Crosslincs November/December 2016 issue by Diocese of Lincoln

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

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St Nicholas Church in Newport, Lincoln, is set to provide the setting for an Advent Sleepout in aid of the Church Urban Fund (www.cuf.org.uk). Following on from a very successful event held at the church last year, it is said that this year’s Sleepout will be even bigger and better, with several other Lincoln churches joining in. A ‘nativity stable’ (above) will again be constructed outside of the front of the church ahead of the event, which this year will be staged on the night of Saturday, 3rd December 2016, which will be during the Lincoln Christmas Market. There will be activities and entertainment during the course

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of the evening, with the opportunity for volunteers to then spend the night there, either inside or outside. The main aim of the Sleepout is to raise awareness of the challenges of urban poverty on a local and national level – poverty of resources, education and relationships. Last year, £93,450 was raised after 75 events took place in churches and communities across the country. For more information, or to express an interest in taking part, please contact the Revd Cameron Watt on 07887 802 784 or via cameron.watt@aol.com More general information may be found at www.sleepoutchallenge.org.uk

INSIDE...

Serving the local community

Sharing food with one another

PAGE 3

PAGES 4–5

Garden brings new life

November/December 2016

Meeting local need

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Crosslincs is produced by the Diocese of Lincoln

Welcome...

In this issue we encounter themes of welcome, hospitality, pilgrimage, service and celebration in stories gathered from around the diocese. Thank you for your help in shaping your diocesan magazine. Adrian Smith

The submission deadline for the next issue is Friday, 18th November 2016. Editor E: crosslincs@lincoln.anglican.org Communications Officer The Revd Adrian Smith T: 01522 50 40 37 M: 07885 99 99 07 E: adrian.smith@lincoln.anglican.org Diocesan Offices Edward King House, Minster Yard, Lincoln LN2 1PU T: 01522 50 40 50 E: enquiries@lincoln.anglican.org www.lincoln.anglican.org www.facebook.com/Dioceselincoln www.twitter/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 The Bishop of Grantham The Right Reverend Dr Nicholas Chamberlain T: 01522 50 40 90 E: bishop.grantham@lincoln.anglican.org Diocesan Secretary Angela Sibson OBE T: 01522 50 40 32 E: angela.sibson@lincoln.anglican.org PA to the Diocesan Secretary Kay Clayton T: 01522 50 40 32 E: kay.clayton@lincoln.anglican.org The Archdeacon of Stow and Lindsey The Venerable Mark Steadman T: 01522 50 40 39 E: archdeacon.stow@lincoln.anglican.org The Archdeacon of Boston The Venerable Dr Justine Allain Chapman T: 01522 50 40 39 E: archdeacon.boston@lincoln.anglican.org The Archdeacon of Lincoln The Venerable Gavin Kirk T: 01522 50 40 39 E: archdeacon.lincoln@lincoln.anglican.org W W W.LINCOLN. ANGLIC AN.ORG

Local Posada reaches The Gambia Every year the Wragby Group of Parishes follows the Mexican tradition of Posada. At the beginning of Advent, during the Christingle service, local families are invited to offer a home to knitted figures of Mary and Joseph, and over the following weeks they are lovingly cared for in local homes. All who care for them are moved as they reflect on the journey of Mary and Joseph, and we are offered a reminder of God’s concern for those who have nowhere to call home, and the generosity in the sending of his son, Jesus, who ‘dwelt among us’. On Christmas Eve, Mary and Joseph are returned to church, where they are united with a knitted figure of Jesus at the Crib service. This year there was a wonderful opportunity for Mary and Joseph to travel further afield and to be cared for by another part of God’s global family: The Gambia in West Africa. A local family has developed close links with a church in The Gambia, and every year they take books and surplus educational equipment for schools run by the local church. The church is vibrant, joyful and flourishing. And so this year the figures of Mary and Joseph travelled around this local community, and upon their arrival back in the UK they were accompanied by moving letters that described how much it had meant to be part of Posada in Africa. Some of the comments received have included, ‘It was like a blessing and a privilege in my house’ and ‘It was the most joyous moment in our family’, offering messages of Christian encouragement and hope from one part of God’s family to another. If you know of surplus supplies of school equipment (such as reading books/ exercise books/pencils/paper/wallcharts, etc) that might be of benefit to this school, please contact the Revd Mark Holden, Rector of The Wragby Group. He may be contacted on 01673 857 825 or at wragbygroup@aol.com

Daily Prayers during Advent 2016 This Advent we’ll be exploring together as a diocese what it might mean to become people more like Jesus, and how we might help create communities more like Heaven. Using the four traditional Advent themes of hope, peace, joy and love, we will think about the good news we have for our communities, and how through confidence in our calling we can help bring that news to reality. For more details, please contact Simon Dean via discipleship@lincoln.anglican.org or call 01522 50 40 50. The booklet may also be downloaded from the website.

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Serving the local community Bishop of Lincoln’s Social Justice Fund helps Community Garden spring into life in St Giles, Lincoln A long-held ambition for a Community Garden located in the St Giles area of Lincoln has been given a considerable helping hand thanks to a grant from the Bishop of Lincoln’s Social Justice Fund. Crosslincs was invited to take a look... If you are passing by the Parish Church of St Giles, Lincoln, on a Monday or Thursday morning, there is a good chance that you will see the team behind the Community Garden hard at work. Thanks to conversations between the Revd Canon Nick Buck, the local neighbourhood manager and later Green Synergy, a charity that uses gardening as a way of helping people come together to socialise, learn and thrive, an award of £3,800 was received from the Bishop of Lincoln’s Social Justice Fund to help a Community Garden get off the ground. As local resident and Green Synergy employee, Laura Stratford, reports, the progress made during the year has been startling. “We had planning meetings in February,” she explained, “and we involved the local Scouts in helping to design a proposed look for the garden. We then cut ground in March.” The money received has gone on sheds, a greenhouse and a path, which has been the biggest spend. “We decided that it was so important to make it accessible all the way around for disabled people; we made this a priority.” Laura is joined on Mondays and Thursdays by a friendly team of hard-working volunteers, and it is clear that there is a shared sense of pride in all that has been achieved so far,

Some of the team at the St Giles Community Garden. with the team enjoying each other’s company, working with what they have found in the garden and benefiting from generous donations of materials from neighbours. “What I like about this group,” Laura related, “is that there’s a core of really reliable people, but I feel that new people can also come in and it’s a really welcoming, safe environment.” The current aim is for the garden to offer a peaceful, tranquil environment during daylight hours, and future plans include a wildflower meadow and ambitions to harvest further fruits of their labour – a pumpkin was destined for a soup for a shared Harvest meal, while another was donated to a local school. We shall really enjoy watching this special garden grow.

A daunting task at the outset of work on the garden, but the Bishop of Lincoln’s Social Justice Fund has had a lasting impact. DIOCESELINCOLN

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Serving the local community Serving one another in Holbeach Serving the local community since September 2013, Holbeach Community Larder has been described as ‘a place where the Kingdom of God can be seen in all its joyful mess and human variety’. Crosslincs accepted a recent kind invitation to call in for lunch… It has been said that it takes just seven seconds to make a first impression, and first impressions upon entering the Community Larder at the Reading Rooms in Holbeach are mightily impressive. First, there is the greeting provided by the lovely smell of the lunch being prepared in the kitchen, and then there is the warm and friendly greeting offered by volunteers and those taking a seat ahead of a delicious twocourse meal (which on this occasion was bangers and mash, Yorkshire puddings, cauliflower and carrots, followed by fruit crumble and custard). There is a real buzz about the place.

Here to serve: some of the members of the voluntary team.

In talking with those at table, it is clear that Fridays are looked forward to with great anticipation. One diner, Chris, While the meal is prepared in the ground-floor kitchen, other introduced himself and said that “This is a great gathering members of the team are upstairs busily packing food parcels point for everybody. It is a great place where you can come along and feel welcome. The staff are always friendly, of varying sizes, for individuals and families, and yet there is they’re supportive and they’re great cooks. They do a lot still time for the volunteers to offer a listening ear to those of work and they start early, and there’s always something coming through the door, should the need arise, such is the noticeable caring, family atmosphere. It is no surprise to learn special at Easter.” Preparation for the meal often begins that it has been a busy year for Holbeach Community Larder from around 8.30am, and on our visit plans were being made for the meal on the last Friday before Christmas (Food Bank and Café). Each Friday, 40–50 hot meals are (16th December), plus a special meal on Christmas Day. offered to all comers, with an invitation to make a donation towards costs, with four to six food parcels also usually given out each week. This year has seen a doubling of the previous The Community Larder works in co-operation with level of provision, and so there has been a helpful and timely the Agapecare Foodbank in Spalding and a facility in Sutton Bridge, and is currently engaged in a very helpful boost with the award of £3,500 from the Bishop of Lincoln’s relationship with the local branch of TESCO, which allows Social Justice Fund, which will be put to work in terms of the collection of food donations from customers and further storage for food stock, new tables and tablecloths, makes donations of supplies. All of this, together with external signage and general running costs. the hard work of the volunteers, goes towards the warm, family atmosphere. As one of the volunteers puts it, “It feels like a family”, and that is certainly the distinct impression that one is left with, as well as the satisfaction of good food and the genuinely warm welcome.

Stock awaiting distribution at the Community Larder.

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The Community Larder is open 11am–2pm every Friday at the Reading Rooms, Church Street, Holbeach.

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Serving the local community Reaching out to those in crisis The Lincoln Community Larder first opened its doors on the 18th of August 1989. Established by Mrs Mary Eckmyre as a way to offer a basic stock of food at short notice to those in crisis, the Larder continues to fulfil a significant role in the heart of the city. Crosslincs met with the current Larder Co-ordinator, Tina James, to hear of the present situation and the challenges ahead... Situated in the YMCA Annexe on Rosemary Lane in Lincoln city centre, it is thought that the Lincoln Community Larder has occupied its current location for around 20 years. This is set to change, however, with local redevelopment on the horizon. As Tina explained, the need to find a new base is currently a high priority. “We have an off-site warehouse, for which we pay a commercial rent, but if we had to pay rent for our premises as well, I think that that could break us. We are therefore looking at all alternative options.” Meeting as the Harvest Festival season was due to get underway, Tina said that more and more schools have become involved in terms of collecting food items for donation to the Larder, and the team were anticipating visits to some 30–40 schools to collect their donations to pass on to those in need. This need is a pressing one: in August 2016, the Lincoln Community Larder helped 158 adults, 38 children and 18 families, and in the previous month these figures were 174, 48 and 27, respectively,

A volunteer organising supplies at Lincoln Community Larder.

with assistance given to a further 90 adults and 117 children during the school summer holidays in the St Giles area. These figures are actually a marked reduction compared with those seen during the period of 2012–2014, but they remain significant. Open on Rosemary Lane on Tuesdays and Fridays each week from 1.30pm–3pm, with outreach also offered in the uphill area of Lincoln at St Giles Methodist Church on Wednesdays (11am–12 noon) and Fridays (9.30–10.30am), a further facility has recently been added on Wednesday mornings at St John the Baptist Parish Church, Ermine (9.30–10.30am). “We give people enough food for three meals a day for three days,” Tina explained. “But in fact the food that we provide would last a bit longer than that.” The Larder is alwas grateful for donations of items such as tinned fruit, tuna, tinned meats, hot dogs, tinned rice pudding and custard, UHT milk (semi-skimmed), sweetcorn, carrots, Weetabix (or own-brand equivalent), pasta sauces and small jars of coffee, and it also has an arrangement for the supply of bread from the local Sainsbury’s (at the time of our meeting a volunteer was being sought to collect the bread on Friday mornings). As the Larder website states, ‘There isn’t really a typical “customer” at Lincoln Community Larder’, but some of the reasons given for seeking a helping hand include delays in benefit payments, a change of circumstances, money spent servicing debt, unexpected expenses, and emergency re-housing following, for example, a situation of domestic violence. Lincoln Community Larder is always happy to receive help from the local community, and so if you are able to volunteer, donate items or have suggestions for possible new premises, please get in touch by calling 01522 569 291 or via www.lincolnlarder.co.uk DIOCESELINCOLN

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Extending a warm welcome ‘Firecracker’ aims to achieve access for all at village church A creative community project has brought a group of people together as part of efforts to offer improved facilities for all at All Saints’ Church, Wellingore, in the Parish of Graffoe. So what’s the story behind it? How might a quilt help a church to welcome all people to its times of worship and fellowship? Well, seven Wellingore women got together to create an amazing work of art (pictured, right) that will soon be in the hands of a new owner courtesy of a raffle. The proceeds from this local endeavour are to be used to support a project known as ‘Access for All’ at All Saints’ Church, Wellingore, in the Parish of Graffoe. The aim of this project is to increase accessibility for all at this beautiful church at the top of Wellingore hill. Plans have been drawn up to re-order the interior of the church by installing wheelchair access, food-service facilities and a toilet, and in putting the quilt on display and through the publicity generated by the raffle we are seeking to invite more people in the local community to be part of this fundraising effort and to know that they are all welcome at All Saints’ Church. The finished design is called ‘Firecracker’, with the reverseside of the quilt a fabric from Senegal. The women have worked together under the guidance of Charlotte Ridler, who has said, “I have been engaged in patchwork and quilting since 1992, and so most of the fabrics came from my own stock, including the reverse fabric, which I bought on a visit to Senegal. (I had to buy an extra suitcase to bring home my fabric trophies from there!) Our only purchase was the navy blue for the sashing, and the wadding. Seven of our church ladies, mostly members of the Village Church Council (VCC) wanted to learn

A day exploring evangelism and discipleship The Ven. Mark Ireland is to join us for a day exploring evangelism and discipleship at St George’s, Swallowbeck, Lincoln, on Saturday, 26th November 2016. Mark will be leading us through some thinking from his latest book, Making New Disciples – Exploring the Paradoxes of Evangelism, and we will will also have

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patchwork and so we started a group. We all worked on the squares, mostly by machine, with a few by hand, and then two of us joined it all together. The quilting was done by us all with red Sashiko thread through the middle of every sashing piece. I can’t really remember at what point we decided to raffle the end-result for the church project. But we are all very keen to see improved access and toilet and refreshment facilities in the church.” Ann Avery The raffle will be drawn at an ACCESS for All charity concert that is to be given by an ensemble from The Band of the Royal Air Force College on Friday, 2nd December 2016 (7pm in the church). Tickets for the concert and the raffle may be obtained by emailing j.ridler52@btinternet.com, glo.reed@btinternet.com or toni.butroid@btinternet.com contributions from members of the diocese, including Martyn Taylor, Rector of St George’s, Stamford, and a member of the College of Evangelists. This free event will run from 9.30am (10am start) until 4pm. Refreshments will be provided; please bring your own lunch. St George’s is located on Eastbrook Road, Lincoln (LN6 7EP). More details will follow on the website.

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Supporting mission Transformation Fund aims to help parishes in their mission and ministry in a local context Visitors to the diocesan website will have noted that the Diocese of Lincoln Transformation Fund is now open for applications. So what does the fund entail, and just what will it mean for parishes around the diocese? Simon Dean explains what’s involved...

ways to develop the mission and ministry in the local church and community. In contrast to Tier 1 grants, Tier 2 grants will be considered on a quarterly basis during the year.

As has been already documented on the diocesan website, in 2016 £100,000 has been set aside for grants that will help churches to launch new missional initiatives or to significantly develop existing projects that will help to transform lives across greater Lincolnshire. It is hoped that the fund will help parishes, deaneries and affiliated groups to express more effectively God’s mission in the community they serve, leading to growth in numbers, growth in discipleship or growth in service.

The Bishop of Lincoln has been pleased to make this fund available to support all of the parishes in the diocese in our shared mission and ministry, and he has said, “I hope that you will give serious consideration to ways in which the Transformation Fund might provide an opportunity for you to develop new and exciting projects that will further mission and ministry in the place where you are set. Together, may we continue to respond to God’s call to us to build a healthy, vibrant and sustainable church, transforming lives in greater Lincolnshire.”

The fund is made up of two tiers, titled Tier 1 and Tier 2. Tier 1 is designed to help churches quickly progress their ideas. Applications can be made at any time of the year by completing a simple two-sided application form, and grants are up to the sum of £500 as a one-off payment. Tier 2 grants are of between £500 and £5000. These significant grants may be used in a variety of

Applications are already being received, and so to find out more ahead of making an application, please see http://www.lincoln.anglican.org/resources-parishesministry/transformation-fund/ You may also contact me either by email at simon.dean@lincoln.anglican.org or by calling 01522 50 40 50.

Thy Kingdom Come 2017: 25th May – 4th June Joining with the family of God the Father to pray ‘Come Holy Spirit’, that we may be effective witnesses to Jesus Christ. The Archbishops of Canterbury and York are inviting every parish, fresh expression of Church, school, chaplaincy, retreat house, and praying community to join in 10 days of prayer for evangelism and witness in the run up to Pentecost 2017. Further details may be found in a news story published on the diocesan website (dated 9th September 2016), but more information will follow in the next issue of Crosslincs. In the meantime please save the date and consider what you might do during this event.

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Travelling well together Spalding’s Sundaes take to the road and head to Walsingham The Sundaes, a group of young people from the Parish Church of St Mary & St Nicolas, Spalding, took part in this year’s Walsingham Youth Pilgrimage. Upon their return home, they shared some of their highlights... Described as a group of young people who ‘meet together, talk together, eat sundaes together and grow together’, the Sundaes at the Parish Church of St Mary & St Nicolas, Spalding, meet regularly once a month and also for extra events, such as a study day or going to the theatre and cinema. The programme for the Sundaes makes for impressive reading: just some of the planned events for late 2016 into 2017 include going to see Made in Dagenham at the theatre, a Lent fundraising lunch, preparing and serving a meal on Maundy Thursday, and a third trip to the Walsingham Youth Pilgrimage. It is clear from talking to the group that the pilgrimage is an annual highlight, a precious time to spend time together and to meet with other young Christians. As one member of the group commented, “It is nice to see so many young Christians all in one place. At school, you can feel on your own. We are a small group at our church, but it’s good to have so many small groups coming together to form one big group.” A special memory for the group at this year’s pilgrimage was an outdoor Eucharist led by their Assistant Curate, the Revd Aileen Workman, in the grounds of Walsingham Abbey (pictured above, right), for which the Sundaes chose the readings, the Collect and wrote the prayers of intercession. In addition, and following the 2016 theme of ‘Mercy Works’, they joined with almost 500 young people in Bible study, the Holy Mile Walk, workshops and discos and Karaoke, before pledging to offer a work of mercy in their own community. As the Sundaes now prepare for the turn of the year and look forward to the 2017 Pilgrimage (7–11th August), the hope is that other groups of young people from around the diocese might be encouraged to make the same journey, joining them in Norfolk for a time of faith, fellowship and fun. Further information on Walsingham Youth Pilgrimage is available at www.walsinghamanglican.org.uk/education/ youth_pilgrimage.htm, and details for St Mary & St Nicolas Church are at www.stmaryandstnicolas.org.uk W W W.LINCOLN. ANGLIC AN.ORG

The Sundaes at the 2016 Walsingham Youth Pilgrimage.

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Announcements The Revd Canon Moira Astin, formerly Priest in Charge of Frodingham and New Brumby, has been appointed Archdeacon of Reigate in the Diocese of Southwark. The Revd Gavin Cooper has been appointed Rector of the Benefice of Stamford St Mary and St Martin. The Revd Jacqueline Bell has been appointed Vicar of the Benefice of St John the Evangelist Bracebridge Heath. The Ven. Geoffrey Arrand will succeed the Revd Richard Billinghurst as Rural Dean of Graffoe for an initial period of one year.

The Revd David Clune has been appointed House for Duty: Priest in Charge of the Digby Group. A Chaplain at Pilgrim Hospital, Boston, he has been licensed as a General Preacher by the Bishop of Lincoln. The Revd Pamela Beattie, Chaplain to Lincoln County Hospital, and the Revd Beth Weston, Chaplain to HMP Lincoln, have also each been licensed as a General Preacher by the Bishop of Lincoln. The Revd Nicholas Nawrockyi has taken up the post of the Interim Minister for the Conventional District of St Francis Cleethorpes.

PRIZE CROSSWORD No. 16 1

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Winner of Prize Crossword No. 15: Mr Alan Watton, Reepham. Thank you to all who entered. To enter: completed entries should be sent to Crossword No. 16, Crosslincs, The Communications Office, Edward King House, Minster Yard, Lincoln LN2 1PU. The closing date for Prize Crossword No. 16 is Friday, 18th November 2016. The editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decision is final.

Across 1 Double helping for crowd noise (7) 5 For hair of fake and tailless bear (7) 9 Black stuff for one who 21A (5) 10 Small part of London Eye? (6,3) 11 Receives little interest for finding tracks coming back (4,4,6) 13 Fours and sixes for one who 21A on 9A (4) 14 Lady dignitary of bygone times centred in Eucharist (8)

17 Red back round stranger who is feeble and inept (8) 18 French maid who had a stake in history (4) 21 Attires traditionally for the match (7,2,5) 23 Big place between Perth and Newcastle (9) 24 Tory wasteland followed Douglas home (5) 25 Evil employment of nasal cavities (7) 26 Gamble on non-clerical chances (3,4)

Down

1 Sold secondhand for easy money (perhaps in 12D) (4) 2 Standing a round in queue at A and E (9,6) 3 Shocked at hags resolution (6) 4 Lincs stately house needing no braces (6) 5 Sturdy support for drunks or drivers at weekend (8) 6 & 20D How the holy child was found (6,2 & 3,3) 7 Sent on holiday. May be saucy (7,8)

8 Planning manual device before my vocal (10) 12 Contracts agreed in the woods (5,5) 15 The result of not turning in repose (3,5) 16 Ionic chemicals found in brine (3,5) 19 Not working but ready (2,4) 20 See 6D 22 How avian singer loses right hand (4)

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Developing international relations A fresh perspective offered through international mission It is said that sometimes we can be refreshed in our focus on local mission by being reminded of God’s global purposes in the support of overseas mission and development activity. Andrew Third from Teso Development Trust (TDT) took up our invitation to offer an outline of the opportunities presented by TDT... Many churches support the wonderful work that is currently offered by the large Christian charities such as Tearfund and Christian Aid, ensuring that the message of Christian love is heard within international responses to major crises, such as in the Middle East, and in advocacy on issues of global importance, such as climate change. There is also a case, however, for a church community to establish a link with smaller charities that might be able to provide what are arguably much more intimate links with particular projects, thus enabling a church to connect with the mission and development activity that is being directly supported by its giving. For example, communication with delivery partners and even project visits might be possible. TDT can assist congregations in forming an international mission link that might widen their perspective on God’s mission. We can put you in touch with the projects run in the desperately poor district of Teso in Eastern Uganda by the Dioceses of Soroti and of Kumi of the Church of Uganda. We support projects including water, health, education, enterprise development, ministry training and food aid as they work with local churches to help bring God’s healing and mercy into the lives of the Iteso people.

Working a pump at a borehole in Amuria, North Teso. As an example, the image shown (above) is of a borehole for a community in a remote area of Amuria in North Teso, where the people have resettled from an internally displaced person camp following violent insurrection in the area. We have also supported the community in the supply of food to the most vulnerable during a period of drought. We would be very happy to help your church in making a connection with such communities. To find out more, please have a look at our website at www.teso.org.uk, or contact myself via email at andrew.third@ integracomms.uk or call 07917 691 532.

Ermine Poppies Project helps local community come together to remember global conflict During the summer months people from the Church of St John the Baptist on Lincoln’s Ermine estate filled the church building with poppies. Part of the church’s commemoration of the centenary of the Battle of the Somme in the First World War, a cascade of knitted poppies covered the pulpit, with local people, schoolchildren and groups also invited to contribute to displays around the church for the ‘Ermine Poppies Project’. A selection of photographs of the poppy displays may be found on the church’s Facebook page.

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Developing international relations Spending time in communion with one another overseas A final-year student at Westcott House in Cambridge, Sue Rose is due to join the Parish of Boston as Assistant Curate in the summer of next year. In the meantime, Sue has been spending some time on a placement at the University of the South in Tennessee, where she has been joined by her husband, the Revd Mike Rose, who is Vicar of the Carr Dyke Group of Parishes. In an entry taken from an online blog that she has been writing while in the USA, Sue reflects on the meaning and significance of the Eucharist in encountering God... September 19, 2016 Today we planned to go to morning Eucharist at All Saints, the main chapel here on campus. However, just as we were about to leave, the heavens opened, and I realised that I had lost my umbrella. (I don’t use umbrellas at home as I am always losing them!) We decided that rather than attempt the 20-minute walk, in very heavy rain, we would say Morning Prayer at home, then go to the evening service instead, hoping for better weather. I am so pleased this happened, as the Growing in Grace evening Eucharist was, for me, such an uplifting service. It was mainly attended by students, with a few seminarian colleagues, and led by the lay chaplain of the university, Rob McAlister, with the Revd Dr Melissa Hartley presiding at the Eucharist. Our worship was accompanied by an excellent worship band which included a banjo, guitar and bongo, and some lovely voices. I love and appreciate some of the formal music we hear in church, but there is something about this informal style of worship which speaks to my heart and soul. The sermon was very moving; this has been a difficult week in Sewanee for friends and family of a young woman aged 25, who was killed in a road accident. Rob talked about the shock and unexpectedness of this event, and how the community would look to cope together in love with this terrible and tragic event. The service included a Eucharist using BCP Rite II liturgy at its core, which is also so important to me – we all stood around the nave altar as a community, in communion with one another. Having studied Eucharist in class recently, the meaning of this was just so clear – one of those moments when the presence of God is so tangible. This mix of formal and informal can work so well – good liturgy and great worship in a fantastic space.

All Saints’ chapel at the University of the South in Tennessee. For more see https://ordinandsue.wordpress.com

Lincoln Cursillo #32 proves to be a ‘total joy’ Lincoln Cursillo #32 took place back in June at its new venue at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln. Seven guests (or pilgrims, as they are called) took part and they were said to have had a wonderful experience. One pilgrim has said, “I had wondered how these people were ‘alive’ Christians; now I know.” Another has written, “When my wife and I felt called to be part of Lincoln Cursillo #32, we were unsure about what to expect. The whole thing was a total joy for us. The staff on the weekend were wonderful and made us so welcome and we felt so at home. We laughed, cried, and cried with laughter. We would recommend the Cursillo experience to anyone. Christ’s love was all around us throughout the whole time.” Gillian Padley, who led the weekend, said “It is a journey of faith, a wonderful experience, and [by attending] you will learn about how to live your life through prayer, study and action.” The next Lincoln Cursillo weekend will take place from 4th–7th August 2017 at Bishop Grosseteste University. For more details please contact the pre-weekend rep, Marilyn Reeve, on 01472 824 598 or by email at pre-weekendrep@lincolncursillo.org.uk

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Resources and reviews Alexandra Green: How to Survive as a Governor in a Church School; www.rpbooks.co.uk

Ray Simpson with Brent Lyons-Lee: St Aidan’s Way of Mission; The Bible Reading Fellowship, 2016. Ray Simpson’s knowledge and understanding of the world of Celtic Spirituality is enviable. He has a deep interest not only in the historical records and the spiritual journeys of the great Celtic saints, but he is keen to draw on their experience of God to learn how we might apply their approach to prayer, to mission and to service in our own modern-day context. This is the premise behind his latest book on St Aidan in which he draws from the experience of St Aidan (or more specifically, both the historical record and the hagiography that surrounds him) to try to tease out how the ways in which mission was expressed in Aidan’s lifetime might have deep resonance for us today. The relative lack of concrete information about the life of St Aidan does mean that the author frequently suggests how situations may have been tackled by the saint or how St Aidan may have felt about particular issues. This speculation was also apparent in his book on St Hilda and will worry many readers far less than it troubled me. However, there are many insights and examples in the book, both ancient and modern, that will give pause for thought and prayer, and which offer the reader an opportunity to take a fresh look at how we understand mission and how we might reshape it in our own contexts. There are also helpful reflections and prayers at the end of each section. On the down side, the review copy I had of the book is poorly produced, with a very light type-face, and you can see the type and pictures on the reverse page of the one you are reading very clearly. But don’t let this put you off – there is a lot to discover in this book and much that the reader will be inspired to investigate further. Reviewed by Canon Fr Stephen Hoy St John the Baptist, Ermine, Lincoln & Diocesan Spirituality Adviser

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This title seeks to meet the needs of individual governors and full governing bodies, providing some useful tools to support the continual evaluation necessary for a successful school. It also details the history and purpose of Church school education and provides a host of little-known but highly pertinent facts: did you know that about 15 million people alive today have attended Church schools? Or that the Church is the biggest sponsor of academies? (Be careful: statistics are soon out of date.) The seismic changes in education need school governance to be strong, skilled, intentional, forward thinking and, in Church schools, willing and able to protect the Christian heartbeat of the school. This book is a useful tool to encourage all governors to understand their role sufficiently and to equip them to fulfil it. This includes both those new to the task and those who have served on governing bodies for many years, those with a faith and those without. An insightful foreword by the Rt Revd Dr Alan Wilson says this of the long-standing governor: ‘There is a danger that what they think they know will turn out to be wrong and lead good people into bad mistakes.’ This is never more likely than today as policy changes term-by-term. The regular question boxes can be used both by individuals and by committees or boards and, when used well, could have a real impact on the life and the work of the school. One word of caution, however: chapter 6 is all about the Church school inspection (SIAMS) and is written using the current inspection framework, which is likely to be revised within the next academic year. That said, the principles and overarching themes of the book remain true and the activities throughout are enormously helpful. The book is accessible, adaptable and is a good way for all to engage with how governors can serve effectively to support Church schools in striving to be their very best. More information on SIAMS, Church school governance or Church schools is available from the diocesan education team. Regional governor training happens regularly at a variety of venues across the three local authorities: 22nd February; 2nd, 8th, 14th and 22nd March; 8th, 14th, 21st and 28th June; and 4th July. See the diocesan website. Reviewed by Jackie Waters-Dewhurst Diocesan Director of Education

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Learning together Diocesan Mission Team Leader is looking forward to celebrating and sharing gifts and good news In the last issue of Crosslincs, the Revd Richard Steel, Mission Team Leader, offered an introduction as to how, as a diocese, we might come to consider more fully how ‘we are Church’. Here, Richard charts his route towards the Diocese of Lincoln and looks ahead to sharing in the gifts found in our local communities... The Revd Richard Steel will already be a relatively familiar face to many around the diocese. Since arriving back in July, Richard has been taking the time to meet with, and listen to, as many people as possible, and it is clear that he is enjoying supporting the work of Bishop David in the area of mission and evangelism. As Mission Team Leader, Richard leads a team that works alongside the people of our parishes in the significant areas of discipleship, fresh expressions, children and youth work, and stewardship, and he has a heart for recognising and celebrating the gifts of others.

“My whole ministry has been driven by a passion to share the huge difference that a faith in Jesus has made in my life and in the lives of others” As Richard explains, “My whole ministry has been driven by a passion to share the huge difference that a faith in Jesus has made in my life and in the lives of others. I believe that the Christian faith offers so much to people today, in terms of the value of being made in the image of a loving God, and the fact that this God wants a personal relationship with each of us. Indeed, the valuing of people is really important to me. As Christians, we are about transforming the world by people being transformed by God. And this particular passion has taken me in a slightly unsual path in my ministry.” While serving his title in a very large parish in Hull, which offered the experience of both a large, lively church in Hull and a small, close-knit congregation within a hamlet on the edge of the city, Richard established a link with BBC Radio Humberside. As he relates, “I wanted to tell the

Christian story to a wider audience, and this led on to my next role as Religious Programmes Producer at Radio Trent (Nottingham and Derby). After a few years there, I felt that I wanted to use the skills I had developed for the sake of the Church’s mission, and so I became Communications Officer for the Church of England in Lancashire. While in this role, Richard became involved in the Church of England’s early forays into the Internet, believing that the Church should establish an early online presence and voice courtesy of this fledgling mode of communication, and he was then appointed Communication Director for the Church Mission Society. This, he says, “gave me the joy and privilege of sharing stories of Christians around the world, and the difference they were making in their communities. Also, my faith was challenged by them, in the way that they relied so much more on God than had been my experience up until then.” A renewed call to parish ministry took Richard to Kirkheaton, on the edge of Huddersfield, and a large parish offering an outer-urban setting, plus two villages and extensive farmland. There, he says, he put a lot of his mission theory into practice, developing the parish church and inviting people to events such as arts festivals, afternoon teas, barn dances and local history exhibitions, alongside providing regular opportunities for finding out more about Jesus and the Christian faith. The subsequent call to our diocese will undoubtedly make full use of Richard’s extensive experience, and a major aspect of his role over the next few years will be supporting the developing learning communities. As Richard himself concludes, “I see these communities as offering significant opportunities for mutual support and encouragement, and I will gladly visit churches and parishes to preach and to spend time in exploring mission, in all its variety, together.”

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The Developing Discipleship Programme (DDP) Bishops celebrate DDP work across the diocese The message and tone for this latest update from the Developing Discipleship Programme (DDP) is one of celebration. Across different contexts we hear of the progress that has been made to date, causes for celebration and plans for the next five years... Beginning the DDP can feel risky; a big step into the unknown. Celebrating this courage is vital in building confident disciples, and congregations are celebrating across the diocese. Here are three stories from three different contexts – rural, urban and market town – all celebrating with our bishops their faith, their plans for the future and God’s promised friendship on the journey. The whole of Bolingbroke deanery has now begun the DDP process; the first deanery to do so. As a result, and across the deanery there are three vision statements. Mardon Hill, Partney and Spilsby clusters In five years’ time we aim to have more visible links between people of faith and our local communities by working together in a ministry of encouragement across boundaries. South Ormsby In five years’ time we aim to be a healthy, vibrant, caring and sustainable group of parishes involved in the lives of each of our communities. Stickney cluster In five years’ time we will have a more recognisable role in our communities in order that:

• more people will be involved in church life • there will be an increased unity and cohesion across community groups • our communities will experience transformation. One of the aims of the Rural Dean, Canon Peter Coates, is to build on this work to develop a shared deanery vision. The similarities between the visions show that this work is not only possible but can further unify and inspire the churches in a common purpose. News from All Saints, Holbeach – the Revd Rosamund Seal The PCC of All Saints Holbeach approved their DDP growth plan in May 2016 following three sessions with the DDP team. After thought, prayer and discussion we came up with a vision statement. The vision is for five years – which happens to be when I plan to retire – so the church we are working towards becoming will of course be the church that appoints a new incumbent: in five years’ time we aim to be an intergenerational church at the heart of our community, helping to promote a town in which everyone can flourish, and where people can discover the extravagant love of God. We developed our growth plan around the three aspects of this statement: • being intergenerational • promoting the flourishing of our town • helping people discover the love of God.

Some of the congregations celebrating with Bishop David at a special service of celebration that was held in July 2016.

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We discovered that many of the things we were thinking about for the future already fitted neatly into these three categories, and the DDP process has given added impetus to – and confidence in – the journey we were already on.

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Celebrating where we are One of the most important of these was the development of a Junior Choir. And so, after visits to both of the primary schools in the town we held our first session after the Easter holiday and 21 children aged 9–11 came along. For the rest of the summer term we gathered them in rotating groups for 15 minutes of learning to play the recorder, 15 minutes of basic music theory and 15 minutes of singing. The children then made their debut at our All-Age Worship service at the beginning of July, which was attended by Bishop Nicholas and helped us make the service not just a celebration of the choir, but also a celebration of this new phase in the life of our church. During the service the bishop also presented the children with their first certificates following their completion of a probationary period (pictured below).

Bishop Christopher blessed the plans developed at St Faith’s, Lincoln.

and giving thanks for what had been achieved so far, this allowed us to enter a new phase of prayerful consideration of what God was calling St Faith’s to be in the community.

There are several other key priorities in our growth plan, including other activities that contribute to the flourishing of the town. For example, a Community Larder foodbank and café has gone from strength to strength over the past three years and is most definitely a place where we hope people encounter the love of God in a very practical way (see pg. 4). It has also had a definite impact on the range of pastoral encounters we now have and a sometimes overwhelming opportunity to engage with people at points of crisis, some of whom have found their way into the church. St Faith’s Lincoln – the Revd Julie Wearing We have recently had a special occasion to celebrate our ‘Church Community Action Plan’. Our DDP work began a year ago, when I arrived at St Faith’s, in the West End of Lincoln, and was told about the DDP. It offered an opportunity for the church to work together to find God’s calling on the community and with me being a part of it, rather than leading it, which helped me in getting to know the congregation better. Starting off by celebrating

St Faith’s is a community church: built by the community for the community, so the plan has relationship at its heart based on welcome and hospitality. Three morning sessions – mission, values and vision – followed by lunch allowed us to understand the diversity of the parish and the people St Faith’s is called to serve. We believe that over the next five years God is calling St Faith’s to be a vibrant, welcoming presence, seeking justice and serving the community by offering friendship, hospitality and worship. We had a quiet/away day, with the morning seeped in prayer, and the afternoon to pull the plan together. Members of the DDP team walked encouragingly alongside us, gently and sensitively, encouraging us throughout our discernment, and then Bishop Christopher was with us for our celebration event, as we came together to celebrate God’s call on St Faith’s as a community. Whilst living a life of celebration as disciples of Jesus, it is important to take time to stop and reflect on the journey travelled, the fruits of that journey and the new beginning that it has offered us. Bishop Christopher blessed our plans, both affirming them and us by sending us out as part of the diocese’s mission to be called by God to faithful worship, confident discipleship and joyful service. For more details on the DDP, please contact the Revd Louise Vincer via email at ddp@lincoln.anglican.org See also http://www.lincoln.anglican.org/faith-discipleship/ discipleship/the-developing-discipleship-programme/

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CALENDAR NOVEMBER Thursday, 17th November (7.30pm). Acclaimed jazz vocalist and songwriter Zoë Gilby is joined by her exceptional trio for an evening of original songs and well-known covers, with interpretations ranging from Pink Floyd to Kate Bush, at St Martin’s Church, Welton le Wold (near Louth). Advance tickets (£8.50) available from p.reeks@btinternet.com or by calling 01507 606 202 (£9.50 on the door; accompanied children under-15 free). All profits are for the church. Supported by Lincolnshire Rural and Community Touring. For more please see www.zoegilby.co.uk or www.facebook.com/zoegilby.

The festival will include a display of how local residents, community groups and businesses ‘count the days through Advent until Christmas Day’. There will be displays of Advent calendars, Advent wreaths, Jesse Trees and more. Also on offer will be a toy and wrapping-paper collection for charity, refreshments and children’s activities, plus a service at 4pm on the Sunday. For more, please contact Debbie on 01400 282 7198 or the Revd Harriet Orridge via vicar. saxonwell@gmail.com

Contemplative Fire: an invitation At Advent we are looking to start a regular Contemplative Group based within the Contemplative Fire ethos that will meet regularly in the spiritual space of St Michael’s Church in Waddington. It is open to all people both near and far, of any tradition, and to those who are spiritually journeying outside conventional ‘church’.

Sunday, 27th November, Annual Community Service of Light at St Oswald’s, Crowle (4pm). All ages are most welcome.

Friday, 25th November, St Mary’s, Welton. The beginning of The Christmas Tree Spectacular weekend, with the Lindum Ladies Choir performing a medley of songs in the church (7.30pm). The church will be decorated with Christmas trees that have been decorated by various community organisations, and will be open for the whole weekend (Saturday from 10am–7pm and Sunday 10am–7.30pm). Tickets for the Choir are £8 and will be available on the night or by contacting Dell Atherton on 01673 860 582 or via e-mail t.planter288@btinternet.com

DECEMBER Friday, 2nd December (7.30pm), Boston Youth Jazz Orchestra (BYJO) to perform their annual concert in Fishtoft Church. Do come along and support this wonderful group of very talented young musicians and singers. Tickets (£8) available by calling 01205 612 656 (to include a glass of wine/juice and mince pie). Followed by a Christmas Fair (10am–3pm) on Saturday, 3rd December. To include lots of Christmas gifts, chocolate tombola, cake stall, homemade sweets, grand raffle and refreshments. All welcome.

Our initial meeting will take place at St Michael’s on Tuesday, 29th November at 7pm, and will be based around a Labyrinth walk and consider the season and journey of Advent.

Saturday, 26th–Sunday, 27th November (11am–4pm) Following the success of its Nativity Festival last year, St Peter’s Church, Foston, is to hold an Advent Festival.

Saturday, 3rd–Sunday, 4th and Saturday, 10th–Sunday, 11th December, Christmas Tree Festival at St Peter’s Church, Navenby (11am–4pm). All are welcome.

Lincoln Mystery Plays Trust plans commemoration of 1918 Armistice The Lincoln Mystery Plays Trust is working towards its next production of the Mystery Plays in 2020. In between times it is said that the Trust will be creating a unique, locally derived and written piece in celebration and commemoration of the centenary of the 1918 Armistice. Details are yet to be confirmed, but it is set to be performed at Lincoln Drill Hall during Remembrance Week, November 2018, building on the success and critical acclaim of the 2014 production of The Last

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Post, which followed the story of Lincoln’s Beechey family and their extraordinary contribution to the First World War. To get involved and follow progress, please contact the Lincoln Mystery Plays team via the website at www.lincolnmysteries.co.uk

If this is something you think you would be interested in joining, experiencing, taking part in, or just finding out more about then please contact Melanie Carroll by email (unicorntreebooks@aol.com) or via Facebook, or telephone the Revd Annabel Barber on 01522 721 306.

Saturday, 19th November (7.30pm), Handel’s Messiah, performed by the Lincoln Cathedral Choir, accompanied by the Lincolnshire Chamber Orchestra. For tickets see lincolncathedral.com, visit the Cathedral shop or call 01522 561 644.

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