A weekend of activities

This weekend, we'll start off with a moment of respect before we move on up to celebration.
At 11am on Saturday (4th), we'll be interring Denis Moore's ashes in the Memorial Garden. Denis, a former churchwarden and long time member of the congregation, died in the summer and is greatly missed by everyone.
Then, at 2pm, we gear up again for Nick and Sarah's wedding, which promises to be a fabulous occasion.
Moving on to Saturday, there are our normal Sunday services, but also a quadruple baptism at 2pm. Yes, four people coming forward: two are adults, two are babies, and it's going to be wonderful. The Christian community is made up of all sorts of people and this is how it will be on Sunday afternoon.

Further ahead, look out for our Harvest festival on Sunday 12th October.
A time to celebrate and remember the glories of God's creation and the struggle and responsibility of using it wisely.

Fr Robert

New term, new season, prayers heard

The middle of September sees things really begin to gel, as everyone is now back from their holidays.

Yesterday was spectacular: not one but three baptisms: Emily, Albert and Taylor. Emily and Albert were terrific, but the last baptism (Taylor's) I missed as I was running a labyrinth in Sainsbury's car park as part of the "Here Our Prayer" weekend (see below): (I'm sure it went well). It felt encouraging to feel the life and love around these children in a week where we've been dealing with death, with the funerals of Sue Simmons and Gladys Byron. Both were beautiful occasions, led by Father John, worthy of the special people we were remembering and entrusting to God's care.

Here Our Prayer

http://www.hereourprayer.webeden.co.uk/.

The Churches of Forest Hill and Sydenham got together to do all sorts of events last weekend, from the rosary in the Catholic church to a labyrinth in Holy Trinity, Sydenham. The labyrinth I was involved in was in Sainsbury's car park and passers by who got intrigued could come in or just stand at the side and ask questions. A labyrinth involves a person taking a literal journey around pathways, stopping off at stations on the way. At each station, through a physical act - playing with magnets and a compass, dropping a stone - they are encouraged to think through a reality for them: working out what is a 'false north', attracting them away from the 'true north' of a compass, that might pass to God. Or it could be any number of these things.

The number and quality of conversations I had with those passing by was great.

I also had the privilege of hosting Brother Hugh Tibbotts for the night, who came to join us for the weekend from the Franciscan community in Hilfield.

http://franciscans.org.uk/h-hilfield.html

Among other things, we discussed whether there was such a thing as a "new monasticism" and his delight at the way our weekend had embraced both free churches, Protestant denominations and catholics.

If you still want to get a flavour of Here Our Prayer, you could visit our Stitch and Bloom exhibition which will be up till the end of Monday, displaying the creativity and spirituality behind the visual in our church: vestments and flowers. And there's a session on Prayer in Jewish Life on Wednesday night: see the website.

Next week sees our Marriage Preparation Day, as we gather with the couples about to commit their lives to each other. That's on Saturday (20th September).

Otherwise, I look forward to seeing you on Sunday, for our usual service at 10am.

Fr Robert

Upcoming Events and Services

First, a reminder of times for two upcoming funerals.
Sue Simmons' funeral will take place in Church on Monday 8th September at 2pm, followed by the Committal at Honor Oak crematorium.
Gladys Byron's funeral will take place in Church on Thursday 11th September at 3pm.

And though they will be sad, they will also each be times for thanksgiving for their lives.

This weekend, from 1pm, there's a party in the vicarage hosted by John and Angie to thank the parish for their support at this time.
From2.45pm, there's an event in Blackheath, All Saints' church for youth (people 10-18). There's a multitude of activities, including football led by yours truly, but finishing with a service and then a picnic afterwards. It will be great.

The weekend after this, there's the great Here Our Prayer weekend for Forest Hill and Sydenham. (12th to 14th Sept) see www.hereourprayer.webeden.co.uk.

We will be having a special set of prayers in the morning on Saturday from 9.30am followed by a festival of flowers and vestments and how we use them during the Church Year: Stitch and Bloom.

Look out too for the chance to go up in a hot air balloon: only possible if you come to the All Age parade service on Sunday 14th at 10am.
That will also be the time for a double baptism: Albie and Emily, brother and sister.

Fr Robert