Bishop to be Principal of Queen’s, Birmingham
THE Suffragan Bishop of Aston, within the diocese of Birmingham, the Rt Revd Anne Hollinghurst, is to be the subsequent Principal of the Queen’s Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Educational in Birmingham, it was announced last week. She will take up the post in September, succeeding Professor Clive Marsh, who’s retiring. Bishop Hollinghurst was ordained priest in 1997, and served her title at St Saviour’s, Nottingham. In 1999, she became a chaplain of Derby University and the cathedral for six years, before moving to Manchester diocese. She was Vicar of St Peter’s, St Albans, from 2010 until her present appointment.
New independent co-chair for Response Group
THE independent co-chair of the group responding to recent reports on safeguarding within the Church of England (News, 15 March) has been appointed. It is Lesley-Anne Ryder, a former charity chief executive with experience of labor supporting vulnerable adults and kids. She has worked on social-care policy within the NHS, is a supervisor for Cruse Bereavement Care, and chairs an area charity. The other co-chair of the Response Group is the Bishop of Stepney, Dr Joanne Grenfell, who’s the lead safeguarding bishop. It is known that the Response Group will conduct a consultation on responding to the recommendations within the reports by Professor Alexis Jay (News, 23 February) and Dr Sarah Wilkinson (News, 15 December 2023). The announcement on the C of E website, on Tuesday, says that an independent recruitment firm was liable for the collection of candidates, and that Ms Ryder was interviewed by members of the Response Group and survivor representatives.
Decision regarding the Archdeaconry of Harlow
THE rural deanery of Harlow is to hitch the archdeaconry of Stansted, and the agricultural deanery of Epping Forest and Ongar is to hitch the archdeaconry of Chelmsford, the Bishop of Chelmsford, Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, has announced on the diocesan website. Harlow archdeaconry, within the Barking Area — the smallest of the seven archdeaconries — “was never intended as a full-time post”, she says. A consultation followed the previous Archdeacon’s retirement. “The majority supported making a change, and the one largest response got here in support” of the merger, she says. The Bishop’s Order will mean “a redrawing, not only of Archdeaconry boundaries but in addition of Episcopal Areas. . . At the June 2024 Diocesan Synod a clarificatory amendment can be recommend to reflect this transformation in our Area Scheme.”
Four men jailed for Euston drive-by shooting
FOUR men have been sentenced to between 13 and 26 years in reference to the injury of two children and 4 women outside St Aloysius’s RC Church, Euston, in London, in January 2023, when shots were fired from a moving vehicle (News, 20 January 2023). The men were convicted in February of conspiracy to wound with intent to cause serious harm (News, 23 February). At Kingston Crown Court on Friday, Tyrell Lacroix-Omar, 23, of Dorman Way, Swiss Cottage, was sentenced to 26 years. Jashy Perch, 20, of Churchfields Road, Watford, who was also convicted of possession of a knife and cannabis, was sentenced to twenty years. Jordan Walters, 24, of Hilltop Avenue, Brent, was sentenced to 13 years. Alrico Nelson-Martin, 20, of Griffin Close, Brent, who was also convicted of possession of a shotgun with intent to endanger life, was sentenced to 14 years.
Thirtyone:Eight launches election-year ‘manifesto’
THE independent Christian safeguarding charity Thirtyone:eight has published its first manifesto to enhance policy, laws, and guidance for parliamentarians, lawmakers, charities, and faith-based organisations, to provide higher protection to adults and kids within the UK. Recommendations in Together We Can: A manifesto for a safer society for all, published on Tuesday, are grouped under three essential themes: to strengthen safeguards already in place; to guard victims and survivors of abuse higher; and to create safer environments for all. The manifesto is split into 4 policy areas for Scotland, Northern Ireland, England, and Wales. In an election yr, the charity is looking on the Government to align safeguarding laws so far as possible across the nations. The public policy and research manager for Thirtyone:eight, Leigh McFarlane, said: “We’ve already seen significant success; we realize it works. We’re looking forward to working along with other like-minded organisations and individuals.”
CYM survey looks at ministry to young people
THE Institute for Children, Youth, and Mission (CYM) is to research into the state of ministry for younger generations. An online survey — “Taking the heartbeat of ministry amongst children, young people and families within the UK” — is open until 19 May. The research is being led by Dr Sarah Holmes of the CYM Research Centre and Liverpool Hope University. Questions include: “Does anyone care about ministry amongst kids, youth and families? Why are there so few on the teams? Why is there no more funding available? Do the activities make a difference anyway? Do people actually want younger generations within the church? Do families feel welcome and included in church?”
Correction: In our story last week concerning the flooding of St John the Baptist, Edlingham, in Northumberland, we misspelt the situation of the church and incorrectly stated that it was now a part of a united benefice with St Michael and All Angels, Felton. We apologise for the errors.
