This Newsletter is available below as a .pdf file for you to print, copy and distribute.  But  be warned,  it's longer than usual this time -  plenty to read ....

Newsletter.pdf

By coincidence of our formation, Inclusive Church activities so far have been largely focused on London, and our next big event takes us back to our roots at St. Mary’s Church, Putney for our Fifth Birthday celebrations. However, in the coming 12 months we are planning to hold events from Gloucester to Edinburgh, and many places in between!

In the mean time, we are hoping to record some of our events, so that you can be a part of them wherever in the world you are! The four excellent addresses from our Women Included event at Southwark Cathedral are now available online. You can hear Giles Goddard (our Chair), Clare Herbert (our Coordinator), Christina Rees (Chair of WATCH), and Rosemary Lain-Priestly (Dean of Women’s Ministry in London Diocese) at www.youtube.com/user/inclusivechurch

 

www.youtube.com/user/inclusivechurch

Subscribe to our videos, rate them, and forward them to your friends!

 

 

“A Space For Grace” – Festival Eucharist with lunch

Our Fifth Birthday is this weekend!  There are still places available at

at a special Eucharist and lunch

On Saturday 4th October at 10.30 a.m. – 2.00 p.m.

at St Mary’s Church, Putney High St, London SW15 1SN

President – Revd Jenny Thomas, Chair, Association of Black Clergy

Preacher – Canon Giles Goddard, Chair, Inclusive Church

All are very welcome; activities will be provided for children

The Eucharist will be followed by a short workshop “Life after Lambeth – Where do we go from here?” to review the

Lambeth Conference, launch “IC TOMORROW” our strategy for the next three years and develop our plans for this year.

COST £10 including lunch. £5 concessions (payable on the door). Children (under 16) free.

To book please email office@inclusivechurch.net or ring 07762 373 674

We are delighted to have two new patrons:

Jenny Te Paa’s Principal of Te Rau Kahikatea, College of St. John the Evangelist in New Zealand.

Nomfundo Walaza, CEO of the Desmond Tutu Peace Centre

We will be hearing from Jenny and Nomfundo in future editions of our newsletter…

While some of our events remain London centred we are reaching out wherever we are asked to present our work more locally. So far we have a timetable which reaches from Edinburgh to Exeter! Do continue to make requests both for road-shows and for preachments – we will do out best!  Here are initial dates for confirmed events for the next twelve months.  More details to follow as plans develop.  Note the dates for our next residential conference,  following up on Drenched in Grace

Autumn 2008

Wednesday 5th November 2.00pm – 5.00pm,

The Norwich Centre, Univ. of East Anglia

“Fireworks in the Church – Ways Forward in Sexual Ethics”

Representatives of Inclusive Church in East Anglia meet the Chair of the Centre for the Study of Christianity and Sexuality to create a day conference on sexual ethics in 2009

Thursday 4th December 6.30pm – 9.00pm ,

St Paul’s Church , Gloucester.

“Inclusive Church Seminar and Supper”

An introduction to the work of Inclusive Church with a focus on the generous spirit at the heart of the Anglican tradition of spirituality and worship.

Winter 2008/9

Wednesday 14th January, 7.30pm

St Agnes Church, Manchester

“Inclusive Church Presentation and Supper”

Saturday 7th February

Day Conference on Inclusive Language, London (TBA)

March

Old St Paul’s Church, Edinburgh

“Inclusive Church Roadshow”

Spring 2009

May

ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH NOTTINGHAM

“Inclusive Church Roadshow”

Saturday 13th June

MACCLESFIELD

“Inclusive Church Roadshow”

Summer 2009

July

LIVERPOOL

“Inclusive Church Roadshow”

August

Inclusive Church at Greenbelt

Autumn 2009

Monday October 5th – Wednesday October 7th

SWANWICK, THE HAYES CENTRE

Second National Residential Conference

“WORD ON THE STREET” – the Bible in our life and faith

Friday 20th November

SHELDON, DEVON

Inclusive Church takes the “Friday Fringe” for the

Society of Martha and Mary, Sheldon

If you would like to attend any of these events or know more about them,

please contact us on office@inclusivechurch.net

or telephone Clare Herbert, National Coordinator for Inclusive Church 07504 577210

 

You can see this event online at: www.youtube.com/user/inclusivechurch

The Feminist Theology Group at Southwark Cathedral hosted an evening of debate, ‘Women Included?’ on Wednesday 24 September. Philippa Ward introduces the evening:

It is always good to know you are not alone. The first step was finding a group within Southwark Cathedral like the Feminist Theology Group, to talk about all the ways that connecting with God is different as a woman, to share inspiration and talk about the challenges facing women in the church.

But then making that connection at a national level, seeing how organisations like the Inclusive Church and WATCH are working together to overcome differences and to find common ground in fellowship, is inspirational.

This was the largest event that the Feminist Theology Group has organised – and there was some concern that we wouldn’t fill the chairs. But nearly 90 people, with a good mix of men and women of all ages, came along for the evening (and the wine and dips beforehand). The excellent speakers, hosted by Clare Herbert from the Inclusive Church, stirred up debate and the time ran out before the questions and thoughts did. A lot was packed into two hours and everyone was buzzing as they left.

Giles Goddard talked about the mission of the Inclusive Church and also reminded us that there are many parallel journeys going on for other minority groups, who we can learn from and share with. There was a passionate telling of ‘the story so far’ for women bishops from Christina Rees, chair of WATCH. Rosemary Lain-Priestly, Dean of Women's Ministry in the London Diocese, was left to talk about ‘the rest’, which she did with a wonderfully down-to-earth humour.

It isn’t often that you feel that you are part of historical events: that you can play a small part in shaping an institution that means so much to you. But it really brought it home to us that this is an exciting, as well as a difficult time. It has opened up possibilities: there is a place for us to make a difference. We came away encouraged, newly motivated – and with enquiries about membership, so hopefully our group will grow further. This was another step on the road, and a very enjoyable one.

(Texts of two of the talks - by Rosemary Lain-Priestly and Giles Goddard -  can be read by scrolling down to the end of this newsletter)

Here in the Church in Wales many of us are very grateful for all that our brothers and sisters are doing in England to promote a vision of an inclusive church.

As you may have heard, our Bench of Bishops last week issued a statement saying that they have decided not to appoint a replacement Provincial Assistant Bishop (PAB), to replace Bishop David Thomas, who ministered to those opposed to the priesthood of women. This decision is welcomed by many in the Church in Wales but Credo Cymru (the equivalent of FIF in Wales) is highly organised and we fear that they will begin a strong campaign to try and overturn this decision.

I wish it was not the case, but the voices of complaint sometimes shake the confidence of our Bishops and they rarely seem to be on the receiving end of campaigns of affirmation.

I think it would be really helpful if as many people as possible could write to Archbishop Barry to thank him for this decision, telling him of the hope and liberation their action speaks of and the encouragement it gives to others.

Archbishop Barry’s address is: The Most Reverend Dr B C Morgan Llys Esgob, The Cathedral Green, Llandaff, CARDIFF, CF5 2YE

His e-mail address is: archbishop@churchinwales.org.uk

Letters seem to have more impact than e-mails but any support would be appreciated.

The Republic of Heaven comes out of Jonathan Clark’s own experience and draws on the various spiritual dwelling places he has found. But perhaps more importantly still, it is a story of the Church’s future, and as such, if it is to have any force, it needs to be a story created together by the people of God. Jonathan Clark invites you to see whether this might also help you to understand your own story, and your place within God’s future. Jonathan Clark is Chair of Affirming Catholicism.

To order, email: direct.order@marston.co.uk or call 01235 465 500.

Alternatively, visit www.spck.org.uk

978 0 281 05948 5 £10.99

‘This is a vivid and readable book by an experienced parish priest who believes in what he is.’

David Stancliffe. Bishop of Salisbury and President of Affirming Catholicism

 

Autumn Education Series (October - November 2008)

VOICES FROMTHE EDGE

This year’s autumn education programme is a series of presentations which focus on the experiences and stories of people on the edges of society whose lives and choices challenge us. Each of the presentations has, we believe, a prophetic and sometimes difficult voice which demands that we consider the vision which is at the heart of our Christian faith and its call to action and transformation. Each presentation will be followed by the chance for questions and discussion.

Tuesday 7 October (7.00pm-8.30pm): "Voice of the Poor" Julian Filochowski (The Bishop Romero Trust) & Helen Stawski (Archbishop of Canterbury’s Programme Director for International Development).

Julian Filochowski speaks about the martyred El Salvadorian-Archbishop Oscar Romero and his voice for the liberation of the poor. Helen Stawski speaks about the meaning of the Gospel for those in some of the poorest parts of Africa. The presentation will take place in St. Martin’s Hall and will be chaired by Martin Haigh

Tuesday 14 October (7.00pm-8.30pm): "Voice of Inner City Youth" Kids Company & Doreen Lawrence (The Stephen Lawrence Trust)

Kids Company will speak about the problems facing teenagers in the city and the road to transformation and hope. Doreen Lawrence will talk about issues of race and providing justice and opportunity for young people in the face of prejudice based on her own story after the death of her son Stephen. The presentation will take place in St. Martin’s Hall and will be chaired by Rod Beadles

Tuesday 28 October (7.00pm): "Voice from South Africa" Tongues of Fire Youth Theatre from Johannesburg

A new generation of South Africans communicate their hopes and aspirations for South Africa’s future. The group is part of the Sophiatown Ambassadors Programme, established by the Trevor Huddleston Memorial Centre and are hosted by the ASHA Centre in the UK to develop the use of voice and drama in their programmes of social outreach. The presentation will take place in the Church and will be chaired by Tricia Sibbons

Tuesday 4 November (7.00pm-8.30pm): "Voice for Creation" Brother Samuel (The Society of St Francis)

Brother Sam talks about the work and vision of the Hilfield Project, which brings together both a commitment to peace and justice between people and also a care for our natural environment. Rooted in the life and spirituality of St Francis of Assisi, which they believe is radically relevant for today, Hilfield is a place where people can come to join them in seeking peace, reconciliation and the integrity of creation. The presentation will take place in the Church and will be chaired by Jean Long

Tuesday 11 November (7.00pm): "Voices of Those Seeking Asylum" Helen Bamber (The Helen Bamber Foundation) with Juliet Stevenson

The Helen Bamber Foundation believes a society will be judged by the way it treats its most vulnerable. Based on the work of the Foundation with asylum seekers and victims of violence and torture, the presentation will give an insight into their work and those they support. Juliet Stevenson reads some of their testimonies. The presentation will take place in St. Martin’s Hall and will be chaired by Richard Carter

by Giles Goddard, Chair of Inclusive Church

Talk given at "Women Included" 

You can see this address online

at: www.youtube.com/user/inclusivechurch

Or you can read it  here

Rosemary Lain-Priestly (Dean of Women’s Ministry in the Diocese of London)

Talk given at "Women Included"  at Southwark Cathedral

You can see this address online

at: www.youtube.com/user/inclusivechurch

Or you read it here

We still need your inclusive prayers/liturgies/sermons/study groups/school assemblies. There is a great deal of exciting work going on all over the country (and indeed the world), and we can achieve even more if we pull together and share resources. We would like to gather resources on our web page and perhaps in future publications, and by submitting anything you grant us permission to reprint it in any format. You will always be credited for your work (if you wish) but we will not be able to pay you (all money from any publications will be used to fund our further work).

We’d also like to produce a booklet ‘100 Steps to a More Inclusive Church’ with ideas for breathing inclusive life into Parishes. (Not just inclusive language Bibles/Hymn books – lets get creative…). But we need your help! (Otherwise it will be called ’41 steps to an inclusive church.')

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