Spring 2013 newsletter

The Simeon Centre for Prayer and the Spiritual Life Ridley Hall, Ridley Hall Road, Cambridge CB3 9HG Tel: 01223 741090 Web: www.simeoncentre.co.uk

Newsletter #12 Spring 2013

The Real Heroes of the Story Not long after the Gospel of John has Jesus delivering his wonderful sermon ‘I am the good shepherd, he tells us that a group of Jews gathered around him and said to him, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.’ It’s a remarkable question, and doesn’t seem to come from those whom he has previously described as thieves, bandits, wolves or hirelings. It sounds like a genuine plea: ‘We really want to believe in you, but we need more reassurance, plainer explanations.’

In reply, he says that he has already told them, but they do not believe. How has he told them? Through his works: The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me [John 10.25]. He points them back to the miraculous signs that he has already performed, from the changing of water into wine to the healing of the man born blind. These are the witnesses both to his divine call and to his divine status: he and the Father are one. He is the Son of God, obedient to his Father’s mission. He is the hero of the story.

Director: Adrian Chatfield ac588@cam.ac.uk Chaplain: Jane Keiller jk271@cam.ac.uk Admin Asst: Rosemary Kew rak44@cam.ac.uk

http://simeoncentre.blogspot.com/

FOR YOUR PRAYERS We would love you to pray for the following things that are really close to our heart:  For Jane, as she adjusts to her husband’s retirement after 36 years with the water engineering company.  June 2: Adrian leading Waterbeach and Landbeach PCC Away Day: ‘God’s Strategy’  June 5: Simeon Centre Symposium: ‘Making Christian Marriage Possible’  June 8: Adrian teaching Centre for Pioneer Learning: Worship  June 26: Simeon Centre Day: ‘I’m Still Here: Spirituality and Dementia’  August 3-10: Adrian speaking at Cliff College Camp  September: For Jane as she gears up for her last term at Ridley before her retirement.

After the resurrection, the story is taken up by his disciples. In the lectionary for the Fourth Sunday after Easter, this episode in Jesus’ ministry is placed alongside a strange episode in Peter’s ministry, the resurrection of Dorcas. In Acts 9, between the conversion of Saul to Christ and the conversion of Peter to a theology of Jew and Gentile, we are given two more miraculous signs, Peter’s healing of Aeneas and his raising of Dorcas from the dead.

But there’s a difference. In raising Aeneas, Peter changes a few words, and instead of saying ‘I heal you’, says ‘Jesus heals you.’ Luke’s hero points back to the real hero of the story. And before Peter can raise Dorcas, he kneels and prays, no doubt to the same Jesus. If Peter is at all a second Jesus, he is so as an adopted son of the Father, redeemed by the eldest son’s sacrifice.

He acts entirely and only in Jesus’ name.

Luke’s writing does exactly the same as Jesus’ reply to ‘the Jews’. It points us back to the miraculous signs that Peter has performed like Jesus did, and it is almost as if he presents us with Peter as a second Jesus.

Here, Peter is the hero of the story.

Which brings me to you, dear reader! Both writers, John and Luke, give us our two heroes for a purpose. These stories are not told for our amazement or admiration.

They are given us that we in our turn might be heroes, the Jesus of our own place and time, for the ongoing mission of God, the salvation of the world. As Jesus did

the will of his heavenly Father, and as Peter continued to do that will ‘in Jesus’ name’, so we too are called to do these and even greater things through the power of the Spirit of Jesus poured out on the church at Pentecost.

There is no wriggling out of this. Just before his passion, Jesus tells the disciples (the church, us) that the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these. As we proclaim the Messiah Jesus and live his Kingdom life here on earth in the face of a doubtful and uncaring world (If he is the Messiah, tell us plainly), Jesus will continue to perform works that testify to him. The sick will be healed, the dead will be raised, lives will be transformed, Satan will be driven back.

So let’s act as the real heroes of the story in Jesus’ name and take to kneeling at the bedside of the Aeneases and Dorcases of our age, that the works that we do in Jesus’ name may testify to him, that lives may be transformed, that many may believe, and that the Kingdom may come. In prayer, God’s power will be made manifest.

Adrian Chatfield

I’m Still Here: Spirituality and Dementia On Wednesday June 26th 2013 at Ely Methodist Church, the Simeon Centre and the Diocese of Ely are cosponsoring ‘I’m Still Here’: Spirituality and Dementia.

Adrian Chatfield tells us more: Over the past few years, there has been a rapid growth in awareness of the needs of those in our communities and churches who are experiencing dementia themselves or among their families and friends. This has been accompanied by countless initiatives of support and pastoral care.

The purpose of this day on Spirituality and Dementia is to contribute to good practice by facilitating a conversation among those involved in the care of persons with dementia (whether personally or professionally) about how we can nurture prayer, worship and spirituality as identity, memory and functionality become increasingly uncertain.

Feel free to pass this information to others. Bookings are rising – so don’t delay! Book online at: http://www.ridley.cam.ac.uk/news-events/711-dementia-2013

PROMOTING HEALTHY CHRISTIAN RELATIONSHIPS In our last newsletter we reported on last June’s Symposium entitled ‘Making Christian Marriage Possible: The Challenge to Men and Teaching in the Church’.

The Symposium format, with attendance by invitation, is a new venture for the Simeon Centre. With the current gender imbalance in many of our churches, Christian women who were expecting to marry have found themselves in enforced singleness, and the fundamental question under discussion was ‘How do we address this?’ – followed closely by ‘Where are the men?’

The discussion began last June, and will be resumed on June 5th this year with an expanded group. The fact that it took an entire year to resume the discussion is perhaps illustrative of the inherent difficulties. We covet your prayers for this exciting and dedicated group of people. Watch this space for a report in our next newsletter, and (as we suggested in newsletter 11) pray for ways in which you might share in ‘promoting healthy Christian relationships’. Meanwhile, here is a piece arising from Adrian’s musings on Men’s Spirituality, written by a member of the Simeon Community.

Rosemary Kew

MEN’S MINISTRY

WHAT IS THE SIMEON CENTRE?

A response from Steve Morris to Adrian’s comments in the last newsletter.

Not all readers of our newsletters have been connected from the moment the Simeon Centre was born in October 2007, and it would seem good moment to look back to its conception and birthing as a ‘place’ for teaching on prayer and the spiritual life.

Thanks, Adrian, for your very interesting article on men’s ministry. And it is a thorny old problem. I’m not sure if many readers of this august organ watch Call the Midwife, but it seems to me that this programme is oddly relevant. I always start watching it and wanting to like it, but the second we get to all that groaning and gory birth business I make myself scarce. I imagine millions of men popping down the potting shed when it’s on.

I wonder if church is a bit like Call the Midwife.

It looks quite good from the outside but gets all too toe-curling at crucial moments. The modern songs that paint Jesus as a boyfriend, the leaden intercessions and horror of having to shake hands at the peace – just aren’t manly.

So what’s the answer? Adrian suggests running, but I don't run. I can’t claim that this is because I am a gentleman; I’ve just got dodgy knees. But I do know that at the church I’m at we get a lot of men. We haven’t done this by going all macho – trips to the pub and 10pin bowling. But we have done it by travelling beside each other. We find time to talk to each other and get to know about each other’s lives. We do it naturally and yes, we like a bit of banter.

Men are more sociable than you think. It helps that I had a life in business before I became a priest so I can relate to stuff at work and the struggles of that – I often preach on it and I encourage the congregation to encourage and honour the men. I ask the guys how things are at home and at work and talk and pray with them. I don’t try and come over all nice all of the time.

We often think about a question of faith we are struggling with and have a good old debate about it. We encourage each other and we laugh and we encounter God as men, as fathers, as sons and brothers and husbands.

It may not be the complete answer, but it’s a start.

Steve Morris

A child of Ridley Hall, Cambridge, the Centre now resides on the top floor of the old Principal’s Lodge, and has been busy doing what it was set up to do. From students of the Hall and of the Cambridge Theological Federation, to Christians lay, ordained, and not always Anglican, from our own Diocese of Ely and way beyond, we have offered the residential conferences, quiet days and consultations you will have read about in this newsletter. Here too we try to think aloud about spirituality by means of articles, book reviews and an occasional full –length sermon.

WHAT IS THE SIMEON COMMUNITY? Right at the ‘centre’ of the Simeon Centre is the SIMEON COMMUNITY: an international ‘virtual’ community of prayer which supports Ridley, the Simeon Centre, and one another as we share in online prayer requests. We see this as the Centre’s ‘power house’.

We share a simple Rule of Life, and try to meet at least once a year as we are able (not easy for those at a distance). Two new members joined in this past year, and we would like to introduce them to you.

LESLEY-ANN CRADDOCK writes: ‘I am a curate, ordained as a pioneer minister in Welwyn Garden City… I walk alongside many people suffering the disease of addictions, and others who are not seen or heard in our community. I thank God that I was called to this ministry, and also that He has prepared me in all aspects of my life for it. My family also feel the need to illuminate the dark areas of our messy lives and to enable people to accept that messy spirituality is beautiful too… I was attracted to the Simeon Centre because of its deeply prayerful nature.

I am confident that when I was ordained and said ‘With God I will’ that my pioneer ministry needed many prayerful people aiding it. I joined the Simeon

Community for that reason, and with their prayers and God I will be ‘enabled’ in many difficult situations.

It is a lonely path without the knowledge that there is prayer from others.’

ANNE ALDRIDGE: Anne is married to Rob and they have four adult children and two granddaughters. She trained originally as a teacher, worked in schools in Nottingham and then in Cambridge. In the mid 1990’s she was employed as the Pastoral Assistant at a village church near Cambridge… In 1996 she began training for ministry and was ordained Deacon in 1999 in Ely Cathedral and Priested in 2000. Following that she was the curate in her sending church as well as chaplain at the local children’s hospice. In 2003 she went to work as a full time chaplain in an acute hospital setting, working mainly with children, babies and end of life care. After almost nine years in hospital chaplaincy, in September 2011, Anne joined the staff at Ridley Hall as a tutor to ordinands and trainee youth ministers. She became part of the Simeon Community soon after this.

Rosemary Kew

KAIROS: Exciting developments in prison!

Ridley Hall Symposium, 1st June 2012 Kairos Prison Ministry UK is a “Christian charity with a Mission to bring the experience of Christ’s love and forgiveness to all imprisoned individuals and their families and to assist in their transition to becoming productive citizens.” Helen and Stephen Randall are deeply involved in its ministry in this area, and the Simeon Community have been praying for them. We thought that it would be good for our wider readership and friends to hear about what is happening.

Helen writes: Whitemoor #2 took place from 18th-22nd March in the men's maximum security prison at HMP Whitemoor in the town of March, Cambridgeshire. There was a noticeable step forward since May 2012's Whitemoor #1 week, in many ways. Read on!

The inside team was larger this time as we were hosting more men than before. We came from varied denominations and were mixed gender. There were

some 'veterans' from Whitemoor #1, and many new volunteers. We noticed a markedly friendlier welcome within the prison this time; it’s got used to us and seen a positive effect on the men. Last year's hand-made cookies seemed to open hearts too!

The prison Chapel and its staff continue to do a fantastic job among both staff and prisoners, and they once again worked long hours to support and enable the Kairos week. They welcome our continuing prayers.

The Kairos week: The Chaplain had invited 24 men, who joined us mid-afternoon on the Monday. We noticed that they relaxed much more quickly than had happened last year; many said that other prisoners had recommended the week to them, and some knew what to expect so were less anxious about the unknown. Two men sadly dropped out the next day (one from illness), but there was one reserve, so we completed the rest of the week with 23 men.

Apart from Monday’s later start, the daily routine was to arrive at prison at 8am and hope(!) to get in, through security and to the prison Chapel by 9am.

The men joined us by 9.30am, and the day unfolded with talks and meditations given by several team members, interspersed with table-group discussions and poster-making, and simple prayer or scriptures.

We ate lunch and tea together (prison food), which gave good time for mingling, friendly banter and personal conversations. The men had to leave us for roughly 2 hours lock-down over lunch but, wonderfully, we didn’t this time have to lose them again for the late afternoon roll-call lockdown – a sign of the prison’s increased trust and support for what we’re doing. The men went back to their cells each evening at 6.30-7pm, and we were finally escorted out tired but happy around 7.30pm.

Many participants come with little or no faith, so Kairos starts from the basics of friendship with God and opening the door. A significant point towards the end of the week is a forgiveness ceremony and healing-ofmemories meditation. Discussions within each of the four ‘family’ table groups were frequently profound, deep and personal, as well as fun. It was hugely moving to hear all but one man speak at the ‘open mike’ at Friday’s closing ceremony, in front of guests. There was evident friendship, enjoyment, growth in faith, some burdens lifted and signs of new hope.

Outside the prison: Once again, March Evangelical Fellowship hosted the Kairos team to 6.30am breakfast and a late supper (requiring a horrendously early start and late finish for them), while many more churches across East Anglia got involved in various ways. Some living near March offered spare rooms for the team to stay locally; many prayed (there were over 800 slips in the prayer paper-chain hung around the chapel); new people volunteered on the team; more Sunday Schools made placemats, small posters and decorated envelopes for letters to the participants; and people from Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, across Cambridgeshire, to Peterborough home-baked roughly 10,000 cookies so we could give a packet “with love from Kairos” to every prisoner and staff member at Whitemoor.

The Journey programme: Over the last year, Whitemoor #1 graduates were able to join a Kairos Journey programme of six follow-up afternoons. Most of the 16 men who completed the May 2012 week joined in.

By the last of the series in February, all of the 11 or 12 men present spoke very positively about the impact Kairos has had on their lives and faith. We’ve been thrilled to see them growing more confident and relaxed, and developing friendships with each other which is tough in this maximum security prison where self-preservation usually demands a macho front and no trust. Eight of those men came to the Whitemoor #2 closing. One #1 participant encouraged the #2 men saying, “This isn’t the end; it’s the start of something better”. Yes!

And beyond Whitemoor: Kairos continues at Maghaberry men’s prison in N Ireland (it was never stopped there) and last autumn began in Belfast women’s prison. There’s been a hiccup with the planned start to Kairos Torch (young offenders) at Feltham in London, but volunteer training is going ahead in hope of an open door. In East Anglia, positive conversations continue with other men’s prisons but the hoped-for women’s venture seems farther on the horizon at the moment. As ever, prayers are welcome for this ministry to expand, for Chaplaincy teams, and for the men who have experienced Kairos to continue to put down roots of faith and deepen their relationship with God and each other.

Kairos Whitemoor #3 will be in Oct 2013, and both the national and East Anglia committees welcome more helpers and team volunteers. Might you get involved? See www.kairosuk.org.

Helen Randall

FAITH IN CONFLICT Jane Willis (another member of the Simeon Community) writes:

And now the Whitemoor #2 Journey programme has begun. On 16th April, it felt like everyone came back!

We had a Chapel full, with #1 men invited too so that men from both #1 and #2 could meet and form small groups with others from their prison wings. The aim is to help them build fellowship and small prayer’n’share groups with their near neighbours. We understand from the chaplaincy team that one outcome of Whitemoor #1 has been some community cooking and eating on the wings, rather than always eating alone in their cells (which is the norm).

I’ve been privileged to be one of the 200 delegates at the recent ‘Faith in Conflict’ conference at Coventry Cathedral and have come away bursting to share something of its vision. The setting of the cathedral, old and new, with its ministry of reconciliation, was of course iconic. Justin Welby had been on the planning group since 2006 – long before he knew he would be Archbishop of Canterbury – and saw the eventual timing of the conference as providential, coinciding with the beginning of his ministry as archbishop. He, along with his new chaplain Jo Bailey-Wells and her husband Sam Wells, Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields, were the keynote speakers. Workshops offered some training in skills for handling conflict (for more on that I recommend Bridge Builders) – but the main thrust of the conference was the casting of a vision for how Christians can handle conflict better, how we can differ in Christ-like way.

We heard comments from #2 participants like “I’ve been more tolerant since Kairos”, “I’m sleeping better and have got a job”, “I’m getting a few things clearer in my head” and “I’ve become more sociable”. There are still a lot of struggles, obviously, but it’s good to see happier faces and greater hope.

The starting point for this is the acceptance that conflict is normal. Just as diversity and unity are present in the Godhead, so diversity is inherent in creation. In fact diversity is good for us, from a biological point of view it is profoundly healthy. However, conflict, arising from our diversity, can be handled in ways that are either pro-

foundly destructive, or constructive and creative. It was interesting to learn from professional mediators that conflict in a community or family context may be inordinately complex compared to commercial mediations – and church is family, community.

Secondly through hospitality, creating space for the other.

Listening. Real listening. Attentiveness that we might encounter the Christ in one another, and openness to being changed by the process. Continuing Indaba and Benedictine spirituality have much to contribute here.

However, reconciliation is not some optional extra for Christians, it is a gospel obligation:

Thirdly, in prayer – with the other and for the other. We spoke of building conflict-resilience in individuals and communities, and in that the value of lament. In conflict there may be fierce conversation. Lament is taking that fierce conversation to God.

For Christ’s love compels us…

From now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view…

God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.

And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

(2 Corinthians 5) Reconciliation is not something we do in order to clear the way for gospel work – when we are doing the work of reconciliation, of seeking unity in our diversity, we are doing the gospel: “Reconciliation is not the precursor to the gospel. It is the gospel.” (Sam Wells) So how might we do this?

Firstly, in humility. In the recognition that none of us has the whole counsel of God. To know the limits of our own understanding and recognise that we need each other. And where necessary, repentance. Father forgive: as is engraved on the walls of the ruins of the old Coventry Cathedral.

Lastly, in love and trust and respect – so counter-cultural today. Trust in God and trust in one another. Why do we so fear our brothers and sisters in Christ with whom we differ? “Perfect love drives out all fear, but the reverse is also true: perfect fear also drives out all love.” (Revd Tory Baucam) We ended by asking ‘So what?’ – the great hermeneutical question! I wondered how I might carry this great vision back to my little patch of Devon, to the struggles there between individuals and communities. I realised that at the end of the day there is no ‘big picture’ anywhere, and that all conflicts come down to individual people, in particular contexts. This vision needs to be taken home, shared, and worked through – I am convinced that it is a missional issue. The body of Christ is not only disabled by destructive conflict, but when we preach a message of reconciliation but fail to practice it, we make ourselves, and the gospel, in-credible. I have no doubt we will be hearing more from our new archbishop on this matter, it is a word in season and we would do well to attend to it.