December 2006

Gallery Carpet

The old, loose carpet tiles have gone and the gallery is now resplendent in its new carpeting. The subtle purplish hue, chosen by the congregation by a narrow majority, complements the Advent frontal perfectly but there are no plans to change it to match the liturgical seasons. Tessie Eaton, who got the project off the ground with her auction of promises last year, is no doubt looking down from the higher realms with approval.

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October 2006

Behold the Cow

Last Christmas, members of St Leonard’s sang carols for an unusual but very worthy cause. Sarah Dennis writes:

I have been waiting for this moment when I could show you the picture of the cow that our carol singing bought (with a bit of help from other fundraising and Abbey, who doubled what we raised). If you remember we were raising money for a cow for a parish community in the North of Russia.

It all seems a long time ago, but first of all winter isn’t a good time to buy a cow, and then the parish was looking for a good quality cow. They ended up going 200 miles to get a proper pedigree that is bred for the local conditions. Her name is Vulya and she is already producing 15 litres of milk a day (double what an average Russian cow produces). Her yield should double when she gets a bit older, and she should go on producing milk for ten years.

Father Lev, the vicar of the parish, sends you all his thanks and blessings. The milk, sour cream and curd cheese that they produce will feed the children, parish workers and homeless people that the parish feed on a regular basis. They sell the excess to help fund their social work with many satisfied customers. As one said, “God give you good health, I do like your cheese.”

Thanks again for the support. We have never made so much with carol singing and I am sure it was mainly down to having some people who could actually sing along!

This year’s project - a septic tank!

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June 2006

Farewell to Jeffry

All good things must come to an end, and St Leonard’s bade an emotional farewell to Rev’d Canon Jeffry Wilcox, who retired after 40 years in the ministry including nearly 24 as Rector of Streatham.

On the evening of Thursday, 8^th June, there was a special civic service attended by the Mayor, the Bishop, the local MP and other dignitaries. Jeffry has been a well known and much respected figure not just within the church but in ecumenical circles and in the wider world around Streatham. Last year he was installed as an honorary Canon of Southwark Cathedral and awarded the MBE for services to the local community. The Bishop, speaking both in his official capacity and from the viewpoint of a parishioner (he lives just down the road), paid tribute to Jeffry’s outstanding qualities as a parish priest.

St Leonard’s bells were rung on Saturday afternoon to a full peal of Jeffry’s Delight Major, a new method named in his honour.

On Trinity Sunday, 11^th June, Jeffry celebrated the Eucharist for the last time in St Leonard’s before a congregation of 400+, including many former parishioners who had returned for the occasion. [The processional hymn was St Patrick’s Breastplate and the rectorial eyebrows were raised heavenwards on noticing that Mimi had sneaked the verse about the wizard’s evil craft and the poisoned shaft into the service sheet - needless to say the choir sang it with great gusto.] He preached in his own inimitable way, moving from the mysteries of the Holy Trinity to giving thanks for the love and support shown to him and the family over the years. At the end of the service the churchwardens expressed, insofar as mere words can, the gratitude and affection of the parish and presentations were made to Jeffry and Claire.

This was followed by an hour or so of musical and other entertainment before a magnificent buffet lunch at which the wine flowed freely. The day ended on a more reflective note with Choral Evensong. Mary, eschewing the challenge of the Trinity, chose to preach on St Barnabas. Apparently the name means “the encourager”, which Barnabas was - just like a certain other person!

Jeffry and Claire have retired to Ludlow. We wish them every blessing in their new life.

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