The Walking Welcoming Growing Vol.26 No.1 Newspaper of the Anglican Diocese of Southwark February 2021 Green team Vaccine drive A big decade How the Diocese What Southwark Celebrating 10 is working towards clergy are doing to eventful years with Eco status help combat the crisis Bishop Christopher See pages 6-7 See page 8 See page 9 Southwark signs historic Covenant with Jerusalem Southwark and Jerusalem made history on 20 January when they signed a Covenant Agreement formally linking the two Dioceses. Months in the making, the Covenant was signed by Bishop Christopher and Archbishop Suheil Dawani as part of an online service of thanksgiving. Bishop Christopher and Archbishop Suheil Dawani lead a service before the The Covenant, which will now be in pandemic restrictions; a still from the service of thanksgiving (inset). effect for five years, subject to renewal, formalises an already close relationship reconciliation, especially in the land of the communion was, Archbishop Josiah said, between the two Dioceses. Holy One.” “a family which is held together not by treaties, contracts, or constitutions; but Bishop Christopher is regularly invited by Bishop Christopher added: “This is a by bonds of affection – between people, the Roman Catholic Bishops Conferences very special moment in the life of our to the Holy Land and Andrew leads between clergy, between bishops and to participate as an Anglican Bishop in the two Dioceses, and it builds on very courses at St George’s College. between whole Dioceses and provinces”. Holy Land Coordination, an international strong connections, links and friendships pilgrimage to the Holy Land. These ties ― both the ones already in ways which we hope will enhance The service concluded with the signing of existing and the ones to come ― were all our understanding of our Christian the Covenant while messages of support In addition, the Very Revd Canon Richard celebrated at the service of thanksgiving. discipleship.” and thanksgiving were shared on screen Sewell, Dean of St George’s College by some of the 100-plus people who Jerusalem, was previously Team Rector at Archbishop Suheil opened proceedings, Archbishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon, watched the event live on YouTube. Barnes Team Ministry. Bishop Christopher saying: “We are looking forward to this Secretary-General of the Anglican and the Very Revd Andrew Nunn, Dean of partnership between our two Dioceses as Communion, sent a message of support The video is available to view on the Diocesan Southwark, also regularly lead pilgrimages together we work for peace, justice and read by Bishop Richard. The worldwide YouTube channel here: bit.ly/SJCovenant Bishop’s letter pays tribute to parishes’ generous Parish Support Fund response Bishop Christopher sent the Parish Support Fund Christ manifested in our that, despite the financial The impact of the PSF a letter to Incumbents, (PSF) stood at 96.6% in world, I rejoice in the many challenges still to come, their Supporting the mission and ministry of every parish to 2.88 million WOOLWICH EPISCOPA people through… KINGSTON L AREA Parish Support Fund 2021 EPISCOPA Churchwardens, PCC December 2020, well above L AREA ways in which, in spite of the Archdeacons and the Diocesan Resourcing God’s mission Ministry 535 Licensed clergy; in the Diocese of Southwark 262 clergy with Permission to Officiate; Secretaries and PCC average for other Dioceses. 227 Readers; 166 Southwark Pastoral challenges and pressures, Giving Team would be on hand Auxiliaries; three new Lay Pioneers. CROYDON Vocations EPISCOPAL AREA Treasurers on 28 January In addition, more than 70% 56 people in ordination training; parishes have, adapted and to help, and also assured them of 100% recommendation rate at Bishops’ Advisory Panels. Mission expressing his “heartfelt of parishes have maintained 207 Children and Young People’s workers and responded.” his prayers and blessing. volunteers affirmed at Area events; 28 new grants made for projects or training; three children baptised with full immersion at Southwark Splash! thanks” for the generosity or increased their pledges JPIC 87 Southwark churches registered with Eco church plus 10 Bronze and five He added: “People have given in Questions about PSF pledges Silver awards given; 567 children offered healthy meals at Holiday Hunger for 2021. programmes with Together Southwark. of parishes in 2020. Training 1,862 attended 65 courses, including the popular Safeguarding Ground Floor Introduction to the New Testament; many innovative and different or giving more generally can be 53 attended Treasurers’ workshops. 2,060 people attended 93 courses; new matters rose by 32%; 2,244 DBS applications processed. Housing Despite the very difficult financial Bishop Christopher said: Our clergy housed and 380 residential properties ways to spread the light of addressed to Gabby Parikh, Head maintained, with condition surveys completed in Communications nearly 70% of vicarages. 101,150 users and 402,823 page views DAC/Pastoral Department of our Diocesan conditions resulting from the “In this Epiphany season, website. Christ in our neighbourhoods.” of Giving, at gabby.parikh@ 94 formal recommendations made to parishes plus 125 List B items approved by Archdeacons creating inclusive, welcoming places of worship. pandemic, the collection rate for as we celebrate the light of Walking Welcoming Growing *All figures relate to 2019 southwark.anglican.org Walking Parish Support Fund 2021 Resourcing God’s mission in Southwark Diocese Welcoming Growing 9 The Bishop reassured parishes More images and local stories online — follow our blog or find us on social media @SouthwarkCofE 2 | The BRIDGE February 2021 A view from ‘Rainbow Granny’ awarded The Lancelot Andrewes medal BRIDGE There was rejoicing at St Mary Magdalene, Wandsworth As we ponder how the year will During the full lockdown the Finance Common on 14 January as Joan Taylor received the Lancelot unfold before us, wondering when Director and I were signing and Andrewes medal for “Godly we can see loved ones, enjoy a exchanging documents over our service and zeal for the Gospel”. meal with friends and neighbours garden fences for this payment or that or simply browse in a shop, all lease and the Coronavirus Task Group, Joan (right) had received news of set up by Bishop Christopher, of around us nature is waking up the award on All Saints Day, which which I am privileged to be a member, to spring. also happened to be her 90th was even meeting daily at the start of birthday. Joan joined the church in Even in central London, along the pandemic. 1938 and is part of its fabric. She Commonwealth Headquarters, Bankside, I spotted daisies; and In this issue, we celebrate, along served continuously on the PCC during which time she travelled to nodding snowdrops can be seen in with Bishop Christopher, his 10 from 1962 until last year, including the Falkland Islands to support the the parks, pushing their way though years as our Diocesan bishop (see many years as a superbly efficient re-establishment of Girl Guiding after the earth. page 9). I am sure that we are PCC Secretary. She also blazed a trail the war. Life, in abundance, is around us but deeply appreciative of his pastoral in 1976 as St Mary Magdalene’s first Joan’s Guiding connections go back we are all rather weary and most care for all of us, his determination female Churchwarden. to childhood days. She still volunteers of us are feeling the pressure of that the people of South London “Being an active member of the body at her original unit, the Eighth Upper sustained lockdown. Looking ahead and East Surrey should be well of Christ was instilled in Joan through Tooting, where today’s leaders pay is sometimes a challenge in itself but served by ministry and that we can her confirmation as a teenager,” said tribute to her formative influence and we do; rejoicing in simple pleasures, openly rejoice in and celebrate our the Revd Philippa Boardman, Vicar where she is affectionately known as noticing more around us, trying to be diversity. We thank God for Bishop of St Mary Magdalene. “The vicar at “Rainbow Granny”. patient, to be more open to change. Christopher’s leadership and we wish the time told Joan that, having been him continued strength and energy as Speaking of the award, Joan said with In the past year I have had to learn a confirmed, she now had the choice of typical modesty: “I was surprised and he leads us through these challenging singing in the choir or junior church great deal about myself. I’ve also had times, always looking ahead, always honoured to receive this award and to think about changing the patterns leadership. Joan chose junior church not sure you should get an award for mindful of the sacrifices of those who – and hundreds of children and their of working for the staff team. I spent came before us. doing something you love. I’ve been weeks last summer, with colleagues, children after them are so grateful at St Mary Magdalene since 1938 preparing how we should best re- As we approach Lent, we will be she made that choice.” and there have been the usual ups open Trinity House post-COVID, calling to mind all that we have In her career Joan was an ambulance and downs along the way. But I really only to need to go into a form of learned about ourselves and our faith driver and then went on to work enjoy being here and really feel part restrictions very after we had done during these times, thinking about as International Secretary at Guide of the family.” so. The ebb and flow of how we need how we have sought to remain Christ- to manage our lives seems to be centred and outward-focused even constantly jostling for our attention though we have been largely home- in our work as, with urgency, we seek based.