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Bishop's Comment

Christmas is for the kids – we are all God’s children and Christmas is for all of us.

Christmas is for the kids we often tell one another and we like to believe that on Christmas morning, children around the world and in our communities are waking up to a sackful of toys, surrounded by loving families in homes where they can reach their full potential as healthy and well-rounded human beings.

However we are only too aware that for many children this scene is as fantastic as stories of flying reindeers, industrious elves and the man with a beard who has the capacity to visit every home in the world in the space of a few hours.

For some, family members are a threat – and we need well-resourced social services departments to ensure vulnerable children from Haringey to Handsworth can be protected from harm and given safe places to grow and develop.

For others a bag of toys would be the equivalent to the lottery rollover jackpot. The Democratic Republic of Congo is a country I know well and there mothers have to choose between staying in the relative safety of their shelter, where there is nothing to eat, or venturing out and facing violence in order to bring home food for their families. Most take the latter option. www.dec.org.uk/congo

Many children caught up in conflict become refugees or asylum seekers – some in this city. I have been pleased that this year we have been able to work with the Children’s Society to channel funds to destitute asylum seeker children who are homeless in this region. We hope this new area of work will mean fewer children waking up in hostels, fewer families going without adequate food and fewer women being unable to access healthcare when they are pregnant. http://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/resources/documents/Research/Living_on_the_edge_of_despair_destitution_amongst_asylum_seeking_and_refugee_children_6115.html

The child we remember at Christmas was not one who would feature in a TV commercial. In fact he probably wouldn’t make it into many soaps. He was born in a stable, he was laid in a feeding trough and he became a refugee. He was at risk of disease, he was vulnerable but he revealed to all people the human face of God.

Like the women in the DR Congo – God took a risk on behalf of his children.

As many of you know, Jesus was well-cared for by his earthly parents. He learnt a trade, carpentry and his parents made sure he was nurtured spiritually. One of the earliest snapshots of Jesus’ life in the Gospel of Luke is when we hear that Mary and Joseph had taken their 12-year-old son to the temple – he was so engrossed they left without him and Mary worries that he has gone missing.

In the same way I am pleased that in this city of faiths children’s spiritual development is taken seriously. We have an excellent RE syllabus that helps children understand dispositions, or ways of being that will help them reach their potential in the 21st century. http://www.birmingham-asc.org.uk/index.php

Next year, 2009, is the International Year of the Child - a timely reminder for us of the importance of children in the lives of our country, our city, our churches and our homes. www.yearofthechild2009.co.uk

Many of our churches are discovering that children have much to teach us: they invigorate our worship, they often ask the best questions – and give the best answers – they pray with ease and they are great at welcoming newcomers. They are not the church of tomorrow but the church of today.

Jesus said that we need to be like children to really understand God properly (Mark 10:14). We need to trust others, we need to believe we have potential and room for development, we need to be able to change, accept new people and new ideas and we need to recognise our vulnerability and inter-dependence.

So Christmas is for the kids – we are all God’s children and Christmas is for all of us. It is our time to welcome again the child Jesus, born in Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago, who continues to reveal the face of God, the Saviour of the world, who urges us to live trusting lives, open to each other and to the one who loves us even more than those mothers in the Congo love their child.

May you receive God’s gift of love this Christmas. www.rejesus.co.uk

+David

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Topical Comment

Archbishop Rowan Williams' address to the Faith Leaders' Group
When you come to Birmingham, as when you come to many of the great cities of England, and indeed Wales, I think you’re often conscious of a nineteenth and early-twentieth century heritage of civic feeling and civic pride. That’s hugely important in giving a feel, a profile, a look to the city. The building in which we’re meeting is of course a very good example. And that civic identity, I think, meant the provision of public space for music and art and sport and learning. The libraries, the galleries, the concert halls—whether you’re in Leeds, Liverpool, Birmingham, Cardiff—are part of the background. And what seems to me really important about that, is that people who thought about cities in those terms, were thinking about citizens in what I’ll call a three-dimensional way. And basic to what I want to say is what I’ll call ‘three dimensional citizenship’. In other words they were looking at citizens not as voters or interest groups, they were looking at citizens as people who needed for their life in the community all sorts of spaces that weren’t just functional or problem-solving, but spoke to something deep and something more than just political, in the narrow sense.

Now, I think in the late twentieth century, we rather lost the plot about three-dimensional citizenship. Many of the great civic centres of England were re-developed in insensitive and frankly barbaric ways. The whole notion of investing in public space that had dignity and excitement about it, took a bit of a dip in the last quarter of the twentieth century, and it’s taken some time to ‘push it back in’ again. And I say all that because I think that in understanding the role of faith in the city, that’s where we ought to start. Faith is crucial to the notion of three-dimensional citizenship. It’s saying that people who live in a city are people you may expect to have relationships and commitments that have to do with religious conviction: they are not just about being voters or consumers (or whatever else they may be) but are all of a piece therefore, with that sense of civic excitement and civic pride. And that of course is where we have to say that it’s not only in the demise of the public libraries and so forth, that we see a bit of a dip in the late twentieth century.

We’re all aware of the way in which national government and sometimes – with respect – local government (doubtless not here) but in some places, has that rather functional and rather limited view of what citizens ought to be or what citizens are. And the model that people sometimes work with, is what I occasionally call the ‘leave your hat at the door’ model: ‘You’re a person of faith? Alright, we will allow you to join in the discussion of what matters in society, nationally or locally, if you leave your distinctive clothes at the door. Don’t bring in your convictions! Don’t bring in the deepest springs of your moral imagination! Leave that outside because it’ll only complicate things and you’ll start quarrelling if you bring all that inside.’

Well, apart from the fact that people quarrel anyway, never mind about religious convictions, this seems to me to balance with a two-dimensional view of the people whose destinies we’re trying to understand, in community. It fails to understand that someone’s religious faith is not a hobby or leisure activity, but something formative of their vision of what human beings are like. And it’s no good saying that you’re faithfully Asian – that’s as irrelevant as, say, your membership of the golf club.

Faith is not something you can leave at the door. So a good civic life (I’m thinking of cities particularly but it goes for national life too) is one where people are encouraged not to be ashamed of three-dimensionality. Now, that doesn’t mean that the common life of the country or the city allows itself to be dominated by any one group or any one confessional or religious community. But it does mean that you’re thinking about what’s good for everyone. The good that religious people look for, needs to be taken on board, not as a matter of private preference or eccentric minority taste, but as something deeply formative. And that‘s where the model that’s sometimes marketed of a multicultural or pluralist society can be so confusing. Those words are used in ways that are very often deeply unhelpful and I speak as someone who recognizes fully and gratefully the reality that those words describe, and yet the words are thrown around in thoroughly unhelpful ways.

For some people, living in a pluralist or multiculturalist society is simply living in a context where you recognize that a lot of people have peculiar private habits, including religion. And that’s fine. Let them do what they want: you want to go to a mosque, you want to go to a golf club, no problem, we’ll let that happen. But what that doesn’t allow for, is not only the level of deep motivation I referred to, but the proper exchange and challenge between religious communities. It’s important that we ask one another quite tough questions; important to be prepared to give an account of who we are and why; important that that vigorous dialogue – what I once called ‘argumentative democracy’ - should be encouraged in our common life as part of the three-dimensional.

Now from among many things that have encouraged me in visiting Birmingham this weekend, I’ll just mention a couple. First, the work being done on the educational syllabus: there is an approach to religious education which buys into the very emptiest and most boring kind of multiculturalism. ‘Let me tell you’ says the teacher ‘about the funny things lots of strange people do’: religion being just an assortment of eccentric behaviours. Many years ago when my wife was working for a publishing firm, she brought home a manuscript of a new religious education textbook, and we turned over the pages together (with eyebrows rising further and further!) waiting for something that suggested that this was about conviction, or challenge, as opposed just to eccentric things people do. (The section on Buddhism, for example showed prayer flags. I wouldn’t start there to explain what mattered to Buddhists! Start with the four known truths and move on, then prayer flags might make sense! Start from the inside out.) All of this remains part of an educational philosophy which is external, superficial, and assumes it’s not about these deepest places. So, to hear about an approach to religious education, in which you as a group are participating mentally and creatively, in order to challenge some of that ‘outside in’ superficiality, is very encouraging.

The second thing of course is the experience yesterday morning at the Springfield Centre, which I’ll take back with enormous gratitude and delight. I think that what was going on there was a very good example of all sorts of things. It was a good example first, of a community that seemed very much at home with itself: that wasn’t nervous or jumpy about its welcoming policy: that was sufficiently at home with itself, to help to make a home for other people too, of all backgrounds. And that’s crucial. To engage in this way is not a sign of weakness or fuzzy edges, it’s a sign of strength and rootedness. That’s important in itself, but also important, if I may say so, is the courageous way in which the city council has been supportive, and has understood that when you see something ‘home-grown’ that appears to be working, you don’t try and replace it with something structured in an office and imposed from the top down. You ‘work with the grain’, you look at what’s happening, what’s working and you support it. And as I said at the centre yesterday ‘National government, are you listening?’ because so often the policies that come from the centre don’t seem to be interested in ‘working with the grain’ as I put it, finding out what’s happening and affirming that. There’s always an assumption, I find, in office after office in Whitehall that first, there’s not very much happening and therefore they have to bring the faith communities together: second, because religious communities left to their own devices will kill each other, so government has to step in and ‘broker’ the relationship. And third, government has to think of things to do that will stop religious people killing each other and ‘roll them out’!

Now, at every level there are such major levels of misunderstandings there, it’s hard to know where to begin. That’s why it is such an encouragement to see that ‘working with the grain’, that recognition that first, there is something going on, and second, religious people, left to themselves, actually don’t kill each other. They get on rather well. And third: the way to do this constructively is sensitively, with an awareness of context, respectful of local initiative, and building out of that. And from that come partnerships like the excellent work that’s done in Springfield, so I think that that is very good news, and it’s part of the way of presenting to society some vision of what this three-dimensionality might look like. Here it seems, is a city that’s willing to allow three-dimensional to flourish without too much anxiety and willing to ‘work with the grain’. I hope that’s true and goes on being even more true. But most of all, I hope that the message is shared.

If you’re up against a government philosophy that is in some of these ways rather ‘clunking’, occasionally, you need some good stories, you need a good civic story to tell, and it looks as if this is one. And in sharing that local story, you are pushing back at that ‘hat at the door’ philosophy in the most effective way, and doing your bit for what I call this ‘argumentative democracy’: democracy in which it’s not embarrassing or impossible to bring into the public sphere arguments that are related to your religious conviction.

Now, in some of the big public controversies over ethical issues that we’ve had in the last few years there’s been this rather odd thing: ‘You’re only saying that because you’re religious’. So if you’re opposed to the Assisted Dying Bill, this is a plot by religious people to force their views on everybody else. Well, yes, of course I oppose this Bill because of my religious convictions! That’s why I oppose the Bill. I do not want to see a society go down that route. I may or may not persuade you of that during the public debate, but don’t tell me to shut up before we even start the argument! That seems to me a way of undermining the three-dimensional quality that I’ve been trying to get at: as if, left to themselves without religious interference, everybody would have the same reasonable view of assisted dying or abortion or whatever! None of us lives in a vacuum and nobody is ‘left to themselves’, none of us comes without community forming our vision and our morality. And we need to push back a little on that assumption that everybody is naturally a reasonable secularist, and it’s only religious people who ‘mess it up’ by introducing all sorts of unnecessarily complicated beliefs and talk about them. So I don’t think I’ll say very much more, but that’s just an outline of where I come from when I try to engage in this discussion about religion in the public sphere. And it’s not just to do with the pragmatic point, that people get terribly frustrated if they can’t bring their deepest convictions into public discussion: it’s also something of a theological point which is attempting to say ‘Politics is too important to be left to politicians’. Politics always needs framing within a three-dimensional picture of what human beings are like. When that is lost sight of, then civic, national and international life dry up. They don’t become rational, safe and orderly, they become either dull or rather menacing. So, there is, I think, a proper theological vision that—as I as a Christian would see it—says, ‘wherever you’re dealing with human beings – social or individual – you’re dealing with them whole: you’re not able to amputate just the bits you can manage and isolate them from the other bits. Because we are all of us shaped by far more relationships, affiliations, loyalties and visions than can be contained just in a functional, political or economic programme.

So in claiming the freedom to engage this way in the public sphere, we are finally saying something hugely important about the human self - or what we mean by humanity - at a time when there’s plenty that’s shrinking and trivializing things. So, good luck to Birmingham! And congratulations to them for what’s been done so far, and let’s see and hear more about it! Thank you.

Address by Archbishop Rowan Williams

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News

Year of the Child 2009
22 December 2008

Over the last 2 years we’ve been visiting every deanery to celebrate children’s and youth work. Along the way we’ve collected lots of stories of good practice, new beginnings and exciting events.

This event is an opportunity for you to discover what’s happening in children’s and youth ministry across the Diocese - stories from parishes, highlighting good practice and an opportunity to talk to the children’s and youth leaders involved to find out how they got started and what energises them to keep going.

During the morning, leaders will be given a copy of our booklet ‘Transforming Church for Children & Young People’ and each parish will receive a copy of the DVD ‘Will You Make a Difference?’ produced especially for Year of the Child.

Click here to see the photo consent form, and here to see the publicity booklet for parishes.

Please contact Jelena Cammack, tel: 0121 426 0435;
email: jelena@birmingham.anglican.org to book

Date Posted : 01/01/1900

Bishop of Birmingham visits Christmas campaign poster at local bus stop
18 December 2008

The Bishop of Birmingham, the Rt Revd David Urquhart gave his blessing to a national Christmas poster campaign at a bus stop on Colmore Row as more than 100 nativity paintings appear across Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull.

The poster, which will be seen by millions at bus stops across the UK, is a 4ft by 6ft reproduction of an oil painting by Royal Academy Gold medal winner, Andrew Gadd. The poster shows Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus, with halos, in an urban bus shelter. The shepherds and wise men are replaced with fellow passengers waiting for a bus. Some are watching the nativity intently; others appear oblivious and are checking the bus timetable and flagging down a bus.

It is expected that the setting of this Nativity and the haunting faces of those depicted will move the millions who will see the image this Christmas, turning real bus shelters into shrines by making them places where people can reflect on how we respond to the real meaning of Christmas in a busy world.

A national effort to explain Christmas

The Bus Stop Nativity campaign is part of an attempt by the Churches Advertising Network to promote awareness of the Nativity story at Christmas. The campaign, which challenges people to Be Part of the Action at Church this Christmas, also includes radio ads, that are currently being broadcast nationally, and an online competition to produce a Christmas ad which was won by Frankie Hipwell-Larkin, from Portsmouth.

The campaign comes as the research shows just 1 in 8 of Britons have a detailed knowledge of the Nativity dropping to 7% of under 18-24 year olds (ComRes Poll of 1000 people December 2007 1015 telephone polled).

The Bishop of Birmingham, said: "It is important that we use all possible means to tell the Christmas story: that Jesus, the Son of God, was born, he knew what it meant to be without wealth, he knew what it meant to grow up disadvantaged, he knew what it meant to turn to God in prayer, faith and hope. I hope this image of the Holy Family, in a contemporary setting, moves those who see it to stop, pray and reflect on what the birth of Jesus means to them in their daily lives."

The painting is by acclaimed artist, Andrew Gadd, who exhibits regularly at Agnew's Gallery, has had work in the National Portrait gallery and currently in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Andrew said: 'It's great to see the posters in place. This has been a very exciting project to work on. I wanted to create an image that does not explain, but demonstrate the values that I think the church wants to communicate. The bus stop when simplified is like a stable. It is after all a shelter; a place people go to but never want to be. So where better to stage a Nativity?"

The Churches Advertising Network (CAN) is an ecumenical group that includes representatives from most of the mainstream churches. Chair of CAN, Francis Goodwin, said: 'We want to challenge people to make them reassess what the birth of Jesus means to them. By using a powerful and contemporary piece of art, from a world renowned painter, we can create an enduring image for our own times. It is important for the churches to re-establish in this generation the wonderful story of the Nativity.'

It is estimated that, nationally, there will be over 100,000 Christmas Church events this year, with millions expected to attend them during December. Some cathedrals are finding their carols services are over subscribed already . Events in Birmingham include living stables, using real people to stage nativity scenes, candlelit carols services and a life-size nativity scene in Bournville Over 1 million children will attend church Christingle services (family Christmas services which benefit the Children's Society).

Date Posted : 01/01/1900

Update from the Church of England
18 December 2008

Seasonal update from CofE

Christingles shine out as special service celebrates the big 40
An estimated 1.1 million people will take part in Christingle services at Church of England churches, cathedrals and schools this Christmas – following a rise of 50 per cent in the last three years. Forty years since The Children’s society introduced the special service to the Church of England, the two organisations are expecting that anniversary services will draw in more people than ever. The number of children and adults attending Christingle celebrations has risen by half since 2004, when three quarters of a million people took part in the services. Read the full story here
More wait less want
Putting the waiting back into wanting has proved an Advent hit for the CofE this year with more than 21,000 visits to the dedicated site by the middle of the month. www.WhyWeAreWaiting.com includes an introductory film featuring the Archbishop of Canterbury and an Advent Calendar with a difference made up of reflections, podcasts, and waiting tips. Read the full story here. The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, also added his voice to calls for people to rediscover waiting, recommending a Spiritual MOT in his podcast on the web-based Advent calendar, WhyWeAreWaiting.com. Details here
Christmas message The Archbishop of Canterbury has sent a Christmas message to churches across the Anglican Communion. “Human beings, left to themselves, have imagined God in all sorts of shapes; but - although there were one or two instances, in Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt, of gods being pictured as boys - it took Christianity to introduce the world to the idea of God in the form of a baby: in the form of complete dependence and fragility, without power or control.” Read the full text here

‘Dare To …’ young people draw own mission message
Young people from dioceses all over England showcased the ambitious new ways they are doing mission at the ‘Dare To…’ event in December at Church House in Westminster - whilst an artist captured the spirit of the day in a new piece of graffiti-style art. The young project leaders welcomed an invited audience of 80 young people from various dioceses - including some of the 10 dioceses that will qualify for pump-priming grants of up to £3,000 from the Church of England’s Youth Evangelism Fund (YEF) in 2009 for the creation of more exciting new projects in their areas. Full details here

Archbishop of Canterbury – call for greener economy
In advance of the EU summit this month, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Archbishop of the Church of Sweden and the Presiding Bishop of EKD wrote to the President of the Council of the European Union, HE Nicolas Sarkozy, urging him to ensure that "that climate considerations are not marginalised in the search to find short and medium term solutions to immediate economic pressures. Read the full text here

Archbishop of York calls for Mugabe regime to be toppled.
Dr John Sentamu has called for the international community to bring an end to the "charade of power sharing" and to remove the administration of Robert Mugabe from power in Zimbabwe. Writing in The Observer Newspaper, Dr. John Sentamu compared the situation in Zimbabwe to that he faced as a dissident in Uganda under Idi Amin. Read the full story here

‘Don’t leave it all to the BBC’, churches argue
Leaving the BBC as the sole provider of public service media could lower media standards and provide less meaningful news, information and other content, the Church of England and the Catholic Conference of Bishops in England and Wales warned today in their joint response to Ofcom’s Second Consultation on Public Service Broadcasting. Speaking about their submission, The Rt Revd Nicholas Baines, the Anglican Bishop of Croydon and the Rt Revd John Arnold, the Roman Catholic Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, are quick to point out that they are not attacking the BBC, but simply supporting an increasingly well understood factor of broadcasting in Britain today. Full story here

Sign up for support
The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Andy Burnham, has announced today that English Heritage, the Government's lead adviser on the historic environment, is making available £1.5 million to part-fund 30 Support Officers to help congregations of all faiths manage and maintain their historic places of worship. It is up to each diocese or group to draw up its own job description, depending on the particular needs of their historic buildings. No two Support Officer jobs will be exactly the same. Some will focus on essential repairs, others on opening churches for tourism, community projects and cultural events. Full details here

Lambeth Palace Library opens virtual doors
A new-look website has been launched this month to help Lambeth Palace Library share even more of its 1,000 years of history. The outstanding collections of Lambeth Palace Library, the historic library and record office of the Archbishops of Canterbury and the principal repository of the history of the Church of England, are now more accessible with the launch of the Library's newly redesigned website which can be found at: www.lambethpalacelibrary.org Approximately 20,000 visitors per month currently visit the website, and Library staff hope the revamp will see this number increase. The Library is housed within the grounds of Lambeth Palace and is open to the public, full details can be found on the website or read more background here.

New Chief Finance Officer for National Church Institutions
Ian Theodoreson has been appointed as Chief Finance Officer for the National Church Institutions of the Church of England, including the Archbishops’ Council, the Church Commissioners for England and the Church of England Pensions Board. More details here

New Chair announced for Board of Education and National Society
The Rt Revd John Saxbee, Bishop of Lincoln, has accepted the invitation of the Archbishops of Canterbury, York and Wales to chair the Church of England Board of Education and the National Society Council. He has been in the post since December 1 and succeeds the Rt Revd Dr Kenneth Stevenson, Bishop of Portsmouth, as the Bishop with lead responsibility for the Church of England’s policy on education. Bishop John will also take the lead on speaking on educational issues in the House of Lords, which he joined earlier this year. Full story here

Back to Church Sunday 2008 welcomes back 37,000
Back to Church Sunday is celebrating another rise in the numbers drawn back to church by the event this year. Figures based on returns from dioceses suggest that more than 37,000 people took up the invitation to try church again on Sunday 28th September 2008 – with more than 31,000 of them ‘coming back’ to an Anglican church. A celebration event was held at Lambeth Palace to mark the occasion. Read the full story here

Elections to the Church Commissioners
In the recent round of nominations in elections to the Church Commissioners, four members of the House of Bishops and two Deans were duly nominated. For the full list of names click here
Who are the Church Commissioners?

DVD to help churches make a difference for children
To mark the 30th anniversary of the UN Year of the Child in 2009, and to help support the Churches' Year of a Child 2009, a DVD of resources to celebrate and inspire the work done with children in churches has been produced in a unique collaborative venture headed by Children Matter! and the Consultative Group on Ministry among Children (CGMC). The Will YOU make A difference? Campaign seeks to invite all churches to assess their work with children throughout 2009. Visit here to find out more about Will YOU make A difference? and get your copy of a DVD of resources to inspire and equip you to do just that.

More news from the Archbishop of Canterbury

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, Commissioner Betty Matear of the Salvation Army and Bishop Nathan Hovhanissian of the Armenian Church, have released a statement in response to the humanitarian catastrophe in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Details here
Dr Williams expresses shock and outrage at atrocities in Mumbai. Details here
Dr Rowan Williams, has expressed his sadness on being informed of the death of Patriarch Aleksii II of Moscow. Full details here

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More news from the Archbishop of York

Archbishop of York marks 60^th anniversary declaration of human rights Read the full story here
Why the CofE should remain, by law, established. Dr Sentamu writes in the Times. Full details here
Dr Sentamu defends role of the Church. Details here

Date Posted : 01/01/1900

The Big Green Give-Away
02 December 2008

More than 250 shopppers in Birmingham City Centre were given a free present to add to their basket as Christians gathered to distribute quality gifts as a sign of the generosity of God.

The gifts had all been donated by Christians from across the Diocese of Birmingham as part of the Green Advent initiative to reduce waste and overspending at Christmas.

The gifts were given personally to people who were encouraged to come inside the Cathedral and choose themselves an early Christmas present. Among those to receive gifts were visitors from Egypt, students from Portugal, grandparents, young families, Big Issue vendors and some of the young peope who gather around St Philip's churchyard.

Before the give-away the Bishop of Birmingham, the Rt Revd David Urquhart, led a short service of lament and worshippers were invited to mark themselves with ash as a sign of repentance for the mis-use of God's gift of creation.

Operation Noah Campaign Strategist Mark Dowd preached at the service. He told the congregation that 'Matter matters' and urged the church to campaign on climate issues before the Copenhagen climate summit of 2009.

Bishop David said: "It was a wonderful day that started off at the Household Recycling Centre in Lifford Lane where we saw the City Council doing their best to recycle the waste generated by householders. At the Cathedral we saw unwanted presents transformed into unexpected gifts for people who were both surprised and delighted to receive a good quality present which cost them nothing.

"At Christmas we remember God's gift of his son, Jesus, and we are constantly mindful of God's gifts of creation, relationship and forgiveness - the chance to have a new start. None of these can be wrapped up or bought in a store but they bring joy, peace and love to us all.

"We are not saying don't give gifts this year or don't buy anything. What we are saying is buy gifts that will last, that are wanted and appreciated and which are affordable. And, above all, give time to your family, friends and colleagues to have fun together and build strong households, communities and neighbourhoods."

The Big Green Give-Away was held in Birmingham Cathedral on Colmore Row on Saturday November 29th. Short services were held at Shidas Lane recycling centre in Oldbury and Lifford Lane recycling centre in Kings Norton.

Photo 1. Harriet, (10), Joel (6) and Thomas (10) Foster at the Green give-away
Photo 2. Joe (5) & Frank (3) Murphy with the Rt Revd David Urquhart, Bishop of Birmingham and the Revd Canon Nigel Hand (as Father Christmas)

Date Posted : 01/01/1900

The Brummy Mummy that wants to keep you Waiting
26 November 2008

A leading Birmingham theologian is being featured on a Church of England website which aims to put the waiting back into wanting as the countdown to Christmas begins.

Church leaders are launching an online Advent calendar quoting an Abbot, a Bishop and Canon Theologian Dr Paula Gooder from Birmingham.

The calendar was launched by Paula Gooder, Bishop Stephen Cottrell of Reading and Father Christopher Jamison, Abbot of Worth, who was featured in the BBC Series The Monastery. They invited passers-by to join them in a 'waiting room' set up outside Westminster Abbey in central London. You can see a You Tube video of the launch edited by Ruth Gledhill of the Times here http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=3Njd2sKuf_4&eurl=http://timescolumns.typepad.com/gledhill/2008/11/dear-g_d-i-cant.html

The website www.WhyWeAreWaiting.com features an introductory film of the Archbishop of Canterbury and an Advent Calendar with a difference, made up of reflections, podcasts and waiting tips.

Podcasts will include the Archbishop of York, the Most Revd Dr John Sentamu, Oxford Professor of Psychology, Dr Mark Williams, TV presenter Mark Dowd of Operation Noah and theologian Dr Jane Williams.

Reflections are taken from three recently published books that all explore the theme of waiting. They are: Finding Happiness - Monastic Steps for Fulfilling Life by Christopher Jamison, Roman Catholic Abbot of Worth Abbey; Do Nothing: Christmas is Coming by the Rt Rev Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Reading, and The Meaning is in the Waiting by Dr Paula Gooder, Canon Theologian at Birmingham Cathedral.

Through a series of seasonal hints the website suggests ways of waiting for your wallet, waiting for your soul and waiting for the environment.

Dr Gooder, who was asked to write the Advent book by the Archbishop of York, the Most Revd Dr John Sentamu, teaches theology both across the UK and overseas. She is in wide demand as a speaker and has given talks to thousands of people, in many different venues from the Greenbelt Arts festival to Westminster Abbey. She lives in Bournville with her husband and two daughters aged 5 and 9.

She said: "This calendar gives you daily candy for your soul which is also good for your wai(s)t. I could never bear waiting and thought it was an utter waste of time until I was pregnant and understood that waiting was a vital part of human experience which is life-giving and joyful.

"This calendar is particularly timely with credit crunch limiting our spending and climate change looming on the horizon. We hope it will encourage people to enjoy Advent as time of preparation for Christmas in a way that is not manic and stressful but unhurried and good for the soul."

The www.WhyWeAreWaiting.com website, launched on November 24, begins on Sunday November 30 - Advent Sunday, when the season of Advent officially begins.

Date Posted : 01/01/1900

Charity of Jane Kate Gilbert
26 November 2008

Does your parish lie partly or entirely within the City of Birmingham? Or perhaps there are people in your congregation, or known to your church members, who live within the city and who would qualify for support from the Charity of Jane Kate Gilbert.

Trustees of this charity, appointed by Birmingham City Council and by the Diocese, meet in March and November and award pensions and one-off payments to persons in need who must be:
· Resident in the City of Birmingham for two years
· Over 65 years of age
· Recommended in writing by a representative of a supporting organisation (which could be a local church) as someone who is in ‘conditions of need, hardship or distress’.

Pensioners of the charity receive a modest payment each quarter – at present this stands at £25 per quarter. There are 31 places for pensioners but at present only 9 of these places are taken and the Trustees would be interested to hear, from clergy or from other representatives, of anyone who could benefit.

One-off payments are made for a variety of reasons when an individual is in need. The maximum awarded is £100.

The Trustees would be glad to hear from clergy or other church representatives. For further details and application forms please contact:

Mr Phil Wright, Committee Services, The Council House,
Victoria Square, Birmingham, B1 1BB Telephone 0121 303 2023

Date Posted : 01/01/1900

Resources available for churches to mark Lent
24 November 2008

You may be planning on various ways for your church to mark Lent and we hope that the following information on the latest resources from Church House Publishing might be of interest. You may also want to bear in mind the interactive Lent pilgrimage blog being devised by Christian Aid (see http://www.christianaid.org.uk/lent/pilgrimage/). This is a day-by-day virtual visit to the Holy Lands - meeting Palestinian Christians, talking to peacemakers from across the region and walking in the footsteps of Jesus.

More than a quarter of a million Love Life Live Lent booklets have been sold over the past two years.

If you're new to the Love Life Live Lent craze, it's this simple: complete a small act of kindness or thoughtfulness, suggested each day in handy booklet, and supplement it with a healthy dose of regular prayer... and discover that doing something positive can be as transforming as giving something up.

Love Life Live Lent returns for a third year with two pocket-sized booklets based on the 'best of' the previous series - one for children, and one for young people and adults - and, new for 2009, a family book packed with extra hints, tips and advice on completing a Lent's worth of actions as a family. This attractive resource book includes all the actions from the booklets, plus extra activities, recipes and prayers - ideal for using alongside the family wallchart, downloadable from www.livelent.net (this website will go live by January).

The price of the small booklets has been held at £1 each (discount available for bulk orders) and the family book costs £4.99. Find our more and order copies for you and your church now at: http://www.chpublishing.co.uk/product.asp?id=2394409

Your survival pack for life's challenges, delivered in five instalments.

Lentwise is a brand new five-session course designed for small groups to use during Lent, reflecting on how the strengths of Christian faith can help us weather the challenges of life. Lecturer and Canon Theologian Dr Paula Gooder uses fresh insights from John's gospel to help answer the question: what spiritual essentials will help us survive life's storms?

Five survival tips are explored, one by one, over 90 minute sessions: direction, nourishment, wisdom, refreshment and security.

The book's honest confrontation with the realities of modern life is reflected in Jane William's praise for the course: "User-friendly, undaunting and profound. The author is an experienced and trustworthy guide on our journey through Lent. With her help, Lent will be a journey of delighted discovery and not a miserable, dutiful trudge."

Each book costs just £4.99: for more details, or to order, visit: http://www.chpublishing.co.uk/product.asp?id=2394309

Date Posted : 01/01/1900

'Village Church for Village Life' Award
24 November 2008

Following an extremely successful campaign in 2008, Country Life magazine is supporting a second competition - the Village Church for Village Life Award 2009 - worth £10,000.

The award seeks to discover the finest example of a historic, rural parish church that has successfully engaged the wider community to create a focus for village life in the 21st century.

Those who nominate churches will be asked to demonstrate that the whole community - worshipers and non-worshippers alike - has played an active role in the relevant project. In addition, this year the award is being expanded to include projects that make use of 'God's own acre' (the churchyard), and to recognise those that have attempted to make their churches environmentally sustainable.

The 2008 competition received an unprecedented response. Nominations came in from across England with 30 of the Church of England's 43 diocese represented. The quality of the entries was high and provided a startling insight into the level and diversity of projects being undertaken by communities across the country.

Entrants from last year are encouraged to take part in this year's competition.

An article by Sir Roy Strong, together with an entry form and the full criteria for nominations, will be published in the 17th December issue of Country Life to launch the award. An online version of the article and entry form, together with details of last year's award, will be available at www.countrylife.co.uk/villagechurch

For more information, please contact Susannah Glynn at susannah_glynn@freelance.ipcmedia.com

Date Posted : 01/01/1900

Centre puts the Spring into Springfield' says Archbishop of Canterbury
18 November 2008

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams visited Birmingham and the Black Country last weekend (15th and 16th November) where he opened a Children's Centre, visited a Hindu Temple, met the city's Faith Leaders Group and preached at Birmingham Cathedral.

On Saturday 15th November Dr Williams officially opened The Springfield Centre at St Christopher's Church, Springfield, and met with parents, children, staff and volunteers from the Centre. You can watch the Midlands Today coverage of the visit http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=0aSdfMNCDAU

The Archbishop said: "The Springfield Centre is a further example of the Church of England's Presence & Engagement programme, which emphasises the positive contribution of parish churches in multi religious neighbourhoods."

The Springfield Centre has grown out of the work of The Springfield Project, a community project established in 2000 by St Christopher's Church, a local parish church in a multi cultural neighbourhood. The new £2m Centre was primarily financed and built by Birmingham City Council as the home of the Springfield Children's Centre, a 'one stop shop' provision for families with children under the age of five.

The Archbishop joined members of the congregation and others from the local community in the church, where he took part in a Service of Thanksgiving and gave a homily. After a ribbon-cutting ceremony the Archbishop joined with children to create a plaque made of handprints to celebrate the opening of the centre. He also met 8-13 year-olds from an after-school project who have written a rap for the occasion, parents and children who access the Family Support service, members of Seedlings Stay and Play group and children and families who attend Mini Springers Nursery.

During his visit the Archbishop also met Dr Andrew Smith, leader of the Youth Encounter Centre which trains Christian youth workers based in multi faith settings.

Speaking at the Church Service the Archbishop said: "Springfield is the name of the town in one of my favourite TV shows, the Simpsons. On the programme there is a song about putting the spring into Springfield. This place is putting the spring into Springfield. It is not just creating a buzz but is also a source of new life."

The Archbishop then visited the Venkataswara (Balaji) Temple, in the Diocese of Lichfield, where he unveiled a plaque to commemorate his visit and the friendship between Christian and Hindu communities in the United Kingdom. His Excellency Mr. Shiv Kumar Mukherjee, High Commissioner of India was amongst the distinguished guests, who also included representatives from major Faiths in the United Kingdom.

The Archbishop was welcomed in the traditional way and was shown around the interior of the temple where he met with members of the temple community. Dr Williams did not engage in any religious ceremonies while at the Temple. In his recent Diwali message the Archbishop said; "I warmly welcome the invitation by the Trustees of the Temple, and at this time of year my visit will carry particular significance. My hope for this year ahead is that in the spirit of looking to the light, we shall be able to find reconciliation where there has been division and hurt and work for peace and the rejection of all resort to violence."

The Bishop of Birmingham presided at the Eucharist in Birmingham Cathedral on Sunday morning at which the Archbishop preached. The Gospel reading for the day was the parable of the talents in Matthew Chapter 25 vs 14-30. The Archbishop said that it was not a parable about economics but the talents represented God's offer of relationship.

He said: "God does not give us stuff.... We don't have a series of packages descending from heaven labelled 'love from God'. You have something much better - which is the love of God." He went on to say while we can be inclined to lock that relationship in a cupboard we become alive by following the example of our master in reckless self-giving.

The Archbishop concluded by saying that Matthew 25 could be summarised as saying, keep your eyes open, don't be afraid and what you'll find you are doing is serving Jesus, particularly among the marginalised and needy in the world.

The Bishop of Birmingham, Rt Revd David Urquhart, said "I was delighted to welcome the Archbishop to the city and join him as he visits the region. There is much to celebrate in this city and region of faiths where God is taken seriously and faith communities listen, respect and appreciate each other".

To see the Archbishop's address to faith leaders, please click here.

Date Posted : 01/01/1900

2009 Awards Scheme for Church Magazines
17 November 2008

Announcing the 2009 Awards Scheme, The Association for Church Editors starts its quest to seek some of the best editors of church magazines in the country. The 2009 Awards Scheme will mark a milestone in the history of ACE at its tenth anniversary as the Awards are to be presented at a ceremony to be held on Saturday 16 May at the Methodist Central Hall, Westminster.

Over the years the scheme has developed from a competition into a series of awards that are aimed at recognising the achievements of editors in the most important features that lead to a well-produced magazine.

Keith Wood, Chairman of the Association comments, "Entering a competition of this nature should be exciting for all editors. Quite apart from the results, and the certificates and trophies that go with them, this is a fascinating opportunity to see how your magazine compares with others and to learn from other people, judges and other members, some new ideas that may enable you to improve your own magazine."

Entry forms for the Awards Scheme and further information on membership of ACE are available from the Association's website www.churcheditors.org or email the Chairman, Keith Wood, kandmwood@ntlworld.com. Entry for the Awards Scheme is free for members of ACE or £5 for non-members.

Date Posted : 01/01/1900

Free Church Youth Group in Kings Norton Deanery
11 November 2008

Below are details of a free Church Youth Group in the Kings Norton Deanery. All Youth between the age ranges of 12-18 across all backgrounds (Christian or non) can join.

It is a Free Church Youth Group (SDYC - Saint Davids Youth Church) and aims to Teach the existing Church Youth the Gospel message and then practice what we preach and to take that into the local community and pass on our 'Good News'. All churched Youth in the area can be accomodated and welcomed. Parents and Clergy alike are more than welcome to attend an initial session in order to assess the suitability for their children/youth as long as they contact the youth adviser beforehand.

Saint David’s Youth Church:

Saint David’s Youth Church – Is the Youth Group organised within this Church. It is designed to engage all the Youth within this Church community. It will focus on 4 main streams:

1. Biblical – Use of the Bible to discuss particular studies and relevant Issues.

2. Spiritual – Ways in which people can Reflect, Pray and be Thoughtful.

3. Recreational – Sessions that tackle Issues within our Environment (Home, School, Community etc…).

4. Social – A huge role to integrate and include all Churched Youth and build and form new friendships.

All sessions will run on an evening most suited to the needs and commitments of the Youth and is available for all to attend.

Requirements of the Youth Church: All Youth attending need to be of Secondary School Age (concessions will be made for Churched Youth).

All sessions will provide the Youth with the opportunity to ask questions and answer problems that they may experience, by utilising the appropriate Church leadership. No Sessions will give definitive answers – but merely allow the Youth to explore Issues and Topics.

Youth Group Details: Saint David’s Church, Shenley Lane, Shenley Green, Northfield, Birmingham

Contact: Revd Nick Evans (Vicar) 07769 550 204. (0121) 475 4874 or Joseph Bevan (Youth Group Co-ordinator) 07969 311 003 Philatelic_Guru@hotmail.co.uk

Date Posted : 01/01/1900

Bishop on Birmingham Waste Paper Trail
10 November 2008

The Bishop of Birmingham is set to follow a waste paper trail on Friday 21st November as he joins recycling crews to find out the ultimate destination of the contents of his blue recycling box.

Bishop David will be travelling from St Peter's CE Junior School in Harborne, next door to the Bishop's home, to the recycling mill at Nechells with a team of recyclers from the City Council's Fleet and Waste Management team. When he reaches the Smurfitt Kappa mill he will have a tour of the paper mill.

The waste paper trail marks the launch of Diocesan initiative to make Christmas greener. The following week the Bishop will be leading pilgrims to the city centre after a short service at Lifford Lane household recycling centre in Kings Norton. Pilgrims are being urged to travel to the city and give away all the goods in their homes that they have never used, are in top quality condition and would be appreciated as a present by someone else.

The Rt Revd David Urquhart, Bishop of Birmingham, said: “We are asking people to stop before they shop and think of imaginative ways of celebrating Christmas this year. Most of us have unused gifts or mistake-buys at home that could make a great gift for someone else such as a DVD, a once-read book, an unwanted toy or unopened toiletries. Others of us could give a gift we have made - a photograph, a cake or a painting. Or perhaps a gift of time for close friends and family member such as a babysitting voucher, a dinner out or some help in the garden for a neighbour.

"Disposing of waste is a serious challenge in a city the size of Birmingham. Ever since I have arrived I have been impressed how efficiently my rubbish has been collected from my home and I have been curious to know what happens to the waste I have left ready to be recycled. I am looking forward to touring the mill and hearing how Birmingham is developing as a green city."

Dave Green, Acting Assistant Director for the Council’s Fleet & Waste Management said “We are delighted to be able to be supporting the Bishop of Birmingham’s Big Green Give-Away and thanks to our recycling partners Smurfit Kappa Paper Recycling we are able to give the Bishop an insight into what happens to his recycling once the crews have picked it up. It also helps to remind the householders of the City that it is not just the Christmas TV magazines that can be recycled - we will take wrapping paper, cards and toy boxes as well”.

Date Posted : 01/01/1900

Warm welcome for new Bishop of Aston
03 November 2008

Christians from across the region will gather in Birmingham Cathedral next Saturday (November 8th) to welcome the new Bishop of Aston, the Rt Revd Andrew Watson.

More than 500 people are expected at the service of welcome when Bishop Andrew will be introduced to the Diocese formally by the churchwardens from his former parish, St Stephen’s Twickenham.

Amongst those welcoming the new Bishop will be children from St Mary’s Moseley Primary School, Multi-faith and Ecumenical Representatives, the Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands, the Deputy Lord Mayor and Mayoress of Birmingham, the Mayor and Mayoress of Sandwell, the Mayor and Mayoress of North Warwickshire and the Mayor and Mayoress of Solihull.

Bishop Andrew will preach at the service which will be led by the Bishop of Birmingham, the Rt Revd David Urquhart.

The welcome service follows the ordination of the Rt Revd Andrew Watson as Bishop in St Paul’s Cathedral, London on Tuesday October 28th. The service was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Dr Rowan Williams and during the ceremony nearly twenty Bishops prayed for Bishop Andrew who was also anointed with oil. Bishop Andrew composed a musical setting of George Herbert’s poem ‘Love bade me welcome’ for the occasion.

Bishop Andrew said: “It has been an amazing week. The service in St Paul’s Cathedral was an awesome occasion which made me feel part of a church which is both traditional and historic as well as contemporary and very much alive.

“I am now looking forward to the more informal welcome service here in Birmingham which marks the beginning of my ministry in this city and region and gives me a chance to meet people who will soon become both colleagues and friends.”

Bishop David said: “I am very pleased Bishop Andrew is in Birmingham ready to hit the ground running. He has a strong track record as someone who knows how to build up and strengthen the life of the church.

“I am looking forward to working with him and I am sure he will, like me, feel very much at home in the city and region of faiths.”

All are welcome to the service of welcome at 11 am on Saturday November 8th in Birmingham Cathedral.

Date Posted : 01/01/1900

Solihull girl scoops top BBC choral award
03 November 2008

Alice Halstead, a 14 year old choir girl at St Alphege Church, Solihull and a pupil at King Edward’s VI High School for Girls, Birmingham, has won the coveted title of “BBC Radio 2 Young Chorister of the Year 2008”. On Friday 31 October 2008, four boys and four girls competed in St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, after being successful in reaching the competition final by coming through a rigorous selection process from hundreds of entries, representing the finest religious choral talent from across the United Kingdom.

Alice said: “Just to reach the final was amazing. The experience of singing solo in that massive cathedral in front of so many people was awesome. I was so excited when the two winners, myself and Harry Bradford from the Chapel Royal, were announced. We had to compose ourselves quickly to sing a duet to finish off the evening. Now I am really looking forward to singing during the year in concerts and broadcasts around the country. It’s certainly going to be a busier Christmas than I was expecting!”

The all girls’ choir at St Alphege Church was set up in 2002 alongside the well established boys’ and men’s choir. St Alphege has had a boy finalist in the competition several times over the past thirty years, but Alice is the first girl from St Alphege to reach the final and the first winner from the church. Taster sessions for young boys and girls (aged seven and above) interested in joining the choir and becoming the next potential winning choristers take place on Tuesday 11th November at 5.30pm for boys and on Wednesday 12th November at 6pm for girls.

The children in the St.Alphege choirs receive a first-class free training through the musical, social and intellectual challenges they encounter. There are also open rehearsals for ladies and men later in November. For more details, contact Director of Music Nigel Stark on 0121 705 1074.

Date Posted : 01/01/1900

BIRMINGHAM PILOTS GREEN CHRISTMAS WEEKEND
02 September 2008

A national initiative to encourage a greener Christmas is being piloted in Birmingham this year as the Church of England has joined Operation Noah to call for an end to excessive consumption as a way of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

A series of events are being planned for Saturday November 29th to repent of our exploitation of the planet and to celebrate the creativity that surrounds us and is part of each one of us. The day will include a pilgrimage to the city centre, a service of lament in the Cathedral, craft workshops and a chance to bring and take unwanted gifts. The day will end with a celebratory evensong at Birmingham Cathedral.

The Bishop of Birmingham, the Rt Revd David Urquhart, will lead the morning service and the speaker will be TV presenter Mark Dowd, of Operation Noah.

Mark said: "We hope this event will remind people that one of the many gifts we have been given by God is this planet and we need to make sure the way we live is sustainable and just. We know global climate change has already had a huge impact on the poorest people in society. Advent is a time for preparing ourselves not only for the birth of Christ but also for the Kingdom of God where we will see heaven on earth and a way of living that is just, peaceful and creative."

"It is hoped that churches will join together to walk to the city centre as pilgrims, carrying with them good quality books, CDs, DVDs, games, toys, clothes and unwanted and unused gifts such as soaps, bubble baths or socks! It is important that people bring things which are in mint condition as they will be offered to shoppers as an extra present which they can take and give to a friend or a neighbour. People coming to the Cathedral will also have the chance to make a good quality gift with the help of local artists.

"The idea of the present swap is to remind ourselves that giving presents is about strengthening relationships and making new connections not about a competition to spend the most money or to keep up with the latest technological development."

The Bishop of Birmingham, the Rt Revd David Urquhart, said: "I am thrilled that Birmingham is to pilot the Green Christmas initiative. Christmas has become a time of conspicuous consumption as we celebrate the birth of a saviour who lived simply and asked his followers to give away anything they did not need.

"We need to remember together that Jesus was the ultimate gift to humanity. I hope our day of zero consumption on November 29th reminds us that presents do not have to be brand new with tags to be of great value. I hope we do all we can this Christmas to strengthen the relationships we have in our communities and families by living lives which embody forgiveness, compassion, generosity and justice."

For more information about the Advent Action please call Jessica Foster, Bishop's Director of Communications on 0121 426 0438

Date Posted : 01/01/1900

NEW BISHOP OF ASTON ANNOUNCED
02 September 2008

The new Bishop of Aston, announced on Tuesday September 2nd, by Downing Street, will be the Revd Andrew Watson. He will succeed the Rt Revd John Austin who died in 2007 following his retirement as Bishop of Aston in 2005.

News of the appointment of a new Bishop of Aston is significant for Birmingham and the surrounding region. Primarily, the Bishop of Aston works with the Bishop of Birmingham in leading the Church of England across the city and surrounding areas including Solihull, Sutton Coldfield and parts of Staffordshire, Sandwell and Bromsgrove, and therefore it is the one of the most senior appointments in a Diocese. The Bishop of Aston will also be required to advise and consult with key people and organisations involved with the well-being of all communities in this region and will be especially engaged with working with parishes in developing Mission and Evangelism.

The Revd Andrew Watson, 47, comes to Birmingham from the Diocese of London where he is Vicar of St Stephen’s East Twickenham. He is married to Beverly who was brought up in the West Midlands and was Ordained as a deacon this year. Andrew and Beverly have 4 children, Hannah, Samuel, Joseph and Lydia. The family will live in the former Rectory in Sutton Coldfield, now known as Bishop’s Lodge.

Andrew Watson’s paternal grandparents were missionaries in south-west China and have been a strong influence in his life. He was educated at Winchester College and Corpus Christi College Cambridge. Before Ordination he worked as a Youth Worker in an inner-city London parish where he became aware of many of the problems associated with Urban Poverty. Following his Ordination, he was a Curate in Redditch before moving to London to be a Vicar in Notting Hill and was involved in community support for the Notting Hill carnival. Andrew has been Vicar of St Stephen Twickenham since 1996 during which his congregation has grown to nearly 900 people. He is also Area Dean of Hampton, and the author of The Fourfold Leadership of Jesus (BRF 2008).

Andrew’s interests include music, walking, reading, photography - and keeping chickens. He also maintains an interest in China - which he has recently visited.

Andrew said: “'It is a great privilege to have been chosen to serve as the next Bishop of Aston. I know there are many exciting challenges ahead. The Church needs to grow and I look forward to working with Bishop David and all the parishes in Birmingham and its districts in encouraging an ethos of encouragement, trust and prayerful risk-taking in both congregations and local communities.

‘I am very pleased to be moving to Birmingham and to becoming part of a forward-looking, international city at a very important time in its history. I look forward to being part of a diocese which is positioned so strategically for God's mission in the 21st century.'

Bishop David Urquhart, Bishop of Birmingham said: “I am delighted that Andrew Watson is coming as the new Bishop of Aston. He brings with him wide experience, which includes working in some of the more challenging areas of London. He knows how churches grow and understands the contribution they make to their local communities. His track record in both Notting Hill and Twickenham is outstanding. He is a friendly, outgoing and gifted person, who will, I am sure, very quickly become part of our Christian Mission to the whole region. Andrew joins a strong leadership team in the Diocese and will relate to civic leaders and faith leaders as well as those working in community regeneration, education, youth work and children ministries. I am very much looking forward to working with him and to welcoming him and his family to the region.”

Andrew will be consecrated as a Bishop in St Paul’s Cathedral on Tuesday 28th October and he and his family will be formally welcomed to Birmingham in a service at Birmingham Cathedral on Saturday 8th November.

Date Posted : 01/01/1900

Top

Courses

Learning for Discipleship 2008 - 2009

SPRING 2009

6: THE SOUL IN PARAPHRASE: POETRY AS THE LANGUAGE OF FAITH, BELIEF AND SPIRITUAL TURMOIL
Starting 12 January 2009, 10 Monday evenings 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Tutor: Mark Pryce. This course will explore poetry as an expression of Christian believing.

7: THE CREED : WHAT DO CHRISTIANS BELIEVE?
Starting 12 January 2009, 10 Monday evenings 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Tutor: Crispin Pailing. We are used to saying the creeds in our worship, but rarely do we explore in detail what it is we say we believe.

8: BLACK AND ASIAN THEOLOGY
Starting 14 January 2009, 10 Wednesday afternoons 2.00 – 3.30 including coffee plus 5 seminars 3.30 – 5.00
Tutor: Mukti Barton. This course offers a chance for all people (not only Black and Asian) to see how race, gender and class affect our knowledge and interpretation of the Bible.

9: STUDIES IN A GOSPEL: MARK
Starting 15 January 2009, 10 Thursday evenings 7.30 – 9.30.
Tutor: Liz Howlett. Mark is the gospel followed in the lectionary this year. What are the main themes in Mark’s Gospel?

SUMMER 2009

10: GOD’S SAVING GRACE: PAST UNDERSTANDINGS AND PRESENT HOPES
Starting 20 April 2009, 10 Monday evenings 7.30 – 9.30
Tutor: Brian Russell

We will look at a range of understandings of God's Saving Grace and their implications for understanding the nature of God, the person and work of Jesus, the purposes of the Church in God's mission, and discipleship as an expression of this mission.

11: READING PAUL’S LETTERS
Starting 21 April 2009, 10 Tuesday mornings 10.30 – 12.30
Tutor: Caroline Wickens. This course will seek to explore Paul's theological thinking in the context of the social and economic situation of his time, and to consider what we can learn from him about methods of applying the Gospel in our own situation.

12: ORTHODOXY AND HERESY: THE BIRTHPANGS OF CHRISTIANITY
Starting 22 April 2009, 10 Wednesday evenings 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Tutor: Rowena Pailing. This course aims to trace the development of Christian thought from the earliest recorded teachings through figures such as Origen, Arius, the Cappadocian Fathers and Augustine.

13: NEGLECTED BIBLICAL WISDOM
Starting 23 April 2009, 10 Thursday evenings 7.30 – 9.30
Tutor: Peter Hatton. This module will begin with two sessions of general discussion on what is meant by Wisdom. Three sessions will cover the Book of Proverbs. Two sessions on Ecclesiastes follow and then a session on the relatively popular Book of Job. The final two sessions will look at Wisdom both in other Jewish writings including at Qumran and in the New Testament.

Venue: Queen’s Theological College is in Somerset Road, Edgbaston
Cost: Each 10-week moducle is £70 + £10 if you take the assessed work.
Organised by:The Queen's Foundation, Methodist Church and Anglican Diocese of Birmingham

For more information, contact: Liz Howlett
Telephone: 0121 426 0400
E-mail: l.howlett@birmingham.anglican.org

Birmingham Churches Together Training Opportunities

BCT Training provides learning opportunities for those who facilitate or support the learning of adults, young people and families.

We focus particularly on providing the skills and knowledge needed to assist those who find learning difficult. Quite often those who are best placed to encourage adults back
into learning are those who have struggled themselves.

Visit: www.birminghamchurches.org.uk/training

Venue: BCT: Training, All Saints' House, 172 Herbert Road, Small Heath
Cost: £25 per session
Organised by:BCT Training

For more information, contact:
Telephone:
E-mail: training@birminghamchurches.org.uk

Want to know the truth behind the tabloids? Jan & Feb 2009

Please join us for information sessions on ASYLUM ISSUES and training for BEFRIENDING asylum seekers and refugees

AFTERNOON COURSE
On Wednesdays 21st and 28th January and 4th February 2009
2.30-4.30pm at the University of Birmingham Chaplaincy,
St Francis Hall, Selly Oak, Birmingham, B15 2TT

EVENING COURSE
On Tuesdays 3rd, 10th & 24th February 2009
7.30-9.30pm
at All Saints Church, 172 Herbert Road,
Small Heath, Birmingham, B10 0PR

(NB the session on 24th is likely to be at a different venue as All Saints may not be available)

The training is offered to all those interested in becoming befrienders of asylum seekers and refugees. Anyone wishing to gather further information on asylum and refugee issues is also welcome.

Sessions focus on:
· the current situation and needs relating to asylum seekers and refugees
· the asylum application process
· how individuals and churches across the city are responding to the needs of asylum seekers and refugees
· befriending matters including motivation behind our action, boundaries, and cultural and religious sensitivity.

Befrienders and asylum seekers will share their stories.

website: www.restore-uk.org

Venue:
Cost:
Organised by:RESTORE

For more information, contact: Jeremy Thompson
Telephone: 0121 766 8764
E-mail: restorebefriend@birminghamchurches.org.uk

Asian awareness in Birmingham

Towards understanding and building bridges with other faith groups. To inspire you and your Church to serve & bless the Asian Communities.

Wednesday evenings 7.30 - 9.15pm
14 January: Towards understanding Muslims
21 January: Towards understanding Hindus
28 January: Towards understanding Sikhs
4 February: Towards understanding Asian children & young people
11 February: Towards understanding Asian spirituality and worship

These five training evenings are for individuals and Churches who want to better understand and share the love of Christ with South Asians in their locality. You are welcome to join us for all five sessions or pick 'n' mix what might be appropriate in your situation. Why not encourage others in your Church to attend or maybe your mid-week group to come and learn?

Course Contributors include: Joy Doal, Sue Fearon, Rev Henriette Howarth, Rev Dr Toby Howarth, Pall Singh, Dr Andrew Smith, Richard Sudworth, Revd Robin Thomson, Judi Walsh and Tom Walsh. We shall also have special guests, musicians, testimonies, and opportunities for participation.

Please reserve you place/s.

Venue: Springfield Centre St Christopher’s Church, Springfield Road, Springfield, Birmingham. B13 9NY
Cost: Free for everyone to attend, but people can make a donation at the end of each session.
Organised by:Hosted by the Springfield Centre in partnership with CMS, Diocese of Birmingham, East West Trust, The Navigators and Youth Encounter (SU)

For more information, contact: Rachel Pattinson
Telephone: 0121 325 5331
E-mail: springfieldproject@hotmail.com

Top

Events

Tuesday Talks
06/01/2009

Date: 06 January 2009
Venue: Birmingham Cathedral

Start: 1.10 pm. With The Revd Canon Peter Howell-Jones

Cost:
Organised by: Birmingham Cathedral

For more information, contact:
Name: Carol Currier
Telephone: 0121 262 1840
E-mail: carol.currier@birminghamcathedral.com

Choral Eucharist for Epiphany - Preacher: Acting Dean
06/01/2009

Date: 06 January 2009
Venue: Birmingham Cathedral

Start: 7.30 pm.

Cost:
Organised by: Birmingham Cathedral

For more information, contact:
Name: Carol Currier
Telephone: 0121 262 1840
E-mail: carol.currier@birminghamcathedral.com

Holy Communion Service
07/01/2009

Date: 07 January 2009
Venue: Birmingham Cathedral

Start: 1.10 pm.

Cost:
Organised by: Birmingham Cathedral

For more information, contact:
Name: Carol Currier
Telephone: 0121 262 1840
E-mail: carol.currier@birminghamcathedral.com

Morning Prayer and Holy Communion Service
10/01/2009

Date: 10 January 2009
Venue: Birmingham Cathedral

Start: 9.00 am

Cost:
Organised by: Birmingham Cathedral

For more information, contact:
Name: Carol Currier
Telephone: 0121 262 1840
E-mail: carol.currier@birminghamcathedral.com

Readers' Licensing Service
10/01/2009

Date: 10 January 2009
Venue: Birmingham Cathedral

Start: 11.00 am.

Cost:
Organised by: Birmingham Cathedral

For more information, contact:
Name: Carol Currier
Telephone: 0121 262 1840
E-mail: carol.currier@birminghamcathedral.com

Tuesday Talks
13/01/2009

Date: 13 January 2009
Venue: Birmingham Cathedral

Start: 1.10 pm.

Cost:
Organised by: Birmingham Cathedral

For more information, contact:
Name: Carol Currier
Telephone: 0121 262 1840
E-mail: carol.currier@birminghamcathedral.com

Holy Communion Service
14/01/2009

Date: 14 January 2009
Venue: Birmingham Cathedral

Start: 1.10 pm.

Cost:
Organised by: Birmingham Cathedral

For more information, contact:
Name: Carol Currier
Telephone: 0121 262 1840
E-mail: carol.currier@birminghamcathedral.com

Wholeness and Healing Service
15/01/2009

Date: 15 January 2009
Venue: Birmingham Cathedral

Start: 1.10 pm. With Canon Henry Burgess

Cost:
Organised by: Birmingham Cathedral

For more information, contact:
Name: Carol Currier
Telephone: 0121 262 1840
E-mail: carol.currier@birminghamcathedral.com

Morning Prayer and Holy Communion Service
17/01/2009

Date: 17 January 2009
Venue: Birmingham Cathedral

Start: 9.00 am.

Cost:
Organised by: Birmingham Cathedral

For more information, contact:
Name: Carol Currier
Telephone: 0121 262 1840
E-mail: carol.currier@birminghamcathedral.com

Tuesday Talks
20/01/2009

Date: 20 January 2009
Venue: Birmingham Cathedral

Start: 1.10 pm. With The Revd Canon Peter Howell-Jones

Cost:
Organised by: Birmingham Cathedral

For more information, contact:
Name: Carol Currier
Telephone: 0121 262 1840
E-mail: carol.currier@birminghamcathedral.com

Choral Communion Service - St Philip's Singers
21/01/2009

Date: 21 January 2009
Venue: Birmingham Cathedral

Start: 1.10 pm.

Cost:
Organised by: Birmingham Cathedral

For more information, contact:
Name: Carol Currier
Telephone: 0121 262 1840
E-mail: carol.currier@birminghamcathedral.com

Morning Prayer and Holy Communion Service
24/01/2009

Date: 24 January 2009
Venue: Birmingham Cathedral

Start: 9.00 am.

Cost:
Organised by: Birmingham Cathedral

For more information, contact:
Name: Carol Currier
Telephone: 0121 262 1840
E-mail: carol.currier@birminghamcathedral.com

Choral Evensong with Visiting Choir
24/01/2009

Date: 24 January 2009
Venue: Birmingham Cathedral

Start: 3.30 pm. Choir: Melbourne Parish Church, Derbyshire

Cost:
Organised by: Birmingham Cathedral

For more information, contact:
Name: Carol Currier
Telephone: 0121 262 1840
E-mail: carol.currier@birminghamcathedral.com

Believing in Birmingham Service
25/01/2009

Date: 25 January 2009
Venue: St Chad's Cathedral

Start: 6.00 pm.

Cost:
Organised by:

For more information, contact:
Name: Carol Currier
Telephone: 0121 262 1840
E-mail: carol.currier@birminghamcathedral.com

Christian Unity Week concluding service
25/01/2009

Date: 25 January 2009
Venue: St Chad's Cathedral, St Chad's Queensway, Birmingham, B4 6EU

Start: 5pm. SUNG VEPERS led by Archbishop Vincent Nichols: Preacher Bishop Tom Wright, Bishop of Durham

Cost:
Organised by:

For more information, contact:
Name:
Telephone: 0121 230 6201
E-mail: reception@rc-birmingham.org

Tuesday Talks
27/01/2009

Date: 27 January 2009
Venue: Birmingham Cathedral

Start: 1.10 pm. With The Revd Canon Peter Howell-Jones

Cost:
Organised by: Birmingham Cathedral

For more information, contact:
Name: Carol Currier
Telephone: 0121 262 1840
E-mail: carol.currier@birminghamcathedral.com

Holy Communion Service
28/01/2009

Date: 28 January 2009
Venue: Birmingham Cathedral

Start: 1.10 pm.

Cost:
Organised by: Birmingham Cathedral

For more information, contact:
Name: Carol Currier
Telephone: 0121 262 1840
E-mail: carol.currier@birminghamcathedral.com

Morning Prayer and Holy Communion Service
31/01/2009

Date: 31 January 2009
Venue: Birmingham Cathedral

Start: 9.00 am.

Cost:
Organised by: Birmingham Cathedral

For more information, contact:
Name: Carol Currier
Telephone: 0121 262 1840
E-mail: carol.currier@birminghamcathedral.com

A 'Tour' of the Diocese
31/01/2009

Date: 31 January 2009
Venue: Birmingham Cathedral

Start: 11.00 am. Over the last 2 years the Bishops Advisers for Youth and Children’s Ministry have been visiting Deaneries to give them an overview of what’s happening in their area. Along the way we’ve collected lots of stories of good practice, new beginnings and exciting events. To launch Year of the Child 2009 in Birmingham we’d like to share these stories with clergy, children’s and youth workers in a ‘virtual tour’ around the Diocese. During the morning parishes will be given a copy of the booklet ‘Transforming Church for Children & Young People’. There will also be a film of stories from across the Diocese and an opportunity to talk to the children’s and youth leaders involved to find out how they got started and what energises them to keep going.

Cost:
Organised by: Birmingham Cathedral

For more information, contact:
Name: Claire Wesley
Telephone: 0121 426 0432
E-mail: claire@birmingham.anglican.org

The Narratives of Old Age
12/03/2009

Date: 12 March 2009
Venue: Leveson Centre, Temple House, Fen End Road, Temple Balsall, Knowle, Solihull, B93 0AN

Time: 11.00 am – 3.15 pm Coffee will be available from 10.30 am In this seminar James Woodward will introduce some of the practical fruits of his three months’ sabbatical leave in 2008. In three sessions he will explore the nature of narrative, the stories that we share, and how these narratives shape our lives. website www.levesoncentre.org.uk

Cost: £35, £40 or £50 including refreshments and a sandwich lunch
Organised by:

For more information, contact:
Name:
Telephone: 01564 778022
E-mail: leveson.centre@virgin.net

Annual Pilgrimage: Stratford-upon-Avon to Coventry Cathedral
29/07/2009

Date: 29 July 2009
Venue:

Around 200 members of all ages and denomination from at least 7 European countries will be gathering in Stratford-upon-Avon to walk in small groups towards Coventry, ending in a final service in Coventry Cathedral on August 6th. Newcomers are welcome. See www.cdsf.org

Cost:
Organised by: The Pilgrims of St Francis

For more information, contact:
Name: Gill Myall
Telephone: 0121 443 5198
E-mail: gillmyall@hotmail.com

Rev. Michael Counsell is organising a visit to the Oberammergau Passion Play in 2010
04/08/2010

Date: 04 August 2010
Venue:

Deadline for booking is end of May 2008. Brochures will be available soon for all who enquire. The cost, including flights, half board in the hotels, all coach transfers, and the play ticket, is: Basic £1095 Birmingham airport flight supplement £25 Insurance £34 Total £1154 ===== Supplements may be added depending on accommodation

Cost: