A breakaway Anglican group that rejects premarital sex and gay marriage has started holding meetings in Harrogate.
As yet, the group has only a handful of members, but its leader, Hugh Davis, believes more discontented conservative Anglicans will join as news of it spreads.
He said:
“Since 2008, there have been progressively retrograde steps by the Church of England to accept more liberal interpretations of the Bible. We believe these behaviours and teachings are contrary to the traditional teachings of the Bible. As these ideas percolate down to the general congregation, more people will be discomfited and, like me, think ‘what do I do now?’.
“It’s not homophobic. I’ve worked for many years with people attracted to people of the same sex. I accept their views, but I also expect them to accept mine.”
The issue of homosexuality has long been a contentious matter in the Anglican Church. In 2008, a group of conservative bishops, many from the global south, declined to attend the Lambeth Conference in protest at the consecration Gene Robinson, the openly gay Bishop of New Hampshire. They instead convened in Jerusalem for the Global Anglican Future Conference (Gafcon).
Just last week, the Church of England’s General Synod agreed not to change its stance on gay marriage – same-sex couples will still not be allowed to marry in church – but it backed proposals to allow prayers of blessing for same-sex couples.
The new Life Group in Harrogate is one of several under the auspices of Trinity Church Scarborough, which is part of the Anglican Mission in England (AMiE), which in turn is aligned with the Gafcon movement of Anglican orthodoxy.
Mr Davis, who is retired, said:
“The latest teachings in the Church of England are very different from what I was taught as a boy. I wasn’t happy – I couldn’t make sense of it.
“Things moved on, so I decided I would move on too.”
Having attended St Mark’s Church in Harrogate for 30 years, Mr Davis finally left, but stressed it was not an easy move to make. He said:
“It was difficult, and took several months of talking to and confiding with friends. It was very painful – I’d even say that leaving the Church of England was a bigger decision than getting married.”
The new midweek Life Group meets fortnightly in a member’s home. For more information, contact Mr Davis on 07802 833977, or email him at hughthewildfowler@btinternet.com.
Read more:
- Bishop of Ripon formally departs — with no successor imminent
- Harrogate gay men welcome chance to donate blood
- ‘Why I’m a Harrogate Quaker‘
North Yorkshire Police advice to lock churches questioned
North Yorkshire Police has issued advice to church authorities to keep premises locked when unattended to deter theft.
The advice has been sent out in pamphlets to churches across the region and has been questioned by some who believe the premises should stay open throughout the day.
The full advice can be seen on the North Yorkshire Police website and also includes locking away any valuable items and chaining antique furniture to the floor and wall.
Churches have historically been open to the community at most times throughout the day for prayer and services. Most have been closed in the past year due to covid.
C B Newsham is the director of the Parish Church Photographic Survey and saw the police notice whilst taking photographs in a Harrogate church.
He expressed his dismay at the advice on Twitter;
https://twitter.com/cbnewham/status/1400102182716854273
He said;
“If a church is locked then it presents a more tempting target for a thief […] because a locked building says “I’m locked because I have valuables inside”. Most churches have very little worth stealing inside them – something easily seen if the church is open. If it’s locked, then a lot of damage can be done gaining access. Thousands of pounds-worth of damage with nothing stolen.”
Read more
Reverend Robb Wainwright, associate Priest for Burton Leonard and Bishop Monkton, is in agreement;
“I am very much in favour of churches remaining open where it is practicable to do so. In many rural locations just organising a key holder and an opening rota may be a problem, especially in winter.”
North Yorkshire Police has not yet responded with comment on the issue.
New vicar for Killinghall, Birstwith and Hampsthwaite
The Reverend Suzy McCarter has been appointed vicar of Hampsthwaite with Felliscliffe, Killinghall and Birstwith.
Revd McCarter, who lives in Birstwith vicarage, will be installed at an induction service with the Bishop of Ripon, the Rt Rev Helen-Ann Hartley, on July 28 at 7pm in Killinghall.
Born in Northampton, Revd McCarter was ordained in Blackburn Diocese.
She said:
“I then served a curacy in Standish, Wigan and my first appointment as a clergyperson was in the benefice of Harden, Wilsden, Cullingworth and Denholme in West Yorkshire where I stayed for nearly 11 years before moving here.
“We hope to settle and remain here for a nice long time.”
Birstwith and Hampsthwaite churches reopened for worship during Holy Week and are now back to the normal pattern of worship.
Killinghall, however, is having work done to repair the chancel after some water damage to the foundations resulted in the floor sinking.
It is expected to open for worship on May 30.
Read more:
Bishop of Ripon: why I love running
When the Bishop of Ripon called this month for the city to get a new sports village, she wasn’t speaking purely in a professional capacity.
The Rt Rev. Dr Helen-Ann Hartley is a keen runner who believes exercise has more than physical benefits.
Usually she runs alone but she’s also a member of Ripon Runners, and occasionally swaps her maroon robes for the club’s maroon colours.
The Stray Ferret was curious to discover more about the link between fitness and godliness and cheekily asked Helen-Ann is we could join her for a run.
She cheerfully agreed and on a pleasant eight kilometre jaunt around Ripon explained more about her journey from non-runner to regularly taking on distances of up to 16 km.
The Rt Rev. Dr Helen-Ann Hartley in her more usual attire.
She didn’t start running until two years ago, when she was 45. She says:
“I decided to give the couch to 5k programme a go. I never thought of myself as a runner, I enjoyed walking and going to the gym.
“But some friends had tried the programme and I thought it would be fun to try.
“I soon found the benefits of running both physically and mentally and starting Parkrun in August 2019 was a real milestone in my running journey.”
Read more:
Helen-Ann typically runs five to 15 km three times a week. Her personal best for a 5k is just under 30 minutes — it was 45 minutes when she started.
“To be honest though, I’m not that fussed about timing! My longest run was just over 16 km and I’m aiming for a half-marathon.”
Does running help with her day job?
“I think it does, because I use running to create space; I’ve often mulled tricky things over in my mind, or pondered a sermon and almost always come up with an idea or a different perspective because I’ve been out and about.
“I even pray as I run sometimes, when I’m running down streets I think of the people and the businesses and hope they’re doing ok, especially at the moment.”
Great North Run ambitions
Having grown up in the north-east, Helen-Ann’s ambition is to complete the Great North Run, which is a half marathon from Newcastle to South Shields.
“My dad has done it. I’d love to do it and raise money for a brilliant charity called Daft as a Brush that provided the transport to enable my dad to access his cancer treatment in Newcastle, which thankfully finished just before the first lockdown. The treatment was successful, thankfully.”
As any runner will tell you, part of the joy is discovering new routes and Ripon has plenty to offer.
“I do think the Fountains Abbey Parkrun is an amazing route. I love running along the river Ure in Ripon, though it’s a bit muddy at the moment”.
Bishop spotting
She joined Ripon Runners during lockdown
“Seeing them out and about as individuals or in their bubbles doing a lockdown challenge in fancy dress made me think, they look like a cheery bunch. So I emailed their membership secretary Nicole and got such an enthusiastic response I knew I’d made the right decision.
“As a club they welcome all types of runners, fast, slow and everything in-between. I really enjoy the weekly runs when we are able to gather. Generally though I’m a solo runner and enjoy waving at fellow runners as I go on my way.”
Helen-Ann says she doesn’t get recognised often, probably because she looks so different.
“But occasionally people do a double-take but by the time they have decided if that was or wasn’t the bishop I’m well on my way!”