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Golders Green Parish Church – Newsletter

30 September 2020
 

From Sally

Greetings Everyone to this week’s Newsletter which is full of important news, reminders and thanks.
The national news unfortunately is not so good. Once again we face more restrictions on what we can and can’t do because of the pandemic. It is so hard for those who are alone, unwell, have been shielding for ages, worried about their families, especially all the students starting university or going back to take up their studies, trying to keep their businesses afloat, those who are concerned about their jobs, paying their rent and feeding their families. Goodness, there is so much to concern us that we need help and support from and towards each other and praying daily. But we keep on persevering, taking care of ourselves and those in our community so that we keep full of hope, praying that this challenging time may be overcome, that God will make plain to us how we can help in our different ways; each having faith in God’s love for us; remembering as in the book of Amos, “Let justice role down like waters and righteousness like an overflowing stream” (Ch 5 v24). We so badly need at this time both justice and righteousness.
 

Rex’s Farewell Evening

Thank you so much to everyone who contributed towards making Rex’s evening such a success. To see so many of you zooming in, plus guests, was heart-warming and to know that those without zoom were in contact by phone too. How good to see each other and to hear your moving and appreciative comments to Rex about his ministry here. We know, from the look on his face that it really was a surprise. Congratulations to Simon for arranging the zoom and managing to keep it a secret from Rex. We could see from his expression of delight and exclamations of pleasure how much he enjoyed his gift of a memory book with all your pictures and comments to him. Thanks again to Rotimi for putting it all together and all of you for contributing. It was a joyous and happy evening.
 

Interregnum

Now we really are at the beginning of our interregnum. There is a great deal of work that has to be undertaken towards appointing a new incumbent for our church. This will involve us all. Your views are important and valuable and we welcome your thoughts and opinions.
Questionnaire: last week you were sent a questionnaire asking if you would make a response to the questions being asked. We would appreciate it if you could send it back by Friday 2nd October either to the church office, West Heath Drive, Golders Green, NW11, 7QG, or to: churchwardens@gg-pc.co.uk
If there is anything you want to discuss please don’t hesitate to contact: Sally or Tony.
We are looking forward to hearing from you as what you say will help us develop the Parish Profile. There is no right or wrong way to complete it- just what you want to say in the way you want to say it will be fine.
 

Church Services

In last week’s news we reminded you that our church has now re-opened on Sundays.
For two weeks from 20th September we had a time for private and collective prayer from 10.00am -12noon. On the first Sunday the sun shone and we had a small group of you who came into pray. Apart from being so good to see you there was a lovely prayerful atmosphere supported by Taize chants and other music that helped us in our prayers. The church is clean and we have kept to the diocesan requirements which were outlined in the newsletter of 16th September

On Sundays the 4th and 11th October, our Archdeacon John will be joining us for Holy Communion. We thank him very much for spending time with us. We hope, when he can, he will be covering for us again.
A great effort is being made to find clergy to take the Sunday service but, for all kinds of reasons, it is not always possible to do so so please bear with us. If and when we are not successful we will have Matins instead. So please do come so that we can all worship together.

The following Sundays we will be having communion. The services will be taken by:
- Sunday 1st November - Revd Claire
- Sunday 8th November - Archdeacon John; who will also be swearing in the new churchwardens
- Sunday 15th November - Revd Mavis

We will keep you informed of progress each week.
 

Annual Parochial Church Meeting

Yet another gentle reminder that the APCM will be held on the evening of Monday 19th October by zoom at 7.30pm. We are getting so used to meeting by zoom now that it will be good to see as many of you who are on the electoral role attending. You will be sent the church reports by post so you have them well before hand.

At these meetings (The Vestry meeting and general APC meeting) it is proposed to elect two Church Wardens, and up to 5 new PCC members. Currently 2
PCC members are being nominated for the role of Church Wardens. They will become ex-officio PCC members. They along with 3 'retiring' PCC members should be replaced and or re-elected to the PCC. So if you are interested in being a PCC member, please let Sally , Pamela or Simon know, via the Church Office (on 020 8455 1873) or via email - Churchwardens@gg-PCC.co.uk.
 

Christian Aid National Event - from Jenny

Christian Aid is organising a national event in partnership with the Diocese of Southwark. ‘Waiting to Exhale – A day of inspiring discussions about positive action on Black History and Environmental Justice’
This represents a crucial landmark and learning opportunity in Christian Aid’s journey with Black Majority Churches on climate justice. Taking place online on Saturday 3rd October 2020 (10:00-13:30 BST), this interactive event will showcase the distinctive contributions that black theologians, church leaders and youth activists are making in the pursuit of climate justice, and will include a choice of interactive online workshops. It will feature contributions from Amanda Khozi Mukwashi, Vanessa Nakate, Dr Robert Beckford, Richard Reddie, Revd Wale Hudson Roberts, Pastor Marcus Chilaka, Revd Israel Olofinjana and Revd Alton Bell. Please register your interest by 29th September by emailing bhm@southwark.anglican.org to receive details on how to join the event.

From Sally: Just to add an extra comment to Jenny’s notice about the Christian Aid event. I would like to say that in this country we have a number of excellent black theologians who are as not as well-known as they should be. One of note is Dr Robert B, a distinguished academic, theologian, lecturer, writer and Professor of Black Theology at Queens Foundation, Birmingham, where I did a period of study a few years back; another is Richard R, Director of Justice and Inclusion for Churches Together in Britain, theologian, writer and lecturer. Both are taking part in the above event and are compelling speakers on justice and theology.
While we are on this subject; one book I fully recommend, that I feel should be read by all church goers, painful and uncomfortable on many levels it may be is, “Ghost Ship: Institutional Racism and the Church of England”, by the Revd Azaria France Williams. Azaria France Williams looks at the Church from his experience and that of others, and writes of how black priests are treated in ways that so often marginalize and demoralize them, depriving the church of their gifts and insights. It is a brave book to have written but a necessary one if we are to change and be what Christ fully intends we should all be – a Church of inclusion, a whole people loving and accepting each other in his name - with no- one from any group pushed to the margins. I have one copy if anyone would like to borrow it. Please let me know and I will get it to you.

Writing for the Newsletter

Our newsletter is one really effective way of keeping in touch with each other. Over the past months we have had different articles and perspectives from a number of you which have been interesting and so welcome. So this is an appeal to ask if anyone would like to contribute something for future editions. All offers are welcome. It could be something about your family with your observations on how you are managing at this time, a reminiscence of times past, a book you have read and enjoyed that you think we would too, your feelings about life in general, a point of view…… anything you feel like sharing. If you do, please let me know . If you do not have email don’t let that stop you as I am used to taking dictation over the phone and typing things up; it all adds to the variety and interest. Please give it a thought. Many thanks. Sally


Daily Hope - The Church of England Phone line church service - is available 24 hours a day on 0800 804 8044 – has been set up particularly with those unable to join online church services during the period of restrictions in mind.

Please continue to pray for those who have asked us as a community to pray for them Okey Jnr, Margaret, Yvone, Anna, Jason, Ian, Eva, Juliette, Ivor, Myfanwy, Tim and Dorothy

We at Golders Green Church will continue to offer a number of ways we can and will keep in contact though emailing and phoning each other, the use of Facebook and the website, sending out updates by supporting those who need shopping, prescriptions fetched, letters posted and anything else you may need if you are isolated at home, whether you are in the over 70-year-old age group, or, have underlying health conditions.
The important thing is, PLEASE LET US KNOW. We are drawing up a list of volunteers we can call on to help. If anyone wants to add their names to this, please email the churchwardens.



Radio, Television and Online Worship

You may wish to join in worship during this time through television and radio.
Check online, in the Radio Times and elsewhere for details:
Songs of Praise BBC 1, Sunday afternoon, variable times
Sunday Worship BBC Radio 4, Sunday, 8.10am Choral Evensong BBC
Radio 3, Wednesday Daily Service
BBC Radio 4 (Longwave only), weekdays, 9.45am
Big Sunday Service Premier Christian Radio, Sunday, 7am, 8am, 10am Easter Sunday Eucharist A service is usually broadcast on the BBC on Easter morning
Free 24 hour telephone church service 0800 804 8044
Online resources Church of England Daily Prayer https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/join-us-service-dailyprayer
https://mailchi.mp/b9d86a4acdc7/coming-up-from-st-pauls-cathedral-1274047?e=377e26b1db St Paul’s Cathedral have a number of resources available for us to use.
Church of England Online Resources during this time https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/coronaviruscovid-19-liturgy-and-prayer-resources
Go On-line to " ps://www.achurchnearyou.com", put in Area or post code and find a local church that broadcasts Worship.
Prayers from Christian Aid https://www.christianaid.org.uk/pray/churches/coronavirus-prayers
https://pray-as-you-go.org/ Pray as you Go (a short service each day in the Jesuit Tradition)
LICC have some great resources on their website https://www.licc.org.uk/
Especially on Covid-19 https://www.licc.org.uk/ourresources/prayer-journeys/presence-pressure-purpose/