1ochester Link

Photo by Katerina Gerhardt

Design a CrossCompetition- See pages 6 and 7

April 2013

Design a Cross Competition Winners

PLEASE NOTE: Copy deadline for the May issue of The Link is Thursday 11 April at 4pm

The winners of the Diocese of Rochester design a cross competition have been chosen. The competition, which was open to all children in the Diocese up to the age of 12, proved very popular and winners were given their certificates and prizes of Real Easter Eggs by Bishop James on Monday 11 March.

The winners in the five age categories were as follows:

Aged 11 - 12

1st place Luke Fenn, aged 11

2nd place Zara Farrow, aged 11

3rd place Louis Hamilton, aged 11

Aged 9 - 10

1st place Beatrice Fury, aged 10

Zara Farrow, aged 11, won second place in the 11 - 12 category with her entry (below)Beatrice Fury, aged 10, won first place in the 9 - 10 category with her entry (below)

2nd place Harvey Chandler, aged 10

3rd place Holly Wise, aged 9

Aged 7 - 8

1st place Evie Cooper, aged 7

2nd place Jody Gyekye, aged 8

3rd place Juliette Mc Manus, aged 7

Aged 5 - 6

1st place Evie Whitcomb, age 6

2nd place Pradipta Panthi, aged 5

3rd place Josh Lawson, aged 6

Pre-School

1st place Ryan Free, aged 4

2nd place Isabelle Eniola, aged 4

3rd place George Anokye, aged 4

Our congratulations to all the winners and also to all those youngsters who took part.

2 ochester Link

What’s on Bishop Brian’s Diary - April

April 2013Saturday 13NORTHFLEET Snowdown Colliery Male Voice Choir Concert at All Saints Church, Perry Street, Northfleet at 7.30p.m. Tickets £7 for further details please ring 07951 359427.

Saturday 20BEXLEYHEATH The Belverdere Concert Band at St Peter’s Church, Pickford Lane, Bexleyheath, at 7:30pm. Priced £8.00 for adults and £4.00 for under 16s, and includes wine and nibbles. Tickets are available from Tess Parker on 0208 3045446

MEOPHAM Rochester WATCH (Women and the Church) warmly invites you to join us in Celebrating 20 Years of Women’s Priestly Ministry with the Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin at a Eucharist at 9.30am at St John’s Church, Wrotham Road, DA13 OAA.

Sunday 21LAMBERHURST. Come and listen to Handel’s Messiah but not as you will have heard it before. This is a staged production with a cast of twelve singers, each with their own story and each seeking comfort. As the oratorio unfolds each character has a distinct path to follow, and the words are sung with intense meaning and every sentence comes to life. This will be a memorable evening at St Mary’s Church, Lamberhurst at 7pm (doors open 6:15pm). Tickets: £20. For more information, please call 01892 890597 or visit www.lamberhurstmusic.co.uk

Thursday 24RUSTHALL, TUNBRIDGE WELLS “Caring for Creation - a Christian Perspective” - a sustainability evening with Bishop James. St Paul’s Church Centre, High Street, Rusthall (by 281 bus stop). Doors open at 7.30 with Fairtrade refreshments for an 8pm start. Admission free -

Stalls - Information. Meeting jointly organised by Tunbridge Wells Deanery and Rusthall Going Green. Further details from Rev Tony Rutherford 01892 541 009 or e-mail tonyrutherford@f2s.com

Saturday 27GRAVESEND - Gravesham Choral Society, at Rochester Cathedral at 7.30pm. Conducted by Alan Vincent, this will be a stirring celebration of the Coronation Jubilee, including favourites such as Handel’s Zadok the Priest, Walton’s Crown Imperial, Parry’s I Was Glad, dance music from Britten’s Gloriana and Mozart’s Coronation Mass. Featuring soloists Elaine Tate (soprano), Tabitha Reynolds (Mezzo), William Morgan (Tenor), Jack Holton (Bass). Tickets are £15 (£5 full-time students) and are available by calling 01474 816684, or at the door. www.graveshamcs.co.uk

May 2013Friday 10

RIVERHEAD The Hermitage Ensemble, a world-class Russian Orthodox Male Voice Choir from St Petersburg, present a programme of Russian sacred music and folk songs. St Mary’s Church, Riverhead at 7.30pm. Tickets £10 (£5 students) from Sevenoaks Bookshop, or phone 01732 452715, or at the door. www.seenworks.com/hermitage

Saturday 11SHOREHAM “Welcome Spring”, a concert of choral music by Temenos Chamber Choir, conducted by Charles Vignoles. Celebrate Spring with wine and refreshments, and joyful music by Debussy, Ravel, Monteverdi, Britten and many more. St Peter and St Paul, Shoreham at 7.30pm. Tickets £10 (£5 students) from Sevenoaks Bookshop, or phone 01959 523765, or at the door. www.temenos-chamberchoir.org.uk

11 April 12.30 Guild of Church Braillists - London

15 and 16 April Conference “New Directions in Biology” - Durham

18 April 2.00 Link Committee meeting – Sevenoaks

7.30 Licensing of the Rev Ruth Oates

19 April 10.00 Canterbury/Rochester Formation and Ministry Meeting – Diocesan Office, Rochester

7.30 Confirmation, St Olave’s School, Orpington21 to 28 April Deanery visit to Bromley

23 April 9.30 Bishop’s Staff Meeting, Rochester

24 April 5.30 Bishop’s Council Meeting, Rochester

26 April 9.00 Agenda Planning Group, Rochester

27 April 10.00 Confirmation, St Augustine, Bromley Common

3.15 Farewell Service for Louise Gilbert, Rochester Cathedral29 and 30 April Rural/Area Dean Residential, London

CONTACT USNews and letters to the Editor: linknews@rochester.anglican.org Telephone: 01634 560000

ADVERTISEMENTS Email: glenda@cornerstonevision.com Copy for The Link needs to be typed and submitted by email please. Images must be submitted as either a TIFF or a JPEG file of 300dpi. (Set your digital camera to the highest quality setting and we will try to do the rest for you.) Proclaiming the word & work of God

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Lunchtime RecitalsSt Luke’s Church, Eardley Road, SevenoaksEvery Wednesday at 12.30pm Please join us – admission free. Lasting 30 minutes. Refreshments available from 12 noonApril 3 Chris Bundhun, guitar & Greg Tassell, tenor10 The Darwin Piano Trio17 Miyuki Kato - Piano24 Harry Cooper – Jazz Piano

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DisclaimerAdvertisers enter into a contract with Cornerstone Vision and not the Rochester Diocesan Board of Finance. The inclusion of advertisements in Rochester Link does not suggest endorsement of the products or services offered. Please exercise great care when responding to advertisements.

As the conflict in Syria worsens, we are asking for your help in this time of emergency. By holding a collection this Sunday, your donation can help Save the Children to provide urgent support for the children of Syria.

Children are innocent victims of war. Our latest report shows that on top of the physical dangers of war, up to two million children in Syria face growing risk of disease, malnutrition and severe trauma.

Save the Children is working across Syria to reach children with food, safe water, medicine and clothing.

Please send your cheque your cheque to :

Syria Church Appeal, Save the Children, 1 St. John’s Lane, London, EC1M 4AR

Syrial appeal

3ochester Link

Bishop James’ Diary - April1 April to 7 April Holiday

8 April 9.30am Women Bishops Working Group, London

9 and 10 April Diocesan Bishops, Market Bosworth

11 April 2.30pm Finance Committee, Diocesan Office

12 April 10.30am Commission MU President & Trustees, Cathedreal 2.30pm Consecrate Churchyard Extension, St Paul, Swanley

13 April 10.30am Teach: Mission Shaped Ministry Course Aylesford Priory

14 to 21 April Deanery Visit: Strood

14 April 10.30am Preach: combined service with St James Grain, and St Peter & St Paul, Stoke 5.30pm Preach, St Helen, Cliffe15 April 9.30am St Nicholas CE Infants School, Strood 11.00am Strood Community Project 1.15pm Day Care Centre, St Nicholas, Strood 2.00pm Play Group, St Nicholas, Strood 3.30pm After-School Club, St Francis, Strood

16 April 11.00am Cafe Church, St Helen, Cliffe 12.30pm Strood Deanery Chapter, St John, Higham17 April 10.30am Coffee Shops, Strood and Frindsbury 12.30pm Hundred of Hoo School, Hoo 7.45pm Deanery Synod, St Francis, Strood

18 April 9.00am Ecumenical ministers prayers, St Nicholas, Strood 12.30pm BAE System Sports Club, Hoo 3.30pm After-School Club, Higher Halstow 7.00pm Frindsbury Men’s Fellowship Meal, Frindsbury19 April 10.15am UK Online Centre, St Francis, Strood 11.00am Strood Academy 2.00pm Isle of Grain Power Station, Grain

20 April 10.20am Diocesan Vocation Day, Istead Rise 7.30pm Air Cadets Dinner, Chatham

21 April 10.30am Sung Eucharist with Baptism, St Nicholas, Strood 3.15pm Preach: Medway Scouts Service, Cathedral 6.30pm Confirmation Service, St Werburgh, Hooe

23 April All Day Bishop’s Staff Meeting, Bishopscourt

24 April 2.00pm Open Chevening School new building, Chevening 5.30pm Bishop’s Council, Diocesan Office

25 April 10.00am Diocesan Youth & Children’s Workers Day, Bishopscourt

28 April 10.30am Preside & Preach, Stone 3.15pm Louise Gilbert Farewell, Cathedral

29 and 30 Area/Rural Deans’ Residential, St Katharine’s, London April

Photo by Katerina Gerhardt

Easter Message

Alleluia! Christ is Risen!

George Herbert, perhaps my favourite poet, captures the essence of our Easter celebrations and in doing so inspires me on my journey of faith; as two features of these opening lines of his poem Easter combine.First a call to joyful, uplifting praise in response to the empty tomb, perhaps that overwhelming feeling in the Apostles as they realised the enormity of what had happened on that Sunday morning. It is an urgent response, again just as the Apostles ran to tell their companions the Good News.

And then the call to pilgrimage, to journey with the Risen Lord that, in due time, we too might rise with Him in glory. So in these brief opening lines Herbert sums up the heart of our faith.

Alleluia, Christ is Risen!

He is Risen in deed, Alleluia.

There is however, the temptation to rest there, to stay only in the place of praise. And why not? After all this brings us into the closer presence of God; being who we are created to be, worshippers of our Creator and Redeemer.

But Herbert is clear that the journey must go on, we must leave that place of encounter

with the Risen Lord and go to the places and people he leads us to, in order that we too might rise.

Here at the Cathedral we have spent the last six months renewing our sense of vision, our forward plan for the next five years.

And we have become increasingly clear that this plan must be a journey, hand in hand with Jesus, that leads us into a deeper encounter with our neighbours and our communities.

For example, in partnership with the Parish of Rochester, we are looking at how we can serve the new developments at Rochester Riverside, next to the Bridge.

We will also develop our music ministry so that parishes in the Diocese can invite our wonderful choir to lead their worship as they go out once a term to different churches.

We have established core aims for our life together both here in Rochester and throughout the Diocese.

In all that we do we will aspire to be missional, reliable, supportive, accessible, hospitable and spiritual.

These values will, we believe, lead us to be more outward looking, seeking to serve our neighbours more fully.

When people come to us their visit will be marked by a warmth of welcome and an encouragement to reflect on their own joyful response to the Risen Lord.

by the Very Rev Dr Mark Beach

Rise heart; thy Lord is risen.

Sing his praise without delayes,

Who takes thee by the hand,

that thou likewise with him mayst rise:

4 ochester Link

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Following the general item in the March ‘Link’, announcing the publication on the diocesan website of a revised leaflet on lightning protection, I am now doing a series of mini-articles on particular aspects of lightning protection on ‘drip feed’, realising that the full leaflet of eight pages is somewhat forbidding at first sight. The simplest answer to the question for this month’s item is, ‘Almost certainly – yes’. The more complicated answer is that the lightning protection standard provides a risk assessment procedure.

For a church, two risks are assessed; firstly the risk R1 of loss of life or permanent injury of a person in the church or within three metres of the church and secondly the risk R3 of the loss of cultural heritage.

If either of these calculated risks exceeds the relevant tolerable risk then lightning protection is required.

The risk assessment takes into account such parameters as the lightning flash density in the area, the type of terrain, the physical dimensions of the building, the location of the building in relation to other buildings, including their relative heights, and the nature of services such as power and telephone cables.

The risk assessment will also show which are the significant risk components and therefore what type of risk protection is appropriate. More of this anon.

Even if the risk assessment shows that the existing risk is ‘tolerable’, it is open to the PCC to decide to have lightning protection.

Ecclesiastical Insurance strongly recommends the installation of lightning protection but it is not usually a condition of

the policy.

Apologies for the wrong dedication of the church in the photograph last month. It should have been St Lawrence, Seal not St Peter and St Paul, Seal.

For further advice read the full leaflet on the diocesan website or contact me, the Diocesan Consultant, the Rev Christopher Miles, tel: 01732 852323 or email gcmmiles@btinternet.com

Does our church needlightning protection?

At a Celebration of Learning and awards Ceremony held at St Andrew’s Church, Paddock Wood on Sunday, 10 March some of the 20 students who have achieved a Certificate in Ministerial Theology through

Canterbury Christ Church University, together with three who completed part of the course, received their awards. The awards were presented by Dr Ralph Norman (Acting Head of the Department of Theology and Religious Studies, CCCU)

and Dr Ivan Khovacs, (Senior Lecturer, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, CCCU) preached.

Many congratulations to the students and tutors for all their commitment to studying and teaching the Certificate in Ministerial course. 

by the Rev Christopher Miles, C Eng, MIET.

The Church of St Lawrence, Seal

6 ochester Link

Congratulations to the winners of the Design a Cross competition

George Anokye, aged 4. Third place in the pre-school category

Isabelle Eniola, aged 4. Second place in the pre-school category

WINNER: Ryan Free, aged 4, who took first place in the pre-school category

Pre-School Category 5 to 6 Years Category 7 to 8 Years Category

Entries to the Diocese of Rochester ‘Design a Cross’ competition arrived like owls to Hogwarts throughout February and March giving competition judges the Rev David Green, Mr Owen Smith and Lindy Mackenzie a real challenge. The Rev David Green said: “There were a large number of creative and very colourful entries that showed the children had clearly thought about the competition and worked hard. The judges had a tough task choosing the winners in each category although the eventual nominees thoroughly deserved recognition.”

Divided into five age categories, prizes of an individual certificates and Real Easter Eggs were awarded to first, second and third places winners. Competition judge and chaplain to Bishop of Rochester Academy Mr Owen Smith said: “It was fantastic to see the creativity and thought that had gone into the many designs we saw.”

Invited to afternoon tea with the Bishop of Rochester, competition winners enjoyed a tour of the Bishop’s home and the basement chapel, before receiving their individual awards.

Bishop James said: “It was lovely to see the final winning entries displayed at Bishopscourt in Rochester and to welcome the winners to share their designs.

“It was obvious that a lot of hard work had gone into the art-work. I would like to congratulate all of the winners and thank all of the parents and teachers who supported them. We enjoyed a lively afternoon together.”

Director of Communications Lindy Mackenzie said: “The children really seemed to have enjoyed entering the competition. We had over 150 entries from across the Diocese and they were all beautifully drawn. Choosing the winners was very difficult and I would like to thank everyone who took the time to participate. All of the entries were of a very high standard.”

Only one question remains. How many of the Real Easter Eggs will survive until Easter?

WINNER: Evie Whitcomb, aged 6. First place, in the aged 5 to 6 category

Pradipta Panthi, aged 5. Second place in the aged 5 to 6 category

Josh Lawson, aged 6. Third place in the aged 5 to 6 category

WINNER: Evie Cooper, aged 7. First place in the aged 7 to 8 category

Jody Gyekye, aged 8. Second place in the aged 7 to 8 category

Juliette McManus aged 7. Third place in the aged 7 to 8 category

Real challenge for the judges as entries pour in from youngsters

7ochester Link

Congratulations to the winners of the Design a Cross competition

Holly Wise, aged 9. Third place in the aged 9 to 10 category

Harvey Chandler, aged 10. Second place in the aged 9 to 10 category

Louise Hamilton, aged 11. Third place in the 11 to 12 category

WINNER: Luke Fenn, aged 11.  First place in the 11 to 12 category

Bishop James congratulates all the worthy competition winners

9 to 10 Years Category 11 to 12 Years Category

8 ochester Link

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The Rochester Link Please Call

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glenda@cornerstonevision.com

9ochester Link

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Entries are now being sought for the National Parish Magazine Awards 2013.The ‘free to enter’ award scheme is for editors and their fellow volunteers all over the country who devote an enormous amount of time and effort free of charge to producing parish magazines that service their communities every month of the year.

There are five award categories:

Best Design - Focuses on any artwork within the magazine, page layout and use of graphics.

Best Content - The variety of articles, use of photos and general information included.

Best Editor - Order of content, variety, accuracy and interest value.

Best Print - Quality of printing and finishing of the magazine.

Best Overall Magazine - A general overview of all the above categories.

Certificates will be presented to each category winner.

The organisers aim to give magazine editors recognition for the service they provide, which so often goes un-rewarded, and perhaps give an incentive to those who are considering joining their ranks in future.

To enter this year’s Parish Magazine Awards please email: info@parishmagprinters.co.uk to request an entry form. Closing date for entries is 31 July 2013. For more information visit the website at www.parishmagprinters.co.uk

Parish magazine training course

Simnel Cake is traditionally eaten on Easter Day. Apparently, in Mediaeval times, female servants would bake this fruit rich Easter cake to take home on to their mothers on Mothering Sunday - which was the fourth Sunday during the Lent period.

The Christian fasting and repenting period of Lent ends on Easter Sunday and a Simnel cake helps to mark the end of the forty days of Lent. It gives people a tasty treat and marks the celebration of Easter time. Some people still call the fourth Sunday during Lent Simnel Sunday. The word Simnel comes from the Latin word Simila which means fine wheaten flour. The cake was traditionally made from this fine wheaten flour.Simnel cake is not only delicious but is a symbolic Easter cake and is decorated to signify aspects of Christianity. For example 11 marzipan balls or figures are places around the circular marzipan coated cake to mean the 11 disciples.

Though there were 12 apostles of Jesus Christ, Judas Iscariot betrayed him and is omitted from the Simnel cake. Some Simnel Easter cakes will have a larger figure or ball in the centre of the cake to signify Jesus.

Recipe and method:

Ingredients

Use shop-bought marzipan for convenience and choose between self-coloured or yellow.

Yellow gives a brighter appearance to the cake when toasted! One pack ready-made marzipan 175g/6oz butter or margarine 175g/6oz soft brown sugar 3 free-range eggs, beaten 175g/6oz plain flour, pinch salt 350g/12oz mixed raisins, currants and sultanas 55g/2oz chopped mixed peel ½ lemon, grated zest only apricot jam 1 egg (for glazing)

Preparation

Roll out a third of the marzipan to make a circle 18cm/7in in diameter and reserve the remainder for the cake topping. Preheat oven to 140C/275F/Gas 1. Grease and line a 18cm/7in cake tin. For the cake, cream the butter and sugar together until dropping consistency. Beat in the eggs and then sift in the flour and salt. Add the mixed dried fruit, peel and grated lemon zest and stir into the mixture. Put half the mixture into a greased and lined 18cm/7in cake tin. Smooth the top and cover with the circle of almond paste. Add the rest of the cake mixture and smooth the top leaving a slight dip in the centre to allow for the cake to rise. Bake in the preheated oven for 1¾ hours. Test by inserting a skewer in the middle - if it comes out clean, it is ready. Once baked, remove from the oven and set aside to cool on a wire rack. Brush the top of the cooled cake with the apricot jam. Divide the remainder of

A cake by any other name...

the marzipan in half; roll out a circle to cover the top of the cake with one half and form 11 small balls with the other half. Place the circle of paste on the jam glaze and set the balls round the edge. Brush the cake topping with a little beaten egg. Preheat the grill to high. Place the cake onto a baking tray and grill for 1-2 minutes, until marzipan begins to brown.

Finally, enjoy with a good pot of tea with friends and family!

On Saturday 23 March, 25 parish magazine editors braved blizzard conditions to attend a training day held in the Rochester Diocesan office. Bishop James brought two unexpected guests from Estonia - Archbishop Andres Põder and Rev Gustav Piir.

Bishop James welcomed the delegates and told the editors that they were “doing a very important job” and he thanked them for the time they dedicate to producing magazines across the diocese.

During the morning, Jane Priestly-Smith (ably assisted by daughter Sophie) gave an excellent presentation focused on designing the best possible magazine and emphasised

the importance of good quality images. Retired university lecturer Margaret Drew spoke with authority about the role of the editor.

After lunch, seasoned journalist Nicola Jordan from the Kent Messenger group discussed what makes a good story and encouraged editors to make contributions to their local papers.

Director of Communications Lindy Mackenzie said: “I am grateful to Parish Pump for sponsoring our event and really pleased that our guest speakers were able to brave the shocking weather conditions to present for us. I think the editors really enjoyed the networking aspect of the day too. We look forward to seeing the results of the workshop in a parish near you soon!”

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OUT NOW!The latest issue of The SonTHE SON is a bright, newsy and uncompromising tabloid newspaper which aims to put Jesus back at the centre of society.

Written and presented in an easy to read style, based on the UK’s biggest circulation newspapers, THE SON is an ideal tool to reach believers and unbelievers as well.

The current edition of THE SON includes stories on BBC presenter Janey Lee Grace, top neurosurgeon Dr Eben Alexander, and many more.

Why not use THE SON to reach your community?

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JANEY LEE GRACE:HOW GOD HELD ON TO ME

SEE PAGE 3THE GOOD NEWS FORJULIE ETCHINGHAM– SEE PAGE 2

EVERTON STAR STEVEN PIENAAR SENDS A MESSAGE TO FOOTBALL FANS –See Back Page

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Oscar’s winning ways at Paralympics

See story on page 14

Neurosurgeon stuns scientifi c world with his revelations

A top neurosurgeon has stunned the scientific world by claiming he has proof that heaven exists.For years Dr Eben Alexander, a respected

academic, dismissed near-death revelations of God and heaven, saying they were explained by the way the human brain is wired.But then in 2008 Dr Alexander contracted bacterial meningitis. The deadly infection

soaked his brain and sent him into a deep coma

lasting seven days. In the days that followed his

life was slipping away, but Dr Alexander says

that he was living intensely in his mind.He claims he journeyed beyond this world and

encountered an angelic being who guided him

into the deepest realms of super-physical exist-ence. There he met, and spoke with, the Divine

source of the universe itself.Dr Alexander’s story is not a fantasy. Before he

underwent his journey, he could not reconcile

his knowledge of neuroscience with any belief

in heaven, God, or the soul. Today he is a doctor who believes that true

health can be achieved only when we realize

that God and the soul are real and that death

is not the end of personal existence but only a

transition.

See story on page 7

Dr Eben Alexander...experienced a spiritual journey during a

seven-day coma

PROOF OF HEAVENRussell Crowe to star as Noah in new epic movieSee centre pages

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Praying the way

Prayers for May LINK to Jenny Smith, Flat 1, 52 High Street, Chislehurst. BR7 5AQ 0208 467 6499 jenny_mary@btinternet.com by 3 April.

Intercession during April1 April West Kent College Chaplain: the Rev Sue Brooks2 April Chelsfield Rector: the Rev Paul Spreadbridge (the Rev Alison) Rdr: Ken l’Anson3 April Cray St Barnabas Vicar: the Rev Alyson Davie (Martin) Curate: the Rev Jane Rawling Rdr: Helen Powell4 April Cray St Mary with St Paulinus Vicar: the Rev Stephen Betson (Rose) Rdr: Elaine Chapple PA: Muriel Unsworth5 April Colleges of Further Education6 April Formation and Ministry Team Director – the Rev Canon Chris Dench Asst Director; the Rev Trevor Gerhardt Training Office (LMTP) Alison Callway7 April Crofton Vicar: the Rev Bimbi Abayomi-Cole (Anthea) Curate: the Rev Christina Brewer (Peter Melling) Rdr: Brian Rowley PAs Sarah Lacaille, Diane Stiff, Mandy Tutt Evan: Sheila Spiers CYW: Mark Sanger Those confirmed today at St Peter’s, Tunbridge Wells8 April Cudham & Downe Vicar: the Rev John Musson (Helen) Rdr: Helen Musson PA: Chris Isbell

Evan: Howard Cheswick South East Archdeacons’ Residential Meeting Women Bishops Steering Group9 April Farnborough Rector: the Rev Matthew Hughes (Jill) Ass Rector: the Rev Alison Newman (Mark) Curates: the Rev Jenny Driver (Paul), the Rev Bill Mullenger Rdrs: Ian Gillies, Judith Haines, Susan Midha, Mark Newman PAs: Heather Argent, Deborah Baker, Peter Crowe, Rosemary Fordyce, Susan McKay, Peter Russell, Paul Younger Diocesan Bishops Meeting today and tomorrow10 April Green Street Green & Pratts Bottom Vicar: the Rev Karl Carpani (Katie) Ass Vicar: the Rev Canon Penny Avann Rdrs Gillian Garman, Richard Jones, Philip Southby, Jane Winter PA: Helen Spence Evans: Richard Crowley, Thelma Jones11 April Diocesan Directors of Ordinands and the national work of the Advisory Board for Ministry the Rev Glyn Ackerley, the Rev Canon Liz Walker12 April South Eastern Institute for

Theological Education Principal: the Rev Canon Jeremy Worthen; The Diocesan Mothers’ Union Commissioning Service today; Mission Shaped Ministry residential conference13 April Orpington All Saints Vicar: the Rev Brian McHenry CBE (Liz); PAs: Sheila Anderson, Pamela Mercer14 April Orpington Christ Church Vicar: the Rev Jay Colwill (Joanna); Rdr: Martin Hayward PA: Janet Bower; Evan: Alan Goddard; CYW: Dave Bailey Bishop James’ visit to Strood Deanery (14th – 21st)15 April Ordinands in Training, those preparing for ordination this year16 April Orpington St Andrews Priest-in- Charge: the Rev Paul Prentice (Vicky); PA: Jill Renwick17 April Diocesan Association of Readers Warden: Karen Senior; Assistant Wardens: Brian Rowley, Christine Bostock, Morwenna Semos18 April Petts Wood Vicar: the Rev Robert Lane19 April Sidcup Deanery Area Dean: the Rev Stephen Sealy; Lay Chair: Madeleine Waggett19 – 21 Diocesan Youth  Weekend

WorldFor the troubled areas of the world.

DioceseThat the right people are appointed to all offices of the PCCs. For a prayer representative for Rochester, Malling and Sidcup Deaneries. Diocesan Vocation Day on 20. Deanery Prayer reps on 23.

Bromley and BexleyBromley DeanerySt Peter and St Paul, BromleyFor our monthly All Age service that it will flourish and grow.Erith DeaneryNorthumberland HeathFor the Messy Church and for our work with the Food Bank.Sidcup DeanerySt John the Evangelist, BexleyFor new sound system being installed.

RochesterCobham DeaneryFor all the parishes involved in the change of boundaries and especially for the new Rural Dean. Ash and RidleyThanksgiving for the licensing of the Rev Canon Ruth Oates as part-time Priest-in-Charge on 18 April.Snodland with Lower BurningFor our fund-raising for our church hall.MeophamThanks for God’s blessings through our Pastoral team. For ‘Lent, All the Way to Pentecost’ prayer pilgrimage.NursteadThanks for continuing growth through wedding and baptism ministries.

Dartford DeaneryFor the plans by Churches Together in Swanley and District to open a Food Bank in Swanley.

St Edmund, DartfordFor our role in the community and our mission.Darenth, Sutton at Hone and Horton Kirby ChurchesThat the new benefice will bless and strengthen our communities and will grow in fellowship.CrockenhillThanks for appointment of the Rev Keith White.

Gillingham DeanerySt Matthew, WigmoreThanks for the Brownie and Guides attending Family Services.St Peter, BredhurstThanks that God is working in the lives of the young men in Rochester Prison.All Saints’, HempsteadFor our monthly children’s service, Livewires.St Mark, GillinghamFor the Monday Coffee Shop.St Augustine, GillinghamFor the full recovery of the Rev Jonathan Jennings and for the Business Community Breakfast.

Gravesend DeaneryThanks for the ministry of the Rev Canon Ruth Oates as Rural Dean; pray for new Rural Dean, the Rev Sue Brewer.For Gravesend Street Pastors and prayer

support.For those churches facing financial problems.Thanks for all our treasurers, their time and skill.

Tonbridge Sevenoaks DeaneryKippingtonThanks for our curate the the Rev Lynette Leithead. RiverheadFor all who were confirmed.St Nicholas, Sevenoaks17 - five week course ‘Lost in the Middle’ Midlife and the Grace of God’. 18 - Marriage MOT evening. 19-21 Women’s Weekend Away. 23 - APCM.WealdFor a Senior Youth Worker. APCM on 28 April.Tonbridge DeaneryChiddingstone and Chiddingstone CausewayFor those preparing for marriage.HildenboroughFor the Youth and Adult Alpha.Crockham Hill and EdenbridgeFor the Sisters of St Andrew, who are moving.Tunbridge Wells DeaneryRusthall and SouthboroughFor all confirmation candidates.St Luke, Tunbridge WellsFor all our fund-raising efforts.St Mark, Tunbridge WellsFor all members of our Youth Group.

12 ochester Link

What’s it all about?

New Archbishop of Tanzania is a close friend of Rochester

Can you play the didgeridoo? A keyboard? No, then can you talk to people? Can you help children to learn about God?

Could you knock on doors and ask about the perceptions of the local church? None of these?

Then are you techy? Could you create a website and show someone else how to maintain it?

Do you have skills or gifts that you could use to the glory of God, but don’t or only in a limited way?

Many vicars have all sorts of hopes and dreams about how the church might reach out better to the local community – most though are hampered by the realities of the

lack of available resources of people and time. Could you do your part by actively offering your help? Whether you are ordained or not, authorised or not, younger or older, it doesn’t matter: it could be you!

Across the Church generally we need to move from a consumerist mentality (with the exception of the overwhelmed few in each church) to a missional model of church (see box). On a diocesan wide scale we need to be more adventurous in enabling people to be missional in churches where your volunteer time would be welcomed and nurtured; and that may or may not be in the church you are in just now.

The Mission and Community Engagement team of the Diocese has recently had some big changes - not only a new name, but the post of Assistant Missioner has been split

amongst five people each working one day per week. One of them is the Rev Martyn Saunders who is responsible for the strategy behind “short term missional teams”.

That means bringing together teams of people from across a number of churches to volunteer their time and skills into a different church setting for a specific and limited time.

At the moment Holy Family Gravesend with St Margaret Ifield are looking for people willing to help on three distinct projects: to set up and run Messy Church regularly with volunteers from that church; door knocking alongside present church members with a welcome pack for those moving into new housing in the parish; and welcoming visitors to the beautiful St Margaret’s church during the summer months.

Over at St Botolph’s, Northfleet there is hope to find a team of people to help the present congregation to take a survey to particular parts of the parish asking about perceived needs and how the church can help.

No doubt that survey will bring more opportunities for service.

Elsewhere, there are musicians and children’s workers in particular who could make a tremendous difference to a smaller church community.

So, would you be willing to help? Do you want to know more?

Then contact Martyn at martyn.saunders@pipnjims.co.uk or 01634 861108 to start the process moving forward.

The Bishop of Mpwapwa, the Right Rev. Dr. Jacob Chimeledya, is to be the next Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Tanzania. Elected at a meeting of the Provincial Synod in the Tanzanian capital, Dodoma, on 21 February, Bishop Jacob will succeed Archbishop Valentino Mokiwa of the Diocese of Dar es Salaam.

Born in 1957, Bishop Jacob studied at the Institute of Development Management in Tanzania before gaining a degree in theology at St Paul’s Theological College in Kenya. He later studied at Virginia Theological Seminary in the USA.

Among other roles before becoming Bishop of Mpwapwa in 2007, he was Project Manager for World Vision Tanzania, Diocesan Youth Secretary and Principal of St Philip’s Theological College in the town of Kongwa, Tanzania. He is married to Mwezwa with four children.

As Bishop of Mpwapwa (a position he will retain after becoming Archbishop), Jacob

Chimeledya oversees some 85 parishes and 650 congregations in a diocese larger than Wales in the central Dodoma region of the country.

Mpwapwa is important historically as the site of the first mission station in Tanzania and today is one of four overseas link dioceses of the Diocese of Rochester – others being Kondoa in Tanzania, Harare in Zimbabwe and the Diocese of Estonia. The link with Mpwapwa was formally established in 2004 and several parishes and schools in Rochester Diocese now have connections with Mpwapwa. St Luke’s, Sevenoaks, for example, supports a girls’ secondary school established by Bishop Jacob.

In July 2012, the Rt Rev, Dr. Brian Castle, Bishop of Tonbridge, was a guest of Mpwapwa Diocese along with two diocesan school parties from Tunbridge Wells and Belvedere. The growing bonds between Rochester and Mpwapwa were demonstrated in a cathedral service when Bishop Jacob confirmed a pupil from the UK and Bishop Brian ordained two deacons from Mpwapwa.

Bishop Brian comments: “Given that Mpwapwa is a partner diocese to Rochester, we’re particularly proud and delighted that Bishop Jacob, a friend to us all, has been called to this significant position. When I visited Mpwapwa last summer, I saw the way that Bishop Jacob is firmly guiding his Diocese and the high regard in which he is held.”

His view is echoed by the Rev Canon Dr. Dickson Chilongani, Provincial Secretary

of the Anglican Church of Tanzania, who describes Bishop Jacob as “a humble servant and leader who will strengthen unity within the Anglican Church of Tanzania and enhance its mission”.

Bishop Jacob will be installed as Archbishop at the Anglican Cathedral in Dodoma, provisionally on 19 May, and Rochester Diocese will be represented at that service.

Bishop Jacob carrying out a confirmation

The Wallis Park estate in Northfleet