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Riding Lights theatre group "I'm
not a Christian, but this is the best thing that's happened to
Christianity for years" Riding Lights is a professional touring company supported by a growing membership. Friargate Theatre, Riding Lights' home in York, was opened in May 2000. Riding Lights Roughshod was formed in 1992 specifically to serve local churches and communities with high quality, highly mobile theatre. Roughshod provides versatile community theatre, taking punchy performances almost anywhere -- including places where theatre is rare and Christian communication most difficult -- often free of charge.
For example, the company went on a tour which included a visit to Stone in Staffordshire, presenting 'Science Friction -- Could you play God?'. [In a world where scientists are often accused of playing God, how can we combine the volatile elements of scientific discovery, faith and moral responsibility?]
The company presented a communal experience of theatre and worship. Riding Lights Theatre Company is invited each year to perform a Passion Play as the centrepiece of the Good Friday service in the nave of York Minster. On this occasion, at the heart of the preparation for Easter, they have provided a combination of powerful theatre, meditation, prayer and corporate worship. The major part of the evening was an ensemble performance of the events leading up to the death and burial of Christ. The Passion is divided into six episodes to create space for other expressions of worship and reflection arising directly out of the drama. These additional elements have been created in collaboration with the Precentor of York Minster, and was delivered by readers and musicians from each community hosting the performance. |
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The Tyndale Bible The King James version of the Bible is reckoned to be predominantly the work of Tyndale, working in the first half of the 16th century. Many phrases in common use in English today are his. He was persecuted by a Roman Catholic church determined that ordinary people should not be able to read the word of God for themselves. In the end he was betrayed and burnt at the stake. |
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Bible Society's Bicentenary
The Bible Society in England and Wales have been involved in a host of things to mark 200 years of making the Bible heard. These include a nationwide Picnic in the Park, an International Day of Prayer, special Fundraising Video, Holidaying the Mary Jones Way (walking!), a Service at St Paul's Cathedral, an Exhibition at the Guildhall, and a Bible Society history book. |
Bosley Methodists and Anglicans Working Together According
to the Anglican
Methodist Covenant [on page 28] (Koinonia
= communion, fellowship, partnership Something of this has been happening between Bosley Methodist Church and Bosley St Mary’s Anglican Church, for some years. Last Autumn saw the development of greater sharing. The parish church and the village said farewell to Rev David Moir, the vicar, and began to prepare for several months of interregnum. Bosley Methodists willingly offered co-operation. Already there has been one extra joint service at St Mary’s led by Circuit minister Graham Wassell at a time acceptable to both. More took place during early inthe year, alternating between the churches. We hope this is only one stage along a way of greater co-operation and shared witness which will continue long after a new vicar is appointed.Rev. Mary Jones |
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A Plant that can warn of Land Mines Scientists in Denmark have developed a genetically-modified plant that warns of landmines by changing colour from green to red. According to the team at Aresa, a bio-technology company in Copenhagen, the GM plant changes colour when its roots come into contact with nitrogen-dioxide – a chemical used in explosives. Source World Vision |
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Rood Lane
Church:
This small church in the town of Congleton has been proceeding quietly and unobtrusively for many years. In recent years the latest programme of modernisation has taken place, making the building fit for the 21st century. Members and friends have painted and redecorated, as well as having work done professionally. But new windows and a lick of paint don't make a church. At the beginning of last year, our then minister Rev. Graham Wassell asked us to consider having just one fundraising event for a charity or good cause. We decided that the money from all our fundraising activities should be pooled and split equally between the local hospice and our own church. This was quite a momentous decision. Our fundraising took on a new meaning and functions such as an indoor bowls tournament, a strawberry and cream evening and a quiz raised a grand total of £1,000. So, at the beginning of this year we presented a cheque for £500 to the hospice. Considering the annual cost of running such an establishment, our contribution is just a drop in the ocean, but nevertheless I think we can all be justifiably proud of what we have achieved. The next aim was to help the MacMillan Nurses. No matter how much or how little we raise, if we all pull together and pool our talents it is worthwhile. Surely that is the whole point of our church? Elizabeth Tweats |
Rood Lane
Church: |
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Rood Lane church in Dane and Trent Circuit is a small church in the north of Congleton town. This year, the circuit received an enquiry from a man who is both the great grandson of John Hopkins and the great great grandson of John Norris, two of the four founders of the original Rood Lane Sunday School, built around 1860. Mr John Norris Hopkins lives in the USA, where his grandfather emigrated in 1896. Following up Mr Hopkins's enquiry, we were given the following eyebrow-raising story from Doris Tagell of today's Rood Lane church. By today's standards, it seems that the four founders were decidedly zealous about their faith and about their wish to improve the lot of the many poor children in that part of town. It seems that they were also faced with apathy, if not antipathy, from those they wished to save. So, our four heroes formed a posse. One of their number would stay in the Sunday school to act as a guard. The other three would roam the neighbourhood and collar as many needy souls as they could find. They would escort back the youngsters to the guardian at the church, where the Christian message and Christian charity would be dispensed. The active missionary approach seems to have worked. There were 100 or more Sundays scholars until the 1930s. Is there something we can learn from this?! |
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The Anglican-Methodist Covenant [source Methodist Church of Great Britain ] |
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The language of the Covenant is similar to many of the covenants that have been signed between local and regional Christian churches. This is the first time that two of the largest Christian Churches in Britain have signed a national covenant and it has been described as “a major stepping stone towards organic unity”. In agreeing to enter into the Covenant, the two Churches have set up a Joint Implementation Commission to identify priorities that will help the two Churches work towards unity. The Commission’s work will include sharing and suggesting good practice at local and regional level. This will include encouraging joint worship or mission projects, and the sharing of facilities and personnel. The Commission will also decide on the setting up of working parties to undertake study on outstanding theological differences between the two churches on areas such as Episcopacy, Women’s Leadership, and Holy Communion. The Co-Chairs of the Joint Implementation Commission are Bishop Ian Cundy for the Church of England and former Methodist Conference Vice President, Professor Peter Howdle. |
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Magazine : Page 5 |
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