Category Archives: Events

Events

Talking about Christianity with Muslim Friends

10am-4pm, Friday 24th November 2023, St Anne’s Parish Hall, Kew Green, Kew

Dr Chris Hewer (https://chrishewer.org) will lead a day helping us understand similarities and differences between Christianity and Islam. He will focus on outlining the different models that the two faiths use and what comes to a Muslim’s mind when thinking about Christianity. The second main focus of the day will be on the way that Christian understandings of scripture and revelation differ radically from what Muslims might expect. Come and join us to reflect on what both Christians and Muslims believe, where they agree, and where they differ.

There is no charge, although donations are welcome. Tea and coffee will be provided, please bring your own packed lunch.

If you are interested, please contact Claudine McCreadie – dandcmcc@gmail.com.

Eco Deanery, Events

Deanery Eco Webinar

We are holding quarterly Webinars or Zoom meetings open to everyone in who is interested in caring for God’s creation and especially those who are involved with their Church’s Eco journey. Speakers will be invited and different topics focussed on so that churches in the deanery can benefit from each other’s experiences and learn together.

The first webinar was on Monday 11th September at 6pm. The speakers were Toby Costin from Crew Energy and Jack Edwards, the Diocesan Environmental Officer. The webinar was well attended with 12 churches represented, clearly showing the commitment by this deanery to caring for God’s creation. See below for presentation slides and to listen to Toby’s talk with Q&A.

Eco-Measures-for-churches-Toby-CostinDownload
Deanery-Eco-Webinar-Sep23-Jack-Edwards-SlidesDownload

“Richmond and Barnes Deanery is one of the most active deaneries in terms of the environment in the Diocese. Keep doing what you’re doing and share best practice.” – Jack Edwards

For more information or to join our email list, please contact deanerysynod@gmail.com.

Eco Deanery, Events

Pilgrimage for the Planet

People of all faiths and none were invited to join Christian Climate Action members on a pilgrimage along different sections of the Thames Path.

These London-based pilgrimages were part of a nationwide weekend of walking and prayer that was been organised by CCA. Each one represented and reflected the growing number of people, from all walks of life, who have a passion for justice and peace in their own locality and across the world as together we face the challenge of the climate crisis.

The final leg was on Sunday 10th September from Putney to Richmond

Judith Russenberger writes:

Out of thirteen pilgrimages organised by Christian Climate Action across the country, four took place along the Thames including the one from Putney to Richmond. Our small band of pilgrims were sent off with a blessing and prayers led by John Whitaker, vicar of St Mary’s Putney. As we followed the Thames Path upstream we paused to give thanks for the beauty and benefits of the river and its environment, as well as lament our shortcomings in caring for both its vitality and for our failure to ensure justice for the vulnerable in our local and global communities.

Our recurring refrain was Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never failing stream (Amos 5:24) and one of this year’s tag lines for creation-tide. Halfway we benefited from the welcomed hospitality offered by St Mary’s Mortlake as especially with the heat we needed to refill water bottles and enjoy the cool of the church. Exhausted (slightly fewer in number) but exultant we finally reached Richmond Bridge closing with a modern Franciscan blessing:

May God bless us with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that we may live deep within our hearts.
May God bless us with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that we may work for justice, freedom, and peace.
May God bless us with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, hunger, and war, so that we may reach out our hands to comfort them and turn their pain into joy.
And may God bless us with enough foolishness to believe that we can make a difference in this world, so that we can do what others claim cannot be done, to bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.
Amen.

For more information about Christian Climate Action visit https://christianclimateaction.org/ where similar events in the future will be advertised.

CCA-Planet-Pilgrimage-Sep23Download
Events

This House believes that the love of money is the root of the nation’s evils

A tradition dating back to the days of the Priory of St Bartholomew, West Smithfield, in the Middle Ages was the Disputation held in the Priory Church on the Eve of St Bartholomew’s Day and Bartholomew Fair. Initially, the debate concerned weighty theological matters, but also came to take on wider subjects that could be described as “applied theology”. This was the forerunner of parliamentary debates and academic tutorials, initiating the concept of a lively and rigorous exchange of ideas designed to persuade an audience.

For this year’s Disputation, St Bartholomew the Great welcomed high profile speakers from the City, politics (including Michael Gove) and the Church (including Rev Dr Giles Fraser, from St Anne’s, Kew) for a debate chaired by the Rt Revd Dame Sarah Mullally, Bishop of London:
This House believes that the love of money is the root of the nation’s evils.

Eco Deanery, Events

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!

Events

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.

https://alpha.org.uk/

Events, News

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. 

Events, Prayer

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 Deanery, Events

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.

MP Sarah Olney has a go on Jeremy Vine’s Penny Farthing!
Follow Kew EcoFair on Twitter

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!

  • ‘Good As New’ Clothes Swap – bring your old clothes and swap them for new ones!

  • Repair Cafe – bring your appliances, furniture, clothes and more in need of mending, and see if our repairers can help!

  • 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.

  • 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!

  • 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

  • Wishing Tree – enter for your chance to win one of our fantastic ‘mystery prizes’ donated by generous local businesses!

  • 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!