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Issued by Anna McCrum, Diocesan Communications Officer. The next Link Group Update will be issued in September.
A major Vision for Action event will take place in St Albans Cathedral on 24 February 2007. A planing group is being established and will be led by the Revd Charles Royden, vicar of St Mark's, Bedford. John Kiddle will be in touch soon to discuss how the Link Group can help to shape this event.
News of a new Fund aimed at resourcing mission throughout the Diocese will be sent out in pamphlet form soon. The Fund consists initially of approximately £260,000. In addition to a contribution from the Archbishops' Council the Diocese has transferred £100,000 from reserves to boost the Fund. Parishes, deaneries or other diocesan bodies will be able to apply for an award using a standard application form which requires a costed budget with at least 50% funded from other sources. More information will be available soon.
Please do keep looking at the Vision for Action pages of the website for news and resources. This e-mail is also uploaded each month here: http://www.stalbans.anglican.org/visionforaction/linkgroup.htm I would be very grateful if you could also send stories through to me to add to the site and for use in other communications.
The Diocese has signed up to this extremely useful web tool. The web address is: http://www.achurchnearyou.com/ Each parish in the diocese has an entry with initially only basic information. At present I am the 'owner' of most of the pages but I am encouraging every parish in the Diocese to register so that I can transfer 'ownership' to allow parishes to input more detailed information. This is an excellent mission tool so please do encourage all parishes in your deanery to appoint someone to register.
The Bishop of Bedford, the Rt Revd Richard Inwood, took part in the first of a series of mission weekends in parishes recently, visiting the Ouzel Valley Team Ministry in Bedfordshire. There were two main parts to the event. One was a youth sleepover where the Bishop did a question and answer session with the 10 -13 year group. Bishop Richard said, "they asked me anything and everything from what was my favourite colour (blue - not purple!) to some very serious questions about what I actually did and why I did it." Then following supper the Bishop had a second session with the 14 - 18 + years group at which he did a brief introduction about the relationship between science and religion. On the Sunday there was a combined service for all the five churches in the team in All Saints, Leighton Buzzard on the theme 'Fit for Life'.
Parishes wishing to book the Bishop for a weekend should contact him on 01234 831432 or bishopbedford@stalbans.anglican.org
Last year, together as parishes and schools we raised over £50,000 for our harvest appeal for Bangladesh.
For this year's Bishop's Harvest Appeal, the Diocese is going to be supporting TEDDO, part of the Anglican Church in Uganda and a Christian Aid partner. "TEDDO is making a huge impact on individuals' lives in a troubled part of Uganda," explained Jonathan Ellis, the voluntary world development adviser for the Diocese. TEDDO supports refugees from the north of the country, who are unable to return home, by giving them tools and seeds so that they feed themselves and make a living.
This year as part of our 'Seeds of Peace' appeal there is an expanded array of resources, which are being sent both to our parishes and schools. For more information contact Jonathan by e-mail jonathan.ellis@stalbans.anglican.org.
As in previous years there is a panel of speakers to help with this appeal. If you are interested in booking a speaker, please contact Valerie Geldard: vgeldard@stalbans.anglican.org or 01727 851 748.
Over £44, 000 was raised in 2005. It is time to book the date in your diary for this year - 1 December. Charities that will benefit this year are: Dacorum Emergency Night Shelter, North Herts Sanctuary, Open Door St Albans, and Stevenage Haven. Registration forms are now available from the Diocesan website: www.stalbans.anglican.org or from Val Geldard on 01727 851748.
Provided by Helen Hutchinson of the Europe Group (http://www.stalbans.anglican.org/churchandsociety/europegroup.htm )
The German Protestant Church has produced a new website giving extensive information on new as well as traditional forms of worship. It has been prepared by German liturgical specialists. New worship ideas can be found on the Projekte page at www.gottesdienste.de
The July issue of the CCU Bulletin (which can be downloaded from the St Albans Diocese Europe Group website - see above) reports that many exciting developments are taking place in Germany and it focuses on two projects in east Germany:
Provided by Jane Garner, Links Correspondent
The Diocese supports with prayer, correspondence and a small Christmas gift 16 mission partners in different parts of the world. They work in Asia, Africa and South America in a variety of roles: parish responsibilities, language teaching, administration, hospital work, land reform and sharing of skills such as computer training, Aids work and much else.
Highlights from Partners' Newsletters:
Roger and Miranda Bowen in Bujumbura, Burundi. Roger teaches at the Matana Institute of Theology and tells us "There are 5 students in the final year, none in the 2 nd year and 4 in the first year." The new President of Burundi's name "means "Good News" in Kirundi so please pray that he will be just that for this nation". Miranda works in health care. "She and her colleague Eularie have been distributing seed potatoes to Aids sufferers to help them raise an income to buy medicines..."
Alan and Maelynn Ellard in Thailand are ready to focus on the House of Grace, an orphanage for Aids affected children in Chantaburi, south east of Bangkok. Maelynn sent an urgent email on 29 June to ask for prayer for a special meeting due to take place on 1 July to decide on new building proposals for the orphanage "Please pray that His Holy Spirit will guide us as we make important decisions concerning the contractor...building phases... final building price...Praise God that over the past year over £180,000 has already been donated...Pastor Kitisak...and the House of Grace team thank you for your continued support and prayers - these truly mean so much to us all."
Alison Fletcher in Uganda where she works as a physiotherapist at Kiwoko Hospital, has just returned after 6 months in the UK. Some members of CPWM met her during her stay and heard about her work. Now she writes "I plan to spend the first month looking and watching, to see what has changed and particularly what Emma and Moses (her colleagues) have been up to with our patients...I'll be busy in other ways though, what with unpacking, cockroach-killing and catching up with the hospital news...A massive thankyou to all I've stayed with, holidayed with, and talked with since December...it has been a huge encouragement..."
The Diocesan Ministry Development website has a listing of forthcoming training events: http://stalbansmindev.org.uk/trainings.php
Sandy will be hosting the Growing Together in Christ Course beginning in September. More details from the Revd Derwyn Williams, the parish priest (01767 680512).
BELIEF is a new venture, piloted at the end of last year and the beginning of this, and coming 'on stream' in a major way from autumn 2006. There are two main arms to its work. One is that it will run a number of courses on specific topics. They are open to anyone, but are also recognized by different denominations as preparation for specific ministries in the church. The second is that BELIEF is willing to work with churches and groups within them who want to be better equipped to be Christian, perhaps by thinking about some aspect of the Christian faith or thinking through a topic such as how we better do mission in contemporary culture. The courses organized for the autumn are:
For further details, including of times, venues and costs, please contact BELIEF'S Director, Revd Dr Stephen Heap, on 07746 014 921 or c/o St Andrew's Church Office, Kimbolton Rd., Bedford MK40 2PF.
You are also warmly invited to the BELIEF launch service, which will include the commissioning of Stephen as Director, on Sunday September 10 at 6.30p.m. at St Luke's Church, St Peter's Street, Bedford.
The Diocese recently held three workshops on 'Making the Most of Your Church Building'. A total of 70 attendees representing 30 parishes came along. Feedback has been positive.
Geoff Fletcher, the Diocesan Stewardship Officer, will be at: Little Berkhamsted and Bayford, Essendon and Ponsbourne on 23 July, Houghton Regis PCC on 5 September, Kempston, Church of the Transfiguration on 17 September, Croxley Green, St Oswald's PCC on 19 September and on Wilbury 24 September.
Contact Geoff if your parish needs help with stewardship: gfletcher@stalbans.anglican.org or 01727 818141.
Provided by Jane Chipperton. Diocesan RE Adviser.
Since the publication of The Way ahead in 2001, church schools and dioceses have been challenged to address a number of issues. The statements of intent included:
In an interview with Rev. Simon Cutmore in June, Jane Chipperton, Diocesan RE Adviser, talked about the relationship between the church school and the parish, before, during and after the Buncefield explosion.
When he first came to the parish, Simon contacted the schools aiming to support the staff pastorally as well as taking acts of worship, helping with visits to the local church and taking RE lessons. He sees that he has an important role with school staff and has developed a particularly close relationship with the local church school. Little things, like dropping into the staff room to say hello; taking in a box of chocolates during Ofsted; having meals with the head; making time to talk off the record, can build up a good rapport with school staff, particularly when schools have so many issues to deal with. He wants to show the school he cares.
Simon is able to draw on his experience in youth work when working with young people in the parish and school; so many things he does with the school come naturally. He also tries to build a meaningful relationship with pupils in the school. He sees that his involvement may impact on their journey of faith. As he walks down the street, many will stop and call hello.
After a change in the time of assembly, Simon was able to start a surgery for parents who want a chat and book occasional offices. Pupils attend acts of collective worship and may make connections with church through Simon's use of symbol, music, colour and liturgy. The colours of the church year are expressed when dressing up pupils and preparing the assembly table; each assembly begins with ' The Lord be with you' followed by the collect of the day. Pupils may sit on the floor, so Simon often joins them at their level. Simon is able to plan acts of worship with the school and emphasizes the need for pupils to feel involved in preparing the table, reading, singing, performing a drama and lighting and blowing out the candle. Appropriate links are made with festivals from other faiths, particularly during Advent and Epiphany. Notices are kept separate from the act of worship.
Outside school, the parish prays for the school and teachers by name and invites the school into church, particularly at the end of year for the Leaver's assembly.
When the explosion happened at Buncefield on Sunday 11 December 2005, Simon was immediately involved with the parishioners and Leverstock Green school. The school had suffered enormous damage and Simon was able to support the head, caretaker and staff as well as the families affected by the blast. As the parish had an established relationship with the school, it helped the whole community as they worked and prayed together.The support continues. The physical signs have been removed and repaired, but the memories and loss continues. The headteacher, Alan Phair, secretary and staff speak highly and very warmly of Simon's involvement with their school. They are making plans for the future. What can be done to enhance the distinctive character of the school? They have ideas and it will be wonderful to see what happens next in this partnership between church and school.
What are we grasping? All that there is to Grasp in our relationship with God...Hope, love, vision, opportunity, the Gospel, the mission. This is a call for young people to make a difference in their community, but the starting point is our relationship with God which empowers us. Dates: 30 September at St Luke's, Watford; 14 October at Christ Church, Bedford; 18 November at St Mary's, Luton, 25 February at St Peter's, Stevenage. To find out more or book a place contact the Diocesan Youth Service - Julie Reeves on 01727 818160 or admin@voicemail.co.uk
A 24hour, ecumenical event for young adults aged 16 - 25 year olds. Friday 15th - Saturday 16th September, 7pm to 7pm!
Supporting young people who feel called to lead and share their faith with other young people. Venue: SPEC, London Colney.
Chellington, the Diocesan youth residential centre in north Bedfordshire, is heavily booked across weekends, with only a few left for 2006. If you hear of groups talking about making a booking for next year, please encourage them to get in touch with Ann Green and discuss their needs early. 01727 818168 or admin@reachoutprojects.org.uk
A great way for house groups, youth groups, clergy away days. Spaces left for September and October. Centrally heated boats, so you won't get cold! Talk to Ann Green on 01727 818168 or admin@reachoutprojects.org.uk
Diane Wearne, Diocesan Child Protection Officer and Ann Murkin (who sits on the Child Protection management committee) will be offering child protection training on Saturday 30th September 9.00am for 9.30 start finishing at 1.00. The venue is the Holy Cross Church, Marsh Farm, Luton. There will be a £5.00 charge for each delegate attending. Anyone interested in attending should contact Diane on 01462 421622 - e.mail childprotection@stalbans.anglican.org or Ann Murkin on 01582 752296 e.mail annmurkin@yahoo.co.uk