Murdered girl’s funeral donations to help Ugandan child; Bible interpretation centre opening in Wales; New media team for Church of England
Murdered girl’s funeral donations to help Ugandan child
Parishioners in Machynlleth , Wales, are to sponsor a child in Uganda in memory of April Jones following her funeral tomorrow. And all donations from April’s funeral at St Peter’s Church will go towards the sponsorship, which is being organised by the Christian charity World Vision.
Five year-old April Jones was snatched and killed almost 12 months ago. Mark Bridger, 47, was convicted of her murder and is now serving a whole life tariff for the crime.
Revd Kathleen Rogers, priest-in-charge, says the idea of the child sponsorship came because people wanted to see something good come out of the tragedy. A five-year-old girl in a village in Uganda will be sponsored by the parish until she finishes her education. Other donations will be an extra gift for the girl, her family and her village to use as they need. The parish will receive regular updates and photographs about the girl as she grows up.
Mrs Rogers says, “We have all, by the grace of God, come through a terrible, terrible tragedy; we are battered and bruised but by His continued grace we will find healing and peace.
“In an attempt to see some good out of this tragedy, we have decided to sponsor a little girl from a village in Uganda in memory of April. April’s parents have kindly asked that donations from her funeral be donated to this sponsorship and we are very grateful to them.”
April Jones’ funeral service will be held at St Peter’s Church tomorrow at midday. It will be a service of hymns and prayers with no eulogies. Hundreds of mourners are expected and will wear pink, April’s favourite colour, or a bright item of clothing. Balloons will be released at the end of the service.
Mrs Rogers, who will lead the service, says she hopes it will help April’s family and community begin to heal.
She says, “A funeral plays a significant part in the grieving process and the funeral of little April will be even more important for her family as the probability of such a service was very remote until the inquest two weeks ago. Our prayer is that it will be a starting point for them as they travel the long and painful journey of healing. It will also, I think, give the community permission to bring some sort of normality back to our town.”
In a message to be read out at the service, the Bishop of Bangor, Andy John, says, “The Diocese of Bangor is holding you as a family and as a community in its prayers. You are not alone.”
Bible interpretation centre opening in Wales
Bible Society is to open a new £1 million Visitor Centre in a deconsecrated church in North Wales after receiving planning permission.
St Beuno’s Church, at Llanycil, Bala, will be transformed into a place that tells the story of the Bible’s impact on Wales and, through Wales, the rest of the world.
The site has strong links with Bible Society, which bought the church in 2007. It was in 1800 that Mary Jones, aged 15, walked 25 miles from Llanfihangel-y-Pennant, across the Welsh mountains, to Bala to get a Bible from Revd. Thomas Charles.
Legend has it that she had saved for six years to afford it. Thomas Charles was so touched by her determination that he helped establish Bible Society four years later. He is one of a number of notable figures buried in the churchyard at Llanycil.
The Friends of Llanycil Church, established after the closure of the building have welcomed the development.
Secretary and local resident Rhiannon Dafydd, said, ‘It’s marvellous that Bible Society is literally returning to its roots, investing and developing in the exact location that it was formed. The Centre will be a great resource for the local community and we look forward to welcoming people from all over the world to Llanycil. There’s no doubt that this will also bring great benefits to the local economy.’
Funding for the Visitor Centre has been raised through the sale of some assets, and donations from Bible Societies around the world and supporters. The Centre, on the shore of Lake Bala, will have its own car park, picnic area and outdoor facilities with access to local footpaths.
Bible Society’s Group Chief Executive, James Catford said, ‘Since my student days at Aberystwyth University I have looked for opportunities to celebrate the Bible’s role in shaping the nation of Wales and the wider world. This work represents a significant part of Bible Society’s growth in Wales.
‘Bible Societies throughout the world are indebted to the nation and people of Wales for establishing what is now a global movement operating in 200 countries. We are deeply grateful and humbled by the generosity of some of these Societies who have given generously to this project out of their very limited resources.’
The new visitor centre will be officially opened in 2014 to coincide with the bicentenary of Thomas Charles’ death.
New media team for Church of England
The communications Office of the Archbishops’ Council has announced its new media team following a review and restructure of its communications operations with four new appointees joining the team.
Jillian Moody joins the team in the newly created role of Broadcasting Officer after over 20 years’ experience working for the BBC at Network and Regional levels on television, radio and digital. Latterly Deputy Editor of BBC Northampton Jillian has delivered media training and worked with a range of broadcasters including British Forces Broadcast Service. In her new role Jillian will oversee the in house production of broadcast resources as well as acting as a senior media officer.
Jessica Hodgson takes up the newly created role of Financial Specialist working with the Church Commissioners, Pensions Board and Ethical Investments Advisory Group. Jessica joins the team from the Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones Newswires with over ten years’ experience as a business journalist in print on national and Sunday titles and as a commentator on the media industry.
Talitha (Tallie) Proud takes up the restructured post of Digital Officer. With a degree in photography and substantial design portfolio Tallie joins the team from the Diocese of Chichester where she led on digital communications. She has advised on digital media strategy to various service providers as well as delivering social media training.
Tim Mayo joins the team as a media officer having worked for Cranmer Hall in Durham and as a Regional Co-ordinator for Prison Fellowship England and Wales. With experience in digital design, in house publications and branding, Tim will work with Church House Publishing and produce the monthly In Review and In Focus publications.
The new members of the team join Rachel Harden who heads the media team which works alongside Church House Publishing and the Projects team as part of the Communications office.
The Rev. Arun Arora, Director of Communications for the Archbishops’ Council said:
“I’m delighted that candidates of such calibre and creativity will be joining us in telling the good news of the work of the Church of England. From Education to Investment, Fresh Expressions to treasured Buildings, and Nightshelters to Foodbanks the Church is involved in all aspects of local life. Be it the one thousand weddings, two thousand baptisms or three thousand funerals conducted every week by the Church of England, the stories of service told daily in the lives of people across the country are a deep well from which to communicate the reality of lives and communities transformed to the wider world.”