February 2015

Dust Devils

Page 9

PLEASE NOTE: Copy deadline for the March issue of Rochester Link is 13 February 2015 at4pm. Copy to linknews@rochester.anglican.org

Bishop supports homeless Sunday The Rt Rev James Langstaff, Bishop

of Rochester slept out at Bromley Parish Church across the weekend of 17 and 18 January 2015, to show solidarity with the homeless, and raise awareness of their plight.

Bishop James has been involved with housing and homelessness issues for many years and is currently chairs the Trustees of Housing Justice. He said,

“Homeless people are very often marginalised and vulnerable, and can easily be cut off from sources of support. Homeless Sunday is an annual opportunity for the churches to think about these issues. Sleeping out, as I did, in no way replicates what it is like to be on the streets for a prolonged period. But I hope in this way to raise awareness of the issues that affect homeless people and encourage others to think, pray and respond.”

Other volunteers also slept out at Bromley Parish Church. The Rev Anne Jablonski, Vicar of Bromley Parish Church, said, “We were invited to host this event and were delighted to be able to help. Churches Together in Central Bromley support a winter night shelter which runs from December to March, and through our involvement with that we have become very familiar with the challenges homeless people face. By hosting the sleepout, we hope to have raised awareness

of the issues the homeless face, and raise sponsorship monies which will then be divided between both Housing Justice and the Bromley winter night shelter.”

Following the chilly night with temperatures just above freezing, and a soft rain that fell from midnight onwards, Bishop James described his evening as, “Surprisingly okay.” He said, “I was very well equipped and this is not typically what a homeless person experiences. I had a good mat to lie on and was in a safe environment. I did get wet during the night and have a few aches and pains this morning – I can only begin to imagine what that might feel like if I had to endure that night after night, with no hot breakfast the next morning.”

Bishop James would like to encourage others to support the homeless. He said, “The homeless are not different from us – they are the same. As I meet people on the streets, I am reminded that this could be me. People who want to help can either volunteer at churches which already offer support, or contact Housing Justice to learn more. Some may engage with public authorities to help ensure that homelessness remains in the public eye. We are called to give shelter to the homeless poor – this is clear in God’s purpose for us.”

For more information about Housing Justice, please visit: www.housingjustice.org.uk

By Peter Fall

Following the success of the Messy Nativity Sheep Trail in Bromley Shops during Advent 2013 and 2014, St Mary’s Church (Plaistow) Bromley has planned a different Trail for 2015. From the middle of March there will be Easter eggs in the shops. No, not just in the sweet shops and supermarkets, where you would expect them at this time of the year, but in a flower shop, a music shop, maybe even in a bank and MacDonalds!

Because these eggs are knitted eggs – thanks to St Mary’s Mothers’ Union members for yet another great knit! – and the woolly eggs

are part of the new venture, the Messy Easter Egg Trail!

Leaflets will be distributed through primary schools, and will be available from the shops involved, the Central Library and from local churches. The leaflet lists the shops displaying knitted eggs. Children and families can follow the shop trail to find the eggs, all securely displayed in wicker baskets. When they spot the eggs in each shop, they should write the colours of the eggs on the form. There is a picture of eggs to colour on the leaflet, and the leaflet also tells the Easter story and why eggs are associated with Easter.

Children and families are invited to bring their completed leaflets to St Mary’s Easter Day Service on Sunday 5 April when they will receive an Easter egg. Then they can take part in the traditional after-service egg-hunt in the church grounds.

Messy Easter Egg Trail

2 ochester Link

What’s onFebruary 2015

Tuesday 3BURRSWOOD Burrswood Orangery, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

TN3 9PY. Join us for the launch of this year’s Souper Lunch fundraising campaign. Follow up with your own soup inspired lunch party and raise money for the refurbishment of the hospital. Contact us for a free information pack. To book call: 01892 865985 or email: fundraising@burrswood.org.uk

Saturday 7GILLINGHAM 1WON Diocesan Young People’s Event –

Midnight Ice Skate. 11pm – 2am at the Silver Blades Ice Rink, Gillingham Business Park, Ambley Road, Gillingham. Cost £3 per person (includes skate hire). The event is for any young people in the Diocese, aged 11–18, adults accompanying them may attend. The night will include a disco and DJ and exclusivity of the ice rink. The café will be open.

SLADE GREEN ‘The Ensemble of Friends’ at 7pm at St Augustine, Slade Green. Erith Deanery & St Augustine’s Slade Green present the concert under the leadership of conductor and broadcaster Douglas Tickets £4 and includes refreshments. To book email secretary@erith.org or call Liz or Roy on 01322 345612 or 07968 288212

TUNBRIDGE WELLS A Musical Meditation for Lent at St Peter’s Upper Church, Hastings Road, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 4PD at 7.30pm.. Refreshments, Bring and Buy and Terry Waite’s books for sale. Further details: phone 01892 539549.

Friday 13TUNBRIDGE WELLS Valentine’s Eve Ball at Langton Village

Hall, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 0JJ at 7:30 for 8:00pm. Dine and dance to the sounds of the legendary “Trapper”. Special Guest: Ambrose Harcourt, Juice FM’s “Mr Lurve”. £17.50 All tickets. Bring your own food. Black tie. Cash bar available. To book call: 01892 865985 or email: fundraising@burrswood.org.uk

Saturday 14BROMLEY Concert by Stratus Flutes in St Mary’s Church,

College Road, Bromley BR1 3QG at 7.30pm. The group of three professional flautists consists of Lucy Driver, Kim Reilly and Sameela Gahir. Admission is £8 (£6) on the door and there are interval refreshments. Contact Peter Fall on 020 8464 1239, or email peter@fallfamily.co.uk, for further details.

Thursday 19TUNBRIDGE WELLS FILM GALA NIGHT - “LES

MISERABLES” at Trinity Theatre, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1JP. 7:00pm - Drinks Reception, 8:00pm - Film Screening. An exclusive showing, with drinks reception, tombola, silent auction and Spot the Mayor competition! £20 All tickets. Includes glass of fizz and canapés. Dress code: Black tie or lounge suit. To book call: 01892 865985 or email: fundraising@burrswood.org.uk

Saturday 21BROMLEY “Come and sing Faure’s Requiem in historic

Bromley College from 2pm - 7pm. Details: petermorris203@btinternet.com or 020 8460 3455

STROOD Book Sale at St Nicholas Church, High Street, Strood from 10am - 12 noon. All books 40p.

Wednesday 25GROOMSBRIDGE Beyond the Edge: Spiritual Transitions

for adventurous souls by the Rev Canon Dr Andrew D Mayes, Spirituality Adviser in the Diocese of Chichester and Associate Professor, St George’s College, Jerusalem at St Thomas’ Church, Corseley Road, Groombridge, East Sussex, TN3 9SF at 7pm Jesus calls his disciples to follow him, but where does he lead us? Cost: £3 on the door. Further information available from Sharon Francis revsharon.francis@outlook.com or at www.stthomasgroombridge.org.uk

Saturday 28LONDON How Strong is your Faith in Politics? The Children’s

Society, Christian Aid and Greenbelt are bringing people together to find out what our faith has got to do with poverty and public life, why politics matters and how we can create positive change through campaigning. There’ll be workshops, learning and ideas sharing. Dr Rowan Williams will open the day and there’ll be many more interesting speakers to share their insights. For more information and booking tickets please visit www.childrenssociety.org.uk/faithinpolitics

1Feb am Preach at Holy Spirit Church, Tallinn, Estonia 1900 Attend Reception for Archbishop-elect, Tallinn, Estonia2 Feb 1200 Attend Consecration Eucharist of Archbishop of Estonia5 Feb 1000 Poverty & Hope meeting – Bishop’s Lodge, Sevenoaks15 Feb 1030 Poverty Sunday – Preach & Preside, Rochester Cathedral16 Feb 1230 Meeting with Bishop of Kondoa at Bishopscourt 1500 Conversations with Bishop of Kondoa at Bishop’s Lodge, Sevenoaks17 Feb 0900 Bishop’s Staff Meeting, Bishopscourt 18 Feb 1100 Meeting with Diocesan Director of Ordinands19 Feb 1000 Burrswood Trustees’ meeting 1400 Attend Chaplains’ Conference, Maidstone23 Feb 1100 Challenging Poverty Conference Planning Group – Bishop’s Lodge24 Feb 1430 Licensing of the Rev Steven Underwood – Chaplain, Burrswood25 Feb 1100 Attend Faith & Order Commission meeting, Westminster

The Bishop of Tonbridge’s DiaryThe Rt Rev Dr Brian Castle

February 2015

LUNCHTIME RECITALSSt Luke’s Church, Eardley Road, Sevenoaks Lasting 30 minutesEvery Wednesday at 12.30pmPlease join us – admission freeRefreshments available from 12 noon FEBRUARY4 Anthony Roberts – Piano11 Elsa Cusido – Viola, Ingrid Cusido – Piano18 Jean Bentley’s Old Tyme Dance Band25 Pupils from Granville SchoolCONTACT US

News and letters to the Editor: linknews@rochester.anglican.org Telephone: 01634 560000

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The Brutality of Evil

Bishop James’ diaryFebruary 2015

1- 8 Feb Holiday

9 Feb College of Bishop’s planning group

Bishop Given of Kondoa overnight

10-12 Feb All Day General Synod - London

15 Feb 1030 Licensing of Julie Sheldon as Lay Missioner Stansted with

Fairseat & Vigo

16 Feb Meetings with Bishop Given of Kondoa

17 Feb All Day Bishop’s Staff Meeting

1930 Meeting for ‘Resolutions’ parishes – Orpington, Christ Church

18 Feb 1000 Ash Wednesday Service – Gillingham, St Mary Magdalene

2000 Preside & preach - Erith, St John the Baptist

19 Feb All Day Kent Workplace Mission Chaplaincy Conference - Maidstone

22 Feb 1030 Preside & preach – Westerham, St Mary

23 Feb All Day House of Lords

24 Feb All Day House of Lords

25 Feb All Day Minority Ethnic Anglican leadership task group - Manchester

27 Feb Consultation on housing issues

The Ven Simon Burton-JonesThe film-makers of Hannah

Arendt (2013) are to be congratulated for making such an arresting movie out of impenetrable material. Arendt, a distinguished Jewish German philosopher responsible for the treatise “The Origins of Totalitarianism”, is best known for her study of the trial of Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in Jerusalem in 1962. For a scholar with such a nuanced understanding of human society, it is sad she has become associated with only one phrase: the banality of evil.

Sent by New Yorker magazine to cover the trial of a man extraordinarily rendered from his refuge in Argentina by the

Mossad, Arendt came to conclusions which have been much debated and misunderstood. Eichmann displayed neither guilt nor hatred in his demeanour and eschewed moral responsibility by claiming he was obeying the law in sending Europe’s Jews to their death in the camps.

Perhaps it was Eichmann’s appropriation of the teachings of Emmanuel Kant, doyen of the Enlightenment philosophical tradition,

which irked her most. Kant’s categorical imperative – the idea that we can derive from reason an unconditional requirement that should be obeyed and from which all duties stem – was manipulated by

Eichmann to justify following the Fuhrer’s orders. For Arendt, Eichmann did not think for himself.

The banality of his evil lay in his stupidity: ‘this man was not a “monster” but it was difficult indeed not to suspect he was a

clown’.

Using language like this, it is not surprising that Arendt made enemies of friends. The weight of grief which consumed Jewish people in the early sixties, only twenty years after the Holocaust, could not concede Arendt’s perceived intellectual tricks about clowns. As time has passed, the concept has become embedded in thinking about evil. Eichmann was a boring bureaucrat, an anonymous everyman of the modern civil service who used language clinically to denude it of moral content. However Arendt intended the phrase’ the banality of evil’ to be used, it has come to be associated with pale and bloodless public servants following orders and is therefore all the more threatening.

Arendt also identified a vital dimension of creeping wickedness: when a way of life is sanctioned by the State and adopted by more and more people, it is as if moral responsibility is relaxed for others to follow suit. Only this way is the specious mantra of obeying orders understood. Yet as Arendt noted,

‘under conditions of terror most people will comply but some will

not’.

Individual responsibility is an irreducible concept.

Today people are more likely to take issue with Arendt’s assertion that Eichmann’s sin was a failure to think, as we place increasing emphasis on the role of emotion rather than reason in the resolution of moral dilemmas. It is a product of her enlightenment tradition to approach the question of evil this way and she doubtless meant thinking to include sentiment, but to the wrong ears it sounds as if intellectual capacity alone is sufficient to preserve us from wickedness.

Evil adopts many guises; Eichmann administered murder as a faceless twentieth century bureaucrat. True to today’s spirit, brutality is now posted online for anyone to pore over: the work of sadistic exhibitionists.

Whether one locates goodness in the ability to think or to empathise, right living comes back to the golden rule which Jesus enunciated: do to others as you would have them do to you.

The film does justice to serious issues,

which is an achievement in itself. It also shows the hostility Hannah Arendt endured for sticking to a script; unlike her subject, she knew how to think for herself.

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Could it be You?By the Rev Mark Griffin

“It made me think hard and listen to God which was what I needed.” “It was really worthwhile.” “When I arrived I wondered why I was there, but now I know why.” “My Vicar said how about spending a day in Paddock Wood thinking about vocation, it will be challenging but you’ll enjoy it and she was right.” “I never realised there are other people who are thinking what I’m thinking and hearing God in the same way”

Just some of the comments which have come back after It’s Your Calling days, our regular vocation event, showing how helpful the days are for those exploring where God might be calling them.

Each year across the Diocese the Vocations Team runs three It’s Your Calling days, one in each Archdeaconry, but all three are open to everyone in the Diocese. The day takes place on a Saturday, normally involving twenty to twenty five participants and is led by members of the Vocation Team.

During the day we start by looking at our own individual journeys, where God has brought us and guided us. Following on from own journey, we look at calling in the Bible - at Abraham, Moses, Samuel and Mary - before reflecting on what calling means and how God is calling each one of us. Finishing

off the day is an opportunity to hear about specific ministries and to ask questions.

The day is within the context of a Communion service, breaking open word and bread, encouraging the participants to be open to God and each other.

It’s Your Calling is designed for people who may have a strong feeling for where God is calling, for those who are less sure but who know there is a call on their lives and for those who are dipping their toe in the water and want to find out more. Apart from the day itself, there is an opportunity to talk to one of the Vocation Advisors in the weeks afterwards and an encouragement to reflect on the day with people at home and in their own parish.

The dates for 2015 are 28 February 2015 (9:15 – 15.45) – Christ Church, Orpington

25 April 2015 (9:15 – 15.45) – St Andrews, Paddock Wood

14 November at St Barnabas, Istead Rise (9.15 - 15.45).

If you are interested in finding out more, please contact the Rev Mark Griffin on 01732 452462 or Val Butler on 01634 560000. Booking forms can be downloaded from the diocesan website www.rochester.anglican.org, which your incumbent (or in an interregnum a churchwarden) needs to sign. If you are thinking about going on the Foundation in Christian Ministry course or exploring a call to LLM, you need to have been on It’s Your Calling before you start the course.

There is a Vocation advisor in each deanery across the Diocese who is happy to help, more details on the website.

As well as organising It’s Your Calling, we organise larger vocation events. The next one is going to be on Saturday 23 April 2016 at St Andrew, Paddock Wood, when our keynote speaker is going to be Dr Paula Gooder. Look out for further details of the day nearer the time and also information about a new short course on vocation and calling which we are rolling out in the autumn.

The Vocation Team is here to help and enjoys nothing more than working with deaneries, churches and individuals to assist them find where God is calling.

The Stable in SevenoaksBy Isabel and Sarah Jenkinson

Over the few weeks in December a stable scene has gradually been growing, built by the children of St Luke’s Junior Church, Sevenoaks

It started with an ordinary innkeeper called Stan who had a spare stable behind his inn. Then three shepherds appeared, one of them only a young boy. They brought with them some of the sheep they had been looking after on the hills – one was nicknamed Shaun. Curiosity got the better of some of the congregation and they brought more animals (sheep, hens and a spider complete with intricate web) to see what was going on. Half way through Advent a couple named Mary and Joseph arrived on a donkey and on Christmas day a baby named Jesus was born. Mary placed him in a recycled potato box instead of a crib. This week three tired, dusty visitors arrived who said they were Wise Men.

“Junior Church started it but over Christmas we were all, young and old, able to add characters to the scene and see the story of how God was born on earth” said one member of the congregation. “...a new way of talking about the nativity through action. My children loved it!” said another. “I enjoyed making the wise men the most; I’d never thought about how dirty and dusty the wise men might have been after their journey” added one of the children. The standard has been set high, but plans are already being made to do it all again next year.

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Annika’s story

Good Friday Passion PlayThe Parish of South Gillingham in Rainham,

Kent is promoting a Passion Play to be performed on Parkwood Green, Deanwood Drive, Rainham, Gillingham, ME8 9PP on Good

Friday 3 April 2015.

The play, written by Geoff Hufton, will be directed by Geoff Down and performed by 50 actors, all of whom are drawn from the locality of Rainham. Members of the Territorial Army are also involved and will form the Roman Legion, as well as assist with scenery handling!! The major role of Jesus will be taken by Chris Garwood, a professional actor, also from Rainham, who trained at the Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance. His most recent role has been as John in Openscript’s production of Oleanna by David Mamet in Aylesbury, and Chris is currently creating and producing plays for Kent schools through his own BoffoTheatre.

The play begins with Jesus’ entry into

Jerusalem and culminates with His crucifixion. The dialogue will give some background as well as providing a dramatic representation of the events that took place.

This is an ambitious community project which, it is hoped, will draw an audience of up to 2000, which can be easily accommodated at Parkwood Green. Entry is free and the play commences at 1400 and will last for about 75 minutes. The site will be open from 1330, when audience members can meet and mingle with the actors. On the day there will be plenty of information provided about the staging of the performance (which will be “in the round”) with details of the South Gillingham Churches’ services, where the story will continue to be told on Easter morning.

We hope that you will join us for this event which is the first of its type in Kent. Further information can be obtained from Claire Schofield the Play Administrator Tel: 01634 230423 or e-mail passionplay15@outlook.com

Music in worship - something for everyone

The Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) is an educational charity, committed to encouraging music in worship – whatever the resources, whatever the style. Founded in Chislehurst in 1927 by Sydney Nicholson, the RSCM has grown from its Anglican roots to become an ecumenical and international organisation with over 8,500 members

and friends in over 40 countries.

RSCM Rochester is a thriving group of volunteers which organises events and workshops

to equip church musicians to develop the skills and understanding that they need to inspire the worship in their churches through the gift of music. Throughout the year we try to offer a rich mix to suit everyone from traditional robed choirs to instrumental groups and worship bands.

For further details about the RSCM locally, to subscribe to our email newsletter, or to join any of our events, please contact Alan Mitchell: chair.rscmrochester@gmail.com 07985 070734.

We often hear about members of the Diocesan Link Committee visiting our Link Dioceses around the world but, at the end of 2015, the Diocese of Rochester hosted guests from our Link Diocese of Estonia. This is Annika’s story.

A paediatrician by training, Annika Laats (44) has been a vicar in her home country of Estonia for 12 years. Annika lives in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia and her congregation is some fifty miles away. She said, “During the Soviet era, most of our buildings were taken away from us.”

It was not an easy decision for Annika to seek ordination training. She said, “I was a divorced mother of two children at the time. I knew that I needed to study the Gospel. Having experienced the mercy of God, I knew everything else was secondary. I felt called, but I didn’t dare think about formal ordination.”

The Archbishop of Estonia at the time, Jaan Kiivit, encouraged Annika to think seriously about ordination. Annika said, “First, I studied theology. Then I had a year of something we call ‘pastoral seminar’, which is like being a curate for a year. Then I worked with one of the biggest congregations in Estonia in Tartu and, four years later, I remarried and worked with a small congregation just outside Tallinn. Estonia is one of the most secular countries in the world, which is partly due to conditions during the Soviet era. It is hard to be a Christian in Estonia today. During the Soviet era you could lose your job because of it – it’s not like that now, but during the 1940’s and 1950’s, people didn’t baptise their children and that has a knock-on effect. Our image of God can be very naïve. The media ridicules the Church and doesn’t understand Christianity. In rural villages, people need real courage to go against the majority opinion. Before the second world war, one hundred percent of Estonians were Lutheran. There’s no real violence here, but if someone attends church, they can be ridiculed – especially the youth and children.”

Annika explained, “It may be hard for people in the UK to imagine, but Estonians who are now aged around 60 and 70 years old grew up in a Communist country under Stalin. They may have been baptised, but they grew up under an atheist regime. Very few of these people come back to church. I work more with people around 30 to 40 years old. It’s much easier to interest them in church.”

This historic age demographic affects church life in ways that might not be obvious. Annika said, “Funeral services are a good example of this. If people are over 80, they may have a church funeral. People between the ages of 60 to 70 probably won’t, because for them, church has no meaning.”

Now working in Risti, Annika said, “After nine years of ministry in Risti, people have really started to recognise me as their priest. They have seen a Christian funeral, and they have seen a Christian baptism. There is a view that it is better to be baptised – just in case!”

Annika has done a lot of work with youngsters, to help grow the Christian faith. She said, “We have very active work with children. They will come to our camps, but we rarely see their parents. We do try to hold family camps, but the parents never attend - they are not baptised, so it’s hard to get our messages across. Northern Estonian people can be very introverted, so it’s harder to get close to them to make friends with them and bring the Gospel to them.”

Annika lights up as she talks about her successes, and the joy of sharing the Gospel. She said, “It’s great to see the congregation growing as a family, with different age groups all coming together. I really do enjoy seeing the congregation happy to be with God.”

Visiting England for a week, she said, “Being in a minority in Estonia means we are a bit more closed, perhaps we are a little frightened. This is not what Christ would do. It’s been a wonderful week because I am really getting to know the Church. Even our breakfast today was theologically enriching! It’s wonderful to see how Church of England vicars proclaim Christ and to see the living faith of an established Church. It’s great to see how people live out their faith here. Everything seems so happy and so English. I am really happy that we have this link with Rochester. We can learn a lot from each other. I am happy to say, ‘Come to visit us in Estonia!’ We have different experiences and a different culture – you can help us see things with fresh eyes – help us find that what we have is valuable. We can only see part of the picture, but together we can see the bigger picture and this will bring us closer to God. We tend to make Him smaller than He is. Together, we can better see his greatness.”

If you are interested in learning more about Diocesan Links, please contact the Rev Canon David Kitley on 01732 452112 and for Estonian links specifically, then the Rev Martin Booth on 01732 455736.

The Rev Annika Laats

7ochester Link

Bromley Winter ShelterChurches together in Central

Bromley run a Winter Shelter from 3 December to 3 March each year. The shelter which offers a safe, dry bed for the night supports the homeless by offering a venue which has heating, toilets and a modest kitchen. A free evening meal is provided, and this will either be at Bromley Baptist Church, Bromley Town Church, Bromley Community Church or the Bromley United Reformed Church. Speaking on behalf of the collective shelter, The Rev Anne Jablonski said, “A person from the church will provide the evening meal, and sometimes the food is quite amazing. Local people are very generous and get their best recipes out. There is an extraordinarily good pear tart! The project team do receive a modest grant from Bromley council but most of the work is done on a goodwill basis.”

Homeless men and women over the age of eighteen and from a variety of backgrounds and nationalities are offered support at the shelter. The guests are responsible for setting up the beds each evening and taking them down again in the morning. The metal bedframes are solid and clean, and the local volunteers organise a rota for laundry, so each guest is offered clean bedding, including a duvet with a cover and a pillow case and cover. Guests can stay at the shelter as long as they are not under the influence of alcohol or abusing drugs. Anne explained, “Guests arrive at 7pm for a free, hot

evening meal and a hot drink. At around 9pm they then walk to the winter shelter as a group. This is important because everything is run on a voluntary basis. It is more efficient this way. Those in need of this type of shelter are referred via a number of different authorities and they will each have an interview before being referred to the shelter - they can’t just turn up.”

Each morning, guests go to the Baptist church at 7:45am for breakfast. Before then, they will have been able to discuss their plans

for the rest of the day. Sometimes, Patisserie Valerie in Bromley donates patisserie which has not been sold at the end of each day to the winter shelter and that’s a real treat. Anne said, “I think the Church has credibility in the community because of the night shelter and, of course, the Bromley food bank as well. Nobody from the organisers is paid to do this and each day there is a team leader. Most of our volunteers have paid jobs as well, so they are busy people. The system seems to work well and there is a real drive to get things done.”

The Bromley winter night shelter shows what churches can do to great effect when they work collaboratively. Anne said, “I think we can see God working in the guests in the way they care for each other and that’s quite special. I think God is there in the way the churches work together, which is a real example of God’s people holding and caring for those who are vulnerable.”

For more information please visit: www.bromleyparishchurch.org/night-shelter

By Alex TearEvery year Headteachers, Governors

and Clergy from our Church of England schools and academies come together to explore what it means to lead their schools at the Diocesan Schools Leadership Conference which this year will be held on 13 March.

The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Inspirational and Distinctive Leadership’ and it is the fourth successive year that the Diocesan Board of Education, which is responsible for Church schools within the Diocese, have organised a Schools Leadership Conference which is the flagship event for Church schools in the diocese.

The conference will be held at the Great Danes Hotel in Hollingbourne near Maidstone which is one of the few local venues which is large enough to accommodate the numbers of delegates who attend.

Over one hundred forty school leaders, from almost one hundred schools and academies within the wider diocesan family of schools will come together to listen to keynote speakers with national profiles talk about leadership

within an educational context.

Previous speakers have included the former Olympian Roger Black MBE, and Humphrey Walters, coach to the England World Cup winning rugby side who have shared their insight and stories about their own experiences of leadership at the highest level.

This year, the conference will welcome Professor John West-Burnham, an internationally renowned academic on educational leadership, Professor Trevor Cooling, the Director of the National Institute for Christian Education Research (NICER) and the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, the Dean of Westminster and the former Chief Education Officer for the Church of England.

So what makes the conference so popular and why do so many Church schools and academies attend?

Diocesan Director of Education, Alex Tear explains,

‘The leadership conference provides a unique opportunity to

come together as a family of Church schools.’

‘Our Headteachers and governors are working in a fast paced, constantly changing educational landscape where the demands on them are becoming more and more challenging. To come together, allows them time to network, reflect, explore leadership issues and come away feeling inspired and re-energised by the keynote speakers who

provide encouragement and stimulate ideas’

Headteachers are encouraged to bring their Chair of Governors with them and also their local parish priest who is often an ex-officio member of a Church school’s governing body.

Planning for the conference event starts almost immediately after the last conference has finished as the key note speakers need to be booked at least a year ahead.

The conference’s high profile ensures that it is always sponsored by the Diocesan Board of Education partner organisations who are keen to be associated with the event. This year’s conference is sponsored by Cambridge Education, an international educational consultancy who are working closely with the Diocese on developing its multi-academy trust.

Andrew Guest, Development Director at Cambridge, states: ‘Cambridge is delighted to be able to sponsor the Diocesan Schools

Leadership Conference for a second year. The conference is a great event which allows us to get to know the headteachers and the senior leaders across the diocese. We are pleased to be associated with the event which underlines our partnership work with the Board of Education’

The Leadership Conference will be opened by Bishop James, who provides a short reflection as part of the introduction to the day and who enjoys the opportunity to meet the Headteachers, governors and clergy from the Diocesan Church schools.

Kathy Griffiths, Headteacher of Bishop Justus Secondary School in Bromley and a regular attendee of the conference said,

‘The Diocesan Leadership Conference is unique. It always

provides time for thoughtful reflection and we come away feeling equipped to lead our Church schools having spent time talking and discussing with other Church schools

leaders what makes our schools distinctive’

Diocesan Schools Leadership Conference 2015

The Revs Anne and Andrew Jablonski

8 ochester Link

Pilsdon at Malling

GUARDIANTh e Trustees wish to appoint a Guardian (ordained or lay) to succeed the present Guardian who is retiring in October 2015.

Pilsdon at Malling is an ecumenical Christian community of people who choose to live together and off er hospitality to people in need. To those on the margins of society Pilsdon off ers refuge and a life of prayer and simple manual work. It is based in a former monastery, adjacent to the Anglican Benedictine Abbey of St Mary, and set in six acres at West Malling in Kent. Th e leadership of the Community comes from the Guardian and the other Community Members.

For further information and an Application Form please write to the Chair of Trustees c/o Th e Vicarage 4 Hastings Road Pembury Kent TN2 4PD.

� e closing date for applications is 13th March 2015

A Permanent Private Hall of the University of Oxford

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Wycliffe hallThe Evangelical College in the Heart of Oxford

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• CofE Ordinand Common Awards• Oxford Theology BA plus ministerial training• Mixed Mode Training - 2 days in Oxford and the rest in

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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: guestwing@csmv.co.ukwww.csmv.co.uk

Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?

Ex 15:11

To advertise in the Rochester Link call Glenda on

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9ochester Link

Dust Devils By the Rev Canon David Kitley

Half way through my sermon I noticed people at the back of the church starting to run for shelter. I was vaguely aware of a rushing sound.

We had arrived in Kondoa (Tanzania) the previous evening after thirty hours of travel from England, to be greeted by Bishop Given. “You are coming with me tomorrow to a new church where you will baptise and preach!” Okay...

An hour’s journey along rough roads brought us to the church; full of people although it had no roof yet – just some tarpaulin. A wonderful Mothers’ Union choir greeted us, with singing, drums and whistles. I baptised 6 children and began to preach. At this point we where hit by a whirlwind, a column of dust travelling across the hot fields. The tarpaulin roof was lifted up and away, and the ‘dust-devil’ quickly moved on. The congregation picked up the ‘roof’, placed it back, dusted themselves and sat down for the rest of my talk!

Afterwards, generous hospitality in a rural home, and the Bishop was given two goats to take home with us in the Land Rover, which already had eight passengers! How do you transport goats? Well, like anything else; put them in a carrier bag! Or, in this case, a sack that is tied gently around their neck.

Our way home, we discovered, was blocked by a serious accident; a large truck, half off a bridge, had smashed on to the rocks of a dry river bed. Our driver managed to drive over the rocks and across, while we all watched from outside. The goats got out of their sack and urinated all over the rear seats! These were cleaned by some cloths that appeared from somewhere – whilst we waited for a passenger to cross the bridge from a stranded vehicle behind us. She was desperately pregnant! She was squashed in between the Bishop and driver, groaning. Thankfully we reached Kondoa safely, before she could give birth!

After the whirlwind

River crossing

Mothers’ Union Choir

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St Mary the Virgin, Hayes, Kent

ORGANIST/CHOIRMASTER

We are seeking an experienced church musician to work alongside the Rector to: provide organ/piano accompaniment for our weekly morning and twice monthly evening services, plus occasional mid week festival services; select and develop a RSCM affi liated robed choir; lead the ongoing development of our informal instrumental and singing group.

Salary negotiable + generous fees.

Further details from Mrs Carol Truelove,Church Administrator, on 020 8462 1373Email: stmarys.hayeskent@btinternet.comWeb: www.stmaryshayeskent.co.uk

We 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: fellowship.meditation@virgin.netW: www.fellowshipofmeditation.org

UK Reg Charity No: 213323

The Fellowship of Meditation

a Christian-based organisation

To advertise in the Rochester Link call

Glenda on 01752 225623

10 Advertising Featureochester Link

11ochester Link

Praying the wayDiocese All food banks. All Lent courses

Bromley & Bexley Beckenham DeaneryBeckenham, Christ Church Alpha Course, Street Pastors, Youth Minister. Services at Sutherland CourtBeckenham, St James The ill and houseboundBeckenham, St Paul Those taking on new responsibilitiesPenge, St John Confirmation candidates

Bromley DeaneryBromley, St John the Evangelist Good follow-up after the Christmas eventsChislehurst, The Annunciation Children’s Church

Erith DeaneryBelvedere, All Saints Dedication of new church lighting on 1 Bexleyheath, Christ Church For PCC meeting for the Vision StatementBostall Heath Thursday Coffee Group, monthly Saturday BreakfastsSlade Green A Capella concert on 7Welling Welcome Team, Alpha Course

Sidcup DeaneryBlendon New Messy ChurchLamorbey, Holy Redeemer Pilgrim courseLamorbey, Holy Trinity Congregation moving forward on new development.Footscray with North Cray Interregnum.Sidcup, Christ Church Developing of weekly evening service.Sidcup, St John For grace of perseverance.

Rochester Cobham DeaneryI7 Deanery Synod. 9-12 Human Trafficking session, Meopham churchAsh with Ridley/Longfield/Fawkham and Hartley Lent courses. 18th worshipping together as cluster churches 8pm. 28 Wedding preparations.Cobham with Luddesdowne and Dode Chat and Play, 5 and 19 Lunch Together 12 Southfleet Lent courses; two parish schools, Sedley and Bean school

Dartford DeaneryEcumenical Lent groups. Continued prayer for the foodbanks and Dartford Winter Shelter. For all volunteer organisations

Gillingham Deanery For Passion Play in AprilGillingham, St Barnabas For more team workingGillingham, St Luke For grace and strength to meet the challenge of the new housing development Gillingham, St Mary Magdalene The Youth Drop In on Tuesday eveningsSouth Gillingham New Team Rector

Gravesend Deanery That our services for our Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will bring us closer together and build on links made. Plans for our Women’s World Day of Prayer. Preparation for Lent. Thanks for our food banks

Rochester DeaneryChatham, St Paul with All Saints All

Saints’ Community Project TrustPrinces Park New initiative, ACT NOW (Neighbourhood Orientated Witness)

TonbridgeMalling DeanerySnodland with Lower Birling Planned fund raising events. Protection for all Christians in dangerous areas

Paddock Wood DeaneryBrenchley Youth and Children’s workerHadlow Time for God volunteerPembury Proposed new extension

Sevenoaks DeanerySevenoaks, St Nicholas 15, 22 Tool Box seminars, Evening. Christianity Explored begins 2 Weald Pancake Day lunch

Shoreham DeaneryIghtham Our interregnum.Shipbourne with Plaxtol New building plans

Tonbridge DeaneryEdenbridge Caring Concerns CourseTonbridge, St Stephen Work among elderly especially at Woodgate

Tunbridge Wells DeanerySouthborough, St Peter with Christ Church Mission for openness to GospelTunbridge Wells, St James Emmaus course, discipleship studiesTunbridge Wells, St John 3 ‘Guest’ eveningsTunbridge Wells, St Luke Christianity Explored, Confirmation classes

Prayer topics for March should be sent to Judith Howard by 3 February: 10 Mount Pleasant Road, Weald, Sevenoaks Kent

TN14 6QE 01732 458285 judithhoward@weald.plus.com

Intercession during February 20151 February

3 FebruaryAnskar

14 FebruaryCyril and Methodius

13 February

12 February

11 February

10 FebruaryScholastica

9 February

8 February

7 February

6 FebruaryThe Martyrs of Japan, 1597

5 February

4 FebruaryGilbert of Sempringham

15 February

17 FebruaryJanani Luwum

16 February

28 FebruaryEmber Day

27 FebruaryGeorge Herbert

26 February

25 FebruaryEmber Day

24 February

23 FebruaryPolycarp

22 February

21 February

20 February

19 February

18 FebruaryAsh Wednesday

Rochester Diocese: Rochester Cathedral, for the clergy and lay Chapters.

2 February (Candlemas)

Rochester Diocese: For the criminal justice process, for judges, magistrates and juries who must judge now, in the light of the Eternal Judgement.

Rochester Diocese: Beckenham, Holy Trinity

Rochester Diocese: Pray for the Formation and Ministry team, and the CMD day today.

Rochester Diocese: Beckenham, St James

Rochester Diocese: For Licensed Lay Ministers, and those who support their ministry.

Rochester Diocese: Beckham, St John the Baptist

Rochester Diocese: Cobham Deanery – the Rev Jim Fletcher, Area Dean, and Norma Crowe, Lay Chair

Rochester Diocese: Beckenham, St Michael and all Angels, with St Augustine

Rochester Diocese: For General Synod meeting today, especially those representing our Diocese.

Rochester Diocese: Beckenham, St Paul

Rochester Diocese: Penge, St John

Rochester Diocese: Shortlands, St Mary

Rochester Diocese: For all in love – and those feeling especially alone today.

Rochester Diocese: Archdeaconry of Bromley and Bexley – The Ven Dr Paul Wright, Archdeacon

Rochester Diocese: Bickley, St George

Rochester Diocese: Biggin Hill, St Mark

Rochester Diocese: For all penitents, burdened by the weight of their sin.

Rochester Diocese: Bromley, Christ Church

Rochester Diocese: Bromley, St John the Evangelist

Rochester Diocese: Bromley, St Mark

Rochester Diocese: For a Holy Lent and for all lenten study and prayer groups.

Rochester Diocese: For all those whose loyalty to Christ is being tested, or who doubt Christ’s faithfulness to them.

Rochester Diocese: Bromley, St Mary

Rochester Diocese: Bromley, St Peter and St Paul

Rochester Diocese: Bromley Common, Holy Trinity

Rochester Diocese: For Bishop James’ national work as Bishop to Prisons

Rochester Diocese: For those working to foster vocations in this Diocese.

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12 ochester Link

Funding for church repairs and restoration now availableIf you need funding for a church repair project

or want to install a toilet, kitchen and improve community facilities in your place of worship, then the National Churches’ Trust Grant Schemes

can help you.

Churches, chapels and meeting houses in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland open for worship and which are part of a denomination belonging to Churches Together in Britain and Ireland are eligible to apply.

The National Churches’ Trust Grant schemes are now open for 2015 and accepting new applications. Churches can apply for a grant any time up to 30 September 2015.

Repair GrantsThe National Churches’ Trust’s Repair Grants

programme offers grants of £10,000 and above towards the cost of urgent and essential structural repair projects. A small number of grants are available at £40,000 and above.

Projects must have an estimated cost of at least £100,000 (including VAT and fees) to qualify.

Community GrantsThe National Churches’ Trust’s Community

Grants programme offers the opportunity to

apply for grants of £5,000 and above for projects which introduce facilities to enable increased community use of places of worship. All types of community projects will be considered, but should include toilets or catering facilities. To qualify, projects must have an estimated cost of at least £25,000 (including VAT and fees).

WREN Heritage Fund Any application for a Repair Grant will be

automatically considered for a WREN Heritage Fund.

The National Churches’ Trust is one of WREN’s key partners along with English Heritage, Cadw and Historic Scotland in identifying candidates. We recommend projects at eligible Christian places of worship in England.

The fund offers a limited number of grants between £15,000 and £75,000 for urgent structural repair projects supported by other public grant offers and with a minimum cost of £50,000 (including VAT and fees). Since the launch of the WREN Heritage Fund in 2010, over £2.5m has been awarded to 52 urgent projects in Great Britain.

Grant applications can be made online at www.nationalchurchestrust.org/our-grants

Bertie the BusSt Botolph’s Church, Chevening

did not know what to do with a growing numbers of Sunday school children. For a couple of years a Hall was used but it was over a mile away and the parents, teachers and older members of the church did not like being separated from the children. The PCC prayed (and talked!) and came up with the idea of a mobile Sunday school on a double decker bus. This would avoid any planning problems beside a Grade 1 listed church.

Rector Rev Chris Smith was uncertain about the idea but tested the water by writing to Sir Brian Souter of Stagecoach to ask for a bus. He very kindly agreed and a bus was dispatched. South East Coachworks re-sprayed the bus and it was dedicated by Ven Clive Mansell on December 7. Rev Smith said afterwards, ‘God has been so good! He gave us a bus, half of the £15,000 to convert her and the whole project only took six months. And when ‘Bertie’ was first used as a venue for Sunday Club 45 children turned up!’