Click here for full meeting papers for all diocesan synods.
Paula Brackenridge from this Deanery asked a question concerning the difficulty churches were facing to become net zero.
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Some Thoughts on Church Heating
The Church of England has given some straightforward advice on alternative forms of heating for churches at: https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/churchcare/advice-and-guidance-church-buildings/heating
This extract giving an overview of heating challenges and options for churches, dates from 2020 its comments about the relative cost of gas and electricity may be out of date – https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2023-05/Heating_approaches.pdf
Heat pumps – are highly efficient use of the energy they consume. Best suited to churches in frequent use.
Air to air heat pumps are easier to install, ground to air are more efficient. The hot water for heating runs at a lower temperature compared with a gas/ oil boiler, so adjustments to radiator numbers may be needed. Alternatively works well via an underfloor heating installation.
Further reading – https://cofeportsmouth.contentfiles.net/media/assets/file/Heat_Pumps_and_Churches.pdf
Infra-red/ radiant heaters – these heat bodies rather than the air they are in, so there is no need to preheat the space: the heating can be turned on and off with the lights. They can be presented visually in different forms so that they are not intrusive – eg as white panels that blend into the ceiling, or as part of a chandelier light fitting Improvements in design mean the heat is felt as a gentle warmth rather than a burning heat of old models.
eg. https://www.herschel-infrared.co.uk/churches/
https://flexel.co.uk/shop/infrared-heating/church-heating/ecofilm-raised-platform/ – shows an interesting approach for installing underfloor heating.
Under pew electric heaters – warming one’s feet and as the heat rises, the rest of one’s person
eg – https://www.bnthermic.co.uk/church/ – under pew heating
https://www.churchecomiser.co.uk/church-heating/electric/ – also produces a modern variant of the storage heater.
Electric storage heaters – again these have improved greatly in design and effectiveness.
Or maybe we all bring our own rechargeable heated cushion? https://uk.stoov.com/
Judith Russenberger, Christ Church, East Sheen
St Richard’s Organist is Honoured
St Richard’s, Ham, send huge congratulations to their long-serving organist Tony Adkins on the award of a British Empire Medal for services to charity! His latest concert on 17th June at St Richard’s CofE Primary School in aid of St. Richard’s Church restoration appeal was his 29th charity concert which have raised funds for many different causes. It was attended by Deputy Mayor of Richmond Fiona Sacks and her consort Richard Sacks, and the Bishop of Kingston Martin Gainsborough – along with many others!
Climate Chat at St Luke’s, Kew
On Thursday 15th June, St Luke’s played host to ‘Climate Chat in the Church’, as part of Richmond Council’s Big Green Week. Continuing the momentum from March’s successful EcoFair, we held an informal panel-style event in the Marwood Room with three speakers: Toby Costin from CREW Energy, Cllr Julia Neden-Watts, Environment Lead at Richmond Council and Rosa Appleby-Alis from campaign group Mums for Lungs.
Each speaker gave a 10 minute brief overview of their area of expertise. Toby focused on how to ‘green’ your home, urging the audience to just ‘do something’, even if that something was simply turning your boiler temperature down. He also talked about heat pumps and new home heating technology, as well as the impact of insulation. Cllr Neden-Watts focused on recycling, where residents’ waste goes, what we can all do to fight food waste and reuse more items. She also previewed some exciting new projects, including a planned Library of Things in Richmond. Finally, to mark Clean Air Day, Ealing resident Rosa Appleby-Alis, from campaign group Mums for Lungs, spoke movingly about her 5 year old son’s battle with asthma and the way he is impacted by air pollution. She advocated for attendees to support the ULEZ expansion, make an effort to drive less and stop woodburning in built-up areas.
After these brief overviews, panellists took questions from audience members. These focused on topics as diverse as the longevity of solar panels, whether Townmead Recycling Centre could have a reuse shop, which plastics are recyclable in Richmond and issues around food waste recycling in flats.
Attendees then headed out into the church garden to enjoy a glass of wine or sangria, some savoury snacks and homemade cake, carrying on the very interesting conversations that had been sparked by the main talk!
Deanery Synod 7th June 2023
This was held at All Saints, All Saints Road, East Sheen at 7:30pm on Wednesday 6th June. See below for agenda and minutes.
Anne Taylor, Director of Nursing at Parish Nursing Ministries UK, talked about health ministry, the role of a Parish Nurse and how a Parish Nurse can support your church congregation and local community.
Welcome to the New Bishop of Kingston
The new Bishop of Kingston, The Revd Canon Dr Martin Gainsborough was consecrated on Thursday 2 February, at Canterbury Cathedral. Read the full press release below.
The Bishop of Southwark describe the service as “a glorious consecration of Bishops – great turnout and a warm welcome to Bishop Martin and Mary.
Bishop Martin said “Deep sense of gratitude for all that happened yesterday. Great to see so many people. Thank you all. Now to get to know the parishes, schools & chaplaincies of the Kingston Area and of course the wonderful clergy.”
The service was livestreamed and a recording can be watched here.
On Friday 16th December, Downing Street announce that the King has approved the nomination of The Reverend Canon Dr Jonathan Martin Gainsborough, Chaplain to the Bishop of Bristol, in the Diocese of Bristol, to the Suffragan See of Kingston, in the Diocese of Southwark, in succession to The Right Reverend Dr Richard Cheetham following his retirement.
Read the full press release below:
Rev’d Canon Martin Gainsborough will be consecrated Bishop on 2nd February 2023 at Canterbury Cathedral. Please pray for him in his new role:
Heavenly Father, our Shepherd and Guide
We thank you for the appointment
of your servant, Martin Gainsborough,
as bishop designate of Kingston.
May your Holy Spirit give him
your gifts of wisdom and strength,
gentleness and compassion,
as he prepares to take up his role as our pastor and teacher.
May he be a shepherd after your own heart,
who will love you, walk with Jesus and be filled with the Spirit.
May he be a leader of vision and a teacher of your truth,
Christ centred and outward focussed.
As Bishop designate Martin gets ready to make his home among us,
may we welcome him joyfully into our Diocesan community,
and together bear witness to Christ
and the building up of your kingdom.
We ask this through your Son Jesus Christ,
Amen.
Coronation Celebrations across the Deanery
Community celebrations, thanksgiving services, bellringing and joy was to be found across the deanery on Coronations weekend.
Around 100 people came for tea at St Richard’s, Ham, on the Monday as part of the Big Help Out. Earlier volunteers including the local Guides worked in the church grounds planting wildflower seeds.
Richmond and Barnes Deanery at Earth Day Events
The Big One
The Big One took place on the weekend beginning 21st April. For four days activists who were passionate about protecting the environment against the impact of human-driven climate change, filled the streets around Parliament Square. Some were first time activists, people for whom it was the first time that they had felt so passionate that they were willing to stand up and be counted.
On the Friday St John’s Waterloo hosted the No Faith in Fossil Fuels service – it was standing room only in the church with a couple more hundred in the garden and still people kept arriving. “Former Archbishop John Sentamu spoke passionately, naming the climate crisis “an offence against humanity”, and emphasising that we need to leave fossil fuels in the ground. The climate crisis is also a justice crisis in which those who contributed least are suffering the most! Our own new bishop of Kingston, Martin Gainsborough was also present and afterwards he spoke about the need for the bishops and the church take a lead on the climate crisis.
1400 pilgrims then marched to Parliament Square many carrying banners from the organisations they represented – Christian Aid, Cafod, Green Christian, the Iona Community, A Rocha – for many of these groups it was the first time they had joined a protest organised by XR – and this was in no small part due to the diligent effort of Christian Climate Action under the leadership of Melanie Compton.
Christian Climate Action hosted the Faith Hub – located on the pavement outside the Supreme Court – providing opportunities for worship in all shapes and traditions, and welcoming curious new comers and activists.
As well as worship, the Big One was four days of marches, workshops, training sessions, guest speakers, crafts and activities, organised picketing of government departments, music and dance. The busiest day was the Saturday with its focus on Biodiversity with about 60,000 attending including 5 from Christ Church, East Sheen. The march that day was so long it took well over an hour to get moving! It was full of people with banners, people in fancy dress, people with puppets and soft toys including penguins and leopards, trees and butterflies. Of course it was popular – what’s not to like about biodiversity? But why then is it that human activities are causing 6th mass destruction of wildlife on earth? Chris Packham spoke that day about this devastation being inflicted on the planet, and urged everyone who shared that same concern to sign up to Extinction Rebellion. I’m involved with Christian Climate Action which is a non-denominational Christian group that partners Extinction Rebellion. Click here to find out more about Christian Climate Action and to sign up for their newsletter.
The message of urgency was vocalised by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in the most recent IPCC report: “Humanity is on thin ice – and that ice is melting fast. Our world needs climate action on all fronts: everything, everywhere, all at once.” This was the message of The Big One!
Judith Russenberger from Christ Church East Sheen.
Members of other Churches in the Deanery were also present, including Claudine McCreadie from St Anne’s who took the cover pic.
Southwark Diocese Eco Church Celebration Event
Over 70 churches were represented at the Eco Church Celebration event held in St John’s Church, Waterloo on Earth Day (Saturday, 22nd April). There were inspiring speakers, such as Andy Atkins, CEO of A Rocha, Deborah Colvin from St James’s Piccadilly – a Gold award church, The Rev Sharon Moughtin, Vicar of St. Mary’s Eco Church, Lambeth, whose ministry specialises in engaging children and young people in thinking about climate and the new Bishop of Kingston, Martin Gainsborough who led us in a Service of Thanksgiving for Eco Church.
There was also an opportunity to take part in workshops on each of the awards’ areas (Land, Buildings, Lifestyle, Community & global engagement), to share learning and connect. Jack Edwards, Diocesan Environmental Officer, also spoke about about central church funding and the support that is planned for distribution to the Dioceses as part of the common goal to reach Net Zero.
It provided a great opportunity for St Luke’s to get energised and networked as we embark on our work to achieve our Silver Eco Church award. A perfect way to spend Earth Day!
Suzie O’Brien, St Luke’s, Kew
ALPHA COURSES IN THE DEANERY
Alpha is a weekly opportunity to explore the basics of the Christian faith. It is for everyone and anyone – whether you would consider yourself a Christian or not, whether you come to church or not, whether you believe in God or not. Come and find out more and ask questions without any judgement or assumptions. Alpha is free and you will not be asked to do or say anything you are not comfortable with.
Alpha at Holy Trinity, Barnes, starts 4th May
The next Alpha course at Holy Trinity, Barnes starts on 4th May Please visit https://htbarnes.org/join-alpha/ for further details and to book a place on the course.
Richard Harries in Conversation with Rabbi Julia Neuberger
St Mary’s, Barnes, were delighted to host the launch of Richard Harries autobiography The Shaping of a Soul – a life taken by surprise on Tuesday 18th April when he was in conversation with Rabbi Baroness Julia Neuberger.
Lord Harries was Bishop of Oxford from 1987 to 2006, after which he became a crossbench life peer in the House of Lords. He is the author of more than 40 books focused on art, literature, politics, social issues, morality, and, theology.