Retirement service halted owing to investigation
A SERVICE to mark the retirement of the Bishop of Gloucester,
the Rt Revd Michael Perham, has been postponed because of an
ongoing church investigation after allegations against him of
historic indecent assaults. Bishop Perham was told by police last
month that they would take no action over the claims (News,
17 October), but the Bishop of Tewkesbury, the Rt Revd Martyn
Snow, who has taken on Bishop Perham's duties, has told the BBC
that the service planned for 8 November would be postponed until
the Church's own procedures were completed. Bishop Snow said that
he knew the postponement of the service would cause "deep
disappointment".
Salisbury college marks 40 years of teaching
THE Southern Theological Education and Training Scheme (STETS),
based at Sarum College in Salisbury, will hold a special communion
service to celebrate its 40th anniversary this month. Alumni,
staff, and supporters are invited to St Thomas's, Salisbury, on 22
November at 2.30 p.m. to mark 40 years since STETS was established,
as one of the first non-residential ordination courses in the
country.
Funding threat to One World Week
ONE WORLD WEEK is facing closure after 36 years, but is asking
its supporters to write in to tell them why they should continue.
The charity, which organises a week of events to educate people
about global injustice each year, did not explain why it might have
to shut down, but said that its trustees were "actively exploring
ways forward". It wants people to email it, explaining why they
believe One World Week should continue.
Homeless remembered at St Martin-in-the-Fields service
HOMELESS men and women who have died over the past year in
London have been remembered at an annual service of commemoration
in St Martin-in-the-Fields. The lives of the 149 homeless or
recently homeless who had died were marked by lilies planted in
front of the altar as a tribute, in line with the service's theme
"Consider the Lilies" from St Matthew's Gospel. The service is
organised by the Housing Justice charity and St Martin's. The
average life expectancy for homeless people is 47 years.
