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News from your diocese

Hereford: The Heritage Lottery Fund recently awarded eight churches from the Diocese of Hereford more than a half a million pounds last week. The five churches from Shropshire are St Michael in Munslow, St Milburga in Stoke St Milborough, St Michael and All Angels in Stanton Long, St Mary the Virgin in Cleobury Mor timer, and St George’s Church. The three churches in Herefordshire are St Mary the Virgin in Middleton, St Peter at Pipe cum Lyde, and St Tysilio in Sellak. The spokesperson for the Diocese, Anni Holden, remarked: “We have once again been very for tunate in the grants from the Places of Worship programme at the Heritage Lottery Fund.” The most generous award of £106,000 went to the church of St Michael in Munslow. They hope to reroof and repair the tower. Many other churches will also fix their buildings with the funds they have gratefully received. The repairs will happen between the next two to three years.

Oxford: The Queen will be visiting Christ Church Cathedral for the first time on 28 March. She is distributing Maundy Money to pensioners from Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Buckinghamshire. The act emulates the Last Supper through Jesus’ teachings of loving thy neighbour. Annually, a UK cathedral or abbey will be visited by the Monarch, who will reward the elderly for their continual service for their community and church. Buckingham Palace is inviting 87 men and women each, (the number is in line with the Queen’s age) to accept these “special coins.” The Dean of Christ Church, the Very Rev Christopher Lewis commented proudly: “It is great news that Her Majesty is coming to Oxford’s cathedral for this profound service. Maundy Thursday is the day when we remember Jesus washing his disciples’ feet and sharing his last meal with them...” Ripon and Leeds: Sri Lanka has been the focus of prayer for church leaders in Yorkshire this past Sunday. The Bishop of Colombo called for a “Day of Lament” in protest to what he believed was “the complete collapse of the rule of law.” The Diocese of Ripon and Leeds was “twinned” with the Church of Ceylon in Sri Lanka. The Rt Rev Dhiloraj Canagasabey wanted Sri Lanka to “fast, pray, and lament.” Sri Lanka’s political situation is messy due to the impeachment of Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, which came after allegations of financial and official misconduct. Her dismissal was pronounced “unlawful” by the courts. Bishop John Packer asked each church to “keep a moment of silence” in respect for this tragic time. “It will be a great encouragement to our brother and sisters in Sri Lanka to know that we are praying with them on their Day of Lament. It is in times of difficulty that the bonds of friendship between the par tner dioceses of Colombo, Kuranagale and Ripon and Leeds are tested…” Salisbur y: One of the four surviving 1215 Magna Carta documents is creating plans for their 800th anniversary. Salisbury Cathedral houses the historical document which addresses social justice, liberty, and modern democracy. The Cathedral will display its Magna Carta in the Chapter House. Visitors are welcome to relive history when the event opens in 2015. Rober t Key, chairman, stated: “Salisbury Cathedral is extremely proud to own the finest preserved of the four surviving original 1215 documents. We know how impor tant the Magna Carta is to people from across the globe and what it represents for them.” They also hope to per form a concer t, promote a week-long flower festival, and host a Medieval Fair. The other surviving documents are at the British Library and Lincoln Cathedral.