Edition 13 - Christmas 2017

CornerstoneSheen Park, Richmond, TW9 1UP 020 8404 1112 www.htrichmond.org.uk Sunday Services - 10.00 and 18.30 HTR - Wednesday Service - 11.30 @church_htr When Hope Came to Town

Christmas songs on the radio, Oxford himself and deciding to dwell among us, Street and Regent Street completely a wonderful act of love, which fills us with decorated, a chance of a white Christmas hope. As written in Romans 15:13: on the horizon. Yes, as the song says: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas peace as you trust in him, so that you may our Carols by Candlelight. On Christmas everywhere you go”. The Christmas season overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Eve our Christingle Service will help us has arrived and, with it, the busyness that Spirit.” think about what God did in sending only this time of year brings. However, We will kick off the season with our very Jesus: the orange represents the world; the it is also a time to celebrate. And here at special Contemporary Carols on Saturday red ribbon symbolises the love of Jesus in 9 December at 1830. This will be an being ready to die for us; the sweets and opportunity to listen to some very talented dried fruit remind us of God’s wonderful local people expressing their gifts in many creation; and the candle speaks of Jesus, different forms. Come prepared to listen the light of the world, bringing hope to to exceptional music, poetry, readings people living in darkness. We will finish and much more. Also, this might be your the season with a big celebration on first opportunity of We hope Christmas Day at our the season to grab All Age Communion a glass of mulled you will be able to Service. wine and a mince join us as we come Between a last minute pie (if you don’t visit to Oxford Street like it, there will be together for the and some online apple pies, too!). biggest celebration of shopping which The season will might, hopefully, continue with the all: God sending His arrive just the next HTR children son to dwell among day, we hope you will presenting to us a be able to join us as we fantastic Nativity us, When Hope came come together for the play on Sunday 10 to town. biggest celebration of December, and a all: God sending His HTR there will be plenty of opportunities Carol Service on 13 December especially son to dwell among us, When Hope Came to join the celebration. for those able to worship with us during to Town. This year’s theme is When Hope Came to the week. On Sunday 17 December we Town, a reminder of God becoming flesh will have a wonderful event full of music - Joao Paulo Tavares when I A Tribute to Trevor’s life didn’t deserve It was with great sadness that we received The final prayer Trevor wrote in his it. He the news that our vicar, Trevor Patterson, journal says: showed me died on Tuesday 10 October following a “Lord, Thank you that you live within me. May a glimpse heart attack while out running. This has your amazing grace flow out of everything of the had a huge impact not only on our church I do. Fill me today with the knowledge of forgiveness community but your extravagant and grace also on many The final prayer love and the intimate which is people near and far Trevor wrote in his friendship of the Holy eternally promised by my heavenly father.” who were blessed Spirit.” The days and weeks following Trevor’s by his ministry journal says: Tristan Blood, a death have been difficult for HTR and and friendship. “Lord, Thank you that member of HTR, the wider community, but especially Trevor’s wrote in his tribute: for his wife Kate and their boys Johnny, Thanksgiving you live within me. “When Paul writes in Connor, and Ben. However, we have seen Service was held May your amazing 1 Corinthians about our church come together in this time of on the afternoon the church as the Body grief and mourning. Moreover, we have of 30 October at St grace flow out of of Christ, and each of experienced God’s love and comfort Stephen’s Church, everything I do. Fill us as a different part, I during this challenging time as many have , and like to think of Trevor been praying and God’s love has been approximately 700 me today with the as the tip toes, that poured out. people attended. knowledge of your gave us the spring in While we are without a vicar, our On that Monday our step, but also that Churchwardens - Mark Lambert tears were shed, extravagant love and lifted up every other and David Ewart - become officially but also Trevor’s the intimate friendship part. Today he would responsible for the smooth running of life was celebrated be saying to us, on the parish. However, unlike many other in many different of the Holy Spirit.” tip toes and arms churches, we are blessed to have a Curate, ways. Beautiful outstretched, “Come Alwyn Webb, and staff team in place, and memorable words were shared by on church! Keep going! Your labours are not which both helps ministry to continue friends and family, and a real sense of how in vain! Jesus is waiting!” Trevor, thank you and covers things that might otherwise special Trevor was for each and every one for showing us the way, for being the most fall to the wardens. We are also in regular of them was felt. Also, Trevor’s love for Christ-like of men, and for running the contact with our Diocese through our God was celebrated. finest of races with the biggest of smiles.” Archdeacon, John Kiddle. Johnny Patterson, Trevor’s eldest son, When Paul writes shared a moving in 1 Corinthians tribute, and part of it says: about the church as “As Dad put himself the Body of Christ, in the way of grace, he grew in patience and each of us as a and love. I saw a different part, I like to tangible change each year of my life. think of Trevor as the What was behind tip toes, that gave us this change? A deep belief in a God the spring in our step, who accepted him but also that lifted up regardless of his mess or his failings. every other part. He used to speak with wonder of There is no doubt that Trevor will be the cross: that Jesus missed hugely. He definitely left his mark would die for his sin, not only at HTR with his 19 years of our sin … service, but also in the hearts and lives of And as someone who those who had the privilege of meeting had received grace, this extraordinary man. Trevor was a Dad extended grace fantastic runner, a talented musician, to me – he was quick a loving husband and father, a caring to forgive, never vicar and, last but not least, a passionate holding a grudge. I follower of Jesus Christ. knew Dad would forgive me, even Joao Paulo Tavares The new kid on the block My name is Hannah Helm, I am 19 years I was going to do this year and whether old and I come from Berlin, Germany. to start university or join the Worship This year I am joining the incredible staff Central Academy and become part of team at HTR to work alongside them as HTR. the Worship and Youth Intern. And I could not be happier to have ended This actually is not my first year in up here! I know that God put me in this . Last year I worked with an church for a reason. He always has a plan! organisation called PAIS where I took Lastly, I also wanted to use this part in a Christian gap year in schools opportunity of introducing myself to just and youth ministry. I worked in an say thank you to all of you! I have rarely international team providing assemblies, seen such a welcoming, warm and open lunch clubs, workshops and other services hearted community of people. You made for schools, based on Christian values. In it so easy for me to feel right at home! addition to that I was also placed in a local Thank you! church leading youth groups and youth I pray that we would all see God using us events including a youth band. to bring his Kingdom into our everyday Looking back on the last half year I can life and the world around us and a bit now smile and see God graciously guiding more of Heaven to Earth. me through every single moment when I was confused and frustrated about what Hannah Helm

We then heard from Jo Stilwell, who helps to lead a local Wait upon the Lord church and is responsible for training and relationships at STRONGER was a very appropriate theme for HTR’s Kids Matter, an organisation which works with the Church women’s Staycation, attended by over 70 ladies across the to deliver effective parenting programmes within their last weekend in November. It involved a rich programme communities, schools and prisons. We also welcomed Mary of learning, singing, worshipping and “Those who wait upon Kissell, involved in Christian ministry praying together, interspersed with for over 40 years. knitting and nattering, card making and the Lord will renew Jo and Mary each presented inspiring ‘Psalm Pilates’! their strength. They will faith-based talks to encourage friendship On the Friday night we started with a and community, investing in one another, delicious Thai curry cooked with love soar...” Isaiah 40:31 with the love and power of God at work by Richard Jackson and were then blessed to receive words in every one of us. of truth, humility and encouragement from Kate Patterson I will leave the final word of our wonderful weekend to Kate and her Mum Cynthia Peppiatt. We were also treated to Patterson, who keenly reminded us all of ‘what a friend - and several of us participated in - a highly animated and we have in Jesus’. Thank you to Kate and Kate Webb for unrehearsed re-enactment of the story of David and Goliath! preparing and leading us through a wonderful weekend of Following an evening of companionship, reflection and good strength, compassion and solidarity. humour, we each retired to our beds and met for breakfast back at HTR on the Saturday morning. Helen West

for next year are now on sale, including in small groups Time to Try…? weekend or day tickets, so there’s no to discuss topics Whilst summer seems a long distant reason not to try it. Focus 2018 is on 27- including: How memory, fellowship and new opportunities 31 July 2018. Early Bird Bookings can be does God guide to encounter God were the highlights of made before 1 March, offering significant us?; Why and how Focus 2017, a gathering of thousands of savings and the chance to spread the cost. do I pray?; How people from many churches across the More details can be found at can I be filled with country. Approximately 70 people from https://focus.htb.org/ See you there! the Holy Spirit? Alpha has something to HTR attended in July, enjoying time Our autumn Alpha Course was launched offer everyone – from those who have away with the church family, sharing with a special supper and talk given been Christians all their life to those wonderfully prepared meals and, yes, by Jonathan Aitken, a former Cabinet starting out on their Christian journey braving the rain, to enjoy everything Focus minister in John Major’s Government as well as those with no faith, agnostics has to offer: worship, talks, family fun, live in the 1990’s. Over 70 people on the or people who grew up in a different music and more. So why wait? Tickets night heard how Jonathan’s own life was faith. What brings such diverse groups dramatically transformed by Alpha and of people together is a desire to know if about his ongoing commitment to Christ there is more to life and the willingness as he has led many people to the course to hear and understand something about over the years. Christianity and the relevance of Jesus to 22 people signed up for autumn Alpha, their own life and to our society today. sharing a meal together on Thursday evenings over nine weeks and gathering Karen Block Dates for your diary! An exciting opportunity to serve!

Please join us at events in the coming As London’s largest emergency winter months night shelter, Glass Door provides a safe, warm place to sleep for just under 100 men and women every night in winter, Leaders’ & Preachers’ Evening from November to early April. It does this Thursday 11 January - 20.00 through partnerships with churches across a number of London Boroughs. Guests experiencing homelessness can also Vision Sunday access advice, food, showers and laundry Each evening will require a team of Sunday 14 January - 10.00 & 18.30 facilities from drop-in day centres. Glass volunteers to prepare a meal between 1800 Door not only saves lives by providing and 2000, then serve the meal and talk to refuge from the cold, but also helps guests the guests who arrive at 2000. Volunteers Joint Churches Worship & Prayer build more stable futures. You can find out then clear up and leave at 2200. Glass Wednesday Evenings - 20.00 more about the charity at Door provides at least one and usually on 17 January & 21 March http://www.glassdoor.org.uk two workers, who let the guests in, stay all night and make breakfast in the morning. Glass Door not Guests then leave at 0700. Giving Sunday only saves lives by For 2018 a shelter will operate in our Sunday 21 January - 10.00 & 18.30 Borough for 12 weeks from 15 January. providing refuge from Although we will not be a host church, the cold, you are welcome to be involved with Church Day but also helps the scheme at another church. Further Saturday 3 February - 09.00 information about this will be available in Social evening from 19.00 guests build more the coming weeks. stable futures. List of venues: Men’s Breakfast Monday St Elizabeth of Portugal RC Saturday 24 February - 09.00 Glass Door is planning to launch a shelter Church in Richmond Borough in January 2018 Tuesday Vineyard Life Church (therefore covering just half the winter Wednesday All Saints, RIverbank Sunday in its first year). This will involve seven Thursday St John the Divine, Sunday 25 February - 10.00 and 18.30 churches hosting on one regular night Richmond each week. It’s unclear what the level of Friday Christ Church, East Sheen demand will be, but there could be up Saturday St Matthias, Richmond Women’s Breakfast to 25 guests, mostly men, with separate Sunday , Saturday 3 March - 09.00 sleeping spaces provided for men and women. Bedding is just a mat and sleeping bag, and this is provided by the charity. Keith Nurse Please see our Weekly Church Bulletin and website for details of prayer Verses to live by type of command in the bible is to meetings, breakfasts, socials and lots of give thanks, to rejoice, to praise; in other events. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 essence to be in a state of happiness 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 focused on God. God wants us to be Welcome to HTR give thanks in all circumstances; for this is thankful even when the circumstances Are you new to HTR? We’d love you God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. make that challenging. These verses in to join us at any of our events. 1 Thessalonians are a useful reminder, Why not join us for our Christmas Being married to an American, and that being thankful doesn’t have to raising children with US citizenship, mean being fully satisfied. God’s Services during this festive season. I have been exposed to the wonderful will is that we also pray continually Or what about coming along to one US holiday of Thanksgiving, a day while rejoicing and giving thanks of our weekly Sunday or Wednesday spent with family and friends, feasting in all circumstances. As Christmas Services? on too much delicious food, with the approaches, I am reminded that to be We would love to meet you. focus on being thankful. It is an easy thankful is a calling, a state of being Holy Trinity Richmond is an Anglican scene in which to feel thankful, in into which I can take my hunger and parish church, with strong links to the the company of those you love and my needs to a Heavenly Father who local community. being fully satisfied on turkey with knows what we need even before we For more information, please contact all the trimmings. But God wants us approach him, and in Christ has given us. to be thankful in all circumstances, us a living bread and water that will 020 8404 1112 even when we are hungry, sick, sad never leave us hungry or thirsty. www.htrichmond.org.uk or lonely. In a recent life group study HTR - Holy Trinity Richmond we learned that the most frequent Tristan Blood @church_htr