CROSSLINCS News from around the Diocese of Lincoln www.lincoln.anglican.org
Dioceselincoln
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November/December 2019 – Free
Looking forward to Advent and Christmas The Church of England has announced that, following very positive feedback and also extensive engagement at a local level, #FollowTheStar will again provide the theme for its Christmas ‘campaign’ in 2019 and 2020. In making this announcement, the Church of England has produced a helpful checklist of things that churches might do to prepare for Advent and Christmas this year.
One of the key messages being shared is the value of the free listings that are provided for each parish church via A Church Near You (see www.achurchnearyou.com). As the Church of England states, ‘A Church Near You receives more than 38.5 million page-views each year, and 81 per cent of people who visit the site are first-time visitors’, meaning that there is a great opportunity to use the site so as to encourage local church attendance. (Continued overleaf...)
INSIDE...
INSIDE...
Social action in the community
Marking past, present and future
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Crosslincs is produced by the Diocese of Lincoln
The submission deadline for the next issue is 25th November 2019 Editor E: crosslincs@lincoln.anglican.org
Communications Officer The Revd Adrian Smith T: 01522 50 40 37 M: 07885 99 99 07 E: adrian.smith@lincoln.anglican.org Communications Assistant Louise Brown T: 01522 50 40 64 E: louise.brown@lincoln.anglican.org Diocesan Offices Edward King House, Minster Yard, Lincoln LN2 1PU T: 01522 50 40 50 E: enquiries@lincoln.anglican.org www.lincoln.anglican.org www.facebook.com/Dioceselincoln www.twitter.com/CofELincoln Instagram: diocese_of_lincoln The Bishop of Grimsby Acting Bishop of Lincoln The Right Reverend Dr David Court T: 01522 50 40 90 E: bishop.grimsby@lincoln.anglican.org The Bishop of Grantham The Right Reverend Dr Nicholas Chamberlain T: 01522 50 40 90 E: bishop.grantham@lincoln.anglican.org Diocesan Secretary The Revd David Dadswell T: 01522 50 40 32 E: david.dadswell@lincoln.anglican.org PA to the Diocesan Secretary Kay Clayton T: 01522 50 40 32 E: kay.clayton@lincoln.anglican.org The Archdeacon of Stow and Lindsey The Venerable Mark Steadman T: 01522 50 40 39 E: archdeacon.stow@lincoln.anglican.org The Archdeacon of Boston The Venerable Dr Justine Allain Chapman T: 01522 50 40 39 E: archdeacon.boston@lincoln.anglican.org The Archdeacon of Lincoln The Venerable Gavin Kirk T: 01522 50 40 39 E: archdeacon.lincoln@lincoln.anglican.org W W W.LINCOLN. ANGLIC AN.ORG
Looking forward to Advent and Christmas (continued) The Church of England reports that there are now more than 16,300 church editors on A Church Near You, and all parishes across the country are being encouraged to ensure that their listings are up to date and include details of Christmas services. (Further information is available at www.achurcnhearyou.com or by contacting the diocesan Communications team – see contact details, left.) A further element of #FollowTheStar this year will include a #FollowTheStar: 12 Days of Christmas Wonder booklet (available to buy in packs of 10). Written by the Revd Mina Munns, its content is designed for use from Christmas Day onwards and will offer readers an opportunity to ‘experience the wonder and excitement of the Wise Men’s journey as they travel towards Jesus’. An accompanying leaflet and app are also available. Churches might wish to use the leaflet to encourage people to engage with daily Christian reflections over the Christmas period. It contains a short challenge for each day, plus QR codes linking to the reflections on the #FollowTheStar app. (The reflections will also be available as daily emails, and there will be family craft activities linked to each day’s theme.) The Church of England has partnered with CPO on a range of stationery and publicity resources that can be bought online from www.churchprinthub.org (search for Follow The Star), and free digital resources are online at www.churchofengland.org/christmas In addition, this year there will be a brand-new video tool that will allow churches to produce customisable videos to share at church and on their social media, with the aim of encouraging people to attend local services and events, plus there will be a range of new video adverts for use throughout December. Finally, if churches are able to display a star on their building, they are invited to ‘tag’ this on A Church Near You and share a photo of it on social media using #FollowTheStar. At a diocesan level, we would be very pleased to hear of how churches might be planning to share in this year’s #FollowTheStar ‘campaign’. Our contact details are at the top of the page.
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Hospitality and welcome Lincolnshire Wolds and Coast Churches Festival is a success! The Revd Canon Charles Patrick, Rector of St Mary’s Church in Horncastle, reflects on the success of the first Lincolnshire Wolds and Coast Churches Festival... Held this year over two weekends in late August and early September, one of the many visitors to the first Lincolnshire Wolds and Coast Churches Festival commented that “This weekend is a good thing to happen; churches are open and welcoming….” Months of planning had gone into making this event such a success. For two years we had held a smaller festival in the Horncastle Deanery, but the aim was always to widen the boundary and invite other deaneries from East Lindsey to participate. We had built a good relationship with the National Churches Trust through our ‘Great Interpretations’ project, and when they offered to work alongside the churches to develop the festival we felt very blessed. We secured funding and are extremely grateful for the generous donations of National Lottery players, as well as Lincolnshire County Council, East Lindsey District Council and Lincolnshire Coastal BID. Invitations were sent out in April of this year to 200 churches and chapels. Our aim was for 100 churches and so we were overjoyed when 140 churches responded – this was proof that this festival was needed in this rural part of Lincolnshire. We held a conference at St James’ Church in Louth, offering an opportunity for delegates to collect packs full with brochures, flyers and posters, and activity bags and ‘Mini Church Spotter’ books for children were also distributed. We were quietly confident that we were ready.
We were privileged to have Lord Cormack officially open the festival at St Mary’s Church in Horncastle – his instructive talk about the importance of churches as repositories of our local history sent us on our way. It was clear that something big was happening – there were purple and white banners in nearly every village we passed through, and Old Bolingbroke was buzzing. A newly formed ‘friends’ group have really taken the welfare of the church to their hearts, offering a video, exhibition, bellringing and, of course, cake. They were bringing joy and life to the church and sharing it with others. For me, the coastal churches were particularly special. The warden at Sutton on Sea told me of their delight that some villagers had popped into the church upon seeing the ‘open’ sign. Having believed it was locked and never used, they were stunned to realise that it was a living church. They were so taken with the warm greeting that they returned for the Sunday service and again the following week. In all, we visited 10 churches, and although each one was different, they all shared the same warm welcome and the desire to greet every visitor and share the stories of their church. At the end of the day we visited Hogsthorpe St Mary, which was full of happy parishioners relaxing in the glow of the weekend, with lots of experiences to share. The warden at St Jude, New Leake summed it up beautifully when he said: “We had 37 visitors. That is 37 more than we normally get; it was lovely to share our church with them.” Our prayers were answered – feedback indicates that the festival attracted over 9000 visits, and over 800 faithful stewards were involved. There is so much to celebrate, and so much to take forward into 2020 and beyond. We give thanks for the many blessings that were evident over those first two weekends in September. For more, please see www.lincswoldsandcoastchurches.org DIOCESELINCOLN
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A parish pilgrimage Sharing in ecumenical links The Revd Philip Johnson, Vicar of Sleaford, reports on a parish pilgrimage to Brugge and the further strengthening of an ecumenical link and friendship... In the summer a small group from St Denys’ Church in Sleaford made the now bi-annual pilgrimage to Brugge (Bruges). We emerged from our air-conditioned minibus to feel the city heat, with the thermometer hitting 43 degrees Celsius. Fortunately, our hosts had laid on cooling refreshments (including chilled Belgium beer) for our comfort after the long journey. The welcome was as warm as the weather. It was as though we had travelled from home to home. More than 10 years ago a link was established between St Denys’ Church and the Parish of Sint Kruis (Holy Cross) in Brugge as part of an ecumenical link scheme involving our diocese, the Catholic Diocese of Nottingham and the Catholic Diocese of Brugge. Since that link was established, a group from St Denys’ Church has travelled to Brugge every other year, and in the intervening years we have been visited by a group from Sint Kruis. Great friendships have been forged over the years. The priests in both churches have changed – Sint Kruis has recently welcomed the third new parish priest since the link began – but the bond of friendship linking the two churches has continued to develop and be strengthened.
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On this occasion our hosts had laid on a programme of visits for us, which included a trip to an art gallery, a Roman museum and the gardens of the old Bishop’s Palace (in the case of the latter the hot weather had turned to warm rain – we got soaked!). But it was the opportunities to share food, fellowship, conversation and worship that made the visit so special. Originally the plan had been that I would stay with the new parish priest, Fr Hugo. Unfortunately this was not possible as he was in a convalescence home, out of the city and close to the sea, following surgery. I did, however, have the opportunity to visit Fr Hugo in the convalescence home and to make his acquaintance; the conversation flowed easily and I have no doubt that the link will continue to flourish. As a result of the change of plan, I stayed with Wilfried, a permanent deacon, who is doing most of the parish work while Fr Hugo is out of action. We talked late into the night about the joys and challenges of parish ministry in our different contexts. Some issues are different but the similarities are huge. One big difference is that in Belgium the maintenance of church buildings is funded by the government, which sounds wonderful when I consider how much my parish has to raise to keep our building in good repair. As a result of our conversations, however, I began to realise that there are pros and cons to the maintenance being out of the church’s control.
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Exploring and learning together
The beautiful Parish Church of Sint Kruis (Holy Cross) in Brugge.
Although we have visited Brugge many times, this year was different. After Fr Jeff retired, Sint Kruis was told that it could not have its own priest. This means that it now shares a priest with the neighbouring parish of Sint Thomas. Many of the priests are aging and there are few ordinations (especially of younger priests), and ministry is often dependent upon the services of retired priests. Congregations rarely have many younger people. It seems that city life has increasingly turned its back on the Church. The challenges that our brothers and sisters in Brugge face are not too dissimilar from our own challenges.
It is a great privilege to be part of this ecumenical link. We have learned so much from our friends: this has helped us to think about how we do mission and ministry in Sleaford, but the link also serves as a constant reminder that we are part of the worldwide church of Christ. If parishes are interested in exploring a possible link with a church in Brugge, please contact the Revd Charles Patrick on 01507 52 79 05 or vial email at pcp941@yahoo.co.uk Please also see overleaf for an article from the Revd Kathy Colwell that looks at encouraging ecumenism. DIOCESELINCOLN
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Serving together Ecumenism just got easier... The Revd Kathy Colwell, our Ecumenical Adviser, looks into a new Code of Practice relating to ecumenism... From February of this year the Church of England has been encouraging ecumenism under a new Code of Practice. In the past our relations with other churches have been governed by the Ecumenical Canons B43 and B44 and something called The Church of England (Ecumenical Relations) Measure 1988, which was amended in 2018. Now Canon B44 has disappeared, having been incorporated into Canon B43, and the new Code of Practice on Co-operation by the Church of England with Other Churches has been launched. What does it mean for our churches? Basically it is a rethink of Local Ecumenical Partnerships (LEPs). It is not an attack on those churches that are already Single Congregation LEPs, and they do not have to be dismantled! But it is a recognition that ecumenism may happen in creative ways not necessarily covered by the old LEP categories (there were six of them, from joint congregations sharing one building to chaplaincies). The document A Flexible Framework for Local Unity in Mission sets out three models for future ecumenical working: Local Ecumenical Co-operative Schemes (LECS).
These are ecumenical schemes that significantly affect the deployment of ministry in a parish. Governance is exercised by the partner churches together, who make up a body that needs to register with the Charity Commissioners or appoint trustees to oversee its work. A building Sharing Agreement may also be necessary. Examples include traditional LEP congregations, an ecumenical chaplaincy, a Christian counselling service or a jointly run cafe or bookshop. In some cases the need for a constitution may be clear, whereas in others advice will need to be sought about whether a Partnership Agreement is sufficient.
Type A: Working Agreements – These are joint initiatives on a small scale in a parish or community that don’t require changes in overall patterns of ministry. Examples would be one-off events, such as a Passion Play, or longterm tasks, such as the joint running of a foodbank, community lunch, or similar responses to need in a particular place. Often the only requirement for these is the approval of the incumbent and the Parochial Church Council. Anything more complex will still require the bishop’s permission.
Who can we work with? Pretty much any church in mission or community initiatives. When it comes to worship with the Church of England, there are some restrictions. • With the historic denominations – Methodist, Baptist, Catholics, etc – there are already rules about who can do what and where. Please ask if you need help with these. Canon B43 covers this. • The Salvation Army – although not a sacramental tradition, there is a list of ways in which they may share in worship in the Church of England (please ask). • Many of the new or emerging churches (nondesignated or non-baptised) may share in the reading of the scriptures in worship and the leading of prayers.
Type B: Partnership Agreements – These ecumenical agreements refer to schemes that involve the whole or part of a parish and may affect the overall deployment of ministry. Governance is via denominational authorities or their representatives in partnership. If buildings are shared they will need a legal Sharing Agreement in place too. Examples might include churches running a local night shelter or some other action for social transformation.
What about sharing our buildings? Your church can do this, inviting other churches to share your building and your worship for ‘one-off’ occasions and also on a regular basis. There are, however, some simple rules to follow with regard to proper permissions: most require the bishop’s permission, and so please ensure that you check before you go ahead. Doing it properly helps to avoid problems further down the line!
Type C: Constitutional Agreements – This scheme is more like the traditional LEPs that we are used to.
For more details, please contact Kathy on 01652 64 05 52 or via email at katherinecolwell57@outlook.com
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Loving and serving others Social action in the community Crosslincs drops in on St George’s Church in Crosby, Scunthorpe, and hears of its work in the community... Ever since its inception in the 1920s, St George’s Church in Crosby has been faithfully serving the local community with its outward looking, forward-thinking approach that is still at its heart today. The church is situated in a deprived, multi-cultural area with around 40 different nationalities represented, many of whom do not follow the Christian faith or identify as Anglican. Regardless of this, the church wanted to ensure that it could still serve the community. Patrick Hall, Vice Chair of Crosby Parochial Church Council (PCC), told us: “We have a very strong sense of community here at St George’s and that has been present throughout the history of the church. Even though most of us don’t live in the parish, we come here to worship because of the great team spirit and the sense of unity in our wish to live out the gospel in all that we say and do. There are many people around here who need help, and we work closely with other churches and community organisations to try and make their lives a little easier.” Adjoining the church is the Crosby One Community Centre, a separate entity, which houses a range of offices and function rooms that offer a space for other organisations that help people with a range of services. The church is large, easily seating around 150–200 in the nave. Around 12 years ago the PCC started to look at how they could better utilise the space as Crosby One was full. They asked locals what they would like, and from there decided on a plan to move the worship space into the chancel and so open up the nave for community use, complementing Crosby One. Now, instead of pews there are tables and chairs and a new kitchen. The new area allows for a space to have meetings with people who come to use the food and clothing bank on a Wednesday.
The Foodbank staff (from left to right): Eva Young, Sue Barnard, Connie James, Janet Barker, Barclay Brader, Janice Tong and Mary Markham.
This has been running for two years and is a joint enterprise between St George’s and Scunthorpe Baptist Church. They see as many as 20 families a week, who are referred from many different organisations, including schools, social services and rehabilitation centres. People come with a docket and in return are given a bag of food that is designed to last three days (pictured below, left). “Some people live in very desperate circumstances,” said Janice Tong, Churchwarden at St George’s, “and sometimes we have to adapt the bags as some only have a kettle or are cooking on a campfire. Most of the people who come to us either don’t have enough money to feed themselves or they are experiencing delays with benefits. When people come here on a Wednesday we make sure we offer a friendly face and get them a cup of tea, and we sit and have some face-to-face time with them so see where they are at. Many are embarrassed to be there but for others it is perhaps the only time during the day when they can feel valued as a human being, even if it’s only for a minute.” In addition to the foodbank partnership with Scunthorpe Baptist Church, volunteers from St George’s help them with their Core Youth and Core Kids as well as the Friday Family Nights, which are proving to be very successful and a much-needed resource in the area. Eva Young, PCC Lay Chair, summed up the culture at St George’s, saying: “It’s very much a case that we are all in it together in Crosby. Things that need to get done, get done, as people stand up and just do it. We are all individuals with a common humanity, with both a collective and big purpose to live our lives as Christians doing God’s work.” The church is collecting for its ‘Christmas Extravaganza’ on 23rd December, when 40 families will be given food, presents and games so that they can celebrate Christmas. Items required are listed at www.crosby-saintgeorge.uk DIOCESELINCOLN
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Lincoln Cathedral Discovering the sacred in a space of wonder Rachel Revely, Assistant Curate at Lincoln Cathedral, reflects on Sacred Space, an opportunity to take time out and experience the cathedral in a different way... Every service in Lincoln Cathedral feels different in its own way; from the simple, clear light and tranquillity during Morning Prayer or the rich, visceral, spiritual soundscape created at Evensong to the bustle and joy of the Sung Eucharist. However, there is nothing quite like Sacred Space. In walking around the cathedral over the past year, I have found there has been an overwhelming sense of God’s words to Moses, as found in the Book of Exodus: “...the place on which you are standing is holy ground” (NRSV). The sacred is infused into the cathedral’s awe-inspiring vaults, carvings and windows, which all witness to God’s glory and saving love. Inspired by the cathedral’s own witness, our monthly service, Sacred Space, is an opportunity to experience the cathedral in a different way, with time to explore, wonder, discover, search and listen to what God has to say to us, using all of our senses. Sacred Space uses the whole of the cathedral, from the nave to the Chapter House. The evening allows you to ‘plan your own adventure’, as everyone is given free time to explore and use the space as they wish. A different theme is chosen each month and various ‘stations’ are arranged
around the cathedral, elaborating on the chosen theme. Areas are provided for creative exploration, quiet prayer and Bible study. There is a labyrinth to walk and the side chapels are free for private prayer. Gentle music, sometimes performed live, adds to the atmosphere. Sacred Space is firmly rooted in the Christian tradition of meditation and contemplative worship. The time provides a space in which people can engage with the Holy Spirit through scripture, music, art and prayer. Over the course of 90 minutes, an atmosphere is created in which every person can explore their faith, continue their spiritual journey and talk to God in their own words. A regular at Sacred Space has described it as ‘a mini retreat nestled into a Sunday evening, which provides an oasis of calm in our frenetic world’. Sacred Space takes place on the third Sunday of the month, and the next gathering will be on 24th November 2019 at 7pm (doors open at 6.45pm). More details are at lincolncathedral.com/worship-music/sacredspace/
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Sharing global concerns Climate change, Polynesia and the part we have to play! Lynsey Norris, our Education Development Officer, reports on a chance for some of our young people to hear more about the global impact of climate change... As part of the Moana – Water of Life conference our visitors from the Diocese of Polynesia visited some of our secondary schools. We had a great time with Year 9 students from William Lovell Church of England Academy and William Farr (C of E) Comprehensive School, learning about how climate change affects Polynesia, and so opening the eyes of students to a global perspective on the subject! The students were presented with a challenge: what could they do to make a difference? They devised creative ways in which they could have an impact as individuals, in their school, nationally and globally. We had amazing future inventors talking about solar-panelled cars, others committed to reduce their waste, and we talked about how school councils might help their schools to consider energy and sustainability. In addition, a group of Year 9 students from William Farr wrote this poem:
Try and walk to school And it will make the planet cool Don’t kill bees And plant lots of trees
Banning plastic straws It was a good idea Now we need to get more plastic Out of here
Cars, buses, trains and boats It would be more sustainable to ride on goats Electric vehicles would be best unless You want the planet to go into cardiac arrest
As humans we are lazy It’s driving creatures crazy Take your rubbish off the beach Keep it out of turtles’ reach
Animals are dying Humans are lying What should we do That’s up to you What is the solution To stop pollution Start with something small And change it all.
We could get our power from wind turbines Instead of using coal from out of mines We have solar panels to produce our power That produce electricity hour on hour If we recycle We will help the life cycle Making the world better for the next generation Helping God’s wonderful creation We can help by raising money for charity Buying supplies like candles to bring clarity Helping those in need And using the money to feed
At car boot sales you can get rid of your old things Put your old clothes in a recycling bin Nothing goes to waste in a charity shop Help out charities and get a new top
In the afternoon we held a service, led by the Bishop’s Chaplain. We looked at what the Bible says about the environment and the role we can play as Christians, and there was some cultural song and dance from our visitors (pictured). It was a time that left a lasting impression. As a Board of Education we are looking at how we can sustain our links with Polynesia and expand them to reach many schools. We are also looking at how we can become more sustainable, and how we can support schools in this. DIOCESELINCOLN
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Announcements The Revd Priscilla Smith has been appointed House for Duty: Priest in Charge of The Asterby Group. The Revd Rhona Knight has resigned her licence as Assistant Curate of St Denys, Sleaford, with effect from 30th September 2019. The Revd Peter Green has been appointed Vicar of the benefice of The Abbey Group of Parishes.
The Revd John Underhill has been appointed Rector of the benefice of Skirbeck St Nicholas. The Revd Mark Zammit has been appointed Vicar of the benefice of Haxey and Owston Ferry. Please join us in praying for all of these people. Details of current vacancies in the diocese are available at www.lincoln.anglican.org/vacancies
PRIZE CROSSWORD
Set by Ariq
Solution to the crossword in the last issue. Winner: Margaret Gosling, Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
To enter the Prize Crossword: Please send completed entries to Prize Crossword, Crosslincs, Communications Office, Edward King House, Minster Yard, Lincoln LN2 1PU. Closing date: 25th November 2019. A photocopy of the completed crossword is acceptable. The editor’s decision is final, and the prize will be a faith-related book.
Across 3 G G K O. (8) 7 Before my time had started. Yes, arranged sale goods. (5,3) 9 Stripped paper. (8) 10 Catching one’s breath? A minor problem. (8) 12 Unconcealed cover; takes away bars. (5) 13 Tasty solution to beard link. (9) 17 Wrong organisation loses nothing now for reflective music. (3,2,1,1,6) 20 Every other one is a different possibility. (9)
24 Brownie leader turns any weight briefly. (5) 25 Dim thing mis-spelled at witching hour. (8) 27 Naval pair do small amount of water. (8) 28 Capital citizen. (8) 29 ‘Hear Biblical member is unhappy,’ you observe. (8)
Down 1 Lot of wind about? No, no not phony. (7) 2 Prohibition scrambles about, uncentred. (4) 3 Proper shocker turned out less about food. (6) 4 Rattan-mixed cloth. (6) 5 You’ll get a stony look from her. (6) 6 The ultimate consumer. (3,4) 8 Ancient searcher after gold. (9) 11 Indecisive? Do out or in? The former. (7) 13 Very much an act – or several of them. (5)
14 A question of giving out progeny. (5) 15 Nail protein rank. Tie about in strands. (7) 16 Popular music players on a cart. (9) 18 A loud cry moved picture takers. (7) 19 Why my tyres failed is a puzzle. (7) 21 A just reward is gained. (6) 22 Vitamin, ‘citrin’, breaks down to acid. (6) 23 Bar to entry for 28’s city. (6) 26 Raw about sandy spot. (4)
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Stories of faith Seeing God in moments between animals and people Fiona Lightfoot, Churchwarden at St Andrew’s Church in Helpringham, shares how God influences her in her daily living and in her work in serving other people... In addition to being a churchwarden, Fiona Lightfoot is a Special Olympic Coach and a Qualified Riding for the Disabled Instructor. In sharing her outlook on life, Fiona says, “As a Christian, I believe we should give, rather than take,” and, in a spirit of giving, Fiona has set up a community café in the church, which opens on a Wednesday morning. The café offers an opportunity for people to come together and chat and make new friends, and the local village school is helping out so that the old and the young can get to know one another. When not doing all of the above, Fiona and her husband, Martin, have a smallholding, and so there are many animals to look after. Animals are a big part of her life and she believes that they should come first in terms of care and feeding. “Looking after animals teaches responsibility, love and commitment,” says Fiona. “You can’t dip in and out of caring for animals, it’s a 24/7 commitment.” Prior to becoming a Riding for the Disabled Instructor, Fiona had a very successful career in law. She left this career in 1992 after a remarkable experience during the previous year involving her pony, Scooby, and a 13-year-old profoundly autistic boy. He had never spoken a word to anyone and was classified as ‘mute’. Seeing the effect of their interaction changed her priorities. The boy had come with his mum to see the horses, and on the first visit he pressed his face up against the pony’s face, looked him in the eye, stroked his soft muzzle and then left. He came a couple more times and did the same thing. Through sign language the boy communicated that he loved his time with the horses. One day, Fiona asked him if he would like to sit on the pony, and he nodded. This was the first time that he had ever responded to a question. The boy sat on the pony and then he got off. Over a few weeks they moved on and progressed to walking. One day, the pony stopped and, without really thinking, Fiona told the boy to tell the pony to “walk on”, meaning to give a gentle ‘kick’, just as she had shown him. He didn’t
Fiona shares her work with Triunfador – ‘the kindest boy ever’.
do that. He said “walk on”, and not once but several times. The boy had found his voice and his first words were to an animal. Fiona and his mum were in floods of tears. His speech has since improved and he can now hold a conversation – but only while talking to the horses. His speech with humans is still limited. This is one of many remarkable moments that Fiona has had since becoming an instructor. She has a deaf and blind rider who showjumps by way of total trust between horse, rider and coach, and other visually impaired riders navigate a course around the manège to the sound of a bell so that they can get their bearings. In reflecting on this work, Fiona says: “When I struggle to find a solution to a particular problem, I pray, and I find those answers come to me. Jesus made a difference to so many people, and animals can make a difference too. They don’t judge and they see us all as equals. If everyone in the world was the same, it might be a better place. “It is an enormous privilege to be able to give someone disabled the tools to go and do something amazing. That is all I can do. I can only equip them with the information they need and find ways of making it happen, but they are the ones who throw their disability aside. They borrow the freedom the horse gives them, and they do it. If that’s not a miracle then I don’t know what is.” Does Fiona see God in these moments? “Yes, absolutely,” she says. “God has given me the ability to try and make a tiny difference to these people. If I can give someone confined to a wheelchair, or someone with severe learning disabilities, half an hour of sheer pleasure and enjoyment, what can be better than that?” DIOCESELINCOLN
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Celebrating community Marking past, present and future The Revd Sue Deacon describes plans for a beautiful tribute that is intended to mark a 100-year relationship between the village church and RAF Scampton... A project is underway to install a stunning stained-glass window at St John the Baptist Church in Scampton, which is part of the Springline Parish, near Lincoln. The aim of the project is to mark the 100-year relationship between Royal Air Force Scampton and the village church, and to serve as a lasting memory to all who have served at the base during peacetime and times of conflict. The proposed window, which is crowned by a dove carrying an olive branch, has been designed by Claire Williamson, a specialist in traditional and modern stained glasswork, and follows consultation with RAF Scampton and the local community. The design is contemporary, with the RAF Scampton badge forming a central part of the concept, together with the winged RAF badge, depicted proudly on the 107 Commonwealth War Graves in the churchyard. The design also includes a representation of an Avro Lancaster, an Avro Vulcan and the RAF Aerobatic Team (Red Arrows) Hawk Jets in a diamond-nine formation, which are all depicted flying over the runway at RAF Scampton. In addition, there will be an inscription on the window as chosen by the current Station Commander, Wing Commander James Parker. The project will also include an associated arts project involving glazed tiles and Scampton’s two local primary schools. The children will learn tile-making skills and also the history of the airbase and something of the sacrifice offered by others on their behalf. Filming for the crowd-
funding videos has been courtesy of The Lincoln School of Film and Media at the University of Lincoln, and the films feature Wing Commander Parker, Wing Commander Andrew Keith (Officer Commanding, Red Arrows), Squadron Leader George ‘Johnny’ Johnson, MBE, DFM and Wing Commander Bill Ramsey (who has served as Wing Commander of the Red Arrows, as a pilot for the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster and as a Vulcan pilot). In speaking about this project, Bishop David has said, “As one walks towards Scampton Church and sees the graves from World War Two there is an awareness of the strong relationship between the church and RAF Scampton that has existed in times of war and in times of peace. Each of those graves has a story, and inside Scampton Church there are more stories in the RAF Chapel. I am excited that a stained-glass window is going to mark 100 years of relationship between RAF Scampton and Scampton Church. This will be a way to remember all who have served in squadrons at the base. I wish the project well, as through beauty there will be a way to remember the bonds between RAF Scampton and the church. It will also be a reminder of the peace that Christ, the Prince of Peace, calls each of us to live out every day.” See www.scamptonchurch.org/raf-stained-glass-window and also www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/rafwindow Cheques made payable to ‘St John the Baptist Church Scampton’ and endorsed on the back with ‘RAF Commemorative Window’ may be sent to the Revd Sue Deacon, Parsonage Lodge, High Street, Scampton, Lincoln LN1 2SE.
W W W.LINCOLN. ANGLIC AN.ORG
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Sharing stories Bringing heritage to life in Halton Holegate Crosslincs hears of exciting plans for a heritage project in Halton Holegate that will help the community to tell local stories and share their passion for St Andrew’s Church... St Andrew’s Church at Halton Holegate has received a grant of £153,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for an exciting heritage project, repairs and heritage community projects. Made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, the project focuses on repairs to the roofs of the building and community projects to research aspects of church history, which will result in interpretative media. A start date of March 2020 is now eagerly anticipated. Supported through the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project will allow volunteers to access training, educational courses and workshops, and to learn new skills along the way. Working as part of a team, they will research, document and record many aspects of the historic church building, both architecturally and its human side. Oral histories from people in the parish will be documented, and the names of soldiers on the war memorial will be ‘brought to life’ via their own personal stories and also the memories of relatives still living in the parish. In conjunction with local schoolchildren, they will compile a ‘Young Person’s Guide to the Church’. A village scrapbook, documenting events over the past 100+ years, has become very fragile, and so in order to preserve this historical record it will be photographed and digitally preserved. The results of this research will be recorded onto permanent interpretive boards
St Andrew’s Church in Halton Holegate.
in church, a new guidebook will be published, and a dedicated church website will be created, meaning all of the research will be available online. In addition, the visible profile and access to the church will be improved through new road signage, lighting and a noticeboard. Built in the late 1300s, this medieval church building has served the small rural community for centuries and continues to be there for worship, quiet reflection and enjoyment. Speaking on behalf of the Parochial Church Council, Christine King, Churchwarden, said: “We are thrilled to have received this support thanks to National Lottery players, and are confident the project will not only help us to preserve the fabric of this historic building for many years to come, but will provide opportunities for people to learn new skills, work as part of a team, and, through the various interpretive media, enable visitors to better understand and appreciate our history, the life of our church, and our passion for its continued presence.”
Keeping in touch via the diocesan e-bulletin...
Sharing in prayer with others around the diocese
Readers of Crosslincs might be interested to learn that the diocesan Communications Office produces a regular electronic newsletter, or e-bulletin, that contains a digest of news and events in the diocese and further afield.
The monthly diocesan prayer diary is published as a downloadable document on the diocesan website at www.lincoln.anglican.org/sharing-in-prayer
A sign-up facility is available on the homepage of the diocesan website (www.lincoln.anglican.org) or please email communications@lincoln.anglican.org or call 01522 50 40 64/01522 50 40 37 for assistance and more details.
We are aware that not everybody has online access to the diary, and so printed copies of each edition of the diary may be obtained by calling John Leach on 01522 50 40 49 (john.leach@lincoln.anglican.org). Please join us in praying for the life of our diocese. DIOCESELINCOLN
@COFELINCOLN
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This Time on Monday ‘You have to focus on the heart’ Sarah Spencer, Discipleship in the World Officer, meets with Dr Jo Lusi, an orthopaedic doctor from DR Congo with a radical passion for people, justice and wholeness… Sarah: Dr Jo, welcome! Please tell us a bit about yourself. Dr Jo: I come from the Democratic Republic of Congo. When I was at university, I met a Christian British girl called Lyn, who become my wife. We worked together for many years. When she died, the pastor said ‘Lyn means love your neighbour’. She has been an example to our country, showing that even when you are 19 years old you can do something extraordinary. She wrote in my Bible, ‘No-one is fit to live, until they have found what it is that is worth dying for’. Sarah: What is the nature of your work? Dr Jo: We work on the rights of the woman in the Congolese constitution, saying that women are not less than men. Before, if a man raped a woman the charge was to pay a chicken to the family – but Lyn said ‘No’; a woman is not equal to a chicken! We found 200 raped women in our villages, but this was not talked about as they were afraid they would be rejected by their families and husbands. Often we found women with wounded organs. So we paid for people to go to Ethiopia to train how to repair women; we paid for Denis Mukwege to train as a gynaecological surgeon. He won the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize for his campaign to recognise rape as a weapon of war. Rape now carries a punishment of 15 years in prison. Yet rape still goes on, so we still have a lot to do. Sarah: What brings you to Lincoln? Dr Jo: The people of Lincolnshire have really encouraged us financially with this work, especially John Rose. When you supply things to HEAL Africa, you sometimes find you have to do it again! The first time John got a delivery of medical equipment through, Goma had just been covered in volcanic debris and the hospital destroyed. So we had to start over. Sarah: Could you tell us more about HEAL Africa? Dr Jo: Heal Africa is in Goma, near Uganda and Rwanda, and we stand for the rights of women. Women were abandoned, left behind, so we imitated the example of William Wilberforce. He impressed on the world how to fight slavery. Goma is near the area of Kivu, with the biggest slave trade in Africa. We found women still entrapped and treated as slaves. So HEAL stands for Health, Education, Action in Community and Leadership. W W W.LINCOLN. ANGLIC AN.ORG
Sarah: How has the work developed recently? Dr Jo: God is really using HEAL Africa to help people in Congo. We have an Ebola centre, where we treat people. It is critical to contain the disease. Sarah: How do you prevent Ebola? Dr Jo: Easy – you wash your hands with chlorinated water! We have to get this message out to over 120 million people. Sarah: How does your faith inspire your work? Dr Jo: At HEAL Africa we practice a holistic approach to medicine, so we heal the person, the family, the community, the street, the town, the district and the province. We believe this is how we will heal our country and our African continent. If you focus on a human’s flesh, we only focus on 10% of the problem. You have to focus on the heart, so as to heal a whole person. Our model is Jesus. I always pray with people before I operate on them. The French Parliament voted to call me ‘Chevalier’, thanks to the work of my wife, Lyn, who gave her life for my country. A Chevalier is a knight, someone who is ready to die for a wife he loves. Jesus died for a wife he loves – the Church; he is the super Chevalier. What will you be doing on Monday? Every Monday, with staff and everyone in the 400 beds in our hospital, we join hands, and together we pray and then we sing a song, which means: God give me an hour with you So that I face you and come close to you So that I can hear your beautiful word again Because that word will help me to fight all temptations.
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Exploring faith and scripture Sarah: How do fistulas affect a woman’s life? Dr Jo: We have a young population and when they are pregnant there are no facilities. In a village the care for childbirth comes from older women, who say ‘Push, push, push!’ Pushing too much can damage the wall between the birth passage and the bladder or rectum, and this causes ruptures or fistulas. If it doesn’t heal properly, urine or faeces escapes down and a woman has to live with this all the time. With a trained surgeon, it can heal properly. If fixed incorrectly there will be further problems. Fistulas can also be caused by very violent rape, which is something that happens in Congo. In every village, people hide their women with fistulas, so we need chaplains who can help get the medical treatment needed and build a new life for the woman and for their family. Chaplains help the women through the judicial process to put men in prison. They can also teach how to forgive. When Jesus enters a person’s heart, they learn about forgiveness. We also understand the importance of working with men, helping them to understand their wife’s condition. We call it ‘positive masculinity’; we applaud when a husband and wife can be returned to each other. This is a holistic approach to women’s wellbeing.
“Please pray for me to find a way to train more chaplains...” Sarah: What do you see as HEAL Africa’s opportunities? Dr Jo: First, training women in chaplaincy, so that where people are dying, they are not looking for revenge. Chaplaincy is essential to this. Also, I want to see the young girls to be doctors; they have been released from their slavery so they have the opportunity to become educated and become doctors. Women are now training to do the detailed surgery on fistulas; lady and lady together, becoming leaders for the future. Sarah: What can we offer in prayer for you? Dr Jo: Please pray for me to find a way to train more chaplains, so that we can reach more villages decimated by Ebola. People in the villages think that Ebola was sent to them as a punishment, so we hope to send a chaplain so that we can say ‘No, Ebola is a disease of animals. God does not send us Ebola, God sends us his solution’. Lyn taught me the importance of this holistic approach to healing, both medical and spiritual; so now I have discovered what is worth dying for, I am fit to live for it.
Getting to grips with scripture The year 2020 will bring a lot of emphasis on the Bible from a lot of different sources. For example, the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales has called on the church to keep 2020 as the ‘Year of the Word’, encouraging Catholic Christians to engage more deeply with the Bible as part of their discipleship. Next year will also see the return of the Lincoln Mystery Plays, with performances set to be held in Louth, Heckington, Horncastle, Gainsborough and Lincoln. Are there some steps you could take to engage with the scriptures, inviting other people to join in? Here are some simple ideas and resources, writes the Revd John Leach, Growing Disciples Officer... The Bible Course – An eight-week video-based course that seeks to give the big picture: an overview of the Bible and how it all fits together. A few parishes in our diocese have run the course already. The Bible Book Club – Also from the Bible Society, this is slightly more detailed and functions like any book club, with reading and discussion. There are sessions for each of the biblical books. The website gives you hints on how you might use the material, as well as discussion questions. Journals are available for participants. For both resources, please see www.biblesociety.org.uk Bible 2020 – This one is different! A smartphone app and website featuring people from all around the world reading Bible passages aloud from a daily reading plan. This means people will hear the scriptures in their own languages in a multitude of everyday contexts, and there is an opportunity for individuals or groups to take part. Further details are at www.bible2020.org Walk Through the Bible and Open the Book – Two resources that are particularly helpful for taking Bible stories into schools and other settings. Open the Book enables a group of Christians to bring a Bible story to life in a school assembly, and Walk Through the Bible offers deeper engagement, complementing religious education teaching in junior schools. We would love to offer the latter to primary schools in our diocese – could you be a pioneer? You can train to be a Walk Through the Bible instructor at a fraction of the usual cost by contacting our Children and Youth Team. Both resources open up the incredible treasures of the Bible to a new generation. DIOCESELINCOLN
@COFELINCOLN
NOTICEBOARD NOVEMBER
Friday, 29th November (7.30–9.30pm). The ever-popular Boston Youth Jazz Orchestra in their annual concert at St Guthlac’s Church, Fishtoft. Tickets are £10 for adults and £8 for accompanied children, and this will include a glass of wine/soft drink and a mince pie. Tickets may be obtained by calling 01205 61 26 56. Proceeds will go to church funds. Saturday, 30th November 2019 (10am–2pm). Christmas Fair at St Guthlac’s Church, Fishtoft. The stalls are set to include cakes, cards, gifts, preserves, handicrafts, bottles, a Chocolate tombola, jewellery and a grand raffle. Hot and cold refreshments will be available. Proceeds will go to church funds.
A Pilgrimage to the Oberammergau Passion Play and Austria with The Ven. Gavin Kirk and The Ven. Mark Steadman: 13th–20th May 2020 The Oberammergau Passion Play is performed every 10 years by the local residents and community of the small German town. This pilgrimage will be an opportunity to reflect on the central events of the life of Jesus, and there will also be time spent at religious sites and the beautiful scenery of lakes and mountains. The cost is £1,595 per person sharing a twin-bedded room with private facilities. For more details and a booking form, please contact the Pilgrimage Administrator, Archdeacons’ Office, Edward King House, Lincoln LN2 1PU (telephone: 01522 50 40 39).
Holy Land and Petra Pilgrimage 2021 The Revd Canon Chris Lilley is to lead a pilgrimage to the Holy Land from 9th–15th February 2021, with an optional extension to see the Dead Sea, Masada and, in Jordan, Petra and Mount Nebo (15th–18th February). Pilgrims will visit many biblical sites in Bethlehem, Nazareth and Jerusalem. There will be a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and travel on cable cars up the Mount of Temptation, near Jericho. The eucharist will be celebrated by the Sea of Galilee and at the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem, and there will be time to share thoughts together during informal worship each evening. For more details, please contact Chris on 01507 44 00 39 or via email at c.lilley@btinternet.com
DECEMBER
Saturday, 7th and Sunday, 8th December (10am–4pm). Christmas Tree Festival and Yuletide Fayre at St James’ Church, Freiston. The theme this year is ‘Nursery Rhymes’ and the church will be open from 10am until 4pm each day. There will be a range of craft and gift stalls for the ‘unusual’ Christmas gifts, plus homemade refreshments and entertainment to suit all ages. All proceeds will go to St James’ Church. Saturday, 7th December (7.30pm). A Christmas Concert by The Lincoln Chorale, conducted by Mark Wilde, at St Hugh’s RC Church, Monks Road/ Broadgate, Lincoln. The programme will include Handel’s ‘Messiah’ Part 1, Vaughan Williams’ ‘Fantasia on Christmas Carols’, plus carols old and new. Tickets (£10) are available from Bailgate Post Office or on the door on the night. JUNE 2020
Thursday, 18th–Saturday, 20th June. The diocesan Clergy Gathering (at Bishop Grosseteste University, Lincoln). Further details will be announced soon and bookings are set to open in the new year.
Looking back on the Annual Reader Service John Marshall writes... Bishop Nicholas offered the welcome at the Annual Reader Service held in Lincoln Cathedral (12th October 2019), and during the service the bishop asked three Readers to reflect on their experiences of Reader ministry through the decades: John Davies from the 1960s, myself from the 1990s and Sue Slater from 2010 onwards. The preacher was the Revd Canon Sal McDougall (Precentor), and Dr Sally Buck (Warden of Lay Ministry) led the intercessions. The service was followed by The Association of Lincoln Readers 78th Annual General Meeting, and during the meeting a revised constitution document was presented by Nigel Bacon and approved by the Association. In addition, gift presentations were made to myself as retiring Chairman (I had served on the governing body since 2002), and Secretary General Shirley Keyes. Both of us were thanked for our work on behalf of the governing body and the Association of Lincoln Readers. In his role as the new President of the Association of Lincoln Readers, Bishop Nicholas announced initial appointments to the Reader Board, and Sue Slater (the new Chair) and Marion Hewis (Vice Chair) were congratulated on their appointment. (Pictured above in the Chapter House are Readers Sandy Riley and Susan Horle.)