#172 May 2006

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2 THE DOOR MAY 2006

News

Record breaker Fundraising blow for Kidlington's church spire

PARISHIONERS across the diocese have pledged their support for this year's Christian Aid week which runs from 14-20 May. Plant sales, car washes, sponsored walks, penny trails and coffee morn-ings have all been promised, as well as the traditional door-to-door collections.

Fundraisers hope to beat last year's total for the diocese of more than £500,000 towards the UK and Ireland

total of £lSm. Hilary Blake of Christian

Aid says: 'This one amazing week in May sees the largest act of Christian witness in the country. Christians across the diocese have pledged to work together to bring life and hope to some of the poorest com-munities in the world.

For fundraising resources call Christian Aid on 01865 246818 or email [email protected]

THE Rector of Kidlington, the Revd Anthony Ellis, has expressed disappointment and frustration with English Heritage who appear to have reneged on an agreement to contribute substantial funds for repairs to the spire of St Mary's.

As the DOOR reported in October last year, the parish of Kidlington with Hampton Poyle launched a high-profile appeal, backed by TV presen-ter Jeremy Paxman, to raise £250,000 for structural repairs to the Grade I listed building.

At that time English Heritage had indicated it would 'in principle' con-tribute £91,000 to the fund, provided the parish could raise £102,000 by the end of the year.

C OF E secondary school, Ranelagh, in Bracknell, offers a first rate education with no weaknesses says Ofsted.

Leslie Stephen, director of the diocesan board of educa-tion, praised the school's con-sistent high standards under the leadership of head teacher Kathy Winrow saying: 'We are delighted for Ranelagh. The teachers and pupils should be very proud with a report that reflects their hard work and achievements.'

The Ofsted report reflects

'By working extremely hard the people of Kidlington achieved this target,' says Mr Ellis; 'Early in 2006 English Heritage asked for our most recent set of accounts. We sent the accounts for 2004 because the 2005 accounts had not been finalised at that stage. In late March 2006 a letter arrived, in which the offer from English Heritage was reduced to a mere £8,000.'

Mr Ellis and the Treasurer of the PCC immediately con-tacted English Heritage, who responded that the parish's finances were such that the body considered all its resources in 2006 should be devoted to repairing the spire - which would mean with-holding the parish share.'We were deeply disturbed at this

national statistics that show many C of E schools perform-ing well.

Nearly all pupils at Ranelagh gain five or more GCSE passes with good grades.

The report noted the school 'places a strong emphasis on developing well-rounded and confident individuals who have a thirst to learn' and added; 'pupils make excep-tional academic progress'.

Inspectors also remarked on the 'unusually high level

suggestion, which indicates that we should use all our church resources to maintain this beautiful historic build-ing, rather than to provide ministry and support for the people of Kidlington and beyond,

'We believe that this view needs to be challenged at a very high level as there are serious implications for the wider Church if maintenance of buildings is seen as a prior-ity over serving the needs of its parishioners.'

Mr Ellis and his PCC are continuing negotiations with English Heritage.

As The DOOR went to press, English Heritage had come up with an improved offer of £27,000, but this still falls considerably short of the original figure of £91,000.

of generosity of spirit' and concluded: 'It offers pupils a first-rate education Ranelagh provides excellent value for money.'

Kathy Winrow says: 'I'm absolutely delighted and feel the report captured perfectly the ethos and heart of the school.

'The achievement is the result of much hard work. from the staff, the governors and the students. Well done.'

Jesus in Oslo at 01FF Oxford International Festival

of Films (01FF) is striking out

this year in its choice of films.

Amongfilms to be screened

at the Phoenix cinema

between 2 and 12 May organ-

isers have included some with

religious themes and princi-

ples. Dr Patricia Terrell, chair

of the festival, says: 'It is

unusual for film festivals to

include religious movies but,

among others, the 01FF will

premier Asfaltevangelist, a

Norwegian film which sets

Jesus in 21st century Oslo.'

Dr Terrell says the festival,

titled 'Films with a Message',

intends to develop the art

motif as well as support the

Emmaus charity.

For more information see

www.oxfordfestivalfilms.com

Challenging faith with laughter Berkshire-based writer and

stand-up comedian Graeme

Coulam wants worshippers to

challenge their faith through

laughter.

He has launched a website,

www. short-christ i an -

skits.com offering comedy

sketches and skits for use in

church free of charge. But, he

warns, although most of the

sketches use comedy for their

message they are all challeng-

ing. Graeme says: 'These

sketches are not about re-

telling Biblical stories...

They're about the frailties and

foibles of the human condi-

tion, and how we sometimes

struggle to have a meaningful

relationship with God when

faced with the world's tempta-

tions.'

AS the Revd James Cocke celebrates his 80th birthday this month he will also be breaking records by becoming the oldest paid priest in the Oxford diocese.

What is more, he has been the vicar of All Saints Church, Highfield, Headington, for more than half his life, taking up the position 49 years ago.

A parish tea party with colleagues, friends and family will mark the big day on 7 May, followed by a celebratory choral evensong at All Saints where the preacher will be Canon John Fenton, friend and former subdean of Christ Church Cathedral.

Revd Cocke says he has enjoyed serving the parish for so long and has no plans to retire. He is especially proud of the church's millenium window for which he led fundraising.

Christian Aid Week support

Ranelagh is 'outstanding'

Sight impaired people can now get a free audio version of The DOOR by contacting Graham Winterbourne on 01884 840285.

the Door The Door is published ten times a year. 40,000 copies are distributed in the Diocese of Oxford with the help of volunteers. Editor Rebecca Paveley

Acting Editor: Sally Jarman Telephone: 01865 208227

Editorial Assistant/Distribution Natalie Abbott Telephone:

01865 208225

Photography Frank Blackwell

Editorial group Becky Bevan (Cold Ash), Revd Mary Bide (Christ

Church Cathedral), Frank Blackwell (deputy chairman,

Dorchester), Revd Ann Douglas (Woodley), Rt Revd Cohn Fletcher

(Bishop of Dorchester), Clemency Fox (Stanford in the Vale), Philip

Hind (Web Master), Keith Lamdin (Director of Training), Tim

Massey (Bladon), Maranda St John Nicolle (Kidlington), David

Shepherd (Chairman, Woodstock)

Editorial address Diocesan Church House, North Hinksey, Oxford,

OX2 ON B. Fax: 01865 790470. e-mail: [email protected]

Advertising address Sue Keighley, Advertising Dept, Church of

England Newspaper, The DOOR, 4th Floor, Central House, 142 Central

Street, London, EC1V 8AR. Telephone 0207 4175800/2166413, Fax

0207 2166410.The DOOR is published by Oxford Diocesan

Publications Ltd (Secretary Mrs Rosemary Pearce).The registered office is

Diocesan Church House, North Hinksei, Oxford, OX2 ONB.Tel: 01865 208200.

Deadlines for June 2006 DOOR: Features 8 May; Letters &

What's on 9 May; News 12 May. Published 22 May.

While every care is taken to ensure the reliability of our advertise-

ments, their inclusion in The DOOR does not guarantee it or mean that

they are endorsed by the Diocese of Oxford.

Photos which appear in The DOOR can be purchased by contacting Frank Blackwell on 01865 341013 or [email protected] Door articles can also be found on www.oxford.anglican.org

Bishops and Archdeacons

BISHOP OF OXFORD The Right Revd Richard Harries,

Diocesan Church House, North Hinksey, Oxford, OX2 ON

Tel:01865 208200. Fax: 01865 790470.

E-mail: [email protected]

ARCHDEACONRY OF OXFORD Bishop of Dorchester The Right Revd Cohn Fletcher, Arran House,

Sandy Lane, Yarnton, Oxford OX5 1 P B Tel: 01865 375541.

Fax: 01865 379890. E-mail: [email protected]

Archdeacon The Venerable Julian Hubbard, Christ Church, Oxford

OX1 1DP Tel: 01865 276185. Fax 276185.


ARCHDEACONRY OF BERKSHIRE Bishop of Reading, The Right Revd Stephen Cottrell,

Bishop's House, Tidmarsh Lane, Tidmarsh, Reading RG8 8HA

Tel: 01189 841216. Fax: 0118 984 1218.


Archdeacon The Venerable Norman Russell, Foxglove House,

Love Lane, Donnington, Newbury, Berks RG14 2JG Tel: 01635

552820. Fax: 01635 522165. E-mail: [email protected]

ARCHDEACONRY OF BUCKINGHAM Bishop of Buckingham The Right Revd Alan Wilson,

Sheridan, Grimms Hill, Great Missenden, Bucks HP16 93D

Tel: 01494 862173. Fax: 01494 890508.


Archdeacon The Venerable Sheila Watson, Bede House, Paul's Hill,

Penn, High Wycombe, Bucks H PlO 8NZ Tel 01494 814571.

E-mail [email protected]

PROVINCIAL EPISCOPAL VISITOR Bishop of Ebbsfleet The Right Revd Andrew Burnham, Bishops House, Dry

Sandford, Abingdon, OX13 6JP Tel: 01865 390746


St Luke's Hospital is an independent, acute surgical hospital that provides free medical care for all Anglican clergy and their families.

And for that we depend entirely on donations. Every pound we get is vital to our work.

You can make a donation either through your church or directly to St. Luke's by mail, telephone or online at wwwstlukeshospital.org.uk

OUR MISSION IS TO CARE FOR THOSE WHO CARE FOR OTHERS St Luke's Hospital for the Clergy, 14 Fitzroy Square, London WiT 6AH Tel: 0207 388 4954 Fax 0207 383 4812 email: stlukeshospital.org.uk Registered charity no. 209236

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16 THE DOOR May 2006

Ac

ve rti s in g Featu r

The Ride of your life... By Matt Cresswell

THE UK's largest one-day Christian pop and rock show will again take place at Alton Towers this summer. The event, which usually attracts crowds of around 12,000, is organised by Ultimate Events and takes place on Saturday May 20 featuring music from top UK and American groups and artists including Rebecca St James and Matt Redman.

The UK's most prestigious theme

park is renowned for its white-knuckle rides including Nemesis and Oblivion as well as all the wild, wacky themed zones for all ages. Last year a new ride 'Rita - Queen of Speed' was launched delivering an incredible 0-100kph in just 2.6 seconds.

Ultimate events organisers intend, however, that the evening line-up of music and worship will be the over-riding memory that people take home with them.

The concert kicks off with South London band Greenjade with their explosive blend of Hip Hop and humour to set the pace for the evening. Later RPM from the Abundant Life Church in Bradford will entertain the crowd followed by gifted and talented worship leader Matt Redman with his renowned song-writing that both inspires and challenges. Two big American names also join the bill, Rebecca St James and Michael Tait.

Rebecca will dazzle listeners with her cutting-edge brand of pop-rock fusion while Michael Tait, of DC Talk fame, will bring the evening to a climax with his new band - 'TAIT'.

Also present are an impressive array of Graffiti Artists, Ball Jugglers, Magicians, a football cage and DJs.

Billy Richie, Ultimate Events Operations Director says: "In a day that so many people see the church as irrelevant our passion at Ultimate is to host a day which demonstrates to everyone what being a follower of Christ really means. We believe that the journey involves a life of radical worship, devoted friendships, developing maturity, unselfish service and most of all the vital vocation of sharing our discovery of a relationship with God."

He added: "We want to ask everyone attending to bring their

friends and families, who have started this journey with God, to a day that could well change their lives forever."

The Ultimate Event day out at Alton Towers has been running for 10 years and has become the biggest one-day Christian event on the calendar. For more information visit www.ultimateevents.org.uk. The organisers have given us two tickets for this event to give away. To enter the competition, simply answer the following question and send your answer on a postcard to

Ultimate Event Competition, The Door, Central House, 142 Central Sreet, London EC1V 8AR by May 12.

Question: Name the band in which Michael Tait was formerly a mem-ber. Normal competition rules apply.

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#172 May 2006