Holy Trinity, Barnes, want to develop the land around their church as a place of sanctuary and hospitality for both local people and nature.
They are working to turn their memorial garden into a welcoming green space, rich in natural biodiversity. They have also created a community garden, where they grow organic vegetables together, using no-dig methods, to supply the local foodbank. In their first season, they have harvested nearly 40kg of veg from their raised beds to date. They work with other growers in the area too, to get their surplus produce to those who need it most.
They also run a microbakery, which operates as a separate social enterprise. The income from sales of bread supports their work supplying the foodbank with fresh loaves each a week and our community garden.
After last summer’s successful talk, Rev. Dr Simon Coupland will be giving a PowerPoint presentation about the Vikings with all new material. Free entry – just turn up. Donations can be given to the church’s Restoration Appeal.
Cabaret Night Fundraiser
The church was buzzing on Saturday 7 October at a Cabaret evening with music from Nightshades, Becky Moult, the Hanwell ukulele group, and more! A great evening raising funds for our restoration appeal.
Zac’s Sponsored Swim
5-year old Zach who attends St Richard’s School is did a sponsored swim to raise money for St Richard’s restoration appeal. Click here to read the full story.
What did the Vikings ever do for us?
Cycling for St Richard’s!
These intrepid cyclists cycled 50 miles to raise funds for St Richard’s roof appeal. Click here to see their story.
Anthony Adkins Piano Concert
St. Richard’s CE Primary School, Ham, on 17 June at 7:30 pm. In aid of St. Richard’s Church restoration appeal. Tickets are £25 each (including interval refreshments) are available from Eventbrite or at the door. Doors open at 7pm.
Launch Event – 4th March
On 4th March St Richard’s Church in Ham welcomed MP Sarah Olney, Mayor of Richmond Councillor Julia Cambridge and Archdeacon of Wandsworth John Kiddle to the launch of their restoration appeal, along with many other guests. Water getting into the building has caused significant damage, and it was revealed that the estimated cost of just the first stage of repairs has risen to £350,000, with the final bill perhaps as much as £1m.
Local architect Richard Woolf spoke passionately about the architectural significance of the church, saying that the design by architect Ralph Covell appears to be unique. The mayor, MP and archdeacon all spoke warmly in support of saving the building. The choir from the local church school, St Richard’s, sang beautifully, with the headteacher saying how much the school used the church every week. From the church, the leader of the fundraising team Chris Ruse highlighted the structural problems while vicar Simon Coupland set out the different ways people could give.
Many people commented on how good it was for the community to come together in this way, and there were widespread expressions of support for the project. Now the church will be putting on a series of fundraising events, applying for grants, and hoping that many people who appreciate the building and want to see it saved will give generously and encourage others to do the same.
Congratulations to the Rev Dr Hannah Swithinbank, Assistant Curate at St Philip & All Saints with St Luke, Kew who was ordained priest on Saturday 6th July at All Saints, Kingston.
The Rt Revd Dr Martin Gainsborough Bishop of Kingston said “Such a joy to ordain priest eleven wonderful people to serve in the Kingston Episcopal Area in an uplifting service at All Saints Kingston. Thanks be to God!”
Rev Dr Hannah Swithinbank pictured with Rev Dr Melanie Harrington, vicar of St Philip & All Saints with St Luke, Kew
At St Anne’s, Kew, the Vicar’s Deep Dives provide an introduction to some fundamental theological themes. They draw upon the latest on contemporary scholarship to help illuminate the core issues of the Christian tradition. They take place on the last Tuesday of the month, at 7.30pm, following a Eucharist at 7pm. All are most welcome.
Programme for 2023/4 focuses on the Bible: 30th July – John 27th August – Paul’s Letters 24th September – Revelation
Programme for 2024/5 Theologians and Disputes of the Early Church 2025 is the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea, a historic gathering of the church that gave us the Nicene Creed. This series of deep dives will concentrate on how the theology of the early church developed, laying the foundations of Christian theology 29th October – A Parting of the Ways: Church and Synagogue split 26th November – Logos Theology: Origen of Alexandria (185-254 CE) 2025 28th January – Divine but not Human: Arius (250-336 CE) and Athanasius (296-373 CE) 25th February – Nicea 325 CE and the Trinity 25th March – Original Sin: Augustine (354-430 CE) and Pelagius (354-418 CE) 29th April – Donatism 27th May – Development of Early Spirituality (Pseudo-Dionysus) 24th June – Monasticism (St Anthony and Egypt) 29th July – Eastern Christianity 26th August – Iconoclastic Controversy in 8th/9th centuries 30th September – Anselm (1033-1109 CE) and Salvation
The Richmond Team Ministry has been asked by the Diocese of Southwark to use the pilot Anti-Racism Charter Parish study resource and then offer feedback.
There will be an opportunity to explore how we might actively counter, disrupt, and oppose racial injustice wherever we find it in our churches, workplaces and communities.
There will be four sessions on Wednesdays after the 10am Eucharist at St Mary Magdalene, beginning at 11am and finishing at 12:15pm. These sessions will offer an opportunity to reflect deeply on our own views and assumptions and explore our calling as disciples of Christ.
In Christ and as Christ – Wednesday 3rd July
Rebuilding the city – Wednesday 10th July
The trees that we have to climb – Wednesday 17th July
Putting it all together and into action – Wednesday 24th July
On Sunday 10th May, parishioners of St Peter’s, Petersham, along with the Mayor of Richmond and councillors, sea scouts, descendents of Captain Vancouver and many others turned out to honour Captain George Vancouver who is buried in the graveyard. This is an annual event which is usually held on or near the anniversary of Vancouver’s burial at Petersham, which took place on May 10, 1798. It traces its origins back to the aftermath of World War II, when the commemoration was first held as a thank-you to Canada for financial support to repair war damage suffered by St. Peter’s Church.
Church historian, Jean Allsopp, gave an interview with Feliks Banel of KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM Seattle. Click here to listen to Jean’s or read more below.
Congratulations to Eco Team at St Luke’s, Kew on winning a Richmond Community Hero Award for last year’s Kew Eco Fair. The Community Heroes Awards aim to highlight and honour those working and living in Richmond upon Thames who go above and beyond to make their community a better place to live, work and learn. Kew Eco Fair galvanised hundreds of locals in learning more about the benefits of sustainable living and making it easy to know how to get involved in climate activity in our borough.
Another Eco Fair is planned for 2025.
Charlotte Baker, Tracey Baker and Suzie O’Brien receiving a Richmond Community Heroes Award for Kew Eco Fair
praying together, learning together, working together
