No, it is not time to exit the CCJ
From the Bishop of Shrewsbury
Madam, — As chair of the Council of Christians and Jews (CCJ), I emphatically oppose the suggestion by the Rt Revd Michael Doe (Letter, 4 July) that now is the time for Christian Churches to exit the CCJ in light of positions held by the Office of the Chief Rabbi and the Board of Deputies of British Jews. On the contrary, now is the time to strengthen dialogue.
As an organisation founded in 1942, by Archbishop William Temple and Chief Rabbi Joseph Hertz, we are immensely proud of and committed to our long, historic relationship with the office of the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, the Board of Deputies of British Jews, and all our Christian and Jewish presidents. We may not always be directly aligned with the views of our partners, stakeholders, or members; we are, however, deeply committed to dialogue with Christians and Jews of all backgrounds and denominations in the UK. It is only through this dialogue that we can increase understanding of, and empathy with, those holding other perspectives.
Since 7 October 2023 and the ensuing conflict, interfaith relations have been strained like never before. There is a real danger that the divide between Christians and Jews will widen, and relationships break down completely, reversing the positive, incremental work that has been done since the Second World War. Jewish-Christian relations are, of course, not the only part of the interfaith mosaic of our society, but they are a critical one, and a rupture here will not lead to a benefit elsewhere or in the longer term for wider society.
Instead, we must work together to achieve not homogeneity, but a shared commitment to one another across our differences. We must develop a language by which we can share disagreements and critiques in a way that does not undermine the fundamental respect we have for one another.
Diverse political opinions exist across faiths, within faiths, and among those of no faith. Now is the time to strengthen organisations like CCJ and others in the interfaith sector, not leave them.
SARAH BULLOCK
Chair
Council of Christians and Jews
St Andrew’s House
16 Tavistock Crescent
London W11 1AP
In defence of the C of E’s vocational discernment and formation processes
From the Bishops of Hertford and Chester
Madam, — We feel compelled to write in response to Canon Angela Tilby’s column last week. It is inaccurate and misrepresents the remarkable clergy and lay people who enable the Church’s discernment and formation processes.
We are pleased that the numbers coming forward to discern a possible call to ordained ministry have risen this year by nearly 14 per cent. We can also reassure your readers that we meet many “non-Evangelicals” who have deep missional hearts and easily articulate what it is to be part of God’s work in the world without the need to “learn to parrot”.
We do not recognise the column’s description of the qualities explored by the shared discernment process, which explicitly include “love for God” and “love for people”. The qualities are deeply pastoral, theological, and reflective.
As we participated in ordination services this Petertide, we rejoiced at the glorious diversity and giftedness of ordinands. We gave thanks for the many people who had helped them discern their calling, those who had helped them explore their faith and ministry through IME1 and the wonderful band of training incumbents who will continue to nurture them.
Canon Tilby is right that ministry is not easy, but we are unclear how this article contributes constructively and ask that the record be corrected.
Embertides are seasons of gratitude, hope, and prayerfulness. Thank you for all you do to contribute to this.
JANE MAINWARING
Chair, Discernment Team Advisory Group
MARK TANNER
Chair, Ministry Development Board
Church House, Great Smith Street
London SW1P 3AZ
Church Army: new season rather than an end
From Mr Matt Barlow
Madam, — Our former Chief Secretary Philip Johanson asked in a letter to the Church Times last week: “Is this . . . the beginning of the end of Church Army?” I’m delighted to reply with a resounding No. Having nearly completed a tour of these nations and met face to face with many of our hundreds of active evangelists, I can reassure you that they continue to share Jesus boldly and courageously, leading many to faith. Just last year, we recorded 200 first-time commitments to Christ, and 180 baptisms and confirmations. They sit alongside thousands of other lives that have been touched and are earlier on in their faith journeys.
Yes, there have been financial challenges, and yes, the Board enacted strategies to deal with them. Yes, fund-raising has been a challenge, while costs have been increasing — as they have for everyone. Yes, when those fund-raising strategies struggled to deliver, the Board acted, and thus the Church Army is resizing to prepare for this next season. Yes, the Board and leadership have communicated this openly to members through regular updates.
Every bishop I speak to tells me that the Church needs the Church Army, equipping lay people to do the work of evangelists, sharing Jesus’s love in word and deed, especially on the margins of society. As we reshape and restructure, this is what we plan to continue to do, in line with the founding vision of Wilson Carlile, almost 150 years ago.
With the full support of the Bishop of Chelmsford and the Board of Trustees, I, for one, am privileged to lead the Church Army into this new season.
MATT BARLOW
Chief Executive
Church Army
Wilson Carlile Centre
50 Cavendish Street
Sheffield S3 7RZ
Diaconal ordinations by REACH-SA bishop
From the Revd Ulric Gerry
Madam, — Ordination of lay ministers is “inflammatory”, say bishops (News, 4 July). A mark of maturity is tolerating difference and holding ambiguity.
Before the Brexit referendum, there was a broad spectrum of views on Europe. Activists pushed for a referendum, and Cameron naïvely gave into them. Suddenly, everyone had to make a binary choice, for or against, splitting marriages, friendships, and communities. The unforeseen reverberations affect the nation today. The Tory party may never recover, and politics has become more extreme.
Now we are doing exactly the same with the Living in Love and Faith process. These lay ordinations show us what we are really choosing.
ULRIC GERRY
The Vicarage
Ryefield Avenue
Uxbridge UB10 9BT
If war looms, priority is to seek reconciliation
From the Revd Stephen Collier
Madam, — I read with dismay that the Church of England is preparing for war (News, 4 July). It is the Established Church, but has no business colluding with the bellicose rhetoric of the rest of the Establishment. The Church will always speak out loud and clear for the truth, for justice, for peace, and for reconciliation.
It is well known that so much suffering, conflict, and injustice in the world today has its roots in the British Empire. For example, we made such a mess of Indian independence in 1947 that there is still ongoing violence in Kashmir and conflict over the border with China. Our shameful betrayal of the Palestinian people in 1948 has led directly to the present atrocities in Gaza and the West Bank. And the poor people of Iran have never recovered from the 1953 coup d’état when the British overthrew their first democratically elected Prime Minister.
Unless we fully face up to these realities, we will continue to be part of the problem and never a part of the solution. If the British Government remains wilfully ignorant and blind to our compromised history, then the Established Church of England has the authority and the duty to speak for the people and repent for the country.
STEPHEN COLLIER
9 Drew Gardens
Greenford UB6 7QF
From Mr Gavin Oldham
Madam, — May I suggest that, alongside the call to “prepare for the UK to be at war”, the General Synod should consider very seriously Jesus’s instruction in Matthew 5.44, “love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.” This clear instruction remains very little understood by Christians generally, as is evident in Russia’s current war in Ukraine, in which regard we should be praying for a Pauline conversion of Patriarch Kirill.
Theological guidance on Jesus’s clear instruction would be much appreciated, as would a Global Assembly for Faith, where we could explore similar guidance with people of other faiths. We should recall that almost all conflicts have their roots in different interpretations of faith, notwithstanding that most faiths share a common yearning for peace.
We should also bear in mind that, with all the existential weaponry now at our disposal, the risk of bringing human civilisation to an early close is very real.
GAVIN OLDHAM
Ashfield House, St Leonards
Tring, Hertfordshire HP23 6NP
Grants for ordinands
From the Revd Dr Keith Gruneberg
Madam, — I am writing in response to the letter from Mr Jason Content (4 July).
I am pleased to be able to let readers of the Church Times know that the national funding system for the training of ordinands includes funding to support the additional needs of candidates who are dyslexic, have other neurodivergences, or are disabled in other ways. These provide for agreed needs that are not covered by Disabled Students Allowance or in another way.
Funding is available for ordinands and — from 2023 — candidates for licensed lay ministry. Applications are made to the national Ministry Development Team by dioceses or training institutions.
KEITH GRUNEBERG
Head of Formation, Ministry Development Team
Church House
Great Smith Street
London SW1P 3AZ
Plea to Synod members
From Mr Andrew Gray
Madam, — I am writing to encourage all General Synod members to support the amended Hereford motion on the redistribution of funds. Ever since the Church Commissioners diverted their pension liabilities on to dioceses, parishes have been slowly taxed to the point of an existential crisis. This cycle of decline, with merged parishes and thinly stretched clergy, can be redressed only with radical action.
The amended motion would put a funding lifeline in place, ensuring that clergy can continue to bear witness to the Good News. Given that the Church Commissioners was originally established by Queen Anne for exactly that purpose, this motion is long overdue.
ANDREW GRAY
Synod representative for St Edmundsbury & Ipswich
9 Cemetery Road
Ipswich IP4 2ER
Makin is big enough to take correction
From Dr Christopher Shell
Madam, — Andrew Graystone (Letter, 4 July) says that the Rt Revd Justin Welby’s assertion to the Cambridge Union that “Makin was wrong” casts “doubt on the findings of a five-year review”.
How can citing evidence against one particular large finding within the review cast doubt on its other findings? (Of course, it may raise questions about the overall accuracy level.) The Makin review is 500 pages, including appendices. Its accuracy is, quite obviously, not an all-or-nothing matter, but a point-by-point matter.
The inadequacy of Makin on the specific matter highlighted by Bishop Welby had already been flagged up by retired senior police in the Church Times of 27 November 2024 (News).
CHRISTOPHER SHELL
7 Markway, Sunbury TW16 5NS
Get up to date with Freemasonry and its values
From the Revd Dr Simon Thorn, Barbara Prescott, and Sheila Coules
Madam, — Dr Colin Podmore’s thoughtful remarks on integrity in governance (Letters, 6 June) deserve serious reflection. The unsigned letter (20 June) under the headline “Transparency in Governance and Freemasonry” contains misleading claims and regrettable insinuations which risk misrepresenting tens of thousands of decent men and women who contribute to their communities through Freemasonry across England and Wales.
To address public misunderstanding and to promote transparency, the Council for Freemasonry in England and Wales was created 2024. It is a historic joint initiative of the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE), the Order of Women Freemasons (OWF), and the Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons (HFAF). Its aim is clear: to provide a collaborative forum to affirm and strengthen the foundational values of Freemasonry — integrity, friendship, respect, and service — and to make clear its proud and active part in public life, free from myth or prejudice.
Freemasonry in England and Wales is a secular, non-religious, non-political, lawful, and law-abiding society. It is not — as has so often been suggested — a secret organisation, but one whose values and structures are open to scrutiny, and whose charitable contributions are among the most significant in the voluntary sector. It is, as the Pro Grand Master, Jonathan Spence, recently affirmed at the June Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge, an organisation deeply committed to civic participation, diversity, and public service — with members from all walks of life, faiths, ethnicities, and professions.
It is essential to clarify several specific points.
First, Freemasonry is not exclusively male. There have been women-only Grand Lodges in the UK for more than a century, and they operate with the same standards and principles as UGLE. The commitment to single-sex Lodges is rooted in the principle of freedom of association — a right protected in any open society, no different in kind to that found in many sporting, religious, or civic groups.
Second, it is untrue and unjust to suggest that Freemasonry lacks transparency or is incompatible with safeguarding principles. In fact, all recognised Masonic bodies operate under constitutions and codes of conduct subject to the law of the land. Freemasons are held to high ethical standards, and membership in no way exempts individuals from scrutiny or responsibility — legal, ecclesial, or moral.
Third, the suggestion of coercion, silence, or inappropriate behaviour towards children, based on an unnamed correspondent’s experience as a chorister decades ago, is deeply troubling. If misconduct occurred, it must be addressed directly with the appropriate safeguarding authorities. But it is quite wrong to use personal anecdotes as the basis for broad generalisations about an entire community — one that has consistently supported music, education, and youth initiatives through open and generous charitable giving.
The values of truth, tolerance, personal responsibility, and the service of others are not in conflict with the Christian gospel. Freemasonry does not require allegiance to any particular faith, only a belief in God, and encourages its members to be better citizens and, where applicable, better adherents to their own religion. It does not interfere with religious belief and has, for hundreds of years, numbered among its members many faithful Christians — including Anglicans, some of whom have served the Church with great distinction.
Lastly, demands for mandatory disclosure of Masonic membership — when no such demands are made of membership in other civic or faith-based organisations — risk breaching both the spirit and letter of the law on freedom of association and privacy. As Jonathan Spence said in his June 2024 address to Grand Lodge (freely available on the internet), such demands were considered unnecessary and repealed by Parliament in 1967 and are even less justifiable today.
It is time to move beyond rumour and innuendo. The Council for Freemasonry in England and Wales stands ready to engage in honest dialogue and to work with others of goodwill in Church and society to advance the common good. We are proud of our history, our values, and above all, our continuing service to others.
Freemasonry remains one of the country’s largest charitable givers. In 2022/23 alone, our members contributed £26.2 million to charitable causes, and that is over and above their countless hours of service to all sorts of organisations and charities operating in the communities in which they live. This reflects the heart of what Freemasonry truly is: a community of ordinary people seeking to improve themselves and support others.
SIMON THORN, Grand Chaplain, UGLE; BARBARA PRESCOTT, Grand Chaplain, OWF; SHEILA COULES, Grand Chaplain, HFAF (Freemasonry for Women)
c/o Freemasons’ Hall
60 Great Queen Street
London WC2B 5AZ
Christianity is still the main religion in UK
From Mr David Hughes
Madam, — I am struggling to understand the reasoning behind the assertion that “Christianity is now a minority religion across the UK” (News, 4 July).
If 46.64 per cent of the the UK population identify as “Christian”, and 37.64 per cent as “no religion”, then the remaining 15.72 per cent cannot displace Christianity as the lead religion.
Christians clearly account for less than half the population, but, nevertheless, Christianity remains the majority religion.
DAVID HUGHES (Reader)
27 Bleadon Mill, Bleadon
Weston super Mare BS24 0BE
Needing a rewrite? Carter’s omission
From the Revd Dr David L. Gosling
Madam, — I was pleased to see that Christian Aid has rewritten parts of “When I needed a neighbour” (News, 4 July).
The most important problem in Sydney Carter’s hymn has always been that he omits all reference to Matthew 25.36, in which Jesus says “I was in prison and you visited me.”
According to several theologians, most Jewish rabbis would not, at that time, have made such a reference to prisoners, but Jesus did: all the more reason that we should support prison ministry.
DAVID L. GOSLING
3 Tavistock Road
Cambridge CB4 3NB
Noun and pronoun in reference to the Spirit
From the Revd Dr Kevin Walton
Madam, — I am sorry to prolong the discussion about the pneumatical pronoun in John 16.13-15, but it is necessary to correct a creeping misapprehension. While the Revd Michael Hampson (Letter, 4 July) is correct that the Greek noun for spirit (pneuma) is grammatically neuter, strikingly, the Greek text does in fact employ the male-gendered pronoun (ekeinos) in both v. 13 and v. 14. The translation “he” is, therefore, correct.
KEVIN WALTON
2 Sumpter Yard
St Albans AL1 1BY
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