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Sunday Services: Holy Communion 8am | Parish Eucharist 10am | Evening Prayer 6.30pm
Christ Church, West Wimbledon
Sharing God's Love
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Sunday Services: Holy Communion 8am | Parish Eucharist 10am | Evening Prayer 6.30pm
We are a Church of England Christian church – the parish Church of Wimbledon Common – in the Diocese of Southwark. We’re an open and inclusive Church serving the community. We welcome all, regardless of age, ethnicity, sexuality, identity politics or Church background – sharing our faith with others and helping to build peace and justice in the world.
We’d be delighted for you to join us at any of our events and services
Sunday 12 April
SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
We welcome the Reverend David Evans to our morning services
8am Holy Communion
10am Parish Eucharist
6.30pm Evensong (Book of Common Prayer)
Wednesday 15 April
9.15am No Toddler Group Easter holiday
12pm Prayer Group In Church
Sunday 19 April
THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
We welcome guest Preacher Nick Robins to our morning Services
8am Holy Communion
10am Parish Eucharist
6.30pm Evensong (Book of Common Prayer)
BOOK YOUR TICKETS
It’s the Christ Church Family Quiz Night
Saturday 25 April, 6.30-10pm
In the Church Hall
£20 including veggie chilli (mild and spicy)
Children 16 and under go FREE!
This is always such an enjoyable family occasion, so sharpen your general knowledge and join in the fun. All are welcome. For tickets sign the list at the back of Church or click below to email ccww.warden1@gmail.com
We’d welcome raffle prizes – bottles and chocolates ideally.
Dear Friends,
Each moment tells a story of faith, community, and hope. Please do take time to enjoy the photographs and give thanks for all that God is doing among us. At the heart of all we celebrated is the wonderful truth of Easter, that Christ is risen, and with Him comes new life, hope, and joy for us all. As Scripture reminds us: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3)
This is the hope we carry into our daily lives, the assurance that light overcomes darkness, and love triumphs over death.
This week has also reminded me of the breadth of ministry we share together. Alongside the joy of Easter, I had the honour of leading a large funeral in church, a sacred and moving occasion, holding a family in their grief while gently pointing to the hope we have in Christ. It is often in such moments that we are reminded that our faith speaks into every season of life, both joy and sorrow,and that we are called to walk alongside one another through it all.
After such a full and meaningful season holding both the joys of Easter and the pastoral demands of the week I will now be taking a short break. I am very grateful to the Revd David Evans, who will be leading our 8am and 10am services on Sunday please do give him a warm welcome. I am also grateful to Peter Boulding who will be leading our Evensong service.
Thank you again for all that you give to the life of Christ Church. It is a privilege to journey in faith together.
With love and every blessing,
Lotwina
Dear Friends,
Last week it was a pleasure to welcome 67 Year 4 boys from King’s College School to Christ Church for their Religious Studies learning. The church was full of energy as they took part in a scavenger hunt, discovering meaningful features of our building and exploring the life of the Church. They learned about our beautiful East Window from Linda Coleman. Do take a moment to look at it next time you are in church. You may notice the touching detail in the bottom left of a young boy without a halo, Eric Bishop, whose parents sponsored the window in his memory. John Davey shared insights about the building itself (including the use of Kentish Ragstone), and I had the opportunity to speak to the boys about Holy Week, Easter, and why people come to church. It was a joy to see such curiosity and engagement.
Our Lent course on prayer has concluded, and it was a real privilege to lead it. It has been encouraging to hear how people have been enriched. One participant shared, “I am praying more and differently as a result of what I learned on the course.”
If you were unable to attend, or would like to revisit the sessions, they can be found here.
Our Parochial Church Council (PCC) met last week for our bi-monthly meeting. The PCC plays a vital role in the leadership and life of the church. We were grateful to hear a wonderful presentation from Naomi Lowe, who works tirelessly on our communications. Naomi designs our beautiful leaflets and publicity, maintains our website, and sings in the choir, all alongside her day job. Her work quietly shapes so much of how we connect with one another and our community. A huge thank you to Naomi. Please do join me in thanking her and encourage her when you see her for all she does.
Last week, Stefan Brown, Sue Evans, and I attended the Merton Winter Night Shelter (MWNS) general meeting as we explore the possibility of Christ Church hosting in 2027. This initiative would involve joining a rota of churches offering hospitality to vetted homeless guests, providing a warm meal and a place to rest one night a week over several weeks. We will know in June whether this opportunity will go ahead. As Jesus reminds us:
“I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” (Matthew 25:35)
It would be a wonderful way to serve our local community and live out our faith in such a practical and loving way.
As we continue our journey through Holy Week, we are reminded of God’s deep love for us, shown most fully in Christ.
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus… who for the joy set before him endured the cross.” (Hebrews 12:2)
May this be a time for each of us to draw closer to Him, to reflect, to pray, and to prepare our hearts for the joy of Easter.
With love and every blessing,
Lotwina
Last week, we were treated to a truly special occasion as our brilliant Director of Music, Roelof Temmingh, performed his first classical piano concert here at Christ Church. It was a joy to hear the beautiful sounds of Schubert and Medtner fill our sacred space. Roelof is accustomed to performing in renowned venues such as the Royal Festival Hall and Carnegie Hall, so it was particularly meaningful to welcome him to perform in our own beautiful and historic church.
This concert was made possible through the generous £5,000 legacy given by the late Shirley Turner, Judy Luddington’s mother. Thanks to this gift, we were able to commission a removable wooden piano plinth, allowing the piano to be brought to the centre and level with the altar, something that was not previously possible. We are deeply grateful to Shirley Turner’s family for this gift, which will bless our church for years to come.
The plinth was expertly crafted by Paul Millington, and we look forward to many more concerts in the future. We also hope to use the remaining legacy funds to install a handrail in the bell tower, making it easier to ring the bells as a call to worship each Sunday.
Thank you to Roelof, The Turner Family, Paul Millington, and to all who helped behind the scenes, including our wonderful warden Tish, the social committee for making the evening such a success.
One of the great joys of Christ Church is the quiet, faithful service that happens week by week. Often, when I come into church during the week to pray, I find members of the congregation hard at work, whether in the garden or caring for the church building. Last week I came across Bertha Jeffries and Sarah Shah, hoover and dusters in hand, diligently cleaning the church. They are part of our dedicated cleaning team rota, alongside Ginny Essex, Pat Spencer, Liz Errington, Caroline Petch, Jenny Tomlinson, and Jane Allen. We are so grateful for all they do. Please do take a moment to thank them when you see them. If you would like to join the cleaning rota, do speak to one of the team, you would be most welcome.
What a joy our Easter-themed Messy Church was! We welcomed over 20 children – thanks be to God! There were crafts, an Easter egg hunt in church, learning about Jesus, and a wonderful time of blessing and fellowship. My heartfelt thanks go to the fantastic team who made this possible – Tish Mousell, Jane Simpson, Arabella Allan, Claire Mangrioti, Claire Naylor, Lyons O’Keefe, and Radka Cernota.
I am delighted to share that Bishop Martin will be visiting us at Christ Church on Palm Sunday. Not only will we have our dramatic reading of the Gospel, but Bishop Martin will also present Farhad with the highly esteemed Lancelot Andrewes Award in recognition of his faithful service.
Many of you will know that Farhad has served as a Reader for approx 27 years and still loves to preach into his 80s. It will be a wonderful moment for us to celebrate and give thanks for his ministry among us. If anyone feels called to explore becoming a Reader, training is available through our diocese, and I would be very happy to talk with you about the process.
Thank you for being such a faithful and welcoming community. As we move towards Holy Week together, may this be a time when our hearts are drawn more deeply into the story of Christ’s love for the world and the hope of the Resurrection.
I very much look forward to gathering with you this Sunday, whether at our 8am Book of Common Prayer service, our 10am All Age service, or 6.30pm Evensong. Each service is a beautiful opportunity to worship, to be renewed, and to encourage one another in faith.
Wherever we gather, may we continue to encourage one another in faith, hope, and love.
With love and every blessing,
Lotwina
When Hope Seems Delayed: The Glory of God in the Waiting
Scripture: John 11:1-45 (with Romans 8:6-11
By Rev Lotwina
Lord Jesus Christ, you humbled yourself in taking the form of a servant, and in obedience died on the cross for our salvation: give us the mind to follow you and to proclaim you as Lord and King, to the glory of God the Father.
Amen
BACKGROUND
Our mission is to be known as a welcoming church where worship is joyful – to be a space where everyone is supported in their journey of faith and where faith can be deepened with friends. Because we are serious about growing the work we do with our children and young people, we are committed to restarting and sustaining Junior Church.
WE’RE LOOKING FOR…
An enthusiastic, motivating and reliable children’s leader to support the delivery of Junior Church during Sunday services in term time.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE…
SAFEGUARDING
An enhanced DBS check is required (to be completed before starting the role).
IS THIS YOU?
To apply or find out more, contact Reverend Lotwina Farodoye, Vicar, Christ Church, West Wimbledon. 0203 597 9750 or ccww.vicar@gmail.com
I particularly enjoyed our all-age Mothering Sunday service last week. One highlight was our live quiz game called “Who’s Tish?” in which our wonderful churchwarden, Tish, dressed up as a series of famous women from the Bible and we all had to guess who she was. It was great fun and especially lovely to see the children so involved. The final woman we reflected on was Mary, which led us to that moving moment at the foot of the cross when Jesus said, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” In this moment Jesus invites us into a wider family of care and responsibility for one another, encouraging us to look after each other not simply through biological ties, but as members of God’s family, the Church.
It was a delight to give flowers to all the women in the congregation. My sincere thanks go to Lynda Coleman, Marion Thomas, Elaine Chester, and Wendy Hamilton, who prepared the beautiful posies we were able to share.
If you haven’t seen someone in church for a while, why not reach out? A simple email, message or call can mean a great deal. We are called to care for one another. As Scripture reminds us: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
Last week it was also a joy to spend time with our youth group, the Kung Fu Hamsters (KFH). We had great fun with Hamster Chef, our cooking competition a bit like Master Chef with the girls team vs the boys team! The food they prepared was delicious, and Tish and I had the difficult task of judging and awarding certificates for taste, technical skill, teamwork, professionalism, presentation, and originality. Both teams did brilliantly and it was a draw.
The God of All Comfort: A Family of Compassion
Scripture: Second Epistle to the Corinthians 1:3–7 Gospel of John 19:25b–27
By Rev Lotwina
I am delighted to share that Bishop Martin will be visiting us at Christ Church on Palm Sunday. Not only will we have our dramatic reading of the Gospel, but Bishop Martin will also present Farhad with the highly esteemed Lancelot Andrewes Award in recognition of his faithful service.
Many of you will know that Farhad has served as a Reader for approx 27 years and still loves to preach into his 80s. It will be a wonderful moment for us to celebrate and give thanks for his ministry among us. If anyone feels called to explore becoming a Reader, training is available through our diocese, and I would be very happy to talk with you about the process.
We’ll once again hold a dramatic reading of the Gospel on Palm Sunday. There’ll be three practice sessions:
• After tea and coffee on Sunday 22 March
• A final rehearsal at 9am on Sunday 29 March, before the 10am service
If you would like to take part, please email me or sign up on the sheet at the back of the church. No lines need to be memorised this is a shared, dramatic reading.
Thank you for being such a faithful and welcoming community. As we move towards Holy Week together, may this be a time when our hearts are drawn more deeply into the story of Christ’s love for the world and the hope of the Resurrection.
The Well Where Everything Changed
Scripture: Gospel of John 4:5 to 42
By Rev Lotwina
Perhaps you’ve felt so overwhelmed that you didn’t know where to begin. Or maybe you cherish the idea of prayer, but Monday to Saturday seem to slip by with little time set aside for it. If so, there is wonderful hope. Our first chapter in our Lenten Bible Study on prayer began, and what a blessed start it has been. We turned to the Old Testament and reflected on the heartfelt, desperate, and deeply personal prayer of Hannah (1 Samuel 1). She poured out her heart before the Lord, raw, honest, and unfiltered. We were reminded that prayer does not need to be eloquent or polished, it simply needs to be real. As Scripture reassures us:
“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” Psalm 145:18
What a comfort! Together we practised extempore prayer, stepping out in faith and trusting that God delights in hearing His children speak. There is such joy in growing together in this spiritual discipline, and I truly believe some exciting and life-giving weeks lie ahead for us.
And the good news? It is not too late to join. This coming Tuesday, we will explore Elijah’s powerful and faith-filled prayer and discover what it teaches us for our own Christian journey.
See below for more details. You are so warmly invited. Come and be refreshed.
Lent is a precious opportunity for growth, reflection, and renewal. If you’d like to deepen your prayer life our Lent course begins on Tuesday 24 February, 7.45-9pm in the Truman room, and every Tuesday thereafter for five weeks. The course explores the prayer lives of five Old Testament figures and how their experiences connect with the prayer life of Jesus. Personal Prayer – Hannah, Ambitious Prayer – Elijah, Hopeful Prayer – Ezekiel, Communal Prayer – Esther, Constant Prayer – Daniel.
Each session will include an opening prayer, listening to Scripture, a short video talk, group discussion, guided prayer, closing prayer for growth and renewal. The course was created by Bishop Philip of Blackburn – a rich and nourishing experience for all.
It was a deep joy this week to share Holy Communion and Bible study with the residents of HolmHurst. What a privilege it is to gather around the Lord’s table, whether in church or in someone’s home. If you are ever unwell or unable to attend church for a period of time, please know that you remain very much part of our church family. I would be delighted to visit you at home, whether to share Holy Communion, prayer, or simply a cup of tea and fellowship. Please do email me at ccww.vicar@gmail.com or call 0203 597 9750 and leave a message, and we will arrange a suitable time.
Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
By Chris Larkman
After our service last week, many of you kindly shared with me how the image of carrying weights and the invitation not to hold on to worry given during our sermon resonated with you. Together we reflected on what it means to place our burdens into Jesus’ hands: to pray more, to live in the present, to share one another’s loads, and to pray with gratitude and thanksgiving.
I am so thankful for the openness and depth of those conversations. Our scripture reading encouraged us to “look at the birds” and notice God’s loving care in creation. My sermon entitled “The weight we were never meant to carry” is attached for anyone who missed it or would like to revisit it.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 6 vs 25 to 34 New Testament Reading: Romans 8 vs18 to 25
As we look ahead, there is much to rejoice in and much to look forward to as a church family:
Saturday 22 March
Messy Church
Saturday 28th April
Quiz Night
All are welcome to attend these events and services. These gatherings are not only a gift to our fellowship together, but wonderful opportunities to invite family, friends, neighbours, and colleagues to experience the life of our church. Together, we are building God’s Kingdom, one invitation, one conversation, one prayer at a time. If you’re unsure who to invite, pray about it asking the Holy Spirit to guide you. The simple practice of pray, tell, invite can open doors we never expected.
Thank you for supporting the Christ Church Fair Trade Stall last year. Together we bought over £1,875 of fairly traded goods (that’s a lot of chocolate)! We made a profit of £372 and donated £370 to church funds. You may be aware that chocolate prices have risen due to poor harvests in West Africa, mainly due to extreme weather patterns. We realise this affects our chocolate-loving customers but not nearly as much as the farmers. Thank you for helping us trade differently and support producers in lower income countries – a small step towards justice for the world’s poor.
We really need help with ordering and stock taking. If you’d like to help please get in touch below. Thank you.
There are many ways to take an active role in our worship and community life. If you feel called to help by: Reading the Bible, leading prayers, serving or offering the chalice, helping with refreshments, stewarding or assisting in any other way, please sign up on the sheets at the back of the church, email our administrator, or feel free to speak with Tish or with I. We would love to involve you in the ministry and life of our church.
If you’d like prayer for any matter whatsoever, please know that we are always honoured to pray with and for you.
• Email ccparishoffice@yahoo.co.uk if you would like your name included in the notice sheet and prayed for during the service.
• Write a prayer note and place it on the board next to the prayer corner. A small but faithful group meets in church every Wednesday at 12pm to pray for us all at Christ Church and our Community, and we include all new notes left on the board. Notes can be anonymous if you prefer.
• Speak to Rev Lotwina after the service, or email her ccww.vicar@gmail.com
Please do reach out, your concerns, joys, and needs matter deeply to us.
Every Wednesday at 12pm, a small group of us gathers in the church for Midday Prayer. We begin with tea, biscuits, and conversation, then spend time praying for the needs of the world, our parish, and our Church. Though we are small in number, we are reminded of Jesus’ words: “Where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20)
We give thanks that we have seen so many prayers answered, and it is truly encouraging. Please feel free to join us. We would love to welcome you!
We are a group that promote caring for God’s earth. If you’re interested in finding out how to get involved contact Lucy Christie via the Parish Office to find out more.
The Raynes Park Bereavement Service has been operating for 10 years and has supported around 550 people locally. The service receives most of its referrals from local GP surgeries. We have 10 volunteers and are looking for more to help with our valuable work. If you would like to consider this opportunity, or make use of the service, please contact us on 07914263420 or email raynesparkbereavement@gmail.com
By the mid 1850s, with the arrival of the railway, Wimbledon had grown from a village to a thriving town. The growing population needed a new place of worship. So, an appeal was launched to build a new church. £6,000 was raised, the church built and on 15 August 1859 the Bishop of London dedicated the new chapel-of-ease…
Raynes Park Bereavement was set up by Christ Church as part of its outreach programme in 2014. There are 12 volunteers who meet with people who have been bereaved on a one-to- one basis. The service receives most of its referrals (about 60 per year) from local GP surgeries. If you (or anyone you know who lives in the area) would like to make use of our service, please call 07914 263420 or email raynesparkbereavement@gmail.com
The 12 th Wimbledon Brownies meet on Wednesdays at the Scout Hut on the corner of Cottenham Park Road and Oakwood Road. We welcome all girls aged 7-10 from all schools and all denominations but those who live locally and those who attend Christ Church are particularly welcome. Contact is Elisabeth Bingham ccparishoffice@yahoo.co.uk
The 12th Wimbledon Guides meet on Tuesday evenings, at the Scout Hut on the corner of Cottenham Park Road and Oakwood Road. We welcome all girls aged 10-14 from all schools and all denominations regardless of whether or not they have been Brownies. Please contact us. Contact Nicolette Ewers ccparishoffice@yahoo.co.uk
Vicar
The Reverend Lotwina Farodoye
ccww.vicar@gmail.com
Church Wardens
Two people elected represent the congregation.
Tish Mousell ccww.churchwarden1@gmail.com
There is a vacancy for a second Warden
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) 2024-2025
Elected to serve until May 2025
Stefan Bown
Elected to serve until May 2025
Jane Simpson
John Davey (Hon Treasurer)
Ron Barnett
Sally Edmunds
Elected to serve until May 2026
Lynda Coleman
Sarah Hannaford
Chris Larkman
Elected to serve until May 2027
Chica Nwokoye*
Julie Grainger*
Julie Ashbee*
Ian Christie*
Debbie Morley (Hon Secretary)*
Merton Deanery Synod Members 2017-2026
(Ex officio on PCC)
Pat Spencer
Mair Rabagliati
*Eligible to stand for a further 3-year term
Our stall is open every Sunday run by members of the congregation.
Fair Trade is business with a commitment to justice for the world’s poor. Fair Trade is based on long-term partnerships with producers in the global south, guaranteeing suppliers a fair price for their products so that they can earn enough to support their families and communities.
Traidcraft run programmes in developing countries, supporting poor and vulnerable people to get a better deal from trade. They often focus on small, marginalised groups, creating long term partnerships and they also campaign to transform the way trade works.
For a wider range of products there is a Traidcraft catalogue and you can also order online at www.traidcraftshop.co.uk
We have special collections throughout the year and there are specific charities that we donate to.
Currently we are supporting:
1. South London Refugee Association https://www.slr-a.org.uk
2. Church Mission Society https://churchmissionsociety.org
3. Christian Aid https://www.christianaid.org.uk
4. A Rocha Kenya https://www.arocha.or.ke
5. Children’s Society, https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk
6. Faith in Action https://www.faithinaction.co.uk
7. Christian CARE Association https://www.christiancaremerton.org.uk
We also collect for emergency appeals for example we recently held a collection for Ukraine.
Christ Church Hall, 2a Cottenham Park Road, London, SW20 0RZ
Christ Church hall is a separate building next to the Church which was fully refurbished in 2019. The sprung wooden floor makes it an ideal venue for ballet and dance classes as well as yoga and pilates. With the modernised kitchen it is also brilliant for children’s parties. Hire rate is £35 per hour. For enquiries about hiring the hall please contact: ccsw20hall@gmail.com
• Seats 120 (100 at table)
• Hall dimensions: approx 50ft x 30 ft / 15m x 9m excluding stage area
• Disabled access toilets
• On-site parking for 6 cars
• Wi-Fi
• New heating and air-cooling system
• Fully equipped kitchen including automatic water boiler
We are here to help you if you would like to hold a funeral service in church for your loved one. It is not necessary for the deceased or their family to have been church goers. We can also conduct a full funeral service at a crematorium for those who live in the parish of Christ Church. It is usual for the funeral director to make direct contact with us but please contact the Parish Office
if you have any queries.
We are always pleased to discuss marriage with those who live in the parish of Christ Church or who can establish a Qualifying Connection with Christ Church. It may also be possible to be married at Christ Church where either or both parties have been divorced. Please contact the Parish Office at ccparishoffice@yahoo.co.uk to arrange a time to discuss marriage.
We are willing to consider preparing children to receive Holy Communion from about the age of 7-8 and subsequently we encourage young people to wait until they are at least 11-years-old before making the ‘adult’ step into church life at confirmation. Confirmation groups also run each year for adults who would like to make a commitment to church
life. Please contact the Parish Office ccparishoffice@yahoo.co.uk to discuss.
Baptisms are conducted on Sunday mornings either during the 10am service on the first Sunday of the month or at 12 noon on a convenient Sunday. We are always pleased to discuss baptism for those who live in the parish of Christ Church. Visit www.achurchnearyou.com to see if you live in the parish. Please contact the Parish Office at ccparishoffice@yahoo.co.uk for more details.
Bringing Holy Communion to those who are housebound is always a deeply meaningful part of ministry. If you or someone you know is unable to attend church for a period of time due to ill health, please don’t hesitate to get in touch, for prayers, a visit, or simply a listening ear.
