seek (caught up in the glory of God) to make Vicar’s Report, 2016/17 a single, united offering of our hearts and lives. Amid the political turmoil of the last six Thus worship is at the centre of everything months – when writing this report 12 months that we do – even if, amid the distractions of ago, who could have guessed that over the running a community embedded in a particu- next year Britain would have left the EU and lar building, worship can often seem almost Donald Trump would have been elected presi- peripheral. We have had a rich year of liturgies. dent of the US – there has been one consoling The year was marked by the departure of Huw thought: at a time when Britain seems to be Morgan, director of music here for ten years, turning into a more suspicious, less generous last July and his replacement by Jocelyn Free- place, in churches like St Laurence’s people can man last September, ably accompanied by James still continue the unglamorous, gradual work of Gough, our new organist. Huw’s tenure of the community building in their neighbourhood as post was marked by some remarkable liturgies, a counter-current; we can continue building up including much original music, and a general good relationships with our neighbours from openness to the new and to experimentation. all over the world, we can continue learning to Huw pioneered a men’s choir, and once or twice overcome our natural suspicion of other people a women’s choir, and organised several enjoy- of other backgrounds. Little by little here, we able choir trips (Amsterdam, Tuscany – twice, seek to maintain the core Christian values of Berlin, the north-east of England, Ypres, some- welcoming the stranger, of preaching generosity times using his wide range of contacts to work of spirit, of raising funds for the impoverished with local groups of young people) as well as at home and abroad, of being aware of those cultivating the musical talents of young people parts of the world – and of our own city – where and, most importantly, encouraging interchange there is injustice, tension or discrimination. It between members of the different choirs he may not seem much at a time of great geo- conducted, providing useful cross-pollination. political suspicion and the rise of discriminatory Jocelyn arrived in September, and we have populism all over the western world. But it is seen a welcome growth in choir numbers, with the tens of thousands of communities like us our young people growing in confidence and that give the world its stability, and provide the in numbers. Work with young people is at the fertile ground from which civilised humanity forefront of our mission at St Laurence’s, and grows. It is a privilege to belong to this hugely the choir has traditionally been the primary diverse community of Londoners whose roots place where young people can learn not only and heritage originate from all over the world, how to sing but also about Christianity and and to do what we can to service that commu- having fun together. Jocelyn has introduced nity. At St Laurence’s, we play a major part in some partnership working with other churches making Catford a humane place, a good place with young choirs – a couple of ‘pizza & pitch’ to live, a place where children can grow up in days have been shared with a church in Merton, a neighbourly atmosphere and learn respect and with St John’s, our neighbouring parish. not just for their own kith and kin but for all And we enjoyed a shared choral evensong with of God’s creation. the choir from St John’s to celebrate the feast of And so, at St Laurence’s, we seek to celebrate the Annunciation. Also, the choice of anthem the diversity of God’s creation as revealed in now often reflects the Gospel passage; and we one small part of London. Just as the more now particularly enjoy Sir James MacMillan’s scientists explore and analyse nature, so the ‘O radiant dawn’, a wonderful Advent anthem more complex and wonderful nature appears to new this year. them – so in Catford the more we get involved As I write, the choir have just left on a singing with our community, the more we are struck tour of Madrid, ably guided by Jocelyn and Fr with amazement at the richness and diversity of Hugo, our wonderful curate, himself a native the human beings God has called to live here. of Madrid. As usual our Advent and Christmas And in our liturgy on a Sunday morning or on a Carol Services (the latter incorporating our weekday evening, we ask God to unite us in our minichoir and ‘Cats’ Chorus’ a local community amazing diversity, so that caught up in praise, choir) were a highlight, and Holy Week 2016 we may be more than just a bunch of diverse included the first performance of a musical people, but also a worshipping body, a whole play, ‘Mary M’ by Adam Strickson. The Passion that is greater than the sum of its parts – as we according to Matthew was beautifully sung on 1 Palm Sunday by choir and congregation. Another great Sunday celebration took place Sunday highlights through the year included to give thanks for Fr Andrew Grant’s fiftieth a celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of inde- anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. pendence of two Caribbean nations: the country We had a joyful parish mass in the morning, of Guyana, and the island of Barbados. Mtr followed by an evening service with Bishop Roxanne Hunt preached on Guyana Day, and Graham James as preacher, followed by a recep- the service was followed by a big parish lunch tion in the church hall. It was lovely to be able to in the hall with distinguished guests and profes- give God thanks for a dedicated priest who has sional music and dancing, which raised money given his life to the well-being of parishioners for the Connections Trust. The Guyana Day ser- in several different parts of London and Ghana, vice also saw some invited musicians participat- and this was a joyful occasion. ing to celebrate the launch of Firehead Editions, We invited members of Outburst Theatre including a well-known American composer, to join us for Harvest Festival and Mothering Fred Frahm, who premiered (in the UK) one his Sunday. Harvest this year had an ecological new pieces. The event was ably organised by a theme, and the service began in the church small and dedicated team under Bridgit Sam- hall with a memorable sketch involving a very Bailey and was a fantastic achievement to bring large inflated globe; after the service, to draw off so successfully. Barbados Day on December attention to Christian Aid’s ‘Speak up week’, 4th was an equally joyful occasion, and included the coffee machine was powered (in theory, a memorable sermon by Canon David Tudor; at least) by the Lewisham Solar Trailer, bor- and the guests at lunch afterwards included our rowed for the occasion, thanks to Susannah very own Bp Wilfred Wood. A good sum was (Pickstone): a reminder of the responsibility all raised for Cancer Support in Barbados. The day Christians have to take care of the creation that was organised by a large team of Barbadians has been entrusted to us by God. At our family under the co-ordination of Beverley Lashley. masses, the children of the minichoir, directed We were very fortunate to have these two big by Mairéad Thomas, have often made a good celebrations in the same year, each of which contribution, especially with the intercessions. mirrored the very distinctive personality of the Minichoir currently supplements the work of two very different places. Junior Church (see separate report), whose Holy Week went well, including a shared leaders often get involved in the planning and blessing of Palms in the playground of Holy delivery of family masses. Cross Church and an Easter eve confirmation We also hosted a mass for the Society of service conducted by Bishop Michael on his Catholic Priests – a support network for Angli- last visit to the parish before moving to become can clergy in the catholic tradition – about 30 Bishop of Lichfield, followed by a reception in clergy attended the concelebrated mass and the church hall, at which Matthew Airende, lunch. And the liturgical year ended with the Diana Ojijo, Ivie Omoregie and Courtney & Feast of Christ the King, when six young people Teresa Swaby were confirmed. Two other mem- were admitted to communion. Once again, the bers of the congregation, Megan Barford and watchnight service on New Year’s eve was well- Natasha McKenzie, were confirmed later in the attended, despite being on a Saturday evening, year, in November, at Southwark Cathedral. although Christmas services this year did not We had a party after mass on Ascension Day at see our highest figures. Ash Wednesday, by the Vicarage, and on Corpus Christi shared a contrast, was very well attended – the best for service of evensong and benediction with our many years – and attendance through Lent has neighbours at Holy Cross and St Andrew’s – been good if not outstanding. Figures on the this was a local first, and we hope to repeat it whole have been fairly stable through the year. next year. Pentecost evening was shared with Sunday evening prayer continues weekly, led the same two churches – on this occasion at St by readers and assistant clergy, supported by Andrew’s – when the three paschal candles were a band of loyal parishioners but also by new placed on the steps at the front of the church potential members who use if to dip their toe like a triumphant, post-resurrection version of in the water.