New Bishop of Gloucester

You wait for decades for women to be ordained, and more decades for them to be ordained, and then suddenly there's lots of announcements.

10 Downing Street has announced that the next Bishop of Gloucester is to be the Venerable Rachel Treweek, currently Archdeacon of Hackney.

Rachel Treweek, Bishop designate of Gloucester

Diocese of Gloucester: Venerable Rachel Treweek 

The Queen has approved the nomination of the Venerable Rachel Treweek, BA, BTh, Archdeacon of Hackney, for election as Bishop of Gloucester in succession to the Right Reverend Michael Francis Perham, MA, whose resignation took effect on the 21 November 2014.

Notes for editors
The Venerable Rachel Treweek (nee Montgomery) aged 52, studied at Reading University and trained for the ordained ministry at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. She served her first curacy at Saint George and All Saints, Tufnell Park in the Diocese of London from 1994 to 1997 and was Associate Vicar from 1997 to 1999 

From 1999 to 2006 she was Vicar at Saint James the Less, Bethnal Green and Continuing Ministerial Education Officer for the Stepney Episcopal Area. From 2006 to 2011 she was Archdeacon of Northolt in the Diocese of London. Since 2011 she has been Archdeacon of Hackney. In 2013 she was elected as Participant Observer in the House of Bishops for the South East Region. 

Rachel is married to Guy, Priest-in-Charge of two parishes in the City of London.

Her interests include conflict transformation, walking and canoeing.

See also: The Diocese of Gloucester website, with a video message from Rachel Treweek to the people of the diocese.

Alison White appointed Bishop of Hull

Her Majesty the Queen has appointed the Revd Canon Alison White, Priest-in-Charge of Riding Mill in the Diocese of Newcastle and Diocesan Adviser for Spirituality and Spiritual Direction, as the Bishop Suffragan of the See of Hull in the Diocese of York.

Alison White

Alison is married to Bishop Frank, Assistant Bishop of Newcastle, and they have served in a variety of appointments since they were ordained in the 1980s.  Alison taught at Cranmer Hall, the theological college in the University of Durham and was also a member of the Archbishops’ Springboard Team working in England and other countries between 2000 and 2004.

The Whites are moving their family home to Hull and Bishop Frank will continue to serve the Diocese of Newcastle from the office of the Assistant Bishop of Newcastle in Jesmond. 

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu said: “This is a joyous day! I am delighted to be welcoming Alison as the next Bishop of Hull.  Whilst she will be working with others across the Diocese of York encouraging faith in urban life, she will have particular responsibilities for the vibrant city of Hull and the glorious coastline and countryside of the East Riding.  Alison is a person of real godliness and wisdom – it is fantastic that she has accepted God’s call to make Christ visible together with all of us in this Diocese of York.”

Alison White said: “In 2010, I was privileged to be invited to take part in the York Diocesan Clergy Conference where I got a profound sense of a Diocese with faith and hope.  I know that there is a real vision to be Generous Churches Making and Nurturing Disciples and can’t wait to be part of loving God and growing the Church in this great part of Yorkshire”.

Bishop elect Alison and Bishop Frank White, with
Archbishop John sentamu

Bishop Frank White welcomed Alison’s appointment, saying, “I believe that Alison will be an outstanding bishop and we are delighted at this appointment.  It will be a great day when Alison is ordained and consecrated as a bishop in the stunning setting of York Minster on July 3rd. 

“She combines a deep personal spirituality with clear vision, great energy and a lightness of touch which will serve her very well.  She has a great sense of humour and she knows the scale of the task to which God is calling her.

“God’s call comes in unexpected ways and we were both surprised by this invitation.  We look forward to the adventure of exploring our callings in two different dioceses.

“We have always treasured our days off and we’ll be making sure that we spend as much time together as possible.”

The Rt Revd Martin Wharton, who retired as Bishop of Newcastle in 2014, said, “I am thrilled that Alison’s priestly and personal gifts have been recognised by the wider church and believe she will be an outstanding bishop who will quickly endear herself to the people of Hull and the East Riding.

“As the second woman to be appointed Bishop in the Church of England, we rejoice with her and pray for her.”

Alison White succeeds the Rt Revd Richard Frith, who became Bishop of Hereford in November 2014.

Above is from the Diocese of Newcastle. Diocese of York's statement here. Thinking Anglican;s here (with comment)

Enemies and Opponents - an imaginative path 3

These five imaginative exercises were devised for those attending the quiet mornings in St Hilda's Church in Lent 2015.

They are meant to be followed in sequence:

1. Calling Disciples

2. Strangers and Outsiders

3. Enemies and Opponents (this one)

4. Power and Violence

5. The Resurrected Jesus

The framework for each exercise is the same. The sequence follows an emotional path towards the cross and, through it, to the resurrected Jesus.

An imaginative path:

Please note: this can be a heavy duty exercise. Don't go any further or stay any longer than you are comfortable with. It's not meant to be an ordeal but an opportunity for discovery.

Take the break as advised. Have a proper break. Have a cup of tea (or your preferred equivalent). Go for a walk. Distract yourself, and then come back to pick up where you left off.

Don't leave a section suddenly. Always leave on a positive note by saying thank you, and politely excuse yourself before you turn to go.

It is important that, in your imagination, you walk yourself from your present surroundings and circumstances into the imagined setting – and equally important that you walk yourself back out again at the end. Take it steady: there is no rush.

And if you do leave abruptly then look at what it was that made you leave. Offer it in prayer.

1. Enemies and Opponents

1. The first step

Imagine the landscape of Jesus' day (don't try to 'get it right')

Walk into the place, carrying an empty bag

This is a quiet, safe place, with no-one else around

Look around and find a comfortable spot,

imagine something as a landmark, and put your bag down

fill the bag with all the everyday things you bring with you,

what you're going to do when you leave here

what you need to get on with later

conversations you've had, or need to have

all those things you ought to have done but haven't got around to

and when you've filled the bag

put it down and leave it there. It will be safe.

El Greco, 

Christ Driving the Money Changers from the Temple,

2. The first turn

Walk a little way along a path, go round a corner

There are two of Jesus' disciples stood watching. Stand with them. You are not on your own.

imagine you can see three or four people walking and talking

Look and listen

you can see their agitation before you hear anything.

One person is hurt, distressed

One person is bewildered, disorientated

One person is angry, shouting

Why?

Jesus is at the heart of the group.

What has he said or done to provoke such reactions?

Don't say anything, just hang around with them a while as an observer, a watcher, standing to one side of the group.

After a little while.

Say thank you, and politely take your leave and return to the spot where you left your bag, and walk out of the place, back into the church.

TAKE A BREAK

3. The second step

Walk back to the place you were in before, carrying your bag with you

remember: this is a quiet, safe place, with no-one else around at the moment.

This time, put more important things into your bag

People – relationships,

fears, hopes, anxieties

time

yourself – who you are

(you can come back to this spot at any time, everything will be safe)

Leave the bag again, and set off around the same corner as before. It will be safe.

Madrazo, the trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin

4. The second turn

When you round the corner Jesus is sat there, a small man on his own, waiting for you

The crowd is still there, so are the disciples. Only now the disciples are stood behind Jesus, looking at the crowd over Jesus' shoulder.

Join the disciples. You are protected by them. 

Listen, look,

Consider: how is Jesus in the face of such hostility? How does he respond?

Consider: what is it in Jesus that could provoke such antagonism?

Ask him.

And if Jesus does not provoke these reactions in us – then what is it that we don't see, or that we don't acknowledge?

Ask him.

It is hard to stand in the face of such hurt and anger with its threat of violence. You are safe but don't stay too long; Jesus will wait for you.

5. The third step

When it's time, when you're ready:

Say goodbye properly, and thank the disciples you stood with, thank Jesus

Walk back round the corner to where your bag is

Sit beside it for a while,

reflect on the experience of Jesus you've just had

reflect on what it felt like to be a foreigner, an outsider

Take a last look around and, when you're ready,

pick up your bag and carry it with you as you

walk back into the present

In the present:

Unpack your bag: in your imagination slowly take out all the important things and re-assume them; then take out the less important things and own them again. Cherish each item.

TAKE A BREAK. Relax. Do something. Give yourself time to reflect on your experience.

and repeat if you wish.

Please feel free to leave a comment.

Holy Week and Easter

Holy week begins with Palm Sunday on March 29th.

We will walk from the Church into the garden where the palm crosses will be blessed.

(That's our PRIZE WINNING garden, in case  you missed it preciously,)

When we come back into Church members will read the Passion Gospel in dramatic form. (This is the sermon - it doesn't need another.)

On Maundy Thursday (April 2) at 6pm we will observe the Stations of the Cross.  

The 14 Stations (stopping points as we walk in imagination with Jesus to his execution) are a traditional catholic practice, though usually for Good Friday.  We will reflect on the path that Jesus trod and, with some newly written material, place ourselves, so to speak, as observers and ompanions as Jesus makes his last journey.

The Veneration of the Cross is also a traditional catholic (and Orthodox) service and observed on Good Friday at 9.30am. As its name indicates, it is focused on the cross itself as the instrument of Christ's death.

The Easter Eve Service of Light anticipates Christ's resurrection on the third day after his death. By tradition it is held at midnight - but we're all getting on and have to up again for the morning celebrations. 

(And, in any case, the Liturgical day runs from dusk to dusk so the Saturday evening is the beginning of Easter.) 

Light - whether bonfires of candles - symbolise that Christ is the Light of the World. The light that was briefly occluded by Jesus' death now shines more brightly than ever.

Easter Day can sometimes seem a bit of an anti-climax after the intensity of Holy Week.

Yet this is the central moment in the Christian year, for fulcrum on which the whole of Christian faith is balanced: that Jesus, who was dead is now alive. Death is not the end for God is greater even than death.

We would be delighted to welcome you to our celebratory worship at 9.15am on Easter day, Sunday 5th April. 

Strangers and Outsiders - an imaginative path 2

These five imaginative exercises were devised for those attending the quiet mornings in St Hilda's Church in Lent 2015.

They are meant to be followed in sequence:

1. Calling Disciples

2. Strangers and Outsiders (this one)

3. Enemies and Opponents

4. Power and Violence

5. The Resurrected Jesus

The framework for each exercise is the same. The sequence follows an emotional path towards the cross and, through it, to the resurrected Jesus.

An imaginative path:

Please note: this can be a heavy duty exercise. Don't go any further or stay any longer than you are comfortable with. It's not meant to be an ordeal but an opportunity for discovery.

Take the break as advised. Have a proper break. Have a cup of tea (or your preferred equivalent). Go for a walk. Distract yourself, and then come back to pick up where you left off.

Don't leave a section suddenly. Always leave on a positive note by saying thank you, and politely excuse yourself before you turn to go.

It is important that, in your imagination, you walk yourself from your present surroundings and circumstances into the imagined setting – and equally important that you walk yourself back out again at the end. Take it steady: there is no rush.

And if you do leave abruptly then look at what it was that made you leave. Offer it in prayer.

2. Strangers and Outsiders

1. The first step

Imagine the landscape of Jesus' day (don't try to 'get it right')

Walk into the place, carrying an empty bag

This is a quiet, safe place, with no-one else around

Look around and find a comfortable spot,

imagine something as a landmark, and put your bag down

fill the bag with all the everyday things you bring with you,

what you're going to do when you leave here

what you need to get on with later

conversations you've had, or need to have

all those things you ought to have done but haven't got around to

and when you've filled the bag

Angelika Kauffmann  

Discourse between Jesus and 

the Samaritan Woman at the Well

put it down and leave it there. It will be safe.

2. The first turn

Walk a little way along a path, go round a corner

imagine you can see three or four people walking and talking

join the group. Look and listen;

Jesus is at the heart of the group.

There is a woman there who is a foreigner. She does not understand the language. Someone is interpreting for her. What does the woman want?

You too are a foreigner.

How do you feel? An outsider? Not understanding?

Don't say anything, just walk with them a while as a friend, as one of the group

After a little while.

Say thank you, and politely take your leave and return to the spot where you left your bag, and walk out of the place, back into the church.

TAKE A BREAK

3. The second step

Walk back to the place you were in before, carrying your bag with you

remember: this is a quiet, safe place, with no-one else around at the moment.

This time, put more important things into your bag

People – relationships,

fears, hopes, anxieties

time

yourself – who you are

(you can come back to this spot at any time, everything will be safe)

Leave the bag again, and set off around the same corner as before. It will be safe.

4. The second turn

When you round the corner Jesus is sat there, a small man on his own, waiting for you

Do you sit or stand: you choose.

Listen, look,

You come as an outsider, a foreigner, a stranger,

yet he knows you.

Say anything you like: and wait.

Do you need an interpreter? Someone who can make clear to Jesus what you mean – someone who can make clear to you what Jesus says?

If so, wait little, someone will come along who can help.

Trust them.

Ask whatever you wish to ask

There may be an answer, there may not, just wait.

You are utterly safe, known, loved, protected

Wait, listen

But don't stay too long; Jesus will wait for you.

Joseph-Marie Vien, Healing the royal official's son

5. The third step

When it's time, when you're ready:

Say goodbye properly, and thank him

Walk back round the corner to where your bag is

Sit beside it for a while,

reflect on the experience of Jesus you've just had

reflect on what it felt like to be a foreigner, an outsider

Take a last look around and, when you're ready,

pick up your bag and carry it with you as you

walk back into the present

In the present:

Unpack your bag: in your imagination slowly take out all the important things and re-assume them; then take out the less important things and own them again. Cherish each item.

TAKE A BREAK. Relax. Do something. Give yourself time to reflect on your experience.

and repeat if you wish.

Please feel free to leave a comment.

General Synod Elections

Voices of  some of the lay members of General Synod - to encourage any who might consider standing for election.

Calling Disciples - an imaginative path 1

These five imaginative exercises were devised for those attending the quiet mornings in St Hilda's Church in Lent 2015.

They are meant to be followed in sequence:

1. Calling Disciples (this one)

2. Strangers and Outsiders

3. Enemies and Opponents

4. Power and Violence

5. The Resurrected Jesus

The framework for each exercise is the same. The sequence follows an emotional path towards the cross and, through it, to the resurrected Jesus.

An imaginative path:

Please note: this can be a heavy duty exercise. Don't go any further or stay any longer than you are comfortable with. It's not meant to be an ordeal but an opportunity for discovery.

Take the break as advised. Have a proper break. Have a cup of tea (or your preferred equivalent). Go for a walk. Distract yourself, and then come back to pick up where you left off.

Don't leave a section suddenly. Always leave on a positive note by saying thank you, and politely excuse yourself before you turn to go.

It is important that, in your imagination, you walk yourself from your present surroundings and circumstances into the imagined setting – and equally important that you walk yourself back out again at the end. Take it steady: there is no rush.

And if you do leave abruptly then look at what it was that made you leave. Offer it in prayer.

1. Calling Disciples

1. The first step

Imagine the landscape of Jesus' day (don't try to 'get it right', it's meant to be imaginary)

Walk into the place, carrying an empty bag

This is a quiet, safe place, with no-one else around

Look around and find a comfortable spot,

imagine something as a landmark, and put your bag down

fill the bag with all the everyday things you bring with you,

what you're going to do when you leave here

what you need to get on with later

conversations you've had, or need to have

all those things you ought to have done but haven't got around to

and when you've filled the bag

put it down and leave it there. It will be safe.

Jesus walking with his disciples - History Channnel / Christianity Today 

2. The first turn

Walk a little way along a path, go round a corner

imagine you can see a small group of people walking and talking

join the group. Look and listen

Jesus is at the heart of the group

Amongst them are:

Simon and Andrew, James and John, Mary and Martha, Philip and Nathanael, there are others too.

look through their eyes

what do you suppose the disciples see in Jesus?

what do you see?

What are their hopes, do you think, what are their desires, what are their blind-spots?

And yours?

Don't say anything, just walk with them a while as a friend, as one of the group

After a little while.

Say thank you, and politely take your leave and return to the spot where you left your bag, and walk out of the place, back into the church.

TAKE A BREAK

3. The second step

Walk back to the place you were in before, carrying your bag with you

remember: this is a quiet, safe place, with no-one else around at the moment.

This time, put more important things into your bag

People – relationships,

fears, hopes, anxieties

time

yourself – who you are

(you can come back to this spot at any time, everything will be safe)

Leave the bag again, and set off around the same corner as before. It will be safe.

Altobello Melone - The Road to Emmaus

4. The second turn

When you round the corner Jesus is sat there, a small man on his own, waiting for you

Do you sit or stand: you choose.

Listen, look,

Say anything you like: and wait.

There may be an answer, there may not, just wait.

You are utterly safe, known, loved, protected

Wait, listen

Do you see what the disciples saw in Jesus?

But don't stay too long; Jesus will wait for you.

5. The third step

When it's time, when you're ready:

Say goodbye properly, and thank him

Walk back round the corner to where your bag is

Sit beside it for a while,

reflect on the experience of Jesus you've just had

Take a last look around and, when you're ready,

pick up your bag and carry it with you as you

walk back into the present

In the present:

Unpack your bag: in your imagination slowly take out all the important things and re-assume them; then take out the less important things and own them again. Cherish each item.

TAKE A BREAK. Relax. Do something. Give yourself time to reflect on your experience.

and repeat if you wish.

Please feel free to leave a comment

Palm Sunday Choral Evensong at St Peter's Balkwell

40 Days of Darkness

At the Holy Biscuit

As part of a programme of events to mark the UN International Year of Light, the Holy Biscuit's spring exhibition is inspired by a short (4 minute) film ‘Return of the Sun’ (on Vimeo here).

This documentary by Glen Milner looks at an Inuit community in Northern Greenland, who spend 40 days of their winter in complete darkness. 

To tie this in with the 40 day season of lent, they have curated an exhibition designed to encourage people to imagine what it would feel like to live in darkness, waiting for the moment when the sun rises for the first time. 

Local artists have been invited to reflect on their personal experiences of how creativity can help us journey through dark places, or bring us out of them.

40 Days in the Dark
will run from
12 March at 6pm to
2 April at 4pm
open to all 
10am to 4pm, 
Tuesday to Saturday
here