Church reps join bishop to strengthen global links
 
A local head teacher, a police officer and a vicar will be among a party of nine people from Notts travelling out to South Africa with the Bishop of Southwell & Nottingham this week (Wednesday, 12th January 2011).
 
The group of 10, including Bishop Paul’s wife, Rosemary, will be aiming to build on the existing link between the Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham and the Diocese of Natal. It will also be the Bishop’s first visit to South Africa.
 
He said: “Rosemary and I are excited about visiting Natal and building on the developing link between our two dioceses. We will be finding out how we can learn from one another and what the future may hold for all of us in the months to come – both the challenges and the plans.”
 
PHOTO: attached is a photo of Heather Rattenberry, the Revd Kon Apokis and the Bishop of Southwell & Nottingham, the Rt Revd Paul Butler, preparing for their trip to South Africa.
 
Head teacher at Lowdham Church of England Primary School, Heather Rattenberry, will be part of the group and aims to make a definite link with a school in Natal. She explained: “At Lowdham we seek to give children opportunities to develop spiritually and in the Spring we are working with Creative Partnerships, leading to celebrating an African Easter. I am hoping to gain lots of ideas and information from the Natal visit to make this an enriched experience for all.”
 
Heather’s husband, Chris Rattenberry, who is Priest-in-Charge of St Peter’s, Ravenshead, will also be part of the group and hopes to find out more about the ministry and mission of churches in South Africa to share with his congregation.
 
Notts police officer, Daniel Bebbington, will join the group too, representing Nottinghamshire Christian Police Association. He hopes to create a link between the Christian Police Association (CPA) in Kwazulu Natal and Nottinghamshire CPA and in so doing create a link between Natal Police and Nottinghamshire Police. He also hopes to speak with a senior police officer and discuss personal and professional issues affecting senior police officers.
 
Other members of the group include the Diocesan Link Officer and Priest-in-Charge of Kimberley and Nuthall parishes, the Revd Barbara Holbrook. Two members will be representing the parish of St James, Porchester, in Nottingham – Denise Dodd and Jane Henson; while retired Primary School teacher, Maureen Rodgers from St Mary’s, Arnold, will be representing the Mothers Union and hoping to link with MU members in Natal. The 10th member of the party will be the Revd Kon Apokis, who is a Greek-Australian now working as Clergy Training Officer for Diocese. He hopes to find ways of setting up meaningful placements for curates in training between the two dioceses.
The group will travel out to South Africa on Wednesday 12th January for two weeks. They expect to be visiting a range of communities, projects, churches and organisations to gain a flavour of the work of the diocese.
 
 

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