May 2022
Welcome to the May 2022 issue of the parish magazine for St John's East Dulwich. Each edition of The Gander includes news and insights from St John's and our local community in East Dulwich and Peckham, as well as book reviews and profiles of some of our members.
This issue has been put together by Christine Camplin, Jim Nurton, Tayo Olatunde, Sue O'Neill and Dorothy Oxley. Click Subscribe to be added to our mailing list and you'll be notified when our next edition is available. The next issue will be published in June.
Revd. Gill O'Neill
The sun is shining, bees are buzzing, and this month's
Gander is a lush spring meadow of fabulous content! We have something for everyone this month, I'm sure you'll find a feature that captures your interest. Following a glorious Holy Week and Easter, and almost 200 in church on Easter morning, the highest number since covid, I reflect on what Holy Week and Easter can reveal to us as we revisit them each year. Gary Hunt describes for us his journey as someone with Type 1 diabetes, and how new technology helps people with this condition. Dorothy Oxley explains changes to how NHS services are going to be organised, with new integrated care systems hope to offer better outcomes. During the pandemic many of us have enjoyed walking, for a while it was our one-hour-a-day reason to leave the house. Sue O'Neill shares good ideas for walks, near and far. Jane Hawkins has found that one great antidote to many of the existential anxieties of our times is to do something, and Jane has been busy as a vaccine volunteer, donning a hi-vis jerkin to check in vaccine patients. With TV and Book Reviews, Sue's gluten-free chocolate cake recipe (I've sampled Sue's version - it was delicious), a specially-commissioned East Dulwich cryptic crossword (with prize!), details of events coming up (Christian Aid Week, Organ recitals and Choral Evensong), and a profile of soon-to-be-ordained Ben Vertannes, this is a packed and generous Gander. Oh - and if you'd like to get in touch, we now welcome reader's letters, do put pen to paper, or send an email, we'd love to hear your views.
Gill
The sun is shining, bees are buzzing, and this month's
Gander is a lush spring meadow of fabulous content! We have something for everyone this month, I'm sure you'll find a feature that captures your interest. Following a glorious Holy Week and Easter, and almost 200 in church on Easter morning, the highest number since covid, I reflect on what Holy Week and Easter can reveal to us as we revisit them each year. Gary Hunt describes for us his journey as someone with Type 1 diabetes, and how new technology helps people with this condition. Dorothy Oxley explains changes to how NHS services are going to be organised, with new integrated care systems hope to offer better outcomes. During the pandemic many of us have enjoyed walking, for a while it was our one-hour-a-day reason to leave the house. Sue O'Neill shares good ideas for walks, near and far. Jane Hawkins has found that one great antidote to many of the existential anxieties of our times is to do something, and Jane has been busy as a vaccine volunteer, donning a hi-vis jerkin to check in vaccine patients. With TV and Book Reviews, Sue's gluten-free chocolate cake recipe (I've sampled Sue's version - it was delicious), a specially-commissioned East Dulwich cryptic crossword (with prize!), details of events coming up (Christian Aid Week, Organ recitals and Choral Evensong), and a profile of soon-to-be-ordained Ben Vertannes, this is a packed and generous Gander. Oh - and if you'd like to get in touch, we now welcome reader's letters, do put pen to paper, or send an email, we'd love to hear your views.Gill
News in Brief
Goose Green 
Coffee Morning: Coffee Morning continues to meet every Wednesday. It is always enjoyable to get together for a chat and catch up with each other’s news. At the start of April we put finishing touches to the coral sculptures made during March. Everyone made really lovely pieces. In this month we also very much enjoyed Anne Coates’s talk about her experiences of writing and how she finds inspiration for her stories and novels.
Annual Parish Meetings:
Annual Meeting of Parishioners and Annual Parochial Church Meeting
Sunday 15th May 2022 at 11.30a.m.
This year’s Annual Meetings will take place on Sunday 15th May 2022 at 11.30a.m. in the Church. They will also be livestreamed via Zoom. The meeting link will be sent out nearer the date.
There will be two meetings. The Annual Parish Meeting to elect the Churchwardens will be followed by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting to conduct other parish business and elections. Everyone is welcome to attend both meetings, but only those on the church electoral roll are entitled to vote. However, the Annual Parish Meeting is a public meeting so all residents in the parish who are also on the register of local government electors are also entitled to vote.
Electoral Roll
The Electoral Roll has recently been revised and the updated Roll is available to view at the back of the church.
Elections
We will be holding elections for the churchwardens and for four members of the PCC. Nomination forms are available at the back of the church. Please contact the Vicar or PCC Secretary for further information.
Voting
Only those physically present may vote, regardless of eligibility. There is no provision in The Church Representation Rules for proxy voting at annual parish meetings, and postal voting by those not present is not possible unless a previous annual meeting has passed a resolution to allow it.
Papers for the meeting
The Annual Report can be viewed online here. Copies can also be viewed at the back of the church.
If you have any questions about the minutes or reports, or have any other comments or queries please contact Christine Camplin as soon as possible.
Christine Camplin
PCC Secretary
(christine.bannan@virgin.net; 020 7732 9243)
Goose Green Coffee Morning: Coffee Morning continues to meet every Wednesday. It is always enjoyable to get together for a chat and catch up with each other’s news. At the start of April we put finishing touches to the coral sculptures made during March. Everyone made really lovely pieces. In this month we also very much enjoyed Anne Coates’s talk about her experiences of writing and how she finds inspiration for her stories and novels. Annual Parish Meetings:
Annual Meeting of Parishioners and Annual Parochial Church Meeting
Sunday 15th May 2022 at 11.30a.m.
This year’s Annual Meetings will take place on Sunday 15th May 2022 at 11.30a.m. in the Church. They will also be livestreamed via Zoom. The meeting link will be sent out nearer the date.
There will be two meetings. The Annual Parish Meeting to elect the Churchwardens will be followed by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting to conduct other parish business and elections. Everyone is welcome to attend both meetings, but only those on the church electoral roll are entitled to vote. However, the Annual Parish Meeting is a public meeting so all residents in the parish who are also on the register of local government electors are also entitled to vote.
Electoral Roll
The Electoral Roll has recently been revised and the updated Roll is available to view at the back of the church.
Elections
We will be holding elections for the churchwardens and for four members of the PCC. Nomination forms are available at the back of the church. Please contact the Vicar or PCC Secretary for further information.
Voting
Only those physically present may vote, regardless of eligibility. There is no provision in The Church Representation Rules for proxy voting at annual parish meetings, and postal voting by those not present is not possible unless a previous annual meeting has passed a resolution to allow it.
Papers for the meeting
The Annual Report can be viewed online here. Copies can also be viewed at the back of the church.
If you have any questions about the minutes or reports, or have any other comments or queries please contact Christine Camplin as soon as possible.
Christine Camplin
PCC Secretary
(christine.bannan@virgin.net; 020 7732 9243)
March PCC Meeting:
The PCC met on Wednesday 30th March via Zoom.
Reports were received from: Standing Committee (16 March), Treasurer, Stewardship Secretary, Wardens, Deanery Synod, Young People's/Children's work, Communications and Eco Church.
Topics discussed included:
- A new Independent Examiner was appointed. They will complete both the 2020 and 2021 Accounts.
- Annual Meetings (May 15). They will be held in-person and livestreamed but only those physically present may vote. The draft 2021 Annual Report contents were agreed.
- Policies and GDPR. Gifts in kind policy discussed. The Privacy Notice on the website has been updated. A small group was set up to review the GDPR audit.
- The PCC agreed to apply for Faculty approval to install a defibrillator outside the Goose Green Centre.
- The PCC agreed to transfer responsibility for the Goose Green Community Lunch Club permanently to the PCC.
- Time and Talents: encouraging gifts of time (as well as money), considering review of the Mission Action Plan.
- Zoom services to continue in the current Covid spike but will be kept under review.
- Report on the "Living in Love and Faith" course circulated. Churches have been asked to complete the online questionnaire and share their experiences.
- The PCC agreed to refurbish the Sacristy toilet.
- Standing Committee agreed to donate £500 to the Ukraine emergency appeal.
This concert takes place in St John's on 22 May and features the choir of St John's in Mozart's Ave Verum Corpus.
The visual language of Holy Week and Easter
Rev Gill O'Neill
Imagine a painting in a gallery: one of those expansive scenes with many characters, colour, movement, depth and 
encounter. Imagine returning to that gallery every year to spend time with that compelling painting, and each time discovering something new, a particular expression on a face, or the angle of a hand, the role played by a particular colour, a tiny detail in the background, or a feature that reaches beyond the canvas and almost pulls you into the scene. Over the years, these experiences build and thicken, and you come to carry around with you your own quite vivid version of this painting in your mind’s eye, and it crops up in your thoughts, and connects with your life, almost like a friend with whom you have a longtime, ongoing conversation.
I think this is one way in which liturgy works, and especially the liturgy of Holy Week and Easter. The Easter Triduum (meaning three days) takes us through those three days described in the gospels, the last three days of Jesus’ death and resurrection; Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Day. A particular feature of these services is that they simply retell those gospel narratives, and do so in a way that emphasises experience, allowing us to enter into the narrative as we might imaginatively enter into a painting, retelling, almost reliving the story. In visual language, with colour, movement, word and 
action, we bring the story alive in our midst. Each year we find new truths we had not previously spotted, new pennies drop, and new aspects of the narrative strike us in new ways. This year, I was especially taken by the way in which Holy Week and Easter are so thoroughly biblical, staying very close to the texts, simply retelling and not offering too heavy-handed an interpretation, and, I like to think, allowing space for the Spirit.
Though covid measures did alter some of our usual practices, this was the first time we had been able to offer the full Holy Week experience since 2019. From Palm Sunday to Easter Day, the services gave us depth and joy, and, I hope, space to encounter the risen Christ, the longtime friend, who invites us all into generous and spacious relationship.
Christian Aid is the official relief and development agency for churches in the UK. It works to support sustainable development, eradicate poverty, support civil society, promote services such as healthcare and education, and provide disaster relief in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.This year, Christian Aid continues to focus on the global climate crisis, and how we can help people living in poverty fight the worst of it every day. For example, in Zimbabwe, the climate crisis is causing extreme hunger. The combined effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, conflict, and drought have robbed parents of the power to provide for their children. 7000 miles away, the war in Ukraine is driving up food prices in Zimbabwe, and around the globe. Without the fertiliser and food - like wheat and cooking oil - that Ukraine and Russia produce, vulnerable families will be pushed even deeper into hunger.
Our donations could help families set up water taps in farms so families can learn to grow food and provide seeds that thrive in drought, turning dry and dusty lands into gardens of hope.
During Christian Aid week, donation envelopes will be available at the back of church. If you would prefer to make an on-line donation, please contact Mary Dawson (marydawson78@hotmail.com) and this can be arranged.
St John’s Christian Aid Café – Sunday 22nd May
After the success of last year’s event, St John’s is once again holding a Christian Aid Café, plus a few extra stalls, on Sunday 22 May 2022, directly after church until 3pm. This will coincide with The Dulwich Festival Goose Green Fair. We would love to see you there! If you would like to volunteer, either on the day or by way of cake baking/ donation in advance, then please contact Mary Dawson (marydawson78@hotmail.com) or Sue O’Neill (sue.oneill0826@gmail.com).
Thank you.
You may have recently seen or heard a piece on the BBC news or website published on 1 April 22 entitled ‘Artificial pancreas to revolutionise diabetes care in England’. It caused quite a stir at the time and the term Artificial Pancreas, as coined by the media, has stuck.
Expressed in laypersons terms it was a reasonably accurate account of a clinical trial undertaken by NHS England and commercial partners to roll out a new piece of interactive technology with a practical application that would further enable Type 1 diabetics to control and better manage their blood sugar levels. Type 1 diabetes is controlled using insulin to help regulate a patient’s blood sugar levels when the pancreas ceases to function normally.
The clinical trial for the Hybrid Closed Loop system, as it is referred to in medical circles, was set up and overseen by various NHS health regions around the country with the aim of selecting up to 1000 suitable type 1, insulin-dependent participants that would be prepared to take part in a one-year trial with regular reporting, supervision and technical back up.
We are blessed to have Kings College Hospital (KCH) on our doorstep. Their Diabetes department is a world-renowned centre of excellence for the treatment and study of diabetes in all its forms. I was approached in mid-2021 to gauge my interest to take part in the trial and, after online conversations re practicalities and levels of support followed by a short approval process, I was ready to start in September 2021. Unfortunately, this was just around the time KCH was still operating under Covid prevention regulations and so the roll-out was initiated live online via the KCH portal on an individual basis with a senior member of the diabetes team who would be my link and support for the duration of the trial.
At the time of the clinical trial, I had previously been using an Insulin Pump for some 3 years to help manage my diabetes. It was a major step change for me to replace the 2 types of insulin pens I was using for day and night purposes to dispense insulin at regular times and meant not having to constantly monitor my blood sugar levels with a finger pricking device for a ‘blood test’ to determine how much insulin I needed to inject. The Insulin Pump functions by storing an amount of insulin in a cartridge set in a compact hard plastic device which is used to pump calculated amounts of insulin into your body via a canula attached to your tummy or leg with a small plastic circular adhesive disk which you can detach and plug, say, for bathing or swimming, otherwise the pump is attached to your body 24 hours a day. The pump needs to be refilled with insulin every couple of days which also entails changing the canula and applicator.
The pump works in conjunction with a sensor generally attached to your upper arm which continuously relays your blood sugar levels to your mobile phone via an App. This then helps you to determine how much insulin you need to dispense (known as the Bolus units) to adequately manage your changing blood sugar levels, depending on such things as activity, exercise, mood, anxiety, sickness and, most importantly, your daily food and liquid intake, registered in units of carbohydrate values. The latter can occasionally be a tricky one but, in addition to the technical training, the Diabetes Team arrange classes to help you recognise the carbohydrate values you need to apply as well as offering subsequent refresher classes if needs be.
Initially, with the help and input of the Diabetes support team at KCH, you set up a background level of insulin (known as the Basal units) to automatically pump in at various times of the day and night.
During that time what the pump didn’t manage to do was interact directly with the sensor; the one single point of potential malfunction or failure as the interpreter and interface was me!
The new Hybrid Closed Loop system was going to help me change all that. The major change was the combination of a new high-tech sensor and an updated version of my existing pump talking to one another, directly. At last, the joined up writing I had hoped for and a much more automated piece of kit! However, this meant me 
relinquishing control up to a point to the new technology that would not only do a lot of the calculations and thinking for me, but also make automatic changes to the amount of insulin required 24/7. I still have to input the carbohydrate values for eating that I calculate by eye and experience and then press the Go button, but otherwise it is a much more intuitive set up with a lot of very clever technology running in the background to suit my individual, specific requirements.
Expressed in laypersons terms it was a reasonably accurate account of a clinical trial undertaken by NHS England and commercial partners to roll out a new piece of interactive technology with a practical application that would further enable Type 1 diabetics to control and better manage their blood sugar levels. Type 1 diabetes is controlled using insulin to help regulate a patient’s blood sugar levels when the pancreas ceases to function normally.
The clinical trial for the Hybrid Closed Loop system, as it is referred to in medical circles, was set up and overseen by various NHS health regions around the country with the aim of selecting up to 1000 suitable type 1, insulin-dependent participants that would be prepared to take part in a one-year trial with regular reporting, supervision and technical back up.
We are blessed to have Kings College Hospital (KCH) on our doorstep. Their Diabetes department is a world-renowned centre of excellence for the treatment and study of diabetes in all its forms. I was approached in mid-2021 to gauge my interest to take part in the trial and, after online conversations re practicalities and levels of support followed by a short approval process, I was ready to start in September 2021. Unfortunately, this was just around the time KCH was still operating under Covid prevention regulations and so the roll-out was initiated live online via the KCH portal on an individual basis with a senior member of the diabetes team who would be my link and support for the duration of the trial.
At the time of the clinical trial, I had previously been using an Insulin Pump for some 3 years to help manage my diabetes. It was a major step change for me to replace the 2 types of insulin pens I was using for day and night purposes to dispense insulin at regular times and meant not having to constantly monitor my blood sugar levels with a finger pricking device for a ‘blood test’ to determine how much insulin I needed to inject. The Insulin Pump functions by storing an amount of insulin in a cartridge set in a compact hard plastic device which is used to pump calculated amounts of insulin into your body via a canula attached to your tummy or leg with a small plastic circular adhesive disk which you can detach and plug, say, for bathing or swimming, otherwise the pump is attached to your body 24 hours a day. The pump needs to be refilled with insulin every couple of days which also entails changing the canula and applicator.
The pump works in conjunction with a sensor generally attached to your upper arm which continuously relays your blood sugar levels to your mobile phone via an App. This then helps you to determine how much insulin you need to dispense (known as the Bolus units) to adequately manage your changing blood sugar levels, depending on such things as activity, exercise, mood, anxiety, sickness and, most importantly, your daily food and liquid intake, registered in units of carbohydrate values. The latter can occasionally be a tricky one but, in addition to the technical training, the Diabetes Team arrange classes to help you recognise the carbohydrate values you need to apply as well as offering subsequent refresher classes if needs be.
Initially, with the help and input of the Diabetes support team at KCH, you set up a background level of insulin (known as the Basal units) to automatically pump in at various times of the day and night.
During that time what the pump didn’t manage to do was interact directly with the sensor; the one single point of potential malfunction or failure as the interpreter and interface was me!
The new Hybrid Closed Loop system was going to help me change all that. The major change was the combination of a new high-tech sensor and an updated version of my existing pump talking to one another, directly. At last, the joined up writing I had hoped for and a much more automated piece of kit! However, this meant me relinquishing control up to a point to the new technology that would not only do a lot of the calculations and thinking for me, but also make automatic changes to the amount of insulin required 24/7. I still have to input the carbohydrate values for eating that I calculate by eye and experience and then press the Go button, but otherwise it is a much more intuitive set up with a lot of very clever technology running in the background to suit my individual, specific requirements.
Taking part in any new clinical trial can be a tad daunting; lots of adjustments to established practices, time, commitment, trust and patience (the latter not being one of my obvious qualities). It’s a huge investment by the NHS and I was extremely grateful to the KCH Diabetes team in putting me forward as one of the privileged few.I do hope the trial is deemed to be a success and that it can be rolled out to as many of the 400,000 Type 1 diabetics as possible. I have personally benefitted from it enormously and hope to continue using it after the trial is concluded.
I have come such a long way with my treatment since I was first diagnosed as Diabetic Type 1 in September 1989, using syringes and bottles of insulin for injections 3 or 4 times daily, testing my blood sugar levels constantly with a finger pricking device. It's been a wobbly journey in parts with some testing times for my wife, Helen, our sons Ben and Daniel and our wider families, friends and work colleagues who have had to put up with a lot on my part.Remarkably, my original diagnosis for Diabetes started with St John's as it was made by our local GP and a St John's parishioner whose children attended the church school. I presented with all the classic tell-tale signs of the condition and her immediate diagnosis was spot on, my sugars were sky high, I had lost a massive amount of muscle weight and I was hurried straight to Kings A&E where the initial diagnosis was confirmed and I was started on a shot of insulin and shown how to draw up the insulin via syringe and injected, followed by some intensive diabetes training. What an absolute shock that first day was, with the usual ‘not me, why me, I’m too busy for this sudden change to my life and routine’. I was angry as hell, a cancelled drivers licence, changes in personal, travel and car insurances and 3 months suspension from driving and more regular checks required by the DVLA .
And so began my lifelong association with the Kings Diabetic department and their team of specialist doctors, nurses, nutritionists and admin support. Their clinical expertise, kind words, patience and unbridled support have allowed me to live as normal a life as one can only hope for. I have put my trust and faith in their hands and they been there with me all the way.
So, thank you NHS, all the Kings College Hospital staff, the Diabetes team in particular and my GP’s initial diagnosis for keeping me in the game!!
Here’s to their continued successes with treating and managing Diabetes treatments for those of us who benefit the most.
With love and best wishes
Gary
It is that time of year when it feels good to get out walking and enjoying the natural world coming back to life after winter. There are lots of great places for walking locally, which many of us relied on when travel was restricted during the worst of the pandemic. But it can be refreshing to try some new routes and different areas, both within London and slightly further afield. Here are a few sources of local and not so local walks.
Local
Southwark Council has a number of illustrated walks on different themes, including Film Locations, Eccentric Dulwich and War in Walworth. https://www.southwark.gov.uk/transport-and-roads/sustainable-travel/walking/maps-and-trails/walking-maps-of-southwark
The Tfl website has a whole host of walks, including the Green Chain Walk and other London based walks including the London Loop and Jubilee Walkway. All are divided in to indicvidual stages so you can pick something to match your available time and energy. https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/walking/
Further afield
A very useful source of walks is The Saturday Walking Club https://www.walkingclub.org.uk/. They are based on the Time Out Country Walks Books, but using the website means you can be more confident the walk directions are up to date. It is a very good way to find walks around London and the South East. Many of the routes have shorter versions for those who are not super fit.
Some of the easiest walks 
outside of London are in the Darent Valley, using Otford, Shoreham or Eynesford stations to start and finish your walk. Half-hourly trains run to these stations direct from Peckham Rye Station and take approximately 45 minutes. The direct route between Shoreham and Eynesford Station is around 3 – 4 miles, with some of it right next to the river. The countryside here is lovely and so enjoyable to step in to with an easy journey. I’ve included a snap from a recent walk, where I also paid to enjoy the gardens of Lullingstone Castle. They are quite stunning, but not cheap at £9!
Local
Southwark Council has a number of illustrated walks on different themes, including Film Locations, Eccentric Dulwich and War in Walworth. https://www.southwark.gov.uk/transport-and-roads/sustainable-travel/walking/maps-and-trails/walking-maps-of-southwark
The Tfl website has a whole host of walks, including the Green Chain Walk and other London based walks including the London Loop and Jubilee Walkway. All are divided in to indicvidual stages so you can pick something to match your available time and energy. https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/walking/
Further afield
A very useful source of walks is The Saturday Walking Club https://www.walkingclub.org.uk/. They are based on the Time Out Country Walks Books, but using the website means you can be more confident the walk directions are up to date. It is a very good way to find walks around London and the South East. Many of the routes have shorter versions for those who are not super fit.
Some of the easiest walks outside of London are in the Darent Valley, using Otford, Shoreham or Eynesford stations to start and finish your walk. Half-hourly trains run to these stations direct from Peckham Rye Station and take approximately 45 minutes. The direct route between Shoreham and Eynesford Station is around 3 – 4 miles, with some of it right next to the river. The countryside here is lovely and so enjoyable to step in to with an easy journey. I’ve included a snap from a recent walk, where I also paid to enjoy the gardens of Lullingstone Castle. They are quite stunning, but not cheap at £9! The River Thames provides another series of routes which don’t require much planning if you stick within London. If you do want to venture further along the path there are on-line guides to The Thames Path, for example https://www.thames-path.org.uk/.
Happy Walking!
Happy Walking!
Working towards integrated care
By Dorothy Oxley
From July 2022 (subject to the passage
of legislation), Clinical Commissioning Groups, which have been responsible for deciding how NHS funds will be spent on health care in their areas, will legally cease to exist. They will be replaced by Integrated Care Boards – in our case, NHS South East London Integrated Care Board (ICB), which will cover Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark and will sit within the Integrated Care System (ICS) for this area of London.
At present, if you’re ill or need care, help can come through a complex mix of services. The ‘Integrated Care System’ (ICS) aims to be a true partnership of all the organisations contributing to the health and care of people in South East London, bringing together representatives from local authorities, hospitals, primary care and community based services and voluntary organisations and drawing on their various skills and knowledge to design better services. Some positive moves towards better integration have already been made, and the response to the Covid pandemic proved the value of partnership working.
The ICS also recognises the impact of such issues as housing, poverty, transport, education and skills and will look at how people can be supported to live healthier lifestyles. This opens up a huge area of partnership to include the voices of local people and communities.
I attended a webinar about the ICS for local people, and would like to share with you a precis of the questions raised and answered there.
Question: The role of social care in the new structure: Social care can be a very complex area, and patients and carers are often left to navigate the maze of NHS and social care provision for themselves. How will the new system help?
Answer: Bringing the various organisations together will hopefully lead to a more streamlined, clear and flexible support pathway for everyone.
Question: Who is the Integrated Care System accountable to and how can patients be represented on the ICS Board?
Answer: The ICS will be accountable to national and local Government, and all partner organisations have agreed that the Board needs to also be accountable to the public, communicating with and engaging local people, including those who are often overlooked, such as people with learning disabilities and young people.
Question: How does the ICS work with private sector companies?
Answer: The members of the Integrated Care Board all come from the statutory (NHS or Local Authority) services or voluntary sector services; places aren’t open to those from the private sector, though private sector provision may be commissioned in health and social care.
Question: How will decisions be made on funding priorities and will it change these?
Answer: There will be a single allocation of funds and a set of principles to deploy them, involving partners and providers directly in how money is being spent. The focus will not be on individual organisations’ activities but on the health needs of people in the region; the NHS nationally is steering towards more ‘out of hospital’ investment. Finances will, however, remain a challenge.
Question: How will these changes help to address workforce issues?
Answer: This is a big challenge, especially in terms of morale, and attracting and keeping good staff will depend in a large part on treating them well. There needs to be good collaboration and employment opportunities that will attract people in. The ICS has a clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in its approach.
Question: How can the Integrated Care System work effectively with unpaid carers?
Answer: This is one group whose views need to be heard better, which means looking at different structures and ways of doing things, for example, engaging with people in their local area, arranging meetings between clinical staff, patients and carers, and perhaps paying for their time. It’s also vital to demonstrate that the system has listened and made changes as a result.
Question: How is the vision and mission of the new Integrated Care Board different to what’s been done in South East London for many years?
Answer: Yes, there has been some increased partnership working in recent years, but there’s now a need to think how much the health services can do in partnership, and how best to bring in social care colleagues, the voluntary sector, and the wider community as well. The creation of the Integrated Care System and Boards will also give a legal foundation to partnership working.
Question: How will commissioning change?
Answer: The practical processes of commissioning won’t change that much. What will change is that in the past, there’s been too much focus on competition, and the activities of individual institutions, rather than what they might do together to meet the needs of a population. The emphasis going forward will be on working in a multi-disciplinary way with providers that give front line care, and on value-based commissioning outcomes. But there’s unlikely to be a seismic change; it will be a continuing process.
Question: How will the ICS communicate and engage with local people?
Answer: An engagement platform has also been created, (https://letstalkhealthandcareselondon.org/) . Let’s Talk Health and Care in South East London is an online community for local people to share their ideas, discuss important topics, provide feedback and help people live healthier lives. You can sign up to the site and give the ICS your views on local projects, your own experiences and what is important to you in terms of health and social care, so please do join the conversation at (https://letstalkhealthandcareselondon.org/conversations). A new ICC website is also being developed. But not everyone is able to use information technology, so there will also be stakeholder bulletins and partner newsletters, and engagement with local communities through community groups and trusted organisations, going to where people meet and congregate. Other suggestions will be welcome.
Here is a short video about the Integrated Care System:
From July 2022 (subject to the passage
of legislation), Clinical Commissioning Groups, which have been responsible for deciding how NHS funds will be spent on health care in their areas, will legally cease to exist. They will be replaced by Integrated Care Boards – in our case, NHS South East London Integrated Care Board (ICB), which will cover Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark and will sit within the Integrated Care System (ICS) for this area of London. At present, if you’re ill or need care, help can come through a complex mix of services. The ‘Integrated Care System’ (ICS) aims to be a true partnership of all the organisations contributing to the health and care of people in South East London, bringing together representatives from local authorities, hospitals, primary care and community based services and voluntary organisations and drawing on their various skills and knowledge to design better services. Some positive moves towards better integration have already been made, and the response to the Covid pandemic proved the value of partnership working.
The ICS also recognises the impact of such issues as housing, poverty, transport, education and skills and will look at how people can be supported to live healthier lifestyles. This opens up a huge area of partnership to include the voices of local people and communities.
I attended a webinar about the ICS for local people, and would like to share with you a precis of the questions raised and answered there.
Question: The role of social care in the new structure: Social care can be a very complex area, and patients and carers are often left to navigate the maze of NHS and social care provision for themselves. How will the new system help?
Answer: Bringing the various organisations together will hopefully lead to a more streamlined, clear and flexible support pathway for everyone.
Question: Who is the Integrated Care System accountable to and how can patients be represented on the ICS Board?
Answer: The ICS will be accountable to national and local Government, and all partner organisations have agreed that the Board needs to also be accountable to the public, communicating with and engaging local people, including those who are often overlooked, such as people with learning disabilities and young people.
Question: How does the ICS work with private sector companies?
Answer: The members of the Integrated Care Board all come from the statutory (NHS or Local Authority) services or voluntary sector services; places aren’t open to those from the private sector, though private sector provision may be commissioned in health and social care.
Question: How will decisions be made on funding priorities and will it change these?
Answer: There will be a single allocation of funds and a set of principles to deploy them, involving partners and providers directly in how money is being spent. The focus will not be on individual organisations’ activities but on the health needs of people in the region; the NHS nationally is steering towards more ‘out of hospital’ investment. Finances will, however, remain a challenge.
Question: How will these changes help to address workforce issues?
Answer: This is a big challenge, especially in terms of morale, and attracting and keeping good staff will depend in a large part on treating them well. There needs to be good collaboration and employment opportunities that will attract people in. The ICS has a clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in its approach.
Question: How can the Integrated Care System work effectively with unpaid carers?
Answer: This is one group whose views need to be heard better, which means looking at different structures and ways of doing things, for example, engaging with people in their local area, arranging meetings between clinical staff, patients and carers, and perhaps paying for their time. It’s also vital to demonstrate that the system has listened and made changes as a result.
Question: How is the vision and mission of the new Integrated Care Board different to what’s been done in South East London for many years?Answer: Yes, there has been some increased partnership working in recent years, but there’s now a need to think how much the health services can do in partnership, and how best to bring in social care colleagues, the voluntary sector, and the wider community as well. The creation of the Integrated Care System and Board
Question: How will commissioning change?
Answer: The practical processes of commissioning won’t change that much. What will change is that in the past, there’s been too much focus on competition, and the activities of individual institutions, rather than what they might do together to meet the needs of a population. The emphasis going forward will be on working in a multi-disciplinary way with providers that give front line care, and on value-based commissioning outcomes. But there’s unlikely to be a seismic change; it will be a continuing process.
Question: How will the ICS communicate and engage with local people?
Answer: An engagement platform has also been created, (https://letstalkhealthandcareselondon.org/) . Let’s Talk Health and Care in South East London is an online community for local people to share their ideas, discuss important topics, provide feedback and help people live healthier lives. You can sign up to the site and give the ICS your views on local projects, your own experiences and what is important to you in terms of health and social care, so please do join the conversation at (https://letstalkhealthandcareselondon.org/conversations). A new ICC website is also being developed. But not everyone is able to use information technology, so there will also be stakeholder bulletins and partner newsletters, and engagement with local communities through community groups and trusted organisations, going to where people meet and congregate. Other suggestions will be welcome.
Vaccine volunteering
By Jane Hawkins
I am old enough to remember clearly the power cuts of the ‘three day week’ era in 1973/74 and the Brixton riots in 1981, a colleague was arrested and convicted. These were shortly followed by the Falklands War in 1982 when we were transfixed nightly by reports of Exocet missiles, the loss of life in the sinking of the Belgrano and the dour commentary by a retired naval commander who alone among the pundits stated it was a ‘close run thing’ and that if the brave Argentinian pilots had had better fuse timers the outcome would have been very different. Apparently they flew so low the 500lb bombs went through the British ships before they exploded.
However I was young then and none of these things affected me as much as the events of the last two years, the economic perils of Brexit, followed shortly by a worldwide pandemic and now a war in the European theatre.
In short I have found the last two years a very anxious time. One thing that has helped me is getting out and doing something, especially something likely to help if only in some small way.
So this Summer, the Pembroke House food bank having closed, I volunteered to assist with stewarding at the vaccine centres. I have only done a small number of shifts, roughly one a week from October to December but I met all sorts of people who have volunteered for months, some doing a shift every day. I applied via the Royal Voluntary Service scheme and following vetting and downloading the Responder/Good Sam app on my phone and mysterious deliveries of the all essential fluorescent jerkin signed up for a few shifts.
My first shift was at a small ramshackle pharmacy where I checked the punters in on an i-pad. I soon realised they would have more privacy if I did this outside as the pavement was wider than the shop. There was no working sink to wash my hands but the staff were friendly and perked me up with Berocca, presumably liberated from the stock.
I mostly did shifts in a health centre in North Southwark. It was fascinating seeing how the cohort of clients changed as the vaccination programme worked through the different age groups - once the younger people came in there were some post-vaccine faints. I did a shift at one of the Southwark mass vaccination events where the main challenge was turning away people who did not meet the criteria but wanted a vaccine for travel, tickets to the Euro’s etc.
The run up to Christmas saw the booster drive and I helped out with queues of hundreds at a Lewisham site. My main contribution was persuading the managers to let me bring people who had not had any vaccines to the front of the queue in case they changed their mind! I even managed to sign up the visiting fire alarm engineer for his booster. I was most impressed with the reception volunteers who politely and efficiently signed up 1000+ people a day.
Following a post-Christmas break I am getting e-mails saying demand has picked up. Meantime I have signed up with St John Ambulance and NHS professionals and completed loads of on-line training with a view to a more interesting role.
There will be an ongoing need for vaccines and by volunteering hopefully fewer staff will need to be called away from roles in mainstream services.
I would thoroughly recommend this to anyone with some spare time. I really appreciated the polite and efficient stewards at TJC. Most larger health centre sites operate their own volunteer rota so if you are interested you can just call in and offer your services. Or check out this link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/join-the-nhs-covid-19-vaccine-team/#i-am-interested-in-volunteering
How to Undertake a Carbon Foot Print Audit
By Tayo Olatunde
Earth day this year was on 22nd April. This annual global event's mission is to continue to diversify, educate and activate the environmental movement worldwide. Fittingly, this aligns with this month's eco article. In keeping
with our ongoing Eco Church series in The Gander, this month’s article is on carbon footprint.Over several months, we have discussed the different ways we as a church, and individually can be more eco-conscious. One topic we haven’t covered is carbon footprint, and more importantly, how to carry-out a carbon footprint audit.
Before delving further, the first question should be, what is a carbon footprint? A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide and methane) that are generated by our actions. The UK average carbon footprint is about 10 tonnes CO2 per person per year.
The second question should then be – why do I need to undertake a carbon footprint audit? Well, the carbon footprint is a very important means to understand the impact of a person's behaviour on global warming. This is why someone who effectively wants to contribute to stopping global warming, at least on an individual scale, needs to measure and keep track of their personal carbon footprint. As we continue to adopt eco-conscious initiatives, keeping track of one’s carbon emissions allows us to know if these initiatives are reducing our carbon emissions.
Four key areas are considered when undertaking a carbon footprint audit.
- Transportation
- Housing
- Food
- Goods, services, and leisure
The carbon footrpinting guide, by the Carbon Trust is a good read for anyone wanting to learn more about carbon footprints
The image below is a screenshot of an audit I recently carried out on my 4-person household. Although we are below the UK average, we are very much above the world average. Proving that there is much more my household can do to reduce its footprint and achieve the recommended target of 4 tonnes per person per year.
This other image below is a screenshot of the result of my carbon audit taken on the WWF Carbon Footprint Calculator website. This is just one of the many views from the result. I found this website really insightful.
The Gander Letters Page
Has anything you've read in The Gander particularly resonated with you? Would you like to follow up on any of the articles, or add anything? If so, please send us a short letter for our new letters section. You can write to any of the editors or send an email to office@stjohnseastdulwich.org. We would love to hear from you!
Has anything you've read in The Gander particularly resonated with you? Would you like to follow up on any of the articles, or add anything? If so, please send us a short letter for our new letters section. You can write to any of the editors or send an email to office@stjohnseastdulwich.org. We would love to hear from you!
Music at St John's
John Webber
Choral Evensong
John Webber
Choral Evensong
Although daily said prayers are part of the life of the Church, not many Anglican churches are able to offer music for them, even on Sundays. Nowadays we tend to emphasise the Eucharist (and rightly so), but it does rather restrict the opportunity for using the amazing music written for choirs and organist at Morning and Evening Prayer.
From time to time at St. John’s we have Choral Evensong. There are usually two hymns for everyone to join in and there are settings for choir of Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis (from Luke chapters 1 and 2 - The Songs of Mary and of Simeon). There is an anthem, which usually reflects the season or the readings.
The next Choral Evensong at St. John’s will be on Sunday, May 15th at 6.00p.m. We shall have Handel’s famous “Hallelujah” chorus from “Messiah” as the anthem. The Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis will be sung to music by C V Stanford. He wrote many settings of these words; we shall use the one in B flat.
Evensong will also be sung on October 9th and November 27th at 6.00p.m.
Organ Recitals
We love to show off the
wonderful three manual Walker organ by having three recitals annually. This year we start on May 14th with Peter Smith (one time Director of Music at St. John’s, now at Christ Church, Clapham). Peter will play music by Edward Elgar, Paul Hindemith, John Robinson, Georgi Mushel and by Peter himself. Peter is quite a composer!
Norman Harper will be playing on June 25th, then Richard Pilliner and Ann Hubble will give a recital for violin and organ on September 17th.
All the recitals are on Saturdays and will last for about forty minutes, beginning at 11.00a.m. Admission free; retiring collection.
From time to time at St. John’s we have Choral Evensong. There are usually two hymns for everyone to join in and there are settings for choir of Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis (from Luke chapters 1 and 2 - The Songs of Mary and of Simeon). There is an anthem, which usually reflects the season or the readings. The next Choral Evensong at St. John’s will be on Sunday, May 15th at 6.00p.m. We shall have Handel’s famous “Hallelujah” chorus from “Messiah” as the anthem. The Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis will be sung to music by C V Stanford. He wrote many settings of these words; we shall use the one in B flat.
Evensong will also be sung on October 9th and November 27th at 6.00p.m.
Organ Recitals
We love to show off the
wonderful three manual Walker organ by having three recitals annually. This year we start on May 14th with Peter Smith (one time Director of Music at St. John’s, now at Christ Church, Clapham). Peter will play music by Edward Elgar, Paul Hindemith, John Robinson, Georgi Mushel and by Peter himself. Peter is quite a composer!Norman Harper will be playing on June 25th, then Richard Pilliner and Ann Hubble will give a recital for violin and organ on September 17th.
All the recitals are on Saturdays and will last for about forty minutes, beginning at 11.00a.m. Admission free; retiring collection.
Music List for May 2022 (Year C)
May 1st. – Third Sunday of Easter
Processional: I will sing the Lord’s high triumph (T.33, Divinum Mysterium)
Psalm: 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want
Gospel Acclamation: Celtic Alleluia - “I am the first and the last, says the Lord, and the living one; I was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore.”
Offertory: New English Praise 614 Hail Redeemer, King Divine!
Communion: plainsong proper
Anthem: “Christ is our Cornerstone,” by David Thorne
Recessional: 115 Now the green blade riseth from the buried grain
May 8th. – Patronal Festival
Processional: 205 Christ is made the sure foundation
Psalm: 117 The Lord spoke to him face to face
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluya from Benjamin Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols” – “I have called you friends, says the Lord; for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”
Offertory: 197 For all the saints who from their labours rest
Communion: Anthem – “Behold the tabernacle”, by William Harris
Recessional: 362 Glorious things of thee are spoken (T.185, Abbot’s Leigh)
Voluntary: War March of the Priests (from “Athalia”) – Felix Mendelssohn
May 15th. – Fifth Sunday of Easter
Processional : 124 Ye choirs of new Jerusalem
Psalm: 148 Praise O praise the name of the Lord
Gospel Acclamation: plainsong Alleluia – “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another”
Offertory: HON 186 Great is thy faithfulness
Communion: Anthem – “If ye then be risen with Christ,” by F W Wadely
Recessional: 440 omit vv.4,5 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation
Setting: with Agnus Dei from John Ireland in C
Voluntary: “A New Hiding-Place” – Harry T Burleigh (part of our “Black Lives Matter” campaign; piano)
May 15th. – Fifth Sunday of Easter – Choral Evensong at 6.00p.m.
Introit: “Cantate Domino,” by Giuseppe Pitoni
Responses: Tallis’ Festal
Psalm: 98 (chant by George Elvey in B flat)
Office Hymn: 101 The Lamb’s high banquet we await (2nd.)
Antiphon to Magnificat: “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia.”
Canticles: C V Stanford in B flat
Anthem: “Hallelujah” (from “Messiah”) – G F Handel
Hymn: 103 Alleluya! Alleluya! Hearts to heaven and voices raise
Voluntary: “Nachspiel” – Felix Mendelssohn
May 1st. – Third Sunday of Easter
Processional: I will sing the Lord’s high triumph (T.33, Divinum Mysterium)
Psalm: 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want
Gospel Acclamation: Celtic Alleluia - “I am the first and the last, says the Lord, and the living one; I was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore.”
Offertory: New English Praise 614 Hail Redeemer, King Divine!
Communion: plainsong proper
Anthem: “Christ is our Cornerstone,” by David Thorne
Recessional: 115 Now the green blade riseth from the buried grain
May 8th. – Patronal Festival
Processional: 205 Christ is made the sure foundation
Psalm: 117 The Lord spoke to him face to face
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluya from Benjamin Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols” – “I have called you friends, says the Lord; for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”
Offertory: 197 For all the saints who from their labours rest
Communion: Anthem – “Behold the tabernacle”, by William Harris
Recessional: 362 Glorious things of thee are spoken (T.185, Abbot’s Leigh)
Voluntary: War March of the Priests (from “Athalia”) – Felix Mendelssohn
May 15th. – Fifth Sunday of Easter
Processional : 124 Ye choirs of new Jerusalem
Psalm: 148 Praise O praise the name of the Lord
Gospel Acclamation: plainsong Alleluia – “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another”
Offertory: HON 186 Great is thy faithfulness
Communion: Anthem – “If ye then be risen with Christ,” by F W Wadely
Recessional: 440 omit vv.4,5 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation
Setting: with Agnus Dei from John Ireland in C
Voluntary: “A New Hiding-Place” – Harry T Burleigh (part of our “Black Lives Matter” campaign; piano)
May 15th. – Fifth Sunday of Easter – Choral Evensong at 6.00p.m.
Introit: “Cantate Domino,” by Giuseppe Pitoni
Responses: Tallis’ Festal
Psalm: 98 (chant by George Elvey in B flat)
Office Hymn: 101 The Lamb’s high banquet we await (2nd.)
Antiphon to Magnificat: “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia.”
Canticles: C V Stanford in B flat
Anthem: “Hallelujah” (from “Messiah”) – G F Handel
Hymn: 103 Alleluya! Alleluya! Hearts to heaven and voices raise
Voluntary: “Nachspiel” – Felix Mendelssohn
May 22nd. – Sixth Sunday of Easter
Processional: 296 Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendour
Psalm: 67 Let the peoples praise you O God; let all the peoples praise you
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia at Taize chant 13 – “Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us; therefore let us keep the feast.”
Offertory: 415 O for a thousand tongues to sing
Communion: anthem - The Easter Anthems (anonymous anglican chant in G major)
Recessional: A&M 597 Before the throne of God above
Voluntary: Sortie - César Franck
Thursday, May 26th. – Ascension Day – Sung Mass at 8.00p.m.
Introit: “Above all praise and majesty,” by Felix Mendelssohn
Processional: 130 Hail the day that sees him rise, Alleluya! (1st.)
Psalm: 47
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia at Taize chant 37 - “Go and make disciples of all nations, says the Lord. Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Offertory: 128 Eternal Monarch, King most high (2nd.)
Communion: Anthem – “O sing joyfully,” by Adrian Batten
Recessional: 332 All hail the power of Jesu’s name
Setting: John Ireland in C
Voluntary: Praludium und Fuga No.16 in F major – Dietrich Buxtehude
May 29th. - Seventh Sunday of Easter
Processional: 466 Thou whose almighty word
Psalm: 97 The Lord is King Most High, over all the earth
Gospel Acclamation: Celtic Alleluia – “Go and make disciples of all nations, says the Lord. Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Offertory: 351 Come, ye faithful, raise the anthem
Communion: Anthem – “How beautiful are the feet” (“Messiah”), by G F Handel
Recessional: 34 The head that once was crowned with thorns
Voluntary: Chorale prelude – “Heut’ triumphiret Gottes Sohn” (BWV 630) – J S Bach
4.3.2022
Goose Green Story - The Next Chapter
Our story has now reached the middle of the 20th century, within the memory of many of the local community. We have to rely on what people remember rather than historical publications or textbooks.
So - what do you think should be included in future episodes? What significant local people, places or events do you recall? What do you feel is important for the continuing story of our parish?
Please contact Christine Camplin by email or drop a letter into the Parish Office.
Our story has now reached the middle of the 20th century, within the memory of many of the local community. We have to rely on what people remember rather than historical publications or textbooks.
So - what do you think should be included in future episodes? What significant local people, places or events do you recall? What do you feel is important for the continuing story of our parish?
Please contact Christine Camplin by email or drop a letter into the Parish Office.
Profile: Ben Vertannes
In this month's profile, Ben speaks to us about his training for ordination in Cambridge, his upcoming curacy in Streatham and the opportunities St John's provides to explore our faith and offer our gifts in ministry and worship.
Can you tell us a bit about your ministry training?
I started training at Westcott House in Cambridge in 2019 and I’m coming to the end of my three years in June – it’s gone by predictably quickly! Westcott is a residential training college and we live on-site, allowing us to get to know lots of people we can now call friends.
Every day during the week we pray, study and eat together. It’s been wonderful for our children, Theia (3) and Callie (7 months), to have that support and attention. Of course living in a close community has some challenges too, and there are even more rotas than in parish!
The patience and grace shown to one another has really left an impression on me and Tash. We’ve learnt a lot about the work it takes to form a community in which people can really flourish.
What sort of things have you covered?
My days have involved a real mixture of things. Each ordinand is on one of several academic pathways, usually involving study for a degree or diploma in Theology. I have lectures, classes and (lots of) essays to write. We all have attachments to local parish churches or chaplaincies, as well as a range of context-based placements during the year. I recently completed a week shadowing chaplains in a local prison, which provided me with plenty to think and reflect on.
In Westcott, there are programmes specifically geared towards ministry training, dealing with questions such as, ‘What is a priest?’, ‘What is the best way to hold a baby over a font?’ and everything in between! Our community life in Westcott means that we all take it in turns to lead worship, to clean/tidy, to help with hospitality and even to serve on the bar.
Are there any particular subjects you've focused on?
I have loved getting to grips with the different topics we’ve studied, especially those which have allowed me to unpack more of Scripture. But the paper I most enjoyed was one I surprised myself by picking. It looked at the role of the Holy Spirit in Christian experience.
The paper asked a number of fascinating questions: ‘What do our feelings and emotions have to do with our faith?’ ‘What gets our bodies moving, and what is the Spirit’s role in that?’ I found these classes really made me think about the different ways in which we use our bodies during our worship as Christians.
How was your experience of the lockdown?
Covid-19, lockdowns and periods of restrictions have obviously made for a challenging environment in which to train. There are experiences that my cohort have not had that I will need to make up for when I start in parish ministry. On a personal level, it was difficult to find ways of entertaining Theia in a second-floor flat day-after-day! But we were always conscious of how fortunate we were to have large outdoor spaces near to us in Cambridge.
Like a lot of people, we enjoyed quizzing online with family and friends in between walks (...so many walks). I did try taking up the harmonica at one stage, but that was very quickly vetoed by Tash.
All of our courses and training moved online. One thing that really sustained me was that my ‘tutor group’ at Westcott met on Zoom each day to say Morning Prayer together. Seeing those faces every morning, checking in with one another and holding any anxieties or difficulties in prayer was very stabilising for me during it all.
You are due to be ordained as a deacon in June. What final preparations are involved in that and what happens in the ordination service?
At this stage, I’m in a flurry of assessment deadlines, diocesan paperwork and arrangements for moving house. I’m also navigating the weird and wonderful world of clergy clothing. I had never anticipated how many different types of shirt, cassock and alb there are! But I’ve had plenty of help and, at every stage, I’ve asked myself that most useful of questions, ‘Would Fr Alistair approve?’
When this final term ends at Westcott in June, we will move to our new accommodation ahead of my ordination at Southwark Cathedral on 25th June. If training to be ordained as a priest, you are ordained a deacon first and then a priest a year later. A few days before that service, I’ll leave to join other Southwark ordinands on a pre-ordination retreat. This is a time and space for prayer, preparation and some guided reflection.
Above all, I am most excited about starting in my curacy parish and meeting people there. It really does feel like a privilege to be invited into a community, to hear its stories, to discover where God is at work and to journey with people through life in this part of south London.
Where will you be serving as a curate?
For the next three years, I will be assistant curate in the parish of St Peter, Streatham. The parish is nestled between Streatham Hill, Streatham Common, West Norwood and Tulse Hill. I lived briefly in Streatham almost ten years ago and I’m pleased to be returning to the area!
It is hard to predict exactly what my days will look like when I start. In my first year of curacy, I will need to spend a good deal of time practising how to deacon at the mass and continuing to learn how to preach. I will be learning how to exercise pastoral care in different situations as well as how to lead occasional offices such as baptisms and funerals.
In this month's profile, Ben speaks to us about his training for ordination in Cambridge, his upcoming curacy in Streatham and the opportunities St John's provides to explore our faith and offer our gifts in ministry and worship.
Can you tell us a bit about your ministry training?
I started training at Westcott House in Cambridge in 2019 and I’m coming to the end of my three years in June – it’s gone by predictably quickly! Westcott is a residential training college and we live on-site, allowing us to get to know lots of people we can now call friends.
Every day during the week we pray, study and eat together. It’s been wonderful for our children, Theia (3) and Callie (7 months), to have that support and attention. Of course living in a close community has some challenges too, and there are even more rotas than in parish!
The patience and grace shown to one another has really left an impression on me and Tash. We’ve learnt a lot about the work it takes to form a community in which people can really flourish.
What sort of things have you covered?
My days have involved a real mixture of things. Each ordinand is on one of several academic pathways, usually involving study for a degree or diploma in Theology. I have lectures, classes and (lots of) essays to write. We all have attachments to local parish churches or chaplaincies, as well as a range of context-based placements during the year. I recently completed a week shadowing chaplains in a local prison, which provided me with plenty to think and reflect on.
In Westcott, there are programmes specifically geared towards ministry training, dealing with questions such as, ‘What is a priest?’, ‘What is the best way to hold a baby over a font?’ and everything in between! Our community life in Westcott means that we all take it in turns to lead worship, to clean/tidy, to help with hospitality and even to serve on the bar.
Are there any particular subjects you've focused on?
I have loved getting to grips with the different topics we’ve studied, especially those which have allowed me to unpack more of Scripture. But the paper I most enjoyed was one I surprised myself by picking. It looked at the role of the Holy Spirit in Christian experience.
The paper asked a number of fascinating questions: ‘What do our feelings and emotions have to do with our faith?’ ‘What gets our bodies moving, and what is the Spirit’s role in that?’ I found these classes really made me think about the different ways in which we use our bodies during our worship as Christians.
How was your experience of the lockdown?
Covid-19, lockdowns and periods of restrictions have obviously made for a challenging environment in which to train. There are experiences that my cohort have not had that I will need to make up for when I start in parish ministry. On a personal level, it was difficult to find ways of entertaining Theia in a second-floor flat day-after-day! But we were always conscious of how fortunate we were to have large outdoor spaces near to us in Cambridge.
Like a lot of people, we enjoyed quizzing online with family and friends in between walks (...so many walks). I did try taking up the harmonica at one stage, but that was very quickly vetoed by Tash.
All of our courses and training moved online. One thing that really sustained me was that my ‘tutor group’ at Westcott met on Zoom each day to say Morning Prayer together. Seeing those faces every morning, checking in with one another and holding any anxieties or difficulties in prayer was very stabilising for me during it all.
You are due to be ordained as a deacon in June. What final preparations are involved in that and what happens in the ordination service?
At this stage, I’m in a flurry of assessment deadlines, diocesan paperwork and arrangements for moving house. I’m also navigating the weird and wonderful world of clergy clothing. I had never anticipated how many different types of shirt, cassock and alb there are! But I’ve had plenty of help and, at every stage, I’ve asked myself that most useful of questions, ‘Would Fr Alistair approve?’
When this final term ends at Westcott in June, we will move to our new accommodation ahead of my ordination at Southwark Cathedral on 25th June. If training to be ordained as a priest, you are ordained a deacon first and then a priest a year later. A few days before that service, I’ll leave to join other Southwark ordinands on a pre-ordination retreat. This is a time and space for prayer, preparation and some guided reflection.
Above all, I am most excited about starting in my curacy parish and meeting people there. It really does feel like a privilege to be invited into a community, to hear its stories, to discover where God is at work and to journey with people through life in this part of south London.
Where will you be serving as a curate?
For the next three years, I will be assistant curate in the parish of St Peter, Streatham. The parish is nestled between Streatham Hill, Streatham Common, West Norwood and Tulse Hill. I lived briefly in Streatham almost ten years ago and I’m pleased to be returning to the area!
It is hard to predict exactly what my days will look like when I start. In my first year of curacy, I will need to spend a good deal of time practising how to deacon at the mass and continuing to learn how to preach. I will be learning how to exercise pastoral care in different situations as well as how to lead occasional offices such as baptisms and funerals.
A deacon’s commission is also specifically about noticing the needs of those on the edges of society, those who are marginalised and those who face the sharp end of injustice. Much of my time early on will be spent in conversation discovering what and where those needs are in the local area. Most importantly of all, my job will be to pray for those who live in the parish each and every day!How did being part of the St John's community help prepare you for ordination training?
Being part of the congregation at St John’s gave me so many opportunities to explore and deepen my faith. I was a regular altar server (even if I was a bit erratic with the thurible!). I was a member of the PCC (along with Tash), a volunteer at the Robes Project and I was involved in a short project examining lay leadership and ministry within the parish. I also had a chance to preach, to design a prayer station for Thy Kingdom Come and to lead small study or prayer groups on occasion.
I think these activities all helped me a great deal when it came to starting ordination training. But I don’t think they were useful just because they prepared me for that. I think I and others enjoyed those opportunities because St John’s is a church which wants and encourages lay ministry to flourish. It is a congregation blessed with so very many gifts and I was always struck by the range of people involved across different parts of worship, mission and leadership.
What advice would you give to anyone who thinks they may be called to ordination?
Pray, pray and pray some more! It was impressed on me that discernment is never a process that should feel rushed and I was grateful for that. When I approached Gill for a discussion about what I felt were the stirrings of a call, I was not sure if that call was to lay or ordained ministry.
I spent a whole year talking at intervals with Gill before I entered the formal diocesan process. That time was invaluable in finding ways to notice what God was showing me and to feel more at ease sharing that with others.
Working out what all of us are called to is an important work of the Church as a whole. I love the words of Catherine of Siena: ‘Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire.’
What job(s) did you do before and what other hobbies/interests do you have?
I was a secondary school Maths teacher at Harris Boys’ Academy East Dulwich and The Charter School East Dulwich. I was particularly involved in staff coaching and mentoring, especially of new or recently qualified teachers.
I was also a part-time football referee for several years but I found that increasingly hard to keep up when our children were born. Also my Sundays are quite busy now! I’d like to think there’s a time that I’ll get back into it. I enjoyed the challenge and the fresh air, and it was certainly character-building!
I’m not sure I have many other hobbies at the moment. Perhaps moving back to south London is an opportunity to see what things are on offer and to try something new!
How are Tash and the children?
Tash, Theia and Callie are all well and looking forward to seeing our friends from St John’s again! The last few years have been something of a whirlwind for all of us. In our first year in Cambridge, Tash was commuting to her teaching role at The Charter School North Dulwich two days a week. She then switched to working with her students remotely in the second year, due to Covid-19. I’m hoping that our move back to London will make balancing our vocations a little easier!
When we move, we’ll be living in Tulse Hill and close to Brockwell Park. That’s really great for us as a family and we’re looking forward to discovering more about the whole area. Theia particularly loves the local skatepark here in Cambridge, which I think is a fascinating place: different kinds of people, of all ages, playing in the same space, making room for one another and being encouraging. I think it’s a real sign of the kingdom of God! Perhaps we can find one near to our new address.
Finally, do you have any plans to visit St John's again soon?
Whenever we have the chance to visit, we’d love to! Please do keep us in your prayers, as we will keep you in ours!
St John's Library
Book Review: Women of Holy Week by Paula Gooder with illustrations by Ally Barrett.
This book was the subject of this year's lent group at St John's, which Revd Anne Clarke writes about here.
Men are the central characters in the New Testament. Yet I have always known that women were among the large group of disciples travelling with Jesus. Women were there assisting with the practical arrangements and listening to Jesus’ preaching. Women were following Jesus, providing support and love. In March, our curate Gemma Birt invited us to join a Lent Group to look at ‘Women of Holy Week’, a book written by Paula Gooder. It was very interesting to see the stories of Holy Week from the point of view of women. Some of the nine women are familiar to us from the gospels, some of the characters were invented by the author. Paula Gooder makes women visible rather than seeing them just as ‘bit’ parts. She is a New Testament scholar, and uses understanding and knowledge of the time of Jesus in her writing.
This discussion group became the highlight of my week. All those who attended were women, three black and minority ethnic, two of mixed heritage and six white. Each session consisted of a discussion, gently led by Gemma, and ended with Compline.
The book starts with Miriam who is not named in the gospels. She is from Galilee, a fish trader, and travels to Jerusalem for the Passover. The group sing psalms on the way. ‘O give thanks to the Lord for he is good; his steadfast love endures for ever.’ Miriam gets caught up in the entry of Jesus to Jerusalem.
The women do not desert Jesus in the last week of his life as many of the male disciples had done. Mary, his mother, stays with him, standing at the foot of the cross until his death. Mary reflects in her grief. ‘I learned over the years to let him go.’ ‘Loving him means allowing him to be who he is.’
My favourite story is of the woman who poured the oil over Jesus, named in the book as Susannah. The oil was her most treasured possession. She poured out her love and gratitude in ‘an act of absurdity’. Jesus said ‘what she has done will be told in memory of her.’
The women followed Jesus’ body after his death so they knew exactly where he was buried. What a powerful moment when Jesus called ‘Mary’ by her name. Mary Magdalen, a woman, was the first disciple to see the resurrected Jesus.
The experience of Jesus during his ministry and after his death brought out the love the disciples had for each other. We continue this today.
Women of Holy Week is published by Church House Publishing 2022
TV review: Heartstopper
Rev Gill O'Neill
I was completely charmed by a recent Netflix series aimed at teenagers. Heartstopper is a sweet and heartwarming series about young love, based on the YA graphic novel series by Alice Oseman. The series is set in a boys’ grammar school and follows a 14/15 year old ‘nerd’ Charlie, who falls for the school rugby star, Nick. Their friendship turns into something more, and the series sensitively follows the characters’ lives as they navigate some tricky topics, such as discovering one’s identity, the impact of bullying, coming out to friends and parents, and handling anxiety and insecurity. While it is a little escapist and possibly idealised, it allows for the exploration of these narratives, shared by many young people today, with gentleness and without trauma or judgement. It also manages to tell these stories without bad language, alcohol or drugs, nor any sexually explicit content. With Olivia Colman and Stephen Fry in supporting roles, it is family-friendly viewing.
I do not think that television has seen such a joyful portrayal of young gay relationships ever before, and I am sure it represents an enormously significant development in the positive representation of gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans characters on screen. I am glad that from now on, our young people will be able to reference this beautiful depiction of friendship and love. Do watch it if you can, I think it will inspire our collective imagination as we seek to make our church an inclusive and affirming space for all.
Available on Netflix
Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Recipe
Sue O’Neill
Recipe by Laura Strange – My Gluten Free Guide https://www.mygfguide.com/gluten-free-chocolate-celebration-cake/
Ingredients
For the buttercream
Method
Sue O’Neill
Eastertide seems to call for a chocolate cake. Most weeks at coffee morning we have some home made cake or biscuits on offer. This month I attempted to make a gluten-free cake for the first time. The cake seemed to be generally enjoyed, but was not a complete success as I realised during making it that one of my ingredients wasn’t gluten free! But nevertheless, the recipe seems a good one. Just make sure you check your ingredients carefully ahead of baking!
Recipe by Laura Strange – My Gluten Free Guide https://www.mygfguide.com/gluten-free-chocolate-celebration-cake/
Ingredients
- 300g caster sugar
- 300g unsalted butter
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla essence
- 300g gluten free self raising flour (I used FREEE by Doves Farm)
- 1.5 tsp baking powder
- 0.5 tsp xanthan gum
- 40g cocoa powder
- 100ml semi-skimmed milk
- 200g unsalted butter
- 300g icing sugar
- 150g good quality dark chocolate (I use a 55% cocoa solids variety)
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1-2 tbsp milk
Method
- Preheat the oven to 180C (fan). Take two cake tins (approx 20cm) and lightly grease the edges with butter or oil, then line the base of each with non-stick baking paper.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together with an electric whisk until fluffy.
- Add the vanilla essence and then the eggs, one at a time, working them into the mixture after each addition.
- In a second bowl, sift the self raising flour, baking powder, xanthan gum and cocoa powder. Mix them
really well and ensure you get rid of any lumps - you want to ensure the baking powder has distributed really well through the flour or you will get an uneven rise. - Now combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients and beat for a minute with the hand whisk or a wooden spoon.
- Add the milk and beat again, scraping the sides of the bowl to ensure the mixture is lovely and smooth.
Comment: The mixture at this stage is very gooey and unlike normal cake mixture. Don’t be alarmed by this!
- Split the cake batter evenly between the two tins. Tap each tin hard on the worktop a few times, to knock any air bubbles to the surface. Then level the surface of the cake batter with a small palette knife.
- Pop the two tins into the oven to bake for 25-30 minutes, at 180C (fan). Test after 25 minutes - insert a skewer into the centre of the cake - if it comes out clean the cake is cooked but if there is still liquid batter on the skewer it needs the extra 5 minutes.
Comment: I found the knife came out covered in liquid after 30 minutes. A further 5 minutes and the knife was clean. I was surprised how quickly the cake went from having so much liquid to being cooked!
Once baked gently run a small palette knife around the edge of the cake inside the tin to loosen, then tip onto a wire baking rack to cool fully (remove the baking paper from the base of the sponge too). 
- When completely cool, you can make the buttercream and assemble the cake. For the buttercream, first melt the dark chocolate in the microwave (heat for 30 seconds, stir, heat for 30 seconds - repeat until fully melted), then set aside to cool.
- In a large bowl, whisk the butter with an electric whisk for 3-5 minutes until it has become pale and fluffy.
- Okay, now for the fun part, assembling the cake! You have enough buttercream to cover the sides of the cake if you wish (great if you want to decorate the edges with chocolate fingers or Matchsticks, both make a great no-fuss collar), or keep it simple and just use as a filling and topping. For the latter, spread half the buttercream on top of one sponge, then place the second sponge on top. Add the remaining buttercream to the top of the cake, spread with a palette knife, then add the decorations of your choice! If you have any buttercream leftover you can freeze it and use at a later date.
GANDER CROSSWORD
Compiled by Christopher Brougham QC
Chris Brougham is a QC with an office at Gray’s Inn. He is also a Bencher in Inner Temple. Chris is John Webber’s Brother-in-Law and for some years has been setting cryptic crosswords in such publications as The Spectator and, although no longer, The Church Times.
Some of the answers in this crossword have an East Dulwich theme.
To fill in the answers you will need to print the crossword; please use this link.
As well as having the fun of completing the crossword, there will be a prize-draw for those sending in a correctly completed puzzle by the 31 May. A small prize will go to the winning entrant, drawn at random from the correct submissions. Please email a scanned image or photo of your completed crossword to sue.oneill0826@gmail.com or send in by post to the parish office.
Compiled by Christopher Brougham QC
Chris Brougham is a QC with an office at Gray’s Inn. He is also a Bencher in Inner Temple. Chris is John Webber’s Brother-in-Law and for some years has been setting cryptic crosswords in such publications as The Spectator and, although no longer, The Church Times.
Some of the answers in this crossword have an East Dulwich theme.
To fill in the answers you will need to print the crossword; please use this link.
As well as having the fun of completing the crossword, there will be a prize-draw for those sending in a correctly completed puzzle by the 31 May. A small prize will go to the winning entrant, drawn at random from the correct submissions. Please email a scanned image or photo of your completed crossword to sue.oneill0826@gmail.com or send in by post to the parish office.
ACROSS
1 Photo including most recent credit cards? (7)
5 Patient man with money for local comic (2,5)
9 Fire thoroughly reduced for Santa’s delivery? (7)
10 See 27 across (7)
11 Forgather in a service (5)
12 Fathers or saints controlling rage (5)
13 Cardinal X (3)
14 Conservative angel may have one (5-4)
17 Food transforming teas (4)
20 Slumbering horn blower is 14 (4)
21 Unusual Roman tile showing Androcles? (4-5)
23 Rowan has converted (3)
25 Plant supplying Sebastian’s twin (5)
27/10 Locally born horrifier barks if floor shakes (5,7)
28 New look for David Ivor Davies (7)
29 London area wild child walked upon initially (7)
30 Old biblicist shaped diamonds neatly (7)
31 Am I scruffy in torn clothing? (7)
1 Photo including most recent credit cards? (7)
5 Patient man with money for local comic (2,5)
9 Fire thoroughly reduced for Santa’s delivery? (7)
10 See 27 across (7)
11 Forgather in a service (5)
12 Fathers or saints controlling rage (5)
13 Cardinal X (3)
14 Conservative angel may have one (5-4)
17 Food transforming teas (4)
20 Slumbering horn blower is 14 (4)
21 Unusual Roman tile showing Androcles? (4-5)
23 Rowan has converted (3)
25 Plant supplying Sebastian’s twin (5)
27/10 Locally born horrifier barks if floor shakes (5,7)
28 New look for David Ivor Davies (7)
29 London area wild child walked upon initially (7)
30 Old biblicist shaped diamonds neatly (7)
31 Am I scruffy in torn clothing? (7)
DOWN
1 He painted nearby soapberries without bee buzzing (8)
2 Maybe Michael offers port (9)
3 Posh people against very loud soprano (5)
4 Sublime boutique (9)
5 Member of pack not in a suit (5)
6 Home for boobies in the soup? (5-4)
7 An upper room where Tom Bowling’s gone (5)
8 “------ us in the same” (Collect for Grace) (6)
15 See 22 down (4,5)
16 Bird magazine containing ducks section (9)
18 Former local cat joins bands one hears (3,5)
19 Money getting pillbox for staff officer? (5,3)
22/15 Ultra-well native rebuilt future vicarage (6,4,5)
24 Shelter in paradise Eve finally lost (5)
26 Bracing air makes Aussie unique (5)
27 Extremely cold unfinished Indian dish (5)
1 He painted nearby soapberries without bee buzzing (8)
2 Maybe Michael offers port (9)
3 Posh people against very loud soprano (5)
4 Sublime boutique (9)
5 Member of pack not in a suit (5)
6 Home for boobies in the soup? (5-4)
7 An upper room where Tom Bowling’s gone (5)
8 “------ us in the same” (Collect for Grace) (6)
15 See 22 down (4,5)
16 Bird magazine containing ducks section (9)
18 Former local cat joins bands one hears (3,5)
19 Money getting pillbox for staff officer? (5,3)
22/15 Ultra-well native rebuilt future vicarage (6,4,5)
24 Shelter in paradise Eve finally lost (5)
26 Bracing air makes Aussie unique (5)
27 Extremely cold unfinished Indian dish (5)
Who's who
Vicar Revd Gill O’Neill 07958 592 425, vicar@stjohnseastdulwich.org
Curate Revd Gemma Birt curate@stjohnseastdulwich.org
Assistant Priests Revd Anne Clarke anne@oakhurstgrove.com , Revd Alistair McCulloch mccullocha95@gmail.com and Revd Rosemary Shaw rshaw1983@icloud.com
Parish Administrator Denise Fulgoni 020 8693 3897, office@stjohnseastdulwich.org
Churchwardens Jim Nurton 07765 881 556 and Julie Whitney 07786 686 385
Parish Safeguarding Officer Tina Hampson (contact via Parish Administrator)
PCC Secretary Christine Camplin
PCC Treasurer Sarah Goudge
Stewardship Martin Howell
Director of Music John Webber
Electoral Roll Officer Denise Fulgoni
Church Flowers Sally Gross
Goose Green Centre Denise Fulgoni
Editors of The Gander Christine Camplin, Jim Nurton, Tayo Olatunde, Sue O'Neill and Dorothy Oxley
(Contact each of the above via Parish Administrator)
Website: www.stjohnseastdulwich.org
Twitter: @StJohnsEDulwich
St John's & St Clement's C of E Primary School, Adys Road, London SE15 4DY
www.stjohnsandstclements.org, 020 7525 9210
Disclaimer
The views expressed in The Gander are not necessarily those of the Editors, Vicar or PCC.
Magazine deadline
Notices and items or articles for possible inclusion in the next issue of The Gander must be with the Editors by the 15th of the preceding month. Please contact the team in person or by email to the Parish Administrator with any questions.
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