RugbyRector

A Christmas Message from the Rector of Rugby!

2011-12-25T08:55:00.005Z

My good friends at the Rugby Advertiser have recorded a Christmas message, feels very regal!

http://www.rugbyadvertiser.co.uk/news/local/christmas_video_merry_christmas_from_rev_mark_beach_1_3364914

I hope you all have a very Happy Christmas

Ok, I take it all back

2011-12-23T22:32:00.001Z

A few weeks ago I was invited on to talk on BBC Cov and Warks about the Bishop of Birmingham's statement that too many school nativity plays bore little resemblance to the Gospel stories. I was on his side!

The other person on the piece was Debbie Isitt, the director of Nativity. My line was that the story should be true to the original, without Lobsters ... Remember Love Actually?

Karen: So what's this big news, then?
Daisy: [excited] We've been given our parts in the nativity play. And I'm the lobster.
Karen: The lobster?
Daisy: Yeah!
Karen: In the nativity play?
Daisy: [beaming] Yeah, *first* lobster.
Karen: There was more than one lobster present at the birth of Jesus?
Daisy: Duh.

Now I was gracious enough to tell Debbie that I had not seen her film (in the hope that she might invite me along!) but now I have seen it I have to come clean and say I wept, both with laughter and with joy to see the passionate telling of the story of the birth of Jesus and the transformation that took place in the kids in the story. (Annabel and Ellie were just as amused by my tears!)

Debbie - I take it all back ... it was FAB! Thank you.

A great ad...

2011-12-22T16:20:00.002Z

See if you can guess what this is advertising before the end.....

http://zanylol.com/ad.html

Christmas Letter

2011-12-21T13:50:00.000Z

December2011

Helloagain!

Soonce again, We Three Beaches of (near) Leamington Spa ... (Ellie's contribution!)

are beginning our headfirst dive into the Christmas period. Itis nice to be able to look back on another packed year!

Mark.... 2011 got off toa great start when I had my Viva for the thesis I had written while on studyleave the previous year. I can honestly say that I have never been morefrightened of anything. In the end it all went smoothly and I became theReverend Doctor! After a big party as soon as I found out, to thank everyone inRugby for their support over my 5 years ofstudying, the graduation in July was a splendid affair in the Barbican and wewere delighted that my step-mother Simone was able to join us.

The Fairy Queen and Private Willis

RugbyOperatic Society’s ‘Iolanthe’ in February was great fun. Having not done anyacting since G & S in Oxford20+ years ago it was good be there with Ellie, who was a delightful Iolanthe.(sorry – doting dad here!) I had the part of Private Willis who has the songwith the very pertinent line “is either a little liberal or else a littleconservative….” But I must avoid political point scoring at Christmas!

Thechurch highlight of the year was the 300th anniversary of one of our sets ofbells. We welcomed the BBC back for Sunday Worship, live to 1.5 millionlisteners, and once again the choir did us proud. The following week mycolleagues from the Worshipful Company of Pewterers came to church to mark thefact that the churchwarden when the bells were installed was a pewterer!

InApril the Bishop of Coventry invited me to do a part time, year long secondmentas Transforming Communities Officer – guaranteed to make those in the publicand voluntary sectors smile! This has been really interesting but two part-timejobs definitely make more than one and I will not be seeking a renewal comeEaster.

Annabel …I’m still working hardin HR for housing, sadly having to make some people redundant. I seemed tospend the summer unpacking and repacking endlessly with attendant laundry in between(See Ellie's adventures below...) We celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary inApril, and it's nice to think that many of you reading this were there on thebig day all those years ago. We had a lovely evening drinking champagne on thechurch lawn with friends whilst our bell ringers rang a quarter peal for us. We spent the Spring bank holidays on the boatin lovely weather with different friends and had a week travelling on the very scenicRiver Avon through Worcestershire whilst Ellie was off on one of her jaunts.

Ellie on her confirmation day

Elliewas confirmed in May at St Andrew’s in a big combined service for the churchesacross the town, and we had a happy celebration with family and godparents.Without Mark, who likes his creature comforts too much, we spent a few days campingwith all the cousins in north Devon in July togo surfing. The last time I went surfingin Devon was 25 years ago with wooden boards, but it all came back to me again,and so we had lots of fun once I had worked out which way round a wetsuit zipsup!

Ellieand I are very much looking forward to next year’s Olympics, as I got 3 lots oftickets for equestrian and pentathlon events. Mark is planning to ignore it all and go boating!

Sadlyour chicken keeping came to an abrupt end earlier in the year when Murphy'spersistence won out over Mark's DIY skills, and he pushed his way under thewire into their pen and despatched them very swiftly. It was all rather traumatic but at least thehens had a happy few months with us after their former battery existence. I have also concluded that allotment holdinghas to wait until I have more time in a working week to visit regularly to weedand water. Although we had lots of softfruit and some lovely flowers this year, everything else was a bit of adisappointment, so I’m hanging up my hoe for a while.

Ellie:… By far the biggestexcitement of this year has been my trip to the World Scout Jamboree in Swedenthis summer. After almost 2 years ofplanning, my three week expedition to Copenhagen, Sweden and Germany with 35other explorer scouts from all over Warwickshire was finally here. It was well worth the wait! I will definitelygo as far as to say it was the best 3 weeks of my life so far; the memories andthe friendships I made will stay with me forever! Coming back to earth with athud, I then spent a week in Franceon a school Study trip and a week in Spain with friends. All in all my summer was an incrediblymemorable one! Being half way through myGCSE year I am trying my hardest to maintain my work-activity-social lifebalance. So far I am managing well but who knows what the new year will hold!Music and drama are continuing to be massive parts of my life and rehearsalshave begun again for Dad's and my second appearance at Rugby Theatre as part ofRugby Operatic Society's performances of The Sorcerer and Trial By Jury. Thisyear, Dad has another solo role while I am just singing in the chorus. In July, my school put on the opera 'Dido andAeneas' and I played the principal Belinda, Dido's best friend. This role was made particularly special by mybest friend being played by my best friend! On top of all this I am still orienteering and I have competed a fewtimes this year for the school and local club. So as you can see, I have had a very busy and exciting year, allpolished off very nicely by my acceptance of a place at Rugby School to do mySixth Form studies as a boarder. Anamazing end to this year; it is safe to say I have only just come off cloud 9!

Withlots of love from us all – Mark, Annabel & Ellie

Praying in town halls

2011-12-06T08:17:00.001Z

As I drove to a breakfast meeting with local councillors, council officials and business people the other day I listened with interest to a piece on Today (Radio 4)

The discussion was about a case being brought by the National Secular Society over prayers before council meetings. Well this took me back to my days in Gedling when I regularly led prayers before council meetings. However, it was not the praying that upset the councillors but my informal style of dress. Multi-coloured jerseys do not, it seems, have a place in our Town Halls, but I suggest praying does!

The argument that people are discriminated against by voluntary prayer seems a little ill considered! I admit that the agenda says "Prayers" but there is nothing to stop a councillor arriving after the prayers have been said. In discussion with our MP, he reminded me that this is exactly what happens at Westminster.

In Rugby there has been no tradition of praying before council meetings, and I certainly do not think that it should be introduced. However, I can assure all of our councillors that we pray for them and their work on a regular basis and assure them of our continued support.

For a fuller account of the discussion see Archbishop Cranmer's blog....

Gove's Gift - Great Literature or Words of Eternal Life?

2011-11-26T09:59:00.000Z

So Michael Gove is going to send a copy of the King James Bible to every state school in the country. I'm sure he does this with the very best of intentions: regarding the JKV as one of the launch pads for modern British Society, indeed the English speaking world and a very real desire to get school children reading great literature again. There is a lovely passage in a speech he made in Cambridge recently

"Austen's understanding of personal morality, Dickens' righteous indignation, Hardy's stern pagan virtue"

Indeed, the classics of literature can give us a moral framework and the KJV has a central role to play in this.

So why I am writing?

Gove is offering the bible to schools as a piece of literature, not the holy book of a world religion. Yes, the bible can be central to a moral framework for modern society but much more iprtantly "You have the words of eternal life..." (John 6.68) or as KJV puts it

Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

This is why every child in every school should experience the bible and its message. Not because it is fine literature but because it is true, life giving and transformational.

And my fear? Well that our opponents, who grow in strength and commitment to their arguments (see what I have written previously about the Accord Coalition) will simply see Gove's Gift as a PR gift to them.

Festival of Christmas Trees - St Andrew's Rugby

2011-11-26T08:58:00.000Z

Next week St Andrew's will once again be filled with Christmas Trees. This is our 8th festival and, like Topsy, it keeps on growing. Over 45 groups and charities are entering trees, so even a building as large as St Andrew's will be pretty full.

During the Festival there are several other events going on:

Opening - with school choirs from around the town Friday 9th 5.45pm
Tarts in the Trees - come and enjoy puddings galore and bring your favourite poem to read as well. Friday 16th 19.30pm - Tickets from the Parish Office rtmoffice@rugbyteam.org.uk or 01788 565609

You can find all the information here http://www.festivaloftrees.co.uk/

Hope to see you there.

Mark

Old Testament reading at Morning Prayer

2011-11-23T10:09:00.002Z

This morning's first reading at Morning Prayer seemed very appropriate as we prayed for the people of Egypt. Isaiah 19 is an extended passage about the fate of that nation. Isaiah often warns his readers about trusting Egypt, not surprising given his people treatment by the Egyptians in earlier times.

But now it is the question "Can democracy flourish?" in this land and indeed across the whole Arab world which is on our minds. The Guardian had a useful time line which shows how the spring time has blossomed over the nearly 12 months since Mohamed Bouazizi set fire to himself in the Tunisian town of Sidi Bouzid.

I wonder how realistic the West's expectations of democracy are for the region, or even if democracy is the only form of government for states who wish to participate in world affairs. Should we impose our own models on a different culture or instead should we look to the outcomes of good government rather than the model as the defining feature?

Perhaps Isaiah can offer some useful guidance ... in chapter 11 verses 6 and 7:

The wolf shall live with the lamb,
the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
and a little child shall lead them.

Women in the episcopate

2011-11-15T18:18:00.000Z

Those who have been following the drift of what I have said here and those who hear me in Rugby will have worked out that I am 100% in favour of women in the episcopate. Ever since the day I was converted to the cause at a Movement for the Ordination of Women meeting in Church House Westminster back in 1982 (I guess ... and that's another story) I have longed for the church to recognise the vocation of women in all its fullness.

However, I am worried about the legislation and its ability to pass the high barrier of 2/3rd majority in each house of the General Synod. For a very good resume of my fears I turn to a blogger with whom i usually disagree completly, but Peter: Thanks for this...

http://www.peter-ould.net/2011/11/14/women-bishops-the-numbers/#more-6905

St Paul's and Tent City

2011-10-31T16:30:00.000Z

I have kept quiet about this situation, being saddened by how quick people can be to form judgements on both sides of the debate.

The tents were empty...

The banker's are crooks....

Of course neither of these is completely true, though doubtless there is truth in both.

What prompts me to write now is a deep sadness at the resignation of two fine clergy, Giles Fraser and Graeme Knowles.

Why is resignation always seen as the answer? Politicians are hounded out of office, others go for sake of conscience. May be our culture of leadership would be more healthy if people were encouraged to say "OK I got it wrong, lets work together to put things back together..."

There are several advantages of this approach: It acknowledges on the part of the leader that s/he is a frail person who does not always get things right. This is surely at the heart of Christian ministry and I am reminded of the words of Robin Greenwood:

The quality of the relation between priest and people may be expressed as an unwritten mandate. The priest, in a spirit of vulnerability, is saying: ‘Although I believe I have been called simultaneously by you, the bishop and God, to be your parish priest, please never forget that I am also, like you, a baptised member of this congregation.’ On their part, it is as though the people were saying, in a spirit of openness: ‘Yes, we are glad to hear you acknowledge that at heart you are one of us by baptism, but we ask you, for as long as it seems right from both sides, to be president of this local community in a spirit of persuasive and courteous leadership.

Another consequence of resignation as solution is that it causes another problem, the loss of the knowledge of the situation, which will be vital in repairing the damage that has been caused. Giles and Graeme will leave massive holes in St Paul's and not just for the size of their personalities.

So, lets not see resignation as the solution but rather work through difficulties to a lasting, healthy solution.

Here's a surprise

2011-10-20T16:22:00.001+01:00

Now I am sure that those of you who me well will be surprised by this....

The final piece of BBC New at Ten last night showed two Chelsea player (yes, I do mean football...) pausing for a moment, one with his hand on the others head. The commenator suggested that this was a spiritual moment.

Maybe they were praying?

It wouldn't be beyond imagination to think that two footballers might be sufficiently in touch with God to believe that pausing for prayer in the middle of the game might be a good thing to do.

Now I'm not suggesting that this might in someway influence the outcome of the game, but if it enables the players to focus on what they are doing, that has to be good.

And so I thought of Morning and Evening Prayer said daily in so many of our churches, and certainly in St Andrew's, when we pause in the pressence of God and reflect on the day and its tasks. Maybe its not about scoring goals, but it is about the blessing of the ordinary tasks of life.

Sine Nomine

2011-10-07T08:06:00.000+01:00

The Chamber choir which Annabel and I sing in has got a new website with some recordings of some of the music we have sung. I think the site and the clips are pretty good so I thought I would share them with you.

We are always on the look out for for new voices and lovely places to sing, so if you have either, why not get in touch?

after the radio....

2011-10-06T14:08:00.000+01:00

I have been very touched by all the emails and letters we have received after Sunday's broadcast service, but one in particular caught my eye. After saying that she does not usually listen to Sunday Worship, the letter goes on:

....Just a few words of praise. Although I am not a believer, I found everything really good and useful. You succeeded in making your point in every way.

The reach of Radio 4 into the homes of so many people that the church would not have any contact with in others ways is a wonderful opportunity for God to speak to them, through us.

St Andrew's on Radio 4

2011-10-02T09:56:00.000+01:00

Just in case you missed us on Sunday Worship this morning, here is the link.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b015bqbf

Very many thanks to Nick, our Director of Music, the choir and Organist Charles and to Cathy for her beautiful violin playing.

Thanks to the bell-ringers too after all it was your anniversary!

well done everyone.

An Urban Retreat - 4th October 2011

2011-09-20T08:39:00.000+01:00

St Andrew's Church sits right at the heart of our town and everyday hundred of people walk past, some of them venture in and see the beauty of the building and experience its peace.

Now we are offering a day of guided retreat based in St Andrew's but using the busy town centre as food for thought and prayer. The day will be led by The Revd Peter Privett, Associate Minister at St Andrew's and leader of Godly Play for the UK.

For more information please call 01788 565609 or email rector@rugbyteam.org.uk

Sermon on the anniversary of 9/11

2011-09-11T18:53:00.003+01:00

The text of a sermon I preached this morning at St Andrew's Rugby

I wonder if you can remember where you were on the 11^th September 2001? I can, vividly – I went into a meeting in Church House Wakefield just as the news that there had been an attack on the Twin Towers was seeping out; by the time the meeting had finished colleagues were gathered round hastily connected TV’s watching the carnage. The images were particularly poignant for me as a few years earlier Annabel and I had stood on the top of one of the towers and joked about how unsteady it all felt, being blown about by the wind.

We all know the detail: four planes hi-jacked. Two attacked the Twin Towers, one was destined for the Pentagon in Virginia and the fourth, United Airlines Flight 93 was probably headed for the White House but passengers overcame the hijackers and the plane crashed in a field in rural Pennsylvania.

The outpouring of grief was unimaginable before the attacks and some of you may have heard a radio programme on Friday afternoon in which survivors told stories of their conversations with loved ones above the point of attack in the certain knowledge of both people that the one marooned in the tower would die.

The political response was just as startling. Not since Pearl Harbour had the United States been attacked and the sense of outrage and also surprise was massive. I say surprise because neither politicians nor the ordinary people of America seemed to have any idea just how hated they were and indeed still are by significant numbers of Muslins across the world. The response of George W Bush was to adopt a phrase first used by Ronald Reagan “The War against Terror” to label an attack on terrorism in many forms. The on-going conflict in Afghanistan, the over throw of Saddam Hussein and other more minor conflicts in the Horn of Africa and the Philippines. Bush’s use of the word Crusade was particularly offensive to Muslim’s and he only used the word once.

Today, 10 years on I want to do to things. I want us to Remember. Remembering is a key Christian notion and something we do every time we celebrate the Eucharist – do this in remembrance of me. And by remembering we make real the presence of Jesus in our community. So in a few minutes we will stand to remember those who died in the attacks and the subsequent attack in London on 7^th July 2005 and by doing so we will re-member those who have been torn apart by these tragic events.

But first, I want to ask a question about our Gospel reading today. I did not choose this reading, it is the one set for today, but in it we heard Jesus tell his disciples that they should forgive 70 times 7, that’s 490 times. This forgiveness thing is not just a one off!

So lets try to apply that to 9/11 and 7/7.

First we have to acknowledge that for those intimately wound up with the events of these two days, forgiveness must be the hardest thing in the world. Some do manage to find it within themselves to forgive but for most it is impossible.

And for those who watch on, with no personal involvement, for politicians and ordinary people, can we forgive? Well some of the language used publically by our leaders suggests that forgiveness is not within their vocabulary. And you? How do you respond to seeing once again the images on our tv screen? Can you find it in your heart to forgive?

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not talking about forgetting. This is why we will stand to remember in a few moments, why Nick will play John Lemon’s Imagine, which has become an anthem of remembering 9/1. It is why during communion, with Cathy, he will play the Barber Adagio, another iconic piece in this day of remembering.

So if we are not to forget, what will our forgiving look like? I suggest that forgiving 490 times means never, ever, giving up the search and quest for reconciliation, for the re-binding of relationships between those of different faiths, races and opinions, between those who have been angered by bombings and those who have been angered, enough to bomb, by what they see as the imperialist west which refuses to see the deep values of both faith and culture in the Middle East.

Yesterday Tony Blair told us that the actions of the West had not radicalised young Muslim men in this country, who then travelled to Afghanistan and other places to take part in what they perceived of as a just war. There are those who disagree with him, Elisa Manningham Buller, formerly head of MI5 is among them. So it is not at all clear that we understand the impact of our actions in Afghanistan or Iraq.

But surely the call to forgiveness and reconciliation implies that we adopt a similar approach to the issues of the Middle East as have been seen to be successful in Northern Ireland where reconciliation and engagement with those who terrorised that community has led to peace.

Now of course there is one big difference. The leaders of the IRA came to see for themselves that negotiation was the only way to peace.

So, challenging though it may be, forgiveness has to lie at the heart of our response to the tragic events we remember today. Forgiveness that begins right here in our own church and community. Forgiveness which is that truly counter cultural vocation of the person who seeks to be a follower of Jesus.

But its also forgiveness and reconciliation that must lie at the heart of our response as a nation. I have peddled this approach from this pulpit before and found myself in the Daily Telegraph

Among all the foolish apologists for the murderers of Madrid, it was the Reverend Mark Beach who happened to catch my eye. Preaching at St Andrew's Church, Rugby, nine days ago, Mr Beach said: "The people of Madrid are reaping the fruits of our intolerance towards those of different races and religions. The war in Iraq was never going to solve the problems of that region but instead inflamed Arab people all over the world to new heights of anger towards the West."God Almighty. The sooner the Potemkin Church of England is sold for scrap the better. Almost every word of Mr Beach's is false.

Mark Steyn and I are clearly not going to agree. I stand by what I said then and believe that subsequent evidence is firmly on my side! The only way in which we can bring about the peace that is at the heart of God, is by forgiving those who have angered us 70 times 7 and living ourselves as those who are reconciled with each other and with God.

Women Bishops debate in the Rugby Team Ministry

2011-09-06T07:54:00.002+01:00

The Rugby Team Ministry had a PCC meeting last night and heard reports back from our DCC debates on the women bishop's legislation.

One church reported that while they were all in favour of women as bishops, they voted unanimously against the legislation because they could not accept the way it was formulated. In particular they felt that the Code of Practice was insufficient provision for those who disagree with the proposal.

In many ways this church is typical of the Church of England. Its middle of the road theologically, in a mid sized market / post industrial town and in a diocese with no particular theological flavour.

This rings all sorts of a alarm bells for me: As you all know, I am a firm supporter of the ordination of women as bishops, but, if I am right, and this church is typical, then the legislation as currently formed will fall at General Synod. This will not be because of principled objections to women as bishops, but because the legislation fails to reflect the fundamentally inclusive nature of Anglicanism.

I think that what worries me most about this is the impact a rejection of this legislation would have on our public image. The media would have a field day.... As this typical parish in middle England engages in its mission and ministry to the local community, that is that last thing e need!

In my view it would be better for the legislation to be stalled at this stage than for it to fall.

I do not want to speculate here about how this might progress but rather to raise the issue for comment and debate. I have also posted this to my blog, in the hope that some constructive debate may take place.

The Death of Gemma Hayter

2011-08-10T09:51:00.001+01:00

On August 9th last year a young woman named Gemma Hayter was murdered in Rugby, her body was found by a jogger on the disused railway line in the town. The local newspaper, the Rugby Advertiser covered the story and asked me to comment after the trial. Here is what I said:

Mahatma Ghandi and Winston Churchill both famously said that a society will be judged by how it treats its most vulnerable members. The tragic story of Gemma Hayter confirms the truth of these comments.

Gemma’s death is truly tragic and none of us can be unmoved by reading the events that led up to it. But as we read, maybe we can reflect on how to care for the most vulnerable in our society, valuing them for who they are, enabling them to take a full part in our lives together and enjoying what we learn from them.

The five young people involved in Gemma’s death have been called evil and certainly these actions cannot be acceptable in our society. But we have allowed people to live chaotic lives with no moral framework on which to base their actions. As a result they too have become vulnerable and we will be judged as much on how we treat them as those with learning and other disabilities.

Somebody else said “All that it takes for evil to flourish is that good men and women do nothing”. Together, we can make Rugby a better and safer place to live by following the words of Jesus “Love your neighbour as much as you love yourself…” That, It seems to me, is a pretty good place to start.

In a Godward direction: A Different Gospel

2011-08-03T08:42:00.000+01:00

Tobias wisdom again....

In a Godward direction: A Different Gospel

Quote from Steve Chalke

2011-08-01T20:10:00.000+01:00

‎'My father told me that politics and Christianity don't mix.

But I've discovered that it is apathy and Christianity that dont mix'

Steve Chalke

Charity of the Month

2011-08-01T18:18:00.000+01:00

Following the success of our Voluntary Sector exhibition last month we have decided to have a Charity of the Month at St Andrew's. This will run up to the end of the year when our re-ordering scheme will start and the following organisations have signed up:

August Making Space http://www.makingspace.co.uk/September People in Action http://www.people-in-action.com/October Street Pastors www.streetpastors.co.uk/CurrentLocations/Midlands/Rugby/tabid/679/Default.aspxNovember Rugby Credit Union http://www.rugbycreditunion.co.uk/December Christians Against Poverty http://www.reviverugby.net/Groups/86874/Revive/Organisations/Christians_Against_Poverty/Christians_Against_Poverty.aspx

Not a bad start I think, but we hope to get going again after the work in church is done (March 21012) so do get in touch if you are interested in having a space.

Speech on Education

2011-07-16T09:19:00.000+01:00

A speech written for the General Synod on Education

As we celebrate 200 years of the contribution of the National Society to our nation and to the education of our children, there are those who are less enthusiastic about what we value so much.

I wonder if synod members are aware of the Databank of independent evidence on Faith Schools recently published by the Accord Coalition?

Accord's stated aim is to “bring together a wide range of organisations, both religious and non-religious, that are concerned that restrictive legislation around admissions, employment and the curriculum in state funded faith schools can serve to undermine community cohesion, discriminate against pupils, families and staff on religious grounds and not adequately prepare children for life in our increasingly diverse society.”

Its members of the coalition include The British Humanist Association and Ekklesia, the christian think tank, strange bed fellows – you might think.... but this is a powerful coalition which has brought together research from a variety of sources which would be hard to summarise in a short speech here. It claims to “demonstrate that many members of the public have similar concerns as Accord, which is convinced that only legislative change will bring about an education system free from religious discrimination and where schools are suitable for all children, regardless of their background.”

I imagine that many of us have different perspective on this view. In my own parish of Rugby we have two church schools. The Harris secondary school has made great strides in recent years such that is now the secondary school of choice, after the grammar schools for many in the town. It is a diverse community which well reflects the diversity of the town, its christian ethos is strong and yet flexible enough for those of other faiths and non to belong to the school community.

Our primary school is in the most deprived part of the town, one in which we have seen a massive increase in new immigrants, some with a Christian background some not. At one point last year over 30 first languages were recorded in the school, and this is middle england Rugby. This results in a fast turnover of children and makes it hard to achieve government targets, and yet the school continues, in my view to contribute to the cohesion of our community and serves those of different backgrounds equally well.

Many of us, with church schools can tell these sort of stories. But the anecdotes are seldom backed up by firm statistical evidence.

I hope that to celebrate the anniversary of the National Society and as we move forward in planning for our future engagement with education we will find a way of commissioning research into church schools which will counter some of the attacks on our commitment to education for all in our communities which has been a hall mark of our schools for so long.

Perhaps the way to do this would be an action research project which would research where church schools exhibited best practice, and addressed areas in which they are widely thought to be less strong (in so doing it might become obvious which of the Accord criticisms have foundation and which do not).

General Synod last weekend

2011-07-16T09:16:00.000+01:00

I was away at York last weekend for the General Synod of the Church of England. Its amazing how tiring sitting listening can be!

I did speak a bit too, as you might expect. I quoted the Rugby School poet John Gillespie Magee in a speech on Eucharistic Prayers

I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,

reached out my hand

and touched the face of God

Not a bad image for what we aspire to in our worship of the living God.

I also proposed an amendment to a motion from London Diocesan Synod which made the motion more inclusive of the diversity of our communities.

However, as previously, speeches were written that didn't get spoken and not being one to waste effort I will post them here in a bit.

Sermon at Rugby Borough Civic Service

2011-06-27T08:44:00.006+01:00

Civic Service 2011

Well what a year! A new government, new policies to embed and less money with which to do it. I have said often over the last 12 months that I do not envy the task of our Borough and County Councillors, nor their officers one little bit.

So let me begin by thanking you all for your hard work and commitment over the last 12 months. I may not always agree with what you decide, but that’s another story.

One of those new policies to embed has been the idea of the Big Society. Even a year on I am not convinced that we know exactly what it means but it is appropriate that as we gather in church this morning we are reminded all of that is done voluntarily in our borough, for the good of our neighbours rather than for profit and personal gain.

It’s a while since we in Rugby assed the value of the third sector to our economy, but nationally its is estimated at £23Billion per year. That’s quite a value.

And so we have these displays around the church, 18 of our local charitable groups covering such a diverse array of activity, some nationally based like AgeUK who are a household name for the support that they give to older people. Interestingly their chief officer told me the other day that their focus is now on people over 80 not over 60, so I’ve got a while to go yet.

Other groups are more local. We have much to celebrate in the work fo the Mayday Trust who provide housing for vulnerable people and are based here in town. Futures Unlocked is a new initiative to work with those just released from prison, when they are at their most vulnerable and at risk of re-offending.

One more group I am especially proud of is the Street Pastors. Starting from small beginnings in south London they now operate in over 100 towns across the country, patrolling the streets from midnight to 3 in the morning and being good neighbours to those who they meet.. They work in close partnership with the police and local authority in what they call the Urban Trinity, a great of example for the voluntary sector at its best, working in partnership with others. I have to confess that so far I have not been out of the streets but I know that our MP has and that he found it a fascinating experience.

I can’t mention all the groups here nor those who are active in the town but not on display today, but all those involved in voluntary action in our Borough a great big thanks you from all of us.

But what is the motivation? Why do people stay up all night, of visit somebody in a nursing home each week for a chat, or help young carers to get a break from their responsibilities. After all there is no profit to be gained, no share holder who will get their pockets lined by the work.

There are of course lots of motives for volunteering, something to do is pretty high on the list but others do it out of a sense of concern for those who less well off, the lonely, the vulnerable and the unloved.

For me it is about trying to live out the teachings of Jesus. You shall love the lord you God will all your heart and mind and strength and your neighbour as yourself. It will only be obvious that I have tried to do this if I roll my selves up and get stuck into something. A friend of mine, a senior clergyman has decided that he will visit the residents of a local home for people with dementia as a part of his weekly routine just to ensure that he keeps in touch with the ordinary pressure of life when living in his ivory tower of high ecclesiastical office!

But there are two important concerns in all of this from my perspective. The first is the nature of leadership in the big society. I wasn’t here last year, I was sunning myself on my narrowboat in the middle of Birmingham, well that’s not quite what I was up to. I was writing my thesis much of which concerned leadership in the church, which I believe is a voluntary organisation. The old model was of the flag waving, tub thumping messianic leader who shouted follow me and everything will be ok. I think we live in a different world these days which requires a more consensual kind of leadership, one which gathers people together and seeks a way forward which has general agreement.

Its like what Jesus said in our Gospel reading this morning If anyone wants to be first, he must be the last and the servant of all. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not offering myself as a paragon of that style of leadership, but I am saying that I aspire to it and offer it to others as a good way forward.

My second concern is that the Big Society agenda does not place to much of a weight of expectation on the voluntary sector. Yes we want to be engaged with building a better, sustainable and affordable future for our community but there really is only so much that the Voluntary and Community Sector can do.

I’m very aware that I may well have lost some of you by now, who are thinking its that turbulent priest again trying to tell us how to do our job. I hope that you are still with me because, more than anything else I am convinced that everybody here today wants the same thing. Whether from the council, voluntary groups, the church and other faiths, local service providers and so on, the list is endless. What we all want for our town to be a thriving place in which people can live together sharing the good things of our community. Where the poor are supported, the sick are made well, the vulnerable are supported and all can achieve their full potential.

And unsurprisingly I guess I find all that in the words of Jesus.

When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, ¹⁷and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
¹⁸ ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
   because he has anointed me
     to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
   and recovery of sight to the blind,
     to let the oppressed go free,
¹⁹ to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’
²⁰And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. ²¹Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’

I hope that together we can continue the work that Jesus began as today this is fulfilled in our hearing.

Rugby Festival of Culture

2011-06-09T21:42:00.000+01:00

This is billed as the first Rugby Festival of Culture, but St Andrew's did something smaller last year and now it has been taken up by the town.

You will see form the programme that we continue to be involved and I hope that this will be a great few weeks for the town. Do come along and support us!

A quiet evening in

2011-05-31T22:44:00.000+01:00

Saturday evening and nothing in the diary so off Annabel went to the Video Shop and came back with Made in Dagenham. Brilliant film, but more than that...

First it reminded me of my Great Aunt, Thekla Beere, who as a recently retired Irish civil servant chaired the Commission on the Status of Women in the later 60's. As a boy I sat in the corner of the room in which they met in a plush hotel in the Dublin suburbs. I had no idea what it was all about, but later celebrated her achievements as the President of Ireland and the Archbishop of Dublin attended her funeral.

More importantly, the struggle for equal pay for women back in the 1960's reminded me of the situation in the church today as gay people and women struggle to be treated equally. It was the reaction of the men which struck me: Some saw the struggle as intruding on their territory and their right to strike, destroying their power base - after all they were the "bread winners". Others respected the women's right to equal status and equal pay but were condemned by their contemporaries.

One man, the main character's husband, changed form the former to the latter position during the film and became an ardent supporter of his wife's campaign.

The film reveals the vested interest of those with a power base. The management claim they can't afford to pay the women more, the unions claim to be on the worker's side but in fact are lining their own pockets with meals out on expenses, the government does not want to rock the boat of its supporters, the unions ... and so on.

Nothing new under the sun....

ZETNET email address

2011-05-31T16:39:00.000+01:00

Hello

Please forgive this round robin email. However, my Zetnet email account with cease to work from 6th June. Please amend your records:

Personal email - mark.beach@o2.co.uk

Rugby Team email - rector@rugbyteam.org.uk

Coventry Diocese email - mark.beach@covcofe.org

Many thanks

Mark

--
The Revd Dr Mark Beach
Team Rector of Rugby Transforming Communities Officer
Home: 01788 542936 Diocese of Coventry

Office: 01788 565609 mark.beach@covcofe.org

Catch up with the latest at http://rugbyrector.blogspot.com/

The Extra Mile

2011-05-30T10:20:00.001+01:00

I have just come across and excellent, and free, little book written by two Church of Ireland clergy on how the church can engage more closely with its local community. In the Diocese of Coventry we call this Transforming Communities and this little book tells some stories of how that has been started.

The Extra Mile

Its a rally good mix of plain common sense and theology which will enable a church seeking to go down the route of serving the needs of its community to begin to explore how to do this. The chapter headings will help you to see where is is going:

What is the Vision?
Why do it?
Afraid of doing it?
Plotting the way ahead
Start from where you are
Ask the right questions
What about money?
How do I lead this?

It is available free by calling 028 7126 2440 - Everyone who is interested in forging closer links with their community should have a copy and pass it round the PCC.

Which way for the Covenant?

2011-05-24T08:11:00.000+01:00

As I have said before I am not entirely content with the Anglican Covenant. It seems to me that it runs the risk of achieving the very thing that it seeks to avoid, the end of the conversation....by legislating to exclude those who do not keep its terms.

Now I guess that's exactly what some people want. There is, in their view, nothing further to discuss on the matter of human sexuality. Both scripture and the traditions of the church teach that gay sexual acts are contrary the Christian way of life and therefore we must do everything we can to ensure that the debate comes to a close, and that those who disagree with us depart from the communion.

That is not my view! I believe that there is still much to be said and heard, the issue is not a closed one and there is still much talking to be done. Maybe the outcome will be a compromise, maybe it will be the status quo, but now is not the time to stop speaking.

So I was very pleased to follow a debate on my friend Elizabeth Kaeton's Blog Telling Secrets. You can find it it here. You do need to read the whole thing, and all the comments to get a picture of the conversation.that she is having with Tobias Haller, who blogs here. Haller has recently written what he calls his contribution to the listening process, Reasonable and Holy. That too is worth a read.

But the point of this conversation is that Haller urges TEC not to throw the Covenant out but to use it as a means of continuing the conversation. You will see from my comment that I agree with him, we must TALK, TALK and keep on TALKING. Interestingly, Elizabeth also seems to be coming round to this view saying "Which is why I am advocating for us to pass a resolution which says, "We're still thinking. Let's keep talking."

I find myself wondering whether this might be a good way forward for the Church of England as we debate the Anglican Covenant. Maybe we could amend the motion in the General Synod to keep the process going without actually signing up to the Covenant at this stage.

Any comments?

Transforming Communities

2011-04-27T08:40:00.000+01:00

On Monday I started a new job. Well its actually a half time secondment from my role in Rugby to be Transforming Communities Officer for the Diocese of Coventry. "No great expectations there then!", said one local government officer I mentioned it to. Somebody in education said "That should only take a week or so!"

It stems from the third phrase of the Diocesan Mission Purpose:

Worshipping God

Making New Disciples

Transforming Communities

I'm probably the only person in the diocese who has had responsibility for two of the aims, I chaired the Worship 4 Mission for a few years!

The job description says this:

The main focus of this role is to advise on the opportunities and responsibilities for the Diocese in the unfolding economic, political and social context, particularly in relation to the Government’s Big Society Agenda in order to serve the overall strategy of the Diocese, which is to enable the Deaneries and Parishes in the Diocese to fulfil their responsibilities to the Diocesan Mission Purpose (Worshipping God, Making New Disciples, Transforming Communities), and the 8 qualities of healthy churches.

Through my role with WCAVA, I am quite familiar with what is going on in Warwickshire, but i have a steep learning curve in relation to Coventry. I'm looking forward to learning about it.

The opportunities are massive with a new openness in both the public and voluntary sectors to people and communities of faith. But we must tread carefully so that we do not take this openness for granted nor cloak our intentions in what we believe will be acceptable language.

My own approach has always been that so long as I listen to what others are saying to me, I can expect them to listen to me too. Now I have the chance to see if it will work!

Royal wedding fever

2011-04-27T07:48:00.000+01:00

You may kiss the Bride!

Even that great institution of Britishness has joined in the Royal Wedding Fever, the British Library has published a webpage of pictures from its collection depicting previous royal weddings. Its worth a quick look!

Telling Secrets: Dear Lulu

2011-04-23T17:18:00.001+01:00

My friend Elizabeth has also written on the Archbishop's Letter. Telling Secrets: Dear Lulu

I do not share her views on the ABC, asking myself "Is there any one who could have done better, either here or in the rest of the communion?

A letter from ++Rowan

2011-04-23T17:07:00.000+01:00

The Daily Telegraph yesterday reported an article in The Times about a young girl who wrote to God. Here dad was surprised that her school had asked her to do this but instead binning it he sent it to variety of different church leaders. Most did not reply, but here is what the Archbishop of Canterbury wrote:

Dear Lulu,

Your dad has sent on your letter and asked if I have any answers. It’s a difficult one! But I think God might reply a bit like this –

‘Dear Lulu – Nobody invented me – but lots of people discovered me and were quite surprised. They discovered me when they looked round at the world and thought it was really beautiful or really mysterious and wondered where it came from. They discovered me when they were very very quiet on their own and felt a sort of peace and love they hadn’t expected.

Then they invented ideas about me – some of them sensible and some of them not very sensible. From time to time I sent them some hints – specially in the life of Jesus – to help them get closer to what I’m really like.

But there was nothing and nobody around before me to invent me. Rather like somebody who writes a story in a book, I started making up the story of the world and eventually invented human beings like you who could ask me awkward questions!’

And then he’d send you lots of love and sign off.

I know he doesn’t usually write letters, so I have to do the best I can on his behalf. Lors of love from me too.

+Archbishop Rowan

I have never doubted that Rowan was the right man for the job, but this confirms it for me. Human, thoughtful and a great communicator, even in my view when addressing complex issues.

So Thank you Archbishop!

St Andrew's faces the Dragon -a mummers play

2011-04-23T16:44:00.000+01:00

We had great fun in Rugby town centre this morning with a Mummer's Play performed by some members of St Andrew's ... game for anything as usual!

Rex Pogson - declaiming as St George

The script was written by Rex Pogson and the costumes were by Peter Privett. Regular readers will know that they are often (no always) behind the creative things that St Andrew's gets up to.

Peter Privett, associate minister - not usually a dragon but here made a great one

Although the story is about George and the Dragon there is a strong Resurrection theme in it too. George is slain by the dragon but then along comes the Good Doctor who brings him back to life.

David Edwards - the Doctor

Me and Ellie - who was captured by the dragon

So thank you to everyone who was involved and we raised over £100 for the Warwickshire Air Ambulance into the bargain!

Here are some photos

2011-04-02T16:59:00.000+01:00

Here are some photos of the Mystery Plays at St Andrew's...

Another great evening - this time in Rugby

2011-04-02T12:19:00.001+01:00

The wonderfully creative threesome of Rex Pogson, Peter Privett and Nick Scott-Burt, joined by Chris Browning from the Harris School, masterminded a performance of 4 scenes from the Wakefield Cycle of Mystery Plays on Thursday. It was fabulous.

Children from 4 primary schools in Rugby had been rehearsing all term and with stunning creativity and beautifully naive acting, the put across the message of Creation, Noah, The Annunciation and The Crucifixion really powerfully. I hope to post some photos soon, but its not too late to see it in person because the whole thing will be repeated in Coventry Cathedral on Thursday at 1pm ... do go along if you can.

There is also to be some follow up to this. Leah Bruce, our youth minister, has been working with the kids on the impact that putting on the plays has had on them. I can't wait to read here findings.

We are very grateful to the Jerusalem Trust, The St Peter's Saltley Trust and the diocese of Coventry Mission Fund for supporting this project.

Great evening of music at King Henry VIII School

2011-04-01T10:29:00.000+01:00

For some years I have been joining in with the school choral society at King Henry's in Coventry where Ellie is in year 10. This year it was a special treat...

The first half was various school choirs, including Little Men Only and Little Ladies Only - a great new development at the school to encourage young singers. Jonny Messling then played a Haydn Trumpet Concerto and Michael Pandya played Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. It was such a privilege to hear these amazing talented young people and to see the look of surprise on Michael's face at the standing ovation that he got - he is 16 and somebody to watch out for.

The second half was Brittan's St Nicolas. I have always loved this work but had not seen it as an expression of the Christian Faith before. It was written for the centenary of Lancing College, so this year which is the 200 anniversary of Nathaniel Woodard's birth is a good year to sing it again. Do listen to it if you get a chance.

All of this is a great tribute to the music staff at Henry's - THANK YOU!

St Andrew's Dreams and Visions

2011-03-22T15:54:00.000Z

Dreams and Visions for St Andrew’s Church

St Andrew’s Church has a prominent place in the centre of our town. Everyday people come in

to worship God,
to light a candle and say a prayer,
to listen to our midweek recital,
to look at one of the exhibitions we host
or just to sit quietly in the beautiful surroundings

The congregation of St Andrew’s are using Lent, a time of reflection and prayer, to re-consider their mission and ministry within the town. We would like to know what you think about St Andrew’s and how you would like to use the building.

What do you value about St Andrew’s
Would you be affected if the church were to disappear from local life?
If so, what would you miss?
What does this community of Rugby need and how can St Andrew’s meet these needs? How can the church serve you better?

Can you help us by answering these questions, or any other comments you might have, and returning them to The Parish Office in St Andrew’s or by email to rtmoffice@rugbyteam.org.uk

Rob Bell

2011-03-22T13:29:00.000Z

The blogging world, well at least the evangelical Christian blogging world, has been red hot for the last few weeks about Rob Bell.

Bell is the minister of Mars Hill Bible Church who first came to prominence over here through his video recording series called Nooma, which sought to address major theological issues in an approachable way. They are great, do take a look.

Now Bell is in hot water because he has suggested that he might meet Mahatma Gandhi in heaven, making him in the eyes of some a universalist. I'm not going to rehearse all the arguments here but do take a look at the title link here, its an NBC news clip in which Bell speaks of his views.

Why not hit the comment button and let us know what you think....

A Citizenship Ceremony

2011-03-18T16:24:00.001Z

My good friend Eric Wood, deputy lieutenant of Warwickshire, invited me to join him this week at a citizenship ceremony in The Shire Hall in Warwick. I was delighted to attend, not least because when I got there I discovered that two members of St Andrew's congregation were being made British Citizens.

The ceremony was simple and yet dignified and Eric spoken movingly about our diverse and culturally rich county and about the opportunities for engaging with society that citizenship will bring to those who receive it.

But what struck me most was the sheer joy on the faces of those who were involved, their families and friends. There were 25 people from 14 different countries united by a common desire to live in this country and to participate in our common life together. I do not know the stories of those involved, but doubtless some of them will have sought sanctuary from oppressive regimes in their own countries, the memories of which will be hard to heal. Perhaps they while they have escaped they fear for the lives of loved ones who remain. Our prayers go out to people in these situations.

I hope that those 25 people will lead happy and fulfilled lives here in England and that we will all benefit from that diversity that Eric spoke of.

Culture

2011-03-05T16:04:00.002Z

Its a while since I have commented on a novel that I have read but I have just finished The Cellist of Sarajevo. Its not a recent release so perhaps you have read it, if not its one to be added to the list.

It follows the lives of 3 people during the siege of Sarajevo which took place between 1992 and 1996, the longest siege in modern warfare. One looks for water, the second bread and the third is a sniper.

Each of their lives is impacted by the cellist who plays each day on the site of the bombing of a group of people queuing for bread; one day for each life lost. Ths part of the story is true, based on the life of Vedran Smailovic. Only after I decided to write about this did I discover that the real cellist was deeply angered by the novel. You can read a Times article here.

Be that as it may, the narrative is beautifully constructed, with lengthy asides which refer back to happier days in the city. All in all it is a great read.

***

While on a cultural theme, I finally got to see The King's Speech last night. Wonderful film... deserves all the praise it has received.

As I listened to the speech at the end of the film, I wondered how accurate it was ... well listen here and you can find out for yourselves.

It made me think about the challenges of living with privilege. Bertie clearly desires to conquer his stammer, but not at any cost and he cannot see that much of it is caused by his inability to form friendships, all of which is bound up with his upbringing.

Lets hope that William and Kate can over come these barriers. Not that I want our royals to go about on bicycles, but I do want them to be spared the tragedy of a loss of childhood and the formation of secure adult lives.

Wise, gentle and persuasive leadership

2011-03-02T15:33:00.002Z

Much of the last few months of my thinking time has been taken up with how I and others embody the "wise, gentle and persuasive leadership" that I wrote about in my thesis. In fact its been more than thinking, because I have tried to do it as well. With a few notable exceptions, for which I have tried to apologies to the people concerned, I think I am doing OK - Comments please!

I have also been looking at some of the biblical material on this kind of subject and while much I what I have considered has not surprised me, a couple of things have.

The unsurprising bits are mainly the words and actions of Jesus, most especially I suppose the washing of his disciples feet. But the surprises have come from other paces:

My colleague Hilary pointed out that the words of Psalm 8 are really helpful in understanding what this kind of leadership might look like:

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars that you have established;
⁴ what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
mortals^* that you care for them?

⁵ Yet you have made them a little lower than God,^*
   and crowned them with glory and honour.
⁶ You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;
   you have put all things under their feet,
⁷ all sheep and oxen,
   and also the beasts of the field,
⁸ the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
   whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

This has often been seen as a reason for giving humanity an exulted status over the rest of creation, but perhaps we should think of it more in terms of the self-emptying of Jesus, taking on that human flesh and that it is in this way that humanity is crowned, by stepping down rather than stepping up.

The second surprise came as I read 1 Thessalonians 2.5-8, which was set yesterday in celebration of St David:

5 As you know and as God is our witness, we never came with words of flattery or with a pretext for greed; 6 nor did we seek praise from mortals, whether from you or from others, 7 though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children. 8 So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.

Paul motivation for both mission and ministry it seems lies in the Gospel, it would have been so easy to pull rank, "I'm an apostle, you know..." (and just like me, sometimes he does) but his desire to to be gentle, like a nurse...

As the Church of England sets about re-imaging ministry, as called up by the Archbishop's Council, what better set of imagery is there to mine for its nuggets?

React campaign - RE in schools

2011-02-23T20:28:00.001Z

I don't usually write twice in one day, but this one is important too...and thanks to Debbie Peatman, old friend, husband to Mike the other old friend!

In January 2011, the coalition government introduced the English Baccalaureate curriculum to secondary schools in England. GCSE Religious Education was deliberately excluded from this new Gold standard programme despite it's popularity, academic rigour and ability to teach young people about a range of faiths and beliefs. We need your support to ensure GCSE RE is included in this crucial new curriculum and ultimately, put back in its rightful place - at the heart of humanities.

As one of my tutors at university, Fr Eric Doyle OFM, used to remind us very frequently, theology is the Queen of Sciences...this view has been disputed, of course, with mathematicians claiming the same privilege, but Eric would turn in his grave if I gave into that one.

So please do sign the petition, which you can find here - http://www.reactcampaign.co.uk/

Why have Cathedrals?

2011-02-23T16:38:00.000Z

High Altar Cross: Coventry Cathedral

Interesting post from Peter Ould about Cathedrals and their place in the life of the church.

He suggests that they are simply big churches in the centre of cities which happen to hold the Bishop's Cathedra of seat; such that after a few major diocesan services have been held each year they are just that, simply big churches. Any church could fulfill this function, he suggests...

I want to suggest there is more to it than it, when properly understood..

Birmingham Cathedral

They have the potential to be resources for the whole diocese. They tend to have greater numbers of clergy, with a variety of gifts that can be shared around the diocese, and not just the traditional role of the Precentor chairing the diocesan liturgical committee. Cathedral clergy should be out and about in the diocese, not hidden away....just one example might be welcoming new clergy at their inductions.
Centre of excellence in worship and not just of the traditional style which Ould comments on, but a rich variety of different styles which attract a variety of different people.
Rooted in an on-going life of prayer into which people can dig as deeply, or as cautiously, as they want. I experienced this while living on my narrowboat in Birmingham, where the daily round of prayer in the Cathedral both sustained and surprised me - thank you.
A spiritual heart for the diocese, a place where all are welcomed; without having to pay or to produce a card saying that they belong to a church in the diocese. Nor should the door be hidden away, but should be the main entrance, a place of pilgrimage: "I was glad when they said unto me We shall go into the house of the Lord...."
Each parish and community should be prayed for in turn, with members of that community invited to join in and lead the worship that day, sharing in the heart beat of the diocese.

Southwell Minster

When I served in Southwell Diocese, the Dean, David Leaning, began every act of worship with "Welcome to YOUR cathedral..." and he meant it. More of this will makes us believe that it is true.

AV Referendum

2011-02-22T19:54:00.000Z

I was going to write something about the forthcoming referendum on our voting system, but then I found that my old friend, as in not seen him for ages, Mike Peatman has already done it, and probably better than I could, so take a look at this

Holocaust Memorial Day

2011-02-01T09:14:00.000Z

Once again St Andrew's has marked Holocaust Memorial Day with a special service last Sunday. We were especially glad to welcome our Mayor and staff from the Holocaust Educational Trust.

Our speaker was Susi Bechofer, a survivor of the Kinder Transport whose mother died in Auschwitz and who is now a member of St Andrew's. She took as her theme Untold Stories which is the theme of HET for this year. Susi told us about some letters written by her mother to her sister in New York begging to be sent the money to enable her to escape from Germany.

The photo shows a Menorah which was lit at the start of the service to remember those who died in the Holocaust and then, later in the service, stones were placed around it as a further act of remembrance.

I was also privileged to accompany Susi to the HET Annual Lecture given last week by Sir Martin Gilbert, the holocaust historian. Also there were some young people who had visited Auschwitz with HET. One of them has set up a blog to record some of his feelings and thoughts. You can find it here www.Pledge-against-prejudice.tumblr.com

Rugby may seem distant from Auschwitz, even with Susi's presence in our community, but the messages of that place still ring true in our world today. The call to justice, peace and a willingness to marvel in diversity rather than to repel it are all as relevant today as they have ever been.

St Philip's Community House, Rugby

2011-01-21T14:00:00.002Z

Rugby Team Ministry

The Churches of St Andrew, St Peter and St John and St George

www.rugbyteam.org.uk

Are you wondering what to do for the next year or so, aware of the difficulties of the job market? We are looking for 3 young people to come and share in mission and ministry in

St Philip’s Community House.

We Invite you to Come and Share our life…

Living in community in our diverse parish

Worshipping / praying together – developing theology in an urban setting

Offering hospitality to your neighbours

Volunteering in our schools, community centres and churches

Seed corn money for developing projects

A chance to make a difference in a needy community

Rent Free accommodation

“What does God want me to do with my life”

Mentoring from experienced clergy, youth worker and lay people

Training sessions with community development workers

There is more to Rugby than an odd shaped ball

Vibrant relations between churches – www.reviverugby.net

Excellent communications – M6, M1, Rail links

Want to know more?

Contact The Revd Mark Beach 01788 542936 or rector@rugbyteam.org.uk

The Nazareth Manifesto

2011-01-11T10:06:00.000Z

I came across a quote the other day which, although I am unable to attribute it, I quite liked it:

We are not called to be evangelists, but we are called to be holy

My colleagues and I in the Rugby Team Ministry reflected on this thought recently and came up with the following ideas:

This is a bit like the words attributed to St Francis. Preach the gospel, using words if you must.
We may not be called to be evangelists but we are all called to be witnesses, but we also recognised that this can be both by our words and by our actions.

So how do we do this?

I wonder if the Nazareth Manifesto can help us? Luke Chapter 4 verses 18-19

‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’

Are we able to live by this manifesto? Do our actions and our words bring good news to the ppor, release to those imprisoned by debt, by relationships or through mental termoil? Can our lives bring the light of the Gospel to the dark eyes of the spiritually blind?

These are hard questions but they are the ones that the words of Isaiah that Jesus made his own demand us to answer as we seek to be his disciples.

So the answer to my first question is, of course, that we are called to be both evangelists and and to be holy. But a holy life will give a powerful authenticity to our words.

An Overheard Conversation

2011-01-04T07:45:00.001Z

I thought i would report a conversation I over heard as I walked to Church on Sunday evening. A family were crossing the pedestrian crossing by Hope 4, the church-run drop in centre for the homeless in Rugby, when the man said "What is that place over there?" pointing to the drop in centre.

"Oh" said a woman I assume was his mother,"that's a drop in centre for the homeless. Its run by the local churches. I'm not a Christian but I take my hat off to all the people who run the place."

I didn't sleep very well last night and as I lay tossing and turning I reflected on this conversation and our Diocesan Aims, yes I know not a great thing to do at 3am!

These aims are: to worship God, make disciples and transform communities. It occurred to me that maybe we have the second to in the wrong order. Now don't get me wrong, there is clearly a place for overt evangelistic activity, and we in the Rugby Team engage in that as much as anybody, you may remember our Parish Mission last year.

But my point is that in order to create fertile soil in which the Gospel seed may take root and grow, we need to have shown people that what we believe actually makes a difference to the lives of ordinary people. Now, this can happen in a variety of different ways: a kindly act to someone who is sick, a comforting word to the bereaved, financial help for someone who has become unemployed. Do you see the common theme? All acts which make a difference, which transform, not only the lives of individuals but also the communities of which we are a part.
I didn't comment as I past the family on the street, but my heart was warmed by the lady's response and it reminded me of the centrality of aim number 3: Transforming Communities.

Sermon for The Feast of the Epiphany

2011-01-02T14:24:00.000Z

Sermon preached at St Andrew's on the Feast of the Epiphany (transferred!)

What is the gift you most desire? If I could give you anything, what would you want it to be? Gold, useful in difficult economic times, but hardly heart warming. Maybe a holiday in Tuscany, or a diamond ring, one will last forever the other will soon become a memory. No I am looking for something more enduring and heart warming….

The reading we heard from the prophet Isaiah describes a gift that the people of Israel longed for, a place of their own: and I suggest that is pretty high on our list too; a place where we truly belong. Isaiah uses the image of light to portray a new day dawning for our Hebrew forebears: "On your feet people of God! Let everyone see you! The glory of the Lord has set you ablaze with light like the sunrise on the rock." And the cause of this new dawn? It is the establishment of a place of their own in Palestine.

The great tragedy of this text is that the particular homeland being described in this passage has become a place of blood instead of peace. Isaiah’s vision about all nations coming to this land to find the light, is far from reality today. Hardliners in the Israeli government think this place of belonging is only for them. Some militant groups among the Palestinians feel just as strongly that the homeland is only for them. The cruel tragedy is that both groups, indeed all of us, are searching for the same gift. A place to truly belong. A place where we are loved without question, accepted without condition, blessed without reservation. Deep in our guts we yearn for this place far more than for anything we found under our tree on Christmas morning.

There is another gift we all hunger for but which can never come wrapped in pretty paper. This gift is revealed in Matthew’s gospel as we follow the long trek of the Magi. We remember their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, but these are not gifts most of us yearn for. What we hunger for something that they found. The text says that at the end of their search they kneel down and worship the child. They have come a long way, and put up with who knows what, and now they have found the one who is the goal of all their searching, the one they believe in and to whom they want to give themselves. They have risked all, sacrificed all, and offered all to find that one thing that will infuse their lives with meaning, the one who is the answer to their questions and the goal of all their longing. And above all, they only knew of Jesus what a silent star had told them.

So where do we find what we are looking for? You will expect me to say that we find it here, in church, that here we will find both a place to truly belong and a place to fulfil our need to worship God as creator, redeemer and sustainer.

But I suggest that it is only if we can get the first one right, the belonging, that we will truly be able to set about the second, the worshipping and believing in God.

I hope that we can all feel that we belong here and that each one of us goes out of our way to live the statement that is posted on our front door.

We do not Expect you to believe things you are not sure of
We do not Judge you on your lifestyle
We do not Pressurise you into joining things

And...

We Believe that faith is a journey, not a destination
We Know that we do not have all the answers, but believe that Christianity helps us to live with the questions
We Believe that our worship is a way of expressing and developing our relationship with God, each other and the world about us, through words, music and prayer, in the company of others.
We Believe that God is present in all people and the whole of creation

Well, if we can do all that we will be on the way, But it is only half of the answer.

Yes, here we can find a place to belong, here we can safely risk, sacrifice and offer. And then, once we are secure in our belonging we can begin to follow the model of the magi, we can travel together, explore discover and bow down before the living God, together.

If we really want this church to be a place where we can all meet with God, where we can belong and find security and a home, it will have to be first of all a place where others can do that. It will have to be a place of welcome, or warmth. A place where it is safe to risk, to sacrifice and to offer.

And I’m not sure that it is. I’m not sure we are terribly good at welcome. Somebody who has been coming for quite a while said to me the other day, We only ever talk to the same small group of people…

We will only truly welcome the journeyers, the explorer the discoverer, when we have learnt to express this in our own lives.

This link between belonging and believing is not a new one, I am not being wonderfully creative with it, it comes from a sociologist of religion called Grace Davie. She says that people need to belong to a community of faith before they can explore fully the implications of believing for their lives.

As a new years resolution I urge the community of faith who gather here in St Andrew’s to focus closely on how we create that environment in which those who come to us can feel tat they have a place of their own in this community and that from the security they feel they can explore the full implications of faith in their lives.

St Andrew's Puppet Nativity

2010-12-24T17:45:00.000Z

Here is the St Andrew's Puppet Nativity that I promised you, its about 14 minutes long, but i hope you like it....Many thanks to Mike Minton who videoed and uploaded it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6noEkxnBOk

Christmas Greetings

2010-12-24T10:08:00.001Z

I have always loved the simplicity of Breugel's work and The Census at Bethlehem is no exception. A scene of everyday live as Breugel would have known it, every detail is there in the realisation of the people going about their daily tasks, the buildings, typically Dutch, and the detail of the winter snow scene. Breugel captures beautifully the ordinariness of the occasion.

And yet, we know that this is no ordinary scene, no ordinary young woman in the right foreground, making her way to be counted along with the rest of the population. Here we see God's intervention in human lives beginning to be played out, not an ordinary event at all.

There lies the wonder of the Christmas celebration; that God takes the ordinary and makes it special. Mary pregnant, yet fulfilling the requirements of the Roman rulers, could not be much more ordinary, had it not been for the message of the Angel.

Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. You will be with child and give birth to a Son ... He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High.

Many of us with take ordinary things tomorrow and pray for God's transforming power on them; the bread and the wine of the Eucharist will be transformed into the Body and Blood of him who was born in Bethlehem, the House of Bread. As one of my favourite Christmas hymns puts it:

Though now no crib or cradle is concealing,

Jesus our Lord on that far distant shore,

Christ at each Eucharist is still revealing

His very self in forms of bread and wine.

So as you share in that feast, it is my prayer that each of you will be transformed by God to be more fully that which you already are - The Body of Christ.

A very Happy Christmas to you all....
Mark

Bethlehemian Rhapsody

2010-12-22T17:48:00.000Z

So you've seen the Rugby Puppets (and I still hope the video is on its way...) but now take a look at this, and yes, it is worth watching to the end.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW1pbuyGlQ0

BTW there are lots of other versions, telling the story of David and Goliath and others, but this is the best....

Digital Nativity

2010-12-19T17:21:00.000Z

Its spreading....everybody is bloging the Digital Nativity,

Not perhaps everybody, but here are a few...

Archbishop Cranmer
Digital Buzz
The Daily Telegraph
St Genesius

See what I mean, but maybe, like me, you saw it first here!

Father I have sinned

2010-12-19T16:49:00.000Z

An interesting piece appeared in the Times last Monday written by Tim Lott, a self confessed atheist who has started going to church.

Its a familiar enough story of being put off church by Sunday School and assemblies at his CofE primary, I do worry that we run the risk of anaesthetising young people against God... But later in life, with the arrival of kids and what sounds like a sympathetic local church, Tim and his family have become deeply embedded in the community that makes up St Martin's, Kensal Rise.

But listen to what he says about this...

I don't deny that I find much of the church conversion outdated. The roots of religion, of grateful suppliants bowing down before an all-powerful Lord, strikes me as inappropriate in the age of democracy and humanism...

So why is he there?

He recognises the vicar as a "deeply good man"ho has helped his family and many other out in times of difficulty.
He finds the prayers for those who are bereaved or suffering "very touching" and has started to attend a meditation class twice a week.

And that for me sums up the appeal of the church - that you are there with scores of others who suffer like you, have problems like you are mortal like you and have doubts like you. Churchgoing helps you to remember that fundamentally human truth.

AMEN to all of that...although some do not agree...

Take a look at what Jamie Leoda had to say....

That Nativity

2010-12-19T16:12:00.000Z

The Puppet Nativity was every bit as good as I promised it would be, but what startled me was the depth of the creativity of so many of those who took part, each of them, in their own way expressing something of the centrality of their faith to their lives.

Peter had created the Puppets and you have seen how wonderful they were, but he had also put together a text which borrowed from the Wakefield Mystery Plays, from Alan Garner and lots of others sources.

Nick Scott Burt and his wife Cathy accompanied the play on the piano and violin with Glory to God from the Messiah and modern worship songs seamlessly woven together; while adults from the congregation read the speaking parts ably led by Arthur as God, well who else?

We followed the play with an affirmation of faith written by Cally Booker, you can find the text here and I think you will agree it reflects beautifully the puppets which helped us to experience the wonder of God's intervention in the world celebrated this Christmas.

What's the collective noun for Nativities?

2010-12-18T13:24:00.001Z

In some of the Carol services I have been involved with this year I have mentioned The Nativity which is to be broadcast on BBC 1 this week, all the reviews have been very positive and it looks as though its going to be a fixed point in our house over the next few days, well maybe the Sky Box will take care of that. The Telegraph gave one of the up beat reviews, but there are lots more on google.

But then I came across a Youtube video of the Digital Nativity (Thanks for forwarding is Sheela). This one is worth a look too....Well it made me smile anyway.

But the highlight so far of the Nativity season (yes, I know we have not got to Christmas yet...) was the rehearsal for tomorrow's nativity play in St Andrew's. Our wonderfully creative Peter Privett, of Godly Play fame, asked a while back if he could do a low key nativity. Well, I should have known that nothing Peter does is low key, instead he has created a set of 8ft high puppets: Here they are

The Angel

The Wise Men

The shepherds

Peter once again has taken very simple things, added some love and passion with some well chosen words and has revealed to us something of the nature of God .... Funny that - isn't it what God himself did and continues to do every Christmas.

The Puppet Nativity will take place in our Parish Eucharist tomorrow at 10.30 and again on Christmas Eve at our Crib Service and after ttat I hope there may be a video of our own on YouTube

The Beach Christmas Letter

2010-12-18T10:05:00.001Z

I thought that I would post our Christmas letter here to keep you all in touch with the Beach family...

***

As the Beach family goes into its annual pre-Christmas season of meeting itself coming backwards, it’s nice to sit down to think back on what we’ve all been doing this year!

For Mark it’s been a year of academic endeavour, as he spent 3 months away from home straight after Easter writing up his doctorate. He and the dog took our canal boat to Birmingham, so he was close enough to pop home for family events and when the washing needed doing, but far enough away to be properly away and get the writing done. He has submitted his thesis (The ecclesiology of John Tiller: Ideal blueprint or concrete reality?) and has his verbal examination in late January, so we are hoping we will soon have a doctor in the house. He has gained a tremendous amount from his 5 years’ study, and has been very fortunate to have support from the parish and colleagues for the time to complete the assignments, and from the Bishop to have taken a sabbatical to do the writing up. However, he is enjoying reading novels again now after 5 years of theological tomes.

As Mark returned home, Ellie and I went off to Austria for a week with good friends to enjoy a lovely Alpine holiday, finishing with a trip to the Oberammergau Passion Play. We had a wonderful time in Austria, staying in a delightful family run hotel in Kitzbuhel, and enjoying wonderful mountain scenery in the summer. The Austrians we met were so friendly and helpful, all with impeccable English, and I hope we can return as a family before too long. The Passion Play was very powerful, not least for the tremendous sense of history that this has gone on largely uninterrupted since the 17^th century, and that the whole town gets involved in the cast, orchestra and production teams.

Throughout the year, we have been fundraising for Ellie’s trip to Sweden next year, as part of the Warwickshire contingent at the world Scout jamboree. We have had some very successful events, and people have generously supported us through their attendance and through kind donations too – and that includes many of our friends and family, so thank you all for your contributions. We have raised all the money, and Ellie has attended several training camps during the year, the latest one in mid-November under canvas. She was not convinced of the character building effects of waking up with frost on the tent but is thoroughly excited about the 3 week trip for the Jamboree.

As part of his antidote to academia, Mark decided to get involved with Rugby Operatic Society’s production of ‘Iolanthe’ and Ellie decided to audition for a chorus solo with a friend. Ellie found herself cast as Iolanthe, and Mark has a minor principal role, and they are having a good time and being made very welcome at rehearsals. Although Mark and I met singing G&S, I have not got involved, mainly so that as the rehearsals get more frequent, I can keep the home fires burning so that the wheels don’t fall off the bus at home (to mix my metaphors thoroughly!) However, this means I will be able to offer hospitality to anyone who wants to watch the show in mid-February next year (15^th – 19th)

The boat has been well used this year, as Mark’s floating home during his sabbatical when he explored the Birmingham canal network at weekends, and then for other holidays to Milton Keynes in the summer and Nottingham in October half term (we get to some really fancy places on our holidays!). Next year she may not be so busy, so if you fancy a week away on the wonderful English canal system; do let us know … seriously: full tuition given!

Mark and Ellie have also acquired 3 ex-battery hens (Flap, Cackle and Hop) and an Eglu for them to live in. If you’re not in the know, this is a very trendy hen house and run, which claims to be fox proof – it is so far! The hens started laying straight away, and Ellie now makes herself an omelette for breakfast most mornings! As they settled in, it was clear what ‘establishing the pecking order’ really means in a hen house, and watching their behaviour makes me realise just how well observed the film ‘Chicken Run’ is. Every time we check on them at night and shut the coop door we imagine they are going back to building a plane once we are out of sight! Murphy is fairly convinced they are just for his entertainment and dinner, so we have installed a fence to keep dog and chickens apart, which has been better for everyone’s nerves.

Ellie has discovered a new love for acting and is currently working on her fourth and fifth performance of this year, having participated in ‘A Midsummer’s Nights Dream’ at school in February. In the summer, she was involved in Rugby Theatre’s youth Project performance of ‘How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying’ in which she played the dumb-blond (worryingly well). As well as Iolanthe, she has been majorly involved with ‘Annie’ this term at school playing several chorus roles, with some small solos. As well as acting, she loves singing and just took her grade five ballet exam. Orienteering has been a major part of this year too, with a recent trial for the World schools event! Sadly, the team was beaten very narrowly by a local school with some fantastic runners. Nevertheless it was an extremely good experience and thing to do. Having just won her first medal, team third (we all start somewhere!) she is hoping to really develop this hobby over the coming year.. As well as all of the above, Ellie is somehow still fitting in time to do her school work, and in the first half of this first GCSE year, she seems to be coping! She is enjoying Art GCSE tremendously and she and Annabel have enjoyed several art gallery trips to London, fitting in a bit of shopping and sightseeing too. However, she is very much looking forward to the Christmas holidays and the pressure being taken off her when ‘Annie’, and extra ballet lessons are done and dusted.

Annabel’s housing association is going through changes internally to respond to external legislative and funding changes, but thankfully jobs are secure. It is still busy and demanding, but with the opportunity to be involved in some very interesting work, and life in HR is never dull! The allotment has not been so successful this year, but still produced enough tomatoes and courgettes for pounds of fundraising chutney, and lots of lovely dahlias. Like all gardeners, I am hoping for better things next year. Just in case anybody wants to give me the sympathy vote for holding the fort whilst Mark studied, not only did I have a lovely luxurious holiday in Austria in July, but just before Mark went away, Ellie and I skied in France. We went to Chatel with Mark’s sister and niece, and we had a very happy snowy and sunny week. I do make progress each time I go, in terms of skill and the runs I will try, but there are still faster trees than me, and Ellie is having to be patient and wait for me rather a lot!

We have had some happy family occasions this year, and spent a lovely bank holiday weekend in May in Northern Ireland with Mark’s family, then we all met up again in London to surprise Mark’s stepmother for a big birthday with a trip on the London Eye on a glorious sunny September day, the photo shows Mark's nephew and niece, Tom and Tessa. We will be spending Christmas with Annabel’s sister Fiona, and her family and in-laws. They have just moved from rural Herefordshire into Worcester, to cut down on travelling for commuting and family life. It brings them 30 minutes closer to us as well so we hope we shall be able to see more of them. Then we are looking forward to some quiet time at home over the rest of the holidays. We hope you have a happy Christmas and a good 2011.

Debate on Anglican Covenant

2010-11-24T21:19:00.000Z

Well exciting stuff today, I got called first in the debate on the Anglican Covenant... here is what I said:

Speech to General Synod on The Anglican Covenant

I’m a great fan of Thinking Anglicans, I imagine that Simon Sarmiento is upstairs somewhere, so thank you Simon for this service you provide for the church. But I have to say that on this occasion I am somewhat bamboozled by the extent of the coverage you have given us of the Covenant debate and by all the conflicting opinions represented. So what am I to make of this covenant that is before us?

I start from the position that anything that can help to hold our communion together must be a good thing. I certainly have no desire to see the divisions we have already deepen.

However, the more I read the text of the Covenant the more concerned I get.

I will offer a few examples of what I mean:

In paragraph 5 of the introduction we read about the bonds of affection within the communion. These are doubtless very real, especially between linked dioceses. But affection cannot be legislated for, we can’t instruct the provinces of the communion to live in this way, the development must be organic and dynamic.

Also my experience of linked dioceses is that they tend to be in the developing world. We link with Africa or India but what of links with those parts of the communion where theological boundaries are being stretched. Should we not be seeking to listen to and learn from our Anglican brothers and sisters in American and Canadian churches in order to understand where their developments are coming from?

Secondly, what of the supposed independence of each province to proclaim the gospel afresh to each generation? The glory of Anglicanism, for me, is the freedom to preach the gospel in ways which acknowledged the diversity of our situations. Certainly this freedom should not be at the expense of causing harm to others, but we cannot know in depth the consequences of living in these diverse environments, what offends one will delight another and vice versa.

In several places the covenant refers to the Anglican tradition, which I understand to be that careful interpretation of scripture, in the light of the traditions of the church, its scholarship, reason and experience. There seems to be lots in the covenant about the first two, Scripture and the tradition of the church, but less emphasis on scholarship and reason and the role they play in the development of doctrine.

At the heart of my concerns here lies the distinction made by Roman Catholic ecclesiologists between top down and bottom up ecclesiologies. The former is represented by an authoritarianism which seems to me to be contrary to the spirit of Anglicanism, however it is precisely what I see in the Covenant.

The later, a bottom up approach, listens carefully to the local church, to its narrative, and its culture to see how best the whole can respond. I have already refered to the importance of listening and acknowledged that the Covenant does indeed encourage this, but this encouragement is in my view outweighed by the heavy handedness of the rest of the document.

3.2.6 does holds out some hope forme as it requires conflict to be resolved through mediated conversations.

Ursula Le Guin, the fantasy writer, has described this kind of tension as that between Father Tongue, the language of the assembly, of law making and of business agreements. She compares this with Mother Tongue, which she says is the language that keeps people talking, that listens carefully to the other side of the debate.

Archbishop Rowan has described Father Tongue as “distances the speaker from what is being spoken about” while the Mother Tongue is “constantly ignored or belittled by the speakers of the Father Tongue.” I fear that we have fallen into that trap and if the communion is to survive, it will be because we have conversed in mother tongue, not because we have attempted to legislate for unity.

However, my final and most significant reservation over this covenant as also the most pragmatic, those Provinces that are opposed to the covenant because they think it will limit their freedom will not sign, which will quite simply result in irrevocable division before we have even start to do controversial things.

I have not yet decided how to vote on this, I intend to listen carefully to the rest of the debate and hope to be guided.

In the event I voted for the motion which sent the Covenant to our dioceses for further debate. However, the refusal of the GAFCON primates to engage with the process may mean that it is dead in the water before it ever gets to Coventry.

Speech to General Synod on The Big Society

2010-11-23T23:20:00.000Z

Speech to General Synod on The Big Society

I speak as Chair of the Trustees of Warwickshire Community and Voluntary Action, otherwise known as CAVA a suitably fizzy title, I hope you will agree. CAVA is an amalgamation of Councils for Voluntary Service across Warwickshire. Some of you may not know of the work of CVS’, so let me explain. We call ourselves Voluntary Sector Infrastructure organisations and our role in life is to support small local charities with advice on funding, governance, training and a whole range of other activities. We also seek to have strategic role working in partnership with local authorities, PCT’s the police and other public sector bodies to represent the needs of those small local charities I spoke of earlier. Examples of the effectiveness of our work in Warwickshire are that over the last year we have brought £1.5M into voluntary and charitable groups, we have seen a 160% increase in the number of people placed as volunteers and we resource forums for voluntary sector activity in each of our districts in the county.

When, during the election campaign, it became clear that the Big Society was going to figure strongly in future policy our board discussed whether this was a threat to us of an opportunity. Predictably the answer was a bit of both, let me explain why.

First, there is the recognition that the voluntary sector in general and CVS’ in particular have been about the business of creating the Big Society for years, along with faith communities we might even tell the Prime Minister that it was our idea in the first place.

Examples of this are seen throughout our society in national pieces of work many of which are now household names but which started life as small local charities serving a particular community.

So if the Big Society agenda is about enabling local people to fulfil their aspirations for their local community, then I am all for it. If what is achieved is a real shift of power away from Whitehall which reduces red tape and allows people to get on with it then all well and good.

But already we are seeing that the other big agenda item on the governments books, that of reducing the deficit. Is having an impact on our capacity to support the voluntary and community sector and indeed on the grant aid to those small groups who are already committed local action and work with the poorest and most vulnerable in our society. Let me give you an example, the Bradby Club in Rugby an excellent example of youth work with hard to reach young people has had it budget cut by a quarter, and this at the same time as the County Council is considering cutting its own youth work entirely. The government hopes that the voluntary sector will fill the gap, but the money to do the work has to come from somewhere.

Philanthropy and charitable giving may be the answer, but do we not as a society have a responsibility to ensure that excellent youth work, and so many other activities in the voluntary sector have a chance of thriving and therefore should receive funding from central government.

What I fear is that as the tide of central government funding retreats, many in the community and voluntary sector will be left high and dry on the beach, with increased expectations but less resource with which to realise them.

Finally, my own commitment to the sector comes from my belief that we in the church are a voluntary sector organisation and that we have a role to play in its development. Many of our churches are already engaged with our local communities, in Coventry diocese we speak of working to transform them and in Rugby through our Soup Kitchen for the homeless, Street Pastors and Christians against Poverty schemes we seek to do just that. But we do not need to engage in major projects to be in the vanguard of the Big Society. Simply by encouraging our people to be good neighbours, a principle with a good pedigree, we are building relationships that can transform our way of life.

General Synod Election Address

2010-09-13T17:09:00.001+01:00

Why should it be only the clergy of the Diocese of Coventry who get the chance to read my General Synod Election address, I thought to myself! So here it is is for everybody else... I would be genuinely pleased to have any comments...

Dear Colleague

I write to ask you to vote for me in the General Synod Elections and I hope you will spare a few minutes to read this address as I share with you some the priorities that underpin my life as I seek to live out my calling as a follower of Jesus and a priest in the church.

I have served the diocese on General Synod for the last 3 years so I know that it takes a while to get used to how the Synod operates. During that time, I have spoken regularly and proposed the diocesan motion on Deanery Synods at the last session. I hope very much to be able to return to the new Synod using the experience I have gained to represent you even better! Although much of the work on Clergy Pensions, Terms and Conditions of Service and Common Tenure has been done, it will be important that those who were involved in debating these issues, which are of great importance to clergy, are present to ensure that there implementation is carried out effectively and in accord with what the Synod decided.

I have been Team Rector of Rugby since 2003. Previously, I served as Chaplain to the Bishop of Wakefield and as an incumbent in the Diocese of Southwell. Before ordination I was a Community Development Worker in the inner city of Nottingham, quite an eye-opener after my rural upbringing.

This experience of parochial and sector ministry in three dioceses has given me an understanding of the breadth of the church and experience of a variety of different approaches.

My present ministry gives me an insight into the issues that face us all as parochial clergy: It sometimes feels as though the church is in exile, like the people of Israel in Babylon. “How shall we sing the Lord’s sing in a strange land?” The territory seems alien and the church often misunderstood. In addition we have historic buildings that need thousands to just keep the roof on (and the people warm!), let alone to be re-ordered as tools for mission. How do we, as clergy, help the church to prioritise, to set an agenda for growth and at the same time ensure that we are sustainable in deprived communities? However, there I am optimistic about the future of the Church, not because of the Church itself but because of the Good News of Jesus, which overcomes all our problems.

I believe passionately in the local church. It is here that the faithful are nourished as scripture is opened and shared and in the food of the Eucharist, it is here that we can as St Augustine put it “become what we are...the Body of Christ”. It is here that the seeker can find somebody to walk alongside them and explain the Good News and those in pain can feel the comfort of God through the ministry of his Church. Over the last three years I have spoken up in Synod from the perspective of a parish priest serving the local church.

I believe that liturgy has the power to change lives but I am not sure that Common Worship does… I chaired Worship 4 Mission in the diocese for 4 years and spoken in Synod for liturgy that inspires and feeds both the faithful and the enquirer, rather than adheres without question to historical forms. The new eucharistic prayers for use with children will come to the new Synod and will need very careful attention by people who understand liturgy and lead worship in parish churches. I wrote the guide to using Common Worship in 2000 so I am very aware of its strengths and weaknesses.

I believe that every Christian person is called to ministry. Its not just the clergy who are called, but all baptised who accept the call to “Follow Me…” I have spoken in Synod to encourage and nurture each person in their vocation and ministry, especially the full recognition of women in ordained ministry.

I believe that we are all called to be missionaries. I had been ordained for 5 years before I realised that the Great Commission meant me too! And if it means me, then it means all other Christians as well. The General Synod should ask of every decision it takes “What are the mission implications of this decision?” This must be the litmus test of decision making at the local and national level.

I am Chair of Trustees of Warwickshire Community and Voluntary Action, the merged Councils for Voluntary Service and Volunteer Centres in the county. This equips me to speak on issues relating to the Voluntary Sector in the Synod, an important voice, especially in the days of the Big Society, that was under represented in the last Synod.

How can we sustain and enhance the mission and ministry of the local church? Do we do it by lumping more and more parishes together or do we need to be more radical and ask the searching questions about the way the church is run?

I have just completed my doctoral thesis on an ecclesiology of the local church which seeks to encourage true collaborative ministry to sustain the church’s mission rather than simply maintain the patterns we have inherited.

The people you elect to represent you on General Synod will be faced with complex issues in the life of the new Synod, not to mention the complexities of the Synod itself!

Women Bishops My voting record in the last Synod shows that I support whole heartedly the ordination of women as bishops. However, I also want to see those who disagree provided for in an appropriate way. I believe that the legislation which will be debated at diocesan level provides this. The Final Approval stage may be very close, requiring a 2/3rds majority in each of the three houses of the Synod. I would vote in favour of the legislation.

The Anglican Covenant My experience in Rugby has shown that Christians of different traditions can work very closely together for the building up of the Kingdom. We have Street Pastors, a ministry to the homeless, Christians against Poverty and Healing on the Streets all as shared projects across the churches. If we can do it, why can’t the rest of the church?

Issues of Human Sexuality I believe that this issue has the potential to be more divisive than any other we have faced in recent years. I do not want to see the church torn apart by this issue and would therefore vote according to the House of Bishops document of 2003.

Thank you for reading this and I hope that I have shown that I have an understanding of the issues facing the church, an analysis of potential solutions and a willingness to speak up if re-elected to the General Synod. I thank you for reading this address and I hope that you will feel able to vote for me. The Single Transferable Voting system enables you to prioritise your preference, but to be sure of having me to represent you on the General Synod … give me your Number 1 vote!

Ecumenism flourishes in Hertfordshire

2010-09-13T16:54:00.001+01:00

I was delighted yesterday to go to the Welcome Service for a friend who is a Methodist Minister. She was beginning in a new ministry in Hertfordshire, but this was no ordinary welcome.

The service also included the welcome of a new Area Chair for the URC and Superintendent of the Herts and Essex Border Ecumenical Area, I got a bit confused as to who was who! It seems there are lots of these ecumenical areas about in that part of the world and judging by the welcome and warmth of the service yesterday, they are flourishing!

Now Rugby has pretty good ecumenical relations, as regular readers will know, but we only have one formal Local Ecumenical Partnership, the one in Brownsover. Perhaps the time has come for us to be looking at these things more closely???

I found the liturgy encouraging too. Church of England welcomes, or Inductions as we call them, seem to acknowledge collaboration in ministry but do not embody it. This one, based i think on the Methodist service was much stronger:

The presiding minister asks:
Barbara will you hold before us the story of God's love and mercy, above all, the Gospel of our Saviour Jesus Christ and will you be among us as one who preaches the word of God....

The new presbyter replies:
I will. I ask God to help me, and I invite you all to join with me in proclaiming the Gospel of life and hope.

I like the emphasis on sharing, which seems to model a relational ministry of both ordained and non-ordained.

So lets pray for Barbara and the people of HAEBEA (think about it...) as they set off on their journey of faith together.

General Synod Elections

2010-09-12T09:32:00.001+01:00

The nominations are in and, in Coventry at least, the election addresses have been submitted, so now its down to the electorate to decide.

It will be a close run thing with 8 candidates who broadly speaking reflect the range of theological opinion within the church. There is one woman standing and as for the last 2 years we did not have a woman, I hope that she will be elected. As for the rest, I think it is anybody's guess.

What I do hope is that we end up with representatives who broadly speaking reflect the range of opinion within the diocese to take forward the important issues that face the Church through the Synod in the next 5 years.

The ordination of women is clearly one of these and none of the people standing, as far as I know, are opposed. But there is also the issue of our motion on deaneries, which was heavily amended in July , but will come back to the new synod and must be pushed forward if deaneries are to have the potential to fulfil the aspirations that we as a diocese have for them.

So let the election begin, the clergy of the diocese, who are the electors will receive the Election Addresses and an invitation to Hustings where the candidates will put forward their case. The closing date is 8th Oct and the count will be on 12th October. Watch this spot for news!

Rev.

2010-08-03T12:47:00.000+01:00

Have you been watching Rev. on BBC2. Its ended now but can still be down loaded from iplayer.

I thought it was a bit patchy but last night we howled with laughter when the Archdeacon was described as the Dark Lord... with apologies to any Venerable readers I may have...

Street Pastors Commissioned in Rugby

2010-08-02T10:11:00.001+01:00

We had a great afternoon yesterday in Caldecott Park when 14 of our 18 new Street Pastors were commissioned. Over 100 people gathered to pray for them and to send them off into the town to do their work. We were joined by the Mayor, Councillor Don Williams, Chief Inspector Bob Musgrove of Rugby Police and Sean Lawson from Rugby Borough Council.

This demonstrates the partnership that has been established between the churches and local agencies and to my mind shows that the church has understood the nature of the Big Society long before David Cameron did!!!

For me the best bit of the afternoon was seeing the newly commissioned street pastors walking up the path towards the town centre as the congregation sang Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Please continue to pray for them as they begin to minister to the people of Rugby.

Elizabeth Kaeton writes on 1974

2010-07-31T09:14:00.000+01:00

Once again my friend from across the pond has written movingly and challengingly in Telling Secrets, its the one blog always make sure I check!

This one is especially worth looking at for the comments that some of Elizabeth's readers make. 74 was a big year in the US, Nixon and so on. But what impact did the ordination of the Philadelphia 11 have here? The Philadelphia who? I hear you ask. Well that's about it for us.

I remember where I was when Nixon resigned, White's Hotel, Wexford, EIRE, but i have no clue about the ordination of 11 women in Philadelphia 11. Look here for all the answers.

Perhaps this is because the milestone for us was in Bristol in 1994.

Elizabeth describes some of her personal journey from 1974 and there are many stories to be told here from 1994, and before and since. I believe that the telling of stories will enable us all to move forward on the complex issues that face our church. We need bloggers and storytellers on all sides of the debate in order for all of us to hear that God is in the whole story, not just my part of it and that together we really can dwell in Unity. Psalm 133. 1-2

Another good week for churches in the Rugby Advertiser

2010-07-29T17:35:00.000+01:00

Amidst the usual stories of puppies being stolen during a raid on a house and the closure of yet another shop in Rugby's high street, there are lots of good stories about the churches in the town in this week's edition, unfortunately they do not find their way onto the web version, so let me tell you about some of them.

The new roof on St Andrew's is now complete. £210,000 it has cost to replace the nave roof, but it does look great now.
Rugby Street Pastors will be commissioned in a special service in Caldecott Park at 5pm on Sunday afternoon
Hope 4, our ministry among the homeless in the town is planning to open the day centre 5 days a week.

Its a great time to be a Christian in Rugby!

The Tabernacle

2010-07-25T09:10:00.004+01:00

Our dear friend and colleague Peter Privett has done it again....

He has created a Tabernacle inside St Andrew's, a place of prayer and sanctuary away from the busy town. Here, surrounded by hangings in beautiful colours, embroidered with biblical texts, you may sit and pray. Its not a great photograph but it gives you an idea.

Peter has provided ribbons and threads in many colours which can be hung on the tabernacle as a symbol of your prayer, which remains in place after you have gone back into the world.

Do come to St Andrew's to see what Peter has created for us.

Street Pastors are coming to Rugby

2010-07-24T17:19:00.004+01:00

Our team of Street Pastors had its last compulsory training day today and will be commissioned next Sunday evening at a special service in Caldecott Park in the middle of Rugby. Here are two of them modelling their new uniforms...

We have a team of 16 people who will patrol the town centre and outlying estates on Friday evenings from about 11pm to 3am. You can find out more about Street Pastors in general here and the Rugby team in particular here.

We are really excited about this new initiative and will be looking to recruit new Street Pastors in 2011 when we have become established in the town.

Watch this space....

The Worshipful Company of Pewterer's

2010-07-23T09:25:00.004+01:00

Some of you will know that I am a Court Assistant of the Pewterer's Company in the City of London. Yesterday we elected a new Master. Professor John Donaldson will be Crowned as Master in September, so for now he is in waiting...

I say election, but it is hardly a democratic process. Several names are put forward and a large sheet of paper is carried round the room and we "scratch" our mark by the name at the top of the list (by convention... but not always in reality!)

After the election we all go to Church, St Vedast near St Paul's Cathedral.

Yesterday my fellow Liveryman and Common Councillor, The Revd Stephen Haines preached a great sermon on Ecclesiasticus 32 ... look it up!

Then back to the Hall for a great dinner and the last, very slow train back to Rugby. Come on Virgin ... why does it need to go so slow!

General Synod Voting patterns

2010-07-23T09:16:00.003+01:00

My friends over at Thinking Anglicans (where would we be without them) have helpfully compiled all the voting stats for the Women Bishop debate. You can check up on how your favourite GS members voted

Meanwhile Reform, the conservative evangelical group is urging its members to stand in the forth coming elections. And various catholics have also written encouraging people to stand for election. These elections are really important. In order for the legislation to be passed it has to have a two thirds majority in all thee houses of the synod when it comes back in 18 months time.

I intend to stand again and hope that I will be elected. First because my record on this legislation is clear for you to see and second because after three years on Synod I am just beginning to get my head round the place! So if you can, I hope you will vote for me!

The Big Society

2010-07-21T09:11:00.005+01:00

I was interested to listen to David Cameron's speech on the Big Society, his Big Idea, the other day for several reasons.

First, I was struck by his use of the word elite. He talked about the elite of Westminster in contrast to ordinary people like you and me. This reflects one of the themes of my doctoral thesis in which I explore the work of Charles Taylor and his massive book A Secular Age. Taylor makes very much the same point, that elite have always sought to dominate but since the advent of the secular age, ordinary people have been less willing to accept that domination.

Taylor points to the willingness to question things that the elite posit, in particular belief in God.

I see parallels in the life of the church, where we are much less likely these days simply to accept what the hierarchy says, see for example the failure of the General Synod last week to accept the Archbishops' amendment on Women Bishops.

My second thought was as Chair of Warwickshire Community and Voluntary Action. The Big Society is a great idea, encouraging people to participate activity in their local communities. However, more volunteers means more support for volunteers at just the time when funding for Volunteer Centres and Councils for Voluntary Service is under threat. Now in Warwickshire we are very lucky, our County and Borough councils see the value of a strong Third Sector support mechanism and so far our funding is in good shape. But others are less fortunate.

There are those who are less encouraged by the Big Society idea, for example take a look at what Stewart Cross has to say.

So while I think the emphasis on voluntary action is much to be encouraged, I can see exactly what Cross means. It has all the marks of a great soundbite that is not receiving the attention it needs to flourish: YET!

Oliver Simon's Graduation

2010-07-21T09:08:00.004+01:00

Yesterday Oliver, my colleague, received his Doctor of Ministry degree. I thought you might like to see the photo! CONGRATULATIONS!

Fancy being a member of General Synod?

2010-07-17T17:54:00.003+01:00

"Don't be stupid...!"

Well if you do, here is your chance. In November an entirely new synod will take its place in the life of the Church. Here is a short video about the role of the synod and how you can go about getting elected.

Take a look...

Bishop Nuns...

2010-07-17T17:23:00.002+01:00

I fell upon this article in today's Telegraph by mistake ... and then I was certain it must be an April Fool until I checked the date ... no its gen!

However, I have a much simpler solution to the exercise of episcopal authority in convents - make a nun the bishop!

ENJOY!

Back from Synod

2010-07-15T07:43:00.003+01:00

I've been back from York for a couple of days and am still feeling tired after what was a gruelling weekend.

We had two full days of debate on the Women Bishop's measure; the chamber was full throughout, the quality of debate was excellent and so was the listening.

Initially we discussed the proposal for alternative dioceses for those who could not agree with women as bishops, then we moved on to "complimentary bishop" who would excerice episcopal ministry to those who opted for it. Finally, there was the Archbishops' amendment.

This was a late arrival on the scene, as I discussed in an earlier post, and was deliberately (I think) woolly. ABC urged members not to see this as a loyalty test, although I guess some did. It introduced the idea of transfer of episcopal authority without delegating any power. (Delegation is though by the proponents of Women Bishops to bring about second class bishops)

This amendment was very narrowly defeated. In a Vote by Houses, it was passed by the Bishops and Laity but lost in the House of Clergy by 5 votes. In a count of the Whole Synod it would have passed.

So we are left with a measure, largely un-amended but a legacy of concern that the defeat of the Archbishops was by a technicality rather than a majority.

The motion now goes to Diocesan Synods for debate and back to the General Synod in 18 months time. I very much hope to be a part of those discussions too, if my brothers and sisters, the clergy of the diocese of Coventry re-elect me!

So where does all this leave us. Traditional Catholics and Conservative Evangelicals do no believe that the measure provides enough protection for them and have issued a number of statements, all on Thinking Anglicans for you to read. Meanwhile, those who speak for the supporters of Women as bishops have in my view been most gracious and understanding. Something that was not evident the last time we discussed this in 2008.

This will come to a Diocesan Synod near you in the next year or so, in hte meantime I hope that we can continue to be gracious, look for ways to be as inclusive as possible and, above all, pray for the Church of England.

All those amendments

2010-07-07T18:24:00.002+01:00

For those of you who have been following my blogs for the last few days here is a a real treat!

Justin Brett, a Synod member, has posted a really helpful guide through the 37 pages of amendments. Its a bit of a read, but its worth it!

Here it is...

St Thomas More

2010-07-06T08:45:00.002+01:00

Today the Church remembers Thomas More. An interesting day to reflect on the Crown Nominations process for Southwark and the coming General Synod meeting this weekend that I wrote about yesterday.

More struggled with his conscience. Should he accept that Henry VIII was the supreme head of the Church and live, or deny it and loose his head.

The two situations we face are not quite to polarised, but they are deeply felt by people on all sides.

There is more coverage on Thinking Anglicans.

It all feels a little tense...

2010-07-05T17:38:00.004+01:00

Things seem to be hotting up for the C of E ...

First we are to debate the ordination of women as bishop's at General Synod this weekend. This is set to take most of our 4 days together (although for light relief there is the motion I am proposing on the legal status of deaneries!). The last minute addition of an amendment by the Archbishops to try to provide space within the church for those who, in conscience, disagree, will I think tax the ind of synod. How much weight should be given to the fact that both our Archbishops have proposed this amendment? Only time will tell. For all the details check our Thinking Anglicans on the subject.

The other area of tension is the election (is that the right word in the CofE?) of the new Bishop of Southwark. The Daily Telegraph says that Dean Jeffery John of St Alban's Abbey is on the short list. You may remember that he was nominated as Bishop of Reading years ago but resigned before taking up the office.

Lots has been said and written today on the subject, again you can find it all at Thinking Anglicans.

There are those for and against both of these arguments, and the links on both pages are worth reading to get the full picture. For me, whatever happened to the "yes, but..." of Anglicanism. Some describe this as fudge or Anglican compromise, for me it is living with the diversity of God's creation, no more than living with it, REJOICING in it.

There will always be those with whom I disagree very strongly on a variety of issues, but surely my fellowship in the Gospel is greater than these disagreements? Some of you will remember the letter that I wrote to the Church Times with my colleague Martin Saxby of St Matthew's Rugby

This is what we said ... Our letter is at the bottom of the page.

Pray for the Crown Nominations Commission and for the Geneal Synod.

Back to Work...

2010-07-03T09:29:00.003+01:00

Well I am still in a tee shirt but very soon I will have to go and find a clerical shirt and go black again!

My first engagement is the Public School Lodge of Freemasons annual service in Rugby School Chapel. I thought of mugging up on Freemasonry, but decided to mug up on Jesus instead. The reading is Romans 12, which although not mentioning Jesus does provide me with a good starting point.

Then its off to the Cathedral from Hilary's Ordination as a priest. The preacher is my old friend Adrian Chatfield, a great preacher. So he can remind me about how its really done!

Tomorrow morning Hilary will preside at the Eucharist for the first time at a Team Service, it will be really good to see everybody again. Some old friends will not be there: Glenys Smith and Charles Clennett have died while I have been away, both good and faithful followers of Jesus. Hopefully there will be some people who I do not know, it will be good to meet them.

But most of all, it will be good to be back in the Eucharistic Community to which I belong. I have enjoyed travelling around over the last 3 months, but now it is time to come home again and to break bread with the people of God of the Rugby Team.

coming home...

2010-06-27T09:14:00.003+01:00

I'm just about to leave Amsterdam having had a wonderful weekend here. There is so much to see I have walked my feet off. The only disappointment was the queue for Ann Franks house which I could not face!

Before that I was in Utrecht, another beautiful town, for a conference on ecclesiology. Nearly all the key people where there and I got lots of useful ideas for the thesis. I also gave a paper which was well received. Interesting that everyone is asking similar questions...how can we be missional and sustainable at the same time?

One more week of study leave to take advantage of the things I have learnt then back to work; I'm ready for it now! But what a privilege to get three months to study.

Best wishes to all

M

First draft complete!

2010-06-16T14:30:00.004+01:00

I have just posted the first draft of Chapter 5 to my supervisor so I am feeling rather content and enjoying the sunshine. I'm off to see him tomorrow so doubtless there will be much to do in correcting what I have written. Its not a case of Pilate saying "What I have written, I have written!

Now I need to get on with the paper for the conference in Utrecht next week. They really wanted it by today but I'm afraid they will have to wait! Tomorrow will do!

Then there is domestic life to be attended to, the boat is a little bit grubby after a weekend with some friends and i need to fill and empty the various tanks, if you get what I mean. But Ellie is coming over this evening so we will do it then.

Peter and Howard, the Friends refereed to above, and I have been meeting as Playtex for 16 years+ recently using the boat as a basis. This time we went to Titford Locks expecting it to be deserted. When we got there there were 40+ boats in a BCNS Rally. They were most hospitable, and suggested some insights into welcoming that might be adpted by many churches!

As you can see from the picture, Murphy had a wonderful time, although Howard wondered if I was transfering my absent parenthood on to him...

Hope all is well with you, where ever you maybe...

M

Update from Birmingham

2010-06-05T10:30:00.002+01:00

Well I am now into the last month of my study leave. I have been enormously grateful to the church, both for its policy on such leave and also for my colleagues and friends in Rugby who have covered for me during this time.

As I have said previously, I have worked hard but also enjoyed living on the boat and exploring Birmingham's canals. Last weekend I did an epic trip round Walsall and Brownhills and enjoyed it very much!

I have two weeks before giving a paper on my thesis at a conference in Utrecht so no leisure time this weekend. I have nearly finished chapter four, wresting with the ecclesioloists! Today my task is to read all that I have written to make sure that the overall content is going gin the right direction. So I am setting forth on 41000 words!

Just in case you have not heard a choir called Sounds Simple are giving a concert in St George's Rugby next Saturday, 12th June at 7.30pm in aid of Elllie's Scout Jamboree fund. The tickets are £10 for adults and £8 for children and include a two course supper. I can get you tickets if you would like them.

Best wishes

Mark

Finishing Chapter three today

2010-05-21T08:49:00.003+01:00

My friend Pam Gould, whose birthday it is today has lamented my failure to blog over he last few weeks. All I can say is that I have been busy with Mr Tiller!

Things are going well and I expect to finish chapter three today and send it off to my supervisor.

Life has been pretty eventful too!

The boat was untied on Wednesday night and I woke to find myself drifting through the centre of Birmingham! No harm was done and i tied up again pretty quickly!

Sunday worship has been instructive...

I have been to church each Sunday at the nearest CofE place I could find. With the exception of Birmingham Cathedral I have not encountered a congregation of more than 30 and I have generally been the youngest person present (by my estimation!) The clergy have seemed tired and struggling to keep going.

I think i have learned more from this than from Tiller.

A and E came over last night and we went out for dinner with an old friend from college days, Michael - also on study leave - great life!. it was lovely to see him again.

Tomorrow A and I go to Nottigham for the 40th anniversary of priesting of an old friend and 25th wedding anniversary of some others. I am speaking at both....better get back in to practice!

Ah well, back to work....Do call in if you are in Brum, but phone first!

Greetings from rainy Birmingham

2010-05-08T17:17:00.002+01:00

Hello, its been a while since i wrote with an update on how my study leave in Birmingham is going and since I have written 2762 words today I thought i would take a break!

I'm actually on 25330 in total, so things are going pretty well. Chapter 1 and 2 went down well with my supervisor and Oliver kindly took a look as well and made some really helpful comments.

I'm in the middle of "What has happened since Tiller wrote his report?" Done about 2/3rd of it and hope to be completed by the end of next week. Then I move on to the Ideal Blueprint / Concrete reality bit. That is the complex bit so I guess progress will be slower there.

Its a pity about the rain as I had planned to go south this weekend, taking Ellie's Marbles through Netherton Tunnel, A would be pleased to miss that she hates tunnels, but Ive stayed put instead. Next weekend I will definitely go some where!

I hope all is well where you are, do pop by for a beer if you are in Brum!

At home tonight

2010-04-21T16:05:00.004+01:00

Well it was our 19th wedding anniversary yesterday ... neither of us look old enough do we!

I'm also back because tomorrow I am going to see my DMin supervisor having completed chapters 1 and 2 in draft. I hope he like them, I might get sad if he doesn't!

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Seven whole days not one in Seven

2010-04-18T18:51:00.002+01:00

With apologies to George Herbert...

I have had a good week here in Birmingham. One chapter (actually chapter 2) is completed in draft at least. However it is the easy one ... all about John Tiller and his writings. This one has been sent off to my supervisor and i will see him on Thursday to discuss it.

I have also made a pretty decent stab at Chapter 1. This is the background to the whole debate and I have been struggling with secularisation as a concept. I think I am happy that I have it sorted now and hope to get that chapter off to Martyn before I see him.

I have been enjoying going to Morning prayer at the Cathedral, 7.30 is a touch early but it does get me started ... Annabel will be amazed that I can make it so early! Went to the Choral Eucharist there this morning as well. Was delighted to discover that our friend Catherine Ogle has been appointed Dean - she will be wonderful! Energetic, with vision and a great sense of how to communicate it too. I hope that the person sitting behind me will keep her views to herself for long enough for Catherine to prove that she is one of the most gifted priests of our generation!

Another week starts tomorrow, a bit different this time as I am in London on Thursday for a Pewterer's Court meeting followed by Friday at Lambeth Palace library to read the archives on Tiller.

That's all for now...

M

Update from Birmingham

2010-04-11T19:51:00.002+01:00

Having done some research on Brethren Assemblies at Selly Oak College on Saturday morning, I set of for a weekend exploring the BCN (Birmingham Canal Navigations). Did you know that there are more canals in Brum than there are in Venice?

I went to Wolverhampton travelling out by the New Main Line or Birmingham Level and back by the Old Main Line or Wolverhampton Level. The latter is the original canal that follows the contours all the way, while the New Main Line goes through deep cuttings and tunnels to get there quicker. Well that's the theory. It took me 4 hours and 10minutes to get there and 4 hours 50 minutes to get back, not much of a saving for all that investment!

However, I had never done the Old Main before so that was fun and I saw all sorts of other routes that I will explore in the coming months...

Now I am back in Birmingham, near the Symphony Hall, and am ready to get to work again tomorrow. I will be doing a review of Tiller's second major work The Gospel Community and its leadership. Quite different from the Strategy so there are some important points to make.

I went to church in Wolverhampton this morning. Going somewhere as a stranger is an unusual experience for a priest and I hope that strangers experiences in our churches are better. I was greeted by a somewhat reluctant greeter who as soon as I had passed her picked up her take away coffee from Starbucks and took a slurp! Well may be she had been on 8am too?

That's all for now, look out for future installments!

M

Update from Birmingham

2010-04-09T11:59:00.002+01:00

After a long day climbing the 18 Lapworth Locks, and then going very slowly along the very shallow North Stratford Canal, I arrived in Birmingham. Ellie and her Friend Emma had crewed valiantly all day and caught the train home from University Station.

I spent the evening settling down and cleaning the boat after the teenagers...

This morning I went to the Cathedral for Morning Prayer, which I hope to do every day and then i settled down to transcribe my interview with John Tiller and begin to get some of his thoughts into what I have already written about him. The word count, if you are interested, is now 4525, only another 45000 to go!

Just about to have lunch and then take the dog for a walk. One of the problems of being here in Brum is to ensure that he does not escape when he sees another dog walking past!

Right that will do for now!

The Cross of Ribbons

2010-04-04T18:14:00.003+01:00

The Cross of Ribbons I told you about yesterday was raised up in the chancel arch this morning during Parish Eucharist amidst chaos from the kids and ahs from the congregation!

Here is a photo, not great but you will get the point.... as it was raised up we prayer for all those who had tied the ribbons on. Please keep praying for them in the Ester Season, the cross will stay up for a few weeks yet.

Alleluia, Christ is Risen

Holy Saturday musings

2010-04-03T15:25:00.003+01:00

My colleague Peter had one of his amazing ideas to help us while away the hours of this non day. we stood outside St Andrew's with a large cross that had been covered with chicken wire. We then invited people to tie a ribbon to the wire in memory of somebody they love.

The response was wonderful!Hundreds of people stopped and covered the cross with multi coloured ribbons. My task now is to devise a simple liturgy for its erection in church during our Easter morning service tomorrow. I will post a picture of it in place tomorrow.

But the best bit was the conversations with people, praying with the sad,laughing with the joyful. I made of point of speaking to the younger people who passed by, most were very receptive and stood silently for a moment as they tied their ribbons. This is mission, this is the church outside its safe little boxes. This is our challenge.

I've let it slip again

2010-03-29T16:18:00.001+01:00

Oh dear, I have not been writing very much recently... However as I prepare to go on Study Leave and I have decided to give you some updates on what I am doing and how my thesis is going. The title is The Ecclesiology of John Tiller: Ideal blueprint or concrete reality, so you may decide not to visit this site again!

Anyway I look forward to keeping you up to date...

Have a Holy Easter

Mark

What a week!

2010-02-05T17:38:00.002Z

Well, what a week I've had. Nothing particularly note worthy but very busy...

The plans for our Parish Mission,with students from Ridley Hall, are coming along nicely. Its going to be in Passion Week, from 23rd -28th March. Highlights include Rhema Theatre group at St George's, a Roger Jones Musical at St Andrew's Benn School, and the culmination of the Magnificat project at St Andrew's. I will publish more info as the plans get firmer.

Then there was my meeting with my DMin supervisor who ash given me the go-ahead to start writing. I can't see i'll get much done before Easter but at least I know I am heading in the right direction as i head off on sabbatical on Easter Monday for three months.

I was delighted once again when i visited the Scouts on Wednesday when I was told that they wanted to give £200 to our roof appeal. They had raised it bag packing at Iceland. Well done the 29th and thanks! They wanted to paint the slates purple and white, the colours of their neckers, but i suggested that English Heritage might not approve!

But the highlight of the week was an impromptu discuss at the Eucharist at St George's on euthanasia. we didn't solve the ethical dilemma that we are facing as a church and a nation but we did have a good discussion. A good use of the homily slot at a weekday Eucharist, i think.

Well off to General Synod next week, so maybe i'll tell you all about that. especially the motion i have to propose!

Who moved the stone?

2010-01-27T21:22:00.005Z

I have just got home from leading a session with our scout group, (the 29th Rugby in case I haven't mentioned before how great they are) for their My Faith badge. My colleagues, Hilary, had told me to expect some interesting conversations after she did it last week, but i was bowled over by them!

They had been asked to come with a bible story to talk about. One lad brought the Parable of the Lost Sheep and another wanted to talk about Moses. But before we started, I repeated what Hilary had done the previous week by asking those who believed in God to go to one side of the room and those who did not to the other. Most went to the not side!

Later we got on to the Crucifixion and Resurrection. I asked about who moved the stone... Roman soldiers? Grave Robbers? Friends of Jesus? God?

All but one went to the God corner of the room...

"So how is it that if God does not exist, he can move a boulder?" I asked. One by one they admitted that maybe they believed more about God than they had thought, or were prepared to admit.

I was touched by their honesty, by their knowledge of the Bible which was greater than i expected but most of all by their faith, which seems to contradict much of what we have come to believe about young people and God!

And Thank God for that!

Holocaust Memorial Day

2010-01-24T15:37:00.005Z

Susi Bechhoffer is a member of St Andrew's Church in Rugby, she is also a survivor of the Kindertransport.

This morning, in our morning service attended by the Mayor of Rugby and many others, she spoke movingly about her experiences as a child, of her mother Rosa who died in Auschwitz and of hope for the future. we reflected too on the plight of Rwandan refugees and the victims of ethnic cleansing in the former Yugoslavia.

As a sign of our desire to lead lives of peace and trust we exchanged the Peace of God with our neighbours and in memory of those who died lit candles which were placed between a Menorah and The Book of the Gospels.

We are most grateful to Susi for all that she brings to our community and for telling her story in our worship this morning.

Ring dem bells

2009-12-13T16:49:00.004Z

A single bell of St Andrew's Rugby (which are unique...) tolled 350 times this afternoon at 3pm to join with others in calling for climate change and an effective solution to this problem from Copenhagen.

Why 350? Well its like this....

A reminder that the World Council of Churches are calling in us all to “Let the bells ring, the conch shells, drums and gongs sound 350 times for climate justice” on Sunday 13 December at 3 p.m at the height of the Copenhagen talks. Find out more on bellringing350.org.

Why 350 times? 350 refers to 350 parts per million: This is the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere according to many scientists, climate experts, and progressive national governments. For all of human history until about 200 years ago, our atmosphere contained 275 ppm of CO2, but now the concentration stands at 390 ppm. Unless we are able to rapidly reduce CO2 levels again, we risk reaching tipping points and irreversible impacts such as the melting of the Greenland ice sheet and major methane releases from increased permafrost melt.

It may be that not too many of the people who heard the bell understood that this was what it was about, but its the thought that counts.

Racing Demon

2009-12-12T17:47:00.003Z

As part of my studies I decided to read Racing Demon, the play by David Hare written in 1990 about the state of the Church of England.

If you are asking what has that got to do with a doctorate, its a good question!

But I came across a great quote:

The Bishop of Kingston says:

"That’s the joy, you know, of committees. On any given subject, a committee may commission a report. The bishops may deliberate. In the goodness of time, the Synod may confer. And in that very process, with a bit of luck, we find that overheated feelings may have quietly blown out. … Our church is bedeviled with contentious problems. But I have discovered, in the spam of my ministry, that avoiding the crunch is what the whole thing’s about. "

Well that's exactly what happened to The Tiller Report, on which my thesis will be based! I think that quote takes pride of place on the front page!

Advant Oratorio

2009-12-06T14:51:00.005Z

I have the great pleasure of attending the premiere of Paul Spicer's new Advent Oratorio in Lichfield Cathedral last night.

Paul was Director of Music at Ellesmere College when I was there in the 80's, though my connections with him were not especially musical. Instead the Architectural Society held relaxed meetings over sherry in his rooms and visited Paris staying in Pigalle!

But back to the point: Paul has once again collaborated with Tom Wright, the Bishop of Durham, to create this Advent Oratorio whose libretto is both challenging, The Prophet sings of the lion laying down with the lamb and later the theme returns with the choristers of Lichfield Cathedral asking "Who will lead the dance when the wold and lamb shall play?", and evangelistic as the opening chorus proclaims the healing and transformation that will take place in the coming Kingdom of God.

Paul used familiar hymns in his Easter Oratorio written some years ago, here they are used to great effect, especially in the climax to the work when each verse of Lo he comes with clouds descending is linked by verses from Psalms sung to Anglican chant.

Liturgical in its framing, evangelistic through its passionate re-telling of prophecy and a good listen to.A recording is available from Lichfield Cathedral Special Choir.

Letter in The Times

2009-12-02T09:29:00.003Z

Following an article in The Times last week about the numbers of clergy in the Church of England. The following letter appeared in yesterdays paper.

Sir, Of course “the traditional model of a vicar in every parish is over”, and for those of us living in rural areas it has been over for 40 years or more (“Church set to lose a tenth of its clergy in five years”, Nov 28). I worship, and sometimes conduct services, in a benefice with a population of 1,600 with ten village churches and one stipendiary priest.
The result is not a disaster because the Church is not the clergy but Christian people. In addition to churchwardens the leadership of each church is in the hands of lay people. It has to be. I used to be in charge of five of these churches, and even then the church members had to take full responsibility for their own church. I never attended a church council meeting — I had no need to. Church members were quite capable of running their own show — they did not need a priest to take the chair. Nor did I spend a lot of time visiting people, for that purpose we had lay pastoral assistants, properly trained by myself and a local scheme recognised by the bishop. I considered myself to be in the background and available when necessary to anyone.
I saw my job as threefold. First, to be responsible for prayer and worship, and to train readers and others to do so. Second, to encourage and train ordinary church members (not just a few officially recognised lay pastoral assistants) to play their full part in the ministry of Christ to the local community. Third, to act as a co-ordinator, making sure, as far as possible, that we had an aim, and knew where we were going. I like to think that all that would have happened whether I had just one church or far more.
The Church of England does not seem to understand this. Most people still expect the poor old vicar to do everything — except flower arranging and Sunday school teaching (if he was married his wife could do that). The result was that being a faithful church member merely involved putting your hand in your pocket and sitting (quietly) in a pew once a week. Not at all like the community that Jesus founded.
The CoE — and those who hardly, if ever, worship in public — need to learn that ministry is the responsibility of the whole people of God. It is not our business just to pay up and go to church regularly and let the vicar do everything. Christ is calling us to be the Church, his Body, all the time and every day.
Until we learn this lesson, and discover afresh how Jesus himself worked, we shall continue to moan about money and the shortage of clergy. It is a lesson that God intends to teach us, and until we do, we shall continue to struggle and retrench.
The Rev Jimmy Hamilton-Brown
Spetisbury, Blandford

This is the context in which the Rugby Team Ministry has deployed its clergy. As we approach the crunch point of reducing from 2.6 - 2 stipendiary clergy the issue becomes more acutely focused. Do we ask one team vicar to look after two churches or do we continue to develop and train lay ministers to perform some of the roles that the paid clergy have fulfilled in the past?

Any comments?

How many people actually read this...

2009-11-30T22:52:00.002Z

Ive been wondering how many people read what i write here, so I've installed a hit counter. Now I will know!