WORKING TOGETHER: Tributes pour in as Bishop announces retirement

This email is sent, at the request of the Bishop of Salisbury, to all incumbents, ministers and officers in this Diocese. It is your monthly go-to for operational matters, guidance and advice. Many of the links lead to time-limited PDFs that you can download and keep. It's all part of the service!
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Our monthly internal briefing with must-read info, to those working in and for our Diocese.

Tributes pour in as Bishop announces retirement
As you may be aware, Bishop Nicholas has announced he will retire on 3rd July 2021, a month short of his 67th birthday. He will have been Bishop of Salisbury for 10 years. Colleagues were quick to respond, with our Bishops Karen and Andrew and Diocesan Secretary David Pain thanking Bishop Nicholas on behalf of the Diocese. Shortly afterwards, our Diocesan Director of Education added her appreciation, along with the Dean of Salisbury and Chairs of Diocesan Synod and our Board of Finance. There were many tributes on social media, including our Chaplain to the Deaf Community, Neil Robinson giving a heartfelt tribute in BSL (British Sign Language). Read more and view a clip...

(Original photo courtesy Pixabay)

Lent, Holy Week and Easter
On Ash Wednesday (17th February) Bishop Nicholas will be presiding and preaching in the Cathedral at the 5.30pm Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes. The service will be live streamed. The Bishop invites those who do not have their own services at this time to join him. Read more...

Did you know that many of the items in Working Together are PDFs? Feel free to download them for your own reference... it's all part of the service.

STOP PRESS: Bishop Tim is retiring
For those who remember Bishop Tim from his Sherborne days, or even from Truro, the announcement of his retirement from Lambeth at the end of September is here.

From our Diocesan Secretary

‘Seek ye first the Kingdom of God’
David Pain writes: This weekend our Diocesan Synod will be meeting. On the agenda we have a discussion of our emerging ‘Mission and Pastoral Plan’. This is an important step in making sure we have a creative and sustainable future for mission and ministry across the wide range of local churches in the diocese. Read more...

From your Diocesan Support Teams

Generous Giving
Our Diocesan Stewardship Campaign is now scheduled to start in September.Clergy from around the Diocese attended a Zoom ‘Archdeaconry Day’ on 9th February. Read more...

Erskine Muton Trust Fund
The deadline for Dorset parishes wishing to apply for grants towards the cost of works to church buildings is Monday 22nd February.

Spiritual Accompaniment
The Revds Helier Exon and Jean Boulton-Reynolds describe this ministry as "A place to express both the highs and lows of life and one’s relationship with God. The accompaniers are trained and skilled listeners who help those who meet them to explore and discern for themselves where God is in their lives and where their lives may be going." Read more...

School Leader Monthly Briefing, February 2021
'Retrieving Your Joy', 'A Focus on Environment and Climate Change', 'For School Leader Consideration', 'RE, Collective Worship and Spirituality', CPD, and a Prayer for you. Read more...

Mission Statistics
Dear Churchwardens and Incumbents, please ensure that your church(es)’ Mission Statistics for 2020 are entered on the national website here as soon as possible if you have not already done so. Queries via email or 01722 411922.

Ministry Matters

An Ad Clerum from the Bishop of Salisbury, dated 2nd February, is here, and the previous, dated 22nd January, is here.

Publicising events on social media
It’s always worth learning from those running similar events, with good take-up and reputation. Here's one example.

Renewing Hope in Action

Choose the world you want
In just a few weeks' time, the 'Choose the world you want' online festival will be getting in to full swing, marking what will be a very different Fairtrade Fortnight to previous years. Read more...

Grants for Churches
Are you raising funds for a project in your church? The Grants for Churches list has been updated - use this link to access details of a wide range and long list of potential fundraising bodies.

A Big Sleep at Home to help the homeless
Christian charity Alabaré is calling on people across the UK to take part in the Big Sleep at Home event on 5th March. The ongoing pandemic, with its economic and mental health repercussions, is putting 1000s at risk of homelessness. Read more...

Response & Recovery
Wiltshire Community Foundation's January newsletter includes Coronavirus Response & Recovery Grants, Wiltshire Connecting People Network, advice and webinars, and other routes to funding much-needed outreach work. Read more...

Rural Hope

Celebrating the Seasons
The page is being updated with resources for Lent, from a session led by Rhona Floate (RFO Wilts) and Margaret Preuss-Higham (RFO Sherborne), including a YouTube video. View the page here.

Keeping us Safe

Safeguarding Update
A big thank-you, with info for all Parish/ Church Safeguarding Officers on how to get in touch 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, plus future plans. Read more...

In other news...

Covid-19 vaccination rollout in Wiltshire
Wiltshire Council has issued an email to the voluntary and charity sector. Read more...

Dorset Community Rapid Testing Service
Public Health Dorset is offering weekly testing to businesses, charities, voluntary organisations, and the self employed. Read more...

Lockdown 1- Impact on Wiltshire Youth
A new report from Wiltshire YFC summarises the findings of the charity’s conversations with nearly 300 11-18 year olds from Devizes, Trowbridge and surrounding Wiltshire villages, asking for their views and concerns following the first UK lockdown. The survey reveals a mixture of helplessness and optimism. Read more...

Latest Covid Guidance:
Page here

A Ministry Compendium
The Revd Ollie Blease says: "Like everyone else over the past year I have had to learn lots of new things quite rapidly, in particular relating to technology and mission using the web.
"I have put much of this new knowledge in one place as a very quick reference and how-to guide. The posts are intended to signpost things that work, and hopefully save time for both lay and ordained church people, based on experience in parish. The 'More Resources' tab contains useful websites, forums, apps, and books." Browse here.

Remembering Mrs Jan Taylor, the wife of former Archdeacon of Sherborne Paul Taylor
Jan died on Friday 29th January. Bishop Nicholas notified us, saying: "Jan was an English graduate and the author of The Unpredictability of Frogs which was published last year. She worked as a Teaching Assistant in Puddletown. After a long illness she died peacefully at home with her family around her. May she rest in peace."

Prayer for the Nation relaunched
The national Prayer for the Nation campaign has been re-launched in response to the news that more than 100,000 people have died in the UK as a result of the coronavirus. Read more...

Let's Connect
The latest newsletter from the Children's Society's Gill Ford includes: Christingle review, Mothering Sunday and Lent resources, Covid-safe fundraising ideas, Fighting for Hope for Children and Young People webinar, Meet the SW Team, Strengthening the Safety Net campaign, and a Prayer – 'May we thrive'. Read more...

Telephone befriending service
The Revd Suzie Allen, Associate Priest to Wimborne Minster and The Wimborne Villages, is keen to set up a telephone befriending service, and has already had responses to an appeal in Grapevine. She says: "Just to say a big thank you for your help... Hopefully will have plenty of answers to my questions!" Watch this space...

Jot & Tittle
Mark Brandon, a volunteer at our Cathedral, produces a history newsletter twice a month called 'Jot & Tittle' (after the accents used in Medieval shorthand), with interesting snippets, historical characters, and eye-opening info from across the centuries. Read more...

Choir robes on offer
Harnham Parish is looking for a new home for 21 crimson coloured choir cassocks. They are in good condition, and the sizes range fairly evenly from 41" to 61" in length. For further information and a full breakdown of sizes, contact Churchwarden Charles Woodd via charleswoodd46@gmail.com or 07962 213494.

General Synod Casual Vacancy
The Revd David Fisher has been elected for the remainder of the life of this Synod. He fills the vacancy created by the departure of the Revd Canon Jane Charman. Result sheet here.

Dates for your Diary

Hilfield Friary: 2021 Programme
Br Clark introduces this year's programme by video in the community's 100th year.

Lent, Holy Week and Easter (Part 2)
11th February
Thoughts and ideas to help share the Good News of Easter in our communities, focussing on the end of Lent, and including ideas for Mothering Sunday and the National Day of Reflection.

Changemakers Conference 2021
23rd and 26th February
Be inspired by stories for Christian Aid Week 2021, which focuses on the impact of the climate crisis in Kenya, and hear and share proven ideas for fundraising, campaigning and prayer. (Wiltshire, Dorset and Channel Islands will be in different areas.)

Parenting for Faith Zoom course
Starting 25th February, on Thursday evenings for 8 weeks
Do please invite parents, grandparents and wider family in your church - especially those who've been home-schooling for months and would welcome some extra encouragement and affirmation - or come yourself, to see how it all works before you lead a course yourself. £20 per household includes a copy of the Parenting for Faith Omnibus (normal price £13).

The BIG Sleep at Home
5th March
Alabaré invites you to hold your own BIG Sleep in fun, safe and interesting places, and to join in online during the evening, to take a stand together and help end homelessness.

Calling the Tribes Together
10th March
A prayer event from Christians in Politics, putting Kingdom before political tribe. 366 people signed up for the last one.

Welcoming Visitors
10th March
The National Churches Trust is running a workshop to help parishes discover ways places of worship can benefit from tourism, increase visitors, raise funds recruit volunteers and stage events.

Life as a Franciscan Sister or Brother... could this be for me?
20th March
A morning to explore Franciscan community life in the Church of England, with Franciscan sisters and brothers sharing their stories, DVD with discussion, and time for your questions.

Census Day 2021 is coming
21st March
Town and City Halls will be ablaze in purple to raise awareness of this-once-in-a decade survey of us all. How will this work despite the pandemic? Click the link above...

Resources

Bishops offer sermons
The Bishops are offering well-received weekly video reflections in the form of a short homily/ sermon that could be used in a Sunday online service. The videos, with accompanying audio, will be available on request via Dropbox on a Thursday for you to include in any service planning and pre-recording, and then will be published on YouTube for a wider audience on the Sunday afternoon at 1.00pm. Churches might also like to consider using the sermons through Lent. Click here for the Dropbox folder.

Aslan Christian Books
is a family-owned company with over 30 years in the book trade, offering a wide range of titlkes, a free magazine, a comprehensive website and a focus on customer service.

Clergy on Social Media
A note from the National Communications Team reminding clergy colleagues of the importance of following the Church of England’s Digital Charter when commenting on Social Media platforms.

Faith in time of Covid-19
8 new Bible studies from Anglican Alliance, from 'Do not be afraid' to 'What is God showing us?'

Holy Habits
Holy Habits is an adventure in Christian discipleship based upon Luke’s picture of the early church in Acts 2:42-47, exploring and encouraging the practice of 10 holy habits: biblical teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, prayer, sharing resources, serving, eating together, gladness and generosity, worship and making more disciples.

Learning from the journey of Jonathan Herbert
Sarum College's James Woodward blogs on Jonathan's highly-recommended book 'Accompaniment,Community and Nature', saying: "Though not written during pandemic, the spiritual wisdom that Herbert has journeyed into poses some core issues for us."

Looking forward, carrying hope
The Church Support Hub has fresh resources for keeping in touch with wedding couples, bereavement care as social action, and Godparents Sunday.

New Children’s Society 2021 Lent and Mothering Sunday resources
Will you join the Children’s Society in fighting for young people’s hope this Lent and Mothering Sunday? Video talks, discussion questions, group activities, and prayers.

Rewilding the Church: Online Conversations
Fresh Expressions recently hosted the first of 3 'Rewilding the Church' conversations live with Steve Aisthorpe, Jill Hopkinson and Adam Daubney, looking at how the Church can bounce back in this time of pandemic. Free PDF, book offers and more dates.

Saving Parishes Money
The latest Parish Buying newsletter includes broadband suppliers, giving devices, personalised online giving videos, 100% green electricity, maintenance checklist, and useful webinars.

Take Heart Create
The simple act of making hearts, attaching a Bible verse of hope and encouragement, and giving them away during Valentines week, has been used by churches in Devon, Somerset, Hampshire, Coventry, even Uganda, and there are some powerful testimonies.

The Whole Armour of God
Stephen Girling, from Bath Abbey, has recorded 3 of 4 videos for Wiltshire’s MenUnited prayer ministry, based on Ephesians chapter 6, verses 10 to 18: ‘The Helmet of Salvation’, ‘Shoes of Gospel Peace’ and ‘Belt of Truth’.

Women in the Shadows
This new Lent Course for individuals, groups, churches and community partners conveys the reality of modern slavery and its devastating impact on victims. Short films and interviews focus on how women and girls can become trapped in sexual exploitation, forced labour and county lines drug smuggling, and what life is like for them beyond slavery. The course explores how we can support victims and build resilient communities where modern slavery is noticed and cannot thrive. Bishop's Letter here, flyer here, course summary here.