Sunday Services: Holy Communion 8am | Parish Eucharist 10am | Evening Prayer 6.30pm
9.15–11.15am every Wednesday during term time in the Church hall
Our groups are designed to teach bible stories and set our young on their Christian journey
If you, your friends, or any adults or children you know would like to be baptised or confirmed, or if you’d like to take part in the Lent Course, please let me know. Remember, Jesus Himself was baptised as an adult at around 30 years of age, so it’s never too early or too late to take this meaningful step.
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’re small in number, we’re 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. Please feel free to join us. We’d love to welcome you!
Sharing God’s love forms the cornerstone of everything we do at Christ Church and how we live our lives as Christians.
We are on a journey exploring our faith but also helping the wider community.
‘Let all that you do, be done in love’
1 Cor 16:14
1. Walking in faith together – To grow together. deepening our faith in God
2. Welcoming strangers and friends – to grow our community welcoming new members.
3. Working for our community – to share and serve our community with generosity.
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. 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
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
Recently, I have had the privilege of leading two funerals. Each one is a sacred reminder of how precious life is, and of the deep love God has for us in life and in death. Funerals, when done well, are not only a time of grief but also a beautiful blessing, an opportunity to celebrate a life, to commend our loved one into God’s eternal care, and to surround one another with love and comfort.
The writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1–2). These words hold us in truth and hope. Life is precious, and each season, even the hardest ones are held in God’s loving hands.
One of the greatest gifts we can give to those we leave behind is clarity about our wishes. Thinking ahead about things like whether we would prefer a burial or cremation, the hymns or readings that might be included, and even how we would like our assets to be used, can bring peace and reassurance to our families / friends when the time comes. These conversations may feel difficult, but they can also be filled with love and hope. They allow us to say, “When the day comes, this is how I would like you to honour my life.”
I encourage you to prayerfully reflect on these things. You may even find joy in considering the legacy you want to leave behind, whether it be to family, friends, or even to our church, continuing the work of God’s kingdom for generations to come.
And please know this: if you or a loved one would ever value my presence, whether at the bedside in those sacred last moments, for last rites and prayers, or simply for a cup of tea and a conversation about your wishes I am always here.
As the psalmist reminds us, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want… Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23). In Christ, death is not the end but the doorway to eternal life. And in preparing well, we leave behind a gift of peace, easing burdens and allowing our loved ones to grieve with gratitude rather than worry.
May you know the comfort of God’s love in all things in life, and in the hope of the resurrection we share in Jesus Christ.
Our stall is open every Sunday run by members of the congregation. From coffee and dark chocolate to socks, Fair Trade is a business with a commitment to justice for the world’s poor.
The foodbank relies on your goodwill and support. As the cost of living continues to rise, many local people and families need our emergency support. Your generosity will directly help local people. Popular items at the moment are tins of fish and meat, smash potato and cartons of long-life milk, but all food contributions are welcome.
Please leave in the boxes at the back of church. Thank you.
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’ve been meeting for over 20 years. 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
Our generosity is one of the values that mark us out as Christians. A good proportion of the congregation give regularly and we give thanks for all that you give and do for Christ Church. Our hope is that even more of you will become regular givers.
We have special collections throughout the year. The charities we donate to include:
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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
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.
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.