In Shape Winter 15 by Diocese of Leicester

News and Stories For Your Church

Winter 2015: Issue 17

In Shape

The vision of Shaped by God is of flourishing mission in the four hundred established and new Anglican churches of the City and County, with each church growing in the number of followers of Jesus, in the depth of that discipleship, and in the effect that our faith has on the world around us. lives and communities transformed worship in a way that renews and inspires self-giving service to the community being rooted in prayer confident and sensitive evangelism lifelong Christian nurture the welcome of newcomers becoming child friendly celebration of people and places

This is the magazine of the Diocese of Leicester (The Church of England in Leicester and Leicestershire) and is published three times a year. The themes of In Shape are centred around the nine marks of mission identified in the diocesan vision “Shaped by God” (see list to the right)

In This Issue

Contacts

Bishop’s Letter - by The Dean of Leicester

Emmanuel Football Club

Living a Meaningful Life

In Shape is edited by: Liz Hudson Keith Cousins Mike Harrison Barry Hill Andy Rhoades Beth Marvin

Living Stones MP Omega Course

e-mail: inshape@leccofe.org

The Gift

The Gift: Lent Resources

10. Youth Central Review 11.

Christmas with CFS / Talking Jesus

12. Money Matters 13. Christmas Cards 14. leicester.anglican.org/announcements 15. leicester.anglican.org/events 16. The Interview: Bishop John Cover Photo: Coaching at Emmanuel Loughborough Football Club (see page 4)

The Diocese of Leicester administration and Leicester Cathedral Tel 0116 261 5200 The Office of the Bishop of Leicester Tel 0116 270 8985 melaine.freeman@leccofe.org Diary Dates should be entered at www.leicester.anglican.org/events by Friday 27 November. Inclusion is dependent on space available. Signup to Diomail at http://ow.ly/k6OhN Commercial advertisers are invited to call for current rates. The inclusion of an advertisement in this publication does not constitute any endorsement of a product or service by either the editors or the Diocese of Leicester

Bishop’s Letter Our Bishop has retired. As when parish priests leave, this is a time of consolidation, of reflection on the past, dreams about the future and response to the immediate opportunities which arise. It is not ‘dead time’. A change in bishop matters. A bishop is sometimes described by the Latin word pontifex meaning bridge builder since a major role is to connect people inside and outside the church. Bishops are often involved in very significant in celebrations and commemorations. They baptise, confirm, ordain, commission and license. Many of the hundreds who gathered for Bishop Tim’s farewell will have been directly touched by these ministries. The Bishop also oversees and chairs the Synod, the Senior Staff, our Boards and Councils and she/he deals with governance, legalities and complaints. Under the guidance of John Holbrook, our acting Bishop, this day to day life of the diocese continues. However, the principal role of bishop is that of spiritual servant who prays, teaches, leads and evangelises. The Bishop is key to creating the climate of relationship in the diocese which supports the church’s ministry in all its forms, old and new. The new Bishop’s Chair in the Cathedral is designed to make some of this clear. It is a cathedra. It is this which makes a building a cathedral. Our early church leaders followed the practice of the Greek philosophers who sat in a chair to teach as a symbol of their authority. The same idea is still used in our universities. However, unlike a professor whose gifts of learning provide their power, a bishop’s authority comes from Christ. Our new cathedra is deliberately flanked by an enormous cross reaching out towards us. This chair speaks of authority shaped by Christ the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:22-25). The process to identify our new bishop involves a Commission with six representatives from Leicester, six from the national church and both Archbishops. If all goes well, an announcement from Downing Street could get made by the end of the year or into 2016 with a service of installation in late spring/summer. David Monteith, Dean of Leicester

becoming child friendly

Emmanuel Football Club On a warm Sunday morning at the end of June, Emmanuel Loughborough was full with over 300 people. There was an expectant air as boys and girls along with their parents had come to the football annual awards service. The guest speaker this year was London 2012 long jump silver medallist and world recordholder, para-olympian Stef Reid (pictured right and below). Every Saturday during the football season Loughborough Emmanuel Football club meets at Loughborough colleges’ artificial pitch. Over 100 boys and girls from 5-13yrs old, gather to play football, usually it starts with a short warm up session, then into age groups for skills and training, and ends with some short matches putting all they have learnt into action. There has been football played at Emmanuel from the late 1890’s with the Loughborough & District Charity Cup Association forming in 1898, with Loughborough Emmanuel FC having their name engraved on the trophy in the inaugural year. After a lull in the middle of

the 1900’s, it was the desire of a number of men at Emmanuel in the late 1980’s to resurrect and encourage football once more and Loughborough Emmanuel Football club (LEFC) as we know it was reborn. LEFC is an FA affiliated club, nearly all the coaches are trained to FA standards - over half are regular church members. Although our numbers are large at the moment, it hasn’t always been this way, sometimes it was just a handful, but slowly over the years, the ministry has developed. A big part of the growth has been a move to the artificial pitch, this has been especially good for parents and younger children, and means even during and after heavy rain the surface is playable. The organising team has expanded over the years to include more coaches, a dedicated treasurer, child-safeguarding officer, administration and refreshments team, and this year a free bootswap to provide a place where football boots can be given into a central pool when the player has outgrown them and to take a pair that may now fit. Two of the teams play in a league throughout the year, the others play in two to three tournaments held throughout the year. The awards are held annually within the regular morning service, LEFC is an Emmanuel ministry and the church desires to be connected and involved. Each team comes forward and

each player receives a trophy, while parents, coaches and congregation clap and cheer. This year Stef Reid spoke, and she showed us just how far her world record jump is: 5.42m! As she spoke about how she lost her leg in a boating accident at the age of 15, silence descends across the whole congregation. “I knew if I died I was not going to heaven” and as the days and weeks of recuperation began “I prayed for God to give me a new leg, and as time went by, he gave me four!” Stef then shows her prosthetic legs, her swimming leg, her everyday leg, her ‘high-heel’ leg and her performance blade she uses in competition. She speaks passionately about her love of sport and her love for Jesus, and how she is grateful to Him everyday for life and for the opportunity to live her dreams! The challenge is laid down, it is obvious that this is more than an awards event, but an opportunity for people to see the difference Jesus can make in someone’s life. Luke Fogg

confident and sensitive evangelism

Growth Fund Grants for Sport The Growth Fund is pleased to be able to offer grants of £250 for events that engage the community through sport. Emmanuel Loughborough’s example of their FA affiliated Club is a great example of people having an idea which grows and allows the church to minister to the local community over several decades. These ideas could relate to the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics or the UEFA Euro 2016 Tournament in France, but they could equally draw inspiration from Wimbledon, the Heineken Cup, the 50th anniversary of England’s 1966 World Cup win or any local sporting event. These events could range from sport related Holiday Clubs to turning the Church into an Olympic Café for 2-3 weeks. Many aspects of sport mimic those of faith, with coaches and managers providing mentoring and discipleship, whilst spurring their athletes to run the (sometimes literal!) race faster or stronger. Sport evokes passions and emotions, with tens of thousands of people gathering to support Leicester City FC or the Tigers every week. Committed fans make long journeys to see their favourite individual or team compete, journeys which bare similarities to a pilgrimage. Any application to the Summer of Sport Fund could draw on these comparisons when highlighting Jesus and the Gospel to those in their local community. For more contact: Luke Fogg luke.fogg@ leccofe.org or 0116 261 5376.

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worship in a way that renews and inspires

Living a Meaningful Life

Our culture today increasingly defines us not by how we live or believe, but by what we consume. What does it mean to live a fulfilled and meaningful life is a question that becomes easy to ignore. Aware that living such a consumer orientated life takes real effort that can deaden our senses, cause us to grip onto ‘stuff’ and tune out of God and others. As a result group of us in the Market Harborough area are starting to explore life differently.

making following Jesus the way of life. We are not seeking to start a new church, but rather become a community who introduce people to Jesus through living well. Jonathan Dowman

Gathering every six weeks or so, we come as all ages come together in the grounds of Hothorpe Hall to explore and work with nature. Through being outside and working together we are brought closer to God and each other and we can break out of our familiar patterns and have the freedom to ask some of the bigger questions of life. Our first gathering in June saw us setting limestone rocks into the river Welland to help clean it of nitrates and phosphates, build a dam to help divert some of the water to clean out a blocked channel, have a mini beast hunt, rock throwing contest, bonfire and picnic. Each time we gather we do so with the intention of asking one another ‘what does it mean to live well in the next few weeks?’ The meaning if this question changes with time and circumstance, but it is essentially a discipleship question that cuts across our lives as consumers and it offers the challenge of

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Treasures Old and New A sometimes touted definition of Church, is people gathering around the risen Lord Jesus Christ to worship. As we look into the eyes of Jesus in worship, so life is never the same again. As we increasingly digest that God sees us, all we are, together and individually, is transformed. We cannot go back (however much the world around us might tempt us too).

This January, a major diocesan day conference explores some of these themes: where are we noticing Jesus Christ present and at work in our Churches? and how are we learning to live in response? Hosted at St Martins House, with input from the highly regarded speaker, author and reflector George Lings, everyone is welcome but it is specifically designed for church leaders, those in recognised ministries, leaders of small groups, pioneers, children and youth work, church council and leadership team members, choir and worship leaders, administrators and similar. Individuals are welcome but ideally groups will come from the same context together. It’s on Saturday 30th January 2016, St Martins House, Leicester, 9:30am - 3:30pm (coffee and pastries are served from 9:15am). Over 130 people are already booked in, so just 50 places remain. There is no charge for the day, and lunch is included, but places need to be booked (first come, first served). Reduced price (£3.50) tickets for the NCP car park next to the Holiday Inn (2 mins walk away) will be available on the day. A small number of bookable spaces for blue badge holders are available on site. Book your group beth.marvin@leccofe.org or 0116 261 5348

being rooted in prayer

Revd Rhona Passey runs Cafe Churches for the retired in the Living Stones Mission Partnership. Her encounters with people at various ages and stages in their journey of faith, led her to explore a faith course that would be sympathetic to the issues of faith in the later years of our lives and she picked the Omega Course. Here is her review. “I did think that the Omega course might be an Alpha course for older people and I soon found that it wasn’t at all. The Omega course is designed ‘to help Christian people who may be approaching retirement or be newly retired, to explore issues of life and faith which are particularly relevant to the later years of our lives.’ The course is written by Reverend Mike Harrison and Reverend Helen Newman from our own Diocese of Leicester and consists of six sessions that cover ‘negotiating change’, ‘living with loss and gain’, ‘our relationship with God’, ‘befriending death’, ‘keeping meaning and purpose in life’ and the final session ‘what now?’ There was a good response to the course from the group who took part and it became clear as we entered the early sessions that the subjects were very relevant to this age range. The group were encouraged and challenged and responded positively to examining change in their lives, looking at themselves, their relationships with family and friends and

importantly their relationship with God. The course encourages participants to honestly reflect on their previous life, their experiences of joy and sorrow and of struggle and fulfilment and disappointment. This leads onto questions about life in the present, how the future might be seen and to consider the options and possibilities of life going forward. There is a reassurance that God still has need for us in our later years and values us and to see the abundance in life. Examining dying and death is enabled and made easier by the questions, quotes and bible passages. The material encourages prompt discussions and allows space for interaction with one another to make connections, share experiences and deepen our understanding of this subject. We found that between eight and ten participants who are committed to each session works well and that integrity was important between us to gain benefit from the subject matter, as we shared private thoughts and new ideas amongst us. It was great to see a relaxed group who enjoyed a journey of discovery with each other, whilst being challenged and finding surprises along the way which deepened friendships. The course was excellent, well written with good examples, bible quotes, poetry and testimony. It was well received, with good

positive comments from the participants which took the group forward on their faith journey, growing in confidence in themselves, in their relationship with God and giving hope in considering their options for the future. I look forward to the next course this October” Rhona Passey The Omega Course materials are available from Mission and Ministry claire.stapleton@leccofe.org

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lifelong Christian nurture

The Gift

Sally Hayden is the new Generous Giving Development Director for the diocese and with Andrew Nutter and Maxine Johnson forms the Generous Giving Team. Sally writes, ‘In a previous employment I had the privilege of visiting the Anglican Church in Malawi. The welcome was always spectacular and overwhelming, but the time I went to Magomero was transformative for me. As our travelling party arrived we were ushered into the church for traditional speeches, of which I confess to recalling little. Afterwards, each member of our party was given a gift. My gift was a sweaty plastic bag and inside was a dozen squidgy tomatoes that were definitely past their best. By most standards in my relatively affluent comfortable western life this was a pretty poor gift. What transformed the gift was the giver: a boy about five years old, whose distended stomach told me that he regularly didn’t get enough to eat to sustain him. My bag of tomatoes was

the gift of food from a hungry child and without doubt the most generous gift I have ever received. In this boy I recognised the abundant love of God with greater clarity than I had ever seen it before. In him I saw the abundant joy that created the world and all its gifts. His gift mirrored for me the sacrificial love that sent Jesus into our world: and that same love and generosity that has given me everything I foolishly call ‘mine’. As King David says when he worships God, “Everything we have comes from you and of your own do we give you”. It can be very hard to appreciate God’s generosity when we are surrounded by a culture where all we hear about it scarcity, and where we are bombarded with messages that we ought to try and have more. As Walter Brueggemann says, we are divided by “our attraction to the good news of God’s abundance and the power of our belief in scarcity—a belief that makes us greedy, mean, and unneighbourly.”

What would happen in our churches I wonder if we prayed every day for God’s help to live our lives as a ‘thank you’ rather than a ‘please’? What would change if we took more time to recognise that “everything we have comes from God”, and is a gift to us so that we can be good news in God’s world? If we did these things then increased income to our churches would be the least of the benefits that we would see in our parishes and communities as we demonstrate the generous love of our God! ‘ The Generous Giving Team is here to help you explore and develop a generous attitude in your churches. For more contact Sally Hayden sally.hayden@leccofe.org 07950 428 829

The Gift…

As we journey towards the cross and resurrection we rediscover the sacrificial love that sent Jesus into our world. We are reminded that all we have is a gift from God’s creation, and we explore living live life as a ‘thank you’ rather than a ‘please’. During Lent this year, as God’s people together in Leicestershire, we are praying that God will awaken his generous love and abundant giving, in us, and that we will accept God’s invitation into a more generous way of life.

The Gift of Conversation…

This exciting five week lent course will help us to explore the characteristics of God’s generosity to us and to the world through the parable of the workers in the vineyard. This beautiful, challenging story and its pointers to other parts of scripture, will reveal five gifts of God’s generous Kingdom and we will explore ways to carry these gifts in own lives.

The Gift of Worship…

This short lent liturgy for use in worship intertwines the themes of generosity and the biblical narrative of the cross and resurrection. A simple addition to worship that will join the diocese together in recognition of God’s gifts to us, and our need to respond to what we have been given. Additional resources, such a sermon notes and an all age service on the theme are also being prepared.

Receive the Gift…

These Gifts will be available to download from the Diocesan website at the beginning of December, and samples from the beginning of November. All resources will be available black and white or colour, and can be posted upon request for churches that do not have printing facilities. For more contact Sally Hayden - sally.hayden@leccofe.org

lives and communities transformed

Youth Central Review

Bishop’s Youth Council had been running an event called Bishop’s House Party for the past few years. The aim was to join together with young people to enjoy fellowship, time with God and to spread to word about the BYC (so they know who we are and what we do). Although after the last BYC house party we decided that it was in need of re-think. So we went about organising an event with the same aim just with a fresh approach. The name ‘Youth Central’ was chosen because it gives an idea of what the event is about and it sound lively and interesting. Our theme was ‘The Son’ because in the summer term we think about the sun but we should always think about

The Son. Aside from it being a spectacular pun, it was also a theme that would be easy to talk about with all ages and obviously one of the most important. We played games, had bible study, practical prayer, food and live worship.

Central after the warm response, possibly increasing it to twice a year.

It was a lot of fun and the young people were very enthusiastic, which was great to see. More young people attended than we had ever had and expected. We asked for feedback from the young people; the live worship and games were among the favourites with food being also very popular (not surprisingly). Feedback from the leaders that attended was also very positive and some enquired when the next one would be. The BYC have plans to continue with Youth

Aine Joseph, Bishops Youth Council

Many thanks to all those who came we hope to see you again soon!

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the welcome of newcomers At the Centre for Faith and Spirituality (CFS) at Loughborough University, Christmas is celebrated in various ways, both at the University and with the local churches.

Christmas with the CFS

Loughborough has over 1600 international students, their Christmas is important. The festive season kicks off with the University Carols, sung for the last 2 years gathered round the central fountain, with a telling of the story interspersed with carols, and choirs. There’s free (non-alcoholic) mulled wine and mince pies. Last year over 500 people attended, including students, staff and local people. The CFS supports faith societies (Christian and non-Christian) and at Christmas we try to enable and encourage the Christian societies in their festive efforts. The Chinese Society has an annual Christmas party, Radical Youth also have a Christmas do, The Christian Union holds an annual Carol Service in Emmanuel Church, this is an event which never fails to fill Emmanuel and 2016 will be no exception.

none; we support all the Student Societies and all the Students, but we are clear that after term ends, it is the International Students who most need our support. Last year (2015) we showed the BBC Nativity drama in the chapel on campus during the week before Christmas, and hosted an international students’ party, which was run by our 2 international chaplains and our free-church chaplain.

In the run up to Christmas the CFS is there to support staff and students of all faiths and

At Christmas, Loughborough churches offer support to our international students via

Talking Jesus Let’s talk Jesus… What do people in this nation know and believe about Jesus? What do they really think of us, his followers? Are we talking about Jesus enough? And when we are, are we drawing people closer towards him, or further away? In March 2015, more than 40 denominational church leaders from across England gathered to hear the results of a survey conducted with 1000members of the public via the ComRes polling agency through the Barna group in partnership with the Church of England, Hope and the Evangelical Alliance. The results of the survey ‘Perceptions of Jesus, Christians and Evangelism in England’ produced some intriguing themes so it was decided that they would do it again, honing in on some of the key questions but with a population of 3000 people. The results of which were released in September 2015.

Some key findings are as follows: • 57% of people in England identify as Christians (9% are

practising) • 41% of practising Christians attribute their faith to growing up in a Christian Home • 40% of people do not realise Jesus was a real person who actually lived • One in four 18 to 34-year-olds thinks Jesus was a mythical or fictional character • 43% of people believe in the resurrection • 66% of practising Christians have talked about Jesus to a non-Christian in the past month • 72% of practising Christians feel comfortable talking to non-Christians about Jesus • 31% of 18 to 34-year-olds felt more positive about Jesus after such a conversation • 44% of practising Christians credit their friends for introducing them to Jesus • 17% of practising Christians said a spiritual experience they could not explain was a key factor in them coming to faith. • Spiritual, loving and peaceful are the words

various student-focused outreaches such as Christmas parties and dinners with local families. The CFS, through its Christian Chaplains, tries to steer Christian students towards those local churches, not just at Christmas, but throughout the year. The CFS is an ecumenical multi-faith Chaplaincy, contact us on cfschaplains@lboro.ac.uk Chris Taylor most commonly used to describe Jesus • 36% of practising Christians say talking to a Christian about Jesus was important in their coming to faith These statistics have clear implications for some the questions raised at the beginning of this article. We can see that Christians are talking to people about their faith and that for a 1/3 of Christians someone talking to them about Jesus actually helped them to start following him. So how are we talking about Jesus and who with? A booklet containing an explanation of the results will be sent to all Clergy, Pioneers and Diocesan staff. More copies are available from Beth Marvin (beth.marvin@leccofe.org). The website www.talkingjesus.org contains resources to help Christians and Churches consider the impact of this research. For more contact: Barry Hill barry.hill@leccofe.org or Matt Pitt matt.pitt@leccofe.org

self giving service to the community

The Martyrs has always had a strong sense of social justice, and the practical outworking of that has included being involved with Justice Mail, Street Pastors, Tomatoes and the Just Fair Trade Shop. With this tradition in the background, several of us have felt God nudging us for some time: a call to action in the area of debt counselling services. The first step was getting the support of the church leaders. This wasn’t possible at that time, but God wasn’t letting us get away with that. He kept nudging us, and last Autumn the doors suddenly started to open: more volunteers came forward, the leadership became very positive, we visited CAP, and talked to CMA (Community Money Advice), made visits, did lots of research, applied for and received funding, and so Money Matters Leicester was born. We felt strongly that this should be a project run by local churches, from all denominations. We now have eight churches on board in West Leicester, including Trinity Life (Braunstone), Friar Lane Baptist, Robert Hall Baptist, Braunstone URC, St Anne’s & St Paul’s, Holy Apostles, St Peter’s and The Martyrs. We are a group of over 20 volunteers, and we are putting together a training programme and money advice courses this year in preparation for opening our debt counselling centre in March next year, based at the Martyrs Community Hall. We have chosen to go with Community Money

Advice as their model is very flexible and suits us well. Trinity Money Advice at Holy Trinity, Leicester, is already with CMA, and they have been very helpful to us. Many people with money problems feel ashamed and feel that there is no solution, but the truth is that there is always something that can be done to help. People need a lot of encouragement to come forward, which is why we are focusing on having a large number of volunteers who are active in their own networks, telling people about Money Matters Leicester and accompanying them as they come forward for help. During our presentations, a lady came forward for help. We’re not licensed for debt counselling yet, but we helped her access Trinity Money Advice, and she was able to receive support that means her life is now getting back on track. Our first Money Matters Money Advice Course was held in June, and we are just about to hold another one, plus a Student Money Course. Our next steps include raising our profile in the community and with existing services: we aim to be part of whatever is going on and offering a friendly face to chat to: not stuck behind some desk, but out there, helping people. We want to talk to as many people as possible – in the community, and in existing services - so that they can encourage and accompany others in seeking help. Fore more: www.moneymattersleicester.org 07926 086238

At a time of year when Christians around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus, thousands of children in Nigeria are longing for a precious gift, that of life. In the west African country, where 60 per cent of people live below the poverty line, 250,000 children under the age of five die as a result of malaria every year. This one country accounts for a quarter of all cases of malaria in Africa. Women with malaria are particularly vulnerable, a higher risk of miscarriage, premature delivery, stillbirth, severe anaemia And as pregnancy reduces a woman’s immunity to malaria, a pregnant woman is three times more likely to suffer from serious disease as a result of malaria infection than a nonpregnant woman. Malaria accounts for 11% of all maternal deaths in Nigeria. Malaria claimed the lives of two of Mary Patrick Odey’s children. Both Mary’s four-yearold son Kenechukwu and six-year-old daughter Anah suffered the headaches, thirsts and fevers of malaria – and both lost their lives. This Christmas, we’re asking for help to deliver the precious gifts that could save lives. With support from Christian Aid, Mary and her community, in Ora-Eri, south-eastern Nigeria have now been provided with life-saving mosquito nets and shown how to use them effectively by community health agents. Mothers have been taught how to spot the symptoms of malaria so Mary is able to protect her daughters Kosi and Christiana, as well as her grandchildren. Community Development Committees have been set up to ensure the government provide quality healthcare and free malaria treatment to clinics. No child should die from a preventable disease. Your donation could help Christian Aid prevent many thousands of unnecessary deaths from malaria. Just £3 could buy a life-saving net and £60 could train three community health workers to deliver the nets and life-saving health advice in their local area. For more: www.christianaid.org.uk/christmas or eastmidlands@christian-aid.org

celebration of people and places

Thinking About Christmas Cards When I was a young boy Christmas was a time of festivities, nothing could eclipse the joy of Christmas. But for a lot of people it can be a time of hardship, depression, and loneliness. It’s kind of ironic that the “season to be jolly” is actually the time when people are the most depressed. Christmas cards may seem small in comparison but what they represent is massive. Christmas cards are a gift for nothing in return. To me they represent what kind of a person we are and what kind of a faith we have. Are we a giver or a receiver? In this culture of selfishness, of temporary fulfilment from receiving, we’ve forgotten the true sustaining joy of giving. When we give for nothing we imitate God’s free gift of salvation!

At Christmas with so much money being spent I like to buy Christian Charity cards. Buying cards for the shop I am told that people pick up cards first because of the picture and then buy them because of the words. For me the picture needs to be bright and meaningful, something simple that conveys a Christian message. In terms of the words, I know that Christmas for some people is a really difficult time so I go for something like ‘Wishing you Peace at Christmas’. Janette Sturgis - Christian Resources

Tom King - Bishops Youth Council

“Christmas celebrates the deep and glorious mystery of the Incarnation. It almost feels ‘wrong’ to try to communicate something of that ‘deep magic’ with as trivial a thing as a greetings card. If Christmas cards are to convey anything of Christmas’ meaning, it can only be in the nature of a hint or a glimpse. One thing that should always be present is a ‘pathway’ to going deeper, so those whom the Spirit touches might explore further - whether that be in the form of a recommended book, a YouTube video, an invitation to an event, or an offered conversation.” Stephen March - Pioneer

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leicester.anglican.org/announcements the Bishop announces... Revd Rob Marsh

appointed as Diocesan Vocations Director in the Diocese of Bangor, Church in Wales.

Curate NSM in the Benefice of Whitwick, Thringstone and Swannington is moving to finish his curacy in the Benefice of Desford and Kirby Muxloe with effect from 1 July.

Revd Hilary Surridge

Revd Natalie Andrews

Revd Canon Michael Covington

Curate in the Benefice of St Mary in Charnwood, Nanpantan, has been appointed as Team Vicar in the Ely Team, Minister for Village Renewal and Pastoral Leadership in the Diocese of Ely.

Revd Kevin Ashby has stepped down as Area Dean of Framland with effect from 31 May 2015. The Revd Canon Michael Covington became Interim Area Dean of Framland on 1 June 2015 and will keep this role until a permanent replacement can be made.

Revd David Payne Associate Minister of the Vale Benefice near Wantage in the Diocese of Oxford, as Priest in Charge of the Parishes of St Mary’s, Bottesford and St John’s, Muston within the Benefice of the Belvoir Parishes.

Revd Christine Coldicott Assistant Priest in the Benefice of the Fosse Team Ministry retired on 31 May 2015.

Revd Paul Savage Assistant Curate in the Parishes of Bawtry and Austerfield with Mission and Everton and Mattersey in the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham, as Priest in Charge of the Ascension Team, Leicester (Christ Church Thurnby Lodge, St Barnabas, St Mary’s, Humberstone).

Revd Rowena Bass Priest in Charge of the High Framland Parishes in this Diocese, as Rector of the Parish of St Andrew’s Aylestone with St James.

Revd Mary Gregory Rector of Kirk Sandall and Edenthorpe in the Diocese of Sheffield, as Team Rector of the Benefice of Ashby de la Zouch and Breedon on the Hill.

Revd Andrew Hall Curate of St Martin’s Brighouse and St John’s Clifton in the Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales, as Rector of Burbage with Aston Flamville.

Revd Dominic McClean Team Rector of the United Benefice of Market Bosworth and The Sheepy Group with Nailstone, Carlton and Shackerstone in the Sparkenhoe West (Hinckley and Bosworth) Deanery, has been

Assistant Curate in the Fenn Lanes Benefice in this Diocese, as Anglican Chaplain of De Montfort University, Leicester.

Revd Dr Tom Wilson Vicar of St James and Christ Church, Gloucester, as Director of St Philip’s Centre for Study and Engagement in a Multi Faith Society. Tom will also be given the Bishop’s Permission to Officiate

Honorary Canons of Leicester Cathedral Appointment of the following new Honorary Canons: Mr Vic Allsop, Mr Chrispal Anand, Mrs Shayne Ardron, Mrs Janet Arthur, The Revd Richard Brand, The Revd Alison Christian, The Revd Paul Hackwood (Paul resigned as Residentiary Canon on 31 May 2015), Mrs Judith Wells, Ms Lynette Maple

Revd Louise Petheram The resignation of the Revd Louise Petheram, Curate (NSM) in the Benefice of the Upper Soar, with effect from 26 July 2015.

Revd Liz Rawlings Minister of the Conventional District of Hamilton, Leicester, has been appointed with immediate effect also as Assistant Area Dean of the City of Leicester Deanery.

Revd David Charles Payne Associate Minister of the Vale Benefice near Wantage in the Diocese of Oxford, as Priest in Charge of the Parishes of St Mary’s, Bottesford and St John’s, Muston within the Benefice of the Belvoir Parishes,

Revd Jane Micklethwaite former Chaplain at East Midlands Airport and Non-Stipendiary Minister at All Saints with Holy Trinity Church, Loughborough as Non-Stipendiary Chaplain to International Students at the University of Leicester.

Revd Lesley Butler NSM Curate in the Benefice of Kegworth, Hathern, Long Whatton, Diseworth, Belton and Osgathorpe, as Pioneer Minister to the young and very young within the Northern Lights Mission Partnership and NSM Associate Priest in the Benefice of Kegworth, Hathern, Long Whatton, Diseworth, Belton and Osgathorpe and.

Revd Cathy Davies Sixth Form Pastoral & Study Support at Alcester Grammar School and Tutor, Diocesan Training Partnership in the Diocese of Coventry as House for Duty Priest at Launde Abbey.

Revd Trevor Parkerson

Revd Gary Weston Named as Area Dean of Sparkenhoe West with effect from 1 September 2015, when the Revd Dr Tom Meyrick’s time as Area Dean ends.

Revd Lisa Temperley-Barnes Convenor of the East Akeley South Mission Partnership for a period of 3 years.

Revd Lauretta Wilson Team Vicar of St Benedict’s in the Benefice of Langelei in the Diocese of St Albans, and Vocations Adviser for St Alban’s Archdeaconry, as Team Rector of the Benefice of Kegworth & Hathern Team Ministry.. Lauretta’s service of Institution on Thursday, 26 November at 7.30 pm at St Andrew’s, Kegworth.

Resignation as NSM Assistant Curate (Associate Priest) in the Benefice of the Ashby de la Zouch and Breedon on the Hill with effect from 31 August 2015. Trevor holds the Bishop’s Permission to Officiate and will be devoting his ministry to his role as Hospital Chaplain at Queen’s Hospital, Burton on Trent.

Canon Raymond John Ross Death announced on Sunday, 6 September 2015. Raymond has had Permission to Officiate in the Diocese since 4 August 2009 following his retirement from the Diocese of Derby

leicester.anglican.org/events Autumn Fair St Margaret’s Church Saturday 7th November - 10am - 2 00pm. Many stalls including a raffle. Lunches available. Admission free. For more Janet Bass 0116 2244307 Philippines today & Filipino’s in the Diaspora Sunday 8th November - Day conference 10.30am to 4pm at St. Andrews, Jarrom Street, Leicester. St Margarets Church Lunchtime Recital Thursday 12th Novermber - 1 pm - 1.30 pm (approx.) Ian Imlay - Organ. Admission free, tea and coffee provided. All welcome. For further information please contact Maureen Belcher 01455 824339 or Kay Harpin 0116 2993241 Friends of St Mary’s Church Bottesford - Swing Music Concert Saturday 14th November - 7.30pm with Tony Farrell Big Band. Lay Congress: Holy Habits; Christian Spirituality for daily life Saturday 14th November - Cathedral / St Martins House, 9.30am – 3.45pm. What does it look like to follow Jesus in our daily lives – to be open to God’s love and to live out of that love as we work, rest and play? Prophetic Witness & Fresh Expressions of Church Monday 16th November - St Martins House, 9am – 4pm. A day, led by Michael Mitton, to explore the place of the charismatic gift of prophecy as a missional gift in fresh expressions of Church Excellence in Working Relationships Thursday 19th November - St Martins House, 9am – 4.30pm (including lunch). What makes a great line manager or supervisor? What makes a great employee? How do we help each person grow to the full stature of God’s calling and potential? Chaplaincy; A Contemporary tool for mission Tuesday 17th November - St Martins House, 5.30pm – 9pm. Following on from last years successful evening we will be continuing the conversation about how the Chaplaincy model of ministry finds its place within the Mission of the Church

Building Christian Confidence in a Multi-Faith Society Course Wednesday 18th November - Two-day course for Christians - both leaders and lay - to help them to be more confidence in ministering in multi-faith settings. Loughborough Christmas tree festival Thursday 19th November - 100 sparkling Christmas trees decorated by community groups in at All Saints with Holy Trinity Parish Church, Open Thursday 19th Nov at 10am to Sunday 22nd at 5pm. Entrance £2 adults, accompanied children free. Nanpantan Worship with a Classical Flavour Sunday 22 November - 6pm St Mary in Charnwood Church Piano recital by Sunmin Ahn Social Media Training Tuesday 24th November - St Martins House, 9.30am – 12.30pm (beginners) 2pm – 5pm (intermediate). Learn how to use social media to your advantage. Christmas Tree Festival at Fleckney Church Saturday 28th November - St Nicholas Church, Main Street, Fleckney LE8 8AP. Saturday 28th November (10am - 5pm) and Sunday 29th November (12noon - 5pm)

Lunchtime Recital St Margaret’s Church Thursday 10th December - 1 pm - 1.30 pm (approx.). Ian Harvey - Organ. Admission free, tea and coffee provided. All welcome. For further information please contact Maureen Belcher 01455 824339 or Kay Harpin 0116 2993241 Carols by Candlelight St Margaret’s Church Sunday 20th December - 6 pm. A service of carols and eadings in a beautiful Medieval Church enhanced by candlelight. Light refreshments available after the service. For more Janet Bass 2244307 Coffee Morning St Margaret’s Church Saturday 9th January - 10 am - 12 noon. Many stalls including a raffle. Refreshments available. Admission free. All welcome. For more Janet Bass 0116 2244307 Lunchtime Recital St Margaret’s Church Thursday 14th January - St Margaret’s Church 1.00 pm - 1.30 pm (approx.). Lunchtime Recital John Bence (Harpsichord) and Simon Ferraby (Ukelele). Admission free tea and coffee provided. For further information contact Maureen Belcher 01455 824339 or Kay Harpin 0116 2993241

St Margaret’s Church Coffee Morning Saturday 5th December - 10am - 12 noon Coffee Morning. Many stalls including a raffle. Admission free, refreshments available. All welcome. For further information please contact Janet Bass 0116 2244307 Pastoral Assistants Quiet Day Saturday 5th December - Launde Abbey, 10am – 4pm (lunch and all refreshments provided). Led by Chris Webb, Diocesan Spiritual Advisor and Deputy Warden of Launde Abbey and includes the opportunity to explore the role of Pastoral Assistant across the Diocese particularly reflecting on how this ministry connects with the Shaped by God vision. Doing Good?: Corporate Spiritual Discernment and a focus for Mission Wednesday 9th December - St Martins House, 7.30pm – 9.30pm (and Wednesday 9th March 2016, Wednesday 18th May 2016). How do you decide what is ‘good to do’ when there is so much ‘good’ that you could be doing?

Christian Bookshop Opening Times: 9am - 5pm Mon -Fri 9.30am - 4.30pm Sat St Martins House 7 Peacock Lane Leicester, LE1 5PZ t: 0116 261 5222 www.christianresourcesleicester.com enquiries@christianresourcesleicester.com

The Interview Bishop John

Bishop John, what is an acting Bishop, what does one do and for how long? Essentially it’s to work alongside the existing senior team in guiding the Diocese through the vacancy. There are a small number of things only a Diocesan Bishop can do, the legal core, but in essence I’m a bit nosy so I love having an excuse to go everywhere, look at everything and ask “What is God doing here?” so that I can bless and encourage it. How long have you been a Bishop for and what have you noticed God doing during that time? I’ve been a Bishop [of Brixworth in Northamptonshire] for four years. I never cease to be amazed at God’s ability to change people. One of the joys of going to the Greenbelt festival recently was the number of people who came to tell me what God had done in them since we last met - a conversation following a Confirmation service had turned into a serious exploration of God’s calling to ministry and a throwaway comment had led to someone getting involved in a mission project. God has a lovely way of doing things alongside us rather than through us, so whilst we are busying ourselves in one thing, God is doing an even bigger thing next door! Can you tell us something about how you became a follower of Jesus, and what difference you find faith makes day-to-day? It’s really hard to imagine what my life would

be like without faith. I grew up in a essentially Christian home. My mother has always been a Christian, whilst my father came to a living faith after my ordination. It was when I was around twelve years old that my own faith came alive and despite countless times of questioning since, I still find it the best way to understand the beauty and complexity of the world. It was and is for me about head, heart and hands. As I understood more intellectually (head), I fell in love with the character of Jesus in the Gospels (heart) and saw it work practically in people’s lives (hands). It was the same mix of head, heart and hands when I felt called to ordination. You’re known for being passionate about mission, what encourages and challenges you about mission in the church today? I’m encouraged in my encounters with parish churches, chaplaincies and pioneering projects as they seek to share the Good News. All traditions within the Church are rediscovering God’s concern for the world beyond the Christian family. However Jesus said that “by your love for each other will people know that you are mine” – too often we don’t love each other enough in the church. Disunity is a huge challenge. At our wedding, the preacher (Cuthbert Bardsley) advised us; “Always give the credit and take the blame”. I’ve sought to live by that in ministry as well, always sharing credit and

being willing to accept responsibility. In our marriage it’s true. When things go well, it’s my wife’s work, when things go wrong, I’m never far away! It sounds like you have plenty on your plate, how do you relax? I love to read. My favourite book is “I heard the owl call my name” by Margaret Craven which features a priest with just a few years to live, who is sent by his bishop to an remote Arctic community. As he shares their lives he discovers himself in the most beautiful way. I enjoy watching sport, live when possibly but mostly on TV. Bristol City Football Club is a life-long passion. I have been invited into the Directors’ box and can enjoy the hospitality, but I prefer to be with the fans in the stands and sing moderately naughty songs! I did a bit of sailing years some ago and I’m generally very up for new things – including recently abseiling, pot-holing and windsurfing. I can be quite competitive. And finally, how can we pray for you? Often! It’s a great privilege to know that I’m being prayed for in many churches across the Diocese. My former bishop used to say that it was only the prayers of God’s people that kept him going. I understand now what he meant and I’m so grateful, but please keep praying.