Bikes near Brighton Pier
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The International Prayer for Peace
Lead me from death to life, from falsehood to truth.
Lead me from despair to hope, from fear to trust.
Lead me from hate to love, from war to peace.
Let peace fill our heart, our world, our universe.
Anthony Adkins at the piano
Parish News
| SoulinHam, 27th to 31st July 2009 |
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| During this week of community service, we cleared 4 skip loads of rubbish from the area, washed cars for free, ran a great cafe, litter-picked around the church area, did gardening work at Rednap House, the Guide HQ and several houses in Ham, and finished the week off with a free BBQ and live music. |
| All the young people and adults worked really hard during the week and enjoyed putting something back into the community. Jesus served the needs of the people before he told them of the good news and we hope that we have started to do the same with this project. We were pleased to have visits from Councillor Sue Jones and MP Susan Kramer during the week. The community work is continuing on a monthly basis. |
| KW |
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| Melissa's Poem |
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| Congratulations to Melissa Jassar, a young member of our congregation, whose entry in a poetry competition won £1000 for Christ's School. Here is her poem: |
| Any more out there? |
| What if there really was one more out there? How many planets are there really? No-one really knows. Imagine if there was, what would it be called? Because the universe is too big to see it all, No-one would understand it all, so no-one really knows. |
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| Outing to Brighton, 12th September 2009 |
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| Didn't we have a loverly day, the day we went to Brighton! |
| Such luxury - a fifty-something-seat coach for 22, and a brilliant driver! |
| Clouds on the way down, and then - shock horror! - a Bikefest at Brighton; nowhere to drop us off and nowhere to park the coach. Undaunted, our driver did both! The sun came out and it was cloudless. |
| So much to do in Brighton, so many places to visit ... where to start? ...The Pavilion, Sea World, the Pier, the Dome, the Lanes, the Toy Museum, the beach ... We settled for coffee on a beautiful green - Good start! The Lanes were fascinating, and there were shoes to die for! Then the Sea Front, an array of every type of motor bike you could wish to see. Finally, the Pier... a whole new world stretched out to sea. Some funfair rides, scary to watch, let alone ride on. Then the jet skis zooming under the pier. Rumour has it that a one of our party was in the lead! |
| Time running out - a quick Italian ice cream, then onto the coach and home - a great day out! |
| JW |
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| Christian Aid Sponsored Walk in Richmond Park, 26th September 2009 |
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| What a lovely day it was for taking a walk round the park in the company of people drawn from all the churches in the Deanery, all intent on raising lots of money for Christian Aid as well as having a great chat and and enjoying the brain-teasers and the choccie bix waiting for us at every checkpoint. So what was it all about? |
| Every year, around the 3rd Saturday in September, the churches in the Richmond Deanery organise their sponsored walk, which is the Autumn fund-raiser for Christian Aid. This year, the walkers met at the Cambrian Centre before the walk to enjoy 'Parisienne-style' coffee and warm croissants, and then gathered at the Cambrian Gate for the prayer and blessing. It is such a great start, not least to see the puzzlement on the faces of the local dog-walkers as they try to figure out how to navigate their dogs round a group of prayerful Christians clutching sponsor forms! It is always a great pleasure to meet up with the motley crews from the other local churches, and you can guarantee to meet someone you know. The checkpoint helpers were as cheerful as ever, and seemed to have endless supplies of 'pain au chocolate' to help us on our way. The London Regional Christian Aid team were out in strength in smart red T-shirts, waiting to see us over the roads, and happy to chat about their upcoming visit to Kenya. Then, once the walk is completed and you are back at the Cambrian Centre, it is time for some more refreshment and farewell to our fellow-walkers until next year. A great time was had by all, and the best bit for me is knowing that I only have one blister, and St Richard's church can send over £260 to Christian Aid as a result of the walk. |
| Until next year! |
| PF |
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| Interfaith Outreach |
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| Our Interfaith outreach continued with a study day 'Jesus and Muhammad' held at the Milaap Centre, Kingston, in early October. It was led by Dr Chris Hewer who explored actualities and possibilities in both faith traditions regarding these two key religious figures. He will be leading a day of 'Understanding Christianity for Muslims' later this month. |
| DM |
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| Harvest Festival, October 3rd, 4th 2009 |
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| Like many other churches throughout the land, St. Richard's Church in Ham held a Harvest Festival on the weekend 3rd and 4th October. This year the celebration had a difference, with the theme of Africa and its poverty. |
| On the Saturday evening about fifty of us attended the Harvest Supper in the church. After being well fed, in accordance with St. Richard's tradition, we were invited to partake in a two-part quiz. The first was a word search in which we became acquainted with ten of the 56 countries that make up the African Continent, whilst the second asked whether ten statements pertaining to Africa were true or false. The winning team, with 18 correct answers, were able to choose from three prizes relating to the needs of food, education and medicine in India and Africa. They decided that the prize should be given for help for hospital transportation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Before the meal, notes on the relief of the poor and distressed in Mozambique had been circulated for information. |
| The relevance of these notes was realised, on Sunday morning. A large part of the Parish Eucharist comprised a presentation by two young ladies who were part of a group who visited a Children's Village near Maputo in Mozambique to tend to the social and spiritual needs of the community. Amber, who lives in Ham, and Nicki attend the London Church International in East Sheen who had sponsored the trip. Both are South African nationals but have lived in the U.K. for a number of years. They used South Africa as a starting place and drove to Maputo. The visit was very much two way experience as many of the elder children had a degree of spiritual assuredness not experienced by adults. Visits to other parts of Maputo, included making contact with those who lived on the rubbish heaps on the perimeter of the city. These are the poorest of the poor. Mozambique is slowly recovering after years of war and civil unrest. Children who have been traumatised by these events are hesitant about showing emotions but eventually respond to hugs and cuddles from the visitors. This seems a contrast to the U.K. where expression of emotion between young and old is actively discouraged by the authorities. |
| In addition to a weekend of thanksgiving, the writers were present, at St. Mary's Osterley, to give thanks for the life of the Revd. Doctor Edgar Dowse who had died on 24th September at the age of 99. Edgar was a firm Christian who was still active until a few months ago and had celebrated and preached at St. Richard's on a number of occasions. His sermons were noted for having many biblical references, some in Greek or Hebrew. In 2004, at the age of 94, he was awarded a Ph.D. and appears in the Guinness Book of Records for this achievement. He will be missed by many. |
| SO,CO |
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| Prayer for Peace, October 15th 2009 |
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| During the Week of Prayer for World Peace we held our annual Inter- Faith 'Prayer for Peace'. This was the sixth year we have invited other people of faith to join us in this simple prayer, and the numbers attending grow year on year. A member of St Thomas's RC church said the prayer for the Christian community. Once more the minister from the united reformed church New Malden joined us so we were a truly ecumenical gathering. We were graced with the presence of the head of the Sri Lankan Buddhist Vihara and his gentleness in itself brought, peace to our gathering. Our dear friend Rashid, Chairman of Kingston Mosque and his wife were with us. Rashid's wisdom and humility was touching. A Jewish friend read from The Hebrew Scriptures and both Hindu and Sikh prayers were recited. |
| Two new young members of St Richard's added greatly to the evening with their music. Chris is a fine pianist and his wife Nicole, a violinist. They set the mood for the prayer with their lovely playing. |
| The evening finished with refreshments and a chance for meeting and for friendships to be made. |
| DM |
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| Crisis at the Lunch Club, October 18th 2009 |
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| On Sunday October 18th, following our Lunch Club, Ken Holdsworth, a Crisis volunteer for many years, spoke to us about the work of the organisation. It started in 1967 when it was realised how many people were left homeless and without support. 'Crisis at Christmas' that year provided a centre over the Christmas holiday, supplying shelter, food and friendship for people living on the streets in London. From this beginning the present charity for single homeless people has grown, dedicated to delivering life-changing services and campaigning for change. Among other things, they provide education, employment and housing advice to help homeless people to transform their lives. |
| Ken gave us several examples of ways in which this is being done. The number of rough sleepers in London is falling and Crisis aims to put an end to it by 2012. For every rough sleeper there are 100 people in hostels and 1100 households in overcrowded accommodation. The life expectancy of a rough sleeper is 42 years and they are 13 times more likely than the general population to be victims of violence. |
| The Centre in London runs the education and employment advice service and a Skylight café, and works with partners across the UK to deliver Crisis SmartMove, a rent deposit and advice scheme which has helped 12,000 people into a new home. |
| Christmas centres are now provided in several parts of the country and each year suitable, accessible accommodation has to be found. Over the Christmas period shelter, food and services such as chiropody, dentistry and health advice are provided. There is even a kennel space for dogs, as a number of homeless people have a dog as a companion. |
| Ken's talk really brought the work of Crisis to life for us and made our efforts to raise funds by singing carols at Christmas over many years well worthwhile. |
| PT |
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| Watoto Children's Choir, January 28th 2010 |
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| St Richard's was blessed so much by the visit of the Watoto children's choir on January 28th 2010. The Ugandan Choir consists of about twenty orphans of A.I.D.S. and warfare in their country. Aged between 8 and 13 years they, and their adult guardians, gave two electrifying ninety-minute performances of music and dance. One, during the day, was to school pupils, parents and teachers while the other, in the evening, was for the local community. The presentation celebrated the joy and gratitude of belonging to a Watato Christian village. A video describing life in a village showed how the children live in a "family" of eight with a house-mother to care for them. |
| For the evening performance,it was fantastic to see our church filled up by members of our own congregation and many others in the community. Around £850 was raised for the Villages, and the Watoto merchandise sold well in the Lady Chapel area. As a result of what we raised Watoto will be able to build seven classrooms in the villages for the children. |
| Soul Saturday's "justice crew" had served dinner to the choir earlier in the evening and proved what a great bunch of young people they are. We hope to continue to serve this community in Uganda and raise awareness of the issues facing the children there. We do hope that in 2 years we can ask the choir to come back and see us again but in the meantime please pray for these children and our young people that they would be blessed by God and receive him in their hearts. |
| SO, CO, KW, MH |
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| Songs of Praise, May 16th 2010 |
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| On Sunday afternoon 16th May, at St. Richard's Church the churches in Ham & Petersham joined together for an hour of communal worship and song with the latter very much to the fore. Our recently installed area dean, Canon Tim Marwood, from St. Peter's Church introduced the service with informative words about each of the hymns. The congregations of St. Peter's and St. Richard's had previously been asked to submit their choices for the hymns but not all could be included. Choirs and organists from both churches were in best form for the occasion when Tony Adkins played together with an enlarged choir in full voice. Revd Frances Forward led the prayers and Revd Paul Dunn gave the blessing. Post service refreshments were provided, as is usual at both St. Richard's and St. Peter's on such occasions. We were able to welcome visitors from St. Andrew's Church Ham and had hoped that some representatives from the other denominations in the area would join us. A splendid afternoon, which we hope, can be repeated. |
| CO |
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| Festival Weekend, May 22nd-23rd 2010 |
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| For long periods over the weekend of 22-23 May, the sun shone through the slab-glass windows of St Richard's Church, as we celebrated our patronal Festival. On Saturday we enjoyed learning about the history and significance of the windows, and were privileged to be joined by the wife and daughter of the artist, the late Henry Haig, who was commissioned to design the windows in the early 1960's. Henry's daughter gave us a personal insight into his life and work, with enlightening images and artefacts, and we heard of later commissions, including his two 40ft long 'Pentecost' and 'Joy' windows at Clifton Cathedral in Bristol, and the memorial window for WPC Yvonne Fletcher in St Leonard’s Church, Semley, Wiltshire. The 15 abstract designs of St Richard's windows illustrate a number of different events in the Saint's life, described for us in an illustrated presentation by members of our congregation. Following these informative discussions, there was time to view the windows themselves, admire the floral arrangements designed by the flower group to complement the windows, talk to our visitors and enjoy afternoon tea. |
| Following our Festival Eucharist on Sunday, when our choir sang a version of St Richard's prayer as an anthem, many of the congregation enjoyed a shared lunch in the Vicarage garden. |
| The photograph is of Henry Haig's wife, daughter, son-in-law and grandson standing beside one of St Richard's windows, and in front of one of the sacristy doors faced with vitreous enamels, gold and silver, portraying the shimmer at the entrance to Paradise, also designed by Henry. |
| MH |
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| A Different Church Every Week - news from Julie Thorn |
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| Lately it has been a different church every week - am I strange or dissatisfied with 'home' - no, I am busy travelling around on our boat 'Maid of Oak' (Coven & Aston) and helping my family (Tring & Ham). The Boaters Christian Fellowship 'Church Directory' has been enormously useful recently. It lists most of the churches within easy walking distance of the canals and navigable rivers with the route from the nearest mooring place, denomination and times of services, plus a contact telephone number. |
| Since the B.C.F. is interdenominational it is always particularly interesting when travelling with crew with a Baptist or Methodist background (I am actually Church of England). It is always a matter of courteous negotiation as to which church is 'picked', but usually it is simply the nearest or at the most appropriate time! Naturally I would not wish to go to a different church from my friends and it is all part of being an open-minded Christian. |
| In the last five weeks I have enjoyed going to St. Mary's Church, Colton (Trent & Mersey bridge 69), which is our 'home' church for 10.30 Parish Communion; St. Paul's Church, Coven for 9.15 Parish Communion (Staffs & Worcester bridge 71); St. Richard's Church, Ham for 10.00 Parish Communion (River Thames bridge 70 at Teddington Lock) - this Church was the one to which we belonged before we retired to Staffordshire; St. Saviour's Church, Aston for 9.15 Parish Communion (Trent & Mersey bridge 90) and to the Parish Church in Tring, as I was helping my daughter, who lives beside the canal diagonally opposite Bulbourne dry dock (next to the junction with the Wendover Arm) on the summit of the Grand Union. |
| All these churches are Church of England, so how different were they and their congregations? These days congregations are much better at making visitors welcome and I certainly felt that people welcomed me everywhere, but wearing my B.C.F. fleece with its clear Christian fish and narrow-boat certainly is a helpful introduction. Having refreshments after the Service is an important part of being sociable and out-reach and they always do this in Ham, Colton and Tring, whereas Aston did, but not always, and Coven did not. To me the Service is the most important and whilst I was happy with all the forms of Service, having been to quite high Church of England as a child, my friend from a Baptist background found the Coven Service far too formal and the bells 'uncomfortable'. (I had checked no incense as I am highly allergic to it.) At Aston there was no sharing of the Peace, which meant that I did not meet the congregation until after the Service, but they do use different service forms different weeks. Colton and Ham were the keenest to greet people. |
| Boaters always end up discussing toilets - sorry, but it is true; Coven and Tring are within the church, whilst Ham and Colton are close by. There is a building project planned for facilities including toilets and a mini-kitchen at the back of Aston Church, but faculties have yet to be gained! |
| Perhaps the greatest obvious difference at the Churches was the amount of singing during the Service with even the Lord's Prayer being sung at Coven, whereas everything, except the actual hymns, was said at Aston and Colton. Personally I really like to sing enthusiastically the Gloria, but that does depend on enough good singers, so I enjoyed Ham, Coven and Tring. The musical setting at Tring was not one I knew. It is good to be shaken out of one's comfortable complacency of the usual and well known and made to think much more about what one is doing and why. Meeting different services and priests makes me realise that for me Colton has got it about right – good addresses (of the right length and content), and real Christian faith and love for one another. I think that I would find it very difficult not being part of one congregation, because I like to both be helpful and serve, both at the altar, as publicity officer and helping co-ordinate things as well as the social side. |
| Julie Thorn |
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| Piano Recital by Anthony Adkins, June 26th 2010 |
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| On Saturday June 26th Anthony Adkins, the international concert pianist and organist at St Richard's, gave a glorious evening of music in aid of a children's centre in Mozambique which is run by the Iris Ministries. Amongst the special guests were Cllr Helen Lee Parsons (one of Richmond's former mayors), Jenny Tonge (a previous MP for Richmond) and directors and friends of the Iris Ministries. |
| Anthony Adkins' recital, performed on a Steinway concert grand, opened with a French Suite by Bach and, typical of this master pianist, every movement was performed with such finesse and unique character. Then came the drama as we were treated to a most wonderful account of Liszt's transcription of 'Isolde's Liebestod' from Wagner's 'Tristan und Isolde'. This left me in utter awe of Anthony Adkins' capabilities. It was then a difficult act to follow, but followed it was with some of the most supreme playing I have ever heard from this pianist. 'Un sospiro' was performed with such ease that we found it hard to imagine that this was indeed, a concert study - every nuance and shade of colour was found. Yes, Mr Adkins can play the greatest virtuoso works with 'panache' but what never ceases to amaze me is that this virtuosity never stands in the way of the inner meaning of the music. So, in 'Dumka' and 'Theme and Variations' by Tchaikowsky we were allowed to enjoy the full expression of this deep, Russian music. After an interval, we were treated to some charming music by Mompou, which was played with a delightful lightness of touch. The remainder of the programme was of music by Chopin and once again, Anthony Adkins reminded us all of his pedigree as a former holder of the 'Chopin Fellowship' from the Polish government. The Polonaise in D minor, two sublime Nocturnes op.27 and the demanding Variations brillantes op. 12 were performed impeccably by this marvellous pianist. An encore of Schumann's newly discovered 'Ahnung' rounded off this most memorable evening, |
| William Elliott, July 2010 (William Elliott writes for The Gramophone and other musical publications) |
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See also the News Item concerning ourHarvest Festival, Oct 3rd,4th 2009 Return to list of News Items |
| Evening Standard Article about Ham Knight Club, July 21st 2010 |
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The Evening Standard is running a campaign to raise awareness of "The Dispossessed" in London and to tackle
inequality in the capital. An article in
the paper on July 21st carried a reference to the beneficial work being done by St Richard's Ham Knight Club. Click here to see article |
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