of the world to follow: a family of many groups Vicar’s Report, 2015/16 of people, confident in their own identity, able On our return from a funeral visit recently, both to enjoy their sense of belonging but also Fr Hugo, our new(-ish) curate, remarked how to fulfil it in the transcendent joy of common in so many ways his experience of being a priest worship and in service of all humanity. in Spain had been different to being a priest in Two particular examples of this at Laurence’s south-east London. But one particular differ- over the last year might demonstrate what I ence stood out: every time he visited someone mean: the National Days that we regularly cel- here in London, he was entering another world. ebrate – this year, St George’s Day (for England), On the same street, one might visit an African Ghana Republic Day and Nigerian Independ- household, a Caribbean one, an Anglo-Saxon ence Day – allowed for a wide variety of parish one, an Asian one; a wealthy family, an educated lunches, from Bangers & Mash for St George one or an impoverished one. Each household (indeed, so many spuds were bashed that some might belong to a distinct culture, with a strong were still frying up mashed potato a week later) cultural identity, and yet people are neighbours to Curry and Jollof rice for West Africa. And a and are happy to talk to each other. more Caribbean curry was served for the fund- This is one of the great privileges of being a raising parish lunch for the Advent fair. Enjoy- priest, certainly in this part of one of the world’s ing each other’s food is one of the surest ways great cities: that you have access to such a wide to developing an understanding (at a gut level, variety of many strands of the different world one might say) of different ways of doing things. communities whose members have chosen to Secondly, during Lent we gave up the organ, live in London at this time. But this is not just as we have for the last 20 or so years. This act of restricted to priests: anyone who worships abstinence produced some truly wonderful sing- regularly at St Laurence’s can in the course of ing by the congregation. Huw Morgan’s mass a Sunday morning encounter not just isolated setting is in a style that is native to none of the individuals, but whole groups of people who different cultures who attend St Laurence’s – we confidently enjoy their parents’ traditions and all had to learn to sing the responses in a rather languages as well as the very contemporary unfamiliar idiom: and yet when it worked, we world in which they live and work or study. found ourselves united in an act of worship that At St Laurence’s, we have always been par- went beyond all our local differences; a style ticularly concerned to celebrate the multifaceted equally foreign but equally something we have kaleidoscope of our global religion, not in a grown to feel at home with, to express this time token way – paying lip-service to superficial our joint identity as members of St Laurence’s. differences between individuals – but inviting In this way, the church takes up and deepens the different cultural groups who make up the our individual differences and traditions, our congregation here to do what they do well, different physiognomies and cultures – and whether that is preparing the foods of which unites us in service, a service rooted in the they are most proud, contributing a particular Christian spirituality of those who have shared style of music to the eucharist – or even, as experience of sacred mystery in all its depth and recently this year, dancing at the offertory – or profundity and then desire to go out and serve raising money for particular concerns connected their neighbour, empowered by what we have with the country to which they or their parents experienced. once belonged and perhaps still do. Celebrat- Ghana Day was memorable both for the ing each others’ strengths by putting them at large and splendid lunch masterminded by the the service of God in the church is the perfect relatively small Ghanaian community here at St illustration of how Christianity works at its Laurence’s and for its being the first Sunday of best: respecting the individual history of each Fr Hugo’s ministry here. Since then, Fr Hugo person and yet gathering her children together has certainly made his mark on the parish with in praise and worship – as well as in mutual yet another style of spirituality to complement support when things go wrong, or when, as all the many we already enjoy, as observed above. too often, bereavement or illness intervene. At a In particular, he has made it his priority to time when many are afraid of the challenges that strengthen our work with young people. Thus global living brings to human beings sheltering Junior Church has been revitalised and its lead- behind the limited boundaries of their little ers asked to meet more regularly to co-ordinate national identities, what a positive and hopeful activities. An activity club for Saturday after- example the church at its best sets for the rest 1 noons has been started; mini-choir continues to members of the church, and whom the clergy flourish, while young people now once again are ordained simply to serve. (It is interest- contribute regularly to family masses, includ- ing that Jesus was not a priest, and seems to ing a memorable performance of the lost sheep have had a particular mistrust of professional parable. In addition, Sunbeam Tots, our carers’ clergy). Toward the end of the year, at a very and toddlers’ group that meets every Wednesday good PCC training afternoon, Stephen Hance, morning in term time, has been strengthened the diocesan missioner set us thinking about thanks to the intervention of Peter Charles, who the importance of increasing the confidence of supports Vicky D’Mello, its leader, in fund- non-ordained members of the congregation in raising and planning activities – the latest idea terms of leadership. Over the next months we is an attempt at crowd-funding that Lewisham will be looking to develop a strategy to achieve Borough are supporting. this, which is perhaps one of the biggest factors We are fortunate not only to have Fr Hugo inhibiting further growth of the congregation with us, but also five other priests who attend here. It would be good if we could have, say, more or less regularly. Fr Iain is an invaluable up to a dozen groups within the parish meet- colleague who this year has been a deacon ing regularly, and offering personal support to ten years, and in 2016 will celebrate the tenth members of the congregation; at present, as anniversary of his priesting. Fr Anthony and Stephen Hance pointed out, most people relate Fr Andrew, retired clergy living in Catford, are directly to the Vicar or one of the other clergy, both happy to give us the benefit of their many which keeps numbers at their present level as years of experience of Anglican ministry both our time is limited (and increasingly filled with in England and (in the case of Fr Andrew) in paperwork). Africa. Mthr Sue is now based at St Laurence’s We do seek to provide plenty of opportunities when she is not elsewhere, pursuing a ministry for learning; regular Bible studies in the Jubilee of spiritual direction and supporting people Room or Coffee Bar on a Wednesday even- with vocations (when not at her full-time work ing (taking in also subjects such as the Creed) at St Paul’s Cathedral); and Fr Ian Thomson fortnightly throughout the year and weekly in attends St Laurence’s when not on duty at his Advent and Lent; other Bible studies in people’s prison chaplaincy. With our readers, Peter (who home or in the vicarage; sadly, there were no celebrated his tenth anniversary this year) and candidates for admission to communion this Grace, and our Pastoral Auxiliary, Ijeoma, the year, after a bumper crop last year; parish parish is extremely lucky to have so many clergy quiet days for Lent and Easter, and, new this and licensed ministers, with their wide range of year, a parish awayday in St Andrew’s Convent, pastoral gifts, available for its parishioners. We Blackheath, led by Mthr Sue and offering fas- also seek to serve our neighbouring parishes: cinating insight into praying with beads; after over the year, we provided cover for, amongst mass on Sundays we have visiting speakers (this others, St Augustine’s, Grove Park; St Andrew’s, year, for example, a fascinating talk on Diabetes; Torridon Road; St Bartholomew, Sydenham; St and Mark Sturge, the London regional director Michael’s, Sydenham; St Andrew’s, Bromley; of Christian Aid, an old friend of the church); All Saints, Blackheath; St John’s, Catford; Holy we had a training workshop for lesson readers, a Trinity, Eltham; St Edward, Mottingham; St confirmation group (which was also a refresher Saviour’s, Eltham; and St Philip, Avondale course, as most of the members are already Square (in Spanish!). Of our former clergy, Fr confirmed), and we encouraged parishioners Chris Bunce, who was attending this parish to attend courses outside the parish, notably when an ordinand, was installed as Vicar of St a mental health study day at St Mary’s, Lew- Andrew & St George Stevenage last year; and isham (attended by half a dozen members of St Sheila Cameron has just retired from years of Laurence’s), and the newly relaunched Bishop’s dedicated ministry at St George’s, Perry Hill, Certificate course (attended by two of our mem- shortly after the retirement of Fr Ackland as bers).