Jim's 'unnecessary journey' for All Saints restoration

All Saints, West Dulwich, parishioner, Jim Davidson, set off at 3am on 13 March for Lourdes, from where he will cycle to Santiago de Compostela on Spain's west coast, to raise funds for the All Saints restoration fund.

His 500 mile journey will follow the medieval pilgrim route of St James arriving at Santiago on Good Friday.

Walking with God - a journey into urban spirituality

Young people from Battersea All Saints led part of the opening worship at the Urban Priority Area Parishes Day held on Saturday 16 March at the Norwegian Church and Seamen's Mission, Rotherhithe.

Participants who came from many parishes of the Diocese took part in discussion groups and workshops looking at ways of meeting God in home, work and travel.

They also went on a 'Walk with God' along the nearby Thames Path, reflecting on the history of the many people who have passed that way, from Roman times up to the bustling docks and now very different residential character.

"If you go down to the church today.."

A Teddy Bears' Picnic - and a special church service - on Sunday 10 February brought together a large number of children and adults who had recently been baptized at St Mary's, Addington.

All were asked to bring their Teddy Bear, and their Baptismal Candle!

After a short service in church in which participants renewed baptism promises, were sprinkled with holy water and re-lit candles, Teddy Bears led the way to the picnic in the church hall! Many Teddy Bears took part, including 'Angel Ted' from Liverpool Cathedral who was a comfort to the Churchwarden who was without a bear. The Vicar, Canon Peter Adams, also borrowed a Bear for the day. Children's games, organised by Gina Stevens, the parish administrator started lively and ended almost riotously.

Amidst all the activity, members of the congregation made it their business to get to know the 'baptism' families and to let them know more about the life of the Church.

As a result, some folk are already beginning to dip their toes a little further into the water... Photo shows: one of the bigger teddies in the congregation with his young 'carer'.

In Warlingham Every picture tells a story

You can almost see the relief on their faces as, after two years of snagging and remedial work, the new Warlingham Rectory has been blessed at last! Martin Baddeley, former Archdeacon of Reigate, came out of retirement to fulfil a promise made in 1999 that he would 'see the job through' - though he probably didn't expect to wait this long.

Adult learning at the Spires Centre

Disadvantage can take many forms. At Streatham's Spires Centre for the homeless and disadvantaged, every Wednesday now is devoted to adult learning.

This covers anything from basic spellings to computer skills.

Jean was a history teacher, well able to cope until a series of bereavements left her feeling so lonely, she could barely get out of bed. "My confidence just went," she says. A priest suggested she visit Spires for company. She had never used a computer until a month ago when she tried the new laptops at Spires. Now she e-mails her brothers in Switzerland and Vancouver every week. "I'm not very good at it yet,'" she says. "The mouse is finicky and if you touch a wrong button everything goes berserk. But I'd like to learn a lot more. As much as I can".

In the same room is Brian. Now 62, he was working as a builder about forty years ago when he fell from a roof and lost his memory. He could not work and slept rough for years. Every Wednesday he and volunteer Chris, a retired English teacher, work together at Spires to rebuild his literacy. "Chris works me hard", he says, "but I look forward to coming".

Spires is grateful to Lambeth council's Adult Learning Fund for this step forward in transforming lives. Last September it provided £13,000 for four laptops on a network system, and a member of staff for six months.

The Spires Centre contact number - just in case you'd like to make a donation towards their work - is 020-8696 0943.

Search is online for best church website

The Ecclesiastical Insurance Group (EIG) has launched a competition to find the best parish website in England, Scotland and Wales - with the winner scooping £1,000 in prize money. The second place winner receive £500 and third place, £200.

Around 2000 parishes now have their own websites. Churches will not be judged on how many visitors they get to their site so entrants from smaller rural churches have just as much chance of success as colleagues from larger urban churches. In addition to the 12 finalists there will also be a special prize for the website with the single most innovative or unusual idea.

To take part in the competition, which runs until the end of August, visit the EIG website (www.ecclesiastical.co.uk) and complete the online entry form. Judges from EIG and the CofE, and internet experts will pick a shortlist of 12 from which the winning website will be selected.