org

Having entered the war with a secure faith in God, he ended it being absolutely certain of the existence of evil. The challenge was to find a way to reconcile all that he had seen, with the existence of a God who was worth believing in.

The Archdeacons’ Offices 103 Newport, Lincoln, LN1 3EE M: 01522 50 40 95 E: archdeacon.admin@lincoln.anglican.org

For Woodbine Willie, hope came with an understanding that God was present in battle, suffering along with humanity. God was characterised not by force and power, but by love; no longer remote from all that was going on, but intimately connected with it. He put it like this: ‘God loves us enough to bear our burdens and suffer along with us; the destruction of war will not have the final word, because Christ’s example promises us resurrection from death.’

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 WWW. L I N CO L N . A N G L ICAN . ORG

Despite all the evil in the world we continue to have faith in this God: the God who brings love out of hate; light out of darkness; justice out of oppression; good out of evil; and life out of death. This is our God: the God of Love and Resurrection.

The Right Reverend Christopher Lowson The Bishop of Lincoln

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Church Urban Fund

Fund Advent resources highlight financial distress at Christmas Christmas is a time of great joy for everyone, and particularly for Christians, as we celebrate the birth of our Saviour.

But for many the it is also a time of tremendous financial distress, with advertising playing a huge part in applying that pressure, and some slide deeper into debt. Many feel isolated and apprehensive about the future, but there are people and organistations who can help such as the Citizens’ Advice Bureau and the Church Urban Fund (CUF) and credit unions.

The CUF is the Church of England’s response to poverty. Their aim is to inform, inspire, resource and support churches, working to tackle poverty and build community, passionately bringing God’s love, hope and justice to the poorest and most marginalised people in England. At the heart of their work is a network of partnerships with individual Dioceses called the Together Network, through which they aim to enhance, multiply and transform the Church’s engagement with poverty at a local and national level.

This year the CUF have put together an online Advent calendar, which will have daily reflections, videos and prayers on the subject of the poorest and most marginalised in society. They will also include short films with moving personal testimonies from people involved in CUF supported projects combatting the issue of poverty.

Murston Community Bank volunteer Claire Wright is one of those featured in the films. Based at All Saints Church in Murston, Canterbury Diocese, she first approached the church when she got into financial difficulties.

The bank is basically to help people in awkward situations and someone to talk to, come in, even sit down and have a cup of tea,” she said. “People are lovely, they are really lovely, it is like my family, they help me out, they know when I am down and they are just there to listen and help, and that is what people need. I have come on in leaps and bounds. From where I was, to where I am now, I am totally different and it is all thanks to this.” Keith Berry, a development worker with Together Canterbury, a CUF joint venture with Canterbury Diocese, also presents one of the films. “Having had the experience of losing my business, my home, having no money – to work and give something back, that is what drives me for this job,” he said.

“Christmas is a time of joy for Christians, but we have to recognize that, for many people, it is also a time of pain and worry and anxiety. Debt is the big problem.” He added: “I see lots of examples across the diocese where people have been in difficulty and through a community hub or in their local church, they have found their way out of it.

They have found a path, some hope and at the end of it,

some joy.”The CUF hopes to highlight the financial exclusion of the poorest that is exacerbated by raising charges for basic services, such as withdrawing cash and borrowing money. They would also like people to reflect on the plight of families who take out payday loans to buy gifts for their children.

Church congregations are being asked to sign up to the calendar and consider organizing a collection to support CUF projects. The Rev Paul Hackwood, CUF executive chair, said: “Christmas creates all sorts of financial pressures on people. This Advent we are creating resources for churches and individuals to reflect on the issue of financial distress and the pain it causes. Through the work we do we know that churches can be places where there are solutions.”

The CUF have supported 45 projects in the Lincoln Diocese, with a value totaling £589,000. If you wish to find out more information about the CUF initiative, download the calendar or would like to see how you can support those in your area, contact the CUF www.cuf.org.uk for more information.

Grants are available to churches and Christian community groups working to tackle poverty with people living in England’s poorest communities. Funding is primarily available through the Together Grants programme. If you have any additional questions regarding CUF funding, please contact the central office: Tel 0207 898 1508 - Email funding@cuf.org.uk

Another exciting initiative to help those in financial distress DIOCESELINCOLN

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The Archbishop’s Task Group is developing #ToYourCredit campaign. This is a result of Archbishop Welby’s DIOCESELINCOLN @COFELINCOLN commitment to support the credit union movement to help people avoid financial distress. We will tweet and Facebook more details about the #ToYourCredit D I O C E S E L I N C O L Nas they @ Care O F Ereleased LINCOLN to us, so keep following @cofelincoln.

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New Media and Press Officer lands at the Diocese The Diocese of Lincoln has welcomed its new media and press officer, Daniel Herrick.

Daniel joined the communications team in September, having left the Royal Air Force, where he served as a photographer for five years. In that time he was posted to RAF Cottesmore in Rutland, as well as RAF Scampton and RAF Coningsby, both in Lincolnshire.

In his role as photographer, Daniel worked with the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team (RAFAT), better known as the Red Arrows, and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF), where he was given the opportunity to fly in the Lancaster Bomber over Buckingham Palace, for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012.

Daniel is pleased to have joined the Diocese and said: “This is a great opportunity for me, and I am relishing the challenges that lay ahead. I feel I was able to achieve everything I set out to in the Air Force, so being able to set new goals is very exciting to me.”

please contact Daniel via email daniel.herrick@lincoln.anglican.org or call him on 01522 50 40 37 / 07885 99 99 06.

Michelle Lees, diocesan communications officer, said, “We’re delighted to welcome Dan to the team. He will play a vital role in continuing to build our communications in the diocese and further afield.”

In his role as media officer, Dan is hoping to hear from people around the Diocese and tell stories from every corner of Lincolnshire. So if you have a story you would like published online or in the Crosslincs magazine,

New media press officer, Daniel Herrick

PA to Diocesan Secretary chosen for World Scout Jamboree Mickey Tucker-Lowe, PA to the Diocesan Secretary has been chosen to take part in the World Scout Jamboree in Japan next year.

Mickey juggles her demanding job in the diocesan team with managing the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme with the Norfolk Scouts; regularly making the two-hour trip back to East Anglia to train the young people taking part in the award.

“I was made up when I was selected to go to Japan,” said Mickey, “it’s a fantastic opportunity and I have never travelled so far away before. The Scout Association has unlocked so many opportunities for me and given me the chance to do a lot of things I would never have had the opportunity to do.”

An estimated 30,000 people are expected to attend next year’s Jamboree, with the UK taking 2,500 WWW. L I N CO L N . A N G L ICAN . ORG

Scouts and over 1,000 Scout Leaders.

The event takes place every four years and Mickey is helping to plan the programme for the trip in July 2015, as well as being part of the Peace Village, which hopes to teach young adults from across the world, of all different faiths, about peace and tolerance.

“I am excited to be able to use my background and my faith, to teach people about peace,” said Mickey, “the importance of which will be a stark reality when they visit the site of the Hiroshima nuclear bomb, dropped during World War Two.” Mickey has been a volunteer with the Scouts for over 20 years and encourages anyone to join the association: “The motto of the Beavers [the younger end of the Scout movement] is ‘Fun and Friends’; so if that is what you are looking for, then the Scout Association

may be for you.” To find out more visit www.scouts.org.uk to find a troop near you.

To raise money for the trip to Japan, Mickey is cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats next Easter. To find our more, or to see how you can get involved with the fundraising, please email ctydofemgrnorfolkscouts@ hotmail.co.uk

Mickey (L) and her colleague Alexander Wardlaw approach the summit of mount Helvellyn in the Lake District, Cumbria, during a DOE mountain leader expedition

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‘Lincs with India’ come of age In each edition of Crosslincs we bring stories from across this

representatives from Lincolnshire will make the trip across to

large Diocese, and it is always uplifting to read stories of faith

India, to Tuticurin-Nazareth and Rev Durai hopes to return to

and development in neighbouring parishes. However, we

Lincolnshire someday soon.

are part of a much larger Anglican communion, and it is very exciting to see how we link with communities across the world.

For more information and to find out how you can get involved in this project visit www.lincstoindia.org.uk

The ‘Lincs to India’ project is one such project. Linking the Diocese of Lincoln with India, and particularly the dioceses in

Rev Arumai Durai stands alongside University of Lincoln Chaplain Subash Chellaiah

the South East of the country, Lincs to India is celebrating 21 years of collaboration.

Earlier this year Rev Arumai Durai left his Diocese in TuticurinNazareth, (which was formed in 2003), to make the pilgrimage to England to explore and learn about the way the Diocese of Lincoln is run, and to connect spiritually with the people.

He has been warmly welcomed on his travels across the county and says: “Everyone is so hospitable. It is a great privilege to have this opportunity.”

One of Rev Durai’s objectives when he arrived here was to look at care homes in the county, with a view to setting one up in his Diocese. He explains: “I am excited to return home and share my experiences and establish a care home back in India. The elders here are very spiritual and I have connected with them a lot.”

That isn’t the only thing he will take away from his trip. Rev Durai particularly enjoyed taking part in Evensong. He found it’s traditional form “systematic and structured,” and said, “I want that for my Diocese; I like that approach.”

This historic partnership began in 1992 when the Ecumenical

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Secretary of the Church of South India (CSI) visited England to explore the possibility of developing links between CSI dioceses and ecumenical bodies in England. He contacted Churches Together in Lincolnshire and South Humberside (CTLSH), who expressed an interest in forming a link between the two. Three denominations from CLTSH agreed in joining the union: the Church of England, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church.

The partnership was finalised in 1996 and aims to help the World Church come alive and share in ideas through prayer, communication and mutual visits. Next year, three

6 CRO S S L IN C S

Quad-copter provides cracking views Parishioners are getting a bird’s eye view of the more

prove a useful tool, particularly in between quinquennial

inaccessible parts of their churches, thanks to a flying

inspections, to help with maintenance of the building.

camera.

You can watch a video of the flights in Gosberton and Geoff Reynolds, who is on the PCC at St Peter and St Paul

Quadring on youtube at http://youtu.be/W19aBersnGs

Church, Gosberton, has been using a micro quad-copter

and http://youtu.be/Ubt3L8o5ySY

with a camera to delve into areas of the building that aren’t easy to get to or to see.

Geoff is happy to talk to anyone who would like to know more about the subject. He can be contacted via geoff.

As a member of the British Model Flying Association and

reynolds1@hotmail.co.uk or 01775 841585.

a keen model flyer, Geoff has been using the technology, which is relatively new to him, to survey the inside fabric of the churches of Gosberton and Quadring.

“It’s a relatively cheaper way of taking a look at inaccessible areas of a church, both inside and out, and provides a unique view of the church,” said Geoff.

“As a member of the BMFA (British Model Flying Association), as long as I adhere to the rules set out for flying this, I am covered by their insurance,” he explained.

“Safe operation should be the prime considerations when undertaking any such flying, especially outside. Churches are delicate, expensive buildings to maintain at the best of times and any damage caused by reckless flying might prove very expensive indeed. They are wonderful and

A crack identified at Gosberton Church using the quad-copter camera

beautiful places to fly and enjoy when done properly.”

There are many different micro quad-copters on the market, Geoff’s has a micro giro stabilisation built in. “Once set up and started from a level surface it will be very stable in flight when operated slowly and smoothly,” he added, “It flies using a battery similar to a mobile phone battery, which is rechargeable. “With the flashing lights switched off and the video camera working, this gives about a sixminute flight,” said Geoff.

His endeavors have revealed some cracks in the Gosberton church that the PCC will now keep an eye on, and it may WWW. L I N CO L N . A N G L ICAN . ORG

The small quad-copter used by Geoff

CR O S S L IN CS 7

Do you enjoy singing sacred music?

If the answer’s yes, you may like to think about joining The Lincoln Singers

Members of the group sign up for whichever engagements

The group’s repertoire gives singers the opportunity to

The group currently has openings for singers in all parts.

they choose, and rehearsals are arranged around the availability of those group members that form the choir for that particular engagement.

sample the music of many eras, and the chance to visit some of the country’s most beautiful cathedrals and minsters, to

For more information, or if you are interested in joining, visit

sing the services on two weekends and on several single days

www.thelincolnsingers.org.uk or contact Elaine Healey on

during the year.

elainehealey@btinternet.com

PRIZE CROSSWORD No.3 1

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The first correct entry to Crossword No.3 to be opened on October 26 will win £25.

Send to: Crossword, Crosslincs, Edward King House, Minster Yard, LN2 1PU The editor’s decision is final.

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One entry per person.

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Across 9. Aims or tips in Egypt (9) 10. Traded cards? (5) 11. Girded up to confuse big felines (5) 12. Unnaturally suckled (6,3) 13. I dips in but finds it boring (7) 14. Agricultural appliances tormenting toads (7) 17. Inculcate (5) 19. Surprising factor (3) 20. How to turn words into humble pie? (5)

Photocopies acceptable.

21. Dismantled cello e.g at conservatoire (7) 22. I’m later destroyed on pyre at Oxford (7) 24. Type of pain From accommodation in garret? (9) 26. Sharp projectile found in 14A (5) 28. potato products replicated from old blocks (5) 29. Vegetable, maybe Holy City or world wide sort (9)

Congratulations to the winner of Prize Crossword No.2 Anthony Pywell from Market Rasen

Answer to No. 2 O P E R A T E B Y H A N D

M A R B R A R A O O W A R R R O U O U T T C K U G E I I G E U M E A

S U S A N

H E O D W

T R E E W A L K S

E R A L U

M E L O N E B A C K S T A I R

A R U C N A N E E L R E S U U P C T E R L A N E D

I G O O L D D E N T R E O D

O I D G I

U A C L O N N E C S H A

L I G H T T D O G C O L L A R

D S H T A A R O T E S A I N D V E N I D S E

Down 13. Related to sacrum (5) 1. Shepherd, I can unravel who murdered him (4) 15. Arrange neat metric payment (10) 2. Flocks of wild geese, possibly 16. Share cropper (5) woollen (6) 18. The French in sea concerning posh 3. Fights in battle on board (5,5) dance (8) 4. Hammock where crabs may be 19. Small bird may be cereal (8) caught (3,3) 22. Find and greet Catherine (6) 5. Vapid discussion when dog swallows 23. Large veg for stuffing bones (6) millinery (4,4) 24. Contest in mill stream (4) 6. Found in worship of stupid old statue (4) AtL Eton?

D I O C E S E25.

L I NDisorderly C O L N dining @ room COFE I N C O(4) LN 7. Glasses not full (4,4) 27. Small bird. “Si monumentum requiris, circumspice.” (4) 8. Secures collar but not of horse (4) DIOCESELINCOLN

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News Fund to help group grow The Church Lads’ and Church Girls’ Brigade has been named as

Currently, there are three CLCGB groups in the Diocese of

one of 14 uniformed youth groups that will benefit from the

Lincoln. “The Riddings Brigade in Scunthorpe, which was set

£10 million Uniformed Youth Social Action Fund announced

up just two years ago, has been a great success with around 30

by the Government – and it is hoped the move could lead to

members and a further 50 on the waiting list,” said Diocesan

more groups being formed within the Diocese of Lincoln.

Children & Youth Officer Dave Rose.

The CLCGB has been awarded £563,458.00 to increase its

“I would love to see more groups in the diocese,” he added,

membership over an 18-month period, with development

“as they offer a sense of belonging to young people and

workers being appointed across the country.

give them a chance to explore the Christian faith, whilst also allowing them to do activities such as sport and crafts.”

Audrey Simm, Chief Executive of CLCGB, said: “This is the start of a fantastic journey with great opportunities for CLCGB to

For more details contact Dave on 01522 50 40 67 or visit the

go for growth, and make our mark as the preferred youth

CLCGB website www.clcgb.org.uk

group for parishes.”

A huge thank you to everyone who has completed and returned the Mission Community and Church Categorisation forms. The response rate was fantastic and we are now analysing the information supplied to us by over 69% of you!

The information you have sent us is a wonderful resource which we shall be utilising to its fullest. There will be detailed feedback at your Deanery Synod meetings in relation to Mission Communities during 2014/2015, and in the second half of 2015 we will be sharing the analysis on response to Church Categorisation.

Once again, thank you! You have given the diocese an amazing amount of information and contributed to a diocese wide resource. Once we have finished analysing all of your comments, we will be looking to address the issues highlighted by you, and provide further support and assistance for the future.

WWW. L I N CO L N . A N G L ICAN . ORG

Contact details for the new diocesan registrar are: Julie Robinson Correspondence Lincoln Diocesan Registry Roythornes Enterprise Way Spalding PE113YR email registry@roythornes.co.uk Telephone 01775842557 Fax 01775 725736 DX 744230 Spalding 6

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Christmas starts with Christ 2014 When the festive period approaches, we all see the supermarkets stocking Christmas crackers, chocolates and of course Advent Calendars, but does this damage the true meaning of Christmas.

Francis Goodwin of ChurchAds.net coordinates the campaign and said: “If Christian organisations and churches remember just one thing, it should be that all of the material is FREE, FREE, FREE.”

Six years ago the ‘Christmas Starts with Christ’ campaign was launched to raise awareness of the Christmas message. At the time 51% of adults did not associate the birth of Christ with Christmas, but this campaign is starting to reverse that trend.

Last year 4,500 churches joined to spread the message’ and it hopes to attract 10,000 this year to continue spreading the word.

He also encourages everyone to use the free ‘Christmas Starts’ downloadable logo on any worship materials produced.

Spread the message of Christmas Starts with Christ this seasonal period: visit the website, www.christmasstartswithchrist. com and download a free publicity pack for churches.

The campaign continues to grow and develop and has now become multi-platform driven, increasing its digital media output, adding to the radio campaign and posters previously produced. The result of this was a listening figure of a staggering 5 million people on Xfm radio and an equally impressive 1,000 uses of #ChristmasStarts hashtag on the social media site Twitter.

New lines for Lincoln Minster Shop Products stocked include: people’s wafers (including a gluten free alternative), priests’ wafers, baptism certificates, candles and communion wine.

The decision was made by the newly appointed shop manager, Sam Mckay. Sam said, “We really wanted to use our position to help the smaller parishes and offer a service that some churches struggle with; having to order large quantities which cannot always be used.

We are really looking forward to working with the community to deliver a much needed service, and we welcome any Shop’s new display

suggestions for products people would like to see stocked.”

Recognising the needs of the smaller parish churches was a

All stock can be purchased at the shop or via the website,

key driver in the development of a new service introduced at

www.lincolncathedral.com/shop, where items can be

the Lincoln Minster shop.

ordered for delivery (communion wine can only be purchased directly from the shop).

From 1st October the shop, based just inside the Cathedral,

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increased its stock of basic church supplies, to enable it to

Orders for Advent candles are now being taken. For further

act as a supplier of the products, which can only usually be

details please contact Sam or a member of the team on

bought in bulk.

01522 561644.

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Beonna summer school Youngsters had a taste of traditional heritage skills when they took part in special sessions organised as part of a project to create a village hub around Benington’s All Saints Church.

Benington Community Heritage Trust teamed up with Freiston Centre for Environmental Education, the Diocese of Lincoln and Lincoln Castle Heritage Skills Centre to deliver a three-day summer school in traditional heritage skills.

Six young people aged between 15 and 18 attended the sessions and produced some fantastic owl sculptures, which were on display in the church during the Heritage Open Days weekend in September.

organisations, including the Diocese of Lincoln. The event centre has been named The Beonna after an Anglo Saxon chieftain from whom the village name has evolved.

If any young people wish to take part in similar heritage skills workshops please contact Suzanne Starbuck, telephone 01522 50 40 68 or email Suzanne.starbuck@ lincoln.anglican.org

They also found out more about the history of the medieval church and the plans to conserve and adapt it for future use. At the same time they were providing items for the community church at Benington, and creating history… just as those who have gone before.

The stone carving took place at Frieston Education Centre and was led by the ranger Alan Eley who took the stone masonry events for the Heritage Lottery-funded Diocese project Green Reflections. The stained glass window workshop took place at The Castle Skills Centre.

Youngsters proudly show off their stained glass creations

All the young people wished to take part in The Bishop of Lincoln’s Awards and each received personally signed certificates from Bishop Christopher to acknowledge and celebrate their achievements. The summer school was part of the vision by villagers to find a sustainable future for the Grade 1 listed church, which closed in 2003.

They aim to turn the church into a hub for community events and have received backing and grants from several

Wonderful owl sculptures made during the traditional heritage skills sessions

A day of song and celebration for church schools Church schools from across the county will be sending their singing groups to Lincoln Cathedral for a day of music and carols at the inaugural Church School Carol Day.

education department, with the support of the Cathedral and church schools. We look forward to a very enjoyable and wonderfully uplifting day.”

The children will be engaged in singing activities and a musical tour of the cathedral in the morning, with a carol service being held in the afternoon. The service on 11th December will consist of traditional and modern songs being performed all together or in smaller groups.

There are expected to be 450 children joining together at the Cathedral to mark the celebration of our Saviour’s birth.

Diocesan Schools Advisor, David Clements, is looking forward to the big day: “This is an exciting new venture for the diocesan WWW. L I N CO L N . A N G L ICAN . ORG

Church Schools from across the diocese will be in full voice in the Cathedral

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Children share their views on Brookenby A group from the Church of England and the Methodist church are looking to provide young people of the Brookenby area with a new programme of activities.

As the majority of children in that area attend Binbrook CofE Primary School, it seemed a logical place to start. They were given questionnaires, which asked them about activities they would like to see in the area such as sports or a simple place to meet. All the information was collated and is now being analysed by the Diocese of Lincoln Church and Youth Service (DoLCYS).

wanted to award the children for taking part in a democratic process: “Much is written and spoken about the democratic deficit and the failure to engage young people in the political system of this land. One way for us to address this is for all of us to show that their views are important, their opinions are valued and will affect what happens.”

DoLCYS would like to thank Head Teacher Mrs Susan Beveridge, the classroom teachers of Binbrook CofE Primary School, and especially the children who took part.

Children’s Youth Officer, Dave Rose, feels it is important to get the children’s opinions: “An important part of any piece of work with Children or Young People is to assess the need, and an important part of that is to ask the opinions of those whose needs you intend to meet.”

The children who took part in the survey were awarded with a ‘One Credit’ award via the Church Children’s Achievement reward scheme, signed by Bishop Christopher. Dave Rose

CTAL seeks to connect with local ecumenical groups

CTAL organised the EQUIP event earlier this year at the Lincolnshire Showground

Churches Together in All Lincolnshire (CTAL) is preparing to conduct a review of the organisation in the coming months.

Mel Parkin became interim administrator for CTAL following the move of Simon Dean to Discipleship Officer for the Diocese of Lincoln. Mel is keen to ensure we continue to build on the work of CTAL. “During his (Simon’s) tenure, CTAL was able to develop its work in a number of innovative and exciting ways.” said Mel, “In wanting to ensure these pieces of work are not lost, and that CTAL continues to serve the churches of historic Lincolnshire in the most effective ways, the church leaders (the presidents of CTAL) in historic Lincolnshire agree that this is an opportune time to conduct a review of the organisation.”

The two-day review will commence on 30th October, and seeks to enable the presidents to shape the way forward, creating a vision for 2015-2020. The review hopes to connect with as many local ecumenical groups as possible. This will be a listening exercise designed to help the reviewers make recommendations about how the relationship between CTAL can be shaped for the future. The three reviewers come from very diverse backgrounds. Leading the review will be The Venerable Ray J Pentland, the recently retired Chaplain-inChief to the Royal Air Force.

He will be joined by, The Revd Richard Teal, the current chair of Cumbria Methodist District, and the Diocese of Ely Ecumenical Officer, Priscilla Barlow, who has vast experience working with Churches Together and other local ecumenical groups. If you are part of a formal local Churches Together group, or a more informal Christians Together Group, and would be interested in meeting get D I O C E S Ewith L I N Cthe O L Nreviewers, @ C O Fplease ELINCO LN in touch with Mel Parkin.

Mel Parkin can be contacted at 103 Newport on DIOCESELINCOLN @COFELINCOLN 01522 504095 or ctal@lincoln.anglican.org.

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Labyrinth Festival praised as an “uplifting experience for all” The Labyrinth Festival has been hailed as a “success” after a candlelit, meditative evening, ended the month long festivities. People came from across the Diocese to walk and learn about the mystical labyrinth in Lincoln Cathedral, as well as hear music, poems and watch theatre performances by groups from across the country.

It proved, for some, to be an experience they will never forget, one seven-yearold girl was left in awe exclaiming: “This is one of the best things I have ever done in my life! Can I do it again?”

Festival Executive Director John Woodward said the festival was “excellently” received, proclaiming it as a “very uniting and uplifting experience for everyone involved”.

He cited the Labyrinth Angels volunteers as a great example of the unity shown throughout the festival, not only by the people taking part, but the visitors as well.

The Diocese is home to a number of these walkways including Julian’s Bower in Alkborough, North

Lincolnshire and Fenland Hermitage in Spalding. The origins of Julian’s Bower are unknown, but these meditative mazes are thought to date back 4000 years, with the earliest examples carved into Neolithic and Bronze age pottery.

The Lincoln Arts Council, who supported the Labyrinth Festival, are considering taking the labyrinth on a tour of Lincolnshire to places such as Boston, Spalding and other outlying villages, keeping the spirit of the Labyrinth Festival alive.

The candle lit meditative service ended the festival in the Cathedral Photograph courtesy of Malc Sellars

Cathedral appoints new Chapter Clerk Mrs Jackie Croft has joined the Lincoln Cathedral team as the new Chapter Clerk and Administrator. Prior to this appointment, Jackie held a similar post at Derby Cathedral for just over three years and has a wealth of experience from a variety of different business sectors.

Most notably Jackie worked for RollsRoyce plc. for eleven years, where she was responsible for training, development of key staff; Jackie also dealt with a number of significant restructurings for the global business.

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favourite spots to combine both of these activities is Gibraltar Point, near Skegness.

restructuring will ensure that the Cathedral is operating efficiently and delivering the best possible experience for its visitors and worshippers.

The Very Reverend, Philip Buckler, Dean of Lincoln said “We are pleased to welcome Jackie to the Cathedral team. She comes to us with a great deal of experience in many aspects of business and we are sure that she will enjoy working within the Cathedral and the city as a whole.”

Lincoln Cathedral has gone through a full administrative review recently, leading to the creation of the new Business Services department to include events, grants and donations, and marketing and PR. The

New Cathedral Chapter Clerk, Jackie Croft

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Harmston Ring of Peace A message of peace launched in Lincolnshire spread around

with a tiny idea can do something that has a fairly significant

the world in a matter of minutes in a gesture to mark 100

impact around the world.”

years since the outbreak of the First World War. The message was passed on by ‘ordinary’ people – from The special message set off on its journey with a phone call

different walks of life, from a range of faiths and with no

from Harmston, and was spread through 40 countries that

commercial interests, said Robin.”

had been involved in the war.

The gesture received widespread support, including from One hundred messengers – each one representing a year since

Prime Minister David Cameron.

the war began - shared the message, before Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford, head of the RAF, returned it to Harmston

A documentary made about the Harmston Ring of Peace is

Memorial Hall. He made the final call back to Harmston from

expected to be widely shown at festivals around the world

a dinner being held to celebrate 50 years of the Red Arrows

over the next year.

displays. The signal arrived just over three hours after setting off on its journey through Europe, Africa, Asia, Australasia and

‘The village is now home to 800 people, but in the first world

the Americas.

war it was home to just 280. 36 men left to serve their country and 31 men returned. The Harmston Memorial Hall was built

Organised by Harmston Memorial Village Hall Committee and

in 1920 by Major Nathaniel Cockburn for those men who had

the Friends of the Village Hall, the ring of peace was the idea of

returned from the 1914 -18 conflict, and in memory of those

resident Robin Dunseath, who is pictured sharing the message

who did not. Harmston is typical of so many of our villages,

with villager Alan Humphries before it was passed on.

and as such is a fitting place for the ring of peace to have

“It’s a very small village but the message has gone around the

begun.

world,” said Robin. “It’s a great example of how a tiny village Photograph courtesy of Steve MacadamSmith

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NEW DISCIPLESHIP TEAM COMMISSIONED AT ST SWITHIN’S The Bishop of Lincoln has commissioned the new Discipleship team at Swithin’s Church in Lincoln. The service was a celebration of this new venture by the Diocese, and has already been shown great support across Lincolnshire.

Discipleship Officer, Simon Dean, said: “Having been in post since February, it’s good to have the team in place, all ready to work together.” Developing Discipleship Advisor Fran Jeffries, is already looking to the future: “We are already working through pilot projects, inviting parishes to let us know if they’re interested in a Discipleship Programme in their community.

There is growing enthusiasm as people understand how we are trying to help

them grow with God.” That enthusiasm was clear for all to see, as the large congregation had travelled from far across the Diocese and indeed the country, with people from Coventry and Sheffield making the pilgrimage in support.

Elaine Harrison, a local lay minister from Stickney, is excited by the new venture and said: “We want to be on board and support (the Discipleship team) and find out more. It’s the way forward!”

If you would like to find out more about discipleship, or are interested in taking on the scheme in your community, then please contact the team at 103 Newport, 01522-504080 or email discipleship@lincoln.anglican.org

The Discipleship team stands at the foot of the road of discipleship

CHURCH PLANTED IN LINCOLN IS LOOKING TO GROW IN POPULARITY St Swithin’s in Lincoln has been reborn and revitalised over the past few months, thanks to a joint venture between the Diocese of Lincoln and the Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) Network.

The church is situated in the middle of Lincoln with a thriving youth scene and a growing University campus just around the corner. The building has been in need of some tender loving care and the Reverend Jim Prestwood and his team have begun to nurture the magnificent building back to life so that people can continue to worship there.

Jim is keen to connect with young people in and around the city of Lincoln and hopes that St Swithin’s could once again be home to a vibrant and growing congregation.

Jim said, “We want to see St Swithin’s bursting with life as people show their WWW. L I N CO L N . A N G L ICAN . ORG

love for God, live more like Jesus and go in the power of the spirit to see the community transformed and the region brought to life.”

For more information about St Swithin’s or the Alpha course go to www. stswithins.org.uk, or follow them on Twitter @stswithinstweet.

Bishop Christopher invited the HTB Network to Lincoln to ‘plant’ a church in the city: having experienced their work in other contexts, he saw potential for the same kind of initiative at St Swithin’s.

The existing congregation of St Swithin’s have been a huge factor in making this project a reality. “It is the faithfulness of the people here that has kept St Swithin’s alive,” said Bishop Christopher, “Their dedication and hard work, their love of their building and belief that new life was possible have made it possible for us to do a new thing here.”

Back in September, the new Discipleship team were commissioned at St Swithin’s, before a packed congregation.

St Swithin’s hosts Discipleship commissioning event

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Remembering the Lincolnshire lads who lost their lives This year marks 100 years since the start of the First World War Remembrance services will take place across the Diocese for those who have given their lives fighting to defend our country and in the Wren Library in Lincoln Cathedral; two very unique books have been created to help us remember Lincolnshire’s fallen.

The idea for this memorial was the brainchild of The Very Reverend Philip Buckler, the Dean of Lincoln Cathedral and Tony Worth, the county’s Lord Lieutenant. Cathedral library volunteer John Taylor, then set about researching the project and was put in touch with retired serviceman Charles Anderson.

Ex Royal Navy sailor Charles has spent the past 13 years travelling around the county and beyond, collecting the names of each soldier killed in World War One. He first became involved when the Lincolnshire Family History Society and the Imperial War Museum, started to collate the names together.

“I was interested in the family history side of it; not just my own, but everyone in Lincolnshire,” explains Charles.

After inheriting the job of project coordinator, he created a vast database logging names, ranks and upon which memorial they appear, but he doesn’t take all the credit: “It wasn’t just me out there, there are quite a few volunteers going around sending me their findings,” he said. “We enjoy it; it gives a good feeling of satisfaction.”

All this information has been used to

create two incredible books containing a staggering 18,124 names, each one that of a fallen soldier from the county.

However, according to Charles this is by no means all of them: “We are always finding new memorials and new names.

We’ve just created two new memorials with these books and we could continue to find names for years to come.”

The two books which are available from the Cathedral Library

The Dean was also keen to involve schools in the project and asked across Lincolnshire for children to create pieces of art, poems, or take photographs of their local memorials to add to the collection of materials on World War One as part of the competition.

advance of your visit. Please contact Julie Taylor the Assistant Librarian on 01522 561640 or via email: librarian@lincolncathedral.com for more information.

Lincolnshire Remembers needs you!

Lincolnshire Remembrance is collating information to create a searchable online database and interactive map of all the war memorials across Lincolnshire. Helping to fund the project are the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Armed Forces Community Covenant grant programme and the County Council. They are also looking for volunteers to record and research monuments and the impact conflicts have had on families in the region.

If you would like to volunteer your services, or perhaps you have already done some research you would like to share, then please visit the Lincolnshire Remembrance website at www.lincstothepast.com/ warmemorials or call 01522 554959.

Three winners were then selected and given book tokens as a prize for their outstanding efforts. They were also to present these two historic books to the Dean.

The winning schools were Eagle Community Primary School in Lincoln, Ayscoughee School in Spalding and South Axholme Academy School in Epworth.

The books of remembrance are available to view in the Wren Library, but you must request permission in

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Lights out across Lincolnshire “The lamps are going out all over Europe, we shall not see them again in our lifetime.”

These words spoken by Sir Edward Grey, British Foreign Secretary, on the eve of the First World War could not have been truer for those who gave their lives between 1914 and 1918. More than 1 million service men and women were killed in what is widely described as one of the deadliest conflicts in human history. The phrase also inspired a national campaign of remembrance across the Britain.

The ‘Lights Out’ campaign was one of a series of arts events marking the centenary of the war. The headline project of the cultural programme 14 -18 NOW, was initiated by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and supported by the Royal British Legion.

The 4th August saw the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the Great War and Lights Out invited individuals, households and companies to join together in a moment of mass reflection. People were asked to turn off their lights between 10pm and 11pm and light a candle in remembrance of each one the fallen.

Across the Diocese of Lincoln, lights were extinguished and candles lit by congregations, groups, organisations and in

homes. In the station chapel at RAF Waddington a candle was lit every hour on the hour, between 7am and 6pm. Service men and women from each of the station’s squadrons gave readings and performed music and songs at the daylong commemoration.

The Lincoln Branch of the Royal British Legion commemorated the start of WWI by holding a Lights Out service at the Lincoln War Memorial, followed by a vigil at St Mary le Wigford church in Lincoln.

At Lincoln Cathedral the public were invited to join in a special prayer vigil. This was as an opportunity for reflection on the tragedy of war, thanksgiving for all who gave their lives, and commitment to the search for peace in our own day. During the vigil, the Cathedral turned off all lights, leaving only one as a symbol of reflection and hope.

The Very Reverend Philip Buckler, Dean of Lincoln said “It is important that we marked this occasion and remember all those who gave their lives selflessly in this conflict.”

Other iconic buildings from across the country also took part including the Houses of Parliament and Tower Bridge.

The famous Blackpool Illuminations were also plunged into darkness as people remembered the sacrifices made in one of the darkest periods of our history.

RAF Chaplain shares his thoughts for remembrance As an RAF Chaplain, Rev Wing Commander Padre Paul Mellor attends far more remembrance parades and memorials than he did as a young minister in the North of England. Now based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, Padre Mellor reflects on what Remembrance Sunday means to him.

“Back when I was a minister in the North of England, I was often too worried about timing the silence correctly to focus on the meaning of the commemoration.

Now however, as the words of remembrance are quoted and the last post sounds, there is a place in my heart that wants to go back to the days when WWW. L I N CO L N . A N G L ICAN . ORG

all I had to think about were faceless soldiers from wars fought long ago.

Having served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and spending two years on the repatriations team at RAF Lyneham, my mind is now full of painful memories. Sadly, in today’s modern military, there are few servicemen or women who have not faced the loss of a friend, or colleague in combat. As the number of people serving in the armed forces has reduced, the likelihood of knowing those who are killed or injured has increased.

So today I give thanks for those from the Royal Navy, Marines, Army and Royal

Air Force, and especially their families, who have willingly risked their lives in protection of this country; hoping against hope that one day the peace for which they fought will become a reality.”

We will remember them

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Bishops’ Office - Changing arrangements for a changing church In line with the diocese’s vision for more streamlined and efficient central services with simpler structures, Bishop Christopher has been looking afresh at the way his office works and, more widely, how the ministry of our bishops in the diocese can best be supported. This has resulted in some exciting changes and a new look to the support team in the Bishop’s Office, using the national funding provided by the Church Commissioners to support the ministry of our bishops.

The most notable change is that the bishops of Lincoln and Grimsby no longer have separate offices at different locations in the diocese. Instead, both our bishops are now based in the Old Palace in Lincoln where they are supported by a single administrative team. Being based in the same place makes it easier for the bishops to work more closely together and for their support staff to work more collaboratively and efficiently.

(Note that this means, among other things, that our apostrophe has moved! The Bishop’s Office has become the Bishops’ Office.)

Sal McDougall continues in her role as Chaplain to the Bishop of Lincoln, offering personal and spiritual support to the bishop and to those who work closely with him. Sal also has general oversight of the work of the bishops’ office, ensuring that everything the office does is serving the ministry of both our bishops and providing them with the support they need. Sal works closely with Jennie Henley, the Senior Executive Officer.

Jennie leads the administration team and, among many other things, manages and plans the bishops’ diaries and co-ordinates arrangements for their meetings and visits. Jennie is supported by an Executive Officer and a part-time Administrative Officer.

April Heard, the Executive Officer deals with the bishops’ correspondence and organises the papers they need for the many and various meetings they attend. April is also responsible for the arrangements around the organisation of events and for supporting the Bishop of Grimsby in the work he does in leading on Mission in the diocese. April joined the team

in September, and says that she is “thrilled to be working for an organisation I already care about.”

Jessica Holmes, Administrative Officer, is the first point of contact for all telephone and personal callers to the Bishops’ Office. As well as providing general administrative support, Jessica has responsibility for PTO certificates for retired clergy in the diocese and the issuing of PTA certificates for those assisting with the administration of communion in our parishes.

Jessica also joined the team in September and she is looking forward to discovering more about the diocese and making a contribution to the new bishops’ support team.

“This is a new team and a new way of working and we’re excited about what lies ahead,” says Jennie. “All of us are committed to supporting the ministry of our bishops effectively. It may take some time for our new working systems to become properly established and there may be some ‘teething troubles’, so please bear with us if you find yourself a victim of some initial difficulties!” We are confident that, in the long run, these arrangements will support Bishop Christopher and Bishop David in their work as they lead us forward in faith, confidence and joy.

The Right Reverend Christopher Lowson, Bishop of Lincoln bishop.lincoln@lincoln.anglican.org; 01522 504090 The Right Reverend Dr David Court, Bishop of Grimsby bishop.grimsby@lincoln.anglican.org; 01522 504090 The Reverend Sal McDougall, Chaplain to the Bishop of Lincoln bishops.chaplain@lincoln.anglican.org; 01522 504094 Jennie Henley, Senior Executive Officer bishop.seniorexec@lincoln.anglican.org; 01522 504092 April Heard, Executive Officer bishop.exec@lincoln.anglican.org; 01522 504090 Jessica Holmes, Administrative Officer bishop.admin@lincoln.anglican.org; 01522 504090

L-R April Heard, Jennie Henley, The Right Reverend Dr David Court, The Right Reverend Christopher Lowson, Jessica Holmes and The Reverend Sal McDougall

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How do we talk to others about life’s big questions?

How do we create spaces to engage in spiritual conversations, and explore the big questions in life?

Over the next six months we as a diocese are going to be experimenting with two new resources that attempt to fill that space. Puzzling Questions and Table Talk have both been developed by The Ugly Duckling Company - a not-for-profit organisation.

Puzzling Questions is a six session DVD based magazine course that explores the six most popular questions asked by those who are outside the church but interested in spirituality.

Table Talk is a conversational game that explores key themes for different groups of people (friends, blokes, young people, armed forces, Scotland) and provides questions for players to discuss.

Many stories are beginning to circulate about how useful these resources are, from people playing Table Talk in their Wetherspoons to a local church taking over their local pub on Monday evenings to run a Puzzling Questions course.

For more information please visit: www. theuglyducklingcompany.com or www.table-talk.org If you would like to be involved in this pilot project please contact Simon Dean at simon.dean@lincoln.anglican.org or call 01522 504080.

Matthew 22: 37-39 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.

“This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”

I don’t know about you, but I find the second part of Jesus’ statement quite challenging. Not the love your neighbour part, although that can bring its challenges, but love yourself!

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Advent Resource 2014 “The lifelong journey” This Advent, to encourage reflection on our own lifelong journey as Disciples of Christ, a selection of resources have been created based around the themes of: Glimpse - God reveals himself; Called - God calls us; Stretch - God challenges us; Success -God accomplishes great things.

An A5 printed booklet has been produced with a daily activity, which includes verses of scripture, reflections and prayers, for each day of the Season of Advent. To accompany these daily activities there are also four weekly sessions exploring the themes in greater detail. These sessions use passages from Scripture as a focus and a variety of learning and delivery styles to prompt discussion and reflection on our Journeys of Discipleship and are ideal to use as individuals, in house groups or as an Advent Study Group.

Accompanying the Printed Booklet is the www.adventinlincoln.org website which will feature downloadable audio files of the weekly reflections, digital versions of the printed booklet and Children’s Resources. For those who are in a hurry we also have a twitter account @adventlincoln sharing a short reflection each day throughout Advent.

In today’s society with so much made of looks, size, style and perfection, there is a lot of pressure to be a certain way. In Jesus’ time there was an expectation to live and be a certain way and if you didn’t you would be isolated or made to feel worthless. There was a lot of self-centeredness then, and there is some of that still now. This isn’t the type of ‘love myself’ I’m talking about. God loves each one of us for who we are; we were created in God’s image and he wants us to love ourselves and how he has made us. We need to learn to accept and embrace ourselves, even our imperfections: after all, Jesus died for these things.

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Year of Discipleship 2015 2015 in the Diocese of Lincoln is been acknowledged as the Year of Discipleship. A year to encourage, equip and enable people across the diocese to develop and deepen discipleship.

The year is not a way to tick discipleship off the list of things we have done before moving on to the next thing, but is a platform to see discipleship become part of the DNA of the Church throughout historic Lincolnshire.

What is already planned?

During 2015 there will be a variety of events, resources and training helping individuals and churches in discipleship, and a programme is currently being put together. We are encouraging churches to run nurture courses in their churches and we are recommending the ‘Pilgrim’ course which has been welcomed by the Archbishop of Canterbury and produced

by Church House Publishing. This teaching and discipleship resource explores a number of different themes for those who are exploring the Christian faith and for those who have been travelling on their Christian journey for a while. Information about the resource can be found at the Pilgrim website www. pilgrimcourse.org To celebrate all that has happened during the Year of Discipleship we have booked Lincoln Cathedral (and the Bishop’s) for Saturday 14th November 2015, where we will share stories and worship God together. More information will be sent out to you nearer the time, but please keep this date in your diaries.

How will your church mark the Year of Discipleship?

Our hope is to see every church and every individual growing in discipleship. Our vision is to see every church participating in some way to mark the Year of Discipleship and want to encourage you to prayerfully consider how you might do this locally. To help you we have come up with a few ideas to get you thinking: • • • • • • • • • •

Run the pilgrim course during the year or another nurture course Participate in the Developing Discipleship Programme (DDP) Organise a number of discipleship themed services Mark advent and lent in a different way to normal – lent lunches, art exhibitions Start a monthly prayer meeting Go prayer walking Have a ‘bring and share’ meal with a discussion topic Make a creative prayer space in your church or even in the local school Use people’s faith stories in services Praying for the local school and building stronger relationships

Lincolnshire Prayer Pilgrimage Celebration - Sunday 23rd November at Bardney Church “Discovering the Ancient, for the sake of the future” A service organised by the Lincolnshire FEAST and CTAL to celebrate the four pilgrimages that have taken place across Lincolnshire in 2014. An opportunity to hear about the pilgrimages, hear stories of what happened and what was learnt, and consider how this can impact the future of the Church in historic Lincolnshire.

MEET THE DISCIPLESHIP TEAM - ANNABEL BARBER What did you do before joining the Discipleship team?

I worked for many years in publishing, mostly on small specialist journals, so I’d have to become very expert on really obscure things, like a particular type of fungus or lichen. When I was ordained I worked as a hospital chaplain after my curacy in a group of rural parishes. I’ve also served on the local medical research ethics committee, as well as helping in two groups of parishes during their interregnum. I’ve led retreats and quiet days and I’m on the Council of the Creative Arts Retreat Movement. I also make textile wall-hangings and had one in an exhibition called Sacred Threads in Virginia last year.

Who is your favourite disciple and why?

I think it has to be Thomas. I’m used to taking a very scientific approach to things, and asking ‘where’s the evidence?’ Like Thomas, I’d have struggled with the news of the resurrection, something so outside my own experience, and particularly if I wasn’t with the other disciples when they saw Jesus!

What gifts do you bring to the Discipleship Team?

The ability to take a creative approach to problems and a real passion for visual communication. I’ve a lot of experience of different aspects of pastoral care, and I want to see discipleship equipping people in local churches to support those who society has marginalised. Oh, and I was born and brought up here, so I have the ‘native’s’ understanding of Lincolnshire people!

What does Discipleship mean to you?

It’s about deepening our faith journey; becoming who God has created us to be. It doesn’t answer all our questions - there’s still a pretty long list of what I want to ask God! But I think we’re all life-long disciples, we never find we’ve reached the end of learning about God, there’s always much more than we ever thought.

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Tell us one random fact about yourself!

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Steve (DH) and I once won a disco-dancing competition many, many years ago!

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RECENT APPOINTMENTS The Bishop of Lincoln, The Right Reverend Christopher Lowson, has announced the following Rural Dean appointments.

The Revd Richard Billinghurst is to become the Rural Dean of Graffoe The Revd Philip Stevens is to become the Rural Dean of Haverstoe The Revd Ian Walker is to become the Rural Dean of the Isle of Axholme The Revd Canon Cameron Martin is to become the Rural Dean of Manlake Reverend Charles Patrick is to become the Rector of the Benefice of The Horncastle Group. He is currently Rector of the Middle Rasen Group of Parishes. He has served in the Diocese of Lincoln for more than 20 years, and is married to Linda, who has her own business producing bespoke Christening gowns.

They have three children. His particular interests lay in the Healing Ministry, and in encouraging local Mission and Evangelism.

Reverend Peter Liley is to become the Rector of the Benefice of Mablethorpe w Trusthorpe and Sutton, Huttoft & Anderby (plurality scheme pending).

He spent two years as Community Chaplain in the parishes of Mablethorpe, Trusthorpe, Sutton on Sea, Huttoft and Anderby, and has now accepted the post of Rector. After training as a music teacher and then having a career in computer software, he was ordained and spent seven years of ministry in Suffolk, before moving to North Lincolnshire in 2000 where he became Team Rector of Bottesford with Ashby. Peter has four grown-up children.

Reverend David Bartlett is to become Part Time Developing Discipleship Advisor and Part Rector of the Benefice of Bardney. He is currently Priest in Charge of the Benefice of Poppyland and Team Vicar of Trunch Team Ministry in the Diocese of Norwich. David, who has been in parish ministry for 25 years, is married to Judith and they have two children in their early 20s.

Reverend Graham Lines is to become Vicar of the Benefice of the Crowle Group.

He is currently Team Vicar of The Benefice of Bottesford with Ashby in the Diocese of Lincoln. Hailing from the town of Great

Grimsby, he worked for 26 years as a fish filleter before training at St. John’s Theological College.

His ministry has been in Scunthorpe, first at St. George’s as an assistant curate and Bottesford with Ashby for the past twelve and a half years. Graham is married to Carole and they have two grown-up children Reverend Pamela Fraser is to become Rector of the Benefice of The Asterby Group & The Hemingby Group. She is currently Priest in Charge of St James & St Peter Kilsyth-Montrose Parish, Anglican Diocese of Melbourne. Having been born in Southampton, England, Pam and her family travelled all over the world with the army. She was Ordained Deacon in 1998 in the Newcastle Diocese New South Wales and Ordained Priest in 1998. Her first appointment was as Assistant Priest in the Parish of Forster/Tuncurry.

She has worked in different parishes in Australia until the family moved back to England from 1987-1996 where Pam took on a lay worker role in Gloucestershire whilst she undertook a BA Hons degree. In 1996 she moved back to Newcastle New South Wales, and took up the Priest in Charge of Parish of Kilsyth-Montrose post in Melbourne Diocese in 2011. She has three grown-up children.

Sharpening Thinking and Skills Training Events for Clergy and Readers

The End Product Tuesday, 28th October How do we know when we’ve done a good job? What are we aiming to build in public ministry, in terms of individual disciples and effective churches? How can we cultivate a healthy culture of growth?

Led by Revd. John Leach, Discipleship Advisor and Trainer.

10am-4pm, The King Room, Old Palace Hotel, Lincoln LN2 1PU. Lunch provided.

Preaching through Advent, Christmas and Epiphany.

For those who preach and need some fresh ideas – especially about familiar bible passages: Saturday, 8th November Scholarly input on the lectionary passages from Revd. Professor John Muddiman (coeditor of the Oxford Bible Commentary, and an experienced preacher). Reflection and response will include sharing ideas in smaller groups about how to preach from these texts WWW. L I N CO L N . A N G L ICAN . ORG

in our various churches.

9.30am – 4pm, at St John’s Church, Sudbrook Drive, Lincoln, LN2 2EF. Bring packed lunch; tea and coffee provided.

More to come…dates for you diary: Preaching through Lent, Holy Week and Easter.

Saturday 31st January, with Revd. Professor John Rogerson. At St George’s Church Centre, Crosby, Scunthorpe, DN15 8LY. Preaching through the Trinity Season.

Saturday 9th May, with Revd. Gillian Cooper.

At St Wulfram’s, Grantham, NG31 6RR.

Quiet Days in Advent Deepening our discipleship as ministers of Christ.

Monday, 1st December St Hugh’s Scunthorpe, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2AG. 10am to 4pm with lunch provided. Places limited to 60. Led by the Bishop of Grimsby.

Wednesday, 3rd December Horncastle College, Mareham Road, Horncastle, LN9 6BW. 10am to 4pm with lunch provided. Places limited to 60. Led by the Bishop of Grimsby.

Wednesday, 3rd December Edenham Village Hall, Church Lane, Edenham, Bourne, PE10 0LS. 10am to 4pm with lunch provided. Places limited to 60. Led by the Bishop of Lincoln.

Rural Ministry Course 10-12 March 2015 An excellent course on issues regarding the role and mission of the church within the rural community. For clergy and lay leaders, particularly those who are new to church leadership in a rural setting.

At Launde Abbey. Run by the Arthur Rank Centre: see http://www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk/ mission-and-ministry/arc-training/ruralministry-courses

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How does your church engage in social media?

However, it became clear that one effective way of communicating with the local business people I work with here was via Twitter and LinkedIn. It also might be the only way that those same people would learn about workplace chaplaincy.

For those churches that want to communicate with young mums, Facebook is a prime place. Teenagers have their own preferred platforms – some have moved from Facebook, many still use Twitter, whilst others have moved to Instagram and Snapchat.

As with any method of communication, we need to learn when to speak and when not to speak (Mk 27), and one important thing about social media is that you must remain authentic, both to yourself and to the message you wish to proclaim.

Revd Mary Vickers

Industrial Chaplain Revd Mary Vickers has been looking at how the church can connect with social media.

“Don’t worry, she’s not a normal vicar – she tweets and you can find her on LinkedIn!” This shocked me when it was said 2-3 years ago, as it seemed that social media was an important measure of a person. It certainly got me thinking about the relationship between social media and the church.

Social media is a growing phenomenon, influencing today’s society in many different ways. If Facebook were a country it would be the third largest in the world, and Twitter would be tenth. One in five couples now meet online, and“what happens in Vegas…” doesn’t stay there, but appears on YouTube, Flickr, Twitter and Facebook. It’s said that more people now have access to a mobile phone than to a toothbrush, meaning they can now update anywhere, anytime and about anything.

Given this environment, surely the Church ought to be involved?

Jesus calls us to be with his people wherever they are and to preach the Gospel even to the ends of the earth (Mk 16v15; Acts 1v8). I wasn’t at all involved with social media when I moved here in 2010, although I had blogged during my time as a sports chaplain at the Olympic Games, but simply so that my church congregation were informed and could pray for the work.

The Church has a valid voice and a great message, which needs to be heard. We in the Church of England have a presence in every community, and we need to share how much of a force for good we are – the gospel message incarnated in all the foodbanks, toddler groups, church schools, chaplaincies, charitable work, and other initiatives needs to be heard.

That variety is an outcome of the diversity of opinion and thoughtful debate in the CofE, and in turn reflects the variety of God’s creation and shows respect for our neighbours.

As the hymn says “We have a gospel to proclaim”. I’m beginning to think that we don’t have a choice on whether we use social media to proclaim that gospel, the question is rather how well we do it.

Let me know what you think by email m.vickers@ lincschaplaincy.org.uk or on Twitter where I’m known as @NELincsChaplain A ‘selfie’ taken by Mary from a recent CofE social media training course

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The Church Buildings Team’s advice for autumn maintenance Now the inclement weather is upon us, it is a good time to think about basic maintenance at your church.

Addressing minor items now can save large repair bills later on. When looking at church maintenance it is always best to start at the top and work your way down the building. So check that the parapet gutters, gutters, rainwater downpipes and hopper heads are all clear of debris and fallen leaves and not leaking from joints. If your church has a slate or tiled roof check, to see that none are slipped or missing. If you have safe access to lead roofs, check for cracks or holes and make sure that the flashings or abutments to the building are not pulled away.

Walls are another area to look at. Ensure that there are no plants

growing out of or on the walls. If there are, carefully cut them back but do not be tempted to pull the roots from the wall as this could cause more damage.

If you can see any areas of stonework starting to spall, try and monitor it over the winter period to see if frost action is making it worse; then you will know that it is something that may need to be addressed in the future.

Finally, check the drains. These are important for taking the rainwater away from the building thereby reducing the risk of water being deposited at the base of the walls, where it can cause damage. Ensure that gullies are clear of leaves and debris, and if necessary, get a local contractor to lift manhole covers to check below ground drains are running freely.

It is advisable, but not pleasant, to check your rainwater goods whilst it is raining. You will be able to easily identify areas where there is overspill because of blocked downpipes and hoppers, or that your disposal systems are not adequate for the size of the roof. For any advice, please contact the Church Buildings Department on: 01522 504046/47/48

Contemporary art projects keeping parish churches “alive and refreshed” artsNK and the College of Arts at the University of Lincoln. It seeks to enhance contemporary arts in their place within the parish churches of the Diocese, and utilisies some of the 645 parish churches around the county, to display pieces of contemporary art for everyone to enjoy.

Churches from around the diocese have been displaying contemporary art exhibitions from artists across Lincolnshire in a new project called Altered.

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life: “Churches belong to everyone”, he says, “people have the right, and some responsibility as well, to enter them and enjoy them and they may well be surprised and delighted by what they find.”

The Rt Revd Christopher Lowson, Bishop of Lincoln, believes that the church and creative arts share a lot of common ground: “Creative arts try and express beauty and truth and the meaning of life. This is the same as the church is trying to do through worship and express through its buildings.”

In September, St John the Baptist Church in Colsterworth hosted a holographic art installation called ‘Ophelia’s Ghost’ by Davy and Kristin McGuire, and in October, St peter and St Paul Church in Caistor will exhibit “When will our fields be seen, our church bells heard?”, a video and sound installation by Gen Doy and Lynn Dennison.

He hopes that the project will not only attract regular church goers, but also art lovers and people of all walks of

For more information on altered and future exhibits, vist: www. alteredartsproject.weebly.com

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Edenham Regional House – a special meeting place for all ecumenical centre,” explained Andy. Visitors come from all over the UK and hail from many parts of the world. A party of pastors, originally from Ghana, regularly gets together for a day of prayer at Edenham, for example.

As a venue, it welcomes individuals and groups from any Christian tradition or from none; for quiet days, retreats, study, workshops, meetings, training events, individually guided retreats, cell groups, Alpha away days and team meetings of all kinds. It also runs a programme of day events, residential retreats of different kinds, as well as quiet evenings to which anyone is welcome

Revd Canon Andrew Hawes with wife Sian

Twenty five years ago, Revd Canon Andrew Hawes and his family arrived in Edenham Regional House. At that time, regional houses had been a feature of life in the Diocese of Lincoln since the 1970s.

Regional Houses had been introduced as an innovative idea, in a county where transport was sometimes difficult. They were intended as places for people to gather, host meetings and foster spirituality.

When Andy and his wife Sian arrived with their four children and a baby on the way in 1989, Edenham Regional House, which is near Bourne in South Lincolnshire, was one of four regional houses in the diocese.

The family’s arrival launched a new chapter in the history of the regional house, which has been a place of continuous worship since Anglo Saxon times.

With help from volunteers, grants, parishioners, the diocese and many other supporters, Andy and his team have been able to improve the facilities; converting the stables into a chapel, adding toilets and bathrooms, renovating rooms and developing the gardens. The creation of ground floor accommodation, including a wet room, meant the regional house was the first retreat in the East Midlands to offer full facilities for wheelchair users.

The development continues, however, and there are plans for further work on the gardens.

“This place has a power of its own,” said Andy. “I live here so of course it is special to me, but a lot of people do say the place itself is a special place.”

For more information about Edenham Regional House and what it offers visit www.edenhamregionalhouse.org or telephone 01778 591358.

Revd Jude from the Lighthouse Church with Revd Canon Andrew Hawes

“When we came, we resurrected what had happened in the 70s, so it was a rebirth,” explained Andy. “I was appointed to take the house here, and develop it as a place to foster and promote Christian Spirituality.”

His arrival was a partnership between the diocese, the parishes in the area and the Grimsthorpe Estate, which owns the house.

During their first year, they hosted 19 different groups. Over the years this has grown and developed, and they now regularly have 19 different groups in a month. But they’d be keen to welcome more, said Andy. “To begin with, they were all Anglican and mostly from the Diocese of Lincoln, but now about a third of our users are Anglican, and of those less than half come from the Lincoln Diocese - we are very much an

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October 24 | 7.30pm Talk and book signing by the Very Revd Dr John Drury, The Wren Library, Lincoln Cathedral, Minster Yard, Lincoln Entry through coffee shop by the Tennyson statue on the east green, regret no disabled access.

Dr Drury’s book, Music at Midnight: the Life and Poetry of George Herbert, covers the life of this 17th century poet and Priest, Vicar of Bemerton in the Salisbury Diocese and Canon of Lincoln and who is known for his poetry set to music such as Teach Me, My God and King.

Tickets £6 from Lincoln Minster shop.

More information on www.lincolncathedral.com/events Contact 01522 561644 or www.lincolncathedral.com/shop/box-office October 25 | 10.00am – 2.00pm Jumble sale1 St John the Baptist Church Hall, Morton Sale in aid of church – most items 50p or £1.

Donated goods to the rear of the church by 23 October. No electrical goods, thanks.

October 25 | 7.30pm Lincoln Choral Society Lincoln Cathedral The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace by Karl Jenkins to commemorate the Centenary of the First World War. Tickets £20, £16 £12 and £8 from the Lincoln Cathedral shop. Call 01522 561644 October 26 Annual Craft Fayre Martin Village Hall Call 01526 378634 to check on availability of stalls/tables at £10 each. All proceeds to Martin Village Hall. Call 01526 378634.

lights, costumes and props.

Tickets £10 from Dianne Newton on 01778 571890 and fay.finch@btinternet.com November 7-9 The Enneagram – Exploring the Subtypes.

St Michael’s Church, Little Coates, Grimsby Facilitated by teacher and author Karen Webb. £55 or concession £35 including refreshments and light lunch on Sunday. Further information and bookings at kairoslifeevents@yahoo.co.uk November 12-15 The Last Post Lincoln Drill Hall The Lincoln Mystery Plays Community Theatre company presents The Last Post - a new play about the Beechey family’s exceptional service and sacrifice told through their own words. Details at www.lincolnmysteries.co.uk November 22 | 9.30am - 4.00pm Discover the Labyrinth Woodlands Academy, Grimsby Facilitator Revd Mike Burson-Thomas.

Bring your own lunch; light refreshments provided at breaks. Further information and bookings at kairoslifeevents@yahoo.co.uk November 23 – 29 MaNIFEST – a musical epiphany St Mary and St Nicolas, Spalding Musical events every day including a gala charity concert with Lesley Garrett on November 29.

More information at www.stmaryandstnicolas.org.uk/manifest.html Tickets for Lesley Garrett from South Holland Centre. Booking enquiries for all other events to the Parish Office on 01775 722772 or parish.office@stmaryandstnicolas.org.uk

October 26 | 3.00pm Lincolnshire Harvest Festival Lincoln Cathedral Refreshments available, collection to Lincolnshire Rural Support Network And RABI. Donations of produce will be collected For the Nomad Trust and Lincoln Community Larder.

November 29 | 6.00pm Advent Carol Service Lincoln Cathedral

October 27 | 10.00am – 8.00pm Fairtrade day Traidcraft ‘At Home’ Langton Hill Farm, (Red Farm House), off Hoop lane, Langton by Wragby, LN8 5QD. Fairtrade crafts, gifts, food and Christmas cards.

Light lunches and refreshments available.

Details call Liz Stephenson on 01673 858490

December 5 | 1.10 – 8.00pm Concerts and Carols Lincoln Cathedral Performances by Cathedral Choir (1.10pm), Lincoln College performing arts students (2.15pm), carols and candlelight (5.30pm), Cranwell Military Wives Choir (7.00pm), with bell ringing at 8.00pm.

November 1 | 7.30pm Musical evening with Rapport Stage performers Fernley Copping and Amanda Thompson with pianist Angela Hankins present music from the shows featuring ballads, comic and character songs. The group uses small sets,

December 6 | 11.30am – 5.30pm Concerts and Carols Lincoln Cathedral Performances by Ready Steady Choir! (11.30am), Cathedral Choir (1.10pm), Lincolnshire Hospitals’ Band (2.00pm) with carols and candlelight at 5.30pm.

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December 4 | 5.30pm Lincoln Christmas Market Lincoln Cathedral

December 6 | 9.30am - 3.30pm The Scriptures as Prayer 2: Preparing the Scriptures the Ignatian Way, St Michael’s Church, Little Coates, Grimsby Facilitator Revd David McCormick. £10 including refreshments and light lunch.

Further information and bookings at kairoslifeevents@yahoo.co.uk December 6 - 21 Christmas Tree Festival St Mary and the Holy Rood Church, Donington Church open daily. Carol concert with Holbeach Town Band on Friday 19 December at 7.30pm.

Details from 01775 820248 or email ch27753@aol.com December 11 | 1.15pm Diocesan Schools’ Carol Service Lincoln Cathedral December 11 | 6.30pm Community carol singing, Cornhill, Lincoln December 12 | 7.30pm Lincolnshire Police Force Carol Service Lincoln Cathedral December 13 | 2.00 and 7.00pm Britten’s Ceremony of Carols, Lincoln Cathedral Performed by the Choristers December 15 | 7.30pm Lincolnshire Co-operative Carol Concert Lincoln Cathedral December 17 | 7.30pm Carols by Candlelight, Lincoln Cathedral December 18 | 7.30pm Lincolnshire Healthcare Carol Service Lincoln Cathedral December 19 | 12.00 noon Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School Service Lincoln Cathedral December 19 | 2.30pm Lincoln Minster School end of term service Lincoln Cathedral December 21 | 5.30pm Organ Recital, Lincoln Cathedral Performance of Messiaen: La Nativite du Seigneur

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December 24 | 4.00pm Carol Service Lincoln Cathedral

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