This month sees the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. Peter Raymond writes of his memories of the war and bombing in Hampstead, and of the VE Day celebrations and Elizabeth Willink of the Dresden Commemorations held in February. Two very different perspectives.
This year is also the 60th anniversary of the founding of Christian Aid. Under the banner ‘Christian Reconstruction in Europe’, the British and Irish churches responded to the arrival of refugees from all over Europe, raising £1 million through ‘Victory in Europe’ collections. In 1949 this movement became Inter- Church Aid and Refugee Service. Its contribution was significant. In 1954, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said: “It seems to me to be one of the greatest achievements of the Christian churches in recent times that they have started increasingly to translate their faith and their hope into practical programmes and projects.” From the very beginning, therefore, the most powerful motivating force for Christian Aid was the commitment of congregations, regardless of denomination, to the homeless and all those driven from their countries by conflict, natural disaster or poverty. The work continues today and this month in Christian Aid Week – 15th – 21st May collectors will be out in the streets and at stations. We have permits for Hampstead Underground on Friday 20th and in the High Street on Saturday 21st. Please help if you can – I wouldn’t ask anyone to give more than an hour and there are lists on the board for you to choose your time. Tins and permits can be collected from me at the church on the day.
Lots of music this month. As well as reviews of last month’s concerts the Hampstead and Highgate Festival kicks off on 12th May with Ralph Kirschbaum, to be recorded by the BBC, follows up with on Monday 16th with the Dante String Quartet, continues with the combined schools concert on 17th and ends with the final concert featuring the Festival Orchestra on 21st. The Festival Eucharist is on Sunday 15th [Pentecost]. A musical bonanza. Tickets are available from the Fetival Box office 0870 033 2733 – and last year they DID sell out so don’t leave it to the last minute or assume that you’re bound to get in. You may not!
Last month we said goodbye to Father Matthew [you can read his final sermon in this issue] and this month we say hello to Dorothy Paton who is joining the staff team in the office. Dorothy will be working Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, doing much of the day to day running of the office, things like Crypt Room bookings will all go through her. I know you’ll all give her a warm welcome but do remember, when you want something, that it’s all new to her and she may take time familiarising herself with our ways. She may even change some – new people bring in new ideas and who knows what improvements we may see in the future.
I shall be working on Thursday afternoons, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays running the ‘church’ side – all the preparation for services for instance. Between us we’ll cover the same number of hours, without either of us being overwhelmed [well, that’s the idea!]
It’s not too early to remind you about the Summer Fair – yes, I know, it’s not till June but you need to start thinking now.
* What are you going to make or bake?
* What help are you offering? We always need helpers on the stalls and helpers the day before to gather everything together and helpers after it’s all over to clear up. * What don’t you need any more that we could sell? [Personally, I’m running an egg cup stall – yes, that’s right, egg cups – just egg cups – I happen to have a lot I don’t want and if you do too bring them along.]
If you’d like to help ring Katherine Reed – 020 7431 2025 – she’s waiting for your call.
There’s going to be a splendid raffle – I’ve heard whispers about prizes – but you’ll have to wait and see when the tickets arrive.
So you see it’s not too early at all – put it in your diary now – 11th June, St Barnabas’ Day.
Those of you who read avidly and write everything down should note that the Confirmation, originally scheduled for 29th May, had to be postponed. For many reasons it simply became impossible to fit in the classes. We hope to have a new date some time in the autumn and will let you know.
Finally, and possibly most exciting of all is that, thanks to the generosity of the Church Row Association, a section of the railings round the Additional Burial Ground are being painted.
May
Judy East