Theme One: Service-mapping and partnership: we all agreed it was important that we know what other churches and services are doing so that we do not replicate and so that we can direct people toward them. Therefore, we been in touch with our local councillors, other churches, and Islington charities—including Help on Your Doorstep—to make sure we know what they are doing and how we can refer people onto them. We have also registered as a ‘warm space’ with both Islington Council and with Warm Welcome, a national directory of civil society ‘warm spaces’, coordinated by the ChurchWorks Commission, specialists in helping churches and government work together. Theme Two: Signposting and communications: we agreed that it was important to communicate information clearly through summary sheets and posters.Therefore, we will put out fliers that direct people to support offered by the council and Help on Your Doorstep. Theme Three: Building on what we already do: we discussed what we could add to Open House to make it even more helpful to those who may need support.Our thanks go to the Open House Team, who are planning to extend Open House and offer a soup lunch from the start of November. They would welcome volunteers to join the team. We are really excited to see how this wonderful community grows. Theme Four: Identifying what practical support we could offer: sensitive to our limited storage space, some people suggested working with the council and other providers to identify whether there are ways that St Mary's could provide food, clothing, or pre-payment meter top-ups.We will be on the lookout for organisations’ requests for donations that we can share. You can find a request from the Manna Project below. Theme Five: Challenging the rich and powerful: someone challenged us to ask how we could organise for justice.We have not identified a way of doing this yet. Do speak to me if you are interested in exploring this further. As the discussion ended, the importance of prayer was emphasized, and we ended with a time of prayer. It is vital that, as in all things, our response to this crisis begins and ends in prayer. Whatever way you are involved please do pray for all affected by the cost of living crisis. Request from the Manna Project:· Good men’s clothes.· Towels, even if slightly ragged. · Bed-linen if it’s in good nick – but definitely no pillows or duvets· Most food items, though this is less of a need. Don’t add to our pasta mountain!· Toiletries – we can’t take things that have been opened. Hotel freebies are popular.· Phone chargers· Old, wiped laptops Windows 10 and beyond· Old unlocked phones, smart or dumb· Take-away containers – well washed· Clothes hangers· Men’s belts – very much in demand· Carrier bags· Money
Paper copies of the Annual Review are available in church or from the church office, and will be online soon. We are grateful to everyone who contributed.Our 2021 accounts are currently undergoing an audit and at this moment are only available in draft form. If you would like a copy of the draft 2021 accounts please contact the church office on imogen.erskine@stmaryislington.org
Chloe did a degree in journalism before she felt God calling her to ministry amongst children and young people, and she has worked in that area ever since. Chloe's first Sunday with us will be Sunday 10th April and we look forward to her growing St Mary's youth ministry. Do look out for her and make her feel welcome and please be praying for Chloe as she settles into her role.We are very grateful to a congregation member for their very generous donation towards the recruitment of a Youth Minister. This has made it possible for us to recruit Chloe in this full time role. If you would like to make a one off gift to St Mary's, in addition to any regular giving, then please do speak to Glynys Sykes, our Giving Officer. Glynys can be contacted on give@stmaryislington.org.
St Mary's Islington Achieves Silver Eco Church AwardSt Mary’s Islington has been awarded a prestigious Silver Eco Church Award and becomes one of just ten churches in the Diocese of London to achieve this status. Insulation of the organ loft and supporting Green Christian with a large piece of research were to key steps taken to winning this award.The scheme encourages lots of small steps to achieve ecological improvement across five key areas of church life: worship and teaching; management of church buildings; management of church land; community and global engagement; lifestyle. St Mary’s gained the Bronze Eco Church award in 2019, the plaque is mounted at the back of the nave at St Mary’s. Rev. James Hughesdon said: “We are delighted to receive Sliver Eco Church status. It’s a huge credit to our Eco-Church team who have worked hard over the past two years to not only improved our church life green credentials but helped individuals care for creation. We look forward to adding gold to our plaque collection soon.”In order to apply, and then qualify, for an award each church completes an online Eco Survey about how they are caring for God’s earth in different areas of their life and work. The answers provided are collated by A Rocha UK, who run the project, and converted into points, which translate into bronze, silver or gold awards.Share
