Double 'Gold' Jubi-Lee

Over a weekend at the end of June St Peter's, Lee combined with tenants and residents groups for a double 'gold' celebration - the Queen's Jubilee and the church's own 50th anniversary on the site.

As the church had started up again after the war in what was then a dance hall they held a very successful 'dance through the decades', on the Saturday night.

On Sunday morning there was all age worship - in the church car park - where Delbert Sandiford preached and the church's uniformed organisations took part. This service was held jointly with the Good Shepherd, Lee (the other 'half' of the benefice). In the afternoon the street was closed for a party with games and a Punch and Judy show. About a hundred children sat down to tea in the middle of the road!

The day ended with 1662 choral evensong sung at St Peter's by the choir of the Good Shepherd church.

New hall for Anglican/Methodist LEP church

Crypt conversion to start

On Wednesday 4 September Bishop Tom will inaugurate the building works to convert the crypt of St. Peter's, Liverpool Grove (Walworth), into a Centre for Learning, Arts and Community.

Parishioner Toro Erogbogbo said "We want the building to be open to everyone, with a caf‚, internet centre, somewhere for young people, arts space, clubs and activities for older people and refugees, and more".

Bishop Tom will also bless the Monkey Park which is to be a community garden. St Peter's has already raised £1m towards the £1.3m cost of the scheme which has the support of English Heritage. Funding has been secured from the Single Regeneration Budget, the Community Fund, UKOnline, the Sainsbury Family Trusts, the Church Urban Fund and many other bodies.

Stepping Out With 'Stepping Stones'!

Dawson Nightingale writes:

St Faith's, North Dulwich, was the venue, in July, for a theatrical treat put on by members of 'Stepping Stones', a project of St Faith's Centre which has been helping adults with learning disabilities to help themselves for five years.

The troop put on a show for a capacity audience including masked ritual drumming on authentic African instruments (photo left), revue sketches and drama. Afterwards, everyone shared a buffet prepared by the adults with learning disabilities in their 'cook and eat' classes. Hannah Orthmann, who directs the music and drama groups, stressed that 'Stepping Stones aims to help its users to perform at a professional level. They are keen and more than able to put on a public performance to a top standard!'

The evening was in part a celebration of 'Stepping Stones' receiving National Lottery funding. Vashti Ledford-Jobson, representing the Community Fund, presented the cheque for over œ40,000. The Mayor of Southwark, Cllr. Denise Capstick expressed everyone's excitement when she said that it had all been 'absolutely amazing!'

For further details about 'Stepping Stones' and the work of St Faith's Centre, telephone: 020 7733 7896.

Wobbly Vicars

Clergy from Worcester Park churches took to a bouncy castle during an outdoor summer service in Shadbolt Park. The service -attended by some 300 people from local churches - was followed by a picnic lunch and games and activities for all ages.

Photo left to right: Rev. Richard Allwood (Baptist), Rev. Robin Harvey (St Mary's), Rev. Charlotte Elvey (Anglican - Christ Church w. St Philip), Rev. Barrie Tabraham (Methodist - Christ Church w. St Philip) and Fr. Kevan Hayden (St Matthias RC).