Composer celebrated in Gloucester Cathedral
GLOUCESTER CATHEDRAL celebrated its American connections last week at a choral evensong attended by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. The service commemorated the composer of the national anthem of the United States, “The Star-Spangled Banner”, John Stafford Smith, who was baptised in Gloucester Cathedral in 1750. The Dean, the Very Revd Andrew Zihni, described the service as “a powerful reminder of how music can transcend international borders”.
RSCM promotes Trinity Sunday hymnathon
THE RSCM’s Music Sunday is being observed on Trinity Sunday (15 June) to give thanks for the gift of music and its power to enhance worship, and to acknowledge the commitment of church musicians. Suggestions for marking the day include joining a marathon sing from Ancient and Modern Hymns: Songs for refreshing worship. Hymns Ancient and Modern, the parent company of the Church Times, is sponsoring the hymn marathon. rscm.org.uk/whats-on/music-sunday
Festival of Preaching speakers confirmed
THE Bishop of Washington, the Rt Revd Mariann Budde, who in a sermon implored President Trump to show mercy to migrants (News, 24 January), is to speak at the Festival of Preaching, organised by the Church Times and Canterbury Press. The festival will be held in Southwark Cathedral on 13 September. Other speakers include the Dean, the Very Revd Dr Mark Oakley; the Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields, the Revd Dr Sam Wells; and Dr Selina Stone, Lecturer in Theology and Ethics in the School of Divinity at the University of Edinburgh. The theme of the festival will be “Preaching Truth to Power”. festivalofpreaching.hymnsam.co.uk
Helping hand for St Michael-le-Belfrey, York
AN ANONYMOUS donor has approached St Michael-le-Belfrey, York, with an offer to cover, if needed, the full £1.2-million shortfall of its £8.5-million building project, it was announced on Tuesday. The shortfall arose after the Government announced a cap on the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme (News, 28 March). The Interim Priest-in-Charge, the Revd Andy Baker, described it as an “extraordinary and wonderful blessing”. The donation was pledged the day before the church was due to instruct its contractors that a significant reduction in the project’s scope would be necessary. “Many of our Christian family in mid-build church projects across England have had to reduce their vision, and work out how to meet the huge funding gaps that have been left,” Mr Baker said. “We stand with them and continue to campaign for an outcome where the Government fully recognises the value that our churches make to society, spiritual development, and the economy of this country.”
Methodist school governors needed, says Boateng
THE former Labour Cabinet minister Lord Boateng, a Methodist lay preacher, visited Holly Hill Church School, Frankley, Birmingham, on Wednesday of last week, where he emphasised the importance of finding more Methodist foundation governors for schools. The President of the Methodist Conference, the Revd Helen Cameron, was present and, with Lord Boateng, toured the school and joined the children for morning worship. Holly Hill Church School is part of the Methodist Academies and Schools Trust. Lord Boateng chairs the Archbishops’ Commission on Racial Justice.
Charities welcome council-tax review
THE Government announced last week that it would re-examine rules on council-tax debt, with the aim of making the arrears system more supportive of those who fall behind on payments. The news was welcomed by the Benefact Trust and Christians Against Poverty, who have come together with more than £96,000 of funding to offer “debt-help services at a time when this support is needed more than ever”.
Bishop hosts community breakfasts
THE Bishop of Whitby, in the diocese of York, the Rt Revd Barry Hill, has organised a series of community breakfasts every six months, at which public leaders can “share ideas and further develop partnerships”. The first took place last week at Middlesbrough College, at which the Bishop interviewed a panel of community representatives. The next breakfast will be in December.
More toddler than Scout groups, survey finds
A SURVEY by Ecclesiastical Insurance of 541 churches’ outreach projects found that almost half (49 per cent) run toddler or baby groups and two in five (40 per cent) host coffee shops. Other activities reported include Scout and Guide groups (30 per cent), youth clubs (30 per cent), concerts (30 per cent), and lunch clubs (27 per cent). Eight-five per cent of churches put on their own events, 64 per cent hosted external events, 62 per cent ran community-outreach services, and 60 per cent were a hub for community use.
New director for cathedrals’ association
THE next Executive Director of the Association of English Cathedrals is to be the current Interim Director, Anna Pitt. She has been Director of Development at Birmingham Cathedral since 2014, and is a member of the Church Commissioners’ Bishoprics and Cathedrals Committee. The Dean of St Albans, the Very Revd Jo Kelly-Moore, who chairs the Association, said: “Anna brings skills, experience, and commitment to this strategic role.” She succeeds Sarah King, who retired on 31 January.
Oxford teenagers join clergy conference
ONE hundred pupils from four C of E schools attended the Oxford diocesan clergy conference last week. They took part in the eucharist, and gave reflections on the readings. They also talked to clergy about their worries and challenges, and their experiences of church. A student from Ranelagh School, Arina, told of how she arrived from Singapore last year and felt alone; so she and her father went to church. She said: “I sat at the back and listened to the sermon and was immediately weeping. . . . for the overwhelming sense of peace and comfort I had been craving for days, reminding me he was there with me; that he was going to look after me and has a plan for me.” The Bishop of Oxford, Dr Steven Croft, described the event as “a powerful experience”.