Churches urged to respond to racism
THE denial of institutional racism in the UK in the report of the Commission on Race and Disparities (News, 9 April) has “serious implications for the Church and its pursuit of racial justice in both Church and wider society”, the Racial Justice Advocacy Forum said this week. The forum, an ecumenical Christian entity comprised of representatives from Christian organisations, including the Baptist Union of Great Britain and the Methodist Church, has produced recommendations for churches, including the development of “more rigorous theological responses to racial injustices”.
Bishop of Beverley to retire
THE Bishop of Beverley, the Rt Revd Glyn Webster, will retire on 6 January 2022. A Provisional Episcopal Visitor, he worked as a nurse before ordination, and has served in the diocese of York for the entirety of his ministry. The Archbishop of York, the Most Revd Stephen Cottrell, said that he was “a wonderful example of the sacrificial and joyful love that is, and will continue to be, needed in order for us to live together well in our diversity and to witness to our unity in Jesus Christ”.
Rebuilding to start on All Saints’, Fleet
WORK on rebuilding All Saints’, Fleet, in Hampshire, will start at the end of this month, almost six years after it was gutted by an arson attack (News, 26 February 2016). It is hoped that the church will reopen in summer 2022. Although insurance will cover much of the costs, a £950,000 appeal was launched in 2018 to raise additional money, some of which will also go towards a new annexe. So far, £600,000 has been raised. For further donations, contact the Revd Mark Hayton on 01252 219281.
Discipleship booklet first in Communion series
THE Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Revd Martyn Snow, has written the first in a new series of books on discipleship by authors around the world, published by Grove Books in partnership with the Anglican Communion. “In humility, I believe we can learn so much from the bold approach of our brothers and sisters in the Anglican Communion,” Bishop Snow said. The central point of the book was that, “while the Church in the West has been in decline for many years, in many other parts of the world it is growing rapidly, with many new approaches to everyday life and faith.”
Money for storytelling exhibition sought
A CAMPAIGN to fund places for 100 children to attend the exhibition “Shifter of Shapes: Exploring the Lost Spells with Red Fox”, at Seven Stories, the National Centre for Children’s Books in Newcastle, is being run by Durham Cathedral. The exhibition, which seeks to encourage children to read, is based around Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris’s book The Lost Spells, a celebration of the natural world. The appeal target is £4000, and money will also go to the ongoing work at Durham Cathedral. localgiving.org/charity/durhamcathedral/project/inspiringimaginations
Prizes of £1000 available from insurer
A PRIZE pot of £1 million will be given away by the Ecclesiastical Insurance Group in the third year of its Movement for Good awards. People can nominate a religious cause for a potential £1000 award. The nomination process is open until 13 June. Winners will be drawn at random, and the more times a charity is nominated the more chance it has of being selected. movementforgood.com