| Surge of the See | 15th Dec 2007 | Download | Email to a Friend |
Offa House
Andrew De Smet left the diocese on 8th November, and until a new Advisor in Pastoral Care and Counselling is appointed referrals and requests for counselling from clergy, their families, others inministry and other diocesan workers should go to Dr Yvonne Warren, telephone 01789 414255 or email yvonnewarren@mac.com Yvonne is an experienced psychotherapist and couples counsellor who has worked with clergy in Rochester Diocese before moving to Stratford upon Avon.
Packs of Offa House programmes are available for display in churches or to give to house groups etc. If you would like one phone Offa House 01926 423309
Newbold on AvonFourth Annual Christmas Tree Festival
This will be held on two consecutive weekends; 8th and 9th December and 15th and 16th Decemberfrom 12 noon until 6.00pm when the 15th century Church of St Botolph will be filled with 60 christmas trees, each one individually decorated by people and organisations within their community. Admission £2.00 accompanied children free and light refreshments will be available.
‘No easy answers’ by Barbara Baisley
New edition by Christine Worsley Books can be obtained direct from the publishers on 01733 325002 or the Methodist Publishing House website. Wesley Own in the Arcade will have the book in stock from December. St Andrew’s Bookshop, Coventry Cathedral, have said they will order, if you require it at £9.99.
This edition is a reprint of the book but with additional work from the journal she wrote up until the last two weeks of her life, and also some of her poems. It explores her living with suffering and as Bishop Colin says ‘Doesn’t let God off easily’ Royalties from the book go to cancer charities.
Ensemble 1685
Ensemble 1685 with Richard Jeffcoat as director will be performing a concert for World AIDS Day; Requiem by Johannes Brahms
Presented in association with The Terrence Higgins Trust, this magnificent music, singing of consolation and hope, is offered in remembrance of those we have lost, and in tribute to all who are living and working with HIV today.
The performance will be at Warwick Road United Reformed Church, Warwick Row, Coventry on Saturday December 1st 2007 at 7.30 pm.
Admission is free but a retiring collection will be taken in aid of The Terrence Higgins Trust.
Ten Plays for Church By Kevin Dodds
Christians of all ages will revel in Kevin Dodd’s new collection of dramatic works, Ten Plays for Church.
These morally grounded plays are a combination of Bible-inspired stories and Christian principles. Through Bible adaptations and modern storylines, Dodds highlights the struggles of life and the delicate balance between good and evil. He covers a variety of issues, including forgiveness, temptation and hope. ‘The hope is that these plays will bring people closer to God and inspire themon to further reading or encouragement during difficult times.
He studied at Mountview Theatre School in London in 1978. He lives in Cornwall with his wife and two daughters and is a Church of England Lay Reader.
For a review copy contact Kevin Dodds 01209 718 595 or email kevin.dodds@ btopenworld.com For orders and further information on the book Tel 0800 197 4150 (UK) website http://www.authorhouse.com/BookStore/BookHomes.aspx
Mission in the World of Work (Workcare) Coventry & Warwickshire
We are appointing a half-time Anglican Officer to succeed Graham Hardwick. Their primary role will be to engage with the variety of local churches to seek their help in thefaith/work agenda, by supporting their church members, local employment, and the issues raised. The officer will develop resources for the churches to use in worship and study that seek to makethe vital connections between faith and working life. The officer will work closely with othermembers of the MWW team and give support to the growing number of associate chaplains recruited from the local churches (lay and ordained). They will be strongly ecumenical, have adeveloped and radical theological outlook, be a committed team worker and passionate about theissues affecting people in their working lives.
The nature of this post requires a person with a developed theological mind, an awareness of the other major faith communities and sensitivity towards them. They will have experience in the preparation and delivery of courses, and speaking to and leading a variety of meetings, events and services.
The person appointed may be lay or ordained. This post may run alongside another in either a local church or the diocese. Information including salary and job description is available from-Mission in the World of Work, Cathedral & Diocesan Offices, 1 Hill Top, Coventry, CV1 5ES. Phone 024 76521338; email Pauline.Caldicott@covCofE.org Website workcare.org
Sing with the CBSO In Symphony Hall - Orff’s Carmina Burana
Join the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestras and chorus and world-renowned Chorus director, Simon Halsey for an inspiring day of rehearsal and performance. All singers are welcome; so do not miss the chance to experience this famous and powerful work from a unique vantage point. Rehearsals for the event will start at 1.30pm with the performance at 7.00pm Further details will be sent with your tickets. Scores will be available for hire on the day from 12.30pm. Tickets Singers £18/Audience £10 (Grand Tier) To book call the box office on 0121 780 3333.
Salaam Bethlehem
Inspired by a visit to the dwindling Palestinian Christian community in Israel. ‘Riding Lights’ theatre company’s new production ‘Salaam Bethlehem’ invites you to experience the hopes andfears of Bethlehem’s Christian community. The production opened at ‘Riding Lights’ own Friargate Theatre in York in October and will tour the U.K. throughout Advent. For further details contact Media Contact, Helen Robson, Plug and Tap, 01845 578332 or mobile 07890 431 8600 or email helen@plugandtap.co.uk
Ansley Christmas Tree Festival
St. Laurence’s Church Bidford-on-Avon is holding its 10th Annual Christmas Tree Festival on Saturday 8th December and Sunday 9th December from 12 pm - 6 pm. There will also be a raffle and refreshments. Entrance is £2, Children (11-16) £1, Children under 11 go in for free.
Diocese of Coventry - Mothers’ Union
The Mothers’ Union seek to appoint a new Diocesan Secretary with effect from the beginning of February 2008. Duties include:
- Assisting Finance and Administration Unit in smooth running of the Diocesan Mothers’ Union
- Communication with members and the public
- Taking minutes of Trustees Meetings and Diocesan Council meetings
- Booking meeting rooms and liaising with other Diocesan Staff
- Other general administration duties
The hours are 7.5 hours per week (currently on Tuesday and Wednesdays, but open to negotiation) at Diocesan Office in central Coventry, plus some overtime. Four weeks paid holiday plus flexibility for school holidays. Familiarity with computers and email essential, but further training can be given. Membership of Mothers’ Union not necessary. Applications in by 19th December 2007
For further detail contact The Finance and Administration Unit Co-ordinator, Mothers’ Union Office, 1 Hill Top, Coventry CV1 5AB Tel: 024 7652 1350 Email mu.cov@covcofe.org
DAC Secretaries
The Big Lottery launched this week phase 3 of "Breathing Places", a UK wide small grantsprogramme designed to inspire communities to get involved in transforming their local environmentand creating and caring for local green spaces.
In regard to churches, eligible projects could include, for example, community projects for the churchyard, training projects for volunteers to manage the churchyard or projects involving professional support to advise on wildlife management. These are just suggestions, please refer to the website for further information. The grants programme aims to:
- increase the number and range of people making use of, and helping to develop andmaintain, breathing places, and
- make a lasting improvement to the natural environment of new and existing breathingplaces.
Although churches are not explicitly mentioned among eligible organisations, the Big Lottery Fundhas confirmed that they are eligible, as long as they fulfil the other criteria.
Please note that the deadline for the programme is 18 January 2008. Grants will be awarded in June 2008 and the project must be able to start by December 2008 and be completed by June 2009. You can find further information on the Breathing Places grants programme on the website of the Big Lottery Fund: http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_breathingplacesase
Re-launch of Churchcare website
The Churchcare website has been re-launched and can be accessed at http://www.churchcare.co.uk/
While the website has, so far, focused on maintenance, legal matters and funding, the new Churchcare site includes more advice and guidance on maintenance, repairs, churchyards, the care of furnishings and fittings, legal and technical matters as well as a completely new section on thed evelopment and use of church buildings.
The website aims to equip the non-professional with the knowledge to look after, and care for, a church building, its churchyard and contents and to develop the church building further, for example by opening it to school visits, tourism and other uses. The four core sections are:
- Caring for Your Church Building (maintenance and repairs of the building)
- Caring for Your Church's Contents (maintenance and care of artworks, furnishings and fittings)
- Caring for Your Churchyard (churchyard management and legislation)
- Developing Your Church Building (advice and information on extended and additional uses and on the option of making alterations and extensions)
These are accompanied by further sections on Legal Matters, Archaeology and Funding. Churchcare also features a list of Frequently Asked Questions, a Glossary and a Who is Who of church conservation, which sets out the roles and duties of the various people and institutions involved.
To guide churchwardens and others through the complex procedures involved, the new Churchcare website includes simple, step-by-step processes, such as "How to Implement Repairs", "How to Conserve Your Church's Contents", "How to Develop Your Church Building" and "How to Make Alterations to Your Church Building". These guides and the greater emphasis on the use, development and community involvement of church buildings are part of the Building Faith in Our Future agenda, which recommended the further development of Churchcare.
The Council for the Care of Churches gratefully acknowledges the continuing support of Ecclesiastical Insurance Group for the development of the Churchcare website
An ecumenical group for silent Christian contemplative prayer
Julian Meetings are groups of people who meet together regularly to grow in the practice of silent contemplative prayer in the Christian tradition. Julian meetings are for people of all denominations, or none.
At a Julian Meeting we sit together in a circle and seek to be open and attentive to the presence ofGod in the silence. A short reading and/or piece of music leads into 30 minutes of silent prayer. Waiting on God in silence, listening to Him, resting in Him. Refreshments and conversation followthe time of prayer for those who wish to stay.
The Meeting is held at Earlsdon Methodist Church Upper Room, corner of Earlsdon Avenue Southand Albany Road. Door will be open from 7pm and the meeting will start at 7.30 prompt. Dates for 2008 are the third Thursday each month: 17th January, 21st February, 17th April, 15th May, 19th June, 17th July, 21st August, 18th September, 16th October, 20th November. No meeting March or December.
People can join us once, occasionally or regularly as convenient for them. If you have anyquestions or require information on disabled access facilities, contact Ann Moran, tel 024 76714649. email a.amoran@btopenworld.com JM website: www.julianmeetings.org
Coventry’s Women in Ministry Group
The Coventry’s Women in Ministry group are holding an Advent Liturgy for Women on Thursday 6th December at 7.30pm in the Coventry University Spirituality and Faith Centre. All are welcome to the evening of reflection, prayer and a time together.
The University Spirituality Centre is based in the Alan Berry Building opposite the foot of the steps up to the Cathedral. As you face the building, go round the right of it, down a few steps and the entrance to the centre is immediately on your left.
Directory Amendments
The Diocesan Secretary together with his staff would like to give thanks to Bishop Colin and Veronica for all that they have contributed to the life of this Diocese. We wish them God’s rich blessing for a very happy and blessed retirement.
Mr David Braford, Treasurer of Hillmorton has moved address. His new address is 5 Farmhurst, Percival Road, Rugby CV22 5JR Phone number remains the same
Pam Nason of Newbold on Stour has a new email address zanz@pamnason.plus.com
Olga Howes a Reader at Coventry Cathedral now has an email address olga@church-view.freeserve.co.uk
Canon Margaret Sedgwick has moved address. Her new address is 12 Marie Brock Close, Tile Hill,Coventry CV4 9DL Her phone number will be notified in due course.
Canon Richard Williams has come to the end of his sabbatical and his email address from 1st December will be rickthevic@googlemail.com
Canon Tony Rowe who has had Permission to Officiate since he retired many years ago and was in our Diocese for many years died on Tuesday 27th November. Our prayers are with his wife andfamily at this very sad time and surround them with God’s love and peace.
The Diocesan Secretary together with his staff wish you and your congregations a very Happy and Blessed Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.