News In Brief

In an innovative collaboration, Ben has agreed to engage with St Barnabas as our Consultant Theologian. Based in Leeds, he will be joining us for online conversations designed to help us discern and grow a theology for our distinctive context, an active Southfields Theology.

Ben comes to us with an impressive CV: BA, MA, and PhD in Theology and Religious Studies, all from Leeds University. He has lectured at Manchester, Chester, and Leeds Trinity Universities, covering everything from patristics to eco-theology. His publications are equally wide-ranging, offering insights on topics as diverse as the thought of Michel de Montaigne and the ethics of assisted dying.

Most recently, however, Ben has been thinking outside the academic box. Through social media, blogging, and online teaching at the Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre, he has been taking theology to the wider public and bringing the wider public into dialogue with theology. His work with us will be part of this practical initiative to make collaborative theologizing a vital part of everyday civil society and political debate.

Let’s make the most of this unique relationship! Click here to dip into Ben’s blog; click here to follow him on Twitter.

Journey 1: 40 Days with God’s Creatures

Content for each day includes thoughts and questions, artwork and photography, prayers and challenges. These are augmented by reflections from guest bloggers, including one Revd Ian Tattum, Vicar of St Barnabas, Southfields and nature writer. To download the app or access the material online, click here. Be sure to watch the video trailer, which features St Barnabas and our Christmas crib.

Journey 2: A River through the Desert – A Lenten Pilgrimage

Fruit and Veg Fair.

3pm- 5pm Saturday 30th May.

St Barnabas Church Garden.

Please enter from Merton Road.

Fresh produce at affordable prices for all.

Strawberries, blueberries, salad stuff and much more.

Working with SW Fruit & Veg. See their website. https://swfruitandveg.com.

More information available on our website. https://stbarnabas-southfields.org.uk Follow us on Twitter @stbarnabasUK

I am delighted that we are now working with SW Fruit and Veg to support the community during the Covid 19 crisis.

We continue to appreciate the support we are getting from the local community to help us support vulnerable families during the crisis. We are continuing to work with Riversdale and other local schoos.

Following the latest guidance, all public worship at St Barnabas has been suspended. We had hoped to keep the Church open for private prayer and meditation, but regret that we must now close our doors until further notice.

At present, the garden remains open, however. All are welcome to visit, but please make sure to observe the guidelines for physical distancing and give one another 2 meters of personal space. The garden is a quiet haven for flowers and wildlife and is a good place to stretch your legs and enjoy nature.

Services and prayers are now being streamed and can be accessed via our Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/stbarnabasuk) and Twitter feeds (https://twitter.com/stbarnabasuk) .

If you would like to leave supplies for self-isolating people or for the Wandsworth area foodbanks, please put donations in the porch or email Ian on iantattum@gmail.com.

We are delighted that Greg Skidmore has taken over as our musical director. After a highly successful Carol service at Christmas, we are planning a regular evening choral service. We begin with a choral evensong at 6pm on February 2nd, to celebrate Candlemas.