from the Bishop of London

To all the people of God in the Diocese of London 19th July 2016

Dear Friends It has been a privilege and a delight to serve in the Diocese of London as priest and bishop for well over thirty years.   I have seen confidence return and church life revive.   The recently circulated progress report on Capital Vision 2020 is an eloquent testimony to a renewed confidence in the gospel, more strenuous compassion and more extensive service of our neighbours in the most diverse city on earth, together with burgeoning creativity.   At the same time the annual accounts reveal that we have ended the financial year in balance for the tenth year in succession. No bishop could wish for more inspiring partners in the gospel, both among the clergy and laity of the Diocese. Regular visits to St Mellitus College are also a huge encouragement. There are more than 200 talented candidates for the priesthood training in the London centre of the college, with flourishing work on Merseyside and other places in England and even overseas.  Work begins on a hub in Kuala Lumpur this September. It has been a blessing to serve with a diocesan team of bishops, archdeacons and those who work at Causton Street, whose gifts are so diverse but who are united in their zeal for generous orthodoxy. For my part, I have tried to follow the example of St Augustine who said, “For you I am a bishop but with you I am a Christian”, and in this spirit I hope you will forgive my many shortcomings in office. After consultation with the Archbishop I am writing to let you know about the timetable for my retirement.   It is business as usual until Christmas, after which I shall hope to clear my desk of more than twenty years’ worth of accumulated debris. The intention is that my last public engagement as Bishop of London will be in the Cathedral at Candlemas, February 2nd 2017, the day when Simeon was granted a vision of Christ in the Temple and prayed “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace.”    My formal resignation will be dated from the end of the month on Shrove Tuesday. Her Majesty the Queen has graciously indicated that I should remain as Dean of HM Chapels Royal until the appointment of the 133rd Bishop of London. I have received so many signs in prayer and in the life of the Diocese that my period as Bishop of London is drawing to a close.   I have every confidence in the Diocesan Team, and in the leadership of our Archbishop in the challenge of renewing and reforming the Church as a servant of reconciliation in these turbulent times. I look forward to continuing to serve in other roles but it is right that someone who began as a primary school ink monitor should give way to a new Bishop of London more at home in the digital world, and with sufficient time to be able to play a constructive part in the Lambeth Conference planned for 2020. The important things, however, do not change and I shall be praying for you as you seek to navigate into God’s future under new leadership.

In the meantime I continue to give thanks for our partnership in the gospel.

The Rt Revd & Rt Hon Richard Chartres KCVO DD FSA

50 Years Ago

Half a century ago on 7 May 1961 we celebrated the Golden Jubilee of the Consecration of the Church.. The president and preacher was the Rt Revd Gerald Ellison. Bishop of Chester and later Bishop of London. The Bishop dedicated a bust of the late Revd William Maxwell Rennie (Vicar of St Jude's 1936 - 1954) by his daughter Rosemary, wife of the Charles Proctor the organist. The bust is positioned to the right of the St George's altar beneath the memorial to her brother Michael Rennie who died after rescuing children from the evacuation ship City of Benares which had been sunk as a result of enemy action. The memorial was painted by the church artist Walter Starmer who was present in the congregation on what was probably his last visit to the church.

Mrs Rosemary Proctor with the Bishop and the Vicar

the Revd William Masters.

Click on pictures to enlarge

The Centenary : Sanctuary team

Church Warden Jennifer Radice, Hannah Davison, Emma Gregson, David Pope, Vicar, the Bishop of London, Katie El-Balawi, Area Dean Fr Gwyn Clement, Reader Bob Chandler, Mandy Komlosy, Anastasia Walker

All photographs by Cesar Rodriguez-Duran

The Centenary: Behind the scenes

The Area Dean of West Barnet and Rector of St Mary's Hendon Fr Gwyn Clement with the Vicar. Today we also celebrated the 'independence' of the parish of Hampstead Garden Suburb from the ancient parish of Hendon.

Our former scholar Anna Steppler (now organ scholar at Merton College Oxford) meets the Bishop.

Adjusting the microphone

Preparing the incense.

Was that the bell?

Lifting the banners

Signing the service register

Bunter the Vicarage cat (left)

All photographs by Cesar Rodriguez - Duran

The Centenary: the restored Calvary Garden

Lucrezia Walker, The Bishop of London, and gardeners Niamh O’Donnell-Keenan, Susie Gregson, Elinor Delaney, David White, Michael Delaney who restored the site.

All photographs by Cesar Rodriguez - Duran

The Centenary: Friends and Guests

(Former chorister) Ken and Ursula Hunt

Church Warden Jennifer Radice

Gerdi McCrae and Barbara Young

Councillor John Marshall, Trust Chairman Angus Walker, Trust Manager Jane Blackburn, Mr Mark Rutter and Councillor Lisa Rutter Deputy Mayor of Barnet, (the Vicar), Mike Freer MP, the Bishop of London, Councillor Daniel Seal, Councillor Andrew Harper and Residents Association Chair Janet Elliott.

David Rennie and family at the bust of his Grandfather William Maxwell Rennie (Vicar 1936 -1954). David's parents, Peter and Valerie, were married at St Jude's in September 1952. David and Christa's eldest son Michael (seen here with the Bishop) is named after his great-uncle Michael Rennie.

Ed and Angela Zanders

Former organist Andrew McCrae with family and Nic Chalmers

Centenary mugs

All photographs by Cesar Rodriguez-Duran

The Centenary of the Consecration of the Church

All photographs by Cesar Rodriguez - Duran