Volunteers celebrated at Lambeth Palace
A YEAR of celebrations for Christian work in the night-time
economy was launched at Lambeth Palace on Monday. More than 40
people attended an afternoon tea reception organised by the CNI
(Christian Nightlife Initiatives) Network, paying tribute to
volunteers including Street Angels.
Bells ring out in memory of Alan Henning
THE bells of St Mary the Virgin, Eccles, rang out for almost an
hour on Sunday afternoon, in tribute to Alan Henning, the British
volunteer aid-worker murdered by the IS (News, 10 October). The
Vicar, the Revd Cyprian Yobera, told the Manchester Evening
News: "It was very poignant and very moving. You could hear
them for miles." Money raised through a collection to support his
wife, Barbara, and their two children, was handed to his
nephew.
RCs get green light to eat turkey leftovers
ROMAN CATHOLICS have been reassured by the RC Church's Liturgy
and Worship Department that they can eat meat on Boxing Day,
despite its falling on a Friday - traditionally a day when they
abstain, as an act of penance. A statement from the department said
that Boxing Day was "a special day when, uppermost in our hearts,
and contextual of our celebrations, is that instinctive sense of
wonder at the incarnation of our saviour Jesus Christ; the meaning
of the love, joy, and peace we all crave at Christmas".
Killer of Shereka Marsh sentenced
THE teenager who killed Shereka Marsh, a pupil at the C of E
Urswick School, was sentenced to nine years' detention for her
manslaughter, on Monday. Shereka, also 15, was shot by a
counterfeit pistol in Hackney in March (News, 4 April). The judge,
Charles Wide QC, said that it was clear that the boy had been
pointing the gun at Shereka in order to frighten her.
Churches in Wales 'not locked' to visitors
VISITORS to churches are more likely to find them open than
closed outside of services, new data collected by the Church in
Wales suggests. The figures, published last Friday, suggest that
two-thirds of its churches are now regularly open during the week.
The head of property services, Alex Glanville, said: "Although the
front door may look imposing and heavy, it will often be unlocked,
or a key advertised and available near by. Doors are often closed
to keep out birds, but they are not locked to the human
visitor."
Church musicians mourn David Trendell
TRIBUTES have begun to be paid to the late David Trendell,
College Organist and Director of the Chapel Choir at King's
College, London, who has died at the age of 50. It is understood
that Mr Trendell, who was also Director of Music at St Mary's,
Bourne Street, died in his sleep on Monday night, after directing a
rehearsal of the Chapel Choir. A statement on the college website
said that it was "typical of David that his last act should have
been part of his lifelong desire to pass on his extraordinary
musical ability to younger generations. We cannot even begin to
imagine how much he will be missed."
Corrections. Our story about the Sir John Cass
and Redcoat Church of England Secondary School (News, 24 October)
carried a misleading headline and opening paragraph. The school has
asked us to point out that there has not been any suspicion of
"Trojan-horse issues" at the school, nor, as our story stated, were
any turned up in the recent inspection. We are happy to report that
the staff and governors at the school foster an environment which
promotes the understanding of different faiths and cultural
viewpoints among students and this is reflected in the school's
ethos. The school has a varied programme of spiritual, moral and
cultural development for all students. We unreservedly apologise
for the error. In addition to this, last week's story about the
appointment of RE Council patrons stated that Kenny Frederick is a
government adviser on Holocaust education. This role should have
been attributed to Dame Helen Hyde.