Quakers reissue 1666 pamphlet in honour of Mullally

THE Quakers are marking the appointment of the first woman Archbishop of Canterbury by reissuing an updated edition of Professor Paul Anderson’s modern-English version of what is considered the first full-length treatment of women’s church leadership in English: Women’s Speaking Justified by Margaret Fell, a co-founder of the Society of Friends. She wrote her pamphlet in 1666 while in prison in Lancaster for her beliefs. Professor Rachel Muers, who is the first woman to hold the Chair of Divinity at Edinburgh University, described Fell as an “‘elder sister’ whom today’s female Christian leaders need, as they pursue their vocations in the face of resurgent global patriarchy”. barclaypress.com

Bishop of Newcastle welcomes kinship-carers scheme

THE Bishop of Newcastle, Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, has welcomed a new government scheme for “kinship carers” — relatives such as grandparents, siblings, aunts, and uncles who step in to provide care for children — in the north-east. Newcastle has been included in the £126-million pilot scheme, alongside Bexley, Bolton, north-east Lincolnshire, Medway, Thurrock, and Wiltshire. About 5000 children will be involved in the pilot. Dr Hartley said: “I welcome the news that Newcastle will be one of the seven new Kinship Zones providing much needed and focused support for those providing care in a kinship context.” In April 2024, during a “Children in Care” debate in the House of Lords, she questioned whether the current care system was up to standard. Inn May 2025, speaking on proposed amendments to the Employment Rights Bill during the Lords’ Committee Stage, she backed statutory paid leave for kinship carers.

Prayer Book Society names new chief executive

THE Prayer Book Society has appointed a new chief executive officer, Diana Cheal, 37, who begins in the post on Monday. Ms Cheal is currently head of corporate sector and business development for the executive catering recruiters Greycoat Lumleys. The society said that Ms Cheal’s personal faith was one of the main reasons that she applied for the post. She is a lifelong churchgoer, when living in London regularly attended evensong at Chelsea Old Church, and is now involved in a Dorset church that is a corporate member of the society.

Apologetics centre’s director welcomes ‘season of openness’

THE Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics (OCCA) has welcomed Jo Frost as its new Executive Director. Ms Frost was for the past eight years the director of communications and engagement at the Evangelical Alliance. “I’m humbled by the opportunity to lead the team here at OCCA in a season of openness and curiosity towards Jesus, the likes of which I have not known,” Ms Frost said.

Faith in the North has a gathering and a song

REPRESENTATIVES of 22 churches in the Major Churches Network met at Bishopthorpe Palace, York, last week to hear about the Archbishop of York’s three-year focus, Faith in the North, with its emphasis on pilgrimage. Among the Faith in the North resources is a new song, “The Pilgrim Way”, released last week, to help children to think of life as a pilgrimage. Written by Nick and Becky Drake from Songs for School, it is available on streaming platforms.

Blackburn MU’s efforts against domestic abuse recognised

BLACKBURN diocesan Mothers’ Union (MU) has been awarded a Bronze Award by the Central MU in recognition of the level of its work to shine a light on domestic abuse and take practical steps against it — work that has continued as part of the international “Rise Up” campaign launched by the Worldwide President, Sheran Harper, in 2023. The MU is celebrating its 150 years of existence this year, and next year will bring the centenary of the MU’s work in Lancashire.

Officer to build up Church Lads and Church Girls

A NEW National Development Officer for the Church Lads’ and Church Girls’ Brigade (CLCGB) (Letter, 2 January) took up the post last weekend. She is Caitlin Morgan, who first joined the Brigade as a teenager, and is the Governor’s Youth Representative. She is described as “passionate about helping the movement modernise where appropriate, while preserving its legacy, values, and Christian identity”, and says: “I have seen first-hand the positive impact CLCGB has on children, young people, and the wider communities it serves. This experience has shaped my desire to support and strengthen the organisation in a more formal development role.”