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shapein

Healthy Churches in Leicestershire

Spring 2012 : Issue 4News and Stories For Your Church

lives and communities transformedworship in a way that renews and inspires

self-giving service to the communitybeing rooted in prayer

confident and sensitive evangelismlifelong Christian nurture

the welcome of newcomersbecoming child friendly

celebration of people and places

In This Issue3. Bishop’s Letter

4. Not on a Sunday

5. Making the most of Baptisms

6. Being Part of the Easter Story

7. Pray One For Me

8. Colours of Life: Diocesan Assembly 2012

10. Wholeness and Healing: Rooted in Pastoral Care

10. Why Do We Bother?

11. Finding Xtra Time

12. Making Ends Meet 13. The Social God - A Social Church

14. leicester.anglican.org/announcements

15. leicester.anglican.org/events

16. The Interview: Bishop Stanley and Bishop Isaiah

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For the past seven years the Diocese of Leicester has been inspired by a long term vision called Shaped by God. This vision is of flourishing mission in each of the three hundred Anglican churches of the county and city.

Shaped by God includes nine ‘marks’ (listed right) which help define mission to all and for all. This magazine In Shape offers news and stories on these themes and on the latest events around the Diocese.

In Shape is edited by:Liz Hudson-Oliff Keith CousinsMike Harrison Barry HillKate Szejnmann Andy Rhoades

To contact the team that collates In Shape or for contributions: e-mail: inshape@leccofe.org tel: 0116 261 5200

Diary Dates should be sent todiomail@leccofe.org or entered atwww.leicester.anglican.org/events by 15th April. Inclusion is dependent on space available.

Sign up to Diomail atwww.leicester.anglican.org/misc/diomail-signup

Follow us on Twitter @leicestercofe

Commercial advertisers are invited to call for current rates. The inclusion of an advertisement in this publication does not constitute any endorsement of a product or service by either the editors or the Diocese of Leicester

Cover Ilustration inspired by the Easter story byElla Szejnmann, age 6yrs. Leicester

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“In Shape” seems a really appropriate title for a magazine looking forward to the Olympics! This year presents our churches with a once in a lifetime opportunity to reach out and connect with young people as the world’s greatest sporting event comes to London. How do we get “in shape” for that? Our Diocesan Assembly on 26 May at the Samworth Academy (see pg8-9) will be designed to attract children and young people to an event in which all of us are helped to understand what getting “in shape” for God really means for us. I hope this will be the most successful Diocesan Assembly so far. And I hope that in designing it for young people, we will find that older people like me make a special effort to attend. Sometimes when I travel the Diocese taking confirmation services I am disappointed to see that when a number of young people are being confirmed or baptised the regular congregation stays away. Yet all of us know the vital importance of encouraging and supporting young people in finding their way on the journey of discipleship.

So I appeal to you all to make for space for this year’s Diocesan Assembly and to demonstrate to our young people that we are with them, cheering them on in the race that is set before us. However hard the times through which we are passing, there are signs of new hope and new life all around us. Our young people, with all the challenges they face, deserve the support and commitment of an older generation whose mistakes and failures may be paid for by a younger generation facing unemployment and disappointed hopes. Their true hope is in Christ and this Assembly can be a great celebration of that truth for all of us.

Bishop’s Letter

Christian Bookshop

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Diocese of Leicester,Tanzania Lent Appeal

For details of the appeal and ways in which you can help visit

leicester.anglican.org/lent-appeal-2012and see back page for an interview with Bishops Stanley and Isaiah

Not on a Sundayworship in a way that renews and inspires

Called? Saturday 17th March, 9.30am - 3.30pm At St Paul’s, Hamble Road, Oadby The annual vocations day provides an opportunity to look at some of the authorised ministries in the Diocese (such as Ordained Minister, Reader, Pastoral Assistant, Evan-gelist , Working with Children and Young People ) as well as some specialist ministries such as Fresh Expressions, Spiritual Direction or Interfaith Work and the wider issue of discerning God’s will. There is plenty of room for asking questions and exploring a sense of calling, and a book stall will be available with helpful resources (10% discount, cheques or cash only). The keynote speaker will be Margaret Sentamu, who has wide experience of vocational discernment, having worked for Ministry Division as a Selec-tion Secretary and having been on the staff of the Archbishops’ Council heading up the Recruitment and Selection process for trainee clergy for a number of years.

To book your place contact Claire.Stapleton@leccofe.org

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All Saints Church in Husbands Bosworth is located in a rural community of under a 1000 people and has found that its largest service is not on a Sunday, but during the week.

Building on their ‘Open the Book’ assemblies with Husbands Bosworth Church of England Primary school, the Church organises a monthly service in All Saints which takes place with the school on a mid-week afternoon.

This service focuses on the seasons in the Church calendar such as Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter and Advent and involves the students in selecting and rehearsing the hymns, reading from scripture and writing the prayers and may include a drama in the sermon space. The service is led by the clergy and includes a communion at Easter and Christmas. The Head teacher presents school awards at the end of the service.

Originally these services were an occasion when the children would “perform” to their parents, but this was changed over 12 months ago to a service of worship where all would take part, not just the children. The congregation has doubled over this period from 15 or 20 parents to between 50 and 60 adults made up of parents, members of the community and

regular members of the congregation, which together with the 80 children from the local school, has brought together more than 10% of the local community, in worship led by the children and the clergy.The service has become a vehicle for meeting new people and encouraging them in their journey of faith as part of the outreach of this rural Church.

Andrew Rhoades, Hexagon Benefice

– a new online resource for school assembly time

worshipworkshop.org.uk has just been launched across the country by The Church of England. It is a website full of free resources to help pupils and teachers in schools plan and deliver structured collective worship. The website has been designed to work like a ‘shopping site’, enabling users in a seven-step process to select different texts, prayers and songs to create their own act of worship. Users are prompted to choose a theme which may be a Church season or a value such as courage or hope, and guided through suggestions for exploring, engaging with, and responding to the theme.

Guidance is included on planning and leading collective worship and there is a rich variety of liturgical materials to suit all seasons and needs. These are all supported by links to Bible passages and a large Song Bank with backing and teaching tracks. The project is rooted in the belief that worship is central to Christian formation and a key aspect of the Church’s mission, and the website was designed following extensive research by the Liturgical Commission in co-operation with the National Society and Education Division.

Emma Davies

A day to explore your next moves in callings to ministrySaturday 17th March 2012 10am – 3.30pmSt. Paul’s Church, Hamble Road, Oadby LE2 4NX

with Guest Speaker, Margaret Sentamuhas wide experience of vocational discernment, having worked for Ministry Division as a Selection Secretary and having been on the staff of the Archbishops’ Council heading up the Recruitment and Selection process for trainee clergy for a number of years. She has an MA in Adult Education with Theology and is keenly sought out as a public speaker.

Time for prayer and reflection, opportunities to meet with people already exercising licensed ministries and a chance to chat with others who are exploring their callings over lunch.

There will also be a bookstall.

For more information or to register contact Claire Stapleton

T: 0116 261 5317 or E-mail: Claire.Stapleton@LecCofE.org

or pick up the registration leaflet at your church.

Are you being called?

A day to explore your next moves in callings to ministrySaturday 17th March 2012 10am – 3.30pmSt. Paul’s Church, Hamble Road, Oadby LE2 4NX

with Guest Speaker, Margaret Sentamuhas wide experience of vocational discernment, having worked for Ministry Division as a Selection Secretary and having been on the staff of the Archbishops’ Council heading up the Recruitment and Selection process for trainee clergy for a number of years. She has an MA in Adult Education with Theology and is keenly sought out as a public speaker.

Time for prayer and reflection, opportunities to meet with people already exercising licensed ministries and a chance to chat with others who are exploring their callings over lunch.

There will also be a bookstall.

For more information or to register contact Claire Stapleton

T: 0116 261 5317 or E-mail: Claire.Stapleton@LecCofE.org

or pick up the registration leaflet at your church.

Are you being called?

The congregation has doubled over this period

from 15 or 20 parents to between 50 and 60

adults made up of parents, members of the community

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A few years ago, I was invited to the secular naming ceremony of the child of some good friends. Mostly a home-spun event, it drew thoughtfully on a range of poetry, prose & reflections to ‘name’ their son and celebrate his life. Managing to blend with great skill both the festivity, but also the significance of such an occasion, I found it a most challenging day! In particular, it caused me to reflect in two ways about baptism services I had both taken and been a guest at.

First, I was struck by the personalised nature of the secular occasion (many illusions to the story of the family, their hopes for the future and what was important to them – in their own words). As I reflected on infant baptism or the service of thanksgiving for the life of a child, I was left reflecting on how, whilst our theology says that each person is made unique in the image of God, with a specific calling from God (set in the context of Christian community), sometimes I can slip into doing things by rote. How might we fully reflect the uniqueness of the person and their specific story in the service?

Secondly, there was much overt joy and celebration in the naming ceremony. Given, as the introduction to the Baptism service declares, the one being baptised has been given a ‘new dignity’ as a child of God, is being called ‘to fullness of life’ in Christ and to know live ‘His risen life’, how might we express the tremendousness of these words in a way easily received by

the welcome of newcomers

those not familiar with the nuances of liturgy? How might the service itself be the true party, rather than a stop en route to the celebration afterwards?

Not all of these things are within the gift of churches. There is, of course, responsibility on the parents, godparents and wider family – as well as practical challenges like multiple baptisms in one service, but I was left wondering what more we might do in mission that might help these services fully reflect our beliefs? With over 50,000 guests at baptisms or thanksgivings across Leicestershire last year, that’s a lot of potential for people to experience more of the joy of God, made new in the life of each person He has lovingly created.

More thinking on this is being undertaken within the national church, but in the meantime here’s five ideas from various churches across the diocese which are hopefully manageable in many places:

These ideas are just only a starter for ten. What’s worked for you? Maybe your Mission Partnership could host an evening to share the much good practise which exists across the diocese?

Barry Hill

Making the most of baptisms

If you use a video projector or print a service sheet, see if the family have a photo of their child

which could be included on the cover or screen. This could be referred to as part of a simple conversation/interview during the service.

Instead of some of the optional prayers of commissioning, as part of the their preparation,

why not invite the parent(s) to explore their hopes and fears for their child’s life. Help them to express these in the form of a prayer which they could read (or be read for them). These can be very moving expressions of the need for God’s help in parenting.

Invite the family to bring a photo which can be placed as part of a display of those baptised. Pray

for them regularly in services and make a point of personally and specifically inviting the family to an event in the three months after the service.

Explore whether someone within the congregation, not normally the clergyperson,

can keep in contact with each family through an occasional card, call or invitation. Some families prefer not, but I know of some who have become a fuller part of the worshipping community through such contact.

Rather than relying on the family to bring any cake to serve with refreshments after the service, why

not express in hospitality what we declare in the service and provide one for them? After all it’s the whole church family that is celebrating!

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confident and sensitive evangelism

Being Part of the Easter Story

Have you been part of the crowd who gather at Humberstone Gate on a Good Friday morning to witness the enactment of Christ’s passion? Have you ever wondered who are the actors or why they do what they do? Well, read on!

With the exception of the lead character of Jesus and his understudy, who are both professional actors, all the other members of the cast, of Christ in the Centre (CITC), are just ordinary Christians, like you and me, who feel called to be volunteers in the public telling of the most wonderful true story ever recounted.

Like most of the things Christians are called by God to do, it’s a sacrifice, it’s hard work, it’s rewarding and it’s fun! Many of the cast have been participating in CITC for several years, including some who have been stalwarts from the first production in 2003, but each year the cast includes newcomers who have received the same call.

Most of the actors speak of having no prior acting experience but what makes

each successive year a greater success than any previous production is the mutual help and fellowship that is shared between the whole cast and production staff during rehearsals. Prayer, both personal and corporate, binds us all, not only to God, but to each other and many offer personal testimony of their spiritual journey and development that is inspired by being a part of Christ in the Centre.

The script is a living document that is moulded to reflect the personalities of those who take part and exploit their particular skills. And age is no barrier, young or old! The cast includes everyone from student to diving instructor, clergy to lay Christian, single parent to grandmother; but in the production, all are equals, being there to serve God in telling His story to the many and diverse communities of Leicester.

Rehearsals are something else! The whole gamut of emotions emerge, a bit like a Spring day in Britain with sunshine, rain, winds and even snow all coming in quick succession on the same day; being

drawn from laughter to tears, joy to sadness and back again all within a few moments of being part of the telling of this incredible story.

The schedule can seem quite daunting to some with rehearsal every Saturday from January until Easter but, with the other demands on people’s lives still carrying on, absences are covered with temporary understudies as the final production is honed to its finished state. Amidst

all the highs and lows of rehearsal, God finds a way, and His name is glorified on the streets of Leicester on the morning of Good Friday to the enjoyment of visitors, shoppers and passers by alike, and professing the good news of the risen Christ.

If this is for you, why not just try it out - in fact we do need you - the more the better - and its not too late to become members of the 2012 cast!!

You can contact Lesley or Alan on 07768 374200 or just turn up at one of the rehearsals at St Andrew’s Church Jarrom Street Leicester at 10am on a Saturday morning. You’ll be welcomed with a warmth that can surprise even the most committed Christian! You can, of course, also support Christ in the Centre in prayer, by helping financially or by coming forward to help with stewarding. Come and join us and feel the difference it makes to your life.

Alan Humphrey

Stepping StonesEver feel there is a course for pretty much everything in

church life nowadays?! Stepping Stones is a freshly updated guide from the Mission and Ministry team to help churches, Mission Partnerships and Deaneries navigate through the myriad of short courses and resources for Christian nurture, evangelism and faith-sharing. It gives a summary of the majority of mainstream courses (and a few that aren’t!), plus for the most used one some thoughts on their relative strengths and weaknesses as a guide to what contexts they work best in. Download it from www.ShapedByGod.co.uk and search for Stepping Stones.

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Pray one for mebeing rooted in prayer

Here are a couple of numbers which ought to pull us churchgoers up short: A recent internet search for the word “Spirituality” returned 29 million UK web pages. Research conducted by Tearfund in 2007 suggests that 20 million adults in the country pray – that’s 42% of the population. For many people, and they are often those that Church finds hard to reach, there is a great desire to seek spiritual engagement away from what we might recognise as the traditional faiths. It is these facts that have helped inspired a new website, launched by the Church of England on Ash Wednesday 22nd February; Pray One For Me (www.prayoneforme.org). This new, year round campaign, builds on previous prayer-based Lent campaigns (Say One For Me). Pray One for Me and its accompanying Facebook page found at www.facebook.com/prayoneforme offers people the opportunity to post prayer requests online. The earlier projects showed that many of the prayer requests will be for family and friends, for healing and worldwide problems and thanking God. And that’s where you can be part of the prayer life of thousands. Can your parish or benefice consider a rota of visiting the site and praying the prayers? Could the team include some who might visit the Facebook page and post stories of how the prayers were prayed, such as where they were prayed and by whom? Or how about regularly using the site and its prayer themes as part of your intercession prayers yourself or in church? You’ll be praying alongside those across the worldwide church. Many of the closed prayer communities are contributing their time to this new project. Through the year, the site will occasional encourage themed prayers to focus prayer on some of the life’s big events such as Christian Aid week, the Queen’s Jubilee, the Olympics, and Education Sunday, and to respond to events in the news. Pray One For Me - we hope you will and that you and your parish will help shape this new venture.

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Saturday 26th MayRibbon cutting by the Bishop of Leicester at 9:30am. Come for some or all of the day and take part in a bit of everything or just try one or two. Concludes with a Festival Service including children singing a specially commissioned song they are learning at their schools (closing service from 3:15-4pm).

diocesan assembly 2012

celebrating children, young people and familiesdiocesan assembly 2012

coloursof life

With something for everyone experience a special day around the theme of faith and sport, inspired by the 2012 Games. What better way to get in the mood for a summer of sport? !

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celebration of people and places

Colours of Life is designed to be accessible both to church-goers and those who aren’t particularly familiar with church, so it’s a really good opportunity to invite friends, those who come to a children or toddler group at your church, or others who might not normally be present at such a day.

See• fire-eating• juggling• conjuring• chainsaw wood sculpting• an exhibition by Christian artists inspired by faith and the Olympic & Paralympics Games

Play• on a 30 metre long inflatable Noah’s Ark for 7’s and under• take on the inflatable Velcro Olympics Challenge for 7’s and over• sports coaching and games throughout the day

Engage in a special speakers venue, including:• Bestselling author and theologian, Graham Tomlin on spiritual fitness• Messy Church Creator, Lucy Moore, on messiness, God and children of all ages• Faith Advisor to the 2012 Organising Committee, Duncan Green, on sport, faith and life• Marathon runner and priest, Janet Binns, on engaging with God through running

Experience• a wide range of workshops for all ages including jemba drumming, Messy Church and Godly Play• a gospel choir singing throughout the day• an interactive, all age treasure hunt to experience and explore how God can make a difference• a prayer room and labyrinth available for reflection throughout the day• more of the Games with a free glossy guide brimmed full with stories and facts for each individual / family

And Much More! Bring a picnic or food available to buy at reasonable prices. Drinks and other refreshments provided free.

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Whose in the Speakers Venue

Lucy Moore is a professional actor and storyteller. Based in the south of England, she is an experienced speaker, workshop leader and performer. With a special interest in drama and storytelling, all-age church and collective worship in schools, her work takes her into schools and churches across the region and beyond. Her published work includes Messy Church, Messy Church 2, Messy Readings, Messy Crafts, The Gospels Unplugged, The Lord’s Prayer Unplugged and Topsy Turvy Christmas.

The Revd Dr Graham Tomlin is the Principal of St Paul’s Theological Centre and Dean of St Mellitus College. He studied English Literature and Theology at Oxford, and was curate of a church in Exeter, before returning to Oxford to be Chaplain of Jesus College and a tutor in Historical Theology and Evangelism at Wycliffe Hall, where he eventually became Vice Principal. He is a member of the Church of England’s College of Evangelists. He is the author of numerous articles and several books such as The Provocative Church, Spiritual Fitness and The Seven Deadly Sins and How To Overcome Them. He is married to Janet, has two children and suffers from a lifelong addiction to Bristol City Football Club.

The Revd Canon Duncan Green is Church of England Olympics Executive Co-ordinator. Co-ordinating the Church of England’s response to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Duncan gained substantial experience of working with young people as Diocesan Youth Officer from 1987 to 1996 when he started the successful residential youth centre at St Mark’s College, Audley End. Before his present post he was Rector and Dean of Saffron Walden in Essex. He was appointed an Honorary Canon of Chelmsford Cathedral in 2003. Duncan is married to Janet and they have three grown-up children.

Revd Janet Binns – a regular at marathon’s all around the world, Janet is a middle and long distance runner, and a priest in Oxford where she is full time co-ordinator Olympic and Paralympic co-ordinator for the diocese.

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lifelong Christian nurture

Wholeness and Healing, Rooted in Pastoral CareThe ministry of wholeness and healing should become ‘an effective and integrated part of normal daily parish life in every parish…’ (Time to heal, 2000). A tall order until we realise that in a sense this ministry is already taking place in every parish where there is genuine and effective pastoral care. When the sick or the bereaved are being visited and prayed with, is this not part of wholeness and healing?

The impression has been given that an occasional healing service is all that it takes to establish a ministry of wholeness and healing. No wonder that some churches have seen these services poorly attended, or even discontinued. Many of the problems that people face, whether sickness of mind, body or spirit, can’t be cured with a quick ‘fix’. There needs to be on-going genuine care. We may need to give a listening ear, a lift to hospital, encouragement to get out more and make new friends, or help with the shopping.

This is all part of wholeness and healing, and helping people find God’s healing peace.

We need to move away from an over-emphasis on ‘the healing service’ and see that this ministry needs to be embedded in our pastoral care. We may need to review our pastoral care provision. Do we have a pastoral team? Do we give proper training and support to all those involved?

So I have written my own six week course and have now delivered it in six places around the Diocese, with about 120 people taking part, and two more lined up for this term. If you are interested, contact me on revbdavis@aol.com or write to me at 62 Lubenham Hill, Market Harborough LE16 9DQ. Here are comments from some people who have taken part in the course:•ThatjustthewholefactofLISTENINGto someone who is not well or lonely is a tonic in itself it makes someone feel special if only for a while. Sue K•Whiledoingthecourseitwaswonderfulto realise all the different ways wholeness and healing comes into our lives, how

it is used in different ways in different churches Colleen Annan•Thekeythingthatstoodoutformeand has helped me since is appreciating more the role prayer has in our lives. Not only the habit of prayer but to keep the dialogue going with God to build up the relationship as you would any other, to foster greater understanding of his role for us. Charles•Yourcoursebroughtusclosertogetherat Fenn Lanes and closer to God in ministering to those who are hurting in our parishes. We feel called to pray and care with a renewed vigour for those around us in our villages. Carolyn Patullo•Thecourseopenedmyeyestoamuchmore informed understanding of what healing is all about. Listening to people, reflecting on what was being said…. Ted•Thecoursehelpedmetoseethewayforward and be more useful. I am planning to do a listening course in the summer, as I was shown that a ‘listener’ is able to heal, just being there. Inge

Brian Davis, Diocesan Advisor for Wholeness and Healing

We live in a world of choice where many options are available to us, especially on a Sunday. If we do decide to attend Church then we find that there are many available to us. We asked a few of our regular congregation in our rural benefice of 6 parishes why they started to go to Church and why they continue to attend our Church services on a regular basis, when much of rural Church life is about small congregations raising funds to maintain the building and pay the parish share. This is a summary what they had to say.

For many people they were encouraged to attend Church by their parents or family at a very young age, often attending Sunday Schools, youth groups and bible study groups. They would also encounter faith in schools and young people’s groups like brownies, guides, boys brigade, cubs and scouts. This grounding in Christianity has stayed with them throughout their life into middle age and retirement. It brings to mind that passage from Mark “With what can we compare the kingdom of God...? It is like a mustard seed, which,

Why are we part of the church? when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it

grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs.” (Mark 4:30-32).

For some, Church lost its appeal during teenage years and their early twenties when life offered alternatives, but a decision to get married or to have their children baptised brought them back into contact with the Church and a desire to bring up their family to get to “know God’s word” and attend Church regularly. For others, Churches were not as lively as their childhood memories (“dismal and uninspiring”), or their local Church preached too much about “the wrath of God“ and not enough about “the love of God in Jesus” and they changed Churches and denominations or simply enjoyed other activities, but “their inner faith never wavered”. For some the ‘welcome’ was too enthusiastic, or there was no welcome at all, when they tried to go back to Church! Even in the kingdom of heaven the good seed can grow and yet be surrounded by weeds! (Matthew 13:24-25).

A return to regular Church life, or continued attendance, at whatever age, can be the recognition of the important part that Christianity plays in life. Some find friends and community; others find inspiration; many take a full part in Church life; some find peace and calm in their busy lives and all look to encounter God through Christ together, recognising God working in the joys and sorrows of their lives and as a chance to bring the teaching of Christ into the way they conduct themselves in the world, experiencing the power of prayer and sowing seeds of faith. The conclusion to the Beatitudes comes to mind. “You are the salt of the earth...You are the light of the world’ (Matthew 5:13-14).The very young children of course come to Church because it is good for “drawing pictures” and “finding out about God” and “singing songs!”.

Perhaps these experiences are guidelines for what we should (and shouldn’t) offer in our Churches today! The Curate, however, has found the responses full of faith and humbling. Andrew Rhoades,

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becoming child friendly

Finding Xtra TimeIn April 2007, St John’s Church, Hinckley opened the doors on its new building after spending two year’s worshipping in the local school. The body always felt moved by God to share our building with the community and a number of us met regularly to pray and seek God guidance to how we could honour this calling.

A survey was sent out to the parish and the general consensus was that there weren’t that many opportunities for family related activities within our area, so out of our findings ‘ Xtra Time ‘ was formed and opened its doors in May 2008. Xtratime offers a place to come with the family once a month on a Saturday afternoon between 4–6pm, loosely speaking it is based somewhere between Messy Church and a family Crèche, and always has a shared meal provided around 5pm. We have also offered alternative venues such as swimming at the local school and an Xtratime favourite ‘ Twin Lakes ‘ Theme Park in Melton Mowbray,

Leicestershire.Our typical event consists of games set out on tables for all to play, soft chairs set in a circle with soft toys in the middle for smaller children, pool table, table tennis and a wii for the older children. Sports scores on the screens for the adults and all this is carried out in a casual way with tea, coffee and newspapers. This gives the members of the team a chance to have some quality time with some or all of each family.

When we opened for the first time we had no idea if anybody would actual walk through the doors, but we trusted in the Lord to provide and we were blessed with three families. Initially, we ran every other week, but we found that attendance could be very erratic and some weeks no one attended at all. We tried not to take this to heart and kept committed to this calling.

In September 2008, after much prayer the team felt a new approach was needed for 2009, and it was decided that we would concentrate on once a mouth instead. A three month programme was designed and sent out in leaflet form to the community, outlining the activities for the next quarter. It was also decided that we would take some of these events away from our church building too. We started our new programme and experienced God’s presence at work straight away, as our first event saw our three existing families and three enabling us to build upon our relationships with our families through various activates, pastoral care and prayer.

Since 2010 we have a core team, plus various volunteers who come along to help

when needed. We have continued to build up the ministry through our monthly events which has enabled us, to work towards more one to one relationships with individual families. We now have a regular attendance of 40 – 60 people and our Christmas event was attended by over 70 people, plus our volunteers.

We have also introduced a 10 minute ‘God Slot’ which has been well received. We are very encouraged that our first three families have grown with us and attended our Christmas Eve service and one joined us for Midnight Mass. The aim for the future is to develop and sustain this as a church in its own right.

By Keith and Judy Ellis, who were licensed as Pioneer Ministers last October and are just completing the 18 month Fresh Expressions training course: Mission Shaped Ministry.

“We have been going to extra time for about 2 years now, me ,my wife & 2 children. Lewis aged 5, Jessica aged 15. We found out about it after Lewis went to play group there, we all really look forward to going as there is always something for all the family, games, creative activities, cooking or just a good chat we have met some lovely people and have always found Keith & Judy to be so welcoming to everyone and thanks to this we have now become good friends, the effort, thought and energy that they put in can only be commended, they give up so much of there quality time for others. We like the family themed events and also enjoy the religious aspects of it too and are not made to feel under any pressure. We leave the extra time sessions feeling good.”

Pete & Samantha

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Richard White CEng MIMechE BHI Tel: 0116 240 4005 Email: Richard@RTWhite.com

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self giving service to the community

With the pressures on many people’s incomes, a number of church’s and groups of churches have centres of support and advice. These include projects linked to the Church Urban Fund and Christians Against Poverty. Here, Philip Carver, the Centre Manager of Trinity Money Advice, Leicester explains the why and how:

“Just under 3 years ago a number of people at Holy Trinity in Leicester, all with a concern for people in debt, and with the support of our vicar and PCC, formed Trinity Money Advice Leicester.

As an expression of the love of Jesus, this ministry provides free advice to those struggling with personal debt issues. Resolution might be through a debt management plan or helping them through one of the insolvency options. We also help people with budgeting issues.

Why is such a ministry needed? In October 2011 the average owed by each UK adult was £29,539(i).Most people cope with their debts, but many can’t. This can result in loss of a home or being declared insolvent or bankrupt (i).

The hidden cost to families of personal debt problems often show in family breakdown, stress, depression and other illnesses. In the current economic climate, with on average over 1,500 people being made redundant daily (i), the situation is

unlikely to improve.Trinity Money Advice Leicester is affiliated to Community Money Advice, a Christian organisation, which has about 100 such independent money advice centres throughout the country and provides training, support and advice.

Setting up a money advice centre is not just a matter of good intentions. Identifying volunteers, ensuring proper training and legal compliance, procedures to ensure confidentiality and prayer support are all issues that have to be addressed from the outset as is having suitable premises for an office and meeting with clients. We were fortunate that in 2011 Holy Trinity leased some offices near the church, which provided us with a secure office and a counselling room.

Making Ends Meet

Doing all this takes time and it was over 18 months between our initial concept and actually beginning to see clients, which started in February 2011.

What are the rewards? Seeing clients beginning to face up to debt issues that they have tried to ignore and begin positive steps to resolve them. Above all it is being able to show those, many of whom are in a desperate situation, the love of Jesus and to demonstrate His kingdom.

If you are interested in knowing more about what setting up a money advice centre might involve or know someone who is struggling with debt and might benefit from our services please call us on 0116 319 2636.”

(i) Statistics from Credit Action

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Leicester Grammar Junior School and Leicester Grammar School located together on one 75 acre site in Great Glen, offering independent, co-education based upon Christian

principles for pupils aged 3 to 18.

For more details contact 0116 2591900 [senior school] or 0116 2591950 [junior school]

London Road, Great Glen, Leics. LE8 9FL

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lives and communities transformed

In ‘Bonds of Affection’ (ACC, 1984) and later in ‘Mission in a Broken World’ (ACC, 1990), five marks of mission were identified for the Church.

• To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom

• To teach, baptise and nurture new believers

• To respond to human need by loving service

• To seek to transform unjust structures of society

• To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth

A kingdom theology is the regulative principle that is foundational to the Christian gospel. It was, and is the determinative proclamation of Christ to a world dominated by unjust structures and the denial of the fullness of human flourishing. The baptism of Christ, and of subsequent followers down the ages, is into the being of God, and the giving of loving service as indicative of the demands of God over and above the prevailing domination systems. In following God in Christ, there will necessarily be the safeguarding of creation and the transformative renewal of whole world order.

It is this mission, that is our mission, that demands our attention and allegiance in the Church of the twenty-first century, as we seek to determine kingdom ideals and practice, not least in a time of growing uncertainty, fear, unemployment, poverty, debt, ill health and inequality. A further challenge is that of a government whose policies appear to be exacerbating social disquiet, anxiety and unrest, whilst at the same time suggesting to faith groups, and the voluntary sector, that an enhanced engagement within communities will fulfil a vision of a ‘big society’, replacing a state dominated service provision, and liberating communities to assume greater power and responsibility for essential and desirable services.

Before the Church rushes in where angels may fear to tread, it needs to be very clear as to what it is seeking to do and achieve in the current situation. Engaging with society and addressing the needs of communities is something the Church

has always undertaken. Professor John Milbank in an article ‘The Church is the site of the true society’ (Church Times, 16th December, 2011) writes:

‘In a sense, the Church invented the social world. In pagan antiquity, you had the familial, the tribal, and the political communities. But the idea of having a space of free association – people coming together for all kinds of shared purposes of organisation and running their lives – was only vestigially present. It became far more common because the Church itself was one enormous free association.’

The idea that the Church should engage with and address the needs of society and communities is nothing new. However, any serious engagement and practice should be rooted in a relevant and appropriate theology and ecclesiology. In his book, ‘The Social God’ (Sheldon Press, 1981), Kenneth Leech writes:

Christian social action then is rooted in the being of God, in the saving events of the past, in incarnation, cross, and resurrection, but it is also orientated to the future. We seek a better City, the City that is coming, the City with foundations whose Builder and Maker is God (Hebrews 13:14; 11:10). It was as a result of their glimpse of the glory of God that the prophets thundered against social injustice, warned of impending doom, and proclaimed the coming of the New Age of God’s justice. If the Church is to recover its prophetic witness and is to challenge the values of a fallen world-order, it will only be as a by-product of its vision of God and its commitment to the Kingdom....In the New Testament, the combination of struggle and vision with service is contained in this dominant symbol of the Kingdom.’

My role as Project Officer for the diocese is to encourage clergy and parishes to engage with Kingdom theology as an essential part of identifying and responding to community need, hope and aspiration. Over the next months, this will work out as direct involvement, with the help of other agencies who have expressed an interest in working with the Church, to ensure better lives within our various and varied communities. Some of this will take the form of direct

The Social God - A Social Church By David Jennings, Diocesan Project Officer, Church and Society

#Mini-Reviews The Way We’re Working Isn’t Working By Tony Schwartz

“The demands of the modern way of working – more, bigger, faster – can take a high toll. Although not writing from a Christian perspective, Schwartz suggests a way of being which embodies Sabbath principles. Drawing on the science of high performance, the book suggests a number of proven strategies to both be more productive, but crucially in a re-energising way.” Review by Barry Hill

service provision, others may be engaging with the struggle to transform unjust structures and practices. All of it will be a fulfilment of our God-given task of transforming lives and communities in order to reflect and live the values of God’s Kingdom. This work will also impact upon Church support and growth as more people understand and experience the value of the Church and its mission within their communities. There is a direct correlation between societal engagement and Church growth. John Milbank writes in the aforementioned article:

‘....the social dimension needs once more to be the defining consideration of our common life....(a)nd this may prove the secret to increasing church attendance – for proving that the consequences of eucharistic sharing will surely lead many more to share in the eucharist itself’.

I am available to speak about these and other matters, if deaneries and parishes should wish, and can be contacted at St Martins House (revdavidjennings@talktalk.net , 0116 261 5200) or 01455 699332.

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leicester.anglican.org/announcements

Revd Keith MageeNew Appointment: Vicar of the Parish of St Mary Magdalen, KnightonPrevious Appointment: Vicar of St John’s Moulsham in the Diocese of ChelmsfordInstallation: Wednesday 7 March at 7.30pm at St Mary Magdalene Knighton

Revd Phil WhiteNew Appointment: Vicar of Broughton, Aylesbury and Mission Enabler for Aylesbury Deanery within the Diocese of OxfordPrevious Appointment: Assistant Curate in the Benefice of Holy Trinity with St John the Divine, Leicester

Revd Adrian HoldstockNew Appointment: Priest-in-Charge of St Mark and St Barnabas Peterborough within the Diocese of PeterboroughPrevious Appointment: NSM Associate Priest in the Benefices of the Bosworth and Sheepy Group (Team Ministry) and Nailstone and Carlton with ShackerstoneLicensing: April 12th 2012

Revd Clare ConnellThe Bishop announces that the Revd Clare Connell retired as NSM Curate in the Benefice of the Ironstone Villages Family of Churches on 31st January 2012

Revd Nicola MorganNew Appointment: Rector of the Quantock Coast Benefice within the Diocese of Bath and WellsPrevious Appointment: Priest-in-Charge of the Benefice of Hallaton and Allexton, with Horninghold, Tugby and East Norton and Slawston

Revd Rowena BassNew Appointment: Priest-in-Charge of the Benefice of the High Framland Parishes (half-time)Previous Appointment: Chaplain with the Leicestershire Partnership Trust and Chaplain with the Cambridge and Peterborough Foundation TrustLicensing: Thursday 8th March at 7.30 pm at St Botolph and St John Baptist, Croxton Kerrial by Bishop Christopher

Revd Kevin AshbyIn addition: Area Dean of the Framland DeaneryCurrent Appointment: Team Rector of Melton Mowbray Team Ministry

Revd Colin RushforthNew Appointment: Parish Priest of the parishes of St George in the Meadows and St Stephen Sneinton with St Matthias Nottingham in the Diocese of Southwell and NottinghamRevd Richard SharpeThe Bishop announces the resignation of the Revd Richard Sharpe, Rector of Desford, and Peckleton, with Tooley with effect from 31st July 2012.

Revd Canon David WhiteNew Appointment: Team Rector of the Benefice of The Fosse TeamPrevious Appointment: Priest in Charge of the Benefice of The Fosse TeamInstitution: Sunday 4th March at 10.00 am at St Peter and St Paul, Syston by the Archdeacon of Leicester

Revd Hazel WhiteNew Appointment: Associate Vicar in the Benefice of Moseley St Mary and St Anne within the Diocese of BirminghamPrevious Appointment: Assistant Curate in the Woodfield Team Benefice

Seeing Young Leaders GrowWhilst some of us struggle to support young people in our churches others have the opposite problem .. lots of young people and not enough people to work along side them. Whilst young people need to be nurtured, loved and looked after there comes a point where that is no longer enough .. they need to be given the opportunity to grow wings and fly on their own and that can be a really tough time for the church .. because there is always the chance that they will fly away!

There is much talk in the wider church about developing young leaders, recognising and equipping the giftings that young people have, enabling them to develop into their God given selves .. so how do we start this process?

One way is to support young people to lead their peers, not just helping in a Sunday School or a Youth Club (though both of these things are important) but to actually come a long side a young person and walk their leadership journey with them .. not as a teacher but as a mentor. There is a structure in which this type of peer leadership and mentoring can take place. It is where groups of

young people come together, they form strong accountable relationships with each other in an atmosphere of trust and safety so that they can try out their new found gifts and skills without fear of failing. The leader of the group is the same age as them and they are supported by an adult who meets with them, encourages, supports and challenges them in their walk of faith.

The challenge for us all is can we recognise where these gifts lay? Can we mentor and develop young leaders as equals? Are we willing to take the risk that comes with equipping young people to serve? The fantastic news is that across the Diocese from City Centre to rural work, pockets of experimental ways of being church are springing up, we are learning all the time and are able to support you as you seek to develop the young people of your churches.

If you have stories to share or a need to meet them please get in touch with us at the Youth Ministry Team on mads.morgan@gmail.com or call 07795 805196. This is a learning journey we are taking together and the more we share the more we learn

#Mini-Reviews Talking of God

“An informal course, revolutionising what evangelism is just by talking about what God means to us and how to share this best with others. By including the deanery, Methodists and Baptists we gained a valuable range of ideas and experiences.”

Review by Alyn de Casembroot (Reader, Newbold De Verdun)

Search Talking of God at www.methodist.org.uk to download the course for free

leicester.anglican.org/events

15

Prestwold Classical Music ConcertFriday 2nd March - to be held at Prestwold Hall, Nr Loughborough, LE12 5SQ at 7pm for 7.30pm featuring Junko Kobayashi (pianist) and Tamara Zivadinovic (soprano)

Coffee Morning, St Margaret’s, LeicesterSaturday 3rd March - 10 am - 12 noon. The Lord Mayor of Leicester will be in attendance and the monies raised will go to the Lord Mayor’s Appeal.

Who do you say that I am?Saturday 10th March - A queer conversation on identity and faith. Pádraig Ó Tuama leads a workshop exploring the interface of sexuality and spirituality. 3.00-5.00pm. St Martins House, 7 Peacock Lane, Leicester, LE1 5PZ £3 (concs £2)

Emmanuel Lunchtime ConcertsThursday 15th March - 1pm. Loughborough Endowed Schools bring a feast of choral and instrumental music. Chamber groups and soloists will enrich and entertain.

350th anniversary of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer evensongSunday 18th March - Leicester Cathedral Full choral evensong, with music from the Choirbook for the Queen, at 4pm

Worship With a Classical FlavourSunday 18th March - St Mary in Charnwood, Nanpantan, Loughborough at 6pm. With Matt Lax (trumpet) & Angela Foan (piano)

Evening Talk by John FloranceThursday 22nd March - “Why bother with Wagner?” in The Kempe Room, St Martins House, 7 Peacock Lane , Leicester, LE1 5PZ at 7.30pm

Spring Concert by the Shepshed SingersSaturday 24th March - at Holy Trinity Church, Barrow upon Soar. 7.30pm. Conducted by Andrew Goff. Tickets £7 (£6 concessions) from www.shepshedsingers.org.uk - or at the door

Spring Craft Fair, ScraptoftSaturday 31st March - All Saints Church Scraptoft. 10am - 3.30pm. Genuine craft stalls . Run by The Friends of All Saints Church Scraptoft and Netherhall.

Lunchtime Recital St. Margaret’s, LeicesterThursday 12th April - 1 pm - 1.30 pm. Paul Bricher - Organ, Admission free - tea and coffee provided

A Quiet Day In Eastertide At Offa HouseMonday 16th April - The Fellowship of Contemplative Prayer offer a day of silent listening to the Word of God at Offa House (near Leamington Spa) on from 9.30am to 3.15pm

Coffee Morning - St. Margaret’s, LeicesterSaturday 5th May - To raise money for CHRISTIAN AID. 10 am - 12 noon. Many stalls, including raffle and refreshments.

Lunchtime Recital St. Margaret’s, LeicesterThursday 10th May - 1pm - 1.30 pm. Phillip Herbert - Organ, Admission free - tea and coffee provided.

Emmanuel Lunchtime ConcertsThursday 17th May - 12.45pm Join us for a lunchtime of Jeanine Thorpe’s virtuosity and musical passion.

Worship With a Classical FlavourSunday 20th May - St Mary in Charnwood, Nanpantan, Loughborough at 6pm Jeanine Thorpe (violin) & Jeremy Kimber (piano).

‘At the heart of the hoped-for future, which comes from the God of love, is the flourishing of individuals, communities, and our world globe’

Prof Miroslav Wolf

Five conversations in Lent exploring faith and contemporary issues in our society.

Headlined Health, Education, Justice, Economics and Welfare.

Experts from the national stage, alongside regional spokespeople and Christian thinkers will meet together and invite us into a public conversation chaired by Bishop Tim.

Tues 28 FebruaryTues 6 MarchTues 13 MarchTues 20 MarchTues 27 March

All weeks 7.00-9.00pm

The Grand Hall, St Martins House, 7 Peacock Lane, Leicester, LE1 5PZ

life in abundance?

more than a meeting

See www.leicester.anglican.org/lent-lectures-2012for more details

abundance trailer LIVE.indd 1 23/01/2012 11:08:47

for soar valley press

16

During their recent visit to the UK, Bishop Stanley of the Diocese of Mount Kilimanjaro and Bishop Isaiah of Kiteto Diocese, Tanzania spent several weeks in Leicester building on the close link the Diocese of Leicester has with the church in Tanzania. In Shape asked them to share a little about their faith and that of the churches they help lead:

Bishop Isaiah: My family belonged to a chief family and I was the first born, so I was the natural heir to the office of being a chief. I was raised in family that did not believe in Jesus Christ. So becoming a Christian was going against the status and quite a sacrifice. When I became a Christian the members of the family were really unhappy. Although my father gave me a chance of trying the new [Christian] faith some of the members of my family completely discouraged me to even go to their homes – until they started to see the fruits of life of being a Christian. Then they begun to see the difference. I was baptised in my 19th year.

Bishop Stanley: My parents were not Christians. When I joined school, I couldn’t go on after the first year [because of illness]. I was baptised when I was 16 - not because I wanted to follow Christ, but because I enjoyed the singing. I went to a school you can only get into if you are really bright. But even that kept me from accepting the Lord. In those days to

accept the Lord you need to be really sick or poor – it is not the business of the elite or well off. But there came a point when I realised that the Christians have something in them which is different. As I got older my illness got worse, I was in hospital a lot - I thought it is now only death that is coming my way. So at that point I thought I can now

accept the Lord because I am going to die anyway. And when I accepted Him, I got instant healing. I was eighteen. I wasn’t expecting healing. I was expecting to accept the Lord and die.

We see a lot of miracles. I am a living testimony, I experienced it. I think there is something in connection with intellectuality and miracles. If you know, if you already understand, why do you need a miracle? For me it goes back to the birth of Jesus Christ, to the wise men and the shepherds. Who had it rough? The wise men. The shepherds didn’t go to school, they were illiterate and the angels sang to them. But the wise men, they wanted to be independent of God, they wanted to believe in their own wisdom and so they had to travel.

Bishop Isaiah: I know a man with leprosy who went to [someone who teaches the Christian faith] and went for prayer and there was complete healing in that moment. He moved to live amongst the Masai and, he can’t preach but he can tell his story and show people ‘The Way’ and many Masai have come to follow Jesus Christ. Miracles are happening in Africa, but with purpose behind (not just for God to show off).

When the Diocese of Kiteto grew out of the Diocese of Mount Kilimanjaro two years ago, there were twenty-nine parishes. Now there are fifty-seven. This is where I admire the work of an evangelist. They are doing a wonderful job. Telling stories about Jesus Christ, praying for people’s needs including sickness, praying

for the blessing of the Lord for their life. I have an evangelist who even prayed for a sick cow. The vet told the owner of the cow it was too late to treat the cow and it would die. So the evangelist took courage, he put hands on the head of the cow and prayed and the cow got healed! That changed their whole family, they say ‘if God can care about my cow, how far more can he do for myself’.

The church is growing. The diocese has fifty-seven clergy, with around five churches each. Each church is about ten to twenty miles apart. Some clergy have bicycles but mostly they have to walk. Most are not paid (and if they are it just £20-30 per a year from collections from the local churches).

On Friday nights the Cathedral choir go out doing evangelism. They go to a place and start singing, they fast, they pray for sick people. They then teach every Saturday and visit houses.

Bishop Stanley: The main difference [between the two dioceses] is that Diocese of Mount Kilimanjaro has both urban and rural with three big cities. It is [geographically] larger than England and has forty-seven clergy. We have several ready to be ordained, but we didn’t have a bishop for about a year – I am just coming in. The gap between urban and rural is getting bigger. Many people are moving from rural to cities. Most of our congregations are under 40 years old, but with modern technology I can see the potential for people to drop out as they are exposed to western values and ways of life. The world is changing quickly. What worked yesterday may not work tomorrow. In the rural setting it is a bit different.

Bishop Isaiah: The way we relax is very difficult to define. I don’t see the point in where you say ‘we are now relaxed’. You are still pinched, binded, pressed by pressures. There is a temptation of pretending. But the only way I can relax is when I come down to pray – when I say ‘Lord, I put my burden on You’ - that is only where I get refreshment. How else are you sure to face the challenges of life?

Bishop Stanley: I think the Lord didn’t call us to relax. We will relax in heaven, but here we have got to work. But behold the glory of God – and we rejoice in that! The big temptation is pretend the problems are not there. But I care. If you love the Lord, if you have His call, it will not let you rest. It bothers you to see the work of the Lord abandoned. The time we have is so limited. In these big challenges and needs, [I am only relaxed] because it is not mine, it is His. And God has just called me to come side by side with Him whilst He does it. He knows I cannot do it – none of us can – unless He does it through us.

Bishops Stanley and Isaiah were in conversation with Barry HillDetails of the Diocesan Lent Appeal in aid of Tanzania can be found on page 3

The Interview:Bishop Stanley & Bishop Isaiah