Bangor creates cartoon guide for local schools

THE diocese of Bangor has released a Welsh-language resource to support pupils in exploring Christian pilgrimage, churches, and faith heritage through activities in their communities. The Diocesan Schools Pilgrimage Engagement Officer, Nia Elain Roberts, has created the character Erin Pererin, a fictional guide who leads children through stories and local journeys via Pererin Ysgolion, a new website for schools. pererinysgolion.cymru

Sarum Principal Professor Woodward to retire

THE Principal of Sarum College since 2015, Canon James Woodward, who is also Professor of Theology at Winchester University, is to retire in June, the trustees announced last week. The chair of the trustees, the Rt Revd Alistair Redfern, said that Professor Woodward had “provided faithful, focused, bold, and imaginative leadership together with the care and encouragement to students, staff, and the wider community associated with Sarum College”. Professor Woodward read theology at King’s College, London, before working as a nursing auxiliary at St Christopher’s Hospice, in south London. He then trained for ministry at Westcott House, Cambridge, and was ordained priest in 1986. He holds a doctorate from the Open University for his thesis “A Study of the role of the Acute Health Care Chaplain 1945-1990”, and has written more than 15 books.

Women on Metrolink are vulnerable, Dr Walker says

THE Bishop of Manchester, Dr David Walker, during a Lords debate on the Crime and Policing Bill last week, urged the Government to consider the safety of women and girls on all forms of public transport. “I am blessed in living in Greater Manchester at the heart of a major Metrolink tram network,” he said. “There are often very few staff late at night, particularly on the trams, and women and girls are especially vulnerable on those occasions. This Bill, if it is not just about the rail network, may be the better Bill to cover these issues and ensure that women and girls are safe and protected from violence on our whole public-transport network.” The BIshops’ comment was welcomed by the Home Office Minister Lord Hanson.

Poll rejects Project Spire in favour of parish

TWO-THIRDS of the 500 people who took part in a recent poll by Merlin Strategy said that they would withhold donations to their church should the Church Commissioners press ahead with Project Spire — the £100-million fund to support communities affected by the historic transatlantic slave trade. Most respondents to the survey (81 per cent), reported in the Telegraph this week, said that the money should instead be supporting the parishes. Of these, 41 per cent said that the recruiting, training, and supporting of parish clergy should be prioritised.

Local churchpeople in NY Honours list

AMONG the New Year Honours announced this month (News, 9 January) was Vera Parnaby, 86, who was appointed MBE for voluntary services to veterans and the community in County Durham. Mrs Parnaby, known in her village as Mrs Poppy, has been selling poppies for the British Legion since the 1950s. She has also been the PCC treasurer of St Ives’, Leadgate, for many years. Also honoured was Chris Roberts, who was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to young people, charity, and music. Mr Roberts, a former councillor and honorary Bailie of Conwy, began playing the organ at St Mary’s, Conwy, in Bangor diocese, 50 years ago, at the age of 14, and became the choirmaster at the age of 21. He is also the founder of the Conwy Classical Music Festival, which runs for a week each July.

Correction: In our faith article last week on inclusive baptism, we were in fact referring to the former Bishop of Selby Dr John Thomson, not as printed. We apologise for the error.