Ministry Reports -Year ending 31 December 2019
** Copies of the Annual Accounts available on request, please email the office**
- Vicar’s Report
- PCC Report
- Home Groups
- Special Events
- Safeguarding
- Women’s Ministry
- Horizon Club
- Friday Reds & aLIVE
- Cornhill
- Trips & Activites
- Little Nippers
- Sunday Reds
Vicar’s Report 2019-2020
It has been a year of two halves. The first half seeing new ventures with the Men’s w/end at Shatterling Barnes, and the Church family w/end planned at the same venue together with the away day with Andrew Sach, and a Church family holiday at the Keswick Convention planned. Only the men’s w/end took place before Covid hit us all. The family w/end away and Keswick had to be cancelled and the away day held on zoom. Our Church’s 5 year plan has been formed and presented.
Since Covid, 7 months ago, the Church family has moved ‘online’ for our Sunday and midweek meetings and coffee after Church, and we are grateful for the time and technical skill, and creative ability that John and Lizzy have poured into our online meetings, together with all who have been recording prayers, readings, interviews and talks for these.
During the year, it has continued to appear that the project to reorder the main building has been neglected. This is not the case. The PCC has been working tirelessly to progress the planning applications for Eardley Road, and in May this year, Permitted development approval was given. We are still progressing the full planning application for the Hall and end of terrace house. And considering an extended Permitted Development application which would allow for the hall to be redeveloped allowing for 100% more units. Work on the flat rooves of the main building has been set back by very bad work done by Acrypol, and this needs now to be re-done. Acrypol have sold to Cromar. They recognise that the work needs to be re-done, but we are one of many badly done jobs and it remains to be seen what will happen. We are working on the tower repair and inspection and repair of the internal ceiling of the Church in the hope that we will be able to have a Carol service in there this Christmas.
Our thanks to Hiba Cameron and Jon Lee, our wardens, John Sanni, our treasurer, and Heri Cameron who has been our secretary for over 5 years, and has just handed over to Tania Loke. Our thanks are due to the home group leaders, members of the PCC, children’s teachers, and to the musicians, caterers and all who make HRS the Church we are. Our thanks also to Celeste Mupanduki who keeps us running, and to Lois Haggar for her one to one work and small group work with the women of our Church. And finally, thanks to Denise, for patiently looking after the Vicar and acting as unofficial women’s and children’s worker.
It has been great having Paul Greenhalgh’s ministry while he was on placement with us for his Cornhill training. Paul has moved to do a PGCE in Cambridge, and teaching the children at STAG Church Cambridge.
Looking ahead, we are hoping to be able to have a holiday club in the second week of the Easter holiday, and a holiday Keswick 2 this summer.
PCC Report
The PCC met 15 times while the Standing committee met 5 times this year. The PCC discussed the Church’s 5 year vision to Reach (proclaim Christ); Grow (make disciples); Serve (the community); and Support (resource ministry). We have been working on the planning applications to maximise the value of the Eardley Road Hall, and looking at ways to get back into the main building. We explored an application from a couple from the US interested in joining the ministry team, but COVID -19 pandemic prevented this. Due to restrictions brought about by the COVID -19 pandemic, the PCC has also discussed and implemented online Sunday service via Youtube, online mid week bible study meetings and youth meetings via zoom. The PCC meetings are also now being held via zoom.
Please give thanks to God and pray for all who have served on the PCC this year (Ian Gilmour our vicar and chairman, Hiba Cameron and Jon Lee, our Church Wardens, John Sanni, our treasurer, Heri Cameron our PCC secretary, Lynn Andrews our safeguarding officer, Julia Wallace, Elizabeth Lee, Lois Hagger, Sumbo Adeyemo, Velma Robinson, Shirley Wallace, Nick Grindle, Cecil Devonish and Coral Devonish, Paul Greenhalgh and Steven Oakley). We are thankful too for Sumbo Adeyemo and Heri Cameron who are retiring from the PCC.
Home groups
God tells us to ‘consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.’ (Heb 10:24). Acting on God’s instructions, 3 evening groups and 3 day time groups have met over the last year. During C-19, a central group has met on zoom for meditations on the Psalms in lockdown. There have also been three Christianity explored / evangelistic groups meeting, the last of these online. In our home groups we’ve followed the Sunday sermon series (John 13-17 & Colossians 3), trained in explaining the good news of Jesus (Two ways to live) and enjoyed digging into the prophecy of Zechariah. Our home groups are the primary pastoral care network of the Church, and C-19 has shown their value more than ever, as leaders and members have cared for each other.
Special events
The pandemic has stopped many things, among them the Church w/end away at Shatterling Barnes and a Church family holiday at the Keswick Convention in the Lake District. But we’ve enjoyed a men’s w/end at Shatterling Barnes in October, and we’re hoping to arrange a holiday at the Keswick convention 24-30 July 2021. Our 2020 holiday club had to cancel, but we’re hoping to run one in the second week of the Easter holidays 2021. Please pray for these and put the dates in the diaries.
Safeguarding – Lynn Andrews
The Safeguarding Team consists Rev Ian Gilmour and Lynn Andrews who are joint Safeguarding Officers for the church. Church Safeguarding is a permanent item on the PCC agenda when general issues of safeguarding are discussed. The Holy Redeemer’s Safeguarding Policy is available on the church’s website. Those who have a role in leadership in the church whether through children’s ministry, Pop-in and are expected to complete the Southwark Dioceses safeguarding training
As a church we want to ensure that the children and vulnerable adults in our church and community are protected and we recognise the calling and duty to love and care for the vulnerable and marginalised and protect all from abuse.
Women’s Ministry – Lois Hagger
– Co-led a weekly morning women’s group with Denise on either Tuesday (winter) or Wednesday (autumn) depending on who could make it. We studied Revelation, Christian Concern material, Colossians and sermon prep for John’s gospel. We averaged 3 – 6 ladies each week.
– Led a fortnightly evening Wednesday women’s group which started in autumn. I used the material prepared for the morning bible study.
– Met with 3 – 5 women to read the bible and pray.
– Organised the Welcoming team, and ran a training morning. I’m usually at the door each week to assist in this ministry.
– Joined Ian in January to assist with Christianity Explored
– Attended the Tuesday Horizon group for the Bible talk and exercise after with the aim of evangelism and encouragement.
– Assist in kitchen duties at Little Nippers on Monday
Horizon Club
The Horizon Club has become very settled and has made satisfactory progress in terms of attendance. There has been a continuous increase in the numbers attending the Bible Discovery session and also in the Exercise session. Regarding the Bible Discovery session there has been on average 14 to 15 attendees and 27 to 29 for the exercise session. Unfortunately due to COVID-19, these meeting came to an end in March.
Friday REDS & aLIVE – Paul Greenhalgh
Praise God for another great year with our Friday groups. REDS (5-11s) and aLIVE (11-18s) grew both numerically and in spiritual maturity throughout 2019.
Our c. 15 Friday REDS enjoy learning a Bible truth each week, singing their favourite songs (Super Saviour being their chart topper), hearing about Christian heroes of history, eating their body weight in custard creams, and burning it all off with energetic games.
Later in the evening our 15-20 aLIVE group members come along to chill out at the end of a busy school week. A new pattern of meeting began in the autumn term. We have regular features including Bible study, discussion groups, addressing common questions asked of Christianity, team challenges, and book recommendations. Perhaps most encouraging of all have been interviews with various members of the church family, and the chance to ask them questions about living the Christian life. Thank you to those who have subjected themselves to a grilling!
In 2019 both groups followed the same teaching pattern: Christianity Explored for Youth (Mark’s gospel); 1 & 2 Samuel; and a Bible Overview, based on Vaughan Roberts’ excellent book God’s Big Picture.
One off events for the REDS included the Knights of the King Holiday Club in July and our annual Autumn Light Party in October. The former was massive fun for the 50 children who came, and for all the leaders too. This was despite temperatures soaring to 38℃ on our second day!
Some of the aLIVE Group enjoyed a week of teaching from John’s gospel at Quantock 3 Summer Camp. Later in the year, we also enjoyed a trip to Westminster Chapel and Capital Youthworks Sorted event in November. It was a smashing day of teaching from Romans 8, and an encouragement to meet with hundreds of other 14-18s from across the south-east.
As ever, huge thanks go to all those who have been on the team leading the groups each week: Lynn Andrews; Katy Brock; Rosie Egena; Ian & Denise Gilmour; Erin Goddard; Carol Lake; and Steph Tonna.
Cornhill – Paul Greenhalgh
My studies on the Cornhill Training Course continued throughout 2019, first completing F1 and F2, before starting Cornhill Core from September. Cornhill shares Holy Redeemer’s conviction that when the Bible is taught, God’s voice is heard. The course then aims to equip people to unashamedly and faithfully teach God’s word. In practice this meant receiving lectures to familiarise us with Bible books and key doctrines. Personal highlights in 2019 included studying Isaiah, Ephesians, Revelation, and the Sovereignty of God.
Throughout 2019 I was also regularly preparing and delivering Bible talks to a small group, where we seek to offer useful feedback to sharpen each other as preachers. I am grateful for the feedback I’ve received on talks in Colossians, Ecclesiastes, Exodus, Isaiah, John, and Romans.
Our learning at Cornhill is designed to dovetail with opportunities to put it into practice in the local church. At Holy Redeemer this has meant continuing to teach the children and youth, and the opportunity to preach occasionally. I’d like to record my thanks to Ian especially for allowing me these opportunities, and his godly mentorship throughout 2019. Thank you too to all the church family at Holy Redeemer for your patience, encouragement, and prayers.
Trips and Visits – Paul Greenhalgh
During the Easter holiday a number of the church family enjoyed a day out together to Greenwich. The sun shone as we enjoyed a boat ride down the Thames from London Bridge to Greenwich Pier. After investigating the foot tunnel under the Thames, we whiled away a happy few hours picnicking and playing games in Greenwich Park. After an hour in the National Maritime Museum it was time to head home, but not without first stopping to enjoy an ice-cream!
Around 30 adults and children also enjoyed the early May Bank holiday at Bible-by-the-Beach in Eastbourne. We enjoyed excellent Bible teaching for all ages from speakers including Don Carson, Lee Gatiss, Ed Drew, and Mark Pickles. There was also plenty of time to chat over what we’d heard and share our lives together for a few days.
Little Nippers
There has been good attendance at Little Nippers over the last year averaging 30 children and their carers. It has been especially good to have church members attending the group – Lisa Oakley and Ian Andrews has started a regular social gathering after the group which meets at the Railway. This opens more opportunities for building relationships and evangelism. Rosamunde Ganpatsingh, Eileen Ahmed, Joyce Welcome and Lois Hagger have continued as faithful helpers in the kitchen.
Sunday Reds
Sunday Reds has grown since last year which is both very encouraging and presents some challenges. There is limited space in the Vicarage now. 3-5’s meet in the Vestry, 6-11’s and 11-14’s meet in the Vicarage. The Sunday School teachers have been wonderful and have put a lot of preparation into their lessons and faithfully taught the children over the year. We have about 14 teachers but will lose about 4 of them for various reasons by the Summer. We are talking to various people about taking up the roles that will be vacant. We are still using the Click curriculum for under 11s, and the 11-14s have changed over to the Mustard Seeds curriculum. We have had a Sunday School training session in October.