Jan 13 Tone & feel & repetition tools Ian G.
20 Quotation/allusion tool Nick G.
27 Bible time line tool Adam W.
Feb 3 Share & prayer Ian G.
10 Who am I? & so what tools? Arnold A.
17 Half Term
24 One2One Jn 1:1-18 Wes
Mar 3 Share & prayer Ian G.
10 One2One Jn 17:11-44 Wes
17 One2One Jn 12:20-26 Wes
24 Share & prayer Ian
Dear Church family – God’s Grace is sufficient …
How are the preparations going? The preparations to celebrate the gracious visit of God the Son? He has visited so that all who follow him may be ready for His glorious coming, whenever that is. And it may be on the 25 Dec this year.
Grace is now freely available to all who come to God’s Son, Jesus Christ the Messiah.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor 8:9)
This grace is wonderfully illustrated by the four women mentioned in Matthew’s genealogy, Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba (Mtt 1:3-6). All of them were outsiders, ‘Gentiles.’ None of them were paragons of conventional virtue. Tamar was in an incestuous relationship (Gen 38); Rahab was a prostitute in Jerico (Joshua 2); Ruth was a Moabitess, a people hostile to God’s people; and Bathsheba was in an adulterous relationship with David (2 Samuel 11).
Matthew includes these 4 ladies to show us that if people like these are in Jesus’ genealogy, then everyone is welcome in God’s family, because God lavishes His love on those who don’t deserve it – sexual failures, marital failures, financial failures, whatever we may be thinking of now that condemns us or disqualifies us as not worthy, are no obstacle to God’s grace.
God is interested in the most unlovely, unworthy, undeserving people. Our God knows how messy our lives are; that’s what he came to deal with – the message of Matthew right from the start is no matter what mess our lives are in, there is more grace in Christ Jesus the son of Abraham, than there is sin in us. He has come to bring us into the presence of God. He has come that we might live in the presence of God. That we might receive the blessing God promised to Abraham – the greatest blessing. The blessing of Knowing God and making him known.
God’s sufficient grace is wonderful news to celebrate and share this Christmas, isn’t it? Do read on to find out how we might do this.
Your brother in Christ,
Ian
As we come to the end of the Archbishops’ “Prayer for the Nation” prayers, the Christian Institute has invited us to join them in a further week of prayer for the nation. Details can be found here.
Dear Sisters & Brothers,
I hope that this finds you well. I’m aware that inevitably we’ll be in different circumstances and have different feelings at the start of this second lockdown.
But the Lord is still working out his good purposes for us as His people and we can be sure of this. And we have been called to pray for our nation –
On the 1st of November, in recognition of the crisis we are living through, the Archbishops of our denomination wrote to all the clergy in the Church of England, in these words:
“Bearing in mind our primary vocation as the Church of Jesus Christ is to pray and to serve, we call upon the Church of England to make this month of lockdown a month of prayer. More than anything else, whatever the nation thinks, we know that we are in the faithful hands of the risen Christ who knows our weaknesses, tiredness and struggles and whose steadfast love endures forever.
Above all we recall people to some of the fundamental spiritual disciplines that shape our Christian life. How we do this is up to each congregation and person. During the first lockdown we cheered for the NHS every Thursday. During this second lockdown we invite you to fast in a way appropriate to you as well as pray for our nation every Thursday, for its leaders, its health and essential services and all those who suffer.”
The Archbishops, in consultation with the House of Bishops, then decided that this call would take the form of an invitation to every Christian to pray at 6pm every day, beginning this Thursday 5 November for the period of this present lock-down. In order to stimulate this time of prayer, where it is possible, churches are encouraged to ring a single bell at 6pm.
Our denomination the CofE has made available some very good prayers to use and I am pleased to be able to commend them to you as we at Holy Redeemer Streatham seek, by God’s grace to get behind this call to pray for our nation. We can find these prayers here:
Your brother in Christ,
Ian
Racial Equality – Holy Redeemer Church, Streatham
We were asked by the PCC to talk to the church family about their experiences of racial Equality in our church and the wider community following the death of George Floyd and the inequalities and unconscious bias, which was highlighted in society.
The aim is to enable us to preach the gospel more effectively, conscious of the effect our words have on our diverse congregation. Also, our aim is for the words Jesus preached to be endorsed by the church family; to be loving, caring and help one another.
So, we asked ourselves ‘What is racism?’ It could be defined where someone treats you differently because of your colour, ethnicity, nationality, or race. This could mean that they treat you differently or unfairly. This could be a learned stereotype that is automatic, unintentional, deeply ingrained, and able to influence behaviour. It can range from subtle comments to overt action and hostile, derogatory, negative racial slants and insults.
We are all aware of the inequalities in the wider community. We hear it on the TV everyday which affect the lives of minority groups in our society.
Saying we are not racist is no longer good enough, we all need to do more to eradicate racism. This means standing up as an ally and actively promote equality. We must speak up as racial inequality is not acceptable in our society today.
Our findings within the Holy Redeemer Church:
We contacted the congregation in the newsletter and the church notices, contacted members by email, WhatsApp, and telephone. Face to face communication was difficult because of Covid-19 pandemic and the restrictions it has put on us all. Between us we received responses from approximately 20% of the congregation.
Most of our findings were positive, and we found that most people think racial inequality does not exist and they have not experienced it within the church setting and they feel included in the church. Some people found it difficult to talk about racism and some found it emotionally draining and did not want to talk about it, as it could affect their mental state. One comment was that we need to be careful of our teachings and some of the stories used from commercial books that occasionally depict black in the negative and white in the positive context (especially in a Sunday school setting).
Below are some of the questions asked and answers given.
| Questions | Answers Given |
| Do you feel comfortable to express your cultural ethnic identity in church? e.g. dress code. | Responses were that they were comfortable to express their cultural identity. However, disappointment was expressed with some who were not happy with those inappropriately dressed when they are playing an active part in services. |
| Do you feel you can discuss racial issues with (a) church leaders (b) congregation? | Responses were that they feel they can approach Ian and the PCC members; many have done so in the past. They think Ian is open to discussion. It was also felt that the Church would be a constructive place to discuss racial issues. |
| Have you experienced any racial discrimination within the church or at events? | Most people did not experience and racial discrimination in church. |
| Do you feel as though you are a valued member of the church? | Everyone we spoke to felt they are valued and included within the church family, which has improved over the years. |
| Do you feel opportunities are made available or are accessible to you to have an active role in the church? | The majority we spoke to felt opportunities are made available but fearful of lack of support or being thrown in at the “deep end” which can be embarrassing. Others responded that opportunities were available to a certain extent and more could be done to involve more people in different ministries and it was felt that the church leadership did not have confidence in the congregation although this is slowly changing. |
| Do you feel the church is sensitive to or recognises racial issues? | The replies were that the church may not fully understand the sensitivity to racial issues and how it affects people from minority groups daily. Also, that the church recognises racial issues, but the subject is not given much airtime. |
| Do you feel the church understand or emphasise with racial discrimination that ethnic groups face? | We found that the leadership has a limited awareness of the experiences that minority groups face, as different groups face different types of discrimination. As a church we could do more to listen to each other’s experience and other prejudices such as ageism. |
| Do you feel that your race plays a part in how you are welcomed or interacted with at the Holy Redeemer? | We found that everyone is welcomed and greeted equally, and that race did not come into it. |
| Do you think that you have enough knowledge about race relations and discriminations? Would you like to learn more? | Some people said that they did not have enough knowledge about minority groups, race relations or the history. Others said they had enough knowledge about it. Some said they would welcome more information as there is no limit to how much we should seek to understand each other’s experience, our own prejudices and repent on them. |
| Have you ever witnessed racism within the church? | Some people said they come to church to worship and leave. If it is there, they would not know, and they have not seen it. Others said they have not witnessed it in the church but have in the wider community. |
| Would you feel comfortable to challenge racism? | Some people would challenge racism. Some would challenge in the church and at work, but in the community, some were reluctant because of safety and depending on the situation. |
Suggested recommendations:
Summary:
We hope the PCC members find this information useful, so that it can assist us in the various ministries within the church.
Report prepared by:
Shirley Wallace & Velma Robinson
Updated: 13 September 2020
Ministry Reports -Year ending 31 December 2019
** Copies of the Annual Accounts available on request, please email the office**
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.
This poster might be old, but this is a rolling course and a new one starts every term. Please use the contact details below.
Dear Church Family,
If living with change is tiring, living with change and uncertainty together is exhausting. And that is what we are dealing with at this stage, 18 weeks into the battle with C-19. We can expect to be weary.
It was tiring getting used to the new lockdown patterns and routines when it started. And cumulatively, it’s yet more tiring, charting our way out of lockdown into the ‘new normal’ now.
Working out which page everyone is on is tiring. Everyone’s circumstances are different – different ages, health, family situations and locations – and it all has to be taken into account.
God’s word to His weary people facing the exhaustion of exile to Babylon were comforting to them then and also to us now. The Lord says in Isaiah 40:29-31:
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Isaiah 40:29-31
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
They will walk and not be faint.”
It is more important than ever that we set aside time to be with the Lord, who alone can sustain us, weary travellers, through the journey we are all on.
His promise is that those who do wait for Him shall ‘run’ – be able to meet the exceptional circumstances of life – and ‘walk’ – be able to persevere through the ordinary daily grind of life.
So, guard those precious minutes with Him and His Word each day, and His strength will be sufficient for the needs of each day.
The Keswick Convention talks for adults and kids are a great opportunity to do this – it’s on from 27th-31st July, click here for details.
Your brother in Christ,
Ian
Dear Church Family,
Hopefully we’re at the end of the beginning – the return to work, where available, and school has begun. But we are not yet at the beginning of the end, with no vaccine yet. The prospect of having to stay alert; adapt to new circumstances; and keep up with the pace of change remains.
All the more important to rest well. God’s pattern of 6 days on one day off is a good one.
The Lord rested on the 7th day after creating everything. That doesn’t mean He did nothing. He is constantly sustaining all that He has made. Rest is the peace of enjoying our work in God’s creation.
The seventh day never ended. It is a special gift of the Lord to remind us that we are eternal. A day to step back to see the eternal perspective, and to be with the Lord who was and is and is to come.
The seventh day was given when the Israelites were released from slavery in Egypt. It’s to remind us that we are free not to work.
During the French Revolution, in 1793, France briefly adopted a 10 day week, to deconstruct the influence of Christianity in France. But with fewer days off it wasn’t popular, and Napoleon dropped it seven years later.
How to rest with C-19 around is a challenge. Each day is similar for many of us. These words of Jesus help:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
(Matthew 11:28-29)
Being with the Lord is the best rest available. We were made by Him and for Him. To be with him is rest, even when circumstances are not restful.
Make the 7th Day special – join me and the rest of the HRS family for Online Church at 10:45 Sunday morning on YouTube
Your brother in Christ,
Ian
Dear Church Family,
Hopefully, we’re at the end of the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic – national lockdown has been eased to regional lockdowns; schools are beginning to re-open; economic activity is cranking up; social life in bubbles has begun. There is hope that the worst is over.
The situation was much worse for the Israelites in C8th BC. God had told them through Isaiah that they were about to be ‘carried into exile in Babylon’ where they’d remain for 70 years!
In this dire situation, the Lord had a word of comfort for his people in Isaiah 40 – the focus of our online services for the next three weeks: –
He would deal with the root of the problem: ‘her iniquity would be pardoned’ (v2 – read Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12 to find out how …)
‘The glory of the Lord would be revealed’ (v5 – read John 1:14 to find out when …)
‘The word of the Lord would stand for ever’ (v8)
The Lord Himself would ‘tend his flock like a shepherd’ (v11 – read John 10:10-11 to find out who …)
These promises were fulfilled when the Lord brought his people back from exile in Babylon in 539 BC, and when Jesus came 500 years later.
We’ve seen the fulfilment of his promises then, and we can trust Him to fulfil his promise to return in glory and transform our groaning into the glory he promised his people:
So with the Apostle Paul we can say:
‘I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us,’
(Romans 8:18)
and keep on loving our neighbours and each other, whatever the shape of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Your brother in Christ,
Ian
