St. Barts News
St. Barts Newsletter for Decemeber until around March
HAVE YOU SEEN THE NEW-LOOK GARDEN?
The back garden at St Bart’s has had a major makeover. Fellowship House Children Centre, (responsible for the playgroup and carer and toddler group) and Archers Landscaping came up with an innovative design, using natural materials to create a story corner, climbing frame, and large wooden planters. Our picture is of work in progress: we are looking forward to a fantastic spring and summer of play for the youngsters, and a wonderful harvest from those planters
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BIRTHDAYS ARE BIG AT ST BART’S. Cafe regular Susan celebrated a special birthday recently, with a group of good friends, a little help from the Kitchen Table team – and a few balloons. The applause was for blowing out her birthday candles – but we are not allowed to tell you how many there were!
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Who’s who around the Centre You’ll often see Andrew and Shirley in St Bart’s, settling down to lunch or coffee, or perhaps even getting to grips with the crossword. They play a big part in the life of the centre and the church – Andrew as churchwarden and Shirley as pastoral assistant and lay chair of the deanery.
COMING UP AT THE KITCHEN TABLE CAFE: Christmas at the Kitchen Table
Saturday 19 December, 7 p.m. A different take on that last-minute Christmas rush; find a new way into the festive spirit in the company of the Kitchen Table regulars. The New Year brings a chance to look back and forward: Bishop Stephen Lowe, who over 20 years ago brought the new St Bart’s into being, will be discussing the original vision, how it has worked out, and how we can contribute to making a ‘good city’; 7 pm, Thursday 13 January 2010. Poverty and Homelessness Week will be marked on 3 Feb, and the regular Quiz Nights resume on 21 January. For more information or to book, contact anne@thekitchentable.eu or ring 07720841826.
NEWHAM COMMUNITY COUNSELLING SERVICE.
Ever need someone to talk to? The Community Counsellors, based at St Bart’s, describe their service. ‘Community Counselling is a self-funded charitable organisation. We provide low cost counselling to all members of the community. Our counsellors are all unpaid volunteers who are either fully trained or in their last year of training. Counselling can provide a confidential space to discuss and process a wide variety of issues such as anxiety, depression, relationship issues and phobias. Our fees are calculated on a sliding scale to take into account individual financial circumstances. Because of the facilities kindly offered we work at St Bartholomew’s Centre on Monday , Tuesday, and Wednesday evening. We are an organisational member of the BACP and abide by their Code of Ethics.’ To contact the counselling service, call 020 8524 9711.
BARN DANCING IN EAST HAM? - We don’t have a barn – but that didn’t stop the St Bart’s congregation and friends holding a barn dance in the Francis Room, to the music of the Bucket Band. Star performers? Without doubt, Sam and Maggie Ozurumba.
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NEED SOMEWHERE FOR A DAY-TIME MEETING?The Upper Room at St Bart’s is a light, airy room with a board table, overlooking the church, and is available for bookings via the Parish Office. For enquiries about that room or other spaces in the Centre, contact Brenda or Chrissie on 020 8470 0011, or email easthamparish@tiscali.co.uk.