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Bishop’s Lent Call

Bishop Christopher writes:
As we begin Lent many of us will take up a discipline to help us to observe a reflective and prayerful time in preparing for Holy Week and Easter. Some of you, I know, will have decided upon a Lenten book and others of you will join a Lent Group through your church or decide to try a different daily prayer routine. Many – those who are a part of our churches and those who are not – will give up something as part of their Lenten discipline. It might be meat or alcohol or sugar or any number of things that you really enjoy. Others, too, might take something up for Lent such as trying to pray more or going for longer walks in order to have some time alone to reflect upon the day. Whatever you do I hope that you will find Lent to be a helpful time in which to reflect upon and grow in your faith.
 
Each year I invite individuals, churches and schools to join me in offering prayer and donations to my Lent Call projects. Usually the majority of the projects are in other parts of the world but, this year, my brother Bishops and I are so aware of the need here at home too that we have decided that we will feature projects in this Diocese for three weeks of Lent and projects in our Link Dioceses for the other two. We have decided to feature food insecurity because this is a real issue for many here in the Diocese and for people in Zimbabwe and the Diocese of Jerusalem.
 
The pandemic has changed many people’s lives in the last year as they have lost loved ones and found it harder to support themselves day by day. For some, the loss of income and security caused by the effects of the lockdowns has been the thing that has tipped them over into needing to use food banks and feeding projects both here and overseas.
 
I hope that you will feel able to support these projects generously in the coming weeks, giving what you can to help others who have less. I know that some will have been spending less as a result of the lockdown and I hope and pray that, if this is the case for you, you will feel able to be generous in giving to the Lent projects. I know that for some this year has been very hard and if you are not able to give to the projects, please do pray for them.
 
I have recorded this video which talks about the projects that we are featuring:
We have also produced some materials to help you to reflect upon the need for the work of the projects and the narrative of the feeding of the four thousand (Mark 8: 1-8), as well as a prayer. Do please follow the Lent Call material and consider how you can best support the projects featured. Thank you.
 
Creator God,
we give thanks for all that you have given to us.
We pray for those who are experiencing food insecurity
in the places featured in the Lent Call and elsewhere.
Help us to show compassion for them.
Give us the will to work with others to help to bring about change.
Help us to show our care and concern for those around us who are in need.
Bring justice and fullness of life to all your people.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.
Amen.
 
Lent Call 2021 projects
Projects in Zimbabwe
Initiatives supporting food security, water supplies, and infrastructure in our Link Dioceses of Central Zimbabwe, Matabeleland, Masvingo and Manicaland.
The Diocese of Jerusalem
Helping our new Link Diocese in Jerusalem to support up to 50 vulnerable families to feed themselves.
Projects in the Diocese of Southwark
St Matthew, Redhill Food Bank
Wandsworth Food Bank
Norwood & Brixton Food Bank
Together Southwark: Lunchbox Library
LewCAS
 
Click here to donate and to find out more.
News

Welcome to New Clergy

St Phillip and All Saints and St Luke’s, Kew

Rev Dr Melanie Harrington has been announced as the new incumbent of St Philip and All Saints and St Luke’s, Kew.  Melanie is currently Assistant Curate, St Michael’s Lichfield & St John’s Wall in the Diocese of Lichfield, where she also serves as a Vocations Adviser. Melanie  will be instituted by the Bishop of Kingston on Wednesday 23rd June.

Christ Church, East Sheen

We welcome Rev Chris Griffiths who was licensed as the new team vicar of Christ Church, East Sheen on Wednesday 24th February by Bishop Richard via a Zoom service. The service was also attended by clergy from the Mortlake and East Sheen Team Ministry, Church Wardens from Christ Church and the Archdeacon. And many more people watched it live on Facebook.

Christ Church choir sing “God is Love, His the Care” remotely during the service.
News

Foundation Governor Wanted for Christ’s School, Richmond

Christs-School-Foundation-Governor-Advert

Christ’s School is a fantastic school which strives for the very best in the children who go to the school, the development of the staff and how they care for the local community. They are looking for Foundation Governors who passionately believe in the values of the Gospel who want to get involved in a secondary school who has those values too. If you would like to know more you can contact Canon Wilma Roest (rector@richmondteamministry.org) or the Senior Clerk to the Governing Body, Mrs Sally Chapman (schapman@christs.rschool). 

Christ’s School Governor Role DescriptionDownload
Events, Prayer

Lent Across the Deanery

Ash Wednesday Services, 17th February

St Michael and All Angels, Barnes
12 noon Mass with Imposition of Ashes (in person).
8pm Sung Mass with Imposition of Ashes (in person).

St Mary, Barnes
Online Service. Click here.

All Saints, East Sheen
8pm Eucharist with Ashing (in person and live-streamed).

St Mary the Virgin, Mortlake
8pm Live-streamed service (click here).

Richmond Team Ministry
8pm Zoom service. Please have a blank piece of paper with you (A5 or similar size). Email admin@richmondteamministry.org for meeting details.

St Mary Magdalene, Richmond
10am Service with the sprinkling of ashes (in person).
5pm Service with the sprinkling of ashes (in person).

St John the Divine, Richmond
6pm Said Eucharist, including the sprinkling of ashes (in person and live-streamed).

St Anne’s, Kew
8pm Sung mass (in person and live-streamed). Booking essential to attend in person, email saintannekew@gmail.com by 11am Tuesday 16th February.

Lent Course from St George’s College, Jerusalem

St Mary’s, Barnes, Richmond Team Ministry and St Luke’s and the Barn Church, Kew, are following a Lent course from St George’s College in Jerusalem.  The course consists of six sessions  exploring the geography of the Holy Land, following Jesus from Galilee to Golgotha. Each session will reflect on the theme with questions for exploration and comes with links to short films from the Holy Land. You can follow the course individually by emailing resources@sgcjerusalem.org or by taking part in the virtual discussion groups (see below). Click here for more details.

St Michael and All Angels, Barnes

SMA-Lent-Childrens-Leaflet-2021

St Mary’s Barnes

‘A River Through the Desert’ discussion group. Monday evenings via Zoom. Lent course from St George’s College, Jerusalem. See above. Email revdjames@stmarybarnes.org if you would like to join.

Mortlake and East Sheen Team Ministry

All Saints, East Sheen are running a Lent course via Zoom at 6:30pm on Sundays 21st, 28th February, 7th, 14th, and 21st March. They will be looking at the themes salvation, justice, consolation and desolation, sacrifice and grace and mercy with the aim of helping people develop and clarify their thinking and understanding of these words and ideas that we frequently use in church. Email alexbarrow1@gmail.com if you would like to join.

Christ Church, East Sheen will be running a Zoom discussion group on Mondays from 2:30-4pm for five weeks starting Monday 22nd February. They will be following a series that explores the relationship with God and neighbour through the metaphors of landscapes: Barren Land, Wilderness, Gardens, Wasteland and Re-Wilding. Contact russenbergerjudith@gmail.com to join.

Christ Church, East Sheen will also be posting daily Lent reflections on Facebook.

During Lent, Canon Ann Nickson will be running a Lent course on the Psalms via Zoom 6pm on Sundays, starting Sunday 21st February. They will be using the York Course study guide (www.yorkcourses.co.uk/product/the-psalms/) with some poems by Malcolm Guite on the Psalms. Email AnnNickson@aol.com if you would like to join.

Richmond Team Ministry

Recommended books for Lent

Candles in the Dark – Faith, hope and love in a time of pandemic by Rowan Williams (SPCK, 2021). From March to September 2020 Rowan Williams wrote weekly meditations for the congregation of his parish church. They offer light in these dark times and challenge the reader, but always give hope!

Thy Will be done The 2021 Lent Book by Stephen Cherry (Bloomsbury Continuum, 2021). At a time of change, uncertainly and widespread anxiety, we go back to familiar spiritual resources, such as the Lord’s Prayer. Thy will be done presents the comforts and challenges of the prayer in 36 short chapters, one for almost every day in Lent (excluding Sundays).

David’s Crown – Sounding the Psalms by Malcolm Guite (Canterbury Press, 2021). Poems of each of the 150 psalms, to reflect on, go back to and read alongside the biblical psalms.

At home in Lent – An exploration of Lent through 46 objects by Gordon Giles (BRF, 2019). Here is an original way of approaching Lent, one that will encourage you to consider your own faith journey in the light of the Easter story. Inspired by Ian McGregor’s Radio 4 programme, ‘The History of the World in 100 Objects’, Gordon Giles spends each week in a different room gleaning spiritual lessons from everyday household objects, such as a mobile phone, keys, shoes, kettle.

My sour-sweet days – George Herbert and the journey of the soul by Mark Oakley (SPCK, 2020). Forty poems by George Herbert each followed by a short meditation – poetry bringing comfort, refreshment and renewed energy.

Lent Courses and Services

‘Holy Habits’ – 10:30-11:30am Thursdays via Zoom.
‘A River Through the Desert’ discussion group. 6:30-7pm Sundays via Zoom. Lent course from St George’s College, Jerusalem. See above. Material must have been read in advance.
Lenten Meditations and Compline – Wednesdays in Lent, 7.30pm till 8.00pm, via Zoom.
Stations of the Cross – 4pm Wednesdays (from 24 February) via Zoom.

Email admin@richmondteamministry.org for links to zoom meetings.

Holy Trinity, Richmond

Click here to subscribe to Holy Trinity’s daily Lent devotions which will take you through the whole of Mark’s Gospel.

St Anne’s, Kew

5pm Sundays – Stations of the Cross live-streamed here.

Faith in the time of Coronavirus. 6:30-7:45pm Sundays via Zoom – A series of informal discussions reflecting from five different theological perspectives on our experience of living through the Coronavirus pandemic and its impact on our faith, our fellowship and our hopes for the future. Starts Sunday 21st February. Click here for more details and to register.

For such a time as this. 2:30-3:30pm Mondays via Zoom – USPG Lent Course – a five week series of informal study and discussion on the Christian response to Climate Change. Starts Monday 22nd February. Contact Claudine McCreadie (dandcmcc@gmail.com, 020 8241 7627) if you would like to join.

During Lent, St Anne’s will be sharing a weekly conversation with a different member of our congregation, talking about life, church, wider interests and how faith has made a difference to them. Click here to listen.

St Phillip and All Saints and St Luke’s, Kew

‘A River Through the Desert’ discussion group. 8pm, Monday evenings via Zoom. Lent course from St George’s College, Jerusalem. See above. Email office@kewparishes.plus.com if you would like to join.

#LiveLent: God’s Story, Our Story

Click here to download the free app from the Church of England or to sign up to receive emails, with daily reading, reflection and a prayer as well as some action. Each day also has a family action, which can be done by everyone, young and old! 

News

Minutes from Richmond Inter-faith Forum, 27TH January 2021

RICHMOND-INTER-FAITH-FORUM-MINUTES-JANUARY-27TH-2021Download

Upcoming Events

Tracey Welding – Safeguarding
The annual Harmful Practices Virtual Learning Morning – this will be on 26th of February and around Child Abuse Linked to Faith and Belief (CALFB).  The event details will be sent out across the South West Boroughs (Richmond, Wandsworth, Kingston and Merton),  Please do sign up for this event here.

Mike Derry – Healthwatch/LBRUT Vaccination Seminar
Healthwatch Richmond, in partnership with NHS Richmond and the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, will be hosting COVID-19 Vaccinations in Richmond: What you need to know a free event featuring a panel of the top local experts delivering the vaccination programme to answer questions from the community about the vaccine and its rollout in the Borough.

Our panel will include:

  • Dr Patrick Gibson, GP Clinical Chair Richmond, NHS South West London CCG 
  • Tonia Michaelides, Locality Executive Director NHS South West London CCG
  • Julie Risley, Chair of Healthwatch Richmond (Event Chair)
  • Mike Derry, Chief Officer Healthwatch Richmond
  • A local Public Health Expect (tbc)
  • This event will be a live Zoom webinar (also accessible by phone) from 3.30 PM to 4.30 PM on 3rd February 2021.

Residents are invited to submit their questions to the panel in advance when they register or by calling us on 020 8099 5335 or emailing us at info@healthwatchrichmond.co.uk. 

To register for this event please click here to fill in the form. The link to the event will be shared with you by email closer to the event.

The event will be available to watch later here.

Diane Mills – Faithful Friends
Chris Hewer is giving an on line webinar on Thursday 4th February at 7:30 pm on the subject of ‘Three Abrahamic Faiths:- elements of Unity and Diversity’. Email dianamills@phonecoop.coop for details

Events

COVID-19 Vaccinations in Richmond: What you need to know Webinar

Healthwatch Richmond, in partnership with NHS Richmond and the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, will be hosting COVID-19 Vaccinations in Richmond: What you need to know a free event featuring a panel of the top local experts delivering the vaccination programme to answer questions from the community about the vaccine and its rollout in the Borough.

The panel will include:
● Dr Patrick Gibson, GP Clinical Chair Richmond
● Tonia Michaelides, Locality Executive Director NHS South West London CCG
● Julie Risley, Chair of Healthwatch Richmond (Event Chair)
● Mike Derry, Chief Officer Healthwatch Richmond
● Shannon Katiyo FFPH, Director of Public Health

This event will be a live Zoom webinar (also accessible by phone) from 3.30 PM to 4.30 PM on 2nd February 2021.

Residents are invited to submit their questions to the panel in advance when they register or by calling 020 8099 5335 or emailing participate@healthwatchrichmond.co.uk.

To register for this event please click here to fill in the form. The link to the event will be shared with you by email closer to the event.

Prayer

Prayer for the Nation

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York are encouraging us to pray for the nation as we continue to struggle with the effects of the pandemic on our lives, and mourn the loss of over 100,000 lives. They are suggesting that we put aside some time every day at 6pm to pause, pray and remember those who have died, and those who mourn and support the bereaved. Click here to read their letter and find more information.


Gracious God,
as we remember before you the thousands who have died,
surround us and all who mourn with your strong compassion.
Be gentle with us in our grief,
protect us from despair,
and give us grace to persevere
and face the future with hope
in Jesus Christ our risen Lord.
Amen.

News

Jerusalem and Southwark Dioceses Formally Linked

On Wednesday 20 January, the Archbishop in Jerusalem, The Most Revd Suheil Dawani, and the Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, signed the Jerusalem- Southwark Covenant Agreement, linking both Dioceses formally.

“We in the Diocese of Jerusalem look forward to formalizing our companion relationship with the Diocese of Southwark later this month, especially in that we have already enjoyed a close association between our two dioceses through St. George’s College. This Covenant Agreement will deepen that partnership, opening new opportunities for prayer, theological reflection, pilgrimage, and mutual support of our respective ministries between the clergy and people of our two dioceses,” said Archbishop Suheil.

Linking both Dioceses in this way formalises a long-standing relationship. Bishop Christopher is regularly invited by the Roman Catholic Bishops Conferences to participate as an Anglican Bishop in the “Holy Land Coordination”, making annual visits to Israel and Palestine. He is also a Patron of Embrace the Middle East, together with the Balfour Project, as well as Friends of the Holy Land, which funds sustainable and immediate relief work in the West Bank, Gaza and Jordan. The Dean of St George’s College, Jerusalem, Richard Sewell, was previously Team Rector of Barnes Team Ministry. Archbishop Suheil’s previous chaplain, David Longe, moved there from North Lambeth Team Ministry. Bishop Christopher and the Very Revd Andrew Nunn, Dean of Southwark, regularly lead pilgrimages to the Holy Land and Andrew also leads courses at St George’s College.

Bishop Christopher said, “Formalising our links in this way, builds on existing friendships and partnership in mission between the two dioceses. It is a historic moment and I am looking forward to strengthening our ties in the years to come.”

The Rt Revd Dr Richard Cheetham, Bishop of Kingston, has worked very closely with St George’s College Jerusalem over many years and chaired its British Regional Committee until recently. Among other things, he has helped to instigate and co-lead the College’s hugely successful and ground-breaking “Sharing Perspectives” course which now engages Christian, Muslim and Jewish leaders reflecting closely together in the Holy Land to gain better insights into each other’s perspectives on both the Holy Land and their faith. Bishop Richard said, “It has been a huge privilege to engage with the Diocese of Jerusalem for several years and this new Covenant opens the door for even closer relationships into the future which I hope and pray will enrich both Dioceses and the wider Church.”

Events, News

Support for Informal Carers

Carers Together is a new initiative to bring informal carers (unpaid carers who look after a friend or relative) together for support and encouragement, through weekly zoom meetings.

Starting on 21st January they will be hosting zoom meetings for informal carers every Thursday at 3pm. Those without internet access can phone in. The idea of the meetings are to give carers the opportunity to chat with others in similar situations for mutual support, in small breakout room groups. There will also be monthly guest speakers on relevant subjects with discussions afterwards.

For those who would like prayer support there will be opportunities for this as well. The initiative will have a distinctive Christian flavour but be accessible and welcoming to those outside the Christian faith as well.

Please share this with anyone who may be interested. For more information or to get involved, please contact Tina English (email tina@embracingage.org.uk or phone 020 3778 0035).