InReview December 14

WELCOME to this special edition of InReview, featuring a special report on November’s meeting of the General Synod.

Our aim is to keep people in touch with the activities of the Archbishops’ Council,

Church Commissioners, the Pensions Board and other bodies who serve the Church at national level.

Do check out In Focus, our sister publication designed to be a centrespread for A5 parish magazines.

The National Church Institutions working for you

December 2014

New website launched to showcase Church’s work on fairer finance

A new website, www.toyourcredit.org.uk, has been launched to showcase the Church’s work on responsible credit and savings, including supporting credit unions.

The website has been created by

the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Task Group on Responsible Credit and Savings and contains personal testi-monies, videos, and blogs from initia-tives across the country. Their vision is “to create a fairer financial system

focused on serving the whole com-munity, where everyone has access to responsible credit and savings and other essential financial services.”

Continued on page two

inreviewwww.churchofengland.org

The Church’s successful twitter campaign, #Christmas-means will be running again this year giving congregations and individuals across the country a chance to show what Christmas means to them, with image, videos and 140 charac-ter reflections. Last year more than four million people con-nected with #Christmasmeans with short videos, pictures from Christmas services and

Bible verses. “We are delighted

that #Christmasmeans gives us this opportu-nity for parishes to take the good news of the first Christmas beyond churches and into peo-ple’s lives and homes” says the Revd Arun Arora (@RevArun), Direc-tor of Communications at the Archbishops’ Council.

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York signing the Canon enabling Women to become Bishops

Full report plus other Synod news:page four

Page two | The National Church Institutions working for you

New website launched to showcase Church’s work on fairer finance

Statistics on Church attendance released

Continued from front page

The Task Group has also pro-posed a network of savings clubs in Primary schools to give pupils practical experience of money management.

The programme would build on a number of successful small-scale initiatives already in place in parts of the country along-side evidence of what makes for an effective financial education programme.

Sir Hector Sants, chair of the Task Group, said: “Savings clubs can transform lives through helping establish a responsible approach to money from an early age.

“This programme would also strengthen communities

through building links between schools, churches and credit unions, and is part of the Church of England’s broader initiative to support the development of a larger, vibrant and more sustain-able community finance sector

in this country.”Once evaluated, the pro-

posed scheme would be extended to primary schools across the country starting with Church of England primary schools.The task group is seek-ing funding from Government and other sources for a pilot scheme in three areas of England working with the Credit Union Foundation and the Personal Finance Education Group (PFEG).

Visit www.toyourcredit.org.uk for more information

Get the latest news by following @toyourcredit on twitter, and join the conversation using the hashtag #toyourcredit

New Church of England sta-tistics for 2013 show that an average of one million people attend services each week, down about 1% on the previous year.

The one million figure relates to regular weekly parish and cathedral services and does not include other core services car-ried out by the Church of Eng-land on a regular basis. With some 2,000 baptisms, 1,000 weddings and 3,000 funerals conducted every week it is esti-mated that a further half a mil-lion people attend a service con-ducted by a Church of England minister every week. In addition the count (which takes place in October) does not include the

many carol and nativity services during Advent and many other regular services responding to community need.

The services carried out by the Church of England’s chaplains in hospitals, prisons, schools, universities and military bases are also excluded from the attendance totals. Figures for Christmas attendance show a stable trend, with 2.4 million people attending services on Christmas Eve and Day - where figures have hovered around the 2.5 million mark over the past decade.The full release and report can be found at:bit.ly/attendancestats2013

25 Church of england Cathedrals benefit from new round of repairs funding

25 Church of England Cathe-drals have been announced to receive more than £8 million from a government-sponsored grant scheme set up to support vital repairs to some of Eng-land’s most important historic buildings.

The successful applicants will receive £8.3 million of money made available as part of the First World War Centenary Cathedral Repairs Fund. This is the second round of grants from the £20 million Fund, which was announced in the Chancellor’s March budget.

The third round with £7 mil-lion to award will close on 21 January 2015 and all projects awarded money will be complete by March 2016.

The Church’s 42 cathedrals alone welcome over 11m visi-tors a year, employ over 6,000 staff and are supported by over

15,000 dedicated volunteers;. CofE cathedrals contribute annu-ally at least £350 million for the national economy. These grants will help them to complete works which are urgently needed for them to stay safe, open and

welcoming, and to continue to make this contribution to their communities.

Further details can be found at:bit.ly/8mgrantforcathedrals

Truro Cathedral is to receive £500k for repairs to the nave and nave aisle roof

Church of england and Sustrans team up for cycling toursThe Church of England has teamed

up with cycling charity Sustrans to produce a series of tours linking the country’s Cathedrals and historic church buildings by bike.

The Towers and Spires series have been created to provide a new way to explore the country’s magnificent church buildings. The materials have been published by ChurchCare which supports those looking after the Church of England’s 16,000 churches and 42 Cathedrals.

For more details:bit.ly/towersandspires

revd rosemia Brown’s Story

Cyclists visiting a church in Suffolk featured in the new route

A report on the website highlights the remarkable work of Revd Rosemia Brown, Vicar of St James’ Church in Hackney, who has turned her church building into an outpost for the London Community Credit Union.Along with volunteers from her congregation, Rosemia helps a

huge range of people in her parish to access savings and ethical financial services, in an area that is rife with payday and other exploitative lenders.

Rosemia’s story is available at:www.toyourcredit.org.uk/stories/rosemia-brown

Sir Hector Sants, chair of the Task Group

InReview | Page three

As part of Prisons Week, inmates at Rochester Prison spoke about their faith, and about how the chaplaincy had

helped them develop their rela-tionship with God.

The Bishop of Rochester (pictured) James Langstaff, the

Bishop to Prisons, says the place for the Church of England in prisons is important: “we can provide a space where others gather.’

Prisoner Marcus summed up his experi-ence saying: “God was the only person who was there when no-one else was.”

Prisons Week audio: bit.ly/prisonsweek2014

Video with the Bishop of Rochester: bit.ly/chaplaincyinprisons

Prior of Lambeth Palace Christian community appointed

The Archbishop of Canter-bury, Justin Welby, has appointed the Revd Anders Litzell (pictured) as Prior of the Community of St Anselm, the radical new Christian community at Lambeth Palace.

Revd Litzell, 34, is an Angli-can priest from Sweden, who has experience of the Pentecostal and Lutheran traditions as well as three provinces of the Angli-can Communion. He will pioneer the Community, which launches

in September 2015, and direct its worship and work. He will work as Prior under the auspices of the Archbishop, who will be Abbot of the Community. Revd Litzell will take up the role on 5th January 2015.

The Community will initially consist of 16 people living at Lambeth Palace full-time, and up to 40 people, who live and work in London, joining as non-residential members. The

Archbishop hopes that the Com-munity will be definitive in shap-ing future leaders to serve the common good in a variety of fields, as they immerse them-selves in a challenging year of rigorous formation through prayer, study, practical service and community life.

Archbishop Justin Welby said: “My vision for the Com-munity of St Anselm is that it be both ancient and postmodern: that young adults be steeped in the rich monastic traditions of the likes of Benedict, Francis and Ignatius, while discovering their striking relevance for the transformation of self and soci-ety today. I am delighted at the appointment of Anders Litzell who will help to work this out at Lambeth Palace.”

More details about the community, and an interview with Anders can be found at:www.stanselm.org.uk

Revd Anders Litzell - a profile

Anders was ordained in the Church of England in 2012. He is currently serving at St George’s, Holborn, in the Diocese of London – where his ministry focuses on students and adults in their 20s and 30s. At the same time he is pursuing a doctorate which focuses on the relevance of St Benedict for contemporary leadership. He trained for ordination at Ridley Hall, Cambridge, UK, including a sojourn at St Agnes, Diocese of Natal in South Africa.

Watch an interview with Revd Litzell at:bit.ly/stanselmprior

Acts 435 urges churches to donate #anothergiftThe Archbishop of York’s charity Acts 435 is

urging people to remember those struggling this Christmas and to show support by donating #anothergift

Throughout December, Acts 435 are invit-ing churches, schools and community groups to stretch their budgets to one more gift for Christ-mas, for someone in need.

“Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus”; said Executive Director Jenny Herrera, “not the con-sumerism that can take hold of us and put so much pressure on those struggling financially. “Decorating a tree with baubles that speak of the basic essentials that some people lack such as a coat or fresh food takes us back to the heart of that generous spirit at Christmas.

“A small gift in the lives of those in need does make a big difference.”

More details about the campaign can be found at:www.acts435.org.uk

Church of england blogs - a good read

The Church of England Communications Office at Church House, Westminster has started a range of homegrown blogs from the NCIs on topical subjects.

Rev Arun Arora, director of communications has written about the Church’s reaction to the change in format of Songs of Praise and takes issue with claims around the new book Lost Gospel.

Deputy director Rachel Harden takes a look at Blogging Faith particularly looking at the rise of the Huffington Post and

chief Education Officer Nigel Genders blogs on British Values in schools?

The blogs also feature a weekly look at our ‘in the news’ podcast.

Guest blogger Fuad Nahdi, the first Muslim to address the Church of England’s General Synod shared his thoughts about the importance of Christian Muslim relations.

The blogs will be shared on the Church’s twitter account @c_of_e and are available at:www.cofecomms.tumblr.com

interviews for Prisons week

Page four | The National Church Institutions working for you | InReview

Legislation on women Bishops becomes Law at General Synod

Synod hears call for healing in Syria and iraq

Anglican Communion is flourishing - Archbishop tells General Synod

Synod approves Spare room Subsidy Motion

New Guidelines for the Professional Conduct of Clergy

The General Synod has enacted the measure enabling women to be ordained as Bish-ops in the Church of England.

The formal enactment of the legislation – Amending Canon 33 - followed the vote on final approval by the Synod at its meeting in July. Since that time the legislation has been approved in Parliament and received Royal Assent.

The final legislative require-ments took place during a ses-sion chaired by the Archbishop of York, Dr. John Sentamu.

With the Instrument of Enactment having been read to Synod the motion was put with-out debate, with only a simple majority required for approval. Following the item being passed the legislation was signed into law by the Archbishops of Can-terbury and York before the whole Synod.

Following the vote Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, said:

“Today we can begin to embrace a new way of being the church and moving forward

together. We will also continue to seek the flourishing of the church of those who disagree.”

See the announcement at:bit.ly/womenbishops becomeslaw

In his presidential address to the General Synod, Archbishop Justin spoke about the issues faced by the Anglican Commun-ion and possible ways forward.

Archbishop Justin said:“The Anglican Commun-

ion exists and is flourishing in roughly 165 countries. There has been comment over the last year that issues around the Communion should not trou-

ble us in the Church of England because the Communion has for all practical purposes ceased to exist. Not only does it exist, but almost everywhere (there are some exceptions) the links to the See of Canterbury, not-withstanding its Archbishop, are profoundly valued.”Watch the Archbishop’s presidential address at:bit.ly/abcnov14address

The Canon for enactment with the seal of Royal Assent by the Queen

Synod voted to take note of the report: Guidelines for the

Professional Conduct of the Clergy, presented as a draft by Christine Hardman (pictured). The guidlines were commended by the Archbishops of Canter-bury and York, describing what is desirable in the professional conduct of clergy.

The guidelines are a revised version of 2003 publication, reflecting changes in church life and wider society including the introduction of the Clergy Discipline Measure and increased use of social media. For further details:bit.ly/guidelinesforclergy

The General Synod has heard a call for humanitarian action, prayer and political advocacy for healing in Syria and Iraq during a panel discussion on violence against religious minorities in the two countries.

The Bishop of Coventry, Christopher Cocksworth, said the world has been witnessing a humanitarian disaster first in Syria and then in Iraq of “almost unimaginable proportions” with huge numbers killed and displaced from their homes.

“We have seen religion used

as a weapon of war and human beings targeted, persecuted and eradicated because of their faith. We have watched two beautiful countries descend into hell.”

Bishop Christopher was speaking at the General Synod alongside the Rt Rev Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds, Shaykh Fuad Nahdi, executive director of the Radical Middle Way, His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Church in the UK and the Rev Rachel Carnegie, joint executive director of the Anglican Alliance.

Dr Nahdi, a journalist and founding editor of the pioneering Q News, and the first Muslim to have addressed the General Synod, said the vast majority of British Muslims felt “paralysed” by events in Iraq and Syria. “What is going on is totally incomprehensible.”

“The persecution of Chris-tians in Iraq and Syria and per-haps in the rest of the Muslim world is heinous and totally unacceptable to any sane human being whether they are Muslim or otherwise.”

Speakers on the panel (from left to right):

• Dr Fuad Nadhi• Revd Rachel

Carnegie

• Bishop of Coventry, Christopher Cocksworth

• His Grace Bishop Angaelos

• Bishop of Leeds, Nick Baines

A Diocesan Synod Motion moved by Ian Fletcher, from the Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales, was approved by Synod.

The motion, noting a rise in the number and seriousness of reported concerns about the impact of the Spare Room

Subsidy, also known as the “Bedroom Tax” on the vulnerable and others, called on the Mis-sion and Public Affairs Council to evaluate research and pro-mote in wider society provision of housing for the vulnerable.For further details:bit.ly/spareroomsubsidy

Prayers during Synod

Members of Synod were encouraged to write and share their prayers for the sessions, and for the wider world, with their prayers being shared online (pictured).

The initiative ran as part of the Synod’s praying presence, coordinated by members of the Chemin Neuf community based at Lambeth Palace.