Random Fish

For a reason which is too complicated to get into here, the group for teens at St Paul's is called Random Fish.

Random Fish gather in the Barnabas Centre at St Paul's from 7pm to 9pm. Email Doug or Jennifer for details.

Lambeth Conference appoints a cartoonist in residence

Dave Walker's CartoonChurch blog is high on my reading list each week. Dave's recently announced that he's been asked to be cartoon artist in residence at the 2008 Lambeth Conference. Bishops from all over the world will come to the UK in July and the conference itself will run from 16 July to 4 August 2008 at the University of Kent in Canterbury. Dave says he's "very excited" by the prospect.

I'm excited about the prospect of Dave's cartoons, which are sure to leaven the sometimes ever so slightly tedious ongoings at these events.

The video here has been uploaded by Lambeth Palace to YouTube to mark the launch of the 2008 Conference.

Called to ministry?

The annual diocesan Vocations Day is being held on Saturday 23 February, at St Philip's Church, Evington. The day will include:

• time for prayer and reflection
• guest speaker Charles Richardson, Vocations Adviser in the Diocese of Southwark and editor of This is our calling (SPCK, 2004).
• Gill Jackson, Director of Social Responsibility for the Diocese of Leicester
• Mike Harrison, Director of Mission and Ministry for the Diocese of Leicester
• workshops with people already exercising authorised ministry (Readers, pastoral assistants, evangelists, ordained ministers).

The day is free but contributions towards the cost of lunch would be welcome. To book a place, request a registration form from Claire Stapleton.

Can I get married in church on Sunday?

It's a question that we're being asked more and more. With wedding reception venues taking bookings three or more years in advance, the availability and cost of the traditional Saturday wedding is a real problem for many couples.

We've had Sunday weddings in Oadby parish in the last couple of years and it works well.

There's less flexibility in timing due to the other services, but it's quite possible to have a wedding at 1.00pm or 2.00pm, which are the prime times to marry.

For more information about weddings in Oadby, use the weddings link on the labels and categories section on the right of every page.

Next Sunday at Ten - 27 January 2008

Service of the Word
Leading: Simon Harvey
Preaching: Simon Foulds
Leading music: Doug Tincello
Isaiah 9. 1-4 Jill Williams
Matthew 4. 12-23 Anita Chettle
Leading prayers: Elena Williams

It's a pleasure to welcome Simon Foulds of Bible Society to preach at today's service. Bible Society works to make God's Word heard, read and respected in this country and overseas.

Passion TV series

The Diocese of Leicester's website is featuring news of a new BBC TV series:

The series, which starts on Palm Sunday 16th March, will be scheduled in peak time on BBC1. It is likely to attract audiences in excess of 10 million. It tells the story of the last week of Jesus’ life, His trial and crucifixion. The last episode, to be broadcast on Easter Sunday 23rd March, dramatises His post-resurrection appearances. It has been made by award-winning drama producer Nigel Stafford-Clark, who was responsible for Bleak House and Warriors. The cast includes Cold Feet star James Nesbitt as Pilate and EastEnders actor Paul Nicholls as Judas Iscariot. The part of Jesus is played by the relatively unknown Joseph Mawle, who at 33 is the same age as Jesus during the events of the Passion.

More information about "The Passion" at the Churches' Media Council.

Jesus and the Christian Gospel for all?

I've just received publicity for a training event at St Philip's Centre for Study & Engagement in a Multi-faith Society. It promises exploration of "how to offer the challenge of the Christian faith to our Hindu, Sikh or Muslim neighbours".

The day is led by Canon Dr Andrew Wingate, who has an international reputation for inter-faith dialogue and understanding, and Revd John McGinley, an evangelical vicar from Hinckley.

This is a rare opportunity to reflect on issues of the church's mission, friendship, engagement and evangelism in multi-faith neighbourhoods. I hope to be able to attend.

How to downsize your church

Some excellent advice from the Diocese of Chichester here.

'Called?' Vocations Day 2008

Here's the information for this year's Vocations Day. I'll be very much involved as usual, helping people explore Reader ministry.

Vocations day is an opportunity to explore and discern your ministry, whether this may be a formal lay ministry of some kind or simply mean being more involved with your church, this day will help you to realise your calling.

This day will give you the opportunity to hear from those already working as lay ministers and meet the officers responsible for particular ministries.

This day will be of value to anyone interested in finding out about opportunities to serve and minister within the church. Speaker: Rev Charles Richardson Ordained in 1979, Charles has been involved in vocational work for the whole of his ministry. After two curacies he spent five years as a Selection Secretary and Vocations Advisor at the Ministry Division. As Rector and Rural Dean in Hastings he continued to offer vocational advice and on his appointment as Vicar of St. John's, East Dulwich, he became Vocations Advisor for the Woolwich Area in the Diocese of Southwark. He is a Pastoral Selector for Bishop's Selection Conferences. He edited and contributed to a recent book on calling, This is our Calling (SPCK, 2004).

Booking necessary, please contact Claire Stapleton at Church House Tel: 0116 248 7417 or E-mail: claire.stapleton@leccofe.org

Booking the church and Barnabas Centre

I'm delighted that Cynthia Foulds has offered to take on the administration of the bookings for the Church and Barnabas Centre by community groups. Sue Boyden will continue to administer the invoicing. This has become a key area of our ministry and service to the wider community and a source of valuable income. In 2007, our buildings were occupied for two thirds of the available sessions and raised almost £17,000 in income.

To book the church or Barnabas Centre, contact Cynthia on the new bookings line - 07931 726661, or by email.