Bishop Peter Ball documentary: ‘I’m now more angry than shocked’
More angry now than shocked – that was how Justin Humphreys (pictured), CEO of independent Christian safeguarding charity thirtyone:eight, reacted to The Church’s Darkest Secret, a BBC documentary broadcast this week on serial abuser Bishop Peter Ball.
The harrowing two-part programme included testimonies from victims, police, lawyers and church officers, as well as dramatic reconstructions. Ball was sentenced in 2015 to 32 months in prison for a series of offences, including misconduct in public office and indecent assault, more than 20 years after the first allegations against him were made. He served 16 months of his sentence. Further charges were allowed to lie on file. He died last year, aged 87.
‘As a Christian, I must fight for the church and pursue what is right and just,’ said Justin. ‘As an organisation, thirtyone:eight has been working in this area for more than 40 years, and although we have seen much change, it doesn’t get any easier especially in the face of such appalling stories. At the same time, it gives us a renewed conviction that things must change. I believe that change begins with me choosing to be the change I want to see!’
The nature of the abuse included naked praying, masturbation, and flagellation for Ball’s own sexual gratification. Archive footage of Ball from an ITV programme from the 1980s on his monastic lifestyle is shown, as is his appearance on Wogan, the BBC talk show, and press images of Ball with establishment figures such as Margaret Thatcher and the Prince of Wales.
‘The church needs leaders who are prepared to speak out and remind the institution of the need for change in its safeguarding record,’ said Justin. ‘This is not just the case in the Anglican church but across all church denominations and groups. This generation of Christian leaders have a once in a lifetime opportunity to leave a legacy for future generations of a church culture that is open, transparent and a place of safety for all. I pray they may have the courage to take it.’
• thirtyone:eight are on stand E30 at CRE Midlands
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Modern slavery: Now hope begins at home
When Jared and Helen Hodson came across people living in slavery they did more than pray – they took vulnerable folk into their own home.
Seeing how much could be achieved, even with three sons of their own, they set up a charity, Hope at Home, to encourage others to do the same. At CRE Midlands they will explain how widespread trafficking is in the UK and how others can help in the rescue work.
‘More than 100,000 people are in modern slavery here in Britain,’ said Jared Hodson. ‘The Bible makes it very clear – we have a duty to help unfortunate people. We need people to pray, provide finance but also to use a spare room to provide short-term accommodation to help those who are rescued, recover. Many churches have an advice centre or provide food in a soup run but we are challenging them to take that care further by offering short term accommodation to these people at risk or who have been a modern slave.’
The charity was established two years ago but the family had been welcoming people into their home for the previous four years. The experience gave them valuable expertise and helped them create important contacts. It also opened their eyes to the desperate need to provide a ‘family’ and network of support for their guests.
‘We always ask our three boys, now teenagers, before taking someone in and they have never refused anyone,’ said Jared, who worked for a large hotel chain training staff in the UK and other parts of the world, a job which provided ‘lots of hospitality.’
Since 2017 he has been working full time for Hope at Home and his previous experience has been invaluable. Helen is an experienced community development worker and freelance writer and has worked with people of all backgrounds. The couple have surrounded themselves with an experienced team including an immigration lawyer, accountant, former police officer and magistrate as well as working in partnership with agencies across the country.
‘We would love people to visit our stand, understand the enormity of the problem and take up the challenge,’ said Jared.
• Hope at Home are on stand P5 at CRE Midlands
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All he has to do is act biblically
This time last year he had never heard of Open the Book – now he’s played Jesus and Wise Man 3 in front of hundreds of children.
In early 2019 the Bible Society asked James Greig (pictured above), who has a background in TV production, to help them produce some videos covering the organisation’s 20th anniversary celebrations. The job entailed travelling across the country interviewing a host of storytellers along with past and present members of Open the Book, a project which started with a small group of mostly newly-retired people in Bedford. Twenty years later it involves more than 17,000 volunteers reaching some 800,000 children every year.
‘I was struck by the sheer enthusiasm, passion and joy that everyone seemed to get from being part of it all,’ explained James. ‘It is a simple idea – acting out the stories of the Bible – but with a far-reaching and powerful impact.’
In the Autumn, James received an email – ‘out of the blue’ – asking him whether he was free the following Thursday to help with a fledgling project in the village called Open the Book. If so, would he play Jesus? Buoyed by the positive comments he had heard from the anniversary events, James ‘dived straight in’.
‘The telling of Jesus feeding the 5000 was only the second or third Open the Book assembly at our little village school,’ recalled James. ‘They’d also been spread apart, timewise. Yet when the children were asked if they remembered the previous stories, their hands shot up and they recalled the stories almost perfectly. I was bowled over by how impactful this simple act of storytelling is and for some, probably the only time they will hear bible stories.’
Open the Book staff will be at CRE Midlands 2020 to encourage more people like James to play the parts of some of the most significant people in history.
• Open the Book are stand A21/A22 at CRE Midlands
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Photo: James Greig by Gerry Stacey
Banging a gong for the countryside
The UK’s 15,000 rural churches will find valuable help at CRE Midlands – thanks to an organisation set up by the man behind the most famous gong in history.
J. Arthur Rank, legend of the British film industry and a devout member of the Methodist Church, set up the Rank Foundation following an illustrious career producing famous films like The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943), Henry V (1944), A Matter of Life and Death (1946) and a series of comedies starring Norman Wisdom.
The Arthur Rank Centre, which has been situated at Stoneleigh Park for nearly 50 years and specialises in helping churches outside urban conurbations, will exhibit at CRE Midlands.
‘Visitors to our stand will discover a arrange of resources and training programmes,’ said Rev Claire Maxim, a Church of England rector who took on the role of chief executive 18 months ago. The centre is the base for national rural officers for URC, C of E and Methodist churches and acts as a network hub for rural officers and agricultural chaplains.
‘We will tell people from rural areas what we can do for their churches,’ explained Claire, ‘whether they have problems with buildings, worship or liturgy, for example. And, of course, we carry clout politically with advocacy on legislation from a Christian perspective.’
The organisation’s magazine, Country Way, is another important resource, containing articles of specific interest to rural churches. Developing the creative and entrepreneurial skills of rural church leaders is the focus of a leadership training programme – and a series of conferences are organised for anyone involved in rural mission and ministry.
Visitors to CRE Midlands will also discover how to make Rural Mission Sunday 2020 – Sunday 19 July – a special celebration of the life and work of rural churches.
• The Arthur Rank Centre are on stand P12 at CRE Midlands
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Photo: Hawkshead in the Lake District.
Search on for catwalking clergy at CRE Midlands
The search is on for contributors to Clergy on the Catwalk, a special presentation of clerical clothing at the upcoming Christian Resources Exhibition (NAEC, Stoneleigh Park, 4/5 Mar 2020).
A wide variety of formal and informal ecclesiastical clothing, for both genders, will be displayed by leading designers like Hayes and Finch, Collared clergywear and local designer Rev Naomi Nixon, new CEO of the Student Christian Movement. In her spare time, Naomi makes clerical tops and dresses to sell in Coventry’s St Clare’s at the Cathedral, a pioneer church community and shop, tucked between old and new cathedrals.
‘All Naomi’s items are high-quality cotton jersey, in beautiful prints and colours,’ said Rev Charlotte Gale (pictured above), who runs the shop. ‘We aim to provide well-made, comfortable and stylish clothes that fit “real” women and can be bought off the shelf – so no ordering and waiting.’
Clergy all over the UK have bought Naomi’s clericals but in the diocese of Coventry you are likely to see several women at a meeting of ministers wearing one of her tops or dresses. No men are supplied because ‘we can’t keep up with demand from women!’
Up to half a dozen clergy will be needed for the catwalk which takes place at 11am on Wed 4 March.
‘No modelling experience is required. All denominations, shapes, ages – and both genders – considered!’ explains CRE Midlands event director Brett Pitchfork. ‘Each participant will be given £50 as a thank you.’
Clergy wishing to take part in Clergy on the Catwalk should contact CRE on 0161 240 4500. Email here.
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Turning ‘scary’ evangelism on its head
A major video-based training course, designed to envision and equip Christians to share their faith naturally, will be available at CRE Midlands 2020.
The initiative goes back to 2007 when Tim Moyler (pictured) ran a version of a Living & Telling course developed first by David Wilson of Agapé UK.
‘I was hearing story after story of young people going to university and falling away from faith,’ said Tim. ‘I was passionate that this wouldn’t happen to my own kids and other young people in the church. I adapted the course for school leavers. It was just a small group but one of them is now in the leadership team of a church plant in Exeter, another leading a national movement amongst students in the UK.’
In the autumn of 2008, Tim, who lives in Woodbury in Devon, connected with Dave Pegg and together they ran Living & Telling in Exeter. Although pitched at primarily college and university students, it has always attracted people of all ages and is now aimed at churches and groups who are looking to equip Christians to become more confident in sharing their faith.
‘Discipleship is evident throughout the whole course,’ explains Tim. ‘Living & Telling can help people discover a whole new adventure and sense of fun. Instead of it being something scary and off-putting, we turn the whole thing on its head. Living & Telling can help people do that. It really does encourage as well as equip Christians to look at discipleship and sharing our amazing news in a fresh way.’
Tim will lead a seminar on Living & Telling at CRE Midlands (3pm, Wed 5 Mar).
‘The exhibition is where we will chat with the very people for whom we made the course,’ said Tim.
• Agapé UK are on stand B13 at CRE Midlands 2020
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Phishers of men: don’t become an easy target
Clever computer criminals want to take your money, your identity and even your church – that will be Dave Carlos’ stark warning to visitors at CRE Midlands 2020.
When it comes to cyber security, Dave has a lifetime of experience. An interest in home computers in the early 1980s resulted in his appointment as editor of Home Computing Weekly. The cover story on his first edition introduced readers to the way the early Prestel system had been hacked.
Eventually he started his own PR company, advising producers of computer games, before moving to CRE exhibitors Agape and Care for the Family. However, a request from a local group in Fleetwood determined his current role.
‘I devised a talk on computer security and presented it to a number of organisations,’ he recalled. ‘That same presentation has been revised substantially over the years and I can even provide a link to watch it online.’
Dave also works with Lancashire Police, giving presentations to groups, churches and companies.
‘I was accepted as a cyber volunteer and now also help to train new police officers!’ he explained. ‘Our work came to national attention when we were runners up in the prestigious Lord Ferrers Awards 2019 as Team of the Year for Volunteers in Policing.’
Dave’s CRE Midlands seminar – Cyber Security and Digital Safety in Your Church (date and time tbc) – will help church representatives and home computer users grasp basic safety measures when online.
‘There are so many devious criminals wanting to take over your computers, your money and even your identity, that it is a subject of crucial importance,’ he said. ‘Everyone using a computer and going online ought to be aware of the many pitfalls and how to protect themselves.’
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Half a million join Advent journey
An estimated 500,000 people are currently on an Advent journey with a Real Advent Calendar, according to Meaningful Chocolate pioneer David Marshall.
‘That number is made up of 150,000 children and other family members,’ said David, who founded the company 10 years ago. ‘Nearly 500 calendars have also been donated to a food bank scheme.’
It all began when the former communications director saw the wrapping on an egg that said ‘Easter is a season of chocolate and loveliness.’
‘I was shocked that a commercial company would make such a claim that was just not true,’ he recalls. ‘I couldn’t find anyone making an egg with any religious significance so I came up with the idea of a fair trade egg which told the original story.’
At first it was just a paragraph on the box. Now each egg comes with a 24-page activity booklet proclaiming the Easter story in full. The first egg was produced in time for Easter 2011. Supermarkets refused to sell it and major sales went through churches and church schools. Now more than a million eggs are produced and some supermarkets have begun to stock the product.
Six years ago David vision’s expanded to include Advent calendars – again using Fair Trade chocolate and proclaiming the real message of Christmas. The eggs and calendars are produced under Fair Trade regulations and the packaging contains no plastic and is fully recyclable. The company has donated more than £250,000 to charitable causes.
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Send a Cow: African-designed solutions for rural communities
A charity born because UK farmers were forced to slaughter healthy dairy cows, is now in its fourth decade of operation.
In 1988, many UK dairy farmers were outraged by strict EU milk quotas which forced them to throw away good quality milk and even slaughter their herds. At the same time, families in Uganda were recovering from the country’s brutal civil war which had destroyed farm land and livestock.
A small group of Christian dairy farmers from the west country decided to donate some of their own dairy cows to rural families in Uganda. Send a Cow was born.
The charity continued to send livestock from the UK to Uganda until 1996 when the BSE crisis took hold. Since then, all livestock has been sourced from within Africa.
The charity works in six countries and provides a proven package of support and training in farming, hygiene, business skills and gender equality. More than two thirds of the people supported are women.
‘Every day, families face poverty that is extreme, cruel and worst of all unnecessary,’ said Ann Hatton, Send a Cow’s church development manager.
‘But rural Africa is rich with opportunity and where there is land, there is hope.
We don’t impose solutions, instead we focus on helping people grow them from within. Our African-designed solutions are developed with and for rural communities.’
Through taking part in Send a Cow’s projects, families receive the skills and confidence they need to get the most from their land, so they can grow enough food, earn a living and go after their dreams.
‘The charity now does much more than provide cows,’ said Ann. ‘We work with rural communities to make the most of their most precious resource – the soil beneath their feet – and create lasting self-belief.’
• Send a Cow are on stand C24 at CRE Midlands 2020
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Answering questions about your church and social media
In a world where a fifth of 16 to 24-year-olds spend more than seven hours a day online, it’s time to reflect Jesus there.
So says Ben Elliott (pictured), head of innovation at CRE exhibitor CPO, who will lead a seminar at CRE Midlands (3pm, Wed 4 Mar) exploring ways to build your local church through social media.
‘Never before have we been exposed to such a sweeping change in such a short space of time,’ admits Ben. ’It’s easy to feel as though we’re on the back foot. We need to maximise all communication streams to share Jesus. A joined-up approach is required, linking print and digital.
‘If you’re facing burning questions about social media in your church and which networks you should be using, how often to post and what kind of content works best – come along and receive! You will leave knowing how to create a simple digital strategy.’
As well as his job at CPO, Ben is founder of the Church Comms Collective, a group which facilitates greater peer-to-peer support for church communicators across the UK. He is also a digital leader at his church, The Well, in Sheffield.
• CPO are on stand E1 at CRE Midlands 2020
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