Walking Welcoming THE BRIDGE Growing Newspaper of the Anglican Diocese of Southwark Vol.24 No.8 October 2019 Inside THE BRIDGE Refreshing ...this month Putting the Southwark Vision at Church the heart of “Do you feel refreshed?” one grinning participant was asked as she left everything we the Croydon Episcopal Area Lay Conference on 14 September do - Pages 8,9,10 “Not just refreshed. I feel excited about Church,” she replied. Peter Graystone nourishing soup. He then Parish Profi le - writes: turned the focus of the crowd outwards with the St Luke, West commissioning of three Lay Norwood - page 13 Refreshing Church was the Pioneers to lead the way title of a magnifi cent day held the Good News of Jesus is at St Bede’s School, Redhill, taken beyond the walls of to encourage and equip lay our churches – the fi rst people in the Croydon Area. of what will be dozens of It was offered as a treat for lay such appointments as the people – and clergy were only signifi cance of lay leadership in admitted if they were willing our Diocese swells. to act as stewards. This led to All through the day worship the sight of cheerful vicars in led by musicians from St bright yellow jackets directing Margaret’s Church, Chipstead, Remembering 260 people into the car park on was inspiring, a marketplace a warm, sunny Saturday. of stalls showcased all that is Bishop Roy Undoubtedly so many people available to help churches in - page 16 were eager to attend because of their mission, a prayer room the theologian and writer Paula provided a rich context in Gooder (below), who opened which to say, smell and even the day with a mind-expanding Lay Pioneers - Minako Hall (Woolwich Area), Janet Greaves (Croydon Area), Andrea Campanale (Kingston Area) - with Bishop Jonathan, Bishop Christopher and Canon Will Cookson taste prayers, and there was and very entertaining excitement about the launch explanation of what it was like the very fi rst Christians and decisions. They ranged from advice on fi nance, PCCs and of the new webpage to foster to be part of a church in the our (on the surface) different help with leading intercessions eco-churches. discipleship: www.southwark. years immediately after Jesus’ practices today. And there were to talking about faith with anglican.org/everydayfaith resurrection. The day climaxed challenges, because it clearly friends to an intriguing with Bishop Christopher Something is stirring in There were surprises, such isn’t the case that the fi rst ‘sideways look at the role of underlining the signifi cance Southwark Diocese. The Holy as information about the size churches were perfect. churchwarden’. There were of lay people in the Southwark Spirit is refreshing us and of churches in rich villas or The middle of the day was sessions to help church Vision with a highly amusing leading us somewhere good poor tenements, as revealed by taken up with workshops. members serve the youngest story about how the addition and godly. It was thrilling to be PLUS Parish news recent archaeology. There were With nearly twenty to choose in their congregation and the of simple ingredients turned present at a day which was part encouragements, as she drew and photos and from this led to some diffi cult oldest, as well as practical a bowl of hot water into a of that journey. links between the practices of Page 15 Hearts on Fire with a Vision for growth Walking with Jesus and getting to know Jesus better as we journey on Welcoming all, embracing our diversity and seeking new ways of being church Growing in numbers, generosity, faith and discipleship as we grow God’s Kingdom Follow the Diocesan Blog: ‘Hearts on Fire – sharing God’s Good News in Southwark Diocese’ - http://southwarkcofe.tumblr.com/ 2 THE BRIDGE... OCTOBER 2019 A view from ‘Rewriting The Story’ THE BRIDGE - first National Estate Churches Network The London Conference on 10 October The National Estate do not know the specifi cs of Southwark estate ministry – often only Churches Network seeing the lack of resources Vision (NECN) ‘supports and challenging social issues. Proverbs 29.18a “Where people active in The true story, though, is there is no vision, the people one of seeing God work in perish…..” (KJV) . Christian ministry on amazing and surprising ways in It seems to me that social housing estates unexpected places. this may be used as an in England and Wales Besides times of networking, encouragement to Parishes via networks of local sharing stories and an open to come up with a Vision have done excellent work in Walsh (Downham) and question and answer session, Statement. While the text groups, conferences, the Midlands and the North, Jonathan Macy (Thamesmead)) key-note speakers will be does not really refer to the vision of the Incumbent and their estate-specifi c especially through partnership began working on it, and on looking at the Grenfell initiatives Leading Your 10 October the fi rst NECN people, it may be suggesting the need for the proclamation resources and much Tower disaster, the pastoral of the Word of God in such a manner as to discourage society Church Into Growth (LYCIG) London Conference will and community fall out and from spiralling into moral chaos. more’. and Jesus Shaped People take place at St Thomas’ how the local churches have I’m not sure this is what the Diocesan Bishop had in mind ‘Its membership includes (JSP), both of which have run (Kensal Rise). The title of the addressed it. successfully in this Diocese. conference is: “Rewriting The when, two years ago, he launched the Southwark Vision but church and community leaders Tickets are £10 and available Story”, the idea being that I hope that through his leadership, we are all encouraged to and workers, clergy, residents Over the last couple of years through Eventbrite; http://bit. many misunderstand or simply play our part in bringing God’s Kingdom wherever we are as and others who live, work and though, it became increasingly ly/2knFEVA we seek to be a Diocese: serve God on housing estates. clear that the context of • Walking with Jesus and getting to know Jesus better (Doing this) strengthens our London estates is often very as we journey on local ministry and allows the different from places outside. So a specifi c conference for the • Welcoming all, embracing our diversity and seeking voice of people from estates to Opportunities be heard at a national level’. capital was needed. new ways of being church To advertise a vacancy in The Bridge (in print and on-line) Representatives from • Growing in numbers, generosity, faith and Andy Delmege, a parish call 01474 854503 or email: [email protected] London, Chelmsford and discipleship as we grow God’s Kingdom priest in Birmingham Diocese, is their lead voice, and they Southwark Dioceses (Nick The Parish of This Vision is supported by the Diocesan family as we walk South Beddington and Roundshaw together in faith, supporting, encouraging and resourcing The Parish Church of St. Michael and All Angels, South Beddington, with St. Paul’s, Roundshaw each other in our common task. Both clergy and laity have Parish web site: www.stmichaelandstpaulwallington.org.uk demonstrated their commitment to the vision in their PART-TIME CHILDREN & FAMILIES varying roles as they pertain among others, to Vocations, Changes MINISTRY LEADER Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns and women’s ministry. Salary: £13-14k per annum (depending on Vocations to ordained ministry have increased a experience) hundredfold, far surpassing our original 50% target, with coming for PCCs 20hrs/week a third being from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic The Parish of South Beddington & Roundshaw are looking to appoint (BAME) communities. As part of its commitment to the The rules for PCCs Cathedral) from 10.30am to a children and families leader to encourage, disciple and equip Vision, this year the Diocese celebrates its annual Black are changing from 3.30pm. children and young people in their faith journey, working with History Month (BHM) Thanksgiving Day on 5th October at The events are open to open schools and the local community. The post will be initially for a 2 year fi xed term. the Cathedral by focusing on 1 January 2020. to all clergy, churchwardens, • BAME women and social justice In response, the Education and PCC Secretaries, If you have experience of working with young people in a church Sub-committee of the registrars, diocesan staff etc. environment, can lead and encourage a team of volunteers and • BAME women in pastoral and lay leadership are creative and motivated…. then you may be the person for us. Ecclesiastical Law Society is The cost is £25.00 for ELS • BAME women in ordained leadership The Parish of South Beddington & Roundshaw is in the south of organising a series of training members: £30.00 for non- Women’s ministries are doing well too, this year, not only events around the country on Wallington, Surrey and is made up of St Paul’s Church, Roundshaw have we celebrated the fi rst BAME Diocesan President of members (lunch included). and St Michael & All Angels Church, South Beddington. We have 4 the theme of good governance Booking and information: primary schools and 1 grammar school within the parish and have the Mothers’ Union (MU) but also the fi rst BAME Worldwide in parochial ministry. President of the MU. https://ecclawsoc.org.uk/ a commitment to working with the local community. Both churches The day will look at, the education/ are within the Modern Catholic tradition of the Church of England We are all encouraged to commit ourselves to the delivery new rules, the Churchwardens and the person appointed would need to be committed to our this vision for ourselves and the whole people of God in this Measure and what it means to ethos of welcoming everyone, whatever their age, background, Diocese.