The Diocese of London has appointed the Revd Paul Davies as Dean of Mission for the Two Cities Area. Paul will join in July and will play an instrumental role in working alongside the Two Cities’ 88 churches to support their missionary effectiveness, as well as develop the strategic aims of the Two Cities Area Plan.

Paul joins the Diocese from the parish of All Saints’ Queen’s Park in Bedford, in the Diocese of St Albans, a role he held in addition to Church Growth Officer for the Archdeaconry of Bedford. Prior to this, he was a Senior Anglican Priest in Qatar, in the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf, where he led support for migrant workers and campaigned for structural changes to labour conditions in Qatar. In addition to this international experience, he has served in parishes in the Dioceses of London, Lichfield and Southwark. Between 2003-15 he was Vicar at St Mary’s Sunbury on Thames.

Paul will bring dual experience of missionary and evangelism to churches in the Two Cities and serve to increase capacity for mission and discipleship in the Two Cities Area, forging connections and deepening the missionary network. In particular, his current role as Church Growth Officer makes him well placed to work across traditions in supporting, championing and companioning Two Cities churches.

The Archdeacon of London, The Ven Luke Miller, said:

“I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Fr Paul to the Two Cities family. With a wealth of experience from across the global Anglican communion, I can’t think of a better person to lead the Area in helping move forward our strategy to reach every Londoner and support our churches in spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ.”

Launched in July 2023 with the Church of England’s National Giving Team, the Digital Giving Rollout provided 70 churches across the Diocese of London with contactless donation devices. Card readers allow worshippers to conveniently contribute to the work of the parish using debit cards, credit cards or smart phones, increasing giving options and potentially boosting overall giving.

The Revd Anthea Carmichael, vicar at St Catherine’s in Neasden, says,

“We received a CollecTin More digital card reader as part of the Digital Giving Rollout because we wanted to offer our congregation, who are transitioning away from using cash, the opportunity for digital giving.

The machine was easy to set up and the front screen design, displaying a button for specific amounts, as well as being able to enter a custom amount, makes it very easy to use, and self-explanatory. Congregation members are able to give very easily and quickly, during our collection time, or before/after the service.

Since using the device, over 6 months we have received approximately £1,500 through our card reader, in addition to other established avenues in which we receive our tithes/offerings.

It truly is worth the investment.”

This technology offers a secure and user-friendly way for individuals to donate, removing the need to carry cash and simplifying the contribution process.

Try before you buy

Later this year the diocesan Finance Team will be running a “Try Before You Buy” contactless card reader scheme, where parishes will be able to borrow a device for up to four Sundays to see how it works in their community.

If your church is interested in the scheme please register your interest using this form.

If you would like any general advice on contactless card readers, please contact your Area Finance Adviser.

Andrew Corsie (Director of Ministry, Willesden Area) reflects on how pain is part of his journey in finding physical and spiritual balance.

I live with chronic pain.

In many ways I have always done so, especially throughout my adult life. Back pain has been constant since early adulthood, but over the last 10 years, since a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS), pain has really moved in and become a close companion.

The pain is primarily in my legs and reminds me of it’s presence from the moment I place my feet on the floor at the bedside each morning. On a daily basis every step I take is painful – it affects the way I walk (I use a walking stick), with people occasionally asking me; “what’s wrong with you?” – I wonder myself at times! In recent years I have been gradually losing the effectiveness of my right arm – difficult as I am right handed. Becoming left sided seems a natural development, but with exercise, I work on balanced mobility.

‘A Pain Free Life’ is a book that was recommended to me and I read it with interest – I wonder if Jesus took such a book into the wilderness for the period of temptation?! The theory proposes that muscular and joint pain is due to body imbalance. Exercises are suggested which promote skeletal balance. I have been trying these and some improvement is being made. Maybe such balance was crucial to Jesus in resisting temptation?
Perhaps pain is there for a reason? Facing my mortality is important, although not easy to do – I am getting older and cannot hide that truth. Every Ash Wednesday I am reminded that; “from dust you have come, and to dust you shall return.”

With my MS consultant we did talk about pain management and she offered all kinds of medication. Following unsuccessful trial periods, I rejected these because it seemed to be an important way the body speaks to me about what is going on. There is a need to be exposed to life as it comes, and that includes pain. We do make vain attempts to avoid it, by deadening the effects – perhaps that is where addiction comes from, the desire to numb the pain, but it only makes it worse when it returns. Ask any former addict.

Pain is there to remind me, lest I forget, of the importance of balance in my life. Not just physical, but in every area. So, Lent prompts me that repentance is not only about turning away from what is unhealthy, rather about turning towards that which is healthy, holy and for my wellbeing. I try to give attention to a blended life but need regular reminders to make space for it. It is tempting to focus on those things that are easy and comfortable to do or what we are driven towards.

I exercise most days and, if I am honest, discipline myself to engage in a wide range of exercises. I do enjoy resistance training, but avoid cardiovascular work if possible – too much like hard work! There are other areas of my life where imbalance exists too and needs attention. As Jesus says in Matthew’s gospel; when you give financially – don’t make a show of it, when you pray – do it out of sight, when you fast – keep a smile on, live for heavenly not earthly wealth. Maintaining this is vital to healthy and holy living. Thank the Lord that Lent is here – time for repentance and a re-balancing!

At the beginning of February, the Bishop of Stepney wrote to all the clergy and staff of the Diocese to invite us to take part in the 5-day challenge during Racial Equality Week (5-11 February). It was an encouragement to take five minutes each day for a reflection and action around race equality.

Research conducted by ‘Race Equality Matters’ (who authored the 5-day challenge) has evidenced that, while there has been greater discussion around racial justice in UK workplaces in recent years, the majority of ethnically diverse employees feel that there has been very little visible action to move towards the deeper and more meaningful change required to drive race equality.

The 5-day challenge resource begins with a reflection on microaggressions: the subtle, often unintentional forms of prejudice which can take the shape of an offhand comment or an inadvertently painful joke. “Where are you from?” “I can’t pronounce your name; can I just call you ….. for short?”

Microaggressions are anything but micro. Mark Lomas, Head of Culture at Lloyds writes: “For me microaggressions are like death by 1,000 cuts. It’s the accumulation of those instances across weeks, months and years.”

In a recent poll, 83% of respondents said they experience microaggressions in the workplace. Yet, only 16% said microaggressions are regularly or quite often called out by colleagues. ‘Calling out’ can be done in a non-confrontational way by simply asking, “What did you mean by that?’, giving the person the opportunity to reflect, or at times correct, clumsy, inappropriate or even harmful language. It also enables everyone to be aware of what microaggressions are. It’s all about creating a culture that will enable meaningful change.

The other reflections in the 5-day challenge encouraged us to be active in educating ourselves about other people’s cultures; to publicly recognise and praise the contributions of ethnically diverse colleagues; and to foster a culture of belonging where, rather than expecting people who are different to ‘fit in’, a church or organisation fits around it’s people’s individuality and differences.

There are many barriers to driving race equity, including a lack of understanding of what it feels like to be in others’ shoes and how to be positively inclusive. Small changes can make a real difference to how we act and, in doing so, how we make people feel. If everyone makes a small change – it adds up and becomes powerful and impactful as we collectively journey together with Christ to build a better future for all.

Links to the 5-day reflections can be found below.
Day 1 – Microaggressions
Day 2 – Understanding other cultures
Day 3 – Public Praise
Day 4 – A culture of belonging
Day 5 – The Big Promise

The Episcopal Synod of the Church of the Province of Central Africa (CPCA – comprising the Anglican dioceses in Botswana, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe) has appointed the Revd Preb John Kafwanka, currently Vicar of St Augustine of Canterbury, Whitton, in the Diocese of London, as the next Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Zambia (DNZ). This follows the translation of the former bishop, Archbishop Albert Chama, to the Anglican Diocese of Lusaka. Revd Kafwanka will be the fourth bishop of DNZ since its creation in the early 1970s.

John writes:

“I am deeply humbled by this call to go and serve as the next Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Zambia. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit I look forward to being part of God’s work in the Diocese of Northern Zambia and to lead and work with clergy and lay people in advancing the love of God in Jesus Christ in the towns and villages of that vast Diocese. It has been a huge privilege and blessing to serve as Vicar of St Augustine Whitton for the last three years – a journey which began at the peak of COVID-19. My family and I love and will miss the community in this part of London Diocese.”

The Bishop of London writes:

“I am delighted for Revd John to take up this new challenge in his home country, though the gap which he leaves in the Diocese of London will be difficult to replace. He has been a wise and spiritual man throughout his 18 years in London, and I pray for him and the congregation of Northern Zambia as he embarks on this new calling.”

The Bishop of Kensington, writes:

“It is with very mixed feelings that I receive this news! I am delighted for the Diocese of Northern Zambia as I know John will be a faithful and inspiring bishop who will serve them well. He is a wise and pastoral servant of the Gospel of Christ. I am inspired by John’s willingness to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and say ‘yes’ to this calling. However, we will miss him and his family hugely in the Kensington Area and the Diocese of London. My prayers are with John and his family, with the people and churches of DNZ, and with the congregation and community of St Augustine of Canterbury, Whitton, as they prepare for all that God has in store for the future”.

The Revd Preb John Kafwanka was born and brought up in Zambia and was ordained 30 years ago in the Diocese of Northern Zambia. He has served in parishes in Australia (Melbourne), Zambia and in England (London) where he has been serving for the last 18 years. He is currently serving as Vicar of St Augustine of Canterbury, Hampton Deanery, Kensington Episcopal Area. For more than ten years, John served as Director for Mission for the Anglican Communion, based at its Secretariat in London.

He previously served as Principal of Zambia’s national seminary for the Anglican Church, St John’s Seminary, before joining Church Mission Society (CMS Britain) as Regional Manager for Southern Africa (covering Angola, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zambia).

Rachel Wooden shares some standout thoughts and moments from a recent disability theology study day at London Diocesan House with Professor Brian Brock 

“The most frequent response from ministers and pastors, when I ask about members of their congregations who are disabled is, ‘we don’t have them’ ”…
This comment started our day with Professor Brian Brock, American Theologian and dad to a son with additional needs. Brian joined us from Aberdeen, not the US…but still quite a long journey!

Brock suggested that if our response is ‘we don’t have them’, then it means either that disabled people are missing from our pews (which should make us question what we are doing wrong), or we are simply not seeing disability and impairment right in-front of us (which means that we might need to open our eyes and start asking the right questions). I would add a third reason… we may have many disabled people in our pews who do not feel comfortable disclosing impairment (which could be for many reasons).

If we don’t even ‘see’ disabled people in the first place, we are unlikely to cater well in our churches. We may potentially even create physical and stigmatizing barriers (sometimes without even realising) meaning that disabled people decide not to come to church, to avoid awkward and embarrassing moments.
So, why are we not ‘seeing’?

We often prefer to see life as sanitized. For example, most artwork of the crucifixion shows a clean cross and an immaculate Messiah dying quietly and demurely… but the crucifixion would have been disturbing, with smells and noises and injured bodies that we may not have felt comfortable with. Impairment (like the cross) can bring a dissonance to our church experience…and disabled people may not feel able to be part of or honest with a church that cannot cope with them.

We tend to see only a limited range of impairments (such as wheelchair user, blind or Deaf, autism or learning disabilities), but this is a very narrow view and doesn’t describe true disability experience. Everyone is different and there is incredible diversity. In addition, some people have a sudden experience which can be profoundly identity-unsettling (such as sudden blindness or loss of limb, or the birth of a ‘disabled’ child). Others have been born with impairment and may have a very different life experience. Our imaginations are deeply shaped by our experience of being disabled or non-disabled, and it is dangerous to assume that we already know and understand others.

We like to see people fitting into nice, neat, tidy boxes, but the diversity of disability experience means there is no single answer to theological or pastoral questions, because we all think differently about what ‘wholeness’ looks like. If we want to truly understand what it means to be whole and human, we must integrate disability theology deeply into our church life. It also means that there may be no single practical solution to difficulties encountered… and it may take time and patience to get things right.
We often see disabled people through the lens of the ‘charity model’ approach, continually positioning disabled people as recipients of good works rather than as givers. But we are impoverished if we do so – we might just find ourselves surprised at what disabled people can offer!

To start truly ‘seeing’ means we must ask questions and be prepared to receive honest answers from disabled people. It means being prepared to commit time and energy to ensure there is real belonging and participation, rather than just basic access and inclusion. The end goal is for the shape of our communities to be changed forever… as we model something so beautifully counter-cultural that our churches become places where everyone can be ‘seen’ and be present together.

On a more practical note, it is possible to make some immediate simple changes which can make a huge difference. Such as describing ourselves during introductions, or describing pictures on a screen, to ensure people with visual impairment feel welcomed. Or using more pictures to describe what is happening during services, for those who may not hear or understand all the (many) words we use – such as hands during prayers, bread and wine during communion liturgy, a bible during the reading. Or ensuring that communion is always part of our services, because taking bread and wine allows us all to say ‘yes’ to Jesus in a very practical way – the spoken creeds don’t always allow everyone to respond. Or earmarking a room as a quiet space to cater for those who may have sensory overwhelm, but still want to be part of the service. Or speaking about diversity, mortality, ageing and impairment as a normal part of life. Or being gracious, welcoming and non-demanding to those who do come, because the effort required to attend church might be huge. Or asking for feedback about what people find helpful or not so helpful about church life. I’m going to start asking questions in our own church community and I hope that people will truly be honest with me!

During the period before a General Election, churches and community organisations often organise election meetings (sometimes known as hustings) where members of the public can listen to and ask questions of the candidates who are standing for election. They do this as a public service, to support the democratic process, to facilitate public debate and as a contribution to the common good. This opportunity for respectful discussion in a neutral space is often appreciated by candidates as well as voters.

View and download a guide to hosting a hustings

The guidance is in four sections:

1. Getting started
2. Different formats of election meetings
3. The rules around holding a hustings event
4. Practical planning

Churches Together in Britain and Ireland have also set up a website which will include the above guide and election resources from member churches.

Visit the Election Website.

Last month Bishop Sarah visited St Anne’s, Soho to say grace at the church’s weekly Soho seniors lunch before enjoying a latte in the church’s new community coffee shop, Sacred Grounds.

The very convivial Thursday lunch has been running for almost twenty years and enables around 45 people each week to enjoy a home cooked meal in the company of others. Bishop Sarah paid tribute to the volunteers and said it gave her great joy to see people coming together and caring for one another.

Sacred Grounds is a new venture from St Anne’s. Originally the vision of the Rector, it has been realised by Jake Lee, the church’s Operations manager, and made possible by homeless charity Centrepoint announcing their departure from the space they have rented since their foundation over fifty years ago. Open 8am-8pm on weekdays and 10am-8pm on weekends, Sacred Grounds offers affordable options such as an ‘everyday cuppa’ for £1, alongside speciality coffees made by skilled baristas, sweet and savoury pastries and cakes freshly baked in Soho. With a small counselling room and the possibility of using the seating area for private hire or community activities, the church hopes it will increase St Anne’s capacity to serve the diverse Soho community. As the Rector, Revd Simon Buckley puts it: “we’re here to serve people, not just great coffee.”

Speaking afterwards, Bishop Sarah said “It was a real pleasure to come to St Anne’s, Soho and to experience the great sense of community and care which characterised its weekly Soho Seniors’ Lunch. In a very divided world it is wonderful to see people being brought together in this way. I hope the church’s new coffee shop, Sacred Grounds, will now extend this ministry to reach others with the love of God, as well as serve them a really good latte. I pray it will be a real blessing to the Soho community”. 

Sacred Grounds, 54 Dean Street, W1D 6AE

An art installation in St Paul’s Cathedral inspiring conversation about racial justice has been blessed as part of a service for 1,700 pupils from London church schools.

‘Tributaries of Knowledge’, designed by British-Trinidadian artist Bryony Benge-Abbott, is one of over 100 globes which make up the World Reimagined art education project; created to transform how the transatlantic slave trade is understood and viewed. Over three and a half million people engaged with the globes across seven different cities across the UK in 2022.

The London Diocesan Board for Schools (LDBS), a charity that supports and serves 154 Church of England schools and over 55,000 students in London, has made a successful bid for a globe to be hosted in schools across the Capital, in recognition of their commitment to educate children and young people about racial justice.

The piece explores the legacy of Kenyan environmental activist Wangari Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement and the first African woman and environmentalist to win the Nobel Peace Prize. The globe was blessed during the service, which centered on the theme of reconciliation, by the Bishop of Willesden, Lusa Nsenga Ngoy. The Diocese of London has set out its pledge to being actively anti-racist as part of its 2030 Vision.

The Globe will shortly move to St Paul’s Primary School, Friern Barnet.

The Rt Hon Rt Revd Dame Sarah Mullally, Bishop of London, said:

 “Teaching the next generation about racial justice, the transatlantic slave trade and its devastating consequences is crucial if we are to prepare children as conscientious, respectful and welcoming members of society. Learning through the medium of art is one such way, so I am delighted that so many children at today’s service engaged with the installation, and that many more will have the opportunity as it visits different church schools across the Capital.”

 Michelle Gayle, actress and Co-Founder of The World Reimagined, added:

“It’s wonderful to see how successfully the LDBS schools have engaged today with the globe, ‘Tributaries of Knowledge,’ and its themes of racial justice and environmentalism. The World Reimagined will continue to support the globe on its journey to allow even more children to learn, reflect and be inspired into affecting positive change.”

The Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett, Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, commented:

 “Later this year, St Paul’s will be marking the 60th anniversary of Dr Martin Luther King’s sermon to a 4,000-strong congregation. Race relations in the UK have come a long way since then – but we must never forget the hostility that many faced, and still do today, on the basis of their ethnicity. I hope the globe has been able to inspire conversations and change amongst London’s school children and to the thousands of tourists and worshippers who will see it over the coming week.”

On Wednesday 25 January 180 of the women clergy of the Diocese of London, representing over half a millennia of ministry between them, gathered to celebrate 30 years of women priests at a special event entitled, “The Voice of this Calling.”

Hosted by Bishops Sarah, Joanne and Emma, supported by those ordained in 1994, it was both a joyful and poignant occasion with a deep sense of shared ministry and support.

Five ordained women shared their experiences of serving the body of Christ in profound reflections on ministry. It was particularly powerful to hear from one of the early pioneers, ordained 30 years ago, followed by a 30 year old for whom women have always been priests, herself pregnant with a daughter who will always know women bishops.

Paula Gooder, Canon Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral reminded the gathering that in the Scriptures women often waited a long time to receive the blessings of God’s call. But in words from TS Elliot’s poem Little Gidding, our women clergy were exhorted to keep responding to “the drawing of this love”; resolute that “we shall not cease from exploration”; finding in ourselves “the voice of this calling.”

Photos by Hayley Madden
more photos available here