After Easter with Riverside & St James

We are in the midst of our Schools Week at St James this week.

15 classes of Key Stage 2 children, drawn from two local schools (Riverside and St James's) are visiting us a class at a time for 'What happened after Easter?'

Last year we looked at the events of Holy Week & Easter. This year we are looking at what followed: the Ascension, Pentecost, the mission of the Church.

At each 'station,' children hear a bit about the story and take part in some kind of craft activity. For the Ascension, they made a crown, to remember that Jesus became the king.

For Pentecost, they made a dove, symbolic of the Holy Spirit.

Paul as Paul

At the third station they meet with the Tentmaker-turned-Apostle, Paul (right), appropriately enough - in a tent - to hear how his life was turned round when he met Jesus.

Our own Paul was the Apostle Paul on this occasion, and for the craft activity the children cut out an outline of their hands on coloured paper, and added it to a collage.

This reminded us that Paul's hands which had been turned to evil matters before he met Christ, became good hands, doing God's work.

All together 450 local children will have participated in this project during the course of the week. Brilliant.

Pentecost

Crown making

New signs

It's been a long time coming, but thanks to Southwark Council, our local councillors and the Friends of St James's Churchyard, three smart new noticeboards are going up in the Churchyard.

The one in Thurland Rd has a panel highlighting the historical significance of the church building. The other two (by the Gregorian and the St James's Rd entrance) highlight the Churchyard itself.

All three have room for details of church and community activities, and are rendered in the same shade of heritage green as the church doors.

Double blessing

A double blessing for St James members, Connell and Bukkie - their beautiful twins, Adriel and Ayanna, baptised today, Trinity Sunday.

Meanwhile in both churches we were launching details of our planned celebrations for the Queen's 90th Birthday on 12th June in the Churchyard, and giving out copies of 'The Servant Queen and the King She serves'.

Good news down Rob's street

Our latest Men's Breakfast took place at St James today.

A full cooked breakfast, plus a talk by Rob Barker on 'Birkenhead, born and bred.'

Rob was working in the shipbuilding industry and he was pretty convinced that church wasn't for people like him, but God had other ideas.

It was the baptism of their third child and a course taken in his own home called' Good News Down the Street', that changed Rob's life for good.

From that start he grew as a Christian and ended up serving with Church Army as an evangelist, which he continues to do to this day.

One of the men - first time at the men's breakfast, asked an interesting question.

'Church Army?' he said. 'I've never heard of them. Are they militant?'

According to the Cambridge Dictionary the definition of militant is 'active, determined, and often willing to use force.'

That's not quite Church Army as we know it.

But change it to 'Active, determined, and often willing to use love' and you get a bit closer.

Servant Queen

Over 600,000 copies have already been ordered of the book, The Servant Queen and the King She Serves.

In her own words Her Majesty the Queen explains how her Christian Faith has guided her throughout her life.

This Sunday at St James and St Anne's churches each family will receive a copy of the book (right), plus one to give away to a friend.

Next month at a special service in church for the children of St James's School to celebrate the Queen's Birthday, every child and every member of staff will receive one too.

Click on the video above to find out more about the book - and come to church on Sunday to collect your copy.

Meanwhile, watch out for our Celebration Open Air Service for the Queen's 90th in the Churchyard on Sunday 12th June at 10.30am, followed by a Community Fun Day from 12 noon to 4pm.

It will be a right Royal Bermondsey Celebration.

Pentecost at the cathedral

Our week of prayer for Pentecost came to a wonderful conclusion tonight in Southwark Cathedral with the Diocesan Pentecost Service.

The Kingdom Choir (above) led us in a medley of Gospel songs; Bermondsey resident and Canon Missioner, Stephen Hance, preached a great sermon.

Mick Hough and Sue Clarke (left) from the Diocesan Evangelical Union led the prayers, taking the Lord's Prayer, as their theme; and we heard several stories of excellent mission projects from around the diocese, including the church plant in Kenley which has sprung up under the leadership of Chris Thomson (below), ably assisted by his theologian wife, Donna, and a great team from the church there, including a newly baptised man from that new church who movingly testified to the new life he had found in Christ.

Bermondsey prayer walk

Today as part of our Week of Prayer we had a
prayer walk along the boundaries of our two parishes.

From St James's Church we walked down to the river (the parish boundary goes down the middle of the Thames), and then via West Lane and Southwark Park Rd into St Anne's parish.

After stopping off for refreshments at St Anne's we went back into St James's parish walking along Neckinger to the boundary with St Mary's parish at Dockhead before returning to St James.

 On the way we prayed for the city of London as a whole and its new mayor (looking across the river to the City); for the work amongst elderly and retired people (outside Bluegrove Care Home - above); for Fresh Expressions of church outside St Crispin's, and for schools, outside the City of London Academy (left).

Whilst all this was going on, St James's Church was being got ready for Tim and Florence's wedding this afternoon.

And the sun came out just in time.

Every blessing to you both as you begin married life together.

Week of prayer

We are well into our week of prayer as part of the Archbishops' prayer initiative, Thy Kingdom Come.

Last night we had a really good prayer meeting led by Jos, today and tomorrow we have private prayer, and on Saturday we have a kind of 'beating the bounds' - we will be walking around the boundaries of our two parishes, praying for the people of Bermondsey as we go.

Here is another of the videos produced about the week of prayer, encouraging Christians to pray for their friends.


Pray for 5 frineds-HD from Thy kingdom come on Vimeo.

Joy in the prison

It was a bumper service at St James today with two families bringing their babies for baptism, another family coming for a thanksgiving for the birth of child, the launch of the Archbishops' Week of Prayer, with special greetings to Connell and Bukkie, there for the first time since the birth of their twins, and Florence and Tim, to be married in St James on Saturday.

For the sermon we acted out the dramatic events of Acts 16 (left): Paul and Silas in prison, singing hymns; the earthquake and their chains falling off; the terror of the jailer when he thought that the prisoners had escaped; and the joy that comes to the prison when he, and his whole family, believe and are baptised.

We sang hymns with Paul and Silas; thanks to the wonder of the internet, we heard the deep rumble of an earthquake; two children, representing the apostles were imprisoned behind the communion gates (- and later set free); and half the church chanted the jailer's question, What must I do to be saved?, while the other shouted back the reply: Believe in the Lord Jesus and youi shall be saved - you and all your family.''

On a day when two families had brought their children for baptism, it was good to be reminded that God is concerned for families, that the promise to the jailer wasn't just to him, but to his whole family, and that the crucial thing they had to do to be saved, was to believe in the Lord Jesus.

Bevin boy goes to City Hall

Congratulations to London's new mayor, Sadiq Khan.

The MP for Tooting went to Ernest Bevin School in the early 80s at the same time that I was a science teacher there.

I'm not sure that he ever had the dubious benefit of my teaching but the Bevin boy has done good and is a credit to his old school.

We wish him well in his new responsibilities in the Capital.

Ernest Bevin School, Tooting

Thy kingdom come

Tomorrow is the beginning of a special national week of prayer called by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York.

In the week leading up to Pentecost, the day the Holy Spirit came, churches all over the country will be joining in special prayer events.

You can see what is planned for St James and St Anne's in Bermondsey here. And here is the video, featuring the Archbishop of Canterbury, launching the project:

Thy Kingdom Come - Archbishop Justin Invites You To Take Part-HD from Thy kingdom come on Vimeo.

St James's history man

It's been sitting on the church history section of my bookshelves for many years.

It's something of a classic, written in 1908, and constantly referred to by historians who are wanting to chart the life and witness of the evangelical wing of the Church of England.

A peek inside to the title page (below) reveals the Bermondsey connection.

The author, G.R. Balleine, was vicar of St James, Bermondsey from 1908 until his retirement in 1938. Prior to that he worked for the Church Pastoral Aid Society, a home mission agency that I myself have been involved with for many years.

Church life flourished under Balleine's ministry. There were no less than ten Sunday schools, a large team of curates and Lay Readers, three mission halls, and a Wednesday evening service for children illustrated by the latest piece of technology, the Magic Lantern.

On the first page of a new style parish magazine, Cheerio, the Vicar laid out the four aims of the church, as he saw it: (1) to bind us together in brotherhood; (2) to proclaim Christ's message; (3) to provide opportunities for united worship; (4) to do God's will.

Readers at 150

From Twitter a photo of some of the Readers (Church of England lay preachers) from Southwark with Bishop Michael at All Souls, Langham Place, for a service to mark the 150th anniversary of the reintroduction of Reader ministry in the Church of England.

Good to see Bermondsey Reader, Penny, representing St James and St Anne's.

With you always

It was one of the founders of St James's Church who left a bequest for a painting for the east wall of the church on the theme of the 'Ascension of Our Saviour.'

It has been there since 1844 and has inspired generations of Bermondsey people with its message about the ascension and reign of Christ.

Today is Ascension Day and it was good to gather for an informal service of Holy Communion, presided over, so to speak, by artist John Wood's depiction of the Ascension.

Later a text was added to the picture - from Matthew's account of the ascension - rendered in the King James Version: 'Lo, I am with you alway.'

The full text from Matthew 28 reads as follows: ^' Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.'

The message is clear: go and make disciples and I will be with you. 

That's a great message for the church to hear and see every time it gathers for worship in St James's, as it did tonight.

A year in view

From tonight's annual meeting, a video of the year's highlights for St James and St Anne's churches:

Old Bermondsey

Click on the picture for an enlarged view

A friend sent me a photo of this map of Bermondsey showing St James's Church surrounded by fields in the days before the railway criss-crossed the parish - and that is the clue to the date of the map.

The railway came in 1836. The church was built in 1829. So the map shows Bermondsey sometime between 1829-1836, a country village on the banks of the river, dominated by a pristine new church.

Just a few years later and in the picture below, the church peeps out from behind the railway viaduct, but the foreground still suggests a predominantly rural scene.

The Queen's faith

On the occasion of her 90th birthday, ten quotations from the Queen, reflecting her heartfelt Christian faith ((From Christian Today) and happy birthday, Your Majesty:

1. "I have been – and remain – very grateful to you for your prayers and to God for his steadfast love. I have indeed seen his faithfulness." (Foreword for The Servant Queen)

2. "It is true that the world has had to confront moments of darkness this year, but the Gospel of John contains a verse of great hope, often read at Christmas carol services: 'The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it'... Despite being displaced and persecuted throughout his short life, Christ's unchanging message was not one of revenge or violence but simply that we should love one another." (Christmas message, 2015)

3. "For me, the life of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, whose birth we celebrate today, is an inspiration and an anchor in my life. A role model of reconciliation and forgiveness, he stretched out his hands in love, acceptance and healing. Christ's example has taught me to seek to respect and value all people, of whatever faith or none." (Christmas message, 2014)

4. "For Christians, as for all people of faith, reflection, meditation and prayer help us to renew ourselves in God's love, as we strive daily to become better people. The Christmas message shows us that this love is for everyone. There is no one beyond its reach." (Christmas message, 2013)

 

5. "This is the time of year when we remember that God sent his only son 'to serve, not to be served'. He restored love and service to the centre of our lives in the person of Jesus Christ. It is my prayer this Christmas Day that his example and teaching will continue to bring people together to give the best of themselves in the service of others. The carol, In The Bleak Midwinter, ends by asking a question of all of us who know the Christmas story, of how God gave himself to us in humble service: 'What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a wise man, I would do my part'. The carol gives the answer: 'Yet what I can I give him – give my heart'. (Christmas message, 2012)

6. "Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves – from our recklessness or our greed. God sent into the world a unique person – neither a philosopher nor a general, important though they are, but a Saviour, with the power to forgive... It is my prayer that on this Christmas day we might all find room in our lives for the message of the angels and for the love of God through Christ our Lord." (Christmas message, 2011)

7. "One of the things that has not changed all that much for me is the celebration of Christmas. It remains a time when I try to put aside the anxieties of the moment and remember that Christ was born to bring peace and tolerance to a troubled world." (Christmas message, 2006)

8. "For me, as a Christian, one of the most important of these teachings is contained in the parable of the Good Samaritan, when Jesus answers the question, 'Who is my neighbour?' It is a timeless story of a victim of a mugging who was ignored by his own countrymen but helped by a foreigner – and a despised foreigner at that. The implication drawn by Jesus is clear. Everyone is our neighbour, no matter what race, creed or colour. The need to look after a fellow human being is far more important than any cultural or religious differences." (Christmas message, 2004)

9. "To many of us our beliefs are of fundamental importance. For me the teachings of Christ and my own personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life. I, like so many of you, have drawn great comfort in difficult times from Christ's words and example." (Christmas message, 2000)

10. "I know just how much I rely on my own faith to guide me through the good times and the bad. Each day is a new beginning, I know that the only way to live my life is to try to do what is right, to take the long view, to give of my best in all that the day brings, and to put my trust in God. Like others of you who draw inspiration from your own faith, I draw strength from the message of hope in the Christian gospel." (Christmas message, 2002)

The Bishop and the holy angels

Bishop Michael came to St James's School today to dedicate the four new classrooms at Old Jamaica Rd, to meet the children, and to speak at assembly.

Sir Simon Hughes, our chair of governors, and some of the other governors were there, too.

In each of the new classrooms Bishop Michael prayed a prayer of blessing and all the children said a loud 'Amen'. Each time he prayed: 'may he send his holy angels to watch over you.' That was a nice touch.

One of the Reception class children asked Bishop Michael how old he was. The Bishop confided that he had just had his 58th birthday. 'You don't look that old' said one of them. 'You look 27' said one of the others, making the bishop's day.

You can watch a video of one of the classroom blessings by clicking on the picture below, and you watch a video of today's assembly by clicking on the picture under that

 

Worship night & much else besides

It's been a busy few days at St James's.....

Sunday night and the church rocked with the Worship Night (left), organised by Fernando and Tim who are working locally with the London City Mission.

I think it was the loudest worship band I have ever heard (or am I just getting old?) but it was great to see the church packed with young people, praising the Lord and hearing his word.

A much calmer atmosphere prevailled the previous day when the ladies of the parish sat down for their latest Women's Breakfast, with Jenny Deeprose (right), the 'Cheese Lady' from Redhill, for an intriguing cheese-themed talk, that included not only samples of various cheeses, but references to cheese in the Bible, Jenny's work as a cheese judge, and the story of her own spiritual journey. Excellent.

Meanwhile this morning, it was the first day of term at St James's School, and the children poured into church for their beginning of term the rigours of the coming term.

Welcome back everybody and have a great term.

A churchfull of preachers

Readers are official Church of England lay preachers and service leaders. They aren't 'Revs' but they are trained and licensed by the Bishop to minister in parish churches as lay ministers.

Here at St James and St Anne we are fortunate to have two: Penny and Adrian. Nationally there are more than ten thousand of these excellent people.

Over the last three days, the Readers in our three episcopal areas in our diocese (Woolwich, Kingston and Croydon) have been meeting for their annual meetings and rededication services.

Invited by Bishop Michael (the Warden of Readers), Wilma, a vicar from Balham and me have formed a kind of travelling roadshow, giving a bit of training input to the Readers, first at St Mary, Peckham (on Thursday night) and today at St Mark's, Wimbledon, and St Mildred's, Addiscombe.

Its been great to meet the Readers, and both a privilege and a challenge, as preachers ourselves, to speak to a whole churchfull of preachers - three times over.

For me, it was the chance to speak about a personal hero, Charles Simeon (right), a great preacher from the past, still able to encourage and challenge preachers today.

A few years ago, I wrote a booklet about Simeon, a man from the 20th century strongly influenced by him called John Stott, and the impact that the Simeon-Stott tradition of preaching still has today. You can order a paper copy here or get the ebook version.

Simeon was a brainy fellow but he was also a very humble man and I like the way he approached God's word in the Bible. This is what he said about how he started off as a young vicar and a new preacher at the age of 23: 

In the beginning of my inquiries I said to myself, "I am a fool; of that I am quite certain." One thing I know assuredly, that in religion of myself I know nothing. I do not therefore sit down to the perusal of the Scriptures in order to impose a sense on the inspired writers, but to receive one, as they give it to me. I pretend not to teach them, I wish like a child to be taught by them.