I trust that you have been renewed by the Easter celebrations. Whether our church communities have been small or large, our chief focus is the risen Christ. It is He who we serve and worship. In that sense, we have an ‘audience of one'. Our newsletter includes a number of key foci for the next term. One of which is 'Thy Kingdom Come’. The resources have been sent to each incumbent. Please make sure that these are shared with others in the congregation so that you can discern together what will be the focus for your prayer during the Novena from Ascension to Pentecost. Please also remember that these resources can be used at other times to encourage prayer and action, so don’t worry if there is more to engage you than is possible this year. Make a note and a pray and act later.
Finally, the pictures below show me on Tilbury Docks. When I was nineteen, I worked for the Missions to Seafarers. I have recently been made an Honorary Chaplain. As part of this, I join colleagues on Tilbury Docks and London Gateway to visit seafarers on board and support the ministry. This is a good reminder of the working world and how demanding life is for seafarers is (especially during COVID). Please remember them and other key workers in your prayers. We are so grateful for their service to our communities.
Blessings this term.
Jay
|
|
We continue to pray for all those suffering as a result of the conflict in Ukraine. Refugees from Ukraine are beginning to arrive in the Diocese and are being hosted by family, friends and members of the clergy and congregations under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. If you want to find out more about how to help people arriving from Ukraine, please have a look at our blog Ukraine: What can I do to help? and contact Nicola Thomas if you have more questions.
|
|
The theme for Thy Kingdom Come this year is "All God's People". As usual, we will be providing resources to be used in the period between Pentecost and the Ascension. Packs have been send out to all churches, so keep a look-out. There will be an order form to request additional copies, resources are also available on our website.
Grants of £100 are available for a Thy Kingdom Come initiatives. This could be used for banners, prayer activities or outreach to mention but a few.
To apply, please complete our grant form, and email it to mission@southwark.anglican.org.
|
|
RefugeeForce, an organisation based in the Netherlands, is welcoming applications for their second RefugeeForce LAUNCH London Program which provides motivated refugee/humanitarian/temporary protection status holders with in-demand digital skills, helps them find full-time roles and apprenticeships in the digital sector, and ultimately improves their livelihoods and social integration.
- The program is free of charge. Participants must have a migration/refugee background and live in South London (Lewisham, Lambeth, Wandsworth, Southwark)
- The program includes 18 classroom-based sessions and 100 hours of instruction every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday from 9:30 to 13:30 from Monday May 23, 2022 - Thursday 30 June 2022
- Applications are open - the deadline has been extended to 6th May
|
|
The first ever clergy and lay Diocesan conference will be held in Rotherhithe at Bacon’s College from Thursday 1st September – Saturday 3rd September 2022, with invites being sent out in May.
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.
This will be an opportunity for joint thanksgiving, worship, hospitality and learning as we meet together.
In addition, some of the conference will be streamed online in order to make the programme a resource to parishes and communities.
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 spaekers on our webpage
|
|
You may know the feeling — you’ve been invited to do an assembly. You know it’s important, but everything about it terrifies you. Why am I doing this, you might think. And will I be any good at it?
Margaret Pritchard Houston is the Children’s Mission Enabler in the Diocese of St Albans and she’s written this piece to encourage and support you.
|
|
Saturday 7 May, 10am:
Modern Slavery Right Here Right Now: What Happens Next webinar
Slavery is happening right here right now. Alongside efforts to bring an end to this scourge on our society, there are many organisations who are supporting survivors, helping them take the steps towards a positive future.
Please join us online to learn more about the current situation regarding slavery in Surrey and find out what happens when someone is released from slavery in our local area and more widely.
Click here for more information and to book tickets
|
|
Saturday 14th May:
Southwark Cathedral Does Messy Science
Join Bishop Richard (Kingston Episcopal area) and Dr Dave (Messy Science) at Southwark Cathedral for some experiments and activities to help us think about God’s creation and climate justice, followed by a time of celebration together. We will be looking for churches who might be able to prep and run an activity on the day (contact Keli if you’d like to help) and for families to come and join in and invite friends!
Sign up here
|
|
18th May 2022:
Sports and Estates: The Perfect Combination
9.30 – 4.30 at St. Paul’s Shadwell, E1W 3DH
National Estate Churches Network will host an event in London to showcase the wonderful ways in which sport can be a catalyst and a vehicle for churches to reach out to their communities.
Tickets are on sale now: Ticket price is £10 and includes lunch – there will be pizza in the park after the visit to the Genesis project.
|
|
Sunday 5th June, 3 - 4 pm:
Pentecost Choral Evensong at Southwark Cathedral
On Pentecost Sunday, communities will have an opportunity to give thanks for the gift of the Holy Spirit. God’s sustaining grace has enabled Her Majesty The Queen during her reign. The cathedral will be hosting a special choral evensong where community leaders will be gathering in thankfulness for Her Majesty The Queen. In your communities, you might be inspired to offer an invitation to your community to do the same. At the cathedral, there are some spaces for parish groups to join us for this celebration. However, in order to manage numbers, we would ask that you book on Eventbrite through the cathedral web site. This way, we can ensure that all can be accommodated. Please book through this link: https://bit.ly/SouthwarkPlatinum
|
|
21 June, 7.30 pm: Techno-Orientalism – Reimagining a Post-Racial Britain for East-Asian Diaspora
Please join us for this this fascinating and challenging talk which explores the representation of East Asian people in sci-fi and what this teaches us about racism. Presented by Revd. Mark Yan Ying Sum Nam
Mark is a British-Born-Chinese Anglican Priest in the Diocese of Bristol and founder of The Teahouse, which increases the visibility and participation of Chinese-heritage clergy in the Church of England. He is a member of the College of Archbishop’s Evangelists and a core member of the COVID-19 Anti-Racism Group who work with the Government to combat hate-crime against East and South-East Asian communities.
Mark was a Pastor in Hong Kong where he lived and worked for over 20 years. He is an occasional lecturer at Trinity College, Emmanuel College, and St. Padarn’s Institute. Mark is a regular contributor to BBC Radio, UCB Radio, The Church Time and writes for Preach Magazine. Mark can be found on Facebook and Twitter as @marknam.
Please contact JPICAdmin@southwark.anglican.org to book your place
|
|
Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th July:
Stand Together (Against Knife Crime)
The Synergy Network is calling churches in Britain and Ireland to Stand Together this July to end Serious Youth Violence.
On Standing Together Saturday (16 July), join us at St Mark’s Kennington from 4pm to 5.30pm to pray and reflect on the tragedy of young lives lost to violence. Sign up for your free ticket here.
On Standing Together Sunday (17 July), join churches around the country and host your own service that focuses on the serious youth violence crisis. Register here for free resources, including:
- Sermon downloads
- Prayer points
- Powerpoint slides
- Video interviews from those affected by serious youth violence
- Resources for Bible study and small groups
|
|
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.
Dates: (The last working Monday of the Month)
May 30, 1pm
June 27, 1pm
July 25, 1pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9369432195
Meeting ID: 936 943 2195
|
|
Please see below details of upcomig CPAS training events for church leaders. You can also see a full list of upcoming CPAS training events at www.cpas.org.uk/events.
Leading a Church Plant: Online, 10 May (9.30-11.30am)
The second session in a three part series for those who are wondering about leading a church plant, leaders of sending churches, and those who are in the early stages of planting. Attend this session as a one off or as part of the series. Session three will be held on 14 June. Book at www.cpas.org.uk/churchplant
PCC Tonight Training Evening: Online, 10 May (7pm-9.20pm)
A training evening for your whole PCC. Clarify the purpose and place of PCCs, explore some common dysfunctions, and be introduced to material you can use to shape its life. Book at www.cpas.org.uk/pccevents
CPAS Leadership Webinar: Online, 19 May (10-11am)
Hosted by one of our team, James Lawrence will provide some input and there will be an opportunity for sharing ideas and exploring issues. Book at www.cpas.org.uk/webinars
|
|
Please share this newsletter with others and sign up to receive it on a regular basis (if you haven’t already.) Click on the link:
|
|
|
|
|
|