1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

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NOVEMBER 2014
MAGAZINE
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THE
JOURNAL OF BLACKBURN DIOCESE : THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND IN LANCASHIRE
Archbishop
says happy
150th!
The Most Rev. and Rt Hon. Dr John Sentamu, accompanied by the Rt Rev.
Geoff Pearson, Suffragan Bishop of Lancaster, led 2000 pupils, teachers,
governors, local clergy and guests in a rousing chorus of ‘Happy Birthday’,
followed by three cheers for the school at the end of an open-air celebration
service.
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The highlight of the two days will be a fantastic mission event ‘Light in
Darkness’. It takes place at 7.30pm on November 4 in the fabulous Blackpool
Tower Ballroom. Make sure you bring a friend or family member (or several!)
who may not know Jesus, to hear the Archbishop’s powerful testimony.
Full details about the visit are available on a special area on the Diocese
website at www.blackburn. anglican.org.
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The entire school
family gathered for
the open air service
with the Archbishop
Printed promotional materials have been circulated to all clergy for local
distribution and other promotional materials for use online have also been
sent via email to all parishes. This includes a link to a message on our YouTube
channel from the Archbishop himself!
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Earlier this summer a letter sent to Barrowford Primary School in Nelson told
pupils that their key stage two test results do not always assess what makes
them “special and unique”.
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I first heard about it on Radio 5 and it featured widely in the media *.
At first there was a lot of affirmation for what headteacher Rachel Tomlinson
had written. There was a personal and child-focussed tone that I applauded.
Sometimes
it’s OK to be
sentimental
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This lady obviously has a higher view of education than some in that field who
see it too narrowly focussed on job preparation.
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There will be coverage in all local media, including BBC Radio Lancashire, and
you can follow the visit live via regular updates on our Twitter feed
@cofelancs and also on our Flickr feed and the Youtube channel.
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When the Archbishop returns in November he will carry out a number of key
engagements including visits to St Michael’s High School in Chorley where a
The Archbishop leads the
service, accompanied by the
Bishop of Lancaster, Rt Rev.
Geoff Pearson
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The event came just a few weeks before the Archbishop is due to return to the ‘Vocations Conference’ will be taking place;
the University of Central Lancashire
Diocese for a major two day visit on November 4 and 5.
Chaplaincy Centre in Preston; Blackburn
The Archbishop was delighted to preside and preach at the service for Ripley
Cathedral; Preston Minster (where he will
St Thomas and said: “This school can be proud of its long history and its
meet with clergy from around the Diocese);
service to the people of Lancaster. It is so important the Church of England has Mitton Church and a church school in
schools like this, they are a real sign of hope. Here’s to the next 150 years.”
Accrington.
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But for various reasons the barons of Fleet Street have come down hard on
our torchbearer. They have criticised her for plagiarising the material from an
American blog and for using sentimental twaddle.
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Pupils from Ripley St Thomas CofE Academy in Lancaster had a birthday to
remember when they received a visit from the Archbishop of York for their
150th anniversary.
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* You can read the letter online: just Google ‘Barrowford’, ‘Nelson’ and ‘letter’.
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I hear a headteacher who has a wider and healthier agenda for her pupils. OK
if it is a bit sentimental, what is wrong with that? Such feeling beats the tick
box mentality any day.
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I want to stand alongside this headteacher. She brings a bit of balance back to I take support from the message - Luke 2 v 52: “And Jesus matures, growing
up in both body and spirit, blessed by both God and people.”
education and lifts it out of the political sphere into a better place.
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The 20th annual Horseman’s Sunday Service took place in October at Penny Farm, the World Horse Welfare
site in Blackpool, writes Rev Godfrey Hirst, who is known as the ‘Cantering Canon’.
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The service included a procession of horses as well as hymns, readings and prayers
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Thirty horses, ridden or in hand, with their owners, attended the Service, which was regarded as one of the
best.
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Part of the Service focussed on the role of the horse in warfare especially being the 100th anniversary of the
outbreak of WW1 where over one million horses were used by the British Army.
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The day raised more £250 for World Horse Welfare and the staff there are really grateful for everyone’s
support.
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Godfrey Hirst ‘The Cantering Canon’ at the Horseman’s Sunday event. Picture courtesy of Johnston Press
The See can also be found on the Diocesan Website: www.blackburn.anglican.org under News, or scan the ‘QR code’ on the back page
with your smartphone to be taken to the Diocese website page which contains the current and archive editions of The See.
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News? Feedback? [email protected]
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COMMENT
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Is your name
in God’s
Book of Life?
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It is fascinating how so many of us
are entertained by the reality TV
shows, in which people compete
against one another in a dancing or
baking or talent spotting show.
When it comes to God, we tend not to be not so comfortable
that He, as Judge of all humankind, should be in a position to
make judgements about how we have responded to Him. It
feels somewhat inconsistent.
our future into His hands and commit to following Him is what
causes our name to be placed in His Book of Life and it is the
most important decision we ever make.
As we recall the names this month of those who have given
their lives in the service of their country in Remembrance
services, as we read out the names of loved ones in Books of
Remembrance, may we be prompted to make sure that our
names are written in God’s Book of Life. That’s the one that
counts ultimately.
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One of the themes running through the Bible is that of God’s
Book of Life, in which are inscribed the names of those who
have chosen to become followers of Jesus Christ. A name in
this Book is a guarantee of eternal life with Christ beyond
death and of sins forgiven.
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Something of the drama of who gets
sent home and who stays grips our
attention, as judges or the public make decisions about the
performance of others. It is a normal human activity.
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But there are also additional challenges – fewer resources,
poverty more extreme than we usually encounter in the UK,
communities affected by HIV and AIDS in a way it’s difficult for
us to comprehend and apartheid, though overcome, has left
its mark.
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We were also challenged, churches in South Africa face many
of the challenges that churches here do – managing finances,
supporting those in need in their communities, deciding how
best to use resources etc.
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Sam and I were greatly encouraged by the strong faith of
some of the young people and adults we spent time with who
were committed to serving their church. We hope we too
were able to bring encouragement to those we met.
The Dioceses of Blackburn and the Free State are also
celebrating 50 years of being linked this year. There will be a
service of celebration on Sunday November 30 at 4pm in
Blackburn Cathedral, at which Fr. Andile Mbutye from
Bloemfontein will preach. More information on the opposite
page.
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It was fantastic opportunity to ‘encourage one another and
build each other up’ (1 Thes 5:11).
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Our trip concluded with a weekend at the Diocesan Centre in
Modderpoort including a Youth Conference and Diocesan
Open Air Service (commonly known as the ‘Cave Service’).
One of the key aims of this trip was to prepare for another
trip. In August 2016 we hope to return to the Diocese of the
Free State with 20 young people aged 16-21yrs. If you or a
young person you know would be interested in this fantastic
opportunity please email [email protected] or go
to http://www.bdeducation.org.uk/youth-trip-to-the-freestate.html
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We were also able to spend time with Mosamaria AIDS
Ministry Itekeng Disabled and OVC Centre; Sunflower House
Children’s Hospice; Rev. Hilary Murphy’s Township Outreach
and members of the Diocesan Youth Academy.
We also hope to equip and support the
ongoing ministry of our brothers and
sisters in churches and schools in the Free
State by sharing resources, knowledge and
experience.
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Over the course of the two weeks we
had the privilege of visiting four
schools and 13 churches.
Following our visit we hope that we can
encourage and challenge churches and
schools here by sharing the testimonies of
those we met (if you’d like us to visit your
church/school please get in touch).
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Youth team
members
visit the
Free State
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On Monday August 18 this year Sam
Cheesman (Youth Worker/Chaplain at
Ripley St Thomas) and I flew to
Bloemfontein in South Africa to spend
two weeks in the Diocese of the Free
State, writes Kat Witham, Diocesan
Youth Officer.
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If you are not sure about all this, why not come and listen to
It is not enough to be in or rely upon our name in the Baptism
the Archbishop of York in the Blackpool Tower Ballroom on
or Confirmation or Electoral Roll register at church. The
November 4th. It will be a very special evening and might be
decision to repent of life without God, to trust our present and
particularly helpful in answering your questions.
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Sam Cheesman with
the exuberant kids
from Mosamaria OVC
After-School Club.
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PEOPLE AND PLACES
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November lunchtime recitals at St George the
Martyr, Preston beginning at 12.30pm: November
7; Felix Niel (flute) and Tyler Hay (piano); November
21, Qian Wu (violin) and Russel Lomas (piano).
Admission £6 (including light refreshments).
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A Fairtrade Christmas Market, with light
refreshments, will be held on Friday November
14th and Saturday November 15th from 10am 5.30pm in St Andrew’s Church Hall, Liverpool Road,
Longton, PR4 5AA - with a wide variety of food and
gifts for sale. Christmas cakes/ puddings and a
variety of wines may also be ordered.
St Leonard's Church Penwortham is holding a
Christmas Tree Festival on Saturday November 15
from 10am-5pm and Sunday November 16 after
the 10am service until 4pm, followed by Songs of
Praise. Admission £2; accompanied under 16s free.
Refreshments in the large hall.
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wine and mince pies. For further details, please ring
the Parish Office 01254 703929.
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St John the Evangelist, Worsthorne, Burnley, invite
you to their 39th Annual Christmas Concert and
Cantata
on Friday 5th and Saturday 6th December.
War, peace and the origins of the white feather are
Tickets are £5 each (reserved seating). For further
just some of the big issues pupils in our church
information, please contact Arlene Sykes on 01282
schools can explore thanks to exciting new
438319 for reservations or visit our choirs website
educational resources from our friends at the
Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales. Now these at www.sjschoir.com
A Festive Fairtrade Market will be held at The
resources - designed for Year 2 to Year 9 - have
Grand in Clitheroe on Saturday 15th November
been published and are available to download for
from 10am - 3pm. Stalls will include Fairtrade
all schools to use. Go to their website and search
products and local sustainable crafts. Refreshments
‘WW1 resources’ to find the materials.
will be available and local primary school choirs will
Pictures taken at the Maundy Service earlier this
year of HM The Queen presenting Maundy Money sing Christmas Carols throughout the day.
Admission is free.
to recipients from across Lancashire are still
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15, 17-22 and 24-29th. The middle one being for
those involved in church ministry.
available to order on the Diocese website. The
ordering area will remain live until the end of the
year. Only recipients and their family and friends
are able to access this area with password
information supplied to recipients in a letter earlier
in the year.
A very
successful
community
event
(pictured) was
held at St
Andrew’s Church Accrington in September. The
event, which was the second of its kind to be held
in the church, was sponsored by Community First
and brought together over 150 children and
adults from the diverse community. Many young
children and other family members from different
faiths and cultures came together to
communicate with each other, play party games,
enjoy face and henna painting and many other
fun activities. All who attended, including the
Mayor of Hyndburn, Councillor Munsif Dad, who
opened the event, spoke positively of the
enjoyment experienced in an atmosphere of
friendship.
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encourage children in schools in the Diocese to
Whalley Abbey is holding a special Christmas lunch become involved with the work of The Children’s
Society and receive collecting boxes during
week in December and is taking bookings now.
There will be delicious food and a great atmosphere October. Posters and information sheets will go out
and the venue would be ideal for an office or church to schools and parishes in early September. If you
could help by suggesting a school you know would
group party. The week runs from December 15 –
like to be involved and helping to distribute boxes
December 19, noon for 12.30pm dining each day.
For more information call 01254 828400 or visit the please email children@ blackburn.anglican.org
St Silas Church Preston New Rd, Blackburn is shortly
website www.whalleyabbey.org to see the full
to begin a major fundraising drive to save the
menus.
Are you longing for beauty, space and quiet in your church’s Harrison organ. The launch event will be
on December 13 with a concert by the Rawstorne
life? The Iona Community is facilitating a series of
Singers, then early next year there will be a concert
quiet weeks through November called ‘Reflection
on February 28 by Nigel Ogden of BBC Radio 2
for Action’. For more information see
fame. See the church website www.stsilasorgan.
www.iona.org.uk where you find the online
org.uk or email stsilasorganfund.email.com
booking form. This year these weeks run Nov 10News round-up
Autumn Fair, St. Silas’s Church parish
centre, Preston New Road, Blackburn. Saturday, 22
November 2014 11am-2pm. Admission free.
Proceeds go to Church funds and Organ
Restoration fund. Donations welcome. For further
details contact 01254 262324 or 01254 671293.
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The Blackburn Diocesan World Development Group
would like to encourage more churches and schools
A special multi-media event, ‘Brothers in Arms’
to use and sell Fairtrade products. Traidcraft and
takes place shortly. It tells the amazing story of the Created catalogues and information on doing more
Chavasse twins, Noel and Christopher, highly
Music for Remembrance Day with The Elswick
for Fairtrade will be available at the above event.
th
decorated soldiers who served with great
Alternatively, please contact Cath Greenlees: 01772 Singers on Sunday 9 November 2014 at St Paul's
distinction in WW1. Their lives tell an inspiring story -613500; [email protected]
Church (Marton) Blackpool starting at 7.30pm.
of courage, service, sacrifice and faith lived out
Tickets £8 children under 16 free. For further details
A
church
in
Leyland
is
about
to
practise
some
new
under fire. The evenings are free and are on
please ring 01253 987529 (Pauline Wilson) or
ministry
that
is
sure
to
put
a
smile
on
the
faces
of
Thursday 20 November 2014 at 7.30pm St
01253 692047 (Church Office).
the congregation. For they are playing host to a
Cuthbert’s Church Centre, Lytham Road, Fulwood,
The Diocesan World Mission Group is planning to
visitor
from
South
Africa
whose
ministry
is,
quite
Preston, Lancashire, PR2 3AR and Sunday 23
hold a ‘happening’ at Lancaster University
simply, just clowning around! The Rev. Michael
November 2014 at 7.30pm Lancaster Methodist
Chaplaincy Centre on Thursday, November 6, 7pm
Fourie,
together
with
his
wife
Dr
Elaine
Fourie,
are
Church, Scotforth Road, Lancaster LA1 4TE. To book
for 7.30pm. The main speaker will be JP Carvalho, a
visiting St Ambrose Church in Leyland from the
places or for more information please contact
young Brazilian man who works with OMF
church’s
link
parish
of
St
John
the
Baptist
in
Miranda Wraithmell, Parish Mission Support
Harrismith. Michael is known in South Africa for his International in Japan, and reaches out to young
Department Secretary. Email:
people, in particular, through Gospel street dance.
[email protected] or call ‘clown ministry’ and is running a clown workshop
The Group invites parishes across the diocese to
free of charge at St Ambrose Church Hall on Moss
01254 658916
attend and hopes especially that youth leaders will
Lane PR25 4XA, near to Junction 28 on the M6, on
A Messy Christingle event takes place at The
feel able to bring their groups to join in an evening
Sunday, November 9 from 2-6pm. More
Minster, Preston on Saturday November 29 from 3- information from Rev. Duncan Clarke on 01772
of worship and fun.
5pm. Before the event itself the organisers want to 623426.
St Aidan’s Church Hall, Station Road, Bamber
Bridge. Trash or Treasure? Table Top Sale. Buy or
While her husband is clowning around (see above)
Dr Elaine Fourie will be running an interpretive sign sell unwanted items. November 15, 9.30am-1pm
language and communication course at St Ambrose (Sellers from 9am; Tables £7). To book a table
please call Ellis on 01257 267464.
Church Hall on November 8 between 10am and
noon for anyone interested in this ministry. More
Situations vacant or wanted
information on number above.
Do you want to train to be a secondary school
St. Peters Church Darwen, Master Singers Concert
teacher? Then the Ripley PGCE could be your route
is on Saturday 8th November at 7.30pm at St
into teacher training. Now recruiting for September
Peters Church. The cost is £8 per adult and
A picture taken at a recent meeting of Deanery
2015 in the following subjects: Mathematics,
concession £6. Children under 16 free. This will be
Clergy Wives. They, and other similar groups,
Modern Languages, Design Technology, Music,
a wonderful evening of music and not to be missed. History, Geography. Get more details at:
have done this for many years, once a month at
Funds raised are towards the organ repair. Tickets
each other’s houses for coffee and a chat. They
www.ripleytsa.com or via email at
available shortly from St Peters church office.
are all either wives of retired clergy or clergy
[email protected]. sch.uk.
widows. As well as keeping up-to-date with all
St. Peter's Church Christmas Craft Fayre to be held
Clergy updates
things clerical they also act as a support group for
on Saturday 29th November 2014, 10am – 3pm. A
The Revd Andy Froud, Vicar of Clitheroe St Mary
each other.
host of stalls and refreshments including mulled
Forthcoming events
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The Revd David Goodwin has been granted a
general licence in the Diocese whilst he serves as
Chaplaincy Headquarters Adviser to the National
Offenders’ Management Service.
The Revd David Reynolds will retire as Rector of
Mawdesley with Bispham, Croston and Bretherton
on 30 November. David was ordained in 1973 and
served at Formby, Widnes and Southport in the
The Revd Jeff Finch will retire as Team Rector of the Diocese of Liverpool. He came to Mawdesley in
1987 and took on responsibility for Croston and
Fellside on 30 November. Jeff served his Title at
Bretherton in 2006.
Briercliffe. He was Priest in Charge of Brindle St
James and Assistant Diocesan Director of Education The Bishop has granted Permission to Officiate in
from 1987-1993 and Vicar of Laneside from 1993.
the Diocese to the Rt Revd John Goddard and the
In 2000 he moved to the Fellside as Team Vicar,
Revd Anthony Rees.
becoming Team Rector in 2008.
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During the last 50 years we have been
engaged in Sunday school projects
Mosamaria AIDS Ministry, Sunflower
House Children's Hospice; there have
been industrial mission links, high school
links, mothers union links and there have been two youth
pilgrimages and one adult pilgrimage.
We hope that as many people as possible will come along and
share the celebration and give thanks to God for a wonderful
journey together.
We have enjoyed exchanges from as little as three weeks to as
long as three years (Archdeacon Michael Everitt and family).
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It is said that Bishop Charles Claxton (Blackburn) returned from a
Lambeth Conference enthusiastic about the link with another
diocese.
And next year, to celebrate the 50th anniversary the Link
Committee is arranging a pilgrimage to the Free State, which will
be led by Bishop Julian and will leave on September 24, 2015 and
arrive back on October 9. If you are interested in going, contact
the organiser, Canon Tom Bill at 26 Thornton Road, Morecambe
LA4 5PE; phone 01524 417117 or email [email protected] for
more information.
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Bishop Burnett visited the UK in June 1965 and Bishop Claxton
visited South Africa in 1969. At this stage there were 20 formal
parish-to-parish links together with a special connection with
Hodderport the home of the Kelham Fathers in the Free State.
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We have shared in priestly formation, Sunday School leaders
training, stewardship campaigns, clergy schools in Free State
and clergy conferences in the UK. So together we have had a long
and fruitful friendship.
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Someone mentioned to him a 1948 Mothers Union prayer link
between the two Dioceses which predated the formal linking. This
reminded Bishop Claxton of his chance meeting with Bishop
Bill Burnett (Bloemfontein Free State) at Lambeth. The two got on
so well that they decided to commit their dioceses to a formal link
in November 1964.
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This anniversary year will be celebrated
with a service of thanksgiving in Blackburn
Cathedral on Sunday, November 30 at 4pm
at which Fr. Andile Mbutye from
Bloemfontein will preach.
A link with
the past,
present and
future
visited the Free State and five South
African bishops have visited the UK.
There have been 75 formal visits of clergy
or laity from South Africa and 115 of us
have formally visited the Diocese of the
Free State not including the many other
unofficial visitors encouraged by the link.
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This November the Diocese of Blackburn
and the Diocese of the Free State
(Bloemfontein) will celebrate 50 years of
being linked together, making it possibly
the oldest link in the Anglican Communion,
writes Rev. Canon John Hall, Link Officer for
our Diocese.
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The Revd Canon Timothy Lipscomb will stand down
as Area Dean of Preston at the end of the year. He
will continue to serve as Vicar of Preston St John
and St George the Martyr.
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The Revd Tracy Swindells, Asst Curate of Lostock
Hall and Farrington Moss has been appointed
Assistant Curate of Leyland St James. She is to be
licensed at Bishop’s House on 6 October.
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Magdalene, is also to be Priest in Charge of
Chatburn and Downham. He will be licensed by
Bishop Julian on 3 November.
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Light in Darkness
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More info at:
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www.blackburn.anglican.org
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Bishop Julian and wife Heather meet Bishop Stephen
Dintoe from our link Diocese of The Free State in South
Africa during the inauguration service at Blackburn
Cathedral last October
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To submit an article for the next edition by the deadline on the left, send to
[email protected]
For more information about deadlines and guidance for submission of articles to The See, visit the
Diocese website (www.blackburn.anglican.org) and search for ‘The See’
For change of delivery address or quantity of The See contact Christine Ellis at
[email protected] or phone 01254 503070
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Deadline for the
December
edition is
November 3,
2014
Blackpool Tower Ballroom, FY1 4BJ
November 4
7.30 - 9pm
A
FREE
EVENT!
See you
there!
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Archbishop of York
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And don’t forget to come along on November 30 at 4pm to
Since November 1964 there have been three link officers in the UK celebrate and give thanks for the 50 years of close friendship
and seven in the Free State. Four Blackburn Diocesan Bishops have between our two Dioceses and to look forward to many more
years of friendship together.