JOURNAL OF BLACKBURN DIOCESE: THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND IN LANCASHIRE

THE

See MAGAZINE

FEBRUARY 2020

The See can also be found on the Diocesan Website: www.blackburn.anglican.org under News, or scan the ‘QR code’ on the back page

with your smartphone to be taken to the Diocese website page which contains the current and archive editions of The See.

When I first met Jo Gould, Vision Champion for Christ Church Wesham, one of the first things she said to me was: ‘Vision 2026 works!’, writes Carolyn Barton, our Vision Coordinator.

Jo is a member of a church which, following faithful prayer, is seeing transformative change.

I felt it was an important story as it demonstrates how proactive application of the Vision principles can make a real difference to the life of a parish. Christ Church Wesham started with all-important prayer coupled with a focused drive to ensure they were making disciples.

Along the way their story shows how change (even a clergy vacancy which can often be a difficult period in any parish’s life) can galvanise and create new opportunities.

Of course, changes don’t happen in isolation.

From support from outside the parish (such as a succession of visiting preachers); participating in wider diocesan events (such as Crossroads in 2016); plus much more – all of their work has combined to create a new sense of purpose.

In the piece that follows Jo shares the story with readers of The See magazine …

It started with prayer, regular heartfelt prayer, from a small and committed group who asked for God’s help in our parish.

Christ Church Wesham had had a tough few years; falling numbers of regular attendees, being unable to pay the parish share, and the departure of our incumbent. We knew that the future of our church was in question.

We knew we needed help. We knew we needed change.

When Vision 2026 first began I was appointed as Vision Champion. I attended all the PCC meetings I could and was inspired by so many committed Christians with different practical ideas about how to implement the challenges

set by the Vision.

We started with prayer and we held a lay-led Sunday Evening prayer service to focus on seeking God’s will for our Church. From this, ideas grew and every member of the church was asked to contribute to our Vision for the Church.

The prayer service became a praise service, exploring different styles and forms of worship, enabling us to grow as disciples. We started small, but we were determined that the service continued, irrespective of numbers.

The key ideas of Vision 2026: becoming a healthy transformative church, growing disciples, being witnesses and growing leaders were all important to us, but we focused first upon growing disciples and seeking God’s will for Christ Church in Wesham.

We participated fully in the Crossroads Mission in September 2016, hosting an event we called ‘A Bit of a Do’; playing to the strengths of our congregation and reaching out to our community. We had more than 120 people attend which gave us a real boost. Most importantly the Gospel was preached.

Being in vacancy we had the help of very gifted visiting priests who had differing styles; we learnt that change can be good.

We began to grow together into a real team, each with their own role to play. For some time we focused on Corinthians 12: unity and diversity in the body; that we were all a part of the body of Christ.

When the time came to write the Parish Profile, we went on an away day held in a neighbouring Parish Church, beginning and ending with an act of worship. We had gained an honest idea of where we were but more importantly where we wanted to go.

So, where are we now? We have an inspirational, enthusiastic Vicar who felt called to be with us.

Last autumn we held an Alpha Course with 20 people attending. Our regular weekly

attendance is increasing and we have started a Junior Church in freshly renovated rooms which has had more than 25 different children attend.

The Church has had building work completed enabling new growth and the Sunday night service continues. Vision 2026 has been embedded into the everyday life of the church. We continue to pray for revival in our parish, our deanery and our Diocese.

“Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20

Do you have a similar story to tell from your parish? Get in touch with Carolyn to tell her more at carolyn.barton@blackburn. anglican.org and we may be able to feature your story in a future edition.

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Inspirational change with

Vision 2026!

Members of the parish attended a special away day to write their new parish profile

Jo Gould

People from parishes across the diocese are being encouraged to attend the Installation and Collation Service for our new Archdeacon of Lancaster, The Venerable David Picken.

The venue is Blackburn Cathedral on February 4 at 7.30pm and following the service refreshments will be served.

David, who is married to Cathy, was previously Archdeacon of Newark in the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham. The initial announcement of his appointment to his new role was in October last year.

David, who was installed as the Archdeacon of Newark in 2012, studied for the priesthood at Lincoln Theological College. A full biography can be found on the Diocesan website www. blackburn.anglican.org as part of the ongoing news coverage of this story.

In addition, David has also recorded a short

video message for the parishes of our Diocese which can be viewed on our Diocesan YouTube channel (search online for YouTube and Blackburn Diocese).

In the video David says: “I’m so looking forward to joining you and getting to know you all better; sharing with you in proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ and our Vision 2026.”

Bishop Julian said: “David brings a wealth of experience and we will all benefit from his skills at what is a real time of God’s favour for our Diocese in terms of the work that many people are doing. Please remember David and Cathy in your prayers.”

David’s fellow Archdeacon Mark added: “I'm delighted to welcome David to the team here in our Diocese. I am really looking forward to working with him. In the meantime, I will be praying for David and Cathy as they make the move."

All welcome to attend our new Archdeacon’s

Installation . . .

Archdeacon David with his wife Cathy.

COMMENT: BISHOP JILL / NEWS

Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet and so are you.

February brings Valentine’s Day.

In the dreary post-Christmas months, this brings a chink of light to our retailers and restaurant owners. But I reckon for most of us, it brings a shiver down your spine. For me it is of early teenage memories of being “left out”.

Why is it that in those impressionable teenage years, none of us feel confident about how we look, talk, think, are. Imposter syndrome is rife.

And so life continues. The sermon at the last House of Bishops included a confession of imposter syndrome. When I was the Director of St Mellitus College North West, this was one of our most common issues for our students.

One trainee vicar, a woman in her 40s, had resisted a sense of call to ordination for many years.

“I didn’t think I was a leader,” she said, “because I wasn’t like Donald Trump.”

We all breathed a sigh of relief: “We are glad you’re not like Donald Trump!”

It’s so easy to slide down the slippery slope to imposter syndrome. We listen to the lies of the evil one, rather than the voice from the open heaven: “You are my own dear son / dear daughter and with you I am well pleased” (Luke 3 / Matthew 3)

The Spirit of God is endlessly, immeasurably creative. He brings a myriad of different colours, voices, tones, gifts. If we truly believe that Jesus was fully man and fully God, then the more filled we are with the Spirit of Jesus, then the more ourselves we become.

As Oscar Wilde brilliantly put it: “Be yourself, everyone else is taken.”

A significant healing of imposter syndrome for me has come from joining Blackburn Diocese.

In theory the stats might have been stacked against me: one of only four Dioceses who voted against the ordination of women; only the 13th female bishop in the Church of England.

But in a wonderful gift of God’s grace, Bishop Julian and Bishop Philip have

persistently encouraged me to be myself.

I have found this incredibly freeing. To be a bishop in a way that’s not been done before. And the incredible thing seems to be, as I am more myself in leadership this frees others to find their own voices, styles, colours, ways of leading and being.

As Catherine of Sienna said: “Be who God called you to be, and you will set the world on fire”. Bishop Jill

‘Be who God called you to be’

This article contains important current information about safeguarding for all our parishes, writes Sharon Hassall, Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser.

As you know, we always want to ensure that our churches and church-related activities are as safe as possible for children and for vulnerable adults.

An initial ‘past case review’ in The Church of England took place around a decade ago to identify any ongoing risks to children and young people.

All Dioceses, including our Diocese, have now been asked to extend the review in 2019-20 to include children, young people and vulnerable adults.

This latest process is known as Past Case Review 2 (PCR2).

The PCR2 process is welcomed by our Diocese and Bishop Julian, our diocesan bishop, is sending letters to all parishes very soon.

The letter will ask all incumbents to check that all known instances within their parish, both recent and non-recent, have been notified to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team. Please note that all parishes must engage with and take necessary action in response to the letter.

The Safeguarding Team has also written to the three local authority areas we work with in this diocese, to inform them of the process.

The PCR2 will be a central part of the Diocese of Blackburn’s ongoing and proactive approach to identifying any occasions where abuse allegations have not been managed appro-priately or safely; or where the needs of the vulnerable were not at the centre of decision-making.

Then, from May this year, Independent Reviewers (IRs) will start reviewing files in the Diocese.

The IRs will inform the DSA immediately if they identify any issues that require specific action to:

mitigate risk

report offences to the police

report concerns to the local authority or another body

or provide support to an individual who has previously asked for help and where there is no evidence that appropriate support was offered.

Anyone wanting further information or to make disclosures of church-related abuse can make direct contact with me and the safeguarding team on 01254 503088 or 07711 485170 or 07817 550224.

If you feel it would be easier to email, then please do so to using the following addresses: sharon.hassall@blackburn.anglican.org or rachael.campion@blackburn.anglican.org

In providing these contact details, we also recognise this option may not feel safe for those with direct experience of abuse from within the Church.

Because of this, a dedicated telephone helpline, operating independently from the Church, has also been set up for those affected by issues which may arise as a result of PCR2.

The number is 0800 80 20 20 (‘Past Cases Review 2 NSPCC Helpline for Children and Adults’).

‘Past Case Review 2’: Important

Message

PEOPLE AND PLACES

Forthcoming events

Do you get the popular new Diocesan Parish Update ebulletin? This e-bulletin is sent to all clergy and officeholders across the Diocese via ‘MailChimp’, but anyone who wants it can get a copy. Just email karen.ashcroft@blackburn. anglican.org to be added to the recipient list. Parish Update features specific help, advice and information and resources from the Diocesan staff teams.

'Spirituality and Dementia Care; A Gospel Message of Hope' is an event run by The Church of England in Lancashire to be led by Sr Siobhan O’Keeffe on Tuesday March 3. For more details see the Diocesan website events calendar at www.blackburn.anglican.org Venue is Lund Church Community Hall, Church Lane, Clifton, Preston PR4 0ZE. 10.30am-4pm, with coffee from 10am. Cost £20. (Please bring packed lunch).

The Allchurches Trust Limited, which is the owner of Ecclesiastical Insurance Group, has made available (via the Board of Finance at the Diocesan Offices of The Church of England in Lancashire) £35,000, which will equate to £1,000 for 35 churches, to assist and encourage churches to install a roof alarm system to protect, prevent and minimise the theft of lead on church roofs. To apply for one of the £1,000 grants please complete the application form to be found at www.blackburn.anglican.org/grants-and-funding

‘Open the Door’ is the theme for this year's Children’s Ministry conference from the Diocesan Board of Education for The Church of England in Lancashire. Delegates will consider how to share the Gospel with children currently outside of church families. Keynote speakers include Stela Stansfield (Safeguarding and Management Consultant), Rob Steward (Scripture Union) and Ruth Hassall (our own Diocesan Director of Discipleship). The conference will also have a range of workshops and takes place Friday/Saturday, February 28/29, 2020 at the Barton Grange Hotel in Preston. Tickets are £38 - £110 per person. Email sarah.earnshaw@blackburn.anglican. org for more details.

'Step Forward' is a vocations event for 18-30 year-olds, hosted by the Archbishop of York at Bishopsthorpe on the outskirts of York. It is open to all in Lancashire. Younger adults from across the country will gather on March 7, 2020, from 11am to 4pm to think about who and what God is calling them into. It’s free, great fun and you do not have to be formally exploring your vocation with your parish or the diocese to be eligible. To find out more visit www. stepforwardanglican. org.uk

On February 29 at The Xaverian Centre, 169 Sharoe Green Lane, Fulwood, Preston PR2 8HE, Desert Prayer: a day exploring the spirituality of the Desert Fathers. Arrive 10am for coffee, then 10.30am-4pm. Cost £20. Bring a packed lunch. To book, please email Donna: drworthington@ live.co.uk

The annual Clergy Study Mornings around the Diocese continue. The theme this year will be

‘Vocations For All: Exploring, identifying and equipping God’s people for ministry’. The remaining dates are January 30 in Lancaster; February 4 in Leyland and March 2 in Burnley. More details, including venues and booking links, can be found via the relevant entries on the events calendar at www.blackburn. anglican.org

Why not become a Friend of the retreat centre for The Church of England in Lancashire at Whalley Abbey? The ‘Friends of Whalley Abbey’ is a registered charity established to assist with the preservation and improvement of Whalley Abbey’s 14th Century ruins and grounds. Members also support the other charitable activities of the Abbey. As a Friend, you are entitled to FREE entry to the beautiful abbey grounds on most days of the year. You will also be invited to a special Friends’ quiet day each year and to a small number of social and fundraising events. Membership is only £10 per year (£15 couple or £20 for a family). Email: office@whalleyabbey.org for more details.

Award-winning Wingates Brass Band open this year’s Ribble Valley Music Festival with the First Night of the Ribble Valley Proms. The programme includes popular light classical, swing and pop music with a rousing proms finale at 7.30 pm on 7 March at St Peter’s Church, Ribchester Road, Salesbury BB1 9HU. £10 tickets include refreshments and can be obtained by calling 01254 384893. All proceeds will be donated to the church.

St Silas’ Church, Preston New Road, Blackburn BB2 6PS, is holding a Saturday Morning Café Concert on Saturday 15 February. Coffee and biscuits are served from 10.15am with Organ music played by Marc Murray, Director of Music at Bury Parish Church, and of The Rawstorne Singers. Marc will play a short 40 minute programme from 11am. Entrance is £5 and Everyone is welcome.

Fylde Fairtrade celebrates Fairtrade Fortnight and are holding two events on Tuesday 3 March to promote Fairtrade within the area. Between 2pm and 4pm at Freckleton Methodist Church and between 7pm and 9pm at Ansdell and Fairhaven St Paul’s church, Clifton Drive, Lytham St Annes FY8 1BZ. The speaker is Arton Medd who has worked with the Diocese to

promote Fairtade in the churches and has visited Ghana. The event is open to all. For more information contact Christine on 07984 004973 or Julie on 07914 926 422.

All parishes of The Church of England in Lancashire can have a page on ‘A Church Near You’ (www.achurchnearyou. com) which is a fantastic resource created by the national church. Ongoing research shows it is a very popular and well-used site and it is an especially powerful tool at key times of year such as Easter and Christmas. Recent changes in functionality on the site mean it can also double as a website for your parish. All parishes must ‘own’ their own page and can get help if needed via the ‘Editor Help Desk’ link at the bottom of the site’s home page. There is also a local information and advice page on www.blackburn.anglican.org

Situations vacant or wanted

Do you know a boy or girl in grade 3 or 4 who likes singing or plays an instrument? Blackburn Cathedral has outstanding singing opportunities and is looking for new choristers. Also the Cathedral is on the look-out for excellent volunteer ATB singers for the Choirs. With a world-famous acoustic, highly appreciative, encouraging Clergy and congregation, and a vibrant music tradition, the Choirs sing to a professional standard. Please contact John Robinson, Director of Music, at john.robinson@ blackburncathedral.co.uk for more information

Clergy updates

The Revd Canon Mark Soady, Vicar of Abergavenny St Mary, Abergavenny Holy Trinity with Llanwenarth Citra, Area Dean of Abergavenny, Prior of Holywell Monastic Community and Residentiary Canon of Monmouth Cathedral in the Diocese of Monmouth, has been appointed Rector of Rufford and Tarleton.

The Venerable David Anthony Picken will be collated as Archdeacon of Lancaster by the Bishop of Blackburn and installed as Archdiaconal Canon by the Dean of Blackburn on 4 February 2020 at 7.30pm at the Cathedral Church of St Mary the Virgin, Blackburn.

The Revd Christopher Noel Casey will be instituted by the Bishop of Blackburn and inducted by the Archdeacon of Blackburn as Vicar of Holme-in-Cliviger St John the Divine with Worsthorne St John the Evangelist on 5 March 2020 at 7.30pm at Worsthorne St John.

The Revd Keith Benjamin Ashworth, who was retired, with Permission to Officiate in the Diocese, died on 9 December 2019. A Service of Celebration was held on Friday, 20 December at All Saints, Anchorsholme followed by a Service of Committal at Poulton Crematorium. After a career in the textile industry, Keith was ordained in 1979 in the Diocese of Manchester and served all of his ministry in Manchester, until his retirement in 2001 when he was granted Permission to Officiate. After moving to Thornton Cleveleys in 2006, Keith was granted the Bishop’s Permission to Officiate in the Diocese of Blackburn. Keith is survived by his wife Myra.

We are always on the lookout for original ways of engaging people in church … and here is

something different – alpacas! Rosemary Cummins, children’s worker at Balderstone St Leonard’s Church, told us that for their Epiphany All Age Worship service in early January, they began with a procession from their local school to church which was led by a star, three kings and some alpacas! The animals proved to be a great attraction. They were owned by a family local to the church.

NEWS News? Feedback? thesee@blackburn.anglican.org

Deadline

for

the

March

edition

is

February 4,

2020

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For the online archive; more information about deadlines and how to submit articles, visit the website www.blackburn.anglican.org (search 'The See') or just scan the QR code on the right.

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The See is edited by Diocesan Communications Manager Ronnie Semley.

For new orders of ‘The See; or to change delivery address or quantities received contact Karen Ashcroft on karen.ashcroft@blackburn.anglican.org or 01254 503070.

Our Diocesan Board of Education has developed a new podcast series for children and their parents to engage with together.

‘Bible Podlets’ is a Bible study and discussion podcast with a difference. The aim is to encourage parents to take an active approach at home to discussing and studying the Bible with their primary school-aged children.

The episodes are between 15 and 20 minutes long and contain fun games and activities, an engaging Bible reading and a deep discussion with application and prayer points to reflect on.

The podcasts can also be used as a Sunday School resource and to aid Children’s Workers. There are free discussion notes available to download online which contain all activities and games as well as the Bible reference, themes, session aim and discussion questions.

Sarah Earnshaw, Children’s Work Adviser for the Board of Education and one of the podcast’s presenters said: “Our aim is to equip parents with the tools to explore faith with their

children and offer Children’s Workers new ways to open the Bible in their Church groups. We hope you like it!”

‘Bible Podlets’ will be launched at the Open the Door Children's Ministry conference on 29th February 2020 and will be available to download for free from www.bdeducation.org.uk (where you can find about more about the conference and book a place) and many other podcast directories like Apple Podcasts and on Spotify.

Learning the Bible using

our ‘Podlets’

The Diocese is trailblazing a new national pilgrimage initiative with a new designated walking route from Whalley Abbey to Blackburn Cathedral.

The route is 8.5 miles long and links the cathedral with one of the most important ancient Christian settlements in Lancashire – made more significant by the planning underway to relaunch Whalley Abbey as a Centre of Christian Prayer and Discipleship.

Rev. Canon Dr Rowena Pailing, Canon Missioner at Blackburn Cathedral (pictured) said: “We are delighted to celebrate the long tradition of pilgrimage in a new way with 2020 as the Year of Cathedrals and Year of Pilgrimage, especially connecting the two Christian sites of Whalley Abbey and the Cathedral, and also through our education programme which enables school

children to be pilgrims for the day.”

The national project, by the Association of English Cathedrals in the country and the British Pilgrimage Trust to mark ‘2020 Year of Cathedrals, Year of Pilgrimage,’ provides for a pilgrimage route to every Church of England cathedral.

And recently the Rev Jonathan Carmyllie, Vicar of St Mary’s, Whalley (pictured outside the cathedral) became the first person in the country to complete one of the new nationwide pilgrimage routes after they were officially launched.

He said: “The pilgrimage walk provides plenty

of variety, and gives ample opportunity to reflect on our Christian heritage; as well as encountering some of our industrial heritage. Arrival at the Cathedral does bring with it a sense, not just of the end of a walk, but of the completion of a stage in a longer journey.”

Jonathan arrives at Blackburn Cathedral

New pilgrimage route for

Lancashire Rev. Canon Dr Rowena Pailing

The Diocese will be bringing two very special performances of ‘The Mark Drama’ to life in February/March 2020 with the help of our Bishops.

Staged at Blackburn Cathedral on Saturday February 29 and Sunday March 1, the cast will be led by Bishop Julian, Bishop Philip and Bishop Jill along with some other members of the Bishop’s Leadership Team including the Dean, The Very Rev. Peter Howell-Jones.

Collectively they will be creating an amazing and impactful dramatisation of Mark’s Gospel in an event which is being produced in partnership with Buckshaw Village Church.

The Mark Drama is a fast-paced, innovative way of experiencing the Gospel of Mark and communicating it to others, performed as theatre-in-the-round. Created by Andrew Page, since its inception the show has been performed right across Europe and throughout the world.

Last year Buckshaw Village Church, under Rev. James Gwyn Thomas, became the latest place to perform The Mark Drama successfully – which led to James making the invitation to the Bishop’s Leadership Team to join them in a special new version this year.

This 90-minute groundbreaking drama is the perfect way to begin Lent in 2020 and focus our heads and hearts towards the cross at Easter.

It is also a fantastic mission opportunity. ALL those attending are encouraged to buy a ticket for themselves and another to give a friend an opportunity to hear the Gospel message in a unique way. But please note the production is not suitable for children aged 8 and under.

Bishop Julian said: “It’s always good to be able to impart the Gospel in new and different ways and this is an exciting and innovative production. As amateur actors we will be trusting wholly in God to shine the light of His message through us!

“I hope as many people as possible will take the opportunity to attend and – importantly – to bring a friend with them who may not have heard the Gospel message before.”

In The Mark Drama, the journey of Jesus and his followers will be mirrored in the setting of Blackburn Cathedral; starting at the west door under the ‘Christ the Worker’ sculpture by John Hayward and finishing under Hayward’s ‘Crown of Thorns’ which hangs above the high altar.

There will be performances on Saturday,

February 29, 2020 and Sunday March 1, 2020; both starting at 7.30pm in the Cathedral.

Tickets are available to purchase via Eventbrite links on the relevant dates on the events calendar at www.blackburn.anglican. org Don’t miss out because they were going fast as The See went to press!

Bishops taking

to the stage!

Bishop Philip, Bishop Julian and Bishop Jill will all star in 'The Mark Drama'. Get your tickets now!