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CRUXIssue 47
December 2017Church for a different world
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PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS
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Church for a different world
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LOOKING FORWARD Sundays in Advent have, under the influence of
the lectionary themes, become a time to look back week by week on
the unfolding of the message of salvation. We progress week by week
from Old Testament times to Gabriel’s visit to Mary. It’s all
important stuff, but it leaves me slightly uncomfortable that we
have jettisoned the season as a time also to look forward.
Traditionally the four Sundays of Advent were linked to the “four
last things”: death, judgement, hell and heaven.
I can see why these are not necessarily the most popular
subjects for preaching. Death is the great taboo of our age, hidden
away behind hospital curtains. Meanwhile, the notion of being
judged makes us uncomfortable, hell offends our niceness, and
heaven is hard to imagine. Yet while our faith is clearly rooted in
God’s great deeds of the past, it is a faith that is firmly
oriented towards the future.
Christianity makes sense to me as a way of life, precisely
because it gives me a purpose and a destiny. Here on Earth I am
called to begin the life that I will only fully enter beyond death.
Here I need to face the perils of judgement, to be aware of the
hellish possibility of eternity without God, and to hold to the
promises of a glory as yet unimaginable.
Above all, readying myself for eternity prepares me for the
celebration of that moment when the eternal breaks into the
ordinariness of our world, the birth of Jesus who is both son of
Mary and Son of God.
David Walker Bishop of Manchester
CRUX December 2017
Christmas is coming. The radio commentator says retailers need a
‘good Christmas’ what with Brexit and economic uncertainty. The
Government is working out new trade rules post-Brexit but
meanwhile, we must have a ‘good Christmas’. That means we must
spend lots of money. And we will: some extravagantly; some with
careful calculation; some by getting into debt.
Meanwhile, the Diocese of Manchester voted at its last Synod to
confirm the commitment made 12 years ago to being a Fairtrade
Diocese. How to live in this tangle of different messages? How to
shop for a ‘good’ Christmas? I struggle with this as I make my
Christmas lists. I want to give the people I love things they need
or will enjoy: I want a more just world not one where some women
spend thousands on a handbag while others get into debt to feed
their children. I want – well, ‘peace on earth and good will to
all’, but meanwhile…
Last Sunday I realised yet again how mistaken I am! It’s not an
‘I’, of course, but a ‘we’. We struggle with this, in our shopping,
in the public sphere (writing collective letters to our local
supermarket about fairtrade or to our MP about ensuring new, secret
trade deals don’t disadvantage poor producers), praying together so
that the (im)possible dream of a more just world comes true. Have a
good Christmas!
Margaret Beetham, Just Change Group
TO A GOOD CHRISTMAS WHAT IS THE GOOD NEWS
ON THE ESTATES? What does Church look like? How do we recognise
and encourage fresh and emerging Christian communities there? These
were just some of the questions we looked at during the second
Manchester Estate Ministry Network at William Temple Church in
Wythenshawe in October.
Together we explored the new national commitment to championing
estates ministry through challenging the churches at every level to
ensure that people from estates are represented in every tier of
our structures.
We also want to develop an effective communications strategy to
raise the profile of estates ministry and ensure that good news
stories are celebrated. Part of this process is to learn from our
estates and to challenge structures of power that fail to listen to
and engage with whole sections of society.
Bishop Philip North, who leads the Church of England’s national
Estate Evangelism programme, together with local urban minister,
Paul Keeble, encouraged a group of 60 lay and ordained ministers
from across Greater Manchester in all aspects of estate ministry,
mission and evangelism.
As we develop as a group we hope to look at practical solutions
to issues around ministerial formation and deployment as well as
prayerful, theological and practical support.
If this issue is close to your heart, find out more at
mcrestates.weebly.com or contact the Revd Dr Stephen Edwards at
[email protected]; 0161 437 3194.
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CRUX December 2017
PRAISE FOR MUSICAL SERVICECongratulations to Pamela Berry who
has been awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s birthday
honours for services to the community of Delph, or, more accurately
for playing the organ at St Thomas’ Church for the past 45
years!
Pamela came to St Thomas’ in 1965 after her marriage to Alan and
subsequent move to Uppermill. By 1971, with three young children,
Pamela helped at the Sunday school by playing the piano. A year
later she was asked by the vicar to play the organ and, despite
never have played a pipe organ before, she was persuaded to give it
a go.Since the 1980s, she has been the regular organist, playing
for nearly every service. She also selects the hymns after
consulting whoever is leading the service or preaching to make sure
they are appropriate.
Congratulations to Pamela on her award, and thank you to our
many organists who play for services week in week out. We do
appreciate you!
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Church for a different world BRIEF ENCOUNTER
Pat Catterall is known for helping organise the annual shop
window nativities in Droylsden town centre.
“What shall I do now I asked myself? What am I supposed to be
doing now?”
Pat Catterall felt she needed a new role in life after
retirement but it wasn’t until she attended an Alpha course at her
church, St Mary’s in Droylsden, led by Rector Alison Bailie that
Pat found her personal faith.
“It was truly now my faith – not something I had just grown up
with. That made a massive difference to my life. You realise you
are truly loved for who you are.”
Pat is churchwarden at St Mary’s but it’s her role on the
Droylsden Town Team where her renewed faith and her understanding
of the needs of the community combine.
The effects of the building of the new Metrolink through the
town four years ago highlighted the need for regeneration of the
town itself.
Droylsden Town Team was formed by representatives of the
councillors, businesses, community groups and churches to see how
they might help to regenerate the town and bring back its community
spirit. Pat decided it was something she wanted to be involved in.
“Sometimes you have to listen and act on a nudge from God and I
really felt this was something I wanted to do.”
Inspired by visiting a village in France, Revd Jo Farnworth
suggested the Team encourage local shops in Droylsden to display
nativity scenes in their windows throughout December and ask
community groups to make them. “In some schools it may be the only
time they get to tell the Christmas story by actually building a
nativity scene and when people are shopping it might be the only
time they are reminded of the true story and meaning of
Christmas.”
It’s a way of regenerating the community and at the same time
encouraging the schools, community groups and businesses to work
together to actually demonstrate what Christmas is about. Now each
year the businesses look forward to receiving their own nativity
scene varying from a shoe box to a large flat scene for a window.
“The Chip Shop has asked for a framed big scene because its window
steams up!”
For Pat this work holds a particular joy. “It’s such a good idea
because it takes Church out into the community to those of all
faiths and none. It’s just one of the gentle ways of letting people
know about the Christian message of Christmas.”
CHANGES TO DATA PROTECTION
New regulations on data protection come into effect on 25 May
2018 which give individuals more rights and protection in how their
personal data is used by organisations. Parishes must comply with
its requirements, just like any other charity or organisation.
For a checklist of the changes, the actions you need to take and
an example privacy notice, please visit
www.parishresources.org.uk/gdpr
CHRISTMAS IN A BOX
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Church for a different world
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CRUX December 2017
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CHILD FRIENDLY CHURCHChildren’s Officer, Karen Beal, joined
worshippers at the family service at Holy Trinity, Horwich to
present the renewal of their Child Friendly Church Award
(CFCA).
“It was lovely to be part of the service and to join in with
playing percussion during the songs and hear from some of the
things that children value about their church community”, said
Karen. “This included seeing their friends and eating Jaffa cakes,
which speaks of the sense of welcome and hospitality that people
find there.”
Holy Trinity are constantly seeking ways to enhance and develop
their ministry with children. They recognise that the CFCA is not
an end in itself but it is part of a continuing journey to
encourage and enable each other as co worshippers and builders of
the Kingdom of God and allow space to develop their gifts, whatever
their age. The CFCA is a great way to help you consider the place
of children’s ministry in the life of your church. To find out
more, please contact Karen Beal, [email protected];
0161 828 1433.
L-R: John Shawcross, Marlene Pritchard and Karen Beal
#GodWithUsRemember to engage with the national Church of England
Christmas campaign this month on social media by showing what your
church is doing to prepare for Christmas.You can share your
Christmas journey on social media using #GodWithUs and direct
people to your Christmas services by adding details to the church
finder site, A Church Near You. The new site was due to go live at
the end of November.
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Church for a different world
The chaplaincy that serves 80,000 students and staff at the
Manchester universities and the RNCM had a bit of a relaunch in
October under Chaplain Revd Ben Edson.
EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED
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CRUX December 2017
There’s a new programme, a new team, and exciting new spaces
opening up where we will seek to build our community. Key within
all of this is the forming of partnerships. We’ve partnered with
the University of Manchester Volunteering Programme and now have
five ‘Incredible Edibles’ raised beds, we’ve managed to borrow
three bee hives from Manchester Art Gallery and the first batch of
SPH honey will be harvested soon. We’ve launched a Wellbeing
Programme at Manchester Metropolitan and engaged with the social
responsibility agenda of the University of Manchester. Lots is
happening and we’re building confidence and the perception of St
Peter’s House is changing.
In the New Year we’ll be launching Milk & Honey Café - a
social enterprise, not-for-profit café that will provide volunteer
opportunities for students and local churches to engage with the
University community.
In response to student feedback about the chaplaincy and their
experience of student life in the city, St Peter’s has taken a
long, hard look at itself and asked some tough questions.
What is chaplaincy? Who is it for? What are we all about?
Ben says,
“We’ve developed a simple but challenging vision: ‘Everything is
Connected’, believing that God is at work before us all in all
things and that our task is to journey with people as they explore
what this may mean. We recognise that people, place, spirituality,
well-being and the search for understanding interweave, and that
everything flourishes when one thing leads to another and back
again! Three key words give shape to the way we do this: curiosity,
encounter and gift.
St Peter’s House is here to serve the local churches and the
university communities. If you want to journey with us get in touch
to find out more via our website www.stpeters.org.uk
We started to reimagine what this place and the chaplaincy can
be for the students and staff of the Manchester universities and
the RNCM. And now we’re re-building the house, and we’re exploring
questions and connections with an open mind and a wondering
spirit.
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APPOINTMENTThe Revd Mike Corcoran, currently Curate at Christ
Church Brunswick, has been appointed as 0.5 Chaplain at Wythenshawe
Hospital with effect from 1 October 2017. He will retain a 0.5
Curacy at Christ Church Brunswick until 31 December 2017.
RESIGNATIONSThe Revd Angela Bryan is to resign as
Priest-in-Charge of St Thomas Kirkholt and Estates Missioner for
Rochdale Deanery on 11 January 2018.
The Revd Adam Dickson, currently Assistant Curate in the
Wythenshawe Team, has been appointed as Associate Vicar of St
John’s Great Horton in the Diocese of Leeds.
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CRUX December 2017Church for a different world
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MANCHESTER INSPIRES DIOCESAN SYNOD UPDATEManchester Diocese was
delighted to host the national Social
Responsibility Network (SRN) conference. We were confident that
our clergy and parishes would provide both a warm welcome and an
inspiring context for reflection on our shared work.
Grey Manchester skies marked the opening day of the conference,
yet our time together was anything but dull. Keynote speaker, Canon
Rachel Mann, provided a lively introduction to the conference
theme, “Between Glory and Grief”. Over the next two days she
encouraged participants to see the vulnerability of Christian
people and communities not as weakness but as a source of
creativity and potential. ‘Inspiring,’ ‘superb,’ ‘exceptional’ were
just a few responses, reflecting both delight in listening to
Rachel and being enabled to join in the conversations at a deep
level.
Throughout the conference, insights and perspectives from the
Manchester context interacted with Rachel’s reflections. Bishop
David spoke movingly of the aftermath of the Manchester Arena bomb.
Local clergy and parishioners shared their experiences of
responding to homelessness, ministry on the Wythenshawe Estate and
on Curry Mile, and welcoming asylum seekers in Fallowfield.
Lettering artist Stephen Raw, artist in residence at Manchester
Cathedral, encouraged us to play with key words emerging from
engagement with the theme, enabling new and creative
connections.
The SRN is an association within the Church of England and the
Church in Wales, active in promoting church engagement with the
issues facing our communities.
At its October meeting, Diocesan Synod reaffirmed its commitment
to being a Fairtrade Diocese and voted to support becoming an Eco
Diocese. (Look out for more information on this in next month’s
CRUX.)
Synod approved the 2018 budget for the Diocesan Board of
Finance. It resolved to approve and receive the annual report of
the Diocesan Board of Education and received the result of the
independent safeguarding audit.
Archdeacon Cherry Vann presented a proposal from the Disability
Task Group that was unanimously approved. The diocese will begin to
use an access audit which will help PCCs take steps to improve
access to church buildings for people with disabilities.
The House of Clergy elected The Revd Canon Dr Chris Bracegirdle
as Chair following the departure of Revd Matt Thompson to be Dean
of Birmingham. WHAT IS A RESOURCE CHURCH?
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Manchester M3 1SQ 0161 835 1069
Featuring: Contact details
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Colour maps indicating benefices
Resources for ministry
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PAGE 12
Church for a different world
I wonder how many people feel guilty about not being happy at
Christmas. We are all expected to spend time in happy families who
are warm, loving and caring. We eat and drink to our hearts
content, give a little to charity and may even go to Church to sing
a few carols.
THE REAL JOY OF CHRISTMAS
But what of those for whom none of this is possible? You may
remember the television series Bread which was set in Liverpool and
consisted of the sometimes hilarious goings on of a matriarchal
family of loveable rogues who all lived in a terraced house with
grandad living next door. One Christmas edition told of the
disappearance of Grandad who was eventually found unexpectedly in
church standing by the crib. He was saying to the baby in the
manger “Why does it hurt so much more at Christmas?” It is so
difficult to celebrate when grief or suffering fill much of
life.
My grandmother’s best friend, Mrs Barnes, was a widow with one
son, her only child. At the end of the Second World War, as peace
was announced, she received a telegram to say that her son Jack had
been killed in action. Shortly afterwards there was a local victory
parade and Mrs Barnes was on the front row waving her Union Jack
and cheering along with the rest even though her heart was
breaking. As a small child I remember my grandmother pointing out
Mrs Barnes in the street and saying “That is a very brave
lady”.
To rejoice with those who rejoice is not easy when you are full
of grief, depression, anxiety or any sort of pain.
Neither is it easy to mourn with those who mourn when you are
filled with joy. At Christmas we sometimes need to go against the
grain of our own preoccupations and feelings. Those of us who are
blessed with the joys of family life need to take time out and put
ourselves alongside those who are hurting more at Christmas. Those
who are hurting should try to do that which is so much more
difficult, take time out to rejoice with those who rejoice.
Most of us are something of a mixture. Christmas is a time of
rejoicing and grief. We look back over the past year with all its
joys and sorrows but the sorrows often sneak in when we least
expect them.
Underneath all our joys and sorrows there is a message each
Christmas. The coming of Christ as a human being assures us that
there is nowhere where Christ is not present. In the height of our
joys and the depth of our sorrows He is there. The cross and the
crib are very close. They are part of the same glorious message
that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus
our Lord. He is with us from our birth to our death and beyond to
our sharing in His Glorification. This is the real joy of
Christmas.
Jack Bishop, Assistant Bishop
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CRUX December 2017We want to hear your thoughts
Send to:Church for a Different World, Diocese of Manchester,
Church House,90 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2GH
WHAT’S ON THIS MONTH AT MANCHESTER CATHEDRAL?
MESSIAH (HANDEL) SATURDAY 9 DECEMBER 2017 (7PM TO 9.30PM)
A truly traditional Christmas treat, Manchester Baroque presents
‘Messiah’ performed by Manchester Cathedral Choir.
Tickets: www.mancathmessiah.eventbrite.co.uk
Thanks for your feedback so far
What would you like to see discussed in a future issue? Continue
the conversation
Website:manchester.anglican.orgTwitter:@DioManchesterFacebook:Church
of England (Diocese of Manchester-official)Email:
[email protected]
What will we do with your comments?
We will collate all the responses we receive and consider them
as we develop our plans and priorities for the diocese.
We will not be able to provide individual responses, but we will
provide updates in CRUX on how your feedback is shaping Church for
a different world.
CAN PEOPLE FIND DETAILS OF YOUR CHURCH SERVICES ON A CHURCH NEAR
YOU?
PAGE 15
Like us, search for Church of England (Diocese of
Manchester-official)
Follow us at @DioManchester
SMALL ADVERTSGRAVE CARE MAINTENANCE. We provide memorial
maintenance services tailored to your needs. Christmas tributes /
flowers available and delivered. Telephone 07934 194480 or 07934
194332
CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA St Paul’s Church, Walkden: ‘Festival of
Trees’, craft stall, raffle, refreshments, Santa, gifts and much
more. Saturday 9 December 11am - 3pm / Sunday 10 December 1pm -
4pm.
ST ANNE’S, ROYTON SEEKS ORGANIST AND CHOIRMASTER. Sunday morning
service and occasional evenings; small choir; 1913 Hill 2-manual
organ. Enquiries to Revd James Read 0161 652 3090 or
[email protected]
ORGANIST/CHOIR TRAINER with substantial parish experience moving
back into the area shortly. Available for weekday cover for
weddings and funerals and also looking for a permanent church post.
Please contact Neil: 07446 492266 / [email protected]
TRANQUIL SHROPSHIRE COTTAGE with garden views of Long Mynd.
Sleeps 2-8. Comfortable year-round retreat, ideal for walkers. £320
per week. Tel: 07709 050265 or [email protected]
VILLA TO RENT ORLANDO (Disney area).Spacious 4 bed, 3 bath,
sleeps 8. South facing pool and spa overlooking conservation area.
Quiet gated community. 15 mins Disney. Good golfing base close to
numerous courses.www.thepalmsvillaorlando.com
LAKE DISTRICT HOLIDAY LET A well-appointed and equipped 2
bedroom apartment in Bowness with parking and garage. Offering a
balcony with views of Lake Windermere. www.swallowsrest.org For
more information call 07719 966990; email [email protected]
To advertise in CRUX contact:Simon Ambrose, 0161 828
[email protected]
The copy deadline is the first of the month prior to
publication.
Editorial:All editorial items to Ann Mummery,0161 828
[email protected]
mailto:[email protected]
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RCN 802801
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When Lisa’s partner became abusive and violent, she and her two
sons Ethan, 10, and Peter, 12, were forced to flee their family
home. They were safe, but had no support from friends or
family.
At this difficult time, Lisa was determined that the boys
wouldn’t fall behind at school. They needed new uniforms, PE kit,
and books, but money was tight. Thanks to the generosity of our
supporters, Lisa was able to buy these, and know that someone cared
about them.
Church Housing Trust provides grants to homeless people who are
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