#219 : December 2010

Reporting from Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire www.oxford.anglican.org December 2010 No. 219

What’s happening on the roofat Wing? - find out on page five

NewsHelping offenders turn overa New LeafPAGE 3

Spotlight on

Spiritual refreshment inSpainPAGE 6

FeatureWelcoming the disabledPAGES 8 and 9

ArtsFreshening up scripturewith BiblefreshPAGE 14

God in the Life of

Reg Hall -World War Twofighter pilotPAGE 16

Inside:

“CONTINUE to live beautifullyfor God.” That was the messagefrom the Bishop of Oxford as hereflected on a year of LivingFaith.

The Rt Revd John Pritchardhighlighted the successes of2010, which focused onSustaining the Sacred Centre,during his presidential addressat Diocesan Synod last month.

Sustaining the Sacred Centreis the central strand in the five-year Living Faith vision. Theother strands are MakingDisciples, Making a Differencein the World, ShapingConfident, CollaborativeLeadership and CreatingVibrant Christian Communities.

Next year will focus on MakingDisciples, and Bishop Johnchallenged churches to come upwith an initiative to help peopleoutside the Christian faithdiscover for themselves the goodnews of Jesus.

Reflecting on 2010 BishopJohn said he’d heard aboutretreats and quiet days as well ascourses on prayer all held aschurch goers across the diocesebegan to tease out the meaningof Sustaining the Sacred Centre.“At the very least, it means goingfurther and deeper with God,discovering more of what it is tobe immersed in God,” he said.

“I know many churches have

used the Living Faith BibleStudy course on John including330 people in one church alone!

“Another church produced abooklet of readings that havenourished members of thechurch through the years.Another, a special booklet ofprayers for Lent. There havebeen training events andsermon courses and new formsof worship. There was an artcourse in Lent, and I’ve heard ofseveral new prayer groups.”

Next year Sustaining theSacred Centre will continue witha mini-theme of pilgrimage,running alongside MakingDisciples.

Looking forward, Bishop Johnsaid: “We need to start using thevocabulary of growth, notmanaged decline. I long formore and more people todiscover for themselves theliberating good news of Jesus,and God’s love for them. It’sactually why I got ordained inthe first place, to share theriches of Christ. Why wouldn’tyou want to share the best thingyou’ve ever found?”

He said: “How can wecommend the Christian story inthe context of listening to, andrespecting, other people’sstories? That’s the basicchallenge, and in a diocesepacked so full of able,imaginative clergy and laity, Ireally look forward to seeing

what the Spirit will suggest in theyear ahead.

He described how Living Faithhas permeated the life of theDiocese.

“Newport Deanery hasconstructed its entire DeaneryPlan within the Living Faithframework. Burnham andSlough deanery has had aLiving Faith fortnight,” he said.Bishop John reminded Synod

that the vision is not imposed,but is intended to be adapted tothe needs of different areas.

“Thank you for what we’vedone so far together. Let’scontinue to paint somethingbeautiful for God. Let’s try tolive beautifully for God,” headded.

For a report on the 2011 budget,agreed at Diocesan Synod, turn topage three.

By Jo Duckles

‘Let’s live beautifully for God’

Children in fancy dress during the Living Faith fortnight inBurnham and Slough. For a full report see page three.

theDoor DECEMBER 2010 2

Prayer & reflection

To mark the state visit ofPope Benedict XVI fourtapestries from the VaticanMuseums, designed for theSistine Chapel by Raphael,

were displayed at the Victoria and AlbertMuseum for the first time beside thepreparatory cartoons from the RoyalCollection.

Raphael’s Tapestries depicting the Actsof the Apostles Peter and Paul were firstdisplayed in the Sistine Chapel on StStephen’s Day 1519. The Cartoons areone of the great treasures of theRenaissance, commissioned in 1515 bythe Medici Pope Leo X. They are fullscale designs painted on paper whichwere then woven into ten tapestries ofwool, silk and gilt-metal-wrapped threadat a workshop in Brussels.

The Raphael Cartoons speak a forcefulformal language. Closely following thetext of the Acts of the Apostles, theyrepresent weighty figures acting out aseries of momentous encounters.Raphael seems to have simplified the

pictures and magnified the gestures sothat their message is clearly read, evenwhen translated into a tapestry.

I find two of the cartoons particularlystriking. Firstly, theMiraculous Draught ofFish. Taken from Luke 5: 1–10, itillustrates the appearance of Christ toPeter and his command to let down thenets in deep water. The disciples make amiraculous catch, so that their boatsoverflow with fish. In another boatJames and John struggle to pull up anet, whilst their father Zebedee tries tokeep the vessel steady. Peter recognises

Christ as a holy man and kneels beforehim in an attitude of prayer, whileAndrew steps forward with his handsspread in amazement.

A consecutive chain of action runsacross this balanced picture to culminatein the figure of Christ, who calmly raiseshis hand in blessing. On the distantshore the faithful gaze and point at themiraculous event.

Secondly Paul Preaching at Athens. Paulis depicted in the Agora before theassembled court of the Areopagus, thejudicial council of Athens.

He is preaching on the Immortality ofthe Soul, a subject with specialsignificance for Leo X.

Behind Paul three followers pay raptattention. Seated figures gestureexcitedly at the Apostle and turn fromone to the other. A group of standingfigures register a range of attitudes,ranging from deep thought to surpriseand scepticism. In the middle distanceis an armed statue of Mars with its backto the Apostle, before a circular Dorictemple.

Both Cartoons remind us of ourcalling by Christ to ‘go and tell’ andcause us to reflect on the range ofreactions when we do. The God ofsurprises who can produce abundantly ifwe are obedient, and the culture of theday which can challenge and provokemany reactions if we dare to engage inproclamation, particularly as Christmasapproaches.

The works are a significantcontribution to art history, and standthemselves as a witness to the Christianstory throughout the centuries. Thevisit to Britain of the tapestries displayedalongside the Cartoons may have been aonce-in-a-lifetime event but, as we takeour own place in salvation history, theirmessage is one we are called to live outeach and every day.

The Venerable Karen Gorham isArchdeacon of Buckinghamshire.

Pictured above is The Miraculous Draught ofFishes, from the Brussels Tapestries, replicas ofRaphael's Vatican series of the Acts of theApostles (tapestry) by Palazzo Ducale, Mantua,/ The Bridgeman Art Library.

‘...let down your nets for a catch...’Karen Gorham reflects onthe modern-day messagebehind Raphael’s historictapestries.

‘On the distant shore, the

faithful gaze and point...’

December prayer diary compiled by John Manley (The following is for guidance only, please feel free to adapt to local conditions and, if you wish, produce your own deanery prayer diaries.)

SSUUNNDDAAYY 55 Advent 2 CChhiippppiinngg NNoorrttoonn DDeeaanneerryy:: Area Dean JudyFrench, lay chair Ian Henderson, secretary Jan Fielden, treasurerMichael Waring, adviser for the spiritual care of older people,Joanna Collicutt. The people, wardens, PCCs and support staff ofthe deanery. The filling of all the vacancies in the deanery. TheLusitanian Church (Portugal).

SSUUNNDDAAYY 1122 Advent 3 MMaaiiddeennhheeaadd && WWiinnddssoorr DDeeaanneerryy:: AreaDean Jeremy Hyde, lay chair Martin Chandler, secretary DavidMorgan, treasurer Jim Tucker, chaplains to the deaf Vera Hunt andBen Whitaker. The Reformed Episcopal Church of Spain.

SSUUNNDDAAYY 1199 Advent 4: Parish and district councillors serving thepeople of the deanery of Chipping Norton. The diocesanEmergency Planning group. The diocesan Ministry of Deliverancefrom Evil. The Falkland Islands.

SSUUNNDDAAYY 2266 Stephen, deacon & martyr : Parish and districtcouncillors serving the people of the deanery of Maidenhead andWindsor. The Board of Mission (formerly STEM). The ministry ofChristian healing, adviser, Bernard Dagnall. The Anglican Churchof Aotearoa, New Zealand & Polynesia.

Pray to the Father through the Son in thepower of the Spirit for:

WWEEDD 11 CChhaarrllbbuurryy wwiitthh SShhoorrtthhaammppttoonn::clergy Judy French, Jan Fielden; LLMPenny Nairne.

TTHHUU 22 CChhiippppiinngg NNoorrttoonn tteeaamm:: clergyStephen Weston, Tony Cannon, AndrewKeith, Jackie Jones; LLMs Elizabeth Mann,Elizabeth Allen. Chipping Norton StMary’s (VA) School.

FFRRII 33 GGrreeaatt TTeeww wwiitthh LLiittttllee TTeeww:: clergyBernard Rumbold.

SSAATT 44 HHooookk NNoorrttoonn wwiitthh GGrreeaatt RRoollllrriigghhtt,,SSwweerrffoorrdd aanndd WWiiggggiinnttoonn:: clergy JohnAcreman, Wendy Cunningham, HazelScarr; LLM Janet Collins. Great Rollright(VA) and Hook Norton (VC) Schools.

MMOONN 66 OOvveerr wwiitthh NNeetthheerr WWoorrttoonn:: clergyBernard Rumbold.

TTUUEE 77 FFoorreesstt EEddggee:: clergy Paul Mansell,Sarah Jones, Brian Ford; LLM Gail Jones.Finstock (VC) and Leafield (VC) Schools.

WWEEDD 88 SShhiippttoonn--uunnddeerr--WWyycchhwwoooodd,,MMiillttoonn--uunnddeerr--WWyycchhwwoooodd,, FFiiffiieelldd aannddIIddbbuurryy:: clergy Anne Hartley. Wychwood(VC) School.

TTHHUU 99 TThhee CChhaassee:: clergy Mark Abrey,Andy Thayer. Chadlington (VC) School.

FFRRII 1100 BBrraayy wwiitthh BBrraayywwoooodd:: clergyRichard Cowles. Braywood (VC) andHolyport (VA) Schools.

SSAATT 1111 BBuurrcchheettttss GGrreeeenn:: clergy Keith

Nicholls, Dilys Woodmoore, TinaMolyneux; LLM Teresa Kennard. BurchettsGreen (VC) School.

MMOONN 1133 CClleewweerr:: clergy Louise Brown.Windsor Clewer Green (VA) and WindsorSt Erf (VA) Schools.

TTUUEE 1144 CCooxx GGrreeeenn:: clergy Joan Hicks.

WWEEDD 1155 DDeeddwwoorrtthh:: clergy Louise Brown.

TTHHUU 1166 FFuurrzzee PPllaatttt:: clergy Mark Balfour,Jeremy Hyde, Beth Honey; LLMsMargaret Hyde, Pat Rose, Brian Rose(emeritus); youth pastor Ben Dale; layworker Edna Conibear.

FFRRII 1177 MMaaiiddeennhheeaadd AAllll SSaaiinnttss BBooyynnee HHiillll::clergy Jeremy Harris; LLM ElizabethBryson. Maidenhead All Saints (VC),Maidenhead Altwood (VC) andMaidenhead Boyne Hill (VC) Schools.

SSAATT 1188 MMaaiiddeennhheeaadd SStt AAnnddrreeww aanndd SSttMMaarryy MMaaggddaalleennee:: clergy Will Stileman,Sam Allberry, Andrew Kearns; LLMs RuthKnight, Jill Palfrey.

MMOONN 2200 MMaaiiddeennhheeaadd SStt LLuukkee:: clergyTerrie Robinson; LLMs Sonya Clarke,Noeline Page. Maidenhead St Luke’s(VC) School.

TTUUEE 2211 NNeeww WWiinnddssoorr tteeaamm:: clergyAinsley Swift, Margaret Bird, John Quick,June Faulkner; LLM Mary Hutchinson.Windsor Queen Anne First (VC) andWindsor Trinity St Stephen (VA) Schools.

WWEEDD 2222 OOlldd WWiinnddssoorr:: clergy MaryBarnes. All at Old Windsor St Peter’s

(VA) and Windsor The Royal (VA)Schools.

TTHHUU 2233 TThhee CCooookkhhaammss:: clergy MichaelSmith, Nick Plant, Andrew Thomas; LLMCharles Walmsley. Cookham Holy Trinity(VC) and Cookham Dean (VA) Schools.

FFRRII 2244 CChhrriissttmmaass EEvvee The homeless,unemployed, lonely and unloved.Members of the armed forces and othersat work and away from home atChristmas.

SSAATT 2255 CChhrriissttmmaass DDaayy The Queen andall the Royal Family in residence at thistime. The Queen’s Free Chapel of StGeorge:: clergy DJ Conner (dean), JAWhite, JA Ovenden, HE Finlay, JWWoodward, M Boag, A Zinni; all whowork and worship at Windsor Castle.

MMOONN 2277 WWaalltthhaamm SStt LLaawwrreennccee:: clergyDavid Andrew, Andy Hartropp; LLMClaire Hartropp.

TTUUEE 2288 WWhhiittee WWaalltthhaamm wwiitthhSShhootttteessbbrrooookkee:: clergy David Andrew,Andy Hartropp; LLMs Carole Perkins,Claire Hartropp. White Waltham (VC)School.

WWEEDD 2299:: The ecumenical team ofchaplains in Mission in Work andEconomic Life.

TTHHUU 3300:: The severely injured and alldevoted to their care and rehabilitation.

FFRRII 3311:: Those nearing the end of theirlives in hospices or at home and all whocare for them.

SundaysAnd the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and webeheld his glory, the glory as the only begotten of the Father) fullof grace and truth. (Jn. 1:14 AV)

3

NewstheDoor DECEMBER 2010

AN average three per centincrease in the parish share wasagreed as the 2011 budget wasapproved at Diocesan Synod lastmonth.

Synod members agreed thebudget with a small number ofabstentions and no votes against.The parish share, mainly used topay clergy stipends, housing andtraining, has been set as part of astrategy to break even in 2013.

It was agreed against abackdrop of a higher thanexpected bill for stipends thisyear and a decision to not givediocesan staff a cost-of-living payincrease in 2010. The budgetincludes a freeze on clergystipends in 2011.

Presenting the budget,chairman of the Board ofFinance, Brian Newey said: “Ayear ago we didn’t expect to bewhere we are now. We didn’texpect to be spending over£600,000 more on paying clergythan we budgeted for, because ofan all-time low in clergymovements.”

Brian told Synod membersthat since 2006, the Diocese had

set out to live frugally, promisingan average share increase of nomore than 3.5 per cent up to2012. He hoped the Diocese’sfinances would be bolstered bysales of Glebe land fordevelopment next year. “Glebeassets are used to fund clergystipends, and sale proceeds mustbe invested in a way that bestachieves that sustainably,” hesaid.

Brian reminded synod of thechallenges facing the Church ofEngland. Nationally 20 per centof stipendiary clergy areexpected to retire over the nextdecade. It is expected they willbe replaced by only half as manynewly ordained successors.

He said: “The changes aremuch more than a financialmatter, but will have financialimplications. With or withoutnew investment income thesechallenges will have to be met.During the course of the nextyear we must work out someinitial ideas, whose effect shouldbegin to be felt in the 2012budget and which will help tolead to growth in the church.”

Synod agrees 2011 budget

To Pinewood and beyond

AN HIV positive South Africanwhose daughter died just monthsafter being born has beenbuilding links with the Diocese ofOxford.

In the run up to World AidsDay (December 1) MasiMakhalemele-Cowper, visitedKidlington, in Oxfordshire tobuild relationships withchurches here. Masi, who saysturning 40 in September was oneof her greatest achievements.

When she was diagnosed withHIV, Masi was subjected todomestic violence, lost her job as

a retail manager and her home.Since then she has become aninternational representative ofSouth African women living withthe virus.

She was awarded an honorarydegree from Wits University andthe Nelson Mandela Award forHealth and Human Rights. Masihas a link with the local ACHIVAgroup and Kidlington, which hasa special link with a parish nearMafikeng, in the North WestProvince of South Africa.

Last August, with Masi’s help,the link opened the MoitshekiHealth and Life Skills Centre inMonthshiwa.

Speaking on a video made togo with the Archbishop ofCanterbury’s World Aids Daymessage, Masi said: “For the lastsix years I have been linking mywork in South Africa withChurch of Englandcongregations.

“I have met amazingcongregations here and as aresult of those meetings I’m nowpart of the Diocese of Oxford’sKimberley and Kuruman link.”

World Aids Day message

To Pinewood and Beyond was thefun day which was the culminationof Living Faith events in Burnhamand Slough, writes Margaret Innis.

The celebration took place atPinewood Studios, Iver Heath onOctober 3 and attracted morethan 400 people. Regular churchgoers from throughout thedeanery invited friends andneighbours to the event.

A programme of entertainmentdemonstrating different styles ofchurch worship includedperformances by SPLASH puppetsand music from the Voice forJesus band and BurnhamHandbell Society.

An exhibition area housed stallsfrom groups as diverse as Fairtade,Girls Brigade, and the BridgettineConvent. Children lined up tohave their faces painted and tookpart in a fancy dress competitionbased on film and cartoon characters.

The highlight of the afternoon was an insprirational talk bythe Revd Steve Chalke MBE, UN Special Advisor on CommunityAction against Human Trafficking. He is a prominent Christianspeaker and writer and a founder of Oasis Trust charity. Hisamusing and thought-provoking address was a fitting end to agreat afternoon. Churches are now looking to see how to buildon the success of this Living Faith initiative for the future.

New Leaf for offendersMENTORS from local churchesare needed for a new scheme tohelp people released from shortterm prison sentences.

The Bishop of Buckingham,The Rt Revd Alan Wilson, hasbacked the New Leaf scheme,which started in May inBuckinghamshire. It is hoped itwill be rolled out over the nextyear in Oxfordshire andBerkshire.

Bishop Alan said: “Thisprovides Christians with thechance to work with others intheir communities to help themput right the effects of crime inpeople’s lives and to make a realdifference in the world.”

Caroline Stevens, New Leafproject worker, said: “The reasonshort term offenders need oursupport is that there isn’t anystatutory help from theprobation service for who are inprison for less than a year.

So far 91 offenders have beenreferred to New Leaf by prisonchaplaincies and resettlementteams. Their needs are assessedin terms of accommodation,alcohol, drugs, debts, benefitsand family and resettlementpathways are devised.

“We will then match them upwith a trained volunteer mentorwho is CRB checked who comesinto prison and helps them put aplan into action for their release.They will pick them up on theday of release and that’s beenshown to be vital. If you arereleased from prison with £50and no accommodation you are

limited as to what you can do.“It’s about offering them a

choice, making sure they getsafely to their accommodation,get their prescription orwhatever they need.”

A volunteer will then meetwith them for 12 weeks to helpthe person in practical ways,providing transport toappointments, helping thembudget, plan healthy means andwork out coping mechanisms.

“It’s flexible support thatdepends on what an individualclient needs and what level theyare at. Mentors must be non-judgemental, compassionateand if they have a faith it meansthey bring something extra, asense of hope, although theservice is open to people of allfaiths and none. If people wantto support us but don’t want tobe on the front line we arelooking for fundraisers andtrustees to set up anindependent charity.”

One mentor, Carrie Franklin,had been involved in prisonAlpha, and wondered howoffenders coped when they werereleased.

She said: “Jesus showedcompassion for the lost andvulnerable and I think that asChristians we too are challengedto love, care and be supportiveto others in their need - whateverneed that is. For me, supportingex-offenders ties in with Matthew26 vs 40 and the New Leafproject does this beautifully.”

To get involved call Carolineon 07979 855843.

Why the cone?

TRAFFIC cones are being usedas the bodies of life-size puppetsfor a special nativity play at ChristChurch Cathedral.

Cathedral staff are busymaking the puppets ready for theperformance on Saturday,December 18 at 4pm. The RevdCanon Dr Marilyn Parry, who isorganising the event said: “Weare hoping to get hold of somecones and have 19 of thepuppets at the service. It will bean informal event, hopefullysuitable for parents who want abreak from shopping in town withtheir children.”

Clergy cricketHAVE you just joined the OxfordDiocese and do you play cricket?

If either of these questionsapplies to you, would you beinterested in playing for theDiocese next season and moreimportantly touring our LinkDiocese in Kimberley & Kuruman,South Africa in February 2012with the Diocesan team.

Please send your reply toAnthony Stevens [email protected] more information.

RestorationA RESTORATION project to thevestry and tower of St Mary’sChurch, Chipping Norton is setto be completed soon.

The £120,000 project, fundedmainly by legacies and donations,has involved the removal of aredundant pipe organ andrevealed views of a tombcommemorating Richard andAnne Croft, who died in 1502.

Richard Croft was Lord of theManor at the end of the 15th

century. This and other earlymonuments are in urgent need ofrestoration for whichapproximately £100,000 is beingsought.

Stable DoorOUR next edition of the Door willbe Stable Door, aimed at ourregular readers as well as thosewho may be coming to churchespecially for carol services.

There will be no Open Doorthis Christmas for cost cuttingreasons, but if you would likeextra copies of Stable Door,please [email protected].

Stable Door will be deliveredon Monday, December 13 readyto be given out in churches onSunday, December 19.

IN BRIEF

4Advertisement Feature

theDoor DECEMBER 2010

The ESV Study Bible was created to help people understand the Bible in a deeper way—to understand the timeless truth of God’s Word as a powerful, compelling, life-changing reality. To accomplish this, the ESV Study Bible combines the best and most recent evangelical Christian scholarship with the highly regarded ESV Bible text. The result is the most compre-hensive study Bible ever published—with 2,752 pages of extensive, accessible Bible resources.

Created by an outstanding team of 95 evangelical Christian scholars and teachers, the ESV Study Bible presents completely new study notes, maps, illustrations, charts, time-lines, articles, and introductions. Altogether the ESV Study Bible comprises 2 million words of Bible text, insightful explanation, teach-ing, and reference material—equivalent to a 20-volume Bible resource library all contained in one volume. The ESV Study Bible includes 20,000 notes, written specifically for the ESV Study Bible. These notes focus especially on understanding the meaning of the text, giv-

ing answers to frequently raised questions, and providing theological, historical, and archaeolog-ical background—all for the purpose of helping readers to understand the Bible in a deeper way.

The ESV Study Bible also provides a wealth of additional resources. The introductions to each book include essential information about the author, date, and place of writing; an extensive chart of key themes; a summa-ry of how the book fits in with the rest of the biblical storyline; a description of literary features; an outline of the book; and a large full-color map showing the setting of the book.

Another unique feature is the inclusion of over 50 helpful articles on topics such as the authority and truthfulness of the Bible, reading the Bible for application, the Bible in worship and prayer, the reliability of the biblical manuscripts, the relationship between archaeology and the Bible, an overview of biblical theology, and many more.

Other key resources include a system of over

80,000 cross references and an extensive con-cordance (which together facilitate easy loca-tion of important words and biblical themes). In addition, over 200 color charts, located throughout the Bible, provide clear, con-cise presentations of essential information.

ESV Study Bible

ESV Study Bible RRP £39.99St Andrew’s Bookshop Price £29.99!!!Available instore or online.

01£FFO

books change lives.......

Mail Order 01494 567250

www.standrewsbookshop.co.uk

More great gift idea’s instore and online!

We have been serving local churches for over 50 years. Visit your local branch to find out how our expertise can equip & resource you and your church.

Great Missenden61 - 65 High StreetHP16 0AL01494 862168

High WycombeAll Saints, 8 Castle StreetHP13 6RF01494 525511

Oxford57c St ClementsOX4 1AG01865 247567

Witney31 High StreetOX28 6HP01993 706429

Wolverton50 Church StMK12 5JW01908 221331

For our other branches visitwww.standrewsbookshop.co.uk

The Lord’s PrayerR.T. KendallRRP £12.99Our Price £10.99

Soul Survivor 2010Light the SkyRRP £14.99Our Price £13.99

A Year’s Journey with God by Jennifer Rees LarcombeRRP £12.99Our Price £10.99

Exclusive

the Door Discount

Son of HamasMosab Hassan YousefRRP £8.99Our Price £7.99

1£FFO

2£FFO

£5OFF!

£5 OFF any purchase over £25*

Bring this voucher into your local St Andrew’s Bookshop to receive

£5 off any purchase over £25.

*Terms & conditions apply. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Valid until

31/12/2010

1£FFO

Ton of Worship 2 5 CD’s packed with great worship songs only £9.99!

New fromSusan BoyleThe Gift£12.99

Great Christmas Gifts2£FFO

News5theDoor DECEMBER 2010

ULTRA modern solar panels have beeninstalled in one of the UK’s finest AngloSaxon churches.

The £50,000 project was inspired whenthe congregation at All Saints, Wing withGrove in Buckinghamshire decided tolook into becoming moreenvironmentally friendly.

They began by deciding to supportShrinking the Footprint, the Church ofEngland’s national environmentalcampaign.

The solar panels were inspired by StDenys Church, Sleaford, Lincolnshire,which was featured on the BBC’s Songs ofPraise programme. The PCC askedformer church warden Martin Findlay tovisit Sleaford and find out more. Martinsaid: “We realised that all churches faceeast and therefore are likely to have southfacing roofs. This is ideal for solarinstallations.

“In light of the current global climatechange crisis, we felt that in addition topraying at services for God’s creation,the Church should take action to reduceits carbon footprint.”

The PCC began a feasibility study intothe scheme and then began to raisefunds, get a ‘faculty’ (special permissionfrom the Diocese to carry out the work),and planning permission from AylesburyVale District Council.

This month the 54 Solar Photo Voltaicpanels will be ready to be installed on thenave and south aisle roofs.

The Church will benefit from theGovernment’s new Feed-In tariffs whichwere introduced in April 2010. Feed-Intariffs mean energy suppliers have tomake regular payments to householdersand communities who generate theirown electricity from renewable or lowcarbon sources. It will also be able to sellthe energy it produces to the NationalGrid.

Martin added: “It has taken a lot ofhard work by the PCC and thecongregation but it has paid off and weare delighted that we are now in aposition to install these solar panels. Weare now developing plans for furtheraction to become carbon neutral as soonas possible.”

The Diocese of Oxford is keen to work with

churches on projects to install solar panels. The

criteria for solar panels are:

1. The proposed installation site should not be

visible from the ground.

2. The roof structure should be assessed by a

suitably qualified professional to ensure that it

can carry the additional weight of the equipment.

3. Discreet and secure space should be

identified for the inverter equipment.

4. The fixing of the panels must be reversible

and must not compromise the roof covering.

Email [email protected] for

more details.

By Jo Duckles

Saxon church goes solarBig build lottery fundsGRANTS of between £100,000 and£500,000 are available for projects forbuildings used for rural and urbancommunity use.

The funds are from a £65 million NationalLottery programme that will be availablefrom early December. It will be for all typesof multi-purpose buildings used bycommunities including memorial halls,community centres, village halls and churchhalls.

For more information seewww.biglotteryfund.org.uk or call 0845 410 20 30.

Join in music surveyMORE churches are being urged to takepart in the Royal School of Church Musicsurvey of the Diocese of Oxford.

So far 350 out of 811 churches in theDiocese have taken part. A spokesmansaid: “If you would like to support RSCM inour objective of enhancing the music in ourworship you might like to ask your churchwardens whether they have returned thequestionnaire and, if not, encourage them todo so.

“And don’t think that your church is toosmall or too informal. Every church isimportant and the more we know about theDiocese the better we will be able tosupport music.” A preliminary report hasbeen compiled and can be found atwww.rscm-oxford.org.uk/ (Click on the linkin the top corner.)

Meet our new Licensed Lay Ministers

THE Rt Revd Colin Fletcher admitted and licensed 11 new lay ministers to work in the diocese lastmonth. They are from left, Wendy Willoughby-Paul (Hermitage) Nigel Featherson (Haddenham withCuddington and Kingsey and Aston Sandford), Becky Fisher (Sutton Courtenay with Appleford), JoCropp (Akeman), John Baker, (Wheatley), Alan Gibson (High Wycombe), Edna Strange,(Warborough), Andrew Walmsley (Akeman), Helen Wilson (Great Faringdon with Little Coxwell),and Suzanne Ackford (Aylesbury with Bierton and Hulcott). Bishop Colin is in the centre, and tohis right is Sheila Lloyd who is in charge of LLM training for the Diocese.

Solar panels are fitted to the historic church. Pic: Leighton Buzzard Observer

IN BRIEF

SMC LtdEcclesiastical Solar Panels

Free Electricityuse what you make and save on bills

25 years guaranteed incomeFeed-in-tariffs on top of bill savings

Sell back what you don't usegenerate even more income

01367 [email protected] www.smconsult.co.uk

Fine furniture for church and home

Ronald Emett01935 891033 [email protected]

Visit me atwww.ronaldemettfurniture.com

St M

ary,

Shr

ewto

n, W

ilts


Spiritual refreshment

Spotlight on...

If your idea of going on retreat isa cold cell, a narrow bed andinstitutional food, thenLosOlivos in southern Spain maynot be for you. If, on the other

hand, warm sunshine, comfortablebedrooms, generous hospitality and anintriguing programme appeals, it justmight be.

LosOlivos is an eco-centre set in 20acres of national park in the foothills ofthe Sierra Nevada in Andalucia. It isSpain’s first Christian Art and SpiritualityRetreat Centre, and formally opens inJanuary 2011. LosOlivos is the brainchildof the Revd Dani Munoz-Trivino, untilthe end of 2009 Team Vicar of Marlow,and Guy Wynter, who has a businessbackground.

They have spent most of this yearrestoring and fitting out the 200-year-oldhacienda and devising the programme,which includes photography andFlamenco, stone carving and cookery aswell as more traditional retreat weeks.Some of the course leaders will befamiliar to readers: Bishop StephenCottrell, Archdeacon Karen Gorham andthe Revd Ernesto Lozada.

“One of the things that triggered thisproject is the fact that both of us havebeen involved in art and spiritualityprojects in our churches in the UK, aspart of the Emerging Church scene,”says Dani. “I’d been on retreat a coupleof times to lovely places, but they werefairly basic. We found ourselves thinking,‘wouldn’t it be amazing if there was aplace people could go and have a moreholistic experience, and explore theirfaith through creative courses’.”

They turned to Spain for the perfectlocation: somewhere beautiful,reasonably accessible, and close to citiesof historic interest. A retreat offers awonderful opportunity to step off thetreadmill. After a personally difficult sixmonths, a few days’ breathing space andspiritual refreshment was just what thedoctor ordered. So using up the last fewdays of my annual leave, I joined a shorttaster programme in October to sampleelements from the programme.

The experience begins with a warmwelcome from our hosts. The ninerooms are simply furnished butindividually decorated and extremelycomfortable. If you want peace, thereare 20 acres of almond and oliveorchards to lose yourself in.

LosOlivos is designed to be carbonneutral, and all heating and power isgenerated from renewable energysources. The centre works with ClimateStewards to offset the carbon generatedby guests’ travel. The days are framed bymorning and evening prayer in thechapel, and afternoons are designed tobe quiet. Our first activity is a taste from

“Sea and Sierra”, a photographic andwalking week. The tutor is Guy, whotakes us through some basics ofcomposition, before leading us into themountains with our cameras. Later wedownload our pictures and share thefruit of our morning. It becomes clearthat not only have our skills improved,but we’ve gained something by socarefully considering the landscape(which is stunning).

We’ve noticed more detail over themorning; changes in the position of themoon and the fall of a shadow. Andwe’ve slowed down. Later in the day wespend some time exploring thespirituality of San Juan de la Cruz (StJohn of the Cross). Dani explains that,for the Spanish, his writings hold anequivalent importance to Shakespeare’s.He spent an important part of his life inAndalucia where he completed one ofhis best known works, The Dark Night ofthe Soul. Under Dani’s direction, wecontemplate one of his poems.

The following day brings the mosthilarity, when our small group is set thetask of harvesting almonds. The processinvolves spreading nets beneath thetrees, bashing the branches andgathering nuts in baskets. There’s a two-fold purpose: LosOlivos offers low-costeco-weeks, harvesting olives (inFebruary) and almonds (October), so weare indeed piloting an activity; but weare also gathering a vital ingredient forlunch. Playing we might be but it’ssatisfying to be so close to nature.

The final activity involves a cookery

lesson: how to make a Spanish paella.The almonds need shelling, blanchingand peeling for the accompanying salad.Our tutor (Dani) is an inspired cook andthe paella is delicious; we find that hereis something about cooking and sharinga meal together that’s wonderfullyrestorative to the soul. Overall, the timehas been inspiring, enjoyable andrefreshing – and a chance to delight inGod’s goodness.

To find out more about LosOlivos, seewww.haciendalosolivos.org or phone01865 600698 (UK rates). As a specialintroductory offer, the first ten peopleto apply can have two FREE nights inaddition to any four-night booked courseor retreat. Just quoteLOSOLIVOSDOORwhen booking.

Sarah Meyrick is Director ofCommunications for the Diocese of Oxford.

As part of our focus onSustaining the SacredCentre in 2010, SarahMeyrick reports from a newretreat centre in Spain.

TThhee RReettrreeaatt AAssssoocciiaattiioonn pprroovviiddeess aa uusseeffuull iinnttrroodduuccttiioonn aanndd aa lliisstt ooff rreettrreeaatt cceennttrreess oonniittss wweebbssiittee:: wwwwww..rreettrreeaattss..oorrgg..uukk oorr pphhoonnee 0011449944 443333000044.. YYoouu mmaayy aallssoo lliikkee ttooccoonnssiiddeerr tthhee QQuuiieett GGaarrddeenn TTrruusstt,, wwwwww..qquuiieettggaarrddeenn..ccoo..uukk oorr pphhoonnee 0011449944 443344887733..PPllaacceess ooffffeerriinngg rreettrreeaattss oorr qquuiieett ddaayyss wwiitthhiinn tthhee ddiioocceessee iinncclluuddee::

All Saints Convent, Oxford www.asspoxford.org 01865 249127Begbroke Priory www.csjb.org.uk 01865 855320Burnham Abbey, Bucks www.burnhamabbey.org 01628 604080Community of St Clare, Freeland, Witney 01993 881225Community of St Mary the Virgin, Wantage www.csmvonline.org.uk 01235 763141The Carpenter’s Workshop www.thecarpentersworkshop.org.ukDouai Abbey Upper Woolhampton, nr Reading www.douaiabbey.org.uk 0118 971 5300St Ethelwolds House Abingdon www.ethelwoldhouse.org.uk 01235 555486St Katharine’s, Parmoor, Henley-on-Thames www.srpf.org.uk 0011449944 888811003377Sisters of the Love of God, Oxford www.slg.org.uk 01865 721301Stanton House, Stanton St John www.stantonhouse.org.uk 01865 358807The Abbey Sutton Courtenay www.theabbey.uk.com 01235 847401The Well at Willen, Milton Keynes www.thewellatwillen.org.uk 01908 242190

CChhrriisstt CChhuurrcchh CCaatthheeddrraall iinn OOxxffoorrdd iiss hhoollddiinngg rreegguullaarr QQuuiieett DDaayyss.. DDeettaaiillss wwiillll bbee pprriinntteedd iinnDDoooorrppoosstt.. FFoorr mmoorree iinnffoorrmmaattiioonn ccaallll 0011886655 227766221144 oorr eemmaaiill pprreecceennttoorr@@hhoottmmaaiill..ccoo..uukk

Pic: Guy Wynter

The Door& moreThe Door is just one of

six Anglicannewspapers published

by Cornerstone Vision.

The respected papersare eagerly awaited atchurches throughout

the Diocese.With churches as far

and wide as Dorset andEssex, Portsmouth andOxford, they reach tensof thousands of readers

every month with acombined print run of

over 140,000.

Regularly carryingadvertising for

Christian organisations,charities, local shops,holiday providers andmuch more they couldprovide a great vehicle

for your goods orservices.

Advertise in just onepaper or across the

group, we’ve got a dealthat would work for

you.Contact the

Cornerstone team on01752 225623 to see

how we can help.

FamilytheDoor DECEMBER 2010

Working together to improve children’s lives

7

Families who may be facingdebt, eviction and relationshipproblems are among those whoare being helped by supportworker, Sue Maguire. Sue

works with families of children from AllSaints CE Primary School on theNorreys Estate.

Sue is employed by Parents andChildren Together, PACT, a familysupport charity with close links to theDiocese of Oxford. Although manychurches employ a youth worker in theircommunities, PACT believes thatengaging with the parents of youngerchildren can be effective at improvingtheir home and school lives andsubsequently broadens horizons in laterlife.

Sue said: “Initially parents approachedme for help regarding child behaviourissues but once I got to know families Irealised that most had more seriousconcerns such as debt, eviction andrelationship problems. I set up a coffeemorning in school and soon had a fewfamilies coming on a regular basis andthis number grew over the year. We havevisits from health visitors, nursery staff,housing officers and teaching staffwhich really helped to break down thebarriers between families and theschool.

“I believe my role has enabled familiesto engage more with school activitiesand to know that, when they have aconcern, they can come and talk to meabout it rather than letting it escalate.The parents have someone who is notemployed by the school to talk to inconfidence and the pupils know theycan come and have a chat aboutfriendship issues or other problems.”

The issues Sue typically helps with areemotional support, child behaviour,

drug and alcohol dependency, parentsin prison, benefits, housing andsignposting to other groups,organisations or local amenities. Herrole is funded for three years by a legacyleft to All Saint’s Church by abenefactor, Eric Rands, who wanted themoney to be spent in the community.

She said: “It is a unique role as mywork is focused on some of the mostvulnerable families of about 250children. PACT, in partnership with theschool and church, aims to address theneeds of the children, their parents andextended families and social networks

“Sometimes even supporting a familyto take small steps can have a dramaticeffect. Lots of little things are happeningall the time which, when they cometogether, make a big difference.”

The partnership is now working hardto try and ensure this vital service cancontinue when the legacy funding runsout next year.

Sue said: “I don’t know what wouldhappen if I wasn’t there, but they do tellme how much they appreciate what I do.The most important part of the role isspending time with the families. In thesummer holidays we have picnics in thepark. It is rewarding to empower parentsto identify the things they want tochange to give their children the chanceof a more stable home environment, offinishing school, getting an educationand instilling the ambition to dosomething with their lives.”

Michael Beasley, Director of Missionat the Diocese of Oxford said: “Thisproject has been a success in terms ofcatching the families when theirchildren are very young and helping

them to engage with their community ina way that makes a difference to all theirlives. Sue has had a considerable impacton the life of the school and its localcommunity.

“Her work has led to reductions inconflict in the playground. Parents areincreasingly enabled to engage moreconstructively with issues concerningtheir child’s education, and some havenow asked for literacy classes in order tohelp children with their homework.Another of Sue’s successes has been toenable increased uptake of holidayschemes meaning that children are noton the streets during vacations. I wouldurge other churches to consider howworking with a partner such as PACTcan be an important part of localmission.”

The Revd Canon David Hodgson, ofAll Saints Church, said: “Thisdemonstrates how leaving a legacy canmake such a difference. Eric Randswould be proud to know his generosityhas had such an impact acrossgenerations. If other funding can be

sourced, or churches can find theresources to support it themselves, it iswell worth the investment.”PACT will be celebrating its 100th birthdayin 2011 and is inviting people to support itswork by becoming a Friend of PACT.

Emma Owen reports on a project in Wokingham that ishelping a school, church and a community to work together toimprove the lives of young children.

Teigan’s storyWhen Teigan first approached Sue for support she had concerns about thebehaviour of her three children.

After spending time with Teigan, Sue could see that there were other issuesthat made it hard for her to cope with managing routines for the children. Shehad relationship problems and serious debt issues that she had ignored for along time.

Sue put her in touch with Christians Against Poverty and hopes Teigan will beable to pay off her debts within two years.

Her eldest child has been assessed in school and now attends the nurturegroup which offers small group support. Her second child had speech andlanguage difficulties but, since attending nursery, this has improvedconsiderably. Teigan used to struggle to keep her house tidy and clean but nowhas a good routine at home. She is saving to pay off her rent arrears so that shecan put her name on a housing transfer list.

@ONLINEFor more details seewww.pactcharity.org.

‘Sometimes even supporting

a family to take small steps

can have a dramatic effect.’

Countdown to Christmas with Timothy Bear - a children’s story for Advent

It was getting to the end of November.Timothy already knew that Christmascomes in December. Mrs Bear was

even working on her Christmas card list.Christmas had just been mentioned atschool when Miss Read started to talkabout putting on a Christmas play. Theolder children were performing a playabout a boy called Oliver.

Miss Read had told her class that theboy’s full name was Oliver Twist and hewas an orphan. He had to live with otherchildren who had no one to look afterthem, in an orphanage. ‘Look out,’ saidMiss Read, ‘for the bossy head of theorphanage, and look out for the mainfood served to the children. It’s a weakmixture of porridge that looks a bit likepale gravy and is called gruel.’

The choir sang a song called Food,glorious food. It was a song that imaginedlots of tasty foods to compare with thegruel. Timothy’s imagination ran riotwith the song. ‘Cold jelly and custard…’and Mrs Bear’s honey crumble and icecream. He could dream about all the

Christmas treats that awaited him,dreams that would become real.Timothy rubbed his tummy inanticipation—a tummy that bulged a bittoo much already. Mum had alreadymentioned that he shouldn’t becometoo tubby.

By this time, Oliver was movingtowards the boy playing the man incharge. ‘Please, sir,’ asked Oliver, ‘Iwant some more.’

‘More?!’ exploded the large man.Timothy Bear was left wondering if somepeople were still around who existed ondrab food like gruel. He thought againabout his tubby tummy and his need todo something about it. Then it suddenlyhit him. He would give up sweets andhoney until Christmas came. He reallywould.

At home that evening, Mrs Bear hassomething for him. He had completelyforgotten that it was the time for Adventcalendars. ‘These were the only onesleft in the shop,’ confessed Mrs Bear.‘They have a wrapped chocolate surprise

behind each picture. ‘Oh no!’ sighedTimothy, paw going to his mouth. ‘I’vegiven up sweets till Christmas.’ Heexplained what he had decided duringthe play at school.

‘Good,’ said Mrs Bear. You can keepthe chocolates in Grandma’s tin untilyou decide what to do with them.’ Whata good idea! The next morning it wasvery hard for Timothy not to unwrap hischocolate. Mum produced Grandma’stin and smiled encouragement asTimothy popped the chocolate in thetin. He’d already had his favourite cerealfor breakfast and didn’t feel hungry atall. ‘How things have changed since thedays of Oliver Twist,’ thought Timothyto himself.

Advent PrayerDear Lord Jesus, Advent is all aboutgetting ready for your coming into theworld. Help us to celebrate the joy of yourbirth each day this Advent. Amen

This is an edited extract from Countdown toChristmas with Timothy Bear, by Brian Sears.Reproduced with permission of Barnabas.

THE Door hasthree copies ofCountdown toChristmas withTimothy Bear,by Brian Sears,to give away.

To stand achance ofwinning simplysend your nameand address toDiocesanChurch House,North HinkseyLane, Oxford,OX2 0NB to reach us no later than Friday,December 3.

To see more Christmas books for childrensee www.brfonline.co.uk. BRF’s Christmascampaign is to donate 10 per cent of thecover price of all books sold toCompassion’s child survival programme. Theprogramme supports mothers in developingcountries, helping them to ensure theirchildren survive the early years when they aremost vulnerable to disease and malnutrition.

Win a book of bedtime stories

FeaturetheDoor8

Ensuring disabled people canfeel part of churchcommunities is not about thelaw but about the Gospel.While it’s important that

churches do as much as possible toabide by disability legislation regardingaccess, it’s more important that they aremaking an effort to get to welcome inpeople with a range of disabilities.

To help with this, the Diocese ofOxford has appointed Wendy Bryant asa disability adviser. Earlier this year shewrote the document Welcome, Inclusion,Respect – A commitment to a church open toall. Wendy says: “You can’t just talk about‘disabled people.’ You can have 20people with different levels ofimpairment living very different livesand maybe some not consideringthemselves as disabled.

“When people think about disabilitythey often think about wheelchair accessbut 20 per cent of the population aredisabled and only seven to eight percent of disabled people are wheelchairusers.

“It’s about moving on from makingchurches accessible and looking at whatdisabled people can contribute indifferent ways. From one perspectivethere is no such thing as a disabledperson.”

A big part of Welcome, Inclusion, Respectis about how to include people withdisabilities in normal church life, takingthe time to build relationships withthem.

“Many people who may be disabled

want to be welcomed and valued for whothey are. They may not want to be madea special case because of their disability,”says Wendy.

“For some groups with very specificconditions, such as deaf people orpeople with learning disabilities,specialist churches or congregationshave been developed so that theyworship in a place that meets theirparticular need.

“Our chaplains among deaf peoplehave served these communities for manyyears. The church is also trying to moveon and make its mainstream ministrymore accessible and more inclusive, sothat we can all be involved in Christianlife together.”

For those churches who are wanting tothink about how they can be more openor accessible to people with disabilities,the diocese is offering an access auditwhich Wendy and her team of volunteerscan carry out.

The Revd Helen O’Sullivan, AssistantCurate in the Chinnor, Sydenham, AstonRowant and Crowell Benefice, had anaudit carried out at St Andrew’s,Chinnor. She says: “It was carried out bya marvellous group of people who wereincredibly practical. Sometimes yourbest intentions, (for example, makingsure someone in a wheelchair can sit atthe front so that they can see properly)might not be the best thing to do.Maybe they would prefer to sit half waydown the church with their friends, so itwould be helpful to make sure people inwheelchairs can sit in the main body ofthe church.”

The group also suggested signage beimproved, which was a simple, low-costexercise that Helen said the church didusing picture frames they found instorage. “Our church is open all thetime during the week, but if you go tothe west door it is locked. We put signs

up advising people to go to the northdoor.

“If you are local and know the churchthat’s fine, you’ll know where to go, butwithout the signs, someone visiting for afuneral, or just coming to see thechurch, wouldn’t know where to get in.

“That was tremendously helpfulbecause when you come to the churchyou are used to it and don’t see itthrough the eyes of visitors.”

Another suggestion was changing theplace where Holy Communion isdistributed. Helen says: “The High Altaris at the end of a very long, narrowchancel, with the choir singing on bothsides. I think the person who suggestedchanging this was thinking aboutsomeone on the autistic spectrumfinding it threatening or intimidating,but it could be difficult to come tocommunion for anyone who is feeling abit shy, vulnerable or wobbly. “We wantto give people the message that they arewelcome and we want them to come tothe altar.”

One item Helen says she would love toremove from the church is a hugewooden lectern, carved in the shape ofan eagle, which she has nicknamed BigBird. She says: “It is very beautiful andwas a generous gift, the problem is it’shuge and obscures people who arereading. It makes it harder to hearpeople, and means it’s difficult foranyone with hearing problems to lipread.”

Wendy would be really pleased to hearfrom anyone interested in finding outmore. To contact her [email protected].

Ensuring disabled people can feel part of Christian communities is not about the law but aboutthe Gospel. Jo Duckles reports on how the Diocese can support churches in helping thembecome accessible and on meeting the spiritual needs of the disabled.

Church: acce

@Welcome, Inclusion, Respect can bedownloaded fromwww.oxford.anglican.org/social-justice/just-care/welcome-inclusion-respect.html

ONLINE

‘From one perspective there’s

no such thing as a disabled

person.’

The Equality ActOver recent years we have become familiar with the DisabilityDiscrimination Act 1995 (DDA), which gave us a broad definition of“disability” and introduced measures to improve access to servicesfor disabled people. The Equality Act, which came into force on 1stOctober supercedes the DDA, as it contains all the measures of thatlaw, in addition to some new ones.

The Equality Act has had some criticism for being “politicalcorrectness gone mad” but it is important to understand that itspurpose is to outlaw discrimination against people who may be atrisk of being marginalised or treated unfairly. In relation to disability,changes include new provisions on direct discrimination;discrimination arising from disability; harassment; victimisation, andindirect discrimination. The act introduces new measures relating todiscrimination by association. There are significant changes to thelaw around questions which can be asked about disability or healthconditions during recruitment, which are important for churches tounderstand if they are employing administrators, musicians, youthworkers etc. Further information is available fromwww.equalities.gov.uk or the www.edf.org.uk.

Coming soon: The Joy Place

THE J.O.Y. Place is a new ministry, set to launch this monthat St Andrew’s Church, Oxford. It aims to provide a placefor people with learning disabilities and their friends and

families to find loving support and a safe environment fornurturing a growing knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, JesusChrist.

J.O.Y stands for Jesus, Others and You. It aims to be a placewhere Jesus is worshipped by you through Bible teaching,singing, prayer and fellowship. The meetings take place on thefirst Sunday of every month 2.30 to 3.15pm, with tea andbiscuits afterwards.

Anita Saunders, who works with learning disabled people, isone of the leaders. She said: “My husband and I got togetherwith another couple who wanted to start something and now wejust want to make sure people hear about it and come. We’vebeen dropping flyers off at day centres to let people knowabout it.”

For more information see www.joyplace.org.uk.

The Son is a proactive,provocative anduncompromisingnewspaper which aims toput Jesus back at thecentre of society.

Written and presented in aneasy to read tabloid style,based on the UK’s biggestcirculation newspapers, TheSon is an ideal tool to reacheveryone.

As well as up-to-the-minutenews, showbiz and sport fromthe paper, we bring you someuplifting testimonies andinsight from The Son’s brilliantteam of columnists.

The Christmas edition of TheSon is available now andincludes stories on MandySmith, Sinitta, Gary Busey,Asamoah Gyan, ClintDempsey, Ugo Monye andmany more.

It’s an ideal tool for outreach.Why not use The Son toreach your community?

Order your copies today:www.theson.org.ukor call The Son hotline on01752 225623.

‘Enjoyed the paper - looksgreat. Well done!’

Jeremy VineBBC Radio 2

The Son.We love him!

DECEMBER 2010

essible to all?

THE main hall at Church MissionSociety was packed with parents,carers, clergy and professionals

who work with people with learningdisabilities during the conference IsThere a Place for Me?

The event, organised by DiocesanDisability Adviser Wendy Bryant, startedwith an address by Hazel Morgan, of theFoundation for People with LearningDisabilities, and Pat Charlesworth, whoherself has a learning disability. Pat wasincluded on an advisory committee tothe Spirituality Programme at theFoundation.

Pat was asked about how churches caninclude people with learning disabilities.She said: “An individual church needsto get to know people with learningdisabilities and find out from them whatit is like for them to come to church;how well do they understand? Do theyfeel part of it? Everybody will bedifferent and will need differentsupport.

“The church leaders might need tothink about how they communicate –for example using plain language, largeprint. Sometimes people need picturesor objects.

“Churches need to provide practicaland emotional support. Please do notassume that if people do not have wordsthey do not have feelings. People shouldbe actively encouraged to be more fullymembers of the church if they want to.They might want to involve people inbeing servers, doing the readings,welcoming, doing the collection.

“It is important not to assume thatpeople can’t do things. They need tomake sure the person can understandthe teaching: for example, when theyare confirmed.”

She called on churches to take aleading role in tackling the lack ofunderstanding that exists about the livesof people with learning disabilities. Shesays: “We should be treated as peoplefirst. Each diocese should have a groupof people with learning disabilitiesworking with the church to make thingsmore equal.”

Hazel pointed out that Article Nine ofthe Human Rights Act 1998 states thatpeople should have freedom of religiousexpression. She says: “We held a seminaron religion and spirituality. One youngman said he went to church when he

was living with his family but when hemoved into a residential home there wasno one to take him. In contrast, Sally,aged 27, had two staff where she livedeach week. She was included and shewas able to hand out books at the door.”

Hazel outlined research carried out in1999 that revealed how importantspirituality was to people with learningdisabilities, highlighting how churchattendance promoted emotional wellbeing. This report also considered theimportance of full inclusion in society.Listening to people’s spiritual needs wascrucial in seeking to overcomeinjustice,” she added.

Is there a place for me?

Key points:•Get to know people and ask them

what they want and need

•Make sure that you communicate in away that is good for the person

•Make sure the church is acccessibleand friendly

•Enable people to contribute in a waythey would like

•Enable people with learningdisabilities to have a voice for thediocese

•Fight with them for social justice.

‘Please do not assume that if

people do not have words

they do not have feelings.’

When speech and languagetherapist Margaret Parkerretired she knew she didn’t

want to throw away 35 years of skills andexperience.

So she contacted disability charityProspects about how she could helppeople with learning disabilities inchurch. That was 14 years ago and sincethen Margaret and her husband Dennishave founded Tuesday Special atGreyfriars, Reading - a congregation ofup to 50 people with learning disabilitiesand often their carers.

“At first we advertised it and nothinghappened. We sat there and no onecame. Then the manager of a trust forpeople with learning disabilities broughtsome people along. There were four orfive of us in a small room, usingresources from Causeway Prospects.

“From that moment on we began tosee that if we presented things reallyclearly and simply that actually people’sspiritual sides were really there.

“It was amazing. There were peopleI’d been involved with in myprofessional career and I’m ashamed totell you I thought there was nothingthere and I suddenly saw in their eyesand bodies something mostremarkable.”

They began to adapt Makaton, asimplified form of sign language used tohelp people with learning disabilities,for spiritual expressions and now have aDVD containing 17 worship songs usingsimple language and simple tunes.”

The meetings start with refreshmentsand go on to prayer and worship and atalk involving drama or a fun activity.Dennis says: “We are amazed how keenthey are to suggest things we need topray for. Some of them are really gettingthe gift of praying. We then have moreworship and close with a cold drink. Theevening starts at 7.15pm and is sopopular that some of the carers are evenstaying to enjoy worship. We have morecarers than is necessary and some ofthem ask us some deep questions.

Margaret added: “A lot of the people

we get have been to Sunday School andit’s astounding what they learnt there. Iwish the Sunday School teachers, whoprobably thought nothing had gone in,could see the results of their work.”

Pictured above is a celebration held byReading based disability charity Prospects.Prospects aims to help provide Christianteaching to groups for people with learningdisabilities. Tuesday Special was set up withthe help of Prospects. For more informationsee www.prospects.org.uk.

9

Tired of WatchingChristians Living BrokenLives? Learn How You

Can Change That!

www.NeverEverTheSame.com/training

Ellel Ministries +44 (0) 1252 797 340

Award winning

church furniture makers

Makers of the revolutionary Canterbury and York Lecterns

www.fullersfinerfurniture.co.uk

CHURCH PEWSUNCOMFORTABLE?

WHY NOT TRY SAFEFOAM’S TOP QUALITYUPHOLSTERED FOAM PEW CUSHIONS?

www.safefoam.co.uk Freephone 0800 015 44 33Free Sample Pack of foam & fabrics sent by first class mail

When phoning please quote TD1210

Safefoam, Green Lane, Riley Green,Hoghton, Preston PR5 0SN

SEEKS NEW MANUSCRIPTS IN

ALL SUBJECTSFor an appraisal contact Melrose Books (Ref:TD )

St Thomas' Place, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 4GG

Telephone: 01353 646608

Email: [email protected]

MELROSE BOOKSEstablished 1969

NATIONALFRUITSPECIALISTS

FREE SPECIALIST CATALOGUE AVAILABLE

Over 300 apple varietieson M26 (8ft) and many on M27 (4ft)

Patio Trees, Upright Cordons, Family Trees of Cherry, Plum, Apple, Pear, Peach and so much more!

Send for latestCatalogue loads of offers

DEACONS NURSERYGodshill, Isle of Wight PO38 3HW

01983 840750 (24hrs)Tel: 01983 522243 Fax: 01983 523575Email: [email protected]

or visit our websitewww.deaconsnurseryfruits.co.uk

10 Advertisement Feature theDoor DECEMBER 2010

(TD 12/10)

Travel InsuranceArranged for The Door Readers

0116 272 0500Authorised & regulated by the F.S.A.

ANNUAL TRAVEL INSURANCE

CARHIRE

FT TRAVELINSURANCE

Fully Comprehensive Travel Insurance foranyone up to 85 years of age.

SUPERB ANNUAL MULTI TRIP COVER available with most pre-existing medical conditions accepted.

NNoo MMaaxx AAggee LLiimmiitt FFoorr SSiinnggllee TTrriipp CCoovveerr mmaaxx 11 yyeeaarr dduurraattiioonn && uupp ttoo1100kk ccaanncceellllaattiioonnss..

For more information anddetails please call ~

Insurance

LanzarotePlaya Blanca

Affordable family villa

Budget Ryan Airflights now available

Tel 01454 260619www.lanzarotevilladirect.co.uk

Luxury 3 bed villa (all ensuite) Sleeps 6/8, near

Carvoeiro. Own pool,all mod cons. Situated onPestana Golf Resort. Golf,

Tennis, Outdoor bowls.FFuullll ddeettaaiillss aanndd bbrroocchhuurree::

BBrriiaann CChhaammbbeerrss

ALGARVE

iinnffoo@@ccaassaa--oolleeaannddeerr..ccoo..uukkwwwwww..ccaassaa--oolleeaannddeerr..ccoo..uukk

Tel: 02380 265 683

Holidays Abroad

CrantockAnneth Lowen, a North Cornish HolidayCottage. Sleeps 7 plus cot. 8 minuteswalk from beach. Great for families,art groups, walkers. Available all year.

Short breaks or holidays.See website for details

www.crantockholidayhome.org.uk or call 01494 528305.

SHERBORNEShort breaks in DorsetElegant, spacious, 2 bed,

apartment in listed buildingclose to Abbey Church.

Open all year.Please ring for brochure:

01404 841367

Holidays At Home

With Christmas fast approaching it’s time to startthinking about next year’s holidays.

There are plenty of early-bird teaser offers from the bigtravel companies but if you are planning to book with asmaller holiday provider – such as a bed and breakfast or avilla in the Mediterranean – you should ensure that youreserve your holiday as early as possible to avoiddisappointment.

However, even before the summer there’s time for a winterbreak or a week in the springtime in the UK.

Walking holidays are great, particularly in the springtimeand early summer before the schools break up. With fewerpeople around there is always the opportunity to spot birdsand wildlife as you walk.

If the weather does take a turn for the worse there areplenty of places still open to visit from cathedrals to statelyhomes and ruins.

If you are travelling abroad check the validity of yourpassports at least one month before departing on your holiday

Looking forward to thatwell earned holiday

If you have less than six months validity itis advisable to re-new. With a month tospare you would have time to process this.

The weight allowance on flights,especially holiday charters, appears to bedecreasing as the years go by, with 15kgsbeing the norm more often than not.Therefore, when you are purchasing yournext set of cases it would make sense to buya 'lightweight'cloth style case, or sports bag,which weigh very little. The solid plastic'Bubble Cases' although sturdier, can weighup to 5kgs on their own.

The weight allowance saved by changingyour cases will give you extra for those allimportant additional items of clothing. Itis also possible to buy ‘hand held’ suitcasescales to avoid any embarrassing unpackingat check in!

When dressing for your flightremember to avoid wearing big heavyshoes, belts or hats. These have to beremoved whilst going through security andslow you down if you are late for yourflight, which could result in you missing it!

TToo aaddvveerrttiissee iinn TThhee DDoooorr

CCaallll 0011775522 222255662233


WWEEDDNNEESSDDAAYY 11 DDEECCEEMMBBEERR

EARLEY: Reading VocationsFellowship meeting at St NicolasChurch, Earley RG6 7JN from7.45pm to 9.30pm. ‘The work of ahospital/hospice chaplain’ by TheRevd Rachel Wadey. Details 01865208291.

FFRRIIDDAAYY 33 DDEECCEEMMBBEERR

PRESTWOOD: Holy Trinity Church,HP16 0HJ ‘From Power to Prison toPeace’ at 7.30pm. An evening withJonathan Aitken (former CabinetMinister, MP and ex-prisoner). Tickets£5 from 01494 863627.

OXFORD: St Giles are holdingweekly Taizè worship on Fridays from1.15pm - 1.45pm. All welcome.

SSAATTUURRDDAAYY 44 DDEECCEEMMBBEERR

AYLESBURY: St Mary’s Church areholding their Christmas musicalevening at 7.30pm. Tickets from01296 437641.

WITNEY: ‘Nativity News’ - aChristmas concert with a wide rangeof seasonal music at TheCongregational Church, WitneyOX28 6JF at 7.30pm and on Sunday5 December at 6.30pm. Details01993 771452.

MILTON KEYNES: Music andMessage with Steve Clifford at TheChurch of the Servant King, Furzton,MK4 1NA. Details www.musicandmessage.org.uk

WINKFIELD: ‘Voices, Bells andInstruments at Christmas’ - Acelebration of Christmas to be held atSt Mary’s Church at 7.30pm. Details01344 882918.

GREAT MISSENDEN: ‘Countdownto Christmas’ presented by GreatMissenden Choral Society at theParish Church at 7.30pm. Detailsand tickets from 01494 863581.

OXFORD: ‘Christmas Concert forHeroes’. Christ Church Cathedralcharity concert in aid of the SSAFA(soldiers, sailors, airmen and familiesassociation) at 8pm.Details 02920230 130.

MMOONNDDAAYY 66 DDEECCEEMMBBEERR

OXFORD: Christ Church Cathedral -Kimmie Rhodes Christmas Concertat 8pm. Tickets from 01865 305305.

TTUUEESSDDAAYY 77 DDEECCEEMMBBEERR

OXFORD: The Council of Christians

and Jews are holding a film night anddiscussion at 7.30pm at OxfordJewish Centre, Richmond Road,Oxford. Details 01865 343309.


TILEHURST: St Mary Magdalen areholding a Christmas concert with theReading Concert Singers at 7.30pm.Details 0118 9425290.

TTHHUURRSSDDAAYY 99 DDEECCEEMMBBEERR

ALDERMASTON: The York NativityPlay will be performed in St Mary theVirigin Church at 8pm. Also at 8pmon 10 December and 7pm on 11 and12 December. Email [email protected] for free tickets.

SSAATTUURRDDAAYY 1111 DDEECCEEMMBBEERR

CHALGROVE: Christmas Concert byCommotio at St Mary’s Church at7.30pm. Details 01865 890392.


READING: St Agnes are holding aChristmas concert with the ReadingConcert Singers at 7.30pm. Details0118 9425290.


FINGEST: Hambledon Valley, nearHenley. Healing service with laying onof hands and anointing at Holy

Communion at 10.15am Details01491 571231.

SSUUNNDDAAYY 1199 DDEECCEEMMBBEERR

ABINGDON: St Helen’s Church areholding a carol service at 4.30pm.

OXFORD: St Andrew’s Church,Linton Road are having Carols byCandlelight at 5pm and 7.30pm.Details 01865 314849.

OXFORD: Christ Church Cathedralare hosting a performance of MichaelMorpurgo’s Christmas story ‘OnAngel Wings’ at 2.30pm. Ticketsfrom 01865 305305.

TILEHURST: St Mary Magdalen areholding a Christmas carol service at6pm.


ABINGDON: St Helen’s Church areholding a Christingle service at 4pm.

WEST READING: Tilehurst StGeorge are holding a crib servicewith Christingles at 5pm.

TILEHURST: St Mary Magdalen areholding a crib service withChristingles at 3pm.

The DoorpostThe Doorpost is a free service for churches to advertise their events and is designed to be hung on churchnoticeboards. Please send your events to [email protected] or by post to Church House. Thedeadline for the next issue is 26 November 2010.

Courses, training, conferences & workshops in December 2010.

11

GLOBAL LINKS AND SHARING INMISSION: This day is part of theContinuing Ministerial Developmentprogramme and will be held on 1December at Diocesan ChurchHouse. The day is for anyone whosechurch has world links - or would likethem. It offers a chance to thinktheologically and practically abouthow we share in the life of churchesin other parts of the world - and howthis sharing in key to our mission andtheirs. Details and booking form [email protected]

INTRODUCTION TO THE BIBLE:This course aims to help participantsread the Bible with more

understanding and confidence. Itwill provide an overview of both Oldand New Testaments, and anintroduction to some of the differentkinds of material that they contain.The course is essential for thosestudying on the Oxford LMP and forLLMs in training, and will be helpfulfor those who are authorised topreach. It will also be of interest toanyone who is interested in findingout more about the Bible. Variousvenues and various dates - begins inJanuary (10 sessions all begin at7.15pm - 9.30pm). Details andbooking form from [email protected]

Courses & special events Sundays: 8am Holy Communion;10am Matins (coffee in PrioryRoom); 11.15am Sung Eucharist;6pm Evensong.Weekdays: 7.15am Morning prayer;7.35am Holy Communion; 1pm(Wednesday only) Holy Communion;6pm Evensong (Thursday SungEucharist 6pm).After Eight: Time to reflect, time topray. Contemporary liturgies for mindand spirit on Sundays at 8pm. Service of Nine Lessons andCarols: 23 December at 7.30pmand Christmas Eve at 3pm. Ticketsavailable in advance from Cathedral.Christmas Eve midnight Eucharist at11.30pm. Christmas Day: Matins at10am; Sung Eucharist at 11.15am.

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

Services at ChristChurch Cathedral

Performance of ‘On Angel Wngs’ at Christ Church Cathedral on 19 December

WWW.GILEAD.ORG.UK

Gilead Foundations Charityis a drug & alcoholrehabilitation centre basedin North Devon.

To find out more contactus at:

Gilead Foundations Charity,Risdon Farm, Jacobstowe,Okehampton, DevonEX20 3AJ

Tel:01837 851240

Fax:01837851520

WWW.CROSSRHYTHMS.CO.UK/DIRECT OR CALL 01782 251000

Hillsong - It's Christmas CD - £9.97

A Brooklyn Tabernacle Christmas CD - £9.97

Louie Giglio - The Twelve Words Of ChristmasDVD - £12.64

A Christmas SnowDVD - £14.49

Christmas - A Newsboys HolidayCD - £6.99

The Priests - NoelCD - £9.97

As Christ increasingly gets taken out

of Christmas in the UK...

...

12 Advertisement Feature theDoor DECEMBER 2010

December has arrived and already mostof our high streets will already be filledwith lights. In many cases celebrities willhave been brought in for the great switchon as retailers will be working as hard aspossible to increase their sales at a timewhen many people are fearful for theirfuture. Yes it's Christmas a time of yearthat seems to create as much in the wayof moral and spiritual arguments as itdoes create warmth, excess, caring andsharing.

Christmas creates a great time for families andcommunities to come together, to share specialmoments. The fact that most people take leave atthe same time really helps and if you are not in theretail business or essential services such asnursing, the chances are that you've quite a fewdays away from work to share with families andfriends. We remember those close to us by exchanginggifts and those in our wider circle by sendingcards. Many of us will have been careful to try andchoose charity cards although some recent newsreports suggest that in certain cases the namedcharity might receive less than 10% of yourspend. None the less at least they've beenthought of and funds raised that they wouldn'thave received in past years. If you haven't alreadypurchased your cards, you could look at buyingdirect from a charity shop, mail order from yourchosen charity or see if anyone is selling cards inaid of your church. Another option would be to justbuy a bargain box from a local retailer and thengive a donation to a charity of your choice.When Christmas is over don't throw your cards inthe bin, there are many ways that you can recyclethem. The most creative is to cut them up andmake into gift tags for next year or use them tocreate your own cards. If not take them to one ofthe many shops that collect them to raise fundsfor the Woodland Trust who use the money raisedto plant new trees. Even in your recyling bin they'll

be made into new paper or card, a process thatuses less energy than creating paper fromscratch.When it comes to buying gifts it can be difficult,but even with the current financial situation in thecountry there can be few of us who are worse offthan our brothers and sisters in third worldcountries. In fact the saying 'the man who haseverything' is more true than ever and decidingwhat gift to buy someone gets increasinglydifficult. All the more reason to choose a 'personal'gift, or even make one, rather than just throwingmoney at the situation. Traidcraft and other fairtrade organisations might well have a gift that isboth different and will help someone lessfortunate at the same time. The fair trademovement has come a long way and whilst itsnow a lot easier to pick up fairtrade chocolate inmajor supermarket chains do remember to lookinto your local Christian bookshop who'll probablyhave a range of appropriate Christian gifts. ANativity book for a young child, ChristianChristmas music for someone who might havelistened to Slade for one year too many, a DVDthat the whole family can sit and share or perhapsa Bible study guide to help someone on theirjourney through life for all of next year. You'd besurprised at the choices you'll find in these smallspecialist shops crammed to the brim with choiceand inspiration.Do you have a Christmas Tree at home? Thechances are that you've probably got one and ifyou haven't then there's possibly one at church.According to Wikipedia the tradition of the treewas established by Martin Luther as a Protestantcounterpart to the Catholic Nativity scene. Beforethat date it is accredited to St Boniface who cutdown the tree of Thor to disprove the legitimacy ofthe Norse gods to the townsfolk of Geismar inGermany. St Boniface saw a fir tree growing in theroots of an old oak tree and seeing it as a sign ofthe Christian faith said, “...let Christ be at the

centre of your households..." using the fir tree asa symbol of Christianity. The tree has long beendecorated with light, during the shortest days ofthe year, although now candles have beenreplaced in most households with safer electricaldecorations. We top our trees with an angelreminding us of Gabriel's message to Mary or astar to remind us of the journey of the wise men tothe baby Jesus.Candles are still used in the Christingle servicewhich many churches organise at this time of theyear and in so doing raise valuable funds for theChildren's Society. You may have attended andenjoyed such an event but do you know where itcame from and what it means? Christingle was established by the MoravianChurch in 1747 as a symbol of Christ's light andlove.In 1968 it was introduced in to the Church ofEngland by the Children's Society. Since then itspopularity as a community and family service hasincreased. Held from Advent to Epiphany, thisfestive celebration communicates the Christianmessage in an inspiring way to adults andchildren alike. The Christingle itself refers to the symbolic objectmade up of the following 4 components.An orange - representing the world, a red ribbon -indicating the blood/ love of Christ, a lightedcandle - symbolising Jesus, the Light of the Worldand four cocktail sticks bearing dried fruit orsweets - signifying the four seasons and the fruitsof the earth and God's good gifts.Christingle celebrations can take many differentforms from a large church service to a schoolassembly. The main element that is universal toall Christingle celebrations is the lighting ofChristingle candles.Over 6,000 Christingle Celebrations now takeplace each year raising in the region of £1.2million pounds, making it The Children's Society’slargest fundraising appeal.

Yes it's Christmas!

Tel:01373 462069

FeaturetheDoor DECEMBER 2010 13

A Wing and a prayer

WING is home to one ofthe finest Saxonchurches in the country.We begin our walk at AllSaints (1), which dates

from the 10th century.The church is remarkable for the fact

that it retains a Saxon nave, aisles andwest wall – and also the only completeAnglo-Saxon apse in England. As youapproach the church, you can see at thebase of the apse one of the windows thatgives light to the crypt below.

The interior, as Simon Jenkins puts itin his England’s Thousand Best Churchesretains the “lofty simplicity” of theearliest English churches. ThePerpendicular roof is a particularmasterpiece, covered with carvings of awhole cast of medieval characters. Closeinspection shows that many are playingearly musical instruments, such astrumpets, sackbuts and clarinets.

You may like to remember here all thehundreds of craftsmen involved in thecreation of this beautiful building overthe years. Pray for those who work hardto take care of the historic fabric of ourchurches today, especially when theyhave difficult decisions to make aboutrestoration and adaptation. Think, too,of our church musicians who give theirtime and talents to leading worship weekafter week. Thank God for the gift ofmusic.

The church is full of memorials placedby the Dormer family who came tonearby Ascott Hall in the 1520s. Theearliest of these is the grand monumentin the north aisle to Sir Robert Dormer,who died in 1552. It has a huge canopyon Corinthian columns over a tombchest with bulls’ heads.

In contrast, you can find in the southaisle a simple brass plaque to “honestold Thomas Cotes”, who was a porter atnearby Ascott Hall, and died in 1648. It

states that he has now left his key, fire,friends and all to find new room inHeaven. It warns us of our own death:“Reader, prepare for thine, for none cantell/ But that you two may meet tonight,Farewell.”

Here you may like to consider yourown preparedness for death. Spend afew moments remembering those whohave gone before us and shown us anexample of both how to live and how todie.

Walk through the churchyard to thekissing gate and follow the footpathacross the paddock into the pasture awayfrom the village. Wing came to fame inthe 20th century when the village wasone of the prime locations for the newLondon Airport. Thanks to thesuccessful “Wings off Wing” campaign,the community saw off the threat andHeathrow was instead expanded. Youmay like to reflect on our everexpanding transport needs and thedifficult and often unpopular decisionsthat have to be made. Pray for wisdomfor the Government, locally andnationally; and pray for the communitieswhere there is uncertainty over majorfuture developments, such as the highspeed rail link in Buckinghamshire.

Carry on walking until you are levelwith Acorn Farm (2), and take a leftturn, in line with the gap in the hedge.Carry on through two such gaps,keeping to the left of the hedge. Gostraight over the crossroads in the tracktowards the main Aylesbury Road(A418).

At the main road (3) cross over to thelayby, where there is a stile marking thefootpath on to Wingrave. Bear right andthen left into the village. Wingrave (4)is about half the size of its neighbour,Wing. Around the village you can see a

number of houses and cottagesconstructed in neo-Tudor style anderected by Hannah de Rothschild in the

19th century. These can be identified byher mark, “H de R” and were homes forher estate employees. The Rothschildsare everywhere in this part of the world:houses that they owned or built in theimmediate area include Ascott House inWing (now owned by the NationalTrust), Mentmore, (a few miles east),and Wingrave Manor (a Victorian halftimbered pastiche of Ascott).

The Rothschild empire is rich beyondimagining. You may like here to pauseand reflect on the divide between richand poor today. How do we as Christianstry to redress the balance, in our giving,in the choices we make in our buying?Remember those in your owncommunity who are struggling tomake ends meet as a result of thedownturn and the Government cuts.Pray for those in the wider world whodon’t know how they will feed theirfamilies today.

Wingrave is home to both a C of Eprimary school and a specialistMacIntyre school for children withcomplex learning difficlulties. Pray forall those involved in education today.Remember those parents who faceextreme challenges in finding theright schooling for their children.Pray for those who are heavilyburdened by their caringresponsibilities, that they will findrelief and the strength to go on indifficult circumstances.

As you leave Wingrave you have achoice: take the path north out of thevillage and head back towards Wingvia Lower Wingbury Farm (5), or, for

a longer walk, head east towards Crafton(6) and the Mentmore estate beforereturning to Wing.

The map below is reproduced withpermission of Ordnance Survey Mapping,

Crown Copyright

The final instalment in ourprayer walk series takes us tothe rural village of Wing inBuckinghamshire.

Jo Duckles visited Wing in thecompany of Christopher and AprilMabey. To hear them in discussionwith her about their life dividedbetween rural Buckinghamshire andBurma, download our prayer walkpodcast atwww.oxford.anglican.org/prayerwalks.

‘...reflect on the divide

between rich and poor

today’

1

2

3

4

5

6

Wingrave Church is pictured. Pic: Lee Waring

The 400th anniversary of theAuthorised version of the Bible willbe celebrated in 2011.

For some that provides a greatopportunity to celebrate a translationthat has inspired people through thecenturies and, more than any otherbook, has shaped the English language.

For others it provides the opportunityfor all of us to respond in new ways towhat those translators longed to seehappening, for people to understandthe Bible as a book for today. Biblefreshtouches on the former but focuses in anexciting, energising way on the latter. In144 pages, and a series of two and fourpage articles, it is full of ideas on how tobring the Bible to life both for those inour congregations and for those towhom it is completely alien territory.

Whether it is for children, or throughfilm, or in a variety of cultures, or

through different translations there areideas in abundance.

This is a book for Sunday Schoolteachers, home group leaders, preachersand teachers alike – as well as for thosewho read the Bible on their own andwant some fresh ideas. It is enormousfun – very readable and a greatcompanion to Bishop John’s Reading theBible – A Simple Guide. I warmlycommend it to you.

The Rt Revd Colin Fletcher is Bishop of Dorchester.

ArtstheDoor DECEMBER 201014

Freshening up scriptureBy Colin Fletcher

BiblefreshVarious writersAuthentic Media£4.88

BIBLEFRESH is a movement of churches, agencies, organisations, colleges and festivalswith a vision to re-ignite and re-enthuse the church in its passion for the Bible. For many inour churches the Bible has become tedious and toxic rather treasured, trusted and true. Theaim of the Biblefresh initiative is to encourage a greater confidence and passion forScripture across the Church.

The Biblefresh movement is asking churches to agree to raise the level of biblicalunderstanding amongst their members by taking practical steps in four areas: Reading,Training, Translation and Experience. Visit www..biblefresh.com to find out more and todownload free resources.

What is the Biblefresh movement?

York Nativity Play at Aldermaston

AS CHRISTMAS approaches nativity playsare being rehearshed in churches andschools across Oxfordshire, Berkshire andBuckinghamshire.

And once again the congregation at STMary the Virgin, Aldermaston inBerkshire will be putting on the YorkNativity Play. (Pictured above.)The playdates from 600 or 700 years ago and hasbeen performed in Aldermaston everyyear, for around half a century.

The show’s dress rehearsal takes place

at 8pm on Monday, December 6 withperformances following on Thursday,December 9 and Friday, December 10 at8pm, and Saturday and SundayDecember 11 and 12 at 7pm.

For free tickets send an SAE to: A & VHall, The Gables, Church Road,Aldermaston RG7 4LR or email:[email protected]. A collectionwill be taken at each performance forfunds for the parish church and forRiding for the Disabled.

PIc: Ange Boott

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you and thepower of the Most High will overshadow you.Therefore the child to be born of you will beholy; he will be called Son of God.” Luke1:35

These words will be read atthousands of Festivals ofNine Lessons and Carols

again this year, in great cathedralsand in tiny village churches. Thuswas the conception of Mary’s boychild predicted by the angelGabriel, and throughout the historyof the Church his words have beenthe touchstone of our beliefs aboutthe birth of Jesus.

This child was to be born of a‘virgin’. Her future husband,Joseph, would have no biologicalrole to play. The father of this childto be born, taking the words at facevalue, would be God himself; themother would be a young woman ofNazareth called Mary. For centuriesthe Church argued about andwrestled with the question of the‘nature’ of Jesus, and the result ofall that wrestling was the credalstatement which we recite week byweek. Jesus was incarnate ‘of theHoly Spirit and the virgin Mary andwas made man‘.

This is ’the faith of the Church;this is our faith’. Mostly we are ableto say the words and let theirawesome significance pass by. Butevery now and then, andparticularly perhaps at Christmas,we may find ourselves wonderingexactly what we do believe, andwhether it makes sense in themodern world. Of course you can’thave a virgin ‘birth’, if you thinkabout it.

What Christians profess is avirginal ‘conception’. A person whohas had a baby, like Mary, is not avirgin, even if, as she said to theangel, she was a virgin whenconceived. Even that raises manyproblems for people living in theera of modern genetics. ‘Do I haveto believe in the virgin birth to be aChristian?’ I have often been asked.I suppose the obvious answer is‘no’, because Christian faith isn’t amatter of ticking doctrinal boxes,and anyway it’s not impossible thatpeople like St Paul didn’t ‘believe’in it because he didn’t know aboutit - at least, it’s never mentioned inhis writings.

Yet for me, at least, it’s aninvaluable faith insight, if I can putit that way. How else could Iunderstand the amazing truth thatJesus is fully human and fullydivine - not half one and half theother, but a perfect fusion of twonatures? How else could Iunderstand what it means for Jesusto be the perfect mediator betweenhuman beings and their creator?

He can perfectly represent God tome, because he is divine, and hecan perfectly represent me to God,because he is perfectly human. Howthis came about biologically seemsless important than that it issplendidly and triumphantlytheologically true. Our Saviour, bornof Mary, is God and Man, humanand divine. ‘There is one God;there is also one mediator betweenGod and humankind, Christ Jesus,himself human’ (1 Timothy 2:5).

‘God was in Christ reconciling theworld to himself’ (2 Corinthians 5:19).That is the true story of Bethlehem andthat is the heart of Gabriel’s message toMary.

Canon David Winter is a former DiocesanAdviser on Evangelism, former BBC head ofreligious affairs, a broadcaster and author of manybooks.

Letters & commenttheDoor DECEMBER 2010

Searching for PsaltersSt.Mary's church, Chieveley near

Newbury is in dire need of copies of theCathedral Psalter.

We are fortunate to have a four partchoir of some 16 members, who singevensong once a month, plus of courseservices every Sunday and whose copiesof the Cathedral Psalter have long sincefallen into disrepair.

Enquiries made to the original printersand other suppliers have beenunsuccessful and it seems that thisparticular Psalter is no longer available tobuy as new. The choir would be happy toaccept second-hand copies in usablecondition.

If there is anyone out there reading thiswho can offer about 20 copies (for whichwe will of course be pleased to pay) couldthey please contact Gillian Martin on01635 200686 or [email protected] arrangecollection/delivery.

Bill MartinChieveley

LETTERS

Audio version

by Gid and Dawn Lacey

Live as if you will die tomorrow,farm as if you will live forever; sothe ancient wisdom says but a

glimpse at British agriculture in 2010shows an alarming influence from shortterm pressures. Undoubtedly theomnipotence of the major retailers hascaused a dysfunctional market for farmgrown commodities.

Generally for the last decade farmershave received less than the cost ofproduction for their produce. As adairy farmer not only am I producing aperishable commodity but also there isa very long production cycle. A cow ispregnant for nine months and thenher calf will need to grow for two orthree years until she is big enough tohave her own calf and give milk. Withthis background it is hard when thebank want to reduce the overdraft, butI guess that with such low returns thebank managers can see how difficult itis to make the repayments.

And what of the ever growing burdenof red tape? Much of the form fillingwe face is irrelevant and serves nopositive purpose so when is time to befound to deal with this?

Milking cows is like having a harvesttwice a day, 365 days a year and is agreat time for thanksgiving. Nothing istaken for granted even in today’s hi-tech world there is a thin line betweenplenty and not enough.

The great thing about startingmilking at 5.30am and the solitude inthe countryside is the awareness of thecreator. I find that this precious quiettime helps to calm my mind. A new calfis always a time of joy especially if Ihaven’t had to get up for a midnightcalving!

This spring and summer has seen theworst drought in the Oxford diocese inthe last thirty years. Forage stocks arelow, global feed costs are up 50 percent and if you view this against thefact that I’m receiving less money formilk than I was 15 years ago, it meansit’s going to be a long time until nextspring.

Gid and Dawn Lacey run Lacey’s FamilyFarm in Lane End, Buckinghamshire and

worship at St Mary the Virgin,Hambleden.

Comment

Thought forthe month

by David Winter

15

Sight impairedpeople can nowget a free audio

version of The Door bycontactingGraham

Winterbourne on01884 840285

Comings and Goings -The Revd David McLeod has taken uppost as Associate Minister atWokingham St Sebastian; The RevdJanet Binns has taken up post asCurate in Training at Eton, Eton Wickand Boveney and Dorney; The RevdSue Burchell has taken up post asPriest in Charge at Banbury StLeonard; The Revd Canon NickMolony will retire as Team Rector of

Great Marlow with Marlow Bottom,Little Marlow and Bisham; The RevdAndy Bell has resigned from post asTeam Vicar of Schorne Team. Thefollowing have been given persmissionto officiate: The Revd Fred Friend; TheRevd Tony Williams; The Revd AlanBignell; The Revd Derek Butler; TheRevd Kris Krame. We recall withsadness the deaths of The VenerableLeonard Tyler and The Revd NigelBryan.

Editor: Jo Duckles Tel: 01865 208227Email: [email protected] Assistant/Distribution: Debbie DallimoreTel: 01865 208225 Email: [email protected]: Roy Perring Tel: 01752 225623 Email: [email protected] for December 2011: Friday 26 November 2010.Published Monday 13 December 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 ONB. 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.

Farming in a recession

Dr Bainbridge from Oxfordshire;Stephen Cousins from Caversham andMrs Shakespeare from Slough were thewinners of the book prize draw in theNovember issue of The Door and haveall won a copy of ‘Ready, Steady, Slow’- An Advent Calendar to unwind with.

Competition Winners

@To find out more seewww.laceysfamilyfarm.co.uk

Fresco of the Anunciation, from church San Miniato al Monte, Florence. I:Stock

CRANMER AWARDSTHE winners or this year’s Diocesan heatof the Cranmer Awards have beenannounced.

The annual contests sees teenagersreading texts from the 1662 Book ofCommon Prayer. In the Senior Section,Henry Jenkinson of Abingdon School wasthe winner, with Timothy Foot of MagdalenCollege School coming second. HighlyCommended were Aznder Cornish-Mooreand Naim Pyeman, of Abingdon School,and Ely Sandler, of Magdalen CollegeSchool. In the junior section Bart Jenningsof Abingdon School came first andAlexander Dawkins of St Andrew’s,Pangbourne, came second. SophieRutledge, of SS Peter and Paul’s Church,Wingrave, was highly commended.

The two section winners were eachawarded a cash prize and along with thesecond placed entrants, a presentationPrayer Book. The first prize winners willnow represent the Oxford Diocese at theNational Final, in London in February, andwill be invited to read a lesson at theOxford Branch’s annual carol service.

IN BRIEF

ONLINE

LeadcraftLeadcraftStained Glass Studio

STAINED GLASS ARTISTSAND CRAFTSMEN

Traditional leaded lights made andrepaired.

Specialists in reproduction of hand paintedand decorative glass for windows and

doors and also internal window cleaningEcclesiastical and Residential

3 Malthouse Lane, Reading RG1 7JATel: 0118 956 8534 Fax: 0118 957 5865

www.leadcraftstainedglass.co.ukBy appointment only

TAYLORS(OF OXFORD)

AND ACCESSORIESClerical, Academic, Legal Wear

and Robemakers109 COWLEY ROADOXFORD OX4 1HU

TEL & FAX: (01865) 722022

• Cassocks • Collars • Surplices and Cottas • Albs • Stocks • Vergers and Preaching Gowns

• Preaching Scarves • Stoles • Hoods • Girdles and Cinctures • Shirts and much moreACADEMIC • LEGAL • CIVIC • ECCLESIASTICAL

ROBEMAKERS

www.taylorsofoxford.com

TToo aaddvveerrttiissee iinn TThhee DDoooorr CCaallll 0011775522 222255662233

God in the life of... theDoor DECEMBER 2010

REG was beaming as hewelcomed us to his home inBuckinghamshire and showed

us a photograph of himself and hislate wife, Jean, on a cruise theyenjoyed to celebrate their 50thwedding anniversary.

He proudly found anotherphotograph, taken near Lake Huronin Canada when he was 18 andtraining to fly. “I always wanted tofly so when I finished education at16 I joined the Air Training Corps,”says Reg, who was also working in ametal factory. When he turned 17 hejoined the RAF. However, to ateenager a 12-month wait for apilot’s course didn’t appeal, so hefound himself a quicker route to theskies by joining the Fleet Air Arm ofthe Royal Navy. He was sent toCanada to get his wings. On hisreturn he was selected for trainingin Scotland, to fly torpedo aircraft.

He was placed on the Ark RoyalIllustrious Aircraft carrier.

His role was to spot U boats andattack them. “We were in theAtlantic, going from Russia right theway down to Gibraltar. All of thattime I was flying a Swordfish.”

He met Jean in the ATC. “We’dhave get togethers and dances andthat’s where I met her. She was aprofessional dancer. When I met herI had two left feet, but we achieved agold medal standard in ballroom,”says Reg, who is now 86. “Jean wasstill dancing when she was 80.”

The couple married in London in1948 and luckily for them it was aglorious day as the church theychose still had large holes in the roof

from the bombings. After the war Regwent back to the metal companywhere he had previously worked.

Reg and Jean bought their firsthouse in Beaconsfield in 1961, onthe Wattleton Estate, and lived therefor 40 years, before moving to Reg’scurrent home. Jean died two yearsago, aged 83, just months after thecouple celebrated their 60thanniversary.

“She was a real live wire and wasdetermined to celebrate our 60th.We had a great life together. She wasa real party girl and never let anoccasion go.” he says. It was throughJean that Reg got involved inchurch. Every week she would headout to the Sunday morning service

and Reg admits that he would make excuses.He had moved on from the metal

company to work for Fairey Aviation,where he was promoted qualitymanager, looking after 70 staff. Hesays: “It was an intense job. I wasresponsible for the budget, for the hiringand firing, and all manner of things thatwere at a director’s level really.”

He explained how the 1970saircraft industry saw companiesworking together on projects, withone taking the lead and othersacting as sub-contractors. The workmeant he regularly travelled aroundEurope and occasionally the States.

“Every Sunday Jean was going tochurch and used to ask me if I wasgoing. I’d find jobs to do, likemowing the lawn or washing the car,but I had the wrong priorities and Ican see that now. When I retired in1990 they opened a care homebehind the church and they werelooking for volunteers. My wifevolunteered herself and myself torun the coffee morning there once aweek.

“We ran it for five years and itexpanded to become a whole day ofsetting up. We had 20 volunteersfrom the congregation and the vicarwould come. We got talking and Istarted going to church and then Irealised what I’d been missing andwhat Jean had been trying to let meinto. Jean hadn’t been confirmed sowe went for confirmation classes andwere confirmed together about fiveyears ago.”

He says he is seeing the value of aChristian faith even more now he ison his own. He recently joined in apilgrimage with Bishop John to theHoly Land, where he commemoratedthe second anniversary of Jean’sdeath on the shores of Lake Galilee.

He says: “I get so much comfortfrom Christianity in general andspecifically from going to services,and I get visitors from the church. IfI’m in town I’ll go and sit in thechurch for a quarter of an hour.”

World War Two fighter pilot, Reg Hall, spoke to JoDuckles about his faith, hiscareer and 60 happy years ofmariage and becoming aChristian later in life.

16

A real high flyer

Pic: Debbie Dallimore

Personal Assistant Required forretired educator, in CentralOxford, 4 1/2 hrs. every fortnight.Absolutely no nursing - we worktogether. Pleasant atmosphere;pay increase after 2 months. Twoimpeccable ref.’s required.01865-722-087

Documents

#219 : December 2010