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Team Vicar (SSM), By Brook Benefice and Parish of North Wraxall

We are seeking a priest who is committed to rural ministry in small communities to join our Ministry Team.

You will be a team player who can inspire others and demonstrate God’s love in a practical way.

The By Brook Benefice and Parish of North Wraxall is made up of nine churches reaching out to village communities across 25 square miles of the beautiful southern Cotswolds, west of Chippenham.

It is envisaged that the Team Vicar will primarily exercise ministry in Yatton Keynell and Slaughterford, developing links between the church and the wider community.

The By Brook Team Vicar is a non-stipendiary role.

Application deadline: 29 February 2012
Interview date: 14 or 21 March 2012

Download the By Brook Benefice Profile and Team Vicar details >>

Download the Application Form >>
Download the Guidance Notes for completing the Application Form >>

Alternatively, to receive the full details and application documents by email or post, please email helen.rees@bristoldiocese.org or phone Helen Rees on 01454 777728.

Completed applications must be received by 8 Febaruary 2012 by email (helen.rees@bristoldiocese.org) or by post (Helen Rees, Bishop of Bristol’s Office, 58a High Street, Winterbourne, Bristol, BS36 1JQ).

Watch a video explaining about the Diocese of Bristol >>
Read about the Diocese of Bristol’s vision >>
Download “Releasing the energy”, the Diocese of Bristol Strategy >>

Following some of the changes to personnel in the Diocesan Office last year, we have welcomed a number of new membersto our team and also said farewell to others since our last update (May 2011).

In Finance, Natalie Wright has joined as Finance Officer with particular responsibility for stipends and payroll.

In Administrative Support, Karine Prescott is working as an Administrator, three days per week, supporting diocesan administration and the Foundation of St Matthias.

In Property, Fiona Glover is working three days per week helping to manage our clergy housing stock.

The Department for Children & Young People (Board of Education) welcomes two new colleagues in 2012.

John Swainston fulfils the new, externally funded post of Partnership Adviser to work with schools, particularly those considering Academy status. Education is changing rapidly and the DBE is keen to support Church schools through this, whatever their status (VA, VC or Academy), as a valued part of the Diocesan family.

Samuel Ford has started as Resourcing Administrator, involved in the running and organisation of the All Saints Resource Centre and managing communications for the department. He replaces Denise Flanders who retired at Christmas.

Isobel Chapman, our Mission & Pastoral Committee Officer, and Judith Hawkins, Bishop Lee’s assistant, also both moved on at Christmas and we wish them all well for the future.

Queries relating to pastoral reorganisation, closed churches and the Diocesan Mission & Pastoral Committee should, in the first instance be directed to Lesley Farrall.

All the above can be contacted on 0117 906 0100 or using the email form of firstname.lastname@bristoldiocese.org.

Download a full list of Bishops’ and Diocesan employees and officers >>

This month Bishop Lee invites us to embrace Lent as a time for necessary endings so we can truly experience God’s new beginnings. 

Over the past 6 months the opening verses of chapter 3 from the Book of Ecclesiastes have regularly been in my mind:

¹To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

²A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

³A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

⁴A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

Those who are old enough might recognise the words from a song popularised by The Byrds in the 1960s: Turn! Turn! Turn! For Christians these weeks of Lent provide a hinge between the seasons of winter and spring and an opportunity for making necessary endings and creating new beginnings.

In his book entitled ‘Necessary Endings’, the clinical psychologist, business consultant and theologian Henry Cloud refers to the tasks that a farmer needs to be about during the winter season – when everything has died or ceased growing. He includes getting the books in order, squaring accounts with lenders, repairing equipment and getting it ready, preparing fields, reviewing the successes and failures of the past year and making changes for the year in prospect.

By contrast, the spring is a time for gathering seeds, deciding which fields will be worked and which left, ensuring there are sufficient resources to get through the year, doing the sowing and planting, protecting seedlings from damage by the weather or pests, and nurturing a vision of the harvest to come.

These are separate seasons with distinct tasks.

Though fewer of us are now engaged in farming or agriculture, the images run deep and have metaphorical as well as physical resonance. We recognise different seasons in our own life, or the life of our communities or in businesses. Sometimes we feel like the seasons have been extended, or blurred and run together; life has become conflated or confused and lost its pattern.

Lent is an opportunity for regaining a perspective and a godly rhythm and grip – on God, and through his grace, on ourselves. To do this what I want to commend is that you reflect on your life and discipleship with the images of winter and spring – and the tasks of the farmer – as a guide. That means considering first what needs to end or be finished. Before we can make new beginnings there is almost always an ending that is required. You may want to do this collectively as a church community, as well as in your personal life.

Dr Cloud is convinced that most of us are not great at endings – especially when they are going to be painful or difficult.  So often we lack either the courage or energy to make an ending we know is for the best.  We excuse ourselves or those we care for; we fool ourselves with false hope; we continually put off what needs to be done.  In his book he quotes a woman. “I know I live in hell. But I know the names of all the streets.”

To help you gather strength to make changes, try imagining the future in 12 months if you continue down the same track, doing and saying the same things as you always have done. Imagine how you will feel, how life will be. Drawing on the discomfort or hurt that brings can provide energy to make an ending.

Most of us need support to make endings that are difficult or painful. Who can you get alongside to remind you of why you need to end something? Who can keep you to your decisions?

Space limits me from saying much about spring and new beginnings. But that seems appropriate. It is only when we have made the endings of winter that we are ready to enter the season of new beginnings. We have to follow the pattern.

This Lent as you follow the steps of Jesus may you know that power which strengthened him to make the most seismic of endings and beginnings.

+Lee

February 2012

The Church of England are offering training sessions throughout 2012 to help churches and their leaders better communicate internally and with their communities.

The training days cover areas such as:
- Church communications
- Presentation skills and Powerpoint
- Broadcast media
- Print communications
- Web and new media

These are professional courses but at very reasonable prices.

Explore the range of opportunities at www.churchcommstraining.org >>
See a full calendar of communications training events >>

Dr Denis Alexander will be speaking at a Christians in Science event entitled “Human Evolution, Adam and Eve: Genetics and the Bible” on 16 March 2012.

The subject of Adam and Eve is much discussed. The evidence for human evolution appears overwhelming. How do we hold together the biblical texts that appear to indicate that Adam and Eve were real people with our current understanding of human anthropology?

In this talk, Dr Alexander, Director of The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, Cambridge will review some of the science of human evolution as well as show how we can still take the biblical teaching about Adam and Eve very seriously.

To book, contact Dr Christina Biggs >>

Download the Genetics and the Bible poster >>

Prof Robert (Bob) White will be speaking on “Natural Disasters: Acts of God?” on 17th Feb 2012

We live in a world where the same natural processes that make it habitable sometimes kill many thousands of people. Examples include earthquakes, tsunamis, floods and volcanic erupions. Natural disasters make us face head-on questions of life and death. They challenge humankind’s hubris that we can control our environment.

For theists they raise the hard question of how an all-powerful, all-loving God can allow such things to happen. Prof. White, Professor of Geophysics, Cambridge University, and Associate Director of the Faraday Institute, will address the geology of what causes natural disasters, and a Christian perspective on them.

To book contact Christina Biggs >>

Download the Natural Disasters? poster >>

Trinity College Bristol summer conference entitled Looking to Jesus – Looking to the Future features speakers from Trinity College teaching staff from 27 to 29 June 2012

A chance to learn, discuss, worship, meet others and eat good food. Topics include: environment, ethics, Psalms, worship, mission.

Find out more, see the full list of speakers and download the booking form >>

To book contact Jean Williams, tel. 0117 968 2803; jean.williams@trinity-bris.ac.uk

A time to think and pray for God’s purpose for your life on 21 and 22 April 2012.

Explore through the Bible, through talking to others and through prayer what God’s call is for you.

To book, contact Laura Collins, tel. 0117 968 2803, laura.collins@trinity-bris.ac.uk

Find out more about “What me, Lord?” >>

Intended for all, from any church tradition, considering ordained ministry. An enjoyable and varied time together, involving prayer and fellowship, talks on ministry, resources – books, film, poetry – to help attendees prayerfully consider vocation.

SCP, the Society of Catholic Priests, is a society for Catholic minded Anglican clergy who affirm the ministry of women priests. A main feature of the weekend is visiting four different parishes in the city of Manchester and meeting clergy there and hearing about their work.

Book via the SCP website >>

An evening of worship, teaching and ministry on Thursday 9 February with guest speaker Pete Greig at Woodlands Church in Bristol.

Pete Greig is one of the founding champions of the 24-7 Prayer movement and the Director of Prayer at Holy Trinity Brompton in London.

24-7 Prayer has grown rapidly and unexpectedly from a single night-and-day prayer vigil into an interdenominational movement of prayer, mission and justice that has touched more than a third of the nations on earth since 1999. Pete has also written a number of books including ‘Red Moon Rising’ and ‘God On Mute’.

Admission to this evening event is free. Open to everyone from churches across the Bristol Region. Just turn up!

More details about Your Kingdom Come >>

A Bristol church is leading celebrations of the 350th anniversary of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer with a series of events, launching with an inaugural event to mark the Queen’s Accession at 6pm on Monday 6 February 2012.

The eighteenth-century Christ Church City in Broad Street is one of the few churches which still conducts services using the evocative time-honoured language of both the traditional Book of Common Prayer and The King James Bible.

“The direct and unambiguous words of the 1662 Prayer Book have been familiar to generations of English-speaking people who have used it for worship, baptisms, marriages and funerals,” said the Reverend Richard Hoyal, priest-in-charge at Christ Church City. “It is loved for its theology as much as for its wonderful language.”

“The popularity of our non-stop round-the-clock reading of the King James Bible to mark its 400th anniversary earlier last year has inspired us to celebrate this year’s special date in the history of the Book of Common Prayer.”

The Prayer Book written by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer – who visited the church which stood on the site of Christ Church City in 1534 – contains many phrases which have become familiar parts of everyday speech. Among those in common use are: “til death us do part”; “read, mark, learn and inwardly digest”; “peace in our time” and “ashes to ashes”.

After the Holy Bible, the Book of Common Prayer is the most frequently cited book in the Oxford Dictionary of Quotations.

“The 350th anniversary of the Book of Common Prayer is a wonderful opportunity for Christ Church in the City to remind Bristol of the enduring significance and power of this text and to share their passion and insights more widely,” said Bishop Lee.

“Their programme of events for the year is really creative and should attract a good deal of interest and engagement.”

Events planned in Bristol by Christ Church City this year include:
FEBRUARY: In the year of Her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Christ Church’s inaugural event marks the 350th anniversary of the Book of Common Prayer with a fully choral celebration of the prayer book’s official Accession Service. The event takes place at 6 pm on Monday 6 February, 60 years to the day when Her Majesty became Queen in 1952. All are most welcome to this important commemoration.

APRIL: St George’s Day (23 April) will provide another opportunity to mark both a significant national occasion and the Prayer Book anniversary year. A fully choral St George’s-tide celebration of the traditional 1662 Book of Common Prayer order for Holy Communion will take place at 11 am the previous day, Sunday 22 April. Among those attending will be representatives of the Royal Society of St George and the Prayer Book Society, among other bodies, and civic figures.

MAY: The Concordia Choir from Birmingham, under its director Richard Cook, will be at Christ Church on Wednesday 9 May to lead an evening Celebration in Words and Music of renowned passages from the Book of Common Prayer. There is much to choose from; over the centuries a huge amount of splendid music has been written for Prayer Book services and individual passages from them.

JUNE: During the afternoon of Saturday 30 June, a re-enactment is planned of the historic procession from Christ Church to St Mary Redcliffe on 2 July 1543, when Cranmer’s original Litany in English was sung for the first time. It is this Litany which forms the basis of the one now found in the Book of Common Prayer. It will involve the choirs of both Christ Church City and St Mary Redcliffe. It will culminate in a celebratory act of worship at St Mary Redcliffe which will be celebrating its patronal festival weekend.

In conjunction with the Prayer Book Society, Christ Church also is keen to promote a major festival anniversary service for the benefit of churches and individuals through the city and the Diocese of Bristol.

Discussions are underway to plan lunchtime or evening lectures with prominent speakers on Prayer Book themes later in the year.

For more details of the events programme contact the Reverend Richard Hoyal on telephone 0117 9706776 or at richardhoyal@btinternet.com

The Diocesan Chrism Eucharist with the Renewal of Commitment to Ministry will once again take place at Bristol Cathedral on Maundy Thursday, 5th April 2012, at 10.30am.

This is not only the service in which we share in the traditional Blessing of the Oils for use in initiation and healing but also an important opportunity for us all to come together, share in the Lord’s Supper and renew our commitment to serve God.

All ordained and licensed ministers are speciifically invited to the service but the service is open to all.

The Chaplaincy at North Bristol NHS Trust and University Hospitals Bristol are running a six week training course this Spring to give people the opportunity to see if they might become Chaplaincy Volunteer visitor on wards at one of our hospitals.

The course will run between 1pm and 3pm on 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st May and 7th June at the Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI).

If you are interested, please contact the Chaplaincy team on 0117 323 5447 for further details and an application form.

A morning for church leaders with Pete Greig, founding champion of the 24-7 Prayer movement and the Director of Prayer at HTB on Thursday 9th February at Woodlands Church.

All church leaders, homegroup, youth, activity and Christian organisation leaders are welcome for a morning with Pete Greig on Thursday 9th February at Woodlands Church. Belgrave Road, Clifton. The morning will include worship, input from Pete followed by Q&A and an opportunity for some prayer ministry, along with plenty of coffee and pastries.

24-7 Prayer has grown rapidly and unexpectedly from a single night-and-day prayer vigil into an interdenominational movement of prayer, mission and justice that has touched more than a third of the nations on earth since 1999. Pete has also written a number of books including “Red Moon Rising” and “God On Mute”.

If you would like to come please email info@thenoise.org.uk

A BRF Quiet Day entitled “Message to the ‘Angels’” with Canon David Winter, one of the UK’s most popular and long-established Christian writers and broadcasters, on 29th March 2012 at St Denys Retreat Centre, Warminster.

Sometimes we need the chance to take time out of our busy schedules and sit in peace with God beside us, truly to hear all He has to say.

John (the Seer of Revelation) was told to write down messages to the “Angels” of seven churches. Some were complimentary and encouraging, some were serious rebukes, some were pointing out potential problems and the remedy for them. They make fascinating reading, and on this day we shall be seeing if what they say to congregations in Turkey 2000 years ago has something to say to us, too, in the 21st century.

To book call 01865 319700, visit www.quietspaces.org.uk or write to Quiet Days, BRF, 15 The Chambers, Vineyard, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 3FE.

Please send payment in with your booking and provide full names of all who are attending. If you wish to receive a receipt, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

More about BRF Quiet Days >>

A one day conference celebrating the faith of women on Saturday 12 May 2012. Speakers include Catherine Fox, Karen Gorham, Ann Persson and Liz Hoare.

Cost £25 per delegate including lunch and refreshments.
For further information contact admissions@wycliffe.ox.ac.uk >>
To book (essential) please visit www.wycliffe.ox.ac.uk >>
Download the And Sara Laughed! poster >>

Malmesbury Abbey Skate returns during February half-term aiming to inspire other churches to think how they can reach out using sports outreach during the Olympic Games.

Booking is now open for Malmesbury Abbey Skate 2012, the fourth year a skatepark has been set up inside the 12th century abbey that dominates the hilltop town of Malmesbury.

This year, as well as a top quality skatepark for avid skateboarders, rollerbladers and scooterers, there’s a family focus for the morning sessions being introduced this year.

Organisers of the Skate Festival (a partnership between Malmesbury Abbey, Christian Surfers and Christian Skaters) are developing a ‘deeper community feel’, with locally-run music, art and dance workshops running in conjunction with the skatepark festival.

For many people in the skateboarding community this may be the first time that they have entered the church, apart from on special occasions, and throughout the three days we aim to give those involved a opportunity to meet with Christ in their own setting, and to hear stories of why it is relevant to this community. Over the years we have seen lives changed as a result of this event, and in conjunction with the ongoing work of the Abbey throughout the rest of the year.

This year, the mornings will be for families, with time on the park divided between under 8s, 8-12yr old scooterers and 8-12 yr old skateboarders, along with a host of activities for younger ones away from the ramps.

In the afternoon and evenings for the three-day festival, the big boys and girls are let loose, with the competition on the Friday night climaxing the event.
On the Thursday and Friday, dance workshops run by local dancer Emily McGrory will also take place, with showcases each night. There will also be girls only sessions on the park too.

In previous years, as many as 600 youngsters have flocked from all over Wiltshire and beyond to skate the park in this unique setting. The event is run by volunteers in the Abbey congregation in partnership with Christian Skaters/Surfers UK.

Rev Lee Barnes, the curate of Malmesbury Abbey, said: “We are really excited about this year’s Skate Park event as we feel we have responded to the success of previous years by both building upon it and introducing a deeper community feel. We will have opportunities for local families to come to our morning sessions and have activities for young people.

“This is in response to the sheer volume of young people in previous years. It is important that anyone who wants to take part should book beforehand, because of the demand, and visit our website: www.malmesburyabbey.com or join the Malmesbury Abbey Skate facebook group,” he said.

Head of Christian Surfers & Skaters Phil Williams said “Of all the skatepark related events we run, this has got to be the most exciting. I don’t think there is another place in the world that you can skateboard inside an Abbey that is 850 years old! It’s a great partnership, and we really forward to a fantastic event in.”

Find out more about Malmesbury Abbey Skate >>

Reminder –: 2 catch up dates for clergy & others who have not done the Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults training yet.

Sat Feb 25^th 9.30 – 12.30 am at St Peter Frogwell Chippenham SN14 0DJ

Sat June 16^th 9.30- 12.30 am at Beehive Centre St Ambrose Stretford Rd  Whitehall Bristol BS5 7AW

Please book your place by emailing:  jeanette.plumb@bristoldiocese.org

Following a campaign by churches and other groups affected by the theft of metal, Home Secretary, Theresa May has announced that paying cash for scrap metal will be outlawed.

The Church has campaigned on a number of fronts, both through petitions and at a structural level, to tackle the problem of metal theft from church roofs which has been a drain on church resources. The Home Secretary also told MPs that fines would be “significantly increased” to tackle the growing problem of metal theft.

“This will be welcome news for parishes across our diocese, ” commented Christine Froude, Archdeacon of Malmesbury.

“Metal theft, particularly when it happens repeatedly, is heartbreaking, not only because of the sense of violation but also because of the associated damage that so often goes with it when rainwater leaks into buildings and damages valuable artefacts and equipment.

“I am hopeful that this change in the law will provide a powerful deterrent to those who would seek to profit from stealing metal and I commend all those individuals and churches who joined together to make a case to Parliament and influence the decision.”

Anne Sloman, Chair of the Church Buildings Council, said: “This is excellent news. The Church has campaigned for a long time for legislation to outlaw cash transactions for scrap metal.

“We are still suffering the theft of lead from 10 church roofs a day, and every weapon the Government and the police can use to help us combat this crime is greatly to be welcomed.”

Nine new Licensed Lay Ministers will be licensed by Bishop Lee at 10.30am on Saturday 18th February 2012.

Find out more information about the licensing service >>

What do an undertaker, an IT Manager, a retired accountant and an HR Consultant have in common? At 10.30am on Saturday 18th February 2012, Bishop Lee will be licensing nine new Lay Ministers (LLMs) from many different walks of life at Bristol Cathedral .

The new LLMs are:
- Stella Sage from Lacock, Chippenham Deanery
- Margaret Price from Corsham, Chippenham Deanery
- John Moncrieff from the North Chippenham Group
- Suzi Tipper from the Benefice of Ashton Keynes, Leigh and Minety, North Wilts
- Catherine Price from Malmesbury Abbey
- Katherine Bloomer from the Draycot Benefice, North Wilts
- Lorraine Izzard from St Edyth, Sea Mills, Bristol
- Sue Thorne from St Luke, Brislington, Bristol
- Brian Richardson from Stoke Bishop, Bristol.

We will also be welcoming Becky Fisher from the Diocese of Oxford who was licensed to the Gauzebrook group of parishes (North Wilts) in the autumn last year.

As well as licensing new LLMs, Bishop Lee will also be thanking those who have stepped down from Lay Ministry this year and all those who serve in this way across the Diocese. Everyone with a heart for this ministry is invited to share in a joyful celebration of Lay Ministry.

Sam Rushton, Warden of Readers, who will be preaching at the service said:

“Once again, we’ve been so blessed by those that God has called to this important ministry in the church. God has a purpose for everyone and these amazing people have listened to that call on their life and invested their time and commitment to studying to make it happen. They will be a real blessing to their churches and communities.”

The Diocese of Bristol is proud of its investment in Lay Ministry: a new role, Adviser for Lay Ministry Development, has recently been advertised to take this ministry into a new phase, building on the success of the past seven years and hopefully inspiring a new generation of Lay Ministers.

To help with the planning of the service, lay or ordained ministers intending to robe for the service are asked to contact Hannah Barker hannah.barker@bristoldiocese.org.

Women bishops will be central to General Synod agenda from 6th to 9th February that includes debates on assisted dying, health care, House of Lords reform, and Eucharistic prayers for use when children are present.

The General Synod will meet at Church House from 2.15 pm on Monday 6 February until late-afternoon Thursday 9 February.

The Synod will be spending a significant amount of time on the major legislative process designed to make it possible for women to be bishops while also making some provision for those who, for theological reasons, will not be able to receive their ministry. This will be the present Synod’s first opportunity to engage with that process since it was elected 18 months ago.

The Synod will consider a number of matters of religious and public interest on the agenda for February.

On the Monday, Synod will be asked to approve the sending of a Loyal Address to H. M. the Queen on her Diamond Jubilee. By coincidence there will be an added poignancy in the fact that 6 February will be the 60th anniversary of King George VI’s death and therefore of The Queen’s Accession.

Synod will have the opportunity to debate the issue of assisted suicide following a Private Member’s Motion. Also of interest will be a presentation on about the Anglican Alliance for Relief, Development and Advocacy, by the Archbishop of Canterbury to co-ordinate the work of the Anglican Communion internationally on relief and development issues.

Synod is in the process of authorizing new Eucharistic Prayers for use at services at which there are significant numbers of children present – at a Communion service in a church school, for example.

The Synod will also receive a presentation about how the Church plans to respond to changes in the funding of higher education which will have a significant impact on the cost of training new clergy. At present, ordinands receive degrees and certificates from 19 different universities. The proposal is that the Church of England, with its partner churches, should establish a single suite of HE awards with a single set of validation arrangements. Some ordinands will continue to study for general theology degrees of universities such as Oxford and Cambridge, but for those on courses leading to a qualification specifically designed for ordinands there will only be one set of qualifications.

Finally, on the Thursday afternoon there will be a debate on the reform of the House of Lords and a debate about Health Care.

The Church of England has always had a strong commitment to the ideals of the NHS and Bishop Mike, as Vice Chair of the Mission and Public Affairs Council will speak for the motion. The debate will give the Synod an opportunity to offer a public expression of the Church’s concerns and priorities in the light of its vocation to seek health and healing. There is a particular call in the motion for chaplaincy provision to remain part of the core structure of the NHS, a position recently backed by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. There is also a commendation of the work of Anglican agencies and networks in promoting health and wholeness worldwide.

As always, our General Synod reps will be blogging throughout the Synod, available via the front page of our website on the Bishop’s Blog, as well as tweeting from @diobrizzle, @deefrodo, @jackytheluddite

A Leading Edge Events entitled “Mentoring Matters” will take place on Wednesday 25th April at Legge House near Swindon. Leading Edge events are run by CPAS in partnership with Diocese of Bristol to help those in ministry explore church leadership.

Many churches have discovered the value of mentoring in nurturing disciples and developing leaders. This day will explore how to set up a church-based mentoring network, and look at core mentoring skills. Sessions include:
• Why mentoring might be a good way to nurture disciple and develop leaders today.
• What is Christian mentoring in comparison to other helping roles (for example pastoral care, counselling, coaching , spiritual direction).
• Core skills for mentoring.
• An introduction to Mentoring Matters, a resource to identify, equip and resource mentors in a local church.

For: Open to all
Cost: £28 per person (£22 for each additional person from the same church*). CPD fundable for clergy and LLMs within the Diocese of Bristol.
To Book: Please email Rachel Williams at rachel.williams@bristoldiocese.org stating the title of the event you wish to book onto, your name, email address, telephone number and any special dietary requirements.

* For the discount to apply you will need to make a group booking

National Marriage Week is from 7-14 February 2012

More about National Marriage Week >>

Access resources on Education Sunday >>

A practical learning day on 21st April 2012, the aim of which is to help able bodied congregations to give a fair and equal chance to disabled church-goers to participate fully in worship.

The day will include presentations on the following topics:
- blindness and visual impairment
- hearing loss and deafness
- mobility restriction
- mental health and learning difficulties.

The day is free and lunch, tea and coffee are provided.

The day will conclude with a service in which disabled people will take an active role, and which can be attended either as a stand-alone event, or as part of the whole.

It is an opportunity to ask difficult questions about making church life accessible to all, and it is about accepting people as they are, with love, and preserving dignity. No prior knowledge of disability matters needed. All are welcome.

In order to give us an idea of numbers attending, please book your place now by calling Auriol Britton on 0117 9668853, stating any special need.

A Leading Edge Events entitled “Discerning Direction” will take place on Tuesday 21st February at Trinity College Bristol. Leading Edge events are run by CPAS in partnership with Diocese of Bristol to help those in ministry explore church leadership.

How do we discern where God is leading us? What is the role of vision and why is it important in the life of a church? Through presentations, case studies and discussion the day will explore why having a clear vision is so vital, how it is developed and what roles a church’s values, identity and purpose play in underpinning vision.

For: Open to all
Cost: £28 per person (£22 for each additional person from the same church*). CPD fundable for clergy and LLMs within the Diocese of Bristol.
To Book: Please email Rachel Williams at rachel.williams@bristoldiocese.org stating the title of the event you wish to book onto, your name, email address, telephone number and any special dietary requirements.

* For the discount to apply you will need to make a group booking

Find out about Leading Edge: Mentoring Matters in Swindon on 25 April 2012 >>

“Protecting our Children” is a new, three part documentary on the work of Bristol children’s social workers which starts on Monday 30^thJanuary at 9pm on BBC2.

It shows the real difficulties of child protection work in a balanced and sensitive way. Recommended viewing.

A new service is launched this month that aims to support parishes and dioceses in their stewardship, releasing resource for your mission and ministry!

Early last summer, there was a very enthusiastic response to a spending survey asking parishes if they would be interested in a service that could combine the purchasing power of churches throughout the Church of England.

The Church, as a whole, spends over £200 million each year on operating costs ranging from electricity and gas to printing paper. Parishes usually make these purchases independently without being able to take advantage of the wider spend of the Church.

The Parish Buying service is changing that by bringing these spends together and negotiating favourable deals from approved suppliers. The free service also offers tips and advice on how to buy better – taking the stress out of parish purchasing!

The national deals cover a range of key spends including: energy (green options available), office products, photocopying, IT software, and fire safety.

The prices are competitive and the service is monitored. Where contracts are required (e.g. photocopiers) these have been vetted, allowing parishes to buy with confidence and save time and money.

By saving money on operating costs, parishes can free up money to support ministry and mission directly. The aim is to save parishes £10m across the Church of England.

The service has been developed by two national procurement officers, Robert Kissick and Russell Stables, working with a National Procurement Group of diocesan and other representatives.

A pilot of the service has been run in a number of dioceses and energy contracts have been particularly popular and the feedback has been encouraging.

“Our electricity renewal had a huge increase, we were delighted when the Parish Buying service was able to save us 17%,” reported a rural parish in Shropshire.

The Parish Buying service also offers a range of training resources.

To find out more please register at www.parishbuying.org.uk;
email the procurement team at procurement@churchofengland.org;
or telephone: 0800 368 0887.

Download the Parish Buying leaflet >>
Visit and register at the Parish Buying website >>

Christ Church Downend are hosting An Evening with Stuart Townend, performance, chat and worship with one of today’s leading worship song writers, on Friday 24th February.

Stuart Townend is the writer of songs such as How deep the Father’s Love for Us, In Christ Alone and Beautiful Saviour.

Tickets are available through Christ Church Parish Office 0117 9089867 or Lizzie Kitchen 0117 9392563.

Download the Evening with Stuart Townend poster >>

Over the last year, David Stevens has shared how God transformed his life in a series of videos, right up to the point of his death this month.

The series of short films combines to give a moving, inspiring and deeply personal account of how one man discovered what it means to follow Christ.

A cocaine dealer and addict in London, David recalls how he prayed a desperate prayer and, in his weakness, began to receive a longing for God.

NB. This video contains explicit language at one point.

When he read the Bible for the first time, he “felt somehow a little different: changed, transformed.”

“What was going on for me was what [I read] in the Bible about change, transformation and love and there being this benevolent force who loved me – Jesus Christ.”

Over the last months, following a diagnosis with rectal cancer, his faith enabled him to face death without fear.

The videos are just a glimpse of one Christian disciple. In churches across the Diocese, there are ordinary people like David for whom God has made an extraordinary difference.

More Life Stories on our YouTube page >>

Various conferences aiming to inspire churches to take action against injustice are taking place in the greater Bristol area in the coming months.

Becoming a follower of Christ involves a reshaping of our priorities. These events and other opportunities seek to help Christians and church leaders have a biblical approach to social, economic and environmental injustice.

The Global Aware Conference on 21st January 2012 at Broadmead Baptist Church aims to empower God’s people to take action against global poverty and climate change .

Roger Forster, founder of Icthus Christian Fellowship, and Helen Stawski, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s International Development Programme Officer, will be speaking.

“Millions of people around the world are struggling to feed their families, or to cope with the impact of climate change on their livelihoods,” says Jenny Foster, Global Aware Co-ordinator for Greater Bristol.

“It is up to us, as people of faith, to take up God’s work of making a fairer world, by taking responsibility for others in our global community and recognising our interdependency.”
More about Global Aware Conference >>

Jonathon Porritt will be speaking at Christian Ecology Link’s conference, “Treasure in the field: spiritual capital and sustainable living” on 10th March 2012.
More about “Treasure in the field” >>

And the Church of England from across the south west is gathering for “Eye of the Needle: Biblical clues for a new economy” a conference that asks how we create a global economy in ways shaped by biblical ideas and concepts.

“Eye of the needle” will explore the distinctive contribution of the Christian faith to the shaping of a new, post financial crisis, economic order and is for anyone who has an interest in the links between faith and economics.
More about “Eye of the Needle” >>

Other opportunities to learn more about environmental justice from a Christian perspective include:

Climate Change, Faith and Rural Communities
This recently published 40 page booklet written by Martin Hodson and Margot Hodson is the product of a joint project involving the John Ray Institute, the Church Mission Society and the Agricultural Christian Fellowship.

The booklet considers the expected impacts of climate change on rural communities in the UK and the contribution that these communities make to climate change. It argues that engaged faith can have a major role in helping rural communities both mitigate and adapt to climate change.
The booklet costs £3.50. Please contact the ISR office if you would like to buy a copy.

Water: Global Challenges for the 21st Century
A day conference held in partnership with the John Ray Initative and Tearfund on Saturday 3 March 2012, 9.30am-4.30pm at Redcliffe College, Gloucester.

In an unequal world where water resources will increasingly become a trigger point for conflict, how should Christians engage with the challenges of development, sanitation, climate change and political and social unrest?
More about “Water: Global challenges for the 21st Century” >>

The Diocesan Office will be trialling a new appointments based system for church members requiring Criminal Records Bureau checks in the coming months.

There are 200 appointment slots over the next six months and the times and dates are available on the appointments list that you can download below.

Please call the Diocesan Office on 0117 906 0100 and ask to speak to Kirst Cox, Yvonne Hill or Karine Prescott to book an appointment.

 CRB Surgeries 2012 – Jan to Jun >>

A day conference held in partnership with the John Ray Initative and Tearfund on Saturday 3 March 2012, 9.30am-4.30pm at Redcliffe College, Gloucester.

In an unequal world where water resources will increasingly become a trigger point for conflict, how should Christians engage with the challenges of development, sanitation, climate change and political and social unrest? What does the Bible have to say? What should be our Christian mandate in caring for our global neighbours experiencing the sharp end of water-related problems? What might some of the solutions be?

The Redcliffe College/JRI Environment Day will provide thought-provoking talks and interactive seminars addressing these issues. Participants will also hear first-hand accounts of how these issues are impacting people in the Global South.

To book a place contact Redcliffe College: events@redcliffe.org . Or write to: Bonny Cleasby, Redcliffe College, Wotton House, Horton Road, Gloucester GL1 3PT.

The Churches Legal Advisory Service has produced a checklist to help those organising occasional events in churches (parish suppers, discos, concerts, church fetes and the like) comply with regulations.

Download the Occasional Events checklists >>

The Home Office have issued a newsletter for clergy aiming to resource them in relation to marriages and related issues.

This newsletter covers the following issues:
• Civil Partnerships in Religious Buildings
• New forms for correcting a marriage entry
• Marriage returns Keying update
• Re-ordering marriage certificates
• Foreign Divorces
• Quick find guide

Download the Home Office newsletter >>