Monthly news bulletin from the Communications Office, Church House, London.

Feel free to forward this to others, or to use in diocesan or parish newsletters or magazines.

This news bulletin is issued to members of General Synod, recipients of the e-mailed daily briefing, within the National Church Institutions’ All Staff bulletin and to parish magazines via the http://www.parishpump.co.uk website. It is also available on the Church of England website at http://www.cofe.anglican.org/info/cofegazette/

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:

• Archbishop pays tribute to the former Archbishop of Wales
• Quarterly investment update from the Church Commissioners
• A-Level Religious Studies entries increase for fourth year
• Churches respond to Foot and Mouth anxieties in farming community
• Archbishop urges MPs to 'Do Nothing To Change Their Lives' this Summer
• Prayers for the 10th anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales
• Read and hear all about it - monthly e-news bulletin and podcasts, too
• Churches gather in Romania to share vision and hopes for Europe

Archbishop pays tribute to the former Archbishop of Wales
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, said Archbishop Alwyn Rice Jones, who died on August 12th, had been an inspiration: "Alwyn Rice Jones led the Church in Wales with courage and warmth and vision through some challenging years. I think that all would agree that he was one of the most entirely loveable of church leaders. My own debt to him for his inspiration and encouragement is enormous, and my thoughts are very much with Meriel and the family."

Quarterly investment update from the Church Commissioners
The First Church Estates Commissioner's newsletter for the quarter to June 2007 is now available. Details at: http://cofe.anglican.org/about/churchcommissioners/
news/newsletters/newsletterq22007.html.

A-level Religious Studies entries increase for fourth year
A-level results just out mark the fourth successive rise in the number of entrants for Religious Studies A-level, with an increase of 4.4 per cent against 2006’s figures. In addition, the figures show a 7.95 per cent increase in the number of entrants for AS level Religious Studies compared with a year ago. Details at: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/pr7507.html

Churches respond to Foot and Mouth anxieties in farming community
Local clergy and rural chaplains, working with the Farm Crisis Network, provided pastoral care and support to farmers directly affected by the Protection and Surveillance Zones set up in Surrey following the local outbreak of foot and mouth disease. Details at: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/pr7307.html

Archbishop urges MPs to 'Do Nothing To Change Their Lives' this Summer (except to read a 100 Minute Bible)
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, is to send every Member of Parliament in the country some summer reading: The 100-Minute Bible and a guide to slowing down. Details at: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/prabymps.html

Prayers for the 10th anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales
The Church has published two prayers on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. The prayers, written by Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, will be used at the memorial service at the Guards Chapel on August 31st. They will also be available for use in churches around the country. Details at: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/pr7608.html

Read and hear all about it – monthly e-news bulletin and podcasts, too
The Church’s use of the internet is expanding with an electronic news bulletin and trial podcasts now available on the national Church of England website. Details at: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/pr7107.html

Churches gather in Romania to share vision and hopes for Europe
The Bishop of London, Dr Richard Chartres, will lead the Church's delegation for the Third European Ecumenical Assembly. The historic city of Sibiu will host some 2000 delegates from churches across Europe to share their vision and hopes for renewal and unity in Europe. Details at: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/pr7207.html

The Chair of the Audit Committee of the Archbishops' Council has asked that a vacancy on the Committee be drawn to General Synod members' attention:
Details of the vacancy can be found at http://www.cofe.anglican.org/info/vacancies/