Parish Updates

The following notes are updates from the Parishes from the last meeting in April 2024

Christchurch Southwark – Fr Lee Chantles, Phillip Batten

New Vicar, Stuart is settling in and becoming acquainted with the area and its new community.

• They are on the planning committee for the big project of  renovating their church yard
• Big response to Holy Week
• They have a new monastic community

St Agnes Kennington – Fr Robert Wright

Fr Robert is coming up to his first anniversary

• He has been consolidating some things and restarting others. Rekindling the social activities after the pandemic. Summer fete brought in £700. Christmas Fete made £800
• Leafleting the parish with Christmas cards, yielded quite some interest.
• Baptised a young lad whose mother used to attend the church: restored family attendance
• Has spent time learning “the rhythm of the year” and discovering the parish.
• Has found big contrasts between the affluent in the Parish with their big houses and the very poor sleeping in the park, to which members of the congregation bring food.
• Consolidation and moderate growth in the church with numbers 50+. Asking God to give them the right questions if not the answers.

Southwark Cathedral – Michael Lawson

• Inviting people to bible study, explore interpretations of the scriptures.
• Focus on “sustainability” looking not to spend so much on the building’s fabric.
• New outreach through the Southbank community, and multi faith with the mosques.

St George The Martyr –  Fiona Andrews

Father Ben joined the parish in September. Consolidating and building up community. People have responded very well to his energy.

• Amazing food cooperatives in the crypt.
• Their music academy has lots of potential. Baptisms lined up.
• Exploring their unique historical side. Their patronal festival was glorious.

St Michael All Angels – Mtr Deserine Swaby

They anticipate change as Father Jonathan Roberts is retiring soon. Archdeacon visited to discuss their future plans and its effect on them.

• They are focusing on growing their young people as the numbers there are a bit low.
• Looking to see how they can also engage some of the older people in the parish.
• Exploring opportunities for outreach with weekends away.

St Christophers – Beth Llewelyn, Olubiyi Odusanya

Rebuilding numbers slowly. Has a comparatively good Christmas and Easter  compared to the pandemic – 2018/19.

Started a monthly teenage bible study group led by two members who have grown from small children and have been inspired to lead a group. The young generation are getting engaged.

1.29.39

St John’s Walworth  – Matilda Taylor-Young

Currently in interregnum since Father John retired last October. They have maintained their daily mass led by their 3 person SPA. Their curate is providing continuity to those who have been with them for 18 years. Archdeacon Jonathan has been very helpful . Their bible study is thriving . She has started their parish profile and sent a draft to the archdeacon. They have decided to explore the bishop appointed route.

Children’s ministry Engaging youth of all ages

St Paul’s Lorrimore Square – , Akin Akinwunmi, Anastasia Obeng

St Paul’s Nursery is moving on from the big community space on the first floor. Looking for new opportunities to fill the space.

BIble study after lent is invigorating and thriving. Problems with our roofs, means to address the leaks.

The choir has been thriving now the choirmaster has engaged them. They enjoy it and are learning. Up to 21 kids in the choir so the youth ministry is happening.

Bingo in the hall was very well received with plenty of mostly elderly attendants. Gives us a pool into the community for upcoming events.

St Mary’s Newington – Dr Borna Douglas

They lost their hall that brought in good revenue. They are arranging with the developers to get flats for residents. Engagement with the local schools made the Chridtmas events very successful. They are looking to employ a musical leader to liaise with the schools. Looking to worship with more Anglican influences away from perceived pentecostal . They are looking to return to the pulpit, sing canticles and psalms to return to traditional Anglican practice.

St Peter’s Walworth – Siriol Davies, Stuart Murrell

10 people are being prepared for communion. Providing training for lay ministry. They have invited bakers into their crypt to make pastries.   They are looking to repurpose their crypt.