Please scroll down to read items. Comments, please, to Peter Crumpler, Director of Communications on peter.crumpler@c-of-e.org.uk.

This month’s contents:

Church opposes any move to extend Sunday trading hours
Bishop’s tribute to HM The Queen
Archbishop of Canterbury’s Easter sermon – ‘conspiracy theories don't match up to the truth of the Gospel’
Easter story brought to life as figures suggest increasing numbers celebrating at cathedrals
Archbishop of Canterbury speaks out on climate change
New National Children’s Adviser appointed
New Chairman for Urban Bishops’ Panel
World Council of Churches’ Assembly – message to churches
Dr Mary Tanner appointed as European president of World Council of Churches
No connection between Church of England and ‘Christian Council of Britain’
Communications Training - Forthcoming courses

Church opposes any move to extend Sunday trading hours
The Church of England has rejected proposals to extend trading hours for large retail outlets on Sundays. In a response to a Department of Trade and Industry consultation, the Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Revd Tom Butler, pledges that the Church would “resist any further attempts to erode what still exists in legislation to safeguard the special nature of Sunday”.

The document also questions whether major retailers actually want to extend opening hours, pointing to research revealing little enthusiasm amongst retailers for unrestricted opening hours, and a belief that volumes of trade arising from any additional trading hours may not compensate for the increased costs in doing so.

In the submission’s conclusion, the Bishop comments: “The costs to work-life balance, family life and stability, health of employees and the contribution of small retailers to community cohesion outweigh any potential benefits of further deregulation.”

Full statement is available: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/pr3806.html

Bishop’s tribute to HM The Queen
The Rt Revd Richard Harries, Bishop of Oxford, paid tribute to HM The Queen on the occasion of her 80th birthday on behalf of the Lords Spiritual (the bishops who sit in the House of Lords). “In a period of truly unprecedented change, Her Majesty has been an example of continuity and, more than that, of constancy and stability,” said the bishop. “It is perhaps appropriate for us on these Benches to pay particular tribute to the special relationship that Her Majesty has with the Church of England, not in any narrow or partisan way, but as a symbol for the spiritual dimension of the life of the nation as a whole and of all people in it,” he added.

Read the full tribute here: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/prhmqueenbirthday.html

Archbishop of Canterbury’s Easter sermon – ‘conspiracy theories don't match up to the truth of the Gospel’
The Archbishop of Canterbury has dismissed claims that newly-discovered ancient texts and fascinating conspiracy theories can undermine the truth of the Gospel.

In his Easter Sunday sermon, Dr Williams said that the discovery of the Coptic text of a ‘Gospel of Judas’ and the excitement generated by the publication of The Da Vinci Code might appeal to people's sense of mystery, but they do not match up to the real challenges posed by the truth of the resurrection or the evidence of transformed lives across the world. “The Bible is not the authorised code of a society managed by priests and preachers for their private purposes but the set of human words through which the call of God is still uniquely immediate to human beings today; human words with divine energy behind them,” he said.

http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/sermons_speeches/060416a.htm

Easter story brought to life as figures suggest increasing numbers celebrating at cathedrals
More than 1.5 million people were expected to attend Church of England services over Easter weekend, and statistics from last year suggest that cathedrals in particular are experiencing an increase in the number of people joining worship over the festival. Revd Lynda Barley, the Church of England’s Head of Research and Statistics, believes these figures point to the quality of connections made throughout the year: “The significant draw of major festivals is a welcome sign of the wider success of the year-round ministry of cathedrals. We know that many people feel an innate connection with their local cathedral as a symbol of the spiritual life of their community. Cathedrals are increasingly leading that latent spiritual quest into participation in the worshipping community through innovative events and outreach work.”

Read the full story: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/pr3706.html

Archbishop of Canterbury speaks out on climate change
In an interview with BBC Radio 4, The Archbishop of Canterbury has spoken of the dangers of complacency over the issue of climate change, challenging everyone to play their part in the solution. “I think in the first instance the moral responsibility lies with absolutely everybody, not only in terms of examining our own lifestyle and asking what concretely can be done, but also in sending a message to governments that this is recognised as a priority by the public,” he said.

Read the full transcript: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/abc4rclimate.html

New National Children’s Adviser appointed
The Board of Education of the Archbishops’ Council has announced that Mary Hawes is to be the Church of England’s National Children’s Adviser, a role that supports Diocesan Children’s Workers in sharing good practice on how churches can develop their work to better engage, nurture and teach under-11s. Mary, currently Children’s Work Adviser for the Diocese of London, will begin her new role in September, taking over from Diana Murrie who is retiring after 11 years in the post.

Read more: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/pr3906.html

New Chairman for Urban Bishops’ Panel
The Rt Revd Stephen Lowe, Bishop of Hulme, has succeeded the Rt Revd Tim Stevens, Bishop of Leicester, as Chairman of the Urban Bishops Panel. The Panel is a committee of the House of Bishops, acting as a point of reference for issues affecting urban communities.

Read more: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/pr3606.html

World Council of Churches’ Assembly – message to churches
The Ninth Assembly of the World Council of Churches, which took place in Brazil, called on churches across the globe to offer a prayer that has been written to convey the “heart of the assembly”.

The theme of the Assembly, “God, in your grace, transform the world”, covered a range of issues including the quest for Christian unity, engagement in inter-religious dialogue, and common statements on public issues. This dialogue has been translated into a single prayer, which is available from the Assembly website:

http://www.wcc-assembly.info/en/news-media/news/english-news/article/1801/assembly-message-invites.html

Dr Mary Tanner appointed as European president of World Council of Churches
Dr Mary Tanner, previously General Secretary of the Council for Christian Unity and moderator of the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches, has been appointed the World Council of Churches’ president for Europe. The recent Assembly of the Council elected a 150-member central committee, which serves as the main decision-making body of the Council between assemblies, and eight presidents, one for each of the world regions and for the Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox churches. The role of the WCC presidents is to promote ecumenism and to interpret the work of the WCC, especially in their respective regions.

Read the full story: http://www.oikoumene.org/en/news/news-management/all-news-english/display-single-english-news/browse/2/article/1634/assembly-elects-new-presi-2.html

No connection between Church of England and ‘Christian Council of Britain’
The Church of England, through its membership of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, has stressed that it has no connection with a group titled ‘Christian Council of Britain’, which has recently been closely associated with the British National Party.

More details here: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/pr3306a.html

Communications Training - Forthcoming courses
The Communications Office in London have a few spaces available on the following courses, due to take place in the next few weeks. If you would like to book a place please contact Suzanne Gray on 020 7898 1465, or visit our website at: http://commstraining.cofe.anglican.org/2006/welcome.php

It is also possible to offer training days at your base; please contact Suzanne Gray if you would like to discuss this further.

Communications in Cathedrals and High Profile Churches
3rd May 2006 - £155 - London
Opportunities and issues facing key centres of worship, particularly those with many staff and volunteers, will be the starting point for an in-depth look at internal and external communications.

Introduction to PowerPoint
18th May 2006 - £135 - Manchester
Learn how to improve presentations using this highly effective tool.

Effective Communication Skills
23rd May 2006 - £135 - Manchester
A chance to review your communication skills.

Work is also continuing on the 2007 programme of courses, if you have any topics you would like to see covered contact Gillian Oliver or Suzanne Gray on 020 7898 1465, or comms.training@c-of-e.org.uk