being the vicar of baghdad
TRANSCRIPT
OctOber 2013
Being the Vicar of Baghdad
See page 6
The Ordination of DeaconsSaturday 14 September 2013
Photo shows: Simon Couper (St Peter and St Paul, Tonbridge) Rev James Read* (St Peter, Tunbridge Wells) Andy Fearnley (St Nicholas, Sevenoaks) Chris Kilgour (St Mary the Virgin, Chalk) Tina Kelsey (St George, Beckenham) Bishop James, Bishop Brian, Andy Hobbs (St Augustine, Bromley Common) Pam Alexander (St Peter with St Margaret, Rochester) and Laurence Powell (St Nicholas with St Mary, Strood.) * Rev James Read had already been Ordained in South Africa.
The Ordination of PriestsSaturday 14 September 2013
Photo shows: Bishop Brian, Rev Sharon Copesake, Rev Stephen Boon, Rev Stephen Broadie, Rev Simon Taylor, Bishop James, Rev Julie Bowen, Rev Sophie Sutherland and Rev Rachel Wilson. (Photo taken on Wednesday 11 September 2013.)
Ordinations 14 September 2013
PLEASE NOTE: Copy deadline for the November issue of Rochester Link is 11 October 2013 at 4pm
2 ochester Link
What’s onOctober 2013Saturday 5BROMLEY Prayer Breakfast – Praying Together. Continental breakfast from 8.30 am in Front Room of St Mary’s Hall, College Road, 9.15 talk and practice on praying in groups. Part of the 150th Anniversary celebrations of St Mary Church. For more information call 020 8464 1239.
CHISLEHURST Worship team training with Graham Kendrick and Musicademy
Friday 10LONDON Clergy training day on 10 October at Holy Trinity, Swiss Cottage, from 10.30am to 4pm. John Fisher, CPAS Patronage Secretary, will be leading a training day to help clergy address the tricky subject of moving jobs. The course will explore the biblical framework to the discernment process, and look at the practicalities of making good applications and handling interviews well. The day costs £28. To book visit www.cpas.org.uk/events-and-programmes/details/2300
Saturday 12BROMLEY. Charity concert at St Mary’s Church, College Road, BR1 3QG at 7:30pm. Concert by Bromley Symphony Players, directed by Bernard Brook. The programme includes early symphonies by Mozart and Haydn. Admission on the door is £7 with interval refreshments. For more information, call 020 8464 1239.
ORPINGTON training day with Lucy Moore, the founder of Messy Church worldwide, 10am to 3pm. Open to Messy leaders, team members and all those interested in starting a Messy Church. Places are limited so book now to avoid disappointment. Book online at www.rochester.anglican.org or contact Carol Evans: 01634 844508.
SHORNE Orlando Jopling’s Cello Pilgrimage at Shorne Parish Church, 8pm. Unaccompanied cello recital featuring Bach Suites in aid of the Roof and Tower appeal. Refreshments will be available and there will be a pay bar with Prosecco. Tickets £10 (children under 12 free). For tickets or more information contact Rosemary Moore on 01474 824177 or email [email protected]
Saturday 12-Sunday 13DARTFORD 17th Wilmington Charity Model Railway Exhibition at St Michael’s Church, Church Hill. Wilmington, Dartford DA2 7EG from 10am to 5pm. Admission: Adults £3.50, Children/concessions £3, Family (2&2) £10, under 5’s free. Raising funds for the Railway Children, Demelza Children’s Hospice, Cherished Memories & St Michael’s youth work. Details: the Revd Richard Arding 01322 220561. Disabled access, refreshments, on-road parking. Many layouts of all major scales, displays and trade stands and a full size steam lorry in action! Donations of model railway items for sale or auction would be most welcome.
Sunday 13BROMLEY. Victorian harvest festival all-age service at St Mary’s Church, College Road, BR1 3QG at 10:30am. For more information, call 020 8464 1239
Wednesday 16LONDON ‘Fundable yet Faithful – A conference for
Christian Charities and Churches focussing on Christian distinctiveness and fundraising. Regent Hall, Oxford Street, London on Wednesday 16 October, 10am - 4pm To book call Anne on 020 8661 8066.
Friday 18 - Sunday 20BROMLEY. Art Exhibition at St Mary’s Church, College Road, BR1 3QG curated by Bromley Art Society. Paintings to view and to buy. Free admission, with live music and refreshments between 10 am and 5 pm on Friday, 10 – 11.30 and 1.30 - 5 on Saturday, and 12 noon to 5pm on Sunday. For more information, call 020 8464 1239.
Saturday 19BROMLEY Philharmonic Choir Autumn Concert. At Christ Church URC, Tudor Way, Petts Wood at 7.30pm. Britten Centenary Concert including St Nicholas, with Bromley Boy Singers. Tickets: £8.00 in advance, £10.00 on the door. Box Office: 020 8460 4898
BROMLEY. “Return of the Clergy” at St Mary’s Church, College Road, BR1 3QG features many of the clergy – both incumbents and curates – who have served at St Mary’s over the past 50 years. There is a service at 12 noon followed by refreshments, when each of the past clergy will say a few words. For more information, call 020 8464 1239.
BROMLEY. Concert at St Mary’s Church, College Road, BR1 3QG at 6:30pm by Gary and Jane Sieling on organ and cello. Admission on the door is £6, with interval refreshments. For more information call 020 8464 1239.
Friday 25BECKENHAM Fine Dining and Jazz at St Barnabas at 7:30pm. Join us for an evening of fine dining and jazz. To join this event, do please secure your place quickly as seats are limited. Dress code: lounge suits and cocktail dresses. Tickets include a glass of fizz on arrival, music by ‘5 to the bar’ Jazz band, a 3 course meal, ½ a bottle of wine. A bar will also be available. Cost: £50. Contact [email protected] 020 8650 3393
Saturday 26BROMLEY. Come and sing Handel’s Messiah with us in historic Bromley College 2.00 - 7.30pm (Performance only 6pm). Those new to choral singing, and experienced singers, all welcome. Details: [email protected] 020 8460 3455.
BROMLEY. Barn Dance at St Mary Warwick Hall, College Road, BR1 3QG at 7.30 p.m. with March Hare Band. Tickets £8.50 including Ploughman’s Supper from Carole Beale 020 84609330.
Thursday 31WATERINGBURY Shining Bright Party at the Church of St John the Baptist, Tonbridge Road, Wateringbury from 4:30 - 6:30pm. A ‘Fearless Knight’ themed party for school children between the ages of 4 and 13. Join us for lots of fun, crafts, games, including the popular churchyard treasure hunt. Come dressed in your brightest clothes or as a knight or princess and be prepared for lots of treats and sweets! For a booking form please contact Lisa on 07950 852899.
1 Oct 0930 Bishop’s Staff Meeting and Newcomer Lunch at Bishopscourt3 Oct 1030 Hospital Chaplains’ Meeting and Lunch, Bishop’s Lodge4 Oct 1245 Guild of Braillists’ Committee Meeting, London 1900 Churches Together in Kent Supper, Bishop’s Lodge5 Oct 1000 Attend Reader Service, Rochester Cathedral6 Oct 0930 Parish Eucharist and Lunch, St Nicholas, Chislehurst8 Oct 1030 Speak at Research Conference9 Oct 1900 Curates’ Supper at Bishop’s Lodge10-11 Oct Speak at Leadership Course, Bruges13-20 Oct Malling Deanery Visit13 Oct 1830 Confirmation, St Mary, West Malling14 Oct 1000 Thanksgiving Service, Walthamstow Hall School, at St Nicholas, Sevenoaks21 Oct 1530 Agenda Planning Group at Bishopscourt 22 Oct 1000 Area/Rural Deans’ Meeting, Bishopscourt 24 Oct 1000 Poverty and Hope Meeting, Bishop’s Lodge 1430 Visit Medway Maritime Hospital
The Bishop of Tonbridge’s DiaryThe Rt Rev Dr Brian Castle
October
NovemberSaturday 2PADDOCK WOOD - Fairtrade Christmas Event at St Andrew Paddock Wood from 12 to 4pm. Customers will be able to purchase fairly traded goods: from jewellery and textiles through to household goods, Christmas cards, decorations, wrapping paper and a vast selection of foods. There is plenty of free parking and a café-for-the-day offering home made soups and cakes. Put a little humanity back into your purchasing choices by supporting this event. More details are available from Katharine Garland on 01892 724542
Saturday 16MEREWORTH Autumn Fair. Please come and join us at St Lawrence Church, the Street, Mereworth, Kent, ME18 5LS from 11.00am-3.00pm. Lots of stalls, raffle and refreshments
Lunchtime Recitals at St Luke’s Church, Eardley Road, Sevenoaks. Every Wednesday at 12.30pm Admission free. Lasting 30 minutes. Refreshments from 12 noon
OCTOBER2 Jean Bentley’s String Quartet9 Harry Cooper – Jazz Piano16 Hugh Ockendon – Piano23 Jackie Sanjana – Horn, Arran Keith – Piano30 Jean Bentley’s Old Tyme Dance Band
Burrswood is a Christian hospital (licensed by the Care Quality Commission) and place of healing. Founded in 1948, it has become known for its unique combination of physical, spiritual and emotional care. Set in beautiful grounds, this non-surgical hospital has 37 en-suite bedrooms, outpatient department for physiotherapy, counselling, hydrotherapy and
medical consultations, a six room guest house and a church.
Assistant Chaplain (part-time)We are looking for a part-time Assistant Chaplain (for a minimum of 15 hours per week) to provide spiritual and pastoral care to our patients at Burrswood and to lead worship and preside at the Eucharist. This will
include on-call cover on an ad-hoc basis to cover holidays and sickness. It is essential to be able to exercise listening skills and to assess the depth of personal and spiritual needs of our patients and guests. This role is open to
Ordained Anglican Priests and Methodist Ministers.
Closing date Friday 12 July
Volunteer ChaplainsWe also have vacancies for volunteer ministers to join our ecumenical Chaplaincy team, offering pastoral care to patients and guests within a
supportive interdisciplinary clinical team. We would love to hear from you if you can offer us at least two half days a week. This is open to authorised
ministers of all denominations.
For further information please contact Judith Donald on 01892 865993 or email [email protected]. Further information can also
be found on our website www.burrswood.org.uk.
CONTACT USNews and letters to the Editor: [email protected] Telephone: 01634 560000
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“By Christianity I see everything else’’
Bishop James’ diary - October
“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen; not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”
Those words come from C S Lewis, the Oxbridge don and the writer of the famous “Chronicles of Narnia”. They are amongst a host of quotations from his writings that still find their way into books and to articles and websites on the internet.
Next month, November, will see the 50th anniversary of the death of C S Lewis, an event which coincided with the assassination the American President John F Kennedy and which, in consequence, was almost lost in the media coverage at the time because of the dramatic events in Dallas, Texas on that November day.
Do take an opportunity at some point to Google “Quotations of C S Lewis” and scan through some of the things which then appear on the screen of your computer, your laptop or your tablet. Most of the quotations would indeed be in some way or another related to the Christian faith and his outlook on life flowing from his Christian faith. As he puts it in that quotation: “by Christianity I see everything else”.
There are those around us who wish to push Christianity— and indeed all religious faith—to the very margins of society or into the privacy of peoples’ minds, but certainly away from the public sphere. That is the very opposite to where C S Lewis placed it. Christianity was not an “add-on”, an optional extra or, in some way, a hobby on the side. It was central to how life was to be seen, experienced, lived and approached. Those who would push Christianity into a corner either fail to understand it or fear to let it make the impact on their lives which, by the grace of God, it can.
The vision of the Christian faith is enormous. Just read some of the opening paragraphs of the Letter to the Ephesians in the New Testament!
The impact of the Christian faith is revolutionary. It seeks to put God at the centre of existence and not ourselves (something uncomfortable for all of us who so often feel that we want to be the centre of our lives and to have control over what happens - and something very uncomfortable for a culture which lays much emphasis on ideas of self fulfilment and personal choice). Historically,
the impact of Christianity changed the ancient world into which it came and thereby human beings, even at their most frail and feeble, took on a value and a dignity, which previous societies too often had denied them. From the womb to the tomb and beyond, they were precious, made in the image of God, intended to be children of God, destined for an eternity with God.
Christianity opened up provision for reconciliation and restoration, which were only possible by an understanding of reality which was honest about failure and confident in the potential and possibilities which could flow from the powerful work of God.
To quote C S Lewis again:
“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable
because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”
Perhaps the most famous challenge of C S Lewis to those who would wish to diminish or marginalise the figure of Jesus Christ is found in his volume “Mere Christianity”. There he claimed that people could not just say that Jesus was “a great moral teacher” and not accept his claim to be God. The things which Jesus said did not leave that option open. He was either (to summarise C S Lewis’s words) mad or bad or God. The challenge of those words rings true today and can still prompt thought amongst those who would casually lay aside the Christian faith and the one who is central to it.
One of C S Lewis’s other sayings is that
“To enter heaven is to become more human than you ever
succeeded in being on earth.”
That again reflects his vision for who we are as people and who we are intended to be. He sees everything else and everyone else through his Christian faith.
Do use the opportunity of these weeks leading up to the anniversary of C S Lewis’s death to access some of his writings and sayings and to reflect upon what they can still say to us now, 50 years later, and what they can say to those around us.
By the Ven Clive Mansell
1Oct 0930 Bishop’s Staff Meeting2-4 Oct Bishops’ Leadership Development course5 Oct 1430 Admission & Licensing of Readers - Cathedral6 Oct 1100 Preach – Unity Church, Orpington 1830 Institution of Judy Henning as Incumbent - Rainham8 Oct 0830 London Church Leaders meeting, 1100 Chair: Churches Funerals Group - London10 Oct 1800 Kent Community Foundation dinner11-12 Oct Chair: Women Bishop’s Steering Group - London13 Oct 1100 15th Anniversary of Consecration – St Paul, South Gillingham14 -16 Oct Lead: Rochester & Gillingham deanery chapters’ residential17 Oct 1000 Chair: Women Bishop’s Steering Group - London18 Oct All day HOPE Conference – Bennett Memorial School20 Oct 1000 Preside & preach – Hildenborough 1830 80th Anniversary of Consecration – Holy Redeemer, Lamorbey22 Oct 0930 Area & Rural Deans’ meeting – Bishopscourtl 1430 Diocesan Finance Committee23-29 Oct HOLIDAY
4 ochester LinkAdvertising Feature
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*survey findings from ComRes 2007, 2010, 2012, Children’s Society 2010
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Tesco is the only supermarket that will be stocking The Real Advent Calendar this year as it has ordered enough to offer a national church in-store collect and home delivery service. It has supplies in most stores. See below on how to get yours.
Tesco - individualsFrom 7th October, individuals can pop in to virtually all Tesco stores and pick up smaller quantities, but supplies are limited. You can also order online for home delivery. See www.realadvent.co.uk/shop
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5ochester Link
How often should we have our lightning conductor tested?
The simple answer to the question is once every four years in normal circumstances.
Now for the more complicated answer. Although the old British standard BS6651 was withdrawn in 2008, it is still permissible to continue to test to that Standard a lightning
protection system designed to the old Standard.
That Standard stated that all systems should be visually inspected and tested at least once every 12 months and recommended a slightly shorter periodicity (for testing) to vary the season. The Standard was in fact a ‘Code of Practice’, in other words for guidance rather than being a mandatory
requirement. The Diocese decided that for churches for which it has responsibility (not the Cathedral) once every 5 years, to line up with the quinquennial inspections, would be, in ordinary circumstances, sufficient. This was published in the previous DAC guidance leaflets on lightning protection over many years.
The new Standard BS EN 62305 varies the periodicity of the inspection according to the protection level and separates the visual inspection from a complete inspection (i.e. visual inspection and testing). For levels III and IV systems, the two lower levels of protection which would include all our parish churches, a visual inspection is required every two years and a complete inspection every four years. All the detailed maintenance requirements including these periodicities are contained in an informative annex of the Standard. In this Diocese we have now adjusted the testing (complete inspection) periodicity to four-yearly to line up with the Standard, with an annual visual inspection performed by a churchwarden or other authorised person using the checklist at the end of the diocesan leaflet. Details of maintenance are given in paragraphs 20 to 22 of the diocesan leaflet, to be found on the diocesan website.
There is often a degree of commercial pressure for an annual test. It is the view of the Diocese that annual testing is not normally necessary. However it is also good practice to have a lightning protection system tested within 12 months of a new or upgraded installation, after a known or suspected lightning strike and after replacement of conductors following theft. Ecclesiastical Insurance accepts our maintenance policy.
The Rev Christopher Miles Diocesan Lightning Protection
On five nights each week, volunteers drawn from churches in and around Tunbridge Wells (some from some distance away), gather in the Crescent Road car park, Tunbridge Wells, to provide a “point-of-need” contact for the homeless and disadvantaged in Tunbridge Wells with the aim of providing food and warm clothing for all those who need it.
The Tunbridge Wells Churches Street Teams, as they call themselves, have been around in their current format for about 4 years, though under the umbrella of the Bridge
Trust, they have been operating for much longer, since 1994. Currently there are over twenty five volunteers who serve food and beverages, the majority of which are supplied as donations to the activity. In the very cold weather, food vouchers were distributed last year.
As the economic crisis has deepened, demand for help from the teams has increased. At present it is not unusual for there to be between 20 and 30 “customers” seeking help each evening.
The Bishop of Tonbridge recently visited one of the Street Teams and comments:
“One concrete way that we can show our commitment to Jesus Christ is by helping the poor and needy and this is precisely what the Street Teams do. My last visit to the project was during the winter when the
food and fellowship was deeply appreciated. It’s a great project, there’s a real sense of community and many needs are being met and it reminds us all that there are pockets of poverty in the most unexpected places. Please help if you can.”
If you think you could help on one night a week, then the Teams would be most interested to hear from you.
Similarly, if you would like to donate in any way, we would be pleased to let you know what our current needs are. Items such as warm, clean clothing, sleeping bags, toiletries, dry food, tins of soup goods etc. are generally in demand.
Do feel free to email us at: [email protected] or phone: Nic Wright 01892 520319 or Vicky Stewart 07958 653814
One of the Street Teams
By the Rev Christopher Miles
Helping the homeless - Tunbridge Wells Churches
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6 ochester Link
Being The Vicar of BaghdadThe Rev Canon Andrew White, the Vicar of Baghdad, lives a somewhat different life to clergy operating within the UK.
During a recent visit to St Mary’s Church, Hadlow, he shared some of his experiences with Rochester Link.
Danger lies around every corner and it’s the prospect of bombs, murder and poverty that he faces on his afternoon rounds.
Rochester Link caught up with him on one of his few whistle-stop visits to England.
Being Christian in the UK and in many parts of the world is an accepted way of life, but in Baghdad, following the Christian faith can be a death sentence.
The dangers facing Canon Andrew White, his Iraqi curate, the Rev Faiz Jerjees, parishioners and the church of St George are very real, but it is their faith that keeps them strong.
St George’s Church is the only Anglican Church in Iraq and is based at the heart of Baghdad’s red zone – meaning an unsafe
area.
Despite being surrounded by blast walls and guarded by 35 soldiers, the church has been bombed five times in the past three years.
The peaceful way in which we are used to walking into church here in Britain, is something Iraqi Christians can only dream of.
Most members are collected and taken to the church by private bus to avoid kidnapping and all worshippers are subject to a body search on the way in to detect and deter suicide bombers.
However, one Sunday, a suspected suicide bomber managed to get in.
Thankfully they were removed by security before they could detonate their explosives.
Andrew and the congregation take enormous risks simply by being at St George.
Andrew said: “It’s so dangerous to be Christian in Iraq.”
“Once I had 13 people who came to me and wanted to be baptised - 11 of them were murdered the following week.
“We tell everyone who wants to be baptised that there could be consequences and that they could be killed.
“In response they simply say, ‘we don’t care, we want to follow Jesus’.
“We have had so many of our own church members killed; my whole church council was killed in one afternoon.”
Andrew was once at the centre of a man hunt which resulted in him being urgently flown home via private jet.
He said: “I remember the ambassador telling me I had to leave, he said ‘there
are hundreds of posters with your face on all around Baghdad saying wanted dead
or alive’.
“They had a plane waiting for me – it was the Queen’s plane. I don’t know how they got it but the difference between this plane and others was the blue carpet in the toilet.”
Andrew returned to his home to find that police had moved his wife and two sons to a safe location in case they were targeted.
Despite being a wanted man, he soon returned to Iraq.
Regardless of the dangerous reality that faces Andrew in Baghdad, he continues to return and has been there since 1998.
He said: “I can honestly say the church is the most wonderful and loveliest place I’ve ever been in.
“I know I am where I am supposed to be.”Not only do the Christians of Baghdad
rely on the church for faith, but also for food, healthcare and education.
“We often have clinics in the church hall where there’s a dentist, a doctor, we can do x-rays, cardiology, paediatrics – what a wonderful use of a church hall” said Andrew.
“And the clinics are not just for Christians, they are for everybody.
“Have you ever gone to church to get your teeth fixed? – I have.”
Food packages containing rice, lentils, flour and bread are also given out once a week to help poverty stricken families.
On his daily rounds Andrew witnesses the conditions in which his parishioners live and he sees how essential the food parcels are.
He said: “In the afternoons I do parish visits and I have 38 security guards with
me.
“It’s quite interesting doing your parish rounds with guards, an armoured vehicle at the front and one at the back, and lots of guns.
“But we have to go and see our people. Their conditions are terrible but on Sunday, when they come to church, they all make an effort.
“I go to their houses and there are rats and chickens running around in the living room, and that is their only room. One of the families I visit has 13 people living in one room, and I know if I do not take them their food they will have nothing.
“They always look so happy though and when asked why they’re happy they say ‘we have lost everything, Jesus is all we
have left’.”
It was Andrew’s goal when he first arrived in the country to set up a school for the children of Baghdad, something which has now materialised.
He said: “We now have a purpose built school dedicated to teaching the young people, it’s wonderful.”
Inter-faith work is central to what goes on at St George, in an attempt to break down barriers between different religious groups.
“So much of my work is dealing with the kind of people who want to kill you”, said Andrew.
“The inter-faith work is often with the guys who are involved in the killing and we are enabling them to become friends.
“There isn’t one religious community in Iraq which is not at risk, but together we can stay firm, together we can show the love of God and that’s what we try to do.
“It’s hard but we do not give up.”
While Andrew is bringing the Christian faith to the people of Baghdad, his wife and two sons are at their Hampshire home living a more ‘normal’ lifestyle.
Andrew said: “When I am away I miss my wife and children.
“It is hard leaving my family in England and I always say that they have made a real sacrifice for me, but it’s all they have ever known.”
Andrew White in the church
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The differences: UK v. Iraq
During his ministry in Baghdad, Andrew had to adjust to a different way of life.
Not only is he surrounded by danger and poverty, but he also has to deal with extreme temperatures.
He said: “You never get used to the heat. Recently it was 60 degrees centigrade, so hot that the traffic lights were melting.
“Another thing that’s different in Baghdad is they have most of their meetings sitting on the floor, which is very uncomfortable.
“Also, Synod is very unlike any Synod meeting in Britain, there is no discussion – whatever the priest says goes.”
When Andrew arrived in Baghdad 15 years ago there was something about the church that he wanted to change.
He said: “When I arrived all those years ago I wanted to get men and women
sitting on the same sides of the church, did I manage that? No.”
Something which is not likely to change anytime soon is the ordination of women.
“There is no concept of having women priests in Iraq” said Andrew.
“We are a thousand years away from that happening.”
Andrew White in the parade
According to the Church Urban Fund, It is estimated that more than 500,000 people in the UK are now reliant on food aid. The extraordinarily high number of people turning to food banks to make ends meet has brought media and policy attention to the issue of food poverty. The Church Urban Fund has been asking the question, “What are its underlying causes and what are the most appropriate responses?”
In many ways churches have been at the heart of this recent focus on food poverty, with hundreds setting up or supporting food banks, helping to mobilise teams of volunteers to give out food to local people in need.
Research conducted by Church Urban Fund sought to explore church-based responses to food poverty, looking in particular at the proportion of churches responding to the issue and the nature of those responses.
The survey found that church-based responses to food poverty are currently focused on emergency activities, such as food banks, rather than work that seeks to address underlying causes:
81% of respondents indicated that their parish church supports a food bank, in one or more ways.
Just 30% of churches are running an organised activity to address one or more causes of food poverty.
There may be several reasons for these results: food banks are relatively cheap to set up, do not require specific professional expertise to deliver and they help to meet an immediate need. Churches may also feel unsure about how to address structural problems such as the rising cost of living, low income or benefit changes.
According to the Church Urban Fund report, while food banks help to support people in
crisis situations, they do not tackle the underlying causes of those crises. Furthermore, for those who find themselves unable to buy food, visiting a food bank can be a humiliating experience that reminds them of their inability to make ends meet.
The survey results suggest that, if churches are to contribute to a long-term solution to food poverty, there is a need to rebalance church-based activity away from emergency crisis support and towards long-term work that tackles the underlying problems.
A new framework for responding to food poverty
In making this change, the framework devised by two international development experts, Corbett and Fikkert, can be a useful resource for churches. In their book, ‘When Helping Hurts’ (2009), they propose that all poverty-alleviation work falls into three categories: relief, rehabilitation, and development.
Three case studies show how these categories can act as a useful framework for churches seeking to respond to food poverty.
A relief response, such as a food bank, provides support during a period of crisis when someone is unable to feed themselves or their family.
A rehabilitation response works with people to restore the positive elements of a pre-crisis situation – for example, a debt advice centre helping people to pay down their debt so that they can afford to buy food in the future.
A development response, such as a cookery course, tackles underlying problems such as poor nutrition, but also helps to build relationships and break down distinctions between ‘helper’ and ‘helped’, changing and shaping all those involved.
For more information go to: www.cuf.co.uk
Hungry for More How churches can address the root causes of food poverty
8 ochester Link
Healingin this Holy LandCould your church help bring the gift of healing to communities across the world this Christmas? Please order your resources to hold a Christian Aid collection as part of your celebrations.
‘He heals the broken-hearted, and binds up their wounds.’ Psalm 147:3
Order your Christmas resources online, by phoning 0870 078 7788 or by returning the form below.christianaid.org.uk/christmas05
UK registered charity no. 1105851 Company no. 5171525 Scot charity no. SC039150 NI charity no. XR94639 Company no. NI059154 ROI charity no. CHY 6998 Company no. 426928 The Christian Aid name and logo are trademarks of Christian Aid. Photo: Christian Aid. © Christian Aid August 2013 14-068-J1784
Healingin this Holy Land
‘I told Waleed that not all Israelis are soldiers’ Rufaida, Waleed’s mother
Waleed Badir has experienced both personal and political unrest, as he’s struggled with his severe deafness in the West Bank – part of the occupied Palestinian territory. Volunteer Israeli doctors working for Christian Aid partner Physicians for Human Rights Israel are striving to bring healing to patients like Waleed – and between communities – as they work for the right to healthcare for all.
Share the peace of Christmas by bringing urgent care to children living in conflict.
christianaid.org.uk/christmas
English version
Donations to Christian Aid’s Christmas 2012 appeal will be used to support Christian Aid’s work around the world, including work with partners like PHRI.
UK registered charity no. 1105851 Company no. 5171525 Scot charity no. SC039150 NI charity no. XR94639 Company no. NI059154 ROI charity no. CHY 6998 Company no. 426928The Christian Aid name and logo are trademarks of Christian Aid; Poverty Over is a trademark of Christian Aid. © Christian Aid August 2012 Photos: Christian Aid/Tabitha Ross 13-068-J541 Printed on 100 per cent recycled paper F1969E
Project name Christmas appeal 2012 Job number 13-068-J541-Christmas A3_poster-A5_lft
Item name A3 Poster/A5 Lft (English) Proof stage AWClient Anna Couper Proof date 26/07/12Client team Church Appeals Feedback due
Christmas poster-leafl et (F1969E)
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Healingin this Holy Landchristianaid.org.uk/christmas
Today, in the area that was the setting for the original Christmas story, peace is scarce. Twelve-year-old Waleed Badir has experienced both personal and political unrest, as he’s struggled with his severe deafness in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Waleed grew up knowing the reality of conflict, and restricted access to healthcare under Israeli occupation meant that he did not receive the medical care he needed. As a result, he fell behind academically and spent his early years trapped in virtual silence.
But, last year, Christian Aid partner Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI) provided Waleed with a hearing aid – and his world opened up. The Israeli volunteer doctors working for PHRI are changing perceptions. When Waleed first went to the clinic, he said the doctors couldn’t be Israelis. Waleed’s mother says, ‘I told Waleed that not all Israelis are soldiers.’
Christian Aid is a Christian organisation that insists everyone should be able to lead a full life, free from poverty. We work globally, striving to achieve equality, dignity and freedom for people of all faiths and backgrounds. We provide urgent, practical assistance where need is great, tackling the effects of poverty as well as its root causes.
Photo: Christian Aid/Tabitha Ross
UK registered charity no. 1105851 Company no. 5171525 Scotland charity no. SC039150 Northern Ireland charity no. XR94639 Company no. NI059154 Republic of Ireland charity no. CHY 6998 Company no. 426928
The Christian Aid name and logo are trademarks of Christian Aid; Poverty Over is a trademark of Christian Aid. © Christian Aid August 2012 13-068-J551
Printed on 100 per cent recycled paper F2101E
Since Waleed Badir received a hearing aid from partner organisation PHRI, his confidence has increased
Project name Christmas 2012- 13-068-A Job number J551Item name star diecut a5 4pp card Proof stage AWClient Anna Couper Proof dateClient team Inspiring Participation-Church Feedback due
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Project name Christmas 2012 Job number 13-068-AItem name GIVING ENVELOPE • ENG Proof stage AW2Client Anna Couper Proof date 21/08/12Client team Inspiring Participation-Church Feedback due
F1968E
How to give:• Please give this gift to your church, school
or collection organiser, or write a cheque (payable to Christian Aid) and send it with the Gift Aid declaration overleaf to Freepost RSUR-YSTS-KJUL, Christmas Appeal 2012, Christian Aid, 35-41 Lower Marsh, London SE1 7RL.
• Alternatively call 0845 7000 300 or visit christianaid.org.uk/christmas to give by debit or credit card.
Photos: Christian Aid/Tabitha Ross UK registered charity no. 1105851 Company no. 5171525 Scot charity no. SC039150 NI charity no. XR94639 Company no. NI059154 ROI charity no. CHY 6998 Company no. 426928 The Christian Aid name and logo are trademarks of Christian Aid; Poverty Over is a trademark of Christian Aid. © Christian Aid August 2012 13-068-J550 Printed on 100 per cent recycled paper
Christian Aid works in partnership with local organisations on the ground to bring about urgent and lasting change.
£5 could buy one course of antibiotics for a patient attending a PHRI mobile clinic.
£8.65 could pay for a PHRI appeal to the Israeli army or civil administration for a patient to travel to receive medical care.
£15 could pay for PHRI to make referrals for two patients to receive medical care in Israel.
Christian Aid is a Christian organisation that insists everyone should be able to lead a full life, free from poverty. We work globally, striving to achieve equality, dignity and freedom for people of all faiths and backgrounds. We provide urgent, practical assistance where need is great, tackling the effects of poverty as well as its root causes.
Peace is a rare thing for children living in the occuPied Palestinian territoryThe childhood of Waleed Badir (pictured) was coloured by isolation and frustration. You might be forgiven for thinking this quiet boy of 12 is simply shy, but he is 90 per cent deaf. He is an intelligent child, but his speech is limited.
Waleed grew up knowing the reality of conflict, and restricted access to healthcare under Israeli occupation meant that he did not receive the medical care he needed. As a result, he fell behind academically and spent his early years trapped in virtual silence. ‘Waleed was locked in a world where he found it very difficult to communicate,’ says Waleed’s mother, Rufaida.
Peace on earthLast year Waleed received a hearing aid from a mobile clinic run by Christian Aid partner organisation Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI) – and his world opened up. He is now able to hear far better and his vocabulary and confidence are increasing.
Rufaida says, ‘Before, if he wanted to go out, I had to talk to him to help him feel confident. He used to leave and keep looking back. But now he just says goodbye and goes out with his friends.’ PHRI was able to offer Waleed a new sense of peace.
At the same time, the Israeli volunteer doctors working for PHRI are changing perceptions. When Waleed first went to the clinic, he said the doctors couldn’t be Israelis. Waleed’s mother says, ‘I told Waleed, “These Israelis are doctors and they consider it their duty to help people.”’
There are many more children like Waleed, trapped in the midst of conflict in this region and unable to access the level of medical care they urgently need.
‘Our children have only ever met Israelis at gunpoint. I told Waleed that not all Israelis are soldiers.’ Rufaida, mother of Waleed Badir, who was treated by volunteer Israeli doctors in the West Bank. christianaid.org.uk/christmas
Please give generously to help bring healing this christmas: christianaid.org.uk/christmas
Add 25 per cent to your gift
Your Christmas gift will help people living in poverty build better lives
eNgLiSH veRSioN
healingat christmas time
Gift envelopes (F1968E)
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Christian Aid will not pass your details on to any other organisation. If you already receive information from Christian Aid we will continue to send it unless you tell us otherwise by writing to us at PO Box 100, London, SE1 7RT. If you are new to Christian Aid, please tick here if you do not want to receive information from us. ❏
A017698
Your name
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Address
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Please return this form to Christian Aid, PO Box 390, Grays, RM17 9DG.
Advertising Feature
9ochester Link
People do like to see their parish or their vicar in the Rochester Link, celebrating good news and sharing it with the rest of the Diocese. We know that there are plenty of good news stories around the Diocese that never make it to our offices, which is a shame. By sharing our stories, we can inspire and motivate others. We want to help you share your good news. Just follow these easy steps and you should be seeing your parish in print soon!
1. Check the copy deadline in the front page of Link. Submit your story before this date. 2. Send your story and a good quality image together in one email to [email protected] 3. Check the diocesan website for copy writing and photography guidance at: www.rochester.anglican.org -> Communications -> Guidance -> Photography Tips
Your parish in the Rochester Link newspaper - 3 easy steps.
As autumn approaches and (dare I say it?) we are starting to think about the winter months and Christmas, Church Housing Trust would like to remind you that we have written our annual letter to every PCC in the Diocese requesting much needed financial and prayerful support.
The hostels we work with up and down the country not only offer a roof and a bed. Residents are given health checks, help with their addictions, housing and employment advice and the opportunity to learn skills such as cooking and use of IT that will help them when they are able to move on and resettle on their own. Our funding provides the added value that ensures that as many people as possible receive these opportunities and do
not go back to their unsettled way of life on the streets or in temporary accommodation.
Your consideration for Harvest or Christmas collections would be appreciated, or you could run an event such as coffee morning, cake sale, jumble sale or a sponsored event on our behalf. Every donation, however small, is appreciated and helps to make a difference to someone’s life.
Please look at our website (www.churchhousingtrust.org.uk) for more information, or give us a call. We can provide newsletters, posters, leaflets and articles for your church magazines and you can follow us on twitter (@ChurchHousing) or find us on Facebook.
Support needed this coming winter
The first reference to the present organ was a petition dated 17th July 1880 by the Rev P Howard Moneypenny for a faculty (found recently in the archives at Canterbury), requesting permission to build a new chamber on the side of the church, with a large opening into the chancel to house the organ. The organ had been offered as a gift by Ernest Hargreaves in January 1880, with the cost for the new chamber given as £500.
The Lay Rector had given his permission for the opening in the chancel wall, and the faculty was granted on 3 September 1880, with the condition that the old organ was sold to help pay for the new chamber. Interestingly, a recent search of census records revealed that Ernest Hargreaves married the Rev Moneypenny’s 17 year old daughter in June 1880!!
A note on the Visitation of 1890 reports: “A handsome organ presented to the church has led to the erection of an organ chamber which is a considerable addition to the capacity of the church.”
The three manual organ with 35 speaking stops (including a 32ft Contra Bass) was built by Alfred Monk of Camden Town and installed temporarily in the North West Nave aisle, and then moved to the new ‘organ chamber’ in 1881. Alfred Monk was regarded as a ‘quite fine and well regarded organ builder with those built in the 1880s as his best period’. It is a tracker organ with the action still totally mechanical. (the organist needs to be fit to play using full organ!).
The two organ bellows were hand pumped by the organ blower (paid £5 per annum). Parish records from 1916 state: “One day the organ commenced to play and quickly ran out of air, the organist ran round and found the
verger fast asleep.” The hand pumps were replaced in 1936 with the current electric blower which is still in use.
The console was lit by two gas lamps; the lamp holders now support the mirrors used by the organist to see what is happening.
The Cambridge Historic Organ database details the technical specification of the organ.
The organ is still used every week to accompany the choir to lead the congregation in services including a choral Eucharist.
A recital to show off this fine instrument is being given on Sunday 13 October at 3.00pm by Matthew Morley, Assistant Director of Music from St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street.
Hadlow organ
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Birchwood House Rest Home
Residential Home forthe ElderlyRespite care & shortstay available
A beautifully refurbished Georgian manor house, setin 6 acres of glorious Kent countryside, within easyreach of Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells.• All rooms have en-suite facilities & nurse call
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the local church.Stockland Green Road,
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Celebration of the historic Alfred Monk Organ at St Mary’s Church, Hadlow
10 ochester Link Advertising Feature
‘The Pilgrim course is a journey to the heart of God and to a living, personal relationship with Jesus Christ.’The Archbishops of Canterbury and York
A COURSE FOR THE CHRISTIAN JOURNEYSTEPHEN COTTRELL STEVEN CROFT ROBERT ATWELLPAULA GOODER
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Pilgrim is a major new evangelism and discipleship course to help you travel through life with Jesus Christ.
Its unique approach encourages you to ‘learn by doing’ by practising the ancient disciplines of biblical reflection and prayer.
Pilgrim can be used at any point on the journey of discipleship and by every tradition in the Church of England.
for boys aged 7 & 8
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VOICE TRIALS
For further details please telephone
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Substantial scholarships are awarded and choristers
enjoy the superb and extensive facilities
of St Edmund’s School.Choir House
OPEN DAY12 October 2013
The Master of Choristers, David Flood, is always
pleased to meet and advise parents and their sons.
Diocesan RetReat Housesituated in the grounds of Glastonbury abbey
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Glastonbury
Abbey HouseWe practise and teach Christiancontemplative meditation at residential and day courses
at our centre in Dorchester and at other retreat centres in the UK.
We use meditative sentences to still the mind, to focus our attention on God, and to serve as channels through which the power
of the Spirit can enter our hearts.Our members also gather in local groups. For further details please
contact:The Secretary, The Fellowship of Meditation
8 Prince of Wales Road, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1PW. Tel: (01305) 251396
E: [email protected]: www.fellowshipofmeditation.org
UK Reg Charity No: 213323
The Fellowship of Meditation
a Christian-based organisation
Quiet WatersChristian Retreat House
Is a peaceful 9 bedroom Georgian house, on Suffolk-Norfolk border, set in 2 acres beside the river Waveney.Available for groups of 17 or individuals. Bed only to full board.House available for Self catering groups.Enquiries:[email protected] Road, Bungay NR35 1PD01986 893201
Poole - Dorset
www.green-pastures.org
17 Burton Road, Poole, Dorset, BH13 6DTTel:01202 764776 Email: [email protected]
Green Pastures is an Ecumenical Centre. We are a Christian team, providing excellent hospitality in a prayerful place. Throughout the year there are led Quiet Days and Conferences. It is also a place for
rest and quiet reflection.
Full Board from £50.00 pppn
Ivy House Retreat Centre
Autumn/Winter Retreats:14-22 October: 7 day IGR. Anna Desch £480 28 Oct—1 Nov: Struggling with
Forgiveness. Rev David Self £23522-24 Nov: Exploring Children’s
Spirituality. Diane Craven £110 2-6 Dec: Advent Retreat. Canon Peter Ball £235 13-17 Jan 2014: John Bell Retreat
Warminster BA12 8PG • T: 01985 214824 E: [email protected] • www.ivyhouse.org
ST. MARY’S CONVENTWANTAGE
St Mary’s Convent offers a variety of facilities and fl exible accommodation for Group Quiet Days and Group Retreats. Also, Conference facilities and private stays.Theological Library may be available on request.
For further details please contact:St Mary’s Convent, Wantage, Oxfordshire, OX12 9DJTel: 01235 763141Email: [email protected]
11ochester Link
Praying the wayBromley & Bexley Bromley DeaneryBromley, Christ Church Thanks for summer campsBromley, St Mary “Christmas Journey” for local schools; Messy Nativity in High Street.Hayes 6 - Harvest Festival; new organist and choirmaster
Erith DeaneryBelvedere, All Saints 6 & 7 The Rev Canon Jean Kerr speaking. 12 - Parish Quiet DayBexleyheath, Christ Church Interregnum
Orpington DeaneryOrpington, All Saints Thanks for large number of baptisms
Sidcup DeanerySidcup, Christ Church Establishing new believers; redeveloping our buildingLamorbey, Holy Redeemer Redevelopment decisionsJoydens Wood Sunday @4 activityBlendon 48-hour Prayer RoomSidcup, St John Appropriate care for all
Rochester Cobham DeaneryPray for our new beginning in Cobham Deanery - may we be led by the Spirit.Southfleet 13 - That Harvest Service, Supper and Barn Dance may reach out to community; New Locally Commissioned Minister being commissioned today.Istead Rise Alpha group just started; 13 - Harvest Service with Annual Memorial Service in afternoon; 19 car washing.Meopham with Nurstead That mission and ministry will be kept faithful during interregnum.Cobham with Luddesdowne Church finances; 20 Traidcraft stall in Luddesdowne after service.
Dartford DeaneryFood Bank in Dartford and one starting in Swanley. 8 Swanley Churches Together conference; wisdom for all Councillors and MPs in decisions about another river crossing at Dartford; for all hospital staff, especially in A and E departments.
Gillingham DeaneryGillingham, St Augustine Thanks for recovery of the Rev Jonathan Jennings
Gillingham, St Luke New pre-school nursery starting in Church HallSouth Gillingham – Bredhurst Harvest; Wigmore - Thursday Club teamGillingham, Holy Trinity Children; interregnumRainham The Rev Judy Henning’s ministry
Gravesend DeaneryFor the Feast of St Francis of Assisi and churches holding a ‘Blessing of Pets’ service – St Botolph on 6. For Gravesend Street Pastors and those being trained.
TonbridgePaddock Wood DeaneryBrenchley Alpha; Baby and Toddler ServiceHorsmonden Swift resolution to difficulties besetting our Vicar and parish.Lamberhurst and Matfield Stewardship Appeal; all farmersYalding Confirmation classes
Sevenoaks DeaneryKippington Generous giving for Harare at Harvest Festival Seal, St Lawrence and Underriver, 5 and 6 - Meals and services during Harvest Weekend
Sevenoaks, St Luke Music outreach events this autumnSevenoaks, St Nicholas 2 - Marriage Course starts, 6 - Lady Boswell Annual Service, 12 - Evangelistic Men’s Breakfast; guest speaker Rico Tice
Shoreham DeaneryStansted with Fairseat and Vigo Funds for extensionPlatt Youth Worker needed
Tunbridge Wells DeaneryRusthall 20 - Service - Prayer Ministry for Laying on of Hands at St Paul’s Church and Burrswood.Southborough, Christ Church Youngsters who made commitments at Soul SurvivorSouthborough, St Thomas Children starting at Junior School Tunbridge Wells, St James For Vicar and PCC - short-staffed; Matt, new youth worker.Tunbridge Wells, St Mark Our new Vicar and family. 13 - Sm@Sch at St Mark’s Church20 - Thanksgiving Service for Loved Ones.
Intercession during October
Prayer topics for November should be sent to Lorna Kahan, 26 Wallis Close, Wilmington, Dartford DA2 7BE; 01322 271657 [email protected] by 2 October.
1 Oct Bishop’s Staff meeting today2 Oct Advisers for Youth and Children’s Work: Cheryl Trice and Elaine Stanford-Beale3 Oct Brasted, St Martin4 Oct Chevening, St Botolph5 Oct Readers within the Diocese: those being Admitted & Licensed today6 Oct Many will celebrate Harvest Thanksgiving today: pray for all who work on the land and in the food industries; for the care of creation7 Oct Adviser for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns: The Rev Lusa Nsenga-Ngoy8 Oct Kippington, St Mary9 Oct Knockholt, St Katharine with Halstead, St Margaret10 Oct Riverhead, St Mary with Dunton Green
11 Oct Women Bishops’ Steering Committee: Bishop James chairing that group today12 Oct Seal St Lawrence13 Oct Sevenoaks Deanery: Mark Griffin (Rural Dean); Ian Dobbie (Lay Chair)14 Oct Seal St Peter and St Paul15 Oct Sevenoaks, St John the Baptist16 Oct Sevenoaks, St Nicholas17 Oct Sevenoaks, St Luke18 Oct St Luke’s Day: the NHS; local hospitals and health centres; all whowork in medicine and healthcare19 Oct Cathedral Council meeting today20 Oct Our link Diocese of Kondoa (Tanzania): Bp Given Gaula & Lillian21 Oct Sundridge, St Mary with Ide Hill, St Mary and Toys Hill
22 Oct Area & Rural Deans’ meeting today23 Oct Underriver, St Margaret24 Oct The Clergy Charities25 Oct Weald, St George26 Oct Westerham, St Mary27 Oct Shoreham Deanery: Stephen Jones (Rural Dean); Charles Willsher (Lay Chair)28 Oct Borough Green, The Good Shepherd29 Oct Eynsford, St Martin with Farningham, SS Peter & Paul and Lullingstone, St Botolph30 Oct The aid agencies, their staff, partners and supporters31 Oct ‘Light Parties’ and similar events being held today or this week
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12 ochester Link
When considering the future of our church buildings many of us do ask the question: ‘What is so special about our churches and why are they worth preserving not only for us but for future generations?’ This is usually followed by a further question: ‘How can we help lift the heavy burden of maintaining our church buildings from our congregations and spread the financial load of looking after them in the future?’
These are not easy questions to answer and there is no quick and easy fix to solve this issue. However there is one action that any church can undertake which, if constructed properly, can make a huge contribution to the upkeep of your church buildings. Forming a Friends’ Organisation can help to raise funds to maintain the fabric of the church building. Such a scheme can enable a wider group of people help share the burden of ensuring that their parish church building is in a reasonable condition to hand on to the next generation of Christian worshippers. Our church buildings are historic with many having a wonderful architectural heritage and cultural landscape. They are a sacred place for committed and not so committed Christians to pray, worship and seek the presence of God. They are the shop windows of the Christian faith.
Many people have a great deal of goodwill towards their church building and although they may not wish to contribute to the religious aspects of the church, they may be willing to support part of their local heritage. A Friends’ Scheme is one way in which a parish church can encourage help of this kind from a wider community.
Why a Friends’ Scheme ?• They can widen the pool of people who will help support the fabric of the church
building.• The Friends’ Scheme can help with the maintenance, repairs and preservation of
the fabric of the building but NOT the running costs of the church.
• The Friends’ Scheme can help and assist with the maintenance or
replacement of major assets within the church buildings, for example the heating systems, lighting, sound systems window
refurbishments and organs.
In general only a small minority of Members of the Friends’ Scheme (15-20%) will be active worshippers in the church, the balance being people who are not active churchgoers and others who may be outside the parish but who want to help preserve the architectural and historical aspects of the church building in their local town or village.
The aims and objectives of the Friends’ Scheme need to be made clear at the outset and enshrined in the founding documents. The terms of reference must not fight shy of the fact that the church exists for the practice and advancement of the Christian religion. There are some different options for the setting up of a Friends’ Scheme, but, whichever route is chosen, the care, maintenance, repair and insurance of the church remains the responsibility of the PCC and all work done to the church is still subject to faculty jurisdiction.
The task of the Friends’ Scheme is not to provide funds for the general housekeeping of the church, as these remain the Christian responsibility of the worshipping community. Some members of the church community may wish to join the Friends’ but their primary contribution to the work of the church should be through regular giving to general funds to contribute to the day to day mission of the parish. A wider role beyond funding should also be considered for the scheme, particularly where the church is a heritage site. This should include promoting the knowledge and understanding of the work of the church and its role in the Christian faith and the development of the community around it. One important aspect for any Friends’ scheme would be helping in the publicity to attract visitors to the church. Whatever the preciserole of the Friends’ Scheme, it must be capable of drawing in additional people and support for
the church than might otherwise be available. The key to a successful Friends’ Scheme
is to find and motivate local people with commitment to their local community. If a Friends’ Scheme is constituted in the correct way it can be very successful and play its part in contributing to the running of a dedicated and growing church community.
All our churches could benefit with just a ‘Little Help from our Friends’.
If you would like further information regarding setting up a Friends’ Scheme
please contact Alan Strachan the Diocesan Stewardship Adviser on 01634-560000 or by e-mail
“All You need is…. Friends”
All Saints, Brenchley
Categories1. Pre-schoolers2. Aged 5-63. Aged 7-84. Aged 9-105. Aged 11-12Abbreviated Terms and Conditions -
Guidelines1. Schools must be situated within the
geographical boundaries of the Diocese of Rochester.
2. The closing date for entries is Thursday 28 November. All entries submitted must be clearly marked with the sender’s name and address, plus the age of the entrant and the category they are entering.
3. A maximum of 1 design may be entered for the competition by each individual. Group entries are not permitted.
4. The entrant must own the copyright of the image. It is the legal responsibility of the
entrant and the not the Diocese to comply with copyright requirements.
5. By entering the competition entrants agree to the reproduction of their image in the Rochester Link, on the diocesan website at www.rochester.anglican.org and any other appropriate media.
6. The copyright will remain with the entrant. However, entrants agree to winning designs being sold in aid of a named charity in 2014 only.
7. The design for the card must not have been entered for any other competition.
8. The Diocese reserves the right to cancel the competition or amend these rules and prizes at any time without prior notice.
9. Winners will be notified by Monday 2 December and a full list of winners will be announced in the Rochester Link.
Please note the full terms and conditions appear on the diocesan website at: www.rochester.anglican.org
Design a Christmas Card Competition