Reflection

Bishop Alan on theCloudgate PAGE 2

NewsFurrowing ploughs -Plough Wednesday andthe latest on the ruralchurchPAGE 5

FeatureA little Lent readingPAGES 10 and 11

Door PostWhat’s on around the DiocesePAGE 12

CommentDavid Winter on Ash WednesdayPAGE 19

God in the Life ofAmy Merone - ChristianAid campaignerPAGE 20

Inside:Reporting from Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire www.oxford.anglican.org February 2010 No. 210

Help rebuild Haiti before hurricanes

Prayer walk pilgrimage serieslaunched - see page nine

THE worst weather conditionsin the UK for 20 years broughtout community spirit aschurches across Oxfordshire,Berkshire and Buckinghamshirerose to the challenge ofcarrying on through the snow.

Bishop John posted a messageon the diocesan website, callingon clergy, church wardens andlay people to make sensibledecisions about whether to holdservices.

The extreme weatherconditions meant services wereheld in the homes of churchleaders in the Shelswellbenefice. The Revd ChrisHargraves, Rector, said:‘Fringford had run out of oiland Finmere doesn’t havebrilliant heating and the pathleading up to the church wastreacherous, so we held twoservices in people’s homes.

‘I started with a passage fromActs 2, where the earlyChristians met in one another’s

homes and broke bread and Ihoped people didn’t feeluncomfortable. We used musicon a CD instead of singinghymns, and didn’t wear robes,but I put on a stole fromGuatemala. It was a way ofthinking about how peopleworship across the world. It wasjust great and it gave us anopportunity to talk about howwe worship and how we arechurch but not in the building.

‘It gave us the chance to talkabout doing things a little

differently. One personcommented on it being likeconfirmation class, which Ithought was interesting. There’sbeen plenty of community spirit,with farmers pulling people outof ditches. People have got onwith things and we have to lookat it all in the light of what isgoing on in Haiti.’

The Revd Tess Kuin Lawton,chaplain of Magdalen CollegeSchool, Oxford, posted a dailyreflection on-line for pupils

Big freeze brings out community spirit

THE race is on to help Haitiansrebuild their homes before thehurricane season.

A disaster response team fromHabitat Humanity, aninternational Christian housingcharity based in Banbury, wereimmediately deployed to Haiti.

As the Door went to press thedeath toll had been estimated at200,000 and was rising. Anestimated three million peoplehad been injured or madehomeless in the aftermath of theearthquake in mid-January.

Now Habitat is appealing tochurches in the Diocese ofOxford to help fund its work,providing temporary andpermanent housing to peopleaffected by the disaster.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

By Jo Duckles

By Jo Duckles

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Earth shattering; Haitians take stock. Reuters/Eduardo Munoz

theDoor FEBRUARY 20102

Prayer & reflection

Religion, like politics,cookery, or sex, is an area ofhuman experience to whichpeople bring their wholeselves. They make deeply

personal choices about it. Like it , dislikeit, reject it, rubbish it, even, but there itis - militant atheism is to religion whatbaldness is to hairdressing, perhaps, butwe’ve all got heads.

The fact is, like politics, cookery andsex, there’s good religion and badreligion. Bad religion is a human smokescreen. We throw it up from the materialof our own partial selves to cover ourtraces, conceal our true selves, hide fromthe Lord God in the garden, even in thecool of the day.

Good religion holds up a mirror fromoutside to our otherwise self-containedreality. God is light, and those who treatGod’s Word as a mirror contemplate inhis light what they see. Thus they slowdown, open up, and see everythingdifferently, for its possibilities as well asits apparent finished reality.

One pilgrimage I make religiously, asand when I can, is to Millennium Park

in Chicago and Anish Kapoor’s CloudGate (2004). Known affectionately byChicagoans as The Bean I think this is thefinest public sculpture in the world. Itdraws together sky, scenery and peopleonto a glorious convex screen. It’s theleast preachy of sculptures.

There’s no hidden agenda or partialskewing of truth behind it. What does itmean? You bring yourself, and youdecide. How do they keep it clean? Ihave no idea. The Bean sits in solitarysplendour underneath the SouthMichigan Avenue skyline, a gaggle of the

tallest and most advanced buildings inthe world. They were erected seriallyfrom 1871, when a huge fire engulfedthe city and it had to start again. Intothat modern context it places us theviewers, inflated, conflated, deflated,stretched and flattened into a dizzyingarray of dynamic, shifting sizes andshapes.

Best of all, we can crawl into the midstand see ourselves turned inside out,extruded up and down. Children of allages touch their reflections with realdelight and anticipation.

Everyone photographs it — I visited itsix times and never come away withfewer than 30 fresh pictures. And as wephotograph the bean we have to go togreat lengths not to be reflected in ourown images of it somewhere. Let thosewho have eyes to see, look.

Finally, as cherries on the cake, thebirds of the air, real birds of theircorrect sizes and colours sit on it as sunshines, or not, clouds break and as lightsof evening stab points of brilliance. Fogturns it into a huge mushroom. Free useof reflecting and distorting mirrors haslong been a significant part of AnishKapoor’s work. He kids us about therelationship between art and context.Sky Mirrors appear at places as differentas the Brighton Pavilion (2009) and theRockefeller Center in New York (2006).Her Blood, from 1998, pits three concavemirrors across an exhibition space, one arich blood red which you cannot avoidin any of the others.

In 1995 he produced The World TurnedInside Out — a kind of mini-bean, but asimple oval, not a doughnut. Cloud Gate,however, has it all. In the form of acloud, it invites us to look at everythingdifferently; nature, weather, the city, andpeople (separately and in clumps).Bring to it humility, imagination and thepossibilities are almost infinite, if noteternal.

The Rt Revd Alan Wilson is Bishop ofBuckingham. For more of his reflectionssee www.bishopalan.blogspot.com.

February prayer diary compiled by John Manley

Light, the universe and everythingThe Rt Revd Alan Wilsonuses an intriguing modernsculpture to challenge us toreflect on how we seeourselves, nature and theworld.

‘...slow down, open up and

see everything differently.’

‘...the possibilities are almost

inf inite, if not eternal.’Spot the Bishop: Cloud gate is photographed by Bishop Alan.

All those affected by the aftermath of the Haitiearthquake. See www.oxford.anglican.org/haiti forthe CofE’s prayers.77 FFEEBB:: Burnham and Slough deanery: area dean andcommunity chaplain Allen Walker, associate Robin Grayson,lay chair Jo Saunders, secretary Margaret Linton, treasurer MrSavage, faith and work development officer Linda Hillier,chaplains to the deaf Vera Hunt and Roger Williams; LLMsRichard Rooley, Michael Wilcockson. The people, wardens,PCCs and support staff of the deanery. For the AnglicanChurch of Burundi.1144 FFEEBB:: Parishes and district councillors serving the peopleof the deanery of Burnham and Slough. The staff andvolunteers of PACT (Parents and Children Together) andfamilies in need of help. For the Anglican Church of Canada.2211 FFEEBB:: Henley deanery: area dean Graham Foulis Brown,lay chair Sally Horton, secretary Christine Ratcliffe, treasurerBrian Turner. The people, wardens, PCCs and support staff ofthe deanery. The Diocesan Vocations network and all thoseconsidering their vocations at this time. The Church of theProvince of Central Africa and for Chad Gandiya, Bishop ofHarare, in trying circumstances.2288 FFEEBB:: Parish and district councillors serving the people ofthe deanery of Henley. The work of the Council for Partnershipin World Mission; diocesan adviser for overseas programmesCharlotte Bannister-Parker. For the Anglican Church of CentralAmerica, Iglesia Anglicana de la Region Central de America.

The following is for guidance only; pleasefeel free to adapt to local conditions and, ifyou wish, produce your own deaneryprayer diaries.

Pray to the Father through the Son inthe power of the Spirit for:

MMoonn 11:: Burnham: clergy Bill Jackson.All at Burnham St Peter’s (VC) School.

TTuuee 22:: Cippenham (LEP): clergy SusanSmith, Bob Saunders.

WWeedd 33:: Eton, Eton Wick & Boveney,Dorney: clergy Lucy Holt; LLM AlisonHassall. All at Eton Porny (VC) and EtonWick (VC) Schools.

TThhuu 44:: Hitcham: clergy Tom Hewson,Rosie Hewson.

FFrrii 55:: Taplow & Dropmore: clergy AlanDibden. All at Taplow St Nicolas (VA)School.

SSaatt 66:: Colnbrook & Datchet: clergyPeter Wyard, Martin Davis. All atColnbrook (VC) , Datchet Churchmead(VA) & Datchet St Mary’s (VA) Schools.

MMoonn 88:: Horton and Wraysbury: clergySimon Douglas Lane, Andrew Parry,evangelist Mike Miller, LLM Beryl Walters.

TTuuee 99:: Langley Marish: clergy Robin

Grayson, Bruce Russell, Colin Hartley.

WWeedd 1100:: Upton-cum-Chalvey: clergyAndrew Allen, Derek West. All at Slough &Eton (VC), Slough St Mary’s (VC) Schools.

TThhuu 1111:: Britwell: clergy John Chorlton,Charlie Styles.

FFrrii 1122:: Farnham Royal withHedgerley: clergy Graham Saunders,Stanley Bedwell, Gordon Briggs, HelenChamberlain. All at Farnham Royal (VA)School.

SSaatt 1133:: Manor Park St John theBaptist and Whitby Road St Michael:clergy Jan Cotman.

MMoonn 1155:: Slough St Paul: clergy MikeCotterell, Janet Binns; evangelists GilbertDavid, Uzma David.

TTuuee 1166:: Stoke Poges: clergy HarryLatham, Mark Griffiths.

WWeedd 1177:: Iver: clergy Tim Eady, BrianGriffiths, Tony Williams, Kate Wilson,George Howard; LLM Jim Dashper.

TThhuu 1188:: Iver Heath: clergy WillHazlewood; LLM John Mitchell.

FFrrii 1199:: Wexham: clergy Ros Donovan,Jennifer Locke.

SSaatt 2200:: Goring and Streatley with

South Stoke: clergy Mark Blamey,Elizabeth Dowding; LLM Ian Wallace. All atGoring (VA) and Streatley (VC) Schools.

MMoonn 2222:: Henley-on-Thames HolyTrinity: clergy Duncan Carter; LLMMichael Forsdike. All at Henley Trinity (VC)School.

TTuuee 2233:: Henley-on-Thames withRemenham: clergy Martyn Griffiths.

WWeedd 2244:: Langtree (Checkendon,Ipsden, North Stoke, Stoke Row,Whitchurch, Woodcote): clergy KevinDavies, Linda Smith, David Addison,Angela Butler; missioner Peter Steddon;LLM Brian Turner. All at Checkendon (VA),Stoke Row (VA) Schools.

TThhuu 2255:: Nettlebed with Bix, Highmore,Pishill, Rotherfield Greys, Nuffield:clergy Brendan Bailey, Elisabeth Lakey,David Stoter.

FFrrii 2266:: Rotherfield Peppard andKidmore End and Sonning Common:clergy Graham Foulis Brown, Barry Olsen;LLM Morris Clegg. All at Kidmore End (VA)and Peppard (VC) Schools.

SSaatt 2277:: Shiplake with Dunsden andHarpsden: clergy Stephen Cousins,Michael Seymour-Jones. All at Shiplake(VA) School.

SundaysHave mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according toyour abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly frommy iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. (NRSV Ps. 51:1,2)

3

EEaasstteerr EEgggg--ssttrraaThe British people buy 80 millionEaster Eggs every year.

Not one egg explains whatEaster is about or mentionsJesus. And not a single eggmakes a donation to charity. Inthe Oxford Diocese we arejoining a campaign to try andchange all that.With colleaguesin Manchester, we are pilotingthe sale of the first ever ‘realEaster egg’ which is Fairtrade,tells the Christian story andmakes a difference by fundingchickens for poor communities inthe developing world.

If the pilot is successful, theaim is to launch nationwide nextyear. The eggs will be available intime for Fair Trade Fortnight. Ifyou are interested in selling theeggs in your church please email sarah.meyrick@oxford.anglican.org or call 01865208224.

NNeeww YYeeaarr HHoonnoouurrssCONGRATULATIONS to thosefrom the Diocese who wereincluded in the New YearsHonours list.

Among them was MarySaunders, who was awarded theMBE. Until her retirement in July2009 was Secretary to theDiocesan Advisory Committee(DAC) and the Diocesan PastoralCommittee (DPC), roles that shehad held for 20 years.

John Tyzack, chairman of thegovernors of Enborne CofEPrimary School and WillowPrimary School, Newbury,Berkshire, was also awarded theMBE for services to education.Nora Schneider, 94, a member ofSt Nicolas Church, Newbury,was awarded the MBE forservices to the community. TheDean of Windsor, the Rt RevdDavid Conner, who served asBishop to the Forces from 2001to 2009, was awarded the KCVO.

BBrreewwiinngg uupp CHURCHES and schoolsacross the Diocese are urged totake part in this year’s Big Brew.

For more information seewwww.traidcraft.co.uk. If you areholding a Big Brew event, pleasesend details and photographs todoornews@googlemail.com.

CChhrriissttmmaass ssuurrvveeyyWe want your views on ourChristmas publications.

Open Door is an A4newsletter aimed at families onthe fringes of church life. StableDoor was an extra Door,published just before Christmasand aimed at occasionalchurchgoers. The ChrismasIngredients campaign aimed toconnect people with theChristian festival through aseasonal treat.

To give us your views emaildebbie.dallimore@oxford.anglican.org or call 01865208225.

NewstheDoor FEBRUARY 2010

IN BRIEFHelp rebuild Haiti

Big freeze brings out community spirit

‘We have worked in Haiti for 26years, so have experienced localstaff on the ground. Praise Godthat they are all safe, althoughour rented office collapsed,’ saidStefan McNally, Habitat’s churchand education developmentofficer.

‘Our 50 staff in Haiti survivedbut they have all been affectedpersonally in one way or another,’said Ian Pearce, who works withStefan in Banbury, and liaiseswith the staff on the ground inHaiti wherever possible. ‘We havehad 15 computers taken overthere and have secured anotherpremises so we can get an officeback up and running.’

Habitat has offices and staff inneighbouring countries poised tohelp in reconstruction and repairof houses. Stefan said: ‘We mustmove fast. The hurricane seasonis only a matter of months away.Whilst aid agencies focus ongetting food, medicine and waterto victims, experience shows thatif safe homes are notreconstructed rapidly, survivors ofsuch disasters can fall victim todisease through havinginadequate shelter and water.’

The last major hurricane to hitHaiti in 2008 left 250,000 peoplehomeless. The country hastraditionally been vulnerable tohurricanes and flooding, with thehurricane season usually startingin May.

Habitat will be organisingpeople in Haiti into communitygroups to clean up debris, andsalvage materials to be used inrebuilding or repairs. Shelter kitswill be provided to as manypeople as possible. They arebuilding materials and basic toolsto help them repair their homes.

Transitional homes — basicbuilding with a concrete floorand wall panels that can easily beconverted into a more permanentbuilding — will also be providedfor families. Stefan said: ‘Women-headed households will be thepriority for these as they areparticularly vulvnerable.’

To support Habitat send acheque marked Haiti Appeal to46, West Bar, Banbury, Oxon,OX16 9RZ or call 01295 264240.

@For more information visit:www.habitatforhumanity.org.uk

ONLINE

It is thought it was the firsttime an on-line school assemblyhad taken place. Tess said: ‘Ourschool is one of the few that getsits whole community in oneroom every day. It seemsimportant to the boys as it is partof the character of the place. Itwas closed for three days due tothe snow and we were posting areflection on the internet. Wethink it is the first time a schoolassembly has been done on-line.’

One curate, the Revd JeffWest, left his car in Charlbury totravel by rail to Oxford and catcha connecting train to Banburyon Saturday evening, to makesure he could take the 8amservice at St Mary’s on Sundaymorning. Jeff said: ‘If the trainshad been on time it would onlyhave taken me three quarters ofan hour.

‘They were delayed so it took acouple of hours, but it was nohardship. I was glad they wererunning. There were people whomanaged to walk for milesthrough the snow to get tochurch.’

The Revd Pat Freeth, vicar ofShire’s Edge, north Oxfordshire,said: ‘There was a greatcommunity spirit here —neighbours helping each other.In all my five parishes there hasbeen that sense in adversity —

whether Christian or not — that‘we are one in Christ’.

‘We have a common purposeto serve one another. Peoplewho would not considerthemselves Christian wereoffering what the gospel wouldconsider Christian attributes inpractical terms to theirneighbours.’Pictured above is Tom Quad atChrist Church Cathedral,Oxford, in the snow.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

People live in makeshift shelters. Habitat for Humanity

BISHOP Stephen will be speaking in the Mission strand at thisyear’s Världens Fest (Festival of the World) to review and discussChristian action in response to various international issues,writes Hugh White.

The 2010 gathering will be held from 4 June to 6 June in Växjöthe cathedral city of Oxford’s Swedish link diocese. Anyone whowishes to attend the Festival is welcome and Växjö Diocese ishoping for a strong representation from the Oxford Diocese.

The title this year is ‘Another world is possible’. There will befour strands: Environment; Mission; Migration; Market.Authoritative speakers will lead the formal discussions.

A number of talks will be given in English. Swedishcompetence in English means that language should be no barrierin meetings outside the formal sessions.

It is expected that about 3,000 people will take part, so therewill be plenty of opportunity to gain insights into how Christiansfrom other traditions see the issues on the Festival agenda as wellas to find out generally about church life in Sweden andelsewhere.

Primrose Gallimore, who travelled from Oxford Diocese to thelast Världens Fest as a Mothers’ Union representative, said: ‘Oneof the best aspects of the Fest was the chance it gave to talk toChristians from Sweden and other countries, and to exchangeideas and views in a relaxed but focused atmosphere.

‘I enjoyed speaking to three women of the nomadic Sami peoplewhose traditional land cuts across the top of Sweden, Finland,Norway and Russia, although they are now restricted by politicalborders. I came back feeling exhausted having had so much totake in and think about, but also feeling exhilarated and renewedand very glad I had the chance to go.’

Further details of Världens Fest are available on its website,www.svenskakyrkan.se/varldensfest, where you can register toattend.

If you are planning to go please contact our Swedish link co-ordinator Canon Tony Dickinson on tony.dickinson@oxford.anglican.org or 01494 520676. Tony will also be able to answer anyquestions about the Fest.

World festival in Sweden

theDoor FEBRUARY 20104

Food andFellowshipor Coffeeand Chatfor MercyShips!Mercy Ships held their first EasterBreakfast Campaign in 2009, whichproved to be a popular event withmany church groups and individualsupporters, up and down the country. Some watched the sunrise from a mountain top on EasterSunday; others simply added a mini-egg to a usual breakfast; somegathered with colleagues or associates for a ‘Full English’; youngMums invited friends for ‘Coffeeand Chat’; youth groups had aSaturday-fun-breakfast! Holidaygroups made a special occasion.Breakfasts took place during Lent,over the Easter holidays and afterwards! Thanks to the hardwork of organisers and generosityof supporters, over 200 breakfastswere held, which raised over£18,000.

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Every amount raisedmakes a life-long difference to those inneed of medical help,in the world’s poorest countries £40 helps provide an eye surgery; £9 a pair of UV-blockingglasses; £15 pays for 50 assorted bandages – 70,000 dressings are needed yearly; dental treatments cost around£30; a village well – £1800; general and complex surgeries £50 to £500; 14 surgical gowns £30.Mercy Ships, an international Christian charity providesover 6,500 surgeries and 21,000 dental procedures in a 10month field service, as well as medical and communitydevelopment services from our charity hospital ship, theAfrica Mercy. Mercy Ships is providing a 6 month service inTogo,West Africa during 2010, where there are just 225doctors for over 6 million people. Following this the AfricaMercy will sail to South Africa to be equipped with newgenerators during the latter half of the year, providing

onshore medical services, eye surgeries and training local eye surgeons and eye-workers in theEastern Cape.You can find out more about thisextraordinary charity at www.mercyships.org.uk and supportthe work of their dedicated volunteers by joining in the EasterBreakfast Celebration for livestransformed.Lisa Moore, the first child to receive eye surgery onboard the hospital ship,the Africa Mercy.

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Within the western Christian tradition the forty daysdo not include Sundays, which are still celebrated asthe resurrection of the Living Lord. Easter Sunday willbe 4th April.

At its beginnings in the fourth century church, Lentwas originally seen as a time of preparation for thosewho were to be baptised during the Easter Vigil.

As these people were being received into a livingcommunity of faith the existing members were alsoexpected to prepare to receive them.

The forty days remind us of the forty days Christspent in the wilderness where he too was put totemptation.

There have been many developments over theyears and Lent today offers many challenges andopportunities for Christians to reflect on their faith.This can be done through individual study andreflection, through group events and workshops oreven organised retreats.

Many publishers offer guides for this central part ofthe Church calendar and there are also various formsof retreat on offer for those able to take ‘time out’ fromtheir regular pattern of life.

The tradition of giving up something for Lent hasdeveloped from the period of fasting as exercised bythe early church, although many see it as a time forcharitable works and thinking of others.

Many churches have now developed a tradition fora single day of fasting and collecting funds for lessfortunate peoples abroad others will organise simplemeals of soup and bread again an act of penitence.

Typing the word ‘Lent’ into the search engine onyour web connection can bring up many fascinatingpages full of information, and whilst an understanding

Lent is a time for reflection and learning

of the past is useful in understanding this annualevent, a determination to be actively involved in someform of activity of study or reflection is the mostcreative path that a Christian is likely to take this year.

Whilst it may begin in just a few weeks time, thereis still time to decide how you can approach Lent andbecome more involved this year.

For all, Lent is first and foremost a time of prayerand penance. It is a time to seek forgiveness of sinsand seeking God’s grace. Whilst Lent can be seen asa period of grief, it leads to the Christian celebrationof Easter.

Fund a footballAS the World Cup kicks off in SouthAfrica help give children from our linkdiocese, Kimberley and Kuruman, thechance to enjoy the beautiful game.

People in Kidlington and Hampton Poyleare asking for help to raise money forfootballs, which cost £15 each. The ballswill be made by HIV positive people inZambia and delivered to K&K in time forthe World Cup in June.

To help call 01865 372709 or 01865378014 or send donations to KidlingtonParish Office, 19 Mill Street, Kidlington,OX5 2EE - cheques made out to‘Kidlington PCC’ and ‘Fund a Football’should be written clearly on the back ofthe cheque and on the envelope.

Join 100,000 ChristiansEXPLORE your faith with Christians fromacross Europe with a party from theOxford Diocese at the Second EcumenicalKirchentag in Munich this May.

That you may have hope will be thetheme. The Bishop of Dorchester, the RtRevd Colin Fletcher will be speaking in apanel on challenges the church faces insecular society. The Diocese will bepresenting a Living Faith for the Futurestall and Milton Keynes rock groupTestament will be playing. Our MissionPartnership will have a stand in the LivingEcumenically hall.

For more information contact CanonTony Dickinson on 01494 520676 ortony.dickinson@oxford.anglican.org

Looking to God’s future

theDoor FEBRUARY 2010

NewsIN BRIEF

With the plough are the Revd David Hiscock, Claydon area dean andfarmer Roy Lambourne, of Marsh Gibbon Pic: KT Bruce

THE rural church should beware of beinghampered by an idealised picture of thepast, and look with confidence to God’sfuture.

That was the message from aconference for multi-parish beneficesheld in Oxford in January. Theconference – which brought togetheraround 100 people from the dioceses ofOxford, Coventry, Gloucester andWorcester – was called Through a strangeland and focused on the theme of exile.

‘We’re in a difficult place,’ said theRevd Olivia Graham, Parish DevelopmentAdviser for Oxfordshire, who was on theplanning group. ‘That can feel like exile.What does it mean to be aliens andstrangers in the world? How do we havethat confidence where we are about livingin God’s light?’

The morning offered a theologicalreflection on the past, the present, andthe future. The Rt Revd Gordon Mursell,Bishop of Stafford, spoke about thetheme of exile in the Bible. ‘All of life isan experience of leaving home, from themoment a baby cries when leaving thewomb,’ he said. ‘The Bible understandsthat exile, the working out of “leavinghome”.’

Christians, he said, were all in voluntaryexile. ‘In the Bible there is a constantstruggle between the nomad and thesettler. Those who were nomads becomesettlers and are driven out again. Exilewas always accompanied by a lack ofcontrol and a profound sense of loss, andthere was no going back. You can’t gohome; you can only go forward,’ he said.And while shared memory is important,he warned that nostalgia was dangerous.

‘We need to adapt in exile, but not toconform. We need to live into the futurethat you’d love see God create.’

The Revd Dr Richard Cooke fromCoventry Diocese and the Revd Canon DrDavid Hoyle from Gloucester Dioceseboth reminded delegates that thenostalgia in rural areas for a vicar forevery parish was misplaced, based on anidealised Victorian view of thecountryside. ‘Ministry is difficult and thepressures are immense,’ said Dr Hoyle.‘But we need to be a bit more confidentthat the narrative hasn’t changed toomuch. Let’s not create a mythical pastthat we’ve lost or think that we have toreinvent a whole thing.’

In the afternoon there was morepractical input on resourcing ministry.Helen McGowan from Divine Inspirationin Coventry diocese spoke about ways ofmaking rural churches more welcoming.The Revd Elizabeth Moxley, Rector ofAston Clinton with Buckland andDrayton Beauchamp, shared herexperience building community in threerural parishes. Finally Martin Cavender,Director of ReSource, spoke about whathe felt the Holy Spirit was saying to thechurches.

The Revd Stephen M’Caw, Rector ofSteeple Aston with North Aston andTackley, said that the day had provided anexcellent stimulus. ‘The morningspeakers were positive, thought-provoking, and had a great confidence inour Christian faith,’ he said.

‘Helen McGowan’s advice aboutmaking our churches welcoming to thecasual visitor - pictorially illustrated withgood and not so good examples - was amoment to reflect on how we were doingin this important area.’

By Sarah Meyrick

Furrowed ploughs

RURAL churches across the diocese havebeen celebrating Plough Sunday. The daytakes its name from the ancient tradition ofPlough Monday – the return to work afterthe Christmas holidays.

Officially this year’s Plough Sunday was10 January but the Swan group ofparishes in north Oxfordshire andBuckinghamshire are set to hold aBlessing of the Plough at a service in a

barn at Sunflower Farm, Chetwode, at10am on Sunday, 31 January. And,within a furrow of Plough Sunday isPlough Wednesday – a local annualtraining day, which took place this yearon 27 January The event incluced atour of Clive Cox Racing Stables,Beechdown Farm, Lambourn, WestBerkshire.

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theDoor FEBRUARY 20106

Re-tracing the steps of JesusThis October Bishop John will be taking a group on a pilgrimage to the places where Jesuslived and breathed, where the events recorded in the gospels actually took place. Here theDoor looks at what is special about a trip to the Holy Land.

The Holy Land

Spotlight on...

I found going on a pilgrimage to the Holy Landvery moving in unexpected ways, wwrriitteess LLiillllyyHHaaiinneess--GGaadddd. I was extremely nervous about thetrip beforehand – I was concerned that I wouldfind myself out of step with my fellow pilgrims as Ihad the idea that I wouldn’t be a “proper” pilgrimsomehow: I wasn’t exactly sure what a properpilgrim was, but I worried it wouldn’t look like me.

I needn’t have worried. The group of 20 that Itravelled with was not only friendly and open, butthe variety of backgrounds and reasons for makingthe pilgrimage threw new light on our journey forme, helping me make more connections betweenthe beginnings of Christianity and how we practiceit back at home in our everyday lives. Our sharedenthusiasm for the journey knitted us together insurprising and touching ways.

We visited an enormous number of places, andhad a wonderful guide who put the places wevisited in context religiously, historically andculturally; aided by the knowledge of David andMarilyn Parry, who led the trip with great insightand empathy.

There were many moving experiences, but the most profound for me was celebrating the Eucharist on the shore of the Seaof Galilee. Many places we had visited claimed to be the site of a miracle or a significant episode of Jesus’ life – but it’s veryhard to be exactly sure 2,000 years later. However, we can be confident that Jesus and the apostles lived and walked along thatshore, and saw that same view of mountains over a calm sea as we did that day.

Sharing the Eucharist with my fellow pilgrims, celebrated by the Revd Canon Dr Marilyn Parry, whose calm tones have oftenled me through the same service back at home at Christ Church Cathedral, was the most moving experience of the trip forme. I have remembered it at every Eucharist I’ve attended since, and that connection with the cornerstone and earlybeginnings of our church will resonate for me for the rest of my life.

At the start of every year I findmyself believing that ‘this is theyear when I finally sort my life

out,’ writes Bishop John. I have this fondfantasy that with a bit of a tweak hereand a bit more effort there I canorganise my life as I always hoped itwould be – balanced, fruitful, focused.And every year I find it isn’t.

What this repeated experience shouldbe teaching me is that life truly is ajourney and the attempt always to‘arrive’ is a snare and a delusion. TheChurch rejoices in its conviction that weare a community that never arrives. Wewere never meant to be a staticinstitution but rather a pilgrim people.Indeed, as Richard Giles puts it, ‘Thewhole Judaeo-Christian story is atraveller’s tale’. We are always on apilgrimage from Genesis to Revelation.

Places of pilgrimage are experiencinga resurgence of interest today. I’mforever falling over people who have justbeen to Santiago de Compostela or areplanning a pilgrimage to Lindisfarne.Our cathedrals are increasingly popular.Virtual pilgrimages can be made online.Labyrinths allow us to journeyprayerfully towards God and then outagain to serve the world. Faith andnature trails abound.

It’s in that context that I look forwardto being joined by many pilgrims fromaround the diocese as we go to the HolyLand in October. This is the ultimatepilgrimage for most Christians, taking usto the very places where that ‘traveller’stale’ was enacted. Such a journeytouches deep places within us; it opensthe imagination; it renews faith; itenables us to meet the direct inheritorsof the story. As one Palestinian inBethlehem said to me, ‘My great, great,great, great, great, great, great, great

(etc) grandmother may have been Jesus’babysitter!’ A considerable number ofpeople have already booked for thispilgrimage. If you’ve always wanted tovisit this treasure-store of faith, do comewith me. The Bible will never be thesame again. And nor will you.

@To download a brochure about BishopJohn’s pilgrimage visitwww.oxford.anglican.org/holyland

ONLINE

Connecting with the early church

Top, Jerusalem and above, sunset over LakeGalillee. Pics, Marilyn Parry.

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7

Helping Dalit families

Dalit literally means ‘crushed’or untouchables. The Dalitfamilies are very poor, manyof them living on less thanhalf a dollar a day. Children

from Shellingford School, Oxfordshire,Waddesdon School, Bucks have been toNandyal in South India.

Headteacher John Underwood anddeputy head Christine Hagan fromChalfont St Peters School said they feltprivileged to go to Nandyal. They felthumbled by the level of faith theywitnessed. The welcome, kindness andpersonalities that they encountered weresecond to none. They visited lots ofschools where the children were brightand enthusiastic but were severelyhampered by the conditions. They try sohard but have no resources.

John described how his school hadbeen involved in a partnership with aschool in Kenya, exchanging letters.When the school was involved in a riotthey set about fundraising to help it backon its feet. They held an assembly, towhich John invited members of the localcommunity who could help. They aimedto raise £2,500 in one week butsucceeded in raising £6,000.

In a similar way, John feels that if allchurch schools in the Oxford Dioceseparticipate in the project, the total sumcould be raised in months rather thanthe years. John and Christine are set toreturn to Nandyal this month.

Christine said: ‘Project India is reallystarting to gain a strong momentum, weare delighted to say. Our school hasraised over £6,500 since our return.’

She said two clasrooms had been builtand an ICT suite was ready to provide alive link between children in Chalfont StPeter and Bishop Bunyan Joseph Schoolin Nandyal.

‘John and I also did our first visit to StEdward’s Royal Free Middle school inWindsor and they presented us with acheque for £550 as they have madeProject India their charity for the year.We are also hoping to get sponsorship

from the British Council to invite twoheadteachers from Nandyal to visit ushere, so we can show them the schoolsthat have been working as part of ourproject.’

The three-year campaign is being ledby the Diocese of Oxford’s EducationDepartment to help the Dalit children.Peter Norman, headteacher ofWaddesdon School, compared theirincome with footballers such asFrankLampard and John Terry: it would takethe Dalit 1130 years to earn what one ofthem earns in a week.

Project India aims to raise £30,000 tocomplete several school building projectswhich the Diocese of Nandyal regard asessential. Giving thousands of the poorestchildren in India access to gives them theopportunity to escape from the cycle ofpoverty. Peter also described the lifechanging experience that his visit toNandyal had been. He described a schoolfor blind children in the churchcompound.

The church takes in these very poorchildren and clothes and supports themas their families reject them as theysimply can’t afford to support a child witha disability. The project is being run inpartnership with the Diocese of Nandyal,and in particular their passionate andinspirational Bishop Lawrence. ProjectIndia representatives are available to givepresentation at school assemblies.

A new partnership betweenthe Oxford Dicoese andNandyal in India is givingschools the chance to helpDalit children writesKatie Paxton-Doggett.

ONLINE

@To find out more visit: www.project-india.org.uk

Really wild award for churchyard projectCHILDREN at Stanford in the Vale CE Primary School beat off competition from across the UKto win the British Naturalists’ Association’s Ward Cup.

Prof David Bellamy presented the cup, awarded to children aged seven to 11, to members ofStanford Wildlife Watch club at a ceremony held recently at Northampton University. Thecompetition, held annually, is for a project on a natural history or conservation theme. Twentyseven Watch members studied the “Wildlife of the Churchyard Walls” over a period of two years,recording their findings from St Denys’ Church in a set of six booklets with writing, drawings andphotographs. They extended their studies by “Looking at Lichen” and “Investigating Ivy”producing booklets in these two additional but related subjects.

Margaret Grant has been running the junior wildlife watch group for 23 years. She said it was thefourth time the group had entered the contest and the third time they had won the top prize. Shesaid: ‘We looked at flowers, birds and insects as well as at ivy and lichens. Ivy can cause problemsbecause it damages walls but on the other hand it’s an excellent habitat for insects to hibernate.Its flowers in the autumn also provide food for insects and berries for birds in the winter. Ivy’srapid growth means we have to get a balance between cutting it down to protect our stoneworkand leaving some for our wildlife.’ She said children were given hand lenses through which theyexamined lichens. ‘They revealed a mini world of fantastic shapes and colours and we got thechildren to draw what they saw. A poem about the lichens they saw was published in the parishnewsletter.’

The Church of England’s Shrinking the Footprint campaign has urged churches to give space toendangered species as it signed up to the United Nations’ International Year of Biodiversity. The Cof E is one of 300 UK partners who have joined the global campaign involving almost 1,000organisations celebrating “the variety of life on Earth …. essential for sustaining the natural livingsystems or ecosystems that provide us with food, fuel, health, wealth, and other vital services.” Anestimated two thirds of the C of E’s 16,000 churches (around 10,000) have churchyards whichcollectively cover the area of a small national park. Around 6,000 of these are already contributing tothe biodiversity of the country – both in rural and urban areas –while remaining respectful to itsusers, particularly family and friends of those buried there.

Is your church or churchyard home to a rare species of bird, insect, flower or mammal? Do you have aproject designed to help your churchyard contribute to the country’s biodiversity. If so please send details todoornews@googlemail.com.

To find out more visit: www.biodiversityislife.netwww.shrinkingthefootprint.orgwww.caringforgodsacre.org.uk @

ONLINE

Chidlren and adults from Stanford in the Vale receive the award from ProfDavid Bellamy. Pic BNA

Children from schools in Nandyal are pictured.Pics: Project India

theDoor FEBRUARY 20108 Advertising Feature

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Great AwakeningsInternational Summer School

Sunday 27 June to Friday 2 July 2010

Guest speakers include Michael Ward, Fran Beckett, and Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali

Deciding on a school for yourchildren is a tremendouslyimportant choice.

In many cases a child’s primary and secondaryeducation can have repercussions throughout life.With growing concerns surrounding much ofeducation in Britain today, it should come as littlesurprise that Christian schools maintain theirpopularity with parents, providing a strong spiritualand moral basis in all that they do.

The more disciplined style of education seems to bearfruit and their academic results continue to impressand in many cases improve.

ANGLICAN SCHOOLS

How many Church of England schools are there?

• 25.3% of all state primary schools in England areChurch of England schools - that's 4,470 schools.

• 5.8% of all state secondary schools in England areChurch of England schools - 220 schools.

• 18.6% of all primary pupils and 5.8% of allsecondary pupils attend these schools and thesepercentages in each case are growing.

An Opinion Research Business Survey in 2008showed that, of those who agree that church schoolsare different to other state schools:

• Eight in ten (79 per cent) agree that church schoolshelp young people develop a sense of right andwrong

• 75 per cent think that church schools help youngpeople grow into responsible members of society

• 78 per cent agree that they promote good behaviourand positive attitudes

• 85 per cent agree they have a caring approach tostudents.MORE TO SCHOOL THANEXAMINATIONS

It isn’t just the academic side of school that’simportant, although we all know how much relevantexaminations decide our futures, its all of the otheractivities as well. A good school will therefore be

CChhoooossiinngg aa sscchhooooll

looking at Sport and theArts.

These both help todevelop the whole personas we are each of us somuch more than a bankof knowledge. Certainchurch schools areconnected to ourcathedrals and abbeysand form the home ofeducation for thechoristers.

When choosing a schoolit is important therefore tolook very much at yourchild’s talents, attributesand emotional make upwhen choosing a schoolrather than simply howmuch closer it is to home.

DECIDING ONTHE FUTURE

It’s a very similar storywith further educationand many pupils will belooking towards subjectsto study a A Levels andthen on towards Degreesor other forms of furthereducation. A lot of prayerand advice will beundertaken in decidingwhat path to follow, evenwhen inherent talentsseem to make the choicea little more obvious.

Focus on Education

9theDoor FEBRUARY 2010 9

Feature

To be a pilgrimAs part of our focus on Sustaining the Sacred Centre in 2010 the Door will be creating aseries of prayer walks around the diocese. Sally Welch sets the scene with an introduction topilgrimage.

In 1986, a skeleton was foundburied near a pillar in the nave ofWorcester Cathedral. Although ithad been decapitated in Victoriantimes when a trench was dug

through the cathedral, scholars came tothe conclusion that he was a Worcesterdyer called Robert Sutton.

His robes revealed that he was apilgrim, as they feature a tiny cockleshell and had he still had his head, hishat would have had a scallop shell badgeon it, to show he had been toCompostela, a noted pilgrimage site.The stocky, thick-set pilgrim had led anadventurous life – the journey toCompostela was fraught with dangersand his skeleton bears the scars of twoarrowheads on his left thigh. Hesurvived the attack to die in his sixties,but combined with the arthritis that hesuffered as a result of years of walking,

he would have been in some pain. Backin the Middle Ages pilgrimages werevery popular. It was not like going onholiday. Pilgrimages often took years.Journeys were long and dangerous andmany died en-route. They usuallytravelled in groups and would stay inmonasteries or hostels on the way.Pilgrims undertook these journeys toholy places because it was important fortheir faith. If they had committed sinsthey believed that by going on apilgrimage they could show God howsorry they were. Sometimes they weresent on such journeys by a priest as apenance. Sometimes they went forhealing of a physical condition.

Nowadays, pilgrims still travel to holyplaces. Over 125,000 travelled toSantiago de Compostela last year. Theydo it for a number of motives. Sometravel for penance, as a way of expiatingsome past wrong from their lives. Moreundertake a pilgrimage in the hope ofbeing healed from a physical ailment;many thousands travel to Lourdes eachyear for this reason. Others travelbecause it gives them the opportunity to

be alone, to meditate on their life andtheir relationship with God. Others gobecause it enables them to take theirplace in the communion of saints, asthey undertake a journey made forhundreds of years. A pilgrimage is asymbol in action. It represents thejourney of the Christian life from earthto heaven. The Church is sometimesdescribed as a pilgrim people.

But it is not necessary to journey manyhundreds of miles to be a pilgrim. Allthat is needed is a pilgrim spirit, arecognition that life is a journey, comingfrom God and returning to God. Forthis a visit to a local church, or a walkmade with a pilgrim’s heart is sufficient.This can be made alone or in thecompany of others, mindful always thatwe walk in the company of the wholeChurch. As we walk together, pilgrimsnot strangers, our encounters, ourconversations, our experiences good orbad, can act as a stimulus towardsfurther spiritual reflection and dialogue- not stumbling blocks, but stepping-stones. And always as we do this we

remember the pilgrim who comestowards us from the opposite direction.In Jesus Christ God comes in search ofus. It is He who spoke of himself as theWay, the truth, and the life. It is He whoguides us on our pilgrim journeys and itis towards Him that we move day by day.

Sally Welch, pictured above left on afamily pilgrimage, is Associate Priest of

St Giles, St Philip, St James with StMargaret, Oxford and author of Making a

Pilgrimage (Lion Hudson) and Walkingthe Labyrinth: A Spiritual and Practical

Guide(Canterbury Press, published March 2010)

‘The Church is sometimes

described as a pilgrim

people.’

A snowy stroll through OxfordPRAYER WALK ONE: the City of Oxford with Bishop JohnCentral Oxford is served by a number of park-and-ride car parks (01865 815649). The start of the walk is aten minute walk from Oxford Rail Station.

BEGIN at Carfax Tower (1), (where Queen Street,Cornmarket, High Street and St Aldate’s meet). Youare in the heart of the city centre. You might like topause for a moment, to try and hear God’s voice inthe bustle. Think about the people around you andthe burdens they carry. You may like to pray for them.Walk up Cornmarket Street and turn left into StMichael’s Street. The Oxford Union (2)is on yourleft. Bishop John remembers hearing inspiringspeakers here, such as Michael Green and DavidMacInnes, when he was a student at nearby St Peter’sCollege. Think for a moment - who has inspired youin your Christian journey? Who do you inspire?Continue down St Michael’s Street and turn left intoNew Inn Hall Street. Look for Wesley MemorialChurch (3) and St Peter’s College (4) on your right.Opposite St Peter’s a plaque commemorates JohnWesley’s sermon on 4 July 1783. Both John and hisbrother Charles were students at the University andformed the group that became known as ‘Methodists’here. They were later ordained at Christ ChurchCathedral. You might like to think for a momentabout those who have been trailblazers for their faith.Cross Queen Street into St Ebbe’s and then turn intoBrewer Street. You emerge onto St Aldate’s, facingChrist Church. Cross the road, turn right, and then

left into Christ Church Meadow (5). You maychoose to take a diversion into the Cathedral,the ‘mother church’ of the diocese. TheCathedral is often used for big occasions,such as Bishop John’s installation service in2007. What have been the big occasions inyour life - whether public or more private,known only by you and God? Enjoy the viewof the Meadow and give thanks to God forthe beauty of its creation. Either walk alongthe river or turn left behind Christ Church.Turn right along Merton Street, right alongthe High Street, then left into LongwallStreet. At the junction with Holywell Street,you can see the original Morris Motorsgarage (1905). You might like to reflect onthe skills and talents that you have been given. Overthe road, in St Cross Street, you can see the LawLibrary (6) where Bishop John remembers wrestlingwith his studies - he took a degree in Law beforetraining for the priesthood. What have been thegreatest struggles for you in your Christian journey?Turn into Holywell Street. As you pass the HolywellMusic Rooms, you may like to give thanks for thosewho share their musical or other artistic skills for theenjoyment of others.

Turn left into Catte Street, passing the Sheldonian,the Bodleian and the Radcliffe Camera. Before youreach the High Street, go into the University Church(7) and explore its interesting history. St Mary’s wasthe site of the 1555 trial of the Oxford Martyrs,Latimer, Ridley and Crammer. Reflect on those whohave been martyred for their faith. What are thesacrifices we are called to make today? Turn rightalong High Street to end up at Carfax again.

23

4

5

6

7

1

Map: Google Maps

Pic: Christ Church Meadow, by KT Bruce

Listen to Bishop John’s reflections as heand Sally walked the Oxford walk bydownloading the podcast:www.oxford.anglican.org/prayerwalks. Do you have a favourite walk that you’dlike to share? Contact us on 01865208225 orjo.duckles@oxford.anglican.org

There’s no need to journey

hundreds of miles to be a

pilgrim.’

FeaturetheDoor10

Whatever people may think, Christianity isn’t really about rules and rituals or ‘putting on a show’but about an inner life rooted in God himself - rooted by prayer, reflection, obedience, faith andlove. Books can contribute to developing and sustaining that sacred centre so The Door askedthree Christian thinkers to recommend some you may want to dip into, either during Lent orthroughout the year.

Holy Anger: Jacob, Job, Jesus byLytta Basset, writes Martyn Percy.This work on anger is a profound

meditation on humanity and redemption.It is a tough read, but well worthpersevering with. I especially love BillCountryman’s short introduction to thegospel – why it is good news, and theprofound difference this makes to ourlives and witness. It is one of the mostcompelling books on faith to have beenpublished in recent years. Basset, L., HolyAnger: Jacob, Job, Jesus, Ottawa, Novalis/St.Paul University Press, London,Continuum, 2007.

God of Surprises byGerard Hughes:Hughes’ book inspireswith its engaginglyhonest and focusedpersonal attention onIgnatian spirituality,and the social andpolitical implications ofre-imagining andexperiencing afresh the challengingpresence of Jesus in our lives. Hughes,G., God of Surprises, London, DLT, 1985.

A Journey withJonah: TheSpirituality ofBewilderment byPaul Murray: Thisbeautiful and shortbook about Jonah isfor any of us (all ofus?) who havesometimes struggled

in our faith. And by walking with Jonah,Murray offers some truly profoundinsights into the heart of God –abundant kindness, mercy, patience andforgiveness. Murray, P., A Journey withJonah: The Spirituality of Bewilderment,Dublin, Columba Press, 2002.

The Go-Between God by John Taylor:This classic text is,of course, still agreat joy to read,even thirty years onfrom publication.I still find the style,stories andsubstance of thebook to bebeautiful, moving,persuasive andinspiring. Taylor, J.,The Go-Between God,London, SCM,1979.

There is, of course, a problem withany list like this: what actually constitutesa ‘religious’ or spiritual book?Personally, I love the writings ofGarrison Keillor, and would begrudgeparting with his masterly chapter‘Protestant’ in Lake Wobegon Days.Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apartwould be a wonderful book for a desertisland or any Lenten wilderness, just incase you met the natives. MargaretAtwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale couldremind you of what you might bemissing (and glad of). Book lists can tellus a great deal about our spirituality and

personality. I love a good personal story,which is why Garrison Keillor is such afavourite. Dominique Lapierre’s TheCity of Joy and Thornton Wilder’s TheBridge of San Luis Rey also have muchto say about the providence of God inthe midst of darkness and doubt.Equally, I cannot commend BarbaraKingsolver’s The Poisonwood Biblehighly enough – a tragic tale ofmisconceived missionary endeavour. Buta personal favourite – and a great novelfor any Lent (it is very long!) – is JohnIrving’s A Prayer for Owen Meany. Ifyou like irony, quirky characters andshrewd observations about clergy of allkinds, buy, read and enjoy. And askyourself, as the central character in thebook does, often: ‘what is God’s purposefor my life?’The Revd Canon Professor Martyn Percy isPrincipal of Ripon College, Cuddesdon.

One of the things about theAnglicanCommunion

at the moment isthat it seems that ithas got itself a bitpreoccupied withissues that seem avery long way fromspirituality, writesMark Chapman.

As a welcomeantidote to thisCanterbury Press has begun to producea series of ‘Studies in SpiritualTheology’. These are collections ofwritings of some of the great spiritualwriters of the Anglican Tradition fromthe sixteenth century to today.

Two that might help people deepentheir understanding of Anglicanism andits particular contribution of spiritualityare Law and Revelation: Richard Hookerand His Writings (edited by RaymondChapman) and Heaven in Ordinary:George Herbert and His Writings(edited by Philip Sheldrake).

Both of these have useful historical

introductions andoffer a great resourceas tasters in these twovery different writers.Hooker was the giantof the early Church ofEngland in ElizabethI’s time – but his workwasn’t just densetheology. Instead hiswisdom speaks overthe centuries as hereflects on the relationship of reason,tradition and scripture and on theimportance of good order and God’slaw. Herbert was one of our greatestpoets, but he was also for a short time acountry parson – while his world mighthave been very different from ours, hecan nevertheless inspire us with hispractical spiritual advice and his abilityto connect God with the world aroundhim.

Another volume in a similar area isAnglicanism (compiled and edited byPaul Elmer More and Frank LeslieCross, James Clarke, 2008). This is aspiritual classic first published in 1935

and out of print fora long time. Itcontains writingsfrom the first coupleof centuries ofAnglicanism on ahuge variety ofthemes – mostselections are quiteshort and offermuch meat forreflection. There issomething here foreverybody.

Finally, Gerald O’Collins in Jesus:Portrait (Darton, Longman and Todd,2008) offers a picture of Jesus where heable to draw on his scholarship in theBible and in theology to paint a portraitof Jesus which is at the same time a workof deep spirituality and devotion andwhich invites us into the abundant liferevealed by Jesus as he spoke of thekingdom of God.Mark Chapman is Vice-Principal of RiponCollege, Cuddesdon and Reader inModern Theology at the University ofOxford.

A little Lent read

Valid until 31st May 2010

Advertising FeatureSwopping your usual brand for a Fairtrade one!Shops, organisations and companies are being urged toback Fairtrade Fortnight 2010, running from 22 Februaryto 7 March, by making it easy for shoppers to chooseFairtrade goods. Fairtrade Fortnight 2010 has the themeof ‘The Big Swap’ and will encourage shoppers to swapeveryday shopping basket items such as tea, coffee,chocolate, cotton Tee-shirts, bananas, cakes, sugar and ahost of other products for Fairtrade ones. FairtradeFortnight is the annual nationwide campaign to promoteawareness of Fairtrade and encourage people to buyproducts which carry the FAIRTRADE Mark in order tohelp producers in developing countries. Members of theChristian churches have long been supporters of theFairtrade movement which is now making great strideswith many major brands adopting a fair trade stance.

11FEBRUARY 2010

The Things He Carried by StephenCottrell. Thisis a short

book but full ofgood things, writesDavid Winter.

The Bishop ofReading invites usto reflect on the‘things’ that Jesuscarried to the cross- starting, ofcourse, with thecross itself. Vividlyhe portrays thestumbling figure on the path of sorrowsfrom Pilate’s palace to Golgotha - ‘hetreads a path of suffering, step by painfulstep, that is the suffering of the world’.As well as the cross, Jesus carried acrown of thorns, aseamless robe,disappointments,hopes, sorrows, abroken heart . . . andthe sins of the world.You could read thislittle book in lessthan two hours, butits impact may staywith you for the restof your life.(TheThings He carried byStephen Cottrell.SPCK. £6.99)

New for 2010, The Things He Said, afollow on from The Things He Carried,focussing on what Jesus said.

The Happiness Secret by J. John.Evangelist and Anglican priest J. John

offers a very challenging series of studiesin the Beatitudes - the famous sayings ofJesus each of which begins with the word‘blessed’ - or ‘happy’, as the word couldequally well be translated. This is, in away, a ‘life-style’ book, but the life it talksabout is that of the disciple of Jesus. JJohn uses his own Greek background toilluminate the text, and his own sharpeye for the ups and downs of ordinarylife to apply the message of Jesus tocontemporary living. This book isdeceptively easy to read, but rather moredifficult to live by.(The Happiness Secret byJ John. Hodder & Stoughton. £10.99)

Quiet Spacesedited by NaomiStarkey. This isnot one book, buta series ofillustrated 64-page‘spiritualityjournals’published threetimes a year. Eachhas a theme andas many as fifteenarticles orreflections on asingle theme,written by well-known contributors -Margaret Silf, Veronica Zundel, DickFrance and many others. Themes overthe years have included Solitude, Night,The Wilderness, The Garden and TheJourney. You can order any of the backissues - they are listed on the web-site(quietspaces.org). (Quiet Spaces BRF£4.99 or by subscription.)

When I survey - Christ’s Cross and

Ours by JohnPridmore.Many peopledeeplyappreciatedJohnPridmore’sweeklyreflections onthe weeklylectionaryreadings inthe ChurchTimes. Thisstudy bookfor the 2010 York Lent Course is a briefbut masterly and deeply movingtreatment of the passion of Jesus and itsmeaning for us today. It is firmly rootedin the contemporary world and itsproblems and yet also profoundlyfaithful to the biblical narrative. Theauthor writes of the darkness andsilences of Calvary, of the journey offaith, of ‘swimming against the tide ofsociety’. Yet these are positive andinspiring reflections on what is surelythe heart of our spiritual centre.Whether you choose to follow the YorkCourse or not, this study booklet isworth acquiring!(When I Survey - Christ’sCross and Ours by John Pridmore. YorkCourses PO Box 343, York YO19 5YB

Canon David Winter is a former DiocesanAdviser on Evangelism, former BBC head of

religious affairs and the author of many books.Turn to page 19 to read his Thought for the

Month.

Win Bishop John’s Pocket Prayers for Troubled Times

ding

BBiisshhoopp JJoohhnn cchhaatttteedd wwiitthh sshhooppppeerrss aanndd ttrraaddeerrss aass hhee hhaannddeedd oouutt ffrreeee ccooppiieessooff PPoocckkeett PPrraayyeerrss ffoorr TTrroouubblleedd TTiimmeess,, oonn tthhee ddaayy ooffffiicciiaallllyy dduubbbbeedd ‘‘gglloooommyyMMoonnddaayy’’ ((JJaannuuaarryy 1188tthh))..

The Bishop went on walk about with City Rector the Very Revd Bob Wilkes to talkabout the economy and anything else on people’s minds to cheer them up. TheMonday was officially named the gloomiest day of 2010, following research publishedin previous years to pinpoint the bleakest day in the calendar, based on the likelihoodof unpaid bills, inclement weather and failed New Year’s resolutions.

But the pocket prayer book aims to be a resource to help people cope with theseand other hurdles in life. ‘The prayers may not exactly echo what is going on within usbut they may come close to doing so and enable us to pray more easily for ourselves.Moreover, it’s good to remember that it’s all right not to know what to say and thatquiet listening, and attending to our “deep thoughts” is as important as speaking,’writes Bishop John in his introduction.

The Door has five copies of the book, published last month byChurch House Publishing, to give away. Send your name andaddress to Pocket Prayers Competition, the Door, DiocesanChurch House, North Hinksey Lane, Oxford, OX2 0NB. Theclosing date for entries is Friday, 5 February, 2010.

Pocket prayers - A special offerWe have negotiated a special deal for Door readers on thepopular Pocket Prayers series. Four titles are available for £5each (RRP £5.99):• Pocket Prayers: the Classic Collection (compiled by Christopher Herbert) • Pocket Prayers for Children (compiled by Christopher Herbert) • Pocket Prayers for Commuters (compiled by Christopher Herbert)• Pocket Prayers for Troubled Times (compiled by Christopher Herbert)You can buy these from Reception at DCH or online: www.oxford.anglican.org/pocketprayers or phone 01865 208200. There will be asmall charge to cover postage. Don’t forget you can also order the leaflet PPrraayyeerr:: AA SSiimmppllee GGuuiiddee free of charge. These can be collectedfrom DCH or we can post them out to you. Contact Debbie.dallimore@oxford.anglican.org on 01865 208225.

FOR SALEFarrow & Ball lime wash, colour AllWhite, for indoor or outdoor use.24 x 5 litre cans bought at £31.50 eachOffered at £25 per can.Contact Mrs. M. Bolton 01491 838939

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Contact Sally Gray at 67 Conway Close,Houghton Regis, Beds LU5 5SB

Tel/Fax 01582 861407 or on E-mail: biographies@resource24.net

To advertise in The Doorcall Roy on 01752 225623

Thursday 4 February

FREELAND: Drop in quiet day at theOld Parsonage from 10am - 4pm. Nocharge. Organised by members of theThird Order of the Society of StFrances.

Monday 8 February

OXFORD: The Council of Christiansand Jews are holding a lecture on‘The phenomenon of Edith Stein’ byRabbi James Baaden at HarrisManchester College, Mansfield Roadat 8pm. Details 01865 343309.

Thursday 11 February

NEWBURY: Organ recital at 1.10pmin St Nicolas Church, Newbury.Details 0118 940 3209.

Friday 12 February

OXFORD: The Union Group openmeeting. All welcome at 1Canterbury Road, North Oxford.Coffee at 12.30pm (bring your ownlunch). 1 - 2pm ‘In Rome for theVatican Council’ by Margaret Pauley.Details 01865 243865.

Monday 15 February

ABINGDON: St Helen’s Church isplanning a performance by youngpeople of Noyes Fludde by BenjaminBritten during half term week. Adultsare sought to help with support jobsand young people are sought toperform. Rehearsals and maskmaking on 15th, 16th, 18th and theperformance on 19th. Details fromsusan.scott21@btinternet.com

Wednesday 17 February

OXFORD: St Giles’ Church areholding a landmark exhibition untilGood Friday (Mon - Fri 12 noon until2pm and 2pm until 5pm atweekends). Roger Wagner: The Bookof Praises - illustrations to a newtranslation of the Second Book ofPsalms. Details 01865 372498.

HIGH WYCOMBE: All SaintsChurch. Explore the Easter storythrough words and images. There will

be guided tours of the Stations of theCross on Tuesdays at 11.30am andFridays at 1.45pm. Each tour lasts 45minutes. Details: debbie.orriss@churcharmy.me.uk

Thursday 18 February

OXFORD: Retired ClergyAssociation meeting in the PrioryRoom at Christ Church Cathedral at10.30am. Details 01865 880210.

Friday 19 February

ABINGDON: St Helen’s Church at7pm. Performance of Noyes Fluddeby Benjamin Britten. Detailssusan.scott21@btinternet.com

Sunday 21 February

COOKHAM: Holy Trinity Church at6.30pm - 7pm. Lenten Compline.

Thursday 25 February

CHARLBURY: St Mary’s Church at8pm. Sandy Nairne, Director of theNational Portrait Gallery, on ‘Does Artmatter for Faith?’. Details fromrosalind.scott@hotmail.co.uk

Friday 26 February

OXFORD: The Union Group openmeeting. All welcome at 1

Canterbury Road, North Oxford.Coffee at 12.30pm (bring your ownlunch). 1 - 2pm ‘Paraguay - In thefootsteps of the Jusuits’ by Martin andRuth Conway. Details 01865243865.

FINGEST: Hambleden Valley, nearHenley. Healing service with laying onof hands and anointing at HolyCommunion at 10.15am. Details01491 571231.

Saturday 27 February

CAVERSHAM: St John the BaptistChurch at 7.30pm. A requiem servicefeaturing music by Len David. Detailswww.achurchnearyou.com/caversham-st-john-the-baptist

OXFORD: Study day at StTheosevia House, 2 CanterburyRoad. An Ecumenical centre forChristian Spirituality in Oxford. ‘TheSong of Songs in the early Fathers, inMusic, and in a recent study’ from10.30am - 4pm. Cost £5. Details01865 310341.

Sunday 28 February

DORCHESTER ON THAMES:Dorchester Abbey at 7pm. Praise@7.Informal worship followed by anintroduction to Lent by the Bishop ofReading. Everyone welcome. Details01865 340007.

The DoorposttheDoor FEBRUARY 201012

The Doorpost is a free service forchurches to advertise their eventsand is designed to be hung onchurch noticeboards. Please sendyour events to doorpost@oxford.anglican.org or by post to ChurchHouse. The deadline for the March2010 issue is 5 February.

Courses, training, conferences & workshops in February 2010

WORKSHOP FOR PARISHMAGAZINE EDITORS: Saturday 6February at Diocesan Church Housefrom 10am - 3.30pm. Cost £5(includes lunch). Contact Iris Lloydon 01488 686372 for details and tobook your place. Deadline forbookings is 29 January.

CONTINUING MINISTERIALDEVELOPMENT COURSES: Preparing for Confirmation -Wednesday 10 February atDiocesan Church House from 10am- 4pm. A CMD day reflecting onculture, young people’s experiences,rites of passage and discipleship.

Leader: Ian Macdonald (DiocesanYouth Adviser). Everybody Welcome - Saturday13 February at Christ Church,Northcourt Road, Abingdon OX141PL from 10am - 4pm. Look at theimportance of the ministry ofwelcome. Consider your church’svisibility in the local community, yourpremises; the theology of welcome.Leader: Janet Russell (ParishDevelopment Adviser for Berkshire).Further details and to book a placeon either course emailjeni.hobbs@oxford.anglican.org

SPIRITUALITY: A five week course

starting on 23 February in MiltonKeynes. This course explores differentapproaches to prayer is part of the‘Learning for Discipleship and Ministry’programme. Details available fromsheila.townsend@oxford.anglican.org

WORSHIP: A five week course thatwill look particularly at Morning andEvening prayer and the Service of theWord, and will be of great benefit to allworship leaders and interestedlearners. This course begins on 25February and will run on Thursdayevenings at St James Church Centre,Woodley. Details sheila.townsend@oxford.anglican.org

Courses & special events

Services at Christ Church CathedralSundays: 8am Holy Communion; 10am Matins (coffee in Priory Room); 11.15am Sung Eucharist; 6pm Evensong.Weekdays: 7.15am Morning prayer; 7.35am Holy Communion; 1pm Wednesday only Holy Communion; 6pmEvensong (Thursday Sung Eucharist 6pm).After Eight: Time to reflect, time to pray. Contemporary liturgies for mind and spirit on Sundays at 8pm.

Tel: 01865 276155 www.chch.ox.ac.uk

Image ‘Stations of the Cross XII: Jesus dies on the cross’ by Chris Gollon

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VVaaccaanncciieess &&AAppppooiinnttmmeennttssWith over 35,000 copies of the The Doordistributed through churches in the OxfordDiocese, it makes it a great vehicle toadvertise your vacancies in local churches.

Other Christian and charitable organisations, including faith basedschools and colleges, can also benefit from this targetedreadership.

The Door is one of six Anglican newspapers published throughCornerstone Vision. We can help take your message throughoutAnglican Diocese in the South and East of the country.

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the Door FEBRUARY 2010

Arts15

Church: why people leave

Reshaping Rural Ministry is acollection of essays whichpresents, in one volume, the

thinking that has inhabited the ruralchurch over the last 20 years. Thechapters deal with the rural context, thework of the rural church, models ofclerical and lay leadership andappropriate models of training for ruralministry.

Those of us who work with rural andministry issues will find much familiarterritory, the value lies in it beingcollected under one cover, and in theway each chapter ends with a set ofchallenging questions to refresh andrenew the reader.

This book is accessible to a range ofreaders. Church decision makers willfind information about the rural contextwhich will help shape and inform theirpolicies. New clergy tempted to a ruralidyll will find the reality of a changingrural situation. Old hands will be re-energised and look for new approaches.Lay people looking for empowerment tobe the church in a changing ruralcontext will find much to encouragethem.

Trainers will be inspired to take therural dimension more seriously in theirplanning.

The occasional repetition of materialsimply reflects this potentially wideaudience and allows the chapters tocomplement each other.

However a serious gap lies in thefailure to mention Rural CommunityCouncils. Much is rightly made of theneed for partnership with other agenciesin responding to rural need. Models ofcommunity development, includingcommunity led planning, bread andbutter issues for RCCs, are vitallyimportant for future rural sustainability.The Church learns much from the workof RCCs when defining its missionstrategies and goals.

This book deserves to be widely read –it needs to be in the hands of rural,policy makers, local leaders (clerical andlay) and indeed every person in the pew.Its value is immense.

Glyn Evans is Diocesan Rural Officer andthe regional director of Farm Crisis

Network.

by Glyn Evans

The country fileRe-shaping Rural Ministry Bell, Hopkinson and WillmottCanterbury Press: £14.99 For a number of years CWR organised

a successful workshop called ‘Closingthe Back Door of the Church’ and

the book is based on this seminar. This book is for anyone interested in

church growth and decline. It is easy toread, and in the second half seeks to givean overview of worldwide churches thathave influenced church growth, includingSaddleback Community Church, WillowCreek and Yoido Full Gospel Church inSouth Korea.

It gives some vision for the future byconsidering Fresh Expressions and newways of being church with some usefulcongregational questionnaires which caneasily be adapted for church use. For methe most interesting section was the firsthalf which contained an analysis of whypeople leave the church, this includesboth personal and congregationalreasons.

This should provoke reflection for anydiscerning church leader, particularlywhen we put an emphasis on attractingpeople to church through ventures suchas ‘Back to Church Sunday’ and oftendon’t spend too much time consideringwhy people leave, hence the title of thebook.

The most frustrating thing about such abook is the complexity that many of thereasons some are attracted to the churchturn out to be the things which turnothers away.

From an Anglican viewpoint too littletime was given in the book to why peoplebelong to a particular church and whatkeeps them there. It is an interestingread, and offers some reflections, but leftme with more questions than answers,which I suppose is not a bad thing.

The Ven. Karen Gorham is Archdeacon ofBuckingham.

by Karen GorhamClosing the Back DoorRon Kallimer and Andy PeckCWR: £8.99

Big science has expelled smart new ideas from the classroom...What they forgot is thatevery generation has it's Rebel! That rebel, Ben Stein travels the world on his quest, andlearns that educators and scientists are being ridiculed, denied tenure, and even fired - for believing that there might be evidence of 'design' in nature. Perhaps life is not just the result of accidental, random chance. In this often hilarious film Ben says "Enough" -And NOBODY messes with Ben!

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Some of the resorts on the Mediterranean attractvisitors all the year around as even the winter climateis warmer than it is at home although for those whoaren't so worried about hot days and beaches thereis still much to do at home.

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theDoor FEBRUARY 2010Advertisement18

19

For dust though art and unto dust though

shalt return. Genesis 3: 19.

With these solemn words theminister marks the forehead ofthe penitent with ash - often the

burnt embers of last year’s palm crosses.And so Ash Wednesday gets its name, andin this dramatic way the Church’s greatestpenitential season gets under way.

Candlemas, the conclusion of theseason of the incarnation, lookedforward from the birth of Jesus with joybut also solemnity. The Saviour woulddeliver his people, but at a cost - a cost asyet unknown. Now, as Lent begins, thatnote of solemnity becomes ever stronger.If we are truly to experience the joy ofEaster, then we must first experiencesomething of what it means to ‘take upthe cross’.

Ash Wednesday (February 17 this year)is the penitential peak of the Christianyear. In preparation for the observanceof Lent, Christians are called toacknowledge their sins, to repent themand to set their wills and hearts on theamendment of their lives. Repentance isprobably not the most popular practicefor most of us. We would prefer toconcentrate on the blessings of faith, itssecurity, joy and confidence, rather thanface the fact that we are moral failures.Yet it is only when we recognise our needof forgiveness that we can receive it.

The word for ‘repentance’ in theGreek of the New Testament is metanoia.It literally means a complete ‘change ofmind’ - a transformation of our outlookon things. Instead of arguing ourinnocence (’it wasn’t my fault . . . Icouldn’t help it’) we simply agree withGod. We were wrong.

We sinned. And now we seekforgiveness and a fresh start. Far frombeing a negative process, repentance issimply another word for conversion: thelife turned round. Ash Wednesday invitesus to recognise our need, turn afresh toChrist and have our lives turned around.Seen in that way, it is one of the most life-enhancing occasions in the Christianyear!

Traditionally the day before Lent -Shrove Tuesday - was the last day offeasting and indulgence before theLenten fast closed in. In Britain we usedto eat pancakes to use up all theindulgent ingredients which we mighthave been tempted to consume duringLent. Today we keep the pancakes, butlargely ignore the fast which shouldfollow, because it sounds a bitunattractive.

But to recognise that we are creaturesof earth - ‘dust’ - and need to be broughtinto new life by the Spirit of God, to facereality and act on what we see: that,surely, is life-affirming, positive andenriching.Canon David Winter is a former Dicoesan Adviser onEvangelism, former BBC head of religious affairs, abroadcaster and author of many books.

News & commentIN BRIEF

Audio version

by Matt Freer

WE love talking about theweather - and that weatherhas been leaving us allcold recently - just the way

the climate talks in Copenhagen leftmany of us. The news from the climatesummit was, shall we say,‘underwhelming’.

Last minute wrangling failed todeliver the agreement so many hadhoped for. But, whilst disappointing,the news from Copenhagen doesn’thave to leave us out in the cold. Someprogress was made and politicians willbe having another crack at a deal inMexico later this year – but whathappens in the meantime? It is clearthat we need to keep pushing fordeeper progress on abating climatechange globally in 2010. But if globaltalks teach us anything it is that we alsoneed to be looking locally at what wecan do here in the UK.

The insight of the gospels is that faithmust be incarnated, made real in thehere and now - and that it concerns ourrelationship with the whole creation.There is often far too much talk inreligion, just as there is far too muchtalk among politicians. Now talking canbe good - but we also need to live thestuff we say. Only then can we becomepeople who can genuinely encourageothers.

The good news is that we don’t needto wait for the global deal to be talkedthrough. We are free to incarnate whatwe believe to be the right thing hereand now. Tens of thousands of people,businesses and organisations havealready pledged to cut their carbonemissions by 10% in 2010. If hundredsof thousands of us actually did that, itcould really shake things up globally, aswell as locally. There’s moreinformation about how to sign up tocut your emissions on the newenvironment section of diocesanwebsite atwww.oxford.anglican.org/environment

Have a look! And join us for theLiving Hope: Green Churches & GreenSchools conference on 6th March in GtMissenden to explore this and otherpractical ways to respond to climatechange.

Comment

Thought forthe month

by David Winter

Sight impairedpeople can nowget a free audio

version of The Door bycontactingGraham

Winterbourne on01884 840285

Editor: Jo Duckles Tel: 01865 208227Email: jo.duckles@oxford.anglican.orgdoornews@googlemail.comEditorial Assistant/Distribution: Debbie DallimoreTel: 01865 208225 Email: debbie.dallimore@oxford.anglican.orgAdvertising: Roy Perring Tel: 01752 225623 Email: roy@cornerstonevision.comDeadline for March 2010: Friday 5 February 2010. Published Monday 22 February 2010.The Door is published by Oxford Diocesan Publications Ltd (Secretary Mrs Rosemary Pearce). Theregistered office is Diocesan Church House, North Hinksey Lane, Oxford, OX2 0NB. Tel: 01865 208200.While every care is taken to ensure the reliability of our advertisements, their inclusion in The Door doesnot guarantee it or mean that they are endorsed by the Diocese of Oxford.

Don’t be left out

in the cold

theDoor FEBRUARY 2010

Comings and Goings -The Revd Jeremy Brooks will take uppost as Team Rector at Beaconsfield,Amersham; The Revd Paul Mansell willtake up post as Vicar at Forest Edge,Chipping Norton; The Revd JeremyTear will take up post as CommunityAssociate Priest at Caversham St Johnwith Caversham St Peter andMapledurham St Margaret; The Rt RevdHenry Scriven has been appointed anHonorary Assistant Bishop; The RevdMichelle Morton has resigned from herpost as Priest in Charge at Stewkley,Soulbury and Drayton Parlsow; TheRevd Mark Charmley has resigned fromhis post as Priest in Charge at Banbury StLeonard. The following have been givenpermission to officiate: The Revd TimPerry; The Revd Rosie Ward; TheRevd Robert Prance; The RevdCanon Roger Humphreys; The RevdMaggie Durran. We recall with sadnessthe death of The Revd HerbertCowdrey from Oxford.

Church improvements provide bettercommunity facilityA £175,000 Landfill Communities Fundgrant helped pay for improvements to helpmake SS Mary and Edburga Church,Stratton Audley, a facility for the wholecommunity.

The pews were removed and a newstone floor, with under-floor heating, wasfitted.

The church has bought 100 new chairsto replace the pews. A toilet, kitchenfacilities disabled access and a loophearing facility were fitted.

As well as the grant, the scheme wasfunded by individuals sponsoring chairs andand community funding.

The church is particularly important inStratton Audley, as the village does nothave a community hall.

A village tea party on Sunday 24 Januarycelebrated the completion of the work.

Will your church be taking part in the Big Brew during Fairtrade Fortnight (22 February to March 7)? See page three for more details.

Competition WinnersMarcelle Williams from Wokinghamwas the winner of the competitionfeatured in the January issue of TheDoor and has won The LionStoryteller Bible. Barbara Aldersonfrom Oxford, Lilian Curnow fromDeddington and Mrs Noon fromOlney were the runner up winnersand have all won copies of CWR’sActivity Bible.

Homelessness SundayTHE annual Homelessness SundayEvensong at St Giles, Oxford, takes placeon Sunday 31 January at 6.30pm.

There will be a display of art work in thechurch and readings from the homelesscommunity.

Contemporary art exhibitionAN exhibition of art by Paul Hobbs is set totake place at St Thomas’ Church, Goring inMarch.

Paul has displayed his work in galleries,schools, churches and cathedrals acrossBritain. He makes both celebratory abstractpainting and paintings and sculpture thatconsider contemporary social issues in thelight of Biblical values. Seewww.arthobbs.com for further information.

The exhibition takes place from Sunday 7March to Friday, 12 March.

Paul is available for exclusive, conductedpresentations of his works.

For more information contact the vicar,Mark Blamey onmark.blamey@mailclear.co.uk or 01491872196.

God in the life of... theDoor FEBRUARY 2010

Shouting into a megaphone,urging passers-by to take actionon climate change in centralOxford on a busy Saturday inOctober made it obvious Amy

Merone is passionate about social justice.Amy had secured Oxford East MP

Andrew Smith along with other localdignitaries and activists for a peacefulcampaigning event outside St Michael inthe Northgate, as part of an internationalcall for action on poverty and climatechange.

As Christian Aid’s regional campaignsand media co-ordinator, Amy coversOxfordshire, Berkshire,Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire andHertfordshire, liaising with volunteersincluding many from churches in ourDiocese. A journalism graduate, Amydecided a career chasing gritty,sensational news stories wasn’t for herand felt strongly she wanted to make adifference.

After university she spent six monthsvolunteering in Kenya and South Africabefore moving to Manchester, where shecompleted a campaigns internship withOxfam, as well as volunteering for an HIVcharity, providing community supportfor a woman with HIV.

But it was a year’s VSO placement inNigeria that really inspired her.. She says:‘I was placed in an HIV clinic, workingwith a Catholic organisation, theDaughters of Charity. I was living andworking with nuns, delivering peereducation programmes, training youngpeople to teach other young peopleabout HIV and sexual health andrunning a community resource centre.

‘I have never found it possible toseparate my work from my life and I have

always wanted to do something where Icould put my faith into action, fightinginequality,’ she says.

She moved to Oxford to work for anHIV charity, but a year later saw an advertfor the Christian Aid job and felt stronglythat was where she was supposed to be.

‘I am constantly amazed by the way thatlocal communities support Christian Aid.Every year during Christian Aid Week ourorganisers and collectors work tirelesslyto raise money for the work of ChristianAid around the world. Many of ourorganisers have been volunteering foryears and are so committed to the cause.’

Amy grew up in a Methodist family inSouthport. ‘Growing up I don’t think Iconsciously thought about my faith.Going to church was a bit like going to

school. As I got older I fell away fromeverything other than the Sunday serviceand at university, although I had someChristian friends, I didn’t go to church.

‘I always retained a core belief in God,but never felt I had a comfortable way ofexpressing it. When I went to Nigeria,suddenly faith was everywhere. I was veryclose to the sisters and enjoyed chattingto them about their beliefs and thinkingmore about my own faith.’

She described one particularlypoignant experience, when she becamefriends with a young woman called Faithwho travelled hundreds of kilometres tothe clinic for HIV treatment. Amy says:‘Faith came to us very late in terms ofhow far the virus had progressed in herbody. Although she couldn’t speak a lot

of English, we became friends. I was notwith her for long before she died and Iremember her looking up, beyond theceiling. It was as though she was lookingat something we couldn’t see. I havealways believed that she was going to bewith God. I may have questionedeverything else about my beliefs, but Ihave never questioned that. Faith has hada big impact on my life. Her memorypushes me on.’

When she moved to Oxford, Amythought deeply about her own faith andtried several churches, but still didn’t findone she felt was right for her. Then aChristian Aid event was held at theQuaker Meeting House in St Giles, withBishop John in April last year.

‘I got chatting to the warden andstarted asking questions. It seems like acliché but it all started to make sense interms of what I believe. Quakers focus onthere being something of God ineveryone, and on putting your faith intoaction,’ she says.

‘I felt an immediate sense of peace.Until then I’d constantly been thinkingabout my beliefs and the right way ofexpressing them. I’m still very new toQuakerism and there is a lot that I haveonly just started to learn about.

‘I’ve often worried about other peopleand their reactions to my faith, but I’mtrying not to worry so much about whatother people think and instead recognisethat what’s most important is my ownpersonal relationship with God.’

20

ONLINE

@To find out more about Christian andways to get involved visitwww.christianaid.org.uk or call 01865246818. For more information about the othercharities Amy supports see: www.cityofsanctuary.org www.refugeeresource.org

Amy Merone talks to JoDuckles about the linkbetween her faith and hersocial justice work.

Calling for justice

Amy is pictured in action in Oxford. Pic: Christian Aid

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