Click - Parish of Greater Whitbourne

of Greater WhitbourneAs many of you know, we fosterShane who has special needs andattends Westfield Special NeedsSchool in Leominster. We havereceived the following letterfrom the school and wonder ifany of you would be able to helpthem.Westfield is a lovely, caring andnurturing school catering forabout 32 pupils, all with severelearning difficulties, from theages of 5 through to 18/19 years.Sylvia and John Bland(01886 853661)“A major part of the Westfieldphilosophy is raising the awarenessof our young people, andthe wider community, that everyonehas the right to work.Getting a life...“We are part of one of 10 demonstrationsites of a national initiativecalled ‘Getting a Life’ whichis backed by the Dept ofEmployment, DCSF, Dept ofWork and Pensions, Departmentof Health, and DIUS. The aim ofthe project is to alter public opinionrelating to the inability ofadults with learning disabilitiesto access paid employment, andcreate realistic pathways toassist individuals in pursuit oftheir rights.“At Westfield we currently providework experience for studentsin years 12, 13 and 14, butare seeking to expand the rangeof experiences and introducethese opportunities earlier. Wealso seek to increase the numberof students accessing meaningfulwork-related learning throughcontact with the world of workwithin a school setting.Page 9“In order for this to become possibleit is necessary to recruitmore supportive employers. Wehave a few very loyal providers,who offer regular placements,but are in desperate need ofmore.“If you know of anyone who hasa business and would be willingto consider offering either aplacement, or a one-off visit by agroup, we would love to hearfrom you.“For more information, pleasecontact Nikki Gilbert (deputyhead) at Westfield School,Westfield Walk, Leominster, HR68HD, telephone 01568 613147.We will be very grateful for anysuggestions regarding ways ofenabling us to become closer toreaching our goal.”Letter from the Bishop of HerefordLast month saw the 200thanniversary of the birth ofCharles Darwin. This has attracteda good deal of media attention,not least in our area withhis local connections. He hasmade a remarkable contributionto our scientific thinking and thishas had consequences for everyone.When I was first ordained over35 years ago, I taught one day aweek in a local primary school.Rather than teach RE, I asked toteach science and sport as well asleading assemblies, because theschool had been used before toclergy teaching only RE, and Iwanted to make a different statement.One day a 10 year old boy said tome: “I do not believe in Godbecause I am a scientist!” He wasa little taken aback when I toldhim that I also was a scientistwith a degree in biochemistry, aswell as a Christian and a priest.It grieves me deeply that thereare still people who mistakenlybelieve that science and religionare in some way in conflict.These are discussions, especiallyin relation to Darwin’s viewsabout evolution, which wereresolved in large measure wellover a century ago. We are committedas Christians to thesearch for truth, knowing thatthat truth has been revealed fullyalready by God in Jesus Christ.We continue to strive to discernthat fullness, welcome it and liveit. This involves every part of ourbeing, every part of our lifetogether, different disciplines ofour learning, including science,and above all, of course, ourstudy of the Scriptures, prayer,and life together as Christians inhis church.The Bible does not try to be a scientifictextbook, anymore than itseeks to be a history book. Itspeaks of the truth of who Godis, his relationship with us and,therefore, our relationship withhim and one another, and hiswhole world. The language ofGenesis chapter 1 is about ourrelationship with God and hiscreation, not about science or atimeframe. In fact the sequenceof creation in the first of the twoaccounts at the start of the bookof Genesis accords remarkablyaccurately with what we nowunderstand more fully, scientifically,through the hypothesis ofevolution, but that is not whereits emphasis or focus lies.It is no accident that it is in ourwestern world, with its Christianheritage and commitment totruth and openness, searchingand learning, that modern sciencehas developed. We continueto seek that fullness of truth inChrist, and delight in the insightsand learning of science and technology,while we also seek wisdomas to how to use that learningethically for the good of thewhole world and in our service ofGod and one another.Bishop Anthony PriddisBishop of Hereford