Something to reflect on.... |
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You may be reading this between phonecalls or meetings, or in downtime, or while multi-tasking. Wherever you are, why not gift yourself a couple of minutes to listen, enjoy, be moved and potentially inspired by hearing maybe for the first time, or probably having heard numerous times, the beautiful, smooth baritone, soul voice of Bill Withers as he sings Lovely Day – enjoy : Bing Videos
Waw! I hope you enjoyed. If you were singing along, I wonder how you fared with that long ‘daaaaaaaaaaaay’?! He set the record for the longest sustained note on a US chart hit, holding that top E for 18 seconds.
This song was on the minibus-coach playlist for every school visit or activities fortnight we took to the South of France, Paris or the Normandy Battlefields (at least 16 trips) which then teenagers, now grown adults recall when I see them!
Bill Withers was a Grammy Award winner; was inducted by Stevie Wonder into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame; was an inductee of the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame; and many of his songs were hits in the charts. Although he stopped recording in 1985, his songs remained a major influence on R&B and hip-hop. Bill Withers was of African-American and English descent and was a Christian who spoke openly about his faith and its core place in his life and music. As a child Bill developed a stutter, and later reflected that he had a really hard time fitting in.
The lyrics understandably draw us to imagine the Lovely Day is confirmed resulting from looking at a lover or partner : |
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When I wake up in the mornin', love
And the sunlight hurts my eyes
And somethin' without warnin', love
Bears heavy on my mind
Then I look at you
And the world's alright with me
Just one look at you
And I know it's gonna be
A lovely day, lovely day, lovely day (repeat x9)
When the day that lies ahead of me
Seems impossible to face
When someone else instead of me
Always seems to know the way
Then I look at you
And the world's alright with me
Just one look at you
And I know it's gonna be
A lovely day lovely day, lovely day (repeat x9) |
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Please suspend the lover-partner assumption for a moment. Imagine that the ‘you’ above is, well YOU! Yes, YOU can be part of the Lovely Day possibility for people you encounter. Just as the song melodically, rhythmically and intentionally builds, uplifts and grows, to a sense of joy and positivity, you too can influence someone’s day. From a child or young person’s perspective, imagine if they come to school and meet you, or see you en-route, and they are carrying worry, fear, apprehension, perplexity because they perhaps stutter, are facing a treatment-journey, are ridiculed because they wear noise-reducing headphones, have a physical disability, wear a visible cochlear implant, have a skin colour that’s ‘different’ to the majority – or hundreds of other prompts that can lead to that sense of ‘otherness’ or ‘not included’.
What a privilege and opportunity we all have, to assist someone, adult or child, in having a ‘Lovely Day’.
Especially during this Mental Health Awareness week, may God give you the opportunity and strength to give others the possibility of a Lovely Day as a result of your response when they look at you - wherever you are located and whatever role you have, be it in work, retirement, leisure, home or community life.
Best wishes
Jeff
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Book recommendation : Lovely Day |
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Bill Withers's celebrated hit song "Lovely Day" comes to life in this beautifully illustrated picture book. Bill Withers's "Lovely Day" is famous for bringing listeners joy. This gorgeous picture book adapted from the song's timeless lyrics follows the story of a brother and sister who always find a way to make each other smile, no matter the challenges the day may bring. From discovering new ways to play when the playground is closed, to laughing out loud as they run through the rain, these siblings can count on each other to find the joy in any situation. |
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Mental Health Awareness Week |
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Triwonder Installations at the Cathedrals and Priory : reminder, deadline 6th June |
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We are excited at the prospect of several thousand creatures from land, air and sea hanging from ribbons at the Cathedrals and Priory. All schools have received our project booklet and instructions for the installations (they are included at the end of this Bulletin as usual, for anyone needing quick access). This is a reminder that we are not able to receive any contributions on the days your school attends the workshops and services as the logistics this year require staff from the venues to install them in advance – Health & Safety considerations and the fact that they will be suspended from heights that are not accessible on the day. The good news is that the completed Installation will be in situ for all to see from the first day of the week of your visit. Schools have been contacted separately to remind them of the arrangements for the collection of your ribbons with children’s contributions near June 6th. We are also asking school to keep one child’s creature-card unattached to the ribbon, and to bring to the service, as each school will be invited to bring their one creature-card to represent the school for a Blessing by the Bishop. These single cards will be placed near the main installation afterwards. The photos here are pupils from Bransgore & Romsey Abbey enjoying making their contribution. |
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Silchester School Prayer Week |
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Pupils have enjoyed visiting a beautiful, thought provoking prayer space created at Silchester Church of England Primary School . Children had several opportunities to visit the prayer space and take part in the numerous activities set up inside. The purpose of the room was to provide a memorable experience of spirituality and to introduce prayer and reflection in different forms. All activities attached here were invitational, and children could choose if and what they wanted to do. Working with church colleagues, staff and volunteers made with space calm, exciting and interactive, allowing the children to express their thoughts and feelings, as well as providing a place for children and adults to pray and reflect. Quotes from the children recorded in the school's Reflection Book:
"I learned how to pray and thought about how I can help others."
"I loved having a space to pray for the important things."
"I like how we were just free to pray, play and be calm"
"The prayer tent inspires calm and peace" |
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New Net Zero Animation for Schools |
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A new animation to help schools take the first steps to lowering their carbon emissions has been launched by the Church of England’s Net Zero programme. The short ‘claymatian’ style animation offers tips for schools to help reduce carbon emissions from their buildings, as well as signposting to regional and national support. An updated digital guide has also been created, offering schools simple tips to get started on their net zero carbon journey. Read more here and watch the video here. |
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Hope Together & Peterborough Diocese are delighted to launch Happiness Clubs, a new, FREE, wellbeing resource aimed at primary school aged children. Based on the Ten Keys to Happier Living (Action For Happiness), Happiness Clubs have been trialled for the last few years by Peterborough Diocese as lunchtime and after school clubs run by church and other volunteers, so we know the approach works! Each Happiness Club session includes a make or game that helps to structure a conversation around a key to happier living. Happiness Clubs isn’t about helping children to find an enduring bliss but rather equipping them with the skills to navigate the ups and downs of life! No experience is necessary to lead a Happiness Club, just willingness and enthusiasm. All the resources will be free to access and use online but we’d love you to join us to find out more on Thursday 15th May 12-1pm on Zoom. Sign up here to come along and find out more. |
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A prayer for peace and hope during the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict |
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O God of all hope and peace, we bring to you the needs of our broken and hurting world.
Our hearts are breaking with images of lives lost and torn apart by grief in Israel and Palestine.
We pray for an end to violence and warfare so that the challenging work of rebuilding may begin.
Help us, O Lord, to affirm our common humanity so that in our differences we may build together for justice and peace.
In Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen |
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Global Neighbours Gold Award for St Katharine's School |
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Our congratulations to St Katharine’s school in Bournemouth who have just been awarded the gold global neighbours award. Only a handful of schools in the country have achieved the gold award, so this is a real achievement!
For more information about Global Neighbours and how it can support active global citizenship in your school, please see the Christian Aid website here. Winchester and Portsmouth Dioceses are now Global Neighbours Partners, so new applicants will be entitled to 10% off the cost of the award. |
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When we sing it brings us closer |
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The summer network meetings will all be in-person at a range of locations across the two dioceses. These are always a great way to connect with other RE leaders, to share ideas and resources and to receive updates about what is happening in the wider RE world. This term we will also take part in some work moderation. Please see the attached flyer for more details and let Jane.Kelly@portsmouth.anglican.org know if you or a colleague would like to attend. |
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Christian Aid are collaborating with Fischy Music and Cumbria Development Education Centre in some work about how singing can promote global learning and climate education and make the most of links with global schools. There will be an online training session for teachers on Thursday 22nd May from 4pm to 5.15pm, and you can find more information and sign up here. |
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This year marks 250 years since the birth of Jane Austen. To mark this significant anniversary, our Cathedral joins local organisations to celebrate her legacy. You can find out about a whole range of events including lectures, tours, cream teas and more at the website: Winchester Cathedral | Celebrating Jane. Importantly, a newly commissioned statue of Jane Austen will be permanently located in the inner close. This will be unveiled on 16th October – meantime, there's a variety of events happening so do consider a visit! |
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CofE suite of resources on Anti-bullying |
CofE suite of resources on Anti-Bullying : updated version includes Preventing & Tackling race-based bullying. All schools have received information about the updated resources. For others interested, these have replaced ‘Valuing All God’s Children’. In 2024 the new document was launched: Flourishing for All: Anti-bullying Guidance for Church of England Schools. The latest section of resources is now included in the updated document. The addition is Part C: Guidance for Preventing and Tackling Race-based Bullying and expands the existing sections in Part A: Our hope for a flourishing school system - affording each person the dignity to live and learn without fear, and Part B: Guidance for preventing and tackling homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying.
The updated document can be found on the CofE website here. There’s a feedback form, so any comments are appreciated and need to be submitted via the CofE Website by May 12th (details and a feedback form are there). |
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Caring for Creation Together : a free resource linked to our Triwonder Project |
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You’ll recall that in our Triwonder Project Booklet I mentioned that Emma Major, a Christian writer and artist is working with us. Rather than all schools buying her book of amazing paintings and questions/reflections, she has agreed with her publisher that we have paid for the use of the book in PowerPoint form for our schools. She explores the reality of Climate change, and how we can work together, taking responsibility for the sake of the planet, animals and one another. |
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Emma takes us through positive ways that bring change and Hope through a series of creative art pieces that in themselves help us TriWonder. This was first shown at the COP26 Summit by Tearfund. There are myriad ways of using the images as discussion cards, inspiration for creative writing, worship and much more. You can access the Book in PPT form here. |
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We are officially a Global Neighbours Partner Diocese! |
We’re delighted that we heard just before Easter that we are now an official Partner Diocese for Global Neighbours (Christian Aid). The partnership is an affirmation of our work, but equally assists Christian Aid in flagging this to other dioceses, and as Winchester has the highest number of schools receiving the award across the CofE, this is good news for others. Partnership benefits all our schools in both Dioceses, 10% discount on the scheme/accreditation and other things. The certificate says ‘This represents an outstanding commitment to Global Citizenship Education and Christian Aid is delighted to work in partnership with the Diocese’. |
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This year’s project; a free Creation Care resource; and the Year 6 Cathedrals’ Installation instructions |
Our project booklet for schools and churches, packed with resources and ideas is available here. The project overview, explanation of the title and logo, as well as other background information is contained in the Introduction to the booklet. This provides an excellent opportunity for churches to work with their local CofE or Community school specifically on the focus areas of Creation Care, Outdoor Learning and Mental and emotional well-being. A free resource ‘Caring for creation together’ has been shared with schools, but you can access here under the licence I’ve agreed. Details and instructions regarding our Year 6 Installation at the Cathedrals can be accessed here. |
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You are receiving this message because you are: a Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher, RE Lead, Chair, Foundation or Ex Officio Governor, Children and Youth Worker, or have requested to join our mailing list in the Diocese of Winchester or the Diocese of Portsmouth.
Our resources and further information are available at:
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