March 2001 Newsletter no. 7

Dear Friend,

This newsletter marks the beginning of a new phase for JRI and we would like to share some news and ask for your support and your prayers.

Appointment of Executive Director

Our most important news is that we have appointed Dr Peter Carruthers as Executive Director of JRI, beginning on 1st April. He will be part-time (60%); for the other part of his time he will continue to work for the Countryside Agency. He will be based at the JRI office at Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education (CGCHE) and his appointment is for three years in the first instance.

Peter Carruthers is 46, and an agricultural scientist. He worked at the Centre for Agricultural Strategy, University of Reading on inter-disciplinary research including topics such as energy and industrial crops, agroforestry and environmental impacts of farming. He also lectured in the Agricultural Systems section of the Department of Agriculture at Reading.

Since 1999 he has been at the Countryside Agency, Cheltenham, managing research and reporting on a wide range of aspects of the countryside and rural society and economy.

We much look forward to Peter joining JRI and providing necessary leadership as we fulfil our role of demonstrating how sound science and technology and biblical principles of creation stewardship can be applied to environmental problems and of disseminating these concepts to a wide audience.

Dr Peter Carruthers, JRI Executive Director.

Appointment of Administrator

David Thistlethwaite has been appointed part-time (30%) Administrative Officer. David lives near Cirencester. He used to live in Leicester and worked for some years for UCCF as Professional Groups Secretary. His recent book The art of God and the religions of Art was published by Paternoster Press in 1998. David is also a keen landscape artist.

We want to express our thanks to John McKeown for his work since November 1999 at the JRI office, ‘holding the fort’. John continues working part-time (25%) for JRI and will now direct his efforts to the JRI web-based resources directory.

David Thistlethwaite and wife Ali, on the arrival of new puppies in 2001.

Christian eco-groups ‘summit’

Representatives from A Rocha, CEL and JRI met at Going For Green’s base in Wigan on 12th February to explore how best to co-operate. This would give a stronger Christian voice, and help in definition of projects by groups, to avoid duplication. One outcome is that the groups will be collaborating on a specific one-off project. Watch this space...

Our need for financial support

Thanks to a grant from the Jerusalem Trust and other promised funding we are able to support our three part-time staff for two years. There remains a shortfall of about Ł7,000 for the third year. The increased ctivity will also mean additional running costs of about Ł4,000 pa for which we have no provision at the moment.

We are grateful for the support we have received that has enabled us to move forward; we are also grateful for the continued provision of a rent-free office from CGCHE. We should be pleased if you could let our needs be known and if you are able to help, please fill in the response form enclosed.

Briefing Papers

JRI has published new briefings on Biodiversity and on ‘Creation Spirituality’ as well as two papers on Genetic Engineering, one covering GM crops and another on wider theological issues in Genetics. These can be ordered using the enclosed response form, and are also available online at our website.

Further briefings in preparation include Sustainable Consumption, Renewable Energy, Nuclear Power, Biblical Basis for Creation Care, Lifestyles, New Age, and Whale and Dolphin Conservation.

Associates programme

Belated congratulations to Dena Burne and Robert Williams who completed their assessment path last October and are now accredited JRI Associates.

There are plans to hold a special weekend for all JRI Associates. This will be run by and for Associates with activities and talks that they will find both useful and challenging. Watch this space!

Recent events

In October, Robert Williams, one of our Associates, organised the ‘opening’ of a solar cell project and a lecture by Sir John Houghton, with a JRI literature display, at the Hereford school where he teaches.

CGCHE held a ‘Climate Forum’ in February with Sir John as one of the speakers. The 200 delegates (mainly businesspeople) received JRI Briefing no2.

Sir John also spoke in February to over 300 people at a Christian ‘Impact’ event in Belfast, and at churches in Dublin and Newcastle. An interview with John Sale, the JRI Executive Secretary, on his deer farm featured in the BBC Songs of Praise on the 18th February in which he was able to explain God’s deep interest in the whole of creation and the importance of our care for it.

Prof Sam Berry spoke on ‘Creation Care’ at Bangor University’s Mission, and at University College Northampton. He also addressed the Congregational meeting at St Paul’s Cathedral on ‘Creation Care: Christian Responsibility and Gospel Opportunity ‘.

Forthcoming Events

Environment Week at CGCHE, 26-30 March 2001, will include the 2nd annual ‘John Ray Lecture’, organised with the Chaplaincy. Professor Sam Berry will speak on 29th March on ‘Christ, Creation and Community; are there advantages in worshipping God in a garden, a golf course, or a storm?’ Other events include a panel discussion ‘How Green is our God?’ organised by the Christian Union on the 27th, and a Chapel ‘creation’ service on the 28th.

Ridley Hall, in Cambridge, holds a conference on Business and Sustainable Development 23-25 May 2001. Two of the speakers are JRI Directors. For more details contact Richard Higginson on 01223 741074 or email rah41@cam.ac.uk

Cambridge University School of Education and the Islamic Academy host a seminar on "Environment, Education and Religion", 24-25 March 2001. Sam Berry is speaking on ‘Communicating Creation’.

Forum 2002

An Anglo-American conference to be held in the UK is being planned jointly with the Au Sable Institute of the USA probably in May 2002 under the title Forum 2002. The main purposes of the conference are to raise awareness of the impacts of global environmental change resulting from human activities, to explore how the principles of Christian creation care can be applied and to propose practical ways in which communities (especially Christian ones) can exercise appropriate leadership and influence regarding actions that can be taken.

And finally...

If you now have a new email address please tell us. We aim to send more newsletters by email, and to produce 4 a year rather than 2. If you have email but want newsletters on paper still, please tell us.

Thank you for your continued prayers for our work. Please pray especially for Peter Carruthers, David Thistlethwaite and John McKeown as they begin working for the new phase of JRI operations.

With best wishes,

John Houghton
Chairman, The John Ray Initiative

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	March 2001 Newsletter no. 7 Dear Friend, This newsletter marks the beginning of a new phase for JRI and we would like to share some news and ask for your support and your prayers. Appointment of Executive Director Our most important news is that we have appointed Dr Peter Carruthers as Executive Director of JRI, beginning on 1st April. He will be part-time (60%); for the other part of his time he will continue to work for the Countryside Agency. He will be based at the JRI office at Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education (CGCHE) and his appointment is for three years in the first instance. Peter Carruthers is 46, and an agricultural scientist. He worked at the Centre for Agricultural Strategy, University of Reading on inter-disciplinary research including topics such as energy and industrial crops, agroforestry and environmental impacts of farming. He also lectured in the Agricultural Systems section of the Department of Agriculture at Reading. Since 1999 he has been at the Countryside Agency, Cheltenham, managing research and reporting on a wide range of aspects of the countryside and rural society and economy. We much look forward to Peter joining JRI and providing necessary leadership as we fulfil our role of demonstrating how sound science and technology and biblical principles of creation stewardship can be applied to environmental problems and of disseminating these concepts to a wide audience. Dr Peter Carruthers, JRI Executive Director. Appointment of Administrator David Thistlethwaite has been appointed part-time (30%) Administrative Officer. David lives near Cirencester. He used to live in Leicester and worked for some years for UCCF as Professional Groups Secretary. His recent book The art of God and the religions of Art was published by Paternoster Press in 1998. David is also a keen landscape artist. We want to express our thanks to John McKeown for his work since November 1999 at the JRI office, ‘holding the fort’. John continues working part-time (25%) for JRI and will now direct his efforts to the JRI web-based resources directory. David Thistlethwaite and wife Ali, on the arrival of new puppies in 2001. Christian eco-groups ‘summit’ Representatives from A Rocha, CEL and JRI met at Going For Green’s base in Wigan on 12th February to explore how best to co-operate. This would give a stronger Christian voice, and help in definition of projects by groups, to avoid duplication. One outcome is that the groups will be collaborating on a specific one-off project. Watch this space... Our need for financial support Thanks to a grant from the Jerusalem Trust and other promised funding we are able to support our three part-time staff for two years. There remains a shortfall of about Ł7,000 for the third year. The increased ctivity will also mean additional running costs of about Ł4,000 pa for which we have no provision at the moment. We are grateful for the support we have received that has enabled us to move forward; we are also grateful for the continued provision of a rent-free office from CGCHE. We should be pleased if you could let our needs be known and if you are able to help, please fill in the response form enclosed. Briefing Papers JRI has published new briefings on Biodiversity and on ‘Creation Spirituality’ as well as two papers on Genetic Engineering, one covering GM crops and another on wider theological issues in Genetics. These can be ordered using the enclosed response form, and are also available online at our website. Further briefings in preparation include Sustainable Consumption, Renewable Energy, Nuclear Power, Biblical Basis for Creation Care, Lifestyles, New Age, and Whale and Dolphin Conservation. Associates programme Belated congratulations to Dena Burne and Robert Williams who completed their assessment path last October and are now accredited JRI Associates. There are plans to hold a special weekend for all JRI Associates. This will be run by and for Associates with activities and talks that they will find both useful and challenging. Watch this space! Recent events In October, Robert Williams, one of our Associates, organised the ‘opening’ of a solar cell project and a lecture by Sir John Houghton, with a JRI literature display, at the Hereford school where he teaches. CGCHE held a ‘Climate Forum’ in February with Sir John as one of the speakers. The 200 delegates (mainly businesspeople) received JRI Briefing no2. Sir John also spoke in February to over 300 people at a Christian ‘Impact’ event in Belfast, and at churches in Dublin and Newcastle. An interview with John Sale, the JRI Executive Secretary, on his deer farm featured in the BBC Songs of Praise on the 18th February in which he was able to explain God’s deep interest in the whole of creation and the importance of our care for it. Prof Sam Berry spoke on ‘Creation Care’ at Bangor University’s Mission, and at University College Northampton. He also addressed the Congregational meeting at St Paul’s Cathedral on ‘Creation Care: Christian Responsibility and Gospel Opportunity ‘. Forthcoming Events Environment Week at CGCHE, 26-30 March 2001, will include the 2nd annual ‘John Ray Lecture’, organised with the Chaplaincy. Professor Sam Berry will speak on 29th March on ‘Christ, Creation and Community; are there advantages in worshipping God in a garden, a golf course, or a storm?’ Other events include a panel discussion ‘How Green is our God?’ organised by the Christian Union on the 27th, and a Chapel ‘creation’ service on the 28th. Ridley Hall, in Cambridge, holds a conference on Business and Sustainable Development 23-25 May 2001. Two of the speakers are JRI Directors. For more details contact Richard Higginson on 01223 741074 or email rah41@cam.ac.uk Cambridge University School of Education and the Islamic Academy host a seminar on "Environment, Education and Religion", 24-25 March 2001. Sam Berry is speaking on ‘Communicating Creation’. Forum 2002 An Anglo-American conference to be held in the UK is being planned jointly with the Au Sable Institute of the USA probably in May 2002 under the title Forum 2002. The main purposes of the conference are to raise awareness of the impacts of global environmental change resulting from human activities, to explore how the principles of Christian creation care can be applied and to propose practical ways in which communities (especially Christian ones) can exercise appropriate leadership and influence regarding actions that can be taken. And finally... If you now have a new email address please tell us. We aim to send more newsletters by email, and to produce 4 a year rather than 2. If you have email but want newsletters on paper still, please tell us. Thank you for your continued prayers for our work. Please pray especially for Peter Carruthers, David Thistlethwaite and John McKeown as they begin working for the new phase of JRI operations. With best wishes, John Houghton Chairman, The John Ray Initiative \| Home \| Newsletters \| Pagetop \|
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