Fr Peter Allan CR has announced his retirement as Principal of the College of the Resurrection at the end of the academic year. Fr Peter has been in post since 2011, having previously taught in the College alongside monks of the Community and other academic staff.

Fr Oswin Gartside CR, Superior of the Community and Chair of the College’s Trustees, said: ‘We are enormously grateful to our brother Peter for all that he has given to the College over the years. Formation and training of outstanding men and women as priests in God’s church is a central part of the Community’s work. The College of the Resurrection is the only Anglican theological college founded by – and still living and praying alongside – a religious community, and we look forward to building on Peter’s work in developing and growing A Theological College like no other.’.

Fr Oswin is working with the Chair of the College Council, Bishop David Walker, on an extensive consultation and recruitment process, with interviews expected to take place by early spring.

College of the Resurrection

Welcome back to all the returning students, and welcome to those beginning their formation at the College.
Two previous CoR students are being ordained deacon at Michaelmas, please pray for:
Lee Taylor (Diocese of Chelmsford)
Alex Hobbs (Diocese of Exeter)

CIR Gathering – Casteller Ring

It sounds incredibly romantic: a medieval castle on top of a hill in Bavaria, and indeed it was beautiful. Here Nicolas and Jacob CR met with nearly sixty monks and nuns, brothers and sisters from all over Europe, to celebrate the religious life that we all share across our denominations. This International, Interconfessional Congress of Religious (CIR) brings together religious from Anglican, Roman Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox churches to pray for unity. The Congress met in a Benedictine convent of Lutheran sisters which grew up after the Second World War.

Our four days were spent praying with the sisters of the Casteller Ring Community, enjoying each other’s company at meals and talking about the contribution the religious communities can make to the renewal of the churches in Europe. Conversation flows, or sometimes stumbles, in French, German and English. We also spent a day visiting nearby Würzburg, a beautiful city despite the destruction of most of its medieval buildings – some of the older sisters were there as youngsters when 90% of the town was bombed flat by Allied forces in 1945.

 

Br Jacob gave a talk to the Congress on the importance of tradition in renewing our roots so that our churches will be confident and well resourced in this chaotic modern age. This was very well received and Jacob is now a member of the committee that will organise future congresses. Apart from the Unity we seek for our churches the Congress also helps to establish links of friendship and respect across the countries of Europe whose unity is threatened by the British decision to withdraw from the EU.

Nicolas CR

Book Launch of: ‘Oneness – The Dynamics of Monasticism’

(edited by Stephen Platten and published 2017 SCM Press)

‘The Monastic Tradition and the Contemporary Church’

Wednesday 11^th October 2017

4.00pm – 6.00pm

Short lectures will be delivered by Fr George Guiver CR and Rt Revd Dr Stephen Platten.

“Oneness” considers the role small-group monastic life plays within the life of the contemporary church. Using a focus on the life, practice and history of the Shepherds Law community as a starting point, the book broadens the discussion to consider how such communities negotiate the boundary between the solitary life and life within their community.

This is a FREE event, booking essential
please contact 01924 481920 or bharper@mirfield.org.uk

St Hild College receives A Rocha Bronze Eco-Church Award

St Hild college has announced this week that it is the first theological college to be presented with an Eco Church Award at bronze level. The award, presented at St Hild’s recent commendation weekend, is part of charity A Rocha’s Eco Church initiative. It highlights a commitment to consider the environment relating to five main categories: Worship and Teaching, Buildings, Land, Community and Global Engagement, and Lifestyle.

Mark Powley, Principal, says, “I’m delighted that St Hild College has been able to pioneer this important award in the theological education sector. To be the first college to receive the award is a real privilege and something we genuinely hope others will follow. In time, I hope other institutions will eclipse our efforts, and we would be keen to work with them to share what we have done so far. What excites me most, though, is the fact that those who train with us will go on to influence communities, churches and workplaces to take the gift of God’s creation more seriously as a witness to the kingdom. As our partners in Tanzania have shown us, care for the world is an integral aspect of mission. To receive the good news that Christ is Lord is intimately connected with a lifestyle that seeks to steward the created world God made through him. We hope that in our efforts to live more sustainably and thankfully we can help our churches point more people to this life-changing gospel.”

Nigel Hopper, Eco Church Manager at A Rocha UK, says, “Environmental issues increasingly require a heightened level of awareness from all of us; and at A Rocha UK we passionately believe that caring for God’s earth is a particularly important part of the Christian life. The Eco Church scheme is a way of equipping and encouraging churches to intentionally look after creation as an integral part of loving their neighbor and following God faithfully. St Hild’s move to becoming an Eco College is a significant one that we hope will cultivate a culture of stewardship that students can take with them to the communities they go on to lead. We send our congratulations to all involved in achieving the Bronze award, and look forward to seeing how they continue to develop the important patterns of stewardship that are already being implemented.”

Emily Spademan

Communications Officer, St Hild College

Church Furnishings: Do we need them?

Tuesday 17 October 2017 at 7.30pm

 

‘Discovering quality and meaning in sacred places and how we are affected by furnishings’

 

Guest Lecturer: Jane Kennedy

Jane is architect to Christ Church Oxford, Ely and Newcastle Cathedrals and has extensive experience of restoration and conservation as well as delivering new works and commissions in the context of historic and contemporary church buildings.

Those planning to attend the lecture would be very welcome to join the Community for evensong at 6.00pm. A simple supper for which a modest charge will be made, is also available by pre booking.

This is a FREE event, booking is essential

Please contact 01924 481920 or bharper@mirfield.org.uk