As the third Christian Millennium fast approaches KERRY STEPHENSON meets an Anglican priest who believes it is the dawn of a huge spiritual awakening.

As the Millennium nears should Christians be upset about creeping secularism and the continuing decline in church attendance? For Canon Bob White, of St Thomas' Church, the answer is a resounding no.

New Year's Day is going to be something pretty special in Brentwood as church bells ring out to celebrate the third Millennium at noon, he asserts. The fact that for the majority of Britons the year 2000 may have little or no religious significance doesn't faze him at all.

The canon, who first arrived in Brentwood from Southend in the early 1960s to train as a teacher at the Anglian Polytechnic University, when it was still a teacher training college, accepts that it's the wrong year and the wrong date to celebrate.

He stresses: ''It's a symbolic anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ but that does not diminish its significance. The fact that the Christian churches want it to be as an inclusive celebration is cause for great optimism."

Does Sir Cliff Richard topping the charts with his version of The Lord's Prayer sung to the music of Auld Lang Syne have any religious resonance? Or is it just another embarrassing target for cynical media critics to mock?

The canon said: ''Despite what we get in the media about religion being on the decline, the song's popularity shows there's a huge spiritual awakening. People, and I'm not just talking about Christianity here, are looking for a spiritual dimension.''

He accepts that some church communities do become insular and inward looking, but St Thomas' is not one of them.

Parishioners support initiatives such as the Stepping Stones project to help the poor in southern India and the Children's Society - in fact a constantly changing list of charities targeted at the poor, the lonely, the war ravaged and disadvantaged.

He said: ''We try to help people of all ages. We have an active youth group which attracts those aged mainly 12 to 16, a mothers and toddlers club, Sunday Club, a modern equivalent of traditional Sunday School, a 61 Club mainly for retired people, and of course, there are our Pilgrim Travel tours where we take people on holidays and pilgrimages to Israel, Jordan, Syria, Turkey and Italy.

"We're now branching out into trips to New England and New York. We're taking perhaps two coach loads to the Oberamergau Passion Play in Bavaria, and closer to home we've planned trips to the Millennium Dome, the Dutch bulb fields, you name it."

Accepting that bigotry, sectarianism and religious extremism still cause havoc he nevertheless defends the good Christianity and other faiths engender.

The coming together of all the Christian faiths in Brentwood to celebrate the Millennium at a Millennium Day fete, followed by an ecumenical service in Brentwood Cathedral, he believes will show the community that Christianity is very much alive and give lie to those critics who say organised religion is dying.

''Our parish is vibrant and welcoming. Whether for weddings, christenings or funerals, the church seeks to be inclusive, rather than exclusive. For non-churchgoers and non-believers we hold out a welcome. We offer services of blessing.

"We don't ask anyone to be hypocrites or perjure themselves by saying they believe in something which they clearly don't. We are here to serve. We want to reflect the inclusiveness of our faith, not its divisions.''

The fact that so many non-practising Christians, or those of other faiths or none, are so eager to get their children enrolled into the schools run by the Church of England in Brentwood and neighbouring towns and villages, suggests that there is still strong belief in, and support from parents, in the values the church seeks to develop.

The canon said: ''Whether it is social problems caused by alcoholism, marriage break-up, illness, debt, stress at work or unemployment, Brentwood has them.

"Though we are proud of what our parish and the Christian community does, we're far from complacent. I know that at St Thomas', at least, we want to do much more for young people and for one parent families.''

Man for all people: Rural Dean Canon Bob White.

Profile

Canon Bob White, who trained for the ministry at Salisbury, has spent his entire career in the Diocese of Chelmsford.

It was a late calling. He worked as a teacher before becoming an Anglican priest at the age of 31.

After ordination he served at Woodford Green. From there he went to Rochford as a diocesan youth chaplain. He then became team rector at Southend where he had been brought up and educated. Since coming to Brentwood in 1989 with his wife Rosemary and children, Tracy, Samuel and Mark, he has led a parish that makes its mark on the community.

His appointment seven years ago as rural dean encompassing 21 parishes reflects his community experience as much as his administrative skills. His success, on behalf of the bishop and archdeacon, in dealing with people from different parishes, different religious affiliations and those with none whatsoever reflect his openness and warmth.

He abhors the rifts caused by denominational splits and works tirelessly for the ecumenical movement. A magistrate for a number of years, his easy-going personality, especially as chairman of the Brentwood Council of Voluntary Service, has won him many friends and admirers.

The Church Centre, which daily welcomes visitors from 9am to 3pm with snacks, hot drinks, books and newspapers, is staffed by volunteers who, with the clergy, are constantly on hand to offer friendship and comfort.

It has become a popular drop-in destination for ever increasing numbers with no religious affiliation, many of whom appreciate the relaxed no strings welcome.

''It is too, of course, a gateway to the church for those seeking the solace of prayer. We get through boxes of candles,'' explained the canon, helped by his curate Fr Stuart Wardell and backed up by two church wardens, two lay ministers, June Chadwick and Lesley Lynn, and organist David Rooke.

The canon said: "We have a large number of civic events at the centre. After Remembrance Sunday and the civic carol services, for example, we're full to overflowing. It can only accommodate a maximum of 120 at a buffet or 80 seated."

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