Films made for General Synod about Wilkinson findings
SIX documentary-style movies concerning the findings of the Wilkinson report on the disbanding of the Church’s Independent Safeguarding Board (ISB) (News, 15 December 2023) have been created by two General Synod members, Clive Billenness and Martin Sewell, who’re resulting from release the short movies — The Wilkinson Files — on YouTube over six days from today. In her report, Sarah Wilkinson, a barrister, concludes that a “complex matrix of reasons” led to the disbandment, and identifies the Archbishops’ Council as liable for “structural” issues in its founding and running. A paper on the findings from the Church’s National Safeguarding Team is to be considered by the Synod in London next weekend. The aim of the film project, Mr Billenness said this week, was “to assist Synod members to be as fully informed as possible” before considering the findings.
Abbey decides to repatriate Ethiopian tabot
WESTMINSTER ABBEY has agreed “in principle” to repatriate a sacred tablet from the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (News, 7 September 2007), it was reported this week. The tabot — a stone tablet whose liturgical function has parallels with the Old Testament Ark of the Covenant — was looted in 1868 when British forces seized the Abyssinian fortress of Magdala. It just isn’t on public view. A spokesperson for the Abbey told The Art Newspaper this week: “The Dean and Chapter has decided in principle that it might be appropriate to return the Ethiopian tabot to the Ethiopian Church. We are considering the perfect method to achieve this and we’re in ongoing discussions with representatives of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. This is a posh matter and it might take a while.”
Wolfson Foundation awards grant to Worcester Cathedral
WORCESTER CATHEDRAL has been granted £200,000 by the Wolfson Foundation towards restoring and redesigning College Yard — as a part of a plan to enhance the precincts, on which work has already begun. An announcement last week explained that the Yard, stuffed with monuments and trees, had been “plagued with automotive parking misuse, various surface quality and poor signage” and was in need of modernising. The grant is to fund changes to the predominant north entrance to the cathedral, and to offer a latest green space with improved entrance points, signage, and accessibility. Other plans include reducing parking, improving biodiversity, surface-water management, latest lighting, and creating learning opportunities for visitors.
Work on Loughborough bell foundry enters second phase
THE Loughborough bell foundry John Taylor & Co has received £835,000 from the Government’s Town Fund to support the second phase of its £5-million development project to guard and regenerate its Grade II* listed buildings and museum. This second stage includes upgrades to the boardroom and entrance, and landscaping. Thought to be the last purpose-built bell foundry in Britain, it has been on the identical site in Leicestershire since 1859, and has heritage dating back to the 14th century. More than 25,000 bells have been solid from the positioning, and are hung in greater than 100 countries. Among these bells is the biggest in Britain, Great Paul, in St Paul’s Cathedral. Once the project is complete, the foundry will probably be taken off the Heritage at Risk Register. The £3.6-billion Towns Fund was announced in January 2021.
Blackburn launches Fruitful discipleship app
A DISCIPLESHIP app, Fruitful, has been produced by the diocese of Blackburn to assist younger people to learn more about Christianity and the Church. The app has been downloaded greater than 1000 times since its launch last week on the Apple App Store and Google Play. Users can read, or hearken to, and study the Bible and watch a latest five-week Lent course given by the Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Revd Philip North. The app includes 2024 Lent Daily Devotions, a lectionary, Church of England prayers, and national online services, and promotes faith events and retreats and podcasts. The Bishop said: “Digital technology is having a beautiful impact in deepening the religion of many Christians. . . My hope and prayer is that many will come to satisfy with Jesus and deepen their relationship with him through the varied resources that [Fruitful] makes available.”
St Michael’s, Newquay, offers infant formula to needy
NEWQUAY PARISH CHURCH, in Cornwall, has received funding from the charity Feed to offer infant formula to families in need. Rachel Craze, the operations manager for the Towan Blystra Benefice, of which St Michael’s is part, told Radio Newquay last week: “As someone out of the baby-formula loop, I used to be beyond shocked at the price of infant formula within the supermarkets. The tins have security tags. Formula prices have increased 25 per cent within the last two years, adding yet more pressure on families already battling the price of living. This grant funding allows us to offer infant formula to those with babies under the age of 1.” Families can enquire on the church during opening hours.
