SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON FUNDS FOR CHURCH GARDEN

This letter appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Setting the record straight on funds for church garden

RJ Bingham ("Why not everything in these gardens is lovely", Mailbox, May 20) is concerned about the Diocese of Leicester's plans for funding Cathedral Gardens.

He wittily suggests that as the wall obstructing views in and out of the Guildhall is currently being reduced, so we also remove the "wall of silence" from the diocese on the whole topic, although the rest of his/her letter seems to contain remarkably few actual questions on which we could be accused of being silent.

What it does contain is a number of inaccurate statements, which I'm glad of the chance to respond to.

Firstly it speaks of the diocese "accepting a £1.9 million grant from the city".

I'm not sure where these figures are supposed to have come from but the fact is that no such "grant" exists.

What is proposed is that the city will undertake work to the adjacent highways that it is responsible for, which is likely to amount to about £1.5 million.

The city's capital programme is there for public works and this is an excellent example of such works that will bring benefit to the whole city and its many and increasing number of visitors – which will, of course, itself bring benefits to the local economy.

The cathedral is looking to raise the balance of the funds needed from grants and benefactors – a significant amount of which has already been pledged.

Then the suggestion is made that by entering into constructive partnership with the city authorities in one area, the Church somehow forgoes the right to be critical of any other aspects of their work.

The truth is that, as a Church, we are always ready both to support those in need – as witness the considerable work already carried out both from St Martin's House and parishes up and down the city and county.

We are also always ready to speak up where there is a proper case to be made. Bishop Tim has been foremost among those challenging the Government cuts which are themselves the background to the changes the city has been forced into in its support for homeless people.

Finally, that old cliché about "the Church's millions" is rolled out.Yes, the diocese has capital assets – though considerably less than many local individuals, for example.

These are held in trust for a wide range of work, mainly for the support of parishes, and are fully put to use for that purpose.

The cathedral, unlike more ancient foundations, has very meagre endowment funds and it's just not true to say it can lay out large sums on a whim.

What it can do – and is doing under the leadership of David Monteith, its new Dean – is offer a generous welcome in God's name to all the people who live in or visit our city and provide a healthy challenge to the dominant story of our age, that money is all and the things of the spirit are of no significance.

We have a story that began in one garden in Eden, passes through another in Gethsemane and ends in a heaven often portrayed as a garden of paradise. It's no surprise we'd like to welcome as many as possible through our own gardens in the years to come – and will gladly partner with whoever shares our vision for the healing of humanity.

Pete Hobson, acting Canon Missioner, Leicester Cathedral

CASH BOOST FOR FOOD BANKS

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

The Dean of Leicester Cathedral, the Very Rev David Monteith, visits FareShare

Cash boost for food banks

by Adrian Troughton

The new Dean of Leicester has announced an increase in support for food banks.

The Very Rev David Monteith revealed the Diocese of Leicester was to give FareShare Leicester £10,000 a year – up from last year's £5,000.

The Dean made the announcement as he visited the headquarters of FareShare Leicester, on Oaks industrial estate, off Coventry Road, Narborough.

Mr Monteith said: "It was pleasure to visit the FareShare organisation and to be able to announce that the diocese is to double its financial support.

"This increased support should enable this organisation to plan ahead with confidence and not to have to worry about meeting administration costs."

FareShare is an international movement which receives food from shops and factories and gives it to churches, charities and community groups to distribute to the poor.

Nearly 50 food banks will be running in the county by the end of June – double the number that were open a year ago.

Mr Monteith said the work FareShare does was becoming increasingly relied upon as more people struggled in the financial climate.

He said: "It is extraordinary that in our society, which is relatively wealthy, there are many people who just can't put food on the table for their families.

"The number of people who have to be helped in this way is growing."Throughout the diocese we are coming across increasing cases of hardship, people who, quite simply, are relying on organisations such as FareShare to keep them going."

John Willetts, project director of FareShare Leicester, said: "The priority that David Monteith has given to this visit highlights what the churches, cathedral, diocese and FareShare Leicester are doing to support the marginalised and disadvantaged in our community.

"As our founding partner, the diocese has always given us great support."

Jonathan Kerry, chief executive and diocesan secretary, said: "The Diocese of Leicester is delighted to give additional support to FareShare Leicester.

"We are doubling our annual contribution to help FareShare have a secure organisational base and to mean that money it raises from other sources goes more directly to benefit those working with people in our communities."

NEW DEAN WELCOMED AT "A TIME OF GREAT CHANGE"

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

The Very Reverend David Monteith has been installed as the new Dean of Leicester

New Dean welcomed at "a time of great change"

The Very Reverend David Monteith has been installed as the new Dean of Leicester.

The Very Rev Monteith officially began his new post after a service at Leicester Cathedral on Saturday.

The new Dean, taking over from Vivienne Faull, who last year moved to be Dean of York, has been at the cathedral four years having previously been the canon chancellor with responsibility for pastoral and educational life.

In his sermon to the congregation, the Very Rev Monteith said: "Cathedrals are called to embrace the interface between the spiritual and the secular.

"This Cathedral is invited to create the kind of space which frees up others to explore this spirituality in countless languages, metaphors, images, experiences and church traditions."

During the service the Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Rev Tim Stevens welcomed the new Dean.

He said: "Few Deans have been installed at a time of such great change in their Cathedral. We have discerned in you the gifts and qualities this challenge require. May God bless you."

The service included music sung in Irish reflecting the Dean's native origins.

A piece written by Dr Chris Johns, director of music at the cathedral was premiered.

It uses a poem by Robert Herryck who is commemorated in the cathedral and whose family home was on the site of the Greyfriars Friary where Richard III was buried.