Dear friends

HARVEST FESTIVAL

With the leaves on the trees all around us turning to the gorgeous hues of russet and gold, we begin the month of October with the celebration of Harvest Festival, thanking God for all the good things that we enjoy, but praying also for a more just and equitable distribution of the world’s resources as we raise money for ‘Water Aid’. Generously given harvest gifts will be taken to the Doorstep Homeless Families’ Project – a charity which supports some of the most needy in our local community.

THANKFULNESS

May I thank all those who came to help with the recent Vicarage and Church garden clearance day. Whilst we have some way to go before the ground behind the Vicarage and Church is transformed from an urban wilderness into the Garden of Eden, a huge amount was achieved on that day and we filled to the brim a large skip on the Vicarage driveway. We are planning another such day in early to mid November as we continue in our endeavour to make our grounds into a much needed parish and community resource.

ENVISIONING EMMANUEL’S BRIGHT FUTURE

On your behalf the Parochial Church Council (PCC) are going on an away day on Saturday 3rd October at Edgware Abbey to envision our future both as the people of God in this place and as our church building continues to be a beacon of light and hope in the community of West Hampstead. With the help of the Revd Ann Claridge we will be exploring how we might connect more fully with the local community focused on West End Green and how we might use our building more fully and effectively as a community resource. We will be exploring especially how we continue to expand our inclusive vision in reaching out to peoples of all ages, races and ways of life.

CONFIRMATION

We shall shortly be beginning preparation sessions both for children and adults for Emmanuel’s annual service of Confirmation by the Bishop of Edmonton at 10 am on Sunday 13th December. If you are interested in Confirmation either for yourself or your child (or if you would like to join the group as a ‘refresher course’) please speak to Mother Annette, Emma or me.

EMMANUEL SCHOOL EXPANSION PROPOSALS

On Wednesday 23rd September an open meeting was held at the School with Mark Kemp from the London Borough of Camden and Hawkins/Brown, the architects who have been contracted to produce proposals for the design of the new school on Mill Lane as we look to seek planning approval towards the end of the year. Further details of all matters relating to the proposed expansion can be found on the School website: www.emmanuel.camden.sch.uk/project-expansion.htm.

EMMANUEL CHURCH HALL, BROOMSLEIGH STREET

As this letter goes to press we are finalizing the sale of the Church Hall in Broomsleigh Street to the Borough so that it might be transformed into a twenty first century community resource at the heart of our neighbourhood where there is so little community space. The proceeds of the sale will be carefully invested so as to provide an endowment for the continuance of Emmanuel Church’s ministry and mission for many generations to come.

THANKFULNESS FOR SAINTS OF EVERY KIND

October is certainly a month for thankfulness for us here at Emmanuel and so it leads naturally and pleasantly into the festivals and holy days at the beginning of November. On Sunday 1st November we shall be celebrating the great festival of All Saints, when we give thanks for that great multitude of saints that no one can number, who surround us with their love and prayers as we continue our pilgrim way on earth. We shall be celebrating All Saints with the first of a new design Family Eucharist as we gather around an altar in the main part of the Church and with a service similar to that used by the school on a Thursday morning. The hymns and songs will be familiar ones from the children’s repertoire and we are hoping to form a new children’s choir for this service. Our aim is for this service to be no longer than 50 minutes in duration. On the first Sunday of the month this lively Family Eucharist will be complimented as always by a simpler and quieter celebration of the Eucharist at 8 am and a traditional service of Choral Evensong at 6.30 pm.

The day after All Saints is All Souls Day – Monday 2nd November 2009 – when we remember all our loved ones who have departed this life. At 8.00 pm that day we shall have a reflective Sung Eucharist of Requiem. There will shortly be a list at the back of Church for names to be remembered at that Requiem and I hope that as many of you as possible will be able to join us for this beautiful service as we give thanks for all those who have helped us on our own life’s journey and shown us the love of God.

There is so much for which to give thanks in our life together at Emmanuel and I thank you all most sincerely for your commitment and dedication in this shared vision.

With my love and prayers, as always,

Fr Jonathan