THE P RTAL
May 2015
Joanna Bogle keeps us up to date
Various Ordinariate
groups are supporting a
nationwide ecumenical project for children at Catholic and
Church of England primary schools. Some Portal readers may
know about this venture, but others don’t – and meanwhile it is
growing year on year.
It’s the “Our Father” project, run by Christian
Projects – based at 24 Smith Terrace, London SW3
5TN. Christian Projects began as a small prayer group
back in the 1950s, launched by a Methodist, Mr Ernest
Tapp.
Ecumenism wasn’t so fashionable in those days,
and he was quite a pioneer. He called his little group,
meeting in Hampshire, the Order of Christian Unity
and they had a badge made, showed two hands shaking
across the base of a Cross.
Auntie Jo a n
The “Our Father”
project
Page 4
na
wri tes
The project is
simple: a leaflet – this year’s has been designed by an
excellent Evangelical publishing organisation – goes to
every CofE and RC primary school in a given area (we
liaise with local volunteers, as indicated).
The children are invited to copy out, in good
handwriting, the Lord’s Prayer and to decorate it any
way they like. They then answer three simple questions:
What does ‘hallowed’ mean? What are trespasses? And
who taught us this prayer? It is all done by hand – no
computers – and the aim is to foster good handwriting
In the 1970s the group expanded, and under the and artwork and an appreciation of good craftmanship,
chairmanship of Lady Lothian – a Catholic and as well as to teach this beautiful prayer.
organiser of a number of major events including the
“Women of the Year” Luncheon – it became a notable
As you read this, the entries are coming in and teams
voice in support of good religious education in schools, of judges will be reading them. We enjoy the howlers
organising events and conferences on this and related - “hallowed means scared” etc. We are touched by the
subjects.
beautiful work that is done. We enjoy the kind letters
from teachers who find the project helpful.
She was followed as chairman by The Rt Rev Maurice
Wood, the retired (CofE) Bishop of Norwich. It was
Christian Projects is well funded, so printing,
during his chairmanship that the Schools Bible Project postage, and other costs are all covered, and we are
was launched – an essay project for secondary schools able to offer prizes to children whose work is of a high
which flourishes to this day.
standard, and a commemorative Gospel booklet to
every child. These booklets carry a bookplate with the
It marked its 25th an