Holy Week - Tuesday 18th March 2008
"Just a reminder that the Chrism Eucharist will be held today in Sheffield Cathedral on Tuesday 18 March at 7.30pm. I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible, together with any Lay people who wish to attend. The Bishop of Beverley's Chrism Eucharist will be held at St Barts, Armley on Wednesday 19 March at 12 noon."
"Loving Lord, many of your disciples today weep in heart if not tears as they look over the city from the place where you wept over it , as they follow the way of the cross and stand at the traditional place where you were crucified , and weep as they remember your broken body being taken down from the cross." George Appleton (The Way of a Disciple)
"Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom, acted upon it, called disciples to help preach it, explained it in parables and other catechetical sayings, and disputed its meaning with those with whom he disagreed. The confrontational aspect of his message, in which the kingdom was a basic element, brought him into such conflict with the religious and secular authorities of his day that he was finally crucified. With the terrible clarity that the resurrection account convey, his followers came to believe after his death that the man and his message had been vindicated by God, that Jesus had lived and died for a truth no power on earth could destroy." Bruce Chilton (The Kingdom of God)
"In an age of change and uncertainty, people ask profound questions, about life itself, about suffering, about death, about love and what makes life worthwhile. People seek assurance and light." Basil Hume (A Turning to God)
Dear friends
Hungarian Spirituality
Have you ever heard of it? I certainly hadn't until last week, when one of our priests, Henry Morgan, came to see me and told me of a meeting of European spiritual directors, at which he found himself talking to a Hungarian nun. During the course of the conversation, he discovered that Hungary is one of the few countries in Europe where when anyone writes their name, they always write their surname first followed by their Christian name. In other words, in Hungary I would be Nicholls Jack, not Jack Nicholls. Wisely, Henry asked the nun if this made any difference to the way in which they do spiritual direction. It does. When we do spiritual direction in this country and indeed in most of the rest of Europe, we always concentrate on the individual and his or her journey into God. In fact we might discourage a person from talking about others whilst we simply concentrate on the individual. "This time is just for you", we might well say.
In Hungary on the other hand the conversation would always begin with the society, family and friends of the person concerned. Who you are is defined in the first place by what you belong to, by your relationships. Human beings are social creatures, defined by their relationships and their belongings. Only when these aspects of life have been explored can the individual be considered if there is time. What an interesting contrast! The many benefits that have come to our society throughout the history of Western Europe, and especially through the Renaissance, the Reformation and the Enlightenment are hugely significant, but on the negative side, the result has been that we have become almost entirely individualistic. Me, mine, my hotline to God, matters more than my belonging. The Church becomes not the body of Christ, but an association of individuals. The family becomes not the primary unit of life, but again an association of individuals who happen to be blood relatives, and so on.
All this is significant for our understanding of the faith which we profess, the Christian faith. The Christian faith is an eastern religion, not a Western European invention. The corporate comes first. We are defined by our relationships to one another and to God through Christ. The icons of the resurrection in the Eastern Church do not show Jesus alone. He is nearly always shown as the one who Harrows Hell. He is the one who is dragging souls to salvation. Because Christ is risen, they are risen. In the west depictions of the resurrection show Jesus alone appearing to the disciples. I sometimes wonder if we have really grasped the significance of what St Paul meant when he used the phrase "in Christ", one of his most significant phrases. That is why unity matters so much and why disunity is a scandal which strikes at the very heart of the Christian faith. This is why we live in such dangerous times within the Anglican Church.
Yet, Christ is risen, and therefore we are risen, and therefore the first hallmark of the Christian life is joy, joy at what He has done for us. Happy Easter.
The first two parts of the highly publicized new dramatization of the Easter story have now been screened. Here are a few reviews:
Michael Barnes SJ: http://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/20080316_1.htm
Matt Page: http://www.rejesus.co.uk/passion/review.html
Sam Wollaston: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/mar/17/television.tvandradioarts
Tracey Rowland
The Theology of Pope Benedict XVI
Oxford University Press £12.99
(See review in Appendix below)
Sir Bobby Charlton was among mourners at Sheffield Cathedral for the Funeral of Derek Dooley last week. The Bishop paid tribute to Derek's memory – for all that he had done for the city and for the world of football. Dave Bassett and Neil Warnock were also present – they were both appointed manager of Sheffield United whilst Derek was Chairman.
The Right Revd The Lord Bishop of Sheffield and Revd Abi Smetham
at St Aidans Church Manor Lane, Sheffield,S2 1UF
Monday 7th April 2008 7.30pm
This is an opportunity not to be missed to hear a wonderful concert and say farewell to Bishop Jack before his retirement. The Bishop is a lover of music and singing who has performed in the Diocese previously. Abi Smetham studied singing at the Royal Academy of Music while working for an academic music degree at King's College, London. She sings for several professional vocal ensembles including The Cambridge Singers conducted by John Rutter. In 2003 she began training for ordained ministry at Westcott House in Cambridge, was ordained priest in 2007 and is now Assistant Curate on the Manor Estate in Sheffield. Tickets, to include light refreshments and wine, are priced £8 in advance and will be £10 on the door. Thanks to the generous gifts of time and talent by the Bishop and Abi we will be raising funds for Sheffield Cathedral. Tickets (from Sally Holding, 7 Oakholme Mews, Sheffield, S10 3FX tel 2687197) requested by 1st April will be sent by post.
Mike Matravers writes:
"Sometimes churches find it difficult to obtain printed, audio and visual resources, or want to have more of a range to choose from. We would like to offer our services as an option. We have recently joined the Common Worship Scheme and we believe we should be able to meet all the churches needs. If this is of interest to you please feel free to contact me at info@bibleoutlet.karoo.co.uk.
Event: Whitsun Witness, Hope 08
Venue: City Hall Steps, Barker's Pool, Sheffield, 2.30pm-4pm, Saturday 10th May
Speaker: Rt Revd David Hawtin, former Bishop of Derby
Music from the Salvation Army Band and Timbrels and City Centre Choir.
Event: Whitsun Worship, Hope 08
Venue: Salvation Army Citadel, Psalter Lane, Sheffield, 7pm, Saturday 10th May
Saturday 26 April, 10.00 am - 3.30 pm
Main Speaker: Peter Moger, National Worship Development Officer
In February 2008 Worship Changes Lives (CHP, £4.99) is published. This booklet, edited by Paul Bradshaw and Peter Moger, is intended to bring to every congregation, the Liturgical Commission's priority for liturgical formation, so that worship should indeed change lives.
This day will look at how transforming worship can become a feature of congregational life, and is for all who lead, prepare and take part in corporate worship. Praxis Yorkshire is delighted to have secured Peter Moger as our speaker.
For more details about this event, contact:
Bishop Colin Buchanan, 0113 2677721 Colinbuchanan101@btinternet.com
A booking form with further details may be downloaded from: www.praxisworship.org.uk
The deadline for applications for the next Lay Training Course is 31st March. Forms can be downloaded from the website by going to the Ministry Training and Development page and scrolling down to the bottom where you will find the School of Ministry Application Form. Or contact Christine Brocklebank on 01709 309128, emails christine.brocklebank@sheffield.anglican.org
A joint choir from some churches in the South East of Sheffield will be performing 'Saints Alive' by Roger Jones on
1) Sunday 11th May 2008 @ 6:30pm at Christ Church, Sheffield Road, Hackenthorpe, Sheffield
2) Friday 16th May 2008 @ 7:30pm at Emmanuel Church, Thorpe Drive, Waterthorpe, Sheffield
'Saints Alive' sings the story of the birth of the Church on the day of Pentecost, which is one of the most thrilling accounts in the Bible, and one of the most relevant to life today. Admission only by Ticket: Only 120 tickets for each venue. There is no charge for tickets, but there will be an opportunity to give a donation on the night.
Tickets can be obtained by post - please send a self-addressed stamped envelope to:-
Saints Alive, c/o 32 May Tree Close, Waterthorpe, Sheffield S20 7JB.
Make sure you state the number of tickets required and for which date. If you want more details please email: pam-johnson@tiscali.co.uk
Canon Cedric Whiteman who many in the diocese will recall from his time as Vicar at All Saints Rotherham, or Wentworth, and as Bishop David Lunn's Chaplain, has written his life story. Called 'Captain and Canon' it recalls years in the Army, through to ordination and ministry. It is available as a large paperback at £14.95 with photographs. It is listed on Amazon but is also available from the author.
Tuesday 15 April – 9.30 a.m.-4.00 p.m. at St Columba's United Reformed Church, York
A practical programme of case studies, inspirational speakers and workshops to help Churches find funding for their work and write successful bids.
Fee: £5.00; Bookings: CRC at info@crc-online.org.uk or phone 0113 244 3413
Speakers will include: Ian Owers, freelance consultant, until recently CEO of Active Faith Communities; Anne Dannerolle: has set up a number of community action projects at Hull Community Church and was key to the building of a £2 million church and centre; Alex Jowett and Max Dudley are elders at St Andrew's Church, and the project has redesigned and developed the church grounds, with grant funding; and Tammy Jo Whittaker is a Development Officer, English Heritage, Yorkshire Region.
to be held in the Cathedral Church of St Peter and St Paul, 9th to 13th April 2008.
The Sheffield Floral Club in celebration of its Golden Jubilee, and with Sheffield Cathedral's Flower Guild, is organising a Festival of Flowers. Nearly one hundred amateur but experienced flower arrangers will transform Sheffield Cathedral. The cost of flowers will be covered by sponsorship and fund raising events. A programme will be on sale at £2.00 and visitors will be invited to make donations. It is hoped that a significant sum of money will be raised for the Cathedral Archer Project , which delivers a high quality service to people from a variety of backgrounds associated with homelessness including rough sleepers, drug and alcohol addicts, women street workers, probation clients, asylum seekers and refugees.
This year is the 50th anniversary of the death of Ralph Vaughan Williams. The Ralph Vaughan Williams Society is encouraging parishes to celebrate his work on the 12 October 2008 by signing one of his hymns or arrangements. For further details see www.valiantvoices.com
An exploration of spirituality through Doctor Who
SATURDAY 19TH APRIL 2008 @ 10am – 4pm
Wilson Carlile Campus, Sheffield
Why is the new version of Doctor Who such a huge success, with ratings going through the roof, regular Christmas specials and episodes commissioned up to 2010? Is it the strength of the acting and writing? The state-of-the-art special effects? The family appeal? The monsters and sense of imagination? Yes, it is all of these things. But maybe the series is also touching people's need for - and understanding of - myth and spirituality. Confirmed speakers include Barry Letts, producer of Who's "Golden Era" in the early 70s. The cost for attending the day, which includes lunch, is £25. To book, please contact Wendy Evans at Wilson Carlile Campus, 50 Cavendish Street, Sheffield S3 7RZ, email w.evans@churcharmy.org.uk, telephone number: 0114 278 7020
Archbishop Rowan has asked Christians to remember that the first Sunday of Christian Aid Week falls on Pentecost this year. For more than 60 years Christian Aid Week has been a sign of the Church communicating globally. The collection itself raises millions, helping churches from India to Brazil.
Their take on what some of us do with our churches!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/mar/16/religion.anglicanism
Poterion, a Fair Trade wine producer, has released a Fair Trade-certified Commuion Wine. A review may be found (no login required) at http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=52665.
We ask you to pray this week (19th - 25th March) for people from the following occupations;- Hospital technicians, nurses, doctors and therapists. The Occupational Prayer Cycle, which runs week by week, covers nearly all occupations over the course of the year. It is produced by South Yorkshire Workplace Chaplaincy (SYWC), and more information can be found on their website at http://www.sywc.org.uk/opc/. Hospitals have their own chaplains, not connected with SYWC. But SYWC does give chaplaincy to occupational nurses at major steelworks.
BLISS. The Revd Canon David Charles Bliss, presently Vicar of Todwick and Honorary Canon of Sheffield Cathedral, to become Vicar of Rotherham All Saints, and to remain Honorary Canon of Sheffield Cathedral, to be instituted on the 2nd June 2008.
DRAFFAN. The Revd Canon Ian William Draffan, presently a Non-Stipendiary Minister of Ecclesall Deanery and Honorary Canon of Sheffield Cathedral, to become Honorary Priest-in-Charge, Endcliffe St Augustine, and to remain Honorary Canon of Sheffield Cathedral, to be licensed on the 20th April 2008.
FURBEY. The Revd Linda Alice Furbey, presently having a License to Officiate, to become Honorary Assistant Curate of Crosspool St Columba, to be licensed on the 20th April 2008.
LEACH. The Revd Timothy Leach, presently Vicar of Wath-Upon-Dearne All Saints, to retire on the 31st July 2008.
PARKER. The Revd Richard Bryan Parker, presently Vicar of Moorends St Wilfrith, to become Vicar of Hoyland St Peter & St Andrew, to be instituted on the 3rd June 2008.
WOOD. The Revd Ann Rene Wood, presently Vicar of Kimberworth St Thomas and Area Dean of Rotherham, to resign from the post of Area Dean of Rotherham, effective as of 31st March 2008.
The Northern Ordination Course/ Yorkshire Ministry Course intends to appoint a Tutor/ Director of Pastoral Studies from September 2008. This is a 0.5 (FTE) post which will be based at The Mirfield Centre. The NOC/ YMC currently has 70 students and teaches to degree level. Applications from women clergy will be especially welcomed. Further details can be obtained from THE NOC Office, The Mirfield Centre, Stocksbank Road Mirfield, W Yorks WF15 0BW
Telephone 01924 481925 or e-mail office@thenoc.org.uk.
"THE SEVEN LAST WORDS OF OUR SAVIOUR ON THE CROSS"
Friday 21st March 2008 @ 12noon-3pm
Music by Joseph Haydn, played by the Elias String Quartet.
Meditations by Canon Nick Jowett
This is a quiet meditation service with music, words, silence
Entrance free. Donations will be welcome
"ART AND CRAFT FAIR"
Monday 24th March 2008 @ 10.30am-5.00pm
Tuesday 25th March 2008 @ 10.30am-4.30pm
Arts, crafts, and refreshments served all day. Please come along!
Start 7.00 p.m. Adults £7.50 Students £6.00
The following is a selection of 50th Anniversary Events:
"KIMBERWORTH PARK MALE VOICE CHOIR"
Wednesday 26th March 2008 @ 7.30 pm
Songs from the last 6 decades. Tickets £2 in church or phone 01709 554446.
"KIDS FUN DAY"
Friday 28th March 2008 @ 10am to 3pm
Old fashioned games and activities.
"PEA AND PIE SUPPER"
Friday 28th March 2008 @ 7.00 pm
Pea and Pie Supper and 50s Fancy Dress Music and dress from the 50s.
Tickets £2 in church or phone 01709 559086 - numbers limited due to size of hall and catering.
"SHARING 50 YEARS"
Tuesday 1st April 2008 @ 7pm
A presentation of the history of Kimberworth Park (50 years and earlier). Memories of life on the estate with pictures, yarns, poems, monologues, events and people we remember. Come and take part. Hosted by BBC Radio Sheffield's Ray Hearne and guest speaker Mel Jones.
"KIMBERWORTH PARK QUIZ NIGHT WITH BUFFET"
Thursday 3rd April 2008 @ 7.30 pm
A quiz about Kimberworth Park. Tickets £2 in Church or 01709 552268
"50TH ANNIVERSARY DAY"
Saturday 5th April
A buffet tea at 5.00 pm and, at 7.00 pm, a Celebration Service with the Bishop of Sheffield, the Rt. Revd Jack Nicholls. For more details ring 01709 552268 .
The Archbishop of Canterbury has clear views on science and discovering truth
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/03/15/nrowan115.xml
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article3558650.ece
We wish all of our readers a blessed Holy Week and a Happy Easter! There will be no edition next week so we return on TUESDAY APRIL 1st
Snippets is published every Tuesday.
Email your contributions to Sheffield@media33.co.uk by Monday of each week.
Thanks for all your contributions!
Revd. Rob Marshall
Diocesan Communications Adviser
Ratzinger's Faith
Tracey Rowland
The Theology of Pope Benedict XVI
Oxford University Press £12.99
Because of Joseph Ratzinger's crucial role in the Vatican before his election as successor to Pope John Paul II, this book greatly assists us in unravelling how the Cardinal was able to move smoothly and without any great sense of effort to the throne of St.Peter.
It also helps us if we want to know more – there are many references to where we might go if we want to explore further. Rowland is Dean and Associate Professor of Political Philosophy and Continental Theology of the John Paul II Institute in Melbourne, Australia and the book proclaims itself as "The first substantial assessment of Pope Benedict XVI's theological vision."
The book is well written with a concise sense of conviction and focus. It looks at revelation, scripture and tradition as well as exploring liturgical issues and the nature of communion. The Subiaco and Regensburg addresses, delivered by the Pope, are appended in full.
This book is an excellent resource for all those concerned about unity and authority. Urging Christians to stick to the truth as revealed in Jesus, Rowland suggests that Ratzinger sees the Church as the vehicle by which the truth is revealed: "He is critical of interpretations which would transform Christianity into what he provocatively calls a 'poorly managed haberdashery that is always trying to lure more customers."
ROB MARSHALL