Revealed: a painting of Queen Henrietta Maria as St Catherine of Alexandria (c. 1639), by Sir Anthony Van Dyck, which was thought to be lost, has been discovered concealed within a larger painting of the Queen that was altered and over-painted in the 18th century. It is on display at the Banqueting House, Whitehall, until March 2013 
www.hrp.org.uk/BanquetingHouse/

Plymouth priest to be Bishop of Crediton

THE next Suffragan Bishop of Crediton, in the diocese of Exeter, is to be Prebendary Nicholas McKinnel it was announced on Tuesday of last week. Prebendary McKinnel, who is 58, has been Team Rector of St Andrew and St Paul, Stonehouse, in Plymouth, since 1994. (St Andrew's was recently designated Plymouth Minster.) He will be consecrated bishop in Southwark Cathedral in November. He will succeed the Rt Revd Robert Evens.

Changing Attitude writes to House of Bishops

THE campaigning group Changing Attitude wrote to bishops last week, before the House of Bishops meeting in December to review the 2005 statement on civil partnerships. Its letter says in part: "When you meet in December, we hope and pray you will find the courage and confidence to talk honestly and with integrity, agree to publish recommendations which will begin to transform the place of LGB&T people in the Church of England." Full text at http://changingattitude.org.uk

York should be 'dementia-friendly' says Dr Sentamu

THE Archbishop of York, Dr Sentamu, has called for York to become a "dementia-friendly" city. He said last week: "We should celebrate that people are living longer, healthier lives, but of course that means there will be some challenges for us as a society. We need to adapt and refocus to ensure that we are caring for the most vulnerable around us." It was announced on Tuesday that Dr Sentamu and his wife, Margaret, are to visit the diocese of Pretoria, in South Africa, from 10 to 16 October.

Jam-makers assured of councils' 'common sense'

CHURCHES and charities can be "confident" that they can continue to sell preserves in re-used jam jars, the Local Government Association (LGA) has said. In a letter to Canon Michael Tristram, of Portsmouth Cathedral, after he raised concerns that regulations might ban the practice (News, 5 October), an adviser on regulation for the LGA said that councils took a "common-sense approach", and using "routinely sterilised" jam jars would be considered a "very low-risk activity". He advised people to contact their council with any concerns or questions.

William Hague voices concern about Beit Jala

THE Foreign Secretary, William Hague, has joined the Archbishop of Westminster, the Rt Revd Vincent Nichols, in expressing concern for a community of monks, nuns, and Christian families in Beit Jala, a town in the West Bank, who will be divided by a barrier under construction by Israel. Mr Hague sent the message of support in December in a private letter seen by The Guardian. Archbishop Nichols has said that more than 50 families face losing their land and homes if the wall is built through the town.

Pastoral 'emergency' book published

A POCKET-SIZED volume of pastoral services, prayers, and scripture passages and psalms, Common Worship: A pastoral ministry companion, includes emergency baptism, reconciliation, and prayers for the dying and at the time of death. It has been produced by CHP (£20 from www.chpublishing.co.uk; £16 until 31 October; 978-07151-2203-7).