Hi All,

I’m sure you’ll all join me in thanking Bishop Emma for joining us at the October Synod. It made for a lovely start to the new Triennium. Additionally, thankyou to St Michael’s and the team for hosting us all and providing such lovely refreshments.

The minutes of the meeting are here and I’m afraid there was was no recording of the meeting this time. 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.

We don’t have a date for the next synod yet but the new standing committee are due to meet next week with the hope of announcing a date soon. Please do reach out to Martine or myself if you would like to make any suggestions.

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Deanery Updates & Notices

Bushtea and Cake – Every Friday in October. Celebrating and saluting sisters and matriarchs of movements, this series of Black History Month events is held at St Michael & All Angels Church, N16 7ED, with Doors open from 5pm, showtime 6 – 7.30pm. Click here for more information.

Menopause Cafe – 19th October 2023, 7pm. The Menopause Cafe is back.  at the earlier time of 7pm.  Hosted by the Spire Cafe, St Paul’s Church, Brentford.  Check the website here for more details and how to register.

West London Youth Prayer Night – 20th October, 7pm. Join us for an amazing night of Prayer and Worship. We will be led in worship by Zac Carpenter with a band from local Vineyard churches and Josh Green from 24-7 Prayer Youth will be speaking. This is open to all churches and youth groups. We want to gather to seek God and pray. Click here for more information and to book.

New Church Officers’ Evening – Tuesday, 24th October 2023, 7.30pm – 8.45 pm

This year the diocese are holding an online event for Churchwardens, PCC Treasurers, PCC Secretaries and new PCC Members.  This is an opportunity to hear about the roles and receive information about the support that is offered by the Diocese and the Kensington Area Team.  To register, click here

Light Night – 31st October, 7.30pm. Hope Church Hounslow are hosting a light party for young people at the end of October. More details to come soon but please see the flyer here, for more information please reach out to Chris at Hope Church.

Communications training: Helping your church thrive online – 1st November, 10.30am-2.30pm. In-person training with the Church of England Digital Labs Team sharing manageable tips and ideas for improving your church’s online presence. Held at Diocesan House with lunch included. For more information or to book, click here.

Safeguarding Sunday – Sunday 19th November. Register your church to take part, and receive a free digital resource pack with everything needed to plan and run a ’Safeguarding Sunday’ service.  Whether you can give this 10 minutes or can dedicate a whole Sunday morning, it all counts. Find out more here.

St Paul’s Cathedral Advent Carol Service – Saturday 2 December 2023, 5.30pm. It was wonderful to welcome so many of you last year, and very much hope that this year, you will come and join us again as we prepare to begin the season of Advent and pause to pray and reflect. To request tickets, please email Gemma Winpenny, deadline is the 17th of November.

Kensington Youth Weekend Away 2024 – 21-23 June 2024. The annual Kensington Youth Weekend will take place at Oakwood Youth Challenge, Wokingham. This is a fantastic opportunity to bring young people (Year 6+) and leaders from different churches across the area together, to enjoy worship, teaching and a range of outdoor activities. Particularly aimed for churches who don’t run their own residentials. Further information will be sent out in due course, and contact Jo Jones for further details.

Youth Group Football – Is your youth group looking to form their own football team or arrange matches against other churches? If so, they can join this network and have access to the directory. The group is also working with Ambassadors to provide a space for teams to play friendly games. Click here to sign up.

Warmest wishes and God bless,

Kathleen McQuarrie

Hounslow Deanery Secretary