January 2014

From the vicar – 2014By Canon Simon Butler | January 2014

The Vicar Writes…Forward into 2014

According to Wikipedia, 2014 is the following:

The United Nations Year of Family Farming and Crystallography (what on earth is family●

crystallography you may ask!!)The Year of the Winter Olympics and the World Cup Finals●

The Year of Independence Referendums in Scotland and Catalonia●

The Year when both the UK & the USA withdraw officially from Afghanistan●

While I cannot make any predictions for such momentous events at St Mary’s, our year in the life ofthe church already has some shape and content.

Here are a few highlights:

My Sabbatical: while I’m away from the parish, you get a sabbatical from me as well! Seriouslythough, you have an opportunity to receive more ministry from both Revd. Peter Wintgens and fromvisiting clergy in the first quarter of the year. Hearing different voices brings fresh blessings. I hopeyou will enjoy hearing them.

Quiet Days: we’re planning a couple of Quiet Days in the coming year, the first of which will be atHam Common on Saturday 1st March, led by Bishop Richard Harries, of Thought for the Day fame.You can express an interest by contacting Libby Bradshaw on libby.bradshaw@ursa.me.uk. We’llhold another one in the autumn.

Lent & Holy Week: A full programme of Lent Study Groups, Lectures and worship is being planned.We are particularly keen to encourage many more people to join a Lent Study Group this year, as wefocus on one of the popular ‘York Courses’, entitled Building on the Rock. Peter Wintgens iscoordinating for more information (wintgens@btinternet.com). This year we have invited a veryspecial Holy Week Preacher. Stuart Hoke is an American Anglican Priest who was, until retirement,Minister at St Paul’s Chapel, next to the Ground Zero site in Manhattan. Stuart was, with RowanWilliams, in the building on 9/11 and his ministry has been shaped and defined by that experience

ever since. He is an outstanding and compelling preacher and will be with us from Palm Sunday toEaster Day.

A New Curate: Dr Philip Krinks will join us in June, following his ordination as a deacon. Philip hasbeen training at Westcott House in Cambridge, following an early career in managementconsultancy. He, Claudia, George and Anna will move into Kerrison Road in the summer and Philipwill serve as our Curate for between three and four years.

Summer Holiday Club: Asi Munisi, our Families & Children’s Minister, is giving some early thoughtto running a Children’s Summer Holiday Club in the last week of the school holidays. I’m lookingforward to hearing more when I return to the parish!

And, of course, our regular round of worship, study, mission and ministry will continue. You arewarmly invited to be part of all that lies ahead. Why not try out something new in 2014.

See you in Holy Week.

Simon Butler

From the vicarBy Canon Simon Butler | January 2014

Sermon Preached by Canon Simon Butler at the Parish Carol Service

22nd December 2013

Carol Services are not occasions for long sermons. The story speaks for itself and, if we have theability to allow the story to do what stories are meant to do, stories will save us.

But familiarity can breed contempt, especially in a culture unaccustomed to memorising orinternalising the story. What point in memorising, when my iPad will do the work for me, when I canGoogle fact, opinion and story at the drop of a hat?

The perspective of Christian faith, however, invites us not to hear the story outside of us, but tointernalise it, to make it our own. To live it.

For me, at least, the ability to hear the Christmas story again, beyond the clutter of the counterfeitChristmas of our culture, is immeasurably helped by fresh perspectives, fresh takes on the story.

That’s why I’ve invited U A Fanthorpe to join us this Christmas. Not as widely known as she shouldbe, her down-to-earth poetry, her Christmas Poems were written as gifts to her friends in herChristmas cards. They break through the sentimental, romantic Christmas of reindeer, “snow onsnow” and the like, inviting us to hear again the message of the incarnation and to make it our own. “The economy of heaven/looks for fiestas and fireworks every day/every day. Be realistic, saysheaven: expect a miracle”. Everyday expectations turned upside-down. Heaven on earth, miracle asstandard, God in Christ in the manger. Fanthorpe, like all fine poets, asks us to respond and see theworld differently. Faith in Jesus Christ invites us to make the same journey. God in Christ turns theworld upside down. Nothing is ever the same again. “Do you see that?” each one of us is asked.

But there is the danger still, the ever-present risk that we will simply turn the page, move on to thenext poem, and forget to stop and think. Worse still, in the information age, we will simply leave thepoem external to us; even worse, from the perspective of faith, if the Christmas story remains

external to us it will never save us. It will always be about something ‘out there’; it will never beabout the ‘out there’ being about ‘in here’ as well.

Fanthorpe has something to say about that as well and so I leave the last word to her. The profanitythat follows is nothing compared to the profanity of God in the manger…the poem is called Getting itAcross…

This is the hard thing.Not being God, the Son of Man,—I was born for that part—But patiently incising on these yokel faces,Mystified, bored and mortal,The vital mnemonics they never remember.

There is enough of Man in my GodFor me to construe their frowns. I feelThe jaw-cracking yawns they try to hideWhen out I come with one of my oldChestnuts. Christ! Not that bloodySower again, they are saying, or God!Not the Prodigal f****** Son.Give us a new one, for Messiah’s sake.

They know my unknowable parables as wellAs each other’s shaggy dog stories.I say! I say! I say! There was this Samaritan,This Philistine and this Roman…orWhat did the high priest sayTo the belly dancer? All they needIs the cue for laughs. My sheep and goats,Virgins, pigs, figtrees, loaves and lepersConfuse them. Fishing, whether for fish or men,Has unfitted them for analogy.Yet these are my mouths. Through them onlyCan I speak with Augustine, Aquinas, Martin, PaulRegius Professors of Divinity,And you, and you.How can I cram the sense of Heaven’s kingdomInto our pidgin-Aramaic quayside jargon?I envy Moses, who could chooseThe diuturnity of stone for waymarksBetween man and Me. He broke the tablets,Of course. I too know the easy messagesAre the ones not worth transmitting;But he could at least carve.The prophets too, however lucklessTheir lives and instructions, inscribed on wood,Papyrus, walls, their jaundiced oracles.

I alone must write on flesh. Not evenThe congenial face of my Baptist cousin,My crooked affinity Judas, who understands,

Men who would give me accurately to the unbornAs if I were something simple, like bread.But Pete, with his headband stuffed with fishhooks,His gift for rushing in where angels wouldn’t,Tom, for whom metaphor is anathema,And James and John, who want the room at the top—These numskulls are my medium. I called them.

I am tattooing God on their makeshift lives.My Keystone Cops of disciples, always,Running absurdly away, or lying ineptly,Cutting off ears and falling into the water,These Sancho Panzas must tread my Quixote life,Dying ridiculous and undignified,Flayed and stoned and crucified upside down.They are the dear, the human, the dense, for whomMy message is. That might, had I not touched them,Have died decent respectable upright deaths in bed.

From the Honorary curateBy Peter Wintgens | January 2014

First of all I hope you had a good Christmas and a restful time over the change of year – welcome to2014 !

By now Simon has begun his sabbatical/study leave which will last until the end of Lent. We shallpray for him as he pauses to take stock of his ministry and to enjoy some real rest and recreationtime.

January is not a busy time of year in the Church’s calendar, but I wanted to use this opportunity todraw your attention to things that are happening in the not too distant future:

1. On Sunday 12 January our Area Dean, Revd Geoffrey Owen from Christ Church Battersea, willbe taking both morning services while I go to Christ Church to take their morning Eucharist. Then inthe evening there is Choral Evensong here, during which we shall commemorate the life of JackState in word and prayer. Please do come and honour Jack’s life and service to our community.Elsewhere in this newsletter there is a message from Jack’s twin sister Vi, who we hope will be ableto come to the service.

2. On the first Sunday in February we will welcome Canon Dr Stephen Hance, the new CanonMissioner at Southwark Cathedral, who will be taking both morning services.

3. Looking ahead to Lent there will be a pre-Lent Quiet Day on Saturday 1 March at St Michael’sConvent, Ham Common, from 10.00 to 4.00. A sign-up sheet will be on the noticeboard shortly, andplease bear in mind there will be a limited number of places available.

4. Lent Groups and Talks – we will be doing another York Course this year, called “Build on theRock: Faith, Doubt and Jesus”, and there will be at least four groups to choose from. On Sundayevenings we are planning a series on Anglican Streams of Spirituality, ranging from Anglo-Catholicto Charismatic. More about this later.

5. The St Mary’s Men’s Group is planning to expand its activities in 2014, to make its meetingsmore frequent and to cater for those who would like a greater emphasis on Bible study – more aboutthis in next month’s newsletter.

Finally, during Simon’s sabbatical I am extending my days of availability to Sunday to Thursday. Iam not available on Fridays and Saturdays, except of course in an emergency.

Peter

From our Children’s and Families’ MinisterBy Asi Munsi | January 2014

A St Mary’s Christmas

Hang all the mistletoe I’m gonna get to know you better this Christmas. The best way encompass myfirst Christmas with St Mary’s from one of the numbers performed with the newly formedWestbridge choir. The concert on Wednesday 18th December was well received with lot’s of positivefeedback from parents and teachers at how amazed they were at how well the children sang withsuch a short time to prepare. I was so impressed at how quickly the children picked up the songs,the new generation of young people where 8 – 11 year olds can absorb and learn new things and putthem into practice within a short period serves as a reminder of the fast paced world we live intoday. I am really looking forward to returning to Westbridge in the second week of January.

Sing Christingle was magical for want of a better word. Christingle it’s the light of Christ lit up theChurch on Sunday 8th December. The Service was enjoyed and the light of Christ was sharedamongst the congregation. We also raised a bit of money for the children’s society which will helpthe children’s society to bring Christ’s light into the worlds of children who have experienced andlived in darkness. Shine Jesus Shine our last hymn prays that Christ’s light will fill our world and setour hearts on fire. The blessing was shared with big smiles, it’s amazing how a smile can brighten upsomeone’s day. One of the things I love about the Christmas season, London becomes more smiley.

Ella, Alec, Aine, Maria and Joshua are looking forward to their sweets. Well deserved after theirwonderful singing led by Aine on the piano. We were so blessed to have two flutes one played byAlec’s mum Kate and a guitar which made for a great Christingle band.

Eat, play, love was certainly what our Monday toddlers did at the cafe for their Christmas party.With the energetic elf to enthuse the children and great food to re charge after being taken on anexciting journey of their imaginations with Elf. Some of our toddlers really embraced the Spirit of

things by coming in fancy dress.

Katherine Low Settlement treated their staff and volunteers with a Christmas party with drinks atthe Candlemaker on Battersea High Street and some Mexican food. Spirits were high and theatmosphere was warm and friendly.

KLS Christmas Party

This was my first visit to the Candlemaker, a nice place, but I’m not a fan of Mexican food and thenext morning my tummy reminded me why. It was a lovely evening and wonderful that appreciationfor the staff and volunteers was shown. It’s great to be valued.

Look who I found in the corner at the Candlemaker,looks like our Vicar, choir director and scholar like that place too.

I have a feeling 2014 will be a very exciting year.

Asi Munisi

St Mary’s Junior Church Nativity 2013By Asi Munsi | January 2014

Sunday 22nd December 2013 during the 11am Service;

St Mary’s Junior Church contributed the Nativity that had been prepared over the previousmonth.

Extracts from David Palmer’s Holy Boy were sung by St Mary’s Choral scholars as the childrenmimed the story of the Nativity, telling of the events surrounding Christ’s coming into the world.

Including Mary and Joseph in the stable to the visiting Shepherds to the new born Christ.

The children worked really well using mime, which wasnew to many of them for they usually have to learn lines for the Nativity. Junior Church childrenpicked up the concept of mime very quickly, it helps having such a well known story with well knowncharacters such as that of the Nativity.

The play was nicely received as part of Worship by the congregation.

Editors NotesBy Emrys Lloyd-Roberts | January 2014

This last month, we had the privilege of witnessing the confirmation of six people from ourcongregation. It is always moving to be part of someone’s public profession of faith.In additional to the miracle of God’s work in human beings, something else struck me during theservice. I was impressed that it was not only the vicar who had prepared candidates. Two othermembers of the congregation, under the overall supervision of the vicar, had been involved as well.I think that it is wonderful that at St. Mary’s we do not just leave it all to the clergy to be the onlyones involved in the spiritual growth of the congregation. Under the guidance of the clergy we canbe directly involved in helping one another grow spiritually.I see that also in the various groups that are available during the week. Various nonclergy memberslead some of the groups. That seems like a healthy church where we are encouraged to develop ourown spiritual gifts.Perhaps we all should be working on developing our spiritual gifts as we look at another new year.Praise God!Emrys Lloyd-Roberts

Dedication of the 1611 BibleBy Sven Tester | January 2014

A large crowd assembled in St Mary’s on 7 November for the dedication of the refurbished 1611Bible. This event was hosted by St Mary’s, and the Battersea Society to whom we are most grateful.

Writing as a member of the choir, some of us were quite nervous before our performance of a brandnew piece of music ‘The Lord is my Shepherd’ composed for the occasion by Simon Bainbridge andfeaturing the amazing talents of Judi Spencer on the marimba with the choir.

The main memories of the evening are of our first view of the Bible itself with its powerful angularprint, of Professor David Crystal’s scintillating talk on the qualities, subtleties, dialects and even thestatistics of the Bible’s language, and our pleasure in achieving a moving performance ofBainbridge’s demanding work, and enjoying its sound and Judi’s playing. We were able to relaxpositively in singing ‘I was Glad’ (the Coronation anthem) by Parry.

The Bishop of Southwark formally and simply dedicated the Bible. This now stands in its handsomedisplay case in St Mary’s for all to see, a reminder of the dedication of those who worked on this firstedition and of its inspiring influence ever since 1611.

Begat in BatterseaBy Amy Ellis Thompson | January 2014

As a first-time visitor to St Mary’s church, I was not only fortunate enough to hear a beautifulperformance by the Battersea choir, but to see a first edition 1611 King James Bible and hear itsrelevance to modern society outlined in an engaging talk by renowned linguist Professor DavidCrystal.

Based on work in his recent book Begat, Crystal brought the Biblical language to life. He tracedexpressions coined by King James’s translators in the printed Bible that were altered from theWycliffite text. Crystal demonstrated how these phrases begat other phrases: reinterpreted byauthors, journalists and politicians over the centuries and used in advertising and films in subtlydifferent contexts. He made us consider how a change of just a couple of words has such a largeimpact on the overall meaning of a phrase.

One of the most memorable examples was Wycliffe’s ‘am I the keeper of my brother’ altered by KingJames’s translators to ‘am I my brother’s keeper’ and as Crystal demonstrated, used today in novels,films and advertisements such as My Sister’s Keeper. I am firmly convinced that no one will forgetthe transformation of ‘blessed are the peacemakers’ in contemporary journalism about heartconditions – ‘blessed are the pacemakers’ – or the use of ‘Holier than thou’ in the context of a body-piercing studio.

Crystal is a great speaker, humorous and lively, whilst audible even from the back of the balcony. Heinvited us to ask questions, which led to further interesting discussions and proved that people reallyhad been engaging with his talk.

As a newcomer, I enjoyed the insight into the history of St Mary’s gained from the exhibition and thewonderful sense of community demonstrated around me that evening. I left the event feeling that

the recently restored Bible was in a perfect setting to foster much more interest and discussionsurrounding both its history and its language.

Amy Ellis Thompson

Jack StateBy Vi State | January 2014

I would like to thank you and all the members of your congregation who helped Jack over the years,but particularly during his final illness. I am sure it gave him a great deal of comfort and helped himsustain his faith during his years with you to know he was surrounded by such love and care.

I would also like to thank you for conducting such a nice service for Jack. It gave me a lot of comfort,together with all the efforts of everyone from St Mary’s, especially those who attended thecrematorium to say goodbye to Jack.

Thank you all once again.

Yours sincerely, Vi State.

An appreciation of Jack StateBy Emma Belak | January 2014

Jack was a great friend to me. About 6 years ago, when I started welcoming and doing the readingswhich Paul had asked me to do, Jack showed me the way.

I started giving Jack a lift back after evensong. This was the reason I took my car and didn’t do theshort walk which would have been easy. I am indebted to Jack as I found (and still slightly find)reading out loud in church very intimidating as I felt I was not good enough. I am also shy.Jack and I would discuss the readings as we drove back. Then he would explain the Bible to me. Wewould also discuss the sermon or the readings or just simply Christianity. He made me appreciatethe Psalms as prayers.

He had a deep faith by which he lived. I just hope I gain a tiny bit of his eternal satisfaction with lifeand acceptance of dying in order to see God.

I enjoyed his sense of humour. He used to tell me about all the old women in the building where helived and his being the only man. It made me giggle when he would sit behind me at the 11 o’clockservice and tap my back and say ‘Hello mate’. Jack also loved a good detective book.

He was one of the most pragmatic people I knew. For instance, he told me to say when his hearingaid whistled. He was always interested in my work and recognised that I was busy. He was alwaysvery grateful even though he did not have to be.

I still have a lump in my throat thinking of you Jack. We miss you.

This is from Jack.QuietnessGrant unto us, Almighty God, that quiet mind and patient waiting to which Thy comforting Spiritcomes, that we may do Thy will and have our hearts prepared for that peace of Thine whichpassethunderstanding: which, if we have storms of life, will hurt us but a little, and the cares of life vex usnot at all, in face of which death will lose its sting and the grave its victory, and we in calm joy walkall the days of our appointed time until our great change shall come. Amen

Community LivingBy Ellie Cooke | January 2014

It was 4:31am on the morning before my birthday party when I woke up. I had woken at this timeoften since coming home from India, feeling a sense of loss. I was more sensitive around mybirthday, I had planned it all thinking I would be in India, so finding myself in England didn’t feelquite right.

In the community I was living in I was looking forward to having cake with all the ladies andsmearing icing on their cheeks, noses and foreheads, as they would undoubtedly do on mine (it’s acustom that shows love). Then having a dinner party with friends – knowing it would be relaxed andI wouldn’t need to worry about how much food there was, was everyone enjoying themselves andwas there enough space as it would all be taken care of by everyone present. In India I would nothave thought about who would make my cake, it would just happen. But at 4.31am that seemed to bethe pressing issue on my mind.

Here, I asked a dear friend to make my cake, we have been friends since we were 17 years old andshe had been in touch with me throughout my journey in India. I could not help but feel vulnerable,did she want to make it or was it out of some obligation? I have noticed a significant difference inthe way people live together here since my return. I cannot help but struggle with how self-centred,how self-involved and greedy people seem. People feel obliged, they compare – what has that persondone for me? My mind fills with questions: what happened to love your neighbour as yourself? Whathappened to following in Jesus’ footsteps, showing selfless love to everyone? I sometimes find myselffeeling lonely, overwhelmed and perhaps my expectations of others have become too high over thepast nine months.

“As long as we continue to live as if we are what we do, what we have, and what other people thinkabout us, we will remain filled with judgments, opinions, evaluations, and condemnations. We willremain addicted to putting people and things in their “right” place.”― Henri J.M. Nouwen

I was asked to help at a birthday party in India by a close friend that I had made, one of the ladies. Idid not hesitate, I did not think about how busy I was or how many other things I had to do. I tookhalf a day off work and helped hang decorations from her ceiling, stir huge pots of curry and make abirthday cake in the shape of a doll. I did not think about how long it would take, how much it wouldcost or how much I would sweat in front of an oven in 35+ degree heat. It was all an act of love, inthat cake and through my hands came love. Love I will always have for that amazing family.

During this transition I have found it easy to feel lost, alone or even unloved at times, but Iconstantly remind myself that this is a different community, a different culture and my friends havehelped me in so many different ways:

The five friends who each brought me a birthday cake without me asking.●

A close girlfriend smearing the beautiful cake she made on my face as she knew what that meant●

to me.Friends telling me how proud of me they are.●

People wanting me to show them photos and coming over to hear all about them.●

Family members calling each week to see how I am getting on and to hear another story.●

My boyfriend visiting India twice to be part of my journey; and coming to take me home when I●

was very unwell.Mum pulling me close just before she returned from her first India visit, wishing she could take me●

with her but understanding why I could not come and telling me that she was proud of me.Close friends remembering my medical appointments and calling to see how they went.●

The smiles and hugs I got when I returned to church with a warm welcome home from my Vicar●

said with such understanding.My boyfriend holding my hand whilst I cried for poverty, missing my Indian community and my life●

there – despite it being hard to hear.Friends I made in India who come from all around the world calling because they know how hard a●

transition it is.Beautiful food cooked by my mum.●

Coffees with a friend from India who is currently in the UK.●

My boyfriend’s brother asking the questions I never thought anyone would.●

“What should young people do with their lives today? Many things, obviously. But the most daringthing is to create stable communities in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured.”― Kurt Vonnegut

It is all very different, but it is all love. I am looking for that same sense of community, really beingtogether through God and doing life together here in England, I hope I will find it. Community is ahuge part of life, a huge part of faith, something people should never lose sight of – how have youshown your love for someone recently?

“Community is like a large mosaic. Each little piece seems so insignificant. One piece is bright red,another cold blue or dull green, another warm purple, another sharp yellow, another shining gold.Some look precious, others ordinary. Some look valuable, others worthless. Some look gaudy, othersdelicate. As individual stones, we can do little with them except compare them and judge theirbeauty and value. When, however, all these little stones are brought together in one big mosaicportraying the face of Christ, who would ever question the importance of any one of them? If one ofthem, even the least spectacular one, is missing, the face is incomplete. Together in the one mosaic,each little stone is indispensable and makes a unique contribution to the glory of God. That’scommunity, a fellowship of little people who together make God visible in the world.”

―Henri Nouwen, Can You Drink the Cup (a great read!!)

Note: I am about to start running some classes for Choices (a charitable organisation) and a pilotfreedom business in 2014 – if anyone has nice fabric they wish to donate please get in touch viaecooke.business@gmail.com.

Coffee at churchBy Sarah Macnab | January 2014

VERY WARM THANKS FROM EVERYONE AT ST MARY’S TO DIANA GOODWIN

Diana has organised the Coffee Rota for many years and we are all most grateful to her for ensuring aplentiful supply of welcoming and cheerful hosts Sunday by Sunday. St Mary’s regulars and visitorsalike much enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit after the 11 am service and the chance to chat. Diana has not only ensured that there is someone to provide this hospitality (and wash upafterwards!) but that supplies of tea, coffee, sugar and orange squash are available.David Evans has kindly offered to take on this task in the new year, when the coffee table will moveback to the south-west corner of the church where there is a little more space for circulation. Servingcoffee is a great way to get to know members of the congregation. Do please speak to David if youwould like to join the team: he is usually around having a coffee himself on Sundaymornings! Sarah Macnab

Children’s SocietyBy Libby Bradshaw | January 2014

Children’s Society

In an earlier newsletter I wrote about the work of The Children’sSociety which helps vulnerable children of all faiths and no faithincluding those at risk on the streets, young refugees, disabled,young carers and those within the youth justice system.

I am now writing to thank all those of you at St Mary’s whosupport the Children’s Society in various ways and especiallythose who have supported and raised money during the time sinceI took over as co-ordinator in June 2013.

Individual collecting boxes have raised over £160 with more tocome. Thank you to all of you who have these. To all others –pPlease let me know if you would like a collecting box

Our Christingle service was held on Sunday 8th December at 3pm and raised over £100.

Christingle service

We had 76 people there with a good mixture of childrenand adults. Thank you to Simon for leading the serviceand to Asi for preparing the service content andorganising a band to lead the singing, including both herchildren. Thank you also to Debbie Apostolides forpreparing 100 Christingles!

Carol Singing: After choir practice on December 18th aband of singers went out to brave the elements and singcarols around the restaurants and pubs in BatterseaSquare and High Street. The £160 raised will be donatedto The Children’s Society.

My next plan is for an event around Mothering Sundaywhich is Sunday 30th March so watch this space!

Thank you all again.

Libby

Libby Bradshaw,

Children’s Society Co-ordinator for St Mary’s

Tel: 07956 655037 Email libby.bradshaw@ursa.me.uk

Pledge CardsBy Diana Goodwin | January 2014

In October you were given an Everyone brochure marking the beginning of the Everyone Campaign. Part of the campaign was to ask everyone to sign up to what they could commit to pledge in thecoming year 2014. We are asking everyone to complete the Pledge card even if it is it not possibleto make a financial pledge. Currently just over 30% of pledge cards have been returned. We lookforward to receiving your Pledge Card early in the New Year and reaching a 100% return.

Please return your card in the envelope provided in your pack to the Parish Office, Battersea ParishChurch, St Mary’s, Battersea Church Road, London SW11 3NA.

If you have need a pledge card please contact Diana Goodwin on 020 7720 7772 or emaildianagoodwin345@btinternet.com and one will be forwarded to you.

Please remember in your prayersBy Peter Wintgens | January 2014

The Sick and Those in Need

Sarah Collier

Tim Heald

Christopher Loveless

Chris Palmer

Kevin, Denise, Adrian & Geoffrey Moore

Maria, Joshua, Alice, Elia & Danny

Jeremy Sabin

Daisy Campbell

Susie Jenkin-Pearce & family

Caroline Erni

Sylvia

Sheila Boothe & family

Paul Leech

Ellie Cooke

Hamid Ismail

The Departed

Jack State

Rose Pretoria Moore

Anita Bloom

Peter Fatouros

Matt Jenkin

Doris Townsend

Ann Cheeseman

Nelson Mandela

Sarah Eade

Alb Yenoveva

Amy Hyman

Muriel Adams

Lemuel Thornhill

Mark Toms

Chris Thompson

And we pray for all the friends and family of the departed who mourn their loss.

The intercessory prayer book lives on the little table under the pulpit to the left of the side altar. Youare very welcome to enter names of anyone who is sick or in special need of our prayers; but we askthat you please write clearly or in print so that we read them out correctly. Where possible pleaseask their permission and please put a surname – and your name as the contact unless they are amember of the congregation. Names stay on the list for a month, but do put them back on the list atany time of special need.

Names of the departed also stay on for a month.

NoticesBy Peter Wintgens | January 2014

Parish Lunch

The parish lunch on Jan 19th is hosted by Area 2 Vicarage Crescent - all welcome! Please contact Ruthand Paul Holleley (ruth.holleley@gmail.com or 07969 831 947)Alpha Follow-up SupperWe look forward to seeing all those from the Autumn Alpha Course on Monday 27 January at 7.30 inthe crypt. Please let Alison know if you can’t come (wintgens@btinternet.com or 7720 9708)Recycling StampsPlease don’t throw away your Christmas stamps. They can be recycled for charity. Bring them tochurch for Mary Tester. Every little helps!

St. Mary’s Dusting RotaBy Newsletter Admin | January 2014

January – May 2014

3rd/4th January Sarah Macnab / Sharon Brown17th/18th January Mary Tester31st January/1st February Cynthia Newman14th/15th February Louise/John Sherrington28th February/1st March Sheila Boothe / Kate Sutcliffe14th/15th March Sarah Macnab / Sharon Brown29th/29th March Mary TesterSaturday 12th April – Annual Spring Clean at St. Mary’s 9:30am to 12:30pm (tbc)25th/26th April Cynthia Newman9th/10th May. Louise/John Sherrington

French exchange studentBy Susanna Hogan | January 2014

I know of a 16-year-old Parisian girl with a lovely family (3 siblings) who would like an exchange toimprove her English.Her sister exchanged visits successfully with Ella Barnes (daughter of Alison) this year.If interested please get in touch with me, Susanna Hogan, 020 7228 0917 / 07970 029866.