Sunday Services: Holy Communion 8am | Parish Eucharist 10am | Evening Prayer 6.30pm
We had our first Bridge Tea on 21 November and raised over £1,000 to cover the cost of a new cycle rack and to pay for the soloist at or Carol Sevice on 17 December.
CHURCH CLEANERS WANTED
We need a few more volunteers on the Church-cleaning rota. It’s not onerous – only two hours every four weeks.
If you like to join our little crew please contact the wardens, Julie and Tish or the Parish Office. Thank you.
Our youth group, the Kung Fu Hamsters, pitted their culinary skills against each other recently in a fiercely contested chef competition. All three teams – The Italianos, The Americans, and the Italian Sisters – created delicious meals and were judged for their technical skills, presentation and teamwork. They all had the honour of being awarded with certificates from our Vicar, Lotwina.
Eco – no oasis or plastic
6.30pm, 14 December
In the hall
£40 including prosecco and nibbles.
Book your place by adding your name to the list at the back of church.
Wreath base, ribbon, orange slices, cinnamon and wires will be provided. Please bring secateurs and short pieces of natural greenery such as holly, ivy, fir, yew, rosemary, pine cones, any berries, hydrangea heads.
Our groups are designed to teach bible stories and set our young on their Christian journey
With a baby play area, singing, ride-on toys, and refreshments, the toddler group meets in the Church hall between 9.15 – 11.15am every Wednesday during term time.
If you are able to help set up the toys on a Tuesday evening for about 40 minutes we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch with Mair Rabagliati via the Parish Office. ccparishoffice@yahoo.co.uk
Many thanks to the Brownies who had a bake sale after the Harvest Service last weekend to raise money for those in need in the borough. We loved seeing these bright youngsters using their talents to help others.
The weather was glorious for our annual open garden event which took place on 4 June. We raised over £650 to help plant our green spaces around the church, so thank you to all involved and all who generously donated. As an Eco Church, enhancing the biodiversity of our garden is one of our missions. We are all gatekeepers of God’s creation and are dedicated in creating green spaces that enhance the community and that future generations can enjoy.
On Good Friday the young people of Christ Church planted the Easter garden as a symbol of the new life that the resurrection of Jesus gives to us all – a place where life flourishes.
We recently replanted the old garden behind the hall, to created beautiful a haven for wildlife where you are invited to sit for quiet reflection. All the work in our open spaces is done by volunteer members of the congregation and a monthly group from King’s College School. If you would like to join our green fingered team please email ccparishoffice@yahoo.co.uk
Music plays an important role at Christ Church: enhancing the weekly liturgy, enriching the spiritual life of the parish, and bringing joy to those who worship together within its walls.
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
We are a very sociable Church, and have regular social and fundraising events. From quizzes to open gardens, wreath-making to barn dances we hold events to suit everyone throughout the year. The whole congregation contribute to our annual Advent Fair. We also have monthly teas and a Book Club.
We are lucky to have a florist in our congregation, Elaine Chester. She’s a retired professional and runs a small team to ensure we have altar flowers each Sunday, and gorgeous displays for Easter, Harvest and Christmas. Elaine also does fundraising flower arranging demonstrations. Last Christmas’ wreath-making event was a huge success.
If you need advice about flowers for weddings or funerals, Elaine is very happy to offer recommendations. She can also arrange these to any specification and budget. Contact us ccparishoffice@yahoo.co.uk
Meeting fortnightly (weekly in Lent) we began as an ecumenical Lent Group over 30 years ago and still retain members from other churches. Members draw much support from the group and there is also the facility to meet via Zoom if preferred. Throughout 2022/23 we’ve been looking at the Acts of the Apostles.The group is open to all and we welcome new members. Why not come and join us for interesting discussion, prayer, coffee and biscuits.
For further details please contact the parish office ccparishoffice@yahoo.co.uk
We’ve been meeting for over 20 years – more recently on Zoom every two months. Our selection of books is very varied – not necessarily religious. Recent books have included Murder Before Evensong by the Reverend Richard Coles and A Terrible Kindness by Jo Browning Wroe. Sometimes we draw on titles reviewed in the Church Times and have notes for discussion to keep the meeting focused. Membership is very informal and we enjoy sharing a wide range of opinions. We’d be very pleased for others to join us.
Please contact the parish office ccparishoffice@yahoo.co.uk
The annual Parochial Church Meeting took place on Sunday 21 May, after the 10am service.
We’ll be updating our Electoral Roll, so if you are not on the list but would like to join please contact the parish office ccparishoffice@yahoo.co.uk
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
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
Vicar
The Reverend Lotwina Farodoye
ccww.vicar@gmail.com
Church Wardens
Two people elected represent the congregation. Currently:
Tish Mousell ccww.churchwarden1@gmail.com
Julie Grainger ccww.churchwarden2@gmail.com
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) 2023-2024
PCC Members:
Elected to serve until May 2024
Angelina Skelton
Stefan Bown
Brenda Thurgood*
Charles Buyondo*
Chica Nwokoye*
Elected to serve until May 2025
Jane Simpson
John Davey (Hon Treasurer)
Ron Barnett
Sally Edmunds
Flis Banks (ex-officio Reader)
Elected to serve until May 2026
Judy Luddington (Hon Secretary)
Lynda Coleman
Sarah Hannaford*
Chris Larkman*
Merton Deanery Synod Members 2020-2024
(Ex officio on PCC)
Pat Spencer
Paul Sinclair
Mair Rabagliati
1 vacancy
*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 is a separate building next to the Church and it 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. For enquiries about hiring the hall please contact: ccsw20hall@gmail.com
Our address:
Christ Church Hall, 2a Cottenham Park Road, London, SW20 0RZ (just down from the corner of Copse Hill and Cottenham Park Road)
• 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.
The cost of running the church and paying for the Vicar is over £2,700 each week – rising with inflation every day. The stark fact is that we are not even covering our day-to-day running costs, let alone paying for repairs and maintenance required to the church and hall.
Christ Church gets no state funding. Maintaining our church for today and securing it for the future requires continued expense. Our prayer is that our Church may continue to flourish. It can do so – but only with your help.
If you would like to donate to Christ Church please contact the Parish Office at
or download, print and return the Giving Form below.
Thank you.
