Barnes in Common

the magazine of Churches Together in Barnes
May/June 2006

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Church News

Baptist Church   |   Holy Trinity   |   Methodist Church
St Mary's   |   St Michael's   |   St Osmund's

Baptist Church

Following our Easter celebration of the Risen Lord Jesus the church held its Annual General Meeting on 19 April. At the AGM we review the events of the past year, plan ahead and hold any necessary elections to the various church offices. Baptist Churches are independent churches; generally accepting an ordained minister to exercise leadership, but expecting each member to take part in the worship, fellowship, service, witness and decision making. We 'cluster' with other local Baptist churches (we'll be having a joint service with East Sheen and Ham on 4 June) and are part of the Thames Valley Sector of the London Baptist Association – part of the national Baptist Union.

On 21 May we will be celebrating our church's 140th anniversary (the first Baptist Church in Barnes was built in 1866, situated in Stanton Road).

Please note that this year's Bible Society Spring Meeting will be held at East Sheen Baptist Church, Temple Sheen Rd, on Sat 20 May, beginning at 11.30 a.m. See your church notice board for further details. All are welcome.

Graham Pulham

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Holy Trinity

Our Easter celebration was a marvellous climax to our journey through Lent and Holy Week and we were delighted to welcome newcomers over a glass of wine and simnel cake following the service.

We celebrate our past year and look forward to the coming year at our Annual meeting on 30th April which includes a buffet lunch. Holy Trinity Sunday is on 11th June when we shall honour the existence of the Anglican church in North Barnes and rededicate ourselves to its life and witness.

We have successfully introduced an 'activity table' at the front of church for members of our Sunday School when they rejoin the service. Laminated cards are available for them to follow the service and make their own prayers.

Watch this space for a new provision being planned for 14-19 year olds in and beyond our churches!

Jean Boulton-Reynolds

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Methodist Church

May sees us almost halfway through our centenary year. We have been absolutely delighted with the way our new building is being used and are welcoming back old friends in the shape of former ministers of Barnes Methodist church. And we are delighted to see lots of visitors on Sunday mornings, bringing us new life. We look forward to our Flower Festival and to hosting the 'Celebration of Barnes' service.

We now have a regular Saturday morning 'Coffee Shop' – with really good coffee and home made cakes, together with a warm welcome. So why not drop in some time? The Chapel is open too if you would like some space in the middle of your busy life.

We still have money to raise, and tickets are available for our next Quiz Evening in Barnes Social Centre on the Green on May 13 – do join us. The price includes a ploughman's supper – and you can bring a whole team or come as an individual and we will find you a team.

Veronica Faulks

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St Mary's

It was very heartening to see a packed house for Easter in St. Mary's – over 600, and about 60-70% up on four or five years ago. However, it set me off, thinking – how many people should we be getting in our churches? 15,000 (the total population of Barnes)? Is what we are getting now all we aim for? Or a few more, so we can cover our costs? Should we collectively make a commitment to increase our attendance fifty percent by 2010? Or by one hundred percent by 2012 (an Olympic achievement, that would be)?

Maybe we don't think it is possible, so we shouldn't even try. Maybe we don’t even think it desirable – that even if people did come, they would find too little for it to be worth their while.

But isn't it worth some consideration?

Ross Collins

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St Michael's Church

If you want a crowd hire a donkey. It is extraordinary how a donkey attracts children. On our Palm Sunday procession around White Hart Lane, the calm is disturbed with our singing, doors are flung open and people come out to see what is going on. Donkeys are known for their stubbornness but the Palm Sunday donkey always seems to capture the mood and is not fazed by coming into church. I am always reminded of the poem that takes us into the mind of the donkey upon which Jesus sat for his entrance into Jerusalem:

"Fools! For I also had my hour;
One far fierce hour and sweet:
There was a shout about my ears,
And palms before my feet."

We are now busy looking at ways in which the new St Michael and All Angels Community Centre can best be used to serve the needs of those around us. In the true Anglican tradition a group of enthusiastic members of the congregation have come together to explore imaginative ways of using the new space which is linked into the church. If you have any needs do let us know.

In May we are having a Pilgrimage to Peterborough with a theme of healing, where we will be greeted by a former Vicar of St Michaels Fr. Bruce Ruddock. The Revd. Beatrice Brandon who helped the writing of the book A Time to Heal will lead us in our reflection.

Paul Holland

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St Osmund's Church

Alfred Kenyon had celebrated his 86th birthday on February 27th. He had been in failing health for some time although he took his place in our choir for as long as he was physically able. He died peacefully in hospital on March 9th. He had been received into the Catholic Church at Oxford in his early twenties and the cause of Church Unity was always of greatest prayerful concern to him. So it was fitting that several CTiB friends joined us for his Requiem Mass. Bishop Howard Tripp was present – Alfred had served on our diocesan ecumenical commission which was also represented. Fr Dominic Allain came as well – he had seen Alfred recently in his capacity as chaplain at Kingston hospital. Alfred had planned the music at the mass by which we thanked God for his life of Christian witness – it was a seven days a week mission to him in many fields. Requiescat in pace.

The other recent event of note was the service for Women's World Day of Prayer on the first Friday of March. Siân Curry from Christian Aid spoke in a moving terms about the work of the Thandanani Children's Foundation in KwaZulu Natal, among children suffering as a consequence of Aids. A collection raised £253.

Fiona Keen and Father Logan

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