A Pastoral Letter from Bishop Christopher

As we once again approach Lent I am pleased to be able to send you the materials for the 2013 Bishops’ Lent Call.  As Faith, Hope, Love my Call to Mission moves into the next Phase we continue to consider how best we work together as the people of God to bring the Faith, Hope, Love we find in Christ to those around us.

In our Lent Call for 2013 we have some projects from the Holy Land which I hope you will want to support.   During Lent this year I am leading a Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Holy Land with the Dean of Southwark.   One hundred and twenty pilgrims will be joining us as we discover together more about the land which is the cradle of our faith.  Whilst they are there the pilgrims will visit these and other similar projects.  By giving generously you will be helping the people of the Holy Land as they seek to serve those who are in need in their communities. 

In addition, we are continuing to support our Link Dioceses in Zimbabwe as they work to renew and inspire people in mission and ministry and we have three projects in our own Diocese.  These are: Sparkfish which works in schools in Reigate, Redhill and Merstham, the Furzedown Youth Centre in Wandsworth and the Sydenham Garden.

The monies raised by my Lent Call in 2012 amounted to almost £108,000, which will be used to benefit our Link Dioceses in Zimbabwe. The Areas are supporting different aspects of ministry, health, education and irrigation.  We have also been able to support Slade Gardens Adventure Playground, Esther Community Enterprise, the Camberwell Choir School (CCS) and Neutral Ground Contact Centre here in Southwark Diocese, all of whom help to build our communities and to enhance social cohesion.

Thank you for all you do,

With my prayers for your work in God’s mission,

+Christopher Southwark

The Lent Call materials here on the Diocesan website will be supplemented with any new material that becomes available, so do check back regularly.