Being the
Vicar of
Baghdad
See page 6
October 2013
Ordinations 14 September 2013
The Ordination of Priests
Saturday 14 September 2013
Photo shows: Bishop Brian, Rev Sharon Copesake, Rev Stephen Boon, Rev Stephen Broadie,
Rev Simon Taylor, Bishop James, Rev Julie Bowen, Rev Sophie Sutherland and Rev Rachel
Wilson. (Photo taken on Wednesday 11 September 2013.)
The Ordination of Deacons
Saturday 14 September 2013
Photo shows: Simon Couper (St Peter and St Paul, Tonbridge) Rev James Read* (St Peter,
Tunbridge Wells) Andy Fearnley (St Nicholas, Sevenoaks) Chris Kilgour (St Mary the Virgin,
Chalk) Tina Kelsey (St George, Beckenham) Bishop James, Bishop Brian, Andy Hobbs (St
Augustine, Bromley Common) Pam Alexander (St Peter with St Margaret, Rochester) and
Laurence Powell (St Nicholas with St Mary, Strood.) * Rev James Read had already been
Ordained in South Africa.
PLEASE NOTE: Copy deadline for the November issue of Rochester Link is 11 October 2013 at 4pm
ochester Link
2
The Bishop of Tonbridge’s Diary
The Rt Rev Dr Brian Castle
October
1 Oct
0930
Bishop’s Staff Meeting and Newcomer
Lunch at Bishopscourt
3 Oct
1030 Hospital Chaplains’ Meeting and Lunch,
Bishop’s Lodge
4 Oct
1245 Guild of Braillists’ Committee Meeting,
London
1900 Churches Together in Kent Supper,
Bishop’s Lodge
5 Oct
1000 Attend Reader Service, Rochester
Cathedral
6 Oct
0930 Parish Eucharist and Lunch, St Nicholas,
Chislehurst
8 Oct
1030 Speak at Research Conference
9 Oct
1900 Curates’ Supper at Bishop’s Lodge
10-11 Oct
Speak at Leadership Course, Bruges
13-20 Oct
Malling Deanery Visit
13 Oct
1830 Confirmation, St Mary, West Malling
14 Oct
1000 Thanksgiving Service, Walthamstow Hall
School, at St Nicholas, Sevenoaks
21 Oct
1530 Agenda Planning Group at Bishopscourt
22 Oct
1000 Area/Rural Deans’ Meeting, Bishopscourt
24 Oct
1000 Poverty and Hope Meeting, Bishop’s Lodge
1430 Visit Medway Maritime Hospital
CONTACT US
News and letters to the Editor:
linknews@rochester.anglican.org
Telephone: 01634 560000
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OCHESTER
Link
Proclaiming the word & work of God
What’s on
October 2013
Saturday 5
BROMLEY Prayer Breakfast – Praying Together. Continental
breakfast from 8.30 am in Front Room of St Mary’s Hall,
College Road, 9.15 talk and practice on praying in groups.
Part of the 150th Anniversary celebrations of St Mary Church.
For more information call 020 8464 1239.
CHISLEHURST Worship team training with Graham Kendrick
and Musicademy
Friday 10
LONDON Clergy training day on 10 October at Holy Trinity,
Swiss Cottage, from 10.30am to 4pm. John Fisher, CPAS
Patronage Secretary, will be leading a training day to help
clergy address the tricky subject of moving jobs. The course
will explore the biblical framework to the discernment
process, and look at the practicalities of making good
applications and handling interviews well. The day costs £28.
To book visit www.cpas.org.uk/events-and-programmes/
details/2300
Saturday 12
BROMLEY. Charity concert at St Mary’s Church, College Road,
BR1 3QG at 7:30pm. Concert by Bromley Symphony Players,
directed by Bernard Brook. The programme includes early
symphonies by Mozart and Haydn. Admission on the door
is £7 with interval refreshments. For more information, call
020 8464 1239.
ORPINGTON training day with Lucy Moore, the founder of
Messy Church worldwide, 10am to 3pm. Open to Messy
leaders, team members and all those interested in starting
a Messy Church. Places are limited so book now to avoid
disappointment. Book online at www.rochester.anglican.org
or contact Carol Evans: 01634 844508.
SHORNE Orlando Jopling’s Cello Pilgrimage at Shorne Parish
Church, 8pm. Unaccompanied cello recital featuring Bach
Suites in aid of the Roof and Tower appeal. Refreshments
will be available and there will be a pay bar with Prosecco.
Tickets £10 (children under 12 free). For tickets or more
information contact Rosemary Moore on 01474 824177 or
email ramoore@btinternet.com
Saturday 12-Sunday 13
DARTFORD 17th Wilmington Charity Model Railway Exhibition at
St Michael’s Church, Church Hill. Wilmington, Dartford DA2 7EG
from 10am to 5pm. Admission: Adults £3.50, Children/concessions
£3, Family (2&2) £10, under 5’s free. Raising funds for the Railway
Children, Demelza Children’s Hospice, Cherished Memories
& St Michael’s youth work. Details: the Revd Richard Arding
01322 220561. Disabled access, refreshments, on-road parking.
Many layouts of all major scales, displays and trade stands and a full
size steam lorry in action! Donations of model railway items for sale
or auction would be most welcome.
Burrswood is a Christian hospital (licensed by the Care Quality
Commission) and place of healing. Founded in 1948, it has become known
for its unique combination of physical, spiritual and emotional care. Set in
beautiful grounds, this non-surgical hospital has 37 en-suite bedrooms,
outpatient department for physiotherapy, counselling, hydrotherapy and
medical consultations, a six room guest house and a church.
Assistant Chaplain (part-time)
We are looking for a part-time Assistant Chaplain (for a minimum of 15
hours per week) to provide spiritual and pastoral care to our patients at
Burrswood and to lead worship and preside at the Eucharist. This will
include on-call cover on an ad-hoc basis to cover holidays and sickness. It
is essential to be able to exercise listening skills and to assess the depth of
personal and spiritual needs of our patients and guests. This role is open to
Ordained Anglican Priests and Methodist Ministers.
Closing date Friday 12 July
Volunteer Chaplains
We also have vacancies for volunteer ministers to join our ecumenical
Chaplaincy team, offering pastoral care to patients and guests within a
supportive interdisciplinary clinical team. We would love to hear from you
if you can offer us at least two half days a week. This is open to authorised
ministers of all denominations.
For further information please contact Judith Donald on 01892 865993 or
email judith.donald@burrswood.org.uk. Further information can also
be found on our website www.burrswood.org.uk.
Sunday 13
BROMLEY. Victorian harvest festival all-age service at St
Mary’s Church, College Road, BR1 3QG at 10:30am. For more
information, call 020 8464 1239
Wednesday 16
LONDON ‘Fundable yet Faithful – A conference for
Lunchtime Recitals
at St Luke’s Church, Eardley Road, Sevenoaks.
Every Wednesday at 12.30pm
Admission free. Lasting 30 minutes.
Refreshments from 12 noon
OCTOBER
2 Jean Bentley’s String Quartet
9 Harry Cooper – Jazz Piano
16 Hugh Ockendon – Piano
23 Jackie Sanjana – Horn, Arran Keith –
Piano
30 Jean Bentley’s Old Tyme Dance Band
Christian Charities and Churches focussing on Christian
distinctiveness and fundraising. Regent Hall, Oxford Street,
London on Wednesday 16 October, 10am - 4pm
To book call Anne on 020 8661 8066.
Friday 18 - Sunday 20
BROMLEY. Art Exhibition at St Mary’s Church, College
Road, BR1 3QG curated by Bromley Art Society. Paintings
to view and to buy. Free admission, with live music and
refreshments between 10 am and 5 pm on Friday, 10 –
11.30 and 1.30 - 5 on Saturday, and 12 noon to 5pm on
Sunday. For more information, call 020 8464 1239.
Saturday 19
BROMLEY Philharmonic Choir Autumn Concert. At Christ
Church URC, Tudor Way, Petts Wood at 7.30pm. Britten
Centenary Concert including St Nicholas, with Bromley Boy
Singers. Tickets: £8.00 in advance, £10.00 on the door. Box
Office: 020 8460 4898
BROMLEY. “Return of the Clergy” at St Mary’s Church,
College Road, BR1 3QG features many of the clergy – both
incumbents and curates – who have served at St Mary’s
over the past 50 years. There is a service at 12 noon
followed by refreshments, when each of the past clergy will
say a few words. For more information, call 020 8464 1239.
BROMLEY. Concert at St Mary’s Church, College Road, BR1
3QG at 6:30pm by Gary and Jane Sieling on organ and cello.
Admission on the door is £6, with interval refreshments.
For more information call 020 8464 1239.
Friday 25
BECKENHAM Fine Dining and Jazz at St Barnabas at
7:30pm. Join us for an evening of fine dining and jazz.
To join this event, do please secure your place quickly as
seats are limited. Dress code: lounge suits and cocktail
dresses. Tickets include a glass of fizz on arrival, music
by ‘5 to the bar’ Jazz band, a 3 course meal, ½ a bottle
of wine. A bar will also be available. Cost: £50. Contact
events@stbarnabasbeckenham.org 020 8650 3393
Saturday 26
BROMLEY. Come and sing Handel’s Messiah with us in
historic Bromley College 2.00 - 7.30pm (Performance only
6pm). Those new to choral singing, and experienced
singers, all welcome.
Details: petermorris203@btinternet.com 020 8460 3455.
BROMLEY. Barn Dance at St Mary Warwick Hall, College
Road, BR1 3QG at 7.30 p.m. with March Hare Band. Tickets
£8.50 including Ploughman’s Supper from Carole Beale
020 84609330.
Thursday 31
WATERINGBURY Shining Bright Party at the Church of
St John the Baptist, Tonbridge Road, Wateringbury from
4:30 - 6:30pm. A ‘Fearless Knight’ themed party for school
children between the ages of 4 and 13. Join us for lots
of fun, crafts, games, including the popular churchyard
treasure hunt. Come dressed in your brightest clothes or
as a knight or princess and be prepared for lots of treats
and sweets! For a booking form please contact Lisa on
07950 852899.
November
Saturday 2
PADDOCK WOOD - Fairtrade Christmas Event at St
Andrew Paddock Wood from 12 to 4pm. Customers will
be able to purchase fairly traded goods: from jewellery
and textiles through to household goods, Christmas
cards, decorations, wrapping paper and a vast selection
of foods. There is plenty of free parking and a café-forthe-day offering home made soups and cakes. Put a
little humanity back into your purchasing choices by
supporting this event. More details are available from
Katharine Garland on 01892 724542
Saturday 16
MEREWORTH Autumn Fair. Please come and join us
at St Lawrence Church, the Street, Mereworth, Kent,
ME18 5LS from 11.00am-3.00pm. Lots of stalls, raffle and
refreshments
ochester Link 3
“By Christianity I see everything else’’
By the Ven Clive Mansell
“I believe in Christianity as
I believe that the sun has
risen; not only because I
see it, but because by it I
see everything else.”
Those words come from C S Lewis, the
Oxbridge don and the writer of the famous
“Chronicles of Narnia”. They are amongst a
host of quotations from his writings that still
find their way into books and to articles and
websites on the internet.
Next month, November, will see the 50th
anniversary of the death of C S Lewis, an event
which coincided with the assassination the
American President John F Kennedy and which,
in consequence, was almost lost in the media
coverage at the time because of the dramatic
events in Dallas, Texas on that November day.
Do take an opportunity at some point to
Google “Quotations of C S Lewis” and scan
through some of the things which then appear
on the screen of your computer, your laptop
or your tablet. Most of the quotations would
indeed be in some way or another related
to the Christian faith and his outlook on life
flowing from his Christian faith. As he puts it in
that quotation: “by Christianity I see everything
else”.
There are those around us who wish to push
Christianity— and indeed all religious faith—to
the very margins of society or into the privacy
of peoples’ minds, but certainly away from
the public sphere. That is the very opposite to
where C S Lewis placed it. Christianity was not
an “add-on”, an optional extra or, in some way, a
hobby on the side. It was central to how life was
to be seen, experienced, lived and approached.
Those who would push Christianity into a
corner either fail to understand it or fear to let
it make the impact on their lives which, by the
grace of God, it can.
The vision of the Christian faith is enormous.
Just read some of the opening paragraphs
of the Letter to the Ephesians in the New
Testament!
The impact of the Christian faith is
revolutionary. It seeks to put God at the centre
of existence and not ourselves (something
uncomfortable for all of us who so often feel
that we want to be the centre of our lives
and to have control over what happens - and
something very uncomfortable for a culture
which lays much emphasis on ideas of self
fulfilment and personal choice). Historically,
the impact of Christianity changed the ancient
world into which it came and thereby human
beings, even at their most frail and feeble,
took on a value and a dignity, which previous
societies too often had denied them. From
the womb to the tomb and beyond, they were
precious, made in the image of God, intended
to be children of God, destined for an eternity
with God.
Christianity opened up provision for
reconciliation and restoration, which were only
possible by an understanding of reality which
was honest about failure and confident in the
potential and possibilities which could flow
from the powerful work of God.
To quote C S Lewis again:
“To be a Christian means
to forgive the inexcusable
because God has forgiven the
inexcusable in you.”
Perhaps the most famous challenge of C S
Lewis to those who would wish to diminish or
marginalise the figure of Jesus Christ is found
in his volume “Mere Christianity”. There he
claimed that people could not just say that
Jesus was “a great moral teacher” and not
accept his claim to be God. The things which
Jesus said did not leave that option open. He
was either (to summarise C S Lewis’s words)
mad or bad or God. The challenge of those
words rings true today and can still prompt
thought amongst those who would casually
lay aside the Christian faith and the one who is
central to it.
One of C S Lewis’s other sayings is that
“To enter heaven is to become
more human than you ever
succeeded in being on earth.”
That again reflects his vision for who we are
as people and who we are intended to be. He
sees everything else and everyone else through
his Christian faith.
Do use the opportunity of these weeks
leading up to the anniversary of C S Lewis’s
death to access some of his writings and
sayings and to reflect upon what they can still
say to us now, 50 years later, and what they can
say to those around us.
Bishop James’ diary - October
1Oct
2-4 Oct
5 Oct
6 Oct
0930
1430
1100
1830
8 Oct
0830
1100
10 Oct
1800
11-12 Oct
13 Oct
1100
14 -16 Oct
17 Oct
1000
18 Oct
All day
20 Oct
1000
1830
22 Oct
0930
1430
23-29 Oct
Bishop’s Staff Meeting
Bishops’ Leadership Development course
Admission & Licensing of Readers - Cathedral
Preach – Unity Church, Orpington
Institution of Judy Henning as Incumbent - Rainham
London Church Leaders meeting,
Chair: Churches Funerals Group - London
Kent Community Foundation dinner
Chair: Women Bishop’s Steering Group - London
15th Anniversary of Consecration – St Paul, South Gillingham
Lead: Rochester & Gillingham deanery chapters’ residential
Chair: Women Bishop’s Steering Group - London
HOPE Conference – Bennett Memorial School
Preside & preach – Hildenborough
80th Anniversary of Consecration – Holy Redeemer, Lamorbey
Area & Rural Deans’ meeting – Bishopscourtl
Diocesan Finance Committee
HOLIDAY
4
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Tesco is the only supermarket that will be
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as it has ordered enough to offer a national
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From 2nd September, churches with a
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individuals can arrange for home delivery
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Select independent retailers, Christian
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FREE SPECIALIST CATALOGUE AVAILABLE
How often should we have our lightning
conductor tested?
By the Rev Christopher Miles
The simple answer to the question
is once every four years in normal
circumstances.
Now for the more complicated answer.
Although the old British standard BS6651
was withdrawn in 2008, it is still permissible
to continue to test to that Standard a lightning
NATIONAL FRUIT
SPECIALISTS
requirement. The Diocese decided that for
churches for which it has responsibility (not
the Cathedral) once every 5 years, to line up
with the quinquennial inspections, would be,
in ordinary circumstances, sufficient. This
was published in the previous DAC guidance
leaflets on lightning protection over many
years.
The new Standard BS EN 62305 varies
the periodicity of the inspection according
to the protection level and separates the
visual inspection from a complete inspection
(i.e. visual inspection and testing).
For
levels III and IV systems, the two lower
levels of protection which would include all
our parish churches, a visual inspection is
required every two years and a complete
inspection every four years. All the detailed
maintenance requirements including these
periodicities are contained in an informative
annex of the Standard. In this Diocese we
have now adjusted the testing (complete
inspection) periodicity to four-yearly to line
up with the Standard, with an annual visual
inspection performed by a churchwarden or
other authorised person using the checklist
at the end of the diocesan leaflet. Details of
maintenance are given in paragraphs 20 to
The Rev Christopher Miles 22 of the diocesan leaflet, to be found on the
Diocesan Lightning Protection diocesan website.
There is often a degree of commercial
protection system designed to the old pressure for an annual test. It is the view of
Standard.
the Diocese that annual testing is not normally
That Standard stated that all systems should necessary. However it is also good practice
be visually inspected and tested at least to have a lightning protection system tested
once every 12 months and recommended within 12 months of a new or upgraded
a slightly shorter periodicity (for testing) to installation, after a known or suspected
vary the season.
The Standard was in lightning strike and after replacement of
fact a ‘Code of Practice’, in other words conductors following theft.
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On five nights each week,
volunteers drawn from churches
in and around Tunbridge Wells
(some from some distance away),
gather in the Crescent Road car
park, Tunbridge Wells, to provide
a “point-of-need” contact for the
homeless and disadvantaged in
Tunbridge Wells with the aim of
providing food and warm clothing
for all those who need it.
The Tunbridge Wells Churches Street
Teams, as they call themselves, have been
around in their current format for about 4
years, though under the umbrella of the Bridge
Trust, they have been operating for much
longer, since 1994. Currently there are over
twenty five volunteers who serve food and
beverages, the majority of which are supplied
as donations to the activity. In the very cold
weather, food vouchers were distributed last
year.
As the economic crisis has deepened,
demand for help from the teams has increased.
At present it is not unusual for there to be
between 20 and 30 “customers” seeking help
each evening.
The Bishop of Tonbridge recently visited
one of the Street Teams and comments:
“One concrete way that we can show our
commitment to Jesus Christ is by helping the
poor and needy and this is precisely what the
Street Teams do. My last visit to the project
was during the winter when the
One of the Street Teams
food and fellowship was deeply appreciated.
It’s a great project, there’s a real sense of
community and many needs are being met
and it reminds us all that there are pockets
of poverty in the most unexpected places.
Please help if you can.”
If you think you could help on one night
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Similarly, if you would like to donate in any
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ochester Link
Being The Vicar of Baghdad
The Rev Canon Andrew White, the
Vicar of Baghdad, lives a somewhat
different life to clergy operating
within the UK.
During a recent visit to St Mary’s
Church, Hadlow, he shared some
of his experiences with Rochester
Link.
Danger lies around every corner
and it’s the prospect of bombs,
murder and poverty that he faces
on his afternoon rounds.
Rochester Link caught up with him on one
of his few whistle-stop visits to England.
Being Christian in the UK and in many parts
of the world is an accepted way of life, but in
Baghdad, following the Christian faith can be
a death sentence.
The dangers facing Canon Andrew
White, his Iraqi curate, the Rev Faiz Jerjees,
parishioners and the church of St George are
very real, but it is their faith that keeps them
strong.
St George’s Church is the only Anglican
Church in Iraq and is based at the heart of
Baghdad’s red zone – meaning an unsafe
area.
Despite being surrounded by blast walls
and guarded by 35 soldiers, the church has
been bombed five times in the past three
years.
The peaceful way in which we are used
to walking into church here in Britain, is
something Iraqi Christians can only dream of.
Most members are collected and taken to
the church by private bus to avoid kidnapping
and all worshippers are subject to a body
search on the way in to detect and deter
suicide bombers.
However, one Sunday, a suspected suicide
bomber managed to get in.
Thankfully they were removed by security
before they could detonate their explosives.
Andrew and the congregation take
enormous risks simply by being at St George.
Andrew said: “It’s so dangerous to be
Christian in Iraq.”
“Once I had 13 people who came to me
and wanted to be baptised - 11 of them were
murdered the following week.
“We tell everyone who wants to be baptised
that there could be consequences and that
they could be killed.
“In response they simply say, ‘we don’t care,
we want to follow Jesus’.
“We have had so many of our own church
members killed; my whole church council was
killed in one afternoon.”
Andrew was once at the centre of a man
hunt which resulted in him being urgently
flown home via private jet.
He said: “I remember the ambassador
telling me I had to leave, he said ‘there
are hundreds of posters with your face on
all around Baghdad saying wanted dead
or alive’.
“They had a plane waiting for me – it was
the Queen’s plane. I don’t know how they got
it but the difference between this plane and
others was the blue carpet in the toilet.”
Andrew returned to his home to find that
police had moved his wife and two sons to a
safe location in case they were targeted.
Despite being a wanted man, he soon
returned to Iraq.
Regardless of the dangerous reality that
faces Andrew in Baghdad, he continues to
return and has been there since 1998.
He said: “I can honestly say the church is
the most wonderful and loveliest place I’ve
ever been in.
“I know I am where I am supposed to be.”
Not only do the Christians of Baghdad
rely on the church for faith, but also for food,
healthcare and education.
“We often have clinics in the church hall
where there’s a dentist, a doctor, we can
do x-rays, cardiology, paediatrics – what a
wonderful use of a church hall” said Andrew.
“And the clinics are not just for Christians,
they are for everybody.
“Have you ever gone to church to get your
teeth fixed? – I have.”
Food packages containing rice, lentils, flour
and bread are also given out once a week to
help poverty stricken families.
On his daily rounds Andrew witnesses the
conditions in which his parishioners live and
he sees how essential the food parcels are.
He said: “In the afternoons I do parish
visits and I have 38 security guards with
me.
“It’s quite interesting doing your parish
rounds with guards, an armoured vehicle at
the front and one at the back, and lots of guns.
“But we have to go and see our people.
Their conditions are terrible but on Sunday,
when they come to church, they all make an
effort.
“I go to their houses and there are rats and
chickens running around in the living room,
and that is their only room. One of the families
I visit has 13 people living in one room, and I
know if I do not take them their food they will
have nothing.
“They always look so happy though and
when asked why they’re happy they say
‘we have lost everything, Jesus is all we
have left’.”
It was Andrew’s goal when he first arrived
in the country to set up a school for the
children of Baghdad, something which has
now materialised.
Andrew White in the church
He said: “We now have a purpose built
school dedicated to teaching the young
people, it’s wonderful.”
Inter-faith work is central to what goes on
at St George, in an attempt to break down
barriers between different religious groups.
“So much of my work is dealing with the
kind of people who want to kill you”, said
Andrew.
“The inter-faith work is often with the guys
who are involved in the killing and we are
enabling them to become friends.
“There isn’t one religious community in Iraq
which is not at risk, but together we can stay
firm, together we can show the love of God
and that’s what we try to do.
“It’s hard but we do not give up.”
While Andrew is bringing the Christian faith
to the people of Baghdad, his wife and two
sons are at their Hampshire home living a
more ‘normal’ lifestyle.
Andrew said: “When I am away I miss my
wife and children.
“It is hard leaving my family in England and I
always say that they have made a real sacrifice
for me, but it’s all they have ever known.”
ochester Link 7
The differences: UK v. Iraq
During his ministry in Baghdad, Andrew had
to adjust to a different way of life.
Not only is he surrounded by danger and
poverty, but he also has to deal with extreme
temperatures.
He said: “You never get used to the heat.
Recently it was 60 degrees centigrade, so hot
that the traffic lights were melting.
“Another thing that’s different in Baghdad is
they have most of their meetings sitting on the
floor, which is very uncomfortable.
“Also, Synod is very unlike any Synod
meeting in Britain, there is no discussion –
whatever the priest says goes.”
When Andrew arrived in Baghdad 15 years
ago there was something about the church
that he wanted to change.
He said: “When I arrived all those years
ago I wanted to get men and women
sitting on the same sides of the church,
did I manage that? No.”
Something which is not likely to change
anytime soon is the ordination of women.
“There is no concept of having women
priests in Iraq” said Andrew.
“We are a thousand years away from
that happening.”
Hungry for More
Andrew White in the parade
How churches can address the root causes of food poverty
According to the Church Urban Fund, It is
estimated that more than 500,000 people
in the UK are now reliant on food aid. The
extraordinarily high number of people turning
to food banks to make ends meet has brought
media and policy attention to the issue of food
poverty. The Church Urban Fund has been
asking the question, “What are its underlying
causes and what are the most appropriate
responses?”
In many ways churches have been at the
heart of this recent focus on food poverty, with
hundreds setting up or supporting food banks,
helping to mobilise teams of volunteers to give
out food to local people in need.
Research conducted by Church Urban Fund
sought to explore church-based responses
to food poverty, looking in particular at the
proportion of churches responding to the
issue and the nature of those responses.
The survey found that church-based
responses to food poverty are currently
focused on emergency activities, such as food
banks, rather than work that seeks to address
underlying causes:
81% of respondents indicated that their
parish church supports a food bank, in one or
more ways.
Just 30% of churches are running an
organised activity to address one or more
causes of food poverty.
There may be several reasons for these
results: food banks are relatively cheap to
set up, do not require specific professional
expertise to deliver and they help to meet
an immediate need. Churches may also
feel unsure about how to address structural
problems such as the rising cost of living, low
income or benefit changes.
According to the Church Urban Fund report,
while food banks help to support people in
crisis situations, they do not tackle the
underlying causes of those crises. Furthermore,
for those who find themselves unable to buy
food, visiting a food bank can be a humiliating
experience that reminds them of their inability
to make ends meet.
The survey results suggest that, if churches
are to contribute to a long-term solution to
food poverty, there is a need to rebalance
church-based activity away from emergency
crisis support and towards long-term work
that tackles the underlying problems.
A new framework for responding to food
poverty
In making this change, the framework devised
by two international development experts,
Corbett and Fikkert, can be a useful resource
for churches. In their book, ‘When Helping
Hurts’ (2009), they propose that all povertyalleviation work falls into three categories:
relief, rehabilitation, and development.
Three case studies show how these
categories can act as a useful framework for
churches seeking to respond to food poverty.
A relief response, such as a food bank,
provides support during a period of crisis
when someone is unable to feed themselves
or their family.
A rehabilitation response works with people
to restore the positive elements of a pre-crisis
situation – for example, a debt advice centre
helping people to pay down their debt so that
they can afford to buy food in the future.
A development response, such as a cookery
course, tackles underlying problems such
as poor nutrition, but also helps to build
relationships and break down distinctions
between ‘helper’ and ‘helped’, changing and
shaping all those involved.
For more information go to: www.cuf.co.uk
8
ochester Link
Advertising Feature
Healing
in this Holy Land
Could your church help bring the gift of
healing to communities across the world
this Christmas? Please order your resources
to hold a Christian Aid collection as part of your celebrations.
‘He heals the broken-hearted, and binds up their wounds.’ Psalm 147:3
Order your Christmas resources online, by phoning 0870 078 7788 or by
returning the form below.
christianaid.org.uk/christmas05
Your name
Please return this form to Christian Aid, PO Box 390, Grays, RM17 9DG.
Church/group name
Address
Project name Christmas appeal 2012
Item name
A3 Poster/A5 Lft (English)
Client
Anna Couper
Client team Church Appeals
Job number 13-068-J541-Christmas A3_poster-A5_lft
Proof stage
AW
Proof date
26/07/12
Feedback due
English version
Project name
Item name
Client
Client team
Town
‘I told Waleed that not all Israelis
are soldiers’ Rufaida, Waleed’s mother
Waleed Badir has experienced both personal and political
unrest, as he’s struggled with his severe deafness in the West
Bank – part of the occupied Palestinian territory. Volunteer
Israeli doctors working for Christian Aid partner Physicians
for Human Rights Israel are striving to bring healing to
patients like Waleed – and between communities – as
they work for the right to healthcare for all.
Share the peace of Christmas by
bringing urgent care to children
living in conflict.
christianaid.org.uk/christmas
County
Postcode
Healing
Christmas
poster-leaflet
Waleed grew up knowing the reality of
conflict, and restricted access to healthcare
under Israeli occupation meant that he did
not receive the medical care he needed. As a
result, he fell behind academically and spent
his early years trapped in virtual silence.
(F1969E)
in this Holy Land
Donations to Christian Aid’s Christmas 2012 appeal will be used to support Christian Aid’s work around the world, including work with partners like PHRI.
UK registered charity no. 1105851 Company no. 5171525 Scot charity no. SC039150 NI charity no. XR94639 Company no. NI059154 ROI charity no. CHY 6998 Company no. 426928
The Christian Aid name and logo are trademarks of Christian Aid; Poverty Over is a trademark of Christian Aid. © Christian Aid August 2012 Photos: Christian Aid/Tabitha Ross 13-068-J541
Printed on 100 per cent recycled paper
F1969E
Qty
But, last year, Christian Aid partner
Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI)
provided Waleed with a hearing aid – and
his world opened up. The Israeli volunteer
doctors working for PHRI are changing
perceptions. When Waleed first went to
the clinic, he said the doctors couldn’t be
Israelis. Waleed’s mother says, ‘I told
Waleed that not all Israelis are soldiers.’
Job number
J551
Proof stage
AW
Proof date
Feedback due
in this Holy Land
christianaid.org.uk/christmas
Since Waleed Badir
received a hearing
aid from partner
organisation PHRI,
his confidence has
increased
Prayer cards
Project name
Item name
Client
Client team
(F2101E)
Christian Aid is a Christian organisation
that insists everyone should be able to
lead a full life, free from poverty. We work
globally, striving to achieve equality, dignity
and freedom for people of all faiths and
backgrounds. We provide urgent, practical
assistance where need is great, tackling the
effects of poverty as well as its root causes.
Photo: Christian Aid/Tabitha Ross
UK registered charity no. 1105851 Company no. 5171525
Scotland charity no. SC039150 Northern Ireland charity no. XR94639 Company no. NI059154
Republic of Ireland charity no. CHY 6998 Company no. 426928
The Christian Aid name and logo are trademarks of Christian Aid;
Poverty Over is a trademark of Christian Aid. © Christian Aid August 2012 13-068-J551
Printed on 100 per cent recycled paper
Christmas 2012- 13-068-A
star diecut a5 4pp card
Anna Couper
Inspiring Participation-Church
Healing
Today, in the area that was the setting
for the original Christmas story, peace is
scarce. Twelve-year-old Waleed Badir has
experienced both personal and political
unrest, as he’s struggled with his severe
deafness in the occupied Palestinian territory.
F2101E
Qty
Christmas 2012
GIVING ENVELOPE • ENG
Anna Couper
Inspiring Participation-Church
Peace is a rare thing for children
living in the occuPied Palestinian
territory
The childhood of Waleed Badir
(pictured) was coloured by isolation
and frustration. You might be forgiven
for thinking this quiet boy of 12 is
simply shy, but he is 90 per cent deaf.
He is an intelligent child, but his
speech is limited.
Rufaida says, ‘Before, if he wanted to
go out, I had to talk to him to help him
feel confident. He used to leave and
keep looking back. But now he just says
goodbye and goes out with his friends.’
PHRI was able to offer Waleed a new
sense of peace.
Waleed grew up knowing the reality
of conflict, and restricted access to
healthcare under Israeli occupation
meant that he did not receive the
medical care he needed. As a result, he
fell behind academically and spent his
early years trapped in virtual silence.
‘Waleed was locked in a world where he
found it very difficult to communicate,’
says Waleed’s mother, Rufaida.
At the same time, the Israeli volunteer
doctors working for PHRI are changing
perceptions. When Waleed first went to
the clinic, he said the doctors couldn’t
be Israelis. Waleed’s mother says, ‘I told
Waleed, “These Israelis are doctors and
they consider it their duty to help people.”’
Peace on earth
Last year Waleed received a hearing
aid from a mobile clinic run by Christian
Aid partner organisation Physicians for
Human Rights Israel (PHRI) – and his
world opened up. He is now able to
hear far better and his vocabulary and
confidence are increasing.
There are many more children like
Waleed, trapped in the midst of conflict
in this region and unable to access the
level of medical care they urgently need.
‘Our children have only ever met
Israelis at gunpoint. I told Waleed that
not all Israelis are soldiers.’
Rufaida, mother of Waleed Badir, who was
treated by volunteer Israeli doctors in the
West Bank.
Please give generously to help bring healing
this christmas: christianaid.org.uk/christmas
Job number
13-068-A
Proof stage
AW2
Proof date
21/08/12
Feedback due
Gift envelopes
eNgLiSH veRSioN
(F1968E)
Christian Aid works in
partnership with local
organisations on the
ground to bring about
urgent and lasting
change.
Your Christmas gift
will help people
living in poverty
build better lives
£5 could buy one course
of antibiotics for a patient
attending a PHRI mobile clinic.
£8.65 could pay for a PHRI
appeal to the Israeli army
or civil administration for a
patient to travel to receive
medical care.
£15 could pay for PHRI
to make referrals for two
patients to receive medical
care in Israel.
Christian Aid is a Christian organisation
that insists everyone should be able to
lead a full life, free from poverty. We work
globally, striving to achieve equality,
dignity and freedom for people of all faiths
and backgrounds. We provide urgent,
practical assistance where need is great,
tackling the effects of poverty as well as
its root causes.
How to give:
healing
• Please give this gift to your church, school
or collection organiser, or write a cheque
(payable to Christian Aid) and send it with the
Gift Aid declaration overleaf to
Freepost RSUR-YSTS-KJUL, Christmas Appeal 2012,
Christian Aid, 35-41 Lower Marsh, London SE1 7RL.
at christmas time
Qty
• Alternatively call 0845 7000 300 or
visit christianaid.org.uk/christmas
to give by debit or credit card.
christianaid.org.uk/christmas
Add 25 per cent to your gift
Photos: Christian Aid/Tabitha Ross
UK registered charity no. 1105851 Company no. 5171525
Scot charity no. SC039150 NI charity no. XR94639 Company no. NI059154
ROI charity no. CHY 6998 Company no. 426928 The Christian Aid name and
logo are trademarks of Christian Aid; Poverty Over is a trademark of Christian Aid.
© Christian Aid August 2012 13-068-J550
Printed on 100 per cent recycled paper
F1968E
Christian Aid will not pass your details on to any other organisation. If you already receive information from
Christian Aid we will continue to send it unless you tell us otherwise by writing to us at PO Box 100, London,
SE1 7RT. If you are new to Christian Aid, please tick here if you do not want to receive information from us. ❏
A017698
UK registered charity no. 1105851 Company no. 5171525 Scot charity no. SC039150 NI charity no. XR94639 Company no. NI059154 ROI charity no. CHY 6998 Company no. 426928 The Christian Aid name and logo are trademarks of Christian Aid.
Photo: Christian Aid. © Christian Aid August 2013 14-068-J1784
ochester Link 9
Support needed this coming winter
As autumn approaches and (dare I say it?)
we are starting to think about the winter
months and Christmas, Church Housing
Trust would like to remind you that we have
written our annual letter to every PCC in the
Diocese requesting much needed financial
and prayerful support.
The hostels we work with up and down
the country not only offer a roof and a bed.
Residents are given health checks, help with
their addictions, housing and employment
advice and the opportunity to learn skills such
as cooking and use of IT that will help them
when they are able to move on and resettle
on their own. Our funding provides the added
value that ensures that as many people as
possible receive these opportunities and do
not go back to their unsettled way of life on
the streets or in temporary accommodation.
Your consideration for Harvest or Christmas
collections would be appreciated, or you
could run an event such as coffee morning,
cake sale, jumble sale or a sponsored event
on our behalf. Every donation, however small,
is appreciated and helps to make a difference
to someone’s life.
Please
look
at
our
website
(www.churchhousingtrust.org.uk) for more
information, or give us a call. We can provide
newsletters, posters, leaflets and articles for
your church magazines and you can follow us
on twitter (@ChurchHousing) or find us on
Facebook.
Celebration of the historic Alfred Monk Organ at
St Mary’s Church, Hadlow
The first reference to the present
organ was a petition dated 17th
July 1880 by the Rev P Howard
Moneypenny for a faculty (found
recently in the archives at
Canterbury), requesting permission
to build a new chamber on the side
of the church, with a large opening
into the chancel to house the organ.
The organ had been offered as a
gift by Ernest Hargreaves in January
1880, with the cost for the new
chamber given as £500.
The Lay Rector had given his permission
for the opening in the chancel wall, and the
faculty was granted on 3 September 1880,
with the condition that the old organ was sold
to help pay for the new chamber. Interestingly,
a recent search of census records revealed
that Ernest Hargreaves married the Rev
Moneypenny’s 17 year old daughter in June
1880!!
A note on the Visitation of 1890 reports: “A
handsome organ presented to the church has
led to the erection of an organ chamber which
is a considerable addition to the capacity of
the church.”
The three manual organ with 35 speaking
stops (including a 32ft Contra Bass) was built
by Alfred Monk of Camden Town and installed
temporarily in the North West Nave aisle, and
then moved to the new ‘organ chamber’ in
1881. Alfred Monk was regarded as a ‘quite
fine and well regarded organ builder with
those built in the 1880s as his best period’.
It is a tracker organ with the action still totally
mechanical. (the organist needs to be fit to
play using full organ!).
The two organ bellows were hand pumped
by the organ blower (paid £5 per annum).
Parish records from 1916 state: “One day the
organ commenced to play and quickly ran out
of air, the organist ran round and found the
~ in harmony with tradition ~
Ronald Emett fine furniture
01308 868025 ronald@emett.co.uk
www.ronaldemettfurniture.com
CHURCH PEWS
UNCOMFORTABLE?
WHY NOT TRY SAFEFOAM’S TOP QUALITY
UPHOLSTERED FOAM PEW CUSHIONS?
Safefoam, Green Lane, Riley Green,
Hoghton, Preston PR5 0SN
www.safefoam.co.uk Freephone 0800 015 44 33
Free Sample Pack of foam & fabrics sent by first class mail
When phoning please quote RL1013
Personal Tax Return Service
for Ministers of Religion, the Self
Employed, Individuals with Letting
Income and Individuals with Multiple
Incomes
Angela Kendall FCCA ATT
01380 730982
angela@kendallsreturns.co.uk
Payroll and Bookkeeping also available
verger fast asleep.” The hand pumps were
replaced in 1936 with the current electric
blower which is still in use.
The console was lit by two gas lamps; the
lamp holders now support the mirrors used by
the organist to see what is happening.
The Cambridge Historic Organ database
details the technical specification of the organ.
Hadlow organ
The organ is still used every week to
accompany the choir to lead the congregation
in services including a choral Eucharist.
A recital to show off this fine instrument is
being given on Sunday 13 October at 3.00pm
by Matthew Morley, Assistant Director of
Music from St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street.
Your parish in the Rochester Link newspaper - 3 easy steps.
People do like to see their parish or their vicar in the Rochester Link, celebrating good news and sharing it with the rest of the
Diocese. We know that there are plenty of good news stories around the Diocese that never make it to our offices, which is
a shame. By sharing our stories, we can inspire and motivate others. We want to help you share your good news. Just follow
these easy steps and you should be seeing your parish in print soon!
1. Check the copy deadline in the front page of Link. Submit your story before this date.
2. Send your story and a good quality image together in one email to linknews@rochester.anglican.org
3. Check the diocesan website for copy writing and photography guidance at:
www.rochester.anglican.org -> Communications -> Guidance -> Photography Tips
Birchwood House
Rest Home
Residential Home for
the Elderly
Respite care & short
stay available
A beautifully refurbished Georgian manor house, set
in 6 acres of glorious Kent countryside, within easy
reach of Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells.
• All rooms have en-suite facilities & nurse call
system. Lift to all floors.
• Excellent home cooking, with special diets catered
for.
• Hairdressing, chiropody, library and mobile shop.
• Monthly in-house Holy Communion and links to
the local church.
Stockland Green Road,
Speldhurst, Kent TN3 0TU
Telephone: Langton (01892 86) 3559
10
ochester Link
Advertising Feature
VOICE TRIALS
for boys aged 7 & 8
9 November 2013
Substantial scholarships
are awarded and choristers
enjoy the superb and
extensive facilities
of St Edmund’s School.
Choir House
OPEN DAY
12 October 2013
The Master of Choristers,
David Flood, is always
pleased to meet and advise
parents and their sons.
For further details please telephone
01227 865242
davidf@canterbury-cathedral.org
The Fellowship of Meditation
We practise and teach Christian
contemplative meditation at
residential and day courses
at our centre in Dorchester and at
a Christian-based organisation
other retreat centres in the UK.
We use meditative sentences to still the mind, to focus our attention
on God, and to serve as channels through which the power
of the Spirit can enter our hearts.
Our members also gather in local groups. For further details please
contact:
The Secretary, The Fellowship of Meditation
8 Prince of Wales Road, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1PW.
Tel: (01305) 251396
E: fellowship.meditation@virgin.net
W: www.fellowshipofmeditation.org
UK Reg Charity No: 213323
Abbey House
Glastonbury
Diocesan RetRe at House
situated in the grounds of Glastonbury abbey
w w w. a b b e y H o u s e .o RG
Quiet Waters
Christian Retreat House
Is a peaceful 9 bedroom Georgian house, on
Suffolk-Norfolk border, set in 2 acres beside the
river Waveney.
Available for groups of 17 or individuals. Bed only
to full board.
House available for Self catering groups.
Enquiries:
mail@quietwaters.org.uk
www.quietwaters.org.uk
Flixton Road,
Bungay NR35 1PD
01986 893201
Ivy House Retreat Centre
Poole - Dorset
Green Pastures is an Ecumenical Centre. We are a
Christian team, providing excellent hospitality in a
prayerful place. Throughout the year there are led
Quiet Days and Conferences. It is also a place for
rest and quiet reflection.
Full Board from £50.00 pppn
17 Burton Road, Poole, Dorset, BH13 6DT
Tel:01202 764776 Email: info@green-pastures.org
A COURSE FOR THE CHRISTIAN JOURNEY
STEPHEN COTTRELL
STEVEN CROFT
PAULA GOODER
ROBERT ATWELL
ST. MARY’S CONVENT
Pilgrim is a major new
evangelism and discipleship
course to help you travel
through life with Jesus Christ.
Its unique approach encourages
you to ‘learn by doing’ by practising
the ancient disciplines of biblical
reflection and prayer.
Pilgrim can be used at any point
on the journey of discipleship and
by every tradition in the Church
of England.
www.green-pastures.org
WANTAGE
‘The Pilgrim course is a journey
to the heart of God and to a
living, personal relationship
with Jesus Christ.’
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York
Find out more at www.pilgrimcourse.org
St Mary’s Convent offers a
variety of facilities and flexible
accommodation for Group Quiet
Days and Group Retreats. Also,
Conference facilities and private
stays.
Theological Library may be
available on request.
For further details please contact:
St Mary’s Convent, Wantage,
Oxfordshire, OX12 9DJ
Tel: 01235 763141
Email: guestwing@csmv.co.uk
www.csmv.co.uk
Autumn/Winter Retreats:
14-22 October: 7 day IGR. Anna
Desch £480
28 Oct—1 Nov: Struggling with
Forgiveness. Rev David Self £235
22-24 Nov: Exploring Children’s
Spirituality. Diane Craven £110
2-6 Dec: Advent Retreat.
Canon Peter Ball £235
13-17 Jan 2014: John Bell Retreat
Warminster BA12 8PG • T: 01985 214824
E: stdenys@ivyhouse.org • www.ivyhouse.org
ochester Link 11
Praying the way
Bromley & Bexley
Bromley Deanery
Bromley, Christ Church Thanks for summer
camps
Bromley, St Mary “Christmas Journey” for
local schools; Messy Nativity in High Street.
Hayes 6 - Harvest Festival; new organist and
choirmaster
Erith Deanery
Belvedere, All Saints 6 & 7 The Rev Canon
Jean Kerr speaking. 12 - Parish Quiet Day
Bexleyheath, Christ Church Interregnum
Orpington Deanery
Orpington, All Saints Thanks for large
number of baptisms
Sidcup Deanery
Sidcup, Christ Church Establishing new
believers; redeveloping our building
Lamorbey, Holy Redeemer Redevelopment
decisions
Joydens Wood Sunday @4 activity
Blendon 48-hour Prayer Room
Sidcup, St John Appropriate care for all
Rochester
Cobham Deanery
Pray for our new beginning in Cobham
Deanery - may we be led by the Spirit.
Southfleet 13 - That Harvest Service,
Supper and Barn Dance may reach out
to community; New Locally Commissioned
Minister being commissioned today.
Istead Rise Alpha group just started; 13 Harvest Service with Annual Memorial Service
in afternoon; 19 car washing.
Meopham with Nurstead That mission
and ministry will be kept faithful during
interregnum.
Cobham
with
Luddesdowne
Church finances; 20 Traidcraft stall in
Luddesdowne after service.
Gillingham, St Luke New pre-school nursery
starting in Church Hall
South Gillingham – Bredhurst Harvest;
Wigmore - Thursday Club team
Gillingham, Holy Trinity Children;
interregnum
Rainham The Rev Judy Henning’s ministry
Sevenoaks, St Luke Music outreach events
this autumn
Sevenoaks, St Nicholas 2 - Marriage
Course starts, 6 - Lady Boswell Annual
Service,
12 - Evangelistic Men’s Breakfast; guest
speaker Rico Tice
Gravesend Deanery
For the Feast of St Francis of Assisi and
churches holding a ‘Blessing of Pets’ service –
St Botolph on 6. For Gravesend Street Pastors
and those being trained.
Shoreham Deanery
Stansted with Fairseat and Vigo Funds
for extension
Platt Youth Worker needed
Tonbridge
Tunbridge Wells Deanery
Rusthall 20 - Service - Prayer Ministry for
Laying on of Hands at St Paul’s Church and
Burrswood.
Southborough, Christ Church Youngsters
who made commitments at Soul Survivor
Southborough, St Thomas Children
starting at Junior School
Tunbridge Wells, St James For Vicar
and PCC - short-staffed; Matt, new youth
worker.
Tunbridge Wells, St Mark Our new Vicar
and family.
13 - Sm@Sch at St Mark’s Church
20 - Thanksgiving Service for Loved Ones.
Paddock Wood Deanery
Brenchley Alpha; Baby and Toddler Service
Horsmonden Swift resolution to difficulties
Dartford Deanery
Food Bank in Dartford and one starting besetting our Vicar and parish.
Lamberhurst and Matfield Stewardship
in Swanley. 8 Swanley Churches Together
Appeal; all farmers
conference; wisdom for all Councillors and
Yalding Confirmation classes
MPs in decisions about another river crossing
at Dartford; for all hospital staff, especially in
Sevenoaks Deanery
A and E departments.
Kippington Generous giving for Harare at
Harvest Festival
Gillingham Deanery
Seal, St Lawrence and Underriver,
Gillingham, St Augustine Thanks for 5 and 6 - Meals and services during Harvest
recovery of the Rev Jonathan Jennings
Weekend
To advertise in the Rochester Link
please call Glenda
on 01752 225623
Prayer topics for November should be sent to Lorna Kahan, 26 Wallis Close, Wilmington, Dartford DA2 7BE; 01322 271657
lorna.kahan@hotmail.co.uk by 2 October.
LYNTON DEVON
A warm traditional welcome
awaits you at
Kingford House
✰✰✰✰ Silver Award
Intercession during October
1 Oct Bishop’s Staff meeting today
2 Oct Advisers for Youth and Children’s
Work: Cheryl Trice and Elaine
Stanford-Beale
3 Oct Brasted, St Martin
4 Oct Chevening, St Botolph
5 Oct Readers within the Diocese: those
being Admitted & Licensed today
6 Oct Many will celebrate Harvest
Thanksgiving today: pray for all who
work on the land and in the food
industries; for the care of creation
7 Oct Adviser for Minority Ethnic Anglican
Concerns: The Rev Lusa Nsenga-Ngoy
8 Oct Kippington, St Mary
9 Oct Knockholt, St Katharine with
Halstead, St Margaret
10 Oct Riverhead, St Mary with Dunton Green
11 Oct Women Bishops’ Steering
Committee: Bishop James chairing
that group today
12 Oct Seal St Lawrence
13 Oct Sevenoaks Deanery: Mark Griffin
(Rural Dean); Ian Dobbie
(Lay Chair)
14 Oct Seal St Peter and St Paul
15 Oct Sevenoaks, St John the Baptist
16 Oct Sevenoaks, St Nicholas
17 Oct Sevenoaks, St Luke
18 Oct St Luke’s Day: the NHS; local
hospitals and health centres; all whowork in medicine and healthcare
19 Oct Cathedral Council meeting today
20 Oct Our link Diocese of Kondoa
(Tanzania): Bp Given Gaula & Lillian
21 Oct Sundridge, St Mary with Ide Hill,
St Mary and Toys Hill
22 Oct
23 Oct
24 Oct
25 Oct
26 Oct
27 Oct
Area & Rural Deans’ meeting today
Underriver, St Margaret
The Clergy Charities
Weald, St George
Westerham, St Mary
Shoreham Deanery: Stephen Jones
(Rural Dean); Charles Willsher
(Lay Chair)
28 Oct Borough Green, The Good Shepherd
29 Oct Eynsford, St Martin with Farningham, SS Peter & Paul and Lullingstone, St Botolph
30 Oct The aid agencies, their staff, partners and supporters
31 Oct ‘Light Parties’ and similar events
being held today or this week
Enjoy excellent home cuisine ideally
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12
ochester Link
“All You need is…. Friends”
When considering the future of
our church buildings many of us do
ask the question: ‘What is so special
about our churches and why are
they worth preserving not only for
us but for future generations?’ This
is usually followed by a further
question: ‘How can we help lift
the heavy burden of maintaining
our church buildings from our
congregations and spread the
financial load of looking after them
in the future?’
These are not easy questions to answer
and there is no quick and easy fix to solve this
issue. However there is one action that any
church can undertake which, if constructed
properly, can make a huge contribution to the
upkeep of your church buildings. Forming a
Friends’ Organisation can help to raise funds
to maintain the fabric of the church building.
Such a scheme can enable a wider group of
people help share the burden of ensuring that
their parish church building is in a reasonable
condition to hand on to the next generation of
Christian worshippers. Our church buildings
are historic with many having a wonderful
architectural heritage and cultural landscape.
They are a sacred place for committed and
not so committed Christians to pray, worship
and seek the presence of God. They are the
shop windows of the Christian faith.
Many people have a great deal of goodwill
towards their church building and although
they may not wish to contribute to the religious
aspects of the church, they may be willing to
support part of their local heritage. A Friends’
Scheme is one way in which a parish church
can encourage help of this kind from a wider
community.
Why a Friends’ Scheme ?
• They can widen the pool of people who
will help support the fabric of the church
building.
• The Friends’ Scheme can help with the
maintenance, repairs and preservation of
the fabric of the building but NOT the
running costs of the church.
• The Friends’ Scheme can help and assist
with the maintenance or
replacement of major assets within the
church buildings, for example the heating
systems, lighting, sound systems window
refurbishments and organs.
Design a Christmas
Card Competition
In general only a small minority of Members
of the Friends’ Scheme (15-20%) will be
active worshippers in the church, the balance
being people who are not active churchgoers
and others who may be outside the parish but
who want to help preserve the architectural
and historical aspects of the church building
in their local town or village.
The aims and objectives of the Friends’
Scheme need to be made clear at the outset
and enshrined in the founding documents.
The terms of reference must not fight shy
of the fact that the church exists for the
practice and advancement of the Christian
religion. There are some different options
for the setting up of a Friends’ Scheme,
but, whichever route is chosen, the care,
maintenance, repair and insurance of the
church remains the responsibility of the PCC
and all work done to the church is still subject
to faculty jurisdiction.
Categories
1.Pre-schoolers
2.
Aged 5-6
3.
Aged 7-8
4.
Aged 9-10
5.
Aged 11-12
Abbreviated Terms and Conditions Guidelines
1. Schools must be situated within the
geographical boundaries of the Diocese of
Rochester.
2. The closing date for entries is Thursday
28 November. All entries submitted must be
clearly marked with the sender’s name and
address, plus the age of the entrant and the
category they are entering.
3. A maximum of 1 design may be entered
for the competition by each individual. Group
entries are not permitted.
4. The entrant must own the copyright of
the image. It is the legal responsibility of the
The task of the Friends’ Scheme is not to
provide funds for the general housekeeping
of the church, as these remain the Christian
responsibility of the worshipping community.
Some members of the church community
may wish to join the Friends’ but their primary
contribution to the work of the church should
be through regular giving to general funds
to contribute to the day to day mission of
the parish. A wider role beyond funding
should also be considered for the scheme,
particularly where the church is a heritage site.
This should include promoting the knowledge
and understanding of the work of the church
and its role in the Christian faith and the
development of the community around it. One
important aspect for any Friends’ scheme
would be helping in the publicity to attract
visitors to the church. Whatever the precise
role of the Friends’ Scheme, it must be capable of
drawing in additional people and support for
entrant and the not the Diocese to comply with
copyright requirements.
5. By entering the competition entrants
agree to the reproduction of their image in
the Rochester Link, on the diocesan website
at www.rochester.anglican.org and any other
appropriate media.
6. The copyright will remain with the entrant.
However, entrants agree to winning designs
being sold in aid of a named charity in 2014
only.
7. The design for the card must not have
been entered for any other competition.
8. The Diocese reserves the right to cancel
the competition or amend these rules and
prizes at any time without prior notice.
9. Winners will be notified by Monday 2
December and a full list of winners will be
announced in the Rochester Link.
Please note the full terms and conditions
appear on the diocesan website at:
www.rochester.anglican.org
All Saints, Brenchley
the church than might otherwise be available.
The key to a successful Friends’ Scheme
is to find and motivate local people with
commitment to their local community. If a
Friends’ Scheme is constituted in the correct
way it can be very successful and play its part
in contributing to the running of a dedicated
and growing church community.
All our churches could benefit with just a
‘Little Help from our Friends’.
If you would like further information
regarding setting up a Friends’ Scheme
please contact Alan Strachan
the Diocesan Stewardship Adviser
on 01634-560000 or by e-mail
alan.strachan@rochester.anglican.org