Summer afternoon – summer afternoon; to me those had always been the two most beautiful words in the English language. Henry James
It’s always a mistake to write about the weather. “We’re all looking forward to summer. Hopefully by the time this issue comes out it will have arrived… if it’s coming at all it needs to get on with it” is how I planned to begin. The next day I was baking at The Globe (King John, I recommend it if you can get a ticket) and the day after we had coffee outside in the rain after the service and the forecast is for hot, hot, hot during the coming week. So my clever remarks about bad weather are out of date already.
But whatever the weather we have plenty to keep us occupied and because churches are always prepared none of it is weather-dependent! (Well, the Friends of the Music Madrigals in the Vicarage Garden on 12th July will be Madrigals in church if it rains I suppose – but that’ll be OK too. Note that this is a members only event so if you like the sound of it you need to join the Friends of the Music without delay!)
The Hampstead Players’ production of Richard II takes place from 9th -11th July. Bill Risebero and John Willmer, joint producers, have written about the play and there’s a talk to go with it – on Saturday 11th at 5.30pm Andrew Gimson will be talking about the Divine Right of Kings. The talk is preceded by tea at 5pm and will finish in time for you to go to the final performance at 7.30pm. Full details of both play and talk can be found further on in this issue.
Lunchtime recitals on 1st July and 5th August, Literary Hours on 15th July and 18th August, Living Book Club on 5th July and 2nd August, Tea Services as ever on the second Sundays of the month – 12th July and 9th August and, new this year, a ‘Holiday at Home’ week in the Parish Rooms in August.
If you’re looking for something to do outside the church why not visit Lambeth Palace Gardens? Highly recommended by Jenny Bunn they are open on the 1st Wednesday of the month from 12-3pm, entrance is £4 and tea and coffee are available.
As promised we have John Willmer’s supplement to last month’s item for Refugee Week as well as a report from the Church Urban Fund about tackling poverty in Britain.
July 12th is Sea Sunday and if you think that doesn’t have much to do with an urban parish bear in mind that we rely on seafarers for over 90% of our daily goods. It’s a tough and dangerous job that includes emergency response to shipwrecks, and all sailors have access to chaplains through the work of The Mission to Seafarers. The Mission also provides practical support for the victims of disasters at sea – clothing and food and a way of contacting their families at home.
July and August are also the months when the staff take their holidays – not all at once (!) but bear with those of us left behind if we struggle a bit to cover everything. And the choir take their holiday too so for a few weeks we’ll have to do the singing ourselves. We hope wherever they all are they have a refreshing time. And also, of course, any of you who may be deserting London for fresh horizons.
Vacancies: the two posts – Vicar’s P.A./Team Assistant and Children’s and Youth Worker – have been advertised but it’s too soon to say any more than that except to ask your prayers for the selection process.
July and August
Judy East