Summer celebrations

When Compass, Bermondsey's newest secondary school, approached us about using the church for their forthcoming summer production, The Lost Voice, and when we heard the play had an intriguing link with the Bermonsey dragon, we gladly agreed.

What talented youngsters they were who sung, acted, and danced their hearts out for two nights at St James, using the nave of the church, the narthex, the front steps, and the crypt for a kind of moving  production in which the audience travelled with the actors.

Excellent.

Meanwhile the dragon itself was the centre of attention for today's open day which also featured a tour of the hidden corners of the church, including the organ gallery, the pauper's gallery, the belfry, and our cavernous crypt.

After that we had the happy celebration of Richard and Samantha's Wedding. Every blessing to them.

Finally, to return to school summer productions, here are a couple of pics of St James's School's year 5 and 6 superb production of Bugsy Malone from Thursday:

Well done to years 5 and 6 and to all the students at Compass (one of whom, as he proudly told me, was ex-St James's boy).

Coming home.....the dragon

The dragon is back, regilded and restored

You can view it tomorrow from 11am to 1pm or after church on Sunday.

Thankyou, Simon

From Southwark News

It is announced today that Sir Simon Hughes is to take a break from politics after 38 years, 32 years of which he served as Bermondsey's member of parliament.

Simon will continue to live and work for our community here in Bermondsey, but he will not be a candidate for the next parliamentary election .

Whatever future responsibilities await Simon in his service to the locality (it is impossible to conceive of an inactive Hughes), this is a good moment to pay tribute to his amazing commitment and dedication to the people of Bermondsey over so many years.

When I arrived as a BermondseyVicar five and a half years ago, someone said to me: 'everyone in Bermondsey knows someone who has been helped by Simon Hughes.'

I have discovered the truth of that statement over and over again, so, today especially, THANKYOU SIMON, a true servant of the people, and a servant of the Lord. May God continue to bless you in his service. 

On top of the world

Photos from today's climb up the scaffolding of St James's Tower:

Synod observer (4)

After morning worship, Synod began with farewells to Jarvis the Guide Dog, at his last group of sessions in York before a well-deserved retirement.

It then spent most of the morning debating the report of the cathedrals working party. Cathedrals are thriving across the country, with growing congregations and huge numbers of visitors, but they are expensive places to run, and complicated to lead.

Some recent difficulties in a few cathedrals has led to this detailled report on how the cathedrals are led and governed. The report easilly passed its first consideration by the Synod, and in due course a draft measure (a bit like an Act of Parliament) will come to synod in order to put into effect some of the proposals in the report.

Prior to that, it was down to the Archbishop of York to propose the re-appointment of John Spence (who was not present at synod today) as the Chair of the Finance Committee of the Archbishops Council, which he did most warmly. Then several members spoke in the debate, including John's diocesan bishop who knows him well. With one voice they spoke so warmly of this remarkable servant of the Church.

John Spence (right) is a Scot, with a keen sense of humour, always on top of his brief, who, in addition to his mastery of the Church's financial position, is an amazing orator who can move and inspire synod with his speeches, full of a passionate love of the Gospel.

His vision is for every person in the country to know the risen and ascended Christ. He has led the re-orientation of the Church's structures, and finance towards mission. In his home church he serves on the catering committee and can often be seen with his hands deep in the sink washing the dishes after a church social. And he is blind.

After everyone had spoken in the debate, the Archbishop of York, was invited to reply.

'What can I say but this?' said the Archbishop who began to sing 'To God be the glory great things he has done. So loved he the world that he gave us his Son (and by now the whole of synod had joined in). Who yielded his life an atonement for sin, and opened the lifegate that all may go one. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear his voice, praise the Lord, Praise the Lord. Let the People rejoice. O Come to the Father through Jesus the Son and give him the glory great things he has done..'

It was one of the best closing speeches ever.

The Synod meets again in February - in London.

Synod observer (3)

After opening worship, we heard that the Archbishop of Canterbury, was in London for the baptism of Prince Louis (left). Synod spent a few months in silent prayer for the infant prince and for the royal family on this special day for them.

We spent the first part of the morning hearing about the work of the Archbishops' Council and agreeing its £43m budget for the coming year. Synod received news of the very encouraging increase of those coming forward for ordination, but this will have a big knock on effect on the budget of the Archbishops Council, a large proportion of which goes on clergy training.

None of this was a problem in itself, just the inevitable result of the growth we had prayed and worked for - but the money will have to be found for this investment in the Church's future.

Next we moved into a long session of legislative business which was to take up the rest of the morning and the greater part of the afternoon.

This was detailed work with many amendments, and many counted votes (using the electronic voting machines that are used for synod votes, either when a show of hands is inconclusive, or when, as with today, the nature of the business, to do with legislation, requires a counted vote). Our business was  all part of the simplification process designed to cut our unnecessary red tape and better equip the church for mission.

In one of these debates I got to make a speech - I didn't have one planned, but the opportunity presented itself to support an amendment I felt strongly about, namely, making voting for General Synod in the house of laity, more fair, and more proportionate.

Unfortunately, none of us who spoke were able to make the synod change its mind on this occasion, though, later Bermondsey's Adrian Greenwood, achieved success with a (very sensible) amendment that he tabled. So 1-0 to Bermondsey.

After all the legislative business, a very good debate followed on the long term sustainability of the National Health Service, after which synod unanimously passed the motion that had been tabled. Once again we benefited from in-house synod expertise, with many speakers testifying to many years experience working in the NHS, often in senior positions.

Sadly, we run out of time for the debate on the work of the Evangelism Task Force. I, as well as many others, had prepared a speech on this, but this will now have to wait for the February group of sessions in London.

Supper followed, and then I went to a fringe event, Setting God's People Free, about 7 day a week discipleship.

In the midst of all this a highlight of the day was the funny and moving address by the visiting Archbishop of South Asia, Moon Hing, delivered just after we returned from lunch.

It takes twelve hours to fly across his province which has a population of 500m, only one per cent of whom are Christians. But the Church is alive and growing, and committed to intentional discipleship.

They have planted 100 new churches in recent years, and are adding 10,000-12,000 new members each year. It was stirring stuff and encouraging to us back here in what the Archbishop called 'the mother church' of the communion.

And so ended a busy synodical day, but first let me tell you about Mr Freeman. It is a curious feature of synod rules that debates can only be ended by a motion proposed from the floor.

It is Mr Freeman's long accustomed role to perform that function for synod members. 'Point of Order, Mr Chairman, John Freeman, Chester 278. May I tempt you to a motion of closure on item number xx' is the familiar cry that rings out from synod. Sometimes the chair wants to hear more speeches, but often Mr Freeman times it just right.

Or sometimes the chair says 'after the next speaker I would like to hear from Mr Freeman.' We all know what that means and we once again bless the name of Mr Freeman.

Not even John can help us on certain debates, mainly ones affecting the Canons of the Church where no motion of closure can be made, and the debate must continue until there is no one standing to speak.

We had several of those situations today and then some of the sweetest words a synod member can ever hear come from the chair who says 'I see no one standing.' That means we can move to a vote. Sighs of relief all round. We can go and and have a cup of tea.

Synod Observer (2)

Day 3 of the General Synod in York and synod members joined the regular congregation of York Minister for a service of Holy Communion at which the Archbishop of York was the preacher.

Meanwhile, I joined the congregation at Heslington Church (left), the village church close to the University, which was enlarged and re-ordered in the early 70s, soon after the University was founded.

As a York student this was where I worshipped on Sunday mornings, and where, almost forty years ago to the day, I was confirmed.

It was very special to be back at Heslington Church, or 'Hes', as it is known by current students at the University, for today's service of Holy Communion and Baptism.

I loved the informal style of the vicar and the way he made the baptism family so welcome and interacted with the children in such a friendly way.When the kids went out to Sunday School one lad, about four years old, lingered by the Communion rail. 'Can I see the water?' he said to the vicar, who lifted him up to peer in the font. Curiosity satisfied, he ran off to join the others.

After lunch,  the Synod got down to business in the chamber with debates on climate change, environmental programmes and the ethics of nuclear weapons. This was part of synod's brief to comment on national affairs, offering a Christian perspective and, where appropriate, making representations to Her Majesty's Government.

Synod members take a break from debates

These were good debates, with many wise and expert contributions, as well as plenty of disagreement. As always it was fascinating to hear from synod members with particular expertise or experience.

This came out particularly in the debate on nuclear weapons where a number of current or former members of the Armed Forces spoke, including the Chaplain of the Fleet, who in a powerful and moving address spoke of the men and women who man Britain's nuclear submarines, completely cut off from their families, social media and the rest of the world for three months at a time, all to protect the people of our nation.

After all that, it was time for the Southwark members supper in the Charles XII pub in Heslington, a happy and convivial occasion to round off the day/

Synod Observer (1)

Central Hall at the University of York has rarely seen scenes like it, certainly not during the annual series of sessions of the Church of England's General Synod.

Synod debates are usually sedate affairs with at most a bit of polite hand clapping, but when the re-arrangement of synodical business allowed the England match to be shown live on the big screens in the Central Hall, the chamber resounded to the unaccustomed sound of loud and fervent cheers, and the even rarer spectacle of the Archbishop of Canterbury joining in with an impromptu Mexican wave.

Well, we are the Church of England, after all, so what else could we do but support England?

Next up we could get rid of that mauve cross logo and start flying the flag of St George on all our publicity. (Steady on).

But apart from the football, what else have we been doing?

Our July meeting in York began yesterday afternoon with addresses by various members of the worldwide Anglican Communion, followed by an address from the leader of the German Lutheran Church.

A debate on the agenda was followed by Question Time. This must be a synodical record but all 87 of the tabled questions were dealt with and we finished early for dinner, but not before we had had Evening Worship. It is good that the synod programme includes these moments for prayer and worship in the midst of the business of debates.

SATURDAY
Morning Worship was followed by stirring Presidential Address from the Archbishop of York entitled 'God is nudging us to hope.'

He concluded his address thus: 'I believe there is no need to overcomplicate Christ's Gospel. So I end with a plea that as we go out with a message of hope to the people we live amongst, we first search our hearts to know truly from where our own hope comes, and that as we deliver our message, we model ourselves on him from whom our hope comes. As the Apostle Peter (said)...'always be ready to make your defence to anyone who demands from you and accounting of the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence.'

Next up was a serious and sobering debate on Safeguarding. Synod had to grapple once more with the horrible reality of church based sexual abuse. We will undoubtedly have to return to this subject.

Central Hall, York University

Lunch followed and then the synod took part in a series of seminars, some on the forthcoming teaching document on human sexuality, and others on digital evangelism, children and young people and the environment.

There were 9 seminars in all. The timetable allowed you to do 3 or, if you are a football fan, 2. They were of high quality and this was a welcome addition to the synodical programme, allowing us to meet in smaller gatherings to discuss these important matters.

Dinner followed and thus ended a busy synodical day.

Meet the dragon

The Bermondsey Dragon returns from repair next weekend, and members of the public will be able to take a close up view of St James's famous weathervane at ground level, before it returns to its usual perch on top of the bell tower.

The dragon will be exhibited in the church next Saturday (14th July) from 11am to 1pm.

During that time members of the public will also be able to visit other normally hidden areas of the church, including the Pauper's Gallery, the Choir Gallery and the crypt.
Everyone is welcome.

Flying the flag and loving your neighbour

From the BBC website, the scene on the Kirby Estate in Bermondsey during last night's match.

Also see their story about  how the Kirby residents invited their Columbian neighbours to fly their own flag, and also how even the dogs are getting in on the act.

Right to the top

TOUR THE TOWER OF ST JAMES. Climb the scaffolding  right to the top and meet the stonemasons. 

A once in a lifetime opportunity. 

You will need to be fit! 

£10 donation per person please towards the Joyslide project. Wedneday 11 July: 4 slots: 9am, 10.30am, 1pm, 2.30pm. (6 people per slot).   

Book by phoning the church office on 020 3643 2327.

Bermondsey Carnival

The biggest Bermondsey Carnival ever, with 15,000 people in attendance

You can't make it up

You can't make it up.

You really can't if, like Jacob our new curate, you're going to be a minister in the good old CofE.

At the start of their ministry in any parish, a minister has to be what Jacob did today at St Anne's and then at St James: read the Declaration of Assent (left).

It starts of by saying that the CofE is not the one true church, just part of it: '"The Church of England is part of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, worshipping the one true God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.'

Then it spells out what it believes, namely: "the faith uniquely revealed in the Holy Scriptures and set forth in the catholic creeds..... Led by the Holy Spirit, it has borne witness to Christian truth in its historic formularies, the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion, The Book of Common Prayer and the Ordering of Bishops, Priests and Deacons"

The Declaration 'public and openly made...in the presence of the Congregation assembled at the time of divine worship'

It is that great deposit of faith, revealed in the Scriptures, set forth in the creeds, witnessed to in the Articles and the Prayer Book, that Jacob and all of us are called to 'proclaim afresh' in this generation.

Not to to make it up, but to proclaim faithfully 'the faith once delivered to the saints' (Jude 1.3). May God help him and all of us to do that.

Speaking the words of God

Just ordained - Jacob Mercer our new curate after today's service in Southwark Cathedral:

We look forward to welcoming Jacob to both churches tomorrow.

As always, the words of the ordination service packed quite a punch.

'You sent your only Son Jesus Christ to take the form of a slave; he humbled himself for our sake and in obedience accepted death, even death on a cross' the Ordination Prayer stated, taking its cue from Philippians chapter 2.

That word 'slave' - rather than the usual, tamer, translation of 'servant' - struck home.

And then the link with Jacob and the other candidates: 'And now we give you thanks that you have called these your servants, whom we ordain in your name, to share as deacons in the ministry of the gospel of Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'

That's a high calling, or rather a properly lowly calling, patterned on Christ, and we pray for Jacob as he lives it out here.

Like all good workmen, he'll need the proper tools of his trade, and so at the end of the service, he was given a copy of the Scriptures with these words:

Receive this book, as a sign of the authority given to you this day to speak God's word to his people. Build them up in his truth, and serve them in his name.

Without the Bible Jacob has literally nothing to say, but when the message of the Bible is in his heart and on his lips, God will speak to us through him.

Now that really is a high calling - and privilege.

Proclaiming Jesus

To Westminster Central Hall for the launch of Tom Wright's biography of the Apostle Paul, a book I have just started reading.

Paul, the great enemy of Jesus became the greatest proclaimer of Jesus, and in the process got to write about half of the New Testament.

He was the greatest public intellectual of his day, according to his biographer, bishop, and bible scholar, Tom Wright.

Tonight the author introduced his book, and then Martin Bashir chaired a question and answer session, posing some of his own questions, together with a selection of those that had been submitted by the audience.

It was a great evening and it certainly whetted my appetite to get on with the book, by this great scholar who has spent a lifetime studying the writings of Paul, and who has now turned his attention to writing an account of the apostle's life.

Tom Wright's encyclopedic knowledge of Scripture and the world of the first century I am sure will combine to produce rich insights into the man who Jesus called on the road to Damascus to proclaim his name to the Gentiles.

Meanwhile at Wychcroft, the Diocesan retreat house,  our new curate, Jacob Mercer, has just completed his ordination retreat prior to his ordination tomorrow in Southwark Cathedral

Here, from the Diocesan twitter feed, are the eleven curates-to-be,  pictured with Bishop Christopher. May God bless them richly, tomorrow and throughout their ministries. (Jacob is on the far left in the picture).

Best of times, worst of times

It's been the best of times and the worst of our times for our community here in Bermondsey.

From Southwark News

BBC Breakfast News was live today from Bermondsey's Kirby Estate ('Is this the most patriotic estate in Britain?' they asked).

It was nice to see some St James School children playing in the background, whilst the BCC interviewed the organisers of the magnificent display of flags that adorns the estate, and has attracted publicity round the world.

The organisers pointed out that the 260 England flags are joined by flags from Poland, Brazil, Morocco. 'Why is that?' asked the BBC. 'It's all about bringing the community together' they replied.

I love that vision, and I love the many community minded people and individuals in our community, the very best of Bermondsey

If occurrences like this - or our wonderful baptisms and confirmations on Sunday - are the best of times, then the current spate of knife crime represents the worst of times for us here in Bermondsey.

On Tuesday night it came very close to home with a knife attack on a young man in St James's Churchyard 

Let's pray for the police, let's pray for peace in our community, let's pray 'thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.'

Blessings all round

It was a bumper day for our churches yesterday with three special services.

Getting ready for the outdoor baptisms

First up, was our united baptism service at St James in the morning with five children baptised at the font, and three adults baptised by immersion in an inflatable  pool in the churchyard.

We had just got to that point in our sermon series from Romans where the Apostle Paul reveals the answer to our greatest question 'how can I be put right with God.'

It was great to hear his answer: 'God puts people right through their faith in Jesus Christ' and to hear each of our three adult candidates testify to their faith (below) before they were baptised.

So God bless all our candidates from the youngest, Josiah, (just two months old - he slept blissfully through the whole thing) - to the other children, Joshua, Leo, Ava, Sophia, to Gareth, Daniel, and Asha who were baptised outside.

Next up, it was to Southwark Cathedral at 3pm to see Adrian Greenwood installed as a Lay Canon, a very well deserved honour, marking his many years of service to the Diocese. not least as Lay Chair of the Diocesan Synod. Thank you. Adrian, for all you do and congratulations from all of us at St James & St Anne's.

Marian & Adrian after the service in the Cathedral

From the Cathedral, it was a short hop to St Mary Magdalen in Bermondsey Street for the Bermondsey Deanery Confirmation, presided over by Bishop Karowei, at which our three candidates, Gareth, Daniel, and Asha were confirmed.

It was a great conclusion to a truly blessed day. Thank you, Lord.

Here are some more pictures (thanks Pat):