Headlines

Diocese of Southwark Coronavirus Task Group Bulletin No. 35 Saturday 19 December 2020 - read here

Preparing for Advent and Christmas 2020 - Comfort and Joy:  Video & Resources

The Archbishops' Presidential Address at General Synod - 23 November 2020 - speeches in full here

Daily Hope - Church of England Free Phone (call 0800 804 8044) worship for people without access here

The Pilgrim Way - A Guide to the Christan Faith

National Virtual Church of England Services - Listen to Sunday Service on BBC Radio 4 or a local radio station

Safeguarding - see our Safeguarding Page and the Church of England's Code of Safer Working Practice

HeartEdge - New - December Mailer;  Website 

Diocese of Southwark - The Bridge, November 2020 Issue here

Epiphany - A Message From The Rector, Revd Ian Welch

The season of Epiphany brings two great themes: universal manifestation and spirtual rebirth - themes that have real resonance and relevance in these troubled times.

The baby Jesus is revealed to the Three Kings, or Magi, as the loving Saviour for all nations - not just for the nation of Israel. This vision, beyond nationalistic exclusivism speaks powerfully to us in post-Brexit Britain of the need for a spiritual ideal that is open-hearted and generous, in looking beyond narrow self-interest. In recent years, popularist politics have often seemed to point away from universal concern for the common good, whereas the Epiphany story reminds us that Christ revelation is for all people, not just a particular nation, class or caste. Especially, in the current pandemic crisis, there is a great need for mutual support in a fellowship of nations to overcome the challenges of these dark times,

In doing this, we also recall the Epiphany theme of spiritual rebirth, evoked by the early New Year recollection of the Baptism of Christ. That Baptism is not just an outer ritual, but rather a spiritual rebirth as sons and daughters of the divine family. This entails a shift to a unitive perspective: that through sharing in the Baptism blessed by Christ, we are siblings together in the divine family of universal love. As such, we are called to share the light of Christ's compassion with all people, without respect to social exclusivism and especially in a crisis, such as the ongoing global pandemic.

Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy New Year and the blessing, protection and peace of Christ's uniting spirit.

Ian, Rector, Mottingham St Andrew with St Alban

Online Improvised Daily Taize Prayer is available here

Keep Connected!

Social distancing may mean physical isolation but we can renew connections of soul and spirit through the telephone, social media, email and even the humble letter post.

Keep connected with this website -

It is updated regularly with news of our local community, the parish and the Church of England in general.

Stay connected with a candle -

Our Archbishops have invited us to light a candle in the presence of Jesus in our homes. Take this opportunity to say:

• a prayer for thanks giving each day
• a prayer of blessing on our families
• a prayer for help wherever it is needed
• a prayer for healing and forgiveness

Come close to God and he will come close to you! (James 4:8)

Keep Connected with our Parish community News Sheet - 3 January 2021, Issue 25 and Appendix

A Vision for the Church of England in the 2020s

At the end of 2019, the Archbishop of York was asked by the House of Bishops to lead a process to create a vision and strategy for the Church of England for the next ten years. Find out more here

The Archbishops' Address to the General Synod

'Renewal' for Church is coming despite 'trauma' of pandemic, say Archbishops. More here

Letter to clergy from Archbishops and Bishop of London

A letter sent following the announcement of the second lockdown - here

The Church is a Beacon of Hope

The Bishop of Southwark's pastoral letter to clergy - here

The Pilgrim Way

A guide to the Christian Faith

Christians believe that in Jesus, God has walked this earth before us, and that with Jesus as our companion we can travel through life differently.

We can live and travel as pilgrims. We can set our sights on God's Kingdom of justice and peace; and our journey home to God, becomes more meaninful and joyful, and the world a better place

Happy are those whose hearts are set on the pilgrim way.

Psalm 84.5

The Pilgrim Way is a new guide to the core beliefs of the Christian faith. Set out in a question and answer format, it follows one of the Church's very earliest ways of teaching and training disciples.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance for Churches

See the Church of England's website for guidance on what churches should do. There is a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section at the bottom of this CofE website page which includes a section on 'What Churches should do at this stage'. It covers some of the issues that have been raised within our (Southwark) Diocese. Please continue to check this guidance as it is updated regularly. 

A joint letter issued on 17 March 2020 from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York called for the Church of England to become a "differenct sort of church" in the coming months to face the challenge of coronavirus. Archbishops Justin Welby and John Sentamu said it is now necessary to put public services on hold until further notice. Accordingly, no services will be held at St Andrew's and St Alban's until further notice. Please continue to check this page regularly for updates.
 A second joint letter issued by the Archbishops on 24 March 2020 updates this, clarifying the latest position.

How is the Church of England adapting plans for Holy Week and into Easter to meet the challenges of Coronavirus? Read how.

Supporting Good Mental Health - visit the CofE website and read the thirteen daily reflections or print them.

In a joint statement leaders of the Church across Britain and Ireland have come together to urge Christians to pray, serve and do all we can to slow the spread of Covid 19 - read here