Welsh churches look for closer unity; Forward in Faith director to retire; Death of Sir Stuart Bell MP; A day of judgment for liberal bishops; Activists stage pulpit protest in St Paul’s
Welsh churches look for closer unity
Churches and chapels in Wales could share bishops, ministers and buildings as radical plans to promote unity are discussed.
Churches from a variety of denominations in Wales have been discussing ways of eradicating long-standing divisions between Christians in order to move towards greater unity.
The theme provided a significant part of the agenda of “The Gathering” organized by five member churches of the World Council of Churches (WCC) at Aberystwyth University in Wales.
The event took place on Saturday 13 October, and featured a keynote address by the WCC general secretary, the Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit.
The conference was attended by representatives from the five Covenanted Churches in Wales – the Methodist Church, the United Reformed Church, the Presbyterian Church of Wales, the Church in Wales and some Covenanted Baptist congregations.
Between the five denominations they number about 2,500 local churches.
The event celebrated the work of the Covenanted Churches and presented recommendations on moving forward with ecumenism in Wales.
More at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-19929715
Forward in Faith director to retire
It was announced on Friday last at the Forward in Faith National Assembly that Stephen Parkinson will be retiring at the end of December, after over 19 years as the Director of FiF. He will be succeeded by Dr Colin Podmore, who is currently the Clerk to the General Synod of the Church of England.
FiF Chairman Bishop Jonathan Baker commented: ‘It is thanks to the tireless work of Stephen Parkinson that Forward in Faith has been able to make such an impact on the life of the Church of England. As its Director, he has played a pivotal role in building Forward in Faith into the distinctive and dynamic organisation that it is today. It is a tribute to Stephen’s achievement that we have been able to attract so distinguished a successor.’
‘Colin Podmore will bring to the role a wealth of experience at senior level in the Church of England. He is passionate about the faith and order of the catholic Church as received by the Church of England and has long been committed to the visible unity of the one Church of Jesus Christ,’ Bishop Jonathan added.
Dr Lindsay Newcombe, Vice-Chairman of FiF, said: ‘Forward in Faith gives hope and confidence to the many young Anglicans of orthodox faith who need a structure in the Church of England within which they can thrive and share their faith with others. Colin is well equipped to support us in making that vision a reality.’
Death of Sir Stuart Bell MP
The Secretary of the Church Commissioners of the Church of England, Andrew Brown, issued the following statement.
“It was with great sadness that we learned today of the death of Sir Stuart Bell MP from pancreatic cancer aged just 74.
“Sir Stuart was the longest serving Second Church Estates Commissioner and served both the Church Commissioners and the Church of England with distinction. Before stepping down following the last election he regularly answered questions on church matters in the House of Commons covering a wide range of topics. He was a man of wisdom and integrity; he will be much missed. Sir Stuart’s family remain in our thoughts and prayers.”
Sir Stuart Bell MP for Middlesborough served as Second estates commissioner from 1997 – 2010.
The Second Church Estates Commissioner provides an important link between Government and the established Church. The Second Commissioner answers oral and written questions from MPs about Church of England matters, is a member of the Ecclesiastical Committee and steers Church of England legislation through the House of Commons. He or she is required to be a confirmed lay member of the Church of England and is by convention an MP from the governing political party. The post is a Crown appointment, made on the advice of the Prime Minister and whilst it is honorary and unpaid, the position of Second Church Estates Commissioner is included in the published list of Government members. The Second Church Estates Commissioner is also an ex-officio member of the Church of England’s General Synod.
A day of judgment for liberal bishops
Damian Thompson in the Daily Telegraph – The strangest thing happened last week, though few people noticed it. America officially ceased to be a Protestant country.
According to the Pew Forum, the percentage of Protestants has dropped to 48 per cent, down from 53 per cent in 2007. That’s a huge shift.
But, before Catholics start punching the air, let me point out that the percentage of Catholics has been flatlining for years at 22 per cent. The big jump is in unaffiliated Americans, including atheists – up from 15 to 20 per cent. These “Nones”, as pollsters call them, are laying waste to the religious landscape of the United States. And Britain.
Here’s the question that intrigues me. Once the old, routine churchgoers have died off, and now that “None” is the default position for liberal-minded young people, what will the churches of the future look like?
We’re beginning to find out. More to the point, the clapped-out Anglican and Catholic bishops of the English-speaking world are finding out, too – and it’s giving them nightmares. More at:
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/damianthompson/100184908/a-day-of-judgment-for-liberal-bishops/
Activists stage pulpit protest
BBC – Four women from the Occupy London movement chain themselves to the pulpit in St Paul’s Cathedral.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-19943083