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Having been a teacher and before that a student, I can never get away from the sense that September is a new start. In conversation last week, a member of the congregation referred to September as a second New Year, and I must agree. I always loved the start of the new academic year, its feeling of freshness echoed in crisp autumn mornings, and in the visible turning of the season. I think autumn is my favourite season, I’m always glad of the need to don a cardigan after struggling with the sartorial challenges of hot weather! A good friend of mine thinks I am mad; she loves the summer.

Each to their own. One thing that warms my heart about church is that it is a gathering of a wondrous variety of people, a collection of folk who don’t necessarily agree. In a world that insists on sorting people into separate groups, politics, and classes, I rejoice in our identity as the body of Christ, all different, none of us perfect, but all incorporated. I wonder if the poet Gerald Manley Hopkins also had the church in mind in his poem ‘Pied Beauty’, in which he describes how creation gives glory to God in all its difference. I am sure that we find in church ‘all things counter, original, spare, strange’! That we can be so different and yet bound together is itself praise to the one who made us. 

This autumn edition of The Gander we catch a glimpse of the variety of the life of our community. We celebrate Black History Month, playing our part to correct the age-old omission of the lives and stories of Black and Global Majority Heritage people from our understanding of world history, the recent book group described here being one part of that endeavour. We learn how guests enjoyed Chinese calligraphy and tea at a recent coffee morning, and we look forward to the Scottish Ceilidh dance in November. Martin Howell shares a wonderful description of his experience of ballet as an approach to ameliorating some of the symptoms of Parkinson’s. Dorothy Oxley encourages us to be mindful of our blood pressure and explains what some of the numbers mean, Gemma invites us to join her at a new Bible Study group, and we must thank Neil Stevenson for this edition’s profile, we are blessed to have him play the organ for us. 

We are sad to enter this season having to say goodbye to our Area Bishop, Karowei, who died earlier this month. Karowei was a great friend and shepherd to St John’s Church. He was always interested to hear about us, and I found him to be big-hearted and immensely kind. As we commend him to God’s loving care, let us pray that we will be inspired by his infectious and joyful faith.

Gill

 

Pied Beauty

 

Glory be to God for dappled things – 

   For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow; 

      For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim; 

Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches’ wings; 

   Landscape plotted and pieced – fold, fallow, and plough; 

      And áll trádes, their gear and tackle and trim. 

 

All things counter, original, spare, strange; 

   Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?) 

      With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim; 

He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change: 

                                Praise him.

 

Gerard Manley Hopkins: Poems and Prose (Penguin Classics, 1985)

The Right Reverend Dr. Bishop Karowei Dorgu
It is with great sadness that we received the news earlier this month of the death of our brother and friend in Christ, Bishop Karowei, Bishop of Woolwich. Bishop Karowei was a wonderful guide, supporter, and friend to us here at St John’s and we hold his wife, Mosun, son Timi, twin sister Collette, and all his family and friends in our prayers.  Below is a photo of his visit to St John's in June 2022 when he led the Deanery Confirmation service and where a number of our young people were confirmed. May Bishop Karowei rest in peace, and rise in glory.

You can find the press release from the Diocese of Southwark here.
You can also find a selection of photos of Bishop Karowei here.

Bishop Karowei's Memorial and Funeral Arrangements:

1. On Saturday 23 September at 6pm, a Service of Songs, in Nigerian style was held at Southwark Cathedral.
2. On Wednesday 27 September, Bishop Karowei's body will be received into the Cathedral and there will be an opportunity for prayer and silent reflection between 6pm and 7:30pm.
3. On Thursday 28 September at midday, Southwark Cathedral will host Bishop Karowei's funeral, which will be livestreamed via the Cathedral's YouTube channel.

Coffee Morning Caligraphy Class

Coffee Morning very much enjoyed the second visit by Carry Hornby to teach us about Chinese Calligraphy. We started the session with some beautifully served Chinese tea. Then we were introduced to making ink and how to hold our brush, before starting to learn some characters, leading up to making the characters for “Blessing”. We all found it a meditative and relaxing experience, and would love to do it again!
 

On Sunday 17 September, Charlotte Hill, Chief Executive of the Felix Project came to speak to us during our 10am Mass. As it was a Special Giving Sunday, she had been invited by our PCC so that all the monies collected during the Offertory in the service could be given to the Felix Project.  Charlotte gave us a very moving talk about the work of this charity.  This London-based charity was set up in 2016 by the parents of a young boy called Felix, who very sadly died aged 14 from Meningitis.  Shortly after Felix died, his father was searching for a way to commemorate him.  Felix had always been full of compassion for those who did not have the advantages he had had in his life what stuck in his father's mind was a boys’ football tournament, that Felix had played in when he was 10. Felix told him how upset he had been to learn that many of the 10-year-old boys on the opposing team hadn’t had anything to eat that day. 

In the United Kingdom, 4.7 million adults struggle to afford to eat every day, and 2 million children are at risk of missing the next meal. Meanwhile, our food industry generates 3 million tonnes of good, edible surplus food each year.    The Felix project works to rescue unwanted food from farms, supermarkets, and restaurants and provide these to food banks, schools, homeless shelters, and other places where there is a need.  I thought it was particularly wonderful to hear about how unwanted fresh, uncooked food is turned into healthy and nutritious meals in the Felix Project kitchens, and that these meals are then offered to those who do not have the financial means to make them.  As Charlotte explained, the current cost of living crisis, rising rents, and food costs are having a really dramatic impact on people's ability to fund their daily living costs which has a massive knock-on effect on people's mental and physical wellbeing. 

If you would like to learn more about Felix Project, please do have a look at their website https://thefelixproject.org/  or watch this clip https://youtu.be/oLde8_KKJkA and if you are able to donate to their work please do so directly via this link https://thefelixproject.org/. 

We Need to Talk About Race by Ben Lindsay - Book Discussion - Action Group

Sian Conlon & Brenda La Mothe
 
Background
The murder of George Floyd 3 years ago concentrated the minds of people all over the world on the issue of ongoing racial injustice, and here at St John’s a movement called Black Voices Matter began. This was a space for the black members of St John’s to talk about their experiences living in our society, and for white members to gain insight, empathy and understanding.

After that came the development and roll-out of Allyship training, with an emphasis on unconscious bias, and last October during Black History Month we had a series of talks: on slavery and the role of the church; on the role of black servicemen and women during WW2 and on the subject of reparations.

At the end of these talks, there was an interest and appetite expressed for pursuing these themes, and it was decided to invite people to form a group to study the themes in Ben Lindsay’s book, We Need To Talk About Race. Ben Lindsay is a pastor of a non-denominational church in South London and this book comes highly recommended by the Archbishop of Canterbury, among others.

The group met once a week for 5 weeks. In total 14 people, with a mix of life experiences and ethnicities, attended the meetings. Although some were unable to attend all the meetings, there were always at least 9 attendees.

Purpose of the Group
We used Ben Lindsay’s book and accompanying course as a vehicle for sharing our thoughts and feelings around the issue of race within the Church of England, St Johns and the community it serves and to deepen our understanding of each other’s perspectives on the subject. In the process we hoped to formulate ways to enhance St John’s credentials as a truly inclusive church in our worship and outreach. We wanted to let our discussions around the topics of the book lead us to further work and actions beyond these five weeks.
Our first meeting was an opportunity to get to know each other and what we each hoped would come out of the course. We agreed to begin and end with a prayer, the latter consisting of individual contributions, summing up our reflections about that evening’s discussions. Using this formula, we believe we succeeded in creating a safe place for honest discussion and for expressing difficult and possibly contentious feelings and opinions without criticism.
The next 4 sessions were entitled:

Race, Society and the Church
At the beginning of the first session, Ben Lindsay asked us to consider whether there is a level playing field for Black people in the UK and the effects of secondary trauma. This prompted our Black members to share their experiences of schools where parents had to show extra engagement with the teachers to get fair treatment for their children and having, as a child, seen a friend expelled from school for what she perceived to be being too loud, led one member to be inhibited in her own behaviour at school.

Slavery, White Supremacy and Christianity
When looking at how Transatlantic Slavery and the church were intertwined, all members felt that we lacked detailed knowledge of either the Church’s involvement in the trade itself or in some of the things that the Archbishop of Canterbury is trying to do as regards reparation. We were also unaware of the prominent Black campaigners for its abolition as opposed to the well-known White campaigner, William Wilberforce.
Discussing the present day consequences of Slavery, including the Windrush Scandal, led us to feel that one of our future projects could be to educate ourselves about projects already in operation within the church and to become an active part of them. Similarly, we would be interested in aligning ourselves with organisations trying to eradicate modern slavery.

Radical Solidarity and Church Leadership
We were invited to discuss racial inclusivity in our church and to recognise the need for diversity to go alongside inclusion. We talked about “colour blindness” and the notion that, while white people might think that it is the right, non-discriminatory thing, we learnt that it leads to a diminution of our differences, which should be celebrated. That we are the same but different. “We love people less when we ignore how God made them”.

Social Action and the Road Ahead
Discussing the present-day consequences of slavery, including the Windrush Scandal, led us to feel that one of our future projects could be to educate ourselves about projects already in operation within the church and to become an active part of them. Similarly, we would be interested in aligning ourselves with organisations trying to eradicate modern slavery. We aim to be a dynamic, evolving and reactive group that recognises the need to discuss, reflect and hold a safe space before acting!
 
Our next meeting was scheduled for 7pm on Tuesday 12^th September, where we will continue to meet at least once a month, depending on the project in hand. The contents of our meetings will be reported back to the PCC each month and we will, of course, keep members of the congregation up to date. We hope to gather new members along the way. Copies of Ben Lindsay’s book are at the back of the church. Feel free to address any questions to Sian or Brenda.

How long have you been playing the organ? What first got you interested in it? What do you enjoy about it?

I have been playing the organ for nearly 40 years (and piano for not far off 50 years). I remember hearing a recording of an organ on a cassette tape and being instantly captivated. (For some reason, I think it was from York Minster.) I love the range and versatility of sounds – from a tiny echo effect to full-on orchestral blast.

When did you start playing the organ at St John’s and why? How often do you play here?

I started playing in the early 2000s (as I recall – too long ago to remember now!) after an introduction via St Augustine’s, Honor Oak Park. I play once a month on average. I regard St John’s as my home church – its combination of traditional liturgy and approach to diversity and inclusion reflects my own outlook well.

Do you play anywhere else and if so where?

I play elsewhere occasionally, including twice a year at Most Holy Trinity, Dockhead. With more time, I would play more frequently (and used to a lot more!)

How does the St John’s organ compare with other organs you have played? What makes it different?

Every organ is different – not just the size of the instrument and its range of sounds, but the available playing aids – which is both a challenge and a benefit. A key difference too is the building and the acoustic – one of the wonders of the organ is its ability to sound as though it is coming directly from the stones and fabric of the building itself, reverberating from all corners. The St John’s organ has many fine sounds to explore and we are lucky to have a three-manual instrument that allows good flexibility.

What do you do when not playing/practising the organ (job/hobbies etc)? Can you tell us a bit about this?

I work for Deloitte on climate and sustainability reporting. My hobbies include reading, music, gym and cocktails, and should include practising the organ more than I manage.

What do you like about living/working in south-east London?

It is good to be close to the centre of London but in an area with plenty of green space and community spirit – and seemingly endless rooftop bars in Peckham! I come from near Croydon and so it is good to be close to my parents.

What is your favourite piece of music/hymn to play (or listen to) on the organ?

This is a ‘Where do I start?’ question! A particular love is accompanying the choir (and thank you for all your wonderful singing, John and the choir). Achieving a sound that underpins and shines through the singing, adding to the overall texture and sounds, is both an art and a pleasure (especially as the organ is often at a distance to the choir).

Do You Know Your Numbers?
 
By Dorothy Oxley

Numbers matter a lot when it comes to our health.  Counting pulse and respiration (breathing) rates, or checking temperature levels to see if they’re feverishly high or dangerously low are simple examples.  But from the 4^th – 10^th September, everyone in the UK is being encouraged to check out an often overlooked number – or rather, two numbers (for example, 120/80), which make up a blood pressure reading.  These measure the pressure our blood flow puts on our arteries as it makes its way around our bodies.  The first, higher number, is systolic – the pressure placed on the arterial walls when our heart beats, while the second, lower number is diastolic – the pressure when our heart is resting between beats.
 
Many of us have no idea what our blood pressure is – it’s estimated that 1 in 3 adults in the UK have high blood pressure, but 1 in 2 of these don’t know it and aren’t having treatment.  The problem is, we can have dangerously high blood pressure, day in, day out, with no (or at most, minimal) warning signs.  Yet 1 in 2 heart attacks and strokes are caused by high blood pressure.  It can also damage your kidneys, affect the blood vessels in your brain leading to vascular dementia, or the small vessels in your limbs, causing poor circulation.  In fact, the damage that can be done to arteries by constantly high blood pressure can affect any part of you (yes, men, including THAT part!).  It’s also more of a problem if you have certain underlying health conditions, e.g. diabetes, and also for pregnant women, though hopefully anyone in these cases will be medically monitored anyway.
 
There are several risk factors for high blood pressure, including the usual suspects – excess weight, too little exercise, eating too much salt (and not enough fruit and vegetables), drinking too much alcohol, coffee or caffeine-based energy drinks, age, smoking, stress, and deprivation.  Family history and ethnic background also affect your risk – it’s higher for people of black African, Caribbean or South Asian descent.  However, even if you don’t tick any of these boxes, that doesn’t guarantee your blood pressure is normal – it’s best to get your blood pressure checked anyway.
 
Getting a blood pressure check: I imagine nearly everyone reading this has had their blood pressure taken at some time and know the procedure; the cuff which squeezes your arm, the little device that registers your readings.  The good news is that you don’t need to see your GP to get this measurement taken.  Several pharmacies in South East London offer this service for free (not just in ‘Know your Numbers' week but at any time).  You can find a full list of these at https://www.selondonics.org/icb/your-health/medicines/community-pharmacy-blood-pressure-check-service/ (then clicking on your borough).  If your local pharmacy isn’t on the list, you could ask if they do it – they might, but perhaps with a small charge.  I recently used the free service offered by Kristal Pharmacy in Nunhead to get mine checked, and it was brilliant – I was able to just walk in and get it done there and then.  If the results indicate a problem, the pharmacist will inform you and also your GP, who can then offer you further testing (including, for example, loan of a home blood pressure monitor to do a series of tests yourself in the ‘safe’ environment of your home). This can be helpful as sometimes, when you go to a medical professional and are nervous about having the test (and its possible results), the stress alone can raise your blood pressure!

So, What Do The Numbers Mean?
 
This illustration, from Blood Pressure UK, gives a very simple picture.  Essentially, if you’re in the ‘red’ category, you should see your doctor.  Normally this section is divided into two stages of hypertension (the official word for high blood pressure), with stage 2 meaning a higher risk and you will probably need medication.  Lower down, in stage 1, you may initially just be advised to make lifestyle changes (e.g. weight loss, exercise, stopping smoking) and have your blood pressure regularly monitored. In either stage, your doctor may check if you have any other underlying medical conditions.  The pre-high blood pressure stage is a wake-up call; that was my result, so I’m now trying to eat less and exercise more!

I can’t stress strongly enough how important it is to get your blood pressure checked, even if right now, you feel perfectly well.  If your numbers are in the normal range, great!  If they aren’t, action now could prevent much more serious health problems in the future.

So, please, get to KNOW YOUR NUMBERS!

Note: Always check with your GP if you are concerned about a blood pressure reading.
 
For further information about blood pressure, and help and advice if you have any questions or problems on which you’d appreciate advice and support, you can visit the Blood Pressure UK website or ring their Helpline on 020.7882.6218