St Peter’s, Petersham recorded these songs for Lent and Easter 2021. Vaughan Williams wrote the Five Mystical Songs between 1906 and 1911. The work sets four poems (the first, ‘Easter’, being divided into two parts) by seventeenth-century Welsh-born English poet and Anglican priest George Herbert (1593–1633), from his 1633 collection The Temple: Sacred Poems. As befits Herbert’s mystical poetry, the music is reflective and colourful, with quiet, personal meditations in between ecstatic songs of praise.
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Christian Meditation Group at the Barn Church
Kew United Benefice will be starting a new initiative aimed at offering some space in our busy lives for quiet, meditative time with God. Beginning on Monday 17th April, there will be a weekly half hour meditation group meeting at St Philip & All Saints (The Barn Church) on Mondays at 7pm. Please arrive by 6.50pm to start meditating promptly at 7pm. All are welcome and no prior experience is needed.
Beni Woolmer from the Barn Church has spent time working and training in Christian meditation and writes:
“Meditation involves sitting quietly in silence and repeating one word, or a short phrase, called the mantra. The word that is recommended in Christian meditation is Maranatha, the oldest Christian prayer, it’s an Aramaic word, the language Jesus spoke, meaning “Come Lord” or “The Lord Comes”
This sounds simple, actually it’s incredibly difficult because our minds chatter away in mini seconds, thinking we must buy a birthday card for our niece, or remembering to put olive oil on our Sainsbury’s list or -did I switch the oven off?! The best way to learn to meditate is to meditate! Most of our training in prayer is limited to the mind, there are many different types of prayer but meditation is the prayer of the heart where we are not talking to God or thinking about God, or asking for what we need- we are simply being with God. “Be still, and know that I am God”. (Psalm 46)
This tradition of meditation goes back to the time of Christ (Matt.8) Jesus says about prayer- don’t go chattering on; go to your private room and close the door.
John Main, a Benedictine monk recovered this very ancient Christian way of prayer, of bringing the mind to rest in the heart, through the teaching of the desert fathers and mothers, especially John Cassian. 4th century AD.
The Vatican Council in the early 1960’s emphasized the need to develop “a contemplative orientation” in the spiritual lives of Christians today. Meditation is a universal, spiritual practice which brings us to silence, stillness and simplicity.
I do hop you will join me.”
Eco-Church Bronze Success
Congratulations to St Luke’s and St Anne’s in Kew and to St Matthias and St John the Divine in Richmond on their recent Bronze Eco Church awards. Nine churches in the deanery now hold this award and are now working towards silver.
The award is given in recognition of each Church’s efforts to care for God’s earth in the following categories: Worship & Teaching; Management of Buildings and Land; Community and Global Engagement; and Lifestyle. Each church has a team of dedicated members who have worked hard to achieve this award and will be diligently working towards their silver awards.
Vacancy at The Vineyard Community Centre
The Vineyard Community Centre in Richmond has a vacancy for a Christian to be its part-time Communications Officer. They are recruiting for a new Communications Officer to deliver a communications strategy for the Vineyard Community Centre. Click here to download an information pack and application form for more detail on job description, requirements and salary.
The closing date is 12pm on Friday 14th April 2023.
Diocesan Synod 11th March 2023
Click here for full meeting papers from all diocesan synods.
Kew EcoFair
Over 500 people attended the first Kew Eco Fair on Saturday 11th March and engaged with the message of how message of how we can all take better care of God’s Earth. Some pictures are below and more news and pictures can be found at @KewEcofair.
St Luke’s Church, Kew to be hosting the very first Kew EcoFair on Saturday March 11th (10:30am – 2pm).
Launched as part of St Lukes’ EcoChurch initiative, the aim of the event is to inspire local residents to take action on climate change and to feel empowered to make changes in our everyday lives to help protect God’s Earth.
The event will be officially opened by broadcaster and active travel advocate Jeremy Vine, as well as the Mayor of Richmond.
There is something for everyone!
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‘Good As New’ Clothes Swap – bring your old clothes and swap them for new ones!
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Repair Cafe – bring your appliances, furniture, clothes and more in need of mending, and see if our repairers can help!
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Active Travel Festival – get your bike health checked with our friends from London Cycle Workshop in East Sheen, shop for second-hand bike bits and check out different cargo and folding bikes with Richmond Cycling Campaign, and engage with the work of local pedestrian advocacy group Richmond Living Streets.
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Eco Shopping – browse our wonderful eco-business stalls, from sustainable lifestyle shops to eco candles, from home produce to rentable party gear, as well as our ‘Regifted’ present stall, we’ve got you covered!
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Entertainment – there will be free childrens’ craft activities, singing by the Kew Community Choir and 2nd Kew Brownies, music from the Motleys, and nature-themed activities for the whole family provided by Dose of Nature
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Wishing Tree – enter for your chance to win one of our fantastic ‘mystery prizes’ donated by generous local businesses!
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Refreshments – a delicious vegetarian lunch and tea/coffee will be available, courtesy of St Luke’s Social Committee
Follow Kew EcoFair on Twitter @KewEcofair for all the latest news – and email Charlotte Baker/Suzie O’Brien at kewecofair@gmail.com with any enquiries.
By St Luke’s, Kew, this new event aims to empower & inspire members of the local community to tackle climate change
Broadcaster & active travel advocate @theJeremyVine will be coming to open proceedings!
St Michael and All Angels Choral Evensong Broadcast
Click here to listen to a BBC broadcast of choral evensong broadcast from St Michael and All Angels, Barnes.
Pastoral Café at St Anne’s, Kew
The Pastoral Support Team (PST) of St Anne’s, Kew, identified the importance of establishing a visible pastoral presence in the church during the week for anyone who would like a little company and a friendly welcome.
They launched the St Anne’s Welcome Café in February which will be open every Tuesday 10.00 – 12.00 in the Lady Chapel.
Each week, two pastoral support volunteers will host the Welcome Café offering refreshment and a friendly listening ear. All who pass by are welcome – visitors to the building, those who have come to pray, and the many volunteers who stop by during the week. The Lady Chapel offers its quiet beauty and prayerfulness to assist in providing welcome and fellowship to strangers and friends alike.
If you, or anyone you know could benefit from a cup of tea and a chat, or just to be with others for a while – please do come along and encourage them to join us.
Prayers for Ukraine – 1 Year On
On Sunday 28th February, St Mary’s, Barnes held a Service of Reflection & Prayer for the first anniversary of the Russian re-invasion of Ukraine. Click picture above to view.
Deanery Synod 6th February 2023
This was held at Christ Church, Christchurch Road, East Sheen at 7:30pm on Monday 6th February. See below for agenda and minutes.
Laura Lowther, CEO of the Riverbank Trust, talked about the work of the charity supporting single mothers in the Borough of Richmond.