Transforming Church Issue 02 by Diocese of Guildford

TRANSFORMING CHURCH FREE

The magazine of the Diocese of Guildford ISSUE 02 – AUTUMN 2018

FEATURE page 16

LEARNING OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE WHAT’S INSIDE: ENCOURAGING YOUNG PREACHERS | PRISON CHAPLAINCY WWW.COFEGUILDFORD.ORG.UK

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM As we mark the centenary of the end of the First World War, a number of special remembrance services and events will be taking place in churches across the nation

Visit achurchnearyou.com to discover remembrance-themed events taking place in your area

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CONTENTS

LIFELONG LEARNING

8 We find out what sort of environment has encouraged the young people at All Saints’ Church in Guildford to preach.

16 They say learning happens outside of your comfort zone, so we asked several members of the Diocese to reflect on what they learned on mission trips away from home.

18 With a variety of sessions across the diocese for foreign residents to improve their English, we spoke to one organiser about the importance of facilitating conversation and listening.

21 With Prisons Week coming up in October, we spoke to the team of chaplains at Surrey’s prisons about how they show God’s love to prisoners and their families.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK

Send your feedback to transformingchurch@cofeguildford.org.uk Thank you for picking up Transforming Church magazine. Our aim is to tell stories of life, faith and transformation from around the Diocese of Guildford, through the eyes of inspiring individuals. Published three times a year, we cover most of Surrey and North East Hampshire as well as parishes in London and Sussex. Our vision is to be a Transforming Church, Transforming Lives across the diocese and beyond.

If you have an idea for a story, let us know, or if you just want to tell us what you think, we’d love to hear from you. Deadline for winter edition: 27 November. To discuss copy quantities or delivery please contact transformingchurch@cofeguildford.org.uk.

Layouts and printing: CPO www.cpo.org.uk Produced at Church House Guildford, Alan Turing Road, Guildford GU2 7YF transformingchurch@cofeguildford.org.uk

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THEY WILL STILL BEAR FRUIT IN OLD AGE

BECOMING LIFELONG DISCIPLES The Bishop of Guildford, Andrew Watson, on lifelong learning and the call to discipleship When a small bunch of Galilean labourers took their first simple steps in response to the simple invitation ‘Follow me’, they can’t have begun to imagine where that path would eventually lead. Popular religion in Jesus’ day was a ‘buyer’s market’: the spiritually curious would sit at the feet of one rabbi for a while before moving on to the next one. But from the outset Jesus’ approach was quite different. For one thing, he chose his disciples, rather than the other way round; for another, his was an invitation to lifelong learning, to an adventure of faith from cradle

to grave and beyond. It’s no coincidence, perhaps, that Jesus was born into a culture which celebrated stories of the very young and the very old stepping out in faith: the boy Samuel, for example, or the pensioners Abraham and Moses, or the author of Psalm 92, who spoke of the faithful elderly that:

“THEY WILL STILL BEAR FRUIT IN OLD AGE, THEY WILL STAY FRESH AND GREEN.” The first two chapters of the third gospel, in particular, give us a sign of things to come, as Dr Luke introduces us to two mothers who

are respectively too young or too old to have a child.as baby John leaps in Elizabeth’s womb and the elderly Simeon prepares to ‘depart in peace’ – as the very youngest of the dramatis personae see visions and the very oldest dream dreams. The very word ‘disciple’, after all, literally means a ‘learner’; and the unspoken message is that when we stop learning, we stop being a disciple. Part of that is book-learning, of course, or its aural or digital equivalent: not allowing our Christian understanding to stagnate, but constantly looking out for fresh inspiration and nourishment in our Christian

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journey. I write this off the back of reading Kenneth Bailey’s Jesus through Middle Eastern Eyes, which has given me wonderful new insight into the world of the gospels.

But part of it too is taking little steps of faith in our Christian journey, prayerfully reflecting on the joys and struggles that life brings our way, seeking out places where we see God at work. Christian conferences, mission trips, pilgrimages and retreats can all play a part in that process, as many of us have experienced over the summer; so can vocational conversations, as we seek God’s future for our lives. So welcome to the world of this Transforming Church magazine, and its call to lifelong learning!

PARISHES PREPARE TO MARK WORLD WAR ONE CENTENARY Many parishes and schools are gearing up to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War during October and November, with a number of special remembrance services and events planned across the area. A stunning projection of poppies will fill Guildford Cathedral as part of a unique light and sound installation to commemorate the World War One Centenary on 5–6 October. How is your church marking the centenary? Let us know by emailing comms@cofeguildford.org.uk. Be prepared with a number of resources for public worship and private prayer available on the Diocese of Guildford’s website and also the Church of England’s national website: cofeguildford.org.uk/ww1-resources churchofengland.org/first-world-war-centenary

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IN THE BEGINNING Emma Hooper, early years teacher from Merrow Church of England Infant School in Guildford, on instilling the joy of learning in children at the very beginning of their school journey Nothing compares to early years teaching. It’s an honour to watch young children’s minds opening to new concepts and ideas on a daily basis. One of the first things I learnt when I started teaching this age group, is that it’s important to give them the space and time to build up experiences that can bring new concepts to life for them. A child who hasn’t experienced what it’s like to painstakingly mould a ladybird from a piece of clay only to have someone pull the legs off, can hardly relate to God’s feelings of seeing a world so lovingly created being spoilt. Children only learn when they’re

ready to, so when we begin to explore a new topic or theme it’s the start of a real journey. When considering the story of creation, I begin by taking the children out on a walk and plan activities, like bug hunting and seed planting, that encourage them to stop and observe the wonder all around them. Planning in Early Years is quite fluid, so although we have clear subject content and expected attainment statements, how we get there can be flexible and led by the children. I have some fixed points that need to be covered like reading the story of creation, writing a prayer of thanks or creating a Charter. That can be helpful for

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assessment but it is the children who dictate the journey to them. After our walk we talk together about what comes next. For some children it is a creative process that has begun as they set off to draw pictures of what they saw, use the iPads to take photos which they then edit or make miniature paper worlds of flowers and bugs. For others they are out digging and planting seeds which they water and proudly harvesting the strawberries, beans, potatoes and peppers we have grown. Others are all about the minibeast hunts, proudly bringing us ants ladybirds they have enticed on to their arms, all the while discussing with each other our Charter Rules about putting the bugs back where we found them. This year the children were very much taken with the phrase ‘let

there be light’ and this led to some great opportunities for reflection. The children made a dark den under the table using cloths from den building outside and initially played with torches. Although fun, that was not taking their understanding deeper, but then as often is the way in reception year, it was a child that stepped it up. One morning she brought in her star night light projector. This transformed the activity. We set it up so a few children could huddle together under the table with the projector plugged in; I added black paper to the underside of the table. In a suitably God-like voice a child said ‘Let there be light’, the projector was switched on and hundreds of tiny stars illuminated the space. Sitting outside I heard a few ‘wows’,

and ‘ahhhhhs’ and then nothing. The children were silent as they sat beneath the stars. It gave this lively group a chance to pause, wonder and think. That was the moment when the idea of creation became more real to them. In later group and class talking times we discussed together how they had felt in that place. One little boy, who lives in a busy house of siblings, said ‘It was nice, all I did was look at the stars and think about how God had made them for me.’

“IT WAS NICE, ALL I DID WAS LOOK AT THE STARS AND THINK ABOUT HOW GOD HAD MADE THEM FOR ME.” I hadn’t planned that particular activity; I gave space for it to happen, provided some of the materials that were needed and had created an environment of mutual trust that allowed the children to take control of their learning. This for me is what is important in my teaching now. When I began teaching in the early 1990’s it was all about control – if I hadn’t planned for it or it wasn’t for a particular learning objective then it wasn’t good teaching. Now I know I can trust the children and myself to make opportunities for good learning. That little boy who had seen the stars ‘wrote’ the most beautiful prayer of thanks; he had seen the wonder of God’s creation and knew that it was special and for him.

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preach came down to four things: knowledge, freedom, friendship and fulfilment. These things have created a nurturing environment at All Saints’; one that has fostered a confidence and passion in our young people to preach and share mission. When we launched a fully youthled service last year, it evolved from a confirmation class we had run earlier in the year, which nine of our young people attended. It just so happened that almost all of those young people were musical; and so they formed their own band and led the worship for the confirmation service. One of the young people, Ellie, said that leading the service “has helped me understand more about my faith and brought me closer with my friends.

FAITH CONFIRMED Emily Burch, Young Preacher of the Year 2017, is just one of a team of young people who lead a regular service at All Saints’ Church in Guildford. The Revd Beverly Watson tells us what conditions she thinks have encouraged the young people at All Saints’ to preach I think most of us recognise that young people are the church of today, rather than the church of tomorrow; but increasingly I’m realising that young people are also the church leaders of today, rather than the church leaders of tomorrow.

So when the Young Preacher initiative came up, I was keen to encourage one or two of our young people at All Saints’ to have a go. In the case of our young people I believe their willingness to

“I feel I have become closer to God when I do talks, and now when asked if I would like to do a talk, I will willingly do one!” she said. The young people came to the confirmation class with some sound prior knowledge and understanding of the Christian faith, and a keenness to build on that. This must be partly a natural continuation of the ongoing and enthusiastic teaching that they had received over the years, both at All Saints’ and other churches. They were given the freedom to discuss faith openly, within a supportive and understanding group. This was important –

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particularly at a time in their lives when it is so important that no questions are out of bounds and no subjects avoided. The confirmation service was a wonderful occasion, led by Bishop Jo and a gathering of other people being confirmed and their supporters from local parishes. Afterwards the young people were keen to continue learning together (the book Faith Confirmed by Jackson and Wright hit the spot for them), supporting each other and also to keep playing music together as a band.

“IN THE CASE OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE I BELIEVE THEIR WILLINGNESS TO PREACH CAME DOWN TO FOUR THINGS: KNOWLEDGE, FREEDOM, FRIENDSHIP AND FULFILMENT.”

From this grew our youth-led service, which is exactly what it says on the tin: a monthly evening service led by young people, with support from a team of adults at All Saints’. Although led by young people, anyone of any age can attend. It’s been a lot of fun, deeply moving on many occasions, hard work at times, and an ongoing learning experience for myself

and for All Saints’. The experience of collective worship and preparing to lead others in worship has been deeply bonding for the young people. It has given them a sense of purpose, belonging and an understanding of their role as leaders in the Church. I believe our young people were keen to continue learning because they could see how their gifts and understanding could be practically used for the glory of God, and as a means of blessing his Church. Emily’s success in being chosen as Young Preacher of the Year was a huge encouragement and inspiration to all of the young people at All Saints’. Hearing Emily preach at Evensong in Guildford Cathedral a few months later has galvanised other young people to enter the competition next year. It confirmed their desire to continue growing in faith and leading in faith.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME A YOUNG PREACHER? Beginners Preaching Workshop for Young People 17 November, Guildford This free training is for any young people interested in exploring preaching and will cover the central tenets of preaching – preparation, delivery and how to start! If you’re interested in entering the Young Preacher of the Year award, attending this workshop is the perfect place to start. Find out more and register your interest online cofeguildford.org.uk/youngpreacherworkshop youngpreacheroftheyear.co.uk

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St Saviour’s Church in Guildford has run a successful ministry for children with additional needs for over ten years. A member of the team tells us how they are sharing their experience and resource bank online to help other churches reach out group for the parents who meet in the week for fellowship and bible study. We firmly believe that this ministry is God-inspired and week by week we see God’s hand at work with the children and their families, and also those that help. The ministry has been transformative for everyone involved, with volunteers like Kim receiving even more than they give. It started with just a few children from the church family whose needs were not provided for within the mainstream groups, but has grown into three dedicated groups on Sunday for children with additional needs, with over 35 children attending most weeks. We have run a number of popular holiday clubs in the summer holidays and one-off events for the children and families. We also run a thriving

I have witnessed children’s and family’s lives transformed by the love and care they have received. Through this ministry God has given direction to my life, driving my university course choice and now my career. I feel so privileged to be able to share God’s extraordinary love through my role as pupil support worker in a special needs school. Although the additional needs ministry started small, it has become one of the biggest

sources of growth within St Saviour’s in recent years and reaches out to many families who might otherwise have been excluded. Our children ‘get’ God; they see and experience His powerful love for them and they flourish under His love and care. At our summer festival this year, the older children are going to be leading some singing and drama for the younger ones, but all will be encouraged to take part and to pray and worship together in fun and fellowship. The children’s families are often profoundly affected by the love and care that they see in action and the faith of their children. We are only too aware though, that almost 20% of children in the UK have an additional need and 90% of families who have a child with an additional need find themselves outside the church, often because their local church hasn’t been accessible or inclusive.

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Having been involved in supporting the ministry for many years, I personally felt impelled to share our resources online for free, to help churches elsewhere to love and support these special children. Web design isn’t one of my strengths, but this was not a problem to God who provided many people to encourage, support and help me. We developed a website called ‘All Belong’ to encourage, help and equip other churches to be inclusive and share the good news that we all belong and have an important place

in God’s family. There are many resources available and more to come, including bible stories and PowerPoints that are suitable for children with additional needs – we use them with minor tweaks for children aged three all the way up to young adults. They are simply told, but designed to

stimulate a range of senses which help engage. We provide clear instructions and guidance notes on all sorts of areas including worship and praying, equipment, toys, craft ideas and games, as well as administrative resources such as child registration forms and suggested training.

“I HAVE WITNESSED CHILDREN’S AND FAMILY’S LIVES TRANSFORMED BY THE LOVE AND CARE THEY HAVE RECEIVED.”

We pray that others will step out in faith and help build a church where all belong and all can experience the love of God. I have no doubt that those who are inspired to share God’s love in this ministry will be immeasurably blessed by it too.

For professional advice from the Diocese, you can contact: Steff Shepherd (Assistant Children & Families Ministry Adviser & Resource Centre Assistant) Tracey Wade (Diocesan Sensory Inclusion Adviser) Suzette Jones (Health & Wellbeing Adviser) There is also a growing range of help and resources available elsewhere: Mark Arnold (Additional Needs Ministry Director at Urban Saints) will run seminars for churches urbansaints.org/markarnold The Additional Needs Alliance contains helpful resources and contacts additionalneedsalliance.org.uk Churches for All have produced an Enabling Church course churchesforall.org.uk/enablingchurch allbelong.co.uk

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DISCIPLESHIP IS MORE THAN COURSES BUT…

Matt Prior, Adult Discipleship Development Adviser, gives us a round up of courses available for Christian lifelong learning

material, a well-facilitated process and a relational community. And it’s these three ingredients which make for a good course.

Making confident, prayerful disciples of Jesus in daily life is the number one goal of Transforming Church, Transforming Lives. I recently heard a succinct definition of discipleship: it’s asking yourself ‘who would Jesus be today if he were you?’ So it’s both a daily and a lifelong journey, and I certainly have a long way to go.

Three contrasting resources that parishes across the diocese are using are Pilgrim, the Bible Course and Fruitfulness on the Frontline. Pilgrim is a new Anglican resource modelled on Early Church catechesis – inviting people into ‘a pattern of contemplation and discussion with a group of fellow travellers’. Pilgrim is about what we do

That’s why Christian lifelong learning involves more than running the odd course. After all, the aim here is formation rather than information – something I often hear. And there’s a growing trend towards informal learning, starting conversations rather than serving up content. All that said, it’s hard to imagine learning happening without relevant

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when we follow Jesus. The first stage, ‘Follow’ starts with baptism, going on to sessions on praying the Lord’s Prayer, obeying the commandments and believing the Beatitudes. The second ‘Grow’ stage, looks at saying the Creeds, celebrating the Eucharist and reading the Bible, finishing with the small topic of the Church and the Kingdom. As this suggests, though it begins at the beginning, Pilgrim is an in-depth theological resource, produced by well qualified practitioners (including a few bishops!). The Revd Chris Bessant, Vicar of St Lawrence’s, Chobham, has run Pilgrim over the past few years and says the material is ‘high-quality’, adding

that ‘it can be run with little preparation, so it’s good for busy clergy’. On the downside, he expresses concern that the materials can be ‘churchy and traditional’ for some. And bucking a trend, there are no accompanying videos. A course which also aims high is The Bible Course, produced by the Bible Society. Offering a ‘Ronseal’ approach to marketing, the course does what it says, ‘exploring the Bible’s big story’ over 8 sessions, showing ‘how the key events, books and characters all fit together’. Each session is built around two 15 minute teaching videos, interspersed with discussion and reflection. Helen Francis, from St John’s, Cove, enjoyed running the course, because it offers ‘plenty to learn’ for both newer and older Christians, giving ‘important new perspectives’. The bar is high here too, and the content can assume a certain level of education. And in between each session there’s some set Bible reading for preparation, so it requires real commitment. But Helen comments that ‘once people commit and get into the habit of daily Bible reading, the habit sticks’. In contrast to these two resources, the Fruitfulness on the Frontline course produced by the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity

takes a brisker approach, focussing on what it calls the ‘frontline’ of daily life. 98% (at least) of people involved in church spend 95% (at least) of their waking hours outside of church commitments – in places as diverse as the workplace, the home, the gym, the community group or the school gates. These ‘frontlines’ are where faith is lived and learnt. While some don’t take to the military image of ‘frontline’, the Revd Nick Williams, Vicar of Christ Church, Guildford says it was a simple but transforming insight. ‘The course taught us little that was new, but it did give us a new way of connecting with the places we spend most of our time’. The course takes fruitfulness as a master metaphor connecting the Bible with our daily experience and throws in, for good measure, a neat alliterative framework – the 6Ms of fruitfulness. And with some punchy videos shot on location, this is a user-friendly resource to take off the peg. But as ever, the strengths can also be weaknesses, and the videos can be rather too slick for some, and the content too obvious. Having said that, when it is embraced as part of a wider vision, many churches have found this focus on our daily contexts has transformed the way they see discipleship. For a search engine and up-to-date reviews of Christian learning and discipleship resources, visit the CPAS site disciplekit.org

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e enou onfi e n n o h to oi t e but inio not be re n to o f er o u it!

FROM HINDSIGHT WITH LOVE When exploring the topic of lifelong learning, the prevailing message that emerges is simple: you never stop learning. From cradle to grave we’re on a journey of discovery, about ourselves and the world around us. According to what we read in Proverbs 8:11, wisdom is the greatest currency of all and nothing we desire can compare with it, not silver, gold, or rubies.

enough’ really is not letting anyone down. Spending hours making something look perfect, at work or at home, is not a good use of time or energy.

So, of all the wisdom you’ve learned thus far,

WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF? We asked people across the Diocese of Guildford this question and these were their answers.

When you first hear of a company called Intel, buy shares. Oh, and Microsoft.

Don’t have regrets! You cannot change a decision but you can learn and move on.

‘R eme mbe r that the Chu rch’s mission is a tea m activity! Rejoice in the gifts of othe r tea m mem bers (rath er tha n envying the m), and be conf ident in the gifts that God has give n you too’.

‘Good

All th ek and ex nowledge perien ce you gain o will a n the way ll b day a e useful one nd yo u’k when… now

to say no, Don’t be afra id go. t unplug a nd le work g a nythin will Almost ra u unplug it fo aga in if yo , cluding you. few m inutes in

le Wh e n t h e mbibe to a c sa y s “It t ru e. pa ss…” it’s it’ is, it Wh at eve r ‘ ss. will pa

Don’t ever grow up – in the sense of assuming that your growing/ changing/ l earning/ discerning ever stops. S tay in discovery mode. ( I ’m in my 5 0 s and stil l growing up)

e ls If so m et hin g fe bly wron g, it pro ba is. Ch a n g e it!

so Stop wtorwryhinagt much tahebroupeople think o of you!

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We m a y ‘a ll be lik e sh ee p’ – but be th e bla ck sh ee ke ep you rs elf w p, ei rd, d o dif fe re nt, d on ’t ju st co nform.

Tak ea to th momen in t befo re y k first, ou r ush in!

Remember that 90% of people make 90% of their decisions on purely emotional grounds – and both of the 90%’s may be an underestimate.

You are lo ve for just b d ein you, rest g secure in that.

to tI 's okuaryself be yo not you're that bad!

Never miss the chance to do small things well.

There are some things you’ ll never be able to figure out or control – and that’s fine!

Don’t ever say to someone “ Cheer up, it may never happen”. Perhaps it just did, in which case just stay with them, saying nothing.

‘It will all work out ’. But a little despair beforehand will make you appreciate it all the more when it does.

Belie v can m e you ake a diffe re that nce and i respo t ’s your nsib to do ility so.

Think more what you realaby out to do and less abwaoutnt what others want you to do.

o rry Do n ’t wa ki n g a bout ma k e s. m i st

Trust your owyn mind. Nobod r knows it bette than you.

Be kin d t o forgive ot h you rse lf, e rs don’t forg e , but forgive you t to rse lf.

Be bold! Do dare to step out of your comfort zone. Travel to new places to meet new people, especially those who are different from your usual fa mily and friends. You will learn so much from them and even more about who you are in God.

If you think something you have done is good, have the courage to believe it is God.

Alway can, b s know you are he ut that you lp by the ed to do so O loves yne who ou.

! ve regretsg e a h t ’ n o D n ot ch a n Y ou ca n ision but a de c a rn a n d le you ca n ve on. mo

Stepping outside your comfort zone provides new opportunities for learning. We asked several members of the Diocese to reflect on what they learned on mission trips away from home...

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RETURNING LIKE BEES LADEN WITH POLLEN The Revd Robert Cotton and Anne Marriott, from the parish of Holy Trinity and St Mary’s, Guildford, recount their recent mission trip to South Africa Our parish has a longstanding link with Kwasa College, a pre-primary and primary school serving the informal settlement of Daggafontein, near Johannesburg. In an informal settlement people live in shacks of corrugated iron, generally with no electricity and little if any sanitation. The region is in decline, since the gold mines closed. Domestic violence and rape are commonplace. Many are HIV positive. Although some in South Africa are benefitting from the increasing wealth of the country, many remain trapped in poverty – it is easy to feel the unfairness, the lack of opportunity, the tedium of empty days. In the midst of this, an Anglican Rector, Sharron Dinnie, boldly decided to found and grow a school, one which we’ve been privileged to visit now on four occasions. Twice, it was a group of teenagers that

visited, returning home deeply moved by the experience. They learnt leadership skills through preparing for the trip; they grew in resilience by having to face up to the challenging home circumstances of the children that they were playing with. Above all, they said on their return: “I can never be so complacent again, seeing how much these children have blessed us with their energy, hope and immediate warmth”. Before our 2018 trip, we had prepared ourselves to see uncomfortable evidence of the disparity between wealth and poverty. What we couldn’t prepare for were the other occasions of contrast that we encountered during our week at the school. Our photographer, for example, found himself looking through the sophisticated optics of his camera at a group of young children singing about the love of Jesus, and suddenly wondering which one of the little

girls it was who we were told had been raped the week before. We noticed that houses everywhere are surrounded by walls and fences, very alien to our English eyes, and nearly all with security notices saying “Armed Response”, yet wherever we went people were cheerful and friendly, much more so than back home. The school is truly a safe place for the children compared to their home environment – a sacred space where they can learn to play and trust adults to treat them with respect. They may hear the Christian story day by day, but it is a lifelong journey to dare to believe that it is true for them: that each is a treasured, precious, unique child of God. We left Kwasa a week ago now and the experience of being together in such an environment will continue to enrich our lives, and we hope those of others, as we return, in the words of RS Thomas, “like bees laden with pollen”.

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Lesotho Transport

Lesotho Accomodation

SEVEN YEARS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA The Revd James McKeran of All Saints’ Church in Witley, reveals what he learnt during the seven years he spent in southern Africa as a missionary “James, God sent you to Africa to learn patience; you’ll know it has happened when you are walking down the street and instead of you overtaking all the locals in the blazing sun, some of us will be overtaking you.” Sage advice from a village chief in Lesotho I was working closely with on a rural development programme. She had been quietly watching me come and go for several months and the hectic pace of modern Europeans was a revelation to her. However productive, she found it verging on the rude and antisocial. Even if late for an appointment, the thought of not stopping to talk to a passing friend would be incomprehensible in her culture and by many considered an insult.

Suffice to say, I had accepted the call to go and work in this small impoverished country of only two million people, with the highest HIV/AIDS rate in the world and 50% of the population living below the UN severe poverty line, full of what I hoped to offer. Humbling though it was, it became quickly obvious that the gifts its people had to offer me would infinitely surpass anything I might impart to them. The warmth and depth of relationships, both personal and professional, which make decisions on the micro-economic level more relaxed was salutary. I was surprised and amused on one occasion after being asked to join the board of a major local educational charity; when I

turned up for the meeting I was offered tea and muffins which was followed by a delightful two-hour general conversation about life. I was then invited to come back at the same time the following day for the ‘business meeting’ – now they were certain I would make a good addition to the ‘family’. Yes, I had the qualifications as a British lawyer and priest they needed and invaluable contacts with potential donors However, my qualifications as a British lawyer and priest and invaluable contacts were secondary to actually being a nice person able to relate to my fellow trustees and staff members. It’s easy to live in another country and culture in our age, at least in the Anglosphere with a common language, and when reaching the same conclusion to a problem, assume everyone has taken a similar approach. This is of course rarely the truth, and in Africa is exposed rapidly if you live and work with locals rather than expatriates. After witnessing an unfortunate train smash – when the western leadership of an organisation I was working with tried to solve a major dispute within the confines of a three-day chapter – I soon came to value the more collaborative and discursive local method of mediating such disagreements. Problems are aired, people are allowed ample time to chew over issues, then all views are heard openly, perhaps over several stages, before a final decision is made. I could go on. But in short, I learnt far more than I taught in these years as a mission partner.

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FACILITATING CONVERSATION, NOT TEACHING ENGLISH ‘Chit Chat’ is a weekly drop in session for foreign residents in Guildford to practice English, find out about local life and make friends. Susan Snashall, who organises the group at St Mary’s Church in Guildford, tells us more As volunteers at ‘Chit Chat’, we aim to help those from other countries living in the community, who may be finding it difficult to cope with speaking English, or with the challenges of living away from their own country.

We come from various churches in Guildford and nearby. The ideal ratio is two volunteers to four guests. There is a training session once a year in September and a communion service for volunteers in Lent to which guests are invited. We

also have a social evening at Christmas and lunch together at the end of term. Volunteers begin and end each session with prayer, and there is feedback after every session. This is partly for safeguarding as some guests may be considered vulnerable. Chit Chat exists not to teach, simply to facilitate conversation between guests and native English speakers, and more importantly to listen. Theologian Henri Nouwen described listening as the highest form of hospitality, “Hospitality is not to change people but to offer them space where change can take place.” That is the goal of the Chit Chat volunteers. We may think we are good listeners, but we naturally

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ask lots of questions, seek to reassure by offering our own experiences and try to rationalise the speaker’s own experience to make them feel better. These habits usually come from a place of trying to show empathy. In reality though, they take the focus away from the person who is speaking and are considered ‘deflective listening’. Ideally, our guests should do 80% of the talking. When you open yourself up to really listen, without interruption, without telling your own story, you can learn so much about others. ‘Chit Chat’ is an exchange of cultural ideas as well as a place for guests to improve their English. The guests who come to the sessions are from diverse backgrounds. Many are overseas students looking to mingle and improve their

English conversational skills. There are also a number of spouses, often with young families, whose partners have moved here for business reasons, and like anyone else they want to make friends and discover ways to engage with neighbours and fellow parents Some are grandparents joining grandchildren. A few are refugees looking to engage with their new community and open doors in terms of employment and education. The feedback we’ve received from guests has been

“CHIT CHAT IS AN EXCHANGE OF CULTURAL IDEAS AS WELL AS A PLACE FOR GUESTS TO IMPROVE THEIR ENGLISH.”

overwhelmingly positive, saying that they enjoyed the opportunity to meet new people and share with people from different cultures. Many said they made new friends, gained in confidence and found it a comfortable environment in which to make mistakes and learn. One guest said “It’s really something very valuable for foreign people to be made to feel so welcome. You help us in our settling in and make us feel cosy here.” Isn’t that the epitome of hospitality? Jo Cookes , Director of Communities Engagement Team at the Diocese of Guildford says, “Opening the doors of our churches to those from overseas shows true Christian hospitality and there is so much we can learn and share ourselves about different cultures. Welcoming and supporting newcomers

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in our communities to learn the nuances of our language and cultures and to help them settle and integrate is a true outpouring of our faith to love and serve. Our vision is to be a Transforming Church, Transforming Lives and an integral part of that is building strong partnerships with our community and reaching beyond our borders.” Different topics are used each week to prompt conversation around relevant and useful areas such as meeting and greeting, family, health, houses and homes, local shopping etc. One topic that sparks lively conversation is idioms – some of the turns of phrase that we are used to, but that can be often misunderstood. Teaching your grandma to suck eggs and it’s raining cats and dogs for example, were frankly pretty baffling to explain to speakers of other languages! It was fascinating to hear guests talk about some of the idiosyncrasies from their own languages. Obviously being able to speak a common language is a key catalyst for learning about each other, but complementary to the more traditional ESOL

“CHIT CHAT VOLUNTEERS REGARD IT A PRIVILEGE AND A PLEASURE TO MEET WITH PEOPLE FROM SO MANY CULTURES AND COUNTRIES.” (English for speakers of other languages) classes available, this group provides an opportunity to break down some basic communication barriers and to ultimately make friends. Rather

than teachers and students, we are equals learning about each other’s different cultures, gaining understanding of universal human nature in the process. Chit Chat volunteers regard it a privilege and a pleasure to meet with people from so many cultures and countries. As well as Chit Chat in Guildford, there are several other sessions run by churches across the Diocese of Guildford – here is a selection:

Chit Chat, Guildford

Let’s Talk, Woking

Wednesdays 9.30–11, St Mary’s Church

Mondays 9.30-11, St Paul’s Church, Maybury

snashallsusan@gmail.com

mascotwoking.org.uk/activities

English Classes, Farnborough

Conversation Café, Guildford

Mondays 14-15.30, Church of the Good Shepherd

Thursdays 10-11.45, St Saviour’s Church

crosscultural@goodshepherdchurch.org.uk

diane.peters@cofeguildford.org.uk

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“I WAS IN PRISON AND YOU CAME TO ME” Matthew 25:36 With Prisons Week coming up in October, we spoke to the team of chaplains at Surrey’s prisons about how they show God’s love to prisoners and their families and what surprises them most about the role

Prison chaplaincy work has a huge potential for changing lives, but it can be difficult to explain because it looks different in every prison and for each individual prisoner, and volunteers fill many different roles. A chaplain’s role in prison is primarily to care for the spiritual and emotional well-being of prisoners, and also to help with some aspects of prisoner rehabilitation.

Chaplaincy services can be a lifeline for prisoners, who often have limited opportunities to spend time in meaningful activities outside their cells.

Multi-faith chaplaincy teams work together to create a space where prisoners have the right to practise their faith, and where it is recognised that faith can play a positive role in someone’s life.

“WHAT NEVER FAILS TO SURPRISE ME IS THE RAW HONESTY AND OPENNESS OF THE PRISONERS I LISTEN TO.”

At HMP Send, the Revd Lesley Mason leads the team of Surrey prison chaplains to deliver faithrelated provision, pastoral care and other support to prisoners of all faiths and none.

“Love starts with listening, and then responding to their individual needs as best we can. What never fails to surprise me is the raw honesty and openness of the prisoners I listen to.” Worship is at the heart of chaplaincy activities in prisons and it might not be quite what you’d expect. The Revd Egerton Gbonda describes the worship at HMP High Down as more authentic and vibrant than he could have imagined, “You might imagine worship in prison as a rather downbeat affair, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.

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I was surprised to find the prison chapel full of joy and you can see it in their expressions of worship – raising their hands and dancing to the glory of God. “We walk with them through bereavement issues and family difficulties, and support those at risk of self-harm and suicide. You know the worshippers are troubled, because towards the end of the service a good number of them will willingly come and ask the priest and volunteers for prayer. But they are not crushed, and praise their Lord and Saviour exuberantly, saying to all of us: Through all the changing scenes of life, in trouble and in joy, the praises of my God shall still my heart and tongue employ.” Several faith-related courses like Alpha or Christianity Explored are offered, as well as non-faith related courses like Living with Loss (bereavement and other major losses), Making Sense of Forgiveness, or Parenting Skills. One of the most powerful courses offered is a Prison Fellowship programme called Sycamore Tree that is run through chaplaincy in several of Surrey’s prisons.

PRISONS WEEK 8–14 October Aims to encourage prayer and awareness of the needs of prisoners and their families, victims of offenders, prisons staff and all those who care. Sycamore Tree is a victim awareness programme that encourages self-understanding and restorative justice principles. Prisoners on the programme look at the impact of crime on victims, family and the wider community. Often the most confronting part of the programme is when a victim of crime comes in to talk about how crime has affected their lives. Prisoners are given an opportunity at the end of the programme to express their remorse and carry out symbolic acts of restitution – such as writing letters and poems or creating works of art. Prisoners who have taken part in Sycamore Tree often say it helps them think about how they might make amends or live a more positive life, with comments like: “When I came on this course I really didn’t think I’d hurt anybody, but now I understand that I do have victims”.

“It’s the best course I’ve ever done, because it really challenged me to ask myself questions that no-one else had asked me”. “I now realise there are people outside who really do want to help me make a fresh start”. One of the most vulnerable points for prisoners is their release and resettling back into the community. Making Connections is a well-established mentoring programme, developed at HMP Send, that has run since 2011 and supported over 500 women leaving prison. Independent analysis has demonstrated a significant

“I NOW REALISE THERE ARE PEOPLE OUTSIDE WHO REALLY DO WANT TO HELP ME MAKE A FRESH START”

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reduction in re-offending for those who participate and the programme is now being rolled out to other Surrey prisons. Financed by local charity The Nazareth Way and accredited by the Mentoring & Befriending Foundation, trained volunteers provide mentoring using tools that are designed to help prisoners plan realistically for the future, improve their confidence in their ability to access support and overcome the problems they will inevitably face. As they leave, Making Connections makes onward referrals to churches and community organisations to provide continued support for ex-prisoners after release.

programme, prisoners mention being able to talk about fears and anxieties in a place where you can be honest. They say it helps them to build their self-

confidence and reassures them that they wouldn’t be alone after release.

When asked what they found most helpful about the

COULD YOU VOLUNTEER TO SUPPORT PRISON CHAPLAINS IN SURREY?

If you’re interested in volunteering with us, but are worried about any aspect of working in a prison, please just contact us for a chat and advice.

Prison chaplaincy teams rely heavily on the help of volunteers; whether it’s to visit prisoners who don’t usually get visitors, provide a listening ear to a prisoner at a low ebb, help with one of the courses, provide admin support or simply just to worship with them. The Revd Lesley Mason finds the process of supporting the prisoners at HMP Send as fulfilling for her as it is for them,

“I have found it interesting to use my skills in a different environment, and I’ve enjoyed the challenge of seeing an aspect of life with which I am not familiar.”

“Many prisoners express their appreciation of chaplaincy support, but for me perhaps the better observation is the difference they have made to my life. A colleague recently summed it up well saying that listening to their pain and frustration has changed her heart. I would echo that. And the humbling sense of privilege in seeing God at work.”

Our volunteers have said:

“Once entering the prison I am aware it is a secure environment but the security training gives me confidence so I don’t find it scary!” FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT HMP High Down: The Revd Egerton Gbonda 020 7147 6325 egerton.gbonda@hmps.gsi.gov.uk HMP/YOI Downview: The Revd Beverley Fraser 020 8196 6314 beverly.fraser@hmps.gsi.gov.uk HMP Send: The Revd Lesley Mason 01483 471131 lesley.mason@hmps.gsi.gov.uk HMP Coldingley: The Revd Rod Sanders 01483 344370 roderick.Sanders@hmps.gsi.gov.uk

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THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF ART Last year, the Bishop of Guildford’s Foundation provided a grant of £3,600 to a little café in Godalming who are helping transform lives in many ways, not least through the power of art, Cat Payne An arm of the Warehouse Christian Trust, the Cellar Café provides a secure, affordable and friendly place for disadvantaged and vulnerable people in the community to meet, discuss problems, access practical support and also get in touch with their creative side. Mandy Beswick helps run a regular art group at the café, in partnership with Watts Gallery in Compton, providing the opportunity for people to find fulfilment and friendship, together with a sense of purpose. The Cellar Café art group is made up of people from different backgrounds, ages and art skills, offering a supportive environment for participants to learn and heal. “The making process builds selfesteem and gives participants the confidence of achievement. Self-expression through art is also a form of therapy for those who suffer from mental health issues,” Mandy explains. “We have been working with Watts Gallery as part of their

Big Issues Project, which offers artist-led workshops to vulnerable and socially excluded people as part of its ‘Art for All’ community programme. All participants in the project are invited to exhibit and sell their work in an annual exhibition. “New doors have been opened, with the chance to learn skills with professional artists, to be part of a curated exhibition, and to enhance a sense of community and belonging.” Watts Gallery follows in the footsteps of its founders George and Mary Watts, who believed that art could and should reach all and transform lives. This ethos inspired the gallery’s Art for All Learning Programme and Big Issues outreach programme, which seeks to inspire and engage people who may not otherwise get involved with the arts. By driving social change, self-development and empowerment through the arts the Watts gallery has helped many people improve upon and transform their lives.

Droplets, Watercolour, STAR

The Bird, Lino, Opportunities

Although art therapy is a relatively young therapeutic discipline, people have long recognised the importance of the creative process on healing, spirituality and personal growth – placing greater importance on the inner benefits of creativity than on the final piece of work itself. Prominent 19th century American painter, George Inness said “The true use of art is, first, to cultivate the artist’s own spiritual nature.” This is certainly true for one member of the Cellar Café art group who said, “Being creative in a friendly and inspiring atmosphere is therapeutic and confidencebuilding. Art and music are God-given gifts, and can be used to express all kinds of feelings of joy or sorrow, pain or pleasure, to deeply move us.”

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“REFLECT ON WHAT I AM SAYING, FOR THE LORD WILL GIVE YOU INSIGHT INTO ALL THIS.” 2 Timothy 2:7 Lifelong learning through a theological lens by the Revd Dr Simon Vibert, Christ Church Virginia Water We chuckle at the old definition of a lecture: The process by which the notes of the teacher become the notes of the student without passing through the mind of either. You might say the same though about the weekly offering from the pulpit! Educational theory in recent years has focused on the learner engaging in deep learning, rather than the teacher letting all the bees out of his or her bonnet to sting the student. The focus on learning is helpful for those of us seeking to be disciples in the 21st Century. Critically Reflective Being a lifelong learner is about being ‘critically reflective’. Critical in the sense of weighing and challenging all that we hear and learn; and reflective in terms of pondering and integrating that information. In his book, Becoming a critically reflective teacher, Stephen Brookfield argues that we should be critically reflective by seeking as many unfamiliar angles as possible, but that this is difficult to do, “We are all prisoners trapped within the perceptual frameworks that determine how we view our experiences.”

In order to break free from the prison of predictable reactions, ongoing learning requires using the four lenses he outlines in his book – autobiography, students, colleagues, and theory – but I will just focus upon one. Looking through a lens To be critically reflective, we need to appreciate our ‘autobiographies’ – what we have learned and how has it touched us in both head and heart. Our past and our attitude towards learning deeply affect how and what we learn. Growing as a learner means growing in self-understanding. Not just asking “how do I learn best?” but examining “how are my assumptions shaping what I hear and learn?” and “How might I allow them to be challenged?” We recently traded our car for a Toyota Prius. Would you believe how many of those cars were on the road the following day? I suspect, of course, that we weren’t starting a global trend; rather, we viewed the world differently as a result of looking through a new window. For Christians this means being aware of our theological framework through which we approach Scripture,

increasing our awareness and self-knowledge, and allowing God to challenge our framework, as well as reinforce it. Every time we open a book, we read with the lens that has already been focused by past experiences and learning. But, at the same time, the lens is being refocussed by new insights and new learning. Self-knowledge and the knowledge of God John Calvin’s Institutes of Christian Religion begins with two sections – “The doctrine of the knowledge of God” and “The doctrine of the knowledge of ourselves”. For Calvin, selfknowledge and knowledge of God, are the same act – only as we come to know God, do we truly come to know ourselves, and vice versa. The great 19th century preacher, Charles Spurgeon, once said: “Visit many good books, but live in the Bible”. Prayerful reading, personal reflection, communal conversation and time to allow truth to seep in: all of these resonate with Paul’s instruction – “Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.” Of course, the bible itself is a library which you and I read; but more importantly, the bible “reads” you and me.

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AND FINALLY Mark Wallace caught up with William Challis, Diocesan Director of Ordinands (DDO) to find out how the job has evolved and what advice he would give to someone feeling called to ministry You’ve been DDO for 15 years. How has your job changed from how it was 15 years ago?

What advice would you give to a church that is about to receive a curate?

I’m not sure the difference is huge. We are moving more and more clearly to seeing the church as a missional body and looking more and more for leaders who are committed to long-term missional engagement.

Love and support them in a direct and simple way. Do not overload them with expectations, because they will be finding their feet and they’re not the vicar. They should be praying for them, but also be expecting to receive from them: it’s a giving and receiving process. A curate will bring something new and different so they need to be open to new ideas. The whole point of having new people in ministry is that they bring insights, ones that may be quite challenging to your community, because they often come from outside. Even if they come as someone from inside as an Ordained Local Minister, they will have been training and picking up so much from people on the outside, that they may well challenge your community and point out your weak spots, and you should be prepared for that.

What changes have you seen in the candidates in that time? We were still in the bulge of female candidates when I first came in, who, although we were 10 years after the ordination of women, were still catching up with the idea that ordained ministry could be for them. We’ve settled down now, much more to 50/50, and people accept that this is just normal. There are slightly more young candidates around now – people who have grown up in a world where Christian commitment is that much harder, and are therefore very impressive people. They aren’t under any illusions they are going into an easy task. They have grown up in a world where our culture sees Christianity as possibly nasty rather than just irrelevant.

This has been the closing chapter in your own stipendiary ministry. As you reflect on your life in ministry, what have you learned about God and life from being DDO?

It’s a job which fits me. I’ve been a vicar and a curate. I’ve worked in a theological college, and overseas, and I’ve been involved in world mission. Over the years, without realising it, you acquire wisdom, and I think this task involves a lot of wisdom, and for me it involves a lot of prayer. So one of the things I’ve learned is that I need to be very prayerful about my candidates, and constantly pray for wisdom. I’m learning a lot about how gracious God is in the church, because for all our moans about its failures and weaknesses, it also is a place of grace, and it is incredibly generous to people who are training, and in ministry.

What does a Diocesan Director of Ordinands do? - Nurtures the development of those seeking to be ordained ministry - Oversees candidates through the selection process - Supports ordinands in training - Provides advice on the placement into curacies

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What’s happening in the world of ordination training? Church of England statistics on ministry and vocations from 2017 show:

32%

rise in number of under 32 year olds recommended for ordination training

1 in 3

It’s a constant learning process. Every new person is an opportunity to learn. You’re one of the longestserving members of the Guildford diocesan staff. What can you say about the journey the diocese is on? The diocesan staff are incredibly hardworking. It’s a great place to work. There’s a lot of respect but also we have lots of fun. We can share things and learn from each other. One can see how this sense of being a missional community has kept growing, and that each bishop has pushed that a little bit further, and that to me is really encouraging. We’ve arrived at the generation where the bishops are quite a lot younger than I am, and they come from a different and very dynamic world. They try to address problems but are

also concerned to push for imaginative solutions. One of the issues faced by staff is that we’re working under more and more complex regulations, and so certain people are under pressure to do more and more work. It affects us in ministry too; it’s a demanding job. If someone is reading this and they’re just feeling a call to something, but they’re not sure what, what would you say to them? They need to do three things. They need to pray, perhaps by getting away, even if it’s only for half an hour to go for a walk, and open themselves up to God. Secondly I would say share it with a trusted Christian friend, because they will see things in you that you can’t see in yourself. And the third step: share it with your vicar, because what your

Nearly of those entering training for the priesthood are expected to be under 32 years old

23%

of Bishops, Cathedral Deans or Archdeacons were women in 2017, compared to 12% in 2012

54%

of this year’s recommended candidates for ordination training are female

vicar is good at is ministry, which is why they’re doing it, and they should be able to help you move forward in discerning the sort of ministry you’re called to. Don’t assume that if God’s calling you, it’s about being a vicar; it may be something else. God has more imagination than the Church of England has. God calls us in a Christian community, not just you by yourself.

Thanks for reading Transforming Church. We’d love to know what you think. Send your feedback to transformingchurch@cofeguildford.org.uk or write to us at Transforming Church Magazine, Church House Guildford, 20 Alan Turing Road, GU2 7YF

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NLYtry S O poe HT rt • NIG c • a O musi TWlight •

POPPY FIELDS A stunning projection of poppies will fill Guildford Cathedral as part of a unique light and sound installation to commemorate the World War One Centenary. The Cathedral will open after dark to anyone wishing to contemplate and reflect on the history of World War One.

5 AND 6 OCTOBER From 6.30pm TICKETS

£5 and £2.50 for accompanied under 16’s VISIT