New full-time Archdeacon for Europe

A FORMER Archdeacon of Lancaster, Prebendary Colin Williams, has been appointed as the next Archdeacon in Europe. Prebendary Williams, who is currently Team Rector of Ludlow, has previously worked in Geneva as general-secretary of the Conference of European Churches. He will be responsible for the Archdeaconries of the East and of Germany and Northern Europe, and will be based in Frankfurt. He will be the first archdeacon in the diocese in Europe to work full-time as an archdeacon and not also have his own church to run.

RSCM seeks nation's favourite hymn book

A SURVEY to find the nation's favourite hymn book has been launched by the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM). Churches are invited to fill in an online questionnaire - www.rscm.com/hymnbooksurvey - about which hymn books they use, and also how worship is planned each week and how texts are given to the congregation. The responses will be used by the RSCM to ensure that its liturgy planner Sunday by Sunday records the most popular books and songs.

Faith strikes back in Star Wars apologetic

A CHURCH in Gloucester is hoping that the Force is with them as they embark on a new venture - using the Star Wars films to explain Christianity. Stuart Gray, a Star Wars fanatic and Assistant Pastor at the independent Kingfisher Church, will run a course at an alcohol-free club in Gloucester using the films to explore biblical ideas of faith, forgiveness, and peace. Mr Gray said that people often used quotations from films as a "shorthand . . . for explaining feelings or ideas", and that any takers, Christian or not, would be welcome to the course - provided they were unapologetic fans of the Star Wars films.