CofE Portsmouth Spring 2022

@CofEPortsmouth NUMBER 13 SPRING 2022

Portsmouth Po rtsmouth Pathway

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26/01/2022 10:30

UPFRONT: FAITH IN FOCUS

A true frame for our lives

BY BISHOP JONATHAN, BISHOP OF PORTSMOUTH I have two siblings: an older sister and younger brother. Recently, as our mother’s death approached, we were drawn together by her bedside. We shared tears, memories and moments of laughter too. A box of photos, found under a bed at my mother’s house, prompted all three.

There are fabulous hairstyles, flared trousers and poignant reminders of people we love and miss. Some pictures need framing; others need tucking back under the bed! I plan to take time to find the right frames and to value our newly discovered treasure.

When we set something in a frame – a photograph, or indeed, our lives – we indicate the value invested within it. It’s not a case of ‘any old frame will do’. The right frame will help place a snapshot in perspective and add meaning or significance to the picture itself.

This raises a wonderfully Lenten question about the framing of our lives. In this first Lent as your bishop and pastor, I’m prompted to think how we might frame our new beginning and life together in the Diocese of Portsmouth.

As we seek to live, pray and serve the Kingdom of God together, is there a framing perspective within which to set our life in its truest context? A framing to which we might return each day, whatever the joys, sorrows or challenges? Is there a frame which will return us

to the treasure of the Kingdom, the radiant beauty of Jesus Christ and the significance of all that we are and do in Christ’s name?

I think there might be. I’d like to propose two words as candidates: thanks and praise.

@CofEPortsmouth SPRING 2022 UPFRONT 3

Faith in Focus

I give thanks and praise to the Christlike God for Bishop Christopher and Sally; for Bishop Rob and the senior team in the diocese. For their unstinting service, love and wisdom. I’d like to frame this new beginning by giving thanks and praise for the faithful, inspirational and often unnoticed ministry of those lay and ordained across the diocesan community of communities.

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Latest news

The pandemic has been exhausting for many; devastating for some; and has made many of us feel vulnerable. I thank God for your persevering faithfulness, and because you have continued,

by God’s grace, to keep living, praying and serving the Kingdom in strained and strange times.

I thank God for the privilege of being called to join with you all. I thank God that the Crucified and Risen One sees us (flares, wounds and all), knows our story and will not be without us. God is for us, and for the whole world, in the humility and gentleness of Christ’s presence.

PEOPLE

How might we frame our days?

Why not ‘frame our days by thanks and praise’; that’ll surely do.

IN DEPTH 8-11

Clergy families: what’s it like for spouses and children who live in the vicarage?

12-15

Portsmouth Pathway: our local theology course

16-17

My Faith: she saw Jesus being crucified in her rural Cambodian village

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Music: an organist with real dedication

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The Big Issue: why racial justice is so important

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Why I love my church: Barry Glover

AND FINALLY 22

Top 10: Bishops of Portsmouth

Editor: Neil Pugmire (023-9289 9673 or neil.pugmire@portsmouth.anglican.org) Advertising: Ian Pilkington (01752-225 623 or ian@cornerstonevision.com)

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Memorial at tragic wartime crash site IT was a tragic incident in the midst of wartime that these former servicemen aim to remember.

On April 4, 1944, an exercise to prepare for D-Day aimed to help those who would use gliders and parachutes to drop soldiers behind enemy lines. An RAF plane was towing a Horsa glider, inside which were soldiers from the airborne infantry.

The night was very dark, and low cloud meant the pilots had to fly very low. There was no ambient lighting, as the blackout was in force. Sadly, the Stirling plane hit a tree to the east of Warnford Park.

The Horsa glider crashed, killing all 27 soldiers on board. The Stirling flew on with catastrophic damage and crashed near Romsey, also killing all six of the aircrew.

Exactly 78 years later, on April 4 this year, a memorial stone will be dedicated on the South Downs Way, between Exton and Old Winchester Hill, to remember those who lost their lives in this crash.

Current and former service

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personnel will join local clergy to recall the sacrifices that these 33 men, and countless others, made in two world wars and conflicts since.

Among them will be retired paratroopers Major Will Pike and Major General Jonathan Shaw, Warrant Officer Paul Dockrell, and Lt Col Ewen Stuart, who recently visited the site.

(left to right): Warrant Officer Paul Dockrell, Major General Jonathan Shaw (retired), Major Will Pike (retired), and Lieutenant Colonel Ewen Stuart on the site of the memorial stone

most significant operation of the Second World War. Without these exercises, that D-Day invasion may not have been successful. We owe them so much.”

In 1943, the 7th Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers had been The Rev Tony Forrest, rector of the converted to the airborne infantry Meon Bridge benefice, will lead role, utilising gliders. Through 1943 the service, which will take place and 1944 exercises took place to from 10am-12noon that day. The prepare their division for parachute memorial stone will be sited on a hill and glider operations. which provides a panoramic view of the flight path and crash site.

As part of Exercise Dreme, the RAF Stirlings, towing their gliders, Tony said: “Every Remembrance conducted a circuit from RAF Keevil Sunday, we recall the enormous in Wiltshire to East Sussex, with the sacrifices made by all those in the gliders to be released over RAF Brize military and civilians in conflicts Norton. The glider that crashed around the world. Yet sometimes contained members of No. 3 it is good to focus on individual Platoon, ‘A’ Company, 7th (Airborne) incidents and recall exactly the Battalion, King’s Own Scottish circumstances in which people lost Borderers. their lives.

For details of where to find the “In this case, it was part of the site on April 4, please see: www. extraordinary preparation for the portsmouth.anglican.org/glider.

UPFRONT: LATEST NEWS

Archdeacon moves on

Global focus for Lent

THE Ven Peter Leonard has stepped down as Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight and team rector of Newport and Carisbrooke with Gatcombe.

He’s becoming chief executive of Family Links – the Centre for Emotional Health, a national charity and training organisation dedicated to the promotion of emotional health at home, at school and at work.

The move come after almost eight years working for the Church of England, three of which were as the most senior cleric on the Isle of Wight.

Farewell services were taking place in Newport Minster and All Saints, Ryde, on February 27.

BISHOP Jonathan has chosen the Christian charity USPG as the recipient of donations from this year’s Lent Appeal. He’d also like you to pray for those who benefit from the work of USPG around the globe and find ways to act to help them.

USPG, founded in 1701, works to help those affected by enviromental degradation, turbulent politices, gender injustice, and forced displacement, encouraging churches of the Anglican Communion across the world to be witnesses to the healing power of God’s love.

To find out how to donate, see www.portsmouth. anglican.org/lentappeal

School bus is launched Clocking up 80 years PUPILS from Hook-with-Warsash C of E Academy worked hard to raise money for a new play bus for their school playground.

The School Council and parent-teacher association organised socially distanced activities throughout 2021. They raised just over £6,000 for the bus which was officially opened by headteacher Sara Willoughby and Year 6 school councillor Sam. They ran a competition to design the new play area and the children voted for the bus design.

JOHN Cheverton joined St Peter’s, Seaview, as a seven-year-old choirboy on Boxing Day, 1941.

Eighty years later, he still worships there. The faithful churchgoer has also served for 66 years as PCC secretary and 58 years as organist.

He was also organist at the neighbouring St Helens Church, and served as choir director in St Peter’s. In 2018, he and his wife Molly were among a number of long-serving worshippers to receive St Thomas Awards from Bishop Christopher.

www.portsmouth.anglican.org

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UPFRONT: LATEST NEWS

Jonathan confirmed as Bishop of Portsmouth THIS was the moment when the Rt Rev Jonathan Frost legally became the tenth Bishop of Portsmouth.

His new role was confirmed at a legal ceremony in London, at which he was formally given spiritual responsibility for our diocese. The Archbishop of Canterbury also gave him a special charge, urging him to share the gospel and to proclaim the hope of Jesus – to those inside and outside our churches.

The confirmation of election service took place in St Mary-le-Bow, Cheapside, famous for its ‘Bow Bells’ and used for such legal ceremonies because it was built on top of the Court of Arches, the ecclesiastical court for our province of the C of E. Family, friends, representatives from our diocese and cathedral, and from Bishop Jonathan’s previous role as Dean of York Minster, attended.

Among those taking part in the legal ceremony was Bishop Jonathan’s daughter Hannah, who has recently qualified as a solicitor.

Her role was as advocate for her father. It was a proud moment for her and for her family.

The service began with the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby inviting Bishop Jonathan to re-affirm the promises he made at his consecration, including being diligent in prayer, promoting unity, peace and love, and being a faithful witness to Christ. The Bishop of London, the Rt Rev Sarah Mullally led the Litany of Prayer, and hymns were sung.

The vicar general then introduced

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The Archbishop of Canterbury with Bishop Jonathan Frost at St Mary-le-Bow

the legal ceremony, which included our diocesan registrar producing letters patent from HM the Queen, Bishop Jonathan swearing specific oaths on the Bible, and a formal decree that gave him spiritual responsibility for our diocese.

Archbishop Justin then addressed Bishop Jonathan directly, saying: “As bishop, you will proclaim the hope of Jesus Christ and share this with all those who have not heard. You’ll share in the collegiate leadership of the Church of England, discerning the future shape of ministry in the Church of England, as we live out our vocations.

“As Bishop of Portsmouth, you will share the gospel with those in and outside the Church, encouraging other disciples to be bold in living and sharing their faith and refreshing the ministry of God’s Church. You will lead a journey of

transformation, holding together those who support change and those who do not. You will work in partnership with secular agencies, responding to economic and social challenges. And you have a particular accountability for ensuring that the Diocese of Portsmouth is a safe space for all, with the highest standards of safeguarding. May the Lord of Heaven and Earth give you strength to perform these things.”

On Saturday 12th March, he will be formally installed in our cathedral at a special service starting at 3.30pm.

Dignitaries, community leaders, representatives from our parishes and schools, family and friends will all be invited.

For details of how to attend or to livestream the service – and to see photos of it afterwards – see www. portsmouth.anglican.org

UPFRONT: LATEST NEWS

Minster funding boost

Set aside a year for God

MAJOR donations of more than £1.5m mean work to restore and refurbish Newport Minster can be completed. The National Lottery Heritage Fund will contribute £869,000 towards the building work, alongside a grant from the National Churches Trust of almost £586,000 and a donation from a private benefactor of £100,000.

The cash will be spent on plugging leaks, repairing stonework, cleaning stained-glass windows, restoring monuments, and refurbishing the cafe, church and facilities. This will enable the building to be used more often by local schools and community groups.

ARE you a young person who is looking for some experience serving in a local church? Why not enrol on our diocese’s Ministry Experience Scheme?

Those aged 18-24 can work for a year at churches including St Luke’s, St Jude’s or St Margaret’s, all in Southsea; Crofton parish; or North End Baptist Church. It’s designed to be cost-neutral, with interns housed and fed by local church families.

Former intern Davita Vrolijk said: “I was blown away by how much I grew in my faith and relationship with Jesus, my knowledge of the Bible and God, all while serving in a local church.”

See www.portsmouth.anglican.org/MES for more.

‘Bread Church’ thriving Art project for refugees WORSHIPPERS at St Andrew’s Church, Hayling Island, started Bread Church last year, which involves baking and eating bread as part of worship.

It happens on the first Sunday of each month, from 10am-12noon, and includes people of all ages mixing ingredients, kneading dough, singing and doing craft, experiencing the aroma of baking bread, and chatting as they eat together.

It has attracted visitors and holidaymakers alike.

Find out more on www.haylinganglicans.co.uk

AN ambitious art project gave refugees and asylum seekers living in Portsmouth a real voice.

‘Tears of Joy’ involved providing wooden 3D teardrops and painting materials to refugees, so they could express their feelings creatively.

Groups meeting at St Luke’s, Southsea, and All Saints, Commercial Road, took part in workshops and the results were displayed in St Mary’s, Fratton over Christmas. A similar project had previously taken place in Chichester Cathedal.

www.portsmouth.anglican.org

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IN DEPTH: CLERGY FAMILIES

Clergy ministry can be a family affair The spouses and children of our clergy often have a crucial role in our parishes. They reveal something here of life in the vicarage WHEN a new vicar arrives at your church, their family usually joins your congregation too. And clergy spouses and children can bring skills and personalities that complement your vicar’s.

Clergy spouses are often drawn into the life of the church, leading small groups, dealing with visitors to the vicarage, plugging gaps in the rotas, offering pastoral support – or even joining the paid staff team.

Being upfront or ministering on the frontline might not be something they bargained for when they first got married.

The pandemic revealed just how much of a family affair it can be to lead a church. When clergy had to livestream services from their homes during the first lockdown, they often recruited family members to sing alongside them, lead intercessions, read from the Bible, or master the technology.

The congregation at Portsmouth Cathedral got used to seeing all four of the Percival family leading Morning or Evening Prayer together, or singing in their home or garden during livestreamed worship. For Canon Kathryn and the Rev James Percival, this was their job. But their children, Dom and Eliza, might not have expected such a role in our cathedral’s worship.

Canon Kathryn Percival had only recently been appointed as our cathedral’s Canon Chancellor and was still living in Southwark diocese, where her husband James was a

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Dom, Kathryn, James and Eliza Percival in our cathedral

vicar. Dom had been a chorister at St Paul’s Cathedral and both he and Eliza sang at school.

I sensed that music was something we could offer. I actually look back on that family activity quite fondly.”

Dom, who is now 20 and studying at Durham University, said: “Eliza and I do like singing anyway, and we wouldn’t have done it if we didn’t want to. In fact, it was my idea to do a four-part Byrd anthem in our garden. We had sung around the piano together, but we’d never done anything like that before.”

It was James who was ordained first, studying at Ripon College Cuddesdon before ordination in 2003. After his curacy, he was team vicar in Sanderstead until 2013 and then in Limpsfield until 2020. So when the first lockdown started, the family were recording or livestreaming separate pieces of music for his parish and for our cathedral.

James was then interim priest-incharge at All Saints Ryde and a chaplain at the Queen Alexandra Hospital before taking up his current post as a naval chaplain.

‘Though not clergy, there is a sense in which you are public property.’

And James said: “When the churches were closed and there was no other music being provided,

Kathryn originally worked as a barrister and paused her career to have children. But she can recall certain expectations of her as a clergy wife.

IN DEPTH: CLERGY FAMILIES

‘I feel quite proud of my mum upfront’ JACOB and Samuel Collinson have got used to seeing at least one of their parents upfront.

Their mum Amanda is their vicar, while their dad James leads Junior Church. At primary school, Amanda was the vicar who visited to lead school assemblies. And now that Jacob is at secondary school, one of his teachers happens to be his dad.

It’s one of the things they’ve got used to as clergy children. It’s also meant they’ve been happy to take a role leading prayers in services, or serving worshippers at Café Church.

“I do feel quite proud that my mum is up front teaching people about God on a Sunday morning,” said Jacob, who is 11. “I think it means that everyone respects you as part of the vicar’s family, but it also means you can’t really say no to doing jobs around the church.”

His mum Amanda, who is vicar of All Saints, Gurnard, and St John the Baptist, Northwood, on the Isle of Wight said: “It is actually a real family affair, as my parents and my sister also tend to get involved in church activities if they are over visiting, it’s not just the boys. The boundaries between church and domestic life are quite blurred.

“But I do think that being at church has given our boys a natural confidence in talking to adults that I don’t necessarily see in other children.”

Samuel, aged 9, said: “At school, they do think we’ll know the answers to the RE questions.

And sometimes we do!”

“Eliza had bad reflux when she was a small baby, which made it difficult for her to keep things down,” she said. “There were some weeks when we didn’t attend on a Sunday, because it was too difficult, and both James and I were criticised by some members of the congregation as a result.

(Clockwise from top) James, Amanda, Samuel and Jacob Collinson

Another aspect of being a clergy family is answering the door or phone to those who need the vicar. James also experienced this as a child, as his dad was a Baptist minister.

“You’re never quite off duty!” he said. “One thing I’ve been quite clear about is that I’ll take a message, but if you are just chatting to me that doesn’t mean the vicar automatically knows what we were talking about. If they want to speak to the vicar, they need to speak to her!”

The family have got used to mum working hard at Christmas and Easter, meaning they might not relax and open presents until after the Queen’s Speech.

But Amanda and James are careful about pushing religion on the children, allowing their boys to make their own decisions about “This whole experience gave me valuable insights into the reality of churchgoing for familes. But even when you are not the ordained one, there is a sense in which you are public property.

faith. Jacob has been confirmed, and both boys can articulate their Christian beliefs, but their parents haven’t forced them to say prayers unless they’ve wanted to.

Jacob and Samuel also appeared on screen during the first few livestreamed services from the vicarage during the first lockdown, alongside Amanda – while James took care of the technical side. It was another obvious way of showing how vicars don’t lead parishes in isolation from their families.

“As clergy, we’re really grateful for our families, for the sacrifices they make and all the bits and pieces of parish life that they didn’t necessarily sign up for but get involved in nevertheless,” said Amanda. “Without James, I certainly wouldn’t be as effective a priest that I am today.” actually an expectation that I would muck in in James’s churches, but I did take on the children’s work because I wanted to.”

“I ended up being a full-time mum for seven years. There wasn’t

Dom and Eliza can’t remember life before their dad was a vicar, but they can recall their mum being ordained. She also trained

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IN DEPTH: CLERGY FAMILIES

‘I’d no idea who’d want to date someone who MANY of our clergy hear God’s call and journey through ordination alongside a spouse. It means it can be a shared vocation.

Others may be ordained while single, then fall in love and get married. Things can feel different for their spouse, who joins a vicar or curate who has already established relationships within a congregation.

That’s what happened to the Rev Julie Jackson, who was ordained in 2018 and joined St Wilfrid’s, Cowplain, as their curate. She then met Dan. They were married in October 2019 and their first child, Noah, was born in August 2020.

“It was during my theological training that I realised I really wanted to get married and have children,” said Julie. “I had no idea who might want to go out with someone who was ordained, but that feeling didn’t go away.

“I joined online dating sites and went out on some dates but it was hard work getting to know someone virtually and then realising when I met them that they weren’t right for me.

“I remember talking to God about it and said if online dating – or dating generally – wasn’t of him then asking him to take it away. It was then that I remember seeing Dan’s profile. I kept going back to it and there was something about him.

“I thought that if I didn’t try at Cuddesdon, and stocked up the freezer full of food for the family before heading off for week-long theological residentials.

“I thought they would be unable to cope without me, so I had the ritual of filling the freezer with meals before I went, and baking bread and cake,” she said. “It turned out that they preferred their dad’s cooking.”

Kathryn was ordained in 2010, and served in several parishes in Southwark diocese – albeit not the same ones as James – before coming to our cathedral in 2019.

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Julie Jackson, with her husband Dan and their son Noah

this, I’d never know. We met and it did feel that I wanted to know him better. But I waited for a month before he came to my house because I wanted to be sure there was something in this.”

When they first met, Dan stayed up late Googling ‘clergy husband’. His background was with free churches, so ministry in the Church of England was a new thing.

There was so little information on ‘clergy husbands’ that he ended up Googling ‘clergy wife’ instead, and assuming it would be similar.

“Julie told me about her role, but it’s a hard job to describe,” “When we were in separate parishes, times like Christmas and Easter could be exhausting,” said James. “And the fact that we weren’t actually worshipping together was a real loss.”

Parish ministry wasn’t always easy for Dom and Eliza too, as they had to share their parents with several different congregations.

Eliza, who is now 17 and studying at the King’s School Canterbury, said: “Sometimes we had to tell our mum and dad to stop being nice to other people, and be nice to us instead!

Sometimes as well we had to

he said. “I knew there would a spotlight on us as a couple, and the congregation might be invested in our relationship. So I knew that we couldn’t date for months before deciding whether or not to be committed. In the end, we were engaged and married within a year of meeting.

“St Wilfrid’s was very welcoming but joining a congregation as the husband of one of the leaders can be quite a big thing, and so I eased myself in slowly. Eventually I got involved on the technical side, but then of course when we had Noah, my role became different. pretend that we knew the names of people in the congregation, when we didn’t – as they all knew us.”

Their experiences may have prepared them well for later life.

As Kathryn said: “I think Dom and Eliza have a well-developed affinity for other people, and I think that comes out of having to socialise with congregation members of all ages and backgrounds.”

Being part of a clergy family can also impact on your response to the gospel. The children of some clergy embrace faith enthusiastically,

o is ordained’ “I’m looking after Noah while Julie is up front on a Sunday.

But Noah likes to explore, so if he toddles up to her, she’ll pick him up and carry on. It’s good to model to the congregation how important children are.

“People seem to find it helpful that we allow Noah freedom in church – they feel more relaxed about what their children are doing during worship “Things have changed from the well-established mindset that men are clergy and their wives do childcare and domestic stuff.

That’s partly because women are now ordained, but also because parenting is different. We certainly take it in turns to be the primary care-giver. And we block out time in the diary for us to be together as a family, so we can protect teatime and bedtime each day.”

And Julie said: “The pandemic and having a family have changed my priorities. I’m more confident about what I think are the priorities of my ministry, rather than necessarily doing what other people expect me to do.

“It feels as though enabling whole families to grow and develop their faith has become more important. It’s also given me the chance of a healthier work-life balance, with time set aside for family.” while others can be put off. And some actually become clergy themselves later in life.

Dom said: “I do believe in the centrality of love in the universe, but I don’t believe Jesus died for us. But that has changed. I used to be quite anti-Christian.”

And Eliza thinks similarly. She said: “I had to go to church, but as soon as it was safe for me to stay at home, my parents gave me the option not to. I think I’m in the middle ground too, like Dom, but that might change when I have time to think about it properly.”

Carolyn, Jonathan, Phoebe and Jem in the Staunton Nativity

Acting is real family activity BEING part of a clergy family in Leigh Park has involved learning acting skills – and regular performances.

The vicar, the Rev Jonathan Jeffery, and his wife, Carolyn Owens, have taken leading roles in a series of Passion Plays, pantomimes and community nativities over the past few years, most of which have involved their children too.

Phoebe Jeffery, now 20, has been the Virgin Mary, Mary Magdalen, and a principal boy – often opposite her dad, dressed as a pantomime dame. Her brother Jem, now 17, has found a niche as a Roman soldier, while 14-year-old Gabriel has been a memorable shepherd boy, among other roles.

With mum Carolyn often writing, directing or producing shows, the weeks leading up to Christmas, Easter or a summer Passion Play often mean all five of them learning lines in the vicarage and attending intensive rehearsals. Most recently, they all took parts in the Nativity performed at Staunton Farm in the days leading up to last Christmas.

Phoebe, who is now studying theology at Chichester University, said: “I don’t know what it would be like not to be part of a clergy family, but perhaps I take for granted things that others would find odd. And there are definitely arguments and stress involved with trying to put on shows.

“I’ve embraced the Christian faith for lots of reasons, but the

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people I’ve met in church, and through community productions are so important. They’re like family. I’m studying theology because it interests me, not just because dad’s a vicar, but my experiences are part of me.”

And Jem, who is at Oaklands School, said: “I enjoy performing, and it’s my church family and friends, as well as my actual family, who have helped my faith develop.

“I’ve had to get used to people knocking on the vicarage door at all hours to ask for support – vicarage life can be very unpredictable, but grounding.”

Both Phoebe and Jem have been involved with Stagecoach Performing Arts, based in Crookhorn, for many years, so their acting skills have also been honed outside the family.

Carolyn said: “When we get together with everyone else who is performing, we have a really joyful and creative time. And, yes, often when we get back to the house, it all kicks off with us yelling at each other! But being in a clergy family does make you resilient in lots of ways.”

And Jonathan said: “You have to make yourself vulnerable as a family. These children have had to get used to their dad leading assemblies at their schools and embarrassing them for years.

“But the dramas we put together have helped teach them to be bold and confident, as friends, as neighbours, in their faith and in life.”

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Our local theological college is open to all We’re training clergy and Readers together on a theological course based in our diocese. It means collaboration is natural IF you felt a call from God to become a minister, it used to involve uprooting family and enrolling at a theological college far from home for two or three years.

Now those training to become clergy and Readers can study in our diocese, keeping their jobs and remaining part of their existing congregations.

Responding to a vocation to licensed ministry has been made simpler.

Our diocese’s course for training clergy and Readers is called the Portsmouth Pathway, and is based at St Luke’s Church in inner-city Portsmouth. It aims to combine academic theology, the development of ministry skills and the encouragement of spiritual formation. When it was launched in September 2015, it was the first time that ordination training had been offered within our diocese.

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There are currently 23 people studying to become clergy or Readers on the Pathway.

Excitingly, they learn side-byside, with only some marginal differences in the training given to ordinands and trainee Readers.

This encourages collaborative leadership in our churches.

began studying in September 2021 after responding to God’s call to become a distinctive deacon. She studies while also working as a nurse at the Isle of Wight Prison, and is currently learning about being a deacon at churches in Seaview, St Helens, Yaverland and Brading.

‘It’s broadening my knowledge of Scripture and the Christian faith’

“I’m really loving it,” she said.

“The evening studies are really diverse, and I’m learning from the lecturers and the other students.

It’s really broadening my knowledge and understanding of Scripture and the Christian faith.

And to spend time at college in the countryside at Cuddesdon is really helpful, as the learning there is Spirit-led and involves the whole of Creation.

Training typically involves a seminar on a Tuesday night, with some home learning and some residential weekends at Ripon College Cuddesdon – offering real flexibility for those who work during the day.

Among them is Charlotte Hudd, from All Saints Church, Ryde, who

“I’ve been placed at the Haven Benefice to learn about the role of the deacon. I’m excited about the Eucharistic role of the deacon, who is on the threshold

IN DEPTH: PORTSMOUTH PATHWAY of the church to invite people to come in, who brings the gospel to the people, who administers the sacraments, and then invites people to go into the world.

“Interacting with people at an important moment like Communion echoes the role I have with patients as a nurse.

These are significant occasions for people, and involves you caring for all sorts of people, without any judgement. I’m also registered as a healthcare chaplain, which was a course I did before this one and which links those two aspects of my life.”

Polly Honeychurch thought she would miss full-time employment when she started studying on the Portsmouth Pathway. In fact, she felt really peaceful about ending her 32 years in the teaching profession and 22 years as a headteacher in order to study for ordination.

Polly, who goes to St Nicholas Church, Bedhampton, stepped down as headteacher at Cottage Grove Primary School in Southsea last summer to enrol on the Pathway. She’s also interim chief executive of the University of Portsmouth Academy Trust, and a foster carer.

“I ignored God’s call for a long time,” she said. “For the past 25 years, I’ve served in our church, leading services and so on.

When the Diocesan Director of Ordinands joined our church and asked me if I’d ever considered ordination, I thought I’d better start looking at it.

“It seemed like the right time to make this move, and I guess I knew it was coming. I’d worked in education, and I’d always assumed that was my ‘ministry’ but it felt as though God was asking me to use those skills in a different way.

“I went through the process of

Top left: the Rev Richard Wyld leads a session; top: students in a session; below: Charlotte Hudd talks to a colleague at the Portsmouth Pathway

grieving for my career, and had to realise that my value was not in my role, but in me as a person.

So I felt peace when I handed my notice in. My son has turned 18 and gone to university, so there was a possibility of doing this studying.

“I’m loving what I’m doing now.

It really feels like I’ve come home.

The people on the course are lovely, and on the first evening here I realised that I knew many of the other students already – they were involved with my school, or I knew them from other places.

www.portsmouth.anglican.org

“I’m excited about the course. I want to study more and to do theology. It’s such a privilege to be on the course, and I can’t believe the Church of England is funding me to do this training.

It also gives me more time to be with family than being a headteacher, so it has made a real difference to my home life.”

A typical Tuesday night in termtime begins with students sharing food together in St Luke’s church hall from 5.30pm. Students then take it in turns to lead Evening Prayer in different styles in the church itself. During the

13

IN DEPTH: PORTSMOUTH PATHWAY

Dyslexic trainee finding new ways to stud KEVIN Jones says the only book he’s ever read all the way through is the Bible.

His dyslexia made him nervous about signing up to an academic theological course, but he is enjoying the Portsmouth Pathway.

The mix of learning and practical experience suits him.

The 62-year-old grandfather, who goes to the Church of the Good Shepherd in Crookhorn, is on the first year of his three-year Reader training course. But he’s already preaching in churches of various denominations.

“I think I am a natural evangelist, and I have preached in a number of places already,” he said. “The academic side does scare me, as I am dyslexic, but I was encouraged to do this.

“It’s not easy, but I love learning, and enjoy the chats we have together. The residential part

Kevin Jones with colleagues on the Pathway course

of what we do in Oxford is also interesting, although it’s full-on as we eat, pray and study together all weekend.

“I am struggling with the essay side of things, but I can get help.

It’s not just the writing side of it, but the reading too. We’re trying to

pandemic, physical interaction wasn’t possible and training was held digitally. But the students appreciate the renewed chance to be part of a physical community of faith.

Then at around 6.45pm, the theological sessions start, with first-year ordinands and trainee Readers in one room, and second and third-year students learning together in another.

Among the subjects covered are Old and New Testament studies, ethics, ministry skills, pastoral care, worship, mission and leadership. Students are also given the chance to practice their preaching skills at local churches, and to go through what is involved with leading weddings, funerals and baptisms.

The course is run in partnership with Ripon College Cuddeson, near Oxford, which is also a residential theological college.

14

Students enjoy being on the Portsmouth Pathway

The three-year course leads either to a Higher Education Certificate or a Diploma, both of which are accredited by Durham University.

And our Pathway students also includes some from Chichester diocese, and some who choose to study theology independently.

Some are on bespoke courses, to fit their specific needs and

experiences.

All students have the chance to experience residential weekends at Ripon College Cuddesdon, near Oxford, once a term, with ordinands usually having two separate weekends there each term. These allow more intensive study and the chance to meet students preparing for ministry

IN DEPTH: PORTSMOUTH PATHWAY

dy find ways for me to access audio books, which makes it easier for me. But a few years ago, when it was perhaps a more academic course, I wouldn’t have been able to access it.

“Trainee Readers and ordinands do slightly different things, with an extra residential in Oxford for them. But it is good to train alongside each other, and we do have the same homework. And I live in Portsmouth, so I’m really grateful that this course exists within the city.

“I’ve been at Church of the Good Shepherd for 14 years, and I do visit other churches, preaching. I take the view that we are one Church, and the message is the same, whichever denomination you belong to.

I just wish we could be more united.” from other places.

The director of the Portsmouth Pathway is the Rev Dr Richard Wyld, who was previously our bishop’s chaplain. He is supported by tutors drawn from this diocese and further afield, who have expertise in specific subjects.

He said: “I love working alongside such a diverse and committed group of people, and my hope is to see everyone grow in faith, and confidence in their calling.

“For me the study of theology is not an academic thing. It’s about knowing God more closely, hearing one another’s perspectives and seeing things from a fresh angle. As much as I enjoy teaching, what I love even more is hearing the insights of the community.”

If you are interested in applying for a place, please go to www. portsmouth.anglican.org/ pathway for more information.

Chris Nicol enjoys learning on the Portsmouth Pathway

Ex-teacher appreciates being taught by others CHRIS Nicol spent 15 years as an RE teacher - but studying on the Portsmouth Pathway has been a “paradigm shift” in how he sees faith.

The retired teacher says the study he’s now doing has prompted a fundamental change in his mindset, giving him a deeper theological insight into God, the Christian faith and the Bible.

Chris, who worships at our cathedral, is now on the second year of his three-course as a trainee Reader.

He’d previously taught RE at St Edmund’s RC School in Portsmouth, and before that taught at primary school.

“A friend in London said they’d been up all night thinking about me, and thought I should go for ordination,” said Chris. “I’m over 60, so that wasn’t possible, but I did decide to explore being a Reader and the doors opened.

“It has been such a fascinating journey and I’m so glad that I explored it. It has involved a paradigm shift in how I see Christianity, and it has opened up

www.portsmouth.anglican.org

all sorts of new things about God, life and the Bible.

“The course is so convenient, being at St Luke’s. I can jump on my bike and get there on a Tuesday afternoon so easily. And it’s a real city centre church with a community feel, so a great place to be. I’m looking forward to doing a placement here.

“The Pathway also has a really good selection of books in their library, which have been donated by former students and others.

“In my first academic year, a lot of the sessions were on Zoom, which is so impersonal. It was harder to have that bonding and to build relationships with others.

It’s so much better now.

“And I enjoy the fact that we take it in turns to lead worship.

It’s definitely out of my comfort zone, and helps us to prepare for leading different styles of worship.

“One thing that being a teacher taught me was the importance of good preparation and organisation. You can’t wing it in school. I think it’s going to be similar as I preach sermons and lead worship.”

15

PEOPLE: MY FAITH

Inspired by film of Jesus being crucified Vanna Hom grew up in a rural village in Cambodia, and had never even heard of Jesus. But a movie she saw changed her life IMAGINE you know nothing about Jesus, but you see footage of an innocent man being brutally executed.

That’s what happened to Vanna Hom, who was moved to tears by the suffering of a historic figure she had never heard about. But it led to her embracing the Christian faith. Now she’s part of the congregation at St Luke’s Church in Southsea.

Vanna grew up in a rural village in Cambodia called Takeo. Her parents had lived through the genocide by the Khmer Rouge regime which came at the end of the country’s civil war in the 1970s.

In her village, only one family owned a TV. To see the outside world, villagers had to crowd into that family’s front room and watch together. On one such occasion, Vanna saw a movie depicting the life of Jesus.

“It was about a man being tortured by soldiers and being left to die on a cross,” she said.

“I remember crying about it, but I didn’t know who it was and neither did my mother. We had grown up as Buddhists, so we knew nothing of this story.”

A year later, she moved to Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia, to learn English, which is vital to get a good job in that country. She stayed with her

16

Vanna Hom at St Luke’s Church, Southsea

uncle, who sent her to study at a private school. She felt she wasn’t learning English fast enough.

‘I can’t imagine life without God. I can’t work without him in my life now’ Two girls in her class suggested going to church, where she could study English and also learn about God. She started to attend worship as well as Bible study classes.

“The teacher at church showed me a movie about Jesus, and it

was the same one I’d seen in my village,” she said. “It was heartbreaking. I realised his name was Jesus and I wanted to find out more about God.” Six months later she was baptised in her church. She went to tell her parents what had happened, and they were alarmed. Their only experience of other faiths involved people moving away and ostracising their families, so they worried that she was joining a cult.

“My mother started to cry, and was worrying about what I’d done,” she said. “I’m the oldest of her children, so have a lot of responsibility, and she was

PEOPLE: MY FAITH concerned. I explained about God’s love and tried to comfort them. After a few months of loving and caring for them, they realised that this was different, and that it wouldn’t take me away from them.

“My mum allowed me to read the Bible to her, which was very special. I have a Bible in English and one in Cambodian that the pastor bought for me when I was baptised. I use it every day.”

Vanna met her husband Benjamin at the school where she was working, and they got married in 2009. Ben is from the UK, so they were interested in settling in England, but you’re not allowed to migrate directly from Cambodia to the UK. They had to spend a year living in China before applying to come to England.

“Ben could have gone back to the UK by himself, but he didn’t want to leave me,” she said. “So we spent a year in China which was very different. To go to church, you had to travel for 2 or 3 hours into Beijing and then show your passport to be let into the church.”

They came to England in 2014, and moved in with Ben’s parents in Chessington initially. They struggled to find a local church that was welcoming enough while they were there.

“My church in Cambodia was massive, and international, and very welcoming,” said Vanna. “We went to a Baptist church nearby, but we didn’t feel at home.”

A year later, they bought a house in Portsmouth, and Vanna found a job working in a nursery in North End. She has always enjoyed working with children, and is now studying for a foundation degree in early childhood at Portsmouth University. She’d ultimately like to become a teacher.

Villagers in Takeo, Cambodia, with food bought with the sponsorship money

Help for those hit by Covid in Cambodian village WHEN the Covid pandemic hit Cambodia, the effect on rural villages such as the one Vanna grew up in was immense.

The biggest wave there started in February 2021. Families were going hungry, villagers couldn’t work as factories were closed, and the food markets were shut to try to halt the spread of the virus.

With no vaccinations initially available, all that infected people could do was isolate themselves from the rest of the village. Vanna was especially worried as she could no longer return to see her family. Millions of Cambodians have now been given vaccinations, and the country is recovering well.

“My sister is still there, and working for the government, so she was sharing about how Covid had affected people,” said Vanna.

“Church is a big part of my life, so when we came to Portsmouth, I wanted to find a church,” she said. “I was desperately looking for a family church and saw St Luke’s online.

“I went to the gate and saw that the main door seemed to be shut. I thought ‘I don’t want to go’, but we did go in and the church family there is absolutely

www.portsmouth.anglican.org

“She asked if we could support them. I was praying about the problem, and realised that being sponsored to run was one way to help. It could raise money to buy food to help families there.

“Family is very important to me, and God answered my prayers because we found a way to help them.”

Vanna set up a fundraising page and then was sponsored to run a half-marathon for the first time along Southsea Promenade last summer. She has already raised almost £1,500 as a result, which has been used to buy rice, fish, noodles and other essential food.

If you would like to contribute, do visit: https://www.gofundme. com/f/food-support-for-familiesin-tako-cambodia

amazing. The vicar, Annie, is very encouraging, helping me and praying for me if I am in trouble.

We join in with Night Prayer online most evenings. I’ve been involved with welcoming other people, and I have helped with the children as well.

“I can’t imagine my life without God now. I can’t work without God in my life.”

17

PEOPLE: MUSIC

Long journey is worth it to play historic Handel organ THIS 93-year-old makes an eighthour round trip to play the organ in a church in Gosport – but it’s worth it.

Every two weeks, Geoffrey Holroyde takes the train from his home in Warwick to play the historic organ for church services in Holy Trinity Church, Gosport.

The organ, which was once played by Handel, is so special that Geoffrey spearheaded a drive to raise more than £200,000 over eight years to restore it to its former glory.

Having done so, he can’t resist coming back each fortnight to lead worship there. This amazing commitment will come to an end in April, when he finally retires on Easter Sunday.

“It was hard work, but we managed to restore the organ by 2013 and it is now in superb condition,” he said. “It will probably last for another 100 years now. It sounds so good in Holy Trinity, where the acoustics are excellent, that I love playing this extraordinary instrument. It’s certainly the nicest one I’ve ever played.

“Back in 2005, I was actually at a naval dinner in Gosport and the following day had a look inside Holy Trinity Church. I discovered

18

Geoffrey Holroyde with the Handel organ

this Abraham Jordan organ which had originally been built for the Duke of Chandos in 1720, when he was the wealthiest man in England. The Duke asked George Frederick Handel to become the musician at his palace in Canon Park, and Handel composed anthems on it.

“It had been bought by Holy Trinity, Gosport, and had a major rebuild in 1885, but by 2005 it was in a sorry state. I committed myself to restore it, bought a flat in Gosport and became the honorary director of music for the church. I wasn’t paid anything, but we set about raising the money to restore the organ.

“We were given £167,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and raised the other £42,000 locally.

We made Holy Trinity a centre of excellence for concerts. It wasn’t hard to get organists to perform here for free, because the organ is so good to play. Everyone I invite can’t stop playing it.

“I have handed over the title of principal organist, but I still play every fortnight as Organist Emeritus. I used to drive down, stay over in the Gosport flat, and then play for church services.

It took me two-and-a-quarter hours to drive. However, I’ve now reached the age where my

doctor tells me that I shouldn’t be driving. So I take the train, changing at Southampton, and get the Gosport ferry across from Portsmouth. That journey takes four hours each way.

“Easter is a good time to retire, because there are several services that weekend, and Easter Sunday is a good celebration. I used to have a pipe organ in my house, but that has now been given away to a village church in Warwickshire.”

Geoffrey was born in Sheffield and moved to Stockport, where he became a choirboy at St George’s at the age of nine.

The family then moved to Huddersfield when he was 11, and he was a chorister there and took organ lessons.

When the regular organist was called up for military service in the Second World War, Geoffrey ended up playing the organ for church services aged only 12.

He was head of an inner-city comprehensive in Coventry, then director of Coventry Polytechnic, and finally the director of GEC Marconi Management College.

For 10 years he led the music at St Mary’s Church, Warwick, and later established a choir of 24 young people in Coventry Cathedral.

PEOPLE: THE BIG ISSUE

Why racial justice should matter The Rev Rajiv Sidhu asks us to make racial justice a key part of the way we share God’s love HANDS up if you would like to be treated as black and brown people are in your area?

I wonder what your response is.

The response speaks into why racial justice matters, especially to the Church. In a post-George Floyd world, the issue of racism has once again come into the spotlight.

Recently, the Archbishops’ AntiRacism Task Force and its report ‘From Lament to Action’ has shone a light on areas for the Church of England to reflect on.

Theologian and philosopher Cornell West describes justice as “what love looks like in public”. Yet this issue is nothing new. There is at least 30 years’ worth of public grappling with the issues of discrimination based on ethnicity and race within the church.

There was even the creation of materials for spaces to speak, listen, and disagree well with each other, in small study style groups in ‘Seeds of Hope’ and ‘This Passing Winter’ in 1996. The Church of England has a long challenging history with race and racism which continues to this day.

Today, nearly 100 per cent of all global majority secondary school students report they

have experienced racism in their lifetime nationally.

This is children who go to school and struggle with the colour of their skin. Children who come home and say to their parents that they want to change their name because nobody can pronounce it.

‘Our faith compels us to be with the oppressed and marginalised’ It is children who want to scrub their skin with scourers so it is not as dark, just to stop the taunts.

Children who hate their hair because it makes them different.

It is children who will say that they prefer their white parent, and because they have a white parent can say they are white, because to be anything other than white is to live a life of persecution and injustice – because that is what they see on Newsround, denying a whole section of their heritage and inheritance in that one rash yet entirely logical decision.

These parents dig deep to point out that if people can say “Tchaikovsky” and “Schwarzenegger”, they should be able to say “Sugirtharajah

www.portsmouth.anglican.org

and “Olu Segun”. They learn ways to guide their children to accept their skin for what it is and accept themselves for who they are.

And this is repeated in homes across our diocese. How can we claim to live, pray, and serve with “the least of these”, when (at the time of writing) our diocesan page on social justice does not include racial justice? When we have yet to engage with Black History Month?

Our faith compels us to be with “the least of these”. The oppressed and the marginalised. So, what does that look like?

Go back to the question at the start of this article. What is your honest response? Sit with it and reflect on it. Take the time to find and listen to those who speak from the margins.

We need to acknowledge the lived realities of those who are excluded for simply being who they are. To listen and learn from their experiences. Only then can we discern how to live, pray, and serve all in our midst.

Justice is “what love looks like in public”. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. And that’s why racial justice should matter to the church. Amen.

19

PEOPLE: WHY I LOVE MY CHURCH

I felt welcome, so I was baptised aged 74 Barry Glover felt so at home in this church that he chose to be baptised with the whole congregation looking on Who are you? I’m Barry Glover, aged 74, and I’ve just been baptised!

What church are you part of? I joined St James Church, Milton, in Portsmouth. It’s the place where my wife was confirmed and we were married. My eldest daughter was christened there, was in the church choir and was confirmed.

I’ve lived in the area for 40 years, but I’d never been a regular churchgoer before.

I thought that I ought to get baptised and then think about confirmation, so that I can join in with everyone else.

I was one of eight children, and the first four were baptised, but I wasn’t sure about myself. I was number five, and I know that one of my younger sisters wasn’t christened.

I tried to find out, but we grew up in Essex and we couldn’t find out for sure.

I preferred to do the Why did you start going baptism within the normal there? service, because it was I came a couple of times before the lockdown started. that congregation who I felt welcome and accepted. made me feel welcome, so There was no pressure, but it was the right place for it someone asked if they could Barry Glover after his baptism at St James, Milton to happen. sit with me and help me if I’m not a good singer. But getting anything about the service wasn’t It was just a sprinkle of water on involved in St James’s was familiar. That made a difference. the head, but it was special. My different. two daughters, son-in-law, and The lockdown didn’t make too grandchildren were there. I also What do you love about your much difference to me, as I’m a had a bottle of Moet champagne church? carer for my wife and I didn’t get I’d been keeping for 20 years and I like the quiet reflection.

I like out much anyway. never had an occasion to open it. being able to sit at the back, So we opened that! by myself, appreciating the But after that I started going peacefulness.

And I like the regularly and began to look forward to it. You could sit in quiet sermons too. It’s very modern and I’m pleased that I’ve done it, and one thing I loved about St James down-to-earth and something for half an hour, and it made you was that people I didn’t even that you can relate to. think. know came and congratulated me. It just shows that you’re never I’d been in the Navy for nine years, At the moment when I go to too old to make a commitment church, I go up for a blessing and we had parades there. I like singing the hymns, even though rather than taking Communion. to God!

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21

AND FINALLY: TOP 10

Bishops of Portsmouth As we prepare to install Jonathan as our new bishop, we recall all who have held this role since our diocese was created in 1927

1

NEVILLE LOVETT (1927-36)

Elevated from Archdeacon of Portsmouth to become our first bishop. Became Bishop of Salisbury in 1936.

Schools were named after him in Fareham and Ryde.

3

5 7

Became bishop after a 24-year association with Chichester diocese and a stint at Peterborough Cathedral. Died in office and interred at East Meon.

4

WILLIAM ANDERSON (1942-49)

The only C of E bishop ever to have served in all three Armed Forces. Became Bishop of Salisbury in 1949.

JOHN PHILLIPS (1960-75)

Was an RNVR chaplain in wartime and Archdeacon of Nottingham before becoming our bishop.

TIMOTHY BAVIN N (1984-94)

6

CHRISTOPHER FOSTER (2010-21)

Had been Bishop of Hertford.

Initiated our Live Pray Serve vision, and steered us through the worst of the pandemic before retiring to Somerset.

LAUNCELOT FLEMING (1949-59) Chaplain to expeditions to the Antarctic and served on HMS Queen Elizabeth before becoming a bishop.

RONALD GORDON N (1975-84) Subsequently became Bishop at Lambeth and Bishop to the Forces, then sub-dean of Christ Church, Oxford.

8

Was Bishop of Johannesburg before becoming our bishop.

Retired to become a monk at Alton Abbey.

9 22

2

FRANK PARTRIDGE GE (1936-41)

10

KENNETH STEVENSON (1995-2009)

An academic who was part-Danish and pioneered the C of E’s links with the Porvoo Communion.

Diagnosed with leukaemia in 2005 and sadly died in 2011.

JONATHAN FROST (2022-)

Formerly Bishop of Southampton and Dean of York Minster.

Installed March 2022.

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?”

Romans 8.35

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Bishop Jonathan prays with the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby at the confirmation of election, St Mary-le-Bow, London, January 2022

AND FINALLY: THE BIG PICTURE

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