KPN Spring 2012

Kensington Parish News Spring 2012 | Free www.stmaryabbotschurch.org

St Mary Abbots | Christ Church | St Philip's

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Contents

Spring 2012

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Vicar’s Voice - Fr Mark O’Donoghue

10 New Treasures for St Mary Abbots by Fr Gillean Craig 12 David Banks remembers Bob Courtney 14 St Mary Abbots Transformed by Fr Gillean Craig 18 Johanna Scholz, In Memorium by Max Croft 20 Fr David Walsh takes us behind the scenes at St Philip’s 22 Inspiring Minds at St Barnabas and St Philip’s School

by Nicola Challice and Yr 5 26 Bertie Portal interviewed by Barbara Want 28 SMA Children’s Tea Party by Max Croft

Would readers wishing to sudmit articles for our next issue Summer 2012 or would like to advertise i n t h e K P N ( a l l p ro c e e d s t o t h e church) please email kensingtonparishnews@googlemail.com

Editors: Fiona Braddock and Olga Pantyukhova. Printaprint, Kensington.

Distributed free through our three parish churchers. Copyright remains the propery of the respactive authors. Heartfelt thanks, as always, to all our contrbutions.

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From the Clergy

VICAR’S VOICE Fr Mark O’Donoghue

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hortly after WWII had ended, Sir Oliver Franks took up his appointment as HM’s Ambassador to Washington D.C. and just before his first Christmas, he received a telephone call from the editor of the Washington Post, who wanted to know what he would like for Christmas. Although commonplace in our modern world (where, it seems, not even horses are exempt from editorial expense accounts), Sir Oliver hadn’t realised it was an American tradition for editors to send gifts to diplomats. However, the ambassador realised that he nonetheless had to get his request right. With much of Europe facing rationing, the gift had to be tasteful but not expensive. It was a good opportunity to garner some good publicity so it should be eye-catching but not controversial. And, above all else, he wanted it to be quintessentially English but not too dull!

Sir Oliver discussed it with his senior staff, decided on an appropriate gift and then promptly forgot all about it.

If someone had telephoned me to ask what I wanted for my first Christmas in Kensington (yes, I’m afraid, you’ll have to read until the end for the punchline of Sir Oliver’s tale), I may have replied: a warm welcome from the Christ Church congregation; Claire and the children settling into a new area and, for Kate, a new school; and signs of life in our new ministry here in W8. Of course, I should not have

been so faithless. The gracious God who so generously sent his only Son for us that first Christmas has given, as usual, much more than I asked for or imagined.

As a family, we have not merely been welcomed by the Christ Church faithful but befriended and loved by people of all ages and backgrounds. As someone who had previously lived on emails and texts, I have loved receiving people’s encouraging handwritten notes popped through the letterbox. We have also been delighted by how quickly the children have made friends in their new local community, helped enormously by a gaggle of gregarious Christ Church children, who have kindly welcomed them not only into their Sunday School but also into their homes and hearts.

I knew that I would be building on solid foundations laid not only by Canon Andrew

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From the Clergy Pearson but also by generations of faithful lay men and women, who had prayed, welcomed, given and served so that

and Carols, featuring some wonderful choir pieces, such as Morten Lauridsen’s O Magnum Mysterium. I know that numbers alone are no measure of ministry faithfulness or fruitfulness, but I was heartened to see more than 250 people with us on that Sunday and more than ninety children in the morning.

‘as someone who had previously lived on emails and texts, I have loved receiving handwritten notes popped through the letterbox’

Finally, it has been heartwarming to witness a number of those individuals or families who came to Christ Church over the Christmas period return since the New Year. As I give thanks for Christmas, especially for the glorious intruder, the Word made flesh, and as I prepare for Easter’s reminder of his gracious offer, of life from death, it should not surprise me that people want to know more. Because only then are we able to respond rightly to that unchanging and life-transforming gospel message.

Christ Church could survive and flourish.

So, I am pleased at how Christmas showed the life of Christ Church going from strength to strength.

First, it was thrilling to see the congregation pulling together; longstanding members and newcomers working as a team, to decorate the building, to provide mulled wine and mince pies, to prepare lots of music, and to welcome people who came for the first time or after a while away. The team spirit of the Christ Church people is a joy to behold.

Secondly, it was exciting to see that some of the new things attempted this Christmas seemed to work well. Christ Church’s first all-age Carol Service saw the choir of Thomas’s School singing and also involved children in every aspect of the service.

That evening, we held our first Carols by Candlelight, a formal festival of Lessons

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Sadly, responding rightly was what Sir Oliver Franks had failed to do. He forgot all about his gift request until Christmas Eve when, picking up his copy of the Washington Post, he read the front page article ‘What the world wants for Christmas?’ with horror. The newspaper had surveyed the world’s diplomats and discovered that the French wanted world peace and an end to conflict, the Russians wanted an end to famine and injustice, and the Germans wanted economic prosperity. However, not to be outdone, the UK ambassador had requested something tasteful, eye-catching and quintessentially English. In hindsight, however, he may have regretted his choice of a box of crystallized fruits! I pray that you all have a wonderful Lent and a joyous Easter. Soli Deo Gloria.

Parish Directory

Parish Directory

Clergy, wardens, vestry and office

THE PARISH !

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Vicar of the Parish The Rev'd Gillean Craig!

Parochial Church Wardens Susan Lockhart!!!!!!

Adrian Weale !

Children’s Advocate: Alex Dijkhuis !

Electoral Roll Officer: Sally Bessada !

Parish Office: Susan Russell !

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ST MARY ABBOTS

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020 7937 6032!

020 7602 6073!

020 7937 0765!

07500 607 433!

07733 316 063!

020 7937 2419!

Associate Vicar The Rev’d Gareth Wardell Honorary Priest The Rev’d Peter Stubbs Deputy Churchwardens for St Mary Abbots Church: Carole-Anne Phillips Thomas Williams Vestry/Virger George MacAllan St Mary Abbots Centre Adam Norton (Manager) Director of Music Mark Uglow Stewardship Secretary James Egert Children on Sunday Valerie Eikelberg Friends of St Mary Abbots David Banks (Chairman) Bellringers Rachel Titmuss (Secretary) Kensington Parish News Fiona Braddock (Editor) Friday Playgroup Cosi Middleton-Roy

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gillean.craig@stmaryabbotschurch.org! ! adrianweale@mac.com! childrensadvocate@stmaryabbotschurch.org! er@stmaryabbotschurch.org! susan.russell@stmaryabbotshurch.org

020 7937 2364 gareth.wardell@stmaryabbotschurch.org 020 8868 8296 peter.stubbsuk@btinternet.com 020 7937 3448 07768 166 422 tw@thomaswilliamsfineart.com 020 7937 5136 george.macallan@stmaryabbotschurch.org 020 7937 8885 manager@stmacentre.com music@stmaryabbotschurch.org 07920 591 553 stewardship@stmaryabbotschurch.org children@stmaryabbotschurch.org 07732 743 228 friends@stmaryabbotschurch.org -rt-@live.co.uk kpneditor@stmaryabbotschurch.org 07954 559 905 playgroup@stmaryabbotschurch.org

CHRIST CHURCH

Associate Vicar with Special Responsibility for Christ Church Rev’d Mark O’Donoghue 020 7937 2966 Deputy Wardens: Adrian Weale 020 7937 0765 Philip Witheridge 020 7937 5184 Administrator Adele Pye 020 7937 2966 Director of Music Rupert Perkins

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mark@christchurchkensington.com adrianweale@mac.com pip@thewitheridges.com admin@christchurchkensington.com

ST PHILIPS

Associate Vicar with Special Responsibility for St Philip The Rev’d David Walsh 020 7603 4420 vicar@specr.org Non-Stipendiary Minister The Rev’d Lesley Perry lesley.perry@specr.org The Rev’d Ijeoma Ajibade ijeoma.ajibade@specr.org !

Deputy Wardens: Tim Whitfield tim.whitfield@specr.org !!

Callum Stewart callum.stewart@specr.org Licensed Reader Rupert Steele 020 8747 1556 rupert@specr.org Administrator Liz Christie 020 7938 1367 admin@specr.org Membership Secretary Stephen Tutcher office@specr.org Director of Music Rebecca Taylor rebecca.taylor@specr.org

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St Mary Abbots

New Treasures for St Mary Abbots Fr Gillean Craig tells us about the arrival of a suite of finely crafted and unique liturgical furniture

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highly significant suite of liturgical furniture has just been added to the treasures of St Mary Abbots.

For many years we have celebrated every Thursday in term time a School Eucharist.

The High Altar being too distant from the children, we have made do with an old but quite unsuitable table as the altar, while the cross was originally no more than the end of a banner pole!

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Now we have a unique, designed for St Mary Abbots suite of Altar, Cross and Candlesticks – all designed by Colin Kerr, our inspecting architect, and made by Houghtons of York (never say the age of fine craftsmanship is over) in English oak. The Cross and candlesticks are given in loving memory of DENIS CORBLE, who worshipped her for many years and was a great supporter of the school, never missing a school service, attending

latterly in his wheelchair. The cross has especially beautiful carving, taking up elements from the Gilbert Scott choirstalls and reinterpreting them. Its shaft bears the inscription: Given in memory of DENIS CORBLE 1908-2003. The bases mimic many of the mouldings to be seen around the church.

This lovely set is presented

by Denis’s widow, Elsie, who worships with us every day of the week, and the Friends of St Mary Abbots Church.

The altar is given in memory of IVAN CAMERON. We were proud of his fellowship in our church and how his parents brought him to our Sunday services, and were all greatly distressed by his sudden and early death. It is of an unusual design, square in plan, with supports in an arch form, echoing the arches of the church and east window: it is at once both light and sturdy. The top, or mensa, is of a clever design with references to arts-and-crafts motives, and around

St Mary Abbots the edge is carved: Remember before God 2002 - IVAN CAMERON - 2009 A child greatly loved. Samantha and David present this memorial to their son, completing the donations given by members of the congregation on Ivan’s death.

These beautiful works will add dignity and grace to our Thursday School Eucharists, our monthly Healing Eucharist, the Family Eucharist and the Healing Eucharist. Whenever you see them in use, please remember before God Denis and Ivan, and pray for those who still bear their loss in their hearts.

ST MARY ABBOTS CENTRE TWO EXCELLENT SPACES FOR HIRE

Central Kensington location in quiet cul-de-sac 5 minutes walk from Kensington High Street tube and 8 minutes from Notting Hill Tube, in Vicarage Gate.

A venue for film and stage rehearsals, business meetings & seminars, presentations or meetings, family receptions (not weddings), children’s parties Facilities include two kitchens, pay telephone, ample space for cloaks, disabled access to ground floor Long Room, disabled toilet, central heating, car parking (limited) with theatre hiring

MAIN HALL(21 X 12 METRES) Holds 250 people LONG ROOM (14 X 4.5 METRES) Holds 80 people From £160.00/4 hours sessions.

Charity rate from £80.00 £60.00 surcharge for evening & weekends Information from: Adam Norton - SMA centre Manager St Mary Abbots Centre, Vicarage Gate, London W8 4HN Telephone: 020 7937 8885 Mobile: 07812 428 010 Facsimilie: 020 7938 4317 Email: manager@smacentre.com

in Memorium

Robert Edward Courtney 1920-2011 David Banks refect on Bob Courtney’s life and his tireless contribution to St Mary Abbots and its voluntary choir

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can’t remember exactly how long ago it is since I first got to know Bob Courtney, probably about twenty-five years. I was assigned to visit him as a part of a St Mary Abbots stewardship visiting campaign, to encourage members of the congregation to commit to giving their time and talents to support the church practically and financially.

Bob was then living in Basing Street, near Portobello Market, in the flat he had shared with Elwen Evans, his life partner for thirty five or forty years. It was soon after Elwen died that Bob started to attend St Mary Abbots regularly.

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Born in Barnstaple in 1920, and always proud of his Devon roots, Robert Edward Courtney served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. His maritime connection continued in his subsequent career with the immigration service; based at Adelaide House looking out over the Pool of London from beside London Bridge

he dealt with passengers – and stowaways – arriving in the busy London docks of the post-war years and then later at Heathrow Airport. His remarkable proficiency in seven languages was a valuable skill in this work. Bob continued to live a very active and busy life after retirement. He loved travel and was a keen swimmer at the Kensington Court Hotel pool right up until the end of his eighties. His passion for music saw expression in his tireless work organising the voluntary choir at St Mary Abbots – which sings primarily at the 9.30am Parish Eucharist. Bob refused

In Memorium to be disheartened when the choir’s strength was depleted by key members moving away, as is inevitable with the mobile population of Kensington.

Following my own misguided attempts to help by sending along what seemed to me promising recruits, but who frequently turned out to lack singing talent, Bob would greet me with hands thrown up saying ‘David, I could crown you!’- followed by gales of the happy and infectious laughter that expressed his kindly and positive attitude towards life in general and people in particular. I still smile when I remember the knowing grin Bob would shoot across at me whenever the hymn ‘Lord of the Dance’ struck up in church; he loathed it and, lips firmly shut, absolutely refused to join the congregation in singing it.

An enthusiastic and popular promenader at the BBC Proms for many years, Bob was thrilled by the season ticket presented to him by St Mary Abbots Church when he finally retired from the choir a few years ago. As a ‘doer’ Bob contributed immeasurable service to many aspects of parish life. A faithful church watcher, one of the stalwart team that enables the church

to remain open to visitors throughout the week, Bob always gave a warm and cheerfully smiling welcome. He was also often on duty as server at the 8.00am and 12.30pm services of Holy Communion on Sundays. When I decided it might be fun to have an annual firework party for the children of the parish on Bonfire Night I roped in Bob for the first few years to grill the sausages and serve them as hot dogs.

Always a great one for headgear he turned out in white apron and chef’s hat and set up an efficient production line together with his ‘oppo’ – a term harking back to his navy days when long and exhausting watches were relieved by handing over to an opposite number on the duty roster.

In remembering the joyful friendship he gave to so many past and present members of the congregation at St Mary Abbots and the enriching welcome he extended to visitors - I reflected on the optimistic commitment and vitality that shone out from Bob and was reminded of the words of St Paul in his Second Epistle to Timothy: ‘I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith’. May the Lord lay up for Bob, as for all them that love His appearing, a crown of righteousness.

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St Mary Abbots

St Mary Abbots Transformed Fr Gillean Craig unveils ambitious new plans for the future renovation of St Mary Abbots

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e love, and our very proud of, our historic and magnificent church– but if we look at it honestly it is in many respects really rather shabby and in need of renovation. Before I came I was told that there was the most urgent need for a reasonable provision of lavatories and a respectable kitchen: now, only ten years on, we can unveil the masterplan that the Fabric Committee has been working on over a long period with our architect. It incorporates many elements suggested in a couple of open church meetings and in discussion by the Church Council, and now has the general approval of the Church Council and the Diocesan Committee–but is of course a very long way off being put into commission.

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We agreed that the most responsible way to tackle the issue was to work out a masterplan that included EVERY improvement we might wish to make, then raise funds and do the detailed specification for one section at a time, responding to the highest priorities.

This way everything will eventually fit together, rather than some parts needing to be adjusted to fit subsequent work. This is a very ambitious and expensive programme indeed–but it’s far easier to scale down from the ideal than to try to scale up from too modest a proposal. Of course, if you happen to have £7m to donate to your favourite parish church, we could do the whole lot in one go. But, if no-one steps forward, each individual element, although

still costing a great deal of money, should be achievable bit by bit over a decade or two.

Many people have little idea of how much the appearance and finish of our church does not represent what Gilbert Scott left us in 1872–but is instead the result of the repairs carried out with inferior materials following the bombing and burning-out of the church in WW2 The main structural need for the church is completely to renew the high Nave, Aisle and Transept Roofs.

Services: we need to rewire the whole church, provide completely new lighting, and a new far better flat stone floor with even underfloor heating throughout.

The whole interior needs to be cleaned, the splendid historic monuments cleaned and restored, and the ceilings and timberwork repainted.

The exciting improvements to the interior of the church are shown on the plan : A completely new services block to the north of the north aisle, low enough not to obscure the aisle windows, containing new kitchen, wheelchair access, three unisex wc cubicles and gents urinals.

The magnificent font moved from its present unworthy corner position to the south side of a

St Mary Abbots

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V Regular Worship ST MARY ABBOTS Sundays 8.00 am Holy Eucharist 9.30 am SUNG EUCHARIST (with Crèche & Sunday Schools) 11.15 am Choral Matins & Sermon 12.30 pm Holy Eucharist 6.30 pm Evensong with Sermon & Holy Eucharist (1st Sunday in month: Taizé Prayer & Holy Eucharist) Mondays 8.30 am Morning Prayer 1.05 pm Sunday on Monday service 5.30 pm Evening Prayer Tuesdays 8.30 am Morning Prayer 9.15 am Informal Holy Eurarist 11.30 am Holy Eucharist (Book of Common Prayer) 5.30 pm Evening Prayer Wednesdays 7.10 am Morning Prayer 7.30 am Holy Eucharist 2.00 pm 3rd Weds in the month: Holy Eucharist with Laying-on of Hands & Anointing 5.30 pm Evening Prayer Thursdays 7.10 am Morning Prayer 9.30 am St Mary Abbots School Eucharist (in term time – all welcome) 5.30 pm Evening Prayer Fridays 7.10 am 7.30 am 5.30 pm

Morning Prayer Holy Communion Evening Prayer

Saturdays 9.40 am Morning Prayer 10.00 am Holy Communion 5.30 pm Evening Prayer On MAJOR FEASTDAYS additional Services also offered: see the Bulletin & Noticeboard.

CHRIST CHURCH Sundays 8.00 am Holy Communion 11.00 am (on 1st, 3rd & 5th Sundays in the month & on major Feasts): SUNG EUCHARIST with Sermon (with Sunday School) 11.00 am (on 2nd & 4th Sundays in the month): Sung Matins with Sermon (with Sunday School) ST PHILIP’S Sundays 8.30 am Holy Eucharist 10.30 am SUNG EUCHARIST (with Sunday School) 1st Sundays: all-age service with Eucharist 9.00 pm Night Prayer Monday to Friday 9.10 am Morning Prayer

grand open West Bay Narthex, a marvellous space for gathering, display and exhibitions etc, created by removing three rows of pews. For the fullest services we will fill this space with seating to accommodate the congregation. Moving the font enables us to insert new doors to the kitchen and WCs. The great West door will now have a Glass Vestibule so that during daylight hours passers-by can always see straight in, and providing a draught and noise buffer for those arriving late for services.

Outside, the west churchyard will be completely reordered, to provide a far better space linking church and school, with a wide paved area immediately outside the church, graded so that wheelchairs can access the west door.

The south door will have a similar Glass Vestibule, achieving the same purpose.

There will be properly designed Sidemans and churchwatchers welcome desks and furniture.

Two pews will be removed at the front of the church and a new platform extended forward at the same height as the choir pavement–in fact the whole of the eastern arm of the church will have a single level flat floor, with ramped access for wheelchair users, finally removing the many lethal and unexpected changes of level. This platform will mean that at last we can celebrate with proper dignity a far wider range of liturgical ceremonies than were considered in 1872, and non worship uses–our musical performances, the annual nativity play, etc, can be properly presented. A new Forward Altar can be sited here for the Family Eucharist etc, and the

St Mary Abbots pulpit and lectern swapped round so the pulpit steps no longer obscure the choir.

Rearrangement of the pews in the north and south aisles will give better sightlines and provide space for wheelchairs.

The Resurrection Chapel will be restored to its original beauty.

The choir and sanctuary will be cleaned and restored so that the magnificent woodwork, mosaics and frescos can be properly appreciated.

The postwar St Paul’s Chapel in the north transept will be entirely re-ordered–the stone altar and screen removed from blocking Scott’s beautiful double arches into the clergy sacristy; these arches filled instead with (engraved) glass screens. The chapel will be furnished as an informal, flexible worship space–so that we will have two contrasting side chapels for weekday and smaller services: the Resurrection for traditional liturgies and the St Paul for contemporary, informal worship.

The old, irreparably damaged pipe organ

will be removed from its bay, and in its place three rooms reached by a new stair–ground floor servers vestry, first floor clergy vestry and above that Virgers store etc.

The present clergy sacristy–which has one of the finest stained glass windows in the church–will be glazed in to provide a private but visible space for meetings, meditation, counselling.

A magnificent new Pipe Organ will be built in a new position, high up in the second bay of the nave, on a gallery and bracketed out from the north wall. Acoustically, this will be immeasurably superior to the old location, buried behind thick stone walls. This new position means that a smaller instrument will sing out far more clearly, leading the congregation and supporting the choir in the worship and praise of almighty GOD. We do hope that you are inspired by these proposals, and consider that they provide a sound framework for the renewal of our church. Do contact Vicar or Wardens if you want to find out more, or wish to help us to realise these plans.

CLASSIFIED AD I am looking for part time work as a babysitter, cleaner or ironer. I am a good cook and am happy to do the shopping. I am also an experienced nanny and love children. I am free weekdays after 18.00 hours and sometimes at weekends.

Please contact Ann Torres on 07831035335. I have excellent references, they are obtainable from Cecily on 02077274562 or Hanna on 07813173595.

in Memorium

Remembering Johanna Scholz

by Max Croft

“She was one of those rare and precious souls who brought you face to face with kindness and goodness.”

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hose were the words of Canon Andrew Pearson earlier this year, when he paid tribute to Christ Church’s longstanding and devoted parishioner, Johanna Scholz, who died in December, aged 98, after 50 years of unwavering service to

the Kensington church. They were words echoed by Andrew’s successor, Rev’d Mark O’Donoghue, who took Johanna’s funeral in January: “I wish I had met Johanna because, to all who knew her, she seems to have been a magnificent blend of warmth and fun, topped off with what one Christ Church regular described as a ‘megawatt’ smile.”

Johanna’s life, early on beset by tragedy but later a triumph of friendship, love and faith, began in a small village in Romania in 1913. Born in the humble surroundings of the Romanian countryside, Johanna was brought up helping to care for the farm’s chickens, ducks and goats, gathering wild mushrooms and berries with her siblings as her father tilled the land and her mother baked and cared for the family.

“She talked happily about her childhood in Romania,” Canon Pearson recalled.

“It sounded quite idyllic, for she grew up amidst a large and loving family in a strong rural community. It had, you felt, helped to define her open, giving, trusting nature and her eager willingness to help.”

As a child, Johanna attended the local village school until the age of 15, when she went to work as a nanny to the children of a wealthy local family.

In 1939, the second world war broke out and it was to leave its indelible print on Johanna as it did on so many others.

in Memorium a job as nanny and cook to a family in England, in Farningham, Kent.

She stayed with the family for about 10 years before taking a waitressing job in Bromley, where she met Anna Dillon, who, along with her daughter Angela, became a life-long friend.

It was in 1962 that Johanna moved to London to be a lady’s companion.

Kensington became her home and Christ Church her refuge. Those who never had the pleasure of meeting Johanna will have still fallen under her spell as she dedicated years to decorating the church with flowers and love. She also shared leading roles in the summer bazaar and Christmas coffee mornings and used her homemaking talents to make a wonderful array of goods, from aprons, oven gloves, kettle holders, bags and purses to kneelers for the pews and cakes galore.

At a party given by the lady of the house where she worked, Johanna met and fell in love with a German soldier, Herbert Scholz. They were married soon after but were together for only a short time before Herbert was dispatched to the frontline, where he was captured by Russian forces and force-marched 200 miles into Russia in termperatures of -25 degrees. After three months of gruelling hard labour at an asbestos mine, and with little food and no proper clothes to sustain him, Herbert contracted TB and was sent home. Despite the loving care and attention administered to him by Johanna and his family, he died soon after. In 1948, three years after the war had ended and now a widow, Johanna answered an advertisement for

In 1996, the church recognised the amazing work of both Johanna and her friend Frieda with a special presentation.

“Christ Church was much blessed by Johanna, for it is a church which has relied heavily upon its ‘little platoons’ of volunteers. Johanna and her great friend Frieda were a platoon in themselves,” Canon Pearson explained.

Johanna’s long-standing friend Angela adds: “She had a good life, going to the opera, theatre and bridge parties and doing the beautiful flower arrangements and making some lovely home crafts for the Bazaar every year. She was a wonderful friend and someone I shall never forget. She was a joy to know.”

A sentiment echoed by all those who knew her at Christ Church.

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St Philip’ s

Behind the Scenes at St Philip’s

photograph - Pedro Gabriel

Fr David Walsh reports on changes big and small at a thriving St Philip’s

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any of the changes at St Philip’s in 2011 are not obvious to regular Sunday worshippers. Clergy are used to being asked ‘What do you do the rest of the week?’ But it’s not simply clergy who work throughout the week to help St Philip’s thrive. Things only work well on Sundays if quite a lot of people have worked and prepared on other days.

It became clear over the last year that if the church were to grow further and also start making some serious contribution to its local community, even more work would be needed behind the scenes during the week.

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So in 2011 we appointed Liz Christie as our administrator and Sean Hanford as our caretaker. Some changes are obvious.

The church is cleaner and tidier. It’s much easier to find someone at the church to

talk to during the week. Our lettings clients are getting far better attention. These might seem like small things. But if the building is to be used by more people, and if our lettings business is to provide yet more income to fund ministry and mission, then they are essential.

So these very practical changes could help fulfil our vision to ‘become a more visible sign of God’s kingdom in our community and to grow the church’.

Catalysts for change The growth of our lettings business was one of three catalysts, which triggered the decision to invest in these two new posts. The second was our Giving Campaign during Lent. The third was my appointment as Area Dean of Kensington.

Lettings business The first catalyst for investing in our two new posts was the growth in our lettings business. Our lettings income has risen in line with our overall income, so that it continues to provide around two-thirds of our income. It became clear during 2011 that it would be hard to grow it further without having someone on-site for at least part of the day.

St Philip’s

Giving Campaign The second catalyst was the very generous response of church members to our Lent Giving Campaign. In the five years since 2006, both our main sources of income - our regular giving and our lettings income - have now more than doubled.

Generating income is not what St Philip’s is all about. And yet turning the church into one that works properly and has the resources it needs for ministry and mission has been one of our priorities over the last five years. We wanted to reach the point where this no longer had to be one of our chief preoccupations. And 2011 was possibly the year this began to happen.It’s worth just remembering what has become possible as a result. The cost of running St Philip’s is no longer underwritten by other local churches: instead we now contribute towards the cost of ministry elsewhere.

Our Associate Vicar is no longer half-time and we pay the full cost of his ministry here at St Philip’s. We now employ a Director of Music, an administrator and a caretaker.

Area Dean The third catalyst was my appointment as Area Dean. For a church, which just a few years ago, experienced such a difficult time, this was a huge boost. But it would not have been possible without the passion and dedication of some key members of St Philip’s over the past few years. I was commissioned as Area Dean by the Bishop of Kensington on our Patronal Festival, the Feast of St Philip. At 9 pm on the doubleBank Holiday weekend following the Royal Wedding, over 70 people, including many local clergy, turned up to St Philip’s for a memorable candlelit service of Night Prayer. Bishop Paul spoke to us about

Philip’s words in response to Nathaniel’s questions about Jesus: ‘Come and see’.

These words from our patron saint happen to summarise what we as a church would want to say to our neighbours. Come and see St Philip’s. And in doing so, come and see something of Jesus. And so we plan to adopt these words as a motto. As a result of being Area Dean David now spends more time away from St Philip’s: one Sunday a month visiting other churches in the deanery, but also working on deanery issues during the week. The need for administrative support to cover this gap has been a further catalyst leading to changes in the way we run St Philip’s.

Encouraging ministry Our 2010 Annual Report focused on developing and facilitating new ministry by members of St Philip’s. This continued in 2011. Our curate, Ije Ajibade, was priested in June and presided at her first eucharist on Thursday 30 June. She has become a key member of our preaching team. In September, Tim Whitfield was licensed as a Reader and has now preached several times at St Philip’s.

Building We hope that the investments made in 2011 will free some of us up to focus on our ministry within the congregation and our mission to our local community.

But our building - which looks so impressive - continues to hamper our work, both on Sundays and during the week. So as we look forward into 2012, helping the building to serve the needs of our mission and ministry is becoming far higher on our agenda.

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PARISH SCHOOLS

Inspiring minds at St Barnabas and St Philip’s School With the help of their teacher, Nicola Challice, Yr 5 pupils tell us about which person most inspires them and why

Y

ear 5 school children from St Barnabas & St Philip’s Church of England Primary School were recently paid a visit by local young Kensington mountain climber and explorer Nick Carter. Nick has recently climbed Mount Everest and is shortly about to take a group of young offenders to Greenland. He came to work with the pupils here on problem solving skills in the context of a trek to Mount Everest. The children found his presentation and activities really inspiring and this led them to think about other inspirational people…

Luka Badrize I have chosen Bear Grylls as my inspirational person because he teaches us how to survive in the wilderness. He tells you to keep going. He tells you what to eat if you haven’t got any food. He has climbed to the top of Mount Everest aged 23, was in the SAS, joined the British army and has been to Antartica. I admire his personal qualities. He has inspired me to explore new places and climb mountains. He has made me want to read more about the SAS. He has seen many wild animals such as fire salamanders, king cobras, cockroaches and much more. He inspires me to get out there!

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PARISH SCHOOLS Emily Surminski Rebecca Adlington, the English representative in the Olympic swimming events. She has won the gold medal in swimming more than once. She has inspired me to be as good as she is and to win the Olympics at least once! I already enjoy swimming and go three or four times a week. If my goal is to be achieved, I would have to wake up very early in the morning and practice swimming, after school I would also need to go for a swim every day.

So I will have to trainin all my spare time to be as good as Rebecca. I will have to sacrifice time where I would usually read, watch TV or do other activities. I still want to win!

Omar Al-Tabakchali Scientist Albert Einstein is my inspirational genius because when I was young I wasn’t into science but when I heard his story, I decided that when I grow up, I would be a scientist. The part of his story that I like is when he discovered the theory of relativity (light speed is the fastest in the Universe). This led to the invention of the nuclear bomb and in 1921 he won the Nobel Prize. At home I read science books and do some practical experiments.

Justine Kwezi My amazing aunt, Alice Kayaga is a fashion designer for two high street stores. She is a proud graduate of the University of Creative Arts. She has taken part in an end of year fashion show where she made clothes to do with the Kenyan Massai. I would not have missed that show for the world. She motivates me with her sense of uniquenessand difference in fashion. I am definitely going to follow in her footsteps.

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5/3/09

18:32

Page 1

Crucifixion, Craigie Aitchison, 1995, oil on canvas © Private Collection / Piano Nobile / Bridgeman Art Library

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Bach St John Passion Palm Sunday 1 April 2012 6.30pm

A special Baroque Easter concert by candlelight

The Purcell Orchestra St Mary Abbots Choir & Singers Conductor Prof. Mark Uglow Baroque instruments recreate the atmosphere of J.S. Bach’s original 1724 performance

Tickets Book online at: www.stmaryabbotschurch.org In person from the Vestry Mon–Sat 8am–1pm 020 7937 5136 £15 (£7.50 under 16)

St Mary Abbots Church On the corner of Kensington High Street and Kensington Church Street London W8 4LA

ST MARY ABBOTS CHURCH, KENSINGTON

PARISH SCHOOLS Kamela Cokaj Nick Carter is inspiring and fearless and he loves to climb mountains. He inspired me because he has climbed so many mountains, including the highest mountain in the world Mount Everest. He is punctual and courageous and cares for others. He has made me ambitious by looking forward and not caring about death; having fun and learning how to climb more mountains and continuing with my own hobbies.

Lucy Stockford My inspirational person is Michael Morpurgo. I chose him because all of his books are an adventure. Also when you read one of his characters it’s like you are the character. Michael Morpurgo made me like books more than I used to. I used to hate reading but now I really enjoy reading. Some of my favourites are The Wreck of the Zanzibar, Billy the Kid and War Horse.

MONTESSORI CREATIVE Nursery group and art classes At Toddler Times we help children to explore their creativity, develop their senses and learn about the world around them. In the relaxed and loving atmosphere the children are free to explore various activities and experiment with the materials. Our aim is to provide a Montessori based, process oriented, and Child-centred environment.

Holland Park, Youth Hostel, W8

Redcliffe Gardens, SW10

0779-569-1449

www.toddlertimes.co.uk art@toddlertimes.co.uk

CHARITABLE GIVING

Facing the Atlantic Bertie Portal, son of SMA regular Gillian Dawnay, has just returned from an extraordinary charity raising endeavour.

Barbara Want spoke to him - on the phone and not in Barbados. Sadly

‘I

’d pottered about on the Serpentine, but I’d never been to sea before,’ says Bertie Portal about his previous experience on water. That was before tackling what is described as the world’s toughest race, rowing more than 2500 nautical miles across the Atlantic from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Barbados in the West Indies.

26

He – and rowing companion James Cash – were raising money for Facing the World, which offers surgery to children with severe facial disfigurements.

The charity was set up by the late Martin Kelly, a plastic surgeon and husband to the actress Natasha MceLhone, a long-time friend of Bertie’s. Facing the World changes the lives - literally - of the children it helps, all of whom have no possibility of receiving treatment in their home countries.

The duo took 63 days to complete the journey which by any account is a test of mental and physical strength. They rowed two hours on and two hours off, round the clock, capsized once and had to wait for seven days to receive a new set of oars after theirs broke. Bertie admits to having been very frightened at the start, and seasick too though, ‘we forgot about that quite quickly as the waves were so huge.

It all got better as we went further south and the sun came out.’ There were seventeen boats competing in this year’s bi-annual race.

Ten finished. It is a measure of the size of the feat that fewer people have rowed across the Atlantic than have climbed Everest.

An actor, (you can see him in The King’s Speech or The Iron Lady) Bertie called on a wide network of friends and contacts to help to raise the astonishing £350,000+ so far.

But he insists that every penny earned was hard work.

CHARITABLE GIVING “We were lucky that we had a big sponsor but I wrote over 1000 letters, we went to schools, we did lectures, nothing came on a plate...but however much or however little you raise, it’s all about helping others.’

Did faith help on his voyage? ‘I could feel it more out there and I did talk to the Man Upstairs when I was rowing at night. I went to church in the Canaries before I left and in Barbados at the end. And I can see my faith becoming more important to me now.’ He acknowledges that if at times it was hard for him, it was tougher for his girlfriend and mother, both in the run-up to the crossing and back home while he was away.

‘Mum went through hell as the clock counted down. It wasn’t easy for her. It’s easier for the person doing the challenge. She had the advantage that her faith is very strong and I know that St Mary Abbots played a huge role in her well-being during that time.’

Bertie’s achievement is genuinely humbling but he doesn’t seem yet to realise the size of it. ‘The sea never gave us an inch. When we crossed the finishing line I didn’t feel any exhilaration. My main emotion was huge relief and I’m still feeling that, but achievement isn’t part of it. Not yet anyway.’

It’s not too late to make a donation for Bertie’s cause. If you visit the web pages below you can read more about his journey and more about the work of the charity. You can also

read tributes from big names in the world of acting. But the most heartfelt has to be this: ‘Can’t believe that I created such a great hero!! So many children’s lives will be changed forever. Love from the proudest Mother. Gillie.’

www.justgiving.com/facingtheatlantic www.facingtheatlantic.com www.facingtheworld.net

27

FUN IN THE PARISH

Party On!

J

ust when you thought all the Christmas fun was over, up popped the annual children’s tea party at St Mary Abbots Church. This year, more than 40 children got stuck in to the task of turning their mummies into the Egyptian kind, popping balloons and following in dinosaur

28

Party hats and cake all round!

footprints, in an afternoon packed with games, oodles of party food and of course a magic show - this year by the mysterious magician and juggler Johnny Oxford. Thanks to Alison Steel, David Wilkinson and all the fabulous parents who helped make it such a success. It really was magic!

FUN IN THE PARISH

Johnny Oxford - juggler and magician extraordinaire

The winning team had it all wrapped up!

Teams line up ready for action

29

Campbell Harris is a long-established independent sixth form college situated on Kensington High Street.

We specialise in intensive tuition for GCSE, AS and A2 Levels, so that most of our students can realise their ambition of securing a place at a top UK University. We are small with fewer than 100 students, which results in major benefits, including: ! Small class sizes - usually in the range 2 to 8 ! We can provide almost any combination of subjects ! Dedicated tuition producing excellent exam results ! Campbell Harris is a UKBA Tier 4 High Trusted Sponsor ! 2008-11 A Level results - 49% A*,A,B - 79% A*,A,B,C - 99% A* - E Students have been achieving excellent results here at GCSE and A-level, in an informal but highly professional atmosphere, since it was formed in 1992 by the current Co-Principals, Claire Campbell and Mark Harris. The college offers private tuition for GCSE, AS and A2 subjects, both for the first time student and also those needing to retake an examination to improve their grades.

Although most of our students are in the age range of 15 to 19, we also welcome more mature students who might be coming back to education after a period of work or travel.

Easter Revision 2012 GCSE, AS and A2 courses involve four intensive half-day courses either 9.30-1.00 or 1.30-5.00. It is possible to do six courses over the three week Easter Revision period!

Week 1: Tuesday 27th March – Friday 30th March Week 2: Monday 2nd April – Thursday 5th April Week 3: Tuesday 10th April – Friday 13thApril . 4 half-day courses . make productive use of your revision time . consolidate your knowledge of the subject so as to secure a top grade . address your specific areas of difficulty . familiarise yourself with the format and style of exams and boost your confidence . no-nonsense approach . £325 per course . telephone 02079370032 or email principal@campbellharris.co.uk Campbell Harris, 185 Kensington High Street London W8 6SH!

   

THE KINDERGARTENS The Bumble Bee Nursery School SW11 The Crescent Kindergartens SW12 & SW17 The Park Kindergarten SW11 The Park Kindergarten SW2 Pooh Corner Kindergarten SW7 Mouse House Nursery SW11 Mouse House Nursery SW18

We hope you will come and visit us to see how your child will reach their potential academically, socially and emotionally whilst having lots of fun and laughter along the way.

Ballet, Music, French, Drama and Sport are all taught by specialist staff as part of the curriculum.

For details please contact:

01622 833331 www.thekindergartens.com

Admin Calls eMails Meetings Diary Travel Expenses Anything else?

Virtual PA Kensington is based in the heart of Kensington with clients across central London.

We pride ourselves in providing a discrete and efficient service to support our clients to more efficiently use their time leaving them more quality time to spend with friends and family.

Please get in touch to find out how we can help you.

Selma Anderson Tel: 020 7602 5646 | Mob: 07968 377 692 Email: selma@kensingtonpa.co.uk | Skype: kensingtonpa

School in Action Open Event Wednesday 9th May

9.00 am – 10.45 am

An opportunity to see the school in operation with an address by the Headmistress and presentations by the girls.

“The school is extremely successful in meeting its aim to inspire an admiration for wisdom and for girls to appreciate the part this plays in learning how to live happily, freely and in a spirit of unity. This is apparent in girls’ excellent achievements academically, in their community service and in their outstanding personal development.”

ISI Inspection 2010

St James Senior Girls’ School Earsby Street London W14 8SH Registered Charity No. 270156

020 7348 1748 admissions@sjsg.org.uk www.stjamesgirls.co.uk ISA – GSA

RAFFETY & WALWYN BRITISH AND CONTINENTAL ANTIQUE CLOCKS AND BAROMETERS Established in Kensington for many years, buying and selling to residents of the Borough and clients worldwide We have a carefully chosen stock of 17th and 18th century grandfather and bracket clocks as well as barometers and marine chronometers Either come and see our current stock In a specially recreated period room setting or view our website: www.raffetyantiqueclocks.com or e-mail us on: raffety@globalnet.co.uk Member of the British Antique Dealers’ Association 79 Kensington Church Street, London W8 4BG Telephone: 020 7938 1100 Fax: 020 7938 2519

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