Readers may recall that in this column last month, Archdeacon Donald wrote about a turning point in his life. This month has other such moments for him and his family and indeed for all of us and so I write to encourage us all to pray. We will be anticipating Easter when this column appears next, and during Holy Week will hear again those taxing words of Jesus to his disciples, “stay awake and pray”.
One of the greatest ways to be in solidarity with others is to pray for them, with them, alongside them; whichever is the most appropriate in the circumstances. At turning points in our lives the knowledge of others’ love and concern expressed in this way can be enormously comforting, to say nothing of the actual effects of the prayer itself. This has been true in my own experience over these demanding months and years. To know my colleagues and I have been in people’s prayers has been encouraging and humbling, affirming and strengthening.
So, as the Allisters move into the Bishop’s Lodging and make it their home, and as the consecration service in St Paul’s Cathedral sees Archdeacon Donald become bishop, what better welcome could there be than knowing that in every place in the diocese there are people praying? Those prayers, continued through the great events of the Easter season, will be a huge support as the Installation service takes place in Peterborough Cathedral on April 17th and Donald is fully and visibly our 38th Diocesan Bishop.
What then might we pray for Donald Allister at this memorable turning point in his life? “That he may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding”. Words the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Colossae as he longed and prayed that “they might bear fruit in every good work and grow in the knowledge of God”. As our bishop what could be more enriching for him and for us than that close and life-giving companionship with Jesus.
Thank you for all the generous solidarity with the bishop’s staff over these months; we have been, and continue to be, deeply grateful for your prayers. We look forward to sharing the journey ahead with our new bishop, Janice and all their family.
Bishop of Brixworth.
The Mothers’ Union - so much more than tea-making
“We’ve decided we want to be a doing branch,” said Barbara Haynes, President of the newly re-formed Mothers’ Union at All Saints, Wellingborough (pictured). “The MU has moved a long way from its tea-making days, although we still sometimes do that. It’s much more project based.”
There are two main projects for the All Saints group, which has just re-started after a break of nearly five years. They collect toiletries for the local women’s refuge, where distressed clients arrive without such basic necessities. They also support the work of The Daylight Centre for the homeless. At present this means making up kit bags with a blanket and some food, all wrapped in a strong plastic sack that can be used as a groundsheet.
That’s not all. With members from other branches they run a Contact Centre twice a month at which estranged families can meet with their children in a friendly and welcoming environment.
They also knit. Since 2008, Barbara says MU members in the diocese have knitted more than 1500 teddies. They give them to Northants Police, who in turn give them away to children in all kinds of traumatic situations. Demand is high and the message is, “keep knitting!”
Supporting families worldwide is a central aim of the Mothers’ Union and membership is open to anyone who supports this cause, including single people and men. It’s possible to be a diocesan member even if there is no branch at your church.
You can find out about MU events in the diocese, including the Worldwide Day on 12 June at Kettering, by contacting diocesan president Meg Dyer on 01572 771564.
www.themothersunion.org
Business puts Christian principles into practice
Sound business advice for cash strapped times, and encouraging happiness, are just two familiar present-day themes contained in a new memoir from Michael Jones of St Peter’s, Weston Favell. In it he describes how his Christian faith led him to restructure the family jewellery business as a co-operative, in common ownership amongst its workers.
“It was my experience of youth work and reading the scriptures and that convinced me that co-operative ownership was the right way to go,” said Michael. “Christ sees the leader as a servant of the people he leads.”
As a young man Michael spent much time in Christian outreach to young people. This included manning a church run coffee bar in Northampton, frequented in the late 1950s by huge numbers of Teddy boys.
“I knew instinctively that Christianity had to be practised every day of the week and that unless I applied its principles at work, the preaching to young people would be pure hypocrisy,” he said.
Michael inherited the business in the late 1960s and by early 1970 the co-operative was formed.
After a thriving start the bleak economic climate of the late 1970s was a grim test for the enterprise. Eventually the bank advised that the number of staff should be reduced. “This was a great blow to me as I had been so keen on security of employment,” he said.
The experience crystallised the objectives of the co-operative into three areas: security of employment, fair financial reward and a happy working environment. They introduced a “no redundancy clause” which is still in place today.
The book (£15, with profits to Christian Aid) is available on 01604 405992 or anne.michaeljones@tiscali.co.uk
Also from St Peter’s Weston Favell:
The creative force must be strong at St Peter’s Weston Favell! No only does the congregation include Rosie Rushton, author of popular fiction for teenagers, professional musician Vince Cross has produced a CD of new settings based on the morning Eucharist. The former church music director said, “it’s a celebration of the times the choir and I spent worshipping together.” The CD is £9, from: vincecrossmusic@gmail.com
All set for Bishop Donald’s London consecration
Following the legal confirmation of his election as Bishop at St Mary-le-Bow Church in the city of London on 18 February, Donald Allister will proceed to his consecration as a bishop.
This will take place on Thursday 25 March, at 11am, in St Paul’s Cathedral in London. We hope that many will attend from the diocese and there is an open invitation to that service.
No tickets are needed but if you plan to come it would be helpful if you could let Sharon Welbourne at the Diocesan Office know. She is on 01733 887027, sharon.welbourne@ peterborough-diocese.org.uk
Finally, there will be the installation of Bishop Donald in Peterborough Cathedral. This is when he is formally welcomed to the diocese and takes his seat in the cathedral.
It will take place on Saturday 17 April and each parish will be invited to send one named representative. Clergy and licensed lay ministers will also be invited to attend.
For more about Bishop Donald, click here.
March Events
Some events at churches around the diocese. More