As part of the process of finding a new vicar, we have to produce a description of the parish is all its aspects, so that someone who has never visited south-east London can form an impression of what we have to offer and what it might be like to live and work here.

Writing the profile is quite a rewarding task. It forces us to look critically and objectively at ourselves, of course identifying weaknesses, failure and problems but also recognising strengths and achievements, of which there are many; the parish is in a much better position after the developments under Tim Linkens' leadership than it would have been without them. The profile has also led us to reflect upon the community around the church, and to consider what it stands for.

The diocesan architect when St Nicholas's church was built (completed 1953), was Thomas Ford, who made a major contribution to post-war reconstruction; we don't know whether he personally made the drawings for our church, but it is very strongly in his robust, simple and economical style, reflecting the period of post-war austerity. In many local churches (though not ours), he employed the Jewish refugee artist Hans Feibusch to make wall paintings; at St Nicholas's the east end mural is by Hugh Powell, principally a stained glass artist, who worked in partnership with the designer of our west window, C. J. Edwards.  Just as the churches, including St Nicholas's, contain a great deal of symbolism, so does the surrounding neighbourhood; it is good to have been reminded that  the housing around the church was built in the conviction that everyone deserves a decent home in pleasant surroundings, that houses are primarily for living in rather than investment, that the future should be better than the past, and that it is a common duty to make it so.  Our parish profile and Mission Action Plan reflect our own commitment to proclaim the gospel in our neighbourhood, nurture faith, serve the community, transform society for the better and treasure creation.