The Bishop of Coventry wants the city to retain its link with Volgograd.Coventry council voted last week to suspend the city's 80-year twinning arrangement with the Russian city due to the Ukrainian war, despite an appeal by the Right Reverend Christopher Cocksworth for it to continue.The bishop said it was important to "draw a distinction between the Putin state and the people of Russia".He said he would keep in contact with friends in the Russian city.The Labour-run council said it was pausing its twinning links "with a heavy heart" until "such a time" they could resume. Bishop Cocksworth said he understood the decision, but added: "It says something about the deep disruption, the tearing of bonds, the breaking of relationships that war causes."He said he hoped others would also stay in touch with people in Volgograd, to support those protesting against the war and to tell Russians what was happening in Ukraine.And he added he believed the war was most likely to come to an end because of internal pressure within Russia.The bishop also praised the "instinctive" help the people of Coventry had given to Ukraine."The people of Coventry always rise to these challenges and that's partly because we have, even if we might not have experienced it ourselves, we have by being in this city this connection with people who are suffering during war time."
The function room at the Mosley Arms serves as a chapel for 100 people.The Rev Ben Woodfield (pictured with his wife Amy), who led last week’s gathering, said: “Our aim is for people to relax. "It’s very informal with lively songs, interactive talks and group discussions.”It came about after landlady Bernie Bates was approached by a pal about using the pub in Bolton, Gtr Manchester, for worship.Bernie said its 10.30am weekly service appeals to people reluctant to go to a traditional church or who do not have access to one.She added: “Our first service drew in people of all ages — from babes in arms to adults in their 80s.” The pub’s owner, brewery Joseph Holt, give up the room for free.Mr Woodfield co-leads the Antioch Network — an organisation aimed at setting up contemporary Anglican services in urban communities. He said: “The Mosley Arms is in the heart of the community and the perfect place to start a regular Sunday service.”
Our joint parish Holy Communion service for Mothering Sunday is at St Peter's Church, Hascombe at 10am. Reverend Tim Clifford Hill, curate from St Nicolas Church, Cranleigh is our celebrant.We'd love to see you there but if you can't be with us in person just click on the link below to join us via Zoom.Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/82754924403?pwd=UlFCcG5XRnh2MVlTL3pDYWlBdHlBdz09
A Cathedral choir has recorded a fundraising anthem for Ukrainian children, to be released on Mothering Sunday.Truro Cathedral Choir’s recording of Ave Maria, by Ukrainian contemporary composer Valentin Silvestrov, will be performed at the Cathedral and released as a recording on YouTube on Mothering Sunday this weekend.The Crowdfunder, in aid of Unicef’s emergency appeal ‘Protect Children in Ukraine’, was inspired by young choristers who wanted to use their talents to help their peers caught up in the war.By extraordinary coincidence, Ukrainian refugees Akim, 12, and his mother Tanya Huhnina, who fled Cherkasy in Ukraine to join a family in Cornwall last week, visited Truro Cathedral as the choir rehearsed.The mother and son had been shopping for shoes for Akim’s first day in a Cornish school and had felt moved to step inside the cathedral.When she realised what was happening in the cathedral, Tanya said: "God has led us here tonight."The choir, with 34 children and 12 adult professional singers, received support with Ukrainian pronunciation from Marta Jenkala, Associate Professor of Ukrainian at University College, London.Dean of Truro Roger Bush said: “This will be a very poignant Mothering Sunday in the UK. As we celebrate with family at home, our thoughts will naturally turn to the plight of millions of Ukrainian mothers, courageously attempting to bring their children to safety, including those who are making their way to our shores.“Whatever your faith, we hope that this beautiful Ukrainian Ave Maria offers a powerful channel for our feelings, thoughts and prayers.’ Truro Cathedral's Director of Music, Christopher Gray, said: “It has been a joy to discover some of Ukraine’s music recently in preparation for our Crowdfunder."When I came across the music of Valentin Silvestrov it had a stillness and sheer beauty that stopped me in my tracks."Marc Gregory, who is one of the bass singers in the choir, said: “Our whole choir community is behind this initiative and we hope people in Cornwall and further afield will help us do something, however small, to support Ukrainian children caught up in this present-day horror.”Josh, 13, Head Chorister, said: "Some of us have given our pocket money and we hope people will give lots, lots more to help us make a difference.”The recording will be released on YouTube on Mothering Sunday this weekend and the choir will also sing the song live at the 4pm service in Truro Cathedral that day.
