We’re changing…

Thank you to all of you who follow our weekly blogs. We’re making some exciting changes to our communications, including launching our new fortnightly newsletter The Southwark Digest - with news, events and resources from Southwark Diocese, sent every other Wednesday.

Sign up for our newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/iA7c5Q


As part of these new changes, this will be our last update on Tumblr, but don’t worry - you can still read the weekly blogs every Saturday on our website, Facebook and Twitter.

Today’s blog shares reflections from the recent SPA retreat entitled Heart and Body, which you can read here: https://ow.ly/961Q50PWJvR


Thank you and God bless

God may surprise you (although this shouldn’t really be a surprise)

Photo of Dr Clare DowdingALT


This week’s blog is written by Dr Clare Dowding, the new Diocesan Warden of Readers.

Clare will be commissioned this Sunday during the Admission and Licensing service of Lay Ministers at Southwark Cathedral.

Five years ago, if someone had told me that right now, I’d be preparing to take on the role of Warden of Readers for our Diocese, I would have been very surprised. In autumn 2018, I had just started training for Reader Ministry at St Augustine’s College of Theology, I was getting to grips with regular weekly classes, and I wasn’t really thinking beyond the first essay deadline (if I’m completely honest). Although I’d been exploring the possibility of Reader Ministry for about 18 months by then, starting training was probably the point at which it began to feel that this really was what God wanted me to be doing at this time.

The idea that I might end up in formal ministry of some kind was itself a bit of a surprise – even if only to me! When I started telling people that I was thinking about it, more than one person replied, “About time!”. I grew up in south Wales, where my dad was a Parish Priest in the Diocese of Llandaff – he’s now happily retired. I moved to London in the mid 1990s after university, and I soon found a home at All Saints’ Blackheath. Over the years, I’ve been involved in the life of the church in lots of ways: the choir, the serving team, the listening team, the PCC, Deanery Synod, Churches Together, reading, leading and coordinating prayers, to name just some. Yet as far as I was concerned, all of that was just what I did as part of the All Saints’ congregation, rather than viewing it as some form of ‘ministry’.

But – as is so often the case – God had other ideas. In October 2020, after two years of training, I, with others was Licensed by the Bishop Christopher and Admitted as a Reader. What I do now at All Saints’ is very similar to what I did before, with the addition of preaching and leading some services, but the difference is that I am now much more visible, as a Licensed Lay Minister. In my professional life I work in administration – currently at King’s College London, previously at a small charity – and am usually the person supporting others who lead rather than being the one leading. However, being more visible and taking on more aspects of leadership feels like the right thing to be doing at this time.

At the same time as settling into Reader Ministry, I have also become a Vocations Adviser, one of those from across the Diocese (lay and ordained) who form part of the wider Vocations Team, encouraging and supporting people who are exploring and discerning their own possible calls to ministry in some form. I slightly surprised myself in having the confidence to enquire about this when I heard that more Vocations Advisers were being recruited, because I’d gone through the discernment process myself so recently. But what I keep learning is that God has much more confidence in our skills and abilities than we can sometimes have in ourselves – which is as it should be, since those skills and abilities are God-given.

Which has all led up to this summer, when I had a phone call to say that the Bishop would like me to consider becoming Warden of Readers, taking over from Ray Wheeler who has served the Readers of the Diocese well for the last four years. This was a very big surprise – but more and more I am coming to understanding that God’s surprises have reason and purpose, even if that’s not necessarily clear immediately. It’s an honour to be stepping into this role, with all its responsibilities, and by God’s grace I hope to be and to do the best I can as Warden over the coming years – whatever further surprises there may be along the way.

Celebrating God’s generosity

This week we have been remembering and giving thanks for the life and ministry of Bishop Karowei. He brought so much to our life as a Diocese. In the many tributes that have been paid, there are recurring themes - his infectious joy in the Lord, his generous encouragement, and his wholehearted passion for Christ’s church.

Recalling conversations with Bishop Karowei, there is one quality that seemed to infuse them all – they were peppered with ‘thank you’s’. Perhaps this is part of how he managed to spread joy and encouragement so consistently - he was a man wholeheartedly given to gratitude. We’ve turned to God these last days with enormous gratitude for him. 

image

We’ve also been marking Generosity Week, and it’s fitting that the week has been bracketed with thanksgiving for God’s generosity to us. The national church began with a joyful service from one of the UK’s most deprived parishes. It’s well worth watching, including a brilliant testimony, a faith-building sermon, and a contagiously upbeat closing song (listen to it once and it will be in your head all week…). Daily podcasts, activities and reflections from the national team have encouraged and stretched us.  Of course, these and other Generosity Week resources can be used throughout the year, whenever you want to celebrate!

Churches across the Diocese have been celebrating God’s generosity as part of harvest services, reflecting this back to him as we give our own gifts. In every church, people give their time and skills to God’s mission – welcoming and worshipping, crunching numbers and cooking meals, caring for children and young people, and praying for communities. So many reasons for thanks!

And amidst all this, parishes have been sending pledges for their Parish Support Fund contributions; we are so grateful for the thoughtful and generous pledges being made. 

image

As Generosity Week draws to a close, we’re reflecting on how closely generosity sits to gratitude. Bishop Karowei’s gratitude overflowed in generous words and actions. Counting our blessings seems to release a desire to share them. As King David prayed, with a kind of incredulous delight in God’s grace, “Everything comes from you; all we’re doing is giving back what we’ve been given from your generous hand!(1 Chron 29.14, Message version).

Echoing Bishop Karowei’s example, can we invite you, just after you read this, to give yourself to a moment of thanksgiving? 

Close your eyes to the glow of the screen, open your hands, and take a breath.

We give thanks for God’s people, God’s provision, and God’s presence.

  • Alongside Bishop Karowei, is there another person for whom you are especially grateful today?
  • Is there one particular provision from God for which you are giving thanks this week?
  • Wherever you are at this moment, God is present with you. Take a moment to enjoy God’s company, as God enjoys yours.

“Trust in…. the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.” (1 Timothy 6.17 (NKJV))

Amen.

Exploring ethical fashion as Christians: What is the true cost of fashion?

Natalie Walters, Head of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) writes:

image

London Fashion Week took place from 15 - 19 September 2023,  and as seen with various fashion weeks across the world - celebrities, designers and the fashion focused, look at the designers’ offerings of art and expression. The trends therein soon trickle down into our high street and online retailers.

Over the years shows like The  Great British Sewing Bee has got the nation thinking more about garment creation. However, whether we are all in fashion influencers or those who just look for that item that matches with black or doesn’t need ironing we are all stakeholders in the clothing industry.

The rate of fast changing trends namely fast fashion and the big retailers trying to beat each other on price, has had a huge impact on the world’s most vulnerable. Various strands of this are poor labour conditions and human trafficking or those falsely promised better life opportunities, but who end up exploited. The fashion industry also generates high C02 emissions.

In recent years, we have seen the terrible incidents of clothing factory collapses in Bangladesh which have caused death and devastation, child labour concerns as well as poor labour conditions including factories in the UK.

image

Why is it important for us as Christians?

We have a duty of care to ensure that we are not contributing to modern day slavery or unethical practices. The many faces may be invisible to us but not to God. They are made in the image of God, and we are called to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. Proverbs 31:8-9

Everyone loves a bargain, and our clothes are a great way to express ourselves or show our personality but let us always ask ourselves the true cost of fashion.

What could we do?

  • As a church explore and raise awareness of Modern Day Slavery and the signs- great information is found at https://theclewerinitiative.org/
  • Advocate for fair pay and better conditions both here and abroad
  • Seek to support ethical clothing brands
  • Recycle or upcycle clothing
  • Donate any unwanted but in good condition clothes to charities or refugee centres, give to those in need locally or send to relief efforts
  • If you are a creative, see how you can use discarded clothes as activism; create artwork or recycled based fashion and maybe place your art in a prominent place in your church to remind people to pray or act. Or if you have a church sewing group you make patchwork blankets for those in need
  • Hold a community bring ang buy sale or fundraising
  • Do a great fashion fast- though this took place last year it is still a great way to get youth involved and either raise some funds or a group challenge. https://www.tearfund.org/campaigns/join-the-great-fashion-fast

Whatever you do, take time to consider the cost!

O sing unto the Lord a new song


Raymond Wheeler looks back on 35 years as a Licensed Reader and writes about his time as he says farewell and retires as Southwark Diocesan Warden of Readers.

image

I can hardly believe that this October I will have been licensed as a Reader for 35 years! On looking back I wonder where those years have gone. I was originally licensed to St Stephen’s, Norbury and Thornton Heath. I came to my present church, St George’s Church in Shirley, in 2004. For a few years I was Registrar of Readers appointed by Bishop Tom Butler. In early 2019 I was appointed by Bishop Christopher to the role of Warden of Readers. Having completed four and half years as Warden it is time for me to stand down. As I look back over my years as a Reader and as Warden much has changed.

image

One of my favourite Psalms is Psalm 96 with its first line “O sing unto the Lord a new song”. I have a recording of this Psalm set to the chant by Charles Stanford. Words and music coalesce together in Stanford’s rendering of the Psalm. As I retire as Warden what will my new song be? Well, more time with the family and my own church (we are in a vacancy now) will have me back free from Diocesan commitments!  Having said that I will still be teaching on the Bishop’s Certificate in Discipleship course and still representing my Deanery on Diocesan Synod for a short while at least!

On looking back over my time as Warden I can see it was a time of transition. The Lay Leadership and Lay Ministry Advisory Group set up by the Diocese in response to General Synod’s report ‘Setting God’s People Free’ made many recommendations. As a consequence, the Southwark Diocesan Association of Readers was wound up at the end of 2019 and Reader Ministry incorporated into new structures as the Diocese began to place greater emphasis on Lay Ministry, bringing in diverse forms of Lay Ministry and setting up the Lay Council.

image

Then a few months later in 2020, the country plunged into lockdown due to the COVID pandemic.  Owing to the consequent issues surrounding the closure of places of worship we discovered the wonderful software called Zoom on which we came to rely. Many Readers took up the challenge of bringing worship online through daily or weekly blogs or recording sermons. My thanks to the Readers in Southwark as they re-imagined their ministry in so many different ways.

Vocations to Reader Ministry continue to thrive. Training takes place through St Augustine’s College which is situated in West Malling in Kent although most classes take place at Trinity House. In 2020 nine Readers were licensed and in 2022 a further ten Readers were also licensed. The licensing service at Southwark Cathedral in 2022 was the first joint licensing and commissioning with both Readers and SPAs. This was an occasion of great rejoicing with our lay minsters coming together for the first time. The Licensing and Commissioning Service at Southwark Cathedral on 8 October this year will include Readers, and SPAs and also Lay Pioneers, a Children and Young Peoples’ Minister and Church Army Ministers. It will be a real celebration of Lay Ministry within our Diocese.

image

I will be saying my farewell at the Service so I hope many of you will be able to come along.

It has been a privilege to serve the Diocese as Warden, a role I have enjoyed immensely. It has been a real joy to visit Readers in their places of ministry or meeting them at our annual Area gatherings and being there to support their pastoral needs. It’s always a joy to be invited to preach at churches where they are celebrating the faithful ministry of a Reader who is now retiring. In addition, I have met so many people involved in the Diocesan structures. I’ve also had the chance to join in with national Reader gatherings. Last year, 2022, Diocesan Wardens were invited to Bishopthorpe by the Archbishop of York, the Rt Revd Dr Stephen Cottrell, for afternoon tea and a tour of his home.

I offer my thanks to God for the last few years as I continue to “sing unto the Lord” wherever the “new song” will be.

I know you will support my successor, Clare Dowding. Clare is a Reader at Blackheath, All Saints. Please pray for her as she prepares to take up her new role in November. I haven’t asked Clare what her favourite Psalm is, but I know Clare will be able to “Sing unto the Lord a new song” as she takes up the mantle of Warden of Readers.

“A huge privilege to be called to serve”

As St Paul rattles off his list of spiritual gifts in his letter to the Romans, some may be surprised to find ‘administration’ and ‘leadership’ alongside the, perhaps, more obvious gifts of prophecy and teaching. And yet, in order for the staff of our Diocese to lead, enable and serve our parishes, there have to be efficient and well-managed administrative processes - this is where the Diocesan Secretary comes in. After the intensive selection process (one application letter, two presentations and three interviews) I am delighted to be stepping into this role in Southwark from 1 September. Having lived in this Diocese for nearly 25 years, it is a huge privilege to be called to serve in this way and to continue the great work of my predecessor, Ruth Martin. Ruth’s faithful service – and that of the wider staff team – are gifts that I am grateful for and privileged to inherit.   

image

The role of Diocesan Secretary is complex – it has many elements, all of which interact with each other. Governance and accountability are at the top of the list and in my first few months I will prioritise getting to grips with the various governance processes that enable our Diocese to run smoothly and effectively. I am particularly mindful that most of our Diocesan central budget comes from the generous giving of our parishes and must be stewarded wisely and transparently in order to enable and serve our mission and ministry.

There are undoubtedly challenges ahead. The relentless pace of inflation is affecting everyone. Costs are going up: costs of running a parish, but also the costs of running a Diocese, whether paying utility bills, or staff, or materials for property repairs for clergy houses. We are all in a time of change as we learn how to live after Covid, with the ever-growing evidence of climate change around us, and economic inequality that is increasing, rather than decreasing, with time. I am excited about working with staff across our Diocese to support our parishes as together we rise to these challenges, building on the creativity, passion and wisdom I witnessed during my time as Head of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation for the Diocese.

In the face of such challenges, we recall that God is good – all the time. There is an abundance of opportunities as we strive to become ever more Christ-centred and outward-focussed. This autumn, in our Episcopal Areas and Archdeaconries we will be reflecting on and developing our vision for the future as we seek to discern God’s direction for our communities.

In a Diocese that has always been creative and ahead of its time, this is an opportunity to consider together and with the Holy Spirit how we proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ afresh in East Surrey and South London.

As I step into this role I am looking forward to leading a team that is ready for the future, that engenders trust, openness and collaboration as we seek to serve our parishes. No matter what challenges we face, no matter what the future holds, we will face it together – each day renewing our trust and confidence in the God we serve.

Towards a Mixed Ecology


image

We are holding a conference in Southwark Diocese on Saturday 25 November called Towards a Mixed Ecology of Church in partnership with the Diocese of Chichester. The mixed ecology is one of the three priorities of the Church of England and a priority for the Diocese of Southwark. It is a call not to de-prioritise the parish but instead to help our parishes to thrive by reaching parts of it that they might traditionally have been weak in. A church where mixed ecology is the norm is where churches value not only their own tradition and are rooted in its worship but also embrace ideas of pioneering, fresh expressions or church planting to reach those who would otherwise not come to church.

Across the Diocese of Southwark we have such a variety of great parishes who are seeking to share the love of Christ with those around them in creative and innovative ways; digging into their tradition and looking to see how they can be “Christ centred and outward focused”.  What they often find, is that as they do this and consider their parish they see the needs of people and look to start to pioneer and reach those people and then form a Fresh Expression of Church to help people join a community of faith.

We do hope that you will be able to come to the conference and bring others with you to hear from others, learn, ask questions and share ideas. Bishop Christopher will be introducing the day and we will be having talks by Bishop Mike Harrison (who is the Bishops Advocate for Pioneering and Fresh Expressions) on a vision for the mixed ecology, Revd Dr Sharon Moughtin (a theologian and pioneer vicar of St Mary’s Eco Church) who will be speaking on growing a healthy mixed ecology community, and Canon Will Cookson, Director of Pioneering Ministry for the Diocese of Southwark who will be looking at where we go from here in a post-pandemic world.

image

We do hope that you will sign up with a group of people from your church to explore how you can grow and mature what you already have or to think about where your passion and call are leading you.

“I am very much looking forward to taking part in this conference. We have seen the real fruit and blessing of fresh expressions and pioneering in the Diocese of Southwark and I highly commend this conference to all.”
The Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark

“Pioneering and FX are vital ways God has been blessing our Church for over two decades now – so what better opportunity than this conference to see how this blessing can be embraced and empower communities and individuals in the way of Jesus?”
The Rt Revd Mike Harrison, Bishop’s Advocate for Pioneering and Fresh Expressions

To help you think about what your church might do we will be publishing a series of stories from churches who received small grants to start or restart a Fresh Expression of Church throughout the autumn and in the lead up to the conference. To follow the series on X (formerly known as Twitter) follow @SouthwarkCofE  or search for the hashtag #southwarkfxp23.

“Transformational, life changing, empowering, diverse and inclusive.”

“Transformational, life changing, empowering, diverse and inclusive” these were just some of the words used to describe the journey experienced by 60 people from across the Diocese, who over the past year, have completed the Bishop’s Certificate Course: Growing in Faith and Life.

image

Here is what this year’s cohort shared about their experience:

A journey where some of us knew it was the first step to a path we had been called to, some wanted a means to refresh and reevaluate before they made their next move, and some were unsure what to expect but had questions and were seeking answers. But all of us had committed to spending once a week together for the next 10 months to explore, share and learn by joining the Bishop’s Certificate course: Growing in Faith and Life.

We had all received an invitation to join the Bishop’s Certificate course - whether a mention of it had caught our eye in a noticesheet (or email or Facebook post) or via a gentle nudge by our local vicar or another means. We accepted the invitation to deepen our faith and understanding further. Note though if you mention the Bishop’s Certificate to School Governors - they will think you are meaning a completely different course!

There was the option to join the course virtually or in person at Trinity House. And perhaps because there was the virtual option - it truly was a diverse group of people from across the Diocese and accessible to those who would not be able to get to Trinity House easily. There were some of us who could quote their favourite Bible passages and psalms, some who had already trained as SPAs (Southwark Pastoral Assistants), some who had converted to Christianity, some who had lots of questions and some who already had answers. But all were seeking.

With open minds and hearts, we were going to be seeking together - masterfully engaged with and led by Peter Graystone alongside a group of experienced and knowledgeable facilitators. We navigated through the Old and New Testament. We explored the history of the Church, what Christians believe and discipleship. A safe space was created for honesty and vulnerability - a sharing of opinions, ideas, and beliefs. And yes, it was okay to say we didn’t know all the answers whether it was the participants or the facilitators. Because God is so all encompassing how can we even start to understand or know everything? And that’s okay.

Perhaps what we didn’t realise at the time we started the Bishop’s Certificate was how nourishing and enriching this journey would be. There was fellowship, light bulb moments and completed assignments (as well as late and uncompleted assignments!). Neither did we realise how the final residential weekend at the Wychcroft retreat would touch many of us emotionally.  Perhaps we were lucky as we were doused in glorious sunshine.  It was one of those sublime summer weekends in June.  There were lambs in the field next door gathered together under the shade of the trees whilst we gathered together inside with all the windows and doors open to catch a breeze to cool and refresh us whilst we listened and prayed.  Perhaps if the weather had been grey and dreary - we might have found it harder to find God reaching us over the weekend.  But I doubt it because we all felt it. God’s presence among us.

The final weekend was a chance to come together and for those who had participated in the virtual online version; it was a chance to meet in person for the first time. Those of us who met each other in person for the first time wondered whether by participating online it may have enabled us to be more open and honest with each other. We won’t know but we mentioned it as another reason to continue to offer the course virtually so that a wider group of people can access it. Yes, we realise it’s harder to facilitate small group discussion virtually (and yes, we confess we didn’t always spend the group time discussing the questions set - but the discussion was always fruitful and valuable!).

Over the weekend we recognised and reflected on how individually we each had grown. Some of us are happy to take a break for a while, press pause and wait to see what comes. Whilst some are keen to continue their discernment process. Some still have questions but now they also have a few answers. All of us, though, gave thanks and continue to pray for guidance on the road ahead of us.

In September, another bunch of intrepid explorers are about to embark on their first steps together. We, the Bishop’s Certificate 2022/23 cohort, will have come together for a final celebratory service in Southwark Cathedral. If you’re starting the journey - we hope it is as fulfilling for you as it was for us. If you’re curious about going on an adventure with the Bishop’s Certificate - then do take a leap! If you’ve previously completed the Bishop’s Certificate - then pray for us so that we can hear what God is calling us towards.

You can find out more about the Bishop’s Certificate here:

The Mystery of the Blackheath Icons

The Icons will be blessed on the Feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus on Sunday 6 August at St Peter’s on Willis in Wellington, New Zealand

From 1968 to 1981 Canon Paul Oestreicher was Vicar of the Blackheath Church of the Ascension in South London. From 1697 this church had been the private chapel of the Earls of Dartmouth. A miniature gem, it was almost certainly designed by a pupil of Christopher Wren, the architect of St Paul’s Cathedral. The Church’s vicarage in Dartmouth Row lies directly opposite the Chapel which in 1883 became a parish church. It lies on the pilgrimage path from Canterbury Cathedral to Southwark Cathedral, by London Bridge.

In the 1970s its glass panelled doors were open by day and night, the lit sanctuary inviting the men of the road to make it their shelter for a night or more. The parish had become part of Bishop John Robinson’s bold ‘South-Bank Network’, hearkening back to the South London Peasant Revolt in 1381 when Wat Tyler’s priest, the Revd John Ball, declared on Blackheath that ‘under God all people are equal’. Tyler and Ball were made to pay with their lives. Hard times then, hard times for Jesus (as in Palestine today), hard times for the poor right here and now.

Church of the Ascension Dartmouth Row Blackheath London SE10 8BFALT

Church of the Ascension
Dartmouth Row
Blackheath
London SE10
8BF

One Sunday morning, as the vicar went to preside at the early Eucharist he almost tripped over four parcels by his front door wrapped in plain brown paper. He returned to take a look, an hour later. What he found were four remarkable, expertly painted modern icons. This was not classical iconography but nevertheless paintings that radiated good news, bringing Jesus and his disciples to life.

Why were these icons there? Who put them on the Vicar’s doorstep? It remains a mystery. There is no artist’s signature. There is nothing pointing to their origin other than the unknown artist’s devotion. Had a thief possibly stolen the icons and, unable to make them pay, decided that this was a better place? But no theft had been reported. They were, it seems, where they were meant to be, probably brought by the painter him or herself, expecting no reward. An Angel maybe bringing sacred gifts.
The icons lived on in a busy vicarage, admired by guests from near and far. Two were gifted to others.
These two were kept:

image

Jesus and his twelve apostles at the Last Supper and before that supper

image

Jesus washing the feet of his disciples

Fast forward to 2023. Paul Oestreicher has moved to Te Aro. In our one world, the Gospel of Jesus has no borders. Icons speak everywhere. The former South Bank vicar is now a St Peter’s person ‘in, of and for the people of Te Aro’. The icons are calling for a new home, a place of peace and prayer where Jesus says to his friends, “fear not little flock, it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.” That Kingdom is present on Willis and everywhere else.

May this then become the home of the Blackheath Icons, dedicated on this 6th day of August 2023, the Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ, and of the Disfiguration of Creation on the 6th Day of August 1945 by the atom bomb that turned to ashes the city of Hiroshima and its people.
Lord Have Mercy. Christ Have Mercy. Lord Have Mercy

“This is the best community project I have ever supported the young people on”

Amy Fields, a worker at The Children, Youth & Families Team at St Luke’s Church, Downham writes…

The Front Room Club, at St Luke’s Church, Downham, is a cafe style drop in for those who are experiencing or at risk of social isolation and provides a safe, welcoming and supportive place to grow. The club is a place to meet people, play bingo, access support and advice, develop social and practical skills, and talk about mental health challenges.

image

St Luke’s Children’s Youth and Families team who specialise in supporting children who have Autism and other special education needs welcome a small group of young people, from their local secondary school, every Friday. The students are provided with a safe and stimulating environment in which mutual respect, friendliness and an understanding of individual needs, supports the young people to achieve their full potential.

The activities we provide allows the young people to serve The Front Room Club such as; meal preparations, serving lunches, baking, cleaning, gardening and decorating the church for seasonal events, whilst developing their communication and interactions tailored to individual areas of need. The young people are also invited to take midday prayer with The Front Room Club guests, which allows them to get a deeper understanding of Christianity. St Luke’s Revd, Nick Walsh, is available to answer any questions they may have.

image

Our young people helping to prepare the vegetables ready to cook for The Front Room guests

The young people look forward to visiting us every Friday and are a vital asset to The Front Room Club; they feel part of the community. The young people arrive with beaming smiles, with one young member telling us “she looks forward to this all week”.

The young people were recently supported by two new teachers from their secondary school, who were covering regular staff’s absence. The teachers were so impressed by the activities of The Front Room Club, how the staff kept the young people engaged and their interactions throughout their visit. The teachers left beaming with a closing comment of “This is the best community project I have ever supported the young people on”.

image

Here are our young people planting flowers ready to give out to the congregation on Mothering Sunday

St Luke’s Church, Downham looks forward to welcoming and supporting individuals both neurotypical and neurodiverse into church to attend our weekly groups and Sunday service, with an on site Accessibility Coordinator dedicated to inclusion.