Hello Everyone,

Thank you so much for coming to our recent deanery synod meeting at which we looked at how we might better serve our local schools. I’m sure you all join me in thanking our speakers Jo Jones, Sally Yarrow, and Penny Roberts. The minutes of the meeting are here and these include a links to the presenters’ slides. Do let me know if you have any questions or notice any changes needed in the minutes. We’d also be very grateful to receive feedback on how you found this meeting and any suggestions you might have as to how we can improve and make more valuable the time we are spending together as Synod. 

Also, please have a think about the subjects you would like discussed at Synod – maybe this is something you could raise at your PCC meetings and see whether there are any particular areas where you would welcome more advice or sharing of information with other churches in the deanery. 

The next synod meeting is planned for February, with a focus on community engagement. Please do reach out to Rev Andy Watkins, the Deanery Community Champion, if there’s anything you would like to contribute to this event.

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Church Energy Cost Support Grants

With the cost of living crisis starting to bite we know that many churches are facing significantly higher energy bills than ever before. The Diocese of London has been allocated £684,000 to help churches with energy bills this winter, and these funds are due to be distributed in the next couple of months.

The amount that can be allocated to each church will depend on how many churches apply, as grants will be awarded by dividing the allocation from National Church by the number of applicants. The Diocese would therefore request that you consider carefully how great your need is for financial support at this time, bearing in mind your sources of income and available reserves.

If your church wishes to apply for a grant, please send an email to energyfund@london.anglican.org including the following details by 11th November 2022:

• Name of your church
• 4-digit diocesan reference number
• Contact name at the church
• Bank account details to which funds should be remitted, together with supporting evidence, e.g., scan of paying-in slip or bank statement extract

All applications will be reviewed and processed after this deadline, therefore please expect to hear back in late November. If you have any questions about the grant scheme or the process, please contact Mary Spredbury, the Kensington Area Finance Adviser.

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Deanery Updates & Notices 

Bishop of Kensington – until the consecration of the new bishop of Kensington, Bishop Ric Thorpe (the Bishop of Islington) will be Acting Bishop of Kensington during this interim period. Archdeacon Richard will be leading the Area Team locally during this time, but for any Bishop’s Office enquiries during this period, please continue to contact Emma Hughes (PA to the Bishop of Kensington).

Hounslow Welcare Trust – The Hounslow Welcare Trust exists to make grants to help deanery churches work in their community. Supporting projects ranging from debt support, community hubs, and relief for Ukraine, the trust has given out over £40k to deanery churches in the last year and would like to give out so much more. The next meeting of the trust will be held in November so if your church project could do with funding, take a look at the criteria and send in your application before the 1st of November

Patenting in a Digital Age – 1st November, 7.45pm, at All Souls. Young people growing up today are ‘digital natives’ – the first generation to grow up exclusively in the digital age. The impact of digital technology is far-reaching; creating both challenges and opportunities. Led by Jason Royce, former director of Romance Academy, and a hugely experienced youth worker, this seminar will look at the challenges and opportunities of parenting in this digital age. To sign up, click here.

Preventing Gambling Harms in Diverse Communities (PGHDC) – run by YGAM together with Hounslow Safeguarding Children Partnership, PGHDC was set up in 2021 to equip Faith and Community Leaders in London and surrounding counties with the knowledge and skills to have purposeful and informed conversations with young people and their families about gaming and gambling. The training is open to Safeguarding Officers, Children & Youth Workers, School Chaplains, and anyone else who works closely with children. Workshops are being held Monday 7th November at 6 pm (register here), and Tuesday 29th November at 10 am (register here). For further information please reach out to Marek Maj, YGAM Education Manager

The Menopause Café – 17th November, 7.30pm, St Paul’s Church Brentford.The Menopause and the Workplace report found that one in 10 women have left work because of symptoms of the menopause. Featuring our special guests, Bishop of London Sarah Mullally, Menopause Nutritionalist and Wellbeing Specialist Joanne Fazel, and Angela Chan, Head of Inclusion at StoryFutures. Tickets are £2 each, please click here for more information or to purchase tickets.

Clergy Marriage Retreat – 25-27 November 2022 at Wiston House, West Sussex. An opportunity for clergy couples to spend a weekend away investing in their marriage. The weekend is led by Nicky and Sila Lee, Will and Louie Van der Hart and Ian and Jo Dyble, who help couples recognise and navigate the unique pressures on clergy marriages. As on The Marriage Course, each couple’s conversations are kept private while mealtimes give an opportunity to get to know others. There is limited availability so, if you would like to come, please book early.

Warmest wishes and God bless,

Kathleen McQuarrie 
Hounslow Deanery Secretary

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