Journal: Armed forces covenant

Today, on the sixteenth anniversary of the opening of the Milleneum Chapel at the National Memorial Arboretum, the Bishop of Lichfield signed a covenant committing the diocese of Lichfield to the support of those associated with the military within its bounds.

I had the immense privilege of not only being present at the service, but also took part in it, and that made something quite special, just a little more so (if that was possible). The bishop spoke extremely well (having a pointyhat is no guarantee that what's going to be said is good!) and added a cherry to an already rich cake. The previous bishop was an amazingly humble and lovely bloke - the new man is different and yet carries with him the same attributes, which is a bit of a win indeed!

So I got to play cleric, soldier and be present in the NMA at the same time doing something important with regard to the life of the diocese and the lives of those who serve (or have have served) and their families.

There weren't a good many at the event, just enough and only the right people really, but that was all that was required. We honoured God and we committed ourselves to peace and the support of those who are, or have, served.

All in all - brilliant day indeed.

So chilled and relaxed - could do this every day :-)

Restart Parties - more steps forward

Yesterday (Sunday 1st February) found me chatting to the lovely Michelle Dawes of BBC Radio WM on her Sunday Breakfast programme. The topic under discussion was Tamworth's soon to be appearing 'Restart Party' (http://therestartproject.org).

The reason it came to people's notice was this article in the Tamworth Herald:

Get electrical items repaired free of charge thanks to Tamworth vicar's unique idea*

By Tamworth Herald  |  Posted: January 10, 2015   By Helen Machin

Rev Vic Van Den Bergh is to launch 'Restart' in Tamworth, repairing electrical items for free. Vic is pictured with his oscilloscope.

A TAMWORTH vicar is to launch a project which will see a team of experts repairing electrical items completely free of charge. Rev Vic Van Den Bergh, vicar of St Francis Church, Leyfields and acting vicar of Tamworth, plans to hold the first 'Restart Party' at Easter.

He has recruited a host of engineers to help with fixing broken televisions, phones, laptops and other similar appliances which members of the public will be invited to take along.

Vic, who is a qualified electronics engineer with a keen interest in the subject, hopes that the scheme will help people save cash and will be good for the environment.

He said: "Restart parties are held in other areas and I thought it would be good to start the scheme in Tamworth.

"Basically, if you have an electrical item which is broken, bring it along and we will fix it. It will be completely free of charge.

"People will throw away a two-year-old TV which is broken and buy a new one, when the old one could be repaired with just a capacitor costing a few pence. People will throw away their broken phones and get into debt buying new ones – they can be repaired.

"This scheme will save people money and, of course, it's green, it will mean people are throwing fewer things away."

Vic, also the driving force behind Tamworth's hugely successful Street Angels project, is hoping to set up several Restart groups across the town if the project proves successful, and is also hoping to repair larger items such as tumble dryers and washing machines.

Anyone who has the skills to repair electrical items and who would be willing to offer their services free of charge can contact Vic at tamworthrestart@btinternet.com

This article let to the BBC contacting me and here's the broadcast:

Hopefully more people will get passionate about being the difference in our town and volunteer their skills (and others to learn to fix stuff too) - You don't need to be a Christian to get onboard, you just need to care (and the rest, we can hopefully add)

Pax

*Read more: http://www.tamworthherald.co.uk/Bright-spark-s-idea-answer-prayers/story-25823023-detail/story.html#ixzz3Qbx3NJQW

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+ Should have added that whilst we provide the tools and the skills - the cost of the parts will need to be met (but hopefully we can find some source of funding for that as we progress too!)

Lichfield Diocese - Going for Growth

Lichfield Diocese have taken a look at the 'Going for Growth' themes that has been with us for a few years now and although we are being encouraged to 'use words' elsewhere, what we have is a graphic representation for the five themes.

This is an exciting and valuable way of communicating the themes and of signposting and making the ministry opportunities and our missional engagement immediately visible.

The logos are:

Armistice ...

At the National Memorial Arboretum this year saw the Bishop of Wolverhampton and Bishop John Kirkham (and me) up at the Armed Force's Memorial to remember those who have died in the service of this nation of ours and to pray for those who have served, or serve now, and their families.

We also prayed for all victims of conflict across the globe and committed ourselves to strive for peace and mutual support of all people.

Simon Jones made this short film about the work and value of the NMA and thought a bit about the day's happenings:

St Chad - A Quiet Day

Because being a discipleship is a lifelong journey, Lichfield Diocese created a rule of life inspired by St Chad (sometime bishop of Lichfield). Within this is an active and spiritually refreshing path that draws us closer into relationship and knowledge of Christ and the word of God and helps us to submit ourselves in obedience and in returns brings increasing depths of peace, wisdom and enabling to each of us.

As part of this the Community of St Chad (CSC) are holding a quiet day, something which is always valuable (having had one yesterday I can still feel the benefits tonight) and beneficial, the details of which are below:

Reaching New Generations - Lichfield Diocese

Today is set aside in Lichfield diocese as a day of prayer for the young. As I was praying this morning, and as others in our church, parish and deanery will also be doing so, I was struck by a comment I heard this week:

Some people want it to happen,

Some people hope it happens,

Some people pray it happen,

Some people make it happen!

Now I don't want you to think that I am saying that prayer is not effective, for I know that this is not the case; what I am saying is this:

All too often I meet people who have either identified or been made aware of a need and their first response is to say, "Oh, let's pray about it." Then, having dutifully prayed, they consider their part done and sit back waiting to see how God is going to do it.

I encounter far too many people who are'concerned' but are not engaged. They clearly see a need and are willing to talk about it to whoever will lsiten at the time (and do the same with God) but do not examine their church to see how it can be made effective and welcoming. They ask the questions and bemoan the fact that 'nobody is doing anything about it' and drone endlessly on about how the need is 'never' met and how they hope that one day someone will wake up and do something.

Meanwhile God looks at the situation and wonders why one earth those people who can see the need keep asking Him to do something when he's already 'something' through the Cross of the Christ and the enabling of His Holy Spirit. What He needs is for those who are asking to do the something He's asked them to do in response!

Today we are praying for 'New Generations' and this is fantastic.

But are we opening our doors to them and seeking to reach them with an old and established message in ways that are culturally and linguistically effective?

Is inculturation something we are considering?

Are we putting on Kid's Clubs and other events that will bring the 'New generations' through our doors and into relationship with us?

Can I commend Lichfield's 'Reaching New Generations' document as something worthwhile to read on this issue? (click on the words and it will download)

We will reach new generations when we leave the comfort and security of our church buildings and get out where the 'new generations' are and engage with them, putting aside the tosh that you need to be young to be effective with them, in ways that break down the barriers that false opinions and attitudes create; by seeking to find the image of the invisible God in them and leading them into a place where they can see God's hand is already on them and His Spirit working through (in, and on) them too!

Please pray this prayer sometime today (and them resolve to make rather than want or hope):

Almighty God and loving heavenly Father

Thank you for calling us by name and welcoming us into your family

Help us to reach out to new generations

so that children and young people

may find their identity as your daughters and sons.

Bless all churches and individuals meeting for prayer today;

Give us vision, faith and hope

that your kingdom may come in our Diocese

and your will be done in and through our lives.  Amen

Pax

Mission Shaped Intro

This time next week we will have finished the first session of the 'Mission Shaped Intro' course here at St Francis', something that excites me immensely. That said I'm not sure how many we will get coming and the potential for disappointment (for some) is great - but I'm happy if we get half a dozen and anything over that will be a blessing indeed.

So a request.

Please pray:

+ for those who might decide to come that they will be informed, enabled and released.

+ for the team who will be leading sessions during the course (Reader, Pioneer Minister, Dogcollar).

+ that from those who come we find people discovering vocations that lead to ministries being shaped.

Pax