Hello All,

The First Deanery Synod of 2023 is next weeks with a focus on ministering to Asylum Seekers. We’re being graciously hosted by Christ Church Feltham (Hanworth Rd, Feltham TW13 5AB) and we look forward to seeing you all there. We’ll be meeting on Wednesday the 8th February at 7.30pm, with refreshments served from 7pm. Our speaker will be Rev Jonathan Samadi, vicar of St Mary’s Staines.

This synod we’re hoping for a participation heavy event featuring series of conversations and interviews that would provoke conversations among the deanery synod members and hopefully spark ideas. Bring your questions and issues around ministering to asylum seekers at your church.

Please make sure to mark the 8th of February into your diary and feel free to reach out to Rev Andy Watkins, the Deanery Community Champion, if you have any questions on this event.

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Deanery Updates & Notices

• Racial Justice Sunday – 12th February 2023. Racial Justice Sunday is taking place on 12 February 2023 and is very much a call for all Christians to engage in the righteous struggle for racial justice.
  • CofE liturgical resources
  • Churches Together in Britain and Ireland resources
  • Churches Together in England resources
• Bishop of Kensington welcome service – Sunday 19th February, 3pm. The new Bishop of Kensington has been announced as the Rt Revd Dr Emma Ineson (diocese announcement here). Everyone in the area is invited to her welcome service at St Barnabas Kensington which will be followed by refreshments.
• Deanery Vacancies – Holy Trinity Hounslow are currently recruiting a Case Worker for the Olive Branch Crisis Drop-in to guide homeless guests from first meeting and assessment to being housed. Application Deadline: Tues 28th February, Click here for further details.
• Multiply Estates Mission – 23-28 March 2023, 10am – 1pm at St Barnabas Church, North London. For practitioners with a deep love for estates mission and for those who are new to the call but hungry to get going. Join us to hear stories from across the nation and discover practical tools for starting this work in your community. Register here
• Kensington Area Youth Event – 21 April 2023. This should be a brilliant evening with comedian Paul Kerensa and the opportunity to meet Bishop Emma – and food! We would love to welcome as many young people and their leaders from across the area as possible. To find out more about bringing a group along, contact Jo Jones.
• Kensington Area Youth Weekend 2023 – 16-18 June 2023. The Area Youth weekend away, for young people in school years 6-10 will take place at Oakwood Youth Challenge near Wokingham. If your church hasn’t participated in this before and would like to find out more, please contact Joanna Jones here.
• Creative Growth – As part of the London 2030 vision, the Creative Growth ambition wants to see that estates are fully included in the vision for every Londoner to encounter the love of God in Christ. In partnership with the area Bishops and Directors of Mission, an Area Estates Advocate has been chosen for each area to work with the Diocese Estates Enabler. Our own Revd Fi Budden is the Advocate for Kensington Area. If you are interested in exploring estate ministry, or highlighting the estate ministry you are already involved with, please contact Fi who would love to hear from you!
• Venue Needed – John Beauchamp, Diocesan Disability Ministry Enabler is looking for venues to hold neurodiversity training in the Spring and Summer, this year. Please contact John directly if your venue is:
  • close to accessible transport
  • step free
  • has accessible toilet facilities
  • has flexible seating
  • has good acoustics and a hearing loop
  • is warm in colder weather

Warmest wishes and God bless,

Kathleen McQuarrie

Hounslow Deanery Secretary