Hounslow Deanery

Parish Churches serving communities across north-west London

Category Archives: News

06 Apr

2023 Deanery Synod Dates

Hello All,

Happy Easter and I do hope you’re enjoying the warmer weather. This is just a quick email to let you know about the dates for the next two synods. Our next synod will be looking at Disability and will feature speakers Rev John Beauchamp, the Diocesan Disability Ministry Enabler, and Rev Rachel Wooden. Hosted by St George Hanworth, the synod will be on the 8th of June, starting at 7.30pm, with refreshments from 7pm. This meeting will not be broadcast via zoom so the only way to hear from these great speakers will be to attend in person!

The last synod of the year will feature several important deanery votes as well as opening the triennium with communion. Our guest speaker will be the Rt Rev Dr Emma Ineson, the new Bishop of Kensington. After presiding over communion, she’ll be talking us through her vision for the area followed by a Q&A session. Hosted by St Michael’s Elmwood Road, the synod will be on the 3rd of October, starting at 7.30pm, with refreshments from 7pm. Join us to hear from our new Bishop and bring your burning questions!

Finally, just a quick reminder that Deanery Synod rep terms come to an end on the 30th of June with new reps due to be elected as part of your APCMs. Along with this, the terms of both the Deanery Standing Committee and our Lay Chair, Simon Surtees will also be ending with elections due to be held as part of the October Synod. Simon is planning on standing again and nomination forms for the Lay Chair will be going out following the Summer. Please make sure your church lets us know of your new deanery reps as soon as possible so that we can include them in this important process.

Deanery Updates & Notices

Triennium End– Just a quick reminder that the Deanery Rep terms come to an end this year, and new reps should be elected in your APCMs. Please do let the deanery office know your church deanery reps following your APCM so we can make sure our membership list is up to date.

Internship programme – Hope Church Hounslow are running an internship in partnership with Kick from September. The post is open to male or female coaches and will provide the opportunity to work with children from 5 to 18. For more information see the advert here.

Kensington Area Youth Event – 21st 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.

LLM discernment – Tuesday 25th April, 7-8pm. A short online session to explore licensed lay ministry (LLM) in the Diocese of London; what it is, how discernment and training happens, and an opportunity to ask questions. For clergy and interested lay people. To book a place, click here.

Growing Younger “Faith at Home” – 11th May, 7:30-9:00pm. The Area Growing Younger group are inviting churches to attend a workshop for parents and carers on how to grow and foster faith in our children at home. The event will include a conversation with Care for the Family, a space for discussions, and a means to feedback into the livestream to have your questions answered. For more information contact Jo Jones.

Vocations Discernment Process – 15th & 22nd May, 5th & 12th June. The next round of the discernment process for those considering a call to ordained ministry begins in May with a four week discernment group on Zoom. If any incumbents have potential candidates, please email Rev Peter Vannozzi.

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.

Growing Younger Retreat – 13-15 September 2023. Collaborating with the Diocese Children & Youth team, the Kensington Area Growing Younger Team are hosting retreat for employed children and youth workers at Ripon College, Cuddesdon (Cuddesdon, Oxford OX44 9EX). For more information, reach out to the Diocese of London Children & Youth team.

Holy Land Study Tour – Monday 2nd – 11th October. With the Rev Preb Andrew Corsie, Willesden Area Director of Ministry, and Dr Salim J Munayer, Founder of Musalaha. A Study Tour offering insights and fresh understanding gleaned from over 30 years of pioneering “conflict resolution delivery“ set against the intense backdrop of the Israeli/ Palestinian violent conflict. For more information, click 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. 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

please contact John directly.

Warmest wishes and God bless,

Kathleen McQuarrie

Hounslow Deanery Secretary

09 Dec

Hounslow Deanery Christmas Mailing

***Merry Christmas All! This month’s mailing is a special edition featuring sections by some of our Deanery Standing Committee.***

Dear Friends,

This time last year we were sadly postponing our Clergy Christmas lunch because of COVID fears. Which meant that we finally celebrated Christmas 2021 together on the hottest day of the year in June – it was the first time I’ve had to apply sun cream before pulling a Christmas cracker!

But, thanks be to God, this year we can all go ahead with lots of lovely church services and events. And we can look forward to our Clergy Christmas lunch in January. 

2022 has been a very full year. Who would have thought that we would see three different Prime Ministers? And who would have thought we would both celebrate 70 glorious years of her late Majesty’s reign and also queue through the night to pay our final respects to our Queen in Westminster Hall?

I do hope that you will take time to rest and reflect during the Christmas season. Christ came to take on our heavy burdens, not to add to them! Thank you for being such a support to me and to each other. I
do hope that we will be able to meet up face to face more in 2023 at both Chapters and Synods. Thanks especially to Kat McQuarrie who ensures the show stays on the road behind the scenes.

Please continue to pray for our Bishop-elect and for the Holy Spirit to be powerfully at work this Christmas – through all we do – to bring hope and comfort to the world around us.

Warmest wishes and a Merry Christmas,

Rev Martine Oborne
Hounslow Area Dean

February Deanery Synod

The next synod meeting is planned for February the 8th, with refreshments from 7pm and will be hosted by Christ Church Feltham. We are currently planning to look at how churches can minister to asylum seekers within Hounslow and will feature the Rev Jonathan Samadi. Please do reach out to Rev Andy Watkins, the Deanery Community Champion, if there’s anything you would like to contribute to this event.

Our Mission in Pakistan – the Rev Sally Baily

This year Rev Sally Baily, the Deanery Diversity Champion, spent some time visiting Churches and Christians in Pakistan. Below is a her account of the trip.

Rev Davis with Hammad & Sally
Rev Davis with Hammad & Sally

We spent 3 weeks in Pakistan during Oct/Nov visiting churches, preaching and leading worship with our band of local musicians.   This was our first mission trip to Pakistan since before COVID.   The team visited the Assemblies of God Church in Iqbal Town Lahore which is the founder of the Pentecostal movement in Pakistan. This church has many church plants around the Punjab region and runs a nursery school and computer training centre for Christian students.

We also visited New Life in Christ church to preach and lead worship.   Pastor Imran is a businessman who has a vision to open a college for Christian students who want to learn business skills.  

We renewed our connection with the Presbyterian Education Board where our friend, the late Lyn Masterson, worked for over 20 years. We have visited many of their school in rural areas over the years.  During this visit we led worship at a staff thanksgiving lunch.  Many of the schools programmes have not yet restarted after COVID, but we are hopeful that we can visit the schools again next year. 

Mrs Javed and team at Presbyterian Education Board

Some of the most precious memories are from visiting a poor Christian village for a worship programme, and praying for a young girl who had been abducted and abused for 3 months.   Thankfully she is now free but still has to face a court case against her abusers. We also visited a brick kiln for filming a music video. It was shocking to see the poor state of the houses where Christian families were living and the back‐breaking work involved in making bricks.  

It was a privilege to pray with them and other Muslim workers making bricks. We have a long standing relationship with Lahore Evangelical Ministries (LEM) under the leadership of Rev Waseem Khokhar.  He also had a relationship with HT Hounslow via Stu.  During this trip we supported LEM’s teaching programme for local pastors and Sally led a session on preaching for transformation. LEM has a ministry among Brick Kiln workers and is looking for funding for their Christmas outreach/support programme.  

If you would like to support this work, please reach out to us for the Rev Waseem Khokhar’s UK bank account.

Unconscious Bias Training – Simon Surtees

The PCC of St Pauls Chiswick recently went through unconscious bias training. Our Deanery Lay Chair, Simon Surtees, recalls how it went for them and how this has affected their interregnum.

One of the things that has taken us slightly by surprise since the beginning of our interregnum at St Paul’s Grove Park have been the challenges thrown out to us a Parish as we begin to think about the person who might be coming to lead us in the future. 

Our previous Incumbent had been with us for over 30 years. He had established traditions and ideas that had become second nature to us as a Parish, but which also made us open to styles of prayer and liturgy to keep us alert to the different ideas to add subtlety our worship. Nevertheless, our PCC are working hard to sustain the life of the Parish, however much the congregation might be feeling the loss of him. So, we wondered why the policy of the Diocese was to ask the PCC to come together on Zoom for a session on Unconscious Bias Training. This asked us to ask ourselves just how set in our ways we were as individuals and how prepared we might be to embrace change. 

The Zoom session we were offered came from a team from St Stephen’s in St Margaret’s.  It challenged us to ask ourselves questions at every stage of the process of change, it asked us to think of what we were for and what we were against and, crucially, why we were against it, and we were asked to consider how would we react in the face of change? In an open way, we faced what we might be open to, and where we would be uncompromising. Above all, it provided much needed space for thought and circumspection and we would encourage other PCCs to consider this training as well.

Our Church Wardens have been strong in their leadership. We have had good sessions which have allowed the Parish to express their own views. Our advertisements in the Church Times have just concluded and we await the recruitment process with some excitement. Our prayers have been honest and forthright. We look forward to what they will bring.

Working against Modern Slavery – Nick Lines

St Nicholas Chiswick has been working hard against Modern Slavery. Nick Lines, the deanery Mental Health Champion, tells us what they’ve been doing.

St Nicholas Chiswick held the Hidden Voices course this autumn, with some participation from other Chiswick parishes. A course run by the Church of England’s Clewer Initiative, Hidden Voices focuses on modern slavery. It was conducted by Clewer Initiative staff and volunteers with the Metropolitan Police anti-slavery unit; and one session included a presentation by Hestia, a charity that works with survivors of modern slavery. The course presents what modern slavery is, how to identify its presence in the community and how to prevent it. Participants felt the course made them more aware, more able to detect and more empowered to work against modern slavery. Following this course, we are now planning on:

  • Creating protocols for all St Nicholas parish activities to help detect and handle potential cases of slavery
  • Spreading awareness of modern slavery in the local community in Chiswick and in Hounslow more broadly
  • Approaching Hounslow Friends of Faith and others to widen the propagation of awareness
  • Working with Hounslow Council and the Met to facilitate detection of and action on cases in the area

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).

Diversity Awareness – Rev Sally Baily strongly recommends everyone make time to to engage with the Rev John Root’s blog. He is the former curate of Harlesden, led an estate church plant in Hackney, and planted two Asian language congregations in Wembley before his retirement ministry in Tottenham.

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

Merry Christmas everyone!

Kathleen McQuarrie 
Hounslow Deanery Secretary

22 Jun

June Deanery Synod Minutes and Updates

Hello Everyone,

It was lovely to see many of you at this week’s Synod and I hope that you enjoyed the meeting as much as I did. Many thanks to our speaker, Fr Joseph Fernandes. The minutes of the meeting are here and these include a link to the meeting’s recording showing the slides. 

Do let me know if you have any questions or notice any changes needed in the minutes.

Our next Synod meeting is currently pencilled in for the 20th October and will be held at Hope Church Hounslow. Closer to the time, we will confirm this date and send over the meeting details. Please do keep this date in your diary and do let me know if you have any items that you would like to be considered for the agenda.

Deanery Updates & Notices 

Children & Youth Workers – we’ve been asked to setup a WhatsApp group for Children and Youth workers to co-ordinate and share best practice. If your workers would like to participate in this, please send their contact details to me here.

School Chaplain Vacancy – Chelsea Academy have a vacancy for a school chaplain.  If you, or someone you know, would be interested please click here for the vacancy advert and for the Chaplain pack, click here.

Theatre Chaplains– Open once more, ministry is needed within the theatre industry more than ever. Theatre Chaplaincy UK provides pastoral support to all those working in the theatre, of all faiths and none and are looking to expand their team of chaplains. Chaplains are each assigned a theatre, where they visit regularly, front of house and backstage, to offer support and a friendly, confidential listening ear to any in need. They would love to hear from any interested ordained and licensed lay candidates. To find out more, please email theatrechaplain@gmail.com

Archdeacon’s PA Vacancy– The Archdeacon of Middlesex is advertising for a permanent PA.  If you, or someone you know, would be interested please click here for more information. The deadline for applications is 1 July 2022.

Bishop Graham’s Farewell service – Tuesday 12th July at 7:30pm at St Paul’s Hammersmith. Everyone is welcome at this service to say farewell to Bishop Graham who has been the Bishop of Kensington since 2015. Please let the team know if you are planning to attend here, to sign an e-card for Bishop Graham (which he will receive on 12th July), please click here

Kensington Area “Growing Younger” Training Morning – Saturday 15 October 9am to 1pm, St Mellitus College, 24 Collingham Road London SW5 0LX. Everyone who works with children and/or youth in a church setting in the Kensington Area, is warmly invited to this training morning.  This will include time together in worship, a key note speaker, and a wide variety of seminars on different aspects of working with children and youth across our churches. All free and breakfast will be provided!  To book your place please click here.

October Deanery Synod – 20th October 7.30pm, Hope Church Hounslow. Our next Deanery Synod is currently planned for October and will look at Schools, with a presentation by Jo Jones the Kensington Area Bishop’s Schools’ Chaplain. Make sure to note this in your diary!

Kensington Area Youth Weekend 2023 – The Youth Weekend 2023 will take place from 16-18 June 2023 at Oakwood Youth Challenge near Bracknell.  This weekend, led by Area Youth and Schools’ Chaplain Jo Jones, is particularly for churches who don’t run ‘in house’ youth residentials.  Further details will be sent out in the autumn, but if you would like to find out more before then, please contact Jo on Joanna.jones@london.anglican.org


With thanks,

Kathleen McQuarrie 
Hounslow Deanery Secretary

Hounslow Welcare Trust
 The Houslow Welcare Trust exists to make grants to help Deanery churches. The next trustees meeting is on the 14th of July – take a look at the criteria and get in touch ASAP if you’re interested.

Deanery WhatsApp Groups

Useful for sharing best practice, the Deanery groups cover roles as diverse as Churchwardens, PCC Secretaries, Treasurers, Safeguarding, and children’s workers. If those in your parish would like to join, click here to let us know.

Kintsugi Hope
Kintsugi Hope is not just a charity. We have a vision of starting a movement of Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing Groups where people can experience safety and support. To find out more about Kintsugi Hope please click here.

26 May

June Deanery Synod

Hello Everyone,

The June Deanery Synod is in a little over two weeks. We’re being graciously hosted by Holy Trinity Hounslow (6 High St, TW3 1HG) and we look forward to seeing you all there. We’ll be meeting on Tuesday 14th June, with refreshments served from 7pm and the meeting starting at 7.30pm and looking at Racial Justice with Fr Joseph Fernandes, Vicar of St Hilda’s Ashford and Area Dean of Spelthorne.  This is a key area in the Kensington Area Plan so it’s incredibly important that we engage with this topic fully.

In preparation for the meeting, please take a look at the below documents and get ready to bring your questions to our expert speakers.

Please make sure to mark the 14th of June into your diary. The next synod meeting is planned for Thursday 20 October, with a presentation by Jo Jones, the Kensington Area Bishop’s Schools’ Chaplain.

Deanery Updates & Notices 

Children & Youth Workers – we’ve been asked to setup a WhatsApp group for Children and Youth workers to co-ordinate and share best practice. If your workers would like to participate in this, please send their contact details to me here.

School Chaplain Vacancy – Chelsea Academy have a vacancy for a school chaplain.  If you, or someone you know, would be interested please click here for the vacancy advert and for the Chaplain pack, click here.

Archdeacon’s PA Vacancy– The Archdeacon of Middlesex is advertising for a permanent PA.  If you, or someone you know, would be interested please click here for more information. 

Creed & Culture Seminar:  Identity – what difference does the Christian faith make to how we understand each other? Taking place at the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (5 minute walk from Oxford Circus or Broad Street tube stops). The speaker is Michael Lloyd, principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. Held on Saturday, 18th June 2022, 2 – 5 pm, more details and ticket information can be found here.

Warmest wishes and God bless,

Kathleen McQuarrie 
Hounslow Deanery Secretary

Unconscious Bias Trainers
This involves undertaking about three hours of training and then helping PCCs in vacancies by giving them unconscious bias training – probably a couple of times a year. Email Martine if you’re interested.

Hounslow Welcare Trust
This year the trust has extended grants to several churches, supporting projects ranging from debt support, community hubs, and relief for Ukraine. – take a look at the criteria and get in touch if your church would like funding.

Kintsugi Hope
Kintsugi Hope is not just a charity. We have a vision of starting a movement of Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing Groups where people can experience safety and support. To find out more about Kintsugi Hope please click here.

15 Mar

February Deanery Synod Minutes

Hello Everyone,


It was lovely to see many of you at the February Synod and I hope that you enjoyed the meeting as much as I did. Our speakers, Rebeccah Cooper-Jones & Rev Jody Stowell gave a very informative talk on Living in Love and Faith along with some guidance on the Pastoral Principles. The minutes of the meeting are here and include links to useful details following on from the synod. Do let me know if you have any questions or notice any changes needed in the minutes.

Our next Synod meeting is currently pencilled in for the 14th of June, held at Holy Trinity Hounslow, and will feature Revd Allen Bower, the Kensington Area Dean of Cultural Diversity. Please do keep this date in your diary and do let me know if you have any items that you would like to be considered for the agenda.

Diocesan Synod By-Election
Nomination forms have been received and as the nominations did not exceed the number of vacancies, no election was needed. Congratulations to our new clergy representatives to the Diocesan Synod:

  • Rev Anne Dollery (St Dunstan, Feltham)
  • Rev Micheal Dobson (St George, Hanworth)
  • Rev Sally Baily (Holy Trinity Hounslow)

They join Rev Michael Gill and our lay Representatives Julian Duffus & Shelia Matthews to represent the Hounslow Deanery at the London Diocesan Synod. Our thanks to everyone who participated.


With thanks,

Kathleen McQuarrie 
Hounslow Deanery Secretary

Hounslow Welcare Trust
 The Houslow Welcare Trust exists to make grants to help Deanery churches. The next trustees meeting is in two weeks – take a look at the criteria and get in touch if you’re interested.

Unconscious Bias Trainers
This involves undertaking about three hours of training and then helping PCCs in vacancies by giving them unconscious bias training – probably a couple of times a year. Email Martine if you’re interested.

Mental Health First Aider Training
Eight parishes have signed up for this so far but there are still plenty of places left.  Please let Martine know asap if you or someone else from your parish, would like to attend.

04 Feb

Diocesan Synod By-Elections

Nomination & Elections – the time has come!

As was mentioned during the last Deanery Synod, the recent London Diocesan Synod election has left the Hounslow Deanery with 3 clergy and 3 lay member vacancies unfilled. We are now looking to fill these slots with a by-election. If you or someone you know would like to represent our Deanery on the Diocesan Synod then please do complete a nomination form.

Below are the links to the nomination forms for this election, along with the formal notice of an election as required by the synod regulations. Please do review these forms and nominate those who you think would best serve both the Deanery and the wider Diocese. It’s worth noting that per voting regulations nomination forms can be received via email, in person or via post to the details listed only. All nominations must be received by the 25th February 2022..

If we receive more nominations than vacancies, this will be followed by an election and, if required, voting forms will be sent out on the morning of the 28th of February..

The formal notice of an election is here
The Nomination form for clergy is here
The Nomination form for lay members is here
 
Yours in Christ,

Kathleen
Deanery Secretary

04 Jan

Welcome to January 2022!

I hope that you have all had a good Christmas, taken some time off and are looking forward to a new year of ministry in 2022!  It was a pity that the Chapter Christmas lunch got cancelled but I’m hoping very much that we can all get together for an in-person Chapter in two weeks’ time and a party in February.  Then, we’ll have a summer Chapter lunch at The Royal Oak in June.

Here’s the plan:

Tuesday 11am 18 January – in-person Chapter meeting at Hope Church Hounslow with Rev Claire Clarke

  • Christmas stories – things that went a bit wrong as well as things that went well
  • Tips on tools that help us get organised – personally and as teams
  • Deanery news and things coming up

Thurs 10 Feb     7.30pm CHAPTER PARTY at my place – 60 Elmwood Rd W4 3DZ

Thurs 17 Feb     2pm     Online Chapter meeting
Peter Vannozzi will tell us about the new discernment process for potential ordinands, involving Grids, Traffic Lights and Carousels. 

Mental Health First Aider training
The Diocese is offering parishes the opportunity to have one person trained as a Mental Health First Aider.  This will enable the MHFA to recognise the symptoms of mental ill health; to provide initial help, on a first-aid basis; to signpost appropriate professional support; to be aware of their own mental health and well-being; and to understand how to use the MHFA framework within theological frames of reference and pastoral contexts.

The course comprises four half days of training, which should be completed reasonably close together.

Hounslow Deanery is being offered an in-person course for up to 16 people on Tues 10 May, Thurs 12 May, Tues 17 May and Thurs 19 May at 9.30am-1.30pm.

Would you, or someone else from your church, like to attend the course?  If so, please let me know.

GROW course
Just a reminder that, if you and your church have not done this, it’s definitely worth considering.  More info here: https://ccx.org.uk/grow-course/

Welcare Trust
The trustees meet again at the end of March so January/February would be a great time to reflect on funding needs for work in the community and see if this charity can help you.  More info here.

Deanery synod – Introduction to LLF resources – Thursday 24 Feb 7.30-9.00pm
Rev Jody Stowell, Vicar of St Michael & All Angels in Harrow, and Rebeccah Cooper-Jones, professional mediator, will facilitate an introduction to the Living in Love and Faith resources that have been produced recently.  The hope is for people in Church of England churches across the country to use these resources to study and pray together. This church-wide learning together, listening to one another, and listening to God is intended to enable the Church of England to discern a way forward in relation to matters of identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage.  Please do try to join this session – all voices need to be heard.

Prayer
Please continue to pray for the well-being, both physical and mental, of clergy and church leaders.

Love, God bless and Happy New Year!

Martine

28 Sep



As you may remember, the October Synod meeting marks the beginning of a new triennium with the election of a new Lay Chair. If you would like to stand, or know someone who you think would be a good candidate, then please complete a nomination form and return it to Kat by email to pa@hounslowdeanery.org.uk NO LATER THAN 6 October.

Nomination forms can be found here in word format (to fill in on a computer) or in .pdf format (to print off and fill in by hand).

The Deanery Synod Meeting is still planned for Monday 25 October, with the section for Lay representatives starting at 6.30pm.  Clergy will join from 7pm for refreshments followed by Holy Communion (sharing bread only) at 7.30pm. Following this, Rev Derek Winterburn, Vicar of St James’s Church Hampton Hill, will facilitate a conversation about how we are caring for God’s creation.  Finally, we’ll have some brief notices and the appointment or election of our Deanery Synod Standing Committee.  An agenda will be sent round nearer the time.

Warmest wishes and God bless,


Martine Oborne
Area Dean
27 Sep

Oct Deanery Synod CHANGE OF DATE

We have had to change the date for the October Deanery Synod meeting and we will now been meeting on Monday 25 October (NOT 28 Oct.)  The meeting will still be IN-PERSON and still be held at St Michael’s Church, Elmwood Road W4 3DY.

Lay representatives, please do come for 6.30pm for the Lay Only Meeting (no clergy please!) to elect the next Lay Chair. Everyone is welcome from 7pm for refreshments followed by Holy Communion (sharing bread only) at 7.30pm. Following this, Rev Derek Winterburn, Vicar of St James’s Church Hampton Hill, will facilitate a conversation about how we are caring for God’s creation.  Finally, we’ll have some brief notices and the appointment or election of our Deanery Synod Standing Committee.  An agenda will be sent round nearer the time.

Please remember!
The Hounslow Deanery Common Fund Meeting is still going ahead by Zoom on the 5th of October, 7.00-8.30pm. Do invite anyone in your church who you feel would benefit from attending and I look forward to seeing you there! If you would like the zoom detail for this meeting then please reach out to Kat here.


Warmest wishes and God bless,

Martine Oborne
Area Dean

Hounslow Welcare Trust
 The Houslow Welcare Trust exists to make grants to help Deanery churches. The next trustees meeting is coming soon – take a look at the criteria and get in touch if you’re interested.

New Triennium Starts Soon!
If you would like to nominate someone for the Deanery Synod Standing Committee (even yourself), please out to me or Kat. Both clergy and lay members are needed.  

Christian Mindfulness and Contemplative Prayer
This course comprises two Thursday morning sessions on 7 & 14 October at St Peter’s Church in Southfield Rd W4.  Please contact Fabrizio Pesce to find out more.  Or book here.

20 Sep

Hounslow Deanery Synod news and updates….

As many of you know, I have recently been appointed as Hounslow Area Dean. Thank you so much to everyone who has sent good wishes and offers of support. I’m looking forward to getting stuck into the role and I hope that our Deanery Synod meetings will be both enjoyable and helpful to your ministry and mission.

I am the Vicar of St Michael’s Church in Chiswick where I’ve been in post for ten years now.  Before this, I served my curacy in Islington and, before that, I had a career in the City.  I’m married to Peter and we have five children, but with only one still at school.

A new triennium!
We are at the start of a new three year cycle of Deanery Synod meetings, so this is an ideal time to have a rethink about what we do and why.  If you’ve got any comments or suggestions, please be in touch.  

I’m hoping that we’ll be able to focus on some of the new Kensington Area priorities such as: mission in the community; the environment; ministry to children and youth; and mental health and wellbeing.  If you would like to play a role on the Deanery Synod Standing Committee, possibly as a rep for one of these priorities, do please let me know.  We need both clergy and lay members.  Standing Committee meets three times a year by Zoom and is responsible for planning events, talks and the agenda at the Deanery Synod meetings.

Next Deanery Synod meeting – Thursday 28 October – IN-PERSON at St Michael’s Church, Elmwood Road W4 3DY at 7pm
I am looking forward to meeting and welcoming reps, particularly new ones, to Deanery Synod at this first session.  Do please join us if you can.

We’ll start first with a Deanery Meeting of Lay Representatives at 6.30pm to elect our Lay Chair.  Then there will be refreshments at 7pm for both lay and clergy reps, followed by Holy Communion (sharing bread only) at 7.30pm.  Then Derek Winterburn, Vicar of St James’s Church Hampton Hill, will facilitate a conversation about how we are caring for God’s creation.  Finally, we’ll have some brief notices and the appointment or election of our Deanery Synod Standing Committee.  An agenda will be sent round nearer the time.

Subsequent Deanery Synod meetings
The new Deanery Synod Standing Committee will meet in November and make plans.  We will probably have a Deanery Synod meeting by Zoom in February and an in-person one in June.

Welcare applications
Applications for grants for community projects are welcome.  If they are submitted by 15 November, they will be considered at the next meeting of trustees on 29 November.  More information and application forms can be found here.

I look forward to seeing you soon.
Warmest wishes and God bless,

Rev Martine Oborne
Area Dean