THE SAINT JAMES CABARET
Saturday 1st February 2020 Doors open 6.30pm ● show at 7.00pm
An Evening of Pure Delight and Surprise with Comedy, Music and Dance.
Brought to you by St James’s Circus Spirit in aid of the International Group Breakfast. Tickets: £10 Book online: www.eventbrite.co.uk

We've just posted details of an Administartive Assistant role at St James's Piccadilly. See here for details.

27/10/2019, Hugh writes: "I shall be leaving St James’s on 26 January 2020 after more than twenty seven years here as one of its clergy, and thirty years after my ordination (is that possible? It seems like yesterday).  I have been something of an irregular cleric, in so far as I have viewed working full-time in the so-called secular world as the principal focus of my life as a priest. (If anyone is interested in a short explanation of this, I’ve posted something at www.passingthrough.uk/leavingchurch).

For a long time I’ve thought that because my vocation arose within the context of my paid work (I have tried to follow the model of the worker-priest), then once I stop that, it will be the time to quit as an active priest licensed to a parish. To my mind there is a logic in this, and more importantly, a faithfulness to my vocation as I have understood it all these years. I expect to retire from paid (secular) work in two to three years' time.  The reason for this step now, and ahead of that, is because to finish both full time paid work and my active work as a priest in a parish at the same time would be more of a major change than I want, or need, to experience. Both spheres have been very important ones to me, and, crucially, they have been spheres in dialogue with one another.  My time at St James’s has been, for me, a truly wonderful and hugely stimulating time. I am more grateful for this than I can say."

Hugh will be the preacher on Sunday 19 January 2020 and the celebrant on his last Sunday, 26 January 2020
Questions about arrangements? Email the Churchwardens

Sunday 26 Jan from 9.15 in the Southwood Garden
Regular biodiversity surveys in the Southwood Garden are part of our Eco Church commitment, and we will participate in the RSPB annual garden survey as usual. We don’t have many birds, but they are all individuals and there is much to learn in relationship to them. We will combine this event with our monthly eco-contemplative liturgy in the garden. Please join us for any part of the programme!

• 9.15 – 9.45 Silent birdwatching and recording
• 9.45 – 10.15 Liturgy incorporating time with the birds and other wildlife in the garden
• 10.15 Coffee and refreshments
  

Biological Recording in the Southwood Garden:
a training session with the Field Studies Council Biolinks project
Sunday 9 Feb 12.45 – 2.45
Develop your expertise in observing, identifying and
recording wildlife
In this introductory session Keiron Derek Brown, Biolinks Project Manager, will be on hand to explain what a biological record is and the importance of recording. We will find out about opportunities for training and recording across London. There will be a practical session in the garden observing birds and other wildlife and submitting records to iRecord, the national database
No previous experience required and all are welcome. Future sessions will look at invertebrates.

We are saddened to hear of the death of Margarita, who has been associated with St James's over many years. She previously served as a memeber of the PCC and as Treasurer.  We send our condolences to her family.  Details of funeral arrangements, and any other news, will be posted here once known.
May she rest in peace and rise in glory.

Update 18/1/2020: Subject to final confirmation the funeral is likely to take place at St James's on Saturday 15 February 2020, late morning or at noon.

Come and read the most mysterious and symbolic of gospels during the season of Epiphany.

Starting on Sunday 19 January 9.30am in the Church Hall, finishing at 10.30am in time for the Eucharist at 11.00am

News update (click 'read more') As some of you know, the West London Day Centre closed its drop-in service at Seymour Place,  over the summer, for a complete refurbishment. In early Autumn they took a decision no longer to be the organisation which refers people to our Westminster Winter Shelter.

We have heard that Brian died peacefully in Redhill, Surrey on 4 December 2019.  We are grateful to Dennis Richards for letting us know. Brian had a long connection with St James's. May he rest in peace and rise in Glory.

UPDATE 23/12/2019: Dennis Richards writes: "The Funeral Service will take place on Tuesday 14 Janaurary 2020 at 11.00am at Redhill Methodist Church, Gloucester Road, Redhill RH1 1BP (7 minute's walk from Redhill Bus and Train stations."  For those able to attend It is to be followed at 12.30pm by a Cremation service at Surrey and Sussex Crematorium, Balcombe Rd, Crawley RH10 3NQ (20 minutes' drive from the church). From 1.15pm to 5pm Reception at Reigate Manor Hotel,  Balcombe Rd, Crawley RH10 3NQ (free parking). Lifts can be arranged - please contact Dennis c/o brianfrost2019@gmail.com. Denis addds: "Memories of Brian which might help me write his funeral address/obituary/memoir may be posted at: http://www.brianfrostarchive.uk/bb."

We're delighted to welcome Sarah Howard-Jones, an Ordinand in her first year training at Ripon College Cuddesdon. The College has recently developed a different way of training priests. Ordinands spend two years embedded in a parish, alongside being at college. Sarah will be with us at St James's for two days a week (Sundays and Thursdays) for two years. Sarah writes:..."I am delighted to be joining the congregation and wider community of St James's.  As a lifelong Londoner, I feel a connection with St James's through playing in chamber music concerts here, being inspired by the visible and generous missional activity of the church, and knowing the church itself as a place in W1 to step into to sit and pray.  I look forward to many conversations with you all over time and hearing about things that are part of God's witness here, both seen and less seen.  For the past 18 years I've worked 20 minutes walk down the road, as a civil servant in central government in quite a number of social policy areas.  I've lived and worshipped across London over time, at Southwark Cathedral and at All Saints Fulham.  I now live in zone 4 of west London, with my two children and overseen by our cat."

In 1788, St James's purchased land close to the present-day Euston Station as an additional burial ground. It was in use from 1790 to 1853. It is now to be built over as part of the HS2 extension to Euston Station. Read more here

21 July 2019
Some news from Lindsay

UPDATE: Lindsay's last St James's Sunday will be 15 September. Please join us, after the 11am service, for a party to thank her for her enormous contribution to the life of St James’s.

"After very nearly 14 years serving on the clergy team here at St James’s, the time has finally come for me to move on. Many will know that during my time in London, theatre chaplaincy has become a real passion of mine. Beginning in October, as a 3-year pilot project with London Diocese, I will be pursuing theatre chaplaincy full-time. My final Sunday at St James’s will be mid-September – date to be confirmed. For most of the last 14 years, I’ve found it very hard to imagine leaving St James’s, or what on earth you go on to do after being on the clergy team here, so amidst the inevitable sadness of leaving, I feel extremely blessed and a real surge of joy at being called to -  and given -  such an exciting new opportunity.

I’m also excited and delighted that St James's can look forward – in time – to welcoming a new, enthusiastic and energetic Associate Rector to do great things. The successful candidate will be one of the luckiest priests in the Church of England!"

Our many church community events often involve preparing and serving food and in a bid to make this run even more smoothly, we are developing a pool of volunteers. Would this interest you?

Your level of commitment is entirely up to you - from twice a year to once a month, from chopping carrots to overseeing the catering for an event … it's entirely up to you - we welcome anyone who would like to serve our community in this way.

Training opportunities will be provided for those who want to get more involved.
Please contact kitchen@sjp.org.uk to express an interest

The Southwood Garden at St James’s has, once again, been recognised by the Green Flag Award Scheme as one of the best in the world. This international award, now into its third decade, is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

Congratulations to our gardener, Catherine Tidnam, and to all involved with the upkeep of our beautiful and sustainable garden. The Green Flag Awards Scheme is run by the Environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, under licence from the Department of Communities and Local Government

How can we help? We have a group of pastoral visitors who are happy to visit people in hospital or at home, or to telephone those who may be some distance away or appreciate a chat from time to time.
If you, or someone you know in the congregation, would appreciate a visit or phone call, then please
contact Joan Ishibashi by email or speak to her at church.

We are currently recruiting volunteers to join our Sunday morning hospitality team. If you’d like to join the ‘Intentional Coffee’ rota, please speak to Fiona Notman after the morning service.

Ilse Boas was an active member of St James's for many years before moving into residential care in North London. She was serious minded in many ways, and often raised serious questions. She was fun, too, and gentle. Her mother had suffered from dementia; Ilse had cared for her and went on to establish the Barnet Alzheimers Society.  As a child, she had arrived in Britain from Germany on the Kindertransport. Later she worked as an administrator at the LSE.

Below are some pictures I had taken of her over the years, including one where she appeared unexpectedly from behind the St James' font when I was trying to photograph it. It rather captures, delightfully in my view, Ilse's curious, serious yet always detached engagement with Christianity. She had reason to view all ideologies with a degree of scepticism. Hugh Valentine

• Committal Monday 3 June 2019 at 4pm: Enfield Crematorium, North Chapel
  
• Thanksgiving Thursday 6 June 2019 at 12.30pm, St James's Church 197 Piccadilly
  Script of eulogy here
  

Our WALKING BOOTS GROUP walked THE DEVIL’S PUNCHBOWL recently:  A steep climb up to Hindhead along the Greensand Way was followed by a gentle circuit of the Punchbowl’s rim, over Gibbet Hill to the Temple of the Four Winds. Then down, steeply at first, to lunch with David Cox in the company of horses.  After that we ambled across fields and through woods to Witley station.

‘Mundus’
(Wood-ash, Thames water, honey, cotton) Sara Mark, 2019

Sara writes: “I made the first version of Mundus (Latin: World) in 2006 after attending a climate change conference at the RSA in London. After three days of talks by eminent scientists and activists I was so shocked that it triggered a period of bewilderment and grief; so began a series of installations using melting ice, linen bandaging and wood-ash. The altar cloth is the ‘shroud’ installed at St James’s last Easter, part of which was frozen into a block of ice which melted during the course of Holy Week before being hung on the cross on Easter Sunday.”  Click 'Read More' for further details.

General Synod asked the House of Bishops to consider a liturgical means for trans people to mark their transition. In response, the Bishops issued guidance suggesting the use of an existing affirmation of baptismal faith. However, a group has been formed to oppose this from an evangelical and biblical position, calling on the bishops to withdraw their suggestion. In an open letter, the group have said that they do not believe that the Bishops’ Guidance is the right way forward since it raises some significant issues for the church’s belief and practice. The letter and signatories can be reviewed at www.responsetohob.co.uk.  This letter will, undoubtedly, be hurtful to trans Anglicans who were encouraged by the Bishops’ Guidance. Indeed, the Revd Dr Tina Beardsley has responded with A Trans Priest’s Response to the “Harmful” Open Letter which can be reviewed by going to the following link:
https://viamedia.news/2019/01/31/a-trans-priests-response-to-the-harmful-open-letter/

Affordable room hire at St James's Church. Ideal for training sessions, rehearsals, meetings, seminars, presentations, workshops and press launches.  Please re-tweet!

This slideshow was shown at the annual church meeting on 28 April 2019

See here for a report on the annual church meeting