THE BRIDGE Hearts on Fire Bridge...mark 50th anniversary of Hither Green train crash Two memorial events were held on 5 November - the 50th anniversary of the Hither Green train crash

Newspaper of the Anglican Diocese of Southwark Vol.22 No.10 Christmas/New Year 2017

Inside THE BRIDGE ...this month

THE BRIDGE

Follow the Diocesan Blog: ‘Hearts on Fire – sharing God’s Good News in Southwark Diocese’ - http://southwarkcofe.tumblr.com/

Heartson Fire

The Diocese of Southwark

Page 19

Church and community mark 50th anniversary of Hither Green train crashTwo memorial events were held on 5 November - the 50th anniversary of the Hither Green train crash which left 49 dead and 78 injured.

The Hither Green Community Association, together with St Swithun’s Church and the Church of the Good Shepherd, Lee, held a memorial service at the railway station, with the poignancy of trains still passing through.

Heidi Alexander, MP for Lewisham East and local ward councillors joined the service, which was led by Revd Bridget Shepherd. Those gathered mourned the loss of lives as well as remembering the kindness of the local community after the crash.

Later the same day 200 people including relatives of those who died or were injured in the crash attended

a Civic Memorial Service at St Mildred’s Church, just 300 metres from the site of the accident.

The service was led by the Revd Tom Lake; Bishop Karowei preached and the Hither Green community choir sang. Again present was MP Heidi Alexander along with local councillors, representatives from the emergency services and the Deputy Mayor of Hastings, Nigel Sinden, representing the town where the fateful train journey began.

Lewisham Council Chair, Cllr Obajimi Adefi ranye opened the service expressing sadness for the families and gratitude to the emergency services who were represented, along with the Salvation Army. Forty-nine candles were lit to remember the 49 who died in the tragedy. Closing the service, Heidi Alexander MP called for the memories of those who died to be honoured by ensuring that health and

safety remains paramount in railway infrastructure and operation. Above - The Revd Bridget Shepherd leads the community memorial service at the stationRight - Family and friends lit candles at the Civic Service in St Mildred’s Church to remember the 49 who died

Second Canon Theologian installedThe Very Revd Samson Fan, Dean of All Saints Cathedral, Hong Kong was installed as one of the Canons Theologian during Choral Evensong at Southwark Cathedral on Sunday 12 November.

Dean Fan also teaches at Ming Hua Theological College and is the chief editor of a series of books on Anglican identity.

Professor Esther Mombo was installed as a Canon

Theologian during Lent and they will be joined by The Venerable Paul Shabiu from Ghana and The Very Revd Cynthia Briggs Kitteridge from the USA. The four Canons Theologian from around the world will spend time in the Cathedral and Diocese engaging in teaching, preaching and in conversation with clergy and laity.

Preaching at the service Dean Fan spoke of the

importance of loving one another in the here and now. He said, “Christian faith requires dialogue with one another and true dialogue begins with God. Listening is always the fi rst act”.

He also offered heartfelt thanks at being asked to take up the role as a Canon Theologian saying that ‘he looks forward to sharing Asian voices with the people of the Cathedral and Diocese’.

Bishop Christopher writes: Don’t let Christmas come too early Page 2

Art and Incarnation - Canon Charles Pickstone chooses ‘images of the unseeable God’

Pages 10-11

Plus pages of Plus pages of parish news parish news

andand

2 THE BRIDGE... Christmas/New Year 2017

The FEBRUARY edition is due to be printed on 25 JANUARY and in your parish from the following Sunday. Material for that edition must be with Wendy S. Robins at Trinity House by MONDAY 15 JANUARYSpace limitations mean that we cannot guarantee to publish everything we receive and material may be edited.The editorial team will assume that all photographs submitted for publication come with the necessary permission for printing. So, please ensure that people are happy for their photographs to be submitted before you do so.Forms for permission for the use of photographs of children and adults who may be vulnerable can be found at www.southwark.anglican.org/safeguarding/diocesan-policies-procedures

Metalsmithand woodworkerConscientious and reliable, Ian Marshall provides new work and maintenance for a number of churches. To join his list of satisfi ed customers. Call: 020 8850 7851 or 077 6666 2747

Chair: Caroline Clarke E: clarkecaroline @hotmail.com020 7622 0765

New training course to become a spiritual director

Sept 2017 - July 2019Applica ons to Ruth Lampard

E: [email protected] 651240

Finding a spiritual director Please go to our website

www.spidir.org.uk Membership Secretary

E: [email protected] The Bridge is on the web at : www.southwark.anglican.org

Editorial Advisory Board:John Kiddle (Chair)Adeline ColeCarol CoslettRoxanne HunteWendy S. Robins (Secretary)Dr Jane Steen Tom Sutcliff e

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OPPORTUNITIESOPPORTUNITIES

If we let Christmas come too early we eclipse Advent and its very powerful message of waiting in hope.

Advent is a time for waiting and anticipation. It is a time when we look forward to celebrating once again the birth of the baby Jesus who came into this world to bring salvation and also the coming completion of all things in Christ.

We look forward both to celebrating the Word made Flesh and to spending time over the Christmas period with others who also want to celebrate with us. But it is equally important to live in the moment and give thanks for all that God has done for us.

If we let Christmas come too early we eclipse Advent and its very powerful message of waiting in hope.

That is why I want to commend to you all #GodWithUs which we will be sharing on our social media streams in the coming weeks. The booklet was written by John Kiddle, the Archdeacon of Wandsworth, and there is much that you can do to get involved.

Sign up to receive Your Advent Journey refl ections daily and get your family and friends and people in your Church to join in too.

Sometimes the waiting is better than the arriving and it may be that this seems to be at least a little true for our brothers

and sisters in Zimbabwe. Robert Mugabe is no longer President but his successor and the Government he has chosen will have disappointed some in Zimbabwe and some of us here too.

Those in the Churches in Zimbabwe have had strong faith and hope for many years as they have waited for a new era to dawn. They still have strong hope for a better tomorrow but it is tempered by the reality of what is happening.

As Bishop Chad of Harare Diocese has asked, please pray for the peace of Zimbabwe. His motto for the Diocese of Harare

during these long years of waiting has been: Mukristu Usanete: Namata Urinde! Christian seek not yet repose: Watch and Pray!

As we wait and watch during Advent we hold fast to the fi rm and sure hope that we have in Jesus Christ because we know that we will not be disappointed.

God does not disappoint rather God brings joy and hope to all even when we have to embrace the mystery of suff ering.

Let us give heartfelt thanks as we wait and watch in hope through Advent to the blessings and joys of Christmastide.

Bishop Christopher writes: Don’t let Christmas come too early

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC NEEDEDChrist Church, East SheenChrist Church, East Sheen (part of the Mortlake with East Sheen team ministry in south west London) is seeking an enthusiastic, talented and able musician to take up the post of Director of Music. The position will involve playing the organ at services and the exciting opportunity to develop a new choir, as part of a varied programme of musical activities and events with which to attract and engage the local community.For more information visit our website: http://www.christchurcheastsheen.org.uk/ or for more details, including a Job Description (which details remuneration and fees) and Person Specifi cation, contact the Vicar, the Revd David Guest: [email protected]

Closing date for applications: January 12th, 2018

Interviews: January 20th, 2018

Southwark Curate is new Bishop of LoughboroughThe Rt Revd Gulnar Eleanor Francis-Dehqani, was consecrated as the fi rst Bishop of Loughborough (Leicester Diocese) on 30 November.

Bishop Guli was born in Iran, where her father was the fi rst Iranian Anglican bishop, and the fi rst President Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East. After a failed assassination attempt in 1979, the family sought refuge in Britain.

After training at SEITE, she was ordained in Southwark Cathedral in 1998 and served her curacy at Mortlake w East Sheen.

Adrian Greenwood has been elected to the Archbishops’ Council - one of two members elected by the General Synod House of Laity. The other is Canon Mark Russell Chief Executive of the Church Army.

The Revd Canon Simon Butler, Vicar of Battersea St Mary, is also a Council member.

Adrian is Vice-President of Southwark Diocesan Synod, Chair of the House of Laity and a Reader at Bermondsey, St James and St Anne.

The Archbishops’ Council was established in 1999 to co-ordinate, promote, aid and further the work and mission of the Church of England.

Congratulations to the Revd Martin Hislop, Vicar of St Luke, Kingston, on his appointment as a Deputy Lieutenant for Greater London.

Adrian Greenwood is elected to the Archbishops’ Council

SOUTHWARKSOUTHWARKPEOPLEPEOPLE

THE BRIDGE... Christmas/New Year 2017 3

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Brian celebrates 40 years as a Reader

Shirley church marks 80thA special Eucharist was held at the Church of St George the Martyr, Shirley on Sunday 15 October to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Parish in 1937.

The service was led by Bishop Jonathan and included the Collation of the Priest-in-Charge, the Revd

Barry Hengist as Vicar. The Archdeacon of Croydon, the Venerable Chris Skilton and the Area Dean, the Revd Jenny Rowley were also there to offer their support.

The service was attended by many past and present members of the St George’s Church family (including clergy) as well local dignitaries including Sarah Jones MP, the Deputy-Mayor of Croydon (Councillor Mike Selva) and his Consort, and representatives of local schools and community groups. After the service everyone relaxed at a barbecue in the church grounds.

Salfords parishioners walk ‘50 for 50’

A celebration marking the 40th Anniversary of Brian Griffi ths being admitted and licensed as a Reader in Llandaff Cathedral took place at St Francis of Assisi, West Wickham, on Sunday 19 November.

Brian came to London in 1980 initially worshipping at St Philip’s, Norbury (then in Canterbury Diocese). He later served at St Mark’s, South Norwood, before transferring to St Francis.

Preaching on the Gospel for 2nd Sunday before Advent - the parable of the Talents - Brian emphasized that, like the slaves in Matthew 25 , Christians have to take risks with their ministry to grow.

The former Bishop of St Germans, Roy Screech a personal friend of Brian and seen above with Brian, presided at the Eucharist.

The Croydon Area Warden of Readers, Ray Wheeler, presented Brian with a certifi cate signed by Bishop Christopher and a book token. Flowers were given to Brian’s wife, Rowena, who is a SPA at St Francis.

Afterwards in the hall the congregation and guests enjoyed a buffet lunch where a cake made by one of the parishioners and featuring the Reader logo was cut completing the celebrations.

As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of Salfords, Christ the King current church, a group of church members (above) embarked on a series of 10 fi ve mile sponsored walks in different areas of the Reigate Deanery.

The current Church building was built largely by the efforts of the local community - two of the walkers were actually involved in the works.

The walks, given the title of “50 for 50” were sponsored and the money raised purchased a much needed replacement notice board which arrived just in time for Bishop Jonathan’s visit on the feast of All Saints.

There was also a celebration Mass at which past Parish Priests, the Mayor of Reigate and Banstead and the Church family came together to commemorate fi fty years in the current building (photo below).

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Bishop Karowei is calling on churches to join him on Friday 9 and Saturday 10

February at either St Barnabas Church, Dulwich or Christ Church, East Greenwich, for a food and clothes packing event for Feed the Hungry UK.

The event will be rooted in prayer, with worship led by Feed the Hungry UK Advocate singer/songwriter, Sandra Godley. Sandra visited one of the Feed the Hungry camps in Sudan last year and will share her experience.

To prepare himself Bishop Karowei and his PA recently joined a food packing event on the 24th fl oor of the Shard. Speaking afterwards he said:“My heart is to see lives transformed by the God who believes in people. I have been

overwhelmed by the excellent work that Feed the Hungry UK is doing to encourage the local church to reach out in practical ways to support those in countries across the world, in a holistic way.

“I am delighted to have formed a partnership with them to see how churches in South East London can pack food and clothes for the benefi t of others hundreds of miles away. “I encourage you to check out the work of Feed the Hungry UK, asking God

how you can reach out for the sake of the Gospel to those you may never meet.” Over the last 30 years, Feed The Hungry has delivered more than $200 million of food and supplies to hungry, people in 92 nations around the globe.

The charity has also respond with emergency food and relief during disasters like Hurricane Sandy – and during the Syrian crisis.

Visit www.feedthehungry.org.uk for further details.

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Friday, 26 January 2018

Messiaen and the Nativity

A meditative service for Christmas using music by Olivier Messiaen and related art work and words has prepared by the Revd Debbie Forman, Vicar of St Mary the Blessed Virgin, Addington, and her husband Edward.

The service will include performances of piano pieces from Messiaen’s Vingt Regards sur l’Enfant Jésus and organ pieces from his La Nativité. Both have inspired art works by Sophie Hacker, artist in residence at Winchester Cathedral, and Sophie has given permission for these works to be projected in the church whilst the pieces are played.

They will be interspersed with refl ective poems and other texts by Messiaen himself, by Sophie Hacker’s husband Canon Roland Riem (Vice-Dean of Winchester Cathedral), and by Debbie Forman.

The service will take place on the Wednesday before Christmas, 20

December at 8pm and will last about an hour.

Wandsworth school children sleep rough for Crisis

Double celebration at St George, Waddon

Join Bishop Karowei to ‘Feed the Hungry’

During one of the coldest nights of the year so far, Thursday 30 November, pupils, staff and parents from St Cecilia’s C of E School in Southfi elds, slept out in the playground for 4 hours to raise money for the charity Crisis. Support from the local community meant that

over £3,790 was raised for the homeless.

Some of the students commented about the evening:

“A fantastic night for all to experience what life is like on the streets at 3 degrees wrapped up in sleeping bags. I can’t believe people have to live like this day-in day-out.” Ollie Davies, Year 13.

“A great way to support homeless people over Christmas ; it makes me feel so lucky and thankful to have a roof over my head. I’ve

fi nally defrosted from last night.” Danny Frood, Year 13

“Last night gave me only a slight insight into what it’s like to be homeless. I realised how tired, cold and hungry they would be. I am so glad we did something to help them over the Christmas period.” Jamie Parker-Gomez, Year 7.

“Although we were all smiling and having fun together, I started thinking: what if you had no home to go to? No one to bring out refreshments to warm you up? If you were all alone? Well

this is the reality for lots of homeless people across the country. When we went home, we jumped into our warm beds and went to sleep, but a homeless person couldn’t do that”. Emma Lipton, Year 7

Mr Gallagher, Headteacher, said: “I am really proud of the whole school community and their efforts to help those who face the prospect of spending cold nights on the streets during the Christmas period.The money raised will help Crisis in their efforts to end homelessness.”

St George’s Church celebrated the 90th birthdays of two long-standing members recently – and the Golden Wedding of two more.

90 years young Eileen joined St George’s in 1972, eventually

leading the Cub Scouts. She says that she’s had a go at everything in church, catering being the best known with her husband, Bob.

Andrew, also 90, like Eileen had done everything in the church and Deanery, including Churchwarden. Maureen, his wife, ran the Young Wives group, which never ended,

so they eventually became a Grandparents group.

Josie has been church member since 1940. She and Peter were married in St George’s in 1967. Peter has always been involved with Community issues and still looks after the local Community notice boards, even has one in their garden.

(Left) Nonogenerains Eileen and Andrew and (right) ‘golden’ couple josie and Peter


Key themes emerging from the Diocesan report ‘A Strategy for Ministry’ were new opportunities for lay ministry and also commitment to developing discipleship of all the people of God.

Earlier this year Bishop Christopher established an Advisory Group to fi nd ways to affi rm and grow lay leadership and ministry across the Diocese.

Anne Deering writes:

“A great opportunity lies before us. Will we determine to empower, liberate and disciple the 98% of the Church of England who are

not ordained and set them free for fruitful, faithful mission and ministry, infl uence, leadership and, most importantly, vibrant relationship with Jesus in all of life? And will we do so not only in church-based ministry on a Sunday but in work and school, in gym and shop, in fi eld and factory, Monday to Saturday?”

This is the challenge laid out in the recent national church report, ‘Setting God’s People Free’, which together with a parallel national report on lay ministries, ‘Serving Together’, complements the work of our diocesan strategy.

Increasing lay leadership and empowerment is an

important part of Southwark Diocese’s Strategy for Ministry, and in response to ‘Setting God’s People Free’.

The Advisory Group will be asking for your views and ideas in the coming weeks and look forward to hearing from you.

They are also working with 18 pilot parishes, chosen to represent the diversity of our Diocese, to explore ways to develop lay leadership and lay ministry. More news to follow!

If you are interested in getting involved or in sharing your examples of great lay leadership and lay ministry in your parish, please contact Charles Hudson-Beddows, who is the Executive Assistant to the Diocesan Secretary on [email protected]

i Anne Deering is Chair of the Lay Leadership and Ministry

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Lay Leadership and Ministry

The Reverse Advent Calendar

The Food Bank at St Matthew’s Church, Redhill is inviting people to try a fun way to boost food donations - the Reverse Advent Calendar.

Instead of the ‘usual’ calendar where you open a door and eat a chocolate, you set up a box and put an item of food in it every day in Advent. You then bring it to St Matthews for the food bank over the Christmas period – perhaps at the Christmas Eve Crib Service.

The food bank welcomes non-perishable foods plus household items from toilet rolls to toothpaste – and treats like chocolates for those who might otherwise have none.

Set up fi ve years ago, Redhill food bank has seen demand for food and household items increase by 30% over the past two years. A recent session saw £1,000 of goods distributed to 25 needy families over a two-hour period. So far this year they have given out more than £34,000 in food and gas/electricity vouchers.

The Food Bank has a dedicated team of thirty volunteers and opens for customers (and donations, of course) from 12 noon until 2pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Agencies such as the Citizens Advice Bureau, Raven Housing, Social Services and the probation services issue vouchers to eligible clients who can then choose from food and household items on a list. There are specifi c bags for homeless people, which includes a tin opener.

Harvest Festival donations from local schools and others are an important source of food. There are also donation bins in Co-op in Redhill, at the

back of St Matthew’s church and in The Garibaldi Pub on Mill Street and other locations.

However as a result of the growing demand, more food and household items are needed, especially in the run up to Christmas.

The Revd Andrew Cunnington said: “The reverse advent calendar is a great way to help children in particular understand the true meaning of Christmas.

“We hope people will take this fun opportunity to give to others in the local community.”

Some of the clients’ stories speak for themselves:“I have no food or electric without the food bank. It helps me so much when I have no one else to turn to.” (Mother-of-three, Redhill).

“I have been through a really hard time and have been homeless. If it wasn’t for the food bank I wouldn’t be here.”(Lenny, Reigate)

It’s good to talk...On Friday 3 November young people and their families met together at the Old Kent Road Mosque to share their perspectives on tolerance, respect and peace in each of their religions.

Young people from St Philip’s, Avondale Square, and from the Mosque took it in turns to give brief presentations to the whole group after Friday prayers.

A discussion followed, in which young people took questions from the audience. They were able to refl ect on the differences between their faiths and the similarities. The young people also shared their thoughts about worship practices in both religions.

The young Christians were also able to observe Friday prayers. Charles Oppong, 12, from St Philip’s, on his fi rst visit to a Mosque, wrote: “I was really delighted that I was welcomed and was able to present my opinions. We had

a feast and made badges to symbolise the unity between religions.”

The idea for the event came from interfaith assemblies conducted jointly in nearby Walworth Academy. The planning group, of faith leaders from both communities, felt inspired to encourage younger members to relate on a deeper level outside school. Saidat Oketunde, a

youth leader from the Mosque, said how important this was in the local community: “We want our children to grow up knowing each other”. A further programme of events, including a possible joint sports competition, is being planned.

The event was attended by the clergy and congregations of both St Philip and St Peter, Walworth and people of all ages from the Mosque.



Chair of the Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches (DAC)

The Bishop of Southwark wishes to appoint a new Chair of the DAC to succeed Mr Paul Parkinson, who is stepping down after five years of dedicated service.

Each Diocese has a DAC, a statutory body required to ‘have regard to the role of a church as a local centre of worship and mission’, whose main functions are:

to advise the Diocesan Chancellor, the Archdeacons and parishes on the architecture, archaeology, art and history of places of worship

to consider faculty applications and advise the Chancellor on whether a faculty should be granted

to advise churchwardens, parishes and clergy who are planning work to their churches, from initial thoughts through to making an application

to approve a parish’s chosen architect or surveyor for the Quinquennial Inspection and provide a list of approved architects and surveyors.

This advice is given on a voluntary basis by members of the Committee, who have between them knowledge of the history, development and use of church buildings; liturgy and worship of the Church of England; architecture, archaeology, art and history and experience in the care of historic buildings and their contents.

The work of the Committee is supported by the DAC Secretary and Assistant Secretary at Trinity House.

To register an expression of interest and to learn more about this key role in supporting the mission and ministry of our churches, please contact the DAC Secretary, Canon Stephen Roberts at [email protected]

Wendy S Robins

DIOCESAN SYNODREPORT

The Governing Body of Nutfi eld Church (C of E) Primary School have been awarded the Bishop’s Certifi cate in Church School Leadership.

Headteacher, Imogen Woods, and school governor Michael Hill were presented with the award by Bishop Christopher at the annual Start of Year Eucharist for Governors and Staff of Diocesan schools and the Board of Education on 21 September at Southwark Cathedral.

The award was given after the Governors attended various courses covering many different aspects of the ethos and management of Church schools, held at Trinity House, over a period of two years.

Awards for Nutfi eld School governors

Photo: Lay Canon Colin Powell, Diocesan Director of Education (left) and Nutfi eld School Governor Michael Hill (right) with Bishop Christopher

The Diocesan Synod met on Saturday 18 November at St Mark, Kennington – for the fi rst time ever as the Vicar, Steve Coulson noted in his welcome.

Bishop Christopher welcomed members to the Synod meeting and asked the Revd Kathryn Percival to open in prayer. She used the prayer for Zimbabwe which had been circulated to all parishes. Bishop Christopher then formally called on the Diocese to pray for Zimbabwe over the weekend.

He noted that the way in which change had been triggered was fraught with opportunity and danger. He then quoted the Zimbabwean heads of Christian denominations who had said, ‘This is a new chapter in the history of our nation we are reminded of the warning of Jesus in Luke 19:41-44 (Jesus weeps over Jerusalem) and pray that the people of Zimbabwe recognise this kairos opportunity’.

Bishop Christopher said; “We offer our solidarity and prayers and join with Bishop Chad of Harare in praying for

unity and in calling for prayer for the peace of Zimbabwe”.

Ruth Martin, the Diocesan Secretary, then gave the notices including that there had been four nominations to the Board of Patronage and that they had been duly appointed unchallenged.

Bishop Jonathan gave the Presidential Address in which he spoke about the plight of refugees bringing the Synod up to date on what is happening internationally, nationally and in the Dioceses. He said that the number of forcibly displaced people was 65.6m and illustrated this by saying that this is as if the

whole of the UK and Ireland had to move against their will. Of these 22.5m have been offi cially recognized as refugees. In the 12 months up to September 2017 – 190,000 had been settled worldwide of which 7,500 were settled in the UK. 86% of the world’s refugees are hosted by the world’s poorest countries”.

“We must not only welcome people - we must be more welcoming” he said. “Churches across the Diocese have responded positively”. One property in Woolwich is being used by the local Council for refugees and All Saints, Sanderstead is developing a scheme. Bishop Jonathan then introduced Joanne McCrone who has been appointed to the new part-time post of Refugee Response Coordinator in the Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation department. Bishop Jonathan’s full address can be found at http://bit.ly/2BSaTwa

A review of the 2017 Annual Objectives followed during which the Diocesan Secretary explained the objectives that

had been achieved and set out how we hope to achieve the Southwark Vision. She noted that until the end of 2014 we had been spending more than we received in income - but our medium term fi nancial objectives are set to achieve balanced budgets.

The Vice Chair of the Board of Finance, Carl Hughes, then spoke to the 2018 budget. (Gerald Allison, the Chair was away on business.) Carl explained that there had been thorough and extensive work undertaken to achieve a balanced budget. Following a presentation of the fi gures, Anthony Demby, the Director of Finance, gave more details about the proposals. He spoke of the remarkable success of the Parish Support Fund (PSF) and that two thirds of the Diocese’s income comes from the parishes. He also noted that property maintenance is now proactive.

Ruth Martin then spoke of some changes in staffi ng, after which Carl Hughes asked members of Synod to pass on Synod’s thanks to the parishes for their generosity which has given us a sustainable balanced budget. He then formally moved the motion: “That this Synod approves the total budget expenditure of £23.73m which is based on total budgeted income of £24.3m.”

After a debate in which eight people spoke the motion was overwhelmingly passed.

The Annual Objectives for 2018 were then presented to Synod and the Director of Communications and Resources spoke about the Southwark Vision and the

way in which it is hoped it will become embedded in the parishes and people of the Diocese.

She said that the Bishops had called for Epiphanytide to be a time of thanksgiving for the generosity of the parishes through the PSF and to launch the Southwark Vision, noting that giving follows vision.

There followed a brief period of group work in which Synod members were asked to discuss how best to promote the Vision and Bishop Christopher asked the members of Synod to speak about what they each could do to promote the Vision.

Capt Nicholas Lebey CA then gave a presentation on the July 2017 Group of Sessions of the General Synod after which the Chair of the House of Laity, Adrian Greenwood, moved a motion about the make-up of membership of the Diocesan

Synod - it is a requirement that the number of places for clergy and laity in each deanery are allocated in time for the next Diocesan Synod Elections in 2018.

A number of questions followed about the details, after which the motion: ‘That this Synod approves the allocation of representatives for the 2018 Diocesan Synod elections, based on electoral roll fi gures and statutory membership’ was passed unanimously (with 2 abstensions).

Seven questions were asked during Question Time.

During the Eucharist which followed the Bishop’s Offi cer for Clergy Bereavement, the Revd Canon Yvonne Richmond Tulloch was commissioned and the Bishop of Southwark’s Lent Fund cheques were presented to recipients (photo below).

Synod ended with lunch at around 1.30pm.

To see more of the work of the DAC visit http://bit.ly/2iAQh34


Stars support Robes Cathedral SleepOut in sub-zero conditions260 people slept rough in the Southwark Cathedral Churchyard in sub-zero temperatures overnight on 24/25 November to raise more than £105,000 for the Robes Project Winter Night Shelters.

They were joined by an amazing line up of entertainment, including TV presenter Sandi Toksvig, comedian Bill Bailey, operatic tenor Dominick Felix and the Oompah Brass Band.

The evening began inside the Cathedral with an auction where prizes ranging from a painting of Tower Bridge to tickets for the studio recording of HIGNFY (Have I Got News For You?)’ started bidding wars.

Student, Robyn Horne later blogged: The Dean skipped, back and forth, up and down the nave to accept bids, leaving

everyone in high spirits. Then he took to the ‘stage’ to interview Sandi Toksvig.

Topics of discussion ranged from Basil Brush, to Scandinavian cuisine, to the colour of Paul Hollywood’s eyes (and yes, they are blue!).

This was followed by a musical performance from Bill Bailey, and fi nally concluded with a high-energy

performance from classical singer Dominick Felix and music from the Oompah Brass Band.

After the Band’s fi nal rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody, participants were asked to head outside and settle down for the night fortifi ed by brief hot chocolate breaks in the warmth of the Cathedral, served by a team which included Bishop Christopher.

(More of Robyn’s blog can be seen on http://bit.ly/2BbmHfC)

To date, the 2017 ROBES Sleep Out has raised a total of £106,625 and is on track to hit its target of £130,000.

And the need is clear. In the 2014/15 Trust for London Report, 7,580 people were recorded as rough sleeping. People sleeping rough are more likely to be victims of crime and almost 17 times more likely to have been victims of violence. Women

are particularly vulnerable, nearly one in four have been sexually assaulted whilst rough sleeping.

ROBES is one of a number of projects where Southwark’s churches open their doors to the homeless over the winter providing shelter, food, help and advice.

For more information visit http://robes.org.uk


What a way to celebrate 25 years as Head Verger – to be locked out of the Cathedral! But that’s what happened earlier this year to Southwark Cathedral’s Paul Timms.

On Sunday 4 June, Paul, who was one of October’s recipients of the Lancelot Andrewes Medal, set out as usual to open the Cathedral to be met by a police barrier. The evening before knife-wielding terrorists had killed eight people and injured 48 on London Bridge and in Borough Market.

Paul said: “We locked up after the Confi rmation service on Saturday evening and went home. For once I forgot to leave my phone beside the bed so I was totally unware of what had happened”.

The Cathedral and the area around was in ‘lock-down’ – and it would be nearly a week before Paul and his colleagues could begin the task of clearing up after the incident and the police investigations

and preparing for the public reopening on Sunday morning “…and of course reassuring the many people who came to the Cathedral upset and concerned about what had happened”.

Paul came to Southwark in 1992 from his home town Coventry where he had been Cathedral Head Verger and previously Choir Verger. This year he completes 40 years ‘in the job’. But that wasn’t his fi rst career choice.

After leaving school Paul studied catering and went to work as a hotel chef – “60 hours a week in a very hot kitchen and never seeing the people for whom you were cooking” he said.

Coventry Cathedral was advertising for tour guides in his local church pew-sheet and so every Sunday (his one day off) after church he’d head for the Cathedral, where the Head Verger took Paul under his wing and when the Choir Verger left Paul was offered the job. Five years later, when the Head Verger went to Westminster Abbey Paul stepped up and at 24 became the youngest Cathedral Head Verger in the country.

So what brought Paul to Southwark? “I’d visited regularly over the years whenever I was in London. I always felt ‘at home’. Like Coventry it was forward thinking and pushing boundaries – so when Clive McLeister left I applied for the job”.

And what does a Head Verger actually do?

“It can be very varied – one day you are leading HM the Queen into the Cathedral, the next you can be up on the roof unblocking a drain!” he said. In practice Paul leads a team of four paid and six voluntary vergers who prepare and lay out the Cathedral for everything from services to concerts, seminars and exhibitions including shifting the furniture and sweeping up afterwards!

As key-holders they open the Cathedral every morning at 7am and can often be there until midnight when they lock up. There are fi ve regular services every day and frequently extra ones – especially around Christmas (more than 30 special Carol Services this year). They look after vestments, robes etc –

and who do you think runs the sound system for services? Paul was also anxious to praise the support which he and the other vergers receive from the Cathedral clergy. “They clearly value our contribution to the Cathedral’s ministry”.

And has the Cathedral changed in his 25 years as Head Verger?

“Oh yes, everything was taken at a more sedate pace 25 years ago. I seldom worked more than 35 hours a week. Today the Cathedral is a hive of activity - a focus for a ‘parish’ which itself has become more vibrant, for the arts, for Christian action and as a resource for the whole Diocese.”

Paul said he was deeply honoured to receive the Laurence Andrewes MedaI marking his 25 years as Head Verger.

But for Paul it’s not so much a job as a vocation. “It’s a privilege to be the doorkeeper of the House of the Lord.

“My favourite time of day is when I open the doors in the morning, and my least favourite is when I close them at night!”

Brian Stevens – who received the Lancelot Andrewes Medal in October – stood down this year after so long on the PCC that no-one at St Dunstan, Cheam could remember him not being there!

Churchwarden four times, church school governor for 30 years, Sunday school helper, Bible study leader… the list is endless, in fact one for whom the epithet ‘stalwart’ could have been invented.

Brian and wife Pam married in 1964 and moved into Cheam. Brought up a Methodist, Brian converted to CofE. Initially they worshipped at St Stephen’s Lambeth, where Pam taught in the church school – and Pam’s old parish All Saints, Battersea

where they were married. Their introduction to the

Cheam parishes, initially St Alban’s Church and then St Dunstan’s, came as a result of their sons joining Sunday School. “We started in 1967 going to Matins and gradually drifted into the 9.30 Parish Communion.” In 1972 Brian was confi rmed by Bishop Mervyn Stockwood.

The Rector, the Revd Timothy Surtees, persuaded him to join the PCC and in due course, 30 years ago, to become a Churchwarden.

Initially he was worried that with a busy career and frequent business travel – a chemical engineer and manager with BP – he wouldn’t have the time to do the job properly – but, he said “somehow there was always time.”

In the end he served 18 years - four terms - as Churchwarden including two

interregnums and working with three Rectors, Timothy Surtees, Clive French and most recently Canon Darren Miller.

Despite initially saying that nothing really had happened during this 18 years, he eventually admitted that they had restored the church’s chancel to its original Victorian design, installed new lighting, built a meeting room, repaired and modernised the

Parochial Rooms and re-roofed the church (including dealing with a builder who went bust half way through the job!).

He also found time to support wife Pam as she led the Mothers Union Branch and running Sunday School – and of course they both still clean the church at least once a month! Nothing much really!

When you meet Pam and Brian it is clear that they are a

team… “I couldn’t have done it without her” said Brian. “I have enjoyed doing all the things I have done and it was a great honour to be recognised with the award – which I feel I accepted for us both.”

When Canon Darren Miller read out the citation and presented Brian with the medal he was “lost for words” said Pam, “So we all got away lightly,” she added with a grin.

“...doorkeeper of the House of the Lord”

“...somehow there was always time”

The full list of recipients:Harry Bramma FRCO Organist and Director of Music at the Cathedral from 1976 to 1989

The Revd Corinne Tournay, Vicar, Brockley, St Peter 1998-2017

Brian Stevens

Mrs Margaret Elkin, former Personal Assistant to successive Bishops of Woolwich

The Very Revd Andrew Nunn, Dean of Southwark

Paul Timms

The Revd Henry Whyte who has 45 years continuous service in Southwark Diocese.

Martin Neary, former Director of Music, Westminster Abbey now St Michael and All Angels, Barnes.

The Revd Anne Gurney who retired in 2017 after 53 years in ministry, starting and ending in Southwark.

The Revd Lisa Wright who has 30 years self-supporting ministry in Southwark.

In March musician and composer Harry Bramma FRCO was invested by Bishop Christopher with the fi rst Lancelot Andrewes Medal in recognition of ‘his Zeal for the Gospel and Godly Service in this Our Diocese’. Since then he has awarded a further nine medals and recently The Bridge talked to two of the latest recipients.


The extraordinary daring of St Paul’s twice repeated phrase: ‘Christ is the image of the unseeable God’ (Col 1:15 and 2 Cor 4:4) has resonated down the Christian centuries. The Revd Canon Charles Pickstone

At Christmas, we celebrate the moment that this unseeable God becomes visible by taking fl esh. For Christian artists, Christmas is their charter – the moment they are given the challenge of depicting Jesus, who is both unseeable God and visibly human. It’s a challenge of the highest order, that goes to the very roots of our humanity.

We look now at how half a dozen of the greatest of them have responded to that challenge in different places and in different times, seeking to give their unbelieving worlds a glimpse of God himself made fl esh.

Still: (2004) Alison WattAnd so we begin this series of images of the incarnation with Alison Watt’s Still (2004), which hangs in a dark chapel in Old St Paul’s Church, Edinburgh. It focuses the sense of stillness and mystery to be found in that great church. Many churches erect a neat curtain against their East wall, to create a sense of mystery, of God’s realm far beyond the veil of sight. This image, however, does more than that. It creates a sense of presence, not of absence. And this sense of presence is (as rarely) maternal. The swirls and folds of the painting seem just to be awaiting the word, the seed, that will focus their vague, translucent shapes into maternity.

This picture is the perfect illustration of God’s maternal holiness, as it brings the promise of life to the austere memorial chapel in which it sits. This is challenging work: it is ungraspable, uncontrollable, the Advent age before the coming of God as man, the stirring cloud of the spirit from which the

singular person of Jesus will be born. It also suggests how human fl esh is not entirely alien from God’s transcendence.

And yet, there is more to be said. The picture consists of four canvasses fi tted together, leaving dark lines in between. This thin black cross forms an important countermelody that complements the fl ow of the image, a protection from its formlessness – the cross as stumbling-block, countering our narcissistic impulse to abstract surrender.

The Annunciation: Filippo LippiStill gave us the abstract possibility of God’s taking fl esh. The Annunciation by Florentine artist Filippo Lippi (1406–69) is the concrete moment at which that abstract promise is made real in the life of a real person. Among the ten of thousands of depictions of the Annunciation in art, this is a particularly special one – partly because it is reproduced on one of the altars in Southwark Cathedral retrochoir.

It is a remarkably intimate picture. The rather shy angel hardly dares to raise his eyes to look at the beautiful girl he has come to visit. And behind Mary, we see the very private interior of her house: her bedroom, and, at the very centre a highly symbolic interior stairwell, with God’s hand at its top sending down the dove that now hovers in front of Mary’s womb, like a little humming bird looking for a fl ower to fertilise.

The rough turf outside in the garden, where the angel has landed, contrasts with the gentle richness of the interior. And, like the cross in Still, the rather vulgar lilies at the front of the

picture – in their full-bloom openness – remind us of the physicality of the incarnation.

Piero della Francesca: Madonna del PartoFrom annunciation to pregnancy: this remarkable image, painted by the Renaissance artist Piero della Francesca (1416–92) possibly for his mother’s funeral chapel, is today beautifully displayed in a darkened room in a schoolhouse turned museum in the Umbrian village of Monterchi. Again, it’s a picture of interiority; the ‘tent’ in which Mary is framed, its fl aps held open by symmetrical angels (note their alternating colours) is lined with squirrel pelts, so that there is a palpable contrast between its silk outside decorated with pomegranates, and the animal warmth of the inside. Consequently, the tent feels like a womb – a graphic projection of Mary’s interior, physical and spiritual. It’s hinted

at, too, by the gaping dress, with her inner garments just visible.

All Piero’s fi gures have a strange sense of isolation – beautifully formed, but often static and distant from each other (some have suggested that Piero may have been on the autistic spectrum). Yet what often makes his fi gures seems strange is here entirely appropriate – Mary displays the inner-directedness of the pregnant woman, feeling for her baby.

But in easy contrast to this meditative intimacy, the angels balance things up, bringing us back to the surface with a sense of almost comic relief with their dramatic poses and clashing outfi ts.

Nativity: Jacob Lawrence (1954) From Mary’s pregnancy, we fi nally reach the moment of Jesus’s birth. Jacob Lawrence (1917–2000) is perhaps the best known twentieth century African-American painter. When he was 13, he moved from the deep south to Harlem in New York, became an artist, and, inspired by the great European and Mexican artists, developed a very individual, urban style, painting scenes from contemporary American life. In his art, he also aspired to express his desire for social justice.

In this picture of the nativity scene, the setting is not the traditional stable, but rather a nostalgic return to the former rural life of many immigrants to Harlem. The nativity is envisaged in a back yard. The Holy Family are over on the left – Mary in a red dress under her brown coat stands, holding

the baby; beneath her are a man, and a girl standing with clasped hands. But pride of place goes not to the human family, but to the animals – in this case, not ox and ass, but three cocks and a number of hens, such as would have been familiar to any family from the rural South with their own yard.

The three cocks, with their spiky combs (strangely, not unlike the Statue of Liberty) seem to watch over the family, whom they also mirror (mother, father and child). The great shadow cast on the damaged wooden fence with its (no doubt symbolic) nails by the baby cock, who is proudly watched by his

Alison Watt, Still, 2003-04, oil on canvas, 368 x 368 cmInstallation view, Old St Paul’s Episcopal Church, Edinburgh, Photograph: Hyjdla Kosaniuk InnesCourtesy of the artist, Ingleby, Edinburgh & Old St Paul’s Episcopal Church, Edinburgh

Annunciation by Filippo Lippi. National Gallery.

The Pregnant Madonna by Piero della Francesca, Monterchi (Umbria).

Nativity by Jacob Lawrence, 19© Estate of Jacob Lawrence. A

Art and Inca


parents, adds a sinister note. Perhaps it suggests that the human baby, too, will have an importance out of all proportion to his size.

Meanwhile, the hens cheerfully go about their business in happy ignorance of the family who are temporarily bringing glory to their back-yard holiness.

Rest on the fl ight to Egypt: Adriaen IsenbrandtThis beautiful small painting from Bruges shows Mary breastfeeding the baby Jesus. To the modern eye, it looks uncomfortable – Mary isn’t going to win any NCT prizes for

technique. Perhaps the artist, probably Adriaen Isenbrandt (1480s–1551) from Bruges, hadn’t observed a mother suckling her child, or maybe

he didn’t care about accurate representation. Equally uncomfortably, Mary is feeding her baby in a very public, unprotected space.

The artist probably intended this to have two purposes – fi rst, a reminder that at this point in the story Mary and Joseph have become asylum seekers, forced out of their own country, like many migrants today, by the threat of persecution by King Herod, and they are fl eeing to Egypt for refuge.

Thus Mary has little choice about feeding her child in public; she doesn’t share the privacy of the comfortable, of those who live in the prosperous-looking houses behind her.

But secondly, the idyllic landscape behind Mary, including the rather anachronistic church, locates the incarnation into the artist’s own space and time, just as Jesus was born into his own time and culture and just as today we too seek the fresh expressions that will reveal the incarnate Jesus present in our world to the people of our own time and place. And more than that, here the baby Jesus sacralises his world, making it beautiful and tinged with

infi nity, with a great river drawing the eye into the vague mountains in the far distance.

And as well as infi nity, this is also a moment of eternity – a timeless moment of mother and child in sweet communion, absorbed in each other; but for the dark trees and our knowledge of the after-story, you sense it could go on for ever.

Adoration of the Kings: Jan Gossaert Amid the crumbling ruins and broken brickwork of the once proud building where the Holy Family have found refuge, the three kings come from the ends of the earth with their gifts. This detail from a much larger picture in the National Gallery is a stunning series of portraits. At the front is Balthasar (his name is embroidered in gold on his beautifully detailed crown). To his left, a squire, eyes downcast, is holding up his master’s leopard-skin cape.

A companion gazes raptly at the holy family (off to the right), and in the background a serious, square jawed man (the bodyguard?) gazes out of the picture towards the viewer. Balthasar is looking intently at the gold vessel that he holds aloft with a humeral veil as if it contained a precious relic, or the sacrament itself: a foreshadowing of the eventual death and resurrection of the baby Jesus who is off to the right.

The picture is a curious mixture of sumptuous fi nery and rank with the everyday world of crumbling masonry and (beneath our image) a dog feeding on something it is pulling out of the ground – much as many Christians, constantly worrying about getting faculties and funding to maintain our crumbling buildings, and about our own age, illness and decay, are also aware that these earthenware jars – our bodies and our churches – actually contain the glorious mystery of salvation. The sheer beauty of these portraits attests to the divine potential of our embodied humanity. Here life and death, the simple and the sophisticated, the courtly and the humble, are

juxtaposed, as the artist feels his way toward portraying the incredible union of Jesus who is both God and man.

The Shepherds bow: Ukrainian icon This late seventeenth century icon from Ukraine depicts three shepherds paying their respects to Mary, Joseph and Jesus. One doffs his hat, a second – who looks out towards us, the viewers – points us upward to the angel in the sky who has alerted them to the holy birth, and the third points toward the manger scene. A cheerful ox watches over the baby; a wolf-like ass peers out from under Joseph’s arm. All three shepherds hold staffs, as does Joseph. One remarkable aspect of this work is the eyes of all the characters (including the animals), which are alert, full of life, and create a captivating sense of vivacity. Here, the incarnation is enfl eshed in the visual language of the people of the artist’s time.

The fi gures are still stylised enough to give a sense of otherworldliness, with their traditional epithets written above their heads; and the angel bursting through the clouds, gives us a glimpse of some infi nite dimension.

And yet the picture is fi rmly incarnate in the artist’s own world. Style and content entirely match – the outwardly naive, rustic style of the artist is of the same timbre as the scene that is portrayed, and so the picture’s very vitality is enough to create the sense of childhood joy that is of the essence of Christmas.

i The Revd Canon Charles Pickstone is Vicar of St Laurence Church,

Catford, and a member of the International Association of Art Critics.

954 (private collection)RS, NY and DACS, London 2017

Rest on the Flight to Egypt by Adriaen Isenbrandt, Museum of Fine Arts, Ghent. fi rst half of the C16th.

Adoration of the Kings by Jan Gossaert (detail) London, National Gallery

Ukrainian Icon: The Adoration of the Shepherds Ivan Honchar Museum, Kiev.

arnation


Unlocking people... releasing potential

Aft er a lifetime of drug use, crime and violence, two days spent alone in the woods

was the turning point for Jonathan. This is his story…

Jonathan is 33 years old. His Mum and Dad were separated when he was young. They

both loved him, but living between them created a ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ existence

for him from an early age.

“Dad lived a hard, Irish-traveller’s life with crime and violence. Mum was

more conventional, soft er, and she ingrained in me some morals and

a desire to help people,” says Jonathan.

Aged 12, he was violently beaten. “I told no-one what had really

happened,” says Jonathan, “I was afraid my Dad would kill them

and get put away in prison.”

Jonathan vowed that ‘no-one will ever be able to do that to

me again’, and he chose to become violent himself, keeping

people away, and using drugs to mask the inner trauma of

what had happened and the lifestyle he was now leading.

“I was two diff erent people,” he says, “with Mum I was

soft er, more ‘normal’; with Dad’s family I was a nasty

criminal. I preferred the nasty me, because no-one could

hurt me.”

At 16 he began working as a welder. He was good at it,

and travelled the world on major jobs, becoming a project

manager. All the time, he was hiding a heroin and crack

cocaine addiction. During the next 10 years he had more than

one brush with death; a gun put into his mouth backfired,

and then he was made to dig his own grave at gunpoint.

“In the end, they let me live, saying it was out of respect for

my (by then dead) Dad. When they left me, in the woods, I sat by

a tree for two days thinking about my life. I thought about what

made me happy, and it was whenever I was helping people. I didn’t

want to be the nasty version of me anymore.”

A day later, he quit his job, gave up everything and went to his local drugs

team for help. He got onto a 12 step programme and made progress, despite

his Dad’s family breaking down the door and dragging him out of his first meeting. “I

embarrassed them with my addiction.”

Jonathan was awarded funding for rehab. “The interview panel said it was a miracle,” he says.

He found Gilead online with his drugs worker, and was accepted onto the course.

“I already knew why I did drugs, to block out the demons of my past and

my lifestyle. Gilead showed me they could help me defeat those, so

I didn’t need to defend myself anymore. They let me build trust in

them before they even began to deal with those issues. I love

doing the farm work, I’m a hard worker; and I was attracted to

the Christian aspect of Gilead from the start. I believed in God,

but did not want to ask His forgiveness while I was still doing

the things I did. I destroyed other people’s lives, as well as

my own.”

That was back in February 2017. Now, Jonathan is clean,

and his life has been greatly healed and restored. It’s an

ongoing process, and it has not been easy: “I’d say to

anyone thinking of rehab, here or anywhere, you have to

be 100% committed and want to change. If not, forget

it. I’d recommend Gilead. What they have works, but you

have to give it time.”

Jonathan has decided he wants to train to help others who

have experienced similar problems, at Gilead, so he plans

to stay on aft er he finishes the course this year. “I was asked

once if I would change my past life. Well, I wouldn’t wish it on

anyone, but I wouldn’t change it – I wouldn’t be me, and now I

can help other people out of the same things.”

Jonathan’s story may sound extreme, but there are many more

people struggling just like him. He now has the potential to become

a valuable part of the Gilead team, helping others find freedom – you

can help, too, by becoming one of our Twelve12 Partners, or asking your

church to become one of our Twentyfour12 Partners – please consider it,

and thankyou for reading Jonathan’s story.

You can’t change your past, but you can change your future

Please consider standing with Gilead while we help many more people like Jonathan

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Twelve pounds, for 12 months, to change a life for good...By donating £12 a month for 12 months, you can support someone just

like Jonathan, as they make their diffi cult 12 month transition into a

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We would also value your prayers for everyone at Gilead, so as a

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To join in our Twelve12 campaign and help restore someone’s life for

good, please fill out the partner form and send it to us via the address

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* Model used to preserve anonymity

DIO1217

Jonathan

If you’re a church leader and want your church to support Gilead, our Twentyfour12 Partners commit to help for a year in a similar way, with £24 per month or one-off donation of £288


IT skills for ‘Silver Surfers’Christ Church, West Croydon, has been running a ‘Digital Inclusion Inter-generational Training Project’. The aim is to familiarise older generations with the modern dot.com lifestyle helping bridge the gap and strengthen the bond between generations.

The Revd Dr Jacob Devadason explained:

“Digital inclusion is about having the right access, skills, motivation and confi dence to go online.

“We run sessions at our Church Centre where the ‘Silver Surfers’ learn basic computer, mobile and internet

skills with ‘people like them’ with the support of young but experienced trainers.

“Being part of the information society will help them to improve their quality of life, receive online benefi ts

and services and re-engage with friends and relatives who live far away.

“Participants who initially appeared to be dismissive have started to learn enthusiastically, thanks to

the approach, patience and skill of trainer Jothi Kalpana Gandhiraj (photo left)”.

i The Programme was supported by a grant from ‘Near Neighbours’ (Church

Urban Fund).

Betchworth’s knitted Christmas tree!St Michael, Betchworth were thrilled to see how their knitted Christmas Tree turned out! Parishioners and villagers were asked some months ago to knit an 8” square using any colour green wool. They were told that squares were needed to create an 8’ Christmas tree, but that’s not all!

The squares were then going to be made into blankets for charity. The response was unbelievable the squares kept arriving in church and at the local post offi ce, hundreds of them - 698 in all. It took some hours to create the tree but it was so worth it! The Betchworth knitters ask - what if every church in the Diocese creates a knitted tree next year? Just imagine how many blankets Southwark could make !

Launch of Multi Faith Prayer Space for Greenwich Peninsula

Waddon 2017 Diversity Festival

Leaders and representatives from a wide range of faiths were present at the offi cial launch event for the new Multi Faith Prayer Space on Greenwich Peninsula on Thursday 2 November.

The launch was attended by the Bishop of Woolwich, the

Archdeacon of Lewisham and Greenwich, the Mayor and Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, leaders from the Islamic, Baha’i, Sikh, Jewish and Buddhist community - and representatives from many local Christian denominations, Knight Dragon, the developer, and their management company, Pinnacle.

The Multi Faith Prayer Space and Community Room on Greenwich Peninsula is managed by the Parish of East

Greenwich. The Prayer Room provides a venue for all faith groups for prayer or worship activities. It is also open every day for people to drop in for prayer and refl ection and is staffed by a team of multi faith chaplains from 12 noon – 3pm Monday to Friday. There is also a Community Room available for events and community groups. For more information visit www.prayerspace.org.uk

Holy Trinity, the parish church on Greenwich

Peninsula, now holds its services and Christian meditation in the Prayer Space and is looking for ways to use the space in creatively.

East Greenwich Team Rector, the Revd Margaret Cave said, “The Parish is delighted to be able to work with the Royal Borough of Greenwich and the developer to share the Prayer Space and Community Room with the local community at the heart of this exciting regeneration”.

On the 14 October St George’s Church, Waddon held their annual Diversity Festival. This year the theme was ‘It’s all about community’ organised by Marcia Grant-Che, the Lay Reader. The event was attended by Croydon Mayor Cllr Toni Letts OBE.

St Michael’s and All Angels Steel Band Orchestra, award winners at the 2017 Notting Hill Carnival opened the event and supported the singers throughout the day. They also ran a lunchtime workshop.

The Mayor gave an offi cial welcome and a talk about

the local community and its developments over the years in Waddon and Croydon. There were two invited speakers - Eileen Walkin who gave a short talk on Black History Month and Ucha Nnoka, who also ran a children workshop based on her book ‘Don’t let Bullies Ruin Your Life’.

The Young@Heart dance group gave two perfomances and the Phoenix group of senior citizens led a sing-a-long. The Cameroon North West Cultural Association gave a traditional dance in traditional dress and there was also the opportunity to learn how to tie a Nigerian head scarf plus a children Art and Craft Workshop.

Stalls offered international food and drink and showcased the goods and services of local businesses. Art work and posters by adults and children were on display and the Knitting and Knatter group sold handmade crafts. Photo: Young@Heart getting ready to dance


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Sowing the seed onlineA Catford parish is to employ a part-time online missioner. St John the Baptist Church is advertising for someone to build online networks of people and groups that might be drawn gradually towards church life.

The Revd Martin Thomas, Team Rector of Catford and Downham said: “Some of the support groups online are hugely popular and, crucially, very local. Mummies Gin Fund, a Facebook support group for parents, has just short of 32,000 members, mainly in SE London. Such thriving online communities have a heavy fl ow of postings and to attract attention needs perseverance and dedicated personnel.

“The church needs to be part of the conversation. If we are not a lively and quick-witted presence online, many people simply won’t see us at all. We hope, in trying this out, to see if it might be a model for others to use. If we really do have something worth sharing we need to put resources into where people actually spend their time – online. So this initiative is just one way of trying to get the good news circulating in people’s

(Above) The Revd Kevin Scott leads the Remembrance Service at St John the Evangelist, Malden, Wa r Memorial as parishioners, Scouts & Guides stand for the two minutes silence - over 100 young people of the youth groups attended the service. (Photo: John Eggitt)

(Below) St Nicholas visited St Barnabas Church, Mitcham on Sunday 3 December to gather bags of toys for children in need. (STBPHOTO)

Bishop Karowei visited All Saints C of E Primary School, Upper Norwood in November. At Assembly, the Bishop talked about Peace and celebrating Diversity. He also enjoyed a tour of the Early Years classes as well as a meeting with some of the students where they were given an opportunity to ask him some questions. Sabina Kashmiri, School Admin. Assistant writes:”We look forward to welcoming him back some time in the future”.

The Parish Support Fund and Southwark Vision – Save the Date!Thank you for your generous giving! The Bishops are so grateful for your response to God’s call that they have decided to invite all the parishes to join in a time of thanksgiving this Epiphanytide for God’s blessings to us and for the generosity shown through the Parish Support Fund.

It is very encouraging that in our second year of paying pledges the pledge collection rate remains very high. At the end of October 2017 it was over 99% and rising! This has enabled us to fund the mission and ministry of our parishes and as a result there are many exciting initiatives taking place across the Diocese, in our parishes, schools and wider communities.

For the third year parishes have generously increased

their pledges and at the moment we have over £16.2m pledged with a few more to be confi rmed. This year a fl otilla of smaller parishes have made signifi cant contributions to the increase in the Diocesan total.

Once again, we will be holding a series of meetings about the Parish Support Fund to share and celebrate the good news stories from around the Diocese. In addition, during Epiphanytide 2018 Southwark Vision will be introduced to the people of our parishes and we would like to use these PSF meetings to become more familiar with our Diocesan aims and objectives for the coming years and explore how the PSF can help fund this Vision.

We value hearing about your experience of the Parish Support Fund so that we can work together to generously support our Diocesan family. Incumbents, PCC Secretaries, Treasurers, Churchwardens and anyone else interested are very

welcome to attend. If you can’t attend the meeting in your Archdeaconry, you will be welcome on any of the other dates. This year we have added some daytime sessions, for those for whom this may be a more convenient time of day to meet. All evening meetings start at 7:30pm (with refreshments from 7:00pm) and will fi nish by 9:00pm, daytime meetings will follow a similar pattern, being one and a half hours long with refreshments beforehand.

Parishes will again receive information on the PSF in April and plenty of support is available to help parishes with the process of agreeing their pledges - so do ask via your Archdeacon or their PA if you would like help.

To give us some idea of numbers, it would be helpful if could you let us know if you are attending by email to [email protected] or by phone to the Parish Giving Communications Offi cer, Gabby Parikh on 020 7939 9438.

Date/time Archdeaconry VenueMon 22 Jan Lambeth and Wandsworth St Saviour, Raynes Park, Grand Drive, SW20 9DL. (2 for 2.30pm - 4pm) Thurs 1 Feb Lewisham & Greenwich St Laurence, Catford, (10 for 10.30am –12) Bromley Road, London SE6 2TS Reigate Holy Trinity, Redhill (7 for 7.30pm – 9pm) Carlton Road, RH1 2BSWed 7 Feb Lambeth St Michael, Stockwell Park Road, SW9 0DA (7pm for 7.30pm – 9pm) Mon 12 Feb Croydon Venue to be confi rmed (7 for 7.30pm – 9pm) Thurs 1 March Reigate St John the Evangelist, Hurst Green, (11 for 11.30am – 1pm) Church Way, RH8 9EAMon 5 March Croydon Croydon Area Offi ce,St Matthew’s House, (10 for 10.30am – 12) 100 George Street, Croydon, CR0 1PJTues 6 March Southwark All Saints, Peckham, (7 for 7.30pm – 9pm) Blenheim Grove, Peckham, SE15 4QSThurs 8 March Wandsworth St Mark, Battersea Rise (7 for 7.30pm – 9pm) Battersea Rise, SW11 1EJMon 12 March Lewisham & Greenwich St James, Kidbrooke (7 for 7.30pm – 9pm) Kidbrooke Park Road, SE3 0DU


Faith communities pray for peaceDuring Inter Faith Week representatives of different faith communities gathered outside Tooting Broadway station to pray for peace.

Despite the rain, people came from three mosques, the Al Risalah secondary

school, eight churches, the Amahdiya community and the Buddhist Peace Pagoda to each offer prayers for peace in the community, in the city and in the world, to light candles and greet local people. The ceremony was led by the Revd Dr Andrew Davey of St Augustine and Holy Trinity churches and was organised by the Balham and Tooting Community Association.

The Welcare Annual Meeting took place on 29 September in the Garry Weston Library at Southwark Cathedral with Bishop Karowei presenting awards to volunteers and supporters.

Welcare’s Amy Mawby said “The guests were inspired by his thoughtful words and robust moral conviction for the mission of Welcare to provide the practical and emotional support to enable children in South London and East Surrey to have the best possible opportunities in life.

“Guests also heard presentations from the Race Equality Foundation about the impact of the Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities parenting programme and a new intervention piloted this year with a group of young

people in Lambeth as a tool to capture their experiences as they approach adolescence.

“You can fi nd more information about both of

these groups on our website. For further information

about the work of Welcare or opportunities to volunteer visit www.welcare.org, email info@

welcare.org or call 020 7820 7910.[Photo: Bishop Karowei with volunteer award winners.]

Welcare’s Annual Meeting and Awards presentation


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Time for Time for a a breakbreak

The College of Canons attended Choral Evensong at Southwark Cathedral on Friday 10 November. Following a reception at which the Bishop and the Dean wished two ‘departing’ Canons well: The Revd Canon Carol Coslett who is to become the Archdeacon of Chesterfi eld in the Diocese of Derby in the spring and The Revd Canon Darren Miller who is to become the Archdeacon of Ashford in the Diocese of Canterbury in the new year. The Canons were treated to a fascinating lecture by Professor Emma Smith who is a fellow of Hertford College, Oxford and a lecturer in the Faculty of English, on ‘Shakespeare’s Southwark Reformation’.

There’s no place like Home…Around 300 people gathered in St Andrew’s Church, Earlsfi eld at the end of October when Bishop Christopher opened and blessed the Home Community Cafe.

The café, in the west end of the nave, is a collaboration between St Andrew’s and the Earlsfi eld Friary, a mission community based in the parish. Friary member, Meg Fry, is the cafe’s director and came up with the idea when she was studying for a diploma in Pioneer Ministry.

The aim is to enable the church to become a community hub and future activities planned include a homework club, a lunch club for older people and cooking classes for those on a small budget. The cafe is open Mondays to Fridays from 9am-5pm and Saturdays from 9am-

2pm. Prices are competitive and a ‘buy-forward’ scheme encourages people to buy a hot drink or a sandwich to be given to someone who can’t afford one. Cafe staff are paid the London living wage and are supported by volunteers – profi ts will be reinvested into the community.


Bishop Christopher visited Bede House Association in October and November to catch up on their work

with vulnerable people in Bermondsey and Rotherhithe, and plans for a new Bede Centre.

Bede House Association has been chosen as one of the charities to be supported by the Bishops’ Lent Call 2018.

Founded in 1938 as a Christian Settlement on the edge of the former docks in Rotherhithe, named after the Saxon scholar the Venerable Bede (672-735) who lived in a monastery on the Jarrow riverside.

The charity exists to bring together people from different backgrounds to create new

opportunities for those who have the least. Today, Bede’s activities include projects for people with learning disabilities, youth clubs for 8 to 19 year olds from low income families, and practical and emotional support for women and children affected by domestic violence and abuse.

Over 70 volunteers work alongside staff on activities which seek to address issues of poverty, unemployment, isolation and lack of purpose to improve the health and wellbeing of local people and of the environment.

Bishop Christopher visited Bede’s Centre on the Abbeyfi eld Estate. As part of its estate redevelopment plans, Southwark Council will build a new Bede Centre nearby so that Bede’s current site on the estate can be redeveloped.

Bede’s Director, Nick Dunne (photo left with Bishop Christopher) said, “We celebrate our 80th anniversary in 2018 and now have a great opportunity for Bede’s future. The new Bede Centre has been designed to our specifi cation and the Council will manage all the construction costs.

“Our challenge is to raise £1.2 million by 2020 to buy the 125 year lease, equip the

building and manage the change. A number of funders are interested in helping us, as are members of the local community who want to see Bede’s work continue in these diffi cult times.

“Although we’re now living on a building site, all our projects are open as usual. We will stay open and our activities will continue uninterrupted until we are settled in our new home. Over 2,000 people a year

benefi t from what we do, so Bede is needed now more than ever. The gap between rich and poor in society is getting bigger. Here at Bede, we can help narrow that gap and enable people in very different circumstances to help each other to build stronger communities in our neighbourhoods.”

To fi nd out more about Bede’s work go to www.bedehouse.org or call 020 7237 3881.

Bede House looks to the future

Maths Mastery - and mental health...

Lift high the crossOn Friday 20 October St Saviour’s School, Herne Hill welcomed Bishop Karowei to their act of Collective Worship and to dedicate a newly made cross.

The Revd Gill Tayleur reports: “The cross was made by the Revd Michael Brooks, and now has pride of place where it can be seen by all who pass on the busy Herne Hill Road. It is similar in design to those outside and inside St Saviour’s Church, which is a few yards up the road.

“Bishop Karowei entertained the children with a magic mug, that showed the difference the Jesus can make in a person’s life, and led us in a prayer of blessing and dedication.”Photo: (from left to right) the Revd Michael Brooks, Mrs Maxted (Headteacher), Bishop Karowei, Mario Vidal (Premises Offi cer), Sara Bredemear (Chair of Governors), the Revd Gill Tayleur (Parish of Herne Hill), along with the faith representatives from each class.

On Thursday 30 November Saint Cecilia’s Church of England School in Southfi elds opened its doors to teachers across London to showcase the teaching of the Maths Mastery approach. The event was the fi rst in a series of open days as part of St Cecilia’s role as the Secondary Beacon school for maths mastery of the South West London Maths Hub.

Maths Mastery aims to help pupils develop a deep, long-term and adaptable understanding of Maths. It has been championed by both the Department for Education and the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics as part of their drive to improve

the teaching of Mathematics across the UK. For details, go to: www.ncetm.org.uk

STEM4Local charity STEM 4 visited the school recently to deliver a workshop, focusing on demystifying mental health issues, and to train a key group of pupils in recognising signs, supporting and championing mental health issues in the school.

‘Wellbeing champions’ will work with pupils and sixth formers, supporting and coaching them.

To fi nd out more about STEM4, visit www.stem4.org.uk and for St Cecilia’s www.saintcecilias.london


Let us prayDecember

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Faith led initiatives help thousands of Londoners Over 70 small faith based projects helping Londoners were celebrated at an “Evening of Faith Recognition and Celebration” in November, hosted by the Three Faiths Forum (3FF).

Among them were the Open Door Community Choir (Christ Church, Gipsy Hill), St Mark, Kennington, Debt Advice Service, Forest Hill Drop in (Association for Pastoral Care in Mental Health), Greenwich Winter Night Shelter and Joel

Community Services (St Peter, Norbiton).

Dr David Dangoor, Deputy Lieutenant for Greater London and Chair of the Lord Lieutenant’ Council on Faith said: “By supporting 3FF’s Evening of Faith Recognition and Celebration, we gain the opportunity to meet and engage with those who have made it their mission to increase wellbeing within their local community; helping individuals build a sense of belonging within London

and building bridges across communities of all faiths and beliefs. Tonight’s awards are primarily about celebration and recognition and I hope examples of these projects will enhance the good work already happening, whilst inspiring further action.”

3FF’s Faith and Recognition initiative has been funded by the Exilarch’s Foundation and Amersi Foundation, with the support of Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Greater London’s Council on Faith.

Dreaming of a Blue Christmas?A South London church is to host a Blue Christmas event for anyone in the local community who fi nds Christmas diffi cult.

The Revd Martin Thomas, Team Rector of Catford and Downham said: “Christmas brings a whole host of pressures to bear on people. For some people Christmas will also bring sadness, with memories of someone who is no longer with us. Then there is the diffi culty of families that are no longer together.

“For all these reasons, St John the Baptist, Catford are hosting a Blue Christmas

event from 4-8pm on 21

December. There will be clergy and others available to be a listening ear for anyone who would welcome that, but also a chance simply to come away and sit quietly. There will be a short communion service at 7.30pm but people of all faiths and none at all are very welcome to drop in to take a moment to refl ect and to gain some composure for the days that follow”.

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace…” (Isaiah 52 :7) –These words ring hollow if we consider the present situation in the land where Isaiah lived and where the Prince of Peace, was born.

The Christmas message is one of great Love, (forgiveness, peace, compassion and humility) because God chose to reveal his glory through “giving his only son to the

world” and allowing Jesus to be part of the world with all its potential for pain and suffering.

Christmas and welcoming in the New Year is not a time when we should be escaping reality but it is about being ready to change. As Christians in our world today, we should encourage people to move beyond spending their time and money on themselves to thinking more about what they could do for others.

Think of all the preparations in the build up to Christmas… how much have we been caught up in the frenzy of shopping, the panic of sending cards, wrapping presents, setting up the outside lights to compete with the neighbours, or making sure all is ordered for a big family meal?

In all this, amidst the busyness, have we made room for the needs of others and to hear God’s words to us?

Ponder and Pray: Jesus was born, the Word made fl esh, he couldn’t speak a word. All he could do was cry, a human cry of hunger and the need to be loved.

Help us to live out his word, to speak out for peace and be willing to change. May we grow in knowledge and understanding, so that we can truly experience the power of your transforming love in our world today, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

The Revd Canon Carol Coslett

Lisa Gutwein’s book - Doorkins the Cathedral Cat – has passed the ‘pre-schooler seal of approval’ writes Elizabeth Dow.

“My 3 year old son Ted

(right) really enjoyed Doorkins the Cathedral Cat .The illustrations drew him in and he and his 18month old sister liked spotting Doorkins on every page.

“The language is very accessible and the sweet and simple story is perfect for little people. Ted was very excited

to discover there is a real Doorkins and is now desperate to visit Southwark Cathedral so he can meet her. When we tried a new church recently, he told his Granny that ‘it isn’t Doorkins’

church’ so it is very real to him. The book has certainly passed the preschooler approval test of being asked for again and again”.

‘Doorkins the Cathedral Cat’ is written by Lisa Gutwein and illustrated by dentist Rowan Ambrose - both members of the congregation. The book follows the Cathedral’s ‘Magnifi cat’ as she does her daily wanderings - and in the process gives an interesting tour of the building.

‘Doorkins the Cathedral Cat’ is on sale on Amazon for £10.99 and in the Cathedral Bookshop - and it’s perfect for adults too!

REVIEWREVIEW

19 THE BRIDGE... Christmas/New Year 2017 THE BRIDGE...Christmas/New Year 2017 19

Please send details of your events for FEBRUARY ONWARDS to Trinity House

BY MONDAY 15 JANUARY

✽ BEDDINGTON - Quiet @St Mary’s - 3rd Thursday of each month 11am - 2pm

✽ BOROUGH – St George the Martyr Community Cafe and TimeBank every Thursday 2pm to 4.30 pm. Meet people, get advice

✝ HACKBRIDGE - Taizé at All Saints at 7pm First Sunday every month

✽ KEW - Homemade cakes and teas Sundays 3-5pm at St Anne’s Church

PUTNEY - Putney & Wandsworth Band - brass band coaching sessions. Every Thursday 8pm at St Mary’s Church. All welcome. Tel 07481 565166 for details

✽ WARLINGHAM – Water Aid lunches in St Ambrose Church Hall, 12-1pm fi rst Wednesday

✝ ZIMBABWE ANGLICAN COMMUNITY at St Mary, Newington – Shona Mass, Second Sunday of month at 2pm. Mothers’ Union last Saturday 2pm

January

Ongoing

DecemberSaturday 9 December

✽ CLAPHAM – The Green and Ethical Christmas Fayre, Holy Trinity Clapham Common, 11am-4pm. Adults £3, Children Free

REIGATE – Christmas Classics sung by Redhill & Reigate Choral Society. 7.30pm at Reigate Park Church, Park Lane East.

✽ EARLSFIELD - St Andrew’s Community Christmas Fair 10am to 1pm – plus refreshments at Home Café in the church narthex!

SOUTHFIELDS - Putney Choral Society - John Rutter’s Requiem & Christmas Carols. St Paul’s Church, 7pm Tickets £15 inc refreshments & programme at the door

Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 December

✽ SELSDON - Christmas Wreath festival at St Johns Church – Saturday 10am-4pm & Sunday 12-4pm. Display of wreaths, wreath making workshops, children’s treasure hunt and refreshments

Sunday 10 December

SELSDON - Christmas Concert at St John’s Church, 6pm. Musical entertainment and readings, mulled fruit punch and mince pies

LEE – Bach Christmas Oratorio sung by Blackheath Choir with Vanbrugh Ensemble and soloists at St Margaret’s Church, 7:30 p.m. Admission £16

✝ TANDRIDGE - Choral Evensong BCP at St Peter’s Church 6.30pm led by Reigate St. Mary’s Choir School. Hot mulled wine & mince pies from 6pm

Tuesday 12 December

✝ CATERHAM – Ecumenical Carol Service with members of the Croydon Citadel Salvation Army Band at the ancient church of St Lawrence, 8pm. Wine/fruit juice and mince pies after the service. All welcome.

✽ SUTTON – Picturing the Reformation – Advent Lecture by Rt Revd Dr Christopher Herbert 7.30pm at Trinity Church. The origins of the Reformation explored through the art & culture of the time. Tickets £5 from www.trinitychurchsutton.org.uk

Wednesday 13 December

BETCHWORTH - Carol Concert given by the Betchworth and Buckland Choral Society. St Michaels Church 7.30pm Retiring collection

Thursday 14 December

✝ SOUTHWARK - Carol Service at 7.30 pm at St George’s Metropolitan Cathedral - combined Cathedral Choirs with The Imperial War Museum Singers

Saturday 16 December

LEWISHAM - Lewisham Choral Society presents Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Christmas Carols plus music for choir and audience . St Mary’s Church, 7.30pm. Tickets £10, 16 & under £2, students £5 from lewishamchoralsociety.org.uk

✝ HOLBORN - A Gospel Christmas – songs, carols and readings, 7pm at City Temple Church. Ticketed event in aid of Christian Aid’s Christmas Appeal – please e-mail [email protected]

SOUTHWARK - Organ Concert - Olivier Messiaen’s La Nativité du Seigneur played by Norman Harper, DIrector of Music 11am at St George’s Metropolitan Cathedral

✝ MERTON – Carols on the Lawn – 5pm at St James’s Church – all welcome

Sunday 17 December

✝ SELSDON - Nine lessons and carol service followed by Mulled wine and Mince pies 6pm at St John’s Church

Monday 18 December

✝ SELSDON – ‘A quiet Christmas’ - a special service of hope and reassurance for those who may struggle with a “merry” Christmas this year. 7.3opm at St John’s Church (Followed by a dedication of the Christmas Remembrance tree)

Wednesday 20 December

WESTMINSTER - Westminster Cathedral Interfaith Group 4 to 5 pm in the Hinsley Room, Morpeth Terrace. All welcome - no charge. Spkr: Bishop John Sherrington

✝ ADDINGTON VILLAGE – St Mary the Blessed Virgin. Messiaen and the Nativity – a refl ective Christmas service with music, words and images (Sophie Hacker and others). 8 pm – retiring collection for Macmillan Nurses

Thursday 21 December

STREATHAM - Christmas Concert - given by St Peter’s Church Choir and Youth Choir with Aelous X Wind Ensemble at St Peter’s Church 8pm Music inc Chilcott’s ‘On Christmas Night’. Entrance free, retiring collection for Organ Fund

✝ CATFORD - Blue Christmas event at St John’s Church from 4-8pm - a place of safety and refuge for all those who dread Christmas - a listening ear for you or simply a place to sit. Advice and help available. (inc short service at 7.30pm)

Saturday 13 January

BATTERSEA - Recital by Mark Padmore (Tenor) and Julius Drake (Piano) at St Luke’s Church. Music by Brahms, Schumann and Mahler. 7.30pm (pre-concert interview at 6.30pm) Tickets £18 (Concs £14) from www.slms.org.uk

Wednesday 17 January

WESTMINSTER - Westminster Cathedral Interfaith Group 4 to 5 pm in the Hinsley Room, Morpeth Terrace. All welcome. Spkr: Man Mohan Gupta (M.A.Oxon) (Vedic) on fi nding peace within ourselves

Saturday 20 January

✽ KIDBROOKE - Burns’ Supper and Ceilidh with Wraggle Taggle Band, caller and piper, hosted by All Saints, Blackheath in aid of the A-T Society. 6:30-9:30 pm at St James’s Church Hall, Kidbrooke Park Road. Booking essential @£25 per person, £60 family of 4 on [email protected] or Sue Heath 020 8858 7640

Saturday 3 February

BATTERSEA - Jazz concert - Joe Stilgoe Trio, St Luke’s Church 7.30pm (pre-concert interview at 6.30pm). In association with Homestart Wandsworth. Tickets £18 (Concs £14) from www.slms.org.uk

Saturday 10 March

REIGATE – ‘Musical Refl ections’ by the Reigate and Redhill Choral Society. 7.30pm at St Mary’s Church

Lunchtime Music at St. Matthew’s, Redhill

Thursdays at 1.10 pm

4 Harp Recital (Heather Brooks)

11 Recorder Recital (Martin Hearne w David Elwin,Piano)

18 The Alionor Trio (Norman Macsween – Piano; Ioana Voicu-Arnautoiu – Violin; Alan Thomas – ‘cello)

25 Music & Poetry - “Arrivederci Roma” (Chris Hooker – Clarinet; Valerie Fry – Narrator)


FEBRUARYThursdays at 1.10 pm

1 Chamber Music Recital (Claire Dunn – Clarinet) & friends

8 Bassoon Recital (Daniel Emson-Jukes)

15 The Windmill Clarinet Quartet

22 Violin Recital (Lara Caister w Alan Brown, Piano)


MARCHThursdays at 1.10 pm

1 Piano Recital (Theresa Yu)

8 Clarinet Recital (Hannah Hever w Javier Morillas -Viola & Tereza Stachova – Piano)

15 River City Saxes - “Four Centuries for Four Saxes”

22 Chalumeaux Clarinet Quartet

Further ahead

# Videos encouraging people to go to church at Christmas, are available on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Share them with your friends and relations# Your Christmas Journey, a series of short refl ections - aimed at people who are new to faith - available as texts, by e-mail and on social media. Encourage your friends to sign up to receive ‘Your Christmas Journey’ refl ections - text GodWithUs to 88802.

# Church House Publishing have produced the refl ections as a booklet for churches to give to those attending Advent and Christmas services. Order copies from Church House Publishing (https://www.chpublishing.co.uk/godwithus)# ‘A Church Near You’ will point people to Christmas services or events across the CofE (www.achurchnearyou.com), please make sure your Christmas service information is listed and up to date.

Will you help someone start their Christmas Journey?


The Bridge - in print, in your parish... and on line at www.southwark.anglican.org/thebridge

Why not take a look at what the 2016 pilgrims saw and did on http://bit.ly/2xbJQcH

AND more about the Diocese and pilgrimage on the ‘Hearts on Fire’ blog:

http://southwarkcofe.tumblr.com/

To book or for more details contact the Pilgrimage Administrator at Trinity House. Tel: 020 7939 9428 or

e-mail: [email protected]

Time is running outTime is running outto book your place on the

Monday 19th - Monday 26th FebruaryMonday 19th - Monday 26th FebruaryA comprehensive eight-day pilgrimage A comprehensive eight-day pilgrimage

led by Bishop Christopher and Dean Andrewled by Bishop Christopher and Dean Andrew

2018 2018 DIOCESANDIOCESAN

PILGRIMAGEPILGRIMAGETO THE

HOLY HOLY LANDLAND

The Basilica of St Mary, NazarethThe Basilica of St Mary, Nazareth

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT EEE

The Rt Revd Chad Gandiya, the Bishop of Harare in Zimbabwe, paid a fl ying visit to London this week in order to attend the Zimbabwe Roundtable which is chaired by Bishop Christopher.

Whilst he was here it was good to be able to meet with him and fi nd out something about the situation in Zimbabwe fi rst hand.Wendy Robins writes:

I was amazed at how fresh Bishop Chad looked taken that he had fl own in only early on the morning of this interview and was leaving again the following night.

He had, he explained, to get back for a confi rmation on Saturday and for the Diocesan celebrations which had been postponed from the weekend when the coup had happened. Considering too that he had just lived through a coup – albeit bloodless - he was remarkably upbeat and positive.

Bishop Chad took the time to tell me about some of the projects which the Church in the Diocese of Harare is involved in especially the income generating ones. These include a small hotel

which the Diocese is building and which he hopes will be completed by January. He spoke too of the housing project and the fi rst clinic which the Church is building in the Diocese.

Bishop Chad’s Diocese is linked with the Diocese of Rochester whilst the Dioceses, of Matabeleland, Masvingo, Central Zimbabwe and Manicaland are linked with the Areas and Cathedral in this Diocese.

The Church in all of the Zimbabwean Dioceses is in good heart, he says.

As we moved on to talk about the situation in the country, Bishop Chad said that “Zimbabwe has so far experienced that which he believed to be a fi rst in the world: a bloodless coup.

“That change should happen was not unexpected but that the manner of the change had surprised everyone”.

Grateful to GodThe people of Zimbabwe, Bishop Chad said, “are grateful to God for the change as everyone wanted it. That’s why there was so much euphoria on the streets when it was announced that the army had taken over the radio station and were proposing that the president should step down.

“But, the euphoria quickly died down because now the real work has begun. This involves working our how to rebuild the country and its economy’.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was sworn in on 24 November, “has made all the right noises”, says Bishop Chad, “and it is important to give him credit for this, but now, deeds are necessary”.

The truth of what he goes on to say is not hard to see from his face:

“There is”, he said, “slight disappointment that it is not a more inclusive government. This was what they had been expecting and it would help with the country’s recovery if this had happened”.

He felt that the opposition had been caught napping and that the people of the country had unwittingly helped Zanu PF to cleanse themselves.

I asked what he meant by that and he said, “When the people in Zimbabwe had heard that the soldiers had taken the radio station people were supportive because they thought that this would bring change.

“And it has, but the people had not really thought through what it would mean for Zanu PF to stay in power. The situation now is that the new government will either make it or will fall back into old ways and it is not yet clear what will happen”.

“Those who have been appointed”, he said, “could be seen to know what they are doing but it would have been a positive sign if those in power had brought in some opposition or non party members too.

“These are the people who toppled the old government. What assurances are there that this is not going to happen again?”

He went on to say that, “People are wanting change and if the government is not careful the people’s hopes will be quickly dashed. The ball is in the Government’s court,” he said “and the President has started off well. He is trying to lead by example and this

can be seen through his work ethic. He is turning up on time and this has been a shock to some of the civil servants who have become a little too relaxed. President Mnangagwa has visited hospitals etc in order to be able to see for himself the situation in which the people are living”.

Bishop Chad said that the country needs to mend fences with the international community but it is hard to see how the things that are necessary can happen.

He spoke too of President Mnangagwa’s statement that the government would give compensation to those who have lost land. We agreed however that it is really hard to see how this can happen as the government, indeed the country, has no money.

Elections Bishop Chad added, “There is a general election planned for seven months time. How is Zanu PF going to behave during the elections? Will the elections be free and fair and has Zanu PF stopped cheating? Will Zanu PF allow the opposition to win? Will they allow electoral reforms?”

These of course are such huge and completely unanswerable questions and illustrates the diffi culty for Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans at present: no one knows quite what is likely to happen and how or when. I asked Bishop Chad about President Mnangagwa’s links with the massacre which took place in Matabeleland in 1983.

Bishop Chad was quite clear, he said: “The president only has himself to blame if he does not deal with this matter properly. The Government needs to take responsibility

for what happened, but they should not offer compensation as that will open a can of worms. Who would get it and how would that be decided?

He went on to say that the new president has baggage to deal with but he believes that the people are ready to forgive if he acknowledges that something happened.

There is clearly much to do and Bishop Chad believes that the Churches need to take a lead in ridding the country of corruption. He is pleased that the president has offered an amnesty for those who have externalised funds. If they are returned then people will not be prosecuted. It also would be good, he said, if people could get answers about those who have disappeared in the last couple of years.

And so I asked Bishop Chad what he would like the people of Southwark Diocese to pray for and his answers were clear and immediate.

He wopuld like us to pray “that the Church continues the work of reconciliation which it has started and been doing for some time; he would wants us to pray that the government would be accountable and have the interests of the people at heart.

But more than that he asks us to pray for the prosperity of the country because it is in the best interests of all people if the country prospers. Please pray he says for security and justice for all”.

We should pray for our link Dioceses for the Bishops, priests and people in them and for the peace, security and development of Zimbabwe.

i A video of Bishop Chad can be seen at http://bit.ly/2k3pOLG

Zimbabwe - “now the real work has begun”

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