Do you know what a lintel is? It's that support (often above a door) that helps join spaces together. Lintels help us move from one space to another. You know what a limbo bar is? Being under the bar is being 'in limbo' (neither in one space or the other). Many of our parishes and communities are in a 'liminal space' at the moment- neither fully in lock-down or 'out of COVID'. It's a tiring space to be in. Our Southwark Diocesan conference is designed to help us to reflect upon our changing society and (with God's help) discern how it can be transformed. We pray that it will move us from a state of limbo into a new reality. Details about the conference are on the newsletter. We would love you to join us in person, as a volunteer, or online. If you would like more details, do contact SDC2022@southwark.anglican.org to find out more.
In the meantime, may you know God's presence and strength to empower the mission to which you are called.
Jay
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An online resource supporting leaders to create and sustain a faith-sharing culture. Most church leaders hope to see their church engaged in fruitful evangelism, to see people coming to faith. But not everyone or every church feels confident in this area and most would say that there is not as much happening in this area as they would like.
There are lots of great resources that help train people for evangelism or even to use as part of an outreach but there is a step that goes before this. Leading in Evangelism is a new online, “in your own time” learning resource that supports leaders to do the kind of thinking needed to develop a culture and plan for evangelism that suits their context.
This online event offers a first look at this new resource and explains how it will help church leaders increase in confidence when it comes to planning for and enabling evangelism, identify and train a team with whom you can share responsibility, and develop a plan that suits you and your church.
Visit the website for more information
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We are all children of God (1 John 3:1) no matter where we are from. We are all children of God no matter how we got here. We love one another as God loves us. (John 13: 34-35).
This Refugee Week 2022 we wanted to tell different stories. Stories of welcome. We wanted to tell the stories of church communities across London and east Surrey welcoming refugees, migrants and asylum seekers from all over the world.
Visit our website to find out more, including some video stories from churches around the diocese.
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We were able to create a prayer station in the form of 'a flame' to symbolise Pentecost. We asked members of our church to write prayers on provided cardboard shaped flames and pin on to a rustproof garden Obelisk for potted plants. We also created a make believe fire place for it with real logs. We encouraged our members to base their prayers on the Dioceses' theme of "All God's People"
Folake, Priest in charge St. Andrew's Church Croydon
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Many thanks for the £100 towards the purchase and decoration of our Prayer Tree at St Leonards’. We used it during TKC to pray for the environment. Hanging handmade green hearts to the tree and having a prayer for the planet on display at the foot of the tree. It was placed in our prayer corner at St Leonard’s and looks wonderful. We plan to use it throughout the year for different themed prayer opportunities.
Rev’d Canon Anna Norman-Walker, Rector, St Leonard’s Church, Streatham
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Sat, 16 July 2022, 10:30 – 12:30 BST, Saint Anne's Richmond TW9 3AA
As Christians we are called to challenge the injustice of the climate crisis. We know the next decade will be critical for us to act. Every social movement started with conversations - these conversations stirred anger, fuelled hope and inspired people to act. As the church, we need to have those honest conversations that spur us into action. We want to walk with you, to join these conversations and act together in the pursuit of climate justice.
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With the cost-of-living crisis getting worse, at Together Southwark we believe it is more important than ever for churches which are supporting people facing financial crisis to be aware of the options that exist and the sources of help that are available. The resources below have useful information:
Acts 435: Registering with Acts435 would work well with any existing project. Finding financial support for individuals and families can be challenging. So, the charity connects those who want to give with those who are in genuine need of their financial help, by working with churches and local charities as intermediaries. That is why Together Southwark has been collaborating with Acts 435 to enable more churches and partner organisations to offer that support to their communities.
How does the partnership work?
Advocates from churches and charities post requests for help on the charity’s website , on behalf of a person or family in need, then the charity’s donors read these requests. Each gives an amount of their choice until the total is reached. So, people then receive the financial support as shown in this short video. Please contact Nelly Misenga for a factsheet on Advocates options to see which one would work best for your church. Please follow this link for a short video on how to join.
Lightning Reach: This is a secure portal which enables charities and public sector institutions to get financial support to the people who need it most, quickly and securely, click here to visit their website.
New Government Cost of Living Support: On 26 May, the Government announced a new set of measures to support people with the cost of living. There are various schemes, so please check which one applies to the situation of the people you are helping by following this link.
Upcoming Financial Support Deadlines: Renew tax credits by 31 July 2022 – this is important to do. People should already have received their renewal pack if they are getting tax credits. If some of the people you are supporting have not received it yet, they should get in touch with HMRC to request one. If a parent has a child who will turn three between 1 April 2022 and 31 Aug 2022, and they want to take up the offer of 30 hours free childcare for working families, they need to apply before 31 July.
Please forward this information to anyone, staff and volunteers, who may find it useful.
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Photo: Rochester Cathedral
Tuesday 11th - Sunday 30th October, Southwark Cathedral (tickets not yet on sale)
Luke Jerram’s ‘Gaia’ will be coming to Southwark Cathedral in October 2022. We are looking for volunteer Event Assistants to help with this exciting exhibition.No previous experience is required but applicants must possess the following skills/attributes
- A passion for environmental issues
- Friendly, reliable and enthusiastic volunteers
- Good communication skills
- Interest in history, the arts, working with people
- Sympathetic to the aims and mission of the Cathedral/ Christian faith
Training relevant to the role will be provided
This exhibition will take place between 11 th and 30 th October 2022. From Tuesday to Sunday. Volunteers will be required to do 3 hour shifts.
For further information or to request an application form and role description please contact the volunteers officer; Michelle Ford
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The Explore Project is a partnership between the Association of English Cathedrals, the Church of England Church Buildings Division and Mission teams, the National Churches Trust, and the Centre for the Study of Christianity & Culture, University of York.
The Explore project offers a simple way to provide mission and pastoral resources in the form of 'starter' prayer cards and booklets, as well as pathways to further exploration via a linked 'gateway' website.
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Ministry that is inclusive of children and young people (Zoom): Wed 6 July, 7:30-9:30pm
How do we welcome children as spiritual beings, build intergenerational relationships, involve children in decision making and more? Margaret Pritchard-Houston leads this session around her recent book. Register here
Godly Play for Mental Health & Role of Play in Managing Bereavement & Loss (Hybrid): Sat 16 July, 10:15am-3:30pm
Covering the use of Godly Play to enable the processing of emotions and challenges and using play to explore bereavement and other loss (not seeing friends, missing school etc). Book here for in person or online. If Godly Play is not familiar, here’s a bit more information. If you are interested in hosting a Godly Play course (the Diocese will fund the training), please contact Keli.
Southwark Diocesan Conference 2022: Thursday 1st September – Saturday 3rd September
All those engaged in licenced ministry, both lay and ordained, are invited to gather in person to reflect on how, as churches and individuals, we can be Christ centred and outward focused through mission, worship, the arts and the provision we make for children and young people.
We hope to build a team of lay volunteers who can experience the conference in person. If you would like to be part of this, please email the team at SDC2022@southwark.anglican.org.
You can read more about the conference and our speakers on our webpage
SAVE THE DATE!
Saturday 25 November at Southwark Cathedral
Raising awareness of modern slavery for parishes: What are the signs? How do I report my concerns? What can I do?
Sign up to receive more details once available: jpicadmin@southwark.anglican.org
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Environment Drop-in
Our monthy zoom meeings continue in 2022. Come by and have a chat with Jack Edwards about anything environmental, especially the eco-church scheme.
Next date: (The last working Monday of the Month)
July 25, 1pm
(not August)
September 26, 1pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9369432195
Meeting ID: 936 943 2195
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There are no performances within Southwark but for those of you on the outskirts of the Diocese particularly, one of these locations may be suitable if you wish to go/take a group.
My Place shares the interwoven stories of four individuals as they journey through the care system. An individual child, a pair of siblings and an unaccompanied child refugee. Each story highlights the need for all vulnerable children to have a safe, stable, and loving home where they can thrive. Here's a short taster.
- 5th July at St May’s Horsham West Sussex
- 6th July St John’s sub Castro Lewes East Sussex
- 7th Holy Trinity Hounslow London
- 8th July St Paul’s Shadwell
- 9th July Frimley Baptist Church Camberley
Performances start at 7:30pm. Tickets are £10 each (£8 for concessions).
You can find out more here and tickets are available here
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