Dear Beloved in the Lord,

Farewell and Welcome

After two years as our Director of Music, James Murray has decided to step down, to devote more of his time to conducting. Coming up to Oakwood from central London every Friday night and Sunday morning is a big call, and there have been growing demands on his time, as both a school music teacher and a peripatetic conductor. We have been greatly enriched in the last few months, by two ‘Concerts for the Spire’: James gathered volunteer musicians from the Royal Academy and they have performed in St Thomas’s two Beethoven symphonies, the Bach double violin concerto and the double horn concerto by Haydn. James says he may come back to do more of these concerts with us.

There was a wonderful family feeling at the confirmation on Sunday morning, at which four young people publicly declared their faith.  And it wasn't just the families and friends of the candidates who packed the church, but we were very grateful to Bishop David Pytches, brother of our own church member Preb. Peter Pytches, for standing in at the last minute for Bishop Sandy Millar who was unwell.  His sermon was encouraging, helpful, and illuminated by personal stories, as it explained the significance of some of the great mile-stones of Anglican Christian practice: baptism, confirmation, holy communion, prayer and bible reading.  You can listen again in the Sermons section of our web site.

Dearly Beloved in the Lord,

Plans for the New Year

Where did Christmas go? I was happy that this year we didn’t have the ice and snow on the pavements. Good numbers of people came out to celebrate Christmas, but I would say fewer over the last ten years than previously. I am glad that people gave over £1000 towards the work of Tear Fund at the Christmas Offertories. A further £500 was raised at the Harvest Talents Auction so we are all even more glad for the work that Tear Fund will do in Christ’s name.