June 2015
in review www.churchofengland.org
The National Church Institutions working for you
Community link worker Rachel Hepburn is funded by the Church Commissioners to live on a new housing estate as part of her missional work Credit: Sam Cavender, Bristol Diocese
Church Commissioners announce 14.4% return on investments for 2014 - p2 WELCOME to the latest edition of InReview, featuring news from the National Church Institutions.
Church Commissioners, the Pensions Board and other bodies who serve the Church at national level.
Our aim is to keep people in touch with the activities of the Archbishops’ Council,
Do check out In Focus, our sister publication designed to be a centrespread for A5 parish magazines.
Archbishop of York invites more minority ethnic vocations in CofE - p3
Also in this edition: • New climate change policy unveiled - p2 • Church launches national conversation about death and dying - p3 • Archbishop Justin welcomes training for churches to help people in debt - p4
Page two | The National Church Institutions working for you
Church Commissioners fund grows to £6.7billion at the end of 2014 The Church Commissioners have announced their 2014 financial results with the publication of their annual report, The Commissioners posted a total return on its investment in 2014 of 14.4 per cent, growing the fund from £2.4bn at the start of 1995 to £6.7bn at the end of 2014. The fund, which provides support across the Church of England, spent £215 million - 16% of the Church’s overall mission and ministry costs. Alongside the Commissioners’ Annual Report, an Annual Review highlighted funded projects ranging from Children’s drop ins and after-school clubs to youth work and food bank hubs, all supported by local churches. Andrew Brown, Secretary of the Church Commissioners, said: “Through continued strong ethical and sustainable financial performance we help provide for the spiritual and numerical growth of the Church of England. “We continue to identify and help fund the Church’s work and mission in communities throughout England.” Rachel Hepburn (pictured, front page), Community Link Worker on the Cheswick Estate in Bristol is funded by a grant for mission in new housing and other development areas. Through the funding, Rachel is able to live in the local community and make vital links with other residents. Pioneer curate the Revd Jimmy Rocks said it was the grant that put the final piece in place in the church’s community outreach. Rachel, Jimmy and the team are meeting the community need by running a variety of events, along with an Alpha group and informal Sunday worship. Watch an interview with Rachel Hepburn at: bit.ly/rachelhepburn The full report is available at: bit.ly/commissionersreport2014
The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England has begun a process of consultation across the country for Reform and Renewal, visiting every Diocesan Synod to discuss the proposals set out during the February sessions of General Synod. In an interview for the Church of England podcast, the Ven Christine Hardman, a member of the Council, reflects on the progress of the consultation: “There’s been a really good level of energy and a desire to learn more about it [Reform and Renewal] to
Church unveils new climate change policy with thermal coal and tar sands divestment
Burnside Youth and community Centre
Children’s activities at the Burnside Centre, Manchester Diocese
On the day that drummer Lee Rigby was killed, it was the Burnside Centre near his home in the parish of Langley, Manchester that offered shelter and hospitality to all. A Commissioners’ mission development funding grant is supporting the work of the Centre’s children’s activities, engaging with children and young people through weekly sessions and holiday play schemes, and providing a safe, stimulating and positive environment The Chair of the Burnside Centre, the Revd Canon Philip Miller, has said that: “...over and over again we are instrumental in changing lives - in helping those who come to access our services to become volunteers and then to go on and find jobs for themselves.
become more involved. The questions have been really good, so this isn’t a one-way process - we are learning a lot by this local engagement which
Credit: Villeton via Flickr Creative Commons
The Church Commissioners and The Church of England Pensions Board have announced the £12million divestment from some of the worst polluting fossil fuels. The announcement to divest from thermal coal and tar sands was made as the Church’s National Investing Bodies adopted a new climate change policy recommended by the Church’s Ethical Investment Advisory Group (EIAG). Bishop Nick Holtam, the lead Bishop on the environment at the Church of England, responded to the new climate change policy, saying: “It is thoughtful and has been carefully considered, producing a range of ways to engage with issues of the Church’s finance in relation to Climate Change. It marks the start of a process of divestment as well
will be carried on and taken into the programme which is not set in stone, it’s a two way dialogue.” As part of the ongoing work on Reform and Renewal, a dedicated page (left) has been created on the Church of England website. The new page will have the latest news and resources about each of the areas of Reform and Renewal, including blogs and videos. Featured on the site is a blog from William Fittall, Secretary General of the Archbishops’ Council who writes: “...the challenge of Reform and Renewal is spiritual. We shall ultimately
as engagement with fossil fuel companies and better aligns the Church’s investment practice with its belief, theology and practice.” The policy sets out ways in which the National Investing Bodies will seek to engage with fossil fuel companies in which they invest. Edward Mason, Head of Responsible Engagement for the Commissioners said: “This policy talks to how institutional investors committed to ethical and responsible investment can integrate climate change considerations into their thinking.” The full climate change policy is available at: bit.ly/climatechangepolicy To see more about the church’s action on climate change: www.churchcare.co.uk/ shrinking-the-footprint
be building on sand unless what we do is underpinned by prayer and an unshakable confidence in God, who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or conceive.” A second blog this month discusses the latest developments in the area of Resourcing Ministerial Education (RME). Director of Ministry, the Revd Julian Hubbard writes about a period of consultation with Theological Colleges as part of research to support the future work of RME. The website also has discussion forums for each report, along with videos and blogs from the leaders of each area of Reform and Renwal, and copies of each report. The dedicated web page is available at: www.churchofengland.org/ reform-renewal The Church of England podcast is available at: bit.ly/cofepodcast
InReview | Page three
Archbishop of York heads call for more minority ethnic vocations in the Church of England The Archbishop of York has called for more minority ethnic Anglicans in ordained ministry in the Church of England. In a foreword to a new booklet on minority ethnic vocations, Dr John Sentamu said there has never been a better time for Christians from minority ethnic backgrounds to respond to God’s call to ordained ministry in the Church of England. “There is a greater need than ever for minority ethnic Anglicans to respond to God’s call to ministry and servant leadership - we need people who are equipped for cross cultural ministry in our increasingly diverse society,” Dr Sentamu said. “We need more minority ethnic clergy as deacons, priests and bishops. We need ethnic diversity at all levels in the Church’s ministry. This booklet shows how crucial it is for our ongoing vocations work in the Church of England. We need to see more minority ethnic Anglicans if we are to serve effectively and see
The Church of England’s weekly podcast is available now on Soundcloud and on the iTunes podcasts - featuring interviews and features from around the Church. All of the audio on Soundcloud is available at: www.soundcloud.com/the-church-of-england
Other ways to engage with us online include: Follow us on Twitter: @c_of_e or at www.twitter.com/c_of_e Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thechurchofengland churches grow, and to do that we must make and nurture disciples in diverse communities across England today.” Everyday People, God’s gift to the Church of England, from the Vocations Strategy Group, a working group of the Committee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns, and the Ministry Division of the Church of England, features the life stories of seven ordained clergy and one Anglican who is currently exploring her vocation. All are of minority ethnic heritage. Dr Elizabeth Henry, the Church of England’s national adviser on minority ethnic Anglican concerns, said there
are “significant” numbers of minority ethnic Christians in Anglican churches but minority ethnic clergy make up less than 3% of serving clergy. “Working to increase representation and inclusion of minority ethnic Anglicans at all levels in the Church is not about redressing an imbalance, it is essential to church growth,” she said. “We hope this booklet will provide insight and inspiration for a positive impact on the number of minority ethnic Anglicans coming forward for ordination.”
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Church launches national conversation about Death and Dying
The booklet is available at: bit.ly/everydaypeoplebooklet
New Call Waiting website launched to resource young people exploring ordination The Church of England’s Ministry Division has launched a new version of the website Call Waiting set up to help young people considering ordination. The new site (right) has been designed to provide details of every stage of enquiry - and for the first time feature comprehensive information about each of the Church’s Ministry Experience Schemes running around the country set up for young people to get practical experience of church ministry. This September, 14 Dioceses will be running the year-long scheme for young people, and all the details and contact information for each programme is available on the new website. The new site is available at: www.callwaiting.org.uk
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The Church of England is launching a new national resource to help churches get people talking about death and dying. GraveTalk, provides resources for a café space in which churches provide a relaxed environment for people to explore questions about death and dying, funerals and loss. It is a pack of 52 questions about life, death, society, funerals and grief to help people start, and has been piloted in more than 100 parishes. Question cards include: ‘What would you like your lasting legacy to be?’, ‘How do you feel about being asked to wear bright colours at a funeral’, to ‘What music would you like to have played or sung at your funeral?’. The Revd Canon Dr Sandra Millar, head of Projects and Development for the Archbish-
ops’ Council said: “We have been helping people to think about the big questions of life and death for generations. Our local clergy and lay people are a valuable source of support and help at every stage. Whether it is thinking about what hymns and readings you might want in your funeral service, or finding someone to listen during the painful journey of grief, a local church can play a big part in getting people talking about death and dying.” For more information visit: www.gravetalk.org
Page four | The National Church Institutions working for you | InReview
Archbishop welcomes training for churches to help people in debt The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has welcomed a new training resource designed to help local churches “play a vital role” in signposting people to free and professional debt advice services. Guiding people to free debt advice: a debt awareness and signposting workshop is a twohour video-based workshop developed by the Money Advice Trust, the charity that runs National Debtline, in partnership with the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Task Group on Responsible Credit and Savings. It is available as a free online download or to order with a DVD. The workshop is designed to help staff and volunteers in churches and church-linked community groups to identify and respond appropriately to someone who may be struggling financially. It also looks at the types of debt advice available, how these can be accessed, and how to help prepare someone for debt advice. The workshop is not designed to train people as debt advi-
sors or counsellors, but to enable them to act a link between people who are in debt and the free services that can help them. Of the nearly nine million people in the UK who are struggling with debt, only 17 per cent are currently receiving advice to help deal with their situation. Archbishop Justin said: “Helping people to get out of debt, and freeing them from the anxiety and exploitation that often goes with being in debt, is part of the Church’s commitment to human flourishing. “I welcome this new training resource to help local churches play a vital role in encouraging people to seek assistance earlier and to make use of the many free debt advice services that are available.” The training resource was welcomed by the John Kirby, Founder and International Director of Christians Against Poverty, of which Archbishop Justin is
Patron (see below). John Kirby said: “UK poverty can seem a giant of a problem but actually each of us has the ability to transform lives, without needing specialised qualifications. All that is needed is compassion and the information to signpost to the services out there which will do the complex financial work. “ For more information, visit: http://www.toyourcredit.org. uk/debt-aware
News in Brief National Pioneer Adviser announced The Revd Canon David Male has been appointed to the new role of National Adviser for Pioneer Ministry. David is presently the Director of the Centre for Pioneer Learning in Cambridge and is a Tutor in Pioneer Mission Training at Westcott House and Ridley Hall, Cambridge and Pioneer Consultant for Ely Diocese. David will work as an official champion for all licensed and authorised forms of pioneer ministry. To read more about Pioneer Ministry, visit: bit.ly/pioneerministry
Chaplain sought for the General Synod The office of the General Synod has begun looking to recruit a new Chaplain to the Synod. In a Church of England Communications blog, Dr Jacqui Philips, Clerk to the
Synod explains the duties of the new post, to focus on prayer, worship and pastoral care for the new Synod elected this autumn: The blog post is available at: bit.ly/chaplainforsynod
Week of care for churchyards A new blog from the Church of England’s Environmental Adviser is calling on church congregations to care for the biodiversity in their churchyards. From June 6, the Church of England marks Cherishing Churchyards Week, with parishes across the country celebrating their churchyards. The week is run each year by Caring for God’s Acre, which provides resources and event plans for local churches looking to get involved. More details about the Cherishing Churchyards week is available at: www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk
Archbishop Justin becomes Patron of Christians Against Poverty
Church Urban Fund promotes “frugal lunches” for Poverty Sunday
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has become the first patron of debt charity Christians Against Poverty. The charity runs debt services through local churches with the aim of releasing people from the prison of debt. Around 60 of its 280 debt centres are based in Church of England churches. In a video message the Archbishop said: “Most of us know people who’ve been in debt. Many of us, probably most of us, have had moments
The Church Urban Fund (CUF) is encouraging parishes to take part in activities for Poverty Sunday. L o c a l churches are being invited to hold a Poverty Sunday Service followed by a “frugal lunch” on June 21, or on another date that suits, to raise funds for CUF. CUF, a charity within the Church of England, helps churches respond to poverty and supports local initiatives to transform deprived communities. The vast majority of churches, more than 90%, address at least one social issue in their community, either through organised activities, or informal support, according to the online study by CUF and the Church of England. On average churches are addressing seven social issues in their area and a third are tackling
when either we’ve been in debt or we’ve begun to wonder how on earth we’re ever going to make ends meet. “CAP deals in helping people to get free of the prison of debt and it’s something I feel passionately about. And having seen them at work and having seen how effective they are, I wanted to be a patron and to support them in any way I could.” To read more about CAP, visit: www.capuk.org
nine or more, the study found. The proportion of churches
Credit: Alpha via Flickr
involved in running food banks has doubled over the last three years from 33% to 66% the report showed. The Bishop of Manchester, David Walker, a trustee of CUF, urged churches to take part: “Poverty Sunday is an opportunity for you and me to support church-backed responses in places like my former parishes. Please join in.” Find out more at: www.povertysunday.org.uk