Crosslincs September/October 2019 issue

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

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September/October 2019 – Free

Exploring discipleship together on the Isle Since arriving in the diocese in late 2015 as Rector of the Belton benefice, in the deanery of the Isle of Axholme, the Revd Cliff Kay has sought to make discipleship and the study of the Bible a foundation for personal growth and mission for the benefice churches of Belton, Althorpe with Keadby and Amcotts.

As Cliff says, “I discovered during my ordination training and also during my curacy that many of the people I met

did not have any real history of engaging with the Bible.

Even recently, I heard someone say, ‘I have been going to church all my life, but I never read the Bible’. One of the real delights of my ordination placement in Cambridge and my curacy in Halifax was taking people through the Old Testament – the 8.30am Book of Common Prayer service on a Sunday morning was often followed up with some questions about ‘some prophet or other’!”

(Continued overleaf...)

INSIDE...

INSIDE...

Introducing our deacons

Finding inspiration from others

PAGES 4–9

PAGE 11

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Crosslincs is produced by the Diocese of Lincoln

The submission deadline for the next issue is 1st October 2019 Editor E: crosslincs@lincoln.anglican.org Communications Officer The Revd Adrian Smith T: 01522 50 40 37 M: 07885 99 99 07 E: adrian.smith@lincoln.anglican.org Communications Assistant Louise Brown T: 01522 50 40 64 E: louise.brown@lincoln.anglican.org Diocesan Offices Edward King House, Minster Yard, Lincoln LN2 1PU T: 01522 50 40 50 E: enquiries@lincoln.anglican.org www.lincoln.anglican.org www.facebook.com/Dioceselincoln www.twitter.com/CofELincoln Instagram: diocese_of_lincoln The Bishop of Grimsby Acting Bishop of Lincoln The Right Reverend Dr David Court T: 01522 50 40 90 E: bishop.grimsby@lincoln.anglican.org The Bishop of Grantham The Right Reverend Dr Nicholas Chamberlain T: 01522 50 40 90 E: bishop.grantham@lincoln.anglican.org Diocesan Secretary The Revd David Dadswell T: 01522 50 40 32 E: david.dadswell@lincoln.anglican.org PA to the Diocesan Secretary Kay Clayton T: 01522 50 40 32 E: kay.clayton@lincoln.anglican.org

Exploring discipleship together on the Isle (continued) “Here on the Isle of Axholme I have had opportunities to talk with people about the Bible, such as in the local school and in people’s homes. If we are to see people come to faith in Christ and grow in their discipleship, engaging with the Bible in creative ways needs to be a priority.”

Some initial steps included home-group study based around Tom Wright’s For Everyone series, and then a turning point was The Bible Course by the Bible Society.

By this time, Cliff was also Rural Dean for the Isle of Axholme and there were two benefice vacancies, and so the study was opened up to the whole deanery, with people from many of the churches choosing to attend. He found that the course proved to be an excellent foundation for obtaining a full overview of how the whole Bible story fits together, and there was some encouraging feedback: ‘After this course I am sure I will now be reading the Bible from cover to cover, as it has given me a much-needed steer. The course provoked lively and profound discussion’.

Another Bible Society resource introduced at a local level over the past year has been Open the Book. This sees church members going into the local church school to tell the Bible story, usually chronologically, through dramatised re-enactment in costume. As Cliff says, “This has been of great benefit to the participants, children and school staff in terms of gaining a broader understanding of the full Bible story.

When I have visited the school the headteacher and staff have all commented on how engaging Open the Book is, with a number of staff wanting to have a greater understanding of the chronological perspective of the Bible.”

Introducing Open the Book has been very beneficial to members of the church, offering participants an opportunity to spend time together while rehearsing and also to step out of their comfort zone and try something new. As Cliff says, “Besides engaging with the Bible, having confidence to talk about our faith is another priority as part of church growth and discipleship. For many people, talking about their faith and sharing the good news of the gospel with others can present challenges of confidence or a sense of feeling ill-qualified. It’s often as a result of not really knowing how.”

This is shown in words of reflection offered by Janet, the Open the Book team leader at All Saints, Belton: “Speaking personally, I find it difficult to speak to people about my faith. Taking Open the Book into the school has given me a chance to show the children the wonders of God in a format they can easily understand and that I can feel comfortable doing. Feedback from one teacher is that after we have visited the school, the children can almost repeat the whole story, plus they ask questions. Perhaps this curiosity will continue as each child gets older and they will want to know more about God, Jesus and the Bible.”

The Archdeacon of Stow and Lindsey The Venerable Mark Steadman T: 01522 50 40 39 E: archdeacon.stow@lincoln.anglican.org The Archdeacon of Boston The Venerable Dr Justine Allain Chapman T: 01522 50 40 39 E: archdeacon.boston@lincoln.anglican.org The Archdeacon of Lincoln The Venerable Gavin Kirk T: 01522 50 40 39 E: archdeacon.lincoln@lincoln.anglican.org W W W.LINCOLN. ANGLIC AN.ORG

All Saints’ Church and Centre in Belton, the setting for local meetings to explore discipleship.

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Exploring discipleship (Continued from the preceding page..)

In addition, the deanery came together to explore the topic of evangelism, following a ‘Blowing Evangelism Open’ course that was led by the Revd John Leach (diocesan Growing Disciples Officer). Cliff says that this course was well received: “John presented a window into evangelism that all were able to understand and which helped us to see how we can all become involved in sharing our faith, through the building of friendships and relationships that allow us to talk about faith. Most of the people present acknowledged that they came to faith through the example and invitation of a friend.”

“Although many would consider themselves unable to pray out loud, within the hour almost everybody did” Cliff says that the deanery will return to this course as they look to develop their focus around sharing their faith in word, alongside the significant number of acts of service that the churches undertake across the Isle for the people of the 11 communities. In addition, he brought a proposal to the standing committee of the deanery synod that their meetings should be focused around ‘bite-sized’ opportunities to learn and grow together, through a series of ‘one-hour topics’ that precede the ‘business’ element of the meeting. The meetings now begin at 7.15pm with a topic, there is coffee at 8.15pm, the business follows at 8.30pm and all are on their way by 9pm. One of the early topics was ‘How to pray out loud in groups’, and this was again led by John Leach. Held in St Nicholas’ Church Hall in Haxey, Cliff says “It was quite an eye-opener for those present. Although many would consider themselves unable to pray out loud, within the hour almost everybody did.”

With reference to the importance of prayer, Cliff says, “Talking to God and listening to his words are vital attributes to prayer. Active listening is very important.

John’s presentation was instrumental in giving us confidence in terms of personal prayer but also in our groups and churches. He included role play and examples, and the subject was well received, interesting and worthwhile.

“Covering vacancies has been demanding for the churches and clergy across the Isle, but the past two years have provided us with an opportunity to grow and learn together.

From a personal point of view, and in terms of discipleship and growth, one of the most useful resources I have engaged with has been the Emotional Healthy Spirituality material produced by Pete Scazzero. Although a lot of the material we have used has enabled us to better understand our faith, the place of the Bible and how we might share our faith with others, this material is focused on how we grow ‘emotionally and theologically’ in our relationship with God, through the introduction of good daily practices.”

Parish Pixels – an opportunity to show what makes your church special Are you able to show how unique and special your church is with just one photograph and one sentence?

If so, the Parish Pixels competition, which is sponsored

by Ecclesiastical Insurance, is for you.

The competition is said to offer a prize of £1500 for each regional winner (there will be nine in total), with a national prize of £5000 then to be chosen from those nine.

The Diocese of Lincoln is in the East Midlands category alongside Derby, Leicester, Peterborough and Southwell and Nottingham.

The deadline for entries is Thursday, 31st October 2019.

Further information, including terms and conditions and an entry form, may be found on the Ecclesiastical website at www.ecclesiastical.com/parishpixels

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Faithful, confident, joyful Sharing in celebration and prayer as we welcome our new deacons and priests The ordination services that were held in Lincoln Cathedral on Saturday, 29th June were wonderful occasions in the life of our diocese.

As in previous years, we thought that we would take the opportunity to set aside some of the pages of this issue of Crosslincs so as to offer a special welcome to those who were ordained deacon, and to encourage our readers to hold those who were ordained deacon and those who were ordained priest in prayer.

Over the following pages, we hear from our new deacons as they share something of their background, their sense of God’s call and their experience of theological training with us.

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Introducing our deacons

Sherine Angus The Alford Group I grew up in a small village in Herefordshire, although family holidays were often to the Lincolnshire coast. I trained as a paediatric nurse in Oxford and have worked as a nurse and a health visitor for the past 23 years. This has taken me around the country, living and working in Oxford, London, Cornwall, Bristol and Bath, before moving to Lincolnshire in 2007. I live with my husband Mike, a history teacher, and our three children, Sam, Toby and Connie.

The first year of my training was at Lincoln School of Theology and then I completed a further two years at St Hild College in Sheffield. I have thoroughly enjoyed my training, having the time to engage with theological study and sharing the journey with fellow ordinands.

I am fortunate to be serving my curacy in the Alford Group and I’m excited by the possibilities that it holds.

I’m looking forward to getting to know the community, learning together with them and, most of all, seeing what God has in store for us.

Alex Borman Branston with Nocton and Potterhanworth Having always lived, worked and studied in Lincoln, I grew up worshipping in Boultham, and still live in the south of the city with my wife Jo, new daughter, Clara, two dogs and a python.

I did a physics degree with the Open University and then trained in teaching at Bishop Grosseteste University, working in several secondary schools before moving to the University of Lincoln, where I now lecture in engineering.

I studied theology at the Lincoln School of Theology, and my final independent project looked at the relationship between science and theology. I am currently completing a PhD, and the research for this has looked at explosive initiators, as may be found in mine shafts or missiles and similar to those used in some car airbags – I am looking at how they operate and whether they can be made to work differently.

I am looking forward to exploring how ministry in secular employment and parish work will balance for my context.

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Introducing our deacons Sara Davies The Graffoe Group I grew up in Chester, moving to Liverpool to study for my degree in Life Sciences/ Nursing. I met my husband, Nick, while we were students in the University Officer Training Corps and we moved to Yorkshire at the start of his RAF career. I obtained my Master’s degree at Sheffield University, before becoming a research nurse, working on clinical trials of drugs for dementia. My three children were born while we were at RAF Lyneham, and we moved to Lincolnshire once my eldest child had reached secondary school age.

Simon Dean Bottesford, Ashby and Riddings I have just completed two years of context-based training at St Mellitus College in London, where I have been completing an MA in Christian Leadership alongside formational training and a placement at Lincoln Cathedral.

Before I began training, I worked for the Diocese of Lincoln in a variety of roles, but most recently as Discipleship Officer.

Once in Lincolnshire, All Saints’ Church in Ruskington started to become an important part of my life, and I was supported through training in authorised lay ministry, before becoming a licensed Reader. My call to ordained ministry was unexpected but subsequently very welcome, and I continued training at Lincoln School of Theology.

I have always been committed to working with older people, and I am personally very aware of the effect that dementia has on a family. I also have a keen interest in ministry within schools, and I am enthusiastic about the Bible Society’s Open the Book.

I was born in Leeds and I hold on to my Yorkshire roots by supporting Leeds United Football Club and Yorkshire Cricket Club, but Lincoln has been my home for the past 25 years, prior to moving to North Lincolnshire.

I feel very privileged to have been offered a curacy in the Graffoe Group, where I hope to further develop my ministry.

In my spare time I love watching and playing sport, cooking, and watching films and TV boxsets!

Aron Donaldson Corby Glen I am from a small village in South Lincolnshire.

Before ordination I was a student at Essex University, and then took part in the Church of England Ministry Experience Scheme (CEMES) in Romford.

I trained at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford and I look forward to encouraging (and being encouraged by) fellow members of the body of Christ.

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I can’t wait to meet the people of Bottesford, Ashby and Riddings, build relationships with them and journey with them through life. I want to be part of the community.

I’m excited by what God has planned for the future – in the parish, in the wider church in North Lincolnshire and in my own ministry.

Sharing in prayer for our new priests In addition to praying for our deacons, please join us in praying for our new priests (pictured on page 5): • Paul Dickinson (serving in Brumby) • (David Alan) Al Jenkins (St Botolph’s, Quarrington) • (Patrick) Evan McWilliams (St Mary & St Nicolas, Spalding) • Arabella Milbank Robinson (The Louth Team Ministry) • Claire Mitchell (The Wolds Gateway Group) • (Melanie) Mel Parkin (Grantham and Manthorpe) • Rachel Revely (Lincoln Cathedral) • Alistair Ward (St Peter in Eastgate, Lincoln) • Paul Whiteley (St Paul’s, Spalding).

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Introducing our deacons Robert Jaggs-Fowler Barton upon Humber Group of Parishes A Kentish Man by birth, I initially trained in medicine in London, before moving to Lincolnshire in 1986.

For 26 years, I was a GP in Barton upon Humber, overlapping with the role of Medical Director and Director of Primary Care for the NHS North Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group.

In addition, I served for 11 years as a Major in the Royal Army Medical Corps and, over the past 30 years, have undertaken various senior volunteer roles, both locally and nationally, for the St John Ambulance and the Order of St John of Jerusalem.

In addition to my medical degrees, I have an LLM in Medical Law and Ethics, and an MA (Durham) in Spirituality, Theology and Health. My ministerial training was undertaken at the Lincoln School of Theology, and I am currently a member of St John’s College, Durham, researching my PhD thesis on the theology and praxis of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Albert Schweitzer.

Between hill-walking, and playing the piano and saxophones, I have had five books published, including two academic texts, a novel and two collections of poetry.

I look forward to discovering where God is leading me next.

Paul Maple Welton and Dunholme, with Scothern I grew up in Salisbury, within sight of the city’s magnificent cathedral, and I was fortunate enough to go to school close by that marvellous building.

Thereafter I studied History and Politics at Bristol Polytechnic, where I also met my wonderful wife, Suzanne. My career then took me all over the UK, until Suzanne and I relocated to Lincolnshire for professional reasons and decided to settle here in 2001. We are now proud to call Lincoln our family home.

Alice Jolley Lincoln, St Nicholas I was ordained deacon in Lincoln Cathedral on the 29th of June, and I am now serving my title at St Nicholas with St John’s Newport, Lincoln.

I grew up in Scunthorpe, and after leaving school I went to St Alban’s Cathedral, for one very fruitful and challenging year as a pastoral assistant. I went on to read Theology at Durham University, where I spent three of the best and happiest years of my life. In the final year of my degree I discerned an ever-deepening call to the priesthood, and was selected to train for ordained ministry. I then moved to Westcott House in Cambridge, where I read for an MA in Theology, Ministry and Mission.

My partner, Coral, and I are really excited to have moved to such a brilliant city, and Coral will be studying for a PGCE in Secondary Maths at Bishop Grosseteste University.

I’m really proud to be serving in such a diverse and inclusive parish, surrounded by so many opportunities to learn and grow, and I’m really looking forward to ministering in, and with, this community over the next few years.

We have been blessed with four children, most of whom appear to have grown up and – largely – moved out! We also share our house with a dachshund and a dalmatian.

I was privileged to study locally at the Lincoln School of Theology and I am grateful for the support and encouragement that I received there. Looking forward, I am thrilled to have been appointed as curate to the parishes of Welton and Dunholme with Scothern, an area I have a great fondness for – I am eagerly anticipating getting to know everybody as we continue our faith journey together.

When time permits, I enjoy music and gardening, I am a reluctant runner and, like many clergy, I have an abiding passion for railways.

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Introducing our deacons Matt Rodgers Lincoln, St Swithin Having moved from Tonbridge to Lincoln five years ago to be a part of the St Swithin’s church plant, I am excited to be staying on as a planting curate and playing my part in seeing lives and communities transformed. Although I will start my time at St Swithin’s as a deacon, the intention is that I will go on with a team from the church to plant a further Resource Church into another town as part of the diocese’s strategy for resourcing urban areas.

I have spent the past three years training mixed-mode at St Mellitus College in London, completing a postgraduate diploma and an MA in Theology, Ministry and Mission.

This builds upon my previous degree in Mission and Ministry, which I completed while serving as a Youth and Children’s Pastor prior to moving to Lincoln.

I’m married to Nay and we have two boys; Josiah (2) and Judah, who was born in May of this year. We’re looking forward to continuing to serve at St Swithin’s and in the City of Lincoln, as well as developing leaders and relationships within the local community ready for the next stage of church planting in a couple of years’ time.

James Titley Grantham and Manthorpe I am a true ‘Yellowbelly’, having grown up and spent most of my life in Gainsborough.

Following school I attended sixth form in Scunthorpe and then university at Bishop Grosseteste in Lincoln, completing a degree in Heritage Management and fuelling my love of historic buildings.

Upon leaving education I worked for Lincolnshire Cooperative Funeral Services in Lincoln, where I gained

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Sarah Tierney Frodingham & New Brumby I first came to Lincolnshire in 1990, after growing up in various places in southern England, to train at Bishop Grosseteste College to be a teacher, and I have never really left!

I love this part of the country and I consider it my home, even though I am not a ‘Yellowbelly’! As a teacher I worked in several primary schools in Lincolnshire during my 22 years of teaching. Most of that time I taught younger children, with the added responsibility of liaising with children who had special educational needs in order to support them and their families.

For the past two years I have been in Bristol at Trinity College, studying Theology, Mission and Ministry. I’m now delighted to be joining the congregations of St Lawrence, Frodingham and All Saints, New Brumby in Scunthorpe.

I am looking forward to getting to know the people in both parishes and in the wider community and to develop the skills I need for the next phase of my ministry.

experience in all areas of the operation there, and it was during this time that I felt a pull towards answering God’s call on my life to be a priest in his Church.

In 2016 I entered theological training at Westcott House, Cambridge – this was actually the first time that I had lived out of the county! But I have now returned, and I am delighted to be serving my curacy at St Wulfram’s and St John’s.

These two distinct communities have much to offer the wider town and there is a lot of energy within the parishes in this regard. My time in residential training taught me the value of community life and learning to adapt and change to benefit from all.

I am looking forward to this new post and I can already tell that this is going to be a great journey!

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Introducing our deacons Catherine Wylie Caistor I was born in Scotland, where I trained to be a nurse and a midwife, a career that I enjoyed for 39 years, latterly working as a Director of Nursing in the North Lincolnshire area.

I undertook my ministerial training through the Lincoln School of Theology and propose to continue my studies and love of theology as I embark upon an MA at Cranmer Hall (Durham University) in September.

I have a great interest in pastoral and compassionate care and I have pursued this calling through my work as a chaplain. I enjoyed co-leading a project across Lincolnshire, for primary care chaplaincy, and I also regularly work as a duty chaplain in Lincoln Cathedral, where I continue to gain a vast amount of experience and knowledge about the concern and compassion of others.

I am honoured to serve as curate to the people of the Caistor Group of Parishes, where it is a great privilege to share with them in their vibrant community and life experiences. I will cherish God’s blessing in all my work as a deacon as I serve within such a wonderful ministry team.

‘Time to refuel’ in Bardney David Bartlett, diocesan Fresh Expressions Adviser, reports on a new way of meeting to worship God with people from local churches around Bardney...

“I’m going home, taking God’s love with me.” This was the parting comment made by one of the people at a recent gathering of the ‘Filling Station’ at Bardney Church of England and Methodist Primary School.

The Filling Station offers a space to ‘refuel’ one’s spiritual life. The idea started in around 2006, but the first one in Lincolnshire started just this May, and now meets monthly in the school. It is an initiative of the local churches working together to help foster the Christian life in the area.

Kim, one of the organising team, says that the meetings “are designed to be spiritual but presented in a manner so that those outside of the Church will feel comfortable”. Meetings are intended to be short, sharp and focused in character. “People meet with God through these meetings and faith is built up,” says Kim. Across the country, church leaders find them to be an additional ministry tool. A vicar from a nearby village also commented, “I enjoy being able to come and worship without being distracted by my normal responsibilities.”

Rather than a Sunday event, which takes people away from their own church, gatherings are held on a Wednesday evening. A typical evening starts with refreshments (good coffee and cakes), a longer time of

sung worship and a speaker, followed by a chance to respond and to receive prayer and ministry, if desired.

The speaker at the meeting in July was Rick Holland, and he talked about ‘becoming love to those around us’, with reflections centred on the Good Samaritan.

One of the delights of the meetings is to see the way that Christians from across different churches come together without labels, united by a common faith.

One person at a recent gathering said, “It would be great if there could be one on my side of Lincoln”, and so if you are interested in exploring this further, please do get in touch. We have a page on Facebook under ‘Filling Station Bardney’ or you can call me on 01526 39 73 63 or send an email to david.bartlett@lincoln.anglican.org

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This Time on Monday ‘See the image of God first’ Sarah Spencer, our Discipleship in the World Officer, speaks to Gillian Georgiou, Diocesan Religious Education Adviser, about her everyday faith...

Sarah: Hi Gillian, please tell us a bit about yourself.

Gillian: I was born and grew up in North London. [At school] I was fascinated by Religious Education (RE) and Philosophy. When I finished school I studied Theology at university; I obtained MAs at Cambridge and Durham, and started a PhD in London. Life intervened and I started working as a secondary school teacher of RE and Philosophy. I loved teaching young people who were curious and whose thinking didn’t fit in neat boxes – there was something very life-affirming about doing that.

Sarah: How and when did you come to faith?

Gillian: My mum was culturally Christian and my Dad was an atheist. I was not brought up in any tradition, but was encouraged to explore. I had a deep intellectual fascination with Christianity, but I couldn’t make that leap to faith commitment. While living in Durham, I started going to church. I remember having an extraordinary experience of the enormity of God while receiving a blessing during a communion service, and then the closeness of Jesus while sitting in the cathedral. As a result, I decided to be baptised and confirmed. My daughter and I worship at North Hykeham All Saints, where we feel welcomed and valued.

Sarah: So how do you spend your Mondays?

Gillian: Monday is unlike any other day of the week because I come into the office. It’s a rare chance to see my colleagues, catch up and prepare for the week ahead. We focus on making sure that the Church of England schools in the diocese are effective, both educationally and as distinctively Christian communities, so on Mondays we focus on ways in which we can support them to do this.

Sarah: What difference does your faith make to your life outside church?

Gillian: My faith tends to be at the forefront of my mind when I face challenges. My instinct when I meet new people is to ask, ‘How do I see this human being as valued and valuable in the eyes of God?’ Within and beyond work I often build relationships with challenging people, and my faith helps me reflect on the fact that I will be a challenging person to others. I seek to love my neighbour as myself – of course, you can’t love your neighbour if you don’t love yourself! Many Christians W W W.LINCOLN. ANGLIC AN.ORG

can serve and serve until they wear themselves thin and break. My understanding of faith is that I need to understand where the limits of service are; that part of what it means to serve God is to honour oneself as well.

Sarah: How does your work inform your faith?

Gillian: I work alongside many for whom Christianity is not their worldview. This gives me the chance to see the world through someone else’s eyes and reflect on what my faith might look like to them. It is like looking at the world through different pairs of glasses – I understand that I look at the world through the lens of Christianity, but if I want to build relationships with others, I need to understand what the world looks like through their lens.

Sarah: What do you find yourself praying about?

Gillian: I often pray that people will feel less personally threatened if someone else sees the world in a different way. I think that is a lot to do with the work I do and the extremely fixed worldviews I often encounter. I pray about helping people to look at others and see the image of God first, not the threat that they might supposedly present.

I also pray for all people who struggle with mental health issues because I have some personal experience of the way in which poor mental health can strip down the self.

Sarah: What can we pray for you?

Gillian: That I get better at saying ‘No’! There is one of me and there are well over 500 schools in the diocese; my job is to promote high-quality RE across all of them. I find it hard to say ‘No’, and so please pray that I get better at self-care, so I can serve better in all that I do.

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Learning and sharing together Finding inspiration from others The Revd Richard Steel, diocesan Mission Team Leader, offers an update on one of our Learning Communities...

The Market Town Learning Community continues to meet three times a year, with an increasing number of lay members. At their most recent meeting, members of the community explored the topics of toddler group ministry and music in church. St Peter and St Paul’s Church in Caistor shared how they run toddler groups in the town, and how they are sharing the gospel message through hospitality and simple acts of worship. “It was heartening to hear about the good work they are doing,” said one participant. “One thing that was particularly encouraging to me was that questions and replies in relation to safeguarding issues, from different members of the group, arose and were responded to in a spontaneous and natural way as part of the broader conversation.”

“It was useful to hear others’ comments and views about our work and to be reassured that what we are doing is worthwhile” Another church was inspired to think again about their own ministry – “Hearing their story, their experience with pre-school children, made us look again to see if we could add other elements to ours.” A member of the group from Caistor, who was sharing their story (warts and all, or rather ‘the joys and sorrows’, as is the pattern for Learning Communities), also found the session of value: “It was useful to hear others’ comments and views about our work and to be reassured that what we are doing is worthwhile.”

The other major focus of the session was St James’ Church in Louth and their work with choirs. An attendee said that “What was interesting to me was that, as a group, we were keen to see how collaborative singing could be encouraged in other places, with some of the churches with a stronger singing base offering ideas and advice to those who wanted to get something going, but who didn’t necessarily have the same initial resource.

It was particularly encouraging to see the good work amongst the choirs at St James’, and how they worked closely with the music department of King Edward VI Grammar School.

The Learning Communities launch in 2018 included a lantern procession.

“It was also good to hear that they were actively looking to share ways of developing singing in other places.

We learnt from them that it is good to have a flexible approach, with lots of different options being considered about the style and nature of singing groups, which might change over time.”

Some final comments included that “It is always interesting to hear what others are doing… to find inspiration from others… and to be able to offer some degree of moral support.” This, in a nutshell, is what our Learning Communities are about.

Further information on Learning Communities may be obtained by calling 01522 50 40 30.

Keeping in touch via the diocesan e-bulletin...

Readers of Crosslincs might be interested to learn that the diocesan Communications Office produces a regular electronic newsletter, or e-bulletin, that contains a digest of news and events in the diocese and further afield.

A sign-up facility is available on the homepage of the diocesan website (www.lincoln.anglican.org) or please email communications@lincoln.anglican.org or call 01522 50 40 64/01522 50 40 37 for assistance and more details.

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The Season of Creation An opportunity to get involved As we begin the ‘Season of Creation’ (1st September to 4th October), we are encouraged to think more widely of God’s creation and our responsibilities. As we launch our diocesan Environmental policy (about which more will follow), Sarah Spencer, our Discipleship in the World Officer, reflects on the theme with the Revd Les Batty, from the Church of the Ascension in Grantham...

I learnt a new word recently – Pertrichor. This is the particular scent released from parched earth as rain falls; the scent of hope as the water of life renews the face of the earth. Its origins lie in the Greek ‘petra’, meaning stone, and ‘ichor’, meaning the lifeblood of the Greek gods. It is a scent of arid countries, where life struggles to survive. I smelled it in my garden in Lincolnshire this year; in this era of rising global temperatures, I suspect that I will smell it again. ‘Creationtide’ is time put aside in the church year to reflect on our roles as stewards of creation, praying and caring for all God’s good creation. To find out more, I asked the Revd Les Batty what this means for him.

What is your connection to Creationtide?

Concern for creation has long been a major part of my life and, after many years as a professional ecologist, in teaching, research and consultancy, I am very pleased to be involved in the Church’s response to environmental issues through my role as an ordained local minister in Grantham, as a lecturer in environmental theology at Lincoln School of Theology and as a member of Lincoln Diocese Environmental Advisory Panel.

How long have you been involved with the Christian response to our ecological challenges?

I was already a keen nature conservationist when I became a Christian at university, but one thing that puzzled me about Christians back then in the late 1960s was how little concern they showed for the welfare of God’s creation. I soon caught a vision of developing some sort of environmental work in a Christian context, and the first opportunity to do that arose in the late 1970s at the Medina Valley Centre, a Christian outdoor activity centre on the Isle of Wight. There I set up a programme of field study courses in natural history, ecology and geography for adults and school groups, which continues to this day. A few years later, I was co-founder with Peter Harris of the A Rocha project in Portugal and this has since grown into a worldwide network of Christian environmental centres and projects, including A Rocha UK, which runs the EcoChurch award scheme.

W W W.LINCOLN. ANGLIC AN.ORG

The Revd Les Batty also serves as a lecturer in environmental theology.

After that I spent six years as a lecturer in ornithology and marine ecology at the Universidade do Algarve, followed by around 25 years in England as a university/college lecturer and an ecologist with a global civil engineering company.

It was during this period that God called me to ordained ministry, and I was ordained deacon in 2014 – the same year that I retired as a professional ecologist.

What changes have you seen?

Since the 1960s I have seen a gradually accelerating level of interest and engagement by Christians with environmental issues, so that the picture now is radically different from what it was just a few decades ago. I think concern about climate change is a major driver of this, but organisations such as A Rocha have played an important part in educating Christians as to their God-given responsibilities for his creation.

What will you be doing during the Season of Creation?

I will be spending part of it on a Holy Land tour, complete with binoculars so I can fit in a bit of birdwatching! I am also writing one of the homilies for Creationtide that will be made available for people to use during the season, and I will be engaging with the season myself at our church.

As a diocese, we can all get involved this year by following a daily reflection in Creationtide on the diocesan Facebook page, by exploring how to live a more sustainable life, by reading the homilies for Creationtide on our website, or by joining us for a day exploring ‘A Church for our planet’ at St Giles’ Church in Lincoln on Saturday, 5th October. For more details, please contact me by calling 01552 50 40 75 or via email at sarah.spencer@lincoln.anglican.org

CROSSLINCS 13

News and views What a night! The Big Night Out

Halloween – what should I do?

Charlotte Bloom, a member of the diocesan Children & Youth Team, looks back on an amazing week, which saw the lives of many young people transformed...

Halloween can be quite a challenge for us. Many of us feel uncomfortable about the way it’s celebrated today, and so here are some ideas from the Mission team...

We had an amazing week of mission (working with eight other denominations) in June, ending on Friday, 7th June with the Big Night Out – Higher Nights evening. In total we were able to share the gospel with over 1500 students in school during the week and, incredibly, we saw 21 young people make decisions to follow Jesus in school! We then had a phenomenal time at the (very loud and very energetic) ‘gig’ on the Friday evening, with an incredible 432 young people in attendance, and 547 in total when including the leaders! Of the young people, 143 of them made decisions to follow Jesus!

Hallelujah! Praise the Lord, indeed.

Here is a story of how one couple decided to go about taking part in the celebrations on their estate, while being distinctly Christian and offering a gentle witness, as well as sweets, to the ‘Trick or Treaters’:

We had a great team of volunteers helping to make the events run smoothly. It was wonderful to see so many churches and youth groups represented to build relationships with the young people and ensure they all have access to regular worship and discipleship. So, please save the date for next year: Big Night Out – Higher Nights will be returning to Lincolnshire in 2020 from 22nd–26th June. The venue for next year’s event on Friday, 26th June will be Lincoln Engine Shed. We look forward to seeing you there!

Recent clergy announcements

The Revd Rachel Heskins has been appointed Vicar of Lincoln St John the Baptist.

The Revd Richard Major has resigned his licence as Incumbent of the benefice of The Woodhall Spa Group, with effect from 13th October 2019.

The Revd Paul Blanch has resigned his licence as Incumbent of the benefice of Kirton in Holland with Algarkirk and Fosdyke, with effect from 30th September 2019.

The Revd Philip Johnson has been appointed Rural Dean of Lafford.

The Revd Steve Johnson has been appointed Team Rector of the benefice of Gainsborough & Morton.

The Revd Canon Tony Tucker will be commissioned as Rural Dean of Loveden on 12th September 2019.

The Revd Janet Turville has resigned her licence as Team Vicar of the benefice of Louth, with effect from 3rd November 2019.

“We had moved on to a new estate in Waddington, near Lincoln, with lots of young families, and Halloween was clearly going to be a big thing,” says Jan. “We thought and prayed and decided we did not want to simply sit at home with the lights out, but rather to join in and add something positive. The rule decided by parents was that if you were happy to receive callers you put out a lit pumpkin. As a start, ours had a smile rather than a scowl!

The first year we offered a bookmark along with sweets, which the children could take home to colour in, and which had some simple angels and a prayer about light and darkness written especially for this situation by the Church of England. The second year we went for small bags of biscuits and a pumpkin-themed activity sheet produced by World Vision – wrapped as a scroll with an orange ribbon so as to look attractive. Both years we gave away about a couple of dozen such gifts – and the parents seemed touched that we had gone to that extra trouble.”

Some churches offer ‘Light Parties’ as an alternative event. If you want some resources you could look at the Scripture Union website. They also offer some simple booklets, aimed at two different age groups, with a message of light being stronger than darkness. Or why not do something yourself – about saints, perhaps, or light or colour... something that offers a glimpse into the positive love of God for our children.

DIOCESELINCOLN

@COFELINCOLN

14 CROSSLINCS

Self-care and welfare Love yourself and your neighbour In recent months we have been pleased to welcome the Revd Jackie Johnson to the staff team at Edward King House in Lincoln. Here, she shares something of her role...

Having now been in post for a couple of months, I’m pleased to say that I feel very much at home in Lincoln Diocese. The timing of the Clergy Gathering in June was perfect, providing a golden opportunity to meet so many people, to say a little about who I am and what I hope to offer in this role of Wellbeing and Continuing Ministerial Development Officer.

Over time I look forward to meeting with other church leaders, key role holders, those who make up our faithful congregations, and more. My aim is to spread the good news that God wants us to experience a balanced life, being attentive to all aspects of our wellbeing, thereby better able to live life in all its fullness.

Wellbeing is ‘in fashion’. So much so that I fear we run the risk of getting fed up with it. However, we should work hard to ensure that the theme of Wellbeing doesn’t become a forgotten craze, or good advice or good practice that’s simply ignored. Christians should take self-care and wellbeing as seriously as if it were a commandment.

But wait! It is a commandment. Indeed, it’s a part of the greatest commandment, one that most can recite by heart, and yet one of which we take so little note.

“Self-care is not selfish. It is a priority, a necessity not a luxury, not an afterthought, nor something we do if we have time once we’ve looked after everyone else” Here it is in Matthew 22:34–40: ‘When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’ (NRSV).

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Sadly, when we read or repeat verse 39, we focus on “You shall love your neighbour…”, and the words “as yourself” drift into the ether. How much more attentive to our selfcare and welfare would we be if the verse read “You shall love yourself, and your neighbour to the same degree”?

It’s just a hunch, but I suspect we would feel less guilty about putting effort into looking after ourselves. But selfcare is not selfish. It is a priority, a necessity not a luxury, not an afterthought, nor something we do if we have time once we’ve looked after everyone else.

We are commanded to care for ourselves because we are God’s beloved children. After all, it’s what we want for our children; that they find a sense of wellbeing, even when life is tough. Why would God not want that for us, in all situations.

We belong to God, but God has given us stewardship of ourselves, soul, body, and mind, which means we should create space to attend to our spiritual lives, and also our physical, mental and emotional needs. (“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.”

1 Corinthians 6:19–20. NRSV.) It may be September, but why not make an unseasonal resolution to look after yourself more effectively? After all, the opposite of self-care is self-neglect, and no one can believe that is God’s will for their life. May God bless you and inspire you to follow his commandment… to love yourself as much as you love and care for your neighbour.

‘And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds… encouraging one another…’

Hebrews 10:24–25 (NIV).

Jackie may be contacted by telephone on 01522 50 40 34 or via email at jackie.johnson@lincoln.anglican.org

CROSSLINCS 15

Safeguarding training Safeguarding training in your area Lucy Russell, diocesan Safeguarding Training Coordinator, offers details of further safeguarding-related training...

The safety and wellbeing of the most vulnerable in our society lies at the heart of the gospel we are privileged to share. Our churches should be places of security and safety for all. As those who share in the public ministry of the Church, we bear a responsibility for ensuring that our own care for the vulnerable is well informed, and meets the standards required by the diocesan policies for the safeguarding of children and adults at risk.

Safeguarding training is mandatory; it is delivered in the church context and requires delegates to take part in a safeguarding training session at least once every three years.

Renewal of authorisation, permission to officiate (PTO), and the take-up of a new position in the diocese also require the appropriate level of safeguarding training to be met.

Who should attend the Foundation Module (C1&2)?

Authorised lay ministers; pastoral assistants (for example, those who take Holy Communion to the housebound and do this unsupervised); children’s and young people’s workers; Parochial Church Council members; other volunteers (anyone else not qualifying for the Leadership Module).

Who should attend the Leadership Module (C3)?

The Leadership Module training is mandatory for clergy who hold the Bishop’s licence and are in employment; Readers who hold the Bishop’s licence; clergy and Readers with PTO (whether they are retired or not).

The Leadership days are all 9am–4.30pm. This training is for all members of the clergy, but churchwardens and safeguarding parish officers may also find it beneficial.

To book a place, please contact me by calling 01522 50 40 57 or one of my colleagues on 01522 50 40 68, or email us at safeguarding.training@lincoln.anglican.org C1&C2 Foundation Training 2019 Tuesday, 10th September 2019 – St Germain’s Church, Scothern (9.30am–12.30pm) Wednesday, 11th September 2019 – All Saints’ Parish Centre, Nettleham (1.30–4.30pm) Saturday, 14th September 2019 – All Saints’ Parish Centre, Nettleham (9.30am–12.30pm) Tuesday, 17th September 2019 – St Mary’s Parish Hall, Mablethorpe (6–9pm)

Monday, 23rd September 2019 – St Peter’s Church Hall, Humberston (6–9pm) Wednesday, 2nd October 2019 – St Barnabas Church Hall, Barnetby (6–9pm) Saturday, 5th October 2019 – Trinity Centre, Louth (2.30–5.30pm) Tuesday, 8th October 2019 – St George’s Church, Stamford (1.30–4.30pm) Saturday, 12th October 2019 – Reading Rooms, Holbeach (9.30am–12.30pm) Monday, 14th October 2019 – The Bank (St Swithin’s), Bank Street, Lincoln (6–9pm) Thursday, 7th November 2019 – St George’s Church, Crosby (6–9pm).

C3 Leadership Training 2019 Friday, 18th October 2019 – St Hugh’s Church, Old Brumby Thursday, 14th November 2019 – St Botolph’s Church Hall, Boston.

C5 Refresher Training 2019 This is for anyone who has previously attended a C1&2 or C3 course. It will be held on Saturday, 2nd November 2019 at All Saints’ Parish Centre in Nettleham (9.30am–12.30pm).

Please call me or email us to book a place.

Sharing in prayer as a diocese

Readers of Crosslincs might be interested to learn that a diocesan prayer diary is published on a monthly basis.

The prayer diary is available to download from the diocesan website (https://www.lincoln.anglican.org/ sharing-in-prayer), and printed copies may also be obtained by contacting John Leach on 01522 50 40 50 or by email at john.leach@lincoln.anglican.org The website also features homilies for use within the context of lay-led services of Morning and Evening Prayer on Sundays or perhaps for midweek study groups.

Witten by a range of people, the homilies are available at: https://www.lincoln.anglican.org/the-homilies-project DIOCESELINCOLN

@COFELINCOLN

NOTICEBOARD SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

Saturday, 28th September 2019.

An invitation to share in a pilgrimage to Walsingham with All Saints’ Church, Lincoln. Leaving Lincoln and returning at around 6.45pm, the cost is £12 per person. (Lunch may be pre-ordered.)

For more details and bookings, contact Fr Paul Noble on 01522 52 43 19 or at frpnoble@gmail.com

Friday, 4th October (7.30pm).

A ‘Last Night of the Proms’ evening at St Mary’s Church in Sutterton. To feature Swineshead Silver Band and singers conducted by John Lyon. There will be a licensed wine and juice bar, plus a raffle and free flags. Tickets are £5 and are available from Janice by calling 01205 46 05 90, ex. 2.

We welcome details of events for possible publication here and online.

Friday, 1st November. St Paul – The Man and His Message, a musically accompanied Quiet Day with the Revd Richard Rice-Oxley at Edenham Regional House. For details, please call 01778 59 13 58.

PRIZE CROSSWORD

Set by Ariq

Solution to the crossword in the last issue.

Winner: Brenda Slater, Brigg.

To enter the Prize Crossword: Please send completed entries to Prize Crossword, Crosslincs, Communications Office, Edward King House, Minster Yard, Lincoln LN2 1PU. Closing date: 1st October 2019. A photocopy of the completed crossword is acceptable. The editor’s decision is final, and the prize will be a faith-related book.

Across 1 Strange sounding shopping centre (6) 5 Humour my endless coded ridiculousness (6) 9 In principle cut Douglas’s location briefly (5) 10 Ably hint right turn will solve puzzle (9) 12 Nothing short of an outcry about absence (7) 13 Golden Goose is crazy, carrying back produce in pieces (7) 14 Symbolic, like Tolkien’s letters (5)

16 ‘God’s own county’ – 1st?

2nd? A 3rd’s riding on it (9) 17 Frightening figure, outstanding in his field (9) 19 Anne is shortly backing loosener (5) 21 Singular vision of Greek myths (7) 22 Take for granted so use two pence carefully (7) 24 Incompetence’s put carelessly before I tidy round (9) 25 S Americans; no smear about the rest (5) 26 Highlighting asterisk is less awful (6) 27 Be mindful to look at with respect (6)

Down 2 Farewell to God (5) 3 Annual man account included (7) 4 Put down again. Pass it on (5) 5 Travel staff (5,4) 6 False images? Right (7) 7 Wind powered clock (9) 8 Group leader takes part so mixes in (6) 11 Rush, data says, don’t argue finally (5) 15 Absence of banking facilities not important (2,7) 16 Standard measure no longer applies in the metric age (9)

17 Hits a piece of clothing (5) 18 On-line reason for being argumentative (7) 19 Pieces of fence could be made from this (7) 20 Anti-poetry? (6) 22 Heavens above, a mishit (5) 23 Award, primarily one stars can appear reluctant to receive (5)