Dr Morgan to retire next January
THE Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, will retire in January, on his 70th birthday, after nearly 14 years at the helm of the Church in Wales, and 24 years as a bishop. He was the longest-serving archbishop in the Anglican Communion, the announcement said. The Archbishop of Canterbury described Dr Morgan as an “extraordinary servant” who would be “deeply missed”. Dr Morgan said that he had been on “a rollercoaster ride” but “sustained and inspired by the people I meet, day in day out, who live out God’s love in every part of Wales through their commitment and devotion to their churches and communities”.
New Dean of Wells named
THE Dean of Derby, the Very Revd Dr John Davies, has been appointed Dean of Wells. After serving as a parish priest in Liverpool and Peterborough, he was Chaplain and Director of Studies in theology at Keble College, Oxford. He was then Vicar of Melbourne, in Derby, from 1999 until 2010, when he became Dean. A co-founder of the Derby Christian-Muslim dialogue group, and a trustee of the Derbyshire Community Bank, the largest credit union in the county, he is involved with plans to found a new school in Derby. He also broadcasts regularly on BBC Radio Derby. He will be installed on 20 November.
Volvic jettisons Orange slogan
VOLVIC has abandoned an advertising campaign with the slogan “Orange and Proud” in Scotland and Ireland, amid fears that the product would be associated with Protestants and offend Roman Catholics. Posters advertising the orange-flavoured drink will be displayed only in England and Wales. A Grand Lodge of Ireland Orange Order spokesman described the decision as “ridiculous and inconsistent”.
Students pass vergers qualification
A RECORD number of students have completed the Guild of Vergers diploma course this year. During the annual training conference at West Malvern, seven vergers were awarded with certificates and hoods. One student, Stephen Stokes, received his award with Honours, and was presented with his late grandfather’s academic hood. There are currently 40 members of the Guild undertaking the diploma at various levels.
Drone surveys of churches funded by Lottery Fund
FUNDING for drone surveys of churches in Yorkshire has been provided by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The surveys are part of a successful bid by the National Churches Trust which secured £90,100 for the Yorkshire Maintenance Project, to help keep churches and chapels in Yorkshire in good condition, and to prevent a need for expensive repairs. The money will also go towards training for volunteers, and a new website enabling churches to book maintenance tasks such as gutter clearances.
Charity seeks ‘lovingly named’ animals’ photos
A COMPETITION on social media to encourage people to take care of animals has been launched by Sarx, a Christian animal-welfare charity. #NamedInLove encourages people to post on Twitter and Facebook photos of animals that have been “lovingly named”. To enter, send the picture to info@sarx.org.uk or tweet them to Sarx at @sarx. The closing date is 30 September, and the winning entry will receive a hamper of “ethically sourced goodies”.
www.sarx.org.uk/campaigns/named-in-love