Bishop Tim

I have been approached by the Revd Javaid Iqbal, on behalf of local Pakistani Christians, about whether I would lend my support to raise funds for the victims of the Pakistan floods.

I am sure, like me, you will have been shocked by the devastation that has been caused over the last week to millions of people. Each day we learn that more and more people are affected by the floods and we hear the stories of those made homeless, of families grieving for lost ones, and of those now becoming ill through lack of food and access to clean water.

As a diocese we have amongst us a significant number of people from Pakistan who will have family and friends affected by this disaster. I know that our churches have in the past donated generously when such incidents occur. The Diocese is advertising the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal for Pakistan (www.dec.org.uk) on its website, and I would encourage you if at all possible to make a donation. Christian Aid are one of the partners to this appeal, and they are working tirelessly to bring assistance to those affected in Pakistan.

I have also asked the Diocese Board of Finance to assist in the collection of funds, and have agreed that they will receive cheques and pass them on to the people of Pakistan through the DEC appeal. Please send a cheque made payable to ‘Leicester Diocesan Board of Finance’ to John Orridge, Director of Finance at Church House, St Martin’s East, Leicester LE1 5FX. Please mark the back of the cheque ‘Pakistan Flood Appeal’.

With many thanks

+Tim

With thanks to the many Churchwardens, clergy, administrators and others who took valuable time to complete the Statistics for Mission returns, for the first time this year we have produced a summary of these returns. 

It’s a story of what God is doing across the county and city, with details of growth (and decline) specific to Deaneries, Mission Partnerships, rural, town and city, occasional offices and the like.  Some of the results will positively surprise, but many will also challenge us in mission. 

To download the summary (or even all the raw returns data so you can undertake your own analysis) go to: http://sbg.dioceseofleicester.com/?p=379

Please can you amend your copy of the Calendar of Prayer under the entry for 8 September.

Unfortunately Patty Bailey was left out of the personnel at the Benefice of Cosby and Whetstone.

Apologies to Patty and for any confusion caused.

With the Diocesan Assembly fast approaching we are now inviting you to register your attendance and also giving you the opportunity to select which workshops you wish to attend. Click the link below and download the workshop booklet and return it to the address listed.

workshop booklet 

It is with some sadness that I announce today the resignation of Jane Easton as Diocesan Secretary to take effect from 27 August 2010.  Jane has been appointed to the role of Secretary General of the Royal Air Forces Association with its headquarters in Leicester. 

Jane has been Diocesan Secretary during the last six years in which she has taken a leadership role in relation to our partnership with the Diocese of Coventry, the reshaping of our Diocesan finances, and more recently in preparing for the major relocation to St Martin’s House. 

She will be very much missed by her many friends and colleagues for her warmth, her absolute commitment to the work and her very substantial energy and skill in dealing with the complex and multi-faceted work of a Diocesan Secretary. 

All of this has been undergirded by her evident Christian faith, her desire to be of service to the Diocese as a whole and to encourage and to enable those around her.  I personally will miss Jane as a colleague and I know that many others will be sad to lose her.  We wish her well and assure her of our prayers as she prepares for this significant national responsibility.

This weekend Leicester Cathedral was the venue for the ordination of 20 people to be Deacons and Priests in the Church of England.

At two services led by the Bishop of Leicester, this annual event welcomes men and women called by God to work as Curates and Vicars across the Diocese of Leicester.

On Saturday at 5.30 pm, 11 people who were made Deacons this time last year became Priests, and on Sunday at 10.30 a.m. a further 9 people began their lives of service in the church and community, working alongside vicars in churches throughout the city and county.

 The Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Revd Tim Stevens is delighted. “That so many people are hearing the call of God to Priesthood in the church is a cause of great celebration. Many of them have come out of secular employment in a wide variety of roles, and we rejoice that they’re prepared to commit their lives to God and people in this way.”

The service was led by Bishop Tim, with Bishop Christopher and the Dean, with the full Cathedral choir and about 700 guests of the Ordinands.

 Details and photographs of those ordained can be found on the Diocesan website

On Sunday 23rd May four Canons were installed at the Cathedral. Stephen Barney who is Chair of the Board of Finance, the Revd Philip O’Reilly and the Revd John Sharpe all became Honorary Canons, and Canon David Jennings became Canon Theologian. The Cathedral Choir were joined by the Choir of St Catherine Burbage and together they sang splendidly.
Stephen Barney’s daughter Georgina read from the Old Testament, Exodus 33:7-20 and Revd Clare King, Deacon at St Chad’s  and wife of Philip O’Reilly read from the New Testament, 2 Corinthians 3:4 to end. David Jennings delivered the sermon.
A key part of the service is the prayer of promise and commitment.
God our Father,

                    in the name of Christ and in the power of your Spirit,

we commit ourselves to you and to one another,

to live, work, and pray as one body in Christ,

to trust each other as fellow workers in your Church,

and to give ourselves with body, mind and spirit

to the ministries to which you have called us.

Give us vision, give us courage, and give us joy,

that the world may believe that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to your eternal glory.

We speak as leaders of the many faith traditions in Leicester and Leicestershire to those from our own faith, to each others faith traditions and to the people of our city and county.

The forthcoming general election will present many opportunities for legitimate debate about many pressing issues in our society, including the economy, immigration, employment, the community and social cohesion. Such debate must be addressed in an informed and balanced way according to the highest standards of civilised society and mutual respect. As faith leaders we do not endorse any particular political party, but we acknowledge that the challenges facing us will require clear policies and strong leadership from elected politicians. We understand that there is widespread dissatisfaction with politicians and the political process, but we urge all people to vote.

Our different faiths charge us with the pursuit of the common good of all people. We believe the presence in our communities of people from different ethnic, cultural and religious origins is a strength of our society. We are therefore committed to the development of our nation, and to Leicester and Leicestershire in particular, as a thriving, multi-faith, multi-cultural, multi-racial and cohesive, inter-cultural society and will work at every opportunity for its continued success.

We cannot stand by when certain sections of our community, especially those in particular need and who find themselves marginalised and disadvantaged, are maligned, misrepresented and singled out for abuse. We wish to express in the strongest terms our distaste for any individuals or groups using a political platform to destabilise communities through the use of misinformation, fear, scare stories or inflammatory rhetoric. We therefore urge all people not to vote for any racist party in the forthcoming general or local elections, and to ensure that their misguided policies are challenged at every opportunity. We are clear that the voice of faith and of all people of good will must counter racist voices.

We all have the responsibility to work for a more just society, and we commit to our prayers all those standing in the forthcoming elections.

Signed:    The Rt. Revd. Tim Stevens, Bishop of Leicester
The Revd Peter Hancock, Chair of the Northampton Methodist District
The Revd. Terry Oakley, Moderator of E. Midlands Synod of the United Reformed Church
The Rt. Revd. Malcolm McMahon, Bishop of Nottingham
Mr Michael Hockaday, Congregational Federation representative for Leicestershire
Major Jonathan Roberts, Divisional Commander, East Midlands Division of the Salvation Army
The Revd. Diane Tidball, Regional Minister, East Midlands Baptist Association

Mrs Manjula Sood, Chair Leicester Council of Faiths
Mr Ramanbhai Barber, on behalf of the Hindu Community
Mr A K Gheewala, Federation of Muslim Organisations
Mr Resham Singh Sandhu on behalf of the Sikh community
Mr Tony Nelson, on behalf of the Jewish community
Dharmavidya, on behalf of the Buddhist community

The Archbishop of Canterbury has welcomed the appointment of the Right Reverend Tim Thornton, Bishop of Truro, as Chair of The Children’s Society.  Dr Williams said “I am very pleased indeed to welcome the appointment of Bishop Tim Thornton as Chair of The Children’s Society. He will bring to this post many qualities – energy, empathy and intelligence – that The Children’s Society will need in its vital work of advocacy and care.”  For further information, see end of briefing or go to: http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/2821

DIOCESE OF LEICESTER
Petertide Ordinations 2010
Conducted by The Rt Revd Tim Stevens, The Bishop of Leicester

Priests
(Leicester Cathedral.  17.30  Saturday 3 July 2010.   By the Bishop of Leicester)

Martin Roger Castle: Leicester, Martyrs

Stephen Andrew Crofts: Birstall and Wanlip

Bonnie Jean Evans-Hills: Leicester, Resurrection Team Ministry

Carol Ann Lacey: Leicester, St Anne, St Paul and St Augustine

Nicola (Nicky) Jane McGinty: Barrow-Upon-Soar with Walton-Le-Wolds, Wymeswold, and Prestwold with Hoton

Harriet Grace Orridge: Ironstone Villages Family of Churches

Rhona Margaret Passey: Hugglescote, with Donington le Heath, Ellistown and Snibston

Andrew (Andy) Craig Rhoades: Hexagon Group

Christopher (Chris) Drewett Taylor: Shepshed and Oaks in Charnwood

Alison Claire Thorp: Bosworth and Sheepy Group

Chloe Ann Mary Willson-Thomas: Leicester, Knighton

Deacons
(Leicester Cathedral.  1030 Sunday 4 July 2010.  By the Bishop of Leicester)

Susan (Sue) Frances Bradley: Glenfield

Sonya Helen Joan Brown: St Philip, Leicester

Lesley Ann Butler: Emmanuel Loughborough and St Mary in Charnwood

Timothy (Tim) Robert Day: Holy Apostles, Leicester

Adrian Thomas Furse: Wistow Benefice (The parishes of Fleckney, Kilby & Wistow with Newton Harcourt)

Helen Hayes: Bradgate Team – Ratby cum Groby with Newtown Linford

Alan Humphrey: St Bartholomew, Kirby Muxloe

David Lower: Sileby, Cossington, and Seagrave

Sally Margaret Rowland: Melton Mowbray Team Ministry

The Bishop now announces the dates for the installation of the New Cathedral Canons at Leicester Cathedral: 

Honorary Canons

Sunday 9 May at 4.00 pm

• The Revd Canon John Hall who will be the new Director of Interfaith Relations for the Diocese and the Director of the St Philip’s Centre
• Mrs Mary Lawson the new Director of Education for the Diocese

On Sunday 23 May at 5.00 pm 

• Mr Stephen Barney, Chairman of the Diocesan Board of Finance
• The Revd Philip O’Reilly, Parish Priest of the Wistow benefice
• The Revd John Sharpe, Rector of Glenfield and Area Dean of Sparkenhoe East

 On Wednesday 9 June at 5.30 pm 

• The Revd Rob Gladstone, Vicar of Rothley and Area Dean of Goscote
• The Revd Chris Oxley, Vicar of St Anne with St Paul and St Augustine Leicester
• Mr David Wilson Esq DL

Canons Theologian

On Sunday 23 May at 5.00 pm

The Revd Canon David Jennings, Rector of Burbage

On Wednesday 9 June at 5.30 pm

The Rt Revd Gordon Mursell, Bishop of Stafford

The Bishop of Leicester achieved the dream of every young boy – and doubtless not a few young girls – as he took to the controls of a big digger and broke the ground to mark the beginning of work on the new St Martin’s House.  

To read more about the opening ceremony and the project as a whole visit the Diocesan website

http://www.leicester.anglican.org

The Bishop announces that Revd Paula Hollingsworth, Priest in Charge, Benefice of Houghton-on-the-Hill, Keyham, Hungarton has been appointed (subject to CRB) as Priest in Charge of Westbury sub Mendip, Easton and Priddy in the Diocese of Bath and Wells.  The announcement will be made in both Benefices on Sunday 11 April 2010.  It is anticipated that Paula will be licensed in her new role on Saturday 24 July.

The Bishop announces the early retirement of the Revd Richard White, Rector of the Benefice of Ibstock with Heather in the North West Leicestershire Deanery, on 31 May 2010.

The Bishop announces the retirement of the Revd Richard Barribal, Priest in Charge NSM of the Benefice of Welham, Glooston and Cranoe and Stonton Wyville in the Gartree First (Harborough) Deanery, on 30 June 2010. 

Further to the Bishop’s announcement of the appointment of the Revd Dr Mark Smith, Vicar of St Paul’s, Scotforth in the Diocese of Blackburn as Team Rector (Priest in Charge) of the Benefice of the Vale of Belvoir Parishes in the Framland Deanery with particular responsibility for the Parish of Bottesford and ministry to local schools, I can now advise that Bishop Tim will conduct the service of licensing on Monday 28 June at 7.30 pm at St Mary the Virgin, Bottesford.

The Bishop announces the appointment of the Revd Canon Dr Stephen Foster, Canon Residentiary and Precentor, Leicester Cathedral as Co-ordinating and Anglican Chaplain, University of Leicester. Bishop Tim will license Stephen on Wednesday 1 September at 8.00 am morning prayer at Bishop’s Lodge.

As part of our mission in the diocese, Bishop Tim will spend lunch time giving away Hot Cross Buns in Leicester Market on this Wednesday 31st March. With them will be a napkin telling briefly of the message of Easter. If you would like to join Bishop Tim as he meets the shoppers in the market please come from 11am to the front of the Corn Exchange

Maundy Thursday service

Everyone from throughout the Diocese is very welcome to come and join this Easter celebration of our life together as people witnessing to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. At this special Maundy service we will acknowledge together the significance of our baptism, and with many of our clergy remember and celebrate the promises they made at their ordination. Also during this service special oils for healing and baptism are blessed and are then taken back for use in parish churches. Lunch is also available afterwards. All clergy and lay people are invited to attend. The ministry of prayer with the laying on of hands and anointing for healing of mind, body and spirit will be offered after the service in St Katherine’s Chapel.

Be Part of the Gathered Choir

Over quite a number of years now, a mixed choir comprising of voices from across the Diocese has sung as part of the Maundy Thursday Diocesan Eucharist…and it has always produced a fine result and added so much to this important and evocative Liturgy in the Diocesan Calendar.

If you would like to sing this year, we would be delighted!

Sight reading is an advantage, but by no means essential. Simply come along, enjoy, and learn from one another!

Please email Jonathan Gregory at – jonathan.gregory@leccofe.org – together with which voice you have: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Rehearsal begins in the Song School promptly at 0930hrs.

The audio and text downloads of all five of Bishop Tim’s Lent Lectures are available by following the link below and clicking on the link Lent Lectures 2010

Lent Lectures

I was delighted to hear the news that FareShare, the charity supported by my Lent appeal, has won a prestigious award by becoming ‘Britain’s most admired charity 2010’.  I’d like to use this as an opportunity to ask you to remind your churches that FareShare, staffed in Leicester by volunteers, has operating costs with which we can all help.
The Diocese of Leicester was instrumental in setting up FareShare Leicester for the poor and hungry people in Leicester and Leicestershire.  Leicester is the only ‘Van Franchise’ in the whole FareShare operation and uses volunteer staff and free premises, at present operating one day a week from the St Paul’s Worship Centre.  A van is hired each week to collect food from a depot in either Bristol or Birmingham, and returns with food which is delivered for distribution to around twenty local charities.  FareShare Leicester is run by the diocese and redistributes surplus foods from supermarkets that would otherwise end up in landfill to those who are destitute or living in poverty.  Last year the project gave out almost 50 tonnes of food which has helped to provide 120,000 meals for the most vulnerable last year.
The TV programme ‘The Secret Millionaire’ came to Leicester recently, and Jahan Abedi a property tycoon born in Iran and now living in Cardiff gave away thousands of pounds to different projects in Leicester, including CASP the Northfields project, which is one of the organizations served by FareShare Leicester which received funds to buy a new mini bus for the community.
For FareShare to run in Leicester funds are constantly needed and it is to this which I hope you will feel able to give.  For example, the cost of a day’s van hire and fuel, to collect the food to service the twenty charities, is at present approximately £120, which will rise with fuel prices.
As we approach Easter, I would like to ask you to think how as a church or as individuals you may be able to help FareShare.
Thank you.
In His name.

Tim

The Appeal leaflet may be downloaded here lentappeal2010
or further copies are available from Church House 0116 248 7424

The next Calendar of Prayer covering 4 April to 3 July is available on the Diocesan website.

Maundy Thursday 2010

Maundy Thursday Eucharist  at the Cathedral, 11.00am – the ministry of prayer with the laying on of hands and anointing for healing of mind, body and spirit  will be offered  after the service in St Katherine’s Chapel.

.

The Bishop announces the retirement as Canons of Leicester Cathedral of Mr William Moss, Lady Ann Brooks, Mrs Patricia Pinder and Mr Terence Cocks.

The Bishop announces the appointment of the following new Canons:

Honorary Canons

Mr Stephen Barney, Chairman of the Diocesan Board of Finance
The Revd Rob Gladstone, Vicar of Rothley and Area Dean of Goscote
The Revd Canon John Hall who will be the new Director of Interfaith Relations for the Diocese and the Director of the St Philip’s Centre
Mrs Mary Lawson the new Director of Education for the Diocese
The Revd Philip O’Reilly, Parish Priest of the Wistow benefice
The Revd Chris Oxley, Vicar of St Anne with St Paul and St Augustine Leicester
The Revd John Sharpe, Rector of Glenfield and Area Dean of Sparkenhoe East
Mr David Wilson Esq DL

Canons Theologian

The Revd Canon David Jennings, Rector of Burbage
The Rt Revd Gordon Mursell, Bishop of Stafford

Installation services will take place on Sunday May 9th at 4pm (a service of welcome and installation for John Hall and Mary Lawson), May 23rd at 5pm and June 9th at 5.30pm.