| START THE WEEK | 19th May 2008 | Download | Email to a Friend |
CANON STEPHEN TIMBRELL
Following the death of Canon Stephen Timbrell, headteacher of Blue Coat Church of England School & Music College on 12th May 2008, the school community and the Diocese of Coventry are deprived of one of their most talented, visionary and highly respected colleagues who lived out his Christian vocation through education in an inspirational manner.
An obituary by the Director of the Board of Education, Mrs Linda Wainscott, can be read at http://www.covdioc.org.uk/stephentimbrell.htm
To leave a message of condolence to be shown on the website, email: rachel.williams@covcofe.org. In addition, a traditional book of condolence has been opened in Coventry Cathedral.
RADFORD SEMELE FIRE
Martin Green writes:
The first phase of the work at the church is drawing to an end. The bells have been removed and all the debris within the building has now been cleared, sorted, and the few bits with any future use have been stored. However, as part of this work, we discovered evidence which suggests that the fire might not have been caused accidentally. On the day after the fire, when it was safe to go into the fenced compound, I discovered that one of the cremation plot stones was missing. Well, about 10 days ago, it was discovered underneath one of the main windows inside the church, underneath the debris. This, sadly, means that it went through the window before the fire started, and certainly on the night of the fire as people were in church the afternoon before. The police are still investigating, but I am afraid that it is now fairly likely that the fire will have been started deliberately.
For more details, see: www.stnicholasrestoration.com/
REGISTRATION OF PCCS WITH THE CHARITY COMMISSION
From this autumn PCCs with a gross income of over £100,000 will have to register with the Charity Commission. In order to help PCCs with this process we are holding a seminar on Thursday 19th June 2008 at 7.30pm at Claverdon Church Centre, Claverdon, nr. Warwick which will be led by Dr John Preston, National Stewardship Officer for the Church of England.
If your PCC already has a gross income of £100,000 or more or is likely to in the next year or two then this seminar is for you. Treasurers of PCCs where this is thought to be the case have been written to but if you have not received an invitation and you think that your PCC is likely to come within the registration requirements please let Philip Carver, Financial Secretary, know if you would like to attend.
Please e-mail Philip at philip.carver@CovLec.org or ring on 024 7652 1308
WATER BILLS FOR CHURCHES
From David Meredith Director of Finance at the Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham:
Changes in water charging structures in a number of regions mean that churches are charged on the same scale as businesses, leading to large (for example, 1300%) increases in annual water bills. A spokesman for Yorkshire Water said “Yorkshire Water does not provide any charitable institution with discounted water bills, and is not required to do so. Any waiver of charges is at the discretion of the company” This could include charging for rainwater from your church roof if it flows into their drains and could be assessed on the roof area. The Churches Main Committee is trying to clear up the confusion. In the mean time please support this E-Petition and pass this message on. The petition can be found at: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/ChurchWaterBills/
STEWARDSHIP NEWS
A remodelled and more accessible Giving in Grace website (www.givingingrace.org) has now been completed with new material on tithing and annual review. Please take time to have a look at it, and enjoy using it and promoting it!
The Church Commissioners Annual Report is now out. It's viewable in an online-reader-friendly version at http://www.churchcommissionersannualreport.org/2007/index.html and downloadable in full from http://cofe.anglican.org/about/churchcommissioners/annualreport/.
CHURCH WEBSITE DESIGN TOOL
Your church website has enormous potential as part of your outreach strategy to reach into your community. It can be like an enticing ‘shop window’ and virtual doorway to draw people into faith and fellowship. However, many churches do not understand how to design a site that will do this effectively. This self-assessment questionnaire helps you evaluate your site, and creates a detailed free evaluation report with advice to help you consider new ideas or aspects of the site that could perhaps be modified. It will also help you in planning a new website. Have a go at http://ied.gospelcom.net/church-site-design.php
LIGHTLIVE
LightLive is a new website which puts a multitude of Bible-based activities and ideas at your fingertips – and it’s free of charge! It is designed by Scripture Union to help you tailor material to the specific needs of your children and young people’s group(s) or congregation. You can access the bank of activities and ideas, enrich your programme with multimedia resources and search, save and print – all from one website. Go to www.lightlive.org – and remember, it’s absolutely free!
LEADING YOUR CHURCH INTO GROWTH
There are a handful of places left on the next ‘Leading Your Church Into Growth’ on 9 -12 June 2008 at St Johns College, York.
Leading Your Church Into Growth is highly popular course specifically designed for clergy and lay leaders from across different traditions and denominations who want practical help and training in the area of church growth. The course has now been attended by 1 in 10 Anglican clergy and regularly attracts extremely positive feedback from course members.
For inquiries and bookings contact Mrs Tracie Hunt on 01274 604904 or at Tracie.Hunt@englandbasketball.co.uk
There is also a course in Swanwick 3-6 Nov 2008
JIM WALLIS
Jim Wallis will be visiting the United Kingdom from 24 May to 4 June 2008 to promote the release of his new book, Seven Ways to Change the World. To view more information about Jim's latest book, visit www.lionhudson.com/jim.
During this time, he will be involved in many high-profile interviews as well as a number of events.
On Sunday 25 May at 7.30 pm, there will be a public launch event in association with Faithworks at church.co.uk (1 Kennington Road, London, SE1 7QP), followed by a book-signing. For more details, see http://www.faithworks.info/Event.asp?id=8221 or call the Faithworks office on 020 7921 4283.
On Thursday 29 May at 6.45 pm, there will be a public event at the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity, St. Peter's Church (Vere Street, London W1G 0DQ). For more details, see http://www.licc.org.uk/node/462?PHPSESSID=8fcffd82d9dab23628f28044f16b1ca2 or call LICC on 020 7399 9555.
On Monday 2 June at 8:00 pm, there will be a public event and book signing at All Hallows on the Wall (83 London Wall, London, EC2M 5ND) in association with Greenbelt. For more details, contact Dave King on 020 7374 2755 or dave@greenbelt.org.uk.
Jim Wallis has met with Gordon Brown, George Bush, Tony Blair, Rowan Williams, Bono, and other high-profile figures on many occasions to discuss global issues. A man who is not afraid to stand up for what he believes in, he has been arrested around 20 times for 'nonviolent civil disobedience.' The founder of Sojourners (an American network of Christians working for justice and peace), Jim speaks at more than 200 events a year and writes for a number of major U.S. newspapers, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times. He lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife, Joy Carroll (the real-life inspiration behind The Vicar of Dibley), and their two young children.
COVENTRY YOUTH FOR CHRIST
Coventry Youth For Christ reaches out to young people from all backgrounds in schools, communities and in partnership with local churches. They are looking for someone with the right character, skills & experience to lead the Coventry centre into an exciting new era building on a solid foundation. The successful applicant will be able to lead, inspire, motivate & manage a great team of staff and volunteers. An excellent communicator with both young people and senior leaders from the Christian and public sector. A strategic thinker you will be able to bring the best out of people and programmes, developing and forming relationships with supporters and partner organisations.
Closing Date is June 7th 2008. Salary around £18,000-22,000 (depending on qualifications & experience).
Call 02476550257, job@covyfc.org, PO Box 2928, Coventry, CV1 1YT
RUGBY YOUTH FOR CHRIST
Sheila Bridge who is a Reader at St Matthew's and St Oswald's Church, Rugby will be cycling from Rugby to John O'Groats from Wednesday May 21st till Monday June 1st in aid of Rugby Youth for Christ. The total distance is about 680 miles and Sheila will be goind about 50 miles a day. Rugby Youth of Christ connect with around 7000 young people a month through schools work and after school clubs. If you would like to know more about the ride or to sponsor Sheila, please go to www.justgiving.com/sheilabridge
FUTURE OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND
The Deaneries of Coventry South and Kenilworth have invited Canon Dr Christina Baxter, Lay Chair of General Synod, to give her thoughts on the future of the Church of England on Tuesday 10 June, 7.30pm at St Nicholas Church, Kenilworth. Christina has been in post since 1995, and has also been a member of Archbishops’ Council and its Finance Committee since 1999. She has been a member of the Women Bishops Working Party since 2003.
If you would like further details, please contact Audrey Hobley at hobley78@tiscali.co.uk.
WARWICK WORDS
Warwick Words is a festival of literature and the spoken word and it is taking place in various venues around the historic town between 2 – 5 October. During the weekend there will be lots of outstanding performances, stimulating talks and interactive workshops to choose from including; a Literary Lunch, Afternoon Teas, Walks, Children’s Festival, Poetry Café and much more! Special Guests include Felix Dennis, Alexander McCall Smith, Frances Fyfield, Louis de Berineres, Gerald Scarfe, Celia Rees, Brian Patten, Andrew Davies, Tony de Saulles, Catherine O’Flynn, Jane Wenham-Jones, Jo Shapcott and many more.
To receive more information about Warwick Words please contact Warwick Words, The Court House, Jury Street, Warwick CV34 4EW, email info@warwickwords.co.uk or telephone 01926 427056 See the website at www.warwickwords.co.uk
I’M OK YOU’RE OK
I’m OK You’re OK is a Midlands Regional Men’s Day organized by Christian Vision for Men and due to take place on July 5th 2008. The objective of the day conference is to “Find faith that’s real, and ways of keeping it that way.”
The day will be a varied format of workshops, speakers, activities, worship, and of course networking over food and refreshments – so no time to get bored. It will be ideal for groups of men aiming to gel as a team, and individuals will be linked with others for the day.
The event is great for men who believe in Jesus but struggle to find the relevance of it, or don’t seem to fit in ‘Church’; for those who want to follow Jesus but sometimes don’t feel suited for it. You will find that you are not alone – and that you are OK!
For details and booking phone: 01455 558077 or 07977 933064, email: Phil.Hemsley@cvmen.org.uk, or visit
http://www.cvmen.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=113&Itemid=109
LONG COMPTON
Long Compton in south Warwickshire is inviting visitors to join their Celebration Of Village Life over the Late Spring Holiday, Saturday – Monday, 24th, 25th and 26th May.
A Plant Sale opens the weekend’s activities on Saturday morning. It is to be held in a garden opposite the Village Stores. From there, by travelling south along the A3400 the Village Hall is a quarter of a mile away and will be showing the work of resident artists and craftspeople, including displays from the children. Much of this is for sale, will be on show each day until 5pm, with refreshments and light lunches available and ample parking. The ‘parking’ outside will include some classic cars – the treasures of local residents.
The church is the best-known building in the village, approached by a picturesque lychgate on the main road. Once part of a row of cottages, later the cobbler’s shop, the lychgate houses the District History Society’s extensive collection of village artefacts. The lychgate will be open on Sunday and Monday from 2 until 5.
The Church is open on Sunday and Monday 2 – 5pm. Teas will be served in the church at those times. The church interior has been decorated with flowers for the Celebration. From there tours of the bell tower can be undertaken and small guided groups of those intrepid and fit enough can climb to the top. On Sunday the tea will be followed at 6pm by a Celebration Service where all are invited to join in the singing of well-loved hymns.
On Monday afternoon, in addition to the attractions already noted, eight gardens will be open. Many gardens take the ever-flowing streams as features, and are treasure-troves of plants and planting ideas.
For further details contact Suzanne Shacklock on 01608 684478 or at suzanne@shacklocks.net
WHATCOTE
St Peter’s Weekend on June 27th – 29th 2008 at Whatcote nr Shipston-on Stour is a weekend to enjoy in beautiful South Warwickshire. On Friday June 27th there will be a concert in Church at 7.30pm - A ‘Summer Serenade’ - in words & music featuring Sonia & Pamela Beesley. Tickets £8.50 (booking recommended).
On Saturday June 28th & Sunday June 29th, there will be an exhibition of crafts and flowers in St Peter’s Church from 10.00am – 6.00pm. Coffee, biscuits and Cream Teas will be served.
On Sunday June 29th there will be an Open Air Service for St Peter’s Day in the Church yard at 6.00pm (in Church if Wet!)
More information and Concert Tickets from Sue Price, tel 01295 680007, June Wreford 01295 680294, Maureen Raybould 01295 680628 or Audrey Caiger 01295 680015.
DOES DAWKINS EXIST
Compelling arguments about the existence of Richard Dawkins at http://christianstories.net/blog/1140
Have a great week!
With best wishes
Roger Morris
Revd. Roger Morris
Director of the Forum for Parish Development and Evangelism
Tel: 024 7652 1326 Mobile: 07798 813178
The Coventry Diocesan Board of Finance is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England No 319482
and Charity Registered No 247828. Registered Office 1 HillTop Coventry CV1 5AB