Dear Friends

I hope that you are all well and getting excited for all your Christmas services and events. We all know how full on this month can be, so it’s important to take some time to plan for a break afterwards and I hope that you will all do that.

Again, as you all know, this season is more about being with our communities and one another, rather than about what we actually do – just as Jesus comes essentially to be with us in our human condition, rather than to do things. I went to the Bishop’s study day last week, which I’m sure many of you went to too, and one of the things that I took away from that was not only the reminder to ensure that Jesus remains at the heart of all we do, but the importance of hospitality and welcome – which really rest on being fully present. I guess, when you think about it, arrangements weren’t perfect for Mary and Joseph when it came to Jesus’s birth but everything was good for the Holy family – because God was with them and joy abounded. So, without going on at length, I want to wish you all a very joyful Advent and Christmas season – which will be a blessing for your churches, your communities and yourselves too.

I look forward to catching up with those of you who can join me for lunch tomorrow and, otherwise, at our chapter get together on 25 January.

With love and God bless

Martine

Hounslow Area Dean

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2024 Deanery Synod Meetings

February – The next Deanery Synod meeting has been arranged for for Thursday the 22nd of February, starting at 7.30pm with refreshments from 7pm. This synod will be looking at volunteering and will include looking at how to both motivate and encourage

volunteers. Our speaker will be The Venerable Richard Frank and we’ll reach out closer to the time with an agenda.

2024 Meetings – dates for the rest of the year are still pending as our Standing Committee members are working with speakers. However topics for the year have been tentatively agreed;

• June – Partnering with Hounslow Council
• October – Discipleship

Please do reach out if you have any suggestions or would like to host.

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Deanery Updates & Notices

Disability History Month – 16th Nov-16th Dec. This year’s theme is ‘Disability, children and youth’. This is a call to look at the children and youth provision we offer in out churches, and ask questions about how we enable inclusion. Find out more here.

Kensington Office move – It’s the end of an era… the Kensington Episcopal offices have moved.  As of 20 November, the new address is:

Bishop of Kensington / Kensington Area Office

3rd Floor, Regal House

70 London Road

Twickenham

TW1 3QS

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